Slowly Organizing!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Well this will probably be my last post until after my trip.

Busy organizing what to take with me, I always "over pack" or "under pack".  This time I'm going to try and get it right.  I do want to pack light so I have room for stuff I buy over there to bring home.

So my friend and I fly out at 10:05 pm Tuesday headed for London.

Three days there and then on to Paris for four more days before heading home.

There will be a lot of firsts for me on this trip.  Seeing England (finally) and taking the "Chunnel" under the English channel to name but a few.

The only other "overseas" vacation I went on was to Italy a few years ago. 

Although that trip was fabulous, I learned that when you're a smoker like myself you have to take measures to endure the long flight without a cigarette.  Those of you reading this who are non-smokers will not understand.

When we arrived in Rome I practically ran to the designated smoking room.  Leaping over people's baggage can be dangerous!  I was on a mission and didn't care who noticed and because this trip will be a night flight I plan to take a sleeping aid and hopefully pass out until we arrive in London. I'll probably do the same on the way home from Paris even though that will be an earlier flight, it will hopefully relax me enough that I won't think about having a smoke.

 

London at Night

 

Salute!

 

So when I return I will of course of lots of pics to share.

In the meantime, the EX opened today so hopefully hubby and I will make it there before I leave.

Everyone have a great weekend and good week ahead.

Until later...

Ciao

After the Long Weekend

Monday, August 6, 2013

Hope everyone had a great long weekend, I know we did.

The kid and I took in a matinee on Friday, "The Conjuring" and boy were we disappointed.  Kind of corny and predictable.  Did not scare us one bit but when you've see the first "Paranormal Activity" you're kind of jaded.  When we came out of the show there was a torrential downpour going on outside and we still had some last minute shopping to do so we sucked it up and got done what we needed to.

Hubby and I went to see "2 Guns" Saturday night which was really entertaining.  I mean c'mon when you have two stars like Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg how can you go wrong?  Two thumbs up.

So took quite a few pics this weekend (practising my photographic skills for my trip in 2 weeks).

Here are some of the kid's beloved Sushi.

So adorable!

Now for the kid:

 

So yesterday hubby, the kid and myself went downtown for some sightseeing, etc.  We made a pit stop at the Ex Casino and then on to lunch at "William's Landing" in Liberty Village (which I highly recommend) and sat out on the upper patio looking over the street.  The weather was perfect and the food delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see we had a great time.

 

Now while I'm thinking about it I thought I should mention that in an earlier post I said that I was trying out a product called "Gluten Cutter" which I bought in the States.  Not sure what I think of the product but I do know that it contains a laxative and because I have also been diagnosed with "severe" diverticulitis I'm taking a break from them.  Maybe they would work well for someone that doesn't have any other issues, not sure.  I had also purchased a Canadian version (purchased at a health food store at Dixie Mall) that I haven't tried yet but won't until I come back from my trip and have another procedure at the hospital.  The Canadian pills are called "Gluten Relief" which basically is an enzyme blend that help the breakdown of foods containing gluten and/or dairy products.  As I said earlier, because I'm taking a break from any medication I can't comment on how well they work but will follow-up at a later date and they are not cheap -  $24.99 for 90 vegetarian capsules.  If you do try them and they do work, please e-mail me and let me know at shirleyzimbalatti@gmail.com.

 

Take care and have a fabulous week!

 

Until later...

 

Ciao

 

 

Downtown Trip

Thursday, August 1, 2013

So last Thursday the kid and I took the Go bus to Union Station and walked around downtown Toronto.  Now that was a first for me because I've never taken a Go bus.  In fact I haven't even been on a city bus in years.  Would definitely do it again.  It's economical and worry-free.  You don't have to stress about finding a parking spot and can drink all the wine you want at a café guilt-free.

We had a great time.  Stopped for lunch at a restaurant with an outdoor café (the weather was beautiful) and of course, shared a half litre of wine and people watched.  Then on to the shops and outdoor kiosks. 

I love Toronto.  Anyone who knows me knows that.  I was born there and lived most of my life there.  I've always loved downtown and my first full-time job out of school was at Yonge and Temperance St.  Working down there was fun because you had so much at your disposal.  In those days everyone had an hour for lunch so we would choose somewhere different to eat every day.  When I worked at Bay and Bloor I could walk over to the Colonnade on my lunch to television show tapings which I loved.  Those were the days...

Now although we had fun we knew we had to get back to Union Station to get the Go bus back home.  This is where we screwed up.  We were told the Go bus didn't run again until 7:20 pm. something we neglected to check out beforehand). It was 4:20 pm and we were tired from all the walking.  We had to take the Go train or wait.  We were told it was going to arrive any minute so all of a sudden I felt like a participant in the "Amazing Race Canada"!!!  The kid grabbed my hand and we were off! 

I never went up and down so many stairs in my life and I worried about my heart to be honest.  By the time we got on the train I was pale, short of breath, soaked in sweat and my heart was racing.  I thought, "Is this it?"  I'm going to die on a crowded Go train about to leave Union Station sitting between 2 girls playing on their I Phones.  I never even had dinner yet or a last smoke!  People were staring at me probably thinking they should call 911 but my breathing finally slowed and I somewhat returned to normal.

Needless to say I wanted to kiss the ground when we disembarked the train.  Quite the adventure and lesson learned.  Plan ahead...

 

Me & the Kid in Earlier Days

 

So tomorrow we are off to a matinee but staying in town.  No Go trains in the near future...

 

Until later,

 

Ciao