Cutie Petutie

Douglas has been in El Salvador for over 6 months now without us and it has, of course, been emotionally draining.  The poor guy needed a companion - so he decided to buy an adorable teacup Chihauhau - better than getting himself a girlfriend!  He named him "Tequila". 

I can just see it at the airport now - when Douglas comes to meet us, the girls are going to ignore him & make a big fuss about this little cutie petutie!

Building Art

I just love these transformations. On the way to my office, I pass by these works of art. I absolutely love them! This Architectural firm's building was painted with irridescent paint and it just glistens in the sun.

I also love this wall - love the colours!

Thanksgiving

While Douglas is dealing with torrential downpours in the heat (and no Thanksgiving dinner) - we guiltily enjoyed a day at the farm and then a wonderful dinner with cousins and other extended family.

Avalon & I on the wagon ride - it was a chilly day!
A pony ride through the farm for Anitcka.
Freya loved all the barn animals - and they loved her and the food she offered!
A trek or two or three through the "Haunted Maze".
Thumbelina wondering when dinner would be served.

Avalon made it through the long day, but was not her usual "Dennis the Menace" self. The reason for that? Unbeknownst to us she had come down with H1N1 (Swine Flu). She was so generous, that she gave it to her sister also. So, the week that unfolded was filled with two sick littled kidlets home from school for the entire week! I think I heard "Mummy!" every 10 minutes for the last week.

Acceptance Speech

Excellent acceptance speech by President Obama, who never asked for this award. I think he found it difficult to accept the Nobel Prize, realizing that after only 8 months in office, he is just getting his "feet wet"; he was very humble and gracious. (Perhaps Europes' slap in the face to George W. Bush?)

Nobel Peace Prize: Canadians Should Be Insulted

We all heard/read the news today - the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barack Obama. I do not dislike the President. He is an eloquent speaker and has delivered excellent speeches around the world.

Also, in The Huffington Post today there are two articles entitled: "Obama to Accept Taliban in Afghanistan's Future" & "U.S. Considers Establishing Political Party for Taliban in Afghanistan". The articles outline how the President Obama is prepared to accept the Taliban to have some rule in Afghanistan.

With all due respect to President Obama, as a Canadian I am insulted that the Nobel Peace Prize would be awarded to him. Let me explain.

Canadian soldiers have been embedded in Afghanistan since 2001. The cost of this offensive military operation, until 2011, is expected to be $18.5 billion. More importantly 131 young Canadian soldiers have been killed and brought back to be driven in a hearse down our "Highway of Heros" as Canadians stand on the overpass bridges waving their Canadian flags.

A very interesting read that outlines the Canadian soldiers' liberation of the Afghani women from the Taliban and rebuilding of Afghanistan, is Christie Blatchford's "Fifteen Days", awarded the Governor General's award.

If you are familiar with the atrosities of the Taliban (especially against Women) and the hard work of the Canadian Solidiers who have carried the weight of Afghanistan on their shoulders since they were removed from power in 2001, you should be insulted.

The ideologies of the Taliban should never be allowed to have a voice or place in any society on this earth.

"Those who cannot learn from History are doomed to repeat it." (George Santayana)

Renos - The Ongoing Project...

Below are the photos of the living room and dining room prior to the Renos. (Wide angled lens would have come in handy here, but you can get the idea.) It is very obvious that Douglas and I are addicted to the store "Home Sense". Note to self: look into Minimalism theories. The floors previous were black and had lost their shine and gleam over the last couple of years.

AFTER: Clean and bright with cherry hardwood floors installed on Monday. I'm very happy with them. They are also in the entry way as well.

Currently underway - the kitchen, bathrooms and entire upstairs. Should be done soon. In the interim, the housing market is making a slow recovery here - hopefully it continues to trend upwards!

Mother Cat

Just as a follow up - we had great difficulties trying to catch the Mother Cat mentioned in previous entry. The poor hussy is still running around the neighbourhood somewhere! Hopefully the kitties will find nice warm homes.