I realized I haven't posted in 10 days. Sorry guys, I've been busy.
For reals, though.
Since my last post, Mike's come to Millbank. We went to see Macbeth at Stratford, and worked at getting ready for the auction before my aunt, uncle, and dad came to Millbank. That's when the real work started. On Sunday, we all got into our work clothes and started in on getting all of the stuff (a lot of junk, but lots of diamonds in the rough) out of the house, the shed and the workshop. There was a LOT. To try and create a mental picture, imagine that you have an area the size of a soccer field. Then put 4 haywagons full of stuff on it. Then lean other stuff on the side of the wagons. Then fill all of the remaining grassy spaces except for a few walkways. That's how much stuff there was. Oh, and we filled the garage with all the old radio stuff, and the driveway with more stuff (but mostly the lawn tractor, the Model A Ford, and another car in parts) It was a lot of work.
On Friday night, Mike and I went to see another Stratford show: The Importance of Being Earnest. Quite funny, if I do say so myself. I'm glad I booked those tickets because Mike needed a break from the "work camp" to do something fun and totally unrelated.
Saturday we had to get up early. We still had valuable items to display, and other things that wouldn't have fared well outside overnight. Plus, die-hard auction people (old car guys and old radio guys) were there well before the auction start time of 10am. The group of us had to work during the auction, too. We had to hold up the items for people to see, and run the tally sheets back to the "office" for the cashiers to deal with. And they decided to go with 2 auctioneers simultaneously in order to get through everything. Even with two auctioneers going for 5 hours straight, we finished it all off at 4pm. And the auctioneers never stopped. There were only two of them, and the main one, Bill, never had a break and never had a chance to eat or drink the entire time. He just talked and sold stuff. And he wasn't even horse at the end of it!
Me, I was exhausted. We were all exhausted. We'd been putting in long days of hauling big boxes and shop stools for a week. It was finally finally over. *sigh* except for the clean-up today. There was a fair amount of stuff that didn't sell, but it's all stuff that can go to the scrap yard or the garbage. Thank goodness for good neighbours lending a hand. Mike and I walked over to Anna Mae's to get a take-out chicken dinner for everyone. Real good food. And then, after dinner, we pretty much all crashed. Zonked out.
And I woke up this morning to realize that I'm going to Europe in 2 days! I haven't had time to get really excited about that!!
p.s. My dad ended up buying the 1997 Buick LeSabre for $600. He and my mom are going to drive back to BC. All summer I've been looking for a car but they've all been too expensive. And then dad buys this one from himself (pretty much) for cheap! blarg.
Gotta get back to work. The yard won't clean itself and I really should be helping...(but my feet huuuuurt.....)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
EXCITED!
Today is like Christmas, except instead of a Blastoise Pokemon card at Christmas, I get my hunny back!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_phU1coQCU
That's how excited I am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_phU1coQCU
That's how excited I am.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Free Play
Hi kids!
I'm not going to lie: I was spurred on to do this because of something I saw on tv.
And since none of my other friends in the blogosphere have bothered to post anything, I'll do you all a favour and entertain you! :)
So I was watching TVO (for those of you not in Ontario, it's "Tevevision Ontario"), and they show a lot of documentary type shows. Yesterday, one of the featurettes was about the de-evolution of children's free play time. That children are being super-parented and their time is so strictly managed that they have so little time just to be free and play - alone, or with other children. Free play time is seen as frivolous because you can't evaluate the results, whereas you can directly see how a child improves at soccer practice, and ballet, and hockey, and basketball. It's harder to measure the social skills and crativity being developed when children play together without direct parental supervision and control. They say that children now have a "play radius" one ninth of the size as children did 20 years ago. Like, say, a child now is only given the freedom to play in their backyard now, where a child 20 years ago might have played around in an entire neighbourhood. I know I had at least a kilometer or two - especially once I became a fierce cyclist! Just as long as you came home in time for supper!
So, after that I got up off the sofa. I walked out of the house, and decided I was going to walk down the street. I didn't bother to put shoes on. Bare feet. I didn't even know where I was going to go when I started out. I just let it evolve. I wanted to be silly, and think about having some time to explore like I did when I was younger. So I walked down to the bridge over the Nith river. And I walked down the side of the grassy bank and checked out the water. Too muddy for me. So I walked along the river, through the thick grass. I totally didn't care about not wearing shoes...except for the occasional thistly weed. And then I came to a spot where I realized I couldn't go any further unless I crossed this small spot of water. So I did what any kid would do. I rolled up my pants, and I started across. And then I saw...
A FROG!!
but not quite as dramatically as this. The frog (or toad, probably) was just little. But I thought 'I wonder if I can catch him!?'....I made an effort, but I'm not as proficient at frog-napping as I was when I was 11. He hopped off, and then I had to continue on with crossing the water.
