Happy Turkey Day!

Hi Everyone! I'm back from my trip!

Yes, my trips to work and sleep and work and sleep. It's been so time consuming that I haven't been able to keep you updated!

My sincerest apologies...

I have honestly not been doing much of anything lately. Work has been very busy and I'm catching up on work emails on the U.S. Turkey Day!

I have a four day weekend, and I am staying at Rab's (Steve, featured below) place to watch his baby Diesel. It feels very weird to have a dog following me around everywhere again!

I will be heading to Andrea's for dinner tonight, and am contemplating bringing Diesel there too. He can be quite the bully to other dogs.

The weather has been absolutely amazing these past couple of days, literally T-Shirt weather compared to the rain we've been having lately.

Apparently there's been snow in Mtl. too! It's crazy what a difference in weather a couple of hours can have.

I will give you an update with pics within the next few days!

Clippity Clops

Sunday was an AMAZING day!

Andrea found us to a beautiful place to go horseback riding, called Wheel Wagon Ranch.

It's owned by a husband and wife.

They own over 250 acres of property, which spans over 3 counties, and they have lots of cattle. His wife Sam, who took us on the tour, is a Barrel racer. It has something to do with Rodeo stuff, which I know absolutely nothing about. She's a superstar though, and very down to earth.

Andrea being the experienced rider that she is, took one of her cattle horses, while I rode the one that was on its way to the glue factory. Just kidding my horse was 4 and very calm.

They used him for lessons.

I didn't bring my camera on the ride since it was my first time in many years.

My horse Roney, was very responsive and moved at the slightest pull of his reigns. Andrea's horse was beautiful too, and took many poop and pee breaks. When I first went to pet him, he turned around and took a big poop near my shoe.

We began a slightly scary descent of a hill, and then rode along a stream near some caves, then through hills and valleys. We stopped for some water at a troff, and my horse stuck his whole head in, then stopped for some grass. We took another ascent up a hill and my horse started to pick up speed, which made me a little nervous but he slowed down after a few seconds. We rode through herds of cattle, and they didn't care at all! It was SO MUCH FUN! I would love to do it again anytime. The weather was SO nice. The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze. Afterward, they served us lemonade and cookies and we played with their dogs.

Sunday was definetely my favorite day in Virginia so far! I can't wait to do it again!

Giddy Up!

Hot Air Balloon Festival

We went to the Balloon Festival at

Historical Long Branch Manor on Saturday. It was truly a beautiful place.

It is in Blue Ridge Mountain, in "Fox Hunt Country".

Lots of Lords resided there, and George Washington surveyed the property.

If only they could see what's going on there now, they'd be so proud.

A friend of Andrea's brother Dan raced his lawn mower, which was interesting to see.

They called it the Balloon Festival but it was all about the local wines. We got our glasses and tasted wines from all over Virginia.

Andrea and I taking a break with a cigar. It's not lit. Man those things stink!

Beautiful manor where lots of magical weddings happen.

This pic doesn't do the view justice. It was such a nice place with rolling hills.

Sweet rides!

We all had a great time, too bad the hot air balloons couldn't take off 'cos it was too windy.

http://www.historiclongbranch.com/

Stay tuned for more pics of Sunday's Horseback riding adventure...

Pumpkin Picking

Sorry to my loyal readers for being so neglectful!

I've been busy lately so there wasn't much time to update.

Here are a few pics taken a couple of weekends ago. Andrea, MB, Travis and I went to a local vineyard/farm to pet the ponies and pick some pumpkins. It was a beautiful day as always!

We finally got a little break from all the heat. The mornings are a little cooler but by lunch time its boiling again.

Cool tractor ride...

Slim pickins by the time we got there. That's ok 'cos they were 59 cents a pound!

You do the math!

MB decided to cut costs.

Tractor ride back.

First time on a tractor...

&

My $18 pumpkin

Got some kettle corn popcorn, which was SO good. It had a sweet and salty flavoring.

Hillbilly Kitchen..

Duck Crossing! lol

Haven't seen this since I was in Nova Scotia for Cari's wedding.

MB going poo.

Yayyyy trampoline!
It was a HUGE bubble on the ground and there were tons of people on it. It was dangerous fun for sure, and lots of crying kids.

Andrea was loving it!

There was even pig racing!!!

It was a great and the boys ended it with a bit of skeet shooting.

Can't wait to start carving those pumpkins!

Best Wishes!

Wishing a BIG Happy Birthday to Dad and Billy!

Wish I were there to celebrate with you guys!

Have a great night! I hope you enjoy your gifts!

