SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Goodbye January! Hello February! Warm Up!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like January is going to leave us in the cold and is blowing itself out like a hurricane. The wind is whipping up what little snow we have on the ground. There has been an extreme cold alert set up as well. Time to stay cozy in the house.

I am still waiting on more paper work for my Dad. Does no one want to get paid? On the good news side, the Granny Tea is a go. We have set the date for Saturday, June 13th, 2015. We have the support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and everyone is gung-ho. My mother would be so proud of her granddaughters and the work they are doing on her behalf.

In the meantime I am trying to get back into a routine. We are still missing our dancing however I am swimming and babysitting again.Now I just have to catch up on some reading time.

Happy Friday Everyone!

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

The statements:

1. Did you  buy the lottery ticket for tonight?
2. Sometimes you really need to step away from a situation to get a better view.
3. If I were able to travel more  I would cruise around the world.
4. Different ways of sharing ideas makes for a fun world.

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Today's word is BRIDGE

One of my favourite card games is Bridge. I learned the game before I was married because DH played it while he was at University. The game became a family oriented game when my Dad gave up drinking. I remember one marathon game that lasted for 23 hours. Dad played the whole time and the rest of us took turns playing with him. It would have been 24 hours straight except my Mother made us put away the game so everyone could have dinner on the dining room table. I also belonged to a  Bridge Club until all of the members passed away.  I wish I could play more often however it is DH’s least favourite game.

DH is also fascinated with bridges and has taken many pictures of them.

A bridge in Amsterdam.

The harp bridge in Dublin.

How do you bridge today?

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. When did someone last suggest you 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell someone (or want to tell someone) to 'chill out'? Or, when did you last tell yourself to 'chill out'?

With my mother’s passing 2 weeks ago I have had several occasions where I have had to step back and consider a lot of options. Fortunately DH is a good sounding board and he keeps me focused. Who knew there was so much to do?

2. What most recently caused your heart to melt?

With making arrangements for my mother’s memorial service my heart was touched by my son M who arranged for his sister H to travel all the way from Charleston to participate and be with the rest of the family. He also arranged for hotel rooms for all of us. The love shown was enough to melt our hearts.

3.  "An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered." G.K. Chesterton 
Your thoughts? When did you last experience either an adventure or an inconvenience? How did you see it at first, as an adventure or an inconvenience?  Does it feel the same in hindsight?

Our city is full of construction every where so we have taken a lot of detours to avoid it. It is an inconvenience because we have to add an extra time to our travel however we are rediscovering parts of our city we haven’t seen in a while. It is amazing how much our city has changed.

4.  A Wendy's Frosty, root beer in a frosty mug, or a frosted chocolate cupcake...of these three, which one is your favorite 'frosty' treat?

The chocolate cupcake all the way!

5. Would you say your life so far this year has been more like a circus or a symphony? Explain why.

It has been more of a symphony and I am glad of the harmony that is in my life at the moment.

6. Since it's a 'snow day' here, what's your favorite song containing the word 'white'?

“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas”.

7. If you had to leave the city you currently live in, what would you find the hardest to leave behind?

My friends and my family would be the hardest to leave behind. I have lived here all of my life and would struggle to make another place feel like home.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am glad to be blogging again. It was strange not to have access to the internet for a week. I have had to change my daily routine but I am sure it will work out. My Dad has been moved to another room in the Retirement Home which will be safer for him. The “Granny Tea” will take place on Saturday, June 13th and we are working on items for a Silent Auction. It is an event that is bringing all of the grandchildren together. My mother would be very proud.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

Would you feel ill at ease going to a movie alone?  

Or to eat at a restaurant?  A concert?

I have been married for 42 years with 3 married children and 6 grandchildren so being alone doesn’t happen very often. For most of my alone time I am in the car as I drive to places by myself. I love to listen to the radio and sing along without the comments of the rest of the family. I don’t mind eating in a restaurant alone especially if I have book to read. I don’t think  I have ever attended a concert alone since DH usually buys the tickets.

