Ralphie From 'A Christmas Story,' All Grown Up - Yahoo! TV Blog

http://ca.tv.yahoo.com/blog/ralphie-from-a-christmas-story-all-grown-up--2016
Looking forward to the "A Christmas Story" marathon on TBS this Christmas! The best Christmas movie EVER!!!

Ralphie From 'A Christmas Story,' All Grown Up - Yahoo! TV Blog

http://ca.tv.yahoo.com/blog/ralphie-from-a-christmas-story-all-grown-up--2016

Isn't ironic that on friday my specialist asked if I was having problem with swelling in my legs? I said "no" and today my ankles are swollen up like balloons. I think they may have been swelling for a while but I hadn't realized it. I noticed a few weeks ago that socks were bugging me. My ankles were itchy. Now I realize it was swelling. Duh...

I love visiting with my parents but....

Sometimes they argue about the silliest things.   Currently it is about computer usage.  Dad says mom is on the computer at least 5-6 hours a day.  Mom says it is more like 1 hour a day.   Personally I am pretty sure Mom's estimate is the more accurate one.   The argument got heated because Dad disapproves of all the email jokey things my mom received.   Mom on the other hand thinks it is because dad resents her having friends.   Dad says it is all about protecting the computer from viruses.   Now they are sitting in the same room but ignoring each other.  Oh the tension in the room is charming! 

I love my new short hairdo! It is so very easy to take care of and style in the morning.

ugly ornaments

New Exhibit showcases the work of Tim Burton.

I sure hope to get a chance to see the Tim Burton exhibit in Toronto.  It sounds absolutely fascinating!

When setting my alarm clock last night, I accidently set the time one hour ahead. As a result I got up at 6am which was really 5 am. Unfortunately I didn't realize my mistake for over an hour.

WOOHOO! Just found $15 in the pocket of my winter coat!

Canada’s most dangerous cities - Canada - Macleans.ca

http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/10/14/national-crime-rankings-2010/
Maclean's ranking of most dangerous cities. Belleville ranked 15th overall. 4th in sexual assaults :o

ROM visit, bigwig schmoozing and crashing a private party...what a day!

Yesterday I headed to Toronto for a museum conference.   It started with a reception at the Royal Ontario Museum and a chance to see their Terracotta Army exhibit.  I thought the exhibit was fantastic!  If you can, you should go see it.  The bronze artifacts were beautiful, the exhibit design and components were really good and, oh, the terracotta warriors were amazing.  There are only 5 warriors in the exhibit but a wealth of other artifacts including some amazing bronze pieces dating to 200 BC.  It was so well done and fascinating to be up close to them to see the detail.  Since I doubt I'll ever get to see them in China I was very thrilled!!!! 

Afterwards I attended a private wine and cheese reception to welcome museum delegates to the conference.   I was the networking  queen.   Sometimes you go to these things and it is just a great drag, same old people, etc.  This was not the case this time.  There were not a lot of the ordinary museum workers (like me) there, it seemed to be a lot people in "high" places in the museum world.  I had a lengthy convo with the brand new director of the ROM, who has just arrived from the UK to take the position and has only been on the job for 3 weeks.  What a dynamo she was!!!   Amazing, inspiring, young, modern ideas.  I can't wait to see what she does for the ROM.   

 The CAO of the  ROM has promised to loan my museum actual dinosaur fossils the exhibit I am working on.  THIS IS MAJOR!!!!! He just randomly came up to talk to me and a few others and somehow I mentioned I was developing a dino exhibit and he made the offer to loan the artifacts free of charge.   I asked who I should contact to make the arrangements (thinking he would refer me to a curator in the paleontology department and he said "oh just email me personally and I'll make it happen for you."      It is all in who you know! 

