Hair Day

Last Sunday John, Cecile, Rich and Eve came to visit. Just like other times when we get together with John, we get hair cuts. Today was no exception. The pictures are of John and Rich and John and Joe. Next time we get together will be at the end of next month in Hamilton, the home of John and Cecile.

Another Dodge disappointment

Sheesh! This is getting ridiculous. I just found out that the tires on the Dakota are not available through Canadian Tire. It seems that the tire is a rare one and wasn't used on many makes of vehicles. I did find a tire store that had it in stock but for how long is anyone's guess. I ordered two but I need four but can't afford all four. I'm going to take a chance that the tire will still be around next year when I replace the other two. Wish me luck!

Now, to make matters worse, I had to take it in this week for a drive clean test. It failed. One of the routes to go is to have it analyzed to see what the problem is. Then, it can be passed temporarily for one year. This is what I did. But eventually it will need a catalytic converter at around $900 a shot. I'm not impressed.

Our visit to Alma

We visited our dear friends in Alma this weekend. They have the most beautiful home on many acres just outside Alma not far from Elmira. Their house is energy efficient and very unique in design. They have designed their house around a central plenum, which most heat releasing appliance use and then that heat is recovered and again used to heat the house. There is also large south windows and and dark ceramic tile floors.

Our friends are very involved in their businesses. They are constantly on the go and have very little time for socializing. So, we don't get together that often.

I attach a photo of the west side of their house and Paul is looking out the window.

Spring has arrived

Spring is in the air in Southwestern Ontario. With my new camera I can take as many pictures as like without wasting film. Great way to experiment. Here are a couple that I took a couple of days ago.

The new camera

I bought the Canon G-7 and am in love with it. It has a lot of point and shoot features as well as being able to use manual settings. It's everything I wanted in a camera and it is easy to use. One of the pictures that I took recently is of the western sky at sunset. The camera has a feature called Colour Accent which allows for highlighting on a particular colour in a scene and then using only those colours. Here is that picture:

Some improvement, finally

My cold/flu is finally breaking. It's been a very uncomfortable four days. Little sleep and lots of couphing and pain.

With any luck, I'll be back to work soon.

Change of plans

Unfortunately, I came down with a very severe chest cold/flu so I didn't go to Toronto with Joe. Instead I stayed at home and in bed most of the weekend. Sigh.

Sick

I was a bit under the weather today.

Yesterday, I felt a tickle in my throat. Last night and today it blossomed into a chest cold. I have been getting pletty of rest and am already feeling better.

The changing weather has a lot do with this. It has been very cold of late and then just recently it warmed up to a balmy 6 degrees celcius. Now, we are going back to the minus teens celcius. Maybe I should just go to bed for the winter. The bears do.

Conference in TO

We're off to Toronto.

This is a conference for COUSA members and non-members. I will like just be an observer. I am going as Joe's guest or spouse. The workshops are interesting if I have the chance to attend. I am interested in the workshop dealing with stress, depression and anxiety.

This is the first of a couple of conferences we will be attending. Another one that is coming up is with the OSSTF also in Toronto. This one is their biggies for the Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly. It will be held at the Toronto Sheraton Centre, WOW!

For an update as to what happened at these conferences, check back here.

A scare

Last night while dining at one our favourite restaurants, I began choking. At first, I thought that I could clear the food by just coughing. Usually works and besides it seems natural. This time however, it didn't succeed and the particle of food covered my windpipe. I then had shortness of breath and panicked. I wanted to make my way to the washroom in case I had to stick my finger down my throat. On the way over someone came up behind me and gave me the Heimlick maneuver. It worked.

I have never had an experience like that one before and hope it never happens again.

I went back to my table and continued to eat my food. Then the fire department arrived because one of the staff called 911. I explained what had happened and gave them my name.

I think I just used up one of my nine lives.

Photos with Picasa

Istanbul

The renovated bathroom.

The crystal staircase at Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul.

An old wooden house on a street scene in Sultanhamet, Istanbul.

A plaza not far from the Spice Bazar.

Pictures from Turkey

Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul.

Almost There

The bathroom renovation is almost complete. It sure is much brighter than it was. The contractor has two 100 watt bare light bulbs in the ceiling which make it stark. Once the bathroom lights go in and the counter, sink etc. it will be complete and clean.

The weather lately around here has been depressing. Lots of clouds, rain and cool temps.

I am going to booking my vacation time for next year on Monday morning. I hope that I get my first selections but I have backup weeks just in case.

That's all for now but I will post some pictures of the completed renovation soon.

Chaos

Once again the house will be in total chaos. This time the bathroom will be renovated and updated. I just cleaned out some of the stuff that has accumulated over the years. Sheesh.

In the end, it will all be worthwhile, However, since the house hasn't been painted in side for a number of years, I guess I have my work cut out for me.

This damn truck

I'll never buy another Dodge.

Three months ago I had to replace the universal joint, that wasn't bad, but it had damaged the transmission.

Now, once again, I am going to hand over $600 for a set of ball joints. Sheesh.

Ah Montreal

This trip was the best. We took in The Montreal Botanical Gardens and I was totally blown away. The feature for the next month is in the Chinese garden and it will feature the Lights Festival. And what a sight to behold. These aren't your ordinary garden Chinese lanterns, with some very large and look like a scene such as a fishing boat or row boat with a rowing crew. I'd definitely go back to the garden for other festivals. The Japanese garden is worth seeing too.

One of the areas of Montreal that I found fascinating was Outremont. Some of the streets are very pleasant for walking with a neighbourhood park on every other street. Very charming, although a bit pricey for living in.

I'm looking forward to another return to Montreal in the not too distant future.