SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Visiting Santa Claus with my Granddaughters

This is a family tradition that started 4 years ago.

Grammy, Mommy, Auntie C and E and F.

We sit on Santa’s knee for a picture.

FRIDAY FOUR FILL–IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

This week’s statements:

1. I have always dreamed of visiting Australia and New Zealand. I would also like to see Japan.

2. My hubby is my best friend.

3. I love to play with my grandchildren when I have a chance to visit.

4. I will never forget how great it is to be retired with my hubby.

THRIVING THURSDAY–PONDERING WITH A PURPOSE

 

Pondering with a Purpose - In laws

This Week's prompt: In-Laws

Do you love your in-laws? Do your in-laws love you?
As the holidays approach I realize this is a great thing to talk about... we all have them... either Mothers or Fathers in Law, Sisters or Brothers in Law, Sons or Daughters in law.... no matter how isolated we are .... unless we are only children who never married ... there is an in-law in your life! So tell me....  do you love them and do they love you back?

Unfortunately I have lost both my father-in-law, mother-in-law and one brother-in-law on my husband’s side of the family. We also barley keep in touch with his other brother. I have a sister-in-law with exactly the same name, believe it or not.

Now in my own family I have 2 brother-in-laws married to my sisters. I am very close to my younger sister’s husband who will celebrate his birthday on Saturday. We just enjoyed a wonderful day last Sunday. They attended the play with us. My other sister and her husband live far away so we see very little of them. We are not as close. I also have a sister-in-law who is an amazing seamstress however again we are not close.

Now in our immediate family I have 2 son-in-laws who we love dearly. They married our daughters and take excellent care of them. I also have a beautiful daughter-in-law who is fabulous.

I hope they love me back as I love them all.

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

 

Only four hodgepodges until Christmas, just in case you're wondering.

1. With that being said, I think I need to dive right into some Christmas related questions, don't you?  Which do you prefer-pretty gift wrap with a bow or a pretty gift bag with/without a bow? What percentage of your holiday gifts are currently (as in right this very minute) wrapped in some form or fashion?

I am a bag person all the way. None of my gifts are ready to be wrapped.

2. What is one item on your Christmas list this year?

I am actually very difficult to buy for. I need some more trouser socks. Hubby and I do not exchange gifts as our cruises are our gifts to each other.

3. What makes a home?

People! Not furniture or knick knacks. It is the love of the people in it.

4. Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrates his birthday today...are you a fan of the Motown sound?  If so who's your favourite Motown artist and/or song?  Here's a list in case you're stuck.

I do like Motown music. I was a big fan of Diana Ross and the Supremes.

5. Red or green...which one is more prevalent in your closet?

I actually have a good mix of both. I have a red dress for Christmas and a green dress for New Year’s.

6. True or false-bacon makes it better?  If you answered true, what's your favourite dish made with bacon?

I don’t eat bacon very often however when we splurge we have Canadian back bacon on a bun.

7. Share a favourite holiday memory.

With 60 Christmases under my belt I have a lot of memories and it is not easy to pick out the special ones. I will tell you about our first Christmas as a married couple. Both D H and I worked right up until Christmas so we did very little decorating. It was Dec. 23rd and D H was put in charge of getting the tree. He went back to our old neighbourhood in search of a Boy Scout tree lot. Unfortunately the best trees were gone and there were only a few scrawny ones on the lot. D H got a tree for a $1 donation. He brought the tree home and decorated it before I could see it in its before state. He admits to having created the tree by sawing off branches and reattaching them in better places. He covered it with Angel hair and had it lit when I got home. I only the trouble he took to make it our best Christmas as a married couple. That tree was definitely decorated with LOVE!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am starting to think of our Christmas activities. We are planning an Open House so I got the invitations made and delivered to our neighbours. I have also started the Christmas cards so a walk to the Post Office is on the agenda. I also have to pick up my baking supplies and start making my goodies. And D H is getting the inside decorations ready to be set up. We have our first Christmas function on Saturday with C, M, E and F.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–OUR WEEKEND ADVENTURE

 

For those who saw my Saturday blog you know that we went to see 2 plays on Saturday and Sunday in an Amish village outside of Toronto. D H took these pictures of  downtown St Jacobs.

 

 

 

 

This has become a Christmas tradition with our friends.

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Time for the Coffee Chat! If you'd like to join, head over to Leslie's at Time out for Mom.

Too Soon for Christmas?

Let me start by saying I love Christmas! I love to bake for Christmas and I enjoy getting together with friends and family. I love singing carols and watching movies that were made in Black and White.

Our outside lights were actually up early as D H took advantage of the mild weather to put them up however we did not light them up until after the Santa Claus parade. The lights are on a time so they come on at approximately 5 pm and turn off at 11 pm. Our outside display has gotten smaller and smaller over the years.

