Fun with Friends

Last night was all about fun with very old friends, actually more like family than friends I have known them for so long.  It was Rob's 50th birthday and usual suspects were invited to partake in the festivities.  Rob opened his many gifts to find that there was a theme of rum. 

It was a fun evening and the cake was yummy too. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

A Friend in need...

A friend that I have known for a few years now was injured in a hit and run at Broadview and Queen in Toronto.  Very little information is available at the present - except she will likely need surgery on her leg once the swelling settles. 

Here is my question - who the hell hits someone with anything let alone a car and does not stop?  What kind of society are we living within?  Who thinks that it is okay to harm another human and not take responsibility for it?  Toronto has over the years become more and more of a pedestrian game of human frogger, this is the first time it has come to my circle of friends. 



Picture from her FB page drumming at the beach in Toronto

If you knew Charlene you would know a kind, gentle spirit, who gives to her community in a variety of ways, she is an AMAZING drummer - the girl has got some serious talent in her hands, she is a mom and a friend to many.  It is my hope that she recovers and is unharmed by someone elses actions and is able to step back into her life with minimal disruption due to her injuries.  I have a candle burning for you Char and am sending you positive energies for your path of healing. 



On a completely different note and yet the same: Tammy just recently finished her second go round of breast cancer. Tammy found out this week that is she cancer free for the second time and does not carry the cancer gene!  Now there is some good news for the world.  I met Tammy and her team when I did the Princess Margaret Walk to End Breast Cancer in honour of Cathy Hudson Way in 2010.  Tammy, Susan, Anne, Karen all adopted me and I walked the entire weekend with them and without them especially Susan I am not sure I would have made it without sweeping.  I am THRILLED to know that Tammy is going to be okay, there is good news in the world. 

Almost there at the Princess Gates after 60km's!

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak



January

The weather this January has been mild to say the least. Yesterday it was mild, overcast and the snow melted again. This morning it is snowing like rain, it will likely be rain before too much longer as the temperature is hovering about freezing.  The roads are slick, folks are driving like fools past the window as I write this entry.  The weather this winter has been anything but 'normal'.  We had snow very early here and it was my thought then that the winter was going to be very cold and very long having snow in late October.  But as I look outside the window I can still see green grass, with its blades coated in fluffy heavy wet snow.  The flakes are very large and fluffy. 

We have not had much snow this winter, not much at all.  Our driveway has only been plowed twice all winter so our snow guy is not making much money this winter.  Last winter he was here on a daily basis, he must be feeling the pinch.  The ground is frozen but not solid. 

A Canadians the weather used to be quite important to us as many of us were farmers who depended on the weather to feed not only ourselves but our country and other countries around the globe.  With the changes in farming practises that too has shifted.  Now it does not matter quite so much because of the GMO's that are becoming more included in our fields, on our plates and in our food.  Enough about that for a bit.  I have a post in me about GMO's but not today. 

The weather is not frightful, but it is unpredictable. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Life

Life is full of surprises and guises.  Just when you think you are going in a forward direction BAM! along comes something to throw you off your game.  Whether it be a friend who is struggling with outside decisions, your own personal demons, your partners messed up issues, or just everyday life in general.  Once you get going on a road you think that the path is going to finally just be okay for awhile and then it hits you!  Another curve in the road to test your resolve.  How many more do you think you need to endure?  How many more challenges do you need to complete before you earn your stamp of approval?  How many burdens do you need to carry and then deal with and resolve before there have been enough?  How strong does one need to be in order to be considered strong?  Why is it that whenever a difficult situation arises the first thing that is said is "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!" says who?  I am over the stronger identity, that ship has long since sailed from the port.  I am ready for the cruise that is suppose to be on the horizon.  I am ready for some sit back and relax portion of the entertainment bill.  Really, just sit back for just a little bit and watch the world go by without incident.  No minor emergencies, no major setbacks, no medical issues for myself - family, friends or co-workers, no more.  I am good and ready for some hey that sounds like fun let's do it time. 

When does it begin?  I am pretty good and the positive thinking thing and trust me I have tried and it either has taken a vacation or it just simply is tired and cannot keep up with the daily living demands placed upon it to make thing better.  Is that it positive thinking is tired? 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

A Working Title

I have no idea what is about to come from my brain to my fingertips, hence the title of the post.  I thought I had an idea and then when came time to sit and write it, it was gone no more memory of it for today.  Perhaps something else is more important today and that is why it disappeared, time will tell.  As for some deep enlightenment - please find another  blog as this is not the one you seek.  My life of late has been full of deep discovery - but in a personal way.  Enlightenment has been gifted to me, not sure if I am wise enough to share it with anyone else. 

