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.

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

driving
The Snow Storm
 November 27, 2010

We made a road trip to visit the kids and grandkids a few days ago.  En route we ran into a lovely snow storm due to lake effect snow in the GTA.  We ended up driving in the storm for about a half hour and it was still coming down good when we arrived at the kids.  And so begins the winter weather in southern Ontario.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Monday, November 29, 2010

Colder Weather

ice in the field
Ice in the Field
November 27, 2010

We have had a blissfully unseasonably mild autumn this year.  I say blissful because normally by this time of year we have had at least one or more snow falls and the furnace has been going full tilt.  With the exception of the last couple of days the furnace has been turned on but not active as the gas fireplace has been able to keep up with the cooler temperatures.  We also haven't had more that a light dusting of snow that was gone as soon as the sun was up.  Overall it has been quite lovely!

A few days ago we had a fair amount of rain overnight cause the field to flood a bit.  The colder weather with high winds resulted in the standing water on the field to turn into an icy delight.  Well at least it was delightful looking out from the warmth of the car.  It did make for a pretty picture, don't you think?

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Sunday, November 28, 2010

Blog Your Blessing Sunday - Turkey Runs

Blog Your Blessings Sunday

This week were made two successful turkey runs ending up with 4 turkeys at 52¢ per pound.  We have done turkey runs ever since the kids were little.  Now they are grown with kids of their own.  The turkey runs have become a family tradition.  At one time we made enough trips to bring back 8 turkeys.  What we would do is call around to find out who wanted turkeys then we would do the turkey runs.  This year we only made two runs so two turkeys for us and one each for a couple of the kids.  The turkey runs are really an annual event my husband and I look forward to.  This year we had a lot of fun and we even stopped to enjoy eating at our favourite pub.  We reminisced over turkey runs of the past and laughed a lot while enjoying each other's company. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Saturday, November 27, 2010

Glass Reflections on the Water

reflections on the water
Glass Reflections on the Water
November 24, 2010

This is the time of year where most days are grey and dull.  The water takes on the greyness turning it into a shimmering grey mirror reflecting shades of grey.  The water was so still when I took the picture.  The seagulls looked like little puff balls resting on the water's surface. If it wasn't so cold it would have been perfect water to glide over smoothly.  It was a peaceful view that didn't last long as the rain came across the water.  Still it was pretty while it lasted.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Friday, November 26, 2010

Black Friday

Today it is Black Friday in the US.  Black Friday is named for the day the stores are said to be in the black as opposed to being in the red (not making money).  It falls on the Friday after the American Thanksgiving which was yesterday.  Many stores put on huge sales to lure shopper's away from home to part with their hard earned dollars.  How shoppers buy on Black Friday is said to be a good indicator as to how shoppers are going to spend over the holiday season.

Some shoppers line up to shop the sales as early as 4 AM.  Say what?  There is nothing and I mean nothing I would want to buy that would have me standing in a line waiting to shop at 4 AM!  Normally we go out Friday nights for dinner and quite often we end up in the US.  Tonight we will not be crossing the border as many Canadians are.  I've decided it is going to be a buy nothing day :)

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Turkey Run Recap

This year we ended up making two turkey runs for a total of 4 turkeys.  The total weight came to 78.97 lb at a total cost of $41.67 which works out to 52.7¢ per lb.  Not bad!  I'll recoup the cost of the turkeys just in the value of the stock from 2 of the carcasses.  To get the turkeys at that price we had to spend an additional $20 per turkey or a total of $80.  We were very frugal spending that extra $80, ending up with mainly groceries we would have been buying anyway, a pair of jeans for my husband, a shirt for me and a gift.  There were a couple of excellent meat deals like a 5 lb pork loin for $7 that really helped stretch that $80.  I'll divide that with half being cured for pea meal bacon and the other half as a roast in the slow cooker.  Over all this year's turkey runs were quite frugal!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Evening Delight

