Summertime ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Summer time is upon us. 

1. What special memories do you have about summer when you were younger?

I remember warmer weather because our summers were very short in the far north. We kids would play outside until midnight because it was so light outside. The sun didn't stay out all night but at midnight it still looked like twilight.

I also remember the annual trip to Bible Camp which I absolutely loved because there were lots of summer activities and lots of good food as well as good company and new friends from all around northern Alberta. I lived in British Columbia (BC) and the camp was in northern Alberta. 

See the highway (SE) from Dawson Creek to Saskatoon Island Provincial Park

Each year my Sunday School teacher and her husband would drive one of my siblings and I to camp along with two of their children. It always seemed like a long drive in the hot sun but according to google it's only about a 1.25 hours drive southeast from Dawson Creek, BC.  Camp was only a week long but it seemed much longer because we did so much in that one week.  Specifically I remember lots of outdoor sports like softball and swimming.  I loved singing around the campfire roasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate. We did a lot of church of course and Bible study along with crafting and other things. One summer my house mother was a missionary lady from Africa and that is when my interest in Africa began.

There was always a special church service on the last day and a nice luncheon to which the families of all the campers were invited.  Then everyone headed for home to their different locations. It was always a sad day for us young people to part with our friends and fun activities.

2. What is the highest temperature you've experienced in summer? What about so far this summer? How do you weather the heat or humidity?

I'm not entirely sure but I think it was about 43 degrees Celsius or 109.4 degrees Fahrenheit.  Some summers can be very hot here in Canada.  In those summers we usually have a lot of wildfires all over the province where I live and often in other provinces as well.  So far this summer it hasn't been too bad in BC.  The hottest day I can recall so far is about 29.2 degrees Celsius or 84.5 Fahrenheit.  Lytton, BC has been the hotspot of the province so far this year at 36.9 degrees Celsius or 98.4 Fahrenheit. Lytton is the town that burned to the ground due to heat and wildfires a few years ago. It still hasn't been rebuilt.

When it's hot or humid I try to stay home. If I go out, it's usually late in the day. I also drink cold drinks and eat fruits like watermelon and cherries.  I keep the fans on when I feel overly hot and will sometimes put an ice pack on my neck or back.

3. What's been on your menu so far this summer?

Usually in summer it feels much hotter so I keep the menu light with lots of salads and fruits like watermelon and cherries.   We have lots of corn on the cob, peaches, nectarines and apricots and wild caught salmon from the ocean.  The weather this summer has been much more bearable so far. It's almost the middle of July and our temperatures have been in the 22 - 26 Celsius range (71.6 - 78.8 Fahrenheit).  Not too hot at all. Quite comfortable in fact.  Right now (Sunday) it's overcast and has been for several days. It looks like rain but so far there is no shower in sight.  July is usually a very hot month but this year the temperatures are several degrees cooler than usual.  It seems like the very hot weather is being experienced in Eastern Canada this year.

Given the nice temperatures we've been eating more or less the regular food we eat.  However, because it's summer I'm also making an effort to make a few summer type meals. For example, on Thursday we had a delicious vegetable salad and a Chicken Bacon pie from frozen. Today I made BBQ ribs and a Penne Pasta Salad chock full of vegetables and feta cheese.

Chicken & Bacon Pie

BBQ Ribs & Penne Salad

Penne Pasta Salad.  I was very generous with the feta cheese.

Another salad we like to have in summer is Potato and Egg and I plan to make it early in the week along with some hot dogs on buns.

4. What is on your reading list this summer... anything to recommend to us? What's on your TV this summer. Any music you're liking this summer?

There are a number of books on my reading list this summer:

I recommend Mansfield Park for Jane Austen fans

I recommend both books. First one is set on a sheep farm in Australia, 2nd in NL., Canada.

I recommend if you like stories told through letters.

I recommend for insight ino understand how we spend money.

I recommend if you want to understand the immigrant experience.

I recommend if you like twisted mysteries.

I recommend The Hotel Nantucket if you like cosy reads set in beautiful places.

I recommend if you like spy stories where the spy is a woman.

