and the weekend approaches

Here we are, the weekend just about to begin. What is it about the weekend? It always holds such expectation...such possibility.

Unfortunately, as we approach this weekend our plans are to prep hubby to go away on Sunday for the work week.  One week in 4 hubby has to go away on business so that weekend prior is always spent prepping for his departure...kinda sucks.

The temps here have plummeted again. It's in the -30's. I think I can see the future....and my future holds a nice warm climate in my senior years. I truly am a summer person.

My parents planned their retirement location in 1952 and then 30 years later, they retired there...how did they know?  I haven't even decided what I want to be when I grow up!! Let alone knowing where I want to retire in 20 years!! Do you know? Do any of you already have plans and even put the plan in action??

Well, bed is calling. Have a great weekend everyone.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

New Interests

This past week I have been battling the flu. It's been miserable. My stomach and I are not on speaking terms and lets just say I am wishing this would end...NOW.

While I've been sitting here, watching TV and waiting for my next sprint to the loo...I've been searching the web for re-purposed and re-cycled crafts.

I used to do a lot of re-purposing when my kids were younger.  I made a wonderful snowman out of old white terry cloth and old pillows, a sweater my guys had grown out of, some felt, left over sequent s from another craft, an old knit hat and mitts. It was absolutely adorable...so adorable it was stolen off the front porch.

I also painted an old chair with my kids favourite sayings, their names, Christmas stencils. Again too cool...it was stolen too. I really got the idea after that not to put things outside.

I'm going to get back into re-purposing. There are a few things I would like here in the house.  I think I will make them myself!

Wish me luck! I'll keep you posted.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Hmmm...It's been a long time...

It's been almost a year since I posted on my blog! How can that be? How can life get so busy that I get that far away from something I love so much? I haven't done any crafting in so long I actually feel withdrawal symptoms.

Lately I spend a little time each day looking through items of interest on the net and I pin them to my PinInterest account. I have noticed that as usual my interests vary and are vast.

So what has everyone been up to? We are still in Winnipeg where we are fortunate to claim a very mild (thus far) winter. Spring is on its way. The days are noticeably longer each night and the ground hog saw his shadow....early spring!! Woot! Woot!

Well, here's hoping I can get back in the habit of updating this blog. I have pulled down my store. There is no time for that any longer. I am hoping to get back into crafting again though.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Humpty Dumpty

Wednesday, Wednesday....hump day....over the hump....on the downside of the week...weekend in waiting...

How many ways can we harmonize and rhapsodize over the downside of the week? Everyday of the week seems to wane in and wane out with the apparent slowness of a tide on a new moon..yet Saturday flies by like the end of the world is nigh and there is never enough time because the day flies by so quickly! Why is that??


So how was your Wednesday? Mine was super busy. Full of multiple tasks and wonderful people. I'm one lucky gal to work with the people I work with. Even days with challenges or just tons to do are enjoyable in their own way.

I am supposed to be doing some homework right now but I can't seem to put my head back in the game. My brain is officially swiss cheese.
...Ummm apparently I not only have holes in my head...but I'm subletting!! LOL!!

Well, me & my cheese are gonna go to bed before we smother hubby in his snoring sleep!! Have a great sleep everyone!!

Tomorrow is Thursday...one day closer to FRIDAY!! and of course this is the weekend we Spring Forward for daylight's savings time. Woot! Woot!



Hugz to one and all,

Sunshine :^D

Tuesday Morning

Good Morning:

Hi all. Well, I started a post last night and got hit with the sick stick REALLY HARD. I spent a lot of time in the lavatory last night and the remainder of it huddled in the fetal position praying for a reprieve. It's now Tuesday morning and I am still a little nauseous but not dying like I was last night. It's always good not to go to work wanted to curl up in a corner and cry like a baby.

So, no one has offered up suggestions on kick boxing. Is that because no one has tried it or because you're just not in the mood to comment? I think I will do some checking around Winnipeg to see what there is to offer here in the city and more importantly in my end of the city. I wish there was a place you could rent exercise equipment to see if you really like it.

