MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced.

Here are the Questions:

1. Did you get what you wanted for Christmas?

Yes! I got a cruise to Europe for 42 days however I have no cruise for 2014 yet.

2. Do you plan to make New Year's Resolutions or set new goals?  What do you resolve or hope for in the new year?

I don’t make resolutions however staying healthy is always a top priority.

3. December 30th is National Bicarbonate of Soda day - (yes this is really a day) - what do you use it for?

I use it to keep the refrigerator smelling fresh. I have used it to clean pots and pans as well.

4. Liam wants to know what kind of car you drive... or what kind of car is your dream car?.

We drive a Ford Taurus. Our next car should be a Lincoln.

My 5th question is:

Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

I am joining unknownmami.com for a look at our city. Our city was hit with an ice storm over a week ago. There are people who still have no power. We were one of the lucky few who kept our lights and heat. The trees were covered in ice and took down hydro wires. They do make good pictures though.

I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Good-bye 2013,  a very good year!!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Friday Fragments:

hosted by Mrs. 4444

 

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Ours was quiet as our families spread out. H and her family were at home in Charleston S C and Skype us to show off their gifts. Daughter C and her husband P travelled to Sarnia to spend Christmas with his family. We still talked on the phone especially since they left before the power was restored at their house. We check on Missy the cat every day.

Son M and his family had us for Christmas Eve dinner. Grammy went with the children to the Christmas Eve service. Grandson T is going to be a dancer since he be-bopped through the whole service. We also witnessed his first crawl as he finally made his way to the doors he has been coveting for a while.  Granddaughter F provided a concert while waiting for her turn in the bath. Granddaughter E was so excited to read to Grampy. She got chapter books for Christmas and is nearly finished them all.

D h has gotten some amazing pictures of the winter wonderland created by Mother Nature.

 

This week’s co-host is PAM from TROUPPETRIE she who came up with the last two statements.

The statements:

1. Every time I hear a child laughing I think of my grandchildren.
2. Sometimes I feel like I forgot how to stay warm because I have been cruising so much.
3. So if there was one New Years resolution you could make it would be to stay healthy because you know you can keep it
4. If I could have any pet it would be a fish and I would share  it with my grandchildren.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Happy Boxing Day!

We still have ice and snow. There are still people in the city without heat and lights. We are lucky. We only have to shovel the snow away and sit back to enjoy the white Christmas.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY–NO HODGE PODGE

 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We are having a white Christmas and it is very cold!

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Monday Quiz

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced.

Here are the Questions:

1. What is left on your holiday to do list? Nothing. Everything is ready for a very quiet Christmas.

2. December 24th,along with being Christmas Eve, is National Egg Nog Day - will you partake?  Homemade? Store Bought?
Unfortunately we allergic to eggs so egg nog is not on our list at any time of the year.

3. Do you leave treats for Santa and his Reindeer?We are not on Santa’s route anymore although we used to leave cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and raisins for the reindeer.

4. Elf on a Shelf, pro or con? Neither pro nor con.

5th question is:

Will you be the host or the guest for Christmas Dinner this year?

Merry Christmas Everyone! Stay safe and healthy!

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

As I mentioned yesterday we are away for our theatre weekend. We saw “White Christmas”  and “Legends of Harmony” in a pretty Mennonite town of St Jacob’s. We spent the night in the Holiday Inn hotel. D H went out to see what happened overnight. Here are our morning pictures.

I hope everyone stays safe!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

Thank you Cate for sharing your blog!

A theatre weekend, seeing three plays!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Friday Fragments

Thanks to Mrs. 4444's for hosting the Frags.

What a week this has been. It has been very busy however it was a lot of fun. We had many long trips to make. The longest to Ottawa to see my parents. Unfortunately we could not make it for the weekend  but the weather cooperated on Monday. Despite the extreme cold we encountered very few problems. We made it in the same time as we do in fair weather. My Mom was especially pleased with her visit with H who also worked on her computer.

