Monday, August 29, 2011

The CNE

August 29, 2011.

Outside my window...sunny and warm all week, then raining when I'm off on the last weekend of the summer. Funny how that goes.
I am thinking...of attending the SGF Ladies' conference for Pastors/Elders' wives. It will be held at Trinity Baptist church in Burlington and the topics look interesting.
I am hoping...to get some plans together for the fall for Ladies' meetings and the college and career group.
I am thankful for...time with my family. Yesterday my daughter's boyfriend came over for dinner again. We like him a lot.
I am wearing...beige capris and a navy coloured long top.
From the kitchen...teriyaki fish, basmati rice and salad.
I am hearing...conversations on the train.
I am reading...A Cup of Cold Water by Christine Farenhorst. It's about nurse Edith Cavell, who lost her life for helping Allied soldiers escape Belgium in WW1.
Around the house...we had a good weekend. At the EX with my youngest daughter we had funnel cake, saw the farm building, the food building, the hobby and craft building and the international building. I bought some Suomi shirts at the Finnish booth.
One of my favourite things...getting mani-pedis done with my daughters. Sitting in a massage chair at the time = a princess day.
Some plans for the week...work four nights. Go to my brother-in-law's on Friday for birthday cake. The weekend isn't planned yet. My girls have one week off after work and before school, so I have them doing more around the house; cooking, cleaning and walking the dog.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Travel Weary

Outside my window...a huge thunder and lightning storm. There are tornado warnings in the region. Can't imagine the poor tenters at the Carey. I am at work, watching lightning bolts hit the CN Tower, from our big picture window in the lounge. Cool. Glad I'm indoors. There was a tornado in Goderich on the weekend, with one fatality. Also,there was another earthquake yesterday. The epicentre was in Virginia. Like last time, I was sleeping in the day and the shaking bedposts and windows woke me up.
I am thinking...Jack Layton, leader of the NDP and the Official Opposition has died of cancer. I didn't agree with his politics, but it was still sad news. They are even giving him a state funeral, which is rare, but it shows the regard that Canadians had for him.
I am hoping...we get a good offer on our old van. We want to send the money to Malawi so our friend can buy a vehicle for ministry purposes. I think he needs only another $1500.00
I am thankful for...our youngest daughter. She will turn 19 on Friday. We will then be a family of adults, except for the puppy.
I am wearing...my uniform. At work, of course.
From the kitchen...beef stroganoff and carrot salad, made by my Mom.
I am hearing...silence, except for occasional thunder.
I am reading...When Danger Calls,by Terry O'Dell, which is good, except for the language. I think I was expecting a Christian book, so it shocked me a little.
Around the house...I can't seem to get back into the swing of things, whether it's cooking or cleaning. My house is a mess and I have no motivation to cook. My girls are both finished work this week, then school starts soon. My eldest has her final year in Social Work, unless she does her Masters, and my youngest is in her second year, but her first of a Specialist Program called Peace and Conflict Studies. So proud of my girls. In fact, on our way to Carey, instead of listening to music, she read aloud three PoliSci/World issues articles from a magazine and we discussed them. So glad my girls have brains in their heads!
One of my favourite things...being able to pay our daughters' tuition in full so they won't have student loans to deal with when they graduate, like we did. Praise God!
Some plans for the week...work only two nights. Take my youngest to the CNE on Friday in the day, for her birthday. Her friend from out of town is coming for the weekend and they're going out Friday night. Clean on Saturday. Shop for school stuff Sat. afternoon with my eldest. My husband's preaching went well on Sunday, so I'm told. I went to Carey for only two nights. I think I'm "hotelled" out. As nice as it was to see my friends, I'm still travel weary. I love my own bed. Next year we'll go for the whole week and bring the dog.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Back to Reality

August 15th, 2011.

Outside my window...rain, again. The nights are cooler, too. That seems to happen in mid-August.
I am thinking...my husband has transferred to the second third of his manageent placement. This one is way in the west end and by the lake, so his commute is much longer.
I am hoping...to not feel as tired at work this week. We should officially be over our jet lag...just so I can get back to shift work.
I am thankful for...our puppy seems to be adjusting to having us back again, although he's still a little needy and insecure.
I am wearing...beige capris and a brown and white print top. A rain coat, as well.
From the kitchen...haddock, veggie stir fry.
I am hearing...the train.
I am reading...Flames of Rome by Paul L. Maier. Still. What can I say? It's a thick book and I had very little time to read on vacation. I seem to read more on my commute to and from work. It's a great book though, set in the places I saw recently, with lots of palace intrigue.
Around the house...back to school prep, uploading pics, work, church, regular life. We went to a dinner party on Saturday. Good food.
One of my favourite things...fresh raspberries.
Some plans for the week...work four nights. Try to finish my travel blog. Now that I've finished uploading my travel pics to facebook, I need to do a Highlights of Europe album and print them out. On Friday evening, we have an appointment at the bank to transfer money for the girls' school fees. Saturday I leave for the Carey Conference for two nights. My youngest, and two friends, may join me for one night. I'm staying at the hotel, on site. It is wierd not to be going for the whole week. We've been going 19 years. My husband offered to preach on Sunday morning so our Pastor can stay at the conference. We used up almost all our vacation time for Europe.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Home, at Last!

