So it’s been a while…

I have not watched Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) in a while but this time I started watching late in the season.  I love the Osbournes and routed for Kelly the whole way.  Until I watched Donnie Osmond’s first dance on Monday night.  Well I fell in love.  He won, Kelly came in third.  I am happy and well I will see how it goes with Season 10…  Watch or not to watch that is the question!?

Went to see New Moon this past week-end…  Not impressed.  I loved the book it was my fave of all four I read it in one day at the cottage.  The movie just didn’t do it justice!  Jake all the way for me peeps!  Not contest in my mind!  Love me some werewolves! 

Have been skimming through blog roll here some really good blogs and writing you should do the same when you have some time.

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man’s hat if you haven’t got a penny a ha’penny will do if you haven’t got a ha’penny then god bless you!  Picture Miss Piggy and John Denver!  I love it.  Gotta break out the CD!!!!  I am so very excited, I am sure it is going to be a good year for us!  I have done most of the shopping only about two more to go! 

Work have been good nothing too much to report.  I for the first time actually enjoy coming to work. 

 Cell phone is busted.  Every timeJames calls it hangs up on him!  LOL!  I think it’s hilarious and it just really ticks him off!  Oh and I busted my Parking break in my car and with a manual trannie it ain’t a good thing!

 Love, happy to be in it! 

Was going to do a pic of the day but found this on YouTube instead!  And they say dogs are dumb!

 

Here’s a quick recipe too!  They have a new Budget wise section on Kraftfoods.com and a big Potluck section for Christmas and US thanksgiving coming!

http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/chicken-parmesan-bundles-107338.aspx

So, I am going to the One of a Kind show with  my Mother-in-law and Grandmother this Sunday!  I have not been in years, should be fun! 

Along with the One of a Kind we used to go to the Sugar Plum Fair every year at Casa Loma, it was the National Ballet of Canada’s major fundraiser.  Kinda miss it.  We always got these chocolate and caramel covered apples from a place called Treemendous apples.  I don’t know if they still exist!

I am really very sad that  Eastwick has been cancelled it was really the only new show this season that I liked. 

Jon and Kate plus Eight signed off on Monday night!  I am really sad!  I am going to miss that show quite a bit.  STOOPIT  Jon.  Criminal Minds and Vampire Diaries have moved into my fave show category although I am really leaning towards Table for 12 as a replacement and in the end I still have 18 (soon to be 19) Kids and Counting! 

It’s kinda funny that this season I didn’t watch too much of the reality TV, I have not watched Survivor, missed a few of the Hell’s Kitchen, got board with ANTM to the point I PVR’d it and skipped to the end every week so I could just see who got kicked off!  I am getting back to the dramas except when it comes to TLC.  Oh who am  I fooling, still watching the Housewives and Tori and Dean.  Still watching Canada’s Worst Driver!  I love it!  My newly discovered Rescue Ink is GREAT too!

Had lunch with an old friend and her puppy last Friday!  It was nice!  This time of the year is always good to reconnect!  

I miss my best friend we don’t see nearly enough of each other.  Lives are too busy!

A shout of Sympathy to my long time friend MAB.  You have an angel watching down over you know.  Just know that Snoopy is with Tiny and Mowhawk now!  You will always have him in your memory! 

The loss of a loved and cherished pet is devastating especially when they are nearing their 20s.  Here is a website that helps with this…  http://www.pet-loss.net/index.shtml However you need to remember that you have to go through the stages or grief the same as you would with a Human being!  Don’t let anyone tell you any differently!  http://www.petloss.com/rainbowbridge.htm

Well that is me done!  Going to sign off now!  Have a good one!  I won’t leave it so long in between next time! 

 

Two videos that will show you that animals are defo more civilized than Humans!

 

OMG I love this and it made me cry!

Dog Days! A little late!

Lets start with a few pics of my favourite dog ever!

 

And move onto some useful and funny websites!

Dear Labby the blog for Pet Sitters

Ask Dear Labby! Funny!

Now some dog related items…  I am so getting this!!!!

 

Some quotes that were never more true!

Here are top ten animated (cartoon) dogs

How to draw a dog

top names for dogs

top 10 famous dogs of the 20th century

Pic of the day!  Check out the history of this loyal little dog at Greyfriar\’s Bobby

Oh How I Love Autumn!

Everything tastes like pumpkins or MAPLE!  So I decided that a Sugar Glider would be an appropriate pic of the day!  Happy Eating Everyone!

 

Spiced Pumpkin Cupcakes

Prep Time: 40 Min | Total Time: 1 Hrs 35 Min | Serving Size: 24

Ingredients:

1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
3 tablespoons sugar
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Golden cake mix
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 container Betty Crocker® Creamy Deluxe* cream cheese frosting

Method:

• Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
• In heavy 8-inch nonstick skillet, cook pecans and 2 tablespoons of the sugar over low heat about 8 minutes, stirring constantly, until sugar is melted. Spoon and spread pecans onto sheet of waxed paper. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar; toss.
• In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, water, oil, eggs and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups (about 2/3 full).
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Frost cupcakes with frosting. Sprinkle edge of frosted cupcakes with pecans; press lightly into frosting.

