32/33 An afternoon babysitting, explaining alaska, sleep deprived. crossword/sudoku

I got to work for my offspring this afternoon.  The timetable for babysitting our neighbours offspring would only work if I pitched in and helped out.  I bought the little person over and decided the only way I could keep things on an even keel was to dig into the toys of my offspring.   For one reason or another, every major toy company is still represented and a few other as well.

The young person in question couldn't have been happier as we went and brought out a train,  a set of the Thunderbird's Island, we had Miss Penelope's car but not her or the chauffeur.   Robin Hood's forest hideaway and a few of his good men plus the Sheriff.    We also found the cars, a whole bag of them.   I worked on the track but didn't get the electric part of it out and running.   Little person tried out each car until a couple where found though worthy of attention.   What a joy to be had.   I enjoyed the perspective on the world, as little person enjoyed my ability to tell the stories that went with the toys.   On the hour went.

Eventually the real babysitter came up to claim and ended up staying here with the charge.   I went and retrieved dinner where little person was entertained by my partner who has a child like joy in amusing children.  I had to explain the partner went to a naughty school with a lot of other boys.   Little person said that school should be good.   After dinner babysitter decided to take charge to the calm and quiet of home.

Alaska, how is it possible to explain a place that big and who it is really is connected to.   I got a request from my relative in Australia,  Could I give some advice to a close friend who is planning a trip to Alaska and does the passage close.  I assumed she meant the Northwest Passage?   When are the children out of school?   I wasn't sure how much this lady knew about the state of Alaska and did she know it wasn't in Canada or the commonwealth for that matter.   I did my best to explain and warn her about the size and where you could drive and what you might see.  I did express that she must research and plan a trip of this nature several times.   She should also have a decent sized car for the trip.  However the people of the beautiful state are mostly friendly.   I have lived in Vancouver and told her it was a beautiful side of the continent.  I am just hoping I gave her good insight into a trip of that magnitude.   I have never heard of anyone going to B&B's on a drive through the state.   I did say I think they probably mostly camp.

I might have been better to recommend the East coast and Newfoundland.  I think it might be better for that type of sightseeing.   It will be interesting to hear what she does do and if she goes.

Since our visit from the film group I am sleep deprived.   They wanted our bed lowered as I had it up rather high.   I love those big pillow beds.   Since it was lowered it was hard and I wake up every night in pain.   I stuffed, a few things back under it for a trial run and if this doesn't work  I am getting a futon which is the right size not to big or not to small and putting it under the mattress.   It is my fault for buying a futon bed in the first place with its frame.    I think I have a bad case of, Princess and the Peas syndrome!   Maybe that is a good sign but you would be hard pressed to find a Princess in my family's northern lineage!  A factory owner or brewer and more than a few farmer's.

I have just read an article that says doing a cross word every day or four out of five nights  or sudoku will help strength the brain and ward of dementia or worse.   Since I am not a big fan of either I have a bit of a problem.   Memory has never been an issue in my family as far as I know.   We have had other issues.   Another thing was singing so I will have to go there.  My voice although as a young person I had a good voice that know one except my teacher took notice of, is okay.   I have only sung in church, school and at Guides.   I guess that is better than nowhere.   I can go there when no know one is in the house and Fred can join me.  Fred is the cat!

29/30/31 Too tired for words, Sunday in the rain, Animations

I am still extremely tired and not back to day to day living.   It is so much having happened it takes time to come to terms with the physical effort.   I did start the post clean up on the weekend.  The thought of the  floors being used like a studio is enough to get you going.   Out came the Beem and then the Swiffer,  now it is back to cleaning with a bucket and mop.   By the time Christmas rolls around we should be in good shape.

I have had a strange incident with a neighbour.    Since the summer have only spoken to her twice and talked about a similar health issue.   She has taken the traditional method of Doctor's as I have taken a holistic approach.   It upsets me as she is struggling and not getting anywhere.  I can't speak to her again as it was making her uncomfortable talking about the approach I take.   She is walking with a cane and in a lot of pain.  I find it very upsetting what Doctor's do to people at this age.  They don't have a method of care to proceed with to combat either pain from auto immune disease or the effects when as a result the person has weight gain which aggravates it.   It is a catch 22.   I know I need to further my studies to be able to help people in this situation.   I have suggested taking this person to the organic store and pharmacy to see if she would find it of interest.   It is better then letting yourself go down hill while waiting for the doctor  find the right pill or pills.

Yesterday, was a Sunday in the rain and I spent a lot of it in the car and driving the offspring to the her study hall.   Then went out for Sunday lunch with my partner to get back and drive over to the local grocery store then chat with neighbours to drive back down and get the offspring.  Not a great way to spend Sunday.

 I called my friend and am going to see the animation Puss, with Antonio Banderas as, Puss in Boots.
It is very funny and looks cute.  My partner said why would I go and see it.   I think the Disney shows which I think can be amazing good entertainment and not just for kids.  The cast it has makes it worth seeing also.  It is impossible to get my partner out although he did go to see friends on Saturday.      

It is good to get out with friends of the same ilk who share your taste.

26/27/28 Film crew come and gone, survival, post op

I did a 24 hour or nearly two days on about three hours sleep.   I stayed at the house until about 8 am and the crew where arriving.   One of the crew brought in some kind of light holder and let the feet down which hit the door frame to the living room.  That is not cool and the wall has some marks on it so I mentioned it.   Please handle with care.

I took off to my good friend's place and spent the day with her.   I spent some of it yawning and then eventually asked if she would like to go to one of our favourite malls.   I headed up to see my hairdresser.   I decided it was time to treat myself to a new hair cut.  My friend decided to shop.   It took longer for the hair to get done but we had some time to do a bit of shopping before we headed back to this neck of the woods.  I thought I should give my friend an idea of the film world and this is a small crew in the house.  That is twenty five people trying to put something on film.  We had the producers and the make up ladies and the kraft services in the basement.   My friend and I managed to get coffee and head for the open basement and sit on the rocking chair.  I think she found it interesting, this isn't something one sees every day a film crew at work.   Then we came upstairs and looked in what was left of my bedroom.  The best thing was my dish that is in my oven was being used for the cat dishes.  Charming and the large equipment dolly for the camera was in the kitchen.  This is a near impossibility as the kitchen is a small galley kitchen.   We then walked out through the back door and was in the view of the camera that was doing an establishing shot of the house.

We went back to my friends house and I spent the rest of the day their but went home when the house was clear.

I woke up the next day and at the moment can't remember what I did.   The basement half of the crew were still  here so I had the door closed.  I got ready as I had to go out and take care of something and return a pair of jeans I had got at our main department store.  I went to the store and tried on at least four pairs of jeans.  The fit was not good so I got my money back and then went to a small shop in the mall.  I found some nice ladies jeans but neither of them fit.  I did finally found one pair of  I thought fit.
What is it with clothing manufacturers these days.  I know I am not of the age I can wear the tight legs and low cut under the waist style at the moment.  I am thankful for what I got I can at least look respectable at Christmas when we go for a family visit.

Post op, I think letting the crew come and film is wonderful in theory but a bit close to hell in practise.  One, you need cleaning staff and two, you need a hotel room for the day to rest and spend time there.
Even the money although much appreciated, you do work and work for it.   I haven't finished yet.
Not sure I would do this again.

23/24/25 Clearing and cleaning, wayward offspring, lost kittens.

Clearing and cleaning a home you find out how much junk you have kept.  I have a bad habit of keeping magazines and worse yet books.   I always think there is something in there I will use.  In my dreams.
So I clear and I am saving the cleaning for Monday, why start now and have to do it all over again.  I am behind in the schedule at this rate.   I have a grip on what the film maker's need.  Basically I am doing set deck for them.   It is a good start on Christmas cleaning.   The best thing was when the partner asked would I make some I assume baked goods for the crew when they arrive.   That was the icing on the cake.   Sure and I won't use the expression the English use when they are given too much to do but it involves a broom!   I am a holistic cook or try to be so baking involves a little more than just opening a package.   Holistic is when you use ingredients that are for your health, like spelt flour etc.  In this city that is not cheap, we don't grow our own.  I will have to put my thinking cap on to figure this out.