It's supposed to start warming up here in the next couple of days. I'm still waiting patiently for that to happen. I was delightfully sunny yesterday, which I enjoyed even as it blinded me coming home from work yesterday. What is it about city planners who insist on building the main arteries through city's directly into the morning and evening sun?? Blinded on the way to work and blinded on the way home!!! Not all that exciting or bothersome unless you are driving to and from work with 50,000 of your closest friends!! LOL!

Well, off to work I go. Have an awesome day everyone. I will check in tonight to see what everyone's up to.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Sunday, Sunday

Well, I guess there are people out there still reading my blog! How cool is that!! Thanks to everyone who checked out my new post yesterday!!

So today was Sunday (unless you're in Australia where it was Monday LOL!) and it was a sunny day here but still cold...-14 with a windchill close to -30..so....basically it was a nice day in Winnipeg.

I came down with a cold last week and thought I was on the recovering end of it until this afternoon. I wonder that there is room in my head for all the snot in there!!! Honestly I'm grossing myself out!! "ICK!!"

Did I mention (and I know darn well I didn't) that hubby was in Halifax on Friday and brought us back 22 gorgeous lbs of luscious lobster?? OMG! It was to die for!! There is still one upstairs in the fridge waiting for me to make it into a lobster roll. ***Drool***

So, I'm trying to get myself motivated to lose weight. (Nice segway after talking about luscious lobster, huh??) I think I have convinced myself to join TOPS again. I was a long time member in the maritime s but didn't join once we moved here to Winnipeg. I think it's time for some accountability. I have considered Weight Watchers but don't like the cost involved. I pretty much know the ins and outs of healthy eating...its the accountability and exercising. I need to get my butt in gear. What do you gals do to get and keep motivated and have any of you tried kick boxing?? I'm thinking of trying it and want feedback from anyone who has tried it before I invest in any equipment.

OK, me and the Puff's Plus are signing off. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening everyone.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

I got a little lost along the way

Hi to anyone who may be reading this post. I don't expect that anyone would since I have been so very lame about posting to my blog(s)...in that I haven't posted in ages and ever so long.

To get you all caught up on what's been happening. Around the last time I posted I think I was still PO'd at my previous employer for her nasty two facedness (is that a word? No? oh well...I'm gonna use it anyway) and had moved on to a new position as a computer course instructor. I am super happy to report the new job is wonderful and the group of gals I work with are AWESOME!

Hubby is still working both ends against the middle. He's tired most of the time and we are anxious for his posting to his new position this coming summer. I for one will be most joyous when he passes over that dang Blackberry to his incoming replacement. He hasn't had a day off since we got to Winnipeg the summer of 2008!

The little boys are doing well...but not so little anymore! Jeesh! Malcolm is 6'2" and Patty is 5'11" now and they are 15 & 13 respectively. Holy Cow! They stand over us both! It's almost comical to see us shopping together or out and about..the two giant mutants and their not so giantly parental units!!! We are counting the days until summer break and the boys are here for the summer. We are looking forward to lots of pool time and I think we are going to plan some trips with them this summer to different spots around the province and possibly in Alberta. We'll see.

Our sister-in-law and my brother went to the Dominican Republic for a holiday this year. It was their first trip South in the winter and they are HOOKED! I would love to do that someday but it wont' happen for a while. The bright side of their going away is that we get our niece to stay with us for the week! That was great! It's nice having her around. She's a great gal.

Well, I am going to wrap up my first blog post in ages and I will try to be more regular with my posting. Now lets see if anyone comments on this post...is there anyone still out there??

Hugz,

Sunshine

Happy Tuesday Everyone

So here it is Tuesday morning and I am getting ready for work. Is there anything new going on? Not really....except I have discovered Ioffer.com! I have purchased tons of books for next to nothing!!! If you like shopping for deals and like the idea of bartering by making offers this is the site for you!!

OK I am off to work. Check out Ioffer if you get a chance. Let me know if you like it.

Thanks for stopping by for a short chat.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Something to think about as Remembrance Day approaches

I love Rick Mercer, he say's what I think and does it in such a way that we can't deny the truths in his rants.

I happen to have been brought up with a parent in the Canadian military. My grandfather served in the war and lost a leg. My mother's father was a war correspondent. We (My brother and I) were brought up to respect the military and the sacrifices being made by the men and women in the military. Who, for the 35 years before 9/11 were strongly unsung hero's. The wars had ended and for the most part Canadians sat back secure that our country was safe. The threat was gone and all was well in the world.

Sadly, our countries military has never been at rest. There has never been a time that our military men and women have been able to sit back and relax. We {the Canadian Military} have been involved in one way or another in every major conflict around the world since the end of the Second World War, but we did it quietly. We did it, like all Canadians function, with humility and decorum. I am not saying that our men and women are perfect or that they didn't step out of line now and then...but then again...they are men and women and as a result they are subject to "free will".

My father was in the military forever! But, under the old rules, he was not considered a Veteran. He served his country for more than 30 years but he was not a veteran. If he were alive today, he would be a veteran. How times have changed.

My big brother, who served in Kandahar/Afghanistan is a veteran...but was a veteran before he served "in theater". Have I ever mentioned how proud I am of my big brother? {{I am}} My hubby is a serving member of the Canadian Air Force and my brother is a reservist now that he has retired from full time service.

I am a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN MILITARY WIFE & SISTER...but presently I am not that proud of the political parties in Canada and their decisions in regard to our wounded Canadian Veterans..in fact I am ashamed. Ashamed that these men and women can serve our country at personal risk and injury. They have returned to their country wounded...physically and mentally only to find out they are going to be punished financially by the very government they served to protect and laid down their very lives for...shame, shame on you - Canadian political leaders who approved the changes to the Veteran's Affairs Act! Shame on you Mr. Prime Minister for firing the one man you appointment to watch out for our great Canadian hero's!!

Please watch this rant by Rick Mercer...he states it best...now what do we do as Canadians sitting comfortably in our living rooms while our friends, family, neigbours fight for us? Think of them, talk about this. Open a dialogue with each other...don't let this issue fall to the wayside...write a letter to the editor, change your vote, talk to your MP, call your MLA. BE HEARD!!


At the risk of repeating myself...I am a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN MILITARY WIFE...are you a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN??

We support our fallen like no other country...now lets support our fallen that are trying to get back up!

Thanks for stopping by for a chat...rant...bi*&$c session...all for the good of others {did you read yesterday's post?}

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Hump Day ~ Wednesday~ Mid-Week....

No matter how you slice it Wednesday is smack dab in the middle of the week. Is it a good day? Does it inspire you to push through for two more days until Friday? Do you think.."YES! Almost there!" or do you let the mid - week marker slide along hardly noticed as it slides into Thursday?

Does this all come down to being a "glass half full or glass half empty" kinda person? I'm typically a glass half-full kinda gal. I choose to see the good at all times. Now...don't get me wrong...I have bad days just like anyone else...but I think they are fewer than most people have. Why is that? Why do I find it easier to smile and laugh than frown and growl?

Not to go into too much family drama; but... I made the decision to look at the positive a very long time ago. I remember very well making that decision because it was a decision that changed my outlook on life and the stuff life throws at me.

Did you ever notice that one person in a group in a poor mood has the ability to suck the life out of the group? and unfortunately its just too easy to let that poor mood guide the attitude of the entire group. Kind of the road of least resistance. There is a reason for the saying, "The shortest distance between two people is a smile."

Laugh! Laugh loud! Laugh often!!

The next time someone points out that it's Hump Day, point out that it's also a beautiful day! Point out something positive about the day...like it's chilli day or family game night! Choose another reason...make up a reason...fake it 'til you make it! Be happy that's it a great day to have lunch with a friend. It's a great day to take a walk in the sunshine or splash in the puddles. there is good and happiness to be found everywhere...sometimes it just takes a little more work to find it.

So, I will laugh loudly...and if you indeed know me...I laugh loudly! I belly laugh! I laugh like there are no boundaries! I can proudly state that I can be recognized by my laugh! How awesome is that?!

