Friday, July 31, 2015

Romance

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Romance

What is the most romantic thing you have ever done for someone or someone has ever done for you?


Hal is generally (not always though) a good sport when I suggest some new goofy thing to do.  This was my way to get him dressed up for dinner with friends for a surprise birthday party . . . telling him he had to look nice for a photo shoot.  I'm so glad we did this photo shoot because I really treasure these photos of us.  He was surprised by the birthday dinner at a local restaurant.  I managed to surprise him a third time that day because I had to drop something off to a friend's house on the way home . . . and surprised again when another group of friends were waiting with cake.


Six Word Saturday . . . on a Friday

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.


HOT!  Thank goodness for air conditioning.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Cold

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Cold

What's the worst part of having a cold?


There is no worse part to having a cold.  It is all worse.  You feel like crap.  Look like crap.  No sleep because you can't breathe.  Miserable.  Aches and pains.  The only good thing about a cold is generally people leave you alone and that is a good thing.  Because who wants to be around people when they are sick?

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Six Word Saturday . . . on Tuesday.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014

Six Word Saturday!

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.



It's my birthday.  I'm eating cake.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

I Quit!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: I Quit!

What was the most recent thing you quit?


I can't think of anything recently that I have quit.  I still have all my bad habits.  I still worry too much.  I still work my Dreaded To Do List everyday even though I am so far behind that I wonder if I will ever get caught up.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Six Word Saturday . . . on Friday

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2014

Six Word Saturday!

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.


Ladies' Day Out makes me happy

Thursday, July 23, 2015

ScrapMuch? Challenge

I am loving the time I have for scrapbooking this week.  I'm using some great online challenges to inspire myself.  ScrapMuch? is an excellent blog and store and they posted lots of exciting challenges.

I used the sketch posted here to make this layout:


The tractor paper piecing is available for sale.  BUY

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

GrandDiva's Sketch Challenge meets Rochelle's Tic Tac Toe Challenge

I really love the simplicity of this layout and I had a great time making it work for me.  



There was the option to incorporate two other challenges.  One was a colour challenge from Kelly's Colour Challenge blog but I couldn't do that since I am scrapbooking an event and I like to use the same patterned papers on all the pages of an event.

But I could do Rochelle's Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  I used the top row across . . . chipboard, brads, and paint splatters.

Scrap Our Stash Challenge #28

I love challenges and this particular one was a new idea to me.  I will be following Scrap Our Stash's blog from now on.  The current challenge, due July 29th is . . . 


http://scrapourstash.blogspot.ca/2015/07/stash-challenge-28.html

. . . and here is my layout.  Thanks for taking a peek.



P ~ pop up foam squares, pretty flowers
H ~ hot pink dots on the flower brads
O ~ orange patterned paper
T ~ twine, tickets
O ~ oval frame
S ~ spray ink

Coffee Date

SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Coffee Date

Who would you like to meet over a cup of coffee (or tea) today?



Actually I would have loved the excuse to drop my to do list and meet someone/anyone for coffee or tea today . . . but no one called . . . and I didn't want to post on Facebook to find out if anyone was free because then instead of a quiet cup of tea there would be the potential for 30 people to show up at the nearest Tim Hortons . . . LOL.

Six Word Saturday . . . even though it's Tuesday.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation using exactly six words.


I'm letting my inner artist out

Monday, July 20, 2015

Saving Private Ryan 1998 ~m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is #11 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB:

Saving Private Ryan 1998

I loved this movie.  Of course, I love Tom Hanks.  




During the Normandy landing two brothers are killed in action. In another theatre of the war the third Ryan brother is killed. Their mother is to receive all three telegrams on the same day. The United States Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall learns there is a fourth brother, Private James Ryan, and decides to send out 8 men (Cpt. Miller and select members from 2nd Rangers) to find him and bring him back home safe.

I think I may need to watch this movie again today.



