as I write this note I have 40 minutes until midnight - I am trying to stay up this year. I just watched the movie Angels and Demons. Maybe not a very good movie to watch just before bed?
Glad to hear about your movie going Patty and also your win. My movies are watched at home and lately we have been viewing quite a few that we have bought at a flea market for 50 cents or 1.00 each. eg Dumb and Dumber, and Me Myself and Irene - both staring Jim Carey. Today we bought some Music DVDs at Walmart (full price) of Daniel O'Donnell. We have a lot of his music and DVDs and really quite enjoy his music. I cooked a full turkey dinner today for our New Year celebration and I must say it sure tasted good. Now for tomorrow I have lots of leftovers just to heat up. I am thinking of taking the tree and decorations down tomorrow so wanted something fast to make for supper. We had a very nice visit with Mike just after Christmas. He gave us a Keurig Coffee maker and ever since I have been experimenting with it - the K-cups cost quite a bit but today I bought an attachement where I can use my own coffee. Haven't tried it yet but I'm sure it will work just fine.. I now have 25 minutes until 2013 so best go and get ready - actually go to bed is more like it haha Happy Nw year to you and my best wishes for a good and healthy year to come. Take care
Monday, December 31, 2012
More movies
yesterday we went to see Skyfall. I think I enjoyed it a bit more than some of the older Bond movies, as this actually had a story line, with some thought behind it. One of the concepts was whether the older ways of dealing with espionage were as effective as the newer computer-based exchanges. One way this was demonstrated in the movie was to have the older characters shown with every possible visual sign of aging. I had to wonder if the wrinkles etc might even have been enhanced rather than concealed in the actors. And, of course, the younger computer guy ("Q") was young enough to look like a high school kid. After the show, we dropped into the casino and came out $500+ richer, so it really wasn't a bad day.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Movies
After the yearly family exchange of movie gift certificates, we went to see "Jack Reacher" yesterday, after a very nice Pizza Hut pizza. We maybe see one movie a year, and this was the one I wanted to see. Both Loren and I have read several of the Jack Reacher novels, and I was really curious about how the movie might adhere to the books, especially with the controversy about Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher. I think he did just fine, and if you don't go with a pre-conceived idea of what Reacher looks like, you would have no problem finding Tom Cruise believable. It's been along time since I saw Tom Cruise in a movie ( I'm not really a fan), and it was a pleasant surprise to see him playing someone who is his actual age. Even when he took his shirt off, his body was that of a man in his mid-forties. And it was fun to see the author of the books, Lee Child, appear in one seen, as Alfred Hitchcock used to do.
Loren told me in an e-mail that he, Sheila and Jeremy went to see The Hobbit last night. I think we would both enjoy it, as we enjoyed LOTR, but David very much wants to see Skyfall. It appears to be disappearing from the local theatres, so we feel that this weekend may be our last chance. The Hobbit will be around for awhile, So it looks like there are more movies in our future
Loren told me in an e-mail that he, Sheila and Jeremy went to see The Hobbit last night. I think we would both enjoy it, as we enjoyed LOTR, but David very much wants to see Skyfall. It appears to be disappearing from the local theatres, so we feel that this weekend may be our last chance. The Hobbit will be around for awhile, So it looks like there are more movies in our future
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Quiet Christmas
It was quiet around our house, unless you count all the hacking and coughing. Rrain caught my cold, and Sandi already had one. We played some cards and watched some tv. We even ate supper in the rec room. Nothing formal at all. Of course we forgot our Christmas Crackers. And Rrain picked them up really early so we would have some. I cooked a roast. I told Kris I wasn't sure of the weight and he glanced at it and said 5 pounds. I weighed it. 4 & 7/8th pounds. That kid is good! I had to say 4 & 7/8th just so that he would be wrong. Santa brought me all sorts of chocolates and candy. I guess he doesn't want me to lose weight. He also brought me towels and tea towels and scissors! I seem to lose scissors all the time. I couldn't even find a pair to open the package of scissors! Back at work today. It seems like I never left and I was gone for 7 days. Lots of junk food here, too. Yummy. We have a huge ham to cut up for the levy at the legion. It should last well beyonds new years day. I raised my glass on Christmas Eve, but we had friends in for a Christmas drink, so I had to pour my rye & 7 into my wine glass to toast. Not quite proper, I know. I slept quite a lot this weekend. I was in bed by 7pm on Saturday and then people dropped in. I got up and said I was just napping, but I only lasted until about 9:30 and I had to excuse myself. Colds really suck everything out of a person. We have no plans for new years. I haven't made it 'til midnight in years so I don't expect this year will be different. It is snowing a bit here right now, but no big storms in the forecast. Moisture is good, but not that way. Have a great new year ( and Happy Anniversary to Pati & Dave and Happy Birthday to Dave!)
