Impromptu weekend away!

Old ship...

Me:)

Niagara Apothecary

Prince of Wales Hotel - Niagara on the Lake

Lake Ontario scenery

Niagara Falls

Julia and I

Photos: jbrandick

I'm guessing they won... ;)






Photos: jbrandick

New addition to my life!

I just got a new camera!!! YAY!! I have officially graduated to the world of digital:) Here are a few of my first shots.

Very first one ever!

Morning shots...

Over lunch...

Photos: jbrandick

Abbreviated version...

Busy, but fantastically relaxing weekend was had. Dinners, brunch, shopping, a manicure and pedicure, and two beautiful walks – one in High Park and one along the lakeshore.

Couldn’t have really asked for more. Well I could…but for now I know I should be happy with this.

High Park

The lakeshore...

Keane - Hamburg Song

I love when I find songs that hit so close to home. Someone so far away from me seems to feel the same way. They put into words how I feel. I love it!

I don't wanna be adored
Don't wanna be first in line
Or make myself heard
I'd like to bring a little light
To shine a light on your life
To make you feel loved

No, don't wanna be the only one you know
I wanna be the place you call home

I lay myself down
To make it so, but you don't want to know
I give much more
Than I'd ever ask for

Will you see me in the end
Or is it just a waste of time
Trying to be your friend
Just shine, shine, shine
Shine a little light
Shine a light on my life
Warm me up again

Fool, I wonder if you know yourself at all
You know that it could be so simple

I lay myself down
To make it so, but you don't want to know
You take much more
Than I'd ever ask for

Say a word or two to brighten my day
Do you think that you could see your way

To lay yourself down
And make it so, but you don't want to know
You take much more
Than I'd ever ask for

A massage is fabulous!

Just home from a faaaaaabulous massage! I have finally used up the $350 gift certificate that I purchased just before Christmas. Those plans fell through, so I had to use it up - a hardship I know:) Still, it was sad to see those plans fall through. However, I have to tell you this - Jugraj is a miracle worker. Wow. Nice to have the knots of worry gone for the time being!

As Luke posted on his site a few days ago about "trying to clear his mind and exist without" - I wanted to use his words because it's what I have been trying to do too. I have been trying to work on that more and more. It's good to have goals and ambitions...but not at the expense of my happiness and health. I need to appreciate everything that I am...what I have...what I have accomplished. Before I make any more decisions I need quiet... A walk among the night may be what I need. And bouncing ideas off those I trust. Sadly, of the two people I had to do this with, one is now gone, but I will always have Shannon. The one who I can count on to listen when I have to vent or stress, or tell me something so off the wall I can't help but laugh. Thank you:)

Photo: dlouw

Sailing...

So I did something this weekend that I have never done before. Sailing. It was great! It’s a fabulous experience that everyone should try at least once. We were on a 35 ft. sailboat that was beautiful. When the 5 of us were all there introductions were had followed by visiting.

We saw the fire boat put on a show blasting water through all the cannons while doing 360º in the harbour.

After feeding two swans and their baby we were off!

We all got a chance to steer the sailboat and it was great! I got the job of getting us out of the harbour and onto the lake. Switching from motor to sails was quite a change and it took me a bit to get it all figured out – I did, but I’m still pretty green!

We sailed around Centre Island, docked, went for lunch on the island and then back home. All together we were on the boat for about 8 hours. Even though the movement of the boat did make me feel a little sick it was worth it. There was something freeing about floating along, being powered by only the wind. So relaxing, and yet that day of fresh air wiped me out. I had a lot of fun, and I do hope to get the chance to do it again sometime!


Photos: cfolkes

A day...

Ever have one of these days?

Oy! It’s going to be a long one…thank goodness it’s Friday!!

Cottage and the falls...

So this is our adventure up the falls, beginning with a picture of our lazy day indoors on Saturday. I have a couple videos from the falls as well, but unfortunately I don't know how to post those, so if you're interested let me know and I can forward them on:) Otherwise...enjoy!

Anstruther Lake

Just in from a weekend at a cottage. It was fabulous! The weekend started with the drive up to Anstruther Lake (just over 2 hours away). The boat trip across the lake to a lake access only cottage was very cool because it’s a totally new concept for me. I’m used to cabins in the mountains:) FIFTY stairs up a cliff to get to the cottage (I was the designated sherpa) was thankfully followed by a large dinner – mmmmmm! We then watched Bandits and this was, overall, a great way to start the weekend. Saturday we spent the day in the cottage because of the rain. Movies, reading, Trivial Pursuit (my team kicked butt!!), lots of chatting/laughing/teasing and some great meals filled the day. Today the weather cleared so we ventured over to the waterfall. The 4 of us climbed up this waterfall that was beautiful. We spent about 2 ½ hours there exploring, playing, and simply taking in the surroundings. Mary and I ventured into the whirlpool which was very cool. Many photo ops were there – so we obliged, and I will post as soon as they are sent to me since I was the one climbing about:) We headed back for a BBQ and packing up. Now I’m home, have to unpack, and am bagged. I’m sad to see these great weekends end, but I know I’m fortunate to have these opportunities presented to me, so thank you!

These are a couple quick pictures from the cottage…