Butterfly landings....

I couldn't help but go back to a couple of my favourite pictures from the butterfly conservatory. I know they're not prize winners but, for me, they speak volumes about the man I love.

From the moment we walked through the doors, until we left, butterflies were constantly landing on my Barry and staying there.


Now it was common for someone to have the odd butterfly land on them and some people were not so fortunate. Barry was like a butterfly magnet. It really was funny to watch.

But in a strange way, I have to think it's just who Barry is. He has such a quiet calm energy; not like anyone I've known.

It's funny how we can find our validation in something as beautiful as butterflies. If ever I know I got it right, this is it.

Funny thing is....for the most part, as they were landing on him; he was just busy...taking pictures...totally unaware...just being.

We Did It!!!

I sometimes forget there's a possibility that someone may actually read what I'm putting down here. And that somewhere out in this world, somebody actually cares how my day went.

In the work I do, I often get a very skewed view of the world. It's so easy to just see the negative side and forget that there are some really good, descent people out there.

People who care about others.



Well our day, as disorganized as it started out, was absolutely perfect. Oh we were close but it was meant to be. At the end of the day, Barry and I were legally married. And I have never in my life felt this happy.

Well obviously it wouldn't be right to post actual wedding pictures of us on here as I did not actually take them. But the pictures I've posted are all related. The pretty yellow flowers were bought by my wonderful new sister-in-law, Alison, to decorate the tables. They are now planted in my front garden.

We spent a night at the White Oaks Resort in Niagara on the Lake and played around Niagara Falls a bit. Naturally we had to visit the Butterfly Conservatory. I thought I was in Butterfly Paradise.

I just love the diversity in our world.


Oh...and I guess I could post the link to our friend who gave us an offer we couldn't refuse for our wedding pictures. At least she would be taking credit for her own work then....Let me introduce you to Jordan and, if you would like...a few wedding shots.

http://jordanlyallphotography.blogspot.com

Wedding Freak-out!!!

Well it's now technically 4 day's (it's after midnight) until our wedding day and I'm in freak-out mode.

I'm trying really hard to be optimistic but my cart can only get so full before it tips.

Everything so far has been falling into place so beautifully. We've been putting this together so amazingly well. Barry reminds me of that when I start to panic. I know to let go of what I have no control of but My Dawg it is not easy. There are certain documents that are detrimental to us being married and I want to be married on Saturday.

I truly believe that there are times in our lives we have to prove just how much we really want something. We are tested many times throughout our lives.

This is not my first marriage. It's no secret. I've not had a great past. It's been full of hurt and abuse but it's all in the past.

There's been a lot of fear with this upcoming wedding. But I think more than ever, I am faced with how much I want to be married to Barry on Saturday.

I can't understand how he has not been married. As I'm approaching my wedding day, I'm appreciating my Barry more for the wonderful man he is and will be honoured to call myself his wife.

I guess all I can really do at this point is put my faith into the universe and pray!!!

Tomorrow?

It really is hard to believe how quickly time passes when you're busy packing, moving and trying to prepare for what you know you must do.

Am I prepared? I guess about as much as I can be. We know our truth and that's all we can present.

It's just going to be so nice to get back to somewhat of a normal life; without the stress of a constant battle.

It was a cold day today so I thought it would be nice to add a picture to reflect that.


One thing I can say for certain; I look forward to warmth.

After all tomorrow is another day.

Goodbye Slumlord...

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post. Mind you, it's been a very productive week.

I'm hoping this will be my last post about this dump. This was not my purpose for this blog and I really don't want to spend all my energy on something so useless.

This is simply an update of sorts. Since my last post, we've found a new place to live and will be moving in two weeks; the same day as our tribunal. We've already been moving boxes, bins, etc.

It's a 100 year old farm house that has been well kept, with plenty of space and light. I absolutely love the house and I absolutely love the property. The property is perfect for a small, outdoor medieval wedding...hmmm.

Needless to say, we've been busy packing and transporting boxes, bins, etc., to the new house.

Hopefully I will get back to my original goal once we get settled in again but in the meantime I'd like to say.... Goodbye Slumlord!!!
It's been a slice!!



You've got to love Photoshop don't you?...as cheesy as it is ;)

When I arrived at our new house tonight, this is the view that greeted me. (I was there to drop off some things)


It really is interesting; the path that life chooses to take us sometimes.

My pretty girl....

I actually started this blog with the intention of taking a picture a day. To be a part of a group of women, taking pictures, often with a common theme.