The year so far has been chock full of interesting daily tidbits of information.  There is no way I could begin to share it all here or even sure if I want to share all of it with the world.  The journey has so far been rewarding, heartfelt, insightful, bittersweet, and most of all not anywhere near being completed.  The journey in my opinion has just barely begun.  Time has ebbed and flowed and waited and now it seems is the time for the journey.  I am not sure who is more surprised myself, time or the universe.  I think I am going to go with me who is the most surprised because I had no idea that the universe was saving this for me until a time when I would better understand it and be able to digest and savour the information given this year.  I thought last year being the year of the rabbit - my year that I would receive all kinds of divine information for life altering decisions and in retrospect it did begin in my year of the rabbit yet it has continued to grow under the sign of the dragon.  I will do some reading and see what connection as a Rabbit I have to the dragon. 

Where the year will meander from here who knows.  What will it bring?  It has already brought plenty!  Who will it involve?  But I look forward to finding out.  Why?  My standard answer why not!

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Life and its Curve Balls

Ya know when you think you have arrived at an age where you are pretty confident about your life and what it is and how it is and what shall come to be...well, what if all that were not true?  What if what you thought about your life is not at all what your life is about?  What about all the plans you have made? All the things you have accomplished to date?  What about the people you know?  What about the things that you surround yourself? 

What is the definition of truth?  Do you live a truthful life?  Does your partner?  If you do what does that encompass?  By living a truthful life you are being a straight shooter, you are following the rules.  Really?  Is that what being truthful is really about?  Is being truthful about being boring?  Or is it being truthful with yourself and the ones around you that you love and care about.  Is truth important?  Who is it important too?

If you are not truthful with your partner are you hiding things?  Does your partner hide things?  When was the last time you had an open and honest totally honest conversation with your partner?  Does your partner always tell you the truth?  Do you really know?  What are they holding back?  Perhaps you do not know them as well as you think you do.  Then again maybe you do. 

Truth, honesty, sharing, unloading, blathering, conversation, talking, texting, emailing, phone calls and all the other forms of communication we have in 2012.  Yet do we have open communication with the one you share your day? 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

I know this is contraversial but I had to give voice to a national treasure

By David Suzuki, January 17, 2012

David Suzuki.

Caring about the air, water, and land that give us life. Exploring ways to ensure Canada’s natural resources serve the national interest. Knowing that sacrificing our environment to a corporate-controlled economy is suicide. If those qualities make us radicals, as federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver recently claimed in an open letter, then I and many others will wear the label proudly.
But is it radical to care for our country, our world, our children and grandchildren, our future? It seems more radical for a government to come out swinging in favour of an industrial project in advance of public hearings into that project. It seems especially radical when the government paints everyone who opposes the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project as American-funded traitors with a radical ideological agenda “to stop any major project no matter what the cost to Canadian families in lost jobs and economic growth.”
It’s bad enough when our government and its “ethical oil” and media supporters don’t tell the truth, but it’s worse when they don’t even offer rational arguments. Their increasing attacks on charitable organizations and Canadians from all walks of life show that if they can’t win with facts, they’ll do everything they can to silence their critics. And we thought conservative-minded people valued free speech!
The proposed Northern Gateway and Keystone XL pipeline projects and the massive, mostly foreign-controlled expansion of the tar sands are not about finding the best way to serve Canada’s national interests. If we truly wanted to create jobs, we would refine the oil in Canada and use it to reduce our reliance on imported oil, much of which comes from countries that government supporters say are “unethical”. If we really cared about using resources for the national interest, we would slow development in the tar sands, improve environmental standards, increase royalties and put some of the money away or use it to switch to cleaner energy, eliminate subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, and encourage Canadian companies to develop the resource.
Instead, we are called radicals for daring to even question the wisdom of selling entire tar sands operations to China’s state-owned oil companies and building a pipeline so that the repressive government of China, rather than Canadians, can reap most of the benefits from the refining jobs, profits, and the resource itself. We are radical because we are concerned about the real dangers of oil-filled supertankers moving through narrow fiords with unpredictable weather conditions and through some of the last pristine ecosystems on Earth. We are condemned by our own government because we question the safety of two pipelines crossing more than 1,000 streams and rivers through priceless wilderness—a reasonable concern, in light of the more than 800 pipeline spills that Enbridge, the company in charge of the Northern Gateway, has had since 1999.
And so here we are, a country with a government that boasts of our “energy superpower” status but doesn’t even have a national energy plan. A country willing to sacrifice its manufacturing industry, its opportunities in the green-energy economy, its future, and the health of its people for the sake of short-term profits. A country hell-bent on selling its industry and resources wholesale to any country that wants them, without regard for the ethics or activities of those countries.
Our government is supposed to represent the interests of all Canadians, and not just those who voted for it or the corporations that support it. Instead we have a government that hurls insults at its citizens.
Canadians are better than that. While an investment banker like Joe Oliver or a former oil industry economist like Stephen Harper may look at Canada and only see numbers, we see a country rich in natural resources, wildlife, clean water, a diverse population of educated and caring people, and institutions that have been built up over the years to put the interests of Canadians first.
With recent or pending federal reviews into both environmental regulation and charitable giving, we can expect more attacks and more attempts to silence those who believe that we must at least have a discussion about our priorities before selling out our country to anyone who wants a piece. Maybe it’s time to get radical!
Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation Editorial and Communications Specialist Ian Hanington.


