The 80's Are Back?

ACK! Say it isn't so! Apparently it is :oP

I caught a little bit of The View one day and they were featuring new clothing designs based on those of the 80's but modernized for 2008. I didn't even think that was remotely possible. If you're my generation you'll no doubt remember the HUGE sweaters, leggings, wearing underwear as outerwear, neon, leather bomer jackets...shall I go on? I look at pictures taken back then and I just want to barf up wads of shoulder pads :oP

What was even worse were the hairstyles back then! The bigger the better :oD I wouldn't say that I ran with the popular crowd in HS but I knew a lot of people and they knew me. If they didn't, they knew me by my hair -

Okay, okay, are you done laughing now ;o) LOL! Yes, I had BIG hair. HUGE! I used so much hairspray that I'm sure I would have gone up in flames if someone came near me with a lit match.

I was in the library last week and I found myself reminiscing back to the music of my generation. I actually picked up a CD by Chilliwack! I wonder what happened to them. They've been "gone, gone, gone so long". Other bands have continued on and a good example of this would be Bon Jovi. They just keep getting better and better with age ;o) I saw Billy Idol on television recently. I used to love him! I'm sad to say that he's pretty much lost that Idol snarl :o( If I remember correctly, Loverboy tried to make a comeback. The only thing I can remember of them was their album jacket cover...a tight ass in red leather pants. LOL!

But who could ever forget Michael Jackson's release, Thriller. He was somewhat normal back then. I said somewhat ;o) I remember it was a huge thing when the video came out. I was sitting with my parents as we watched it debut on television. No one had ever spent that much money on a music video before and just watching Michael Jackson dance was mesmerising. The Guinness Book of World Records states that as of 2007, Thriller had sold 65 mil-lion copies! Wow!

The 80s produced some awesome movies I do have to admit. Of course we all know Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back :o) What about Flashdance and Footloose? Come on, I know you danced around the house trying to imitate all those moves. LOL! How could I forget Dirty Dancing! "No one puts Baby in a corner." Baby also showed up as the cranky sister in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I have to say, that movie is a classic! The release of Top Gun started a whole new fad and girls were swooning over Tom Cruise. Me personally, I would have called GHOSTBUSTERS!

I have to say that there were two underdogs that I really liked. Who Framed Roger Rabbit was an instant hit with me. Hey, he's a 'rabbit'! I used to have a Roger that sat in the passenger seat and drove around with me in my car :o) And then there was Freddie... Nightmare on Elm Street became the new horror movie of the time. Did you know that Johnny Depp starred in the first one? You might have to go back and check that out now ;o)

Every decade has its own lingo and the 80s were no exception. Thanks to The Valley Girl we were going around saying things like "Totally", "Fer Shur", "Awesome", "Party Hardy" and the infamous "Gag me with a spoon" ;o) At that time, you could at least guess what most of these things meant. If you listen to teens today, you almost need a whole new dictionary to be able to figure out what they're talking about. Maybe that's just a sign of me getting older :oS

I think the 80s will always have a spot in my heart, for it was the time that I was introduced to Frogger and Pac Man, Duran Duran, DOS, hair scrunchies and cassette tapes. If we managed to survive all of that, we proved that we are a strong generation that can accept almost anything ;o)

Six Quirky Things About Me

The Rules:

Link back to the person that tagged you.
Post the rules on your Blog.
Share 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
Tag 6 people at the end of your post by linking to their Blog.
Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.

Velda does NOT know what she has unleashed...

1. I eat pie and cheesecake from the crust inwards but I eat pizza from the inside out towards the crust.

2. I cannot use a bathroom if it has a magazine/picture/wallpaper with eyes.

3. I always leave part of my drink at the bottom of my glass. Always.

4. I have a public bathroom phobia. If I can, and I usually can because I'm a camel, I will go all day without going to the bathroom.

5. I'm addicted to smell of new magazines.

6. Sometimes, I can go a week without pooping ;o)

TMI? Blame Velda. LOL!

