OLD TARF

Tiger Beer Ad-Reincarnation

2011-07-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Budweiser Commercial

2011-07-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Oasis of the Seas- Zip Line - Easter 2011

2011-05-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

You can look good for work- do not try to claim it as an expense

2011-03-08T05:41:00.001-08:00

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a recent decision out of the U.S. Tax Court last week sheds new meaning on the term “questionable expenses.”

It seems that from 2005 through 2008, former central Ohio television news anchor Anietra Hamper deducted an average of $21,000 annually in unreimbursed employment expenses. Among the expenses claimed? A cotton thong and lingerie, clothing, hair, nail and makeup expenses, teeth whitening, dry-cleaning costs, self-defence classes and magazine subscriptions to Cosmopolitan and Glamour.

During the years in question, Ms. Hamper was required to maintain a “specified professional appearance” as described in the “Women’s Wardrobe Guidelines.” These guidelines provide that the “ideal in selecting an outfit for on-air use should be the selection of ‘standard business wear,’ typical of that which one might wear on any business day in a normal office setting.”

Ms. Hamper argued that she wears her business clothing only at work and kept it separate from her personal clothing. She further explained that “the requirement to wear conservative clothing makes her business clothing unsuitable for everyday wear.”

According to court documents, the clothing purchased for work included traditional business suits, loungewear, a robe, sportswear, active wear, evening wear, as well as lingerie, a cotton bikini and cotton thong underwear.

Before deducting a particular clothing expense, Ms. Hamper would ask herself whether she would be buying the item if she didn’t have to wear it to work. “If the answer is no, then I know that I am buying it specifically for work, and therefore, it is a deductible business expense,” she testified.

The Court ruled that since the clothing Ms. Hamper purchased was suitable for everyday wear, even if it was not worn every day, she was not entitled to deduct it since the costs were “inherently personal expenses.”

The law in Canada is similar. B.C. financial advisor Hans Rupprecht attempted to deduct more than $8,400 of suits, ties, shirts and accessories he purchased in Vancouver.

Mr. Rupprecht testified that he wore these clothes for his work as a certified financial planner and “only for work purposes” and that he needed “suitable clothing” to go with his new office.

The Tax Court found that “clothing is prima facie a personal expense” and that the deduction of personal expenses is specifically prohibited by the Income Tax Act. As the Judge wrote, “Expenses relating to one’s personal appearance are the very essence of a personal expense and involve choices made by a taxpayer in preparing him or herself for work.”

Mr. Rupprecht lost in Tax Court in 2006 and again, upon appeal, in Federal Court in 2009. He sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, which last year turned down his request, as presumably the matter was not perceived to be of national importance.

Hoisted with one's own Petard-be careful of pressing the wrong button!

2011-02-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Canadian dollar closed Friday at a more than three-year high and the Toronto Stock Exchange made triple-digit gains as oil prices stabilized, with investors reassured any shortfall in Libyan oil production would be recouped.

The loonie's official close was 102.19 cents US, a gain of 0.47 of a cent, and its highest level since November 2007. This morning it is now at 102.68.

So in order not to pay any service charges and to bulk up our US$ account I went and transferred over from another account at the PC to avoid paying extra costs to another bank. Forgot when I transferred out of our Chequing Account to take it out of our Savings and so in a hurry pressed the button. Then realized it was for the wrong Account and now will incur an overdraft fee. So much for me thinking I was a clever boy. Haste does make waste. lol

Now when I was at the (other) Bank this morning and picked up a small RRSP to avoid paying taxes to the Federal Government this year. I found out that we are allowed only 1 free transaction on this
account each month and I had already had 2 this month. Now it gets better I even made a 8am appointment as soon as the
Bank opened, to beat the RRSP deadline of tomorrow March 1st. The weather was -18c when Ginny dropped me off this morning, so talk about being eager to save and trying to be organized. ( Very over Zealous on my part).
So another $2.00 fee, on top of our overdraft charge.

At least the fee for the RRSP was waived by the bank and we were credited the transaction fee. Found out that we do not get any monthly service charges on this account. So no need for a minimum balance to keep in it each month. Which is good to know.

At least at the PC; we have unlimited transactions and no monthly fees to pay. Good thing as considering we do approx. each month 100+. We would be broke in a hurry. (And I wouldn't be able to afford to have my favorite libation of the god's.)

So now I have to wait until next month, which fortunately is "Tomorrow" to add to our US Dollar Account. So in order to save $4.00 today on buying US$ when the CDN$ is higher; I spent $7.00 instead on unnecessary fees. lol

I definitely got "hoisted on my own petard." Blow me over with a feather duster. :) Good thing it is Five O'clock somewhere.

Blue Bird of Happiness-My Ass!

2011-02-12T06:58:00.000-08:00

> It's Friggin' Freezing. There's snow up my ass, all the food's covered with

> 3 feet of this white shit, and you want ME to sing?

> What?? Anne Murray's "Snowbird"? Piss Off!!

> Next year, I'm flyin' to Tulum in Mexico.

Well it was Time.

2011-02-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

Being such a Procrastinator, we are now into February. So I guess it is time to put up a Post. Well the past few months for G. and I have been rather hectic to say the least.

With visits in the middle of the night to the Hospital regarding G.'s Mom. Middle of the night phone calls. Having to place her Mom into a Nursing Home in the end. That was one of the hardest things we had to take part in.
Driving a hour up and a hour down the highway in all types of winter weather. Bridget coming over from Cambodia to help with everything and to get a chance to see her Mum, whilst she still remembers her.

Then heading out to British Columbia to help my cousin and My uncle and Aunt close down their beloved business of almost 40 years. It was heart wrenching to see them have to close. the worst thing is they have nothing to show for it. Over the years i guess the business has supplied some sort of income and life. But at the end to see it go belly up. Just shows the way the economy is now a days and the little family store just cannot compete with the Walmart's of this age and big box stores.

Spent two weeks cleaning, boxing and throwing out stuff. Mostly in the cold and wet as it rained almost everyday out in Hope, BC.

Helped Bob to build an Office in his garage for his watches,trophies,engraving etc. Hope things work out for him. The Town of Hope, is slowly dying and you see stores everywhere boarded up and going out of business. The Province killed the Town when they put in the HWY bypass a few years ago. Then the big box stores moved into the town of Chilawack down the Hwy and no one shops in Hope anymore or very few on a regular basis.

Then returned to about 3 feet of snow and in the past week another foot or so has fallen, average temp. is -10. So it is not a wonder that I came down with a bad cold and then being the generous person I am gave it to G. Spanish Classes which we enjoyed, because of missing a few weeks and then going too on Monday night ( sick and confused) and was totally broad-sided. I just up and quit and will wait till spring for the next level 2. Still want to learn but after these trying few months cannot get our minds around it at present. Will still look at the blog reference on our site from time to time to keep up with what we have learnt so far.

Well it hasn't been all doom and gloom. We did managed to get to Mexico for two weeks and needed the break. Had a great time down south. Enjoyed our New Years with our dear friends in Meaghers Grant here in NS. Managed to get our TFSA's topped
up, bought some more US$ when the dollar was good. Played a little guitar, read some good books, cozied up to
G. with an occasional glass of vino tinto. (When we weren't hacking and sneezing). Talked to my darling daughter and watched her videos on youtube and just enjoyed the moments together with family and friends. I am grateful for all the small things that God continues to present me each and every day.

Until the next time. Hasta la pronto! Mi amigos. It is five o'clock somewhere.

Mystery Buyer of Cdn. pushes up the Loonie! ;)

2010-12-03T04:48:00.000-08:00

CBC News

The Canadian dollar rose sharply Thursday, amid rumours of a mystery buyer active in the currency markets.

The loonie closed up 1.28 cents to 99.61 cents US, gaining 2.2 cents in two days.

The Canadian dollar closed at 99.61 cents US Thursday, up 1.28 cents. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)
Traders regard the loonie as a commodity-based currency, much like the Australian and New Zealand dollars, but the Canadian dollar's sharp rise outpaced those currencies and commodities themselves.

That's prompted a rumour that there's a large buyer of Canadian dollars in the market, Camilla Sutton, chief currency strategist at Scotia Capital, told CBC News.

But Sutton said if there is such a buyer, there's no way to know who it is.

"Your speculation is as good as mine," she said. "It's very hard to quantify and it may be something that nobody ever finds out about."

"The foreign exchange market is huge and so it would take a significant flow, it's not just somebody buying a million dollars because they're looking at buying a property or something, it would have to be something far larger than that."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2010/12/02/dollar-gains.html#ixzz173JCaSyT

Loonie up almost a penny and a half US

2010-12-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the North American stocks markets rallied, as a report showed small businesses in the U.S. were hiring more workers and the European Central Bank indicated it will do whatever is necessary to support the financial stability of member countries.

In Toronto, the S&P/TSX composite index finished the day up 195.5 points, or 1.5 per cent, to 13,148.3.

The Canadian dollar closed up 0.92 cents to 98.33 cents US as other global currencies also made strides against the U.S. dollar.

Today the Loonie continues to rise to 98.95 as of this morning. This is due to the high earnings report from the major banks here in Canada. It isn't a wonder that the Banks are doing so well as we as investors get nothing back in return, they get to use our money and we get no interest or very little. I make more in a month picking up Pop Bottles for one afternoon a month along the HWY than we get from our various bank accounts.

Here is a little twist. I get to borrow money interest free from a Major Credit Card for a year. Now should we default the 30% interest would be lethal.

So one of our Credit Card Companies is offering us a chance to borrow up to 32,000 which is my limit; interest free for a year. I plan to borrow 10,000 put it in the PC and add it to our Tax Free interest Savings Account as we will get an extra 2.50% for the first 6 months of this year on all new deposits over and above the 1% now. Weird or what. Save me having to pick up empty bottles on the road side!

This way get to Max out our TFSA for another year for the two of us, and if anything goes really sour can cash it in and pay off the loan immediately instead of 8 months down the road.

Only in Canada . Eh

High Loonie Good & Bad

2010-11-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

Canada posted a record current account deficit in the third quarter, bringing into sharper focus the detriment — and the benefit — of an inflated loonie to the country’s trade performance.

The shortfall in the broadest measure of trade rose to $17.5-billion, a new low-water mark on an absolute basis. A record deficit in the goods merchandise trade balance of $6.5-billion was the driving factor, pushing the Canadian economy deeper into net debtor status.

“The loonie’s wingprints were all over this morning’s current account data for Canada,” Krishen Rangasamy, an economist at CIBC World Markets said in a note. “But exports also didn’t perform despite the recovery underway, clearly hampered by a loonie that has, over the years, aided the erosion of our market share in the U.S.”

But as an indicator of overall economic prospects, the current account balance is a double-edged sword. While every country aims to be a net seller to the rest of the world, Canadian companies appear to be taking the opportunity to invest in machinery and equipment imports.

The value of imported goods rose for the fifth straight quarter, up $3.6-billion, an increase mostly due to rising investment in machinery and equipment.

Until the Sun Shines Out of Your Ass

2010-10-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

GEICO-Piggy

2010-10-06T18:29:00.000-07:00

Lullaby, Sweet Lullaby

2010-09-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

September 6th is Procrastinator's Day "Ironic" as it is Labour Day

2010-09-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

In Honor of Procrastinators Day, I am updating my Blog. Tomorrow.

The Procrastinator's Creed.

I believe that if anything is worth doing, it would have been done already.
I shall never move quickly, except to avoid more work or find excuses.
I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect from missing them.
If at first I do not succeed, there is always next year.

