Sep 2014 – willowdot21

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: BABYSITTING, BIRTHDAYS, AND SURPRISES!

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Welcome, once again how are you all? Another busy week here things seem to have been speeding up and up ever since we have returned from France! In fact things have become totally mad! I am on the run even as I type, trying to get lots of different things done and be all things to many !! 🙂 I am running so late this week that even though I have managed to get our beloved Paul’s post published a day early I am almost a day late ! Not quite but very nearly.

Now what would you like to eat and drink thanks to Paul we have every type of coffee and tea anyone could possibly request and a few that I quite frankly would be very happy to sit on the self talk about obscure and smelly!! 🙂 As for the cakes and pastries well they have grown in range since we have been enjoying these get together’s and they are all free and even better totally calorie free!! So come on in sit down where ever you fancy, relax and let’s have a nice coffee/ tea break.

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would tell you what a busy week it has been, two sisters, two brothers, two brothers in law, a cousin, and a son plus me all having Birthdays in a fortnight!! That takes a lot of organising ! I would tell you about my day but luckily Paul has already done that so that saves me a few minutes… well done that man Paul!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE:It was our first real babysitting stint yesterday , Saturday, all on our own! It was great fun the Newbie is so full of giggles and excitement. We were over at the Newbie’s home so everything was natural and normal to him! My husband really enjoyed it too, he loves to play with the Newbie he magically turns into a singing dancing and clapping machine with talking shoes! Yes I did say talking shoes. We played with the Newbie and he had a turn in his baby gym then in a fabulous toy that you pop baby into and there are all sort of activities arranged in a circle, it supports the baby in a half sitting half standing position!! It is amazing and the Newbie loves it!

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The photo to the right is similar but not quite the same . You pop the baby in to the seat in the middle and away they go! Woow did our Newbie love it and he is not quite 6months yet! I have to admit I would of loved a toy like this when the boys were small.

It is amazing how toys and fashions for babies have changed over well, the last 41 years , as that is the age of my eldest son. When I look at photos of him as a baby and a toddler the clothes are so very, very different. I have to admit I did my best to dress the lads in the latest of fashions for then and get them the best that I could afford in the toy market!

Baby grows were the order of the day then little suits and then maybe dungarees if you were daring! The toys were fun but today’s toys knock spots off the older ones! I suppose it is the difference between how a woman in the 19 50’s dressed and supplied toys for her baby and how one in the 1970’s did!

Anyway he had a wonderful time with all his toys, then his mum had left a bottle for him ( she is doing a wonderful job breast feeding) so I gave him his allotted feed at the appointed time. He then had an extra play, then after a couple of burps he went off to his cot and a nap like an angel!

While he was napping we had a sneaky tidy up and husband cut the lawns they have two long lawns out the back!
So the Newbie was fast asleep when his mum and dad came home.

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IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would tell you that it has been hard going at the gym this week, though I am trying hard I am finding it hard going! I usually do four early mornings at the gym and two classes one on Friday and one on Saturday. The Friday class is Pilates and is an hour long and I have to admit it is my most favorite hour of the week. The Saturday class a Deep Core Class and it is a very hard and fast moving class. Both classes are doing the same thing to the body ( strengthening the core muscles ) but both with extremely different tactics! Usually I manage well but this week I have found myself dragging my heels! even though I have a really good gym buddy and we usually keep each other going this week I have been under par and I have had to resorted to going out for a brisk walk in the afternoons to stop myself from dropping off to sleep!.

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IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would explain that today has been like the rest of this weekend so so rushed and busy, but for all that really fun! Today started with me waking up with cramp again! The usually Sunday morning chores followed a walk in the unseasonal weather into town and our monthly meeting of the women I used to work with. We all had a good chat and of course coffee and cake!! Unfortunately the cakes in that coffee shop are not calorie free!!

The husband met me at 1.30pm and then we were off back to the Newbie’s as his Mum and Dad wanted wanted the husband to help them remove a very awkward and heavy pelmet down! Well husband and son laboured away at removing said pelmet and did eventually succeeded! The Newbie’s mum was busy making baby food with recipes from her special baby food cook book! Guess what left me to do , look after and play with the Newbie… OH! Joy!!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would mention I had better go now there is washing and ironing to do! A meal to finish cooking and eat . Then bed and then another week full of many many things to do!!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would ask you if you would like another cuppa, or another cake . I’d tell you I have really come to enjoy these chats and I’d love to hear what you would tell me. Please feel free to stay as long as you like and don’t forget to visit Paul’s post now while you are here! If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/

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If We Were Having Coffee: GUEST POST. Squirrels and New Arrivals

If We Were Having Coffee – Sept.28/2014

Squirrels and New Arrivals

A portion of our loose tea selection for our visitors – whatever your heart desires.

Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul and I’m happy to be here once again in the garden tending to your needs for a cuppa, and sweets. It has gotten quite damp here recently so Willow and I have arranged some comfy chairs and sofas under the marquee where we will be warm whilst we sip our cuppa. The addition of some heaters last week has made this little nest quite toasty. I’ll be happy to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees (as you can see above ) to satisfy our world-wide readership. We can relax with a cuppa and calorie free sweets while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?

Here in Canada the news has been relatively quiet this week. We have this foreign worker program that is coming under fire. Apparently, some service businesses have been complaining that they cannot fill jobs with Canadian citizens so they have been importing foreign workers to fill the positions as is allowed under a special government program. These workers have been working alongside Canadians and, it seems, the foreign workers are being paid less and are being favored by management for extra hours and such as they are cheaper. In one case, Canadians were laid off and then replaced with foreign workers – which is absolutely forbidden under the program. There has been a big furor about this and some government officials have been chastised, the program is being severely limited or even removed and the companies that have allowed this are being fined. What do you think about these types of programs? Do you find that immigrant workers are being given jobs that should be filled by nationals? How is the government of your country handling the many immigrants that are fleeing oppressive regimes and/or seeking a better life in a new country?

A selfie – it gets cold up here in Canada

The above picture is actually from Art, – a fellow humorous blogger – collection of photo shopped images (http://pouringmyartout.wordpress.com/). He has some hilarious images. This photo has a very Canadian winter feel for me. The fluffy attire looks similar: humans wear lined underwear, vests, heavy parkas, insulated boots, toques and sunglasses (for those readers who have not experienced a bright day on a snow covered world, it is blinding).

Although the weather here has been splendiferous this week – the warning is there about what is to come. Waiting for a ride yesterday, I was watching a half a dozen squirrels busy burying nuts in the ground, preparing for a cold winter. I happened to be speaking for a few moments with an immigrant who obviously did not have much experience with our native fauna. We were under the tree canopy as we were speaking and a busy squirrel lost his grip on a nut and as he screamed his dismay, his nut dropped through the branches and landed at the feet of my conversation partner. The poor man jumped and looked nervously upwards as he prepared to run. I quickly explained that it was just a squirrel that had dropped his nut and that that was quite common this time of year. The squirrely swearing continued from above our heads – no doubt seriously concerned that we would steal his nut.

After our conversation finished and he left, I thought for a while about what objects falling from the sky might mean to someone who had not grown up with it. And I thought how many such tiny details would have to be internalized by the newcomer– all the time not knowing which details could get them killed and which were just funny little incidents. The absolute vulnerability that would engender gives me a feeling of admiration for those who have chosen to leave their homes and friends and family and country and moved to a brand new world. Many have done so to try and make a better life for them and their loved ones, especially children. It seems to me that many such immigrants would have enough to handle already and then are forced to face suspicion and/or rejection by the locals where they live. Situations like the special programs mentioned above put them in a very negative position without them even realizing what is happening.

Above is a photo of a very popular coffee chain store in Canada with thousands of outlets. They are one of the main companies who are accused of misusing immigrants for purposes of reducing costs and putting Canadians out of work. They are a franchise system and the parent company has come down very hard on the franchisees who were abusing the program. The company has a sterling reputation here in Canada and I am sure they were not aware of what was going on – but still it happened.

http://www.theprovince.com/health/cms/binary/7314801.jpg?size=620x400s Tim Horton workers participating in a drive to raise money for a kidney patient

If you get a chance, have a look at the story attached to the URL from the picture above – it is heart rending and is just one of the many ways that immigrants here have a rough road, regardless of our determination to treat them fairly. ( http://www.theprovince.com/health/Hortons+barista+might+just+kidney+transplant+thanks+staff+customers/7316841/story.htmland ) Do you have any thoughts on this? Or do you have a story about immigrants in your home country?

Would you like another cuppa? Willow and I are honored that you dropped by the marquee in the garden today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please feel free to look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you here in the garden again next week.

Until next week – may your days be safe and happy.