• Be happy everyone. Take time to smell the flowers..heck take time to buy some flowers for yourself or someone you know that would least expect it. Spread some happiness.
• Send a cake to a friend with "Just Because" on top.
• Send your friends postcards from your province with the simple message "Weathers nice, wish you were here."
• Fill your friends car with balloons while they're at work.
• Pop over to a friends house the morning after it snowed and shovel for them.
• Find out where your friend gets her hair cut and pay for her next trim.
• Invite your friends over for a game night / PJ party
• Arrange for a maid/or yourself to clean your friends house before the weekend to give them a free weekend.

What can you think of to bring some happiness to one of your friends?

Have you done something for your friends that has made their day? Leave a comment and tell me about it. I'd love some new idea's. Thanks again for stopping by for a chat.

Hugz,

Sunshine :~D (There is a reason they call me Sunshine ya' know!)

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian Friends and Family

IT'S TURKEY WEEKEND!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Well, another Thanksgiving dinner has come and gone. We had our big dinner early this year. We decided to have our big dinner on Saturday so we could have two un-interrupted consecutive days to enjoy our long weekend.

We had a great meal and lots of laughs. We all had a round of "What are you thankful for this year?" suggested by my big brother, DW. The overwhelming consensus was that we're all thankful for family and friends.

Our wonderful niece was thankful for her new bed and not so thankful for the family cat, Charlie!

Charlie has a habit of waking her up around 3AM with purrs, making bread kneading on the bed covers, sharpening his claws on the carpet thingy by the top of the stairs.
The culprit! Code name: "Charlie"..."Carpet Cougar"..."Charles"..."King of the Hill"..."The Purrnator"..."Mr. Bower"..or as Emmy calls him..."Stooopid Cat!" LOL

Poor girl...she was so po'd by Charlie she scared the bejeezus out of my brother in the early morning hours when he got up for a drink and she was carrying Charlie down to put in her parents bedroom and shut the door!! Wish I could have seen that little encounter!! LOL!! My brother isn't a jumpy guy so that must have been funny!!!

OK...I don't know about any of you but I don't look like this when I am finished making a big dinner, like today. I look like something that should be thrown in a bubble bath with a glass of wine and told to "chill"...dang it! Just once I wanna look like this when I'm heading for the table!! Is that too much to ask??
I was also thankful for my family. I am grateful for my kids; that I know they are all safe; that I have a job; that I have the best friends a gal could ever ask for and that I have the love of my life by my side.

I watched the coolest video on FB today posted by a gal I went to High School with. Guess what she did today?? She jumped out of a freakin' plane!! How cool is that??!!! I was soo impressed by her courage.

I am terrified of heights and always thought that jumping out of a plane might be a great way to get over it...what do you think? Maybe I will jump out of an airplane to celebrate my 50th birthday...that would starting my second decade with a splash huh??!! Wonder how many of my friends I can talk into it??

How did you all spend your Thanksgiving? I wish all of my friends and family a beautiful, family filled Thanksgiving.

Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Enjoy your holiday. Don't eat too much turkey....you need room for the pumpkin pie...or that extra stuffing.....mmmmm....stuffing! I love stuffing....drool...stuffing....ummmm...what was I saying....side tracked by stuffing....Gosh I'm so easily side tracked!!

Once again thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

Hugz,

Sunshine:^D

Here is a great recipe for a no bake pumpkin pie. I cheated this year and bought my pie...it was ok...but nothing is as good as home made is it? I am suggesting this recipe for all that left over pumpkin you are bound to have.

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)

Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2-1/2 cups of the whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate remaining whipped topping for later use.

Spoon cream cheese mixture into crust.

Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Serve topped with remaining whipped topping. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Thanks to That's My Home for the recipe. It's the same one I use..so I copied and pasted from her site instead of typing up my own recipe...kind of lazy huh? If you have the time check out the site. Its a good one.

Hugz again.

Sunshine:^D

My Stephanie Plum Obsession

Janet Evanovich

I have to admit I am totally hooked on Janet Evanovich books, novels, scribbles, blogs..hell if she wrote her grocery list on a napkin I'd read it!! Seriously, she makes me laugh out loud in an empty room. If you haven't read her books before; now is the time to start.

