Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Off to work today......

covering for L as she is off today, so I am guessing I will be run off my feet as it has been busy at work recently.

Managed to get the grass cut for the week, but if it keeps raining it will grow like mad again no doubt.

All the berry bushes are just hanging in fruit, as are the wild apple trees.  My apple trees are bare again, but as this is only year three I am not panicking......YET!!!  I even have a dishful of blueberries on my three bushes, so lets hope the wildlife don't take them as they are not ready yet!!  Don't have any strawberries though as the squirrels have stripped them clean.  Must think of a better way to protect them from the little devils next year.

Well my cup of tea is finished, Molly has to have a quick trot around the field yet, and then it's time to go to work.  I start at 8am and have to be out of the house by 6:45am as it takes me an hour to get to work and you never know what the traffic is going to be like when I hit the city.  Roll on 5pm when I will be home again back to the peace and quiet!!!

Have a good day!


Gill

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Fundraising for the church again........

However this one is a little different as its the diocese we are raising money for this time.    The church I go to belongs to the Diocese of Toronto and covers a huge area encompassing 26,000 square kilometres.  The diocese want to raise $50 million over a period of 5 years for various projects.  Each parish church is asked to try and raise a certain amount depending on how big their congregation is.  The church I belong to has been asked to raise $65,000, the other church in our parish is being asked to raise $25,000.  As you may have guessed we have a very small congregation.

The thing that is different about this though, is we are only asking each parishioner to donate and are not asking anyone outside of the church to donate.  Now when I first heard about this I thought it was a stupid idea and why should we give the diocese more money, but if we raise our $65,000 we get 40% of those funds back to do things in our parish.  If we raise over $65,000 we get 75% of those funds back.

Where do I fit into this, well I refused point blank to go visiting the parishioner's to ask for money, so I am co-ordinating the volunteers who will visit the parishioner's.  Despite being brought up not being encouraged to give to the church we will personally be making a monthly donation for the next five years as what they want to do with the money if we raise our goal is very worthy, including many renovations to both churches that are well overdue and also giving some of the money to some local causes.

This fund raising is completely separate to any other fundraising we do for the churches and is completely voluntary, and is above and beyond what we would normally give to the church.  We technically start fundraising as of yesterday, but already we have reached 38% of our goal for the church I attend, St. Luke's and I think around 10% for the other church St. David's.  The campaign is technically only being held for 5 weeks, but will probably go until the end of August.

What are your thoughts on fundraising for the church?  As I said before giving to the church is something that doesn't come easy for us, as we weren't brought up to give to the church.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Irons, kettle and hoovers......

are all items that I go through on piece in our house.  I don't know what it is, but they need replacing on a regular basis with me.


Irons are the worst one usually lasts only a couple of years......if I am lucky.  Followed by kettles, which are always iffy, although my dad and step-mum seem to go through them more than me.


Now my Kenmore hoover which is only a couple of years old is on the fritz.  I think the power head has gone and the performance indicator light is permanently on all the time now.  Mine is similar to this one:


However I am considering splashing out for a Dyson one in the future, any thoughts?  We mainly have hardwood floors in the house, but we have a number of rugs and they get covered in Molly's dog hair, so I need a one that works well on rugs, plus we have carpet on the attic stairs and will have carpet on the main stairs eventually.


Nothing seems to be built to last nowadays though does it? What wears out quickly in your house?

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Dinner Party........

On Saturday night we had dd future in-laws up for supper along with dd and hubby to be.  We do know them but haven't seen them in a long while, so it was good to catch up with them, and we talked a little about the wedding.

Now I don't know about you, but when inviting people over for supper I prefer to spend time with them, rather than spending all my time in the kitchen?  So I try and make as simple as possible a meal, and Saturday nights meal was no exception.

We had chicken breast stuffed with ricotta and spinach, then wrapped with bacon.  They are baked in a 375 oF oven for 45 minutes.  I also made roasted baby fingerling potatoes, Caesar salad and garlic bread.  For pudding we had wibbly wobbly pudding and with our cup of tea I made carrot cake cupcakes using this recipe.

I was able to prepare everything ahead of time and so I was able to spend more time with our guests.  We have friends coming over in a couple of weeks time and I think I may recreate this recipe for them as well.

What's your favourite dinner party menu?

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sorry............

Just haven't felt like blogging.

