Deny, Deny, Deny

Toronto mayor Ford is using the old defence of deny, deny, deny, and refuses to answer questions asked about his reported drug use.  I suppose he's hoping that everyone will give up trying to get answers as to why he was photographed using drugs with known drug dealers.  He did respond once by saying it was a photograph of his twin brother, one no-one has ever heard of before.  I'm not surprised by a politician using drugs...I'm sure there are plenty who do but haven't been caught...but I am a little disconcerted that the mayor of one of the largest cities in the world would not worry about being photographed doing it.  And with nasty drug lords, too!

We in Canada are hearing about a lot of our politicians bleeding the public dry by overspending, cheating, and behaving the way we sort of expect they're always doing but now they're being so blatant about their dishonesty that it's scary.  Is the public so stupid that we'll vote these characters back into office again?  I'm not sure we can get rid of criminal senators, though.

I read somewhere that we get the government we deserve so maybe this is payback for our lackadaisical attitudes about who we put into office.  I don't vote because I believe they're all crooks.  I think it's a hoot when people get all riled up about having their choice elected.  In my humble opinion, you just can't trust a politician because they're all cut from the same cloth.  It's called "bullshit fabric". 

Kim Is 55

Kim turned 55 today and I'm still puzzled about how she survived being the first child of a 17+ mother and a 21 year old father (he turned 21 two days before Kim was born).  She's always been one of those special human beings, really an angel but she'd never believe it.

I was deeply in love with her father but wasn't happy to find myself pregnant at the young age of 17.  I remember not really feeling a connection to the baby growing inside me until she first moved.  Then the miracle of having a baby of my own became a realization.  Funny how I never thought too much about her belonging equally to her father because, in my mind, she was all mine.  Thank heavens he was a good father who loved her just as much as I did, though.

Dennis and I winged it being first time parents but we did the best we could so maybe love is all a child needs to grow up successfully.  And that she did, becoming a loving and caring woman you can trust with your life.

Dennis and I did good!  

Martha Washington Geraniums

These are the 2 Martha Washington geraniums that I just planted...the second one is a little beaten down from all the rain today but it will recover.  I think they're one of the most beautiful plants we can use here in the summer and I'll get double duty out of them by taking them to Florida in October.

Walking/? For Charity

Something I've never understood is people who walk, run, paddle board, whatever, across the country (or world) to raise money for their selected charity.  The idea is to convince others to sponsor them in their quest and that money goes to charity.  Why don't we just donate the money to our own choice of charity and forget about the people who make themselves the symbol of incentive?

I remember Terry Fox running across Canada to raise money for cancer research and it was a very moving time.  I also remember wondering how much money it took to feed, house, and provide gas and vehicles for his entourage.  I wonder if the money raised was worth his effort.  These events are newsworthy, though, because of the emotional impact.

I guess what bothers me most is that I question the motives of the walker/runner/paddle boarder.  Is the money raised to bring attention to the cause or to them?  Aren't I the cynical one?

  

American Memorial Day

This is Memorial Day in the States when soldiers, present and past, are remembered and respected for their service to their country.  We Canadians should also give thanks to them because it's our close proximity and relationship we have with the States that keeps us safe right along with the Americans.

It always seems to be the young soldiers who lose their lives defending our countries and I always wonder what might have been if these strong and dedicated people had lived out their natural life span.  I'm sure they would have passed on their great qualities to future generations but their lives were snuffed out before their time.  Photos often show bright, clear eyed young men and women, proud to be serving their country, and that makes it harder to know many will not make it out of their twenties because they chose to put their lives on the line for us.

I hate war and know in my heart that most wars are fought because of greed, not by soldiers but by corrupt governments.  Somehow, soldiers don't see that but believe they are helping bring peace to the world.  It's that endeavour that earns my respect and thankfulness.  There's an old saying that war is hell but the saddest thing is that it's mostly unnecessary.

3 Days With Friends

Faye and I drove to Mary's on Friday to spend a few days with her while her hubby was away and Mary had an itinerary all set for us, things she knew we'd enjoy.

