No drivers license????

I contacted Ron. He looked good in his pictures and they were recent.  He is 54, 5'10", looking for a long term relationship, and is a vegetarian. Good enough.

We met on a Sunday at my favourite spot, Balzacs coffee shop. There was also a food festival of some sort going on in the district. Ron said he would be carrying his motorcycle jacket. He arrived a little late, but worth the wait, as he was great looking.

We got drinks, and started talking. It was almost too good to be true. We talked about anything and everything. Vacations we took, family, (he bought a duplex so that his mother could move in downstairs and he could look after her), work, (turns out he knows a couple of people I know in the film industry), foods we like, galleries we enjoy, everything.

I found a gluten-free lunch item at the food festival, and sat down to eat it, when my phone rang, and I ignored it, as I was having such a great time. It rang again, and I also got a text. It was from a friend who was going through a rough patch and needed me to come over and help her. I said I'd be there as soon as I could.

I apologized to Ron, but he said he'd drive me over there if I didn't mind riding his bike. That was very thoughtful of him, especially as it was interrupting our date. On the way over, he asked me if I liked Chinese food, and said that would be out next date.   Next date.  We were going to have another date!!!!

He dropped me off at the cafe my friend was at, and I introduced them.

After he left I told my friend about the great date, and that we were going on a second one.

The next day, I got this email:
Hi Mary. I had a really nice time yesterday. A boy like me could really go for a girl like you. You're attractive, seem to have your head screwed on right and are so easy to get along with. But, as I look for a partner to move forward into semi retirement and beyond (and I know this may sound ridiculous), the not driving aspect strikes me as a major impedance. I don't mean around the city so much as I do road trips, holidays, car rentals, emergencies et al.
I'm sorry. Ron

I couldn't believe it! Because I didn't own a driver's license, he wasn't interested. He didn't even think to ask if I would consider getting one. So I shot one back saying that I was sorry he felt that way.  Then I guess he felt he had to explain further.
Mary. I genuinely feel bad. I think we have a lot going on. But I know from experience that having both members of the team participating in all that driving entails is, in a nutshell, way better.
I didn't enter into this dating arena with driving as an issue. (Surprisingly I've yet to run into this.) And, as I was recapping our excursion, the idea of it kept surfacing and surfacing. Stupid I know. But I also know myself enough to know that I wouldn't be happy. I feel so bad and not just for you but for me too.
Anyway, good luck with it all, Ron

So there you have it! 
Do you believe it? 
I found it difficult.

Are you out there, you know, the one who wants to chauffeur me around? The one who isn't homophobic? The one who knows how to shake a girl's hand? The one who knows how to carry an interesting conversation? The one who is interested in me? 

Perhaps I am asking too much.

Another one bites the dust

I met Larry after a quick contact on POF, at the Distillery District, one of my favourite places for first dates.

He is 53, 5'11" and wants a long term relationship with a woman who share his love of outdoors. He doesn't smoke, do drugs or has any 'baggage'. Sounds good, right?

We met, and got ourselves a drink and decided to sit outside. We talked about our family, job, activities we like, the usual. All seemed to be going really well. Then after an hour or so, a large family sat near us, and were very loud. I asked if he'd like to go for a walk, to which he answered, "you're like me, you don't like to be crowded". So we set off to walk around. A minute later I saw a friend of mine from school. Larry asked me what I was looking at and I asked him to excuse me for a minute so that I could say hi to my friend. I walked over and gave Peter a hug, and he introduced me to his boyfriend, and another friend who was taking their picture. I said it looked like engagement pictures, to which he laughed and said they were just having fun. He asked me what I was doing there and I said I was on a first date, I turned to introduce him to Larry, but he had vanished. I scanned all over, and finally saw him about 100 metres away. Peter told me to go. I went over to Larry, and he said, "Well I'm sure you have things to do, I am going to my car and it's that way" he pointed the opposite direction to where I lived. I was going to say that I didn't have anything to do, but said instead that I had a good time, and that I felt we had hit it off. He said, "Keep in touch," so I knew that meant he wasn't interested.

When I got home I shot off an email saying again that I had a good time, and he said again, lets keep in touch.

I never heard from him again. Could it be that he was so shallow as to be homophobic? Everything was going well until I spoke to Peter.

Oh well, better to find out now rather than later!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to any and all mothers whether new, seasoned or about to be.
Mine started off with a potted plant that looks like daisies, (but it might be chrysanthemums!)