While H was here we did some marathon shopping as well as lots of visiting. H’s mother-in-law fell and broke her shoulder and cannot leave the house. The prognosis is lots of pain and a long recovery. The best time was the family dinner and early present opening. Everyone was pleased with their gifts and D H did a wonderful job of cooking a roast. The evening was completed by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause.

We also travelled back to Buffalo so that H could catch her flight home. On the way we stopped at the outlet mall where I was able to pick up 2 bathing suits for only $50.  They will be put to good use when I return to aquafit in the new year.

Our hecticness will continue this weekend as we fit 3 plays in as well as a shopping trip to Mary Maxim. Hopefully I can get enough wool to last the winter.  Let’s hope the weather cooperates as well.

I hope everyone has a safe, healthy and happy Christmas!

This week’s co-host is BETH ANN from IT’S JUST LIFE – she who came up with the last two statements.

The statements:

1. How is it that there never seems to be enough time in the day?
2. I can’t believe how much easier it was to be retired than to work.
3. I like my children and grandchildren. Thanks to DH for making it happen.
4. If I could I would live on a cruise ship all day and travel around the world.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

This blog went up late on Wednesday and with taking daughter H to the airport and babysitting for son M, I didn’t get a chance to do this blog with Patrice and Wendall so I am doing it a day late. It is just a week away until Christmas Day and we seem to be caught in a whirlwind of activity. I guess being away for 8 weeks before Christmas puts a rush on everything.  There will be no post on next week’s blog so to all of my followers “Have a very merry Christmas!”

Questions

1. What is your favorite way to have potatoes? I love baked potatoes (only hubby can make them right). While on the cruise I ate french fries because they had malt vinegar. (Yummy!!)
2. Do you keep your house toasty warm or a bit cooler? We keep our house cool. It is easier to put on an extra sweater and a pair of socks. My daughter C comes bundled for living in an igloo.
3. What would you most like to see under the tree? Another cruise however I know that won’t happen for a while.
4. Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?This one may not translate to other countries- Just tell us something you want if you don't know what I'm talking about.  I would love to spend more time with my grandchildren. I don’t need a gym membership with them around. They also keep smiles on my face.
5. Have you put up a Christmas tree this year? We have a very small table tree which hubby put up on Monday because we had an early Christmas dinner while daughter H was here. Everyone is going off on their own this year so it was good to get together while we could. Christmas is not just a day  as long as we can celebrate together.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY & HODGE PODGE

 

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge...

I'll be taking a break from the Hodgepodge next week (12/24) because CHRISTMAS!, but will be back to ring in the New Year the week after (12/31).

1. Do you believe in miracles?

Yes! Every day is a miracle. I can find something wonderful every day. A conversation with my mother or my grandchildren keeps me believing in miracles.

2. What's a recent fad you admit to trying?

Sorry i am not really into fads. I am set in my ways and like it. My kids want me to try an e-reader however I like my books. On the cruise I saw a lot of people using them e-readers so I am thinking I should get on that bandwagon.

3. Peppermint-are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?

I have always like peppermint patties.
4. Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.

I am going to choose “cold as ice” because I have had a really hard time getting into the Christmas spirit however that all changed last night. The grandchildren came for dinner and Santa made a surprise visit. My “Santa Baby” Christmas tree was a huge hit. The youngest grandson danced for us. It really warmed my heart.

5. Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?

Not that I can think of and yes I am still friends with all of my friends.

6.  'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or the Grinch before his heart grew?

I was feeling like Grinch however I am now Buddy the Elf.

7. Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.

I have been quoting “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” as we gradually get into the spirit. Decorating the house and having the grandchildren over have made a big difference.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I would like to thank everyone who followed my blog while I was cruising this year. I could become very boring next year as I stay home and work on being retired.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

Tuesday, December 17th/13
If you were Santa, want food/drink would you want left for you?

I am joining Les at Time out for Mom for her weekly coffee chat. I really missed joining in while I was away. Glad to be back.

