Found One!

My search for a fireplace is over. I had searched Kijiji and Craigslist and some other online classifieds plus googled fireplaces for sale and really nothing turned up. There were some that I would have had to drive for a couple of hours to pick up that sounded like a warehouse and one other used one but the lady never got back to me so.....

Canadian Tire had some of their fireplaces on sale this week. This one in particular was $150 off and I thought it had some extra distinction with the granite over the firebox and on the base of the unit. So Tuesday evening we trucked out and got it. Lugged it in the house and us girls begain putting it together! Yep, was totally girl power with screwdrivers!! Casi read the manual and gave us instructions and in about an hour and a half it was together!

We havn't had the heat on as the livingroom is always toasty because its raised but I've had the flame only and I find it to be really cozy! Didn't want too much on top but we had lots of stuff on the piano so I had to figure out a place for other things. However, it was a must that this horse and wagon team sit on there. They belonged to my parents, the horse team I made way back when I was into ceramics, the wagon they bought somewhere in the southern states on one of their trips and I found a guy that tinkered around with leather and made the harnesses. I remember especially my dad being really proud of this, so it gives me pleasure and pride to showcase this on the fireplace.

This vase also belonged to my mom, she had a bouquet of flowers in it but they were looking torn and ratty so I found this ornamental grass at Loblaws, (on sale) no less and voila, a great new look!

I also picked up some new tropical plants at Canadian Tire that were also on sale to add some green while we are experiencing all this "white" stuff.

It gives my livingroom a new look, its cozy and welcoming and really for not that much money given that I bought the fireplace for pretty much what I sold the piano for. I think we will get as much enjoyment from the fireplace as we did from the piano the years that Casi played.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday. We had a quiet day of just hanging out and then went out for supper at the Mandarin.
The girls wanted to get some birthday shots so here there are! (Excuse the bad hair..I'm trying to grow out a bad cut..)
Mama and Britt...
Mama and Casi...

This was an early birthday present...yep its a "yorkie" cuckoo clock! I absolutely love it! It even has a yorkie coming out the peep hole on the hour and it doesn't chime...it barks! How cool is that?

These are from Casi and Britt...some dutch chocolate and a hand mixer.

This is from Esther, such a thoughtful gift, I wouldn't have imagined that you would remember much less have a gift given the time you had lately. Thank you so much!

It was a great day! Nothing too exciting which is exactly what was needed. Thanks so much for the nice day and for the thoughtfulness. Luv u guys!

Back Home..

Just wanted to post a quick note to say that I am back home as of yesterday. Spent the majority of the week at Esther's to be a friend and also a co-whelping partner for her and her puppies that were due. The big day happened on Tuesday, she started having contractions at 2 am and by 8 am we were seeing small pushes. At 10 am she had her first puppy. For some reason her labour slowed and after a quick call to vet and a recommendation to administer oxytocin, she started pushing again and at 12 pm the 2nd puppy was born. Again, no pushes after puppy #2 and we tried the oxytocin again. At 2 pm we were able to see feet, an indication of a breech puppy and will much effort we were not able to advance the puppy any further. By 3pm we were at the vet and with the use of foreceps they were able to deliver a still born and (BIG) puppy. An xray determined 2 more puppies and given that mom had been in labour for so long, Esther opted for a c/section. By 4pm we had 2 more puppies. We arrived back home around 6 pm, exhausted and mom with 4 puppies in tow.
3 of the babies were doing really well and latching on but the last one born and the tiniest was needing some extra help. So Tuesday evening through the night and Wednesday she has plugged in to nurse every chance I/we got. By Wednesday evening she had a strong latch and by Thursday evening she was actively searching for the nipple and had finally gained a small bit of weight.
It worked out well as visitation and the funeral services were held on Wednesday and Thursday and I was able to be there for the babies as Esther was obviously not able to be. I was pleased and honoured to be able to help out in any way possible and even more pleased that by Friday all the babies were gaining and thriving.
I opted to come home on Friday as unfortunately life and namely work happens and i didn't want them to start giving me grief for taking any more time off.
Esther, my dear friend I wouldn't have be anywhere else in this absolute horrible time for you. Whatever you possibly need, I am just a phone call away.

