This is my vent for this day:
I know schools teach grammar. I also know that kids will mimic what they hear at home. But I think special attention needs to be given to the usage of seen vs. saw.
I read the local community facebook page. Hundreds of comments float by. And it's unbelievable how many people use the word seen instead of saw. It drives me crazy!
Well I just got off the phone with the jeep dealer. Gladys will be here in the next few days! I am getting excited!
I now need to go get the windshield taken care of. And they have repeatedly told me NOT to get the jeep detailed. Apparently they have to do it, whether its clean or not so, I hope they don't freak when they see the three inches of dog hair embedded in every inch of that vehicle.
We are going to go camping on the tenth of August. We are heading up to Pachena Bay at Bamfield with Jen and two of the grandkids and her squeeze Dave and two of his kids. Jeni, my brother's daughter and her friends will be there the first night as they are getting ready to hit the West Coast Trail. I am sincerely hoping Gladys will be here by then. If not we go in Monte's van.
One of the things we are going to do is spread the rest of Spod's ashes. When we spread some of the ashes in Maui, someone asked why there were only two of his kids there, when actually there was three. I offered at that time for anyone that wanted some of his ashes for their own little ceremony, they were welcome to ask me. No one did. So all his ashes are going this time.
We have chartered a boat (I think I mentioned this before, sorry for the repeat) to go fishing and whilst we are out there we will spread his ashes on his beloved fishing grounds. Only Monte and Jen and I will be there. Both April and Aryn would love to be there but they just can't be for various reasons. But that's okay, they both kind of got their closure in Maui. The charter guy is one who knew Bill, so that seems such an added bonus. Weenie roasts it is!!!! I might take some spuds and tin foil and butter and salt and pepper...oh yeah!
Well I gotta bounce. Whilst sitting here between typings, I combed out my locks. Tubby time! TTYL
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Monday, July 29, 2019
CLEAN UP THE BLOG TIME
I think I mentioned that I am reading my blog. I started waaaay back. And it is such an eye opener and some of it is really hard to revisit. But I came across this:
" Have you ever been caught not listening? Someone is going on and on, telling what is probably not only an interesting story, but a significant one that you need to know. And then when you belatedly leave your happy place in your brain and tune in, storyteller is now on the pronouns and you have no idea who did what to who. And then the dreaded happens...storyperson asks a question. Shit! Brain scramble, you quickly gather all the word echoes you just heard in the last few minutes and try to patch together a semblance of what he/she was going on about. I hate when that happens. And I find as I get older I am getting much worse and I am doing this way more."
Hahahaha! That made me laugh. There is a certain person I do this with and I have to watch myself when I am around her. Way back I used to call her Pronoun Queen! Watch those pronouns people...it makes it hard for others to figure out who you are talking about. As such I see I do that far too often in this blog. I shall keep track and be more careful from now on! Hey the size of the print changed with the quote. Stupid blogspot.
Another thing I see I keep doing is saying I am going to put pics at the bottom and then I don't. Thats going to stop too. I'm either not going to say I am putting pics down there or I AM going to do it. I shall be more careful to follow through.
You know I noticed over the last couple of years that I don't know whats happening in my family's and friend's lives. And I blame the blog.
They all read this thing, and due to my verbal diarrhoea and no filters, you all know the ins and outs of my life. But, especially now that I live here on the Island and don't even see you guys for coffee or whatever (the ones that used to be physically close to) I am seriously out of the loop.
I think you all feel like we have got all caught up when in actual fact I have no clue whats going on with you guys! The only way I know Kathy and Kerry have gone camping or away, is they don't play the word game we play on our phones for an unnatural period of time. You guys need to either send me weekly emails, or even better, start blogging! That would be awesome! Hey Cookie...thats you too! Blogging is very cathartic.
So today is Sunday. Monte and I are going to take our new cameras and go picture hunting. We are going to head over to the short cut, (some of you will know where that is) and then possibly head up to Mt. Arrowsmith a ways. But of course he has to get up first!
Whilst I wait I am watching Hoarders. You know its like a sore tooth, you gotta stick your tongue in it. I would be the worst councillor to work on that show. I would be hauling off and smacking them, which of course is super mean. They can't help being OCD and lazy at the same time. I mean, go ahead and buy way too much stuff....but you could keep it neat and tidy. Having mouse turds and dead cats in your house isn't OCD, thats just lazy. Clearly I should be downstairs dealing with my own hoard. Those who are sin free shall cast the first stone in glass houses or something like that.
Well now its Monday. And we didn't go picture hunting. Monte was having a bad day...and a bad day for Monte is a lot of ticking and unintentional shout outs...Tourettes. So we ended up not going.
I have been trying to find a picture of our Mountain here to show you. But it really means either driving to the short cut or standing in the middle of a road...which I don't have the cajones to do. So I found a stellar one on google images. The mountain is covered in snow, which right now it isn't but it will kind of give you an idea.
Well I gotta go. I have a denturist appointment at ten...new teeth!!!!! TTYL
" Have you ever been caught not listening? Someone is going on and on, telling what is probably not only an interesting story, but a significant one that you need to know. And then when you belatedly leave your happy place in your brain and tune in, storyteller is now on the pronouns and you have no idea who did what to who. And then the dreaded happens...storyperson asks a question. Shit! Brain scramble, you quickly gather all the word echoes you just heard in the last few minutes and try to patch together a semblance of what he/she was going on about. I hate when that happens. And I find as I get older I am getting much worse and I am doing this way more."
Hahahaha! That made me laugh. There is a certain person I do this with and I have to watch myself when I am around her. Way back I used to call her Pronoun Queen! Watch those pronouns people...it makes it hard for others to figure out who you are talking about. As such I see I do that far too often in this blog. I shall keep track and be more careful from now on! Hey the size of the print changed with the quote. Stupid blogspot.
Another thing I see I keep doing is saying I am going to put pics at the bottom and then I don't. Thats going to stop too. I'm either not going to say I am putting pics down there or I AM going to do it. I shall be more careful to follow through.
You know I noticed over the last couple of years that I don't know whats happening in my family's and friend's lives. And I blame the blog.
They all read this thing, and due to my verbal diarrhoea and no filters, you all know the ins and outs of my life. But, especially now that I live here on the Island and don't even see you guys for coffee or whatever (the ones that used to be physically close to) I am seriously out of the loop.
I think you all feel like we have got all caught up when in actual fact I have no clue whats going on with you guys! The only way I know Kathy and Kerry have gone camping or away, is they don't play the word game we play on our phones for an unnatural period of time. You guys need to either send me weekly emails, or even better, start blogging! That would be awesome! Hey Cookie...thats you too! Blogging is very cathartic.
So today is Sunday. Monte and I are going to take our new cameras and go picture hunting. We are going to head over to the short cut, (some of you will know where that is) and then possibly head up to Mt. Arrowsmith a ways. But of course he has to get up first!
Whilst I wait I am watching Hoarders. You know its like a sore tooth, you gotta stick your tongue in it. I would be the worst councillor to work on that show. I would be hauling off and smacking them, which of course is super mean. They can't help being OCD and lazy at the same time. I mean, go ahead and buy way too much stuff....but you could keep it neat and tidy. Having mouse turds and dead cats in your house isn't OCD, thats just lazy. Clearly I should be downstairs dealing with my own hoard. Those who are sin free shall cast the first stone in glass houses or something like that.
Well now its Monday. And we didn't go picture hunting. Monte was having a bad day...and a bad day for Monte is a lot of ticking and unintentional shout outs...Tourettes. So we ended up not going.
I have been trying to find a picture of our Mountain here to show you. But it really means either driving to the short cut or standing in the middle of a road...which I don't have the cajones to do. So I found a stellar one on google images. The mountain is covered in snow, which right now it isn't but it will kind of give you an idea.
Well I gotta go. I have a denturist appointment at ten...new teeth!!!!! TTYL
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| I LIVE JUST UP AND OVER THAT HILL UP THERE |
Saturday, July 27, 2019
MISSING TWO LITTLE PEOPLE
Cookie: thanks for the support!! Hee Hee!!!! I don't think I could do anything other than rambly shit! I have been reading back over my blog...its been a super eye opening read. I see that when a few days go by I need to re read the last post...I often talk about crap I think I have already explained and I haven't. So my blog is more confusing than rambly!! I shall endeavour to correct this...prolly not!
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As I mentioned above to Cookie, I have been re reading my blog. Way way back I mentioned that I was doing it so when I got old and got dementia I would be able to read this and remind myself of who I am. Haha! Not so funny!
I can't believe what I have totally forgotten, and not just forgotten, but don't even remotely remember when my brain is jogged! And its to the point where I go, "Did I lie about that?" But I took an absolute vow, out loud to an unhelpful Spod, that I would never ever lie here.
I know that when I read all those blogs, if I had found out people were lying I would have quit reading it immediately. Now, I might be wrong on some things, but I try to keep the hyperbole (I just wanted to use that awesome word) down to a low level. I tend to be a hyperbolic (Love it) person. Keep it real...thats my motto!
As I was reading along, pictures of Ainsley and a very little Stirling showed up. Boy do I ever miss those two! I would arrive at Kathy's and they would both come running, Stirling with his arms up. I miss them, way more than I was prepared for.
