In Search of My Body vol. 10 - taking it one paper towel at at time

[cantwaitvaca09]

NBA PLAYOFFS BABY!!!!

Go BULLS

 

[DisneyGalUK]

Hi Everyone!

Yes on the bold. I was so going to post my incision when it had its staples. It was so UGLY it was PRETTY. Post it. Post it.

Was it Kelly that said "yes".

It was me that said yes! I like looking at scars! (I know, Im a weirdo!)

I am also taking the weekend to wallow a bit with a few adult beverages.

Good for you Kat!

When I lost my job last February I'd been there for 7 years, no sign that anything bad was going to happen and I was devastated. You know what, it was the best thing that ever happened! Ive now got a whole new career, the opportunity of extra training and future promotion prospects, and I love my new job!
I think you will find something bigger and better Kat, in fact I know it

Lisa - Did you mean wedding hoopla? It is INSANE!! Not long to go now, its in every newspaper, updates on every news channel, special edition magazines, pullout magazines, free posters, royal wedding branded EVERYTHING (and I mean everything - tea towels, paper plates, china plates, keyrings, ashtrays, t-shirts!) Its gone crazy!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend

 

[3DisneyKids]

Good morning!

Still sitting here, healing away. I am walking all the time now, allbeit slowly. Still icing around the clock. The pain is there, but what is really bugging me is the feeling in instability. It just FEELS so weak and like it will buckle at any moment. It is a very unsettling feeling.

Kelly--I am loving all of the royal wedding hype! I will watch it on tv, for sure. Jeff is sick of it--and we don't have nearly the coverage that you do.

Kat--I know I already siad this, but you are doing everything right. Everything. And things have a way of working out. I know that words are cheap right now and it is hard to believe when you are staring at a pile of bills. But I do think it will work out for the best. And even though the FL economy is not great right now, the housing market is amazing and it might be worth a look.

Lisa--Ha! Of course you and Kelly would want pictures. Of course you would!

Karen--glad you got caught up on sleep. Great pics! And brave of Summer. OMG, I would not let anyone take pics of me when I was in labor. Hell no! So not a pretty sight!

Nancy--update on the black tie gala, please.

JO--awesome job on the race! WAY TO GO! So proud of you!

 

[lisaviolet]

Kat - woke up thinking about you. And I won't do any unnecessary babbling like last night but DALLAS - all I could think of was what costs about 5-6 hundred thousand here is under 2 there. That's all I could think of Kat - HGTV and how low Texas costs KILL ME. Simling.

Also, I'm glad to come on here and see you're okay with the storms. I'm so sorry for your neighbours - must be devastating.

Anyway - love to you.

 

[lisaviolet]

Yes Kelly - that HOOPLA. . Ashtrays. - didn't know they still were a hot item.

Kelly OMG - my regular Indian pissed me off and I found the best vegetarian joint. I have to take pictures of their takeout tray. An area north area of Toronto is I would guess about 70% (not joking) South Asian. Every block Indian restaurant. Anyway, this place - 5.99 (Rice - four little choices plus naan and feeds Jean and I - $5.99.

Erika - yes pictures.

 

[lisaviolet]

Go BULLS

Did you see THAT?

 

[lisaviolet]

Good morning!

Still sitting here, healing away. I am walking all the time now, allbeit slowly. Still icing around the clock. The pain is there, but what is really bugging me is the feeling in instability. It just FEELS so weak and like it will buckle at any moment. It is a very unsettling feeling.


!

Yes, that is an AWFUL feeling Erika.

Here's to it passing.


DON'T BE STUBBORN WITH YOUR RECOVERY/CHOICES, OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[adsrtw]

Kat - You will find a great place to work. Everything will work out, it's just too dark to see it right now.

Lisa - having fun with the playoff's?

E - I'm glad your recovery is getting easier

Jo - way to rock your 10K yesterday

I'm in the middle of a paper for my class. Two more weeks and this semester is over (then summer classes start. Wee!).

 

[DisneyGalUK]

Kelly--I am loving all of the royal wedding hype! I will watch it on tv, for sure. Jeff is sick of it--and we don't have nearly the coverage that you do.

Take care of that knee Erika!

