Where Does the Time Go?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Here are a few highlights from my own holiday season...but first, a message from our sponsor - Kilally Meadows!

Winter Solstice - Dec. 21. The day of the
year that our shadow it at its longest! I will miss those
long legs as we reach the Summer Solstice! 

• had a Christmas week breakfast with a former colleague. Donated some "free coffees" to the homeless (the place we always go to for breakfast is a restaurant which hires only folks with disabilities) and has set up this program of buying coffees for those in need. And the food is fantastic!
• went out to dinner at The Winebar with two girlfriends (they also serve food :)
• spent hours and hours perfecting my Scotland calendar - will post the photos next time
• finished reading several books - my favourite was "Scotland: The Genetic Journey." NOT as dry as it sounds! It was so good that I've also purchased "England: The Genetic Journey."
• Went for several walks in Kilally Meadows - almost NO snow to be seen! (You know there is something wrong with the climate when you're surprised to see snow in January in CANADA!) Yup, a green Christmas and New Year again this year!
• had two long visits with my brother and fellow traveller - Kim :) (One of the traditions we started when in Scotland was to have a wee dram of scotch and a couple of Hobnobs with a good cuppa after. So we've now added that tradition to our bi-monthly visits here at home! :)
• Went to see two movies, with a third coming up this coming weekend.  The first was "Will you ever Forgive Me?" with Melissa McCarthy in her first dramatic role. I loved it, my friend was luke-warm. Then on New Year's Eve we started a new tradition by going to a movie - when we went into the theatre it was 2018 and when we left it was 2019! That movie was "Bohemian Rhapsody" with Rami Malek playing Freddie Mercury. If he doesn't win an Oscar for that role it will be a disgrace! I give it five stars!! No, six!! The other movie we want to see is "The Green Book" with Ali Mahershala and Viggo Mortensen. The "Green Book" was a book created for African Americans to use when on holiday in the U.S. back in the 1960's. Only certain motels/hotels/restaurants etc would serve them and were listed in the book.  Mahershala plays jazz musician Don Shirley and Mortensen plays his driver and bodyguard while on tour. It's getting RAVE reviews! 
• Spent Christmas Eve watching Christmas movies with Kazi and Christmas Day with Kazi and my brothers, sister-in-law, nephew, his wife and child. GOOD times. I also went for my 2nd annual Christmas walk in Kilally Meadows after Kazi and I opened gifts and had our traditional breakfast of peach pancakes. (I made them with whole wheat flour this year and I thought that improved the taste!)
• Interspersed were a few games of volleyball and ball hockey, some baking and batch cooking and more reading and a bit of genealogical success tracking down my 4th great grandmother and father! Yay! 
• My only resolution is to READ more which should be easy as I've picked up about 20+ books the past few weeks from friends, brother, library, Amazon etc. (I also donated some thrift shop clothes when I was in Scotland to make room in my suitcase for the books I bought while there! )When I was planning my retirement I imagined myself lounging around all day with stacks of books around the house and nothing but time to read them all. (No bonbons please!) But it hasn't quite turned out that way as every time I pick up a book I feel guilty and think there is something more important I should be doing. BAH HUMBUG!! 

Now I want to hear about YOUR holidays :) 

But first...a message from our sponsor, Lilypad...

Such a big chair for a wee little kitty!

Sunshine on my Shoulders Makes me Happy

It seems like forever since the sun was shining around here but today it finally is. Flood warnings are in effect though as the Thames River has received a ton of rain recently. Not to mention that white stuff. See? I'm not going to mention it!

Life has been chugging along satisfactorily. I would say my only problem (if this can be called a problem) is that I need a few more hours in each day to get done the many things I want to get done. I complain frequently that there are not enough hours in the day. Years ago, before retirement, I imagined that most of my time would be spent lounging around reading from a big pile of books.

