Spring into action

Spring time at last.  HA HA.  It really does not feel or look like spring but I know it's here.

This winter has been so long and awful.  I can hardly wait to get outside more.  I can't cope when it is too cold or too windy.  Too much heat is no good for me either so I wait patiently for the spring.

It's funny to see some of my friends in other parts of the world posting pictures of themselves and there is green grass and flowers in the background. 

We will have to plant different things in the front garden this year because our big tree that provided shade has been chopped down by the town.  To much damage from the ice storm.  Our entire street looks so bare.  It's sort of sad.

With the spring comes RACE FOR KIDS through the Boys and Girls Club.  I can't run the race (as much as I would love to) but I can still fundraise.  I help out at the event with some friends so I get to enjoy it in my own way.  Each year we man a check point and get to watch the hilarious antics of the participants.  Last year people had to dress in costume and act out the Three Little Pigs.  I have never laughed so hard at some of the bad acting.

I set a seriously high goal this year of trying to raise $2000.  That 's a lot for one person but I think I can do it.  I used to raise more than this when I worked and used to do Bowl for Kids Sake.  We'll see how I do.  I find it is harder to raise funds when not in the work force any longer.

So far I have been humbled by the response of my family and friends.  There are some very good and generous people out there and I am proud and honoured to call them my family and friends. 

I've been volunteering a lot this past little while with the Boys and Girls Club.  Lisa was sick and missed her big fundraiser so I tried to step in a bit and do some of the things I thought she might be doing.  It took me a three days to recover!  The boys both got sick but I did not. I think my family did everything in their power to make sure I didn't get the bug they had.  They are thoughtful because I am sure it would have knocked me on my butt to get the bug they all had to deal with.

Well, my tea kettle is boiling so I think I will settle in for a cuppa.  Lisa is making me dinner tonight....something special she said.  After that we are going to file our taxes.  I am hoping and praying we get a refund!

So, anyone wanting to sponsor me for Race for Kids here is the link you follow.

http://bgccan.akaraisin.com/pledge/Participant/Home.aspx?seid=7785&mid=9&pid=1659927

Thanks for any amount you can give!

I'm Reminiscing

Well its been a couple of weeks since my last blog but the time lag was due  to fighting a cold( now in it's 3rd week)  and the cold in general. So I hope that anyone who reads this episode of Bakers Bits will find it interesting, because it's about something very close to my heart and that is my family!

Life is weird because as kids growing up the thought of  having kids or starting a family of our own was the last thing on our minds.  Catching frogs(not me I hated the little slimy things) playing Batman and Robin, going to the creek to fish for the day with your older brother or fighting with siblings was the favourite past time of most kids and what occupied our thoughts.

As we get older we dream that we someday we are lucky enough to meet the love of our lives with a plan to share our adult lives together.   Some of us are lucky the first time and  for others........ well it might take them 3 or 4 times to get it right. For me,  I knew what I wanted right away,  but I don't think my wife of almost 30 years knew what she was getting into when she said "Yes".  You see even at 54 I still need to act my age.   That being said, I wouldn't change a thing over the last 34 years that I've spent with my wife (remember we dated 4 years before we got married).  She is more then a just wife but my best friend, confidant and I guess that's why we are still going strong. She has kept my life on an even keel and I truly owe her my life.   (remember fellas go the Doctor when your wife tells you.)

Kids are a different story, everyone wonders if they will be good parents.   And when that day finally comes when you are going to be a new dad/mom panic kicks in because your life as you know changes for ever.  But you know,  I wouldn't change a thing for any of my 3 sons.  My wife was the smart one teaching them all the important things in life.   And me,  I tried to follow in my wife's footsteps.   Although she still makes most the appointment's and goes to the hospital or doctors  when they are sick.   I got to do  the cool stuff, like fish, sleep in boxes and play pirates. I'm not saying that my wife did all the hard and serious stuff.... but the bulk of it.  And I must say,  she planned all the coolest birthdays parties for our boys.  I remember a neighbour telling us that a child getting an invitation to our sons birthday was like getting the proverbial Wonka Golden Ticket! 

