HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

I have made a few resolutions that I will keep to myself but last year I did let a few things slip - but not this year. One of the things I will do is another marathon - this was the first year in 7 that I did not do one and I am not too happy about it. Hopefully my toe will co-operate.

We are spending New Year's Eve in London with Stacey and Andrew but I don't know how late I will be up - after all the work we did today, I may not last. But I never do. But I will stay awake to see the New Year in. I have my Jose Cuervo Golden Margarita at my fingertips. Wish me luck. But we are going out to a local pub where Andrew is going to order a bottle of beer that costs $140!!! It is some awfully high proof and he needs help so I will document this adventure for tomorrow's blog - should be interesting!! We WILL be walking so don't worry.

See Ya Bye

MY MASTERPIECE

My little closet, painted by moi and the laundry tub assembled by moi.

Stacey's new washer and dryer (also used as a table for Rejean's tools) - love the color - Tango Red!!

The little closet where the laundry tub will be is all done and the tub installed. We (Rejean, really) had to run a clothes hanger into the drain to dislodge some "grunge" so the drain would flow smoothly but it is done and it looks great, if I do say so myself. The living room/dining room is all painted and I was putting the face plates back on the receptacles. I am not bad with a screwdriver. Tomorrow is installing the tv bracket, the electrical, the shower curtain rod, washing the remaining windows and any other chore that comes up. There is some furniture being delivered on Friday so we will be here for New Year's Eve - yes, I will be missing the famous Axe Lake Celebrations - but there is always SuperBowl Sunday on February 6th which I will be attending. But I won't be drinking margaritas - don't want to repeat that episode of my life. My picture is still on Bob's Wall of Shame.

See Ya Bye

STACEY, THE PAINTER

This is the way Stacey paints - she is covered from head to toe. This is in her living room/dining room in her new condo. We are in the process of painting a few rooms, installing the washer/dryer and laundry tub, installing the tv arm, new dishwasher, shower curtain rod, etc. Then we head back to Amherstburg to help pack up the rest of their stuff. It is turning out to be a beautiful new home for them and I am sure that by the time everything is in place, it will be amazing. The view is great.
My job today was to paint the closet where the new laundry tub will be installed - it seems Rejean always lets me paint closets - hummm - I wonder why - I do a good job, in my opinion. And I did assemble the laundry tub all by myself (altho Rejean did help me with the hinges) so when it is all connected tomorrow, I will get a picture and let you be the judge.
See Ya Bye

ps - I am playing with my new portable DVD player we picked up at Costco this evening - my Christmas present...

HOW MUCH STUFF DO WE REALLY NEED??

For the past few days I have been at Stacey and Andrew's home in Amherstburg trying to sort out stuff that they will be taking to their new home in London. We are here and they are there due to circumstances beyond any one's control. But doing so has got me thinking about "stuff" that we really need to live. I have been inspired by this chore, to go thru my closets and cupboards and drawers and kitchen and bathroom etc. etc to purge myself of any unnecessary items. And I know I have a lot. Every time I open my closet in my bedroom, I cringe because I have so many clothes that I never wear but I can't seem to get rid of. Every time I try, I get depressed. I touch something and think, I will wear this again but I never seem to. Up here, you only need jeans, t-shirts and (don't laugh) turtlenecks. I have good clothes but I have no where to wear them. But, you never know. I must have, no exaggeration, 20 pairs of jeans. But, being a woman, they are different sizes. I can't get rid of my small jeans just in case I loose those 5 pounds and I can't get rid of the bigger ones because I may gain a couple of pounds. I know I am not the only one like this. There is a SisterHood of the Expanding Jean Collection that I just may join one day. And don't even talk to me of jackets...I am embarrassed to say how many I own. I could clothe a small village just with my jackets!!! The number is over 30 but under 60 - somewhere in between - but, to my credit, I never throw anything out. I have a ski jacket that is over 25 years old that I still wear for working up here - when I bring in the fire wood for instance. And the same can be said for footwear. I just bought a new pair of work boots but I did throw out the pair I replaced. That will be my new procedure - every time I buy some item of clothing, I will get rid of the item I am replacing. But I don't know when that will be because I am not going to buy anymore clothes for quite a while.
But it is not just clothes - it is stuff like kitchen utensils, little knick knacks, dishes, glasses, plates, soaps, creams etc. I need space in my cupboards!!! How many bottles of sun tan lotion does one need???
So, when I finally return home, that will be my mission - to go thru my home, one room at a time, and get rid of stuff I don't need. I want it all, but I don't need it all.
There are bins in Thessalon for the needy. I will fill them up with my stuff. I have been very fortunate in my life, to be able to afford stuff - but there are many people who are not so fortunate thru no fault of their own. And it is the season to give...
How about you? How much stuff do you really need????
See Ya Bye

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL...

