Day 64.........looking for a way to get paid for my writing.
3 Girls and 4 suitcases.
Yesterdays meditation kept being disturbed by the fact that my affirmation was on day 21 and that I hadn't yet manifested the result. I know that it can sometimes take longer than the 3 weeks for the answer to appear but I thought that I better do a little bit of investment-work, to see if I couldn't help it along. So, I spent the day, investigating how I can get paid for doing what I love......writing.
The first thing that I did was google it and there were a couple of things that appealed.
Blogging can apparently get you noticed and then paid and I thought that I could 'back-post' my blogs on both the 'adventure' and my Bach blogs on my website (www.bachflowerconsultsonline.com for anyone who has not stopped by there. The blogs are a bit infrequent of late but I read a couple yesterday and they're no' too bad)
I started to sign up for a blogging account and then decided to google the site, which illuminated the fact that there were people who were very unhappy with it. My indecision (needing Scleranthus) made me stop the sign-up and look at 'freelance' writing on another site. This looked good and I signed up for the free account only to find afterwards that the free account didn't allow for you to apply for any of the work advertised.
Yesterday was full of little challenges like that.
When I went to the bank to withdraw money from my Savings account, the lady advised me that she would have to charge me $5 for the privelage-what? Apparently, they charge for withdrawals at the counter but if I transferred the money online, into my cheque account from my savings, then I could withdraw it for free.
Shaking my head in disbelief, I monitored how I was feeling as I wandered home. Why had this happened when I had been so keen to spread happiness whilst I was out? I realised that (yet again) I was having a negative reaction because I hadn't got what I wanted-plain and simple. By the time I go home, the silver lining was that I was hungry for lunch which would have made me buy a coffee and a muffin out, had I not been sent home to do some banking.
Feeling better, after a PB and jam covered cinnamon bagel and coffee, I headed back to the bank (having also done the transfer) I got a different lady who I joked with about the apple sitting on her counter 'I hope it's not poisoned?' and she told me that a customer had brought them in for staff and that she'd decided not to eat hers....just in case. Don't you just love Halloween.
Big smile on face, I headed to the Library to look at some magazines. I had read an article on how to apply to write articles and I wanted to check out the format of some of them......which I spent an hour doing. Later on, I sent an email to the Editor of the only one I'd looked at.......and my fingers are crossed that she'll like what I sent. But, they do say that a writer better get used to rejection so I will take some Gentian today and hope for a positive response.
The great news yesterday was that Alison got a job. She'll be earning more than me/week-lol. She'll be helping out at a daycare 4-6pm Mon-Fri and it's only 6 mins walk from home. Perfect. Perhaps she'll be able to put in a good word for Jen when she gets home.
Perusing the 'Nanny' jobs, I am stunned and amazed that folk expect to get a 'Professional, High-end and experienced Nanny' for 13-15$/hr. Now, it doesn't sound like a bad amount till you think about what they're asking you to do. To look after the most precious gifts that these employers will ever be given. Putting it into (my) perspective, these people have gym memberships and personal trainers who get paid upwards of $40/hr and hairdressers $50 upwards. They get manicures and pedicures and wear all the current range of clothes.
So why would they think that offering someone who will 'care' for their children so much less than a fraction of keeping-up their appearance. The latest one I looked at was just up the street and was for a newborn, 3yr old and 4 yr old. mmm? $5 each per hour-nope, doesn't feel right to me.........even if it is just so I can help with the bills.
Society has got it all wrong, me thinks. These little people and the bigger 'little people' just want to be loved and know that they are loved.......by their parents (or guardians) They don't care about the latest fashion or best toy to have. The cardboard box that the toy came in is just as exciting. If parents are around to help tham to play with that cardboard box-SCORE.
Okay, rant over. I know that there are many parents who feel trapped in societies rules and who feel like they both have to work. Many a mother that I've spoken to wishes that they could stay at home. Fewer, but some, have expressed a desire to escape the home and work. I believe that a break from your kids/home, regularly is a great and healthy plan. Whether you work or don't work, you have to have some 'alone' time so that you can recharge and be the best mum that you can be. We all do our best and I'm not knocking anybody for their choices.
I am merely refecting on my own worth and that of children. END OF RANT.
Okay, so finishing off. We had Pizza last night because Ali' is out at a party tonight. God bless her, she had the opportunity to go straight to the girls house, from school but turned it down saying 'I don't want to leave my mum alone all day' Awwe.
She's off to school as Lilo, with Stitch in hand-hpefully she'll have a fun Halloween.
Me? I better get a wee bit candy in for the small people who will begin to arrive around 5pm. Once Ali goes out at 7ish, I will perhaps go for a wander around the houses, to take it all in but if the rain keeps pouring....I may just snuggle in a blanket, with a glass of wine and some candles to watch 'Once Upon a Time' (appropriate for Halloween) and ignore the bigger little people who may rap on my door.
Happy Halloween, Folks.
Lxxx
Friday, 31 October 2014
Thursday, 30 October 2014
Day 62....and 63......'cause I chose tv over blogging.
Day 62....and 63......'cause I chose tv over blogging.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I have rediscovered the tv show 'Once Upon a Time' and have to confess to being well and truly 'Hooked' (and he's not even made an appearance yet) When it first came on tv, I decided that I wasn't going to watch it with the rest of the gang because I felt that I was already watching to much tv. I chose Grimm to be my new addition, at that point (a show which I love but which is not available on my current tv channels, here) and that was that.
Last year...or perhaps it was the year before, I caught an episode of Once, when Alison was watching it and I loved it so began to watch it from that point. I also found a few older episodes here and there to catch up on some of the backstory but was always sad that I hadn't just chosen to watch it from the start.
Well, compliments of Netflix, I am now doing just that but it really will interfere with everything else. Luckily, I am not so addicted that I've taken to daytime tv but when Ali goes off to do homework or early bed.....Once, is my go to. Perhaps when I catch up to the episodes I've seen, it'll be less appealing but there is part of season 3 and all of season 4 to watch so that may take a while-lol.
This all came about because I have recorded season 4 but when I put on the first episode, I didn't recognise some of the characters and Henry had got soooo big. Alison, in her wisdom, told me that seasons 1 and 2 were on Netflix-yikes.
So, apologies for missing yesterdays Blog but I was just too cosy, curled up watching Once.
Like my meditation (which didn't happen either yesterday) I think that Blogging in the morning is much easier for me. I don't know whether (once the morning haze lifts) I think better but the words tend to flow, rather than be given any thought. It's not even 8am and I anticipate being done in another 10 minutes.
Alison had a late start at school yesterday and so that's why my routine went doo-laa-lay. I decided to head round to the library at the usual time, rather than do meditation first and yet again, I've proven to myself that if I don't do meditation first thing, it rarely happens.
I haven't yet made it to the (free) meditation-group that I signed up for on a Wednesday night. Ali and I have been eating dinner later and I just haven't made the effort. Going somewhere new doesn't really appeal to me, if the truth be known. Some of you know that I'm a closet-introvert and I am REALLY enjoying not having to 'chit-chat' to people if I don't want to.
I met Vera, briefly yesterday. We were on opposite sides of the subway barrier at Royal York station (2 mins from me) so that she could give me back my 1 and only Bach book and I could give her a mix, before she heads to Croatia today, to see her family. The reason she popped into my head there was because we exchanged not 1 but 2 hugs and it was great to have that positive, physical contact. The physical 'hugging' from my friends is one of the things that I would confess to missing if I wasn't balanced by Bach. So, rather than say that I'm missing them, I'll just say that hugs are something I'd like more of so I may have to make an effort to introduce a couple of huggy people into my life. Actually, Mary hugs me and Marie hugs me and Vera hugs me and Alison.....lets me hug her. Perhaps I just need more of them in my week?
Okay, last 2 days? Not an awful lot to report. Tues and Wed.....Mmm.
I discovered that my 250 minutes have been used (they sent a text to say that I will now be charged) and I'm like YEEK, WHAT....I've made no phonecalls. I have had several long, lovely incoming ones from Bill but surely they don't count that? Well, looking at my online bill usage, it appears that they do-ugh. However, now that we are aware of it Bill will just call me after 5pm Canadian time because my evenings and weekends are unlimited.
HOW CAN THEY CHARGE YOU FOR INCOMING CALLS?
Everything here tends to be cheaper on evenings and weekends. I don't run the dishwasher or washer between 7 and 5pm weekdays and I actually have pretty much stopped using the dryer and just use the airer to hang the washing up on.
We only have 2 more days till we put our heating on and it's good news because the temp' is set to plummet this weekend. Low single figures during the day-Brrrr.
The library is always cosy and warm-I do so love the library with all it's books, comfy chairs and beautiful tree-views. What I very much dislike is all the crunching and rustling that goes on and I bet that it's only going to get worse as the winter hits and more people (like me) spend time there to enjoy the warmth. Yesterday there was one kid having lunch out of tinfoil and then an old wifey sat down beside me and unpacked her 'goodies' ready to start munching. Good job that it was time to go home.
Our home is older and brick so I'm not sure how it will hold onto the heat inside it, once I have the heat on in the mornings and the evenings but we shall soon know and, if it turns out to be toasty I may just stay home to write.
What else?
Food-wise, we seem to be existing on pasta in one variety or other. Lasagne, chicken-lasagne, cannelonni, spaggetti, mac-cheese, penne......you get the idea. I must try to get inventive....thank goodness for the home-made soup. Being cold, in here, doesn't inspire salad or fruit, for that matter. Roasted veg may be the way for me to go but what about Alison....Mmmm?
Our new mayor, who is not and is not related to our old (infamous)mayor intends to put up the TTC from $3 to $4 apparently....good start Mr Tory......goes with the name-right? Hit the everyday man in the pocket from day 1. Rant over until the next time.
I had a bit of a furniture moving episode yesterday. The Netflix has been temperamental on wifi and so I decided just to hook it up to the hard-line and voila-it's perfect. I just had to move the tv over to the other corner so that I could run a cable from the modem to the back of it. Who's a clever-clogs, then? When Jen get's back, she may be able to tell me how she set up the wifi connection and we can change things round again but I actually prefer the furniture the way it is now.
I bought a wee roots-dye for my hair, to hide the grey but it was pretty rubbish around the stubborn temple bits and so I will either have to go dark again or find a reasonably priced hairdresser. Always a wee bit scary, a new hairdresser but I can always wear a hat....it's going to be winter after all.
Okay, must dash off and do the meditation-thing BEFORE I go to the library.
Oh, and I bottled the Plank challenge last night. Gave up at 90 secs of the 2 mins and may r may not try to build it up more gradually. I am 52 after all and doing no other abdo work........do I hear 'that's no excuse'? Well done Jenny Penny for getting to 2 mins. Alison got to 100 secs and probably would have kept going had I not distracted her with giving up. Sorry Al'
Much Love to all and Happy Halloween for tomorrow, Folks.
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I have rediscovered the tv show 'Once Upon a Time' and have to confess to being well and truly 'Hooked' (and he's not even made an appearance yet) When it first came on tv, I decided that I wasn't going to watch it with the rest of the gang because I felt that I was already watching to much tv. I chose Grimm to be my new addition, at that point (a show which I love but which is not available on my current tv channels, here) and that was that.
Last year...or perhaps it was the year before, I caught an episode of Once, when Alison was watching it and I loved it so began to watch it from that point. I also found a few older episodes here and there to catch up on some of the backstory but was always sad that I hadn't just chosen to watch it from the start.
Well, compliments of Netflix, I am now doing just that but it really will interfere with everything else. Luckily, I am not so addicted that I've taken to daytime tv but when Ali goes off to do homework or early bed.....Once, is my go to. Perhaps when I catch up to the episodes I've seen, it'll be less appealing but there is part of season 3 and all of season 4 to watch so that may take a while-lol.
This all came about because I have recorded season 4 but when I put on the first episode, I didn't recognise some of the characters and Henry had got soooo big. Alison, in her wisdom, told me that seasons 1 and 2 were on Netflix-yikes.
So, apologies for missing yesterdays Blog but I was just too cosy, curled up watching Once.
Like my meditation (which didn't happen either yesterday) I think that Blogging in the morning is much easier for me. I don't know whether (once the morning haze lifts) I think better but the words tend to flow, rather than be given any thought. It's not even 8am and I anticipate being done in another 10 minutes.
Alison had a late start at school yesterday and so that's why my routine went doo-laa-lay. I decided to head round to the library at the usual time, rather than do meditation first and yet again, I've proven to myself that if I don't do meditation first thing, it rarely happens.
I haven't yet made it to the (free) meditation-group that I signed up for on a Wednesday night. Ali and I have been eating dinner later and I just haven't made the effort. Going somewhere new doesn't really appeal to me, if the truth be known. Some of you know that I'm a closet-introvert and I am REALLY enjoying not having to 'chit-chat' to people if I don't want to.
I met Vera, briefly yesterday. We were on opposite sides of the subway barrier at Royal York station (2 mins from me) so that she could give me back my 1 and only Bach book and I could give her a mix, before she heads to Croatia today, to see her family. The reason she popped into my head there was because we exchanged not 1 but 2 hugs and it was great to have that positive, physical contact. The physical 'hugging' from my friends is one of the things that I would confess to missing if I wasn't balanced by Bach. So, rather than say that I'm missing them, I'll just say that hugs are something I'd like more of so I may have to make an effort to introduce a couple of huggy people into my life. Actually, Mary hugs me and Marie hugs me and Vera hugs me and Alison.....lets me hug her. Perhaps I just need more of them in my week?
Okay, last 2 days? Not an awful lot to report. Tues and Wed.....Mmm.
I discovered that my 250 minutes have been used (they sent a text to say that I will now be charged) and I'm like YEEK, WHAT....I've made no phonecalls. I have had several long, lovely incoming ones from Bill but surely they don't count that? Well, looking at my online bill usage, it appears that they do-ugh. However, now that we are aware of it Bill will just call me after 5pm Canadian time because my evenings and weekends are unlimited.
HOW CAN THEY CHARGE YOU FOR INCOMING CALLS?
Everything here tends to be cheaper on evenings and weekends. I don't run the dishwasher or washer between 7 and 5pm weekdays and I actually have pretty much stopped using the dryer and just use the airer to hang the washing up on.
We only have 2 more days till we put our heating on and it's good news because the temp' is set to plummet this weekend. Low single figures during the day-Brrrr.
The library is always cosy and warm-I do so love the library with all it's books, comfy chairs and beautiful tree-views. What I very much dislike is all the crunching and rustling that goes on and I bet that it's only going to get worse as the winter hits and more people (like me) spend time there to enjoy the warmth. Yesterday there was one kid having lunch out of tinfoil and then an old wifey sat down beside me and unpacked her 'goodies' ready to start munching. Good job that it was time to go home.
Our home is older and brick so I'm not sure how it will hold onto the heat inside it, once I have the heat on in the mornings and the evenings but we shall soon know and, if it turns out to be toasty I may just stay home to write.
What else?
Food-wise, we seem to be existing on pasta in one variety or other. Lasagne, chicken-lasagne, cannelonni, spaggetti, mac-cheese, penne......you get the idea. I must try to get inventive....thank goodness for the home-made soup. Being cold, in here, doesn't inspire salad or fruit, for that matter. Roasted veg may be the way for me to go but what about Alison....Mmmm?
Our new mayor, who is not and is not related to our old (infamous)mayor intends to put up the TTC from $3 to $4 apparently....good start Mr Tory......goes with the name-right? Hit the everyday man in the pocket from day 1. Rant over until the next time.
I had a bit of a furniture moving episode yesterday. The Netflix has been temperamental on wifi and so I decided just to hook it up to the hard-line and voila-it's perfect. I just had to move the tv over to the other corner so that I could run a cable from the modem to the back of it. Who's a clever-clogs, then? When Jen get's back, she may be able to tell me how she set up the wifi connection and we can change things round again but I actually prefer the furniture the way it is now.
I bought a wee roots-dye for my hair, to hide the grey but it was pretty rubbish around the stubborn temple bits and so I will either have to go dark again or find a reasonably priced hairdresser. Always a wee bit scary, a new hairdresser but I can always wear a hat....it's going to be winter after all.
Okay, must dash off and do the meditation-thing BEFORE I go to the library.
Oh, and I bottled the Plank challenge last night. Gave up at 90 secs of the 2 mins and may r may not try to build it up more gradually. I am 52 after all and doing no other abdo work........do I hear 'that's no excuse'? Well done Jenny Penny for getting to 2 mins. Alison got to 100 secs and probably would have kept going had I not distracted her with giving up. Sorry Al'
Much Love to all and Happy Halloween for tomorrow, Folks.
Lxxx
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Day 61..........A lovely work-day.
Day 61..........A lovely work-day.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday morning was my 'work-day' and I had a lovely couple of hours with Ross. The staff already greet me with 'Hey, it's Monday' so I guess I've been noticed and accepted. I was doing a wee tidy-up and found a note which had a couple of names, 27th and 11am pick-up written on it. When I had arrived, Ross seemed to know that he was expecting visitors so I guess that somewhere inside, he remembered writing the note to himself. He had written it on the calendar for 26th but we surmised that he was likely getting picked up at 11 and he went off to get himself ready whilst I busied myself tidying up.
His lunch-date pick-up arrived at 11 and they were a lovely couple who were taking him to the Golf-Club. I was sad to see Ross go, 'cause he's great fun but I was glad that he would be spending another of couple of hours with good company and I used the remaining half hour to clean his wee fridge. I noticed that he's got a lunch-date on his calendar for next monday but not till 11.30 so that will work out grand because I can help him get organised whilst tidying up for his guests arriving.
I love being there. I love older people and chatting with them. There was an election yesterday and they actually had a wee voting booth in the residence library. Cute.
After I left there, I took the subway to the Target store (a bit like Asda/Walmart) to buy Ali the new Taylor Swift cd, which went on sale yesterday. Unfortunately the competition to meet her didn't seem to extend to Canada but she is very happy with the music and the little photos inside the cover. Needless to say, I've been hearing a lot of Taylor Swift.
I was like a child in a candy store, with a new superstore to look through and I got some HUGE bargains on coloured Sharpies.......lots of them.
I decided to walk home, which I thought was around 40 mins but was actually 50 plus-groan. I had a couple of bags of stuff and was glad to plonk myself down on the sofa,with a cuppa when I got in.
