Friday, October 31, 2014

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Feeling Beachie               

Half-Past Kissin' Time

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the Halloween edition of Friday Fragments with Mrs. 4444 at Half past kissing time and Four fill in fun with Hilary at Feeling Beachie.

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We were out at the Grandchildren’s place and helped carve the pumpkins. The big one is E’s, the middle one is F’s and the little one is T’s. They helped with the designs and Grampy brought out his special knife to get through them. Their neighbours go all out in the decoration department.

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Unfortunately it wasn’t dark when we came home.

D H and I also attended a Halloween lunch yesterday. I wore the dreaded ugly Halloween sweater with pumpkin earrings and DH wore his orange shirt with his Animal t-shirt over it.

We expect a few kids at the door and will hand out little boxes of raisins.

On a side note , it was my Grandson E’s 4th birthday on Wednesday and my daughter C’s and her husband P’s 4th wedding anniversary.

This week’s co-host is ELIZABETH from SILVER – she came up with all the statements:

 

The statements:

  1. During a storm, I curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.
  2. Enjoying the grandchildren is best thing in the world.
  3. Listening to children’s laughter is something everyone should hear every day.
  4. Answering calls from solicitors can be very annoying.

HAPPT HALLOWEEN EVRYONE!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY

 

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It is time to Ponder with Brenda again today.

Today's word is LITTER

I dislike seeing litter on the streets and highways. Why are people so thoughtless that they can’t carry their garbage home with them. Even if it doesn’t make it home there are trash containers everywhere. Of course I need to add those owners of animals that use the gardens and grass on other people’s property as their litter box.

We used to have a sandbox for the children however we had to give it up because it became unhealthy. Too many animals were using it.

Kittens and dogs have litters and the puppies and kittens are cute however they grow up.

I wonder about the young people today who litter their minds with drugs and their bodies with tattoos. Are they trying to find themselves or hide themselves?

A litter can also be a vehicle. It is usually a box or open seating that was carried by 2 or more people. It was also used instead of a stretcher to carry sick people.

Please don’t litter!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. My hubs spent last weekend pheasant hunting. Are there hunters in your family? If so, what do they hunt? Which of the following have you tasted-pheasant, rabbit, venison, duck, goose? Which of those would you most like to taste, or be most willing to taste?
Vegetarians keep calm and Hodgepodge on.

No hunting here!


2. What high spot have you visited that gave you a wonderful 'bird's eye view' of something below?

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We visited Gibraltar last year and climbed up to the top.


3.  Do you have any birds in your home? These could be either real live pets or decorative, as in bird prints, knickknacks, fabric or pottery.

Only ceramic ones.

4. Tell about a time you 'killed two birds with one stone'?

I “kill 2 birds with one stone” every week. I watch my grandchildren while my son and DIL work. I get to play and exercise with my grandchildren and they don’t even call it work.


5. Your favorite song with a bird in it's title?

Anne Murray’s “Snowbird”. She is a wonderful Canadian singer from the East Coast of Canada.


6. What most recently gave you goose bumps?

My bus trip that I took yesterday. We had a wonderful drive to the Casino. We met our friend M and spent a little money. Lunch was included and we caught up on our children’s lives as well as our grandchildren’s. On the way home we heard a bang and the bus driver pulled off of the road. The lights went out in the bus. The driver started the bus again and moved a head a little however the bus stopped again. The driver called her mechanics and was told to stay on the side of the road. Another bus was sent to rescue us. In the mean time the driver surveyed the area and felt we needed an intervention from the police.

The police came and it was determined that their crash equipment would be needed for the traffic to divert around us. The other bus pulled up beside us and we safely transferred to the other bus. We were an hour late getting home but everyone was safe.


7. Halloween is this Friday...any plans? Did you trick or treat as a child? Carve pumpkins? Share your most memorable costume.

Yes I used to dress up for Halloween when I was a child and we would trick and treat. To this day Halloween is a busy time for us and we have many costumes to chose from. DH and I are going to be California Raisins and hand out raisins to our trick or treaters.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It has been another crazy week. On Monday we had to vote for our municipal politicians. The person we voted for got in as mayor. Hopefully the next 4 years will not be as controversial as our previous mayor was. Let’s hope he doesn’t become Jimmy Fallon’s laughing stock.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Once again it is time to join Lesley at Time out for Mom and Tuesday Coffee Chat!

