White Christmas?

We're flying to BR on Saturday, and just about everyone is healthy except me. This never ending sinus infection has been kicking my ass for about a month now. I'm home sick from work; my remote access to my work computer is not working, and my head feels like it is on fire and about to burst.

Usually I am very excited about leaving the frozen tundra to go to sunny BR for Christmas, but with the news of it snowing in Louisiana a few days ago, I don't feel as eager. I really do not want a white Christmas in BR...

Enough of that though...here are some updated pics of bbg.

What a difference a year makes...

There are sickos, and then there are sickos

The girls in the Falcone home are sick. Navarre has snot coming out all the time, stringing all over her face and getting rubbed into her hair, eyes, mouth and all over her cheeks. I'm fighting some nasty virus that's giving me a cough, aches, chills, sinus crap, etc. And then there's Jamie - trying to keep this house running like the well oiled, rusty machine it is. He's making us soup and sucking out nose snot - not at the same time though. He's doing a great job, and hopefully his girls will be snot free sometime soon.

Now onto the other sickos out there....Nicole has joined Facebook. I'm not sure what to think abou this. Perhaps the preggo hormones have made her crazy.

Happy Halloween

Happy Birthday, Nicole!

Here's to wishing Nicole a happy 32nd birthday...to celebrate I'm posting some favorite pics of the two of us over the years...ahhhhhh memories.

More pics

Long overdue

Here are some pics of our life over the past couple of weeks. They go back in time...more pics to come tomorrow.

Sympathies to friends...

Tomorrow I'm going to a funeral service for a friend's mother-in-law. I can't even express my condolences in a way that doesn't seem trite. Finding your mother like that and having to tell your Father...I can't even imagine. My heart goes out to the family. I'm here to help, and I'm here to listen. I'm here for anything you need me to be here for.

Taegeuk 5

Speaking of red belts...here's a You Tube of my form for the 26th. I can get that down in 17 days...right?

Red belts and dawgs

What's been going on lately, you ask...well, I'm getting busier at work. At first it was really odd to have 4 people in my office; that's double the size it was when I left. We're all starting to figure out our roles and how to work with each other so as not to duplicate efforts. I'm enjoying it; it's nice to be valued for something other than changing diapers or being able to feed someone. It is work though, so you know...it's good days and bad days. I do feel really good about where Navarre is during the day, and the sitter is working out really well. When I'm at work, I honestly don't worry about her, so that's a relief.

I've got a tkd belt test on Oct. 26. Do I feel ready? No. I don't know my form or my self defense. I can do my kicks and punches, but feeling uneasy about the whole thing. I don't want to sit this one out, but it's going to take a lot of work to get there in 17 days. But, I would be a red belt at the end of it, and that's pretty damn exciting.

Navarre will be a dawg this year for Halloween. So we will be 2 years in a row with a homemade costume. She now knows the difference between a kitty and a dog, but everything else is still a dog. It's really the only logical costume for her. Horses are dogs; birds are dogs; fish are dogs; everything is a dog.

My Christmas shopping is starting to creep into my mind. I'm starting to get disappointed with myself. I used to buy gifts all throughout the year and be done by now, but I haven't gotten one, notta, zilch, zero. I've got ideas, but that's about it.

So, that's all. The Falcone family is just going day by day with our new little routine and trying to make the most of it. It's exhausting, but we're still finding time to amuse ourselves every now and again, although we haven't closed the Shoe Shop recently.....

Awesome autumn adventure

Be it resolved that this fall I will appreciate the fall fun for what it is and not resent faultless fall for the Ole Bastard Winter that will eventually rear its old-cold ass head.

People who don't Facebook blog

Ok, so I blog. I still hate Facebook. If you want to talk to me, call me. If you want me to see pics, email them to me. I write my blog to get my own thoughts out. Even after looking at fake boobs and crazy guy on Facebook doesn't make me want to go to Facebook.

The Mays are here; The Mays are here; The Mays are here!

Falcone Manor can only take visitors with the last name May, so make your reservations now. First Steve and now David and Claire. Dinner at Bish tonight....yummy. We'll see if the fake hair made the trip.

Last summer night

Tonight is the last summer night. Tomorrow will start fall, and while I actually love the fall, I know Old Man Winter is peering out from behind his curtains waiting to yell at some kids in the street. We've had a truly incredible summer. Portage in the Sportage was a once in a lifetime journey that carried us around Canada and the US to see our family and friends. We'll never forget this summer, and even though Navarre won't remember her first full summer and all of the cool places she went, we'll remind every chance we get. And then she'll be all, "Would you two quacks shut it. I get it, and why didn't you spell my name with an a?"

