GOOD LUCK!!!

 Good luck today, ladies!! <3

I wish I was in Disney..

So I'm supposed to be in Disney right now.  I'm supposed to be running a 5k tomorrow.  But I'm not.  Really, the motivation for this trip (aside from the getting in shape thing) was to see my girls!  There's a whole group heading to Disney this weekend, most are there right now, and I REALLY wanted to go.  I really wanted to spend the weekend with the ladies, some of whom I've met and some of whom I haven't.  But alas, I am not there.  So instead I want to say...

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!

I'm so proud of you ALL! I can't wait to her all about your adventures!

Shameless Self Promotion

Today and tomorrow I will be in Toronto with a team of kids from the Junior Achievement Company Program, in Halifax.  Wait, what, why?!  You may ask...well, because I've been volunteering with this company for the past 15 weeks and they've ROCKED MY WORLD!  And everyone elses!  But lets start from the beginning (a logical place, don't you think?)

Junior Achievement Company Program is basically a program that allows students to create their own company and their own product in 18 weeks.  They go from development to having a full executive team and staff to selling to shutting down their company.  In 18 weeks.  Intense, huh?

I got involved in JA because a friend of mine works for them.  She invited me to be part of it...and how could I say no to mentoring our future leaders!?!  I love it.  There are 4 of us, advisors.  And we have a group of 12 wonderful kids!  And smart? HOLY!  They have this amazaballs product called Texttens.  They are mittens, with removable thumbs so you can text and stay warm. Brilliant right?!

Shown with their school logo.

These kids are smart.  Like, smart smart smart! And they're passionate.  I'm so thankful I've been able to be a part of this group.Anyways...how we got to Toronto...They won the Pitch It! Competition!  Think Dragon's Den (or Shark Tank for the Americans in the room).  They did a regional Pitch It! (Dragon's Den) and provincial Pitch It! and they KILLED IT!  Their reward was Dinner with a Dragon.  So we're headed off to Toronto to meet Arlene Dickinson.  I'm PUMPED.  The kids are PUMPED! We're all just very excited and feel very lucky to be part of this program.  So that's where I'll be for the next two days with part of the Texttens team.  Will report back on sales and successes soon! (And stay turned for an indepth look at how the kids are doing, what their sales are, and all that fun stuff!)

And if you want a pair of Texttens..let me know! We only have 75 (ish) left and they're going fast!

PUGS!!!!!!

As you may, or may not, be aware...I am kind of obsessed with my dogs.  So much so that my twitter is @LifewithPugs.  I know, it's a strange thing to be obsessed with but look at their little faces!!!

When we were little mom always said pugs were "...so ugly, they're cute!"

And since I've never really dedicated an entire post to them, I felt it was time to do so.  Prepare to be pugged.

Michelangelo is named after the Ninja Turtle!

This handsome pug is Mikey.  He will be four years old in May.  He's pretty much the laziest pug until something catches his attention...and then he just looses his mind and starts barking and jumping and, well, his nickname is Crazy.  

Miss Molly Sue loves this bone she stole from mom's lab/pitbull mix!

This little girl is Molly Sue Nesbitt.  Yes, she has a full name.  We adopted her when she was about 9 months old and Mikey was about 4 months old.  He needed a friend and she needed a home.  From the minute we took Molly in she was loving and snuggly and very playful!  She's got a huge personality and she's pretty smart...for a pug.

Now, why am I posting about my pugs?  Well, because they're kind of like my children (Yeah, I'm one of THOSE people.  But it's not as bad as you think!).  Mr. Dan and I love these little guys.  They've got huge personalities and they're so affectionate.  They are cool with just chilling on the couch but they're also always game for playing with a toy or going for a walk.  They get along with EVERYONE.  Dogs, cats, birds, parents...EVERYONE.  And they're just so goofy.  Sheldon comics can explain better than me...these are real life happenings.  Trufax, even!

Anyways, it's a weird bond but I'm okay with it.  And so is Mr. Dan...

Halifax Politics...you'll be hearing a lot about this in the future...

We have a municipal election coming up in October and you know what, Halifax?



WE DESERVE BETTER!!

That's right, Halifax.  We deserve better.  We deserve politicians that have a vision, not just go along with the status quo.  We deserve people with a drive, not just someone that is there for the ride.  We deserve diversity, not just the usual career politician.  We deserve change, not the same shit we've had time after time.  And I think we've got a glimmer of hope.  We're going to get there, Halifax.  I KNOW it.

Do you know how I know it? Because we are finally seeing some REAL candidates emerge for this election in October.  Today local blogger, commentator, musician and instructor Waye Mason announced he'll be running on Pennunisular Halifax in October.  THERE IS HOPE! 

