Sunday, September 26, 2010

Movie Review The Answer Man

Last night the husband was at work, the teenager out with friends and the little one was content playing in the basement. I had nothing to do (WOW) so I got comfy with a blanket, snacks and an ice tea and watched a movie I got from the library. I borrow all kinds of movies from the library, some are not bad, a few are good but most are boring. The good thing is since they come from the library I get them for a week and they are free, as long as I remember to return them on time.

So I started watching a movie called, "The Answer Man." Firstly, let me say I have never heard of it, and all along I thought it stared Lauren Graham (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Graham) and I thought it was Alan Alda .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Alda Whom I really like but thought it was odd he would be in a romantic comedy as he is much older then Lauren Graham. But who am I to judge and keep it mind it is a film festival movie. I start watching the movie and notice Jeff Daniels http://www.jeffdaniels.com/index.asp(Dumb and Dumber) is in it. I am about a third into the movie when I realize that it is Jeff Daniels on the cover of the DVD case and not Alan Alda. Oh well, I am enjoying the movie anyway.

It is a typical romantic comedy (not so much comedy) boy meets girl. I am a sucker for a good RC (romantic comedy) and this one is good. The characters are believable and not perfect. Both have their quirks and the supporting cast are all likable and believable. The story takes place in Philadelphia and is about a chiropractor (Lauren Graham) who has recently moved to the city and set up a new practice. Jeff Daniel's character is an eccentric writer who throws his back out and needs her help. The dialogue is witty and smart, the supporting cast are funny and enjoyable and Jeff Daniels is outstanding and though I have always liked his acting I think this movie he really out does himself.

I also liked the scenery of Philadelphia and the soundtrack was enjoyable. I found the simple piano soundtrack enhanced the feeling of the movie and wasn't overpowering at anytime.

I would rate The Answer Man 4 1/2 out of 5.

Because this is a 2009 Sundance film festival movie I don't know if the neighbourhood movie rental would have it. But our local library does and it's free to borrow.

I did a quick Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Answer_Man_(film) search and read what it had to say. Of course the review from critics were negative. But over the years I have realized that if the critics don't like it then I will and vice versa.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Catch Up Fridays

(Cathy) Hi all, I thought I had better get something on the blog before I get chewed out by Carolin, lol! I am wondering what we are going to do about our latest book club book. We have all gone to the library, but, only two of us have our books. Mine is due back next Sunday. Maybe I should just read it and after we have all read it we can blog our thoughts on the book. Hey ladies, what do you think about that? (Carolin) I have started reading my book, I'm not waiting for Sunshine (Sunshine , how rude, I believe that you meant to say that you are waiting for Sunshine) as her book is pending. And I don't know what is going on with Louise's. Did she put the book on hold? I have read a few books by the same author before, what I remember is they were easy reads. Cathy, check on the Library website and see if there is a hold on it and if not then renew it. Will do. I remember we requested the book for Louise at the same time we all requested it. I think we did it under your library card and just requested the large print. Sorry girls, my book is still missing in action.

What is new this week? Does something have to be new? Oh, I know... it's shift bid time again at work. Every six months we go through a stress inducing shift bid for work. Every six months we all complain that the shifts are the worst ones yet! We bid in seniority order and then once again juggle our lives to try to make it work. The shift I have now is pretty good and yet it's not even offered for this winter bid! I really have no idea what I'll end up with. I bid on Monday at 1pm. I'll let you know next week what my life and the life of those I love will look like. Hey Carol, just to let you know the new shift will not start until November, 02nd. Good luck Cathy!!!!!

Ladies, how was your week? I have had a good week; even had an extra day off. Work is going well. I am very busy (too busy) and I need to hire some help but finding it a bit frustrating. The husband has been coming each day to help but I think he finds it a little stressful. I will have a very busy day tomorrow as I have my normal Friday crowd and a luncheon for 47 people at the same time. I have to be super organized tomorrow. Wow, good luck. It will be a piece of cake for you. (Dessert pun intended!) I am so happy that business is booming. I wonder where Sunshine is? She must be busy! Sorry ladies, it has been a busy week and I crashed for a while as I have not slept much in the last few days. I had a very sad funeral to attend. My cousin's husband died suddenly. He was only 43 years old and has left behind, a wife and three young kids. It was such a sad few days. He was healthy, as far as anyone knew. He had a physical just a week and a half ago and everything was normal. Last Sunday morning, he woke up and was feeling fine, then he went to watch tv and when they went to join him, he had already passed away. We had heard that is was a massive coronary but I don't really know for sure. His family is besides themselves! They are in shock and their grief is so painful to witness. I pray that they will find their way and see the light. My cousin was so brave. She has so much to worry about with making sure that the kids are going to be ok. Life is too short and can change at the blink of an eye.

