Odd thing last evening, we had just settled down at 7:30 when the back doorbell rang. Jilly raced off barking her head off in the hope that michael had returned, I tottered behind. No one there, not a sign of anyone at all. It couldn't have rung by itself or by the wind if it HAD been windy. Most odd.
Also I keep getting envelopes in the mail addressed to me personally. Inside are letters from realtors wanting to sell my home to buyers who want to renovate or tear it down and rebuild bigger, I like my little cottage. They assure me they have buyers longing to do this and live in your "desirable neighbourhood". Why on earth would someone want to tear it down and create for themselves more housework! Maybe I lived in Britain too long with its quaint century old homes!
Otherwise all is well in gloomy weatherwise Ontario.
Still thinking names, chicken names. Alice, Gretal, Miss Muffet?
Anne.

I so agree LINDA on your comments about landscapers, roofers, lawn mowers etc. Never ending! I am of the last three original 100 year old properties on the street and so appear to be targeted by realtors. I'm told people want to live in my "desirable neighbourhood" it being close to the lake and the downtown, but in that case, why would I want to LEAVE my desirable neighbourhood? Beats me! I wonder if these folk have access to our age as well as our addresses in which case probably they are thinking it's time the old girl went into sheltered accommodation! It doesn't bother me. Maybe my grandson would like to live here one day. Just a comment on what's cluttering my mail box these days. Definitely ain't valentines etc! Lol.
I'd love to see that documentary JACKIE, interesting! Oh and welcome back NOLA. Good luck for next week. This is a great support group isn't it, and we do seem to cover a wide area of what ails us all with lots of very useful comments on how we all deal with them.
Mikes on vacation next week and has promised to drive me to the stores for Christmas shopping. Yeah! I was wondering exactly how to pick up MJs Christmas box. She's into gardening so that's what I'll be looking for, stuff she HASN'T got.
Anne.

Here it is Saturday and we are still upright and chugging along. Forgive me for my very non-political correct topics. I have been raised in a very politically active family. Many relatives have run for local and state offices. I cannot count the hours spent stuffing envolopes and calling to remind folks to vote their choice. Cleaning up after rally's. it was always something we discussed at family gatherings and after dinner around the table. I am sure my children do the same with friends and family. Activism runs in families like blue eyes and freckles. As far as religion goes...what's to discuss? We did what we should do. We felt bad when we didn't.

We are into our usual wet and cool winter weather. Katie has now discovered the water bowl out on the back deck. She has decided rain water tastes better so she is drinking more water now. Thank goodness. No more uti or vet visits at $200 a pop. She is family so if she needs it, she will be going.

I have so much Christmas decor stuff and I never seem to get rid of any of it. I only use about half of it. I am hoping to donate the excess to goodwill BEFORE Christmas. They should be able to find use for it. We keep our tree up until epiphany. So we have decor up until Jan 15th. We have a good quality fake tree because a real one would not last long enough. Coming from the land of Christmas tree farms, that is a real confession. I do love real Christmas trees however. It is so dark and dreary here in the winter, colored lights and cheerful Christmas decor is wonderful.

I think the new tax bill will cause huge unintended consequences that will be hard to live with. Hoping I am wrong. But I don't see any data to say otherwise.
Patsy

Hello ladies

We’ve been so busy doing family things and trying to get some shopping done. Yesterday we went to listen to our two oldest granddaughters singing in the Calgary Girls Choir led by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s an annual Christmas event. What a great show we loved it. The conductor of the CPO is young, very handsome and extremely talented. I’m sure all the Choir girls had a crush on him. LOL

Today we got up early to drive out to Airdrie to see Melissa’s two boys in skating lessons. That was fun and then we did Christmas shopping. With our grandkids our list is a long one. Next week more concerts. Busy busy.

I’ve been putting lots of things away as we’ve finally decided to hire a cleaner every second week. We’ve come to the realization that we want to stay in our house as long as we can. The last two years we hired someone to mow our lawn too. We love our house and it suits us perfectly. But, BUZZ, you raise some good points and I’ll keep that I mind too.

