Welp, I’m Married now.
This morning I got a email from WordPress (dot com) with some stats on the past year from my blog. Not surprising, there wasn’t much to report as I’ve been MIA in the good old blog world. There are a few reasons for this, namely just my laziness but there have also been a slew of live changes that have gone on and I guess I just took some time to process them all.
When I last updated I have just gotten engaged. Well, I’m married now. Had a surprise wedding on September 25th. Told all the guests to come to our house for an at home dinner reception to celebrate the upcoming nuptials (i hate/love the word nuptials) that we would be taking privately when we eloped the next month in Bali – and then Bam, laid it on them that we’d be getting married right then and there.
The fountain of tears from my mom was priceless. Nothing like telling people they are going to be excluded from your special big day where you leave your family and make a new one with someone you met five months ago – and then drop a blissful shock and awe campaing on them that actually, they will be there to witness your love, in true and living colour.
We hid a little message under the plate of Brady’s sister and got he to read out the special announcement that we would be getting married, right now – and the good ol’ Reverend Debora came out of the shadows and up to the front of the room to preside. The caterers passed out boxes of Kleenex and we got my brother to look under their chairs as we hid the rings there and the license was tucked under my best friend Nualas chair. They all came up to the front of the room and we got hitched old fashioned style. No homemade vows, just the original ‘to have and to holds’ – I like that fact that Brady is now sworn to honour and obey me. I bring it up often in fact. and he does. most of the time. We did the cake and a dance and the whole thing was perfectly fantastic.
Then in October we went to Bali for our Honeymoon, which we unofficially gave this indonesian Island the slogan ‘ Bali – Ain’t what it’s cracked up to be”. Sorry Elizabeth Gilbert, not sure how you could spend three months there… because compared to other tropical beach islands, Bali blew. I could see it being hot if I just backpacked for sixty days So not worth the 36 hours it took to get there. However, nice to be away, read lots of books, drank lots of beer, bla bla bla….
Ahhh! I’m engaged!
It’s official! Ring is on my left hand, ring finger (appropriately). On Sunday night he took me to the Look Out as I call the escarpment mountain top overlooking the city skyline at night and proposed to me there. the best part…. My beautiful baby made my ring.
yes, yes he did. I’m a fan of the gold, yellow gold that is and turns out it’s not in style at the moment (but according to Martha Stewart Wedding Mag, it’s on the raise again. God, do i always have to be ahead of the trends….), only platinum or white gold and so my Beej couldn’t find one that he loved anywhere, so he decided to make it!
here are the pics!!!
Little fabulous jewlelry studio on Queen West called The Devil’s Workshop hooked him up with a private session last Friday where he made the gold band and picked out a diamond. This friday we are going together to pick out a setting.
In the beginning…
man, it seems like only yesteryear that I was fired from my marketing job and was on Unemployment Insurance (or now, employment insurance, as it’s been renamed since then). Man, those were the days. Getting paid to not go to work. Gotta love the government. Who knew that that bleak time in my life would spur something so magical.
Well, I did. I took the “lay off” as a sign from the sweet Uni that an idea was about to strike. And strike it did. Three weeks later, over a slice of pie with my dear buddy Craiggers. A notion of a nail bar entered my mind and a week later the vision was in full bloom. Now it’s four years later and I’m four years wiser. Man, small businesss is a mother fucking trip. Whist I planned our 4 year birthday party for the 10 Spot I was enticed to look at some old good time pics of the place before it was The 10 Spizzy. Come walk down memory lane with me. Then come to my party. Your party in fact. For this is a celebration to honour you, the 10 spot guest. if you’ve ever been a client of the 10 spot, then I thank you. I really do. If you haven’t, then please come one day. Man, I the 10 spot, i really do. It’s so fucked up that it has become this tangle and intabglible thing with a life all it’s own and to think it came out of nowhere, four fricking years ago! Two of them now. wow.
ok, let the tour begin…
here is what used to be there. Nearly naked. They moved down the block.
This woman clearly did not want her photo taken. I didn't care.
The day I got the keys. So full of piss and vinegar I was....
fix'in up the front...
fix'in up the front. yes, my dad is in his panties.
I like to call this one "the gutting"
and volia! 6 weeks later we opened on August 1st, 2006. *tear* PS, I hate it when people put emotions in star brackets.
*tear* *tear* *weep* *weep* *smile*
Ok, so did you enjoy that as much as I did. I knew you would. Ok, so if you want to come to the party, it’s being held at the OTHER location (becuase it’s way bigger and has a sick ass patio). Here are the deets and to RSVP click HERE:
http://10spotbdayparty.eventbrite.com/
The 10 Spot’s 4th B-Day Par-tay!
