The "Cat Sitter"

Lindsay and I frequent our favourite restaurant "Max's" about once a week, and are always greeted with outstanding service, and delicious food. One of the highlights for Lindsay is saying hello to the "mascot" of the restaurant "Maxine" (a cat that hangs around the entrance each day). It was Lindsay who named the cat, and her love for the animal must have been noticed. A couple of days ago (fresh off Lindsay's desire for a cat) we entered the restaurant with the owner approaching us. He shook our hands, and we had our usual friendly greeting, but this time he had a question for us, and he seemed to be looking for a favour. "Is there any way that you would be able to babysit "Maxine" for a couple of weeks for me?" he asked us. Before I was able to say "No, I'm allergic", I turned to Lindsay to see her eyes booming, and her smile sparkling uncontrollably. Thank goodness we'll be back in Canada when he needed the sitter! There was no way I was going to be able to say no to his request!!!!!!

Lindsay's Quest To Save The World Continues

I've always been, and continue to be inspired by Lindsay's desire to do everything in her power to help those that are in need. In fact, I'm usually on board with most of her ideas, and respect that she feels strongly that we can all make a difference. Lately, Lindsay has stepped her interest in worthy causes up a notch, and I am regularly greeted after a long day of school with yet another plan of action. I am definitely participating to the best of my ability and will be raising money for the Children's Cancer Hospital here in Cairo tomorrow by shaving my head in front of the school. I'll post a picture of my new haircut after the shaving!

Whatever Makes You Happy.

Even if it's LAUNDRY.

Chef Dana.

How lucky are we - arriving home from our 6.5 km run to the FANTASTIC SMELL of a barbeque?! Dana spoiled us tonight with a delicious dinner of chicken, mashed potatoes, grilled peppers and fried mushrooms!!! Even the presentation was fancy, fancy...and for that, I ate a WHOLE ENTIRE chicken breast (complete with a "you ate meat" high-five).

Thank you, SISTER! We can't wait to have the leftovers :)

Speak of the Devil!

All this blog talk about pets has really come back to haunt me. I have been wishing for a street kitten and speaking kindly of Leah's goldfish. Well - tonight I was shocked by a pet of my own.........A BABY LIZARD! About 2.5 cm in length, this small freaky creature surprised me as I was emptying my purse in an effort to tidy up. Phil came to the rescue and released the beast in the backyard, although this whole occurrence has left me with some questions.....

1) Why clean? Every time I do it, something gross, unattractive, or ALIVE comes out to play.
2) Do lizards travel in pairs? Dana says NO - which I find both happy and sad; Happy because I shouldn't find another and sad because the poor lizard moves through life alone.
3) Isn't "nature" an outdoors thing? Because I was really starting to warm up to Mother N...
4) Where was Oscar through it all?!
5) How did Phil and Dana find this whole experience "neat"?
6) How am I going to manage the next 1.5 months knowing that a teenie monster may be lurking in every nook and cranny of the apartment?

A Surprising Honour!

Today our friend Leah purchased TWO new goldfish to replace her ONE kinda-new goldfish, Mr. Copperfield. Sadly, Mr. Copperfield passed away last evening. Happily, a new Mr. Copperfield is in town...and this time, he has a Mrs.!!! Of course, the surnames are catchy on their own. I mean, you can definitely picture yourself hollaring, "Hey Mr. Copperfield! Hello Mrs. Copperfield!" as you walk by the tank that they call home. Fitting, right? Well....this pet owner went the extra mile with first names too! And guess what?! They are named: LINDSAY and PHIL! Lindsay Copperfield has those adorable bulging fishy eyes (quote from Leah: because you love bulging fishy eyes!), while Phil Copperfield showcases a black eye and brilliant a orange skin tone (quote from Leah: because Phil is a ginger and a fighter).

Leah - we feel honoured and delighted! We can't wait to meet them!!!

Mama Cairo.

Here she is - sitting on the front of the felucca, taking pictures with her fancy Nikon camera. This shot is a new favourite of mine and I can't help but feel at home when I look at it!

Mama Cairo is one of those women that can make any room (or felucca!) feel warm and cozy. For those of you who have met her, you know that being around her is quite the lucky comfort! Whether it is white wine and Idol, afternoon crafts, or a midday paddle boat.....you feel in the right place with her at your side. I really believe she is a superwoman. She has this wonderful perma-smile and "laugh with me" laugh, an imagination to look up to, and a sense of adventure that inspires. To ice the cake, she is always, without a doubt, 100%....HERSELF. What more can one ask for in a Mama?

Quote of the Day:

While out and about yesterday afternoon....

Dain: Even my sweat is sweating.

Haha - the "holy hannah" heat continues today!

Congratulations, FOUL BALLS!

The theme party "W" wasn't the only victory of the weekend. Phil's softball team, the Foul Balls, became the league champs for the second consecutive season!

"Guess the Theme" Party

Teletubbies? Lugers? A box of crayons? The Wiggles? Sand and water? LORD OF THE RINGS?! Day and night? Spies? A rainbow? The HIMALAYAS?! Chromosomes? Olympic swimmers? The colour wheel? Dancers? Gymnasts? Cirque du Soleil? Superheroes? Blue Men group?! Fireworks?

Excellent guesses, but NO! Our theme was TIGHT & BRIGHT - and it landed us first prize last evening! Great work, TEAM!