Life is pretty mundane at the moment, the weather sucks and honestly nothing much has been happening.

Worked both Tuesday and Thursday this week.  I normally only work on a Tuesday now, as I have too much to do at home to work more.  Anyhow the money will come in handy as it cost $200 to put a new exhaust/muffler on my car this week.  Had to take the car back to the garage on Friday as they hadn't tightened the screws enough and I even heard it rattling, so it had to be bad!!  So I guess I won't be using that garage again...........

I see gas prices are finally starting to drop.  I paid $1.215 at a Canadian Tire gas station on Friday.  I wish it would drop to below $1 a litre, but I guess that'll never happen.

For those of you who are not in Canada, we are on week three of a postal strike.  It's a pain in the butt, and I wish the government would get on with legislating them back to work.  It's really going to hurt Canada Post, as I have signed up to get some statements online now.  I know at work we are emailing invoices out as much as possible.  Again we have registered online to pay bills.  So when this strike is over we will not be using Canada Post for a lot of things at work, and I am guessing a lot of other companies and people will do the same.

Did anyone watch the new series "Combat Hospital?"  I have to say that was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time.  I am normally in bed just after 9pm, but stayed up to 10pm to watch this show and I am glad I did.  If you have a chance make sure you catch it.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

"The Book of Negroes," by Lawrence Hill

In some countries it has another title "Someone Knows My Name,"  Dd gave it to me on Sunday to read and by Monday evening I had read it, so as you may guess I didn't get a lot achieved on Monday.  It was one of those books that you had to keep reading as you wanted to know what happened next.

The book is partly fact and partly fiction and the main character Aminata is a girl/woman you just want to reach out and hug.  She goes through so much in a lifetime that it makes you realize how easy we have it in our lives.  The history of slavery is something our generation doesn't have to deal with, but what those poor people had to endure is just terrible.

It was also set for part of the book in the Carolina's which is a part of the States I love and some of the places mentioned in the book I have been too.  It is also set in Nova Scotia in Canada, and I had often wondered why there was a large coloured population over there, and this explains why.

Now in between reading this book, I did manage to go into town to see about getting a quote for a new exhaust/muffler for the car.  It will cost around $200 (incl taxes) and I get it put on, on Wednesday morning.  Add that to the $525 I spent on the car last week getting new ball joints on it, June has been an expensive month fixing my car.

I also did a couple of large loads of laundry, therefore had a big pile of ironing to do.  I also picked up 5 cauliflower plants, 4 butternut squash plants and 1 spaghetti squash plant for the veggie patch.  My dad was kind enough to plant a pile more potatoes, some onions and carrots on Sunday when he was up.  Plus he brought up another three tomato plants to add to the four I have and I have four sweet pepper plants.  So all in all I should have a few things to harvest later on, again thanks to my dad.

Got work today..........enjoy your Tuesday..........

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Been busy..............catch up time........

Spent all day Thursday in the garden, which resulted in me catching too much sun and me being in bed before 8pm.  Still got a lot achieved and the garden looks sort of tidy.  Still a mountain of work to be done but better than it has been.

Friday spent all day in the house cleaning......I know shocker......but even I was fed up with wading through the mountain of dust!!  When dh came home he said he was going to do some sanding..........I gave him "the look," and suggested he wait until after the weekend!!  He agreed..........pleased to say "the look," still has the desired effect!!!

On Friday night we attended the Strawberry Supper at the church, yes I persuaded dh to go along.  We had ham with various salads and strawberries, cream, ice cream and a sweet scone, it was yummy.  Plus there was juice to drink and tea and coffee.  Purchased a lemon meringue pie from the bake sale and a couple of things, all in all a good night.

Saturday was our 28th wedding anniversary.  We set off with one plan in mind and ended up doing something completely different, which included going grocery shopping, looking at a couple of stores for a garden swing and various other things.  We got home around 1:30pm and decided to go to the local pub/restaurant for a late lunch.  We have been here before and as the weather was just wonderful we sat out on the patio underneath the magnolia tree, it was perfect.  We both had a lamb burger with goats cheese, mint and capers, with a Cesar Salad.  Dh had a couple glasses of Strongbow Cider, I had orange juice and soda water.  For dessert I had Pavlova with exotic fruits and cream, and dh had rhubarb pie with ice cream.