Well I am starving. I made the three chicken curry yesterday and frigging froze it all! What a dummy!! And I froze all of the pea soup from the day before that. So Tuna sammiches it is! I love tuna sammiches. And I froze all the bread except the raisin bread. I think tuna and raisin bread will suit just fine! TTYL
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As I mentioned above to Cookie, I have been re reading my blog. Way way back I mentioned that I was doing it so when I got old and got dementia I would be able to read this and remind myself of who I am. Haha! Not so funny!
I can't believe what I have totally forgotten, and not just forgotten, but don't even remotely remember when my brain is jogged! And its to the point where I go, "Did I lie about that?" But I took an absolute vow, out loud to an unhelpful Spod, that I would never ever lie here.
I know that when I read all those blogs, if I had found out people were lying I would have quit reading it immediately. Now, I might be wrong on some things, but I try to keep the hyperbole (I just wanted to use that awesome word) down to a low level. I tend to be a hyperbolic (Love it) person. Keep it real...thats my motto!
As I was reading along, pictures of Ainsley and a very little Stirling showed up. Boy do I ever miss those two! I would arrive at Kathy's and they would both come running, Stirling with his arms up. I miss them, way more than I was prepared for.
Well I am starving. I made the three chicken curry yesterday and frigging froze it all! What a dummy!! And I froze all of the pea soup from the day before that. So Tuna sammiches it is! I love tuna sammiches. And I froze all the bread except the raisin bread. I think tuna and raisin bread will suit just fine! TTYL
Friday, July 26, 2019
FALLING DOWN ON THE JOB
I think I am not blogging right. Back before Spod died and we were travelling, my blog kind of was like a bad travelogue blog. But now...
This morning I decided to read some other blogs out there. I used to read blogs, back when people just wrote blogs like they were a journal. I am a really snoopy person, I would open people's mail and read it, I feel, but there has never been any mail hanging around that I am that interested in. (And Peter I want to reassure you that I def did NOT open your wee book you left here. We must get it back to you).
So being a snoop, dipping into other's lives suited me perfectly. But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Focused intelligent people have taken over blogging.
It became clear very quickly that I am not blogging the way I should be. I found a website that listed 100 'must read' blogs written by women. I perused through all of them briefly, long enough to see what the feel was for each one. OMG!! WTF!!! TMI!!! and not LMAO!!!!
Let's see, there was a purpose to every single one of them, not the rambly kind of shit I write. Babies, spirituality, life lessons, recipes, recommended books, travels, Christian life, health, marriage, and on and on. And their pics were all organized and perfect. Not all mixed up and not good.
So I sat and thought about it. What should I pick to concentrate my blog on to make it better. Life advice? Hahahahaha!!!!NO!!! Recipes? I don't ever use them, I just make crap up. Health? By a fat, high blood pressured, type 2 diabetic? Ummm no. Spirituality? Well I am a kind of a new ager but just how much can you write about that? Get a crystal, stick it in your pocket, be kind and loving all the time (sure)...There I covered it. Books? I read a ton but thats such a personal choice, like music, I would be very uncomfortable thinking you would like what I like. Ah well you get the picture. Concentrated blogging just ain't going to happen here. I am not a focuser. So I am going to stick to rambly crap.
So that being said, I got up this morning, wandered out to the coffee pot, scratched my giant belly, let the dog out, stubbed my toe, swore, let the dog in, poured a coffee, plunked into my chair and I am still here. What can I say? My life in a nutshell..... unfocused and rambly, and happy TTYL
This morning I decided to read some other blogs out there. I used to read blogs, back when people just wrote blogs like they were a journal. I am a really snoopy person, I would open people's mail and read it, I feel, but there has never been any mail hanging around that I am that interested in. (And Peter I want to reassure you that I def did NOT open your wee book you left here. We must get it back to you).
So being a snoop, dipping into other's lives suited me perfectly. But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Focused intelligent people have taken over blogging.
It became clear very quickly that I am not blogging the way I should be. I found a website that listed 100 'must read' blogs written by women. I perused through all of them briefly, long enough to see what the feel was for each one. OMG!! WTF!!! TMI!!! and not LMAO!!!!
Let's see, there was a purpose to every single one of them, not the rambly kind of shit I write. Babies, spirituality, life lessons, recipes, recommended books, travels, Christian life, health, marriage, and on and on. And their pics were all organized and perfect. Not all mixed up and not good.
So I sat and thought about it. What should I pick to concentrate my blog on to make it better. Life advice? Hahahahaha!!!!NO!!! Recipes? I don't ever use them, I just make crap up. Health? By a fat, high blood pressured, type 2 diabetic? Ummm no. Spirituality? Well I am a kind of a new ager but just how much can you write about that? Get a crystal, stick it in your pocket, be kind and loving all the time (sure)...There I covered it. Books? I read a ton but thats such a personal choice, like music, I would be very uncomfortable thinking you would like what I like. Ah well you get the picture. Concentrated blogging just ain't going to happen here. I am not a focuser. So I am going to stick to rambly crap.
So that being said, I got up this morning, wandered out to the coffee pot, scratched my giant belly, let the dog out, stubbed my toe, swore, let the dog in, poured a coffee, plunked into my chair and I am still here. What can I say? My life in a nutshell..... unfocused and rambly, and happy TTYL
Thursday, July 25, 2019
ALL ATWITTER!!!
Firstly, I have tried and tried to reply to comments and this fucking, yes FUCKING, blogspot will not let me. So from now on I am going to start each post with what I would have replied in comments. So...Sharri I am so happy all is well with you with the test. It is such a relief to find that out! And thank you for liking my dress!!! And I agree....the bodice does look like a peacock...as I probably will when I try it on!!!
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This town is all atwitter. Everybody knows everybody and having two of their younguns' go on a killing spree is pretty upsetting to everyone. And of course there is all kinds of speculation and condemnation and support for the parents.
I read a face book page called AV Chatterbox where everybody makes their posts about one thing and another and then there are a ton of reaction comments. I think I have mentioned this before.
I have been following along with everyone else and its been an interesting ride I tell ya. Mostly though people are very sympathetic to the families here.
Yesterday Monte announced he was going to James, taking some booze and staying the night. They play a game and decided to do a little tippling as well. So I had the whole day and night , and given the way he sleeps in, half the next day, all to myself.
So I put my shoes on, gave my poof a tug, slapped on my trusty dusty visor that everyone hates, and headed to Walmart. And, given that the bad boys had briefly worked there, the cashiers and workers were happy to talk. I guess the boys were NOT stellar employees....they did NOT like working there.
And everywhere you go there are news vans. The reporters are stopping every tom dick and harry they come across and pump them for opinions and info. They lucked out with that girl that went to school with the guys. This town is def atwitter! Remember Macleans named Port the fourth worst town in all of Canada to live.....Sure makes for interesting living!
Last night I got all settled into my comfies and my chair, Murdoch on the tv, lappy on my lap....my phone rings. It's Monte. I guess Mr. Drinky wanted to come home. Hahaha!!! He truly is not a drinker! So I headed out the door, pjs and slippers and all and drove the five minutes over to James's place and picked him up. He had drunk six beer....and was done. His sister can certainly put him to shame!!!! He went straight to bed, did not pass go, and I didn't see him again til about ten this morning when the mental health crew showed up to give him his shot.
We then pulled on our proper duds and went to get his van...but stopping at Smitty's first for breakfast/lunch. We just sat there and listened to all the convos going on....all of them, every single one was centred around the bad boys. Soooo interesting. One of them knew the family of the boy that seems to have been dragged into this, he doesn't even drive yet. I am glad I read Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes. I learned to keep an open mind in these circumstances and don't throw the family under the bus immediately. Some psychopaths are just that...born psychopaths.
Anywhoo....whilst at Walmart I found three whole chickens with my name on them! I am going to cut them up and turn them into curried chicken a la Mom and Kathy style. I bought a ton of super right sized plastic, BPA free etc.., to freeze meals in. I just put eight containers of pea soup into the freezer.
Thats all. TTYL
________________________________________
This town is all atwitter. Everybody knows everybody and having two of their younguns' go on a killing spree is pretty upsetting to everyone. And of course there is all kinds of speculation and condemnation and support for the parents.
I read a face book page called AV Chatterbox where everybody makes their posts about one thing and another and then there are a ton of reaction comments. I think I have mentioned this before.
I have been following along with everyone else and its been an interesting ride I tell ya. Mostly though people are very sympathetic to the families here.
Yesterday Monte announced he was going to James, taking some booze and staying the night. They play a game and decided to do a little tippling as well. So I had the whole day and night , and given the way he sleeps in, half the next day, all to myself.
So I put my shoes on, gave my poof a tug, slapped on my trusty dusty visor that everyone hates, and headed to Walmart. And, given that the bad boys had briefly worked there, the cashiers and workers were happy to talk. I guess the boys were NOT stellar employees....they did NOT like working there.
And everywhere you go there are news vans. The reporters are stopping every tom dick and harry they come across and pump them for opinions and info. They lucked out with that girl that went to school with the guys. This town is def atwitter! Remember Macleans named Port the fourth worst town in all of Canada to live.....Sure makes for interesting living!