AND THEN....the ROM people invited us to crash a private reception in which there were about 2500 guests.  The reception was for potential private rental clients to showcase the type of hospitality the ROM can offer.It was held over two floors of the museum which was now closed for the night.   They transformed into a very hip, chinese inspired night club.  There were dj's everywhere, bar stools and bar tables set up in black and red lacquer, metallic gold leather sofas, the walls were draped in yards and yards of red silk and some walls had projections of flames on them.    There were also ice sculptures of the terracotta warriors.   It was a site to behold!!!!  Unfortunately I was not allowed to take any photographs. 

Now for the food...

The party was all about showcasing the different food vendors that are on contract to cater at the ROM.  There were over 20 different food stations, providing tasting size servings. One of the stations was staffed with celebrity chef Jamie Kennedy but it was so jammed with people I couldn't get through the throngs to get to him or his food!  I only got to about half of the food stations, it was simply too packed with people and I started to get full.  I'm going to try to list all the amazing food I sampled.  I think you will be able to tell which were my favourites.   Feel free to drool! 

Chicken Tikka, spinach naan, spinach and cheese samosas and mango lassi

soba noodles

pork belly with parsnip silk

chili seared chicken with peanut ice cream and 3 chili pepper compote    - SO GOOD - Hot and cold at the same time!!!!  AMAZING!!!!!

local smoked whitefish on baguette toasts with micro sprouts - TASTY!

tuna tartar with sesame mayo on taro chips - MELTED IN YOUR MOUTH,  YUMMMMMY!

apples with creme anglais - meh

dark chocolate flour less cake

dark chocolate dipped mini pears on a stick - MMMMMMMMMMMMM! 

bartlett pear and almond tarts 

An assorted candy bar with chinese takeout boxes and about 20 kinds of nostalgic old fashioned candies  (I am munching on giant malted milk balls as I type.   I took the take out box home filled with candies.) 

 Did I mention the raspberry mojitos?????  After the wine at the 1st reception and the mojitos at the second I was feeling no pain!!!

It was quite the experience!!!   The venue was gorgeous and the food was excellent and each tasting plate was presented like a true work of art!   What a party to crash!

All in all a most excellent of days!!! 

 

Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary

The drink station, limeade and rum punch.

Address to my parents on their 50th anniversary

This is what I said to my parents during their vow renewal ceremony on Sunday.

" Mom and Dad:  Today we celebrate your marriage.  You have achieved a remarkable accomplishment.  50 years ago you had the good sense to marry one another!   When you first joined hands and hearts you did not know where life would take you.  You promised to love, honour and cherish one another through all times.   For 50 years you have dried each others tears and applauded many successes together.   You have great love but also great friendship.   Life has surely brought you both many wonderful blessings including your children, grandchildren and great-grandson.   Today we celebrate the memory of all those years together as well the hope of many, many, more memories to come."

Mom and Dad's 50th Anniversary Party

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010 - We celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary with a lovely Caribbean themed party.   It was a lot of prep and planning and coordination between my family but we pulled it off!!!  

The party was held at Navy Hall National Historic Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake.   It is located along the Niagara River.  It is so close the the states that you can almost say hello to the Americans on the other side of the river!  Navy Hall is a historic building that was destroyed and then rebuilt after the War of 1812.   It was originally a log building but the exterior was covered with stone in the 1930's .   The interior is amazing, wood slat walls and huge wood beams - very colonial!   There are exhibits inside that tell the history of the building.  

We decorated the night before.  Tropical flowers, sea shells, palm trees, and bright colours all helped bring the tropics to Niagara!  The party was catered  with caribbean food and my  sister, niece in law and I worked together to make the cakes - a carrot cake with white chocolate and cream cheese icing and a 3 tiered red-velvet cake with buttercream and fondant that was decorated in orchids. 

The celebrations started at 12 noon when it was just our immediate family present - we walked down to the dock along the Niagara River  and my parents renewed their vows.  It was very touching and sweet. 

At 1 pm the party started!   There was a small steel pan band,  lots friends, family and food!   It all went by in a whirlwind for me and I didn't even have any of the rum punch!    More pictures and details to come, I just don't have time right this sec.  Suffice to say it was fabulous!

