Light the candle and she is here!

Last night was the 3rd annual dinner /cookie exchange/cookie drive in memory of my sister inlaw Barbra. There were 15 lovely woman that attened 2 were new to the neighbourhood but had heard about the dinner via the hostess Anne, Barbra's neighbour and dear friend. It started at 7 pm, of course Anne was busy running back and forth and would not allow anyone to help, kinda had to do it on the sly, we all took turns.We organized the pot luck in the oven on the counter the cookies for Barbs kids the cookies for us, then it was time for a little smoozing and re introducing to the ladies as its once a year we forget names etc. We had some great laughs and a little drama , tripping over telephone line , then the reenactment for photo op, too funny.Poor Anne, her husband NORMAN had just crossed that wire line under two couches but it came out where one had to enter the family room , so there fore at least 6 of us tripped , I went head first into a plush queen anne chair, no harm done, but scared the stuffing out of a few as I flew by.Another hit the fireplace MANTEL and one the foot stool, Anne promptly found the connection after a search under couches and chairs and discounted it before someone fell into the fireplace.

AFTER ALL THAT DRAMA RAMA IT WAS TIME FOR DINNER SO WE TOOK OUR PLATES AND MADE OUR WAY INTO THE DININGROOM, ANNE LITE THE CANDLE SHE LITES EVERY YEAR SINCE BARBRA PASSED AWAY AND SAID WE ALL HERE TO REMBER SOMEONE WE LOVED AND TO CONTINUE TO KEEP HER CLOSE, THEN ONE OF THE LADIES RECOUNTED HOW YESTERDAY MORNING SHE WAS GETING OUT CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS SHE HAD NOT USED FOR A WHILE AND CAME ACROSS A BOX WITH CHRISTMAS CARDS, THE TOP CHRISTMAS CARD WAS THE SNOWMAN WITH CARROTNOSE AND STRIPPED TIE, SHE SAID I KNEW IT WAS ONE BARBRA HAD SENT , SHE LOVED THAT SYNMBOL OF THE SNOWMAN, HAD IT ALLOVER HER HOUSE AT CHRISTMAS, I had BOUGHT HER A STUFFED ONE THAT SAT AT THE END OF HER STAIRCASE. SHE OPENED THE CARD AND INSIDE WAS A CHARM OF THE SAME SNOWMAN, SHE TOOK IT OUT AND SAID SHE PROCCEDED TO CRY, SO LAST NIGHT BECAUSE SHE FELT AND WE CONCOURED THAT BARBRA WAS WITH US,SHE HAD IT PINNED TO HER
BLOUSE.THEN THE STORIES FLOWED AND THE MEMORIES AND SOME TEARS WERE SHED BUT IT WAS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE OF SOMEONE WHOM WE LOVE.
wHEN I GOT HOME I WENT TO BARBRAS pICTURE AND SAID I'D HOPED SHE HAD A GOOD TIME TONIGHT AND TURNED OFF THE LIGHT AND WENT OT BED.

Cock aleekie Pie

Yesterday was an absoloute shit morning hadn't the energy to get up, that is to say I did get up but laid back down , got up to start the movie in the vcr in my bedroom turned it on and fell promptly back to dream land .Woke up liked I'd been hit by many bricks, stiff and sore. Decided to do momething productive , so I went to the store and shopped came home and made a chicken torte and leek pie, it was very good. Stripped the bed and vacumed had a tea and changed for work, was constant flow of people , don't they know its raining stay home.Came home and had to cups of tea to warm up , sopposed to cut down on caffine as it makes you go when your meno, watched Rossanes Nuts, she is hysterical ,she got fed up with meno side effects decide to seek medical help, first thing lose weight, Rosanne, excersie do cardio 3 times a week , she hired this woman and then left her in her yard and drove off after an hour, she had enough told her partner to fire her,her knees hurt to squat and her hips the woman was not listening to her , she needed to modiify the excersie for he as she has ostoarthritis{rosanne}. Also told to have more sex , rosanne said to doctor she has 0 sex drive and her V JJ is always itchy,then he wanted her urinate in to this big orange plastic container for 24 hours to check her hormone levels, to see if her extreme bitcheness is her or her hormones. Needless to say the woman was not imopressed and opted to remain bitchy itchy and chubby,Just made me laugh so hard, she has great attitude , must be my bitchy hormones that make me side with her!