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would ask you if you would like another cuppa, or another cake . I’d tell you I have really come to enjoy these chats and I’d love to hear what you would tell me. Please feel free to stay as long as you like . If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/

Ahhh, a lovely cup of tea – just when needed

Music Themes : Purpose!

Maddie chose the music theme PURPOSE for this week and Eva is back! and I am late!

Now what purpose shall we go for first! Well Imogen wants to escape from the pressures of life and go back to childhood! we all often get that nasty feeling that we do not belong and that we need to escape!

Then one morning you wake up and you realize your whole life has to change and the relationship you are in just has to end! You need to find and put purpose into your life!

Another life changing purpose is the need to take life by the hand and make it a better place for everyone.

The main purpose in life is progress, I add this video because I just just love the excitement and life it exudes! Love them or hate them Take That are just a life force they have so much talent and live they are as good as their best recording!

And finally the purpose of life……….. is there anything more important?

The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes

There’s a hole in my soul like a cavity
Seems the world is out to gather just by gravity
The wheel keeps turning the sky’s rearranging
Look my son the weather is changing

I’d like to feel that you could be free
Look up at the blue skies beneath a new tree
Sometime again
You’ll turn green and the sea turns red
My son I said the power of reflections over my head
The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes

We sang about the sun and danced among the trees
And we listened to the whisper of the city on the breeze
Will you cry in the most in a lead-free zone
Down within the shadows where the factories drone
On the surface of the wheel they build another town
And so the green come tumbling down
Yes close your eyes and hold me tight
And I’ll show you sunset sometime again

The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes
As a child solemn pray my hope hides in disguise
While satellites and cameras watch from the skies
An acid drop of rain recycled from the sea
It washed away my shadow burnt a hole in me
And all the king’s men cannot put it back again
But the ghetto sun will nurture life
And mend my soul sometime again

The big wheel keeps on turning
On a simple line day by day
The earth spins on its axis
One man struggle while another relaxes Massive Attack

Check out the other themeists.

Bear, she will blow you away .Maddie amazing woman, Johnny man of the moment, Eva is here misbehaving this week. Go dance with her!!! and lovely lovely Lisa

Ascrostic Poem: Me the Machine.

Mindful thoughts dance before you

Even though you can’t keep up

Thoughts fighting to the fore

Headlights bursting on the shore.

Evaluating all that is in store.

Marching towards the horizon

Always loosing never gaining ground

Chasing dreams never catching them, lost but never found.

Hiding all thoughts from the bright light of the sun.

Inside you reach out for help needing it so much

Nurturing, needing reaching out for a touch.

Enduring feelings, can they be learnt or will our hands be burnt.

Blood on the floor.

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Darkness fell, pitch black wrapped our eyes and ears in black satin.

We crawled on hands and knees blindly inching forward.

Our cries bounced back at us off the wall, they seared our skin.

Lost, hopelessly lost without a clue our outlook flawed!

Cold gnawed at our fingers and nipped at our faces

We were clawing at the floor looking for a door

The smell was painful mess everywhere we’d all forgot our social graces.

It is was demeaning , everyone screaming a fight breaking out. Blood on the floor.

AUTUMN

Ageing leaves fall to the ground

Ushering in the end of summer days

Tumbling twirling , furling all around

Under heaving boughs of harvest golden light plays

Myriads of scurrying animals gather winter stores

Night draws in and morning is dressed in foggy silver hoar.

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As smoke from a thousand bonfires rise

Unwinding dads rid the evening train homewards

Turning their eyes to the dying light thought of stake pie and fries

Uniformed school children collect harvest rewards

Muffled sounds of muted car tyres

Nipping cold , pinched cheeks as summer expires.

Hever Castle

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She was young, well schooled and travelled

She spoke French and had modern European ways.

All bode well for her until she met Henry and her life unravelled.

She had a book of hours but she became Anne of a thousand days.

She wanted to marry Henry Percy

But without her father’s permission this was not to be.

She was banished to Hever Castle her father showing no mercy.

Her sister was at Henry 8th’s court in fact she she was Henry’s Queen bee.

Henry spotted Anne when she visited her sister Mary

He fell in love with the slip of a girl

She was older but more alluring, out shining poor Mary.

The king was soon entrapped his heart in a whirl.

Soon Henry was a visitor at Heaver Castle

Arriving with his court and entourage, larger by the day .

He courted Anne with all his might, such a rascal

She knew how to keep him keen by not letting him have his way.

