Day 125........a brilliant-fun movie on $5 Tuesday.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It was a surprise, when Emily Blunt burst into song at the beginning of 'Into the Woods' because I didn't know that it was a musical. Several times during the movie, I wanted to clap because the song had been so good but I managed to remind myself, just in time, that I was sitting in a movie theatre. I won't put any spoilers in here but if you like a good giggle and an even better song, go see these very fine actors who were not afraid to be over-the-top in their performances........especially Chris Pine.
An added bonus was that the movies only cost $5 each, in that theatre, all day on a Tuesday so only $15 for three-yippee. (that's less than a tenner in Scottish money)
Ali says that it was her schools musical theatre show last year. I have never heard of it but if I get the chance to see it as a stage show, I will not hesitate.
After the movie, we were all a bit peckish and went for some food, after stopping in at one of the stores I needed to return stuff to. Fortuitously, the store was just up the street from the movies and we knew that because we've stayed in the area a couple of times, on vacation. I also went into the St Lawrence Market, which is full of yummy deli-type counters and I thought that I may be able to get a steak-pie for todays dinner. No luck there and subsequently no luck at the places I tried today, either. Seems like steak pie is not a big thing here in Toronto. I have had to go with a Chicken pot pie but it will be yummy. I am also going to make some Mac-cheese because Andrew is keen to taste the new improved version. He can take some leftovers home for tomorrow.
We had planned to go to a mall, on the subway route home but found the Photo-store in the downtown Eaton Centre and so didn't have to go to the Dufferin mall. We had an hour to kill whilst the photos were being developed (it actually took an extra half hour) and luckily it fell in with Andrews break, at Adidas so he popped over to meet us in the foodcourt. We had already eaten but happily sat whilst he stuffed down what looked like a rolled up pizza.
Heading home, I decided that i'd try Costco, to see if they had any steak pies. The girls went home and I enjoyed my solo jaunt, even if it was flippin' freezing and I had no luck in the steak-pie department. I thought about buying beef but couldn't find pastry in either Costco or No Frills and so I didn't. No Frills looked like the locusts had been down the 'pop' aisle and there was no Sprite Zero or Club Soda to be found. There was hardly any 'pop' of any sort on the shelves and I came home with some Sunny D (which the kids loved as a treat when they were younger) and some iced tea.
Jen and Andrew don't drink, so the only alcoholic beverage that needed bought was the wine for me. Cheap night tonight. It would be even cheaper if I was in one of my 'dry' spells-lol.
So, the only thing to say now is that I hope that you all stay warm and safe, if you are out and about this Hogmanay. Those of you, in Edinburgh, will be getting started soon with your celebrating. Enjoy and I'll let you know how this quiet day and night of mine goes...........
.......next year.
Much love is being sent out to all of you, as this 2014 comes to a close.
Lxxx
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Day 124.........lovely visit with Ross
Day 124.........lovely visit with Ross.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I really do love a Monday morning and it's a lovely feeling. In fact, after I am awake, I love every morning but a Monday, and doing some good, well it's my favourite.
I love the elderly, especially their stories. Yesterday I was lucky enough to be sat at a table with several of them who seemed to love having a youngster amongst them. Especially with my accent. The lady sitting to my right has a reputation for nipping people and she always seems lovely to me. She is quite childlike and very smiley. She repeated often that 'laughter is the best medicine' whilst she poked and prodded and pulled at me. I didn't find her annoying or threatening but Ross was somewhat concerned for me. I reassured him that I could handle her and I did and she was happy. The other gentleman (Bill-easy to remember) told me that he'd never seen anyone handle her so effortlessly and that I really belonged there. Did I tell you that I love letting people be who they are? If I had got all defensive and scared, I may have had something to defend or be scared of, right?
I stayed almost an hour extra because I was having such a nice time. Their lunch is at 12.30, tho and so I headed home for some home-made soup which may or may not have been on it's way 'out'. I am still alive this morning but I may chuck the final portion. I have loads in the freezer, so may not make any fresh this week. Ali eats it on school days but not so much in the holidays.
Yesterday afternoon was a bit strange. Lovely but strange. Jen spent the day in what I named the 'Bat-cave' which is just her bedroom. There was nothing wrong with her, she just fancied a day of solitude and rest and dallied in all sorts of activities up there.
Ali spent the afternoon and early evening cleaning her room and I have to say, she has made an absolutely beautiful job of it. She is going into the New year with a spic and span, organised and tidy bedroom and I am hoping that this is a refection on how she's feeling about life. Perhaps the chaos of bedrooms gone by are now going to stay in the past. Like me, once she got going with the cleaning, she actually enjoyed it and she certainly was very happy with the end result.
Speaking of my youngest, I woke her a half hour ago and better go do it again.
Plan for today is to go see 'Into the woods' at 12.45 and then shop.
What did I do, whilst they were busy doing their own thing? Lots of bits and bobs on the laptop and the time just d-i-s-a-p-p-e-a-r-e-d.....again. It was lovely though, knowing that the girls were happy doing their own thing and I was happy doing my own thing. Happy sigh.
We did gather for an episode of 'Modern Family' which brought a few giggles. Oh, actually, Jen had already seen it and went for a shower and so just Ali and I had a giggle. Jen and I watched a couple of 'Bones' episodes-I love 'Bones'......always something to giggle about amongst the carnage.
Okay dokay. Must shut up shop. Still in my new fluffy dressing gown that my son gave me. Very cosy when it's -6 outside. Hope you like the 'selfie'-lol.
Brr. Better remember to wrap up when we go out.
Love to all,
Lxxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I really do love a Monday morning and it's a lovely feeling. In fact, after I am awake, I love every morning but a Monday, and doing some good, well it's my favourite.
I love the elderly, especially their stories. Yesterday I was lucky enough to be sat at a table with several of them who seemed to love having a youngster amongst them. Especially with my accent. The lady sitting to my right has a reputation for nipping people and she always seems lovely to me. She is quite childlike and very smiley. She repeated often that 'laughter is the best medicine' whilst she poked and prodded and pulled at me. I didn't find her annoying or threatening but Ross was somewhat concerned for me. I reassured him that I could handle her and I did and she was happy. The other gentleman (Bill-easy to remember) told me that he'd never seen anyone handle her so effortlessly and that I really belonged there. Did I tell you that I love letting people be who they are? If I had got all defensive and scared, I may have had something to defend or be scared of, right?
I stayed almost an hour extra because I was having such a nice time. Their lunch is at 12.30, tho and so I headed home for some home-made soup which may or may not have been on it's way 'out'. I am still alive this morning but I may chuck the final portion. I have loads in the freezer, so may not make any fresh this week. Ali eats it on school days but not so much in the holidays.
Yesterday afternoon was a bit strange. Lovely but strange. Jen spent the day in what I named the 'Bat-cave' which is just her bedroom. There was nothing wrong with her, she just fancied a day of solitude and rest and dallied in all sorts of activities up there.
Ali spent the afternoon and early evening cleaning her room and I have to say, she has made an absolutely beautiful job of it. She is going into the New year with a spic and span, organised and tidy bedroom and I am hoping that this is a refection on how she's feeling about life. Perhaps the chaos of bedrooms gone by are now going to stay in the past. Like me, once she got going with the cleaning, she actually enjoyed it and she certainly was very happy with the end result.
Speaking of my youngest, I woke her a half hour ago and better go do it again.
Plan for today is to go see 'Into the woods' at 12.45 and then shop.
What did I do, whilst they were busy doing their own thing? Lots of bits and bobs on the laptop and the time just d-i-s-a-p-p-e-a-r-e-d.....again. It was lovely though, knowing that the girls were happy doing their own thing and I was happy doing my own thing. Happy sigh.
We did gather for an episode of 'Modern Family' which brought a few giggles. Oh, actually, Jen had already seen it and went for a shower and so just Ali and I had a giggle. Jen and I watched a couple of 'Bones' episodes-I love 'Bones'......always something to giggle about amongst the carnage.Okay dokay. Must shut up shop. Still in my new fluffy dressing gown that my son gave me. Very cosy when it's -6 outside. Hope you like the 'selfie'-lol.
Brr. Better remember to wrap up when we go out.
Love to all,
Lxxxxx
Monday, 29 December 2014
Day 123........I thought that I'd already written a blog for yesterday but it appears that I am wrong. 3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Day 123........I thought that I'd already written a blog for yesterday but it appears that I am wrong.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Really, I could have sworn on the big book that I had written the blog yesterday, to be posted today but it appears that time really is zipping past me and it was actually Sat night that I wrote a blog and timed it for posting yesterday. Oh dear but never mind.
There was another little spat, yesterday-eek. Perhaps it's due to the increased female hormones around here but it feels like we are all a bit touchy.
Perhaps it's the approaching New Year or the fact that Bill's been missing in our hormone mix-who knows or cares. Probably not you, right? Yesterday, I had just a little overdose on the girls 'speaking' to each other and lost patience and 'did-it-myself' which sent Jen into a bit of a quietness because she doesn't like when I snap.
It took us a good while to get back to relaxing and chatting and laughing again and what I found amazing was that I actually missed the turning point. When my stubborn refusal to apologise disappeared, I do not know....it just did. However, apologies to my big girl, for not being an adult and allowing it all to settle quickly. It was back to being in the place of wanting to be right, rather than happy. I am so glad that I don't spend much time there any more.
We had been shopping and looking for bargains and I found a wee 'new home' gingerbread-type tree ornament, which I bought with the money Jen gave me for Christmas which came with the stipulation that it had to be spent on me. I am wondering whether I may manage to get through a whole year, without a single clothing purchase for myself. MMmm?
I always like to buy a Christmas ornament, when we go on holiday but we didn't get one this year and so I was glad to find a 2014 one which will remind us of our new life in Toronto beginning in 2014. We may even have a decent sized tree to hang it on next year. Jen and I went to Ikea, after the mall and they had some fairly decent ones reduced in price but I decided that it would just be one more thing to have to move, when we move again. Besides, I want that real one...the one I'd hoped for this year and didn't manage.
After catching the Ikea shuttle bus then the subway home, I headed down to the grocery store to buy some 'pop'. Not having a car makes buying 2l bottles a bit of a chore but on TTC pass days, I can jump on and off the buses with a couple of bottles in each bag and survive to tell the tale. Did I tell you alrady that I get my 2l of soda for less than 70p......good deal. Jens sprite is a few pence more.
When I got home, I left the girls to the making of turkey wraps and turkey 'n' cheese nachos and I was glad to put my feet up. I think that there is a little bit of turkey left but we have done a grand job of getting it eaten.
Andrew had a relaxing day off work, trying to deal with his now 'funny-sounding' voice. I didn't hear it but I can imagine. Hopefully he will feel better very soon.
The girls actually disappeared off to their rooms after our movie-Valentines Day (a bit early, I know) and I managed to watch an episode of Elementary....love it, before heading to bed.
Whilst watching the show, I heard a bit of a 'crash' and knew that it was the PizzzaPizza tree falling over. I don't think that I will rebuild it. The boxes are still scattered all over the dining room. Will I keep them or will I not. Mmm? We are getting a $20 voucher from the company, for our design and so perhaps I ought to think of something new to build?. The voucher will buy our first Pizza of 2015-the company customer-service folk thought our tree was great.
Sleep is disturbed again but I don't lie awake. I simply wake up what feels like every ten minutes, think my thoughts and go back to sleep-lol.
Sending out big love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Really, I could have sworn on the big book that I had written the blog yesterday, to be posted today but it appears that time really is zipping past me and it was actually Sat night that I wrote a blog and timed it for posting yesterday. Oh dear but never mind.
There was another little spat, yesterday-eek. Perhaps it's due to the increased female hormones around here but it feels like we are all a bit touchy.
Perhaps it's the approaching New Year or the fact that Bill's been missing in our hormone mix-who knows or cares. Probably not you, right? Yesterday, I had just a little overdose on the girls 'speaking' to each other and lost patience and 'did-it-myself' which sent Jen into a bit of a quietness because she doesn't like when I snap.
It took us a good while to get back to relaxing and chatting and laughing again and what I found amazing was that I actually missed the turning point. When my stubborn refusal to apologise disappeared, I do not know....it just did. However, apologies to my big girl, for not being an adult and allowing it all to settle quickly. It was back to being in the place of wanting to be right, rather than happy. I am so glad that I don't spend much time there any more.
We had been shopping and looking for bargains and I found a wee 'new home' gingerbread-type tree ornament, which I bought with the money Jen gave me for Christmas which came with the stipulation that it had to be spent on me. I am wondering whether I may manage to get through a whole year, without a single clothing purchase for myself. MMmm?
After catching the Ikea shuttle bus then the subway home, I headed down to the grocery store to buy some 'pop'. Not having a car makes buying 2l bottles a bit of a chore but on TTC pass days, I can jump on and off the buses with a couple of bottles in each bag and survive to tell the tale. Did I tell you alrady that I get my 2l of soda for less than 70p......good deal. Jens sprite is a few pence more.
When I got home, I left the girls to the making of turkey wraps and turkey 'n' cheese nachos and I was glad to put my feet up. I think that there is a little bit of turkey left but we have done a grand job of getting it eaten.
Andrew had a relaxing day off work, trying to deal with his now 'funny-sounding' voice. I didn't hear it but I can imagine. Hopefully he will feel better very soon.
The girls actually disappeared off to their rooms after our movie-Valentines Day (a bit early, I know) and I managed to watch an episode of Elementary....love it, before heading to bed.
Whilst watching the show, I heard a bit of a 'crash' and knew that it was the PizzzaPizza tree falling over. I don't think that I will rebuild it. The boxes are still scattered all over the dining room. Will I keep them or will I not. Mmm? We are getting a $20 voucher from the company, for our design and so perhaps I ought to think of something new to build?. The voucher will buy our first Pizza of 2015-the company customer-service folk thought our tree was great.Sleep is disturbed again but I don't lie awake. I simply wake up what feels like every ten minutes, think my thoughts and go back to sleep-lol.
Sending out big love to all,
Lxxx
Sunday, 28 December 2014
Day 122.......Turkey day three-still yummy.
Day 122.......Turkey day three-still yummy.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It was another quiet but lovely day at 921, although there were a couple of little 'debates' amongst the troops. The subject for one of them being daytime tv time and who gets to watch what and when.
I am not the quickest at processing, in a debate and so I tend to get a bit heated because I can't snap back fast enough. As usual, I went away thinking about what was said and the rights and wrongs and I just kind of let it all sink in these days.
In the old days, I would have fizzed and huffed but now I just process it calmly (most of the time. My conclusion, which I haven't yet shared, is that we will all get time-allotted for our own shows and that, at other times, the majority will rule on what gets watched. We all have rooms that we can disappear to and the dvd player can be hooked up to the tv downstairs, if the upstairs one isn't using it. Of course, once Ali is back in school it will be only a weekend plan and one of those days, we are usually out all day. So I may not have to implement anything-lol.
Quite simple really and not worth an argument, right.
Ali went out for a wee run and Jen nipped to the library but that was the extent of our activities today although I did do some sweeping and laundry, so that may count.
My book is very interesting and exactly what I need to be reading as the New Year approaches. I plan to make 2015 a huge year professionally and to manifest a wonderful life for my hubbie to join me in. Apparently, if you write it down, the chances of making it happen, double......and so I'm writing it down.
The turkey was yummy, yet again and tomorrow I think that we will have Turkey wraps. I already like the idea of that....another yum. I couldn't believe the size of the brussel sprouts I bought on boxing day, though......HUGE and so much easier to prepare. I am going to look for that size next year.
Maybe I will begin doing a regular chicken roast with pot's and veg' in 2015.
I am writing this on Saturday evening and we are just about to have our evening movie. Not too many more nights of daily movies left. Then we will catch up with all those shows that we haven't been watching-tee hee.
Anyhoo. I will close now and wish you all a very happy Sunday.
Much love,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It was another quiet but lovely day at 921, although there were a couple of little 'debates' amongst the troops. The subject for one of them being daytime tv time and who gets to watch what and when.
I am not the quickest at processing, in a debate and so I tend to get a bit heated because I can't snap back fast enough. As usual, I went away thinking about what was said and the rights and wrongs and I just kind of let it all sink in these days.
In the old days, I would have fizzed and huffed but now I just process it calmly (most of the time. My conclusion, which I haven't yet shared, is that we will all get time-allotted for our own shows and that, at other times, the majority will rule on what gets watched. We all have rooms that we can disappear to and the dvd player can be hooked up to the tv downstairs, if the upstairs one isn't using it. Of course, once Ali is back in school it will be only a weekend plan and one of those days, we are usually out all day. So I may not have to implement anything-lol.
Quite simple really and not worth an argument, right.
Ali went out for a wee run and Jen nipped to the library but that was the extent of our activities today although I did do some sweeping and laundry, so that may count.My book is very interesting and exactly what I need to be reading as the New Year approaches. I plan to make 2015 a huge year professionally and to manifest a wonderful life for my hubbie to join me in. Apparently, if you write it down, the chances of making it happen, double......and so I'm writing it down.