This was the first time I'd get to see the addition she'd put on her house and it is beautiful.  There's a huge picture window in the new livingroom that looks out onto the back property where you can see the horses.  Only one horse was there, though, because Don had taken the other one with him on his trip.  I remember seeing how nice but unkept the property was when they first bought it but they've cleaned it all up, built the addition, feed stall, and fencing for the horses.  Mary has flower planters all over the huge deck, too, so they've turned the beginning of a dream into a reality in just 1 1/2 years.

Faye and I had lunch before we got to Mary's so we all just headed into town to do some shopping and then had dinner at a nice little restaurant.  They ordered pizza and I ordered fish and chips but never asked the price...after all, how much could fish and chips cost, right?  Well, they cost $18.99 and I nearly fainted.  This was not some classy, rich joint but just a neat little establishment that I will never, ever order anything again from without asking the price first.  It really was the best fish and chips I'd ever tasted so it's a good thing I could enjoy them before finding out what the damn things cost.

In the evening we drank gin and tonic and played Rummicubes.  We laughed ourselves silly, old and true friends with not a care in the world it would seem.  It's always that way when we get together and I know how lucky I am to have these 2 for friends.

Saturday was a little warmer than the frigid day before but the weather wasn't too important because we were going to the casino.  Faye and I had few chores but Mary had to feed the horse and her new cat, Cleo, a foundling who'd been abandoned in farm country and had come crying to her house for food.  Cleo is a beautiful, furry white cat with a black tail and what looks like a black thong that travels from her tail down and under her legs.  She's got a few black spots elsewhere, too.  She's very passive unless she wants to be fed or let out and then she meows loudly until someone gives her what she wants.  It's cute to see her racing around outside, free and easy chasing whatever catches her eye...she often stays out all night and brings dead mice to the door as an apologetic offering for her sins.

At the casino...Mary won, Faye won, I lost.  End of story.

Then we had another evening to match the one before...funny how much more I drink when I'm with these two ladies.

Sunday was a morning for lounging around and eating a leisurely, light breakfast. In the afternoon we drove up to a local nursery where Mary had purchased the most beautiful Martha Washington geraniums.  Faye and I each bought 2 and neither of us know where we'll find a spot to plant them.  No matter, they're gorgeous!!  I get to take them down to Florida in the fall, too, so I'm very happy to have them.

We then went to a wine tasting at a local winery before having an early dinner at a nice little Chinese restaurant near where Mary lives.  We dropped her off at her house about 4 P.M. and heading back home (2 1/2 hour drive for me).  I was thrilled to see that Nick and Matt had powerwashed the deck and patio and put mulch in the side garden for me.  I love my boys!

It was a full and merry 3 days with two good friends but I'm happy to be back home in my own house.  There's no place like home, is there?    

8.3

Today I see a dietitian about my elevated blood sugar...8.3...and I just know they're going to tell me I can't eat all the crap I've been including in my diet.  It's really too bad that the good tasting stuff is all bad for you, isn't it?  I'm an intelligent woman who has always known that I'm feeding this body some awful stuff so having high blood sugar is no surprise.  I just stupidly thought I might be able to get away with it forever.

When I get a knock on the head like this I start eating better for a while.  I do love salads but just not as much as I love fries, pasta, and potato chips.  Over the past few weeks I haven't had any potato chips, few fries or pasta so I am making an effort.  The question is...is it too late?

Thank heavens I'm not much of a sweet eater because I've heard that it's wicked trying to give up chocolate if you're bent that way.  I had more desserts up at Joyce's than I eat in a month or more.

My doctor wants me to repeat the blood tests so maybe I'll see some improvement in the blood sugar the next time.  I'll be trying, anyway.  I'm not sure when you are considered a diabetic and have to take medicine for it but I'm hoping I haven't reached that point yet.  We'll see.

Note:  I have until mid August to see if I can eliminate enough carbs from my diet to lower the blood sugar count to below 7.0 or I might have to begin taking medication for diabetes.  I'm doubtful it will drop that far but what will be will be.

Lady Handywomen

I am so dated.  I'm always thoroughly amazed when I hear that a woman has tackled and successfully completed a handyman's/woman's job because I have no confidence I could do it myself.

