Well, it has been a very long time  since my last post and things have changed. First we  just bought a sweet little one bedroom log Home/Cottage up in a place called Tatamagoughe. Yes that is a real name is on the Norththumberland Strait between PEI and Nova Scotia.The place is www.villageonthecove.com if you want to follow the website and have a look. We purchased unit #5.

It was a roller coaster of highs and lows getting things sorted for this place and  the Bank finally got it's act together after saying yes and then no for almost 3 months. We got down to 2 days prior to closing to finally getting the actual approval for a small loan. Then yesterday found out that  I am going to be needing a Walker Rollator as my balance and walking are not that great anymore. Knew the day was going to arrive sometime but still hard to have to give up something else due to my Car Accident of almost 20 years ago. I got to dance with my Daughter at her wedding and so that was icing on the cake for me.

Found out I had a very old email address here on the  site so if any of you had tried to reach me I am sorry for not knowing.

2 weeks ago had someone  for somewhere hack into my computer and held it Hostage and wanted 500.00 to release it and  50.00 a month to keep it virus free. Yeah right, I know I wasn't born yesterday but changed  passwords and cancelled credit cards and such to ensure nothing went by the way to the Hackers. This was around the same time as the Bank was playing cat and mouse with us and my wife  lost her mother  who would have been 92 next birthday.

I was out selling Poppies for the Legion, gives me a chance to wear my Legion Blues and wear my medals. It was a busy day and  4 hours really seems like a  proper duty watch but least inside and  I do not get yelled at or put on report for falling asleep at my post. Oh wait that sounds like married life now. lol

 Off to the Lake Echo Lions  Club for supper meeting tonight and get a chance to see some old friends and have a few laughs.

Take Care.

Oldtarf

Blue Bird of Happiness- not really " it is cold outside"

Mermaid of Moorgate's Wedding 2 years ago and Old Tarf in the Public Gardens Going to be in Harwich on the 30th at the Tower Hotel for 3 days

IOS Red & White

Senior Moments by Golf Brooks - Lyrics

Tiger Beer Ad-Reincarnation

Hilarious Budweiser Commercial

Oasis of the Seas- Zip Line - Easter 2011

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

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!

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.

Well it was Time.

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! ;)

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

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

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

GEICO-Piggy

Lullaby, Sweet Lullaby

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

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-

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

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.