SATISFACTION SATURDAY–ANNIVERSARY EDITION

 

D H and I are celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary today. We have come a long way together. We have 3 amazing children, 2 wonderful son-in-laws and a gorgeous daughter-in-law. They have given us 5 fabulous grandchildren.

We have had our ups and downs like every other couple but have grown together. We share our love of dancing, travel and family. This year we are having a quiet celebration with our friends.  We are in cottage country and are taking in 2 plays.  Yesterday we reminisced by watching “Big Band Legends”.  We heard songs that were popular when we were dating. We even knew the words.

Next year we plan to cruise in Europe to celebrate 40 years. So when we finish our cruise this summer we can start our countdown for the next one.

My father said it wouldn’t last and kept looking for my suitcase every time I came home in the first year I was married.  However we come from a long line of forever married couples who set an excellent example for us.  My grandparents were married more than 60 years and my parents have celebrated 63 years.  D H’s parents were married nearly 40 years as well.

All my love!!

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY

 

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are, well, nowhere to be found. At all. Anywhere. If found please call me.

t's that time of the week again... time to share 5 things for Five Question Friday:

1. What's your favourite childhood snack that you still eat as an adult?

My mother made the best chocolate chip cookies and butter tarts.  She doesn’t bake any more however I still love these 2 for snacking as well as dessert.

2. What food will you not eat the low fat version of?

I actually won’t eat anything low fat.  There are usually additives to remove the fat. I would rather eat less and not worry about the fat. I also read fat doesn’t make you fat.

3. What's your favourite way to cool off during the summer?

I used to love to swim to cool off however now we don’t live near a pool or beach so I pretty much stay in a shady place with a glass of ice water and a good book.

4. What's your favourite summer read?

Any romance book although since I get my books from a library I am catching up on some favourite authors like Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Fern Michaels etc.

5. What are you doing to stay cool in this awful heat?

Yesterday in the heat we went to Centre Island which is about 5 degrees cooler than the city.  For the weekend we are heading to cottage country.

FOLLOW FRIDAY FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

Another fabulous hop! Click on the button to link up and play along!

This week’s statements:

1.My grandchildren make me laugh.  They do so many cute things.

2. sometimes a book will make me sad. I keep a box of kleenex at the ready when I am reading.

3. My granddaughter  F looks like her father and after our trip to Centre Island she even enjoys the thrills of riding the rides.

4. When I hear the sound of children laughing I am happy.

THRIVING THURSDAY–FAMILY TIME

 

Who would have thought that a retired person could be so busy.  Time seems to be moving faster than when I used to go to work.  Every day is filled with activities especially since the family is around this year.  H and her family are keeping us young and very active.  Where do our grandchildren get so much energy?  How is it that they require so little sleep?

Our days are filled with laughter at the antics that they come up with.  Our youngest grandson gets this gleam in his eyes and you know that mischief is in his heart.  He loves to play chase. We just Get on mark and GO and he is gone.

Everything is new and puzzling.  How does this work? Where does this come from? How can I get closer to it? What can  I do with it.

Grammy and Grampy love our family however with only 11 days until we leave on our trip our anticipation is growing.  We will start to pack next week.

I hope keeps as busy as we are and that your family is thriving like ours.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–NIAGARA FALLS U.S.A.

 

As previously mentioned in the blog D H and I visited the American side of Niagara Falls.  We walked around Gull Island and discovered some of the history as well as the beauty.

I’ve shown you mine now show me yours!

TRAVEL TUESDAY–NIAGARA FALLS

 

As I have mentioned in my blog on Monday D H and I travelled across the border to the United States.  We took our son-in-law Wayne to the Buffalo airport for a flight to Baltimore. We left Toronto in lots of time and enjoyed a straight trip down the QEW.  We met a line-up on the Lewiston bridge but got through customs without a hitch.  Once W was dropped at airport we headed back to explore the area around Niagara Falls, New York.  We had never been there before.

We travelled to the Niagara State park where we looked for a parking spot.  The lots were full so we went up the street and found a FREE parking spot that gave us 2 hours.  We went to the official travel centre where D H found information about New York which we hope to use when travel through to Boston in 14 days time.

