Madcat...we Posted Together. Lol Have A Great Time In The Tower In The Sky!! You Can Be Rapunzel!!!

Yesterday is history,
Tomorrow a mystery,
Today is a gift,
That's why we call it the present.

Madcat - the friend is right. You have to make the most of the moment. It should become the worldly chick law.

Mel - Car, what are we talking about? I was going to get a cab as we discussed. Somewhere, sometime, someone has to have experience of a NY cab - or in this case a NJ cab. Take it easy, I do not want to have you bedridden when I am there and rarin' to bust a few heads! We are generally home in the evening and early morning if you wish to ring. Or we should set a time and then ring.

Well, we went to the zoo yesterday and all three of us came back safe and sound. No exhibits missing from Oceania (were there any there? Okay there was a section called Creatures of the night and it was just possible there was a Kiwi in there). Went to the butterfly house and it was nice but spoiled by a whole raft of people who can not read!
I mean when something says - Do Not Trap or Catch or Kill the Butterflies - what part of that can they not understand. And can't kids of 8, 9, 10, 11 be kept under control?? Anyway, we saw the monkey and the elephant and the panda and all things great and small! It was fun. Memphis has a nice zoo. And we had a good meal in a Chinese restaurant on the way home. It was good!!!

Today it is off to Graceland - maybe a zoo of a different kind? I'm looking forward to this too. I liked most of his music, especially the slower stuff. I may even buy a cd or two. I'm not sure what else if anything else is on the menu for today. Then tomorrow it is off to the mountains and caves. I should be able to scare Happy silly leaping out from behind stalactites and yelling like a banshee. She's going to kill me for that one.
After that I should tidy my room and repack etc. She's gonna start raging at me soon. just like my ol' mum did.

See y'all (I'm learning the language but I'm a long way of Happy and the DH's standard) I can't understand most of what they are saying.

Hey y'all - it's the real me. Wait till she tries to scare me round a stalacalite - I'll jump in a hole and pretend I'm down a crevice. Think I'll keep me flashlight in the pocket and take 2 valiums before entering the cave

Elvis has been visited. Lovely house. We could have a fine party there. If you'll come down I'll be glad to ring up Priscilla and Lisa and ask permission tho what is it they say - easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

We found y'all a lovely Christmas ornament - the perfect gift. Unfortunately they only had one and we didn't want to make anyone feel slighted so in the end we decided against just getting one and drawing lots for the lucky winnner. Also had 2 sets of fireplace screens that look just like the grand gates to the mansion. Not sure who had fireplaces so we left those in the stores too. Must do more checking next time before shopping for souveniers.

We are off to Beale street tonight for a nip or two and some music. Perhaps a bit of bbq too. Will introduce Shad to all sorts of music down here. I'm debating about slipping DH's harmonica into my purse and playing along. Maybe if I have one too many Hurricane drinks.

Hope you ladies are having a good day. Must go now. Shad thinks I'm looking up places to see for our Caverns trip tomorrow. Must be wondering what all the typing is about

Wow! You chickies are busy and worldly. Zoos, BBQ and Beale Street.

When Shad gets here, I'll show her the true rural Ontario. I'll see if I can find someone spreading manure and maybe one of those things that makes round hay bales. We can probably find a wake to go to and can spend several hours watching the boats locking through on the Rideau canal. We will also probably pick up beer bottles on the side of the road and take them back for a refund. Maybe we'll get enough $$ for an ice cream - shared, of course, with two dogs!

Busy day today with my a.m. workout (yes, me!) and then spent the day still sorting out my kitchen stuff. I still need to buy some wire shelves for the laundry area but that will happen.

Time to decide on supper for the doggage and me. It's been too wet to go out to get asparagus so I guess it'll be frozen veggies. Come on Summer!

One of you Toronto chicks really must take Shad for a visit to that new Crystal building at the Royal Ontario Museum. I saw a little bit of it and thought it looked amazing. Would love to hear how it views up close

Raining today, dark clouds threatening thunder and lightening. It was sunny and hotter than summer yesterday. Still spring until the end of the month and all the unpredictable weather.

