Monday, September 30, 2013

MEET ME ON MONDAYS

 

Acting Balanced

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer:

1. It's Customer Service week - do you think customer service is getting better or worse now than it was five years ago?

I worked in customer service for over 30 years. I find that customer service has declined however I think it is because of lack of training. Being a customer service rep is not a job for everyone.


2. October 1st is also World Vegetarian Day - have you ever spent time as a Vegetarian?  Do you have regular meatless meals?

My favourite meatless meal is “Pasta Primavera”.  I don’t mind going without meat once in a while. I actually think it is good for you.

3. What reality show would you like to be a part of?

We thought we would like “dancing with the stars” however after being on the cruise and seeing the way they dance we will stick to our way.

4. Are you planning to watch the Baseball post-season?  Who will win the World Series?

No! When the baseball players went on strike I never went back to watching it.

My 5th question is:

Do you plant a Fall garden?

Sunday, September 29, 2013

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

Let’s travel the world together!

Unknown Mami

Sharing our fall garden with you!

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Hope you enjoyed the flowers.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

SIX WORD SATURDAY

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Getting organized for the next cruise!

Friday, September 27, 2013

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

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This week’s co-host is Beth Ann from It’s Just Life– she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:


1) I am so anxious for my cruise to start. I am nearly finished packing.


2) My family loves me, and I love my family especially my husband, children, grandchildren and my parents.


3) I am terrible at keeping secrets. The joke is telephone, telegraph, tele-judy!


4) I am glad that summer was here already. I love all of the seasons for different reason and I looking forward to autumn.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. What's one thing that's still the same about you as when you were young?

I am still happy-go-lucky and I don’t need a lot of sleep.


2. What's more important-history or science? Why?

Difficult choice since a lot of science makes history. Where would we be without the inventions that have changed our world.


3. Lima, kidney, string, garbanzo, black or pinto-your favorite bean?

The only bean  I like is a string bean although I like both the green and yellow variety.


4. What's something people come to your town to do?

I live in a major tourist city so they come for sports, hockey baseball, basketball, tennis golf etc.. We have a large theatre district as well. We just hosted the Film Festival as well as the Just for laughs festival. There is so much to do in our city.


5. When was the last time you were in a meeting? Sum it up for us in five words or less.

I am retired so I don’t do meetings anymore.


6. What special event would you like a VIP pass to attend?

Can’t think of an event at the moment.


7. What's one piece of advice you'd give a writer?

Write about what you know.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are less than a month away from our big cruise. We are trying to fit in as many visits with our friends as we can since it will be close to Christmas by the time we return. We are so glad to be back dancing. We are learning how to “slow foxtrot” which is a popular dance on the cruise. We are spending quality time with the grandchildren because they grow up too fast for my liking. So I am off to lunch with my friend B tomorrow and the Friendship Group ladies on Friday. Have a good week everyone.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Chats on the farmhouse porch

Everyday Ruralty

QUESTIONS

  1. How well do you handle change? I prefer to know what is coming and plan for it. I used to be more of a “go with the flow” person however as I get older I don’t keep up as well.
  2. What did you have for breakfast this morning? Breakfast is the same thing every morning – orange juice, coffee (several cups), 1/2 grapefruit and a bowl of cereal.
  3. What's your favorite kind of nut? (Almond, pecan, peanut, walnut,cashews, macadamia, brazil, etc) I’m a bit of a nut and I like most nuts.
  4. Do you have a pumpkin in your house or yard? I have a fake pumpkin plant that I bought 3 years ago however it is in the basement and will stay there this year as we will be away.
  5. Would you like it if I changed the format of these Chats? What do you think would be good? Would you enjoy fill in the blanks, one big topic to discuss, or something else? I look forward to Tuesday and love what you are doing. I will continue to follow you anyway you choose to go.

 

Welcome to Tuesday's Coffee Chat with Rory!

This weeks' topic:

The Weird and the Wonderful:  Got Stories?

I am not much into weird however when it comes to wonderful I will tell you about my amazing grandchildren, fabulous children and loving husband. I also have 2 wonderful parents as well as 2 sisters and a brother.

I have 6 grandchildren, 3 girls and 3 boys. The oldest granddaughter is 15 years old and has taught how to be wonderful grandparents. We have learned to sing and dance as though no one is watching. We have learned to back off so she could do things herself even when grampy wanted to help.

Our second granddaughter is too old for her age. She has learned to read and now reads chapter books. We have to watch what reading material is left around because if it is written it will be read.

Lastly our youngest granddaughter has cornered the “Little” world. She goes to little camp, sits in a little chair and likes little snacks.

Our oldest grandson is special and we love him extra specially as well. He is fantastic on an ipad and can teach us grandparents about “angry birds”. He loves to ride his bike fast and his favourite food is french fries.