Kim and Cindy are presently retiling Kim's kitchen backsplash and this involves rewiring a couple of electric outlets.  I'm totally in awe of these women I gave birth to.  They certainly don't take after me so I guess they got whatever they have from their father.  Now, I don't believe that there are jobs only for men to do but that didn't stop me from suggesting to my girls that maybe they should leave the wiring to an electrician.  To be honest, even if my girls were men I'd be a little worried about novices doing electrical wiring.

In my archaic little world, tough and labor intensive jobs should be done by tough men.  Strength is an asset in any job but, according to Kim and Cindy, determination is an equally important asset.  I guess so but I'm still amazed by what they're doing today.  

Canadian Culture

I've been listening to the comedy channel on T.V. (yes, listening as I play on the computer) and they're making fun of our so-called non-existent Canadian culture again.  I think there is a definite culture in Canada.  For the most part, you can pick us out by noticing the overly polite person in the group.  It seems our parents really drilled the social niceties into us starting in the womb.

It's hard to find a Canadian who reveres their politicians.  We vote but we know we're voting for the best of a bad lot.  We don't march enmasse screaming to behead our lying, thieving politicians, either.  We like serenity.

Canadians are good at making the best of a touchy situation.    During any war in the world you will find our soldiers trying to make peace.  I'm proud of that! We do get angry at any exhibition of violence, though, and will turn hard as nails when it comes to making a violent person pay for his crime...short of actual capital punishment, of course.  We figure if we keep him in jail for a long time, giving him good meals, excellent health care, and conjugal visits, he will be grateful enough to become non-threatening to the Canadian public when he's released.  Funny, that doesn't seem to work but we keep trying.

Canadians are also smug, finding more fault with other countries than their own.  I think we're right.  There's very little chance here of cutting off another driver on the road and being shot in retaliation.  There's even less chance here of women being forced to cover up their shorts and tank tops with a body hiding robe with only slits for eyes.

We are white, black, beige, and have roots in every country in the world but have chosen Canada as our home.  We are a diverse culture here as long as it doesn't clash with "Canadian" culture.  For instance, no-one is allowed to circumsize their daughters or force their 8 year old daughter to marry a 60 year old man.  We're much too far along the evolutionary scale to practice that kind of savagery.  Education for both sexes is mandatory, too.

I like Canada and feel very fortunate to have been born here.  Too bad about the cold winters, though.

Tornado and God

Murder, accidental death, environmental death, child abuse, spousal abuse, senseless cruelty...these are the things that make me question the existence of a supreme being looking over us.  The tornado in Oklahoma yesterday killed many innocent children and this again makes me question why a supreme being with the ability to protect us would allow this to happen.

I've been an agnostic for most of my life and will probably die as one.  I just don't understand why innocent children or good people have to suffer sometimes unbearable loss.  Church goers tell me I just need to trust in god and the answers will all be revealed to me in the hereafter but this makes no sense to me.  The basic instinct that we humans are blessed with is to protect our children so why would a supreme being not feel the same way?

I have close friends and family who are devoutly religious so I usually don't pose such questions to them.  They receive a lot of comfort from their religion so it would be cruel to take that away from them.  Me, I'm hoping there is a god but if and when I get to meet him I'm going to have some very serious questions to ask him about his management skills.

Tulips Still Beautiful

The tulips in my front garden this year were the most beautiful they've ever been but my camera wasn't working at the time so I couldn't take any pictures.  There are still a few out there that haven't fallen apart yet and I picked some this morning for this vase.  I even included a sprig of columbine.  

A few years ago I tore the whole front garden apart and began anew with perennials and tulip bulbs chosen specifically for their height, color, and time of blooming.  Things didn't work out as I'd planned, though.  Either the bulbs were mislabelled or the squirrels repositioned them because there are groups of taller tulips directly in front of shorter ones.  There are also stray odd colored tulips among a grouping of a different color.  It doesn't much matter, though, because a perfect garden isn't really a garden, is it?

I went out in the yard this morning to do the lattice/downspout thing and found out it wouldn't work because I couldn't get a planter close enough to the wall.  No matter...I'll just return the lattice to the store.  I'd bought a big thunbergia climbing plant for the downspout but planted it in another spot where it will provide just as much beauty over the summer.