 

Spending my day playing flyball with the pups and then dinner with friends. Life is grand!

Got a little scissor happy tonight! Grabbed the scissors and started cutting my hair. My cut has grown out and my hair has been looking pretty heavy. First I cut myself some bangs, then started trimming the ends and randomly cutting bits to thin out the bulk. Thick curly hair is very forgiving but please let me know if you see a longer bit that I missed!

Best Ever,Tractor Square Dance.

Actual municipal election sign I saw yesterday while driving the sideroads from Toronto to Belleville.... "Willie Woo For You!" What a great campaign slogan! If good ol' Willie Woo was running in my municipality I'd vote for him just based on the clever slogan alone!

Outsmarted by a Tomato Obsessed Golden Retreiver

I have a tomato obsessed golden retriever named Tess.   Tess has been going into the garden and pillaging from my few tomato plants.   She plucks the fruit off the plant and eats them with a great big slurp.   She doesn't care if they are ripe or not.

I've  been guarding the plants as much as possible but so far this summer she has had more tomatoes than I have.  I tried surrounding them with chicken wire but she was obsessed and managed to jump the wire to get the tomatoes.

On the weekend I thought I got very crafty...I took my x-pen (collapsable dog cage with no tops or bottoms and very tall sides) and carefully surrounded the tomatoes with the dog cage.  I thought I'd been successful in stopping her but I was wrong.    I was so proud of myself that I even posted a facebook status about how I'd outsmarted the dog.  

Later that same night I found three green tomatoes in the middle of the yard.   They had been picked and partially eaten.   I readjusted the x-pen and tried again.   We managed two entire days with Tess standing on the opposite side of the fence staring longingly at the tomatoes that were taunting her from their protected haven.  

HA!  Success!  I outsmarted the dog!  

WRONG!

Tonight I let the dogs out in the yard.   A few minutes later I called them in but Tess didn't come.  I put my shoes on and went out to investigate.  Lo and behold what do I find???   Why Tess of course, trapped inside my tomato barracade and having a feast....I couldn't resist, I left her in there for a sec and ran for the camera.   Here she is in her "busted" shot!

What can I say but she outsmarted me again!   I have no idea how she got in there - there were no gaps or spaces for her to slip through.   Guess she deserves to eat the darn things, I give up, she can have them all!   Sigh....

 

 

 

 

Funny thing overheard at a meeting today....

"Sorry for the smell back here....we have just received a  shipment of a whale and it is still decomposing."

<SNORT>    I had a hard time keeping a straight face!!!!

O.k., my meeting was at Research Castings which is one of only a handful of companies in the world that make casts of dinosaur fossils.   They happen to be local - in Trenton - just off Dufferin.   If you get a chance to go to one of their open houses GO!!  It is very, very cool! 

I am reminded that I love my job after that meeting because.....I will be curating an exhibit on Dinosaurs at Glanmore early next year!   w00t!   Will try to post some pictures later...

Easy Peach Salsa

Description:
This is so easy and delicious! I would post a picture of it but everytime I make it I devour it so quickly there is never time to get the camera out. Don't skip the mint, it really adds to the flavours.

Ingredients:
2 medium peaches, peeled and diced (2 cups)
2/3 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 to 1 teaspoon minced hot pepper (or dash of hot sauce to taste)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint


Directions:
Combine all ingredients about 30 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips, or as a relish for grilled meat or poultry.

Evidence of more stupidity

My belly dance friends and I have complained to one another of how unorganized  and unprofessional the  Loyalist College Continuing Education Department is.   There are constant mix ups in registrations, some get confirmations, some don't, dates get changed, some get phone calls regarding changes some don't, mistakes are made regarding dates when classes have to be cancelled etc etc. 

Well today I got even more evidence of their ineptitude and stupidity....a letter dated July 14th, 2010 confirming  my registration for the Intermediate belly dance class at Queen Vic School.   Sounds good so far right?   Only thing is that I last registered for a class in APRIL!   Indeed it is confirmation for the class that began April 22, 2010 and finished over a month ago.    The letter advises me to check on line to verify the class location.     Gee thanks, I'd hate to have missed it!

