SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

These are pictures taken from my parents’ apartment.

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

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Goodbye August! Hello September!Summer’s over!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly August is coming to a close. We don’t have anyone going back to school except our grandchildren so the dates don’t really matter to us. Our routine will change again to accommodate the school year. My swimming classes have stopped until October because the pool is closed for maintenance. Our dance class finished last night as well. We don’t start back until the middle of September.

This week we did have a wonderful visit with my parents. D H surprised me with a stay at a hotel on the way to my parents’ place. We had a lovely drive and then a wonderful dinner. The hotel was located on the Rideau River beside a lovely park. We had not been there before.

We went to see my parents because Mom needed a new walker. She had been accessed so we knew what kind to get for her. We made a day of it. We took her to lunch, then drove into the city following the back roads. She got some shopping done before she was fitted for her new walker.

The actual experience was amazing. Mom was treated like a queen. She was given options and tried several walkers to make sure they fit her to a tee. The one she got is just right and light enough that she can lift it herself.She will be more independent and be able to enjoy the rest of the summer.

WE have a quiet weekend ahead of us. Hope yours is full of fun and family!

This week’s co-host is Elizabeth from Silvers Book Reviews – she came up with ALL the statements:

The statements:

1. Living in Canada makes me appreciate all of the seasons.
2. Wondering what will happen always makes me crazy so I go with the flow.
3. Looking back I would have kept everything the same.
4. Listening to my grandchildren laughs makes me feel wonderful.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Cover me

Today’s word is COVER! Thanks to Brenda for hosting another Pondering!

I use shower caps to cover my food. I know you can buy then in kitchen stores but this way is a lot cheaper. Hotels provide the shower caps for free. The neat thing about shower caps is they conform to any shape. I can cover fruit, meat or even vegetable platters. It works wonders on pie plates too. No more messing with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Instead of covering my face with makeup to hide a zit, I use polysporin (neosporin) because it is anti-bacterial and cures the pimple without leaving a scar.

I use tablecloths to cover my dining room table and placemats for the tv trays. I have a beach cover-up for the pool.

I love reading the covers on books especially when I want to know more about the story.

My hubby will soon be covering the flowers with leaves for the winter and we will be putting more blankets on the bed to cover us.

I no longer have to cover for anyone at work however I do get called upon to cover for babysitting the grandchildren when an emergency arises.

I hope this covers some of today’s pondering. Come ponder with us and cover anything we have missed.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. As August draws to a close, share what's been your favorite weekend of the entire summer?

We had several lovely weekends this summer. I guess the best would be the weekend we celebrated D H’s birthday. Our son M and his family barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs. We also had a wonderful theatre weekend with our friends M and N. Of course the trip to our son’s cottage was good fun. Overall it has been a wonderful summer.

2. Labor Day is marked in the US of A on Monday, September 1st.  What paying job have you held that you've loved the most? Liked the least?

My favourite job was working in a Phone Centre. My least favourite job was being on the telephone and having people yell at me.

3. Does the new school year start before or after Labor Day where you live? When do you think it should begin? There is much discussion now about older students having later start times to their school day...your thoughts?

Our schools start after labour Day. It was assigned years ago so the children could help with the harvest when our society was farm oriented and it has never changed,

4. What's something you've worked at recently that could be deemed a 'labor of love'?

Babysitting the grandchildren is always a labour of love and I love it.

5.Which of the following work idioms can you most relate to right now...'A woman's work is never done.', 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' 'Many hands make light work.'

I’ll go with “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” because we are retired and we play a lot.

6. Crab or lobster or thanks, but no thanks? Favorite way to have your choice prepared?

No thanks! I eat absolutely no seafood.

7. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, 'Three rules of work: Out of clutter find simplicity; From discord find harmony; In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' Which of the three do you consider to be the most important? Share one of your own 'rules of work'.

