Nova Scotia Part 2...Finally!

Okay so my posting has slowed right down with the reentry into the all consuming world of school but I'm going to get this post out  finally.

So when I visited Nova Scotia, it was very relaxing. My first post was about the beach and the time I was there before Mom and Dad came out. Well they were there for hurricane Bill but after that we visited Peggy's Cove and were mesmerized by the crashing waves.

Look at those waves crash. I told Heidi to let me know if I was going to be swept out to sea!!

This is the damage that was done by the waves in the little hamlet that is at Peggy's Cove. The little store was pushed right off its foundation!

This sign was in Mahone Bay. I laughed because it got my attention and it's always good to acknowledge the uneventful spots as well.

Mahone Bay had lots a sail boats in it.

This is the Blue Nose at Lunnenberg where we saw a school built back in the 1800's along with a church. Both were beautifl. The fog was rolling in and the hilly streets made me think of San Franciso streets.

Blueberry picking!! We went blueberry picking on our way to Fort Anne and Tranquill Momments Bed & Breakfast.

This flower was found in the Public Gardens in Halifax. The Public Gardens was beautiful with fountains and water and of course plants and flowers. Gorgeous!!

We also went to the citadel. This is when they were changing the gaurds.

What fun was had in Nova Scotia!!!! I'm ready for another vacation.

Starting the school year off right

School started for me on September 10th this year. I was so looking forward to it because I had gone shopping with Cindy when she was down on the long weekend and I found a pair of pants for 14.50. What a great deal. So I thought I was ready to go. I had an 8:00am class which because I already new what I was wearing, didn't seem so daunting. I was actually looking forward to getting up and going to school. So the day came, I didn't even hit the snooze, and I was ready to go about 5 minutes before my actual deadline time. Then it crashed! Before my day really even got started, my car failed me. I got in, turned the key and got nothing back. What a disappointment. I tried again but it was in vain because I got the same response. So I went back in the house and luckily for me dad was up and I had him give me a ride into school.

By noon I had the diagnosis of what was wrong with my car. It needed a transplant - a heart transplant I call it. The battery was no long providing the juice needed to supply the body with motion....so now my car has a new heart and is running just fine!

Nova Scotia - First Half!!

I took 450 pictures in 12 days while I was visiting Heidi and Joel in Eastern Passage. I'm NOT going to share all 450 pics with you because 3 were actually videos and I don't want to sit in this chair typing out what they are and where they are. Some you would most definitely find boring, as I took 109 pictures at Peggy's Cove. The waves were coming in splashing on the rocks and it is just so hard to get a good splash one so I had to keep trying.

This is Lawrencetown Beach. We went there Monday night after I got in. It was high tide because there was very little sand to walk on. It was beautiful.

I wasn't paying attention and a big wave came and got my pants wet! He he he.

Heidi and Joel enjoying the ocean...

Heidi and I took Princess down to fisherman's cove to walk the board walk.

We went back to the beach on the hot day...but it was cool at the beach so I didn't swim. Princess had a lot of fun fetching her ball and jumping through the waves.

We also went to Peggy's Cove, Mahone Bay, and Lunenburg (where the Bluenose resides). We saw Fort Anne and Port Royal which was the first settlement. I"ll have to post those pics next time!

Hurricane Bill

Wow! What fun to be in Nova Scotia when a hurricane hits. Bill wasn't quite parallel with Eastern Passage but we decided to go out and take a look at what was happening and how the waves were shaping up. Oh what fun.

So here we are with Heidi and Joel going to the shore line...


Here is where we stopped to get the first set of pictures of the waves crashing into the shore.


Then we braved it and got out of the car and got totally soaking wet on one of our bodies...luckily it was the side without the camera.

Sure wish you could have seen this because pictures just don't do it justice!

Beware of being friendly

So there aren't any pictures to go with this post either but I want to share with you the dangers of being too friendly with people. So I'm out in Nova Scotia visiting Heidi and Joel. Thursday night Heidi works in the temple and Joel has stake meeting. Yesterday night I went with Heidi to the temple and took in 2 sessions while Heidi worked. On our way out to the car there is the usual chatting with those that are around and wham it happened. The temple president introduced himself to me and then before I knew it he is match making. Oh my my my!! So now I'm suppose to email a letter to his nephew through Pres. Blake. His wife was the funniest when she said there's probably greener pastures somewhere else! She later countered with he is a great catch, good looking and fun but he's hard to catch. I'm sure they have the best of intentions!

