TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

I am joining Les at Time Out for Mom for today’s coffee chat:

Skipping Out!

This is the time of year which brings back fond memories of when I might not be found sitting in class during school hours:  for various reasons.  If you could "skip" a day -- what would you do?

Skipping out has never been easier since I retired. My days are spent moving at a more leisurely pace. I can take my time over my coffee and my breakfast. There is no need to hurry. I am even in night clothes as I write this at 10:27 am. Unless I have a function I need to attend I can take my time.

When I was working I would think about getting out and walking around. I love to walk the beach and I love to plan our trips. I never really skipped school when I was in high school although I loved to get out of gym. It was easy to fake an injury especially with my wonky ankle. It could turn out in a minute and I would limp through the day.

These days I love to spend time with the grandchildren. They keep me young and on my toes. I think I would love to go `skipping`with them.

Whatever you do have a great day and enjoy the Spring now that it has arrived!

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

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

Here are the Questions:

1. Do spelling and grammar mistakes annoy you?

Yes! As a former teacher I wish grammar and spelling were more important in schools. I am most bothered by advertising and television shows that are not correct. “Toys R Us” bothers me a lot.

2. If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?

I would love to have been at my parent’s wedding. They just celebrated 64 years last week.

3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a teacher. I taught my sister everything she knows.

4. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t grow up! I have a new grandson and a year from now he won’t be a baby. They grow up too fast?

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

5. How do you plan to spend your tax refund?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Spring has finally arrived! Our first beach walk of the season!

I showed you mine now show me yours!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Welcomed new grandson, babysat his sisters!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop! with Hilary g.

This week’s co-host is JANICE from TICK TOCK MY CLOCK– She came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:

1. The color purple   reminds me of my birthday since amethyst is my birthstone.

2. Lately I have been making a lot of baby outfits as there are   so many babies being born this year.

3 Does the sound of breaking glass make you run for the vacuum cleaner and tell the kids to stay away since they don’t wear shoes in the house?

4.When I wander around the neighbourhood I meet a lot of neighbours outside in their gardens.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Pondering with a Purpose - Switch

Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose – with Brenda Youngerman

Today's prompt is: Switch

The first thought to come to mind this morning was the switch which is an old fashioned device used for punishment. To write this blog I had to switch on the light switch. Have you ever wanted to switch places with someone else? I always say we should walk in someone else’s shoes before we criticize them.

Since I have retired I have switched my priorities. I have also switched my activities. Yesterday we switched the family around as we added our new grandson, Thomas. The granddaughters are staying with us while Mom and baby get better acquainted. We even switched cars so that I could drive the girls in their car seats. They didn't have to switch. It is unusual enough that they have switched beds for a couple of days.

The next few days will be interesting as we switch our schedule to fit the new arrival. Welcome Thomas!

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

Welcome to another week in the Wednesday Hodgepodge!  Hosted by Joyce at:

1. April showers bring May flowers...what have you been showered with this month?

I have actually been to a bridal shower this month as my niece K is getting married in May. I am also planning a baby shower for my other niece K who is having her first baby in August.

2. What is the nature of compassion?  Is it learned or innate?  Can compassion be learned?  If you're a parent is this something you've purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?

I think compassion is understanding other people and why they do what they do. One time my son was driving and he complained that an older person was driving the car in front of him. It wasn’t going quite as fast as he wanted it to go so he complained. My response was to say “Would you want someone to say that to your grandmother?” It gave him pause for thought. I believe everyone should walk in someone else’s shoes before they complain.

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama...or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?

I prefer romantic comedy. I am a crier so if it gets too dramatic I use more than one box of tissue. At least if I laugh I can only use a few and be careful not to wet my pants.

4.  It's April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying "A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." Agree or Disagree?

Disagree! I am neither a baseball fan or a hotdog fan.

5. What's something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?
6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.

Roads with potholes. We live in Canada where the weather changes are dramatic and very hard on our roads.

7. April 22nd is Earth Day...do you believe there's life on other planets?  That wasn't the question you were expecting was it?

Yes there could be life on other planets just not the same as we have here on Earth.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We have been called to duty today as our grandson’s imminent arrival is happening as we speak. We will have the girls staying with us for a few days while Mom and baby bond. Last week I mentioned that I was working on blankets and outfits for all of the babies that are expected this year. I had hubby photograph a few of them. I hope you like them.

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Joining Les for Tuesday Coffee Chat

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

What Was, or What's to Be?:   If you had the choice of going back in the past to a specific time in history, OR, if you could travel ahead into the future (you are coming back to present, don't worry) --- which would you choose?

I have often started a conversation with “If you could go back 20 years what would you have done differently?” This lets people tell you about themselves as well as give a glimpse into their lives.