Our outside displays really took off in 1989 when on a visit to Michigan we found a Santa on a stick. I paid $10 and D H carried all around the little street fair we had discovered by accident. This led to many stick decorations. We also have a hedge all around our front yard and there were always lights on it. I also found a set of lights that formed a 6 foot Christmas tree. And then there were the lights on the veranda as well as the wooden candles in the front window.

Now we only put lights on the veranda and Santa is now in a wooden sleigh pulled by a wooden reindeer. In years past my sister said that Santa would never have a problem finding our house because we were the beacon on the street.

I have 18 Rubbermaid boxes of Christmas decorations and every room in my house has decorations. I have scaled back considerably and don’t use all of the decorations anymore. We have several nativity sets including one in porcelain bisque from Avon as well as rubber set for the children to play with. We also have a nutcracker collection with a nutcracker that came from Germany in the 1940s.

I am also in to trains and do a village. However since I am not having company for Christmas dinner this year and only our Open House I won’t use everything.

Did I mention I do like Christmas?

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic
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:

 

1. Do you decorate outdoors for the holidays?

Already done. We are using less lights these days. We used to be accused of attracting Santa without any need for radar.

2. What is the best thing about office Christmas parties?

The food. Everyone brings their best baking and cooking.

3. Gloves or Mittens?

I love my gloves however when I play in the snow it is mittens all the way.

4. What do you think of Secret Santas?

We had a very interesting Secret Santa last year. We drew names and we had to buy a toy that best reflected the person"’s personality that we got. The person who got my name bought me a Fashion doll because I like to dress up. I bought a board game for the person I got because they were ambitious. All the toys were then donated. It was great fun.

 

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 prefer to give or receive?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY–BARELY THERE!

 

Without their leaves the trees can still be awesome!

 

 

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Word Saturday...

Theatre weekend with very good friends!

We will see two great plays!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

This week’s statements:

1. I put mustard on a hot dog.

2. when it_comes to working I am glad I am retired.

3. If my house gets too hard to manage then I would be able to move to a condo apartment.

4. If I was getting married tomorrow I would _repeat my wedding the same way not differently so we could  be married 40 years now.

THRIVING THURSDAY–PONDERING WITH A PURPOSE

 

Pondering with a Purpose - A Disaster...or not

Thank you Brenda for hosting Pondering with a purpose. Today’s question is:

When you are making a huge dinner for family and friends do you want it to be perfect even if it is the same food they are used to?

I am not much of a cook however I learned a long time ago that nothing is ever perfect especially when it come to food. This story is not related to Thanksgiving however the story of my first apple came to mind when I saw this prompt. First of all I made this pie for my father who is a very harsh critic.

I was newly married and my mother had a broken arm. My father really wanted an apple pie from the first apples of the season so I said I would make him one. Of course I followed my mother’s recipe because is a fabulous baker. I made the pastry from the “Crisco” box.  I rolled out the pastry which was a little thicker than my Mom’s. Hubby helped with the peeling of the apples. I put the top on the pie and realized that I had not added a pat of butter. So I took the top off and added the butter. The top went back on in pieces.

By now I am in tears because the pie doesn’t look anything like my Mom’s. We baked it anyway. My Dad and hubby both ate it and said they loved it. Bless their hearts!

Now when I bake an apple pie if it doesn’t have a crumbling effect I feel it won’t turn out as well.

Lesson learned. It doesn’t matter what it looks like it is how it tastes especially if it is made with LOVE!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

 

1. Turkey-love it or leave it? White meat or dark?  What's your favourite thing to make using leftover turkey?

Love it! White meat! Turkey soup!

2. Gotta burn off all those carbs the day after a holiday feast so which would you rather do-run a 10K or climb a mountain?

Climb a mountain. I am a walker not a runner.

3. Do you feel like social networking has made your relationships better or worse? Explain!

I love the fact that blogging has introduced me to so many people as well as keeping in touch with my family.

4. How do you find and express gratitude for the hard things in your life?

I am thankful that I don’t have to go to work.  I just say “Thanks”

5. In the US the day after Thanksgiving has been dubbed 'Black Friday'.  Is most of your holiday shopping done live and in person or is done more through the magic of the Internet? How do you feel about stores opening at midnight on Thanksgiving?  Will you be out amongst the masses on Friday?

I don’t shop Black Friday and this year most of my Christmas gifts will be homemade.

6. Speaking of the color black-which black item in your wardrobe would you say is your favourite?

I Love my black pants. I can dress them up with a sweater or a sexy top.

7. What do you appreciate about your life today?

I very much appreciate that I am retired. I went back to visit the girls at work yesterday and even they can hardly wait to retire. They will even have to work Christmas Day.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

To all of my American blogger friends – I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–LATER BLOOMERS

 

 

 

I’ve shown you mine now show me yours!

