Back on the Wagon

Finally, I'm back in the gym on a semi-regular basis. It was pretty touch and go there with my workout schedule for the past, oh, 6 months. But with my waistline expanding and the number on the scale only going up, I don't want to have to go out and buy all new clothes. There aren't many gym options to choose from around here. The place we finally settled on is Nubody's, with the emphasis on settled. On the plus side, we are able to go to any Nubody's location. There is a club about 5 kilometers down the road. It's not even a year old, so the equipment is new and really nice. The best part is that it's never crowded. You can always get on any machine you want. They're opening up another club right downtown as another option to use (but parking is at a premium downtown). The downside to Nubody's is the horrendous customer service that we've received since the first time we stepped into their gym - it's almost like they don't want people to join. They have all kinds of absurd rules - no hats, no gum, no scents - how they monitor this stuff I have no clue. Honestly, on that side of things it's been nothing short of a hastle. I like to look at the positive - it's a great new gym and I'm back working out! Plus I've found out what a fun workout partner Ray is - he's quite hilarious to be next to on an elliptical machine - if I only had a video camera - he makes me get my ab workout without doing a single sit up - HILARIOUS that man is.

New Logsdon

Say hellllooooo to Cloie! Yes, another girl has been added to the Logsdon clan. I am sure that is just what you wanted Dad, another "catty" woman running around!! Mom received this little bundle of joy from Santa! I can't believe how tiny and cute she is...she looks like a little poof. Looking at these pictures it makes me want to get one. Now with any luck she can be taught to bury her poo just like I was taught back in the Heights...stillllll going!! Ray has had a hard time learning to knock when he needs something from the hall closet...JUST KIDDING....(for seriously, I'm just kidding!)

Anyway, I felt compelled to give Cloie a little "showtime" on the highly-viewed blog. Though the royalty fees that Cloie's "agent" demands for these pictures are downright obscene! Just because her big brother, Andy the wonderdog, is into Scientology with Tom Cruise doesn't make this little pussycat a star...she'll need to earn her keep.

Funny little story...

Let me just give out the ol' Nerd Alert from the get on this post...you have been warned!

Earlier this evening, Ray and I were out on the back patio while Sally and Champ were out "doing their business". Since it's decently cold outside we got all bundled up for the step outdoors. As my parents will attest, I've always enjoyed star gazing and pointing out the constellations (especially in the dead of winter...right Dad). My favorite has always been Orion the Hunter and his belt. So I pointed him out first and then pointed out Cassiopeia. Here I am looking like a dork pointing to the sky to show Ray. He starts pointing and says - hey look, there's Champy-go-peia. You can't help but laugh.

Poor guy

Ray's throat has been hurting him for the past couple of days. It all started when he started complaining that his throat felt swollen and was certain that one of my hairs was caught in there. I totally laughed at him and thought he was full of it. That was until we were at the gym on the elliptical machine and he started coughing and pulled one of my hairs out of his mouth. Of course I started laughing hysterically and almost fell off the machine myself. Anyway, his throat has a bunch of little white bumps - they cover the little hangy ball thing, the back of his tongue and throat - they look like little blisters. Here in Canada (and I'm told by the website it's sold in the States as well) they have a medicine for cough and throat irritation called "Buckley's". I laughed my ass off when I first saw commercials for this stuff...their slogan is "It Tastes Awful. And It Works." A big part of their marketing campaign is to have people taste the medicine and you see the nasty face they make from the taste (which I have witnessed first hand seeing Ray choke it down). Check out this commercial ~ they actually run this on TV!