So sad...

Just wanted to post and ask all those who do read this to keep my good friend Esther in your thoughts and prayers this week.
She lost her husband quite suddenly over the weekend. I am feeling so sorry for the devastating grief that she and her family are experiencing right now.
I am down here for a few days as luck would have it she has a sweet yorkie that is due to have babies today, so along with everything else we are on puppy watch.
Please remember her and the family in your thoughts
Whatever you need my dear friend....you got it...

Not much else to do...

Probably boredom or the yearn for spring or maybe a bit of both....I have an intense need to clean this week! With the cold temps outside and being stuck inside and really not having any desire to go out at all, the house is getting a cleanin'!
Even got that yucky under the sink spot done. You know...where the garbage sits and if your house is like mine...the garbage gets missed repeatedly spilling crumbs, wrappers or goodness knows what else. My under the sink spot got a good cleanin and now I'm not ashamed of opening the cupboard! You know...like when you have company and go to throw something out and do it "really quickly" so they can't notice what is under there!
I figured I had better take a picture as when you have teens taking part in the cleaning...things don't stay looking that way very long!

Even my bathroom got a thorough clean...now before you get visions of a germ filled bathroom, I do clean it regularly...but I'm talking about a thorough clean. Like the kind of cleaning that takes you down on your knees and scrubbing by hand. I even scrubbed the baseboards! How I love the smell of Pine Sol and bleach! Nothing smells like clean more than that!
It is definitely easier to keep clean now that it is renovated and I have to say a year later there isn't much about the bathroom reno that I wish I had or hadn't done. I love its usefulness for our needs and the much needed updated look.

So there you have it! Kind of a boring post but it is a boring day!

Lookin' for...

An electric fireplace.....
We have a bare wall in our livingroom where the piano used to be. The piano has sat for over 2 years really not being played that much. Casi took her lessons up to gr. 6 Royal Conservatory and decided she didn't want to go further. She has dabbled here and there on it but basically it has been a dust collector since she quit...
So last week I posted the piano on Kijiji (quickly becoming my new best friend) and within a couple of days it was sold.
I am so excited to see this huge and heavy piece out of my livingroom. So now I am looking for a good used electric fireplace to claim its spot.
I have always wanted a fireplace with mantle...especially at Christmas time to decorate with stockings and pine garland. I think a fireplace looks so warm and welcoming as well. We would likely use it "occasionally only" as our hydro bills seems insane for some reason so I don't really want to be adding to them. We don't have any gas or propane on site so our only option without getting into ALOT of expense is go the electric route...
So if you know of anyone who has a good used electric fireplace for sale...please comment and let me know! I am on the hunt for a good bargain (basically to find one for what I sold the piano for)!

Changin' it up a bit

Back in the spring I posted about a cabinet that James had made for me in woodshop. It has been a collector of the week's papers or basically anything else that I don't have time to deal with along with the lap top that sits on top. It has sat in my kitchen with all my "dark" furniture looking very light and "pine-ey". So, I had an inspiration to blend it with the kitchen table and chairs. I bought a can of black spray paint for the cabinet and also to fix the the rungs on the chairs...any one who has ever had puppies in the house...need i say more???
This is before::

And this is after::

I actually really like it! Never been much of a black fan before, always preferring the natural wood look but this really is eye catching in the kitchen now, whereas before it looked so washed out. I don't consider myself really as having a definitive decor taste and basically just go with what I like or what I think will look good. So I don't know what you'd call this but I think it looks much better!

On a much larger scale, I have buffet and hutch that I was considering doing the same to. However I not sure I am brave enough to do that? It is an old piece basically the colour of a medium cherry or oak look. Something tells me I may like it black and it would definitely "pop" out in the kitchen however....what if I don't like it?? Any suggestions, either way?