sunset October 26, 2010
Evening Delight
October 26, 2010


Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Turkey Runs


We made our first turkey run of the season last night.  Due to price controls in Ontario the price of turkeys seldom drop below $1.99 per pound.  This past Thanksgiving one store had utility and Grade A turkeys on for 99¢ per pound which is pretty much unheard of.  That was definitely a loss leader sale!  Turkeys go on sale in the US for as low as 29¢ per lb with an additional purchase of usually $20 to $30 the week of the American Thanksgiving.  We are fortunate enough to live where we can make a turkey run to the US to take advantage of the savings.  Each adult is allowed to bring one turkey 20 lb or under back into Canada per trip but there are no restrictions as to the number of trips you can make in a day.  Our major restriction is freezer space.  With a bit of careful reorganization we might possibly be able to get 4 turkeys in the freezers, two for us and one each for a couple of our kids.  Meijer had turkeys on sale (hens $9 off and toms $16 off) so two turkeys came home with us last night.  We still need to make another turkey run this week.


Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Monday, November 22, 2010

Night Light Dreams


I was up through the night and as I crawled into bed a little flash of light caught my eye.  As I pulled the covers up there was another flash of light.  Suddenly I was back playing an old childhood game.  When the weather turned cooler my Mom would put flannel sheets on the beds.  A little wiggle would create a lovely little flash of yellowish green light that I found most amusing!  With a contented giggle over a long forgotten childhood game I drifted back to sleep, visions of flashes of lights dancing in my dreams.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Sunday, November 21, 2010

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - More Weather Blessings

Blog Your Blessings Sunday

Once again we were blessed with a beautiful, abnormally warm week.  By now the furnace would be in full swing but so far we've been able to keep toasting just using the gas fireplace mainly on low.  The furnace is on but set to 66ºF so only clicks on if the inside temperature dips below that.  I am really pleased to be enjoying this wonderful bless as it is helping to keep both the home heating and electricity costs down.  It's also helped us get a few things done around the house. 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Saturday, November 20, 2010

What do Shoes Say About You?

feet on pebbles


I love shoes!  I have a serious shoe fetish owning several pairs that are still new, never worn and several pairs that have only been worn once and yet I continue to buy shoes.  I'm a shoe looker as well.  Shoes can send a strong message about you as a person.  For example, the woman who stuffs her foot into a too small shoe may have self esteem issues so is trying to look smaller than she is or she may not be able to afford shoes so is forced to wear a pair that is too small.  Trend setting shoes sometimes make me chuckle.  Everyone loves their Birkenstocks but I tell you walking around in an Ontario winter storm with grocery bags over your Birkenstocks that you've stuffed your work sock clad foot into really isn't making a statement other than stupidity.  The only ones that look cute is those cheap plastic duck shoes are little kids and gardeners.  Even worse is the dollar store plastic flip flops which really say "I haven't grown up" or "I can't afford to spend more than $1 on shoes".  I'm sorry but trainers do not look good with dress attire but this one I can understand if wearing trainers to walk to and from work or a funtion but definitely not at work or a function.  Wearing slippers in public is still not cool even if they match the pyjama bottoms you are wearing.  Well worn but not junky shoes can be a sign of frugality.  As you can see it do a fair amount of shoe pondering while people watching!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Friday, November 19, 2010

Funny Cat Video

Having been owned by a feline friend and having grandkittens it was almost impossible not to chuckle at the cat antics in this video.  Cats are just downright hilarious at times, wouldn't you agree?  I hope you enjoy the video and have a little chuckle.  Enjoy!




Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Thursday, November 18, 2010

Seagulls on the Water

seagulls on water
Seagulls on the Water
November 15, 2010

The weather has remained mild although slowly getting cooler.  It's rather nice that we are getting a break on home heating costs especially with the HST now added onto home heating fuel.  A few days ago a flock of seagulls landed on the water.  They settled in just calmly riding the rippling waves.  A lot of people don't like seagulls but I do.  I think they are rather pretty birds and they can be quite comical as well!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Early Morning Sky

early morning sky
Early Morning Sky
October 21, 2010

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Beer Foam Art

beer art
Beer Foam Art
November 12, 2010


Sometimes art just happens.  A few days ago we were out for dinner with a couple of the kids.  I ordered an adult beverage.  After a sip I looked down at the glass and just look what I saw.  The foam formed a lovely symmetrical pattern on top of the beer.  I thought it was rather interesting!  What do you thing?