I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide to change my mind.
I obey the law of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done,
the more insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.
I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/plan/plan.

I will never put off tomorrow, what I can forget about forever.
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies,astounding discoveries, and a reprieve
from all my obligations of today.

So be bold ,be proud. Be late for something today or do not do something today. What ever turns or not turns your fancy. But, whatever you do, do not be late for dinner.

Dollar Parity-

2010-04-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a year for the Canadian dollar. Another run at parity with the U.S. dollar looked unlikely just 12 months ago.
Yet, now it is even better just slightly, when the fuel stock report comes out and should the US have a surplus the dollar will fall below par again. Until the central bank puts up the Bank Rate and then . I expect to see at least $1.02-$1.05 for a short time and then level off to around par for another 6 or 8 months.

Yet, on April 6, 2010, the dollar touched parity early in the trading day and spent much of the day just under the even mark. That's good news if you're planning a trip south of the border, thinking of buying a vacation property in the sunbelt, buying shares in American companies or running a professional sports franchise and paying your players in American dollars.

It's not so good if you depend on American tourists to make your living, export to the United States or work in the film business in Canada.

'The strong dollar will keep a lid on imported goods prices, and could lead to some price cutting'
—Douglas Porter

You might be tempted to engage in some cross-border shopping, but you likely won't find much difference in your costs if you've shopped south of the border over the past six months. The Canadian dollar has hovered at around 95 cents US for the past two quarters, so this latest shot at parity has not been as much of a boost to purchasing power as it was the last time around.

"The strong dollar will keep a lid on imported goods prices, and could lead to some price cutting on selected goods," Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Capital Markets, said. "More broadly, it will help restrain inflation, and could slow the rise in interest rates later this year. The further the Canadian dollar rises, the less the Bank of Canada will feel the need to boost its key lending rate."

Dollar parity: What does a high Canadian dollar mean to you?

Porter noted the news is not all bad for manufacturers. He suggests that a sustained period of parity coupled with the elimination of import tariffs on industrial machinery in the last federal budget, will make it cheaper for businesses to invest in their operations.

On April 6, 2009, the Canadian dollar was hovering at just under 80.5 cents US. It would have cost you a little more than $1.24 to buy one American dollar. Despite a weak economy, the U.S. dollar was enjoying renewed strength - a far cry from its position less than 18 months earlier when the Canadian dollar set a modern-day record, surpassing $1.10 US.

That day was Nov. 7, 2007. It took a record $1.4703 US to buy one Euro. It took only $1.3448 CDN to buy one Euro. British pounds were going for $2.1051 US and $1.9296 CDN.

With the dollar back around parity with the U.S. dollar, the pound has tumbled by around 20 per cent to $1.53 CDN. The Euro remains at around $1.35 CDN. A trip to the UK this year may be more affordable than it was two years ago, although continental Europe may not be as much of a bargain.

Buy American?

If you do shop or travel frequently in the United States, you might want to consider applying for a U.S. dollar credit card that you've tied to a U.S. dollar bank account. You will save the approximately 2.5 per cent that banks charge for foreign currency transactions when you use your Canadian credit card south of the border.

And with parity again the picture, it could be time to diversify your investment portfolio by buying shares in American companies.

If you buy shares in American companies now and the price remains flat, you'd still come out ahead — but only if the Canadian dollar slips off its lofty perch by the time you got around to selling those shares.

However, economists are suggesting that this dose of parity could last substantially longer than the last one.

Today, April 14, 2010; it is now trading at approx. $1.0039. Still waiting for it to go over the $1.02 Cdn.

b

Baby Moose born in Lady's Front yard in Meaghers Grant

2010-04-08T05:22:00.000-07:00

Well, this is kind of cool. We used to live in Meaghers Grant. this baby Moose was born at 5:30am and the people who live there were unable to use the front door because of the Mother Moose.
What a great excuse not to go to work. "Boss, a baby moose was born on my front door step and it's Mother wouldn't let me outside to go to work." This happened only a few doors down from where we used to live.

Off to the Blau Costa Verde in Cuba end of April

2010-04-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

We are going back to our favorite Hotel in Cuba, the Blau Costa Verde. Loaded up one suitcase already with items to take down to some of our friends at the Hotel. this will be the 4 or 5th time to the Hotel.

This Hotel is rated 4th out of the 12 or more hotels in the area. The service and the food is wonderful. It is a smallish Hotel with only 309 rooms but it is on one of the better beaches and close to everything. the Slide show on the left top of the blog is of the Blau.

The only thing with all the Hotels in Cuba the beds are all hard like rock. So you use the wall hangings that are foam inside as a mattress cover. Or have a few extra drinks at the bar before going to bed. Both Work.

Yes, Mermaid I am still alive and kicking

2010-03-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

What I am blogging about is the parity of the Cdn.$ and US Dollar is it good or bad. To our mind it is a very good thing will mean cheaper expensive goods down the way for Christmas. It is a pain for the companys who quote in US $ to get business and then find the cost of doing business is that much harder on them. Our Fiance minister says- "It will help make our Manufacturing that much more efficient".

I think He, maybe blowing smoke out his budget shoes.

We are planning on trying to cash in on the American Dollar decline by buying a chunk of it once it gets beyond parity. As a few years ago we had a 60 cent dollar so buying and selling on Ebay in US $'s made money. It makes no sense to try to sell on Ebay at this juncture as it would ultimately cost us. It is the same for the small business community here in Canada. The US is our biggest trading partner and when the greenback is down so are the imports from Canada.

The banks take 2% off the top when you purchase so we would have to be in the $1.02 CDN. and above to make the move and transfer it into our very modest American Dollar account. I checked a week ago $1,000 CDN would then buy $940.00 US and today $965.00 US. I imagine that it would be a very tight window of opportunity to take advantage of the exchange rate.

The Cdn Government likes the Loonie high so when it pays down the debt it is using less of the budget to do so. So it has more money to spread around in troubled ridings. I should have listened to Mermaid years ago about buying gold , she is quite right in her hunches. I am listening now

Do you wish you were younger?

2010-03-04T08:27:00.000-08:00

How many times do you say over the course of a month. " I wish I was 18 again with what I know now." For a lot of people out there they just be as clueless as a young person as they are as an older person. IMHO

The only way it would work would be to go back in time, to when you were actual 18 and have the knowledge that you have now for it to be an advantage. It would be kind of freaky to have the mind set of an older person ( esp. with stuff that doesn't even exist as of yet) in the body of an 18 year old. I know if that happened to me when I was 18. I probably would have thought. " Man that was some pretty weird stuff I took last night."

Or I be so freaky to all my peers that they would shun me. ( I guess for me nothing has changed.) LOL

To have all the knowledge that I have now is possible with any 18 year old. All the facts and figures are out there on the net. After all it is just History. The only difference is one's own personal experiences and nuances that are unique to each person.
That is something no one else can really experience regardless of how much one studies someone. You are only looking in from the outside and not looking out from the inside.

Do I wish I was younger. No not at all. I wish I was thinner but that is a different subject.

What do you think?

Here's one for Idle and lilith

2010-01-25T06:17:00.000-08:00

Winter in Nova Scotia-walking on the Frozen lake

2010-01-25T05:21:00.000-08:00

Ginny and I out on Lake Bannook. the ice is about 16 inches thick so you could drive a car out on the Lake.
We went out to get some groceries from Super Store and decided to cut across the Lake.

Don standing on the lake with our Condo unit in the background. For a virtual tour of our home click on this link for YouTube.

View of the City of Dartmouth from the middle of the lake.

Ginny on the Lake. My Snow Angel.

Another view from the middle Lake Bannook. This lake is full of canoes,kayaks and pleasure boats most times of the year. Now just the fool hardy.

View of the Walking Trail behind our Building.

View of the lake through the Trees at the back of our building.

Just in case it isn't cold enough for you else where. Wish we were back at the Dreams Tulum in Mexico.

Mayan Ruins-Tulum Mexcio

2010-01-18T08:38:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the Mayan Ruins built around 1600 years ago at Tulum Mexico along the Sea Coast.
the Site covered a very large area.

This is Temple supposed to be dedicated to Kukulcan. His relief is on the side of temple.

Ginny under the tree of life.

View of the Beach. Showing the height of the complex.

Grand Palace.

Priests Quarters

Another view from the beach. Showing the Temple of the Winds

Ginny and I with a view of the Entrance to the ruins.

View of the Horizon and at the very back of the picture, picture of the Hotel we stayed at.

Taking Pills- Ahhhhh that's Terrible

2010-01-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

The worst thing of us going to Mexico. Would had to, have been the Malaria Pills (Chloroquine). The after taste is very bitter and stays with you for what seems like hours. We had to take these 1 week prior and each week while there and for 4 weeks afterwards. Ginny is always amazed that I just take pills the hard way swallow them straight down with nothing to help them down.

Of all the useless things I can remember one of them is my Aunt Martha's Farm down in the Prescott Area of Ontario. I used to get sent there every summer when I was smaller. I hated it no running water, chamber pots and had to listen too Horrible Gospel Music all the time the old style Twangy, Nasal Country and Western stuff. I slept out on a sofa or mattress in the Hallway upstairs.

She used to give us all Cod Liver Oil Pills everyday. I had to chew my pills in those days as I could not swallow anything down. The taste was vile and made me gag each and every time. I remember managing to swallow the pills whole at Aunt Martha's
one summer. As I was so proud of myself I proceeded to swallow most of the bottle contents at the same time. I needed the chamber pot after that for a few days and I had to sleep out in the barn in the Hay Loft as well.

How do you manage to take your Medicine. ( Oh no " Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine goes down") AGHHHHHHHHHH, Help me "The Sound of Music" has attacked my brain. It is the most hateful film of all time. It is worse than Water Torture.

I saw that film 138 plus times as I worked in the Cinema when it first came out. I had the flipping film memorized and it still haunts me after all these years. I cannot get rid of the tune. Oh the horror of it all.

Down the Hatch. Open Wide.

Art Cafe Crepe-Puerto Aventuras Mexico

2010-01-14T04:57:00.000-08:00

"Art Cafe Crepe" across from one of the Dolphin Ponds. You can sit under the umbrellas and watch the world go by.

Ginny along the boardwalk of the Marina in Puerto Aventuras. Just in front of Pacal's Cafe.

One of the high points of our visit to Puerto Aventuras was walking around the small community down along the Marina.
There are condos of every shape and size and Boats up and down the Canals. There are of course Shop, Cafes,Restaurants,Dolphin Centre and "The Art Cafe Crepe".

I do apologize Pascal that my computer key board is in English and not French. This is a wonderful place to sit have a light lunch or drink fancy coffees and watch the dolphins leap and play along the wharf.

Mother Dolphin with baby.
Enjoy some stimulating conversation with the Gravel Family who are from Quebec by the way. While basking in the sunshine and warm temperatures. Unlike what we are experiencing here in Nova Scotia at the moment. (wish we were back down south)

Weather conditions as of today here in Dartmouth.

If you are a bit more adventurous you can go swimming with the Dolphins right in the centre of the town. I do recommend that you take the time to stop and sample the coffee and the Crepes at the Art Cafe Crepe. They serve real Canadian Maple Syrup with the Crepes and of course Ice Cream. The Art work they sell there from local artists and the handicrafts are top notch. So please check it out if you are in the area. Well worth the visit. See you next time.

Mayan Coffee-With Xtabentun and Coconut Ice Cream

2010-01-12T05:06:00.000-08:00

Picture of the xtabentun flower.