:hugs

I just can't wait for the rural Ontario. Muck Raking is a big part of my make up.
As for the hay bales, I used to drive one of them tractors what makes those. See I am even beginning to speak Tennesseeian now.
We've already been in the wake of a wake so to speak. All traffic stopped to make way for the longest funeral procession in the whole world. Happy's DH was getting excited because he thought we were about to have a rear end accident.
Haven't tried retrieving beer bottles for a while. That will be soooo gooooooooood I'm looking forward to that.
Does anyone want/ need Elvis sideburns, a large plastic Elvis wig, a real stand-up lifesize picture of Elvis for the living room or maybe a stuffed copy of the 'leaning tower of Gracelands? Put the orders in now and I'll go back and get 'em for ya' all. They won't have recovered from not understanding me today. By tomorrow they will only be shell shocked. I should really go back this afternoon.
Has any one seen my marbles. I seem to have dropped a couple.

Shad and Happy--Sounds like you are having FUN, FUN, Fun. The cave is beautiful. Be sure to take a light jacket.

Ruth--Canadian country side would be a perfect trip.

Mel. Holly, Carla, and Madcat hello

It's time to get things together to go home. Yeah.

Grrrr. I wrote a long post and then hit the logout instead of submit post. What an idiot. Anyone would think I'd been into the joyjuice with Happy and Shad, instead of living a sugar and starch-free sober life. Hmmm - maybe I'm in junk food withdrawal induced brain fog.

So it'll be tomorrow before I post a real post. Meanwhile, to Shad and Happy, Mel, Ceejay, Madcat, Meadow, Holly, Ruth, Nae, and whoever else I've forgotten.

It really is exciting to hear of Shad's journey and experiences. It is much the same around here as at Ruth's so no need to visit SW ontario.

I have decided to have a real vacation next Monday so am taking the 10:30 am bus to Toronto arriving downtown there around 12:55 pm. Will wander the streets until I find Shad and Madcat and then return home on the 8:30 pm bus.That will give me 7 bilssful hour with the girls and a few hours on the bus to read or nap. Yippee!!!!! No traffic or parking to manage.

A funny then my journal...

One evening, Jenny arrived home from work to find the children bathed, one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer. Dinner was on the stove, and the table was set. She was astonished!

It turns out that Ralph had read an article that said wives who work full time and had to do their own housework were too tired to have sex.

The night went well, and the next day she told her office friends all about it. “We had a great dinner. Ralph even cleaned up. He helped the kids do their homework, folded all the laundry, and put it away. I really enjoyed the evening.”

But what about afterward?” asked her friends.

Oh, that. . . . Ralph was too tired.”


Just home from a 30 min walk!!!!!
We had a good school council meeting last night. I am going to Home and school tonight.
We have a Fun Fair on Thurs and then soccer right after.

I am feeling really calm within myself and quite content. Better than i have felt since last October. The kids are good. Not perfect. we still have our issues. Hubby seems unhappy but is not very crusty. He is being indifferent towards me unless he wants sex.
He wakes me every morning before he leaves ;just stands beside me at 6am and starts talking. Telling me about the weather or the hockey scores......I am dead asleep.Today when he was done I sleepily said , I love you. He grunted. I said you could tell me you love me too, ya know, you just might never see me again. He said it wouldn’t matter because he would be dead. I replied maybe it would be me that dies and you would be left all alone with our kids and home etc. He looked completely puzzled that I might not be here some day and wandered off.

A Mom of 5 kids , age 47, was killed by a drunk teenager last week, a few side roads over.

He takes so much for granted.

It doesn’t feel like i was busy enough yesterday but i know i did a lot. Kids are launched to school. It is cold and windy and rainy today. I enjoy this weather.