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Time for the Coffee Chat! If you'd like to join, head over to Leslie's at Time out for Mom.

The topic is: Pro? or No?

Today’s topic is a heavy discussion on choices about abortion. Pro-life of Pro-choice?

I have no personal experience to draw on so I made be in left field on this topic. I believe that women should be the ones to make the choice not men. Of course a doctor should be involved once the choice is made.

Should a child be brought into this world who may not survive to adulthood and be self-sufficient?Should we make the choice because it is too expensive to raise the child? Personally I have met some remarkable young people who should have never been born because of their birth defects. I have worked with mentally handicapped children and got great joy when they were successful. I have seen children with cerebral palsy  who have learned to walk and talk and be productive in society.

One of my favourite stories is “Flowers for Algernon”. It is a story of a young man who achieves greatness because of medical science. Where would he have been if he had never been born?

Of course I believe in destiny and fate so I think everyone should have their chance however that is my choice. What is yours?

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic

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 are you thankful for this year?

I am always thankful for good health and for my family. Now I am also thankful that I don’t have to get up and go to work.

2. What was your special dish that your parents made for you while growing up?

My mother had the best “Swiss Steak” recipe. Unfortunately hubby doesn’t care for it and since I don’t cook I have never made it.

3. How long are you willing to wait for someone before you give up?

I have a doctor who notoriously overbooks and you can wait many hours. I will not wait on the phone for longer than 5 minutes. I was a telephone operator and we had to check in with our customers every 2 minutes.

4. What is your favourite quote, poem, song lyric or prayer?

My favourite song is a hymn “The Church in the Wildwood”. It was one of my grandmother’s favourites and when I hear it I remember her.

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:

What is your hobby?

SUNDAYS IN MY CITY–THE HOUSE I GREW UP IN

 

Thanks to the Unknown Mami for hosting Sundays In My City

D H and I were out walking with the camera. We took a stroll down the street where I grew up and took a picture of our old house. We also took it for my Dad because we can help him remember some of the good times we had there.

The house was built in the early 1900’s. The lady we bought the house from raised 12 children in it. When my Dad wanted to pay a bigger portion of the mortgage she told him she wouldn’t know what to do with the money. I was married from this house.

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Word Saturday...

 

Happy Thanksgiving to our American Friends!

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY

 

This week 5QF is being Hosted by Kate from Kate's Life!

1} What snack/drinks do you eat at the movies?
I don’t go to the movies however at home I love plain popcorn.

2} What's one food you refuse to ever try?
Sweetbreads. My mother loves them.

3} What's your favourite nail polish color?
I am allergic to nail polish. 

4} What is your favourite thanksgiving tradition?
Having the family for dinner.

5} What are your least favorite words in the English language?
I hate …..

THRIVING THURSDAY- PONDERING WITH A PURPOSE

 

Pondering with a Purpose - Killing Time

This Week's prompt: Killing time

"This killing time.. is killing me."

Is that true for you too? Do you spend a lot time wasted just trying to make the time go by faster? Or do you  kill time when you should be doing other things?

Thanks to Brenda for hosting another thought provoking pondering. This is an interesting topic because so many people say they wouldn’t know what to do with themselves when they retire. I am going to tell how you can retire and not miss work.

First off a job should not be your life. There is more to living than a job. It is important to prioritize. Of course I am fortunate that D H is also retired. He had a head start. O f course he was worried that I would ruin the routine he had made for himself. Of course I just fit right in.

I have always had hobbies which has made it easier to settle because I can work on my knitting and crocheting throughout the day. I am also a big reader and have incorporated my walks into visits to the library to pick up books that I have not read. I get my exercise and save money as well.

Our health is very important to us because from witnessing others of the same age we know that without your health you limit your options. We watch our diet and take walks throughout our neighbourhood. We actually limit the use of our car and can walk to 4 grocery stores as well as the post office and 2 major malls.

We love to travel and are actually going to be cruising for 70 days next year. if aren’t actually travelling we are planning our travels. We also spend a lot of time with our family. Having grandchildren keeps us young and some what up to date.

I have seen examples of people who retire and can not adapt. Unfortunately they did not make plans for themselves. They got so used to their work routine that they sat and twirled their hands. Having a plan works.

As my title says “I am retired but I am not tired yet”

HODGE PODGE WEDNESDAY

 

 

1.  What rule of life should never be broken?

I think the rule about killing. No one has the right to take a life.

2.  What's your favourite family recipe?

Everyone in our house loves apple pie.

3.  Is the media manipulative?

I don’t let it manipulate me.

4. Hubs and I saw Skyfall last weekend...are you a fan of the Bond films? If so, who's your favourite Bond?

I have never seen a Bond movie and have no plans to see the new one.