The turkey was yummy, yet again and tomorrow I think that we will have Turkey wraps. I already like the idea of that....another yum. I couldn't believe the size of the brussel sprouts I bought on boxing day, though......HUGE and so much easier to prepare. I am going to look for that size next year.
Maybe I will begin doing a regular chicken roast with pot's and veg' in 2015.
I am writing this on Saturday evening and we are just about to have our evening movie. Not too many more nights of daily movies left. Then we will catch up with all those shows that we haven't been watching-tee hee.
Anyhoo. I will close now and wish you all a very happy Sunday.
Much love,
Lxxx
Saturday, 27 December 2014
Day 121.......started a new book.
Day 121.......started a new book.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I got a new book for Christmas and I decided to give it a wee read, yesterday because I had the house all to myself in the afternoon.
Jen was babysitting from two till six and Ali went to meet a friend at Starbucks at two. They were supposed to be watching Love Actually on my laptop but, due to dodgy wifi, they ended of chatting for the best part of four hours instead.
When she headed out, I wandered down to 'No Frills' to pick up some tatties and veg, for Christmas dinner, take two. It wasn't quite as good as on Christmas day but that was perhaps something to do with the fact that I forgot to salt the tatties and the sausages weren't as crisply done. But it was still yummy.
It's very mild, here and I am a tad disappointed that the snow has been taken off the forecast for New years. Where is all the snow, folks. This time last year there was a ton of the stuff.
So, I had thought about writing but when Ali snaffled my laptop, the new book and reading took the place of writing.
My sis and I decided that we'd buy ourselves something from each other and so I gave myself the book and a box of chocolates to eat, whilst reading. I haven't opened my 'Turtles' yet but their time is coming. They are my most favourite EVER chocolates and are chewy caramel and pecan. Huge yum. I discovered them the Christmas of 1983, in Saskatoon and have never found anything as tasty, in a sweet sense although my sisters meringue comes close. So thanks, wee sis for my Christmas gift.
Jens wee kiddies were a bit under the weather which seems to be a theme around here, just now. We at 921 are refusing to join in. They are heading back to their warmer L.A. climate today.
Last evening, after our late dinner we settled into watching a movie and I left the girls to watch another episode of their Netflix favourite 'The 100' which they love but only watch when I am not being disturbed. So, that's two nights in a row so it may be their routine till Ali goes back to school on Jan 5th.
I managed to get out of bed this morning, with the alarm at seven-thirty which is better than yesterday when I fell asleep again, after doing my 'whole-body-gratitude' exercise-lol. How did that happen?
Anyhoo. Much love to all and hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I got a new book for Christmas and I decided to give it a wee read, yesterday because I had the house all to myself in the afternoon.
Jen was babysitting from two till six and Ali went to meet a friend at Starbucks at two. They were supposed to be watching Love Actually on my laptop but, due to dodgy wifi, they ended of chatting for the best part of four hours instead.
When she headed out, I wandered down to 'No Frills' to pick up some tatties and veg, for Christmas dinner, take two. It wasn't quite as good as on Christmas day but that was perhaps something to do with the fact that I forgot to salt the tatties and the sausages weren't as crisply done. But it was still yummy.
It's very mild, here and I am a tad disappointed that the snow has been taken off the forecast for New years. Where is all the snow, folks. This time last year there was a ton of the stuff.
So, I had thought about writing but when Ali snaffled my laptop, the new book and reading took the place of writing.
Jens wee kiddies were a bit under the weather which seems to be a theme around here, just now. We at 921 are refusing to join in. They are heading back to their warmer L.A. climate today.
Last evening, after our late dinner we settled into watching a movie and I left the girls to watch another episode of their Netflix favourite 'The 100' which they love but only watch when I am not being disturbed. So, that's two nights in a row so it may be their routine till Ali goes back to school on Jan 5th.
I managed to get out of bed this morning, with the alarm at seven-thirty which is better than yesterday when I fell asleep again, after doing my 'whole-body-gratitude' exercise-lol. How did that happen?
Anyhoo. Much love to all and hope you are having a lovely weekend.
Lxx
Friday, 26 December 2014
Day 120.........A wonderful Christmas day........
Day 120.........A wonderful Christmas day........
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
.........despite my hubbie being thousands of miles away. I implemented the 'Pollyanna' thinking and shared with Jen my gratitude that we were simply parted by distance, from her dad. We still have him in our lives unlike lots of families who's dad/husband will never be physically with them again for Christmas. It seemed to hep her to relax and enjoy the day, along with the bottle of remedies that I made up 'specially for yesterday so that we could all have fun without feeling guilty for Bill not being with us.
I got up at my usual time yesterday, which you'll know if you read my blog for yesterday. I was obviously a bit bleary-eyed though because I posted it on a private page that I share with the girls who were on the Ruth Fishel Retreat instead of on the 3 Girls and 4 Suitcases page-lol. I would have been none-the-wiser but one of the girls commented on it and I had to go investigate last evening. It is now on the correct page but was likely missed by all who probably thought I was simply having Christmas day off.
I didn't meditate yesterday but I was aware of that fact and I did stop several times to be mindful and breathe. Not because I felt that I needed to but because I wanted to. I wanted to be grateful and enjoy everything that was going on around me and I did have a lovely day, feeling blessed to share it with my three wonderful children, who gave me the most thoughtful gifts and their company.
Three of my favourite gifts were a Dr Who huge fluffy blanket from Andrew, A pair of 'LOVE' travel mugs from Jen and a set of Healing crystals from Ali'.
Andrew arrived an hour earlier than I was expecting him which was a lovely surprise but it did throw off my timing ever so slightly. I was midst potato-peeling which was abandonned in favour of present-opening, which went on for an hour. I think that everyone was happy with the gifts given and received and I finally got back to my potato peeling whilst they caught up with each other and skyped their dad, Grandad and Auntie Mo. They then spent time on skype to their Vancouver cousins and even had a quick Merry Christmas with the London, England Denhams. Sadly, I didn't get to see my wee sis (or my big brother) but we did swap messages ongood old FB.
I completely missed out on the shower I was planning but hey, my kids see me at my worst and still love me. Yesterday was no different. I have already had my shower this morning because the mirror reflected a scary image, even to me, this morning.
My Turkey more than survived the part-cooking done on Christmas Eve and was delicious. My first ever attempt at kilted-sausages was a big hit, especially with Andrew who now wants me to tell him how to recreate them. He's not waiting till next year to have more-lol.
Dinner was delicious-yummy and we discussed why do we not have turkey through the year. We concluded that it is yummiest because we do only have it once a year. Well, actually several times, by the time this week is over with it's leftovers.
Jen is babysitting at four, today and so we are having leftovers at two, before she goes. Tomorrow we may have turkey wraps and hopefully that will use most of it up.
Andrew is working this afternoon and we'll not likely see him till New Years. If he can manage across, I shall attempt a home made steak pie for dinner. If not, I shall wait till the first time he can be with us and make one then. New years isn't so big here. He's actually working New Years day.
After dinner, yesterday, we skyped with Bill again and then settled in to watch the Polar Express but unfortunately, like Jingle all the way, the dvd malfunctioned and we didn't see it. Ali saved the day by producing Madagascar Christmas and we giggled our way through Julianuary. Poor Andrew was feeling under the weather and he curled up, into his wee-ist sis and nodded off for a few minutes. It was early but I encouraged him to head home and have an early night, which he did. Well, he headed home at least. I'll never know about the early-night part of it-lol.
Jen and I watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' and then I headed to bed, leaving the girls to finish watching one of their shows.
All in all, a Wonderful Christmas was had, here at 921.
I hope that you all had just as wonderful a day.
I fell asleep in the middle of my 10 finger gratitude exercise but I think that my positive energy on falling asleep will have been enough.
Much Love to all and Happy Boxing Day,
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
.........despite my hubbie being thousands of miles away. I implemented the 'Pollyanna' thinking and shared with Jen my gratitude that we were simply parted by distance, from her dad. We still have him in our lives unlike lots of families who's dad/husband will never be physically with them again for Christmas. It seemed to hep her to relax and enjoy the day, along with the bottle of remedies that I made up 'specially for yesterday so that we could all have fun without feeling guilty for Bill not being with us.
I got up at my usual time yesterday, which you'll know if you read my blog for yesterday. I was obviously a bit bleary-eyed though because I posted it on a private page that I share with the girls who were on the Ruth Fishel Retreat instead of on the 3 Girls and 4 Suitcases page-lol. I would have been none-the-wiser but one of the girls commented on it and I had to go investigate last evening. It is now on the correct page but was likely missed by all who probably thought I was simply having Christmas day off.
I didn't meditate yesterday but I was aware of that fact and I did stop several times to be mindful and breathe. Not because I felt that I needed to but because I wanted to. I wanted to be grateful and enjoy everything that was going on around me and I did have a lovely day, feeling blessed to share it with my three wonderful children, who gave me the most thoughtful gifts and their company.Three of my favourite gifts were a Dr Who huge fluffy blanket from Andrew, A pair of 'LOVE' travel mugs from Jen and a set of Healing crystals from Ali'.
Andrew arrived an hour earlier than I was expecting him which was a lovely surprise but it did throw off my timing ever so slightly. I was midst potato-peeling which was abandonned in favour of present-opening, which went on for an hour. I think that everyone was happy with the gifts given and received and I finally got back to my potato peeling whilst they caught up with each other and skyped their dad, Grandad and Auntie Mo. They then spent time on skype to their Vancouver cousins and even had a quick Merry Christmas with the London, England Denhams. Sadly, I didn't get to see my wee sis (or my big brother) but we did swap messages ongood old FB.
I completely missed out on the shower I was planning but hey, my kids see me at my worst and still love me. Yesterday was no different. I have already had my shower this morning because the mirror reflected a scary image, even to me, this morning.
My Turkey more than survived the part-cooking done on Christmas Eve and was delicious. My first ever attempt at kilted-sausages was a big hit, especially with Andrew who now wants me to tell him how to recreate them. He's not waiting till next year to have more-lol.
Dinner was delicious-yummy and we discussed why do we not have turkey through the year. We concluded that it is yummiest because we do only have it once a year. Well, actually several times, by the time this week is over with it's leftovers.
Jen is babysitting at four, today and so we are having leftovers at two, before she goes. Tomorrow we may have turkey wraps and hopefully that will use most of it up.
Andrew is working this afternoon and we'll not likely see him till New Years. If he can manage across, I shall attempt a home made steak pie for dinner. If not, I shall wait till the first time he can be with us and make one then. New years isn't so big here. He's actually working New Years day.
After dinner, yesterday, we skyped with Bill again and then settled in to watch the Polar Express but unfortunately, like Jingle all the way, the dvd malfunctioned and we didn't see it. Ali saved the day by producing Madagascar Christmas and we giggled our way through Julianuary. Poor Andrew was feeling under the weather and he curled up, into his wee-ist sis and nodded off for a few minutes. It was early but I encouraged him to head home and have an early night, which he did. Well, he headed home at least. I'll never know about the early-night part of it-lol.
Jen and I watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' and then I headed to bed, leaving the girls to finish watching one of their shows.
All in all, a Wonderful Christmas was had, here at 921.
I hope that you all had just as wonderful a day.
I fell asleep in the middle of my 10 finger gratitude exercise but I think that my positive energy on falling asleep will have been enough.
Much Love to all and Happy Boxing Day,
Lxxxx
Thursday, 25 December 2014
Day 119.....Christmas Eve.
Day 119.....Christmas Eve.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I will have to keep this post short because it is Christmas morning after all and I have loads to do before the girlies get out of bed. I got up at my usual six forty-five, to send some cards, type this and hopefully meditate. I probably ought to have meditate first but I got chatting with my hunny-bun and well, the time just disappears.
Yesterday was a wet day here and through the night was very windy. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought that I was in Edinburgh-lol. WHERE'S THE SNOW?
Jen was babysitting again, from 9-1pm (she had a lovely time with lovely family) and so Ali and I went out to do some last minute shopping. I have to say I was not expecting the peace and quiet that was found in the shopping mall. Ali's favourite store Forever XXl is ALWAYS busy and when we walked in there was virtually nobody inside. It was fantastic. Most of the other stores were the same with the exception of the Pandora store which had a huge line of jostling men-lol. In fact, the mall in general, had a much greater proportion of males than females in its stores. And the gift-wrapping station was a bit of a hoot to watch, during lunch. Who would pay $5, $10 or $15 (depending on S, M or L) to get a gift wrapped?.............MEN!
We had a successful shop, apart from the fact that I still have very few gifts for my son to unwrap. Hopefully he won't read this, this morning but his main gift (promised by Dec 21st) has still not arrived. UGH. I suppose he's a grown-up, now and will understand but me, as a mother, feels a wee bit like it's my fault. Have to let that one go, right or it will spoil my day.
Ali wasn't feeling great yesterday, sore head/sore back and I am hoping that she feels much better this morning....and indeed all day. We swapped partners for shopping in the afternoon and Jen and I headed to get the last wee bits of grocery shopping. Forgot to get oven roasters so may attempt to do some real ones in the oven. My wonderful father-in-law usually brings his deep fat fryer for the roasters and so I haven't ever had to make them but how hard could it be, right?
Presents all got wrapped last evening and we even managed to squeeze in Grinch and Elf.
I partially cooked the turkey which was unplanned and I hope does not backfire else we'll be having mac-cheese yet again for dinner. Not that the kids would complain now that it's back to being their favourite meal with the good cheese. I better go back and buy another ton of the stuff 'cause we are going through it fast.
The turkey just looked so good, three hours in, that we felt like we wanted it to look like that for dinner today and so I will give it an hour, this afternoon and cross my fingers that it all works out.
Hardly any veg to cook because my kids are not great veg hands but I do have to try to do the kilted sausages. Couldn't find the wee guys so I will half the bigger sausages and again, hope for the best.
All will be well, I know it.
Right, off I go to meditate. Have a Wonderful, Peaceful, Happy Christmas folks.
Much Love,
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I will have to keep this post short because it is Christmas morning after all and I have loads to do before the girlies get out of bed. I got up at my usual six forty-five, to send some cards, type this and hopefully meditate. I probably ought to have meditate first but I got chatting with my hunny-bun and well, the time just disappears.
Yesterday was a wet day here and through the night was very windy. If I hadn't known better, I would have thought that I was in Edinburgh-lol. WHERE'S THE SNOW?
Jen was babysitting again, from 9-1pm (she had a lovely time with lovely family) and so Ali and I went out to do some last minute shopping. I have to say I was not expecting the peace and quiet that was found in the shopping mall. Ali's favourite store Forever XXl is ALWAYS busy and when we walked in there was virtually nobody inside. It was fantastic. Most of the other stores were the same with the exception of the Pandora store which had a huge line of jostling men-lol. In fact, the mall in general, had a much greater proportion of males than females in its stores. And the gift-wrapping station was a bit of a hoot to watch, during lunch. Who would pay $5, $10 or $15 (depending on S, M or L) to get a gift wrapped?.............MEN!
We had a successful shop, apart from the fact that I still have very few gifts for my son to unwrap. Hopefully he won't read this, this morning but his main gift (promised by Dec 21st) has still not arrived. UGH. I suppose he's a grown-up, now and will understand but me, as a mother, feels a wee bit like it's my fault. Have to let that one go, right or it will spoil my day.
Ali wasn't feeling great yesterday, sore head/sore back and I am hoping that she feels much better this morning....and indeed all day. We swapped partners for shopping in the afternoon and Jen and I headed to get the last wee bits of grocery shopping. Forgot to get oven roasters so may attempt to do some real ones in the oven. My wonderful father-in-law usually brings his deep fat fryer for the roasters and so I haven't ever had to make them but how hard could it be, right?
Presents all got wrapped last evening and we even managed to squeeze in Grinch and Elf.
I partially cooked the turkey which was unplanned and I hope does not backfire else we'll be having mac-cheese yet again for dinner. Not that the kids would complain now that it's back to being their favourite meal with the good cheese. I better go back and buy another ton of the stuff 'cause we are going through it fast.The turkey just looked so good, three hours in, that we felt like we wanted it to look like that for dinner today and so I will give it an hour, this afternoon and cross my fingers that it all works out.
Hardly any veg to cook because my kids are not great veg hands but I do have to try to do the kilted sausages. Couldn't find the wee guys so I will half the bigger sausages and again, hope for the best.
All will be well, I know it.
Right, off I go to meditate. Have a Wonderful, Peaceful, Happy Christmas folks.
Much Love,
Lxx
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Day 118...........Christmas wrapping and the fourth stocking done.
Day 118...........Christmas wrapping and the fourth stocking done.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday was an indoors day for me, apart from a quick trip to Shoppers, on the corner, to buy some milk. I went there, after chumming Ali along to work because she had her PJs on and was slightly embarrassed at walking by herself. As luck would have it, she bumped into one of her school pals-a first-and, running late, she was able simply to give her a hug and keep going.....not too mortified but she was # on twitter, later as having her PJs on.
