Our Sunday.

Steve and I went to Voyager Provincial Park in Ontario today. It hasn't officially opened yet but you can park your car outside the gate and walk in. We went for a really nice hike. Jesse had an amazing time! It was so peaceful and calm there. There were a few people here and there but not many. A very big difference from when you go in the summer and it's packed. I really enjoyed it...here's some pics...
The boys.
Me.
See Jesse swimming with his stick?

What a great day!

Jesse swimming (first time this year!)
This is a bench that we found in the middle of the woods...it was pretty weak...I wouldn't sit on it but it sure looked cool!
Steve took this...Not sure what it is...
An old tree stump.



Jes loves to swim.
Okay this was AMAZING. All these birds are Canada geese and I have NEVER seen anything like this in all my life. They were everywhere. But unfortunately, we disturbed them and they all flew away. Like literally 500 birds all honking and flying away. We felt bad but it was pretty cool
Here they are flying away...It seriously was really cool. Really.

Isn't he cute?

Shamus is such a cutie!

We went to see 'Inside Man' last night. Good movie. I enjoyed it and so did Steve.

No dairy for me.

As of yesterday I started a no dairy diet. The stomach pains that I get after I eat have become REALLY bad so I finally went to the doctor. She says that I have to try to determine what it is exactly that sets off the intense pain in my stomach. So for starters, she says that I can't eat any dairy products for at last 2 weeks and see if I feel better. Then if that doesn't help, I won't be able to eat any wheat products and see if I see a difference. Also, I have to keep a food diary and mood diary because she is wondering if it is worse when I feel stressed. Ugh. This is going to be a super pain! But hopefully I will find out what causes the pain and then feel better. It sucks though because it's only day 2 and I'm craving dairy! I'm going for breakfast this morning with my friend Katie and I'm already disappointed that I can't have eggs benedict (my favorite!) because the sauce has milk. Also, no alcohol...which usually wouldn't matter but tonight is a b'day celebration for a friend and I can't even have a glass of wine, oh well at least I can take my car and not have to worry about getting a drive home! I must be postive!

C.

Oh...One more thing...H&M opened in Montreal yesterday! I checked it out last night after work. HOLY BUSY but wow...some great stuff. I saw a zillion things I want to buy but I'll be strong...as our shopping trip to Albany is only 3 weeks away! I think it helped me not to buy anything that I didn't feel well and the changing room line was like literally 50 people long. I am in desperate need of spring/summer clothes for work. I have always had jobs where I dress casually and now that I have to dress up for work, I have nothing! Not much longer now....

Must. Save. Money. Must. Be. Strong.

C.

On my walk today with Jesse, I saw something that for some reason struck me as funny. There was this older woman wearing SUPER short shorts and a tiny little tank top. It is 20 degrees outside today I might add. However, she was standing in a huge pile of snow (the frozen yucky piles that take longer to go away) in BIG ole winter boots that came to her knees, shoveling. She seemed to be on a mission to spread all the snow out all over the pavement to make it melt faster. I wish I could have taken her picture because I think you really had to see this woman to understand the humor in it! Not that I am complaining but isn't it early for weather this warm? It seriously feels like June to me, when everyone first starts to wear flip flops and summer clothes. It is still only March technically. I wore my flip flops and capris today. Don't forget that clocks go ahead this weekend, making the days even longer! I can't wait to be able to walk Jesse in the parks after supper!

The snow tires are coming off the car today. Yippee! :)

Boxes, boxes anyone???

Okay so Steve and I are in the process of trying to get packed and organized since our official moving date is May 1st but there is the possibility that we will be able to start moving into our new place the middle of April. Anyway, so we are facing the usual moving dilemma of needing boxes and apparently they are extremely hard to come by, as most stores crush them for recycling as soon as they empty them. However, the IGA right up the street from us has TONS of boxes lined up by the cash. So, Steve went in last weekend and asked for some. They told him he could take 2 (he took 3...that's my bad-ass husband baby!) So then, I later went in and asked for some and they told me I could take 2. So, we waited a few days and tonight when we stopped in for a few groceries, we asked if we could have some boxes. The cashier had to call the manager and get permission and then told us that we could take 1 box. It's like pulling teeth to get an old cardboard box! Steve has nicknamed them the 'Box Nazi'. They are seriously crazy about their boxes. We're going to have to start paying neighborhood kids to go in and hook us up with some boxes!!!
C.

