Dinner with Fontaine & Lori @ Jack Astor's

This brings me to my last night in Canada and, sadly, my final dinner with friends. Above is Fontaine (left) and Lori (right). I had the first couple of hours alone with Fontaine before Lori joined. We talked about the gang from the Hilton, her new job & checked a bit of the Leafs game WHICH WAS AWESOME!!!! This is an interesting observation that some of you might find truly shocking - Fontaine is the only person I know who can actually speak FASTER than ME - hard to believe I know, but it is TRUE! Fontaine is one of the few people I remember who is always in high spirits and it shines in her voice. She just radiates with positive energy and is capable of seeing the positive side to everyone and everything. If we think about the variety of friends we have established over the years, Fontaine is in a category of her own. We had an awesome time in Acapulco, Mexico (with Anita)-> every night a different dance bar and we never got tired of dancing and how we laughed!!!! We have always kept in touch without allowing the distance to take its toll on our friendship - only true dedication to a friend can keep such a friendship alive. This picture is a reminder to ALL that, under NO circumstances, must we EVER be allowed to order our dessert before our main meal. But I was taunted and teased in the worse way imaginable when I saw the dessert menu on the table that I lost all self control and proper "adult" reasoning. Cheesecake is my ALL TIME favourite dessert that I just happen to be SERIOUSLY craving (since it is difficult to find in Holland). So this was my FINAL opportunity to permanently kill this craving otherwise my flight home would have been torturous with tormenting dreams of cheesecake calling out to me ... worse running from me. So this is ME being reintroduced to a DELICIOUS piece of maple, pecan cheesecake - oh so rich and ohhhh so sweet that I was unable to finish it. DONE - took care of THAT business!This is Lori - my first roommate in Toronto who taught me how to adapt in such a big, bad, busy city. Lori has more energy than 10 Bubbles' put together ... NO wait, make that 20 Bubbles'. She is truly one of the most entertaining people I have ever met that can make anyone laugh with her silliness. She is also quite creative and can turn a simple party into a memorable one with the wave of her hand. Every friend is responsible for some lesson or experience and Lori taught me how to just go out, be myself and never EVER give a darn what anyone thinks about ya. She taught me to be confident and to enjoy life with good, old-fashioned humour and never look back.

The end of the night was approaching and we noticed the restaurant was completely empty except for us which was our hint to say goodbye to each other. After hugging both Lori & Fontaine I sadly walked alone to my car and later felt a big smile on my face as I remembered the laughs I had with the girls.

Introducing Lexie, Sadie & Leo

This will be a short one ... mainly a showcase of the rest of Karen's family. Since I grew up with animals, I could not help myself - plus Lexie & Sadie were oh so willing to be photographed. On my final morning, after saying goodbye to everyone, as they left for work and school, I slowly packed for my flight that afternoon. I just fell in love with Lexie because, when she wasn't at me heals with her curious brown eyes, she was curled up at my feet watching me. Oh ja she also tried crawling into bed with me a few times but my little bed was not suitable for her lounging needs since she is a well-known bed hog - plus I would not let her have the pillow :) :)Lexie is the black lab that I am just ACHING to get and name BOB (as I already mentioned). If Lexie secretly answers to the name Bob, I will take full responsibility for the confusion caused and promise to behave myself next time.Here she is just lounging around in the living room - she was pretty tired after a major swim in the park & a good run with Ron. On my last morning before leaving, she looked a bit sad so I gave her a treat from her special cupboard - it seemed to make a difference. I think she could sense that I was leaving and she would be left alone which is the hardest time of the day for a playful dog like Lexie.

Here is Sadie - she got her name because she has "sad eyes"... making it sadeye ... ending with Sadie (pronounced like lady with an "S").
But she is not a sad cat at all but very affectionate and loving. Her markings remind me of my cat Dolly which EVERYONE just adored.
Shortly after this picture she came out to see me as well and was welcomed with a kitty treat.

This is an interesting little creature that was in Travis' room. His name is Leo and he is a Leopard Lizard - get it ... Leo from LEOpard. :)

Dinner with Karen, Ron, Travis & Chris @ Shige

After everyone came home from a long day at work and school we immediately started with a round of excited hugs before planning our evening out for dinner, a new Asian restaurant in the neighbourhood called Shige Japanese & Korean BBQ Restaurant. Chris & Travis were entrusted to my care for the drive over because they wanted a ride in MY (I wish) PT Cruiser - they seemed to really enjoy that short ride, down the street and up the road :).

Shige was reeeeeally cool - with a BBQ built into the middle of your table & a spread of delightful Korean side dishes. Karen, is another of my best friends - a soul mate who knows what I am feeling before I do. She is intuitive and gentle with a kindness that cannot be put into words. Whenever I think back on all our shared moments, I remember "Grease", parties and lots of laughter surrounded with lots of love - AND the Dominican Republic will never be the same after our visit!!! :) . Karen is a natural mother who, with the help of her husband Ron, has created a loving environment for all members of the family ... and I mean ALL (including the pets). Below she is smiling, her usual bright smile beside Chris who is a real charmer and an angel- just look at those cheeks.Ron is with the fire department and entertained me with all kinds of fascinating stories before Karen came home with the boys. While I listened to stories about the daily challenges faced in such a demanding role where you give so much of yourself, I couldn't help but notice his enthusiasm and passion for his profession. I can only imagine the rush of adrenaline, every time an emergency call comes through the radio. Ron manages the the balancing act of shift work and family life marvalously. I just adore this photo of the boys, which radiates with their never-ending personality. Chris & Travis are the most well behaved boys I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. My only regret is that I did not have time to see your Xbox - quality time was so limited on this vacation which is why this dinner with the entire family was so perfect. Travis & Chris, I promise to try and make my future visits less busy, leaving more room for playtime. Oh and I MUST send a big thank you to Travis for sharing your artwork with me on the morning of my departure. I placed your precious, colourful pictures inside my sketch pad so they would remain unharmed during my travels & they then got a special place in our home in Holland.

