I picked Kathy up to go down to the Kiwanis meeting. It was an interesting one. Kiwanis has been very involved with raising funds for SIGN hospitals. Those are orthopaedic hospitals. So, when the Americans accidentally bombed the sign hospital in Afghanistan, the club decided that we had better register, via letter, a reaction to this horrific event. So the discussion was very interesting. Plus they are getting ready for a radio auction...so so so much work involved. Its crazy!!
I ripped home in time to meet the piano teacher. I also wanted to make bread to take to Kathy's for dinner. She was making Moroccan stew. But, this lovely awesome tuner is a talker and a player. Whilst he was downstairs tuning, I threw together enough dough for four loaves, put them on the rise in a warm oven and went into purple room, sat in my chair and fell sound asleep..for a whole hour. Him calling me woke me up!! Jeez!!
He called me down to show how obnoxious my piano is and how impossible it is to tune...yaddy yadda. And all I could think about was my over proofing bread dough! When he finished telling me all the woeful things about the piano, he sat down and proceeded to play the most incredible amazing complicated concert grade blues/jazz. He always blows me away with his playing and the piano sounded spot on. But.....BREAD!!!!
Next, as he was packing up, I dashed upstairs and punched a hugely inflated batch of dough down and filled the pans. Up he came and he then he started talking about conspiracy theories, inter planet life, flying saucers on the moon (seriously!) and it was all very interesting but...my bread!!! Finally, bless him, he skedaddled and I rushed into the kitchen to get the baking process going. But, to no avail. Flat, hard (but very tasty) little loaves. Damn!!
A quick interjection here...I am actually freezing. Anyone who knows me knows that I am always hot, but right now my hands are so cold I can hardly type. I just checked the temp in the hallway on the furnace thingy and its only 12 degrees in this house! I am NOT putting the furnace on. When Monte gets home I shall have him turn the little stove downstairs on for a while.
Dinner at Kathy's was fun and delicious! There were lots of us there and the Moroccan stew was delicious and the round table after was fun. A lovely evening!
Today was busy busy! I got up early and was down at the doctor's office by 8:10 am. Even then I was fourth on the list! I went home and did a little work and a bunch of emails and a clean out down in the hell hole. Back to the dr. at 12:40, only to find out my blood pressure hasn't budged. Its still 185 over 85. Dammit!!!! So he has upped the ramapril and I will keep trying.
I had received a phone call from the place that I bought the chairs. They can't get the ones I want. Yay!!! Cuz I found way nicer and more interesting ones in HomeSense. So I dashed up to Home Sense, went in a had a really hard time picking out the ones I wanted....from an awesome selection. I then went to the other place and got my money back. By then I was starving.
There is an Original Joe's right next to my pharmacy to I called Monte and he met me there and we had a delicious lunch. Now THAT'S the way calamari should be done!
I headed home to my freezing house and now I am going to see if I can get hold of Anne and ask her to house sit for me. I hope so. Although I have a feeling she will be needing some heat!!
Off to Vancouver tomorrow (Friday). On Sunday we head up to Port Alberni for a couple of days. Monte is anxious to see his old stomping grounds and see Pat and Angie. Hopefully it will be sunny and good for pics. TTYL
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
TAKING IT TO SIXTY ONE
I have totally lost count on my discards and days etc...So today I will go find six things and try to keep up. Except....Monte and I are heading to Vancouver and Port Alberni on Friday and I will miss a few days again.
But first a catch up. We met Jo, Craig and Eliana for sushi at lunch. We had some awesome sushi and good company. Monte went off to his end of probation chit chat. On my way home a bit later my phone in my jeep rang. Fortunately I have blue tooth. It was Monte.
They didn't hire him permanently. I couldn't believe it. This is a guy that never once was late, never ever missed a shift, never once said no when they phoned him at the last minute to cover a shift (which they did ALL the time). They would schedule him for three shifts, then call him in and he would work six days out of the week. After heavy duty questioning Monte, by myself, to figure it out, I sort of got the impression that what they do is hire people for the probation period then, unless they are perfect, they move on to other applicants. Once you go past the probation period, an employer is stuck with you.
He told Monte that they really really liked him, but the only complaint they had was he was slow at his work in the kitchen (dishes, prep, clean up). And the guy felt that the job wasn't really suited to him. Well I won't go into how devastating this is to him. Suffice it to say that this has caused all kinds of havoc in his self esteem. The upside of it all is that now his beautiful van won't take any more of a beating. He doubled his kilometres on it and went through three tires. The job is really hard on vehicles.
That night I picked up K&K and it sounds like they had such an amazing trip. Eastern Europe, Venice, Germany....All by train and bus. I can't wait to see their pics and hear the stories.
Saturday night I was inducted into the Kiwanis club. The new officers were also announced and inducted. I know how this may sound to some people. Fuddy duddy do gooders. And yes, we are mostly all over sixty, even over 70. But you have to realize, we were all in our youth during the sixties and we were the generation that broke the social molds. That never leaves you. So a lot of us in there are a bunch of closet renegades and when there are no members of other generations around, we cut loose and honestly, I had a total hoot that night. What a fun bunch of people and so funny. Totally enjoyable.
Sunday was quiet. Monte and I went out to Frick and Frack for dinner. It was alright. Its a good thing I am not a food critic right now. I am just not enjoying food. Within a few bites I start feeling pukey. I will say this, the calamari wasn't good. It smelt really fishy and it was just neatly sliced rings...not the mish mash of the ring part and the spidery ones. And they weren't fried properly and were rubbery and hard to chew. I am finding its really hard to find a restaurant with really yummy tasting well cooked food that isn't a huge mound of meat.
Yesterday, Monday, Anne came over. After a morning of coffee and talk we headed into the kitchen and while Anne cleaned, bless her heart, I made cinnamon buns. Mmmmmmmm...they turned out soooo good. Anne went and got Larry, her husband, and brought him back up to the house here for dinner. He was totally delightful!! He plays the piano and loves music. Monte went to superstore and picked up a chicken and caesar salad and cheeses. So we sat in our pretty dining room and ate fresh baked bread and all the other stuff. We finished the meal off with fresh cinnamon buns. Soooo good.
Larry played the piano, Monte played then I played. Monte showed Larry all his musical instruments downstairs and then we spent a delightful evening visiting and playing music on my lap top. A great evening.
And now today.....Kiwanis meeting at noon and at two this afternoon a piano tuning. The piano was so out of tune last time, Lance had to bring it up to pitch. When that happens, it needs another tuning in three months. Tonight its dinner at Kathy's. I hope they are going to show some pictures. Tomorrow I am going to attempt another doctor visit and Thursday its clean and pack for our few days trip. We may make an attempt to go up to Bamfield so we shall take some of Bill with us. Also, Kevin and family are arriving in Vancouver on the fifth. Yay!!!!!! And I see another awesome lunch with Clare and Tish if they are available. I want to see them every opportunity I get. Monte wants to see them too this time. So, Clare, I shall be calling you!!!
Now, down to the hell hole to find six more items. I did see one in the garage, in fact I couldn't believe what I was looking at when I saw it. I am going to go get it and take a pic of it! I have a really big item to get rid of too. TTYL
But first a catch up. We met Jo, Craig and Eliana for sushi at lunch. We had some awesome sushi and good company. Monte went off to his end of probation chit chat. On my way home a bit later my phone in my jeep rang. Fortunately I have blue tooth. It was Monte.
They didn't hire him permanently. I couldn't believe it. This is a guy that never once was late, never ever missed a shift, never once said no when they phoned him at the last minute to cover a shift (which they did ALL the time). They would schedule him for three shifts, then call him in and he would work six days out of the week. After heavy duty questioning Monte, by myself, to figure it out, I sort of got the impression that what they do is hire people for the probation period then, unless they are perfect, they move on to other applicants. Once you go past the probation period, an employer is stuck with you.