Last night I got all settled into my comfies and my chair, Murdoch on the tv, lappy on my lap....my phone rings. It's Monte. I guess Mr. Drinky wanted to come home. Hahaha!!! He truly is not a drinker! So I headed out the door, pjs and slippers and all and drove the five minutes over to James's place and picked him up. He had drunk six beer....and was done. His sister can certainly put him to shame!!!! He went straight to bed, did not pass go, and I didn't see him again til about ten this morning when the mental health crew showed up to give him his shot.
We then pulled on our proper duds and went to get his van...but stopping at Smitty's first for breakfast/lunch. We just sat there and listened to all the convos going on....all of them, every single one was centred around the bad boys. Soooo interesting. One of them knew the family of the boy that seems to have been dragged into this, he doesn't even drive yet. I am glad I read Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes. I learned to keep an open mind in these circumstances and don't throw the family under the bus immediately. Some psychopaths are just that...born psychopaths.
Anywhoo....whilst at Walmart I found three whole chickens with my name on them! I am going to cut them up and turn them into curried chicken a la Mom and Kathy style. I bought a ton of super right sized plastic, BPA free etc.., to freeze meals in. I just put eight containers of pea soup into the freezer.
Thats all. TTYL
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
YET ANOTHER DINNER!
I was up at the crack of dawn yesterday morning. I made coffee, dealt with Wrangler and then noticed in my bleary morning state that a big ole' ham I bought the other day was still sitting in my fridge taking up way too much real estate.
So I hauled it out, washed it, and stuck it in my turkey roaster on low. Not too low though. I have found out the hard way that if your outdoor cooking implements are set too low, big ole' blow flies get in and lay eggs all over whatever it is you're cooking. And scraping them off and turning up the heat is NOT something I will do. (shovel list). Right Cookie?
I also ended up with a big bowl of shaved off corn. We had a fair amount of cobs left over Saturday night so I decided I would make creamed corn to go with the ham. I make super good creamed corn, if I do say so myself. Did you know that bought creamed corn is actually vegan...nary a drop of cream or butter in it. So it isn't hard to make a better tasting homemade version.
Then I noticed that the asparagus was literally on its last edible leg. So I hauled that out to prep for dinner as well. And....I had seven russet potatoes that were just beginning to wrinkle a tiny bit. (And if I am being honest here...their eyes were sprouting hairy white wart like thingies) And before you know it I had a dinner planned, not one I would normally make for just two of us trying to do Paleo eating. But left overs are left overs and over ripe vegetables need eating, fast. And that was all before eight am.
Monte, much later got up and saw what was for dinner. He got excited. He loves creamed corn. And ham and asparagus and baked potatoes. I knew he would be back in time for a six o'clock dinner. But what I hadn't expected was at about five thirty he told me he was bringing James and his gramma too. So I hauled out placemats and dishes and set the table properly. And dinner was had by all....and it was mighty tasty!
My new camera came. Sigh. I hate learning something new, and especially when it's smarter than you are. (shovel list). I screwed around with it just long enough to throw it back in the box...not out the back door like I wanted to. I just was NOT born with any patience. It's not fair. I know people that not only would they have effed around with the frigging thing for hours and hours, but they would have actually enjoyed it!!!! I can't imagine a world where that would be me! I know!!! I will get Monte to set it all up and put the straps on and charge it up etc....He'll do it!
Well its ten in the morning. I am a prisoner in my bedroom whilst the housekeeper is doing her thing out there. My window is open and I can hear Wrangler out there, nails clicking on our cement walk that goes around the house. We are trying to teach him to stop barking when we tell him to. Drives me nuts his endless barking when someone comes to the door. So I throw him out onto the deck where he can access the yard and there he stays til the people leave.
He spends his entire time trotting around to the front door and then to the back, up the stairs to the deck door, back down the steps and around to the front door....over and over and over. Stupid stupid stupid. But the upside is he won't need a walk later. Haha! He's putting miles and miles on out there. His Bully Highness is shocked that he has been put out!
I bought a dress!!! First dress in yonks. I thought I should have a 'Sunday go to Meeting' dress on hand for funerals and weddings. I will put a couple pics of it here. It comes next week. It might look awful but I can send it back, or make a pillow out of the material. Its beautiful material... TTYL
So I hauled it out, washed it, and stuck it in my turkey roaster on low. Not too low though. I have found out the hard way that if your outdoor cooking implements are set too low, big ole' blow flies get in and lay eggs all over whatever it is you're cooking. And scraping them off and turning up the heat is NOT something I will do. (shovel list). Right Cookie?
I also ended up with a big bowl of shaved off corn. We had a fair amount of cobs left over Saturday night so I decided I would make creamed corn to go with the ham. I make super good creamed corn, if I do say so myself. Did you know that bought creamed corn is actually vegan...nary a drop of cream or butter in it. So it isn't hard to make a better tasting homemade version.
Then I noticed that the asparagus was literally on its last edible leg. So I hauled that out to prep for dinner as well. And....I had seven russet potatoes that were just beginning to wrinkle a tiny bit. (And if I am being honest here...their eyes were sprouting hairy white wart like thingies) And before you know it I had a dinner planned, not one I would normally make for just two of us trying to do Paleo eating. But left overs are left overs and over ripe vegetables need eating, fast. And that was all before eight am.
Monte, much later got up and saw what was for dinner. He got excited. He loves creamed corn. And ham and asparagus and baked potatoes. I knew he would be back in time for a six o'clock dinner. But what I hadn't expected was at about five thirty he told me he was bringing James and his gramma too. So I hauled out placemats and dishes and set the table properly. And dinner was had by all....and it was mighty tasty!
My new camera came. Sigh. I hate learning something new, and especially when it's smarter than you are. (shovel list). I screwed around with it just long enough to throw it back in the box...not out the back door like I wanted to. I just was NOT born with any patience. It's not fair. I know people that not only would they have effed around with the frigging thing for hours and hours, but they would have actually enjoyed it!!!! I can't imagine a world where that would be me! I know!!! I will get Monte to set it all up and put the straps on and charge it up etc....He'll do it!
Well its ten in the morning. I am a prisoner in my bedroom whilst the housekeeper is doing her thing out there. My window is open and I can hear Wrangler out there, nails clicking on our cement walk that goes around the house. We are trying to teach him to stop barking when we tell him to. Drives me nuts his endless barking when someone comes to the door. So I throw him out onto the deck where he can access the yard and there he stays til the people leave.
He spends his entire time trotting around to the front door and then to the back, up the stairs to the deck door, back down the steps and around to the front door....over and over and over. Stupid stupid stupid. But the upside is he won't need a walk later. Haha! He's putting miles and miles on out there. His Bully Highness is shocked that he has been put out!
I bought a dress!!! First dress in yonks. I thought I should have a 'Sunday go to Meeting' dress on hand for funerals and weddings. I will put a couple pics of it here. It comes next week. It might look awful but I can send it back, or make a pillow out of the material. Its beautiful material... TTYL
Sunday, July 21, 2019
THIRD POST IN TWO DAYS!!!
Crazy!!! I go forever not posting then suddenly I do three in two days. Hope you didn't miss the last two!
This is a shorty. I did it!!! I said in the last post I was going to order a new table. I DID!!! Pics below!!! Thats all folks!! TTYL
This is a shorty. I did it!!! I said in the last post I was going to order a new table. I DID!!! Pics below!!! Thats all folks!! TTYL
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| THE TABLE...DECIDED TO GO WITH FRENCH COUNTRY DISTRESSED WHITE. .... I MAY PAINT THE DINING ROOM A SOFT YELLOW. THE TABLE IS 66 INCHES WHEN COLLAPSED AND ABOUT 90 INCHES WHEN THE LEAFS ARE IN |
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| LOTS OF STORAGE FOR GOOD DISHES IN THIS THING |
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| CHAIRS ARE OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE AND WITH THIS TABLE THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE EIGHT SO I DID THIS.......TWO END TABLE CHAIRS AND..... |
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| POSSIBLE WALLPAPER CHOICES...JUST AS AN ACCENT WALL |
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| THIS IS JUST A MAYBE |
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| I LOVE THIS ONE |
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| THIS ONE IS OKAY |
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| ALMOST MY FAVE |
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| TWO 60 INCH BENCHES. PERFECT SIZE |
DINNER WAS TASTY! AND INTERESTING TO SAY THE LEAST
I haven't the heart to throw anyone under the bus. But this is without a doubt the most unpredictable dinner party I have ever had! Not necessarily in a bad way either...just super interesting.
The two girls Triniti and Misha couldn't make it. And Art, the local transporter, was too shy. He ended up saying no to Pat and later I had Monte call him as well and he declined.
They all were so appreciative of the dinner I would feel bad saying bad things about them. It was a motley crew for sure though.
Pat, at the last minute, decided to go over the fence to Quality Foods to buy denture glue. What??? I told him I had all the crazy glue one could want and as a matter of fact mine were crazy glued as we speak. In fact the last tube I used was the one Bill and I bought in Shanghai. It works better than the ones here. He had a fit. Ewwwww....I'm not using that crap. I am going to go get proper denture glue. Same thing I said. But nope, so over the fence he went. Silly man! I didn't even know there was such a thing as denture glue...stupid me!
