All the 3s.......and Day 33.

All the 3s.....Day 33.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

So, this is a first. Writing before Ali has headed off to school and whilst my first coffee is still in it's cup. Reason......I didn't write this yesterday, which was day 33. Several times I planned to sit down and write it but then I forgot and did something else......I think that the fact that Bill and I had bought a day pass for the transit is the excuse because we just kept going out again to make sure we got value for our $11. Not that we did anything of great excitement but we were together and I don't care where we do that.
Our first trip was up to the airport to discover that Bills glasses had NOT been handed in, which didn't get our day of to the most positive start. He loved those sunglasses and they will not be easy to replace 'cause he's had them for a l..o..n...g  time.
The good news is that the sun was blazing down from a cloudless sky....again. This morning, as I type, it's a wee bit damp out there. It's not raining but there has been a huge amount of moisture in the air overnight. The bin was very wet on top and it feels misty without the fog.
We headed up to a new grocery store-20 mins North on the bus. Bill had spotted his favourite ice cream on sale and so we and our bus passes took a jaunt up to buy some. Apart from 6 tubs of Hagaan Daz Dulche de Leche, we purchased a half dozen rolls and a bug spray (so that Ali can spray rather than squash her centipedes) I'll not be shopping regularly in Metro because it's prices were not the cheapest. Bill's found me a site where I can check all the flyers to see who's got what at what price. He's a fantastic saver and shopper and this year I anticipate that I will be receiving a gold star for my incresed ability to frugelly-shop. Unfortunately, they don't have a comparison website like at Scotland, which you all need to be using 'cause it'll save you a bundle. It's called something like 'compare the supermarkets' and you just plug in what you want and see who has it cheapest. Bill and Jen used to love zipping round all the supermarkets, picking up their bargains. I suppose we were lucky to have all the big ones 5-10mins from our house. Not quite the case here....plus I don't have a car. But, I think I may buy a pass like we had yesterday, once in a while and head up and down and back and forth all day, shopping for bargains on my basics.
Isn't it funny how exciting a trip to the shops can be.......and why not. For those of you who think of it as a chore, try thinking about it like a bargain-hunt, where you see how much money you can save. Bill saved $2 on each of his ice-cream tubs = $12......and that's just one item.
Ali has just departed for school and as I look around the room, I see that teenage life is just the same here.....oh, there's her apple juice cup on the table.....oh, and there's her toast plate on the arm of the sofa.......oh, and there's the nailpolish bag sitting on the sofa with the cotton wool and nailpolish remover..........
I don't have to go on for you to get the picture, do I? As I sat down again, I experienced an awareness of how my emotions could go one of two ways, in regards to the 'bombsite' and I decided, with mindfulness, to chose humour and I had a wee giggle. They don't do it deliberately so nagging really is ineffective.......so what's the point. I always tell clients to deal with how they are feeling and obviously the Willow (for resentment and 'poor me') and Holly (for anger and taking things personally) in the mix I'm taking are doing their magic.
So, yesterday? Well, there was a trip to the bank when I discovered that transferring money for rent was not as easy as it is in Scotland-ugh. I have decided that I will simply walk to my bank (5 mins) withdraw the dosh and walk back 2 minutes and deposit it in Veras bank.  (Bill will act as my securicor guy) I am hoping that this transaction will cost me nothing whilst burning off some calories because the bank seems to charge for everything here. I have a chequing account but you have to buy the cheques. Approx $40 for 50 or $43 for 100. Now I feel bad for asking Vera to write me a cheque for Ali to hand into school as she would have been out of pocket for the cheque cost. Also costs for e transfers and if I go over my monthly allownace of 25 transactions, they'll charge me. There are different types of accounts but I'm also paying a fee monthly for the one I have (because there's money-back attached to the signing up for it) I suspect that the Canadian banking system is stronger than the UK one.
Dear oh dear, this blog is a little bit heavy on the financial side of things....oh well.
We still haven't purchased phones but I am hopeful that we will do so either today or tomorrow. If it wasn't for the fact that I've already ranted about the banks costs, I'd go on about the phone costs........
Really nice young guy gave us his advice yesterday and the good news may be that I will be able to use the Blackberry that I brought with me because I think that it's unlocked. I discovered, through him, that I didn't need my Blackberry charger because I had a funny wee connection and a lead from two separate things that worked as a charger so yippee for that. We'll nip in to see him again this morning and see that the phone is indeed unlocked.
Another couple of trips up and down in the bus, to the favourite grocery store and we have enough coke supplies to last us beyond Bill's departure. When you have a car, you don't really think too much about buying several 2 litre bottles but when you have to carry it to the bus stop, it is something to ponder. My soda comes in 2 litres (for 87 cents plus tax, which makes it around the $1) and I will have to get into the habit of picking up a bottle when I don't have a big shop otherwise my arms will grow VERY long transporting groceries.
Another quiet night in....eventually, after a final bus-tripto the shops, in the dark (it was only 8pm) and I had my earliest night since Bill's been here, I think.
I've been finding it harder and harder to get going in the mornings and will have to look at that when I make up my next remedies. I'm not sleeping great, so that's probably half the problem, so I will look at that as well....watch this space.
Right, time for my meditation. Bill's up and I think he'll want to make up for a late start yesterday. That man is like a puppy with all his energy and enthusiasm. I hope some of it rubs off on me.
Sending lots of love out to all.
Lxxxx

Day 31.....and Day 32 together

Day 31......and Day 32 together........

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

........and the new routine of writing early in the day has not really worked. So I am going to combine yesterdays and todays adventures which include 2 Baseball games and lots of Pizza.
Yesterdays treasure hunt at the Cr Boot sale was non-existent because there were only around 20 cars with very little of anything. Interestingly, thee was an Avon stand and It was no' very cheap, let me tell you. $5 was suposed to be a bargain for bubble bath which I used to sell for £1. So, I will not be buying my Avon here, Folks. Unfortunately I left a whole bunch of stuff for Bll to bring but then forgot to tell him to bring it so I may have to look out for a cheap brand of face-cream till his next visit.......or perhaps I'll try using rescue cream and see what that does for my wrinkles.
After the disappointment of the car-boot sale, I decided that I'd better do a wee bit of housework because the place was getting VERY dusty. The floors are wooden and I think that there is still some renovation-dust trying to settle because it seems to get really dusty really quickly. It felt a bit silly to be cleaning when the weather was beautiful outside but, if I'm perfectly honest, I wanted a wee break from the sunshine. Imagine that, needing a break from the constant sunshine.
Baseball game number 6 for Bill and number 2 for me was another win for the Blue Jays and we had a quiet night in afterwards with some Pizza and some tv shows. I know that it may seem a bit boring to be watching tv whilst Bill's here but that's what we love to do. We have favourites that bring about discussion and the closeness I feel when we all share a show which is full of strong characters and interesting story lines is fab.
This morning found me out of bed just after 7.30 for no other reason than I wanted to be up to do my meditation and write my blog before the baseball. I struggled to waken up though and dozed on my chair for nearly an hour by which point Bill was up. Meditation was done outside in the sunshine but the blog was put aside in favour of breakfast and getting out the door at 10.30 because we had to get to the baseball early to receive our free hats. I will try to post one on FB for all to see. They are awesome........not sure if I'll be brave enough to wear it out but I can wear it around the house if it gets cold.
Yesterdays game was just Bill and I but todays was all 5 of us. Both days were scorching and I was delighted to see a little bit of cloud cover today. Just fluffy thin ones but enough to cool the scorch, occassionally. Yesterday, Bill and I watched the shadow move across the field, in our direction but we must have been the very last section to be reprieved from the heat. However, we didn't get burned as the game was a 4.07 start. Today found us in the stadium at 11.30 and we didn't leave till 4.30 ish. I had to buy some sunscreen because by the time the game began at 1.07, my arms were already looking a bit pink which was bizzare as I have a pretty decent suntan and it's the end of September........and 25 degrees. Looking at the girls, they both look like the front of their legs have caught the sun and I know that I have a pink strip on one side of my shoulder, despite the sunscreen.
Todays last game of the season was a loss. Sad way to end the season but they knew their season was over. Perhaps next year they will make it into post-season play-offs. I'm looking forward to seeing a few games once season begins again on April 13th.
So, now I am tapping out the blog and the girls are watching their fave shows as Bill took a detour home to get himself some icecream. A rather huge detour to get his favourite flavour so the girls and I came home. He has a TTC weekly pass so he's making the most of his last day of its validity. Andrew got a call from the Avis car rental people, which he missed so we are hoping that it's a good sign on Bill's Ray Bans and that there will be another wee jaunt to Toronto Pearson International Airport tomorrow to collect them. Fingers crossed.
I'm hungry so I'm going to close this up and go finish my left over Pizza from last night-yum.
Good job that I've been doing all this walking-it may just prevent me from turning into a Pizza blob.
Love to all,
Lxxx

Day 30....already.

Day 30....already.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

And the adventure continues.