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Family at Christmas
Christmas went pretty well as expected. Around 4:00 Christmas Eve, Loren called to ask if we could take our folding table with us, as his lady would be joining us and Amber didn't have a big enough table. Say What!! A gift! We need a gift! So we jumped in the car, and headed for Tim's, thinking it closed at 6:00. Nope. Closed at 3:00. So we fixed up a bottle of home made wine with a shrink cap and label. Reading your blog about Mike going to visit his lady's family, gave me a glimpse of the opposite perspective to that of the family being visited. Sheila turned out to be a very sociable and pleasant lady, who fitted in quite well. You should have seen Amber's face when Sheila brought flowers for the hostess.
We got to Amber's shortly after 4:00, and Judy, her MIL, had supper well in hand, so this year I took it easy, helped a bit where I could, and kept out of the way the rest of the time. We had agreed to open gifts after eating, and right after supper Amber quietly asked me if we had a gift for Sheila, and then got in a bit of a tizzy until she remembered some Tim's gift certificates she had put aside for Jessica's Brownie leaders. So once that was sorted out we settled down to gifts. The children had kept busy most of the day with Wii. It was a version that allowed everyone to participate, and it was really hard to get them to the table or to participate in conversation. But that just gave the adults chances to talk, and we ended up not playing any games at all. David had a nice chat with Sheila about home made wine, and has promised her a bottle of his rhubarb (I don't even get that, unless I specifically ask)
Amber was in much less of a panic than last year. It was a laid back casual dinner and evening. Made me think of the panics we had when we were younger ( The Spinsters are coming! The Spinsters are coming!), Even the panics we had when we lived on Woodside, as that house was always the venue for family events. We even talked about it a bit. But--at the same time I enjoy some of the fussy bits of a gathering. The nice china , with serving dishes that match. Tablecloths and napkins. A table center, even if it is the same one we've used for 10 years. The things that made it a special meal. But the torch has been passed to the next generation, and my good Royal Albert china is in the garage. Maybe it's true that the dinner is incidental to the family being together.
We got to Amber's shortly after 4:00, and Judy, her MIL, had supper well in hand, so this year I took it easy, helped a bit where I could, and kept out of the way the rest of the time. We had agreed to open gifts after eating, and right after supper Amber quietly asked me if we had a gift for Sheila, and then got in a bit of a tizzy until she remembered some Tim's gift certificates she had put aside for Jessica's Brownie leaders. So once that was sorted out we settled down to gifts. The children had kept busy most of the day with Wii. It was a version that allowed everyone to participate, and it was really hard to get them to the table or to participate in conversation. But that just gave the adults chances to talk, and we ended up not playing any games at all. David had a nice chat with Sheila about home made wine, and has promised her a bottle of his rhubarb (I don't even get that, unless I specifically ask)
Amber was in much less of a panic than last year. It was a laid back casual dinner and evening. Made me think of the panics we had when we were younger ( The Spinsters are coming! The Spinsters are coming!), Even the panics we had when we lived on Woodside, as that house was always the venue for family events. We even talked about it a bit. But--at the same time I enjoy some of the fussy bits of a gathering. The nice china , with serving dishes that match. Tablecloths and napkins. A table center, even if it is the same one we've used for 10 years. The things that made it a special meal. But the torch has been passed to the next generation, and my good Royal Albert china is in the garage. Maybe it's true that the dinner is incidental to the family being together.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
As this day passes into evening....
...and we look back to the events of the past few days with glee, I send my good wishes to you. On this Christmas celebration, I think about so many memories and Patty, you summarized so wonderfully well, many of those thoughts. The toasting last evening was great and although I could not write about my toasts as well as you did, Patty, I nevertheless was overcome with very fine emotions. It always surprises me that when we begin to recall shared memories, the lasting impression of those events rings differently for each of us. I, too, remember the many dinners with the family, and the setting of the big table and the pictures taken around the front room. And I often wonder how we ever ( I speak for myself now that is) how "I" would be getting along without the benefit of this blog. I thank my lucky stars that you folks are always there. Lets keep this up for as long as we can, OK?
Now the meal is over and Harry and I enjoyed a delicious prime rib roast with all the trimmings. I brought out my special Christmas motive china plates, and we had Christmas crackers to pull, and watched National Lampoon with Chevy Chase on the DVD. I bought the trilogy for Harry thinking he might like it but I thought the Christmas with the Griswolds was one of the three - but I was wrong. It played Vacation, European Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. I spoke to Mike today who is in Newmarket at his girlfriends place, and he shared with us that they had "this huge family breakfast thing this morning" - when I said I had the usual cinnamon buns and oranges, he thought that would have been just fine with him. So maybe, afterall, some of my traditions have passed on to the younger ones????
I received a KoboGlo Ereader from Harry for Christmas and spent a good portion of the day trying to set it up - had to be connected to computer and then downloaded onto Desktop. Then I had to buy a book just to start to get going - Harry had been told by the salesman that there were over 300 books on the reader - but I think he meant that there were at least that many books available to be had off the Kobowebsite at a price.So although I am not ready to start a new book yet as I have one half read waiting, I shall start this one using my new Ereader tonight just to familiarize myself with how it works. Remember Cathy when you showed me yours this past summer - I was admiring it, but wondered if I could be able to handle the technology required to use it. Time will tell. I think I heard of a website that you can get free downloads, so I shall enquire more about that once I get more comfortable with the machine.