I understand that many of us are reliant on the fossil fuels that we are digging up in the tar sands in northern Alberta - there are just so many more sustainable ways to manage our precious resources I find it difficult to comprehend that the tar sands are the answer.  The mere fact that we as Canadians are not profiting from the dirty oil compounds the issue.  We are struggling to keep our infrastructure intact while the billions of dollars in revenue are going into the pockets of multinational companies who will leave once the oil is depleted and we will be left with the mess after the party is over. 

Our schools, hospitals, nursing homes, cities, towns and lakes are all in dire need of a serious infusion of cash and yet we let it leave our shores day after day.  I am not commenting on our Prime Minister as he is not my Prime Minister, he is China's PM.  We as Canadians are some of the few who are not profiting from the destruction of our pristine wilderness.  The list of who is profiting is much longer than the list of those who are not. 

I realise that there are a few of you who follow my blog

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Red

Follow up on what I thought was my male Blood Parrot Cichlid fish.  I thought he was a he, well after a discovery apparently he is a she.  Good thing her name is Red and that is a non gender specific name that can stay just as it is.  So yesterday I posted about cleaning the tank and how she came after me, not a significant happening just a tad freaky.  So, after her tank was clean I noticed a whole bunch of what appeared to be eggs on the back glass and side.  Some were clear and some were white.  Upon some research I have concluded that the white ones are infertile and the clear ones are viable.  I cannot find out if she can fertilize them herself or if she needs a partner...

Here are some photos:

 So, this is Red and all her recently laid eggs.  As you can see in the photos the white eggs are not viable but the clear ones are, on that note we may have a big bunch of little frys to care for in a few days.  Information on the Internet about these fish is difficult to find and accurate information is scarce.  One site says this is true the next contradicts the previous site.  So, here is what I know: I know that my fish is female, I know that she laid eggs, I know that we will either have frys or not.  Time will tell. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Sunny Chilly Saturday

Brrrr, it is cold outside.  The sun is bright in the morning sky and the air is crisp and clean.  The duvet is on the line airing and the sheets are soaking in the washer.  The day was full of promise and busy chores...that is until I sat up in bed to say good morning to world only to have my world shift and sway and circle about my head.  So, perhaps a smaller list of to do and a bit of a slower beginning might be more appropriate.  I am just happy to be up and about and not comatose. 

I am looking forward to staying inside today - was outside yesterday for a few minutes and it was cold.  But I got my car going and cleaned off all the snow with my arms.  I might tackle the downstairs aquarium today that is a going to be a big job - but we need to buy fine sand for the tank as it is lacking a base that helps absorb the feces and help keep the water ph stable.  His plants need a good soaking and scrubbing in vinegar and the glass inside is beginning to resemble a pond.  But cleaning his tank is a bit of a challenge being that he is aggressive.  He tends to stay away from me when I am in the tank, but he does bite.  I cannot just take out his plants because he moves them around all day long, I am not even sure how he does it but the plants are in the places I put them for short periods of time.  He has one stuffed back behind the air bubbles and I have no idea how he got it there.  He drags the alligator around and the little frog as well. There is also a red bauble and he is constantly moving that about it is small so I can kind of see how that happens.  But the plants, the alligator no idea.  That and he sleeps in a vertical position. 

I have Oasis on and just watched a program about Grama Deka the hippopotamus that lives in Japan.  It was super adorable. 

Well, time to get up and do something for a bit.  I am hoping to spend some quality time with friends today on the phone that will pass the time. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Glad

Well I am glad to be back to near normal.   I have lost 6.3 pounds in the amount of time I have been MIA, which is a lot of weight for such a short period of time.  I am only taking small steps due mainly to the dizziness and swirly in my head.  I have had some jello, tomato soup and a little bit of rice yesterday and a little bit more today. 

Today is about starting my Once Upon a Time story.  Once I get it started I will let it wander where it might, but would like to begin it today. 