DUH!  What a bunch of idiots!

I'm not going to ask (and not sure I want to know) how a GIANT TOAD ended up hopping across my living room floor this evening...ew!!!!

Final night of belly dance class this Thursday. I wonder, Will there be any vodka jello there this time??????

BP Spills Coffee

This is what happens when BP spills coffee. More comedy videos: http://www.UCBComedy.com


Director: Peter Schultz & Brandon Bassham; Writers: Gavin Speiller, Eric Scott, Erik Tanouye, & John Frusciante; Editor: Peter Schultz, Starring: Eric Scott, Nat Freedberg, Kevin Cragg, Gavin Speiller, Kate McKinnon, John Frusciante, Zhubin Parang, Devlyn Corrigan, Erik Tanouye, Rob Lathan; Producer: Todd Bieber

Dad's 70th Birthday

My Dad turned 70 on Sept 20th, 2009. My brother and sister-in-law arranged for a photographer to take family portraits to mark the event! I think it was a great gift!

early morning garden pics

I woke up very early this morning and the light was lovely so I thought I'd take a few pics of my flowers. Just noticed the iris had started to bloom yesterday. It is quite early this year (as is everything)!

Great chat with my brother and sister in law tonight. Starting to formulate some ideas for Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary party.

Fun flyball demo with Tilly this morning at Family Space. Lots of kids! Tilly loved the attention and visits with all the kids after the show!

Flyball Power Recall - side view - 17/04/2010

Power recall at flyball practice today. This is a different view of another power recall. Tilly is the first dog again. She is single striding between jumps which is good as it means she is running fast! Thanks to Kim and Paul for posting the video on youtube!

flyball training - power recall exercise 17/04/2010

Power recall at flyball practice today. This is a training exercise that helps to build up speed and endurance. 8 jumps spread over approx. 80 ft. Tilly (my dog - aussie mix) is the first dog in the run, followed by Ruby (mix?) C-ya (Jack Russell Terrier) and Tiny (Parsons Russell Terrier).

Finally got some antibiotics and am hoping I get my voice back soon!

Rain Barrels

I bought a rain barrel from Quinte Conservation last spring.   It is just great and I was able to use the collected water to water my flower beds throughout the summer.  My rain barrel was $40.00 and I saw the exact same one at home depot for $95 so I know it was a quite a deal.   I received an email at work today advising that the city's Green Taskforce is selling  rain barrels this year, the same model and again at the bargain price of $40 bucks.   I'm told they will even deliver your rain barrel for you. They only have 200 of them and they just advertised on Kijiji so you better get one before they are gone! 

 

Here is a snip from the email I got:

"The City of Belleville Green Task Force is selling rain barrels for City residents.  Cost is $40.00 plus GST and PST.  There is a limit of 2 per household; while quantities last.  Please visit our link www.city.belleville.on.ca/CityHall/GREENTASKFORCE for more information. Purchase your rain barrel at 195 College Street West, Belleville Water between 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday."

Can't believe that I convinced my Mom (who is very anti-social networking) to join Multiply so she can visit my site!!! ;)

Garden Pics

Job interview today, went very well. Now we just wait and see.

Belly dancing and vodka/grape jello...an interesting combo!

Got the call...job interview in Toronto on the 24th!

family photos

I started uploading a bunch of old family photos. I am going to make one of those nice photo books for my parents in honour of their 50th wedding anniversary this fall. Lots more to come!

Flyball!

Pics of Tilly and Tess playing flyball.
Plus a few shots of Tilly doing puissance (high jump) at a demo at Belleville's Ribfest.

Glanmore National Historic Site of Canada

YouTube - Flyball - what is it all about?

What is flyball???? Check out this cute video that explains it all.
Thought I should post this since I am sure to talk about flyball a lot here once the race season is in full swing... Check it out!
When I am not working, cooking, sleeping or bellydancing I am usually out playing flyball with the pups!