Im definitely watching it, I love anything like this! My brother is absolutely over it, and is actually having a party on the day for people who DON'T want to watch it - so no tv on, no mention of the royal family etc, just booze and music

Yes Kelly - that HOOPLA. . Ashtrays. - didn't know they still were a hot item.

Kelly OMG - my regular Indian pissed me off and I found the best vegetarian joint. I have to take pictures of their takeout tray. An area north area of Toronto is I would guess about 70% (not joking) South Asian. Every block Indian restaurant. Anyway, this place - 5.99 (Rice - four little choices plus naan and feeds Jean and I - $5.99.

Erika - yes pictures.

I'll admit, I was surprised by the ashtrays as all public buildings are obviously non-smoking! Must be for the outside smoking areas and people who smoke in their houses! Lovely!

I am so jealous of your new takeout place! And that is so cheap, I think it works out at less than £4 - I can't buy a salad bowl for that! Yes - pictures of the food

 

[HockeyKat]

Kat - woke up thinking about you. And I won't do any unnecessary babbling like last night but DALLAS - all I could think of was what costs about 5-6 hundred thousand here is under 2 there. That's all I could think of Kat - HGTV and how low Texas costs KILL ME. Simling.

Also, I'm glad to come on here and see you're okay with the storms. I'm so sorry for your neighbours - must be devastating.

Anyway - love to you.

Dallas would be a slightly higher cost of living than here and the property taxes are higher, but there is no state income tax.

Have a few more leads today, and am calling in every favor and contact I have.

 

[lisaviolet]

Dallas would be a slightly higher cost of living than here and the property taxes are higher, but there is no state income tax.

Have a few more leads today, and am calling in every favor and contact I have.

OMG, that means Toronto is SO MUCH higher than you too. In certain popular areas of the city (proper) a detached older bungalow can be up to 700 000.

Can't wait to hear when you nab one Kat.

 

[lisaviolet]

What does Mr. Kat feel about the *possibility* of relocating Kat?

 

[lisaviolet]

Take care of that knee Erika!

Im definitely watching it, I love anything like this! My brother is absolutely over it, and is actually having a party on the day for people who DON'T want to watch it - so no tv on, no mention of the royal family etc, just booze and music



I'll admit, I was surprised by the ashtrays as all public buildings are obviously non-smoking! Must be for the outside smoking areas and people who smoke in their houses! Lovely!

I am so jealous of your new takeout place! And that is so cheap, I think it works out at less than £4 - I can't buy a salad bowl for that! Yes - pictures of the food

So funny on your brother.

Yes I'm just as excited about the containers. Eating in and takeout - so cute. I have this thing for sectioned off containers. I think it goes back to beautiful bento boxes when I was in Japan. I don't know. Or some tupperware childhood thing.

 

[lisaviolet]

I'm in the middle of a paper for my class. Two more weeks and this semester is over (then summer classes start. Wee!).

Look at you go missy.

Where the he!! is that Megan?

 

[HockeyKat]

OMG, that means Toronto is SO MUCH higher than you too. In certain popular areas of the city (proper) a detached older bungalow can be up to 700 000.

Can't wait to hear when you nab one Kat.

You can get a 2300 sq ft newer house w/ garage around here for 200-300K, depending on the area. "Downtown" Raleigh may be higher but it isn't a city like Toronto.

What does Mr. Kat feel about the *possibility* of relocating Kat?

He suggested it actually. Texas could be a good place for us, or FL. If we could get away from the house scot-free, we would be outta here.

My only issue would be that I have built up a good network around here, and I would miss that.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Yes, that is an AWFUL feeling Erika.

Here's to it passing.


DON'T BE STUBBORN WITH YOUR RECOVERY/CHOICES, OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Truly, Lisa, I am being the perfect patient. I am following orders to a "T" which is very unlike me. I always rush recovery. But this one is too important to me. I want to make sure I can get back to running, so I am taking it seriously. Ice, ice, baby! I have been bundled up all week long bc I am always freezing since I have pounds of ice strapped to me!

OMG, that means Toronto is SO MUCH higher than you too. In certain popular areas of the city (proper) a detached older bungalow can be up to 700 000.

Can't wait to hear when you nab one Kat.