August 10, 2011.

Outside my window...overcast. So there was a heatwave in Toronto the whole time we were in Europe. Now the cloud that followed us in Europe crossed the ocean. The sun is supposed to shine again when I go back to work.
I am thinking...when we showed up to the airport in Paris in Friday, we were told they had sent too small a plane to accommodate all those who were booked. Eighty of us had to spend the day at a seedy Paris hotel until the evening. Then our flight was an hour late. We were the only ones on the plane. When we arrived in Toronto, we were told we would be compensated, which was a surprise, since we didn't have to pay anything. I guess they appreciated our time and inconvenience. At least it was at the end of our trip, and didn't interfere with our plans. Some missed connecting flights. Air Canada redeemed themselves.
I am hoping...to get the rest of my photos up today.
I am thankful for...the salvation of Kim, a young woman at church. We visited her in hospital yesterday to encourage her, and ended up being encouraged by the joy in her face. She as told her mother she is planning to be baptized.
I am wearing...my p.j.'s.
From the kitchen...bbq chicken and grilled veggies.
I am hearing...the news. Riots in London and financial markets crashing.
I am reading...nothing. Too busy uploading pics from Europe.
Around the house...good to be home. Unpacked, laundry done, groceries bought, bills paid, errands run, house cleaned. Back to work tomorrow night.
One of my favourite things...being at home. I will always appreciate a good cup of coffee and free public washrooms.
Some plans for the week...work two nights. Attend a summer party Saturday night.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Best and Worst of Europe

Best breakfasts: Amsterdam
Worst hotel: Lyon
Best spaghetti: Venice
Best pizza: the beach in Nice
Favourite overall European country: Italy
Best first impression: Sorrento
Best view from hotel: Assissi
Most surprising country: Switzerland
Worst coffee: Italy
Best coffee: Switzerland
Most charming hotel: Venice
Best sites for tourists: Rome
Most beautiful city: Paris
Worst restaurant service: France
Worst pet peeve: Paying for public washrooms
Places I must see again; London, Paris, Rome

Three More Sleeps!

Aug. 2, 2011 posted on Aug. 7, 2011.

Outside my window…hot and sunny, 28 C. We are currently travelling from Nice to Lyon.
I am thinking…our trip is winding down. As exciting as it’s been to be here and see all the places we’ve seen, I’m looking forward to getting back home. Only three more nights in Europe; one in Lyon and two in Paris, then we fly home to Toronto.
I am hoping…that a story idea I discovered on this trip turns into something more.
I am thankful…to be getting over this cold.
I am wearing…navy capris and a print top.
From the kitchen…a traditional Lyonnaise dinner.
I am hearing…silence. Every one on the coach is taking an afternoon siesta.
I am reading…the book of Luke.
Around the house…my youngest had a fever, but it’s gone now, Toronto is still in a heat wave since we left. Kody sprained an ankle and needed anti-inflammatories. Since then, no news is good news.
One of my favourite things…seeing places in person that I’ve only read about or seen on T.V.
Some plans for the week…finish our trip. The first night in Paris we have some free time because most will be going to Moulin Rouge, which we opted out of.

Italy!

July 26, 2011 posted Aug.7, 2011.

Outside my window…hot, sunny 26 C at 11 a.m. We are smiling.
I am thinking…I love Italy. If it weren’t for the fact that it would be next to impossible to find a Protestant church, I would love to live here. I think the language would be easy enough to learn, the countryside is beautiful and the food is delicious.
I am hoping…to control my feelings of jealousy and possessiveness. This seems to be an ongoing issue for me.
I am thankful for…my husband. Today is our 25th anniversary. I appreciate his love, his faith, and his leadership. His strengths make up for my weaknesses. I appreciate he is a good father and caring husband.
I am wearing…black capris and a multi-coloured print top.
From the kitchen…pizza in Rome. Not much free time today.
I am hearing…our tour guide teach us about Italy.
I am reading…the rest of the New Testament on this trip.
Around the house…the only glich I heard about was the a.c. stopped working at home, but it was just a tripped breaker. They’re in the middle of a heatwave back home.
One of my favourite things…trying new foods.
Some plans for the week…two nights in Rome, then Sorrento, Pisa, Assissi, and Pompeii.