Recently the husband and I have been looking for a vacation spot to go to in Jan. Feb. his idea out of nowhere it ws brought up, El cheapeo [ HIM} , this occurs only when I'm going' if its him money is no object,recent Iron man trip proves that ,WANTS TO GO FOR LeSS THAN 2.000.00 ANI'T HAPPENING ALL INCLUSIVE!
So far have gotten no where fast , the other day we are returning a bathing suit to sears which apparently was just the top for 60.00 are they nuts, any how walking to the outlet my husband out of no where says what are we going to talk about for a week alone, I thought just off the top of my head , nothing cause I am not going any where.My week so far has been one big festivale of the stupid!
My horroscope said I would meet someone, I call it horror cause really I don't have time to deal with another head case.

K ous not the secrett Russion service of Get Smart but the life theory!

This was a week of K ous, started with doctor appointment for me Monday , specialist did two test and took one home to do, Tuesday mom goes home and Dan returns with test wrong bottle , so returns home with right bottle and have to redo test again, Donna my girlfriend comes over for cofee that night and reviews movie of wedding, Serena leaves Wednesday with Dan to do job interview for Kitchener, then they have dinner together with Dave abd his parents.
Thursday went to High tea with Dan in Brooklawn I guess he feels guilty about something, no particular reason he saw it on wag log and bought it for 15,00 , then went grocery shopping , Friday went to work , went out with girls after got home at 11 pm.
Saturday had a headache for most of day did laundry and not much wlse, oh spoke to Peg she was having some difficulty geting seat confirmations on her flight at the send of August.
Sunday Dan buggered off as ususall to run with friends I phoned cousin in Sicily , there will be a big festival at the port tonight to begin Fer Agosto.Dancing, live bands and drinking and then some people will swim in the moonlight, hey don't they know sharks like to hunt at night!
Her sons will have bon fires on the beach and sleep out there.
Going to Marions for dinner later on and thats about it for now.

The invisable woman in the video of a wedding!

I had seen several clips of the wedding via the flip cam my husband had used and on the computer screen , however it was not till last night when my friend Donna came over to view the flip cam version that we noticed I was in the movie all of 3 seconds.
No mother son dance , lots of film of other guets dancing , husband playing the drum plenty of film on that , great shots and film of the happy couple , but myself and other notable people were decidetly missing .
Hopefully these gaps will be no doubt filled in by others who filmed nad photo oped.
No worries , just wonmdered , I know went out for a smoke 4 times during entire night
no gone that long.
My mom has gone home again my husband and daughter off to kitchener for job interview and then dinner with Dave and his parents.They won't be here till late will get some clean up done and laundry again and try and get my life on the gride again.

Wedding of the season in Antiganish , Nova Scotia

Donna and AAron tied the knot on August 6th in Nova Scotia it was a spectacular wedding day , sunny and warm and a breeze as well, the venue was fabulous , even the missqetoes came in droves to enjoy all of us seated on the chairs on the lawns.
Liquor flowed as did conversation and the company we enjoyed .There was Peg and Neil and Graham along with Mary Anne and Vito Dan and myself.
Inside the ancient barn a fairy land of twinkle lights and chinese lanterns at the entrance white paper bags with sand and tea light to light the steps in, the kids first letters of their names prominate on either side to the door colums.D and A in bold letters.The tables covered and the chairs in white linens with blue accents and floating candles in tall vases .
Menue, zucchini pancakes with greek yougart dressing over mix greens.
then beef or chicken with veggies and mashed potaotes
eneded with a cheese torte with glazed topping , wine flowed and of corse a whismsicle cake of white and blue with fondant flowers of blue and a bride standing on the suitcase kissing her groom, unique!Cake inside was combination of white and chocolate!More tommorow !

Going to the Chapell and hes going to get married!

