A Great Family Outing

I was sitting on the couch Saturday afternoon contemplating on what we can do as a family as I listened to my daughter read out loud from her first chapter book: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus. (My daughter is enjoying the series as much as I did as a girl).

While doing this I experienced a wonderful flashback from my youth which invoked the same feelings, smells, tastes and experience as the very first time. I remembered the very first time my mother took me to the Steak Pitt. I recalled the rustic atmosphere of the restaurant, being seated right be side the dance floor and the stage (where the owner's wife played piano and sang). There was no more need to contemplate - the decision was made! I called and made reservations and luckily made them just in time for the complimentary wooden name plaque. I knew that my daughter would have a similar experience as to what I had the very first time I went and I couldn't wait for her to have it.

I told Handsome what the plan was and he was all for it (with great enthusiasm). I told my daughter that we'd be going on a small road trip to have dinner at a restaurant that she has never been too. She was excited to go some place new and try new food. We all got ready to go, once I came out from the shower; Handsome advised me that he ran into our neighbour and he would be playing at the Steak Pitt that very night! Once we were all dressed and organized we all loaded up in the truck (we choose the truck in case it snowed - which it did). I told my daughter about our neighbour playing at the restaurant and she was so excited to finally hear him play his guitar and sing.

We took the 50 minute drive out to Bragg Creek, I enjoyed the scenery as I listened to my daughter read Junie B. Jones. I found it very relaxing to watch the images float by me of trees lightly dusted with snow on their branches and the voice of my daughter as she confidently read from her book. I was content and filled with joy and awe on the ride out.

We arrived in Bragg Creek about an 95 minutes before our reservation. We went to window shop at their unique shops to pass some time. As per the norm we had to hit the Candy Shoppe for Handsome and Monster to load up on all of their sugar needs. After that we still had about 45 minutes to pass before our reservations - so we decided to take the minor drive out to Elbow falls (a spot where we go to regularly in the summer for minor hiking and enjoy the beauty of nature out their). Again, I enjoyed relaxing with my daughter reading in the back seat and watching the winter scenes of the forests pass buy.

We finally got to the restaurant a bit early and was given the choice on where we'd like to sit. I allowed my daughter to choose and she decided on a table located right on the dance floor with a great view of the stage. Our neighbour came up and chatted with us; stating he was glad we came and was excited to perform for my daughter.  My daughter had a great time; she was so good at a formal setting, enjoying a great meal that lasted 2 1/2 hours, she was fascinated by the fish pond, the music, the food and the rustic look of the restuarant. She was astouned by the tree trunks that were used as support beams and she loved the fact that she now has a rustic name plaque carved just for her.

It was a wonderful night out with music, great food, and the best company one can seek - family. I was glad and proud that I could offer such an experience for my daughter; a fond memory to go in our family adventures file.

Is There a Price on One's Health?

I personally have had one sinus infection in my life and believe that it was one too many. My daughter has had 14 sinus infections in the last two years! I am trying to find out what is causing my daughter to suffer from these. She is currently scheduled to go in for allergy testing in April. (Yes, I am anxious and nervous for the testing; I do not believe it will be a fun experience but more of a traumatic one for my daughter and I). I am almost positive that we will discover that my daughter suffers from allergies, primarily dust and smoke.

Last weekend I took my income tax return and spent money on a top rated and hospital approved air purifier. As I rent and not own, I didn't want to go through the expense of installing a permanent system to my furnace and decided to get two portable ones. I went with IQ Air: Healthpro Plus Purifiers. I was shocked at the result. Within 24 hours of having the units run constantly, might daughter woke up to being able to breathe through her nose (which was the first time in over two years) and the dark marks under her eyes were almost gone. I have even noticed the difference in the air quality myself - I don't wake up so stuffy in the mornings now.

When we were out purchasing these units, my daughter asked me why I am spending so much money on just her. I told her that there is no amount of money that would be too much for me to spend to ensure her health, safety and well being. She turned around and thanked me for loving her so much to do whatever is needed to make her feel better (it made my eyes water).

Is there really a price limit for a child's health, safety or well being? In my books, there is not. I would climb mountains, cross oceans and do whatever was needed to do to make sure my daughter is healthy, safe, secure and protected with my love for her.

Weight Loss Update

I went in for my weekly weigh-in yesterday and I was amazed! In one week I have managed to loose 5 pounds!


I have now lost 6 pounds in two weeks! Look at me go; with my dedication and determination I have succeeded in achieving my goals and over excelling.


The six pounds have given me the confidence and motivation to continue down this journey. 

To Buy? Or Not to Buy?

The last couple of days are a bit of a daze for me. My daughter has been home ill again.   It made me thing about how often she does become ill (and especially since we moved to the townhouse). It has been quite a lot. Last September she had her adnoids and tonsils out and for a bit she seemed to have a huge improvement. But one would think that after the procedure she wouldn’t continue to have issues with clogged up sinuses and a stuffy nose 24/7.

In April she goes for allergy testing that we have been patiently awaiting for almost a full year now.  Once that is done I am confident that we will discover that she suffers from allergies and what they are so that we can make her symptoms improve.  

One of the issues that leads to her aliments is the fact that our house frequently smells of marihuana (as our neighbour’s hot box their unit and then it seeps through our walls; which gives me a headache and my daughter a horrific migraine and sore stomach). Handsome and I were discussing this issue and thought the only real solution was to move. If we were to move and have to pay higher rent; then why not look into buying our own place and pay into our own equity. 

So me being me, I became proactive and called a mortgage broker to see what we can qualify. Unfortunately, Handsome’s credit was not up to par to qualify for a “no down mortgage” but I was. So we were told the maximum purchase price amount that I was pre-approved for and I got excited.  I could own again! I got struck by the purchasing bug and was looking at real estate online, viewing places and getting all hyped up about buying. 

I fell in love with a little Townhouse and Handsome liked it and saw huge potential as an investment and re-sale property for us. Once I had a second to sit back, breathe and think fully about this possible financial commitment; I did some number crunching and reality hit me hard. Sure I could afford to own once again but at what price and hardship.

If I was to buy I would be house poor and do I truly want to be in that position again? Sure I could provide my daughter with a beautiful home to call ours; but could she continue to take Jazz? Could we go on all of our planned camping trips? Could I even take her swimming or to a movie as a special treat occasionally? Nope not at all and that was something I was willing to sacrifice just quite yet.

So as a result I have decided to invest in a high quality air purifying system for the house and a furnace humidifier to help her skin and relieve her nose bleeds. Paying $3,000 for this is way better then having no real life outside of a new house seems to be the best option for us at this time.