Just a few thoughts.

I have a few thoughts and so decided to share them with you. I know Andy Rooney is retiring and I'm not trying to take his place, not that I could, but sometimes things just hang around in my head and getting them out to the public, in a rant, so they can ponder them, is something I feel is my calling in life, nay.....my duty.  I love this blog because that is exactly what I can do. So for the last few days I have had this question on my mind and I'm hoping someone might post and say, " Yes, yes, that is exactly what has happened to us too." Every time I open my cupboard for a glass, I see a myriad of bottles that really don't belong in that cupboard. I'm wondering how I managed to get more bottles of vitamins, various aspirin, and prescription drugs, in my cupboard, that is designated for my glasses? They seem to multiply in there. Then as I stood looking at them, it occurred to me that I have at least 4 other cupboards containing stuff that should all be together in one "medicine" cabinet. How did that happen? Well, I have some theories. Firstly, I remember that a few years ago I was suppose to take some vitamins to help with my general health and maybe even my memory. Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to take them. I decided that I needed them close to the kitchen sink so when I went to get a glass, tada.....there they were and I would be reminded to  take them. The sad part is that the older I got the more my doctor said I needed to take. She, along with Dr. Oz, were looking out for my health, and if they said I needed these vitamins and pills, they had to be right. So the bottles multiplied. Now I have Hank putting his stuff in there too. Above my cupboard where I keep my canned goods there are half a dozen more along with a little first aid box with band-aids and salves in it. I think that cupboard came about out of laziness. I just couldn't be bothered going into the bathroom to get stuff I needed when I or someone else in my house cut themselves. It has happened. Mostly because I had really dull knives and they say people cut themselves more on dull knives than sharp ones (not easy to swallow, but okay) so I have since invested in knives that will cut a shaft of hair in half. I digress. That story is for another blog entry. In my bathroom more stuff. In a cute little cabinet on my kitchen wall (not the above cupboard), still more. I'm sure there is stuff I should be tossing in the garbage. Now they tell me I can't just dispose of these pills. Fish out there are growing two heads from prescription pills dumped in the toilet. So I just keep putting more bottles in the cupboard and adding vitamins that will help my memory and general health. Funny thing is, when I don't take them for extended periods of time, I don't feel any worse. Do I really need them? Who knows. According to my doctor, everything that is wrong with me is a result of menopause. Headaches, body aches, stuffed sinus, probably even toothache. Who knows. At least I have 4 cupboards full of stuff to help me get well. I know, you are probably in the same boat. Lots of pills and not enough room for your glasses. So until tomorrow or whenever I get back to this, I bid you good bye and good health.

Monday, August 22, 2011 Tidy Scrap room

I think today was the most unproductive day I've had for a long time. I got out of bed to realize it was raining. I know we haven't had much in the way of precipitation lately, but I figured our spring more than made up for it. After wandering around for most of the morning and wondering what to do with myself, I finally decided to haul out all the beads I bought to make the key blingz. I was putting off trying this new craft as I hadn't really done beadwork before and was concerned with how to start. Once I got started it was a cinch. I think I need to buy some more items and I will be off to a good start. Anyone know where I can buy some neat things to hang from the keyring?
So now I will prowl the house looking for something to take a picture of.
Hank finished making me my shelf that I have been waiting for to help tidy my scraproom We brought it upstairs and I spent a little time tidying and sorting so I thought two pictures of my room were perfect for tonights post. Here is my craft room minus a wall of stuff. Mostly stamps so no big deal. I've finished my 100 days of summer posts and I actually think I've done just over that. I kind of like this idea but of course didn't like the running out of things to take a picture of. Melissa sent me an idea and I might do that. It would require 30 days more of postings so I will see if I really want to do it. So until I post again I bid you good bye and thank each and every one of you that followed my blog. Even if you only read a few of them I offer a hearty thank you for coming on my summer journey with me.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

The people in the Cottage and the Magnolia checked out today so we had a busy day with cleaning. Hank talked to them about music while they waited and chatted around the table on the deck. They had all come here to go to some jam or concert out in a cornfield here in town. Of course we wanted to know what kind of music they played and sang. Seems to be a lot of the same stuff Hank and his buddies do. We had guitar players, piano players and singers. They loved the garden and spent a lot of their time outside on the deck. Really nice people.
Our guests arrived for the Magnolia tonight and they are great. She asked permission to call me by my first name after I shook hands with them and told my name was Laurie. After telling us how wonderful the room and garden was they also spent most of the evening outside on the deck and in the hot tub. We really have had some awesome guests lately.

This is Peeka playing with her little yellow ball. She bats that thing all over the place and won't even look if it's not that certain kind of ball. Sometimes she carries it to where she wants it. I  only got a picture of her a few times doing it. We often go to sit down and find her yellow ball on the couch. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye. 

Saturday, August 20, 2011 BBQ and Guitar Pickers

I don't really have a photo for today. Well, I have one but it's on my phone camera and I don't know how to get it onto my computer. I think I need a cord of some kind. So we went to a BBQ at a house of one of the Saturday night jam guys. I forgot my camera so thought I could just use my phone and everything would be okay. I might never get the picture off. I did say 100 days of summer and I didn't say which 100 days so I guess it's okay to not have this picture. We had a frantic day of getting groceries, seeing to our guests, and making something for the BBQ. John, the one who did the cooking, must do this all the time. We had ribs that had some awesome sauce on them that I think he made, some kind of pulled beef and some other unidentified meat that was a bit spicy for me. The hosts provided everything except the side dishes. He apparently cooks the meat all day. The ribs just fell apart. Mmmmm good. He plays the big bass and his wife plays the dobro or steel guitar. Wow, she is great. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and maybe I will still be able to retrieve my photos.