On the television I have several streaming services and I usually select a spy movie. I just finished watching the series The Agency with a stellar cast including Michael Fassbender. I've also watched several series on Paramount Plus:  The Marshalls, Madison & The Dutton Ranc.  On Brit Box I've watched The Other Bennett Sister and am now watching A Woman of Independent Means, based on the novel I read decades ago and which has stayed with me through all these years.

I also saw quite a good, long movie on my library streaming service over the weekend.  It's called Tomiris, about the Queen of the Massagetae people on the steppes east of the Caspian Sea. In the movie, Tomiris is depicted as a woman destined to protect her people and their lands from the encroachment of Cyrus the Great.
If you can find it on a streaming service you use, I'd highly recommend it. Please note you'll need to turn on the subtitles.



As for music, I'm not one to sit and listen to music though I really do love it.
Recently though I heard this song on Instagram and I had to look up the singer. You might like him too. 
Dusty Rivers is an 80 year old blues and soul singer. He appears to be a real person with a real discography.  It appears that he uses AI to generate the image in the songs on his channel. Anyway I really love his voice and have listened to this song a few times. The content no doubt has to do with the result of aging and no longer needing to strive so hard. Perhaps he has also a better appreciation for different things as he nears his last chapter.

 I do spend more time listening to music on occasion and when I do I love to listen to gospel, especially the old hymns, the occasional contemporary gospel song and gospel songs in other languages.  I also l love folk music and the music of the 1970s.

What Do You Call It? - Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 which was started by our friend Toni Taddeo and kept up in memory of her. Different sections of the USA have different words and customs they use. Let's talk about them. 

1. In New Jersey you put your groceries in a paper bag or plastic bag.  In Athens, Ohio where I went to university, you put them in a paper sack. Is it bag, sack or something else where you live? 

I live on the west coast of Canada.  When we go shopping, especially at the supermarket for groceries, we're always asked if we want to purchase a bag.  I generally take my own and also a bag on wheels because I tend to overshop.

Bags are generally made of fabric, plastic or paper and we no longer get them free in the market place.  In fact we haven't for many years already and most of us have learned to carry our own to the grocery store otherwise we have to buy one at the store. The cost runs anywhere from 25 cents for a paper bag up to $2.50 for a reusable bag.  I often see people carrying their food purchases in their hands.  No bag.  This works if you only buy a few items.

2. Though no one seems to wear them anymore, NJ says "stockings". Athens, Ohio used to call them "hose" and in Britain they are "tights". What about where you live? 

We use all 3 terms depending on what the item is. If they're made of sheer fabric we call them nylons (old term, from the 60s and 70s), pantyhose or hose.  I think before that they were called "sheers".  Pantyhose cover the entire foot, legs and derriere, making it much easier to keep the stockings where they're supposed to be.  On the legs rather than down at the ankles.  I still remember the days when we had to wear some kind of strap around our waists with clips on elastics that were used to secure your nylons and keep them from falling down.  I wasn't quite old enough to have to use these but I definitely remember them. Pantyhose were a huge improvement and more comfortable.  These days most people don't wear any hose except at all except perhaps knee high hose, sometimes called "trouser socks".

"Tights" are like pantyhose except they are made of much thicker material and usually worn on colder days.

We use the words "stockings" or "socks" if they cover the foot and ankle, or the foot up to the calf.  Knee high stockings cover the foot up to the knees. 

Sorry if this explanation sounds too basic but there may be people reading, especially men, who have no idea! LOL

3.  Soda, Pop, Coke? 

Hero, sub, grinder, hoagie? 

We use both terms "soda" and "pop" interchangeably, but pop is probably used more often where I live. People will often say "coke" as a general term when they want a cold drink but when they get to where they will buy it of course they have to be more specific with the tupe of soda or pop they want such as Pepsi, Fanta (Orange), Root Beer, Coke, Sprite, etc. 

We say "sub", short for submarine sandwich but sometimes stores and restaurants will call them Heroes or Hoagies. 

