July 28, 2010.
Outside my window...a humid summer day. Supposed to reach 40C with humidity. Possible thunderstorm. Yesterday was a beach day. So relaxing.
I am thinking...I just found out my niece got a tattoo. She's 18. So disappointing, since she is a Christian. What is the attraction of tattoos? I just don't get it. It's permanent. The whole thing is so short-sighted and she will soon regret getting it, as most people do. Here is an example of one of her first independent decisions. See my blog on tattoos under the heading, Much Ado About Nothing. "You are not your own. You are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your bodies."
I am thankful for...24 years of marriage. Significant in itself these days, but more so because we're actually happily married, not just co-existing. I have a husband who loves me sacrificially, and shows his love to me every day, not just on anniversaries and on Valentine's Day. I'm so thankful to God for him.
From the kitchen...grilled steak, Greek salad, corn on the cob.
I am wearing...jean capri pants and my TFC team shirt.
I am reading...Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels by Mindy Starns Clark.
I am hoping...for at least one more beach day this week.
I am hearing...the sounds of the renovation in the basement.
Around the house...drywall dust everywhere. We really should have the a.c. on because of the humidity, but we need to air the house out. It's hard to breathe with the dust. Generally, life is good, and at least we're not at work. Still one week left of our stay-cation.
One of my favourite things...beach days.
Some plans for the week...don't know. We're making it up as we go along. Today we're doing stuff around the house, but we may go to the beach tomorrow or Friday, then we're going to check out the churches our children attend, this weekend, and then friends will come over on the civic holiday, Monday. We just had a romantic weekend in Kingston, Ontario. We went on a dinner cruise and saw a Military Tattoo (show) celebrating 100 years of the Canadian Navy (go NAVY!) We also saw the burial site of Sir John A. MacDonald (Canada's first Prime Minister), and we ate out a lot. I'd like to get some writing done this week, and some cleaning and organizing.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Stay-Cation
July 21, 2010.
Outside my window...a beautiful summer day, after a thunderstorm this morning.
I am thinking...our stay-cation is going well. Yesterday we went to the ROM to see the Chinese Terracotta Warriors exhibit. Then we ate at Big Daddy's crab shack for an amazing seafood dinner. Then we went for a walk along the Toronto boardwalk.
I am thankful for...the fact that we can actually, seriously consider planning a European vacation for our 25th anniversary next year. To think that we can afford it, first of all, and that we can see places we've only heard about, like London, Paris, Rome, Nice, Pisa, and Amsterdam, among others, is amazing. I feel so blessed.
From the kitchen...honey garlic chicken breasts, grilled veggies, scalloped white and sweet potatoes, wild blueberry pie and ice cream.
I am wearing...white capri pants, a navy floral tank top. I bought some new summer clothes and shoes this week.
I am reading...Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels, by Mindy Starns Clark.
I am hoping...we can accomplish all that we planned in these few weeks.
I am hearing...a dumb movie. Our friends had to cancel their dinner plans.
Around the house...the renovations are coming along. We ordered a sauna heater this week. Our girls are busy working and choosing their courses for university. My husband and I are enjoying our stay-cation. Last Saturday we had a beach day with my husband's side of the family.
One of my favourite things...spending time with my husband. We've had breakfast dates, dinners out and movie nights.
Some plans for the week...clean out junk, clean the house, go to Kingston for the weekend. We have tickets to a Military Tattoo. Then, on Sunday, we'll visit our sister church in Belleville and then take their Pastor and his wife out for dinner
Outside my window...a beautiful summer day, after a thunderstorm this morning.
I am thinking...our stay-cation is going well. Yesterday we went to the ROM to see the Chinese Terracotta Warriors exhibit. Then we ate at Big Daddy's crab shack for an amazing seafood dinner. Then we went for a walk along the Toronto boardwalk.
