Billy arrived home on Friday afternoon, and that was enough confusion and happiness to distract me from calling BW on her birthday. Great.
Happy Belated Birthday BW!
Tonight? Prime Rib with Davey, rooting through some stinky books from TN, and maybe a little visit from B&BW.
Tomorrow? Ugh, packing. I think I'm going to TN on Monday. Books to sort and golf to play. Life's good.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Some pics
Today MomG, the Pooch and I ventured to Point Pelee. It was really windy (from the East), about 55* with some sun. It was a great day.
It's about a 2.5km walk from the car, down a deserted road, to the beach path, to the point. We came back through the nature boardwalk due to the Fun Police patroling the road.
Here are some pics.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Part 2
It was about a week later, that in one of my late night 'lurks', I discovered MySpace, and I came across a profile of your boyfriend. He was actually online. Too funny, I thought. I checked out his page, and was a little surprised to see that his 'hero' was Ron Jeremy. I realized that he was truly a mystery man, as your 1 of your other close friends has never met him, so I emailed friend "Y" the link. What a hoot! Here he is! W's mystery boyfriend! Y thought it was pretty cool to finally see the 'man', friend "Z" was too busy to check, and although I emailed the link to X, God knows she didn't want to further get into a bad situation, so she avoided the site altogether.
Days later in other late night surfing, I checked his profile again, (now being slightly more MySpace savvy) Hm, I thought, he has a couple of hundred friends, and all but 3 are women. Most women are fairly scantily clad. Many of the women were local. He states in his bio that he's 'here to meet the ladies', and 'single and looking'. He was also logged on again.
That bothered me a bit because you have always professed that you wouldn't date a guy unless you were interested in marrying them (except for the guys you sleep with - oh, don't show your parent's that part of this letter! You'll have to copy and paste it into Word, then print it out). So I was a little disturbed that this guy, who on first and second impression I thought was great, was a little slimy.
So, curious and concerned as I am, I checked his pictures. A little egotistical; many of the shots showed him taking the picture himself in a 'come hither' pose, tugging at his towel, pushing down the waist of jeans, and never a shirt on. There were some interesting little comments with the photos. Lots of girls telling him how sexy he is, how hot he looks...
Are we in our 30's or late teens? I thought to myself.
Then the kicker, oh not quite, there is more, you may need to edit this for the family recital at the dining room table...A picture of him (let's assume it's him) holding his hard choked chicken. Obviously not the clean cut all Canadian boy that I thought you'd fallen for. Who does that?
Days later in other late night surfing, I checked his profile again, (now being slightly more MySpace savvy) Hm, I thought, he has a couple of hundred friends, and all but 3 are women. Most women are fairly scantily clad. Many of the women were local. He states in his bio that he's 'here to meet the ladies', and 'single and looking'. He was also logged on again.
That bothered me a bit because you have always professed that you wouldn't date a guy unless you were interested in marrying them (except for the guys you sleep with - oh, don't show your parent's that part of this letter! You'll have to copy and paste it into Word, then print it out). So I was a little disturbed that this guy, who on first and second impression I thought was great, was a little slimy.
So, curious and concerned as I am, I checked his pictures. A little egotistical; many of the shots showed him taking the picture himself in a 'come hither' pose, tugging at his towel, pushing down the waist of jeans, and never a shirt on. There were some interesting little comments with the photos. Lots of girls telling him how sexy he is, how hot he looks...
Are we in our 30's or late teens? I thought to myself.
Then the kicker, oh not quite, there is more, you may need to edit this for the family recital at the dining room table...A picture of him (let's assume it's him) holding his hard choked chicken. Obviously not the clean cut all Canadian boy that I thought you'd fallen for. Who does that?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
I smell onions
Crip TOL came over last night for dinner. I was grateful to have someone else's digestive system to experiment on besides my own. Last night was 'grilled gaucho steak pitas'.
I will say that the dinner was excellent, I'm not bragging, I just followed the recipe. The problem is, I have a very hard time following recipes exactly. Sometimes it's because I don't have the necessary ingredients and I have to improvise, or I simply think that I could do better.
