This winter has been hell and I mean this in every way, the never ending snow and cold and ice, has been trying on my body and mind and I am just seriously tired of this shit.
It needs to end and it needed to ended a week ago. We are now at the last day of February and Toronto is under an extreme cold alert, WTF?
It is just hard to get out of bed and want to do anything this year and I have really been suffering for the first time in my life of depression due to this damn weather and long and overdrawn winter. With this winter we had ice storms, snow storms, extreme cold weather and power outages, it has sucked in every way possible and really put me in a sour mood.
I can honestly say I am not a happy camper and can not wait for spring, it has even been too cold to go downtown for the most part. We have not even seen Wayne since we got back from Cuba, weird! The cold and snow have kept all in doors and barely even see the neighbors or anyone out at all. Really sucks.
My body is just no longer suited for these long winters and horribly cold days, yes as a skinny white boy I do not do well in the cold at all, you may consider this whining, I will call it venting for the time being.
All I can say is bring on spring so I can get to work on our yard and get the garden turned and get shit done. been drawing up plans for the back flower beds and things that we can do out front and make things beautiful, we have also discussed putting up our fence and which type we are looking at. Will be so nice to have privacy in our back yard and a gate across the front to stop unwanted visitors. yes I said it, sometimes we just want to sit and relax in our yard by ourselves without someone walking down the drive to bug for something or another.
On the bright side of this winter the main floor is finally complete and done, all that is left in the house is to fix up the paint on the ceiling upstairs and stain and varnish the stairs, I can't wait to get all this done and then we can just enjoy it for a while and love what we have completed and done on our own. We now have a beautiful home and a great life in our little house.
Things have come together quite nice and I have to say we did an amazing fucking job here and are very proud of ourselves, yes that was a pat on the back, because sometimes you just have to pat yourself on the back and say a job well done.
Time to get sett for party season, and by this I mean almost 2 years in our house and party coming up soon, Need to have that long overdue housewarming party that we have never had. Ya bitches we are going to get down and have some fun this spring, summer and fall, hope you all are as well.
Anyways back to the cold and out for a smoke now. Got to love standing outside in minus 25 weather and smoking a great Cuban cigarette.
Have a great weekend and here is hoping that March will come in like a Lion and go out like a Lamb and do it quietly and quickly, the sooner we get some plus temperatures the happier we will all be.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Ouch
Well it has been a week and that is about all, this winter is really getting to me and the snow and cold is just depressing after a little while. Since we arrived back from Cuba, we have had nothing but snow and cold here in Toronto.
I slipped down a couple stairs in the house the other morning when I got up and my hip is now really sore. I am not sure what I did, but this is hell.
I also slipped the other day on the bus on my way to a job interview, yes I finally got an interview after all this time, I actually think it went very well, though you never know. I am also going to be starting my own business soon and if I get this job I will have to figure out how to balance the both of them and get my shit together quickly.
Matt and I are doing good and the house is really almost done, what a feeling, we had someone in the other day to check out replacing clay pipe in the basement and when we do this we want to also consider taking the depth of the basement down another foot so we have a good enough height to finish the basement and add another bedroom down there.
I have been layed up on the couch now for 2 days and walking is really hard, I hate this pain and not being able to do anything is a real pain in the ass for me. I need to be on the go and doing stuff all the time.
So I am hoping that I can get back in my feet soon and this is a litteral statement as I am so sore and even had a hard time sleeping last night and have actually had a hard time sleeping the last week, it has really hit me this winter and the only redeeming factor is the sun that is still out every day. At least we have that here, which is better than anywhere else I have ever lived.
I miss Cuba and being on a holiday and carefree, It was so nice to just sit on the beach or poolside and I can see myself doing this all the time and going to Barbados, Cuba and Mexico when we can afford to do so. I just loved it!
Speaking of Cuba, Mara and Jeff have jetted off there for the week, seems to be the holiday choice of our neighborhood, I think a great many of us have all gone down there this year to escape the winter we have had.