Bill and I spent more than an hour on the phone, which was lovely and then, equally as lovely, my Boy came for dinner after work-yippee. Lovely to see him. His back is playing up so a wee bit Reiki and some Brufen given and hopefully he'll be feeling better today.
The early night that Ali and I had planned did not materialize and we both saw midnight come and go........and then it was today.
Sending my love out your way, as always,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday morning was my 'work-day' and I had a lovely couple of hours with Ross. The staff already greet me with 'Hey, it's Monday' so I guess I've been noticed and accepted. I was doing a wee tidy-up and found a note which had a couple of names, 27th and 11am pick-up written on it. When I had arrived, Ross seemed to know that he was expecting visitors so I guess that somewhere inside, he remembered writing the note to himself. He had written it on the calendar for 26th but we surmised that he was likely getting picked up at 11 and he went off to get himself ready whilst I busied myself tidying up.
His lunch-date pick-up arrived at 11 and they were a lovely couple who were taking him to the Golf-Club. I was sad to see Ross go, 'cause he's great fun but I was glad that he would be spending another of couple of hours with good company and I used the remaining half hour to clean his wee fridge. I noticed that he's got a lunch-date on his calendar for next monday but not till 11.30 so that will work out grand because I can help him get organised whilst tidying up for his guests arriving.
I love being there. I love older people and chatting with them. There was an election yesterday and they actually had a wee voting booth in the residence library. Cute.
After I left there, I took the subway to the Target store (a bit like Asda/Walmart) to buy Ali the new Taylor Swift cd, which went on sale yesterday. Unfortunately the competition to meet her didn't seem to extend to Canada but she is very happy with the music and the little photos inside the cover. Needless to say, I've been hearing a lot of Taylor Swift.
I was like a child in a candy store, with a new superstore to look through and I got some HUGE bargains on coloured Sharpies.......lots of them.
I decided to walk home, which I thought was around 40 mins but was actually 50 plus-groan. I had a couple of bags of stuff and was glad to plonk myself down on the sofa,with a cuppa when I got in.
Bill and I spent more than an hour on the phone, which was lovely and then, equally as lovely, my Boy came for dinner after work-yippee. Lovely to see him. His back is playing up so a wee bit Reiki and some Brufen given and hopefully he'll be feeling better today.
The early night that Ali and I had planned did not materialize and we both saw midnight come and go........and then it was today.
Sending my love out your way, as always,
Lxxx
Monday, 27 October 2014
Day 60........WOW, how did that happen?
Day 60........WOW, how did that happen?
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Sunday was booked as a shopping day and we haeded out before 10.30, with the purchase of our Family TTC Day Pass. First we headed to the Value Village to see if we could pick up a red dress for Ali because she's decided to go to her Halloween party as Lilo (of the Stitch variety-not the thing that you float about in the pool on top of.....like one of her classmates thought-lol)
We got a dress but there are adjustments which need to be made (shortened and white leaves stuck on) before it will be party-worthy. She also got black thick leggings, which she needs for Drama classes and a lovely black belted cardi. All for the jolly sum of less than $30.
We then headed downtown Toronto and picked up a couple of bits and pieces and a bite to eat, before heading back home around 3.30. After dropping Ali at home, I headed out with the trusty Day pass to return the yoga pants I had purchased for her (which were disliked) and to pick up some groceries. Walmart was a ZOO and I spent longer in line to pay than I did shopping.
Dropping the groceries in at the house, I headed down to No Frills to pick up another few things (there is only so much a girl can carry-right?) whilst Ali made me some Cannelonni for dinner. Perfect timing for both bus there and back and a quick twirl around the shelves and the dinner was just about on the table when I got home. YUM. She's really quite the wee expert at it now-plus she mixes in the leftover pasta from any previous meal and double YUM.
Where the rest of the evening went was a mystery. We did watch a very funny episode of the Big Bang but apart from that and writing my blog......Mmm?
I do remember it was cold and I remember that we had the night off from our Plank-ing......not so lucky tonight on the second point-groan.
Sending lots of love out to you all and hope that your week is off to a fantastic beginning.
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Sunday was booked as a shopping day and we haeded out before 10.30, with the purchase of our Family TTC Day Pass. First we headed to the Value Village to see if we could pick up a red dress for Ali because she's decided to go to her Halloween party as Lilo (of the Stitch variety-not the thing that you float about in the pool on top of.....like one of her classmates thought-lol)
We got a dress but there are adjustments which need to be made (shortened and white leaves stuck on) before it will be party-worthy. She also got black thick leggings, which she needs for Drama classes and a lovely black belted cardi. All for the jolly sum of less than $30.
We then headed downtown Toronto and picked up a couple of bits and pieces and a bite to eat, before heading back home around 3.30. After dropping Ali at home, I headed out with the trusty Day pass to return the yoga pants I had purchased for her (which were disliked) and to pick up some groceries. Walmart was a ZOO and I spent longer in line to pay than I did shopping.
Dropping the groceries in at the house, I headed down to No Frills to pick up another few things (there is only so much a girl can carry-right?) whilst Ali made me some Cannelonni for dinner. Perfect timing for both bus there and back and a quick twirl around the shelves and the dinner was just about on the table when I got home. YUM. She's really quite the wee expert at it now-plus she mixes in the leftover pasta from any previous meal and double YUM.
Where the rest of the evening went was a mystery. We did watch a very funny episode of the Big Bang but apart from that and writing my blog......Mmm?
I do remember it was cold and I remember that we had the night off from our Plank-ing......not so lucky tonight on the second point-groan.
Sending lots of love out to you all and hope that your week is off to a fantastic beginning.
Lxxx
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Day 59.........a nail-biting Final, at the rugby.
Day 59.........a nail-biting Final, at the rugby.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, I had several plans for yesterday morning which did not materialize. The church down the street was having a Fayre and I thought I'd check that out....but didn't. I thought that I may go shopping early with Ali'.......we didn't. So after a quiet uneventful early morning, I headed off to the rugby the back of 11am.
Alison had been planning to join me but had been up for 3 hrs in the night, feeling sick. Wee gem didn't wake me so I was rested enough to go. The reason for the early departure was because the young folk who were taking me wanted to see the 2nd XV Final which was being played before the 1st XV one.
I spent the time before Andrews game, in the clubhouse writing a letter to go in my Sis' birthday card.......you'll get it soon, Janette...or on your birthday.
The weather was warm and dry. I had taken several layers with me but didn't require the thickest one-a scottish rugby hoodie. Wearing my Portobello jacket, I find it difficult not to shout 'Come on Porty' due to all the games I watched Andrew play for Portobello, when he was growing up. The fact that he is nicknamed 'Porty' by the Toronto Scottish guys would have made it a bit embarrassing for him if I had slipped up and yelled 'c'mon Porty'-right?
It was a helluva game...nailbiting right to the last with the final score being 27-22.......for them-ugh. I kept imagining the final score being either 28-27 (if we kicked 2 penalties) or 29-27 (if we'd convered a try) Maybe that was the problem. I ought to have focused on one or the other...of course that would have changed things :-)
Scottish were rightly gutted and it must have been hellish for the guy who was sinbinned during the time the winning try was scored. I could never play a team sport in case it was my fault the team lost.....or in case I felt like it was my fault that the team lost, even. There was a Halloween night out after the game so hopefully they would all have gone out and made merry.
I came home straight after the game again so didn't get to give Andrew a big hug. He says that he's not too 'down' today, after my text to tell him to take Gentian, if he was.
Ali had been feeling icky on and off whilst I was out but was okay in the evening when we watched Serendipity-one of my favourites. I didn't repeat my filmfest of last Saturday night but I did watch the end of the last movie I started, then. I am watching the movies with interest in their structure and plotlines much more, now. It's very curious.....or not so much, seeing as how I am trying to write the screenplay to a good one-lol.
And on that note I'll say nighty night now.
Much love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Well, I had several plans for yesterday morning which did not materialize. The church down the street was having a Fayre and I thought I'd check that out....but didn't. I thought that I may go shopping early with Ali'.......we didn't. So after a quiet uneventful early morning, I headed off to the rugby the back of 11am.
Alison had been planning to join me but had been up for 3 hrs in the night, feeling sick. Wee gem didn't wake me so I was rested enough to go. The reason for the early departure was because the young folk who were taking me wanted to see the 2nd XV Final which was being played before the 1st XV one.
I spent the time before Andrews game, in the clubhouse writing a letter to go in my Sis' birthday card.......you'll get it soon, Janette...or on your birthday.
The weather was warm and dry. I had taken several layers with me but didn't require the thickest one-a scottish rugby hoodie. Wearing my Portobello jacket, I find it difficult not to shout 'Come on Porty' due to all the games I watched Andrew play for Portobello, when he was growing up. The fact that he is nicknamed 'Porty' by the Toronto Scottish guys would have made it a bit embarrassing for him if I had slipped up and yelled 'c'mon Porty'-right?
It was a helluva game...nailbiting right to the last with the final score being 27-22.......for them-ugh. I kept imagining the final score being either 28-27 (if we kicked 2 penalties) or 29-27 (if we'd convered a try) Maybe that was the problem. I ought to have focused on one or the other...of course that would have changed things :-)
Scottish were rightly gutted and it must have been hellish for the guy who was sinbinned during the time the winning try was scored. I could never play a team sport in case it was my fault the team lost.....or in case I felt like it was my fault that the team lost, even. There was a Halloween night out after the game so hopefully they would all have gone out and made merry.
I came home straight after the game again so didn't get to give Andrew a big hug. He says that he's not too 'down' today, after my text to tell him to take Gentian, if he was.
Ali had been feeling icky on and off whilst I was out but was okay in the evening when we watched Serendipity-one of my favourites. I didn't repeat my filmfest of last Saturday night but I did watch the end of the last movie I started, then. I am watching the movies with interest in their structure and plotlines much more, now. It's very curious.....or not so much, seeing as how I am trying to write the screenplay to a good one-lol.
And on that note I'll say nighty night now.
Much love to all,
Lxxx
Saturday, 25 October 2014
Day 58.....more sunshine on the deck.
Day 58.....more sunshine on the deck.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
There were more hours spent in the sunshine yesterday, on the Deck for 2.5 hours, writing/reading and enjoying the warmth. The Deck gets the sun from around 10.30-1pm and so if I get my meditation and breakfast out of the way, I'm all set for that each morning.
Not that I anticipate many more mornings where I can sit out there-well, not in a t-shirt and shorts anyhow. I may continue to sit outside, all bundled up in layers, for as long as I can, though.
Before I sat outside I had a lovely chat via FB with my friend Charlene. It's not the same as having a coffee/chat and hug, face to face but it's still great to be able to still do it.
I am also trying to ressuscitate my plants by offering them music, laughter and REiki/remedies. No, I am not bonkers (despite what my family think) and one of them seems to be responding by growing new green shoots. The other one is struggling-I don't think it likes the cold so it's been on the deck, in the sunshine, with me......to no avail thus far.
After the sunshine, I had some lunch indoors and then headed round the corner to the library for an hour or so. I almost got finished what I wanted to but remembered that Ali hadn't taken her key and so I headed home so that she wouldn't find a locked door. Almost 4 hrs working on the writing seemed okay, anyways.
No crunching but the boy next to me had the music in his ears way too loud but I managed to tune it out for the most part. And, get this, somebody was actually snoring, up the line of chairs from where I was. I smailed and was glad that I was not beside them or I would have had to have given them a good kick.
Last evening didn't bring anything of excitement to report. The 60 seconds of Plank-ing was done, with a huge groan at the end. I am not looking forward to todays 90 secs.
Love to all,
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
There were more hours spent in the sunshine yesterday, on the Deck for 2.5 hours, writing/reading and enjoying the warmth. The Deck gets the sun from around 10.30-1pm and so if I get my meditation and breakfast out of the way, I'm all set for that each morning.
Not that I anticipate many more mornings where I can sit out there-well, not in a t-shirt and shorts anyhow. I may continue to sit outside, all bundled up in layers, for as long as I can, though.
Before I sat outside I had a lovely chat via FB with my friend Charlene. It's not the same as having a coffee/chat and hug, face to face but it's still great to be able to still do it.
I am also trying to ressuscitate my plants by offering them music, laughter and REiki/remedies. No, I am not bonkers (despite what my family think) and one of them seems to be responding by growing new green shoots. The other one is struggling-I don't think it likes the cold so it's been on the deck, in the sunshine, with me......to no avail thus far.
After the sunshine, I had some lunch indoors and then headed round the corner to the library for an hour or so. I almost got finished what I wanted to but remembered that Ali hadn't taken her key and so I headed home so that she wouldn't find a locked door. Almost 4 hrs working on the writing seemed okay, anyways.
No crunching but the boy next to me had the music in his ears way too loud but I managed to tune it out for the most part. And, get this, somebody was actually snoring, up the line of chairs from where I was. I smailed and was glad that I was not beside them or I would have had to have given them a good kick.
Last evening didn't bring anything of excitement to report. The 60 seconds of Plank-ing was done, with a huge groan at the end. I am not looking forward to todays 90 secs.
Love to all,
Lxx
Friday, 24 October 2014
Day 57.......lots of sunshine and lots of writing.
Day 57.......lots of sunshine and lots of writing.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday morning brought lots of sunshine and a walk down to the school with Alison, first thing. She had a laptop, a school bag and a cardboard project to transport there and I offered to chum her and get 40 mins exercise at the same time.
By the time I got home, did my meditation and had breakfast, the sun was shining on the deck and I decided to sit out there and do my writing. 2 hours of sunshine later and the sun had disappeared from the deck. It was still shining-it had just moved around the side of the house.
After some lunch I headed to the library to do the rest of my writing-shift and was glad to find that there were no noisy crunchers in sight because I had forgotten to take the bottle of Beech with me.
After I got home, I spent a lovely long phone-call with Bill before Ali and I sat down for leftover lasagne and veg. She had hot lasagne and cold lettuce and I had cold lasagne and hot brocolli, mushrooms and red peppers. Yum for both of us.
The soup that I made on Tues has lasted all week and Ali has been having a bowl when she gets in from school which is great 'cause it's packed with veg. A routine I hope we keep going all winter.
Quiet evening with a couple of episodes of tv watched (we are working our way through season 1 of Charmed) and what was to be an early night until I began to look at Donny and Marie videos on you tube. My plan for 10.30 turned into after 11.30 so tonight (despite it being Friday) I am hoping to get into bed sharp.
I know that it would be good if I spent less time in bed but I wold like to get there earlier and rise earlier. It felt better doing that during our early days here. The darker nights will soon be upon us-must check that our clocks are the same as the UK. It would be lovely if they go back an hour this weekend because Ali and I have a Sunday full of shopping with our Family TTC pass.
Tomorrow we are off to see Andrews team win the cup for the first time since 1977.
May have to give a match report in tomorrows blog, if I'm too excited to wait till Sunday-lol.
Anyhoo, off to bed I jolly well go.
Love to all,
Lxxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday morning brought lots of sunshine and a walk down to the school with Alison, first thing. She had a laptop, a school bag and a cardboard project to transport there and I offered to chum her and get 40 mins exercise at the same time.
By the time I got home, did my meditation and had breakfast, the sun was shining on the deck and I decided to sit out there and do my writing. 2 hours of sunshine later and the sun had disappeared from the deck. It was still shining-it had just moved around the side of the house.
After some lunch I headed to the library to do the rest of my writing-shift and was glad to find that there were no noisy crunchers in sight because I had forgotten to take the bottle of Beech with me.
After I got home, I spent a lovely long phone-call with Bill before Ali and I sat down for leftover lasagne and veg. She had hot lasagne and cold lettuce and I had cold lasagne and hot brocolli, mushrooms and red peppers. Yum for both of us.
The soup that I made on Tues has lasted all week and Ali has been having a bowl when she gets in from school which is great 'cause it's packed with veg. A routine I hope we keep going all winter.
Quiet evening with a couple of episodes of tv watched (we are working our way through season 1 of Charmed) and what was to be an early night until I began to look at Donny and Marie videos on you tube. My plan for 10.30 turned into after 11.30 so tonight (despite it being Friday) I am hoping to get into bed sharp.
I know that it would be good if I spent less time in bed but I wold like to get there earlier and rise earlier. It felt better doing that during our early days here. The darker nights will soon be upon us-must check that our clocks are the same as the UK. It would be lovely if they go back an hour this weekend because Ali and I have a Sunday full of shopping with our Family TTC pass.
Tomorrow we are off to see Andrews team win the cup for the first time since 1977.
May have to give a match report in tomorrows blog, if I'm too excited to wait till Sunday-lol.
Anyhoo, off to bed I jolly well go.
Love to all,
Lxxxxx
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Day 56......helping with homework feels much easier here.
Day 56......helping with homework feels much easier here.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I know that yesterdays rant from the library was probably the biggest laugh of the day but the nicest thing of the day was helping Alison with her homework, without any distractions or wish to be doing anything else. We almost feel like a single mom and child, just now and whilst I wouldn't imagine that to be an easy long-term relationship for those who are actually doing it, for these last couple of weeks it's been enjoyable.
Discovering things about yourself, is amazing sometimes. Whilst I have been noticing this joy of helping, I have been looking at my past resentments about helping the kids with homework and I have come to the conclusion that I had expectations of them and me and the schools and the combination thereof which made the reality unacceptable to me. Also, I always thought that I had to divide myself up evenly between Bill and the kids, which was impossible, practically.
This, being just me and Ali, takes away the 'dividing myself up' and the added fact that I practice mindfulness meditation means that I seldom have expectations of anything.......WIN!
Now for my loved ones reading, Bill, Andrew and Jen......you know that I'd 100% rather that we were all together but for now, this is fun.
So, back to the homework 'cause apart from spending 3 hrs in the library yesterday and wanting to stab the 'crunchers' there's not a lot else to report. Although, I did finish my book yet again.
Ali had an essay, which she wanted me to read over and help her edit and I was really impressed with it. What a way she has of telling a story-fab.
Her other piece of homework involved making a vision board for careers and she had printed off some stuff and we rummaged around for other things. I cut out letters for her to write words on it and she sorted and glued and made a really cool effect board. Apparently her teacher was in a foul mood today, tho' so there was no pat on the back, merely a 'roll it up or fold it amd make sure it fits in my tray'. None of the kids got positive feedback and Ali thinks that they may all have done the assignment wrong. But they all did the same type of thing, independant of each other and so, if they got it wrong, the teacher really needs to take a look at the way she wrote her instructions-lol.