Friday, August 19,2011 A Scrapbook page

Another beautiful day in paradise. I love it when I wake up to sunshine streaming in my window. Some people don't like that much, but I do. It wakes me up and tells me to get up and enjoy life. I had such a lazy day today. When I scooted past my scrapbook room it seemed to beckon to me. I did a couple of pages yesterday and now I'm getting that urge to get in their and create. This page was my challenge. A couple of years ago I went to a scrapbook garage sale. We had been every year for the past 3 years and loved it. I was in Bellingham and short of being very ill or having my husband book something else for me that weekend, missing it wasn't an option. The treasures there are unbelievable. So I found a package put out by Close to My Heart and it had a bunch of other packs in it. Each pack had all the papers, embellishments and instructions to complete one double page layout. I picked it up and walked around with it. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but I knew I could use it. I noticed another lady following me and I suspected she wanted them too and was waiting for me put them down so she could pounce. Finally she asked if I was taking them. Yes, I am. She said she really wanted them but she too was hesitant about the price. I found the lady that was selling them and asked if she would come down on the price and she did. I bought them. They have sat in my craft room all this time and I just started to use them earlier this year. This was one of the layouts. I had to add my own little something to it but it really was fast to put together. I changed the layout a bit, added the stamp in the corners and offset the pictures. I also didn't use the hearts that came with it along with some other embellies that I thought wasn't what the pictures were about. I think I only have two more days before my hundred days are done. If I don't find something else to take pictures of, I probably will only post once in a while. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye.

Thursday, August 18, 2011 Little fishes.

Earlier this year we added a few goldfish to our pond. All in all we added about fifty but I think we only have about 14 left. It's hard to count with all the plant cover we have in there. We have some new neighbors and I think one of their three cats has been coming over at night to have a fish dinner. I know I mentioned this before but I really wasn't a happy camper with the needless slaughter of the little fishes. I know the name of these little guys doesn't help when it comes to sealing their fate. When you go in the pet store and ask for some goldfish, they ask if it's "Feeder fish" you want. Really? Well it was, but do they have to call them that? It must give them a complex and set the stage for failure. Why are they at the bottom of the fish ladder? I took a picture of them today because, well I'm running out of things to take pictures of, and I thought how brave and maybe even smart the last 14 of these little guys are. I would crochet them all a medal but they really don't have a chest to pin it on. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hope I don't find any floaters tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011, The sunflower.

So I've got about 3 more days of my summer shots. I have to decide if I want to keep doing my blog or maybe just do it once a week. I think I'm really scraping the  bottom of the barrel when it comes to pictures. I've taken more flower pics than I thought I ever would. I don't even know what else in the house I could shoot. I'm hoping my scraproom will be sorted in the next few days so I can take a picture of it all neat and tidy. It's on my to do list. I won't run out of pictures any time soon so I should get a start on putting them in my scrapbooks. Today Hank was trying to help me find a likely candidate for the daily picture. He suggested the glads, the trumpet vine and several other plants. It goes to show that he really isn't following my blog or he would know I already did all those. My shot today is this sunflower. It's not a great shot and I should be editing them but I'm too busy giving myself that pat on the back for hanging in there and getting this done. I wanted to take this picture early in the day but as you know, they follow the sun, and so it just wasn't positioned right. My daughter would have worked magic with is photo. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I go to ponder my blog future. To be or not to be.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 The wedding card

The card is for the daughter of a friend. I can't make it to the wedding but I wanted to make a really nice card for her. That's how I spent my morning. I did clean a room again but the card was on my mind and so it took priority. I got the general idea from Splitcoast Stampers and changed it up so I could incorporate the Once Upon a Time on the front and inside the Happily Ever After.
My departing guests left me with a token of appreciation but it was well earned. Other than cleaning a room and making a card my day was pretty much humdrum. Oh yeah, I did receive a huge parcel. I heard the doorbell ring and went to answer it. There was a delivery guy carrying a huge parcel wrapped in brown paper. I'm thinking that I didn't order anything so maybe Hank was giving me an early anniversary gift. It also ran through my head that I was dreaming if I really thought that. I was giddy with anticipation. He says, " I have this parcel for your neighbor and they aren't home. Can I leave it with you?" . Damn. I smile and say okay. That was the highlight of my day. It's a sad story but true. It's still sitting in my back porch. Lucky neighbor!! So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hope tomorrow brings me a big parcel in brown paper.

Monday, August 15, 2011 Angel's Trumpet

This is called Angel's Trumpet or Brugmansia, Melissa bought this for her dad for Father's day a few years ago. It's got more flowers on it than any that we have had before. They are pretty much still in bud but if I think it's worth a picture I will take another shot of it later in the week when all the buds are open. I also have a pink one but it doesn't even have buds on it so I'm not holding my breath waiting for flowers. I think I get the whole feast or famine thing. We are getting our bookings for the bed and breakfast that should  have been coming in earlier in the year. I guess I can't complain even though it' been a whole lot of bed making and toilet cleaning lately. My pictures for the next while will probably be garden related. I'm going to try to get a picture of the huge orange cat from across the street. He or she, comes over to torment Tequila and kill my birds. I also think it might have had a few fish dinners. Today I heard that horrible cat sound that you hear when two cats are squaring off and no one is backing down. Sure enough Tequila and the Garfield nose to nose on my front sidewalk. I tried to spray it with my water gun but I think I scared Tequila more than the orange lurker. Wish me better luck next time. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and remember to be kind to animals. :)

Sunday, August 14, 2011 Bouquet from the garden.

Another day of shopping today. Mostly stuff we needed to do like groceries. We phoned Hank's mom to see if she wanted to go with us but she wasn't home. We left for Wal Mart to see if they had some specials on. While squeezing the fruit and checking for bruises we heard a guy screaming profanities over by the peaches. He was effing this and effing that. At first I thought he was on drugs or something but then noticed a large pallet on the floor in front of him. He bent down and with both hands threw it against the counter and onto the aisle. Still swearing and shouting I gathered that it had either fallen on his foot or he had tripped over it. He must have continued on for at least five more minutes before picking it up and marching madly up the store towards the customer service booth. Glad I wasn't working there. We finished up there and went to see if mom was home yet. Someone must have beaten us to it and taken her out for lunch. After finishing up at Super Store we headed home. Monica came over and we had tea and cookies. I happen to mention to Hank that I would love some flowers out of the garden. I thought maybe I might pick some tomorrow. He came in with a lovely bunch of Hydangeas from the garden. I loved the blue and white together and they are now on my kitchen table. Time for America's Got Talent.
So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I might have said it before, stop and smell the roses.

Saturday, August 13, 2011 Bargain hunters.

I awoke to Hank opening the bedroom door to peek in to see if I was awake yet. He had been up since 5:00 a.m. Yep, dawn. I don't get it. It was around 7:00am  when I heard the door open. He says, "There is a garage sale across the road." Okay, now you have my attention. I dragged myself out of bed and took a look out the window to make sure he wasn't just using a ploy to get me up. Yes, there it was. I got dressed and even skipped my coffee as we headed over to see what bargains awaited. We bought a beautiful solid wood dresser with lots of drawers, fourty bucks. Some other knick knacks like pie plates and casserole dishes for 50 cents each. Monica will get the pie plates. A beautiful battenburg tablecloth for two bucks. We came home and now we were in the bargain hunting mode so decided to go to Abbotsford and do all the second hand stores. We needed end tables and some lights for the wall in the Cottage small bedroom. We found the end tables. Picked up some other neat stuff and leisurely drove home down some back roads and through Yarrow. We spotted an ice cream stand called Mighty Moose ice cream. We stopped and ordered two one scoop in waffle cones. Mmmmm....delish. Good thing we didn't order the double scoop. It was a great day out. Our gladiolus just started blooming. We haven't planted them in years but this year decided to try them again. Neither one of us are fans of plants that you have to dig up but we made exceptions this once. We also bought some dahlias and they have been blooming for a few weeks. I'm so glad we planted them. This gladioli is on our back patio. Pretty isn't it? So until tomorrow I bid you good bye.

Friday, August 12, Peeka joins facebook.

Today I have two check-in's so made sure the rooms were all okay. One of the guests wanted to know if they could check in early and I said yes. At 10:00 a.m. they arrived and settled in for the day. I already vacuumed (well, I used the Rhumba) so I'm pretty much at a loose end for the rest of the day. Spending time on Facebook is primarily what I did. I just recently started playing Gardens of Time and I have to tell you, it's addicting. I figured it would be good for my mind as it utilizes the memory. I need that. Unfortunately, this game calls for more and more friends if you want to expand your garden. I want a huge garden but I only have a few friends that want to play the game. I already bugged my immediate family into joining even though they don't play it. I really want a big garden. Seeing as how I have availed myself of everyone I could think of to sign up I had to come up with someone else to help me. I only needed one more person to get another grid so as I sat watching my cat I had a brilliant idea. Why can't my cat be my friend?? She doesn't do anything else to earn her keep. She could certainly be of some use to me instead of sleeping all day and wanting pets. So I signed her up for a facebook account. Yes, I lied a little on her application. She didn't really go to Chilliwack Secondary School and she really isn't as old as her birthday indicates. You have to be a certain age to join Facebook and she wouldn't have qualified if I had put the correct birthday on there. Now I just have to keep up with her facebook and mine. If this works out I can see a Facebook page for Tequila (Melissa's cat) and maybe even some pets that have passed to that great animal kingdom in the sky. I really want a bigger garden. Maybe I mentioned that already. So stay tuned for more non existent Facebook friends. They are going to help me get a garden bigger than the one I actually own. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and happy gaming.

Thursday, August 11, 2011 Tea time.

Monica was dropped to visit with us while Jack went fishing. The ritual is always the same when she visits, it's always tea time. I haven't seen her since we went on our holidays and her and Jack did an awesome job looking after the place and watering the plants. So when she came over we chatted about our holidays and she told me they might have to move to Prince George. I know she doesn't want to go, it's too cold there and she is not a fan of cold. Even in the summer she likes a blanket wrapped around her when we are all looking for a fan. I'm not gonna lie to you, I haven't so far so I won't start now, I don't really want her to be that far away. Sometimes you have to set them free and hope they learn to fly. So as upsetting as it is that she might have to move, I think she will be okay and when she comes home for a visit we can still have a pot of tea and chat. That pot of tea seems vital somehow. It is a given. No coffee, always tea. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hold your children close while you can.

Wednesday, August 10, Our trip to Turkeys

This plant that grows proficiently up our plum tree is a Trumpet Vine. It similar to one given to me when my mother died.  I gave one to my friend when her brother died. I love the way it makes the plum tree all flowery and it always reminds me of my mom.  So now the Turkey's story. Susie phoned me one morning to see if I wanted to go to a party store. It was in Aldergrove or somewhere around there. I'm usually up for a shopping spree especially when the money being spent is not mine. We headed out to Aldergrove or Cloverdale or one of those towns down the valley. Susie didn't have the address but she said to just phone information and get the address and phone number from them. I did. I explained very clearly that I was looking for a party store named Turkeys. After we drove around every town in the area we decided to phone and find out where we were going wrong. Personally I think Turkeys is a stupid name for a party store but what can you do? I phoned them to get directions. "Hello," I hear. Then I hear some mumbling that I couldn't quite make out.  I did hear the word turkeys. Excellent!! Okay. "Hi, we are a little lost and need some directions as to where you are located." says I. She gives me directions and we set off. I told her we would be there shortly. Nope...something wasn't right. We were in an area where there are farms and houses and we needed an area where there were stores. Susie had been there before with her brother so she knew this wasn't right. After driving around for a while we decided that Susie had to get home so we abandoned the search.