She has a great series of novels featuring Stephanie Plum as a bounty hunter with a lingerie buyer background...no really I'm not making this up!! The chemistry between Stephanie, her gramma, parents and the two men in her life is priceless.

DO NOT eat while reading these books...you WILL choke, spit, sputter and gulp trying not to laugh too loudly. I have been known to lay beside my sleeping husband and laugh so hard but trying to be quiet about it. I failed because I ended up shaking the bed with my mirth!! LOL!!

I am soooo excited!!! They are making a movie of the first Plum novel - "One For the Money" and they have casted Katherine Heigel as Stephanie Plum.



I agree 100%!! Katherine is cute and quirky enough to do the character justice. Her two love interests have been decided on now too! Hold on to your seats gals...grab a napkin...drool alert!!

Joe Morelli is going to be played by: Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars)

Ranger is going to be played by: Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me)....ummm....drool!!! ***Wipes Chin***

It's time to start re-reading my Plum Mystery novels! Head on out to your local book store, go to your favourite on-line merchant..buy these novels and find a comfy seat and settle in for the best read you've had a long time!! I promise you there will be no regrets...unless you worry about all of the money you are going to spend once you get hooked on Stephanie and her hyjinks! These books are like McDonald french fries, Lays potato chips and Mike & Ikes...you can't eat just one!!

Thanks for stopping by for a chat folks. On a personal note...work went well today. I am working with a great group of gals. So far so good.

Hugz

Sunshine :~D

What a Difference a Week Can Make

Hello All:

I am very happy to report to one and all that I am now employed. Three weeks of unemployment isn't too long. I guess I survived. Not unscathed but definitely the wiser.

My new employer is a great lady named Susan. She has a school called Presidio Learning Centre in downtown Winnipeg and it's run by a great group of gals. This is going to be fun.

I am going to be an instructor and doing general administration. This work harkens back to work I have done in the past, so it's returning to my roots; as it were.

I have my first class tomorrow...well...it's a one - on - one so that will be much easier. Working right along with the student. Get my feet wet again.

I want to thank you for your support during this trying time. I am still thrown by the way I was laid off from my last position and I am going into this new venture "cautiously optimistic" because I was burned so badly the last time....but my radar is telling me this is the right thing to do and that this is a good group of people to work for.

If you are in the Winnipeg area and are interested in taking day classes check us out at:

PRESIDIO LEARNING CENTRE

The prices are the most reasonable I have ever seen for one day courses. So pop on over and check out the website and see the list of courses offered. You will be surprised at the diversity and options available.

Thanks for stopping by for a chat. I will keep you posted on how things are going.

Cheers,

Sunshine :^D

It's Saturday....

So a day has gone by and I am still working on letting it go. My stomach is no longer wrapped in a knot so I guess I am getting there. The overwhelming consensus is that I am better off out of that position and away from people that are so completely untrustworthy...and I agree. **Blessings***

My brother and sister-in-law are very supportive and my hubby is amazing!! I am one lucky lady I can tell you that. Of course my friends are there for me too. I have the most wonderful circle of family, friends and even acquaintances. They are there for me at all times; as I am for them. I could be poor in finances but I am the wealthiest gal in the world when it comes to my peeps.

**Grateful for all Blessings***

I have a job interview on Monday. It comes as the result of a friend mentioning my name. For that I am grateful. I am so fortunate. It is my hope that those of you reading this post understand the security and strength having a wonderful support system like I have. No matter the circumstance, you are never truly alone and you are not handling it on your own.
When I posted on FB my status saying:

Christina Bower is really PO'd! and is going to bed. Just found out I was lied to and don't like it at all...I can't remember when I have been this angry...it's not good folks...need to go to bed and try to calm down. Nite all. On a positive note will be calling a great gal about a job tomorrow. Looking on the bright side. G'night.

