Wicked Wednesday!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

I call this post "Wicked Wednesday" because I'm actually getting stuff done today and that's "wicked".

Yesterday was a right-off because I felt drained all day so other than seeing the doctor and lunch with the kid, I mostly slept.

So I've been wanting to switch up the den for some time now but needed to empty a large shelving unit that stood in my way.  What a job that was.  Since there weren't any glass doors on the unit you can imagine how soiled everything was.  I had mostly wine glasses and bottles containing various types of liquor (most of which given to us as gifts over the years).  Now here's the fun part.  Each and every bottle and glass had to be scrubbed and then I had to figure out where to put everything. Mmmmm.......

The unit is now ready to toss but there's still much more work to do.  I think a break beckons...

Now for some "gluten-free" news:

On Saturday, June 8th a gluten-free fair is being held at the International Centre in Mississauga, Hall #1.  There is free parking and you can "try before you buy".  You can purchase tickets online at www.canadasglutenfreemarket.com.

Also, I am learning French online for my upcoming trip to Paris.  Wish me luck!  Now if I could only learn "cockney" for my trip to London then I'd be all set....hehe

That's all for now and hope everyone has a great day!!!

Ciao

Memorable Monday

Monday, May 27, 2013

First off, I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Although a little cool, it was sunny and beautiful (my kind of weather).

I call this post "Memorable Monday" because looking back at a lot of the memories I have I feel so fortunate.

I never take my life for granted and have had a few "close calls" in my past.

When I was eleven I was diagnosed with "encephalitis" (swelling of the brain) after returning from guide camp one summer.  I was hospitalized at Sick Kid's, isolated because I also had the mumps and studied daily by a barrage of doctors.  I actually loved my time there because there was a craft lady who came in to visit me and I had my "Nancy Drew" books to read so I was quite content.  I drank lemonade and had consommé and was intrigued with a boy across the hall from me who had blood poisoning.  Well it was a long time before I was 100% but needless to say, I recovered.  A lot of people in the fifties and early sixties that were stricken with the virus were not so lucky.

So now I have "celiac" disease.  Not fun as it is a very painful illness but one I am stuck with for the rest of my life so I have to suck it up.  It could be a lot worse and I'm grateful it's not.

We can not dwell on the negative as life will pass us by before we realize it.

I have a family I adore and no regrets for anything that happened in the past because it's defined who I am today.

I'm sad for people who are habitually unhappy and always see the glass half empty.  It's half full!

Treasure your family because they are only here for a short time.  Hug your friends and be there for them when they need you.  If someone reaches out don't turn away.  You may need their help one day.

Well enough preaching.  I hope everyone has a great week and until later...

Ciao

Terrific Tuesday!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Why "terrific" Tuesday.  Well first off I hope everyone had a fabulous "Mother's Day".  I know I did.

The kid and I went to see my mom on Sunday morning and then back to our place for a dinner with the boy, Rhonda and baby Natalie.

Rhonda and her girl

 

 

The Boy

 

 

The Kid

 

 

All in all, a great day.

 

I want to mention that I've had many "mothers" through the years.

 

Of course there's my birth mother who is 82 years young next month.  Also, my aunt who raised me from the age of four until I turned 13.  She was a great role model and taught me a lot.  I we her a lot. 

 

Then there's my grandmother whom I miss dearly.  She was a very strong woman who I could talk to about anything.  We would talk for hours and she would tell me about the struggles she faced growing up in Ireland in a large family with very little money.  At the age of 12 she went to work in a factory because back then only the boys were educated.  They assumed the girls would one day get married, have children and that was that.   My grannie wanted better than that and after marrying my grandfather started to squirrel away money so they could emigrate to Canada.  It wasn't easy because she had very little education as far as schooling but she was very educated in the ways of the world.

 

 

By the time she passed away she owned 3 properties and held many investments.  She knew how to survive.

 

Love you grannie!