A few weeks went by and Lurline was visiting. Susie phoned and asked if we wanted to take a ride out again to the famous Turkeys Party Store. Sure. So off we set again. Well we obviously hadn't learned a damn thing from our last time out there. We phoned again. It was easy this time as the number was programmed into her phone. "Hello", I heard. Then again some talking that I couldn't make out. "Hi, we are looking for your place but can't find you." She give me directions again. This time I figured I heard it all right and we knew where it was. Again we ended up in farmland and as we drove down this nice country road I noticed a sign that said, Fresh Turkeys. Oh oh. (Again I ask, who names a party store Turkeys?) Obviously we had a turkey store but not the one we were looking for. I hope she isn't still waiting. This time all three of us were laughing our heads off. I had the exact same conversation with this person twice, didn't find the store, and didn't need a turkey. She is probably wondering why these nice ladies keep telling her they would be right there and never show up.So until tomorrow I bid you good bye.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011 Love is like a butterfly.

This gorgeous butterfly was bought in Powell River. The background it's on leaves much to be desired but I was in a hurry so just snapped the picture. It's definitely harder to find something to take a picture of lately. It's also not easy to find something to write about. I'm thinking I might have to relate some little tid bits of my youth. Usually when I relate a story in person, it's somewhat amusing. I think if I write about it, there will be something lacking. One of those, " You had to be there." moments. I am however tempted to tell one and all about Susie and I and our trip in search of Turkeys. It's a long story so maybe I will leave it until tomorrow. I know I have piqued your interest but as funny as this story was I'm not sure I can capture the essence of it here. I will however try to do that in my next blog. It will give everyone a chance to anticipate what is to come. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hope I can make the story as funny here as it was when it happened.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Hank's last day at home before he goes back to work again. I have no idea how house work and wash build up when you aren't even at home. All day unpacking and doing wash.  The phone rang off the hook. What up with that. People only just deciding to go on holidays??I'm not complaining, far from it. I guess all it took was a few days of sunshine. I didn't see Hank for most of the day. He was outside trimming, cutting, weeding and who knows what else. Then off to buy some groceries and a quick visit with his mom. He did bring home some awesome Chilliwack corn. There was a steak on the plate too but I was hungry so now there is only the corn. It looks a little lonely but what can I say. It was scrumptious though. I'm thinking Chilliwack grows "THE" best corn ever. Still really exhausted so an early night was in store for both of us.So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hope you all have a chance to sample Chilliwack corn.

Sunday, August 7, 2011 Keyblingz

Off today for Gibsons. Ron was up early again today making coffee and toast for us before we left. Anne got up too so she could say good bye to us. They should really be in the hospitality business. Great hosts. We stopped and had a short but nice visit with Jacob and Kath before Jacob had to go to a golf tournament he was participating in. The view from their eating area is really unrivaled. It's gorgeous. So we left there and headed for the ferry hoping to get to Gibsons fairly early. We stopped at a craft fair along the way. Actually looking for a quick bite but found none. We phoned Lorna and after a brief refresher on how to get to her place we sat for a little chat then off to see what goodies her store held for me. She has such lovely things in her store and I only got to try on and buy a couple of tops. We still hadn't eaten so lunch was on the agenda. Lorna took us to a great place overlooking the harbor and we had a quick bite before we headed for the ferry. Apparently George was trying to board and from the conversation it probably wasn't looking good for us as far as getting home early. We only had to wait for two sailings and they had put an extra one on, so that wasn't too bad. We were two really tired people by the time we drove on the yard. Didn't even unpack anything. A quick bite again and then off to bed early. This was the key ring that I love so much. Thanks Anne for all the beads so I can try to make a few of them myself. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and good night.

Saturday, August 6, 2011 The Open Market

Market day!! Anne and Hank were singing at the Open Market today. We met Neil, Debbie, Jacob and Kath there and sat to listen to some old time singing with some old time singers. You know when there is an accordian involved the music is someone dated. Anne sang first with another couple who sings there all the time, and she did an awesome job on her own singing Wild Flowers. Then it was time for Hank and Anne to do some duets. They did some old stuff and I think they ended with "The Dance" which is always a crowd pleaser.  Fabulous job guys. From there we went to a garage sale in the parking lot of Liquidation World and found out that LW is going to be Big Lots very soon. I love Big Lots. I didn't see much at the garage sale and then spotted Kath with probably the only thing worth buying there. She had purchased, and I must say very wisely, a Lava Lamp. We then went over to the Dollarama where Hank bought some sun glasses as he and Ron were going to the driving range with Jacob. Annie and I went for a quick bite at Timmies and then home for another lovely chat in the back yard at Anne's. Another super supper and then Anne and I sat around the table while she waded through her beads and ear ring making stuff. She donated some lovely beads to my stash that I'm collecting  so I can take a shot at making some very interesting key rings when I get home. I know, not another craft. I'm really trying not take on another hobby but these things really caught my fancy and I'm hoping to make some really nice ones when I get home. Tomorrow we head for Gibsons and a visit with the Lovely Lorna. I can hardly wait. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye.

Friday, August 5, 2011 Heart is where the home is.

