Day 182............LOVE my new hairdo.

Day 182............LOVE my new hairdo.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Yesterday was a busy old Friday for me which made a change from my normal Friday. A change from my normal any day, I suppose.
I had to go to the bank and then to Veras bank, to deposit my rent. For the three minute walk, I feel rich because my bag is full of money-big smile-and then it is gone. Not the smile, it's still there because I am grateful to be able to pay this rent to such a lovely lady. Or I suppose it would be more accurate to say that I am grateful for Bill giving me the money to pay the rent to Vera.
After picking up some milk, so Jen could have some cereal for breakfast, I headed home and then straight back out again to pick up my Credit card from Alison, who was on her lunch hour. I had given it to her, for her previous nights visit to the Mall and she hadn't put it back in my purse.
With the great exchange for the Pound to Dollar just now, I like to buy things on the British credit card so that it feels like I am getting better value for money. A strange way to look at it but it also saves Bill having to send so many Dollars over here.
From the school, I headed across town to pick up a pair of Ali's shoes from Andrew. His friend was newly back from Edinburgh with them safely and very kindly tucked in his case. Lucky timing for her because she wanted them to wear last night, to her first semi-formal.
I arrived at the meeting-point fifteen minutes early so I sent Andrew a text to say that I was in Winners (a bit TK Max) where I gaily and quickly selected five black bras for Ali, in the hope that one of them would be suitable for with her top, last night. (I can tell you now, in this blog, that they were nae use but she did like a couple of them so that was a bonus. The rest will go back tomorrow.)
Andrew tracked me down in Winners and then he headed back to spend time with Liam till it was time for him to start work. Me? I headed back home for a quick bite to eat and to drop off the shoes/bras and then headed back acroos town, to the hairdressers for cut and colour. The wee girl that does my hair is getting used to me now and she is growing in confidence, therefore taking far less time than previous visits. She always gives me a hand and neck/shoulder massage which is fab and the Aveda products do smell great. She did a great job of my hair and gave it so much volume (at my request) that I looked like someone out of Dallas-lol. I told her that I should have been a country-singer, to which she asked me if I was a good singer. I had to explain that I meant my hair.
I was really happy with it till I woke up this morning to find it 'gone' I am such a restless sleeper that it was all over the place and full of static with the dry air in here. Oh well, it'll be lovely again once I wash it.
Ali was already off to her dance, by the time I got home. The subway ride at rush hour is always busy but I felt calm and in no real hurry as I made my way Northwest.
At Royal York, I sent Jen a text to see if she wanted me to pick up Chinese, she had mentioned it in the morning and the affirmative meant I was another twenty minutes in getting  home.
Chinese food and a favourite Rom Com 'Just Like Heaven' to ourselves and we were well-happy. I was cold, well into the evening so much so that I put on a pot of decaff to drink. Brr.
Still, I had my new hairdo and I had to skype Bill to show him. You know you like your hair when you want to show it off. This morning Ali didn't even notice it had been done :-)
I waited up till she got home, around eleven thirty and it seemed like she'd had a great time. I left her and Jen chatting away, when I climbed upstairs around midnight. It's great that thay have each other to listen and sometimes I feel a bit superfluous.
I am currently avoiding FB in case I discover the rugby score so I will just post this, with no 'fanfare', on 3 Girls....which I left open.
Much love,
Lxx

oh and I will post a pic of my new hairdo soon....maybe. I ought to have taken one yesterday.

Day 181............quiet but happy

Day 181............quiet but happy
.
3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Happy Friday folks.

Yesterday was a lovely day which was spent indoors. Not very much of anything was done but it still felt like a great day.
I did find that I was much more motivated than of late and began putting out 'feelers" for stuff I may be teaching in Edinburgh, when I am home. I anticipate all Levels of Reiki, a Bach Level 1 and perhaps Level 2, a full day mindfulness workshop around being a mother or daughter, a retreat and also some healIng sessions. Woohoo. A busier vacation than my normal daily life-ha ha. If I get a move on, I may even have some Angel stationary and a book to market to you all.
Details of all will follow but if you are curious about any of my planned teaching, please let me know because dates are not yet written in stone.
Of course, if none of it is meant to be, I will simply have a vacation filled with clutter-clearing at Mountcastle.
The girls went shopping last night which gave me a wee chance to catch up on my Grimm. I do love all things Fantasy and sci-fi and I have to tell you that I am sending out a prayer for the family (both on screen and off) of "Spock,' as it tells me on the Subway ticker-tape today that he has just passed over.
I did so like and respect that man.
Oh well.
Not much else to report except that Jen saw a wee moose before she went to bed so I may have to get a trap, if he persists in being seen. I don't mind sharing the warmth with him but he needs to stay invisible.
Sending lots of love to all and hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Lxx

Day 180......a different day to visit Ross.

Day 180......a different day to visit Ross.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.


Yesterday I went up to visit Ross because I didn't go on Monday with it being Bills last day here. He was glad to see me and he did seem to be aware that it was not my usual day for being there, which was surprising.  I noticed that there was an exercise class getting ready to get going, when I arrived and I thought 'they're early this week' and then, when Ross and I went along for coffee, there was a group of ladies in the tv room doing knitting and crochet and I thought 'that's new'
And then it dawned on me that it was Wednesday and not Monday and that this was probably what happened every Wednesday-DOH. A little giggle escaped when I realised that.
Ross was going out for lunch, to his daughters, to celebrate her birthday and I was glad to have heard him arranging it on the phone because several times he asked about what we were going to do for lunch and I had to remind him of his plans. It's a bizarre illness in so many ways, Alzheimers.
We had a big giggle at the fact that his trousers had a big tear down the right cheek, which I noticed when we set off for our coffee. He was in front of me as we left his room and I just happened to see the big flap of material waving at me so he had to turn around and go change into another pair. Tee Hee-we did have fun with the idea of him parading in front of all the ladies in his torn pants.
He was complaining about his nails being all ragged and I remembered that Mary had booked him into the wee salon, a previous time he was complaining and so I reminded him that we could go see if they had any free appointments. Great idea because they did and it co-incided with my going home and would be perfect timing for him getting organised for his lunch-out, afterwards. I made sure that the lady heard me telling him that fact and knew that she would remind him of his plans at the end of his manicure.
At my bus stop home, there is always lots of little birds tweeting despite the freezing cold. I wonder how they keep warm? I have posted  a couple of photos of where they chirp-perhaps you'll be able to see them? Don't let that blue sky confuse you-it was flippin' freezing.

My afternoon was very quiet but I did make myself a bottle of remedies and they seem to have instantly helped with my procrastination-yippee.
I had a wee jaunt along to the wine store and picked up a box of Reisling which was on sale. I used to drink Reisling when I lived here before and thought it was worth a try. The Jury is still out because it wasn't chilled enough but it was nae bad.
Alison has a semi-formal dance tomorrow night and so she was trying on her ensemble last night. How did she get so grown-up? She is lucky that Andrews friend is bringing a pair of shoes from home, today because she hasn't found a pair here to go with the outfit. Andrew will drop them in either later today or tomorrow.
The girls and I are all looking forward to warmer weather and getting outside to exercise. I think that I may buy a couple of yoga mats so that we can do some floorwork indoors. Ali' did want to join a gym but she's too young. Perhaps Jen and I will, so that we are slim and trim for the summer?
That's all for now.
Much Love,
Lxxx

Day 179...........No Bill to wake up beside.