Then my son Thomas and I left to meet his girlfriend Kay at the subway station. We walked to Starving Artist a lovely restaurant that serves the most delicious brunches as well as lunch and dinner. They make waffles, either regular, potato or vegan gluten-free. So of course that makes me very happy. I was afraid there would be a long line up, but we were lucky and got seated with only about 10-15 minutes wait. Then we ordered and I had the Breakfast Benny, which is like eggs benedict but on mini waffles instead of an english muffin. Included with my breakfast was a great salad and the choice of baked beans, fruit salad or potato salad. I chose the fruit salad. I also had some avocado with my eggs as I am vegetarian, and didn't want the bacon. Kay had the Benny too, but potato waffles with salad and bacon and beans. Thomas had the Hitchhiker, 2 mini waffles, cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon, salad and fruit salad.

The food was so good, that I tucked right in and forgot to take the before picture! But here is my fruit and Thomas's mini waffles and Kay's beans! The food was so good. We all had different waffles but enjoyed what we had. I was so stuffed. Kay says she wants to learn to make these waffles, and Thomas was so full he had a hard time finishing his orange juice.

We had great seats by the window, I chose the seat looking outside. I had to take 5 photos to get these two smiling, Kay was either eating or Thomas was making faces!
Two of the waitresses were pregnant, celebrating their Mother's to be Day waiting on many other mothers.
Kay gave me some lovely Awake tea from Starbucks. She works there and is always bringing me tea. Yay for Kay!

Thanks Thomas for a lovely Mother's Day celebration.

A Shiny New Silver Valetta

I bought my first ebike 4 1/2 years ago, the "Smart Bike," but shortly after exchanged it for a bigger model, the "Austin."

Austin

 Over that time I have gone through 3 batteries and 2 chargers. I've had two brake repairs after they snapped, and another repair after someone tried to steal it. They broke the handlebar lock, the ignition, they tore wires out from under the bike, ripped the back tire and did whatever they could to get it out of the underground garage. They failed.

One day the lock from the helmet trunk broke and so it no longer locked and rattled every time I rode the bike.

So I decided that this year it was time for a new bike. I bought a silver Valetta and a new silver helmet too.

Valetta

I have had to take the bike back a couple of times over the past couple of weeks, the steering column wasn't screwed in properly and the brakes failed at a stop light on a hill! Also it has a smaller battery and so the bike goes really slowly up hills and the pick up is a lot slower than the old bike. But overall I like the look of the bike and the price was perfect. Less than $1000. It is smaller in size too and can only carry one passenger. I did change the mirrors as the originals didn't work for me, I liked the ones on my old Austin.

After a week of the new bike, I decided to put the Austin on Craigslist, as there really isn't any space and I'd probably never use it again. I asked $500 as I wanted the money I paid for the new battery and charger at the end of last year. I initially paid almost $1400 for the bike, but with all the rattles and age, I figured no one would want to pay anywhere near that. I had made a mental decision that I would go down to $400 should anyone ask. The first offer I got was for $200, so I deleted that. The next was from a man who wanted to see the bike. He came over took it for a test ride around the garage. I told him about the history and he pulled out $500 cash and handed it to me! He didn't even try to barter.  I was shocked! But I took his money without a word.

So I got more than half the price of the Valetta back with the sale of that old rattling bike.

I do however, miss its pick up and hill climbing ability!!

March Break in Florida

I was invited to visit some friends for March Break and after Moe, my friend who lives in Naples, found a cheap flight for me, I made my way to the airport and flew into Fort Lauderdale just before midnight. It was a little over 2 hours to drive to Naples, but it gave us time to catch up.
The following day Pam came over and we just chilled on the back deck. I was given lots of warnings to not stay in the sun too long. But that really was what I wanted to do. I did heed the warnings though. We went to dinner at a fish restaurant and I enjoyed my grilled fish and veggies.
That was all I really did, just sat around, watched the wild life in Moe's back yard, looked at the stars at night, gossiped, took a few pictures, and ate!
It was a well earned rest and made me feel like I want to be in Florida as a retired person. The pace of life is definitely much slower that here in Toronto.
Here are a few pictures that I took.

Pam , Mary and Moe

Cardinal

Squirrel

Woodpecker

Bluejay

Salamander

 

Happy 14th Birthday

It is already April and I just realised that i haven't posted any birthday pictures!
Anyway I had about 20 people join me at C'est What just up the road from me, and most of us ate dinner and had birthday cake. I had asked people to not bring presents, but I got them anyway. I did however ask for people to write me a poem, unfortunately I got none! Here are a few shots of my party.

My dinner

The two cakes, one gluten free the other not

A few friends

A few more

Christopher serving the cake

So thanks to all who came out for sharing my very special Birthday that only comes up every four years, (yes, that explains why I look so young!)