Actually they were all very sweet, unsophisticated for sure, but sweet interesting people. I was really happy to meet Jame's gramma. Monte lived with these people for the two months after he was hospitalized before he moved back to his shit hole. I would phone her, Shirley, and talk to her briefly before talking to Monte. He was pretty psychotic at the time and I was truly grateful she was willing to take him in.
Mike was super outgoing and happy! He is the recluse. He sat and played the guitar, he is quite talented. And boy did he love his dinner. A very charming fellow I must say and crazy interesting to talk with.
Actually they all loved their dinner. Turkey Roaster Ribs, corn on the cob, coleslaw- Paula Deen style, Johnny cake- Food that Schmecks recipe, tater tots and banana trifle. It was so good and it turns out its Shirley's fave dinner. I was a tad worried about making coleslaw, a lot of people don't like it. But Ange, bless her heart!, made it all worth it. Even if everyone else hated it I would still have made it...just to see Ange enjoying that slaw sooo much. What a sweetheart she is! And boy did she ever love that coleslaw!
So I told all of them that every six weeks I would have the same dinner party. But one by one they have to tell me what their fave dinner is and I shall make it. So Pat had the first turn. He told me his is prime rib and Yorkshire puddings. So end of August, prime rib it is!
And one more thing...this is the first time I was in a group where some of them smoked. We so rarely run into smokers anymore. Pat buys them from the natives. Monte quit. He has switched to a vape...which of course has its own problems, but much better than a pack a day habit and a whole lot cheaper. I'm good with that and it smells awesome.
So sorry to disappoint you guys. I thought for sure I would have nutball stories to tell but the evening was so much fun. One thing for sure though, right now I am going to go on Wayfair and buy a bigger dining room table. They deliver and it should be here before the end of August. Here are pics....still, see if you can guess who is who...should be pretty easy. TTYL
The two girls Triniti and Misha couldn't make it. And Art, the local transporter, was too shy. He ended up saying no to Pat and later I had Monte call him as well and he declined.
They all were so appreciative of the dinner I would feel bad saying bad things about them. It was a motley crew for sure though.
Pat, at the last minute, decided to go over the fence to Quality Foods to buy denture glue. What??? I told him I had all the crazy glue one could want and as a matter of fact mine were crazy glued as we speak. In fact the last tube I used was the one Bill and I bought in Shanghai. It works better than the ones here. He had a fit. Ewwwww....I'm not using that crap. I am going to go get proper denture glue. Same thing I said. But nope, so over the fence he went. Silly man! I didn't even know there was such a thing as denture glue...stupid me!
Actually they were all very sweet, unsophisticated for sure, but sweet interesting people. I was really happy to meet Jame's gramma. Monte lived with these people for the two months after he was hospitalized before he moved back to his shit hole. I would phone her, Shirley, and talk to her briefly before talking to Monte. He was pretty psychotic at the time and I was truly grateful she was willing to take him in.
Mike was super outgoing and happy! He is the recluse. He sat and played the guitar, he is quite talented. And boy did he love his dinner. A very charming fellow I must say and crazy interesting to talk with.
Actually they all loved their dinner. Turkey Roaster Ribs, corn on the cob, coleslaw- Paula Deen style, Johnny cake- Food that Schmecks recipe, tater tots and banana trifle. It was so good and it turns out its Shirley's fave dinner. I was a tad worried about making coleslaw, a lot of people don't like it. But Ange, bless her heart!, made it all worth it. Even if everyone else hated it I would still have made it...just to see Ange enjoying that slaw sooo much. What a sweetheart she is! And boy did she ever love that coleslaw!
So I told all of them that every six weeks I would have the same dinner party. But one by one they have to tell me what their fave dinner is and I shall make it. So Pat had the first turn. He told me his is prime rib and Yorkshire puddings. So end of August, prime rib it is!
And one more thing...this is the first time I was in a group where some of them smoked. We so rarely run into smokers anymore. Pat buys them from the natives. Monte quit. He has switched to a vape...which of course has its own problems, but much better than a pack a day habit and a whole lot cheaper. I'm good with that and it smells awesome.
So sorry to disappoint you guys. I thought for sure I would have nutball stories to tell but the evening was so much fun. One thing for sure though, right now I am going to go on Wayfair and buy a bigger dining room table. They deliver and it should be here before the end of August. Here are pics....still, see if you can guess who is who...should be pretty easy. TTYL
Saturday, July 20, 2019
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT DOING DINNER PARTIES HERE
Poor Monte has to go out and pick up every single one who's coming tonight. Not one of the seven guests drives. And Pat is trying to organize Monte into picking one of them up from her work...across town.
Pat and I do all our communicating by fb message and I swear he only reads half of what I actually print. I have now told him a hundred times we will wait til she is home then pick her up while picking up others. He keeps typing back that he is going to call her on her break and find out if she needs a ride. Grrrrrrr....He gets so involved in his own plan making and bossing around he doesn't listen. Drives me nuts. And it drove Monte nuts...for the last seven years. I get it now how Monte, who is the consummate polite person, can get right snarky and rude to Pat.
It's mid afternoon. The house is clean. The table is set. The toasted almonds for the coleslaw are burnt beyond use. The ribs are cooking away in my turkey roaster. The corn is waiting to be husked. Johnny cake is next on my list. The banana trifle looks amazing....thanks to Tim Horton banana split muffins. My back is freaking killing me today so I decided to sit down for a minute and share my happiness and misery with you folks. Aren't you the lucky bunch! I will
report about dinner and post pics tonight before
bedtime!
Just got a message from Pat. Triniti, the girl they have taken under their wing, their broken wing mind you, is sick. Okey doke I say to him, hope she feels better soon. And then he does what Pat always frigging does. "I did have an idea if you think its ok." he says. Oh fer geez! what now. "I thought I would ask Art to come." Sure, why not? I don't even know the guy. He is the guy that Monte and Pat, and now just Pat, pay ten bucks to to drive him around. I've never met him. So at least this one drives. Apparently he is shy and might not come. We can only hope. Sigh. I knew when I started all this it wouldn't end up normal.
You know this is beginning to sound like the beginning of a good murder mystery. The guest list: a half brained bully, a nervous Nelly tweeker, a conspiracy tin foil hat recluse, an overweight tattooed, purple haired schizophrenic, a guy on parole for beating up his girl friend (whose most loved musician is Frank Zappa for God's sake), his girlfriend...the unknown card in this bunch and a guy I never met whose only income is driving people on disability around for ten bucks a shot. Hmmmmm....who should die?
This post is getting too long. I will write tomorrow...along with pics. I will try to get a pic of each one and see if you can guess who is who! Game time!!!!! Woot woot!!!! TTYL
Pat and I do all our communicating by fb message and I swear he only reads half of what I actually print. I have now told him a hundred times we will wait til she is home then pick her up while picking up others. He keeps typing back that he is going to call her on her break and find out if she needs a ride. Grrrrrrr....He gets so involved in his own plan making and bossing around he doesn't listen. Drives me nuts. And it drove Monte nuts...for the last seven years. I get it now how Monte, who is the consummate polite person, can get right snarky and rude to Pat.
It's mid afternoon. The house is clean. The table is set. The toasted almonds for the coleslaw are burnt beyond use. The ribs are cooking away in my turkey roaster. The corn is waiting to be husked. Johnny cake is next on my list. The banana trifle looks amazing....thanks to Tim Horton banana split muffins. My back is freaking killing me today so I decided to sit down for a minute and share my happiness and misery with you folks. Aren't you the lucky bunch! I will
report about dinner and post pics tonight before
bedtime!
Just got a message from Pat. Triniti, the girl they have taken under their wing, their broken wing mind you, is sick. Okey doke I say to him, hope she feels better soon. And then he does what Pat always frigging does. "I did have an idea if you think its ok." he says. Oh fer geez! what now. "I thought I would ask Art to come." Sure, why not? I don't even know the guy. He is the guy that Monte and Pat, and now just Pat, pay ten bucks to to drive him around. I've never met him. So at least this one drives. Apparently he is shy and might not come. We can only hope. Sigh. I knew when I started all this it wouldn't end up normal.
You know this is beginning to sound like the beginning of a good murder mystery. The guest list: a half brained bully, a nervous Nelly tweeker, a conspiracy tin foil hat recluse, an overweight tattooed, purple haired schizophrenic, a guy on parole for beating up his girl friend (whose most loved musician is Frank Zappa for God's sake), his girlfriend...the unknown card in this bunch and a guy I never met whose only income is driving people on disability around for ten bucks a shot. Hmmmmm....who should die?
This post is getting too long. I will write tomorrow...along with pics. I will try to get a pic of each one and see if you can guess who is who! Game time!!!!! Woot woot!!!! TTYL
Thursday, July 18, 2019
MISS POLLY HAD A DOLLY WHO WAS SICK SICK SICK
Well I wasn't sick, but I was out of all my pills. In fact I have been out of one of the heaviest hitters on my blood pressure for two weeks or more.