Tuesday, October 28th/14

Today it is ZooZoo's 5th birthday and she is having a costume party.  If you were going to a Costume Ball (and since Halloween is days away), what costume would you wear?
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Happy birthday ZooZoo! My grandson E turns 4 tomorrow. I will gladly dress up for your party. As a matter of fact we are having a lunch out on Thursday and have been asked to dress up. This year DH and I are going as “California Raisins”. Now you may be too young to remember them.

The California Raisins were a fictional rhythm and blues musical group as well as advertising and merchandising characters composed of anthropomorphized ... ( reference is from Google).

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Now we won’t look exactly like that but we will be purple.

In the past we have been a lion, a tin man and a scarecrow from “The Wizard of Oz”. We have also been “Teletubbies”.

Have a wonderful day everyone!














Sunday, October 26, 2014

MEMORY MONDAY

 

My mother has written her memoirs and has been after me to write mine. I have been resisting for a while however I am creating Memory Monday to help me along. Come join me with your own memories. Each week will be a different prompt to encourage the writing of your memories. Link your memories and share them with everyone.

Our prompt is: My First Date

My first date was with the man who would become my husband. I was just 16 years of age. DH was my math tutor. My mother hired him to help me with my Grade 11 Trigonometry. I was failing it. DH knew my parents through Scouting. He lived down the street. When I passed my math he invited me to go to the movies.

The show he picked was downtown and was considered a restricted movie. Sorry I don’t remember the name. I know I was anxious because I was under age and was afraid of being asked for ID. When we got to the theatre there was an incredible line up so we got back on the subway and headed for another movie house.

The second movie house was called “The Palace”. We got in and actually saw a double feature. The first movie was “Cool Hand Luke” starring Paul Newman and the second one was “Family Way” with Hayley Mills. I began my life long admiration for Paul Newman and we still remember a lot of the words from the movie including “I’m shaking it boss”.

We walked home from the theatre and we talked all the way home. Unfortunately we didn’t have many dates because I thought he wasn’t Mr. Right. Of course that changed 2 years later when we met again. The second time around our date was also the movies where we saw `Shoes of the Fisherman` with Anthony Quinn.

DH knew my parents before he knew me.

Next Week’s Prompt: My First Friend

My daughter made us a Memory Monday button that you can grab from my sidebar if you want.

Retired Not Tired Memory Monday

Please link up your posts to this continuing linky so we can watch each other’s memoirs develop over this year.  Please use the format of “PROMPT – BLOG NAME” so we can follow each week’s writing.

 

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Unknown Mami

This week we travelled outside of the city to a little town called Orillia. This is where we saw the show “So you think you can dance”. We had a little time after our lunch date with my friend B so we took a stroll down the summer home of Stephen Leacock, a famous Canadian humourist. Here is what we saw:

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

Saturday, October 25, 2014

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Another theatre trip with our friends!

Friday, October 24, 2014

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Feeling Beachie     Half-Past Kissin' Time

It has been a very busy week. I have not been home for lunch since last Sunday. On Monday I met the girls who have retired at a lunch and on Tuesday it was lunch with the other Retired Group. I skipped the plant talk and stayed for the speaker about “Seniors for seniors” which is a group where younger seniors are paid to help older seniors stay in their home. Unfortunately I am not looking for a job at the moment.

Wednesday was exercise day. I played with the grandchildren. We walked to the store to pick up the ingredients to decorate cupcakes. 18 month old T got right into it. He loves the icing but not the jelly beans. It was granddaughter F’s idea that she found in her “Chirp” magazine. They were delicious. We also made tracks in the newly created garden across the street, Of course we had to get a slide or two in as well.

Thursday was lunch with my friend B. We met half way between our 2 homes. We had lunch in the casino. We visited the Stephen Leacock Museum and walked around the grounds. D H took pictures which will show up in Sunday in the City. We stayed overnight so that we could see the show “So You Think You Can Dance”. It was a wonderful show. If it comes in your area it is worth the price of a ticket.

Heading home today and then a busy weekend ahead. Have a great Friday everyone.