Day 179...........No Bill to wake up beside.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

It's always very strange when I wake up to find the bed empty beside me, after Bill has been to visit. It takes a couple of mornings to remember that he's not there when I open my eyes. But change is inevitable and I am so lucky that I got to wake up beside him for seven mornings in a row. Strange though was the fact that we both went to bed at the same time, which is something that rarely happens in Edinburgh.
Bill simply stayed on his Edinburgh schedule and was not as bothered by jetlag as most of us would be. He's usually up till 4-5am on his off-shift days and till after 6am on his night-shifts. The five hour difference when he got here just meant that he was going to bed around his usual time. Perfect for the quick turnaround of a flying visit.
I have had a couple of early nights since he left on Monday because I was down on my sleep with staying up a bit later at night. I am getting older, you know. Athough that brings me back to an earlier-blogged-about subject of 'when will I need less sleep?' Well? When?
Yesterday was quiet-very quiet. I did not leave the house except to put out some recycling. I'd like to say that I got stuck into my book writing but I did not. The day simply disappeared before my eyes and it was bedtime (10pm) before I knew it.
I didn't even sweep the floor, which had been on my mind to do because of the depth of the dust but as for what I did do? Who knows.
I did decide to freeze all the yummy scones that we bought because I had eaten one for breakfast and my insides told me that they may have been a contributing factor in my chest-pain. If not the chest-pain, certainly in the burping that has been going on lately. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was pregnant. Burping was always my first indication of that 'condition'.
What would be in the scones that would make me feel rubbish, Folks?
This weeks temp' is very cold. Windchill is keeping it at least ten below what it says on the thermometer but it's not for much longer. Soon you will be jealous of my weather reports.

The photo is just a wee look at what Mr D left behind. Not the mess, silly.....the Minion. It's a nice reminder as he waves at me as I sit here typing.
Happy Wednesday,
Much Love,
Lxx

Days 176 through 178...........having too much family time to pop in here.

Days 176 through 178...........having too much family time to pop in here.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

 I could feel bad for failing to post blogs for the past two days but I don't. It did cross my mind to make time to write something but I was having too nice a time, with my hubbie being here, to interrupt that flow.

You will all be glad to know that his departure back to Edinburgh last night was not accompanied by my tears.
Yesterday was so different from his departur-day in October that it even surprised me. Andrew hit the nail on the head by stating that I have already done a big stint without Bill and so the fear of the unknown was not there, yesterday. Because I have done it already, I know that I can do it again. I even got to chum him to the airport, accompanied by Andrew (in case I turned into a basket-case) and the Goodbye was peaceful and relatively easy.
As soon as Bill had disappeared into customs, that wonderful big boy of mine simply took my hand and held it all the way to the door to the ttc. We then had to put our hands into gloves and pockets because it was feeling like -30 outside.
We were sooo lucky with both our transport both to and from Pearson with the buses and trains either sitting waiting for us or them arriving at our stop just after we did. It made the cold, evening trek much less of an ordeal.
So, this morning, it's back to my normal routine except that I have been given encouragement from Bill to just keep working towards my dreams and he'll keep doing the supporting-bit till I get there.
This is when I know that I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams to actually be able to believe that he means it. Admittedly, there were times this past week when I read things that weren't there, into words that were said and that felt like indicators on areas that I still need to work on with my Bach remedies. All my judgements come from within.
Twice, in the past week, I have experienced severe chest pain which came out of nowhere. Bill joked that it was just my heart being sad that he was going back to Edinburgh and I believe that there is probably a truth in that. I liken it to the Grinch, when he was rolling about in the snow, clutching his chest (that's how I felt) because his heart was growing two sizes. There is no doubt that my heart is continually being opened by this family of mine. Years ago I didn't accept any of their love because I didn't know how but now I know that they love me and I let myself feel it and I think that my heart needs to adjust to that. Either that or the beautiful white chocolate and raspberry scones we've discovered (and I have eaten daily) don't agree with me.
I have spent a week full of family chat, laughter and love. Andrew spent as much time as he could, with us and Ali had a couple of days off school plus no drama on Sunday so she was also able to spend loads of time with us.
And it was perfect.
Bill and I managed to get out and about for walks together four days in a row, despite the cold and that was wonderful.
We walked approx half hour, in the falling snow on Saturday, to a house which is for sale and then wandered back home in the snow, through the local houses, looking and plotting and planning. On Sunday we walked even further to look at four houses and survived the dropping temp on the way home. We warmed up with our first Mince and tatties since before last summer-yum.
The houses we saw, bar one, were all fab and gave us a starting point for what's available around here. We are in an expensive, popular neighbourhood so property is not cheap.
Most of the realtors were nice but we have already been bombarded by one, with his sales pitches. Bill will be sending him an email today to say 'back off buddy' and he will not be getting our business if we do decide to go ahead with finding a new family home.
We are still not sure of our next move. It could be that Bill stays in Edinburgh longer and steps up his visits, rather than him move over this year as initially planned.
Lots of discussion ahead.
The temp' has dropped again after a reprieve on Sat' which brought more snow. After this weekend, it is supposed to be up closer to zero for the following week and we will be into March so it's likely that it will begin to warm up soon-woohoo.
So, that's my very abbreviated version of the last three days. I could write more but it would make for a very long post.
Just know that the last week has been brilliant and despite Bills return to Edinburgh, I feel content and motivated this morning.
Much love and Happy Tuesday,
Lxxx

Day 175...........Did I tell you that it's cold outside?

Day 175...........Did I tell you that it's cold outside?

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Yesterday morning, we decided to go down to the lakeshore to take some pic's. We are only 5 minutes drive from Lake Ontario which is more than 75% frozen just now and which looked spectacular on our drive to Niagara Falls on Thursday.
It didn't look so spectacular yesterday because the sun had melted the surface snow on it and was shining onto the ice. But it was still a magnificent view, looking across to the CN Tower. There were pockets of ducks and geese in the melted bits of the lake. Brrr-how do they survive? We were only out of the car for ten minutes but my fingers and toes were complaining about the cold. The girls had swapped coats and it can be difficult to tell them apart these days.
From Lakeshore, we nipped to No Frills for more soda and kiwis and then to Costco for fuel which is approx $1/litre which is half the price of fuel in Scotland. It was even cheaper in the USA when we filled up in Buffalo.
Dropping both the girls and the groceries off at Royal York Road, Bill and I headed North, via the bakers (for a couple of boxes of the most delicious scones EVER) to the airport, to return the car.
We caught the bus back to the subway, as soon as we had dropped off the car which was brilliant because it was seriously baltic. Standing waiting for it would not have been much fun.
We spent the afternoon at home and I found that I needed to take a nap. Bill had closed his eyes, beside me and it was just too tempting so I put my head on his shoulder and joined him in the land of nod. Unfortunately, when his nap ended, I had to keep going with mine and I curled up on the sofa for another hour. I was VERY reluctant to wake up but managed to drag myself off the couch for a coffee and a scone, just before four, when Ali was going to work. Jen had also taken herself off for a nap and appeared around five.
Bill and I headed along for pizza near 6pm and it was mighty freezing but we survived. The walk home was easier because the wind was behind us. The yummy pizza accompanied a really good movie about a couple who were connected through their vision and feelings. They were unknown actors but it was a great movie idea.
Surprisingly, Bill and I were both ready for bed by the back of eleven and I had no trouble getting to sleep. I did waken very early tho' but managed to stay warm in bed till seven-thirty, which is my Sarurday long-lie time.
This morning we have snow falling......again.
Lxx

Day 174........Happy 21st Birthday trip to the frozen South.