4. Shopping cart or trolley. buggy? What do you call it? 

I call it a shopping cart if you're referring to the metal cart on wheels that you push around in the grocery store and in which you place your intended purchases. I also have a shopping bag on wheels which I like to call a 'buggy' even though that isn't the proper name for it.  I got that terminology from my late mom.  I looked it up and I guess such an invention goes by several names including: a shopping trolley, shopping caddie, granny cart, bundle buggy, or a rolling grocery cart.  Based on this brief research, I guess "buggy " is the short form of "bundle buggy" and an appropriate term to use after all. Who knew? Not me! LOL.

My old buggy

A rare, full shopping cart

My newer, black buggy. I need a new one again.

Thank you for reading this far. I look forward to reading about the terms used where you live. Enjoy your week and please visit again soon. xx

This Week on Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4, a meme hosted by Annie of Cottage by the Sea, in memory of her good friend, Toni Taddeo. This meme is for Tuesdays though I usually post a day or two ahead of time.

Let's talk about your week okay?

1. Is anything interesting on TV this week?  What will you be watching?

I haven't heard of anything interesting on television. I don't really watch regular programming other than the occasional newscast, newsmagazine and Y & R, the long-running soap I've been watching since I was a teenager.

2. Any books on your horizon right now? What will you be reading?

Yes, I have several books 'on the go' right now. I've started back to reading after 2 months of hardly turning a page whilst recovering from a bout of shingles. If any of you have had shingles you know it is exhausting and also painful. It's a pity I had to deal with this because I had it on my 'to do' list to get a vaccine.  However I've read that a vaccine doesn't guarantee you won't get it and some people seem to get it several times. No one in my family has ever had it so I'm not sure why I did.

Currently reading

Currently in my reading pile

Salad with canned salmon and eggs

3. What's been on the menu lately?  

Any new recipes caught your eye?

I have no plans for new recipes this week.  I made an Asian inspired Udon noodle soup dish last night.  Unfortunately it wasn't as good as usual because I was also busy with an in home appointment and not paying quite enough attention to the soup.

Usually I don't spend that much time in the kitchen when the weather gets warmer because it's simply too hot. It's the season for more salads and fresh fruits, etc. Tonight however I plan to make rice pilaf, baked chicken breasts and a side dish of vegetables or salad. 

4. Who will you spend time with this week?

Big haul to the thrift store. More to come.

I have no plans with friends this week and DH is very busy for the foreseeable future.  I'm still busy trying to catch up to things left undone over the past few months, whilst I've been convalescing. I'm also in the thick of decluttering and making small upgrades. This week and next week there's lot of researching and shopping or possible shopping for light fixtures, fireplace mantle, microwave, more garden plants, fittings for the bathtubs, caulking materials and various tools needed for the different jobs.  My brother is my handyman so I'll be spending a lot of time with him this week and next week.  This week I also have an appointment with my dental hygienist who is always fun to talk to since he loves gardening, photography and travel. A friend I haven't seen in ages is also wanting to get together soon to celebrate my birthday which was last month. So we're both researching a few places to go and enjoy next week. It will be great to see her again.

Thank you for stopping by. I'd love to hear your plans for the week!

Four Seasons - Four Questions ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

1. Do you have a favorite day of the week and how about  a favorite month of the year? Why?

I don't really have a favourite day of the week though if I have to choose it's probably Friday. It's a hold over from my working years when Friday always meant a brief respite from the pressures of work and a signal to enjoy life a bit. However weekends were always too short and too busy trying to get all the shopping, errands and cleaning done. If you're a working woman there isn't much time for relaxing on weekends. I'm sure most of you women will agree though I know some women have so much energy and yet also manage to relax and do fun things all year long.

My favourite month changes depending on when you ask me, lol.  Today I'll say April because the weather improves, rains aren't as heavy and most importantly new buds and blossoms come out. I especially love the cherry blossoms making April the favourite month though May is a close 2nd because it's my birth month and the greenery is in full force. 

2. What’s the most beautiful or magical thing about each of the four seasons?

Winter - Snow can be magical, especially a gently falling snow that is backlit by pretty outdoor lights. We don't have too many days like that in winter where I live. We get more rain and the rain helps keep out grass green all year and grows our beautiful old trees. So that is lovely too.