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. There are people in my life I can't be with over the holidays but I am thinking of them with a great deal of love and affection. I will be remembering all the good times we have shared over the past year and looking forward to the good times next year.
Enjoy!!!

See Ya Bye

DANGER - FALLING ICE!!!

I have never seen so many icycles in all my life as in London this week. There are tons of them everywhere - even on buildings downtown - you have to walk close to the road and away from the buildings to be safe. These are just a sampling of some. Doesn't say too much for the insulation in the roofs of the buildings...

SORRY CLAIRE...

Stacey had bought her Grandmother a box of chocolates, all wrapped up in nice red paper and ribbons. We went to a pub for dinner after Stacey had been shopping and she had them with her. There was no desert offered at the pub so...we got into the chocolates - that is Andrew's hand going for the good one. I will have to replace the box of chocolates for Claire when I get to Windsor. It was worth it...

NO COMPARISON...

That is my President's Choice Pay As You Go phone alongside Stacey and Andrew's I-Phones. Compared to the I-Phones...well I just might as well send smoke signals...

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

We came along the 402 from Sarnia to London last Friday and found a few trucks still in the ditch from the big storm. The roads were clear when we went by. What a difference a day made.

A HARD FOUGHT BATTLE

This is Andrew and his Dad, Denis, on their Father/Son motorcycle tour around the Great Lakes last year when they stopped by.

Denis lost his battle with cancer on Monday evening.

He will be missed...

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Santa was here early...Rejean got a new truck for Christmas - actually his old truck needed new tires so he bought a new one instead. Not really. He usually gets a new truck every five years and this just happened to be the year. We had gone to the Sault last Thursday for an oil change and he always checks out the trucks - well it just so happened that this beauty was on the lot and it had everything he wanted (including the color I wanted) so we made a deal and picked it up this afternoon. It's a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500o Outdoorsman model. Our salesman, Mike Boston, was great and I recommend him to anyone out there looking for a new truck or car - Superior Dodge in the Sault.

When we were there I had my eye on a new Jeep Patriot - maybe in a few years...

See ya Bye

PERFECT!!!

14.97 pound turkey in 45 minutes - delicious. We brined it the day before in a mixture of sea salt and brown sugar for about 4 hours. We then dried it and put it in the fridge overnite, uncovered, to dry more. It was cooked perfectly and one of the best I have ever had. Arnold is holding the turkey and Ron is on the right. They helped Rejean cook it outside. Any excuse to get away from the girls.

MY DINNER PARTAY

I bought a 15 pound turkey when I was over in the states - 88 cents a pound - and we had everyone over for a deep fried turkey. There was 13 of us. I also bought a "just in case the other turkey burns" turkey breast. I had stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, buns, cranberries and pickeles and it was a success. I remember when I would panic at just one other person for dinner but not any more. It was easy. I did maintain my wine intake until after everything was cooked. And everyone was gone by 8pm - I like that - but it started at 3pm. We did have a late nite the night before - maybe that had something to do with it...

WINTER FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH US

This is actually a picture before the big storm we had today, Sunday. The wind is just a'howling. The snow blowing around the lake is beautiful. We lost our power for about 5 hours today. We always seem to loose it when it is windy. But it always comes back on just when you need it to. We expect a lot more snow tonite - it has changed a lot of our plans...

LET THE ICE FISHING BEGIN...

Rejean had some spare time and this is what he created. A nice big box to fit on the back of the snowmobile to hold all his ice-fishing stuff. He is ready. Now to just wait for the ice to thicken.

WE HAVE A WINNER(S)

Thanks for all the suggestions and there were a few of them. Lucky, a name contributed by Joan. I can see why that would apply. Jodie sent the name Fester - sorry, but that just reminds me of an infected sore. And David offered Basil something - the name of a British children's talking fox. Who knew. But Sister Sue came up with Boots, because it looked like he had tall black boots on. Stacey also came up with that name but Susan beat her to the punch. So, I have chosen Boots as my fox's name. When he was around today I called him Boots, but he didn't seem to react too much to it. But it was only the first time. Give me a little while and I am sure he will be coming to Boots in no time.
I will get the picture copied and present it to Susan and Stacey at a suitable time.
Thanks again to all of you who sent in names or even thought of one for him. it is appreciated.
See ya Bye

WHERE IS THE REAL JANET???

I have all of my Christmas shopping done. Everything is wrapped (I just need gift tags - I figure post-it-notes just aren't festive enough) all my Christmas cards are sent, Jodie's package is mailed - standard rates to boot!!! I even bought a gift and wrapped it for myself - I will try and act surprised (altho I may forget by the time Christmas comes around so I really will be surprised). That is just not like me. As some of you may know, I am a procrastinator, big time. Usually I am standing in line at the post office and by the time I have them send it fast express, the cost is about 5 times what the actual value of the gifts are. Oh well, it is the thought that counts, isn't it?
But it gives me great pleasure to look at all those gifts lying on the bed ready to be distributed. We have a tradition that started a couple of years ago that our family follows. We set a $15 limit for the gifts we buy and then donate a larger amount to a charity. And each year, one of us gets to choose the charity. This year Jodie gets to choose. Which reminds me I have to send her a cheque for our share.
See, I'm not really done everything after all. I'm back.

See Ya Bye

WHAT'S IN A NAME

You have to have a name first and this little guy doesn't have a name - you can't say "the fox is here" forever. He needs a name sooooo, I am putting it out there for you to pick a name for the fox. It is a male. He doesn't have any distinguishing features - he just looks like any old fox. I don't know how old he is or if he has a mate. I want something a bit creative but something easy to say - he may come to his name if he likes it ;o) As long as there is food for him as a reward, I think I can train him. If it was a female I would have called her Betty, after the beagle I will never have.

So happy name thinking up. Let me know. As a prize, I will send you a picture of him. Actually this picture of him - it is the best I have so far.

See Ya Bye

I LOVE DEXTER MORGAN

I have to say that I am a big fan of Dexter. We started watching it a few years ago and I have to admit I am hooked. It is the only show that I watch that consistently keeps me on the edge of my seat every episode. I watched the show last nite (we have a PVR so we tape all our shows so that we can zap thru the commercials) and at one point, I was standing up with anticipation of what was going to happen. I was yelling at the screen!!! Yes, not a pretty sight. You wonder how he is going to get out of his current situation. He is always this close to being caught. I even dreamed about him one night - weird.

I know, how interesting can a TV show about a serial killer be - but it is. Maybe because I have watched the show for so long, I have become enthralled with him. But he is soooo good in the role. Everyone on the show is.

I know they have those DVD sets for each season - if you get a chance, watch the show - I promise you won't be sorry.

See Ya Bye

'TIS THE SEASON

Each card is different

Another sample of the cards and gift tags

The beautifully decorated bag my cards arrived in - a present in itself

My friend Cheryl makes hand-made cards - she calls her business "Reincardations By Cheryl" and for the past few years I have ordered my Christmas cards from her. I received my order today. She always presents them to me in a paper bag that she has decorated like the Christmas

cards. There was even a big red ribbon this year!! And the cards...absolutely beautiful and each one different. There are little jewels, stickers, sparkles, ribbons and bows. Inside are traditional sayings but with little beads or stars or stickers. I also ordered some gift cards to go on the gifts and each one came with a beautiful ribbon and they are decorated like the cards. I always get comments on them from the people who receive them - and this year I ordered more so that all my friends and family can get one.

She is taking orders for next year...just saying...and - here comes the best part - they are very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very reasonable. (I didn't want to tell you just how reasonable they are just in case she has to raise her prices for next year but I paid $1.00 per card this year) They are stunning. And I just called and put my order in for next year. Before you do.

Gotta start addressing my Christmas Cards....See ya Bye

ALERT THE DRAGONS

Rejean and Steve McGivered these pieces of wood to hold our Domino tiles - they work great - they got 5 of these out of 1 1x6inch piece of maple. Sister Sue, do you need any of these for your game??? Let me know - Christmas is coming...