Day 174........Happy 21st Birthday trip to the frozen South.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Happy sigh when thinking about yesterday and a very lovely family day.
It started a wee bit frantically because I had to meditate, decorate, finish a wee Angel book for Jen and wrap presents. You'd think that with all of my non-activity here, I could have got her book finished well in advance but nope. Good job Bill was here to help Alison make a surprise Traybake and also make the breakfast pancakes.
I was up at 6.45 as usual but may have had to have skipped sleep altogether if he hadn't been here.
Andrew got delayed on the subway and was later getting here than hoped but it just meant that everything was behind the schedule that we planned. The plan did not change.
Everyone else had pancakes (me no likey) and then we did birthday present opening. Ali had made a fab wee video of birthday greetings from various friends and family and we all watched it on Youtube on the tv. Isn't technology great. We then headed out and down to Niagara Falls. It was -13 when we left and -16 by the time we got to Niagara. Seeing Lake Ontario 75% frozen was pretty amazing and beautiful but the reality of standing outside for photographs was not as much fun as when it was done during Bill's last visit in September. Windchill at -30 will do that I suppose.
The trees facing the falls were stunning, with the frozen snow down the trunk and branches facing the falls. It happens because of the spray from the falls freezing on contact and looks amazing. We parked at the visitors centre and probably were out of the car, in total, for less than twenty minutes. The time spent outside was only a couple of minutes at a time. Fingers did not appreciate gloveless hands during photo-taking but the photos were worth it. Andrew took some good ones of the girls under the trees and the girls took lots of each other whilst Bill and I stayed warm in the car.

We headed over to America, after the photo-stop and it didn't take too long to get across. We had to go into customs because of Bills UK passport (the rest of us have Canadian ones) but luckily there was not much of a wait. Too cold for most folks to travel, I guess.

Dinner was well worth the trip and Olive Garden may have to be visited again. Buffalo don't seem to clear their snow away as well as Ontario and they seemed to have had more snowfall  than us but we managed to get where we were going without getting lost. The boys did a great job.
I was in the back, snuggled under blankets with the girls because we didn't have the most efficient heater in the car.
Each meal in Olive Garden comes with unlimited breadstix and salad or soup and whilst Ali and I weren't fussed on the breadstix her soup and my salad were lovely. My main course of rosemary and Garlic chicken served me lunch today too, due to the large size portion. Jen had enough of her pasta to do her lunch today as well.
No stopping at the border coming back into Canada and we were home for 8.30 to watch a favourite movie of Jens, from a few years back, called Stick-it. Fun and easy to watch, especially with a couple of glasses of wine. We had an intermission for birthday cake and Andrew set off home after 11pm in the very bitter cold. Brr.
So, all in all, I think Jen had a lovely day. Apart from me feeling a bit grouchy with myself for being grouchy, I had a fab day too.
Much Love, Lxx

Day 173.....lots of to-ing and fro-ing.

 Day 173.....lots of to-ing and fro-ing.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

So, with Mr D having a car, we did lots of heavy duty shopping such as bottles of soda and tins of tomatoes.
It will save my arms in the coming weeks. I think I may be sorted till the summer :-)
Bill and I did a wee bit birthday shopping for Jen, after dropping Ali at school. She liked getting a lift and I may have to buy a car-lol.
We nipped home to pick up Jen and headed to No frills for the heavy shop and then home for lunch. We have been having to swap parking places for the car due to our drive only being clear enough for one car. We parked it overnight in the drive of the empty house that jen and I had looked around a few weeks back and just hoped that nobody would appear at the door asking us to move it. Or worse still, finding that it had been towed.
Luckily the lady next door has space in her drive and kindly said that either justin or we could park in hers.
You are not allowed to park on Royal York Road or other major roads EVER.
We picked Ali up from school (she enjoyed that too) and then headed out to look for a birthday chocolate cake after she went to work.
We finally found a suitable one after being disappointed that Costco didn't do the one they do in Scotland.
The snow fairly came down at one point and we worried that our planned visit to Andrews second place of work may have to be cancelled but it stopped and so we went. The highway was a bit scary but we made it to the huge mall where he does some shifts in the vans store. I chose a wacky pair of Vans which Andrew will put away for my birthday and he bought jen a pair for her birthday. Ali bought herself a a paIr.
We didn't have too much time for shopping as the mall closed at 9pm but it was somewhere that we will trek back to at some point as we didn't really put a dent in it.
I need to run, now as we are behind schedule with the birthday trip. Table is all set for cake when we get home.

Much love,
Lxxx

Day 171 part deux and Day 172................My hubbie is here-woohoo.

Day 171 part deux and Day 172................My hubbie is here-woohoo.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

To continue on with day 171, which was Monday, I had to keep the secret so couldn't tell you about my secret rendesvous with Bill. I had to tell a whopper of a tale to the girls about how I was going through to Hamilton, to babysit my friend Krys who had fallen on the ice and given herself a concussion and wouldn't be released from hospital unless someone could stay overnight with her. Yes, I did feel like a terrible mother, telling them such a story but I was very believable and their surprised faces made it worthwhile. I have apologised and been hopefully forgiven. Will they ever trust me again? Who knows?
I headed out to the airport hotel, to check-in but got a nasty shock when my bus stopped short of where I wanted to go. I had a very chilly ten minute walk to the hotel but it was okay. I was happy and I tok some snaps of families out enjoying their Family-Day sledging.

I spent a couple of hours in the hotel, before taking the shuttle-bus to meet Bills flight. I was a tad hungry but the hotel didn't have a restuarant (strange) and I hadn't wanted to venture outside after my chilly walk. When I got to the airport, I hummed and hawed about buying a sandwich but decided to just wait till Bill arrived. By the time he did, an hour later, my stomach was really growling and those of you who know me well know that this is not a good thing for my mood. However, I surprised even myself by being hugely happy when my hubbie finally appeared and told me that his luggage was still in London....thus the delay in his appearance.
As I type, it has just been delivered, some fourteen (ish) hours after it was promised. Good job he had put some boxers in his hand luggage.
I had a wonderful evening, catching up with Bill. Seriously love that man and we talked into the early morning about anything and everything. We had five months of catching-up to do :-)
Breakfast was great and we headed out to the airport at eleven, to pick up a car and then headed to surprise child number 1. We were unsure how we were going to manage to accomplish the surprise but luckily the blinds were still closed so we parked in next doors drive and snuck into the house. Jen had just come downstairs and was in the living room jopening the blinds. EEK-ten seconds earlier and she would have had a perfect view of her dad and I skulking up the path-tee hee. But, once inside the door, I asked her if she could go put the kettle on because I was desparate for a cuppa. Bill snuck upstairs to put on a minion onesy that he had brought for Jen and as Jen and I stood in the dining area, I watched her eyes grow bigger, in a kind of confused manner and she looked a wee bit scared. He had the hood pulled down over his face-lol-and he'd curled up on the couch. Jen didn't know whether I knew that he was here and she thought I'd have a fit when I turned round to see some 'weirdo' minion on the sofa.
Surprise number one-tick.
I did get a little bit of berating for my fib.
Surprise number two took place in Ali's school car-park. Jen had arranged to meet her, to walk home. Ali spotted her dads 'blueness' getting out of the white car in the white snow and she has eyes like a hawk so I didn't get to see her initial expression but she was wearing a very big smile by the time she reached the car.
Surprise number three took place in Frans restuarant, where I was supposed to be meeting Andrew for pancakes after his work. Bill went downstairs to hide till Andrew appeared, with Alisons phone which would receive a text when Andrew arrived.
No need for the text because Bill saw Andrew arrive and Andrews face was a picture when it dawned on him who's face it was that was all scrunched up against the glass partition. We spent a lovely couple of family hours togeher and I am so looking forward to Jens birthday tomorrow because we will be spending the whole day together. Yippeeee.
I am very happy....did you guess?
Much Love,
Lxxxx

Day 171......................Thank goodness it was only -25 for my walk to see Ross.