So off to the doctor. They have one clinic here that opens for two hours in the middle of the day and two more hours at five o'clock in the evening. It did take one and a half hours of sitting in the waiting room to see the one doctor on duty. Perfect reading time.
And what a doctor!!! He was soooo funny!!!! We got talking about the thieving alley rats in this town and he told me to get a shotgun, sit out on the porch, leave something out, and shoot them when they try to steal it! He actually said all that, making many little jokes as he did! When he took my blood pressure it was 130 over 70, a wee bit higher than I like, but he said that was just because we were talking about the "dark vermin" in this dark town. What a guy!!!
But one thing he did I really appreciated. I mentioned that I had trouble walking for long periods due to increasing back pain. I told him that I can only go about two blocks then have to sit. And I only need to sit for about thirty seconds and my back goes back to normal. He took an interest. I am not used to drs. taking an interest.
He had me take my shirt off, (if you're a chunky broad this ends up pretty high on the shovel list), turn my back to him and bend over, hanging my arms down. He felt all along my spine, inch by inch. Then I stood and he did that again.
Finally he took a history of my back, at least from what I have been told. Double scoliosis, Sherman's disease in the middle which left a deformity and missing vertebrae in the lower back due to spina bifida. He explained why sitting for 30 seconds resets the backbone...I won't go into it here. Not a thing I can do to make it better, but it made me feel much better about my inability to hike and walk for long. I was feeling lazy and out of shape when actually there is a reason for it all. Thats a first for me.
I feel I need to find a backpack light folding chair. That would solve a lot of problems. I can walk a long way and a long time if I can control how often I can sit for a minute. If any of you know where I could find one let me know!!!!
Well I am planning our first dinner party Saturday night. And it is an unusual crowd to table. There will be Pat and Ange, Pat is missing half his brain because he got run over when he was 3, Misha, who moved into Monte's old shit hole, Triniti, an 18 yr old Pat and Ange have taken under their wing....her story is so horrific I don't want to talk about it, poor girl, Mike, the conspiracist recluse, and James, Monte's closest friend in town here. Every single one of them, EVERY SINGLE ONE!, is on disability...for mental issues. Methinks it shall be a most interesting evening! I am NOT going to provide pot or booze!
Well I am waiting for nine o'clock. I am going to make yet another phone call to see where Gladys is. I am getting impatient!!! Reminds me of waiting for Tank to show up. When we came through Nanaimo we actually saw one at the dealership. And it was a red one with a black roof, just like mine. It was truly splendiferous!!!
Next post I will tell you about our trip to the dog park. What a boondoggle that was! Anywhoo, gotta bounce! TTYL
So off to the doctor. They have one clinic here that opens for two hours in the middle of the day and two more hours at five o'clock in the evening. It did take one and a half hours of sitting in the waiting room to see the one doctor on duty. Perfect reading time.
And what a doctor!!! He was soooo funny!!!! We got talking about the thieving alley rats in this town and he told me to get a shotgun, sit out on the porch, leave something out, and shoot them when they try to steal it! He actually said all that, making many little jokes as he did! When he took my blood pressure it was 130 over 70, a wee bit higher than I like, but he said that was just because we were talking about the "dark vermin" in this dark town. What a guy!!!
But one thing he did I really appreciated. I mentioned that I had trouble walking for long periods due to increasing back pain. I told him that I can only go about two blocks then have to sit. And I only need to sit for about thirty seconds and my back goes back to normal. He took an interest. I am not used to drs. taking an interest.
He had me take my shirt off, (if you're a chunky broad this ends up pretty high on the shovel list), turn my back to him and bend over, hanging my arms down. He felt all along my spine, inch by inch. Then I stood and he did that again.
Finally he took a history of my back, at least from what I have been told. Double scoliosis, Sherman's disease in the middle which left a deformity and missing vertebrae in the lower back due to spina bifida. He explained why sitting for 30 seconds resets the backbone...I won't go into it here. Not a thing I can do to make it better, but it made me feel much better about my inability to hike and walk for long. I was feeling lazy and out of shape when actually there is a reason for it all. Thats a first for me.
I feel I need to find a backpack light folding chair. That would solve a lot of problems. I can walk a long way and a long time if I can control how often I can sit for a minute. If any of you know where I could find one let me know!!!!
Well I am planning our first dinner party Saturday night. And it is an unusual crowd to table. There will be Pat and Ange, Pat is missing half his brain because he got run over when he was 3, Misha, who moved into Monte's old shit hole, Triniti, an 18 yr old Pat and Ange have taken under their wing....her story is so horrific I don't want to talk about it, poor girl, Mike, the conspiracist recluse, and James, Monte's closest friend in town here. Every single one of them, EVERY SINGLE ONE!, is on disability...for mental issues. Methinks it shall be a most interesting evening! I am NOT going to provide pot or booze!
Well I am waiting for nine o'clock. I am going to make yet another phone call to see where Gladys is. I am getting impatient!!! Reminds me of waiting for Tank to show up. When we came through Nanaimo we actually saw one at the dealership. And it was a red one with a black roof, just like mine. It was truly splendiferous!!!
Next post I will tell you about our trip to the dog park. What a boondoggle that was! Anywhoo, gotta bounce! TTYL
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| WALKIES!!! TOMORROW I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT OUR TRIP TO THE DOG PARK. ALL I CAN SAY IS HOLY SHIT!!!!!! |
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| I JUST CAN'T TAKE SELFIES...BIG PASTY GOOFY FACE |
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| MR. MAN AND MR. PUP |
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| THE BEAUTIFUL DYKE |
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
TIME PASSES BY....SO FREAKING FAST
It always amazes me how much time goes by between posts. I mean seriously I feel like I just posted!
We had a great time in Victoria. But I have to say the traffic and noise affected us....we are getting used to this sleepy, whilst alley rat evil, little town.
Before I knew I was buying the house here, I bought Monte a freezer, not huge but big enough. It just fit in his van. We put it in the carport in front of Monte's van. It was still in the box. Now we don't need it but Arnie can use it so I am giving it to her for her birthday.
Monte came in from the carport the other morning and hollered up the stairs, "They stole the freezer!" Yup! The little alley rat bastards stole that freezer. Son of a bitch! Now, after reading the local fb Alberni page I know that the cops in this town are defeated and have given up so no point looking there for help. And that really pisses me off and I will tell you why in a minute.
But back to Victoria. We checked into the hotel late afternoon. We went downstairs to the restaurant and had an amazing dinner in such a pretty lovely setting. This hotel was the cheapest in down town and takes dogs and we were super happy with it. We were both sound asleep by ten o'clock that night.
We spent the next day tooting around and doing as much shopping as you can when you can't leave a dog in a hot van. Then we had a brilliant idea! We needed to eat so Monte suggested we go to fisherman's wharf! We could take Wrangler with us! So down we went onto a super crowded busy wharf. It was awesome. Walter (we call him that sometimes) was a huge hit. There is just something about him that wins everybody over.
So I found us a picnic table and we bought food for us and water for MrPup (he answers to that name too) and had a fab time just soaking up the sun and meeting people (cuz of the dog).
Then it was dinner at Pags with Peter! Oh yes!!! We found a cool parking spot for WrangleDangle and then had the most delicious dinner a human can consume. Oh Lordy!!! The boys ordered delicious stuff as did I. Mine even came with king crab legs! That place is an absolute must if you ever go to Victoria. The ambiance, the food and the awesome company made it so special. And I have the bestest memories of Bill there. He absolutely loved that place.
When Bill was in his last days, still at the hospital (not in the hospice yet) he insisted that the kids and I pile into Monte's jeep and go to Pag's for dinner. We stopped in at the hospital afterwards and we all piled up the stairs to see him and regale him with the tale of the evening. But it proved too much for him, poor guy. When I walked in the door at home later the phone rang. It was my Spoddy. He was crying. OMG!! I belted out the door, into my car and dashed back to the hospital and stayed with him til he was sound asleep. I was very aware of this while I ate my awesome dinner. Geez I miss him.
The boys dropped me off at the hotel and then went to Peter's and picked up the piano. When they came back to the hotel they went downstairs and had a beer or two or something like that. Such a wonderful time.
After having a patio (so Dog could be with us) lunch we headed home. And.....we did go see the old house in Langford but we skipped Langford Costco and the Marketplace. It was such a beautiful day. We stopped at Costco in Nanaimo. Monte stayed in the van with doggiedoo whilst I went in and killed a four hundred dollar bill. I had the foresight to bring my cooler so I bought a plethora of meat products. Mont and I are starting Paleo and meat is def on that menu. I finally got batteries for my awesome scale and I am 224. I was just reading back in my posts and at one point not that long ago I was 268.
This post is getting too long. I was going to tell you why the thievery pisses me off. Also a very funny thing happened yesterday so I shall tell you about it all next post, hopefully soon! Right now I have to go make me a greek salad for breakfast then go to the notary to pick up my cheque from the sale of my Kamloops place. Adios Peeps!! TTYL
We had a great time in Victoria. But I have to say the traffic and noise affected us....we are getting used to this sleepy, whilst alley rat evil, little town.