Our second grandson is a going concern. He goes and then we go. His curiosity is matched only by his inventiveness. Did you know that ketchup makes a great paint?

And last but not least is our youngest and newest grandson. He keeps us laughing with his wonderful belly laughs. He is going to be sitting up soon and will definitely require our undivided attention.

I hope this is enough wonderful for everyone today.

Monday, September 23, 2013

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Acting Balanced

Acting Balanced

Here are the Questions:

1. Next Saturday is "Ask a Stupid Question Day"... in preparation for it, please share a stupid question you've been asked or would like an answer to...

I am always asking “have you seen my glasses?” I need glasses for distance so when I read or work up close I take them off and then I never remember where I left them.

2. Do you believe that workplace dressing has become too casual?

When I was working I was a strong believer in “Dress for Success!”. I f you come to work in casual clothes you will have a casual attitude as well. Even now when I go out I like to get a little dressier than pants and a t-shirt.

3. What technology is on your wishlist?  Is there a technology that hasn't been invented yet that you want to see happen?

I am not a very technical person. I don’t own an e-reader or a camera. I like our PVR and would love one that records more shows.

4. September is Honey Month - are you a fan of honey?  how do you use it?

I like honey. I use it when I have a cough and I like peanut butter and honey sandwiches especially when I have run out of bananas.

My 5th question this week is:

Do you buy new clothes for every season?

Saturday, September 21, 2013

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

 

Taking advantage of the fall weather!

Friday, September 20, 2013

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

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This week’s co-host is Lisa from Lisa Writes  – she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:


1) I have had the best time this summer celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful to see some old friends.


2) I can’t believe that we have only 30 days until we cruise again.


3) I feel beautiful when I wear my dancing dresses.


4) Technology is a blessing. I love Skype. It keeps me in touch with my mother, and grandchildren.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. When did you last sing happy birthday to someone? When were you last sung to? Does that embarrass you or do you enjoy being the center of attention on your special day?

We don’t sing happy birthday very often anymore however our grandson L just celebrated his 7th birthday and we sang happy birthday to him on the phone. I love to celebrate my birthday on a cruise ship because the Indonesian staff sing their version of happy birthday and I even have their native instruments to help them.


2.  Name a famous or 'infamous' person (living or deceased) who shares your birth day and month. Is that someone you'd like to meet in person if it were possible?

I share my birthday with Elizabeth Taylor. I never had a desire to meet her however I did love the movie “National Velvet”. My daughter C shares her birthday with Queen Elizabeth II of England and she also has her name.

3. Someone hands you a box tied up in a lovely bow...what are you hoping to find inside?

I like jewellry as well as maybe a new sweater.


4. What can you guarantee about yourself?

I will be smiling.


5. Talking art and beautiful cities here...'The Last Supper' in the Santa Maria della Grazie Abbey in Milan Italy or 'The Mona Lisa' in The Louvre, Paris...which would you most like to see up close and in person?  Why?

I am not much of an art lover however I would love to see Paris again. I was there for one day back in the 1972. The best art museum I visited was in Monserrat.


6. Your favorite dessert?

I love ice cream.
7. This coming weekend marks the official start of autumn (in the Northern hemisphere)...what is something you do to get ready for fall? What is one thing you're looking forward to on your fall calendar? Spring or fall-which do you prefer?

We are looking forward to our 42 day cruise to Rome and back. I always enjoy the Fall although as I get older I can appreciate spring and the renewal it brings.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Our calendar is filling up as we  meet our obligations for the fall. We are trying to fit in as much as possible since we will be away for so long. We are having lunch with friends and family. I am trying to stay healthy and fit. Our ballroom dancing is starting again as well my aquafit classes.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

 

Chats on the farmhouse porch

Everyday Ruralty

QUESTIONS

  1. What's  the one thing you feel is the biggest waste of  your time during an average week? Watching TV has to be a big time waster however since I knit and crochet while watching TV I have turned it into a productive time.
  2. When was the last time you baked a pie? I baked a pie for my son’s birthday in March. I don’t bake too often anymore.
  3. What do you want to spend time doing that you aren't right now?  I would love to spend more time dancing. Our classes haven’t started yet and I miss it.
  4. What do you do with old clothes? I take them to Goodwill.
  5. If we were having lunch on the porch today, what would you bring for the potluck styled lunch? D H makes a great stir fry and I make mac and cheese.

 

Welcome back to my weekly Coffee Chat java lovers and those with the gift for gab! 

 

This weeks' topic:

Favourite Summer of 2013 Memory/Moment

This was a wonderful summer. It began with our daughter H and her family coming for the month of June. We celebrated my Aunt J and Uncle C’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful to see relatives from the past in one place. It became a family reunion of sorts.

We also celebrate the christening of my grandson T and of course the big party for our 40th Anniversary. Again we saw old friends who came to share our joy.