Merry Christmas

This marks my first international Christmas celebration and wanted to wish everyone Happy Holidays! We're making it a nice, relaxing day. As I told Ray's mom (p.s. thanks for the Christmas tree) this morning, I quit in the kitchen. Two days ago I was in the mood to make some holiday cookies - since we don't have any cookie cutters I went with chocolate chip cookies - simple, right...you'd think so. The recipe makes about 2 dozen, well all but TWO (2) cookies were burnt to a crisp on the bottom. It said to cook for 8-10 minutes; at exactly 8 minutes I pulled them out, burnt...Grrrr. Then I wanted to make some onion chip dip for Christmas (I love having that with regular lays potato chips). It's simple - onions, cream cheese, milk and a pinch of salt. Well I ended up with a sloshy mess! It didn't turn out AT ALL...how can I mess up something so simple? We'll see how the actual turkey turns out...but Uncle Ray is cooking it so I can't screw that up. Anyway, hope you have a Merry Christmas!!!

Ray really wanted to open up one present last night and the rest today on Christmas. I was so excited (I know mom & dad, some things never change) that we ended up opening everything last night. I really had no idea what I'd be getting, but Ray did such a good job shopping for me. I got a couple shirts, a sweatshirt, a new Nike water bottle (I had left mine in Az when I moved), a $15 gift card to Tim Horton's (many of you know about that little joke), and a new Coach bag (YAY!!!!) that is super ultra mega cute! Oh, he also got me snow tires for my car, tre romantic. I got him a new Mont Blanc belt that he's been eying, a memory stick for his computer and a digital picture frame pre-loaded with pictures and music for his enjoyment. I think we both made out quite well.

Tomorrow is Boxing Day here in Canada. It's the big shopping day of the year (kinda like the day after Thanksgiving in the U.S.). I think we'll be heading out at some point to try to find some great shopping deals...I'm hoping to locate a good deal on a digital camera - it'll take the blog to a whole new level, Guaranteed!

Old Dog, New Trick

Who said that you can't teach an old dog new tricks? And who said that Champ isn't very smart (that depends on the day of the week you ask Ray)? It makes me so excited that I was able to teach ol' Champy a trick!!! This is from the girl who has never even taught a dog how to sit...it's quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. I've been working with the big white guy to stand on his hind legs when I say "up" for a little over a week and he's got it down. First, let's get the "tail" of the tape on Champy-boy...he's 5 1/2 years old(going on 105!) & tippin' the scales at 75-large!! SO, needless to say dancing on his hind legs is no small feat. The only downside is that this little effort takes a tremendous toll on Champ which means his first effort is his best trick and after that it gets progressively worse, if not impossible to make it happen multiple times. The video is not Champ's best work, oftentimes he'll spend quite a bit more time upright without leaning on me and every once in a while will do a nice little pirouette. I taught him this trick without using any food or treat in my hand at the time (but he knows to expect a treat once he jumps up). It's so great to see the expression on his face and the way he carries himself after he does it; it's like he's so proud of what he's just done. I sure love that guy. Sally is so funny because she knows that once he does the trick they both will get a cookie.

Num Num Num

As celebration of the new gig, Uncle Ray took me out for dinner last night to our favorite restaurant here - Pastalli. Their Italian cuisine is truly to die for. It was so good last night that it warranted it's own post on the blog. The meal definitely ranks among the top 3 feasts of my life. We started it all off with a 1/2 liter of the house red (I got a bit of a buzz since I drank what Ray didn't). They have a great little bread bar and Ray toasted a few pieces of garlic bread to perfection. For the main course, I ordered the Coquille Saint-Jacques - Bay of Fundy scallops (which are local!) sautéed in white wine and lemon cream sauce with melted provolone and mozzarella chesses...sooooo freaking good. It was also served with spaghetti pesto and a Cesar salad. Ray got the Shrimps Portofino - Shrimps, mushrooms, pine nuts, spinach and red pepper sauce with penne pasta. We topped off the celebration with my favorite dessert - tiramisu. I've had A LOT of tiramisu in my day and I'm confident to report that this was THE BEST TIRAMISU OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! It was so light and airy and packed full of flavor. Well if you end up coming here for a visit, we'll make sure to go to Pastalli for dinner...

*The picture was taken a few weeks back while we were out on the town...last night we were a bit more dressed up.