My Trip to Toronto

Hello Sweets,

It's Wednesday :) and that means the work week is almost over!  For me it means neurologist appointment and navigating my way through the crazy streets of Toronto, and it only being half way through my day, I'm already exhausted lol.

My day didn't start off to well, I slept through my alarm this morning (ugh) which means I had to rush like crazy, which always gets me frazzled when I do.  Rushing means I had to take all my medications on an empty stomach :( not good.  Lucky for me my grandfather is a peach and stopped at Tim Hortons so I could grab a coffee and a bagel.  After that, I had just enough time to run across the street to the bus station and climb on to the already packed bus.  As soon as I saw that, I knew it was going to be a long ride to Toronto.  I couldn't have been more right, the young man I had the pleasure to sit with couldn't stay in his seat, so I might as well of been sitting in the aisle.  The good thing about the bus now, is they're caught up in the technology world, so I got to watch one of my favorite shows; Law & Order SVU all the way there :)

Nathan could tell you that last night I was so worried about getting lost before my appointment, having to navigating from the bus station to the hospital, but he'll be happy to know I made it in one piece and only got a little freaked out once :) yay me!  Since I have some time to kill before my appointment, I thought I would start my little post, and grab a bite to eat (I just love you guys!).  For lunch I went to "Soup it up", which is obviously a soup shop, and got a bowl of cream of mushroom soup (haven't had it in forever), a chocolate milk, and a small multi-grain roll.  It was so so, more soupy than creamy, so needless to say I wasn't very impressed.

My sad little soup, on the plus side my chocolate milk was delish!

Oh well.  There is a Booster Juice, so I'll just grab a shake on my way out.  Live and learn right?  Next I will get to go into the "cattle area" otherwise known as the inpatient check in, and then I'll be shuffled upstairs to see the doctor.  It's weird because I'm slightly nervous and I don't know why (weird huh?).  Well I'm going to venture into Shoppers Drugmart to kill some time, then I will complete my post on the way home.  Blog to you soon ;)

Good news sweets, my brain is giant but other than that, I'm a okay on the brain front.  I sort of figured this already, but better safe than sorry right?  The doctor prescribed me some migraine medication so hopefully that will help (keep your fingers crossed for me).  So I didn't end up stopping at Booster Juice because I was feeling kind of sick, but instead grabbed a nice hot chai tea to keep me warm on my way back to the bus station, and boy was it yummy!

Me and my tea on the go!

Now I am just waiting for my bus to be called and trying not to get dragged into any of the drama that keeps popping up in here (one lady in particular is yelling at random people).  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing funny about mental health, but I don't think I have the patience to deflect right now.  I also don't want to continue rambling either and scare you all off lol.  Until next time........


Stay sweet,



Jennifer xoxoxo

Long Distance Love

Hello Sweets!

Well I am on my way back to Canadian soil again, sigh :(, which means I had to leave the love of my life back in Texas.  You would think that because we've been dating for over a year, and knowing we live in two separate countries, travelling back and forth about every six weeks or so, that I would be used to leaving, but alas, I cry like a little baby every time!  I don’t mean a couple of tears at the airport security line either.  I mean a day before, I will get a little sad, maybe even a tear, but the day of, I can just look at Nathan’s handsome face, and start crying.  lol  I think I have finally figured out why it gets worse every time I have to leave; it’s because every day I fall more and more in love with him, and I cannot wait to be with him for good, in due time :)

So with it being our last day together today, we did what we always do, that’s to make the most of it by just enjoying each others company.  Today, that meant a matinee movie date, and not just at any regular old theater, not even our normal “fork and screen” (fully licensed and service theater), but this time at a “cinema suite”.  It’s a little more pricey than a regular theater (although compared to Canada it’s cheaper…..weird), but worth every penny!  They have a full menu with your typical theater munchies, but then they have restaurant quality food that is absolutely delicious.  Funny fact: Nathan and I always say we’re going to try something new off the menu, but love our regular picks so much, we always end up ordering the same things hahaha.  I had the chipotle chicken and bacon panini, and Nathan had the thai coconut chicken tenders.  Needless to say, we were both extremely full and satisfied by the end of the movie.  Oh I guess you’d like to know which movie we saw.  We chose Argo, based on the declassified rescue of the six Americans trapped in Iran during 1980, which by the way was pretty good, considering I’m not a fan of Ben Affleck, it’s says something I think.  After the movie, we went back to the house for a few hours to spend time doing the one thing we love to do together; watch TV and cuddle. :)  It’s silly when you think about it, but even when it comes time to say goodbye to Bear (the fur baby), I get all teary eyed (it’s even worse when the whole family is there).  Afterwards, I gathered my things and it was off to the airport.  I can’t help but get upset when I’m hugging Nathan for our final goodbye.  Even the TSA agent checking the boarding passes asked me who I was leaving behind, because of my watery eyes.  While waiting in the security line, Nathan always waits for me to get through.  We are that couple that is smiling back at each other mouthing “I love you” and “I’ll miss you” all the way until I am through.  Once screened, it’s one final wave, and I venture to my gate, all the while texting Nathan my final I love you before I land back in Canadia.

I know a little dark, but you get the just of it!