I not only got some comments on my status and wall posts but I also got e-mails and phone calls from friends and family across the country. I'd say I am one lucky gal and I thank my peeps for being there when I need them and when I don't....you know what I mean. Or at least I hope you do. That's it for me tonight. Hope I wasn't too gushy. I just wanted to express my gratitude to my peeps for being there through thick and thin. Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Have a great weekend everyone. Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Something to ponder

So, it's been a couple of days since my last post. I have been busy applying for jobs since I was laid off from my last job. There are plenty of positions out there but they all seem to want you to have a ton of experience, education and talent...but want to pay you peanuts for it. What's up with that?

Let me ask you this...have you ever been lied to? I mean a big lie. Not what I call a "white lie".

Hmmm lets look at the difference.

White Lie - a lie of omission, exaggeration or embellishment.

You know what I mean here right?

For example: You went to an event and you exaggerated how many people and how much fun you had. You neglected to mention that you went home and vomited half the night because you drank just a "little" too much; but tell your friends it was the 'best night ever'!

No one gets hurt by your "white lie".

Big Lie - intentionally leading someone astray to cover your ass or to ensure you get what you want at the other person's expense.

For example: Your boss brings you in the office to let you know that while it is very difficult and they hate to do it; the money just isn't there right now and they have to trim their expenses and that means they have to let you go. If there was any other way to cut costs they would; but there just isn't and they are going to have to get by without your help. They will assist you in any way they can as an reference and if things change they will definitely give you a call. That you will be missed.

Now...that sounds as gentle of a "let go" as it gets doesn't it?

But here is the truth as you know it.

You were barely out the door when they brought in someone else who will work for less than you will and your chair wasn't even cold when they showed the new gal around her new work space!

Integrity is a wonderful thing isn't it? When you meet someone you automatically credit them with loads of integrity. It's an automatic thing and it's kind of just one of those 'assumed' things in life. Time goes on and without a doubt there are some little chinks gouged into the shield of that person's integrity. Either by action or word they show little bits of questionable behavior. Is this acceptable? I guess it all depends on who you are and what you find acceptable.

I am too trusting. I admit that. I want to see the good in everyone. I made a choice a very long time ago to see the good in all situations. The bad is just to damn easy to latch onto and suck you down into an abbis of negativity. So I see the good or the humour in almost all situations and I will give the benefit of a doubt until such a time I cannot. The surest way to lose the benefit of a doubt with me is to blatantly lie to me. I will look at you sideways after that.

I don't like confrontation but if need be I will confront anyone who lies to me at my expense...and that is where I find myself right now.

Scenario number two is what just has happened to me. I just found out last night that I was lied to when I was let go. The quandary is this... what to do about it....this is the person I am reliant upon for a reference to get another position...and yet their word means nothing to me at this point in time. The other side of the coin is that this person, while being my boss had one level of respect and on the other side as a person I liked her. It's so disappointing the realize that my entire perception of this person was SO wrong.

So here I am arranging for job interviews, reliant upon a person, who in my opinion, has no integrity at all and wondering if my perception of people is that "off" that at the ripe old age of 46 I can't trust my perception to tell me who is completely lacking in integrity?

So here I sit on a bright and sunny Friday morning replaying conversations and reviewing this person's actions over the last 9 months in my mind and questioning my ability to read people...something up until last evening I misguidedly thought I was very good at.

Thanks for stopping by to hear me rant everyone. I hope you have a great weekend. I am going to work on throwing this out into the universe for resolution. I know I don't have the ability to change this person's actions. So I need to change my way of thinking. After all, I am the only person I have control of in this world, right?

Hugz to one and all,

Sunshine :~D

MONDAY, MONDAY

Malcolm and Patrick - Morris Stampede July 2010

(I was going through my memory cards from the summer to prepare the pics I want printed and found all kinds of pics we took but didn't really take the time to look at. Don't the boys look thrilled? It's around 40 degrees outside and we just arrived - they know its going to be a long hot day...but we had fun and we saw a rodeo...we'd never done that before and it was fun.)

It's Monday morning and the sun is shining and its going up to 21 degrees today! Woot! Woot! AWESOME!!

