So, we’re at the cottage! Can’t believe this will be our last day here already, the weekend is flying by.

Here’s the tree right next to our window. J-man loves it; his initials are JD, go figure.

We arrived at the cottage on Friday afternoon and I must admit that even I, as an (heavy) ex-smoker who kicked the habit over a decade ago, was less than pleased to find a pungent nicotine scent throughout the house. All this time I thought I rented a non-smoking cottage.

I felt even less comfortable, slightly angry even, when I saw the cigarette burns all over the couch and the burn marks on the edge of both our bathroom sinks. Why would anyone want to smoke in a bathroom? It’s gross.

Called the reception desk and learned there are no non-smoking cottages.

My poignant reaction: Huh? Come again? 

Employee: “Sorry ma’am, the only thing we can do is politely ask our guests to not smoke in the bedrooms. But other than that, I can send someone out to you with an air refresher”.

Hmmm right. I don’t think we’ll visit this park again anytime soon.

Aside from that we are really having a blast here. It’s cold, but nothing a blazing fireplace can’t handle so it’s even romantic. Lots of fun stuff to do for the kiddo: a subtropical swimming pool. A jungle dome he can race around and lots of kids to play with. Photos will come later.

And there’s a bath tub. Not that we don’t have a bath tub at home, but somehow the one at the cottage is special and should be used 3 times a day. His plastic animals demand it.

And me? I found myself blowing up balloons and making breakfast in bed for my guy’s birthday at 7am. And then, when I watched my little guy hand the drawing he worked so hard on and was so proud of over to his dad, I must confess I got a little teary eyed. I’m a total wimp… and proud of it.

Happy 38 25th and holding, sweetie.