Cold enough for ya???

It is certainly fair to say that we have been living in a deep freeze this past week. With temperatures in the mid - 20's with a wind chill hitting close to the -40's, it is not pleasant to go outside!
The kind of intense cold that freezes your nostrils together as soon as you go out or hits your lungs with such an impact and makes you cough. Ya...not pleasant..but hey I guess its our lovely Canadian winters.
We've been going through lots of hot chocolate and the kettle never seems to get cold as we try to keep ourselves warm while going about our normal routine.
This kind of intense cold is dangerous for anyone or anything outside and even the dogs quickly go about their business and rush right back to the door! I find myself continually doing a head count going out and then when they come back in to make sure they are all accounted for. Being outside too long for such a small little body could be deadly...
It seems lately my floor registers are a popular place and they huddle around them after being outside to draw heat from the furnace!

Alas, I guess this too will pass and soon (please?) we will be getting spring...oh the thoughts of spring, sounds wonderful!

Hope everyone is stayin warm!

Leave the Westminster ALONE!!!

For those in the dog world, the Westminster Dog Show is the most prestigious event held in Canada & US. I will likely never get to show there but some day really hope to watch the show in person at Madison Square Gardens in NYC. For now I love to watch on TV. I received an email from a fellow doggie person this morning and PETA is threatening to cancel coverage of the show. Why? Because PETA's premise is that breeding dogs for the show ring locks in genetic defects.
Please visit the link and vote and hopefully our voice will be heard!

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2009/01/dog-show-fans-t.html

Perhaps PETA should leave the dog show alone and focus on puppy mills and back yard breeders that only breed for the almighty dollar.

Our Christmas 2008

As much as I am glad the holidays are over I did enjoy the time with family and friends and just a break from the same ol' same ol!
We had a pretty relaxed holidays. We spent time with the kids and just hung out.
Christmas morning we heard the girls come down the stairs early..about 530am or so. The nice girls that they are...they let us sleep until about 8 or so. After our coffee's were made the gifts began!
I am always amazed on Christmas morning. Amazed in the sense at what the kids buy for each other. For several years now, the kids have bought gifts for each other. When we started this, the dollar store was a big hit and even then I was amazed at the gifts they choose for each other and how they stretched their Christmas money. Now that 2 of them are working and the dollar store is not so much the choice of stores, I still revel in what they buy.
I find it so cool that they think differently from me when I think of what gifts the kids will enjoy. They come up with totally different things but really really good ideas with incredible insight!
In doing this Christmas morning for the kids becomes not just the receiving of gifts but the joy and magic of the "giving" of gifts. They alot of times are just as excited to see someone open their gift as they are in opening themselves.
Ok...on to our gift exchange...you can imagine everyone buying gifts for each other x 5 people in the house ...there are alot of gifts under the tree!
The kids will agree that the biggest hit under the tree was Rockband for the Wii. It came under the tree for Brittany and yes she was excited. Honestly..I don't remember 80's rock sounding that way!

They got alot of clothes this year. All of them into stores like American Eagle and Aeropostale it was kind of a one stop shop for me..which made it easy!

Me? Well as usual I got spoiled. From Dave I got a digital picture frame, a hoody jacket and from the kids a crock pot, Mama Mia sound track and a fry pan! Yee Hah! I received other stuff but that just gets boring so I won't go there! Thank you to everyone who was so thoughtful! I loved everything that I received and more so the thought behind the gift!

After our gift opening, we hung around and enjoyed our gifts. The kids tore into Rockband and some of their other new Wii games.

Mid afternoon we headed south to my cousin Karen's place for Christmas dinner. She had invited us a while back and for me, this was the first "family" dinner in many years. Not having my sis close and not seeing my brothers all that much meant not having a family get together since my mom died. So this year was really special for me to spend with Karen and her parents (my aunt and uncle). She had promised a "newfie" dinner containing 11 different items. She said to bring ourselves and a big appetite cause there was gonna be a lot of food!
Karen is a great person with a larger than life personality and it was wonderful to share the day with her and my extended family.

Here we have Karen and my Auntie Donna chattin...

This bird was a hoot...loved hair and also loved the element of surprise of landing on your head. There was a few shrieks when he swooped in! This is Karen's baby, her only pet. It is wild to witness his personality!

My Auntie Donna again...

The boys had a game of pool going on. I tried my hand but really wasn't very good. Brittany on the other showed a natural ability which even shocked her brother...hehehe...

Dave watching the pool game and chatting it up with my Uncle Nick..

My other cousin Teresa helpin out with dinner...fyi..she did not want her pic taken!

The girls playing one of their new Wii games that we brought along...Outdoor Adventures - with a play mat for extra activity. It actually went over quite well and the kids had alot of fun playing it!

Teresa, Brittany and I watching the Wii games being played..

Austin (Teresa's son) also watching the games being played.

All in all we had a fabulous day! We had way too much food and food that I we had never had before. Figgy duff was one of them that I had never heard of. The newfie dinner was exceptional and so very delicious. So Karen's beau Brian explained that for them its all about taste and tasty it WAS!

I so loved the commaderie that only family get togethers can bring. It was great!

As most Christmas's the day was over very quickly but we were stuffed and happy and so appreciative of the time with family!

Hope ya'll had a great Christmas!

Got U back!

A few weeks back I wrote about my sister surprising me with this gorgeous yorkie Christmas figurine. That and a beautiful yorkie pin for my birthday I set on the hunt for a really nice papillon "something" for her! This is no small task, there aren't nearly the amount of papillon things out there as there are yorkie, and what there is, generally is not that nice looking. My hunt led me to ebay and there I found this beautiful papillon tapestry throw. I thought YES, this is the one!

So I won the auction, and sent instructions to have it sent out to BC hopefully for Christmas. Unfortunately it didn't arrive for Christmas but thankfully it did arrive! The seller was amazing and thinking it was lost in the mail offered to send another one. The next day it arrived... I think it was a hit...huh Nanc??
It is all about the thought that really matters and there are a thousand thoughts (and more) shipped along with this throw sis. I thank you and appreciate your thoughtfulness and over all being a great sister! LUV U!

Back at it!

Well the holidays are over, the kids are back in school and back to the grind....

I have this urge to de-clutter and reorganize. I even feel in the mood to paint and refreshen my house. I think my bathroom upstairs will be my target. When we did the bathroom upstairs I initially wanted a very basic colour that I could accent any colour with it but since then I have been regretting that decision and want some colour on the walls. So that will be my project this month...now just finding the time to do it!

As mentioned I am feeling the urge also to declutter and reorganize! With the tree and all the Christmas decorations coming down it always gives me inspiration to go through things and make our space look reorganized.

The girls and I went shopping last week and on a whim we stopped in at The Brick to have a look around. I have been looking at various coffee tables for a while, and initially thought I would like a trunk coffee table to store and "hide" all the various Wii components that we seem to be collecting. With the addition of Rockband at Christmas and several new games, it just looked cluttered. So anyway we spotted this coffee table and I think with the shelves and drawers it will be perfect! Also even better I got almost 60% off its original price! Perhaps later I will add the end tables but in the meantime we will enjoy this table and at the very least has got to be more solid that the one we have now! I pick it up tomorrow!

So now the house is quiet, I really should be sitting down doing some paperwork and paying some bills, the new year brings membership fees that are due but instead I'm blogging...would much rather do that anyway!

All in all we had a nice holiday season. It was very relaxed and quiet. I always enjoy when the kids are home and almost hate to see them go back to school. It just seems so nice not have schedules and our days are our own...ya I know this isn't realistic but for 2 weeks it is a nice change! Will do a post about Christmas and our newfie dinner soon when I have a chance to go through my memory card plus see what else is on there.