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Monday, November 15, 2010

Monday Funny - The Tazar

[from my email files, enjoy the chuckle :)]
-----
ONLY A MAN WOULD ATTEMPT THIS

Just try reading this without laughing till you cry!!!

Pocket Tazer Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife.
A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Tazer for their anniversary submitted this:

Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized Tazer.

The effects of the Tazer were supposed to be short lived, with no long term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety...??

WAY TOO COOL! Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home... I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button and pressed it against a metal surface at the same time, I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs.

AWESOME!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two AAA batteries, right?
 
There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target.

I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and then thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised.

Am I wrong?

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and Tazer in another.

The directions said that:
a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant;

a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; and

a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water.

Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.
All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference (loaded with two itsy, bitsy AAA batteries); pretty cute really, and thinking to myself, 'no possible way!'

What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.

I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side so as to say, 'Don't do it stupid,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny lil ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it.

I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and...

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD. WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WHAT THE... !!!

I'm pretty sure Hulk Hogan ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs! The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an attempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note:
If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a Tazer,
one note of caution:

There is NO such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor!
A three second burst would be considered conservative!

A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape.
My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace.
The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was.
My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching.
My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs.
I had no control over the drooling.
Apparently I had crapped in my shorts, but was too numb to know for sure, and my sense of smell was gone.
I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head, which I believe came from my hair.
I'm still looking for my testicles and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!

PS: My wife can't stop laughing about my experience, loved the gift and now regularly threatens me with it!

If you think education is difficult, try being stupid!!!!
-----
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Blog Your Blessing Sunday - Unseasonably Warm Weather

Blog Your Blessings Sunday

Here it is mid-November and the past week we have enjoyed some of the loveliest weather possible for this time of year.  It was such a blessing in so many ways.  We were able to get the sunporch staircase painted which will make the house show a bit better.  We painted the lower staircase railings as well.  I thought for sure the weather would turn before we could get the painting finished.  Hallowe'en weekend we ended up putting the furnace on set to 68ºF (day) and 66ºF (night) but once I got home I set the furnace to hold at 66ºF and using the gas fireplace instead.  The gas fireplace is doing a great job at keeping the main living area above 66ºF so the furnace hasn't kicked on which means we are saving on the electricity needed to run the furnace fan.  So that has been a real blessing.

We did have two disappointments this past week.  First we found out the house we were interested in buying had an offer in pending a home inspection.  I doubt the house will fail that so dashes those hopes.  The second disappointment came in a couple that were very interested in buying our home to the point they set up an appointment to go through again before putting in an offer.  Those hopes were dashed when they cancelled the appointment saying they decided they didn't want to move after all.  Well these things happen for a reason so as my husband says it wasn't meant to be.  These types of minor setbacks are blessing that teach patience and appreciation for what you already have as well as reinforce faith and hope that all works out in the end.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Saturday, November 13, 2010

The Snot Factory

red nose

I am pleased to announce The Snot Factory is working overtime.  Production has been so much so as to interfere with daily activities and sleeping of laypersons not working in the factory.  What is surprising as how The Snot Factory can almost instantly go into overtime at the slightest mention of a pollen grain or gawd forbid a virus flickers by.  Not once have I ever heard even so much as a murmur of a strike on behalf of the workers.  They don't flinch at cohercion techniques like netti pots or saline sprays.  They hold a parade if sinus tablets are thought of enjoying the thought of blowing kleenex flags.  I'd like to know who is exactly paying their wages because it certainly isn't me.  Now a hostile take-over to control these millitant works would be welcomed but I best not say too much as just in case the workers rebel!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Friday, November 12, 2010

Grandma's Road Trip

Grandma's Road Trip
October 30, 2010


Much to the amazement of our kids Grandma decided to take a road trip to visit them while Papa was at hunt camp.  The grandkids were beyond excited that Grandma was coming for a visit as well.  Grandma seldom pays attention to directions when Papa is driving so she played it safe and had Papa set up Lucy before he left.  And so Grandma's road trip began