I should like to announce that my son will be tying the knot with his beloved Donna this Saturday Aug. 6th in Nova Scotia, we will be flying out tommorw morning .
My friends " the Menears leave to today, Happy safe Journey!
The Sestito's our other friends will be on that flight with us, on Friday my brother Joe and his Lisa will fly in.
I am very excited and happy for them both , as i am sure Jeanate Donnas mom is as well, she will gain another son and I another daughter.
We picked up a flip movie camera yestrday I hope it works well , as when we tried it the battery didn't seem to want to hold a charge it was plugged in for 4 hours into the terminal.
Time to organize my packing and chill.

You are getting sleeping........................................its so not happening

I went to bed tonight a t 11 pm. I got out of bed tonight at 11.30 pm it now 1.36 and I am still typing happily away on my BLOGG.
I need to kick someone most ashurdily in the butt, sleeping with pillows between ones knees makes for very poor bed fellows or persons or mates.
Each ands evry turn its hit and roll.
There was absoloute Dick on tv tonight, were the heck is Ghost hunters International.
Not even a good episode of Big Bang.
I too tired to read a book but then that s just wimpy I don't want to read a book I want to put a movie on my tv in my bedroom and fall asleep with its first 3 minutes of playing.I can't cause Dan is a sleep and of corse he needs his sleep and since he was kind enough to give me this wonderful chest cold I've had to take antibiotics for
this week.So between the swimming and coughing and cooking and the washing , yup , we girls from the 60's do it all, and by the way did no kill off that mother inlaw from hell on the BOLd ands the Beautiful,aslo somebody stop reading Hariquin novels the wrtings getting sappy.
Ridge and Brooke made me want to rinse with scope they were so sickly sweet to each other.
Any way I will attempt once more to go nite nite and pray my daughter gets home befor she needs to go to work tommorow afternoon as well.

Thunder and lightening and Showers of happiness all in one day!

Saturday moring was ominous and raining hard when i woke up, i had planned a Bridal Shower for my Daughter in law to be Donna.
I frantickly checked the weather channel all morning hoping it would be clear before 3 in time for the party.
It was , so I ran on to the deck and decorated like mad, set up the serving dihes in the dining room laid out the untensils and got the ballonns and streamers up.
Ran up or I should say craweled upstairs to shower and change in time for the first guests to arrive.
Peg brought a super yummy pounch, along with her personal male stripper Neil.
Got alot help from one and all putting out the trays and the lasgna was done just in time as well.
Guests were scattereed on to the back declk as well as in the livingroom and diningroom, games were played mke as many words out of AAron and Donnas nmaes my cousin Pat the Editor won that one that was a given.
The second game was very funny trying to carry a small potato between your knees across the room and drop it into a cylinder.
Caroline and Pat and Darlene won that one , Amanda did excellent as well.
I ran out of gifts going to get one for her for Friday when I see her again.
Presents were opened and the gifts were terrific Donna was thrilled and delighted at the amount of people that came.
Special thanks once agian to Peggy and Marie, Lisa and Isabell and Donna Gos for all thier help and for Serena doing her part as well.
So glad my Favoriate aunts and my mom were all well enough to join in the festivitis's. We missed Mary ann who was in Florence battleing her way thrugh torrential rain to a fourth floor walk up bed and breakfast , whose door code would not work after an ardous journey from Rome by train and then trying to hail a cab in Florence in the rain.
MY NIECE kASSIE WHO WAS BATTLEING FOOD POSINING AND OF CORSE MY FRIEND MARION WHO BECAME VERy ILL AT WORK AND HAD TO BE TAKEN HOME AND IS NOW THANKFULLY RECOVERED.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL!!!!!!!!

Faces of Sicily

Faces of Sicily

Be A Donor - Save A Life - An Urgent Request

Be A Donor - Save A Life - An Urgent Request

Now , for that really big Shoe!!!!

In the last 3 weeks I have ordered 3 pairs of sandles, 2 pair were either to narrow or too small tthe third I thought looked promising however the shoe Gods I fear thought differently and so decided in some perverse chain of events to send me a mans oxford shoe in size 46 D in black as opposed to the dainty b
one colored sandel with a mini wedge heel.

