A nice week of sun

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Oh it has been such a long time since I did a blog. I can’t believe it !!!!



Sean and I just got back from a week in the sun. His parents have a condo down south.
I am blessed with good in-laws. They are nice and very generous. The downside of this generosity is that they like to spoil us and this time it involved a lot of food. His Mom was VERY excited to take me out for meals so I could experience all the places they go. It was always a surprise for me, so I didn’t know where we would be eating until we got there. We went to some great restaurants that we don’t have here in Canada. The Melting Pot etc. Delicious … but deadly. They space this eating over 6 months ... we jammed it all into 1 week.
Sean and I were joking that his parents had taken life insurance policies out on us and were trying to kill us by feeding us such bad stuff all week.

Sean and I rented a car and took off for a couple of days on our own. We had GREAT weather and got to do a little snorkeling and swimming. Lots of fun !!





We went for a visit to escape the winter here in the north…. but truth be told .. we really haven’t had much winter at all this year. I haven’t been able to snowshoe once and today is beautiful, sunny and warm for March. I am missing my new favourite winter pass time .. but I can definitely spend time outdoors so I have not excuse to not get out there for some fresh air.

I am back home and back on track. No messing around just eating properly and tracking everything. I have been struggling to get back on the wagon for about a year - ever since my Sister and the girls came to live with us for a month during the big natural disaster in Japan. I had been doing great up until that point and somehow let myself fall off the wagon and not get back on.
I’m feeling good about how I’m doing now … if we don’t count foodapalooza last week.
I just need to keep this going and I will !!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DNJEN471 4/18/2012 11:49AM

Looks like you had a great time! Report Inappropriate Comment

POORGIRL_DIET 3/31/2012 10:33PM

That looks gorgeous hun glad you had a nice time away! Report Inappropriate Comment

CDNMSFIT 3/7/2012 10:24PM

oooo! That looks beautiful! I hope you had a GREAT time! Report Inappropriate Comment

FIT_TERI 3/7/2012 8:48PM

Sounds like a good time! We leave on Sunday for our escape to FL from the "winter that wasn't". Who knew when we booked our trip in November! Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to sun, golf and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Welcome home. Report Inappropriate Comment

JAMIEHORN20 3/7/2012 9:54AM

You and Sean are adorable! Glad to see those smiling faces. :) You can do the tracking thing...you have before! We'll keep each other going. I had wondered how winter was up there. It's super crazy everywhere I guess. I kept thinking we'd get a little bit of winter, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen at this point! You know me, I'll take it. :) But I'm bummed for you not being able to do any snowshoeing! Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSHAZZER 3/7/2012 9:22AM

CJ, I was wondering what happened to you! Thanks for checking in! So glad you got to enjoy a lovely week of warm weather and sunshine! I am LOL at the life insurance policy comment! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

Niagara - Dad's Birthday

Sunday, December 04, 2011

Just got back from taking my Mom and Dad for an overnight at Niagara Falls.
We lucked out and had great weather yesterday ... you take your chances in December .. but it was sunny and nice.

We send my Mom away once in a little while so she gets a break from her caregiving. It seems Dad was feeling a little left out since he doesn't get to go on vacations. My sister, Brother and I went together to give them a little night away in Niagara. I decided to go with them so my Mom had some help and company. We had a nice time even though it didn't go quite as planned.

My brother and sister in-law used their points to get us a BEAUTIFUL room with a view of the falls


We walked to the falls:








We got back to the room and my sister in-law had sent a tray of fruit, cheese and wine. It was Mike Weir wine .. which my Dad was very happy about. Mike Weir grew up near us .. so Dad just LOVES him !!!




Like I said we did have some challenges. We can no longer use escalators as my Dad's brain just can't handle them. He was fine going up but on the way down, my Mom got on in front of him and I was beside him holding his arm. He decided halfway on that he wasn't going ... and pulled back when I was already on. Mom and yelled that we would come back for him. Luckily there was a big man who was a good Samaritan. He grabbed Dad by the arm and got him on. That big gentleman really saved the day ... but the experience scared my Dad and he will not go near them again.