Here we are on our last night at the Dreams Puerto Adventuras in the El Patio Restaurant in front of the centre piece which is a tree with lights and hand blown glass red hearts and red rain drops.

Xtabentun is a flower that grows in the Yucatan, Mexico. This is an anise flavored liquor with honey from the Xtabentun. Another marvel from the Mayan world.

Here is our waiter Elucid starting to mix the flaming spirits constisting of Xtabentun and Coffee liquor. He starts by lighting a burner on a table and heating the glass in the flame. then he puts the heated end in a mixture of sugar and lime juice and then pours in Mexican coffee and adds Xtabentun and then Coconut Ice cream. He then takes a large metal spoon and gravy boat and heats them over the flame. He then takes a goodly amount of coffee liquor and Xtabentun and heats the liquid first then. As it heats it bursts into flame and he slowly pours the liquids back and forth from the spoon to the sauce contain. At the next to last moment puts more Xtabentun in and then -pours the flaming liquid unto the Coconut Ice cream in the glass.

You drink it while it is still partial alight. AHHHHHHHHH, Heavenly. Nice way to top off an Evening Meal on the shores of the Caribbean Ocean

Today the Goddess Bastet has come to claim one of Her Own

2010-01-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

Patches our beloved Pet and Friend of over 18 years was called home today. I found her a small bedraggled, wet bundle of fur underneath our car at a Lodge meeting many years ago. At the time we had 3 other cats and a dog. Ginny gave me a sour look as I showed her what I had found at the roadside. I picked her up and she chose us and not the other way around. She has been a constant friend and companion ever since. Our lives have sadly changed today and not in the short term for the better.

Patches made our House a Home and a certain warmth and love has gone out of our lives.

We will miss you Baby Girl and will always think of you when ever we say Bacon ,open Tinned Milk or see little Calico Kittens or Cats. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten. May you find everything you love to do with your Goddess Bastet, who has taken you in her arms to look after you now.

Dreams Puerto Aventuras Mexico day 7

2009-12-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well last day here. Would I recommend this Hotel to friends, yes. We would come back providing we can get a good deal. The Resturants Portinfino, El patio, Sea Side Grill, etc are really good both for food and service. Ordering from the Room Service is the way to go for breakfast.

Snorkeling is fantastic, there is also a grotto here great place to swim and snorkel right by the Baraccuda Bar.

The Marina is a great place to walk around and see the Dolphin Show, Mantees, sea Lions. If you want to swim with them you can. For extra of course. Or sit at the little cafes and drink and watch the fun for free. You are close enough to the action to almost touch them. Will write about a Canadian and his little coffee shop when I can do Art Cafe Crepe some good. Thanks, Pascal.

The bar staff Damian,Eva, Luis, Elais are wonderful. Waiters Manuel and his friend Manuel * Mr. Chicken( are not to be missed either(. The waiters in the El Patio resturant really helped to make our stay fun and memorable. I will explain about the flaming ice cream Mayan Coffee later that you can get at the El Patio. The boys take their life in their hands to light and pour one of the best special coffees we ever had.

We are off to town to get a coffee at the Art Cafe Crepe and then to get a cab to the Dreams Tulem. Will blog later. Time for a little drink to get the feet going.

Dreams Puerto Aventuras Mexico day 6

2009-12-19T07:19:00.000-08:00

Well yesterday I mentioned the jury was out on the Hotel. The individual service here is very lacking except for a few individuals. They do not seem to have the same training and when you ask one for something it is usually no, we do not do that here. Making cappuccino for instant. You then look around the Buffet Restaurant and see someone with one and the waiter just shrugs and walks away. I think it is because all the waiters are male. The Buffet food is usually cold or luke warm and not much choice. Not like Cuba where everything is piping hot and lots of variety.

The Hotel is an absolute Dream and the facilities are top notch but it is very lacking in the little things. Is it a 5 star. Maybe to some but to us probably not more than a 3.

Today it is very difficult in a Tropical Paradise, when you have to decide which shade tree and where to sit for the day. These decisions are terrible, I need a Drink. Manuel from the Buffet this morning gave us 4 glasses of orange juice and wine to get us going and it was only 8 in the morning.

Well here is to all of you. We are off to the Tulem Hotel tomorrow. Will update when I can.

Dreams Peutro Aventuras Mexico

2009-12-18T20:15:00.000-08:00

Day 5, time for an update, the flight from Toronto went well. Went from 2 to 32 degrees at Cancun. Had no problem with customs but some of the locals tried to sell us a time share before we even got out of the Airport. I thought to use Mutleys lottery money to buy one but he was not here. It was an hour form the airport to the hotel and it is a very beautiful place although the photos must be a little Photo Shopped as the beach is not as great as the adverts show.

The room and the grounds are very beautiful and the booze flows well. Only main problem we have is me. Every time I need to use the mens room it is usually being cleaned or out of service. Same thing happened today went into one and the toilet let loose from the wall and it turned it into a shower. What can I say I must be cursed.

Came back from El Patio our favorite restaurant here so far. The food and the atmosphere is great. I am using a Spanish Key and it is a lot different than the Mac at home. I am also 3 sheets in the wind. I will finish this tomorrow as someone is waiting for the computer. Would we recommend this place to our friends. We have mixed feelings on this as the service is mixed and the Oceana Restaurant is terrible. The food is good but the staff are rude and not helpful. I think they must get commission to sell expensive wine and when you do not buy one. You get no service at all. The room service we have is only bare bones I think the maid must be a movie star or something as she does not know how to clean or go the extra mile.

Room service is great, the bar staff are great and rest of the place is fun. Will be on line in few days or sooner. Only a week to Xmas. Miss Christmas music have not heard any so far apart from the Ipod we have.

Day 1 of the Holiday- Toronto Shearaton Hotel

2009-12-12T17:19:00.000-08:00

Day 1- of Holiday

Well we are in the Club Lounge at the Hotel at Terminal 3 at Pearson International Airport. The day started off with our friend Gorden driving us to the airport in Halifax. We boarded a jazz Air canada flight and arrived on time in Toronto. we took a tram from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 to the Hotel. We paid an upgrade and got a room on the penthouse floor with special access to the club Lounge. Where they have big screen tv,internet, coffee bar and treats. It must seat about 60 people. Ginny is watching the Telly at the present with the time difference it is about 9:30 our time. Just got back from a long walk around the various terminals and had Atlantic Salmon for supper in the Hotel resturant. (as well with a few beers).

Potential storm coming in tomorrow to Toronto do not know at this time if it will have an impact on our flight out out or not. Will try to do an update when I can. Off to Cancun tomorrow hopefully in the morning. It is minus 20 here and 86 degrees in Mexico. Well take care. TTFM

Night Before Christmas- Cape Breton's Eve

2009-12-09T14:47:00.000-08:00

THE CAPE BRETON VERSION

'Twas the night before Christmas
in dis Caper house
and nuttin' was stirrin'
not even our mouse.

The rest of da family
was all fast asleep
wit' visions of two-fours
delivered by jeep.

Da pit socks was hung
by da chiminey wit care
in hopes dat Saint Nicolas
soon would be dere.

And in da far corner
it was lovely to see
the keiths cans and bingo dabbers
dat hung from da tree.

Ma home from the fish plant
and me out on parole
she was snuggled in bed
I was perched on da bowl.

He climbs outta da fireplace
and I takes a long look
he's just like they show him
in my coloring book.

With vodka-glazed eyes
and a stomach like a bubble
a five-day-old beard
and dere's soot on his stubble.

His teeth when he smiles
look like Grampa's weed saw
and he wore tennis shoes
big as grizzly bear's paws.

This old Caper elf
gives me nuttin' ta fear
as he heads for da kitchen
for cookies and beer.

He kills off a six pack
then belches and smirks
and reaches into the present sack
ready to work.

Now under da tree
he's starting to set
the most beautiful presents
us Capers can get.

Dere's a new bread maker
and snowblower for mother
a steel chainsaw
and some Gumboots for brother.

Some mud flaps, CB
a to do list of illegals
a helmut and nightshirt
dat say 'cape breton eagles'.

He closes up da sack
and he jumps in da coals
and hollering 'OUCH @#$%$#@"
up the chiminey he goes.

He grunted and groaned
as he tossed out his bag
and cracked such a beer fart
I'm starting to gag.

I must watch him leave
so I rushes outside
I looks up at da roof
while in the bushes I hide.

And what does I see
when I looks through da twigs?
A rusted old car body
pulled by eight pigs!

Santa jumped in
and he gave'em all hell
'Let's go all yous pigs
don't just sit there and smell!'

On Mushy and Lushy
and Lempy and Joe
and all a you's others
what names I don't f@#$#%^$# know.

Fly over Glace Bay
and turn to da right
we make Dominion, Reserve
before the end of this night.

Then I hear him exclaim
with a cynical sneer
'Pull in at dat Keiths sign
I run outta @#$%$#@ beer.'

Merry Christmas to One and All- Some Old English Post Cards

2009-12-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

We are off to Mexico in a few days. All the Best to You and Your Family. See you in the New year.

Tequila, here we come and of course the sun as well.

Little Shrunken Sings The Blues

2009-11-28T10:42:00.001-08:00

For those of you who are having one of those days.

WHAT DO OUR PETS DO WHEN WE ARE OUT

2009-11-06T05:36:00.001-08:00

Weight Watchers -Week 4

2009-11-04T15:48:00.000-08:00

Ginny and I went to weigh in tonight. And I had lost 1.6 lbs since last week so almost 6 lbs to date for me. Ginny lost .6 of a pound. We went out to Wendy's for a treat. Then went for a walk around the lake here in dartmouth. So we will have a nor-easter storm coming in on Friday bringing lots of rain and snow. Snow that horrible four letter word that I do not like.

I am planning on getting the snow tires put on next week. So we will be better prepared for winter.

Yah, it is only little over a month before we head to Mexico for Christmas. Sun,sand and Pina Colodas. Probably put on 5 lbs. Oh well, you have to live some times.

The Three Stages Of A Man's Life

2009-10-30T07:37:00.001-07:00

SINGLE

MARRIED

DIVORCED

NEED I SAY MORE

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

Weight Watchers Week 3

2009-10-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Well I went to the Weight-In on Wednesday evening. I lost 3.2 pounds since the week before. So I am really motivated for this week to continue in my losing streak. Another 15 lbs to go or better.

Who says it is not all in the Name

2009-10-26T13:58:00.001-07:00

Finally a Business that let's you know the truth about advertising. It is all in the Name.

Weight Watchers Meeting

2009-10-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Well I went back to my first actual weight watchers weigh in on Wednesday. I lost .6 of a pound since last week. I was a little discouraged as I felt I would have done better. Ginny reminded me that I need to focus on the long term and the pounds didn't come up over night and neither will the weight go away over night. Slow and steady is the key to avoid the yo-yo effect.

Still have 20 lbs. to go till I am back in fighting trim. It was through weight watchers I went from a 42 to a 34 the last time. Unfortunately the past year has been rough and once you start to get off track. You seem not to care anymore and it takes a while to get back in gear. I guess it is pride, as I am a Life Time member and achieved goal the last time , tend to beat oneself up a little more.

I should have not got to that point again and should never have stopped tracking. But I am back.

Mrs. managed 2 1/2 lbs last week. I just plan to be extra careful. I have cut my points from 30 to 28 to see if that makes a difference. Although I look a lot slimmer and feel better with the increase in exercise already. Next Wednesday will be a better result as long as it is a loss or stay the same will be a victory either way.