What I didn't imagine, but should have, is how much time my other hobbies/sports & recreational activities would consume in a day. If I had then I might have fewer hobbies and more reading time. So the point of this is do I try to be more efficient with my time, ditch a few hobbies or try to make reading a priority?

Perhaps a combination of all three:

• I have ditched, sort of, a couple of hobbies - I'm never going to be an expert crocheter or spool knitter. Now that I've put my outdoor bike in storage I spend time at night riding my stationary bike (and watching Netflix) to make up for the hours I had been spending cycling outside. Instead of long hikes I walk 2km twice a week to volleyball and then try to find ONE sunny day each week for walking in the forest. I also play volleyball on Friday nights. Each day I do 30 minutes or a bit more of yoga and stretching. My back has been giving me fits but I find yoga really helps. If you ever have lower back pain the cobra pose (start with baby cobra) provides instant relief!

BABY Cobra

Cobra

• Time management is not one of my strong suits. Today is genealogy day and Wednesday is workshop day.  So far I've done zero genealogy today. I've read the paper, made a meal plan, had breakfast and gone grocery shopping. And I have to say that the sunshine is compelling me to go to the forest. **just checked the forecast and tomorrow looks like a really nice day so I will delay the walk until tomorrow after volleyball and today I will do research all afternoon. There, that's solved!

• I guess instead of complaining I should be happy (I am) that I have so many choices of "things to do"!  On the bright side I finished a book during all of the rain and am partway through three others (part of the problem!!! I need to stick to one book til it's done - it's just that others beckon me with their wonderful covers and promises of what's inside!!). I'm reading a lot about Scotland especially the Isle of Skye. I am trying to find more times throughout the day when I can pick up a book. It's pretty much my most favourite thing to do yet I keep putting it off. No more!! 

See ya!

Hah, just kidding! Sort of.....first yoga, then reading while eating lunch and then research! 

See ya! 

The Numbers Are In

                  All of the important numbers are right here!

• 125 days until retirement
• 80 school days until retirement
• 10 days until March break (we start on the 7th this year which is an unpaid PD day - thanks a bunch SCHOOL BOARD!)
• 4 - the number of kitchen cabinet handles I didn't buy as I miscounted - duh...
• 14 - the number of gallons of paint waiting patiently for me to get tinted
• 10 - the number of days until I start painting (coincides nicely with March break - what a holiday THAT will be!)
• 13 more paycheques until I start living on my PENSION - sure hope I know what I'm doing!!
• 8 - the number of rooms I still have to paint (as well as the hallways on each floor)
• 2 1/2 - the number of extra hours I get to sleep in tomorrow as I am going to a PD session that doesn't begin until 8:30am!! Woot!
• 27th - the date of Kazi's 3rd interview!
• 5 - the number of books I'm currently reading
• 5 - the number of rooms that have wallpaper border still to remove
• infinity - the number of nail holes to be filled and sanded prior to painting the walls
• 0 - the number of books I'll be reading during March break!
• 0 - the number of km I've ridden on my bike in the past week!
• 1 - the number of bags of Smarties I've eaten in the past week!
• 47 - the number of times I've procrastinated about riding my bike this past week
• $60.00 - the amount left in my chequing account until Friday's payday
• 4,529 - the number of times my cat has yowled at me for her supper
• 2 - the number of Tylenol I need to take!

My days are numbered!! Over and out!

Who Knew?

Whoa - who knew the Finns had such a great hockey team??  The game is tied 1:1 with seconds to go in the 3rd period. Looks like overtime.

A friend recently recommended "Goodreads" to me on Facebook and I've been busy rating books and selecting those I want to read in the future. I also wrote a review for a book recently recommended to me by a reader of my blog. "Anon" thought I would enjoy a book called "The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism." I downloaded it to my iPad and read it last night in one go. I know I'll be re-reading it as well as taking it to my next staff meeting on Tuesday to share with the educational assistants. The insight I've gained is something I never thought possible. To get "inside this young man's head" and get answers to questions that have puzzled me for years is so amazing. Thank you thank you thank you Anon!! I hope you read this post! Down on my side bar is a Goodreads widget as well as a link to my review.

