Still kicking

Okay, so it's been awhile since my last post. For some reason I found it so much easier to find things to write about when I was staying in Toronto. Oh well, as I said in the beginning I never intended to keep this blog thing going. Interestingly enough, I find I enjoy the outlet of writing about my daily life.
So I haven't written since August, hmn? What has happened in my life since then? I started guitar lessons in August which I have since had to take a break from until the new year, unfortunately when I start up again it will be like I'm starting all over again as I haven't been keeping up on the practicing either. You see, I've found yet a new passion/obsession...it's beading. It all started with a bracelet I bought as a Christmas present, that was crocheted with wire and beads. I was looking at the bracelet when I got home and thought to myself, "I bet I could do that". Needless to say I am now very good friends with Linda from Odie's Beads here in Renfrew! Not only that, but it didn't take much for my friends Elaine and Jennifer to share my obsession, err, I mean passion. My first project was a watch for myself, but when the girls from work saw it, I ended up making nine more, not to mention the angel and fairy bookmarks! It's great, I'm making the money that I'm spending on beads, selling the creations that I come up with. Here are a few of the watches I've made so far:




Well here's hoping it's not another four months before I manage to post again. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a wonderful new year!

Time Flies!!

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since my last post. It's strange how much easier it seemed while I was staying in Toronto in May. Maybe I thought I was doing more interesting things there, while being at home seems to be the same day in and day out. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't do interesting things...well at least interesting to me, I guess they just seem more average. It's odd how much more I seemed to do by myself while in TO. Now that I'm back home, I'm back in the "Oh, I don't want to do that by myself" mode. I just missed Nazareth and Chilliwack in concert since I didn't want to go by myself. I suppose some things are just better when shared with good friends. I did, however make up for the lack of Nazareth/Chilliwack, by spending the day with Tena in Ottawa, then going to her brother in laws for their annual outdoor party, (band on a flat bed and all), then back to Tena and Paul's for an interesting round of the You Might be a Redneck board game. After we finished the game, I think Paul won, we sat around the table reading the rest of the You Might be a Redneck cards...we had some good belly laughs...especially since we related to some of the cards, (not sure if I should be admitting this lol).

I've also been a little melancholy lately. I think I've been reflecting a lot...which I suppose may mean I've been thinking about the past. I know, I know, the past is gone, but sometimes you just can't help but wonder.
Have you ever had a love in your life that you could no longer have, but seem unable to forget? You ponder the life they are living now, feeling the person they are with now, is living the life that was supposed to be yours...especially when the two of you still get along great. Oh, boy! Am I ever getting sappy! Sometimes...okay, often, I get way too far into my head LOL!

On a brighter note, I get my granddaughter for our first overnight this Friday. This should be interesting. I haven't had a baby overnight in a very long time. I'm also bringing her to a family BBQ in Carleton Place on Sunday, so I should be good and pooped by the time Monday rolls around.

I better finish off before I turn this into something that needs chapters...I know, too late. I hope everyone is doing well, and I hope someone will leave me a comment so I know I'm not the only one who reads my ramblings :)

cheers

Sunday, sunny Sunday

I thought the rain was never going to end, but it's beautiful outside...at least that's what it looks like through the window, I may actually have to check for sure LOL!

I mentioned in my last post that I returned to work June 15th, woohoo! My parents also moved back home (they lost their home to a fire back in December and have been living with me ever since). I have my house back, another woohoo! Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad thing that my parents were living with me, it's just not the same as having your own space. So with Mom and Dad back in their own place, I can start to plan my craft room.

After I bought the house last August, I took down a wall between two rooms. The plan was to make one big bedroom. After a bit of thought I realized I don't need that much room to sleep...but I might need that much room to scrapbook! The room is now empty again (with Mom and Dad back home), so the planning begins. I'm really at a bit of a loss as to how to set the room up. It's quite a large space, (wondering if I should combine the bedroom and craftroom after all with some nice screen deviders?), and I want it to be as functional (and organized) as possible. Any ideas?

As promised in my last post, here's a few more pictures of my granddaughter from Father's Day.