In our case if hubby had been able to quit school instead of getting a useless BA in forestry would we be in a better place. If we had not had 3 children in 2 1/2 years would we be in a better place.

Would my hubby have made a great teacher? Would we have more money if we did not have children? Would we have travelled more? Would we have a big house with 4 bedrooms, walk-in closets and a pool in the backyard?

We will never know. Our future now is planning for our wonderful cruises that are coming up this year. We have 5 wonderful grandchildren and number 6 should arrive any day now. Yes we live in a 6 room closet however it is big enough for the 2 of us to keep clean and maintain.

We have made our lives work and have love and laughter to keep us well. So I guess in answer to the question – It is good to look back but looking to the future holds wonderful opportunities and hopefully a lot of joy.

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. Who do you like to quote?

I like to quote Mark Twain – golf is a good walk spoiled.

2. Have you ever made something you wore out in public?

Absolutely I used to knit sweaters by the dozen. I still have a few I wear occasionally.

3. When was the last time you used a telephone (not a cell phone)?

Every day. My cell phone is for emergencies only.

4. What was the first recording you bought with your own money?

I think I bought a Paul Anka record with my own money.

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 favourite card game?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together! Thanks to Unknown Mami for hosting:

 

Blooming in the snow!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Joining Cate for “Six word Saturday”

Celebrating daughter C’s birthday this weekend!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

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

This week’s co-host is Uttley from Uttley’s Take – he came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:

1. I hate drivers who are pushy. I think they are selfish when they try to butt in to line especially from the right hand lane.

2. I used to love playing cards as a kid. Even now that I am grown up I love card games.

3. Common sense says I should be more tolerant but I tend to get frustrated any way.

4. Once, I was surprised to find myself pregnant. Oops!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose – hosted by Brenda Youngerman

 

 

Today's prompt is: Twist

 

Can we put a twist on this post? Of course I can dance the “Twist”. I learned this dance by watching television. One of the original singers, Chubby Checker, demonstrated how to do this dance. He said you start by pretending to grind a cigarette with your foot and then you rub yourself dry with a towel around your back. Since this was a dance we danced often we have actually won several twist contests.

I loved twist donuts. They had a wonderful sugar glaze on them. Where are they now?

I don’t drink anymore however we used to get a twist of lemon on the side of a gin and tonic.

I fell in love with my husband while playing a game of “Twister”. This game is still around however I can no longer get down and hold those positions anymore. My children do though. Will my grandchildren ever play it?

If I spend a lot of time on my knitting and crocheting I can get twisted up as well.

Can you think of any other twists?

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

Every Wednesday bloggers meet here for a fun random meme known as The Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks to Joyce for being a marvellous host.

Here we go-

1. April 15th is the deadline for Americans to file their state and federal income tax returns.  What's a job you do on a regular basis that could be described as 'taxing'?

In Canada our tax deadline is April 30th and doing the taxes is taxing. This year is especially difficult because it is my first form since I retired. Hubby does the actual work on the form for me however keeping him from killing me is most taxing of all. Unfortunately I also have to give the government a cheque.

2. I'm participating in the April A-Z blog challenge, and the Hodgepodge happens to fall on Day O this week. In keeping with that theme...olives, onions, oysters, okra...of the foods mentioned, what's your favourite O food?

I love olives and I used to make olive sandwiches. I don’t eat them as often as I used to because they are salty.

3.  What is something memorable you experienced as a child that your own children (or future children/nieces/nephews) will not get to experience?

I spent my whole summer at the cottage. My children were lucky enough to get a few days a year there however my grandchildren will never have that priviledge as the cottage has been sold.

4. Term limits for our elected officials...your thoughts?

Yes there should be a limit to the terms an elected official can stay in office especially our senators who appointed not elected. A lot of patronage jobs and they don’t seem to do much.

 

5. On April 18th, 1775, Paul Revere made his famous 'midnight ride'...when did you last make a midnight ride?  Perhaps the fate of a nation wasn't hanging in the balance, but tell us where you were headed anyway.

Midnight rides are in the very distant past. We don’t like to drive at night and unless it is New Year’s Eve we are home and in bed by 10pm.

6.  What would freak you out more...a mouse running across your floor or a big fat hairy spider?

Definitely the mouse. I can appreciate a spider but mice seem so messy and dirty.

7. I love it when people ask me how old I am especially when I want a senior’s discount.

8.  Insert your own random thought here

Spring seems to finally be arriving. D H was out planning his garden as he barbequed dinner last night. I was also worried with so many babies on the way this year that the boys would out number the girls however according to my blanket delivery I think it could be pretty even. I just know I am working very hard at my knitting and crocheting to keep up. As fast as I finish a set I have an order for 2 more. I wonder if there is something in the water or was it just a very long winter?