Before I knew I was buying the house here, I bought Monte a freezer, not huge but big enough. It just fit in his van. We put it in the carport in front of Monte's van. It was still in the box. Now we don't need it but Arnie can use it so I am giving it to her for her birthday.
Monte came in from the carport the other morning and hollered up the stairs, "They stole the freezer!" Yup! The little alley rat bastards stole that freezer. Son of a bitch! Now, after reading the local fb Alberni page I know that the cops in this town are defeated and have given up so no point looking there for help. And that really pisses me off and I will tell you why in a minute.
But back to Victoria. We checked into the hotel late afternoon. We went downstairs to the restaurant and had an amazing dinner in such a pretty lovely setting. This hotel was the cheapest in down town and takes dogs and we were super happy with it. We were both sound asleep by ten o'clock that night.
We spent the next day tooting around and doing as much shopping as you can when you can't leave a dog in a hot van. Then we had a brilliant idea! We needed to eat so Monte suggested we go to fisherman's wharf! We could take Wrangler with us! So down we went onto a super crowded busy wharf. It was awesome. Walter (we call him that sometimes) was a huge hit. There is just something about him that wins everybody over.
So I found us a picnic table and we bought food for us and water for MrPup (he answers to that name too) and had a fab time just soaking up the sun and meeting people (cuz of the dog).
Then it was dinner at Pags with Peter! Oh yes!!! We found a cool parking spot for WrangleDangle and then had the most delicious dinner a human can consume. Oh Lordy!!! The boys ordered delicious stuff as did I. Mine even came with king crab legs! That place is an absolute must if you ever go to Victoria. The ambiance, the food and the awesome company made it so special. And I have the bestest memories of Bill there. He absolutely loved that place.
When Bill was in his last days, still at the hospital (not in the hospice yet) he insisted that the kids and I pile into Monte's jeep and go to Pag's for dinner. We stopped in at the hospital afterwards and we all piled up the stairs to see him and regale him with the tale of the evening. But it proved too much for him, poor guy. When I walked in the door at home later the phone rang. It was my Spoddy. He was crying. OMG!! I belted out the door, into my car and dashed back to the hospital and stayed with him til he was sound asleep. I was very aware of this while I ate my awesome dinner. Geez I miss him.
The boys dropped me off at the hotel and then went to Peter's and picked up the piano. When they came back to the hotel they went downstairs and had a beer or two or something like that. Such a wonderful time.
After having a patio (so Dog could be with us) lunch we headed home. And.....we did go see the old house in Langford but we skipped Langford Costco and the Marketplace. It was such a beautiful day. We stopped at Costco in Nanaimo. Monte stayed in the van with doggiedoo whilst I went in and killed a four hundred dollar bill. I had the foresight to bring my cooler so I bought a plethora of meat products. Mont and I are starting Paleo and meat is def on that menu. I finally got batteries for my awesome scale and I am 224. I was just reading back in my posts and at one point not that long ago I was 268.
This post is getting too long. I was going to tell you why the thievery pisses me off. Also a very funny thing happened yesterday so I shall tell you about it all next post, hopefully soon! Right now I have to go make me a greek salad for breakfast then go to the notary to pick up my cheque from the sale of my Kamloops place. Adios Peeps!! TTYL
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| WE ARE LIKE MA AND PA, OR RATHER SONNY KETTLE |
 |
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| OUR PETER |
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| AWWWWW......SAINT PETER....WE LOVE HIM |
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| OH OH!! GOING IN FOR IT |
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| AND HE IS UP...WHETHER HE WANTS TO OR NOT |
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| OUR LANGFORD HOUSE...THEY MOVED THE FRONT DOOR AND TOOK AWAY THE OUTSIDE GARAGE DOOR. (THE LITTLE DOOR) |
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| AND THE BASTARDS KILLED MOM'S DOGWOOD TREE |
Thursday, July 11, 2019
PETER PETER PETER
What a lovely week we have had. Peter came up from Victoria on Monday and we sat up til 1:30 am talking talking talking. He is so easy to talk with and so very special to us.
We didn't do anything particularly spectacular, just enjoyed Port Alberni and each other's company. We did go out for sushi one night which was sooo good. We also visited the cemetery beside the sushi place. There is such a beautiful corner in the back that I love to visit. It is a truly beautiful peaceful spot and I was happy to share it with Peter.
At some point during the week I headed to the notary to sign my sale docs on the townhouse. I used to deal with her waaaaay back in the late eighties and nineties when I was a mortgage broker. She remembered but she was quite unfriendly and rushed through the signing at a hundred miles an hour. So different from my notary in Kamloops whom spent time with me and we would have a lovely chat. Not this one! Anywhoo it is final and I am happy it is.
My most awesome realtor in Kamloops sent me a beautiful card and a 100 dollar Keg gc. What a lovely gift! It is usually the realtor that sells you a house that gives you a gift so this one from Amy was out of the blue, unexpected and such a lovely gesture. My realtor here in Port gave me diddly squat! hahaha!
I am right at this moment sitting on a hotel room bed typing this up. We drove down today, bringing Peter home. It was a lovely drive, listening to music for the most part. We made a quick stop at Cameron Lake and the boys hopped into the extremely cold lake for a quick swim. We made another quick stop at Coombs and picked up a few things. We dropped Peter off and came over to the hotel. We have Wrangler with us and he seems to have settled down nicely. We had dinner downstairs, a delicious yummy one! Monte is downstairs at the moment having a beer in the lounge.
We have made a list of things we want to do tomorrow. He has a new camera and that is def colouring that list. I want to make sure we get to the colourful houseboats on the wharf. I also want to hit China Town and maybe some dim sum for lunch. Tomorrow night we are meeting Peter at Pagliacci's for dinner then back here so the guys can swim in the pool here. On Saturday we head home and along the way we are stopping in Langford to see our old house there and to go to the amazing Marketplace store (you can buy frozen camel hump there to eat). Then it will be over to nearby Costco. I brought the cooler so it will be time to load up. Keep in mind we will have a piano in the van too. Poor Wrangler!!!
Anywhoo I am signing off. Tomorrow I hope to have some pics to post. TTYL
We didn't do anything particularly spectacular, just enjoyed Port Alberni and each other's company. We did go out for sushi one night which was sooo good. We also visited the cemetery beside the sushi place. There is such a beautiful corner in the back that I love to visit. It is a truly beautiful peaceful spot and I was happy to share it with Peter.
At some point during the week I headed to the notary to sign my sale docs on the townhouse. I used to deal with her waaaaay back in the late eighties and nineties when I was a mortgage broker. She remembered but she was quite unfriendly and rushed through the signing at a hundred miles an hour. So different from my notary in Kamloops whom spent time with me and we would have a lovely chat. Not this one! Anywhoo it is final and I am happy it is.
My most awesome realtor in Kamloops sent me a beautiful card and a 100 dollar Keg gc. What a lovely gift! It is usually the realtor that sells you a house that gives you a gift so this one from Amy was out of the blue, unexpected and such a lovely gesture. My realtor here in Port gave me diddly squat! hahaha!
I am right at this moment sitting on a hotel room bed typing this up. We drove down today, bringing Peter home. It was a lovely drive, listening to music for the most part. We made a quick stop at Cameron Lake and the boys hopped into the extremely cold lake for a quick swim. We made another quick stop at Coombs and picked up a few things. We dropped Peter off and came over to the hotel. We have Wrangler with us and he seems to have settled down nicely. We had dinner downstairs, a delicious yummy one! Monte is downstairs at the moment having a beer in the lounge.
We have made a list of things we want to do tomorrow. He has a new camera and that is def colouring that list. I want to make sure we get to the colourful houseboats on the wharf. I also want to hit China Town and maybe some dim sum for lunch. Tomorrow night we are meeting Peter at Pagliacci's for dinner then back here so the guys can swim in the pool here. On Saturday we head home and along the way we are stopping in Langford to see our old house there and to go to the amazing Marketplace store (you can buy frozen camel hump there to eat). Then it will be over to nearby Costco. I brought the cooler so it will be time to load up. Keep in mind we will have a piano in the van too. Poor Wrangler!!!
Anywhoo I am signing off. Tomorrow I hope to have some pics to post. TTYL
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| THAT IS PETER STROLLING THROUGH THE CORNER OF THE GRAVEYARD |
Sunday, July 7, 2019
DIRTY SHIRTS
To my long time readers you may remember the little hissy fit episode I had in Paris one morning. That was the morning I had put on my 'saved' pink t shirt with my fancy pants pants, the ones with birds of paradise flowers etc all over them. So Paree...or so I thought. And as I sashayed across the lobby floor, feeling ever so cosmopolitan, towards April, she looks at me and says, 'Your shirt is dirty! It has grease stains on the front.'
Now, something exploded in me. I'm not kidding! I thought I hadn't worn that stupid shirt yet, saving it for Paris. Clearly that wasn't the case. And how is it I had put it on without noticing that it was stained? And why, why, why and how, how, how, does this CONSTANTLY happen?
This used to always happen to Bill too. One time, years and years ago we both got angry about it at the same time. We went through our t-shirts and looked at them and if they had even one frigging stain we were tossing them out. We ended up with a whole garbage bag...out the back door as far as I could toss the sucker. It stayed there until spring.