It takes about 3 weeks to get in the habit of doing something, then it becomes a life style.

My Husband fixed this part -2

2009-10-22T05:32:00.000-07:00

My Husband Fixed This Part- 1

2009-10-21T12:10:00.001-07:00

Home Renovations- Love it or Hate it?

2009-10-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

We are under construction again. The Patio Door is in the process of coming out and a new one installed. This is all covered by the Condo Board here and doesn't cost us anything. Well not really true , we do pay condo fee's but extra out of pocket no.

It is about 40 degree's in here at present with the door open and will only get worse as the day progress's as it is just above freezing out doors.

So the saws are buzzing and the hammers hammering. You can feel the vibration through the floor and with the ripping of the wood, We do feel sorry for the owners below us for the extra noise.

It is a real pleasant place to be in this day. NOT. The door is about 30 years old and broken to bits, so it is need of replacement. Good thing I am a squeaky wheel sometimes, in order to get something done.

Well, I am going to put another sweater on and get some antifreeze in me. Just heard one of the workmen complain that they forgot to bring something important with them. Not a good sign of things to come. LOL

Can you retire or not at 55 ?

2009-10-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Can you retire at 55 or not, now that is a very good question? Especially if your like me and over that bench mark already. It makes it rather difficult but not impossible.
I was surprised to learn that most of my fellow Canadians like us have little or no savings. To put another wrinkle in our Financial mix is the fact I have been on forced retirement for 12 years. Due to a motor car accident, when I went over a cliff up in Cape Breton dropped 60 feet and rolled another 100 feet down the slope. The irony of this was I was selling Accident and Disability Insurance for Combined Insurance of America at the time.

Now you say, hope you had coverage. I had Short Term Disability but no LTD as I was not in the company long enough. Also when you are self-employed no Unemployment Insurance or Workers Compensation. Had to fight for about 6 years with both the Medical Field and the Government before I could get CPP. ( Canada Pension Plan Disability)

So we have been down to 1 salary all this time and have learned to live within our means and still save a little. Those of you who are single, either through your own choice or due to other circumstances would understand. Just how hard it is to actually sock anything away. How life forces you to stay in the same old, even if you hate it due to the way the economy is at present.

Seems better the Poison you know than the Poison you do not know.
They ( Financial Experts) keep saying that you must have 5 times your annual salary before you can consider retiring in both cash and stocks. Then you must limit yourself to a 3.5 or 4% of your worth to live on for the year. Providing of course that you have no other debts when you do retire eg. mortgage,loans, credit card issues. Although a Mortgage also means that you have some equity in the house and could over here when your 65 take out a CHIP ( Canadian Homeowners Investment Plan) to approx.. value of 40% of your home. No repayments for as long as you live in the home. Now this would work well for most people my age or older as about 70% of us actually own our home out right or have enough equity in the home for this to work.

Lets go back to the 3.5 or 4% you take out per year (assuming that you have no company or other pension plan to fall back on, apart from Old Age and CPP at least here in Canada at 65 and 60 years of age. A couple would get just on those around 18-20k per year). So at 65 years of age to retire 4% of 400k is 16k plus the 20k from the government for a total of 32k) that is between 2-3k per month.) Depending on the interest rate on the investment it would be enough to live on and to be able to Travel not First Class but Economy to distance places. Now if you want to retire at 55 in this case you would need 600k and only be able to take out 3% per year. Of course this assumes that you do and can take out more early on and less as you get older ( in moderation) depending on how the market does and interest rates.

You could also buy something inexpensive right now in Florida as in RV parks RV's are good value and will get better as the
older Generation Snow Birds (non baby boomers), hate to say it move on. Live there for 6 months come back to Canada to renew your visa's visit some family and friends and head back for another 6 months. Rent out your home, furnished ( as you get more money) and depreciate your home and furniture as an expense against the rent on your taxes; for several years and presto you can live very well. With the rent covering all or most of your immediate expenses. This is one of the options we are seriously considering down the road.

We are also lucky that Mrs. OT has a government pension that would allow her to retire at 55 but with 50% of her salary but at 59 she would get 70% of her salary. It is a hard call and one we haven't completely decided on yet.

So this is one of the the other reasons we down sized now to a 1 bdr; while most of the people we know think we are foolish to go smaller but we didn't need or use another 3 bdrs and etc full of stuff as it was. Now should my wife decide to retire at 55 we can take the hit on the pension and still manage.

We are also now mortgage free and can sock away a little more and still take Holidays while we are still fit and healthy.

So most experts seem to agree on the fact that, we are in a small group of people who can retire early and comfortability who have a Public Sector Pension, even without additional money in the Bank or Investments.

So it seems with the last stock market crash that the Freedom 55 is slipping away from some (esp those who want to live in exotic places and drive fancy cars, who are unable to live within their means).

Those who have a Public Sector Pension and with those who learn to economize without a pension and if both groups take a good hard look; a hard realistic look can and will have a brighter future. At least that is what I think. What do you think?

Ever had one of those Days? Where you did something dumb?

2009-10-08T04:43:00.000-07:00

So G. and I decided we wanted to get away somewhere warm and sunny for Christmas this year. But we were torn as to where to go for me Cuba would have been my first choice and the Blau Costa Verde would have suited me fine.

So as G. has the deciding vote after all marriage is a democracy and each person in the relationship has an equal say. ( as long as Mrs. has the final say). LOL. Cuba was not even considered, I wasn't even able to wear her down by price comparison either.

So we started looking at the Bahamas, Nassau would be nice we thought. But the more we checked up on the Breezes in Nassau the more the reviews were leaning more on the bad side than good. Most people thought the place was awful and as it would have cost us the same as Mexico, or Costa Rica and the Hotels there, we looked at all had very good reviews. The Bahamas trip left the picture and even with Cuba thrown back in by yours truly. ( I am like a bull dog do not give up with out a fight. Got the look finally, so even I gave up finally.) (Maybe in April we will get back to the Blau. Mrs Ot said;). All is not lost.

So in order not to wipe out our bank balance, I used a line of credit on one of my credit cards at a really good rate 1.9% for 8 months. I did get Airmiles for the trip by the way. Love those Airmiles.

Now I am ahead of myself as per normal. So we went to a Travel agent and worked with them to get us a trip to Mexico even with the H1N1 trouble.( we are getting our shots at the clinic next month).

So we are off to the Dreams Tulum for Christmas from the 20th to 27th and the Dreams Adventura from the 13th to 20th. The Hotels are next door to each other and about 1 1/2 hours from Cancun.

With the Tulum right next door literally to a Mayan Ruin by the same name. Hence the Pictures on the slideshow.

So I paid off the line of credit one day and forgot to cancel the payment for a later time. So I went to look on-line to look at our accounts and found us short by 4000. I realized what I did ( I actually paid the credit company twice, sort of gave them a loan.

I was advised that the 4000 credit wasn't going too compound and no 1.9 % interest paid back in our favor) Lest haste more speed in future and today I was able to contact the company and have the credit sent back to our account it will take a few days. I am so careful with our accounts as a rule.

In the mean time our regular bank is charging us interest at 4.50% for the loan I didn't know I was taking out to pay the off the first card. Talk about stealing from peter to pay paul. I should have just paid it in full in the first place. Live and learn.

Blonde Girl Pregnancy Test - Hey it's Friday.

2009-09-25T05:05:00.001-07:00

TGFB-Thank God For Blonde's.

Beauty is nothing without brains-Blonde's

2009-09-25T05:02:00.001-07:00

For all you Blonde's out there and those of us who have the odd Blonde Moment's.

Funny Toyota Hilux Commercial- "Bugger Me"

2009-09-22T08:42:00.001-07:00

This is a real Hoot.

Old Tarf doing his thing at river fest. Thanks Sennheiser

2009-09-08T06:56:00.001-07:00

for those of you who want a laugh . about half way through is a few seconds trying to do a dance comp to win a set of head phones. also the sip and slide where yours truly went down hard. ( not on the video)

Hurricane Bill- We dodged a bullet on this one

2009-08-24T05:02:00.000-07:00

Listening to the News and most people here are complaining that nothing happened with Hurricane Bill . Give it a rest folks, the eye of the storm was 75km off shore here in Halifax/Dartmouth just a slight change in direction and it could have come all along the actual coastline of Nova Scotia or right over us like it did with Hurricane Juan. We where very lucky this time. Also it came in broad daylight so you could see what was going on.

So you had the usual bunch of idiots standing on the shoreline watching the storm surges and the waves. Only 3 swept off Peggy's Cove this time. I do not know what is wrong with these people or the Media. The Media reports," no one is to go near the shoreline", so what do they do. They send some hapless reporter and cameraman to talk with the nuts who are standing on the slippery rocks as the waves are pounding around them. To ask them why are you out here putting your life in danger. Get a life!!!
( It must be a ploy by the News Media to down size. "We only lost 2 this storm, get a few more next time") ;)

So when the next one comes along. Not many will take any notice and the News/ Weather People will forecast it a little wrong or it will go off track at the last moment and then Wham, Bam, Slam, OH, Dam,Dam Dam.

Hurricane Bill- Never a dull Moment in Nova Scotia

2009-08-23T05:54:00.001-07:00

Well we are back in Dartmouth hunkering down till the storm passes by us. It is supposed to be over Halifax by noon today.

140 mls of rain and 120kms winds or more. Fortunately it will not make a direct strike on Halifax/Dartmouth like it did before. It will strike Canso or the Cape Breton shore instead. It will be very bad in those two areas and will be a long time in rebuilding.

We do expect power outages and localized flooding here. the trees are still full of leaves and they will most certainly break in the storm and down power lines, smash homes and cars. We left the RV up in Enfield to fend for itself and will see tomorrow what has transpired after the storm has come and gone. You can hardly see out the windows for the heavy rain which has a taste of salt to it. The wind has a really ugly sound to it and is very eery.

It must be five o'clock somewhere, so I am going to have a drink.

Tobacco Smoke Enemas-Who Knew???

2009-08-18T08:41:00.000-07:00

Greg's Song

2009-08-12T09:48:00.001-07:00

I wrote this because of a friend of ours who recently did a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has just been promoted to Sergeant and He is still with the Canadian Armed Forces to this day. I wanted to thank Him and those who are serving with the Armed Forces and to remember those generations of brave souls who served in wars past. Both my parents served and as well as my Uncles in WWII and Grandfathers in the WWI. I also have dear friends who served in Korea and Vietnam. So I wanted to tie it all together so I wrote this song in a form of a letter to all our Veterans ( Past and Present). I am so proud to be a Canadian and just wanted to say Thank you.

Let me Fish off Cape St. Mary's

2009-08-05T12:10:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favorite songs from Newfoundland. I am using a new steel string and no Mic or Amp for this tune. The song was written by a Otto Kelland in the early 1960's.. I will do a better job of videoing some time in the future. I also just put a tune I wrote 40 years ago in the Era of Peace of Love.

Summer update from Soggy Nova Scotia

2009-07-31T06:37:00.000-07:00

Lion Mrs. Oldtarf in a Parade for July 1st in Enfield with our Lions Club.

Sail Boat off the Shore at the camp

Me cooking on the weekend at the Poker Rally at the camp site.

This is your Post Card from Cape Breton.

Picture of Patches on the Deck.

Mermaid pretending to throw herself off the Balcony at the condo.You had to have been there.

