I'm so glad you could stop by. This is my personal blog of daily life and my journey through life. You will find a strong emphasis on family and friends as well as finding my ancestors through genealogy. Unlike my other blogs this blog is more of a catch-all so any topic is fair game.
Oldest Grandbaby sent Papa and I a very, very special package. Inside there was a hand drawn picture for each of us along real Canadian maple cream cookies. Pictured is my picture and it is funny that for a little one I can really see the message. See there is the purple brush for Grandma's long hair and Grandma's purse that always has a treat or two for Grandbabies. The yellow "V" is for Grandma's vest that is worn almost year round. All of the colours except purple are in Grandma's colourful purse the Grandbabies love including the green that is close to the same green of my favourite water bottle. But Grandma sees something more in this very special picture. She sees the love and the trust of a little one shining through. Isn't it just the most beautiful picture you have ever seen? I certainly think it is :)
A few days ago I received an email with a link to the following video. Being a foodie with a husband who has been sent to the grocery store with a list the sender likely thought I would be able to relate. Well heck yes! I laughed so hard I cried while mental images of her description of the events as the unfolded kept popping up. Jeanne Robertson is one amazingly funny comedian so watch for a few more clips from her in the future. In the meantime I hope you get a good chuckle out of the video.
We are used to getting telemarketer calls aka phone spamming and email spam but imagine our surprise when my husband received a letter from Malaysia! Since we know no one in Malaysia it came as a great surprise that he was being contacted by Francis Lee who is an Account Manager with United Overseas Bank of Malaysia. Well that fancy title certainly got our attention! Apparently one of my husband's long lost relatives had the misfortune of dying in Malaysia without having the chance to spend his or her's fairly large sum of money. We really do feel bad about this as we always make it a priority to attend any weddings, funerals and those types of special events. Had we know we would have been there! Unfortunately we find out this way through Francis Lee who certainly does have my husband's best interests at heart. He wants to get my husband's long lost relatives savings to my husband. Isn't that so sweet of him? My husband needs to email him at francisllee@aol.com to get the information how to proceed to get this substantial windfall.
And you dear readers are in luck today as you get 2 pictures instead of one. Here is a scan of the actual letter and the envelope it came in:
For those wondering, no my husband did not fall for this glorified spam. Instead the letter and envelope was scanned then turned over to the local police department. These types of letters do get through occasionally and the really sad thing about some people will ultimately fall for this scam thinking it is real. Turning this type of communication over to the police is one way to help prevent others from being scammed.
If you have been following this blog you will know one of my biggest and I do mean biggest pet peeves is telemarketers. My view is they are actually stealing from the telephone service we pay for. My newest way of dealing with them is call block by simply running their phone number through Google then if it comes up as a telemarketer they get added to my call block list. However, here is a funny video clip of the way Seinfeld deals with telemarketers. Enjoy the chuckle :)
I have been knitting since I was knee high to a grasshopper. It's one of those hobbies that I enjoy so much that there is always a couple of projects on the go in my knitting basket and another in my travel knitting bag. This past week I have been working on a few knitting projects so surprisingly I've managed to work knitting into multi-tasking at the computer when blogging. I'm finding that the knitting is helping me fine tune some of the blogging topics I want to share. So knitting and the shear joy of knitting has been the predominant blessing this week.
Some commercials catch on so well they become classics. So it was with this McDonald's Big Mac commercial (circa 1970's). Enjoy a blast from the past :)
An Australian publisher (Penguin Group Australia) is reprinting 7,000 cookbooks over a recipe for pasta with "salt and freshly ground black people." The typo was in the "Pasta Bible" recipe for spelt tagliatelle with sardines and prosciutto. According to Bob Sessions the head of publishing this a silly mistake the proofreader should have caught. He said they will replace the book for any buyer "small-minded enough" to complain. Reprinting will cost 20,000 Australian dollars ($18,500).
Let's see here Bob Sessions thinks anyone complaining is "small minded"? A reasonable person knows this is a typo or was it a blatant attempt at racism by the proofreader? Perhaps the proofreader is trying to get the message out that race relations at Penguin Group Australia are not what they appear? Perhaps Sessions should have paid his proofreader a bit more money ;) Oh inquiring minds want to know more about this story!
