The adventures of Blondie

They say that caring for a new puppy is like having a baby, and while this may be true I will not be able to verify until having a child of my own. All I know for sure is that so much has changed and yet made so much better.

The connection has been made in the lack of sleep, the responsibility for another life, the frustration in lack of control. However, there should be a larger focus on the sweet cuddling, the sense of accomplishment when they learn, and of course the amount of time spent watching them sleep.

After an unusually difficult morning of chasing our cat, demanding him to play when he clearly did not want to - eating EVERYTHING possible outside and having TWO accidents in the house, it all seemed to melt away when I found her like this...

On the weekend, Blondie received her last shots and was cleared to meet other dogs, travel to new environments and interact with new people.

First stop - a lunch time BBQ at Dave's brother's and our sister-in-law's. We were excited to bring Blondie because she would be able to meet her not only her fur cousin Maurice, but also our nephew, Ivan.

Brother and sister-in-law, R and E respectively, are pro dog owners - they have fostered animals for over 5 years and have been lucky to adopt two wonderful dogs, the current being Maurice the poodle. Mau is perhaps the most well behaved balanced dog I have ever encountered and this was the first/best choice of dog to meet our Blondie. Not only would Mau be able to help Blondie understand how to play and behave at another dog's house but R and E would be able to help Dave and I as new dog parents.

The meet and rest of the afternoon was amazing. Maurice and Blondie became fast friends. Providing us with ample photo session time and entertainment.

and of course, it would not be complete until Dave or I made a video...

This one was put together by Dave

Being used to dogs, Ivan was happy to see another one and laughed as the two dogs ran and played. At the end of the video, you can some bystanders - Ivan and myself - happy to take in the puppy session.

My budding photographer husband got our money's worth in this candid photo

and here...

At the end of the afternoon we all were filled with delicious food and more importantly - love.

Blondie

After years of talks and dreaming followed by months of research and preparing, it only took one look to say...yes.

Faithful readers - I am pleased to introduce, Blondie.

Some info on Blondie:

- She is an 8 week old Shorkie (Shih-tu, Yorkie mix) currently about 4 pounds and will grow to be 8 pounds.

- She is named for her blonde hair and Debbie Harry

- Her older brother , Jack Sparrow, a cat - is still not sure how to react to her vivacious nature.

- she is adapting quite well to sleeping in a crate at night, but does not like when her older brother taunts her by strolling back and forth in front of her.

- she goes to the washroom outside, and has few accidents because her "I have to pee" nose to the ground looks exactly like her "where is that other 'puppy'" nose to the ground.

I think she looks similar to Valcor the luck dragon from "Never-ending Story" when she is all tuckered out.

Here is a little video I made of Blondie and Jack Sparrow's first meet

I need a summer camp

First week of my summer and I have to say I am finding it difficult...pick up your jaw from the floor and let me explain.

Ever since I could remember my summers have been scheduled.

I was given a choice of camps, but the only stipulations were that

- I could not be inside the majority of the day

- It had to be a full day program with early drop off and late pick up

- I could go to as many camps as I wanted BUT in total it had to span the entire summer (with some time off for family holidays etc)

So I would scour the town summer guide for the best camps, offering the best programs - pool days, field trips to the zoo, water parks and the clincher - the "end of session shows".

At a young age I joined the camps my friends attended - one of the fondest memories being of Mrs. Lee's art camp. For one week (if I remember correctly) 10 girls would take over Mrs. Lee's art basement and backyard to paint t-shirts, jean jackets (all the rage) among other things. Art was not my strong suit - but since a lot of my friends including my still best friend Jennie were signed up, so I was compelled to go. I would pout and beg Jennie to help me with my painting, and if i could find these masterpieces you would be able to see a clear difference between my work and the young budding artist in Jennie (or at this time in our life - Jenny). I put up with the art for the small theatre we did - for the session Mrs. Lee would create a lunch murder mystery - featuring a royal family, costumes and even an afternoon of etiquette lessons. To this day, I still maintain excellent table manners and I am usually the first to instruct others of which fork does what or what each glass is for.