I fancied a wee glass of wine last night and so I had one. A wee one, with one of my shows whilst Ali' hit the shower.....a nice end to a nice evening.
So, this isn't being written in the library-it's 6.23pm and feels like 9.23pm for some reason.
I will close, here and send out lots of love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I know that yesterdays rant from the library was probably the biggest laugh of the day but the nicest thing of the day was helping Alison with her homework, without any distractions or wish to be doing anything else. We almost feel like a single mom and child, just now and whilst I wouldn't imagine that to be an easy long-term relationship for those who are actually doing it, for these last couple of weeks it's been enjoyable.
Discovering things about yourself, is amazing sometimes. Whilst I have been noticing this joy of helping, I have been looking at my past resentments about helping the kids with homework and I have come to the conclusion that I had expectations of them and me and the schools and the combination thereof which made the reality unacceptable to me. Also, I always thought that I had to divide myself up evenly between Bill and the kids, which was impossible, practically.
This, being just me and Ali, takes away the 'dividing myself up' and the added fact that I practice mindfulness meditation means that I seldom have expectations of anything.......WIN!
Now for my loved ones reading, Bill, Andrew and Jen......you know that I'd 100% rather that we were all together but for now, this is fun.
So, back to the homework 'cause apart from spending 3 hrs in the library yesterday and wanting to stab the 'crunchers' there's not a lot else to report. Although, I did finish my book yet again.
Ali had an essay, which she wanted me to read over and help her edit and I was really impressed with it. What a way she has of telling a story-fab.
Her other piece of homework involved making a vision board for careers and she had printed off some stuff and we rummaged around for other things. I cut out letters for her to write words on it and she sorted and glued and made a really cool effect board. Apparently her teacher was in a foul mood today, tho' so there was no pat on the back, merely a 'roll it up or fold it amd make sure it fits in my tray'. None of the kids got positive feedback and Ali thinks that they may all have done the assignment wrong. But they all did the same type of thing, independant of each other and so, if they got it wrong, the teacher really needs to take a look at the way she wrote her instructions-lol.
I fancied a wee glass of wine last night and so I had one. A wee one, with one of my shows whilst Ali' hit the shower.....a nice end to a nice evening.
So, this isn't being written in the library-it's 6.23pm and feels like 9.23pm for some reason.
I will close, here and send out lots of love to all,
Lxxx
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
Day 55....lots of beautiful leaves....and who is that 'crunching'?
Day 55.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So. I am at the library again, the rain has stopped and the sky is blue and I have just spent more than 3 hrs with my notepad and book. The book is read and I now have to begin the task of trying to format a screenplay which is a wee bit daunting due to the many rules and jargon used. Still, forward I go.....tomorrow.
The annoying thing about sitting in the library is that you have no control of what other people do. The guy to the right was crunching his snacks (sounded like trail-mix/nuts) and I had to plug my right ear for that time. Then a guy sat down on the left and began tapping at his touchscreen which just kept making 'bloop' type noise. So I had to lean to the left, plugging that ear. Then the guy to the right started chomping into an apple-groan and sigh and groan again. Seriously, biting into what sounded like a huge juicy apple.....really? So it was back to plugging up my right ear and it's a good job that the pair of them weren't making noises at the same time or I wouldn't have been able to hold my book and pen. Lefty has just left the building and I am now hoping that my typing on my keypad may annoy righty, in vengeance. Oh Linsey, that's not nice-lol. Think I may need some Beech.
Right, yesterday saw the new microwave installed on the counter in the kitchen. Not nearly enough counter-space so I have had to put my coffee maker on the 'Island' but he doesn't seem to mind and still had my coffee ready for me at 7.10am
After I left the library yesterday, I did a wee bit bargain-shopping for coffee and then went home and had some home made soup. I haven't bought my soup pot yet but managed to make a decent portion in my biggest pot and then transferred it into a casserole. Yum. I am looking forward to another microwaved bowl, when I get home after finishing this.
I walked down to meet Ali from school and picked up some beautiful leaves on the way home. She had a good giggle at my glee of finding such beautiful colours and shapes.
The evening was cold in our wee unheated home. I said to Ali that we may have to put the heating on but she's determined that we'll make it to Nov 1st. When I chummed her down to school this morning, we could see our breath so I am not convinced-lol.
We both headed up to bed sharpish (to keep warm, na just kidding) and I had taken a fleecy blanket to add to my duvet as I had been cold on Monday night. Just as I was all snuggled in Ali shouted through that we hadn't done our plank-HUGE groan, from yours truly and the reply of "I don't care-I am not getting out of bed" after trying to chivvy me to get up she finally got out of bed and I told her that I'd do my 45 seconds under my covers.....and I did. I should get a bonus for doing so with weight on top.
And that was that. Much cosier sleep and challenge still on track.
Home for soup now.
Lots of love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So. I am at the library again, the rain has stopped and the sky is blue and I have just spent more than 3 hrs with my notepad and book. The book is read and I now have to begin the task of trying to format a screenplay which is a wee bit daunting due to the many rules and jargon used. Still, forward I go.....tomorrow.
The annoying thing about sitting in the library is that you have no control of what other people do. The guy to the right was crunching his snacks (sounded like trail-mix/nuts) and I had to plug my right ear for that time. Then a guy sat down on the left and began tapping at his touchscreen which just kept making 'bloop' type noise. So I had to lean to the left, plugging that ear. Then the guy to the right started chomping into an apple-groan and sigh and groan again. Seriously, biting into what sounded like a huge juicy apple.....really? So it was back to plugging up my right ear and it's a good job that the pair of them weren't making noises at the same time or I wouldn't have been able to hold my book and pen. Lefty has just left the building and I am now hoping that my typing on my keypad may annoy righty, in vengeance. Oh Linsey, that's not nice-lol. Think I may need some Beech.
Right, yesterday saw the new microwave installed on the counter in the kitchen. Not nearly enough counter-space so I have had to put my coffee maker on the 'Island' but he doesn't seem to mind and still had my coffee ready for me at 7.10am
After I left the library yesterday, I did a wee bit bargain-shopping for coffee and then went home and had some home made soup. I haven't bought my soup pot yet but managed to make a decent portion in my biggest pot and then transferred it into a casserole. Yum. I am looking forward to another microwaved bowl, when I get home after finishing this.
I walked down to meet Ali from school and picked up some beautiful leaves on the way home. She had a good giggle at my glee of finding such beautiful colours and shapes.
The evening was cold in our wee unheated home. I said to Ali that we may have to put the heating on but she's determined that we'll make it to Nov 1st. When I chummed her down to school this morning, we could see our breath so I am not convinced-lol.
We both headed up to bed sharpish (to keep warm, na just kidding) and I had taken a fleecy blanket to add to my duvet as I had been cold on Monday night. Just as I was all snuggled in Ali shouted through that we hadn't done our plank-HUGE groan, from yours truly and the reply of "I don't care-I am not getting out of bed" after trying to chivvy me to get up she finally got out of bed and I told her that I'd do my 45 seconds under my covers.....and I did. I should get a bonus for doing so with weight on top.
And that was that. Much cosier sleep and challenge still on track.
Home for soup now.
Lots of love to all,
Lxxx
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Day 54........written at my new spot in the library.
Day 54.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Monday morning and it was my first day of my new wee job with Ross. The bus times were perfect and got me up to his area within 12 mins. A quick 5 min walk and I was inside the 'Village' and he was delighted to see me.
I quickly set about some tidying up whilst he firstly was seen by the Podiatrist and secondly by the nurse who applied all his dermatology creams. Whilst he was waiting on the creams to dry, I set him to work on checking that the DVds were in the correct boxes. I have read a wee bit and it says to try to give Altzeimers sufferers as much to do as they are able....4o that's the plan. Next week, I've told him he'll be sorting through all his car-mag's. I may have to remind him....and myself of that, when Monday morning arrives.
Mary arrived around 11.45 and took us all to their golf-club for a lovely lunch-yum. People were very sweet, coming over to chat with Ross. It seems like a caring community for him to have outings to.
So, week 1 in and I think he and I are going to have some good giggles together. He loves movies and wants me to remind him how to 'Google'. The computer Whizz in me can manage that, me thinks.
Mary dropped me at home, after we took Ross home and I had a lovely skype chat with Ashley. The link dropped a couple of times. By the 3rd time, we wondered if it may be a sign. Turns out it was her anniversary so the Universe was probably telling her to go spend some time with her hubbie-lol.
Alison had already begun to make our dinner whilst I was Skyping and she does a really tasy cannelonni these days-yum. She suggested mixing through the leftover spaggetti and it made it even yummier.
After dinner we had to go to a meeting at her school about the New York trip she goes on next month. 5 days and 3 plays....sounds fab and I am jealous. Ewan McGregor, Glenn Close and Michael Cera.....not bad plays.
We went for a few groceries seeing as we were down near No Frills and we walked home in the rain. By the time we were reaching home, it was chucking it down and the drips were falling from my eyebrows-lol.
Once inside and dried off, I remembered that I wanted to nip round to Shoppers for some bargains that were finishing last night...off to get wet again.
Worth the savings of almost 50% tho'
Bill phoned and we spent a good hour (as opposed to a bad hour, you say?) chatting. No tv and a quick blog and my 45. Seconds plank and I was ready for bed. How come it wass after 11.30? Because I had got wet twice, I hadn't really warmed up and I felt cold for the bigger part of the night-boo hoo. I think I may take a fluffy blanket up there tonight...or maybe Jen's duvet-lol.
So, that's that.
Another day.....a few dollars earned.
Much love to all, Lxx
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Happy Tuesday, Folks.
So, sitting in the nice warm library, gazing out occasionally at every possible Fall colour, on the many trees outside the window, There is a huge leaf-storm going on out there and I am thinking that my lawn will be covered in leaves when I get home. Oh well-it's beautiful, at least. I have spent the last 2 hrs here, with my book and notepad. I get a wee bit sleepy in the afternoons, especially when trying to read, so I thought I'd write the blog for Yesterday and then get back to my notes. My phone is working again courtesy of Dan-the-Man at the phone shop. All he did was take the battery out and put it back in and it worked. I did that....twice. Mmm? So, no laptop here but I can send myself a message from my phone to copy and paste when I get home.
So, sitting in the nice warm library, gazing out occasionally at every possible Fall colour, on the many trees outside the window, There is a huge leaf-storm going on out there and I am thinking that my lawn will be covered in leaves when I get home. Oh well-it's beautiful, at least. I have spent the last 2 hrs here, with my book and notepad. I get a wee bit sleepy in the afternoons, especially when trying to read, so I thought I'd write the blog for Yesterday and then get back to my notes. My phone is working again courtesy of Dan-the-Man at the phone shop. All he did was take the battery out and put it back in and it worked. I did that....twice. Mmm? So, no laptop here but I can send myself a message from my phone to copy and paste when I get home.
Monday morning and it was my first day of my new wee job with Ross. The bus times were perfect and got me up to his area within 12 mins. A quick 5 min walk and I was inside the 'Village' and he was delighted to see me.
I quickly set about some tidying up whilst he firstly was seen by the Podiatrist and secondly by the nurse who applied all his dermatology creams. Whilst he was waiting on the creams to dry, I set him to work on checking that the DVds were in the correct boxes. I have read a wee bit and it says to try to give Altzeimers sufferers as much to do as they are able....4o that's the plan. Next week, I've told him he'll be sorting through all his car-mag's. I may have to remind him....and myself of that, when Monday morning arrives.
Mary arrived around 11.45 and took us all to their golf-club for a lovely lunch-yum. People were very sweet, coming over to chat with Ross. It seems like a caring community for him to have outings to.
So, week 1 in and I think he and I are going to have some good giggles together. He loves movies and wants me to remind him how to 'Google'. The computer Whizz in me can manage that, me thinks.
Mary dropped me at home, after we took Ross home and I had a lovely skype chat with Ashley. The link dropped a couple of times. By the 3rd time, we wondered if it may be a sign. Turns out it was her anniversary so the Universe was probably telling her to go spend some time with her hubbie-lol.
Alison had already begun to make our dinner whilst I was Skyping and she does a really tasy cannelonni these days-yum. She suggested mixing through the leftover spaggetti and it made it even yummier.
After dinner we had to go to a meeting at her school about the New York trip she goes on next month. 5 days and 3 plays....sounds fab and I am jealous. Ewan McGregor, Glenn Close and Michael Cera.....not bad plays.
We went for a few groceries seeing as we were down near No Frills and we walked home in the rain. By the time we were reaching home, it was chucking it down and the drips were falling from my eyebrows-lol.
Once inside and dried off, I remembered that I wanted to nip round to Shoppers for some bargains that were finishing last night...off to get wet again.
Worth the savings of almost 50% tho'
Bill phoned and we spent a good hour (as opposed to a bad hour, you say?) chatting. No tv and a quick blog and my 45. Seconds plank and I was ready for bed. How come it wass after 11.30? Because I had got wet twice, I hadn't really warmed up and I felt cold for the bigger part of the night-boo hoo. I think I may take a fluffy blanket up there tonight...or maybe Jen's duvet-lol.
So, that's that.
Another day.....a few dollars earned.
Much love to all, Lxx
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone
Monday, 20 October 2014
Day 53....and the grass looks beautiful....wee post.
Day 53....and the grass looks beautiful.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, as the title suggests, I mowed the grass, front and back and raked all the leaves and it looks so much better. I also cut Justin, next doors back grass to return the favour of him doing mine last time. All in all a very satisfying (if tiring) experience.
Despite the fact we have a petrol mower at home, I haven't used one before. A wee bit scary but after putting some petrol into it and pumping the gas and then pulling the throttle......a few times.....we were off. I had to ask a lovely guy, who was cutting branches off his trees 2 doors down, if he knew how to get the grass basket off and after a couple of minutes of both of us going 'doh' we worked it out and I was able to empty and refill till the task was complete.
Good job it's done 'cause it's absolutely pouring down today. The bad news is that there are still an awful lot of leaves on the trees and the rake will need to come out again soon.
I never read the previous days blog so not sure whether or not I mentioned that I'd had a nice lie-in after my movie-marathon? Probably did. That's the problem with writing about the day before at the end of the day.....so much has happened today.
Apart from the grass cutting yesterday, there's actually not a lot to report. It was a rest-day from the Plank challenge that we're doing and a pretty restful day overall. We were both tucked up in bed pretty sharp to get rested to face this week. That makes it sound like there's something to face-lol. There's not. We just needed an early night.
Time has run away this evening again.......I'll tell you why tomorrow.
Just a wee one tonight...oh and if anyone s reading this who has my new phone number-my phone just died so you'll need to email me-ugh.
Lotsa love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, as the title suggests, I mowed the grass, front and back and raked all the leaves and it looks so much better. I also cut Justin, next doors back grass to return the favour of him doing mine last time. All in all a very satisfying (if tiring) experience.
Despite the fact we have a petrol mower at home, I haven't used one before. A wee bit scary but after putting some petrol into it and pumping the gas and then pulling the throttle......a few times.....we were off. I had to ask a lovely guy, who was cutting branches off his trees 2 doors down, if he knew how to get the grass basket off and after a couple of minutes of both of us going 'doh' we worked it out and I was able to empty and refill till the task was complete.
Good job it's done 'cause it's absolutely pouring down today. The bad news is that there are still an awful lot of leaves on the trees and the rake will need to come out again soon.
I never read the previous days blog so not sure whether or not I mentioned that I'd had a nice lie-in after my movie-marathon? Probably did. That's the problem with writing about the day before at the end of the day.....so much has happened today.
Apart from the grass cutting yesterday, there's actually not a lot to report. It was a rest-day from the Plank challenge that we're doing and a pretty restful day overall. We were both tucked up in bed pretty sharp to get rested to face this week. That makes it sound like there's something to face-lol. There's not. We just needed an early night.
Time has run away this evening again.......I'll tell you why tomorrow.
Just a wee one tonight...oh and if anyone s reading this who has my new phone number-my phone just died so you'll need to email me-ugh.
Lotsa love to all,
Lxxx
Sunday, 19 October 2014
Day 52.......nail-biting rugby.
Day 52.......nail-biting rugby.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday saw an easy, quiet morning with a visit from the landlady and her hubbie to show me how to use the lawn mower. I am currently contemplating going out this afternoon and cutting the grass.....tomorrows blog will tell whether the contemplation evolves into actual action.
Andrew had organised for me to be picked up at Downsview subway station, to go see him play rugby. The fields that he plays in are innaccessible via public transport so it was great to be able to go, as it was a semi final for their cup. I google-mapped it to see how long it would take me so that I wouldn't be late and I headed out with an extra 5 minutes added on.
The way that the subway is, there is a line that runs west to east (Bloor line) which I had to go eastwards on....and I did. The other line runs north to south (University line) to Union Station and then (like a u shape) it runs north again Yonge line) There are2 points where you can change from the bloor line onto the university line (Spadina and St George) and 1 point where you can change from the bloor line to the yonge line (Bloor/Yonge)
Why am I giving you a lesson on the subway system? Because I had a bit of a senior moment and ended up on the wrong northbound train. For some reason, in my head, I thought I knew where Downsview was......at the end of the Yonge line. So I got the Bloor train to Yonge to discover that we needed to take shuttle buses north 4 subway stops due to subway maintenance. Once onto my second train, I looked at the subway map opposite my seat to work out how much longer it would take me. Thinking where is Downsview? I got up to take a good look at the map to discover that Downsview was the last stop on the Univerity line.....not the Yonge line......GROAN. By this time I am almost up level to it on the wrong line. (imagine a u and I'm near the top of the wrong upright) I jumped off the train at the next stop so that I could call my ride, convinced that I had blown it and I would be heading home again. The kids were great and said that they had to head East anyway so they would come pick me up at the next station North. There was a gas station, next to the subway, where they had to fill up, so I met them there 10 minutes later and only 15 minutes late.
They were lovely young people. Julie was driving. She used to play for the Toronto Scottish womens team and is still involved with them. Her brother Steve usually plays with Andrew but has a bad foot injury and there was another guy whos name (I'm ashamed to say) I did not catch. They all chatted away both on the way there and the way back. They also made sure that I sat with them for the time before the game despite my telling them that I'd be okay and that I had my book.
