Happy New Year! A brand new year! What adventures will it hold for the Bombshells?

Spent the first day of January 2006 relaxing after a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration with friends at Fitzgerald's in the Beaches. We rang in the New Year with Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love! A crowd pleaser.

January 7

One of my best friends Tamis and her husband Dean came to Toronto to check out the motorcycle show and spent the night with us. We had a tasty dinner at Paddy O'Farrell’s. Dean fell in love with the shepherds pie! And then it was on to the Feather's for live music and pints of Guinness.

January 14 - 17: In Memoriam

My Uncle Ernie passed away (January 12th). My Auntie Marie (my mother's sister) and Uncle Ernie came to Canada in 1975. They had come for a visit with my mother and loved Kincardine so much that when Uncle Ernie retired from his with Atomic Energy in England, they decided to move to Canada. All of their children are still living in England and as a result flew over for the funeral. Joe and I picked up his daughter Elaine and her husband Keith at the airport and drove up to Kincardine for the funeral which took place on January 17th. Uncle Ernie served in World War II and in Korea and was honoured with a send-off by the Royal Canadian Legion. Uncle Ernie was a wonderful artist and one of my favourite memories of him is when he showed me how to paint perspective. I was about 12 years old and my own father had just passed away. My mother, sisters and I had flown over to England (1972) to visit relatives. My Uncle Ernie and Auntie Marie still lived in England at the time and we stayed with them. Uncle Ernie was an entertainer! He loved to tell jokes and spin yarns. He made me feel very special at a time when I needed a boost. Sadly, the last ten years of his life were spent in a nursing home. I like to think that he is now somewhere painting up a storm and giving everyone a good laugh.

The last few weekends in January were spent pubbing it with first my cousin Stewart and then my cousin Elaine and her husband Keith en route back to England. Even though it was a sad occasion that brought them to Canada, it was lovely seeing them. One of these days Joe and I will make it over for a visit.

I saw Gary Kendall (www.garykendall.com), the bassist from Downchild Blues Band (www.downchild.com), one of my all time favourite blues bands to watch now and when I was growing up in small town Kincardine at the Windsor Hotel.

January 25: Pole Dancing Party with Suzanne

Well what a workout! Who knew that so many women had an inner stripper just waiting to get out! Lots of laughs. Who knows I may get my own pole installed. Look out Joe!

January 26: The Boyfriend

Went to the Royal Alex Theatre to see Julie Andrew's production of The Boyfriend. It was a rollicking musical set in the 1920's. Lots of flappers and Charleston dance numbers. Oh to be so rich and carefree!!! A really fun way to finish off January.