Pic of the day!

 

Spiced Harvest Maple Cake with Maple Frosting

Prep Time: 10 Min | Total Time: 2 Hr | Serving Size: 10-12

Ingredients:

3/4 cup (175 mL) apple juice or cider, unsweetened
1/2 cup(125 mL) each golden raisins, dried cranberries, thinly sliced dried apricots
1 1/4 tsp (6 mL) cinnamon
1 pkg (510 g) Betty Crocker* Super Moist White, French Vanilla or Golden Cake Mix
1 cup (250 mL) milk
1/3 cup (75 mL) vegetable oil
1/4 cup (50 mL) pure maple syrup or pancake syrup
3 eggs
1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground allspice
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) ground cloves
2 tubs (450 g) Betty Crocker* Whipped Fluffy White or Creamy Deluxe Vanilla Frosting
2 tbsp (25 mL) pure maple syrup or pancake syrup, divided

Method:

• Heat oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease or spray two 9–inch (23 cm) round pans.
• Combine apple juice or cider, raisins, cranberries, apricots and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Beat cake mix, water or milk, oil, eggs, maple syrup, and spices in large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
• Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake for approximately 23 to 28 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
• Stir in 1 tbsp (15 mL) maple syrup into each frosting tub.
• Reserve 1/2 cup (125 mL) of fruit mixture for garnish. Place one cake layer, top side down, on plate and spread approximately 1/2 cup (125 mL) frosting over top. Spread remaining fruit mixture on top of icing, leaving about a 1/4-inch (6 mm) border.
• Place second cake layer top side up on fruit mixture, pressing down gently. Frost side of cake first with very thin coat to seal in crumbs.
• Spread additional frosting on side using upward strokes. Spread remaining frosting over top of cake, making attractive swirls or leaving smooth for decorating.
• Garnish outer edge of cake with reserved fruit mixture.

6lbs, Kanye West is an A$$, good week-end with a good friend, LOVE!

Well here goes…  I got on the scale this morning a week since I started and I was plesantly surprised to see that I HAVE LOST 6 lbs!  Woooooo Hoooooo!  So that is very motivational and I gladly did my aqua fit this morning and will go and put my butt to sleep tomorrow by riding the bike for an hour! 

So who saw Kanye West last night interupt Taylor Swift accepting her award for best video.  Didn’t you just wanna pinch him?  He is such a Narcisist.  He really needs help.  He has no idea at all of the fact that he just really isn’t as good as he seems to think he is.  I would like to hear Beyonce’s thoughts on this whole deal.  All I have to say is get some meds Kanye and Taylor, you deserved it!  I love Taylor Swift! 

http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-pe07.html have a read about NPD!  Kanye you got all the signs!

So on Saturday, James went to spend the day with a friend he has recently picked back up with after a number years.  I am happy for him!  They went for a motorcycle ride and had some burgers and just hung out!  I think it is really good for him.  So while he was doing that I met a friend for lunch, checked out a tattoo shop, bought cologne for James (of course I did) then bought a hallowe’en t-shirt for Brody!  Hee hee!  Had a great time.  Just talking and laughing.  It is pretty amazing that when you have such a deep friendship in childhood that even after 16 years you can pick up right where you left off.  Just as 37 year olds not 20 year olds!!!  LOL!!!  Thanks, MAB I love you! 

http://www.chrismoniz.com/ check out the tattoo shop!

So, this week is gonna be busy, I have each morning to get up, walk Brody, go to the gym for no later than 7:00 AM, work out, go to work.  On Wed. and Thurs. I am in training all day.  Gotta have the budgets done by Fri.  On top of that I have two school assignments due.  I can’t tell you how well I have been sleeping since the gym and school started!  It is wonderful.  No more waking up at 2:00 AM and watching TV till 4:00 AM only to fall asleep and have the alarm go off again at 6:00AM.

So Brody is a happy boy.  Not faring too badly with me leaving so early in the morning which is making it easier for me.  I just love him toooooo much! 

Ok well that is enough. 

Here is my pic of the day! 

What is on your dog’s mind!

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1921614,00.html

YMCA, 90210, Vampire Diaries, REALLY WONDERFUL news, my life is a little CRAZY right now!

OK!  So I mentioned last week that I was starting my gym régime again!  I joined the YMCA.  So this is the first week and I am doing alright.  Aquafit Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Then I do the Conditioning Room (nice for I ride the bike for an hour) on Tuesday and Thursday.  I get up, walk Bucky, get ready and GO!  I do my 45 minutes to an hour shower get ready and off to work.  I am actually getting to work an hour earlier than I used to!  Ha!  So tomorrow will mark the first week over.  I did four days!  Tuesday after noon my butt was killing me.  Then Wednesday my shoulders chimed in, however, it seems to have evened out and I am determined to keep going.  Not going to tell you my weight but will tell you next week if I have gone down any.

 

So the Fall TV season started this week.  90210, Melrose Place, America’s Next Top Model, Vampire Diaries. 