Hank, as is usual for him, was awake at some awful hour this morning. It took everything short of shackling him to the bed, to stop him from getting up. He heard someone in the kitchen so he was up and gone in a wink of an eye. I got up to a great breakfast made by the chief cook of steak, onions, peppers and eggs. Excellent coffee made with an actual percolator, and you know by now how much I love that. We drove to see the house that Neil was working on and we got the grand tour. What a gorgeous place, right on the beach and fish pond inside with koi. We wandered out onto the deck and saw this heart made up of pine needles and other stuff that had blown onto the deck. It was hidden away under a patio bench. At first I thought someone had put it there, so symmetrical and perfect. It seemed to say something to me, and even though I wasn't sure what the message is or was, I had to capture it for all eternity. Well...maybe not eternity...but definitely for a long while. Neil and Debbie came over for a delish supper and then off we all went to McKinney's Pub for some live music by the Werewolves of Creston. We sat with some of Anne's co-workers and Jacob and Kath joined us a little while later. We didn't get much of a chance for catch up unless the band was on a break. The place was hoppin' and I think I enjoyed people watching even more than the actual band. I must say though, the lead singer was a hoot and as Simon Cowell would say, " He made the songs his own." We walked home and talked and then sat out in the back yard and conversed for another hour or so. It was a great and very fun filled day and I must say, Annie and Ron are fabulous hosts. Damn, I'm sooo very lucky. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and with you family and friends that make you as completely happy as mine make me.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

This is the front of Maureen and Sandy's place. Hank could have sat there all week. Time is a wasting so we set off early from Parksville and thought we would be in Courtney early to visit with my cousin Ted and his wife Barb. After a quick look around the mall for a cord for my camera so I can upload my pictures to my blog, we phoned Ted and he came to get us and show us where he lived. I didn't realize it until I hung up, but I didn't really know if I would recognize him. It's been a while. When he cam across the parking lot I knew. He looks so much like my dad and even some of his speech patterns were the same. We followed him back to his place and spent a couple of hours listening to tales of the Powers family and stories I didn't know anything about. We perused papers that had histories of family members and sat with interest piqued as he related story upon story. I loved that we reconnected. I really wish we lived closer so I could glean more about the history of the Powers family. We left with a ssuitcase full of black and white pictures and a renewed interest in my past. All in all a great visit. We headed for the ferry to Powell River and a three day visit with Hank's side of the family. We visited with Ron and Anne and had a great meal of steak, potato salad, cole slaw and really great cucumber salad. Kudos to the cook. I should get Ron to give me some of his recipes. An evening of catch up and then off to bed so we can be all refreshed for whatever tomorrow may bring. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I know I will sleep well tonight.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011 Maureen and Sandy

We got up early to head up the Island towards Parksville to see our friends Maureen and Sandy. A nice leisurely drive is what we had in mind as her relatives were arriving and we didn’t want to intrude. So we set off and on our way we stopped at a thrift store in Duncan and went in to see what treasures we could score. The place was a mess. There was no organization at all and boxes of stuff all over the floors and in the aisles. There was a back door so we ventured out to see what was out there. More boxes of stuff. Probably close to a quarter of an acre of stuff all out in the weather in cardboard boxes. It would only take a little bit of rain to ruin just about all of it. Books, clothing and knick-knacks. I asked the only guys working, was there a set price on some of the stuff in the window? No, he says, you have to bring it to me and I will tell you how much it is. We wandered back inside and there were a few other customer in there now. Picked out 10 cd’s out of the hundreds they had there. “How much?” “$1.99 each.”” Any discount for bulk?”” No, they’re cheap enough already.” He snarled. Okay, we’ll take them anyway.

On the way out we noticed some Karaoke discs. We picked up two and I took them up to pay. The guy was outside so I had to wait for him. “I’ll take these two please.” He rang them up without a word and off he went again. We noticed a scrapbook album. Hank said he would take the rest of the stuff out to the can and I went outside to see what the cost would be. I held it up and shouted to him, “ How much?” “ Buck ninety nine” he shouted. I’ll take it. I waited by the till. Finally he meanders in and says…….wait for it…..” You still here?” Really? Really? It’s a thrift store for the town to help with the needy and he thinks he doesn’t have to be civil. “Yep,” I answer. Off we go.

Up to Chemanis to see the murals. Took a look around a craft fair and made two purchases. A hat band for Hank made of pop can tabs. Fabulous at least. A key ring for me with all kinds of beads and funky stuff on it. I love it.

In the evening we went to visit our friends that live right on the beach in Parksville. We had lots to catch up on and I loved sitting looking out over the ocean and enjoying the breeze, company and delicious hamburgers with pineapple on them that Sandy had made.

I’m really missing all my friends that have moved on to better things or at least better places. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I really have to tell you to enjoy your live, your family and your friends while you can.

Monday, August 1, 2011 My garden

Today we finished up some last minute things before we head out tomorrow. Hank is taking a friend to the airport in Vancouver so he and I spent some time in the morning taking new pictures of the yard. This is the award we got from the Rotary when we participated in their annual garden tour. It's kind of disappointing placing second and losing by only 4 votes, but at least we enjoyed doing it and we did get a nice rose bush given to us. The sun is shining today and I'm hoping that it stays that way for our trip to Powell River. Things are looking up. More than a few days of sun. I can hardly believe it. My postings might suffer a bit while I'm gone. Not sure I can get the computer up and running but I'll try to keep up. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I really bid you good bye.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 Trip to Victoria

Got up bright and early so we could be on the road in plenty of time to make our reservation on the ferry at 10:00am. We left Chilliwack at around 7:00 and were expecting road construction delays and maybe a traffic accident somewhere along the route to slow us down. We decided to cut off at Abbotsford and take the number 10 just in case. Smooth sailing all the way. Got to the ferry and actually boarded the 9:00 sailing. After driving around looking for somewhere to stay we decided on the Sandman. They were running a summer special (which is more than I could say for any hotels in the harbor district) and for an extra five dollars a night they upgraded us to to a room with a king size bed, a sitting area with an extra t.v.and a small kitchette. Hell yes!! We showed him the money and we had a great room. They had the Shark club attached to the hotel so we freshened up and went to have a drinky-poo. Belini's were on special for $2.99 and doubles were an extra $2.00. I'll have a double please and an appetizer. Upstairs for a nap then back down for pizza for $7.00 and two more Belini's. Yum, yum. Off to see the Drysdales. We went with Cynthia and Joel to the Rhodes Academy and had a walk around taking pictures here and there and then home to see Steve. What a perfect visit. Jena was babysitting so our time with her was very limited. I swear that is one great family. Joel is wonderful. Full of energy and always smiling. I love that in a child. It speaks volumes. Cynthia was her wonderful self that makes one want to stay and just talk and Steve is always amusing us with his sharp wit. Cynthia had tests so  studying awaited and we left with the thought in mind that we really want to see more of them. Logistically that won't come to fruition any time soon. I do want to try to make it over again to visit but we don't know when that will be. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and bottoms up.