Day 171......................Thank goodness it was only -25 for my walk to see Ross.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

I was ever so glad that the wind had dropped when I walked the couple of blocks, after I got off my bus,  to see Ross. Usually I would have peeled off my hoodie and tights on arrival (I always visit the ladies) but I decided to keep them on and it was a good decision.
I finally picked up a bit of heat in me and took off my hoodie just before it was time to head home. I kept having to remind Ross how cold it was outside but despite that, I failed to dissuade him from a quick walk down the drive, when I was leaving. He wanted to continue along to the main road with me but I managed to persuade him to turn back when the sidewalk became icy. I told him that I wanted to visit him at home next week and not in hospital. I watched (hidden) till I made sure that he was back inside the grounds, on the clear path and was very glad to help him feel independent by not walking back with him (as I was tempted to do)
I had a Bach Skype consult in the afternoon and skype has been rubbish the last couple of times I have used it. I was trying to lead her through some meditation and the sound kept disappearing and then the call would drop. GRRR. I know that I believe things happen for a reason but it was a bit frustrating for both of us.
The rest of the day I will tell you about tomorrow because I need to run out, now and won't likely get back to this.
Can you wait?
Much Love,
Lxxx

Day 170..........ABSOLUTELY BALTIC.

Day 170..........ABSOLUTELY BALTIC.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Okay, so yesterday was the coldest I have ever felt and it really was mind-blowing how nippy your face and fingers got in such a short time. I never did get really warm in Tim Hortons in the morning and even the shopping mall in the afternoon was not the roasting place that it usually is. It took me probably more than an hout to even peel off one layer. Eventually both my coats came off but my other four layers stayed put.
Alison did some serious shopping with her paycheck but she was very happy with her purchases. Jen got a pair of jeans that looked really good on her so a good day for both of them.
I am still needing to go shopping for Jens birthday on Thursday-time is getting short.
I almost called off our usual Sunday visit to the grocery store because of the cold. BUT we decided to go and we were lucky that the bus back only took a few minutes to come. I spent those minutes pulling up hoods and wrapping scarves around the girls because the wind was whipping around and I knew that skin better get covered up. My fingers were nipping like a swear-word when I put my fingers back inside my gloves and I was very grateful when the bus arrived. When you haven't experienced this type of cold it is difficult to wrap your brain around it to remember that it is actually dangerous. I haven't researched statistics but I imagine that frostbite may be more of a problem that I would have imagined.
Jen treated us to Pizza because there is one just across from the Grocery store and despite the cold, it was still lovely by the time we got it home-triple-bagged of course. So, we didn't go a Pizza-free week.......yet.
Not much to report except the cold.
Hope it was a Happy Monday,
Lx

Day 169.....ripping back the crochet.

Day 169.....ripping back the crochet.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases

Sitting in Tim Hortons this morning, I have just changed seats because I was being blasted by -39 air every time the door opens. FLIP. It isn't supposed to get above feeling like -31 today whilst the actual temp is -25. Poor Olafs hat had blown off in the wind and someone had plonked it on top of the water hydrant. I snapped a couple of shots of said hatless snowman and hatted fire-hydrant from inside because I had no desire to step outside before I needed to.and I didn't have time to stop to give him it back so I hope he will survive till we get home.

If I could go back to Tuesdays blog about icicle deaths, I was watching an episode of Greys Anatomy yesterday in which Christina gets impailed in the chest by a big muckle icicle. Surely they researched whether or not it really happens? There were icicles down in the subway station this morning Brr.

We may be looking at frozen waterfalls when we go to Niagara on Thursday. I promise pictures to compare to the sunny rainbow ones of Sept..
I have 5 layers on in here and my top half feels okay. Bottom half is cold with only 2 layers on. What a wonderful reality to be experiencing.
We all braved the cold yesterday and went to the bank to pay in Ali's paycheck. The girls then went to the library and I nipped into Shoppers for milk. I always feel sorry for their staff (like the staff here) because they get blasted with cold air despite the double doors. They have a wee heater but you must need to have a positive attitude to work there otherwise you'd get quite depressed, I think.
The afternoon saw me doing my usual Laundry and I demolished the rest of the leftover chicken-balls with Jen. Another yum.
I then spent time ripping back the crochet portion of Jens birthday-blanket. It was not working for her and so I am now hoping to knit the remaining 6 balls before Thursday. Fingers crossed.
Ali went out for dinner with one of her school-pals and came home frozen. She soon warmed up, under a thick blanket as we watched 'the movie house at the end of the road' which was a thriller horror and a wee bit nerve-wracking at bits. I am pleased to report that I 'called-it' at the very start but then doubted my deduction as we progressed through a well-scripted movie.
Heading to bed early-ish 'cause my eyes were tired, I found it difficult to get to sleep again. Maybe I am excited for Jens impending 21st?
Well, Happy Sunday Folks.
Hope this coming week is a great one.
Much Love, Lxx

Day 168........yummy chinese food.

Day 168........yummy chinese food.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Happy Valentines Day. 

I opened my back door blinds and turned to discover that I had some beautiful red Roses waiting for me on the kitchen counter, to wish me a Happy Valentines Day.

I know that technically that piece of info is supposed to be in tomorrows blog but I wanted to share them.
Yesterday I managed to get through a few things on my list which felt good but I really must get a physical list written because I am much more effective when working from one.
I only went out briefly last evening, to order and pick up our first chinese food since moving here. I discovered that it's a lovely wee restuarant inside and I may just have to go there for a sit-in at some point. Once I had placed my order (comparable prices to home) I walked to the wine store to pick up some of my Pino and then went back to get the food. En route back, I did my wee random act of kindness by volunteering to help a very handsome young guy manouver his car out of a very small car park. He was so grateful after having looked totally terrified as he looked back and forward to work out how he was going to escape.
The food was very yummy and I will recommend it to anyone who asks. The girls only ate one portion of the chicken balls and so I had 4 for breakfast-yum.
Yum, yum, yum.
We watched a great movie called Divergent and I believe its sequel is due out soon. A wee cheap tuesday visit to the movies may be in order.
Did you know that the canadians pronounce Tuesday as toosday? And tuna as toona? Ali gets ribbed at school for her wrong pronunciation.
I ended up not having any wine, after making the effort to pick some up. I have a little bit left in a glass from Thursday night and I have a shelf in the fridge which is just perfect for keeping it safe.

I went to bed later than usual after a triple dose of Greys Anatomy but I couldn't get to sleep. Interesting. The snow was falling and has covered the sidewalk again but it is still the cold that is amazing me. It's supposed to feel like -40 tonight so Ali and I will have a chilly trip to drama in the morning.
Okay-that's it.
Much love,
 Lxxx

Day 167............watcing the temperature drop-yikes.