So, to all, Merry Christmas - hoping your time with family is wonderful! Love and Take care
Now the meal is over and Harry and I enjoyed a delicious prime rib roast with all the trimmings. I brought out my special Christmas motive china plates, and we had Christmas crackers to pull, and watched National Lampoon with Chevy Chase on the DVD. I bought the trilogy for Harry thinking he might like it but I thought the Christmas with the Griswolds was one of the three - but I was wrong. It played Vacation, European Vacation, and Vegas Vacation. I spoke to Mike today who is in Newmarket at his girlfriends place, and he shared with us that they had "this huge family breakfast thing this morning" - when I said I had the usual cinnamon buns and oranges, he thought that would have been just fine with him. So maybe, afterall, some of my traditions have passed on to the younger ones????
I received a KoboGlo Ereader from Harry for Christmas and spent a good portion of the day trying to set it up - had to be connected to computer and then downloaded onto Desktop. Then I had to buy a book just to start to get going - Harry had been told by the salesman that there were over 300 books on the reader - but I think he meant that there were at least that many books available to be had off the Kobowebsite at a price.So although I am not ready to start a new book yet as I have one half read waiting, I shall start this one using my new Ereader tonight just to familiarize myself with how it works. Remember Cathy when you showed me yours this past summer - I was admiring it, but wondered if I could be able to handle the technology required to use it. Time will tell. I think I heard of a website that you can get free downloads, so I shall enquire more about that once I get more comfortable with the machine.
So, to all, Merry Christmas - hoping your time with family is wonderful! Love and Take care
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas toast
Our supper was late tonight, but in the middle of it, I raised my glass in a toast to my sisters. Then I started thinking about families and Christmas Past. I remembered the dinners at Lorraine's with the table stretching the length of the kitchen and then the length of the living room, with a "children's table" off to one side. I remembered one Christmas when we visited a fellow Dad worked with, and then the party moved from house to house , enjoying the hospitality of most of the fellows he worked with, but not the McGraths. I was very young but knew that Mom was furious, and we never did anything like that again. There were Christmases that we visited Uncle Burt--not often, as alcohol flowed freely there. Again, I think Mom put her foot down. I think she always had a fear of Dad drinking, as it had been such a problem in his family. I don't remember "happy hour" being particularly happy in our house, but I do remember Mom and the sherry. What a difference when compared to the happy "happy hours" we saw when he was with Phyllis. Overall, I think our best Christmases were the ones that involved Dad's family. The Christmas I got married was a particularly weird/fun one, especially the day we made the sandwiches and drank all of the liquor that Dad had bought for the reception.
When my children were small, Christmas was small and quiet, unless we could get home. But by that time, Mom was ill, and events were often organized quickly, at the last minute. By the time we moved back to Winnipeg, you had both left. Then there was the Christmas we visited Beth in Victoria. The trip down the Fraser Canyon,in a snow storm, desperately trying to make the last ferry--and Don stopping to help fellow travelers. The he got the speeding ticket and the police told him to make us share the cost of the ticket. We made the ferry, though. Remember the cat getting up into the basement ceiling? Then there was that licquere (sp?) you had brought from Europe, Beth, the one made with eggs. All of you enjoyed it, but I thought it was gross. I remember quietly sitting in a corner, in the middle of chaos, putting the last couple of stitches into a quilt, and being discovered by Phyllis, who seemed quite put out that I found time to be doing that.
Later, there were Christmas dinners at the house in Ft. Garry ( brain fart-can't remember the street). One I remember had Phyllis talking about Christmas dinner and saying that overall she most enjoyed a traditional family meal, at home with family. Then she laughed, and pointed out that most of the people at her table she hadn't even met two years previously.
And what did you two think about?
When my children were small, Christmas was small and quiet, unless we could get home. But by that time, Mom was ill, and events were often organized quickly, at the last minute. By the time we moved back to Winnipeg, you had both left. Then there was the Christmas we visited Beth in Victoria. The trip down the Fraser Canyon,in a snow storm, desperately trying to make the last ferry--and Don stopping to help fellow travelers. The he got the speeding ticket and the police told him to make us share the cost of the ticket. We made the ferry, though. Remember the cat getting up into the basement ceiling? Then there was that licquere (sp?) you had brought from Europe, Beth, the one made with eggs. All of you enjoyed it, but I thought it was gross. I remember quietly sitting in a corner, in the middle of chaos, putting the last couple of stitches into a quilt, and being discovered by Phyllis, who seemed quite put out that I found time to be doing that.
Later, there were Christmas dinners at the house in Ft. Garry ( brain fart-can't remember the street). One I remember had Phyllis talking about Christmas dinner and saying that overall she most enjoyed a traditional family meal, at home with family. Then she laughed, and pointed out that most of the people at her table she hadn't even met two years previously.
And what did you two think about?
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