Saturday, November 24, 2012

Collingwood, Ontario

A month or so ago, a singer I would like to see was going to be performing not far away, and a short overnight road trip was planned. It was Tim's weekend with Gavin, and I requested off work from the bar. It was going to be great.

Then the show was cancelled.

I was extremely bummed :-(

All I wanted was a night away from work, dogs, house, any thoughts about anything, know what I'm saying?? I feel nonstop majority of the time and still never get everything done that I need (ie, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, laundry, playing with dogs, playing with Gavin) and/or desire ( Putting together the games and crafts G and I used to do, I'm about 55 blog posts fewer than I was last year at this time, and I haven't had the pleasure of taking a bath in over two years. At least!!). I was now leaning towards calling my coworker covering the shift and letting them know that I would be available after-all. It's not like I don't desperately need the income anyway. My dream for a break was over. And that was okay. There will be another time.

Until a phone call late one night led to a different trip for the weekend. I hadn't picked the bar shift back up yet. It was still Tim's weekend. But the destination was a tad bit further away. Hmmm...could this happen? Can I use personal time from Owens? Will my parents be available and willing to help make this work?

After an astounding YES to all of the above, and a half workday Thursday, I was on my way to Collingwood, Ontario.

 Good thing I have a passport.

I just had to be back by Sunday evening. Whilst it was a short trip, it was great.

Did we do much up there? Why no, no we didn't. It was between seasons and the caves and cavern tours were closed. The zip line was closed. The tree walk was shut down along with the suspension bridge. We missed everything by a couple weeks.

Do you think that stopped me from enjoying time away? Absolutely not. I had zilch responsibilities for nearly 74 hours. That in itself, was phenomenal.

We arrived Thursday night around 8PM, after taking a few wrong turns and adding some time to the drive. GPS machines are annoying, I never learned to read a map appropriately, and the stops we made for directions were less than helpful. But we made it. It really wasn't that bad.

We arrived safely, dropped off our bags, said hello, and went to get food before crashing for the night. 

Friday morning, we hit up a walk behind the resort.

At the end of the boardwalk, you could go down and follow some rocks or walk near the bay.
I went for the rocks. Alone.

But someone cut up around the bend you see there, and beat me to the end.

Checking out the lighthouse out there.

It's hard work balancing over those large, goose s$*t slicked rocks.
Pardon my French, but we are in Canada, eh.
I'll just shimmy over this one. Rolling an ankle isn't in the plan.

A controlled balance requires the arms to be up and out.


What is it? Looks like a bird. Or a plane?!!

Nope. Just a big pile of rocks. I added one.

Heading back over the boardwalk...

And had to stop and take a picture of the hosts, Joyce and Tom.
Thanks for the invite!!

Of course, therefore we needed one, too.
Thanks, Tom.

 Back at the resort we cooled off a minute, went and ate lunch and drove up to the slopes.
No way would I think about going down this BIG hill wearing ski's. Not sure I would attempt a little hill either. It would surely end badly.

Might as well check out the views though, right?


And this ends the pictures I've acquired for day one.
Lack of a PC to PC cable to complete a transfer of files.
__________________________________________________________________________

Day two we ventured out to find the lighthouse...to no avail.
Then to find the beach that Joyce and Tom had suggested... no luck with that either..

But we passed a sign about another cave tour that I had seen, so we went to find it.
You think we did? No.

The thing about Canada...their roadsigns are horrible. Some due to language, others to being teeny tiny, some just kinda vanished as we traveled. Oh, and the speed was in km, rather than miles. I would have booked it at 100 on some of those roads. Pretty sure most the locals did.

Rather, without any knowledge of where we were heading, we followed a sign that said Walter's Falls.
Hey...it might be a waterfall!

After a long road uphill, we found a city, heart-breakingly named, Walter's Falls.

It's. Just. A. City.

Mr. I-Spy soon eyeballed a little blue sign with waves on it.
A waterfall, maybe?

BUT OF COURSE!
Right behind the hotel pictured two photos below.

You could walk out on this little gated area and overlook the rapid.



But where does that pipe go? Better yet, see that little bridge over there??
Let's cross it.

We found several interesting things.
No, it wouldn't start.
The 666 on the side there makes me think it should just be left alone, anyway.

It's a trail. Looks safe. What's the worst that could happen?
(It pretty much goes down where it appears to take a hard right)
Slow and steady.

Kinda muddy and slippery. But we made it down.




Back up top and near the "overlook walk" we found a map that showed trails leading to two other falls.
Our little adventure begins...

Next up,

Eugenia Falls
(more like a trickle)

But you see how high that is?!

A path and a huge stone/cement wall kept us from being able to look very well. Too many trees.

Decisions...

See the wall to the left?
This spot looks safe.

Mr. Safety daringly went much further.

No worries, the roots of those trees are completely going to hold fast in the rock. Lean away.

Point made that you can't see over the edge without standing on the edge.

But why didn't I ask to hold your keys?