Grandma had to pack the car by herself which was a little odd because Papa always packs the car.  She purposely waited to get on the road to let the morning fog burn off by playing on the computer while sipping hot coffee trying to talk herself out of going.  Visiting the kids wasn't the issue but the length of drive was!  So just after lunch Grandma pulled out of the driveway determined to reach her destination.  She quickly learned playing the punch buggy game by herself wasn't a lot of fun.  She also found herself missing Papa having friendly little chit chats with other drivers when they do a bit of stunt driving.  It was all worth the long drive to see the big smiles on the kids faces as two little bundles of joy almost knocked Grandma over in their excitement!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Remembrance Day 2010

[Reposted from November 11, 2008 because this video is that good! Please take a few moments to view the video and ponder the price of freedom our brave service men and women have paid.]

I come from a strong military family with ancestors that were instrumental in shaping the history of Canada. I grew up surrounded by relatives who had fought for this country. Some of them made the ultimate sacrifice and while they are no longer here they live forever in our memories. If this video does not bring tears to your eyes, nothing will. On the 11
th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month we honour our fallen with 2 minutes silence from shore to shore of our great nation, Canada. Please join our nation in showing our respect and how thankful we are for enjoying the freedom they fought so hard for.





Remembrance Day Tribute
courtesy of
Global TV Edmonton


Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - The Palm Tree

palm tree
The Palm Tree
October 7, 2010


Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Oh Those Tell Tale Signs of Red!

blushing smilie
My Mom used to say that my skin was more red than anything else.  I'm not kidding my skin turns a bright neon red at the drop of a hat.  If I have a bath or shower or go swimming my skin is bright red especially across my upper chest.  If I'm embarrassed or nervous my cheeks get painfully red.  Red is a sure sign for me of an asthma flare-up or allergic reaction.  Seriously I can take one sip of red wine with sulfates and it hasn't hit my stomach before it shows in my face!  This type of red will be two bright red spots about an inch diameter.  Actually there are very few times I can't find reddish overtones on my skin.  Lately my hands and wrists have been bothering me so they are bright pinkish red.  But the last couple of days the ultimate in redness popped up.  I mean the ultimate in redness.  My cheeks literally flame when I'm sick.  This is not the neon pink red either.  It is the bright fire red that would put my gorgeous ripe organic Brandywine tomatoes to shame!

The red hurts regardless when it appears but when I'm sick it is downright painful.  My husband was away at hunt camp so I had a few things I wanted to do.  I went down to visit the kids and watch the little ones enjoy trick or treating.   I was only gone overnight but it was a wonderful break.  The next morning I felt the burn.  Sure shooting there was that tell tale sign of red.  All the plans I had made went out the window.  I pulled a couple of soup bones from the freezer to make homemade soup while enjoying that wonderful burning sensation as my sinuses crickled and crackles, my eyes watered and my ears popped.  I added in extra onions and garlic for good measure.  So I was housebound for the rest of the week enjoying my gorgeous redness not dare going out around other people for fear of picking up any germs that would complicate whatever it is I had.  My colds tend to go directly to bronchitis then pneumonia, something I'm not impressed with but the last thing I need is a secondary infection.  Had it not been for the red, I would have been out and about with a compromised immune system picking up gosh knows what putting myself at further risk while possibly infecting others with whatever I had.  I looked in the mirror at the bright, flaming cheeks and said a silent thank-you. 

In many ways the tell tale signs of red are a blessing for me.  They are like a giant built in stop sign to back things down, avoid further exposure to anything and if it doesn't calm down get to my doctor.  Some people aren't so lucky.  Knowing what turns my skin red and what the normal red for that exposure is extremely helpful.  I know the warning signs and what each variation of red means.  While I tend to make light of it, the redness and variations are warning signs of potential problem.