I walked for a short time, and realized that the water I had crossed was actually where the river had just narrowed (seems silly that I wouldn't have guessed that before, but the river was windy and the grass was tall). So to get back home I'd have to either walk up to the major road and cross the river on the highway bridge....in my bare feet, or find a way to cross again. Thinking that I was out of luck (the river was easily 20 feet across), I started for the road. But then I saw a sign off near the water, and I couldn't read it from where I was, so I went over to it...just being curioius and all... And right near the sign (that said "no trespassing"), there was a small man-made dam. Perfect for walking across to get to the other side. It was muddy. I let my toes sink into the mud, and then I squished them around. I forgot how much I like that feeling. gooey and gross. So I get to the other side thinking that I can walk right up to where the P.G (playground) is. But once I'm across, I see that there's a barrier. Tall grass. Taller than me. But the other option is to go past where is says no trespassing.
Long grass it is.
But I did OK! There were some spikey bushes, and more thistles, but I manage to get to the park alive! So I swing a little on the swing. But then I remember the swings are older than I am, and worse for wear, so I jump off and go looking for more mischief. Now, a long time ago, the community planted a bunch of trees near the park. I remember when they were planted, but now it's like a thicket. I start to walk around this mish mash of trees, and I see that whoever mows the grass at the park, has mown a path through the tall grass and in and around the trees. New adventure. It's not a long path, and it leads right back to the playground, but it looks like it'll be fun for sneaking around at night. And I bet I'm not the only one to think that. Also, there are tons more spikey weeds, so I have to spend more time watching where I step than where I actually am.
And just off the side of the path, I can see where another path is being worn in. It leads to the other bridge (the one over the highway), and probably under it, to where the young boys go fishing. I'll have to explore that path another day.
And I felt silly, and fun, and young to be just out there and exploring and not having a purpose to what I was doing. It was entirely un-grown up. I loved it. I loved having muddy feet. And catching a frog. And traversing muddy waters, and rocks, and mysterious paths. And absolutely nobody there telling me that I was being childish.
I hope kids get to feel like that.
I'm not going to lie: I was spurred on to do this because of something I saw on tv.
And since none of my other friends in the blogosphere have bothered to post anything, I'll do you all a favour and entertain you! :)
So I was watching TVO (for those of you not in Ontario, it's "Tevevision Ontario"), and they show a lot of documentary type shows. Yesterday, one of the featurettes was about the de-evolution of children's free play time. That children are being super-parented and their time is so strictly managed that they have so little time just to be free and play - alone, or with other children. Free play time is seen as frivolous because you can't evaluate the results, whereas you can directly see how a child improves at soccer practice, and ballet, and hockey, and basketball. It's harder to measure the social skills and crativity being developed when children play together without direct parental supervision and control. They say that children now have a "play radius" one ninth of the size as children did 20 years ago. Like, say, a child now is only given the freedom to play in their backyard now, where a child 20 years ago might have played around in an entire neighbourhood. I know I had at least a kilometer or two - especially once I became a fierce cyclist! Just as long as you came home in time for supper!
So, after that I got up off the sofa. I walked out of the house, and decided I was going to walk down the street. I didn't bother to put shoes on. Bare feet. I didn't even know where I was going to go when I started out. I just let it evolve. I wanted to be silly, and think about having some time to explore like I did when I was younger. So I walked down to the bridge over the Nith river. And I walked down the side of the grassy bank and checked out the water. Too muddy for me. So I walked along the river, through the thick grass. I totally didn't care about not wearing shoes...except for the occasional thistly weed. And then I came to a spot where I realized I couldn't go any further unless I crossed this small spot of water. So I did what any kid would do. I rolled up my pants, and I started across. And then I saw...
A FROG!!but not quite as dramatically as this. The frog (or toad, probably) was just little. But I thought 'I wonder if I can catch him!?'....I made an effort, but I'm not as proficient at frog-napping as I was when I was 11. He hopped off, and then I had to continue on with crossing the water.
I walked for a short time, and realized that the water I had crossed was actually where the river had just narrowed (seems silly that I wouldn't have guessed that before, but the river was windy and the grass was tall). So to get back home I'd have to either walk up to the major road and cross the river on the highway bridge....in my bare feet, or find a way to cross again. Thinking that I was out of luck (the river was easily 20 feet across), I started for the road. But then I saw a sign off near the water, and I couldn't read it from where I was, so I went over to it...just being curioius and all... And right near the sign (that said "no trespassing"), there was a small man-made dam. Perfect for walking across to get to the other side. It was muddy. I let my toes sink into the mud, and then I squished them around. I forgot how much I like that feeling. gooey and gross. So I get to the other side thinking that I can walk right up to where the P.G (playground) is. But once I'm across, I see that there's a barrier. Tall grass. Taller than me. But the other option is to go past where is says no trespassing.
Long grass it is.