You have mentioned this many times, Lisa, and I keep meaning to ask. Why? And I don't mean that in a snarky way at all. But why is Toronto such an expensive place to live? Is it higher or lower than Montreal? Vancouver? Does it have anything to do with tax base? It is a particularly desirable part of Canada? And since you asked Kat, I'll ask you...would you and Jean ever consider relocating?

Kat--I don't know why, but I really feel like this is a pivotal time for you and Daryl. Like, I really see you going through a major change with this--as in, moving. It doesn't cost anything to contact a realtor. Maybe you should just make a call and have someone come out to the house and do an analysis for you and tell you what it would list for. And since your house is always show-ready, it might be worth it to just investigate. It won't cost anything and likely won't take much time since you wouldn't have to do much to get it ready for a realtor to walk through. Just thinking for you.

Honestly, if it wasn't for the kids, Jeff and I would be outta here. Even with the kids, we talk about it quite a bit. We are both just so over winter. Over it! It's pretty funny actually. Every year around January or February, a hot date night for us is a bottle of wine and surfing realtor.com! OMG, we find these amazing, huge houses--only a year or two old, with an in-ground pool, etc. and we are like "OMG! With the equity we would get from selling this house, we could buy that huge house outright and have no mortgage!!" It's pretty tempting. But Maine is such a great, great place to raise a family. It's pretty hard to beat.

Actually, if we could make it happen, we would be the world's youngest snow birds! Ideal for us would be to live in Maine from May - November and then Florida the rest of the year. 6 months in each place. But even if we home schooled the kids, and arranged it with our jobs, it would be too hard on the kids with their activities and all. Gymnastics and soccer are year round. They couldn't just step on and off teams like that. *sigh* It's nice to think about, though.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

All Hills 10K is done. I was happy with my pace!
So glad its over. The bling was sub par for sure. It swas a dog tag.

Nice job on the race Jo! Hmmm...dog tag? Interesting choice for bling

I have the photos (none of them are graphic or show anything)in an album on my photography facebook page. Check them out if you get a chance!
Portraits & Paws Facebook page

Karen! Those pictures are AWESOME! and wowza! Big baby

NBA PLAYOFFS BABY!!!!

Yes on the bold. I was so going to post my incision when it had its staples. It was so UGLY it was PRETTY. Post it. Post it.

Where the heck is Miss Megan? Besides smothering herself in LOVE and MAPLE SYRUP.

smothering herself in maple syrup?? yeah. She's in love. Come back and play Meg!!!

There a bunch of home projects I can take on, as well as having extra time to work out, run, etc.

You'll fill your days so fast you'll wonder how you had time to work!

Lisa - Did you mean wedding hoopla? It is INSANE!!

Good Lord. Those poor kids. Seriously. Nothing like having the entire world watch your every single move. gads.

Nancy--update on the black tie gala, please.

lots of fun. TONS of wine. OMG I drank more than my fair share.

My only issue would be that I have built up a good network around here, and I would miss that.

Very valid considerations. But I like that you are willing to keep your options open

 

[3DisneyKids]

I just finished vomiting from pain. Lovely, eh? I have been SO good. So good! Doing everything right. But I guess I pushed it today and did too much? Once I was settled in for the night, the pain just washed over me. Hit me like a ton of bricks and I just lost it. *sigh* So I took some paid meds, which I have been off of for 48 hours. But clearly I still need them. I feel much better now.

 

[lisaviolet]

I just finished vomiting from pain. Lovely, eh? I have been SO good. So good! Doing everything right. But I guess I pushed it today and did too much? Once I was settled in for the night, the pain just washed over me. Hit me like a ton of bricks and I just lost it. *sigh* So I took some paid meds, which I have been off of for 48 hours. But clearly I still need them. I feel much better now.

OH NO.

But I do understand - once that pain pill hits the ABSOLUTE RELIEF. Yeah for that. Isn't that wonderful. But I am sorry that that happened Erika. Frustrating.

I was SHOCKED to hear you are not being stubborn. But "pushing it" is being on the edge. You know that, right?

So where do you look on the MLS Erika (besides Florida)? Really I WANT TO KNOW. That is what is so great about the States. You can move and live a TOTALLY different life which includes such varying climates. We vary but not to your degree.

How I LOVE talking real estate and urban planning. Poor you.