 

Games Night

On the second Friday of each month I have been hosting a monthly board games night now for a number of years, (probably 4 or 5), and I enjoy the people that come out each month. It's good to know the art of face to face social interaction is still around. 

Last night I had about 32 people show up and there were many games going at the same time. I am very lucky in that I use the party room in my apartment building for free, as long as the room is open to the residents who live here.

I like to play the more simple games, I'm just not into the strategy games, way too much thinking for the end of the work week. I played Cockroach Poker for the first time last night. It's a bluffing game. It was good, and at least I didn't lose! I also played Smart Ass, Say Anything, and Anomia. Other games I like are Apples to Apples, Cranium, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Balderdash, Taboo, and Boggle to name a few.

The players bring along their own games, as well as snacks and drinks.  We usually go from 7:30 to midnight. I'm always very tired by the end of the night, so I leave the dishes until the next day!

Here are a few photos from last night.

Leap Year

I will be celebrating my 14th Leap Year birthday on February 29, 2012. I will also be celebrating my 56th birthday having been born in '56. I had originally decided that I would make 56 paper crafts and give them away to random people on the street on my birthday, but I have since realised that isn't going to work.

Now I am wondering if there is anyway I could get lots of people together who all celebrate their birthday on February 29th, and find a place to celebrate together.  I think that would be a great idea. Any idea how I can get the word out? Any ideas of venues?

Pass this on if you know anyone here in Toronto who wants to celebrate their leap year birthday.

January

January has gone by so quickly, and I haven't made any posts this year yet.
I returned to work on January 9th with a cold, and I have held onto it up till now.  No fun!



I did make a few cards and gifts this month. Someone I thought was leaving my school, (who actually isn't) got this lovely owl card set, and someone who is definitely leaving, (she's retiring) got this set with 2 designs.

I decided to make a few bracelets and necklaces again. It has been such a long time since I've made any jewelry.  I used to make and sell a lot, but stopped for some reason or other.

Susy, a friend of mine invited me to her Divorce party, she was so happy that part of her life was over, she needed to celebrate.

A teacher at school invited Dr. Gurvinder Virk to fit us for orthotics. I was so happy as my old ones were a mess, and my knees were really hurting.  Not only did we get orthotics, but we got a choice of shoes and boots too!

I went with my friends Glenn and Greg to a Raptors game, and the team was not on their best form. They played the Portland Trail Blazers, and we lost. Aftyer that we went over to On The Rocks for a drink or two and sang karaoke.

I did take a few days off because I couldn't shake this cold. I even went for a chest x-ray to ensure I wasn't getting pneumonia like last year.

I tried Zumba at the gym, and liked it so much I have now taken 2 classes and will continue with it on a weekly basis.  I discovered Body Vibe over the winter break, and since it is a low impact workout, I love it.

I went to see The Iron Lady with my friend Vanessa, but wasn't really that impressed. I was impressed with the acting that Meryl Streep did, but the actual film didn't do much for me.

I continued the knitting  club at school and now have 6 girls and 1 boy involved. One of the girls finished a scarf that she made for he mom.

Other than that not much going on. I did hear from my cousin that my aunt wants to send me some birthday money, and my sister said that she would be sending me money from my dad, too.   Also a friend of mine that lives in Florida has invited me there for March break, so I may just use that money and go for a little sunshine!

My Annual Newsletter

If you are interested in what last year held for me, please enjoy the latest newsletter.

Another wonderful Christmas celebration

It may not have been like the Christmas's I remember from England, but it was wonderful nonetheless.

Thomas decided that he wanted to cook a full traditional Christmas dinner, including  homemade cranberry sauce. So on Christmas Eve, he went out to find the perfect bird, whilst I went out to find the veggies.

Christmas morning we got up and opened presents. Thomas made homemade granola for me, using gluten-free oats. It's such a huge jar, I'll be enjoying it with my yogurt for a long time.

I also asked for a wireless mouse, and he gave me a mouse plus a keyboard. I love it, it makes things so much easier! Then I opened another gift, I guessed it right away, because he wrapped it in such an obvious way, it was a new frying pan. I was wanting one, as the old one got a bit beat up by some couchsurfers!  Then came a box full of lovely goodies. There is all kinds of gluten-free crackers, and two delicious cheeses, as well as some ginger beer and a wine cooler that is alcohol free, I think. Also included in there is the most giant Toblerone ever and a package of ginger and cinnamon buckwheat snacks from Shasha Co.