I am thankful for...the fact that we can actually, seriously consider planning a European vacation for our 25th anniversary next year. To think that we can afford it, first of all, and that we can see places we've only heard about, like London, Paris, Rome, Nice, Pisa, and Amsterdam, among others, is amazing. I feel so blessed.
From the kitchen...honey garlic chicken breasts, grilled veggies, scalloped white and sweet potatoes, wild blueberry pie and ice cream.
I am wearing...white capri pants, a navy floral tank top. I bought some new summer clothes and shoes this week.
I am reading...Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels, by Mindy Starns Clark.
I am hoping...we can accomplish all that we planned in these few weeks.
I am hearing...a dumb movie. Our friends had to cancel their dinner plans.
Around the house...the renovations are coming along. We ordered a sauna heater this week. Our girls are busy working and choosing their courses for university. My husband and I are enjoying our stay-cation. Last Saturday we had a beach day with my husband's side of the family.
One of my favourite things...spending time with my husband. We've had breakfast dates, dinners out and movie nights.
Some plans for the week...clean out junk, clean the house, go to Kingston for the weekend. We have tickets to a Military Tattoo. Then, on Sunday, we'll visit our sister church in Belleville and then take their Pastor and his wife out for dinner
Monday, July 12, 2010
Campout
July 12, 2010.
Outside my window...overcast, humid day with showers off and on.
I am thinking...my youngest daughter was upset because the father of one of her school friends was murdered this week at a car wash, shot over nothing, and now her friend is fatherless. So sad.
I am thankful for...the great weekend we just had at the camp out with the youth group from Trinity Baptist Church. The weather was perfect; the food and fellowship were good, the teens were a good bunch, and my husband's messages were well received. He spoke about not being conformed to this world, using the example of Daniel in Babylon, in a culture whose sole purpose was to assimilate the conquered people.
From the kitchen...black pepper chicken and corn on the cob.
I am wearing...jean capri pants and a navy blue tank top.
I am reading...A Penny for Your Thoughts by Mindy Starns Clark. It's a Christian mystery.
I am hoping...the messages my husband preached stay with the teens.
I am hearing...the train, currently stopped.
Around the house...the first week of basement renovations are done. They've framed the rooms, insulated, and done the electrical. Our contractor is good and has a lot of creative ideas. He took the french doors we gave him as the entrance to my mom's apartment, and recessed them into walls, so they slide in and out, instead of opening up into the room and taking up space. There is also a storage area, workshop and a huge family/games room. He also made her apartment quite large, closed off the furnace area, and is breaking through the concrete to make the drain for the washroom and sauna. I'm so excited about the sauna. This week we'll be buying the sauna heater. We'll probably get a wall-mounted one. My youngest has been driving a lot and is gaining confidence. She said, "You were right, I needed to get my license." Words parents love to hear. I went to the dollar store before my dentist appointment today. I admit, I have poor impulse control there, but you should see the loot I got!
One of my favourite things...the taste of hot dogs and smores over a campfire.
Some plans for the week...work two nights, then I'm off for 20 days! Stay-cation only, since we bought the house this year, plus we have the reno, but it should be fun. We've planned some smaller trips to the beach, Kingston, maybe Stratford, downtown Toronto, and time with family and friends. We're hoping to go to the beach at a nearby Provincial Park with family on Saturday.
Outside my window...overcast, humid day with showers off and on.
I am thinking...my youngest daughter was upset because the father of one of her school friends was murdered this week at a car wash, shot over nothing, and now her friend is fatherless. So sad.
I am thankful for...the great weekend we just had at the camp out with the youth group from Trinity Baptist Church. The weather was perfect; the food and fellowship were good, the teens were a good bunch, and my husband's messages were well received. He spoke about not being conformed to this world, using the example of Daniel in Babylon, in a culture whose sole purpose was to assimilate the conquered people.
From the kitchen...black pepper chicken and corn on the cob.
I am wearing...jean capri pants and a navy blue tank top.
I am reading...A Penny for Your Thoughts by Mindy Starns Clark. It's a Christian mystery.