3 sure signs of spring: 1. birds chirping; 2. mud 3. street sweepers! Hurray! Welcome Spring!!!!

What is Stephen Harper Reading?

http://www.whatisstephenharperreading.com
For book lovers everywhere!!! This site was created by author Yann Martel to document his attempt to open Stephen Harper's mind to creative thinking. Every two weeks he sends a book to Harper along with a letter encouraging thought and discussion around the theme of the book. It is doubtful that Harper has ever read any of the books. The letters (and responses from the PM's office) are fascinating to read. One day I hope to make it through all the books on the list myself. Ironically, Yann Martel recently received a handwritten fan letter from President Obama.

Epicure's Eagle Cam

http://www.hancockwildlife.org/staticpages/index.php/20090302200021473
This is the eagle-cam on the property of Victorian Epicure's headquarters in B. C. Epicure teamed up with this wildlife org in order to protect (and watch) the eagles nesting there. Last year I watched the eggs hatch and the chicks get fed. It was wonderful!!!!

Disappointment that it is NOT payday!!!

Went to bed last night thinking, "Hey, it is payday tomorrow!"   A warm fuzzy feeling settled in my heart just knowing that it was Payday Eve   In the morning my pockets would be lined with cash once more.  

This was an especially comforting realization after a stress-filled two weeks which involved shelling out almost $1000 in vet bills.  That $1000 bucks should have gone towards paying bills, fixing the brakes on my car, etc.  BUT NOOOOOO...it was sucked away in vet bills as Tilly developed a rather nasty bacterial infection that resulted in dog poop and vomit everywhere. 

So I was busy mentally celebrating the fact it was payday. Practically counting the money in my head.    It was a lovely celebration...it really was.  Then  my coworker burst my bubble...it is NOT payday this week.  Sucks to be me.     

 ~GROAN~   

How could I have mixed that up????  

 

       

Murdoch's Mysteries premeire is this Friday night - 10 pm on Citytv. Our episode doesn't air until May.

Don't forget the deadline to order your GOOD FOOD BOX is this Thursday!

Bwahahahah hahahaha haha! Mother Nature played a joke on us!!!!!

Bwahahahah hahahaha haha! Mother Nature played a joke on us!!!!!

4 missing flyball dogs found in Montreal. Car theives dumped them. At least they tied them up someplace safe rather than just letting them go. The SPCA has them. I'm sure the reunion with their families will be very happy.

4 missing flyball dogs found in Montreal. Car theives dumped them. At least they tied them up someplace safe rather than just letting them go. The SPCA has them. I'm sure the reunion with their families will be very happy.

Stolen Truck - Montreal - 4 dogs inside - PLEASE CROSS POST Owner was competing with dogs in a flyball tournament in Montreal. $4000 Reward for the safe return of Trek and Tonic, black & white Border Collies, Zoom, JRT, River, Cattle Dog with a docked tail. At approximately 5:30pm today, Claire Gordon's 2004 Black Chevy Silverado (diesel model) with Ontario plates # 501 ONE was stolen from the parking lot of Jack Astor's on Boul. DesSources in Pointe-Claire, Qc. These four dogs were in the back of the truck. Anyone who sees the truck call 911. Edited on Feb 22 - missing dogs found. Theives left them tied to something in a park. Someone called the SPCA and they came and collected them, SPCA had pics and names of the dogs so they recognized them instantly.

Stolen Truck - Montreal - 4 dogs inside - PLEASE CROSS POST Owner was competing with dogs in a flyball tournament in Montreal. $4000 Reward for the safe return of Trek and Tonic, black & white Border Collies, Zoom, JRT, River, Cattle Dog with a docked tail. At approximately 5:30pm today, Claire Gordon's 2004 Black Chevy Silverado (diesel model) with Ontario plates # 501 ONE was stolen from the parking lot of Jack Astor's on Boul. DesSources in Pointe-Claire, Qc. These four dogs were in the back of the truck. Anyone who sees the truck call 911. Edited on Feb 22 - missing dogs found. Theives left them tied to something in a park. Someone called the SPCA and they came and collected them, SPCA had pics and names of the dogs so they recognized them instantly.