Well we finally got 2 days in a row that it wasn't raining. the summer so far has been one of the soggiest on record. we had 18 days so far since end of May that it hasn't rained. we had a wonderful visit with our Daughter. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and with the carpenter ants falling on her head the first night ,she arrived. Her visit did not get off to a great start, good thing she made a great big pitcher of Pimm's so the shock of things wasn't to bad. Finally got rid of the pesky Ants who eat wood and after weeks of work got rid of the water leaks as well. So we have only been leak free for the past 10 days.

We went over the Trailer with a fine tooth comb trying to locate all the problems and , slowly but surely eliminated all of them. I had to let down the front of the RV as it was higher than the back so water wasn't flowing properly in the gutters. took off my gutter over the door and reworked the Air Conditioner as well with a new gasket. So it was a becoming a full time job when we should have been relaxing with our daughter. Sorry about things Mermaid.

Never mind you brightened up our lives and those around us for the few weeks you were here. Thank God, for good neighbors who pitched in to help with getting the trailer sorted and for their friendship in times of trouble. Bless them all.

I put the Trailer back together again and re-insulated things and finally sealed up the walls again, just the other day. So Ginny and I and our 18 year old cat are in town to enjoy Natal Day Festivities until this tuesday evening. Rain again today, quell surprise !

Here are some pictures of the Lake on a bright sunny calm evening just this week. thank you to all of you who have popped in over the summer sand gave us good wishes. It helped calm and buoyed us well. It was getting to a point where I felt like wearing snorkel gear to bed and friends were saying." We are coming over to visit and bringing our own bucket."
Sunset on the Grand Lake

One of the many Islands on Grand Lake

It was a mixed blessing if we didn't have the water problem we would have never found the Carpenter Ants until the trailer fell apart. (Too bad it wasn't Plumber Ants, they might have fixed the leak as well.) (Although I wouldn't have wanted to see the butt cracks with those Plumber Ants.

Away at the Camp in Enfield

2009-05-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

We are taking a sabbatical for the summer. As we are now living on a semi-permanent basis up at the camp. We have finished building the enclosure for the bugs and to add living space. Still have 4 gallons of stain to use, and yet have already used 5 gallons.

Hope you all keep well and all the best. Blog to you soon.

You know you are getting old.

2009-05-04T08:37:00.000-07:00

When these things happen to you.

Thoughts for the Day

2009-04-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

GOLF FOR BEGINNERS

GOOD RECOVERY

REVENGE IS SWEET

HOW MEN SCREW UP ROMANCE

Well Tomorrow is my Birthday- got a new fire extinguisher for the candles

2009-04-28T12:26:00.001-07:00

It is hard to believe that I will be another year older tomorrow. MY Mother once sent me a Birthday Card many years ago for my 18th. It took over a year to find me as I had moved that often. She wrote "I am surprised that you lived this Long. Oh, by the way Happy Birthday, Brat. And isn't it time you write to me.

Did you break an Arm? Did you get kidnapped by Aliens? Did your Pen run out of Ink?
Did you run out of Spit to lick a stamp? Why the @@@@@@ silence, better write me soon!!"

It was on a large Post card of Wasaga Beach, Ontario. ( I still have that card). I always managed to send her a Mothers Day Card even if I forgot her Birthday. She told me as long as she gets a Mothers day card that way she knows that I still loved her and think of Her. Un- fortunately she passed away over 31 years ago. So I always made sure to remember her on Mothers Day and still do.

Each Mothers Day when I was over in the UK. I always sent two Cards one for Mothering Sunday in the UK and one for Mothers Day in May in Canada.

You be the Judge- Did Prince Philip let one?

2009-04-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

Now I ask you. HRH Prince Philip looks like he let one and it must of been a real ripper.
Last Picture of the Queen's squinty face tells it all. And do not forget Prince Harry holding his nose.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

2009-04-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

1st grade school teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first-graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!
1.
Don't change horses
until they stop running.
2.
Strike while the
bug is close.
3.
It's always darkest before
Daylight Saving Time.
4.
Never underestimate the power of
termites.
5.
You can lead a horse to water but
How?
6.
Don't bite the hand that
looks dirty.
7.
No news is
impossible
8.
A miss is as good as a
Mr.
9.
You can't teach an old dog new
Math
10.
If you lie down with dogs, you'll
stink in the morning.
11.
Love all, trust
Me.
12.
The pen is mightier than the
pigs.
13.
An idle mind is
the best way to relax.
14.
Where there's smoke there's
pollution.
15.
Happy the bride who
gets all the presents.
16.
A penny saved is
not much.
17.
Two's company, three's
the Musketeers.
18.
Don't put off till tomorrow what
you put on to go to bed.
19.
Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and
You have to blow your nose.
20.
There are none so blind as
Stevie Wonder.
21.
Children should be seen and not
spanked or grounded.
22.
If at first you don't succeed
get new batteries.
23.
You get out of something only what you
See in the picture on the box
24.
When the blind lead the blind
get out of the way.
25.
A bird in the hand
is going to poop on you.
And
the WINNER and last one!
26.
Better late than
Pregnant

What noise- I do not hear any noise-

2009-04-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of "Male Selective Hearing", which seems to be aliment which inflicts not only Men; but Women as well. IMHO

It is true when my spouse is chatting to me about something and the Telly is on, I am reading a book or the newspaper. What information she maybe trying to impart to me is going in one ear and out the other.

I just like to say that "men" are not the only ones who are bothered by this problem. "Women" are as guilty as we are.

The situations may be different but the same outcome. For example, how many of you gentlemen get into the family car after your wife or spouse has driven it for a time and notice that the radio is full blast. You turn on the car and straight away the radio's volume blows you out of the car. So what do you do you turn down or turn off the radio and take the car out for a drive or to get some more beer etc.

There is a strange noise that wasn't there before, a ping or clank, the engine sounds a little different that normal. So you listen to it for a while then it dawns on you what the trouble maybe. This I am sure our resident expert from the Jungle could explain better than I. About the Male's role in the wild listening out for sounds that could have negative effect on his safety and that of his family.

" Female Selective Hearing" has occurred. So you get home and ask if your wife has noticed anything different with the car lately, some noise, rattle? They always say " I heard that didn't know what it was so I turned up the radio so it would go away."

A case in point. I was out for a walk yesterday to meet my wife on her way home from work. I was cutting through the Dartmouth Sportsplex parking lot. When I heard this awful clank, clank, clank coming from behind me. I though it was Jason with his chain saw. Turned and saw this little old dear driving this grey car coming into the parking lot. As she got out of the car the music was deafening. I told her about the noise I was hearing as she was driving and said it sounds like the CV Joints or drive shaft about to give way.

She turned to me and glared " What noise, I do not hear anything." So I left it like that and continued to ponder in amazement on why I even bothered.

So you see, it affects us all. Sometimes in the same way; other times a little different but it still get's us both. "Male Selective Hearing" Bah Humbug!!!!!!!!!!

Canada's Bailout Mascot

2009-03-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

Canada's Bailout mascot-We have gone from a Beaver to this!!!!!!!!!

Icing on my Glasses- The Deck was truly "Stacked"

2009-03-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well it is time that i wrote some thing else than about the Condo. We went up to the camp on the 14th of March to join up with some of the other campers and have an early St. Patricks day party.

It was nice to get out of the city and into the the country for an evening it was cold still and snow and ice still covered most of the ground. We went over to Jim and Amy's Trailer and deck for the evening. I got into the Appleton's Rum a little too early and a little to hard. Now I want you to realize that no water was on and so the Latrine was outside in the woods in minus 12 degree weather. Jim's deck is not insulated and attached to a Trailer (RV) there where several heaters on the deck but it only warmed up to about 8 or 9 degrees cel. Every time someone came in from outside the air temp on the deck you could see your breath. So it was rather rustic but lots of fun.

Well as the evening progressed, I seem to have gone a little numb and my vision was getting very blurry. I had both pair of glasses on one on my head and the other on my face. When 1 pair got really blurry ( might have been the rum) I would put the other pair on and still had trouble seeing. So even without them I was a little out in left field. My dear lady gave me some Moose Meat stew to eat around 8pm. I had by then polished off my Rum and was cracking open another one. I had run out of Coke so I was just drinking it straight I guess. It was around 11:30, G helped me home to the Trailer. As I was having to hold my glass with both hands as I had lost feeling in my extremities by then. So I am told. I do not remember much of the evening after 8p. so I do not remember saying "Arse" or trying to pinch g's bottom all night or any one else's/ ( Good thing what happens on the decks stays on the deck). But I couldn't for the life of me figure out why every-time I put my glasses on I couldn't see out of them the next day. G told me they were covered in B'day cake icing. It would explain a lot I thought I was going blind or something. Jim C kept putting icing on my glasses every chance he got just to see what I would do. As I was so spaced never even noticed.

Well I must have had fun as I do not remember much of the evening but do recall spending the night on the couch and running out side in the freezing cold to settle my stomach for the rest of the night and it was freezing. Well I was told I didn't have to apologize to anyone for my actions. I told the same story over and over again about Janet and Brian coming down to Florida to see Ernie and Lorraine around the same time we were there. We missed them by about an hour. The old neighbour next to Ernie named Bill. Said a couple showed up in a fancy car. I do not remember their names but " Boy was she ever Stacked". We knew who was there Brian and Janet from the camp. Janet is renowned for her Mae Wests. Janet and Brian were at the Party guess which story I told again and again.

"Was she ever Stacked." It was a good thing the lake was frozen or I might have gone surfing again. Click on the link.

Our New Condo- 28 Brookdale Crescent Dartmouth NS

2009-03-23T05:39:00.001-07:00

This is I promise the last of the pics and video of the new Condo Renovations. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your interest and patience in this project.

Work being done on the Condo

2009-03-16T04:53:00.001-07:00

These are some of the Pictures of the work being carried out on the condo. We are getting the place painted this week and Kitchen and Bathroom tiled so once it is all done I will post the finished pictures.

Picture of our Carpenter Brian working on the counter top and reinforcing the frame and adding some dividers and shelves to the kitchen sink unit.

Picture of the construction site as everything is torn up at the same time. The air was blue with the saw dust and the fire alarm went off several times you can still smell the saw dust a little bit that will go when it is warmer out side and the windows can be opened. We had the walls and floors washed down by Trevor. He did a really good job of cleaning the place for us.

Picture of the pantry being built off the kitchen and a door and frame being put in where there was only concrete block before.

Picture of yours truly in the mirror showing difference of the Bathroom vanity and oak mirrored shelve with pewter bathroom light and taps as opposed to the 4 ft neon. I do apologize for not spending any time reading other blogs lately and I really miss that but with all the confusion going on. I will get back to your corner of the blog a sphere shortly. Thank you.

Pictures of What the Condo looked like before we gutted it

2009-03-15T15:57:00.000-07:00

Picture of the Bathroom with 1970's style Plastic Cupboards and Mirrors and the old worn Vanity. Image in the mirror of the old Saloon style door leading into the Kitchen from the Hallway.

Picture of the Kitchen with the rusted sink and taps , rotten counter top and splash guard circ. 1970.

Next two photos show the Living room and dining room with all the stains on the carpets and carpet on top of 1970's glued down shag carpet with the black foam backing. You can see the 1970's swag light in the dining room and in the kitchen they had 4 foot florescent lights and also in the Bathroom which were torn out and replaced. We had a Garburator in the kitchen and tore that out as well and used the switch to make several more plugs for use in the kitchen. Now it is only a galley style Kitchen but as we are not Master Chefs it is all we need.