It somewhat struck me it is like cooking for your offspring so they can take it to school!  Give me strength.  Like the classroom their are twenty-five of them.

I have been cut off my offspring and his partner's Facebook.  Through a series of communication or lack of communication, as getting hung up  on from a long distant call.  I decided after a lack of response when I try to communicate with said pair.  I started the ball rolling.  I am a firm believer in ignoring you offspring from time to time that way they eventually notice you are not communicating with them.   My friend and emotional support believes in cutting them off period!  I some what agree except my three have chosen professions where school seems never ending and money is in short supply.   Somehow or somewhere I feel this is the beginning of elder abuse, the more you give the more you get ignored.  Saving offspring from their foibles is not always the smartest thing to do and really one learn from our mistakes.  I think our generation of as we are called boomers, certainly heard that one from the parents.

In my travels and I have had a lot of driving this week as offspring three is doing mid term exams and for some reason I have seen at least two what appeared to be abandoned kittens.  I also have an abandoned kitten who visits my friends house.  I think we saw him a year ago and he was a beauty.
She is feeding him and her friend who lives on the opposite side of the lane has made him a bed.   I did try to capture him when I first saw him but couldn't catch him.  Tonight it was the university where I was parked near a library and looked in my rear view mirror to see another kitten running across the road down an alley.  They must know where the food might be.   I wondered if this poor creature has been abandoned by a student.    I think I grew up with too many Disney movies!  But it is still upsetting.  Our Fred, old moggy that he is, I rescued from outside my friend's house in the country where people put their pets out.  I hope that is bad karma.

Admitting, I have to admit today I actually told someone that I was heading into my sixth decade.   A little girl was trying to run her mother's shopping cart ahead where I was standing and I said to the little girl you mustn't run over old ladies.  I don't think the woman knew where to look so, it was worth it for a laugh.   Fortunately I think I can still hold my own although I do have some granny glasses!   I had a nail beautician tell me I should not where them.  I didn't have the heart to tell her they were hand made and at that time in style!

When I picked up offspring the comment came that I looked great as my hair is very long at the moment and I had on a stylish jacket.   That didn't hurt the ego, I must say!

21/22 Fred, KIDS, Forgotten alliances

Fred, since he came into my life what an I saw he assumes he is everything to me.   But worst yet he insists on sleeping on the bed.  The worst happened I think something bit me on the back of the ankle last night.  I know I should blame Fred because I let him out in the garden yesterday.   He might have picked something up or something might have picked him up.   It is annoying as he has a lovely little bed of his own by the radiator.   I am probably allergic to his hair also.   Oh Fred.

Kids,  I am not on the outs with my offspring but seem to get in their bad books, since I am probably their main benefactor I would do my level best not to get annoyed at the person who has supported me for so   long.   How looks after their cats when they need someone, who worries herself to death when they are sick or upset.  How pays out small fortunes when they need an apartment down payments?   You guessed it, me.  Who has supported them endlessly thorough long drawn out educations, me.   So yesterday when I heard the phone ring and picked it up and it was the long distance ring.  I heard a click like it was hanging up, now who had promised to phone when talking to his father.  I am assuming after leaving a nice little poem on the blog of his partner letting her know we missed her I would get a thank you, no.  I get a click and a hung up phone.  The only way to children so navel gazing as this is to ignore them.   Unfortunately the big holiday is coming and they will be looking for a gift well this year the gift will be very reduced.   The other offspring has been warned.   I have also come to the conclusion that tech media is mind field for unsuspecting parents,  the truth is they don't want to hear from us on the sites their friends visit.   Parents are to be rolled out and introduced and to vanish unless money is needed and I think that is in all nationalities.