Sunday, July 31, Another lovely pre night sky.

Today we cleaned house and car. Hank is taking a friend to the airport in Vancouver tomorrow so it was a great opportunity to get the car all cleaned out for our vacation. When we got up this morning it was grey, cloudy and miserable. By afternoon the clouds had mostly disappeared and the sun was shining. It was so warm we opened up the windows and doors and washed off the side patio. We ate a lovely dinner and tried to use up our vegetables and fruits before we go away, knowing that Monica and Jack probably won't get around to eating them. I ventured outside to take a picture of the gorgeous sky that was all shades of pink, blue and grey. People were out walking their dogs and doing what people do on a lovely summer day. As I got to the end of the driveway, two ladies stopped to talk to us about the bed and breakfast and how long we have lived here. By the time I snapped the picture most of the color in the sky had disappeared and this was what was left. Still lovely but not as lovely as it was. So until tomorrow, which is supposed to be sunny again, I bid you good bye.

Saturday, July 30, My messy scraproom.

I haven't stepped foot in my scraproom for months. Oh, I go in there to throw something on a shelf or on the areas where I do my scrapbooking, but I haven't created in there for a very long time. It's beginning to look a lot like a storage room with some very expensive items in it. I'm determined to get in there once I come back from my holidays and do a thorough reorganizing of my stash. Sometimes when I pass by and glance in there, I really get the urge to sort it out and sit and do a few pages. It just hasn't happened. Life has taken over and I always seem to be busy. It has given me some insight on the hoarders of the world and how they get like they are. I stand in the doorway and think, " Where do I start?" I have only myself to blame. It gets a little out of hand and you think you will get a handle on it in the morning. The morning brings more stuff added and then before you know it.....chaos. So this is only one side of the room. The other side is worse and messier. I am going to sort it out and then when it's looking all neat and tidy again , I will post a picture. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and take time to do something you really enjoy.

Friday, July 29, 2011 Candlelight

I had a mountain of wash it seemed to be taking forever to get through so I focused on that entirely today. My sister in law, Mary, popped over in the morning to pass some time while she waited for the bank to open. The house was a sty. We had purchased Roman Blinds for the front window and we had packing and boxes and tools all over the front room and the kitchen. Don't get me started on the back porch. Laundry piled everywhere. We chatted for quite a while then went for a walk around the garden to see the flowers and discuss gardening in general. After she left we knuckled down again to blind hanging and wash. The day passed quickly and Monica and Jack visited for the evening and we sat outside in our new mosquito netted tent, and lit the candles. The temperature was just right. This is a candle holder that my sister gave to us. It's so pretty at night with the flickering candles in the red holders. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hope I don't forget to take a picture.

Thursday, July 28 Grab bag of goodies

Who can resist a grab bag? Not I. It usually has junk in it but if the price is right I'll bite. Karen and I went shopping to the States again today. The guy at the border is almost on a first name basis with me. He's starting to get a little too familiar, if you know what I mean. Today he asked his normal questions: where you going, where do you live, then when Karen said we were going down to look for some clothes for me for my cruise in January, he wanted to know why I wanted to go on a cruise when the weather is 32 degrees with a stiff nor'easter blowing. Really? So we made friends and continued on our way. We stopped at Michaels first to see what Karen could possibly buy that she didn't already have for scrapbooking. Again I'm baffled at where she is putting all these purchases and expect that Bob will be sleeping out in the car soon as she takes over his bedroom. I was pleasantly surprised when she bought the Slice. I thought that was an excellent choice. I'm already thinking that a scrap weekend is in my future. Have to clean my scrap room first though. Outside we found some sale tables and one of them was devoted to grab bags. Huge bags of goodies and only two bucks each....yep you read that right, a toonie and the bag of treasures was all yours. At first I thought maybe it was just flowers but on closer examination in the car, I found all sorts of things I didn't want or need. It was just a fun bag for two dollars. As I removed each item Karen and I laughed at the uselessness of it all. I guess it will all go on my garage sale table this fall. We headed home after visiting a few more stores and being serenaded by an old gentleman in Mickey D's in the Bellingham Wally World. He was sitting at a table by himself singing some old songs to no one in particular. They say you see it all in Wal-Mart and I believe it. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and if you see anything you want in the picture above, it's yours.

Wednesday, July 27, She's off!!

Today was spent with Melissa getting all her ducks in a row for her move to Calgary. Even though she might only be there for a year and isn't taking her furniture, she still needed a carload of stuff. Bins, bags and boxes were packed and piled while she stressed over where she will put everything in the car. Good thing she got the roof top thing. So she carted it all out to the car and voila', she fit it all in with room to spare in the front seat. The green plastic table cloth on the top of the baby blue car really added that extra decorator touch that everyone wants when they are moving from one province to another. She was still doing packing and waiting for wash as we watched a bizarre movie called Junebug. That was two hours I will never get back. It was nice to spend the Melissa's last night in B.C. just chillaxing. Grandma had come over for supper and to say good bye to Melissa so we booked a flight for her to Winnipeg for later in the summer and chatted about nothing in particular. Tomorrow I will have to find something to do to take my mind off the trip my daughter is making to Alberta. Does a parent ever stop worrying about stuff like that? I doubt it. I'm in it for the long haul. Maybe a trip to the states again with my bff will help. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and good travels.

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 Somewhere over the rainbow.

