Pocketful of Memory Cards

On March 1st, Hubby and I will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary by watching the sun set from the patio of The Beach House restaurant in Poipu, Kauai. This past weekend I collected some photos to chronicle our romance that began June 9th, 1984.  I feel so lucky to have this man as my life partner and the father of our amazing children.  I can't imagine where I'd be without him.  I am eternally grateful for him and whatever gods, angels, twist of fate, or fortune cookie brought him into my life. June 9, 1984 - Guelph Ontario   March 1, 1986 - Whitby Ontario October 1986 - U of G December 1987 - Saanich BC August 1988 - Saanich BC December 1990 - Whitby Ontario December 1992 -  Peterborough Ontario July 1993 - a cabin in the Kawarthas, Ontario July 1995 - Oak Lake Ontario 1997 ish - Kelowna 2000 ish - Kelowna  2002 ish - Kelowna 2003 - Whistler January 2005 - St. Maarten ...

Along with changes to our front yard's landscape we are also working on some kitchen renos over the next few weeks.  This led to the unfortunate task of wallpaper stripping. I hung a floral Waverley wallpaper in my kitchen in 1997 after I easily stripped the original wallpaper off two of the walls.  At the time I  decided  that the gunky glue and specks of paper I would need to remove in order to paint required more effort than I wanted to expend, so instead of painting, I re-wallpapered.  As it turns out that was not a good idea.  The newer wallpaper was very stubborn and despite home remedies of hot water, vinegar, and cheap fabric softener I had to break down and rent a steamer. I spent most of the past weekend scraping and peeling small strips of paper off the two walls.  The patterned layer came off in thin pointy strips followed by the linty beige under-layer which required  a bit of peeling, but more scraping and shaving.  L...

It was a whirlwind three day trip to and from Salt Spring Island this past weekend, leaving Friday at 1:30 and arriving home by 5:00 Sunday night.   Even though it seems like we spent most of the time in the car, I'm thankful for each moment we spent with our families.  I'm particularly grateful: 92.  we were able to celebrate my father-in-law Reg's 94th birthday with him. 93.  for the kind, respectful and caring ways of Madeleine who Reg enjoys bantering with so much. 94.  for the fact that Max only ate part of the gearshift and the cover off the armrest while waiting in the car on the ferry, and not the steering wheel or the gas pedal. 95.   that my husband did all of the driving. There's nothing like a long drive to put me right to sleep, especially when we'd been up at 5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday to catch early Ferries. 96.  for Stephanie, Brad and Shane who don't mind acting as hotel and restaurant on these brief trips and feed us...