Hello Out There!

Howdy friends.  I am now coming to you via my new NoteBook, a birthday present from my family.  I'm still learning to use  all the features on it. One I'm really fond of is the Skype feature.  I've been trying out the camera that's built in.  The downside of that is, that most of the pics look like the ones they take for passport, license, or in jail...........not that I would know about the last one!  I will post again soon and thanks to all of you that extended a hand in friendship and sympathy.  It helps to know that somewhere out in the world I'm thought of kindly.  Here's a big Dinah Shore Kiss  mmmmmmmmwhaaaaaaaa!

Uh Oh!

Hi Everyone.  I have been absent from the blog-oh-sphere for some time as I have had no access to the internet.  The reason for that is very simple....I wrecked my laptop power cord about 3 weeks ago, and so cannot charge it up.  A new power cord is around $100 and I don't know if I want to spend that much on powering up my 10 year old LT.  Right now I'm using a friend's LT and internet to let my friends know where I've been.
The upside of not being "plugged in" is that I'm getting a heck of a lot of things done around the ol' homestead and catching up on mending, knitting and tidying up the messes I seem to make all by myself! 
So for now, I'll keep in touch whenever I can use my friend's LT and mull over the purchase of the cord or a new LT.  Decisions, decisions.  <3

Till We Meet Again

My Mom passed away on September 4, 2010 in her 94th year.  It was peaceful, with family beside her, holding her hand and talking to her.  At her funeral service, after the scripture readings, euglogy and a few words on her sense of humour from her youngest son, one of her grandchildren sang a few choruses of the song she liked to sing to her grandchildren, "Hey Good Lookin' ".  We could picture her singing and dancing along.  She loved a good joke, a good song and dancing.  We will miss her.  If you know the song, sing a little of it and you'll smile like her family did.

Canadian Bakin'

Hi there! The picture is a simulation of me being a Canadian, Bakin' on the Beach, during my vacation on beautiful Georgian Bay.  The vacay was courtesy of my youngest daughter and her hubby.  They have a grand cottage right on the beach.  I was able to take my 14 year old granddaughter with me and I hope she had fun.  It's hard to tell sometimes.  She is so polite and easygoing about things.
We took a couple of side trips while there.One was to the Mini Putt at Balm Beach and one to Sainte Marie Amongst the Hurons in Penetang.  Interestingly, among the tourists  at Sainte Marie there were some Russians and they were very interested in what their tour guide was telling them.  Looked like they were having fun. I recognized a few words like, Thank you and You're Welcome.
Well, back to the subject.....Beach Holiday...
The time went by so fast it seems like a dream.  Their two little ones are 7 and 5 and such going concerns!  This year, Jack (5) just couldn't stay out of the water.  He puts on his snorkle mask and down he goes!  His sister Abi is an avid swimmer/snorkler too.  They make a great pair on and off the beach.  They enjoyed going out in the kayak with Mom and Dad and I got to take a video of them.
I think my daughter got some pics of  the three girls (I include myself in the girls category) knitting on the beach.  Abi has been knitting for about a year and is very enthusistic about her creations.  Older GD has now learned to cast on and purl as well as knit.  She finished a lovely handbag while we were at the cottage. I'm so proud of them and happy to pass on some of my knitting skills.
Today is the first day back home and is does seem strange not having all of them around me.  I must visit more with all of my grands.  They grow up so fast!  Hard to beleive that the oldest in now 22! 
Well, the laundry is all caught up now and I'm ready for the week to come. 
Happy Sunny Days to All.

Would you care for some cheese with that WHINE?