Now that our kids are older my wife and I are changing  our lifestyles and doing different types of things that we put off when the kids were younger....... you know glamping, the theatre, traveling and going to restaurants without toys in the meal. Getting older with my wife has been everything and more, she hasn't missed a beat, she is still so fun to be with and her laugh is so addictive and I wouldn't change a thing in our lives.  I'm not saying that she still doesn't give me heck every now and then but really when it comes down to it I probably deserved it( yes I admit to the world, I may not be perfect).

Now that our boys have grown up and have girl friends of their own  it is good to see them all really  happy.  It is the same way I felt when I met their mom. Time has been good to me........ well except for all my grey hair, and extra 30 lbs( lol)  What time gave me was a chance to see my boys grow up, graduate, get good jobs and mature  into the type of young men I am proud to call my sons.

One of the greatest treasure's that I will always be grateful for is the growing up with  my wife.  But most of all I look forward to what the future holds for us.....so I guess you will just have to stay tuned to find out.

The Baker Boys.....a few years ago!

Two hours later, you know where I was found...

The final chapter in G&B's Excellent Adventures is drawing to a close, and without no miscues I might add. GMB is a one of a kind dog, not like mine because they too are one of a kind. Each has there own quirky habits which is why I love them all so much......well at least for one of GMB's habits I don't and that's when the big guy farts he clears the room, and I mean clears the room.

This past week I was surprised GMB's desire to ride in the car because every car we passed when out for a walk he was ready to ride shotgun. He would stop dead in his tracks and walk to the passenger side for a date with destiny(and no not Destiny's Child, although I'm sure he would jump at the chance to drool on Beyoncé)

Now that the kids are almost home GMB is anxiously waiting by the front door to great them, he absolutely knows that with in the hour he will be greeted and hugged by the away team and for me I will be a distant memory of "the guy" who throw the chew toy and scratched his chin. It's been a fun week and  I too will remember the snoring, farting and getting kicked out of Tim Horton's even though I told them GMB was my seeing eye dog.

My own family have been stellar since I was gone, and I know that they missed me....oh god I hope they missed me, nah, they missed me. It will be a challenge for us because since I've been here our house has become a snore free zone, so for me I must assimilate( I hope you noticed the Star Trek references I thrown in during this blog) I look forward to going home, so until next time , stay warm...

The Final Countdown....

Just like Europe's song "The Final Countdown", my last full day with GMB is upon me and  G&B Excellent Adventures will come to an end but will  live on in the cyber world for years to come.

I can't say it was a dream match  that I would have  conjured up but has actually turned out to be quit an interesting week in both our  lives. You see, GMB and I have a couple of things in common,  the most obvious.....we both snore and with the aid of nose strips we stopped leading people to believe we were hit with another round of frost-quakes.

 I also believe GMB  thinks himself quit the ladies man, especially when he rides shotgun and drools down the window and winks at the fine chica's  as we drive by. GMB also has this fine swagger as he walk's down the street. He believes the Bieb's is passé, and he is is the new kid on the block.

GMB has it made when it comes to his life style, "the kids" have set the bar high for all dogs of any shape and size and I have to give them credit because they love GMB. He has his own bed, with a matching duvet, pillow and yes red brings out the colour in his eyes nicely. The food that GMB is truly gourmet, top of the line to prevent flatulence but for the record, your dog still smells when he farts.

As the week draws to an end I must say I to am ready to home and be with my family, it has been a cold week and hard for me because not only do I miss my wife,  sons and  pets but I have a nagging cough and as hard as I try GMB still can't make a good cup of tea with lemon and honey. So with one more sleep, whether for me, the kids or my family everyone will be sleeping in their own beds tomorrow night with their loved ones.

So bye bye, and stay warm...

Family

Well it's been a couple of days since my last post but I'm betting that once I'm back home and not dog sitting GMB, I will be cutting down my blogs to a weekly event. Not that I don't enjoy sharing my life experiences, but sooner or later people will become bored and poo-poo wanting to read about my day to day events. So my goal is to ensure that fun and laughter are a big part of what you read because balancing check books, cooking supper, and cleaning the house just doesn't cut it....so enjoy

GMB and I had to take G&B's Excellent Adventure on the road for a couple of days because my family was flying in for a couple of days and I missed them last time due to scheduling conflict. I guess because gramps is retired he figures everyone has an open schedule, but alas....no. GMB is a master navigator in the car, he rides shotgun and when I need to slow down or sped up he snores...LOUD...but as a driving companion, he is the best...oh except when we past this poodle in the yellow VW Bug, than he started to drool all over the window.....but I think she winked at him as we drove past.....boo-ya....