This week’s co-host is OBI from ELOQUENT RAMBLES- she came up with all the statements:

The statements:

  1. Tomorrow I am going to the theatre with our best friends.
  2. Does anyone live in Australia if so I would really like to visit.
  3. People sometimes think that retirement means boring. 
  4. It is okay to play even if your old.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

 

It is time to Ponder with Brenda

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Today’s word is Tire:

Before we start any journey we always have our tires checked. In the past we have blown a tire. Had a tire go flat and had to replace a tire so now we check before we leave home.

I tire easily these days especially after I have been chasing the grandchildren. They love to run and swing and slide. I maybe tired however I don’t have to pay for a gym membership. The grandchildren really keep us active.

Now that I am not working my wardrobe is simple. I do not need to attire myself with fancy clothes especially high heels.

Do you ever tire of hearing someone else talking only about themselves? I would never do that because I blog instead. This way you can read as much as you like and never tire of me.

Being retired means I am not as tiresome as I was when I was working. If I had known how good retirement was, I would have done it sooner.

Are you tired yet!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

It is Wednesday again and time to join Joyce for the Wednesday Hodge Podge!

1. Elizabeth Lawrence is quoted as saying, 'Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." So have you done just that? And e picking up what did you leave undone in order to do so?

I love to watch the colours of fall. We have been driving around the city to see the colours. I would leave the laundry undone to watch the leaves turn.

2. Since we're talking turning...what's one thing you feel you're doing 'every time you turn around'?

I seem to be picking up dishes especially after our family dinner the over night.


3. How hard is it for you to 'turn the other cheek?'

I am a much calmer person these days. There are not as many opportunities to “turn the other cheek”


4. When did you last turn a drawer, your car, a room, or your entire house upside down looking for something? Did you find it?

While I was visiting my daughter my grandson misplaced my family ring. We turned the room upside down and didn’t find it however when I washed the clothes it was in the bottom of the washing machine.


5. 'One good turn deserves another'...were you most recently on the giving or receiving end of that sentiment?

My neighbour kindly looked after our house while we were away. We hope to repay her with a lunch out.


6. Red, yellow, and orange are the colors of fall. Also the colors of fruit. If you were permitted only one color of fruit in your diet, which would you choose? This question isn't as easy as it sounds, at least not for me.

I will go with yellow because I like bananas as well as pears.


7.
The Hunt for Red October, October Sky, Halloween...which 'October' film is your favorite?

Sorry no movies here!


8. Insert your own random thought here.

This is a very busy week for me. I was home for lunch on Sunday and will not be home for lunch again until next Sunday.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Time out for Mom

I am joining Leslie (alias Rorybore) for the Tuesday Coffee Chat.

What does your name mean?

My given name is Judith Anne. The family story goes that I was named for the landlady’s daughter Judy. She had curly blonde hair and came to sit on my Dad’s knee while he drank his coffee in the morning. My Dad wanted his own lap-sitting bundle of joy and I was it.

My middle name is a family tradition perpetuated by my maternal grandmother. My grandmother loved the “Anne of Green Gables” stories. She was also an Anne (spelt with an E). It has become a tradition to pass down the name Anne to the first born daughters. My mother is an Anne as well as my daughter. Unfortunately my daughter had boys so the name has not yet been passed on although my first granddaughter is an Anne.

Judith is a feminine given name derived from the Hebrew name ×™ְהוּדִית or Yehudit, meaning "She will be praised" or "woman ofJudea". Judith appeared in the Old Testament as the wife of Esau and in the Apocryphal Book of Judith.

The name was among the top 50 most popular given names for girls born in the United States between 1936 and 1956. Its popularity has since declined. It was the 893rd most popular name for baby girls born in the United States in 2012, down from 74th place in 1960.

(according to Google)

Because we travel so much and introduce ourselves I like to give our name a word clue. I know it helps me remember other people’s names. I like to associate with Judy Garland and hubby is Fred Astaire. It fits our ballroom dancing roots.

I dislike being called Judith although I sign all of my formal work as Judith. I know when a telemarketer is calling because they don’t call me Judy.

Even though my name is Judy I answer to Mom or Grammy as well.

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So what is in a name?

Sunday, October 19, 2014

MEMORY MONDAY

 

My mother has written her memoirs and has been after me to write mine. I have been resisting for a while however I am creating Memory Monday to help me along. Come join me with your own memories. Each week will be a different prompt to encourage the writing of your memories. Link your memories and share them with everyone.