Toronto. First, that figure for that bungalow is PRIME TORONTO NEIGHBOURHOODS. Meaning you could get a bungalow for 3-4 other Toronto places that are out there and not as hot. It is not a way out suburb BUT not necessarily downtown either.

Apparently Toronto is undervalued for a major city Erika - certainly our downtown is NOT Manhattan or downtown Chicago in prices (or looks - smiling). Probably (my guess) is that we always have room to build- in that we WILL destroy history for developers. So we will forever be undervalued. Montreal costs less. Vancouver costs even more that Toronto for sure. Why? Vancouver's downtown is an island (a la NYC) so no place to go - only so much land and in Vancouver they go up. As in condo after condo. And in Vancouver you are right on the ocean and mountains. Can we say view? . Most Canadians HATE Toronto. Montreal is interesting and European and cool. Vancouver is beautiful. Toronto is blah blah blah (blah blah is their words)- they hate us.

So Toronto - no Toronto property taxes are very low compared to Toronto's bedroom communities (and way lower than say Long Island or New Jersey). However, our land transfer tax is doubled right now in the city. Neither have anything to do with prices.

My guess. Pure demand. Not because Toronto is so great in itself but in immigration. We are a country that needs/wants immigration for sure. The majority come here to this city. I try to tell students that this isn't it but they come here the most. Toronto is probably less than 50% white (not that white can't be an immigrant or a non-white could have been here for centuries of course) at this point. (And from rural Canada - Young Canadians coming for work/city life) Which is lovely - ie immigration equals culture. So if immigrants don't live here - they do Montreal (Major stress for some if you don't come from Frendh speaking countries - even then Quebec french isn't french french) or Vancouver (very high Asian and South Asian) or Calgary etc. But Toronto the most is a place where one can come from ANY country - ANY COUNTRY - and find their people and live comfortably in their own "land and people" so to speak. Really. Seriously. Instantly find their people. We are not a *melting pot* as the US. At times you will find people whipping around in their cars with their home flags because of a cricket win, a World Cup win etc. Just the other weekend - in Brampton (the Indian food I was talking about) India must have beaten Pakistan in cricket. SOMETHING. HUGE horns all over.

Downtown became hot hot hot in the late nineties/2000s and never stopped. That's why we did well. We bought on the edge - 1998. When we bought in our neighbourhood it was risky - drugs, prostitutes, homeless on the outer edge of it. NOW is THE NEIGHBOURHOOD and I can't get in. Some other cities abandoned their downtowns during the same period (a la Detroit). Toronto just really worked on getting people down there.

AND our transit/highway system SUCK compared to yours and other major international cities. That makes anything in the city look like GOLD because of stress of commuting in general - time/stress/gas. Pure GOLD in comparison. Kelly can live hours and hours by car yet be in London in no time by commuter train. We can't. We have commuter trains but expensive and not as rapid. We sit in gridlock from close communities and a subway system with three lines. Three! We have streetcars and some Rapid transit but it's insane what we didn't put money into.

So my guess immigration brings demand - awful transit/highway infrastructure makes "in the city" prime land/prices. Bolded for cheat notes and boredom.

You just have to watch old Property Virgins (which in the beginning was all Toronto) to see the insane prices. Or The Unsellables now (do you get that Kat?). Texas KILLS me on the other end.

I sold a 440 sq foot condo for 235 000. I could probably get over 250 000 for it right now A house in the city (not downtown/high demand area - just city in general)- unless it's falling apart or an area that hasn't reached potential- you really need 4-500 000 to get have a chance at a family home in the city proper. 300 00o will get you something somewhere. But both it's not what you think - some semis - row houses - renovations needed - some no parking etc.

But outskirts are different but still rising. Both my sisters own and bought under 200 000 and would sell 2-3. But one is a semi and ther other is a condo townhouse (meaning monthly maintenance fee).

And not all bedroom communities are bargains. My parents live about an hour from downtown. But their town is HOT. They live in I don't know 1400 sq foot two bedroom bungalow. They would probably get around 400 000.

And that is my dissertation

 

[lisaviolet]

lots of fun. TONS of wine. OMG I drank more than my fair share.
]

Picture please and thank you. I bet you looked pretty.