Cayo Largo 2011

I'm going to try to keep this a brief as possible because if I don't make a conscious effort, this post could be incredibly lengthy as I detail the entire trip minute by minute. So, here comes the condensed version.

We napped, we read, we lounged by the pool, we rented scooters and toured the whole (tiny) island twice, we took a sunset dinner cruise, I swam with the dolphins, we snorkeled at a coral reef and shipwreck, we visited and iguana sanctuary island, saw a live crocodile, we ate a lot, we drank way too much beer and too many pina coladas, we swam, we body surfed, we sat in the rocking chairs on our balcony listening to the ocean, I held a starfish and a baby sea turtle, we were pulled over by the Cuban police on our scooters and we took many walks on the AMAZING beaches. We had perfect weather.... not a single day of clouds.  It did rain twice, but only overnight so the puddles in the morning were the only indication.  We just.... had an incredible time.

The beaches on this island are indescribable.  The sand is perfectly white, the water is amazingly blue (and so warm) and they go on forever.  Cayo Largo was actually named to have the most beautiful beaches in the world by a UK travel magazine.  I loved every second of this trip and I can't wait to go back.

Resort: Grande Caribe Playa Blanca - ex: Barcelo (4 star)

Here are some of my favorite pics:

(This is actually in Toronto, at baggage claim.  But it was just too appropriate)

I suck...

...at taking pictures.  Well, I suck at a lot of other stuff too, but especially at taking pictures.  This has not always been a problem for me, but it seems to be getting worse lately.

Bub and I took off to Niagara Falls for the weekend to celebrate our 10th anniversary and I didn't take a single picture of either of us.  There were many picture worthy, Ishouldwanttocapturethismemory moments.... but I failed to remove the camera from my purse even once with the exception of 1 shot of Santa Claus in the parade we stumbled upon. And honestly... why did I want a picture of Santa?

I also snapped a pic of this cute guy with my phone who was watching the parade with his people:

He was very proud of his sweater (and if you can't tell.. that's a little stuffed snowman on his back).  Too cute!

Bub and I headed down on Friday night, making pretty decent time, arrived to check-in to the hotel, have a beer and then head out to Mick and Angelo's- hub's fave restaurant and a Niagara Falls night # 1 tradition- for dinner.  It was to die for as always (although I'd HATE to see the calorie count on the calzone that I get).  We walked down Cliffton Hill to see the falls and watch the fireworks and then strolled around a little before stopping for ice cream (yeah... not a good idea in December in Ontario) and then headed back to the hotel where I spent the rest of the night in the jacuzzi.

Saturday was spent first at the breakfast buffet, then outlet mall shopping, a drive through wine country (seriously... I want 90% of the houses that we drove past... gorgeous!) and then strolling through and shopping in Niagara on the Lake.  It's such a quaint little village and was so cute all done up for Christmas.  We happened to be there for their Santa Claus Parade, which was the best I've seen in a long time... great marching bands and drumlines!

We headed back into Niagara, stopped on the way for a late lunch and then spent the afternoon in the jacuzzi back at the hotel.  After switching rooms because we had no more hot water we got ready for dinner at Canyon Creek overlooking the falls.  It was an incredible meal with a great view and not terribly priced.  We spent the night planning our fantasy dream house.  Mine included a huge great room with a big fireplace, a full library, a hot tub, stables and horses, a seperate family room for the television.... Bub's included basketball and tennis courts, both an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot tub and a theatre room.  It was fun to dream a little.

We had every intention to go skating at "Rink on the Brink" which is an outdoor rink right at the falls, but when we went back to change, I got in the tub and that was it.... by 10pm I was out cold in the kingsize bed!

Sunday we left early and got Timmy's for breakfast on the road because some nasty weather was supposed to come in.  When we got back, we ended up spending the day with my Dad who was coming through town on business (he lives 13+ hours away and I haven't seen him since my Aunt was sick last winter).  So it was a really nice surprise and a great way to round of the weekend. 

