I may be doing this all wrong but I don't care...it's how I cope. I have the same old cameras both here and in Florida because I know how they work. I don't want to have to learn how to program and fiddle with a new one so I've bought a few (the same) for each residence. The problem arises because it's difficult to get batteries for these cameras which aren't made any more. I managed to get one battery at a U.S. Walmart for the camera in Florida at the high cost of $30...more than the damn camera is worth. Now I need new batteries for the camera I have here at home and there are none to be found in the city. No-one asks why I'm still using such an old camera and I don't tell them because it's none of their business that I'm technically challenged.
So I think to myself, why not try the internet because you can find anything there. I found a website where they sell all kinds of batteries and they actually had the one I need. $25 each so I bought 2 thinking I'd stumbled on a real bargain.
Still pleased with my coup, I couldn't help but check out Ebay to see if they also could have been found there. I really didn't think they would but darned if they weren't listed there for $13 each. I'd been robbed!
It was a lesson learned. Check Ebay first!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Nolan Swims
This is going to be a fun summer. Nolan is in swimming class and he's going to be playing soccer so I'm looking forward to attending every session I can.
I watched his swimming class yesterday and was very impressed with how the young lady instructor handled her 5 little students. Nolan was the most boisterous by far but nothing more than anyone would expect of a 3 1/2 year old child. He loves the water and seems to have no fear of it so that's a good beginning. His cousin, Aislin (a really sweet little girl and just 1 month younger than Nolan), was also in the class and part of Nolan's mild misbehaviour centered around her...for instance, he'd yank the strap of her flotation device. Typical 3 1/2 year old silliness! On the other hand, one little girl stared him down until he wisely moved out of her way. He's a smart boy.
It was interesting to watch how the instructor encouraged the children to be comfortable jumping in and going underwater. None seemed nervous at all. Many parents, grandparents, and at least 1 greatgrandparent (me) beamed as our little treasures learned their lessons. Soon the lesson was over and the instructor directed her little charges to form a line on their backs (all in flotation vests), hanging on to the child in front, and she dragged them all back to the steps where they exited the pool. It was a good experience for everyone and I'm sure they'll all want to return next week for another lesson.
Something that was new to me was that the change room was unisex with naked baby bodies all over the place. Could it be that the Victorian way of teaching our babies that nakedness is evil has finally faded away? I certainly hope so! I remember all too clearly how, in 1966, police were summoned by an irate person who was scandalized by the vision of a naked 2 year old boy frolicking on the local beach with his family. How sad.
Anyway, yesterday was my first glimpse of all the fun to come this summer with Nolan and I know I'm going to enjoy every moment of it!
I watched his swimming class yesterday and was very impressed with how the young lady instructor handled her 5 little students. Nolan was the most boisterous by far but nothing more than anyone would expect of a 3 1/2 year old child. He loves the water and seems to have no fear of it so that's a good beginning. His cousin, Aislin (a really sweet little girl and just 1 month younger than Nolan), was also in the class and part of Nolan's mild misbehaviour centered around her...for instance, he'd yank the strap of her flotation device. Typical 3 1/2 year old silliness! On the other hand, one little girl stared him down until he wisely moved out of her way. He's a smart boy.
It was interesting to watch how the instructor encouraged the children to be comfortable jumping in and going underwater. None seemed nervous at all. Many parents, grandparents, and at least 1 greatgrandparent (me) beamed as our little treasures learned their lessons. Soon the lesson was over and the instructor directed her little charges to form a line on their backs (all in flotation vests), hanging on to the child in front, and she dragged them all back to the steps where they exited the pool. It was a good experience for everyone and I'm sure they'll all want to return next week for another lesson.
Something that was new to me was that the change room was unisex with naked baby bodies all over the place. Could it be that the Victorian way of teaching our babies that nakedness is evil has finally faded away? I certainly hope so! I remember all too clearly how, in 1966, police were summoned by an irate person who was scandalized by the vision of a naked 2 year old boy frolicking on the local beach with his family. How sad.
Anyway, yesterday was my first glimpse of all the fun to come this summer with Nolan and I know I'm going to enjoy every moment of it!
Deal Breaker
I'm probably one of the most unforgiving people in the world and I accept that. If someone stabs me in the back I quickly remove them from my life and I honestly don't think that's a bad thing. Why should we continue to subject ourselves to nasty, untrustworthy people when there are so many truly wonderful ones in the world?
I recently heard that someone was told to "f... off" by an acquaintance because she voiced her thoughts that teachers who walk off the job in protest should expect retribution by their employers, just like any other profession. In my world, someone who told me to "f... off" would never get a second chance because I'd stay as far away from that person as I could. The person who was so viciously attacked has a different view. She is willing to forgive and forget.
My belief is that a teacher who would respond to someone with a different point of view in such a manner is particularly ignorant and not someone worth wasting your time on. But then, I'm older and have learned I have no time for mean, ignorant, and nasty people!
My take on the whole episode is that the teacher showed the ugliness that festers just below the surface of her personality and one "f... off" won't be the end of it.