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Monday, November 08, 2010

Technology Comes With a Price

I mentioned yesterday that I'm a techo geek.  I love messing around with any kind of technology.  Technology affects every facet of our daily lives indirectly and directly whether we like it or not.  Even the Amish who shun technology are affected.  I'm sure there are many examples of technology at work that I could use but you know one that I like is I do a lot of home canning much like the Amish.  I use a pressure canner just like the Amish to process my home canned foods safely.  The thing is the pressure canner would not even exist if it were not for technology.  When most people think of technology they really mean a lot of the newer technological advances mainly electronic that have cropped up over the last few years.  These technological advances are absolutely amazing and yet many of them are coming with a high price tag.  Consider:

  • video games - These range from hand held devices to consoles and any other version.  Children are spending so much time playing these games three things are happening.  Their imagination is decreasing, their social skills are decreasing and their weight is increasing.
  • computers - At the click of a couple of keys the computer brings a multitude of desired information into our homes.  More and more communication is done online to the point some have figured out they can survive quite nicely without ever leaving home.  Honestly there are very few things you can't order online including groceries delivered right to your door and you can do all your banking online so there is no real need to have to interact in real life.  The downside is computers can also bring in all the ills of real life society as we are quickly finding out.  
  • online social networking - There are many examples of online social networking (eg. Twitter).  We are reduced to conveying our thoughts into 140 character tweets.  It becomes a way of communicating without leaving home so again it can be quite isolating.  This is not necessarily a good thing for those prone to depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) especially when there are sites that feed into that depression by encouraging suicide.  Social networking has widened the path for child pornographers and social predators as well as increasing the chance of identity theft and/or other online scams.  A growing problem is assaults/murders/rapes and break-ins as a direct result of revealing too much personal information via social networking.  Some have paid a huge price by revealing something, usually pictures on a site like Facebook that is incriminating to the point they lose their job and some have even had legal problems as a result of information revealed. 
  • health problems - Increased use of technology has led to an increased sedentary lifestyle.  We are seeing increased levels of obesity especially in children and complications of obesity like diabetes.  Those in northern climates are showing an increased level of Vitamin D deficiency which was always a risk but with staying indoor for longer period of times it is now a real problem.  Cell phones are creating a radiation risk that can cause health problems to the point one Canadian MP wants warning stickers put directly on cell phones.  It doesn't help that children as young as 5 regularly use cell phones even though their bodies are still developing.  Gadgets like Walkman's and iPods have contributed to an increase in hearing problems at a much younger age.    Some have even said that the increase in daily use of the electronic technology is one contributing factor to the increased incidence of ADD/ADHA as children lose the ability to focus. 
  • family values - The constant bombardment of electronic technology is erroding family values.  Quite often a family consisting of two adults and two children aka the average family can go through the enitre day with little to no real interaction.  What is happening is 4 people living in the same home each goes their separate ways losing any semblance of a common goal of working together as a family unit.  That's a real shame!  Texting and emailing or instant messaging cannot take the place of real life, face to face contact.  Calling on the cell phone is great but not if used as the primary method of communication. 
  • personal satisfaction - Electronic technology has lessened the personal satisfaction one is able to achieve.  The reason is this technology feeds into instant gratification.  Unlike reading or even watching television, most online activities or other newer modes of communication gives instant results. 
  • loss of physical resources - I do a lot of genealogy research.  Instead of spending a couple of hours on the road one way, delving manually through stacks of musty, dusty stacks of resources after spending a few hours finding them then paying upwards of $1 per sheet to print I can sit in the comforts of my family room in my pj's and housecoat sipping on a lovely latte I can find a considerable amount of information without leaving home.  I can download images and print for a lot less than $1 per page.  At the same time the lower cost to me combined with personal convenience is contributing to the loss of physical genealogy resources.  This applies to other physical resources as well like libraries, information centres and services.  Heck, even the utilities refer you to their website rather than helping you on the phone! 
Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Sunday, November 07, 2010

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - A Great Real Estate Agent

Blog Your Blessings Sunday

We had our house listed with a real estate agent from mid-March to the end of August.  Without so much as an offer we did not renew the contract.  Towards the end of the previous week we listed the house with an new, upstart real estate firm.  Let me tell you already we are impressed with our new real estate agent.  Talk about a go getter!  This is really the blessing we need right now!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Saturday, November 06, 2010

It's That Time of Year

end of daylight savings time

Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends tomorrow morning.  Please turn your clocks back 1 hour and check the batteries in your smoke alarms.