For the game itself, I went and stood under a tree trying to find a bit of shelter from the very cold wind that was blowing. The kids were with their friends and I was happy to just be by myself. The game got off to a great start with Andrew scoring the first try, in the first few minutes-yippee. Unfortunately, that was the only score that they got in the first half. The other team were ahead 17-5 when the half-time whistle blew. In Scottish's defence, the seagulls were stationary, in the air, trying to fly in the direction Scottish had to play during the first half. Very, very slowly and causing me to have a nail-biting urge, Toronto Scottish finally won 21-17 to find themselves in the final next weekend-yippeee.
Julie was 'frozen' and we didn't stick around for long enough for me to give Andrew a big hug but that was okay. It was wonderful to be able to watch him play rugby again and he had a great game.
Sorry to have bored those of you with no interest in rugby but it's part of my adventure.
The kids dropped me at Downsview station and I met Ali at Pizza Pizza to get our dinner. It was a cold, windy 5 degrees walk home at 6.30pm
We ate our pizza whilst catching up on some family comedy shows we had taped because our Netflix has been playing up. We eventually got it to work at 8.15 and watched a 'teen- movie' together before she headed off to bed and I began a movie marathon fuelled by a couple of glasses of Pino which expanded into several more. The problem with my bargain box of wine is that you can't see how much you have glugged. Still, there's no hangover and so I know that it wasn't too too much but I did fall asleep on movie number 4. I did take some notes for the screenplay :-)
So, now it's decision-time. I think the fact that the sun has come out means grass-cutting is on.
Much love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday saw an easy, quiet morning with a visit from the landlady and her hubbie to show me how to use the lawn mower. I am currently contemplating going out this afternoon and cutting the grass.....tomorrows blog will tell whether the contemplation evolves into actual action.
Andrew had organised for me to be picked up at Downsview subway station, to go see him play rugby. The fields that he plays in are innaccessible via public transport so it was great to be able to go, as it was a semi final for their cup. I google-mapped it to see how long it would take me so that I wouldn't be late and I headed out with an extra 5 minutes added on.
The way that the subway is, there is a line that runs west to east (Bloor line) which I had to go eastwards on....and I did. The other line runs north to south (University line) to Union Station and then (like a u shape) it runs north again Yonge line) There are2 points where you can change from the bloor line onto the university line (Spadina and St George) and 1 point where you can change from the bloor line to the yonge line (Bloor/Yonge)
Why am I giving you a lesson on the subway system? Because I had a bit of a senior moment and ended up on the wrong northbound train. For some reason, in my head, I thought I knew where Downsview was......at the end of the Yonge line. So I got the Bloor train to Yonge to discover that we needed to take shuttle buses north 4 subway stops due to subway maintenance. Once onto my second train, I looked at the subway map opposite my seat to work out how much longer it would take me. Thinking where is Downsview? I got up to take a good look at the map to discover that Downsview was the last stop on the Univerity line.....not the Yonge line......GROAN. By this time I am almost up level to it on the wrong line. (imagine a u and I'm near the top of the wrong upright) I jumped off the train at the next stop so that I could call my ride, convinced that I had blown it and I would be heading home again. The kids were great and said that they had to head East anyway so they would come pick me up at the next station North. There was a gas station, next to the subway, where they had to fill up, so I met them there 10 minutes later and only 15 minutes late.
They were lovely young people. Julie was driving. She used to play for the Toronto Scottish womens team and is still involved with them. Her brother Steve usually plays with Andrew but has a bad foot injury and there was another guy whos name (I'm ashamed to say) I did not catch. They all chatted away both on the way there and the way back. They also made sure that I sat with them for the time before the game despite my telling them that I'd be okay and that I had my book.
For the game itself, I went and stood under a tree trying to find a bit of shelter from the very cold wind that was blowing. The kids were with their friends and I was happy to just be by myself. The game got off to a great start with Andrew scoring the first try, in the first few minutes-yippee. Unfortunately, that was the only score that they got in the first half. The other team were ahead 17-5 when the half-time whistle blew. In Scottish's defence, the seagulls were stationary, in the air, trying to fly in the direction Scottish had to play during the first half. Very, very slowly and causing me to have a nail-biting urge, Toronto Scottish finally won 21-17 to find themselves in the final next weekend-yippeee.
Julie was 'frozen' and we didn't stick around for long enough for me to give Andrew a big hug but that was okay. It was wonderful to be able to watch him play rugby again and he had a great game.
Sorry to have bored those of you with no interest in rugby but it's part of my adventure.
The kids dropped me at Downsview station and I met Ali at Pizza Pizza to get our dinner. It was a cold, windy 5 degrees walk home at 6.30pm
We ate our pizza whilst catching up on some family comedy shows we had taped because our Netflix has been playing up. We eventually got it to work at 8.15 and watched a 'teen- movie' together before she headed off to bed and I began a movie marathon fuelled by a couple of glasses of Pino which expanded into several more. The problem with my bargain box of wine is that you can't see how much you have glugged. Still, there's no hangover and so I know that it wasn't too too much but I did fall asleep on movie number 4. I did take some notes for the screenplay :-)
So, now it's decision-time. I think the fact that the sun has come out means grass-cutting is on.
Much love to all,
Lxxx
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Day 51.......helping out others.
Day 51.......helping out others.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, first off, my coffee maker is fab. I got up yesterday morning and my first cuppa was waiting to be poured from the pot. Yum and contented sigh, which was repeated this morning.
I spent a couple of hours on FB yesterday morning. Not without being up and down for food and shower etc but it was amazing how that 2 hours just disappeared. One of my bestest, oldest friend was diagnosed with cancer and so I launched into how I may be of use.
An email to her via Bill (she's not online) and instructions for him to make and deliver remedies for her plus a wee shout out to some spiritual folk for universal help and my work was done. She will either smiled or struck me off her friendship list.......hopefully the former.
I did a bit of reading and note-making before heading out to see a beautiful mom and baby combo. I've visited before but this time I was on my own and so was mommy. We spent hours chatting and comparing notes and the 5+ hours just flew by. I hadn't planned to spend that long there but Ali' was visiting with a friend, so I had no reason to rush home. I was reminded of how isolating motherhood, especially those early months, can be.
Even as an experienced baby-handler, I remember the anxiety of getting-it-right. Making decisions for someone else which would affect their lives and being totally responsible for that little beings survival.
Now, there is no doubt who's really in charge in that new mom/baby relationship. The babe has all the power.......and the mom has to give up any idea that she has about having control. If you are someone who has been used to being in control of everything in your life, motherhood can be especially challenging.
I have always thanked the universe (lying-in recent years, I have thanked it) for sending Andrew into my life. I would never have begun my spiritual journey if I hadn't had to struggle with all the emotions of motherhood. Bill has been like a huge magnet, at times I have tried to repel him and his love but the magnestism between us always returns to positive and I find that he's helped me to be a little less 'repellent' each time. At all times, now (except when I'm in need of Holly-personalising and Beech-intolerance) I know that I am hugely lucky to have had him stick by me all this time, through all of my emotional darkness and my perceived failings. When you have built a wall around yourself, as I had done in my childhood/teens, it's difficult to let someone through it. Like the magical wall into Diagon Alley, in Harry Potter, we all have a way to let someone in so if you are like me (of old) ....remember that.
Oh, that was a wee detour...hope you didn't mind. It ought to have been on the Bach Blog....may move some of it there later.
I came home by bus, despite my plan for walking home. It was pitch dark and I decided that I hadn't walked that area before so it would be better to get the bus. I exited the subway station at the opposite end from usual, right beside the LCBO (wine store) so that I could pick up a bottle. I ended up with a 4 litre box of Pino.......because it was on sale-lol.
I am so much better with my wine consumption than I used to be. That moderation that I have striven for seems to have appeared and I only had a small glass last night despite having my big box. Progress indeed to choose to have some decaff' rather than another glass-yippee.
Ali sent a text to say that she wouldn't be home till midnightish and so I was in bed before she got home although I did hear her come in.
I had a lovely chat with Bill on the phone and watched some of my taped shows because it was the first time I'd had the house to myself.
I was brushing my teeth when I remembered that I hadn't done my 30 seconds of 'planking' so I went downstairs and did it and felt very proud of myself. I have to do my 40 seconds today-yikes.
Anyways folks, I am off to see Andrew play rugby. He's organised for me to be picked up at a subway station by one of his team-mates so I better not be late.
Love to all,
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, first off, my coffee maker is fab. I got up yesterday morning and my first cuppa was waiting to be poured from the pot. Yum and contented sigh, which was repeated this morning.
I spent a couple of hours on FB yesterday morning. Not without being up and down for food and shower etc but it was amazing how that 2 hours just disappeared. One of my bestest, oldest friend was diagnosed with cancer and so I launched into how I may be of use.
An email to her via Bill (she's not online) and instructions for him to make and deliver remedies for her plus a wee shout out to some spiritual folk for universal help and my work was done. She will either smiled or struck me off her friendship list.......hopefully the former.
I did a bit of reading and note-making before heading out to see a beautiful mom and baby combo. I've visited before but this time I was on my own and so was mommy. We spent hours chatting and comparing notes and the 5+ hours just flew by. I hadn't planned to spend that long there but Ali' was visiting with a friend, so I had no reason to rush home. I was reminded of how isolating motherhood, especially those early months, can be.
Even as an experienced baby-handler, I remember the anxiety of getting-it-right. Making decisions for someone else which would affect their lives and being totally responsible for that little beings survival.
Now, there is no doubt who's really in charge in that new mom/baby relationship. The babe has all the power.......and the mom has to give up any idea that she has about having control. If you are someone who has been used to being in control of everything in your life, motherhood can be especially challenging.
I have always thanked the universe (lying-in recent years, I have thanked it) for sending Andrew into my life. I would never have begun my spiritual journey if I hadn't had to struggle with all the emotions of motherhood. Bill has been like a huge magnet, at times I have tried to repel him and his love but the magnestism between us always returns to positive and I find that he's helped me to be a little less 'repellent' each time. At all times, now (except when I'm in need of Holly-personalising and Beech-intolerance) I know that I am hugely lucky to have had him stick by me all this time, through all of my emotional darkness and my perceived failings. When you have built a wall around yourself, as I had done in my childhood/teens, it's difficult to let someone through it. Like the magical wall into Diagon Alley, in Harry Potter, we all have a way to let someone in so if you are like me (of old) ....remember that.
Oh, that was a wee detour...hope you didn't mind. It ought to have been on the Bach Blog....may move some of it there later.
I came home by bus, despite my plan for walking home. It was pitch dark and I decided that I hadn't walked that area before so it would be better to get the bus. I exited the subway station at the opposite end from usual, right beside the LCBO (wine store) so that I could pick up a bottle. I ended up with a 4 litre box of Pino.......because it was on sale-lol.
I am so much better with my wine consumption than I used to be. That moderation that I have striven for seems to have appeared and I only had a small glass last night despite having my big box. Progress indeed to choose to have some decaff' rather than another glass-yippee.
Ali sent a text to say that she wouldn't be home till midnightish and so I was in bed before she got home although I did hear her come in.
I had a lovely chat with Bill on the phone and watched some of my taped shows because it was the first time I'd had the house to myself.
I was brushing my teeth when I remembered that I hadn't done my 30 seconds of 'planking' so I went downstairs and did it and felt very proud of myself. I have to do my 40 seconds today-yikes.
Anyways folks, I am off to see Andrew play rugby. He's organised for me to be picked up at a subway station by one of his team-mates so I better not be late.
Love to all,
Lxxxx
Day 51.......helping out others.
Day 51.......helping out others.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, first off, my coffee maker is fab. I got up yesterday morning and my first cuppa was waiting to be poured from the pot. Yum and contented sigh, which was repeated this morning.
I spent a couple of hours on FB yesterday morning. Not without being up and down for food and shower etc but it was amazing how that 2 hours just disappeared. One of my bestest, oldest friend was diagnosed with cancer and so I launched into how I may be of use.
An email to her via Bill (she's not online) and instructions for him to make and deliver remedies for her plus a wee shout out to some spiritual folk for universal help and my work was done. She will either smiled or struck me off her friendship list.......hopefully the former.
I did a bit of reading and note-making before heading out to see a beautiful mom and baby combo. I've visited before but this time I was on my own and so was mommy. We spent hours chatting and comparing notes and the 5+ hours just flew by. I hadn't planned to spend that long there but Ali' was visiting with a friend, so I had no reason to rush home. I was reminded of how isolating motherhood, especially those early months, can be.
Even as an experienced baby-handler, I remember the anxiety of getting-it-right. Making decisions for someone else which would affect their lives and being totally responsible for that little beings survival.
Now, there is no doubt who's really in charge in that new mom/baby relationship. The babe has all the power.......and the mom has to give up any idea that she has about having control. If you are someone who has been used to being in control of everything in your life, motherhood can be especially challenging.
I have always thanked the universe (lying-in recent years, I have thanked it) for sending Andrew into my life. I would never have begun my spiritual journey if I hadn't had to struggle with all the emotions of motherhood. Bill has been like a huge magnet, at times I have tried to repel him and his love but the magnestism between us always returns to positive and I find that he's helped me to be a little less 'repellent' each time. At all times, now (except when I'm in need of Holly-personalising and Beech-intolerance) I know that I am hugely lucky to have had him stick by me all this time, through all of my emotional darkness and my perceived failings. When you have built a wall around yourself, as I had done in my childhood/teens, it's difficult to let someone through it. Like the magical wall into Diagon Alley, in Harry Potter, we all have a way to let someone in so if you are like me (of old) ....remember that.
Oh, that was a wee detour...hope you didn't mind. It ought to have been on the Bach Blog....may move some of it there later.
I came home by bus, despite my plan for walking home. It was pitch dark and I decided that I hadn't walked that area before so it would be better to get the bus. I exited the subway station at the opposite end from usual, right beside the LCBO (wine store) so that I could pick up a bottle. I ended up with a 4 litre box of Pino.......because it was on sale-lol.
I am so much better with my wine consumption than I used to be. That moderation that I have striven for seems to have appeared and I only had a small glass last night despite having my big box. Progress indeed to choose to have some decaff' rather than another glass-yippee.
Ali sent a text to say that she wouldn't be home till midnightish and so I was in bed before she got home although I did hear her come in.
I had a lovely chat with Bill on the phone and watched some of my taped shows because it was the first time I'd had the house to myself.
I was brushing my teeth when I remembered that I hadn't done my 30 seconds of 'planking' so I went downstairs and did it and felt very proud of myself. I have to do my 40 seconds today-yikes.
Anyways folks, I am off to see Andrew play rugby. He's organised for me to be picked up at a subway station by one of his team-mates so I better not be late.
Love to all,
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
So, first off, my coffee maker is fab. I got up yesterday morning and my first cuppa was waiting to be poured from the pot. Yum and contented sigh, which was repeated this morning.
I spent a couple of hours on FB yesterday morning. Not without being up and down for food and shower etc but it was amazing how that 2 hours just disappeared. One of my bestest, oldest friend was diagnosed with cancer and so I launched into how I may be of use.
An email to her via Bill (she's not online) and instructions for him to make and deliver remedies for her plus a wee shout out to some spiritual folk for universal help and my work was done. She will either smiled or struck me off her friendship list.......hopefully the former.
I did a bit of reading and note-making before heading out to see a beautiful mom and baby combo. I've visited before but this time I was on my own and so was mommy. We spent hours chatting and comparing notes and the 5+ hours just flew by. I hadn't planned to spend that long there but Ali' was visiting with a friend, so I had no reason to rush home. I was reminded of how isolating motherhood, especially those early months, can be.
Even as an experienced baby-handler, I remember the anxiety of getting-it-right. Making decisions for someone else which would affect their lives and being totally responsible for that little beings survival.
Now, there is no doubt who's really in charge in that new mom/baby relationship. The babe has all the power.......and the mom has to give up any idea that she has about having control. If you are someone who has been used to being in control of everything in your life, motherhood can be especially challenging.
I have always thanked the universe (lying-in recent years, I have thanked it) for sending Andrew into my life. I would never have begun my spiritual journey if I hadn't had to struggle with all the emotions of motherhood. Bill has been like a huge magnet, at times I have tried to repel him and his love but the magnestism between us always returns to positive and I find that he's helped me to be a little less 'repellent' each time. At all times, now (except when I'm in need of Holly-personalising and Beech-intolerance) I know that I am hugely lucky to have had him stick by me all this time, through all of my emotional darkness and my perceived failings. When you have built a wall around yourself, as I had done in my childhood/teens, it's difficult to let someone through it. Like the magical wall into Diagon Alley, in Harry Potter, we all have a way to let someone in so if you are like me (of old) ....remember that.
Oh, that was a wee detour...hope you didn't mind. It ought to have been on the Bach Blog....may move some of it there later.
I came home by bus, despite my plan for walking home. It was pitch dark and I decided that I hadn't walked that area before so it would be better to get the bus. I exited the subway station at the opposite end from usual, right beside the LCBO (wine store) so that I could pick up a bottle. I ended up with a 4 litre box of Pino.......because it was on sale-lol.
I am so much better with my wine consumption than I used to be. That moderation that I have striven for seems to have appeared and I only had a small glass last night despite having my big box. Progress indeed to choose to have some decaff' rather than another glass-yippee.
Ali sent a text to say that she wouldn't be home till midnightish and so I was in bed before she got home although I did hear her come in.
I had a lovely chat with Bill on the phone and watched some of my taped shows because it was the first time I'd had the house to myself.
I was brushing my teeth when I remembered that I hadn't done my 30 seconds of 'planking' so I went downstairs and did it and felt very proud of myself. I have to do my 40 seconds today-yikes.
Anyways folks, I am off to see Andrew play rugby. He's organised for me to be picked up at a subway station by one of his team-mates so I better not be late.
Love to all,
Lxxxx
Friday, 17 October 2014
Day 50.....indoors....not much adventure.
Day 50.......indoors....not much adventure.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday did not hold a lot of adventure, although at this late time tonight, I may just have forgotten it.
I know that I did a fair bit of reading and taking notes and I did contemplate going for a walk after dinner but decided against it, which was just as well because the rain came down in torrents and we had lots of thunder and lightening. It seems to me like I may have told you that fact whilst typing last nights blog?....I'm getting a little confused. Mmm.
My hand blender arrived in the post and looks pretty decent. I love the way that parcels just get dumped at your door.....I had another one there when I got home tonight. A very trusting place this.
The blender is for my soups for the winter. I love soup at lunch and it would be good for Ali to have a bowl when she gets home from school. I don't have a huge repertoire but I do like smooth soups as does Ali.
I set up my coffee maker last night and I will try to remember to tell you how that worked out this morning........tomorrow. Yep, confusing, right?
