LATER GATORS!

We just finished packing for Nepal. Work gloves? CHECK! Measuring tapes? CHECK! Paint brushes? CHECK! Flashlights? CHECK! Fun stuff to make our Christmas EXTRA merry? CHECK! The only thing left to do is to get our "genetically-programmed-to-build-amazing-things" bodies to Kathmandu! [Yes, I DO believe that construction skills are in my genes. Have you SEEN what my father can build?! For sure those same talents exist in ME! Plus, I stated this very fact in our Habitat for Humanity interview and we were HIRED for the job! <---- a.k.a. other people believe my building skills are inherent too!]

FAREWELL sweet readers! Stay safe. Keep warm. And BE JOLLY!

XOXO

(Deep Breath IN....)

We must send out the following warm wishes before our departure tomorrow morning:

Happy birthday Taylor and Joycie on December 18th!

Merry Christmas to ALL on December 25th!

Happy shopping (to you SILLY PEOPLE) on December 26th!

Happy birthday Graeme on December 28th!

Happy New Year to ALL on December 31st - MIDNIGHT!

No matter how far apart, you are ALWAYS in our thoughts!!!

Love,

Linds and Phil
XOXO


OH - and one more thing:

"GO CANADA GO" during the World Junior Tournament!

GOODBYE 2011!!!!

Because we won't be home to share our 2011 reflections with you on December 31st, we will share them NOW! Here they are - the highlights of 2011:

* We finished our first year in Kuwait and began another year - but this time with both of us in MIDDLE SCHOOL!

* We raised $12,200 for Team Diabetes Canada and ran a FULL MARATHON in Iceland!

* We survived India. Baha. Can you believe we want to go BACK?!

* We survived Thunder Bay. BIGGER BAHA.

* We paid off our student loans! YIPPEE!!! It feels so WONDERFUL to be debt-free!!!

* We started a retirement fund :)

Hopefully by the end of this year we can add "successfully helped to build a home for a family in Nepal" to the list!

WOWEE KAZOWEE! What a YEAR! We look forward to the adventures that 2012 will bring :)

Comic Relief.

"Viruses are not living things because they can't eat and they can't breathe and they can't even have a heart attack."

Things like this make marking exams much more bearable! The good news is I finished all of my marking today and can begin my reports tomorrow.....which happens to be the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. And it's an early release day! We get off at 12:30 and I'm heading to the spa with Pat!!! Bring on the holiday!!!

The Braverman's Kitchen.

Every time we watch "Parenthood", I admire this kitchen and want to copy it! The black and white tile is the best part :)

I'm not sure whether or not I shared this already....

...but we are OFFICIALLY renting a place in Toronto this summer! It's in the "Beaches" area of the city and we are there for a WHOLE MONTH! Yep! From July 12th to August 12th, you can refer to us as honest-to-goodness city folk ;)

We've already scoped out the scene at this time of year and are looking forward to events like the International Jazz Festival (right near our studio!) and a Jays versus Tigers 3 game series. Walking along the boardwalk in the evenings - with an icecream cone or a cup of tea - is something we hope to do DAILY :)

Other pro's? Not renting a car. Not living out of a suitcase. Having our own place. Being close to both houses. It's an exciting decision.....and we're hoping you find so too :)

Now - off to bake SOMETHING (who knows what?!) for the Christmas party at school tomorrow.

A Real, Live Treasure Hunt!

So Phil has been going on and on all night about how we have no cash and he has to go the bank. Well, a random search of my belongings and we are over $150 richer! I'm overjoyed by my finds, but Phil says I haven't been "responsible" with money.

WHOOOPS!!!!

Lindsay: (attempting to make him un-mad at me) Well.....I knew that I had money somewhere.

Phil: NO YOU DIDN'T! You were surprised every time you found some more!!!

Lindsay: Hunnie - admit that it was FUNNY!

Phil: (ignores me and continues to do laundry)

I'm TOOKIE!

The most recent episode of ANTM featured a motion editorial for Tyra's fictional book "Modelland". If you haven't seen this episode, it probably sounds all silly and make believe to you. Well, I am here to tell you that this place, "Modelland", has become very REAL and horrifying in my dreams! For two nights in a row, I have woken up in a sweat - petrified of the various versions of "Tookie" we witnessed during the show. YEESH. Some Fear Factor contestant I'd be. First it was "Finding Nemo". Then it was "Pretty Little Liars". And now.....it's "America's Next Top Model". Somebody find me some BRAVE!!!!

Sweet ALL Around :)

Tonight Cathy and Shahid invited us over for some WARM APPLE PIE :)

It was lovely.

And so are they.

Snaps for GREAT neighbours (<------ yep, I still DO make references to "Legally Blonde" - one of the best movies of all time).

Have a GREAT day, JOYCIE GIRL!

Right now Joyce is having her 3rd birthday party at Miss Jennie's Performing Art Studio. I'm sitting here on the couch - super JEALOUS of you Canadian residents that are in attendance! Have a DELIGHTFUL time and take lots of pictures!!!