Okay, I pass this on to the following fellow freaks -

Shannon
Sharon
Lori-Ann
Karen
Rachel
Rachael

Tot's Tippy Toeing

She's back! I finally finished her dress and legs so I figured she was put together enough so that I could post another progress picture -

I'm still a little nervous about where I placed her on this fabric. I'm thinking she's down too low. But then I look at it from a different angle and she looks okay. I don't know :o(

Since I found some landscapers, Tot will be put on hold for a little bit. I want to get the plants and flowers in around The Needlework Shop before it gets too cold ;o)

Speaking of cold...it's getting COLDER temperature wise! I know I shouldn't complain because I just LOVE the fall but my poor toes and fingers are feeling the consequences. DH and I always try to hold out putting on the heat until after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend but I tell you, it's been hard roughing it. We've had 'heavy' frost almost every morning but thankfully the days have been just perfect :o) I love the fact that I can still hang my clothes outside for that fresh outdoor smell even if I'm still using my redneck clothesline. LOL!

The trees seem to be taking their time changing their leaves but if you look hard enough, you can see little sparks of colour along the river valley.

Every day when I look out the back window, I see the trees changing on the hill behind the barn. This will probably (hopefully) be my last fall here and in a way, it's sad :o( I had such hopes for this place but at least I can say that I lived that part of my life and now I'm on to a new adventure! DH and I are starting to feel the strain but in the end, it will be worth it :o)

57 Years Of Marriage To Go

Today is our wedding anniversary :o) Thirteen years! I'd say that we're starting to feel like an old married couple but that happened years ago. LOL! When we first got married, DH had promised me, in front of witnesses by the way, 70 years together so he's still got 57 years to go. After that, it's a free for all. Do you think we'll be prime dating material when we're 94? ;o)

A few days ago I took the dogs outside with me and tried to get some pictures of them. This is Tweedledee (Brie) and Tweedledum (Duncan) -

Quite the odd couple aren't they? LOL! I can't remember who asked but Brie is a miniature Dachshund. She only weights around 10-11 pounds with a very solid body. In comparison, Duncan is an Australian Cattle Dog and is about 55 pounds of solid muscle. It's really amazing how well they get along with each other. There definitely is a bond there.

The Odd Couple, Mutt & Jeff, Dumb & Dumber, the two have quite a few nicknames ;o) Duncan used to be a show dog so we only brought him home at two years of age. I can't remember but he was either number one or two in Canada. He's got quite the portfolio. DH and I consider Duncan our slow child. He may be pretty to look at but he's missing a few oars from his boat. LOL!

Duncan LOVES to bury his bones. He rarely chews them. It's so funny to watch him though because if he sees that you're watching him, he'll grab the bone and find another location to dig. But it's not like he makes a hole to drop the bone in. His idea of hiding it is to just lay it on the ground and push the dirt over top of it :oP

Brie continues to do well but we know she'll never be 100%. Her coat has grown all the way in and it completely covers the scar from her operation. She still loves to run and play. I was out with her the other night, trying to get her to go poo, when she decided she wanted to play. We ran all around the back yard, to the front of the house, around my car twice, around DH's car twice and then I finally had to give up because I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I can only imagine what our neighbours thought of this grown woman, in her fleece pyjamas, running around chasing a little black rat. LOL!

I have one thing to confess about Brie though...she does have a drinking problem :o) She's like a magnet to wine and beer. No drink is safe if it's within her reach. A few nights ago, DH and I were getting ready to eat supper in the living room (this is where we always eat) and he went in and placed his glass of milk down beside his chair. What he didn't realize was that he placed the drink 'on' Brie's carpet. Wee One figured since it was on 'her' carpet it was fair game. She did get a time out but it was funny as all get out ;o)

Btw, Happy Anniversary Sweetie! I'm looking forward to many more wonderful years together and I love you :o)

Watership Down

What can I say? If you've never heard of the book, I highly suggest that you go out, find a copy and read it. NOW! This novel has got to be one the most brilliant pieces of writing and it has even been compared to Tolkien's, The Lord of the Rings. It is by far the favourite book in my library and it's had a home there for many, many years. Richard Adams is a magnificent storyteller and by the time you are past the first chapter, you come to know not only the characters but the landscape that surrounds them as well. It's almost as if the story springs to life in your mind as you're reading along.