But I did OK! There were some spikey bushes, and more thistles, but I manage to get to the park alive! So I swing a little on the swing. But then I remember the swings are older than I am, and worse for wear, so I jump off and go looking for more mischief. Now, a long time ago, the community planted a bunch of trees near the park. I remember when they were planted, but now it's like a thicket. I start to walk around this mish mash of trees, and I see that whoever mows the grass at the park, has mown a path through the tall grass and in and around the trees. New adventure. It's not a long path, and it leads right back to the playground, but it looks like it'll be fun for sneaking around at night. And I bet I'm not the only one to think that. Also, there are tons more spikey weeds, so I have to spend more time watching where I step than where I actually am.
And just off the side of the path, I can see where another path is being worn in. It leads to the other bridge (the one over the highway), and probably under it, to where the young boys go fishing. I'll have to explore that path another day.
And I felt silly, and fun, and young to be just out there and exploring and not having a purpose to what I was doing. It was entirely un-grown up. I loved it. I loved having muddy feet. And catching a frog. And traversing muddy waters, and rocks, and mysterious paths. And absolutely nobody there telling me that I was being childish.
I hope kids get to feel like that.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Today...?
Today is banana bread made in the bread maker while listening to Josh Groban CD on my Uncle's sweet stereo system. Also, pulling down all the family photos and taking them out of the frames. They've gotta be put somewhere. But I guess it's not as hard work as mom's task for another day: pulling all of the boxes from the attic. There are a LOT of them. haha.
I'll tell you how it goes.
ps, bb - I'm going nuts! see you soon!
And in Lieu of a recent dream, I was reminded of Twilight. So here are some pictures from a Vanity Fair photo shoot that I love.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Another Random Pictures Day!
Somewhere in Cuba.
Buddy Daver, after snorkeling, on a catamaran, in Cuba. Good times.
Mike playing soccer at UBC. I like to think he's about to headder the ball of light.
Ostriches! My very first ballet recital where I got to wear a real true tutu!
I've always loved this picture of my mom and my aunts. Three sisters wearing three silly hats!Baking Frenzy
Do any of you watch Grey's Anatomy?
You know when Denny died? And whatsherface didn't know what to do except bake and bake and bake?
OK, don't worry. Nobody died. but I've been feeling a little listless and directionless. So yesterday I baked. I baked a peach cobbler. It's so incredibly good.
The I baked Pizza dough. Sort of. Grandma had this breadmaker. All you do is follow the recipe and put the ingredients into the machine, and press GO. no stirring, even. The dough's in the fridge ready for pizza making for supper tonight.
Then I baked a pan of brownies. mmm. They were real easy, too.
Then this morning, I woke up and said "I want to make bread." Knowing that I had the breadmaker, I knew it would be a snap. Throw in the ingredients, and the yeast, press "GO," and the machine said that in 3 hours and 50 minutes, I'd have fresh bread. The machine does the mixing and the rising and the kneading and the baking. Pretty wicked. right now we're rising. I'm 2 hours and 9 minutes away from bread. mmm. just in time for supper...ecept you don't usually eat bread with pizza.
Mom says I can have the breadmaker if I want it. Grandma got it not long before she died 9 years ago, and it's hardly ever been used. It works perfect. It's black and decker. All I have to do is figure out how to get it back to Kamloops.
Did you know that this thing can even make apple crumble!? You just throw everything in there and you put it at the "dessert" setting, and BOOM. Apple crumble. That'll be my next trick, I think.
And considering how much bread costs at home (here, not so bad since it's made at the local bakery - a hot loaf for $1.12) -nearly $3, for the price of 3 cups of flour I can have real good bread without all the preservtives. mmmm.
You know when Denny died? And whatsherface didn't know what to do except bake and bake and bake?
OK, don't worry. Nobody died. but I've been feeling a little listless and directionless. So yesterday I baked. I baked a peach cobbler. It's so incredibly good.
The I baked Pizza dough. Sort of. Grandma had this breadmaker. All you do is follow the recipe and put the ingredients into the machine, and press GO. no stirring, even. The dough's in the fridge ready for pizza making for supper tonight.
Then I baked a pan of brownies. mmm. They were real easy, too.
Then this morning, I woke up and said "I want to make bread." Knowing that I had the breadmaker, I knew it would be a snap. Throw in the ingredients, and the yeast, press "GO," and the machine said that in 3 hours and 50 minutes, I'd have fresh bread. The machine does the mixing and the rising and the kneading and the baking. Pretty wicked. right now we're rising. I'm 2 hours and 9 minutes away from bread. mmm. just in time for supper...ecept you don't usually eat bread with pizza.
Mom says I can have the breadmaker if I want it. Grandma got it not long before she died 9 years ago, and it's hardly ever been used. It works perfect. It's black and decker. All I have to do is figure out how to get it back to Kamloops.
Did you know that this thing can even make apple crumble!? You just throw everything in there and you put it at the "dessert" setting, and BOOM. Apple crumble. That'll be my next trick, I think.
And considering how much bread costs at home (here, not so bad since it's made at the local bakery - a hot loaf for $1.12) -nearly $3, for the price of 3 cups of flour I can have real good bread without all the preservtives. mmmm.
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