Being alone doesn’t bother me although DH tends to be more on his own than me. He actually thrives on being alone. While I was away taking care of my father, DH says he loved having his own time to do his own thing. In fact one of his biggest worries was when I retired and that I would ruin his routine. He loves the fact that he can cook what he likes and not be burdened by my allergies.

We live together and yet we pursue our own activities. I get computer time while he watches his TV shows and vice versa. We do watch “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” together.

I love my alone time and cherish my family time.

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: More Family Memories

Having a family and being part of a family has always been one of my greatest ambitions. I married my husband with the understanding that we would have lots of children and went to school and became a teacher because I loved children. I am living this ambition.

Originally I thought 12 was a great number especially after I had seen the movie “Cheaper by the Dozen” however my husband is of sounder mind and convinced me a smaller number would be better. Our first child H was born almost 2 years after we were married. It was agreed that she would not be an only child so we planned for our second daughter C to be born 18 months later. Of course our son M was a surprise and was born 11 months and 1 day later. By that time I was a little sick and tired of making babies and since we had both girls and a boy it was decided that was enough.

We had 3 children under the age of 3 and it took a lot of work to keep up with them. I was a Stay at home Mom even though that phrase had not yet been coined. Poor hubby worked the equivalent of 2 jobs to keep us going. His job was made even tougher because he worked in the family business which operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If I could look back I would have gone back to work and he could have been the “Stay at Home” Dad. He would have very good at it.

I was able to stay home for 12 years and then went back to work. We economized by doing our own house renovations. I made the children their clothes and can cook pot roast many different ways. Money may have been tight however there was and is lots of love to go around.

Despite the financial restraints all 3 children got an excellent education and are now holding good jobs although H is a “Stay at Home” Mom for now. They are all married and H and M have started families of their own. C is married and is considered the “Cool Aunt”.

I still have the time to enjoy my children and especially my 6 grandchildren. They keep us busy and allow us to continue to laugh and enjoy life. I am so proud of each and everyone of them.

Next Week’s prompt: My School Years

 

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

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.

 

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Family at Memorial Service for Mom!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS

 

 

This has been another busy week and the weekend will be just as busy. It is amazing how much work is involved in settling an estate and planning a memorial service. I am so very grateful to all of my wonderful friends for the flowers and cards that have been received for my Mother.

I left my Dad with my sister this week so that she can arrange to move him to a smaller apartment. While she is there I have been catching up at home. One of the best ways to get over your grief is through “Grammy Therapy” as my husband calls it. I looked after F and T on Wednesday and they kept me very busy although they now think of me as the “Tea Granny” especially since I brought chocolate chip cookies. This is one role I have been glad to adopt from both my mother and my grandmother.

In keeping with the tea granny theme my daughters and their cousins are planning a “Granny Tea” in memory of their grandmother for June. They hope to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as well.

Stay healthy and stay happy!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Today's word is BOX:

It is always fun to join Brenda as we ponder words with multiple meanings.

When I think of a box, I think of cardboard. Boxes come in many sizes and shapes. The other day i was looking for a box to hold a ceramic Christmas tree. It had to be 20 inches tall and at least 16 inches wide. So off I went with my tape measure to find the right one.

I use shoe boxes to wrap my homemade gifts in. Fortunately I love shoes so the boxes are always handy. My mother used shoe boxes to store photos and now I have the job of sorting through all of her boxes and cataloguing them.

There is also the feeling of being boxed in. Have you ever been in a tight spot and been unsure of which way to turn? Of course if you box you would do so in a boxing ring.

Where do you like to sit in the theatre? Do you like the boxes of do you prefer the orchestra seats? Personally I like to sit in the centre on the orchestra floor.

There is also a boxer dog. They look so cute.

Have a wonderful day and don’t get boxed in!

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. American Idol is back for a 14th season. Are you watching? Have you ever watched? If you were to audition for the show (or were made to audition), what song would you sing?