I'm okay with anything that will take my mind off my swollen ankle! 
How you ask (because I know you care), did said ankle get swollen? Well, as you asked I will tell all about it.
Yesterday morning I decided to trim the hedge at the front of my little house.  All was going well until I disturbed some of God's little creatures. Hornets!  One or perhaps two of the little devils bit me on the ankle.  Those tiny creatures take a piece of skin the size of a pinhead outta you and it hurt like a thousand hot needles.  After dancing around swatting at them and entertaining the neighbours, as in, "Oh. look!  Crazy old neighbour lady is doing the Monkey or is it the Watusi!?", I sprayed them will some soapy water to keep them away and finished cutting the hedge.
 Now, I've been bit before and it hurts a little, but goes away.  Not this time!!!!! I woke up to a swollen, red, itchy ankle that made it painful to walk.  I followed the RICE protocol, thinking that it would abate and as I have an appointment with my Dr. tomorrow I would wait it out. But by 10:30 am I decided to go to the Walk-in Clinic.  As luck would have it my Dr was on call so that was a positive. I am now takeing an antibiotic, antihistamine and if I choose to, some Ibuprofen.  Dr. D confirmed the RICE protocol. Oh if you don't know it's Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.  So boo hoo I can't do anything but sit around....no gardening, no vacuuming, no ironing...oh wait...I only enjoy the gardening, so no big loss. 
As Monty Python says "Always look on the bright side of Life".  So I'll catch up on my knitting, phone calls (to whine of course) to my family and friends, watch my Judge Shows and post this entry to my Blog.  All are Bright Sides to me.  So long for now and if I can think of anything else to whine about, you'll be the first to know!;o)
PS Even if you have never experienced hives or any swelling from a bite before, watch it carefully and if it seems to be getting swollen or hot, go at once to your nearest Medical Facility.  That swelling coud lead to infection, Anaphylactic Shock and serious consequences.  Better to be thought of as making a big deal about nothing, than risk your life!

Yes It's Moi!

Your eyes do not deceive you....this is Ann of Green Cables.
 I  obviously have tooooo much time on my hands, or was totally bored with Saturday night TV and started to fiddle with my blog page.  What you see is the result.  I like it.  It's a little more modern and I think easier to read, or decide you don't want to read what I have put out here. 
Speaking of remodeling; we can remake, remodel ourselves with ease nowadays it seems.  I am remodeling the ol' bod by loseing some excess baggage on my 5'2" frame. Can't turn back time and get younger. Don't really want to.  I read something the other day that has stayed in my head. "Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened." (attributted to Dr. Suess) So, I choose to change the things I can and smile about the things I can't change.
So, my friends keep smileing, just keep smileing and the whole world smiles with you! <3

RELIEF

Yesterday it felt like we were under this waterfall, it rained so hard.  Today it's beautiful, bright and fresh  outside.  Sooo, that means I have no excuse not to trim the hedge, weed the gardens, have a "cool one",  Not necessarily in that order! LOL  Or I'll just head over to the Metro (formerly A & P) and stock up on some good healthy food.  I have two receipes from Weight Watchers that I want to try.  Plus,  my Mother Hubbard Cupboard is Bare and the Metro is air conditioned for my shopping comfort.
Have fun while the sun shines folks!
UPDATE:  While I was at the Metro I checked my Lotto Max ticket from 2 weeks ago (I hang onto them past the draw time, just so I can dream a bit longer) aaaaand....the bells went off!  So, don't get too excited....I won only a free ticket without Encore.  I took the free ticket, and sucker that I am, paid a $1.00 for the Encore.  Ah, what would I do with a few million bucks?  Probably spend it foolishly!  Life's too short to always be sensible!

Too Much of a Good Thing?

HOT HOT HOT HOT!!!!!  Up here in Southern Ontario we are sweltering in 90 degreee heat.  Well, folks isn't this what we wanted in the dead freeze of Winter?  Really, I'm not complaining.  The only thing I can't do is work in the garden for any length of time.  So, this morning I was outside just before 7 to start the lawn and garden watering and repotting of some plants.  Now I'm indoors with the summer furnace fan on, the air con set for 80 degreees, all the ceiling fans on and a rotary fan to help blow the air around.
I'm also waiting for the repair man to look at my washing machine.  It won't spin out.  Luckily I found that out when I was spinning out a hand washed and rinsed shawl I made.  So, not a lot of water to get rid of. It's about 34 years old and never given me a bit of trouble. Oh, here he is.
Update:  My Maytag  is suffering from worn bearings and motor fatigue...sounds like me!   I may have to spring for a new washer.  I'm tempted to get a wringer washer!  Ah, no I'm kidding.  I remember washing diapers for 6 years (4 babies in 5 years!) and it's no fun standing there hoping your hands don't get caught up in the wringers.  Yes it happened to me, but no damage occured.....just some blue air around me.  So if the repairs are more than $200, a shopping I will go! 
On a more positive note, my gardens are looking good.  I planted 3 kinds of tomatoes and a sweet red pepper along with a green pepper.  That's the extent of my veggie garden this year.  The flowering plants are all looking good.  My favourites are the French Lavender.  This could be the last summer here as I am thinking of selling the house so I can downsize.  As much as I like this house, it is getting to be more than I can handle and I could use the money spent on maintenance on something more fun.....maybe buy me a "boy toy"!  LOL 
So long for now and the thought for today: Strive to look for the good in every situation.  And if you can't find it..........have coffee with a friend!  There's always good in coffee!   ;o) <3
LATEST BREAKING NEWS:  Had a (if I do say so myself) brilliant idea and  called my oldest daugther to see if her beau was selling his washing machine when he sold his house. She called him and he said I could have it for taking care of my grandaughter when daughter and beau go on vacation in the Fall.  Yay for family!!!