Today ran away with me, probably because I had a wee bit too much wine last night and didn't get out of bed till nearly 10am-oops. Even the peeling church bells at 9 didn't peel me out of bed. In my defense, I was still first up.
Yesterday involved returning the van used to bring the sofa home from Ikea and then walking to the Sears store to see if we could once-and-for-all sort out the return of the remaining bed-pieces. It was hot damn hot and the walk was around a half hour so when we got there we were a little bit sweaty betty.
Another lovely lady dealt with our complaints and I was so glad that she was doing it all, rather than us because she probably took 30-40 minutes just to organise a pick up-not a great system here for returns of goods bought online, folks. Hopefully this time, the pick up which is now organised for Oct 2nd 5-9.30pm, will see us without the current ornimentation of 4 bed pieces in various corners of the house.
From Sears, we went back along the street to visit a Farmers Market that we had noticed on our way to Sears. It was a bit of a dud and we bought nothing and didn't even find anyone selling some much needed water.....so into the neighbouring mall we went........a wee snack at the food court later, we left Jen there to shop and walked home. Jen beat us home because it was a very long way to walk and my feet are still recovering......kidding, but I have done some serious walking this past week.
A quick turnaround in the house and we were off into Toronto to meet Andrew for dinner from his work. I had my 3rd little cheesburger and fries since Bills arrival in a place called 5 guys.........yum, yum and yum again. I will probably not have a burger between his visits so will enjoy them for now. The girls and I could actually be almost veggies except that the girls don't really like vegetables so I would have to seriously watch their iron. May have to try to get them to eat some thick veggie soup over the winter.
Post-dinner, the boys headed off to the baseball and the girls and I headed to H & M where they both picked up an item each. Then (much to my liking) we headed home to watch a movie till Bill got home after another Blue Jays win-yippee.
A couple of shows watched with him and it was nearly 1am when we headed to bed. I didn't feel like I'd had too much wine but I have been a bit sluggish today and it is good for me to be comparing how I've felt without wine for the 3 weeks before Bill arrived and how I'm feeling just now. My wee bit grouchy is perhaps wine-related? Poor Bill thinks it's him.....Bless him. Sweetie, when you read this......I love you MOST!
So it's after 10.30 so my plan of writing earlier failed today. I will try to write about today before I go to the Baseball tomorrow.
Love to you all,
Lxxx

Day 29......'You have the Elf dvd but no couch?'

Day 29………’You have the Elf dvd but no couch?’

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

The title was just too funny and I had to get typing as soon as Ali left for school. She was telling me that her group had chosen to do their exercise, in comedy drama, on the movie Elf, before she left and she quipped ‘what…..you’ve got the Elf dvd but no couch?......man’ and I thought that it was something that one of her new school pals had said to her but no, it was just Alisons head making a comedy out of a comedy. That girl doesn’t even realise how funny she is but she’s been able to get me out of a ‘huff’ since she was old enough to realise that I was in one.

Yesterday got off to a slow start, which was okay because Bill’s on holiday and long-lies are allowed. (It was only 9.30ish-not a hangable offense) Jen was even later than him getting up and so we were a bit later than planned in our visit to good old Ikea to finally (hopefully) purchase a sofa. Across the street from said store, there is a van-rental place which advertises $19.95 rental and so we’d decided to rent one to bring the sofa, couple of night tables, coffee table, side table and a personal favourite of mine-a poeng (? Spelling but we say pwang) chair and stool, home.

So, after some more sitting on sofas debating colours and fabrics….as you do on your third sofa-shopping visit to Ikea…….we decided on a black leather-look 3 seater (the easy to wipe/low stress variety) and the chair plus stool. After reserving the sofa, Bill and Jen nipped across to get a van whilst I picked up the other things…….I forgot to mention the bathmat-lol.

Bill arrived back quickly with the story of how a $19.95 van rental is not really a $19.95 van rental. Who knew, right? Seems that it was compulsory to take a $15 insurance and that every km needs paid for over and above. Again, in good old hind-sight, I wish that we had just added the sofa and other stuff to the delivery of beds, which would have cost us zilch more. But the adventure continues and I am so aware of not being very smiley about it all. I think that I perhaps need to look at my remedy mix to see if my sense of humour is missing from it. It’s not that I’m in a bad mood, it’s just that I’m feeling a bit irritated by things. Example.

Yesterday, en route to the subway station to get our wee Ikea shuttle bus, we were waiting to cross over to the sunny side of the street at a major set of lights which had a school crossing guard on it. After a change of lights that did not involve us getting a white man (he’s not green here) I looked to see if there was a crossing-button which needed pressing…..and there was. Now, what’s the point in having a crossing guard when she can’t even press a button to let the clearly-visibly-wanting-to-cross-the-road-people across? I was incensed…..can you still tell. But how silly is it to feel that way. Maybe it’s not her job to press buttons. The ‘lolly’ at Baileyfield Road always presses the button when someone wants to cross……..maybe the job description is different here. If she hadn’t then walked into the road, like she was helping, once we got the traffic stopped, I may have let it slide because we were big people but she did and I didn’t….haven’t-groan.

So, back to Ikea and we waited around 35 mins for the sofa to be brought out from the warehouse, which again was a bit annoying and I found myself judging people. It seemed like absolutely nobody got any of their stuff for the first 15 mins and then a really efficient guy (who was most likely in charge and had probably been on his lunch) appeared and got everything fairly quickly dealt with. He went around making sure people knew their order numbers and went onto the computer to check out why people like me were still waiting after so long. Isn’t it funny when some people wander around doing nout, nada, nothing and never look at anyone in case you ask them to do something and then there are others who just jump in with both feet to do all that they can to help everyone. I saw it yesterday in Ikea and I also saw it in Sears, both times when I was at their customer services. And speaking of Sears, we came home from Ikea to find a card saying that they had been to pick up the beds…….no prior warning given. It’d been 6 days since they didn’t take them away and not a word. Did they expect me to just be sitting in the house all day every day…..just in case? Oh dear, that’s another rant-oops.

Furniture came home, accompanied in the back of the van by Jen.

Bill and Jen headed off to the baseball just after 3 and I began a little bit of building. Sofa was a definite 2 man job but I managed to get all the other stuff (except the coffee table, which I’m not sure we need) all put together. Blue Jays not so lucky last night but the game was short so the sofa got built up when they got home and it is wonderful to have something to sit on and relax in. The footstool is a definite bonus as the sofa is quite shallow-a choice I made because we have short legs and it’s very comfy to sit ‘properly’ on.

Nipped to the Wine store and just sneaked in with 2 mins to spare. Good job I knew exactly what I wanted and I enjoyed a couple of glasses on my new poeng chair………then the sofa………and then I fell asleep. Bill had to chase me upstairs again…..definitely a wine-thing and a sign that I’ll not be doing much wine-drinking this year………….’cause who’d put me to bed?

Okay-this is a record. It’s only 9.12 and the blog is done. Meditation still to be done but the sun is out and I will now head onto the steps of the deck to soak up some mindful rays.

Much love to you all and hope that you’re all feeling much less grouchy than me.

Lxxx

Day 28.....and it's still morning here on day 29.

Day 28.....and it's still morning here on day 29.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

The adventure continues today with a return to Ikea to find that perfect sofa.
The plan was always to buy second hand furniture and I'm still not aversed to that idea. What I am avoiding tho' is the threat of bedbugs which can be present in soft furnishings-yuk. 2 people within my first few days here mentioned not to buy things like used fabric sofas second unless I knew where they'd come from. Thus the reason that we still have nout to sit on. I suppose I really should investigate online whether I could buy second hand leather. It's wipable so maybe the bedbugs wouldn't live in leather........but there is usually softer clothy bits....right? yuk, again.
Alison has been researching centipedes because we have had a few of them in the basement and she doesn't like them. Actually, I don't like them either. Those 100 legs can get up quite a speed when you're trying to catch one to throw it outside. Turns out that they are very common in basements, they can bite you (bit like a spider-bite) and they can live to up-to 6 years.........but not in this house, with Ali whacking them at every chance.
Anyways, yesterday was day 28 and it was a scorcher. We had a wee 45 min wander around some of the magnificent properties in the area and then decided to walk to the Dufferin mall which was a mere hour and 25 mins away.........to buy some Pringles that were half price in Walmart. We managed to survive the walk, in the heat and even knocked 10 mins off the google map timings. Additionally to the Pringles, we bought a much needed alarm clock which has a radio and also a large digital face which I can see in the dark. It passed its test this morning at 0713 with flying colours.
After leaving Walmart, on the way to the subway station (good job Bill had to get home for going to Baseball or he would have made us walk both ways) we met my landlady, Vera who very kindly offered us a lift home. I'm glad that Bill got to meet her.
Last night was spent between catching up on some of our Fave tv shows and doing laundry. Now that I have fixed the seal on the Washer door, the washing is easy peasy and I picked up an airer to dry the 'smalls' on, so the laundry basket is empty again.
Did I tell you that it's cheaper to do laundry, in fact to use electricals in general between 7pm and 7am? Thus the laundry and dishwasher being used in the evening. I will see what happens with the charges and may experiment with one months doing the stuff during the day. I'm not being stingy-just frugel and sensible.......like my hubbie has taught me to be.
Blue Jays won again last night so Bill was happy when he arrived home from the game. It seems that Andrew's happy to go again on Fri so my next game won't be till Saturday as Jen is going to the 4pm game today, with her dad.
Okay, that about sums up yesterday so I shall say ta,ta for now and send lots of love out as usual. I have already sat outside for my half hour meditation, this morning and it's another beautiful one......perfect for another walk.
Lxxxx

Day 27.....retrospectively.....

Day 27........retrospectively........

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases

.........and No, I didn't forget to write yesterdays Blog but I chose not to write it.