“Out of clutter find simplicity”. Being retired we have time to sort through the clutter in the house and get rid of it. Our lives are much simpler these days,

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It has been a wonderful summer. It was not too hot and we have walked a lot. We have had busy times and some quieter times, a nice balance. September is going to be a quiet time. We have some work on the house to do as well as celebrate my Mom’s birthday and my SIL P’s birthday. We are looking into some cruises for next year which look very exciting. I love planning cruises.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Tuesday Coffee Chat with Leslie will return in September.

See you then!

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Heather & Wayne from Acting Balanced.  We are continuing to answer questions together.  Judy from Retired-not-Tired wanted us to reinstate #MQAM, so I challenged her to write this week's questions and she decided to go with a theme... Back to School

Here are the Questions:

1. What was your favourite grade in school?

Grade 6 was my favourite year. Our school was rebuilt and we had new classrooms. We were also looked upon as the seniors in the school because we changed schools for  grade 7 & 8.

2. What was your favourite subject?

My favourite subject is history. I still love reading historical novels as well.

3. What was your least favourite subject?

There were 2 actually – Math and Science.

4. Who was your favourite teacher?

My most memorable teacher was Mr. John Ford. He taught music and Latin in our high school. he was very temperamental and emotional however I sang in his choir after I left school as well.

My 5th question is:

If you went back to school now what would you study?

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

D H and I have been taking advantage of the cooler weather to get more walks in. Our favourite place is a beach near our house. This is what we saw this week:

The kites in the picture are attached to surfers in the water.

I can’t believe how clear the water is. That is the bottom of the lagoon.

Across the lagoon, looking at the sailing club.

Our city skyline from the opposite side.

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

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Another week! Another day! Another sameness!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

     

I have gotten into a lot of trouble this week because I did not blog on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. My daughter C called me out. The reason I didn’t blog is because the bloggers I work with took a vacation and did not post their blogs. I apologize to anyone who came looking for something new on my blog. Hopefully with everyone returning to school the bloggies will be back to work. I miss their blogs too.

Otherwise it has been a pretty typical week. I love the cooler weather and we have had several walks at our favourite beaches.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

This week’s co-host is Donetta from My Constant Thought. She came up with the two statements:

The statements:

1. Winter is my least favourite season.
2. When I was working I thought I would never be able to retire.
3. My worst subject in high school was math and because of that I met my husband because he was my math tutor. 
4. I write best when I am pressured.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Time to Ponder yet again!

Today's word is GLASS:

Glass has played a very important part in my life. My father owned a glass business and my husband worked in it for 30 years. My first math lessons were in giving prices over the phone. WE had a square footish book and then had to multiply to get the cost of a piece of glass.

I have been wearing glasses since I was in Grade 6. My first pair were bifocals. I just got new glasses because my old ones fell apart. I picked stronger frames because the grandchildren tend to pull on the glasses. I do not wear my glasses when I read or use the computer. I just need them for distance.

My grandchildren love to drink from my glasses because their parents drank from them when they were little. The glasses were originally Oma’s. They held mustard in them before we drank from them. Since everyone uses plastic containers now our children will not have the same experience. I can remember getting drinking glasses in boxes of soap. Now soap is liquid.

Lift a glass today!

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Last Sunday we ventured out to our son’s cottage for the day. It was a wonderful day to get away from the city.

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

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Cooler weather –  air conditioning not needed!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

This week has been busy. D H and I are taking advantage of the cooler weather to get out and walk. I am still doing my swim exercises and D H walks the Mall and does the shopping. We also had another ballroom dance lesson last night.

D H was surfing the cruise website and we think we have found an intriguing one. It is 50 days long and travels from Fort Lauderdale to the Mediterranean Sea. It is similar to the one we did last year except that Greece and Malta have been added as extra ports of call. Both of these places are on our bucket list. Something to save for and to dream about.

I had a lovely bus trip with my Retirement Group on Wednesday. We went to racetrack that has slot machines. On the way up I caught up with all of the happenings with my friend R and her family. When we got there they have us $10 in coupons that we had to use in the machines. Now I am not much of a gambler so I chose a machine that did the work for me. I made $15.45. I cashed out and used the money to pay for lunch.