I finished stocking number four and they do look very cute (and won't take a lot of filling-right?) Then I did most of my Christmas wrapping after Jen went off to babysit at 4pm and I am always surprised at how long it takes......and I didn't have that many presents to wrap. Our routine, when the kids were smaller was pretty much getting to bed at 2am on Christmas morning because we left it till Christmas Eve to wrap. I decided that I didn't want to maintain that tradition and would rather be in bed tonight.
There's a little piece of me thinking about going down to the local church, to sing Carols but I'm not sure if that will happen or not.
Jen is going back to help-out with the same kids as yesterday, from 9-1pm today and then Ali and I will meet up with her. Ali wants to do some shopping for Jen and I may see if I can pick up a couple of things for Jen and Andrew, too. It was so easy when they were small, to pick up bits and pieces-not so much now.
I won't write any more about gifts in here because they may read this.
I must have either been really rich or really poor in a past life because I cannot have a discussion about money without feeling a knot in my gut. My poor hubbie last night suffered my inadequacy, on the phone and of course I reverted back to my old habit of feeling awful for being less than able to be a lovely happy wife. Boy, I wish that I coud crack this one. The good news is that I didn't even finish the glass of wine I poured, to help me take the sting out of my anger at myself, which is a HUGE mark of the progress that I have made, over the years. My old way would have been to glug down a bottle.....and some and then felt added guilt for doing so, in the morning.
I just back-spaced a paragraph because I have been informed by my youngest that remedy-talk is not good in here-aplologies to anyone else who feels the same.
Anyhoo, Ali made her and I cannelonni for dinner-YUM, I have missed it. I know that it's still pasta, though but it did at least have some tomatoes through it-lol.
We planned to watch Jack Frost but then couldn't find it.( Like the weather here which is currently seven degrees-Jack must have left the area) We then attempted to watch 'Jingle all the way' but it froze around a third of the way into it. I guess we were not meant to do a Christmas movie without Jen. Ali read her book and I 'painted' more Christmas cards.
Jen was home by ten-thirty and she had a good time with the small people she was sitting for. They are from California and are feeling a tad cold. Good job it's not -7.
Okay dokay-must dash. Got to chum Jen to station to put her on train with family pass.
Much love to all of you, this Christmas Eve. Remember to take some quiet time for yourself and that, if it's not done, it's not done-end of story.
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday was an indoors day for me, apart from a quick trip to Shoppers, on the corner, to buy some milk. I went there, after chumming Ali along to work because she had her PJs on and was slightly embarrassed at walking by herself. As luck would have it, she bumped into one of her school pals-a first-and, running late, she was able simply to give her a hug and keep going.....not too mortified but she was # on twitter, later as having her PJs on.
I finished stocking number four and they do look very cute (and won't take a lot of filling-right?) Then I did most of my Christmas wrapping after Jen went off to babysit at 4pm and I am always surprised at how long it takes......and I didn't have that many presents to wrap. Our routine, when the kids were smaller was pretty much getting to bed at 2am on Christmas morning because we left it till Christmas Eve to wrap. I decided that I didn't want to maintain that tradition and would rather be in bed tonight.There's a little piece of me thinking about going down to the local church, to sing Carols but I'm not sure if that will happen or not.
Jen is going back to help-out with the same kids as yesterday, from 9-1pm today and then Ali and I will meet up with her. Ali wants to do some shopping for Jen and I may see if I can pick up a couple of things for Jen and Andrew, too. It was so easy when they were small, to pick up bits and pieces-not so much now.
I won't write any more about gifts in here because they may read this.
I must have either been really rich or really poor in a past life because I cannot have a discussion about money without feeling a knot in my gut. My poor hubbie last night suffered my inadequacy, on the phone and of course I reverted back to my old habit of feeling awful for being less than able to be a lovely happy wife. Boy, I wish that I coud crack this one. The good news is that I didn't even finish the glass of wine I poured, to help me take the sting out of my anger at myself, which is a HUGE mark of the progress that I have made, over the years. My old way would have been to glug down a bottle.....and some and then felt added guilt for doing so, in the morning.
I just back-spaced a paragraph because I have been informed by my youngest that remedy-talk is not good in here-aplologies to anyone else who feels the same.
Anyhoo, Ali made her and I cannelonni for dinner-YUM, I have missed it. I know that it's still pasta, though but it did at least have some tomatoes through it-lol.
We planned to watch Jack Frost but then couldn't find it.( Like the weather here which is currently seven degrees-Jack must have left the area) We then attempted to watch 'Jingle all the way' but it froze around a third of the way into it. I guess we were not meant to do a Christmas movie without Jen. Ali read her book and I 'painted' more Christmas cards.
Jen was home by ten-thirty and she had a good time with the small people she was sitting for. They are from California and are feeling a tad cold. Good job it's not -7.
Okay dokay-must dash. Got to chum Jen to station to put her on train with family pass.
Much love to all of you, this Christmas Eve. Remember to take some quiet time for yourself and that, if it's not done, it's not done-end of story.
Lxxx
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Day 117.........little old lady writes her book.
Day 117.........little old lady writes her book.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, yesterday was my Monday morning two hours with Ross and we, as always, had a lovely time. He did seem a bit distracted, though and I wonder where he goes, in those moments where he looks lost. I want to read up a bit more about the disease because he does an amazing thing with time. He tried to set his watch to eleven-forty but set it to one-twenty and couldn't understand why I was telling him it was incorrect. He saw it as eleven-forty. It's as if he was seeing a mirror image of where the hands should have been. Is this usual? I have to investigate. He did, however read the big tower clock correctly, a mere five minutes later.
I went to get us both a coffee from the wee cafe area and met a wonderful ninety three year old lady who was born in Edinburgh. I have heard her chat, in the passing and thought that there was a hint of Scottish about her. Well, her sister still lives in Leith and is one-hundred and great friends with Tom Farmer. She and he have done much fundraising together and are very close. She was so cute, told me that she was Scottish by birth, Italian by marriage and Canadian by choice-lol. Now, I have been taken in before by little old people telling me stories, only to find out that they were completely 'lost-in-space' and I did wonder. But she had such details and when I came back from getting the coffee, she stopped me again to show me a photo of her sister with Prince Charles and Tom Farmer. It was attached to part of the manuscript for her book. Her life story. She told me that her sister had kept all of her letters from when she was eight years old. I think that she plans to use some of them in the book. How fantastic. She runs a wee fundraising bake-table a couple of times a week and invited me to drop by for a coffee one morning to chat with her. She is one very sharp, very witty, very busy lady.
Mary invited me out to lunch with them but I had already made plans to meet up with Jen to go shopping so had to decline. I am going out for lunch with them next week instead-yum. Mary also invited the kids and I to hers on Christmas eve but we are just going to do our own thing. I probably told you already about being invited out for Christmas dinner by the kind family who gave us all the 'stuff' when we moved in-we declined that also.
I wouldn't say that I'm a hermit but I have no desire to spend time with others........except the kids.
Jen and I headed out to return a necklace that I had bought, on the off-chance that it would suit Ali for a present for her friend which it didn't. We actually had a couple of good finds and yet again, I found myself perusing the store for many, many minutes whilst Jen tried to decide whether or not to get another fluffy blanket. I think we have decided that she'll check the sales and that I also will knit/crochet her one....with Love.
For the fourth night in a row we had Mac-cheese and I'd like to say that I was fed up with it but I am not. Perhaps it was not such a good idea to find the 'right' cheese?
Because we had a Day Transit pass, Jen and I headed to the grocery store after dinner and we bought our turkey. It was not exactly cheap but it was paid for by my 'points' which made me very happy and I felt like the turkey was free. I just have sprouts and carrots to buy and I think that I'm all set.
Does anyone else love pickled onions and beetroot with their Christmas dinner? I had to purchase some because I would feel deprived if they were not on my plate.
I will miss my chestnut/springonion/brussel sprout stir fry but I will cope. No point in making it just for me.
Just realised that I haven't bought any wee sausages. Oh dear. Will have to check that out today or tomorrow. I don't eat them but the kids love them. May even have to pick up some bacon to wrap around them-eek.
Our Christmas movie was very late but it was fun and completed 'The Santa Claus' trilogy. Jen is now babysitting tonight and so we may have to skip our movie tonight or perhaps we'll just do a late one when she gets home........unlikely but possible.
And here we are. Christmas Eve, eve. I hope that you are all finding time to relax and take time away from what can feel like an overwhelming mountain of stuff to do. I have learned, these past few years that it isn't worth getting yourself in a pickle. The only person who will judge you is you. So, be kind to yourself and don't sweat the small stuff. It doesn't matter if I don't get sausages for Christmas dinner. It doesn't matter if the turkey gets burned or takes too long making everything else overdone (been there, done that) It will be perfectly imperfect which is what will make it perfect.
Love to all,
Lxxx
p.s How do you like our 'other' tree? x
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, yesterday was my Monday morning two hours with Ross and we, as always, had a lovely time. He did seem a bit distracted, though and I wonder where he goes, in those moments where he looks lost. I want to read up a bit more about the disease because he does an amazing thing with time. He tried to set his watch to eleven-forty but set it to one-twenty and couldn't understand why I was telling him it was incorrect. He saw it as eleven-forty. It's as if he was seeing a mirror image of where the hands should have been. Is this usual? I have to investigate. He did, however read the big tower clock correctly, a mere five minutes later.
I went to get us both a coffee from the wee cafe area and met a wonderful ninety three year old lady who was born in Edinburgh. I have heard her chat, in the passing and thought that there was a hint of Scottish about her. Well, her sister still lives in Leith and is one-hundred and great friends with Tom Farmer. She and he have done much fundraising together and are very close. She was so cute, told me that she was Scottish by birth, Italian by marriage and Canadian by choice-lol. Now, I have been taken in before by little old people telling me stories, only to find out that they were completely 'lost-in-space' and I did wonder. But she had such details and when I came back from getting the coffee, she stopped me again to show me a photo of her sister with Prince Charles and Tom Farmer. It was attached to part of the manuscript for her book. Her life story. She told me that her sister had kept all of her letters from when she was eight years old. I think that she plans to use some of them in the book. How fantastic. She runs a wee fundraising bake-table a couple of times a week and invited me to drop by for a coffee one morning to chat with her. She is one very sharp, very witty, very busy lady.
Mary invited me out to lunch with them but I had already made plans to meet up with Jen to go shopping so had to decline. I am going out for lunch with them next week instead-yum. Mary also invited the kids and I to hers on Christmas eve but we are just going to do our own thing. I probably told you already about being invited out for Christmas dinner by the kind family who gave us all the 'stuff' when we moved in-we declined that also.
I wouldn't say that I'm a hermit but I have no desire to spend time with others........except the kids.
Jen and I headed out to return a necklace that I had bought, on the off-chance that it would suit Ali for a present for her friend which it didn't. We actually had a couple of good finds and yet again, I found myself perusing the store for many, many minutes whilst Jen tried to decide whether or not to get another fluffy blanket. I think we have decided that she'll check the sales and that I also will knit/crochet her one....with Love.
For the fourth night in a row we had Mac-cheese and I'd like to say that I was fed up with it but I am not. Perhaps it was not such a good idea to find the 'right' cheese?
Because we had a Day Transit pass, Jen and I headed to the grocery store after dinner and we bought our turkey. It was not exactly cheap but it was paid for by my 'points' which made me very happy and I felt like the turkey was free. I just have sprouts and carrots to buy and I think that I'm all set.
Does anyone else love pickled onions and beetroot with their Christmas dinner? I had to purchase some because I would feel deprived if they were not on my plate.
I will miss my chestnut/springonion/brussel sprout stir fry but I will cope. No point in making it just for me.
Just realised that I haven't bought any wee sausages. Oh dear. Will have to check that out today or tomorrow. I don't eat them but the kids love them. May even have to pick up some bacon to wrap around them-eek.
Our Christmas movie was very late but it was fun and completed 'The Santa Claus' trilogy. Jen is now babysitting tonight and so we may have to skip our movie tonight or perhaps we'll just do a late one when she gets home........unlikely but possible.
And here we are. Christmas Eve, eve. I hope that you are all finding time to relax and take time away from what can feel like an overwhelming mountain of stuff to do. I have learned, these past few years that it isn't worth getting yourself in a pickle. The only person who will judge you is you. So, be kind to yourself and don't sweat the small stuff. It doesn't matter if I don't get sausages for Christmas dinner. It doesn't matter if the turkey gets burned or takes too long making everything else overdone (been there, done that) It will be perfectly imperfect which is what will make it perfect.
Love to all,
Lxxx
p.s How do you like our 'other' tree? x
Monday, 22 December 2014
Day 116.......Housework and laundry......ah, Sundays.
Day 116.......Housework and laundry......ah, Sundays.
Yesterday saw the house being given its pre-Christmas clean. Truth is that it hasn't been cleaned for weeks and it now looks so much brighter. We have wooden floors throughout and you would never believe how much dust can gather on them. I love cleaning, when you can see a difference afterwards. I very much dislike cleaning for the sake of doing it.
With utilities being cheaper on the weekend, I tend to do my laundry and make soup and it really is fun to look at the graph-usage of electricity and gas and see how much I can save. I know, I am easily pleased.
Ali was out in the afternoon and Jen completed lots of the Christmas decorating and did a tidy up of the table, which we had been unable to see underneath all the craft-making, for several weeks....oh wait, it was probably only a couple but merely felt like longer. These are her Pine Cone Denhams, in case you missed them on Facebook. Fantastic little people from my talented daughter.
I seriously can't believe that Christmas is upon us-EEK.
We still aren't exactly sure of our timings for the big day but the idea of going to the movies is fading due to the timings of trying to connect with loved-ones at home and in Vancouver. I had also planned to cook the Turkey on Christmas Eve but that may also change, if it looks like the day will be totally spent at home. We quite like the turkey the way that we usually have it on Boxing day. Sliced, in gravy and in the oven-yum. I'll let you know.
Right, this has taken me hours to write, in amongst other stuff I have been doing so I'm going to close.
Much love to all,
Lxxxx
Yesterday saw the house being given its pre-Christmas clean. Truth is that it hasn't been cleaned for weeks and it now looks so much brighter. We have wooden floors throughout and you would never believe how much dust can gather on them. I love cleaning, when you can see a difference afterwards. I very much dislike cleaning for the sake of doing it.
With utilities being cheaper on the weekend, I tend to do my laundry and make soup and it really is fun to look at the graph-usage of electricity and gas and see how much I can save. I know, I am easily pleased.
Ali was out in the afternoon and Jen completed lots of the Christmas decorating and did a tidy up of the table, which we had been unable to see underneath all the craft-making, for several weeks....oh wait, it was probably only a couple but merely felt like longer. These are her Pine Cone Denhams, in case you missed them on Facebook. Fantastic little people from my talented daughter.
I seriously can't believe that Christmas is upon us-EEK.
We still aren't exactly sure of our timings for the big day but the idea of going to the movies is fading due to the timings of trying to connect with loved-ones at home and in Vancouver. I had also planned to cook the Turkey on Christmas Eve but that may also change, if it looks like the day will be totally spent at home. We quite like the turkey the way that we usually have it on Boxing day. Sliced, in gravy and in the oven-yum. I'll let you know.
Right, this has taken me hours to write, in amongst other stuff I have been doing so I'm going to close.
Much love to all,
Lxxxx
Sunday, 21 December 2014
Day 115.........a very late night.
Day 115.........a very late night.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Sometimes I just take a notion to stay out of bed. It usually comes hand-in-hand with two or three glasses of wine and last night was one of those partnerships.
The girls headed to bed and I stayed up 'You Tube'. I may have to investigate Marie Osmond and Andy Gibb today because I got the impression that they may have been an 'item' before Victoria Principal entered Andys life? Just a feeling but it lead me to the Bee Gees and of course to Immortality and Celine Dion and of course to the tears that always come, with that song. It's one of a couple of songs that bring my love for my mum forward, to the front of my heart and that's okay, occasionally, right.
I closed the laptop after that and fell into bed. Tempting as it was, to roll over at nine, this morning, I got up and will try to head to bed earlier tonight.
Yesterday, daytime saw a quiet morning and then an afternoon/evening of shopping with the girls. The Family day pass thing is going to be available every day till January 4th which is fantastic. It means that the girls and I can get out and about all day every day for $11.....if we want to. The shops were busy, as expected and a fared better than I usually do with busy although the girls adopted an apparently angry 'sorry' that I snapped, to keep them amused all day. I, of course was unaware of this till we were heading home and Alison thought she'd let me know how much fun they'd had imitating me. Cheeky monkeys.
You'll have gathered from that, that we split up for a chunk of time and I spent a huge amount of time calling on my patience, in a queue in a TK Max type store. The young boy on my till was SLOW but I managed to stay civil and keep my arms unfolded.......for most of what felt like a half hour.