Forgotten alliance,  this hasn't been an easy time for my partner.   He isn't young although he is an expert in his field.  Work in the last  two years has been limited leading to a lot of complications.   We find ourselves dealing with people we haven't dealt with in a few years.   It is always amazing to me when you have to deal with creditor that they can't remember how long you have actually been there client.
Our gas company thanks to the joys of democratic financial systems got bought by the British Gas.  The once great gas delivery system who kind and considerate of it clients now can't remember them.
I spoke to a young man as I have to admit I forgot to pay the bill last month due to stress.   He told me that our payment record was not good and I hadn't paid since September.   I said to him what our about our payment record since 1987?   There was silence on the phone.   When push comes to shove why do these companies forget the people who have supported them for years?  I suppose it is convenience.
It goes with any other supplier.   I feel the only revenge is to buy their shares and become a share holder then if they try this you can say well I am a share holder!  Then see what the response is.  Today's world is perfection, not.   Our Grandmother's might have had it hard in terms of household drudgery but dealing with companies hell bent on perfect bank accounts is from hell itself, also.   I would give anything to see the world turned back into say the early part of the twentieth century just for to see what manners were like.   I have pictures of my Grandmother a shy looking looking woman who dotted on my Mother, a relationship based on codependency whoever I bet people treated her kindly as she looks kindly.    I didn't get the dotting Mother,  I got the glamorous Princess who's husband didn't get it.   I was the husband's child, a relationship fraught with who is caring for whom.   In this generation we don't get the dotting parents we get to be the care giver's and we don't get the respect of what our lives have done unless their is a degree behind it.   We do get to deal with companies who can only remember us as clients when we pay them on time so they send us even more enticements for their services.   My favourite is duct cleaning.  I tell them I don't have ducts and I still get them.   Respect is a mine field!

20/21 Beach, Beam, Downton

I  was delighted to figure out how to get our Beam vacuum working.  It is amazing that after years of coping with my favourite vacuum's Sear's canister, which is in need of repair from over use, I managed to get the Beam working.  It didn't take much I had pulled out a plug that operates I think a second motor in the vacuum.   I don't know why anyone thinks they are easy to operate.  it is easy to put the switch on but then you have a hose so huge to drag around the house.  I suppose it is all exercise.   Housework is certainly a work out.   Not one that I can say I actually like.  You have to be thankful at lest the cat hair is quelled.

Beach, after a long week on the set I managed to get my partner out for a lunch to my favourite area of the city.  Our Beach is not spectacular as it is on a fresh water lake.   It is a big lake, however lunch is always pleasant as there are so many restaurants to chose from and three good ones in steps from each other.
The one we chose is in an old house but has nice big windows and a glass fireplace so when the weather is cool we get the nice fireplace to enjoy.

My partner's week was brutal with three very different sets to work on a group of caves, a beach location and a martial arts gym which had two events planned for one day.    He normally works with a crew but is on his own at the moment.   After lifting and lugging he was happy for a respite.   I was happy after choking cat hair and dust to get him to walk down to the beach and sit and enjoy the lake.

The lake did its magic and he rallied enough to walk back up and peruse a few of the shops.  His favourite is a organizer shop for the home and office.  I hit the bargain clothing shop for with any lucky Christmas gifts.   We both manage to agree on our favourite book store.  It is a love or hate affair as I hate going in and know I will always find some book I want to bring home.  I did a new book on the Bronte sister's of Yorkshire England and Withering Heights fame just one of several.

That was it of our weekend outing.   I am not looking forward to the coming week as it is the week before the film crew hit our house on the 22nd.   Now I have to find somewhere to hid all our delicate and breakable and a few treasures that is not easy in a house this size with an attic that you can't reach.
Who's idea was this anyway!

Downton Abbey has been sent to me by my son and I have watched five episodes and find it has improved a lot since the first series.   It has come to life and each character had their own life.   This is all set in the WWI .   It is so nice to have great drama to watch and enjoy.

17/18/19 Super Horse, Hickstead, Men and age!

I have to make a comment about Hickstead who passed on November 6th 2011.  He was Eric Lamaze amazing mount.   Dutch warmblood horse and a hero to many Canadian fans of the Equestrian world.
Beautiful, brave and it goes without saying the equestrian world's heart goes out to Eric for his loss.

I spent Sat mostly resting with a cold that won't go away at the moment.   Sunday I thought I would do much of the same.  Offspring and his partner were coming to pick up Rooster who I think we are changing his name in this house to Roos, the cat.   I did get to rest in the morning but had to spend the afternoon getting the house in order.  I also ended up going out to shop which was not planned but needed to get a gift for a birthday gift.

