How?

Who needs to learn that you can't believe everything you see? This is my activity on a foggy Saturday afternoon ..with the Olympics chattering in the background. Actually I did make 3 apple pies too so I was a bit ambitious. Left to right...Connor, Curtis, Matthew, and Maria

Cake

Some of you don't know how cute Matthew is . He turns 8 tomorrow.

Kim n Maria were away so we had the kitchen to ourselves. I just did the base coat and then washed the utensils as he worked . Actually I think I'm bragging abouot Colin.

In case you don't recognize it ...that's a Volvo truck. The cupcakes in the foreground? Maria's going to decorate a couple of dozen for the kid's party(penguins). Truck cake is for the adult party.
I don't remember having a party when I was a kid. I do think that I had friends for supper once. Gifts were a tiny bottle of perfume and a blue ribbon.
We could always count on Mom to make a cake for us. It still amazes me that she must have felt the same way about us as we do about our kids.

Repetition

I decided that I must practise cooking fish. So back to the store for a fillet of haddock. Simply dipped it in beaten egg...then in crushed rice krispies...then into the melted butter. ...And this time I cooked it at 450...15 minutes. I think the temperature made the difference. So it's been sitting out there on top of the stove ....waiting, waitin. I should have given it to Connor. He gave me a high rating...and so did Julie.
I'm off to help Colin decorate Matthew's cake. I'll take a pic.

Small talk

Did you know that people who don't like small talk would actually prefer going to the dentist to going to the hairdresser? Also I've found that funeral homes don't ask anything of you and neither does Remembrance Day.

Meals

I thought I had it figured out. Not so. Tonight I decided to wait until Garry arrived before I started supper. (you never know...he may have eaten someplace else)..Shirley had enlightened about cooking haddock...and Dorie introduced me to frozen veges that look like you just brought them in from the garden. They went into a double boiler...and I started the fish.This involved a procession line of egg. milk ,flour, and cracker crumbs landing in a dish with melted butter. By this time I was feeling a little disgruntled about starting supper at 7.pm. I was even more so when I realized I boiled the pot dry under the vegetables.. Things got worse when I sat down to eat and realize they tasted like the bottom of an ash tray. The fish was mediocre...but then in my rush to stay ahead of the clean up process I picked up the dish (still hot from the oven) with my bare fingers...ouch. Sometimes I hate cooking.
You realize I'm exaggerating this whole thing . ...I'm just amusing you ...but it did happen that way.

Over the back fence

I sometimes get the feeling that Maureen and I are like two housewives talking over the back fence. By the way, Maureen we would like to have some of your piano playing back on your blog.
I play only one style but I thought, just for a challenge, I would take full advantage of the tutorials and learn one selection totally unlike mine. It would be one that I could sit down and play if I found a piano while walking through the mall and I would totally fool the bystanders.Sort of like Craig when he decided to learn Hill Street Blues out of my music book. He had done nothing before and nothing since. He did it for a Talent Show in a Youth Group activity. Weeks later when the regular pianist was sick they came and asked Craig to play for the church service.

Creative bio rhythms are up

Today Maria is showing her artsy side. The penguins are oreos cut in two and the head another half an oreo. Eyes and feet are jelly bellies cut up.

My spelling skills have gone out the window. I was sure there was "q" instead of a "g" in that word.Groan.

Isn't is scary when you put your pass word in and "they" say it's no good. And then you look closely and find out that you typed a letter twice. Just for a minute it feels like you've been locked out of your own house.
Grandchildren are sleeping over for a couple of nights. My quest will be to keep the cats and the kids separate...hmm The cats love to sleep with someone and the kids aren't used to it.
I'm taking my semi annual sleeping pill cause someone else it the house is another reason to stay awake. But first I'll check on the hockey game.

Meals

Just finished another Evelyn meal. I think that after 42 years we have a good system worked out. I don't complain when he's late for meals and he never complains about what I put before him. Also he doesn't know whether "it" is supposed to look like that or if it looks like that because it's been sitting for over an hour.hmm
I didn't take a picture but we did have bacon and eggs for supper and luscious butterscotch pie without the crust..which makes it a pudding.

Elusive

Why is it that sleep is so hard to find. When I was going out to lunch with Dorie I had visions of my putting my head down and having a nap ...on the table at the Jade Palace. At supper time the kids brought me to life. Bedtime came...I've been there...and but my head is awake again . Darn.

Sermon

We have wireless internet connection or what ever you call it. In order for it to work we have to be able to "see" the tower which is on the side of Springhill. I don't know why it doesn't work sometimes ...like just a minute ago when things were going fine and then I'm left with the words "No internet connection". I'm thinking this laptop is a lifeless thing without the internet..when my home page finally comes to life and lights up the screen , the feeling comes that all is well. Now I know this is a terrible comparison but I think that could be an object lesson for explaining to somebody what God can do to someone's life. Without Him , I say you'll be left singing Tiptoe thru the tulips in stead of How Great Thou Art. hmmm

Ineedahobby

I guess I can't upload a pic of the new dolls that are available on E bay . They are eerie because they look so real.When you see them, you have the urge to cuddle and nuture them but there's something the matter with the picture. It's ok for mom (age 96) to do. But for the rest of us I think it would be a step toward shutting down to reality. But I'd still like to have one for later. hmm
Tidbits: Craig and family got back safely. Philip's cat died (age 11) so he is doing some serious grieving.Maria's on Facebook. I've finished my Grampie Book and am looking for a new project. I've left behind knitting, Photoshop and history. Maybe I'll turn to fabric or cooking
Words of wisdom that I heard..."Always keep more behind the counter than you ever put out on display."