I may have to switch it around again....the timings of these blogs.
But for now, I am going to cut this one short because my brain is struggling to think of anything worth sharing. Todays stuff would be more fun to share....hopefully I will remember that tomorrow.
Love to all and Happy Friday.
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday did not hold a lot of adventure, although at this late time tonight, I may just have forgotten it.
I know that I did a fair bit of reading and taking notes and I did contemplate going for a walk after dinner but decided against it, which was just as well because the rain came down in torrents and we had lots of thunder and lightening. It seems to me like I may have told you that fact whilst typing last nights blog?....I'm getting a little confused. Mmm.
My hand blender arrived in the post and looks pretty decent. I love the way that parcels just get dumped at your door.....I had another one there when I got home tonight. A very trusting place this.
The blender is for my soups for the winter. I love soup at lunch and it would be good for Ali to have a bowl when she gets home from school. I don't have a huge repertoire but I do like smooth soups as does Ali.
I set up my coffee maker last night and I will try to remember to tell you how that worked out this morning........tomorrow. Yep, confusing, right?
I may have to switch it around again....the timings of these blogs.
But for now, I am going to cut this one short because my brain is struggling to think of anything worth sharing. Todays stuff would be more fun to share....hopefully I will remember that tomorrow.
Love to all and Happy Friday.
Lxxx
Thursday, 16 October 2014
Day 49......that's 7 weeks in.
Day 49......that's 7 weeks in.
3 Girls and 4 suitcases.
Unbelievable that it's been 7 weeks but in some ways it feels like I have always been here.
Going back to my day yesterday, I will join it at the supported care home where Ross showed me around, for a second time because he had no memory of having done so a first time. He introduced me to lots of people, as being from Scotland and seems to be well-liked by the staff and other residents. I know that he may not remember that I'm going to be visiting him weekly but hopefully he will be glad to see me each monday.
After we left him, Mary and I went back to her apartment which is in central downtown and is magnificent. It's one of those tower blocks where you imagine famous people live, with the security and needing a key for your elevator which opens at your door. The view is phenomenal and Mary was (I think) an Arts/History major and has impeccable taste in everything....not that my home would be like hers, even if I could afford it but her home is a filmstar, just like her smile.
We didn't stop there for long as she took me accross the street for some lunch and I had my first taste of sushi which will not be my last. I just happened to mention that I had never tasted any and so she picked some up and insisted I have a piece. I trusted her and boy, was it yummy. Avocado and salmon surrounded by rice with a wee bit soya-yum. The blackened chicken wrap that I had ws none too shabby either.
After lunch we went to visit Marys new baby grandaughter who is just a couple of weeks old. She didn't really waken up the whole time we were there beause she was snuggled into a piece of machinery which most new mums or NICU/SCBU nurses would kill for. It was like a basin on a trunk attached to a base which had several different modes and sounds. Baby Grace was in kangaroo silent mode and basically the motion lifted her up gently sweeping to the right then across and gently swept down from the left. The whirring of the machine was hypnotic and I think that ther should be several of these available in all maternity units to give mums a wee breather from rocking their baby to jump in the bath.
I may be going to do a few hours, helping Graces mum out, whilst she's small. Details to be decided, if it goes ahead but I do think that it would be amazing to be looking after Andrew's baby since I helped look after him from age 6-8yrs. Isn't life funny. His twin brothers wife is expecting baby number 2 in January and may also be loking for some help, so watch this space although I truly don't think that I came here to be a full (or even part-time) nanny but I am open to what's in store.......and I do so love babies.
After the visit, Mary showed me where Scott and his wife lived and then drove us back to her place from where I jumped on the subway home via a Tim Hortons for an iced Cappaccino because it felt like Florida evening humidity, yesterday. I haven't been outside today but Ali tells me that it's a similar story and as I type I can hear a monsoon beginning outside-woah. All my wondows are open so it sounds totally tropical out there. Maybe a wee bit of thunder could help cleaar the air. And there it is, thunder claps and lightening bolts-yippeee.
So, I've just returned from inspecting the open windows-lucky choice because the way that the wind is blowing, my wooden blinds were getting a tad wet. Silver lining-they are now clean and shiny.
I am so glad that I changed my mind about walking to walmart to return some yoga pants I'd bought Ali a couple of nights ago. I would be one very, very, very wet lady right now. Thank you Angels for making me think I was just being lazy.
Ali made me dinner last night-fantastic cannaloni which she seems to have perfected-yum.
An after-dinner strol down to No Frills for some chicken for tonights dinner and the discovery of cream crackers being half price and woohhoo. A lovely evening completed.
I was up late last night after discovering that I had missed an sos from a friend and even though I knew she's be asleep, I just wanted there to be support waiting for her when she awoke. Someone did that for me last week and it was so very nice to have that when you are feeling fragile.
My sleeping is a bit hit or miss at present and I'm working on it. It's not frustrating me...I'm just curious.
On that note, I will close. I have just opened my coffee maker (had it for 3 weeks) and am going to get it all set up so my coffee will be waiting for me in the morning. Contented sigh.
Love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 suitcases.
Unbelievable that it's been 7 weeks but in some ways it feels like I have always been here.
Going back to my day yesterday, I will join it at the supported care home where Ross showed me around, for a second time because he had no memory of having done so a first time. He introduced me to lots of people, as being from Scotland and seems to be well-liked by the staff and other residents. I know that he may not remember that I'm going to be visiting him weekly but hopefully he will be glad to see me each monday.
After we left him, Mary and I went back to her apartment which is in central downtown and is magnificent. It's one of those tower blocks where you imagine famous people live, with the security and needing a key for your elevator which opens at your door. The view is phenomenal and Mary was (I think) an Arts/History major and has impeccable taste in everything....not that my home would be like hers, even if I could afford it but her home is a filmstar, just like her smile.
We didn't stop there for long as she took me accross the street for some lunch and I had my first taste of sushi which will not be my last. I just happened to mention that I had never tasted any and so she picked some up and insisted I have a piece. I trusted her and boy, was it yummy. Avocado and salmon surrounded by rice with a wee bit soya-yum. The blackened chicken wrap that I had ws none too shabby either.
After lunch we went to visit Marys new baby grandaughter who is just a couple of weeks old. She didn't really waken up the whole time we were there beause she was snuggled into a piece of machinery which most new mums or NICU/SCBU nurses would kill for. It was like a basin on a trunk attached to a base which had several different modes and sounds. Baby Grace was in kangaroo silent mode and basically the motion lifted her up gently sweeping to the right then across and gently swept down from the left. The whirring of the machine was hypnotic and I think that ther should be several of these available in all maternity units to give mums a wee breather from rocking their baby to jump in the bath.
I may be going to do a few hours, helping Graces mum out, whilst she's small. Details to be decided, if it goes ahead but I do think that it would be amazing to be looking after Andrew's baby since I helped look after him from age 6-8yrs. Isn't life funny. His twin brothers wife is expecting baby number 2 in January and may also be loking for some help, so watch this space although I truly don't think that I came here to be a full (or even part-time) nanny but I am open to what's in store.......and I do so love babies.
After the visit, Mary showed me where Scott and his wife lived and then drove us back to her place from where I jumped on the subway home via a Tim Hortons for an iced Cappaccino because it felt like Florida evening humidity, yesterday. I haven't been outside today but Ali tells me that it's a similar story and as I type I can hear a monsoon beginning outside-woah. All my wondows are open so it sounds totally tropical out there. Maybe a wee bit of thunder could help cleaar the air. And there it is, thunder claps and lightening bolts-yippeee.
So, I've just returned from inspecting the open windows-lucky choice because the way that the wind is blowing, my wooden blinds were getting a tad wet. Silver lining-they are now clean and shiny.
I am so glad that I changed my mind about walking to walmart to return some yoga pants I'd bought Ali a couple of nights ago. I would be one very, very, very wet lady right now. Thank you Angels for making me think I was just being lazy.
Ali made me dinner last night-fantastic cannaloni which she seems to have perfected-yum.
An after-dinner strol down to No Frills for some chicken for tonights dinner and the discovery of cream crackers being half price and woohhoo. A lovely evening completed.
I was up late last night after discovering that I had missed an sos from a friend and even though I knew she's be asleep, I just wanted there to be support waiting for her when she awoke. Someone did that for me last week and it was so very nice to have that when you are feeling fragile.
My sleeping is a bit hit or miss at present and I'm working on it. It's not frustrating me...I'm just curious.
On that note, I will close. I have just opened my coffee maker (had it for 3 weeks) and am going to get it all set up so my coffee will be waiting for me in the morning. Contented sigh.
Love to all,
Lxxx
Wednesday, 15 October 2014
Day 48....and the writing has begun.
Day 48....and the writing has begun.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
On schedule but experiencing a little bit of resistance, the writing began, yesterday. After my meditation, I decided that it was the screenplay that was to be worked on and not the book. My notes were pulled out, as was my copy of Dibs and with notepad ready and laptop open I started.......only to discover that the notes I had were not the full notes that I had done last year but a mere 3 or 4 pages-ugh.
After reading through the notes, I decided to look up some screenwriting sites and get some format tips.....wow, there are a lot of rules to be followed in the screenplay world.....another ugh.
After sitting for a couple of hours, jotting down different things, I decided that the library may be a good idea so that I could physically hold a book of advice. I prefer an old fashioned book you know.
So, the afternoon held a visit to the library and I came home with 3 books. One on scriptwriting, one on compassion and one about alzheimers. (I always thought that it was spelt altzheimers but this book spells it that way). I haven't opened the first two but the third one held some interesting reading for someone who doesn't know a lot about the disease. My new wee job (very wee but may evolve and grow) is to spend time with a friends husband who suffers from this horrible illness.
Mary was the lady that I was a 'Mothers Helper' for from 1985-1987, my first 2 years in Toronto. She still has the filmstar smile that she had then and is a kind and very generous soul. Whilst I know that I will be doing her a favour, helping out with Ross, she is doing me a favour by giving me a bit of income which can be put towards the expenses here.
I spent a lovely day today with her. She picked me up and we went up to see Ross, in the supported accommodation he now lives in. It's a beautiful place and he has his own little 1 bed apt which has everything he needs. He's a lovely man and we had some giggles this morning and I think that he and I will get along just fine when I visit. The plan is that I will do a bit of tidying of his place whilst chatting and keeping him company.....I'm looking forward to it and also to trying a wee bit of meditation, Bach and Reiki with him.
OOPs-that's today and I'm supposed to be telling you about yesterday-lol....where did I get to? Oh yes, the library :-)
So, after a yummy dinner of Thanksgiving leftovers, I had a 45 min walk up to Walmart to buy myself a hairdryer. My hair had been getting ridiculously unruly with each days growth and the hairdryer is a cheaper solution than a cut and colour.....for a while. Having used it this morning to make my hairdo pretty decent, it was a great buy. The one that I brought from home wouldn't work here and went home again in Bills suitcase.....as did the curling iron that the girls brought and the styling brush that I brought. Power is different and my hairdryer just made a kind of sad droning noise.
Walking up there, I had to stop to take some photos of the tree colours (I will try to post them, if I can find a way to get them off my phone) which are truly spectacular just now. Walking back through the beautiful, huge houses I had to smile at all the ghostly halloween stuff that is up already. One house in particular, which is across the road from a primary school had huge blow up dragons and all sorts of other stuff. I will try to go up there with Ali and get her to snap some pics for me to post. Loads of houses have pumpkins outside, if nothing else.
Another thing that I noticed, in the dark, on my way back along Bloor Street (main street just around the corner) was that one of the fruit/veg/flower stores was closed but all of their plants and flower pots and pumpkins were still outside. All they had done was put a line of huge potted 'mums' along the front of the shop, around the door and that was it. I can't imagine any shopkeeper in Edinburgh happily trusting that his stuff would be there in the morning...wow.
There is a huge amount of trust going on, over here. The postie left a package just sitting on my porch...I think that's the norm'
People leave their open-backed trucks full of stuff and nobody goes near it.
The library does a self checkout of its books and dvds......all 50, if you want them.
Did I say that I love it here?
And that's it for tonight folks. I know that I dropped in, some of today because it was relevant but I'm tired as it's 2305 so I'm going to head to bed.
Sending love out to you all, by the bucket-load.
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
On schedule but experiencing a little bit of resistance, the writing began, yesterday. After my meditation, I decided that it was the screenplay that was to be worked on and not the book. My notes were pulled out, as was my copy of Dibs and with notepad ready and laptop open I started.......only to discover that the notes I had were not the full notes that I had done last year but a mere 3 or 4 pages-ugh.
After reading through the notes, I decided to look up some screenwriting sites and get some format tips.....wow, there are a lot of rules to be followed in the screenplay world.....another ugh.
After sitting for a couple of hours, jotting down different things, I decided that the library may be a good idea so that I could physically hold a book of advice. I prefer an old fashioned book you know.
So, the afternoon held a visit to the library and I came home with 3 books. One on scriptwriting, one on compassion and one about alzheimers. (I always thought that it was spelt altzheimers but this book spells it that way). I haven't opened the first two but the third one held some interesting reading for someone who doesn't know a lot about the disease. My new wee job (very wee but may evolve and grow) is to spend time with a friends husband who suffers from this horrible illness.
Mary was the lady that I was a 'Mothers Helper' for from 1985-1987, my first 2 years in Toronto. She still has the filmstar smile that she had then and is a kind and very generous soul. Whilst I know that I will be doing her a favour, helping out with Ross, she is doing me a favour by giving me a bit of income which can be put towards the expenses here.
I spent a lovely day today with her. She picked me up and we went up to see Ross, in the supported accommodation he now lives in. It's a beautiful place and he has his own little 1 bed apt which has everything he needs. He's a lovely man and we had some giggles this morning and I think that he and I will get along just fine when I visit. The plan is that I will do a bit of tidying of his place whilst chatting and keeping him company.....I'm looking forward to it and also to trying a wee bit of meditation, Bach and Reiki with him.
OOPs-that's today and I'm supposed to be telling you about yesterday-lol....where did I get to? Oh yes, the library :-)
So, after a yummy dinner of Thanksgiving leftovers, I had a 45 min walk up to Walmart to buy myself a hairdryer. My hair had been getting ridiculously unruly with each days growth and the hairdryer is a cheaper solution than a cut and colour.....for a while. Having used it this morning to make my hairdo pretty decent, it was a great buy. The one that I brought from home wouldn't work here and went home again in Bills suitcase.....as did the curling iron that the girls brought and the styling brush that I brought. Power is different and my hairdryer just made a kind of sad droning noise.
Walking up there, I had to stop to take some photos of the tree colours (I will try to post them, if I can find a way to get them off my phone) which are truly spectacular just now. Walking back through the beautiful, huge houses I had to smile at all the ghostly halloween stuff that is up already. One house in particular, which is across the road from a primary school had huge blow up dragons and all sorts of other stuff. I will try to go up there with Ali and get her to snap some pics for me to post. Loads of houses have pumpkins outside, if nothing else.
Another thing that I noticed, in the dark, on my way back along Bloor Street (main street just around the corner) was that one of the fruit/veg/flower stores was closed but all of their plants and flower pots and pumpkins were still outside. All they had done was put a line of huge potted 'mums' along the front of the shop, around the door and that was it. I can't imagine any shopkeeper in Edinburgh happily trusting that his stuff would be there in the morning...wow.
There is a huge amount of trust going on, over here. The postie left a package just sitting on my porch...I think that's the norm'
People leave their open-backed trucks full of stuff and nobody goes near it.
The library does a self checkout of its books and dvds......all 50, if you want them.
Did I say that I love it here?
And that's it for tonight folks. I know that I dropped in, some of today because it was relevant but I'm tired as it's 2305 so I'm going to head to bed.
Sending love out to you all, by the bucket-load.
Lxxxx
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Day 47.......Turkey Pot Pie for Thanksgiving dinner...yum
Day 47.......Turkey Pot Pie for Thanksgiving dinner...yum
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday was the first Thanksgiving dinner here since 1991 and it was a lazy persons version, I'm afraid but very yummy. A pot Pie has everything inside the pie, to enjoy the full meal. There were potatoes, peas, carrots, Turkey, gravy and of course Puff Pastry. I hadn't realised that it would contain potatoes (the chicke one we had last week didn't) and so I made mashed potatoes which proved to me that the girl-guides were worthwhile. I had no peeler to peel them and no masher to mash them and so I did the following (in case you are ever without the 'essentials')
Pour boiling juice from cooked carrots into baking pan to warm it. Drain cooked potatoes. Empty carrot juice from baking pan and pour potatoes into into it. Put butter and milk into potato pan and return to gentle heat. Mash potatoes with a fork and then our back into melted butter and milk. Mix well. Serve.
LOL. but it was fun working out how to get it all done and for it to stay hot.....and it was a delicious success.
The early part of the day was spent doing not a lot, I have to admit. I didn't even go outside till close to dinner and boy did I wish that I had gone out earlier. Reason? It was really warm outside whilst Ali and I had spent the day under a fleecy blanket trying to stay warm. Did I already say that when I was 'ordering' this home, I wished for it to be just like the one at Mountcastle and it is very similar......even to the being colder on the inside bit. I maybe should have ammended the order to include 'must be cosy warm' but I suppose that I could simply put the heating on-right?
Stubborn as I am, I am holding out for Nov 1st, which sounds familiar and perhaps already said but I am writing in so many different spots just now that I forget what I have said where.
Todays weather is a bit the same-warm outside but a bit chilly in here. Because I am working on my screenplay, I have had to be inside so I am well wrapped up and I am actually thiking that I may take things to the library, this afternoon. Less distractions and warmer me thinks....or maybe I will just wait till tomorrow. Oops, the rain has begun to pour. I was just telling Ali that we needed to get her a brolly so that she didn't have to repeat the soaking she got last week. Perhaps I will go buy her one and take it down to the school. Mmm? I know that they have some in Shoppers Drug, around the corner and I need to go to the Post Office anyway so I think that's the plan. My windows are all wide open to let the warmer air into the house-a bit bonkers, eh?
So, I have a couple of possible job offers....we'll see what happens and if they happen I'll let you know. It's very interesting that they are from the family that I used to nanny for. 2 of the boys are intersted in my helping out their wives with newborns and Mary has asked that I spend a morning a week helping with her husband, who has altzeimers (? spelling)
Watch this space but wouldn't the Universe be even more wondrous if it now has me working for the next generation of the same family....Mmm?