Scandals

This one goes out to Tanya who was looking for a juicy blog filled with scandals...I think that these new "environmental" toilets are a scandal. Why you ask....well I'll tell you why. They are suppose to be good for reducing the amount of water used each flush with a choice of flushing capacities for liquids or solids (up for liquids, down for solids). The problem is that with the "liquid" flush 95% of the time you are left with remnants. How when it's liquids you are flushing? The darn toilet paper doesn't go. What courteous person wants to leave their toilet paper remnants in the bowl for the next person who thinks "that darn person who left as I came in never flushed and probably didn't even wash". So really these so called "environmental" toilet systems are a socially constructed hate machine that make you think you are using less water but really they are teaching you to think that no one is flushing or washing their hands. Case in point is that now all of our new "environmentally friendly washrooms" in our green building now have hand washing instructions taped to the wall right beside the sink. Maybe a better reminder would be on the back of the door so that when those non-flusher/washers go to leave they are reminded to wash!

So that environmental flush turns into 2 or 3 tries and I don't think that it is really using less water than a normal regular run of the mill toilet. Back to the drawing board boys cause it isn't working.

How's that for scandalous!

Shopping

Okay, today was the best shopping day ever. I went just to get some pictures printed and thought to myself "hey, it'll be fun just to look around while I wait for pictures to be printed." Boy did I hit the bargains. Sears was doing "Christmas in July" and while in the store they announced that racks of merchandise was brought up that contained items for only $5. Well, I just had to check that out to see if I could find a deal and boom, a deal was found.

The best part was that when I got to the check out I received at additional 25% off. Yes you read correctly an additional 25% off. So that means that this jacket/blazer which was originally $50 only cost me $3.75. The bonus part was that on the way to find a register that wasn't overburdened by the rush of shoppers with their sale items, there was a table with shoes for $2.99. No one can ever have too many shoes so you must always stop to see what is available. Well wouldn't you know it there was a cute pair of maryjane keds in just my size. I tried them on and checked the box to make sure they were really only $2.99 and they were.

Once again the best part was that I received an additional 25% off these already reduced pair of shoes. They ended up costing me $2.24 plus tax of course. Can you believe it? What an amazing fun shopping day.

Registration

I just registered for classes this week and boy was that disappointing. Due to "budget cuts" or sabbaticals, not as many classes are being offered and so that means that the ones I was hoping to take are not available this year! That sucks! So I'm venting a little because I didn't get the classes I wanted and that will mean having to work harder at classes I didn't really want to take but must to fulfill the requirements to graduate. The other problem was that they didn't have what was being offered up until a couple days before so then all my pre-planning was for naught and that built up excitement for getting the classes I wanted lead to a major let down. I'll let you know how the classes actually fair as time goes on. Maybe it will be for the best.

Moving the Baby...

My baby sister moved on Canada Day. Great way to celebrate the birth of our nation with a new home.

Here Toshina sits in the living room of her old apartment eating breakfast while Dad, Mom, and Brian were driving those busy streets of Toronto to get the moving truck. A shout out to those that came to help as we were able to make a "chain" to move the boxes out to the truck quickly and efficiently.

We were able to use the "chain" technique at the new place as well and so with a start time of 11 am and a finish time of I think 2:30 pm that was great. The only crazy part was when I slammed my finger between the island and the door frame. Don't worry I took a picture, but by the next day you could hardly tell...

Funny that it bruised the knuckles above and below the smash site. Go figure! But I'm sure you'd rather see this next picture. Toshina and Brian's new place.

It's the window on the ground floor. We stayed as long as we could to help Brian unpack as Toshina had gone to YW camp. We got some of the kitchen unpacked and then had to go. But Neil and Dan were still there helping Brian get unpacked. (Working on the electronic stuff - TV)

This is the kitchen before unpacking...can you spy my mom?

And this is after. That stack of boxes is empty just had to be saved for someone else who needs them. I think my body has stopped being mad at me for doing so much physical movement without warning it or preparing it. Wish all of you could have been here to play with boxes too but then there would have been no where to park on their street anyways so it's alright that you didn't come. But Carma does receive a demotion for not helping her fellow minion....

Weekend Getaway

One must always no their limits and be aware of their own weaknesses....

In visiting Cindy's house this weekend, I helped her redistribute the stock that she had accumulated in her office/craft room. As we went through the merchandise, I found pretty things. This one ended up on me.