Although the summer is almost at an end, I've got a lot to look forward to. Steve's been here for a while with G, his trusty sidekick, and we even let both in the house:) It's been fun having him around; we miss him, and it's almost like he lives here again. Fingers crossed it will stay that way. I always think it's funny to see how our friends who don't have children interact with the baby, and I have to say that Steve's a natural. She loves him and greets him with open arms at the top of the stairs now.

The Atlantic Film Festival is really what brought Steve back for the extended visit, and it's been a great festival. I scored tickets to the premier of Growing Op with Rosanna Arquette and some TV people (CSI, 7th Heaven...) and the after party. And hold onto your hats...Jamie and Steve and I actually closed The Shoe Shop. This may be a regular occurrence for some, however, with a 13 month old it doesn't happen often for us. I had such a good time that I didn't care how tired I was at 6 am the next morning.

Adamm's film, That's My Time, premiered Wednesday to a sold out crowd. Another quality doc from Adamm that won Best Canadian Documentary at the Festival. It's awesome to know someone who is doing so well with something he actually loves. For the Canadian readers, the doc will air on CTV on Saturday, the 27th at 7 (7 in each time zone...not 7 EST).

Pic courtesy of SJM's blog.

It's Z in an endless alphabet loop

Insulin shots in G's belly, close calls with Navarre on the stairs, Feist sing-a-longs for the baby, freshly mowed grass, Salon des Refuses Atlantique, picking up poop and drinking beer.  I love when Uncle Steve visits.

The new normal

I've started back to work. I know...I also thought this day would never come. But, here it is. I really can't describe what I'm feeling about going back. Overwhelming I can't imagine how women leave their baby at 12 and sometimes 8 weeks old in the US to go back to work. I think of the stress that would have put on me and our family, and I just can't believe it. I now know the meaning of "you do what you have to do", and I know these women make it work. At 12 weeks I was suffering from sleep deprivation, a cranky/fussy baby, and hormonal swings that would scare everyone. I don't know how I would have gone back to work then.

Luckily, I didn't have to. I'm here in Canada, and I have fully enjoyed my 13 months off. I do enjoy some aspects of my job. I enjoy when I am challenged and faced with solving a client's problem when a new and creative solution is needed that the benefits and pension carriers think can't be done simply because it hasn't been done before. However, the analyst in me does a cost/benefit analysis (Shelly - quit laughing right now) and says, "is it worth not spending this time with my daughter?" Sometimes the answer is and will be yes and other times it will be no. I need to accept that.

On a positive, Navarre is so social and easy going right now that there was absolutely no problem with her going to the sitter's house. She even said we were lucky and she would take 20 babies like Navarre. I have to think that is partly due to luck and that Jamie and I have done a few things right in the short 22 months she's been breathing both in- and outside of me. So, props to us.

We're trying to get used to this new normal for our family. Up at 6 every morning; both of us trying to get ready for the day and getting her ready. Me dropping her off in the morning and Jamie picking her up. It's occurred to me that I have a tkd class tomorrow night at 6 and will not be home in between work and class. So, she will be asleep and I will not see her after about 8:30 tomorrow morning. I think I need my class for my own sanity though. Momma needs to practice her Jumping Reverse Spin Back Kick.

Unfortunately, the new normal in Baton Rouge has been hot, damaged, leaking houses and no gasoline to buy in the city, no place to go after 8 pm and no football on Saturday in Tiger Stadium. It's funny to think an image of a football stadium can bring about so much emotion, but this picture does it for me. I mean how can a place where there is NEVER chance of rain suffer from a hurricane? I don't know.

Mind flood

I'm thinking of everyone in Louisiana right now and hoping you and your homes are safe. Send me a line when you can to let me know you made it ok.

Beer, wine, Parrot Bay, tobacco & toilet paper

According to Jay Louque, these are the essentials needed for a hurricane. Of course, Jamie thought he must have stocked up on Lil' Debbies too and was concerned these weren't on the list, however, Dad already has those.

Dave, if you're reading, take note. Get some whiskey for Mere too.

Thank you

Ok, so it's been a while. I didn't mean to leave you out in the rain (don't get me started on all the rain we've had in Halifax since we got back), but I've been busy. We had to unpack from the big trip, find a place to put all the new stuff (for the baby mostly) and catch up on our massage appointments. I also didn't want to post until I had the tally of our stats from the trip. For those of you out there that are rolling your eyes right now, did you really expect anything less from me?