I am hoping...the messages my husband preached stay with the teens.
I am hearing...the train, currently stopped.
Around the house...the first week of basement renovations are done. They've framed the rooms, insulated, and done the electrical. Our contractor is good and has a lot of creative ideas. He took the french doors we gave him as the entrance to my mom's apartment, and recessed them into walls, so they slide in and out, instead of opening up into the room and taking up space. There is also a storage area, workshop and a huge family/games room. He also made her apartment quite large, closed off the furnace area, and is breaking through the concrete to make the drain for the washroom and sauna. I'm so excited about the sauna. This week we'll be buying the sauna heater. We'll probably get a wall-mounted one. My youngest has been driving a lot and is gaining confidence. She said, "You were right, I needed to get my license." Words parents love to hear. I went to the dollar store before my dentist appointment today. I admit, I have poor impulse control there, but you should see the loot I got!
One of my favourite things...the taste of hot dogs and smores over a campfire.
Some plans for the week...work two nights, then I'm off for 20 days! Stay-cation only, since we bought the house this year, plus we have the reno, but it should be fun. We've planned some smaller trips to the beach, Kingston, maybe Stratford, downtown Toronto, and time with family and friends. We're hoping to go to the beach at a nearby Provincial Park with family on Saturday.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Shame Week
July 5, 2010.
Outside my window...typical Toronto summer weather. 3-h's. Hot, hazy and humid. Mid 30's but feeling like mid 40's C with the humidex. Also a poor air quality index. I wouldn't mind if I was on vacation, I'd just go to the beach. Instead, I stayed indoors with the a.c. on.
I am thinking...I prefer to call Pride Week, Shame Week, for the following reasons: I think it's a shame that our country will recognize those who have died for our country on only one day a year, whereas these 'festivities' go on for a whole week. I think it's a shame that it falls on Canada Day weekend and that in Toronto, their parade takes the place of a Canada Day parade. This is the impression we want to give to visitors to our city and country? I think it's a shame that they've hijacked the rainbow, a symbol of the promises of our covenant-keeping God, and have taken it to represent their diversity of behaviour. I think it's a shame that people are being silenced if they disagree with their agenda. They don't want to merely be tolerated; they want acceptance, society's blessing, and the freedom to promote their agenda and proselytize our children. It's a shame that our freedom of speech is eroded, and that anyone who has a contrary opinion is labelled. I see that they dropped the original name of the parade, probably because they know most Canadians want nothing to do with it. They couldn't seem to control some of the more radical political elements, who even referred to Canada as an apartheid regime. Really? If it was, they wouldn't be occupying some of the highest paying, prestigious jobs in the country. Not typical of most oppressed minorities throughout history. If they are a segregated, oppressed group, I'm a boiled egg. Shame, shame, shame.
I am thankful for...air conditioning on a day like this, both at home and at work. Apparently the west end of Toronto had a major power failure due to a fire at a transformer station. We may have some friends stay over this week because it's so hot and they have no a.c. I am also thankful that someone at church offered to take over our spot on the cleaning roster. We've been cleaning every month for over twenty years, and were just thinking this on Saturday when we were there, then on Sunday, we got the offer. They thought we could use a sabbatical. We were so pleasantly surprised. I guess we're hanging up our feather duster for at least a year. Wasn't that a kind thing to do?
From the kitchen...honey garlic meatballs, veggies and dip.
I am wearing...white capri pants, a brown tank top, and a white and beige sleeveless top.
I am reading...Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss. It's a book about punctuation, of all things, and it's hilarious. But then, that's my kind of humour.
I am hoping...that there won't be any hitches this weekend for our camping trip. If my friend can't make it, due to her daughter's health, I may be left to cook for two dozen people. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
I am hearing...the train. Our Customer Service Ambassador says the same thing every day. "We're currently stopped due to a signal. When it changes to a more favourable colour, we'll be on our way."