So far I've spent about $70 on flowers and I still need about 10 4/packs of impatiens for a few empty pots.  I must remember to get some grass seed, too, because my poor back lawn has developed some huge bare spots.  

A gorgeous red cardinal just had a drink from the bird bath on the deck.  It flew off before I could take a picture but it will be back.  Spring and summer in Canada...beautiful!  

Tired and Sore

Yesterday Nick and Matt came over and cleared out all the junk from my driveway...bagged leaves from the fall and a collapsed utility table.  They also took the papazon (not sure of the spelling) chair that was down in the basement craft room and never used.  Apparently it's been there since their childhood because they remembered it from then.  After they left I straightened up what was left in the driveway and hosed it down.  This is a part of the driveway separated from car parking by a fence so that I have a spot to pot flowers and it's safe for the little kids to play there, too.  Some of the smaller outside toys belonging to Nolan and Nash are kept in a dock box and their ride-on toys are out there, too.

It's so comforting getting things done in the spring but I'm going to have to find a plastic table to keep out there for my plant potting work.  I also want to get a hard sided plastic pool for the little guys to play in when they're here.

Today I bought some plants but not enough to fill all my pots.  I bought mainly begonias this year because they are colorful and hardy.  I'll get a few impatiens later but they aren't as hardy as the begonias.  I also bought a thunbergia and some morning glory seeds to put against the downspout at the front of the house.  I saw a great idea on Pinterest where you wrap the downspout in chicken wire (I bought a plastic version, though) and the climbing plants will cover it nicely.  My strength ran out before I could get around to doing it but there's always next week.

Mary told me that Home Depot had small geraniums on sale for 96 cents each so I went out and bought 6 to put somewhere...I haven't decided where yet.  I picked Kim up on the way back and we went over to the rec center to watch Nolan's swimming class.  He was the rambunctious one again and Kim had to have a little talk with him.  He wasn't bad, just...active.

Kim has been working as hard or harder than me so both of us were hurting.  We went over to Wendy's for supper after Nolan's class and then it was home and rest for both of us.  I love planting season but it seems to wear me out just a little bit more every year.  It will be nice to just have a couple of potted plants on my apartment balcony in 2015!

Killer is "Shocked"

I don't know whether to be disgusted or amused that the man arrested in the kidnapping and murder of Tim Bosma is shocked that he's been accused of the murder.  Bosma's stolen vehicle was found at Dellen Millard's mother's home and his body, burnt beyond recognition, was found on property owned by Dellen Millard.  I'd say there is darned good reason for this monster to have been arrested.

Millard refuses to talk to the police but he's hired a lawyer who speaks for him, saying he is a good man with loads of money who had no need to steal Bosma's car.  His lawyer says there is a story behind all of this that will clear his client.  But why would an innocent man sit in jail and not tell police everything he can to prove his innocence?

I will never understand how a lawyer can put up any kind of defence for someone who has obviously committed such a horrible crime.  Millard had accomplices but the car and the body were found on property associated with him so there's no way he can claim he wasn't involved.  Still, he's pleading not guilty.  Don't they all?

In the end, a truly innocent victim lost his life due to the actions of Dellen Millard and a couple of his friends.  I hope each and every one of them receive severe punishment for this horrible crime but it will never be what they deserve...not on this earth, anyway.

Babysitting Nolan

I adore him.  He's such a good boy and funny as can be but he's at the age where almost every sentence is a question.  "Why is that pot there?", "Why is there a thing on this train and not on that one?", "Why...why...why...why????????  I do love him, though.

It was gorgeous out today so we spent all morning out in the yard...him playing and me working.  I gave him a pail of soapy water and sponges to wash his outdoor toys while I used the leaf blower and then hosed off the furniture, deck, and patio.  It all needs to be powerwashed, though, to make it look right and that will be done this weekend by Nick and Matt.  Then I can do the most enjoyable work of planting flowers in the planters.

Nolan and I both had a nap after lunch and he's playing nicely with his indoor toys now.  Still asking questions I'm trying to ignore without much luck.  He's determined to hear answers to his questions.  Kim and I are taking him to a restaurant for dinner tonight so I'm hoping the questions will stop for a while...at least when he's eating.  