I was planning on texting this picture to my son, as he was on his way home from Nova Scotia with work, but he pulled up as we were making the hat, so it was a bit of a rush job, but the effect was the same.
I love this picture!
I believe she's telling me she's number one...no argument here!
Another great shot...little line of drool and all

I may just feel a page or two coming on, if only my room was already set up and I didn't have to make a mess in the living room.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend, and my neighbours to the south had a great Independance Day yesterday.

cheers

I'm back!

Well, here I am once again. Things have been a little crazy since I got back from Toronto a couple of weeks ago. Things may start getting back to some form of normal now...I hope. My parents have moved back to their own house, after living with me for the last six months while their home was rebuilt after a fire. It made things a little crazy around here, and a rather difficult to focus on tasks at hand, as we were in relatively close quarters. Not that my house is too small, just that we didn't really have our own space. It made it challenging trying to write anything on here as the computer is in the living room (temporarily) where everyone congregated. Some days it's hard enough getting a good train of thought...if it gets interrupted, forget it LOL!

I guess there's a lot to fill everyone in on since I last posted, maybe I'll spread it out over a couple of posts.

I got called back to work two weeks ago, yay!! Finally getting a paycheck coming in again, it's been an interesting eight months! To celebrate my return to the working world, I went on a shopping trip to Ottawa yesterday, with the three girls I get together with every month for a night of paper crafting. We had such a great day! We started out at my favourite scrapbook store, The Scrapbox, in Orleans. Yesterday was the Scrapbox's yard sale, ladies reserve tables and sell their less loved, (couldn't exactly say unwanted lol), craft supplies so they could buy some new ones. The girls and I planned our trip a couple of weeks ago, then I got the reminder the yardsale was happening...it was fate that we were meant to shop that day LOL! After The Scrapbox we headed to Multi Craft, another of my favourite crafty places. Who knew we could spend three and a half hours in only two stores! We decided to do lunch at Swiss Chalet on Bank st.. Our meal was good, but when Bev and I went to the bathroom before we left, I couldn't breath through my nose or I would have been sick, and I've got a strong stomach! I told the girls if anyone gets sick in the next couple days, check with the rest of us to make sure we don't have the same "illness"! Honestly I've never smelled anything so foul in my life...and I've smelled some pretty nasty stuff! A quick stop at the Herongate mall, (another not so lovely place), where Cathi and Bev bought some clothes, a look around Michaels at Silver City, an introduction to The Bulk Barn for Bev, a Starbucks and we were on our way home. It was a long day, I got home somewhere around 5 or 6, but oh such a good one!

I think I'll end there as this post is already getting a little long. Maybe my next post I'll show you a few more pictures of my granddaughter from last Sunday. I hope you're having a great weekend and I'll see you again soon. Cheers!

Twice in one day

Even though I know there aren't always a lot of views on my blog, I feel compelled to post this. This is a press release relating to the disappearance of my 5yr old brother 37 years ago.
If anyone recognizes the photo or feels compelled to pass the information on, all efforts are greatly appreciated.

Adrien how he looked when he disappeared, and how he might look today.

Funny how things work out

Well I got the call I've sort of been waiting for today. I got called back to work for Monday the 15th, for three months at least. The reason I say sort of been waiting, is that I was hoping to get a call from one of the office positions I've applied for. Right now I do factory work, but I went to school to get my bookkeeping certificate and would love to get into a position where I could use the things I've learned before I lose them. I must say though, it's amazing how things work. First I bought my first home in August; then I got layed of in September; my parents lost their home to a fire in December (bad for them, but because I had bought the house, I had room for them and their living here helped me too); being layed off I was able to spend the month of May in Toronto to watch my brother's pets; now Mom and Dad's house will be finished in a couple of weeks and I got the call today to go back to work Monday. Quite amazing, don't you think? For anyone who doesn't believe everything happens for a reason, I think I'm proof positive!

On another note, my great-niece had her first birthday on Sunday. She is quite the cutie. We got together at my nephew's house to help them celebrate. It was a great afternoon, even though the rain kept us from being outside for most of the party. Here's a few pictures of Cadence and the two cards I made her, (one for my mom to give her, and one from me).