Tuesday August 10th, 2010
6:00pm to 8:00pm
FREE polish changes, cake, prizes and of course, booze!
Bring a friend!
what what!
Wowzers. It’s been a couple of weeks if ya’ll know what I bees talking about. Moving is intense and stressful as is having a really old house with really old dirt and grime. (god bless you magic eraser, I know that Jesus had a hand in your making. In fact I think that just as communion is the body and blood of our lord, I think that the Magic Eraser TM – is the hand of god, washing away the sins of the world. Literally. For this light switch pictured below, could be considered a sin. In my mothers eyes at least.)
Hallelujia. I can never spell that word without looking it up. I have KD Lang’s version on iTunes, and so in looking up the spelling, it’s now playing. Take it to church, KD!
So other then unpackng boxes and scrubbing away. We’ve also undertaken a lot of gardening in our park like english garden. We bought matching eagal painting tshirts to wear for this purpose. In fact, now each member of the Wood family also has a shirt, becuase we are taking all kinds of helpers these days.
yes, we bought Crocks too. and that’s a gardening boogie board. really, really useful for the old knees, ya know what I’m saying. Wink Wink Nana!
So whence all our efforts were done, or rather, once we gave up on the back yard, we got some enjoyment time out of it in the style of a picknic.
Yes, my tittens are massive now, not sure why, must be the overall weightgain I’ve got going on. Funny how being happy makes you pack on the pounds. How I longs for my days of misery when I was a size 4. Just kidding. My man likes my “shape” as he enerstly puts it. God bless him. God bless his sweet heart and face.
And in other domestic news. Clair is settling in now. Went through a few days of being a pyshco. She still runs down the stairs at a frightening pace and something the other day out back scarred the shit out of her and I found her half way up the screen door. A great sight to behold. At any rate, she found her sleeping spot. and now that I’m in love with her, I find it ever so cute. cute enough to post. so here it is. So funny how having a pet makes you become such a dork. No joke Brady and I have conversations about her at least 3 to 4 times a day. No joke, I’ll actually tell him something at dinner that she did during the day that was cute. What is happening to us?!? and why am I enjoying it?!? Oh love.
Isn’t it cute how it looks like she just has a little nub for an arm!
shirley st.
As Beej puts it – tomorrow is a big fucking day. We get the keys and officially have our new house. I’m pretty much all packed up – did the fridge today – love cleaning out tubberware that has rotten food in it. Nothing like spooning out green fuzz with the stench of an old man’s ass to brighten your day. Thank you Jesus for the dishwasher.
Two words can describe what I’m feeling: “Super” and “Jazzed”. Yes, sir, the nervousness and anxieties are all but gone and it’s just excitement in the pit of my bowls now. Or perhaps that’s sweet tingle is just Starbucks new knock it out of the fricking park mouth explosion, the “Dolce Cinnamon ICED Latte”. Oh yes, it even comes with whipped topping and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar! Looooove it. At regardless of what that tingle is – I’m pumped. And tired. Going on about day three of minimal personal hygiene. I’ve just scraped putting on the organic deodorant all together, because as every knows, organic deodorant might be good for you, but it’s bad for others, and so there being no point to application, Brady just has to suffer.
Again, wish I had my camera to capture this barren space, so instead, I’ve chosen to post my house and I’s favorite moments together. Me and her really lived the single life here – and by that I mean I slept alone in this ol’ house pretty much every night. I’ve had such fun times cooking in her, bathing in her, shoveling her front walk, gardening out in her backyard (that’s what she said). Oh the magical times we’ve had. I really do love this house. We’ve shared utter joy and infinite sadness together. Worries and hopes. Laughter and tears and about 8,000 hours of HBO together. God bless you sweet home and may you be as good to your new owners as you were to me.
Here is a slide show of some of my favorite moments or things that me and my house have shared:
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World Cup Shame
Well I’m a bit pissed right now because I packed away my camera cord and so I can’t get my priceless pic of Brady cleaning out the cat littler on to the blog for the world to see and Brady to feel humiliated about.
The reason why I relish him doing this gag inducing chore is two fold.
1. cleaning out claire’s litter has been long overdue. We recently moved her shit box out into the garage becuase she likes being an outdoor cat now. So we put her food and litter out there. So, now becuase of the easy access for her, it also means easy access for all the neighbourhood cats. and thus, it’s a bit of a shit show in there. pun. so due to that fact, we’ve been putting it off and it’s pretty much unbearable to go into the garage now and take a full breath.