Academy Awards, USA 1999

Won
Oscar
Best Director
Steven Spielberg 
Best Cinematography
Janusz Kaminski 
Best Sound
Gary Rydstrom
Gary Summers
Andy Nelson
Ron Judkins 
Best Film Editing
Michael Kahn 
Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing
Gary Rydstrom
Richard Hymns 
Nominated
Oscar
Best Picture
Steven Spielberg
Ian Bryce
Mark Gordon
Gary Levinsohn 
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Tom Hanks 
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Robert Rodat 
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Thomas E. Sanders
Lisa Dean 
Best Makeup
Lois Burwell
Conor O'Sullivan
Daniel C. Striepeke 
Best Music, Original Dramatic Score
John Williams 

Friday, July 17, 2015

Psycho (1960) ~m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is #10 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB:

Psycho (1960)

I can't really have a serious opinion on this movie . . . because it looks to be very very very scary.  I don't do really scary.





Academy Awards, USA 1961

Nominated
Oscar
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Janet Leigh 
Best Director
Alfred Hitchcock 
Best Cinematography, Black-and-White
John L. Russell 
Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White
Joseph Hurley
Robert Clatworthy
George Milo 

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Greg's Sports Bar

It was a long time coming but by August 2014 it was starting to actually look like a family room . . . or as they refer to it . . . "Greg's Sports Bar" . . .





Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Freebies from Maple Lodge

We were on our way to Ladies' Day Out on warm August day last year when we spotted this big trailer from Maple Lodge being set up in the Elgin Mall parking lot.  Guess what we had for lunch?  FREE LUNCH!!  They asked us which sample we wanted to try and, of course, we answered "all of them."  




Monday, July 13, 2015

Peeling Potatoes the Russian Hacker Way

We love this guy . . . 



So we decided to try and copy his potato peeling method.  

Sorry for sideways videos but I didn't realize that I wouldn't know how to turn them the right way up . . . LOL.  



Silence of the Lambs 1991 ~m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is #9 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB:

Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Image result for silence of the lambs

I absolutely hated this movie.  I hate creepy scary why-did-you-make-that-movie movies.



Somehow it won five Oscars.

Academy Awards, USA 1992

Won
Oscar
Best Picture
Edward Saxon
Kenneth Utt
Ronald M. Bozman
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) became the third film in Academy history to win the "Big Five" ... More
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Anthony Hopkins 
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Jodie Foster 
Best Director
Jonathan Demme 
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Ted Tally 
Nominated
Oscar
Best Sound
Tom Fleischman
Christopher Newman 
Best Film Editing
Craig McKay 

Prom Dresses

In May, I had the honour of photographing these two beautiful young ladies in their prom dresses.







Exotic Birds

I just felt like sharing some photos of my middle grandson with one of his three birds.  Please don't ask me what they are . . . they are exotic and they are birds . . . they are young, middle age and old . . . they are noisy.  He loves them.




Apparently my grandson isn't the only one interested in technology . . . LOL.

Winter Wonderland

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Winter Wonderland

It is wayyyy below zero here this morning. What does your Winter Wonderland look like? (Or summer wonderland, I suppose, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere?)




On December 1, 2014 I'm sure it was cold here in Ontario.

In the real world it is September 13, 2015 and here is your weather forecast for St. Thomas, Ontario . . . 

Current Weather

Updated on Mon Jul 13 5:05 PM Next Update in 00:51 mins

Overcast


27°C

Feels like 33

Tomorrow we get closer to Pluto than ever before. Here's how to watch it 'live'

More Details >>

S 15km/h

Wind

58%

Humidity

100.7kPa

Pressure

14.5km

Visibility

18800ft

Ceiling

05:59

Sunrise

21:01

Sunset

When will it Rain or Snow?

Rain expected to start at 6:30 PMMore Details

36-Hour Precipitation Outlook

5:00pm Mon to 4:00am Wed

Rain: Close to 15 mm; higher amounts in thunderstorms.

Labour Day

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Labor Day

Happy Labor Day (if you're in the USA!) "but since I'm in Canada, Happy Labour Day!"

Tell me about your first job.


My very first job was babysitting, my second job was helping out at my dad's trailer company . . . my third job at age 14 (?) was cleaning motel rooms at the Wendie Leigh Motel on Talbot Street in St. Thomas which was owned by Ray and Ruby Falkins.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Ice Bucket Challenge

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

Today's Writing Prompt: Ice Bucket Challenge

Currently, the 'Ice Bucket Challenge' is all the rage on social media, where people dump a bucket of ice water on their head to raise money for ALS research, then challenge their friends to do the same.

Would you take part in the ice bucket challenge? Have you?