It was so relaxing and peaceful and a perfect meal.  We got home around 3:30pm. 

We decided to have a go at chopping/shredding some more twigs.  That bloody machine is dangerous.  I kept well back out of the way.  It says it can chop 3 inch twigs.........in reality I would say 1 inch twigs is quite wide enough.  We managed to get three bags done which I want to put underneath my strawberries.  Mind you something is eating my strawberries, and I have a feeling I know who/what.  It has four legs and hops around a lot!!

My dad is coming up tomorrow for Father's Day so I will discuss the ins and outs of this with him.  The kids are also coming up, I am making lunch for them all.  Nothing exciting, just burgers and sausages in the grill, with fingerling potatoes, Cesar salad and coleslaw.  I have to bake though in the morning as dd is having a bake sale at work and nominated me to make something.......thank you dd!!!!  As I pointed out to her she is as capable as me to bake something, but she just doesn't feel like it!!!???!!!

Anyhow to all the dad's out there Happy Father's Day to you all............

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Still struggling with leaving comments via Blogger

Karine, you are one of those that I cannot leave a comment no matter how I try.  There isn't even an anonymous option on yours.  It's beginning to become more than frustrating to say the least!!!

Had a question for you all.  When you cut your grass do you always cut it in the same direction every time, or do you vary it?

I personally try and cut it in different directions as I read somewhere that it makes the grass grow in better.  Not that mine needs any bloody encouragement, it's still on steroids the way its growing.

Had to spray myself from head to foot with bug repellent on Wednesday night as they were out in force.  Must admit it did do the trick as they left me alone.

Got nearly 310 hours on the clock on the tractor since we got it in May of 2009.  Will say all that time has not been spent cutting grass with it, I use it with the trailer for hauling stuff around the property.

That reminds me, on Tuesday at work I sent out nearly 250 marketing emails.  Now granted I just kept forwarding the original email on, I did have to make changes in the body of the email to personalize it though.  I was fed up to the back teeth of the computer by the time I had finished, plus my poor bum was numb with sitting there all day.  So being on the computer was the last thing I wanted to do when I got home.

We are now sending invoices via email to customers now, partly due to the postal strike that we have on at the moment.  We have also set up online accounts to view bills.  I think the Canada Post employees have not done themselves any favours this time with going on strike, as people are finding other options to get mail to one another.  I know we will be saving a ton of time and money at work not having to send invoices out.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

This is so flipping true it's scary.......

(should say someone sent this via an email to me)

I've seen two shows lately that went on and on about how mid-life is a great
time for women. Just last week Oprah had a whole show on how great menopause
will be . . . Puhleeeeeeeze! I've had a few thoughts of my own and would like
to share them with you. Whether you are pushing 40, 50, 60 (or maybe even
just pushing your luck), you'll probably relate

Mid-life is when the growth of hair on our legs slows down. This gives us
plenty of time to care for our newly acquired mustache.  (totally agree and I have the evidence to present at show and tell!!)
In mid-life women no longer have upper arms, we have wing spans. We are no
longer women in sleeveless shirts, we are flying squirrels in drag.  (no quite yet but getting there)
Mid-life is when you can stand naked in front of a mirror and you can see
your rear without turning around.. (going to see if this is true, I try not too look at myself naked...just too scary!!)
Mid-life is when you go for a mammogram and you realize that this is the only
time someone will ask you to appear topless. (sigh, yep this is true)
Mid-life is when you want to grab every firm young lovely in a tube top and
scream, 'Listen, honey, even the Roman empire fell and those will too.'  (been there and really wanted to do that!!)
Mid-life brings wisdom to know that life throws us curves and we're sitting on
our biggest ones.  (followed by my stomach, that seems to be curvy too!!)
Mid-life is when you look at your know-it-all, cellphone carrying teenager and
think, 'For this I have stretch marks?'  (been there, done that and have the t-shirt!!)
In mid-life your memory starts to go. In fact the only thing we can retain is
water. (I swear I retain enough water for the whole town certain days.....)
Mid-life means that you become more reflective. You start pondering the 'big'
questions. What is life? Why am I here? How much Healthy Choice ice cream can
I eat before it's no longer a healthy choice? (that's deep......really deep....off to ponder that with a dish of ice-cream)
But mid-life also brings with it an appreciation for what is important. We
realize that breasts sag, hips expand, and chins double, but our loved ones
make the journey worthwhile. Would any of you trade the knowledge that you
have now, for the body you had way back when? Maybe our bodies simply have to
expand to hold all the wisdom and love we've acquired. That's my philosophy
and I'm sticking to it!  (well not really but that's part of the joke ;) winking) (Amen to that!!)

