A Wife's Warning...

During our drive from Barrie to Lakefield yesterday, I spoke of my desire to take a swim in Clear Lake, despite the low temperatures of the morning.

Phil: I can't wait to go for a swim when we arrive at your house!

Lindsay: You can't go for a swim, you might get "Hepo"!!!!!

Phil: "Hepo"??? Are you referring to "Hepo-titis", or "Hepo-thermia"?

Lindsay: Oh, you know what I mean!!!

Editor's Note: I'm going swimming despite this "Hepo" infestation in Clear Lake!!!

The "Snuggie" Debate: A few more un-biased things to consider.....

1. People who wear snuggies are happy people. Just check out all of these happy, snuggie-wearing individuals.....





2. One size fits ALL! (As long as your family is good at sharing, this means ONE snuggie can serve an ENTIRE household!)

3. Exceptions: babies and dogs. But, DO NOT WORRY, snuggies are available for babies and dogs! Oscar is in for a real treat!

The "Snuggie" Debate.

So.......here's the thing: planes are FREEZING....and on a perfectly sunny afternoon, I can be too. For this reason, Phil got me a "Snuggie - The Blanket with Sleeves!" at the start of the summer.

My snuggie is BRIGHT PINK and AWESOME. (In fact, it should be added to the "awesome things" website that I introduced to you yesterday). I have been able to enjoy its warmth during some of our chilly nights in Canada, but I have yet to use it in the too-cool-for-comfort environment of a plane! With our upcoming flight to Kuwait in mind, I am curious as to what kind of a reaction "wearing a bright pink snuggie" may evoke. Will people think my snuggie is silly? Will I be mocked and ridiculed in the same way I would be in a Red Wings jersey? Will I be admired for my brilliance and seeked out by envious on-lookers? Will I be questioned about where one can purchase a snuggie? And then there are the questions that I think about the most: what will our new teaching colleagues (who may be on our flight to Kuwait!) think? Will it make it more difficult for Phil to make friends.....you know, having a wife that wears a snuggie in public? Will it make it more difficult for ME to make friends....being the person who actually WEARS a snuggie in public? I simply do not know.

Haha - so you tell me: is wearing a snuggie on a first impression a DO or a DON'T? Please do consider the duration of the flight and my sensitivity to the cold in your response.

1000 Awesome Things.

I think I have found my new favourite "written-by-someone-I-don't-know" blog! It is called "1000 Awesome Things" and I believe it is absolutely GENIUS. Everyday, a new "awesome thing" is posted on the website. For instance, #452 - picking things up with your feet, #473 - when that social event you didn't want to go to gets cancelled, and #469 - seeing a dog that looks like a dog you know. I am telling you, this website is up there with "PostSecret"! Check it out for a daily smile:

http://1000awesomethings.com/

* SIGH *

Today is the FIRST OFFICIAL day that Phil and I have had ZERO OBLIGATIONS. Can you believe it?! No doctor's appointments, no bank appointments, no lawyer appointments, no dinner dates, no long-distance driving, no visits with friends, no emailing, no phonecalls, no early-wake-ups.......NO NOTHING! Our VISA application package was sent to the Kuwait Embassy yesterday and the stress of obtaining the necessary items while reconnecting with all of you is OVER! Waiting for the return envelope is all we have to do.......

That being said, today also marks my FIRST OFFICIAL Kuwait cry - the nervous/scared/OMG cry that I get between coming and going. We were on our way to Tim Horton's when it started...and I was thinking about how much my niece will have changed by the time we visit with her again. From this thought, I wondered to other topics.......the excitement of Sara's first teaching job, Graeme's first marathon, and Taylor's new career. Will Phil and I return home to more "cat nieces" or "cat nephews"? What will the new house look like after Dad and Julie "putter" around with it this year? How many times will Mom and Dad P go to Casablanca's for breakfast? Will Oscar like the cold and snow? How many GB of photos will my Mom have by next June? Is Dana going to survive another winter in Thunder Bay?!

Ah, the thoughts of "what we'll miss" while being abroad are undeniably the greatest sacrifice of exploring the world.

Here Comes The Sun :)

The perfect theme song for our sunflower-field-stroll...

The Segwun.

Today my Mom took us to Gravenhurst for an afternoon aboard the Segwun - the oldest operating steamship in North America! It was an ideal day for being on the lake, taking pictures, and catching up. You can tell by the photos that we had a great day! THANKS, MOM!

A+ to the Nurse Prac.

FINALLY! A healthcare professional that LISTENS, INQUIRES, BRAINSTORMS and DELIVERS! My nurse practitioner is sure to be the best darn thing that has ever happened to my IRON LEVELS! After Tuesday's appointment, I went home with nutritional pamphlets, a new prescription, and a promising plan of action. Not just that, but I feel CARED FOR and HOPEFUL for an energized future. Ahhhhhhhhh - and now the waiting game begins!

P.S. She even asked me about my new HUBBY! (BROWNIE POINTS!)

A Well-Deserved "Rep".

At the lawyer's office....

Phillip: Yes, we really like dealing with people like you. We saw in your brochure that you have volunteered with troubled youth for many years...

Lawyer: (interrupting) Actually, I have to admit that I haven't done that in a long while......it was just "buff" for the advertisement.

Phillip: Oh...(trying to remain positive)...we also noticed though that you don't always charge for your initial consult, especially when people are in financial trouble.

Lawyer: (uncomfortably) Well, not always. It depends on the situtation...

And so the reputation continues.....

My First Official "Gig".

Stephen and Nicole's reception is the very first time I was ever asked to "take photos" for other people. I admit that I was a little nervous at the start, but I got more comfortable with directing and such as the snapping continued. Here are some of my favourites. What do you think?!