For those of you who are not familiar with the book, it's about a band of rabbits who decide to leave their current warren as it is about to be destroyed by the hand of man. Their dream is to find a new home and set up a better society than the one they are leaving behind. The story takes you through that journey and what it takes for them to eventually get there. By the end of the book, I guarantee that you will fall in love with Hazel, Fiver, Clover, Dandelion, Pipkin, Hyzenthlay, Bigwig, Holly, Silver, and Kehaar :o)

I read a review once where they compared General Woundwort and the Owsla to Hitler and the Nazis. And while I can definitely see this view, the story does not stray far from what our own society has evolved into today. We still don't live in a perfect world. It's ruled by government and corruption. Racism and inhumanity still exists whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Every one of us has an idea in our head of what our perfect world would look like and I think unconsciously we keep trying to find it.

That's one thing I love about this story. Hazel has a dream. He knows what he wants and he sets out to achieve it. The road there isn't an easy one by any means but it's his determination that keeps him going. He knows what will make him happy. How many of us can say this? I feel that after almost fifteen years of being together, DH and I are finally on our way to finding the happiness that we have been seeking. Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying that we've been unhappy all this time but it's almost like we end up just living from day to day, waiting until that opportunity comes along. Some find it faster than others but the constant remains the journey. There is always a journey.

So, how's that for deep thinking on a Saturday afternoon? LOL! I'll end this post on a lighter note then ;o) Over the years I have been trying to collect a set of Watership Down figurines that were produced back in the 70's (I believe). These are the characters that I have so far -

Stupid me packed these away before writing down the information that was underneath them :oS I really don't know much about them but I believe they were produced in the UK and there was the name New Orleans. I received two from a very special friend who was lucky enough to find them at a flea market and the rest have come from EBay. If anyone knows more about these or where I can get additional ones to complete my collection, plmk. Thanks!

Animal Facts...

...you may or may not know ;o)

The average hen will lay 227 eggs a year.

The blood of a snowshoe crab is blue.

Chickens that lay brown eggs have red earlobes. There is a genetic link between the two.

The placement of a donkey's eyes in its head enables it to see all four feet at all times.

A Holstein's spots are like fingerprints. No two cows have the same pattern of spots.

Turtles can breathe through their butts.

Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.

It's possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs.

A polar bears fur is transparent in colour.

A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why :o)

We Have A Michaels

It took years but we finally got one!!!! I know it isn't a LNS but at least it's a craft store and somewhere that I can buy DMC at a reasonable price. Yesterday they opened their doors for the first time. I didn't think I was going to be anywhere near the store so I hadn't planned on being there. Someone must have been smiling down on me because I was dropped off right in front of the store :o)

As soon as I got to the floss section, lo and behold there was Carolyn! She wasn't kidding when she said she was going to be there the first day they opened. We had a quick chat and then I picked up some floss. Out of all the floss that I have, I couldn't believe it when I only had one 451 in my stash! That's always the way though isn't it? LOL!

Well, the contractors are finished! The building for The Needlework Shop is complete -

There were times when I didn't think they were going to finish their job but they came through and worked steadily all week ;o) Now I have some time off while I hunt down a landscaper so it's back to stitching Tot. I wonder how hard it is to get a landscaper at this time of year. Anyone know?

DH and I had some company this weekend :o) Mom and Dad arrived Friday evening and work started on the bathroom right away. Because we'll be putting the house up for sale as soon as possible, we're trying to get some of the remaining renovation projects completed. One of those projects was the main bathroom. It was really dated with the grey fixtures so it just needed a makeover ;o) This was the progress by Saturday morning -

No more grey fixtures (okay, except the sink) and no more gross flooring :o) GONE! Woohoo! This is the status as of today -

Have you ever seen a redneck's shower before? Well it probably looks something like this ;o) LOL! Toilet and tub are in as well as my new floor. We ended up falling behind but not because of something we did. DH and I had picked up the roll of flooring a few years ago and on the label it stated - "6 ft x 9 ft, approximate size (minimum size 6' x 8'9")" but when we rolled it out, it was only 6' x 6'. Hmmm...where did the other 3' go???? Grrrr! Sooooo, DH had to run back into town to get new flooring.