GOALS

Whoo boy!  It's been over a month since I last posted! 
It's been a challenging month; so much to take care of personally and family-wise,  I feel like I'm starting to catch up with myself at last.  The gardens are looking cared for, the house is getting a much needed clean-up and paint where necessary. 

I am getting fixed up too.  My good friend Sher and I started Weight Watchers at the end of April and we are seeing happy results.  This is so good for the both of us mentally and physically. 

Setting goals and meeting them means so much to everyone.  The smallest goal, such as getting up and getting dressed, once accomplished, set the stage for more goals, more success, until, one by one they fill the basket and we can share the harvest of health and well-being with the world.  Now, I must fill a goal I set this morning and get the front porch steps painted.
Oh,  almost forgot HAPPY FATHERS' DAY to the men you know who are BioDads, ByChoiceDads.  We LOVE YOU ALL!

The Merrie Month of May: the Two-Four weekend that starts the Summer!

Hi again everyone!  Thanks for all your encouraging words, expressions of friendship and love.
 I've been outside in the back garden today and it's perfect weather for planting, weeding, and watering.  Just a sprinkling of rain to cool me down and enough sun to need a sunblock on my aging skin. 
Up here in Canada, aka The Great White North, on the weekend nearest the 24th of May. it's a tradition, in fact, a must, to first, gather at the nearest greenhouse or store that stocks plants, and spend  a tremendous amount of $$$$ buying them.  The second part of this is to dig, plant, curse one's overbuying of these 'damn things', down a few beers (hence the nickname for this holiday "Two-Four") and just get the buggers in the ground!  Admittedly, the end result can be enjoyed while putting a steak or hamburger on the Barbie, and by that time one is so tired and/or  tipsy that the song "Everything is Beautiful" plays in the windmills of our minds.  So, now my break is over, back to the garden and all that lovely stuff to muck about in.  I love being a Dirty Girl!!!! xoxo<3
P.S. Check out a new link on my sidebar...Rinkly Rimes.  She's sooo talented!
PS again:  I neglected to mentions that up here we are celebrating a long weekend that used to be in honour of  Queen Victoria's birthday.  It still is called Victoria Day by some and now we are honouring Queen Elizabeth on this weekend.even tho' it isn't really her Birth Day.  Lots of fireworks just like the US Memorial Day.

I'm Baaaaack!

Hello to all my friends in the blogasphere!

I have been on hiatus from posting due to much drama in my life.  Some situations needed my full attention and left me without the energy to post.  Or so it seemed.  Things are getting better, still some hard decisions to make;  any impossible situation(s) cannot be resolved, only dealt with using the information at hand and a fervent hope for an acceptable outcome.  I'm not going to detail all that has gone on, as I think it wouldn't make me feel any better and at worst would be boring.  Everyone out there has problems and I have a true belief that our Maker only gives us what we can bear and when we ask for help (givng up our sinful pride), we will receive it and all will be well.

I recently made some life enhanceing decisions and now I feel like I can go on forever.  It's only in looking back over the last year or two that I realize I have been taking the  easy road and not taking the best care of myself.  So dear friends you can look forward to:

(a) bad jokes

(b) good humour

(c) ramblings from a silly mind

(d) sermons from the Mount

Pick any or all of the above as your mood or heart directs.  Refer to the caption on the picture associated with this post and you will understand.  ;o)

Life Can Be Beautiful

Hi everyone.  I am having some time off due to Spring Break.  For those who don't know, or maybe I haven't mentioned it, I have been employed for almost 6 years as a Nanny/Personal /Assistant with a lovely family whom I've come to love like my own family. 
Update on my basement family room demolition--all the flooring has been taken off and disposed of.  The drywall up to about 4 feet has been taken off.  Next is the rebuild.  I have cans of paint, tools, and other items "decorating" my living and dining rooms.  They were stored in the workshop in the basement and the only good thing about having brought all the stuff upstairs is, that I've had to sort and get rid of various deitrius that has collected over 17 years.  Late last year I was contemplating selling my house and moving to a smaller, more manageable home, so I've been spurred on by the 'disaster' that was my basement to get on with other cleanups/touchups around here. 
We had some heavy rains last week, which was a perfect test of the repair to the outside basement wall. It stayed desert-dry, so the repair worked.  A new downspout was installed just before the rain and that has done a good job of diverting moisture away from the foundation.  Now the sun is shining and drying up the last of winter's snow.  Next is the lawn and garden care.  I should get out there this afternoon and inspect the winter damage. 

