THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Continuing with our Caribbean trip in March of 2015 on the Holland America “Noordam” Our next stop was Martinique. We just got off the boat to enjoy the local shops as well as the flowers and birds. I bought a wind chime made out of coconut.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

Finish the Sentence:  Right now is the perfect time to _____.

Spring into Action!

I always see Spring as a new beginning. We can put away winter and stop sleeping through the cold. The sun is shining and the garden is awake with crocus, daffodils and tulips.

It is time to get out a walk and talk to your neighbours who you have not seen since Christmas. Everyone is thinking of new paint as well as new clothes. I have refreshed my wardrobe with new clothes and filled a few bags to donate to Goodwill.

It is time to shed those extra coats and boots and grab the sandals. It is time to think of activities that can be enjoyed outside. let’s get the barbeque going and have hamburgers and steak instead or roasts.

It is time to think fresh thoughts!

Have a wonderful day!

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

The children reminded me of our wonderful trip that we took with their grandparents when they were just 4, 5 and 6 years old. We travelled across Canada in their motorhome. We went out west for my father’s family reunion. It was wonderful to see the children’s reactions.

One of their favourite places to visit was Kekabeca Falls which is on Lake Superior. At the reunion the children met their many great aunts and uncles as well as many, many cousins.

When we weren’t travelling we would stop at the local parks so the children could swing and just play.

We flew home so the children could start school.

Another memorable road trip was to Michigan in 1989. Our intention was to visit Freankemeuth for its Christmas store. On the way the children kept thinking we were lost because all they could see was trees from the back windows of the car. When they did see something it was the MacDonald’s arches high in the air. They coined the phrase “We must be near civilization because there is a MacDonald’s in the area.

On our way we shopped in Birch Run which had a huge outlet mall. This was the first time we had ever been to an outlet mall. We left a lot of our money there and filled the trunk with goodies. Our drive to Frankemeuth was delayed because there was a 6 mile long line of traffic to get into the town so we turned around and visited a town we had passed through. The town was having a street sale and it was wonderful. One of the first stops found me buying a 6 foot Santa on a stick. We carried it through town and attracted a lot of attention. It was also the start of my stick decorations for the front lawn.

We did make it to Frankenmeuth the next day. The Christmas store was everything we expected and then some. We had dinner in the German restaurant and drove home. Now when we travel we know we will never be lost if we can find a MacDonald’s.

Next Week’s Prompt: My First Home

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

Is it Friday already? What a week this has been. Last week we were outside every day enjoying the sunshine and this week we are standing at the window watching the rain change to snow. I almost put the spare blanket on the bed last night.

We curtailed our activities this week because DH came down with a head cold that left him a little dizzy. There was no point in going out for lunch and infecting everyone else.

We will celebrate C’s and T’s birthday with a lunch on Saturday. C wants a strawberry shortcake and T wants lots of candles to blow out.

DH is working on our plans for our cruise in the fall. He is planning our excursions. There is still so much to see and do even though we visited most of these ports in 2013. It helps make the bad weather seem better.

What plans have you got?

This week’s co-host is OBI from ELOQUENT RAMBLES. She came up with THE LAST TWO statements.

The statements:

1. Tea is my favorite drink.
2. Somedays I just wish I could sleep in. 
3. Sometimes I play on the computer when I should be doing something constructive. 
4. Life is very busy but worth living.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

I am continuing with my pictures of our Caribbean cruise that were taken by DH.

Our first island that we visited was the dual country of St Maarten which is Dutch and French. We took a bus tour around the island. We stopped at the Market on the French side. It is a beautiful island. One interesting fact is that to call from one side of the island to the other is long distance. Many inhabitants carry 2 cell phones to make their calls and avoid the extra charges.

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

no Hodgepodge on Wednesday, April 29th. The HP will be back to it's regularly scheduled programming the following week, Wednesday May 6th.  Thanks everyone!

1. Have you ever had to wear a uniform? If yes, tell us more. Did you love it or hate it?

No I have never had to wear a uniform, however when I first started teaching back in the 70’s female teachers could not wear pants.