I wanted to spend tonight picking up my last 2 Christmas gifts and then completing my wrapping... but the laundry, cleaning and grocery shopping that didn't get done this weekend can't wait.  We have no food and we'll have nothing to wear if I don't do a load or 2.  So that's what I'll be up to tonight.  However, it will be nice to be at home "puttering" around with the dogs rather than at school like I would usually be on a Monday night.  Maybe I'll even get a little bit of reading in??
Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Fall Update

I'm SUCH a slacker when it comes to posting pictures of events, so I'm going to do another ones of those fall update posts.

First, in September, we took off to Niagara Falls for the weekend to celebrate Bub's Gramma's 80th Birthday.  She'd had her big party for her 75th, so she wanted to do something different for her 80th and choose gambling in Niagara. 

It turned out to be a great weekend.  We were supposed to stop at a Becca Fitzpatrick signing on the way down, but Bub was suffering from a nasty headache that day so I let him sleep and drove right through to Niagara.  Well... almost.  I pulled off in Milton for a pee break and Bub happened to wake-up.  Headache pretty much gone, he requested that since we were in Milton we had to find "Halifx Donair"... a restaurant we had heard about on TV that apparently made donairs just like out east.  So, we took a drive down Main Street and low and behold, we found it.  So Bub got his donair and I got a chicken ceasar salad and we picnic'd in the car.

This picture was taken moments before the ORANGE sauce ended up in his lap and on my passenger seat.

Much of the T family was able to make it for the weekend, which included a big family dinner at the casino buffet on Saturday night.  It was a blast.  Unfortunately, I didn't get many pics.  Here's the one and only time my camera came out that weekend.

Bub'a Aunt and Uncle, myself and SMIL walked from the hotel to the liquor store for supplies... but we got thirsty on the way and stopped for a margarita!

We had a great time with the family, and then the cousins and their spouses went out drinking and dancing Saturday night at a little dive club!  Wish I would have taken some pics.  We had a great time.

I also treated myself while we were in Niagara..... I really couldn't afford it, but I LOVED it and it really was a GREAT deal thanks to a 20% off sale and the Coach outlet!

We immediately moved from birthday to wedding festivities for SIL.  Being part of the wedding party, along with Bub, meant I didn't capture any of my own pics... but I stole a few from FB to post here.

We're missing a bridesmaid here... but you wouldn't know it. 

Bub stood up for SIL on her side so really, he should be in this pic as well.  

Super uncomfortable dresses, but the colors were very pretty.  The day went ok, the weather was perfect and the wedding beautiful and a lot of fun. As much as I hate to say it, it was a relief to have it over with though because it took up a huge amount of time and money that I didn't really have. 

The bride and her million pound dress and train.

We definitely celebrated though... drinking and dancing the night away. 



Myself and my 3 nieces gettin' our groove on at the beginning of the night.

The weekend following the wedding meant we finally got some peace and quiet.... along with some down time.  So we took full advantage of it.  But not long after, I woke up to this....

This was taken from my bedroom window on Oct 22nd.

It didn't last of couse, but it definitely hit home that an Ontario winter was on the way. 

Preparations began for our Halloween Bash.  It was a TON of fun, despite having to miss the prep and beginnig of the party due to my stats exam.  Everyone had a good time, with lots of food, drinks, Rock Band (with an epic group rendition of WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE) and even some karaoke.

Here's a few pics from the night:

The food all ready to go.  Bub took a pic for me since I wasn't home to see this.  We even made candy apples!

Bub and BIL aka Wayne and Garth.  I hate this picture because it's so unflattering for MH but it's the only one I got of the two of them.

McSteamy and Little Grey! Love It!

Myself and bestie # 2. 

I'm really not wearing that bat on my head... it just looks like it. 

A Fallen Angel and Snooki! Caaabs are heeeeya!

SIL and Sammy in the worlds tightest Bam Bam costume.

Junior- Hippie Love

Some of the other crazies at the party.... ya... I don't really know what to say.