Today was a pretty busy day but not with things people love to do. Even though Hank is on holidays we have stuff to do that we don't get done when he's working. Today it was a trip to the bank and an appointment about finances. I hate that. I always feel like a mushroom when talking to bank people. We got all that done and then Melissa met us so I could get her opinion on some items I wanted to buy for our cruise next January. All the summer stuff is on sale and if I don't buy it now then they will bringing in all the winter stuff and I won't be able to find a short sleeved top for love nor money anywhere. So I bought all my items and then headed home for a supper with Jack and Monica. Melissa didn't think she had room for all the stuff she had to pack so when Hank, Jack and her went to Canadian Tire to get a roof top carrier we noticed this beautiful rainbow. It wasn't this gorgeous when I took the picture but a little photo editing and ta-da....lovely rainbow in a blue sky. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and somewhere over that rainbow bluebirds fly.

Monday, July 25th, 2011 Shopping spree

I'm not very committed anymore as far as getting my blog goes. I really thought I would get back on track as soon as the summer party was done but I have noticed that other things keep me from getting back at it on a daily basis. It's not that I have lost interest, it's just that life takes over. I'm trying to get back at it and be a good photo blogger and I'm hoping today is the first day of my renewed commitment. After determining that we needed to do one final shopping spree before Melissa leaves for Calgary, we all headed for the States. Why not?? The selection of stuff is so different, our dollar is kicking butt and the prices are fantisimo. That's before we even mention the price of gas. I think we are just doing our duty. Helping out their economy is going to benefit all of us. So we tried on clothes, bought clothes, almost cleaned out the dollar store down there and met up with Hank's sister Betty for a great lunch and stimulating conversation. If there is one thing we know how to do it's spend money. Came across the border with a car load of stuff and smiles on our faces. With the amount of money we spend down there I really don't why they are having such hard economic times. We did our part. This picture is Sumas. Our old stomping grounds and what once was a Canadian favorite for drinking and dancing. Not so much anymore. Just a one street town that we pass through to get to the shopping meccas. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye.

Sunday, July 24, 2011 BBQ at Eddies

Another scorcher today, not that I'm complaining, just sayin'. We cleaned windows outside and did a wee bit of gardening. We had a bbq to go to at Eddie's and Maryanne's. It's all the Saturday night music people that Hank plays with. Eddie's garden is immaculate. The lawn was so nice, at first glance you might mistake it for astroturf. The edges are all neat and tidy and there was a small vegetable garden in the back. This fountain caught my attention as soon as I sat down. It wasn't running when we first got there but they did turn it on later and the sound of the water was really nice on such a hot day. I talked to the ladies there and then meandered in to listen to the guys playing. The songs are usually old, dirt old, but entertaining. I heard a few I hadn't heard before and liked and for a jam group I think they sounded really great. You really have to like that old time music to fully appreciate the songs. We had bbq steaks that were sooo good. Done just right. Potato salad, cold slaw, shrimp and numerous other foods. We were told not to bring anything so we only picked up some chips and pop. What a great afternoon in the sunshine. We are invited to two more in the near future. Should be a nice summer for bbq's and music. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I think I need some of that old time music on my computer.

Friday, July 22, 2011 Harry Potter

Since Melissa moved in we have been doing some things that we wouldn't ordinarily do. We do go to the movies but not very often. We don't even watch movies very often even at home. Earlier in the year we joined Netflix in the hopes that we could do something in the evenings and just veg. She got us hooked on some programs such as Damages, United States of Tara, and Mad Men. I just finished watching the United States of Tara and we all love, love, love Damages. While she has been here she has also got us hooked on some movies such as The Matrix, X Men and Harry Potter. I think we watched the first Harry Potter then we just didn't bother with the rest of them. She quickly informed us that we needed to catch up and then last year we all went to see the latest Potter movie. She had us hooked and we could hardly wait for the last installment. We went to see that tonight. I found it a little anti-climatic but watching in 3D was pretty awesome. So this is the shot of our new Galaxy Theater at Chilliwack Landing. I do love the fact that we can sit anywhere and it's a good seat and you don't have to worry about not being able to see over the person in front of you. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and remember, "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live",.

Saturday, July 23, 2011 Another flower

I was sooo happy to see sun today. It actually poured in my window. Wowser. I had a room to clean when our guests left so hung around the house for a while. Meanwhile, Melissa had made an appointment for her cat to be shaved in a few places because of mats. I decided to go with her in case she needed a hand and off we went. It was only a five minute drive but you would have thought the world was coming to an end by the noises coming from the cat carrier. We got there and the girl that did the shaving was very nice and very patient and I would recommend her to anyone that needed an animal groomed. We finished there and arrived home to do some work. Melissa and Hank put up our new canopy on the top deck and then we decided to go out and about for a while. Ice cream was definitely on the menu. Stopped at Dairy Queen and after a few more stops came home to find our new guests just arriving and ready to be checked in. Then we sat and had a cider on the deck under the new canopy. Great day. Picture time and my camera had been left in the car so I had to use Melissa's. This is our Hydrangea in the front garden. Should be loaded with blooms in a few weeks. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hello sunshine.

Thursday, July 21, 2011 The new purchase

Still recuperating from the Calgary trip today. It's a happy, sad day for me. Melissa got the job she went to Calgary to interview for so she will be moving back there again. I'm glad she got the position but sad to see her move so far away again. I guess we will have to just wait until next January, when we all meet on the cruise, to see her and the rest of the Calgary crew. Today we spent doing wash and catching up on a few things. The weather is so depressing with clouds and some rain every day. It did clear up this evening but the grey skies make me want to be back in Calgary and the sunshine and warmth. The weather people are trying to sell us a bill of goods when they get all excited because there will be sun this weekend and a few clouds. The temperatures are below what they should be for this time of year but we should be soooo happy for two days of sunshine?? Not me. I want at least a week of sun, coffee on my deck, and my flowers not looking like they were just dipped in a barrel of water. It looks like my hubby was out and about in the thrift stores scouting out bargains while I was away. He managed to scoop up this bowl that makes a gorgeous bird bath. The birds might actually use it if it ever stops raining. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and I hope I will be more diligent about getting my blog posted now that I am home.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

