Cousin #187

I went down to The Big Smoke last week and counted the fingers and toes on our latest addition to the family.  OMG, cannot even begin to describe how fabulous wee Alexander is.  Here he is going home only two days after being delivered by C-Section:

He's a couple of weeks old here and I can't get enough of him:

A very proud Babcia took this one yesterday. I think that I see a smile happening... where's he put his legs?

So much promise and his future is his for the taking. His parents are thrilled, his grandparents are thrilled, his auntie is thrilled ... we are all thrilled! This is what it's all about ...

All Popped, and All You Can Play ... for $17!

It's official, with this extraordinary weather (+27C on the deck) everything's at least three weeks early:

I went back to the Green Acres Golf Centre just 1/2 an hour away.

It's a super par 3 executive course with 2 sets of tees which makes the second time around completely different.  Use the white tees 'out' and red ones 'in' and everyone plays off the same one.  If you start before 3 pm you can go around again and again. I was happy, however, to have my driver as 4 of the holes are over 200 yards.  

There are some pretty tricky bits, too.  There is a good sized river running through the back which influences 7 holes, and there are also trees ... several trees ... right in your face type trees.  This hole is only 40/50 yards.  Take a good look at the trees (thankfully without leaves).  They are much, much closer than they appear here. Yep, a 'bump & run' right off the tee solved this one:

This hole has not only the river but the sign post for the hole marker front and centre.  Oh, and a tree ....!

There's a marker sign here as well, but a little farther out. And BTW, that willow in the distance just picks up its skirts and moves over after you tee off:

The only records broken today were the high temperatures.  A great day out none the less.

Not Popping Yet

But on my morning walk I saw these lovely snowdrops - too bad about the snow though!

And then in the afternoon I went here:

It was super to enjoy the +23C temperatures. A large basket of balls for a great practice - bring on the golf season ...

When Will They Pop?

The daffodils are at the ready (seriously early):

As I was wandering around I found this little guy also enjoying the heat:

BTW: There are robins all over the place AND the chipmunks have woken up.  I think that the racoons are up also as the bird feeder was in a bad way this morning.  Will have to take it in at night.

This could be it, folks ...

Not sure if we'll make it through the week end...

Always Read the Instructions First

I'm putting together a wedding present and cut the cellophane bag to get the tissue to stuff the gift bag.

Thank goodness there are instructions:

As I was puzzling over this arduous task, I suddenly felt awfully warm in the house.  Here's why:

Spring Skiing (?) Part II

Today was the day we have all been waiting for:

Sorry Jennie ... and yes, the BBQ was a go:

Because of the BBQ on the deck, our delightful kitchen crew also took advantage of the day:

And what better way to end a perfect day?  A trip to the dentist of course ...

Spring Skiing

A couple of early hours on the hill and the rest on the deck (maybe a beer or cooler in hand) ...

Ontario Winter Games 2012

Collingwood is hosting these games and I had a neat opportunity to volunteer for several 'shifts'. Despite my volunteer application indicating other strengths and completely omitting anything to do with money and accounting I have been working in admissions at the Curling venue and selling the daily/multiday wristbands to spectators.  

The curling involved 3 separate tournaments: 6 teams of girls, 6 teams of boys, 6 teams of adult wheelchair players. It was a tremendous atmosphere full of camaraderie, and keen competition. Although I have watched it on the television, seeing it close up really made me appreciate the skills and team spirit required.

Yes, I am tempted ... maybe next year.

Monday Musing

We hunkered down through a horrific wind /snow/rain storm that was relentless all night Friday and right through Saturday - even closing down local ski areas, including us, on Saturday.

Today, it's -14C just now so I think I'll wait and write about some things on my mind before venturing outside:

When we were away in Vail there was an article in ‘USA Today’ lamenting the loss of handwriting today.  There will be no (or at least few) love letters, no diaries, no old special cards, no interesting stories and memories with the personal touch of the hand written word. What a loss. A loss for us and for future generations.  Will they download our blogs? And by the way, what about all our photos on hard drives.  Can you imagine us rocking on the porch with our laptops on top of the knitted blankets, trying to make the correct key stroke with gnarly fingers …?

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Last week, I was reading about this generation’s over use of texting and the like which seems to be resulting in the restricted use of proper English.  Short forms, abbreviations, codes. Vocabulary is diminished and the ability to explain and converse is rapidly disappearing.  It’s so much easier to text the person sitting next to you! What?

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On Friday, I had a short and pleasant conversation with a Nice Young Man who has his boot locker near mine.  This is how it began:

Me: “Hi!  Are you playing hookey today?”

Nice Young Man: “No, I don’t play hockey.”

Me, giggling: “Oh, no, I mean hookey.”

Nice Young Man: “What does hookey mean?”

I went on and explained.

Nice Young Man: “Oh, no, I’m not playing hookey today.  I am still at university and this is my Reading Week.”

 .........

Here’s a recent photo that I took. This sort of thing really bugs me - yes, I am intolerant; please remember that I am living out of my comfort zone :

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Excellent Lenten promise for this year: 

“I am giving up confidence in my government.”

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Now, I must go and shovel the deck as there have been some complaints noted:

Too little too late (aka The Nail Files VIII.V)

I just sat down to report on our pedicure and I see that my number 1 and most favourite daughter has already written about it on her blog ... look right "Well Shut the Front Door:" The Nail Files VIII. ☞ 
I chose "Honk if you like OPI." Here's the final photo of the day (before she added the pizzaz):