In other news,

Not much has been going on lately. Working lots, got a new Blackberry which I'm already REALLY addicted to! Feel free to email me there...I died my hair back to brown with no streaks. Everyone is calling me "Katie's Evil Twin" now.

and...

Vegas' painting is almost done....will post it once it's complete :)

Michigan Weekend

We spent the weekend working a tournament in MI.

It was long. We were there for 7 am, and didn't leave 'til well after 7 pm. It was surprisingly busier than I had thought it would be.

After we closed up, we headed to Leo's Coney Island for supper, and then to The Haunted Farm of Terror, in Macomb County. There are tons of haunted places to go in Michigan, there's even a newspaper dedicated to the many different Hallo attractions.

This one offered a haunted house tour, scary movies on two big screens with refreshments from the Road Kill cafe, and a hayride through the haunted forest. The house was cool, esp. the partial corn stalk maze, with clowns jumping out at me. I got chased around outside by a SUPER scary clown on stilts too. I had no idea he was real. I saw this tall thing standing so still, and then all of a sudden it starts running toward me! He was great on those stilts, too bad he stepped on my toe though!

The hayride was pretty tame except for when the Mac truck, and the guys with the chain saws came at us in the forest. That was exciting!

On our way back from the tournament on Monday, we stopped at Denny's Pub, where Marc wanted to attempt the Pub Challenge. He did the two lb. challenge (it goes up six). It doesn't sound like much but you have to have dressing on it. If you don't want onion, then they pile more of something else.

Eat this puppy and you win a free T-shirt, your photo is taken, receive 50% off your cost, and your name goes up in the Hall of Fame.

Marc's Strategy.

Eat the meat first, the dressing, then the bun.

Too many onions!

We all agreed that if Marc ate the whole burger, then we wouldn't make it home that night. Imagine the heartburn? Anywho, he ate the top dressing (lettuce and a couple of onions), and half of the burger. I was very happy that he didn't eat it all.
http://www.dennysbeerbarrelpub.com/

Virginia Scottish Games Sky Meadows

I love a man in a skirt...

Saturday morning, Marc and I went to the parade in Haymarket. I wanted to go there because they were offering a "Country Breakfast", and some wine tasting. We caught most of the parade and went to a cute coffee shop that sold antique furniture. When we got to the town hall, the breakast was a touch sloppy, and there were old drunken farmers lying on the ground. Just kidding. That would've been the fun part! Imagine the pics!?! The wine tasting section had about 3 booths, and no drunken farmers.zzzzzzzzzzz Marc and I both agreed that we were spoiled in Montreal. Anyone been to Montreal's beer fest?

It's a classy place for alcoholics to meet.
Anywho, we salvaged the day by heading to IHOP for some not so soggy breakfast, and headed to Sky Meadows State Park for our original plan of seeing the Scottish Fest. It was great! They had the usual games, food, dancers, lots of vendors and even sheep!
They also had a live band. The piper is always the best part. I am used to going to the Alexandria or Montreal ones every year, so this was a special treat. We sampled some beer and I caught Marc peeking up the mens kilts. I hadn't had beer in so long, it was yummy to sip!
We made our way back up to Andrea's to spend the rest of the weekend. Much to MB's dismay, I got to dress up Ellie Mae who has been coming to work with us lately. Dan has a heavy exam load, and didn't want to take her with him to school this week.

I will post all of my recent pics tomorrow evening. There are some very cute ones!
This week will be a busy one, gotta finish everything at work, before I head back to Michigan for another tournament this week! Ciao!
http://www.vascottishgames.org/indexn.html

Domestic Goddess

I don't care what you say, it's not too early to think about Halloween! September brings many thoughts of Halloween, and a relief that summer is finally over! Ok, I don't hate it that much but I prefer the cooler temps, and crisp air!
So I decided that I was to have a date with my oven this weekend. As most know, I am not a big baker.
Well, I must say 3 hrs to bake 18 shortbread cookies was enough for me! I did have fun though.
It took so long because they said to put the dough in the freezer for at least an hour, so I set the timer for 50 minutes, only to find that the dough had frozen into a solid disk! I was getting confused. I decided to throw the dough in the micro for a few minutes only to find it bubbling while I was on the phone. So back in the freezer it went for another 15 minutes.
I was able to roll out the dough and cut out the cute hallo shapes.
I watched the cookies in the oven like a paranoid woman, to make sure that they didn't burn. The icing recipe said to ice the warm cookies, so I did. It turned out looking like shortbread soup. Maybe they should have cooled a little longer! The icing had cute little white flecks in it too, from not having a sifter.
As you can see from the pics above, the deco on them looks like a 5 year did them but again, I had fun!!!
I must say the cookies were delish!!! I swear!
I spent the rest of the day chillin with Marc and catching up on Harry Potter.
I spent Sunday at Target and headed to Andrea's for supper and spent the night. Guess what else I did? I shot a handgun. MB showed me how to hold the gun and aim properly. I actually hit the target. I shot two rounds, and that was enough for me. I'm definetely NOT a gun person. I'd rather take up archery.
Hope you had a good weekend!