December

Spring - The best thing about spring is seeing the new growth poke up out of the ground each year and the anticipation of warmer temperatures and beautiful flowers and gardens ahead. I also absolutely love spring because it's the time of year we also get the most beautiful and amazing cherry blossoms.

April 2026

April 2023

Summer - The light and the relaxing vibes I feel from everyone no matter where I go. I enjoy seeing other people enjoy themselves.

June 2017

June 2017

June 2017

Fall - I love the month of September because the weather is much cooler than July and August. I also absolutely love the magnificent Fall colours when the trees are turning shades of golden yellow, orange and red. 

September 2025

September 2025

September 2025

3. Summer is coming... what does this mean in your life? How will things change, stay the same, etc?

It usually means a road trip, sometimes 2 or 3 to visit family or to explore local environs. To have a change of scenery because we've not gone anywhere all winter and we are kept busy in the spring with all the outdoor cleaning and gardening work.  I love road trips in Canada. Our country is so vast and beautiful. Once you get out in nature you find a peaceful and calm sense of things.  I think most people probably feel that way whether they live in Canada or not because there are beautiful places in nature all around the world.

Other than that, I keep busy doing lots of spring cleaning while the light is better and before the heat of summer arrives. I also try to get out in nature more to enjoy what is around me locally.

4. What do you look forward to in each season?

Winter - Slowing down and wearing pullovers/sweaters, lol.

Spring -  Lots of greenery and flowers.

Summer - Visiting with loved ones from afar and a slower, relaxing pace.

Fall - A briskness in the air which I find invigorating and an anticipation in the air that new things are happening.

Your Jobs ~ Tuesday 4

Hello!  It's time again for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

This week's idea for questions came from Pamela Steiner and it's all about your occupation and work.

I think that's a great idea, so here are questions prepared for us.

1.What did/do you do for work and how long did you work in that position? 

I'm retired.  In my last job I worked for the federal (national government) as a policy advisor. I was in the department that among other things had different teams negotiating agreements with the First Nations of British Columbia over land (excluding private property), resources (fish, forests, etc.) and government powers (a broad range of powers) to enable the First Nations of British Columbia to enact laws and manage the lands and resources once negotiated agreements were ratified and passed into law.  Parties to negotiations were many First Nations, but not all,  the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada. There were also many interest groups who were party to different aspects of the negotiations but who were not actual signatories to any final agreements. I worked at the job for approximately 10 years and hoped I would have continued working in the job if life didn't intervene and send me into an early retirement.

2. Of the jobs you've had throughout life, which was your favorite? If no favorite, which was the worst? Tell us why you loved/hated your job.

My last job was my favourite because it was mentally challenging, varied in duties and there was a lot of room for showcasing one's ingenuity or problem solving abilities. There were of course things I didn't like about the job.  In talking to many people over the years, and through my own, varied work experiences, I concluded that no job is perfect and though you may really enjoy yours, there is probably something or several somethings, which you would rather do without.  After many different work experiences where things were not always rosy, I finally learned to implement the teaching of the Apostle Paul in the Book of Philippians 4:11-13.  It's best to try to find contentment in whatever circumstance you find yourself in, or be prepared to find a new circumstance.  Even if you look for a new circumstance it won't end up being perfect. 

3. What did your job entail?  Did it require a special education?  

It was multi-faceted. It included analyzing, developing positions, knowing the laws of the land at the federal and provincial level, liaising with legal advisors and other policy advisors in multiple departments and ministries both at the federal and provincial levels. A big part of the daily work involved discussing government positions on subjects and issues with the negotiating teams and advising negotiating team members on the parameters and language for the agreements. Another aspect was developing policy positions with my counterparts in Ottawa. There were many more aspects to the job but this summary captures the essence of it.

The job required previous policy experience and a legal degree and experience. I did however have a colleague who joined the team before I retired. She didn't have a law degree or legal experience but had a lot of other useful experience in the department. However, I'd have to say that I don't think her level of ability to advise or develop policy was anywhere near the level of the other members of the team. She obviously had other skills which stood her in good stead when she decided she wanted a change of pace at work.