Have a good week everyone!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Unexpected Day Off!

The little one and I arrived at school this morning at 7:30 AM (our usual time) only to find the principal and three VP's standing outside the school on their cell phones. I looked at the little one and said, "something is up and it doesn't look good". Sure enough it seems the school had no hydro due to the big thunderstorm we had last night. We had a storm? Guess I slept through it! The staff were in the midst of calling teachers, and student's homes to tell them school has been cancelled for the day. I had my blackberry with me (when do I not have my blackberry with me?) and quickly posted it on FB and then sent emails, texts and phone calls to all the staff, and students I have numbers for. I was also given a list to call, I think I woke up a few parents.

After the initial rush I remembered I was expecting a delivery from my food supplier today. Fortunately, he arrived at 8:00 AM and was kind enough to drive to my house (thank goodness I live close to the school) and we unloaded my order and put it in our home freezer. I then went back to school and unloaded the highly perishable food from the fridges (milk, cheese, meat, eggs) and brought all that home to put in our fridge. I heard after the 1997,9,8 Quebec Ice Storm that as long as you don't open your freezer, everything is good for up to 24 hours. I though it best to leave the freezer closed.

I got home, put all away and then made some phone calls. I was fortunate enough to get the little one in to see our Doctor for a refill of her Epi Pen prescription and then off to let her have a little pampering at the hair dressers. She very much needed her hair trimmed.

The teenager sent me a text asking me to pick up a few things for her and in my rush I locked my keys in the car. I called the husband but of course he didn't answer his phone, he NEVER does. He actually doesn't deserve a cell phone, but we will save that rant for another blog. The hairdresser offered to call CAA for me, but I figured by the time they came the little one and I could walked home. So that is just what we did, we walked home and laughed all the way. We stopped to examine a beetle, took some pictures on my phone of the changing colour leaves. Sang a song, told some jokes and had a good old time.

Over all it was a great day. Yes, I made no money today, but on the positive side nothing was lost food wise. I was fortunate enough to get personal stuff done that I had been putting off for some time now and had a few laughs at it.

I even talked to Sunshine today and understand she had the day off as well. What a blessing for the two of us!

Carolin

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The Real Canada

I finished reading a novel last night titled, "Two of a Kind by Mina Ford." The cover of the book said it was funny (not), poignant (not really sure just what that means) and unforgettable (well, I hope it's forgettable).

The book is about two sisters (twins) who have drifted apart over the years. One lives in England and the other lives in Toronto. What caught my attention when looking for a book was the fact that one lived in Toronto. Wow, a book about my city, cool! Also, of course the book was marked down to $2.50. A book about my favourite city and it's cheap, can't go wrong there, can you?

I have never written a book but I have read thousands so I know a little about books. If a woman read this book (let's face it, it's a chicklit book, no guy is going to read it) she would get the impression that Canadians (Torontonians) love their coffee and donuts. That is true we are passionate about Tim Horten's for a great real cup of Joe with a maple glazed donut. But as far as I know nobody in Toronto or even Canada would ever buy a 'caramel macchiato' from Tim Horten's. Can you imagine someone waiting the 20 minutes in line to get to the counter and ask for a Caramel Macchiato, the cashier would look at them like they have two heads, Mr. John Deer wearing cap guy behind would scoff in scorn and the rest of us would look at you like you were some kinda freak. If you want good straight up coffee cheap, go to Tim Hortens. You want anything crazy go elsewere.

Later in the book they all head up to cottage country for a week. The sister from England loves it up in Muskoka. Of course who wouldn't, it is beautiful up there. But what she really enjoys is lying on the beach and watching the breeze rustle the leaves of the palm trees. That's right folks, palm trees. Either fictional characters from England can't tell a pine tree from a palm tree or this writer got a little mixed up and thought it got warmer the further you went north instead of south.

Now back in Toronto in the middle of July she talks about the heat and humidity but has one sister tell the other to make sure she brings a coat as the temperature plummets at night and it gets very cold. So all of you who complain that you can't sleep cause of the heat at night are just a bunch of fakers cause didn't you know it is flannel pj's at night in the middle of the summer!

Would I recommend this book? Well, if you have nothing to read and are not so into fiction that holds a little bit of facts - go for it but don't you dare get ripped off like me and pay $2.50 for it. Way too expensive, wait until you find it at a rummage sale for .25 a soft cover. Then go for it.

So, that book is done now it is time to start reading, "The Senators Wife," by Sue Miller. This is our latest book club read. So bloggers if anyone wants to join us head over to your local library and get a copy.

I know Cathy you have your copy, I have mine, Sunshine's is pending, I haven't heard from Louise so not sure if she has her copy yet.

Also benchers, I can't find my black fall coat. Have I left it at one of your houses?