Woke up this morning to find that my dog Tilly had had diarrehea all over the living room carpet. Hell of a way to start the day.

Good Food Box = Great Deal

The Good Food Box is an alternative, community based, food distribution system that provides a variety of quality food at an affordable price for families and individuals from all backgrounds.  It works like a co-op.   The more people that buy into the program, the more they can buy at wholesale prices and therefore the more bang for your buck.  

 Apparently there are hundreds of good food box programs across North America.   My local program is part of the services of the Quinte Community Development Council.   The dietician I am seeing suggested I join the program as she thought it would help me get out of a food "rut" and encourage met to eat more fruits and veg (and save $$$ too). 

I tried a Community Supported Agriculture share a few years ago and was very disappointed with the results.   It was really expensive for very little return in veggies.   In contrast, the Good Food Box allows you to opt in or out each month depending on your need and is a lot cheaper.   It is out of season now but I am told that in season they work with local producers to to fill the boxes so it is still a great way to support our local farmers. 

So I signed up for a box and popped over to the QCDC office to pay my $10 bucks.  I was pretty skeptical.   I didn't think I would be too impressed with the amount or quality of the produce at all.   Pick up day was scheduled for a few weeks later.   So what did I get for my $10???? 

I got: 4 bananas; 2 kiwis; 1 pear; 1 lemon; 8 apples; 4 big carrots; 1 cabbage; 2 green peppers; 1 red pepper; 1 large spanish onion; 1 broccoli; 1 celery; 1 romaine lettuce; 1 cucumber and 12 potatoes.     

I am sure it is over $20 of good quality produce at 1/2 the price!!!  

The Community Development Council offers 3 different types of Good Food Boxes:  The Good Baby Box filled with baby essentials like diapers and formula (since I don't have a baby I didn't pay much attention to this one).  The single Good Food Box ($10)  which is what I got and the regular Good Food Box ($20), which contains more fruit and produce than the single box plus some canned goods, pasta, rice, bread and margarine.    The contents are different every month depending on what is fresh, or a good price. 

To get a good food box of your very own, you simply head to the QCDC office on Albion St. on the 1st Thursday of the Month and pay for your box(es).   You can order as many as you want.   You can switch between the big box 1 month and the smaller box the next, or you can order 2 small boxes, it really doesn't matter to them.    Once you've ordered your box, head back down to the QCDC office on the 3rd Thursday of the month, with your receipt in hand, and pick up your Good Food Box.  

If you are not in Quinte be sure to ask around to see if you can find a Good Food Box Program in your area OR get together with some friends and start one of your very own!!!!

Peanutty Granola Protien Bars..

Description:
I was given this recipe by a dietician in my quest to eat more healthy snacks at work. Don't let the words "Protein Bar" or the tofu in it scare you off. It is actually pretty delicious. It is reminiscent of an oatmeal muffin, but much much more satisfying and surprisingly delicious!

Ingredients:
2 cups granola cereal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup non fat yogurt
2/3 cup low fat silken tofu
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 egg white
1/4 cup brown sugar (do not pack)

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 375F. Line a glass 8x8" square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine granola, flour, cranberries and raisins.
In a second bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool.
Loosen the bars from the edge of the pan and slice the entire square on a cutting board. Cut into 6 equal long thin strips and then cut in half to make 12 bars.
Store in an air tight container for up to 2 days or wrap individually and freeze.

Nutritional Info: per 1 bar - 201 calories, 7g protien, 6 g fat, 35 g carbohydrates, 4 g fibre, 57 mg sodium, 269 g potassium.

looking forward to seeing the bellydancing tomorrow night. Ahhh, plus a rare mid-week day off!!! How luxurious!