I must say...I feel refreshed. Steve and I met for lunch today and ate OUTSIDE on the balcony of a restaurant on Crescent Street. It was nice. Just relaxed, chatted and watched the people go by. It was actually hot sitting in the sun with my shades on. It really helps to break up the day, when you get out and enjoy the sunshine! Ahhhh...okay must go back to filing. I'll be so happy when all the files are in order and I can work on something else!

Guess what I saw on my walk to the train this morning? Green grass popping up everywhere! I think I like this time of year because it brings with it so much hope for all the great times that lie ahead. I am looking so forward to the warmer months! Now let's just hope that I am working during that time and not spending the summer looking for a job. Everyone keep their fingers and toes crossed for me that the agency where I work isn't closed. If all goes well, we'll actually expand. But if all doesn't go well, we'll close. It's a little stressful! Oh well, for now I will enjoy the signs of spring and stay cheerful! Worrying will only make me wrinkle:)

Cari

Our weekend...

The weather this weekend was AMAZING. Spring is here for sure! Yesterday and today we had a high of 12 degrees with sunny skies. I had the windows open and it felt SO motivating. We had a super productive day today. Steve and I did lots of spring cleaning, which since we're moving in a month, also included going through stuff, throwing stuff out and packing stuff we don't really use everyday. It feels so good to have things organized and cleaned out. I finally got rid of some of my clothes that I don't wear (I'm going to donate them) and lots of odds and ends that have been kicking around in boxes since we moved to Montreal. The only room left to organize is the kitchen and hoepfully we'll tackle that next weekend. Other than that, we took a couple nice walks with Jesse, had our first BBQ of the year at Darryl and Stacey's house, watched a movie (A History of Violence...an 'okay' movie), I did some baking (carrot muffins) and Steve made a monster stew (very yummy!). All and all a very relaxing and yet productive weekend. We rewarded all our hard work with some strawberry shortcake and now I think I'll go curl up for Desperate Housewives...Finally a new episode...

I'm so thankful that it is Friday. It's been a long week and to top it off, Jesse managed to find a pair of my pantyhose in the wash (I didn't even know they were there) and ate them. I called the vet and she said to give him a Vaseline sandwich and after that just straight Vaseline. She was worried that Jesse wouldn't eat it. Yeah right. He loved it...Would have thought I had given him a peanut butter sandwich. Anyway, he had a tummy ache last night but hopefully today he will feel better. He was doing so well too...Not getting into any trouble. Oh well. Here's to the weekend...

Cari

Babysitting...

Well Steve and I are at Darryl and Stacey's babysitting Shamus. Shamus is now sleeping, Steve is working on our dresser, I'm watching a CSI re-run and Jesse is sleeping on their futon. Shamus was so much fun! No crying and lots of laughs! I was planning to take pictures but I forgot to bring my camera. Oh well...next time...One more day until the weekend!

Cari

Blah day

Yick. What a day...Although the sun is shining brightly, I'm feeling glum. There are SO many changes going on right now with work due to the government and all their new laws. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that all works out and I have a job in a few months. Other than that there isn't really anything new...Just thought I would share my mood with you...Hey that rhymed. I'm a poet and I didn't even know it:)

Cari

Wanna rent our apartment?

Here's the link we just posted to our apartment that we currently have up for rent...Anyone interested?:)
http://montreal.craigslist.org/apa/144366146.html

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Furniture shopping...

Happy Spring! Although it is freezing in Montreal today and really doesn't feel like Spring at all. On a positive note, I think Steve and I finally found a sofa and chair that we like. We have been looking for awhile but man there are some UGLY couches out there! The one we found we both like and it's actually less than what we budgeted for. We're also planning to get a fridge and stove, which I am SUPER excited about. Finally the crazy ass budget that we have been on for what feels like FOREVER is paying off and we're actually buying some real furniture. We can soon retire our beloved futon to the spare room and when company comes (hint hint!) they will have their own room to sleep in. Also, as an added bonus, we're planning to have our furniture delivered to our new apartment on May 1st, which means that the guys won't have to move the old crappy, super heavy appliances on moving day!

Our Saturday morning walk at the dog park...

I don't think we picked the smartest puppy in the pound...Jesse LOVES sticks and out of all the sticks in the woods, he decided he wanted the one that was frozen in the ice. He tried to get it out for so long!

