Feelin' Alright

This past weekend Adventure Mommy and co headed away from the trailer and over to beautiful Oakville.  I love that town!  If we were ever to make a move, I think it would have to be to Oakville, or maybe Belleville, or Kingston - you see I really love the water and would love to live by the water.  Water is soooo peaceful and tranquil.  And especially watching a glorious sunset over the water...nothing beats that.  Ahhhh.  Canada.

Anyway, we headed to Oakville for a family get together.  Summer sunshine, bbq lupper (lunch / supper combo), cold drinks and lots of laughs.  What a fantastic day!  The get together was planned as a party for my uncle Bill - who has the big C - and still living his life as large as ever.  Really.  That's the way to do it.  Go big before you go home.

My cousin, his daughter Angie, is holding up.  Sometimes I have a cry over thinking about her losing him.  Because I can relate.  I heard a song by Rascal Flatts - I Won't Let Go.  I listened to it a lot last summer and had some seriously huge cries over the words.  But now I hear it as Angie standing by her dad.  Ang is that person.  She will stand by you no matter what.  She is so strong.  I know that she will have her moment - when she may not be able to stand...and I will be there for her.  A big hug.  Sharing a memory.  Maybe a laugh or two.  And I will be there for her.

When our nana passed away, and we were all standing at her bedside I was bawling.  Ang said to me "Don't worry Lea, I'll be there for you when you go".  We shared a laugh over this - I'm going first??  LOL!

Here is a great pic of Ang and her dad - I love that it is off centre and so natural. Hope she's okay with me sharing it.  And I'm working on a little slideshow - got some fabulous pics from the party.  Even setting it to one of Uncle Bill's favourite songs...

So today, take a moment to be thankful for something.  The sunshine.  The rain. A good friend.  Happy memories.  Family.  Love.

On Turning 10

Our daughter is turning 10 - although we always joke around that she's 9 going on 15!  Anyone that has a daughter is probably nodding their head in agreement!

I remember (like it was yesterday) holding Naomi for the first time and looking into those dark eyes and thinking "before I know it, she'll be ten."  Seriously.  I had that thought.  And the time does go by that fast.  A blink really.

While we were at the beach yesterday, I was thinking about Naomi growing up. How she may not want to play on the sandpile next year.  And she's already told me that she's too big now to play in McDonalds Playplace.  I can still remember the first time she got brave enough to go down the slide and how we cheered "Yeah! Naomi! You did it!!"  LOL!  Isn't it memories like that that make parenting so worth it?  It's a little compensation for all the moments that aren't so wonderful.  Yep.  You get them all when you're a mom.

So a big thank you to my daughter, Naomi.  I look forward to all our adventures in the next 10 (did I really say that?  What am I - crazy??)!

Keep smiling!

The Yes Man was Right!

The yes man said these very words to me about 20 years ago when I felt very lost after my dad died...then reminded me of them again last year.  He said "You are so lucky...you get to make a choice about what kind of person you want to be.  You can choose to be happy or not."  Thank you yes man. And thanks for standing by me when I felt like I was starting all over again.

No, I'm not a (school) teacher

Many people ask me if I am a teacher.  This is always a surprise to me - do I look like a teacher?  Is there a certain look a teacher has?  I think the reason so many people ask me is because I have the summer "off".  LOL!  Ok - I have to admit that I totally love summer vacation probably as much as any kid.   There's no set schedule and we get to spend tons of time outdoors just hangin' out and playing. What's not to love about that?  Ok - another truth - sometimes the 3 mousekeeteers  get on each others nerves.  Enough said!  And guess what?  I would have loved being a teacher.  So I take that passion and use it in other ways - like volunteering with kids and elderly, and helping out with other fun things - like the craft up here yesterday - that was a hoot!  Or was it a roar?  It is safari week after all!

Anyway, I love to write - my blog, in my journal, little poems and songs for the kids - you get the idea.  And I'm pretty quick on my feet with it!  I can usually get the kids laughing with my silliness.

So - here's one I just came across this morning that I wrote for my cousin Jess who was looking after Roxy when we were in Portugal and Spain a couple of years ago.  I thought it was funny that when I was cleaning out my sent items this morning that I found it - funny because Jess has Roxy this week too!

And here it is...hope you get a giggle from it.  BTW, you have to imagine that you are a baritone singer really booming it out - like you are marching and majestically singing!

To Jessica from Roxy:


Sheʼs a cute little thing 
Who knows her way
Like sit, paw and Roxy stay 
She loves to snuggle, 
Sheʼd do that all day.


Please take good care of our dog.


She eats only dog food,
With the occasional treat,
Like banana or strawberry
Or an O made of wheat (aka cheerios) 
No chocolate, raisins or grapes
For this fine lady

Please take good care of our dog, Sheʼs our baby!!


She loves her crate when itʼs sleepy time 
A snuggly blanket will do her just fine.
A few walks a day will keep her in line,
Please take good care of our dog.
(We know you will)

Have fun and thank you so much for looking after Roxy. We love you!!
Lea & Brad 

Keep smiling!

Fun in the Sun!

We are officially launched into our summer holiday!  The yes man took the first week off and joined us for a fun filled week up here at the trailer.  We also had friends in from the good old USA come up for a visit and an overnight - lots of laughs and good times.

We spent lots of time on our boat too - and had a trip over to a favourite lake that involved going through 3 locks!  Roxy was on board with us and she even had a dip in the lake with the rest of us! LOL!  Still not too sure how much she enjoys that!  And if you're ever around Youngs Point - make it a point to stop at the Old Mill Inn for lunch - you won't be disappointed!  A big thanks to our fabulous server Bailey who kept our beer glasses full and the kids entertained.

The weekend brought another adventure - by boat - over to the cottage where we celebrated 100 years of the cottage.  Yes, that's right.  A party for the cottage! Any reason to celebrate, right?  A huge turnout and wonderful bbq supper and lots of fun.  A great way to spend the day!  And Naomi had her first sleep out in a tent...although it was hardly "roughing" it - the yes man put an air mattress in for the girls.  What a great dad.  Ben and I, however, spent the night in a comfy bunk bed inside the cottage.  That's my idea of "roughing" it!  Ha! Ha!

Well, back to just the 3 mousekeeteers at the trailer and the yes man working hard in the hot city weather - have I ever thanked him for this?  I sure have - all the time!  Thanks yes man - we love you!

Oh - and thanks to Jess and Jimbo for inviting Roxy for the week...I think Jimbo was missing his girl (he thinks Roxy is his LOL!)  and who's kidding who?  Roxy totally loves Jimbo!  She always has a big snuggle saved just for him!  And our girl turned 3 yesterday - happy birthday, Roxy!

Roxy at Jimbo's

And guess what?  I'm covering the craft here tomorrow at the park...our Rec. Director is going to be away and asked me!  Yeah!  Sure I'll do it...sounds like fun!  It is Safari week after all. :o)

Keep smiling!

It's Summertime!

Yeah!  Summer vacation is finally here!  The kids, yes man and I are up at the trailer enjoying this beautiful spot and sunshiny weather!  I do plan on blogging while I'm here - so stay tuned!  I hope to have many interesting stories and adventures sprinkled with lots of laughter and good times!

Keep smiling - and thanks for reading!