A friend M who worked with us has moved to the town where the racetrack is. We made arrangements for her to us. She arrived and took us on a tour of her town as well as a visit to her new home. Her Mom and granddaughter were there to greet us. She has a lovely house and a gorgeous garden. She then came back with us and we had lunch together. There was a lot of laughter amongst the 3 of us. It was like old times.

After the race track we were bussed to the local theatre. We saw the play “City of Angels”. I had seen one of the actresses in a previous play. The young people were terrific as usual. Back on the bus and home again. I am so glad I was not driving. More giggles on the way home.

We have a quiet weekend ahead which is just fine by me.

This week’s co-host is Elizabeth from Silver’s Book Reviews. She came up with all last two statements

The statements:

1. When do you do your blogging?
2. Why is it that winter seems so long and summer seems so short?
3. During a commercial break I grab another cup of tea.
4. Singing in the car is a way to annoy my children.

Have a great day everyone!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

                

Welcome to Thursday everyone! It is time to ponder with Brenda.

Stand or stand is today’s ponder!

It is time to stand up and be noticed. Stand with you shoulder’s back for good posture. No slouching here.

You can stand up for yourself or be a stand in for someone else. There are hat stands, band stands, night stands and stand up lamps.

I remember a cheer we had in high school – “Stand up, sit down, fight, fight, fight”. Take a stand and have an opinion.

There is always the Grandstand. Our exhibition had one where we saw some wonderful shows. Our exhibition also signals the end of the summer as we prepare to send the children back to school.

I don’t if I can stand to see summer leaving even though I love the fall colours. It just means winter will be back as well.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. The best part of waking up is knowing that I don’t have to go to work.

2.  Given a choice, which animal interaction would you most like to experience (or for those non-adventurers...which would you dislike the least?)- Swim with the dolphins at one of several locations in the Florida Keys, a lion encounter ten minutes from Victoria Falls (Africa), or a day at a remote base camp high in the Big Sur wilderness via the Ventana Wildlife Society helping track California condors?

I would definitely like to swim with the dolphins.

3. What is something you fear about 'old age'? What is something you look forward to?

I fear that I will suffer from Alzheimer’s. My Dad has it and I am trying my best not to get it. I am looking forward to seeing my grandchildren get married and be around for my great-grandchildren.

4. Hot sauce...are you a fan? If you answered yes, what's something you make/eat that must have hot sauce? On a scale of 1-10 how hot is too hot?

No to hot sauce. I am a very sweet person not spicy at all.

5. It's been said that children learn what they live. What do you think children learn at your house?

My grandchildren are learning to live without a lot of technology. They eat home-made cookies and play board games.

6. What's your favorite movie with a number in it's title?

Miracle on 34th Street

7. Saturday (August 16th) is National Tell a Joke Day...share one here.

What is black and white and red all over? The newspaper!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Summer is fast coming to an end. The stores are advertising their “back to school” specials and our local exhibition is opening on Friday. We even saw some of the leaves turning colour while out driving on Sunday. The nights are getting cooler and we will need a sweater or a light jacket.

I am off on a bus trip today so may be late getting around to some of the other blogs. I will catch up.

NO HP August 20th, but we will return to our regularly scheduled programming the following week-August 27th, which if you can believe it, will be the last HP in August.

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

We live in a historic part of town. Our house is built on property that was once owned by the Ashbridge’s Family. Their house is still standing and is the gardens are open to the public.

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

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

The sun is shining! Life’s good!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

       

I haven’t much to frag about this week. Our daughter and her family made it home safely and we are fully recovered. It has actually been a little boring because we have no excuse to go to the park and play on the swings.

Dancing has resumed. We actually look forward to August because our teachers offer a practice dance session without a lot of teaching of new moves. We refreshed our west coast swing skills last night. How quickly we forget when we don’t use our skills on a regular basis.