Sadly Anne could only produce a daughter

She did her best to keep Henry on her side

No way could Anne produce a son so he sent her to slaughter!

I think Henry loved her , I think for her he cried!

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Well not one of my best poems but today hubby and I went to Hever Castle Home for a while to Anne Boleyn. We had a

beautiful day and I look lots of photos some here shown below.

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: Cars, cats, coffee, and a Newbie.

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Welcome, welcome again how are you all? The weather though still warm for this time of year is becoming very damp and several mornings this week as I have headed for the gym it has been cold damp and foggy. So it is on with the virtual space heaters and with the help of Paul we have moved some comfy sofas and armchairs into the marquee, well we may as well spoil ourselves.

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IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would say what a difference a week makes! This time last week I was still in the Loire Valley France. Sighs! Well we got home last Saturday/ Sunday morning after a long but fun day travelling. Back to reality talk about hit the ground running. Washing, ironing, middle son having car problems , eldest son off on trip, youngest son and family to see, dogs to walk and real life to get on with ! So it was a good job it had had such a restful and lovely holiday because today I feel as if it was a dream. A beautiful dream, one I hope to repeat!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: As I mention earlier the weather has taken a sharp autumnal turn punctuated by the fact that we had got used to the higher temperatures we had enjoyed in France! My early morning trips to the gym have necessitated me digging out a warmer hoodie and longer leggings and brisk up in the step of the pace. I would mention the fact that I could not be lazy and jump in my car because, also as mentioned above number two son has car trouble! While we were away his little car gave up the ghost …deceased… dead ..it is no more. The situation meant he needed to get to and from work and so he borrowed mine . This has left me dependant on Shanke’s Pony ( an old English Term for walking ) . Luckily my husband has his own car so we were not marooned!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I have to say the afore mentioned husband has done a sterling “Dad” job of helping the number two son out he has scoured the net and found a brilliant deal for the lad, lets hope he appreciates all his dad’s hard work. All things being well touch wood and fingers crossed he should collecting his new car towards the end of next week …result I shall get mine back !! My husband has also been very busy walking two guide dogs who he loves a great deal . He takes them out for their recreation . He loves to see the younger one running after her ball and thundering around the field enjoying her short moments of freedom.

Also he cut both our lawns and kind soul that he is he also cut the house next door’s lawn as the owners were away on holiday , hopefully they will be pleased on their return .

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKtFR6aCtjCXHCV3sUL6IfYzfGW3hOr1v7cgCjnjYz61-FSNIs Not my family but not dissimilar!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would have to tell you that all my brothers and sisters bar one have birthdays this month! I was mortified to realize that I was late sending my eldest sister’s card … so mortified that on my return I rang her up and wished her happy Birthday and told her that her card was going to be a tad late!!: Just for her to tell that I was a day early! With all the travelling I had got the dates mixed up…. her card was still late. Not wishing to be late again I posted all the other cards at once feeling better early than late! I actually think it was very inconsiderate of my dear departed parents to have us all bar one born in the same month! It must of been very difficult for them to manage a presents for everyone! As for the odd one out did they pick a sensible month for her?…..December!! Do you have a large or a small family, did the amount of siblings you had determine the size of your family! I am sure everyone has a busy birthday month which is yours?

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: Where are my manners would you like another cup of coffee/tea or perhaps a scrummy hot chocolate with all the trimmings , chocolate and vanilla with cream and marshmallows or plain if you prefer very warming these Autumnal days. What did you say , too fattening ? not here no you are forgetting everything here is calorie free and you can have as much as you like!

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Now we did have a sad thing this week, Thursday lunchtime there was a knock at our door and when I answered it there a sad looking lorry driver. He asked if we had a cat, as he had just seen a car knock one off of its feet. It was laying in the road by his lorry. We grabbed a towel and rushed out by the time we had crossed the lawns (our houses lay back from the road and all have large lawns) and we had to cross one and a half lawns. We found another driver who had also stopped and had followed the cat who had by now crawled into our neighbour’s front garden. None of us knew what to do we covered the cat with the towel I was despatched to find a cat basket, we had given ours away last year thinking we would never need one again.

Sadly by the time I had return with a cat carrier the cat was sadly dead. My husband and our neighbour took the cat to the vets sadly it was not chipped and despite our best efforts asking around we cannot find the cat’s owner. ….