If I were Santa I would want to have a warm cup of tea and a piece of apple pie for my travels. Tea is the best for keeping us going. I like it better than coffee and it has about the same amount of caffeine. It was my Grandmother’s stand-by. Whenever there was a problem she felt it could be solved over a cup of tea. It must of worked because I am still here. (My mother didn’t kill me!)

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. What better way to get our vitamins than in a pie. It has all of the food groups especially when there is cinnamon on the apples. Of course add a little ice cream on the side for the total package.

I wish everyone including Santa a Very Merry Christmas! (Next week is Christmas Eve and Les needs time to pack the sleigh! She will back in the New Year!)

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced.

Here are the Questions:

1. What song represents your last week? “Let it snow” since it has practically been snowing since we got home.

2. Have you made your list and checked it twice? Made a list and have finished all but one sweater.

3. December 16th (Tuesday) is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day... what is your favorite thing to eat covered in chocolate? Ice cream with chocolate sauce.

4. Speaking of songs, what Christmas Carol is following you around this year? “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” and “White Christmas”.

My 5th question is:

Will you drive when it is snowing?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

It’s going to be a white Christmas. Sadly the weather has curtailed our travel plans. H came home specifically to see her Grandmother. It is a 5 hour drive in the best of conditions so I don’t think we will make it. We left the sunny Mediterranean as well as the Caribbean for this.

 

I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

 

Snowing! May curtail some weekend activities!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS AND FOUR FILL-IN FUN

 

Friday Fragments:

Follow Friday Fill In Blog Hop –

The statements:

1. I am a cold girl and missing the warmth of the Florida and Mediterranean suns
2. When I was little I was thumb sucker.
3. Sometimes I just need to stay home but I love cruising so much.
4. The best thing about the holidays is family although we will not be spending it together.

We have made it home after being away for almost 8 weeks. It seems like a long time. I am not quite ready to get back into the groove. There is so much going on with the family as well as the grandchildren. Our calendar is filling up fast We haven’t got any Christmas decorations up however I did get my Christmas cards mailed. This may be the last year for cards as the Post Office is raising the cost of a stamp to $1. They are also going to stop door to door delivery. We don’t get a lot of mail but I wonder at the impact this will have on the card companies. I liked sending cards and receiving them.

We are going dancing tonight and hopefully catching up with a few friends. The weather for the weekend does not bode well for travelling to see my parents. I hate driving in the snow. I always worry about the guy behind me. I know I will stop in time but will he. It was scary coming through the States in a snow storm with an 18 wheeler behind me.

Thanks again to my faithful followers and I promise to get a look at your blogs as soon as I can.  Have a wonderful weekend!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

We are driving home. We have left the sunny warm temperatures of the Caribbean and Florida. We took a rest stop at the New River Gorge bridge. This what we saw:

We expect to be even colder when we get home.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY AND HODGE PODGE

 

After the storm!

Hodgepodge Questions:

1. Are you doing anything special to mark this season of Advent? If so please share.

Unfortunately with our cruise running so long we have very few plans for advent. The only deadline to get home for was our Christmas Dance on Friday December 13th.

2. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen...and of course you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...so, which reindeer name best describes you this week?

I guess Cupid would best describe me this week. I have spent the time loving the grandchildren.

 
3. What's worse-too quiet or too loud? Which have you had more of lately?

I have had a lot of too loud. The grandsons have me in high spirits.

4. This question comes to you from Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens-thanks Zo!
When you are administratively gifted, how often do you find yourself not trusting less gifted people to do what they've committed to do?  If you are not so gifted that way, but are reliable, how do you feel when the stronger person (in that area) goes ahead and covers it before giving you a chance to come through?

I have organized many events in my time and have always allowed people to show their strengths. Praise for their work is my job.

5. What is your most dreaded task relating to the holidays? Your most looked forward to holiday task?

Shopping for Christmas since I don’t like to shop. Fortunately decorating is my hubby’s forte and he does it so well. I usually like to bake as well however this year I am not doing much.