Well it time for me to go and sit on the stairs and try to get some painting done, then maybe tomorrow I will go through some clothes again and get that done as well as I am hoping I got my job and will be going to work this week .
Anyways I hope you all had a great weekend and I will see you again soon, I know my writing today was very scattered and all over the place but I just write as it comes out. That is all!
I slipped down a couple stairs in the house the other morning when I got up and my hip is now really sore. I am not sure what I did, but this is hell.
I also slipped the other day on the bus on my way to a job interview, yes I finally got an interview after all this time, I actually think it went very well, though you never know. I am also going to be starting my own business soon and if I get this job I will have to figure out how to balance the both of them and get my shit together quickly.
Matt and I are doing good and the house is really almost done, what a feeling, we had someone in the other day to check out replacing clay pipe in the basement and when we do this we want to also consider taking the depth of the basement down another foot so we have a good enough height to finish the basement and add another bedroom down there.
I have been layed up on the couch now for 2 days and walking is really hard, I hate this pain and not being able to do anything is a real pain in the ass for me. I need to be on the go and doing stuff all the time.
So I am hoping that I can get back in my feet soon and this is a litteral statement as I am so sore and even had a hard time sleeping last night and have actually had a hard time sleeping the last week, it has really hit me this winter and the only redeeming factor is the sun that is still out every day. At least we have that here, which is better than anywhere else I have ever lived.
I miss Cuba and being on a holiday and carefree, It was so nice to just sit on the beach or poolside and I can see myself doing this all the time and going to Barbados, Cuba and Mexico when we can afford to do so. I just loved it!
Speaking of Cuba, Mara and Jeff have jetted off there for the week, seems to be the holiday choice of our neighborhood, I think a great many of us have all gone down there this year to escape the winter we have had.
Well it time for me to go and sit on the stairs and try to get some painting done, then maybe tomorrow I will go through some clothes again and get that done as well as I am hoping I got my job and will be going to work this week .
Anyways I hope you all had a great weekend and I will see you again soon, I know my writing today was very scattered and all over the place but I just write as it comes out. That is all!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Almost done our little house
Well folks the time is nearing and we are almost done our renovations, since we arrived back home we have sanded the dry wall in the back porch, painted back there, started the railing and hung up and organized what needed to be done.
I have finished the treatment in the bathroom up stairs and we have cleaned the house from top to bottom, scrubbing all ornaments, cleaning every service in the house, washing all the windows and pictures and only a few things left to do.
Have to stain the stair treads, base boards, and window trim and door trim in the back porch. touch up some of the paint in the house and then we are done and all complete.
After all is done it will have been close to two years since we bought the house , moved in and gutted and started working on things here. And it has all been worth it in so many ways, now it is time to get back to reality, but not until after we have one kick ass huge house warming party to celebrate our achievements here and enjoy our work.
Next summer we want to put up a fence around the back yard and get things done back there, do a draped patio and have a look at the basement to see what can be done down there.
We love our home and plan to be here a while, well that is unless someone comes by and offers us a price in which we just can't refuse, then we might have to consider selling and moving to a new project but not yet.
So not a whole lot else to report today, wishing you all a great February and a lovely week, thanks for reading and talk to you soon.
I have finished the treatment in the bathroom up stairs and we have cleaned the house from top to bottom, scrubbing all ornaments, cleaning every service in the house, washing all the windows and pictures and only a few things left to do.
Have to stain the stair treads, base boards, and window trim and door trim in the back porch. touch up some of the paint in the house and then we are done and all complete.
After all is done it will have been close to two years since we bought the house , moved in and gutted and started working on things here. And it has all been worth it in so many ways, now it is time to get back to reality, but not until after we have one kick ass huge house warming party to celebrate our achievements here and enjoy our work.
Next summer we want to put up a fence around the back yard and get things done back there, do a draped patio and have a look at the basement to see what can be done down there.