Monday, June 13, 2011

Bits and bobs.......


You know it's 2011 when:

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.
4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.
5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.
6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries...
7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen
8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it
10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee
11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )
12 You're reading this and nodding and laughing.
13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.
14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.
15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list


Short and sweet today..........................



Sunday, June 12, 2011

Busy day around the Acreage........

Saturday it was supposed to rain all day, then the forecast changed and it was only supposed to rain in the afternoon.  However other than the odd shower, it was more or less fair all day.


So I spent the morning in the garden whipper snipping/edging and cutting the grass.  I was covered from head to toe with grass, it was in my hair, down my t-shirt everywhere.  I am not sure what I do but I always get covered in grass.  I had to strip off at the door before coming into the house.  Don't worry no one could see me............I hope not anyhow!!


After lunch we went and ran some errands and took advantage of a no tax deal at Rona.  I bought two x 1 gallon of interior wall paint and one x 1 pint paint for a metal door; would you believe that cost over $90.  I can't believe the price of paint.

On the way home we called in at an Art Festival which was being held in town off one of the side streets.  Not sure what it was all about, but people had been invited to paint a picture in 20 minutes.  Now as I am not a painter, artistic one, I found it really interesting how people started painting a picture.  I wish I had my camera with me as what I thought started out as a proper mess turned out to be a truly beautiful picture.

You could bid on them, but we didn't.  There was also a stall there selling wooden rocking chairs.  They were the best hand made outdoor rocking chairs we had seen in a long while.  Here is a link to the site  They were so comfortable and perfect for the deck.  It's just a shame I don't have $400 laying around!!!

I am going to a baby shower this afternoon, so that should be interesting, haven't been to one in a while and have a feeling this one will be a fancy dancy one.  Will tell you more about it tomorrow.  Enjoy your Sunday.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Some more photos of the attic.

Finally got my window seat cushion and other things I had ordered.  Not the best photos but it will give the idea:












These are the new lights we installed in the attic:





The chandelier hangs over the stairs, so it looks better than the photo.  I still have the touch ups to do, that should be this next weeks job, as I want the boys to cart some furniture up there on Father's Day when they come up.

I need to have drapes made for the skylight but as I am having a bit of work done on my car this next week, it will have to wait.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Appleby Horse Fair

The Appleby Horse Fair is a horse fair which is held annually at Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria (until 1974 and historically Westmorland) in England.

It is held every year in early June and has taken place since the reign of James II, who granted a Royal charter in 1685 allowing a horse fair "near to the River Eden". Since then, around ten thousand Gypsies and Travellers have converged each year to buy and sell horses, meet with friends and relations, and celebrate their music, history and folklore. Another thirty thousand people visit the fair during the week.[1]

The fair is one of the oldest horse fairs in Britain. The fair is held outside the town on what was formerly called Gallows Hill (named after the public hangings that were carried out there), which is now known as Fair Hill.

The fair customarily starts on the first Thursday in June, unless that is on the 1st in which case it starts on the 8th, and ends on the following Wednesday. Besides the horses, there are also fortune tellers, palm readers and horse-related merchandise.

Thank you Wikipedia for that info.  Here is another link with info.

Now the following is my own opinion which may or may not agree with other peoples opinions.  I haven't lived in Appleby in over 22 years so things will have changed.  However I lived in Appleby from the age of 6 until the age of 25, so these are my memories from then.

I remember walking up to Fair Hill a few times and all the hustle and bustle of it all.  When it was good weather the crowds were huge, when it was wet and believe me there were wet years all you could see was the mud and the filth and wondered how those poor people could live amongst it all. 

One thing that hit me was the smell and the overflowing garbage bins, and again how they could live amongst all that?  However amongst all that were the gorgeous caravans, both the traditional ones and the ones covered in chrome with all their Crown Derby China displayed.  Like many people I had my fortune told once and a lot of what she said came true.