Our prompt is: My First School

My first school was Leslie Street Public School. We lived right across the street from the school. My mother would stand on the veranda and watch me cross the street. We had to be in school by 9 am so I would leave home at 8:45 am. This gave me a chance to play with my classmates before school. The bell would ring and we would line up in 2 straight lines because we would walk up on both sides of the stairs.

My first I was in kindergarten. My first teacher was Mrs. Heal. I was 5 1/2 years old because my birthday was in February. I remember that the room was round and very big. We had painting and colouring and a sand table. I remember playing in a kitchen. Of course we had story time and singing time as well.

My second year was in a grade one – two split class. Being the curious child I was I always wanted to do the grade 2 work. My best friend was Suzanne. She was just as smart as me. I do not remember my first grade teacher’s name although Miss Pratt sticks in my head. I will have to look further back to make sure.

In Grade 2 I was in a 2-3 split. Again Suzanne and I were still best friends. We used to skip double-dutch at recess. My teacher was Miss Thompson. One activity I remember was morning news. We used to make a television out of a box and roll the news on paper rolls.

I skipped Grade 4 so my Grade 5 teacher was Miss Draper. She had the most beautiful handwriting. We had inkwells on our desk and had a nib pen for writing. You had to pass a test before you could give up your pencil for a pen and blotter. Derek Blissett never got a pen because he was a messy writer. I also disliked Miss Draper because she was a smoker and was very disappointed in her.

I finished at my first school in Grade 6 with Mr. Turner. He was getting old and tired. He disliked the new school which had been built the year before. It was smaller and had low ceilings. I was a monitor in his class. He rewarded my work with a ball point pen. Refills could be added when the ink ran out. It was my most precious pen and I loved writing with it.

I loved school and I wanted to be a teacher.

 

Next Week’s Prompt: My First Date

My daughter made us a Memory Monday button that you can grab from my sidebar if you want.

Retired Not Tired Memory Monday

Please link up your posts to this continuing linky so we can watch each other’s memoirs develop over this year.  Please use the format of “PROMPT – BLOG NAME” so we can follow each week’s writing.

 

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Unknown Mami

The autumn colours we saw on our trip home last week. The pictures don’t actually do the views the justice they deserve.

 

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

Saturday, October 18, 2014

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Working through a cough and headache!

Friday, October 17, 2014

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Half-Past Kissin' Time   ‘

Feeling Beachie

T G I F – Thank Goodness It’s Friday!

We are home again and preparing for some busy weeks ahead. Our stay with our daughter and her family was great however it is also good to be home.

I prepared my pies yesterday, apple and pumpkin for our upcoming Thanksgiving dinner with the rest of our family. 2 turkey dinner this year.

Today I am off the babysit my other grandchildren. My DIL has mid-term reports to write and could use some quiet time.

Tomorrow it is off to the theatre to see “Broadway Heroes”. While in that area I also have to stop and stock up on baby yarn. Apparently we are expecting a new crop of babies between November and April. I will have to keep my supply of baby blankets up. I am also working on mitts and hats since it won’t belong before the cold weather arrives.

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

The statements:

  1. What would be your dream vacation?
  2. Certainly a cruise in the winter will help us withstand the cold. 
  3. A real deal is more satisfying than paying full price.
  4. Joining a blogging meme makes me feel like I am meeting other people and staying connected.

Happy Friday Everyone!

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Thursday, October 16, 2014

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

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It is time to Ponder with Brenda!

Today's word is SLIDE

My grandchildren love to slide down the curvy slides as well as the straight slides. It is all down hill. Of course they also want to walk up the slides instead of using the ladders. Why is that?

These days I seem to slide out of bed instead of hopping. Of course D H has to slide over to give me more space.

What are we going to do with all of the slides we have of our past trips? Now that the computer holds the pictures for us no one wants to sit and see a slide show. What do we do with the old slide projector?

Have you tried the new sliders at Wendy’s? They are just smaller versions of their hamburgers. 

I am sure the grandchildren would love to slide down the hill on their toboggans and sleds. I just want to avoid sliding on ice and snow.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. What's your favorite time of day? Why?

Morning! I get to start a brand new day.


2. Waffle iron, toaster, coffee maker, mixer, blender...which small appliance would you say most needs replacing in your house?