View through the Kitchen to the closet that we turned into a Pantry showing the EAton Viking Appliances. Eatons have been out of Business for 15 years and the Appliances were new in the 1970's. Basically nothing had been done in the place since the building was built. they also had metal hanging floor to ceiling closets on a slider that we also removed and modernized as well as the doors. I will post another bunch of pictures tomorrow of the work being down. We are having the walls painted tomorrow and the kitchen walls tiled on thursday. then we will be almost done at that point. We are living with the Kitchen cabinets for now as they are in good shape but changing the wood doors and drawers in the next few months. We had the Carpenter fix them up and make them serviceable as they were well built back then.

View from the Roof Top Garden At the Condo and from the Balcony

2009-03-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

This pIcture was taken on Sunday March 10th showing another snow storm and the view from our Balcony.

Same day just looking in a different direction from the Balcony.We have a water view of the Lake and it is nice seeing all the people walking along the shore line on the new Trail that has ben put in by the City.

Picture of the view up Lake Banook and you can see the Halifax Citadel in the back ground. This is looking down the Lake towards the City of Halifax. these pictures were taken today March 11th 2009. Showing the Lake still frozen solid.

Picture of Across the Lake from the condo towards the West.

Picture of Lake Mic Mac on the other side of the Highway, Looking north.

Picture of the lake without the Telephoto and you can see several of the Canoe Clubs at the end of the lake one on the left and on the right and you can see how big the lake is and the reason for this spot being one of the best rowing and canoeing venues in the world.

Up to our Ass in Alligators

2009-03-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

Well the Contractor we were going to go with to start with backed out on us at the last minute. We went scrambling for someone else, in the end ended up with 4 different someone-ones. We had someone do the baseboards, the plumbers in to do the sinks and bathroom and a Spark in to do the wiring and a wonderful young man named Scott to do the Closets and counter top and the vanities, Shelves and most of the other work. We moved in with Scott still doing drywall in the morning on the 6th of March. The Flooring guys did a great job and now we are in the throws of painting the place. The Baseboards and closets are done as well as the Bathroom and Kitchen. We are getting a Painter in next week to do the rest of the place. The Flooring guys were in today as we are getting the kitchen walls tiled and the bathroom area too. Scott will come back to do the Kitchen Cupboard Doors.

The bills are coming in thick and fast so far we are on budget. I will put some pictures on the web tomorrow as I have to take the Car in for some repairs and so will be in for most of the day. The entire kitchen countertops were rotten and the sink was so old it didn't work anymore. The metal closets were thrashed and modern wooden doors put on a track system to make things work well.

The floors were covered in 2 very old carpets from wall to wall on top of each other and the bottom was foam backed and glued down on the floor what a mess.

Well I got to get the dinner done and tidy up as we are having visitors after supper. I haven't told G. yet and so hope she is up for it as I know she is very tired and fed up with the Year End work coming in.

Till tomorrow.

Things are falling into place for the Condo

2009-02-17T12:29:00.001-08:00

Well it will not be long before we take possession of our new condo on Monday. Went and met with the Contractor yesterday and everything is a go with him. We will be changing the kitchen and bathroom, doors , closets and putting in baseboards and crown moulding through the place. Had to remeasure the appliances and found to our dismay that the fridge we had ordered was 6 inches bigger than the space we have in the kitchen. So instead of black appliances we are putting in white now and ordered them from Sears and we saved over 300.00.

Well G. was with me yesterday and it was a good thing as we had to go to several places pricing and ordering things. So I guess I will not be in too much trouble as of yet. Got the approvals for the Flooring . Got approval from the landlord that we can move out of here by the 6th March. Spoke to the mermaid last night. She is off to Cuba for the hike of a life time. Everything is going swimmingly with her in london at present.

I am losing my voice for some reason. I guess I have been on the phone gassing to our friends and sale business to much. It is a mixed blessing for G. I guess.. The other Trailer up at the camp is now sold and now the hard work begins to move out our stuff. I am off tomorrow while the weather is good to sort stuff out and get a few of folk art pictures to put on consignment and some of our Indian Art work at the Black Sheep Gallery.

Waiting to hear from the lawyer on how much we have to bring him to close the Condo. The Bank account will be depleted by the time this week is over, Oh well it is only money. Tried to get into the Storage locker at the new home yesterday but the key didn't work. We feel sorry for the Real Estate agent who found out where the locker was and then couldn't show it. At least we have one which is something we didn't know when we bought the unit in the first place. Added bonus.

The Apartment is filling up with lights, locks and other bits for the new place, starting too trip over the extra stuff. Not long
now. It will get even more hectic next week. Gorden will be over to help with the electrics trying to get that stuff done Monday before the work and the fun begins. John is coming in on the 2 march to get the old appliances in the morning before the new ones show up in the afternoon. Then once this work is done on the condo, the Trailer up at the camp will be worked on during our annual fishing trip with Frank and the boys in early May. In between Beer and Shooters.LOL
Do not know how much will be accomplished but it is so good to have time with the guys and burn what few brain cells are still going.

The weather continues to be very cold and another storm coming in on thursday so it makes driving long distances dangerous and road conditions are so bad. Well it is time for me to get supper on the go as the Boss will be home soon from work.

Till next time.

Sale on the Condo Continues

2009-02-13T06:04:00.000-08:00

Well everything is progressing well on the condo front. Went to have another look at the place with a chap from Taylors Flooring to give us a quote to rip up the carpet and put down Laminate or Engineered Hardwood and Tile in the entrance way.

Also had a couple of handyman friends come over at the same time to give me some advice as what we can do and how it can be done.

The request for approval for the Flooring has gone in and all things being equal hope to have approval so we can start the floors on the 24th of Feb. The Contractor is coming over on Monday at 1pm and show him what we want done. It is a little dangerous on my part as G has been at work these few times and I do not want to get something wrong. So I am hoping G is with me on Monday to ensure we are on the right track.( I do want to stay married)

I am meeting with the Movers today and as per our agreement, they will pack and move everything this time. The Moving company knows us by first name basis as we have used them so often and they only shifted us less than a month ago. We would like to be out of here on the 6th of March. So here's trusting that all things will come together and we can be in and unpack that weekend.

The poor cat will be terrified again and very confused so we are going to have her stay a few days with Gorden and Judy while we are in a complete state of Chaos. ( Seems like we are always in some sort of Organized Chaos). Now if only I could figure out how to use Html in my Postings any suggestions out there). Have a car load of things to take out to the Camp. Good thing we have some other place to dump stuff for now. Here is a picture of our new RV. It is a 37 foot Layton with a slide out and 2 bedrooms. Plenty of room for visitors, hint,hint.

Well tomorrow is Valentines Day, I already got some flowers for G. as she wasn't feeling that great this week. Planning on going out to a fancy restaurant tomorrow night and on Sunday going to see the New Pink Panther movie with Steve Martin. ( not the same without Peter Sellers) but still funny. It will be 26 years tomorrow that we first met and last year at this time we renewed our Vows with 96 other couples live on the Radio. I will put a link to that post for you. So have a great weekend , Stay Safe, those of you on Holidays in far off corners of the Globe, enjoy.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Just Bought a New Condo

2009-02-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

Picture of the lobby. Pictures on the left in the slide show are of Lake Bannook in Dartmouth.

We just bought a new 1br Condo today in Dartmouth on the shores of Lake Bannook.

We have been looking for a while it is in a very good location near MIc Mac mall. That means, Dear Mermaid you can walk to all the shoe stores and shop till you drop. G and I, we can continue our walks around the Lake go fishing and canoeing right from the back yard of the building and G could walk to work on good days.

We close in 2 weeks and plan on getting the place spruced up before we move in in March sometime. So we are on the move again.

Well Speaking of Seniors Discounts- 20% off Hooters!!!

2009-01-31T16:36:00.001-08:00

I was recently in Florida just this past week. We went to Lakeland outside of Tampa to a Seniors Expo not that G and I wanted to go and see Rita Mcneil but we were passengers in our friends car and they wanted to go.

It was for the retired Snowbirds those who rather sit in the sun in their golden years down south than shovel snow.
Found out Snowbird is not just Canadian term it also applies to those Americans in the Northern States as well, learn something everyday.

Well as you can see from the picture it has to do with Hooters. I am sure some of you are waking up at this moment and otherrs are rolling their eyes. This was the only booth with no line up. Go figure!!!!

Now I was given a coupon for 20% off at Hooters. I am not sure if I already got the 20% off (juding by the photo) or is there more revealing discount to come. I have to go stand in the corner now as Mrs. Tarf is sending me for a time out. LOL

:))

Seniors Discount- without even asking for it.

2009-01-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

Well it had to happen sometime I guess. I remember when I used to get into the Bars without being asked for identification. In the day when you had to be 21 to go to the Bars and 18 to see a Restricted Movie. Then when I was old enough that was when they asked me for ID. I was always annoyed that they asked me then, Hey, I am old enough. Then a few years later no asked anymore, I started to feel left out and lonely. LOL

Today I was in Zellers at Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth getting a few bits and was automatically given the Seniors Discount without being asked for Proof of Age.
I have in the past told various fibs about being older; so I could get discounts on Meals, Price of Admission to Movies and Seniors Appreciation Days where you get an extra 10% off the price of merchandise.

Why is it when we can get things cheaper. We tell the young clerks at the cash registers that we are older. As if they are ever going to ask us to prove our actual age with some ID.

I remember all my 20 something Teachers when I was a lot younger. That they all looked really old to me then. So it must be the same thing to the Teenagers on cash when I arrive to buy something now a days. Here's comes a really old Geezer, better give him the discount before he complains or has a stroke.

Then when someone asks you your age, we also lie and we automatically say 39 again. LOL.

My Mom always said. "The Secret of looking younger is always hang out with older people."

So if any of you want to hang out. There is a guarantee you will look younger. :)) I have the Seniors Discount to prove it.

All Barium Prepped Up and No Where to Go

2009-01-19T05:41:00.000-08:00

Did you ever have one of those days where you followed the Doctor's advice and got yourself ready for an exam and were not able to get there.?

Well, I joined the club today; I was supposed to have a Colorectal Exam this morning. So I had to clear my system with an Enema Prep the night before and go to at the Dartmouth General Hospital. Now it is only a check up, at my age, it is the proper thing to do. Well I had this horrible starvation clear diet to follow to the letter yesterday. And then joy of joys drink one 300ml bottle of Magnesium Cirtate (cold) as it would taste worse warm. ( Yugghh). Wouldn't want to try that as it was awful anyway.

Then on top of that, I had to take 3 Dulcolax Tablets and good thing I put Roller Blades on as I could slide in and out of the Washroom all night very fast and often.

So In the midst of this we have a 20cm of snow and 15ml of Freezing Rain and rain on top of that. So it meant the roads were not passable and I had to cancel my test for another day of spending the night on the Loo in the not so distance future. But, Dear Readers everything else from my perspective was Passable ( if you know what I mean). I think I lost almost 5 lbs since yesterday.LOL Not a pleasant way to spend an evening.