No I have never watched the show. We prefer the dancing shows. I once sang “Edelweiss”.

2.  Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first."

So when did you last have to 'eat a frog'? Or two? How'd that work out?

I guess my equivalent to eating a frog this week has been taking care of all the work involved in settling my mother’s estate. We had lots of meetings with banks and lawyers as well as cleaning out her apartment. We packed up her clothes and donated them to Variety Village which supports Diabetes. We are also working on her Memorial Service for this Sunday.

3. If you were going on safari, what is the number one animal you'd want to see?

I would love to see an elephant.

4. January 21st is National Granola Bar Day. I know. Do you like granola bars? Chewy or crunchy? Your favorite flavor? How about regular granola? Let's exhaust this topic in honor of the holiday okay?

I don’t eat Granola bars although there is a cereal that I like and I used to mix it with Cheerios although I have cut back since it has a lot of calories.

5. If only we could all live forever without pain or illness.

6. You can add one item to your bedroom. What will it be? Keep it family friendly please.

I would love to have room for my rocking chair however my bedroom is way too small so it stays in the study.

7. What is one thing you've enjoyed about winter thus far? If it's not winter in your corner of the globe, what season is it, and what is something you've enjoyed about whatever season it happens to be?

We have had a lot of cold weather but not a lot of snow. We have not had to shovel out too often.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

It has been a crazy 2 weeks. Mom passed away last Monday without recovering from a massive stroke. That is a blessing in itself as she would not have wanted to live her life in a paralyzed state. However it does mean that we have a Memorial service to plan and an estate to settle. My Dad has Alzheimer's, so we also have to make changes to provide for his safety. Mom was his primary caregiver and now my sister and I have to make some decisions.

I am so thankful for my friends and especially my family for their support and love at this time.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

If you could learn any one skill in the world without trying
(like Matrix learning style), which would you pick?

I have often wondered if I am too old to learn anything new however since I have retired I have more time to study and look at the world in a different perspective.  Recently I helped my granddaughter E with her piano studies and discovered I miss playing the piano. I never was the best singer however there are times when I wish I could go back to singing.

I would also like the opportunity to help others appreciate their retirement years. This is a wonderful time to explore your options. Being healthy is also very important in the accomplishment of these goals. Just staying active and living every day to the fullest is all that I wish for.

 

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: Family Life

This week has really put family life into the forefront. My mother passed away on Monday, January 12th without recovering from a massive stroke. She leaves behind her husband (my Dad) of 65 years as wells as 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was definitely the glue that is holding this family together. I have reflected on many of the good times we had together as I cleaned out her apartment and sorted through the papers that should have been thrown out years ago. It was also very difficult to bundle up her clothes knowing that no one in the family could wear them. There are also lots of pictures that will have to be sorted as well.

We will celebrate her life in 2 ways. The first will be a Memorial in which most of the family will be able to attend  at the Retirement home where Dad is still living.   The second will be with a “Granny Tea” in the spring which is being arranged by the granddaughters who learned to drink tea with their grandmother especially when they wanted to get advice.

Our family seems to have gotten smaller and yet we can reflect on others who have left us as well. My father-in-law left us when our eldest daughter was only 16 months old. My middle daughter and son never had the pleasure of playing with him. They missed the chance to discover what a wonderful man he was. I lost my mother-in-law before she had a chance to become a great-grandmother however she gave us many traditions such as a chocolate chip cookie recipe that is made every Christmas.

I am very proud and pleased to have had such wonderful people in my life.

 

Next Week’s Prompt: Family Life Continues

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

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.

 

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: More Vacation Memories

I am writing this post as my Mother lays in the hospital. She has suffered a massive stroke. I had this post in mind last week when i thought of this memory. I am going back to when I was 15 years old and my mother, sisters and I headed out on an all –girls holiday. My mother wrote about it in her memoirs and called it “A Shoestring Excursion”.