She liked her cake

I think here she is thinking thinking she might be full
And here, she's just saying hello
This is the card I made for her

This is the card I made for Mom to give her.

Introducing...

Alexis Grace, born June 2nd @ 15:40, weighing 7lbs. 120zs. I'm a grandma!!

These pics were taken Wednesday, Alexis was a day old.
She seemed to like hanging onto her blanket and peeking over the top, very cute!
This is proud Daddy

Not being the least bit biased, but I do believe she's gorgeous!!
And yes, I am finally home. When I found out Little Alexis was on her way Tuesday, I figured that was my cue to come back to reality. I was quite content to stay in Toronto, but I needed to see this adorable little lady. A new chapter of our life begins!

Time flies!

Okay, so I've slacked off...I told you I wouldn't keep this up lol. I've noticed my counter not going up very much, so I figured I was pretty much talking to myself here hehe. I have managed to keep myself busy though. On Tuesday I hopped on the street car again and headed to the Croc Boutique on Queen st.. Yep, that's all they sell is Crocs, I new there were different styles, I just didn't know how many. I bought myself a pair of Croc flip flops, very comfy, headed to Curry's Art Supply and picked up a couple more Copic markers, went to Walmart, at the other end of town, to restock some of the things I've used up while I've been here, hit Sobey's to restock as well, then came home...it was a long day, but a good one. 

I went to Riverdance Wednesday afternoon, woohoo! Did you know, if you call the box office (The Canon Theatre/Mirvish productions) the morning of the show there's a good chance you can get a cheap seat...it only cost me $20. Yes, I was in the very last row, on a stool no less, but it didn't matter, the show was great and the seats in front of me stayed empty so I, along with the two women on either side of me, moved down at intermission and enjoyed the rest of the show a little more comfortably...and we weren't the only ones, it was like musical chairs in there lol! 

Today I checked out the Farmer's Market at Sherway Gardens, (it's a mall), set the GPS and found another scrapbook store I wanted to check out before I went home. The store is called Scrapalicious and it's yet another great store, (they're online too). I did find some of their things a little pricier, but others weren't too bad, and I enjoyed chatting with the employees, not to mention other customers. Christine, if you read this, I think I've sent yet another soul to Scraptime.

You know the swan I mentioned in an earlier post, that had been nesting since I arrived in Toronto on the sixth? Well as of Tuesday, the nest is vacant. I see a couple of swans in the pond that seem to stick around, I'm hoping I'll get a glimpse of some babies before I go home...which is only two days away (well maybe three). I can't believe the month is over all ready! 

Anyway, as I've said, I've stayed busy. Now I need to go and get busy at some other things, like starting to pack and such, blah! Besides, I think I've already written a mine novel. Have a fantastic weekend!

I DID IT!

I finally worked up the courage to get on the streetcar and head downtown. This past weekend was Doors Open Toronto, 175 venues opened their doors to the public...for free. I decided now was the time to be brave, and take part. I managed to take in Lambton House, which used to be a "mid-point stagecoach stop on the Dundas Highway" built by Father of Confederation Sir William P. Howland  in 1848 (I got all my info from the Toronto website); and Montgomery's Inn, which is considered to be "one of the finest examples of Loyalist or late Georgian architecture in Ontario", on Saturday by car. Sunday I had lofty goals to visit quite a few places in the downtown area, but I only managed Allan Gardens, "the most intact, longest operating grouping of historic buildings and grounds in Canada devoted to the cultivation and display of palms and tropicals". For this journey, I took the street car to Younge intending to walk up to the Canon Theatre (which was another stop on my list), but they were already closed as they had performances later that day. So I hopped on the Subway up to College st., got a little turned around coming out of the station decided to sit and eat my apple, a couple of poor homeless men thought I might be of assistance and took up residence beside me (I left shortly after, after exchanging a few pleasantries). I walked a little piece up college/Carleton, hopped on another streetcar to Jarvis (which I later realized I could have walked, but I chatted with a couple of nice ladies waiting for the car, so I was glad I didn't) and I was there. It was awesome! Unfortunately, being the way I am, I was already warm from the walking I had already done (for those that know me, you know my little furnace within), so going into a greenhouse on a warm day didn't help matters. I did manage to get quite a few pictures though. It was a fantastic day, even though I didn't take in as much as I would have liked, it was enough. Here are some of the pictures I took (I took 211 pics over 2 days) Blogger isn't cooperating very well. I'm having a hard time uploading the pictures I want, but here are some.