I popped into Walmart for more of that yummy Cracker Barrel Old Cheddar that tastes like Scottish cheddar. Jen kindly carried the bag with my 3+Kgs haul in-thanks Jen.
Dinner was very late at the back of eight and it was very yummy mac-cheese. How could it not have been after buying all that cheese, eh?
We watched the movie, The Holiday, which was lovely and we must have only seen it once or twice before because there were bits that we'd forgotten.......and that's always great. Andrew hasn't requested that any of the 'Big' Christmas movies be saved and so I sense that Elf, Grinch and Polar Express will be the next 3 nights viewing.......I may or may not let you know because I'm sure that you'll want to-lol.
Okay dokay. Much love to all on this last Sunday before Christmas and on the Winter Solstice.........shortest day. I want to light a candle and my lighter won't spark and I can't find any matches......what does that mean?
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Sometimes I just take a notion to stay out of bed. It usually comes hand-in-hand with two or three glasses of wine and last night was one of those partnerships.
The girls headed to bed and I stayed up 'You Tube'. I may have to investigate Marie Osmond and Andy Gibb today because I got the impression that they may have been an 'item' before Victoria Principal entered Andys life? Just a feeling but it lead me to the Bee Gees and of course to Immortality and Celine Dion and of course to the tears that always come, with that song. It's one of a couple of songs that bring my love for my mum forward, to the front of my heart and that's okay, occasionally, right.
I closed the laptop after that and fell into bed. Tempting as it was, to roll over at nine, this morning, I got up and will try to head to bed earlier tonight.
Yesterday, daytime saw a quiet morning and then an afternoon/evening of shopping with the girls. The Family day pass thing is going to be available every day till January 4th which is fantastic. It means that the girls and I can get out and about all day every day for $11.....if we want to. The shops were busy, as expected and a fared better than I usually do with busy although the girls adopted an apparently angry 'sorry' that I snapped, to keep them amused all day. I, of course was unaware of this till we were heading home and Alison thought she'd let me know how much fun they'd had imitating me. Cheeky monkeys.
You'll have gathered from that, that we split up for a chunk of time and I spent a huge amount of time calling on my patience, in a queue in a TK Max type store. The young boy on my till was SLOW but I managed to stay civil and keep my arms unfolded.......for most of what felt like a half hour.
I popped into Walmart for more of that yummy Cracker Barrel Old Cheddar that tastes like Scottish cheddar. Jen kindly carried the bag with my 3+Kgs haul in-thanks Jen.
Dinner was very late at the back of eight and it was very yummy mac-cheese. How could it not have been after buying all that cheese, eh?
We watched the movie, The Holiday, which was lovely and we must have only seen it once or twice before because there were bits that we'd forgotten.......and that's always great. Andrew hasn't requested that any of the 'Big' Christmas movies be saved and so I sense that Elf, Grinch and Polar Express will be the next 3 nights viewing.......I may or may not let you know because I'm sure that you'll want to-lol.
Okay dokay. Much love to all on this last Sunday before Christmas and on the Winter Solstice.........shortest day. I want to light a candle and my lighter won't spark and I can't find any matches......what does that mean?
Lxxx
Saturday, 20 December 2014
Day 114.........stocking number 3 done.
Day 114.........stocking number 3 done.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, I only have one stocking to go......and it's for me so if it doesn't materialize, it'll be okay. I may actually do another two because nest year Bill will need one. The third stocking is smaller and neater than the first two-go figure.
Practice, practice, practice.
I actually relaxed into the third one, Charlene Scott and I imagine that is how you feel all the time, when you crochet, so who knows....perhaps I'll step up the crochet action in 2015. My fingers are beginning to find their groove and assuming positions that my 'Crochet-master' at Pink and Green showed me months ago. At the time, I didn't want to unlearn the way I did my crochet but making these little items, I find that I have to hold them differently and use my left hand more.
Not sure if I'll do one today but probably not because I need daylight and we are going out shopping....again, this afternoon, once Ali gets home from her very first Canadian sleepover.
She had a great last day of school and came home with some lovely presents from her new friends. She gave some pretty decent ones to them, too. She had a very small power-nap between school and work and a quick pizza, after work, before heading along a few subway stops, to her friends.
Jen and I had spent the day doing crafty stuff and I will post the fabulous stuff that Jen has made. My crochet pales into the background against her skills. The table is invisible under the heaps of materials but we'll have it cleared by Christmas.
I continue to make and send my 'etch-a-sketch' cards so, if you want one, let me know because otherwise you are unlikely to get one. I will be making and posting a general one for Christmas day, to go with my blog. Yes, there will be a blog on Christmas day.
Jen and I had planned to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' last night but couldn't find it on tv until Dec 24th. That'll do nicely, thank you. Instead we watched a couple of 'B' movies, the first of which was very cute and fun and made us smile. The second one found me falling asleep and wishing that it would move along a bit faster. Jen was unimpressed by it also.
It's -4 outside and it looks very frosty....Brrr.
I hope this finds you all safe, happy and warm.
Much Love,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, I only have one stocking to go......and it's for me so if it doesn't materialize, it'll be okay. I may actually do another two because nest year Bill will need one. The third stocking is smaller and neater than the first two-go figure.
Practice, practice, practice.
I actually relaxed into the third one, Charlene Scott and I imagine that is how you feel all the time, when you crochet, so who knows....perhaps I'll step up the crochet action in 2015. My fingers are beginning to find their groove and assuming positions that my 'Crochet-master' at Pink and Green showed me months ago. At the time, I didn't want to unlearn the way I did my crochet but making these little items, I find that I have to hold them differently and use my left hand more.
She had a great last day of school and came home with some lovely presents from her new friends. She gave some pretty decent ones to them, too. She had a very small power-nap between school and work and a quick pizza, after work, before heading along a few subway stops, to her friends.
Jen and I had spent the day doing crafty stuff and I will post the fabulous stuff that Jen has made. My crochet pales into the background against her skills. The table is invisible under the heaps of materials but we'll have it cleared by Christmas.
I continue to make and send my 'etch-a-sketch' cards so, if you want one, let me know because otherwise you are unlikely to get one. I will be making and posting a general one for Christmas day, to go with my blog. Yes, there will be a blog on Christmas day.
Jen and I had planned to watch 'It's a Wonderful Life' last night but couldn't find it on tv until Dec 24th. That'll do nicely, thank you. Instead we watched a couple of 'B' movies, the first of which was very cute and fun and made us smile. The second one found me falling asleep and wishing that it would move along a bit faster. Jen was unimpressed by it also.
It's -4 outside and it looks very frosty....Brrr.
I hope this finds you all safe, happy and warm.
Much Love,
Lxxx
Friday, 19 December 2014
Day 113........Donny and Marie Christmas show.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, the night was finally here, when I would see my old heart-throb on stage again. I have seen him a couple of times before, as an older gentleman but I never managed to see him when he actually was the boy-of-my-dreams.
The last time I saw him, I was a wee bit put-off by his blatant showbiz style and so I wasn't expecting anything different last night but he was fantastic and natural and not OTT at all.
His voice is flawless, despite the choices of songs sometimes being flawed (in my opinion) and the banter that he and Marie have together on-stage, is as effortless as it was when I watched them in their Donny and Marie show, on TV, so many, many.........many years ago.
Did you know that Donny is just about to release his sixtieth album to celebrate fifty years in showbusiness. Yikes. And Marie holds the record for being the youngest ever female tv show host and was only twelve years old when her debut single, Paper Roses went to number one in the charts-Wow. She is much more overtly showbiz than he and seems to do everything 'louder'. Donny just seems very comfortable in his own skin and his voice didn't need to be raised to match hers. I had no clue that Marie could sing the notes that she can sing though and I was gobsmacked when she hit the high note at the end of 'Climb every mountain' from the sound of music. She also sang a little bit of opera and whilst her voice was brilliant, we didn't like the songs very much, so that was a shame.
Donny went into the audience a couple of times and was surrounded by middle-aged women, wanting selfies and kisses or just to hold his hand. I'm not sure how his voice managed to keep it's perfection, singing whilst being hugged and pulled but it did. He did have to stop singing at one point because he couldn't get his mic' to his mouth-lol.
So, I am back to being a big Donny fan. He's great at playing the silly big brother and I suspect that a lot of the act is no act. I may or may not buy his new album. I may just play the odd tune on you tube, when I'm feeling nostalgic.
Jen enjoyed herself and like me, preferred the first half to the second but their last song, about beginning with peace within yourself, got a standing ovation and my respect for always. I can't find a link to both of them singing it but I found a Marie version (not nearly as good) which I will share the link to.
I decided to treat myself to a couple of wee glasses of wine because I felt like it and the price wasn't too bad...for theatres. I seriously wish that I had got Jen to take a picture because the glass was not much bigger than an egg cup for that $8. I could have downed it in a oner but sipped it over...........
..two minutes.....lol.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we had left Alison having her dinner, with plans to bake for school today. We found her still slaving in the kitchen when we got home, having done a couple of batches of fairy cakes and in the midst ofmaking some brownies. She had ommitted butter from her cake recipe so needless to say, they were rather 'firm' but hopefully her friends will still eat them, with their festive frosting diverting attention away from the taste and texture. Her brownies fared much better. It's brilliant that she attempted all that by herself. Of course, it would be the one and only night in one hundred and thirteen that I was not around to help out.
She went off to school this morning with a huge bag of goodies and gifts. She's hoping to fit in a power-nap before work because it was nearly one-thirty before she got to bed and she has a sleepover tonight.
We put some wee lights on our Christmas tree but discovered that our extension, for the outside lights, is too short. I will have to try to exchange it for a longer one. It's great that the house has power outdoors-yippee for not having to find ways to plug the lights in.
Well folks. I will close as I have a few plans for a tidy-up and Christmas dec's/cards that need a doing.
Much love,
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, the night was finally here, when I would see my old heart-throb on stage again. I have seen him a couple of times before, as an older gentleman but I never managed to see him when he actually was the boy-of-my-dreams.
The last time I saw him, I was a wee bit put-off by his blatant showbiz style and so I wasn't expecting anything different last night but he was fantastic and natural and not OTT at all.
His voice is flawless, despite the choices of songs sometimes being flawed (in my opinion) and the banter that he and Marie have together on-stage, is as effortless as it was when I watched them in their Donny and Marie show, on TV, so many, many.........many years ago.
Did you know that Donny is just about to release his sixtieth album to celebrate fifty years in showbusiness. Yikes. And Marie holds the record for being the youngest ever female tv show host and was only twelve years old when her debut single, Paper Roses went to number one in the charts-Wow. She is much more overtly showbiz than he and seems to do everything 'louder'. Donny just seems very comfortable in his own skin and his voice didn't need to be raised to match hers. I had no clue that Marie could sing the notes that she can sing though and I was gobsmacked when she hit the high note at the end of 'Climb every mountain' from the sound of music. She also sang a little bit of opera and whilst her voice was brilliant, we didn't like the songs very much, so that was a shame.
Donny went into the audience a couple of times and was surrounded by middle-aged women, wanting selfies and kisses or just to hold his hand. I'm not sure how his voice managed to keep it's perfection, singing whilst being hugged and pulled but it did. He did have to stop singing at one point because he couldn't get his mic' to his mouth-lol.
So, I am back to being a big Donny fan. He's great at playing the silly big brother and I suspect that a lot of the act is no act. I may or may not buy his new album. I may just play the odd tune on you tube, when I'm feeling nostalgic.
Jen enjoyed herself and like me, preferred the first half to the second but their last song, about beginning with peace within yourself, got a standing ovation and my respect for always. I can't find a link to both of them singing it but I found a Marie version (not nearly as good) which I will share the link to.
I decided to treat myself to a couple of wee glasses of wine because I felt like it and the price wasn't too bad...for theatres. I seriously wish that I had got Jen to take a picture because the glass was not much bigger than an egg cup for that $8. I could have downed it in a oner but sipped it over...........
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we had left Alison having her dinner, with plans to bake for school today. We found her still slaving in the kitchen when we got home, having done a couple of batches of fairy cakes and in the midst ofmaking some brownies. She had ommitted butter from her cake recipe so needless to say, they were rather 'firm' but hopefully her friends will still eat them, with their festive frosting diverting attention away from the taste and texture. Her brownies fared much better. It's brilliant that she attempted all that by herself. Of course, it would be the one and only night in one hundred and thirteen that I was not around to help out.
She went off to school this morning with a huge bag of goodies and gifts. She's hoping to fit in a power-nap before work because it was nearly one-thirty before she got to bed and she has a sleepover tonight.
We put some wee lights on our Christmas tree but discovered that our extension, for the outside lights, is too short. I will have to try to exchange it for a longer one. It's great that the house has power outdoors-yippee for not having to find ways to plug the lights in.
Well folks. I will close as I have a few plans for a tidy-up and Christmas dec's/cards that need a doing.
Much love,
Lxx
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Day 112......almost forgot to write this.
Day 112......almost forgot to write this.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, well, well, here I am at four thirty in the afternoon and I have just realised that I didn't write anything about yesterday.
Now, perhaps that's because there isn't very much to write as I never made it over-the-door but I need to at least tell you that fact, right? Or not.
What in heavens name did I do yesterday? I know that I made a few Christmas cards on my little paint programme that I am really enjoying. I have however discovered that they may need 'expanded' when opened by the recipient otherwise they look like they've been cut-off. If you haven't sent me your email and would like a masterpiece, send me it via FB or my website at www.bachflowerconsultsonline.com and you may just get a wee Angel or two, sent across the pond, with love.
The house is a bit of a bombsite and I know that tidy-up-time is near. There are decoration-making materials around the place and also lots of Ali's paperwork from school. I had planned to get her to move it all downstairs when we got our Christmas tree but now that we are sticking with the wee one, that corner is no longer needed.
Our forecast for snow at Christmas has changed to rain......hopefully it will change back. The temperature has begun to plummit again and I think that it'll be too cold for rain. Brr. The house isn't too bad, temperature-wise. It must be feeling better after a month of heating and is retaining the heat for longer. Good old brick. Takes ages to warm -up but it does keep the heat in....eventually.
We continue with our Christmas movie-fest and watched the second 'The Santa Clause' one last night. Tim Allan at his best. We are getting the movies from the library, just like borrowing a book. Jen just looks online and orders the ones we want. You get a week to watch them. She is going to take the first three back tomorrow and get the third one in 'The santa clause' series to watch on the weekend.
I still need to ask Andrew if there's any of the 'big' Christmas movies that he wants to watch with us, over the hols. We already watched one of his favourites because we didn't know it was-oops.
Well Folks, I need to cut this one short because I have to go get myself tarted-up for Donny Osmond. Jen is chumming me to go see the Donny and Marie Christmas show, which is getting rave reviews (honest) and to which I was given two tickets for my birthday in April, by Bill.
I will tell you all about it, tomorrow.
Much Love,
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, well, well, here I am at four thirty in the afternoon and I have just realised that I didn't write anything about yesterday.
Now, perhaps that's because there isn't very much to write as I never made it over-the-door but I need to at least tell you that fact, right? Or not.
What in heavens name did I do yesterday? I know that I made a few Christmas cards on my little paint programme that I am really enjoying. I have however discovered that they may need 'expanded' when opened by the recipient otherwise they look like they've been cut-off. If you haven't sent me your email and would like a masterpiece, send me it via FB or my website at www.bachflowerconsultsonline.com and you may just get a wee Angel or two, sent across the pond, with love.
The house is a bit of a bombsite and I know that tidy-up-time is near. There are decoration-making materials around the place and also lots of Ali's paperwork from school. I had planned to get her to move it all downstairs when we got our Christmas tree but now that we are sticking with the wee one, that corner is no longer needed.
Our forecast for snow at Christmas has changed to rain......hopefully it will change back. The temperature has begun to plummit again and I think that it'll be too cold for rain. Brr. The house isn't too bad, temperature-wise. It must be feeling better after a month of heating and is retaining the heat for longer. Good old brick. Takes ages to warm -up but it does keep the heat in....eventually.
We continue with our Christmas movie-fest and watched the second 'The Santa Clause' one last night. Tim Allan at his best. We are getting the movies from the library, just like borrowing a book. Jen just looks online and orders the ones we want. You get a week to watch them. She is going to take the first three back tomorrow and get the third one in 'The santa clause' series to watch on the weekend.
I still need to ask Andrew if there's any of the 'big' Christmas movies that he wants to watch with us, over the hols. We already watched one of his favourites because we didn't know it was-oops.
Well Folks, I need to cut this one short because I have to go get myself tarted-up for Donny Osmond. Jen is chumming me to go see the Donny and Marie Christmas show, which is getting rave reviews (honest) and to which I was given two tickets for my birthday in April, by Bill.
I will tell you all about it, tomorrow.
Much Love,
Lxx
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Day 111......back to the library at last.