We started out by dropping my brother off at Scout camp and then headed East. We had never been to the East Coast before but we ventured off with a Coleman stove, some canned goods and a road map. I was the navigator and my sister B was in charge of my baby sister B who was 7 years old.

Mom was recovering from another operation so after 200 miles she pulled over to the side of the road and took a nap. Our first stop was in Montreal where my uncle B lived. Even though we had taken french in school we could not make ourselves understood. We left Canada and travelled through Vermont where spent our first night. Through New Hampshire towards Bangor Maine where we hoped to catch the ferry to Yarmouth Nova Scotia.

We arrived at noon and it was so hot I truly believe we could have fried an egg on the sidewalk. Unfortunately if you hadn’t made reservations you weren’t getting on the ferry. It was suggested we try St John, New Brunswick as they have a ferry to Digby Nova Scotia. Mom made a telephone call and was told they would hold a ticket for us if we could get there before 8 pm. I found a shortcut on the map and we arrived at 7:50 pm, got our tickets, found a motel. I didn’t sleep very well but the rest did.

We caught the ferry and if that experience wasn’t enough to keep off boats I don’t know what could. Needless to say it was a terrible crossing and I was terribly sick. We were now in Nova Scotia. As we drove along the beautiful coast and found a motel with an efficiency apartment. Mom thought this was terrific and went to the local grocery store to buy us dinner while us girls watched television. Mom came back without any groceries because the local fire department was having a summer festival. We enjoyed the wonderful food and had a great time meeting the great people of Nova Scotia. Definitely a highlight of our trip.

We had a tour of the Highliner Fish factory, saw Peggy’s Cove and the headed for the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. I don’t care how many times I have been there since I still get goose bumps from the awesome scenery. We travelled through Baddeck, where Alexander Graham Bell did a lot of inventing. A museum has since been established there. Another place along the trail which had not yet been developed was the Louisburg Fort. It had been uncovered but was not open to the public.

Our journey then proceeded to Prince Edward island where we visited Charlottetown, the birth place of Canada. Our love of “Anne of Green Gables” lead us to Cavendish where we had lunch. Unfortunately it was not the best lunch we ate especially after my sister B found a hair in her sandwich. We took the ferry across to New Brunswick and visited the Magnetic Hill.

It was time to head home along the Transcanada highway which took us through Quebec City. We did all this in 5 days. We never traced a step and never spent more than $100 a day. It is an excursion we will never forget. We could never repeat this trip however we did get in a few spa weekends when we were older.

Next Week’s Prompt: Family Life

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

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.

 

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

 

It certainly is very cold this week. Fortunately we have been able to stay cozy at home. I have even got the “sit and be fit” video out so that I can get some exercise.

My poor grandchildren have all been sick this week. E has a red rash on her arms and legs so she can’t go to school. F had a fever but slept it away and little T just feels miserable and wants Mommy time. They came for a visit yesterday just for a break away from home.

It is even very cold in Charleston where my other grandchildren are located. They are thankful for their hats, mitts and scarves they got for Christmas.

We are looking forward to a dance on Saturday night.

This week’s co-host is Jennifer Farwell – she came up with the last 2 statements:

The statements:

1. February is my birthday month.
2. Ice cream reminds me of being at a birthday party.
3. Would you work if you didn’t have to?
4. One word to describe me is happy.

Happy Friday Everyone!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Time to Ponder yet again with Brenda!

Today's word is BAG:

I use bags to keep me organized. I have bags that we got when we cruised. I have one for my senior’s group where I put batteries to be recycled, baby hats as well as books and toiletries for the women’s shelter.

I have a bag that I take when I babysit my grandchildren. I put magazines, cookies, books and my slippers in it. I also have a swimming bags as well as a book bag.

Of course we take our own bags to the grocery store otherwise we have to pay 5 cents a bag and I am frugal.

I can hardly wait to pack my bags for my cruise which is only 59 days away.