Day 167............watcing the temperature drop-yikes.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

I know that I have said this before but I think it bears repeating today. This blog really will be a great reflection on a years worth of weather in Toronto-lol.
Yesterday saw me regularly tuning into the weather forecast to see just how low it would go and by the time Alison headed out to sleepover at a friends, it was feeling like -30 outside. My legs were freezing just saying goodbye at the door and so I am not sure how hers were feeling by the time she walked ten minutes in it, after getting off her train.
Perhaps her brain got numb because I got a phonecall later in the evening from her phone but it was not her on the other end of it. Matt had found it lying in the street, around her subway stop and he had posted a message on her Facebook wall just before calling me. Whilst I was taking his details, for her to collect the phone, Jen was explaining to her dad exactly why Alison had posted that she had Alisons phone and given a mobile-number.
Tee hee and very lucky and all that. She still isn't home and I have had no message so hopefully both the sleepover and the phone pick-up went well. Her friends are going shopping this morning and so she ought to be home soon.
I have a skype consult at noon and so I am hoping that she doesn't appear without a key midway through it.
Daytime yesterday was another quiet day but I did do some writing for my book, around the new title. It feels like the right title and it also feels like it will tie everything together that I have been trying to separate to write about.
This afternoon, I hope to get started on some more writing or perhaps I just need to write down a chapter-plan, now that I know the direction.
If I go back to the weather, it's warmed up from last night, to feeling like -21 but I am wondering whether or not Pizza may be cancelled for tonights dinner. I will see what Ali's report is on walking in -30. There is a cold weather alert on and they are saying that we may hit -40 over the weekend. Now I haven't felt that kind of cold since the Christmas of 1983.
Jen and I watched a reasonably funny (if a little crude at times) movie called Bachelorette and I was glad that Ali hadn't watched it with us because I am a wee bit of a prude-lol. I am always available to answer any questions that the kids may have but I am not a big fan of graphic sexual talk in movies. So, I will not be going to see Fifty Shades of Gray. My wee personality prefers Anne of Green Gables romance.
And on that note I will close. Another fact learned about yours truly, perhaps?
Much Love,
Lxxx

166........the house number I grew up in.

166........the house number I grew up in.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Woo Hoo for the huge, beautiful snow flakes that fell down on Jen and I yesterday, as we walked home from No Frills. We didn't really enjoy our walk down there because the wind was a wee bit nippy but it had completely gone when we were walking back and the snowflakes started really coming down so the snow was vertical.
Today, it looks like they may be horizontal if they begin. I have a chimney that I can see, as I sit on the sofa and the smoke is being blown all over the place which would explain why the windchill is twelve degrees lower than the temp.
It is forecast to reach -35 windchill overnight tonight but be down at -27 by evening. We have already dropped six degrees since I got up. Brrr.
Awfy glad that we did the store-run yesterday.

There was not an awful lot more to report though, for yesterday.
Ali informed me of more parent interviews being held on 19th Feb which is unfortunately her big sisters 21st. So I'll no' be going to that. Ali was a wee bit perturbed that the school finishes early that day because she is having the day off to spend with Jen, Andrew and I. Tee Hee. Her report card came home yesterday and she is only below class average in two subjects so that's great. Unsurprising that Math is one of them and the other is Canadian History. All but her Math is over 70% with her Drama being mid 90s. I think we made a good move helping her to get extra of what she loves and is good at. Again, I realise how lucky we are.
Some of you may be interested to know that my vision continues to improve and I actually was 'given' the title of my book this morning, during my meditation and with my Angel cards.
 'Seeing Clearly........I am not my mother'
That was a huge thing because up until now I have had no clue what to call it and Seeing clearly is a great place to start with the book, as well because my mum was registered blind when she died.
I plan not to follow in those footsteps and by the time my book is published I will have regained 20/20 vision and so you'll all have to buy the book to find out how-lol.
I am looking around the floor thinking that I really need to sweep it. But I likely won't. It is covered by a multitude of Ali's work and I am not sure whether I can be bothered to shift it. Mmm? Perhaps.
She is finished at school till Tuesday, when she gets home and so I am hopeful that she will have a wee bit of tidy-up-time to herself, over the weekend. Again, we shall see.
My remedy bottle is empty so I really ought to get it refilled so that I can communicate effectively and not nag.
Hope you like the snowy picttures-we enjoyed being out there.

Much Love,

Lxx

Day 165............Flights booked on my fixed laptop.

Day 165............Flights booked on my fixed laptop.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Yesterday brought one last bash at fixing my laptop. I was bemoaning how many hours I had wasted, trying to fix it and I decided to try one more system restore, to see if it would work........and it did-yahoo. The awesome additional bonus was that it also fixed my wifi.
So, if any of you ever suffer from the black screen of nothing, on your computer-give the system restore a second chance. I think that I didn't go back far enough, the first time.
The wifi could be a coincidence but I am taking it and enjoying it and hope that it will stick around.
So, with the laptop fully functional, I decided that I really ought to get the girls flights booked for summer. The tickets have dropped in price and the dollar has dropped in exchange rate so another double bonus for me, yesterday. For summer flights, nae too bad getting them for just over £500/person. Hopefully, when I get around to booking my own, it'll be a similar price.
The cheaper fuel prices may have had a little bit of an effect on the prices, I suppose.
So, who is coming over to rent my hoose in the summer? Seriously, it's a great place to set up camp to visit Toronto. A bit bare of furniture, granted-lol but all the essentials are here and it's clean and loved.  I must get set up on airbnb and other sites as I'm sure that there will be lots of folk looking for accommodation, with the Pan Am games being on. Note to self, add to the still non-existent list of things I have to do.
Jen and I had another indoor day to ourselves yesterday and I am glad to report that she was feeling better. Wee scone.
Alison had a Math test which she found impossible and failed with flying colours. I think she plans to see her teacher for some guidance today and hopefully she will find a way to understand the topic. She has to choose her subjects for next year and we think we will have her do college level Math, rather than university level. She already has her Standard Grade in Maths so I think we can draw a line under punishing her with difficult Math.
They choose their subjects online, from home. Very strange.
I put Jennifer through a little bit of boredom last evening when we watched Chariots of Fire. I loved it but it was too slow and meandering for her. Sorry Jen.
And on that note, I am off to meditate.
Much love to all,
Lxxx

Day 164.........huge icy daggers could spear me at any time

Day 164.........huge icy daggers could spear me at any time

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

 

It was -12, feeling like -21 when I headed up to see Ross yesterday morning. I was in a very cheery mood, despite the bitter wind and I smiled hello to lots of folk, including some workmen who I envied NOT. I told them to 'keep warm' and it looked like they had a wee cabin that they could duck into periodically to defrost.

On arrival at the complex, where Ross lives, I spied some huge dagger-like shards of ice hanging down from the gutters. OUCH, if one of them fell down as you walked underneath. I questioned Ross about death by icicle but he seemed to think that there are none.

Oh well, I still have my suspicions.

 

He was in fine fettle and we pretty much sat and blethered the two hours I was there. He had just made some coffee when I arrived, which was great to warm me up and he made another pot, rather than going along to our usual spot at the cafe. Maybe he was enjoying having me all to himself :-)

I did see my wee lady, who had a bruise down her face but when I asked her about her visit to hospital, she seemed not to remember. I guess that answers my question about her memory but she does give me a lovely big smile when I chat to her, even if she may not remember me from one week to the next. I am not sure whether Ross remembers me or not but he is always glad to see me.

I was home relatively sharp and had some lunch whilst Jen curled up on the couch. She wasn't feeling great and crawled back into bed for a couple of hours. Don't ask me what I did for that time 'cause I dinnae ken.

I know that I did some crochet in the evening whilst Jen and I watched some tv and Ali

' spent time upstairs practicing some songs. When she was finished, I reclaimed my bedroom and went to bed. It's warmer upstairs than downstairs so I tell her to go up to my room with homework.

I guess that upstairs is always better than downstairs-lol.