We love our home and plan to be here a while, well that is unless someone comes by and offers us a price in which we just can't refuse, then we might have to consider selling and moving to a new project but not yet.
So not a whole lot else to report today, wishing you all a great February and a lovely week, thanks for reading and talk to you soon.
Our Holiday
Well we finally did it and took a holiday for the first time in our marriage and life together. Matt and I went to Cuba for 7 days on January 9th and I have to say I have been chomping at the bit to go back since we got home. it was so amazing!
To be honest when we were talking about a holiday, Cuba was the furthest from my desired location to go and visit, but I am sure glad I got over that and took the plunge and went because I don't think it would have been as great anywhere else in the world.
We stayed just out side of Havana Cuba in this quaint and older apartment style hotel, with a large pick of restaurants and few bars right at the resort, all was good, and you cross the road to be on the beach and a swim in the ocean. If we didn't feel like going to the ocean we got to sit poolside, pick up a litre of vodka for $4 and drink all day out of it. Great, then a short stumble for lunch and grab a large pizza for $3, what a great life, and the real bonus for me was I could smoke anywhere and everywhere I wanted to , no freezing your ass off outside.
And the people down there are all so friendly and hard working, a totally different outlook on life than we as Canadians have.
We also met many great people within the resort from different areas of Canada and had a great time with all of them as well, but I have to say my two favorites were Michel and Richard from Sherbrook Quebec, a couple of amazing and fun loving guys, was so nice to hang out with them and visit and just have a great time.
We also met a couple from Windsor who were just a blast, Veronica and Gunther and his very sweet mother, Matt went to an authentic Cuban dance and show with them one night in Havana.
Our favorite waitress there was named Julie and she was just fabulous and an amazing young woman, and so beautiful and sweet, I cant imagine anyone in the world not liking her. Then are favorite bartender was Danier, sweet and also a real looker and just a charmer in every way. For the most part all the staff were amazing and we just had a great time.
We were inspired to go by the price we got, we were wanting to stay for the beauty and the fabulous views, people and food, and ocean and pools.
I check online everyday to see if there is another special and we can go back, I would totally honestly move there if we could, I just loved it.
We have decided to make this a yearly trip and will try to plan it with Michel and Richard and hopefully can drag Jeff and Mara with us next year and have one hell of a party in Cuba with all of our friends, old and new.
So my advice to you now that we have been to Havana, is go and if you do, stay for 2 weeks not one, because it will leave you wanting more. Enjoy and thanks for reading.
To be honest when we were talking about a holiday, Cuba was the furthest from my desired location to go and visit, but I am sure glad I got over that and took the plunge and went because I don't think it would have been as great anywhere else in the world.
We stayed just out side of Havana Cuba in this quaint and older apartment style hotel, with a large pick of restaurants and few bars right at the resort, all was good, and you cross the road to be on the beach and a swim in the ocean. If we didn't feel like going to the ocean we got to sit poolside, pick up a litre of vodka for $4 and drink all day out of it. Great, then a short stumble for lunch and grab a large pizza for $3, what a great life, and the real bonus for me was I could smoke anywhere and everywhere I wanted to , no freezing your ass off outside.
And the people down there are all so friendly and hard working, a totally different outlook on life than we as Canadians have.
We also met many great people within the resort from different areas of Canada and had a great time with all of them as well, but I have to say my two favorites were Michel and Richard from Sherbrook Quebec, a couple of amazing and fun loving guys, was so nice to hang out with them and visit and just have a great time.
We also met a couple from Windsor who were just a blast, Veronica and Gunther and his very sweet mother, Matt went to an authentic Cuban dance and show with them one night in Havana.
Our favorite waitress there was named Julie and she was just fabulous and an amazing young woman, and so beautiful and sweet, I cant imagine anyone in the world not liking her. Then are favorite bartender was Danier, sweet and also a real looker and just a charmer in every way. For the most part all the staff were amazing and we just had a great time.