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Hello and welcome to this weeks' Coffee Chat! Thanks Les for providing our inspiration this week!

 

Tuesday April 16, 2013

All Fun and Games. 

What were your favourite board games growing up?  Do you still play?

I spent my childhood at a cottage. My mother would take us as soon as school got out for the summer. We returned the day before school started again. Board games as well as card games were and still are a big part of my life.

Our favourite games were scrabble and bridge. To this day everyone tries to beat my mother at scrabble. My son M actually memorized the dictionary for all of the 2 letter words especially beginning with Q. It was a great day in his world when he beat Grandma.

The other game that glued our family together is bridge. We had marathon bridge games with my father at the helm. We played on the kitchen table and my mother actually called a halt to the game so dinner could be served. It was clear for an hour before we started it again. My niece S actually called the game “Pass”. If Dad didn’t know what to bid he called 3 no trump.

When DH and I travel we always carry the cribbage game as well as Rumikub. We met a wonderful couple from Texas who saw us playing cards and taught us how to play “Hand and Foot”. We played after lunch every day on the cruise.

My grandfather always said “ When you go for a hike, make sure you have a deck of cards with you because if you get lost just sit down and start to play solitaire. You won’t be lost long because someone will come along and tell you to put the black jack on the red queen.”

My daughter H will tell you that she learned to count – ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king.

To this day we play bridge, cribbage, poker and spite and malice on the computer.

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. What is your best solution for getting rid of a headache?

Take 2 aspirins with a cup of coffee then have a nap.

2. Do you enjoy taking naps?

Absolutely especially since I am retired and can sleep when I want. If I want to stay up late I especially need a nap.

3. What was the last 'block buster' movie you saw at the theatre?

We haven’t been to a movie theatre in years. We saw “Mary Poppins” in live theatre in March.

4. If you could have anyone cook you dinner who would it be?

I have the best cook in the world – D H and I wouldn’t change him for anyone else.

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

Have you started planning your summer vacation yet?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Our drive to celebrate Dad’s birthday looked like this:

The weather folks called this a winter storm however technically it is spring. The poor trees also suffered a lot of damage when the ice melted.

Let’s travel the world together!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

 

Happy 86th Birthday, Dad. Love yah!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop! by hilaryg. This week’s co-host is Tami from Empty Nest in Il – she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:

1. I don’t like to cook or clean.

2. I love to take my time in the morning.  No more rushing around getting ready for work.

3. If I could change one thing in my life it would be a chance to spend more time with my parents. They live 4 1/2 hours away.

4. If I was better at saving, I would have more money to spend now.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Pondering with a Purpose - Light or Lite

Welcome to Pondering with a Purpose – by Brenda Youngerman

I am joining Brenda as we ponder words with double meanings. I love the challenge. It is like word association and we get to look at the world together.

Today we look at light or lite.

Light brightens our lives. There is sunlight, daylight,moonlight, stop lights and light bulbs. There is light and fluffy like whipped cream and cotton candy. Light-hearted, light footed, light weight, and light load.

There is red light, green light and caution light as well as night light and candle light. You light up my life and are the light of my life.

These days there are lite snacks as well as lite foods. I know I have missed a lot of light so if you can think of anymore let me know.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

Hodgepodge Questions

Every Wednesday bloggers meet here for a fun random meme known as The Wednesday Hodgepodge.  All are welcome to join the party, and you'll find the how-to by clicking this link.
Now, onto the questions-

1. Share one fun thing you did last week, while the Hodgepodge was on 'spring break'.

I changed my hair colour from red to blonde. You can see my hair on my Sunday in the City blog.

2.  April 10th is National Sibling Day...do you have siblings, and if so are you close? Share a favourite story featuring one or all of your siblings. If you don't have siblings, did you ever wish you did?

I am the oldest of 4 children. I have 2 sisters and a brother. One sister is 18 months younger and the other is 9 years younger. My brother is 3 years younger. I am closest to my younger sister since we live in the same part of town also our husbands worked together for years. My one sister is a doctor and lives in the same city as my parents. I always said that she learned to be a doctor because I taught everything she knows.

3. Is it important to you to 'buy American'? Why or why not? How much of an effort do you make to 'buy American'? If you're not American, insert your own country in the blank.

I am Canadian however I do shop in the US since there is a larger selection and sometimes better deals however I still shop very carefully. I do try to support local businesses in our area.

4. Besides The Bible, what book has impacted your spirituality in some way?

I am not very spiritual however I did take a university course on “Ways of being religious” It was wonderful and gave me an appreciation of all of the religions. I believe in God just not the church.