4. List all the jobs/occupations you have had.

I've had a diverse work background including jobs as a student like babysitting, waiting tables and washing dishes, research & working in the university library, & summer jobs in one of the legal departments of the Government of Canada.  After graduation from university, I had a number of policy and research related jobs mostly dealing with issues of self-governance, land claims and legal rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada (not just First Nations).  I primarily worked for the Government of Canada & for non-governmental organizations in Canada both in Ottawa, Ontario and in Vancouver, BC. 

As a young girl I was taught the value of hard work for an honest wage and to take pride in my work.  I carried this teaching with me no matter what work I was doing whether paid or voluntary.  Later I learned that the value of hard work is also a biblical concept.  In case anyone is curious, I found it was easier to implement the hard work ethic than it was to learn how to be content in all things. Thankfully I eventually succeeded in the latter and found it really added a lot of peace and satisfaction to my life overall.

Well that concludes my post for today. I hope you found it interesting and that you'll visit again soon. Take care and have a wonderful week.

Tuesday 4 - Lights

Welcome to another Tuesday 4 by Toni Taddeo. 

Let's talk about light, okay? You light up my life. shine a light in the darkness, Miller Light. All kinds of light but how about at home?

1. Are you afraid of the dark? Is night or day your favorite time? 

I'm not afraid of the dark.  However when I'm walking outside I prefer that there are a lot of lights to light the way at night.

I love both early mornings and early evenings. I guess when the sun is rising and setting. These are such beautiful times of the day. I also like late at night when when all is hush and quiet. I'm a night owl but sometimes I wish I was an early bird.

2. Do you have night lights in your home?

I don't have night lights at home. From time to time I've tried to keep a night light in the bathroom but that doesn't usually last for long.  A light shining at night tends to keep me awake and my husband as well. He's probably more sensitive to the light than I am.

3. How low do you set your air conditioning?  Do you adjust it through the day?

I don't have air conditioning.  I have several fans for those very hot days and they are adjusted throughout the day or night as needed.  We don't run the fans all day and night so that they don't get overly heated.

4. Do you keep any outdoor or indoor lights on all night?

No I do not.  If my entry door was located outside I would want a motion detector light. At least I think I would though it might become a nuisance if it was overly sensitive to motion. I do have solar lights in my garden. I like to see them from inside when I'm looking out my window. We also have a lot of mini flashlights which we keep in case the power goes out. But also my husband doesn't like to turn on lights at night and uses the mini-flashlights so as not to wake me. He's a sweetheart and a thoughtful person. 💗

What Will We Find ~ Tuesday 4

Hello! Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. 

1. What will we find on top of your refrigerator?

You'll find extra large boxes of dry cereal, mostly Honey Nut Cheerios and Weetabix, sometimes Bran Flakes.  I also keep a ready supply of paper towels and cleaning rags in a plastic cleaning caddy. These rags are more for shining the kitchen appliances, windows and mirrors.  The heavy duty cleaning rags are kept somewhere else.

2. What will we find on your nightstand?

I don't have a nightstand. Neither does my husband. He uses a wicker basket with a flat top cover. He doesn't keep anything there except a small flashlight in case he needs to use the washroom during the night. I use a corner of my dresser.  I keep distilled water for the CPAP machine, water for drinking, the CPAP machine & a remote control for the bed.  If I'm having difficulty sleeping I might raise the head of the bed during the night. I try not to do that because it wakes my husband.

3. What is in your purse or handbag?

In the inner pocket of my cross body bag, I have hand wipes, a wallet & change purse, small spray hand sanitizers, a notebook, pen and my passport.  In the small front pocket, I have numerous lip glosses and sometimes a small room spray. I do try to keep the latter on hand because sometimes public washrooms aren't that fresh.

4. What will we find on your coffee table or side tables? How about your kitchen or dining table?

I don't have a coffee table because we have an ottoman for resting our feet. I do keep a large tray in the centre of the sofa and keep a variety of items in it:   kleenix, clean dishtowels/paper towels, hair clips, a small flashlight, scissors and the remote control. On the side table I keep the landline telephone, a variety of stationery items, odds and ends & my daily bread (bible scripture cards).