He told Monte that they really really liked him, but the only complaint they had was he was slow at his work in the kitchen (dishes, prep, clean up). And the guy felt that the job wasn't really suited to him. Well I won't go into how devastating this is to him. Suffice it to say that this has caused all kinds of havoc in his self esteem. The upside of it all is that now his beautiful van won't take any more of a beating. He doubled his kilometres on it and went through three tires. The job is really hard on vehicles.
That night I picked up K&K and it sounds like they had such an amazing trip. Eastern Europe, Venice, Germany....All by train and bus. I can't wait to see their pics and hear the stories.
Saturday night I was inducted into the Kiwanis club. The new officers were also announced and inducted. I know how this may sound to some people. Fuddy duddy do gooders. And yes, we are mostly all over sixty, even over 70. But you have to realize, we were all in our youth during the sixties and we were the generation that broke the social molds. That never leaves you. So a lot of us in there are a bunch of closet renegades and when there are no members of other generations around, we cut loose and honestly, I had a total hoot that night. What a fun bunch of people and so funny. Totally enjoyable.
Sunday was quiet. Monte and I went out to Frick and Frack for dinner. It was alright. Its a good thing I am not a food critic right now. I am just not enjoying food. Within a few bites I start feeling pukey. I will say this, the calamari wasn't good. It smelt really fishy and it was just neatly sliced rings...not the mish mash of the ring part and the spidery ones. And they weren't fried properly and were rubbery and hard to chew. I am finding its really hard to find a restaurant with really yummy tasting well cooked food that isn't a huge mound of meat.
Yesterday, Monday, Anne came over. After a morning of coffee and talk we headed into the kitchen and while Anne cleaned, bless her heart, I made cinnamon buns. Mmmmmmmm...they turned out soooo good. Anne went and got Larry, her husband, and brought him back up to the house here for dinner. He was totally delightful!! He plays the piano and loves music. Monte went to superstore and picked up a chicken and caesar salad and cheeses. So we sat in our pretty dining room and ate fresh baked bread and all the other stuff. We finished the meal off with fresh cinnamon buns. Soooo good.
Larry played the piano, Monte played then I played. Monte showed Larry all his musical instruments downstairs and then we spent a delightful evening visiting and playing music on my lap top. A great evening.
And now today.....Kiwanis meeting at noon and at two this afternoon a piano tuning. The piano was so out of tune last time, Lance had to bring it up to pitch. When that happens, it needs another tuning in three months. Tonight its dinner at Kathy's. I hope they are going to show some pictures. Tomorrow I am going to attempt another doctor visit and Thursday its clean and pack for our few days trip. We may make an attempt to go up to Bamfield so we shall take some of Bill with us. Also, Kevin and family are arriving in Vancouver on the fifth. Yay!!!!!! And I see another awesome lunch with Clare and Tish if they are available. I want to see them every opportunity I get. Monte wants to see them too this time. So, Clare, I shall be calling you!!!
Now, down to the hell hole to find six more items. I did see one in the garage, in fact I couldn't believe what I was looking at when I saw it. I am going to go get it and take a pic of it! I have a really big item to get rid of too. TTYL
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| THIS IS A LEE VALLEY TOOL AWESOME GARDEN WAGON. I WILL NEVER NEED IT AGAIN SO ITS GOTTA GO. BUT...THE LADY THAT IS GOING TO BE MY HANDYMAN IN REPAYMENT FOR USING THE CONDO IN MAUI IS GOING TO TAKE IT!!! |
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| CAN YOU BELIEVE I FOUND A SECOND ONE OF THESE USELESS THINGS? |
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| AN EPIC FAIL...SOMEHOW I KILLED THE YEAST...I BLAME THE PIANO TUNER...I THOUGHT HE WOULD NEVER QUIT TALKING AND BY THE TIME HE LEFT IT HAD OVER PROOFED |
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| A WHOLE PILE OF PRETTY PINK WASHCLOTHS...I COULD USE THEM FOR DISH RAGS BUT I AM SURE SOMEONE AT THE THRIFT STORE WOULD LIKE THEM...THEY ARE REALLY SOFT AND FLUFFY AND PINK |
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| NOT INTO AFRICAN STUFF |
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| ANYONE WHO CAME TO BAMFIELD MAY RECOGNIZE THESE |
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| A LARGE GEODE...IT LOOKED GOOD IN OUR SANTA FE TYPE BATHROOM IN THE LOG HOUSE...DON'T NEED IT ANYMORE. THE PRICE TAG IS STILL ON THE BOTTOM...59.99 BUCKS! ITS ALL CRYSTALLY INSIDE |
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| PUEBLO TILE TRIVETS-GOT THESE IN NEW MEXICO |
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| ALMOST BRAND NEW MONITORED STUDIO HEAD PHONES....THEY WERE 129 BUCKS! BUT THEY NEED BATTERIES SO THEY DON'T WORK ON AIRPLANES...TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE AND THATS THE ONLY TIME I NEED HEADPHONES. |
Friday, October 23, 2015
NOS. 53,54 BIRTHDAY/BREAKFAST AND BISTRO
The other morning just as I was finishing up the last post here, my phone rang. What??? It was so early, middle of the night kinda. It was Monte. He had heard me rustling about up here so he knew I was awake. "Want to go for breakfast? Dennys'?" he asks. "Sure!!!" I answered.
So in the pitch black we hopped into Tank and headed down to Dennys'. There were a couple of 'odd' people in there already! We ordered our fave, Monte always gets a breakfast sandwich of some sort and I get the lumberman's breakfast. Like I can eat it all! hahaha!!! It took forever for them to bring it but it was oh so good when it came. Pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, marmalade. Mmmmmm.. When it was time to pay, Monte got my drivers license to show it was my birthday so she knocked ten bucks off the bill! We were back home and in bed before it got light out!
Twice that day the door bell rang and I found delivery peeps with beautiful flowers. The first one was from my darling daughter Aryn. It was so pretty and purple and pink and looks perfect in my purple room. The second one was from my awesome brother and his wife. They were so beautiful...the colours of fall. They are sitting in my lovely living room. I shall put a couple pics at the end here. I love getting flowers!
At I met Dana and her mom Mary Ellen for a delightful hilarious lunch. They are the most enjoyable people! I could spend hours with them but I think I might talk too much! They are just the kind of people that just bring it out in you. I love that! Honestly, it was the best time. I hope we do it again really soon. One of the stories that Mary Ellen told just about cracked me up!! And Dana told a dog story (that involved three not so innocent males!) that outdid any of mine. So much fun!
And if that were not enough, Monte took me out for dinner at Harolds. Yum! We had a lot of fun. And, I spent about an hour face timing with Kevin and I got to talk to the kids too! Awesome. So all in all it was a pretty fantastic birthday.
Yesterday morning I hopped down to Jo's for coffee and banana bread. Ainsley was an absolute hoot!! She came over and arms up right away. Up onto my knee and I fed her pieces of muffin. What a live wire she is!!! And she is so independent....she goes all over the house to play, far away from Mom. Very impressive!!! She is so cute! I will post a couple pics! I had a great visit, as usual, with Jo. I love visiting with her...she has opinions and doesn't hesitate to state them. I really appreciate that in people. We really did have a great post election talk!
From there I headed up to Kathy's to pick up the key to their van. I am picking them up tonight at the airport. Excited!! Then I headed up to Canadian Tire. Stan called me and told me that the winter tires I should have were on sale. My tires, great as they are, do not have the snow flake on them that is required for highway driving. But when they came out to see what size my tires were they laughed at me. They said that even though the tire has only a M&S (mud and slush) and no snowflake, they were so good that they were better than the ones that they would be putting on. And, apparently when you have skookum tires, you don't need the snowflake. Confusing. So I phone the transport BC people and they told me that if you have really good M&S tires, you don't need the snowflake. So, Stan, if you are reading this, my apologies. I didn't get new tires afterall.