This is Jesse working to get the stick...At least he's determined!

Dresser update...

So it's about 50% done. So far it's coming out not so bad. Hopefully start the drawers next weekend.

Steve (I have issues) Dickinson

This is a test post...Our blog is not working well!

Help to the bloggers everywhere!

Why oh why is our blog looking like this???

To the Irish at heart everywhere!

Happy Saint Patty's Day Everyone!

And to all of you who wrote on my chatterbox...I would love to reply but for some strange reason it won't let me post! Yeah Kristi for getting a blog! And to Sara...I know what you're up against with the goal of getting the recipes...Be strong in the name of rice pudding! Have a great weekend everyone!

Feeling like crap...

So I had my second acupuncture treatment on Tuesday evening and have felt like complete CRAP ever since. Severe neck pain and really bad headache. I didn't even work yesterday I felt so sick. I slept all day with a heating pad on my backand popped Advil like candy! I thought I had a bit of a flu but now I am seriously thinking that it might have been a reaction from the acupuncture. Apparently it's normal to feel terrible afterwards but it certainly does NOT motivate me to want to keep going. Hopefully it will not be like this every time...

Cari

My Plants...

This is the new plant that Steve bought me as a surprise. He brought it home after spending half a day at the hardware store! He LOVES it there!

This is exciting. My Christmas cactus finally bloomed for the first time after being half dead for 3 years! No joke.

Cari

Dresser

Well the wife has me working agian on another project, this time its a dresser. So far this is what I have got done. Its made out of pine, I was going to use hardwood, but since I'm poor white trash, I went with pine. When this is done, the Ball and Chain wants a mirror. Its going to be 6 to 7 feet high, tall but narrow, framed with 2 by 10 pine.....its going to be an interesting piece. And after that, if the Mc Purdys have'nt kicked me out of their basement and taken my key, I'm going to build an oak entry table....more pics to come as this thing progresses.

Steve (they call him the "Duke") Dickinson

Saturday...

Saturday day I went to the art museum dowtown with my friend Joanne. We saw the exhibit about Catherine the Great. Some really amazing paintings. The weather was so nice. Plus 11 and sunny. Everyone was sitting out eating and drinking at cafes and pubs. I love that feeling when it gets warm and everyone seems to come alive again! Saturday night Steve made us a yummy dinner. It's so nice having a husband that cooks! Here are some pics from the day...

This is just outside the art museum and I really like it...

This is the museum. This is the poster for the exhibit that we went to see.

This is Steve cooking us dinner...

This is dinner....

This is me eating dinner. Asparagus is by far my most favorite vegetable. Yum!

My first acupuncture appointment...

Well...what an experience. The acupuncture appointment went fine. The needles seemed to make my heart race, which kind of freaked me out BUT the deep tissue massage that they gave me after the needles came out was CRAZY. I swear internal body parts got moved around. My toes were curling! Tears were coming to my eyes. Apparently I have a lot of stress! Now today, you can see red marks all over my back from where they rubbed! But I have to say, I really think this might help with my neck and back pain! Even this morning I feel a little better than usual. They told me I should come twice a week at first but at $75 a visit, I don't think that will happen. I'm going to make another appointment for next week and see how that goes. It would be amazing if I could get through a day without a headache!

Cari

Acupuncture here I come...

In exactly 2 hours I am going to have my first acupuncture appointment. I'm a little nervous and not too sure what to expect. It doesn't hurt does it??? I'll post all the exciting details later! Have a great weekend everybody!

Cari

Has Spring Sprung in Montreal???

It's a rainy grey day here in Montreal. It's warm though, a balmy plus 2! AND...it's supposed to be plus 9 on Saturday! Could it be that Spring has sprung? Here's hoping! I am getting very excited now for the girls' weekend away next month! We're going to the States shopping. I can't wait to get some new spring and summer clothes. I don't think I have ever been so eagar for the warm weather to come as I have been this year.

A few pics from Kathy and Joe's...

Joe cooking us supper...
Kathy cooking us supper...
Tyson (Kathy and Joe's dog) waiting for supper...
Jesse hanging with his cousins, Max and Tyson... Tyson looking out the window...He's so cute and SO cuddly...
Joe playing his drums...
Steve's picture of fruit...