Last night's recipe called for a skirt steak, I don't think so, there's nothing worse than gnawing away tough piece of meat, so I used 2 really good New York strips. I was also supposed to marinate briefly in chili oil, which I skipped because I thought it would be too much with the chimichurri sauce. I added spinach to pita, and did not combine the thinly sliced beef in the chimichurri sauce, because I thought it might be overpowering. Well it turned out great.
Here is my revised recipe:
1 large red onion, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
2 good sized New York Strip Steaks
4 fresh pita breads
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 pound blue cheese, thinly sliced, or crumbled
Fresh ground black pepper
Montreal steak seasoning
Large handful of fresh baby spinach
Chimichurri Sauce:
1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Place the parsley, bay leaves, garlic, paprika, oregano, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until combined. Put the sauce in a glass or plastic container, using as needed. Chimichurri will last for up to 1 month, refrigerated. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Barbecue should be at about 400*.
Lightly brush the onion slices with olive oil and add some fresh ground black pepper.
Place on the grill and cook with the steak for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Lightly sprinkle the steak with the Montreal steak seasoning, be sure that the steaks are at room temperature before barbecuing. Cook the steak for 1 1/2 minutes, turning 4 times, a total of 6-7 minutes. Transfer to a platter and wait 4 minutes before slicing.
Keep the pitas warm in a 150* oven.
Slice the meat into 1/2-inch slices
Serve the sliced meat and grilled onions on one platter, and the tomatoes, thinly sliced blue cheese, and the baby spinach on another.
Serve chimichurri sauce on the side with a spoon, to spoon a little into the pita as desired.
Yummy!
I will say that the dinner was excellent, I'm not bragging, I just followed the recipe. The problem is, I have a very hard time following recipes exactly. Sometimes it's because I don't have the necessary ingredients and I have to improvise, or I simply think that I could do better.
Last night's recipe called for a skirt steak, I don't think so, there's nothing worse than gnawing away tough piece of meat, so I used 2 really good New York strips. I was also supposed to marinate briefly in chili oil, which I skipped because I thought it would be too much with the chimichurri sauce. I added spinach to pita, and did not combine the thinly sliced beef in the chimichurri sauce, because I thought it might be overpowering. Well it turned out great.
Here is my revised recipe:
1 large red onion, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
2 good sized New York Strip Steaks
4 fresh pita breads
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/4 pound blue cheese, thinly sliced, or crumbled
Fresh ground black pepper
Montreal steak seasoning
Large handful of fresh baby spinach
Chimichurri Sauce:
1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
2 bay leaves
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Place the parsley, bay leaves, garlic, paprika, oregano, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until combined. Put the sauce in a glass or plastic container, using as needed. Chimichurri will last for up to 1 month, refrigerated. Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Barbecue should be at about 400*.
Lightly brush the onion slices with olive oil and add some fresh ground black pepper.
Place on the grill and cook with the steak for about 3 to 4 minutes.
Lightly sprinkle the steak with the Montreal steak seasoning, be sure that the steaks are at room temperature before barbecuing. Cook the steak for 1 1/2 minutes, turning 4 times, a total of 6-7 minutes. Transfer to a platter and wait 4 minutes before slicing.
Keep the pitas warm in a 150* oven.
Slice the meat into 1/2-inch slices
Serve the sliced meat and grilled onions on one platter, and the tomatoes, thinly sliced blue cheese, and the baby spinach on another.
Serve chimichurri sauce on the side with a spoon, to spoon a little into the pita as desired.
Yummy!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
It's late
It really is, it is 3:04, and I'm a slow typer, and a little buzzed, so we'll see where this goes.
First of all, what a great night. Yes Billy is away, yes I already miss him, and I hope that he is having fun.
Secondly, I did tonight what I've wanted to do for years. I had 2 friends over, two people that have all known since grade one. That's 28 years. That's a long time.
There was a lot of, 'what is A up to?' 'Did you hear about B?' Have you seen C?' Did you know that D had a baby?' etc. etc. It was great fun. We went to all three of our houses, toured, chatted, ate and drank - how nice! Way over do. Too much fun, and incidentally, I think that CC may have the kindest husband ever for picking her and BW up and driving them home at 3am. Pretty damned good of him...
So, the one question tonight that stumped me tonight, the one question that made me think beyond gossip and stories was, 'What would you do if E showed up at your door?' (posed it to our mutual friend...) Why is this a question that would stop me in my tracks you may ask? It is because E was my 'best friend' until about 12 years ago.
12 years is a long time when you're 34. A lot of things happen in 12 years. What would I do if this person showed up at my door? I don't know... laugh? Ask WTF are you doing here?
I thought I knew the answer, I have to think about that one... later, what a great night!
First of all, what a great night. Yes Billy is away, yes I already miss him, and I hope that he is having fun.
Secondly, I did tonight what I've wanted to do for years. I had 2 friends over, two people that have all known since grade one. That's 28 years. That's a long time.
There was a lot of, 'what is A up to?' 'Did you hear about B?' Have you seen C?' Did you know that D had a baby?' etc. etc. It was great fun. We went to all three of our houses, toured, chatted, ate and drank - how nice! Way over do. Too much fun, and incidentally, I think that CC may have the kindest husband ever for picking her and BW up and driving them home at 3am. Pretty damned good of him...
So, the one question tonight that stumped me tonight, the one question that made me think beyond gossip and stories was, 'What would you do if E showed up at your door?' (posed it to our mutual friend...) Why is this a question that would stop me in my tracks you may ask? It is because E was my 'best friend' until about 12 years ago.
12 years is a long time when you're 34. A lot of things happen in 12 years. What would I do if this person showed up at my door? I don't know... laugh? Ask WTF are you doing here?
I thought I knew the answer, I have to think about that one... later, what a great night!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Pics
This is the covered bridge on #14.
Kik's swingin' on 16.
16th green frpm the women's tee box... 137 yards... that's a 6-7 iron for me...
Kik's swingin' on 16.16th green frpm the women's tee box... 137 yards... that's a 6-7 iron for me...Yep, it's windy!
Kiks and I golfed this morning, and we kept remarking how gorgeous of a day it was. 68*F, sunny, oh, and windy...
First of all, what is the deal with 68*F? This is Canada in mid-October. We should be wearing sweaters and jeans, today I had on shorts (white ones -cringe-) and a sleeveless golf shirt. It was warm, oh, yeah, back to the wind.
As I hear on the news there were some tornadoes in Michigan, yikes! Today the winds were a steady 20 miles an hour with recorded gusts up to 60 mph. I think that gust occurred while I was teeing off on #13 at Sutton Creek, (156 yard par 3) I used a 3 wood, (normally a 5 iron shot), gave it all I could and ended up 10 yards short, (I pared it, very lucky). That's some serious wind.
I was taking a break this afternoon from cleaning the house and lurking around, (I think I was checking Bw's -you have to post more! I know you have more to say!) when BAM! BOOM! KA-BLOOY! WTF? I thought... A decoration blew over on the back deck, but that couldn't have the noise, so as I head upstairs I see the cause of my disturbance... the screen blew off the window. That's some big wind.
So anyway.... Billy is heading down tonight, late, (actually tomorrow if you want to get technical...) to Tennessee that lucky boy. He and Kiks husband are going to spend nearly a week golfing, eating and drinking like men should a couple of times a year. I hope that they have a great time!
I might go down once they get back. I've recently come to the conclusion that a major part for the stank in the house is the books. There are hundreds of old books all jammed together on several shelves. Combine that with a house that is closed up most of the year, it adds up to stinky, musty, mouldy house...
The thing is, all those books, (except for the recently purchased travel guides and The Book of Lists from like 1975), these books were all my Grandmothers. I can't very well, and do not want to simply give them away. She spent her life collecting many of these books, some were gifts to her, some were gifts to her husband. How reckless for a grand-daughter to come in and give these mementos away. In addition, so many of these books (mostly English, Scottish, and German history) have little notes tucked in them, post cards, or are signed.
Basically I feel that I would like to spend some time going through these books. I will give some away, take some home, and air out the others (and use other methods to de-mould old books). I think I owe it to my Grandmother, and I also think how disappointed I'd be if someone chucked all the things I cherished.
We are such a disposable society aren't we? Ah... too deep for my last night with Billy... 
First of all, what is the deal with 68*F? This is Canada in mid-October. We should be wearing sweaters and jeans, today I had on shorts (white ones -cringe-) and a sleeveless golf shirt. It was warm, oh, yeah, back to the wind.
As I hear on the news there were some tornadoes in Michigan, yikes! Today the winds were a steady 20 miles an hour with recorded gusts up to 60 mph. I think that gust occurred while I was teeing off on #13 at Sutton Creek, (156 yard par 3) I used a 3 wood, (normally a 5 iron shot), gave it all I could and ended up 10 yards short, (I pared it, very lucky). That's some serious wind.
I was taking a break this afternoon from cleaning the house and lurking around, (I think I was checking Bw's -you have to post more! I know you have more to say!) when BAM! BOOM! KA-BLOOY! WTF? I thought... A decoration blew over on the back deck, but that couldn't have the noise, so as I head upstairs I see the cause of my disturbance... the screen blew off the window. That's some big wind.
So anyway.... Billy is heading down tonight, late, (actually tomorrow if you want to get technical...) to Tennessee that lucky boy. He and Kiks husband are going to spend nearly a week golfing, eating and drinking like men should a couple of times a year. I hope that they have a great time!
I might go down once they get back. I've recently come to the conclusion that a major part for the stank in the house is the books. There are hundreds of old books all jammed together on several shelves. Combine that with a house that is closed up most of the year, it adds up to stinky, musty, mouldy house...
The thing is, all those books, (except for the recently purchased travel guides and The Book of Lists from like 1975), these books were all my Grandmothers. I can't very well, and do not want to simply give them away. She spent her life collecting many of these books, some were gifts to her, some were gifts to her husband. How reckless for a grand-daughter to come in and give these mementos away. In addition, so many of these books (mostly English, Scottish, and German history) have little notes tucked in them, post cards, or are signed.
Basically I feel that I would like to spend some time going through these books. I will give some away, take some home, and air out the others (and use other methods to de-mould old books). I think I owe it to my Grandmother, and I also think how disappointed I'd be if someone chucked all the things I cherished.
We are such a disposable society aren't we? Ah... too deep for my last night with Billy...
Here's a picture of what I think is a Crane, looking for fish in the Hershey pond.
This is the view down the 12th Fairway. It's a par 5, you can't see the tee box, and I'm nowhere near the green...
This is looking back at the men's tee box on the 4th hole. The sky was black and blue with bright sunshine and ominous clouds. The soybean field in the background was glowing. Just gorgeous!
More later, Blogger is being stubborn...
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Welcome to Thursday
Good to be here.
If you don't really know me, (or even if you do...) you may think that my life is all sunshine and roses, well maybe that's not completely true.
I've dealt with some pretty crappy things in my life, (as we all have, I know) it's just that in blog form, being my written word, of which I hope to have record of for ever, I choose to focus on the better things in life. -Except of course when I rant, nothing makes a person feel better than a good ranting!
So, should I discuss how I spent a good portion of yesterday in the Cancer Clinic with my mom, or perhaps you'd like to hear the highlights of my sister-in-law's Graves disease? No, I don't want to write about those things, but I would like people (not necessarily you all) to not always judge a book by its cover, maybe look beyond someone's smile. General assumptions are okay I guess, but it's often life's little events that make people who they are, and I think that many people cannot be judged simply by the overall picture that they portray.
Get it? Good, thanks.
If you don't really know me, (or even if you do...) you may think that my life is all sunshine and roses, well maybe that's not completely true.
I've dealt with some pretty crappy things in my life, (as we all have, I know) it's just that in blog form, being my written word, of which I hope to have record of for ever, I choose to focus on the better things in life. -Except of course when I rant, nothing makes a person feel better than a good ranting!
So, should I discuss how I spent a good portion of yesterday in the Cancer Clinic with my mom, or perhaps you'd like to hear the highlights of my sister-in-law's Graves disease? No, I don't want to write about those things, but I would like people (not necessarily you all) to not always judge a book by its cover, maybe look beyond someone's smile. General assumptions are okay I guess, but it's often life's little events that make people who they are, and I think that many people cannot be judged simply by the overall picture that they portray.
Get it? Good, thanks.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Interesting and perhaps useful
This was emailed to me by a friend a while ago, I finally had time to check it out (yeah, my busy schedule...). I was really surprised it worked!
(Cork in a bottle... in case you've already seen it)
(Cork in a bottle... in case you've already seen it)
Cleveland pics
Here are some pics!
See, traffic jams are good for something... you get to read good bumper stickers...
Can you find Billy in this picture? He's wearing a blue hat...
I *think* that this guy is a fan.... I don't *think* he has a girlfriend...
See, traffic jams are good for something... you get to read good bumper stickers...
This was taken about 30 minutes before kick-off... what more can you want? 65*F, blue sky and Lake Erie as a backdrop... a better seat? No!
Can you find Billy in this picture? He's wearing a blue hat... See I did go to Cleveland, here's photographic evidence... I'm so glad I wore my glasses, it was like watching the game in HD.
I *think* that this guy is a fan.... I don't *think* he has a girlfriend... That's it, oh I took more, but I don't want to lose lurkers by boring them with my vacation photos...
More fun in the mix
Ahhh, Cleveland, we had a great time! Getting there was a little f'noying, as a three hour trip took 6 hours due to a ridiculous backup on I-75 South in Michigan. We were in that peachy jam for 1 3/4 hours. Even me in my uber positive 'traffic jams are a good thing, they make you slow down and look around, and appreciate good flowing traffic' attitude was a little deflated...
So anyway, we had some drinks at the hotel, then walked a few blocks to The Cleveland Chop House. It was great, really nice atmosphere, good service, a huge wine list, and *way* too much food... Just awesome.
Downtown Cleveland is beautiful. It's really clean and aside from a few beggars, I felt very safe with Billy walking around.
The weather was perfect, we were incredibly over-prepared with parkas and the like, and we actually had to go back to the hotel to take off a few layers. Even on Lake Erie, it was in the 60's. Awesome!
The football game was amazing. The city really gets behind their team, and I was totally caught up in the excitement, so between that, and the Browns being pretty good, I think I found my team to get behind. Finally! I've been a floating football fan for years now, and I'm glad to find a team! Go Browns! I loved everything about the stadium and the people, and so glad they won. Billy was wearing his Dolphin hat and had a great time tormenting the kid in front of us with pro-Miami, anti-Cleveland banter... too funny!
Sunday night we ordered in Chinese, (I was officially *bombed*) relaxed and feel asleep early.
I can't wait to do it next year, (although they won't be playing Miami)!
Photo highlights to come, there is a problem with Blogger...
So anyway, we had some drinks at the hotel, then walked a few blocks to The Cleveland Chop House. It was great, really nice atmosphere, good service, a huge wine list, and *way* too much food... Just awesome.
Downtown Cleveland is beautiful. It's really clean and aside from a few beggars, I felt very safe with Billy walking around.
The weather was perfect, we were incredibly over-prepared with parkas and the like, and we actually had to go back to the hotel to take off a few layers. Even on Lake Erie, it was in the 60's. Awesome!
The football game was amazing. The city really gets behind their team, and I was totally caught up in the excitement, so between that, and the Browns being pretty good, I think I found my team to get behind. Finally! I've been a floating football fan for years now, and I'm glad to find a team! Go Browns! I loved everything about the stadium and the people, and so glad they won. Billy was wearing his Dolphin hat and had a great time tormenting the kid in front of us with pro-Miami, anti-Cleveland banter... too funny!
Sunday night we ordered in Chinese, (I was officially *bombed*) relaxed and feel asleep early.
I can't wait to do it next year, (although they won't be playing Miami)!
Photo highlights to come, there is a problem with Blogger...
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Hair
Yesterday I finally got my hair cut... just a trim, and she threw in some bangs. I figure that golf season is pretty much over, and we're not playing volleyball this year, so I can tolerate some hair in my eyes. I may go back just to get *more* bangs on the sides. I really need to retrain my hair.
Also last night Billy dyed my hair, so it's not *yellow* anymore. Whew!
I seriously have to stop playing with Publisher.... usually it's Corel...
Road trip
This week-end, (Sat-Mon) Billy and I are taking a little road trip to Cleveland. Woo hoo!
Billy was there 2 years ago for a football game, and I was there a couple of times in my mid-20's to visit a friend that lived nearby and to party etc. It's a great place, even for couples that aren't into the club scene.
So basically, we're staying downtown and have Browns vs. Miami tickets for Sunday, (battle for the basement?) and reservations at an awesome steakhouse tonight. Billy has eaten there before, and because the menu is online, I already know what I'm getting!
It has been a year since Billy and I went somewhere just the two of us, so that will be nice. It's about a 3 hour drive, and I'm even looking forward to that.
Life is good!
Billy was there 2 years ago for a football game, and I was there a couple of times in my mid-20's to visit a friend that lived nearby and to party etc. It's a great place, even for couples that aren't into the club scene.
So basically, we're staying downtown and have Browns vs. Miami tickets for Sunday, (battle for the basement?) and reservations at an awesome steakhouse tonight. Billy has eaten there before, and because the menu is online, I already know what I'm getting!
It has been a year since Billy and I went somewhere just the two of us, so that will be nice. It's about a 3 hour drive, and I'm even looking forward to that.
Life is good!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Year
Since I've been posting for well over a year now, I thought I would reflect a bit...
I'm much happier and am enjoying a considerably reduced stress level from this time last year. I never imagined that I wouldn't be working.
Some of my *friends* have surprised me in the last year. Relationships come and go apparently. Kids grow up and go to school. Houses get built and vacations taken. Life goes by quick.
When I started posting a year ago, I think it was mostly to vent (yell at the wind) some things that pissed me off, and just record my day. For the record, the same things still piss me off...
I like to every once in a while to look back and see what I was doing a year ago. It often surprises me that it was a year ago that I did, said, thought this or that.
This day last year I wrote about a song in my head. This strikes me as funny, as today I couldn't stop singing "Ride captain ride on your mystery ship". I don't even know if those are the right words, but I know that it was a one hit wonder from sometime in the late 70's.
So I shall quote the fictional character Ferris Bueller (great movie by the way...) "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Okey Dokey.
I'm much happier and am enjoying a considerably reduced stress level from this time last year. I never imagined that I wouldn't be working.
Some of my *friends* have surprised me in the last year. Relationships come and go apparently. Kids grow up and go to school. Houses get built and vacations taken. Life goes by quick.
When I started posting a year ago, I think it was mostly to vent (yell at the wind) some things that pissed me off, and just record my day. For the record, the same things still piss me off...
I like to every once in a while to look back and see what I was doing a year ago. It often surprises me that it was a year ago that I did, said, thought this or that.
This day last year I wrote about a song in my head. This strikes me as funny, as today I couldn't stop singing "Ride captain ride on your mystery ship". I don't even know if those are the right words, but I know that it was a one hit wonder from sometime in the late 70's.
So I shall quote the fictional character Ferris Bueller (great movie by the way...) "Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
Okey Dokey.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Quickie
This is just a quick update, in case you care....
I haven't been feeling 100% lately, perhaps a result of multiple hang-overs camping, eating way too much bacon, or being generally sloth like... I don't know.... pick one.... I also haven't been sleeping very well in the last couple of weeks, that really messes me up.
I am ready, and in dire need, to return to the gym. It just makes me feel better, and God knows that my schedule isn't exactly full or demanding, so I have the time.
I also really want to go to Tennessee, but I'm not sure if that is the financially responsible thing to do right now, it's just so tempting because I've never known the Canadian dollar to be at par. Imagine golfing 18 holes at Lake Tansi with a cart for $20 CAN, that's pretty sweet. There are a ton of deals down there, (not really electronics, CD's, DVD's etc.) but shampoo, razors, hair- hemhem-dye, lotion, and body products of all types. There are great deals on packaged food, clothes, toys, etc. I would love to zip down there, give the house a good clean, golf a little, and bargain shop for Christmas.
Also, soon, I hope to get a job for Christmas time.
That's it, now you know!
I haven't been feeling 100% lately, perhaps a result of multiple hang-overs camping, eating way too much bacon, or being generally sloth like... I don't know.... pick one.... I also haven't been sleeping very well in the last couple of weeks, that really messes me up.
I am ready, and in dire need, to return to the gym. It just makes me feel better, and God knows that my schedule isn't exactly full or demanding, so I have the time.
I also really want to go to Tennessee, but I'm not sure if that is the financially responsible thing to do right now, it's just so tempting because I've never known the Canadian dollar to be at par. Imagine golfing 18 holes at Lake Tansi with a cart for $20 CAN, that's pretty sweet. There are a ton of deals down there, (not really electronics, CD's, DVD's etc.) but shampoo, razors, hair- hemhem-dye, lotion, and body products of all types. There are great deals on packaged food, clothes, toys, etc. I would love to zip down there, give the house a good clean, golf a little, and bargain shop for Christmas.
Also, soon, I hope to get a job for Christmas time.
That's it, now you know!
Monday, October 08, 2007
I'm back baby!
What a great week-end, seriously! It was warmer camping this week-end than it was camping in June or August! Even on the shore of Lake Huron it was in the high 80*'s. Awesome! I, however, did not pack appropriately, never imagining that it would be not only warm enough to swim, but so hot that I was really needing a swim!
All in all it was a great time, if I could do it all over, I would definitely Drink Less Alcohol. Damned hangovers! Ugh!
I took a billion pictures, so I will share some of my favorites. (Forgot to bring the camera to the drive in...)
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I'll post more later, promise...
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Looking back
I was reading my blog from a year ago, (I was a much more thoughtful writer...) and I found this pornographic picture of Halia. Seriously, if there are dog molesters out there, this would be a very prized picture. It's so wrong, it's funny... oh yeah, she's lost weight since this picture...
Change
I was simply going to write how golf was great today, I'm getting ready to go camping, and how good life is, but I was lurking around on my favorite blogs, and something kind of fired me up.
I think it is so ignorant that some people believe that I'm not a 'whole' person because I don't have any kids.
I've heard in my life things like, 'Without children, you'll never understand true love'.
How about, 'I wouldn't be anything if it wasn't for my kids.'
Hm, I know many people that have had kids outside of marriage, (or any stability), without the financial capability to care for kids, who are too young and ignorant to prevent pregnancy, etc., etc., etc., but still, in 2007, some people think that I'm not a complete person, hm, interesting...
I think kids are great. I would never begrudge anybody who wants them, but for the people who plan to have kids, or planned and have kids, I would like to know 3 reasons why they wanted them. I can give you 46 reasons why I don't want to have kids...
(Okay, not 46, but I have many valid reasons.)
I think it is so ignorant that some people believe that I'm not a 'whole' person because I don't have any kids.
I've heard in my life things like, 'Without children, you'll never understand true love'.
How about, 'I wouldn't be anything if it wasn't for my kids.'
Hm, I know many people that have had kids outside of marriage, (or any stability), without the financial capability to care for kids, who are too young and ignorant to prevent pregnancy, etc., etc., etc., but still, in 2007, some people think that I'm not a complete person, hm, interesting...
I think kids are great. I would never begrudge anybody who wants them, but for the people who plan to have kids, or planned and have kids, I would like to know 3 reasons why they wanted them. I can give you 46 reasons why I don't want to have kids...
(Okay, not 46, but I have many valid reasons.)
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Why I am glad to be done real estate
It has been 3 months now that I've been done with real estate, and, well, not employed in general. Yes I'm getting a little antsy, and yes I feel that I'm not contributing to the financial health of our relationship, so one of these days...
Anyway, I'm so glad to be be done real estate for so many reasons here are a few:
- No More Group Pages. They were the bain of my existence
- Not being attached to a cell phone of pager
- Not having to deal with useless inquiries from dreamers that don't speak English
- Working my ass for for a client, then they decide not to buy/sell
- All the crap I put up with from other agents
- Not feeling guilty for not selling more houses
The housing market here is pretty sad. Here are some easy stats:
August 2004 - 486 homes sold, average price: $170925
August 2005 - 563 homes sold, average price: $161,000
August 2006 - 479 homes sold, average price: $167,275
August 2007 - 478 homes sold, average price: $166,839
The numbers are kind of all over, but I really think that things here are going to get slightly worse before they recover at all. Because...
- Our economy now is pretty strong, and our interest rates have gone up significantly since 2004, so less people can afford the higher rates, and more people are closer to losing their homes
- Our area is really dependent on the automotive industry, and it has been a rocky road lately
- Our dollar is very strong, and is worth the same as the US dollar, which means in a border city like Windsor/Essex County that tourism and cross border shopping (especially at Christmas) will have a noticeable decline, (plus us deal seekers that venture stateside....). That results in support industries such as hotels, restaurants, shops, the Casino Windsor, (especially now with the upcoming opening of Detroit's MGM...) having to lay off employees or cut hours.... which means that second family income may be gone, which means even fewer people will be able to move up in housing, or even afford to pay their bills... (wait until the new City of Windsor water charges start...)
So that, my friends, is why I am damned happy to be out of real estate.
Thank you and goodnight.
Anyway, I'm so glad to be be done real estate for so many reasons here are a few:
- No More Group Pages. They were the bain of my existence
- Not being attached to a cell phone of pager
- Not having to deal with useless inquiries from dreamers that don't speak English
- Working my ass for for a client, then they decide not to buy/sell
- All the crap I put up with from other agents
- Not feeling guilty for not selling more houses
The housing market here is pretty sad. Here are some easy stats:
August 2004 - 486 homes sold, average price: $170925
August 2005 - 563 homes sold, average price: $161,000
August 2006 - 479 homes sold, average price: $167,275
August 2007 - 478 homes sold, average price: $166,839
The numbers are kind of all over, but I really think that things here are going to get slightly worse before they recover at all. Because...
- Our economy now is pretty strong, and our interest rates have gone up significantly since 2004, so less people can afford the higher rates, and more people are closer to losing their homes
- Our area is really dependent on the automotive industry, and it has been a rocky road lately
- Our dollar is very strong, and is worth the same as the US dollar, which means in a border city like Windsor/Essex County that tourism and cross border shopping (especially at Christmas) will have a noticeable decline, (plus us deal seekers that venture stateside....). That results in support industries such as hotels, restaurants, shops, the Casino Windsor, (especially now with the upcoming opening of Detroit's MGM...) having to lay off employees or cut hours.... which means that second family income may be gone, which means even fewer people will be able to move up in housing, or even afford to pay their bills... (wait until the new City of Windsor water charges start...)
So that, my friends, is why I am damned happy to be out of real estate.
Thank you and goodnight.
Monday, October 01, 2007
This and that
Monday, Monday....
It was a very lazy week-end. Incredibly unproductive, and I hope to make up some today for my slack-ness.
I did visit TOL last night which was fun, considering she's pretty much an invalid. SuperT, KT, and TOL's friend Stacey were there. Good stories, and some laughs. Stacey is always good for a story.
Fall is definitely closing in on us. Although this week is supposed to be in the 70's, there is just that *feeling* in the air. The pool is being closed today. The garden is pretty much done. The corn stalks are yellowing... time marches on.
It was a very lazy week-end. Incredibly unproductive, and I hope to make up some today for my slack-ness.
I did visit TOL last night which was fun, considering she's pretty much an invalid. SuperT, KT, and TOL's friend Stacey were there. Good stories, and some laughs. Stacey is always good for a story.
Fall is definitely closing in on us. Although this week is supposed to be in the 70's, there is just that *feeling* in the air. The pool is being closed today. The garden is pretty much done. The corn stalks are yellowing... time marches on.
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