I am beginning my 30 days free at Curves this morning with my sister-in-law Chrissy. She has already started her 30 days...I have been supporting hubby in his quest to have some vacay in his vacation. So today he is back to work and I am heading to Curves. I am taking a litre of water and a hand towel since I am going to be a puddle by the end of this...not pretty folks...I am not one of those gals who perspires all delicately without even turning pink. Nope...I will sweat like I've been dunked in a pool of water and my face will be all red and blotchy as will my neck and upper chest. Oh yes..SEXY with a capital SSSSSSSSSSS!!

Once Chrissy drops me off after Curves I have a plethora of things I could do...but what will I choose? Laundry? Read a book. Dusting upstairs and down? Read a book. Tidy the living room and get it moved around and ready to take all of the furnishings from the master bedroom when we paint? Read a book. Go outside and decorate for fall? Read a book. Work on the garage? Read a book. Tidy the kitchen? Read a book....sensing a trend here? Hmmm...wonder what will win out??

So Fall has come in like a lamb...not good. In Manitoba that means we will have snow by Halloween..leaves a person with such dilemmas...Halloween decorating or skip that and just get the dang Christmas decorations outside so that we don't freeze our bazumba's off doing it after Halloween. Decisions, decisions.

Well, since my sister-in-law is not going to be here until closer to 11 now, I guess I will go and get some laundry done and have some yogurt. I don't like eating a meal before working out..makes me feel kinda sick and since it's been a LONG time since I last worked out...I'm gonna feel sick anyway. So, yogurt will do.

Have a great Monday everyone. Thanks for stopping by Marlene.

Hugz

Sunshine :~D

Rail Fan Day in Manitoba

TRAIN DAY IN MANITOBA

We had a lovely time today rail fanning here in Manitoba. We caught a train early on and followed it as it did it's business dropping off cars along it's route to Souris, MB - now a side bar to my friends in PEI...Souris in Manitoba is not pronounced the same as it is in PEI...here in Manitoba it's pronounced 'Sorris'.

We found a train! This is Robbie speaking to the Engineer finding out where they were heading today...and the chase begins.



We had lovely weather today. The sun was shining all the way to a community called Glenborough and then we ran into cloud and there was a very big potential for rain, so we decided to turn around and head for the sun again.

Robbie all in "photographer mode" right on the track...'cause the train was stopped'


We managed to catch another train on the way home and then we lost the light so there was no reason to follow the trains anymore. We drove to Portage la Prairie where we had supper at a local restaurant called Bill's Sticky Fingers...where we had ribs...yum!

I like this one...'cause I really like the bell on the train...I think it's a girl thing.



Here are some pics I took today. Robbie's are much more professional as he knows how to set up a shot and his camera is the Cadillac of camera's and can balance light and such...but all that said...my pics turned out just fine and I had fun taking them..that's all that matters right?

Here are a few more that I took...the first one is the train as it is going by:

This one was taken in front of an old grain elevator that is on a back road behind the new elevator. I liked the hydrant as a splash of colour in the weeds:

Here is the old elevator

This is a shot of the "new" elevator in the distance behind the old one:

Here's the train coming around a corner at a level crossing. I managed to get a shot with the engineer, the lights and the tail of the train visible as the train curved around the corner...I like this one...whaddya think?

Here are a couple of the elevators we saw today:

This one was taken through the car window as we drove along beside the train...cool huh?

And now for some pics taken just because they were purdy:

This is a panoramic shot 'right' of a lovely look off we discovered today - the one below is a panoramic shot 'left' taken at the same spot:

The quintessential Mid-West photograph...Robbie got out of the car and laid down in the field and took photographs - I did not - I took this one from the car window:
and the final shot...Robbie doing what Robbie likes best...taking pictures!

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. We had a fun time taking them today.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Wednesday

Hello all...or at least...Hello Marlene...I know you are reading my blog 'cause you left a comment or two or more! LOL! I know I have been away for a while from blog land and people forget to pop by to check out what's going on when there hasn't been anything worth while to look at for ages...as has been my case.

Hubby and I went to North Dakota on Monday and Tuesday and came back to Winnipeg on Wednesday morning. I had a telephone job interview on Wednesday morning so we had to be home for that or we would have stayed longer.