I recently heard that someone was told to "f... off" by an acquaintance because she voiced her thoughts that teachers who walk off the job in protest should expect retribution by their employers, just like any other profession. In my world, someone who told me to "f... off" would never get a second chance because I'd stay as far away from that person as I could. The person who was so viciously attacked has a different view. She is willing to forgive and forget.
My belief is that a teacher who would respond to someone with a different point of view in such a manner is particularly ignorant and not someone worth wasting your time on. But then, I'm older and have learned I have no time for mean, ignorant, and nasty people!
My take on the whole episode is that the teacher showed the ugliness that festers just below the surface of her personality and one "f... off" won't be the end of it.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Excluded
I read a comment today from someone who had been excluded from an event and felt a few things...sorry for her, embarrassed for her that she mentioned it, and understanding her pain.
It's not a nice feeling to be excluded from something you believe you should have been invited to attend but there are often many reasons you weren't invited...it might have been assumed you knew you were welcome or it might have been just close friends that were expected. It might also be because you're aloof or not pleasant company.
It stands to reason that, if you want to have people befriend you, you need to express yourself in a friendly manner and it often takes an effort on your part to do this. There will always be cliques and you won't always be included but that's just life. We usually reap what we sow and that means friendship, too.
It's not a nice feeling to be excluded from something you believe you should have been invited to attend but there are often many reasons you weren't invited...it might have been assumed you knew you were welcome or it might have been just close friends that were expected. It might also be because you're aloof or not pleasant company.
It stands to reason that, if you want to have people befriend you, you need to express yourself in a friendly manner and it often takes an effort on your part to do this. There will always be cliques and you won't always be included but that's just life. We usually reap what we sow and that means friendship, too.
Friday, April 26, 2013
How Do They Get In?
Well, U.S., we have our very own terrorists living in Canada and they weren't born here either...so how do they get in? Are our immigration inspectors not doing their jobs? And what about the immigrants who commit crimes and are ordered deported? How are lawyers able to keep them in the country? Who the heck is making the rules here and why are we allowing immigrants into the country who are dangerous to Canadians?
The United States and Canada are two countries where people from less fortunate countries are eager to live. Most come into our countries and become citizens wanting to be part of and to add to all that is good here. They work hard and contribute to the Canadian culture without forgetting their own. We offer them that freedom.
It is unimaginable that anyone would leave their home country to live here in freedom and then turn on the countries who welcomed them. What is the purpose of living in a free country if you plan to blow it up and murder it's citizens? If an immigrant has this in mind, he/she may as well stay in their homeland because we don't want them here.
I don't know what criteria is used by our immigration officials but surely it must check into the police records of each immigrant before allowing them entry. And surely it must be stated somewhere that, should an immigrant commit a crime, they should be immediately returned to their country of origin, no lawyer needed!
My ancestors were immigrants from Ireland and who knows where else. They, like most foreigners, came to Canada for a better life for themselves and their families and I'm so glad they did. We don't resist immigrants here, we gather them in and ask them to join with us in making a better Canada for all of us. What we Canadians need is a decent immigration department to weed out the people who only come to cause havoc.
I think our immigration department should be held accountable for allowing terrorists to enter this country in the first place!
The United States and Canada are two countries where people from less fortunate countries are eager to live. Most come into our countries and become citizens wanting to be part of and to add to all that is good here. They work hard and contribute to the Canadian culture without forgetting their own. We offer them that freedom.
It is unimaginable that anyone would leave their home country to live here in freedom and then turn on the countries who welcomed them. What is the purpose of living in a free country if you plan to blow it up and murder it's citizens? If an immigrant has this in mind, he/she may as well stay in their homeland because we don't want them here.
I don't know what criteria is used by our immigration officials but surely it must check into the police records of each immigrant before allowing them entry. And surely it must be stated somewhere that, should an immigrant commit a crime, they should be immediately returned to their country of origin, no lawyer needed!
My ancestors were immigrants from Ireland and who knows where else. They, like most foreigners, came to Canada for a better life for themselves and their families and I'm so glad they did. We don't resist immigrants here, we gather them in and ask them to join with us in making a better Canada for all of us. What we Canadians need is a decent immigration department to weed out the people who only come to cause havoc.
I think our immigration department should be held accountable for allowing terrorists to enter this country in the first place!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Nitrogen Sprayed
Twice a year I visit my dermatologist to inspect the skin damaged spots on my face and she sprays them with liquid nitrogen. They bubble up appropriately and, soon after, the little scabs left behind fall off and nice new skin is revealed. Unfortunately, that nice new skin gradually begins to get rough and patchy until we start the same procedure all over again.
Today I made my semi annual visit and got sprayed. This time, however, the dermatologist said she wants to see me in August to scrape away any skin that doesn't heal properly. I'm okay with that but it does sound kind of icky, doesn't it? The only good thing about it is that it may do the trick permanently. If it does, I'll be wondering why she wasted so many years spraying me.
The sunburns I got many years ago are what's haunting me today and it's mainly because I'm cursed with freckled Irish skin that just won't tan. I never used sunscreen years ago, either, and that's another factor. It's like getting lung cancer from smoking for most of your life before knowing it was bad for you. I never smoked in my life but sure inhaled a lot of second hand smoke from Dennis so I'm not sure I'm safe in that area, either.