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Of course the icing on the cake was our cruise to Norway, Scotland and Ireland.

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Monday, September 16, 2013

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

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

Acting Balanced

Here are the Questions:

1. September 15th was Chicken Lover's day - what is your favorite way to prepare chicken?

I love chicken and can eat it every day. I love roast chicken, BBQ’d chicken and chicken souvlaki.

2. It is 99 days until Christmas... what are you planning to ask Santa for?

We know longer have Santa come to our house since the children moved out. I think we need siding for the house so if Santa came maybe he could help out.

3. How long should company stay?

We don’t have company stay over. Everyone lives close by however we do have family stay over and we are glad to have our grandchildren any time.

4. What do you consider to be a long trip?

I am probably crazy as we are about to embark on a 42 day cruise across the Atlantic Ocean to Rome. We will actually be away and extra 2 weeks as we travel through South Carolina visiting our daughter’s family. It would be longer except they plan to come home for Christmas.

My 5th question is:

Is gift giving getting out of hand?

Sunday, September 15, 2013

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Unknown Mami

 

It is time to say good-bye to the flowers in the garden as well as the birds of spring!

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

Saturday, September 14, 2013

SIX WORD SATURDAY

 

Getting into the swing of things!

Friday, September 13, 2013

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

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This week’s co-host is Pam from Tropppetrie– she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:


1) Mornings are the best time to exercise.


2) No matter how hard I try I still can’t sleep through the night without a visit to the bathrrom.


3) When I was young I thought turning 30 meant being grown up but now I know it means the good times were just beginning.


4) I love to cook reservations for dinner. When I am in a hurry my go to meal is the drive through window.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. What's the best thing about growing older?

I love the fact that because I am older I could retire and travel. I also love having grandchildren .


2. When did you first feel like a grown up?

I haven’t grown up yet. I still love dancing and playing in the sand. A good swing is always welcome.


3. Chocolate cake with white icing or white cake with chocolate icing?

How about chocolate cake with chocolate icing?


4. What's the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?

A stranger has never helped me.


5.  What's something you learned from your grandparents?

My grandmother loved to read and drink tea. She also loved having children and never seemed bothered by the small stuff. She was my voice of reason.


6. Wednesday marks a sad day in the history of planet earth-9/11...what's something you do (or can do) to bring peace to your little corner of the world?

I remember clearly where I was 12 years ago. I try to live in harmony and to understand other cultures. This is easily done in Canada where even our neighbours come from many other countries.


7.  Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song containing the word peace. 

“Peace on earth, Good will to men”


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We have been home for a week and our calendar is filling up. We have 39 days before we leave again. D H is busy working out our plans while we visit the many cities in Europe. He has us on 3 tours planned with our cruise critic friends. He has found the cities that are  walkable and the ones that have Hop On Hop Off buses.

In the meantime I have been to a retirement party for another cohort who left Bell yesterday. It was wonderful to see the people I used to work with however I am so glad I am out of the rat race. Modern technology has caught up with the job and I am very far behind it.

To my American friends please keep peace in your heart.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

 Everyday Ruralty

Questions

  1. Did you ever take piano lessons, as a child or adult? Yes I took piano lessons. I started when I was 5 years old. Our first piano cost my parents $50. I got up to Grade 8. All of my children took piano lessons even from my piano teacher. They did not complete the course however it helped them when they learned other instruments at school.
  2. How many times do you eat out each month? We don’t eat out very often anymore. When we do it is because we are out with friends, usually on our theater dates.
  3. If you could snap you fingers and change on thing about your appearance, what would that be? (Temporary or permanent) Like everyone else I would like to be thinner however since I have a wardrobe that contains size 10 to size 16 I have decided to give up and live in a size 16.
  4. Do you like looking at art or photography? Do you go to any place that displays them? Our dance teachers are artists and actually have a studio that we visit on our walks. The best art museum we ever visited was in Monsserat.
  5. Do you have new things for your fall/ winter wardrobe? No and I don’t plan to get anything new right now.

Monday, September 9, 2013

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

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

Acting Balanced

Here are the Questions:

1. September is Better Breakfast month - if time, money, calories etc. were no object, what would you have for breakfast?

My favourite breakfast is orange juice, coffee, grapefruit and a bowl of cream of wheat. I have it every morning on the cruise ship. I will have a piece of french toast as a treat if I am really hungry.

2. How often do you do a major clean out?

I am not the cleaner in the family however we usually plan a party and then do a major clean out.

3. What makes you feel appreciated?

My grandchildren appreciate me and I think my children do too. Of course D H is always appreciative.

4. If you had the choice, would you employ someone to help around your home/life?  Maid, Nanny, Cook, Butler or some other form of help?