6. Facebook has released its list of the 'most talked about' topics of 2013. Pope Francis took the number one spot.  Does that surprise you? He was followed by election, royal baby, typhoon, and Harlem Shake. Your thoughts? What was your most talked about topic in 2013? (Facebook, around the kitchen table, or wherever it is you talk)

My most talked about topic was our cruises as well as our 40th wedding anniversary. It has been an exciting year.

7. What's something you consider a necessity that others might view as a luxury?

My car. I drive a Ford Taurus which is big enough to hold the grandchildren as well as all of our luggage when we travel. It does use a lot of gas compared to the smaller cars.

8.  Insert your own random thought here

It is official we are heading home today. We are leaving the warm south for the freezing cold North. We will encounter snow which we had hoped to avoid. Our daughter H will leave her husband and children for one week. She will have to fly home since her mother-in-law fell and broke her shoulder. The best laid plans of mice and men.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

Tuesday, December 10th/13
What is the best thing that has happened to you, since last Christmas?

It gives me great pleasure to join in the Coffee Chat with Les again. I have missed it. Thank you Les for following my blog and even commenting. There were times when sending the blog was a challenge and I wasn’t sure how many people were actually reading it. It wasn’t easy getting access on a satellite connection in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

2013 has been a very big year for us. It is my second year of retirement and we have managed to take 3 cruises. The first was in February when we cruised the Southern Caribbean and had the pleasure of our friends M & N who joined us last minute. Of course the cruise in August included both M & N as well as D and M. It was wonderful travelling through Scotland and Norway. There were lots of laughs.

D H celebrated 40 years of wedded bliss! The kids gave us a party to remember. We were delighted when an usher, bridesmaid, flower girl and singer could join us.

Lastly of course is the finishing up of our 42 day cruise. We are not home yet since we made a stop in Charleston to visit with our grandchildren. We will head home tomorrow and take H back with us. It will be a busy time until Christmas as we are booked for several holiday parties as well.

I hope next year can be as exciting as this year was. I know there will be less cruising but I am sure there will still be travelling.

 

Today's Questions

1. Have you baked any Christmas cookies yet? I made some shortbread cookies before I left on my cruise however I haven’t made any since I am not home yet. Not sure if I will since no one is coming for Christmas.
2. Have you finished your shopping yet? And what did you get me? I didn’t shop this year. The grandchildren are getting sweaters, hats and mittens that I have made. Everyone else will get cash.
3. If you had reindeer like the story of Santa, what would you name them. (Be creative.) Remember, they were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolf. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go on to the next question, please.  I like the names however I am not creative so they would probably be named John, Paul, George, Ringo, Tom, Dick, Harry and Sid.
4. What was the most memorable Christmas gift you ever gave or received? D H and I give each other cruises for Christmas.
5. Please tell me something new, interesting, or funny. Also, Wendell could use some encouraging words to feel better- just saying. :) I joined a writer’s club while I was on the cruise. It is encouraging me to think about writing my memoirs. My mother really wants me to get started before I get too old and forget things.
6. I am so glad to be back to writing and sharing the blogs again. Keep up the good work.

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced.

Here are the Questions:

1. Today is National Christmas Card Day - do you send Christmas Cards?

Yes I sent Christmas cards. I wrote them in October before we left on our cruise and then my daughter C mailed them for me. The only one I mailed myself was to England.

2. What item do you "always" buy when it goes on sale at the Grocery Store?

Toilet paper. I refuse to pay regular price.

3. Certain flavours are associated with Christmas/December - what flavor do you most associate with the holiday season?

I think peppermint when I think of Christmas. Of course chocolate is a standard holiday flavour, no matter what the holiday.

4. Do you think gift cards are a good idea for Christmas or are they a cop-out?

Too bad kids I think gift cards are the best unless it is just cash. The older children are too hard to buy for.

My 5th question is:

Will you have to travel to spend Christmas with your family?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

Let’s travel the world together!

We aren’t quite home yet. We have made a stop at our daughter’s. The grandsons took us to their favourite place, Caw Caw Conservation Area. The day was so warm that even the alligator came out for a swim.

I’ve shown you mine, now show me yours!