Cheers to all,

Jeri

I went to my computer just before heading for bed so I could order Meta Mucil from Costco.com. Their price is way better than anyone else's plus they do mot charge f0r shipping. Add 5% because I'm no longer a member, and I still saved more than $10 ! So I just re-awoke again to find 24 lines of the letter D all over the screen so GOODNIGHT !
Buzz
Hi, JERI!

It would appear our little four footed friends have more toys than us two footed. I won't show Jilly's to add to the pile. I think I should have gone into dog and cat toy manufacturing! There's money in them thar toy boxes! Jilly has a favourite "squeaky purple bone". She takes this toy to bed with her every night and carefully places it in the side of her blanket. Out it comes every morning to join her pile AND Christmas is on the way, but no new toy will ever replace purple bone!

I'm up sipping my tea but madam has gone back to bed on a dark morning. I think Margaret didn't want to give up being a Princess and becoming just a missus like the rest of us commoners. I felt sorry for captain Townsend at the time but he ended up happily marrying a young lady who looked remarkably like Margaret so all ended well for all parties. I thought Princess Margaret looked gorgeous in her simple but beautiful wedding dress and upswept hair when she married Snowdon. The times are indeed a-changing, no interfering for prince Harry.

I wonder what today will bring, sure to be something so must away and get out of these pyjamas.
Anne.

Good news! It is about two weeks or so until solstice. We will start getting more light. I will become obsessed again with checking out how many seconds/minutes more each day. This is the time of year I really have to depend on my happy light. This light deficiency thing makes me crazy...re crazier.

I had a big giggle over Daisy's toy pile. It looked so much like what I face each day. Except Katie loves BIG toys. She tackles them and drags them around and runs and pounces on them. It is really fun to watch. The more we laugh, the more she runs and tackles them. She loves to perform!

I have ordered most of our son's Christmas gifts. Now the anxious wait. Will they get here in time? John is so cute about Christmas. He wants to spend the same amount on both of our kids. He adds up every thing and if it isn't really equal, he adds a little something to even it exactly. I love it his sense of fairness.

We will have clouds this morning and heavy fog. This afternoon we will see some sun. It is quite chilly however. I made veggie soup yesterday, will add a toasted roll and a pear for dessert and there is lunch. Yea! Minimal cooking today.

The week begins and Christmas lights are everywhere.
Patsy

Hello Sneakers. MFP has been playing with me. Getting from the news feed to community pages and back has been interesting. I keep getting kicked off and I need to login in over and over so I am here right now and will quickly write a message and fingers crossed that it will post.

Buzz, good shopping my friend. I too fall asleep on a book or while on my iPad but I am usually already in bed when I do.

Jackie, thank you for the link to the documentary. I gave up my Netflix membership so if they decide to add it to their line up, I will have to miss it. Might be best for my health anyway. If the medication works for you then it is okay right? Even if it is not the primary label use? Or maybe you are not sold on it at all yet?

Anne, we have rain the the forecast here and then cold temperatures for the remainder of the week. Today was quite warm and when I got home I kept checking for a package that was out for delivery and didn’t need a coat or to just peek out quickly as it was so pleasant. Unfortunately I am still hunting for that package. Did you and Jilly make lots of phone calls today? Best wishes on your upcoming Christmas shopping. I hope you find what you are looking for and that it is not too awfully expensive.

Sandy, I hope Bryanna got your boxes for you so you will be able to decorate at your leisure. And I hope your knees are all right. Darn falls are so worrisome.

Patsy, I prefer the days are to be getting longer and that will be happening soon! Speaking of dogs and their toys, My Huskies loved a huge assortment of toys. I had two of those huge popcorn tins full of toys and there were still nylabones and Kongs strewn all over. They liked to play tug with me but my vet said I should not do that unless I always won. Otherwise they would think they were dominant over me. I just love people and all the advice. Snort.

Nola, how are you today?

Well, yesterday was a very nice paper messing about day, more when I got home, more this afternoon, and more again tomorrow. The week will then be event after event as I did not schedule too well. A class Tuesday afternoon, Doodles Wednesday morning, a class Friday, stampers/card club Saturday morning and then an afternoon/evening class and Holiday open house at the store near me. Also Book Club Social one evening and on another evening making a mini terrarium which was rescheduled from last week. And all the usual things, I think. Seems like too much as I look at it on the calendar.

