Hymn Books are Vintage?

Check out this wierd downtown Toronto window display.

The Hug Tree Lives Again But Not For Me

I'm so happy that they rebuilt "The Hug Tree" and a little sad that I won't see it any more.

Just went on mat leave.

No more commute.

Yay!

Terror!

Cough in Your Elbowpit!

I'm sick and I'm ticked off.

So I was on the Go Train going downtown from Brampton and it was packed as usual.

Sometimes I read on the train, other times I look outside and other other times I close my eyes.

That morning I did the latter and leaned back into the head rest.

Then I heard the person across from me cough and felt it blow on my face. Did I seriously just get coughed on?? Yes.

I opened my eyes and looked a female university student with a 2nd or 3rd year science text book.

Unbelievable.

One thing I Miss About Toronto

Forgive me if this is offensive that is not my intention. I was listening to a black comedian on CBC radio and he was talking about going to the cottage. He said that the 2 reasons he doesn't want to go to the cottage are, "they are missing lights and witnesses." I think he may be on to something.

We lived in Toronto for 3.5 years and lots of people said, "I don't know how you do it." People have this perception that the city is so unsafe.

Granted, I heard 4 people get shot outside our apartment one night and here is a picture of Bobby with a local bike thief. But I never truly felt unsafe in Toronto.

I would walk places at night solo and felt very safe (half the battle is not taking short cuts!). I was asked for change every few blocks but never harassed.

Since we don't live there any more I'll even tell you that we could not even lock our door properly. In fact most times it was not locked at all...even the door on the street was rarely locked. AND WE WERE NEVER ROBBED!!

We've only been in Niagara Falls for 3 months and we've now been robbed 3 times (thankfully just our garage and car). No jokes.

I've also gotten cat calls as I walked down the street in Niagara Falls. What is with that?! One guy was riding by on a bike. Hello?

And then there was the needle in our backyard.

Don't even get me started.

The Biggest Loser

Okay.

So I just finished watching The Biggest Loser and am feeling like a big loser. I sobbed for the first 30 minutes.

Seriously.

I have been obsessed with fat busting shows in the past few weeks. Maybe it is because I'm 30 weeks preggers and only a few pounds from a weight we shall not name.

At this point, I'm still working 4 days a week and most days I work I walk an hour to and from the train station. It's still "business as usual" but I'm looking forward to a little 'prep' time before d-day.

Good Water/Bad Water

I love hiking in the Niagara Gorge. It is like another world and a free one at that. Hearing the rushing water long before you see it...well the whole thing is a treat. When you go to Niagara Falls in the summer it is a must do.



One experience I could have lived without was my commute last Wednesday.

I left the house at 6:30am to catch the Go Train into Toronto. I then worked from 9 to 5 and booked it back to the Train where I caught the express train(something I've tried for months but never made...its getting harder to speed walk with my own speed bump). The tracks were flooded and to make a long story short...after a hour of walking, a street car ride, Bobby hitching a ride to the car, driving to Mississauga and us both driving back to Niagara...we got home at 10pm. Nice 15.5 hour day with wages for 8.

Uggh to bad water! Double uggh to the 7.5 hour commute.

Help Us All

Apparently, I say this a lot....a lot, a lot.

Multiple times a day...to the point where my co-workers mimic me.

Some reasons I may say this are:

1. We live in a pretty screwed up world.

2. I'm past 32 and still don't have a clue...or at least a career, purpose statement, or retirement fund. Clearly, I should not go to any high school reunions.

3. My husband and I won't talk of divorce as an option. We have been married for 15 years..last year was particularly long.

4. I am now 35 and am 5.5 months pregnant with our first kid and I do not like babies.

5. We just moved to Niagara Falls and during rush hour(s) the commute takes 2.5 hours...

6. As stubborn as I am, I realize I can't do it on my own. I am totally okay with the saying, "God is a crutch". Frankly, I need the help.

Back in the Saddle?

So I started a new blog...and then I deleted it. I was going to 'break with the past' but that's kind of ridiculous. So here we go again.

On the Steps of Olde City Hall?

This one man had at least 7 puppies with him right on Queen Street down by the Eaton Centre.

Thanksgiving and a Beach

I took a walk Thanksgiving Saturday in the city and this is what I found.

Oh No! Melissa is a Boy.

See Communal Cat post below.

Some Times

Some times I'm just not sure what to say.

Bobby is no longer working at the Toronto Alliance Church but we are still attending. We have no intentions on leaving the area. He has another job in AV which he is loving. I'm still doing a girl's club thing which I love and I continue to work on Queen West.

I guess I don't know what to say because in many ways it feels like the end of a dream but more likely it is just the beginning of something even more real.