Day 111......back to the library at last.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I have left my specs upstairs and so, if this is full of mistakes, I apologise.
Yesterday saw Jen and I in the library together, for the first time. Working side by side on our respective projects for three hours. I sat in a different place to all my other times and I'm not sure that I liked it there. Perhaps today, we'll manage to get a table? There was no sign of the 'snorer' but there was a very noisy paper-rustler and a person who seemed to sneeze more than a certain dwarf, with a similar name.
Ali has a late start and so I have just wakened her at eight. She has yet to appear. I think that it's 'wear-a-Christmas-sweater' day today and she picked up a stunner, a few weeks back which washed up not too badly but is not as soft as when she bought it in the second-hand store.
I saw that Jen has left a pile of Christmas earrings in the upstairs bathroom and presume that they are for Ali to choose from. Ah, don't you just love Christmas.
I have just been informed that it's not Christmas sweater day till tomorrow......so why the Christmas earring pile?
Apart from our visit to the library.....and it was uneventful.....we didn't do anything of note. We all had something different for dinner, which is a first, since we got here. We have been eating the same dinners for months now. Tonight I will make sure that we all have the same because it's kinda nice when it's like that.....I feel.
I love Tim Allen and so you can imagine that I was delighted to watch the Santa Clause movie. I think that it's spelled that way because it is about the Clause that Tim Allan has to abide by rather than his new persona. I wasn't disappointed and despite seeing it loads of times before, it remains one of my favourites.
Jen googled the movie afterwards to see how old the wee boy in it, now is and the movie was released the same year as she was born.....WHAT! How did that happen? The little guy is now twenty seven.
I headed for an early night, by ten thirty and feel better for it this morning despite getting up at my usual six forty-five. I have managed to do my meditation already and it clears the way for some serious house-tidying, after Ali goes to school.
My Donny and Marie Christmas show is getting lots of great reviews and it looks like Jen will be chumming me tomorrow night, to see it. I think it'll be very 'feel-good' and I am looking forward to going.
I know this is shorter than usual but when you've nothing to report, you've othing to report, right?
Much love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I have left my specs upstairs and so, if this is full of mistakes, I apologise.
Yesterday saw Jen and I in the library together, for the first time. Working side by side on our respective projects for three hours. I sat in a different place to all my other times and I'm not sure that I liked it there. Perhaps today, we'll manage to get a table? There was no sign of the 'snorer' but there was a very noisy paper-rustler and a person who seemed to sneeze more than a certain dwarf, with a similar name.
Ali has a late start and so I have just wakened her at eight. She has yet to appear. I think that it's 'wear-a-Christmas-sweater' day today and she picked up a stunner, a few weeks back which washed up not too badly but is not as soft as when she bought it in the second-hand store.
I saw that Jen has left a pile of Christmas earrings in the upstairs bathroom and presume that they are for Ali to choose from. Ah, don't you just love Christmas.
I have just been informed that it's not Christmas sweater day till tomorrow......so why the Christmas earring pile?
Apart from our visit to the library.....and it was uneventful.....we didn't do anything of note. We all had something different for dinner, which is a first, since we got here. We have been eating the same dinners for months now. Tonight I will make sure that we all have the same because it's kinda nice when it's like that.....I feel.
I love Tim Allen and so you can imagine that I was delighted to watch the Santa Clause movie. I think that it's spelled that way because it is about the Clause that Tim Allan has to abide by rather than his new persona. I wasn't disappointed and despite seeing it loads of times before, it remains one of my favourites.
Jen googled the movie afterwards to see how old the wee boy in it, now is and the movie was released the same year as she was born.....WHAT! How did that happen? The little guy is now twenty seven.
I headed for an early night, by ten thirty and feel better for it this morning despite getting up at my usual six forty-five. I have managed to do my meditation already and it clears the way for some serious house-tidying, after Ali goes to school.
My Donny and Marie Christmas show is getting lots of great reviews and it looks like Jen will be chumming me tomorrow night, to see it. I think it'll be very 'feel-good' and I am looking forward to going.
I know this is shorter than usual but when you've nothing to report, you've othing to report, right?
Much love to all,
Lxxx
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
Day 110.......making Ross Smile.
Day 110.......making Ross Smile.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
When I arrived at his place yesterday, Ross was feeling a wee bit sorry for himself-his words not mine. But he soon cheered up....I was there. His Monday morning smile for two hours, which I enjoy as much as he does. There was even a wee bit singing yesterday, which ended with us both laughing at our sillyness.
There was a new resident, being given a tour by his daughter and I could see that she, more than he, was anxious about this new situation they had found themselves in. I felt for her. I also felt for the lady who I chatted with in the TV room. Her husband has been resident for three years and he didn't seem to have any way to communicate and was confined to a wheelchair. I think that she enjoyed our chat as she told me all about her ancestors who had been from Linlithgow and had been shipped over here during the HIghland clearances.
On the down-side, the tv was covering the hostage-situation in Sidney and other sad news and I mentally wondered if we might be better chatting in the Library next week, with no tv and no bad news. Ross does seem to enjoy seeing what's on the news but I wonder if it may be more helpful to stimulate positive feelings rather than provoke negative ones, even if he will forget the news. Yeh, I think so.
After I left Ross, I met Jen at the subway and we headed to Target, which is a bit like an Asda. Jen is in search of the perfect fluffy blanket......unfortunately, she didn't find one. She reminded me of me when I am in need of the remedy Scleranthus, which is for indecision. She pondered back and forth....and back and forth......and back and forth-lol. We eventually took one but it may go back because she's 'not sure'
We have to go back anyhow, to return a little necklace that I picked up for Ali to give a friend. It was, I suppose, a long shot that she would like it but she's running out of time to get one before Fridays last day of school.
She's going to work some extra hours at the daycare, during the holidays and she has a couple of 'outings' organised. I think she's quite settled into her 'new' life.
My biggest excitement yesterday was discovering that the cheddar that I bought in Walmart on Sunday tastes like Scottish Cheddar-YIPPPPEEEEE. I must go back and buy several more slabs, at that price. The girls were also delighted. It's Cracker Barrel and is usually expensive so I haven't tried it. Hopefully it has a great sell-by date so that I can fill the fridge......and it's a big fridge, folks.
After the yummy mac cheese I made for dinner, we chatted with our favourite person in Scotland and he does make us laugh. It never ceases to amaze me how fast an hour whizzes by when we're chatting on skype.
The Christmas movie was chosen by Ali because she was complaining to her dad that the movies we were watching were rubbish. In her defense, some of them have been but last nights had to be the worst of all. The acting and editing were awful but we watched it and will never ever watch it again. I think we need to begin watching ssome of the big movies because Christmas isn't too far off now. I need to clarify with Andrew, if there is any that he'd like to watch with us and then the wonderful happy movies will begin.
Our weather is kinds Scottish just now-driech (is that how we spell it?) and it feels colder because of the damp. It's supposed to brighten up by the weekend and they have snow from 24th-26th Dec forecast, which hopefully will appear.
Okay, starting to waffle now and so will close. Need my breakfast anyway as I just heard the bells peel nine.
Much love,
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
When I arrived at his place yesterday, Ross was feeling a wee bit sorry for himself-his words not mine. But he soon cheered up....I was there. His Monday morning smile for two hours, which I enjoy as much as he does. There was even a wee bit singing yesterday, which ended with us both laughing at our sillyness.
There was a new resident, being given a tour by his daughter and I could see that she, more than he, was anxious about this new situation they had found themselves in. I felt for her. I also felt for the lady who I chatted with in the TV room. Her husband has been resident for three years and he didn't seem to have any way to communicate and was confined to a wheelchair. I think that she enjoyed our chat as she told me all about her ancestors who had been from Linlithgow and had been shipped over here during the HIghland clearances.
On the down-side, the tv was covering the hostage-situation in Sidney and other sad news and I mentally wondered if we might be better chatting in the Library next week, with no tv and no bad news. Ross does seem to enjoy seeing what's on the news but I wonder if it may be more helpful to stimulate positive feelings rather than provoke negative ones, even if he will forget the news. Yeh, I think so.
After I left Ross, I met Jen at the subway and we headed to Target, which is a bit like an Asda. Jen is in search of the perfect fluffy blanket......unfortunately, she didn't find one. She reminded me of me when I am in need of the remedy Scleranthus, which is for indecision. She pondered back and forth....and back and forth......and back and forth-lol. We eventually took one but it may go back because she's 'not sure'
We have to go back anyhow, to return a little necklace that I picked up for Ali to give a friend. It was, I suppose, a long shot that she would like it but she's running out of time to get one before Fridays last day of school.
She's going to work some extra hours at the daycare, during the holidays and she has a couple of 'outings' organised. I think she's quite settled into her 'new' life.
My biggest excitement yesterday was discovering that the cheddar that I bought in Walmart on Sunday tastes like Scottish Cheddar-YIPPPPEEEEE. I must go back and buy several more slabs, at that price. The girls were also delighted. It's Cracker Barrel and is usually expensive so I haven't tried it. Hopefully it has a great sell-by date so that I can fill the fridge......and it's a big fridge, folks.
After the yummy mac cheese I made for dinner, we chatted with our favourite person in Scotland and he does make us laugh. It never ceases to amaze me how fast an hour whizzes by when we're chatting on skype.
The Christmas movie was chosen by Ali because she was complaining to her dad that the movies we were watching were rubbish. In her defense, some of them have been but last nights had to be the worst of all. The acting and editing were awful but we watched it and will never ever watch it again. I think we need to begin watching ssome of the big movies because Christmas isn't too far off now. I need to clarify with Andrew, if there is any that he'd like to watch with us and then the wonderful happy movies will begin.
Our weather is kinds Scottish just now-driech (is that how we spell it?) and it feels colder because of the damp. It's supposed to brighten up by the weekend and they have snow from 24th-26th Dec forecast, which hopefully will appear.
Okay, starting to waffle now and so will close. Need my breakfast anyway as I just heard the bells peel nine.
Much love,
Lxx
Monday, 15 December 2014
Day 109.......we decorated our wee tree.
Day 109.......we decorated our wee tree.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I shall put a photo of the decorated tree on FB. It doesn't have any lights yet but it looks lovely and I'm thinking that we may not get a bigger one as this one has such a personality.
Jen and I strung tiny bobbles and pine cones and cut up wired beads for the ends of the branches. Apart from the lack of lighting-our dining room has a low watt bulb-it was great fun.
I had picked up a couple of little sets of lights in the dollar store, which are now hanging in the living room and so we are beginning to look a lot like Christmas here.
Oooo I do love the feel of Christmas and it is a feeling. It's a feeling of Love and Hope and of Faith that all can and will be well. perhaps that's all we're meant to get from it. As the Grinch puzzles (and I can't quote exactly) 'Perhaps Christmas is something a little bit more?' than the ribbons and tags and boxes and bags?
I believe that it is and in this year of 'giving small', the girls and I are inventing ways to connect with each other and our home, without spending a fortune.
We are contemplating starting a new tradition of going to the movies on Christmas day. We love the movies and because there will be no family to visit or visiting, it is definitely a possibility. Card games and charades and 'who's on the bus' are all in the running for after-dinner-fun. Bill, if you are on Skype, you can pick a team to join-lol.
Yesterdays trek cross town was to sign Ali' up for some drama lessons, which we did. The couple who run the school are very lovely and Doug spoke directly to Ali, asking her to sign all the forms regarding rules etc and then gave her his personal number in case she has any questions, over the holidays. He's from North Carolina and has just returned from a week there and if you can hear Reese Witherspoon in your head, when she was in Sweet Home Alabama, then you've got the idea of how his accent sounds.....almost.
After the sign-up (we thought she was staying for class but she's not starting till Jan 4th) we headed to the local Dollar store. It's not the nicest of areas, West of the school but I felt safe enough. It's the Dollar store we visited when we were at Church/Shuter, Bill, so you'll know the surroundings. Jen took us for a pizza.......again, I hear you all say about the pizza (and perhaps about Jens lunch-treat) The girls split one and I had this skinny one with loads of different toppings on which also did my dinner.
Having bought bulky stuff in the dollar store, including a bargain loaf of bread, I headed home with the goods, to pick up grocery-shopping bags, whilst the girls headed to the mall. I met up with them again in Walmart, which was 'heaving' and too hot.
My plan had been to also go to the bigger 'No frills' which is beside Walmart but I decided that I can walk down to our local one later this week instead. Cheese was my bargain of the day at $4.44 and so I bought 4 blocks. The cheddar here is a bit naff and so I mix it with the mozzeralla which actually tastes more like Scottish cheddar than the cheddar does. My cheese intake is way down on that of Edinburgh....not a bad thing, I suppose.
Last evening, we watched 'The Family Stone' as our Christmas movie and all had an early night. Ali is running on virtual empty and I will have to make efforts to refuel her, over the holidays so that she doesn't get sick.
A piece of trivia: The NHL (National ice-Hockey League) have fifteen players with mumps and they are tentatively waiting to see how many others come down with them. Poor guys but that's what happens when the immunisation uptake drops and you come in close contact with someone contagious. Hocky is a very close contact sport.
And on that note, I will close. I am pleased to have got this written before I go to work-doesn't often happen on a Monday. I am looking forward to my visit with Ross and then Jen and I are going to Target, to see if we can find her a fluffy blanket.
Happy Monday Folks and much love.
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I shall put a photo of the decorated tree on FB. It doesn't have any lights yet but it looks lovely and I'm thinking that we may not get a bigger one as this one has such a personality.
Jen and I strung tiny bobbles and pine cones and cut up wired beads for the ends of the branches. Apart from the lack of lighting-our dining room has a low watt bulb-it was great fun.
I had picked up a couple of little sets of lights in the dollar store, which are now hanging in the living room and so we are beginning to look a lot like Christmas here.
Oooo I do love the feel of Christmas and it is a feeling. It's a feeling of Love and Hope and of Faith that all can and will be well. perhaps that's all we're meant to get from it. As the Grinch puzzles (and I can't quote exactly) 'Perhaps Christmas is something a little bit more?' than the ribbons and tags and boxes and bags?
I believe that it is and in this year of 'giving small', the girls and I are inventing ways to connect with each other and our home, without spending a fortune.
We are contemplating starting a new tradition of going to the movies on Christmas day. We love the movies and because there will be no family to visit or visiting, it is definitely a possibility. Card games and charades and 'who's on the bus' are all in the running for after-dinner-fun. Bill, if you are on Skype, you can pick a team to join-lol.
Yesterdays trek cross town was to sign Ali' up for some drama lessons, which we did. The couple who run the school are very lovely and Doug spoke directly to Ali, asking her to sign all the forms regarding rules etc and then gave her his personal number in case she has any questions, over the holidays. He's from North Carolina and has just returned from a week there and if you can hear Reese Witherspoon in your head, when she was in Sweet Home Alabama, then you've got the idea of how his accent sounds.....almost.
After the sign-up (we thought she was staying for class but she's not starting till Jan 4th) we headed to the local Dollar store. It's not the nicest of areas, West of the school but I felt safe enough. It's the Dollar store we visited when we were at Church/Shuter, Bill, so you'll know the surroundings. Jen took us for a pizza.......again, I hear you all say about the pizza (and perhaps about Jens lunch-treat) The girls split one and I had this skinny one with loads of different toppings on which also did my dinner.
Having bought bulky stuff in the dollar store, including a bargain loaf of bread, I headed home with the goods, to pick up grocery-shopping bags, whilst the girls headed to the mall. I met up with them again in Walmart, which was 'heaving' and too hot.
My plan had been to also go to the bigger 'No frills' which is beside Walmart but I decided that I can walk down to our local one later this week instead. Cheese was my bargain of the day at $4.44 and so I bought 4 blocks. The cheddar here is a bit naff and so I mix it with the mozzeralla which actually tastes more like Scottish cheddar than the cheddar does. My cheese intake is way down on that of Edinburgh....not a bad thing, I suppose.
Last evening, we watched 'The Family Stone' as our Christmas movie and all had an early night. Ali is running on virtual empty and I will have to make efforts to refuel her, over the holidays so that she doesn't get sick.
A piece of trivia: The NHL (National ice-Hockey League) have fifteen players with mumps and they are tentatively waiting to see how many others come down with them. Poor guys but that's what happens when the immunisation uptake drops and you come in close contact with someone contagious. Hocky is a very close contact sport.
And on that note, I will close. I am pleased to have got this written before I go to work-doesn't often happen on a Monday. I am looking forward to my visit with Ross and then Jen and I are going to Target, to see if we can find her a fluffy blanket.
Happy Monday Folks and much love.
Lxxx
Sunday, 14 December 2014
Day 108.......A wonderful happy day with my girls.
Day 108.......A wonderful happy day with my girls.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It's early Sunday morning, well it's nearly nine but I've been up since eight and the house is quiet and peaceful. I did have that conversation, in my head, about getting up earlier but the cold nose and knowledge that the coffee-maker was set for eight persuaded me to stay under the duvet.