Well time to look for my package again.

Hugs.

Lin

A pleasant walk this morning in spite of heavy grey clouds because now the bracken has died back the moors have turned a stunning golden colour so against the dark sky the scenery was magical... a Turner painting if ever I saw one! Later today I will need to pop into town for a few items of shopping but before that my pedicurist is due a visit so I will run around with my vacuum cleaner and duster! I don't think it will be in that Crown series but after both Margaret and Townsend passed away it came out that they occasionally met socially when they were older so even royal etiquette couldn't keep them apart forever!

Buzz ~ Charles continues to do his duty opening new buildings or displaying plaques, all a bit boring so not news worthy! Camilla seems quite likeable in spite of the plum in her mouth so I think all is forgiven in the minds of the public and what with another baby on the way for Kate and now Harry getting engaged it seems Charles is to be outshone yet again! Skype has been something I've used to keep in touch with family and friends in far places but since Microsoft bought it the service has deteriorated so I'm waiting for them to suggest a costly upgrade rather than the current free one. At least Facetime is an option to be investigated.

Lin ~ Paper messing sounds like an ideal chilling pastime and lots of fun too. That documentary was easy enough for me to view because on a day to day basis he doesn't affect my life so yes, perhaps it's not worth you pushing your blood pressure too high although you probably know most of the story already. Apart from his bullying tactics to build his golf course in Scotland most of us in the UK knew little about him so it was fascinating to see a shark in action!!

Sandy ~ I'm imagining you surrounded by boxes of decorations as you begin to fill your apartment with glitter and tinsel so do hope Bryanna made it to yours yesterday. As for my medication, the slow release Ibuprofen is certainly helping although it's not something to be taken too long otherwise it can do damage and I don't want to get hooked on the other pills so will give things another week then ease off and see what difference it makes. Self medicating is something I've often done because I think I know better than doctors which isn't true of course but I still give it a go!!

Anne ~ Sometimes I get the feeling even my walking friend who loves social media is getting just a little weary of the nonsense that goes on and dog shows seem to be the worst for bringing out competitive nastiness! Our forecast for the week is for 4 days mild and then watch out, Friday will be freezing again so perhaps it's coming from your direction!! I'm loving that Camille Pissarro quote of yours and will have to do a google search to find out more.

Patsy ~ Did you see the huge moon last night? What a sight that even drew George into the garden about 6 times before bedtime just to sniff around in the moonlight. Your observation about the Winter solstice has cheered me no end as you're right, the days will soon be getting longer again!

Hoovering calls so I'm away! Have a wonderful Monday everyone!
Jackie

Hello all - I stayed up a bit late to work on cards, what else right? And to try to find out what might have happened to my package. About 11:30 last night the tracking was updated to delayed, no estimate of delivery. Eeeck. In the past that has meant lost package.

So I slept in a bit, came down to do sort some things and found an email from Groupon that they had disabled my account due to suspicious activity. It really did seem to be from them but I didn’t click on the password reset. I started checking my financial accounts to see if there had been any Groupon charges. That took some time. Then I opened a new window to Groupon and tried to login. Yep, my password is indeed disabled. For now I am going to leave it alone as I only use Groupon once or twice a year. That little project ate half of my morning.

And surprise, I checked on my package again and the new update said it was on my porch. It was. Now I have a box to open. Yippee!!

I am staying home today as by gosh, I will finish and send Christmas cards this year, just a big handful left that need sentiments inside, then I can start to address cards. Of course I do not have anything like a cohesive list. Some addresses are in an old church directory, many are on my phone and some are still in my old Franklin planner from back in the days of my work life. When the world was still dominated with paper address lists. And yes, some people have not moved since then.

Interesting discussion regarding the royals. I must say I never pay much attention with the exception of Dianna. I suspect I spelled that improperly but oh well. I like the boys, I like Kate and the kids. I wish them well and may they do much good in the world.

Anne, happy shopping to you!

Jackie, hoovering never calls to me. Haaa.

Buzz, well darn, I was preoccupied and missed the Carol Burnett special. Oh well.