LCBO Strike

Big in the news is that the LCBO workers are planning to go on strike this weekend.  I suppose it might interfere with the lifestyle of some people but it seems kind of a useless effort to me.  If you need booze in the near future, buy it before the strike starts.  If you're desperate for more booze before the strike ends, then you just might have a problem you didn't realize you had.

Unions like to call strikes just before a holiday so that it will inconvenience the public as much as possible.  Somehow, I don't believe the inability to buy a bottle of liquor can affect enough people to worry us, though.  Besides, there's always beer to help alcoholics weather the storm.

LCBO workers make a heck of large salary considering the average demands of their jobs but there will never be a limit that their union will accept so they'll always want more than they get.  How else do you justify the union dues paid?

I have to admit that, without their union, the workers would probably be paid slave wages so they do serve a purpose.  Management usually can't be trusted to pay any more than necessary because they need to make sure there's enough money to cover their own enormous salaries.  It seems we're damned if we do and damned if we don't have unions.

As far as the LCBO strike goes, I don't see it lasting long because not enough people will care one way or the other.

Sisters/In-Law

I'm lucky enough to have loved my mother-in-law and have sisters-in-law who I love like sisters.  Not everyone can make that statement with as much certainty as I do...some have the in-laws from hell but, thankfully, I have friends who happen to be in-laws, too.

Faye, Gary, and I went up north (actually 4-5 hours north-east) on Monday to stay a few days with Joyce and Larry.  They live on a lake amidst some of the most beautiful scenery you'll find anywhere.  It's a place of dreams for many city dwellers like me and they get to experience it every day of the year.  Of course, it takes a lot of work to keep it as pristine as it is but I know they don't begrudge the sometimes hard labor that allows them to live there.  Gary spent most of our time up there helping Larry split logs and it was a job that not only let Larry finish quicker than on his own but also promoted a little bit more male bonding between in-laws.  They, too, are good friends.

Mealtimes at Joyce and Larry's are what they are supposed to be...great food and interesting conversations that often last longer than the actual meal.  I love that.  It's a blessing when in-laws can enjoy sitting and gabbing for hours and never say an unfriendly word to each other.  The two days we were there were filled with laughter and tranquillity.  It's what I always expect when I go there and have never been disappointed.

I love Larry and Gary, too, but it's Faye and Joyce that I feel the closest to, more like sisters but also good friends.  They are the two people who first welcomed me into the family back in 1955 so we've experienced most stages of life together and now we've grown old together.  But when we're sitting around the table laughing and reminiscing and discussing what we're learning these days, the years fall away.  I love them dearly and always will.  After all, how lucky I was to marry into a family and gain a new husband and sisters, too.   

Marijuana Momma?

My mother's day started out early this morning when I went out for breakfast with Kim, Nick, Natasha, Nolan, Nash, Matt, and Sandra.  It was frigid out..42F..which is unusual for this time of year.  After breakfast we came back to my house so that Nick and Matt could clean out my side garden and put down mulch but they were wimps because of the cold so they only pulled out some unwanted saplings that had been deposited there probably by the damned squirrels.  

As they were pulling stuff out, they discovered what looked amazingly like a marijuana plant growing against the house.  I can tell you they teased me a lot!  We took pictures, of course, which they put on Facebook...I expect a visit from the local police any moment.

Shelley called from Florida and I asked her to bring some more of my favorite tea when she comes up to visit this summer.  It's so nice having her live close when I'm in Florida for the winter but not so good when I'm back home in Canada.

When they left, I made a couple of meat loaves.  I do cook once in a while, don't you know?

Mid afternoon brought another pleasant visit from Cindy, Don, Tyson, Kyle and his girlfriend, Britney, and Aeron.  We had the tea I bought at the breakfast restaurant and it was very good.  I learned something about marijuana from them, too, and I'm not sure I like the idea they know so much.

When they left, it was so empty in the house.  It's interesting how much life young people bring in to a home but I don't mind the quiet, either.  I had my meatloaf for dinner and, if I do say so myself, it was darned good.

Tonight I'll pack for tomorrow when Faye, Gary, and I go up to spend 2 days with Joyce and Larry.  I'm looking forward to Joyce's excellent cooking and the great time we always have when we're together.   