2. April 22nd is Earth Day. What is one thing you do personally to be a good steward of planet Earth?

We are very big on recycling and composting. We carry reusable bags when we shop and try to reduce the packaging by buying in bulk.

3. Brown rice, quinoa, or couscous...your healthy grain of choice? How often are one of the three on your menu at home?  Given a choice between white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and fried rice which would you go for?

We love a mixture of brown rice and wild rice. Not big on quinoa or couscous.

4. In your opinion, who has the best job ever?

Grandmothers. If I had known how much fun grandchildren could be I would have had them first.

5. What's a situation in your life currently requiring patience?

Taking care of my parents’ estate.

6.  Do you live your life around days of the week? Explain.

I think so. We have dancing on Monday and Thursday, swimming on Tuesday and Thursday and my favourite day of the week is Wednesday when i look after the grandchildren.

7. In a nod to the A to Z challenge happening around town this month, what 'R word' best describes your April?

Relatively busy!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Spring has certainly been a mixed bag of weather. I have 3 coats on the go, 2 of which are raincoats. The same goes for footwear. We are in the process of planning our next cruise which take place in the fall. It is 50 days long and I look forward to seeing Malta and Greece for the first time.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Each week Leslie at “Time out for Mom” asks us to write about different things. This week she asks -

Tell me about a recent fear that you faced.

I suppose we all have faced many fears especially as we get older. When I was younger it was the fear that something would happen to my children and they wouldn’t be raised properly. Check – did a good job there!

I face the fear of having a car accident so I try to drive carefully and watch out for the other guy. Now that I am retired I don’t miss the rush hour and traffic of going to work.

Of course being retired I think about having enough money to keep in the manner I richly deserve. There has to be enough to be able to keep How long can I remain in my home and not need around the clock care?

The future is always scary however taking it one day at a time and enjoying each day helps.

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 Siblings

I have 3 siblings who are all younger than me. I am the eldest girl. Then came sister P who is 19 months younger. We could not be more different. I am short and fat and P is tall and skinny. P is probably smarter as well. I taught her everything I knew and she still went on to be a doctor and delivered many babies. P strived to be the best where I was content to just make it.

My brother D is 18 months younger than P. He was born one week after my father started his own business and took it as a sign that he would have help eventually. D didn’t do as well at school however he was very athletic. He played every sport imaginable.

My youngest sister B was a surprise. I was 9 years old when she was born. I didn’t have a Barbie doll because I had a real baby to take care of. She thinks of me as her second mother even to this day. B is both very smart and very athletic.

We had a fairly idyllic childhood growing up. Mom and Dad made sure we had the best that they could afford at the time. Most of our memories are at the cottage where we spent the whole summer.

Next Week’s Prompt: My Retirement

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 has been a busy week as we get back to normal. I have managed to get to my swim fit classes as well as include several walks. I stayed with the grandchildren while their parents enjoyed a night away. It was a lot of fun but tiring.

We went back to our dancing classes and we will be taking some samba lessons. This was one dance I could never get the hang of however I will try it one more time.

This weekend we will celebrate C’s birthday. She wants a shopping party at her favourite store. After we shop we will go out for dinner. Happy birthday C!

This week’s co-host is ELIZABETH from SILVER’S REVIEWS. She came up with THE LAST TWO statements.

The statements:

1. If I had more money I’d change the world and ensure there was peace everywhere.
2. I’d rather cruise some where than stay in one place. 
3. Seeing babies makes me happy. 
4. Could you still miss work after retirement!

Happy Friday Everyone!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Continuing to show everyone pictures from our Caribbean cruise. Hopefully you enjoy them as much as we did.

Today I will show you pictures of the ship. The Noordam.

This is the ceiling in the Vista Show Lounge.

Outside of the Show Lounge.

The show!

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. Speaking of April 15th...what's the most 'taxing' thing you've done recently?

I am settling y parents’ estates so I have made many visits to banks as well as lawyers.

2. When did you last take a taxi somewhere and where was that somewhere?

DH and I took a taxi from the cruise port to the hotel in Fort Lauderdale where we had left our car while we cruised the Caribbean.

3. What's something you can do today that you couldn't do a year ago?

I can plan more cruises.