But Monte is another story. Not only is he getting new tires, he is getting even one more step up to the Nordics that Stan recommended. Arctic!!
I popped into Milestones for a solitary quick lunch. They make a fantastic veggie burger...in my opinion the best thing they make. So good. Last night I went to the Noble Pig and met with all the grad people that could make it. There were only about ten of us but we had a fantastic time! I had their classic mac and cheese.
I hopped on the scale this morning and I have dropped ten pounds. You would think after all that eating I wouldn't have lost. Maybe its because I have pretty much quit eating meat and I can only eat about half of what I used to. I get pukey if I eat too much or eat meat. I miss eating tons.
So now I am home today, or at least til tonite when I go get Kathy and Kerry. They will be so tired. They boarded their plane hours ago in Dusseldorf and they change planes in Vancouver later this afternoon and land in Kamloops tonite. I have lots of memories of doing just that with Bill. So exhausting...the only part of travel I didn't like.
Now today I headed down to the dr. and once again he isn't coming in today. I have to stop trying on Fridays! I think Monte and I are meeting Jo and Craig for all you can eat sushi at this place right near where Monte works. Today is his end of probation at work and the manager wants to meet with him at 1:30 for a talk. Eeek!! I hope it goes well. He loves that job. It would be pretty devastating if they let him go. I can't imagine why they would but you never know. Fingers crossed.
So now I am going to sally forth and take some pics of flowers etc... TTYL
So in the pitch black we hopped into Tank and headed down to Dennys'. There were a couple of 'odd' people in there already! We ordered our fave, Monte always gets a breakfast sandwich of some sort and I get the lumberman's breakfast. Like I can eat it all! hahaha!!! It took forever for them to bring it but it was oh so good when it came. Pancakes, sausages, bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, marmalade. Mmmmmm.. When it was time to pay, Monte got my drivers license to show it was my birthday so she knocked ten bucks off the bill! We were back home and in bed before it got light out!
Twice that day the door bell rang and I found delivery peeps with beautiful flowers. The first one was from my darling daughter Aryn. It was so pretty and purple and pink and looks perfect in my purple room. The second one was from my awesome brother and his wife. They were so beautiful...the colours of fall. They are sitting in my lovely living room. I shall put a couple pics at the end here. I love getting flowers!
At I met Dana and her mom Mary Ellen for a delightful hilarious lunch. They are the most enjoyable people! I could spend hours with them but I think I might talk too much! They are just the kind of people that just bring it out in you. I love that! Honestly, it was the best time. I hope we do it again really soon. One of the stories that Mary Ellen told just about cracked me up!! And Dana told a dog story (that involved three not so innocent males!) that outdid any of mine. So much fun!
And if that were not enough, Monte took me out for dinner at Harolds. Yum! We had a lot of fun. And, I spent about an hour face timing with Kevin and I got to talk to the kids too! Awesome. So all in all it was a pretty fantastic birthday.
Yesterday morning I hopped down to Jo's for coffee and banana bread. Ainsley was an absolute hoot!! She came over and arms up right away. Up onto my knee and I fed her pieces of muffin. What a live wire she is!!! And she is so independent....she goes all over the house to play, far away from Mom. Very impressive!!! She is so cute! I will post a couple pics! I had a great visit, as usual, with Jo. I love visiting with her...she has opinions and doesn't hesitate to state them. I really appreciate that in people. We really did have a great post election talk!
From there I headed up to Kathy's to pick up the key to their van. I am picking them up tonight at the airport. Excited!! Then I headed up to Canadian Tire. Stan called me and told me that the winter tires I should have were on sale. My tires, great as they are, do not have the snow flake on them that is required for highway driving. But when they came out to see what size my tires were they laughed at me. They said that even though the tire has only a M&S (mud and slush) and no snowflake, they were so good that they were better than the ones that they would be putting on. And, apparently when you have skookum tires, you don't need the snowflake. Confusing. So I phone the transport BC people and they told me that if you have really good M&S tires, you don't need the snowflake. So, Stan, if you are reading this, my apologies. I didn't get new tires afterall.
But Monte is another story. Not only is he getting new tires, he is getting even one more step up to the Nordics that Stan recommended. Arctic!!
I popped into Milestones for a solitary quick lunch. They make a fantastic veggie burger...in my opinion the best thing they make. So good. Last night I went to the Noble Pig and met with all the grad people that could make it. There were only about ten of us but we had a fantastic time! I had their classic mac and cheese.
I hopped on the scale this morning and I have dropped ten pounds. You would think after all that eating I wouldn't have lost. Maybe its because I have pretty much quit eating meat and I can only eat about half of what I used to. I get pukey if I eat too much or eat meat. I miss eating tons.
So now I am home today, or at least til tonite when I go get Kathy and Kerry. They will be so tired. They boarded their plane hours ago in Dusseldorf and they change planes in Vancouver later this afternoon and land in Kamloops tonite. I have lots of memories of doing just that with Bill. So exhausting...the only part of travel I didn't like.
Now today I headed down to the dr. and once again he isn't coming in today. I have to stop trying on Fridays! I think Monte and I are meeting Jo and Craig for all you can eat sushi at this place right near where Monte works. Today is his end of probation at work and the manager wants to meet with him at 1:30 for a talk. Eeek!! I hope it goes well. He loves that job. It would be pretty devastating if they let him go. I can't imagine why they would but you never know. Fingers crossed.
So now I am going to sally forth and take some pics of flowers etc... TTYL
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| THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ARYN SENT ME...STAN AND ANTONIA'S PIC WILL BE IN THE NEXT POST |
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| GETTING RID OF TWO OF THESE...SOLIC MAHOGANY JEWEL BOXES...THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT I JUST DON'T USE THEM...AT LEAST NOT ENOUGH TO TAKE UP SO MUCH SPACE |
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| PLAYING WITH AINSLEY |
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| BRAND NEW TULIP COVERED 'CLOGS' |
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
Can't sleep. And I don't like where my brain is wandering around. I always try to go back to sleep and sometimes I do. But when I find my thinking is getting stupid and going in ever increasingly speedy circles, its time to sit up and read or blog or put on the pvr. This morning its writing up a post. I haven't taken pics yet of my next discard but I will put extra in the next post. I know what I am tossing though.
I ordered two pairs of tights/pants/jegging type things from the online fat lady store. How wrong can that go? Well, apparently very wrong.
They arrived at the door yesterday. I was happy. These aren't your normal tights, cuz they look like pants, which, as I have iterated here before, I have vast difficulty finding ones that fit. Tights are a nice compromise and tights that look like pants are a really really good compromise.
So, I was excited. I ordered the smallest size they have, which seems ridiculous given the size of my girth. I yanked the package open and pulled out the suedeish looking one, the heavy material one that I was most looking forward to most. They would look fantastic with boots. I shook them out, admiring their extra heavy weight, and ......Jeez! I rapidly checked the size on the tag...yes they were X...the smallest they sell. I couldn't believe it!!! They would have fit a fat bottomed elephant! I was so disappointed! There wasn't even a point of trying them on. The other ones were much lighter, much smaller (still a little too big though) and looked like corduroy, which I liked. I shall keep them.
Today I am meeting Dana and her mom for lunch. I love meeting with Dana. We always end up laughing ourselves silly. And I haven't had a chance to really visit with Mary Ellen in yonks. I so enjoy both of those women. And Dana is taking the tv off my hands!!! I guess they can use it at their cabin! Makes me happy! I also bought a giant can of almond rocca for Brad. He used to live with us years and years ago. He was working for his Dad in our office. We used to always give him almond roca for xmas. So for old times sake I picked up a can at Costco.
After lunch today I have to go into BCAA with the will and the death cert. Apparently, I have discovered, they didn't cancel the insurance on the Victoria house. They needed a copy of the will. I didn't know that. So I will be getting about three hundred bucks back! Ever since I put myself on a budget, every little bit counts.
