He Ain't Heavy. He's My Brother.

Pablo and Fernando.

This is how my boys sleep during the day--piled on top of one another on the leather sofa back. It's always Pablo on top--Big bro Fernando doesn't seem to mind. Although, Pablo (Old Boston Bull Dog) is already taller than our pug Fernando and will be heavier soon too.

I had to post these pics as the love these boys have for one another makes my heart sing. Fernando was  a lonely only-dog for the first three years of his life and I feel so blessed that he now has regular dog company.

Danced perhaps my most gruelling line up ever last night. Realized at the end of it that I hadn't included any slow, easier type songs--all of them were hard core cardio. I was so pooped, could barely touch my supper once home at 8 pm.
This was followed by an odd night in bed full of tossing and turning. I ached all over and was itchy too. I had a diet coke to get me pumped after my kids Zumba class and before I arrived at the Uni for my next class. It always makes my skin crawl but it is such a great pick-me-up that can't say no to it (when I need a boost).
Tonight I start my first class across the lake at World gym. Excited because it's my first official time teaching at a "gym." Taking it easy today to rest up my aching limbs for tonight. Today I'll write, walk the dogs, make supper and take my gals to piano lessons.

This weekend was a turning point for me as a mom. I realized that my two oldest daughters are now at ages that make coordinating family sports day difficult. Skiing was a bust and then skating too. I had a wee melt down in the vehicle after all my plans fell apart.
What I'll do in the future is plan family sport days for just the Pip (kindergarten daughter) and I. Tabs, Mist and Peter can then join us if they wish. If I try to get the rest of them ready to go and pumped for the activity--I burn myself out in negative criticisms from the big gals and their dad. So, it's Pip and I from here on out that I plan for--the rest are free to come or not.

Winter Walk with the Gypsy Boys

This weekend has been one of mostly work and not much play. Peter finished the hardwood stairs! They are beautiful. I taught my first Mom and Me Zumba class Friday night. It was fun. Pippi and Tabi attended class with me. I teach 5 classes tomorrow. I bring almonds and oranges with me so between classes I can refuel a little. Also, I always put a splash of apple juice in my water bottle to give me extra energy. I am discovering the human body has limited energy stores. Once they are depleted, that's it folks. Because I am dancing so many hours a day now, I realize that's it--that's my life. All I have energy to do is teach dance, come home cook a little, break bread with my family and sleep. I'll be a little bit boring this month I think.

Mist took Tabs out to a late show for her Birthday present. Tabs chose Breaking Dawn and loved it. I was surprised as Tabs hates anything scary or gory. Pippi asked if she and I could have girls' night since everyone else was out for the evening. She and I had a movie and sundaes in bed and then she slept with me until her dad arrived home at midnight with her big sisters. Pip loved our night and has suggested we have girls' night every Monday and Tuesday :)

The first snow of the New Year has graced the Okanagan Valley. Some snow inspired events from our lives: Mist down hill skied all day yesterday with a friend, blizzard on our mountain last evening--snow bound at home for the night, Pippi cut her bottom lip wide open tobogganing today.

The first snow of the New Year and the first outside walk for Pablo. Below are pictures from Pablo's first ever walk on a lead like a big-boy dog ;)

 Pablo ( we decided) looked a little like an old gypsy woman. We called him the Gypsy Granny Boy. He looks like he might try selling apples around the neighborhood.

Wild boy Fernando is one strong pug and Pippi one determined Alpha girl.

Fernando was determined to lead the pack but Pablo had other ideas.

Tabs, Pablo, Pippi and Fernando finally have the alpha leader thing figured out.

I took a turn sorting out the wee ego maniac boys.

Just when we thought all was well...Pablo was off like a shot.

Tabs caught up to the little devil. He just wanted a little privacy.

Tabs and Pablo wearing a dog sweater knit by my mom for my very first pug Weldy (19 years ago!).

Alpha Pippi thinks she can handle both wild boys at once.

Pablo has her on the run! 

Fernando has Tabs on the run!

Our feisty boys: Pablo the Old Boston Bull Dog puppy (2 months old) and Fernando the Pug (3 years old).

Me and Pablo my little apple-selling gypsy boy.

2 Dogs and a Girl

I came home the other morning to discover my Pip had nestled herself in the kennel with the boys, Pablo and Fernando. Fernando the pug and Pablo the Boston Bull dog. Pip was raised as a tiny tot with Fernando as a new puppy. They are inseparable and each one thinks Pip is a dog. So, it is natural that my "pups" hang together. They make my heart sing :)

A snow storm last night made it impossible for Peter to drive to our mountain top. I rescued him in our 4 wheel drive. And then drove him down early this morning to fetch his car once again. Peter drives an old Mazda near its last days. We really should have brought him home the sports car we found in Portland but he couldn't imagine driving the soft top through the Coquihalla in December! A new car for Peter will be one of our next purchases.