Okay dokay-lunch is calling me and I need to nip out to post Ali's letter.....and buy that brolly. Good job I have a rain jacket.
Love to all, always,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterday was the first Thanksgiving dinner here since 1991 and it was a lazy persons version, I'm afraid but very yummy. A pot Pie has everything inside the pie, to enjoy the full meal. There were potatoes, peas, carrots, Turkey, gravy and of course Puff Pastry. I hadn't realised that it would contain potatoes (the chicke one we had last week didn't) and so I made mashed potatoes which proved to me that the girl-guides were worthwhile. I had no peeler to peel them and no masher to mash them and so I did the following (in case you are ever without the 'essentials')
Pour boiling juice from cooked carrots into baking pan to warm it. Drain cooked potatoes. Empty carrot juice from baking pan and pour potatoes into into it. Put butter and milk into potato pan and return to gentle heat. Mash potatoes with a fork and then our back into melted butter and milk. Mix well. Serve.
LOL. but it was fun working out how to get it all done and for it to stay hot.....and it was a delicious success.
The early part of the day was spent doing not a lot, I have to admit. I didn't even go outside till close to dinner and boy did I wish that I had gone out earlier. Reason? It was really warm outside whilst Ali and I had spent the day under a fleecy blanket trying to stay warm. Did I already say that when I was 'ordering' this home, I wished for it to be just like the one at Mountcastle and it is very similar......even to the being colder on the inside bit. I maybe should have ammended the order to include 'must be cosy warm' but I suppose that I could simply put the heating on-right?
Stubborn as I am, I am holding out for Nov 1st, which sounds familiar and perhaps already said but I am writing in so many different spots just now that I forget what I have said where.
Todays weather is a bit the same-warm outside but a bit chilly in here. Because I am working on my screenplay, I have had to be inside so I am well wrapped up and I am actually thiking that I may take things to the library, this afternoon. Less distractions and warmer me thinks....or maybe I will just wait till tomorrow. Oops, the rain has begun to pour. I was just telling Ali that we needed to get her a brolly so that she didn't have to repeat the soaking she got last week. Perhaps I will go buy her one and take it down to the school. Mmm? I know that they have some in Shoppers Drug, around the corner and I need to go to the Post Office anyway so I think that's the plan. My windows are all wide open to let the warmer air into the house-a bit bonkers, eh?
So, I have a couple of possible job offers....we'll see what happens and if they happen I'll let you know. It's very interesting that they are from the family that I used to nanny for. 2 of the boys are intersted in my helping out their wives with newborns and Mary has asked that I spend a morning a week helping with her husband, who has altzeimers (? spelling)
Watch this space but wouldn't the Universe be even more wondrous if it now has me working for the next generation of the same family....Mmm?
Okay dokay-lunch is calling me and I need to nip out to post Ali's letter.....and buy that brolly. Good job I have a rain jacket.
Love to all, always,
Lxxx
Monday, 13 October 2014
Day 46...came and went....and was lovely
Day 46.......came and went.....and was lovely.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Okay, confession-time....the desire for a glass of wine won and after a couple of them and a lovely evening with Ali and Andrew, I fell asleep on the sofa whilst trying to watch an episode of Bones....which I will now have to rewatch-lol. So it's back to commentating on the day before...again. Perhaps it will settle into a time-slot once my new routine begins tomorrow....or not.
Yesterday I had planned to wander down to our local United church. I pass it most days and it looks like a friendly old place and I felt like I wanted to sing some hymns. When I woke up at 8am, however, I forgot that I had a plan and I rolled over and went back to sleep till 9.30. Drinking my coffee on the back doorstep, in the sunshine I heard the churchbells peeling and I remembered. Ah well, maybe next week?
I sat outside, in the sunshine, for a long while, reading a book that I love and haven't read for years. 'The Celestine Prophecy' seemed incredibly simple, reading it now. When I first read it, I was just beginning my journey of spiritual discovery and I found that the book made me think outside of societys box and give thought to the possibility of there being a reason for the way I was feeling. Restless and searching for 'more' than the superficial role I was playing.
All these years later and feeling much more settled and focussed, I find that the simplicity of the book is a reminder to me of how much spiritual progress I have made and how possible it is for anyone to 'grow' into themselves.
If any of you are looking for a place to start, to investigate your restlessness, I recommend that you get yourself a copy of the 'Celestine Prophecy' and be open-minded to the possibility of there being a way to end all of the pain and suffering in our world.
Okay, I didn't mean for this to be in any way 'deep'. I am thinking that I perhaps should write funny/adventure here and keep the deeper stuff for Bach blog but sometimes I am into the more spiritual stuff before I realise it. I suppose that's what a blog is about though, isn't it. To put down in words the thoughts in your head.
Back to yesterday and I completed the housework, in the shape of cleaning the bathrooms and washing the shower curtain.....oh, the excitement of this adventure, eh?
Ali and I took a wander round to Bloor Street, to the bakers to get us some Turkey Pot pie for tonights dinner. Thanksgiving is like a trial run for Christmas (without the presents-yeah) and the shelves in the grocery store looked liked pre-chrismas Asda ones. How much food do people think they will eat whilst the store is shut for one day? I shouldn't mock because I'm a bit of a bulk-buyer but not for holidays.....for the discounts-tee hee.
So I went for the easy version of turkey and we're having potatoes and veg with the pie. It will be fun trying to peel without a peeler and mash without a masher but hey ho......I wil add them to my walmart list.
After picking up some milk at Shoppers-did I tell you that it comes in plastic bags that you put in a jug, snip the end off and pour? It's half the price to buy it in that form than by the carton. I may have to try freezing it, if I can't get through the 4 bags contained in each purchase, by myself before the sell by date. Ali doesn't drink milk and very rarely has cereal. My father-in-law freezes his milk and it tastes fine so it's worth a shot.
Andrew came for dinner last night and it was the first time I have had spaggetti since we arrived in Canada.......YUM. It never ceases to amaze me how truly lovely something so simple can taste. I'm talking tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder and spaggetti topped with some cheddar.....nothing fancy....YUM again. I hope that the Turkey pot-pie tastes half as good as I anticipate.
We couldn't get Netflix to work last night despite trying for hours. Andrew went through all kinds of set-ups but to no avail. Midway through the evening, the very kind lady, who leant us the air-mattresses and sleeping bags, came to pick them up. I now have lots more space within my closet.
Because we couldn't get the Netflix to work, we ended up chatting about lots of things, together which was far better than watching a movie. I love the way my kids interact with each other and they were in particularly great form last night because it's been a long while since we have switched everything off and just chatted. Ali' was full of questions for both Andrew and I and we answered them for her with honesty and laughter and I think it would be fair to say that we felt even closer, when Andrew headed off around 11.30. If Jen and Bill had been here, a PERFECT night would have been had by all.
Which brings me back to the start of this blog.
Sending much love out, as always. Happy Thanksgiving from one very Thankful lady.
Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Okay, confession-time....the desire for a glass of wine won and after a couple of them and a lovely evening with Ali and Andrew, I fell asleep on the sofa whilst trying to watch an episode of Bones....which I will now have to rewatch-lol. So it's back to commentating on the day before...again. Perhaps it will settle into a time-slot once my new routine begins tomorrow....or not.
Yesterday I had planned to wander down to our local United church. I pass it most days and it looks like a friendly old place and I felt like I wanted to sing some hymns. When I woke up at 8am, however, I forgot that I had a plan and I rolled over and went back to sleep till 9.30. Drinking my coffee on the back doorstep, in the sunshine I heard the churchbells peeling and I remembered. Ah well, maybe next week?
I sat outside, in the sunshine, for a long while, reading a book that I love and haven't read for years. 'The Celestine Prophecy' seemed incredibly simple, reading it now. When I first read it, I was just beginning my journey of spiritual discovery and I found that the book made me think outside of societys box and give thought to the possibility of there being a reason for the way I was feeling. Restless and searching for 'more' than the superficial role I was playing.
All these years later and feeling much more settled and focussed, I find that the simplicity of the book is a reminder to me of how much spiritual progress I have made and how possible it is for anyone to 'grow' into themselves.
If any of you are looking for a place to start, to investigate your restlessness, I recommend that you get yourself a copy of the 'Celestine Prophecy' and be open-minded to the possibility of there being a way to end all of the pain and suffering in our world.
Okay, I didn't mean for this to be in any way 'deep'. I am thinking that I perhaps should write funny/adventure here and keep the deeper stuff for Bach blog but sometimes I am into the more spiritual stuff before I realise it. I suppose that's what a blog is about though, isn't it. To put down in words the thoughts in your head.
Back to yesterday and I completed the housework, in the shape of cleaning the bathrooms and washing the shower curtain.....oh, the excitement of this adventure, eh?
Ali and I took a wander round to Bloor Street, to the bakers to get us some Turkey Pot pie for tonights dinner. Thanksgiving is like a trial run for Christmas (without the presents-yeah) and the shelves in the grocery store looked liked pre-chrismas Asda ones. How much food do people think they will eat whilst the store is shut for one day? I shouldn't mock because I'm a bit of a bulk-buyer but not for holidays.....for the discounts-tee hee.
So I went for the easy version of turkey and we're having potatoes and veg with the pie. It will be fun trying to peel without a peeler and mash without a masher but hey ho......I wil add them to my walmart list.
After picking up some milk at Shoppers-did I tell you that it comes in plastic bags that you put in a jug, snip the end off and pour? It's half the price to buy it in that form than by the carton. I may have to try freezing it, if I can't get through the 4 bags contained in each purchase, by myself before the sell by date. Ali doesn't drink milk and very rarely has cereal. My father-in-law freezes his milk and it tastes fine so it's worth a shot.
Andrew came for dinner last night and it was the first time I have had spaggetti since we arrived in Canada.......YUM. It never ceases to amaze me how truly lovely something so simple can taste. I'm talking tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder and spaggetti topped with some cheddar.....nothing fancy....YUM again. I hope that the Turkey pot-pie tastes half as good as I anticipate.
We couldn't get Netflix to work last night despite trying for hours. Andrew went through all kinds of set-ups but to no avail. Midway through the evening, the very kind lady, who leant us the air-mattresses and sleeping bags, came to pick them up. I now have lots more space within my closet.
Because we couldn't get the Netflix to work, we ended up chatting about lots of things, together which was far better than watching a movie. I love the way my kids interact with each other and they were in particularly great form last night because it's been a long while since we have switched everything off and just chatted. Ali' was full of questions for both Andrew and I and we answered them for her with honesty and laughter and I think it would be fair to say that we felt even closer, when Andrew headed off around 11.30. If Jen and Bill had been here, a PERFECT night would have been had by all.
Which brings me back to the start of this blog.
Sending much love out, as always. Happy Thanksgiving from one very Thankful lady.
Lxxxx
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Day 45....a lovely one spent with Ali'
Day 45.......a lovely one spent with Ali'
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I seem to have found myself back on posting for the same day, rather than the day before. It's too late at night and I'm too tired to investigate how that happened but I suppose it was somewhere amidst the turmoil this week.
Ali and I have just finished watching the first 3 episodes of Charmed and it never gets old or boring to me. Leo has just appeared and I do so love Leo. Our Netflix has been a bit temperamental and it took us ages to connect tonight but that simply allowed for us to do other stuff like laundry and affirmations for me and Harry Styles photo choosing for Ali.
We both had a long lie this morning...mine was longer than hers because her clock told her the wrong time-lol. I got up when I heard her downstairs, just before the delicious smell of toast reached me.
We headed out to the shops, after we had lunch at noonish and decided to buy a TTC day pass because we wanted to go to a different Value Village (Charity shop) and then down to the Eaton Centre (downtown mall) The pass is fab and lets up to 2 adults and 4 kids ride all day for $11. We only saved $4 but it's still a saving, right.
One of the things that I had hoped we'd do was go to a different place each weekend so today was on plan. We got off at Keele subway and took a bus North to the Value Village up on Rogers road. I have never been up in that neighbourhood before so the adventure continues.
I think the village was smaller than the one on Bloor but it felt cleaner and brighter. They were actually advertising for staff so perhaps Ali will apply but it was 45 minutes away so we may try to find her something closer. The young folk working there seemed nice though.
We didn't buy anything but we spent a nice time browsing and then we headed downtown.
The subway comes out pretty near the food court and it was 3.30 so an unplanneed snack was in order in the form of a pizza slice for Ali and a grilled cheese for me. That kept us going till our chicken pot pie at 7pm.
We didn't buy anything downtown either and headed home for around 5.30.The subway was very very busy but we managed to get a couple of seats together and I enjoyed the fact that Ali snuggles up when she's tired (at other times you'd think she was allergic to me)
I dropped her in at the house, changed into my walking togs, picked up some bags and headed down to the No frills to get some fruit and veg for the next couple of days. No Frills is actually closed on Monday for Thanksgiving-wow! So are lots of the local shops and the banks. Andrews shop is open....must ask him if he's working on Monday, when he's here for dinner tomorrow.
As I walked mindfully down Royal York Road, I was so aware of the sun shining through the trees and how easily my footsteps felt in my trainers after having had my boots on all afternoon. I decided to walk back despite the two bags of groceries and it was an even nicer walk. I noticed the different colours of leaves on the various trees and I saw 6 squirrels at the one time, in different gardens. As I walked, the darkness fell during the 24 minutes from No Frills home. That in itself is amazing.
Life is good....in fact, life is wonderful. Focusing on the things that I am grateful for, on the way home, it felt right to be here at this time. The energy in Ontario is different from the energy in Scotland, somehow. I can't explain it but I can feel it. I feel more grounded here than I do in Scotland and perhaps that's why I'm to do my writing here. Who knows....I just thought I'd write it down.
Anyways, 11.30pm and my bed is calling. It doesn't feel quite as nippy tonight and it is supposed to warm up to 20 degrees again for Monday. A wee bit more suntan before the winter cover-up, maybe.
Lots of love coming your way,
Lxxxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
I seem to have found myself back on posting for the same day, rather than the day before. It's too late at night and I'm too tired to investigate how that happened but I suppose it was somewhere amidst the turmoil this week.
Ali and I have just finished watching the first 3 episodes of Charmed and it never gets old or boring to me. Leo has just appeared and I do so love Leo. Our Netflix has been a bit temperamental and it took us ages to connect tonight but that simply allowed for us to do other stuff like laundry and affirmations for me and Harry Styles photo choosing for Ali.
We both had a long lie this morning...mine was longer than hers because her clock told her the wrong time-lol. I got up when I heard her downstairs, just before the delicious smell of toast reached me.
We headed out to the shops, after we had lunch at noonish and decided to buy a TTC day pass because we wanted to go to a different Value Village (Charity shop) and then down to the Eaton Centre (downtown mall) The pass is fab and lets up to 2 adults and 4 kids ride all day for $11. We only saved $4 but it's still a saving, right.
One of the things that I had hoped we'd do was go to a different place each weekend so today was on plan. We got off at Keele subway and took a bus North to the Value Village up on Rogers road. I have never been up in that neighbourhood before so the adventure continues.
I think the village was smaller than the one on Bloor but it felt cleaner and brighter. They were actually advertising for staff so perhaps Ali will apply but it was 45 minutes away so we may try to find her something closer. The young folk working there seemed nice though.
We didn't buy anything but we spent a nice time browsing and then we headed downtown.
The subway comes out pretty near the food court and it was 3.30 so an unplanneed snack was in order in the form of a pizza slice for Ali and a grilled cheese for me. That kept us going till our chicken pot pie at 7pm.
We didn't buy anything downtown either and headed home for around 5.30.The subway was very very busy but we managed to get a couple of seats together and I enjoyed the fact that Ali snuggles up when she's tired (at other times you'd think she was allergic to me)
I dropped her in at the house, changed into my walking togs, picked up some bags and headed down to the No frills to get some fruit and veg for the next couple of days. No Frills is actually closed on Monday for Thanksgiving-wow! So are lots of the local shops and the banks. Andrews shop is open....must ask him if he's working on Monday, when he's here for dinner tomorrow.
As I walked mindfully down Royal York Road, I was so aware of the sun shining through the trees and how easily my footsteps felt in my trainers after having had my boots on all afternoon. I decided to walk back despite the two bags of groceries and it was an even nicer walk. I noticed the different colours of leaves on the various trees and I saw 6 squirrels at the one time, in different gardens. As I walked, the darkness fell during the 24 minutes from No Frills home. That in itself is amazing.
Life is good....in fact, life is wonderful. Focusing on the things that I am grateful for, on the way home, it felt right to be here at this time. The energy in Ontario is different from the energy in Scotland, somehow. I can't explain it but I can feel it. I feel more grounded here than I do in Scotland and perhaps that's why I'm to do my writing here. Who knows....I just thought I'd write it down.
Anyways, 11.30pm and my bed is calling. It doesn't feel quite as nippy tonight and it is supposed to warm up to 20 degrees again for Monday. A wee bit more suntan before the winter cover-up, maybe.
Lots of love coming your way,
Lxxxxxx
Friday, 10 October 2014
Day 44......feeling better.
Day 44........feeling better
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases
Today has been a lovely day and not a tear shed.
The day began with a trip to Service Canada to get Alison a Social Insurance number (same as our National Insurance) so that she can get the job that she wants, to earn money to buy lots of clothes. I also needed to go there to get a name change on my current SIN....still under my first married name-Wilson.
I had to laugh when the girl behind the desk asked if I'd had lots of name changes-eh? God job that i wasn't sensitive about it. She was lovely but obviously having a wee bit of an 'I hate my job day', especially when the power went off fleetingly and wiped off all the stuff she'd typed into the computer...oops.
Due to the power-off, Ali had to miss her first period, which was really the second period because it was a late start day. To tell the truth, she would have only missed a few minutes but because of that, we decided to go to Tim Hortons for breakkfast. Ali had had breakfast but I hadn't and I discovered a very tasty bacon/egg wrap-yum.
After she headed off to school, I went to buy a pair of tweezers. Since we arrived, we have lost 2 pairs of tweezers...what is that about. Are we meant to have monobrows whilst living here? Today I bought a couple of pairs of brightly coloured ones so that they will hopefully be able to be found in any of our rooms/bags/buckets. Alison has taken care of our eyebrows this evening.
I thought that I would get loads done today but by the time I got home it was nearly 11am.
The house felt very strange when I came in, after being out. It felt sad.....bonkers, eh?