When Hope Is Gone

There is a man missing in my city.  He's a beloved husband and father and his disappearance is due to a ride he took with two men pretending to be interested in buying his vehicle.  It's incomprehensible that anyone would harm someone just to steal his car but, then, criminals like these have no conscience.  They probably have committed many crimes in their past and maybe this innocent man attempted to stand up to them instead of just handing over his property.  Maybe this caused the worst to happen.  The fact that he's been missing for a few days is a bad sign.

They'll be caught because they're stupid and they're repugnant.  Because they live in Canada, their punishment will not be severe and they'll probably be out walking as free men in 10 years or so...still young enough and stupid enough and cruel enough to find other innocent souls to prey on.

I'm proud of our strict gun laws in Canada but I wish we could bring back the death penalty.  Some criminals simply don't deserve to share the air with decent people.

Cancer Again

It seems like we hear more and more often that someone we know has cancer and it makes me so angry, knowing how fearful they must be not knowing if they'll be able to beat it.

For the last maybe 5 years I've depended on my wonderful and honest handyman, Don, to take care of odd jobs at my house.  He's the one I call when the eaves-troughs need cleaning out in the spring or when something isn't working in the house or when a heavy job needs doing in the yard.  I've considered myself very lucky to have found such a good man to count on because I can't do it all in this house.  I called him on Wednesday to see if he could come and clean the eaves-troughs and he informed me that he's been receiving treatment all winter for esophagus cancer and would be having the surgery on Thursday (yesterday).  My heart sunk.  That was the same cancer that killed my husband although he was never a candidate for the surgery.

Don is such a good person, hard working and honest to a tee.  It angers me that such a person should have to contend with this deadly disease and I'm very fearful for his outcome.  Don, like so many others, works for himself without any pension or sick leave plan to fall back on.  He's too young at 55 to collect any of our government pensions so his illness is hitting him doubly hard financially.  Sometimes life is so damned unfair.

I hope with all my heart that his surgery cures him (I know of at least one lady who had the same surgery years ago and was cured) and he lives on to a peaceful old age.  He deserves it if anyone does.  My Dennis wasn't able to have this surgery because of the location of the tumor and I'll always wonder if we should have looked for a surgeon who would have done it anyway.  In any case, I'm glad that Don was a candidate and hope that he'll sail through the surgery to health.  We always have hope because there are many people who beat cancer.  

I wish sometimes that I was a praying person but, for now, I'll have to trust the fates that he'll make it.

Blood Work Done

I haven't had full blood work done in too many years so I decided today was the day. I checked on the internet very early this morning to see what time the lab opened and saw an 8 A.M. time which allowed me a few hours to play on the computer.  I walked into the lab at 8:05 A.M. and saw a million people waiting in front of me...my number was 86 and only 44 had been called.  So I sat and just entertained myself by watching the other people.  One lady came in with 3 cute little boys, aged about 4, 5, & 7.  My waiting time turned out to be an hour so I don't know how she kept those little boys as well behaved as they were.  They went in for their blood work just before I did and it was hilarious to see the expression on the 5 year old's face as he was handed a bottle to pee in.  When the 4 year old was asked where he lived, he said, "at home", and that cracked us all up.

I sat and waited patiently as the numbers called slowly moved up to 50,  60, 70, 80...many people had given up and left so they were able to skip some numbers.  I was mistakenly waiting for number 89 to be called when I heard, "number 87?".  I looked down at my number and was shocked to see 86 and not 89.  The staff was very nice, though, and took me anyway.  I guess they get a lot of that.  One man was sound asleep in the waiting room  and one of the staff went over and peeked at his number so that he wouldn't miss his call.

I had parked near the LCBO and thought I may as well get a bottle of wine to take up to Joyce's next week.  Darned if they weren't closed...they open at 10 A.M.  Wonder what religious group insisted on those hours?

Faye and Donna are coming over this afternoon for Swedish weaving.  It's supposed to rain for the next couple of days so I'll do more outside work on the weekend.  No stress, no pressure.  