I in an orderly fashion threw said shoes into a bag and headed for the closesist Aldo shoe store to return this monstrositayit weighed about 6 pounds for sure.

The lovely young man who served me ordered once again the same oringal sandle , and hopefully fingers crossed toes and eyes facing south things will be alinged right .

The other good thing was that I saw a sale of my favoriate type of peasant retro blouses at Fairweather for 30 % off and got me one, love love love it.

Oprahs farewll special is on so much cow towing and ass kissing from Madonnnna I nearly puked the rest seemes at least less of a put on show.

I've alwasys liked Oprah , fat or thin she never wavers , and there are some things that just cannot be put on and alot of her shows dealt witha growth within of becoming a spirtiual woman , the journey of the soul touched me.

Coffessions of hestitant shoppoholic,And her enablaing colhort!

With my enabling friend I made plans together for a shopping trip into the Big T.O
We decided to meet on the train and ride the rail into the heart of the city, after we walked under ground into the belly of the beast ,so to speak known as the THE UNDER
GROUND CONCOURSE,It was a vitual Catacomb of walk ways and staircases and throngs of humans.Along the way we stopped at several shops and tryed on many dresses of every retro style imaginable , some very twiggy like dresses , others very Jean Shrimpton.
Finally near the last esplanade and very tired feet and hot menopauso flashes, I looked as if I had emerged from a launderette,my hair stuck all over my face and wearing lovely socks to add such panache to the dresses I tried on {NOt really } finally took them off.Friend Peg ever on the look out for a dress here and there along with sales lady , it was a whirlwind of off with dress and on with another so on and so forth.
Two were chosen the one coctail length and syvelt with polka dots , the other a swirl of shades of lavender troquoise and greens and pinks in a Pasiley print, very Bohemianin.
Now just the shoes but no luck there.
Post script man assiated me with my suitcase down large staircase , It was very kind.Left it a Pegs feet ,and walked away, Peg managed lugging her lugage but not old drag it down step by step ,{me} I guess some people behind me did not like a slowpoke.
Everyone down town walks whith such a purpose and speed the noise level is deafening in some areas more of a buzz sound than actual voices.

We joined the maneage dragging our suitcases till we emerged into the sunlight and street above to our Hotel THE CARLIILe Suites.
Luckly a room awas avavilable.Promptly checked in and took off shoes hit the ladies room and chilled for a bit .Where I promptly fought my way out of my spanks from Hell.
We sashed down to Porico restauant in the hotel for mushroom omeletees and frits .
Then back out onto the street for shoe shopping at the Bay and Eaton center.
After an exhausting afternoon we went back to the hotel for a rest and out to dinner at a little Siclian restaurant across the street.
The ambaince very nice cosy but the chairs and tables way too close together with strangers , I had a japanese mans back beside my knife and fork and when Peg came back to her chair another french couple had practically comondered her chair area.
Although the food was very nice we decided to take the main dish a Pizza back to the room with us and eat it at our lesure while watching Idol.
It worked out well and afte rhat a little snopping into condos across the way and down the street and across to the Island it was time for bed.
It was a very stormy night and my knee to offence and was very achy. not much sleep.
The following morning awoke and showered and we went to the lobby for a continantal breakfast, then back to the room to pack and checked out for more shopping down Richmond street and then down the underground Concourse agian to Union station , got our tickets and awaited our train back home.
My stalmwart shopper Peg and I said our goodbyes and I went to the train station to phone for a lift home, the wind was picking up again , when I got home I crashed witha large cup of tea.
Made dinner left overs and then Bones and Grays could barley keep my eyes open.
Off to bed but could not sleep mind was racing finally passed out at about 1.30 am woke up at 4.35 for the Wedding then a nap and then off to work for 4pm.

The "People Who Came to Dinner"....How divine was that!