Back to last of my coffee. It is still tasty although not piping hot.

Hugs.

Lin

Amazing Anne, Looking through Camille Pissarro's biography I noted he spent time in south east London, the area I was born and brought up in then, when I found images of some of his paintings laughed out loud at his view from Sydenham Hill....


I went to Sydenham County School for girls in the 1960's when it was already covered in high rises, modern homes due mostly to the bombing and large stores as well as our modern school buildings. I do remember being told by my grandparents generation that the street we lived on had been woodland until the 1930's.

All the more reason for you to keep that foot of yours firmly down on the ground when anyone suggests demolishing your home in order to replace it with a concrete block! Someone will have painted a picture of your apple tree.... perhaps you have.... and in a hundred years time everyone will say what a shame, that beautiful tree has gone!!


I've tasted those flavoured coffees and for the first few times thought them delicious but sweet so my taste buds soon tired of them. Give me a decent Americano every time!
Hooray, Lin's missing parcel turned up so the pirates didn't sail off with it after all.

Jackie

That's amazing JACKIE! Maybe you can find the Camille Pissarro print to hang on the wall of your cottage? What a lovely reminder of a time long past. I thought of you when I posted his "Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing". You see beauty in a fog swirling moor, others might just see mud and you see beauty in your saved chicks when others see dinner, alas. Another coincidence, he died on the day my Mam was born. Did anyone notice that one of Lauren Harris's paintings sold for 3 million the other day. He was one of the "group of seven" wonderful Canadian painters.

Oh "joy to the world" I've finished my Christmas gifts. We only buy for close family these days but still, a load off my mind. Like John PATSY, I too try to make everyone equal and add a little something to make everyone the same. After all I love them all equally. Actually I do have one gift left to buy, young Jilly! To add to the pile.

LINs parcel made it to LINs home. There IS a Santa Claus! And BUZZ are you awake and bushy tailed? SANDY, are you all tinselled out? Hi JERRI and NOLA.

The moon was gorgeous last night. We started quite warm and foggy this morning, but by the afternoon a definite chill in the air. Shades of things to come.
Brrrrrrrr, anne.

A dry day was forecast so of course I put a load of washing on in the hope of hanging outside to get air through mostly George's towels. The cycle has finished but looking outside it appears very damp to me so plan B, an airer and wet things hanging near a heater!

Anne ~ I always liked Impressionism which seems to show such a free flowing style and since I've now met Camille Pissarro I shall add him to my list of favourties! I did find another picture he painted of Sydenham which is now my screen saver so when I look at it I can imagine skipping to school dodging horse and carriage rather than double decker buses!! On a recent Antiques Roadshow programme a painting by a Canadian artist (can't remember the name) was brought in and the owner was advised that such art is not only very important now but extremely valuable so he went home with a big smile on his face!

Buzz ~ Perhaps if you placed your unwanted eggs in a basket in a public place for friends to help themselves they'd soon disappear. We don't want you getting egg bound!

Patsy ~ A friend's son is a professional photographer and felt he ought to move towards digital cameras a few years ago but once he realised his biggest admirers preferred those shot on film he reverted back. All forms of art seem to have followed this trend but I think it's more than nostalgia that has us looking back; we like art to be organic. Apparently even records have now overtaken the sale of CD's in the UK as the next generation comes along and wants to hold and feel the vinyl that produces the music they love!

Lunchtime for me so must get on. Hi to all I missed today.
Jackie

JACKIE great minds think alike. I've got Clarence A, Gagnon the Quebec painter as my screen saver! Not participularly because I'm fond of Quebec, but I unashamedly enjoy his style of painting which can be a bit chocolate boxy for some. The sort of stuff I TRY to turn out! I also enjoy the gorgeous indigenous art!
I was thinking pantomime names again. Goldilocks or Yum Yum although that's Gilbert and Sullivan.

I'm off to try and find a Mark's and Spencer's Christmas cake. Apparently the "British eats and treats" store downtown sell them. I'm off before we plunge to minus 1 tomorrow!

You could boil all your eggs for future sandwiches BUZZ. I won't suggest, although it springs to mind, sitting on them! Lol. Can you imagine chicks running around your apartment!

Anne.