I decided to do an energy clearance, using my singing bowl and my Reiki symbols and it seemed to make a big change in the energy.
I then dusted and swept and before I knew it, it was 2pm and I was hungry. One egg sandwich later and I got a phonecall from Bill, which was fab. Apparently our plan, at home, covers calls to Canada and so we will be speaking often. Why did I not know that, in advance?
When Ali came home from school, I was very proud of myself for accomplishing several bill/banking tasks and the house was sparkling...apart from the bathrooms. That's tomorrows job.
This evening has been relaxing and happy. Ali and I walked to the Wine Store to get me a bottle and then we watched a really cute old-ish movie called 'she's all that'......lovely.
I'm not sure how long we will manage to leave off the heating but for now, we are managing, snuggling under a blanket.
Ali has gone off to bed and I'm watching another 'First kiss' movie.....Never been kissed but I may wimp out before too long.
So, not a huge amount of info. I did have something funny to report, from Ali's mouth but I have forgotten-oops.
Much love to all,
Lxxxxx
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Day 42...was yesterday and Day 43 sees me a blubbering wreck.
Day 42.......was yesterday and Day 43 sees me a blubbering wreck.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It seems only right that I should begin by talking about how I'm feeling right now, rather than how things were yesterday because that's what's going on.....right now. This blog will sort itself out, at some point, into being something or nothing but that day isn't today.
I have been breaking into tears regularly, over the course of today, the first time being when I wrote a wee note to put secretly into Bills suitcase. Needless to say, it's got lots of tear-stains on it.....as well as lots of love hearts and Angels, of course.
After Ali went off to school, I finished the note and crawled back into bed-now get your minds out of the gutter.....I just wanted to be close to Bill for one last morning.....for now.
He was still very sleepy and I began crying as soon as I snuggled into him....very softly, so as he didn't know but when it felt like I would have to sob, I got up and went downstairs again.
I was in full sob mode, when he appeared at the back of me and his huge, wonderful hugs began and continued all day, right up till he had to leave me sobbing at the door of the house. He...and then we...decided that it would be awful to say goodbye at the airport and I have memories of another time that I had to say goodbye to him in an airport and I cried all the way back to Canada.
This isn't the first time that we have spent time apart, it's just that this will likely be the longest and I believe that I love him more now than I ever have....so this felt more difficult.
Somewhere in my sobbing, early morning, I had a lightbulb moment about being mindful of what was going on emotionally and the fact that I am aways preaching to people about not spoiling the present moment by worrying about the future. That is exactly what I was doing and I was able to make a choice to take a few deep breaths, really feel them and choose to enjoy the time that I had left with Bill, before he flew home.
I managed to do that till after we had lunch and then I went into my cupboard for something and noticed that all his clothes were gone......and I was off again. It's amazing the strength of the emotion when it comes and there was little I could do but accept his open arms until I managed to breathe again.
The next time I 'cracked' was when I went into my bathroom cabinet and all his man-stuff was gone......flippin' heck.
And then it was just time for him to be going and I could not stop, even in front of Alison...and you know what, that was all right. I think that it's okay, in fact good for kids to know that their parents are very human sometimes and that it's okay to cry.
After Bill left, I had an overwhelming desire to run after him and go to the airport to have another couple of hours with him (I once almost got back off a plane because I didn't want to leave him) but I stayed put and did some meditation for 40 minutes instead.
This evening has had it's moments, including when Andrew sent me a text full of hugs and also when friend were sending love via FB-I could feel the love and it made me 'leak' again.
All through today, I have been trying to accept and just feel the feelings that have come and gone. I Know that there's no point in stuffing them down and I am certain that I would have been far more of a basket-case today if I hadn't had mindfulness-meditation in my life.
The waves of emotion today, felt like the waves that I experience when my mum died and it made me think about the friends I have who have lost or almost lost their husbands. Despite it feeling unbearable, I am grateful for being given a glimpse of what these strong, amazing women must have felt and may still be feeling on a regular basis.
My husband has only gone back to Edinburgh. I will be able to see him on skype tomorrow.
It seems wrong to compare how I felt today to how I felt when my mum died but the feeling was the same and just as strong. It's a bit like you can't quantify terror. If you are terrified of spiders you are terrified. If you are terrified because you are being held at gunpoint, you are terrified. The terror is the same intensity, even though one could argue that the situations don't warrant it being so.
Perhaps I was meant to put this 2 and 2 together to get my 4. I am sure that my 'grief' will settle down quickly as I move forward and I will use all my tools to stop me from missing Bills physical presence here.
So todays adventure wasn't so much fun but Ali and I did have a lovely dinner together and then we watched SHrek....always a good cheerer-upper, whilst snuggled under a fluffy blanket.
She's tucked up in bed now and I am heading to bed as soon as I finish posting this.
Day 42, yesterday........Jen went to Vancouver and I am so proud of her confidence and calmness. She didn't get herself stressed in the least, there were no tears and I hope that she has a fantastic time. Bill and I chummed her to the airport but she likely could have just gone on her own.....she's such a seasoned traveller these days.
Andrew came for dinner again and they all had Pizza......again. I was all Pizza'd out and decided that a cheese and onion roll sounded amply sufficient and it was. I have a tower of empty pizza boxes that I am going to build something with.....I will try to remember to let you know what materialises.
Short and sweet for Day 42......I'm tired.....and 'spent'-you know the way you feel after lots of crying? The yahoo is that I got through typing this without a tear.
Much love to you all-thanks for stopping by and I'll ty to be a bit cheerier tomorrow.
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It seems only right that I should begin by talking about how I'm feeling right now, rather than how things were yesterday because that's what's going on.....right now. This blog will sort itself out, at some point, into being something or nothing but that day isn't today.
I have been breaking into tears regularly, over the course of today, the first time being when I wrote a wee note to put secretly into Bills suitcase. Needless to say, it's got lots of tear-stains on it.....as well as lots of love hearts and Angels, of course.
After Ali went off to school, I finished the note and crawled back into bed-now get your minds out of the gutter.....I just wanted to be close to Bill for one last morning.....for now.
He was still very sleepy and I began crying as soon as I snuggled into him....very softly, so as he didn't know but when it felt like I would have to sob, I got up and went downstairs again.
I was in full sob mode, when he appeared at the back of me and his huge, wonderful hugs began and continued all day, right up till he had to leave me sobbing at the door of the house. He...and then we...decided that it would be awful to say goodbye at the airport and I have memories of another time that I had to say goodbye to him in an airport and I cried all the way back to Canada.
This isn't the first time that we have spent time apart, it's just that this will likely be the longest and I believe that I love him more now than I ever have....so this felt more difficult.
Somewhere in my sobbing, early morning, I had a lightbulb moment about being mindful of what was going on emotionally and the fact that I am aways preaching to people about not spoiling the present moment by worrying about the future. That is exactly what I was doing and I was able to make a choice to take a few deep breaths, really feel them and choose to enjoy the time that I had left with Bill, before he flew home.
I managed to do that till after we had lunch and then I went into my cupboard for something and noticed that all his clothes were gone......and I was off again. It's amazing the strength of the emotion when it comes and there was little I could do but accept his open arms until I managed to breathe again.
The next time I 'cracked' was when I went into my bathroom cabinet and all his man-stuff was gone......flippin' heck.
And then it was just time for him to be going and I could not stop, even in front of Alison...and you know what, that was all right. I think that it's okay, in fact good for kids to know that their parents are very human sometimes and that it's okay to cry.
After Bill left, I had an overwhelming desire to run after him and go to the airport to have another couple of hours with him (I once almost got back off a plane because I didn't want to leave him) but I stayed put and did some meditation for 40 minutes instead.
This evening has had it's moments, including when Andrew sent me a text full of hugs and also when friend were sending love via FB-I could feel the love and it made me 'leak' again.
All through today, I have been trying to accept and just feel the feelings that have come and gone. I Know that there's no point in stuffing them down and I am certain that I would have been far more of a basket-case today if I hadn't had mindfulness-meditation in my life.
The waves of emotion today, felt like the waves that I experience when my mum died and it made me think about the friends I have who have lost or almost lost their husbands. Despite it feeling unbearable, I am grateful for being given a glimpse of what these strong, amazing women must have felt and may still be feeling on a regular basis.
My husband has only gone back to Edinburgh. I will be able to see him on skype tomorrow.
It seems wrong to compare how I felt today to how I felt when my mum died but the feeling was the same and just as strong. It's a bit like you can't quantify terror. If you are terrified of spiders you are terrified. If you are terrified because you are being held at gunpoint, you are terrified. The terror is the same intensity, even though one could argue that the situations don't warrant it being so.
Perhaps I was meant to put this 2 and 2 together to get my 4. I am sure that my 'grief' will settle down quickly as I move forward and I will use all my tools to stop me from missing Bills physical presence here.
So todays adventure wasn't so much fun but Ali and I did have a lovely dinner together and then we watched SHrek....always a good cheerer-upper, whilst snuggled under a fluffy blanket.
She's tucked up in bed now and I am heading to bed as soon as I finish posting this.
Day 42, yesterday........Jen went to Vancouver and I am so proud of her confidence and calmness. She didn't get herself stressed in the least, there were no tears and I hope that she has a fantastic time. Bill and I chummed her to the airport but she likely could have just gone on her own.....she's such a seasoned traveller these days.
Andrew came for dinner again and they all had Pizza......again. I was all Pizza'd out and decided that a cheese and onion roll sounded amply sufficient and it was. I have a tower of empty pizza boxes that I am going to build something with.....I will try to remember to let you know what materialises.
Short and sweet for Day 42......I'm tired.....and 'spent'-you know the way you feel after lots of crying? The yahoo is that I got through typing this without a tear.
Much love to you all-thanks for stopping by and I'll ty to be a bit cheerier tomorrow.
Lxxx
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Day 41.....Let's talk about 'Rudeness'
Day 41........Let's talk about 'Rudeness'
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases
There's not too much to say about yesterday and so I thought that I'd write a little about the lack of manners displayed by people, mainly on the TTC.
I knew that the queuing system was a bit of a problem, from living here before and it appears to not have improved any. I remember Ruth Fishel commenting on the politeness of queuing in Edinburgh, for buses and I do miss it here.
When I first lived here and began using the subway for the first time, it very quickly became clear that it was a free for all, to get on any form of public transport........or you would be left standing at the stop. It doesn't matter whether or not you were there first, as soon as that train, bus, streetcar comes into sight, everyone will move as close to where they will be getting on as is humanly possible....and sometimes it feels closer than that.
It took me a wee while to become comfortable with just pushing in and I am still very aware of who was there before me and try to ensure that I let them on before me, else I'm as bad as those that I am now judging. I do not, however, stand back and let those who arrived after me, muscle on in front of me and it hasn't taken me nearly as long to be comfortable with doing that this time around.
The other thing that is almost worse is that people take up 2 seats and don't think to move their legs/bags etc when others are standing. I suppose, in their defense, someone could ask them to move things so that they can sit and Bill has done this. Me? I'm going to begin to do it because, why moan about it when you can do something about it, right?
Finally, kids and sidewalks-actually, even the adults and sidewalks. Bill has begun to refuse to move on to the road, when a crowd approaches, even if it means standing still, till the other person moves over a bit or bumping shoulders with the person. I'm a work in progress and on some days, more than others, I will stand my ground.
It's a bit linked to your self-worth, if you feel that you have to go up on the grass or down on the road......but not always. If you choose to do those things, without any resentments, then that's a great place to be because on that day, you understand that it really isn't important-right?
Rant over.
So, yesterdays most lovely thing was that Andrew came to visit again and he even bought/collected us Pizza for dinner-yum.
Ali' recovered from her soaking on the way to school and is doing really well in her tests-yippee. I could do without the 'I don't want to get up and go to school' in the morning but she's doing pretty good. The sun is shining this morning and so she's safely made it to school without being drenched today.
Jen hasn't begun her packing yet-she's off on a 4.30 flight to Vancouver, today. The hoose will be very quiet with her gone and Bill heading back to Edinburgh tomorrow.
We went for yet another of our exploratory walks, yesterday afternoon but it was only for 45 mins and very local. We did an 'in and out the dust bluebells' along the local streets and this really is a beautiful area to live. The streets are all tree lined and the houses are all different shapes, sizes and colours. Lots of them already have pumpkins and other halloween decorations outside and I'm convinced that as soon as they take them down, we'll be into Christmas decorations. I really will have to begin taking photographs and posting them on FB.
Sears customer services are trying to chase up the final bed-payment. Having a phone makes a difference because we didn't have to physically leg-it to the store-yahooo.
Well folks, I'm off to get my breakfast...actually, a second cup of coffee first.
Love to all,
Lxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases
There's not too much to say about yesterday and so I thought that I'd write a little about the lack of manners displayed by people, mainly on the TTC.
I knew that the queuing system was a bit of a problem, from living here before and it appears to not have improved any. I remember Ruth Fishel commenting on the politeness of queuing in Edinburgh, for buses and I do miss it here.
When I first lived here and began using the subway for the first time, it very quickly became clear that it was a free for all, to get on any form of public transport........or you would be left standing at the stop. It doesn't matter whether or not you were there first, as soon as that train, bus, streetcar comes into sight, everyone will move as close to where they will be getting on as is humanly possible....and sometimes it feels closer than that.
It took me a wee while to become comfortable with just pushing in and I am still very aware of who was there before me and try to ensure that I let them on before me, else I'm as bad as those that I am now judging. I do not, however, stand back and let those who arrived after me, muscle on in front of me and it hasn't taken me nearly as long to be comfortable with doing that this time around.
The other thing that is almost worse is that people take up 2 seats and don't think to move their legs/bags etc when others are standing. I suppose, in their defense, someone could ask them to move things so that they can sit and Bill has done this. Me? I'm going to begin to do it because, why moan about it when you can do something about it, right?
Finally, kids and sidewalks-actually, even the adults and sidewalks. Bill has begun to refuse to move on to the road, when a crowd approaches, even if it means standing still, till the other person moves over a bit or bumping shoulders with the person. I'm a work in progress and on some days, more than others, I will stand my ground.
It's a bit linked to your self-worth, if you feel that you have to go up on the grass or down on the road......but not always. If you choose to do those things, without any resentments, then that's a great place to be because on that day, you understand that it really isn't important-right?
Rant over.
So, yesterdays most lovely thing was that Andrew came to visit again and he even bought/collected us Pizza for dinner-yum.
Ali' recovered from her soaking on the way to school and is doing really well in her tests-yippee. I could do without the 'I don't want to get up and go to school' in the morning but she's doing pretty good. The sun is shining this morning and so she's safely made it to school without being drenched today.
Jen hasn't begun her packing yet-she's off on a 4.30 flight to Vancouver, today. The hoose will be very quiet with her gone and Bill heading back to Edinburgh tomorrow.
We went for yet another of our exploratory walks, yesterday afternoon but it was only for 45 mins and very local. We did an 'in and out the dust bluebells' along the local streets and this really is a beautiful area to live. The streets are all tree lined and the houses are all different shapes, sizes and colours. Lots of them already have pumpkins and other halloween decorations outside and I'm convinced that as soon as they take them down, we'll be into Christmas decorations. I really will have to begin taking photographs and posting them on FB.
Sears customer services are trying to chase up the final bed-payment. Having a phone makes a difference because we didn't have to physically leg-it to the store-yahooo.
Well folks, I'm off to get my breakfast...actually, a second cup of coffee first.
Love to all,
Lxxx
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Day 40....sore toes and a bit grumpy about it.
Day 40..........sore toes and a bit grumpy about it.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterdays weather forecast wasn't great so we were delighted that it was dry and decided to walk to our 'closest' Walmart (53 mins by google maps time) just to check out where it was. We've been to another couple of them, the second closest being 50 mins walk (an hour according to googlemaps) so we thought we'd be around 45 to this one.
My trainers were still wet from the washing of them, after my mud escapades on Saturday and so I put on my hiking boots, which are always really warm and comfy for rugby and for trekking in the snow. The walk to Walmart was easy although I did notice a great difference in the weight on my feet. We all had to peel off our top layer because the sun came to join us and it was lovely. It's fab walking through areas that you haven't been before and we got happily went into walmart for around a half hour......just browsing. It's a great one with much more variety so I think that I'll be back. It's funny to see George labels and signs and makes me think I'm in Asda till I notice the Macdonalds in the corner.
I bought 3 balls of cotton with the intention to do a little bit of crocheting, once Bill leaves. That plus a bottle of water to drink on the way home and a bottle of Gatorade for Jen to glug were our small purchase for the day...oh and rolls for lunch. My stomach was beginning to growl because it was 1.30 and I was hoping for a swift walk home before the monster inside me was unleashed. In hindsight, I ought to have just nipped into the Tim Hortons for a muffin but I did fancy one of the Kaiser buns we'd bought, more.
You're already thinking that the walk home didn't go smoothly, aren't you? And you'd be right.
Bill decided that it would be good to go home a different way-not the quickest google-mapped way. Jen and I both protested that we were hungry to which he said that he'd give us a race. Now, bearing in mind that he goes home on Thurs and Jen goes to BC on Wed and you can see why we wanted to spend time with him and not racing him. Against my better judgement......again.......I headed down the street he wanted to go down, trying to feel the positive feelings that I had felt on the journey a half hour before. It didn't completely work but I did keep bringing myself back to the present moment, to my breath, to the sunshine, to the new 'terrain' we were traversing. There were a few 'words' between Jen and I because she thought I was annoyed with her to which I assured her that the only person I was trying not to be angry at was her dad. I also had 'words' with Bill which cleared the way for a little bit of time of peaceful chatter about the beautiful mansions that we were walking through and we saw a deer.....in the middle of the street......we saw it on two separate occasions..........because we basically had to retrace our steps due to the fact that there was no exit out of 'Millionnaire mansions' except for back the way we had come.
Now, if you think about my words to Bill, spoken at the time I chose to go his different way 'We better not end up on Bloor Street' (because it was a much longer way than our first route) Add to this the fact that my toes were beginning to experience hot shooting pains through them and my happy thoughts were getting harder to find. It is fantastic to be mindful though. It was like I was totally aware of the feelings that I was experiencing and I kept trying to turn the negative to the positive by being grateful for the deer and the sun and the beautiful tree-lined streets.......but my toes were making me want to scream at Bill that it was his fault that they were stabbing me like little ninja-knives. Irrational but true in my reality of those moments. So, as my feet got hotter and Bloor street got closer, the distance between us got wider.....and I mean that in a physical sense. We hadn't held hands the whole way home (we always hold hands) and when we came to an obstacle, we went in opposite ways around it. Those of you who work with energy can imaging how it felt. I had this 'poor me' bubble around me and Bill had his 'she's going to kill me' protection bubble around him and they kept us separate for the extra half hour it took to get home.