I'm very lucky to have doctor's and dermatologist's fees covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) or I'd be facing some hefty costs. Many Americans are very afraid of government health insurance but they might change their minds if they researched our Canadian plans. From what I understand, there are other countries whose health insurance plans work even better than ours, too.
It's a comforting thought to know you won't be drained financially if you require health care, especially if you have a chronic condition that will always need looking after. Dental care isn't provided by OHIP and I've always thought that was a shame. People who can't afford to take care of their teeth often suffer poor health because of it. But I guess no plan is perfect and I really am grateful for what is covered by OHIP.
Today I made my semi annual visit and got sprayed. This time, however, the dermatologist said she wants to see me in August to scrape away any skin that doesn't heal properly. I'm okay with that but it does sound kind of icky, doesn't it? The only good thing about it is that it may do the trick permanently. If it does, I'll be wondering why she wasted so many years spraying me.
The sunburns I got many years ago are what's haunting me today and it's mainly because I'm cursed with freckled Irish skin that just won't tan. I never used sunscreen years ago, either, and that's another factor. It's like getting lung cancer from smoking for most of your life before knowing it was bad for you. I never smoked in my life but sure inhaled a lot of second hand smoke from Dennis so I'm not sure I'm safe in that area, either.
I'm very lucky to have doctor's and dermatologist's fees covered by OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) or I'd be facing some hefty costs. Many Americans are very afraid of government health insurance but they might change their minds if they researched our Canadian plans. From what I understand, there are other countries whose health insurance plans work even better than ours, too.
It's a comforting thought to know you won't be drained financially if you require health care, especially if you have a chronic condition that will always need looking after. Dental care isn't provided by OHIP and I've always thought that was a shame. People who can't afford to take care of their teeth often suffer poor health because of it. But I guess no plan is perfect and I really am grateful for what is covered by OHIP.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Importance of Owning Your Own Home
I grew up living in rentals, always at the whim of the landlord, and it gave me a sense of insecurity. Because of this, I was driven to own my own home in order to experience the security of never having to move again unless it was my desire.
There's another good reason to own your own home. It's like money in the bank when you reach your retirement years and want to move into smaller digs such as an apartment. By then there should be no mortgage against the house and the money you get when it's sold is pure profit. It is the best investment you can make because you live there while paying it off and then will have cash in your pocket when you sell it some time down the line.
My husband and I were cautious home owners and didn't move up as our finances improved, preferring to pay the house off quickly instead. My house was paid off in 1980 so I've had 32 1/2 years of mortgage free living. Instead of moving "up", we chose to make improvements on our existing house...all of which increased it's value, too. I've always looked on my house as an investment that I could draw on in my senior years instead of a showpiece which might not be paid for when I wanted to sell it.
I'll be selling the house in 2015 and will walk away to a new phase in my life without a backward glance. The only thing I'll miss will be the fantastic neighbors I have here but I hope they'll continue to be friends I can visit with once in a while.
Young people need to understand that they won't always be young with a long future ahead of them. They need to plan for that distant future because it will arrive whether they like it or not and a comfortable old age is very nice indeed!
There's another good reason to own your own home. It's like money in the bank when you reach your retirement years and want to move into smaller digs such as an apartment. By then there should be no mortgage against the house and the money you get when it's sold is pure profit. It is the best investment you can make because you live there while paying it off and then will have cash in your pocket when you sell it some time down the line.
My husband and I were cautious home owners and didn't move up as our finances improved, preferring to pay the house off quickly instead. My house was paid off in 1980 so I've had 32 1/2 years of mortgage free living. Instead of moving "up", we chose to make improvements on our existing house...all of which increased it's value, too. I've always looked on my house as an investment that I could draw on in my senior years instead of a showpiece which might not be paid for when I wanted to sell it.
I'll be selling the house in 2015 and will walk away to a new phase in my life without a backward glance. The only thing I'll miss will be the fantastic neighbors I have here but I hope they'll continue to be friends I can visit with once in a while.
Young people need to understand that they won't always be young with a long future ahead of them. They need to plan for that distant future because it will arrive whether they like it or not and a comfortable old age is very nice indeed!
Monday, April 22, 2013
New Phones
Shelley bought me 3 cordless phones a couple of years ago and their batteries all went dead this Spring. Interesting. Trying to find new batteries for them came as a shock because, not only weren't any to be found, but they would each cost $30 if and when the stores restocked them. Interesting.
So I decided to buy new phones and hiked myself over to XSCargo which is a fine discount store to find lower priced items. There I found the same set, same make of 3 phones for $40. Interesting. I bought them and am now in the process of trying to program them. Not interesting and not fun. I did get the time set, or so I thought, but it never changed so now I'm wondering what I did wrong. I may have to settle for never being able to tell the time by looking at the phone...no big deal.
Now I have 3 not so old phones that will have to be disposed of. I also have a fairly new cell phone that I'll never be able to add minutes to because that can't be done if you let the original minutes run out without renewing them. I can't use the phone in Canada so why buy minutes for it? I'll keep it just to use 911 if the need arises (I hope it never does). I know we are a disposable society but this kind of waste is deplorable.