These first few are at Montgomery's Inn

behind the bar

the bar

the kitchen (cooking with coles from an open fire)

These next ones are from Lambton house

behind this pane of plexiglass, shows the layers of the wall. The 19th century lathing, the original grey coat plaster (including the horse hair binder), the skim coat of 19th century gypsum board and the progressive layers of paint.

this is a photo of a photo of the Lambton House back in the day

upstairs hallway

I may try to upload some more later. I haven't even gotten to the Allan Garden photos. 

Well, I'm off to get ready for a workshop at the Apple store at Sherway gardens. Have a great day.

You are NOT here!

Note to self, just because you look at the "you are here" map, (it didn't actually say that, but you get the idea) doesn't mean you should stop paying attention...especially on the way back. Getting lost doesn't seem to be the problem, it's the getting back (I bet you can see where this is going). So today I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to drive to another area of High Park (the dog has had knee problems and can only walk so far), for a change of scenery. This mornings walk went off without a hitch, we walked, we came back. This evening though, was a different story. Keep in mind this park is 399 acres, one third of which remains in a natural state...think bush. I parked the car in the same spot as I did this morning, but decided to venture a little further tonight, oops! Apparently there was a mergence of roads that I failed to notice on the way in, and took the wrong fork on the way back. Lyla and I ended up two roads east of where we wanted to be. On the upside I got to see the Zoo, (yup, the park has a little zoo within it, llama's, bison, yaks, peacocks etc.), which I had been curious about after seeing the sign and a stairway down to a different area. All in all, our 40 minute walk turned into 80, but that's okay, I don't think Lyla is any the worse for wear...me either for that matter. Oh wait, I did twist my ankle when we were two curves in the road away from the car....did I ever mention I'm accident prone. I bet I'm the only person you may have heard of who has sprained both ankles at the same time...but, that's another story! I don't think the ankle is too bad yet, but I should probably get off of here and go put it up...lazyboy here I come. I hope I've entertained you with my adventures. Have a good night :)

The things you stumble upon

I just found out that the Apple store (the computer, not the fruit), offers free hands on workshops, I've just signed up for two, there is a third one I'd like, but it's at the same time on Monday as one of the others I'm taking. The two workshops I've registered for are at the west mall, the one I'd like is at the Eaton Centre. I also didn't realize that the Rideau Centre in Ottawa has an Apple store. I don't know if it's a good thing or not that I now know this ;). I also see that there are job openings at the store in the Rideau Centre. I'd need to find out exactly what the job titles, like genius, personal shopping specialist and concierge mean. I would love to work in the Apple store, just not sure if it would pay the bills. 

Well, I think it's about time I got off this thing. I started out checking e-mail...how did I get to workshop registering, and job hunting?? By for now and have a great day!

Do you still see what I see?

So, last night I'm minding my own business...wait, anyone else experiencing some deja vu here (sp?)? Yes there were more fireworks last night...lots more. Every direction you looked in the city (there's 180 degree view here, sweet) there were fireworks going off. It was pretty cool. That was pretty much my excitement for the night. It's funny how much more boring I become, when I don't have money to go out and do fun stuff lmbo ;) 

Oh yes, I had seen this crane a few days ago (without my camera of course). I managed to get a picture a couple days later.

These are (some) the fireworks from last night

This last picture didn't quite turn out, but I thought it looked pretty neat anyway...at least on the computer desktop :)

Today I need to vacuum, woow, exciting! Seriously, I don't figure I'll do much. I've been enjoying some relaxing days, scrapbooking and watching some movies, (on demand tv is great!), that I'd intended to watch and never got around to. When I'm scrapbooking I kind of like having some mindless television going on, just to keep me company. When I get my craft room set up, I plan on having my computer on my main work table. That way I can watch different craft videos online, or even past episodes of shows I've missed. I can't wait!  