Friday, September 17, 2010

Catch Up Fridays

(Carolin) Well, Well, Well, looks like our Cathy is busy again being back at work. Let's see what is there to Catch Up on. The second week at work is going well. I am very busy, and am looking into hiring a person to help out. I have been blessed with numerous catering jobs on top of the daily cafeteria. I received an email from a women's church group (not the church I attend) asking me to quote for a dinner of 30. I was reading over the specs. and they are having a guest speaker come from the States with her entourage. There is a long list of food requirements, including the number of salad dressings! Well, reading it my first thought is, "will, they ask for all green M & M's to be removed?" (Sunshine) I am so curious to know why they don't want the green M&M.s. (Cathy) You are kidding about the green M&M's..... aren't you??? Yes I am kidding about the M & M's but they do require a dark green leafy salad with a minimum of four dressing and two must be fat free.

My school has a Pd day today so I am off which worked out really well because Little Miss Sunshine's school has a Pd day as well. So today we are hanging out and cleaning and going out for lunch and relaxing. Mr Sunshine comes home tonight, finally! He has been gone now for almost 10 days and it has been hard without him because we all really miss him. Fall is in the air and the leaves are changing colours and I absolutely love it. This is my favourite time of year. Mine Too! Miss Teen Sunshine is working this weekend and it is hard for her to get in all the homework and work all weekend, so it is really teaching her how to budget her time and how hard it is earn some money of her own.

First week back to work, nothing changed. I wonder why we always think things will be somewhat different after a time away? They never are, are they? I did see kids about today and wondered if there was a PD day. Now with both boys in High School, PD days are a thing of the past. Their school does late start Wednesdays. Classes start at 10am instead of 8:30am. The time before class is the PD time for the staff. No one seems to like the late start. I think if all had a vote they would have picked early out Fridays, instead! So if I undrestand they have no PD days. Do they still have early release days. I remember the teenager having many of them in highschool.

I just found out today that the husband of one of my friends at work has died, too young. The funeral is on Monday and I will attend. I was googling about why funerals are so important and I found this easy to read link: http://www.griefwords.com/index.cgi?action=page&page=articles%2Fritual.html&site_id=2. Check it out as it makes a lot of sense.

I seem to be offering my condolences to good friends far too often these days. May God Bless you all and keep you in peace. Amen. Thats cause you are getting OLD!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Catch Up Fridays

(Carolin) Once again Cathy sends out the email that "Catch up Fridays" is set up and ready to go. I log in and I see a blank screen, nothing, nada. So what the heck am I supposed to talk about? I sent you an e-mail to warn you it would be a blank screen. I've been busy, lol! Yes, it has been one busy week as I am sure it has been for everyone with school age children. I am in my new kitchen at school and it is fabulous. Big, shinny, new and lots of light. I am slowly getting into a rhythm and working out the kinks. The students seem to be handling the new healthy food law changes pretty well. But of course, I can see it in my bottom line, I need to come up with some creative new ways to generate the income.

(Sunshine) I am so tired. It has been a very busy week and getting back into the swing of things will take some getting used to. My body did not receive the memo about early mornings and running around for my four and a half hour shift and let's not even mention all that has to be done after work. Mr Sunshine is away for the next week and a half and Miss Teen Sunshine starts her job tomorrow. Lots of driving around and lots of other things to do and only one parent is available to do it. I am ready for the challenge, but first I need some sleep. Nighty night everyone and sleep tight.

(Cathy) It was a busy week. I am still on vacation and am due back to work this coming Monday. The kids are settled in at school. It doesn't take long to get back into the routine, does it? The younger one is in his first year at high school and came home on the first day complaining that he already had two pages of math homework. Oh well, we warned him! Hubby started his new job this week and other than the commute (40 minutes as compared to 7 minutes in Sarnia) all is going well. We are all glad to have him back home!
It looks like we ladies are starting another book for our book club. I forget the title. I'm thinking it is called, "The senator's wife". I will let you know. We are waiting to get the books. Hopefully, next week.
Finally, I did post earlier on this week about the death of my girlfriend's father in Calgary. She and all of her family are in our hearts and prayers. God bless.


Have a great weekend and Cathy, thanks so much for keeping us all on track!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Follow Me, I'm Canadian - September 08th/2010

FOLLOW ME, I'M CANADIAN
THE GREAT CANADIAN LINK EXCHANGE

Tuesday, September 7, 2010The Great Canadian Link Exchange (Sept 8th)
Welcome to Follow Me, I'm Canadian
The Great Canadian Link Exchange
September 8th , 2010

HOSTED BY: Tanya of Little Village Naturals and Kat of Kat's Confessions creators of Canadian Moms - An online community for Canadian Moms and We Are Canadian - An online community for creative Canadians.

