CATCH UP MODE.......!!!!

Wow, I'm definitely in catch up mode!
Our dear friend, Shirl, left last night to go home to England. It was SO great getting almost two weeks to spend time with her here. In April, I got to visit with her for a couple of days at my youngest daughter's in Princeton.
This was the first time Shirl had come in nice weather, so we were able to do so much more and see so much more!


I took her all over the place and she got to see a lot of my family as well. I think she had a really good time. We took her on the liftlock boat cruise as Peterborough has the highest lift locks in the world. It is very weird to be in a boat on water and have it lift up approx. 70 feet in order to get to the next lock system.It's something to experience, for sure.




I also took her to Gallery of the Lake, which is a beautiful art gallery in Buckhorn set back in the woods right on the Lake. She purchased a beautiful piece of jewellry for herself from a wonderful artist.




I now have a lot to do. I began by responding to many emails that needed a reply and managed to get that caught up last night. I'm hopefully going back to Warkworth next week to show some of my plates to a shop there. Hopefully, she'll like my work well enough to purchase some pieces or let me show on consignment. There is a new art gallery in Peterborough and I'd like to get some of my photography in there for a period of time. I need to replace my photography at our local Tea Room to encourage some new interest.

Monday I have throat surgery. It's no real big deal. I've had this surgery two years ago and it went fine. Let's hope it goes as well this time.

I also have to go to Brockville to visit with some friends. They sold their beautiful home on the St. Lawrence river and are beginning a new adventure. They've purchased a motorhome and will spend the winters travelling wherever the wind takes them. They are editing their belongings and I've been offered their treadmill...yeah!
We will do a trade for some of my works down the road. Happy, happy! They close the sale on June 15th and they want stuff picked up by the end of next week. It's a win, win for me. I get a treadmill and get to visit with some old and dear friends for a little while.

Busy, busy!

SHIRLEY'S WEEK ONE.......

Well, it's been very busy since our friend Shirley arrived from England a little over a week ago. First, was the bridal shower for my niece. Each day we've visited a different town in the area and enjoyed trying some new restaurants for lunch. One of Shirl's requests each time she comes is to eat, at least once, at a Canadian chain called Swiss Chalet. They do rotisserie chickens, which are consistently wonderful, super excellent fries and salad.......we did that! My daughter's also love to go there when they come home.

We've been to Warkworth, Campbellford, Hastings and Bobcaygeon so far! We've had lunch at our local Village Tea Room, The Magic Rolling Pin Tea Room. Quite frankly, we've been and done so much, I'm forgetting where all we've been. We've also had a few ice cream cones from our local Kawartha Dairy. They have numerous varieties of ice cream so we try a different flavour each time we go....Yummy!

Today, we went to the Hiawatha First Nations Pow-Wow....such colourful and elaborate costumes and dancing! It's so incredible the amount of work that goes into just one costume...so beautiful! I enjoyed the little kids in their costumes and their dancing..! Cute!








Tomorrow, we're going to the Gallery on the Lake(Buckhorn) Art Gallery, then to the Buckhorn Fine Art show and on to my sister-in-law's place for a 'girls' dinner...six women to sit and talk and sip a few drinks.....and eat, of course.

Monday, we will go on the Liftlock Boat Cruise. We didn't realize that Shirley has never gone on this cruise. It's kind of cool when the boat does the transfer lift and you're 150 ft. in the air, in water and sitting in a boat. The view up top is absolutely spectacular!

Through all of the touring, I've still managed to do my 2 hour workouts at the club every second day and walk on the alternate days. It's SO frustrating that in almost six months, I've only lost two pounds and 1% body fat!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAHHHH!

BRIDAL SHOWER A SUCCESS....

Well, a lot of planning and a lot of work BUT the bridal shower for my niece, Kelly was a wonderful afternoon! Although the shower was not a surprise, her Mom and I decided not to tell her our friend, Shirley would be here from England. As they came up the walkway Shirley opened the door and just completely shocked Kelly. Kel began to cry with excitement. I also think it shows how 'on edge' she is at the moment.

I had requested that the guests purchase gift cards from one particular Canadian store ( The Bay ) which they could use to apply to a brand new, extra large boxspring and mattress. Since they both had their own apartments, they said they didn't need much. Having said that, they really, really wanted and needed a new bed. They received enough in gift cards to almost completely pay for their new bed. I just heard from her Mom they put in the difference and are SO ecstatic to have a new bed!

The big hit as far as food was the Belgian chocolate fondue fountain....Delicious and just plain fun!




I have a cousin who has taken up cake decorating who offered to do a cake for the occasion. Below is the end result.........just beautiful!!!

FINALLY, HERE'S SOME OF MY NEW PLATES!

Well, the photography still isn't very good, but it will give you an idea of what I've been up to on and off. I'm going to order off eBay proper photography lamps and then work on improving my plate photography. It's difficult because there isn't any natural light and photographing off glass is tricky as well. I will get better at it though!
Here goes.........hope you see something you like! Hope there are people out there who like some pieces well enough to purchase!

BUSY, BUT FUN WEEK..

It's been quite a busy week so far, and the balance of the week is even busier!
Monday, I met with my trainer and went through the new program she's written for me to try a new strategy. My new workout for the weights, etc. is focused on core and aerobics. The good news was I finally lost 2 lbs. and a little over 1% BMI....FINALLY! It's nothing to jump up and down about after four months of working out, but it's moving in the right direction.