All in all, a fun night... but we're not sure we'll do it again. It was a lot of work and really expensive, but a blast.  We'll see.

So, we're now headed into the Christmas season! My favorite time of the year! Hopefully I'll be a little better with the camera this time around so I can document some memories for myself. 

Time to start counting the "sleeps til' Santa comes"!



Summer Update

I realized that I have been blogging almost exclusively about books or book-related topics lately.  I need to do something about that since, well this isn't just a book blog. It's a me blog.  My modern day, adult version of a diary. 

So... I'm going to post a mass update post on what's been going on this summer.  I'll try to do the coles notes version.

May 2-4 Weekend with Friends. 

A last minute change of plans kept us home fromt he cabin for the weekend, but we had an awesome time anyway.

We celebrated a friends Birthday at his place.  The guys got a keg of Steamwhistle.... I treated myself to Guinness.

Who needs a campfire when you have a chiminea in the backyard and a friend with a guitar?

Although I'm quite certain Muskoka would have been great fun as usual... sticking around with friends was none too shabby.

Girls Night

True, this may have been too early in the year to call summer but it was after the sandals and short sleeves came-out (even though we had a freak snow storm on this particular day).

We were celebrating then end of the school year (my BFF is back at school as well) and just wanted to have some drinks and go dancing.

Bestie decided to wear flats so I of course, towered over everyone in my 4 inchers (plus my poof)... but they're fab shoes so it was worth it.

The bestie and I   <3

Canada Day  and Other Weekends in Muskoka

As always, Canada Day weekend took us to the cabin in Muskoka

the weekend included lots of drinking, swimming (floating WITH drinks) and eating

FIL, future BIL and hubs.... loving life in Muskoka

SMIL, myself and SIL (ya- I don't wear makeup or give a sh!t about my hair at the cottage, but perhaps I should if I'm going to post pictures)

Bub and I also decided to sneak up for a weekend when we would have the place to ourselves.  We had a blast with dogs, going for walks, going into town to visit the farmers market, swimming, cracking our first beer at 10:30am, having an epic wash-toss tournament and treating ourselves to ice cream and really expensive steak.

Bub wasn't really sure what to do with himself when we first arrived.  Normally there's a ton of people already half in the bag by the time we get there on Friday nights.

Me and cappy.  We contributed to his beer cap collection quite nicely that weekend (see silver bucket that is meant to hold caps).

I decided to take the old canoe out for a spin.  It didn't goal well beacuse it's old and starting to rot, and the dam was open.  Still fun though.

We've been watching this family of geese grow all summer.  They're getting pretty big now but were so cute and tiny early in the spring.

Summer Vacation- Cottage @ Muldrew Lake

We spent the last week of July at one of my favorite places in the world.... a cottage my Mum rents every year at Muldrew Lake.  It's a week of naps, eating, reading, swimming and more naps.

This was where I spent the week.  A zero gravity chair on the dock with a book and a cold drink

Our brave little Lola fianlly got up the nerve to swim out beyond the beach this year.  Jenny cheated and waited for her sister to bring the stick back in (she's standing on a rock) and then stole it.

Daddy teaching his little buddy (Lola) how to swim

Me and my little buddy (Jenny)... she was a little worried about us while we swam.

Bub re-reading Catching Fire in prep for Mockingjay!

Our sun goddess

It was such a relaxing week and we hated to leave... but definitely look forward to next summer at Muldrew Lake.

Well I guess that's it for now (at least in terms of what I have caught on camera).  The next few weekends are packed with SIL's wedding related activites (bachelorette and shower) so I'll have some more to post... plus a trip back to the cottage is long overdue.  Hopefully before August is over we'll get back up there for a weekend.

I wrote my final exam for the summer term last night which means almost 5 school-free weeks before Fall term starts. Unfortuantely I don't have any vacation from work, but I get my evenings and weekends to enjoy the rest of the summer and can't wait. 

Now if only I could remember to take my camera out more often.