Catching you all up with my news....

Not that anything exciting has really been happening.  My brother in Britain drives for a company called Stobbarts it is a well known trucking company in Britain.  Each one of the trucks has a girls name on it.  My brother has just got a new truck and was allowed to name it.  He named it after my mother and our daughter, Christina Corinne, both were super pleased.  I said to my brother that was charming, what about me, he said he would name his next one Gillian if he could............So if you're in Britain and see a Stobbarts truck named Christina Corinne wave at him as it's my brother.


On Saturday we went to see the lady who makes fascinators as dd wants one instead of a veil, and I wanted one instead of a hat.  Blair makes the most gorgeous of fascinators and is a very talented young lady.  Dd is taking parts of various feather fascinators and putting them together.  I chose one from the Fall/Winter 2011/12 collection that she hasn't got online yet.  Here is her website though and you can see some of her work.  I suggested a name for the fascinator I wanted as it didn't have a name, so it will be interesting to see if she does actually name it that.  The name: Duchess Britt, not sure if it will be one or two "T's."

Dh was off on Monday, so we ran some errands, and one of the places we went to was Babies R Us  Dd and I are going to a baby shower in a week or two's time.  I haven't set foot in either Toy's R Us or Babies R Us in years, so it was really interesting to see what there is out there for babies now.  I got a safety gate and a nursing pillow thing, both were on the gift registry.

It's gone awful hot and humid around here which is weird, as last week a couple of the days it was chilly.  The good thing about living in a stone built house it takes around three days for the place to heat up, so we are hoping to not have the a/c on any time soon. 

The grass of course is growing at a rate of knots.  I did manage to get Kamikaze Hill cut again and the front lawn.  I bought some roses and am going to attempt growing them.  I am not an expert when it comes to roses so it will be interesting to see if they will grow.

Some Things that May Disappear in our Lifetime.....

I saw the following online and although it is a bit of a read I thought it was interesting..........

The Post Office:

Get ready to imagine a world

without the post office. Financial problems make it

improbable that the traditional post office functions

can be sustained. Most of the mail being handled is

bills and junk mail. Email, Fed EX, and UPS have

just about wiped out the minimum revenues needed

to keep the post office alive.

Cheques:

Britain is already laying the

groundwork to do away with cheques by 2018. It

costs the financial system billions of dollars a year

to process cheques. Plastic cards and online

transactions will lead to the eventual demise of the

cheque. This plays right into the death of the post

office. If you never paid your bills by mail and

never received them by mail the post office would

absolutely go out of business.

The Newspaper:

 The younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper.

 They certainly don't subscribe to a daily delivered print edition. That may go the way of the milkman, the bread

man, and the laundry man. As for reading the paper

online, get ready to pay for it. The rise in mobile

internet devices and e-readers has caused all the

newspaper and magazine publishers to form an

alliance. They have met with Apple, Amazon and

the major cell phone companies to develop a model

for paid subscription services.

The Book:

You say you will never give up the

physical book that you hold in your hand and turn

the literal pages. I said the same thing about

downloading music from iTunes. I wanted my hard

copy CD but I quickly changed my mind when I

discovered that I could get albums for half the price

without leaving home to get the latest music. The

same thing will happen with books. You can browse

a bookstore online and even read a preview chapter

before you buy. And think of the convenience!

Once you start flicking your fingers on the screen

instead of the book, you find that you are lost in the

story, can't wait to see what happens next, and you

forget that you're holding a gadget instead of a

book.

The Land Line Telephone:

 Unless you have a large family and make a lot of local calls, you don't need it any more. Most people keep it because

they've always had it, but you are paying double charges for that extra service.

Music:

This is one of the saddest parts of the

change story. The music industry is dying a slow

death, not just because of illegal downloading. It's

the lack of innovative new music being given a

chance to get to the people who would like to hear

it. Greed and corruption are the problem. The

record labels and the radio conglomerates are

simply self-destructing. Over 40% of the music

purchased today is classed as a "catalogue item",

meaning traditional music that the public is familiar

with - older established artists. This is also true on

the live concert circuit. To explore this fascinating

and disturbing topic further check out the book,

"Appetite for Self-Destruction" by Steve Knopper,

and the video documentary, "Before the Music

Dies".