4. How often is chicken (in some form or fashion) on your menu at home? Which of the following would you most like to see on your table tonight...a chicken salad sandwich, your mom's fried chicken, a Chick-fil-A meal, Cracker Barrel's chicken n' dumplings, a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings, or 'hold the chicken, I'm a vegetarian'...?

I have chicken at least twice a week and my choice would be a roast chicken dinner.

5. What was your favorite television program when you were a kid? What characters do you remember the most?

Television was black and white back in my day. The shows I remember watching most were “Hockey Night in Canada” and “the Ed Sullivan show”.

6. What was the last piece of 'art' you made?

Not very artistic although I have knit several more baby outfits. People ask me who the outfits are for and my answer is “ If I make them, the babies will come” and so far I think I have found homes for the ones I have made.

7. What frustrates you most about the Internet?

The internet can be slow at time.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I am glad to be back blogging on a regular basis. It is part of my daily routine. My Thursday meme is no longer available so I am going to use Thursday as a day to show pictures of our trip to the Caribbean. It has been a whirlwind of activity since we came back. I am so glad we can get around without the snow and the heavy clothes. It was wonderful to visit with family and friends while we were away.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

 

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Favourite things.  

What are you loving these days?

I am so glad to be getting back into my blogging. I took the month of March off while I cruised in the Caribbean. It was wonderful to get away and not do the routine things that I always do.

Cruising is one of my favourite things and is easy to talk about. DH has taken lots of pictures of our time away and I will use my Thursday blog to share them with everyone.

I am also a lover of rainbows. I guess I am always looking for the pot of gold. Haven’t found it yet but the sight of them makes me smile. It is a good day when there is a rainbow in it. I guess that is why I also love prism glass because they create rainbows as well.

I cannot not mention my grandchildren who are the loves of my life. I don’t always get to spend time with my Southern children however thanks to telephones and Skype we keep in touch. My son’s children see me more often because I also babysit them. I have to share my latest chuckle provided by my granddaughter F.

She asked me why am I old. My answer was that her father made me old and that she would make her father old one day as well. At dinner F asked her father why he had made Grammy old and how was she going to make him old. Let’s just say we chuckled over the answers.

I love my family who have been most supportive over the loss of my parents. I also have some wonderful friends who are helping me get through this time.

I am looking forward to brighter, more colourful days with the arrival of Spring!

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 Parents

I am writing this post in honour of both of my parents who have passed away this winter. Mom left us in January and Dad just 2 months later in March. My mother was my biggest fan when it came to my blog. She read everyone that I wrote and encouraged me to write these memoirs. Dad was unaware of many things however his memories of the past were excellent.

Both of my parents came from large families. Dad was the youngest of 8 and practically raised himself when his Mom died when he was 9 years old. He moved to the big city and supported himself from the age of 13. He completed his grade 8 in school and never went any further. Mom came to the city when she 15 as she had completed a secretarial course and got her first job.

To my parents education was the key to improving oneself. I have a college degree, my sister P got her Dr.’s degree, my brother D completed high school and my younger sister B got her BA.

My parents also considered hard work the other way to achieve success. When they started their own business they often worked around the clock. If you want something badly enough you will work for it. They have installed both of these principals in their children, grandchildren and hopefully their great-grandchildren.

My parents were also willing to take risks. It was often a gamble and mostly paid off. They bought their first home by borrowing the down payment and Mom kept boarders to help pay the mortgage. Mom also made all of our clothes and scrimped and saved to buy us good shoes. She always said “if you have bad feet you will have bad health”.

Dad encouraged us to be our best. He ensured that we had any sports equipment we needed. We all learned to swim because of the cottage. Dad taught us all to drive as well.

We will miss both of them however they have left a legacy that many generations will remember.

Next Week’s Prompt: My Siblings

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 doesn’t take long to get back into the groove. I am so glad we had the time away and have come back to slightly warmer weather. At least there is no snow in the forecast.

This weekend will be my Father’s Memorial. Our daughter H is flying in tomorrow and then will drive home with her in-laws. I am also going to babysit my grandchildren so that my son and his wife can enjoy a spa weekend away.

I have to get back into exercising since I didn’t lose any weight while I was on vacation. Let’s hope the sun comes out and the snow is gone for good.