Why, you ask? Well, to tell you the truth, I was getting fed up writing when I was tired and feeling like I wanted to be in bed rather than writing and it wa kinda taking the fun out of writing. So, at my brilliant hubbies suggestion, I've decided to write the blog earlier in the day..........except that it's now 7.30pm, so not much earlier for day 1 of my plan.
Still, it's better than midnight-right.
So yesterday......what happened? Bill remembered that he had left his sunglasses in the car-rental which we had dropped off on Monday lunch-time-oops. Now, if it had been my sunglasses (£5.99 out of Allans chemist a couple of years ago) we would have just went out and got me another similar pair from Walmart but Bills were slightly more up market than mine and when I say slightly, that's underating them 'cause they were Ray Ban. So, a trip up to the airport via Torontos finest transport and a visit to the lost and found lady at Avis/Budget. Unfortunately-no sign of the specs but the car was checked out 1 hour after we dropped it off so we are hoping that the company did a really poor job of checking the car and that the folks who have it rented till this Sat will be honest, if they come across them in a dark little compartment on the drivers side of the car. Is that too much to ask for? We'll see. Bill is now wandering around Toronto in my sunglasses which are very 'fetching', I have to say. His eyes are more sensitive to the sunshine than mine, so I'll be grand till he get's his back on Monday. After the airport-run we had a wee bite to eat, at home and headed off to Ikea to sit on Sofas. It was a beautiful afternoon and so we walked there, which was around an hour's walk. Bill picked up a Dairy Queen Strawberry Cheesecake Blizzard (a bit like a McFlurry) and I picked up and iced Cappacino from Tim Hortons en route......well, we were walking off the calories and technically, we're both on our summer hols.
After sitting on loads of sofas and looking at options of colours, I finally decided on a black leather-look 3 seater. It won, over my initial choice of an off-white lovely one because I pictured myself living with my 2 daughters and an off-white sofa.
'Don't eat those cheesepuffs there'
'No you can't have dinner in front of the tv'
'Who spilled their juice?'
'Why is ther chocolate stains all over this cushion?'
.....Now you get the picture. A black wipeable surface is going to be so much less stress for me.
Downside of my choice......which came with a groan......it was out of stock!
Hopefully more are being delivered tomorrow and I'm hoping that by the time I'm blogging tomorrow, that I will be sitting on said chosen sofa.
When we came out of Ikea, we headed back around the way we had walked in, which was different from the way the girls and I had been going in because the bus stop was at the far side of the building. At the near-side of the building, Bill and I discovered a shuttle bus going to the subway station and it was leaving in 3 minutes time-big score. Home in 20 mins rather than a potential 40 plus minutes depending on buses. Plus, it's only a half hour walk to the Kipling subway station, where the Ikea-shuttle bus runs every half hour, so in future I can get some exercise and go to Ikea for a free coffee and wander-another score!
Chrissie Smith......I'll leave you details and directions when you visit next summer-lol.
A quick bite to eat....again, before heading to the Ball game to see another Blue Jays win-yippee. Plus the roof was open and it's always great seeing the darkness fall and the floodlights become brighter and brighter. Celebrating the win with a big glass of wine and an episode of 'The Dome' when we got home and the result was Bill having to wake me up at 1.30am to drag me up to bed........first time in a month.
So, that's yesterday, which was day 27 and here I am at the close of day 28 but I will save writing about it till tomorrow, now. Suffice to say, I'm doing laundry 'cause Bill's at th baseball with Andrew tonight..........and I'm also typing to you.
Sending out much love....again.
Lxxxx

Day 26........Yippee for the Blue Jays win.

Day 26......Yippee for the Blue Jays win.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Today was the first baseball game of 7 in a row, that my husband has tickets for and we got off to a fantastic start with the Blue Jays winning 14-4-yahoo.
We went as a fivesome tonight and will do so again on Sun afternoon and the 5 days between there is one ticket to accompany Bill to each game. I'm going with him tomorrow night, Andrew's going Wednesday and ?Friday and Jen is going on Thursday. Alison only wants to go to the 2 games and so Saturday will be up for grabs.
Baseball is great and there are always lots of families there. Unfortunately, despite the win tonight, the Blue Jays are almost certainly going to play their last game on Sunday because, unless they win every game this week and one of the other teams loses every one of theirs, they will not be making inot the post-season play-offs.
Hands up if you didn't know that I know baseball.
We got home around 10.30 and it's currently nearly 12.30-so another late night. Hopefully tomorrows game will be a good quick one and we'll not be any later getting home. Sometimes the games can go on for 4, 5, 6 plus hours.
Baseball was the end of the day. The beginning of the day saw a quick trip to Walmart to pick up some folding chairs, a laundry basket, swing-top bin and a clothes airer.......exciting stuff. Then, after dropping the shopping at home, Bill and I took the car up to the airport to return it......boo hoo, nice having a car.
After making out way home, we did a quick turn around and then Jen joined us for a trip downtown to pick up the weeks baseball tickets. We headed up to Andrews work, to hand in his ticket for tonight and luckily timed it for him finishing so he joined us for lunch, before he and I set off in separate directions home, leaving Bill and Jen in town to wander.
I needed to go back home so that I could bring Ali' back into town for the baseball. She had a call-back for a play in school so didn't get to the subway to meet me till 6 ish. She said that the call back was great experience but due to the fact that there were only 2 female parts, she felt that the Seniors would likely get them.......and she's okay with that.
Tomorrow her school is going to a youth event downtown, next to her brothers work so a bit of a skive, I think. Then she's got another late start on Wed, which I am looking forward to at this precise minute.
Everyone else has headed to bed and I'm noting that I need to do the same. Perhaps I'll treat myself to an extra 15 mins in bed tomorrow?
Weather was a bit cool today and I had a shower jacket on. Tomorrow through Friday is supposed to be sunny and in the low 20s. My fingers are crossed.
I forgot to wrote my affirmation yesterday an those of you who write affirmations will know that it's a real pain to forget when you're on day 14 of one-ugh. Tomorrow, I will begin again-lol.
okay dokay-beddy byes for Linsey.
Wishing you all a Peaceful happy time between now and when I sign off again tomorrow night.
Much love,
Lxxxx

Day 25.......... and the new tv is fab.

Day 25.....and the new tv is fab.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

It has the full seasons of 2 of the shows we follow, on 'demand' and we have just watched 3 episodes of 'Under the Dome' -wonderful.
I love Sci-fi and it is a show about a 'Dome' coming down over a community and how they react to it and survive. People's emotions-my interest.
We also have one of our other fave shows to watch and so the writing may get a wee bit delayed at times.
So, Niagara Falls was beautiful. We have been there before, as a family and I have been there many, many times as a tour-guide to visiting relatives/friends.
Today, though, was much more than any other time that I have visited.
My 3 kids and my hubbie were with me and even though we only spent 2 hours there, it will go down as my most favourite visit ever.
The rainbows over the 'Horseshoe Falls' were spectacular and we managed to capture photos of them which I will post to FB soon. The spray from the falls made you think that it was raining but the sky was blue and the sun was shining. The Canadian Falls are so much more than the American ones and it made me joke about how things in America are always bigger and better.....except the Niagara Falls.
The drive there and back was nearly 4 hrs and we spent only half of that time there.....but it was worth it. The girls want to go there again in the winter. I'm game.
This coming week holds some Baseball games and I am looking forward to a Blue Jays game ot two. Bill is currently watching todays game on tv and we do love our baseball.
Andrew will come to a couple of games with us all and then Bill has 2 tickets for 5 other games so we will toss for who gets to go with him to each of the other games. Even the girls love a baseball game.
Ali. of course. is back to school in the morning and I will have to give her a note to explain why she was off on Friday. Whether I admit that she was off because she was up till after 2am because of the Scottish referendum and that er dad arrived in the morning, I'm not sure. Tomorrows explaination may just state that she was off school with my permission.
Her Head is Scottish and so I'm thinking that he'd understand.
What else?
Bill and I will have to return the rental-car in the morning and a little piece of me will be sad as it's been very handy, especially for buying large amounts of bottled 'pop' and soda. We have another days rental in a couple of weeks so I will just have to make sure that I have a huge shopping list to fill, on that day.
Okay, it's very dark in here. My famiy like to watch the tv in the almost dark which I really don't like. One of the things that I shall enjoy when I'm in charge will be that I can watch the tv with a light on.
So I am going to close because the keyboard is difficult to see and this is enough exercise for my eyes. Please forgive any type errors-blame the lack of light.
Much love to all,
Lxxx

Day 24.....I think.

Day 24.........I think.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

So, it's Saturday......well, it's actually just gone into Sunday, so this is a wee bit late but we just got back from dropping Andrew off at his place, after he'd spent some time with us at ours.
We went to Oakville to see him play rugby (a narrow defeat) and then we went for dinner, did some shopping, came home and set up the new TV and watched a wee movie on Netflix on it. Lovely family time-just not enough comfy seats. Andrew was a bit bashed so we decided we'd save him the hrs journey via transport and gave ourselves an hours round-trip in our rented car (which we needed to get us to Oakville)
We have the car for 2 days and so we may go to Niagara Falls tomorrow because we haven't been there for a few years. Ali can't remember it and it'll be a nice wee day oot.
Walmart shopping is a fab experience-so much of everything in the same place. I got a coffee maker for $20 which is the same make as my kettle and toaster, which have both been great.....so far. We had gone there to look at tv's but got a better bargain in the 'Best Buys' store because we told them that Walmarts tv was $20 cheaper than there's. So, they reduced their price to a couple of bucks below the Walmart one. Good job because Walmart didn't have any left in that store and we had thought we would have to trek to a different one-SCORE!
This blog is going to be short because I'm rather tired after staying up too late last night and then not sleeping very well because I left my pillow downstairs and was too lazy to come back down for it. Silly thing to do but I thought I'd sleep okay.....but did not.
Meditation has been missed today as well-EEK. I will try to do it before going to sleep tonight but I always struggle when it gets this late to stay focussed and awake. I got up early enough but Bill came downstairs right behind me and it kinda knocked me off my routine. Not that I'm complaining.....so glad he's here and was so grateful to him today when he put the girl, who was so unhelpful to me re the bed-returns, in her place.
The 4 pieces of beds that weren't picked up yesterday are now logged in to be picked up.....we just don't know when-ugh. However the store manager and the lady who helped us, at her managers request, were lovely and very helpful. Really funny how some people are so helpful and others (like Miss can't be bothered) are just useless.
Weather was sunny and warm. Alison is complaining of too many 'beasties' downstairs so I may end up living down there. I've only seen one, so I'm not sure whether or not she's exaggerating but we'll get some bug-spray tomorrow and see what we can do. For tonight, her sister told her to go up and sleep with her......and she has.
So that's that-blog for today done.
Lots of love to all,
Lxxx

Day 23-maybe this one comes with a 'wine-warning'