Now, I'm not saying run out and vote for Waye - you vote for whoever you want - but what I am saying is we're not just stuck with the career Peter Kellys, or the well I'll vote for X because they've been there for so long.  We're not stuck with whackjobs or people who aren't serious...REAL candidates are emerging.  Waye is just one.  Mike Savage is another.  We have REAL options now Halifax.  So get out there, get involved, learn what your politicians platforms are and for Jebus' sake get your ass out there and VOTE.

Honeymoon Recap!

HONEYMOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, that's right.  It was that good.  

We decided we wanted to spend our honeymoon in Varadero, Cuba at the Iberostar Playa Alameda.  Let me say that the weather was FANTASTIC the whole time we were there.  During the day it never went lower than about 25 and never higher than 35.  And it was sunny!!  Basically it was a wonderful week to spend on the beach and exploring town.

So let's start from the beginning:

The cab picked us up at 3:40 a.m. on Thursday. It was way too early and I was not happy. I got sick on the flight to Toronto. It sucked. But Mr. Dan was so sweet. He made me a pillow with his hoodie and found me some headphones so I could try to block out all the noises and sleep. After we landed, and I got on firm ground, I felt a lot better. We had a nice little brunch, chatted and waited for our next plane. Apparently it was re-scheduled so we had 3 hours instead of 2. It was okay though. We had a nice chat and people watch!

We arrived in Varadero around 2:30 p.m. Got all our stuff, no problem, and found our bus. It was quick ride to the hotel (which was lovely!) and then we were there. The first few hours we got checked in, wandered around the beach and the resort, figured out where everything was and headed to the buffet for dinner. We were exhausted so then we headed to our room. And our keys wouldn’t work. So we went to get new ones…and they still wouldn’t work. So maintenance (Darel) came and explained (in broken English) that he was new but he’d fix our locks. 1 hour later his supervisor arrived. Then Darel ended up climbing to our second story balcony and letting us in. He stayed for 2 more hours, and was such a sweet man, but couldn’t fix our door. He got the manager who made sure we had a new room that had all the same amenities (king sized bed, second floor, etc). It was mid-night by the time we actually got into our real room…but I was just happy to sleep.  The experience was really crappy but Darel and his team were great to us.

The next few days we spent going into town, relaxing by the pool and on the beach and playing in the waves. It was SO windy that we had these huge waves to play it. It was like we were 10 year olds…but it was so fun to just act silly with my husband.

We went into Varadero (the town) twice. It was a lot of fun and we ended up spending 4 hours just wandering around and buying jewelry, rum, cigars, etc.

Our evenings consisted of dinner (2 restaurants were alright, the other one was CRAP. Buffet was always good) and then drinks in the outdoor courtyard with live Cuban bands. On the 4th Mr. Dan and I went to the “Romantico” restaurant and then got absolutely loaded while watching the band. We ended the evening on our balcony with beer (and a cigar for him). It was the best "monthaversary" ever.  (Did I really just call it that?! LOL)

We didn’t really do a whole lot but we had so much fun. We relaxed, we got a “tan” (I got freckles and now look like less of an albino) and we spent so much time just sitting and chatting. It really was a much needed, much appreciated, wonderful honeymoon.

And here is my proof:

We made it!!

The building we stayed in

Hot day in town! 

Celebrating!

Lizard.

Taxis in front of the hotel

Love palm trees!

I'll just take these beer back to my room to examine....

The beach!

Hello palm tree <3 

The pool

Our last night:(

Where the eff did she go?!

Hi again.  Miss me?  Well apparently some people did because I've been getting asked about why I don't blog anymore.  And so I'm back.  I can't promise I'll always be thoughtful, or that I'll have the most entertaining posts, or that I'll even post once a week (I'll try! I promise!!) but I can say that I'm glad to have been missed.  Even if it was only by one or two loyal readers!  (I'm not dreaming, someone missed me...right?!)

Anyways, I believe we need a recap.  When we last left off I had been training for a 5K, just totally effed my back up and we were leaving for our honeymoon in a week.  To answer your first question: Yes.  Yes I am still training for a 5K.  No, it's not the one in Disney with my ladies.  Sadly I could not get the time off to go, or the funds for my plane ticket to Florida.  BUT I am still working out, I am still walk/running and I will be doing a 5K...just not the one I planned on.  

My back is much better.  Thanks for asking. I've been seeing a chiropractor and as long as I keep up my end (good posture, stretches, etc) everything seems to be on the mend.  

Now the honeymoon...oh you'd like to hear about that, wouldn't you?  Well that will have to wait for another day because I feel that deserves a post.  But until then, here's a teaser: