Note that as of Mar 17, 2009 I discovered the 'fake $5' is actually just an older note.
M called the plumber as we have been having a partial clog in our kitchen sink the past few days. He had come over back in August to help us. After about an hour, he realized he didn't have the proper tools as he's a main drain specialist as opposed to being a regular plumber. He remembered us as the 'fake $5 people'. The good part of the story is, he recommended a good, reasonable plumber and refused to take any money himself. He says that's how he builds his customer base, by treating people fairly.
Don't know why we are having so much trouble with grease buildup in our kitchen sink though. We had it cleared a couple of years ago, then back in August it was a main drain problem as opposed to the kitchen line. Anyway, we have to wait until Tuesday to find out. These things always seem to happen on a long weekend. Fortunately, it's just a partial clog.
I got a couple of pumpkin pies with cans of whipped cream at a local supermarket, so we're all set for Thanksgiving.
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Saturday, October 11, 2008
Sound of Music
The Sound of Music was lovely. Beautiful music from the orchestra and superb singing from the cast. Maria was a good choice, young and fresh with a great voice. The 7 children were very talented as well. Very creative special effects not to be missed especially if you are a Sound of Music fan.
The kids have haircuts today and M is going to chase up those missing kitchen parts so we can hopefully have them by Tuesday. L has a tennis lesson in the afternoon and maybe a movie night with friends after.
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The kids have haircuts today and M is going to chase up those missing kitchen parts so we can hopefully have them by Tuesday. L has a tennis lesson in the afternoon and maybe a movie night with friends after.
News
Lunchbox Revival: This falafel beats greasy takeout
Friday, October 10, 2008
Long Weekend
The kids are home today, it's a 4 day long weekend for them. M and K had their annual eye exams at the optometrist and L went for an eyebrow threading. Hopefully K can also get a lot of homework done, then we're off to see the new 'Sound of Music' musical downtown with another family.
It seems we have 2 wrong parts to the kitchenette and a missing corner piece, so we have a few days delay. These pieces are like Ikea furniture and you have to check them carefully, who knew? Would've been nice to see the whole thing come together today. They grouted the tiles around the kitchenette with a sand colour and the tiles look so good now under the potlights, sort of like a sandy yellow beach.
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It seems we have 2 wrong parts to the kitchenette and a missing corner piece, so we have a few days delay. These pieces are like Ikea furniture and you have to check them carefully, who knew? Would've been nice to see the whole thing come together today. They grouted the tiles around the kitchenette with a sand colour and the tiles look so good now under the potlights, sort of like a sandy yellow beach.
News
Generosity is delivered in a basket
Me and my money: Lessons from a divorce
Virgin shark got pregnant in Virginia aquarium
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Different Strokes for Different Folks
The weather is warming up for the Thanksgiving long weekend and it should be a gorgeous one. I was inspired to put up a few Halloween decorations when my old step instructor told me she had already started since Oct 1st. (Halloween is her favourite holiday and she is young and enthusiastic).
K is off on a field trip to the town of Stratford today to see 'Romeo and Juliet'. I won't even ask him how that went. L said some Grade 9 kids at her school got a week's detention for mis-behaving at their Stratford trip. He enjoyed his cross-country track meet yesterday although he says their bus skidded trying to avoid a larger coach and they almost went into a creek. Scary, but at least the rain didn't start to really pour until they got back.
They are cleaning and grouting some of the floor tiles today and the shower wall tiles are being laid. There are so many little decisions to make in this process. What direction would you like the (10x13)tiles laid? Would you like the wall tiles to extend a bit past the shower door or just line up directly with it? I can see why some people hire designers, quite apart from choosing colours. Then again, I could be actually laying the tiles myself. Then again, some people love laying tiles.
Last night, L was helping me to stuff a new beanbag with those foam beads and she really enjoyed it. To me, it's a really painful task, especially when the beads are full of static and stick to everything while you're pouring them. But I would find it easy, quick and satisfying to organize and clear out her clothes drawer, something she is loathe to do. Different strokes for different folks.
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K is off on a field trip to the town of Stratford today to see 'Romeo and Juliet'. I won't even ask him how that went. L said some Grade 9 kids at her school got a week's detention for mis-behaving at their Stratford trip. He enjoyed his cross-country track meet yesterday although he says their bus skidded trying to avoid a larger coach and they almost went into a creek. Scary, but at least the rain didn't start to really pour until they got back.
They are cleaning and grouting some of the floor tiles today and the shower wall tiles are being laid. There are so many little decisions to make in this process. What direction would you like the (10x13)tiles laid? Would you like the wall tiles to extend a bit past the shower door or just line up directly with it? I can see why some people hire designers, quite apart from choosing colours. Then again, I could be actually laying the tiles myself. Then again, some people love laying tiles.
Last night, L was helping me to stuff a new beanbag with those foam beads and she really enjoyed it. To me, it's a really painful task, especially when the beads are full of static and stick to everything while you're pouring them. But I would find it easy, quick and satisfying to organize and clear out her clothes drawer, something she is loathe to do. Different strokes for different folks.
News
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Canadian Winter Pumpkin Pie
Lilly, here's a pumpkin pie recipe for you. I'm not really a baker, I usually just pick one up from my favourite grocery store, with a can of whipped cream that K just inhales.
My step class wasn't crowded today for some reason, I think they were all in Walmart which seemed busy at that hour. Everyone must be shopping for Thanksgiving or getting ready for Halloween.
The driving school called to set up in-car lessons for L, so she'll be starting those at the end of the month. So I should give her a bit of practice in a nearby parking lot on the weekends.