The snow is still here but with tropical temp's of 4-6 degrees expected today and tomorrow, me thinks it will disappear. Long term forecast says we'll get some on Christmas Eve. How fantastic would that be.
Yesterday was that early start that I mentioned and we made it across town in plenty of time for Ali's workshop. Fortunately I spied a Tim Hortons around the corner and so we went there for twenty minutes and I had a coffee and a red velvet muffin. Note to self. Muffin was delicious but too sweet for breakfast.
After dropping Ali' in, Jen and I set off to find a craft store calle Michaels-Bill will be trembling now because he knows how much we love that store. The good news is that it was not a huge one but it did have some fab stuff at 50-60% off. And there was a Dollar store virtually next door. Paradise.
It was, however a forty five minute commute from Ali's workshop so we actually only had one and a half hours to spend there. Never enough time. Out loveliest purchase was a teensy weensy Christmas tree that I will post a photo of. Jen got a couple of compliments on it as we had to carry it around all afternoon with us.......it is very cute.
Ali had a good time at her 'thing' and she is signing up forweekly Drama classes today.......so we are off across town at noon for a meeting with the school-owner at one-fifteen, to fill in the paperwork. Their prices go up in January by $50/month so we are sneaking in just before the increase to stay at the lower price. It could be a sales gimmick, I suppose but the two guys who run the place feel genuine and Ali does want to be an actress. They will find her an agent and hopefully this coming year will bring auditions and some work for her. They will organise for her to hook up with someone who can help her adopt a North American accent and her scottish one will go on her 'special talents' section of her resume-lol
After the workshop, we headed for our favourite downtown lunchspot, Five Guys (get yourselves along to one folks) and then the girls went shopping in a couple of stores whilst I sat in a corner and caught up with a few emails. Not bored, not unhappy to do so......it was peaceful and I was happy.
We had to head home early because Jen had her first babysitting gig at five, with a seven month-old baby boy. I chummed her there because it was an area she'd not been and the brave lassie said that she'd be absolutely fine to come home by herself. I forget sometimes that, at her age, I was a qualified staff nurse, in charge of a ward full of kids.
She is mature and wonderful and she had a bit of a tough time with the baby because he is teething. I tried to help out with several sugestions via text and eventually after forty five minutes of screaming, he fell asleep for the rest of the night. I know that she felt like a failure for not being able to console him better but I tried to resssure her that teething is hellish for everyone in the house and that his mother may not have been able to console him much better. She earned her (very decent) pay and the mum brought her home.
Whilst she was out Ali and I watch the Lord of The Rings. Ali had put together a pasta/chicken leftover dinner for us, when I was walking home after chumming Jen and it was delicious and original and I was really chuffed because it was unexpected.
I had really enjoyed the walk home, looking at the Christmas lights on the houses but was desperate for the loo, when I got home. You know that cross-legged hopping that you have to do sometimes? Perhaps it's just us older ladies but note to self, again, restart your pelvic floor exercises-lol.
I had a wee conversation with Andrew via text, which was lovely as always and my day could only have been more complete had I managed to connect with Bill.
And on that note, I will close.
Love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It's early Sunday morning, well it's nearly nine but I've been up since eight and the house is quiet and peaceful. I did have that conversation, in my head, about getting up earlier but the cold nose and knowledge that the coffee-maker was set for eight persuaded me to stay under the duvet.
The snow is still here but with tropical temp's of 4-6 degrees expected today and tomorrow, me thinks it will disappear. Long term forecast says we'll get some on Christmas Eve. How fantastic would that be.
Yesterday was that early start that I mentioned and we made it across town in plenty of time for Ali's workshop. Fortunately I spied a Tim Hortons around the corner and so we went there for twenty minutes and I had a coffee and a red velvet muffin. Note to self. Muffin was delicious but too sweet for breakfast.
After dropping Ali' in, Jen and I set off to find a craft store calle Michaels-Bill will be trembling now because he knows how much we love that store. The good news is that it was not a huge one but it did have some fab stuff at 50-60% off. And there was a Dollar store virtually next door. Paradise.
It was, however a forty five minute commute from Ali's workshop so we actually only had one and a half hours to spend there. Never enough time. Out loveliest purchase was a teensy weensy Christmas tree that I will post a photo of. Jen got a couple of compliments on it as we had to carry it around all afternoon with us.......it is very cute.
Ali had a good time at her 'thing' and she is signing up forweekly Drama classes today.......so we are off across town at noon for a meeting with the school-owner at one-fifteen, to fill in the paperwork. Their prices go up in January by $50/month so we are sneaking in just before the increase to stay at the lower price. It could be a sales gimmick, I suppose but the two guys who run the place feel genuine and Ali does want to be an actress. They will find her an agent and hopefully this coming year will bring auditions and some work for her. They will organise for her to hook up with someone who can help her adopt a North American accent and her scottish one will go on her 'special talents' section of her resume-lol
After the workshop, we headed for our favourite downtown lunchspot, Five Guys (get yourselves along to one folks) and then the girls went shopping in a couple of stores whilst I sat in a corner and caught up with a few emails. Not bored, not unhappy to do so......it was peaceful and I was happy.
We had to head home early because Jen had her first babysitting gig at five, with a seven month-old baby boy. I chummed her there because it was an area she'd not been and the brave lassie said that she'd be absolutely fine to come home by herself. I forget sometimes that, at her age, I was a qualified staff nurse, in charge of a ward full of kids.
She is mature and wonderful and she had a bit of a tough time with the baby because he is teething. I tried to help out with several sugestions via text and eventually after forty five minutes of screaming, he fell asleep for the rest of the night. I know that she felt like a failure for not being able to console him better but I tried to resssure her that teething is hellish for everyone in the house and that his mother may not have been able to console him much better. She earned her (very decent) pay and the mum brought her home.
Whilst she was out Ali and I watch the Lord of The Rings. Ali had put together a pasta/chicken leftover dinner for us, when I was walking home after chumming Jen and it was delicious and original and I was really chuffed because it was unexpected.
I had really enjoyed the walk home, looking at the Christmas lights on the houses but was desperate for the loo, when I got home. You know that cross-legged hopping that you have to do sometimes? Perhaps it's just us older ladies but note to self, again, restart your pelvic floor exercises-lol.
I had a wee conversation with Andrew via text, which was lovely as always and my day could only have been more complete had I managed to connect with Bill.
And on that note, I will close.
Love to all,
Lxxx
Saturday, 13 December 2014
Day 107......Well it looks like this blog is going to have to wait to be any kind of size.
Day 107......Well it looks like this blog is going to have to wait to be any kind of size.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
We are all running out the door this morning, to get Ali to her 'Casting' workshop on time. We were late last week because of the subway so we will likely be a half hour early today but that's okay.
This last couple of days have gone really quickly and don't ask me about specifics of what we've done. The 4 hours I have, in the morning, before Jen even appears just seem to vanish into thin air.
Speaking of Jen, I have to go wake her.
Little piece of info. Our neighbour is very nice.......but so are we. We shovelled his drive so that he could get his car in 2 days ago and yesterday, he had shovelled a wee bit and put down salt on our path and steps. Great to be neighbourly.
I have been into the bank and got the credit card somewhat sorted. Spoke to the manager, who was a lovely woman and who said she'd take care of the bonus money, making sure it went into my account asap and also advised that I'd be better applying for a different credit card and then transferring to the Tim Hortons one because it looked like my application had gone awol.
Oops-gotta run. May get back to add to this later....or not.
Love to all.
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
We are all running out the door this morning, to get Ali to her 'Casting' workshop on time. We were late last week because of the subway so we will likely be a half hour early today but that's okay.
This last couple of days have gone really quickly and don't ask me about specifics of what we've done. The 4 hours I have, in the morning, before Jen even appears just seem to vanish into thin air.
Speaking of Jen, I have to go wake her.
Little piece of info. Our neighbour is very nice.......but so are we. We shovelled his drive so that he could get his car in 2 days ago and yesterday, he had shovelled a wee bit and put down salt on our path and steps. Great to be neighbourly.
I have been into the bank and got the credit card somewhat sorted. Spoke to the manager, who was a lovely woman and who said she'd take care of the bonus money, making sure it went into my account asap and also advised that I'd be better applying for a different credit card and then transferring to the Tim Hortons one because it looked like my application had gone awol.
Oops-gotta run. May get back to add to this later....or not.
Love to all.
Lxx
Friday, 12 December 2014
Day 106.....a wee tiny one and there will be more tomorrow.
Day 106.....a wee tiny one and there will be more tomorrow.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It's late on Friday evening and it has been a VERY quick day, where I seem to have not done my usual lot of things.......including this blog
Jen and I went out for a hike to ikea. We decided to walk to the shuttle bus, which leaves from the subway station, 2 stops along from ours (we've done it before) and it was indeed an adventure with the amount of snow that has been snowploughed into the side of the streets. To get on the bus coming home, we had to climb a virtual mountain of the white stuff and there was a serious problem when a wheelchair user tried to get on and off, despite the wonderful helpful driver.
We failed in our mission to buy a Christmas tree because we decided that they were too big to bring in the bus. They also needed a base and ikea didn't sell any and so I went back inside and got a refund because it was cash up front, in the store. It would likely have made sense to have checked the trees out first but I really and truly thought that they would have been smaller for $20 with a free $20 voucher. Go figure. Everything is bigger in North America.
I have just realised that this blog is supposed to be about yesterday-lol and oh dear.
Mind has gone blank and so I will close and hopefully return to do a little blurb on Thursday and the rest of today, tomorrow.
Tee Hee and these early starts are messing up my brain by this time of night.
Much love,
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It's late on Friday evening and it has been a VERY quick day, where I seem to have not done my usual lot of things.......including this blog
Jen and I went out for a hike to ikea. We decided to walk to the shuttle bus, which leaves from the subway station, 2 stops along from ours (we've done it before) and it was indeed an adventure with the amount of snow that has been snowploughed into the side of the streets. To get on the bus coming home, we had to climb a virtual mountain of the white stuff and there was a serious problem when a wheelchair user tried to get on and off, despite the wonderful helpful driver.
We failed in our mission to buy a Christmas tree because we decided that they were too big to bring in the bus. They also needed a base and ikea didn't sell any and so I went back inside and got a refund because it was cash up front, in the store. It would likely have made sense to have checked the trees out first but I really and truly thought that they would have been smaller for $20 with a free $20 voucher. Go figure. Everything is bigger in North America.
I have just realised that this blog is supposed to be about yesterday-lol and oh dear.
Mind has gone blank and so I will close and hopefully return to do a little blurb on Thursday and the rest of today, tomorrow.
Tee Hee and these early starts are messing up my brain by this time of night.
Much love,
Lxx
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Day 105........what a day.
Day 105........what a day.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
The snow had returned and with it some sense of my motivation. Yesterdays blog (or lack of it) was simply a refection on months of 'kidding' myself that I was great, catching up with me. I haven't been fibbing consciously, though and I know that most of the time I have been trusting that I am here for a reason-honest. I think that what happened, over the last couple of days, was an outward display of the anxiety that has tried to show itself over the last one hundred and six days. My constant refusal to acknowledge it got kicked into touch, with the help of some Bach Agrimony which allows you to feel what you are meant to feel-EEK. Sometimes I do my job too well but then again, sometimes I don't walk-my-walk with myself at all otherwise I would be able to say I was feeling anxious rather than pretend that I wasn't-right?
So, yesterday was an indoor day and after I had bawled my way through my meditation, I discovered that my lovely pal Audrey was on the other end of skype and so we connected. Initially. her questions were simple answered with tears but as the call progressed, she had me giggling as she always can, about the absurdity of trying to be anything other than what and who we are. She and I have been great buddies since we did our Reiki training together and we laugh about whether we're the only sane or insane people in the room, sometimes.
That wonderful woman had an email waiting for me to open this morning, to motivate me to move forward with all the plans we talked through yesterday. Thanks pal-looking at the snow outside, it may be an indoor day again and I will make a list.
I am a list-person and it shocked me to realise that I haven't made one in weeks. I never get anything done unless I have a list-yikes. Today, I will make a list.
After my skype call and some lunch, Jen and I made a wee start on our Christmas decorations. I will try to post some pics of them on FB for you to see. Jen's great at art and did some snowmen and Christmas trees and I did some tiny crochet scarves for pine cones....wait and see.
A day at home made me realise how cold the house is during the day. We wrapped up but by the time evening came, neither of us could get warm, despite snuggling together under the fluffy blanket. We may have to notch up the heating if we are going to be home as our fingers need to be able to function-lol.
Alison spends her days in a nice warm school then a daycare so she couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
Jen and I nipped down to the shop and back, for rolls for Ali's lunches. Brrr. It was pre-snow but it was still very chilly. I joked 'who needs botox' when we were nearly home (It's a 50 min round trip walk) because my face was frozen with the wind-chill.
And so it is another day and I will see what today brings. I may have to fight my way into the garage to see if there's a snow-shovel. I may build a snowman. I have to go buy milk and I have to make a list.
And a wee fact to finish this blog. Our street has streetlamps only on one side. Jens observation, not mine.
Much love,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
The snow had returned and with it some sense of my motivation. Yesterdays blog (or lack of it) was simply a refection on months of 'kidding' myself that I was great, catching up with me. I haven't been fibbing consciously, though and I know that most of the time I have been trusting that I am here for a reason-honest. I think that what happened, over the last couple of days, was an outward display of the anxiety that has tried to show itself over the last one hundred and six days. My constant refusal to acknowledge it got kicked into touch, with the help of some Bach Agrimony which allows you to feel what you are meant to feel-EEK. Sometimes I do my job too well but then again, sometimes I don't walk-my-walk with myself at all otherwise I would be able to say I was feeling anxious rather than pretend that I wasn't-right?
So, yesterday was an indoor day and after I had bawled my way through my meditation, I discovered that my lovely pal Audrey was on the other end of skype and so we connected. Initially. her questions were simple answered with tears but as the call progressed, she had me giggling as she always can, about the absurdity of trying to be anything other than what and who we are. She and I have been great buddies since we did our Reiki training together and we laugh about whether we're the only sane or insane people in the room, sometimes.
That wonderful woman had an email waiting for me to open this morning, to motivate me to move forward with all the plans we talked through yesterday. Thanks pal-looking at the snow outside, it may be an indoor day again and I will make a list.
I am a list-person and it shocked me to realise that I haven't made one in weeks. I never get anything done unless I have a list-yikes. Today, I will make a list.
After my skype call and some lunch, Jen and I made a wee start on our Christmas decorations. I will try to post some pics of them on FB for you to see. Jen's great at art and did some snowmen and Christmas trees and I did some tiny crochet scarves for pine cones....wait and see.
A day at home made me realise how cold the house is during the day. We wrapped up but by the time evening came, neither of us could get warm, despite snuggling together under the fluffy blanket. We may have to notch up the heating if we are going to be home as our fingers need to be able to function-lol.
Alison spends her days in a nice warm school then a daycare so she couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.
Jen and I nipped down to the shop and back, for rolls for Ali's lunches. Brrr. It was pre-snow but it was still very chilly. I joked 'who needs botox' when we were nearly home (It's a 50 min round trip walk) because my face was frozen with the wind-chill.
And so it is another day and I will see what today brings. I may have to fight my way into the garage to see if there's a snow-shovel. I may build a snowman. I have to go buy milk and I have to make a list.
And a wee fact to finish this blog. Our street has streetlamps only on one side. Jens observation, not mine.
Much love,
Lxxx
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
Day 104......and 'flat'
Day 104......and 'flat'
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
And after the laughter came sadness and after the sadness came 'flatness' and isn't it wonderful how your emotions can play havoc with your days.
Yesterday, I felt that familiar approach of 'flatness', which is where I go, when I am being protective of my sanity. I hide there for a while, till I'm ready to face whatever emotions need to be faced. I am neither up not down....just 'flat'
Yesterday, I made it to the library but wasn't very effective in the 'writing' department. My screenplay wasn't open, on the laptop-I blame Ai'-and I didn't feel like backtracking to find out how to get into it. It's a website, for help with writing screenplays and it's been open since I began my writing of it so finding my way into it may take some effort.
I did complete a Bach consult and did several other useful little pieces of writing, so I will focus on that being positive rather than my lack of Screenplay writing being negative.
Actually, I'm so flat today that I don't even feel like writing this so I will close. No point in trying to swim against the tide.
Much love to you all and perhaps my mojo will return by tomorrow.
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
And after the laughter came sadness and after the sadness came 'flatness' and isn't it wonderful how your emotions can play havoc with your days.
Yesterday, I felt that familiar approach of 'flatness', which is where I go, when I am being protective of my sanity. I hide there for a while, till I'm ready to face whatever emotions need to be faced. I am neither up not down....just 'flat'
Yesterday, I made it to the library but wasn't very effective in the 'writing' department. My screenplay wasn't open, on the laptop-I blame Ai'-and I didn't feel like backtracking to find out how to get into it. It's a website, for help with writing screenplays and it's been open since I began my writing of it so finding my way into it may take some effort.
