One butt ugly tomato and update on ds

When we got home on Saturday afternoon, this was sitting on the chair out front:

Now that is one butt ugly tomato!!!

However when I got it all cut up there turned out to be a lot of useable tomato in there, and it tastes really good too.  We think it was our neighbour down the road that dropped it off, I gave him a pot of jam the other week.

I am having problems with my tomatoes, their bottoms are all black and soft.  Not too sure what the problem is.

Ds has gone home.  Wish he hadn't but knew he had to go at some time.  He's still not well, got a rotten cough, and is just plain worn out.  He did come with us to get his suit ordered for the wedding, with dh and the bridegroom.  All going to look really smart.

He ordered a burger and fries for lunch but could only manage the burger which is so unlike him.  Then he had a bread roll with meat and cheese for supper.  He would normally have had a couple but he couldn't manage more than one.  At least he is eating a little and I am sure his appetite will increase in time.  He had lost 5 pounds the first three days he was sick.  He is at least drinking plenty so that is good.

Saturday morning........

Got a busy day ahead of us today, so will catch up with you all and your blogs tomorrow.....

Check out this house, personally way overpriced for what it is, but it's the location that makes it that price.  Wouldn't say no to this "cottage" though!!

Enjoy your Saturday...........

Grass Envy.........

Every morning on my way to work I travel past a golf course called Devil's Paintbrush.  It's a very exclusive, members only golf course, for those of you who have an awful lot of money to spend.  Regardless of the cost, I am pea green with envy at how gorgeous the greens are.  The grass looks like a carpet.  I know that they use a lot of chemicals and water on their grass, I use neither, but it is just gorgeous.  I drive past drooling every time I go to work.  By the way someone told me the membership fee is $100,000, now whether that is actually correct I don't know.

Also to show you what a sad individual I am, I get great pleasure in looking at my grass after I have cut it, especially the field, as I take pride in making sure there are straight cut lines in the field, like this:

That picture was taken from this website which shows you have to make patterns on your lawn.  If I had the time I would do that.  I may give it a go on our front lawn, as that won't take much doing or use much gas, whereas the field would take a lot of time and gas.

Do you have "grass envy?"

Ds is making progress, he is still coughing and is still really tired.  However he is gung-ho to go back to work on Monday.  I guess he will get better slowly but surely.

Short and sweet.........

At work again today.

Ds is doing a lot better, in that he is starting to eat a little bit.  Still coughing up a storm and still coughing up phlegm, but he is having longer periods in between coughing.  He is still exhausted but is a bit brighter in himself.  I have no idea how on earth he is going to manage going to work next week, but no doubt he'll try.

Thanks for all your kind words, they are greatly appreciated.

Poor ds and a Book Review

Poor ds is truly not well.  He is totally worn out just walking upstairs to his bedroom.  He had to sit down and catch his breath for at least 15 minutes after doing that.  After having a shower he was totally exhausted.  Whenever he coughs he is just drained.  I haven't seen him so sick for years.

I am writing this on Tuesday night, and am planning on going to work on Wednesday as I am scheduled to work all week.  However if ds isn't well I will be staying at home, as he comes first of course.  Its awful to see a grown man being totally worn out by climbing a flight of stairs, that's for sure.

"Amish Values for Your Family," by Suzanne Woods Fisher

When it comes to strong families that know how to truly enjoy life together, there is much we can learn from the Amish. Just how do they establish such strong family bonds, such deeply held values, and such wonderful family traditions? In Amish Values for Your Family, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher shares the secrets of Amish family life. In this inspiring and practical book, you will meet real Amish families that are a lot like yours. Through their stories you'll discover how to:


slow down


safeguard family time


raise children who stand strong in their faith


prioritize what's truly important


Amish values like community, forgiveness, simple living, obedience, and more can be your family legacy--without selling your car or changing your wardrobe.

I think the one thing I learned from this book is how even the simple things bring pleasure to the Amish.  How they don't hold grudges and offer forgiveness for everything, all because they have full faith and trust in God and he will look out for you.

This book would be an ideal book for anyone just starting out in their married life or with a young family.  As it shows how you don't have to spend mountains of money to make memories for your children that they will never forget.

The book talks about a television programme called "Amish in the City," that was broadcast on CBS in 2004.  I never saw that show did any of you see it?

Stars out of 5: probably 4, more of a reference book than anything else, still interesting though.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.


Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Update on our son.......

took him to the emergency department at our local hospital this morning as he was not at all well.

It turns out he has pneumonia on his left side.  They pumped him full of drugs to bring his temperature down from 39.5 oC and gave him a mask with Ventolin and another asthma drug to help him breath.

Brought him home with a prescription, as due to his age as long as he rests he should be fine so there was no need to admit him.  If he had been older than it would have been a different story.

He looks a thousand percent better than at 5am this morning, and I am so glad I made him go to the hospital.

His boss just texted him to say, "it must have been one heck of a vacation, that you need another week off to recover for it!!"  He will have to be off for the rest of the week.

One very sick son.................

Our son came to stay on Monday night to be looked after by his mummy.  The poor boy is so sick.  He has some sort of bronchial virus thingy going on.  He ended up in Emergency on Sunday night in Trenton of all places, as he was that sick.  He was in the Ottawa area on the weekend, and this was sort of on the way home.

As he is 27 it's been a while since I have had to nurse him while he is sick.  His expression on his face on Monday night was just like he looked when he was little.  He was such a little drama queen.  My mother used to tell the story about when he was little and he fell, my mother asked if he was okay, and in a sorrowful voice he said, "I'll be alright."

I think he is in cahoots with Molly as to who can look the most sorrowful

However on a more serious note he truly is not well.  The doctors told him he had to go back to emergency after a couple of days if he was no better.  So fingers crossed he feels better by Tuesday night.....