Poor Girl

I stumbled on the Miss Teen USA pageant this year. I haven't seen it in years...
I watched the show but often rolled my eyes at the kind of competitions that these girls get tortured with.
The question category is by far my fav. and I really do root for them during this time.
I ran from the TV with embarassment (it hurt so bad to watch) when Miss South Carolina answered her given question.
For those who haven't seen this yet, watch the following video with the necessary subtitles.

She was allowed to save face and answer the question a second time on the Today show.

Miss Teen USA South Carolina 2007 with Subtitles

Feel the Love

Steve just got back from his sales trip, only to find his precious Scion xB wrapped in shipping tape. He was very happy to be back today.

We missed him dearly. Don't feel bad for him, he dishes it out to everyone.

This past long weekend was a good one. I read by the pool for about three hours, then I went to Andrea's. The following day, Andrea and I went to a pool party at her boss' house. There was tons of food, open bar, a live DJ, and tons of outdoor games.

Foot is doing well after his rough drive. He's pretty well adjusted to his new home, and wants to go out! (Maybe just escape) The pic above is of Foot meowing at me through the window.

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Foot

Yesterday I packed Foot's stuff for his new adventure at Andrea's. MB has already moved up there, and had to wait to bring Foot because Andrea's kitty has a fractured pelvis.

I took the day off yesterday, so that I could have an extra long weekend with it being Labor Day and all. Poor little Foot was confused while I cleaned and packed away his belongings.

He waited patiently for his food to magically reappear again.

MB and Marc took him to Winchester after work, and Foot sat on Marc's lap on the way there.

Marc phoned me a few minutes later, and informed me that Foot wasn't crazy about the car, and had pooped all over him! Good boy Foot! Poor scared kitty.

Good luck Footface, I will miss you tripping me down the stairs every morning! :)

Andrea's B-day Cookout

We had a feast of king crab legs, shrimp, sausages, hamburgers & grilled veggies...it was so good!

After supper, we headed outside to watch the fireworks show that Dan coordinated for Andrea.


Roman candles & sparkling explosions!

We enjoyed a 15 min show...

Andrea's friends serenaded her too!

They set up their band outside, and set their amps to SUPER LOUD, and we sat back and

enjoyed the music. Travis on guitar...

Dan on drums...


Travis enjoying a beer bong between sets...



MB looking happy! He took Andrea and I for a joy ride on the 4 wheeler, good times....
Sorry no pics of the b-day girl, she doesn't like to photographed! I'll sneak one in next time! ;)

I stayed overnight, and went to breakfast at a diner in Winchester with Andrea.
I came home afterward, and did my usual Sunday cleaning and chillin.

I have to stay up late tonight, to pick Marc up at the airport. He went to Tampa, Florida for the weekend, to his friends place. I received various phone calls on Friday night, from a very jovial Marc. He was having some drinks at a club, and guess who walks in!?! Hulk Hogan!!!

Marc was so excited, and called me write away, to tell me that he shook his hand, and that him and his friend enjoyed a drink with him! He said that he was going to let me go, so that he could go back and talk to the Hulkster! LOL

I hope that he comes back home with a wrestling contract.

The Soup Man

I guess everyone who watched Seinfeld, remembers the following episode

as one the show's best.

Well, I got to eat one of his 'famous' soups today. Marc and I went to Tyson's corner for lunch, and to pick up a gift for Andrea's b-day. I didn't realize that the 'Soup Nazi' was based upon a real life person. His soups gained popularity in Manhattan, and he hasn't looked back. People joke that he really is an ogre! See the below link to read his "Customer Rules".

I have to say, the Crab Bisque that I had, was INCREDIBLE! It was worth the whopping $11.50! Curiously enough, it didn't just come with a standard piece of baguette but it came with a banana too! Why a banana? Anywho, I wasn't complaining, and I was served with a smile.

http://originalsoupman.com/home.aspx

The Soup Nazi

Sweet Bathing Suit

Would you wear this?

Wouldn't you just love to have me as your sister?

