December 8, 2011

It is unbelievable that these roses could still look like this on December 8. For the southern states that might not be so unusual but for Canada, it is amazing!

Cyber Monday!!

Plumber arrives at 8:00 - Because that took top priority, forgot to put used items out for pick-up by diabetes association.

Plumber repairs toilet - attempts repair on shower, removes problem diverter but does not have a replacement - goes back to shop - does not have one - sends us to Canadian Tire to get one - they do not have one - sends us to plumber shop in Stoney Creek - we go home- weren't sure where the plumbing shop was located - searched for it in phone book and online to no avail - call Home Hardware - they did not have it - called Rona Hardware - they didn't have it but assured me that Home Depot did - called Home Depot - they didn't have it - Called another Canadian Tire - they didn't have it but gave me phone number of the company that makes the faucet - searched online for the company and found the number of the needed part - called company and ordered the part - found out it was under warranty and all I had to pay for was the shipping, should have it in 3 to 10 days. Whew!!

Now for the next ordeal. It always seems a better plan to order things for the great- grandchildren in Oklahoma and have them sent to Lita. So Sears had some items that I really liked. I went online to Sears in the states to place my order with my US dollar credit card. First, it took awhile to find the correct sizes and just the right items. Then, I start the order process. When I got to the point of actually ordering, they wouldn't let me since the credit card has a Canadian address, so I try Pay Pal, still refused, so with my determination, I found a phone number so I could order the items. After being on the phone with a Sears salesman, being put on hold a few times, explaining my plight, I thought it was going to go through. But, no, he finally said I could order from Sears Canada and have it shipped to Oklahoma. I can go into a Sears store in Tulsa, purchase hundreds of dollars of merchandise, use my credit card, no questions asked. I can use Pay Pal on ebay using my card, no questions asked. I can purchase from Amazon, in the states, have the merchandise shipped to Oklahoma, no questions asked. ????? Too bad I'm not getting paid by the hour.!!!!!

The Old Grey Mare

I decided we needed a way to exercise when the weather is too bad to walk outside so found this little bike at a second hand store. Sooo today, even though I walked this morning, I went for a spin. I did like all the young people do, I got my IPod out, put the ear buds in and had my iTunes randomly search for songs. The first song was "You lift me up" (don't know if that is the name) but it is a very beautiful song. Then the next song was "The Old Grey Mare"."The Old Grey Mare ain't what she used to be". I don't even know how that song got in my song list. I thought it was really appropriate when I was sitting there peddling like crazy. It sure fit the occasion.

Surgery Hurdles!

Positives: Finally getting solutions, after 8 months of tests

Spending lots of time with hubby

Quality time with children and grandson

Knowing one has enough intestines to spare a few inches

Not getting stuck in elevator, which happened only minutes before getting on

Getting special attention from one special nurse friend (You know who you are!)

Having good accommodations at Comfort Inn

Negatives: Seeing the 22 staples in Hubby's abdomen

Recognizing his lack of appetite when the broth, jello, and juice are placed before him

Getting hubby to drink enough water

Finding high fiber foods that suit hubby's appetite

Having questions about redness around staples

Having questions about distended abdomen

Trying to have a good bowel movement

Some hurdles are yet to be faced but so far we have been able to get over the ones we've had.

can you spot the spider web?

Look at the roof of the house.

my best harvest moon shot

A view of fall colours on my street

Cat and Birds

If only the cat knew the birds were in the front of the house, he would move to the front. This cat was on the rail of our deck when I got up this morning. The dove keep hanging around our front yard.

Dove

These little babies, which look full grown already, have made their home in our front yard. They blend in perfectly with the mulch. It is almost impossible to see them when they are on the mulch. They hatched in the tree in our front yard. I nearly scared one half to death one morning when I came barreling up on the front porch at the end of my walk. I had no idea it was on the porch.

Beautiful entrance to Georgian Bay

A few pictures I took through the windshield as we drove into Meaford. Such an awesome sight.

New Glasses

I did a bit of photoshopping. The other lady had so many wrinkles! This one has a few but not as many. I'm sure it was just my camera or the photographer!

RAIN FOREST IN CANADA???

Friday 13th again!!

Could today be a continuation of Friday 13th? Dark cloudy day! Cold enough to wear gloves for walking.

I decided this would be a good morning to make oatmeal muffins. Got them in the oven and about half way through baking, the hydro went off. Will the oven be hot enough to continue baking them? Perhaps it will only be off a few minutes.

What do I do now? I can't check email or facebook on the PC. The power is off. Oh, yeah, the laptop is fully charged. I can check them there!! Oh, but, there is no internet connection.

Power comes back on and the muffins turn out well. Had a good breakfast and my helper was clearing the table when he spilled a pitcher of cream. What a mess! Nothing to do but clean it up.

Then, while sweeping the grass cuttings off the floor, which we had tracked in because some people do not clear them from the sidewalk, I see ants crawling. Time to get the ant traps out.

Well, at least we are not having to evacuate because of wild fires or floods. Life is GOOD!!

April Storm

While we were in Oklahoma, dodging storms, Beamsville experienced its own storm of sorts. It was not deemed a tornado but straight winds of 124 km per hour. Many trees were uprooted, shingles were blown off roofs and fences were blown down.

After we got home I went for my morning walk. I was walking my usual path, not paying a lot of attention to the area ahead of me when all of a sudden I see a tree blocking the entire path. I said, either out loud or in my mind "whoa". Thankfully it was at an area where I could go down another path and didn't have to go all the way back to get home.

huge tree which had fallen

the roots of the tree

Oklahoma visit

One reason the kids love Marcia!The pink slippers match the scarf and flower in the hair perfectly!

Bet you can't find us now!!

A NEW BABE IN CHRIST

Angels rejoiced and we who have been reading with international students are thrilled as one of our readers requested baptism. Our prayers are for him as he continues to study and grow spiritually.

Some amazing sights greeting me as I arrived at church Sunday morning.

And then on Sunday evening this one captivated my attention!

This little dove is wondering!! Which way is Mexico???
The biggest snowfall of the winter came last night and this morning. It was blowing quite hard, thus the magical images that were visible.

WHAT RETIRED PEOPLE DO!!

Maw and Paw watch the lights on the new washer!!

LAKE ONTARIO ON A WINTERY DAY

Lake Ontario as seen from the Beacon Motel.

Look for the CN Tower across the lake!