DOMINOS!!!

Jenn and Steve introduced us to this game the last time they were up and while I was in the Sault, I bought a set. Once you know the rules, what a great game. Anyone can win, because Rejean and I won the first couple of times we played. Strategy...who knew?

BIG BONN FIRE

Jenn got real comfortable

Great day for a fire

Jenn and Steve are up for a few days, to clear some brush so we decided to have a big Bonn fire on the mine side to burn it. We got it going - and it burned for a couple of hours. Nice and warm. We had it going good. We had 3 pails available just in case it got out of control, but there was snow everywhere and a stream just a couple of feet from it. What else is there to do on a Monday afternoon??? (and I have just a little pyromania in me to have enjoyed it a little too much...)

See Ya Bye

BYE BYE SANTA

After the event at the Hall, Santa and Mrs Claus rode off onto Highway 129 in their " pimped up" Ranger. Vickie wanted to go too, but there was no room for her - she had to stay and do dishes...
Have you been good this year...

THE MOTLEY CREW

Another successful event at the Wharncliffe Hall - Breakfast with Santa and Mrs Claus was a hit - even tho the weather was frightful the night before. Front row is Vickie, back row from left to right - Connie, Phyllis, Santa, Moi on Santa's lap, Mrs Claus in the back, Cheryle and Betty. We had about 40 people and the food was delicious. I always panic that it won't be ready on time or that we won't have enough food. But, it all seems to come together. We work very well as a team.
Some of the little kids were afraid at first of Santa, but once they sat on his lap and played with his bells, they were happy. And they left letters in the mail box for him.
Now I can relax and start a wash - there is no rest for the wicked....

WINTER WONDERLAND

Well, it is that time of year. It had to come eventually. We woke up to this this morning. About 3-4 inches up here. And, to tell you the truth, I kinda like it. It was cold but you just dress warmly and drive carefully. No problems. Rejean drove back and forth along the laneway to pack the snow down to get a good base for the snowblower. If you used the blower without doing that, you would be spitting trap rock all over the place. Not a good idea. This is the year I learn how to work the blower. You never know when I will be called upon to blow snow. I am up for the challenge.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING ...TO WHARNCLIFFE

In preparation for the Breakfast With Santa going on on Saturday, the Ladies Of Wharncliffe got Deb's Ranger ready for Santa and Mrs Claus. Their sleigh was in for repairs so we decorated the Ranger. We had a nice warm garage to do it in thanks to Denzeil. He came over to investigate a bunch of strange cars in his yard and he found us. But he let us continue and even offered to store the Ranger in his garage until Santa and Mrs Claus get here.
We should have a good turn out for the breakfast. It has been a while since the last function at the Hall so I think we will have not just kids and their parents but some of the locals as well. Cal and Sal are coming from Thessalon.
We have decorated the hall and it looks pretty good. I'll be sure to get some action photos tomorrow. I even have some Christmas CDs and a player so we won't have to sing.
I have to be at the hall at 7am - hey, aren't I supposed to be retired????

IT IS IN YOU TO GIVE

We went into town to give blood today and that is my blood you see in the picture. It took a while, as it usually does, but I donated a full bag. They always have problems finding a vein, then once they get the needle in, they have to jiggle it around to get the blood flowing. Then it keeps stopping then going - I have to squeeze a ball to get it pumping. But, after about 13 - 15 minutes, it is over. Then you get the free cookies. And, you know me, I'll do anything for free food.
I have O RH Negative. It is the kind that can be used on just about anyone, including new borns. When they see me coming, they are very happy.
So if you can donate, please do. It is something that you can do every 56 days. And you get cookies!!! What more is there...
Life IS good so share it.

BLACK ICE

When our lake freezes before it snows, the lake ice looks black. This morning we woke up to just that situation. There was just a bit of snow but the majority of the ice was black. It is supposed to go down to -9 tonite so I think it will remain like that for a while - but it will be a long time before I venture out on it. Maybe around February...

SUCCESSFUL HUNT

Ron and Rejean went out hunting the other day up around Hinkler (?) and got 3 birds. They are in my freezer right now awaiting a dinner opportunity. Yum Yum