Try as I might,  my dining table is not used much for dining these days. It holds various stages of 'in progress' items like paperwork, household tasks or creative projects or sometimes all three! Once I complete the seemingly never ending decluttering project, the dining table will be used more regularly for sit down meals. Of course when I'm expecting company, I clear everything away and the table is set.  But for now it's the largest flat surface I have for dealing with projects.

Thanks for stopping by my Tuesday 4 post!

In Like a Lion - Out Like a Lamb- Tuesday 4

Welcome back to another Tuesday 4 in honor of Toni Taddeo it's founder. They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.  

March 29-31 are the "borrowing days" when weather is traditionally rough or stormy and the month was named for Mars the god of war because March was the time for the start of wars.

1.  What brings out the lion in you? What brings out the lamb? 

When I see someone being ill treated it brings out my inner lion. When I come across someone in need or distress it brings out the lamb in me. Also when I see love or kindness in action, it brings out the lamb in me.

2. What are you enjoying in terms of TV, movies or books right now?

Right now I'm enjoying books. I have a more than a few on loan and I'm a bit behind on my reading. I'm actually ahead in my reading goals for the year but I'm behind in terms of completing all the books I've borrowed before they become due.  I just completed an excellent book called The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. 

I've been trying to find something 'good' to watch on television and YT but haven't been much interested in the usual things. I did catch the 3rd season of "Night Agent" on Netflix which I enjoyed. I also finished watching the Netflix series, "Tehran". I always enjoy spy movies and sometimes a spy series and I started watching this one before the current war with Iran. I'm waiting for the newest season of "Slow Horses" on Netflix but that won't be released until the Fall.

March 20/26

3. It's Spring now... are you happy to see it come?  Will you be going out more?

It's officially spring and the weather is finally going to be sunny for a few days. This is what I've been waiting for and 'yes' I hope to get out more.  I like going for strolls when the sun comes out but first I have to get over a bout of sickness.

4.  Create an ideal weather scenario for each season.. the perfect  weather for summer, spring, autumn and winter.

August 2025

A perfect summer is sunny but not too hot and an occasional day of rain to keep everything nice, green and refreshed. This type of weather allows a person to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities. Too much heat is not comfortable and can result in wildflowers.

A perfect spring starts the season with more rain and tapers off as the season progresses with more sunny days. It also features blossoming trees and early flowers like daffodils.  Too much rain ruins the cherry blossoms.

October 2025

A perfect autumn is warm with a small chill in the air as the season progresses. It also features many beautifully coloured leaves on the trees. If we're fortunate there won't be a lot of rain because rain causes too many leaves to fall too early.

A perfect winter where I live is no snow in the city but lots on the mountains.  Hopefully there are not so many days of torrential rain or temperatures that dip too low.

January 2026

As you can see, it rains a lot here. I really don't mind rain at all. I just mind it when it is very heavy and sometimes when it rains for 2 weeks without sun.  Growing older has made me less tolerant of our weather because I also get cold easier these days. Our weather is milder in winter months than it is in much of North America so I don't complain too loudly.

St. Patrick's Day - Tuesday 4

It is St. Patty's Day here at Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

1.  Do you celebrate in any significant way?   

No I don't.

2.  Is it religious to you or secular?

Secular. Where I lived as a child, it was always synonymous with wearing green and little leprechauns.  I don't think we had many Irish people living in my town.  Later in the city, the day had more to do with wearing green, going to pubs and drinking green beer.  There are more Irish people in the city, in fact quite a few but I've never heard from them as to whether and how they celebrate.

3.  Is there any green in your wardrobe ? Your home? Is it a good color for you?

I've never had much green in my wardrobe even though I like the colour. I once owned a beautiful, emerald green dress.  For some reason I never wore it even though I took the trouble to get a seamstress to line it so I wouldn't have to wear a slip with it.

I'm currently expanding the colours of my wardrobe and moving away from the jewel tones and black I love and wear so often. I'm trying to incorporate more neutral colours and colours in nature's palette: gold, brown, beige and now green. I have 2 clothing items in green. One is like the winter, crew neck sweater you see in the photo. The other is a lightweight summer top in white with green and navy dots.