I'm really pleased with the work that got done this weekend though and I've got to thank Dad and DH for their hard work. Mom did her share of the work though and ended up babysitting Brie the majority of the time. LOL! I'm sure if you asked her though, she'd say she doesn't consider it work when it comes to her grand-dog ;o)

The Bucket List

I'm sure most of you have either seen the trailer or the movie itself. If not, let me give you a quick explanation :o) The Bucket List is about two older gentlemen who write out a list of things that they want to do before they "kick the bucket", i.e. die. Some of the stuff is outlandish but hey, it is a movie after all. LOL!

I think we've all, at some point in our lives, kept hopes and dreams of some things that we'd like to do someday but how many of us have actually written these down on paper? After confronting my own possible mortality back in 2000 with my breast cancer (things were a little more complicated and frightening at the time with other unknowns that I have never written about), I decided that to get back into life, I would start to make small goals for myself and slowly work up to bigger ones. Thus, this was the beginning of my Bucket List :o)

As I stated, things started out small. My first goal was to stitch this pink ribbon piece before my surgery -

And I did :o) In case you're wondering what's written on the plaque, it's a quote by my DH and it reads "In honour of the spirit that all women possess when overcoming obstacles."

Not only did my Bucket List contain things that I wanted to do in my lifetime but it also contained the things that I had already managed to achieve, like marry my soul mate :o) As each goal was met, it would get transferred to this second part of the list. After a few years, I began to see this side grow and that does wonders for someone's soul.

So far I have managed to meet the smaller and more achievable goals for this time in my life but there are still many things on my list that have yet to be done. One of them was to see the Eagles in concert. I grew up with their music playing on the radio and I guess those tunes never escaped my head because I became a huge, HUGE fan. I have all their tapes/CDs, whatever you want to call them now. LOL!

Back in 1994 they were in Toronto for a concert and for some reason I couldn't make it :o( I thought for sure they'd never come together again. But then the news hit earlier this year that they were going to be the featured band to play in Moncton. I just about died! I probably would have walked over hot coals to get there but deep down I knew the reality of going to such a thing. A whole day venue, outside, with no chairs would not bode well with my Fibro :o( DH was more than willing to get me there but unfortunately I had to think of my health first.

Then something miraculous happened this week. I went to the mailbox and there was a bubbled envelope addressed to me from Moncton. As soon as I got in the house I ripped it open. At first I was a little confused as to the contents but once I pulled it all out, this is what I saw -

There ARE such things as Fairy Godmothers and I now have my very own!!!! To say that I was over the hill with happiness would be an understatement ;o) If this is as close as I could get to that concert, then that's good enough for me and I have Lori-Ann to thank for that! This is such a huge RAOK that I'm not sure I could ever repay but I will certainly try. You have provided me with a taste of the concert but in the comfort of my own home and what could be better. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the very bottom of my heart :o)

The Winds Of Change...

...Are actually blowing in the right direction for once and I'm almost afraid that if I breathe too hard, they'll change back. I'm sure you must know what I'm talking about. When things in your life start to go wrong, then it seems like everything crumbles and it feels like you can never get ahead of it. But on the flip side, when things suddenly go right, it seems that everything begins to go your way and that is where DH and I have 'finally' found ourselves :o) Mind you, this has been a two year process, at least. It's been a LONG time since we've seen this greener side of the fence so it's only natural that we're being a little cautious.

Now that the major players are aware of our new situation, I can finally share it with you all :o) How many of you have been dying to hear the news? Maybe I should hold on to it for a little bit longer? Yes? ;o) LOL! Okay, okay, enough teasing...

A few years ago, DH had applied with the Federal Department of Fisheries & Oceans with an interest in becoming a Fisheries Officer. His educational background is a combination of Natural Resources and Law Enforcement and after working 'too' many years at a job that he is becoming to literally hate; he felt it was time for a change. He almost made the cut last year but at the last minute, the government cut back the number of positions available and DH (and I) were crushed :o(

Two weeks ago, DH got the call that we have eagerly been hoping and waiting for since this all started two years ago...he was told to pack his bags because he was going into the training program to become a Fishery Officer!!!!! WOOHOO!!!! The call went something like this...

"Are you still interested in the job?"

"Yup."

"Are you willing to pack up and move?"

"Yup."

"Are you willing to live in the middle of nowhere?"

"Yup."