We had a great time. We shopped and did some sight seeing along the way. Hubby is an avid 'rail fan' so we did some train watching and taking of pictures along the way as well. It's an interesting hobby, as we manage to see the good, bad and ugly of every place we visit by going to look for trains. The "industrial" sections of most cities is rather rugged to say the least and can be on the wrong side of the tracks - no pun intended.

We were on a mission to find new bed linens and curtains for our master bedroom. We found the linens - unfortunately, the curtains were all made to order and we hesitated to invest in them and then have to be available to go and pick them up when they are complete. When you live outside of the country it just doesn't seem right to order something to have to go back and get...does that make sense?

The same thing happened with a ring I was totally in love with at JC Penny. I fell totally in love with it online and went directly to the jewelry case to have a look when we got there. It clearly stated that the ring was available up to a size 10 - OK - I have big fingers..and I take a size 10...so totally excited when I saw it and it was stunning! ***sigh*** not only not available right away in a 10 but had to sent away somewhere to be sized and couldn't be shipped to Canada...they ship everything else to Canada from JC Penny but not jewelry. So...no stunning ring for me. ***pout*** It really was beautiful. :^(

Back to the linen set we purchased. Now....I am something of a sheet snob...OK...I am a sheet whore! I embrace it and am proud of it. I like nothing less than a 300 thread count sheet and prefer nothing less than a 500 thread count sheet. So, here we are in bedding stores and department stores where the prices are ranging for bedding sets between $300 and $800...the bed in a bag sets...around $400 include the comforter, bed skirt, shams, sheets and in some cases accent pillows...the sheets....200 THREAD COUNT!!! Come on people! What the hell??!! Why on God Green Earth would I pay $400 for a set that includes BURLAP SHEETS??!!! Have a little pride! Have a little respect for the consumer who is supposed to by your product??~~ I don't give a rats hairy behind if the set was designed by Chaps - if the sheets you are including are 200 thread count you can give the set to the dogs to sleep in, I'm not buying it!!!

We looked in every store, no matter how high end and they all managed to sneak those cheap ass sheets into the set = the highest thread count we saw in a bed in a bag was 250 thread count. EEWWEEE!!! No way!

So we settled on a comforter set without sheets. It's lovely. Very elegant and rich in appearance. The set was originally $300 and it was on sale at JC Penny for $119 - SOLD~! we purchased coordinating throw pillows in cream and red and now have to find red sheets and curtains to coordinate as well as a throw blanket of some sort to finish it off. So the hunt begins. That's half the fun and of course seeing how much I can save at the same time is the other half. Wish me luck.

On another note...I mentioned that I was laid off on September 13th. I have had one job interview, a pre-screening and got a message this morning to call another prospective employer to arrange an interview. I guess you could say things are going well on that end. Again, wish me luck I not only make the right choice but find the "right fit"...of course my last job felt like the right fit and look what happened there? My ass still stings from the boot print left behind by the 'thanks we'll keep in touch'! **That was a little snarky wasn't it? Oops. Sometimes that just sneaks out.***

Well, I must finish this and compose myself to call back the employer looking for an interview. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugz,

Sunshine ;^D

Robbie's Trip to Newfoundland...

THE VIEW LOOKING DOWN ON ST. JOHN'S HARBOUR FROM SIGNAL HILL, NL SEPT 8, 2010

The harbour plays host to multiple cruise ships a day. The locals like to watch the tourists try to ride their "cruise line" supplied bicycles up Signal Hill...the smart ones are the ones pushing their bikes up the hill!

The road leading up Signal Hill, St. John's airport is in the back...look for the red lights in the background...precision approach path indicators (PAPI's)

The entrance to St. John's harbour...known as "The Gut"

This is the Cabot Tower - where Marconi made his first transatlantic high frequency radio communication.

Another view of the cruise ship in dock.

St. John's Harbour under cloudy skies.

Hope you enjoyed the pretty pictures.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sunshine :~D

TO MAKE YOU ALL LAUGH

Tell me these don't make you laugh out loud in an empty room!! Thanks to my good friend Lil for my laugh of the day!!


Sunshine:~D