Happy New Year!

 Here we are in 2024! Last year was a trip, so much joy and so much sorrow :( We had a lovely Christmas period, and went to see my sister in Syracuse for my niece's sweet 16. Unfortunately, sisters two and and four had another huge fight while we were at my sister's (luckily I was not there). I am concerned again for each of them, and for my sister's mental health - but I feel as if I cannot help/get involved anymore. Sigh.

I am working on goals for the year, hopefully working on my money goals if I am not getting a new job (newsflash: I am not!) We have travel plans next year and I would like to travel and not worry about $$$. Maybe a summer job, to save some extra $$$. I cut $25 off my cable package, and hopefully I can cut some other things here and there. Wish me luck. I am sending lots of love to all for a great 2024!

December?!

 I cannot believe we are in December, what a trip. I went to my sister's in Syracuse over the Thanksgiving weekend - it was nice. I confess, it was nice to be there without my dad and my youngest sister - less tension, a bit more relaxed. I really struggle with family dynamics and people being happy/unhappy etc. I just don't bring my issues up with my family but I cannot exactly ignore the tension either. I am still pretty traumatized from all the fighting from my sister's wedding. Then last month, or October, my dad and sister got into a huge fight and that just made things worse. Ugh. So yeah, no bueno there.

But we enjoyed Syracuse - and all of us (minus my dad) will get together next Suday to make pastelles - a traditional Trinidad Christmas dish (cornmeal with minced beef/pork inside and then wrapped in a banana leaf - steamed to cook on Christmas day and beyond!) This will be nice as we have not made them altogether in a long time! 

My friend's surprise party was a big hit. I really got anxious because I asked people to be there for 6:00 SHARP - and NO ONE was on time. I thought it was a big flop and was so upset - but it all worked out and she was truly surprised. I am glad that I helped her husband plan it - maybe she would have been ok for not having a party, but with the year she's had - she deserves it. I am just watching a YouTube video, then off to bed I go - to wake up to Monday's problems at the office -ugh!

Another Day, Another Party!

 Hello friends! We have been busy and partying over here. Since Thanksgiving last month, my baby sister who got married in January - announced she is expecting! So I am to become an aunt, again, for the 9th time! 😁 My best friend is also expecting a baby, just about a month or so before my sister! So a lot of good news :) 

My mom turns 68 tomorrow, so my siblings and their kids came over yesterday (with the exception of my eldest sister who lives in NY) and I think my mom enjoyed it a lot. She was feeling sad apparently (alone and abandoned were the words she used, via my step dad) so I think the party did a LOT for her mood. She's going through a lot with her siblings and Dad (estates, wills etc) so it's stressful and sad. 

After tomorrow, I will continue the partying for my OTHER best friend's 35th birthday surprise party. She mentioned a couple of times she'd like a surprise party - so her husband and I got the ball rolling on that over these last few days. She's had a rough year and I think she'll be happy!  (but sad cause her dad passed away in the summer and well, that sadness just doesn't ever leave someone any time soon). Otherwise, I am looking forward to heading out to NY in a couple of weeks for Thanksgiving and spending time with my sisters and nieces! :) Sending love and good vibes to everyone xx

Thanksgiving!

 It's Canadian thanksgiving today. My siblings went off to my older sister's - I didn't go, I needed a break (but used work as an excuse) I still have anxiety from the wedding planning. So it was a quiet weekend - my friend's birthday party and some general errands. My mom is leaving for almost 3 weeks tomorrow - to see my grandad in Trinidad. So it'll just be myself and my stepdad for that time- wish us luck! 

It feels like time is flying... Halloween, American Thanksgiving and then Christmas! Seems like the year is pretty much over, crazy.

My Summer Wrap Up - with pictures!

 Summer has come and gone! It seemed to fly by so quickly. After my last blog post, I seemed to have a never ending carousel of visitors! My nieces came, some stayed a few days with us, some stayed one night. My mom loves to have the kids over, but I find it so stressful. To be honest, I am finding all my family gatherings stressful lately (left over sadness from my sister's wedding) sigh. We also had the lovely lady who took care of us when we were kids stay with us for a MONTH. She is wonderful, easy guest to have around but working and then entertaining after work was so draining.

But we all took her out and showed her the best Ontario has to offer. She went to Ripley's the big aquarium, we took her to a buffet, she did some shopping, ate a lot of good food and saw all of us a lot. But boy I am glad to have no visitors! The weekend before she left, my mom rented a cottage in a tiny town 7 hours north of Toronto. I am NOT a country girl! But it was a beautiful little getaway. I thought I had video of being on the lake on the pontoon boat, but I cannot find it so far. I am going to add some pictures (literally 3) of our time there. 

Work continues to be busy, but Thanksgiving is coming soon. We need more long weekends in Canada.

This was the view from our cottage - just gorgeous. The original cottage we chose had no water, so our hostess graciously upgraded us!

We took a drive up to see these falls in Aubrey Falls Provincial Park - just beautiful!! It was a short walk from the car to the view, well worth it! Next, this was the view while we were on the lake on the pontoon boat!!

Above - you have the view of the lake, the hostess and her husband were nice enough to take us on their pontoon boat, it was pure bliss! Last but not least, I saw these cute little moss thingies, and thought it looked like a mountain on a mountain, lol!

Bad at Blogging

 Oh gosh! I meant to come back guys. My trip was wonderful. I am now wrapping up a week off of work, so while I did relax, I have to go back to a mountain of work :/ I did the Toronto Carnival (similar to Trinidad's carnival) and I had an OK time. My cousin came in from Ottawa and is asking if she can come again next year, and honestly, I don't know, lol. It was a lot. I got a ticket for driving through a part of the city I should not have. Maybe next year I can take the train down and skip driving in the core? But she also felt faint and we ended up having to leave early which I don't mind but I think I am over driving people around for a while. It is a recurring theme where I drive folks to and fro and they cannot return that favour. I will say though, my cousin was super nice and we had a blast.

When I figure it out, I will post some Bermuda/Caribana pictures!!

Slogging Away

 Oh my gosh, this last week has been bonkers! I cannot wait to go on my trip next weekend. A few days away is just what the doctor ordered. So many requests, my boss is being stubborn, it goes on and on and ON! Just, ugh. I hate going on trips sometimes. I feel like I deserve the break, but something goes wrong and work and then I feel all crummy. 

Otherwise, life rolls on. On Father's Day, we took my dad out for brunch. He let us know his brother is ready to retire. Currently, my dad lives in the apartment of his aunt - when she died, she willed it to our uncle (dad's brother) so now, if my uncle sells, my dad either goes and rents a room, lives with one of my siblings (no one has real space) OR he moves to the Philippines with his wife. Meanwhile, I am not earning enough to buy the condo which I would like to do - and I don't want to buy it when my dad lives there, LOL. Ugh, life!