"Are you willing to move to Nova Scotia?"

"Yup."

That's right! Not only is DH getting a new job but we're moving! This was THE first time that I actually smiled to myself and was truly happy. This is huge and I mean HUGE! Not only are we moving away and starting somewhere new, we're also securing our future and taking charge of our own happiness :o)

Sounds pretty straight forward huh? HA! We have two months to finish renovating the house, pack and sell it before DH heads off for training. He will be away from October 27 to December 19 where he'll be training in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He will have two weeks off for Christmas and then he's gone again from January 5 to March 6, where he'll be in Regina Saskatchewan! I thought one week away at a time was a lot but now I'll have to get used to two months at a time :o(

So where does that leave me? Well, if the house doesn't sell, I'm going to stay here until it does. We won't be moving until next year anyway plus, we still don't know where he will be posted yet. If the house does sell, I have contemplated moving back in with good ol' Mum and Dad ;o) How that will work, I don't know but I'm sure we can set some boundaries. As long as I can have access to Dad's high speed internet, I'll be happy. LOL!

Remember when I said that when things start to go right, it seems that the winds completely change in your favour? Well, I have a job interview tomorrow with the Provincial Government for that job that I went in for testing! This is a job that I really want too. Figures huh? My thoughts...I might as well go and if I do get the job, I'll work there until such time as we have to move. It will probably be hard to leave it if I like it as much as I think I will but at least I'll have that experience to add to my resume :o)

Hopefully I will be able to keep up with my Blog but things are going to turn very busy now that the wedding is over and we can fully concentrate on getting our place in shape. Things have already been packed away and we're going to have one massive yard sale. I refuse to move any more than I have to! LOL! Does anyone have any good advice about packing up your framed needlework? Remember, this might have to go into storage for some time :oS

I'm definitely going to miss the girls and my other friends that I have here in the city but we can always keep in touch by emails :o) There will be new friends to make and who knows, it might even end up being a fellow Blogger! Until then, I will be dreaming about my man dressed up in uniform and sporting a gun on his hip ;o) What IS it with a man in uniform ladies? Sigh!

A Whirlwind Weekend, Literally!

I know they say that rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck but to have an actual hurricane? That must mean that my SIL and new BIL are cemented for life ;o) LOL! Despite the fact that we did have Hurricane Hanna bearing down on us, the weekend turned out surprisingly nice.

DH and I arrived in St. Andrews on Friday afternoon and checked into our hotel. What a nice place it was too! We had never stayed at the Rossmount Inn before but we will definitely be doing so again. The owners were friendly, the atmosphere was relaxing, the food was delicious and the overall experience was just lovely. The history of the hotel is quite an interesting one but I'm such a sucker for things like that :o) I only wish we had had more time to explore.

Apparently, Fun Cathey made an appearance on Friday evening at the rehearsal dinner. We were at The Gables, out on the patio, but since the wine was flowing (too) freely and it took an hour and a half just to get our salads, it wasn't surprising ;o) The last thing I can remember was the cheesecake. I 'can' tell you that the church rehearsal beforehand went very well. Good thing Fun Cathey wasn't there at that point because I doubt she would have delivered her reading in such an elegant fashion. LOL!

For being part of the wedding, my SIL gave me this gorgeous compact, engraved with my name -

It's definitely going to be treasured :o)

On Saturday, DH and I put on our big boy and girl clothes so we looked somewhat respectable and headed to the church ;o) The ceremony was beautiful and done in both English and French. My BIL's uncle helped with the French part of the ceremony. In the past, he has served at The Vatican! My SIL made her dress along with all the dresses for her Matron of Honour and her Bridesmaids. Her dress was white with a touch of burgundy while the others complimented with a combination of cream and burgundy.