Happy

It doesn't take much to make me happy but I'm especially happy today.  Linda finally finished scrubbing my house from top to bottom and it looks so darned good!  She pulled out furniture and got into corners that I've neglected for too long and it's given me a new lease on life.  I don't feel overwhelmed with work that's just too strenuous for me now and that's a load off my mind.

Now I have added impetus to make a more intense stab at getting rid of excess stuff in my house.  My plan has been to attack one room at a time and either give to the girls, take to the Salvation Army, or put in the garbage.  Knowing me, I'll jump from one room to another without finishing either one but at least I'll be clearing unnecessary items out while I scoot about.  I've noticed that I have an awful lot of paperwork around the computer that can't possibly all be needed.  I think I hang on to paperwork because I'm afraid to throw it out but that's about to change.

I don't like sterile, totally barren and too organized homes but there's no danger of that happening to me.  The best I can hope for is to be able to look around my house and only find a few things that have no purpose.

But for this moment I'll just bask in my nice, clean house, thanks to Linda!  

Copy & Paste

After writing that humongous blog and then finding out it was not in the right blog, I was pleased to find out I could copy and paste it here.  It seems that different websites choose different ways to display their "tools" and here it shows up as 3 lines like a layer cake in the top right corner.  I almost think the internet gods don't want us old folk using their space because they don't make it easy for us.

As far as taking out the green background, that is far beyond my capabilities so it will remain green.

New End Tables

2-3 years ago, I found 2 teak end tables at a yard sale for $5 each and brought them home planning to refinish them.  The old owners had put some kind of unnecessary finish on them which had been watermarked.  Late last summer I brought them up from the basement and bought all the refinishing equipment...stripper, paint cleaner, sandpaper, and stain for a total of $26.  Unfortunately, I broke my wrist before getting around to the job and they sat in the computer room until today.  

I hauled them out to the driveway and put the first coat of stripper on them.  Steve was out washing his driveway so I asked him how long I should leave the stripper on and he told me not to let it dry before scraping it off.  A lot of muck came off with the first layer of stripper so I did it 2 more times before I was satisfied.  After cleaning with paint cleaner, the tables looked pretty darned good so I decided not to stain them.  I had no teak oil in the house so I went to Canadian Tire and spent $20 on that.  I now have enough teak oil to last me 2 lifetimes but it was the smallest bottle they had.

Once the teak oil was applied, the tables really perked up and I set them in place on either end of the sofa where they fit like a glove.  All in all, my 2 tables cost me $56 and just a tiny bit of labor.  I am very pleased!  I've always loved teak furniture and will be considering that when I buy anything new.

Cindy and Don brought me the mulch I needed so tomorrow I'll call Don, the handyman, and ask him to come here to do a few jobs for me.  A senior woman living alone in a house is forced to pay to have things done and that's the long and short of it.  

Linda comes back tomorrow to clean the basement and then my house will be in the best order it's ever been.  I've made 3-4 visits to the Salvation Army already with donations and I'll probably make 100 more before I'm finished this summer.  Things are getting done, slow but sure.

I was too tired to go to Nolan's swimming class (had a nap instead) but Kim said he was wonderful.  He's going to be a great source of enjoyment for me just watching him learn.  It's amazing to watch the process of children learning to live their lives and becoming socialized little critters.  I'll go back to babysitting him or Nash once every 2 weeks starting next Monday and that will be interesting.  Nash cried all day the last time I looked after him and I'm so hoping that won't be the case next Monday.  Nick will be working from home so, if worse comes to worse, I can give him back to his father.  I don't have any worries about looking after Nolan...he just moves in and makes himself at home.  I love it!

Well, that was my Sunday and it was fairly productive.

Note:  The reason the background is green is because I typed the whole darned thing on the wrong blog and then had to copy and paste it here.

Looooove My Coffee

Fresh coffee is what helps me come to life in the morning but I ran out of Folgers yesterday and had to have some other terribly strong coffee that came with my new Keurig.  Yuk!  So, this morning I decided to have a cup of Plum Pudding tea which was very nice but just didn't have the oomph of a perfect cup of coffee.