5. What is one thing you hope people never say about you?

I hope  people never say I am getting old. My body may disagree but I hope my outlook stays young.

6.  What's a nearby tourist attraction you'd like to see, but haven't gotten around to visiting?

 I have never been to the Empire State building. New York state is close to us.

7.  Where's your favourite tree?

It is a toss up between a harlequin maple and a pine tree.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of trees when I die I would like my ashes to be buried under a tree that is planted for me. The harlequin maple because I love harlequin books or the pine tree because Christmas is my favourite holiday.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–OUT OF THE BEDROOM WINDOW

 

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

"Lessons Learned"

What's the most important lesson you have learned thus far in life? Did you "get it" straight away, or did it take a few tries? Share your wisdom.

I have learned many lessons in my 60 years in this world. One of the best lessons is “to go for it”.  If you don’t initiate your thoughts into action it won’t happen. I choose to life to the fullest and every day as if it is my last. I feel that destiny will come calling one day and in the meantime I am going to enjoy living.

While I have my health I want to be able to travel and make the most of my days. I am so glad I am retired now so that my time is my own. If you don’t have your health you are limited to what you can do. I see my parents as an excellent example. While they were able they got around. Now that their age has caught up with them they live on their memories.

I have learned that family is very important. I am so glad I had my children while I was young enough to keep up with them. They may not have had all of the luxuries however they were given a great education and the independence needed to be their own persons. I could only guide them to make the right choices. I did not make the choices for them.

I am still learning thanks to my grandchildren. They provide me with a young eye view of the world again. I watch again the stages that I may have missed with my own children.  i get such pleasure when they phone and sing to me or read me a story. Even the young ones who press the buttons on the phone to let me know they are listening.

I think my motto for life would be: LIVE! LOVE! LAUGH!

I hope everyone has a good day.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me hosted by Acting Balanced and Touristic

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 is your favourite kind of soup?

I love creamed soups – mushroom, asparagus or celery

2. When was the last time you saw snow?

Last April, 2012

3. What is a must have trait if someone is going to live with you?

They have to be able to share.

4. Who was your favourite James Bond?

Believe it or not I have never saw a James Bond movie  so I have no idea who is the best Bond.

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

My fifth question is:

What is your favourite restaurant?

SUNDAYS IN MY CITY–BIG BAND DANCE

 

Thanks to the Unknown Mami for hosting Sundays In My City.

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Six Word Saturday

Thanks to Cate for hosting Six Word Saturday...My six words for the week are..

Sleep in! Bubble bath! Good book!

The recipe for the perfect Saturday!

THRIVING THURSDAY–PONDERING WITH A PURPOSE

 

Pondering with a Purpose – Independent

Thank you Brenda for hosting:

Are you independent or do you lean on other people for your basic needs....

I would like to think that I am independent. I have been married for nearly 40 years to my wonderful husband. I married straight from home so I never lived on my own. My husband is the cook in the family and he has taken on most of the housekeeping roles. We work together to keep the family together.

The reason I think I am independent is because I can stand on my own in a crisis however I work well with others. During our 40 years together one of us will be the stronger person in the relationship. When I am sick hubby takes care of me and when he is sick I take care of him.

My mother raised all of us to be able to take care of ourselves.  She said that being married is a partnership. I can manage on my own however I can share responsibilities with others. I hope that I have given some of that independent spirit to my own children.

Being married doesn’t mean you have to give up your independence. It just means that you can support and be supported.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–VOLUNTEERING

b

Last Thursday D H and I volunteered at a school assembly for the www.sashbear.org foundation bringing mental health awareness to high school students

D H took the photos. Please be aware of mental health and help remove the stigma.

TEUSDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Thanks once again to Leslie for hosting the Tuesday Coffee Chat.  This week's theme is:

 

Heroes

                           

I have to write about 2 very strong women who are my heroes. My first hero is my grandmother who is pictured on the right with my grandfather.

My grandmother was 4 feet 11 inches tall. She gave birth to 19children and raised 9 of them. My mother was the oldest girl and had one sister and 7 brothers. My grandmother loved her cup of tea and the royal family. I think she associated herself with the Queen Mom. She was my guiding light.  My grandmother went back to school when she was 50 years old to become a nursing assistant. She worked in a correctional institute for wayward girls. She kept me on track. My grandmother also shared her love of reading with me. She too loved to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.

My mother, pictured on the left with my Dad is the other influence in my life. She raised 4 children and managed my father and his business. I admire my mother because she could change diapers, talk on the phone, help with homework and make dinner all at the same time.  My mother inspired an excellent work ethic. She is also the best scrabble player and has encouraged her grandchildren to be their best as well.

Both of these women have made me who I am today. Their influence is still reaching out to the women of the family. They taught me to be able to stand up for myself and be independent. They also showed me how to love.