Television:

Revenues to the networks are down

dramatically. People are watching TV and movies

streamed to their computers, and they are playing

games and doing lots of other things that take up the

time that used to be spent watching TV. Prime time

shows have degenerated down to lower than the

lowest common denominator. Cable rates are

skyrocketing and commercials run about every 4

minutes and 30 seconds. I say good riddance to

most of it. It is time for the cable companies to be

put out of our misery ... let people choose what they

want to watch online and through Netflix.

The "Things" That You Own:

Many of the possessions that we used to own are still in our

lives, but we may not actually own them in the

future. They may simply reside in "the cloud".

Today your computer has a hard drive and you store

your pictures, music, movies, and documents. Your

software is on a CD or DVD and you can always reinstall

it if need be but all of that is changing.

Apple, Microsoft, and Google are all finishing up

their "cloud services". That means when you turn

on a computer the internet will be built into the

operating system. So Windows, Google, and the

Mac OS will be directly connected to the web. If

you click an icon, it will open something in the

internet cloud. If you save something it will be

saved to the cloud and you may pay a monthly

subscription fee to the cloud provider. In this

virtual world you can access your music, your books

or whatever else from any laptop or handheld

device. That's the good news ... but will you

actually "own" this stuff or will it be able to

disappear at any moment in a big "poof"? Will

most of the things in our lives be disposable and

whimsical?

Privacy:

If there ever was a concept that we can

look back on nostalgically, it would be "privacy".

That's gone. It's been gone for a long time anyway.

There are cameras on the street, in most of the

buildings, and even built into your computer and

cell phone. You can be sure that 24/7 "They" know

who you are and where you are, right down to the

GPS coordinates and the Google Street View. If

you buy something your habit is put into a zillion

profiles and the ads you receive will reflect those

habits.

All we have that can't be changed are memories.

A short blogging vacation...........

I'll post again on Monday morning.  Got a busy weekend ahead of me, will tell you all about it on Monday.

Have a super weekend and for those of you in Britain enjoy the bank holiday.

Oh and 22 years ago tomorrow we arrived in Canada..............those years have flown by so fast.......

Another trip to the dentist..........

So on Thursday after work I went to get my root canal redone.  I wasn't looking forward to it and rightly so as it flipping well hurt.  However I did live to tell the tale as they say and I go back again on June 14th to get the temporary filling removed and the permanent one put in.

Now a bit of a funny story.  I am a gagger when it comes to having x-rays done at the dentist.  The girls know to use the children's crocodile clip when inserting the x-ray film into my mouth to help me not to gag.  For some reason though when the dentist was done he wanted an x-ray and decided to do it himself.  Before I could say anything he shoved this big thing with the x-ray film in my mouth.  I of course major gagged and could even feel the bile coming up my throat before he yanked it out.

He then decided to get his assistant to do it while he left the room to see another patient.  She of course used the correct children's instrument and I didn't gag.  We were actually laughing about it, as she knew right away what I would do, and as I said I knew also it wasn't going to end pleasantly if he did that!!!  I bet he never tries to take an x-ray from me again!!!

I also now have the have the "raincoat" over my teeth when they do any work as that way I keep my tongue out of the way and I can breath and swallow properly.  I so hope this works this time, but I don't feel overly confident about it all...............

Busy, busy, busy...........with photos....

I spent the day in the garden on Wednesday on my "day off."  I got a couple of jobs crossed off my list, but the jobs on my list is still a mile long.  I did however get the annuals planted in pots.  I even bought a couple of window boxes full of plants this year.

We bought a new to us "toy" on the weekend a wood chipper.  We got it through Kijiji and paid $400; it sells in Canadian Tire for around $1,000, so we were pleased with the price.  Dh is enjoying using it and has been making lots of wood chips/mulch for the garden. 

So I spent part of the morning putting mulch around some trees and bushes.  As you can see by the photo below we have a lot of branches still to shred.  You will also be pleased to know that I can't start it, and dh doesn't want me doing it.........which means one less job for me...YEAH!!!

In the afternoon I spend a while hauling more branches up from the bottom of Kamikaze Hill to the top.  Also picking up some logs from the trees dh has been trimming.  That was hard sweaty work, even with using the tractor and trailer.  I also finally got the field cut again, this will be the third time it has been cut in the past five days.  I did a double cut the first time, as it was so long and I have just finished doing it again.  I have more or less got caught up with cutting the grass, which is just as well as we are forecast for rain AGAIN!!