Much to do today…
-walk
-laundry
-kitchen/DW
-shower
-enter Avon
-call customers
-deliver 1 order
-go to bank
-home and school meeting tonight

Canadian Idol is on at 8pm Eastern time tonight!!!! YIPPEE!!!
They do use instruments for the tryouts!!!

Quick post before Happy tells me I have to get in the car - we are off to Arkansas and the caves and staying overnight somewhere. I've packed, eaten and was ready but then decided to sweep the patio for Happy and DH - it's not finished but I'd better be ready otherwise they will go without me! Can you imagine them getting there and looking in the back seat with a puzzled expression - we forgot to bring Shad!

We went to Beale Street last night and looked at the night life and the lights. Had dinner at BB Kings where they warmed up into live jazz and blues around 8.30 - 9.00 and then we went to some other diner which also had a band and it was good. Played some real oldies and goodies.

Holly I'm staying somewhere in Toronto - Days Inn Express or something. If you look it up on my itinerary and ring them when you get in or I can meet you at the bus station - whatever floats your boat or rattles your cage. Just let me know.

Madcat asked what I wanted to see/ do in TO. Don't really know. I had a quick intro in a tour last time and saw some lovely old homes and a castle in the hills. That looked good. Also a big covered market (St Laurence ????) and that looked interesting and I always enjoy Chinatown anywhere in the world. So whatever goes is what we do.

Gotta go. Happy is making moving noises!!!

Shaddie~ Ok the Whirlwind Tour of Historic and Interesting and Edible Spots Around TO it is. We'll figure out an itinerary as we go. I have a few ideas. BTW have you already made arrangements to get from the airport to your hotel? If you need a ride in, I could certainly manage a pickup on Sunday. Just let me know. Unfortunately the St. Lawrence market isn't open Mondays... maybe we'll have to substitute Kensington market instead.

Holly~ Look forward to seeing you next week. Loved the joke - isn't that the truth? We should take NOTHING for granted. I have learned that recently.

Carla~ Cool for you on being the new stoic among us. Just wait until all that Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) clears your system. There’ll be no stopping you.

Meadow~ We’ll make sure that Shad sees things that she can report on.

Ruth~ Your beer bottle story brings back some fond memories, but I seem to remember we spent our $$ on penny candy instead. Good for you for working out.

Happy~ If Shad jumps out at you, you can always hang by your heals and pretend to be a bat!

Mel~ my hair is too short for Rapunzel. He’d never even get out of the lobby!

K. I have to get back to work. Later chickies!

Quickie post again. Maybe I should resign as MOD and just hang out in here.

Yesterday was rough and I'm really tired today. Donna came and cleaned for two hours and the downstairs is finally livable! The Starchoice (cable TV) guys came and could not get up to the roof to fix my damned dish! You'd think they'd bring a longer ladder - it's only a 2-storey house. They'll be back - eventually. The trees in the lane are interfering with reception and they suggested I remove them. I told them I much preferred trees to TV! Idiots!

Besides being kwabby, I'm a tad sad today because my darling Hershey doesn't seem well. Her tummy is huge - maybe from eating that entire banana cake with cream cheese icing on Sunday. We are off to the vet in a bit and I'm hoping that will be his diagnosis. I do adore that dog and would mortgage my soul to get her better!

I've been singing Ode to Joy a lot and just realized why! I must make up some new words and sing it loudly at the train station so Shad can recognize me! Let's see: I can sing, carry a big pink peony and have two Porties with me. Would that be enough?

One more small task to do in the kitchen, laundry to fold and then off to the vet. The rest of the day will be all mine!

We now return to regular programming.

: this morning! I had already adjusted my ticker yesterday, and this morn was down another .1 lb which bumped me down to a lower decade. Very encouraging! Still lots to lose, but at least I'm back... exactly where I was last summer.

Madcat, I have no idea what BHA is, or that I have it in my system. Am a little worried that if it leaves there'll be nothing left to keep me upright. But I do love being seen as a stoic! Especially since I'm more often seen as a whiny control freak... Actually, I'm finding this new system of 2 weeks strict diet followed by a few weeks of gradual return to bad habits then another 2 weeks strict diet seems to be working for now. It gives my body a chance to consolidate the weight loss or something. And, sad to say, the most important part of the equation for me is banning wine.