We had planned on going for dinner then walking to see all the Christmas lights. Unfortunately, after the treats and a glass of wine Dad wasn't feeling well so he laid down. He decided he didn't want dinner. My Mom and I popped downstairs for a quick dinner. We decided we wouldn't go out to see the lights and spent the evening in.
He was up and down most of the night, which he does quite a bit but that was fine as it was his little get away.

Even though it didn't go quite as we planned my Dad still loved his little get away. I'm so glad we did that while he can still enjoy it.


C

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

POORGIRL_DIET 1/17/2012 9:17PM

It is one of my dreams to go there and if it looks as beautiful as it does in the pictures I can't wait to save up!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSHAZZER 12/5/2011 1:03PM

CJ, you and your mom have the same sunny smile! So glad you treated your folks to a nice weekend away! You and Sean are good eggs! Report Inappropriate Comment

FIT_TERI 12/4/2011 9:30PM

Wow, is that the view from your room? How awesome! I need to get to Niagra Falls!! Nothing ever really goes as planned, does it? I guess then difference is in this case you and your Mom need to provide all the resilience. I'm glad you had a nice weekend with your parents. Report Inappropriate Comment

TELERIE 12/4/2011 2:18PM

I'm glad you gave your Dad such a treat, and that you were able to go along with your Mom to help out. Sounds like you had a good time even if not all went according to plan. You'll come to cherish these memories. Hugs. Report Inappropriate Comment

The end of November

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Wow !! I can't believe it is the end of November. The month has just flown by!!!
It has been a good month.

I started doing Zumba. I didn't really care for it the first few times. People told me to hang in there and not to judge at first. I'm glad I didn't as I think I'm beginning to like it. It is a good workout and music is fun.

We're supposed to get snow this week. I don't know when we'll have enough to get out the snowshoes. I'm actually looking forward to that :):)

Yesterday we had a birthday party at our house for my Dad. He is turning 74 today.
We had a great evening. He was so happy to have friends and family there and was very touched by the love. These events mean a great deal to me... as I don't know how many more we will have where my Dad still knows who we all are and what is happening. He is a little like a kid now so we decked out the house with balloons and streamers. It was a lot of fun


That's all from here. I hope all is well with you !!!
C.J.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MBSHAZZER 11/28/2011 5:16PM

Happy Birthday to your Dad! Sounds like a wonderful day! Glad you are enjoying Zumba, and I have to LOL at the thought of someone excited for snow! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEGKORN 11/28/2011 1:05PM

What a happy blog! The birthday party for your dad sounds delightful! Glad he enjoyed it so much ~ that made it special for all of you! Zumba huh? I've gone a few times and loved it. Of course I couldn't keep up or do half of the moves but it didn't matter. In fact, it added to the giggles in the room! Everyone was there for the exercise and the fun, not the perfection of the dance steps! I just may have to put that in my workout schedule for this week! I'm not a big fan of snow so I hope you keep it up north for a while :) Enjoy your snowshoes. Report Inappropriate Comment

JAMIEHORN20 11/27/2011 6:37PM

Zumba is fun! I've gone twice--the first time I went and didn't like it--it's all about the instructor, I guess like most fitness classes. Anyway, I want to get back but haven't made it yet. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Also so happy that the bday party was such a fun time! Yay for memories with your dad. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

TELERIE 11/27/2011 5:32PM

So glad your Dad enjoyed the party and the love! I haven't tried zumba but would really like the chance, November hasn't been that good for me workout wise, but I certainly enjoyed my trip, and have plans for getting back to basics in December! Report Inappropriate Comment

