Safer to travel in groups

3 examples of why it is safer to travel in groups - cute one!

http://www.youtube.com/v/gBnvGS4u3F0?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/mgCIKGIYJ1A?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1

http://www.youtube.com/v/LuVPnW0s3Vo?hl=en&fs=1&autoplay=1

I was watching the FoodTV channel on the weekend and happened upon this show called 'The Opener' for the 2nd time.  I really enjoy it although I'm not much of a TV watcher.

'EVERYBODY thinks they have what it takes to open a restaurant – it’s easy. All you need is grandma’s secret lasagna recipe, some friends willing to wait tables, a little money from your parents, and enough charm to keep ‘em coming back, right? Outrageous Celebrity Chef and restaurant consultant David Adjey knows better. Adjey brings his unique know how, tough love and unorthodox methods to the task – stopping at nothing to get the job done. Will he succeed in turning these dreamers into successful restaurateurs or will he be thrown out before the doors even open?'

Middle Age Conversation

At the gym the other day I was talking to this lady and she mentioned she couldn't do the weights anymore due to her carpal tunnel syndrome in her wrists acting up.  Then I overheard this other lady talking about her 'osteo' appointments.  This is the morning crowd, I imagine the conversation is a bit different in the evenings when the younger people come in!

I got this cute 'senior' email recently, please enjoy:

WAL-MART SENIOR GREETER
You just have to appreciate this one.  Young people forget that old people had a career before they retired......


Charley, a new retiree-greeter at Wal-Mart, just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day he was 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, really tidy, clean-shaven, sharp-minded and a real credit to the company and obviously demonstrating their "Older Person Friendly" policies.

One day the boss called him into the office for a talk.
"Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang-up job when you finally get here; but your being late so often is quite bothersome."
"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."
"Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear.”
“Yes sir, I understand your concern and I’ll try harder.”
Seeming puzzled, the manager went on to comment, “It's odd though your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say to you there if you showed up in the morning so late and so often?"
The old man looked down at the floor, then smiled.
He chuckled quietly, then said with a grin, "They usually saluted and said, ‘Good morning, Admiral, can I get your coffee, sir?’”

Sunday Sketches - Water Canal

For Sunday Sketches I saw a travel photo in a magazine and was inspired by the beautiful, almost emerald colour of the water.  It was actually advertising 'The Fairmont Mayacoba' resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico, but I think this water canal is from the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve nearby.   I remember once we went to Mexico when the kids were little and we went swimming in an underground river (ceynote?)  It was a lovely experience in Xcaret park.  Mexico does have these lovely, natural reserves.  It's also one of the few places (that I'm aware of) where they mandate that you use bio-degradeable sunscreen.

                                                                   (acrylic ACEO)

Sweet Saturdays - How do you decide who to marry?

You have to stop by and read Crystal Clear's Valentine story.  It's so touching.

And I got this in an email and thought you might like a laugh for Sweet Saturdays!  Please stop by the others to see what they found sweet today.

 1.  HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? 

(written by kids)   


1. You  got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if  you like sports, she should like it that you like  sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.   
--  Alan, age 10 


No  person really decides before they grow up who they're  going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you  get to find out later who you're stuck with.   
--  Kristen, age  10   


2.  WHAT IS  THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED? 
Twenty-three is the best age because you know  the person FOREVER by then.  
--   Camille, age 10  


3.  HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?   
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be  yelling at the same kids. 
--  Derrick, age  8   


4.  WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN  COMMON?   
Both don't want any more kids.    
--  Lori,  age 8   


5.  WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE? 
-Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys  have something to say if you listen long enough.   
--  Lynnette, age  8    (isn't  she a treasure) 


-On  the first date, they just tell each other lies and that  usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.  
--  Martin, age  10   


6..  WHEN IS  IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?    
-When  they're rich.   
--  Pam, age  7 


-The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to  mess with that.  
-  - Curt, age   7


-The  rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you  should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.    
-  - Howard,  age 8   


7.    IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED? 
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.  
--  Anita, age 9   (bless you child )  


8.  HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T  GET MARRIED?    
There  sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?  
--  Kelvin, age 8   


And the #1 Favorite is .........   
9.  HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?    
Tell  your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like  a dump truck.
--  Ricky, age 10

Paint Party Friday - Cuba Moon with Venus?

Welcome to Paint Party Friday, a fun art co-op!

This acrylic ACEO features the Cuba moon from our beach view hotel room on Jan 2, 2012 at approximately 1am.  We were on vacation.  That small planet twinkling near the moon is either Venus or Jupiter, but it was quite a show that night.  The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the ocean and illuminated the gentle waves.   I had made a quick pen sketch in my journal so I could remember it, and finally got around to painting it.  I should learn how to capture these night shots with a digital camera.  Even the simplest cameras nowadays can do even panoramic shots. 

Sausage, Potatoes and Green Beans

She Loves Food and Flowers posted a simple and delicious recipe for 'Smoked Sausage with Potatoes and Green Beans' and I decided to try it.  Thanks Shelly!

I used new potatoes and frozen green beans (I had half a package in my freezer) with a European Debreziner sausage. It was wonderful and we ate it all. Of course, you can't go wrong with sausages! I wonder if it's the salt in the sausage that makes you feel you can't have enough of it?  I also love the new potatoes, I got them from Costco, they come pre-washed and ready for boiling. Ikea used to serve those with their meatball dinners, but they now just use a tiny scoop of mashed potatoes.  Everyone's cost cutting these days, or should I say smart marketing?

Here is some news I found interesting in the paper yesterday:

This is a human interest one  entitled 'What happened in Union Station'. It concerns events that occurred 'when a man jumped in front of a subway train' recently and how 'the heroes' were treated.  The comments are also interesting.

This one is kind of funny: '...except for Luiza who is in Canada.  A remark made in a Brazilian real estate infomercial has brought fame to a teenage girl and to Canada' as the infomercial went viral.  It sheds some light on the Brazilian sense of humour.

New Skating Rink

This is a new outdoor skating rink newly built by the town. It looks like it's getting good use. My friend S and I were walking by on the weekend and I had not seen it yet, so we went to take a peek. We are having a mild winter, it freezes up and then it goes to rain and springlike temperatures. We have not had to do any real shovelling so far this year. Now I hope this doesn't change just because I said that!

And Diana Evans created these beautiful valentines and is allowing us to download them free here. I did just that last night as I happened to have some nice photo paper on hand for printing. How cute are they? Thanks Diana!