I don’t carry a handbag anymore because it bothered my shoulder. I just need something to carry my cellphone and a few credit cards. My granddaughter E found me the perfect bag. It is purple because she knows it is my favourite colour.

I try to get enough sleep to avoid getting bags under my eyes.

What is your bag?

 

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

One thing I would like to accomplish in 2015 is  ______ ?

Rory Bore asks a wonderful question to start the New Year. I don’t make resolutions because they only go by the wayside. Everyone knows about my love of travel as well as my love for my family. My aim this year is to be healthy enough to enjoy both.

We already have 2 cruises planned for this year. The first will be in March where we will share the trip with our good friends M & N. They will be celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. We feel very proud that they have accomplished this milestone because we met them at the beginning of their journey together.We are also planning the 50 day cruise which will take us back to Europe. Malta and Greece have been added  to the itinerary and both places are on the bucket list.

As for the family we will continue to provide the support they need which includes some babysitting and some baking. The grandchildren are already working on some thoughts for their gifts next year that they want knitted. I am up for the challenge.

I also hope to keep up my Memory Mondays blog as I work towards a memoir. I appreciate all of the participants and am enjoying their stories as well.

I know this is more than one thing however it is all about me!

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: A Vacation Memory

My very first vacation memory goes back to when I was about 7 years old. Our parents packed my sister and brother and I into a 1956 station wagon and headed out West to visit my father’s family. He had not seen some of his siblings in more than 25 years. It takes about 36 hours to get from Toronto to Winnipeg or at least it did back then. Mom and Dad took turns driving and we slept in the back on a crib mattress. My brother slept in front between my parents.

When we arrived in Winnipeg we stayed with my Dad’s oldest sister and her family. She had one son still living at home. We also got to see all of the other relatives who lived close by. Our next adventure took us through unchartered roads as we went up to Northern Manitoba and followed a caterpillar as the road was still being built.

My Dad was stopped by a policeman because he thought my Dad was two timing his best friend. It turns out that he is the only brother who looks most like him. Once we got everything straightened out we headed to my uncle’s home in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Here again there were lots of aunts, uncles and cousins to meet. I also watched my first game of Cribbage here.

Next stop was in Saskatchewan which was my father’s birth place. He showed us the farm where he grew up and met many neighbours who told us stories of his wild childhood. Of course Dad had relatives in other parts of the province as well.

Lastly we travelled into Alberta where I journey stopped in Banff. Dad still had one brother who lived in Vancouver however my sister was ill and it would take us too long to cross the mountains so we headed home.

This would be our last vacation as a family because we got a cottage and spent our summers there instead. I would not make another visit out west until I was married.

Next Week’s Prompt: More Vacation Memories

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

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!

Dancing into 2015!

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

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Have a Healthy, Happy New year!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Happy new year everyone! Our year started on a crazy note and got better as the day went on. DH and I celebrated New Year’s Eve with our dancing friends. It was wonderful to dance to some of the old tunes as well as some of the newer ones. We got to use all of our dance styles and had a lot of fun. The transit system in our city was free so we left the car at home. Getting to the dance was no problem however coming home we got on a bus with several people who were bent on fighting. We left the bus and walked the rest of the way home when the fists started flying. That was our crazy start to the year.

The day got better when we attended an Open House at our neighbour’s across the street. They have renovated their house by adding on an addition and even though they haven’t finished it looks wonderful. We also got a chance to talk to the other neighbours including one couple who announced they will be having a baby in April. We love the idea that the couples have moved in with their young families.

We are settling back into our routine now that our daughter H has returned home safe and sound. Our son M gets home from his warm vacation on Sunday.

This week’s co-host is Obi from Eloquent Rambles- she came up with the last 2 statements:

The statements:

1. What would you do if you couldn’t drive your car?
2. When the weather turns cold, how do you handle it?
3. I haven’t seen any movies in the theatre because I always fall asleep. 
4. Do you think you could ever win the lottery?