HEY!! I just saw the date!! Its my birthday today. I think I am 63, I will have to do the math. I was born in 1952. My birthday present to myself is going to be four skookum goodyear winter tires that are on sale at Canadian Tire (thank you Stan for the heads up and advice). Maybe I will make me a mug cake and use splenda instead of sugar.
So I went down and voted the other day. I was going to make friends in the line up...and there was no line up. The place was empty! I whipped over to my station, they gave me the ballot, I went behind the cardboard and put my x right where I had not planned to. My mind was all made up, I was voting my usual party line and then boom! my hand wouldn't do it and the x went elsewhere. I couldn't believe it!
I am glad its over. I was pretty appalled at the nasty disrespectful attitudes out there against Harper. I understand why people are not happy with him, neither was I, but I think people crossed the line with the hate and, frankly exaggerated lies about him and his party. I was surprised that the parties actually ran pretty clean campaigns, it was the media and the populous that did the dirty slinging this time. So much hate.
I love living alone. I know I have said this before. But sometimes old habits die hard and when I have completed an old habit task, I look around and thats when I miss living with Bill.
The other morning I got the urge to cook. Before Bill passed, I would do this about every three or four days. I would make something huge, Bill would eat it, as would I, and I would freeze at least two meals out of the rest. Its the only cooking, other than company cooking, I would do.
So, the other morning, operating on habit, I took a whole chicken and turned it into a massive pot of chicken and dumplings. They were the best tasting dumplings I have made in a long long time. Damn they were good!!! But when I was done it dawned on me that I would have to eat the whole dang thing myself. Monte doesn't eat my stuff, he has his own food agenda, and there is no Bill going back to the pot over and over. Fortunately I had two brand new big ziplock containers, which I filled to the brim and put in the freezer.
I am turning into my mother! Her freezer, and it was one of those old HUGE ones, was plumb full of curried chicken (her and Kathy's style), frozen berries, apple crisp, deer meat, and all sorts of yummy interesting labelled things. Now, I will never label, I just aint the type, but my freezer is beginning to look a lot like hers. I miss cooking for Bill.
I just read over this post and its ridiculous and rambling. Thats what seems to happen in the middle of the night. Its kind of cool though. I sit here in the pitch dark, and I turn the light down low on the screen and it feels like you all are sitting here with me...it sure isn't lonely so thanks people! Jeez, now I am really sounding crazy....or cray cray as they say now. Good night, or morning peeps! TTYL
I ordered two pairs of tights/pants/jegging type things from the online fat lady store. How wrong can that go? Well, apparently very wrong.
They arrived at the door yesterday. I was happy. These aren't your normal tights, cuz they look like pants, which, as I have iterated here before, I have vast difficulty finding ones that fit. Tights are a nice compromise and tights that look like pants are a really really good compromise.
So, I was excited. I ordered the smallest size they have, which seems ridiculous given the size of my girth. I yanked the package open and pulled out the suedeish looking one, the heavy material one that I was most looking forward to most. They would look fantastic with boots. I shook them out, admiring their extra heavy weight, and ......Jeez! I rapidly checked the size on the tag...yes they were X...the smallest they sell. I couldn't believe it!!! They would have fit a fat bottomed elephant! I was so disappointed! There wasn't even a point of trying them on. The other ones were much lighter, much smaller (still a little too big though) and looked like corduroy, which I liked. I shall keep them.
Today I am meeting Dana and her mom for lunch. I love meeting with Dana. We always end up laughing ourselves silly. And I haven't had a chance to really visit with Mary Ellen in yonks. I so enjoy both of those women. And Dana is taking the tv off my hands!!! I guess they can use it at their cabin! Makes me happy! I also bought a giant can of almond rocca for Brad. He used to live with us years and years ago. He was working for his Dad in our office. We used to always give him almond roca for xmas. So for old times sake I picked up a can at Costco.
After lunch today I have to go into BCAA with the will and the death cert. Apparently, I have discovered, they didn't cancel the insurance on the Victoria house. They needed a copy of the will. I didn't know that. So I will be getting about three hundred bucks back! Ever since I put myself on a budget, every little bit counts.
HEY!! I just saw the date!! Its my birthday today. I think I am 63, I will have to do the math. I was born in 1952. My birthday present to myself is going to be four skookum goodyear winter tires that are on sale at Canadian Tire (thank you Stan for the heads up and advice). Maybe I will make me a mug cake and use splenda instead of sugar.
So I went down and voted the other day. I was going to make friends in the line up...and there was no line up. The place was empty! I whipped over to my station, they gave me the ballot, I went behind the cardboard and put my x right where I had not planned to. My mind was all made up, I was voting my usual party line and then boom! my hand wouldn't do it and the x went elsewhere. I couldn't believe it!
I am glad its over. I was pretty appalled at the nasty disrespectful attitudes out there against Harper. I understand why people are not happy with him, neither was I, but I think people crossed the line with the hate and, frankly exaggerated lies about him and his party. I was surprised that the parties actually ran pretty clean campaigns, it was the media and the populous that did the dirty slinging this time. So much hate.
I love living alone. I know I have said this before. But sometimes old habits die hard and when I have completed an old habit task, I look around and thats when I miss living with Bill.
The other morning I got the urge to cook. Before Bill passed, I would do this about every three or four days. I would make something huge, Bill would eat it, as would I, and I would freeze at least two meals out of the rest. Its the only cooking, other than company cooking, I would do.
So, the other morning, operating on habit, I took a whole chicken and turned it into a massive pot of chicken and dumplings. They were the best tasting dumplings I have made in a long long time. Damn they were good!!! But when I was done it dawned on me that I would have to eat the whole dang thing myself. Monte doesn't eat my stuff, he has his own food agenda, and there is no Bill going back to the pot over and over. Fortunately I had two brand new big ziplock containers, which I filled to the brim and put in the freezer.
I am turning into my mother! Her freezer, and it was one of those old HUGE ones, was plumb full of curried chicken (her and Kathy's style), frozen berries, apple crisp, deer meat, and all sorts of yummy interesting labelled things. Now, I will never label, I just aint the type, but my freezer is beginning to look a lot like hers. I miss cooking for Bill.
I just read over this post and its ridiculous and rambling. Thats what seems to happen in the middle of the night. Its kind of cool though. I sit here in the pitch dark, and I turn the light down low on the screen and it feels like you all are sitting here with me...it sure isn't lonely so thanks people! Jeez, now I am really sounding crazy....or cray cray as they say now. Good night, or morning peeps! TTYL
Monday, October 19, 2015
NO. 51 &52 VOTING DAY
It's been a nothing couple of days. Monte and I did get the room downstairs done. The carpet down there must have been scotch guarded or something. Everything we move on it squeals like a little piggy. And stuff sticks, its really really hard to pull stuff across it.
The whole 'move everything' started because of the corner gas stove. I want to just leave it on low for the winter. It will heat the whole house. I like to keep the house around 16 degrees so I won't be using the furnace at all. And even on low, it has to be freezing outside before I will put that little stove on. We tested it out the other day when it was chilly out but not freezing. It freaking went up to 21 degrees up here!! Not happening!! So its off until its freezing.
But, in order to use it I had to move the piano. The side of the piano was getting hot and that isn't good. And then of course a domino effect had to happen. The big chairs had to move to make room for the rocking chair, to make room for the red dry sink, to make room for the piano and so on and so on.
But we got it done. We almost tipped the five thousand pound piano over! and as we pushed and pulled that thing, its on castors, it screamed the whole way over. But I think we have it where it needs to go. Monte also organized all the millions of records (note..I am the queen of hyperbole i just wanted an excuse to use that awesome word!). I will take some pics, not that you are interested...I am also the queen of ennui (I think that means lethargy, not boredom).