That is all for me for today.  I am ready for a nap!

Enjoy the day

Lady of the Oak

Back amongst the living

I am back amongst the living.  I am feeling much better and am able to hold a conversation for more than 2 minutes at a time.  I am up and out of bed, not sleeping on the couch but actually awake and coherent.  I ate today for the first time really, has some poached eggs.  I forced down a few fries last night - that I convinced myself all day I would eat and did not.  Never even looked at the cheeseburger- except to eat the pickle. 
Today is about recharge and start eating better.  I am glad to be conscious again as the blur of Saturday, Sunday, Monday, is not good.  Tuesday is spotty and yesterday is pretty clear.  But the three day loss is not my cup of tea. 

I have only had one call for work and it was Tuesday and no way was I up for upright, let alone driving and being on my feet all day.  Hopefully next week will pick up and I get scrape a paycheck for some spending money. 

Well, that is all for now.  I am going to begin a short story on my blog and as the mood strikes I will work on it.  I have a story idea, just need to get it started.  I think a lot of it is written in my head already but we will see what evolves. 

My first post on my new laptop and it is sweet.  Tis nice to not be stuck in the office to write my posts. 
Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Baby tis cold outside! Minus 21!  That is cold for here and the sun is out so it is not going to warm up anytime soon.  Good day to putter about and watch football. 
I am still achy from my pain yesterday, but am hopeful if I am careful it will not flare up and cause considerable grief like it did yesterday.  I am going to do a google search today and see if there is anything that I can find out about it. 
I have a little bit of laundry on the go - but have help with it so that I am not pulling and tugging to get things out of the washer and hung up on the lines.  Getting a bit of grief today about being on my pod, not sure what that is about. 
Well, that is all for me today. Going to have a cup of tea and read my book "The Forgotten Garden".

Fox in Cloud Bay last Christmas I am sitting and took the picture

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Saturday January 14 2012

The weekend is here and so is the winter snow that has been circling us and yet not visiting our neighbourhood.  It is here now and I conclude it will likely stay this time.  Along with the snow has come cold temperatures.  Not like the ones we are used to in the north, but cold for here considering it has been on the plus side of the thermometer. 

Plans for Friday happened but not in the way that had been planned.  We just stayed here and had dinner and conversation.  No overnight friend, no wine, no Dover.  Perhaps another time.  I am disappointed that life gets in the way of two friends sharing a fun girl night.  But that is life.  We are going to try again soon. 

My day was busy with the gym, loading software onto the new machine and puttering about organizing the world I call home.  I enjoyed the gym and am looking forward to going today.  The rib that I had out over the holidays is back in place I could feel it scrape as my chiropractor put it back where it was suppose to be.  She said it was out about 3/4 of a centimetre. 

Today I would like to get the burnables out to the garage and some of the garage sale/donation stuff out there too.  I need to put some wood on the floor and then a tarp on top of that so that when I set the boxes down they do not get wet over the course of the winter that has now arrived.  Next week I will begin the task of organizing the side of the office and setting up the new printer. 

As I wrote this post I listened to music from a friends blog and enjoyed the sounds immensely.  Well I think that is all for me today.  No big happenings in my world except for the new arrival of the snow.  Working on getting things transferred to my new pod that is taking some doing.  I have a date with my Apple god tech on Wednesday I am looking forward to a) seeing him and b) having him help me transfer data from one pod to the other. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Snowy, snowy day

Well we knew it was coming and bam here it is! The snow arrived sometime in the night and is covering all the rain that has been falling for the last 3 days, yes, 3 days of rain and plus temperatures are now covered in a LOT of snow. 

I am in the process of setting up a new machine so no pictures until that is all completed.

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

What I have been up since welding is in a state of flux...

The welding gig has been delayed.  First he broke his finger on Monday and was out of town, so I went back Wednesday and he broke a tooth on Tuesday night and needed a dentist yesterday.  Today I am going into the city to do some errands and so that brings us to Friday.  I think it would be cool to start on Friday the 13th during my birthday week.  So, that is the goal.

Sunrise a couple of days ago

Made this 10 years ago -

Here is what I have been up to:

Never thought I would make another one of these and yet I have a second one on the go and it is not as stressful as I thought it might be.  Need to get back to my mosaic though - think I will bring it inside and just cut the glass outside. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Wednesday oh Wednesday

What is a girl to get up to on a Wednesday.  Well this girl is going to begin her welding adventure as Monday was delayed until today.  So, just a quick post and then I am off to the land of wonder! 