The coffee maker. We actually just replaced it because I can’t live without my coffee.

 
3. It's National Grouch Day (October 15)...what's something that makes you feel grouchy?

I asked DH and he said he makes me grouchy. There are times when we get on each other nerves.


4. Ever been to Canada? Is that a country you'd like to visit? According to
Trip Advisor, the top ten best destinations in Canada are-Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Victoria, Calgary, Niagara on the Lake, Niagara Falls, Whistler, and Halifax. Which city would you most like to see?

I am Canadian and have been to all of the cities except Victoria. I live in Toronto and would love to have you visit.


5. What was your favorite food (or one of your favorites) when you were a child? Is that still a favorite?

Olives were one of my favourite foods however not so much now.


6. Do you cry easily?

I cry at commercials and my Dad said I could be rented out for weddings, funerals and baptisms. I carry kleenex when I go to the theatre.


7. Have you started your (gasp!) Christmas shopping? If so when, and how much? If not, when will you even begin thinking about it?

I suppose I can say yes because DH and I just paid for a cruise for next March. Otherwise no.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are on our way home. We had a wonderful visit with our daughter H and her family. We are taking our time and have made a few more stops along the way. We drove another part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and had a quick visit to the Music Museum. We also spent some time walking at the New Bridge on Hwy 19. D H hopes to show some great pictures.

I am very proud of my new meme. I am so pleased that it has been embraced by so many bloggers. I hope it will eventually lead to a completion of my memoirs. If anyone is interested please join us.

Retired Not Tired Memory Monday

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Time out for Mom

Tuesday, October 14/14

What's the most beautiful word in the world?

Love!

We need more love in the world. Love can can keep us together. Love is looking at the world with rose-coloured glasses.

Love is hugs and kisses from the grandchildren. Love is holding hands with hubby. Love is baking for the grandchildren.

Love is hearing the children laughing and turning their cries into dry eyes.

Love is seeing the beautiful world we live in.

Love is sharing with Leslie at this wonderful blog.

Have a lovely day everyone!

 

 

 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

MEMORY MONDAY

 

My mother has written her memoirs and has been after me to write mine. I have been resisting for a while however I am creating Memory Monday to help me along. Come join me with your own memories. Each week will be a different prompt to encourage the writing of your memories. Link your memories and share them with everyone.

Our prompt is: My First Home

I have been living in our first home with my husband. It was sheer luck that we even own a home. D H had just started a new job, working for my father. We were living in a 2 bedroom apartment with our daughter H and I was expecting our second child.

While DH was at work and elderly gentleman came in to get a piece of glass to repair a broken window in his house. He got talking to DH while he waited and mentioned that his home was up for sale. It was in the neighbourhood we were looking at. It was 8 blocks away from where D H worked and 6 blocks from where we both grew up.

DH came home and we made arrangements to inspect the house. It is a 6 room closet as I like to tell people. It has 3 bedrooms, one bath and a parking spot in the back. The basement was unfinished and even had the old octopus furnace. DH was impressed with the work bench the gentleman Mr. B had in his basement.

Mrs. B was delighted that I made loving comments about her house when she showed it to me. The middle bedroom was painted hot pink which was H’s favourite colour. We talked to the real estate agent and told him we thought the price was too high. It needed a new furnace and new wiring. We also couldn’t afford more than the minimum down payment and our mortgage would have to be for 30 years.

The agent called us back and said we could have the house. We moved in November 26th, 1976. Since then we have worked to make it suit our lifestyle. We have raised 3 children and put them through school. The house is just the right size for us now.

Next Week’s Prompt: My First School

My daughter made us a Memory Monday button that you can grab from my sidebar if you want.

Retired Not Tired Memory Monday

Please link up your posts to this continuing linky so we can watch each other’s memoirs develop over this year.  Please use the format of “PROMPT – BLOG NAME” so we can follow each week’s writing.

 

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Unknown Mami

We have been enjoying the wonderful weather in Charleston. Compared to home this is warm. While visiting with my daughter, SIL and the grandchildren we have been able to visit a few places around Charleston. Here is what we saw:

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The fountain in Marion Square.

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A memorial wall to fallen sea men!

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A view of the harbour from the James Island Connector Bridge!

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Built from little blocks of wood!

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