It's all about..My Sister

This has now become a new tradition, to write poems for Birthdays.Today is my sister Cathy's Birthday.This time last year was super exciting because she turned the big 30 and we threw her a surprise party and then the two of us headed to London for a few days. This year she gets to spend it in her new home, which for anyone who doesn't follow her blog Turquoise Flamingo , you must! You'll see how creative she is and how amazing her new home looks, which I wish I could see in real life.

Today I miss another family Birthday. I love Birthdays! I think they should always be celebrated and you should do something nice for yourself. So Cathy, I hope you put your feet up and get spoiled. Sorry I am missing it but I hope you like the small pressie I sent home. Thank you for being a fantastic big sister, for your advice and guidance. Thank you for showing me how through anything you can run a business and raise a fabulous child all at the same time. Hope you like my weird poem, that has been inspired by Mary had a Little Lamb.. I have no idea why.

Cathy had a little girl

and a vintage shop.

Cathy had it online too

so the dream would never stop.

Cathy asked for a girl,

She was told it was a boy.

But when the doctors got it wrong,

It filled her heart with joy.

So Cathy raised this little girl,

with the help of Mr Louis.

She put a tea towel on her face,

when the nappies were too gooey.

She gagged sometimes, then laughed a lot

at the cutie on the floor.

Then picked her up and kissed her lots,

and loved her even more.

You see Cathy is special

and very talented too.

She's creative and she's smart,

and could design a house for you.

Cathy knows that on this day,

it means eating cake and some sweets,

so they gathered around in their new home,

to enjoy the cake and treats.

But something was missing for Cathy today,

A person so fantastic and fun.

She's pretty and she's great 

and only 25 years young.

"Maybe next year" she thought, that Taylor Swift would turn up,

They would drink wine

 have some beer..what a plan!

I'm funny, I know but remember, 

you rock from your sister and number one fan!

Happy Birthday xx

Love you lots

Zita J

Niagara Tour

Happy Monday, hope you had a nice weekend. As some of you may know my Mum came to visit me on Thursday. It was all emotion as I surprised her in the airport. I told her I was working but instead myself and Parker traveled to surprise her. It was no shock that I got teary eyed as I saw her. On Friday I showed her around the city, mainly places to eat as that's all I seem to do here. On Saturday morning we did a bit of shopping before I headed to work, later that night she popped in and had some food and drinks where I work. Then yesterday we had a bright and early 8am start as we headed to Niagara Falls. We went with a company called Niagara Toronto Tours and I could not recommend it more.

The package we got was $99 each and it included:

• Pick up from our apartment at 8am.
• Driver/witty tour guide 
• First stop was wine tasting in a Niagara winery, yes I did drink wine at 9.30am but it was just after lunch time in Ireland so it was totally acceptable.
• Second stop was to the historical town of Niagara on the lake (where there are amazing bakeries may I add) and is so picturesque. 
• Third stop was to view the worlds largest natural whirlpool and rapids.
• Last but certainly not least the fourth stop was Niagara Falls.Which did not disappoint.
• Included in this package you also get the Hornblower Boat Cruise right up next to the falls.(Bring a raincoat, wellies, overalls and an UMBRELLA! Don't really, that would be weird but if you think a tiny poncho will keep you dry on this boat you are sadly mistaken. So much fun though, so its well worth getting soaked for.
• After 3 hours free time, where you can take as many pictures as you like, eat some average tourist food, gamble at the casinos or just enjoy the sunshine and mild temperatures, which was very surprising and very welcoming in Canada during November, you are then brought back to your apartment door, tired but very happy that you got up early that morning.

Overall, we had a really great day. The weather was amazing so we picked a prefect day to go and I got to see one of the seven wonders of the world with my Mum and boyfriend, what more could you want? Below are some pictures of our day. Hope you enjoy!

The last one is my favourtie picture that I took of the day. Now off to spend more time with my Mum, who just made a roast..I am very excited!

Talk soon xx

Zita J

Its all about....My Mum

Seeing as its my Mum's Birthday tomorrow I said I would do a little appreciation post about her just like I did for my niece, Nancy. For anyone lucky enough to know my Mum she is an incredible women and some say a MILF, so I am hoping she passes on those genes. We are very alike and get into fits of giggles especially during times when we shouldn't, like phone calls to Sky or Eircom or Mass! 

We rarely argue as we both end up laughing. Even when she taught me to drive, most people get in fights with their parents during this stressful time but the two of us use to nearly wet ourselves up in Frankfield industrial estate. I have learned so much from her, she is so calm, patient, classy, creative and could sell ice to the Eskimos. She is an inspiration and If I am half the women she is when I am her age I would be honoured. I would say I am sad that I am missing her Birthday but I'm not because I can now count on one hand when I will see her next! After 4 months of being apart (the longest I have ever been away from her) I get to see her in a few days! I can not wait to see her and show her Toronto. As I like writing poems, I decided to do what I enjoy and try write a poem for her in honour of her Birthday tomorrow so here it goes...

From the day that we met little did I know,

The things that you'd teach me, 

the love you would show.

You've taught me to talk, to jump,skip and crawl

and as I've got bigger I have learned to stand tall.

We've been through a lot as you've watched me grow,

You continue to guide me when its high and its low.

You're strong and you're brave

You're beautiful and smart

You're confident and funny

and have a huge heart.

We are so alike, so emotional , so strange,

and I hope the bond between us won't change.

When I followed my dreams,

it meant being apart,

It was hard on us both and it broke my heart.

But I know that you love me and want me to be happy,

 I'm still your little girl...

I'm just not wearing a nappy!

Happy Birthday Mommy

Love you lots xx

Zita J

Halloween

Hey Everyone,

Hope you all had a great Halloween. As you may know from a post I did before titled falling in love with Toronto, I love Halloween and I must say it did not disappoint this year. It was great to experience Halloween in another city, to see how they do things and see how they celebrate it. I was a little worried that I may look like a fool if I dressed up over here especially seeing as my previous handmade choices have been quite embarrassing but I soon learned that Canadians also love dressing up and I must add there was lots of competition walking around the place. Even the animals were dressed up!

This year I wanted to dress as something scary, I know I should every year as its Halloween but seeing as I worked with children for the past three years I couldn't really scare the crap out of three year olds. I decided to go as jigsaw from Saw. I am not sure why I just got it into my head last week so I decided to try it. I knew the hardest part would be the make up but I think it turned out ok. See what you think?

Parker and I had some of our friends over to our apartment for a Halloween party and they all dressed up, which I was very happy about. We slightly decorated the apartment and I made cupcakes and some mint chocolate covered marshmallows, which were so simple to make and were devoured quickly.

Overall a great night was had and of course a pizza nursed me back to health the next day! Below are a few photos of the night. Hope you all had a very scary and fun Halloween too....

Talk soon xx

Zita J