Not being totally sure if a meal was called for made my fall back recipe of Shepherd's pie.  Yes it is good enough for Keith Richard's who says it is his favourite dish.   The reason I am blurbing about this is that I went to a local grocery store which has become very popular.  I had to buy a big tray of hamburger or minced beef.  I thought at the time the beef looked a bit to red in colour as the butcher's are known to but some kind of dye in the meat to make it look more enticing.  When I got home and started to cook,  the meat  was sort of brown and looked in one part as though it had seen better days.   I can honestly say my days of cooking meat from stores where I get this type of quality is over.

I am aiming for grain fed meat and free ranch if possible.  I am a great believer in animal products that are raised properly.  I like our somewhat local Big Carrot store which is an organic based store not cheap but high quality.  I am not a snob and will go to local producer's.   I am also going back into buying veggie meat which I could have used for the Shepherd's pie.  As long as you use half grain fed meat you will get the flavour.

It turned out to be a working weekend.   So I am somewhat taking today off and trying to get rid of this cold that hangs on.   I have also to plan for our day of filming on the 22nd.   That will be a big challenge.

Last but not least I had my partner come in yesterday, this is the man who won't go to the
doctor or get an antibiotic until he has full blown near pneumonia and tell me he was old and near the great age of six decades and a year.  I somewhat ignored him since my Father and his, worked until they where six decades and five.  

I can't get it through his head that sitting around is a way to age faster and if he would eat better although I do my best to make sure he eats well, his taste buds lend themselves to sugar and fat.
It seems to be an ongoing struggle.   I am sure I can here woman everywhere saying the same thing.
The one good thing he doesn't do although once in a while doesn't hurt is consume alcohol as the more I read about it the more I think it also is a slippery issues.

14,15,16 Friends with Aging parents, Rouge Beach and Ted's.

I spent Thursday with my friend who is now dealing with her Mom who is in her nineties.  Her Mom, a really nice lady has now reached the age she can no longer run her home on her own.   After realizing her Mother needed more care she called the family together to discuss what should be done.  Her Mom had lived in her home for sixty years so they decided she should try and get a caregiver to assist her.

My friend is relieved although she says she will still be doing as much but not worrying as much over her Mother.   Someone told me that you are in your house when you are over eighty it is unlikely you will go to a smaller home.  I know this is the case of my husband's Godmother who is now in her 82nd year.   She has said to me this is where she wants to stay.   She is active for her age and can manage although I worry about her.  She is a lovely lady but like most of her generation very independent.

Rouge Beach is a place I have been fond of since I was a teen.  It was the closet thing we had to a beach in our area.  It is the mouth of the Rouge river that goes into Lake Ontario.   My partner had to go and check the Beach to film on for the show he is working on.  We drove out to meet with an official who  he had to speak to about the filming.   I decided to get out and walk along my beach where I used to go with a favourite boyfriend when I was the grand old age of eighteen.   I walked along to the far end of the beach and came back along a line of stones that had been put there.  The comment my boyfriend of the time said was that this is not a lake but a sea.  He was from Scotland originally.

When my partner, got through his film preparation he suggested we could get some lunch.  We drove over to the small village where I grew up.  It is a small area that is between two main roads but there is quite a bit of land.   I have a favourite restaurant there.  It is called Ted's after the original owner.

Ted's has also been featured in some movies.  It is a fifties soda bar  and hasn't changed much since, with my friend's I got off the bus after going to our favourite hang out place in the city.   Ted's was our gravy and fries place to go and eat.   It isn't fancy with stuffed fish and ballet prints on the wall.  

I am fond of the waitresses who are very cheerful and very attentive.  The food isn't fancy, it  is old fashioned home cooking.   Today I heard a story which is worth repeating.  Ted the original owner who opened the place in 1954.  It seems, Ted who is still around is 107 years old and drives a Mustang car.  It isn't that long ago he sold the business.   He was I think 101 and he bought himself a new Mustang car to drive around in.  He is treated like a star and people wave at him.   Such an age is hard to fathom and still have your wits about you.   Amazing.  I put it down to operating his own business and keeping fit and possible eating a healthy diet.   A lesson to ingest!