Somehow I ended up getting sidetracked when my basement wall came tumbling down and a battle came to a head. I hate battles; I really do. And right now I don't want to think or type about a battle.

So here's Mollie....
I found Mollie on October 28, 2006 at the Peterborough Humane Society. She's a cross between hound and pointer and when she looks at me with those hound dog eyes...well it's those eyes I fell for to begin with. She's as stubborn as she is intelligent but we've been learning a lot together. She's great at getting me out for regular walks and despite her efforts of wanting to walk me; we are improving our walk all the time.

She's my girl and she knows it.

A new day....

What is it Scarlett O'Hara says? "Tomorrow is another day"

Yesterday was a day we saw coming for a very long time. We couldn't predict exactly how it would look; only that it would happen. Now we can start to put it behind us....somewhat.

There's still a lot of work to be done and there's still a battle to be won. But the crisis is over.

When I was leaving for work this morning, I found it rather funny to see a back-hoe parked in my driveway, just behind my car, beside Barry's car. I couldn't help myself. I had to take a quick picture on my way out.


The slumlord hasn't been back today. Let's hope it's a quiet day on the home front. I think we could all use some.

The Wall...last post of the night....

Well it seems our little guests left just as I was finishing up that last post. Go figure.

Right about now, slumlord has received the package I left in his mailbox and is cursing my name; oh to be so loved!!!

I got outside to take a couple of shots...Yikes what a mess still.




Then we got downstairs, through the mud, to get a couple of final shots of the new and improved wall.

What's this??? The corner wall is getting ready to buckle???
I think we'll exit; stage right ;)

And something to look forward to...January 31st, 2008...Tribunal!!! Cross your fingers for us!

And the wall came tumbling down...can they put it back together???

It's hard to believe how fast this day has gone by. I've worked hard to get the paperwork together, only stopping once in a while to take pictures and upload them and I was successful in getting all the paperwork to the proper people on time, complete with colour photos of our beautiful basement wall (or lack thereof).

Meanwhile the moron twins, with the help on one intelligent individual (the contractor is a descent guy) have been working hard. They managed to get the forms in (I think) and last I looked, were preparing to pour concrete.


That was just before I left to register our application for tribunal. I have to admit; I did enjoy serving his papers (aka leaving them in his mailbox) while he's here freezing his butt because he couldn't be bothered. It can be so empowering when you can start finding it all funny.

Well it's dark outside and they're still moving. I just heard the rumbling of the back-hoe so I'm hoping they're not putting all the dirt back before the concrete dries; that would be typical of him.

I have to admit; I'm really tired. I've hardly slept.

And the wall came tumbling down....the saga continues....

Well we didn't get much sleep last night and our thoughts for (or hopes) for sleeping in were shattered when the slumlord, in his typical fashion decided to play the hero and gallop up on his big back-hoe with his brother (the moron twins, you say???)


They've been hacking and digging away and now we have an even bigger gaping hole.

The pipe that is only inches from the back-hoe arm, if for the
septic system....YIKES!!!

I'm off today, getting some very important paper work together for the Landlord and Tenant Act. Did someone say Tribunal???

Well, I'm not exactly staying with our theme but I am having fun, taking pictures around the house.

Outside looking in

And the wall came tumbling down...

It's been a few days since I've been on here. I started back to work and life just gets so hectic again. I've also been really struggling with trying to get a picture for our theme. I still didn't succeed there but I managed to get a few unexpected shots very early this morning when our basement wall finally decided to cave in.

It's been ready to give for quite a while and according to the man who owns the house, he's known about it since he's owned the house (approx 7 years).

I never imagined myself in a house with a gaping hole in the basement and if I ever could have imagined myself in this situation, I don't think I would have imagined myself laughing my ass off the way I was.

I guess sometimes there's not much left to do but laugh.

Peek-a-boo...I see you

Nothing like bringing the great outdoors, indoors ;)

I promise, I will catch-up!

Today's Pics...

Well, despite the pretty sky late this afternoon, this picture really doesn't capture it.


I was tempted to dig into some of my older pics (summer) but I'm sure there will be a time when I'll have nothing and need to be digging.

This is great...looking forward to being hooked up to the rest of the group.

I'm here...

Well I managed to get this thing set up although I don't have any pictures added yet. I've been kind of busy today taking down Christmas decoration's that I'd normally have taken down on the 1st of January.

I will be getting out with Mollie though and as usual, I will have my camera along so in a few hours, something will be here.

It's a fairly nice day in the Kawartha's. The sun is trying to decide whether it wants to stay or go and theres a chance we could get more snow.