We walked into the park and crossed over to Gull Island.  There are some wonderful paths as well as some guides about the area.  We also walked on the pedestrian bridge and saw Prospect point. The view of the falls of course are very different from the Canadian side because the falls actually start on the American side. We were expecting a noisier spot however we saw some great views and another perspective.  D H of course took his usual amount of pictures.  Here is what we saw:

There are many more pictures which I will save for another day.

MEET ME ON MONDAYS

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me
Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!
Grab the badge for your post if you like:

And now for this weeks Questions:

1. What was your favourite childhood toy?

If you link up and read my daughter H’s blog you will know that I asked this question? I too have trouble remembering however I still have a baby doll in my possession.  The doll wears real baby clothes. She has lost a couple of toes and a bit of hair but the grandchildren love her and she sleeps in the cradle that was given to H when she was born.

2. Where did you go this weekend?

Saturday I had the pleasure of taking my daughters H and C as well as my daughter-in-law M and my 3 granddaughters R, E and F out for brunch.  Everyone came back to the house for the afternoon and played on the verandah with my grandson E.

On Sunday D H and I had the pleasure of taking our son-in-law W across the border so that he could catch a flight to Baltimore.  On the way back we visited Niagara Falls, New York.  WE had never seen the falls from the American side before.  Come back on Tuesday and I will show the pictures.

3. When was the last time you shopped for yourself?  What did you buy?

I shopped last month and bought 2 new sweaters and 3 new pair of pants in preparation for our long cruise which is only 14 days away.  Our trip takes us from summer to winter and back to summer weather so layering will be the name of the game.

4. Paper, Plastic or Reusable?

Toronto does not have a ban on plastic bags however we have to pay 5cents a bag so we are definitely into reusable bags.  O f course the charge will be cancelled as of July 1st. D H and I have become quite inventive with the use of bags because a lot of our food comes in plastic and they make wonderful bags for our green bin.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

Since H asked me for her 5th question and she used it I will have to think of something else. So my 5th question is:

Have you ever been on a covered bridge?

SUNDAYS IN THE CITY

 

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting again this week - check out where in the world everyone else is by clicking here:

D H and I spent some quality time on Friday evening.  We took a stroll through another part of Toronto and discovered a wonderful reflection of the history of Toronto. Here is what we found.

This is just a start of the murals.  They go on for blocks through the Village of Islington. I will show you more another time. Have a great Sunday in your City.

SATISFACTION SATURDAY–BUSY EDITION

The week is almost over.  What a list of things that have been accomplished this week! I had my last meeting of the Retiree group on Monday.  There are no summer meetings and we had a potluck lunch.  The tables were groaning there was so much food. Bell people have always managed to throw great parties.  The group has plans for a lot of trips next year.  D H and I hope to join them on a trip to a casino followed by a cruise and dinner. This is a wonderful group of former workers and I am so glad I joined.

Of course you have heard of the fabulous trip to see my parents if you read my Thursday blog. I am really satisfied that E had been able to call me “Mama” and is easily recognized  from “Mum Mum”. Who was is said “There’s no sitting in babysitting”?  That is certainly true.  The up side is that I am not feeling any painful muscles and I can now lift all 36 pounds of E without collapsing.

The other advantage of the drive was the quality time I spent with my daughter H.  It has been a long time since we had mother/daughter talks. I spend so much time with C and sometimes feel like H gets left out. H also got to spend time with her grandmother and reconnected as well.  Since H is the first granddaughter she was closest to my mother. As my mother says “ She practiced her grandmother skills on H first.”

I did get to spend a “little” quality time with D H last night.  We attended a one-year memorial for Sasha. What wonderful work this group is doing to bring awareness of mental health to the forefront. Their website is www.sashbear.org. A lot has been accomplished in only a short space of time. Thank you to my sister B and my niece P for their hard work.

Today is our girls’ brunch in honour of R’s birthday. The boys will get to stay home and play in the park. We will also plan our busy week to come.  I am so glad I am retired so that I am able to spend such wonderful time with my family.  It has been one of my better decisions.