I've been doing a little "monkeying around" with my blog yesterday and today. I can't bear to look at the snow and ice anymore so decided to get some spring and summer into my blog.

(Oh, thank goodness, Canada just scored in overtime YAY YAY YAY!!!)

Well, now that the hockey game is over I think I'll head out to do some errands as tomorrow most places will be closed as we celebrate FAMILY DAY!!  Yes, it's a long weekend :) So much to celebrate as Kazi is safely home from her travels, the Olympics continue and I have more wonderful books to read.

What's on YOUR reading list?

Sunday Night Chit Chat...Chit Chat

Please stop by Carla's blog for her Sunday Night Special - Sunday Night Chit Chat!!

First - a photo!

The lovely lady dressed in fuschia and with the oddly shaped white hat is Michael's mother.We were at her daughter's home yesterday to help her celebrate her 79th birthday.  Michael and his brother Andrew were from her first relationship. Then she remarried and had four girlsand another boy for a total of seven children. From those seven children she has a multitude of grand-children and great-grand children, many of whom are in this photo. The girl sitting on the floor with the flowered dress, black sweater and big scowl is Desiree.  I think she was just tired as a few mintues later she was stretched out on the floor with her eyes closed.

What am I reading?

Well, I finished the three Hunger Games books and absolutely LOVED THEM!!  I was SO sad when I finished the last one.  I have a thing for Sci-Fi, fantasy and end of the world type themes so these books suited me to a T.

Now I have really changed gears and am reading this novel:

The Jane Austen Book Club - this book was loaned to me by my good friend Carla - thanks my dear! It was the perfect go-to book after the Hunger Games trilogy. Slower-paced, uplifting, humorous, all about relationships between the characters both good and bad.  The book has plucked me out of an apocalyptic  world and placed me firmly back into the real world.  Gently.

What am I watching? 

Nothing at present but I chose to rent a couple of movies this week that were somewhat influenced by my reading of the Hunger Games books.  (I see this only in retrospect)

One movie tries in imagery to show the creation of the world and the meaning of life; the other movie explores the end of the world when earth is hit by another planet AND the meaning of life.  A little bit of a change from the usual espionage and/or assassin type flicks Michael's generally picks out. And no, he wasn't with me when I picked these two out!!

What am I listening to? 

The Band - Levon Helm passed away Thursday of throat cancer. I was a big fan of The Band. Have a listen:

Glad I accomplished this week: midterm report cards, re-organized my classroom, dancing with Michael and friends, visit with Michael's family.

Looking foward to this week: BBQ with good friends this Saturday night!and PAYING DOWN MY LINE OF CREDIT!! Woo hoo - details to follow!

Thankful for today: family and friends, sunshine, candle light, a cup of tea and a good book!

Don't forget to link up with Carla!!

March Break Begins...

in two more days!!  And I am preparing a list of things I want to get accomplished. For example, I plan to strip the old caulking from around the bathtub and re-caulk it. I'm going to clean the grout between the tiles in the bathroom with bleach. My daughter got a printer with her mactop and has never been able to hook it up to work wirelessly so yes, I'm going to solve that problem (maybe). I MUST get rolling on listing items for sale on Kijiji - that's only been on my TO DO List for a few months... ETC. ETC. I won't be twiddling my thumbs! If I get bored I have these to keep me occupied:

 Right now I'm reading a book on my Kindle AND I'm almost finished "The Introvert Advantage" (you can see my bookmark sticking out.  And Michael wants me to get started on "The Soul of Money" which a friend sent to him on his birthday - he's finished it and is raving about it. I'm really looking forward to being able to sit for a couple of hours and just read :)