I saw the following story about solar highways in an email I received and thought you may be interested:

http://www.wimp.com/solarhighways

As I write this on Wednesday night I am just so tired so haven't had an opportunity to visit anyone's blog.  My apologies for that; but I just don't have the energy.   I hope to catch up with you all over the next few days.......

If you use Bloggger please read........

For those of you who use blogger and have the word verification turned on please read on.  When I go to comment on your blog and a box pops up to ask what account I want to use, in my case Google as I use Blogger, it will send me to another screen and ask me to pop in my email address and password, which is fine as it is the Google screen.  It then sends me back to your comment page and I have to put in the word in the word verification box, which I do.  Instead of publishing the comment, it then scoots me back to the Google page again, wanting me to put in my email address and password.  Which I do and again sends me back to the comment page and it wanting me to put in the word again.  And on and on it goes.

So of course I give up and basically I don't comment on your blog, even though I have read it.  Landcuckoo you are one of them, so are you Angela, I tried leaving comment on your blogs this morning and couldn't because of this.

I don't have word verification switched on, on my blog, but I DO MODERATE all comments.  Blogger is pretty good now at sorting out the spam from the good comments and even puts them in a separate box for you.  If you want to moderate comments got to the comments section of the dashboard, and there is a box which you can tick there.  There is also a box there to turn off the word verification also.

Now it may just be me that is having a problem with this, I don't know?  However I just want to let you know I am reading your blog, but I just don't leave a comment, though I may have to start doing it through the anonymous account?

Book Review

"Amish Prayers," by Beverly Lewis

"The Amish and other Anabaptist groups have treasured the same book of prayers for centuries, turning to it for inspiration during times of peace as well as persecution. Now a selection of prayers from Die Ernsthafte Christenpflicht is readily available in English. This exclusive, authentic translation from the original German--with an introduction by bestselling author Beverly Lewis--pairs each prayer with a Scripture passage and offers insights into the rich spiritual foundations of the Plain people. Whether used for personal devotions or in a group setting, this beautifully illustrated collection will draw you closer to God."

This is a wonderful little book of prayers.  So easy to sit down and have a quiet few moments of contemplation and read a couple of prayers and the accompanying scripture passage.  The illustrations in the book are truly lovely and for anyone who loves the Amish and Mennonite culture this is a beautiful book to own.  This would not only make a wonderful addition to your own library, to be a wonderful and thoughtful gift to others as well.

Stars out of 5: 5 a lovely little book to pick up whenever you have a need.........

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Grass is on bloody steroids!!

Super busy bank holiday weekend, but finally got a bit done in the garden.  However there are still so many more jobs to do it's difficult knowing where to start at times.  Got a face like a boiled lobster with all the sun.  Rained out on Monday night, which may have been a blessing in disguise as I was pooped.

I have cut the grass on and off for the last four days in a row.  I cut the front lawn on Sunday night and there wasn't a dandelion in sight.  Got up the next morning and the bloody lawn was full of the rotten things again???  The grass is growing that fast that I swear if I look carefully I can see it actually grow!!!  I have used around 35 litres of fuel this last few days cutting the grass, but it is starting to look a bit better.

The following is so true when you think about it:
Why Men are NeverDepressed

What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put.

The garage is all yours.

Wedding plans take care of themselves.

Chocolate is just another snack.

You can never be pregnant.

You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.

You can wear NO shirt to a water park.

Car mechanics tell you the truth.

The world is your urinal.

You never have to drive to another gas station

restroom because this one is just too icky.

You don't have to stop and think of which way to

turn a nut on a bolt.

Same work, more pay.

Wrinkles add character.

Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental $100.

People never stare at your chest when you're talking

to them.

New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.

One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.

You know stuff about tanks.

A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.

You can open all your own jars.

You get extra credit for the slightest act

of thoughtfulness.

If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still

be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a 3 pack. 

You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.

Everything on your face stays its original colour.

The same hairstyle lasts for years, even decades.

You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life.

One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one colour for

all seasons.

You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.

You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife.

You have freedom of choice concerning growing

a moustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on

December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

A good morning, happy to be alive photo.........

this was taken this morning, just as the sun was rising:

One of those makes you glad to be alive moments to my mind. 