As of you know, I got back from Mtl. recently.

I was pretty tired with all the running around while I was there, and I forced myself to stay up late, so that I could spend as much quality time with people as I could.

So I decided to drink my brother's Red Bull to keep me awake. My brother being, well... my brother, complained that I was drinking his drinks, and that they cost him $3 a pop. Meanwhile, Marc was setting up my brother's secure network and burning him a copy of 300.

Dearest William,

2 cans of Red Bull : $6.00

Price of gas to come visit: Nevermind (A Lot)

1 hr of Technical Support: $60.00

Me taking your favorite mug: Priceless

Happy Anniversary to Me!

Well my friends, we made it to 1 year in one piece! lol A lot has gone on this past year but we made it! Our anniversary was on the fifteenth but we decided to celebrate this Saturday. We had made plans for the afternoon, so we decided to have a nice breakfast together. I surprised Marc with a little suitcase that I made, and put lots of hand drawn cutouts, of the special memories that I had from our wedding/honeymoon.

Marc snuck away that morning, to bring us back an Edible Arrangement for two. Marc actually got this one past me, and pre-ordered it the day before. BUT! I guessed it right before he walked out the door to go pick it up. Marc honestly doesn't know how I do it! lol He's known I've wanted to try it for awhile now, so I was very happy to get it.

Boy was it yummy! It could've fed 4 people!

I've gotta try to make one of these...

http://www.ediblearrangements.com/Default.aspx

Ellie Mae came for a visit.

She made herself right at home on the Love Sac.

She even went upstairs and had the biggest poop I've ever seen, in our bedroom.

It easily weighed 2 lbs.!

She really is a good puppy, I guess she missed her morning poop walk (cough cough M.B.).

It was nice to spend time with her, she is a very good natured dog,

even when Vegas used to try to mount her!

Andrea invited me to her work, to cut and dye my hair. She chopped away my hair, and put lots of blonde streaks in it. (sorry no pics right now my battery is dead, and I lost my charger). It looks great. We went back to her place, and watched the boys set up their new 'man cave', called 'Bucks'. You can imagine what it looks like. It's a little garage/workshop, that looks just like a little cottage, that Andrea has on her property. It WAS very cute. MB and Marc set up their dart board, mini fridge, couches and various disgusting deer heads, squirrels, and fish busts, to make it into their own private, no girls allowed, drunken sanctuary.

I'm kidding, it's actually pretty cool.

Andrea and I took the opportunity to go out and do girl stuff. We went to downtown Winchester to poke around in stores, and to pick up some dart related equipment for MB. We also bought Salt and Vinegar crickets, and Cheddar Cheese larvae at a novelty/toy store. Andrea actually got me to eat a cricket! Gross! It tasted just like a peanut. Unfortunately, I crunched away at it, while Andrea swallowed it whole. Ten minutes later, I was still picking crickets legs out of my teeth. LOL

Can't say I'm not daring!

We wrapped up our day by swinging by the Greek Festival, and had lots of yummy food, and picked up the boys to go eat supper at a greek restau.

Hope you guys had a good weekend!

Quick Visit

We had a short family visit this weekend. We arrived Thurs evening. I spent it with my fam., and Marc went to see Mitch and Jael.
We met Melissa for breakfast at Cosmopolitan on Friday, before she left for her trip to Europe. Lucky girl!
We stopped by work, and saw a few people there too. I also had to stop at Panier too. Can't miss a chance to go there and see Pte-Claire Village! The rest of the evening was spent celebrating my b-day with my fam., and Olga and I had a chance to play a bit of Axing too.

Saturday was spent at Ted's Memorial. We went to the service at a church in Lachine, and headed back to our friend Pete's for snacks. Even though it was a sad day, it was nice to see everyone there. I met Annick for ice cream afterwards, and headed home to visit with my family, before having to leave the next day. We played our traditional game of Boggle, and of course I kicked butt. (That's only if you include the made up words). My Nanny is lethal at that game!

Sunday we were off, and had a safe trip home. It was great to see everyone, even if it was a super fast visit. I seriously need to book my vacation and head back...
I'm glad to be back, only because it feels like I've been running around a lot lately. VA, Michigan, and Mtl., I'm definetely not made to live out of a suitcase! I like my creature comforts. This weekend is the first weekend, that I plan to do nothing but swim and play with my b-day presents! I want to thank everyone again, for all the wonderful b-day wishes, and gifts that I received by mail...Thanks Melili for the Canadian Hooters shirt, and stolen cream lol! Thank you Annick for thinking of me while you were in the Dominican!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!