Hope I'm not like the relative showing tons of boring pictures of their holiday and you're enjoying what I've seen...I suppose you wouldn't keep coming back if I was too bad, right? 

Have a great day, and feel free to leave me a comment

Do you see what I see?

So, last night I'm minding my own business watching the Survivor finale (which I was pleased with...even though I'm starting to wonder if there's some sort of Brokeback Survivor going on lol), and out the window I see this:

Oooooooo

Oooohhhhhh

Ahhhhhhh

Eeeeeee (I ran out of expressions ;0)

I think I may have had the best seat in the house...in a lazyboy in the living room. Actually, I set up my mini tripod in Lee and Pauline's room...but I was in a Lazyboy in the living room when they first started. I even got almost another page done today...it seems I may be on a roll. 

I hope everyone had a great long weekend!

The view from here

I should have posted yesterday, as I've taken lots of pictures I'd love to share, but...maybe over the next day or two. I found the goslings, along with a few other things, here they are:

I just caught this guy as he was taking off.

This fellow was coming in for a landing, he got behind the bushes before I was able to snap the shot.

These little fellows have already grown a lot since I first saw them.

This is from Lee and Pauline's window

Just another pretty bud, you can even see a bug on the far side of the bud in the foreground.

I do believe this fellow was vougueing, (<--I don't think that's quite a word, but it works), for me

Yesterday, after another nice walk, (albeit a little wet), in the morning, I decided to go to the third weekend of the Festival of Chefs at The Cheese Boutique. I've never liked lamb, but chef John Higgins did some sort of pulled lamb with caramelized onions, on a baguette, (I'll check the Boutique's blog later to see if it's posted yet, and get back to you with better details). Oh my goodness, was it ever good! I didn't try the wine this time, as they were temporarily out of glasses (imagine)! I'm sure it was a lovely wine, I guess I'll just never know lol.

Before I headed to The Boutique, I thought I'd check a couple of the crafty type blogs/sites I follow, and stumbled across a thread in a forum discussing where to by copics...preferably cheap. Now, I had heard of Curry's before (again from Christine at www.scraptime.ca) and had checked out their website when I was at home. Little did I know, there is a Curry's hardly 10 minutes away from here (I'm still at my brother's in Toronto), oh joy! I headed to Curry's to pick up a couple more Copic markers, which I did only get a couple, (man I hate budgeting), but I will definitely be stopping in again before I go home! I made a quick stop at the Boutique, and Sobey's then it was home to play (scrapbook). Today I may just scrap some more since I actually got a page done yesterday (notoriously slow scrapper here). I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their long weekend. Oh, and does anyone know if the Sunday of the May 24 weekend (today), is national "I better get out and start jogging again" day, or something. Holy cow! there were joggers everywhere! Many were in packs!

p.s. I think I ended up showing most of the better pics I got, so you'll have to stay tuned to see if I get anymore.

Not always as planned

So, yesterday I didn't end up going to Walmart (I did get showered though hehe). I did, however, go a different route while walking the dog. Usually I walk Lyla in High Park, it's beautiful, but yesterday I took her to the beach and walked along the boardwalk, it was a nice change.

This morning I did take Lyla back to High Park, but this time I brought my camera. Here are some of the things Lyla and I saw along the way.

This swan has been nesting in this same spot since I arrived in Toronto 10 days ago, she hasn't moved.

I love the colour of these buds, I don't know what kind of tree/bush it is but it's very pretty

The colours don't seem to show up as well on here, but this tree was great as well.

And of course there are the ducks and geese. I saw some gosslings earlier in the week, but not today. Hopefully they will be around next time I bring my camera (which I should do every day)

As for the rest of my day, I'm not sure what I'll do. I know if I go to Walmart, or any other store for that matter, I'll just be tempted to spend money I shouldn't. So I'm trying to be good and stick around. Tomorrow and Sunday there will be another chef at the Cheese Boutique, I can check that out for free. 

I'm off to occupy myself with something else...just don't know what yet ;)

Lazy, rainy day in...or not

My title was just going to be "Lazy, rainy day in", but half way through typing I though "I think I'll go to Walmart and print some of my pictures to scrapbook. Great day to be inside creating don't ya think? 