PVR's

I know they're good for alot of things but I find myself wanting to use that rush rush principle throughout my whole day. Never having to wait for a program,fast fowarding if you don't like a part, backing up if you've missed something, putting it on pause if you're interrupted does not translate into reality.And I think what we lose is that skill of slowing down and doing nothing. Speaking for myself. that's what I conclude today.
Jill...that's a great pic on your blog. It's a good thing that Brian has a long arm. Love ya.

Excitement

The excitement of the crowd..what roar...everyone on their feet in the last few minutes of the game. What energy! Six hours later and my body is still feeling the excitement. Is this what sport fans experience on a regular basis? I think it was called mob emotionalism in one book I read...I remember being at a Progressive Conservative Rally ( I just went along for the ride). Before the night was over I was cheering and singing their theme song...standing on my chair. Hmm
(edited later...now I remember I wasn't standing on a chair..just on my feet when others were still sitting...whew...would have been hazardous)

The Big Win

There was never a game like this one today. After a weekend tournament Maria's newly formed basketball team surprisingly ended up in the playoff game today (Sunday). At half time the other team (Amherst) had a strong lead. Can you imagine the excitment when our team came from behind to win the GOLD...45 to 44.

I sat close to "the bench" so I could see and hear the coach/player interactions. The whole thing sounds like a movie,doesn't it.. was it Seabiscuit?

Mailbox

I didn't know this would be such a photographic opportunity. I should have backed up abit. Anyway when I see it in print I am quite sure we need a new mailbox.

food

This is a recipe I invented...using half a package of lemon pie filling 'cause I never had a real lemon when I wanted it.

Separate three eggs.

In one bowl beat the egg whites and add 1/4 sugar gradually -sort of like when you do meringue.

In another bowl beat the egg yolks with the pie filling and 1 cup milk...(really soupy)

Fold them together ( I use a rubber scraper to cut the meringue into the soupy stuff maybe a half at a time)

Pour mixture into a greased small casserole...( I used a pyrex loaf pan)

Then for some reason you set that in a bigger pan with hot water in it....and cook for a half hour at 350 degrees. My motto..."How hard can it be?"

Brrrr

Craig and family are doing the tourist thing. This is the Ice Hotel near Quebec City. I think you could stay all night if you cared to. And then there's niece Carole sleeping outdoors on the Sahara desert where it was 3 degrees C. when she got up to watch the sunrise.hmmm

Picture

I know, I know! Most of you have seen this picture already. The top picture is one of my favorites. In fact I put it on the bulletin board at church for so long that the Pastor (former one) kindly suggested that maybe I should take it down, saying "All the people are dead now".

So Philip was quick to oblige me when I wanted a replica...with 3 Gilroy girls taking the place of the 3 Siddall girls.And Philip stepped into Dad's spot. So it was turnabout.

I just remembered

Remember when Mom used to say "Wouldn't it be great if we could just take a pill instead of eating a meal?" Do you suppose that's a clue as to why the Gilroy girls are the way they are?

Weekend

This weekend the movie I chose to watch was Great Expectations. First time I've looked into that book in any form. I know that some of you relish that kind of thing. However my reason...as I often tell our grandchildren ..is to one day win a trivia contest of some sort. I'd hate to lose a bundle by not knowing about Pip.

In touch

Did you ever find there's a certain time of each day that you find kinna sad and melancholy?. I'm learning that I'm not the only one that seems to have a dip in their sense of well being. :)...like you're not really sure there's anyone else alive out there. And you're relieved when that segment of time is passed and things get back to normal.
Another subject...I did something today I've never done before...I simply threw out the card that entitled me to pick up my Sears Summer Catalogue. When growing up ,keeping abreast of new issues was a ritual as regular as what should I say...dental check ups. Hmm

Deep thoughts

Wouldn't it be great if I had some deep thoughts to share . They're not coming to me at present but I'll be on the look out . I had a "laugh out loud "moment tonight...After Bible Study we filed out the door together, I loaded my stuff into the car..got in the passenger seat...reached over, started the car ..and sat and waited for Garry. Then I wondered where he was..the church lights were out.The parking lot was empty. Then I realized. He hadn't come with me...he'd come later with his own vehicle. (I've exaggerated a little...I really didn't sit there long but it was funny)

Future

How 'bout this. In 1967 I worked at the Amherst Hospital. I remember Lorraine's grandfather working there too.He was a quiet figure that never spoke yet he attracted my attention. Little did we know that I would have son that would marry his grand daughter. I love those connections....

Improvising

I guess this isn't such a new idea. Other people have probably tried it. It's just that it looked like a desolate situation when my coffee percolator made two cups of Maxwell House French Vanilla coffee and I had milk additives for only one. Butterscotch ice cream added a nice foamisness to the top. I might try it again...with more ice cream ...less coffee.
To all the family members...Dorie is working really hard these days with Mom....not that she needs more physical support (Mom) but more watching and figuring and anticipating her needs. So what would you like for your birthday, Dorie. Not candy...not flowers...not bath products..hmm

Back in business

For a time there I thought I was going to have a new experience...sort of like the Berenstein Bears giving up TV and discovering the great outdoors. The repair was easier than previously thought. Spent alot of the morning in an underground garage in Moncton while Murray saw his specialist. It made me think of where an earthquake could leave me ...hmm

No internet

News is that our internet will be out of commission for awhile. Contact Dorie if you want to pass anything on to me. A part has been ordered. If it comes by Friday, Craig can work on it.If not...we'll have to wait 10 days...I think. Life will be different. I still have my Grampie Book and my Photo Shop so I'll be ok but the company will have a hard time. Love