We didn't get up really early to leave for Chilliwack. We figured we had plenty of time to get there and wanted to take our time leaving. I wanted to make sure I gave my grandkids a big good bye kiss and hug and it would have been nice to do that while I could include my daughter. I think Lurline knew and decided to leave for work while I was in the shower getting ready. I know she doesn't do well with saying good bye but really.....I need a hug when I leave. Our trip home seemed to take a lot longer even though it really was only 1/2 an hour more. There was so much construction going on and the time dragged on. The weather was sweltering hot in some places and pouring rain in others. It was good to get home and sleep in my own bed. Home really is where the heart is. This picture is Castle Mountain. It's  between Banff and Lake Louise and  seemed to be popular with anyone with a camera. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011 A trip to Value Village

I thought I brought all the right clothes with me for my trip but didn't count on the Calgary heat. My clothes were better for the Chilliwack weather that I had just left, warmish, but still in the range of things you would wear for summer. We had also decided to stay another day so a run to Value Village for a few things to wear for the next couple of days, was in order. Melissa was also looking for a few items so it worked for both of us. They had some nice stuff there so it was hard for me to concentrate on just clothing. So I filled my basket with a ton of clothes knowing that if I found one item I would consider it a miracle. I hate trying on clothes and I hate shopping for them. I pulled the cart behind me and when a cubicle came open I darted in and being mindful of the 6 items only rule, I left the rest outside the dressing room so I had easy access to them as I discarded the ones I didn't want. I was doing okay until the lady in the next cubicle was told by the clerk that when it says 6 items only, it means you can only try on 6 items then you have to go to the back of the line and wait again for another dressing room to come available. So three trips to the back of the line and I scored with a couple of tops and some capris. Melissa did well also but her stuff looked like it just came off the rack at some fancy store. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and look for those bargains, you never know.

Monday, July 18, 2011 Calgary Storms

Visiting Calgary is always a surprise when it comes to weather. We had heard on the radio that there was a funnel cloud there the day before we arrived and it had apparently touched down somewhere in the southwest. Lurline said it didn't do much in the way of damage and no one was hurt. The weather systems change there more often than I can say. You can dress in shorts in the morning and by the afternoon you need a parka. I'm not saying it was quite that bad but we had storms. Their thunder storms are frequent and loud. Today we saw the gathering clouds and so hurried out to get a picture of them before they moved on. So this is the resulting picture. The sky is ever changing and very interesting. At least we didn't get funnel clouds. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and hope I don't end up in Kansas.

Sunday, July 17, 2011 K Country

Another beautiful day in Calgary but we could tell already that going to Stampede wasn't going to be a good idea. As we sat around the breakfast table discussing our plans for the day, it seemed like the perfect day for a drive in Dave's 1969 Firebird convertible. I think I got the year right on that. So we packed a small snack and headed for K Country also known as Kananaskis. I had my camera ready just in case we came across some wild life. It says it's bear country so of course my first thought was that I might actually see one. Then my second thought was that we are in a convertible with the top down and it would be best if we didn't see one. As it turns out the only thing wild we saw was a deer when we went for lunch and this bunch of scraggly mountain sheep that looked like they had seen better days as far as their coats went. I did get a shot of the back end of a deer facing forward, but it wasn't a good picture. I think the bear signs are just to keep tourists happy. They put them there so people will think they are going to see one. I haven't seen one there yet. The scenery was awesome. We stopped at a lake that was a gorgeous shade of green and the mountains were so close and looked so awesome that I wondered if everyone appreciated the fact that we live in such a beautiful country with so many wonderful things to see. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and let the sun shine in.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 Stampede City

Today was our first day in Calgary and it was very hot. We took a trip downtown to see if there was anything going on for Stampede. There wasn't any entertainment so we went to the outside patio at Earl's to have a bite to eat. We left Dave at home to do gardening so he didn't have the pleasure of our company. As we sat and ate our lunch and had a quick beer, I snapped a couple of pictures of Melissa, Lurline, Talia and Tristan. This was the picture I liked the most. In the evening, Dave was going to drive us to the pub and go home but decided a nice cold beer would just hit the spot. So we sat on the patio at Ceili's and had a beer (or two) and a bite to eat. We had live entertainment and he was singing the Celtic songs that were popular with most people. What a great day. Family, beer on the patio and music. You can't get any better than that unless it included my friend that couldn't make it because she was on the opposite side of Calgary. We discussed going to Stampede tomorrow but it's up in the air with it being the last day and the heat is going to be unbearable. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and Yeeeeehaw.

Friday, July 15, 2011 Three Valley Gap

Today we left to spend  a few days in Calgary. I was excited to see my grand kids and Lur and Dave. In the morning we had to get ready and then go for a lunch to the Rotary  to see who won the People's Choice for the garden tour. Looked like we wouldn't be getting on the road until 2:00 or so. The dinner was nice and we met some of the other gardeners that participated in the tour. The couple sitting next to us won. The speaker said it was a close vote and the second place winner only lost by four votes. We all received a rose bush and a dvd of all the gardens on the tour. There seemed to be a lot of pictures of ours on there and we were on the front of the dvd. As we were leaving one of the organizers came and told us we were in second place and only lost by four votes. We were asked the day of the tour if we wanted to vote as we went to all the gardens and looked to see what they were all about. If we would have voted it would have been a tie. There were four of us that did the tour that day but we thought it a little unethical to vote so we declined. I probably would have voted for the garden that won anyway. I really liked it. So the trip to Calgary was uneventful and it really didn't seem to take 9 1/2 hours. Time flew by. This picture is of Three Valley Gap just North of  Revelstoke. I always loved the red roof when we drove by. I was ready to hit the bed when we arrived though. Long, long day. So until tomorrow I bid you good bye and happy trails.