Winter's Last Hurrah

Winter in Vancouver is usually a combination of rain, gloom, wind, more rain and then once or twice a year... snow that doesn't really stick. 

Usually by March, the flowers are up and we're well on our way to Spring. Well apparently this year winter wanted one more party, so for about 35 minutes it was a complete white out in North Vancouver. 

I took these photos about 30 minutes apart. It went from snow to sun so quickly. 

Ahhhh Winter, I will NOT miss you.

Mighty Neighbourly

Lexi sniffing the air - I love the snow sticking to her fur

It snowed about 10 cm this morning, pushing Vancouver into a full blown snowmageddan. I’m serious, that’s what the papers are calling it – granted other parts of the Lower Mainland did get more snow than us. I’m not a huge snow lover, but as long as I don’t have to drive anywhere I don’t mind a few inches.

There’s a bylaw round here that states you need to have your sidewalks cleared of snow by about 10 a.m., so usually when it snows Derek and I grab the complex snow shovels and will clear the paths. Our complex makes us laugh, there’s a North side vs. Courtyard divide, and usually the courtyard ignores the North Side, meaning they’ll clear all of their paths and sidewalks, but won’t touch ours.

This morning I saw that it was starting to snow, so I waited until the majority of it stopped, grabbed a shovel and started clearing ALL the paths, stairs and sidewalks in the complex, North and Courtyard. After about 45 minutes of shovelling and working up a good sweat, I was literally on my last 3 sections of pavement, when a neighbour came outside and said that he’d do the rest.

I had done about 98% of the shovelling, but my hands were freezing so I was happy to hand it over. Just as I gave him the shovel and was walking away, another neighbor started walking up and thanking him for shovelling all the paths.

How neighbourly of him.

Life before twelve

Some people think I'm absolutely crazy when I tell them I wake up at 5 a.m. three times a week to run a bootcamp, but despite my weekday madness, I'm actually a sleep lover. I go to bed between 9:30 and 10:30 and wake up either at 5am, 6am or on weekends..... 11:30 a.m.

I love laying in bed on weekends - Derek and I used to get in gear and make breakfast around 1 p.m. on weekends.... which has its downsides as we never really got that much accomplished on the weekends. Everything has changed since Lexi Doodle entered our lives 3 weeks ago.

We go to bed after our 11 p.m. pee and bedtime routine, get up at 3:30 a.m. for another bathroom break, and then again at 6 a.m. - we can usually squeeze another hour of sleep out of her until 7 a.m. when it's time to get up, eat breakfast, go for a pee and take our morning walk.

It's been good parental training for Derek and I, as by noon on a Saturday, we've made a huge breakfast, gone for a walk along the harbour, gone grocery shopping, done housework, watched the Bugs Bunny and Tweety Show (it's true) and are making progress around the house (finally getting my home office set up).

Life before twelve? Who knew.

When opportunity presents itself

So the thing with life is that it twists and turns. You go down one path, and then something comes up and you switch gears.

I tend to always hesitate when it comes to opportunity. Opportunity scares me. Failure scares me. And those two often go hand in hand. However every once in awhile opportunity partners up with success and blessings. Sometime the status quo is the easiest route, and more often than not, I take it. I always read about the amazing things people accomplish and do – the way they put their selves out there, and reap the rewards by utilizing their opportunity, and yet – I still sit back and wait for things to happen.

Anyways – opportunity has allowed me to work from home for the next few months. It’s a big deal and project that I get to do – and it’s setting me up for being able to work from home in the future. I’ve been having great discussions with a few mentors in the past few weeks, and I’ve decided I’m going to begin to work towards my ultimate goal of becoming a photographer, by studying, taking classes and beginning to purchase my equipment. My new/old/same/different job (long story) isn’t in photography – but it’s allowing me the time to begin to pursue over the next few months.

And if I fail… at least I took the opportunity. No regrets.

So in the mean time…. I’d like to announce the arrival of little Lexi Doodle – Derek’s and my new Goldendoodle addition. Why not make working from home a bigger challenge by adding a 12 week old puppy!

She’s adorable… when she’s sleeping. We picked her up 8 (fast and short) days ago and she’s coming along nicely with her training. A bit clingy to me… but we’re working on me become a pack leader and ignoring her fluffy adorableness.

She also needs plenty of socialization, but we start puppy classes next week and then we signed up for a ‘doodle romp’ where other Golden and Labradoodles in Vancouver meet up – plus lots of walks and trips to the dog park.

Note to self: Puppies are a lot of work. I spent so many years begging to get a dog, I never actually thought Derek would cave and think it was a good idea. Ha Ha. I love her so much already though.

Have I ever mentioned I’m REALLY into vacations?

Derek and I took off for Seattle a few weekends ago at the last minute. I got a great deal on the Westin downtown through Priceline and made a Thursday afternoon decision that we would head south Friday afternoon.

We spent the weekend walking around Seattle, shopping, had coffee with a friend then drove back north… stopping at the outlets along the way.

Have I also ever mentioned that I’m REALLY into sunshine and decks? Derek and I bought our patio set on Friday and spent the afternoon putting it together. Unfortunately it’s no longer sunny and it’s too cold to use it… but I foresee many a weekends spent barbequing and relaxing with friends up there.

A beach girl lives here with her big Kahuna.

Well, we’re in! The house is truly amazing, and I love being in it. It’s been a busy few weeks, so I haven’t had a lot of time to actually unpack boxes and organize, but the downstairs is pretty much put together. So I’m throwing a few teaser photos your way. We still have boxes in the bedroom & den, so you’ll have to wait for photos.... or better yet, come visit.

Other than purchasing & moving in to our new house we’ve both been busy with work but we’ve scheduled a quickie vacation to keep us going, and are heading to Tofino for 5 days in December. We used to be the couple that vowed to get away every month... we havn't been away since August..... unacceptable.

I’ll keep this short, because I'm aware that people only show up for the pretty pictures. Here’s the long awaited, much anticipated new townhouse, and because I’m a vain little beast – a photos Derek & I in White Rock on a beautiful fall day. Em & Nini - you'll notice the sign in the bathroom - it's my own little piece of Santa Cruz.

Wednesday Randomness....

On Monday I rocked a great fall outfit complete with sweaters, thicker pants and a scarf - I was too warm.

Tuesday I unpacked my newly put-away Summer wardrobe and rocked a thin blouse, belt, light black pants and a thin shell jacket - I was freezing cold.

But I think I finally found the right combo today. Black skirt w/tights, summer shirt but with a fall sweater & scarf - great success!

On that note, 26 more sleeps until we take possession. I would post photos, but Derek won't let me until we have OUR furnature in the space.... so all you get is the outside - this doesn't really capture how great our new place is.... but eventually you'll see that for yourself.

I've never been more excited in my life (except when going to Disneyland).