I had a great visit with Mary, Nicole and Cody on Tuesday. We went to the Mandarin for supper. It was fantastic! I don't think I've ever have more attentive service in my life. You would no sooner take a sip of your water than someone was there filling up your glass. The food was awesome too, so much to choose from, so little stomach room (more than I'd like thought lol). 

Cody kept us entertained with the wii fit. Apparently this 13 year olds Wii fit age is 27 LOL. I really enjoyed getting to know them a little better, hopefully it won't be too long before we get to visit again. 

I guess today's post will be short and sweet, I'm off to get showered and head to Walmart. Have a great day!

Family visit

Today I'm expecting company. My cousin Mary (Mom's niece), her daughter Nicole and grandson Cody are coming to Toronto, as Cody has an appointment at Sick Kids. We're going to go out for supper, and they're spending the night. It'll be nice to chat and get to know each other better, (we don't live all that close). So I'm off to Walmart, the grocery store and, if I have time, a quick run in to Scrapbooks by design. I was trying to get some layouts done last night and kept needing one thing or another for the pages I was working on, what a dilema hehe! I'm off to get in the shower, have a great day!

Cheese please

Okay, so I went to the Festival of Chefs and am I ever glad I did. Now, I know I'm not going to remember this exactly (maybe not even close), but here goes, I had a poached (organic) duck egg covered with a bernaise (I think) sauce made with real Quebec Gruyere (maybe, I know it was from Quebec anyway), this sat atop poached asparagus with a balsamic vinegar, which sat atop a buckwheat pancake that encircled a fiddlehead. This treat came from chef Anne Yarymowich from Frank at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Malivoire Wine Company was there as well offering tastings, the gentleman behind the counter recommended the chardonnay to go with my egg thingy (I'm sure it had a name but I don't know what it was), I loved it! And I don't usually like chardonnay. I'd never heard of Malivoire wine before, but I'll buy it now (well probably not often at $20 a bottle, I just checked their website). You know the best part about this whole thing? It didn't cost me a cent...until I looked around the store a bit and bought a croissant and two spring rolls for later. Regardless, it was an experience that I just might repeat next weekend, Chef John Higgins from George Brown chef school is there Saturday. Ryan Gustafson from Epic at the Fairmont Royal York will be there Sunday. If I can find enough of these types of things, I may not have to buy anymore groceries for the duration of my stay ;)

Today (May 15) I found a pic of the dish I had courtesy of www.cheeseboutique.blogspot.com

p.s. also found out today (may 15) it was a wild ramp holandaise sauce...very good!

Where everybody doesn't know your name

You know, I've been totally enjoying just being another face in the crowd in Toronto. I don't have to struggle with small talk, (which I'm not good at), if I bump into an acquaintance; I can just run to the store and back without getting sidetracked with chatting with friends I run into, (not that that's a bad thing, but sometimes you just want to run to the store and back); I also don't have the phone ringing off the hook, which it seems to do a lot at home. I guess you don't always want to be "where everybody knows your name" ;). It's hasn't even been a week though, so that might change.

Here are the cards I made yesterday at Scrapbooks by Design:

Our teacher was Christine Urias from www.scraptime.ca, you can catch her podcasts on itunes under the same name. She's an amazing talent, very inspiring. 

I got to use my first Copic markers  and fell in love with them! Five were included in the class and I bought 3 more, woohoo!

On this first card we did some basic colouring of the cupcake with the Copics.

On the next card Christine showed us how to shade by blending different shades of the same colour (I added the party hat after I got home)

Finally, Christine showed us how to blend two different colours together. This technique was a little tricky, well for me anyway, but the effect is pretty cool!

                                                            

 Well, I finally managed to upload some pictures, another challenge I must say. I think I may head over to The Cheese Boutique today, awesome little gourmet shop with all sorts of neat stuff. The month of May the Boutique holds the "Festival of Chefs" every Saturday and Sunday, yesterday was Massimo Capra from Mistura, today is Anne Yarymowich from Frank, should be interesting. Have a great Sunday, oh, and happy Mother's Day to all!!