Dinner with friends is always an evant " why you may ask?" Because they pull out all the stops.
P's huband Mr.N. made the dinner Chicken coated with Japanese paco breadcrumbs and secert seaoning , a very fresh and crunchy and creamy coleslaw salad, that was truly yummy asked for a doggie bag for home.
We dined by the candlelight its rays filtering through a Mooracon lantern,earleir we dined on tasty dips and drank some potent cocktails Mrs.P had thrown together..powerful , we later moved to wine.
Conversation was quite and confortable , afterwaords we moved to the family room for more conversation and of corse HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA...have no idea who was playing.Coffee and Pie , sweet and satisfying to linger over.
As the game progressed and the men got more involved or were they being swallowed by the couch, they apperared to be shrinking as the evening progressed.
Mrs P and I hudled in the corner I on the enormous foot stool she on the chair,IPad in hand. just checking it out when from out of nowhere, her name appears and her business address from two or 3 years ago appears on google.
Mrs P is perplexed how did she get on google who put her there , out in the open where people could find out the name of the town she lived in..........It is a mystery!
We googles more of her family Hubby's businesss Yes..lots iof write ups and sites etc. her brother in law ...yes he's there too.. the entire family is practically listed on Google.
That is I thought KOOL!Not so much for Mrs.P but then I could be wrong....



The game ended the light went out, we all rose to say good night, into the night went Mr.D and I where the stars were quite brilliant that night , this can be attested to by Mr. Mrs. N when I called them out earlier to see them before dinner.
Home safe and sound jammies on , off to bed.

The Housewives of Port Perry get together with the Housewives of Ajax................................................No this won't be pretty!

I recieved an intriging email from my friend Peg this past week regarding a dress she'd seen in the bridal boutique in Port Perry .She thought it may be suitable for me to wear to my son's wedding.
We made plans to se it in person on Saturday afternoon and then have dinner together in her home that evening.

Upon arival her husband was just finishing off tidying the kitchen , and had made the dinner for the evening ...intriging...something was a foot!
Peg came down she had just finished dressing and was about to dry her hair.
No rush , take your time ,she always looks great , very savy and nicely put together outfit.
My husband drove us to the shop and we first viewed the dress from the window, it was very sheek not alot of bling cocktail length, unusal pewter color.

In we went, were greated by a sweet younge woman and started to rifle thru the racks for dresses that caught our eyes.
Peg has an excellent eye for items that one may not think would look good , due to the way they look on the hanger, she is generally right on.Which amazes me , if I don't like it on the hanger I will not try it on at all, she does give the nudge I need to try them on.
The pewter dress was a no go as there were NO sizes bigger than a 6, that definitely left me out and half the general population of the planet Zolton!
Zolton is a planet were woman sizes 16 and up end up on after they have scoured the known universe for something to wear , a scarf,big girls panties, spanx the final frontier with crotch release .What ever!

We came aupon a stylish swirl of chifon with cross banding at the bust greens and blue swirls, however apparently my misalinged body , the boobies were not ginormous enough to fill the top if the dress , but the ass was too ginoumous to zip up the bottom of the dress and with the added feature of having my pants down around my ankles , ladies and gentleman cord pants they were.Stunned was not a good enough word for it.
The look as I told any one with in ear shot was a fashion risk but I alone was willing to take it and wear it out in the open for all to see, although I was not counting on a large group of women trooping through to the other viewing room, I meant Peg and the 2 sales woman.

What can I say Shit happens.We move on, I tried on the v neck dimonale straped navy
jersy , it actually looked very nice on me, although I guess the filling of the upper cup of the dress left a bit of a gap...note to all woman as we grow older boobies deflate .

This dress we all agreed was a possiable keeper, the second dress had a T shirt top styling with ruffleed edge bottm two tiered and a jacket ina a bronze leaf motif , horriable , suitable for Liz the Queen or Italian grandmothers every where............not up for that role just yet , the clothes part.

Many more followed in similar styles , hated them all, I'M such a bitch, note to self DONOT YELL OUT THAT IS AN UGLY DRESS like a 2 year old and refuse to try it on.
People are only trying to be helpful and after all I'm the duibe with her pants wrapped around her ankles still.