So I am not sure about you guys, but while I'm waiting for the plane to be pushed back from the gate, I always peruse the complimentary magazines.  The things in the 'Sky Mall' never cease to amaze me and make me giggle.  So I thought I would share some of the things that I thought were crazy, just down right silly, and things I want to own and have in my own home.  First is a countrified cooler.  I would love to have this when Nathan and I own our first home for our back yard, so when friends and family come over to spend the afternoon grillin’ and catching up, we can have almost all the beverages out back with us so we can spend more time together, and less going in and out of the house for refreshments. 

<3  

Second would be this AMAZING shoe holder. I have a slight obsession with shoes, and not enough space to keep them all without cluttering the hall closet, so this is both practical and stylish.  Not your typical plastic shoe rack. 

I LOVE shoes lol

Okay, now on to some silly, makes you go “whaaat, why??”.  First up, is this ridiculous garden ornament.  Yup it’s a zombie, meant to look as if it’s coming out of the ground.  Now Nathan and I both enjoy watching the Walking Dead, but this is a little too far for my likings lol.  

....wow.....

Second is also for the garden or lawn:  Skeleton gnomes O_o I would really love to meet the people that have these things in their garden, because I bet they are pretty interesting people.  

....ya.....

Thirdly, a moustache mirror. LOL  It’s funny but very frivolous to say the least, like who really needs this!!

I guess it would be good for Movember, so you can decide on a style lol

And then I came across the section of prints, and I need to get this for when Nathan and I live together, because it is exactly how he makes me feel.  :)  I know, I know, I’m a mushy, cheesy girl, but he makes my heart pitter patter all day every day.  

yup, this is us :)

Well Sky Mall, your newest addition entertained me again, so thank you for making my pre-takeoff  more enjoyable lol!

Well I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and spent it with the people that make you the happiest!  Now I am going to sit back and enjoy the rest of my flight with my now famous pecan pie muffin, and some vino.  :)  Until next time……

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo 

Through the looking glass

Hello sweets!!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend, I know I sure did :). I want to tell you guys all about it and also a little history on me and my journey called life.

Over a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with a rare brain malformation (I was in utter shock since we were looking at torn shoulder ligaments) called Arnold Chiari malformation type one.  It's not life threatening but it definitely affected my quality of life, to the point were I slowed down my love and passion for food :(. Six months after that I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and at that point I was taken off of work, and life as I had known it, had ceased to exist.  Being that I'm from Canada, going through the health care system was long and trying, that is until I found a doctor in Toronto who had experience with my malformation! Needless to say, I was on board with meeting him and to explore other options than mere medication treatments :s.  Since my progression was in a "grey" area he wanted me to come back in six months (this was back in April), so I made a follow up for October to return and hopefully get some direction on how to overcome it.

Nathan purposely made this special trip to attend my appointment with me for moral support.  I had been going alone on this journey since the beginning, so it was greatly appreciated.  We decided to go to Toronto on Sunday afternoon to stay overnight in a hotel, since my appointment was in the morning.  Adding to the evening, was a nice dinner to take both my mind and nerves off the impending appointment.

Being silly on the drive into Toronto

Once we arrived in Toronto we checked into the hotel and decided we need food, stat!  Nathan, being from Texas and all, LOVES his steak, and since he had never been to The Keg, I insisted we dine there :)  We went to the Keg Mansion in downtown Toronto, and I'm glad we did because it had a very romantic ambiance, which is just what we wanted <3   

 Vino for me and a beer for my love

We both had a delicious meal.  I had the prime rib, and he had the rib eye, and since we were both starving, lol, of course I forgot to take a picture before they were half demolished.  To end our lovely night of delicious food and wonderful company, we shared a piece of cheesecake (I think Nathan spoiled my cheesecake pallet after taking me to The Cheesecake Factory *drool*), and a Baileys coffee, yum!

The romantic lighting made the sweets sinful delights

After an evening spent with Nathan, doing nothing but enjoying each other's company, my appointment time crept up quickly.  We trekked our way down to Toronto Western University hospital this morning after a wonderful breakfast in bed.  The closer we got, the worse my nerves were.  Once inside the consultation room, I was on the brink of tears.  The one trying thing about this whole process, was having doctors look at me like I was either crazy, or lying, so part of me was expecting the same.  Thankfully, since my symptoms had progressed more, and had further impeded my quality of life, Dr.Gentili gave the green light for surgery.  Needless to say, I cried happy tears while walking back to the car.  It's crazy to think that in just six short months, I'll be on the road to recovery!!

With happy news in tow, we headed to the airport to depart for my surrogate home of Texas :)

Sadly this is 75% mine lol

After a very quick run through customs, security, and a quick stop a TGI Fridays to pick up our sky luncheon, we were off flying high over Toronto, headed to Dallas Fort Worth airport.

See ya soon Canada!

We thought the novelty of having our lunch date in the sky was fun :)  It was that, or we wait five more hours until the next flight (not going to happen!).

Ginger ale w/ chicken fingers, french fries, and BBQ sauce

Before long we were cruising at an altitude of about 30,000 feet, soaring through the clouds.  Dating a pilot (in a pilot family), definitely has its advantages, and the views never get old.  We were even on the American Airlines "Dream liner 737" with a fancy blue interior :)

Best view in the world(space might top it, but until I've seen it...)

Both tired, but happy about good news

Before we knew it we had landed in Texas, and were back to familiar faces, furry that is!!  Nothing is better than coming home to puppy kisses after a busy weekend :)  Which also means that baking blogs are back, I always spoil Nathan and his family, so check back for some new and yummy recipes!

Meet Bear!! (or Berries to us!)

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo