To Breed or Not to Breed, that is the Question.

We have an adorable little 2 yr. old Siamese Cat, named Ophelia (now you understand the Hamlet reference). We also have a little "Chug" (Chihuahua/Pug) named "Thumbelina". They are both girls - they love each other (sometimes they battle just like sisters!)

We have been debating about whether to breed Ophelia. I have a husband "waiting in the wings" for her and she has just gone into heat again, hence why I am not getting any sleep! Oh, the sounds that a Siamese cat makes all night long! She sounds like an alien. With regards to the breeding, the only thing that holds me back is the thought of having to separate the kittens from their mother. I think that would break my heart.

"Everyone Loves Marineland"

With the summer holidays almost upon us (the kids finish school in about three weeks), the Season Passes at the local Amusement Parks/Wave pools et. al. have gone on sale. One of the best deals of the summer is always a Seasons Pass at Marineland. For about $45.00 per person, your pass gives you unlimited access to the Park from June until October! Needless to say, we practically live there in the summer, as it is a close drive for us and great to even go for a few hours of rides in the evening. So, a gaggle of us (my only sister/sibling, cousin's wife and all the babies/kids in tow) headed to Marineland this weekend.
I especially love the BELUGA WHALES.

We spent 9 hours walking around the huge park; watching the shows, visiting the underground viewing area of the Belugas and mostly going on the rides! The kids love all the Amusement Rides -my kids are very daring - no tame rides for them! "Dragon Mountain" was the tallest steel rollercoaster (30 acres) in the world until the late 80's, when it was de-throned by a coaster in Japan. It has four inversions and travels at 80 km/hr or 50 miles/hr. The lineups are non-existent at this time of year and even into high season are nothing like other parks, so we are able to ride it over and over again!

There are huge man-made ponds to feed the carp fish. Unfortunately, this was also the place that one of the kids fell in! Thankfully, Trinity, our fashion diva, always brings a wardrobe of clothing with her everywhere we go. So, she was able to supply fresh clothes to the "unbalanced kid" and also to her cousin when she was doused by a whale.

My sister (I call her the "Paparazzi") - takes a picture of me every minute - and she has some doozies! I believe she is holding them back for blackmail. I tried valiantly to get some "blackmail" pics of her - but unfortunately she looks great in these! I think her "free-spirited nature" shows through in these pics.

We only took about 760 pics between the two of us! I guess we were slacking off, eh Paparazzi?

I Ain't The Cheatin' Kind...

Pookie: I know you were waiting with "Bated Breath" as to the outcome of my hair dilemma. Unfortunately, I don't look very happy in this pic - I guess I was trying to go for the "smoldering eyes" look. With our dear daughter, Trinity's help, I managed to save myself a trip to a salon. Here in Canada, we are now getting into "camping season" - where practically everyone heads "up north" to a cottage or tent, so there will be no more "Glamour Shots" - oh the freedom!

I JUST MIGHT HAVE TO "CHEAT" ON MY HUSBAND

Excuse my "Vanity Insanity" here!

As the wife of a Hairstylist, I have always had my hair done by my husband in our Salon.

It has been almost twenty years since I have gone to anyone else but him. I have had my hair many different colours over the years – black with blonde, chocolate brown, auburn, red – I never know what to put on my passport!

I’ve been colouring my hair since I was about 13 yrs old. I don’t even know what my natural hair colour is any more – probably a mousy brownish blonde - ha ha.
Two years ago he coloured it from dark auburn to platinum blonde. This is quite difficult to maintain, as the roots have to be done about every 3 weeks.

Prior to Douglas leaving the country he gave myself & my Mummy and Aunty a tutorial on how to maintain our colours while he is away. Easier said than done!

Trinity (our 11 yr. old below with the purdy flower in her hair) has been helping me to colour the roots. Somehow, we have managed to make my hair “chick yellow” in places and the roots showing through in other places. I am afraid to overprocess and damage my hair – so I am bathing my hair in Morrocan oil right now to help it out a bit before the next go at it!

So, therefore, if the toner I put on this evening does not do the trick , I am afraid I WILL have to “cheat” on my husband and walk into a Salon! Sorry Pookie!

Historic Small Town Ontario

The girls & I took a drive out to a nearby quaint & small Ontario town. It’s about a twenty minute drive from our house.

The girls were too young to remember the last visit we made to this part of the town, so I thought they would enjoy the brightly painted “cottages” by the lake. Tucked away on the lakeshore of this town is a little known community with a colourful & interesting past. In the 1840’s a religious (Methodist) camp was built. A small community eventually built up and thrived around this camp. A pier was built to ferry the passengers from Toronto across Lake Ontario to spend the summers at the Amusement Park, (a rollercoaster was built) and hotel that was built on the lake. Eventually a couple of devastating fires in the early 1900's and the demise of the "small town" Amusement Parks shut down the community. A new church site was built in the town. However, the original "Arts & Crafts" architectural cottages still remain standing and are protected with an historical designation. They are owned and lived in year round. I love the colourful little cottages...

