Biggest congratulations for the biggest surprise

My friend Dan just pulled off the biggest surprise in the world. Last year - let's be more specific - last spring, he talked to James and I about how he's got this great plan.

"Sandra is the one."

And thus started the biggest secret I've EVER had to keep.

Here's some back story on Dan - he's a really good ideas man. Has lots of ideas and is willing to share. He's very creative, personable and energetic (when he wants to be.) When Dan sets his mind to do something, he does it. Case in point, he thinks about moving out on his own, and a few weeks later he's already moving into an apartment. He thinks about going after a new client and there he is going after it.

He was always intrigued that James and I met online and decided to try his hand as well. He met a few people but none held his interest until Sandra came along. It all started on Plenty of Fish. He saw her profile, she saw his and before you knew it, there was magic. He couldn't take his eyes off her and they would laugh and talk with ease. It was easy for the rest of us to see that this was more than just a girl he was dating.

I think what I liked about her was that she was willing to talk to me and look me in the eye. She wasn't afraid to have a conversation. Maybe it's because she talks when she's nervous, but I liked that about her. She was sweet and caring - had a career and her own life. Dan could finally be with someone that didn't really need him to be his everything. They could instead be everything together.

I admired Sandra for her morals and conviction. It would be so easy for her to have just moved in with him - but no - she wouldn't. No living together before getting engaged or married, she said. And they did it. He's had his place, and she's had hers. When she moved to Burlington, I thought for sure he'd convince her it was time to live together - but instead he got a place for himself in the same town. His friends became her friends, her friends became his and slowly they got closer.

We were not surprised when he came to us last year and said that he was going to propose. But it was how he was going to do it - that we didn't believe.

"You're going to wait a year to do this?" we said. "You're not going to make it!"

Over the past year I have forced it to the back of my mind when they've been around. I've talked about other things and tried not to let it slip. I somehow succeeded!

Dan and I were able to talk about things when he was ring shopping, and just the excitement in his voice and words showed that he was really happy he made this decision. After all - it's about committing to a person that you love.

Now how Dan was planning on asking was the real test.

As mentioned - he's been planning for a year. That's a long time to work out a scheme. First came asking her work for the time off. They loved the intrigue of it and were all for it. The plan was for her to go into work and find a box. Inside the box is a note "You have such and such amount of time - get to the airport." Initially he wanted to fly in advance of her to set up the proposal in Miami, but I think that plan was changed after he flew with her for the first time recently to Maryland.

They were flying out to Miami Beach into a gorgeous hotel that caters to the stars and the filthy rich. This was where I told Dan that he had to make it happen. Dan's been working with them for months to set the stage just the way he dreamed it would be. They've been very accommodating with him too.

Okay so let's recap - I knew he was going to propose, I knew he was buying a ring, I knew that he was booking a hotel room in Miami and that he was working on an engagement, I knew that he had schemed with her work - oh and yes I knew that he was going to be taking them on a cruise to the Bahamas for a few days after their stay in Miami.

Yes - a cruise.

And I kept it a secret! But the secrets out!!!!

From all the way down in sunny Florida - Dan proposed to Sandra - she said yes and they have now set sail on their cruise. I am so happy for them both!!!!

All the best to the happy couple - as I'm sure the wedding will be just as special as the engagement!

Cheers to trying new things!

A few years ago I used to only eat "Canadian" or "American" food, with a tiny bit of chinese food thrown in for good measure. I was afraid to try new things.

I'm a ketchup girl. If the world was striped of all ketchup I think I would have a difficult time eating hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches - foods that I love. For those of you from other places, I highly recommend trying the ketchup on your kraft dinner - makes it just have that tiny little zip!

Anyhow - my point is this - I used to never stray from the tried and true. If it didn't have some sort of combination I was familiar with, I didn't want to try it.

I feared certain salad dressings as they weren't ranch - the only flavour I grew up with. I suppose it started here. I visited a friend a few years ago and all they had was California. I tasted it and instantly loved it. When I moved to Alberta, I became obsessed with Italian and used it as my base pizza sauce when cooking for myself. Since then I've been willing to give nearly all salad dressings a try and I've been very pleased.

My ex boyfriends can attest to my addition to eating out at restaurants either Italian restaurants or places like Moose Winooski's, Kelsey's, Caseys or Crabby Joe's. Both have menus that include a large number of items, but nothing too out of the ordinary. There's pasta, and meat and fries or potatoes. Great restaurants, with great choices, and nothing that was too objectionable.

A couple years ago James and I got to talking with his sister and her boyfriend. They loved trying new things and were raving about all the different restaurants they had tried. They loved finding little Indian places or Thai. Raved about how fabulous things were and told us we needed to try stuff. I was still leery even with their accolades. James poked and prodded me until finally one day we were at the park and he talked me into trying an Indian Buffet next door.

We walked over and the restaurant was small but quaint. The woman who served us was really nice and she explained how the buffet worked and what the different items were. She also kept us stocked up Naan bread - in which I couldn't help but dip into all the flavourful sauces. It was fantastic. I wanted to go back the very next week. James held me off - as he felt it was too soon, but I was hooked.

Next I tried Thai food - and found that I could get some pretty basic items that are good and healthy. I'm addicted to vegetarian spring rolls - and never say no when the girls at work want to go and get some Thai. Our favourite restaurant is Red Papaya - and I always get the 503 - with rice, salad, two spring rolls and grilled chicken. It's delicious.