Life has been pretty fantastic of late.  Several things have been happening and it is making for a pretty decent beginning to the new year.  Friends being there for conversation and birthday wishes, not to mention a full moon for my birthday now that was a cool gift whoever wrangled that one --------> looks at Yvonne! 

I began beading leather again this week and completed one doily and began work on yet another.  I will take some photos and post them when I get home later today. 

That is all for now - maybe more later if I am not exhausted. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

What I got up to...

Yesterday was fun, relaxing, enjoyable, a dose of important information, calls from friends, loved ones and a few emails.  I went to learn to weld and we begin on Wednesday - which would be tomorrow.  I was up and out of the house by 8 enjoying the sunshine and the feel of the cool air on my face. 

Upon returning home I began the process of organising the area downstairs for my crafts.  I had found a box of beads from up north and I do not mean Thunder Bay - I mean real north and the urge struck to commence work on a piece that I had begun oh so long ago.  I even had the foresight to take a couple pictures. 

The mess I started with after unpacking the box.

As you can see only partially beaded

Beaded

Beginning of first row

Voila!

I spent my day chatting on the phone and beading, listening to music and enjoying myself.  I had a quiet but very nice day - one of the best birthdays in awhile.  I have been given gifts that words are not able to express how much they mean.  I have true friendship with a few folks and for that I am very grateful. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

The Birthday Girl posts again...

Good morning to the universe!  Well my day did not go exactly as planned.  However, I have received several happy birthday messages and good lucks for my new beginning today, and for that I thank you all! 

Now to the bones of the matter.  I was at the welding shop for 8:15 and no one was there but lil ole me.  I waited till just after 9 when Dan showed up and we chatted.  I think he was pleasantly surprised to see me sitting in my car ready to go.  I got out of the car ready to begin and he said he was off to Toronto to go see a wholesaler.  We talked about the possibilities of that for me. I explained in a previous life I was a retail junkie and sold my little heart out and that I could easily do it again if I was not cooped up in a store - that his stuff would be easy to sell and I would be out and about.  He said he gave the guys the week off and he would be back on Wednesday at the shop - to come by then and it would be just the two of us and we would get started.  So, a delay - but I think now he is aware that I am indeed serious about his offer and we can move forward from this point. 

I was out of the house and was able to smell the fresh air and it was a nice feeling.  I get cooped up at times just because and it was nice to have a place to go that I was looking forward to being.  So, till Wednesday I will putter about the house and be content.  I am sure I can up to no good.

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak

Livestrong

I admire, respect, look up to, and hold in high esteem Lance Armstrong.  I watched on television his 4 Tour de France wins and am still in awe of his awesomeness!  He is a cancer survivor and a fitness guru.  But it is not just about the bike for him.  He is about health and that includes more than just being physcially fit, it includes community and mental stability. 

I have received Livestrong emails since I fought and won my own battle and now am at a time and place where I can begin the next part of the journey - better health, mental stability - okay friends stop the laughter lol.  I have joined the Livestrong challenge and have accepted a couple of the dares that were issued.  I challenge anyone who reads my blog to join Livestrong with me and get healthier.

Today is playoff football for my team that I have supported since high school.  We play at 4:15 so, I have lots to do before kick off to prepare for my big day tomorrow.  It is a full moon tomorrow as well so it is a great time for new beginnings.  I will be older, wiser and of course more mature LOL, I am beginning my learn to weld gig, and the full moon is important for energy and grounding. 

Taken from hub pages:
"Astrologers tend to fall into one of two camps as to the importance of your Moon Sign. Some astrologers believe that your Ascendant, or Rising Sign, takes second place in your chart hierarchy. Having studied astrology for about 30 years I fall into the second camp that believes that your Moon Sign is second in command so to speak. In fact, I would go so far as to say that your Moon Sign is of equal importance to your Sun Sign. While your Rising Sign may be important in business relationships, your Moon Sign is far more important to who you are deep down inside. Your Moon sign, therefore. affects all your relationships.

"My moon sign is Cancer and this is what it says about me: "Moon is in 15 Degrees Cancer. For the most part, you are very strong and secure emotionally. You intuitively know what to do to make others feel comfortable, loved, accepted and needed. You naturally enjoy taking care of others. Extremely sensitive by nature, it hurts you deeply whenever anyone criticizes you. You have an almost desperate need to be loved and wanted and needed by everyone with whom you come into contact, and you go out of your way to be accommodating to them." 

This explains quite a lot: "Venus is in 02 Degrees Sagittarius.
You are very aware of the need to maintain a high sense of morality in a relationship. Your loyalty and interest will remain constant in any relationship (either friendly, personal or business) that is based on fairness, honesty and justice. But you will become greatly hurt and disappointed if the other person takes any but the high road with you. Also, you cannot tolerate anyone being overly emotionally possessive of you. You are known for your friendly, outspoken manner."