So now I need to collect my hair into a publicly approved arrangement and head down to the polling station. My goal is to make two friends whilst in line. And I have decided to vote Liberal. Why not? I have always voted Lib so I might as well this time too. I like Paul Martin and he is going to help Justy. Good enough for me.
TTYL
The whole 'move everything' started because of the corner gas stove. I want to just leave it on low for the winter. It will heat the whole house. I like to keep the house around 16 degrees so I won't be using the furnace at all. And even on low, it has to be freezing outside before I will put that little stove on. We tested it out the other day when it was chilly out but not freezing. It freaking went up to 21 degrees up here!! Not happening!! So its off until its freezing.
But, in order to use it I had to move the piano. The side of the piano was getting hot and that isn't good. And then of course a domino effect had to happen. The big chairs had to move to make room for the rocking chair, to make room for the red dry sink, to make room for the piano and so on and so on.
But we got it done. We almost tipped the five thousand pound piano over! and as we pushed and pulled that thing, its on castors, it screamed the whole way over. But I think we have it where it needs to go. Monte also organized all the millions of records (note..I am the queen of hyperbole i just wanted an excuse to use that awesome word!). I will take some pics, not that you are interested...I am also the queen of ennui (I think that means lethargy, not boredom).
So now I need to collect my hair into a publicly approved arrangement and head down to the polling station. My goal is to make two friends whilst in line. And I have decided to vote Liberal. Why not? I have always voted Lib so I might as well this time too. I like Paul Martin and he is going to help Justy. Good enough for me.
TTYL
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| TIME TO TOSS THAT OLD OLD CRITTER OUT |
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| WHAT WAS I THINKING...THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF UGLY |
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| THIS I SHOULD KEEP...ITS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE MOST USELESS THING I OWN. IT CAN'T BE USED AS A VASE. ITS TOO SMALL FOR A TRIFLE. IT WOULDN'T BE SUITABLE FOR VEGGIES OR POTATOES. LIKE WHAT THE HELL GOOD IS IT FOR? I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE IT CAME FROM BUT I HAVE HAD IT FOR YEARS AND NEVER USED IT. |
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| THERE IS BILL'S 49 POUNDER OVER THE PIANO |
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| I WON'T BE LEAVING THE RCMP JACKET THERE FOREVER, BUT IT CAN HANG THERE FOR NOW. THERE IS THE GAS STOVE. THAT IS WHERE THE PIANO USED TO BE |
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| THAT SET OF DRAWERS IS FULL OF MUSIC BOOKS AND THE TOP DRAWER HAS ALL MY GORGEOUS SILK I BROUGHT BACK FROM SHANGHAI |
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| THAT CABINET IS STARK EMPTY!!!!!! |
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| THAT BLUE COFFEE TABLE TRUNK IS FULL OF TOYS! |
Friday, October 16, 2015
NOS. 43,44,45,46,47,48,49 & 50.....EIGHT!!! I HAVE TO FIND EIGHT THINGS!
I was counting out the days and how many get rid ofs I needed to get together to make up the missed days and I need to go down those stairs and find eight things! Sigh!
Anne came over on Tuesday and we spent a lovely day sitting in our respective rocking chairs in purple room, solving the world's problems. Jeez...we cover everything...politics, personal lady stuff, children, books, CBC, movies, husbands, rellies (gossip time!), recipes, and we spent a lot of time trying to remember words and what we were talking about! She brought a roasted chicken with her so we sat in the newly usable dining room and lunched. So much fun.
Yesterday (Wed) I pulled myself together and marched out the door and went off to buy dining room chairs. If I don't do it right now, I won't have chairs for Christmas.
I had seen some on the Sears website so headed straight there. I finally found their pitiful pathetic little area of furniture. There were about three or four chair choices...all ugly and sure as hell not what I wanted. The sales guy came over and I asked if that was all they had. Yes. It was. So I then asked if I went over to customer service would I be able to order from a catalogue. No. I couldn't. Some other company does Sears.ca now. What???
So I didn't react very nicely. Then he said that people would come in to the store, try out the chairs then go home and order them online...saying this like it was a major crime. So what? I say. Its all the same company! Nope...Sears.ca is not Sears. I was MAD! What a colossal waste of stupid time!!! So I told him that I quit shopping at Sears forty years ago because they were so stupid and now it is my bad, thinking things could have changed. I stomped out.
I went to a couple of other stores, but they are just so expensive. I knew what I wanted, and they simply didn't have it. Finally I remembered there was a wholesale place just below my house. I went there, and no, they didn't have what I wanted there either....but....he had a huge catalogue I could order from.
So I sat down, went through it, found what I was looking for and bought six of them. He told me they will be here by the beginning of November. Yippeee!!! They are all cloth, off white, upholstery tacked around the edges (pretty). At least I think thats what they looked like. The pic in the book was teeny and when he brought it up on the computer, the screen was all reflecty and dirty and I couldn't really see the picture. Oh well, I am sure they will be fine.
Then I headed up to Costco. It was empty in there! I had a very pleasant hour, wandering around, taste testing etc...The jeans they have in there for Monte are the only ones in Kamloops that fit him. I bought a pair for him to try. And they fit! So I went back today and bought three more for him. He goes through jeans like water.
The doctor has put me on a couple of blood pressure meds. One of them is to slow my heart rate down. I have been having a couple of odd things happen so decided to look the pills up. Long story short, the side effects seem to be due to a low pulse. So I downloaded an app that measures your heart beat. I also have a blood pressure thingy that also does heart beat. Plus take my own pulse with a finger to the throat. Its 34. No matter how many times I check, its 34 - 38. When I checked Monte's the same three ways, his always comes out around 95-99. One thing having a low pulse does, you sleep like your dead, three times a day for a couple hours at a time. I kind of like it! Good thing I am retired and have the time to sleep.
Okay enough. I am going to head down those stairs now. TTYL
Anne came over on Tuesday and we spent a lovely day sitting in our respective rocking chairs in purple room, solving the world's problems. Jeez...we cover everything...politics, personal lady stuff, children, books, CBC, movies, husbands, rellies (gossip time!), recipes, and we spent a lot of time trying to remember words and what we were talking about! She brought a roasted chicken with her so we sat in the newly usable dining room and lunched. So much fun.
Yesterday (Wed) I pulled myself together and marched out the door and went off to buy dining room chairs. If I don't do it right now, I won't have chairs for Christmas.
I had seen some on the Sears website so headed straight there. I finally found their pitiful pathetic little area of furniture. There were about three or four chair choices...all ugly and sure as hell not what I wanted. The sales guy came over and I asked if that was all they had. Yes. It was. So I then asked if I went over to customer service would I be able to order from a catalogue. No. I couldn't. Some other company does Sears.ca now. What???
So I didn't react very nicely. Then he said that people would come in to the store, try out the chairs then go home and order them online...saying this like it was a major crime. So what? I say. Its all the same company! Nope...Sears.ca is not Sears. I was MAD! What a colossal waste of stupid time!!! So I told him that I quit shopping at Sears forty years ago because they were so stupid and now it is my bad, thinking things could have changed. I stomped out.
I went to a couple of other stores, but they are just so expensive. I knew what I wanted, and they simply didn't have it. Finally I remembered there was a wholesale place just below my house. I went there, and no, they didn't have what I wanted there either....but....he had a huge catalogue I could order from.
So I sat down, went through it, found what I was looking for and bought six of them. He told me they will be here by the beginning of November. Yippeee!!! They are all cloth, off white, upholstery tacked around the edges (pretty). At least I think thats what they looked like. The pic in the book was teeny and when he brought it up on the computer, the screen was all reflecty and dirty and I couldn't really see the picture. Oh well, I am sure they will be fine.
Then I headed up to Costco. It was empty in there! I had a very pleasant hour, wandering around, taste testing etc...The jeans they have in there for Monte are the only ones in Kamloops that fit him. I bought a pair for him to try. And they fit! So I went back today and bought three more for him. He goes through jeans like water.