We had a great weekend. We visited with Kathy and Joe, enjoyed some fantastic cooking (thanks to Kathy and Joe!) and really enjoyed the band that we went to see on Saturday night. They played great music and the Iris pub was really cool too. I would like to have the chance to go see more bands like that in Montreal. Anyway, I'm going to post a few pictures tonight from the weekend...

TGIF

Well today feels like it's going in slow motion! I can't wait for the weekend. I'm super tired. Steve and I are leaving for Ottawa tomorrow to visit Kathy and Joe. We're actually planning to go out on Saturday night with Darryl and Stacey and their family while we're there. There's a band playing from Nova Scotia, 'Boys Next Door'. I'm looking forward to a little Maritime music! They're playing in a pub somewhere in Ottawa. Should be fun. Anyway...Have a great weekend everybody! I'll let you know all about our weekend when we get back:)

Doggie treats

Jesse and I just finished baking some dog treats for Jes and thought I would share the recipe with anyone who makes homemade dogs snacks. I make this kind a lot. They are super easy and Jes really likes them. Although he also likes hand cream and hair glue, so he might not be the best one to go by. Either way...Here's the recipe:

Golden Cheese Dreams:

3 cups of whole wheat flour

2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup shredded cheese

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

In a large bowl, combine flour and garlic powder. Make a well in the flour mixture and stir in oil, cheese, beaten egg and milk until well blended. Knead dough on a floured surface, about 3 minutes. With a rolling pin, roll dough to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with a small cookie cutter. Place on greased baking sheet and put in 400 degree oven for 25 minutes. I let them cool and then place them in freezer bags and freeze them. It makes a lot and this way they last a long time. I give them to Jes frozen, as a special snack. Jesse is so cute when I bake for him. He knows it's for him and he stays with me the whole time and literally lays by the oven while they bake. No joke. It must be a familiar smell that makes him know when it's for him and when it's not.

Rice Pudding Recipe?

I spent the morning doing some baking. I made muffins and cookies with pieces of scor in them...Yummy! Anyway, I would love to find a good recipe for rice pudding. I have become obsessed with it and buy it all the time at a cafe beside my work. I would like to be able to make it at home but the recipes I have tried just aren't that good. If anyone has a yummy recipe for rice pudding, please send it to me. Thanks!

Care

Why oh why can't he be this mellow when I'm not home and stay out of trouble?!

A good renter

Oh and one more thing...We rented "Crash" last night and watched it with Darryl and Stacey, really good movie. I would recommend it, if you haven't already seen and are looking for a movie to rent. Just my opinion but worth seeing...

Lazy Puppy

So it's been a pretty uneventful day so far. Steve is at Darryl and Stacey's working on the new dresser he is building for us. I can't wait! I've been cleaning and well, as you can see Jesse has been chillin'...It really is a dog's life! This pillow that he is relaxing on comes from our bed. He actually drags it off our bed, out of our bedroom and into the living room to lay on!
When he gets bored of sleeping on the pillow, he moves to our bed.
Something tells me he wasn't in the mood for cuddles! Okay we need a walk. Hopefully we'll go out soon! It's cold here today though:(

French class is finished for now!

So it's official...I have successfully finished "Niveau 3" and can now move on to the next level of French lessons. I'm thinking of taking a conversation course next in order to practice some of what I have learned. I got a 'B' which I was pretty happy with. I must say I learned a lot. Now I just have to get the confidence to use it in everyday life...That's the tough part...

Cari

procrastinating...

So, I am writing this as a way to procrastinate on the studying that I should be doing. Tomorrow is my French final. It's also my last French class until the Spring! That's exciting...I really enjoyed it in the beginning but now I'm tired and looking forward to just leaving work and coming home with no class or homework to worry about....Okay must go study...

Random Pics

I thought I would post a pic, this one was from our wedding. We made shirts that said bride and groom, in case people got confused. We wore them to our wedding rehearsal......
Bye now...

Steve

grrrrrrrrr

Would anyone like a dog? Going once...

I just came home after a long day to discover that Jesse ate my entire tub of hair glue, plastic and all. AND it was on my makeup table, where I thought he couldn't get at anything. He must have jumped up to get it. I"m worried about him getting sick now. It was full and hard plastic. Only the cover was left. This is getting out of control. He has been out a lot this week, so now I don't think it's that he isn't getting out enough...I'm getting very frustrated. This is getting ridiculous. Sigh. He's four now and we've never had problems like this with him before. I guess everything I own will have to go in closed cupboards. Sigh again...