I really don't have green in my home either except for plants which I love.

The colour green does suit me but for whatever reason I have never developed the practice of wearing it.  I love green in nature and in my home, when it comes to plants, both artificial and real.

4.  March has a lot of things associated with it... The Ides of March on the 15th, St. Patrick's Day and the old saying that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

How is your March going thus far? Is it quiet? Is the weather good, bad or ugly? Is it a lion or a lamb?

It's been good but busy and also quiet.  I thought it was going to be an early spring with garden and patio work to do because we had some beautiful,  sunny days and some blossoming trees.  Instead it has been raining so much and it's still too cold for me to put away my winter jacket and winter bedding.

I bought a cotton-linen bedspread to use once the weather gets warmer. In summer here, it can be too hot to use covers but this one is very light for those nights when a light blanket is needed. I was just trying it on the bed to make sure it fit so the pillow cases you see are the winter, warmer ones.

Thank you for visiting today. Have a wonderful rest of your week.

How? ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Let's jump right in.

1. How did you end up  in the place where you are living? 

I'm not sure if this question relates to my city or to my actual home in the city.  I first came to Vancouver many years ago to attend university. I loved it but had to move away for varying lengths of time for work opportunities. When my longer term work prospects didn't work out in eastern Canada, I returned to British Columbia and decided I'd settle in Vancouver once again. It brought me geographically closer to my family, the city I loved and the ocean which beckoned me.  I wasn't married yet so I was free to move wherever the opportunity arose but I was tired of moving and criss crossing the country.  I purchased my home so that I would have even more reasons to stay in one place.  The idea worked well because it made it harder, though not impossible, to consider work opportunities elsewhere. 

2. How did you end up with the job you have/had?

The last job I had was one I enjoyed very much and I was good at it.  It was a very unique job working for the federal government in a policy development and advisory capacity. The jobs in my unit were supposed to be temporary but I did that job for several years.  I would have continued with it, or at least with the federal public service, for many more years if I didn't get sick and have to retire early for medical reasons.  I fully expected I'd get better and return to full time work but things didn't work out that way.

3. How do you end up with your life partner?

We met shortly after I started medical leave in 2006. I had always wanted to do missions in Africa and since I was on leave I was looking for ways to purposefully fill my time.  I couldn't do anything very demanding or long term.  I was searching for small ways to contribute to some good works in Africa as it had been a childhood dream of mine and now I had time on my hands.  

I made a connection with an American woman pastor who had a small missionary outreach in several African countries including Kenya. She knew my now husband who lived in Kenya.  Eventually I ended up working on some projects with him, meeting in person and ultimately marrying though the marriage part took quite some time due to various challenges and responsibilities we both had in our respective countries.  Looking back, both my husband and I see our meeting and the way everything happened as God's design.  It fulfilled 2 special desires of of my heart.  First, that I could be involved in missionary work in Kenya.  Second, that I would find a Godly man to marry. It also answered some of my husband's desires.  

I never did return to my job though initially I thought I would. I still have the same medical maladies I had when I first went on leave and the job was too demanding in various ways for me to be able to fulfill my duties.  My husband ultimately joined me in Canada where there are more opportunities for him.

4. How did your weekend go and how is the week ahead looking?

The weekend has been busy. I did what is called the Weekly Home Blessing (WHB) in the FlyLady cleaning system.   Here is a link to an interview with the FlyLady, Marla about the FlyLady cleaning system.  Usually people do the WHB on a Monday to start the week but I like to do mine on a Friday to start the weekend. I do another one early in the week.  I also did a bit of reading and talked with loved ones long distance. I felt tired all weekend so I didn't over extend myself. 

The week ahead looks busy. I have parcels being delivered, library books to return and pick up, a dinner to attend, computer work to do, shopping and an appointment. That's just Monday and Tuesday, lol.  I'm sure I can easily fill Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with banking and other business, grocery shopping, cleaning etc.  A woman's work is never done, is it?

Thank you if you made it this far. I appreciate you! Have a wonderful week ahead.