The doctor has put me on a couple of blood pressure meds. One of them is to slow my heart rate down. I have been having a couple of odd things happen so decided to look the pills up. Long story short, the side effects seem to be due to a low pulse. So I downloaded an app that measures your heart beat. I also have a blood pressure thingy that also does heart beat. Plus take my own pulse with a finger to the throat. Its 34. No matter how many times I check, its 34 - 38. When I checked Monte's the same three ways, his always comes out around 95-99. One thing having a low pulse does, you sleep like your dead, three times a day for a couple hours at a time. I kind of like it! Good thing I am retired and have the time to sleep.
Okay enough. I am going to head down those stairs now. TTYL
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| NO IDEA WHERE I BOUGHT THIS A MILLION YEARS AGO..NEVER USED IT |
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| CHINESE LANTERNS....WE HAD SO MUCH FUN PICKING THEM OUT IN A WONDERFUL MARKET IN VIET NAM |
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| ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL BOTTLES OF FRENCH PERFUME...WE BOUGHT THEM IN A PERFUMERY IN GRASSE, FRANCE |
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| THE BOTTLES ARE EXQUISITE |
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| I BROUGHT THIS TRAY BACK FROM ENGLAND...BOUGHT IT IN A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE SHOP IN STRATFORD UPON AVON |
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| BOUGHT THIS IN A STORE NEXT DOOR TO THE ONE ABOVE |
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| VERY HEAVY MOSAIC BOX |
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| EMPTIED A BAG OF THINGS WE BOUGHT IN INDIA, CHINA AND ALASKA |
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
AHHHHH....FOOD, FAMILY AND FUN
It's pitch black early out there and I have been wide awake for three hours. I am not in the slightest bit sleepy! Its Tuesday morning.
What a different thanksgiving we had this year. Myles and April arrived late Friday nite. We stayed up til about one in the morning, sitting in the living room, all toasty warm and pretty. (the room that is!) I love my living room!
Saturday morning, while Myles went to OK tires, April and I headed up the hill to a new to us store. I was on the hunt for a foody type housewarming gift for Craig and Jo. The store we went to was an olive oil/balsamic vinegar store. The oils were lined up down the left side of the store and the vinegars to the right. Special stuff covered the middle. And everything in there was taste testable! Boy did we have a fun hour! In the end we purchased a few special oils and vinegars for them and some for ourselves! What a delightful find!!!
After a day of shopping we duded up and headed over to Craig and Jo's for dinner. And what a dinner it was!!! There were eight of us to table, for prime rib cooked a special way, smashed spuds, best brussels sprouts recipe ever, caesar salad to die for and tirimisu! Oh, and bottles and bottles of wine. God!!! it was delicious and a ton of fun! Plus we had our first tour of there beautiful new house.
Sunday morning we hopped into Myles's truck and headed up to Sun Peaks...its like a mini quieter Whistler. We stayed in the best hotel in town. The place was pretty, big and just plain special. The kids remembered to bring their bathing suits, unlike myself, so they headed down to the two pools and umpteen whirlpools etc and swam all afternoon. I had an awesome layabout in the hotel room(s). It was a suite and a pretty fantastic one complete with fridge, coffee, separate bedroom with a giant bed, fireplace, flat screen, all the bells and whistles...so I was a happy camper. You know you are in a good hotel when you open your laptop and the wifi just simply comes on...no money needed, no big long requisition form to fill out, no stupid impossibly long and difficult password and username...nope it just simply comes on. Passed my test!!
We had made reservations at Powder Hounds restaurant. Mmmmmm....schnitzel! We had a fun time there and had an amazing huge meal...courtesy of Myles!! What a treat that was! We were back in our room by nine and relaxed and watched a couple of travel shows. The whole week end was fun and relaxing.
When we got home in the afternoon, Stan and Antonia arrived. April and Myles headed back to Vancouver and Stan and Antonia and I visited and caught up. Its been a while since I had seen them so lots to talk about. I made a leg of lamb dinner, complete with violent green mint jelly, delicious!!!
But I think the best part were the potatoes and carrots. It takes a long time but well worth it. You put finely diced onions (lots) and garlic (as much as you like) into a stainless steel wok with lots of butter. When they have caramelized you throw in a bunch of little new potatoes. Stir them around and coat them with butter and onion. Put the lid on, turn the heat down and just let them cook. Over the next two to three hours you occasionally stir them up. If they aren't browning enough turn the heat up. An hour before dinner, cook some carrots. When they are done, throw them into the potatoes, stir around and cook til the roast is done. Take the lid off for this part. Man! you can't get tastier spuds and carrots than that...and easy peasy low maintenance!
Now I hear Stan and Antonia moving about, getting ready to leave in a while. I shall go and make a bit of breakfast for them. I shall nap later!! TTYL
What a different thanksgiving we had this year. Myles and April arrived late Friday nite. We stayed up til about one in the morning, sitting in the living room, all toasty warm and pretty. (the room that is!) I love my living room!
Saturday morning, while Myles went to OK tires, April and I headed up the hill to a new to us store. I was on the hunt for a foody type housewarming gift for Craig and Jo. The store we went to was an olive oil/balsamic vinegar store. The oils were lined up down the left side of the store and the vinegars to the right. Special stuff covered the middle. And everything in there was taste testable! Boy did we have a fun hour! In the end we purchased a few special oils and vinegars for them and some for ourselves! What a delightful find!!!
After a day of shopping we duded up and headed over to Craig and Jo's for dinner. And what a dinner it was!!! There were eight of us to table, for prime rib cooked a special way, smashed spuds, best brussels sprouts recipe ever, caesar salad to die for and tirimisu! Oh, and bottles and bottles of wine. God!!! it was delicious and a ton of fun! Plus we had our first tour of there beautiful new house.
Sunday morning we hopped into Myles's truck and headed up to Sun Peaks...its like a mini quieter Whistler. We stayed in the best hotel in town. The place was pretty, big and just plain special. The kids remembered to bring their bathing suits, unlike myself, so they headed down to the two pools and umpteen whirlpools etc and swam all afternoon. I had an awesome layabout in the hotel room(s). It was a suite and a pretty fantastic one complete with fridge, coffee, separate bedroom with a giant bed, fireplace, flat screen, all the bells and whistles...so I was a happy camper. You know you are in a good hotel when you open your laptop and the wifi just simply comes on...no money needed, no big long requisition form to fill out, no stupid impossibly long and difficult password and username...nope it just simply comes on. Passed my test!!
We had made reservations at Powder Hounds restaurant. Mmmmmm....schnitzel! We had a fun time there and had an amazing huge meal...courtesy of Myles!! What a treat that was! We were back in our room by nine and relaxed and watched a couple of travel shows. The whole week end was fun and relaxing.
When we got home in the afternoon, Stan and Antonia arrived. April and Myles headed back to Vancouver and Stan and Antonia and I visited and caught up. Its been a while since I had seen them so lots to talk about. I made a leg of lamb dinner, complete with violent green mint jelly, delicious!!!
But I think the best part were the potatoes and carrots. It takes a long time but well worth it. You put finely diced onions (lots) and garlic (as much as you like) into a stainless steel wok with lots of butter. When they have caramelized you throw in a bunch of little new potatoes. Stir them around and coat them with butter and onion. Put the lid on, turn the heat down and just let them cook. Over the next two to three hours you occasionally stir them up. If they aren't browning enough turn the heat up. An hour before dinner, cook some carrots. When they are done, throw them into the potatoes, stir around and cook til the roast is done. Take the lid off for this part. Man! you can't get tastier spuds and carrots than that...and easy peasy low maintenance!