While I was running the roads, Linda continued cleaning my house and has now completed about half of it. She'll complete the other half next week. It is so pleasurable to watch my house begin to sparkle, all with me just sitting on my butt and playing on the computer or doing some Swedish weaving. I think I was born for this kind of life but somehow ended up in the wrong families. Just kidding! But I honestly do love being pampered like this.
So I decided to buy new phones and hiked myself over to XSCargo which is a fine discount store to find lower priced items. There I found the same set, same make of 3 phones for $40. Interesting. I bought them and am now in the process of trying to program them. Not interesting and not fun. I did get the time set, or so I thought, but it never changed so now I'm wondering what I did wrong. I may have to settle for never being able to tell the time by looking at the phone...no big deal.
Now I have 3 not so old phones that will have to be disposed of. I also have a fairly new cell phone that I'll never be able to add minutes to because that can't be done if you let the original minutes run out without renewing them. I can't use the phone in Canada so why buy minutes for it? I'll keep it just to use 911 if the need arises (I hope it never does). I know we are a disposable society but this kind of waste is deplorable.
While I was running the roads, Linda continued cleaning my house and has now completed about half of it. She'll complete the other half next week. It is so pleasurable to watch my house begin to sparkle, all with me just sitting on my butt and playing on the computer or doing some Swedish weaving. I think I was born for this kind of life but somehow ended up in the wrong families. Just kidding! But I honestly do love being pampered like this.
Proud Gramma
Two of my granddaughters have just graduated from university and will be attending grad school this year. To say I'm proud of them is so understated. They are doing what I wish with all my heart I'd done, too. They are achieving all the goals I should have set for myself. They are my legacy, though.
I guess all parents want more for their children than they've reached themselves and I've planted seeds of desire for high achievement in my children's and grandchildren's ears since they were born. The goal has never been for monetary gain (but that's good, too) but for education and work ethic. My babies have that in spades!
It's education that freed the slaves and downtrodden women. The more you know the less you can be taken advantage of by an individual or by a government. I once amazed my Kyle by saying that human beings never stop learning but what's important is that you never WANT to stop learning. Each of us carries such a tiny bit of knowledge compared to what is available to us in this world so we'll never run out of things to learn that will profit us.
To my precious granddaughters, Aeron & Lisette, you are an inspiration to the generations that will come after you. I'm not forgetting Nicole who is an engineering student. You young ladies amaze me with what you've become. I love you, forever and always.
I guess all parents want more for their children than they've reached themselves and I've planted seeds of desire for high achievement in my children's and grandchildren's ears since they were born. The goal has never been for monetary gain (but that's good, too) but for education and work ethic. My babies have that in spades!
It's education that freed the slaves and downtrodden women. The more you know the less you can be taken advantage of by an individual or by a government. I once amazed my Kyle by saying that human beings never stop learning but what's important is that you never WANT to stop learning. Each of us carries such a tiny bit of knowledge compared to what is available to us in this world so we'll never run out of things to learn that will profit us.
To my precious granddaughters, Aeron & Lisette, you are an inspiration to the generations that will come after you. I'm not forgetting Nicole who is an engineering student. You young ladies amaze me with what you've become. I love you, forever and always.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Time to Contemplate
Well, the sun is shining, my house is neat, I've had 2 morning coffees, and I've played on the computer for about 3 hours. This is what I call a relaxing day. We need days like this where nothing much demands our energies and we can flitter from one pastime to another with no deadline or sense of urgency and I'm enjoying this one very much.
I really feel sorry for people who can't relax like this and just enjoy the peaceful moments without having to do something they consider useful. Work will always be there, even after you've gone on to the great hereafter and then someone else will do it. You have to take the time to enjoy your limited moments while you're still here to enjoy them and I do this a lot. Lucky me.
I'm still basking in the delight of having Linda clean my house. The upstairs is done and tomorrow she comes back to do the rest (might need another day, though). I should have done this years ago but I just felt too guilty about it...stupid me. Having lived in this house since 1968 means there are plenty of corners that haven't had the attention they need and my more limited mobility sort of guarantees they'd remain unseen to without the help of Linda. There is a time and place for everything and this has turned out to be my time to hire help.
Mary, Faye, and I joked about us just being early middle aged but we know the truth. We're senior ladies who still have a lot life left in us to have a roaring good time when we want. All of us are fortunate that our senior years have been kind to us and have given us the opportunities that our mothers and grandmothers couldn't have imagined. I don't think my mother got far beyond this city in her whole life. Nan visited Toronto and Windsor because she had daughters living there. Neither of them ever owned their own home, either, and that was one of my driving desires for as long as I remember.
So, here I sit (in my own home) playing on the computer and looking out onto my sunny backyard. The fates smiled on me.
P.S. I wish I knew why some of the paragraphs in my blog suddenly appear in larger letters.
I really feel sorry for people who can't relax like this and just enjoy the peaceful moments without having to do something they consider useful. Work will always be there, even after you've gone on to the great hereafter and then someone else will do it. You have to take the time to enjoy your limited moments while you're still here to enjoy them and I do this a lot. Lucky me.