Happily I am back on my bike and pedaling like MAD!! Only 120km from Philly (and no, I haven't forgotten about you Sluggy! I have a stubborn 3 pounds to lose to get to my 10 Pound Challenge goal and have (once again) renewed my efforts....sigh... Speaking of losing weight (not) I have my daughter's fave recipe baking away in the oven - it's called No Peeking Chicken (kind of a play on words of Peking Chicken just in case you didn't catch the reference!) It's the easiest recipe in the world!! You put a bunch of skinless chicken in the bottom of a roasting pan - I'm using thighs this time but any parts will do, and cover it with a mixture of a can of cream of celery soup, a can of mushroom soup, a can of water, some sour cream if you have it but that's optional (well, not optional for ME) and a cup full of either wild rice or brown rice. I had some celery stalks that were getting a little floppy so I cut them up and tossed them in too. Mushrooms are nice in this recipe too. Then sprinkle some onion soup mix on top. Put a lid on it and bake 2 hours in a 350 oven - and NO PEEKING because the steam needs to stay in the pot! Yum yum yum!! Course I'm having some chicken but only a teeny weeny bit of rice. Yeah, right!

Last night I worked on income tax as Kazi printed off the tuition forms from her university. I juggled numbers and got us both a very juicy refund. Hers will pay almost half of next year's tuition!! Plus she's mailed forms away for a tuition rebate from last year's tuition that our very in-debt gov't is offering (though probably not for long!) Mine will be put towards my line of credit though I might allow myself a new spring top as it was a robust 15c today with lots of sunshine. One of those days that are such a gift in early spring. So, tonight I file my taxes online and should see the $$ next week! Yippee!!

And finally - Today's Inspirational Moment:

Michael bought these flowers on Valentine's day and has gradually been removing the dead ones as they wilted, dried out and fell onto the table. Yesterday I took this other picture:

this is all that remains after 3 weeks. Michael's been going through a bit of a yucky time and we were inspired by how beautiful these perky little remnants looked floating around in a dish or water. They have no stems anymore and the petals are curling up but there is still a bit of life and loveliness left. Here is what we came up with after having a good long heart to heart talk:

"Even in the midst of our mess we can salvage something good." 


Whenever we go through a tough time we can ALWAYS take away something good. Whether is be a lesson learned, an inner discovery of our own strength or simply the satisfaction of knowing we did our best in a difficult situation there is always a silver lining if you look hard enough.

Here endeth the lesson.

Sunday Night Chit Chat (neat idea by the way!)

This fun idea comes from Carla! Check out her Sunday Night Chit Chat post and join in by linking to her post!

What are you...


baking/cooking?

Mmmmmm for all the soup lovers around here - Carrot Soup - with a rather hot, spicy surprise!

What are you....


reading?

Not for the faint of heart. Can't put it down to watch anything Carla lol! This story takes place in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia during WWI.  Before there were hospitals for village and rural women to go to there was "the birth house".

No TV or movies for me tonight (though last night I saw "Anonymous" at Silver City with a girlfriend - now THAT's an excellent movie...about who the real author of William Shakespeare's plays was...intriguing!)  Friday night Michael and I went to see "The Immortals" - money wasted as far as I'm concerned!

What are you


listening to...?

Nothing right now, though I see Michael is rocking on to something...he has his headphones on and his head is bobbing around...

Though earlier in the day I was listening to...

my NEW favourite radio station...they play all the "B" sides and lesser known songs on all of THE BEST rock albums of all time.   REALLY great music!

What are you....
looking forward to this week?

Meeting up with my friend Liz on Tuesday after work for coffee and gossip.  She was my BEST EA but over the summer she applied for and got a new position with the school board.  I really miss her and the chats we had.  It's going to be so great to see her and catch up!

What are you...


happy you accomplished today?


I'm happy that I updated my blog and I finally figured out how to add those separate tabbed pages under my header! Yay!!

Tell us about your Sunday!