Now I hear Stan and Antonia moving about, getting ready to leave in a while. I shall go and make a bit of breakfast for them. I shall nap later!! TTYL
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
No. 38, 39, 40, 41 &42..PHOTOGRAPHY
I have another vent. Photography has kind of ruined part of my life. I see everything now through an imaginary viewfinder. My finger starts twitching and if I don't get my camera I get restless and a naggy unhappy feeling sits in the back of my brain. I can't seem to just enjoy a view anymore.
For example I wake up long before it gets light. I read or write or whatever until an orange glow starts up over the Harper ranch on top of the mountains across the valley. As the air starts to warm up a wee bit, we begin to see streaks of fog fingers shooting up from the river, into the sky. Pretty soon, as the sky lightens, the fingers slowly form into a solid blanket running low, the length of the river, snaking right through the valley, to disappear around the bend at the end...out of sight.
When the sun finally crests over the horizon, the tips of the gloriously coloured maples, poplars, birch and many others glow brilliantly like jewels against the soft white cloud. And my finger starts to twitch. I force myself to sit here and try to enjoy the panorama...but I can't. And of course, the subsequent pictures I take simply don't do it justice. Very disappointing.
I spent the entire day yesterday putting out fires in my mail/email/bills world. I made the mistake of changing my mastercard from Bmo to a Capital One mastercard. My very high limit was reduced to almost nothing. And upon phoning them I was subjected to a total, uncooperative bitch. I switched because of Costco but given the amount of times I DON'T go to Costco, in hindsight, it was a stupid move. I am not going to use that card. Apparently, a little birdie told me that Costco members have trouble with Capital One mastercards.
I also heard from Kevin. The strata council at the Maui condos has completely changed and now so does the place we pay our fees. Damn!!! I can't just change the automatic withdrawal pmts that they insist on without being there. They will have no choice but to accept cheques. And there were endless other things. I literally spent the entire day being my own secretary. (shovel list)
And today is going to be spent tooting around running errands. (another shovel list item) There are a least fifty things I have to go do. Tomorrow Monte is going to help me set the dining room up. I am looking forward to that! Thursday I shall attempt the doctor again and do some shopping for groceries for the weekend. Stan and Antonia, Myles and April are arriving Fri. night.
Now it is Wednesday night. I had the most prosperous day today, but you would never know by looking at my house. This morning I left the house by nine and headed out to the storage unit to change my credit card. Can you believe they can't take it over the phone? And not only that they use one of those old school slidy things to get the card imprint. Ridiculous.
I then hit the post office up for three parcels that they couldn't leave at the door last week. Fun stuff! Mostly shoes and moccasins from SoftMoc, my all time fave shoe store. I also got a couple of sport sandals...the kind I really really like but can never find. I will never get tired of them. I also got a stompin' evil lookin' pair of combat boots to go with Tank. Actually they are good in the snow.
After getting home I swung into action and started to deal with all the stuff that has accumulated in the dining room. Monte came upstairs and gave me a hand. He moved a mountain for me. Its almost ready for the table and buffet...although I have no idea how we are going to get them upstairs. Maybe when Myles and April come the four of us can do it. I am excited to have a dining room again. I really need it!
This weekend we have been invited to Craig and Jo's new house for a prime rib dinner! Now this is special. Craig is a foody and an amazing chef. So this dinner is going to be incredible. Plus, we will get to watch Ainsley and all her antics...one of my personal fave past times!
On Sunday Myles and April and I are going to head up to Sun Peaks. I have booked us into the SunPeaks Grand Resort for the night and made reservations at a nearby restaurant called the Powder Hounds. The menu there was stupendous! At this time of year I am sure its going to be beautiful! We were going to go up to Wells Grey Park but there just isn't enough time. We will go in the spring and do some camping!
So here we go...five more pics. Its still looking like a hell hole downstairs. I have four full boxes out in the garage now. TTYL
For example I wake up long before it gets light. I read or write or whatever until an orange glow starts up over the Harper ranch on top of the mountains across the valley. As the air starts to warm up a wee bit, we begin to see streaks of fog fingers shooting up from the river, into the sky. Pretty soon, as the sky lightens, the fingers slowly form into a solid blanket running low, the length of the river, snaking right through the valley, to disappear around the bend at the end...out of sight.
When the sun finally crests over the horizon, the tips of the gloriously coloured maples, poplars, birch and many others glow brilliantly like jewels against the soft white cloud. And my finger starts to twitch. I force myself to sit here and try to enjoy the panorama...but I can't. And of course, the subsequent pictures I take simply don't do it justice. Very disappointing.
I spent the entire day yesterday putting out fires in my mail/email/bills world. I made the mistake of changing my mastercard from Bmo to a Capital One mastercard. My very high limit was reduced to almost nothing. And upon phoning them I was subjected to a total, uncooperative bitch. I switched because of Costco but given the amount of times I DON'T go to Costco, in hindsight, it was a stupid move. I am not going to use that card. Apparently, a little birdie told me that Costco members have trouble with Capital One mastercards.
I also heard from Kevin. The strata council at the Maui condos has completely changed and now so does the place we pay our fees. Damn!!! I can't just change the automatic withdrawal pmts that they insist on without being there. They will have no choice but to accept cheques. And there were endless other things. I literally spent the entire day being my own secretary. (shovel list)
And today is going to be spent tooting around running errands. (another shovel list item) There are a least fifty things I have to go do. Tomorrow Monte is going to help me set the dining room up. I am looking forward to that! Thursday I shall attempt the doctor again and do some shopping for groceries for the weekend. Stan and Antonia, Myles and April are arriving Fri. night.
Now it is Wednesday night. I had the most prosperous day today, but you would never know by looking at my house. This morning I left the house by nine and headed out to the storage unit to change my credit card. Can you believe they can't take it over the phone? And not only that they use one of those old school slidy things to get the card imprint. Ridiculous.
I then hit the post office up for three parcels that they couldn't leave at the door last week. Fun stuff! Mostly shoes and moccasins from SoftMoc, my all time fave shoe store. I also got a couple of sport sandals...the kind I really really like but can never find. I will never get tired of them. I also got a stompin' evil lookin' pair of combat boots to go with Tank. Actually they are good in the snow.
After getting home I swung into action and started to deal with all the stuff that has accumulated in the dining room. Monte came upstairs and gave me a hand. He moved a mountain for me. Its almost ready for the table and buffet...although I have no idea how we are going to get them upstairs. Maybe when Myles and April come the four of us can do it. I am excited to have a dining room again. I really need it!
This weekend we have been invited to Craig and Jo's new house for a prime rib dinner! Now this is special. Craig is a foody and an amazing chef. So this dinner is going to be incredible. Plus, we will get to watch Ainsley and all her antics...one of my personal fave past times!
On Sunday Myles and April and I are going to head up to Sun Peaks. I have booked us into the SunPeaks Grand Resort for the night and made reservations at a nearby restaurant called the Powder Hounds. The menu there was stupendous! At this time of year I am sure its going to be beautiful! We were going to go up to Wells Grey Park but there just isn't enough time. We will go in the spring and do some camping!
So here we go...five more pics. Its still looking like a hell hole downstairs. I have four full boxes out in the garage now. TTYL
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| NO CLUE WHAT THIS IS....GOT IT IN CHINA |
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| REMINDED ME OF BILL...GOT IT IN A THRIFT STORE LAST YEAR...I WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO HIM IF HE EVER GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL |
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| A NEW FLAT SCREEN...I USED IT OFF AND ON FOR SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS...DON'T NEED IT ANYMORE |
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| THIS ONE IS HARD...BUT I CAN'T USE IT AND THE KIDS DON'T WANT IT. WE BOUGHT THIS IN AN ART GALLERY IN CARMEL ONE YEAR. THE LEMON AND THOSE TWO DARK COLOURED FRUIT ARE LIFE SIZE AND ATTACHED TO THE BOWL |
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| A BLACK BASKET I USED FOR ONE MONTH...GOTTA GO! |
Saturday, October 3, 2015
VANCOUVER LIFE
I have some fun stuff and a couple of rants. The rants first maybe.