I got a lot of compliments on my dress (and yes the girls stayed in check!). I only wish that we had had someone take a picture of DH and I together though :o( This is the best picture I have and it's cropped from one of the wedding pictures -

This was taken after the wedding so I'm showing lots of signs of being tired. I don't even think my energy level has even registered on the meter today :oS

The reception gave DH and I a chance to catch up with some friends and family members we had not seen in quite awhile. The food was good and the entertainment was second to none. LOL! But hey, the French always know how to have a good time so maybe that's why I come by it honestly ;o)

Yesterday was the brunch at the church hall and the gift opening by the bride and groom. When we arrived, DH and I got to see the effects of the storm that passed overnight. All the basements in St. Andrews were flooded and there were hoses coming out of almost every driveway. On the way to my in-laws, we saw the sides of the road washed out, creating great big craters. We were lucky in that I think that was the extent of the damage. Definitely just a drop in the bucket compared to those that are dealing with the hurricanes down south :o(

So, now we're home again but gearing up for another adventure! I know you are still patiently waiting and guess what? You'll be finding out in the next few days what I'm talking about so don't go too far away ;o)

Before I close, I want to thank my SIL and new BIL for a wonderful weekend and I hope it was as special as they had hoped it would be. Congratulations to you both and DH and I could not be happier for the two of you :o)

Here Comes The Bride

No, that's not me ;o) LOL! DH and I are just packing up now, on our way to St. Andrews. His sister is getting married this weekend so it's going to be a busy three days. Thankfully, this is the last SIL to marry so hopefully no more weddings in my near future. I think I'm all wedded out :oS I'm not your girly type girl but I am anxious to wear my new dress that I bought this past summer. DH even bought me a set of earrings with matching necklace just for this occasion. We're calling it my anniversary, Christmas, next year's birthday gift :o)

I'm actually going to leave my computer at home and will only have my PDA with me but that will only work if there is WIFI at the hotel. I imagine when I get back there will be tons of Blogs to catch up with so I'm going to warn you now that I might not leave any comments next week so that I can read up on everyone's news in a timely fashion.

While I'm gone, the contractors have agreed to work on The Needlework Shop so come the first of next week, I should have another progress picture for you ;o) They're now working on the second story walls and it's looking really good. Even my dad would be impressed with their workmanship. LOL!

I want to thank everyone for all the nice comments on Tot. It really means a lot to me that you stop by and take the time to say such nice things :o)

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I'll see you again on Monday! Bye!

Ahhhhh...I've Had My Fix

You're probably thinking that I went stash shopping or had the satisfaction of eating something that involved chocolate but if that's the case, you'd be wrong! Yesterday afternoon, I hung out the clothes, put my stitching in place, refused to answer the phone, planted my butt down on the couch and...watched the two hour season premiere of PRISON BREAK!!!! Ever since I saw the preview in August, I've been just jazzed about the show starting up again :o) And I have to say, they did not disappoint. Only five more days until the next episode...

DH doesn't like the show and says it's too 'unrealistic'. But what show that's on television these days is???? The reason I love this show so much is that they keep you on your toes. Characters can be eliminated from the show at any time. The writers make you love some characters while making you absolutely hate others. Even the ones you hate, you end up loving. It's been a long time since there's been a television show that has kept my interest for three years running.

It was a super busy weekend and my body is NOT happy. Even though it was, and still is, screaming at me, I'm still managing to get some stitching in :o) As I stated before, the contractors for The Needlework Shop completed the brick work on the foundation -

I've spoken to them since and we've come to an agreement that they will work on the shop a few days a week so you should see some progress in the near future ;o) Contractors! But what can you do? LOL!

Don't like working on linen? If that's you, you should try this Natural Pearl Linen by Zweigart. This is one beautiful material that I guarantee you'll love. It's linen but it has the feel and thickness of Jobelan. There are flecks of color throughout, giving a sort of tweed look to it. Nice, nice stuff. I love it :o)

I know you've all been dying to see Tot...or maybe not ;o) Since the day the fabric arrived, I've been working on her and I'm quite excited with the look that is emerging -

What do you think? Lori at Enchanted Fabrics did a one-of-a-kind piece for me and she captured the image I had in my head to a tee. I'm not sure if you can see the full effect quite yet but there are clouds in the sky, which I'm hoping will make the moon pop, and the ground gives lots of room for the pumpkins to trail their vines. The colors blend so well and have the same hues as her dress -

I've started using the Kreinik but I think I'll leave all the beading until the end, again. LOL! I know Katie has been working on her (and we're STILL waiting for a picture!) and has quite a bit done. Is there anyone else? I'd love to see how others are coming along with their own Halloween Fairy :o)