And on that non-funny, I will close.

Hugely late with this again and I will share why tomorrow :-)

Much Love,

Lxx

Day 163..........Andrew came for dinner.

Day 163..........Andrew came for dinner.


3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Yesterday saw the snow continue to fall but the morning was really yucky with freezing sleet. I don't think that was the ice pellets, though because I think I felt a few of them in my eyes this morning-ouch.
Looking out of the Tim Hortons windows, whilst waiting for Ali, it looked more like Edinburgh weather and was damp to boot. That made it feel colder than when it's much colder and sunny and every time someone entered TH to buy their coffee, my legs got a cold damp blast of air-Brr.
You can't see through the bus and streetcar windows when the weather is like this so it is just as well that they call out the name of each stop or you would never know when to get off (except in a station) The photo I have posted is a 'clean' window-lol. We use all modes of transport on a Sunday. Streetcar, bus and train.....oh I do like to travel.
Ali and I didn't come home after her Drama class because we were short on shopping-time with Andrew coming for dinner. We just nipped back to Royal York station to pick up Jen and headed to the mall which has both Walmart and No Frills attached. My hope was that we would then not have to go down to out local No Frils but we ended up down there as well, in search of the iced tea that Jen drinks. Alas, they didn't have any either.
The photo is me enjoying the bus ride home, with my shopping.
I haven't bought myself anything to wear since we have been here and I had pretty much decided that I wouldn't but yesterday saw me entering a Gap factory store and it was like Aladdins cave. Ali came home with a long-sleeve white t-shirt a few weeks back and I was very envious because I love white t-shirts and only have a short-sleeve one. Well, Gap had long=sleeve white t-shirts reduced from $23 to $7 and so I couldn't resist. To my credit, I picked out a navy one as well but replaced it because I have a navy long-sleeve t-shirt already. On my way to the checkout I spied a black cardi' reduced to $10 and well, I do not have any lightweight cardigans so, after trying it on, it went to the checkout with me as well.
When we got home, I confessed to Jen that I had broken my rule of not purchasing anything for myself and showed her my new white t-shirt and black cardi'. I wondered why she looked disappointed but she delighted me by producing an H&M bag with one long-sleeve white t-shirt inside.......for me. She had seen them and remembered that I had really liked Ali's and so she bought me one. Awe. So, she is now returning hers, which was more than double the cost of mine and agreed to buy me the cardi as well. SCORE! And so now I am back at the place of not having spent any money on me-yippee.
Andrew braved the weather, despite not feeling great and having missed his rugby. It was lovely to see him and the three kids had a great time watching the Grammys. Me? I just sat on the sofa bemused by most of it but enjoying being with them. Andrew headed home around 11pm, with leftover mac 'n' cheese and one of the ten blocks of cheese I bought on sale yesterday. Yep, all the other cheese got eaten-we do like our cheese and it must be stocked up on when it is on sale-lol.
I headed to bed pretty sharp after Andrew left thinking that all in all, I had had a lovely Sunday.
Hope your week is off to a great start.
Much Love,
Lxx

Day 162.........my laptop got fried trying to watch the Scotland game-groan

Day 162.........my laptop got fried trying to watch the Scotland game-groan.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

So, the title tells you the basic story and I have yet to tackle the laptop today, to see if I can put it back to non-safe mode.i lost the screen altogether after downloading a whole load of junk, trying to watch the Scotland V France game. Oh deary me. All I was left with was a blank black screen. I managed to access the internet from my Task manager and from there downloaded another anti-virus which fixed it temporarily till I shut it down to complete the installation. Lots of swearing could have been done but instead I was just frustrated and tried to be grateful for the fact that there was at least a way to access my stuff. On one of the numerous reboots, I selected safe-networking mode and so now I can do everything (so far) but I have a really wacky screen set-up which I will try to fix at some point. It's almost like I am watching wide screen or that it's on stretch-mode. Very interesting but not great.
Andrew is coming over for dinner in an hour and so perhaps I will see what he thinks.
Yesterday's rugby game eventually got watched on Jens laptop. She emailed her big cousin Rob, who told her what he does and so we got yo see the second half. A wee bit of a challenge on her laptop, without full-screen mode. Sometimes I couldn't even see the ball, just some white shorts running up the pitch-lol. Shame we lost. Better luck next weekend.
Ali had loads of 'lines' to learn yesterday and a bit of self-filming to do and so Jen helped her. I sat down here, listening to them and enjoying their banter. Did I tell you all that I love spending all this time with them? Probably lots of times.
Saturday, for me, is usually Laundry day and then I don't have to think about it again for a week. How fab is that. I think that I am probably very lucky that my girls don't do the whole 'I've worn it once so it's dirty' routine-yippee.
The snow has been building and our OLAF is beginning to sink into it. He isn't actually, that's just how he looks. I couldn't be bothered going outside again so you're just getting a view of his rear. I'm sure he must be thinking 'does my bum look big?' We keep flipping the snow off his hat and scarf but they soon disappear again. There is supposed to be snow on and off for several days. I love the snow but don't like the sound of the freezing ice pellets they mention-EEK. The other pic's are of my view down Royal York, the front bushes and wall. Lots of snow.
Right, I'm off to make mac 'n' cheese for my boy....and girls.
Much Love to all,
Lxxxx

Day 161...........late because of fight with laptop all afternoon.

Day 161...........late because of fight with laptop all afternoon.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

So, I know that I am supposed to write about yesterday but it seems so far away, after fighting with my laptop all afternoon. But I will save the details till tomorrow (from TH) and hope that this thing doesn't play up again.
I probably ought not to write it straight on the page either, with my luck and technology this week but hey ho, I am. It's a time thing at this point.
Yesterday was another quiet day and so like my last blog, there isn't much to report.
I get seriously motivated in the mornings but the afternoons and evenings just seem to disappear, without the completion of much.
I know that I did a fair bit of reading articles yesterday-kind of got lost in the whole Facebook thing at one point and boy, do the minutes just tick away.
Pizza was hot but not as tasty last night but the movie was my all time favourite, which I haven't seen for years. It's 50 years old this March and the version Ali got from school was obviously an original because it even had the Intermission written across the screen and the second act was introduced with the big orchestra snippets. Oh how I love the Sound of Music.
I do remember that the first time I saw it in the movies and they did that whole "panning-out over the mountains, whilst the birds sing and the music build"s thing, I felt like it was going to be an awful movie. Oh how wrong I was. the first time I got married, my sis and I were sitting in our underwear watching it when the Car arrived to pick us up-lol. Plonking on my veil, in a hurry, I remember us falling about with laughter because it was too short because I had a big hairdo (which I hadn't had when I tried it on the previous times) Ah, good times.
See, there was a wee story to fill the space.
Hope you enjoyed it 'cause that's all there is today.
Love to all,
Lxxx

Day 160...........over in the blink of an eye.