As a local though it was and probably still is a love hate relationship with this annual event.  Yes it brought a lot of money and tourism into the area and town, but it also turned the towns quiet life upside down for that week.  The pubs were just overflowing as drinking was a big thing during that time, therefore the noise of people drunk and disorderly in the streets was always there.  The local fish and chip shop would never stop serving from morning through night.  Other shop keepers just closed up, as they couldn't keep up with the things that would "walk" out of the store without being paid for.  The police are drafted in from all over Cumbria to try and keep the "peace," but there is still a lot of crime committed during the week.

Going down the town in the car was nigh on impossible especially along the Sands as that was where the gypsies raced their horses and brought them down to the river to wash them.  Washing the horses before selling them is a tradition, and although a spectacle it was also a tad cruel on those horses depending on how deep the river was that year.  Here is a link to an article with a photo.

As a local you totally changed your way of life for a week, and had to go with the flow.  I think the majority of the locals would probably rather not have the Fair Hill Week, as it takes a week or more after they have left to clean up the town from all the mess.  However with an area that is limited in how it makes a living this is one way of bringing in tourism money to the area.

My main memories of the week are the gorgeous caravans and the smell and crowds.

Do I miss it heck no.  I wouldn't mind going around the hill to see all the sights again, but I am glad I don't live in the town when it is on.  I'll be interested in what my brother has to say about this as he still lives in the town.  I'll email him and get him to reply so look out for his comment.

Book Review........

"The Sweetest Thing," by Elizabeth Musser



Anne "Perri" Singleton's world is defined by the security of family, the camaraderie of friends at an exclusive Atlanta girls' school, and an enviable social life. She isn't looking for new friends when Mary Dobbs Dillard arrives from Chicago. Besides, "Dobbs," the passionate and fiercely individualistic daughter of an itinerant minister, is her opposite in every way.

But just as the Great Depression collides disastrously with Perri's well-ordered life, friendship blossoms--a friendship that will be tested by jealousy, betrayal, and family secrets...

With her endearing characters and poignant storytelling, Atlanta native Elizabeth Musser vividly re-creates the charm of her beloved city amid the poverty and plenty that shaped the 1930s.

I loved this book, I couldn't put it down.  The characters were so real and you felt as though you were right in there with them.  There was a mystery aspect to it that I didn't click about until close to the end.  You felt the pain and the suffering the two girls went through.

It also highlighted the importance of living on the right street to be socially accepted.  I also learned a couple of things about "southern living" in the 30's.    It also made a point of showing you that outside appearances can be very deceptive.

One question though I had for anyone who is familiar with the Southern States; was it or is it common for a double barrelled name, i.e Mary Dobbs, Mae Pearl?  None were hyphenated but when people spoke to them in the book they called them by both names.

Stars out of 5: a 10!!!  Okay I know it should be just a 5, a great book, with super characters and a book I would really recommend you read.....

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Visit to the hospital........

I went to the hospital yesterday to get my arms and hands tested to see why I am experiencing numbness in the fingers.  I had the carpal tunnel operated on my right hand back in 2002, and have been having the same symptoms recently which are only getting worse.

Anyhow, the outcome of it, is that I have to wear tensor splints on a night on both hands for the next eight weeks to see if that helps calm them down, as again it is the carpal tunnel in both hands again.  However this time it's my left hand that is worse.  I am not at a point where I need them operated on, thank goodness, but I am catching it early enough that hopefully I can nip it in the bud.  I need to find one of those small stress balls that fit into the palm of your hand as that is also a good exercise for my hands.

This was the first time I had been to the new hospital in Brampton for any treatment and I must admit I was really pleased with it all.  Can't say I was thrilled with how much it cost to park........$12, but I guess that's typical of large inner city hospitals.

Today I am heading to the dental surgeon to have my tooth out.  Can't say I am looking forward to it, but at least I won't have toothache either when it's done.

Still stinking hot, I know I shouldn't complain, but there has to be a happy medium with this weather???

Will write about Appleby Horse Fair tomorrow, didn't have time today.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Stinking hot and a book review

It's hot and humid again, and of course I have been bitten again, behind the ear this time.  So I have put my Benedryl pen in my handbag to cart around with me.  I was bitten between walking out of the house and getting into the car?

We originally come from Appleby and I thought I'd share a link of the annual Appleby Horse Fair, yes it's just like the programme "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding."  I'll share my thoughts of living in Appleby when the fair is on tomorrow.