 90210 is the same as it was last year, entertaining but really not relevant.  I was talking to a friend about how different the original was from what is on now and I came to the conclusion that I was the same age as the characters in the original so their concerns were probably my concerns.  She also pointed out that it had an “After School Special” kind of feeling.  This new one is so off from what I live that well it isn’t relevant to me anymore.

 

Melrose Place was entertaining.  Kind of a murder mystery, mixed with sex, fashion….  I liked seeing Laura Leighton.  (She has always been one of my favourite actors) and Thomas Calabro as Michael.  It was interesting how they have made his son one of the main characters.  Wonder what Ashlee Simpson-Wentz’s character has in common with Sydney for her to take the picture at the end.  I am not sure about this one the verdict is out but I will have to give it another try…. 

America’s Next Top Model is ANTM.  I love it, can’t say anything bad about it.  Interesting this season.  All petite models.  Way to go Tyra.  Now maybe she will do an all big, bold and beautiful models show.  Then again, Whitney did win her cycle and she was considered bbb!  Some really funny characters on this season.

 

Just found out that Ellen DeGeneres is going to be the fourth full-time judge on American Idol when it comes back in January.  I am so happy I love Ellen and I was scared stiff it was going to be Shania Twain, she is only going to be a guest judge which I guess I can live with!

 http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2160399/ellen_degeneres_american_idol_casting.html?cat=33

OMG!  The Real Housewives of New Jersey and Atlanta start on Saturday!  I cannot wait!

 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/09/the-real-housewives-of-atlanta-what-you-wont-see-on-tv.html

Tonight Vampire Diaries is on.  I have been so patiently waiting for this.  I am sooooo excited. 

 

I have the PVR set for next week’s line up too!  I love the new TV season!

 Life is CRAZY for me right now, with work, four courses on the go and my YMCA schedule, along with being a Doggie and Kitty Mom and a girlfriend and sister and grand daughter and friend and…..  I am not sure if I am coming or going.

 I did get some REALLY WONDERFUL news on Monday night!  It is a secret right now you will have to stay tuned to find out how that plays out!  I am really happy and can’t wait!

 So off to do some more work on our budgets!  Hopefully I can write a little more regularly but alas can’t promise!

Hey I am still here! Sorry for taking so long!

Sometimes life just has a way of jumping up and kicking you in the ass right when you are not expecting it.  I certainly have had my share over the last five years.  Some I can talk about some I cannot, some I wish to talk about some I really wish I could just flippin’ forget.  So suffice it to say that the past couple of weeks have been really well, hard for me!  I have to say that without the listening ears, guidance, advice, hugs, genuine care, worry, non-judgemental ways of my friends I don’t think I would have made it!  I really have realized that I do have a great number of people who for whatever the reason honestly do care for me!  From one person who danced his way into my office every hour on the hour to make me laugh, to another one who walked with me and sat by the secret waterfall and just listened, to the one that got the faited phone call just minutes after I got mine….  I cannot belive the love, support,  just sheer willingness to listen to me when I needed it, to hug me when I needed it.  I thank you all!  I really do.  I just hope I can be there for you when you need it!  

By the way we are working it out and as of now things are going well for both of us!  Thanks again to all for everything!

So summer has been and gone!  Wow!  Goes soooo fast now that I am a grown up!  I really don’t remember much of it!  Going to the airshow tomorrow.  The Ex. closes tomorrow.  School starts on Tuesday, well one of my three classes started last Monday, one more starts Next Friday, one more starts on the 16th and the last starts early October.  Then when the one that started first is completed another one starts in December.  Then when all of these are done two more start in January!  Woo Hoo!  I am going to be soooo smart but really tired.

This is on top of me joining the YMCA.  I am really excited.  I have bought work-out clothes, new running shoes, a bathing suit.  I am going to a dance class one night and aquafit two nights and then in between I will just use the gym equipment.  Some days I will go before work and others I will go after!  I did this once before with my friend Jennifer and we had a blast  I lost 65 lbs!  Lets see if I can do it again wish me luck.  Maybe that will be a new feature here.  Counting down as my weight comes off.  I don’t know!  We’ll see.

Everyone is well otherwise.  Happy New School Year,  Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Eid ul-Fitr, Happy Fall, Happy Equinox…. 

Fall is my favourite of all the seasons, I have never been able to look at it as the end of summer.  To me it has always been a new beginning.  It is when school starts, it is when the harvest starts, the days are shorter and the wind gets crisp.  You are not stiffling from the horrid heat of the summer but yet you are not grabbing at your winter clothes just yet.  The leaves turn beautifully colourful and you just get a little more cozy.  Fires start buring in homes, Thanksgiving is on it’s way, Hallowe’en follows which happens to be my absolute favourite observance and just so happens to be the Pagan New Year!  Maybe this is why I love this season so, maybe this is why I see it as a beginning not an end!  I have always been drawn to the Pagan ways!  Oh but that is another post altogether.  Enjoy Loreena McKennitt, Samhain Night! 

 

French bull dog! Tooooo Funny! Check it out!