We are grateful for the cooler weather and are using it to our advantage. We walked the neighbourhood last night and saw all of the home improvements everyone is doing. Unfortunately parking is at a premium on our street with all of the construction vehicles vying for space. It is also noisy with saws and drills making a lot of noise.

This is the first summer we have been home in 2 years. We are looking forward to cruising next year again. We just don’t know where.

I hope everyone has a good weekend!

This week’s co-host is Pam from Trooppetrie. She came up with the last two statements:

The statements:

1. Playing with my grandchildren is good fun as well as good exercise.
2. I am much better at supervising than doing the actual work.
3. In the winter I will travel south because winter in Canada is cold.
4. Growing up I ate olive sandwiches but as a adult I eat leftovers.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Plant it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today i am joining Patrice at Everyday Ruralty for Chats on the Farmhouse Porch as well as Brenda at BYGadventures for Pondering.

Our Questions for this week:

1. What's the earliest time in your life you can remember? Can you remember being 2 years old, 5 years old, etc? My earliest memory dates back to our move to our new house when I was about 4 years old. I remember walking to the corner store with my Dad. He bought his cigarettes and I began my life long love of penny candies. Does anyone remember blackballs? You could get 3 for a penny and they tasted like liquorice.
2. What's do you like to put on pasta? (Your favorite topping.) One of my favourite toppings is creamy Alfredo sauce. and my second choice is pasta primavera.
3. Is there something that takes time away from more important things in your life? (TV, internet, talking on the telephone, etc.) Watching tv is a time waster however I knit and crochet while watching tv.
4. Do you buy many clothes that are "high maintenance"? (Clothes that need to be ironed, dry cleaned, or hand washed) Absolutely not! I do not dry clean nor do I iron.
5. Please finish this sentence. "I'd like to visit the beach today and walk along the boardwalk”.

Today's word is PLANT:

D H has planted a lovely garden. He started his zinnias and marigolds from the seeds of last year’s flowers. He hopes to collect the seeds from the portilaci as well the zinnias and marigolds for next year.

There is a new hydro-electric plant being built in our neighbourhood. It will help prevent blackouts in the future. Right beside it is a recycling plant as well.

Have you ever planted clues for a treasure hunt or a scavenger hunt? This was a popular activity when my children were young. It could keep them busy and it helped to clean up the neighbourhood.

I don’t think I would ever consider an implant, would you?

Have I planted the seeds of an idea in your mind? If I have I hope you will ponder with Brenda.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. What would you say is the key to success?

Being happy! There can be no success without joy.
2. Have you ever been to the Florida Keys? Any desire to visit that part of the US of A?

Yes we have been to Key West several times. We may even go again next year. It is a very walkable city with lots of history and great shops and restaurants.

3. When and where did you last see a real live donkey? Monkey? Turkey?

We took the grandchildren to visit the farm where they saw the donkeys and the turkeys.

4. An old Portuguese proverb says, 'Beware of the door with too many keys.' What do you think this means? Share an example of how this has proven true or false in your own life.

I think this means that the door has many locks on it. If I see a lot of locks then I think the person inside may be paranoid. Are they keeping themselves in or the world out?

5. Besides your home, vehicle, and special jewelry, what is something you keep under lock and key?

Not much! It has always fascinated me that people keep the inexpensive things in their garage and their expensive car in the driveway.

6. When did you last get keyed up about something?

I got keyed up about all of the construction happening around our house as well as on the roads. It is getting harder to even go to the grocery store because of all of the construction.

7. Who thinks we need an easy one right about now?  Key lime pie...yes please or no thank you?

No thank you! I’ll take an apple pie though.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Very quiet around here since the grandchildren have gone home. Catching up on my reading and making a sweater for the oldest granddaughter. We are enjoying the summer weather and getting some walking in.

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

 

 

More shots of our visit to Centre Island!

It was a wonderful day!

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