Day 23.....and yet again I wonder whether I have the right day.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, I'm sitting (actually,sliding off) our airbed sofa, side by side with my wonderful Bill. Boy, do I love him. We're like the two halves of a comfort blanket that have just been sewn back together and I feel at home, completely now. It's really not about the house that you live in or the posessions that you have, folks but about the people that surround you. I have my 3 kids here and their father being here has completed our family circle.....yet again. Our circle keeps breaking and moving and reforming, as we walk this path together but each time all 5 of us complete the circle.....this is what I call home. My brother and sister would also be home to me. We have been a family group for longer than Bill, the kids and I have been and it is a different type of home. My siblings and I are connected through the DNA of our parents and there are bits of me that are exactly like them and bits of me that resemble neither of them. When I catch myself looking back at myself in the car visor, when all I can see is my eyes, I see my brother looking at me despite the fact that my eyes are greeny blue and his are brown. When I hear myself on an answering machine, I hear my sister talking to me. We were children together, we grew up together and we lost our parents together. Some bonds are stronger than any others and I would say that siblings don't always have to live in each others pockets or even like each other but they have a history that compares to no other in your life. I am lucky enough to love my siblings and to respect both of them for the very strong characters that they are. Different, but the same, they inspire me to be the best that I can be because I want them to be proud of who their sister has become. Once wild and seemingly untamable, I know that they both worried for me and for that, I am grateful as it was probably that unspoken yet heartfelt support that helped me to turn my life around.........alongside Bill and the kids who are my most special of 'homes' and one that I despaired in ever allowing myself to find. Boy, that must be the wine talking. The first couple of glasses since before I left Scotland...it's amazing how the demon-drink can loosen yer tongue, eh? So, back to the adventure (apologies for the wine-directed-detour) The girls and I sat up till 2 ish and watched the Referendum results come in and I just got sadder and sadder until it was all over when Fifes 'No' vote came in. I went to bed wishing (for the first and likely last time in my life) that I lived in Glasgow. I lay awake thinking about all the things I'll say to those who voted 'No', in the future, when things go pear-shaped with the NHS and our pensions and then I remembered that you always have a choice about how you feel and that the only person anger hurts is the person who's angry. So, I didn't get what I wanted. So, Scotland (for whatever reason) decided to remain dependant.....for now. Look at the turnout.....something to be proud of. Look at the way it was all conducted (despite the 'No' campaigns claims of being intimidated-nobody can make you feel any way without your consent, folks) Look at the hope that was inspired and the humour and the banter that went on in Social media and in households (often split votes) all over the world. Waking up this morning, I did my meditation and sat quietly with my usual intention that I send love and peace out to all those that I am connected with. I call it Peace in my Heart, Peace in the World (after the title of one of my most favourite books by Ruth Fishel) and I begin with myself and then my kids and then Bill and then my siblings and their families and then my cousins and aunts and..........you get the message......expanding ever outward until I'm at the world leaders. 'Peace in their hearts, Peace in the world' This morning, as I connected with Scotland, I felt an overwhelming sense of grief and sadness at a deep Soul level. At first, I tried to shake it off as my own but it didn't settle and I cried. I cried for the feeling of loss and grief that was being experienced by part of the Nation that my ancestors died protecting. I am a Macleod of Macleod and fiercely, deeply and passionately Scottish at my core. I believe in cell memory, in that memories are passed down from generation to generation and I know that a lot of my healing is not just mine but the healing of my ancestors. To some of you, this will seem bonkers and that's okay. I'm not claiming that I'm connected to Scottish history more than those of you who voted 'No' in the referendum. I am saying that I have spent years, connecting with who I am, at a soul level and that when I listened to that self, this morning, I felt the pain of a portion of a nation who felt betrayed and full of grief.......I didn't ask to feel it, I just felt it. And that was part of todays Toronto Adventure. Lucky for me, I had a distraction today from the aftermath of the vote, in the form of Bill's arrival. Ali got to skive school after her late night and her dad's arrival-I reckon that they are 2 decent excuses for a day off school. We have been busy all day and Bill's kept going but is just about ready to crash at 10.30pm our time. We walked to Costco (half hour each way) to look at tvs. He took the girls to the Phone store to talk about internet and phones. We went to the bank to check on transfers. We ordered Pizza and watched a silly movie together. We watched a bit baseball and now I am typing this. (Oh and we went to the Wine store to buy me some wine) Bit of a fiasco with the bed-pick up. They arrived to pick up 2 mattresses, on time............. but I had 3 matresses and 3 baseboards. They refused to take the other 4 pieces away, telling me that another pick-up truck must be organized to pick them up. Seriously? I did question this. Did anyone arrive to take them..........NOPE. I will now have to find my way to the SEARS store again tomorrow and phone their online dept to try not to YELL at them about how innefficient they are-ugh-breathe, Linsey. So, that's it....I think. Apologies to those who wished I hadn't done the political rant 'cause you're all fed up with it. If I had planned the blog or if the political bit had jumped out of my brain at the beginning, in a one-er which I could have sectioned off again, it would have been better....but this is what came forward for reading today. It's mine and I don't re-read because I may never post anything if I did. I have taken Gentian (for disappointment/setback) Star of Bethlehem (shock) and Holly (for anger) and I expect that 'Normal service' will resume tomorrow. Life is great. I am grateful for all that I have. I wish only Peace and Happiness for everyone in this world. That's why I begin with myself, helping myself to accept, acknowledge and balance my own feelings so that I can have Peace in my heart to help bring Peace to the world. Wishing you all Peace, today and always. Much love, Lxxxxxx

Day 22.......watching and waiting.

Day 22........watching and waiting.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

I am sitting with the girls, watching STV and their live feed of the referendum results and the first 4 votes are for NO-ugh. But that's all I'm going to say tonight about politics except to say that I personally will be disappointed if the tide doesn't turn.
Today in Etobicoke, what have we done? Mmm? House-tidied and not a lot else, me thinks and there's not a lot in the house to be tidied.
I moved a wee bookcase, that I'd found in a cupboard and cleaned, upstairs and put what few books we brought with us into it. I then popped a plant and a couple of cards and candles on the top of it and it's looking nae bad. I cleared away all the carboard and plastic coverings and swept the floors and the wee hoose is looking grand for Mr Denham arriving in the morning.
Our landlady was here this afternoon to be here whilst the 'boiler-cleaning' guy was here and she's very lovely. He was lovely too and was here for a couple of hours so there wasn't really any of anything to be done whilst they were here. I did check out some jobs online, at Veras suggestion and there are a few things out there that are quite interesting. I leant her my 1 and only Bach book to read, as she was quite interested in knowing more about them and I also gave her my Ruth Fishel meditation cd to listen to. I haven't even listened to it yet but I am sure that it's great-right Ruth? I meant to get Bill to bring a couple of my cds with him and may yet message him, before he heads to the airport.
Yesterday, I meant to tell you all about my rememrance of how much I love eggs. I bought a dozen  at the weekend because I hadn't had any since leaving Edinburgh and proceeded to have 2 boiled ones each lunchtime with salad-yum yum yum. I love eggs.
Weather-wise, it's been a wee bit colder today but it's supposed to jump up for Father Bears arrival.
I'm a bit distracted tonight so I am going to cut this short. Not great at multitasking me.
Much love to all,
Lxxx

Day 21.....a blog in 2 parts. Do not read Part 2 if you are all 'referendummed' out. It's my thoughts on Independence.

Day 21.....that makes 3 weeks

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases

Today has been another busy day in terms of getting from A to B and back again to then go to C and back to A.
Jen and I chummed Ali down to school this morning-a beautiful morning that was warm and sunny and felt full of happiness. After dropping Ali in to school, we continued down to the 'No Frills' and picked up some groceries which we 'legged' and 'lugged' back up the road. I then decided that I needed to mail a card and went round the corner to 'Shoppers' and wandered around there, picking up sale stuff before taking myself along to a lovely little bread/cake store to buy a latte (my first) and a cranberry scone. Jennifer thought I'd ran away when I returned to sit with her outside and have my wee snack. Now, you know it's a good scone when you don't need anything on it-yum. Shame I couldn't say the same for the latte which was not strong enough. May be because I've been drinking black coffee since I got here and the milkyness was too bland. Never mind.
A quick skype session with my hubbie because he had got himself involved in some poitical debate at the corner of our street and was late in logging on plus he needed to go get fed before work. The session was supposed to be about what he was to pack in his 2 suitcases but that discussion's now taking place tomorrow at 10pm your time-ooooh, just as the polls close.
Jen and I then headed to Ikea to return some bits and bobs, which w did but you know Ikea......you just have to buy a few more bits and bobs. On the plus side, we returned more than we bought......just.
Meditation was later today because Ali being later in school knocked me off my stride but at least it was done. My affirmations are still being done daily as well and I have started to read one of my Library books for a few minutes at a time......don't laugh. It takes a lot for me to get going with reading.
Braved a wash of towels and was rewarded by the fact that the washer didn't leak-yippee. Very grateful.
Watched a movie about 3 whales trapped in Alaskan ice, in the 80s which was a feelgood movie(from the library) and then I wrote the piece that follows because it's what happened when I signed in to write tonight. At the end of it, I decided to write the Adventure blog and give you the option of stopping here, without needing to put yourself through more views on the referendum. I think that I needed to write it for me and now that it's written, I'm going to leave it in here. I will title the blog suitably, to warn those of you who've had politics up to the eyeballs. I personally have enjoyed the last few weeks, looking at both sides posting their best (and their worst) and there's a big bit of my heart that wishes that I was going to be sitting on my sofa in Mountcastle, watching the votes come in......but I won't be. In reality, I will probably sit up here and find it online to watch or perhaps the FB pages will be enough to keep tabs on what's happening.
So, be forewarned, the below bit is my thoughts on Independence. Those of you who are connected to me on FB will know which way I voted already but like many of the posts I've liked have stated. We'll all still be connected on Friday, whichever way the vote goes and I value all your friendships so apart from a wee 'Yippee' if it goes the way I voted, there will be no gloating or judgements from this lady.
And on that note, I say Happy Voting Scotland and let's all be Happy.
Much Love Lxxxxx


Part Deux.