I did complete a Bach consult and did several other useful little pieces of writing, so I will focus on that being positive rather than my lack of Screenplay writing being negative.
Actually, I'm so flat today that I don't even feel like writing this so I will close. No point in trying to swim against the tide.
Much love to you all and perhaps my mojo will return by tomorrow.
Lxx
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
Day 103.......a wee bit sad.
Day 103.......a wee bit sad.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
As one friend told me this morning, in reply to my sad email sent last night, I have been rather brave about all this 'Toronto adventure-stuff' and I suppose it could be looked at that way.
I haven't for the most part felt that it was brave because I haven't felt like I needed more courage. Rather I've felt like it is just the next bit of my journey and have trusted that it's all leading where it's meant to.
Jen and I watched the movie 'Christmas with the Kanks' and we were laughing so hard that Ali commented on it when she appeared from downstairs, after her homework was done. I did some serious guffawing, so much so that Jen filmed me (covertly) at one point. Billy and Andrew Denham.....you know how that film will look-lol. Sometimes my funny bone gets so tickled that I can't reel it in and I am smiling as I remember how much I laughed. I love Tim Allen and will watch anything he's in. There's a sitcom called Last Man Standing that he's in and I lol all the time at him. Whilst it's not as funny a show as Home Improvement was, it's still fantastic.
Oh, yes, back to my sadness and you'll be confused because I just told you that I was laughing my head off last night. But, then came the sadness and that is the risk you take when you open your heart up to the good old Belly-laugh, my friends.
In the movie, the mum mentions that it will be the first Christmas in twenty three years that their daughter won't be with them (this is not a spoiler-she leaves pretty much in the opening scene) and, after my laughter had settled down, those words began to sink deeper and deeper into my heart. The awareness of this being the first Christmas in twenty three years, that I will spend apart from Bill began to grow and I sent him an email to tell him that I was struggling a wee bit and wished he was beside me on the couch. As I typed it on my phone, I began to quietly 'leak' and Ali noticed. (hawk eyes-I had my specs on and thought she wouldn't notice) Whilst I don't mind the girls seeing me cry, I didn't want Ali to feel responsible in any way, shape or form for my sadness and so I went to the loo, in pretense of needing a pee and sent a wee sos to the friend mentioned at the beginning of the email, to send me some Reiki, which she did.....and it is probably the reason why I feel much better this morning.
I know Ali will scan this and find her name and read this and so Alison Denham, please know that dad and I are completely on board with this move and we are happy that you have made us take action because we may never have gotten around to coming back here to 'try-it-out'. Life just happens (at an alarming rate sometimes) and we may have found ourselves ten years from now, still pondering a move or twenty years from now, wishing we'd tried living here.
Yesterday mornings visit with Ross began with us talking about the difficulties of being apart from those we love and I acknowledged how lucky I was, being able to be able to chat with Bill, at the drop of a hat (we chatted on Skype yesterday) For those who find themselves unable to connect so easily, or at all, with their loved ones, my love goes out to you. Perhaps it was a little reminder, for me, that I do have it pretty good and that flipsides of happiness and sadness go hand in hand. I have worked so hard to feel happiness and so I accespt my sadness for what it is and I know that it will pass. Ali asked me why I didn't just take my remedies last night, to stop the sadness and I told her that I wanted to sit with it till today. She didn't get that and I understand why. I'm forever telling her, if she wants to feel better, to take her remedies. So I may have lost her, for now, with remedies because I told her that I would nag her no more.
Sorry if todays Blog is a bit of a downer, folks.
On a cheerier note, it was a great day overall. I walked home (an hour plus) from Ross' and Jen met me approx' half way. We picked up pine cones, with the aim of using them for Christmas decor and had lunch to Once-upon-a-Time. I had to fill Jen in on two seasons worth of character news-lol.
She and I popped out to the bank and the library, when Ali went to work. I forgot to go to the Wine Store and so I nipped along after dinner and dishes and hand-washing Ali's Christmas sweater and making soup and.....it was busy from dinner till eight fifteen.
When I got to the checkout in the LCBO (wine shop) I opened my bag to find no purse. Groan. I laughed and tilted my purse so the girls could see inside 'I have forgotten my purse' I said and then I told her that I'd nip home for it. She must have thought I was bonkers because they call a handbag a purse here. So basically, I showed her my purse whilst telling her that I had left my purse at home-tee hee. And so I nipped home and got my wallet (Canadian for Purse) which had been left on the kitchen counter. I was wondering whether it might be a sign for me not to have a glass or two last night but I bought and drank the wine anyhoo.
The reason that my wallet was not in my purse was because I had been booking a workshop for Ali and needed a credit card. It's a three hour workshop with a Canadian Casting Director and follows on through the company who did the seminar last Saturday. Hopefully it will be very helpful for her.
Jen finally got her credit card but there is no sign of mine having even been applied for. I am going to go into the bank again this week and ask to see the manager and perhaps I'll get an answer or two. Her credit card had lights on it. You press one button for using the visa and the other button to use your Tim Horton points. Absolutely amazing and yet so unnecessary. Not sure that I like these 'wave it and buy it' cards.....mmm? Her card also has her name as Denham Jennifer. It answers the question of why the bank keep sending her emails with 'Dear Denham' on them-lol.
Right, my stomach is growling and I need to go eat some breakfast. I am pondering the library and feel I ought to go because it's been a few days away from the screenplay. I'm at a difficult bit and avoidance is not a good tactic for getting through it.
Much love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
As one friend told me this morning, in reply to my sad email sent last night, I have been rather brave about all this 'Toronto adventure-stuff' and I suppose it could be looked at that way.
I haven't for the most part felt that it was brave because I haven't felt like I needed more courage. Rather I've felt like it is just the next bit of my journey and have trusted that it's all leading where it's meant to.
Jen and I watched the movie 'Christmas with the Kanks' and we were laughing so hard that Ali commented on it when she appeared from downstairs, after her homework was done. I did some serious guffawing, so much so that Jen filmed me (covertly) at one point. Billy and Andrew Denham.....you know how that film will look-lol. Sometimes my funny bone gets so tickled that I can't reel it in and I am smiling as I remember how much I laughed. I love Tim Allen and will watch anything he's in. There's a sitcom called Last Man Standing that he's in and I lol all the time at him. Whilst it's not as funny a show as Home Improvement was, it's still fantastic.
Oh, yes, back to my sadness and you'll be confused because I just told you that I was laughing my head off last night. But, then came the sadness and that is the risk you take when you open your heart up to the good old Belly-laugh, my friends.
In the movie, the mum mentions that it will be the first Christmas in twenty three years that their daughter won't be with them (this is not a spoiler-she leaves pretty much in the opening scene) and, after my laughter had settled down, those words began to sink deeper and deeper into my heart. The awareness of this being the first Christmas in twenty three years, that I will spend apart from Bill began to grow and I sent him an email to tell him that I was struggling a wee bit and wished he was beside me on the couch. As I typed it on my phone, I began to quietly 'leak' and Ali noticed. (hawk eyes-I had my specs on and thought she wouldn't notice) Whilst I don't mind the girls seeing me cry, I didn't want Ali to feel responsible in any way, shape or form for my sadness and so I went to the loo, in pretense of needing a pee and sent a wee sos to the friend mentioned at the beginning of the email, to send me some Reiki, which she did.....and it is probably the reason why I feel much better this morning.
I know Ali will scan this and find her name and read this and so Alison Denham, please know that dad and I are completely on board with this move and we are happy that you have made us take action because we may never have gotten around to coming back here to 'try-it-out'. Life just happens (at an alarming rate sometimes) and we may have found ourselves ten years from now, still pondering a move or twenty years from now, wishing we'd tried living here.
Yesterday mornings visit with Ross began with us talking about the difficulties of being apart from those we love and I acknowledged how lucky I was, being able to be able to chat with Bill, at the drop of a hat (we chatted on Skype yesterday) For those who find themselves unable to connect so easily, or at all, with their loved ones, my love goes out to you. Perhaps it was a little reminder, for me, that I do have it pretty good and that flipsides of happiness and sadness go hand in hand. I have worked so hard to feel happiness and so I accespt my sadness for what it is and I know that it will pass. Ali asked me why I didn't just take my remedies last night, to stop the sadness and I told her that I wanted to sit with it till today. She didn't get that and I understand why. I'm forever telling her, if she wants to feel better, to take her remedies. So I may have lost her, for now, with remedies because I told her that I would nag her no more.
Sorry if todays Blog is a bit of a downer, folks.
On a cheerier note, it was a great day overall. I walked home (an hour plus) from Ross' and Jen met me approx' half way. We picked up pine cones, with the aim of using them for Christmas decor and had lunch to Once-upon-a-Time. I had to fill Jen in on two seasons worth of character news-lol.
She and I popped out to the bank and the library, when Ali went to work. I forgot to go to the Wine Store and so I nipped along after dinner and dishes and hand-washing Ali's Christmas sweater and making soup and.....it was busy from dinner till eight fifteen.
When I got to the checkout in the LCBO (wine shop) I opened my bag to find no purse. Groan. I laughed and tilted my purse so the girls could see inside 'I have forgotten my purse' I said and then I told her that I'd nip home for it. She must have thought I was bonkers because they call a handbag a purse here. So basically, I showed her my purse whilst telling her that I had left my purse at home-tee hee. And so I nipped home and got my wallet (Canadian for Purse) which had been left on the kitchen counter. I was wondering whether it might be a sign for me not to have a glass or two last night but I bought and drank the wine anyhoo.
The reason that my wallet was not in my purse was because I had been booking a workshop for Ali and needed a credit card. It's a three hour workshop with a Canadian Casting Director and follows on through the company who did the seminar last Saturday. Hopefully it will be very helpful for her.
Jen finally got her credit card but there is no sign of mine having even been applied for. I am going to go into the bank again this week and ask to see the manager and perhaps I'll get an answer or two. Her credit card had lights on it. You press one button for using the visa and the other button to use your Tim Horton points. Absolutely amazing and yet so unnecessary. Not sure that I like these 'wave it and buy it' cards.....mmm? Her card also has her name as Denham Jennifer. It answers the question of why the bank keep sending her emails with 'Dear Denham' on them-lol.
Right, my stomach is growling and I need to go eat some breakfast. I am pondering the library and feel I ought to go because it's been a few days away from the screenplay. I'm at a difficult bit and avoidance is not a good tactic for getting through it.
Much love to all,
Lxxx
Monday, 8 December 2014
Day 102.........didn't step out the door.
Day 102.........didn't step out the door.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I can't even tell you what the temperature was outside, yesterday because I didn't check it. I didn't need to as we spent the day indoors. I can tell you that by mid afternoon, it was feeling a bit chilly indoors though but we are 'troopers' and just layered-up. Jen is struggling a wee bit with the temperature drop but she'll adapt. She had to get very snuggled-up by the time we watched our Christmas movie, after dinner.
I was wearing my new slippers that Jen gave me, when she returned from B.C, last week and they are lovely and toasty, especially with two pairs of socks on. I also had wooly tights under my jeans and a big hoodie on and so I was feeling very comfortable, despite the cool indoors. I may have to change the settings on the heating, if we are going to be in during the day, though but maybe not.
Laundry gets done on the weekend because the energy is cheaper. Yesterday, I ran out of room on the dryer, for the two loads I did. Ali and my laundry fitted on it grand but I will have to rejig the way I hang things, if I continue to do just one load of whites and one load of darks each week, on the same day.
A bit of me is glad that the dryer downstairs isn't the greatest. Oh, it dries the clothes quickly but it makes them very wrinkly and I don't like to iron so I treat the laundry in the same way as back home and I 'snap and hang' it.
I still have a Christmas sweater to hand wash, for Ali'. She bought it in a second hand store and wants it freshened-up. I daren't stick it in the washer in case it gets ruined. It's one of those sweaters that is so 'bad' that it is totally awesome.
I had plans for making some Christmas decorations but they didn't materialise, mainly because the girls were caught-up all afternoon doing a project for Ali's Film class. It sounded like they had fun, filming Ali' skyping her friends to make a 60 second movie about forgotten promises.....that of 'keeping in touch' I actually teared-up when they showed me the finished product.
Whilst they were busy, I kept myself occupied editing some stuff and posting another column, which seems to have disappeared in the same way that last weeks has. Not great and I have emailed the website for some help. Hopefully they will tell me that it's something simple and that the postings are there or at least tell me how not to lose the next one.
We got an invitation to Marys (my 'boss' or Ross' wife........so you can place her) for an early supper on Christmas Eve, which it took me ages to reply to. I found it really difficult to find the right words to decline her very kind offer. I realised that I didn't want to upset her or think badly of us which is something that I thought I'd gotten better at. Actually, I have gotten better because I would have been unable to refuse the invite at several points in the past. I won't go into that here but I do sense another Bach blog on Agrimony-lol.
Did I tell you that I bought a beautiful Poinsetta? Oh, it's gorgeous and healthy and is making the house a tiny wee bit Christmassy. If its leaves were stronger, I would just hang my few little decorations on it.
Ikea has a (real) tree for $20 which comes with a $20 voucher and so I think Jen and I will head there this week and get one. The $20 voucher will pay for some lights/decorations to put on it and I have a few little ornaments that people have already gifted us.
Jen wants a fluffy blanket for Christmas (I wonder why?) and has her eye on one of the 'better' Ikea ones and so the trip will be twofold. I still need to get a potato masher, to mash the spuds on Christmas so I'm hoping that Ikea have such a thing.
We still don't know what our schedule will look like on Christmas day........a first. It will all depend on what Andrews plans are. I've told him that he can make all his plans and to just let us know if and when he'll manage over for Chritmas dinner. It will be a very quiet, hopefully, hugely peaceful Christmas day.
And I need to close, it's Monday and I am off to work-yippeeee. Yet again, I am grateful to be feeling this way on the morning that most folk wish their weekend was longer.
Much love to all and I wish you all the ability to slow down this week and not get yourselves all caught up in the 'must do's' that so often spoil the run up to Christmas.
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I can't even tell you what the temperature was outside, yesterday because I didn't check it. I didn't need to as we spent the day indoors. I can tell you that by mid afternoon, it was feeling a bit chilly indoors though but we are 'troopers' and just layered-up. Jen is struggling a wee bit with the temperature drop but she'll adapt. She had to get very snuggled-up by the time we watched our Christmas movie, after dinner.
I was wearing my new slippers that Jen gave me, when she returned from B.C, last week and they are lovely and toasty, especially with two pairs of socks on. I also had wooly tights under my jeans and a big hoodie on and so I was feeling very comfortable, despite the cool indoors. I may have to change the settings on the heating, if we are going to be in during the day, though but maybe not.
Laundry gets done on the weekend because the energy is cheaper. Yesterday, I ran out of room on the dryer, for the two loads I did. Ali and my laundry fitted on it grand but I will have to rejig the way I hang things, if I continue to do just one load of whites and one load of darks each week, on the same day.
A bit of me is glad that the dryer downstairs isn't the greatest. Oh, it dries the clothes quickly but it makes them very wrinkly and I don't like to iron so I treat the laundry in the same way as back home and I 'snap and hang' it.
I still have a Christmas sweater to hand wash, for Ali'. She bought it in a second hand store and wants it freshened-up. I daren't stick it in the washer in case it gets ruined. It's one of those sweaters that is so 'bad' that it is totally awesome.
I had plans for making some Christmas decorations but they didn't materialise, mainly because the girls were caught-up all afternoon doing a project for Ali's Film class. It sounded like they had fun, filming Ali' skyping her friends to make a 60 second movie about forgotten promises.....that of 'keeping in touch' I actually teared-up when they showed me the finished product.
Whilst they were busy, I kept myself occupied editing some stuff and posting another column, which seems to have disappeared in the same way that last weeks has. Not great and I have emailed the website for some help. Hopefully they will tell me that it's something simple and that the postings are there or at least tell me how not to lose the next one.
We got an invitation to Marys (my 'boss' or Ross' wife........so you can place her) for an early supper on Christmas Eve, which it took me ages to reply to. I found it really difficult to find the right words to decline her very kind offer. I realised that I didn't want to upset her or think badly of us which is something that I thought I'd gotten better at. Actually, I have gotten better because I would have been unable to refuse the invite at several points in the past. I won't go into that here but I do sense another Bach blog on Agrimony-lol.
Did I tell you that I bought a beautiful Poinsetta? Oh, it's gorgeous and healthy and is making the house a tiny wee bit Christmassy. If its leaves were stronger, I would just hang my few little decorations on it.
Ikea has a (real) tree for $20 which comes with a $20 voucher and so I think Jen and I will head there this week and get one. The $20 voucher will pay for some lights/decorations to put on it and I have a few little ornaments that people have already gifted us.