I'm still basking in the delight of having Linda clean my house. The upstairs is done and tomorrow she comes back to do the rest (might need another day, though). I should have done this years ago but I just felt too guilty about it...stupid me. Having lived in this house since 1968 means there are plenty of corners that haven't had the attention they need and my more limited mobility sort of guarantees they'd remain unseen to without the help of Linda. There is a time and place for everything and this has turned out to be my time to hire help.
Mary, Faye, and I joked about us just being early middle aged but we know the truth. We're senior ladies who still have a lot life left in us to have a roaring good time when we want. All of us are fortunate that our senior years have been kind to us and have given us the opportunities that our mothers and grandmothers couldn't have imagined. I don't think my mother got far beyond this city in her whole life. Nan visited Toronto and Windsor because she had daughters living there. Neither of them ever owned their own home, either, and that was one of my driving desires for as long as I remember.
So, here I sit (in my own home) playing on the computer and looking out onto my sunny backyard. The fates smiled on me.
P.S. I wish I knew why some of the paragraphs in my blog suddenly appear in larger letters.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Barren to Beautiful in 1 Month
The backyard looks so terribly barren right now but in my mind's eye I can envision what it will look like this time next month. I've decided on a white and pink/purple theme with a dash of yellow but now I need to think carefully about exactly what flowers to plant. There will be fewer this year due to my downsizing efforts, though.
Geraniums are always on the list but I think I'll cross off impatiens. They're good for filler, color, and hanging abilities but too sensitive to drought so I might exchange them for begonias and use more of the ground cover for trailing. I had been going to plant tomatoes in the front porch planters but decided they are too much trouble and will settle for portulaca again. Portulaca thrives on neglect.
I love this time of the year when it's filled with planning to fill my world with color and beauty. It can be cold and overcast outside but the pictures in my mind are in living color. I'm so lucky that I get to do this all over again in October and November when I go to Florida!
Geraniums are always on the list but I think I'll cross off impatiens. They're good for filler, color, and hanging abilities but too sensitive to drought so I might exchange them for begonias and use more of the ground cover for trailing. I had been going to plant tomatoes in the front porch planters but decided they are too much trouble and will settle for portulaca again. Portulaca thrives on neglect.
I love this time of the year when it's filled with planning to fill my world with color and beauty. It can be cold and overcast outside but the pictures in my mind are in living color. I'm so lucky that I get to do this all over again in October and November when I go to Florida!
Friday, April 19, 2013
House Cleaner
When Dennis was alive, he would have been livid if I'd hired someone to clean the trailer before we got there but I do it now and love it. He would have been equally livid if I'd had a house cleaner clean my house but I did just that today and really, really loved it.
Linda, a friend, arrived about 9 this morning and took the whole day just doing the 2 bedrooms and hallway upstairs. She did a complete cleaning, though, and heaven knows it's needed it for a while. She'll return on Monday to do the first floor and hopefully the basement. One of her jobs in the kitchen will be to wash the ceiling so I'm not sure she can finish everything in the one day. This is all going to cost me a fortune but it's worth it. I plan on having her back every Spring until the house is sold and I've moved on to an apartment. I just might hire an occasional cleaner to do the apartment, too. There's lots I can't do any more and I'm not comfortable with leaving so much not done properly. I've never been a clean freak but at least once in a while I did a thorough job...not lately, though. Now I am thrilled to death to be getting my house scrubbed!!
Kim is coming over tomorrow to help me put the curtains back up in the bedrooms. I'll wash them first and hang the sheers wet because they hang better that way. Next summer I'll have the rooms all repainted so they look fresher in 2015 when I put the house up for sale. I have good plans that I hope all come together for me.
I also have the teak end tables to refinish once the weather improves but right now they're cluttering up the little computer room. All in good time, I guess! Some time real soon, my house will sparkle and be clutter free. Well, maybe not real soon.
Linda, a friend, arrived about 9 this morning and took the whole day just doing the 2 bedrooms and hallway upstairs. She did a complete cleaning, though, and heaven knows it's needed it for a while. She'll return on Monday to do the first floor and hopefully the basement. One of her jobs in the kitchen will be to wash the ceiling so I'm not sure she can finish everything in the one day. This is all going to cost me a fortune but it's worth it. I plan on having her back every Spring until the house is sold and I've moved on to an apartment. I just might hire an occasional cleaner to do the apartment, too. There's lots I can't do any more and I'm not comfortable with leaving so much not done properly. I've never been a clean freak but at least once in a while I did a thorough job...not lately, though. Now I am thrilled to death to be getting my house scrubbed!!
Kim is coming over tomorrow to help me put the curtains back up in the bedrooms. I'll wash them first and hang the sheers wet because they hang better that way. Next summer I'll have the rooms all repainted so they look fresher in 2015 when I put the house up for sale. I have good plans that I hope all come together for me.
I also have the teak end tables to refinish once the weather improves but right now they're cluttering up the little computer room. All in good time, I guess! Some time real soon, my house will sparkle and be clutter free. Well, maybe not real soon.
Speeding Ticket
I'm not the slowest driver on the road but I don't speed recklessly, either, so it was a surprise to get a speeding ticket yesterday just minutes after climbing into the car.