This overview is all truth and nothing but: "Uranus is in 04 Degrees Virgo.
You, and all your peers, will be known for the degree of intensity with which you dislike normal everyday routines and chores. You will go out of your way to invent innovative, unique and timesaving ways to perform the various mundane routines and duties of living. You will be attracted to all manner of practical and useful gadgets -- anything that will make your daily life more exciting."

This is me to a T! Perhaps it explains why in difficult situations I am able to perform and still complete the task at hand - no matter how dicey or impossible.  The possibilities had this information been at hand in my younger years...the possibilities are endless. "Sun is in 18 Degrees Capricorn.
Extremely serious and mature, you are capable of accepting responsibilities and do so willingly. Others expect you to be dutiful as a matter of course. You tend to get angry when people get rewards after not having worked anywhere near as hard as you. You are goal-oriented and an achiever by nature -- you're a hard worker and are justifiably proud of the tangible results of your efforts. You tend to have "tunnel-vision" -- this allows you to block out extraneous matters that might distract others and to concentrate totally on the matter at hand. As such, you are the ideal one to manage or administrate any ongoing project and to be practical and efficient at it. You are not a fast worker, but you are quite thorough. You are known for being totally persistent, tenacious and tireless in reaching your goals." Hmmm, words on the page that make you go hmmmmm....

Well folks time to get busy.
Enjoy the day

Lady of the Oak

Playoffs begin today!



Today is the beginning of playoffs!  Tomorrow my team takes on Tebow in Denver and hopefully Tebow does not have one of his famous come backs in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.  He has not had one of those in three games and I am hoping that tomorrow is not his swan song to be the hero of the team and lead them down the field in a victory with no time left on the clock for my team to respond.  We are missing one of our starters as he has a sickle cell condition that would put him at risk - so coach Tomlin decided he could travel with the team but not play - so Mundy is starting instead.  I am not real happy about this change in the starting line up we need Clark - he is a fantastic free safety. 





Ryan Clark Heinz Field November 21 2010 - Yes I took the picture!

Here is one of his famous hits



Other than that today is going to spent working out - check, puttering about doing some laundry and putting the sheets and duvet out on the line to dry and air out.  There are few things as soothing and wondrous as clean sheet day from the line outside MMMMMMMmmmmm!  Going to catch up with a couple friends and see what they are up to, and find my socks and long johns for my new gig on Monday.  I might begin the process of the Christmas take down.  We still have things under the tree and they look pretty but I would like to reclaim my living room.  I leave my outdoor tree up all winter with bulbs and lights on it, although if the ground does not freeze I think it might fall over soon.  Puttering about the garage might be a good option if I am bundled up for it, although it is going up to 7 on Wednesday that might be a better day.  We have no snow left a couple patches here and there but all is pretty much green again.  My iris' were popping up through the dirt a couple weeks ago, I might cover them with some compost so they are not exposed - poor things are confused. 

Well, I really am out of this to jabber about this fine Saturday morning.  Time to shower, and begin my laundry.  Toodles.

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

 

Cleaning and Music Continued

I have spent time yesterday cleaning really clearing my desk off.  It was way overdue and the feeling and sight of a clean desk is majestic!  I even took a photo to share! 

Where the music part two comes into the post is that whilst doing such a terrific job on my desk I was listening to music.  It is amazing to me how soul filling music can be if you just let it play.  Songs I had not heard in eons came and went on the shuffle.  Songs that are more relevant today than the first time I even listened to them.  A few come to mind that I have decided to share with a couple of faithful readers.  In no particular order:

Tracy Chapman I discovered this artist while I was living in Asia.  I found I was able to pull from her lyrics much strength and resolve.  Two of her tunes that I go back to time and time again are: "The Promise" and

"

"Give Me One Reason"



Blue Rodeo's "Try" I have been a Blue Rodeo fan since they began playing in Bala.  I discovered Kid Rock when I lived in Windsor as he received a lot of air play stateside.  The latest song that he released that brought me back to my teenage days. 

Bob Seger takes me back to my roller skating days - I recall the first time I ever heard "Night Moves" it was the stairs up to my Nana's apartment in the summer time.  I sat and listened to the song in its entirety.  Just this past fall I was privileged to see Bob Seger and he sang his trademark song and I was able to hear it live. 