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY AND FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Playing along with Five Question Friday and Feeling Beachie's Four Fill In Fun!

1. What do you keep a stock pile of?

Wool!  I crochet baby blankets and the wool is hard to find.  I just got a big box sent from Mary Maxim.

2. If Ben & Jerry asked you to invent an ice cream, what would it be?

I would call it “Death by Chocolate”  It would have chocolate ice cream with peanuts and a caramel sauce.

3. How do you blow off steam?

I don’t get steamed as often since I have retired however when I do I have a cup of tea and I take a bubble bath and read a good book.

4. What would you do if you had an hour to yourself anywhere within a ten mile radius of your home...no kids, no hubby, just you?

Good question. I suppose I would watch the TV programs my husband can’t stand and read more blogs on the computer.

5. When you were 16, what was your curfew in the summertime?

When I was 16 it was my last summer at the cottage.  We didn’t have a curfew.

And now for Four Fill In Fun:

1.       I love a being retired and cruising with D H

2.       If I could have one wish it would be to spend more time with my grandchildren and my parents.

3.       When I grow up, I want to be forever young and have a happy life

4.       The best thing I ever did was marry my wonderful husband and have 3 wonderful children.

THRIVING THURSDAY–4 GENERATIONS

 

Sorry this post is late today.  I have just returned from a 2 day trip to Ottawa to visit my parents.  H and E came with me. To say my parents appreciated the visit is an understatement.  They were thrilled to see E, our 20 month tornado.  He reminds my mother of my brother who got into everything as well.  The residents in their building were in a state of shock after E went visiting.  He explored every nook and cranny and the residents could turn down their hearing aids.

E was amazing on the trip.  I had to change our tactics and found different places to stop compared to our usual run in/ run out bathroom breaks.  E needed a place to run out of steam for a nap in the car.  He was kept occupied with his i-pad watching “Lion King” and “Cars”.  I also discovered that my new cellphone charger is universal and can charge a kindle and an i-pad as well.

D H enjoyed his quiet time and managed to tidy up the cold storage room.  So I can honestly say we are 4 generations – Greats, grandparents, parents and kids and we are all thriving.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–FOR THE BIRDS

 

Just in case you haven’t seen all of D H’s bird pictures I found some more:

Can you identify them

TRAVEL TUESDAY–FAMILY EDITION

 

H’s family has finally arrived for their summer vacation. W, L and R have gone camping for a few days so H and E are going to go and visit Grandma and Pompa in Ottawa. Originally we were going try for our usual up and back in one day however saner heads prevailed. A one day trip requires a 6 am start and since it is hard to get a baby moving that early we have opted for an overnight stay.  We are now leaving after 9am to avoid the usual rush hour traffic.

We will have a picnic lunch at one of our rest stops.  Hopefully we can run E for a few minutes so he will be a happy camper and be pleasant when we arrive.  Great Grandma is anxious to see E and wants to baby proof their apartment. It won’t take long for E to clear his space as he is curious about everything. It has been a year since their last visit.

While we are away D H will enjoy another quiet day on his own.  He will continue to plan for our long trip which is coming up in just 20 days.  I hope you have been following our countdown as well.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered!
Grab the badge for your post if you like:

And now for this week’s Questions:

1. What is your favourite movie quote or song lyric of all time?

I am a huge Clark Gable fan and “Gone with the Wind” was one of my favourite movies.  I guess the quote from that movie is “I don’t give a damn”

2. If you had to choose a novel for a book club to read and discuss, which one would you pick?

I would probably want to discuss the book “ Bridge of Scarlet Leaves” by Kristina McMorris.  I read this book while I was visiting H in May.  I am really a romance reader however this book has an interesting take on the Second World War from a Japanese-American perspective.  I was very intrigued and fascinated with the whole book.  It would open up lots of discussion on many levels.

3. When was the last time you danced?  What brought you to it?

As you know D H and I are ball room dancers and we go weekly however my last time dancing was on Saturday afternoon thanks to my youngest sister.  We learned to find our inner diva through a Burlesque routine with high heels, gloves and boas.  I won the kitchen diva prize.