Off to skate on the outdoor rink down town with the girls this morning. Won't ski until Jan--if I can get the girls and I out a few times this year, I'll feel like I made an effort. Next year I'll buy us season passes. Pip and Mist need skis and boots and Tabs needs new boots. Tabs needs new skates this year also. I bought her new ones last year but wow, her feet have really grown.

Have a few errands to run. Oh how I dislike errands because they never end! I've especially decided that I shouldn't order clothing online anymore. I only have to return them to switch sizes which means extra postal charges and new delivery charges for the right size--adding on an extra 15-20 dollars from my original order :( PUMA only gives free postal service if you return it within the USA. I do like my new PUMA winter boots though. Super comfy with a boingy arch support in just the right place.

The new Zumba DVD has great choreography. Now I feel the pressure to learn all the songs I love. Once I see new routines, the old stuff never seems as exciting to me and I want to learn at least 3 or 4 new songs right away. 

Bouchons or Bust

 Four hot babes out on the town Friday night. (Mummy, birthday girl:Theresa, Me and Miranda). All sporting Metro-Sexual Satchels by handbag designer Theresa Hart (the one in the raspberry coat).
I am sitting in the Fipke building on a lunch break.--at this moment at UBC, the table beside me are indulging in some sort of luncheon and it smells like hospital food--blick.

I am tired. Too many late nights and early mornings.

The family party at Bouchons last night was fun. I ate too many pomme frites though and I am still full! We arrived back at my house for a delicious cake--chocolate with cafe au late icing—made by Granny, Tabs and Pip. Nemi and Mistaya played "Happy Birthday" for Auntie T on the violin and piano.
I gave Theresa an antique German chime clock for her birthday.
Peter is still out of province. And I am at class today.
 On the way home I'll pick up some appies for the children's party that will start at my house at 6:30 and try to squeeze in a wee nap before the adult party up the street. I am fighting bronchitis. I finally went on antibiotics so should be cleared up soon. Bikram's was more grueling than usual for me Friday as I was not feeling well in the "rum-tum-tummy"(this I post for Miranda's amusement as she teases me about my love of the term 'tummy') due to the bronchitis. After yoga I was greeted by our first snow fall. The road up the mountain was very slippery. I took the van in to change into winter studded tires  yesterday and it was ready by 9:30 PM. Today the snow is gone. However, it looks like it may be early skiing up at Big White.
My dear Pip hit her head while rough housing last night and has a huge shiner--her eye is almost swollen shut.
Must gear myself up for the party tonight. 6 family dogs shall descend on my place tonight. Fernando loves them all but a few of the hate Fernando and his incessant need for play. Mist wants the dogs up at the adult party as she doesn't think she can handle the 6 of them and all the other kids.
And a big Happy 1st Birthday to my darling Fernando today! That crazy little dog is a year old today. And he is a little power ball of love, enthusiasm and energy. He is the perfect running dog for me. He has so much energy and never tires despite running up mountains with me.

Fernando & Me

1.Stopping at Bear Creek for a dip today, after a long hot hike up the hill. A candid pose that turned out rather cool. I have no idea why my fingers were posed like that.

2.Me and my little guy.
3.The last pic is of me rescuing Fernando from the icy stream--the rock was too high for him to get onto.
It was a glorious hike on a beautiful, warm September day.
I worked this am and then decided we needed a family hike this afternoon. I may go to a movie tonight with Peter--that new Matt Damon one...
Peter's mom is in the hospital after suffering a series of minor strokes. We are wishing her a speedy recovery. Peter may be flying to S'toon to visit her on her Birthday which is Oct 2nd.
One more week and I am in the presence of my two favorite Buddhist Monks: the Dalai Lama and Mattieu Ricard. I will be staying at the Hotel Vancouver for one night and the Wall Centre for the second. A perfect mix of old and new. The Hotel Van having become like our home away from home each time we visit Van and It is really cool sleeping up in the Wall centre at night. We pull all the drapes and watch the lights of Vancouver through the floor to ceiling windows. Our Wall Center room has solid glass exterior walls--last time we stayed there we watched from high above the city as Bill Clinton's motor brigade made its way down the streets of Vancouver.                            

And so exciting for Mistaya: she is going to Vancouver with her school's Social Justice Club and attending a Peace Summit at the Dalai Lama Friendship Center for over 14,000 students from around BC. And to make it unbelievably wonderful, the Dalai Lama himself will be speaking to the kids! Mist and I will both be blessed with his presence on Tuesday.