So, that's my boring life.  I'm actually happy it's boring.  There is a Chinese Curse (!) that goes "May you live an exciting life."  I'm thinking that was said like the southern "Bless your/her/his heart"-- this bon mot is to be uttered  in a drippingly sweet way when one is being ever so polite to another who is bugging the c..p out of you.  My southern friends will understand I think.
I wish you all a happy, healthy, fulfilling day of treasured moments. <3 Mar.

Spring!!!!

Lupins in New BrunswickEdelweiss flowers in GermanyJust a peaceful scene.

Nuts!!!!!

I feel a little like this little critter. Tripping up when I should be flying along.  The basement problem is being worked on.  It's all cleaned up as regards the water seepage and resulting mold.  I know more about mold and it's conseqences than I ever wanted to.  It will eventully be back to normal around here and in the meantime I'm getting the house packed up ready to put the ol' homestead up for sale.  I have felt for the last year that it was too much for me to handle all on my own, and the basement issue confirms it.   So, with the time off I have for the next 2-3 weeks I will be doing an inventory of what I want to keep and what's up for sale.  Have a good week everyone, keep smiling, and don't let life's glitches get you down for too long! ;o) <3 Mar.

Hello

Hello.  Is it me you're looking for? I love that song by Lionel Ritchie.  It's from an old (now) movie called Tootsie, which starred Dustin Hoffman.  It's about a man who thinks he's satisfied with the life he has and discovers that he wants more.  If you can find it, it's worth watching.

Anyhoo, I haven't posted for awhile because I've been totally preoccupied with the repairs that must be done to my basement, due to water coming in through the chimney stack.  Lining up people who do specific work and getting it done in the right order is time consuming. My life has been on hold for a month, but, I am hopeful that the repairs will get started on Monday. 

Everything in the basement must be brought upstairs.  You don't know how much 'stuff' you have until you try to move it to another place, either another house or to another part of your current home.  I was planning on moving to a smaller place this year (which is  on hold--can't put the house up for sale now), so some things have been given to family members, but it's the junk one accumulates that takes so much time to sort out.

On a lighter note, I do not have pics of the guys who will do the work, but I will try to get some and post them, so we can all salivate a little. ;)
.P.S. LOL  On reading this post on Tuesday I realized that I had typed "Dusting Hoffman".   A Freudian Slip? I guess cleaning up the mess that is my house was on my mind.

I'm Baaaaack!

I haven't posted for a little while...here's why.
Isn't this a cozy picture?  I wish I could do that in my comfy rocking chair in front of a cozy fire.  But for now, I can only hope to do that. Some of my friends know about my battle with the element of water.  We do need water, but NOT pooling on the basement floor! 
Short story is that  a week ago, last Monday, I started my day by discovering that water is leaking into my basement through a breech around the stainless steel chimney that connects to my fireplace.  All the rain we've been  having in great lots all at once over the last 2 years, especially in winter, has worked its way through the stack join in the wall.
So, goodbye to beautiful laminate floor, goodbye to pine panelling, goodbye to using the fireplace.  Hello to finding out that I can take charge of the problem in a calm, business like manner. I made a few calls, talked to some nice people and got the ball rolling.
In the process of getting the problem taken care of,  I have met some really great guys. At my age I do not have many chances to interact with handsome, virile men, so there is an upside to having a leak.(insert smirk here ) 
So, using a water related cliche.....Every cloud has a silver lining.  (he, he, I kept typing clown for cloud)

Rainy Sunday

I thought this little fellow would cheer us up on a dull and rainy Sunday.  There are no complaints from me about the weather when I think of how other people in parts of the world are suffering.  I think we get caught up in the every day dilemmas we have and forget how trivial they must seem to those who have lost everything.  The world at large has responded to the tragic losses experienced by the people of Haiti.  There were people there visiting  from other countries who also lost their lives.  Haiti is a troubled area and did not deserve what happened.  Unfortunately, there are people, who should know better, that have implied that Haitians got their due.  How wrongly judgemental of them. 
Judge not, lest ye be judged and found wanting by your Lord.  Prayers for all people who are suffering, that their suffering will be relieved.

OK Winter Can Get the 'H' Outta Here!