Another dress was a black aline with enough ruffles at the neck that it constrained your bust into a uniboob, truly amazing!
Off with that dress, and what's with my arms , swimming did not sculpt them just made them huge, going have to so dumbbells again, look in back of closet for them.

Went back to blue dress with the diamoles and took two photo's of it , loved it but because it was such an exact fit , I am frighteded if I gain any weight , it will be sausage dress not sexy dress so I'm on the fence about, and want to think it through.
My husband was brought in by Peg to have a look he liked it as well, although the whole cord rolled down pants by the ankle thing threw him.
We went home and promised to contact the store via Peg as to wether I wanted the blue or not ,
We had a drink while dinner was cooking and got to say hi to Mat who was going to hang with his sister and his niece, so sweet.

I shall continue this tommorow as there is a dinner to tell of and so much more ..Look whose on GOOgle !

Book Giveaway: Treasures of Sicilian Cuisine

Book Giveaway: Treasures of Sicilian Cuisine

I swim with thesharks.. tales from a sespool!

Well here we are into week 6 of swimming every morning except for two ,due to car problems one day and severe winter storm the other time.
We have swum 26 long laps every day and swallowed enough water , we can now travel thrugh the Sahara with out having to stop at the Oasis with or with out Maria Maldare
for a sip of water.
I have lost 2 inches off my waist and gained strength in my limbs and hip flex muscles.
My left thigh is still numb in the same area. That has not changed.
There are many retiries in the pool with us older by at least some 25 to 30 years, they are very funny and gracious and kind, its fun to talk to them. One gentleman Norm is leaving for a tour of China and the Sangji River to the Forbidden city and to the Great wall and on to HOng KOng, he is a sprite 89 years old and sharp as a tack. Calls Isbell and I the twins, don't know why shes aleast a shoulder shorter.
Isabell is terrific to swim with , we just jabber along and talk noneses or world news, occasionally swimming over the elderly or knocking them under the water, we are terrible at keeping to our lanes.
This Wednesday the marito is going to New Orleans, when he gets back he will have a surprise awaiting him.
8 more weeks of swimming left.................kick flutter kick flutter gulp

Nutella Day Feb.5th

# New to Nutella? Learn what the fuss is about@ World Nutella Day, check out
Ms. Adventures in Italy and or Bleeding Espresso blogs.You'll learn all about it.
Its tastey and great on toast with peanut butter .

Two litlle fishes in a POOL

As of now I have been swimming every freakin frozen bitter cold snowy morning with Isabell. Perky does not begin to describe her. She is alert and on some sort of opiom , how else can any one be so mellow . Even when shes having a bad day shes mellow. We swim laps from 7 am till 840 every morning.We have also inter spursed wieght lifts in the water and use flutter boards and do abdomiable lifts.
Generally I leave the pool with legs of jello, but the hot sauna after make me feel great.Then its to the showers and get hair dryed,
All the Winter gear on to face the outdoors. I sweat like a fiend just trying to leave the dressingroom.I generally get home before 10 am. Then its either off to work or off to working around the house.
This weather system is out to lunch , warmmer one day , ice and 20 below the next, windy and frigid and the baremeter is giving me headaches every other day.
Its chili tonight and biscuits with parm cheese and tyme in them.
Gotta throw in an other load of laundry.

Should old aquaintance be for naught!Happy New Year2011

Well according to all the Nay sayers , knock on wood........next year is it.. you know finito ..bye bye,,,so I hope for no Tears this year but so far I've cried me a river .
No particular reason just misery it comes in waves and then leaves.
I watched Eat Pray Love on New Years Night and had a fire going , my husband went to bed at 8.30 pm so I was alone , got a shot glass of lemonchello and waited for Midnight.
One minute before midnight raised a glass to family and friends that had passed on and to myself , drank it turned off the Tv. and went to bed.Just as I was about to get into bed my friend Marie called. We chatted for a moment then hung up.
Happy New Year to all, no tears just laughter and as much joy you can cram into a day.
Screw people who only think of only them selves,my No crap attitude is still in place, and going full force.....take no prisoners...............................................................................