It was fun to wear to church and have people look but not ask. Some were brave enough to ask about the tattoo. At work, I was complimented on my nice tattoo. Draw in a chain around that neck and it will look like a beautiful necklace.

I had some fun at my sisters house. We were lucky to go down under the bridge for fries and then they exercised their patience as I took some photographs like this

The drive home seemed to be going well until I ran into a parking lot on the 403 and then the Red Hill had ramp closures to the QEW and so I took the exit they said not knowing which way to go. Needless to say I turned the wrong way and had a little adventure in amongst my drive home. But it was fun to scrapbook, water fight and eat fries under the bridge.

Good Eats

There was a grand feast and the Sykes home on Father's Day. The company was wonderful and the food was yummy. Stories were shared and laugher was heard throughout the time spent together.
Oma cracked us up by saying something about "stuffed balls". Aunt Sue had brought stuffing made in ball shape.

All the roudy folk had to sit on this side of the table so that they had less room to be roudy in!

This is where the best stories get told and the enjoyment of being in one another's company is felt. Where would we be without family!

Carma is spotted!

Last weekend I had a Carma siting. I know what you are thinking. They are rare and don't happen to everyone except for Rob, Mr. and Mrs. Harding and those Carma works with at U of L. I think that is why the U of L is willing to send Carma out to be sited in Toronto about 2 times a year. I am glad they do....

This time we went to a hockey party, I mean Toshina's surprise birthday party. We attended some Luminato events such as a screening at the National Film Board of Canad and the "Swan song" exhibit. Carma and I ventured down to the Harbor Front while Toshina attended a meeting and we all meet back up at Union station (even Brian).

Then we saw the just for laughs mascot. That was a must have picture for sure!

After Union station we tried to find the big red ball that was on display but....we found different art instead.

We found a book about how to detect farts and it even came with sound effects. Unfortunately the store was closed where it was on display so we did not get an learnings on that subject.

So that is what happens when one spots a Carma on the loose. A whole lot of craziness.

Weather Changes

Okay so this morning on my way into work, it was looking a bit gloomy because it was trying hard to rain. You know those mornings when its misty out and the sun can't get through and you wish it could. Well, I work in an office with no window but am connected to a common space that has a window to the outside world. I realized that it was a little dark in the "pod" as I shall call the 4 offices and common space between them. But now at lunch time when I went to prep my lunch, out the window was complete white. It is so foggy out!! When did that happen I thought to myself. If this was winter I'd be saying it was a blizzard outside because I can barely make out the parking lot beside the building.

"Rainy days and mondays always get me down."

Visiting Blue Rose Retirement Villa

Okay, so here it goes. I want to share with you my visit to Blue Rose Retirement Villa. This is a place that my cousin Daniel and I talked about when I visited with him last June in Vancouver. Because I am a dutiful daughter who wants to know that my parents will still be able to have joy in their wise years, I have been wheeling and dealing to try and find a place for them to go. My Aunt Sue wouldn't do a contract to take them in so when I was talking to Daniel, he suggested that all the siblings and their spouses could retire to the Blue Rose Farm. Now due to the fact that there can only be one building for living in on the property (zoning regulations who needs them???), we decided that possible they could add wings to accommodate the retirees. This accomplishes two purposes. First the siblings can enjoy each other's company once again and reminisce about the days gone by and the follies of youth. Second, if we can get all the cousins and their children to sign up to take a weeks vacation at different times throughout the year we only have to go once a year....smart thinking!!

So I had the opportunity to preview what the Blue Rose Retirement Villa might be like when the old folks arrive. We arrived around 8pm. It was starting to be dusk and the sun was setting but it was beautiful. Although there were no people to give us shouts of joy that we had arrived at our destination, the dogs more than made up for that. They greeted us with wagging tails.

I was lucky enough to have booked first and so received the royal treatment having been booked into the guest bedroom. Upon the bed I found a beautiful letter outlining the events of the weekend and all of the wonders to behold at the Blue Rose Retirement Villa along with 3 chocolates. The en suite was beautiful as you can see in the pictures below. It was fabulous! The service and treatment received were wonderful.

The weekend was a blast and the conversation with all who were at the Blue Rose was marvelous. I even played two games of Clue with Cara (who won both times). So for any family members who are thinking about a place to retire, this is definitely one to check out. The pool wasn't open when I was there but there are rumors about water polo games and other assorted activities that may or may not require horses...

Starting

Hey I think I really can do this. I'll get some material together for a post and then watch out world cause here come the posts...