I have another super busy day ahead of me, including a gardener coming for 4 hours to do some of the heavy work for me.  I got a deal on Wagjag for half price labour.  Lets just hope the weather decides to stay fine as we are forecast for thunder showers.

I took some photos of this cheeky squirrel on what I thought was my squirrel proof bird feeder!! 

I can see you looking at me!!!!

Look at it's claws.........

It's a day off for us here in Canada, as we celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday, here is more info about this holiday.  Have a super day everyone.....

Living in a smaller home?

I saw this post about people living in small houses under 100 square feet.  We live in around 2,200 square feet and some days I would love the rooms to be bigger, other days not so.......  Could you live in a home as small as 100 square feet?

We changed insurance companies last month, I may have mentioned it, not sure?  Anyhow for the house insurance they wanted to do a home inspection.  So the guy came, nice guy and did what he had to do.  We got the results back and they have put our insurance up nearly $60 for the whole year.....no problem there.  Why they did that made us laugh.  To rebuild our house it would cost nearly $700,000.....okay that would probably make sense as its all stone and the woodwork would take a lot to replicate.  The out buildings would cost $138,000...........at this point me and dh looked at one another and said "what outbuilding?"  We have a garage that is more "holy than godly!!"  The shed, well one good push and the whole thing would topple over!!

Then our belongings are insured for another $625,000.  I told dh I was going to call the insurance company and ask them what they thought was worth that sort of money, as I was planning on selling it!!!  As I can't even come close to $100,000 never mind over $600,000.  Not sure if I also told you of the "argument" I had with them about how much wood we burn a year.  According to them there was no way on earth we could burn 3 bush cords of wood.  She even asked her supervisor who said the same..........after a couple of minutes of going back and forward with them, I gave in and agreed it was only 3 face cords........I wonder why I paid for three bloody bush cords of wood then!!!!!

Oh these city folks who work in offices downtown and never go to the country side!!!!

Got my first sunburn on Friday.......

Both my arms and face look like boiled lobsters despite the fact I wore a hot........however that means the rain has stopped and the sun has come out!!!  I spent a good four hours on the lawn tractor cutting grass and have still not finished the field {SIGH}  It's so bloody long the grass I have to have my blades as high as I can get them and the poor tractor is still struggling in places.  Plus it's too double cut to make it look half decent and as soon as I have finished it I need to drop the blades and do it again as it is still long. {{SIGH}}  Once I have done this it should be back to normal and easier to cut from then on.

It looks as though it's going to be a lovely day, it's just after 6am and my neighbour is already cutting his grass.  He has a big mower which we can hear from our place.  Mind you I have the doors and windows open and it's nice and quiet.

I took this photo:

It reminds me of the Smokies with the mist rising in the early morning.  There is a stream down there, that's why the mist is there.

It's a Bank Holiday weekend for us here in Canada.  My goal for today is to spend as much time as possible outside.  I already have a load of laundry in the washer, so will also be ironing.  Ds is apparently coming over to replace the hard drive on our desktop, so that should keep him out of mischief for a while.  Had hoped dd and other half would come up as well, but don't know about that.

So whatever you plan on doing today, have a Super Saturday.......

Oh and I think it was Rose who asked to see a photo of the outside of the house?  Here is a link to some photos

Molly doesn't love me anymore.......

well at least not for the morning, I'm guessing.  As I was laying in bed this morning, I shouted of her and she came to the bedside and I started patting her and scratching her ears.  I then got out of bed and did the same.  I then scooped her up.........well sort of she's 40 lbs so not a light creature and got her into the bathroom and gave her a shower.

She's been miserable because of all the wet weather we have been having, as she hates getting wet.  Then she looks even more miserable when she sees me getting ready for work; so for me to give her a bath that was just the icing on the cake of a rotten week for her.

Her skin is probably the worst I have seen it.  She does have small patches of fur missing on her back.  Luckily the rest of her fur hide it, plus one of her ears is bright red again.  Mind you I took her on a car ride last night to the garage as a treat.  However she is a pain in the car and sheds everywhere with all the excitement!!

If you are reading blogs from people in Southern Ontario the one thing we are all complaining about is the lack of sun and the constant rain.  Well finally yesterday it stopped raining and the sun popped it's head out; well in my neck of the woods it did.  So when I got home from work I was able to cut a bit of the grass.  I had to double cut the front lawn as it is just so long.  I am dreading doing the field as that is knee high now.  However with all this wet weather, you just can't cut the grass without clogging up the mower.