Garden Gnome ©2006-2010


Friday, November 05, 2010

My Poor Aching Thumb!


I am a techie, seriously!  I love and use all kinds of technology on a daily basis.  Anything from cell phones, computers, GPS, PDAs, PVD, home automation and just about anything else I can get my hands on.  I do a fair amount of communication via email, forums, blogging, Twitter, iPod and the cell phone.  So using technology is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination.  What is different is for whatever reason texting held no interest for me.  Oh I could send a text ok if I went to my cell phone provider website and send it from there but to actually text using my cell phone, forget it.  Part of the problem comes from the method used for texting.  It involves a series of clicks on various buttons to create the message.  So the 2 button can type a, b, c or 2 by clicking once for a, twice for b, three times for c andd four times for 2.  Well now, I learned to touch type in highschool without looking at the keyboard.  My typing speed is right up there so I find the whole concept of how to text rather tedious!

Over the last few days I have started texting out of necessity.  I can send text messages to the kids and my husband free of charge but if I use the cell phone to call them I have to pay long distance and depending where I'm at, roaming charges.  Texting works out to be cheaper and more convenient for the recipient as they can respond when they have time rather than right away.  The end result has been a very, very sore thumb!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Thursday, November 04, 2010

The HST Outfall is a Coming

Despite voter disapproval BC Premier Gordon Campbell and ON Premier Dalton McGuinty put through the much hated Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that came into effect on July 1, 2010.  In fairness Gordon Campbell is not quite the snake in the grass that Dalton McGuinty is so it did come as a bit of a surprise when Campbell called a special press conference shortly after lunchtime here, central time.  Campbell cited voter hatred of the HST as the reason for his drop in popularity and hence his resignation.  As it stands, Campbell is showing himself to be the better man, admitting defeat over a very poorly planned and implemented tax at a time with the taxpayers have no more to give.  One can only hope that Dalton McGuinty's ears are ringing and he will follow suit! 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Overlooking the Valley

the valley
Overlooking the Valley
October 7, 2010

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Chaos Starts the Week

My gosh!  I spent the weekend at the home of oldest and youngest grandchildren.  What a hoot!  I left for their place around lunchtime on Saturday and arrived back home Sunday about 9 pm.  I was going to stay longer but our real estate agent called to see if they could do the first dog and pony show Monday morning.  That meant I had to get home Sunday night in order to do the spit and shine for the showing.  I didn't get into bed until 2:30 in the morning then was back up at 8:30 am to do the last minute touches.  At the same time I knew dumb and dumber were coming out to fix our satellite dish for the internet.  As I puttered I hoped they would show up after the dog and pony show.

The dog and pony show went well with 7 agents and our agent attending.  The one comment was the stairs to the sunporch needed painting so I was on the phone to one of our kids who picked up the paint and came out to prep the stairs.  The intention was to do the first coat of paint today but I started it after dumb and dumber and $290.25 left.  Apparently when the high winds moved the satellite dish they also damage part of it.  The nice thing is I managed to avoid paying HST on the part, so take that McGuinty!  By the time I finished the first coat of paint on the stairs (inner supports, landing and runners) it was time for dinner and Corrie.  Then it was time for laundry, a bit of blogging and the quick realization I think I'm coming down with a cold.  And so the week started...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010


Monday, November 01, 2010

My Gosh Where Does Time Go?

My beyond cruddy satellite service went out last week which put me into dial-up mode while waiting for dumb and dumber to get here to fix it.  In the meantime I tried to continue on with blogging as best I could but between dial-up and going to visit the grandkids I am very much behind!  It doesn't help that the house is now officially listed again which has added to my to do list.  Somewhere along the line I've lost almost a week and where did the time go?  Honestly!

Garden Gnome
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