This is the first weekend I have had time to relax and do stuff that I want to do in what seems like months. Mr. H is working overtime today, so it's just me, the kitties, and Buddykins. It's a rainy Saturday so that gives me even more incentive to stay indoors and be crafty today. I have a few projects lined up but I think today I want to refinish my dining room chairs. I'll take a before and after photo, and you can let me know what you think. Jeez...now I feel like I HAVE to get this project done since I've promised pictures! I have my camera back, and that makes me happy, I've missed taking pictures of just anything I feel like.
We switched our Internet provider last week, and since then I noticed that I lost my blog title pic. It wasn't mine to begin with, I had downloaded it off of the web, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. So, I'm using picture of Mr. Mao, and of course I had to play with the special effects. But, I like how it turned out and for now, I'll it. It would be cool to have a more professional looking blog page, but honestly, I'm not sure that that would prod me into blogging more. What I am hoping will inspire me is joining NaBloPoMo.
I didn't have time to join last year as we were moving and life was just too busy. So this is the year and I will try to keep up. No more excuses!
Otherwise, life goes on. The Clinical Educator position is apparently mine. I have yet to be interviewed, but I am starting the position on a part-time basis orienting the new nurses hired to start in a few weeks. By the end of November, I should be in the position full-time and I am quite excited about this. There are so many changes going on within the peri-operative department and I will have the opportunity to help plan, educate and implement the changes. I went to a conference last weekend which gave me some really good ideas and contacts.
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I haven't been much into cooking these past few months, but am trying to get interested again. The other day, Greg had the boys over for the hockey game and I thought I'd make a big vat of chili. We still have hundred of tomatoes in the backyard but the problem is, is that they are all green. Years ago I read a book called Fried Green Tomatoes and I'd heard that you could fry green tomatoes, but it never really appealed to me. Now, as I said, I made a vat of chili. And I had all these green tomatoes on hand. I cut up a tomato and tentatively tasted it. I don't know what I was expecting, but was it ever tasty! It had a tart flavour to it, kind of like a lime. So then I got to thinking about this: I threw in about three diced green tomotoes into my chili, and I have to tell you...AMAZING!!! I do believe that I have discovered a brand new chili recipe. The boys loved it, and there was not even a spoonful left. I was a little disappointed that there weren't any leftovers for my lunch the next day, however I was flattered that my new chili recipe was a hit. Try it, you'll like it!

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I'm now going to search for sandpaper, sharp scissors and the staple gun and will attack my 40 yr old dining room chairs. Jeez...my mom bought these chairs when I was a little kid!

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I'll leave you with this: they do look content, Non?

It is quite possible that tonight will be my last night shift. At least that is what I am hoping. Our Recovery Room is so short-staffed that I've been filling in a lot of the nights to accommodate staffing. So, tonight is my 6th shift in a row, and I'm here all by my lonesome listening to my patient snore. If I have to have an overnighter, I prefer them snoring vs. complaining of pain. At least I know he's comfortable. If any of you are married to 67 yr old men, or have fathers or loved ones this age, please tell them to stay out of trees as 30 feet is a long way to fall. For that matter, advise them to stay off ladders and rooftops, too.
Life is pretty much status quo, and has been for a long time. The medications are working, I'm no longer crying at the drop of a hat, and the social anxiety I was feeling has lessened, although has not totally disappeared. I still prefer to entertain in my own surroundings vs. going out. Greg and I were talking today about how we don't go out anymore. Both of us are so comfortable at home, but I couldn't tell you the last time we went out for dinner, or a movie, or to go listen to live music. Having Buddy around is great because it does get us out of the house for a little while each day, and we have gotten to know the neighbours quite well. Towards the end of this month, are a few milestones for us, that we thought we would make special. Oct 26th marks 5 years since we met, Nov 1st is our first real date and our 1 year anniversary in the house, and Nov 11 is our 2nd wedding anniversary. We talked about how we would make a point of having 3 date nights to celebrate. Don't go holding your breath, but I'll let you know if we actually leave the house.

I've now finished the 5th Harry Potter book, and plan to start #6 this week. I've REALLY enjoyed reading them this summer, and am so glad that I finally gave in to the HP craze, it has totally entertained me to the point where I think of us ordinary folks as 'Muggles.'
Last night I started putting together the Hallowe'en goodie bags for the neighbourhood kids. I might have gone a little crazy, but I got excited because it is our first time that we'll have little witches and dementors come to the door. My BFF, Pez, has a son who is allergic to peanuts, and I understand that there are a lot of kids with this allergy. So, to be respectful of this potentially deadly allergy, I put together a peanut-free bag. Inside each bag is a Hallowe'en pencil and eraser, a glow-in the dark tarantula, finger, or bat, rubber flies, and Tootsie Roll confection. I made up 50 bags and was quite happy with how they turned out. I hope that the kids like them, I think I would if I was a kid. I started reminiscing about Hallowe'en candy when I was a kid. I always hated those stale molasses peanut-buttery toffees that were wrapped in orange, black and white wax paper. I think people saved them from their kids previous loot and re-gifted them the following year. Ugh! They were gross. Any candy you remember hating?

Anyway, I must get back to work. This was a nice little blog interruption tho!

Close to Nature

Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely glorious. The weather couldn't have been better....40C, perfect for dinner Al fresco. During the day, I needed to run into town to pick up some last minute fixin's. I had borrowed my brother's camera, and got sidetracked by the beauty of the Grand River.
The town of Fergus was originally settled in 1833 by Scottish immigrants. Many of the original stone building and homes still exist. These old homes all have historical placards at the front door, describing the positions, or careers the home owner held in the community. My favourite is 'Elizabeth Smith, Housewife.' I like the fact that she was the homeowner, there aren't very many women listed on these placards. So, here are just a few of the pics I took last weekend. It's made me realize just how much I miss my camera, and how I rely on it to get me in the blogging mood.

I like how I can play around with different settings and edit pictures. How's this for autumn colour?!

And how's this for getting close to nature?! I discovered an exotic pet store and this was the owner's pet boa constrictor, named Kahn. One thing weird about me...I kind of, sort of like snakes. And reptiles in general. Believe it or not, this little guy was really social, and slithered his way right up around my neck...rather like a feather boa...only not as fluffy.

All right, it's 10:30 am, and on that happy note, I must go to bed. Three more night shifts to go...