Ruth, so sorry that Hershey is sick. I've got my fingers crossed that she'll be okay.
Now don't get Shad too tuckered out with Delta's social whirl - I have about 3 days worth of activities planned for her, and only one short day to cram them all in. Hiking and a swim in the Gatineau, poutine, Parc Oméga, Montebello, chitchat and vino - and then an early enough night to get us up and to the airport for Shad's 7 am flight.

Shad and Happy are off spelunking today, probably wearing their Elvis wigs and bejeweled jumpsuits. Now that's a picture I'd like to see!!! Last night I watched an episode of an old adventure race set in New Zealand, and now have (I think) a better take on what accent to expect. Happy's friends (and DH) probably wonder why Shad keeps calling her "hippy" or even "heppy"... I'll have to use all my interpreter's instincts to smooth communication.
Seriously, though, if you get a chance, Shad, do have a look at Parc Oméga on the net to see if you might be interested. Lots of indigenous animals, although you may well see them in the wild from the train out west.

Holly, what a lovely Toronto day you have planned for yourself! We all need a little holiday from the family (the cats and neighbours in my case) now and again. I hope the weather will cooperate! And that Shad will remember to tell those of us wanting to call her in TO what her last name is... Of course, they'd probably have no trouble at the front desk if we just ask for the incomprehensible, travel-weary Kiwi with two first names...

Mel, you're in election mode right now, using every spare second to blow up the inflatable and clean behind the *%$?&(? toilet... Once you've recovered from the election excitement, do let us know how things turned out. And get those mitts off the frappucinos!!! Don't forget that starting early July (maybe July 5?) I'll be expecting you to join me in a 21-day challenge - me no wine or sweets, you no frapps or other disaster-inducing foods.

Ceejay, what a shame you missed your chance to visit with Shad and Happy. I think you'll just have to hop a flight to Toronto to join the gathering there! I do know that this seems to be a bad year for allergies and sinuses just about everywhere. It's raining here today, which seems to have cooled things off and cleared the air. Makes it a lot easier to get a little cleaning done!

Later gaters!

I have spent an hour on the phone with our bank. Looking into loans for the sewers etc. We are in good shape but it will be like a 2nd mortgage. We have no choice and I will HAVE to work full time in the fall and for always here on in for the next 20 years. Still with all of this our total debt is half of most people’s 1st mortgage but it is not what we would choose or how we want to live.

Really breaks my heart.

I suppose I can say that I am fortunate that I have the ability to work for the next 20 years to pay off a loan to cover expenses to the township for a sewer system so a developer can put a subdivision in the farm field up the road from us, that we or no one else wants here.
Our neighbours have been forced to move away and they have dropped the asking price of their home $50,000.00 to compensate for the sewer bill. 2 more houses were listed in the hamlet today. Sad.
Having that chest fluttering kind of anxiety over the 2nd mortgage. It is just not how we live.We mostly pay cash unless there is an emergency.
Our township will put the sewer cost( $16,000.00 + othe rexpenses) on our tax bill over 10 years for 8% interest which is an additional $8000.00 but they would prefer us not to and find our own financing. * sticking out my tongue*

My kids have friends over. Our egg lady’s kids. The boy is 10 and the 2 girls are 5&7. Perfect for my 2. A test for my 2 as well. They needed to come home and be pleasant, put their school stuff away and keep their rooms tidy since last week. So far so good.

Chicken, rice and veg for supper.

I am excited about going to TO again. I spent many a day/weeks/years wandering the streets. I will let Mrs Mad be our guide. Her ideas sound dreamy!! Is there still the ****'s Kitchen restaurant in china town? Is Queen West still cool?

HUGS!!!

Oh, I meant to tell Ruth to definitely give up the Mod job and come here every day!!! .... and there's Carla too. HI!