I gave Thomas a few things that he had asked for, including an H&M gift card for some clothes, a pair of camera gloves, (I bet you didn't know such a thing existed, did you?), some long and regular underwear, a rice cooker, (Because he wanted to take mine to college with him),  a card holder, so that his cards don't get bent in his pocket, and a slew of silly presents, like the  wooden plan and train that he has to build! 
We then ate a breakfast of waffles with blueberries, raspberries and bananas with real maple syrup and a cup of tea. Then we checked out/played with our new 'toys'. Later we just vegged out and listened to some Christmas music.
Later in the afternoon, my sister Lorna skyped me from England and we had a chat about how our day was going. She unfortunately is suffering from vertigo again, and hopes it will be gone by the time she has to fly to Egypt in early January. Then it was time for Thomas to start preparing the turkey. It was a comedy of errors, being his first time, but he managed. The look on his face when he removed the giblets and the neck of the turkey was priceless! Then when he was taking it out of the oven to baste it and add the potatoes he spilled so much of the turkey juices all over the oven, the floor and his jeans too. We cleaned that up and then, got on with the rest of the meal. Thomas made the cranberries using orange juice, cranberries and sugar. I cooked the vegetables, green beans, carrots, corn and some colourful small potatoes, purple, white and yellow. The gravy was heated in the microwave, as we were running out of space on the top of the stove. Then we put together a salad and I put out the bread and the desserts. 
By this time both Kay and Beatriz arrived. Kay had worked all day at Starbucks, and Beatriz had just returned from her friend's place in Whitby. 
We set up the food on the counter buffet style so that everyone could take as much as they liked. Thomas was a little unsure when it came to carving the bird, but he did a fine job.

 We all enjoyed a great meal. I made mine the day before, my favourite sweet potato vegetarian shepherd's pie. I added the other veggies to my plate as well as some salad. 

After a flavourful meal and decadent desserts, we all sat in the the livingroom to open further gifts. Kay got gift cards for H&M and for Deserres, an art store (she is an artist) some bath salts, a jewelry box, and a pair of 'Queen of Clean' rubber gloves. Thomas got a water bottle and a grey sweater, Beatriz got a gift card for clothes, and a nail polish dryer machine and a tea pot. I got more gluten free goodies, cookies this time and some money to go toward a trainer for the new year.

 I am grateful that I have people to share my holiday with and the joy they bring me.

So happy holidays to everyone and I wish you all a healthy and eventful New Year!

Happy Hallowe'en (A Tribute to Steve Jobs)

My friend Vanessa came up with the idea to be an iPod for Hallowe'en, so we scavenged what we could in the art room at the school. We came up with felt, a sheet, some mactac paper, clear page protectors, some apple sauce cups, some grey material and from the gym we borrowed a couple of skipping ropes.

I got to work on my sewing machine, with just an idea in my head, and this is the end result.

We used the skipping ropes as the ear phones, that was probably the hardest thing to figure out!

You can see them here as Vanessa is holding them up while I am rocking out!!

We shall be wearing these at our schools, and then we are thinking it would be a great idea to go to the Apple store in the Eaton Centre.

Queen of painting boo boos

• The pole I was using with the roller snapped and I got paint on the floor.

• The edger tool I was using hit a piece of stucco and jumped out of my hand and I got paint on the floor.

• I ran out of primer and used what I thought was another primer, but it turned out to be oil based and I wrecked my good brush and a roller, because I don't have any mineral spirits.

• I am allergic to the paint, so my eyes are swollen and itchy and I keep sneezing and wheezing.

• 2 coats should have been enough, but it isn't and I still need to do a 3rd coat.

• I ran out of painters tape and had to use masking tape.

• As I was taking the tape off the wall after painting it took off chunks of paint with it.

• Now I can't even do the baseboards because I don't have any tape or a brush, so that may not even get done.

• I have a couchsurfer coming tomorrow sometime and my apartment is a disaster, and the bed she is supposed to sleep on is covered with junk.

• I think I'm quitting for the day, just in case something else goes wrong!!

I have decided that if I ever need a room painted again, I'm going to hire someone!

Vacation Time

Only a few days left of school.  I am getting excited about my trip home to England, partly because I am taking a friend there this time.  Visiting my home is nice, but I never really think of it as being a vacation.  This time though I know that I will feel differently.  I will be showing my friend around my home town that is full of history, as well as London.  We have also booked a 4 day trip to Spain, that had better be as good as all the problems I have had booking it!  Not only that, but in the process I discovered that my passport would have expired while I was away.  I am picking up the new one from the passport office on Wednesday, just a few days before I leave for England. 

So fingers crossed that all the problems have already happened, and I will have a fun and exciting vacation in England and Spain.