The Chase

He's got something I want.
Mmm...chewy...and it's all mine!
I want it back...how to go about this strategically...
I'll sneak up on him from the rear.
Rats...he's on the run!
Fernando! Give it back! Drop it Nando!
Hmm...another stuffy, should I grab that one too?
Na, that was just a dog stuffy. Pip's stuffies are much more fun!
I got it! Mission accomplished.

-Pip and Fernando yesterday in my parents back yard.

Gold panning was bust as I was stricken with a sudden horrid stomach bug. It left me too weak to do anything but lie flat on the bathroom floor--If I moved, I'd pass out. It was short lived Thank G.

Smokey in the Okanagan--so many forest fires blazing. Tonight a lightening storm, but at least there is rain with it.

Misty goes to a camp-out sleepover party tomorrow night across the lake.

I bought the girls many cute clothes these past few days. Dresses for Pip. T-shirts for Tabs and Mist got a trench coat and silver Doc Marten boots.

I got 94% on my giant lit review. I worked so hard on that!

I love my new office. It is right beside my retro family room--tres relaxing.

Fabulous Fernando!

Ah...Dah...what was in that mug, anyway? Dah....that was no water... (sorry my darling Fernando--I couldn't resist!)

New research says dogs have the intelligence of a three year old human. The jury's out on Fernando! JK In actuality Fernando is one of the smartest dogs I know. That's what makes him an exhausting dog to raise. He needs constant supervision and stimulation. I just had to put up this pic though--he looks soooo ridiculous!

Beach yesterday evening--the water was warm and beautiful. I am continuing to edit Sugar Shack novel. Once complete, I will look at all options to publish them. My 2 junior fiction novels have the best chance for publishing at this time--so they are my focus, my passion. After they are published, then I bring on all my other novels and picture books.

Tonight a Kettle Valley Bike trip with John and Miranda and Peter. We will do all the trestle bridges. I can hardly wait! It is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. I adore hiking the KVR.

That and the Slocan Valley bike trip--top of the world places to cycle: gorgeous, remote and wild! Beautiful mountains and streams and rivers--cougars and bears. Yes, I should get paid for my plugs about Beautiful BC.

Tomorrow I am off to sailing lessons all weekend. Interesting. Next weekend I think we shall go down to Kamloops to camp, canoe and gold pan and visit my parents. All my ghost hunting crew can't make it that weekend, so we shall do our ghost hunt at the old TB sanitarium on Kamloops Lake in Sept or October. We will document it with video---so stay tuned it may prove to be fascinating.

And a sneak incite of what may be coming up in the New Year--a trip to Tibet and China! WOW! It is my dream to go to Tibet on a Buddhist Pilgrimage. Now, no more about that until it is all set.

Kootenay Lake, BC

Joop preparing his "Barbie" boat for our 3 h tour....the weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed...if not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Barbie would be lost...
Joop, Peter and Tabs.
Peter helping Mist with her life jacket.
Fernando and Pip.
Tabs.
Fernando giving me a kiss--he missed his mom. However, boating has become a part of his regular lifestyle down here in the Kootenays--he lives the life of of Riley. (My pooch Fernando has spent the last month visiting my sister Theresa and her family in an attempt to train him--he had many bad puppy habits at my home--nipping Pip a lot).
Kyran, Hermie (Fernando's best friend and cousin) and Mistaya.
Kyran swimming with Fernando.
Mistaya heading into the cold water. The locals swear their Kootenay water is "refreshing" and think us Okanaganites whimps--but hey, we're used to bath water down home in Lake Okanagan!
Joop fishing--he caught a fresh water mussel on his line!
Kyran(my nephew)  fishing while doing air-guitar.

We're in Nelson for a little vacation. We're taking Kyran back with us to Kelowna--he'll be babysitting Anemone and Artemisia for a few weeks. We are also taking home our Fernando, the pug. I do hope he keeps up his good habits on returning to our wild home. He has had such fun in Nelson with AuntieT and family--especially with his cousin dogs Hermie and Archie.

And SO SORRY Miranda and John, I guess Peter was right: as we scarfed down the Death-By-Chocolate cheesecake for breakfast, Peter said, "I bet John K has his binoculars on and they are waiting for us to leave before they dash over to finish off the cake." But truly, we are sorry...but come on, it was Death-By-Chocolate...and Peter and I do have uncontrollable sweet tooths.... ;)

-I'll post the blog pics leading up to the consumption of the cake when I get home--we had a great BBQ the night before we left on our trip down here to Nelson.