Last but not least,

Hogg's Falls.

Pretty, isn't it?!
I'll just hang on to this tree while you step down on that upside-down one and balance on muddied roots.

You have to walk out to get a good view of the falls.

Otherwise all these limbs get in your line of vision.

Easy does it!


 When I get the rest of pictures, this post will most likely be modified. You know me and pictures.

Not sure what all he took. I didn't have a camera. These are all courtesy of Mr. Bower.

Thanks for a nice weekend!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

So literal

Me: "Gavin, Mommy is about to lose her marbles. Please stop."

{I walk out of the room for a minute and when I return...}

Gavin: "I found your marbles, Momma!" 

Oh good.
I was worried.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

A Christmas mini session with Just MemorieZ

Thanks for being creative with me and my apparently un-obvious attempts at Christmas cards, Jodi!

I love them! And you!
 My photographer had quite the selection of props, don't ya think? I figured out how to make them work for me though. No worries ;)
 Let nothing you dismay.
 Tidings of comfort and joy.
 She has this fantastic barn.
 Little story time in a chair in the front yard.
 
We were having such a bright time... at the right time!

OF course we had to have a little Jingle Bell...
 Jingle Bell
  Jingle Bell
  Rock.
 And then it was a wrap. 
(before someone got hurt)
 A happy holiday is on it's way!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Turkey window

Thankfully, we finally changed the window after months.


Getting ready for turkey

It started out as just coloring a picture.
Then I had a thought and grabbed a few more supplies.
Painting with some cement of rubber.
Then coating with feathers.
Absolutely, I know what I'm doing giving free range of rubber cement and feathers to a four year old.
Don't even think about it. I KNOW what you're thinking about doing. 

Again. Don't.
Hahaha, joke is on you as they stuck to your hands because you are four, and haven't mastered not getting supplies all over yourself.

How did you get marker on your chest? Or your ear?
Poor word choice on my part saying turkeys have tons of feathers. After asking what tons means, he took me literally.
I was being facetious, young Wilbur.
That'll do.
The same way you pick up paper and shake off excess glitter, I did with feathers. 

Added a head and POP!

 Our turkey is done.


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Don't falter, little donkey. Carry on, little camper.


It's Election Day!
 Did I vote this morning? Nope. I blew the power out in my entire castle, instead! How did I do that? Why I was cooking, unmistakably. We finally had a "sleep-in" morning. No alarm until 7:15! Should have been plenty of time to shower, play, make Gavin homemade breakfast, AND hit the polls before work.
I live in a fantasy world sometimes.
{sigh}

It started alright. We created an awesome Lego tower and put up road carrots to block the dogs from knocking it over.

Better get the griddle fired up before we start having too much fun...
Pancakes, eggs and sausage!

I, myself, wanted a bagel sandwich, so I popped a Lenders into the toaster. 10-20 seconds later...nothing was cooking. How soon I forget that while the griddle is burnin', I can't use any other appliance on the counter.

Buuuut, I know how to fix it. So, I bounced on down into the basement and hit the breaker.
The MAIN breaker!
Oops.
Cripe.
The whole place went dark and silent.
I hear Gavin crying upstairs.
 Super.

Even better... It won't flip back.
What. Have. I. Done.

 Fantasy world.
{sigh}

Now what?
Never falter, the pancakes were already flipped and the griddle was hot enough to finish them to eat-ability. 

My egg was almost to my preference.

In the dark, sans cartoons, we set up camp in the living room and enjoyed our homemade breakfast, while calling my Dad for help.

Dad's recommendation: Go try it again.

Genius idea, Pops. I'll do that. This time, trudging back down the stairs in the dark...my bounce has left me as I now will not be showering or making it to the polls before work.

Guess it just needed to reset itself for a while, because it powered back up.
Again, I hear Gavin crying upstairs.
The TV made a loud "pop" when it snapped back on and for some reason didn't sit pretty with him.

Couple snuggles and a kiss fixed that mighty quick.
Carrying on...

I now have approximately 10 minutes to get us both dressed and out the door.
Call me Kelly Ripa, as I just threw Gavin's clothes at him and magically, he was dressed.

Upstairs getting my own dressings on, Gavin starts screaming my name...

"Mommmmmmyyyy!"

"What?!" I rather, un-Mom like, yell back down.

"Chance won't stop showing me his butt!"

 {sigh- this time smiling}
Fantasy world.
But it's MY world.

"Get your coat on--Let's go!"

I'll hit the polls at lunch.


Monday, November 5, 2012

The boys and a balloon

Having fun with little man and the furry boys tonight.
 The dogs were like seals keeping the balloon in the air.
 How did I NOT get a picture. Who-lar-ious!
 Even G was laughing.
 Fun times in the living room keeping it in the air.
 Until...
 Moments after this picture...I was blowing up another one.
(As if I didn't know what was going to happen was unavoidable)
Bedtime ensued quickly.
(It WAS pushing 9, some nights we just need to stay up and play)