Today celebrates Earth Day 2010, a special day meant to bring awareness to environmental concerns and living in an eco-friendly manner. So many people are planning special events or planning to attend special events celebrating Earth Day. We have no special plans because we try to celebrate Earth Day every day. I am making an Earth Day cake so that should be rather interesting :)
It seems like spring is rather odd this year. We've had a few unseasonably warm days hitting into the mid 20's C feeling much more like summer than spring then within a day or two back to frost threatening. I don't think spring has been as dry as predicted here but it has been drier. We're seeing more of the smaller birds frequenting the yards as well. Pictured is one of our friendly blue jays posing pretty for the camera.
This past week saw spring unfolding with new delights in the gardens daily. The mallards have returned to nest so are frequenting the yards and dock. A younger pair of mallards has joined them so we may have two nests this year. The wild rabbits have been frolicking about as well. In all it was a wonderfully pleasant week in the gardens.
A few nights ago I cuddled up on the couch to watch Julie & Julia. As a foodie I've been wanting to see this movie since I first saw the commercials. This movie is based the book by Julie Powell, a frustrated New York bureaucrat who wants to be a writer. Julie challengers herself to cook her way through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year, and to blog about it. The goal was to prepare 524 recipes in 365 days, introducing a new generation to the magic of French cooking. Julia Child is portrayed by Meryl Streep and Julie Powell is portrayed by Amy Adams.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Julie & Julia. Amy Adams was simply delightful at every point and as a blogger myself I could really relate to how she felt about blogging and comments on her blog. As a foodie I could also share her joy at getting a recipe to turn out the way it should while shedding a little tear when they didn't. I doubt that Meryl Streep could put on a bad performance if she tried! Her portrayl of Julia Child in this movie was superb. She captured the nuances of Julia Child's character and mannerisms to perfection. I won't add any spoilers here. This was an excellent movie that has made it to my list of DVDs to add to my movie collection. It will be a movie much like the Harry Potter movies that I watch over and over.
We visited the grandbabies over the Easter weekend. Oldest grandbaby and I took our cameras out to take a few pictures. Between their house and the neighbours house there was a huge patch of Siberian Squill so we stopped to enjoy their beauty. A small butterfly flitted around the flowers then landed just long enough for me to get this picture.
This cute video of a roe deer barking at a cat was shot in Scotland in 2007. To catch this on video is amazing in that the photographer had to be at the right place, at the right time and have the camera ready. From experience I know that takes a bit of luck! Anyway this really is cute and you just can't help but giggle a bit. Enjoy!
[from my email files] A lot of familiar sayings have their roots in days gone by. Here's the explanation for four common sayings and how they came about.
-----
Prisoners were taken to the gallows (after a fair trial of course) to be hung.
The horse drawn dray, carting the prisoner was accompanied by an armed guard,
Who would stop the dray outside the pub and ask the prisoner if he would like ''ONE LAST DRINK''.
If he said YES it was referred to as "ONE FOR THE ROAD"
If he declined, that prisoner was "ON THE WAGON"
-----
They used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a pot & then once a day it was taken & sold to the tannery. If you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor". But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even afford to buy a pot they "Didn't have a pot to Piss in" & were the lowest of the low. -----
Spring has definitely sprung in our little corner of the world. I was amazed that March came in like a lamb and left like a lamb! The spring is predicted to be warm and dry here which is not good news after a mild winter with below average snowfall. A few days ago I grabbed the camera to look for signs of spring in the gardens. The sun was peeking through the willow giving an interesting effect.
Spring is just such a gorgeous time of the year! As our little corner of the world awakens from it's sleepy winter's nap I can't help but marvel at the beauty. Spring holds the hope of new life and what's to come for the following year. What a blessing it is to simply be able to enjoy spring as it unfolds into summer.