WHEN: Every Wednesday

WHAT LINKS: Blogs, Websites, Facebook "Like" Pages, Twitter, Shops, Stores, and/or MySpace.

RULES:
1. Follow only those that you would like to. Please Do Not leave comments asking for others to follow you back. Let that be the choice of the individual you followed.
2. Please indicate what the link is associated with. (example: Kat's Confessions -Blog, Kat's Confessions - Twitter, etc.) Please do not add any extra comments to these posts.
3.You may leave the links for all of your sites, and profiles.
4.Please follow these rules, or unfortunately we will have to delete your post.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Add your link to the Linky Tool. Don't forget to tell us what the link is for.
2. Follow those you would like to follow. (Don't forget the Follow Me, I'm Canadian blog!) :)
3. If you would like to post about the hop feel free to grab a button for your post or sidebar. You may also copy and paste this post for your blog and grab the code for the list of links.
4. Have a fantastic time meeting fellow Canadians!
We are very excited that you have joined us today and look forward to seeing you Wednesdays for Follow Me, I'm Canadian!

Thanks for joining in on the fun,
Tanya and Kat

PLEASE NOTE: It has been brought to our attention that some participants are asking others to follow them back, and in our guidelines it asks that participants do NOT leave messages for those they follow asking them to follow them back. Please leave that choice up to those who look through the links, and decide who they would like to follow. We want this to be a place where people can find new, and interesting Canadian content as they choose. Leaving comments on others blog posts that have nothing to do with our site, asking to be followed back isn't what this site is about. Please be courteous of that. If you haven't read the guidelines before posting your links, please do so.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Beginnings and Ends

My girlfriend, Carol, who lives in Calgary called me last night to let me know that her dad had passed on. Yesterday was his birthday. http://mytimein09.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-of-mourning.html.

Today is a day of firsts for many families. Carol, our love and prayers are with you and your family.

Monday, September 6, 2010

The First Day

What a busy time of year, as Cathy has said in an earlier blog September is really the start of the new year. School starts up again, I am back to work etc....

Today the teenager was sitting at the kitchen table in her pajama pants and a hand knit sweater she has had since she was 8 years old and yes it still fits her. Anyway, she was talking about her plans for the rest of the day and what she would be doing tomorrow. It is a big day for our family as the teenager goes off to university tomorrow. Even though she will still live at home it is a whole new ball game for all of us. This past week she has said to me numerous times that she has changed her mind and wants to go back to high school, she is scared, nervous, petrified etc. Today when she was talking about there being a Starbucks on campus she looked so happy and bubbly and excited. She reminded me of when she was little and Christmas was just around the corner. I wanted to take the moment of her looking so young, happy, and full of excitement for the future and bottle it so when life gets in the way I could open up the bottle and pour some of that wonderfulness on her and she will be like she is today.

So though I will be back at work in my brand new commercial kitchen, and the little one will start her first day of being in grade five. The husband will be at work, I know his and my mind will be thinking of the teenager and praying her day goes well and looking at the time, counting down the hours till we can see her and hear all about the first day of university.

Carolin>

P.S. maybe I should come up with a new name for the teenager. The teenager sounds too high school I need something more grown up. Well, before I get ahead of myself let's see what the first week brings us.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Catch Up Fridays

(Cathy) So, how does everyone feel? It's the last (unofficial) weekend of the summer. Did anyone go to the Ex this year? Carolin and her husband made it back, finally. I'm sure she will have a story to tell. My cousin and her family were vacationing in North Carolina on an island and they had to evacuate because of hurricane Earl. Hopefully, the damage will be slight and everyone will be safe. (Sunshine) Welcome back Carolin, I can't wait to hear all about your big adventure. No Ex for us so far this year!!
We are having a family day today. We are all going out to finish any last minute back to school shopping and going out always means a visit to the book store. We will have a nice early dinner and just see how the day flows. We just got back from our 2 day shopping spree in Pennsylvania. We were accompanied by my sister, my dad and my cousin and her husband and two kids. Lots of different personalities and a lot of fun. No sales tax in Pennsylvania, pretty awesome!!!!
I still want to know if you went to that McDonalds from the last time you went.
It's a busy week for everyone this week with back to school preparations. I also want to know if Carolin is secured working back at the school and whether or not she is in the new kitchen. I guess all will be answered on Sunday.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Little Moment - Lost

(Cathy) Today, I was enjoying a nice time in my garden. I was watering my containers and just puttering around. As I was watering, I remembered a cute story and I thought that it would make a good post for our blog. I finished in the garden and booted up my laptop; I opened up a fresh page to write the post and ....... nothing! For the life of me I cannot remember what the, "cute little story" was. So, there you have it, little moment - lost! Has this ever happened to you?