Day 160...........over in the blink of an eye.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Well, let me see, is there actually anything to report on from yesterday?
Alison got on really well with her Drama sketch-lots of laughter I am told. She was laying the part of a soap-sniffing addict and so I gave her one of my really 'nice' bars of soap to use as her prop. Problem seemed to be with the fact she had to sniff it for five minutes and ended up with a bit of a sore nose. Oh deary me. It's my last bar of my Wild Olive stuff so I will have to eek it out till summer. If you love soap and candles, check out the Wild Olive website-wonderful stuff.
Ali has taken to getting on the bus going in the opposite direction to school, in the morning. She goes one stop, into the station and then the bus turns around to go down to her school. Smart cookie-better than standing in the cold but she did have one grumpy bus driver tell her that she wasn't supposed to do that. Why?
Jen took a long time to get going yesterday, she probably should just have had a duvet-day but she forced herself downstairs to lie on the sofa. She and I do have a great time doing nothing.
Seriously, I don't have a lot to report. I did chat via FB with Bill and that's always great but it didn't take up a whole lot of time. 'Pondering' in silence, seems to be my best daily activity and I giggle as I write this because I realise how bonkers some of you must find me. But that's okay. I am like the little acorn who is waiting for the Spring to jump up and become a very large presence.
I didn't step outdoors yesterday but, today being Friday, we'll be off to Pizza Pizza for dinner. We are supposed to have snow today but the sky is blue and it's only -7, although the wind-chill is -16.
I have just thought that, if I look back through my years blogs, I will have a pretty good record of the weather-lol.
Anyhoo,
I am going to wind up with a piece of Canadian trivia.
Did you know that the price you see on stuff in the stores is not the price you will pay at the till? They add tax after you take it to cashier so you have to try to work out how much it actually is in yer heid. Each province sets its own Provincial Sales tax but they all add Government sales tax. so you pay GST and PST which in Ontario is 5% and 8% making a total of 13% HST (Harmonised sales tax) If you go to the Yukon, you only have to pay 5% GST and no PST. If you go to Quebec it;s nearly 10% for PST so nearly 15% HST. Mmmm-to freeze with less tax or to speak French and pay more, that is a question.
Okay dokay.
Much love to all,
Lxxx

Day 159.........a wee jaunt to the store in the snow.

Day 159.........a wee jaunt to the store in the snow.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Yesterday was warmer than it has been of late and the temp has dropped again today but, whilst it was good, Jen and I took the wee jaunt down to No Frills, as anticipated in yesterdays blog and it was a beautiful walk. I will wait till Jen gets up to post this because she took a couple of pics, which I will add.
The sidewalks were a bit slushy but the mountains of white snow everywhere made up for that yucky brown sludge. I was amazed at how many huge patches of untouched snow there was. I am one of the first to jump in untrodden snow but it seems that my passion must not be shared by the locals. We did not spy another snowman, whilst we were out which may be why ours is getting lots of smiles. How can they not want to make big footsteps or tracks? The photo I will post is of what is normally a river-view. At the moment there are footprints on its frozen surface.
Oh well. More for me.
I am spending an awful lot of time just 'Being' and I know that it's a big part of the reason that I am here. The longer I sit in meditation and reading inspirational books, the closer I come to knowing what I am supposed to be doing. I am not quite there yet but I am having some flashes of serendipity and that makes me curious and excited for what comes next. My eyesight continues to improve and I haven't worn my specs for a couple of weeks now. Granted, I still have to ask the girls to read out the tiny print but I was able to clearly see the credit card reader at No frills yesterday and I had previously had to wear my specs to read the instructions.
If I was in Edinburgh, I doubt that I would be having this experience. I did try it a couple of years ago but got lazy and impatient and the specs were used more and more....and more.
Watch this space for the yahoo I give when I can read in the very dim lighting that I have here.
Ali came home at lunchtime yesterday and yet again, I now remember that she went off to school without a note this morning. I think I will just call the school, after I'm finished this.
She went for a nap and seemed a bit better by last evening except for her stiff neck. This morning, the stiff neck is a tad better and otherwise she seems fine. She is still amazing me with the grades that she is coming home with. Her Film-teacher told her that he didn't like to impart not-so-good marks but handed her a 76% so what's that all about. They appear to want all the kids to be getting above 80% and in the majority of Alisons classes she is doing that. Being a 60's (both in age and percentages in school) girl myself, I am delighted with her grades.
Jen continues to type away at her second novel, whilst her sister is working hard on editing her first one. What a team.
My creative energies are being directed into Jens blanket just now and I giggle at the lack of direction I have with it. I just keep telling her that it's being made with Love. I discovered last night (in the dim light) that I must have turned and went back the way I had already come, with the crochet. I'm a wee bit afraid to examine it in the daylight-lol.
I came across a new book and author/inspirational speaker, when I went to watch my daily dose of 'the Secret' and I am now following his page and have signed up for his twelve week online course. It's free. His name is Brendon Bruchard-go have a look. His book is called 'Motivation Manifesto' and I bubbled with emotion during the twelve minute ad' which had people reading exerpts. WOW.
This year really is all about me becoming me.
Much love to all,
Lxxx

Day 158..........not much to report.

Day 158..........not much to report.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Ha ha I typed 3 Girls and 5 Suitcases but that's a whole other blog :-)
Yesterday was an indoor day except for wee Alison, who was struggling a wee bit with a sore throat. Some Tylenol and strepsils and her throat was feeling better but she then had an attack from the 'stiff-neck' fairy. Wee scone is still finding it difficult to turn and look left but it is a bit easier than yesterday at least.
My morning disappeared as usual and my afternoon was spent converting my knitting to crochet with Jens blanket. The circumference on it is huge and picking up stitches all the way around was a huge undertaking, let me tell you. But the first lap is done and so I ought to be able to get a bit swifter now.
I only have sixteen more days to get it done-yikes. Did I tell you taht we are planning a trip to Niagara Fall USA for her birthday? I can never remember what I write in here and what I have simply talked about with Bill-lol.
No shoveling of snow yesterday as it was bright and sunny but freezing all day. OLAF is still standing tall and proud, with his Blue Jay hat on. I reckon that he may be here till the baseball starts in April.
The Groundhog says that there is going to be six more weeks of winter........who knew?
Anyways, short and sweet today. I plan a wee walk down to No Frills this afternoon, to get Alisons rolls for her lunches. We are into a wee routine of rolls on Mon/Tues, a wrap on Wed and rolls on Thurs/Fri. What a hoot.
Ta ta for now.
Much Love,
Lxxxx

Day 157...........snowman building.

Day 157...........snowman building.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.


As promised, the details of the snowman building will follow. First though, It was Monday morning and so it was my day up with Ross. The snow was deep and my jeans were covered in snow by the time I got to Royal York station to get my bus. The snow, however was still dry and powdery and it meant that I could simply brush it off and not be wearing soaking wet jeans. My bus was delayed a bit (they drive slowly in the snow) and it was freezing, waiting at the station. Good job I had put on a pair of thick woolies under my jeans and had two jackets on and a fleecy plus two pairs of gloves. Oh, I know you may be thinking that I am a wimp but I am not. Brrr.
Once my bus got up to Lawrence Avenue, I decided to stand and wait for a bus to take me along the three stops I normally walk. After 5 minutes I decided that there was no guarantee that a bus would even arrive and so I set off along the snowy sidewalk. Too much knee-deep white stuff and so I moved onto the road. The cars were doing single-lane and it was safe enough to walk along the edge. Boy had I warmed up (except my face) by the time I got to Humber Heights.
Ross was glad to see me and I had clocked that my wee lady was not outside her room, like normal. Later I discovered why when I saw her being taken out on a trolley by the paramedics. She didn't look too bad though and hopefully I will see her next week. Ross and I chatted about photography again, his passion and of course, we looked at some of the photos of cars in his magazines. Wow to luxury cars. I am still manifesting my Audi 3. I now have a picture of it as a screensaver. Befoe I came home, we went along to the cafe area and chatted with some of the other male residents which was fun. I do love the flirting of an older gentleman. It was after twelve thirty by the time I headed home, by which time the sidewalk had kindly been cleared by a guy with a snowblower-great invention.