My biggest fear going home for 2 days with GMB was  that all the 4 legged cousins would have a donnybrook in the living room and carnage would be everywhere because up to this point they have always been separated. We couldn't of been more wrong because to my surprise, my prized baby girl, Jubilee got along 100% with GMB. Rory and Sparky on the other hand were kept apart as to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed and tears from the rumble that would surely ensue if those 3 met. All in all it wasn't as bad as we had anticipated and with the exception of a few scratches on me from Jub trying to get his winter coat on it was a great visit.

I was glad that the boys and the girlfriend had the opportunity to meet my dad, his wife and my sister because since he's moved to BC, we don't see him as often and he turns 80 next birthday....(holy crap that's old), but all things considering he's doing and looks great. Due to their time restraint and tight schedule we had my sister and husband joined us for dinner and like all animals, GMB, BG, Rory and Sparky stole the show....Thanks Lisa for the wonderful supper, as usual you saved my bacon,xx

GMB is missing his owners like mad, and was sulking at my house, so we are now back at his place and he is ecstatic but I wonder if GMB will be so gung-ho when I pretend I'm blind and he's my seeing eye dog tomorrow when we go to Tim Horton's for coffee...So until then stay warm.....

Our Small World.....

What can I say but the world is getting smaller, or do I need to lose that extra 20lbs as my News Years Resolution.....nah.
Over the last 6 years or so since social media has grabbed me by both feet and sucked me into the viral world, I have met some pretty amazing new people and got to know current friends  even better than before. My 1st experience with FB gave me the opportunity to reconnect with one of my oldest and dearest friends, a gentleman I might add who's family treated me like one of their own when I was growing up. Others I have connect with are from support groups with similar circumstances like mine, all of which I can now call friend's. We all have one thing in common, the love for life and to share experiences with each other via social media.

Well as everyone knows by now GMB is under my doggie care and how rude would I be without an update on day 3 of "G&B's Excellent Adventure". Well I can't believe how bad GMB snores at night, I tried to get 3 nose strips him so he would have a clear airway to breath but no luck, he just flicked them on the floor.

With the temp's getting warmer it looks like we can take G&B's Excellent Adventure on the road, so tomorrow we head back to my place for a couple of days. I just hope the loves of my life get along with GMB, yup Sparky, Jubilee, and Rory(the 3 Amigo's). Only time will tell and if I don't blog for a couple of days, it means GMB has gone off if diet and ate our cat.

Well as I sign off tonight, I just to send a special shout out to everyone who has made a difference in my life, no matter how big, small, good or bad.....for me it's all good, and lastly to the best family on the planet xxx

Introducing GMB....

Cold Snaps and Memories

Cold snaps such as the ones we are experiencing right now suck big time, because going outside in these frozen tundra like temperature's can do a person or animal in, in just mere moments and that my friends is not an option. So in most cases we either take time to catch up on the TV shows we like, go on FB or we reflect with a hot cuppa on what how our day, week, month or even the past year has gone, all while trying to stay warm

As you may have guessed I'm dog sitting Grand Master B(GMB) for the week while the kids get a well deserved break, hopefully next time it will be +20 instead of -40. Walking GMB in this weather is not good for 2 reason, we are both wimps and hate the cold......did I say we were wimps. So because GMB isn't toilet trained, the poor soul has to go out back for tickles, but being the great dog sitter I am I go with him......damn its cold. Other than that we watch movies and go on FB, there is a hot little poodle that GMB is trying to add to his friends list but so far, no luck.

Today is also a very significant day in my life for two reason, I turned 54 years old, something that almost didn't happen if not for the fine Dr's, nurse's but most importantly my wife, and best friend on the planet. If not for her insistence I wouldn't be here today, you see this is my 6 year anniversary of being diagnosed with DCM, an enlargement of the heart and if not treated can lead to....well you get the picture. So husbands put pride away and see a Dr. if your better half tells you to go.....GO. I know from experience that life is too short and to many things to miss out on.

As the weekend approaches I see the weather is going to warm up significantly, so on that note I must get to my TV watching in before I'm told to go out and play.......