This week’s co-host is ELI from COACH DADDY. He came up with THE LAST TWO statements.

The statements:

1. I love the feeling of holding a new baby especially after it has had a bath. 
2. After retiring I am able to travel more.
3. I once tried to text/email my grandchildren, but it came out to their parents instead
4. The last thing I want to do when I feel angry is yell and scream.

Happy Friday Everyone!

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Unfortunately the blog I usually follow on Thursdays – Pondering with a Purpose has closed down. I loved this meme because it got me thinking about words that had many meanings. I will miss it so I am looking for something else to fill this space. In the meantime I have been asked for some pictures of our travels.

Here are some from our last cruise to the Caribbean.

This is the itinerary.

A view of the back deck of the ship.

The cruise director!

The captain!

It was a wonderful cruise!

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house?

I have a basket in the bathroom which holds the grandchildren’s toys. I also have a knitting basket that holds my yarn. I love baskets to keep things tidy and decorative at the same time.

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti
So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?

I like to aim high as well as dream high. Hopefully all of my dreams will come true.

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?

FDR declared this day in 1933 as an end to prohibition and making beer was allowed in the homes of America. Personally I don’t drink although my husband does and he loves beer-battered fish.

 

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go?

We travelled to several new islands in the Caribbean. I had never been to the island of Bonaire before. It is a beautiful place and famous for its snorkelling as well as its salt. We will also be going to Athens and Malta in the fall.

5. The value of television is greatly overrated.

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?

I dislike waiting to be served.

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.

I have always like “The Road not taken” by Robert Frost.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

We are slowly getting back to routine after being away for a month. We actually came home early because my daughter’s family had a virus which we didn’t want to catch. I got a cold anyway because I was expecting more spring-like weather instead of winter. I have 3 different coats on the go although the really heavy parka has been put away.

There is a lot of work involved when someone dies. We had barely started on my Mom’s estate when my Dad also passed away. We are having his Memorial this weekend. It is a blessing that both of my parents are together again. Dad was lost without my mother. They would have been married 66 years next week.

It is wonderful to be with the grandchildren. E was very disappointed that we couldn’t stay and play with him, however he will soon be here for his summer visit.

I hope Spring arrives soon as I am tired of winter.

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

April 7th, 2015

I am so done with Winter... .show me your Spring!

I read on the weather network that Spring is getting shorter. Does that mean winters are longer or is it summer that has the longer time?

I tried to avoid the winter this year by planning a Caribbean cruise. It was wonderful to shed the 10 pounds of clothing. I was able to swim every day and walk in sandals. I didn’t need a raincoat even though I packed one. It was sun, sand and surf every day.

Now I am back to reality and have 3 coats on the go as well as 2 pair of boots. The gloves, and ear muffs as well as the scarf are still in use.

I am out walking every day and looking for signs of Spring. The robins are back and I saw the cardinals flying in the back yard this morning.

Bring on the Spring!

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: Will return next week!

I am back and will restart Memory Monday next week. Come and write along with me.

Next Week’s Prompt: My Parents

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

 

 

Happy Easter to one and all!

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS & FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

    

It is Good Friday and in Canada all of the stores are closed. We are just back from our cruise in the Caribbean. We spent 21 days on the Holland America ship “The Noordam”. The first 11 days was spent in the company of our friends N and M. Both N and I were looking to relax and enjoy the sun so it was a laid back holiday. We did take 2 tours on the islands of Martinique as well as Barbados. The tours were overviews of the islands and it was a lot of fun.

The last 10 days we were by ourselves. Unfortunately my father passed away while we were away so some of our time was spent keeping in touch with the family back home. We looked for Wi Fi every where we went. The staff of the ship know every place and were a bundle of information.

I have missed blogging and following everyone so I look forward to participating again. Today it is catch up on laundry and cleaning the house.

This week’s co-host is Jennifer Farwell. She came up with THE LAST statements.

The statements:

1. I require a lot of computer time to keep up with my family.
2. Easter is a good time to start thinking about Spring.
3. Sometimes I appreciate being able to get away in the winter.
4. One word to describe family is love!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!