So, here it is (for the Americans and Canadians...yes, I ran my numbers both ways)

Total days: 50 Total distance: 7,865 miles/12,584 kilometers Total gasoline: 422.035 gallons/1114.172 liters Average gas mileage: 18.6 miles/gallon or 11.294 kilometers/liter

A few remarks about the trip and the above numbers:
1. This was a once in a lifetime trip with our child; one to never be taken with 2 children.
2. Our Kia Sportage did remarkably well with gas mileage considering we were loaded down with us, our stuff and a cargo box on top filled to the brim.
3. Although we did well on gas mileage considering our load, I have started my daughter's life off with a carbon footprint so large that it would swallow her, Green Bunny and all of the dogs that we met along the way up if they fell into it.
4. While spending time with family and friends and seeing new places is fun and exhilarating, being in your own home - even with all of the unfinished projects and clutter - is priceless.
5. Being able to spend 50 days on the road with my husband and my daughter without one worry of work is incredible, and I am thankful to live in a country that provides this for me and my family (although with the taxes we pay, you'd think I could be off until she's out of diapers, but that's for another post).

Lastly, I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart to all of the friends and family that made this trip possible. Without these people opening their homes to us, we would not have been able to take this trip. We had the chance to reconnect with friends whom we had not seen in so many years, but somehow it was like a week hadn't passed. I am grateful for these relationships and for my family. I know a lot of families that would not have wanted or even attempted to travel and stay with family as long as we did. And, regardless of the headaches that can ensue sometimes, I am grateful for my family and treasure the time we got to spend with them.

Where in the world are the Falcones?

Sorry I have been MIA lately. Our laptop has all but blown up. I think all of the blog posts and travelling through corn fields has just fried its little motherboard brain. So, I haven't been posting on our trip. (I'll blame the laptop problem for it, but I've been very lazy too)

We are in Navarre Beach this week. I feel like this is my home away from home away from home...Baton Rouge and Halifax being the 2nd and 3rd home mentioned above. I come here and relax, rejuvinate and have a damn good time with family and friends. To make it even that much better, we have Navarre here with us this year. We're at her namesake, and it's like she was just meant to be here.

A baby not liking the sand...not here. A baby not liking the waves crash in her face...not here. A baby not liking the taste of salt water...not here. She loves it. It's like she doesn't even realize she's covered head to toe in sand with it in every body crevice imagineable. She does her thing and plays with her toys and eats a little sand along the way and has a grande old time.

Maybe it's because she's one now and a big girl. I don't know, but she's wonderful and having a wonderful time. Her birthday was Aug. 3rd, and there will be pics when we return to Hali, along with beach pics.

So, we're here a few more days, then back to BR for the big ole' 10-year reunion...then on the road again home. More to come later...

Some like it hot

But not this damn hot...It's hot in Baton Rouge. Other than that there's not much to report here. We've been having a good time. Jamie's been fishing, so he's pretty happy. We've been busy visiting people and shopping and eating...that's what we do here.

Nova Scotians in BR and NOLA in Halifax

This article was in the Chronicle-Herald the other day in Halifax. How appropriate that the Herald is educating Nova Scotians on the drinking habits on Louisiana, while we get to Baton Rouge. Coincidence?? I think not.

We're in Baton Rouge now and will be here until Aug. 9th when we go to Florida. I can't wait for the white sandy beach and surf.....ahhhhhhh.

On the road again...

Tomorrow we're leaving Oklahoma and headed to Dallas. It's about 3 1/2 hours to our hotel. We're going to Ikea while we're there...yay!! I won't be picking up any Euro-I live in a one room loft furniture or anything, but I'd like to see what they have.

We've had a great time in Oklahoma hanging with Nicole and T. Navarre has had an awesome time and has enjoyed the dogs, although they haven't been inside very much. Jamie and I went to the OKC National Memorial today and then to a Roman art exhibit at the OKC Museum of Art. The National Memorial is the most beautiful memorial I've ever visited. I've been to the manymemorials in Washington, D.C., Normandy, Nova Scotia, etc., but the design of the OKC memorial is awe inspiring. Butzer Design Partnership won the right to oversee the memorial construction by beating out 625 other design entries.

I really recommend anyone visiting OKC to see the memorial. We're sad to be leaving Auntie and Uncle T, but we'll see them again soon in Florida:) Happy trails...

Niagara Falls to St. Louis

Niagara Falls - Canadian side

Niagara Falls - American side

So many fun times in Windsor, Ontario...the 10th St. and Lombardy Crescent part of town to be exact:)

Navarre's friends in Windsor

I know this may be surprising, but our hotel in Illinois was in the middle of a corn field.

We loved St. Louis!

Halifax to Toronto

Daddy & I in St-Jacques, New Brunswick

4th of July in Levis, Quebec

Claire & I in Oakville with Lake Ontario in the background

The fake hair makes a return...

Uncle Steve and I at Terroni's in Toronto...how can I get one of those hams?

At Michelle's in Toronto...they don't know what they're in for!