We were inspired to go by the price we got, we were wanting to stay for the beauty and the fabulous views, people and food, and ocean and pools.
I check online everyday to see if there is another special and we can go back, I would totally honestly move there if we could, I just loved it.
We have decided to make this a yearly trip and will try to plan it with Michel and Richard and hopefully can drag Jeff and Mara with us next year and have one hell of a party in Cuba with all of our friends, old and new.
So my advice to you now that we have been to Havana, is go and if you do, stay for 2 weeks not one, because it will leave you wanting more. Enjoy and thanks for reading.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Letter to Kathleen Wynne
Dear Miss Kathleen Wynne
I was so happy when you were first appointed as Premiere of Ontario and head of the liberal party here, but must say I am no longer.
I wrote to you last week and expected some sort of response in regards to gift cards and the ice storm, but I guess I do not fall in to a category of any importance to you or your party. I have also phoned the Canada works offices offering these gift cards and they told me it is first come , first serve and I have to line up before 8am, while this is fine and great, I must say I am disappointed in the way the province and the city is handling the distribution of these cards, why were they not just mailed out to the areas affected by the storm. You know damn well being without power for more than a day , that we lost food.
I can not line up and wait for a card as I am not well enough to do so every day. So I guess being forced from my home, losing food and having to eat out for 3 days holds little to no importance to you and the Liberal party.
I guess you got your 15 minutes on Tv the other day and handing out a few groceries and being appreciated with that , though I never saw you , neither did anyone in my neighborhood.
Your response is and will be more than welcome but I will not hold my breath as this is the second email I have sent now in the last week. All I can say is my vote was and has always been liberal but will now probably go towards the NDP.
With regards , awaiting your response
I was so happy when you were first appointed as Premiere of Ontario and head of the liberal party here, but must say I am no longer.
I wrote to you last week and expected some sort of response in regards to gift cards and the ice storm, but I guess I do not fall in to a category of any importance to you or your party. I have also phoned the Canada works offices offering these gift cards and they told me it is first come , first serve and I have to line up before 8am, while this is fine and great, I must say I am disappointed in the way the province and the city is handling the distribution of these cards, why were they not just mailed out to the areas affected by the storm. You know damn well being without power for more than a day , that we lost food.
I can not line up and wait for a card as I am not well enough to do so every day. So I guess being forced from my home, losing food and having to eat out for 3 days holds little to no importance to you and the Liberal party.
I guess you got your 15 minutes on Tv the other day and handing out a few groceries and being appreciated with that , though I never saw you , neither did anyone in my neighborhood.
Your response is and will be more than welcome but I will not hold my breath as this is the second email I have sent now in the last week. All I can say is my vote was and has always been liberal but will now probably go towards the NDP.
With regards , awaiting your response
My letter to Harper today
I am not sure I have selected the right category but am writing you in a letter of importance to myself. I watch TV daily and am so tired of seeing commercials saying our country of Canada giving money to the Phillipines. I think we need to be offering money and help to people who involved in the ice storm in Toronto and Ontario and lost power and were forced from their homes at Christmas. I am one of those people and have not received any word of compensation or seen any thing on TV offering to help us. We live on a fixed income as do many people in our area. We had to get a hotel, eat our meals out and leave our home.
I must say I am a little disappointed how our country is looking after other countries before we look after our own. This to me has always been a problem. I have also sent a letter to the Premier of Ontario with no response at this time.
It also makes me a bit angry being originally from Alberta and seeing the suffering these people went through in southern Alberta with little to no help at all. This really sickens me that you as a government representing our Country are helping other countries more than we help ourselves, we should be cleaning our own back step before others.
While I am on this subject why not increase Old age pension and Canada Pension plan instead of making our seniors starve and have to budget as they do. I believe this is ridiculous and what we do for other countries such as the Phillipines is great but please help us Canadians first.
I hope I get a response from you, but am doubtful.