Apparently Winston, a pit bull mix was not happy with Officer Clayton Holmes, a Chattanooga Police officer, who was running radar at 1410 Workman Road on Sunday night. Winston attacked the patrol car . Police cited the owners for having "potentially-dangerous dog." and March 25, 2010 a Hamilton County judge released Winston back into the care of his owners. Winston has to wear a tag declaring that he is "potentially dangerous." and has been ordered to obedience and "good canine citizen" classes. So far his accomplices have not be cited or fined which hardly seems fair. Anyway, you be the judge after watching this short video.
[from my email files, I added the clip art which wasn't in the original email.]
----- The Restaurant
A group of 40 year old girlfriends discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed upon that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the waiters there had tight pants and nice buns.
10 years later at 50 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the food there was very good and the wine selection was good also.
10 years later at 60 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they could eat there in peace and quiet and the restaurant had a beautiful view of the ocean.
10 years later, at 70 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because the restaurant was wheel chair accessible and they even had an elevator.
10 years later, at 80 years of age, the group once again discussed where they should meet for dinner. Finally it was agreed that they should meet at the Ocean View restaurant because they had never been there before. -----
It seems to me the people expect a lot more of others and when the expectations are not met they get a bit huffy. I'm sorry but I simply do not feel obligated to share anything I've paid for including services regardless whether someone doesn't like it or not. I don't feel I should have to drop and run to answer the door or the phone just because. Our house is for sale so the other day someone rang the doorbell and I was busy so didn't answer. My property, my choice and my right. The next thing I knew there was a couple walking around our back yard and when I asked them what they were doing they said just checking out the property. Then he said 'well I did ring the doorbell and got no answer' as if I was obligated to answer the door. Let's see the last time I looked a For Sale sign on your property is not an open invitation for someone to trespass. Can we say rude? You want to see the property go through our agent! The very same day I got a phone call from someone clearly upset that our answering machine does not take messages. Too bad! I hung up on them then blocked their number. The audacity of some people simply amazes me! How dare they think they have the right to intrude on my space then turn around and rudely tell me what to do in my space as if they think I have some obligation to them. Here's a clue, I own them nothing!
Here's a few things I don't feel obligated to do or even make any excuses for not doing:
answer the door - Sorry anyone on our property technically is trespassing unless invited. That include those trying to scam us into switching gas providers and trying to save our souls. I'm a bit more lenient towards kiddies doing fundraisers and trick-or-treating. We pay the property taxes and the mortgage so I will answer the door if and when I choose to do so. Please note that me not answering the door does not give you the right to wander throughout our property as you choose as should be duly noted by the skulls strategically placed around the yard as a warning against trespassing.
answer the phone - We pay a fairly hefty fee for phone service which means a 5 minute telemarker call is costing me money. I feel no obligation to deal with telemarkers. I do feel quite justified blocking telemarketers phone calls and sharing those phone numbers online so others can block them as well. In fact if you catch me at the wrong time I may even invite all my followers on Twitter to give you a call to let you know how they are today. Any phone call that begins 'And how are we today' is going to an automatic recommendation for repeating kindergarten. I also feel no obligation to turn my answering machine on or even return calls I don't want to although if I like the caller there's a better chance I will call back. Despite some beliefs the phone is not fair game for anyone to call anytime they want. I also don't fee obligated to give out our phone number. You should see some of the looks over that one. That can be a whole entertaining conversation in itself as someone tries to find out why you don't have a phone. The funny part is they ask for your phone number to which I reply I don't have one. Notice I said I don't have a phone number not that I didn't have a phone.
answer email - I pay for my internet access and while I do welcome electronic communication I feel no obligation to reply to unsolicitated email (aka spam), rude email, or any other rude or obnoxious online behaviour. I do reserve the right to report such actions to your ISP.
answer online questions - I participate in several online forums. My rule is just because you ask me a question especially one that is entirely none of your business does not mean I feel obligated to reply. No one needs to know what colour my skivies are or all the details of my birthing experience although I will gladly tell that, just not what the secret ingredient is in one of my signature dishes. If I told I would have to kill that person to keep the ingredient secret and that just seems like too much time and effort for me. If I don't answer the question within a day that means I actually have a life or have decided not to answe it. Either way, move on.
give an explanation or excuse as to why I don't feel obligated - It goes without saying.
