Saturday Relaxation

I've been wanting to go to the movies for several months but couldn't land on a movie I wanted to see.  But at last, there are a few releases I now want to see.

Today was the day.  I almost didn't make it because everyone and his dog was out and about.  It was a sunny day after a few days of rain and I don't think anyone wanted to miss out on it.  City traffic was heavy and buses were very slow with people getting on and off at every stop.  What adds to the time is strollers and wheelchairs because they take more time to enter and exit the bus. But hey, everyone needs to get somewhere.

I didn't buy a movie ticket in advance.  Besides the price of the movie ticket they also charge you a service fee when you buy on line. I knew the movie wasn't going to be too busy because I previewd the available seating in advance.  I also wanted to make sure I didn't miss too much of the movie before buying my ticket given how slow the traffic was moving.  Fortunately I only missed about 5 minutes of the movie when I checked in.  But by the time I ordered a coffee it was a longer delay.  Unbeknownst to me they made a fresh pot of coffee which added to the delay in getting into my seat.  On the other hand it was lovely to get a nice, fresh cup of Starbucks coffee.

The movie I went to is called Heart of the Beast. It's an adventure survival movie with Brad Pitt and a beautiful German Shepard who goes by the name Odin in the movie. The story is sad and poignant.  I won't say more as I don't want to spoil it for you.  But in case you'd like to know more,  here the official trailer if you want to check it out.

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I stopped at Winners after the movie. I spent a lot of time browsing before finally purchasing 3 small items including a rechargeable lamp for the entryway.  The lamp is meant for  a small cabinet but there's no available outlet nearby so a rechargeable lamp is a good option. 

Even though I made an early dinner before I left the house, I didn't have time to eat it.  By the time I'd finished at Winners it was 7:45 p.m. and I was famished. T & T Supermarket was nearby so I headed there for a few grocery items and some ready to eat snacks.

My snack/light dinner consisted of some unknown to me version of Vietnamese Salad rolls. The filling was mostly vermicelli noodles.  Whatever they added to the lettuce was quite tasty even though there wasn't much of it. I also had a small seaweed salad and a Strawberry Milk Tea with Pearls. It was all good.  I bought a few vegetables and some strawberries at the supermarket before heading home.

I mentioned that it rained for several days.  The temperature also really dropped and now I'm fighting a cold. Thankfully my little garden is still blooming and I am still going outside to smell the beautiful fragrance of the roses.  I don't have to go far so it's not a hardship.

I've spent a lot of time this month researching and buying supplies and items for some DIY renovations we're doing. It's taken a lot more time than I thought it would so I really needed a break from it.  Renovations will be ongoing for awhile by the look of things but I'm pleased with how things are going so far.  Despite the very small spaces being renovated they come with a large amount of challenges most of which were created by the workers who did the previous work. Maybe the solutions would be more evident for a skilled and experienced construction worker but we're first time DIYers so we have to carefully think about each challenge.  Of course, budget also comes into play.

What has occupied your time in September?

September So Far ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.   

1. How has your September been so far?

September has flown by and it will be over soon. It's hard to believe. I was hoping to travel by the end of the month for a brief break but it doesn't look like it's going to happen.

2. What events are coming up next on your calendar or have there been any special days so far for you?

I had 2 special days when cousins from the Northwest Territories and the Province of Alberta came to the city to visit.  They were both very brief visits but it was so nice to see both of them as I haven't seen one of them since my late mother's funeral services in 2017.  She lives so far away and the cost to get there is quite prohibitive.  The other cousin I see sometimes once a year or every other year when she comes this way to visit another sister.  Last, but not least, I was hoping for a visit from my nephew who had to pass through the city on his way to a work engagement.  It hasn't happened yet and I'm not sure if it will because his time is very limited.

Other than that it's been a super busy month with lots of back and forth travel to home improvement stores and searching and buying building supplies on line too.  We're doing some home renovation projects.  Right now we're working on the master bathroom.  Next up will be the main bathroom.  I've also been very busy with medical tests and dental appointments.

3.  How's the weather been in your neck of the woods? 

The weather has been mostly sunny and dry with a cooling trend.  I noticed the cooler temperatures in the last week of August.  Many people are still walking around in summer clothing but personally I need to dress a little more warmly.

4. How can we be praying for you or sending our good thoughts your way?

I've had an MRI very recently. Pray for a good outcome. I'd rather not mention the why's and wherefores of the test at this time but it's an ongoing issue I've been dealing with and so have had all kinds of tests in the past 2 years or so.  If you offer some prayers on my behalf, I thank you so much for your time.  May God bless you for it.

September Musings ~ Tuesday 4

September is back to school month and even if you are an adult now, you can usually still recall the back to school days.  It was a new beginning.. sometimes scary, sometimes joyous.  New experiences were awaiting you.

How about now? September is still a new beginning to  the year.  What will it hold for you?

1. As summer's heat fades do you get out and about in nature often ?  Where do you go, what do you do?  What would you like to do?

I get out more in the Fall and Spring than I do in other seasons. Mostly I love to go to places where I can take a walk by the waterfront. I enjoy the photo opportunities at the waterfront.

2. What has changed in your life that you miss/regret the most?

I miss my university days mostly because I had a very active social life and people were more ready to get together for any reason to have a potluck or a dance/fundraiser or to invite one another to their homes for a dinner. These days it's like pulling teeth to get together with anyone and that includes family members. Everyone is so busy and I fall into that category myself. It's sometimes even hard to make phone calls or to receive them but it's important to try and make an effort. At least, I believe it's important. Sadly, not everyone I know agrees with me except for people who are older than me. Perhaps I wouldn't be missing these 'olden' days but a lot of people I know have moved away and haven't kept in touch or they have passed from this life.

3.  Money is no object, nothing stands in your way... are you going to move or stay where you are?

I would be moving within the city but I already know that it would be difficult to find a place that fits my requirements. I'd love a larger space with roof top amenities for gardening and entertaining. I'd also like a building that isn't too high in case of fire and I'd love a view with an apartment that isn't too close to everyone else and has a lot of space, preferably green between buildings. If money was no object, I would also like a cottage getaway at the lake.

4.  How can you improve your life?

That's a good question and I'm not sure I can do more than I'm doing because I work on improving my life each and every year. Right now, it would be nice to finish up the decluttering. Honestly it just seems to go on and on but I can see the endpoint of the main things I'm trying to accomplish. Once I have that done, I will continue making small DIY improvements. All of this is to ensure I have a comfortable space, easier to maintain and more efficient for doing crafts and study.

Joining in with Tuesday 4 this week. Thank you for stopping by! Happy September to you. 🍁🍂🍁

One Sky in September

I went through my archives for these sunset photos. 

These shots were all taken within a few moments of each other. 

I hope you like them. 

Enjoy your week and check out some other beautiful skies from around the world.

Skywatch Friday