I do know though with the lack of response from Katherine Wynne and the liberal party and quite frankly never liking the Conservative party believes my vote in the next election will definitely be going towards NDP.
Thank you so much and have a great day, I am hoping to get some sort of response from you or a member of your government.
I must say I am a little disappointed how our country is looking after other countries before we look after our own. This to me has always been a problem. I have also sent a letter to the Premier of Ontario with no response at this time.
It also makes me a bit angry being originally from Alberta and seeing the suffering these people went through in southern Alberta with little to no help at all. This really sickens me that you as a government representing our Country are helping other countries more than we help ourselves, we should be cleaning our own back step before others.
While I am on this subject why not increase Old age pension and Canada Pension plan instead of making our seniors starve and have to budget as they do. I believe this is ridiculous and what we do for other countries such as the Phillipines is great but please help us Canadians first.
I hope I get a response from you, but am doubtful.
I do know though with the lack of response from Katherine Wynne and the liberal party and quite frankly never liking the Conservative party believes my vote in the next election will definitely be going towards NDP.
Thank you so much and have a great day, I am hoping to get some sort of response from you or a member of your government.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
November in a Nutshell, and a Disaster December
Well here it is , again I apologize for not writing sweet fuck all for the past little while. I have been and remain extremely busy doing the last few little bits in our house and looking for work and shit.
So in November for the first three weeks Matt and I worked our butts off to get the back porch framed reinsulated, tiled and the new bathroom laid out back there. We did plumbing, electrical and in preparation to put in a powder room , built in pantry and move our laundry to the main floor.
Then on the night of the 25th of November I flew out to Alberta and spent a fabulous week with my parents, It was so great to spend some valuable time with Mom and Dad and celebrate Moms 67th birthday with them both. I am so lucky to have both my parents and be able to spend time with them and considering they are the last immediate family I have left or choose to speak to, this was incredibly valuable to me and was worth millions.
We had a blast while I was out there and it was just so much fun, no pressure to see any of my drunken siblings or self righteous nephews and nieces, just a good time for Mom and Dad and I and a great visit.
Got to also stop by and see my best galpal and meet her hubby and the twins for a night before going to the Airport to come back here. Love you lots Sandi and so enjoyed our visit and meeting Tom and the twins, you have the most amazing little family and fabulous husband and you my dear are still the most gorgeous and loving person I know.
Anyhow while I was away Matt got sick and had a lovely cold and flu, was so hot to come home to that and catch from him, not really.
Anyways we finally both got over our flu by the first week of December and got on with the back porch and finishing drywall, mudding, taping and tiling the floors, had to have heat ran back there as well, got a good friend of ours Adam in to run new Duct work, so nice back there now.
We now have it all mudded the wall is tiled in the powder room and windows are frosted and washer and dryer moved up, I tell you that is the best thing, not having to walk to the basement anymore to do laundry. Love it.
We also went to see Les Miserable on December 21st, this was a Christmas gift to Matt and we both enjoyed the show and had a great time, it was amazing and if it comes to a city near you soon, go and see it, the best. However that night continued on for quite some time we went out after so Matt could meet my friend Billy who I have not seen since 2008. Was a great night until we got home in our cab and the damn power was out, woke up the next morning Sunday and was hopeful but there was no power, we kept ourselves warm with the gas stove and in bed all damn day. On Monday the 23rd we finally gave up hope and went to a hotel with the kids for a night, Tuesday I came home to check on things and grab some stuff we needed, wasn't even an hour after I left the house to go back to the hotel and Mara called to say the power was back on.
Got back to the house late afternoon on the 24th, checked a couple of the neighbors house to make sure furnaces were all running and water pipes were good. So glad we got to come home and spend Christmas here. Mara and Jeff and Louisa came over on Christmas eve for a visit and I have to say not too impressed with one of them. All and all a good time except for the racist and sexist remarks.
Anyhow it did not ruin our fun.