It's nearing that time of year when those so inclined will be out chasing that silly little ball. Every golfer know you have good days and bad days but always fun days. Here's a cute golf poem from my email files. ---- [from my email files]
In My Hand I Hold A Ball, White And Dimpled, Rather Small. Oh, How Bland It Does Appear, This Harmless Looking Little Sphere.
By Its Size I Could Not Guess, The Awesome Strength It Does Possess. But Since I Fell Beneath Its Spell, I've Wandered Through The Fires Of Hell.
My Life Has Not Been Quite The Same, Since I Chose To Play This Stupid Game. It Rules My Mind For Hours On End, A Fortune It Has Made Me Spend.
It Has Made Me Yell, Curse And Cry, I Hate Myself And Want To Die. It Promises A Thing Called Par, If I Can Hit It Straight And Far.
To Master Such A Tiny Ball, Should Not Be Very Hard At All. But My Desires The Ball Refuses, And Does Exactly As It Chooses.
It Hooks And Slices, Dribbles And Dies, And Even Disappears Before My Eyes. Often It Will Have A Whim, To Hit A Tree Or Take A Swim.
With Miles Of Grass On Which To Land, It Finds A Tiny Patch Of Sand. Then Has Me Offering Up My Soul, If Only It Would Find The Hole.
It's Made Me Whimper Like A Pup, And Swear That I Will Give It Up. And Take To Drink To Ease My Sorrow, But The Ball Knows .... I'll Be Back Tomorrow.
A growing concern being expressed throughout North America and some European countries is the increasing obesity rates amongst the youth. It is quickly becoming an epidemic! One of the biggest problems with obesity is the health complications such as diabetes and coronary problems. A precipitating factor has been the sheer amount of fried foods and fast foods our young people eat. Here is a video by Rick Mercer highlighting the issue. Enjoy :)
[from my email files. Please keep those great emails coming!]
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When they got there, the disaster was clear.
The aircraft was totally destroyed with only a burned hulkvleft smoldering in a tree line that bordered a farm. The top cop and his men entered the smoking mess but could find no remains of anyone, including the Premier. They spotted a lone farmer plowing a field not too far away as if nothing at all happened. They hurried over to the man's tractor.
"Hank," the cop yelled, panting and out of breath.
"Did you see this terrible accident happen?"
"Yep. Sure did."
The farmer mumbled unconcernedly, cutting off his motor.
"Do you realize that is the airplane of the Premier of Ontario ?"
"Yep."
"Were there any survivors?"
"Nope. They's all kilt straight out" the farmer answered. "I done buried them all myself. Took me most of the morning.."
" Premier McGuinty is dead?" the mountie shouted.
"Well," the farmer grumbled, restarting his tractor. "He kept a-saying he wasn't ... but you know what a liar he is."
Mid-March we experienced a week of unseasonable warm temperatures. It was quite delightful! Then it turned cold again with winds from the North. Waters that had been clear were suddenly filled with ice that was quickly forming ice jams. Ice jams from along the Great Lakes waterways cause the secondary and tertiary waterways to back-up as they can't drain properly. This puts communities along these smaller waterways at risk for flooding. The Canadian and US Coast Guards in an attempt to prevent flooding conditions co-operatively work overtime to prevent ice jams and when an ice jam does form as it so quickly can they work round the clock without break to get the ice jam to release. It is always and interesting time along the Great Lakes waterways this time of year!
Pictured is an ice jam forming. By the time I was able to get this picture the Coast Guards were in full force trying to release a 15 mile long ice jam to get things moving again. Unfortunately things worsened overnight as more ice backed up so the next day they were still working overtime trying to get the ice to move. Late that afternoon as the weather turned to freezing rain and even cooler temperatures I watched the US Coast Guard ice cutter slowly made it's way through the thickening ice I was reminded once again how very quickly the Great Lakes water conditions can change.
I am a wife, mother and grandma who enjoys the many aspects of homemaking. A variety of interests and hobbies combined with travel keep me active. They reflect the importance of family, friends, home and good food.
"I have called this principle, by which
each slight variation, if useful, is preserved,
by the term Natural Selection." —Charles Darwin from "The Origin of Species"