I was on the way to take my income tax records to the man who takes care of it for me and wondering which street I needed to use to get to his house. I turned on to the main street close to my house and sort of gunned it to get into existing traffic when I saw a policeman step out into the road in front of me. I thought he was crossing the road but then he waved me over. Oh, oh! I hadn't even realized I was speeding but I'd gotten up to 70K in a 50K zone faster than I imagined.
He was very nice and asked if I got many speeding tickets. I told him the last one was probably 10 years ago but it was actually 7 1/2 years ago in the States on my way to Florida. He did give me a ticket but reduced it to a lower speed so I wouldn't have any points against my insurance. $52 but it made me realize I have to be more careful when driving.
He also said that many speeding tickets are given to Hondas and Nissans because they ride so smoothly that the driver often isn't aware how fast they're going. I'd noticed that, especially, last year when I first got the Altima. Good car, though!
I was on the way to take my income tax records to the man who takes care of it for me and wondering which street I needed to use to get to his house. I turned on to the main street close to my house and sort of gunned it to get into existing traffic when I saw a policeman step out into the road in front of me. I thought he was crossing the road but then he waved me over. Oh, oh! I hadn't even realized I was speeding but I'd gotten up to 70K in a 50K zone faster than I imagined.
He was very nice and asked if I got many speeding tickets. I told him the last one was probably 10 years ago but it was actually 7 1/2 years ago in the States on my way to Florida. He did give me a ticket but reduced it to a lower speed so I wouldn't have any points against my insurance. $52 but it made me realize I have to be more careful when driving.
He also said that many speeding tickets are given to Hondas and Nissans because they ride so smoothly that the driver often isn't aware how fast they're going. I'd noticed that, especially, last year when I first got the Altima. Good car, though!
More Angry Than Hurt
It often takes me a while when talking to make my words properly express my thoughts. They sometimes spew out not clearly reflecting what I'm trying to say but I've now learned to slow down and usually choose my words more carefully because I'm aware of this flaw.
One of my distant relatives stung me pretty badly lately by not giving me the chance to clarify what I was trying to say and chose, instead, to listen to the initial words instead of the explanation that followed. I felt attacked, misunderstood, with no chance to explain myself but I gave up trying because of her unwarranted insults. It was a complete shock to me but has served to put me on my guard from now on when in her company.
The subject was about a young man who carried stuffed animals with him at college. Of course, this led to him being bullied because of his odd behaviour. I tried to explain that a parent of a child like that (exhibiting behaviour that will surely make them a target for bullies) should think twice about sending their child alone into a situation where they will be targeted. My relative chose to read into my words that I thought children who were different should not be allowed to attend college.
This has irritated me no end and I thought that by putting it into the blog where I could take the time to edit my thoughts I could get past this. The world is full of interesting characters who don't fully fit our definition of "normal" but anything out of the norm, unless enough of us stand up in support, will draw the bullies. I believe that sending your "very different" child off to a college where no-one knows or protects their individuality can be a dangerous thing to do. I am not saying they have no right to do so. I am not saying we should bow down and give in to bullies. I am only saying that we should be careful about sending our "very different" child off into unknown territory, simply for the child's protection.
That said, I'm still p....d about being misunderstood!!
One of my distant relatives stung me pretty badly lately by not giving me the chance to clarify what I was trying to say and chose, instead, to listen to the initial words instead of the explanation that followed. I felt attacked, misunderstood, with no chance to explain myself but I gave up trying because of her unwarranted insults. It was a complete shock to me but has served to put me on my guard from now on when in her company.
The subject was about a young man who carried stuffed animals with him at college. Of course, this led to him being bullied because of his odd behaviour. I tried to explain that a parent of a child like that (exhibiting behaviour that will surely make them a target for bullies) should think twice about sending their child alone into a situation where they will be targeted. My relative chose to read into my words that I thought children who were different should not be allowed to attend college.
This has irritated me no end and I thought that by putting it into the blog where I could take the time to edit my thoughts I could get past this. The world is full of interesting characters who don't fully fit our definition of "normal" but anything out of the norm, unless enough of us stand up in support, will draw the bullies. I believe that sending your "very different" child off to a college where no-one knows or protects their individuality can be a dangerous thing to do. I am not saying they have no right to do so. I am not saying we should bow down and give in to bullies. I am only saying that we should be careful about sending our "very different" child off into unknown territory, simply for the child's protection.
That said, I'm still p....d about being misunderstood!!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Security Cameras
There's a big debate going on about whether or not we should use more security cameras in public places. Some think that it would do no harm as long as you're not committing a crime but some think it's an invasion of our privacy. I think that a "public" place is not a "private" place so you shouldn't expect your private whereabouts to be protected there. Therefore, if more cameras would help decrease crime, let's use lots more of them.
Security cameras are a big problem for criminals but I can't see how a camera following my daily travels could ever be a problem for me because I'm not a criminal. Come to think of it, I don't like the idea of red light intersection cameras because I tend to drift through yellow lights once in a while...but even that could save my life one day. All in all, I do support the addition of many more security cameras to help decrease or eliminate crime.