Cyclists. They die. Or almost die then whine. I saw more cyclists run red lights, ride down public sidewalks, smack into people and completely disobey the laws. I can honestly say I didn't see any vehicles doing any of this.
One cyclist blew right through a red light, right in front of a car coming through. She managed to screech to a stop. When I caught up to him at a light that he could not cavalierly blast through, I wound my widow down and hollered at him...how he was a f.... idiot and he is going to get hit and if he does don't whine about car drivers. He hung onto my jeep and wouldn't let go til I drove away. They need to get off the main roads or we need to start ticketing them, just like car drivers get.
I have so quickly forgotten what it is like living in a busy, full of people city. A top of the list requirement is patience. Which my children will tell you I have none. One has to line up, hurry up and wait, defensively drive and wend your way through confusing construction. I will be happy for Tank and me to get back to calmer places.
Its been a busy week. As I mentioned earlier I had an amazing lunch with Tish and Clare. On Wednesday morning I drove April out to the dentist in Port Moody. It was lovely to see them all again.
While we were there we went into Thrifty's. While I paid for the groceries, April used their loo. When she came out a man went into the bathroom, she noticed because it was a women's facility. Right away she noticed she had left her wallet on the back of the toilet. When the man came out he was kind of hiding her wallet against his leg. She stopped him and asked for it. He said he was in the process of taking it to lost and found but gave it to her. Upon opening it she discovered he had stolen 255 bucks out of it. Well, holy crap...she was soooooo upset, to the point of shaking and tears. We hit him up but of course he denied it. We then went to customer service and they looked through the security tapes but discovered there was no camera coverage for the bathroom doors. Poor April. She was just sick.
I took a very very sad and disillusioned girl back home. That afternoon Aryn and I attended an estate planning seminar...so interesting and very informative.
That evening April, Aryn and I went downtown and had the most fun time! The best part though was the phone call we got from the TD around seven. They had tracked down my phone number from the Thrifty purchase I had made, and phoned to tell me that the guy who stole the money, being worried about his face being spotted on the videos and police getting involved etc.., brought the money back and turned it in. We couldn't believe it!!! April was so relieved and happy she was almost giddy.
The evening did turn out to be crazy fun, from eating bone marrow and sweetbreads at Wildebeast to drinking lattes, wine and tomato soup at Urban Winery. Sooo much laughter and fun shenanigans with my girls.
The next day Aryn, Myles, April and I met at a condo they have been interested in. Its a foreclosure and probably not going to happen for them this time but it is a lot of fun to go see the possible ones. Aryn has a lot of experience so I was glad she took the time to meet us there. From there I took April back to Thriftys out in Port Moody and she picked up her money and met the heros involved who took the time and effort to get it back to her. We even went to the TD to thank the girl there that tracked my number down. A real feel good trip!
We then met Jess at Red Robin for a quick lunch. We couldn't stay long as April had a million things to do and a painting to finish. I took her home and headed out to Cookie's, where I am sitting right now.
Last night Pam came over and the three of us have started to plan our Feb. Cuba trip. Gail arrived and made the evening even more fun and lively. The Cuba trip requires a very different sort of planning than other destinations. Today, Saturday, we had a leisurely morning of coffee, breakfast and visiting. We then went over to TJ's. I got to see her awesome new house and her wonderful little boy Maxin. So clever and cute. We had a good visit and then headed to a diner for lunch. Delicious!!! Then some shopping at Homesense and Fat Lady Store. I will write about that one tomorrow. Egads!!! You haven't lived until you have had some huge woman's hands in your bra. I will explain tomorrow! We also had a fast but awesome visit with Darren and Devika and Rylan. Jeez! what a busy little fellow he is!! And this time I got a good hug out of him! It was so good to see D & D too. Way too much time goes by between visits!
Now, after an evening of Amazing Race and Survivor, I am settled into Cookie's downstairs recliner and I am sleepy! Home tomorrow! TTYL
Cyclists. They die. Or almost die then whine. I saw more cyclists run red lights, ride down public sidewalks, smack into people and completely disobey the laws. I can honestly say I didn't see any vehicles doing any of this.
One cyclist blew right through a red light, right in front of a car coming through. She managed to screech to a stop. When I caught up to him at a light that he could not cavalierly blast through, I wound my widow down and hollered at him...how he was a f.... idiot and he is going to get hit and if he does don't whine about car drivers. He hung onto my jeep and wouldn't let go til I drove away. They need to get off the main roads or we need to start ticketing them, just like car drivers get.
I have so quickly forgotten what it is like living in a busy, full of people city. A top of the list requirement is patience. Which my children will tell you I have none. One has to line up, hurry up and wait, defensively drive and wend your way through confusing construction. I will be happy for Tank and me to get back to calmer places.
Its been a busy week. As I mentioned earlier I had an amazing lunch with Tish and Clare. On Wednesday morning I drove April out to the dentist in Port Moody. It was lovely to see them all again.
While we were there we went into Thrifty's. While I paid for the groceries, April used their loo. When she came out a man went into the bathroom, she noticed because it was a women's facility. Right away she noticed she had left her wallet on the back of the toilet. When the man came out he was kind of hiding her wallet against his leg. She stopped him and asked for it. He said he was in the process of taking it to lost and found but gave it to her. Upon opening it she discovered he had stolen 255 bucks out of it. Well, holy crap...she was soooooo upset, to the point of shaking and tears. We hit him up but of course he denied it. We then went to customer service and they looked through the security tapes but discovered there was no camera coverage for the bathroom doors. Poor April. She was just sick.
I took a very very sad and disillusioned girl back home. That afternoon Aryn and I attended an estate planning seminar...so interesting and very informative.
That evening April, Aryn and I went downtown and had the most fun time! The best part though was the phone call we got from the TD around seven. They had tracked down my phone number from the Thrifty purchase I had made, and phoned to tell me that the guy who stole the money, being worried about his face being spotted on the videos and police getting involved etc.., brought the money back and turned it in. We couldn't believe it!!! April was so relieved and happy she was almost giddy.
The evening did turn out to be crazy fun, from eating bone marrow and sweetbreads at Wildebeast to drinking lattes, wine and tomato soup at Urban Winery. Sooo much laughter and fun shenanigans with my girls.
The next day Aryn, Myles, April and I met at a condo they have been interested in. Its a foreclosure and probably not going to happen for them this time but it is a lot of fun to go see the possible ones. Aryn has a lot of experience so I was glad she took the time to meet us there. From there I took April back to Thriftys out in Port Moody and she picked up her money and met the heros involved who took the time and effort to get it back to her. We even went to the TD to thank the girl there that tracked my number down. A real feel good trip!
We then met Jess at Red Robin for a quick lunch. We couldn't stay long as April had a million things to do and a painting to finish. I took her home and headed out to Cookie's, where I am sitting right now.
Last night Pam came over and the three of us have started to plan our Feb. Cuba trip. Gail arrived and made the evening even more fun and lively. The Cuba trip requires a very different sort of planning than other destinations. Today, Saturday, we had a leisurely morning of coffee, breakfast and visiting. We then went over to TJ's. I got to see her awesome new house and her wonderful little boy Maxin. So clever and cute. We had a good visit and then headed to a diner for lunch. Delicious!!! Then some shopping at Homesense and Fat Lady Store. I will write about that one tomorrow. Egads!!! You haven't lived until you have had some huge woman's hands in your bra. I will explain tomorrow! We also had a fast but awesome visit with Darren and Devika and Rylan. Jeez! what a busy little fellow he is!! And this time I got a good hug out of him! It was so good to see D & D too. Way too much time goes by between visits!
Now, after an evening of Amazing Race and Survivor, I am settled into Cookie's downstairs recliner and I am sleepy! Home tomorrow! TTYL
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