When I got home, I decided to shovel snow from the drive so that Justin would be able to get his car in after work. The snow plough does a great job on the roads but pushes all the snow to the side which blocks everyones drive. Justin had already had to shovel his way out, before work and so I felt sorry that he wouldn't be able to simply drive back into his cleared space.
I didn't even take off my coat, just threw my bag in and told Jen what I was up to. She quickly joined me outside and we shoveled for a good hour. Then we decided just to go straight into snowman-building which was a bit of a silly thing to do because we had already been out in the cold for long enough. But we were warm, with all the shovelling and that ought to have warned us that we'd done enough. Hardy (if a little silly) Scots that we are, we plugged away at our OLAF. The snow was still hugely powdery and reluctant to stick but we shoveled a huge pile and just kept patting it in. So he is not the roundest of snowmen but he was made with love and we did have fun. Jen berated me for snapping at her and my telling-off was taken well and I apologised for complaining about the snow in my face-lol. We were lucky that the wind, for the most part, stayed down because I fear that we may have got frostbite and lost our noses otherwise.
Jen was engenious and used one of our waste bins for packing snow to make a head. That's why OLAF has a bit of an elongated face. His eyes are the lids of wine bottles I had at the back door and his nose is a Christmas orange which had gone nicely hard. His mouth is one of the beautiful crochet bracelets from Pink and Green (check them out on FB) and it has the word Joy written on it. I will be able to wash and wear it once OLAF melts.
I was in a wee bit of the bad-books with Ali because I had made her go to school as it was on. She sent me a text to say that none of her friends were in so I let her skip last period and come home to take some snow pic's. Oh flip. I forgot to give her a note this morning.It was going to say that she had an appointment but it wasn't going to say that it was with the snow-lol.
After we got inside, Jen and I took a very good couple of hours to warm up. My bum was freezing from all the bending over which uncovered it from my jackets and Jens legs felt the worst. However, we survived to tell the tale but may not repeat the exercise.
Baked potatoes are a lovely dinner to have when you've been cold and we cooried up to watch the movie 'Contact' in the evening whilst Ali studied for a couple of exams today.
Poor wee soul has a sore throat today but yes, I did send her to school......again.
So, that was our snowman day. He will likely stick around for a while because it's not set to warm up any time soon.
Much Love to all,
Lxxx

Day 156............a new shopping mall.

Day 156............a new shopping mall.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

I am not going to tell you about my snowman-making today because it belongs in tomorrows blog but I will tell you that an hour and a half after coming inside from the fun of making our own personal Olaf, my bum is still frozen.
Yesterday was the beginning of the snow and it just kind of built up over the course of the day. They were calling it the Super Bowl storm. It was really cold and I watched people trudging through the initial flurries as I sat in Tim Hortons. By the time the girls and I came home, after our usual Sunday shopping, the snow was steadily coming down.
I had suggested to the girls that we go up to Yorkdale, which was my favourite mall when I lived here before. We haven't been up there for years but we did go on several vacations because they had a Rainforest cafe. It's also where we used to get the bus out to Canadas Wonderland, which is a fantastic theme park with roller coasters and a water park.
Toronto really is a fantastic place for a family holiday. We are very lucky that we have always been able to visit regularly. If you haven't been, give it some consideration :-)
We were behind schedule, when we left home after lunch and it was nearly three-thirty by the time we got to Yorkdale. After chumming the girls into several shops I decided to go wait for them in the book store. Taking all the coats, so they wouldn't have to lug them around, I found myself in the 'New Age' section for a good hour.
The winter here poses a problem when you go shopping in that you have so many layers on to keep warm that you very quickly end up with too much to carry around in the warm stores. Good job I love a book store to myself. This one was a bit like Borders or Waterstones and had a great stationary dept, which I spent the first half hour in. I decided that they really could use some Angel stationary and so I am now plotting a range of my wee Angels stationary. In fact, perhaps that's the name of the range. What do you think? I think it's a brilliant idea and I just need to find out how to go about it.
My second half hour found me reading my Angel Horoscope which was hugely interesting. It links you up with a specific Archangel and I got Ariel....not the mermaid.
It all made very good sense to me about who I am and what she can help me with. Just after I finished reading Aries an older gentleman appeared beside me and started a conversation. He had a thick accent which I subsequently discovered was Russian but he has been in Canada since 1975. His passion and speciality is Astrology and it was no co-incidence that I had just finished reading about my sign. He gave me a decent reading of my personality and we had a really nice time exchanging stories and interests. His name was Frank and I now wish that I had given him a business card but I didn't. He recommended an astrology book and it's on my birthday list as it sounds fantastic. Isn't it great how people connect.
The girls appeared whilst I was still chatting because they hadn't had a reply to the two texts they'd sent=lol. They wondered if I needed rescued :-) As I watched Frank walk away, Ali said how sad he looked and he did. Perhaps he is on his own and goes to the bookstore to see if there's anyone in that section to connect with? Sigh. I hope not.
Ali and I headed to the grocery store and Jen went home to get dinner started because we were already getting near seven. Jen would have gone as usual but Ali didn't want to do dinner so she opted for the cold option of waiting for a bus home after the grocery shop.
By the time we had dinner it was well after eight and I was well-hungry. After dinner we watched one of my favourite movies ever. Beauty and the Beast. I saw it first, when I was pregnant with Andrew and Bill was back in Scotland. I enjoyed it so much that I dragged Bill to see it with me. He was decidedly unimpressed. I still love it, as do the girls.
An early night beckoned and I was glad to get curled up. I leave one of my slatted blinds open so that I can see the snow falling. Simple things.
And on that note, I will close. Tomorrow will hold the story of the snow.
Lxxx

Day 156.........Snow Angels.

Day 156.........Snow Angels.

3 Girls and 4 Suitcases.

Happy Sunday Folks and also Happy February. 

Tomorrow would be my dad's 82nd birthday if he hadn't died 25 years ago. I have felt him close these last few days, which is strange because he doesn't 'visit' much. I wonder what he's trying to tell me.
Anyway, yesterday was slightly warmer and the warmest day we are to have for another week so I went outside, with Jen, to build a snowman. We waited till peek temp-time and braved -6 which felt like -10 so not too bad. There are no pictures attached, of a snowman because the snow was too powdery to make one. We couldn't even make a wee snowball to get started :-(
So, I decided that I would make snow Angels instead. I don't remember making them as a child but I may have. These were certainly the first ones I have made, as an adult. The snow just brushed right off, when I got up. Only a tiny bit wet on my bum-covering T-shirt, when I went back indoors.

My morning had been spent doing the sweeping and tidying of the hoose and so that wee bit fresh air was nice. It is amazing how much fluff and dust the oak floors gather. 

I had just made myself a nice hot cup of coffee, when we got inside, when Ali remembered that we needed to go to the bank to deposit her pay cheques. GROAN and abandoned the coffee because we only had twenty minutes till the bank closed. My groan was short-lived. I am getting very good at just going with the flow rather than resenting stuff. Perhaps I am finally growing up-lol.

Jen and I watched Apollo 13 last night and it was fab. Jen hadn't seen it and I hadn't seen it for years. I have got Chariots of Fire to watch next-another favourite that I haven't seen for years.

My plan to watch less tv is working but I am still spending lots of time in front of the square box. Oh well. Makes me happy and I can knit at the same time.

I am in my usual Tim Hortons for my Sunday 'wait' and the snow is blowing around outside. There is supposed to be a decent storm so I may get that snowman built yet. 

Join me tomorrow to see how the storm progresses.

Much love,

Lxxx