And we are soooo excited about the Referendum tomorrow, which is now 'Today' in Scotland. We're even thinking of staying up, into the night to watch the results come in.
This is the biggest decision any of us have had to make on our Nations future and Yes or NO, we will come out of this kicking and screaming for better service from those who would deem to lead us.
I know that I'm a tiny bit scared of getting a bit of a slap from down South, if the vote is NO. I know that I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder when it comes to Southern England and the EBC and it's something that I've been working on along with much more important stuff, like supporting my kids as best I can and trying to live my life like a decent human being. I think that a huge amount of my generation, who came from working class backgrounds, have absorbed the frustrations that our parents had as they felt themselves having to work harder and harder to provide for their families. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not against hard work but when my father was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour, I went to the DHSS to see if I could get some benefits for him and my mum and was told that there was a 3 month wait-time. My dad was dead by then and hadn't received a single penny from all of the 43 years that he had worked, paying in National insurance for a pension that his dying at 57, didn't allow him to enjoy.
During his adult life, it really didn't matter which way he voted, it wouldn't have made a jot of a difference and election after election brought more and more divide between those that had and those that hadn't, not just in Scotland but in England, Wales and Ireland, too.
My vote (cast before I left Edinburgh) won't directly help those folk in other places but it may just give them the verve to get themselves heard by their politicians at their next election. It may just help them to realise that it's time for them to really pay attention to what they are being told and to look inside themselves to see what it is they want for their own little bit of the world.
There have been some pretty awful remarks made from both the Yes and No camps on FB/media which I have felt my blood boil at. Personal attacks on anybody really just are a reflection on the person posting them. Calling Andy Murray names for being in the Yes camp or JKR for being in the No camp doesn't make any sense to me. Nor does the thinking that one vote is stupid and the other isn't. Surely we all come at it from our own perspective and that's all we can do. I listen to my girls debate things all the time and have to referee when it gets personal. I advise them to agree to disagree because I can hear that neither one is seeing the others viewpoint. And so it is with this vote, for lots of people. You are a lucky person, if you have been able to be completely unemotional about this campaign.
Some would say that the Scots are being selfish and perhaps we are. But we are a nation full of kindhearted folk who don't like to make other people feel bad which translates into being walked all over by those who don't mind upsetting others to get what they want. I am hoping that tomorrow will bring, for Scotland, something that I have been working on for myself personally and that is the ability to say what we want and to not be scared by the reaction, judgement and conflict that may go with that.
Perhaps I could have tried to organise that there was some Bach Flower Remedies fed into the Scottish water supply over the last few days, eh? Agrimony (worrying about what others think/conflict) and Centaury (for standing up for what is right for us) along with some Cerato (trusting our intuition) and Scleranthus (for choosing between A or B) and finally some Walnut (for helping us to break free from something holding us back, to walk the path we're meant to be on and to adapt to change) would have served those on both sides of the fence well but more importantly, they would have helped those who are still struggling to make a decision.
Alas, I can't help anyone to make the decision that they have to make. All I can do is to share my thoughts. I've put them in this blog, rather than on FB because they are just my thoughts and I have no proof of who was lying or of what will happen if there is a Yes vote for Independence. All I can do is vote for what I personally believe in and that is that the people of Scotland will be a better people in an Independent country where they are answerable to each other. I feel that the uncertainty of Independence feels better than the uncertainty of what Westminster will do to us next-even in the case of the NHS.
My hope is that, if on Friday we find we are heading towards Independence, those who have blamed the 'establishment' for their poverty and addictions will step up and take responsibility for themselves and make an effort alongside the rest of us to build a fair and caring society where we will all seek to help others and thereby help ourselves to be all that we can be. That none of us skulk away from working our hardest, with community spirit, to assist our elderly, those with disabilities (and those who care for them) and our youngsters.
To make sure that the lives of our children and our childrens children will be  lived in a Peaceful and Loving society where everyone counts equally, is my wish for my homeland......isn't that every parents wish?
Enough now, Lx

Day 20......up a digit.

Day 20-woo-hoo, another digit.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

I have just been mopping up the Laundry room floor as there was water pouring from the door as it spun the water out........all over the floor. When it stopped, I opened the door and had my best guess at fixing the seal. It's now on a rinse and spin (seeing as the clothes missed most of the water during the previous one) and I will nip down in a few, to see how it's going. There was a wee puddle on the floor last time I did laundry but I hadn't witnessed where it was coming from.......now I know! Hopefully, if I am careful and clever with the seal, it will work just fine and dandy.
The Washer still has 3 years on it's guarantee, so it's by no means old so hpefully it'll be grand and not need the washing-machine manny.
Laundry smells so much better here-really, honestly.....lovely. Mopping up the floor when the machine isn't doing it's job isas much of a pain in the rear here, tho' as it is in Edinburgh......just in case you were wondering.
This is only the 4th load of laundry that I've done since we arrived so nae bad, right.
The reason it was needing done tonight is because the girls bought some clothes in a Thrift store and Ali wants hers to wear to school tomorrow. They were a wee bit niffy, as was the area that the store was in. One of Ali's schoolpals told her that the Value Villages were the place to shop and so I google-maped the closest one and we jaunted along there after school. Not such a nice area and so we will be looking to investigate a different one next time, one that resembles Morningside, so that the donations to the store may be a bit more Morningside-ish.
We did plan to get off at all the different subway stops to explore so that takes care of Landsdown for now.
I got myself a half dozen books-all really good 'my kind' of books that will help me to be all that I can be, folks. I don't have any of them although I used to possess one of them as part of a full set. The Celestine Prophesy series is fab (in my opinion) and I now have the first book........again. It was really curious that when Jen and I went to join the Library this afternoon, I was looking for the Celestine prophesy to check out.....and there it was, on the shelf in the Thrift store. The other curious thing was that one of the books that I did check out, was also on the Thrift store shelves. It's called 'Secret Power of Middle Children' and I'm looking forward to reading about myself-lol.
Okay-off to check the laundry and then Jen wants me to watch the movie that we borrowed from the lIbrary. Do you know how many books you can check out (or dvds) at a time. 50! How can anybody get through 50 books in 3 weeks. HOW! Apparently it's the same in California and my friend there told me that the library even told the kids that they get 50 books. Can you imagine how horrified my friend was knowing that her 3 young boys now knew that they could check out 50 books each on their cards-EEK. I laughed at the thought of them all loading their 150 books into their car-yikes. Apologies to their mom if she's reading this, I couldn't help myself.
So, the washer was spurting water from its door again, during it's spin cycle-on the bright side, the floor is VERY clean now.
I repositioned the seal again and am now doing another load. Felt that I had to wash all the sopping wet whites that I mopped the last 2 leaks with. I am an eternal optimist-I shall let you know if it was justified, before I sign off.
What else? Oh, Ali's school doesn't go in till an hour later twice a month and tomorrow is one of those days. I am looking forward to a wee bit longer in bed.
I had a lady at the door today, canvassing for the campaign for Toronto mayor. You may or may not know about the infamous Toronto mayor who now is unable to campaign for re-election due to being hospitalized with a tumour. The good news (not) for the Torontonians is that his brother Doug is going to 'run' instead-lol. I told the nice lady that I was too involved in all the online action regarding the Scottish referendum this week to be thinking about who I wanted to vote in as mayor of Toronto. I may, however revisit that after Friday.
She was very funny and launched into her opinion on how we should be independent and how she wished that Canada would be monarchless as well. 'I can't stand the way people fawn over these young Royals' said she 'They're just people.'
LOL as I made my way back to Jen who was sitting on the deck, getting a few rays.
She and me did another walk this morning. We're fair gettin' fit. Another neighbourhood ticked.
So, as promised, my final report on the washer is that I've fixed the leak-yippee. The last load is now in the dryer (but knickers are all over the place 'cause I haven't got an airer yet) It's time for supper and then to bed.
Hoping that you are all in slumber land having beautiful dreams.
Much love.......again,
Lxxx

Day 18.....or is it 19?

Day 18.......or is it 19?
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I type this up on a wordpad page and then copy and paste it because the first day I typed the blog, I thought I'd lost it when it didn't post first time. Ali suggested doing it this way and that's why the title......I haven't logged in to blogspot yet and my brain is not fully functioning to work out how many days I've been here. I've even had a nap this afternoon so really should be clear-headed. Ah well.
Sunshine returned with a bit of warmth today but by t-time, the temp' had dropped again and it began to pelt down with rain. Ah well, again. Jen and I did get out for an hours walk in the morning sunshine and traversed another lovely neighbourhood before going out for lunch.
Mary, who's the lady that I was nanny for nearly 30 years ago, took us to a lovely wee Italian restaurant which is only 2 mins walk from our house. She used to live in Etobicoke and was taking her husband out for lunch so invited Jen and I to join them.
Ross, her husband, lives in an assisted living complex, North of us, as he is suffering from Altzheimers which was proving too much for them to be living together. Whilst he did get forgetful and  bit confused during lunch, it was still lovely and he was good company and coversation. Mary is lovely with him and I know that it must be difficult for them both, as it always is when this terrible disease takes hold. The complex is fantastic with it's rows of rooms and a shop and cafe and bar and communal area and another bar and a dining room. He has a really great little 1 bed apt which allows him independence and privacy. I'm not sure if we have anything like that in Edinburgh. Do we?
So, lunch was lovely and Mary had a couple of little bags of goodies for us, for the house which will be put to good use. Sods law that I ordered a kettle for Amazon last night and she had a brand new whistle one in a bag for us. Mm? May compare the 2 but suspect I'll like the electric one more. I thought I'd get one for Bill so that he wouldn't feel too much like he was camping-lol. My wee pot needs to go back to Ikea anyway because it's big brothers handle broke so the set will go back. A local church is having a 'trunk-sale' a week on Sat and so we'll hit that in the hope that we get a few kitchenny things and some other goodies.
Perhaps there will be some yard/garage sales this weekend as well.
I actually got dressed up for lunch today. First time I've had a pair of trousers on for a couple of weeks-been living in shorts and skorts. I did scrub up well, I have to say. Isn't that the way, when you haven't had make-up or dressy clothes on for ages-it really does make you feel good. Maybe I'll try it more often.....for me.
My eyesight, unfortunately is not going in the right direction and I blame my impatience for needing to wear my glasses more and more. And the more you wear them....the more you have to wear them. When puting my eye make-up on, I felt like there was an eyelash in one eye but it may have just been a hair but I couldn't see either and I had just put mascara on which ended up all over my eyelid during my frnatic trying to get rid of the irritant in my eye. Eventually, I had to resort to my glasses to see, to cover up the big splodges of black. This is a wee taster of what my mum must have went through whilst she was losing her sight. Once I'm finished with a couple of other affirmations, I'm going to go back to one about perfect vision because it really did help last time-honest.
I'm still meditatng daily and I still haven't had a drink of wine.....wonder if they go hand in hand? Ruth Fishel says they do and I am beginning to wonder. Whilst I have no intentions of abstaining in the way I have at times, throughout my adult life, I do not feel the same pull to the wine bottle as I would have once had. ippee and my trousers fastened easily this morning so there's the added bonus of less empty calories, right!
Okay dokay, It's late...well not really....it's only 10.15 but both girls are off to bed and I'm not going to be far behind them. I wonder what Bill will make of this early-bedding?
Sending much love out, as always to you all. I send love each morning too, at the end of my meditation along with some Reiki for those of you who may be needing some. Please remember that it's only physical distance that separates us and I am always here, if you need me to send some extra positives your way.
Lxxxx

Day 18......and we're tired.

