Back to Work!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Hi everyone!  Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend.  I know I did but of course it goes by too quickly.

On Sunday we celebrated my SIL's 58th B'day with an outdoor get together and bar-b-que.  Perfect weather and great food (thanks to hubby the chef).

My granddaughter is growing in leaps and bounds and obviously I'm a proud grandma.

My son did good!

Now on another note:

Don't forget that this week and next week is "unlimited" trash pickup.  I personally love these times of year because we can get rid of a lot of stuff (which I will also be doing at my upcoming garage sale).  More about that later...

Also now for the "deals of the week".  With a lot of the Zeller's stores closing down there are good deals to be had.  We picked up a lounge chair that matches our patio set (pretty much) for 50% off the regular price.  Also for $19.99 a colourful outdoor area carpet to add more colour.  There's some good deals on toys for the little ones.  We will probably go back and pick up a "Mr. Turtle" pool for Natalie's when she's over for her visits.

We checked out the "Brick Tent Sale".  Not too impressed and I recommend you avoid. 

Now that the weather is nice and warm, hubby, the kid and I will be checking out a lot of the events around town and I will be reporting back so stay tuned...

On closing, I'd like to mention that this weekend also brought sadness.  I want us all to remember "Robin Gibb" a gifted falsetto singer that along with his brothers, formed the Bee Gees.  He was taken from us too soon but I know he's in a better place after years of suffering with both liver and colon cancer.  He was my favorite of the group and I will miss his enormous talent.

Bye Robin.  You're voice will always be in my heart.

Ciao everyone...

Tiresome Thursday!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Why tiresome Tuesday?  Well after a few "good" days healthwise my Celiac illness took me by surprise this morning as I was getting ready for work.  Most days I just suck it up but this was not one of those days.  I had gotten up exra early to get a headstart on stuff needed to be done around the house and outside in preparation for the weekend.  Also, posting before work gives me a feeling of accomplishment but unfortunately that didn't happen. Oh I did get some stuff accomplished but not as much as I would have liked.  

You see to explain to people who don't suffer from the disease that you can feel on top of the world one minute and then WHAM you're down for the count.  Extruciating stomach cramps, headache, nausea and then the fatigue sets in.  For those of you, like me, that have to live with this on a daily basis, thankfully it's not always so intense.

Anyway, enough doom and gloom...

Now on another note:

I wanted to let everyone know that Betty Crocker has a cake mix out that's gluten-free.  Now I had to try it and let everyone know if it's like most of the others out there that have a "different" consistency and a funny aftertaste.  Well it's fabulous!  Very hard to tell the difference between regular cake mixes I must say.  I made chocolate cupcakes with french vanilla frosting and seriously had to control my desire not to eat the entire batch.  I brought a few in yesterday for my co-workers to try and they gave me the thumbs up.  Good job Betty!!!  I will be e-mailing them to let them know how thankful I am that they've gotten on board with gluten-free products that don't taste gluten-free.  Finally, more manufacturers are getting wise to the fact that Celiac disease is on the increase and people who suffer with this illness are consumers too.

Now I'm still searching the web for my deals of the week which I have got a bit behind on.  I aplogise for that.  Looking for deals on vintage clothing and of course my beloved fascinators.  Stay tuned as the bargains are out there.  I will be showcasing them soon.

A couple of pics to share:

The kid with her new "do"

Our patio that we put took together on the weekend

So lots more to come but time to rest for more research.

Ciao...

Wacky Wednesday!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012


Okay well I'm back after a busy few days and this weekend coming up is only going to get busier.  We are expecting lots of company to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday.  Hope everyone had a terrific Mother's Day.  I know I did.

A good friend posted about how grateful she was for everything good in her life.  Well I agree with that.  I'm very fortunate to be surrounded with good friends and a loving family.

Saturday we went to visit the boy, his love and my beautiful granddaughter.  She will be 6 months old on the 23rd.

Now, as most of you know,  I have an extended family as my dad married a second time after my mom.  The woman he married I loved dearly and has passed on.  She was like a mom to me and from the minute I met her there was an instant connection.  I know why my father loved her so much.  My dad and her kids were everything to her.  She always treated me like I was one of her own and will always love her for that.  Bless you Jean for giving me that.

Being a mother is a daunting task.  Of course it has many rewards but the responsibility you take on when you have a child depending on you for everything can be overwelmimg at times.

Let's thank all the mothers out there who have willingly sacrificed everything so that their children could have a better life.

Now let's not forget about my mom who went through 3 days of labor to finally give birth to me.  I was twelve pounds and breach.  Not a lot of fun.

I love you mom!

To be continued...

Ciao everyone

Super Sunday!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Why Super Sunday you ask?  Well hubby arrives home tonite from his trip and I can't wait to see him.

Don't get me wrong,  I have had a great weekend.  Lots got accomplished and the kid and I went everywhere.  Unfortunately though,  there are not enough hours in the day to go everywhere and do everything that you want to do.

Now I have been researching and plan to hit the thrift shops in search of "vintage" fascinators.

For the time being here are some more samples of what's out there:

The last is my personal favorite.  A Victorian sample.  I also like the forties-inspired first one.