I ended up buying a scarf to wear to cover the stains. Poor April. She felt so bad that she had said anything when she saw my reaction. I basically fought back tears of frustration and got pissed off and stomped off. I just can't turn myself out well. It just never ever works. I always end up looking like...well like a Blister as Spod always called me. I decided when I got home from that trip I was going to do it again, go through all my shirts and just throw out every single one that had even a hint of a stain on it.
But I didn't. I guess by the time I got home I wasn't mad anymore and really just didn't give a crap. So those many t-shirts just stayed in my drawer and got packed up with the rest of my clothes.
And now I am really glad I didn't. I was scrolling through the Fat Lady website, looking at the latest clothes. I only look at tops on that site. Dresses make me look like walking tablecloths, pants don't fit and I don't buy lingerie. But for some odd reason I had remembered back to our last trip to Yellowstone Park and a denim jumper I used to wear. I loved that thing. I wore it all the time, everywhere. And that was years and years and years ago. Those things have been out of style, well even back then. Unfortunately I lost it when the house burnt down in 2003. Thats how long ago it was!
I was scrolling along just looking to see if there was anything remotely like it, not with any hopeful expectations mind you. And then suddenly, there it was!!! Exactly what I was looking for. I simply could not believe my eyes!!! I still can't believe it! So I ordered it instantly. It was only available in a size smaller than I take but I thought even if I hang it in my closet and just look at it now and then I will be happy.
When I got home from camping a few days ago it was waiting for me at the post office. I went off immediately and picked it up and lovingly brought it home. I opened it and laaaaaaaaaaa.....there it was, exactly like the one I had before. I was pretty sure it was too small but at least I had one now. Motivation maybe to lose some weight. (lets be real...probably not).
Well I looked at it and hung it up and took it out and looked at it and hung it up again repeatedly for a few days until I finally decided to try it on and see just how small it was. And guess what? It fit!!! Perfectly!! I couldn't believe it. I don't think I have lost weight, I just think my fat has migrated down leaving my stomach a little flatter. I am so happy! I shall put a couple of pics on. One is from the website and the other is one of me I sent to April. Its only the top part. I will have to get Monte to take a full shot of me in it and I shall put it here.
And guess what? The shirt I have on is a totally grease stained one. You would never know though!!! hahaha!!! Now I am glad I kept all those dirty shirts....Score!!! TTYL
Now, something exploded in me. I'm not kidding! I thought I hadn't worn that stupid shirt yet, saving it for Paris. Clearly that wasn't the case. And how is it I had put it on without noticing that it was stained? And why, why, why and how, how, how, does this CONSTANTLY happen?
This used to always happen to Bill too. One time, years and years ago we both got angry about it at the same time. We went through our t-shirts and looked at them and if they had even one frigging stain we were tossing them out. We ended up with a whole garbage bag...out the back door as far as I could toss the sucker. It stayed there until spring.
I ended up buying a scarf to wear to cover the stains. Poor April. She felt so bad that she had said anything when she saw my reaction. I basically fought back tears of frustration and got pissed off and stomped off. I just can't turn myself out well. It just never ever works. I always end up looking like...well like a Blister as Spod always called me. I decided when I got home from that trip I was going to do it again, go through all my shirts and just throw out every single one that had even a hint of a stain on it.
But I didn't. I guess by the time I got home I wasn't mad anymore and really just didn't give a crap. So those many t-shirts just stayed in my drawer and got packed up with the rest of my clothes.
And now I am really glad I didn't. I was scrolling through the Fat Lady website, looking at the latest clothes. I only look at tops on that site. Dresses make me look like walking tablecloths, pants don't fit and I don't buy lingerie. But for some odd reason I had remembered back to our last trip to Yellowstone Park and a denim jumper I used to wear. I loved that thing. I wore it all the time, everywhere. And that was years and years and years ago. Those things have been out of style, well even back then. Unfortunately I lost it when the house burnt down in 2003. Thats how long ago it was!
I was scrolling along just looking to see if there was anything remotely like it, not with any hopeful expectations mind you. And then suddenly, there it was!!! Exactly what I was looking for. I simply could not believe my eyes!!! I still can't believe it! So I ordered it instantly. It was only available in a size smaller than I take but I thought even if I hang it in my closet and just look at it now and then I will be happy.
When I got home from camping a few days ago it was waiting for me at the post office. I went off immediately and picked it up and lovingly brought it home. I opened it and laaaaaaaaaaa.....there it was, exactly like the one I had before. I was pretty sure it was too small but at least I had one now. Motivation maybe to lose some weight. (lets be real...probably not).
Well I looked at it and hung it up and took it out and looked at it and hung it up again repeatedly for a few days until I finally decided to try it on and see just how small it was. And guess what? It fit!!! Perfectly!! I couldn't believe it. I don't think I have lost weight, I just think my fat has migrated down leaving my stomach a little flatter. I am so happy! I shall put a couple of pics on. One is from the website and the other is one of me I sent to April. Its only the top part. I will have to get Monte to take a full shot of me in it and I shall put it here.
And guess what? The shirt I have on is a totally grease stained one. You would never know though!!! hahaha!!! Now I am glad I kept all those dirty shirts....Score!!! TTYL
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| JUST WASHED MY HAIR |
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| FROM THE WEBSITE |
Friday, July 5, 2019
WELL I DONE DID IT!!!!
I finally took time to take a look at my dear old camera and have decided to semi-retire it.
Reasons:
1. It is heavy as hell. It weighs over 3 lbs with the lens I have attached.
2. It decides now and then to simply not respond when I push the shutter button. I have to twist and turn and bash the lens to get it to work.
3. I only use auto. I never go beyond that. DSLR's are a total waste on me...I just like the pics they take.
So with that in mind, I have decided to get a point and shoot. Not just any point and shoot, mind you, but a point and shoot after all.
I am sticking with Nikon.....I really like them and am familiar with their workings. The optical zoom is crazy and the mega pixels are such that I can crop instead of zoom should I choose. I have read a zillion reviews of all the cameras in that range and I like this one best. And it has a viewfinder....an absolute must for speed of shooting. I shall continue to use my oldster when appropriate, but I really like this newer one...beats the heck out of any phone camera pics I have seen (shovel list). But you know that old adage.....the best camera is the one you have with you. So we shall see.
So I have managed to get all the camping gear sorted. I have created a camping box just to keep things simple. All we have to do is add the few things that aren't in there and off we go....I say so easily!
I only lost one thing on this trip and its a doozy. I only use three knives in my house. My precious chef's knife April gave me years ago. And my long paring knife...the short one had to be left in Paris because of train security, and a serrated one for crunchy soda bread. And I didn't come back from the camping trip with my paring knife. It was a super good Japanese steel one. I should have kept track of it. My bad.
Tomorrow I have company again!!!!! Yipppeeee!!!! David, my nephew from Fort St. John and his mom are coming to town and we are going to have lunch somewhere. I am really looking forward to it. I haven't seen David in forever! He is my Nascar buddy...keeps me informed. And I am so jealous...he is down for the purpose of seeing my all time music hero, Adam Lambert in Queen. I'd give my right arm to see him again! Any way I am so happy to see them tomorrow.
Then on Monday Peter is coming up from Victoria! He is busing up til Thursday. I can't tell you how happy Monte and I are to have him come to see us. We love this guy to pieces. He was uber special from the moment we met him. And I haven't visited with him since I first moved into the townhouse two years ago, so lots and lots of catching up!
On Thursday we are piling into the van and taking him back to Victoria. I have booked Monte, Wrangler and myself into the City Centre Hotel for two nights. We all (hopefully Peter's sister Zoe too) are going to go to Pag's for dinner! And Peter wants to go out to Langford with us for a visit too. I want to go to the Marketplace out there...get pickles and spices...things I can't get elsewhere.
On our way home on Saturday I think we will go to the Costco in Langford and load up on all things necessary, like turrlet paper, mayonnaise, tuna in tins etc.... I must remember to take a cooler...if it fits. We are also bringing back an apartment size piano from Peter's. Monte gave it to him a long time ago and Peter and Zoe are moving to Burnaby into a tiny place where there is no room for it.
Wow! Just saw a guy walk by outside here. Every day in the afternoon he walks by, heading towards town. He is a very good looking, really well dressed young man. And every evening he staggers home, so drunk he can hardly walk. It is sooooooo sad. Every night! Makes me feel bad. I hate alcohol. (Quadruple shovel list)
So now I go shower, thanks to Myles fixing it for me!!! I don't know what's up with my tub but when I took all the flowers out and put them back, my tub, up to where the water level was, is all brown and ugly and ruined. My housekeeper is going to shit a brick...thank god it isn't Alice. I would really be in deep caca then! I think when I save up enough money from my monthly stipend I am going to call bath fitters in Parksville. They come to Port and I am going to get a new tub and surround...a deep soaker one!
