Manic Monday!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Okay, well I have a week to finish a play I'm scripting for a friend.  I love projects and the feeling of accomplishment when they're done.  This one is a bit of a challenge because when I write it's usually like I'm writing a journal.  Writing a play if definitely different.  My goal is to have it complete by Friday.  Maybe sooner.

When I'm creative I have to strike while the iron's hot otherwise my ideas are lost.

I have ideas for a couple of books but I've been procrastinating.  I know I will be starting soon but when exactly, well we will see.

The weekend was awesome.  Some good family quality time.  Hubby and I are movie lovers so we try to get some in every weekend.  Friday night I watched "50/50" with Joseph Gordon- Levitt.  Kind of slow but did make me cry.  The kid stayed over Saturday and we watched "The Woman in Black" with Daniel Radcliffe, and drank wine in front of the fireplace.  Very cozy and very relaxing.

A New Pic of the Kid

Hubby and Sammy

Also, I have more pics from Carnivale:







That's it for now.  I still have lots to do.  My "Deal of the Week" and video I promised is coming soon.

Stay tuned.

Ciao

More Carnivale Pics 2012

Thursday, November 23, 2012

Yes, there are more pics but first I want to wish my beautiful granddaughter a Happy 3 month Birthday!!!!  Love ya sweet pea.

Now as promised:

Venice 2012

More Costumes

Wow!

Oh Yes!

That's it for now but I will be posting a video that's interesting to watch.

Stay tuned...

Ciao

Wishing for Carnivale!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Yesterday was Carnivale in Venice among other places around the world.  Ahh Venice!  A beautiful city which I had the joy to visit in August 2011 and celebrate my birthday.

I've always been intrigued with Venetian masks which you would already know if you're a follower of my blog.

It's not just the decorative masks I love but the costumes as well.  One day I hope to visit Venice during Carnivale.  Costume balls and other festivities will be going on all week there.  It actually started over 1000 years ago and the reason for the masks was so commoners could wear them and walk among the aristocrats without being recognized.

Here's a pic taken yesterday in Venice:

Beautiful All in White

I will be posting more pics from yesterday on my next post.

So Venice I hope to be back....

Now for a change in subject.

I will be adding "Deals of the Week" to my posts and the first one is:

All this week McDonald's is taking $1.00 off any coffee you purchase. 

Enjoy!!!

Bridge of Sighs - Venice, Italy

Ciao everyone!

Serene Sunday!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

I don't know if I'm feeling serene or weary.  I'm writing this in a catatonic state because the day has been a busy one.  No nap today that's for sure. I'm exhausted but I'll forge ahead and fall into bed later.. 

I spent the morning cleaning and organizing before the kid and I headed down to spend the afternnoon with my mom.  The kid had spent the previous evening at our place and we all had  dinner at the local pub, then went home to watch "Paranormal Activity 3".  By the way, if you haven't seen it, DON'T.  Nothing like the first 2 believe me...

So today we took my mom out for lunch which we do as often as time allows and spent the afternoon eating, drinking and catching up.

Me & Mom

The kid

Another Pic of Me & Mom

So after we dropped mom off we drove to the kid's condo to check on Sushi (the kittten), feed her, etc.  God she's cute.  Then back here before the kid was off again to meet up with a friend for sushi (the food not the cat) and then returning here to watch another movie and spend the night.

The kid and Sushi today at her Condo

Tomorrow I intend to get a lot accomplished on "Connie" my laptop but they say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions...hehe

So have a good evening everyone!

Arrivederci

Connie Conked Out!

Friday, February 17, 2012

I apologize for being behind on my blog but Connie conked out.  Oh and in case you didn't know, Connie is my laptop.  No laptop, no blog.  Boy have I missed it.

Anyway, we have lots to catch up on.  The kid becoming a redhead, the boy's birthday party at our place and Valentine' Day.

Well the kid wanted a change so she dyed her hair a dark red.  She has done this before and never keeps it.  She ends up missing the blonde.  I personally think she's beautiful with any colour of hair but she is a natural blonde.  I told her next time you get bored just buy a new top or a piece of jewellery.  It's less expensive.

Anyway, here she is (at least for now):

The kid as a redhead

The kid as a blonde

So the boy's birthday party was a huge success.  Mind you, I was so tired that day because I was up early cleaning and getting everything ready.  The boy, his love and Natalie arrived early so we had lots of one-on-one time with her.

Sleeping with Daddy

"Oh is it time to have my picture taken?"

We had a blast that day and it was good to be surrounded by the people you care about so much.

Now on to Valentine's Day.  Hubby surprised me with a beautiful watch that I have had my eye on for months.  He actually remembered and couldn't wait to see the look on my face when he gave it to me.  I love being genuinely surprised.  Along with the watch, he bought me red roses and chocolates.  I did good with him.  He's the most thoughtful and kind man I have ever met.

Eighteen years ago we met.  I do believe everything happens for a reason and I don't mean in a religious sense just "kismat".

Before I met hubby I had been through some rough years.  Thank goodness I had my children and good friends who gave me the love and support I needed to make a fresh start.  I had to learn to trust again after years of abuse, both physical and emotional but that's all behind me now and my life is good.  It came later in life but better late than never.  That feeling of peace and tranquility I lacked for so long.  Able to be myself again without fear of retribution.

Remember to hug those you love around you and keep them close.  I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!