Paired with this I joined a camp on Seneca campus and often did two back to back sessions of two weeks. After one summer made a good circle of friends that I would go on to spend 4 consecutive summers with - and later meet two of them 8 years later in University. It was here that I found my love of the stage and writing.

Summer to me was not about cottages, or sleeping in, or pool play dates. It was about making new friends, spending the day laughing, rolling in the grass, group games with a much needed popsicle break. It was about team sports, tie-dyed shirts, baseball hats and backpacks with a extra shoes, a lunch I often swapped or shared and loads of sunscreen that I never applied.

The day would end and I would spend dinner regaling about the day's event, who's who and maybe even who I had a crush on.

Now, years later I approach my first "summer off" and I have no scheduled job to attend, I have 2 teams that I am apart of - occupying 3 nights of my week - and I still miss the steady schedule of a summer camp.

let them have cake...

And we did...

Tuesday June 22, 2010

....of the cup variety.

the waiting...

I remember trying to imagine what it would be like, how it would feel. I tried to rationalize every thought and give myself answers that no one could answer.

Would I be in a lot of pain? (horrific, but, it will pass - unlike the 6 months of agony)

Would the pouch be noticeable, will it smell? (NO!)

Would my other organs miss my large intestine? (we will never know)

Would my small intestine revolt and cause mutiny when it realizes it has been cut of from it's bigger sibling? (hopefully not - but mediators will be on hand if needed)

Everyone tried to console me - tried to give me a comforting word but my mind was elsewhere. I was trying to think PAST the day, think of the wedding - think of running - think of all the amazing things I had missed out on. The simple things of being able to get my nails done or take a shower by myself.

We all waited in anticipation...

..thank god for brickbreaker and blackberries.

Comparing, Considering, Reflecting

I have to keep reminding myself of my mantra, repeating over and over, and the one that will be soon inked into the layers of my skin, there is "strength in retrospect".

This time last year I found out that the surgery I desperately needed to save my life was scheduled for the 22nd. So close, but at that time I just wanted to make it to that day.

I struggled each day with the basic mundane, routine tasks. Walking the 15 steps to a washroom often required assistance

One year ago today, I remember the surgeon's secretary saying "you will dance at your wedding day - we will see you Monday morning 6am." Those words exactly.

I had to text message my mom downstairs - not well enough to move from bed - busy on her cell phone she could not see my message.

It took me what seemed like hours to walk downstairs, pausing every 10 or so steps, sitting on the stairs to take a break.

I finally reached her office, no words just tears and she knew - and gave a hurried "I have to go - something just came up".

She reminded me - as she always does - that things are never as bad as they seem. Things were getting better - we have a surgery date.

We.

This wasn't just me sick, it was everyone.

However in that week to follow it did not get better, it got steadily worse before it got anywhere better. This week I am trying not to focus on last year, I focus on what is here, now. It is hard, as each day I am brought back to my worst, to my lowest. I fight now not for my health but just to remind myself that it's over, I am healthy now, I am safe now.

I keep looking to June 22 as the day I can actually live on, live past. This year was my transition - everything was looking back, comparing, considering, reflecting.

June 22 I can try to move on, move past.

But just like this day last year I need to focus on making it to that day...and then past it.

After June 22 it won't be a "last year at this time.."

It will be life.

Baby Love...

Last weekend I went to spend some much needed time with my cousin Kelly and the amazing little Kyla. It was a fantastic afternoon filled with great conversation, baby giggles, and the best mac and cheese ever.

I can't wait for a summer filled of cooking/baking lessons with Kelly!

Here are some pictures from the day...

"hey lady, can I put your iphone in my mouth?"

One day I am going to paint those little toenails...

"can you play the Beyonce song?"

note: Kyla is fascinated with the song and video of "Single Ladies" when frustrated, agitated or just generally cranky all that was needed was that song and she would be silent and mesmerized...It was a phenomena to be seen.

The next day, Dave and I went to celebrate his grandmother's 85th birthday and of course there was another baby filled afternoon with our nephew Ivan.

Spending some time with Zia...and a bag of Melba toast...

...all love for the little people.