"The Great Catch," by Lorna Seilstad

It's the beginning of a new century at Lake Manawa resort in Iowa, but some things never change. When Emily Graham's meddlesome aunts and grandmother take it upon themselves to find her a husband among the resort guests, the spunky suffragist is determined to politely decline each and every suitor. She has neither the time nor the need for a man in her busy life.

Carter Stockton, a recent college graduate and a pitcher for the Manawa Owls baseball team, intends to enjoy every minute of the summer before he is forced into the straitlaced business world of his father.
When their worlds collide, neither Emily nor Carter could have guessed what would come next. Will Carter strike out? Or will Emily cast her vote for a love that might cost her dreams?

The perfect summer novel, A Great Catch will enchant you with its breezy setting and endearing characters.

First let me say I love the expression of Emily's face on the front cover of the book; and it truly is what I imagined her character to look like while reading the book.  The two aunts are great characters and really are part of the story.  Again I didn't guess the "whodunit," but that's fine.  It was a nice insight to the late 1800's, early 1900's and it was a really easy book to read as it didn't take a lot of work to digest the story.

Stars out of 5: 4, a great book to take on vacation with you and one of a series of books.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Again have to admit this is so true!!


Why Men are Happier

Nicknames: If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for
lunch, they will call each other Laura, Kate and
Sarah. If Mike, Dave and John go out, they
will affectionately refer to each other as Fat
Boy, Bubba and Wildman.
Eating Out: When the bill arrives, Mike, Dave and
John will each throw in $20, even though it's only
for $32.50. None of them will have anything
smaller and none will actually admit that they want
change back. When the girls get their bill, out come
the pocket calculators.
Money: A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't
need ... but it's on sale.
Bathrooms: A man has six items in his bathroom:
toothbrush and toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, a
bar of soap, and a towel. The average number of
items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A
man would not be able to identify more than 20 of
these items.
Arguments: A woman has the last word in
any argument. Anything a man says after that is the
beginning of a new argument.
Future: A woman worries about the future until she
gets a husband. A man never worries about the
future until he gets a wife.
Marriage: A woman marries a man expecting he
will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a
woman expecting that she won't change, but she
does.
Dressing up: A woman will dress up to go shopping,
water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the
phone, read a book, and get the mail.
A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.
Natural: Men wake up as good-looking as they
went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during
the night.
Offspring: Ah, children. A woman knows all about
her children. She knows about dentist appointments
and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret
fears and hopes and dreams.
A man is vaguely aware of some short people living
in the house.
A married man should forget his mistakes. There's
no use in two people remembering the same thing!

Monday, June 6, 2011

In a "funk" at the moment............

well and truly fed up.  No idea why, maybe having constant toothache isn't helping my mood.  The weather was rotten on Saturday and Sunday I found it a bit hot for me?  I also broke the belt on the lawn tractor on Sunday afternoon, so that means a trip up to Barrie on Monday afternoon to buy one of them, so no doubt there won't be much change out of $50 to $75 knowing our luck.

I have no interest in the garden, although I did make a half hearted attempt at weeding one of the flowers beds.  The potatoes and onions are still not planted, and I don't anticipate them ever being planted at this point.  I just need a kick up the rear end to get me moving. 

Did I tell you I got bitten on my ankle with some sort of insect?  It wasn't a mosquito, as it didn't swell up that bad, but boy did it itch.  I ended up getting some Benadryl liquid stick thingy to put on it.  It's finally stopped itching four days later.

I am also heading to the hospital on Wednesday to have tests done on both my arms.  I had the carpal tunnel operated on my right hand in 2002; however I am having the same symptoms again in both arms.  However this time I think a lot of it has to do with the nerves in my elbow.  My left hand is particularly bad, and the finger tips go numb so easily.  I was washing my hair and I lost feeling in the thumb and two fingers next to it.  Have the same problem when I am holding the telephone, so figured I had better get it looked at before I permanently lose the feeling in them.

Well on that "happy" note I will sign off and hopefully I'll cheer up soon!!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Saga of my mouth continues and a book Review

So as you may or may not know I had to have my root canal that I had done last October re-done again as it didn't work......  One week on and just touching that tooth with my tongue sends a wave of pain up it into my gum.  So obviously something isn't right.  I'm at a point where I do not want him digging it out again, so I called the dentist and spoke with the front desk and explained what has happened.  To cut a long story short I am heading to the dental surgeon on Thursday, June 8th to have it extracted.