Tuesday, I was up at 5:30am to get ready for a Chamber of Commerce breakfast. Immediately afterward sat with my family for our weekly 'family' breakfast. There was a lot of running around to do afterward. I needed to purchase things for the bridal shower I'm having for my niece this Saturday. I also tried to get a bit more gardening done. I'm no where near finished, but slow and steady will be the game.

Wednesday, I spent most of the day cleaning and reorganizing my craft room. Boy! did it need it!!! It's not ideal, but certainly better than it was so, I'm happy.
Wednesday afternoon, my cousin held a tea for two of my aunts. One turned 92 years of age and one turned 83 years old within a week of each other. It was really lovely!
They get so tickled with the attention and the little gifts we present to them. We treasure any and all moments we spend with them. Sadly, my 83 year old is suffering from Alzheimers and somedays are good and some not so good! What a cruel disease!


One of my aunt's grandaughter's has taken up a new career of cake decorating. She is really, really great at it! Here's the cake she made for the two aunties....amazing!



Today, I went to the other family breakfast for my Mom's side of the family. I again, had last minute things to pick up for that as well. I orderd handmade truffles as a hand out to each of the guests. The girl did a wonderful job! Each truffle was put in it's own little box and tied up with a lovely pink ribbon...so cute!

Tomorrow, I go for a manicure and pedicure and then have to pick up the balloons. I'll come home to get a dinner ready that can be reheated later in the day. Why you ask? Well, our good friend, Shirley is arriving tomorrow from England for two weeks and anyone who has travelled overseas knows flights can be somewhat unpredicatble.I really look forward to her visits. I wonder what kind of 'mischief' we can get into while she's here...hmmmm!

Saturday, of course, is the bridal shower for my niece, Kelly. She's getting married on August 28th, 2010. I hope to post some pictures next week.

Should be a FUN weekend! I just hope the weather cooperates, as it's pouring rain at the moment.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!!!!!!

To all the other mothers I know, Happy Mother's Day!

To my daughter's Marlo and Lindsay, you gave me the title of 'Mother'. You have provided me with many days of smiles, many days of laughter, and continue to give me many days of pride. I now wish the same for both of you as mothers yourselves. Yes, there are days of frustration, days of angst, some days with tears and other days of all out craziness, BUT, it is SO worth it! I hope I've given some honour to my title as 'Mom'.

I reflect on this day and am somewhat saddened that my mother is no longer with me. We had some pretty rough periods, but also had some really wonderful times, as well. She was beautiful, conscientious, adventurous, and really loved life and family.
I miss her smile, her laugh, her talent and her wonderment! I wish I could have her back for just one day to tell her once again, 'Mom, I love you' and you did your absolute best. My Mom spent a very large part of her life in a wheelchair crippled from osteoarthritis. I'm not sure, given the same circumstances I would have done as well.

NEGLECTED..........

Yes, that's what my poor blog has been for the past 12 days....neglected!
It's been both a satisfying and frustrating time for me lately. I made a list the beginning of this year of things I wanted to accomplish. Guess what! As of now, I think only one thing on that list is completed. My 'Type A' personality used to have a slight fit if things on lists didn't get checked off and completed. One thing age has done for me has taught me it's not the end of the world if I don't meet my intended schedules. Somehow, in the end, I do accomplish my set tasks. I actually knew someone who made a list of things to do for each week. On that list, she'd actually have 'make a to-do list' for the following week. Never been quite that specific!

I feel great in that we accomplished a lot with the gardens. However, we still have a few more gardens to get completed. With removing mulch, weeding, and transplanting it always takes a LOT more time than one thinks. The tulips and daffodils will probably be gone by the end of the weekend...:( At the moment, my rock garden looks beautiful!

I've had numerous and sundry appointments. I spend almost no time with my father, however, he asked me to help him visit a funeral home to get all the details and costs. After two years of me suggesting he prepay his funeral, he has finally decided to do so. There are many reasons I wanted this done, which I won't go into, but it's a relief to know all the decisions have been made. The main impetus for my Dad deciding to do this, I believe, is a new additional tax that takes effect July 1st on funeral expenses. If one prepays, they are exempt from the new tax.

I had every great intention of posting some photos of the new plates I've completed. As I write this, I'm so frustrated with the photos I took. I will try to shoot them again. Part of my dilemma, is the fact there is no ideal location in my house with decent lighting to photograph. I'm actually investigating on ebay for photo lights. I'll try again this weekend, but definitely have to find a better solution.

I did some baking as we have our good friend, Shirley arriving a week tomorrow from England. I've also been busy making a collage of my niece, Kelly. I'm holding a bridal shower for her next weekend. I'm using it as a guest book of sorts. Each guest will be asked to sign the back of the shadow box so she''ll have a permanent record of who attended..something a little bit different.

I'm going with my newest friend, Marg to a fashion show tomorrow night. It will be a great break from the usual.

To all the Mothers out there, have a wonderful Mother's Day. I hope you have a special day! Now that my daughters are mothers as well, one day maybe we'll get to celebrate Mother's Day together. Once a mother, always a mother! It's a most special kind of love.