FIT_TERI 11/27/2011 4:51PM

Happy Birthday to Dad!! I'm so glad you got to celebrate with a nice party that he enjoyed. I'm sure that being surrounded by the love of his family and friends is invaluable to him. Good for you for trying Zumba!! I am terrified of it LOL! I have 2 left feet. NOT A GOOD DANCER! I'm sure the workout is awesome...I am just worried about being so off that I am a danger to others! Was it difficult to follow at first? Report Inappropriate Comment

The Skunk Rangler

Sunday, October 02, 2011

What a crazy week it has been ... to top it off, my Mom had an unwanted visitor to their garage.
She called Thursday night to ask if we knew how to get rid of a skunk !!
Sean was on a business trip, so I said .. Put something smelly like tuna near the garage door and out onto the driveway to see if it will leave.
I then drove out to their place and decided to make a dash into the garage to get their car out.
I ran in, backed the car out .. then started to investigate with a flashlight. It looked like all was clear. I checked behind things etc. and couldn't see a skunk. We thought he had vacated his new home.
We closed up the garage and my Mom would clean up after him the next day.
Friday night my Mom called .. Nope, he was still there, she saw him while she was cleaning up after him .. and she ran out quickly and closed the garage door.
Sean and I headed out on Saturday morning to get that little guy.
Armed with our trusty live animal trap, a delicious can of tuna, cover-alls, goggles, and a hockey stick we captured him and then took him to the fields to release him.



No skunk was harmed in this capture and no spray was discharged from anyone involved :)

Now I ask you .. .isn't he a good son in law ??? hahaha

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FIT_TERI 10/3/2011 8:40PM

Sean is the best son-in-law in history!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I laughed when I saw that my Canadian friends made use of a hockey stick in solving this problem....LOL! Glad everyone was safe, and especially that they were unsprayed!! Kudos to Sean! hmmm....what was your role....cinematographer? :) Comment edited on: 10/3/2011 8:42:08 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MBSHAZZER 10/3/2011 12:55PM

Sean is a SAINT!!! Glad you made the evacuation PETA friendly! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

CEILIE2 10/2/2011 7:23PM

WOW You are so lucky. What a nice son in--law.........he's a keeper! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOLLIEMAC 10/2/2011 1:02PM

LOL, CJ, you guys are VERY lucky! I love the idea for the tuna, I think you should write to Clover Leaf and suggest they list it as a product use :-). Bet your mom is very relieved...MJ Report Inappropriate Comment

DNJEN471 10/2/2011 12:53PM

Wow! What a brave guy. I don't think we would have attempted it on our own ;) Report Inappropriate Comment

A good day

Saturday, August 20, 2011

We spent the afternoon with my Dad. Sean and I took him out for lunch to a Mennonite restaurant. We then went for a nice walk around the water and through the little village. He enjoyed it and Mom got a break.


My Dad really wanted to go to the Air Show. He heard it was this weekend at his Alzheimer's Day Away program. Once he thinks he wants to do something .. he doesn't forget :) I offered to take him but I wasn't too excited about it.
He was tired today, so he decided he didn't want to go. To be honest, I was happy it didn't work out. It is a challenge to go to the Air Show. It is REALLY busy (20,000 - 40,000 people). It was very hot today and we would be out in the sun all day. We would have to park and take a shuttle bus to the airport with lawn chairs water, food etc. It's a difficult to do all that with my Dad and make sure he doesn't go off on his own or get lost.

I think the way our day worked out was better :)

We're having a storm tonight my poor husband has a horrible headache. Must be the pressure. I'm hoping he's feeling better soon !!!
So happy we're getting some rain. We really need it !!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MBSHAZZER 8/22/2011 1:41PM

Sounds like another lovely weekend, CJ! I'm so glad that you are able to spend really good time with your Dad now... I know it's a good break for your mom, and you get to have some good times with your Dad while you can. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOLLIEMAC 8/21/2011 2:19PM

I'm glad the air show idea didn't work out for you too :-). Big crowd, noise, heat- not much fun. The gardens you took your dad to look absolutely beautiful- lovely! Report Inappropriate Comment