 

My father's second wife, Jean, was also a very strong woman.  She had such a capacity to love all her children including my two sisters from my mother and me as well.  When I was growing up and would visit her, she always treated me like one of her own.  I love her for that.

 

 

Jean

 

As I grew older I had female friends and mentors that helped me through some rough times that I also want to thank and were "surrogate" moms to me back in those days.

 

I feel very fortunate to have known such strong independent women and wish I had half their strength.

 

With all the ups and downs of motherhood, nothing is more difficult but infinitely most rewarding.

 

Happy Mother's Day to everyone that has ever known the joy of motherhood.

 

 

Me and my grandbaby

 

 

Until later...

 

Ciao



Wonderful Wednesday!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

So hubby and I had a wonderful weekend.  We drove up north to visit hubby's dad and girlfriend.  The weather was warm and beautiful.  Clear skies and clear traffic.  You can't get any better than that.

It was nice to spend that time with him, just the two of us, which is a rare event for us.  Car trips usually include other family members but not this time.

 

Me and Hubby

On our return trip we took the scenic route which we don't usually do and also stopped at "Weber's" for one of their famous burgers.  It's located just north of Orillia on Hwy. 11.  We've drove past it for years always meaning to stop so finally we did.  Well worth it.

On another note:

I have to mention that I have a problem with most "charities".  The reason being that all the money that is collected is supposedly going for "research" .  Did you know that someone suffering from a disease such as MS has to pay approximately $2,000.00 per month for their prescription medication that isn't covered by Ontario Health Insurance?  Why aren't these charities helping with these costs?  I think the money would be better spent.  After all, donations are to benefit the people suffering with these illnesses and improve their quality of life.  Food for thought...

Tip of the Week

So it's now "ant" season and although I have Raid spray, I don't like to use it too often because of my pets.  I looked online for "home remedies" and one noted was the use of vinegar.

Okay so I tried it and it works.  Ants don't like the smell.  So the idea is to wash down your cupboards, countertops or wherever there's a problem with a mixture of water and vinegar.  I even used it on my floors.  You have to do this every few days.

For years I've been using vinegar to clean the hoses in the dishwasher (just pour it in where you add your detergent and run it through a cycle).  Also, I do the same with the clothes washer.  I pour it down the drains in the kitchen as well to clean the pipes.  It's cheap and it works.

Gluten-free Tip

Well I tried the Loblaw's gluten-free bread that the kid enjoys but thumbs down on that one.  Although most of their gluten-free products are good, for bread, nothing compares to "Rudi's" sandwich bread available at "Whole Foods".  Pricey but well worth it.

That's all for now and hope everyone has a fabulous week.

 

Me and the Kid

Ciao...

Marvelous Monday!

Monday, May 6, 2013

So last week we put the patio together what with the weather being so beautiful.  Still have to add a few touches including our Hibiscus plants which have been housebound all winter but basically done.  Will scour local garage sales for outdoor items which I do each year.

Friday, the kid was off so we did some errands and then went to the "Cherry Hill House" for lunch to check out "Victoria's Gluten-free Bistro" which I mentioned in a previous post.  "Victoria's" is located inside the "Cherry Hill House" and situated at Cawthra & Dundas on Silvercreek here in Mississauga (google online for the detailed map). I've always wanted to check this restaurant out because of it's "haunted" history.  Well we finally did. 

Now, when we got there we had to eat in the pub downstairs because the dining rooms do not open until 4 pm. for dinner and we arrived around 12:30 pm.  Still, the waitress did get us a gluten-free menu from which I ordered Bruschetta (the best I've ever tasted) and fries which are cooked in a separate kitchen to avoid cross-contamination.  I added a glass of shiraz and voila, lunch.  Delicious and affordable. 

The kid ordered from the regular menu and had the fish & chips and was not impressed with the fish.  That being said we will still definitely return for the dinner menu in the upstairs bistro after 4 pm with the rest of the family.  Maybe then I'll see a spirit or ghost because on that day they eluded me... thumbs up for "Victoria's Gluten-free Bistro".

Salute!!!

Until later...ciao