Day 18.......and we're all tired.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
That's the biggest news today.....that we're tired. There isn't really an awful lot else to report.
We all spent our first night on/in our new beds and I slept pretty well although I will take a wee while to adjust to the mattress being firm and foam. I've slept on 2 hotel beds and an air mattress over the past couple of weeks, tho' so I am sure that my bones will adjust and enjoy this mattress soon. Jen's bed is 'alive'. If she moves suddenly, it slides a wee bit on the floor-probably something to do with the non-slip pads we put on the legs. Perhaps she'll do a bit of bed-skating-a new sport?
Ali was first up and I discovered a message on FB that she must have sent from downstairs asking me to save her from boredom, timed an hour before I got up. She must have thought that I'd be up sooner than I was. I didn't come downstairs till 9.10 and was surprised to see her sprawled on the sleeping-bag sofa and that the clock said 9.10. What happened to the peeling 9am church bells? I was convinced that I was getting up before 9 because I hadn't heard them but I guess that Mass must be different on a Sunday. I actually don't recall hearing them at all this morning. Mmm? must check the notice board next time I go along to Tim Hortons.
We headed downtown Toronto just after noon because Jen wanted to buy a couple of postcards and Etobicoke must be off the tourist beaten-track because we haven't seen any postcards out here. So, a trip downtown which took 40 minutes there and 40 minutes back yielded 2 postcards. But it was a nice trip. The Eaton Centre was busy and I'm not sure whether it is still called the Eaton centre because there is no longer an Eatons store at it's helm. They are renovating the space and I know that I've been told which store is taking over the space but I can't remember. It's a huge space and I know that my friend Sandra would not mind me telling you that when she went to the Eaton centre for the first time (she was on her own) she never made it out of Eatons. When I asked her about all the shops in the mall she realised that she had never made it out the shop. Comparably, Eatons was a lot bigger than Edinbugh John Lewis and so I think we can cut her some slack on her believing that the Eatons store was the whole centre.
Jen and I nipped down to the grocery store en-route home, whilst Ali went home to skype with her pals. They were in full hilarity-mode when we got home. The house seems to amplify sound, with it's wooden floors and it sounded like I had a houseful of teens. A happy houseful of teens, so that's always fun to be around.
Well people, I know that it's been a wee blog but as I say, it's been a quieter day today. We did stop in on a little yard sale down the street that we saw as we left the house but no purchases made. I have been through the ikea catalogue this evening and turned down lots of corners but........we'll see. Perhaps, when Bill is here, we will look at the second hand stuff on Craigslist and use the car rental to go pick things up? Or perhaps we'll be okay with our 3 beds......nah, the sleeping bag sofa is getting a bit much which has just reminded me that we were going to use the single air mattress for a couch. I will have to get that organised.
Those of you on FB will have seen my new profile picture. It's to let me see my hubbies face each time I log on. Since I put it there, Aison has told me that it's not a good look for me and so she's been giving me alternatives-lol. So I reckon that it will change regularly as she's found lots of great snaps of her dad and I.
Whilst I don't believe that 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' I do believe that absence from someone you love does make you realise just how much you love them. I already am getting the hint about how much I love that man of mine........lots.
And on that soppy note, I will close for today.
Much love to all,
Lxxx

Day 17.....and we have beds!

Day 17.......and we have beds!

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases

Well, it's been a busy old day-actually, it was a quiet morning but busy since the beds made an appearance (in flat-pack-form) 10 minutes shy of the delivery window end. We instantly got going with them and have been at it pretty much all afternoon and some evening.
We had a lovely intermission with a visit from Mary, who I used to 'nanny' for nearly 30 years ago. Her youngest sons' wives are both expecting babies in the next wee while and she's already Grandma to 4 so she's a busy lady. But she stopped by with a lovely wee table for our house and 2 beautiful plants in bloom. What a difference some greenery and flowers can make to an empty space. I hope to see her often now that we are living here as she's a wonderful, kind-hearted and wise woman.
So bedmaking! We had bought 2 beds the same as the one Jen has at home so she had a good idea of how things went with them. For the most part it was just an Allan key but we did hit a wall when we got to the bits which actually needed a screwdriver. So, we borrowed a cute little set from the lady next door which helped but the last 2 screws were too difficult to put in as we couldn't get any purchase on the screwdriver. So, we left the first bed and moved onto the 2nd, which we built till we got to the same point and then we moved on to bed number 3-mine, which is different.
Right at the beginning we knew that we were going to need more than the diddy wee screwdriver so I went to our neighbour on the other side and borrowed a Stanley screwdriver from him. It did the trick and we methodically worked our way through the instructions of bed 3, without too many errors until 6.30 when we stopped for a pizza break and watched half a movie-one of my favourites 13 going on 30.
Now I could have just stayed on the sleeping bag sofa for the rest of the night but we got up and we got them beds finished. There's still a bit of tidying up to be done but that can wait till the morning. The air was blue-tinged from yours truly getting fed up with improperly fitting screws and I had to apologise to the girls for my bad attitude but all in all the bed-making-adventure went well. Screwdrivers will be returned to their owners tomorrow, with many thanks.
All we need to do now is get rid of the other 3 bed-sets that are cluttering up the house.
Movie is now fully watched and Jen's off to bed. Ali is saying that she thinks she'll head downstairs (her first night down there 'cause she's been air-mattressing with Jen upstairs)
She did mention that she had a nightmare last night and so I'll have to keep an eye on that because when she starts that, I need to add Aspen into her remedy mix.
Tomorrow Ali wants to head downtown Toronto. We'll see what and how everyone feels in the morning. I had a long lie till 7.50 this morning. It's very strange not knowing what time it is until you come downstairs. Perhaps my next purchase will be a wee alarm clock 'cause once Ali is downstairs I'll not hear her alarm for school.
Right folks, It's time for sleep. A strange thing, this fact that all 3 of us get to bed by 11 most nights and sometime around 10pm. Strange indeed.
Sending out a huge hug and lots of love to all,
Lxxxx

Day 16..........still no bed to sleep on-sigh
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases
As the title of this blog implies the bed status is not as hoped-boo hoo.
They did arrive at 10am but the first problem was that the Queen base would not go upstairs and I was told that I would need to call the store to ask for a split base replacement to be delivered. That didn't seem like too big a hiccup, except that I have no phone to call them but as Andrew was coming for dinner tonight, I knew that I could use his phone.
Jen and I excitedly ripped off the covering from her bed and were so disappointed when we sat on it and it made a huge amount of noise. It's got coil springs and it made noise every time we rolled over on it-ugh. So, I was afraid to unwrap the others in case they were the same and decided that because the store would be coming to collect the base, I was just going to return the 3 beds. The picture that came with the beds stated that you also needed a platform, which we hadn't ordered because online it wasn't shown and the bed set looked so much higher and fuller in the photo-as they do. As the cheaper platforms are very ugly it further fuelled my decision to return the whole kit and caboodle, whether that meant an-air-mattress-again-tonight-or-not.
Next episode involved me trekking out to the closest store, on the advice of a customer service guy to Bill. He said that I could see if there were any comparably priced beds to exchange ours for and if not, they'd deal with the returns. Half hr jaunt in the bus and subway to find that the google map instructions were not quite right (a first actually) and I eventually found Sears Home.
First lady at customer service was friendly and helpful and got someone from beds to show me what they had-didn't like any of the cheaper ones-dont like the coils they use-so I went back to customer service to be 'helped' by a girls who could not have been any less helpful. I do feel really sorry for people who are so obviously unhappy with their jobs and who will not make a single bit of effort to be friendly or helpful. I told her that the guy told Bill that the store would deal with the return and she just stated no they didn't and wouldn't unless I had the beds with me-as if! She said I'd have to phone them and I told her I didn't have a phone to which she shoved their phone towards me. I then told her that I didn't have the number to which she pulled the phone back, sighed, dialled a number and held out the receiver. All in silence. No, 'not a problem' or 'I can help you with that' Just a look of 'really!'
The girl on the phone was nice, slow but nice. I was probably put on hold 5 times and the call probably lasted 45 mins. She kept coming back and asking the same things and offering the same things.
I can offer you compensation if you keep the mattress?-It's not useable 'cause it's too noisy and compensation won't help my daughter sleep through that.
Would you like someone to come out and look at it to see if they can fix it?-I've been sleeping on an air-mattress for the last week and want a bed so please could you just pick them up for return so that I can go buy others and have them delivered asap.
You get the idea.
Each time I was put on hold I drew angels and lovehearts to keep me calm. The angels were holding signs such as 'Peace' 'Love' Patience' 'Faith'.......I giggled to the lady who was complaining to them, next to me, about what I was drawing and she said that I was better than her 'cause she'd be drawing daggers-lol.
Eventually, I got a date for them picking up the beds-next Friday-a whole week-the day Bill arrives-sigh. She has put a note on the delivery saying that I will not be in till 2pm on the 12-6 time slot. We will see how that goes and I'll no doubt let you know.
What next you ask? Well, after a quick pitstop home to tell the girls that I was still alive, I headed to Ikea and bought the beds that we were originally going to buy before Bill found thes ones online. And the lesson is.............always try a bed before you buy it.
My new beds arrive tomorrow morning between 9 and 1pm and I'll let you know tomorrow how the building of them goes.
Sitting on the bus back from Ikea it dawned on me just how lucky I am. I complained about and am returning beds that thousands of refugees would feel in heaven to be sleeping upon.
And at the moment, that's all I am saying on that.
Off to bed soon. Got to have a wee chat with my boy before he heads home. We had a lovely dinner and movie together and for that I am also grateful. The bed-thin is really quite insignificant to be bothered by.
Sending much love,
Lxxxx