Crazy Weather

The weather here today is crazy. We started off last night with snow, then a freezing rain warning which turned to rain as the temp went up. Now there is a flash freeze warning in affect. It has already gone from plus 5 this morning to -7 this afternoon. It's supposed to be -15 by tonight. Plus there was so much water on the roads this morning that they were closing parts of the highways. I took the train. Imagine when that freezes. On top of that, we're experiencing high winds (90 km an hour). Some streets in downtown have been closed because windows are being blown out of buildings! Anyway, all this to say that I can't wait to be cuddled up in my jamies on the couch watching Ghost Whisperer and whatever else is on TV on Friday nights. Have a good weekend everyone!

My doggie daycare concern...

Well after a very special Valentine's Day, thanks to my amazing husband, the week has actually gone by quite quickly. I'm looking forward to Friday and am very busy at work. Jesse spent all day yesterday at doggie daycare and Steve and I haven't totally decided if we like the place or not. Is it normal for an environment like that to stink of pee? I know there are tons of dogs but the place really smelled like urine. Even Jes had the smell on him when we picked him up. Steve and I have don't really have any other doggie daycare place to compare it to. If anybody reading this as any thoughts on this matter, please post me a message...I wish Jesse could tell us if he likes it there...Maybe I should try taking him to a animal communicator..........

Signed,

concerned new-to-doggie-daycare pet owner...

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Here's to a very snuggly and romantic day for all!

Jesse's first big day...

So...Jesse spent his first day at doggie daycare. The people there said he did great and was welcome to come back anytime. Iwas so proud. Jes is the first Duck Toller they have ever had and they have a lot of dogs. Anyway, we ended up leaving him there for 6 hours to play and let me tell you...he is one tired puppy. Hopefully this will really help with his undying urge to destroy things, while Steve and I are at work....

Cari Dickinson

Doggie Daycare...

Due to Jesse's non-constructive activities during the day, I have decided that he needs Doggie Daycare. He goes tomorrow for his "intro visit" in which they assess him and his personality and decide if he will interact well with other dogs. I'm stressed out and have been trying to prepare him:) No humping...share the dog toys and no telling other dogs off...Steve thinks I'm crazy! Anyway, if all goes well tomorrow, then next week we'll start sending him one full day a week or 2 half days, depending on my schedule. I'll let you know if he passes tomorrow. This is the place where hopefully he'll be going...

http://www.montrealdogs.com/home.html

Cari

Poor Me...

I'm sick :( I have a really sore throat and therefore could not sleep at all last night. So much for bragging that I haven't been sick since August. I think I caught it from this guy who sat beside me on the train a few days ago and spend the entire 25 minutes into downtown coughing, sneezing and blowing his nose all over me. Gross. Here's to Contact Cold and Sore Throat.

Cari

We signed the lease tonight for the condo we will be renting. May 1st is moving day. Anybody free to help move on that weekend? :)

Finished table

Well after about 5 or 6 weekends of work I finally got the coffee table done. Its going to look good in our new place in May. Today was also my first day at A2M...so far so good.

Steve

Sunday Dinner

Shamus and Stacey came over for dinner...

Tired baby



Baby butt, Cari butt, and almost some Stacey butt.

our weekend thus far...

It's been a pretty busy weekend. Friday night we went out with a bunch of people from Steve's work to celebrate his last day at Ubisoft (he starts his new job on Monday) and last night I went out with friends to this really cool lounge in Old Montreal and then dancing in the Village. We had a good time. Now today, Steve is finishing our coffee table (grouting the top) and I have to study for my French midterm on Tuesday. Definitely going to bed early tonight...

PS. It's raining pretty hard here...what a weird winter eh?

our soon to be new home...

Well, we never got around to posting any pics from last weekend, but I do have some news. The condo that we went to look at was really nice and we're moving there on May 1st. It has hardwood floors, a fireplace, a dishwasher (Yeah!), a HUGE bathroom and a garage. It also has stairs going up to a separate dining room! I'm excited about that! Anyway, we just told the guy today that we want it, so nothing has been offically signed yet. We're staying on the West Island and actually in the same area as where we are now, just the much better part of it. No gansters hanging around outside this place!:)

Care