Once home, I was still in 'poor me' mode, waiting for him to show some concern for my feet and my hunger had been surpassed by my throbbing toes who hadn't planned to be in my hiking boots pounding pavement for 3 hrs. A shower and some rescue cream later, I had some lunch at 3.30.
The not-so-good news for my toes was that we had a 15 min walk to the Ontario Health offices to do before 5pm, to get the girls registered for insurance. I put my sandals on, to give my toes some space and must have looked quite the contradiction in them and my body-warmer-lol.
Bill and I were back on hand-holding terms, tho', so the toes felt much better and are completely okay this morning.
I had a wee hours break, after that last paragraph, to deliver clothes to Ali' who got drenched on her way to school and was freezing in the A/C. I had a lol moment coming home when I realised that my heals were hurting. Why laugh out loud (and I did) you ask? Because, as I pulled on a tiny pair of Alisons sox, which barely made it around my heals, I was thinking 'this is not a good idea, you should go and get a pair from your room which is 10 seconds round trip' But I proceeded to wear the itsy bitsy ones and then put on a pair of boots that I haven't worn in years-Jen wears them, now. Another 'this isn't your smartest move' thought went through my head and was ignored as did the thought that it already felt 'wrinkled' in my left boot and I headed out in my ski jacket and boots.
The sun was shining and by the time I was heading home, I was roasting (didn't have a bra on so kept the jacket on rather than have folk be persecuted by my bouncing boobs) and my heals were hurting and so I laughed at how ridiculous I had been to leave the house in the get-up I had on. I compared my smiles to how I felt yesterday and again realised that I went in a mood yesterday because my expectations were not met. Today, unfortunate as it was, they were met and I smiled at the similarities in the differences.
Back to Day 40, which was yesterday and we had a lovely evening. Andrew came for cheesy pasta (again) and we took a whole bunch of family photos which I have yet to see, I think that the kids were doing lots of silly things behind our backs but they were having fun, so that's great. Andrew had a question about his new iphone data so he and Ali went to the Fido store and came back smiling that we were celebreties over there. The guy who dealt with Andrew both last night and originally, was telling them that the other guy we dealt with had been talking about the great Scottish family, so Ali was chuffed to be 'famous' despite it being the first time she'd been in the shop.
That's it, me thinks. Bill and I found ourselves in front of the tv at 10.30 on our own-a first. Andrew had headed home and the girls were in bed. 2 shows watched then bed.
The sun is very lovely out there so I feel another walk coming on. Bill's just told me that we've only been credited for 2.5 beds so there may have to be a trip to Sears.....again.
Will let you know, tomorrow.
Much Love, Lxxxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
Yesterdays weather forecast wasn't great so we were delighted that it was dry and decided to walk to our 'closest' Walmart (53 mins by google maps time) just to check out where it was. We've been to another couple of them, the second closest being 50 mins walk (an hour according to googlemaps) so we thought we'd be around 45 to this one.
My trainers were still wet from the washing of them, after my mud escapades on Saturday and so I put on my hiking boots, which are always really warm and comfy for rugby and for trekking in the snow. The walk to Walmart was easy although I did notice a great difference in the weight on my feet. We all had to peel off our top layer because the sun came to join us and it was lovely. It's fab walking through areas that you haven't been before and we got happily went into walmart for around a half hour......just browsing. It's a great one with much more variety so I think that I'll be back. It's funny to see George labels and signs and makes me think I'm in Asda till I notice the Macdonalds in the corner.
I bought 3 balls of cotton with the intention to do a little bit of crocheting, once Bill leaves. That plus a bottle of water to drink on the way home and a bottle of Gatorade for Jen to glug were our small purchase for the day...oh and rolls for lunch. My stomach was beginning to growl because it was 1.30 and I was hoping for a swift walk home before the monster inside me was unleashed. In hindsight, I ought to have just nipped into the Tim Hortons for a muffin but I did fancy one of the Kaiser buns we'd bought, more.
You're already thinking that the walk home didn't go smoothly, aren't you? And you'd be right.
Bill decided that it would be good to go home a different way-not the quickest google-mapped way. Jen and I both protested that we were hungry to which he said that he'd give us a race. Now, bearing in mind that he goes home on Thurs and Jen goes to BC on Wed and you can see why we wanted to spend time with him and not racing him. Against my better judgement......again.......I headed down the street he wanted to go down, trying to feel the positive feelings that I had felt on the journey a half hour before. It didn't completely work but I did keep bringing myself back to the present moment, to my breath, to the sunshine, to the new 'terrain' we were traversing. There were a few 'words' between Jen and I because she thought I was annoyed with her to which I assured her that the only person I was trying not to be angry at was her dad. I also had 'words' with Bill which cleared the way for a little bit of time of peaceful chatter about the beautiful mansions that we were walking through and we saw a deer.....in the middle of the street......we saw it on two separate occasions..........because we basically had to retrace our steps due to the fact that there was no exit out of 'Millionnaire mansions' except for back the way we had come.
Now, if you think about my words to Bill, spoken at the time I chose to go his different way 'We better not end up on Bloor Street' (because it was a much longer way than our first route) Add to this the fact that my toes were beginning to experience hot shooting pains through them and my happy thoughts were getting harder to find. It is fantastic to be mindful though. It was like I was totally aware of the feelings that I was experiencing and I kept trying to turn the negative to the positive by being grateful for the deer and the sun and the beautiful tree-lined streets.......but my toes were making me want to scream at Bill that it was his fault that they were stabbing me like little ninja-knives. Irrational but true in my reality of those moments. So, as my feet got hotter and Bloor street got closer, the distance between us got wider.....and I mean that in a physical sense. We hadn't held hands the whole way home (we always hold hands) and when we came to an obstacle, we went in opposite ways around it. Those of you who work with energy can imaging how it felt. I had this 'poor me' bubble around me and Bill had his 'she's going to kill me' protection bubble around him and they kept us separate for the extra half hour it took to get home.
Once home, I was still in 'poor me' mode, waiting for him to show some concern for my feet and my hunger had been surpassed by my throbbing toes who hadn't planned to be in my hiking boots pounding pavement for 3 hrs. A shower and some rescue cream later, I had some lunch at 3.30.
The not-so-good news for my toes was that we had a 15 min walk to the Ontario Health offices to do before 5pm, to get the girls registered for insurance. I put my sandals on, to give my toes some space and must have looked quite the contradiction in them and my body-warmer-lol.
Bill and I were back on hand-holding terms, tho', so the toes felt much better and are completely okay this morning.
I had a wee hours break, after that last paragraph, to deliver clothes to Ali' who got drenched on her way to school and was freezing in the A/C. I had a lol moment coming home when I realised that my heals were hurting. Why laugh out loud (and I did) you ask? Because, as I pulled on a tiny pair of Alisons sox, which barely made it around my heals, I was thinking 'this is not a good idea, you should go and get a pair from your room which is 10 seconds round trip' But I proceeded to wear the itsy bitsy ones and then put on a pair of boots that I haven't worn in years-Jen wears them, now. Another 'this isn't your smartest move' thought went through my head and was ignored as did the thought that it already felt 'wrinkled' in my left boot and I headed out in my ski jacket and boots.
The sun was shining and by the time I was heading home, I was roasting (didn't have a bra on so kept the jacket on rather than have folk be persecuted by my bouncing boobs) and my heals were hurting and so I laughed at how ridiculous I had been to leave the house in the get-up I had on. I compared my smiles to how I felt yesterday and again realised that I went in a mood yesterday because my expectations were not met. Today, unfortunate as it was, they were met and I smiled at the similarities in the differences.
Back to Day 40, which was yesterday and we had a lovely evening. Andrew came for cheesy pasta (again) and we took a whole bunch of family photos which I have yet to see, I think that the kids were doing lots of silly things behind our backs but they were having fun, so that's great. Andrew had a question about his new iphone data so he and Ali went to the Fido store and came back smiling that we were celebreties over there. The guy who dealt with Andrew both last night and originally, was telling them that the other guy we dealt with had been talking about the great Scottish family, so Ali was chuffed to be 'famous' despite it being the first time she'd been in the shop.
That's it, me thinks. Bill and I found ourselves in front of the tv at 10.30 on our own-a first. Andrew had headed home and the girls were in bed. 2 shows watched then bed.
The sun is very lovely out there so I feel another walk coming on. Bill's just told me that we've only been credited for 2.5 beds so there may have to be a trip to Sears.....again.
Will let you know, tomorrow.
Much Love, Lxxxx
Monday, 6 October 2014
Day 38...and Day 39....because I've been busy
Day 38.......and Day 39.......because I've been busy.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It's been a busy couple of days and I could have chosen to write the blog, late last night but decided to have a couple of glasses of wine instead and watch Olympus has Fallen, which could also have been called 'Die hard, at the Whitehouse'. I loved the Die hard films and loved this one also. I find it interesting how I can love these films and yet refuse to watch 12 years a Slave or adaptations of other true-to-life vilent films. I do think that it's because the carnage and humour in the Die Hard type films is just so OTT that I can detach from it and just enjoy the baddies getting whipped (because they always are) and the Hero winning ('cause he/she always does) In contrast, a violent drama feels too close and too real and I can't for the life of me understand the needless violence and I can almost feel the fear experienced by both sides in the battle.......not fun and therefore not doing it.
So, back to the adventure of the last couple of days.
On Saturday, we rented a car to go up to see Andrew play rugby. His home fields are further away for us than his away game was a fortnight ago. They are way out in the Northern sticks and we were a smidge late due to some over-zealous grocery shopping beforehand. We basically had to dump the groceries on the floor (Freezer stuff made it into the freezer-whew) and run. I made a wee picnic whilst Jen and Bill emptied the trunk of the car and Ali had written out PERFECT google map directions. No wrong turns and we made it just after 3, which was amazing 'cause we were a half hour behind our planned ETD.
Unfortunately, Andrew had to come off, pretty soon after we got there. He's had an injury of his foot this season which flared up and he had to hobble to the bench. Poor soul. It was quite chilly and windy and the girls were then allowed to go sit in the car because they didn't have enough layers on. For those of you who attend rugby games in Scotland, you'll know that it often seems many degrees colder when you stand for 85-90 mins on a touchline. A fortnight ago though, I was worried about the girls getting their shoulders burned. Crazy.
I have to tell you about my lack of good judgement, whilst there. The side of the pitch had been all ploughed up and there were a couple of planks, at various points to get across. There had been loads of rain and the grass was sodden and my new trainers really should have been my hiking boots but c'est la vie. Anyways, Bill decided that we may get some shelter from the wind at the other side of the pitch and he proceeded across a plank, beside where all the players/coaches were. The girls didn't want to go that way so they headed back, away from the game, to go across another one. Me, Mrs indecisive, dawdled in the middle and then headed towards the girls but decided that I would just jump into the big ridge in the middle of the ploughed-up track and hop across. You'll be laughing already because you'll be picturing what happened next, or a possible version of it. The ridge was just soggy mud and my feet (new trainers first) sank well up past my ankles, in fact, if I hadn't reacted so quickly and jumped back the way, I think mid-calves would have been more accurate-ugh. Just as I landed in the middle I heard a guy shout 'don't do that' but it was TOO LATE :-( There were shi* , shi* and shi* again noises coming from my mouth as I surveyed the sight of my mud-caked trainers and trousers and the more shi*s as I pondered what to do. I asked the 'Don't do that' guy if there was an outside tap and he pointed me to the girls shower rooms but as I stood looking at the showers I decided that the mud was at least warm and that wet feet from water would be worse-so, I squelched my way back outside and across to Bill to discover that Andrew was now off the pitch and that it was like a bog, on that side of the pitch.....and so we trudged back across to where we started.
Toronto Scottish won the game comfortably and are now in the semi-final of the cup. I am not sure whether or not Andrew wil be fit for the next game in a fortnight but, if he is, I'll attempt to get to it....with my hiking boots on.
We had a great burger and fries dinner on the way home and then giggled our way through 21 Jump Street before Bill and Jen took Andrew home.
Sunday was supposed to be a visit to Canadas Wonderland (big rollercoaster/water park) but the forecast was not good and the travel times worse. we had to take the car back to the airport and from there it looked like 2 hrs to the theme park. It's the one thing that Alison wanted to do, with her dad and so we knew she's be disappointed but she took it like a pro' and she and I may head there next weekend if she doesn't get a better offer. It's Thanksgiving weekend so it may be very busy...or not. She'll be off school next Monday but I'm not sure if the Park will be open.
Instead of rollercoasting it, we bought a TTC family pass for $11 which allowed us to jump on and off the TTC all day. It got Bill and I home from the airport, the four of us into town, the 2 girls back home, Bill and I to Honest Eds (a huge, cheap, sells everything store), Bill and I down to train station (to eat yummy cinabon-mine had a ton of pecans), Bill and I to collect Pizza for Ali' and finally Bill and I home. A total of $37 was saved-yippee. It was a lovely afternoon which turned into evening because we didn't deliver Alisons pizza to her till 8.30.
And that was when I decided that I was going to watch a movie and have some wine, rather than type this......and now it is Monday morning whish is Day 40. But I will write about today later because it hasn't happened yet, except that Ali' has left for school.
I will try to remember to write about all the rude people we have come across, over the last couple of days...I forgot to include that and now I need breakfast.
Wishing you all a wonderful week and sending lots of love your way.
Lxx
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.
It's been a busy couple of days and I could have chosen to write the blog, late last night but decided to have a couple of glasses of wine instead and watch Olympus has Fallen, which could also have been called 'Die hard, at the Whitehouse'. I loved the Die hard films and loved this one also. I find it interesting how I can love these films and yet refuse to watch 12 years a Slave or adaptations of other true-to-life vilent films. I do think that it's because the carnage and humour in the Die Hard type films is just so OTT that I can detach from it and just enjoy the baddies getting whipped (because they always are) and the Hero winning ('cause he/she always does) In contrast, a violent drama feels too close and too real and I can't for the life of me understand the needless violence and I can almost feel the fear experienced by both sides in the battle.......not fun and therefore not doing it.
So, back to the adventure of the last couple of days.
On Saturday, we rented a car to go up to see Andrew play rugby. His home fields are further away for us than his away game was a fortnight ago. They are way out in the Northern sticks and we were a smidge late due to some over-zealous grocery shopping beforehand. We basically had to dump the groceries on the floor (Freezer stuff made it into the freezer-whew) and run. I made a wee picnic whilst Jen and Bill emptied the trunk of the car and Ali had written out PERFECT google map directions. No wrong turns and we made it just after 3, which was amazing 'cause we were a half hour behind our planned ETD.
Unfortunately, Andrew had to come off, pretty soon after we got there. He's had an injury of his foot this season which flared up and he had to hobble to the bench. Poor soul. It was quite chilly and windy and the girls were then allowed to go sit in the car because they didn't have enough layers on. For those of you who attend rugby games in Scotland, you'll know that it often seems many degrees colder when you stand for 85-90 mins on a touchline. A fortnight ago though, I was worried about the girls getting their shoulders burned. Crazy.
I have to tell you about my lack of good judgement, whilst there. The side of the pitch had been all ploughed up and there were a couple of planks, at various points to get across. There had been loads of rain and the grass was sodden and my new trainers really should have been my hiking boots but c'est la vie. Anyways, Bill decided that we may get some shelter from the wind at the other side of the pitch and he proceeded across a plank, beside where all the players/coaches were. The girls didn't want to go that way so they headed back, away from the game, to go across another one. Me, Mrs indecisive, dawdled in the middle and then headed towards the girls but decided that I would just jump into the big ridge in the middle of the ploughed-up track and hop across. You'll be laughing already because you'll be picturing what happened next, or a possible version of it. The ridge was just soggy mud and my feet (new trainers first) sank well up past my ankles, in fact, if I hadn't reacted so quickly and jumped back the way, I think mid-calves would have been more accurate-ugh. Just as I landed in the middle I heard a guy shout 'don't do that' but it was TOO LATE :-( There were shi* , shi* and shi* again noises coming from my mouth as I surveyed the sight of my mud-caked trainers and trousers and the more shi*s as I pondered what to do. I asked the 'Don't do that' guy if there was an outside tap and he pointed me to the girls shower rooms but as I stood looking at the showers I decided that the mud was at least warm and that wet feet from water would be worse-so, I squelched my way back outside and across to Bill to discover that Andrew was now off the pitch and that it was like a bog, on that side of the pitch.....and so we trudged back across to where we started.
Toronto Scottish won the game comfortably and are now in the semi-final of the cup. I am not sure whether or not Andrew wil be fit for the next game in a fortnight but, if he is, I'll attempt to get to it....with my hiking boots on.
We had a great burger and fries dinner on the way home and then giggled our way through 21 Jump Street before Bill and Jen took Andrew home.
Sunday was supposed to be a visit to Canadas Wonderland (big rollercoaster/water park) but the forecast was not good and the travel times worse. we had to take the car back to the airport and from there it looked like 2 hrs to the theme park. It's the one thing that Alison wanted to do, with her dad and so we knew she's be disappointed but she took it like a pro' and she and I may head there next weekend if she doesn't get a better offer. It's Thanksgiving weekend so it may be very busy...or not. She'll be off school next Monday but I'm not sure if the Park will be open.
Instead of rollercoasting it, we bought a TTC family pass for $11 which allowed us to jump on and off the TTC all day. It got Bill and I home from the airport, the four of us into town, the 2 girls back home, Bill and I to Honest Eds (a huge, cheap, sells everything store), Bill and I down to train station (to eat yummy cinabon-mine had a ton of pecans), Bill and I to collect Pizza for Ali' and finally Bill and I home. A total of $37 was saved-yippee. It was a lovely afternoon which turned into evening because we didn't deliver Alisons pizza to her till 8.30.
And that was when I decided that I was going to watch a movie and have some wine, rather than type this......and now it is Monday morning whish is Day 40. But I will write about today later because it hasn't happened yet, except that Ali' has left for school.
I will try to remember to write about all the rude people we have come across, over the last couple of days...I forgot to include that and now I need breakfast.
Wishing you all a wonderful week and sending lots of love your way.
Lxx
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