Security cameras are a big problem for criminals but I can't see how a camera following my daily travels could ever be a problem for me because I'm not a criminal. Come to think of it, I don't like the idea of red light intersection cameras because I tend to drift through yellow lights once in a while...but even that could save my life one day. All in all, I do support the addition of many more security cameras to help decrease or eliminate crime.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Getting Things Done
Sent post dated cheques for lawn care and car/house insurance yesterday. Arranged to have a service come in to clean my house from top to bottom...all the time knowing Dennis would not approve but I'm doing it anyway. I've gradually begun to live my life the way I want to but never forgetting that it was Dennis' hard work that made this all possible for me in my senior years.
Cindy is having a birthday dinner for Tyson on Sunday and that's when I'll get to see the rest of my family. I had already decided that I'm going to make an effort to get my family together more often this summer. I don't plan to cook big dinners but there's always pizza delivery! We've been fortunate with our family that we've always been close and loose at the same time, knowing we'll be there for each other whenever needed but not getting our noses out of joint if a bit of time goes by before reconnecting. That's one of the reasons I don't come back home for Xmas. Everyone has a busy life of their own and I'd probably only see them on Xmas day. Then there'd be only the cold, miserable weather to deal with before traipsing back to sunny, warm Florida.
Today I'm staying home and working on Kyle's afghan. It's the same one I took to Florida in October to finish off but never quite had the time down there to complete it. Summer leisure time will allow me to finish it and also a few more...Tuesday afternoon Swedish weaving get-togethers with Faye and Donna start next week.
It's nice getting things in order here and starting back into a familiar routine. This is my true leisure time because my life in Florida is much busier. So far, I have the best of both worlds and each day is one I look forward to.
Thank you, Dennis.
Cindy is having a birthday dinner for Tyson on Sunday and that's when I'll get to see the rest of my family. I had already decided that I'm going to make an effort to get my family together more often this summer. I don't plan to cook big dinners but there's always pizza delivery! We've been fortunate with our family that we've always been close and loose at the same time, knowing we'll be there for each other whenever needed but not getting our noses out of joint if a bit of time goes by before reconnecting. That's one of the reasons I don't come back home for Xmas. Everyone has a busy life of their own and I'd probably only see them on Xmas day. Then there'd be only the cold, miserable weather to deal with before traipsing back to sunny, warm Florida.
Today I'm staying home and working on Kyle's afghan. It's the same one I took to Florida in October to finish off but never quite had the time down there to complete it. Summer leisure time will allow me to finish it and also a few more...Tuesday afternoon Swedish weaving get-togethers with Faye and Donna start next week.
It's nice getting things in order here and starting back into a familiar routine. This is my true leisure time because my life in Florida is much busier. So far, I have the best of both worlds and each day is one I look forward to.
Thank you, Dennis.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Nice To Be Home...but it's cold.
It's amazing how quickly I've adapted to life back home. It usually takes a few days of wandering around my amazingly huge (compared to the trailer) house before I settle in but this year I felt completely at home immediately. Unloading the car trunk was a big job but I got everything sorted and put away or bagged for Nolan, Nash, and Kim very quickly and it helped being that organized.
I can't help but compare the grey, still wintery, landscape compared to beautiful and lush Florida but it's mid April and Spring will gradually color my world. There's so much to look forward to...clearing away the winter debris from the yard, planting annuals, and hopefully clearing out some more house clutter. You'd think it would all be gone since I've worked at it for at least 3 years but I just might be bringing the odd bit of clutter back into the house without realizing it. For instance, I brought an Elvis doll back from Florida but I haven't a clue why I want it or where I'll keep it. Sometimes I get silly ideas.
Nick brought Nolan and Nash over tonight for a visit and they're so cute. Nash smiled at me when he came in and was perfectly happy to be here...as long as his Daddy remained in sight. He told Nick to sit down just to make sure he didn't sneak out on him.
I can't say enough good about my Nick. He was the first grandson and has almost seemed more like a son to me. Dennis and I worshipped him when he was born and that never changed. It's hard to explain how I love all of my grandchildren the same but that Nick has a unique position being the first. I don't love him more but just a bit differently. He made me a Gramma! And darned if he wasn't instrumental in making me a Greatgramma!
The teak side tables I planned to refinish last fall are still sitting here in the computer room waiting to claim their spots on either side of the livingroom sofa. Breaking my wrist last fall kept me from working on them and now I'll have to wait a few weeks until it warms up and I can take them outside to strip them. I love the sleek lines of Danish modern furniture but then my eclectic tastes like most styles, some more than others. In due time the house will be in order but it looks pretty good now, anyway.
Now to figure out what the heck to do with my Elvis doll.
I can't help but compare the grey, still wintery, landscape compared to beautiful and lush Florida but it's mid April and Spring will gradually color my world. There's so much to look forward to...clearing away the winter debris from the yard, planting annuals, and hopefully clearing out some more house clutter. You'd think it would all be gone since I've worked at it for at least 3 years but I just might be bringing the odd bit of clutter back into the house without realizing it. For instance, I brought an Elvis doll back from Florida but I haven't a clue why I want it or where I'll keep it. Sometimes I get silly ideas.