Lawyer Joke

2009-01-11T15:17:00.001-08:00

The madam opened the brothel door in Winnipeg and saw a rather dignified, well-dressed, good-looking man in his late forties or early fifties.
'May I help you sir?" she asked.
'I want to see Valerie,' the man replied.
'Sir, Valerie is one of our most expensive ladies. Perhaps you would prefer someone else', said the madam.
'No, I must see Valerie,' he replied.
Just then, Valerie appeared and announced to the man she charged $5000 a visit. Without hesitation, the man pulled out five thousand dollars and gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, the man calmly left.
The next night, the man appeared again, once more demanding to see Valerie. Valerie explained that no one had ever come back two nights in a row as she was too expensive. But there were no discounts. The price was still $5000.
Again, the man pulled out the money, gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, he left.
The following night the man was there yet again. Everyone was astounded that he had come for a third consecutive night, but he paid Valerie and they went upstairs.
After their session, Valerie questioned the man, 'No one has ever been with me three nights in a row. Where are you from?' she asked.
The man replied, 'Ontario'.
'Really', she said. 'I have family in Ontario.'
'I know.' the man said. 'Your sister died, and I am her attorney. She asked me to give you your $15,000 inheritance.'
The moral of the story is that three things in life are certain.
1. Death
2. Taxes
3. Being screwed by a lawyer

Well it is time for me to lose a few pounds-Weight Watchers

2009-01-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

Weight Watchers is a very good program. It helped both Ginny and myself to lose over 120 lbs between the two of us. I went down from a 42 waist to under a 33 waist. Now there is nothing wrong with the program. It gets down to keep track of what you eat each day. As thinking you can keep it all under control in your head and still stay on track, that doesn't work, as you tend to forget what you had been eating earlier in the day.

I do find the Weight Watchers Program a little wanting once you get to Maintenance. Which is getting to your goal weight and keeping it for at least 6 weeks afterward. You are kind of on your own, part of the problem for me was not going to the meetings regularly as one only has to go every 6 weeks. I felt bad sitting there and not having anything to say or to participate in the meetings. No one wants to hear how successful you have been all the time. As some of the people had been there before we even started in the first place.

It was the same way I started to work for the Program but found it hard to be on the other side weighting people in and flogging what ever products for that week just because I got some sort of commission from the sales.

So I stopped going and then stopped counting and low and behold my 34 waist is now tight and I will be damned if I am going to buy anymore clothes to fit.

As I dropped down in size. I got rid of my old big clothes, so I would not be tempted to slip up in the buffet table.

Well I am now about 15lbs over my goal weight and pledge to get back on track. This post is for my blogging buddy down under. So here is a picture of what I looked like before I started on weight watchers and a picture of what I looked like a year later. Just to prove that I was almost looking like the Michelin Tire Man.

Me before I started on Weight Watchers in Cuba Drinking.

Me after 1 Year on Weight Watchers again in Cuba.

I realize now that Frank will go to some lengths to do me some composite shots and send them to me. If they are not rude I will post them on the computer.

So "Allons 'y" We go there or Off and Running and hopefully Losing a little on the way. Slow and steady.

Furniture Dents in your Carpets- How to get rid of them

2008-12-29T10:29:00.000-08:00

This is so cool. Did you know you can get rid of those horrible furniture dents in your carpets with a Tea Towel and a Steam Iron?

Just put the cloth over the dent or dents and get your Steam Iron on Hot and Steamy. ( Sounds like an XXX rated film) LOL.

Leave the Iron on the spot for a few moments depending on the size and depth of the dent. Make sure that you have it over a Tea Towel.

And Presto no more dent. The Steam from the Iron softens up the compressed dent and it springs back to normal.

It works like a charm. Of course you could always put down Hardwood or Laminate instead of carpet that works too.

This is a lot cheaper. :))

Happy New Year everyone.

A Family Christmas Tradition

2008-12-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

This has become one of our Favorite Christmas Traditions at our House. Ginny and I have for many years used the same Christmas Cards and we just write a new verse on it to sum up the year. It is fun to look back over the years and the memories of past time, friends and family that comes back to the heart and mind.

This is the card that I recycle each year for Ginny. I haven't thought of a verse yet but will sit down and compose it prior to tomorrow night. Her Card and Love are the only real gifts that I need each year. The rest is only material stuff.

The Following is a verse I put in for 1995.

Each Year a snappy greeting, to think of gets hard.
To share my thoughts without buying a new greeting card.
So I recycle the old, but my love for you will never grow cold.
Thank you for everything.
Love Don xxx

What special things do you guys do for Christmas?

So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our home to yours. There is always an extra place set at the table in case you happen along.

It pays to complain to the Person in Charge at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Halifax NS

2008-12-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

Mermaid's Grandmother always said "If you want something done, go to the top."

A case in point that happened today. Ginny and I decided that a nice relaxing night away from the Condo was in order and it would be nice to go somewhere romantic. So we decided that we go and book a room at the Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in Downtown Halifax.

I realize it is only across the Harbour from Dartmouth where we live anyways. Here is a picture of the Pool and our Room opening onto the Pool.

We wanted an extra large room and with slide out doors to the pool. So as we couldn't go to Cuba for Christmas we would go here and just pamper ourselves. Have a few glasses of Bubbly do a little swimming and just laze around the pool. As we were not going to cook the Traditional Christmas feast but have a few nibbles and some Fish Chowder and spend the day with dear friends Frank and Shirley.

So I called up the Reservations desk at the Marriott and booked a Pool side room with parking and a gas card for 149.00 plus tax for Xmas Eve. I even got a nice confirmation number and was assured that we would have a pool-side room for the 24th at the Harbourfront Hotel. Now you must understand that there is nothing open after 5pm in Halifax Christmas Eve except for a few Pizza places, the Bars are closed and the Casino next door closes early as well. So we wanted the ability to just pretend we were on a warm beach somewhere.

So, I called up the Hotel today to check on our reservation and was told we had none. In fact we were booked into another Hotel and not the one we asked for. So, the man at the Reservation desk said " It is not my fault and if you want a Pool-side Room without parking it would be 204.00 plus tax and an extra 23 for parking." I explained that we would have gone to the Harbourfront Hotel and expected a room at the Inn and found none. ( A very important event like this happened over 2000 years ago. Things worked out very well on that occasion. Which is the Reason for the Season.)

I wasn't going to get an apology or any incentives because of the mix up from the Marriott . Even though they quoted us the wrong rate and put us in the wrong Hotel to boot. It was tough Titty to us. Bah, Hum Bug.......So I called Ginny and told her what happened and we decided to cancel our plans. So I cancelled the Reservation on line. We were both disappointed at this point as we were looking forward to this.

I then decided that we were owed something. So I called and asked to speak to the General Manger, who is a nice guy by the name of Dave. I explained the situation and told him that the "Grinch of the Marriott Hotel" had ruined our getaway and possibly our entire Christmas. He agreed that it was a good thing I called up before hand than showing up on Christmas Eve and finding things were "Grinched."
So, He agreed to honour our 149.00 price with free parking and a large Pool-side Room to boot for Christmas Eve. As I pointed out that The Hotel would not be overly booked for Christmas Eve and it was the Reservation Desk who made the mistake.

Merry Christmas. So on Christmas Eve were ever you are. Remember to raise a glass in a toast to Friends present and absent. We will set another place in case anyone of you happen along to visit. So if you come to Halifax, please stay in the Marriott. I give it 5 stars. Thanks Dave.

SAD CHRISTMAS NEWS FROM OTTAWA

2008-12-10T10:54:00.001-08:00

There will be no Nativity Scene in Ottawa this year!

The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in Canada's capital this Christmas season.
This isn't for any religious reason. They simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in the Nation's capital. Nor could they find a virgin.

P.S. There was no problem, however, finding enough asses to fill the stable.

Two Tails of One Kitty

2008-12-07T04:41:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of my Cousin Bob and Lois with Ginny and I on Holiday together in May of 2008.

Well My Cousin Bob who lives in Hope, BC. They have this Cat named Mercedes Benz the reason for the name was Bob always wanted to have a Mercedes Benz Car. So one Christmas his family told him they got him a Mercedes Benz out in the Garage for him as a Christmas Present. So Bob blind to the fact that they can only just afford the gas in his SUV staggers out in to the Garage looking for this fancy present. So He walks into the Garage turns on the light and no car but this little furry Kitten is laying in a box that has drawn on it a car with a little note. Here is your Mercedes Benz. The Cat is now 8 years old and still living with my Cousins.

Well, several years ago. I went out to help Bob Paint his new store. They were going to expand the business from a little run of the mill Jewelery Store come Junk Shop on it's last legs. He was getting the OK for a Sears Outlet Store with Appliances, TVs etc and a real chance to turn things around. So As my Uncle Joe and Aunt Mildred are getting up there thought I kill two birds with one stone and went out for two weeks. Well I stayed at Bob and Lois's Place and was sitting in a Wooden Rocking Chair having a Beer, I only just got there about 2 hours. This rather large Cat came in the front door and immediately jumped on my lap, stood up and put it's paws on my shoulders and started to kiss my face then promptly sat on my lap and went to sleep.

( My friends and Family call me the Cat Whisperer as strange cats seem to come up to me.)

Bob and Lois were thunder struck as this cat doesn't like to be petted and avoids strangers and never show any sort of affection unless it wants to be fed. They hadn't seen Mercedes for 3 days as they live right at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and he goes off hunting for days at a time.

This is the view from Bob's back door at his place.

Well for the two weeks, I was there this cat was my constant companion. He came down and slept in my room right on top of my blue suitcase which got covered in cat hair. I always have a glass of water to drink during the night. One night I woke up and heard a lap, lap,lap, lap right beside my head. I turned the light on and the damn cat was drinking from my glass. So for about 10 days or so I was drinking water with Cat's Spit in it, unbeknown to me. So I stopped drinking water in a glass and now have a covered plastic water bottle. The Cat still follows me around when ever we visit my cousins.

Condo has been Sold

2008-11-21T05:01:00.000-08:00

I apologize to my Reader Friends that I caused some confusion reference a recent post. I buggered up the Links and so had to delete the post.

Yes finally, We sold our Condo. We have to wait until the 28th of November before we could really count our chickens. That is the final dates of pull out for Financing or Legal problems etc.

We were asking for 219,00 and we got an offer of 210,00. Considering the economy we didn't do too bad.

We actual close on the 22nd. of January. We have booked an Apartment at at Place called the Harbour Shore Acres here in Dartmouth. It is half the size of what we have now so we are down sizing our stuff.

Tomorrow will be our first winter storm of over a foot of snow falling. I think we put stuff in an Auction tomorrow so we will only get pennies for our treasures as no one will go out and those there will benefit from no one to bid against them. Hey they have changed the date to Sunday instead so cool. But everyone will still have to dig themselves out of the snow to get there, Oh well at least it would have stopped by then.

I will put a link to the rentals should anyone be interested to check it out. We will be on a month to month lease so we can still look for places to live and wait until we see something we really want to have.

Ginny works right next door so how cool is that and we get a DND discount on top of things. She figures as she is next door that she will be late for work everyday now. On the slide show I am showing pictures of Dartmouth NS where we live .

What not to say to a Mother-in-Law

2008-11-17T05:14:00.000-08:00

Picture of what my Ex. Mother-in-Law looked like to me. She is the one on the left. I had more hair in those days and my voice hadn't broken yet.

Form of transportation offered to my Mother-in-Law on her visit to Ottawa.

How I imagined her Traveling to and from England to Canada. It is not very far from the truth. "Ok, it is sorry (Mermaid)."

Many years ago in a Galaxy far, far and far away . Actually it was in Bell's Corners, just outside of Ottawa, Ontario. Lived a family in crisis as the scary Mother-in-Law was coming over from England to visit. And give us the benefit her so called wisdom handed down to her from generations before. Mermaids Gran. was the 7th child of a 7th Child and she considered herself a Hedge Witch. Read tea leaves, made potions and generally scared the day lights out of me and everyone around her.

All I can remember of that Fateful visit to us. My Daughter (Mermaid) was only about 1 year at the most. Life at "chez nous" was very rocky and a mini-war raged day and night anyways. It was either before or just after my ex. Mother-in-law arrived.