I am getting on like a house on fire.  It's 7:30am, and I have bathed Molly, had a shower myself, changed our bed, cleaned both bathroom, had my cereal and am just finishing off my cup of tea.  There is a load of laundry in the washer, so as soon as that is finished I will hang that out.  It's as foggy as heck, but hopefully it will clear up later on.  I want to nip into town to get some grocery shopping and do the banking; get back home and do some cleaning and then head into the garden.  So another busy day ahead of me.

Have a Fabulous Friday everyone!!!

Before and After photos of the attic......

As promised photos of the new stairs and attic.  To see the before photos you will have to click on this link  For those of you who are new to the blog the attic was not insulated when we moved in.  To get to the attic you had to go up narrow tiny stairs through the bathroom.  It had one small original window in it.  All the walls were plaster and lathe, which had to be carted down the narrow stairs and then down the main stairs, in the stinking heat in June and July.....oh those were the days!!!

Since then we have relocated the stairs so you access them from the landing and not the bathroom.  They are an exact replica of the original ones.  We replaced the dormer window and installed a large 4 foot square skylight window.  It's all been insulated, new drywall, painted, new flooring and carpeting.  A window seat put in the dormer window area with storage underneath.  We decided to use regular trim as despite the new drywall being put in the rafters and joists were not perfectly level and so the walls still bow.

We have evicted the mouse population and any other wildlife that was up there.  Dh has trimmed out the corners are the drywallers left them a mess......and no we couldn't be bothered to argue with them to come and fix it.  It was easier dh doing it himself.  There has been a lot of blood, sweat and even a few tears with that room and despite it still not being quite finished I wanted to show you what it looks like now.

This photo is looking up the attic stairs the skylight is directly at the top of the stairs.  The wood was all white pine when it was installed.  I have stained and varnished it all.  The carpet fitters thought it was original wood, so that made me very happy.

This is the stairs with the carpet runner on it.

This is looking at the side of the stairs, isn't it gorgeous?  The detail he did was just lovely.  All the nail holes are to fill and they still need a top coat of varnish on them.  When you are staining and varnishing wood you shouldn't fill the nail holes until you are finished as it prevents "ghosting" as per the carpenter.  Dh is on mudding the drywall underneath the stairs at the moment.  I will be decorating the landing and stairs next when he has finished all the jobs on there.

This is looking down the stairs.  We put the half wall in to give the room privacy as there is no door on it.

This is looking towards the sky light window.  The object on top of the half wall is our "temporary" electric supply until dh gets all the plugs connected.  We will also have new lights, dh just hasn't had time to install them.

This is looking towards the dormer window and the window seat.

Another view of the dormer window and the seat with the lid up.  I am getting a seat cushion, two throw cushions and a valance custom made for there.  They're not ready yet.

This shows a close up of the trim work that had to be done in each of the corners.

Again showing the trim work and the half wall.

I painted the walls a beige colour with a hint of pink undertones in it.  The trim work is white, except for the corner trim.  The colour of the carpet is a darker beige colour called Taffy.  The stain is English Chestnut.

I will post more photos when dh has got all the electrical work done and we have it all furnished.  Mind you it's going to be furnished with what we have around the house........

{{SIGH}}

I could think of other words, but I think sighing will do for now.  I have decided I must have been a bad devil in another life as I swear it's one step forward and two steps back at the moment.

Got the carpet installed finally on Monday.  Was supposed to come after lunch; didn't turn up until 4pm.  Nice guys though, but they managed to scratch my paintwork and wood work.  I know it couldn't be helped but even so {{SIGH}}  The carpet though does look good and I will get photos taken.

Went to the dentist again yesterday and came out of there with another prescription for antibiotics and an appointment for May 26th to have my root canal redone {{{SIGH}}}  The only good thing about it all the dentist is doing it for free.  However I could really have done without going through that again.  Mind you I can't go on with rotten toothache all the time either.

This weather bloody well sucks at the moment.  We have had to put the heating back on as it is so cold wet and miserable.  One thing with the winter weather it is generally bitter cold but it is a dry cold.  When it's wet and miserable like it is now it tends to get into your bones and makes everything ache.  Mind you that could have something to do with getting old as well!!!