Music inspires us, comforts us and keeps us sane at different times in our lives.  Listening to music has always been a part of my landscape.  I grew up with good music in the car, the house and then in my own car and my personal space.  The world would be a much different place if it were not for music to guide us, and entertain us.  I say thank you to all the musicians out there who contribute to the music of the world. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Books and Life

Books have been a part of my reality since I was a young child.  I was dubbed the book worm as a kid as my face was usually stuck in a book, whether it be in a car, or on the couch or in my room on my comfy bed.  Books have always been a big part of who I am. As time has gone by the books have stayed but the topics of course have become more and more varied. 
At the present moment I am reading "The Forgotten Garden"  by Kate Morton.  Here is her website link:The Forgotten Garden, I am truly enjoying the style of her writing. 
One of my all time favourite authors is Ken Follet who wrote "Pillars of the Earth" and followed it up with "World Without End" the sequel I have ever read that was as good as the first book.  Here is his link:Ken Follet - when I first read "Pillars of the Earth" it was the longest novel I had read to date - now I have read it twice and will likely pick it up again before year end and follow it with "World without End" 
I have numerous cookbooks they seem to be my something I have begun collecting as time has passed.  They seem to come at all different times of the year - from many different folks. 
My next book awaits me in the mail from a dear friend that is sending it to me from afar.  I look forward to reading it and linking it to some real life possibilities.

Life is funny at times, and right now it is good.  My stress level is significantly lower than in previous months.  I am moving forward from the catastrophic losses of 2008.  I am in a better place - yes I still mourn and yes I still have the odd out loud sobbing episode when alone at home or sometimes in my car, but it will be okay, I will be okay.  I have a good support system around me and there for me to catch me when I begin to fall.  It is okay to miss those that are gone - but not to mope about and miss out on my life.  My life is in a good place right now - is it exactly where I thought it might be - LOL no, but is it safe? Yes, it is safe. Is it as professionally satisfying as I had planned? Nope!  Am I going to worry about it anymore or stress that I am underemployed? Nope, not this year - if it is meant to be it will be - if I have learned anything about life this life it is that the universe will give what you need - not what you desire or yearn.

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Music

Music was and is an integral part of my world.  I recall growing up that the music was always on somewhere.  On Sunday mornings Mom would be in the living room with her coffee and book and the records stacked on the stereo with the volume turned up.  I would wake up on those mornings with the sounds of Barbara Streisand, Elvis, Acker Bilk, Bobby Vinton, Englebert Humperdink and of course Tom Jones.  Usually the heavier stuff was left for a bit later in the day, and the soft sounds of Barry Gibb with Barbara Streisand was how the morning began. 

It is funny how music becomes a part of our psyche.  Music has always been a part of my growing up and as a young adult I too had music that for me was the go to song or band.  If I was in trouble and upset it was "Dream On" by Aerosmith at the highest volume I could get on my stereo and I had a GOOD stereo!  As a young teenager more a teeny bopper I was into the typical stuff - Donny Osmond (now you are getting an idea as to my age), The Partridge Family but mostly David Cassidy, and of course The Bay City Rollers.  I did not discover the classic rock stuff as it is called today until high school. 

As a young teenager more a teeny bopper I was into the typical stuff - Donny Osmond (now you are getting an idea as to my age), The Partridge Family but mostly David Cassidy, and of course The Bay City Rollers.  I did not discover the classic rock stuff as it is called today until high school. 
One particular day before school I was listening to:

when I got home from school a neighbour Norm stopped by and said I have something you have to listen to:

From there, there was no turning back!  Then the real music began, the Eagles followed, Steve Miller Band, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, and so many many more.  It is amazing to me how music stays with us and how it shapes us...the memories that come along with it and the people you shared it with.  One particular Eagles song reminds me of someone that I thought I knew in high school, but have since come to learn I did not know jack about jack!  Here is that song with the lyrics:

"The King Of Hollywood"
Well, he sits up there on his leatherette
Looks through pictures of the ones that he hasn't had yet
When he thinks he wants a closer look,
he gets out his little black telephone book
(He's calling, calling, calling
He's calling, calling, calling
He's calling ,calling, calling
He's calling)

"Come sit down here beside me, honey.
Let's have a little heart to heart.
Now look at me and tell me, darlin',
how badly do you want this part?
Are you willing to sacrifice?
And are you willing to be real nice?
All your talent and my good taste,
I'd hate to see it go to waste."

I guess when you are young and even more naive you think you know the folks you are hanging out with and spending all your time, when in fact most of the time you do not even know yourself - how therefore, could you know another person who has yet to discover who they are?

I have fond fond fond memories of listening to The Steve Miller Band while out and about - we had another name for it - crop touring.  There is a term from a long ago time.  Music is a part of who I am, who I was and who I will be.  That was one of the things that I put by the wayside after my Dad passed and Cathy told me "you need to get your music back on and play it - you might not feel like listening to it, but play it, the music will bring you back."  When we lost Cathy I struggled to get my music back and only just last year sometime really came back to it and am getting my groove back. 