I had to creep around the bushes for this one (above) - my favourite. Unfortunately, the pics do not do it justice.

(Above) Circa 1821 and named "The Belview House".

"Doors Open" in Toronto

This weekend was the Annual "Doors Open" in Toronto - where 175 buildings that are not normally open to the public, open their doors for the general public to view. Some of the buildings open were; The National Ballet of Canada, Theaters, Churchs and Synagogues. So, off we went to Toronto to peek our noses in on some of these buildings. I love the Indian culture (although not crazy about the food) so one of the places I really wanted to vist was the Swaminarayan Mandir -(Hindu Temple) in North Toronto, built in 2007. It is the only one built in North America. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the Mandir, nor are short sleeves, clothing above the knees etc. The photographs do not do it justice - it is absolutely breathtaking! The inside of the Mandir is equally impressive - with opulent Hindu deities in royal attire inside their breathtaking thrones. The details etched into the pillars and walls are everywhere to be seen. As we walked up the ethereal marble staircases, we were greeted by a Swami with hands together and bowing to everyone that reached the top of the staircase. (The calming atmosphere reminded me of the Mormon Temple in Brampton I had visited years ago before it was consecrated.)The Mandir was built according to the principles of anciet Indian Shilpshastras; no structural steel was used in the construction. It was made with thousands of tonnes of hand carved marble, limestone and sandstone. The pictures above are of the Mandir and the one below is of the Haveli (meeting area)- which I believe is made of Teak - it is attached to the Shrine.

I was surprised to find this photo in our batch - Trinity took this of Avalon being naughty!

Douglas' Open House @ Salon

For all of Douglas' Canadian clients who phone me and ask me for updates on him (thanks for phoning!) - I thought I would post these recent snaps from the 14th of May (last Thursday). They had an "Open House Wine & Cheese" at the Salon in order to welcome and promote Douglas in Escalon. It went very well, with the photographer from the local paper "La Prensa" and some other magazine giving it coverage. He did "makeovers" on many women and they had a lot of traffic through the salon. It was a resounding success with many accolades!

So, if you are ever in the San Benito area of San Salvador - he is leasing space at "Jewels International Stylist" in Basilea.

One Month Ago Today...

Last pics taken of us with Daddy - oh the drama! Look how small my eyes are (from all the crying!)

I was just speaking with Douglas and reminded him that today was his One Month Anniversary of arriving in El Salvador. He had forgotton. I think he was a little surprised! Time flies so quickly in some instances. The loneliness he experiences has certainly been a challenge and he is so anxious for us to get down there and be together once more. A simple thing like going out for dinner with his family, or hitting the beach is what he craves right now. I almost feel guilty when I call him from the beach on the weekend to say the girls are having a fun time in the freezing cold lake!

The girls wore their Daddy's clothing for days on end when he first left - they still wear his jackets and shirts to bed. Even the shirts they were wearing at the beach are Daddys'. When I first told Douglas this in the early days apart, he would burst into tears. The girls would just laugh at me when I got off the phone with him and make fun of me crying! Rotten kids!

Mummy's Day

Well, my kidlets certainly had a (gastro) fantastic Mother's Day! They banished me to watching tv in my room early the night before so they could decorate the living/dining rooms with streamers, balloons and signs all over. In the morning, they ran ahead of me to be positioned downstairs so they could ambush me with "fireworks poppers" filled with confetti and streamers. The girls lavished me with "bling" of the fashion jewellery kind. It was a fun day with a party later on in the evening at my Mum and Dad's house.

You will pick up the confetti and streamers, right Avalon?

We drove to Niagara Falls for the day and had to be rolled home afterwards. You will see what I mean when you see the gluttony that ensued. I have never seen strawberries this size in the grocery stores - I wonder what they are injected with? - they are the size of the palm of your hand.

Avalon had a difficult time choosing.

She eventually decided on a candy apple and a chocolate covered strawberry.

Trinity doesn't really like chocolate - so she donated the chocolate bits to me!

This chocolate bar could feed a village!

Have to get a pic taken with the Mountie!

"Old School" Haunted houses and Amusement rides on Clifton Hill.

The expanse of whiteness in the distance is the mist from "The Falls".

In Honour of Spring...

We have finally shed our winter coats, stored the winter boots and, since the last drizzle of snow was in April, at last have stored the snow shovels.
Art crawls and gallery openings are in full swing. We are fortunate that we live in a city that has a vibrant arts community. The girls and I attended an Art opening today in our neighbourhood.
In honour of welcoming the month of May, some pics of Fleurs that grace us with their presence for such a short time. The beautiful white tree in my backyard will soon turn to a dull green!