Skywatch Friday

Not 100% sure what it's going to do today, as the sky looks "full," let's hope the sun shines and we end up with a nice day.........

Notice the buds on the branches at the top of the phots, Spring is slowly bringing things to life.....

For more Skywatch Friday Posts, please click on this link

A couple of British things and Molly.......

So I see we can now order clothes from Topshop to be delivered here in Canada and the States.  I remember as a teenager that was a cool place to shop and get the latest trends.  I used to love the loud music all the latest hits, those cool changing rooms, just the whole experience and it meant also we had to travel to the closest city Carlisle to shop there.

Fast forward 30 years and I hate that kind of fashion.  I hate loud music in the stores and the lighting is usually terrible.  Give me normal lighting, classic clothes; oh and soft quiet music any day!!  Must be getting old..........and I nearly forgot a comfy chair to sit on in case I am tired with strolling from the car to the store!

My brother sent me a photo of his toilet seat, very patriotic don't you think?  Anyhow I did a google search and happened upon this site make sure you look at the rubber ducks, they are just the cutest things out there.

Molly had a busy day guarding the property from the marauding squirrels again.  Here she is watching the tree.

Okay she has spotted him/her....

Close up of him/her......

Here's Molly worn out from all her activities.  Notice her paw touching her raw hide chew!!

Did you remember to put your money in your daily savings pot today?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

Pay cash. Leave the plastic at home and try using cash for a week. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in your spending. Here’s a hint—once your wallet is empty, your shopping is over for today.

My column, and other "stuff"

I talk about BBQ season or in my case cremating season in my column this week on The Eden Valley Messenger.  No idea what I am going to write about next week......no doubt something will pop up before the weekend.

The workmen arrived on Tuesday and  got all the drywall/plasterboard hung in the attic.  So now the guy who puts on the mud and tape will come in and sort it all out.  He has got the stomach flu at the moment, so not 100% sure when he is going to arrive?

It poured down all day on Tuesday and with the guys walking in and out, there is mud from one end of the house to the other.   However there is little point of doing too much cleaning as when the sanding begins its going to be nasty.  I am so not looking forward to that.

10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.

2.You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.

3.The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.

4.Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.

5.You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says "How's my driving-call 1-800-***-."

6.Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.

7. You're convinced there's a God and he's male.

8.You can't believe they don't make a tampon bigger than Super Plus.

9.You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.

10.The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

Off to get more chocolate and ibuprofen!!!

Did you remember to put your money in your daily savings pot?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

Keep it indoors. Whether you’re heating or cooling, you don’t want your energy going out the door. Caulk and weather-strip around doors and window frames. Closely check any area where pipes go from the outside of your home to the inside, especially plumbing pipes. And if you have operable storm windows, make sure those are shut, too.

Couple more jobs crossed off the to do list......

Well first of all the workmen never turned up on Monday.  Personally I think the store forgot about us, but they used the excuse that some of the guys had come down with the stomach flu.  Anyhow, they will be putting up the drywall/plaster board on Tuesday.  Then someone else is coming in on Thursday, Friday and maybe Saturday (?) to do the taping and sanding.


Regardless, the sooner it is done the better, as me and dh are camping out in the spare bedroom, and sleeping in that bed, which is only a double bed.  We are used to a queen sized bed, and it's a bit squishy; and with me suffering from numerous hot flashes being squished together is not a good thing. 


I got a couple of sewing jobs done.  Including the black, white and red block of the month.  I have to say this block pattern is my favourite so far and pretty easy to do.

I also got the net curtain sewn for the closet and dh got the shelves put up in there.  I will have photos of that tomorrow.  Plus dh got permission to take some old breeze/cinder blocks to work to dispose of; so we loaded the truck up with them on Monday afternoon, saving us dumping fees.

I am so glad I moderate all my comments, as I have been hit with all sorts of "spam" posts these last few days.  I have no idea where they are coming from but it is a pain.  I'm just thankful that I can moderate them and reject them, so you guys don't have to deal with the rubbish that is written.

Did you remember to put your money in your Daily Savings Pot today?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

Visit your home improvement store like Lowe's or Home Depot. They offer free programs that teach you the skills you need to fix up your home. If there isn't a class someone will explain in detail the how to of fix up.

Cross Stitching.......

I got a new to me magazine when I was out the other day, called Cross Stitch Crazy. It's of course a British magazine, I think the British have the best magazines in the world.  I signed up for the newsletter and entered all the competitions, other than the ones for the sewing machines, as they won't work over here.

It had a lovely little free project in it, for a bookmark, so I have been busy doing that. (right of photo)

One tip that all experienced cross stitchers know, but if you're new to the craft, these kits have a habit of coming with no identification of what colour is what.  Make sure you go through the colours in the day light, and get a piece of cardboard and write down the colour and the symbol used, and put a hole in for each colour.  That way it's easier to find the right colour threads.  In this case there are 4 different mauve colours and a pink, which is similar to the light mauve!!

I love doing cross stitch as much as I love sewing.

By the time you read this on Monday morning, the workmen should have arrived (9am out time) to start on the drywalling/plasterboarding. I of course have signed up to be their chief supervisor, and a fine job I will no doubt do!!  Not sure how lon they will be here, but I have cleared my week to be at home, other than on Friday when I have a meeting at 2pm at the church.  I am putting forward a motion to be in charge of organizing a cookbook for a church fundraier.  Should be fun and pretty simple to do.  Just have to print out some figures, got my sample cookbook and I am all ready to go.  Think it should be a relatively easy thing to persuade the members to sign up for.

I still have a list of things to do sewing wise this week, so want to work my way through that list; as when these guys have gone, I am going to be busy deocrating.

Did you remember to put your money in your Daily Savings Pot today?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

Eat less meat. For the nutritional value, meat is very expensive, especially as compared to vegetables and fruits. Simply change around your regular meal proportions to include more fruits and vegetables and less meats – eat a smaller steak and a bigger helping of green beans, for example. Not only is this a healthier way to eat (saving on health costs), it’s also less expensive.

Today's Flower

One thing I am seeing popping their heads through the soil are the irises, so I know I will be guaranteed some colour in the garden this year.  This is a taster of what they will look like in a few months time.

For more today's flower's photo's please click on this link

Bits and bobs for Sunday.......

Friday the temperature hit around 18oC.  Saturday it was barely above freezing with the windchill.  What is going on with our weather?  We even had snow flurries on Saturday; it didn't stick but it was a reminder to everyone, that it is still only March.  I even had to put the fire on, thank goodness we still have plenty of wood left.

I first saw this video over on someone elses blog.........I apologise to that person as I have forgotten whose it was.......

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food, now it is over 21 minutes long, but it is an eye opener.  My only gripe with the whole thing, is Jamie cannot stand still and it's annoying. 



It's a short post today, as I honestly don't have much to say for myself, I know shocker!!

Did you remember to put your money in your Daily Savings Pot today?

Today's Money Saving Tip:

Pass on extended warranties. A $129 two year extension on a $300 product is just not worth it. Warranties are insurance, and we rarely need to insure such a small amount.