2. litter clean up was part of a little world cup wager we had going on. I voted for Spain. Brady The Netherlands. Guess who won. Me. Guess who lost. The Beej. Guess who got a nose of stink and hands soaked in urine and feces. That’s right, my dreamboat.
God bless gambling.
packing it in
holy vagina monologues, batman. we have been in packing mode USA and also making all manner of arrangements for the move. Got 2 moving quotes today – one for $1500 and one for $500. Obviously going for the $500 movers and just going to pack things really well – turns out I know the mover as he’s delivery Ikea stuff to my house about three times over the past year. Also booked in a cleaning crew for the day after we get the keys. Agenda is as follows:
Wednesday Afternoon – get the keys from the lawyer, put the futon mattress in the trunk and drive to the Hammer. Pop a bottle of bubbly and perhaps get naked in every room. Too much?
Thursday – cleaning day.
Friday – the official move.
Anyway, I gotta say this week has been a bit of a trip. It’s a really wild thing because it’s all so utterly surreal. Tomorrow will officially be our ten week anniversary of meeting and in just four nights we are moving into our new, very old, frighteningly large house together. It crazy, I know. But at the same time completely not. I’ve learned that you can be with someone for years only to find out that it’s not working, or as I believe, be with them two hours and know that it will, or at least believe that it will. So, that said, it’s still a big leap.
It sort of hit me a few days ago that I didn’t just buy a new house, I sort of bought a new life. Sure all of myself is still intact, but this move doesn’t just mean a new house, it signifies the prospect of filling that new house, with like, babies and stuff. Being officially one half of a couple. It’s completely altering the course of life in directions I never even thought I be bounding towards (ie: I really figured the next place I’d move would be London, like, a bigger city then Toronto, not smaller, but I’ve surprised myself, and turns out I want completely different things then I did in my early and not so wise, but thought I knew everything 20′s. Man, your 20′s are fucked. Like seriously, someone should warn people that if you thought your teens were tough, you have no idea the roller coaster of a ride your 20′s will be.
Now crouching on my 30′s, I’m excited, in fact thrilled that this is where I’m headed. Surprised at myself that what I really want is to find some community, to get really into family, to start my own family, to be in a deeply connected relationship with someone and to settle down a bit. What’s really shocking is how quickly I realized this all. Back in April, when let’s just say I had a little ‘meltdown’ – I’ll get into all that another time, I really got to thinking about what’s important, or really couldn’t really think of anything else. After my initial wish of being able to stop barfing everyday and to be able to sleep through a night without having a debilitating panic attacks came true, I realized that I wanted different things for myself. I didn’t so much care about being wild or crazy or having to outdo myself or push myself to insane limits – that actually, I wanted to be focused on now instead of what’s next. Well, ok, yeah, there is a lot of ‘what’s next’ happening at the moment – what with a new relationship, new house, new extended family – but I feel like I’m finally growing up and growing into myself more. A little camler, a little more perspective, a little more chill – and it’s nice, really really nice. And it’s also really really nice to have someone to share this with, or perhaps it’s because of him that this is all here now, or because of my mom who taught me during that rough patch that it’s ok to just turn on the food network and give my brain a break from thinking so much all the time, that I can just enjoy the moment. ok, I’m rambling now. I know that and to be honest, I’m not every going to reread the above, because it’s coming up to midnight after a full two days of packing and I’m sure it’s nonsensical ramblings, but I guess what I’m getting at is that something beautiful is ending and something beautiful is just beginning. I’m excited and scared, daunted and hopeful, nervous and certain all at the same time and shit, here we go on this next chapter of life. Chapter 10.
just testing it out
Just got an iPad today and so I’m just testing out a post. Looks good, no spelling errors yet ( well none due to a mistype on the keypad anyway) all in all, A+ Apple!
breakfast in bed
So as many may know, i’m sort of a late nighter / late riser. It’s not that I don’t wake to wake up early – Buddha and Festivus know, it has been a long time dream of mine to get up with the sun and have my day basically over by 10am – as I believe the am is the most productive time ever. However, due to my Night Hawlking style, inability to keep a schedule and my need for 8-9 hours a niut – this dream has never seen the light of day (pun intended!)