K's English and Music teacher (one and the same) called with a few complaints. That's the usual case this time of year. Hopefully Math and Science won't call. M took the call and was of course, upset. I handled it well yesterday. I took the approach, 'what can we do to help?'. We'll just have to take it one step at a time. Macbeth is not for everyone. Shakespeare's English at that time was quite different. I'm beginning to doubt whether K is university material, though. He'll be in grade 9 next year. L is doing a bunch of advanced courses in grade 11 and has noticed that these classes contain some smart boys. They make bets with each other to see who will get the highest mark on a test. Different than some she's known previously (smile).
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My step class wasn't crowded today for some reason, I think they were all in Walmart which seemed busy at that hour. Everyone must be shopping for Thanksgiving or getting ready for Halloween.
The driving school called to set up in-car lessons for L, so she'll be starting those at the end of the month. So I should give her a bit of practice in a nearby parking lot on the weekends.
K's English and Music teacher (one and the same) called with a few complaints. That's the usual case this time of year. Hopefully Math and Science won't call. M took the call and was of course, upset. I handled it well yesterday. I took the approach, 'what can we do to help?'. We'll just have to take it one step at a time. Macbeth is not for everyone. Shakespeare's English at that time was quite different. I'm beginning to doubt whether K is university material, though. He'll be in grade 9 next year. L is doing a bunch of advanced courses in grade 11 and has noticed that these classes contain some smart boys. They make bets with each other to see who will get the highest mark on a test. Different than some she's known previously (smile).
News
No chance to cheat on this test
The variety of miso
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thanksgiving and Halloween
Canadian Thanksgiving is this coming Monday, so it will be a long weekend. We'll celebrate at my mom's on Sunday. I think I'll take a pumpkin pie to add to the dessert menu. It was a cold morning that turned into a gorgeous sunny day, I'm just heading out for a walk before I get the kids from school.
I noticed our local McDonald's already have their Halloween decorations up. I bought a pumpkin for carving.
M and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary tomorrow. No plans to go to the Bahamas or anything! I picked up the bullnose tile (bathroom window trim), and the painter says she'll be finished hand painting today. They're tiling the kitchen area now, so that they can start assembling the cabinets. It's going to be a small 10ft by 6ft L-shaped area. It will be nice to see the finishing touches being put in at last.
I'm doing a microwaved fish for dinner, with broccoli and some baked chicken legs for K.
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I noticed our local McDonald's already have their Halloween decorations up. I bought a pumpkin for carving.
M and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary tomorrow. No plans to go to the Bahamas or anything! I picked up the bullnose tile (bathroom window trim), and the painter says she'll be finished hand painting today. They're tiling the kitchen area now, so that they can start assembling the cabinets. It's going to be a small 10ft by 6ft L-shaped area. It will be nice to see the finishing touches being put in at last.
I'm doing a microwaved fish for dinner, with broccoli and some baked chicken legs for K.
News
Nutritional winners on the Thanksgiving menu
Fat-acceptance activists say it's possible to be healthy no matter what size you wear
Pneumonia vaccine reduces heart attacks
Scientists say future of world's mammals looks bleak
Robot suit for rent in Japan to help people walk
Monday, October 6, 2008
Computers are not for everyone (or are they?)
It's a tiring, no-energy day for me as I struggle to get my chores and errands done. It seems as if there are always doctor, dentist, hair appointments to make or upcoming for this or that person. It's also flu shot time of year. K has his orthodontist checkup today. One of his friends finally had his braces removed, now he has a retainer to keep clean. There are a bunch of them that meet in the washroom after lunch to brush their braced teeth. Some of them don't bother.
The good news is that K's school photo came back and no re-takes are required. They did 3 poses for each child and you can now pay online although you still have to submit an order form. K said some of his friends did 'model' poses so that all 3 shots were different (and quite amusing). He's opted not to have his photos re-touched as they're actually quite good.
We went out to dinner with some old friends this past Saturday. I had sent them an interesting youtube video and was surprised when they said it didn't work. I asked them if they pressed 'play'. They said 'oh'. My girlfriend is only 50 years old but admits she's not comfortable with the computer or email for that matter. Oh well, everyone's different.
Now, one of my brother-in-laws (in his mid-fifties) has recently embraced the internet. My sister decided to get her own laptop the other day, as her son didn't like sharing his. Then my brother-in-law got a hold of her new laptop and can't seem to stop googling and downloading stuff to CD, etc! I think it's the first time anyone has seen him ever use a computer, so it's quite unbelievable. So now my sister still doesn't have a laptop available!
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The good news is that K's school photo came back and no re-takes are required. They did 3 poses for each child and you can now pay online although you still have to submit an order form. K said some of his friends did 'model' poses so that all 3 shots were different (and quite amusing). He's opted not to have his photos re-touched as they're actually quite good.
We went out to dinner with some old friends this past Saturday. I had sent them an interesting youtube video and was surprised when they said it didn't work. I asked them if they pressed 'play'. They said 'oh'. My girlfriend is only 50 years old but admits she's not comfortable with the computer or email for that matter. Oh well, everyone's different.
Now, one of my brother-in-laws (in his mid-fifties) has recently embraced the internet. My sister decided to get her own laptop the other day, as her son didn't like sharing his. Then my brother-in-law got a hold of her new laptop and can't seem to stop googling and downloading stuff to CD, etc! I think it's the first time anyone has seen him ever use a computer, so it's quite unbelievable. So now my sister still doesn't have a laptop available!
News
Report sees jump in staph-linked flu deaths in kids
Study shows reading helps kids slim down
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