Day 15..........a Costco trip
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Boy, it was a busy old Costco in Etobicoke today. It is only 10 minutes walk from Alisons school so Jen and I walked there, from home and jumped on a bus back, with a few groceries and a pair of Ugg-like boots in tow. Good job that I didn't go on a spending spree because, like in Edinburgh, Costco don't take credit so I had to pay cash.
We have a great credit card that actually gives us a better exchange rate than having the actual dollars-if anyone is ever interested in getting one for hols etc-see my hubbie.
So, apart from the Costco trip, Jen and I went for a 55 minute walk-without me getting us lost this time. We said the word 'wow' an awful lot because we walked through an area of humungously beautiful homes in tree-lined streets and chose which ones we liked and which ones we didn't. I need to do a little checking of Real Estate in Etobicoke but I suspect a few 'yikes' on doing so. Etobicoke is classed as Greater Toronto and our home is approx 40 minutes from Andrews work which is in the centre of downtown Toronto. We live just a couple of minutes from a subway station so getting anywhere in the Greater Toronto area is easy peasy. Lake Ontario is probably a half hour walk due South and will be one of Jen's and my walks in the near future. The Primrose apartment we went to see was just 5 mins from the lake but we'd rather be up here which is actually a far nicer area, only minus the lake.
Maybe in the spring we'll rent some bikes-or perhaps when Bill is over. We'd be able to cycle right along the shoreline to the CN Tower and beyond to the area called the 'Beaches'
What else? Oh, Alison made me dinner. She saw some canneloni pasta and decided to make her version which was absolutely delicious. Thank you and well done Ali'. She is keen to try lots of new stuff and I'm happy to let her make me dinner.......any time.
Tomorrow night, Andrew is coming over for dinner and I'm looking forward to seeing him. He's not seen the house yet but I know that he'll like it. If we hold on to an air mattress he'll be able to stay over whenever he likes. In fact, when Jen is in Vancouver, he'll even have a bed.
Did I tell you that our beds arrive tomorrow? I think that I may have once or twice. I'm not sure whether my sore neck/ shoulder-blades are due to the heavy carrying of groceries or the air-mattress sleeping but hopefully once I am in a nice comfy bed and the shopping is less, it'll settle down. The delivery is between 7am and 1pm. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's around 9 and that Ali will be gone to school, my meditation and breakfast will be done and that Jen will have been wakened by the 9am bells peeling for mass.
Our temperature has taken a dip but hopefully will climb again for another wee while. Edinburgh was warmer than us today but Saskatoon was only 4 degrees so a bit chilly there for September......Brrrr. One of my beautiful flower pots at the front door had been blown over by the strong winds overnight and got broken. Seemed just like typical Edinburgh weather yesterday so not feeling too homesick folks.
So, I did just spend half and hour writing a huge passage on my feelings on the Scottish referendum but have decided to save it for another time and place. This is, after all, a Canadian adventure and not a Scottish one.
So I will bid you goodnight and hope you're sleeping tight.
Much Love,
Lxx

Day 14............bank account-check (and cheque)

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Hello everyone from a very very very wet Etobicoke. First and foremost I will tell you how to pronounce the area in which we are living in Greater Toronto.

E (as in egg) to (as in toe) bi (as in the beginning of big) co (as in Glen Coe or Seb Coe depending on whether you are a yes or a no voter-lol)

So, that done, I can tell you that there was no rain when we went in to the Mall at 5pm but when we left it, there was lots of it. I giggled most of the way to the subway station and from the subway station home-what else is a girl to do when she has on flip flops and shorts and water dripping from her nose, eh?

The adventure to the mall ws to get me some cheap trainers and I did okay by purchasing a pair of Dr Scholls (not known for their power walking but very well known for their comfort) for $32. Perhaps I will get a real pair of Walkers from adidas at some point but as we won't see Andrew by the time we are walking tomorrow-needs must.

Bonus of the rain is that I didn't have to go out and water the garden, which had been on the agenda for this evening. I will see if I can get the girls to post a picture of the back deck and garden. There are fairies in my garden, you know........and lots of little birds and both black squirrels and grey ones who seem to get along just fine.

There's also been a wee chipmunk in the same spot, outside Ali's window, each time I have looked out of it. Not sure whether he's moved from the spot or not but he just sits there and looks at me.

As the title tells you, I opened a bank acount today with the same bank that I was with more than 20 years ago. They have a great deal on new chequing accounts plus a visa card where (as long as I complete a few jumps through little hoops) I will be $400 up in 3 months time complements of them. Really friendly guy in the bank was a bonus.

I'm trying to persuade Jen to open one as well but she's more of an 'I'll hide it under the mattress' kind of a gal.

I also outdid myself by accomplishing a second thing on my list today. I got myself along to the Ontario Health Offices and signed myself up for Insurance. OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Premium) is a bit like our National Insurance back home. I will qualify for it after I have been in Ontario for 3 months. (I have travel insurance till then) If I was employed, my employer would pay it but I will have to pay the premiums (I think) because I'll be self employed. The health service is free for the most part as long as you have Provincial insurance. Each Province has their own health care system, independent of each other but you will be covered in another Province for up to 3 months of being there. A system which would maybe work quite well if Scotland gets independance, I think.

So, there you have a wee tutorial on Ontario healthcare.

Today my tiredness finally caught up with me and I needed a power nap at 3pm. I know that I'll also be heading to bed early tonight, which isn't unusual actually. We've all been in bed 10-10.30 since we got here, most nights. Not sure if that's our new permenant routine or whether it's just the routine for now. Did I tell you that I haven't had a glass of for more than a fortnight and it's not because I've given it up? If it continues, it will go some small way to paying the extortionate prices for dairy products and I may even treat myself to some yogurt.

Well, folks. I'll sign off for now by wishing you all a peaceful happy rest of your day, whatever time you're at.

Much love, Lxxx

Day 13........Lucky for some..........and us in general?

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Well, as some of you may already know, we are now online and connected. My neck is already telling me that I've spent too long online, catching up with email replies and FB and I think that, after posting this, I will log off for the day. My plan had been for me to check online x 2 daily and to ignore the laptop (except for book-writing) for the rest of the time but I'm not sure how that's going to work in reality. It's kinda nice to connect with people at the moment but I suppose that life will get busier and I won't have the time to sit around chatting.....or will I?
This morning started, like yesterdays at 6.45 which is the time Ali's alarm goes off and I hear it and think to myself 'I better get up because she'll go back to sleep' but this morning I nodded off and, having no clock, I jumped out of bed and ran through to her room to see if she was up. She wasn't but it was only 6.58-whew. They do not tolerate tardiness at her new school so hopefully she'll keep up the good work of arriving on time. She is walking back and forth-approx 20mins, so that's great. We're the first bus stop after the subway station which means that if she wanted to get on the bus it'll be jam packed with other kids going to both her school and the Catholic High school just up the street from hers. They wear uniform-Ali's school do not, which is not as easy as uniform. I think that the complaints about having 'nothing to wear' may increase hugely this year.
So, after being up, doing my meditation, inspirational reading, affirmations, I got scrubbing a bookcase I'd found in a cupboard and it scrubbed it fine. So there's another piece of furniture to add to my 1 chair, 1 table and 1 beanbag-lol.
Once Jen got up and organised, we went for a walk. Our first power walk.......and I got lost. In my defense, I was lost with awareness of being lost as in, I knew that the street we were on ran North South and I had been thinking I was going East. So, a double check that I was going North, with a passer-by and we turned around and headed south and then east and we only took 20 mins longer than the planned hour. It was beautiful and sunny and so lovely. We walked around some beautiful streets with marvellous huge homes-perhaps in my awe, I just took a wrong turn. Bill says that if you're lost, you're lost-I disagree.
Jen's feet were a wee bit sore because she had given me her trainers to wear and she wore her vans. Thanks Jen. I really must invest in some trainers before Thursdays planned walk.
We'll need to invest in a TV too because the cable-box  is not compatible with the lovely old tv we were gifted at the weekend. We will wait till Bill arrives next Fri to buy one and make do with non-cable channels and dvds meantime. We've hardly had time to have the thing on since we got here and hopefully we'll manage to hook the new tv up to the box once we get one-it looked simple enough when he explanied it to me-honest.
What else? Dinner is done-had a little break whilst Vera was here with the new back-door keys and ate some pasta after she left. We have this super duper stovetop that they had to make do with when they delivered the wrong one here. Vera is trying to get the one she wanted and meanwhile we can only use 3 of the 4 elements or I'll be having to learn how to change fuses-lol. The element that I use to get my boiling water for my coffee is almost as fast as boiling a kettle-really!
Only 3 more nights on the floor and then the beds arrive. It will feel like christmas again. Saturday felt like christmas when all the 2nd hand stuff arrived. I was like a wee kid.
'OOO, a grater'.....'ahh, a rolling pin' .........'eee, a big glass bowl'.......you get the idea? I'm very easily made happy.
Right, going to shut up shop because I want to do my first laundry-now that it's confirmed that the water must be off and that's why the machine wasn't filling 2 days ago. I must get myself a clothes airer so I think we'll try and hit some Garage sales this weekend with a shopping list-tee hee.
I got very excited when using my new angled brush and dustpan yesterday-did I tell you?
whitter, whitter, whitter...............okay, I'm going......ttfn.......Love to all...............Lxxxxxx

Day 12 .....and this is only three quarters of the way through it, so that I can post early.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Happy Monday Folks. Some of you may even manage to read this blog the same day that it's written because I am going to go around the corner to good old Timmys and post it once Ali' gets in from school. This is her first Monday-here's hoping that she's had a fab day. She was going to walk to school and back so we'll see. Aha, speak of the devil and she'll appear. She's got her friend Hannah with her-I knew that I didn't have to worry about her making friends. I was just about to say the Ali needed to check her emails to get an address to mail a birthday card but perhaps she'll not want me to chum her now? I'll let you know.