Okay folks...I shall report back soon. Love y'all! TTYL
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
CAMPING CRAZINESS
Well that week was a slice and a half! I had a good time at Kathy's on Monday and Tuesday. Monte and I whipped around and took care of a few loose ends with the townhouse. I don't miss that place even slightly, even though it was perfect for me at the time. I think my year there was just too unhappy because of things out of my control and it's full of bad memories now. I am glad to be done with the place.
On Wednesday we headed up to Tunkwa Lake. And I mean up. As we arrived at the campsite, it had just finished hailing to beat hell! There was a good one to two inches of frozenness on the ground. I was in my short shorts and got out of them really fast....it was frigging freezing! Kathy and Kerry were already beginning to set up their trailer so Monte put up his little tent in just the right spot. I didn't really need to do anything as I was sleeping in the van for the weekend.
Over the next couple of days everybody showed up. But it was cold, windy, rainy, and did I say cold? The first night in the van I almost froze to death. It was 3 degrees out according to the van thermometer. I simply got too cold and just didn't recover. Kathy, bless her, had to go to town the next day for an appointment and she took the time to bring me a delicious warm blanket that saved my butt!
A lot of fun was had! The place is absolutely beautiful! The lake isn't swimmable, but it is fishable, canoe able, kayak able, paddle board able and photographable. There weren't a lot of trees around but that kept the bugs down. One family member brought a smoker and a huge brisket. That was the best meat I have eaten in a very long long time! On the last evening we all gathered and squished in around the campfire, did a little drinking after children were in bed, and had the funniest most amazing evening. People are sooo funny! Such a good time.
Everybody left on Monday. Kathy and Emily and Kerry and Monte were the last to go and we had a lovely final visit and cleanup with them. They really are the best family. Then it was just Monte and me. We sat there for a while, rather despondently and quietly. We had planned to leave the next morning but we couldn't take the quiet and emptiness. So I suggested we leave and go down a certain road to Merritt. I hadn't been on that road before and it was beautiful! Ranches and rivers...can't beat that. My sister had generously offered to put us up overnight at her place but she had family staying there already and would be busy unpacking and cleaning up the trailer.
We stopped in Merritt for dinner and decided to just stay at the Super8 for the night. We were exhausted...don't know why but we were. We skipped dinner, showered (that was awesome) and fell into bed by eight and slept til eight in the morning! It was heavenly to be warm! Although the weather was amazing and hot the last two days, I don't think I had totally recovered from the first freezing night!
And now we are home! It was so exciting to come back to our little home on the Island! That is the true test of how happy you are in your place, how you feel upon returning after an absence! And it was wonderful!!! My plants all survived healthily, nothing was stolen, the house was clean, my bed was waiting...what more can one want? And Monte walked in the front door, yelled, ohhh my room! and tore downstairs to his room and I didn't see him again for a couple of hours! Needless to say he was feeling the same.
Now I need to go get the house ready for the housekeeper coming at noon today. She isn't Alice, but she is good! TTYL
AND
On Wednesday we headed up to Tunkwa Lake. And I mean up. As we arrived at the campsite, it had just finished hailing to beat hell! There was a good one to two inches of frozenness on the ground. I was in my short shorts and got out of them really fast....it was frigging freezing! Kathy and Kerry were already beginning to set up their trailer so Monte put up his little tent in just the right spot. I didn't really need to do anything as I was sleeping in the van for the weekend.
Over the next couple of days everybody showed up. But it was cold, windy, rainy, and did I say cold? The first night in the van I almost froze to death. It was 3 degrees out according to the van thermometer. I simply got too cold and just didn't recover. Kathy, bless her, had to go to town the next day for an appointment and she took the time to bring me a delicious warm blanket that saved my butt!
A lot of fun was had! The place is absolutely beautiful! The lake isn't swimmable, but it is fishable, canoe able, kayak able, paddle board able and photographable. There weren't a lot of trees around but that kept the bugs down. One family member brought a smoker and a huge brisket. That was the best meat I have eaten in a very long long time! On the last evening we all gathered and squished in around the campfire, did a little drinking after children were in bed, and had the funniest most amazing evening. People are sooo funny! Such a good time.
Everybody left on Monday. Kathy and Emily and Kerry and Monte were the last to go and we had a lovely final visit and cleanup with them. They really are the best family. Then it was just Monte and me. We sat there for a while, rather despondently and quietly. We had planned to leave the next morning but we couldn't take the quiet and emptiness. So I suggested we leave and go down a certain road to Merritt. I hadn't been on that road before and it was beautiful! Ranches and rivers...can't beat that. My sister had generously offered to put us up overnight at her place but she had family staying there already and would be busy unpacking and cleaning up the trailer.
We stopped in Merritt for dinner and decided to just stay at the Super8 for the night. We were exhausted...don't know why but we were. We skipped dinner, showered (that was awesome) and fell into bed by eight and slept til eight in the morning! It was heavenly to be warm! Although the weather was amazing and hot the last two days, I don't think I had totally recovered from the first freezing night!
And now we are home! It was so exciting to come back to our little home on the Island! That is the true test of how happy you are in your place, how you feel upon returning after an absence! And it was wonderful!!! My plants all survived healthily, nothing was stolen, the house was clean, my bed was waiting...what more can one want? And Monte walked in the front door, yelled, ohhh my room! and tore downstairs to his room and I didn't see him again for a couple of hours! Needless to say he was feeling the same.
Now I need to go get the house ready for the housekeeper coming at noon today. She isn't Alice, but she is good! TTYL
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| A DISTANT SHOT OF THE GROUP |
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| MY SISTER AND MY GRAND DAUGHTER |
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| MY GORGEOUS GRANDSON |
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| MONTE ROOTING ABOUT IN OUR VAN |
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| MY BRO AND HIS DAUGHTER...SMOKE DOES GET IN YOUR EYES |
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| MY NEICE JOCELYN AND HER AWESOME LITTLE GUY STIRLING |
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| IT WAS MY SON KEVIN'S BIRTHDAY...SO WE MADE HIS FAVE VEGAN Rice Krispie SQUARES OVER THE FIRE |
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| THE MESS...THE ONLY THING ABOUT CAMPING I DON'T REALLY LIKE...THE MESS ON ALL THE TABLES, DRIVES ME NUTS |
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| MY BROOD....WE ARE NEVER ALL TOGETHER AT ONCE SO EVEN THOUGH WE LOOK TERRIBLE, AS CAMPING GOES, I WANTED OUR PICTURE...NOT AN EASY FEAT I MUST SAY.THAT BIG KID RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE GREY SHIRT IS NOT MINE...HE IS MY BROTHER'S GRANDSON AND HOW AND WHY HE GOT IN THERE IS BEYOND ME. BUT JUDGING BY THE LOOK ON HIS FACE HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING...THE STINKER! |
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| CAPTAIN CANADA |
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| A BEAUTIFUL SPOT ON THE WAY TO THE OUTHOUSE |
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| DUE TO INCLEMENT (READ F***ING FREEZING) WEATHER I SPENT TIME IN OUR VAN...KATHY RECORDED IT SO I RECORDED HER RECORDING ME RECORDING IT |
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| AND THAT IS MONTE'S AND MY SET UP |
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| NOT A GREAT PIC FOR FOCUS BUT A GREAT SHOT OF MY BRO....THE WOOD MAN |
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| ME COOKING..MY FAVE THING TO DO CAMPING |
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| TWO OF MY CRAZY OFFSPRING...THE OLDEST TWO |
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| TWO OF MY CRAZY CHILDREN...THE YOUNGEST TWO |
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| OKAY...I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HECK IS GOING THROUGH ARYN'S MIND HERE |
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| THE PHOTOGRAPHER, KERRY, TOLD US TO HANDS UP....YEAH SURE |
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| THIS ENDED UP BEING MY FAVOURITE...BUT BOY I TELL YA IT TOOK SOME WORK |
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| TAKING PICS WITH MY PHONE (SHOVEL LIST) |
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| STIRLING AND AINSLEY BEFORE KERRY HOLLERED AT THEM TO POSE, DAMMIT...I LIKE CANDID SHOTS LIKE THIS ONE BETTER |
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| SO AFTER I GAVE HIM HELL FOR HOLLERING BOTH ARYN AND HE 'POSED'. THATS THE CANADA FLAG COMING OUT OF HER HEAD |
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| STIRLING LOVES TO EAT...AND EAT...AND EAT. HAHAHA! |
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| SO DOES MY DAUGHTER! |
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| ELISE IN THE BIGGEST CUSHIEST CHAIR IN THE CAMP |
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| AND DON'T WE LOOK HAPPY |
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| THERE WAS SUN!!! |
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| MY DARLING NIECE EMILY BROUGHT ME A CAN OF CORNED BEEF!!! SO CRAIG (JOCELYN'S (HUSBAND) MADE CORNED BEEF HASH..MY FAVE!!!! |
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| A LITTLE FIREBALL NEVER HURTS |
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| HAPPY CAMPERS! |
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| MY SIBLINGS |
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| IT WAS PICTURE TIME AND SOMEONE WASN'T EVEN UP YET....AND RELUCTANTLY COMPLIED |
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| PLEADING AND CAJOLING APRIL TO HURRY UP |
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| SUPER DIRTY CAMPING FEET AND PROOF THE SUN DID SHINE SOME OF THE TIME! |
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