Now it seems when we go out to eat we almost always choose something new or exciting. We go with smaller restaurants and tend to avoid the big chains. We want to find those little places that can be our place. A unique little place that we can share with others. We've tried numerous different Indian restaurants, Thai places, Caribbean places and even Portuguese. I have so many food allergies and issues that I always fear I'll never find anything. Each time we've tried something new it amazes me that I'm able to find something on the menu that I can actually eat.

So it's with this odd obsession for trying new things that I've been willing to retry things that I used to hate. As a texture girl, I avoided relish. James taught me the pleasure of eating corn relish, and I've always liked tarter sauce, so I decided to give regular green relish a try. Sure enough - I liked it! I've now been including it on my burgers and hot dogs and really enjoying it. I still can't do yellow mustard, but it's a start right?

Recently I thought I'd give something else a try. Coleslaw. Now I've always hated the way it looked and the way it smelled. Any time I thought of cabbage I thought of how gross I found cabbage rolls (which I'm sure I will always dislike!) James and I were at a restaurant and the food I ordered didn't seem to fill me enough. Eyeing up James' plate, his coleslaw peaked my interest. I asked if I could have it - to which James passed it up happily. (He hates coleslaw!) I tried it - and there was something about the flavour. I really liked it. I was amazed that I was willing to enjoy something that I've always tried to avoid.

This just goes to show - that sometimes you should give something a chance (or in my case a second chance) before saying "I don't like that."

Greatest family ever.

Many of you don't know them, but I have a fabulous family.

My parents are the best parents in the world. They are supportive, funny, dedicated, loving, and strong. They have lived through hard times, enjoyed the good and have taught me to appreciate all that I have.

They had four children - and I like to think we are all fabulous in our own way. My siblings are always there for me when I need them, and sometimes when I don't. They are always willing to help hold me up when I need it, laugh with and at me when I need it and are just generally fantastic people to be around.

They all married wonderful people too. I like to think that my brother-in-laws and my sister in law are the best that exist. They are always so caring, and always want to make sure that I'm okay. They are all really sweet and senstive - and a lot of fun.

My siblings have also brought into my life children - 7 to be exact. They are always loving, always caring, always willing to learn and willing to grow. They never mind being seen with me and just love being part of our family. (Most of the time - teenagers are not as easy going all the time.) They are always willing to give hugs and always ready for a good time.

My family cares and loves and they will always be there. I hope that they would say the same about me.

In 33 days...

There are now less than 5 weeks to go and with February being a short month, it means that we pretty much have 33 days left. Wow.

In 33 days I will be a homeowner.
In 33 days I get the keys to my new house.
In 33 days I get to walk across the doorway to my future.
In 33 days I get to set down roots.
In 33 days I get to kiss my husband in our house - another first.
In 33 days I will be able to have a bath again. (this shower only living sucks!)
In 33 days I can walk freely naked from my bedroom to the bathroom.
In 33 days I will have a functional walk in closet.
In 33 days I can finish packing, and start unpacking.
In 33 days I will have my own outdoor greenspace.
In 33 days I will be living in the same neighbourhood as my best friend.
In 33 days I will be really excited.
In 33 days I will officially feel like a responsible adult.
In 33 days I will be complete the largest purchase of my life.

And then...
In 34 days we will be moving in all of our furniture.
In 34 days we will have our fridge and stove delivered.
In 34 days we will sleep in our new house for the first time.
In 34 days I will be very very happy.

One door closes and another opens... this time it will be opening into my own house!

Things in my purse

I am posting from James iPhone. It's weird. Figured the world is dying to know what's in my purse. My current one is red, short handle, smaller than a breadbox and cute. It's smaller than my last but still full.

Front pocket
Two five dollar gift certificates to quiznos
$4.25 in coins
HBC rewards card
2 big girl clothing store membership cards
My SIN card

Inside:
Pocket size day planner
Gum
2chapsticks
Small hairbrush
Cell phone
Ear phones
Fork
Environmentally friendly shopping bag from target
Coil notebook
Mr Sticky lint roller
Travel Advil container filled with Tylenol
Slinky wallet with two bank cards, a visa, my health card and drivers license
Leather card carrier with 6 gift certificates, 3 membership cards and a business card for our amazing real estate agent
1 pocket with feminine stuff

Wasn't that exciting?

Pack Rat

So I continue to try and get packed up for the move and it's funny to hear the different reactions from people about it.

My mother - she thinks that we should have nearly everything packed and that we must be really far behind. But - she hasn't come down and she hasn't seen all that's been packed.

Some of our friends - can't believe that we've even started seeing as most people don't get started until a month before they move

Others of our friends - completely understand what we are trying to do and commend us for packing so early

My sister - she came to help pack yesterday and was amazed by what was packed and that we had so much stuff. It's true, we have lots of stuff but I think we are right on track.

James - he thinks that we should pack what we can but worries that we are going to pack things that we'll still need over the next 41 days. But he commends me for packing so much and really appreciates what I've done.

Me - I think that we could have more packed, but still have to live here. I'm going to keep plugging away as the energy hits me so that when we move it can be a really smooth transition.

We're trying to get all the things done for our address change too. The most important stuff is set, but when we called our insurance agent, they told us that it was still too early. The cable company said the same thing. Looks like until February 13th, we shouldn't be calling everyone. Oh well - guess I'm just too excited!

Guess all I can do is drive by our new house and think about how awesome it will be to call it home!