Until later,

Ciao 

Tired Tuesday!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

I don't know if it's the fact I was up early or the wine I had with dinner but I'm shattered.

Awake enough to post but barely.  Hopefully, a second wind will kick in...

Now some friends and I were discussing something that I thought was quite interesting.  Mind you all the people in the discussion were smokers.  So I guess we're biased. Move over Jessi Ventura!

There are a lot of conspiracy theories floating around out there so I thought Id throw one out there too.  One of my friends mentioned a neighbour who was 100+ in years and a diehard smoker.  Someone asked her why she still smoked and she said that if she stopped she'd die.  Mmmm....so I got to thinking about that one.  Oh I know you'll probably think I'm nuts but a lot of smokers do die not too long after they stop.  Maybe the reason the government is so adamant about people quitting is so they will.  Think about it. 

 Less people means less pensions to pay out.  Less welfare, less employment insurance, less welfare, less health insurance and the list goes on.  Also,  lot of doctors, nurses and health care professionals are smokers.  Mmm I don't see them running out to buy patches, gum, and all the other expensive gimics designed to get you to stop.  Oh and not let's not forget hypnotism.  That one's hilarious.  Please....

Call me wackadoodle but you never know...........something to ponder.

I know my grandfather who was a heavy smoker from the time he was nine years old died when he was 96 ears old in his sleep from "old age".  His heart just gave out.  He didn't suffer from any of the so-called smoking related diseases.  He lived a long and heathly life.  I don't even remember him having a cold.

Now I'm not advocating anyone to start because it is a very real addiction.  Yet, I'll keep standing out in the rain and freezing blizzards to enjoy my puff so the non-smokers can stay safe and warm in their offices free of the foul cigarette smoke.  God forbid they breathe it in.  We won't die of cancer because pneumonia will kill us first. 

At least in the warm sunny weather we get a break.

Something to think about...

On a lighter note, some pics:

Me & the kid in Italy 2011

My beautiful kid

The kid with her "Sushi"

Beautiful "Carnevale" - Venice

More Carnevale - Venice

The kid on our Western Caribbean cruise

Venice (ahhh...)

Arrivederci

Super Saturday!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

What can I say but it's Super Saturday!  Why super you ask?  Well first off, I can take a nap later.  God I love my naps.  Especially in the late afternoon before dinner.  It's a luxury I love.

Being a morning person anyway (not out of choice but necessity) I tend to get a lot more done when hubby is still asleep.  Of course this is after I have a pot of coffee and a carton of smokes...okay well I'm exaggerating just a little.

Monday to Friday I start early at work so I have to get up early.  I just get up extra early so I have "me" time before the day starts.  Now on weekends it depends how late I've stayed up the night before.  Because I get up so early we never need an alarm clock.

So let's catch up.

Last night we went to the kid's again and ordered in Swiss Chalet.  Love Swiss Chalet because I can eat it (gluten-free).  YAY!!!!  so I took some pics of "Sushi" the kid's new kitten and I thought I'd share.  Oh and I threw one in of hubby too.

Hubby Setting Up the Kid's Internet

Sushi

"What are you looking at, can't a girl relax?"

Relaxing in the Livingroom
That's it for now because it's "errand time"!!!

Ciao (and stay tuned)

Fabulous Friday!

Friday, February 3. 2012

Well it's finally "Fabulous Friday"!

Posting early so I don't have another "Guilty Thursday"!

Anyway our night out with the kid was fun.  Sushi her new kitten is beautiful with topaz eyes and gorgeous markings (butterscotch, black and white.  I will be posting pics of her shortly.  Well the kid wants to join uson our trip to Italy next year.  Flying in to Rome and then heading south on the train to Reggio and Sicily.  I miss Rome most of all and dying to get back there so we can EXPLORE.  Kind of hard to do that when you're on a tour like the last time.  Oh I don't regret the tour as a first-timer but want to have more freedom next time.  I do miss Elizabetta our tour director.  Especially the way she pronounced "celiac".  She would say "cheliac"...hehe.  If I toured again I would definitely request her.  She took such good care of us on the trip and made sure the menu at the restaurants we went to had something gluten-free.  Very important when you're travelling, tired and starving most of the time.

We will rent a moped and wander through the city streets.  also with no timetable we will be able to sleep, eat and do whatever when we want.

I will be changing things up a bit with my blog.  Oh I will still rant, etc. but I'm going to add a new dimension.

Stay tuned.....

Ciao

Guilty Wednesday!

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012

Okay, it's my guilty Wednesday!  Why you ask?  Well I haven't posted since last week and I'm posting now before I get busy with other things.

Well the kid got a cat, actually a 4-mth. old kitten named "Sushi".  She's a calico and beautiful from the pics I've seen but I'll meet her tonite because we're going to the kid's condo first and then out for a bite.

While I'm writing this, my hubby is upstairs watching some show on surfing (did I tell you that surfing is one of my secret passions)?  I say secret because in another life I'm sure I was a surfer.  It draws me in and I watch any movie I can get my hands on about surfing like "Blue Crush" and
"Soul Surfer".  Why does he have to be watching this now?

Anyway, focus Shirley...

So we went to see our beautiful granddaughter on Saturday and here are some pics:

A Professional Photo of Natalie

Hubby, me & Natalie

Pretty in Yellow

My Sammy

The Boy and his Girl


That's it for now!

Arrivederci!!!