Archive for life in Canada
05.25.08
Posted in computers, life in Canada, learning at 5:46 pm by Mrs C.
These days I am a busy old lady. I was asked a few weeks ago to be part of a three woman tech panel on a local Rogers TV station, as the blogging expert. It was a great experience, although I can confirm that a television camera does add extra weight. I really do not look quite as much as a beached whale in real life.
The tv appearance had hardly worn off when I found out there was an article about my daughter Melanie and I in one of Toronto’s community newspapers. We taught some eBay workshops last year at a local community centre, and one of our students has been making a lot of money since then. Talk about the power of social proof. We’re now fully booked for four workshops in the next few weeks.
The down side to my new-found fame is that my daughter has a baby and can’t help me this time, so I’m on my own. And a little fearful too, I might add. I’ll keep you updated about how things go. Now if my memory and my nerves will just hold out….
Technorati Tags: Rogers TV, eBay, workshops, publicity, social proof
Permalink
03.08.08
Posted in life in Canada at 8:06 pm by Mrs C.
If all of the snow we’re getting today is supposed to be a joke, we are not laughing. It just keeps falling and falling. My husband is from northern Ontario and even he agrees this is a lot of snow. He tried to drive to the library and couldn’t get up the little hill. Even the buses here are getting stuck.
No wonder Canadians are so addicted to the weather report.
Technorati Tags: winter, snow, weather
Permalink
12.10.07
Posted in life in Canada, family at 3:29 pm by Mrs C.
As I’ve mentioned before, I take care of my two year old grandson during the day. His very favourite toy (and TV show) is Thomas the Train. And today I got an email that Chapters is having a special sale on the Thomas the Train Roundhouse. Now all I need is another room for all the toys.
Permalink
10.31.07
Posted in life in Canada, family at 3:36 pm by Mrs C.
I take care of my grandson, Joe, from Monday to Friday and even though I’m ready for a nap when he goes home, I get to do all kinds of fun things. Like play games, do crafts, and sing “The Wheels On the Bus” over and over again.
But being the responsible old lady that I am, I also have housework to do. And this is where having a toddler’s help really gets you moving (Joe is two and a half - I think that’s still considered a toddler).
For instance, I had laundry to take out of the dryer. Before the words were out of my mouth, Joe was on his way down to the laundry room. By the time I got there, he had the whole load out and thrown into a basket. I folded quicker than I have in my whole life, so that he wouldn’t need to help too much more.
No matter what the task, Joe is always there, saying “I help.” I love watching him working alongside Poppa and I and seeing how it helps his self-esteem to be able to do things himself.
Now lest I get carried away with the wonder of this child, what are the odds he will be so willing to help ten years from now?
Permalink
09.27.07
Posted in life in Canada, family at 7:48 pm by Mrs C.
Today my grandson and I changed the hamster cage. Teddy the hamster was fast asleep, as is his daytime custom and did not enjoy being disturbed. He began to make a number of loud screeching noises to voice his displeasure, followed by what sounded like soft sobs when we continued to annoy him.
Now is this normal hamster behavior, or is Teddy indeed part rat? Then again, we could have the only talking hamrat on the planet.
He’s also getting bigger and fatter. And that pink, hairless tail continues to grow. I think I’m in the Twilight Zone.
Permalink
05.14.07
Posted in life in Canada, family, learning at 4:17 pm by Mrs C.
After many days of looking after my extremely active grandson, I was beginning to feel the need of some grown-up conversation. The Wheels On The Bus can only be sung so many times before senility sets in.
Attending a weekend Internet Marketing workshop was just what my little deprived brain needed. After a few short hours, I was ready to sing again (maybe even create an extra stanza). Now I finally have some motivation back.
You may like Bingo or going to a movie, but give me an interesting course and I feel ten years younger (until I look in the mirror, that is).
Permalink
04.19.07
Posted in life in Canada, health at 7:58 pm by Mrs C.
These days, I have had very little energy or motivation. It’s also been cold, wet, and gloomy outside, but somehow I didn’t make the connection. (Sometimes the obvious is the last thing we think of).
Today was warm and sunny, perfect walking weather. Cambridge has a number of parks and hiking trails, so my husband and I walked along the river. After just an hour and a half, I feel better already.
How about you? Does walking or working in the garden help your energy and your mood?
Permalink
04.17.07
Posted in life in Canada at 2:04 pm by Mrs C.
In April, we moved to a small town one hour from Toronto. We had both homes for the month of March and thought we could have a relaxed, slow move.
The reality was packing, painting, and cleaning two houses, plus driving back and forth. The house move took one large truck and the next weekend a small truck for the garage.
I can see why people lived generation after generation in the same home. You never realize how much you have until you need to move it.
Permalink
01.17.07
Posted in life in Canada at 8:16 pm by Mrs C.
Now, you may be wondering why a pushing 60 old lady like me is blogging about Muhammad Ali having a 65th birthday. For your information, I am taking a trip down memory lane.
I knew him as Cassius Clay. I was a teenager and he was my hero. I kept a scrapbook of all his fights and one day he came to Toronto to box. A local gym was being used for Clay to practice and they allowed the public to come and watch.
Of course I went. I remember he was so much bigger than I expected. And he sure could fight!
Permalink
Posted in life in Canada at 2:42 pm by Mrs C.
It’s so cold today that I have two sweaters on and the heater going (we keep the furnace at 68 degrees) and I’m still almost too cold to type.
When winter finally gets here, it comes with a vengeance although looking out my window looks like a beautiful postcard - a white wonderland, complete with shining sun.
Now wouldn’t I miss that if I was on a beach somewhere right now? Go ahead and send me a ticket to someplace warm and I will let you know.
Permalink
· « Previous entries