I have a hundred men in my head pounding on drums at the moment.  Not sure if its the weather or what it is, I just wish they would take a break and move on to someone elses head {{{SIGH}}}

I am going to make a point of taking some photos and posting them on my blog for tomorrow as I need a more perkier post as this one is just plain miserable!!!

Have a good Wednesday.........

Nope, I won't be using these toilets.......

Got an email from someone and thought it was fun:

PUBLIC

TOILET

This

is a picture of a public toilet in Houston from

outside:

Now

that you've seen the outside view,

take

a look at the inside view...

It's

made entirely of one-way glass!

No one can

see you from the outside,

but when you are inside

it's like sitting in a clear glass box!

Would you use that toilet?

A PAINTED BATHROOM FLOOR!!!
Tenth floor of a hi-rise building.........
IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY ..

AND THEN YOU

HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM....

You open the door.... 

NOW, REMEMBER THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR!


IT TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY......


DOESN'T IT?

Would this mess up your mind??? Would you
be able to walk into this bathroom???

FINALLY!!

THIS IS A CEILING MURAL IN A SMOKER'S LOUNGE.

Thought these photos were worth sharing........

Haven't updated you on the wedding plans for a while.....

So I'll catch you up on what's been happening.


Venue booked......


Officiant booked.....


DJ booked.....


Fruit cake wedding cake made........thank you dad


Regular wedding cake ordered......


Wedding dress ordered..........


Bridesmaid dresses ordered........


Tuxedo rentals sorted out......guys just have to go in and sort out sizing


Florist in the process of being sorted out........


Photographer booked..........


Thanks you cards made........


Wedding invitations bought....


Wedding favours........well the raspberry bushes are growing, we'll just cross our fingers, toes and everything else in the hopes we have a great crop.....


Bridal shower location booked and is a work in progress.........


Brides mother outfit........somewhere in the world waiting too be bought.


Weight lost by brides mother..........pass............


All in all though things are on schedule thanks to dd being a super organised person.  It's all where it should be for the moment, and that is good news!!!

Stress level: pretty low at the moment........though it may change the closer we come to the wedding!!!

Felt as though I was back in Britain on Saturday......

It was foggy until supper time and rained ALL day. Weather for the ducks as we would say. Luckily it wasn't too cold though and at least it was rain and not snow!! I swear I can see the grass growing as we speak. It wants cutting again all around the house, and I only just cut it. Have to say though everything looks so fresh and green with this rain, but it has spoiled our weekend as I can't get outside to garden.

I did get my little jobs done in the attic and did the final coat of varnish on the stairs. I am hoping that it will be dry enough for me to walk on tomorrow, so I can continue my varnishing in the attic itself.

Took dh grocery shopping on Saturday afternoon, and I had a coupon for free ice cream up to a value of $5. Do you know that the premium brands of ice cream are all over $5 a carton? We did manage to get a 2 litre tub of Chapmans frozen yogurt that was $4.99. I just can't get over how much grocery prices have increased recently. Before coupons it would have cost us over $110 and there is only two of us. After coupons it cost $95, which is still a lot. I did get a bit of meat and a package of Advil which was $12 just for that.

I see gas prices have dropped again, down to $1.28 per litre, I paid $1.30 on Friday. It cost me $84 to fill up the gas tanks for the tractor and my car. I did get $1.50 back in Canadian Tire money which I guess is better than nothing.

Got another $25 from Swagbucks this month, so my Amazon account is up to nearly $220. I am hoping to add another $100 to it before I have to get dd her Kitchen Aid mixer for her Bridal Shower gift. For any of you who have not joined Swagbucks, it's free money for doing not a lot. If you do decide to join I'd appreciate if if you'd join using my referral link.  If you do join and have any questions ask away and I'll answer them for you.

Have a super Sunday............

Now this is what I call a tractor......

If my dad looks at my blog he'll let me know what they are doing.  This is at the field on top of the hill.  I know they used a combine harvester to harvest the crop in that field last year, but no idea what they were planting the other day.

Wouldn't mind having a go in that tractor; it's a "bit" bigger than my little tractor.  My little tractor though is working hard and I managed to get all of Kamikaze Hill cut on Friday, which was a bonus as I hadn't planned on doing it as we were forecast for rain.  It held off until I had nearly finished cutting it, but then it poured down.