Christmas was spent with my hubby Matt who bought me the best gift ever a gorgeous and warm jacket, he also slaved over the stove all day and made a fabulous turkey dinner and we had Jeff and Mara and their two fab daughters over for dinner. After all Christmas is suppose to be spent with family and they are our family here.
New Years eve we were suppose to go out, though that was spoiled too when I slipped on black ice the night before and screwed the whole left side of my body, so not fun. Matt and I stayed home, had a few drinks and saw in the New Year with my new sis and bro, Mara and Jeff. Had a great time as always, love you guys.
Okay that is all for now, I hope 2014 is amazing for all my friends and adopted family and my parents. Lets make it a great year and remember the good and bad from 2013 as this is how we learn and move on.
So in November for the first three weeks Matt and I worked our butts off to get the back porch framed reinsulated, tiled and the new bathroom laid out back there. We did plumbing, electrical and in preparation to put in a powder room , built in pantry and move our laundry to the main floor.
Then on the night of the 25th of November I flew out to Alberta and spent a fabulous week with my parents, It was so great to spend some valuable time with Mom and Dad and celebrate Moms 67th birthday with them both. I am so lucky to have both my parents and be able to spend time with them and considering they are the last immediate family I have left or choose to speak to, this was incredibly valuable to me and was worth millions.
We had a blast while I was out there and it was just so much fun, no pressure to see any of my drunken siblings or self righteous nephews and nieces, just a good time for Mom and Dad and I and a great visit.
Got to also stop by and see my best galpal and meet her hubby and the twins for a night before going to the Airport to come back here. Love you lots Sandi and so enjoyed our visit and meeting Tom and the twins, you have the most amazing little family and fabulous husband and you my dear are still the most gorgeous and loving person I know.
Anyhow while I was away Matt got sick and had a lovely cold and flu, was so hot to come home to that and catch from him, not really.
Anyways we finally both got over our flu by the first week of December and got on with the back porch and finishing drywall, mudding, taping and tiling the floors, had to have heat ran back there as well, got a good friend of ours Adam in to run new Duct work, so nice back there now.
We now have it all mudded the wall is tiled in the powder room and windows are frosted and washer and dryer moved up, I tell you that is the best thing, not having to walk to the basement anymore to do laundry. Love it.
We also went to see Les Miserable on December 21st, this was a Christmas gift to Matt and we both enjoyed the show and had a great time, it was amazing and if it comes to a city near you soon, go and see it, the best. However that night continued on for quite some time we went out after so Matt could meet my friend Billy who I have not seen since 2008. Was a great night until we got home in our cab and the damn power was out, woke up the next morning Sunday and was hopeful but there was no power, we kept ourselves warm with the gas stove and in bed all damn day. On Monday the 23rd we finally gave up hope and went to a hotel with the kids for a night, Tuesday I came home to check on things and grab some stuff we needed, wasn't even an hour after I left the house to go back to the hotel and Mara called to say the power was back on.
Got back to the house late afternoon on the 24th, checked a couple of the neighbors house to make sure furnaces were all running and water pipes were good. So glad we got to come home and spend Christmas here. Mara and Jeff and Louisa came over on Christmas eve for a visit and I have to say not too impressed with one of them. All and all a good time except for the racist and sexist remarks.
Anyhow it did not ruin our fun.
Christmas was spent with my hubby Matt who bought me the best gift ever a gorgeous and warm jacket, he also slaved over the stove all day and made a fabulous turkey dinner and we had Jeff and Mara and their two fab daughters over for dinner. After all Christmas is suppose to be spent with family and they are our family here.
New Years eve we were suppose to go out, though that was spoiled too when I slipped on black ice the night before and screwed the whole left side of my body, so not fun. Matt and I stayed home, had a few drinks and saw in the New Year with my new sis and bro, Mara and Jeff. Had a great time as always, love you guys.
Okay that is all for now, I hope 2014 is amazing for all my friends and adopted family and my parents. Lets make it a great year and remember the good and bad from 2013 as this is how we learn and move on.
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