Okay, so what have we been up to? Back to Walmart Jen and I went and we picked up a toaster-yahoo. Ali' will be happy although, give her credit when it's due, she didn't moan about her bread and jam for breakfast this morning. I didn't see this toaster when we were up there yesterday but spyed it in clearance today, with a 5 year warrenty, so we're sorted in the toast department now.

Today we didn't buy quite as much stuff as yesterday but we did pick up another 30 rolls of toilet paper. Bill has taught us well, when it comes to bulk buying and when you're saving $12 per pack, that's good going-right.

So far, it's the only thing that we have bought in bulk. We have yet to hit Costco-lol.

It's quite bizarre not having the car to load everything into. The subway was surprisingly busy out of rush hour and we had to stand part of the way home-thank goodness it wasn't like that yesterday or my arms would have fallen off which would have severely hampered todays shopping trip.

Good exercise people :-)

Jen and I had hoped to begin our power-walking today but I have a slight problem in that I don't have any training shoes to wear. My pair at home were all ripped and I haven't had time to go look for a pair here yet. I meant to look in Walmart (twice)because they often have their branded stuff low priced.....or perhaps my son can get me a cheap pair of Adidas from his shop.......Mmm?

The area around here is very pretty so I'm looking forward to marching up and down the streets, in the near future and looking at all the different varieties of houses, plotting and planning how we will afford to buy one.

The sun has been blazing down all day and Jen and I sat outside on the back steps for an hour this morning before our shopping trip. She read her book and I made good use of the hour by tweezing out all the hairs in my lower legs-ouch. Well, don't laugh. I also haven't had time for waxing and my youngest won't let me wear anything sleeveless until I get my underarms sorted, so I either better find some do-it-yourself-wax or a salon, pronto.

It will be good if we can find some outside-chairs in a garage sale this weekend but I suppose that it's more important to find some indoor chairs first. Our sleeping bag sofa is not the most comfortable and I've yet to wash the scabby chair that we got this past weekend with our garage sale freebies. Ah the joys of camping.

Well, the girls have off and left me because Vera may come with the back door keys at 4.30-5ish. I told her we'd be here because Andrew had thought he may pop over for dinner (it's funny how Fraser has seen the place but Andrew hasn't) but because Fraser goes home this week, he's decided (quite rightly) to hang out with him and Liam. But with no wifi till tomorrow, I couldn't let Vea know that and so I will just pop around later to post this and hopefully find Bill online to chat to. It's great that he's up till the middle of the night and we were on skype for 4.5 hrs the day of the bed-buying. Good job it's free.

Years ago, when Bill and I first got together and I went back to Canada, he used to have to accost his dad's phone bills to hide the fact he was spending hundreds on phone calls-honest. Now, even the phonecalls are cheap........wish the flights were.

Right, Not so much to report and I'm thinking that once I'm settled I may have to start whittering about other things like 'the meaning of life' and 'If I ruled the world' but for now, I'll say ta ta and I'll 'see' you tomorrow.

Much love and hugs,

Lxxxx

Walmart and more Day 11.

Day 11

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases

Sunday, Happy Sunday. From out home you can hear the church bells peeling very loudly when all the windows are open. Good job we were all up by the time the good people of Faith, around the corner, went to worship. Yesterday there was a couple of weddings and the peeling went on….and on…..and on. I quite like it but it’s not Alisons favourite noise.

So, today? We spent from late morning till dinner time up at our most local (we think) large mall because we wanted to go to the closest Walmart (Asda) to get some things for the house and home. The girls left me to go compare prices in Walmart whilst they went through the mall itself. We met 2.5 hrs later and I still hadn’t been to the TV section of the store. After a quick bite to eat, we went to Dollarama and picked up a few things that I noted were cheaper than Walmart. A tin opener (essential when you want to open a tin); a colander (not essential but saves Jen burning her fingers when draining the pot via the lid); 3 wooden spoons (for stirring the pasta and sauce); a large plastic wine glass (for the wine that I may eventually be drinking); a measuring cup (for making soup and a belated birthday cake for Andrew at some point) and a disposable lighter for my candles.

Don’t worry I’m not going to bore you with the details of what I then bought in No Frills that was cheaper than Walmart but if you think large amount of discounted toilet rolls, you’re on the right track.

As often is the case, despite your best intentions, you buy too much stuff to carry without feeling like your arms are going to break off. Laundry detergent and dishwasher soap are flippin’ heavy as is 2l bottles of pop and cartons of apple juice. Thank goodness that the 30 bog rolls were very light and Jen could carry them all.

The sun has been shining all day again and looks set to shine till midweek at least. The house is okay temperature-wise with all the windows open so we’ve not had to switch the air-con’ on. We slept not too badly for our first night on blow-up mattresses and I’m sure, as the week goes on, we’ll get used to them and sleep better. I was up before the girls and boiled a pot of water for my coffee (just like camping) and did my meditation before setting about putting little heart garlands around the place and trying to find a home for various bits and pieces.

We haven’t been online today yet, despite a quick visit to Tim Hortons for breakfast before the mall visit. It’s strange to be so disconnected from everyone but at the same time it really does mean that you stay much more in the NOW, somehow.

I am remembering how grouchy I get when I am hungry and the girls are learning it first hand-poor things. With not having any kind of regular schedule yet, I go from being fine to being starving and ‘feed me now’ in what seems like an instant. My hubbie and sister-in-law will vouch for my irrationality when hungry.

So, we’ve watched the 2^{nd half of the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and the 1st half of the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I am going to go around the corner to post this and we will hopefully finish the Harry Potter Fest’ It’s great having the tv to watch them on rather than the laptop and yet again, I feel grateful for the generosity of those we have been lucky enough to meet.}

Funniest story today is that I excitedly put on a wash, when we got home with the detergent but I had to pause it because I don’t think that the water is turned on. I am scared to just willy nilly turn knobs so I will have to email Vera tonight and ask her what to do. The only problem being that I’ll have to wait till tomorrow to get her answer. Good job I did a wash at the hotel or we’d be handwashing our smalls.

Okay, Will close now and wish you all a wonderful start to your week. Ali has school and Jen and I plan to return to Walmart, otherwise I think it will be a quiet day for us both.

Love to all, Lxxx

Day 10.....or Day 1 in our new home.....yippee.

Day 10
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases
Sitting in Starbucks 5 mins walk from the new home because we needed to get online and well, Starbucks always have wifi and it's a good excuse to get a large decaff Americana, right. This will all stop once we get hooked up to the internet, Bill-honest. It is very different to know that this isn't just my 3 week vacation in Toronto, it's my life, now. And if I treat this like a holiday, I'll be skint and fat in a matter of weeks-lol.
Today we moved (finally) into our new home and it is wonderful. I've had such a blast this afternoon emptying suitcases and choosing what goes where. I have lots of little nik naks given to me by loving thoughtful friends and they are finding special places to share our space. I have a dreamcatcher hanging in my bedroom, some lovehearts hanging in the living room, a beautiful tile in my kitchen, a message from a guardian angel in my bedroom, lovehearts placed with love around the house, a little elephant who's half Scottish and half Canadian trying to decide where he wants to go but I supect he'll move from room to room, a picture of Edinburgh, leaning against the living room wall, Some scottish t-towels and shopping bag which adorn the end of the kitchen 'range', some crystals to help me settle in and my keys to the new home are hanging from a beautiful Angel key chain. Gentle Sigh of gratitude for all the wonderful support that I am surrounded by. And that doesn't cover the beautiful jewellery that I also received and which will likely end up hanging around the house as much as around my neck. Please forgive me if I've forgotten to mention your gift. You will know that it was not intentional-Oh, I just remembered my beautiful colouring book and rainbow pencil which are sitting on our new (very old and worn) table which we picked up for free today from a house down the street which brings me neatly on to the kindness here.
Andrews friend Liam (from Edinburgh) has a Canadian girlfriend whos parents kindly volunteered to give us blow-up mattresses and sleeping bags and a few other bits and bobs.
They were lovely and the bits and bobs included a tv, dvd player, huge skillit and pot, rolling pin, box of school supplies for Ali, new baking set, some books and dvds and other little stuff. They mentioned that there was a yard sale down the street that had a table for sale and so we walked down with them and the yard sale was all packed up but......the table and 1 old chair were just lying at the kerb for anyone to take and we also got a photo frame, some wicker baskets and a salad spinner (which was on my shopping list) and it was all free. Fraser (Andrews pal from Edinburgh who's here on holiday) helped carry it back to the house and we now (after  wee wash) have a table in the dining room and 1 chair. We will just have to have a rota for eating, right.
So the house is beginning to look like a house. The mattresses have linen and pillows on them and the cases are all emptied with clothes all in closets. The kitchen has some stuff in the cupboards and there are towels in the bathrooms.
All in all a very good day.
The other neat thing today is that there's this huge Taste Festival along the street that Starbucks is on and it's like the High Street during the Edinburgh Festival-heavin'. There's loads of food stalls and music and loads of other stuff. I had a huge corn on the cob with butter for lunch-it was massive and delicious. I also spoke with a girls who has a wellness clinic locally who says she has some space that I could use so I will go chat with her this coming week-watch this space.
Okay, that's about it. We are going home to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1........on a TV and not a laptop-yahoo.
Jen has already got bored and gone to Shoppers to buy some juice and then home and Ali has asked me twice if I'm nearly finished so I will close and wish you all a very happy Sunday....because it's already Sunday with you.
Much Love, as ever,
Lxxx