So when I hooked up with the Brady MD (he’s not really a doctor, but he works at a hospital, so hence the acronym), who is the personality type that needs a strict schedule (ie: same breakfast and lunch every single day. No joke, this is what I prepare for him - Breaky: toast, dry (like, nothing on it, not even butter), banana and some slices of melon. Lunch: can of tuna (which I have said he can never eat in front of me), handful of almonds, apricots, banana, apple and a granola bar. That is all – Everyday, how cute and so utterly the opposite of me – as I need a bounty of flavors at all times.) Anyway, all this to say that he does have a regular sleep/waking schedule and regular eating habits and this has been awesome for me.
It’s like the universe send me my total compliment in a being that is so similar yet, so so different then me just to balance me out! It’s taken the work out of working on myself. Now I am in bed by 11ish and up with him at 6ish (sometimes I’ll sleep when he’s in the shower) then I get up and prep a little breakfast (ie: take things out of the fridge), then we actually sit and eat and aren’t rushed! Which again, is soooo not my style, I usually sleep until it’s even to late to shower and I have to put on mascara in the car while I drive….
Also, another bonus - I actually eat breakfast now! Again something I’ve never done regularly. Which is great because then I eat lunch too! Zabadoo! PS – I’ve really gotten into makeing up ‘Zinger’ words! Just check out the 10 Spot website now, the home page slides all end in some bizarre word – plus on the ‘Snaggle Foot Special’ slide – I made up the word, ‘dabberwalky’ I think it must mean, ‘to walk with a jovial demenour’. Or so I can only assume.
All in all, it’s the best thing for me. I was needing a little structure in my life and now I’ve got it. True, it’s a bit of a cheat that I needed it to come in the form of a blond hair, blue eyed magic muffin but nevertheless as Martha Stewbag says ” It’s A Good Thing®”.
Anyway, today I got surprised concerning both sleep and breaky – my honey was to wake me after his shower and instead I got in an extra hour of sleepy time and he brought up breakfast in bed! ZaZam!
Night in Niagara
So maybe just had the most romantical and cutsey weekend ever.
Brady and I went to the Hammer (Hamilton) to meet his sister and her family for breakfast on Sunday morning, then we stopped off at his grandparents for a little sun time, whereinwhich we played a game of croquet and I lounged on the hammock and drank beer.
Before we left Toronto we packed a blanket and some art supplies and planned to do a little painting in a park, so after Nana’s house we drove down Lock Street in Hamilton and picked up a few goodies such as; a baguette, some strawberries and grapes and a selection of fine cheeses, three to be exact. Then we set off to find a cute park and we were actually debating going back to Toronto even to hang out in Trinity Bellwoods, but rather, in a stroke of randomness, it was mentioned that we should go to Niagara and go on a wine tour!
Brady had this winery that he had been to before that he loved and so we headed there. It was called Rosewood and let me tell you. 6 samples in and I was sold! Tours we closed for the day but I conned the dude to give us a one on one and he did. We learned all about vines and barrels and bees, for Rosewood makes Mead and Honey and we bought a bunch of everything. It really is incredible wine. You can’t get it at the LCBO as it’s a tiny winery and the quality is incredible. Basically, the two of us polished off a bottle later that day and had no headache in the aftermath, in fact didn’t even feel tipy or woozy, just drank the goodness down and felt nothing but butterflies and unicorns dancing in our heads.
So anyway, after the winery we tried to find a place for our painting picnic and as we drove the small town roads we ran into this cute little B&B called Cottage By The Lake. It overlooked the water and looked so uber cute that I almost pooped my pants. We got out of the car and met the proprietor around back, paving some new steps down to the water. His Missus was over on a blanket in the sun, doing guess what – painting! Also, guess what – she’s a art teacher that teaches painting! God love that syncronicity! So we checked out the cabin and decided to check in for the night. Pulled out our paints, popped a bottle of wine and got a little lesson in colour theory and we each painting the scene.
Later on we went for din din, picked up a couple of toothbrushes, had a bath and slept in our cozy little cabin for two. Next morning we had fresh baked muffins and coffee (already set up in our cabin) and sat in those goofie Muskoka chairs overlooking the water. Before we left the owner of the B&B gave us a tour of his workshop where he makes outdoor ornamentation out of lights and vines that he sells to all the Whole Foods in the US at Xmas time for the store decor. Nice little biz he’s got there. He also told us about a general handy man that does everything from drywall to landscaping and he lives in Hamilton. Booya! How fortuitous!
Anyway, crazy how close a romantic spontaneous weekend (or night) away can make two people feel. Just when I thought I loved Brady to the max – he abruptly pulls the car to the side of the road and runs over to feed a llama – and makes me fall even harder.