I did some grocery shopping this morning and bought Folgers, raced home and had my first cup of decent coffee in 2 days.  OMG!  It was heaven.  Coffee lovers will understand how I felt as I had that first sip of perfect (to me) coffee because it affects us all the same way.  It's like a drug, I guess, but I don't care.  I'm already looking forward to tomorrow morning when I get my next fix.

Real Estate Agent

My neighbor gave me the name of a real estate agent who happens to be a friend of hers and he came over to visit me yesterday.  He really was very informative, giving me a few tips on what to expect when I sell the house 2 years from now.  I thought it might be a bit early to contact a real estate agent but he didn't seem to mind.  I understand he was drumming up business but he's exactly the type of person I'll need to help me get through selling the house when the time comes.

There were a couple of faults in the plaster that I wondered would be a problem but was assured they were very minor.  He did say that a fresh coat of paint, in the light colors I use, would be a help but I'd already planned to have that done next summer, anyway.  He'll give me a call after he's done some research on what houses like mine are selling for to let me know what price I can expect to list it.  I'm a little curious about that but not worried.  It will sell for what someone is willing to pay.

My brother-in-law has bought and sold many houses and he's never used a real estate agent.  I know that saved him a lot of money but I'm willing to pay the 5% or so to an agency rather than deal with the financing myself.  My "overwhelm" threshold is shrinking with every passing year and I'm certain that the stress of just selling the house and moving into an apartment will be about as much as I can manage.

It's funny how, after spending 45 years in this house, I'm really looking forward to selling it and moving on.  I guess it's because I recognize a new phase in my life is on the horizon and I can make it a positive one if I plan well.  In a way, it's exciting to imagine how freeing it will be to not have an ageing house to keep in working order.  As in everything, it's all in the attitude you choose to adopt and I know I'll do just fine when all is done.    

Facebook

There are people who hate Facebook because of all the banality posted on it every day but I find it a good place to keep tabs on my family and friends.  For instance, I just found out that one of my grandsons is in a committed relationship with pictures posted.  I haven't had the opportunity to meet this girl yet and was able to give them a quick and easy invitation via Facebook.

I hate having to telephone someone but will do it if necessary.  Facebook allows me to make contact without having to spend much time doing it and that is a good thing as far as I'm concerned.  It's apparent that I'll never understand the people who practically have a cell phone welded to their ear and feel the need to remain connected constantly.  That would be hell on earth for me.  I do have a cell phone but no service and this is so I can access 911 should an emergency arise while I'm on the road.  No-one can reach me when I'm on the road, though, and that's how I like it.

I have a lot of American friends that I miss seeing all summer so it's nice to be able to go on Facebook in the morning and see what some of them are up to.  And then I also get to see what some of my grandchildren are up to...sometimes better not knowing, though.  If I had my choice, I'd keep every single one of my children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren living in a family compound where I'd be queen and they'd never do anything to worry me.  Sigh!  It's hard for me accept their independence but then, I'm not the queen.

The computer has become a necessity in my life.  I read mail and jokes as I drink my morning coffee, then check out Facebook to see what my "peeps" are doing.  Once I know all is well in my extended world, I can go on with the rest of my life.  And it's good!     

Attitude

It's all about your attitude and you get to choose how you will react to any situation.  You can choose to get your innards all riled up or you can choose to amputate.  Long ago, I heard that expression used, meaning "to remove any person from your life who makes you miserable".  Personally, I can handle nasty people as long as I'm not with them too often.  They are a source of interest because I love to delve in psychology.  Why do people do what they do?  Why are some people rude and obnoxious?  I believe rude people really hate themselves, don't you think?

All of us have struggles we're dealing with but the choice comes from how we deal with these struggles.  Do we wallow in our own unhappiness or do we face the world with as much positive attitude as we can manage?  We can choose to see our station in life as ample or we can choose to always want more in order to be satisfied.  We can see the good in people instead of concentrating on what we'd like to change.  We can be grateful for each day we're gifted with and take steps to make it a good one....or we can be blind to the opportunities in front of us.

It's always a bit surprising to see pictures of children who are living in poverty but smiling and laughing as they play.  They've learned the real truth in life and that's to enjoy the moment because there will be moments in our lives that are not so joyful.  

Today, the sun is shining and the air is blissfully warm and I can put my struggles aside...for the moment.