Art Auction

The children in my classroom are 6 and 7 year olds, who made this amazing quilt for out silent auction on Thursday June 17.  We are hoping to get a good chunk of money to support the programs that the school's budget no longer includes.  Programs like field trips, visiting artists, authors, scientists, and other wonderful creative activities.

 

The unit we have been working on is 'Good Stewardship'

First the children engraved a styrofoam piece with a pencil making images of ways to care for our environment.  It was then inked and put it on a canvas.  I took all the pieces, and sewed them together, adding a border.  On the border the students added words that match their images.  Each child sewed and tied a simple knot between each panel.

This quilt is to be auctioned off on Thursday, so if you are interested in bidding for this beautiful piece, drop by Bruce Public School, after 5:30p.m. at 51 Larchmount Ave in the east end of Toronto, near Queen and Leslie.

Fingers crossed we'll get a good bid.

Belly Dancing

Someone on Facebook, added me to an event, Belly Dancing, that included a yoga warm up and meditation at the end.

It all sounded very intriguing, and I added a comment stating that I was over 50 and over weight, and wondered if this would be a good thing for me to try.  The reply came saying yes, it would be a great thing for me to try.  So I signed up.

It was held in a condo only a few minutes walk from my home, and it was only $10.  Well worth the investment.

After the class, photos were taken, and I felt happy, even though I had difficulty with some of the moves!

 

Here I am with the instructor next to me.

And here we are with 'belly dancing arms!'

Woo Hoo

I was talking to a friend of mine a while ago, about the 4 blogs that I own.  I have a general life one, a dating one, a card one, and a scrapbook one.  I also used to have another one where I sold cards that I made, but I deleted that one a while ago.  I was saying that it sometimes becomes crazy trying to keep them up, only to not post in months on one or the others.

So imagine my joy just a few minutes ago, when I googled, "How do I merge my blogs?" and it came up with a simple answer!

So now my general and dating ones are merged and my card and scrapbook ones are merged also. Now if you are interested in my general life stuff, you also get to read about my dating life! (Well you would if there was one!)  And now my craft stuff is altogether, as it should be.

So go ahead, check out my blogs.

Communication, thanks to Skype

I am very grateful that Skype exists.

I gave up my landline at the beginning of the year, in favour of an android smart phone from Wind.  With this I don't need an internet provider, as I can tether my phone to my computer.  So the savings are big.  My biggest concern was that I needed a way to stay in touch with my family overseas.  I decided that Skype was sufficient because most of my family members are online.  I also call my dad, who is not online, through Skype too. It is ridiculously cheap and the quality is fantastic.  I can have my weekly chat with him for my usual 30 minutes, and pay only a few cents.

The best thing though, is that my sister got a laptop for Christmas and finally got hooked up online.  So we have Skype chats where I can see her and she can see me.  I love that.  My brother who also lives in the UK, Skypes me once in a while too. I am looking into being able to conference, but it looks like we have to pay for that service.

My sister, Lorna, always brightens up my day.  She has a wicked sense of humour, and is my best friend.  Funny really, when you think we hated each other growing up!  She is a lot like my mum, but would have hated hearing this when she was younger! I love her very much, as she has been the primary person in taking care of my dad for the past 7 years.  She does the things that no one really wants to do, and usually without complaint, unless warranted.

So thank you Skype for making possible the connection that I still have with my family.

Grey days of April/May

I am happy that the sun is out this morning, it brightens up my day.  But there really hasn't been too much sunshine in the last couple of months, not to mention the winter blahs.

And with temperature fluctuations comes the cold and 'flu season, again!  I am certain we won't see anymore snow for at least 6 or 7 months, but the days can be windy and cold during the month of May.

I have had a sore throat since the middle of March, which then turned into a cough on Good Friday in April.  The doctor initially gave me a nasal spray for the sore throat, then new asthma inhalers for the cough.  I had asked if perhaps a chest x-ray was necessary, but was told it was just asthma.  I had asked if antibiotics might help, again, I was told it was asthma.  On returning to the Dr. again yesterday, May, I was told it wasn't asthma it was pneumonia. So finally I am hoping the antibiotics will clear up the chest infection, and I will be able to walk and talk without becoming breathless and coughing.

I think we all know our own bodies best, and it sometimes becomes frustrating when a doctor won't listen.  I knew in April that it was a chest infection, since I've had bronchitis on a number of occasions.  If I had been given either an x-ray or the antibiotics, then I would have recovered and not have to take further sick days off work.  I understand that doctors don't like to hand out medication, especially antibiotics, too often, but I and not a pill popper, and I am not visiting the doctors office continuously, so I feel that they should listen to me.

So wish me well, and thanks for allowing the little rant!