Nick brought Nolan and Nash over tonight for a visit and they're so cute. Nash smiled at me when he came in and was perfectly happy to be here...as long as his Daddy remained in sight. He told Nick to sit down just to make sure he didn't sneak out on him.
I can't say enough good about my Nick. He was the first grandson and has almost seemed more like a son to me. Dennis and I worshipped him when he was born and that never changed. It's hard to explain how I love all of my grandchildren the same but that Nick has a unique position being the first. I don't love him more but just a bit differently. He made me a Gramma! And darned if he wasn't instrumental in making me a Greatgramma!
The teak side tables I planned to refinish last fall are still sitting here in the computer room waiting to claim their spots on either side of the livingroom sofa. Breaking my wrist last fall kept me from working on them and now I'll have to wait a few weeks until it warms up and I can take them outside to strip them. I love the sleek lines of Danish modern furniture but then my eclectic tastes like most styles, some more than others. In due time the house will be in order but it looks pretty good now, anyway.
Now to figure out what the heck to do with my Elvis doll.
Monday, April 15, 2013
What Matters
Kim, Cindy, Don, and Nolan came over to see me tonight and I fell in love with Nolan all over again. He's just as beautiful as he was in the fall but taller. His speech is so much better now that he's a big boy of 3 3/4 years old...still has trouble with his "L's", though.
It was so horrible to hear of the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon and to think that some bastard/bastards cared so little about the human lives they blew up. I wondered if they have loved ones. Do they have the ability to love as we do?
I watched my precious family and knew it would kill me if anything happened to them. I don't know how anyone gets past the senseless loss of a loved one, especially in something as utterly crazy as a bombing at the Boston Marathon. There just is no understanding how anyone could be as callous as these terrorists appear to be.
I hope they find the people responsible and I hope it never happens again. We have to have hope, don't we?
It was so horrible to hear of the terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon and to think that some bastard/bastards cared so little about the human lives they blew up. I wondered if they have loved ones. Do they have the ability to love as we do?
I watched my precious family and knew it would kill me if anything happened to them. I don't know how anyone gets past the senseless loss of a loved one, especially in something as utterly crazy as a bombing at the Boston Marathon. There just is no understanding how anyone could be as callous as these terrorists appear to be.
I hope they find the people responsible and I hope it never happens again. We have to have hope, don't we?
Terrorists Are Cowards
Yes, they are cowards. They sneak in, plant their bombs, and run like frightened rats. They watch from a safe distance as the bombs explode and destroy innocent lives...and they rejoice at their "bravery" for having committed such devastation.
Terrorists are cowards. They have a cruel streak in their mentality that tells them it's okay to murder and injure innocent people who probably have no idea what the terrorists' agenda is. Normal people can't think like a terrorist because normal people have empathy for their fellow man.
Terrorists are inhuman in their murderous activities and are unable to understand that they are not courageous but filth that have no redeeming value to the human race.
My heart goes out to the victims of the Boston Marathon attack.
Terrorists are cowards. They have a cruel streak in their mentality that tells them it's okay to murder and injure innocent people who probably have no idea what the terrorists' agenda is. Normal people can't think like a terrorist because normal people have empathy for their fellow man.
Terrorists are inhuman in their murderous activities and are unable to understand that they are not courageous but filth that have no redeeming value to the human race.
My heart goes out to the victims of the Boston Marathon attack.
Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Arm Your Kids
There was a time in the not too distant past when our children were sent off to school where we knew they'd be safe. Something has happened to our society where this is not the case anymore and I'm wondering where it will all end up.
Here in the States they are talking about arming the teachers with guns mainly because of the massacre in Sandy Hook where a crazed man shot and killed 20 little children and 6 teachers. What can be next? Arming the children??
So much money and resources have been wasted taking to trial and imprisoning pot smokers when it would have been better to use those resources to give life sentences to anyone committing a crime with a gun. Some U.S. communities are buying back weapons in order to take them off the streets but why not ban the manufacture of them to begin with? No household needs an assault rifle. No household needs a collection of guns which could be stolen by an intruder and then used to commit crimes.
I've recently lost my right to gamble at little internet casinos. The government acted quickly to close them down for some obscure reason but they can't get it together to ban the purchase of assault rifles. Where is the logic here?
The NRA seems to have the politicians by the short hairs.
Here in the States they are talking about arming the teachers with guns mainly because of the massacre in Sandy Hook where a crazed man shot and killed 20 little children and 6 teachers. What can be next? Arming the children??
So much money and resources have been wasted taking to trial and imprisoning pot smokers when it would have been better to use those resources to give life sentences to anyone committing a crime with a gun. Some U.S. communities are buying back weapons in order to take them off the streets but why not ban the manufacture of them to begin with? No household needs an assault rifle. No household needs a collection of guns which could be stolen by an intruder and then used to commit crimes.
I've recently lost my right to gamble at little internet casinos. The government acted quickly to close them down for some obscure reason but they can't get it together to ban the purchase of assault rifles. Where is the logic here?
The NRA seems to have the politicians by the short hairs.
Monday, April 01, 2013
The Simple Things
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