I have finished painting the attic.  I just have some touch ups to do where my "low tack" painters tape pulled off my paint on the walls?  No idea why I paid extra money for the fancier tape when all it did was pull off the paint?  I am going to do that and clean up the attic and put a final coat of varnish on the stairs.  I still have to varnish the wood on the half wall in the attic but I can do that with the carpet down.

I will be glad when Monday night arrives as the carpet will be down and attic will be more or less done, there will be just be finishing touches, including dh finishing off the electrical and hanging the lights.  We will both be glad when it's finished and I can't wait to share photos with you all.  I will also be able to catch up with you all on your blogs, as time has been in short supply recently.

Enjoy your Saturday.

No idea what has been going on with blogger?

I haven't been able to access it for the last couple of days?  Has anyone else had the same problem?  Stinking humid here today.  Just going to start a big pile of ironing, will fill you in on all the goings on tomorrow.

"To Win Her Heart," by Karen Witemeyer

"After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?"

This was another easy book to "get into."  If you like romance and a story set at the turn of the century you will love this.  This story shows how despite an "unsavoury" past people can change for the better, and honesty is always the best policy. 

I actually read this book in a day as it was that good and I wanted to know what happened next.  So you know it is a good book when I do that.  I have also decided I love the name Eden, never heard of it before as a girls name, only the Eden Valley which is where we come from in Britain.

Stars out of 5: 5 I really enjoyed this book.  It's a great book to read on your vacation, as you will be able to pick it up where you left off without a problem.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

I knew I shouldn't have, but I did......

I went and cut the grass.  Well not all the grass, as I was busy with other things during the day, but I did nearly three hours worth, and have all around the house done.  Just have the field, Kamikaze Hill and the front ditch.  I could have done part of the ditch but I wasn't happy about flying up and down the hill.  Must be getting soft in my old age!!  Also I need to clean out the ditch of garbage, which I haven't got done yet.  So I am thinking a good three hours probably more for the field and probably under two hours for Kamikaze Hill, then I should be done.

Not sure when I will get around to doing it though, as I have work today and then it is going to rain until next Tuesday.  Have to fill up my gas tanks also this week, so I am guessing with filling my car as well, I think there won't be any change out of $100.

I spent Wednesday morning in the attic tidying up and then painting all the trim.  That took over 2 1/2 hours to paint everything and I class myself as a fast painter.  I am hoping on Friday it won't take as long.  I have to say the days are just flying by as there is so much to do.  The flower beds are full of weeds, I could spend a week on edging the gardens and whipper snipping all the edges around the property.  Oh well it will get done when it gets done...

Enjoy your Thursday, and think of me slaving away at a computer!!!

I don't think so.......

For someone who is scared of heights and only found out when she went up the CN Tower, this is on the top of my NOT TO DO list.  They are letting you walk around the outside of the CN Tower harnessed to a line.  Are they crazy?  You know there will be some crazy person who will find a way of unhooking the harness and will jump!!


Read more about it here  Luckily ds is also frightened of heights, so I don't have to lecture him, not 100% sure about dd and son-in-law...........may have to have a chit-chat with them about it.  The whole thing just gives me the shivers.....

When I was walking Molly on Tuesday morning in the field discovered that the grass really needs to be cut.  I have been holding off as once I start cutting it, it's a weekly job and with the price of gas, (will be over $1.40 per litre by today), it's going to cost a lot of money.  Plus the priority for the rest of this week is to finish decorating the attic.

Short and sweet today, as I have a lot on my to-do list again!!  Enjoy your Wednesday.

Book Review and other things

"An Unlikely Suitor" by Nancy Moser

"New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.

One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?

Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?

And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class--but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?

As the lives of three young woman--and their unlikely suitors--become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?"

This was a really good book to read.  I got "into" the story right away, the main characters were so believablee and each one was interesting in their own right.  It was not obvious right away who the men that Lucy and Rowena loved were.  It gave an insight into how the "rich" lived during the summer at Newport in the 1900's and how little the poor had in the tenements of New York.  It also highlighted the class distinction and how one was not allowed to marry or mix with people above or below their station.  Something I think people connect with British Society, but maybe not with other parts of the world.

What was as interesting was at the end of the book there is a list of facts or fiction pertaining to what was written in each chapter.  They were as interesting to read as the book.  Some of it I knew as I had read a book on the Vanderbilt's a while ago and they were mentioned in the book.