Around the house...we had the driveway sealed today. It looks good. They also started our basement renovations. They've framed in my mom's apartment. It's going to be a good size. Both girls were home for the weekend. My eldest is back at camp for two weeks. My youngest passed her driving test. Yay! We saw Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park on Friday. I wish there was an alternate ending, but when you label it a tragedy, what can you do? My husband and I are counting down our shifts till vacation! Two more weeks, then three weeks off!
One of my favourite things...camping. We're going this weekend with another couple and the twenty or so teens from their church. My husband is the speaker. I hope we have good weather.
Some plans for the week...work three nights, pack for camping and go! My team (Germany) is doing well in World Cup, although the Dutch and Spanish are good, too.
Outside my window...typical Toronto summer weather. 3-h's. Hot, hazy and humid. Mid 30's but feeling like mid 40's C with the humidex. Also a poor air quality index. I wouldn't mind if I was on vacation, I'd just go to the beach. Instead, I stayed indoors with the a.c. on.
I am thinking...I prefer to call Pride Week, Shame Week, for the following reasons: I think it's a shame that our country will recognize those who have died for our country on only one day a year, whereas these 'festivities' go on for a whole week. I think it's a shame that it falls on Canada Day weekend and that in Toronto, their parade takes the place of a Canada Day parade. This is the impression we want to give to visitors to our city and country? I think it's a shame that they've hijacked the rainbow, a symbol of the promises of our covenant-keeping God, and have taken it to represent their diversity of behaviour. I think it's a shame that people are being silenced if they disagree with their agenda. They don't want to merely be tolerated; they want acceptance, society's blessing, and the freedom to promote their agenda and proselytize our children. It's a shame that our freedom of speech is eroded, and that anyone who has a contrary opinion is labelled. I see that they dropped the original name of the parade, probably because they know most Canadians want nothing to do with it. They couldn't seem to control some of the more radical political elements, who even referred to Canada as an apartheid regime. Really? If it was, they wouldn't be occupying some of the highest paying, prestigious jobs in the country. Not typical of most oppressed minorities throughout history. If they are a segregated, oppressed group, I'm a boiled egg. Shame, shame, shame.
I am thankful for...air conditioning on a day like this, both at home and at work. Apparently the west end of Toronto had a major power failure due to a fire at a transformer station. We may have some friends stay over this week because it's so hot and they have no a.c. I am also thankful that someone at church offered to take over our spot on the cleaning roster. We've been cleaning every month for over twenty years, and were just thinking this on Saturday when we were there, then on Sunday, we got the offer. They thought we could use a sabbatical. We were so pleasantly surprised. I guess we're hanging up our feather duster for at least a year. Wasn't that a kind thing to do?
From the kitchen...honey garlic meatballs, veggies and dip.
I am wearing...white capri pants, a brown tank top, and a white and beige sleeveless top.
I am reading...Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss. It's a book about punctuation, of all things, and it's hilarious. But then, that's my kind of humour.
I am hoping...that there won't be any hitches this weekend for our camping trip. If my friend can't make it, due to her daughter's health, I may be left to cook for two dozen people. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
I am hearing...the train. Our Customer Service Ambassador says the same thing every day. "We're currently stopped due to a signal. When it changes to a more favourable colour, we'll be on our way."
Around the house...we had the driveway sealed today. It looks good. They also started our basement renovations. They've framed in my mom's apartment. It's going to be a good size. Both girls were home for the weekend. My eldest is back at camp for two weeks. My youngest passed her driving test. Yay! We saw Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare in the Park on Friday. I wish there was an alternate ending, but when you label it a tragedy, what can you do? My husband and I are counting down our shifts till vacation! Two more weeks, then three weeks off!
One of my favourite things...camping. We're going this weekend with another couple and the twenty or so teens from their church. My husband is the speaker. I hope we have good weather.
Some plans for the week...work three nights, pack for camping and go! My team (Germany) is doing well in World Cup, although the Dutch and Spanish are good, too.
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