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I say that there was an added bonus in this busy week. Our very beautiful daughter in law popped into see us early evening mid week with the Newbie. Well we had not seen him for nearly a fortnight and we were delighted to see them both. It is amazing how fast he had changed! He was so delightful full of smiles and giggles and so alert and interested in everything. I am so in awe at the beauty of the little being that is our grandchild. I would never of believed less than a year ago that a tiny soul like the Newbie could lift my soul in this way!

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If We Were Having Coffee: Guest Post– Sept.21/2014

If We Were Having Coffee – Sept.21/2014

Scotland Renewed and Little Happy Moments

A small part of the coffee selection available – all fair trade products.

The addition of some heaters has made this little nest quite toasty. I’ll be happy to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees (as you can see above) to satisfy our world-wide readership. Willow has been busy sniffing some of these unfamiliar beverages and has declared that some are “smelly”. I think that’s a technical term for “tasty for non-Willows”. We can relax with a cuppa and calorie free sweets while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/ or worldwide. How has your week been?

Well, on the world scene, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Scottish referendum. As everyone now knows, Scotland voted to remain with England in the UK. Watching this from over here in Canada this week, I was reminded of our Quebec referendum some years ago, which turned out the same way. There is a lot of stress and worry and very strong opinions around a separation referendum.

It will take some years for the rifts to heal, but heal they will. And with the healing will come a new awareness of the feelings and expectations around the relationship between Scotland and England. This turned out to be a good thing in Canada re: Quebec. Just like any relationship, putting the concerns on the table usually helps to strengthen the bond in the future. I wish well to all the various sides and factions that they may heal their wounds. I know it’s a sensitive topic but if you have any comments we’d love to hear them.

How about another cuppa? (You can try one of Willow’s “ smelly” concoctions if you wish.) There are lots of sweets: cakes, scones, biscuits (cookies for our North American visitors), flans, etc. And all are calorie free here in the garden. But only here.

“When medication is right and on time and covered, it is happy medication”

As a short funny that happened to me this week, regular readers will remember that I spoke in earlier posts about the difficulty in getting prescription drug coverage here in Canada if it is not employer provided. Anyway, after much moaning and groaning and paperwork and meetings, I did successfully attain coverage and all went well. It came time for me to renew my prescriptions this week and it went smooth = no problems –except there was one medication that the drug store did not have and they offered to drop it off to my home the next day, free of charge. You can’t ask any more than that.

Meanwhile, at dialysis on Monday the doctor wanted to change one prescription. I agreed and didn’t think anything of it. The next morning, bright and early (just a minute until I get out of bed, early) the delivery of the missing prescription showed up and I just set the bag on my desk and went back to bed. Later in the day I figured I’d better chase down the new prescription and called the pharmacy. The pharmacist checked her records and asked if I had received a delivery this morning. I replied in the affirmative and she told me to look in the bag. Sure enough, there was the new prescription along with the missing prescription. It’s hard to believe that the system, once in place, works so well that drugs are delivered to me before I have a chance to ask for them. Apparently the doctor had my drug store on file, faxed the new prescription which was then waiting when they came to work. Someone noticed there was a delivery and added the prescription. Amazing. I hope it keeps working this well.

Did you have any small happy occurrences this week? Perhaps a little surprise that made you smile? It’s the small things in life that make our days happier.

Speaking of which, there seems to be a fun activity going around in my neighborhood. Being close to a university, our telephone poles have become billboards – not unusual. Well, yesterday I was walking back from the store and I noticed a small pre-printed post it note stuck on a pole a few feet from the bottom. In fine red script it read: “You are special and unique in this world.” And that was it. It wasn’t selling anything, held no expectations, and demanded nothing. It was refreshing and made my day. Again, it seems to be the small things that matter. Have you noticed any small happy moments or occurrences lately? Some small thing that made your day? Or perhaps even a big thing?

Flowering and Blooming Teas (They smell good Willow!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would ask you if you would like another cuppa, or another cake . I’d tell you I have really come to enjoy these chats and I’d love to hear what you would tell me. Please feel free to stay as long as you like . If we were having Coffee Original idea from http://parttimemonster.wordpress.com/

Photo credits : http://adamsfarms.com/departments/coffee/. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/scottish-independence/scottish-independence-on-a-knife-edge-as-yes-vote-narrows-gap-ahead-of-referendum-9729506.html and http://cdn.visualnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/things-we-forget-post-it-notes-10.jpg and http://cdn.teavivre.com/media/gallery/images/m/i/mixed_flower_teapot_1_1.jpg