I did not do the ice bucket challenge . . . but my sister and her friend did.  You better read this post fast before she sees this photo and makes me take it down . . . LOL . . . 


Monday, July 6, 2015

I Love Crochet


Hello everyone. I hope you are enjoying your Monday. Thank you for approving my membership to the group. Right now I am busy tidying my craft room and getting a little stitching done. My dear hubby is a long-distance driver and our boys are all grown so I have quite a bit of time on my hands for crafts.

One of the crafts I truly love is crochet. The last project I finished was a large mystery CAL afghan. It was given as a gift last Christmas.

My current WIP is making special scarves for a fundraiser. When this project is done, I have several in the wings waiting. I'm planning to make some shopping bags using up my leftover bits of crochet cotton and I have about 100 magazines and pattern books to sort through and decide what to keep and what to pass on to someone else.

I have been searching for a pattern for an large oval tablecloth using size 10 cotton but have had no luck so far.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

I love cross stitching



Hello everyone. I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

I recently finished a large piece called Edible Flowers and it is heading to the framers this week.


My current WIP is Smokey Mountain Cats from Sherry Vinton which was started by a friend. Sadly a neurological problem has given her shaky hands so I volunteered to finish it for her. When this project is done, I have several in the wings waiting:

Springtime by Russell Bushee which is a long stitch project using persian wool on 12 mesh canvas

Winter Wonderland Bow by Michael A. LeClair

No Pain No Gain by Sally Townsend which is a tiny little kit but very cute

About 100 magazines to sort through and decide what to keep and what to pass on to someone else.


Friday, July 3, 2015

Schindler's List ~m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is #8 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB:

Schindler's List (1993)



It is quite simply a movie with a strong central character, Oskar Schindler, who joins the Nazi party with the goal of making his fortune in the war.  Now, I'm not passing judgement because I know that there were people in many other countries willing to make a quick buck from that very same war.  

At first Schindler protects his Jewish workers because it was to his benefit but after witnessing the liquidation of the Krakow ghetto he turns to earnestly saving as many people has he can.

The most poignant moments in the movie involve the little girl in the red dress.  I found an excellent article online about this image at http://auschwitz.dk/redgirl.htm .



Academy Awards 1994

Won
Oscar Best Picture
Steven Spielberg
Gerald R. Molen
Branko Lustig

Best Director
Steven Spielberg

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Steven Zaillian

Best Cinematography
Janusz Kaminski

Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Allan Starski
Ewa Braun

Best Film Editing
Michael Kahn

Best Music, Original Score
John Williams

Nominated
Oscar Best Actor in a Leading Role
Liam Neeson

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Ralph Fiennes

Best Costume Design
Anna B. Sheppard

Best Sound
Andy Nelson
Steve Pederson
Scott Millan
Ron Judkins

Best Makeup
Christina Smith
Matthew W. Mungle
Judith A. Cory

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Six Word . . . Thursday . . .

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2014

Six Word Saturday

Describe your life or current situation in exactly six words.


rent sushi lunch shopping organic quarterpalooza

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Pulp Fiction (1994) ~m

A while back I took a "quiz" on Facebook to determine how many of the top 250 movies of all time. I had actually seen. I scored 100 out of the 250 movies that were listed. If I was unsure about seeing a movie I didn't check it off so my score could possibly be much higher.

And then I started thinking that perhaps instead of binge watching old TV series I should binge watch movies. I decided just to take on the top 100 movies for a starter. Now I'm very sure I am going to agree with quite a few of the entries on this list but I already know I'm going to argue about a few as well.

So here is #6 of the top 100 Movies of all time according to IMDB:

Pulp Fiction (1994)

I'm probably going to rile up a bunch of people with my opinion of this movie.  I absolutely hated it.  I tried to make myself watch it again to properly review it and perhaps give a solid reason why I hated it so much but I just couldn't make myself do it.





From IMDB:  

The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.

I really don't understand why I don't like it.  I love so many of the actors in it . . . sigh . . . 


Academy Awards, USA 1995

Won
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Quentin Tarantino
Roger Avary

Nominated
Oscar Best Picture
Lawrence Bender

Best Actor in a Leading Role
John Travolta

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Samuel L. Jackson

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Uma Thurman

Best Director
Quentin Tarantino

Best Film Editing
Sally Menke