2010

Once again it’s time to wrap up the year for our friends and family. If you follow this blog, you probably already know most of the high- (and low-) lights.

2009 ended on a sad note for us. Shortly after Christmas, we had to put Roxane to sleep. She was very ill and the vet confirmed that nothing further could be done. We still miss our little grey kitten, but are comforted knowing she is out of pain.

In March, we returned Shiraz to the breeder to be bred for her last litter of puppies, Bo went to camp and we went to the Caribbean.

• Cruise Day 1 -- British Virgin Islands
•  Cruise Day 2 -- Sint Maarten
• Cruise Day 3 -- St. Lucia
• Cruise Days 4 and 5 -- Barbados & Grenada
• Cruise Day 7 & 8 -- At Sea and Curaçao
• Cruise Days 8, 9 & 10 -- Aruba, At Sea and San Jua...

At the end of May, Shiraz had six puppies (2 girls and 4 boys). We picked her up (for good) at the end of July. Bo was thrilled to have his big sister home … it’s amazing how close the two of them became. She was fixed in September, so no more pups for Razzie!

In August, my niece Sophie came and stayed with us for a week. We had a great time shopping and doing tourist things.

In September, we made the decision to move one more time. We have purchased a new home in the Village of Carp and will hopefully be moving at the end of June. We will no doubt have many updates as construction moves into full swing.

Work has been busy for both Rich and I, but no job changes this year. Richard’s running season went really well, and he posted his best time (and Boston qualifying-time) in Scranton, PA in October (3:13 and change). So, it looks like we will be going back to Boston sometime soon.

We have also gotten involved in dog-sports with the dogs: Rich did a cani-cross race with Shiraz in October (and they came in 1^st overall – no surprise if you know Shiraz!) and I’ve started scootering with the dogs. In both cases, the dogs wear mushing harnesses and pull us. Rich connects the dogs to a cani-cross belt, while I connect them to an adult-size scooter (with brakes). It is a lot of fun, and great exercise for the dogs.

2011 promises to be very busy – we have another cruise planned in the new year, then putting the house up for sale and moving. I will try to be more diligent in posting updates!

Wishing you and yours’ a very happy and healthy New Year!

Why we are moving

Pictures say a thousand words, and this one explains why we are moving ...

This lake is literally five houses up the road, and is surrounded by trails (both winter and summer). When Rich and I saw this. we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a home that takes advantage of this little piece of country. We've already spotted our local blue heron.

This is the approximate area where our house will be. The trees and rock-outcropping should remain after the construction of our house.

Today we began the colour selections for the house.

These are the exterior colours ...



A little closer up ... the paint chip will be the colour of our front door and garage door.

Our kitchen cabinet, tile, hardwood and carpet selections ...

Our spare bath and powder room colours ...

And our master bath colours

So, did we make the right choices?

Busy times at Casa B

It's been quite a busy month and a bit since I last checked in.

1. My niece Sophie (14) came to stay with us for a week. We had a great time checking out some local attractions (Karter's Korners, 1000 Island Boat Cruise, Mont Cascade) and shopping in Montreal.

2. Since the muffin-maker (Shiraz) is officially out of production, we had her spayed on Friday. She is recuperating well from the surgery (also got her teeth cleaned ... sparkly!) however still seems a little more lethargic than is normal for her.

3. We've bought a new house (in Carp) about 10 minutes from where we are now. We close in June 2011. We are very excited since we have been working with a local builder (Holitzner) and have customized one of their bungalows to suit our lifestyles perfectly. The lot is larger than the one we have now, plus there is a beautiful forest and lake about 5 houses up the road. We will be sure to take lots of pictures and keep everyone updated on the progression of the build.

The gang's all here!

Wow! Just noticed I haven't posted in awhile. To make up for it, I have puppy pix!

That's right -- Razzie had her puppies on May 22, and we brought her home (for good) yesterday. And we resisted the temptation to add to the family -- we think we deserve a gold star!

The puppies are: boys -- Bailey, Bolt, Billy and Moses; girls -- Ditta and Rosa. (For those of you less familiar with running they are all the names of famous runners -- talk to Rich, who suggested the names.)

Here are some shots of the little wigglers (who start going home to their permanent homes today).

Hiya!

Hello!

Ooo ... you must have something good in your hand.

Momma Raz guarding the pups from Bo!

Puppy nose!

Tired from playing

Bogey relaxing after some horsing around with Raz.

Raz back as queen of the castle -- after her 2 1/4 mile run with Rich this morning.

Cruise Days 8, 9 & 10 -- Aruba, At Sea and San Juan

So Aruba was the last of the islands we were to visit. Joce Z. and I headed out for a little retail therapy in the morning as we had an afternoon snorkel planned. Richard in the meantime had a run up to Hooiberg Hill.

Here are some shots from Rich's run.

Cactus in the Caribbean

Hooiberg Hill

The steps up

The view at the top

Shots of Oranjestad

Hooiberg Hill as we leave Aruba... 

The beach and our priate ship

The Antilles wreck

A fishy friend

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Conclusion

We're done for now ... but ready to go back!!!

Cruise Day 7 & 8 -- At Sea and Curaçao

Not much to say about the at sea day, except that we swam at ate (and repeated many times).

As I already mentioned (boo! hiss!) I forgot my underwater camera when Joce Z. and I headed over to Jan Thiel Bay for a morning of snorkelling. This was really unfortunate as it was without a doubt the best snorkelling I have ever done. Schools of fish and super healthy coral. Go on to youtube and search for Jan Thiel -- there's a couple really beautiful videos (unfortunately, about how this area is under threat for development). I would go back here in a heartbeat.

Rich spent the morning running up the coastline and the headed over to the town to take some snaps. As it was Good Friday, most of the stores were closed, but Willemsted is a very pretty town.

On the run

Flamingoes!

Willemsted

The famous pontoon bridge 

Cruise Days 4 and 5 -- Barbados & Grenada

Barbados
Been there, done that.This was a relaxed day for us ... visited Brandon's Beach, did some shopping and hung out on the ship.

Brandon's Beach

Carlisle Bay

Grenada 

Our plan for the day was hike through the rainforest. On the way we crossed a nutmeg plantation and went down a very steep and long (25 minutes down) hill to reach the waterfalls. Sooo worth it though. Grenada is a very beautiful island, and of course, being the spice island, I stocked up!

A representation of the flag of Grenada (note the nutmeg on the left) 

A view of the island

 

A rainbow mahogany tree

Highest point on the island

Beautiful flowers and plants

On the way down ...

Our guide, Rooster, telling us all about the spices grown in Grenada

Pineapples

The falls

On the way back up

A beautiful butterfly

Pictures of St. George's