Now the new year is here and I have the wood stove heating up the garage because today is a workshop day and the music will be a big part of my day - I will load the i-pod dock and begin working my poinsettia that I tried to get finished before Christmas.  Hopefully today I can get the red parts finished and then move to the green tomorrow. 

Have a fantastic day and enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak 

Have you ever?

First real snowfall on the pines

Have you ever wondered about someone from long ago?  Have you ever thought what if? Have you ever given it the thought that it may perhaps be an option?  Have you ever given your daydreams credence?  Have you ever? 

If you were given the opportunity to converse with someone from long ago and to express your thoughts and how you felt at time, would you?  Could you? Could you be honest? Truthful?  Would you be able to share your deepest secret that you harboured for so many years - decades really, the deep seated thoughts that you carried with you for so long that no one else knew or that you just did not share with anyone - because would they really understand?  If you allowed your deepest thoughts and feelings to be heard aloud by someone other than you - would they then judge you or convince you that you were a dreamer and that those dreams died a long time ago and that you needed to toss them aside and not give another thought to them.  Could you?  Did you?  Or did you keep them inside of you in a safe place that only you knew about, that you never shared with anyone about your dreams that were dashed all those years ago.  The memories, the shared experiences, the ability to carry with you the good and not the bad, the laughs and the feeling that it would be okay one day even though that day was not marked on a calendar of time nor might never be.  Could you?  Would you?  Have you been hooked on a memory that you held near and dear to you?  What if that memory became a reality?  What would you do?  Could you do anything about it?  Would you consider that it might not be a dream, but could be a reality?  Could you ever? Would you ever? What if ever became today? 

What if anything would you do?  Could you be the person you were all those years ago and begin again?  Do you want to begin again?  Could you begin again?  So many more questions have come with the dream than you could have ever imagined in your mind all those years you carried the dream.  Now what? Now where? Who would have thought?  You! That is who! You would have thought - did you thought - you thought that one day, one day, it would happen you have willed it with your careful protection you afforded the dream that one day it would be a reality and not the dream that you kept safe and sound for all those years.  But now the dream has had a reality check and things are not as they were all those many, many years ago.  Reality has a way of getting in the way of dreams - even dreams from all those years ago.  So, you now just carry on and let the facts settle in and roost.  Now you take your time and adjust the dream to your reality.  Now you just take the days as they come and take your time now that the dream has been re-awakened. But, who it was re-awakened by, makes it all the better.  It was not you - no, it was not you.  It is so much better than you waking the dream and making it a possibility - because now the possiblities are out there on the horizon, now you have to figure out what to do with the possiblilites that have been presented to you. 

The sun has brightened my lil part of the world

Would you? Could you? Have you ever?

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

Fresh Look for a Fresh Start to the New Year

I spent time last night updating and changing the look of my blog.  At the moment I am thrilled with the new look and changes that I managed to make to the blog.  A fresh beginning with a new year deserved a fresh looking blog to go along with. 

In the new year there are changes afoot here for me.  I am going to continue in my current profession - but am going to learn to weld beginning the second week of January.  I am tentative and excited about this opportunity that presented itself.  I have been assured by my teacher that a) I need not have any prior knowledge and in fact he prefers that I not have any.
b) that I will likely be able to write my ticket(s) in about 3 months time...not sure what that means - I know it is the qualification that welders are required to have as proof - however, other than that - no idea. 

I just need to follow through and that is why I have posted it to my blog so that I do not back out for fear of the unknown, the cold environment, the challenge does not scare me just the unknown I think. 

I spent New Years Day playing Skyrim and adventuring, I spent the majority of the day doing just that.  I accomplished a few odds and sods including 5 boxes sorted.  So, I guess I did accomplish stuff in real life, just not as much as my 9 loads of laundry the day before.  I did all the laundry including the small loads and the soaking has commenced.  It was my day to just chillax!  I have spent considerable time chatting with old friends and getting caught up.  I would like to have a girl's night for my birthday next weekend we will see how that works out. 





All bundled up at the Miami Dolphins game with Mom!



My posts will begin being posted at a different time once I begin my welding learning.  But it is my goal to keep up with the blog, I enjoy the documenting of my daily world. 

Enjoy the day,

Lady of the Oak

New Beginnings

The year is just newly fresh for all of us.  New beginnings, possibilities and wide open for positive experiences.  Take the year and do something with it, change your world to better reflect who you are and what you would like to be.  Utilize the time and get at it.  No more putting it off until later or tomorrow, do it today! 

Enjoy the day,
Lady of the Oak