4. Do you typically remember your dreams?

Yes and some of them are crazy and wild.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around

My 5th question is: Do you exercise and what is your favourite exercise?

SUNDAYS IN THE CITY–FATHER’S DAY EDITION

 

SUNDAYS IN THE CITY

Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting again this week - check out where in the world everyone else is by clicking here:

Since this is Father’s Day I have bowed to D H and have the pictures he has taken with his new camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

D H is very proud of his garden.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Also for my Dad who has had many Father’s Days.

SATISFACTION SATURDAY

 

My apologies for not getting this post in yesterday.  It has been a hectic week with the arrival of H and family. They are here for about 5 weeks.  We are coordinating our activities for lots of family time while everyone is in the same city.  This will probably be one of the last times as M and his family move to their new home and R our granddaughter starts to look for summer jobs.

Family is everything.  Without our family I think we would be lost.  They are certainly around when you need them.  It is especially satisfying on this Father’s Day weekend. I hope everyone has a good one.  HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY

 

It's that time of the week again... time to share 5 things for Five Question Friday:

 

1. Would you grow your hair out to donate it?

Yes I would however since the hair has to be untreated mine wouldn’t qualify – as they say “Only my hairdresser knows for sure”.  My father often ask me where I inherited my red hair?

2. What song makes you think of summer?

Sunshine, lollipops and roses.

3. Are you a flip flops or sandals kind of person?

I am sandals kind of person because I can’t stand anything between my toes.

4. Favourite summer treat (ie ice cream, snow cones, etc)?

All of the above although I love my ice cream with either chocolate or caramel sauce.

5. Do you do something special for the father of your children on Fathers day?

I used to when the kids were little however they have children of their own.  I did spend last Sunday with my father.  We drove 4 1/2 hours to have lunch and then drove home on the same day.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

We are 26 days away from our long cruise this summer.  Our daughter and her family are finally going to arrive.  We have a bridal shower on Saturday for my niece who will get married a week after we return from our cruise.  I have a final retirement meeting and we still have our ballroom dance classes on our list of things to get done.

We can cross off our trip to see my parents for Father’s Day.  We can look forward to our daughter-in-law M getting her cast off a week ahead of schedule.  She also got a lighter cast so the weight is off of her shoulder.

I watched our granddaughters thriving this week as I babysat them on Tuesday.  E is graduating from Montessori school knowing her letters and writing them  She is using them to make words and writes them down.  She also finished her gymnastic classes where she excels at tumbling and back bridges.  She also impressed her Aunt C with her skills on climbing rope. F is no longer a baby. She is walking and talking and has a mind of her own. She moves up the street on her little red car and says “Hi” to everyone she meets. They make their Grammy so proud.

To my friends I work I wonder how I ever had the time to do everything that I do now.  I have changed my focus on what is important and work towards thriving without a job. Hopefully your opportunities will be as wonderful as mine are.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–WINTER’S OVER

 

There is saying in Canada that we only have 2 seasons = Winter and Construction.

 

 

 

We can hardly wait for our grandson L to arrive to show him our construction vehicles. I guess winter is over in Canada.

TRAVEL TUESDAY–CLOSE TO HOME

 

When someone talks about travelling I think about trips of major proportions do you? However as my daughter will tell you some of the best vacations can be Staycations.  The family has the opportunity to visit their own backyard so to speak. Because of the delayed travel plans that is exactly what my daughter’s family is doing. They have been exploring the local parks to keep the grandchildren occupied.

How many attractions are listed in your home town?  How many of them have you actually visited yourself? Do you only go when someone from out of town comes to visit?

Now that D H and I are retired we like to take advantage of our wonderful city and explore the many attractions we have. Since we live within walking distance of the beach it is a great place to walk and visit.  Yesterday it was so warm in the city however by the water was about 10 degrees cooler. We also got the breeze from the lake and a chance to see the city from a different angle.

Our walks to the grocery store are also adventures as we check out different streets.  We love to see the improvements that people make on their homes.  We have a beautiful neighbourhood. So even if your travel plans don’t include exotic places keep an open mind about your backyard and Enjoy!!