If you are looking for something vintage and not just fascinators but clothing, furniture, bric-a-brac, check out garage sales as they are everywhere now that the weather is getting warmer.  You'd be surprised at what you might find.  Also, antique jewellery can be found at a lot of these sales and they make a nice accessory as well as making a peronal statement in your wardrobe.
I still wear pearls I bought for a steal at a garage sale years ago.

Now on another note:

Remember when I went to see "Riverdance" at the Sony Centre?  I loved it so much that I entered an online concert to win tickets to see them perform in Dublin, Ireland.  Well, I wanted to mention a couple of the performers in particular.

Their names are Jason E. Bernard and Michael E. Wood.  They are the listed in the program as the "tappers" but they were so much more.

When they came on stage they breathed life into the audience who by all accounts were enjoying the show so far but the "tappers" took it to another level.

I can't say enough about these guys but at the end of "Riverdance" they got a standing ovation.  Well deserved.

So I'll keep researching my deals and my vintage haunts and keep everyone abreast of my endeavours.

Until later...

Ciao

Fasinator Tuesday

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Hope everyone is well and sorry I'm late with my post.  Been crazy busy on the homefront helping hubby get ready for his upcoming trip among other things.
Why title my post with "Fascinator Tuesday" well I'm in love with fascinators.  Ever since I saw the beautiful and outrageous ones worn by the aristocracy at Will & Kate's wedding, I was intrigued.  I've always loved hats and head adornments of all kinds but these really make a statement.

There are many available at stores like Winners and even Shopper's Drug Mart has a few.  Also, check out websites online.  Okay, they are not as elaborate as what the aristocracy were wearing at the Royal Wedding but I fell in love with one I saw at the Winner's on the Esplanade in downtown Toronto.  I should have taken a pic of it.  It was black with a round wide brim tilted to the side and adorned with pearls and silk.  A must see.  Quite ornate and  beautiful.  Below are a sampling of some other fascinators available.

The above are just a few examples of what's out there.  I will be posting pics of more that I find.

I think they are going to take off in the fashion world big time from just a select few wearing them to everyday women wanting to wear them wanting to make their own personal statement, especially with the warm weather fast approaching.

I purchased an understated one in black with pearls that I will be wearing to an Irish wedding in June.  Can't wait.  Don't know which I love more, hats, fascinators or scarves or maybe I just love accessories.  Mmmm I'm getting some creative ideas.

I'll be on the hunt for more "fascinators" and post them on my blog with prices and availability.

Stay tuned..... but for now

Ciao

Serene Sunday!

Sunday, April 22, 1012

Well last night as you all know, the kid and I went to see "Riverdance" at the Sony Centre.  It was a special evening because this is their last tour.  I can't say enough about the show.  It was flawless.  The dancers were fabulous and the air was filled with the sound of fiddles, pea whistles and celtic drums.  Everytime I hear the pea whistle it reminds me of the Titanic theme song.  There's a haunting quality about it.  Anyway, the show ended with a standing ovation.  Well deserved.

My only complaint about the evening was not enough celtic wares available to purchase.  That surpised me. I thought the lobby would have tons of stuff like when I went to see "Medieval Times".   They had a lot of paraphenalia to choose from.  I have a celtic cross which my sister bought me years ago and I treasure it.  Also, I have a few pieces of celtic jewellery but I would have liked a celtic keepsake from the show.  Something other than the usual program, t-shirt or keychain.   

Before the show we went for dinner at "The Keg" on the Esplanade.  They have the best Filet Minon I've ever tasted and the kid who had never tried it, so had her first taste and loved it.  Needless to say,  other steaks, to me, pale in comparison.  These particulur ones came wrapped in the usual strip of bacon but flavoured with a medley of roasted apple and herbs. Too delicious to describe and gluten-free!!!

Me at "The Keg" last night pre "Riverdance"

The kid at The Keg" last night pre "Riverdance"

By the time we got home we were beat.  The kid slept over so today we went for our usual Sunday mother & daughter day breakfast with a little shopping after.  The kid is booking her Bahamas vacation this afternoon with one of her good friends and I'm excited for her.  I will be babysitting the cat....  

Well hubby should be home soon from his overnight trip up north to visit his dad and other family members.  I must confess I do miss him and will be glad when he gets home safe and sound later today. 

I'm off tomorrow so will being doing some more research on deals around the city so stay tuned...

Hope everyone has a great "rest of your weekend". Until later...

Ciao

Fabulous Friday!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Why fabulous?  Well I thought Tuesday was terrible but yesterday took the cake.  So off I go to work today loaded down with painkillers and the like.  It's fabulous Friday because I just have to get through today and don't return to work until Tuesday.  You see I think I've developed another cyst.  I'm prone to them and the pain is extruciating.  I just have to wait it out and hope it passes soon.  Like I don't have enough with the Celiac and Diverticulitis.  Oh well....

On a lighter note.  My sis sent me an awesome card yesterday which lifted my spirits.  She's one of the most thoughtful and caring people I know.  Very proud to call her my sister.  Love ya!

Also, I got a surprise from my the kid and hubby last night.  I'm going to "Riverdance" this weekend.  It doesn't get any better than that.  I'm very lucky to have them in my life.  Hopefully I'll feel okay but unless I'm on a gurney with an IV I will be there.  It's in my blood and in my soul.  Ah...my celtic roots.

So I'll post about the evening and the show.

Can't wait.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.

Ciao