Yes I would especially as we are getting older. I would love to have a handyman. Of course all repairs would be free. D H does everything himself however it may be getting to be too much for him.

For my 5th question:

How do you prepare for Fall?

Sunday, September 8, 2013

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

Unknown Mami

 

Until last week our home was a big cruise ship. There was a lot of art work on the ship.

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This was the ice sculpture from the dessert extravaganza!

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It was a beautiful ship and considering some of the other disasters that have happened on other cruise ships our doesn’t seem so bad any more.

Friday, September 6, 2013

FRIDAY FOUR FILL IN FUN

 

Welcome to the weekly Follow Friday Four Fill-in Fun Blog Hop!

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This week’s co-host is Beth Ann from It’s Just Life – she came up with the last two statements!

This week’s statements:


1) Love happens.


2) I hate when you call me and then you have to take another call.


3) The bravest thing I have ever done is marry my best friend.


4) I like my retirement and my grandchildren.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

THRIVING THURSDAY

 

Happy Birthday to my Mom! Have a good one!

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Love you!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

WEDNESDAY HODGE PODGE

 

1. What's something you're never too young or too old to enjoy?

You are never too young or old to love music. Upbeat music actually makes you feel better. Of course music to dance to is even better.


2. Share one happy memory from your high school years.

I loved singing in the choir. I was the third in the mezzo soprano section and we had to reach High C. We entered the Kiwanis Festival every year and took home a lot of first place ribbons.


3. A nationwide strike of fast food employees took place in the U. S. last week...they're calling for higher wages and the right to unionize? Your thoughts?

I think working in a fast food restaurant is one of the hardest jobs there is. The workers deserve better than minimum wage. I certainly wouldn’t work that hard for that amount of money.


4. September is National Honey Month...what's a favourite dish you make or eat that calls for honey?

I always have honey in the house. Mostly I use it for a sore throat however I will make a peanut butter and honey sandwich once in a while. My daughter-in-law loves honey in her tea.


5.  If you notice someone with a tag sticking out, a button unbuttoned, a shirt on inside-out, or some leftover lunch stuck between their teeth do you say something or do you keep quiet?

I will tell my near and dear if they have a problem however I do not tell a stranger.


6. What movie always makes you cry?  Or at least makes you feel like crying?

I will start by saying I am a crier. I cry at movies, TV shows and even commercials. My father suggests I could be rented out because I cry at weddings, funerals and even baptisms. I take boxes of tissues to movies and plays because I will probably need them. To this day I cannot get past the first page of “Heidi”.


7.   'Mary Had a Little Lamb' was written in May of 1830, and published in Juvenile Miscellany in September of that same year.  Now for the fun part...create your own four line rhyme using that same tune.

Grammy has six grand children. six grand children, six grandchildren and everywhere that Grammy goes the grandchildren are sure to follow.


8.  Insert your own random thought here.

We are home from our cruise and beginning to settle into our routine again. We had a great time with our friends and loved the ports we saw. However we were disappointed with our cruise experience. The cruise had some problems that were difficult to overlook. One of the problems was with the plumbing. There was a terrible order that was only masked by the fresheners that were used.

I was upset by the lack of hygiene in the cafeteria dining room. There was a lot of cross-contamination. The servers would touch the fish and egg products and then the vegetables. In this day and age of allergies I would have expected better. I could not eat a sandwich from the deli. On a good note the french fries were wonderful especially since I discovered the malt vinegar.

Our ports of call were wonderful. Here is a picture of us on the Duck ride in Dublin:

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I did a lot of kissing while visit different places:

An ice cream cone in Inverary Scotland.

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A troll in Bergen Norway

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As well as sharing a seat with D H.

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Monday, September 2, 2013

MEET ME ON MONDAY

 

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

Here are the Questions:

1. September is National Library Card month - when was the last time you checked a book out of the library?

I love to use the library on board the ships we cruise on so I checked out several good books while we cruised around Norway.

2. What are you most looking forward to about autumn?

We have another cruise planned and will travel to Rome this fall.

3. Has the word Christmas entered your vocabulary yet?

Absolutely! I have already made plans for H and her family who are coming for Christmas as well as I have been working on the presents for the grandchildren.

4. Do you care that Football season is starting?  Who is your team?

No I could care less. I don’t watch American or Canadian football which has been going since the beginning of the summer.

My 5th question is:

Are you looking forward to school starting?

Sunday, September 1, 2013

SUNDAY IN THE CITY

 

Let’s travel the world together!

We are home from our cruise. Glad to be back. There will be more to come in later posts. In the meantime our last port of call was Copenhagen. Every one knows it is famous for the “Little Mermaid” statue. Here it is:

 

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However there is another popular statue nearby which is very popular with young men who like to climb it. The older guys just stand and dream:

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I’ve shown you mine now show me yours!

Unknown Mami