It's waaaaay too cold here.  I'm tired of taking 20 minutes to get ready to go outside.  I want to be on the beach like my grandaughter.  Call the waaahhbulance! 
Okay, got that outta the way, now on to what's going on right now.  Not much!  I'm happy to see my friends, Sher, Bradley and Shannon bsck from their holidays.  They were away visiting relatives in British Columbia. They got back on Saturday and today we got caught up with all the news.  We'll be getting back to our routines with the kids and other homey things.  I love homey things.  Fresh baked bread, fresh made coffee, clothes fresh from the clothesline (a rarity these days), clean floors, home cooked comfort food...so many things we took for granted, that our Moms and Dads used to provide for us.  Now some of us do that for our children.  I had one ambition when I was a child; to be a Mommy like mine, with lots of children, so I could bake cookies, cakes and pies, cook the food they liked, dress them in nice clean clothing and kiss them goodnight after a good day.  I got to do that, and in a way I'm still doing that, so all in all I reached my goal and I'm a happy girl.
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Proverbs 31:28  Her children rise up and call her blessed.
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Doing It!

Doing the exercise, making and freezing dinner sized meals, so no excuse for not having healthy meals ready to defrost and eat.  I've also been going through the 'Scareyware' cupboard and surprise, surprise, I don't need everything I have.  Sis will get all the extra containers. The scarewarecupboard is tidy and I can actually find what I need to use without the trauma of looking for the right lid, the right container.  I also found some small appliances that I don't need so Sis gets those too.  The craft room is coming together.  Gah! what a lot of of yarn stash and almost finished projects.  I've finished three of the UFOs (unfinished objects) and will continue until all are done before I start anything new.
My house and my body are getting cleaned.  The exercise of cleaning and sorting will use up calories and I will feel better.  Win, win!

Keep Warm

I'm staying inside.  It's too cold to even stick my nose outside the front door today.  So, like the kitties here I'm wrapped up and kniting, makeing Chili, and sorting my neverending Ebil Stash of yarn.  Warm hugs to all my friends. <3

Get Out Those Resolutions!

IF ONLY IT WERE TRUE!!!!!!

So, a Happy and Healthy New Year to all my friends.  Has anyone (dare I ask?) made a New Year Rezzie to ....aaaaggh! LOSE WEIGHT!!!!!!  I'm willing to admit I say this EVERY Jan 1st.  I usually do it with some kind of daily plan.  I even write down, for each day, how much exercise I will do.  Starting off with something like "am. 30 mins. --15 min. on the Rebounder; 15 min. on the Xcountry ski machine.  pm 30 mins--15 min. on the Rebounder; 15 mins on the stationary bike. on alternate days use weight machine."  Then on the following days I increase the times by 5 mins. until I'm at 1 hour  in the am and 1 hr. in the pm.  Of course, there's the low fat, high fibre diet worked in there.  I'm in the groove for about a week....and then........I skip a day or a time of day until thre is a week or two of no check marks or notations.  Then, sigh, I give up. 
I have school-type exercise (<--irony here) books that have all the above goals written down and when I slip up they get pages torn out so I don't have to look at the proof of my buttlaziness.
So, I'm challenging myself again this year and all of you out there now know my dirty secret so I will have to be honest as I know y'all will ask me "How's it going?  Are you reaching your goals?"  And since I hate liars and lying, I will have to tell the truth.  I don't want to embarass myself in front of the world, sooooo..........Here goes. 
MY WEIGHT LOSS GOAL:  take off 40 lbs.
TIME FRAME:  @ a minimum average of 2 lbs per week = 20 weeks.
PLAN OF ACTION:  start with 30 mins each time in the am and pm, working up to 1 hr. in am and pm.
FOOD PLAN:  More Veggies, and fruit, less fat (I am a butter hound),  less salt, less sugar (that hidden stuff in bought foods) less starch ( I am a homemade bread hound): 3 meals a day, starting with a proper breakfast (not just coffee and milk) fruit and or protein snacks between meals.
I' m already taking mineral and vitamin supplements  in the am and pm.
I actually started the eating plan by haveing an egg, fried in Pam sprayed pan, 1 slice of bread with a tsp of butter and a tbsp of ketchup and coffee with skim milk--frothed to thicken it, so the coffee looks like fancy dancey latte thingy.
Well, here goes. Now to do the exercise.  It's already noon here in the Great White North, so I sorta fell out of the am time frame, but, hey, I got up late, typed out my confession and plan, so that's my reason for starting late. 
Good Health, Good Times, Good Friends........My wish for me and all my family and friends.