I got a old corn broom and put it on her bed and tied a note to it.

The note went something like this. " Mum, this will save on your bus fares in and around Ottawa. We are on a direct flight path to the Airport should you want to fly there anytime."

The Mermaid's mother had no idea that I did this. So It did not go over too well. But on the upside someone's Mother refused to speak to me at all for the two weeks she was there. Did I get cursed by my ex's mum. Probably; after all I did marry her Daughter. :))

Happy Halloween- Ahhhhhh the Horror of it all.

2008-10-31T08:52:00.000-07:00

I stole this from Daisy. Some People are ready for Halloween all year it seems. Follow the link to Michael Jackson's Thriller Video.

ARGHHHHHHHHHH

New Photo of Yours Truly- Common Thoughts

2008-10-29T19:11:00.001-07:00

Your comments please as to what we should call this work of Art. Thanks Mate.

Windsor Nova Scotia-10th Annual Pumpkin Regatta

2008-10-20T14:42:00.000-07:00

Picture of the Parade. One of the entrees was Shrek. He sunk by the way. the Pony also sunk.

View of the distance across the Lake. The guy in the Football actually was the winner this year.

Even Elvis was in the House.

Some of the other inmates.

Well Ginny And I went up to Windsor NS to watch the only festival of it's kind that I know of. Where you get a lot of silly git's dressed up in funny costumes. Rowing ,Paddling, Sailing or Motoring across a mile wide Lake in a very large Pumpkin. Yes you heard me a Pumpkin. What you make Pies out off or Jack-o-Lanterns.

Now we are talking about 300 plus pounds up to 900 lbs Giant Pumpkins or Squash. It all started with a Mr. Howard Dill who grew over the years a world wide following for Giant Pumpkins. Some of these Pumpkins are the size of small cars and can carry more than 1 person. It is the 10th year of the Pumpkin Festival.

Unfortunate Mr. Dill passed away earlier this year. Mr. Dill also has on his property" Long Pond' the place where Ice Hockey actually started. The farmers allow various groups and individuals use of the Giant Vegetables as long as they give the seeds back to the farmer. they then are hollowed out painted, stuff added for fun and partially filled with foam or sponge to give them more stability and flotation increase. Although that doesn't guarantee that they will not sink or fill up with water.

This year we had over 60 Pumpkins in the race about 10 didn't make it and sank some sank and were still paddled or pushed over by the person. they then have a parade with funds being raised for the Children's wish foundation.

I have included some links to some Video I shot that is posted on You Tube.

Words of Wisdom

2008-10-15T10:10:00.001-07:00

Well it is Election Day in Canada-Eh!

2008-10-14T05:25:00.001-07:00

Well Joy of Joys Election Day is finally here. There was no choice to be had in local Candidates.

Ginny and I went to do our duty and Voted anyways. If the Bloc had been running here in Nova Scotia I might have been tempted to vote for them at least they look out for the people of their "La Belle Province".

We just held our nose and voted for the person regardless of the Party who would represent the People of Dartmouth the best.

It damn well wasn't either the Tories or the Liberals. This way at least. We have someone to complain too as we voted for Him. Should He not get in, then I have someone to complain too about how bad things are becoming. Only in Canada , EH.

Snow Geese crossing the sStreet to get to the other Side

2008-10-12T18:44:00.001-07:00

These poor Geese didn't realize how close they came to being someone's Thanksgiving Dinner.

This is too funny -"Front fell off my Oil Tanker"

2008-10-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Kyle is now here

2008-09-28T15:02:00.000-07:00

The Hurricane Centre have upgraded Kyle to a Cat. 1 and He is picking up speed just like Juan did. So Kyle will slam into Yarmouth, Shelbourne around 9pm instead of going up the Bay of Fundy. The interesting fact of this Hurricane is that Kyle is hitting Nova Scotia 5 years to the day that Hurricane Jaun slammed into us here in halifax.

Kyle is now expected to cross Nova Scotia over towards Digby and up through NB.

The wind and the rain here in Halifax is terrible the rain is warm like bath water and is coming at you almost sideways. You can hear the rumble and moaning in the wind and it sounds like souls in distress.

We have our candles out and our flashlights in easy reach. Filled up a 5 gallon jug of water just in case.

Oh Bummer- Now Hurricane Kyle is on its way to Nova Scotia

2008-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

What a way to wake up to a Hurricane warning about Kyle on it's way towards Nova Scotia expected to hit the Western Shore which is more or less than the same area as Hurricane Jaun; 5 years ago almost to the day. If it veers from present course a few degrees will go right over Halifax once again.

We had another showing today at 9am. So we were up early to clean up the house and get things in order before Ginny headed off to work.

We are also Cat Sitting "Munchkin". for a couple of dear friends as they head to Montreal for a vacation. Patches is not amused as she likes to be the only centre of attention.

Well I guess it is time to batten down the Hatches. Look for Batteries and get the flash lights loaded and candles out just in-case.

Here is a picture of Munchkin with a Super Model.

I owe an apology for the deletion of my last few blogs

2008-09-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

I was going to put a picture of the Queen in her Mac Donalds outfit. When I realized that I was taking the thunder from dear Mutleys Blog. I didn't wish to do that. So please pop over to Mutleys.

Then I thought about putting up a link to the countdown to Christmas. If that thought really entered your minds as of yet.

Due to the Mind numbing and frightening state of the worlds economy at this juncture in time. The last few weeks we have been been anxious for news of our friends down in Holguin area of Cuba after Hurricane Ike tore through. Still haven't heard any thing apart from the Youtube pictures and travel forums. What we see is very bad, both down there and in the Stock Market.

So just in case you really want to know how many days till Christmas. If you are not depressed enough already. I have put that gadget on the sidebar of this blog anyways.

After all it is now officially Fall in Northern Hemisphere. It is gone 4 in the morning here in Nova Scotia and I have nothing of any importance to blog at this time. I am up at this time due to my chronic pain giving me yet another sleepless night, just one of the many thousands over the past 12 years.

The Bank Job Movie-2008

2008-09-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

How many of you saw the Movie that just came out recently of a bunch of inept crooks. Who do the impossible and rob a Big Bank in the Middle of London and get away with it all. Well sort of got away with it all. Only to get tangled up with several shady characters a Malcolm X, a London Madam with ties to the Upper Crust, a Porn King with ties to the Police and of course to make things interesting MI5.

Well all around that same time frame Michael and I were under the wing of our very Shady Manager a Mr. Peter Utal and a Lady by the name of Janie Jones. ( If you happen to Google them Peter was arrested for living off the means of Prostitution and Janie Jones was a local London Madam. Who by the way was the subject of a song by the group "Clash". ) It appears that Peter is still up to his eye teeth in "Tricks of the Trade " so to speak.

This all occurred around the time of the London Bank Job and the subsequent Arrests/Public Embarrassment/Resignations of many of the Lords and Senior Government Officials being caught up in a scandal that had so called ties to the Royal Family.
Due to the unseemly nature of a so called Madam known as Sonia Bern according to the film.

Now the interesting thing in of all this. Is the fact of our acquaintanceship with perhaps some or all of these persons apart from Malcolm X, MI5 and the Porn King. Michael and I were actually practicing in the basement of a rather large house in London in the Studio at the time, where they had a Dark Room funnily enough as well. Peter Utal had a different coloured Jaguar for each day of the week. We often remarked about all the girls at the House but we were told it was a modeling agency so never really paid any attention to what was really Going On or "Coming Off." We never did get to know the name of the Lady who owned the House was exactly either and never came in through the front door of the place.

Michael and I were busking at the Marble Arch. We met some chap who had an Italian Restaurant in the Marble Arch Area.
We used to sing at his place on the weekends for meals and enough to pay for our 1 room flat off the High Street over a Greek Restaurant between Paddington Station and the Marble Arch. While were were playing one night we met Peter Utal who used to come in to the Restaurant with Janie Jones and some other Lady on occasion to talk business or to eat, who knows or even remembers all the details after all this time.

I haven't really thought about these events for decades until I saw the Movie the other night and things came back into a blurred focus. I remember Micheal came over to the flat one night and said. "Our Manager Peter and Janie were busted for vice and running a Brothel etc and a lot of Mucky Mucks will be brought out in the open because of it." ( that may not have been his exact words, hey it is over 35 years ago at least or longer). I didn't believe him but the next day headlines in the local papers and on the news told the sorid story.

I certainly was in the wrong place at the right time a lot in those days. We later on through EMI and another more legitimate Manager were going to be the Opening Act I think for Mungo Jerry but the Miners strikes brought an end to the tour and Michael and I went off in our own separate directions and I haven't seen him since. He did record a song or three with EMI.

Home Selling Cartoons

2008-09-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

I found a buyer for the house. How much you willing to pay him.

It is a start. The for sale sign has been sold.

Seniors Moments -Daily Life at Chez Nous

2008-09-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

My life in a nut shell. Murphy's Law.

We are up to 6 Showings

2008-09-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Nice Home in-between two undesirables.

We have been there before in the last few houses. We had some neighbours from Hell. Been threatened with a bullet in my head on Queen Street from the Witch of Queen Street. Been threatened with death from our other neighbour on North Street. The Airman from Hell about the right of way. Come to think of it both times it was a right of way that caused all the problems, interesting both flew through the Air, one on a Broom and the other in a Helicopter.

So lesson to be learned in this. Do not buy anything that has a right of way or easement.

We are getting a little yancy and want to do something besides clean the house.

Really worried about our friends down in Cuba as Hurricane Ike went right over most of our friends homes in the Santa Lucia and Costa Verde Beach Area.

Well the Condo showing is continuing

2008-09-03T05:26:00.000-07:00

We have had 3 showings in the last 5 days, so the activity is good. It is a little frustrating having to keep everything neat as a pin. The old cat is getting fed up with all the vacuuming. So far we had only good comments on the place. We would be happier with
an offer though. Hey it is early days. Drove around Dartmouth to look at a few locations so we have a better idea of what is out there.

This is a link to a similar property we are interested in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7deN_dpQIYs

We apologize in advance for the music for the youtube video, it is a little loud and not that appropriate.

How to tell the Weather

2008-08-31T06:18:00.000-07:00

To tell the Weather, go to your backdoor and look for the family Dog. If the dog is at the door and he is wet, it's probably raining. but if the dog is standing there really soaking wet, it is probably raining really hard. If the dog's fur looks like it's been rubbed the wrong way, it's is probably windy. If the dog has snow on his back, it's probably snowing.

Of course, to be able to tell the weather like this, you have to leave the dog outside all the time, Especially if you expect bad weather.

Sincerely,

The Cat

Yes, it is raining outside.

First Showing Today-

2008-08-29T04:50:00.000-07:00

Picture of the MacDonald bridge from the Dartmouth Side looking toward Halifax.

Well had to get up early, to get ready for the first showing today. Ginny took the car to work so she can get back early and inspect the Butler's cleaning up of the Condo. I hope she doesn't do the white glove test. I do not know what I am worried about as I do not get paid for the housework anyways.

Not likely I would be fired.

Well we decided to expand our search once we get an accepted offer to Halifax as well. Just the thought of moving to Halifax is something very different . We would be breaking the trend; You tend to either live in Halifax and not Dartmouth or live in Dartmouth and not Halifax. We only go to Halifax if it is really necessary. So Ginny would have to go over the Bridge to get to work everyday, do not know how long that would last before buying something else back over on this side of the bridge.

Hey, we may really like it. Who's to say. Well will keep you posted on events.