A SURPISE Visit to the Extreme Fitness Pool

As I mentioned, a surprise trip to the pool was made so that I could give proper goodbye hugs to the girls. Monika is one of my closest & dearest friends EVER - we have been through it all together, laughed till we cried, danced till our feet hurt, talked till dawn about everything imaginable and so much more. Friends come in all forms and for many purposes - Monika always makes me feel like I am the most special person on the PLANET. We have the most unique spiritual connection - she keeps me grounded and oh so loved. Monika, when you read this, please promise me that you will give Peter a big hug from me since we did not have a proper farewell ... use this opportunity to give him as many hugs as you like since you can never have too many hugs. Ashley is quite a little lady who is full of genuine warmth - her sparkling eyes say it all. We became the GREATEST of friends on this trip, with an exchange of many joyful stories and school projects. Ashley I REALLY miss you and can't wait to see you on my next visit so I can hear all about your latest adventures. We also discovered that we share an exclusive common interest: drawing. As soon as things calm down here and I catch up somewhat, I will make a new picture and mail it to Ashley. Not sure what I should draw - do you have any special requests or ideas? This gorgeous creature is Megan - a spirited child with lots of dazzling smiles that will make your heart melt. We got to know each other quite well during our long breakfast sessions and games of "drop the spoon or fork" so Lise can pick it up - great fun! I just love, love LOVE Megan's big, GIANT inquisitive, trusting, adoring eyes.

Dinner with Line & Rachel @ Don Cherry's

I know what you're thinking ... what does a ski-doo have to do with dinner - well nothing really? This ski-doo was in Rachel's back yard & I simply could not resist taking a shot of this one because the sight of it brought back some powerful childhood memories. Actually, what I really wanted was a photo of me sitting on it but I was not sure who the owner was so I had to control my urge. Ski-doo is a brand of snowmobile and I spent my entire childhood zooming about on these ... through the snow, across frozen lakes, up & down hills inside the forest and of course, behind my house. Here is a true Bubbles moment: only Bubbles can manage to get an Alpine snowmobile stuck in the woods? For those who are unfamiliar with this kind of "stuff", an Alpine is able to drive in both forward, reverse and is quite powerful. I had either Rachel or Line with me (can't remember which one) when we got stuck in the deep, dark woods (on a thick branch under the machine) behind my house, and my passenger had to walk all the way back to get help. Now that was a trip down memory lane. Perhaps Line or Rachel can refresh my overworked memory - which one of you unlucky girls was on the Alpine at the time? These are my childhood friends - Line (left) and Rachel (right). We first met each other just before our teen years and have always kept in contact, regardless of where we were living at the time. I was delighted that Line arranged a trip up North from Welland during my visit and that Rachel was nearby and available to meet up - it was a busy weekend. Line has a special place in my heart because we bonded at a key time in my teen years. Both your childhood home & current home have always given me such a welcoming feeling. We always found such delight in crafts & quality time. You taught me to be at peace with my own company. Rachel & I grew up together - literally - all the way into our mid 20's. I will always remember your surprise trip to Toronto which was such a treat to reconnect with my childhood friend, a rare treat in such a massive city. This picture is truly a joyful moment of looking into the smiling faces of lifelong friends after we laughed and shared stories of the past & present. We decided to go to Don Cherry's which is a well-known chain of sports bars in Canada, owned by an ex-NHL hockey player - whose now a commentator during Saturday night games. Strangely, I got rather excited about have my first Canadian brewed beer in almost a year ... so how appropriate that should order an actual CANADIAN beer since that was the first brand that popped into my head, while under pressure to decide - cuz there are SO many choices. It was a satisfying choice & I recorded the moment of 2 Canadians reuniting.Then I just HAD to take immediate ... now I'm talking emergency ACTION to permanently solve my craving for good old fashioned chicken wings. Above is another reunion - me and my spicy, hot, extra crispy chicken wings.

My Official Introduction to Amy & Ryan

In the evening, I drove out to my second home during childhood to meet Amy & Ryan for the first time ... the multi - Emmy Award winning stars from RAMLand. Thank you for a copy of From the Heart: starring Amy Line. I have been extremely busy with Easter, updating my blog & various gatherings and have not yet watched it but promise to watch it VERY soon - it is a top priority.
It was lovely to finally meet these 2 miracle children. Amy was shy, at first, (a shock to everyone) but with a small bribe I was able to get a hug & kiss and the biggest smile ever - check out those HUGE, shiny, brown eyes - aren't they just the biggest eyes you've every seen. Ryan was peaceful & relaxed. He looked contently and inquisitively at the photographer - he seemed to be totally at ease but then ... he has been well trained as one of the co-stars of RAMLand - posing for the camera is likely one of his top 5 daily tasks.