5. April showers bring May flowers or so the saying goes.  Do you find rainy days calming or depressing?  When were you last caught in a rainstorm? What's blooming in your neck of the woods today?

I understand the need for rain and love the garden however I miss my walks when it is cold and rainy. We are even expecting snow this week. The poor crocuses keep poking their heads out and going back in just the groundhog should have.

6. What's your favourite yellow food?

Bananas. I have a mean banana cake recipe as well.

7. April is National Poetry Month...what's a poem that holds special meaning for you, and why is it special?

Not really into poetry and my memory is short these days.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

D H and I are off to visit my parents. We are going to celebrate my Dad’s 86th birthday which is actually on Saturday. We haven’t been to see them since last fall because the weather has been so poor. Even now the forecast is not great however we will drive carefully.

It is also getting closer to the arrival of our newest grandson. It looks like he should arrive on time. This is going to be a baby year. Every time I talk to our friends I hear of another baby on the way. Good thing I bought that extra wool as I am going to need it.

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Good morning and welcome to this weeks' Tuesday Coffee Chat with your host Rory.

 

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Not Myself These Days:

If you could live another person's life for a week, who would you choose?    Will it be the opposite sex?  A celebrity?  

Or, make the prompt interesting: is it the cat's life for you?

I would like to be my mother and my grandmother. They are the matriarchs of the family. They have kept the family going. They raised large families. They supported their families along with their husbands.

My grandmother actually went back to school at age 50 to become a registered nurse. She also bought the first family home. She raised 19 children.

My mother had 4 children and ran the family business for 50 years. She is also looking after my father who has Alzheimer's.

These were very strong women and I have a great admiration for all that they have accomplished. I hope my children will say the same about me in years to come.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

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

 

There is no quiz this week as Heather at Acting Balanced had to get the children off to school after their Spring break. Also I was away overnight babysitting the grandchildren so I didn’t write anything either. Hopefully next weekend won’t be so busy.

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together! Hosted by Unknown Mami

 

                      

 

You asked to see my new hair do. Here it is. I showed you mine now show me yours!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

New look for Spring, went blonde!

FRIDAY FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

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

This week’s co-host is Tammy from Empty Nest In Illinois – she came up with the last two statements! Thanks Hilary for the questions.

This week’s statements:

1. I don’t remember the last time I wished I was working again.

2. Sometimes I babysit my grandchildren but usually we just play together.

3. When I think of my childhood, I remember summers at the cottage.

4. I am not cook, but I like to bake.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Pondering with a Purpose - Sign

Today's prompt is: Sign

The first thought to come to mind is “What sign are you?” That used to be a conversation starter many years ago. Is it still? I am a Pisces through and through. I am a dreamer of dreams and a wisher of wishes. In the Chinese horoscope I am a Water Dragon. Last year was the year of the Dragon and since I turned 60 and the water dragon is only around once every 60 years I was very lucky.

I often used to say that I signed my life away. It was usually on cheques to pay the bills. You don’t even have to sign the Mastercard anymore since the computer age and the chip came in. Does anyone even write cheques these days?

I also see rainbows and think of them as signs of goodness. I took a job once because the building had rainbows every day from a glass ceiling. It was just a prism effect but it made very happy to go to work.

There is also a song “Signs, signs everywhere are signs”. Don’t ask me who sang it but it was catchy. I suppose I could find the answer on the internet but I’ll leave that up to anyone who reads this.

I will sign off now and look forward to your pondering in the future. Thank you Brenda for showing us the way.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–LOOKING FOR SPRING

 

TUESDAY COFFEE CHAT

 

Happy Tuesday all!   Welcome to Coffee Chat with Les at Time out for Mom.

 

 

Road Trip!!

Where are you going?
You can take 3 people....who are they, and what are their responsibilities on the trip.

I love road trips. Getting in the car and travelling through Canada and the US is amazing.  I actually prefer cars to airplanes. Of course if we could take a boat that would be better however this a road trip not a sea cruise.

D H and I actually had a wonderful road trip last fall. We took our daughter C and my sister B. Poor hubby was the lone man standing. He took his role very seriously and guided us safely to and from our destination. We went to visit our daughter H and her family.

Since we have done this trip often, we followed the usual route. It was great to get a different perspective on the same places. One of the favourite spots proved to be our Rest Stops. The rule is that everyone breaks at the same time whether there is a need to go or not. The big draw was the hand dryers. Some won hands down while others left us hanging.

When we arrived at our destination, C and B stayed with H while D H and I tried out a long stay motel down the way from H. The room was basic however it gad a TV and a shower. We could make our breakfast very morning and the cleaned the place once a week.

We shopped and toured and played at the beach. Everyone had a great time and we look forward to doing it again.