And now it's November!

I had a lovely Halloween weekend away to see family. The weather cooperated for once, and I had a great time.

This picture reminds me of that old Sesame Street song, "One of these things just doesn't belong there" ...

Here's the evening's tiniest little punk'in:

And Clarence The Wonder Dawg was just totally disinterested in the whole proceedings:

And another successful Halloween is in the record books.

— Bonz

And ... it's Fall!

Went for a drive yesterday afternoon, in an attempt to avoid all the things I should have taken care of at home [read domestic goddess duties].

Along the route I took, I found a craft & antique show, some country shops full of hand-hewn knick knacks, a wondrous veggie market, and some beautiful autumnal coloring. Didn't get my dusting or vacuuming done, but still a day full of accomplishment.

May we each find a route that's entertaining and colorful on our way back home.

— Bonz

Dipping my toes in

Yes. You have it here, folks. Actual proof that some part of my body actually touched wild, natural, free water this past summer. Not just the bathtub, nor the shower in the privacy of my home, but actual real live, Ogopogo-filled LAKE water!

Here is the spot where the momentous occasion went down ... on the beach by Okanagan Lake. Nothing particularly special about the day, other than I was there on holidays for the week.

We would be moving my mom into her new condo the following morning, but on that day we didn't have anything better to do but wait for the movers. So my sis, her kids, as well as a friend & her kids, and myself presented ourselves to the sand and warm sun for a fabulous day by the water. I even managed to get a little tan on my flesh, even as my sister had slathered me with the highest spf tanning lotion possible.

While the kids played in the water, my sister & her friend took out their notebooks and began setting goals for themselves. It was all very self-affirming, but I'd brought along a good book to read and so immersed myself in that. Saving the personal self-reflection and introspection for a rainy day ...

We even had a little visitor come by, begging for treats. Those beach ducks are perfectly brazen! But getting back to the purpose of this post ...

At some point I grew tired of reading and listening to the other two with their shrewd goal planning, so I set the book aside and got up to stretch my legs. The gentle lapping of the water drew me to the shoreline. The kids assured me the water was warm, but I was still hesitant. The last time I'd swam in an uncontrolled water environment [read: lake], a baby's full diaper had floated by me ...

Then I made the big mad crazy leap, and walked into the water.

And took this picture.

— Bonz

Missing in Action

It's been several months since I posted anything here. No reason other than general laziness ... which I'm trying to overcome! Hello, Queen of Procrastination here.

Where'd the spring/summer go? I can't believe how fast the days fly now that I am this age ... I spent several weeks over the summer in Kelowna, visiting mom and sister & her family there. And as much as I love them, am always thankful when I drive back over the mountain range that separates us and get back home again. Distance brings a family closer together! ;p

Something new in my life ...

At the end of July I traded my lil' Echo hatchback in at the Toyota dealership for a 2008 Yaris sedan. It's more car (hello trunk space!) with the same kind of gas mileage, and is fully under warranty for another 5 years, so I'm happy. But I miss my lil' Echo and how I could scoot around town doing errands. The Yaris means I have to drive more like an adult. ;p

Funny story ... when I was dealin' at the dealership, I told the salesman "ANYTHING but red!" Out of my last 4 vehicles, 3 were red just by happenstance. And red isn't even a favorite color of mine, so enough is enough! The salesman went off to look on the computer and came back a long time later with this sick look on his face. I wondered - is my credit no good? Deal fall through? What?! And he said, "If you want to walk away from the deal now, I won't blame you ..."

WHAT??! Wouldn't you know it, in all of the province and all of the dealerships, there was only two cars with the features that I wanted ... one was an ugly purply-blue, and the other? RED!

God works in mysterious ways.

So once again, I drive a red car.

— Bonz

Easter visit from my mama

My mother, she came for a visit over the Easter weekend. I know it was a hard trek for her to make, as she hasn't left her home town in over 17 months.

In the past year she's had to cope with my father's sudden death, a hurried downsizing and move, having to settle for a condo not of her own chosing, renovating said condo to bring it somewhat up to her standards, re-adjustment of life without a spouse ... Lots of sadness all around, but I am very proud of how she's managing to cope - one day at a time.

So we shopped and walked and shopped some more. She insisted on buying me something for my new place, so I finally gave in and let her buy a new dishwasher. When it was time for her to leave, I wished she could stay a little longer, and not just because she likes to buy me things. I hope she can come visit again and more often, as there's lots we didn't get around to seeing and doing.

The last time she visited me was Christmas 2006, and my dad was there, and we spent a rainy green holiday in my old apartment. So much has changed since then.

— Bonz

PS: Upon further reflection, the photo above kinda reminded me of this one ...

Sometimes the 80s version is just the better one.

Not that little David on tonight's A.I. didn't do a good job, but sometimes it's best to go back to the original. I had totally forgotten about this song until I heard it again this evening, and did a little google-searching!

Upon further searching to remind myself who John Farnham was/is, I found this one too ...



Great songs, great lyrics ... I miss the 80s!

— Bonz

Woefully behind in the blogging here

Umm. The last three months, where'd they go??

To recap, spent most of January recovering from the grossly over-indulgence of Christmas. Then at the end of January, bought my own condo.

On a whim! Went out one weekend and just did it! Ack!!!

See picture to the left, with 'lil Red out front, I believe this was taken the day of inspection on the place. It snowed! A good sign?? Everything passed inspection and the deal was done. It was almost painless how easy the whole process from mortgage broker to final paper signing at the lawyers. Should'a done this years ago.

Spent all of February packing.

Took a little mental health break the second last weekend of February with my friend Kristin & two of her gal pals, to do some shopping south of the border. Had a great time!

Moved at the end of February, with my sister's help. She brought her big ass truck down and we moved all the boxes ourselves, leaving the heavy stuff for paid movers. I owe her big time.

Spent most of last week crazed at the office with a big conference that I felt I had to put my personal touch on. Got sick by the end of last week. Spent most of this past weekend in the throes of chest congestion & sneezing hell.

And here we are, almost half-way thru the month of March already! Whew, time sure flies when I'm intensely focused ...

Here's a picture of my new home studio ... all of that IKEA furniture (plus a few other pieces in other rooms) had to be put together by hand, and OMG my hands & wrists are KILLING ME! Too bad I can't use my new work space yet, as I'm so crippled from the resulting carpal tunnel.

It still feels like I'm housesitting for someone, or staying in a hotel for a little while until I return to my old apartment ... but it's starting to feel a little like "home".

Especially with me being sick and miserable, curled up on the couch with my new comfy mink blankey and a wall of used snot-tissues piled around me.

Home ownership ROCKS! ;p

— Bonz