Jen wants a fluffy blanket for Christmas (I wonder why?) and has her eye on one of the 'better' Ikea ones and so the trip will be twofold. I still need to get a potato masher, to mash the spuds on Christmas so I'm hoping that Ikea have such a thing.
We still don't know what our schedule will look like on Christmas day........a first. It will all depend on what Andrews plans are. I've told him that he can make all his plans and to just let us know if and when he'll manage over for Chritmas dinner. It will be a very quiet, hopefully, hugely peaceful Christmas day.
And I need to close, it's Monday and I am off to work-yippeeee. Yet again, I am grateful to be feeling this way on the morning that most folk wish their weekend was longer.
Much love to all and I wish you all the ability to slow down this week and not get yourselves all caught up in the 'must do's' that so often spoil the run up to Christmas.
Lxxxx
Sunday, 7 December 2014
Day 101.......a lovely day out with my girls.
Day 101.......a lovely day out with my girls.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday got off to an early start because we had to be across at the other side of Toronto by 10.45. Unfortunately, despite out best efforts to get out the door, almost on time, we were late in getting to Alisons Seminar. Not completely our fault, the subway was out of commission and we had to get a bus along a stretch, with traffic, that doubled the time it would have normally taken. Oh well.
I had hoped that Jen and I could just leave Ali' to it but was told that I had to stay because she was under age-Groan. And I did groan and grump and was not a happy bunny at having to do something that I didn't want to do. Alison begged me to 'get over it' with her expression but it still took me ten to fifteen minutes to process my emotions and settle into actually enjoying all the information that the very entertaining tutor was throwing out our way.
There was a moment when it just 'felt' like it was too much effort to stay annoyed and I let it go......thank goodness or Ali would never have forgiven me.
It was a seminar about the acting business and getting an agent, headshots, auditions etc and it really was a mountain of good information......and it was free.
As a tutor myself, I know that it's a great way to get business, to give free talks to inspire people to then sign up for your product. These two guys did a great job of selling their product and Ali is going to go along to a 'paid' workshop next weekend. And then we shall see. The feedback she got for her little 'casting' practice, was great but they did pick up intantly on her accent an whilst they assured her that it's a great thing to have in her 'skills-box', for lots of roles, she'll need to be able to convince the audience that she's North American. And so we need to think about a dialect coach.
It's all money money money but, you know what, it's her career. It's what she wants to do and the wee soul is willing to work every day after school to pay for all that she needs to do, to be able to act for a living (a VERY good living, if I know Ali')
This particular 'school' was recommended by a school-pal, who got herself an agent and now is getting good work through them. And so we shall see where this journey takes her and I will keep writing and I will let you know when she lands her first paid job.
After the Seminar, we headed up to Five guys for lunch because we were all very hungry by one forty-five. We felt much better after the food and we headed off in separate directions, to shop. The girls wanted to go to Forever XX1 and I opted out due to the fact that I have spent many an hour in there with Ali', over the past eight weeks. I headed down to the TK Max equivelant, down the street and spent some nice time there just looking around and I did pick up some teeny weeny Christmas crackers, napkins and a little box of liquer choc's for Ross.
The girls headed down to meet me, to go to the three-forty showing of Hunger Games at a wee theatre on Front Street, which brough back memories of one of our Toronto vacations, when we'd gone to see Madagascar there, with Bill and Andrew. The apartment we'd stayed in was just around the corner and we passed the grocery store we'd shopped in most days.
Living in a city, where you used to come for vacation, after you used to live there, seems a bit strange when you say it out loud....or write it down.
After the movie, which we all loved, we wandered up to City Hall, to see the tree and lights and the ice-rink. A wee bit of a disappointment, I have to say. The tree on the Mound in Edinburgh and it's Winter Wonderland, look far more beautiful than what we saw in the middle of Toronto last night.
Dinner was extremely late and there was a little bit of protesting from Jen. She and I had headed down for the groceries, after dropping Ali' in to put the Lasagne in the oven and picking up shopping-bags. Even after shopping, the lasagne still had forty-five minutes till it was ready. Good job we had our lunch late. Even for Ali and I, who have been eating late on our TTC day-pass day, nine o' clock was a bit late for dinner. However, we enjoyed it and then sat down to watch our Christmas movie. Not a well-known one but a feel good, predictable one which made us all smile.
And so, to bed for me, leaving my girls up and about as mothers of young adults are want to do. And now it is morning and I have been up since my usual time. In fact, a bit earlier than usual because I had a very 'real' dream and didn't see the point in going back to sleep after it woke me up. So, my meditation is done, my affirmations are done, my inspirational reading is done, my emails are checked, FB is checked and I am now finished this.......and its nine-eleven. I probably have another couple of hours before I see either of the girls....what will I do?
Have a great Sunday Folks,
Much love,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday got off to an early start because we had to be across at the other side of Toronto by 10.45. Unfortunately, despite out best efforts to get out the door, almost on time, we were late in getting to Alisons Seminar. Not completely our fault, the subway was out of commission and we had to get a bus along a stretch, with traffic, that doubled the time it would have normally taken. Oh well.
I had hoped that Jen and I could just leave Ali' to it but was told that I had to stay because she was under age-Groan. And I did groan and grump and was not a happy bunny at having to do something that I didn't want to do. Alison begged me to 'get over it' with her expression but it still took me ten to fifteen minutes to process my emotions and settle into actually enjoying all the information that the very entertaining tutor was throwing out our way.
There was a moment when it just 'felt' like it was too much effort to stay annoyed and I let it go......thank goodness or Ali would never have forgiven me.
It was a seminar about the acting business and getting an agent, headshots, auditions etc and it really was a mountain of good information......and it was free.
As a tutor myself, I know that it's a great way to get business, to give free talks to inspire people to then sign up for your product. These two guys did a great job of selling their product and Ali is going to go along to a 'paid' workshop next weekend. And then we shall see. The feedback she got for her little 'casting' practice, was great but they did pick up intantly on her accent an whilst they assured her that it's a great thing to have in her 'skills-box', for lots of roles, she'll need to be able to convince the audience that she's North American. And so we need to think about a dialect coach.
It's all money money money but, you know what, it's her career. It's what she wants to do and the wee soul is willing to work every day after school to pay for all that she needs to do, to be able to act for a living (a VERY good living, if I know Ali')
This particular 'school' was recommended by a school-pal, who got herself an agent and now is getting good work through them. And so we shall see where this journey takes her and I will keep writing and I will let you know when she lands her first paid job.
After the Seminar, we headed up to Five guys for lunch because we were all very hungry by one forty-five. We felt much better after the food and we headed off in separate directions, to shop. The girls wanted to go to Forever XX1 and I opted out due to the fact that I have spent many an hour in there with Ali', over the past eight weeks. I headed down to the TK Max equivelant, down the street and spent some nice time there just looking around and I did pick up some teeny weeny Christmas crackers, napkins and a little box of liquer choc's for Ross.
The girls headed down to meet me, to go to the three-forty showing of Hunger Games at a wee theatre on Front Street, which brough back memories of one of our Toronto vacations, when we'd gone to see Madagascar there, with Bill and Andrew. The apartment we'd stayed in was just around the corner and we passed the grocery store we'd shopped in most days.
Living in a city, where you used to come for vacation, after you used to live there, seems a bit strange when you say it out loud....or write it down.
After the movie, which we all loved, we wandered up to City Hall, to see the tree and lights and the ice-rink. A wee bit of a disappointment, I have to say. The tree on the Mound in Edinburgh and it's Winter Wonderland, look far more beautiful than what we saw in the middle of Toronto last night.
Dinner was extremely late and there was a little bit of protesting from Jen. She and I had headed down for the groceries, after dropping Ali' in to put the Lasagne in the oven and picking up shopping-bags. Even after shopping, the lasagne still had forty-five minutes till it was ready. Good job we had our lunch late. Even for Ali and I, who have been eating late on our TTC day-pass day, nine o' clock was a bit late for dinner. However, we enjoyed it and then sat down to watch our Christmas movie. Not a well-known one but a feel good, predictable one which made us all smile.
And so, to bed for me, leaving my girls up and about as mothers of young adults are want to do. And now it is morning and I have been up since my usual time. In fact, a bit earlier than usual because I had a very 'real' dream and didn't see the point in going back to sleep after it woke me up. So, my meditation is done, my affirmations are done, my inspirational reading is done, my emails are checked, FB is checked and I am now finished this.......and its nine-eleven. I probably have another couple of hours before I see either of the girls....what will I do?
Have a great Sunday Folks,
Much love,
Lxxx
Saturday, 6 December 2014
Day 100………..EEK.
Day 100………..EEK.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I can’t believe that we have been here 101 days (my blog is
a day behind) although in some ways it feels like we have always been here.
How great is it that I am still writing this blog daily,
after one hundred days? So very proud of myself for sticking with it. Writing
the blog is mainly for Bill, so that he knows what we are getting up to and how
I’m feeling but I am glad that some of you dip in and out occasionally to see
what’s happening over here.
I spent a bit of yesterday writing another blog for a fantastic
website which is like a holistic directory….and more. You can find it over on www.theworldofhealth.co.uk/blog
You will find some other blogs there and Eileen who runs the site is keen for
others to send her their information in blog format, for her to share on the
site. Get writing folks, if you have a holistic passion of some sort.
Alison informed me that she didn’t like when I wrote about
the Bach Flower remedies in here. ‘It’s boring’ to her. It prompted the emergence
of another difference between my two girls. Ali ‘skims’ the blog, to see if her
name is there and reads that bit. Jen loves to read the whole thing. I wish I
could be a ‘skim’ reader but I am definitely more of a ‘need to read it all’
person. Now that doesn’t mean that Jen can’t ‘skim’ read (what is the official
term for that?) it just means that she choses not to, for this blog.
The house was cold yesterday-Brrr. Alison was off school for
an in-service (they call it a P.A day here and don’t ask me what it stands for
because I haven’t thought about it as being important as I know the
translation) We curled under blankets and I did my meditation under my duvet,
only to be shocked at the coldness of downstairs, afterwards. I had to run back
upstairs and put on woolly tights under my yoga pants and another sweater on. How
on earth do the homeless cope? I watch a lady, outside the Shoppers Drug,
around the corner and I just shiver at the thought of sitting there. I suppose
(and this is not minimizing the plight of the homeless.) that your body does
adapt to lower temperatures. My father-in-laws house can be pretty darn cold in
the winter, if you arrive there unexpected because he doesn’t feel the cold as
much as we do. When Bill and I lived with him, when Andrew was a baby, there
was not heating upstairs and we used to put Andrew to bed in a hat-eek. A
definite no-no and I was a paediatric nurse-lol.
Back to Etobicoke and Ali worked an extra hour yesterday at
the Day Care. She’s going to work some extra hours during school holidays too.
I love her stories about the little people although some of them make me sad to
think that these small humans have to spend such long days without their
parents.
Andrew came for Pizza and we watched the movie ‘The Rise of
the Guardians’. Initially, I was not too sure of Andrews Christmas choice because
it didn’t sound very ‘Christmassy’ to me but it was fantastic. It wasn’t about
Christmas but it had Santa in it so it did qualify and it was fun.
It was lovely to have my three kids in the one room and to
see the way that they get along. Also funny to see them all with their noses in
their phones, at one point. Ah the joys of family-time in 2014. That said, I
know that I am lucky that they will sit and watch a movie together in the same
room and have some laughter and conversation together with their mum.
Righty ho. It is our day of ‘out-and-about’ today and so I
will close. I did manage to prise myself out of bed at 6.50 but have failed to
have my meditation done before waking Ali. We are heading out for ten because
Ali has a drama workshop across town at eleven. There is some indication that
Jen and I may have to stay but I am hopeful NOT. We plan to go see Hunger
Games, whilst 'oot' and there may be some shopping, if I know my girls.
Love to all and I hope that you all have a wonderful
weekend.
Lxxx
Friday, 5 December 2014
Day 99..........a lovely one with Jen.
Day 99..........a lovely one with Jen.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I had someone to talk to, yesterday.......my beautiful Jen is home. She and I sat side by side on the sofa, for a large part of the day and evening and it was good to feel her presence. Whilst I haven't 'missed' her, in the sense that I was unhappy with her being gone, I am happy to have her home.
She brings a different energy into the house and it was fantastic to see my girls chat, chat, laugh, chat, last night. Of course, Ali' does most of the chat and Jen has very patient ears.
They are very different, my two girls and that is an amazing thing to see, as a parent. I suppose my sister and I have very different exteriors but I suspect that we are much more similar in the depths of our souls than even I imagine. Perhaps it is the same with Ali and Jen.
Remember all my complaining about Ali's suitcase from NYC? Well, Jen's is empty and out of sight and has been since yesterday afternoon. Maybe a little bit of that side of her could rub off on her sister?
So, there's not much to report. I spent my day writing but not in the book-sense. I wrote a couple of blogs and I'm 'up-to-something' which I may or may not reveal in here-lol.
I also did bits of a couple of online consults-yipee and hope that the remedies quickly help the recipients.
Todays job is to write a Christmas blog for a wee competition. It's a promotional thing as well and will be posted on www.theworldofhealth.co.uk at some point. I will try to post a link to it once it's done. Eileen, who runs the site has also kindly offered a free advert for Dec, for www.bachflowerconsultsonline.com which may bring in some new clients.
And so, I open my heart up to helping others again and it feels like it is singing. I have been happy enough, till now but it feels like there is a lot of wonderful things coming my way for 2015 and that the last three months of 'healing' rest were necessary.
Christmas movies have begun, with Jens return and I imagine that we'll manage to find enough to fill this December month. This is one tradition we don't miss the boys in-lol.
Andrew is coming over for Pizza, after work and so we will have to put on an Andrew-friendly Christmas movie. We better let him choose.
The girls are still in bed at ten-thirty (Ali has a day off school) and my tummy is growling because I have tried to be quiet and not rattle around in the kitchen for breakfast. I think that I will have to risk it, once this is posted or it will be home-made soup for brunch.
I slept in till eight-thirty. It was unplanned but I didn't set the alarm and it happened. Must have needed it. Getting up at six-forty five on weekdays is okay but I'm not sure if I will manage my aim of moving it back to six-thirty, in an attempt to get my meditation done before Ali gets up. MMMm? Maybe in 2015.
Right folks. I'm off to eat and then to do my other blog.
Have a wonderful weekend. Ours holds shopping and a workshop (drama) for Ali and I suspect some Christmas crafts, to decorate this home.
Much love to all.
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I had someone to talk to, yesterday.......my beautiful Jen is home. She and I sat side by side on the sofa, for a large part of the day and evening and it was good to feel her presence. Whilst I haven't 'missed' her, in the sense that I was unhappy with her being gone, I am happy to have her home.
She brings a different energy into the house and it was fantastic to see my girls chat, chat, laugh, chat, last night. Of course, Ali' does most of the chat and Jen has very patient ears.
They are very different, my two girls and that is an amazing thing to see, as a parent. I suppose my sister and I have very different exteriors but I suspect that we are much more similar in the depths of our souls than even I imagine. Perhaps it is the same with Ali and Jen.
Remember all my complaining about Ali's suitcase from NYC? Well, Jen's is empty and out of sight and has been since yesterday afternoon. Maybe a little bit of that side of her could rub off on her sister?
So, there's not much to report. I spent my day writing but not in the book-sense. I wrote a couple of blogs and I'm 'up-to-something' which I may or may not reveal in here-lol.
I also did bits of a couple of online consults-yipee and hope that the remedies quickly help the recipients.
Todays job is to write a Christmas blog for a wee competition. It's a promotional thing as well and will be posted on www.theworldofhealth.co.uk at some point. I will try to post a link to it once it's done. Eileen, who runs the site has also kindly offered a free advert for Dec, for www.bachflowerconsultsonline.com which may bring in some new clients.
And so, I open my heart up to helping others again and it feels like it is singing. I have been happy enough, till now but it feels like there is a lot of wonderful things coming my way for 2015 and that the last three months of 'healing' rest were necessary.
Christmas movies have begun, with Jens return and I imagine that we'll manage to find enough to fill this December month. This is one tradition we don't miss the boys in-lol.
Andrew is coming over for Pizza, after work and so we will have to put on an Andrew-friendly Christmas movie. We better let him choose.
The girls are still in bed at ten-thirty (Ali has a day off school) and my tummy is growling because I have tried to be quiet and not rattle around in the kitchen for breakfast. I think that I will have to risk it, once this is posted or it will be home-made soup for brunch.
I slept in till eight-thirty. It was unplanned but I didn't set the alarm and it happened. Must have needed it. Getting up at six-forty five on weekdays is okay but I'm not sure if I will manage my aim of moving it back to six-thirty, in an attempt to get my meditation done before Ali gets up. MMMm? Maybe in 2015.
Right folks. I'm off to eat and then to do my other blog.
Have a wonderful weekend. Ours holds shopping and a workshop (drama) for Ali and I suspect some Christmas crafts, to decorate this home.
Much love to all.
Lxxxx
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