February

We went to Niagara Falls with Pete's brother and his wife.



You can get a bit of perspective on how much snow we had. It snowed a few more times on top of this.
The cat climbing toy Pete and I built. They can climb up the inside of the tube because it's also carpeted. Catalina is the only one brave enough to go down head first.

This post is for Cherie and Jeremy, who remind me that the same old post is still there whenever I talk to them. I really miss you guys.
Winter anywhere north of Kentucky is brutal, and even though I lived in Chicago for 5 years, I am not used to the winter, and I don't think I ever will be no matter how long I live north of Kentucky. Come to think of it winter was brutal in Kentucky this year too. My brother and sister in law lost power for 9 days because of it. My point being, winter takes it out of you even if you don't realize it until later. We have had some really beautiful snow, lots of it! The darkness is the worst though, and the cold. We had a few warmer days last week and I couldn't believe how much more energy I had when I felt the warm breeze. So that is my excuse for not blogging. Just before I mercifully abandon weather as a topic, I would like to add that bears have the right idea.
On to more Canadian topics, I am happy to report that I have converted from Starbucks to Tim Horton's. The Canadian in me is crowing proudly. I relayed this tidbit to Pete the other day and he shrugged! I guess I was expecting him to drop what he was doing and give me a big bear hug. Hmph. I'm not addicted though. Don't worry.
The three kitties are doing well. They love going outside, but hate any kind of precipitation. They waste no time in telling us when they wish to go outside. After putting up with the whining, I open the door. They are met with a blast of cold air, and maybe some snow. They quickly retreat back into the warm house. Two minutes later they optimistically approach the door and begin to meow loudly again. They either have very short memories, they believe the weather changes at an astounding rate, or they simply lack the concept of object permanence. I know it isn't the last one because they can find the jingly fuzzy cat toy no matter where we hide it.
I'll post a few pictures from some of the goings on of the past few months:
Well it wanted to put the pictures at the top so there you go!

My trip to Chicago

The city of big shiny beans.
This is a very special person. I miss Teri.
This one too (Su).
I was so thrilled to see Amy...
My little brother Dave. Over the years he has developed a keen reflex of never being in the position where I could swing around and plant a kiss on his cheek. Notice the firm grip he has on my shoulder. Believe me, I tried.
The massive Christmas tree in Daley Plaza and the crane they're using to put it together.

hi again! sorry to those of you who check and have to look at the same old post over and over. really, if you want to know what i'm up to at any particular time, it looks like this: Monday- Friday:
breakfast, run to train, work workworkwork, run to train, get home, scrounge up some dinner, watch tv, go to bed, repeat. with a few variations. i know, i know, i'm the only person who is so unlucky to be overworked and not have spare time. that's why i'm writing this; i need some pity.

last weekend we added a new family member. we can't agree on a name yet, but i call her tiny. we went to a farm nearby and picked her out. don't blame me! pete wanted another cat! she adds more joy and laughter to our house.

i miss my girl friends though! some days i just feel like crying at odd times because of missing them!

In the last two weeks, I have had visitors both weekends. My parents swung by on their world offspring tour (well, they only visited 3 out of 4 of us). They were here for John and Johanne's wedding shower. Here is Johanne with her parents and mine. John came by the following weekend, and we hung out Saturday. Johanne works at a nifty little place called Supperworks, which services I am sorely in need of, so we went and partook. We came away with the main entree of 14 meals for Pete and I. Now all I have to do is add side dishes and voila! All in all, great to see everyone again!

Pears in September

A month now... I guess if there was one title for the past month, it would be: PEARS. We have a pear tree, and it was loaded!!! I gave away so many pears, to people who gave them to other people. I took them to church, work, neighbors and barbecues. I started getting worried that people would see me coming with more pears and hide! I made pear jam, chutney, crisp and sauce. I still have some but they're rotting. I think I have my mother's issue with throwing away food that's not rotten yet. Wait until it's rotting, I say! My compost heap is FULL of pears; our compost pickup guys got a big load of rotting pears last week.

The pears, incidentally were very delicious. It's not just because I think so; others told me so as well. I'm glad we have a pear tree. Not sure if I'm ready for it to be so industrious next year. But having to use up the pears before they rotted (some of them at least) made me get to work trying out new pear recipes.

I realized even more that I love cooking and baking, especially when it's something that comes from my own back yard. Oh to be a chef. I need a break from telling people how to eat. I would rather cook for them and make them pay me for it. People do better when you make healthy eating convenient, than when you tell them what to eat and what not to eat.

It's September... I remember the melancholy song "Wake me up when September ends." Not sure what it's about but it reminds me of Chicago in the fall. Grey Saturdays with wind blowing leaves across the sidewalks, and remembering what it's like to need a sweater after the long summer. I miss Chicago and all that that time in my life represents. Now I'm rambling because I'm tired!

My parents are coming up this weekend. We're busy cleaning; it helps knowing that by Thursday night the house has to look presentable. Daunting!!! After nearly 3 months in our home, it's still pretty messy!

Oh, and laundry NEVER ends. I was convinced that when I was single, it was all I could do to take care of myself. Now I'm married. ;P Having kids is out of the question! How do people do it?!?!?

Ah well, I hope it's not another month before I post again!

What would you do if you met yourself as another person (ie, Jill, meet Jill.) Would you have much to talk about? Would you like that person? Would you believe what they said? Would you want to hang out? Unless I freaked out and ran away, I think I would ask her how she was feeling. Would I get the truth? Then maybe I'd stand back and ask myself if her thighs were really all that bad. Maybe I could give her some hair and clothing advice, since I could see her from the side and back. Hanging out would be interesting. We could discuss all our insecurities and not feel judged. We could compliment each other without being narcissistic. Then we could do all the things we love to do, because they would be exactly the same! Hmmm... maybe I should clone myself.

My Garden; then and now pictures

My first ripe tomato. I won't pick it until it's reallllly red!!! Anyone want to come help me eat them?



Onions
Tomatoes

Carrots