Also at the end of the book is a section showing pictures and details of the fashion that is mentioned in the book, which I also found very interesting.

Stars out of 5: 5 I really enjoyed this book.  It was an easy read for me and I wanted to know what happened next.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Back at work today, Monday was a super busy day but I actually got all my to-do list done.  The attic walls have now been painted twice, as has the ceiling.  That was a harder job than normal because of the sloped ceiling and walls.  I need to get on with painting all the trim and finishing off the staining and varnishing.  I am on schedule, so not as stressed about it all.  I can see light at the end of the tunnel!!

Enjoy your Tuesday.......

Hanging out the laundry

Thought that was rather funny.

Top Ten Reasons to Line Dry

We think there are dozens of reasons to hang out, but these are a few of the most compelling reasons.

10) Save money

You can save more than $25/month off the monthly electric bill for many households.

9) Clothes last longer

Where do you think lint comes from?

8) Pleasant Scent

Clothes and linens smell better without adding possibly toxic chemicals to your body and the environment. Yankee Candle thinks so, too...

7) Saves Energy, Preserves Environment, Reduces Pollution

Conserve energy and the environment, while reducing climate change. Learn how!

6) Healthy Work

It is moderate physical activity which you can do in or outside. You can even lose weight!

5) Get the Sunshine Treatment

Sunlight bleaches and disinfects.

4) Replace another appliance

Indoor racks can humidify in dry winter weather.

3) Avoid a Fire

Clothes dryer and washing machine fires account for about 17,700 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 360 injuries annually. The yearly national fire loss for clothes dryer fires in structures is estimated at $194 million. See a diagram of the critical danger zones of the dryer.

2) It is fun!

And can be an outdoor experience that is meditative and community-building. It may also help you avoid depression.

1) It is truly patriotic

Demonstrates that small steps can make a difference. You don't have to wait for the government to take action!

Quick Facts

.

• About 62% of Americans washing clothes at home use warm or hot water during the wash cycle.
• In the United States, 92% of single family homes had a dryer in 2005.
• Eighty percent of American households use a dryer for between 2 and 9 loads per week. Millions more use a multi-housing laundry or coin-operated laundry facility to wash and/or dry their clothes.
• Less than 4% of Italian households own a dryer.
• About 77% of dryers used in the home are electric; the others are gas and propane.
• Approximately one quarter of Americans use an ENERGY STAR washer. There are no ENERGY STAR dryers on the market.
• Laundry was the primary household responsibility of 76% of women and 24% of men in a Whirlpool survey of 2,500 consumers; some 78% of those surveyed do approximately nine loads of laundry each week.
• You don't even need soap to wash most loads. The agitation of washing machines often does the job on its own.
• We estimate that 8% of households line-dry their laundry during 5 months of the year. If all Americans who currently do not use a clothesline started to use one for ten months of the year, we could avoid 12 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, annually.
• Stimulating the “effort-driven reward circuit” with hands-on physical activities that yield tangible rewards, like line-drying and cooking your own meals,  may build resilience against depression.
• Sunlight bleaches and disinfects.
• 60 million Americans live in approximately 300,000 community associations (mobile home parks, retirement communities, gated communities, condominiums, etc.). The majority of these restrict or ban the clothesline.
• Apartment communities can save 330 percent more water, equating to a savings of 8,216 gallons of water per year per unit, by utilizing a common-area laundry room instead of an in-unit washing machine.
• Common-area laundry rooms use 500 percent less energy than in-unit machines.
• More than 80 percent of residents will utilize on-site laundry if owners and managers provide a common-area laundry room in their properties.
• An estimated 17,700 reported U.S. non-confined or confined home structure fires involving clothes dryers or washing machines result in 15 civilian deaths, 360 civilian injuries and $194 million in direct property damage annually. Clothes dryers accounted for 92% of the fires.
• Approximately 23.8 billion pounds of clothing and textiles end up in U.S. landfills each year.
• Cotton production accounts for 2.4% of total arable land yet accounts for 11% of global pesticide use and 25% of global insecticide use.
• You can reduce the full lifecycle climate change impact of your jeans by up to 50 percent by line drying and washing them in cold water.

Got that list from here

Now off to hang out my first load of laundry for the day, have another one to do later on!!  Enjoy your Monday.

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