ENJOYING THE DECK

enjoying the deck
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

My mom and dad came to visit us in September, and to build us a deck! Our house was built in 1972 and was only owned by one family, yet they hadn't built a deck or done any landscaping. Fortunately my parents donated their time to come out and build us this fabulous patio! Can't wait to flowerize it next year.

The weather has started to cool down here, but we are still getting some beautiful days in which to enjoy the patio and putz around in the yard. Bulbs will be going in the ground today as our night time low is going to be around 2, so frost is on the horizon, bummer. On the positive side, Halloween is just around the corner and that means the supermarkets are full of little mini chocolate bars - yum, yum!

JACKIE

Jackie
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

This summer saw several visitors which was very exciting. My friend Ginny, who had moved from Guelph to Exton, PA (she lives within walking distance of a Target, the lucky girl) came to Ontario to visit friends and I was blessed with her company for a few days in July. We went for a great bike ride and a drive through the neighbourhood where she grew up, not far from where we currently live. It was actually pretty exciting to hear the stories of her youth and we even got a tour of the house she grew up in!

Our next visitor was Zach, a professional cyclist that Darin and I had met in Calgary before he was fast and famous. It was great to catch up on how much his life has changed over the past few years, the adventures he’s been on and his future plans. We wish you the best with your Olympic bid Zach.

One of the most exciting calls that I got this summer was from Jackie saying that she had a ticket that she had to use up and could she come visit – Hell Ya! She spent the long weekend in September with us where we ate, shopped, and caught up. Jackie is training for the Chicago Marathon in October and after her 29 km long run we went for a pedicure, played some bridge, where I came from behind to win, and I just really enjoyed spending time with a great friend. According to our guests we have a great spare bed and our doors are always open, everyone is welcome!

KIARA AND MAIJA

Kiara and Maija
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

Our friends Maija and Rastko, whom I’d gone to university with, and who were a large part in why we settled in West Chester to begin with, were pregnant with the their second baby as we were getting ready to move to Ontario. Maija’s due date was almost the same as my leaving date and I was begging her to give birth before we moved. Even though I kept trying to get her to eat really spicy foods and have lots of sex she just refused to go into labour until a few days after I had arrived in ON. So Jadine, who lives in Toronto and used to be Rastko’s roommate, and I decided we needed to go on a road trip and visit Kiara, the new arrival. Though our trip was short, only a few days, we had a great time playing with Luka, the two year and old, catching up with Maija and Rastko, and introducing ourselves to the baby. It was also fun to drive along the roads that I used to cycle on and do a drive by of our old townhouse. Pennsylvania really is a gorgeous state, and one that I think is often overlooked; but I highly recommend it as a travel destination.

CLIFFS AT KILLBEAR

Cliff Jumping in mid-air
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

It seems like everyone in the GTA has a cottage in “cottage country”, or knows someone, or rents a cottage in “cottage country”. Darin’s family has a place near Midland on Georgian Bay, but as a high school student, Darin spent his summers at a campground in a Provincial Park named Killbear on the other side of Georgian Bay. Every time Darin spoke of his summers his eyes would light up and he would get all excited, like a kid on Christmas morning. We took a few days to venture up to Killbear and I too fell in love with the place. The water was super warm, clean, and clear; the campground was full of beautiful trees; there were cliffs to jump off of, and we could roast marshmallows – it was really like a slice of heaven. Darin chickened out of jumping from the cliffs that were higher than 15 feet, while I lept from the 30 footer called “Insanity” (pictured where the girl in the turquoise bikini is) and watched the teens hurtle themselves from the more dangerous “Suicide”. It was so much fun and the sunsets were spectacular. One visitor would come out at dusk and as the sun would set and play his trumpet, it was very surreal and romantic. There’s a reason that cottage country and the Muskokas are well known, it really is a stunning part of our country.

Our View of Toronto

CN Tower
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

One of the best things about being in the Toronto area is the multiculturalism. The restaurant choices are endless, the food and shopping are amazing, and during the Soccer World Cup the energy was contagious. We were always aware of the victor of a game as a convoy of cars with huge flags flying out of every car window paraded down the street. During the final game, Darin, Mark and I went for a bike ride into Toronto. It was like a ghost town, no one was out, everyone but us was watching the game; it was like Philadelphia when the Eagles were playing. Once the game was over the streets were full of honking cars with Italian flags flapping in the wind, it was crazy! Aside from the bad traffic, Toronto is a pretty cool city.

Helen and Len

Helen and Len
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

Darin and I lived with his parents for two and a half months and it was a great experience. It gave us a chance to get to know each other better and Helen and Len made us feel very comfortable, almost too comfortable! We got possession of our house in May and spent a week painting the basement, renovating a bathroom and having new carpet put in. Our house was built in 1972 and except for the basement the house has been updated and is in great condition. We have settled in, though it was an adjustment in moving from 2600 square feet to 1200!

Mom at Dean and Deluca

bread and mom
Originally uploaded by petrinat.

Wow, it really is amazing how fast time flies! After returning from Mexico our house was listed, there had been a realtor open house, and we were having several showings. The day before Darin moved to Ontario to start his new job he had a nasty case of stomach flu, hadn’t packed yet, and we had a day of showings, including one with an hour notice. All Darin wanted to do was sleep, but it was a good thing that we agreed to the showing as it was the one that resulted in an offer – our house was sold! We had six weeks to get everything settled and moved.

One of the things I wanted to do was see more of New York, so my mom flew out and we spent a few days shopping and enjoying the Big Apple sites, including Dean and Deluca, yummy! The highlight for me was seeing the Lion King, what an amazing musical! The costumes are spectacular and the actors amazing; if you have a chance to see the production I highly recommend you go! We had a great girls trip that I’m hoping will result in a yearly tradition.

Since both of our vehicles were leased, they were returned to the dealerships and mom and I rented a car to drive to Ontario. We thought it would be easier than flying with my paranoid and loudly verbal cat Molly. The trip went really well, Molly howled for about an hour and then relaxed a bit and was quiet for most of the rest of the trip – including an overnight stay in a hotel in Niagra. We crossed the border with no hassle and moved in with my in-laws in Oshawa.