I am on another round of antibiotics to see if it will dull the pain, as at this moment, NO ONE is touching that area the way it feels at this time.  Meanwhile my jaw is aching on the opposite side as I am chewing on that side only.  I have never had as much trouble with my mouth ever and I faithfully go to the dentist every six months.  This will be the 3 rd tooth I have had extracted in a year, and all on the right side of my mouth.


"The Lady of Bolton Hill," by Elizabeth Camden




When Clara Endicott and Daniel Tremain's worlds collide after twelve years apart, the spark that was once between them immediately reignites into a romance neither of them thought possible.

But time has changed them both.

Daniel is an industrial titan with powerful enemies. Clara is an idealistic journalist determined to defend underprivileged workers.

Can they withstand the cost of their convictions while their hearts--and lives--hang in the balance?

Although this is a romance book it is also a "whodunit" book as well and I have to say I didn't guess "whodidit."  I read it in one sitting......yes I was supposed to be doing other things but it captured my attention as I wanted to know who was behind a certain incident in the book.  I think you knew right away it was going to be a boy meets girl, girl moves away and when they get back together again boy and girl unite.  The adventures though in between hands does make it interesting.

Stars out of 5: probably 4.5 liked the book wanted to know what was going to happen but some of it was predictable.




"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Tomato Chick Pea Salad

I have been making this for years, I got the recipe in a grocery store when they were giving out samples and I was hooked.


Tomato Chick Pea Salad


1 can (19oz/540ml) chick peas (garbanzos), drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 tomatoes, cut into large dice
1 cup chopped cucumber
6 green/salad onions sliced
2 cups cubed Swiss Cheese, I used Cheddar


Dressing:
 1/3 cup olive oil
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 large clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp dried tarragon leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
pinch cayenne pepper


Salad:
In a large bowl, combine chick peas, parsley, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and cheese.


Dressing: Whisk together all the dressing ingredients and toss over salad.  Cover and refrigerate for several hours.


Makes 6 to 8 large servings.

I didn't have parsley or the tarragon or the cayenne pepper, but it still tasted good.  For those of you who don't eat cheese it still good without the cheese.

I had to pop into town on Wednesday as I had a couple of errands to run, including filling the propane tank for the BBQ.  How much does it cost to fill your propane tank where you live for the BBQ.  They charged me $20, I remember when it only cost $10 to fill it.  I plan on using our BBQ more this year to try and keep the house cooler, rather than heating it up when cooking.

On Tuesday it was super hot and humid, but we managed to not put the a/c on.  Glad I didn't as on Wednesday there was no humidity and a gale force wind.  It was that windy that I thought my washing would blow away.  It was as fast to dry it outside as it would have been to put in the dryer.

I finally got my tomatoes and peppers planted.  Had to put a temporary fence around that garden to keep Molly out!  Also managed to clean out two more flower gardens.  Still have three more to do, oh and of course cut more grass.  I am back doing the field again; it's so bloody long again I have to have the blades up as high as I can.  My goal is to have it done by the end of Friday.

I am hoping to spend Thursday morning, planting my potatoes, onions and cabbages.  I am late this year, but this is my first opportunity to get it done.  Mind you it will all depend on how my back holds up as to how much I get done.  I don't know about you, but I could do with another 24 hours in the day at the moment!!!

One day I will get caught up with all your blogs.  I am still having problems with Blogger and leaving comments when there is a word verification.

Enjoy your Thursday.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

A funny......

I got this in an email and thought it was funny:

Riding Lawn Mower - FOR SALE !!! 
My Wife always wanted a riding lawn mower.

She works all day and was always tired when she came home from work
and thought that a riding lawn mower would help her get the yard work done quicker
so she would have more time for the chores inside the house.

SO, being the handy sort of guy that I am, I made her a riding lawn mower.
I guess I thought she would squeal with delight or something and give me a big hug.


To this day I have never been able to understand

why some women are so hard to please
 .


P.S. I can see out of my left eye pretty good now and should be able to leave the hospital some time next week!

Hotel Stay

First of all thank you for all your birthday wishes.  Each and every one of them was greatly appreciated.  The kids bought me/us an overnigh...