The Weekend That Was

This weekend, the niece and nephew spent a few hours hanging out at our place, giving their mom and dad a little bit of a break.  I love these two little mini-humans but spending so much time with them without their parents around reminds me and reinforces my plan to not have children. 

Cute as a button and full of never-ending energy.

To keep them occupied, we started off with homemade pita pizzas, then tried baking a batch of what turned out to be epic-fail cupcakes, and finished off the afternoon with a craft project:  painting ceramic flower pots.

Yellow Cthulu of Happiness

It was a great afternoon although a bit tiring.  I really MUST be getting old...  No, actually I've always been a bit low on patience (I get that from my Dad).  As long as we kept them busy, the energy level was managable.  As soon as there was a lull in the activity or their involvement, the kids seemed to get a third, fourth and fifth wind and started bouncing off the walls!  Sigh. Thank goodness they're so dang adorable.  All of us seemed to have a great time but the next afternoon we plan, we're going out where there's lots to keep them stimulated!

FYI - the niece and nephew found Flash Gordon boring.  Not enough explosions and BOOOOOMS in the first half hour to snag their interest.  I'm so disappointed!  Wink wink.

I've finished the green baby blanket - its washed, dried, and folded, awaiting the day it gets presented to its future owner.  The co-worker isn't due until June but I'm a Capricorn and we really like to plan ahead.  I've been working on Mom's Christmas present and its whipping along at a pretty good rate and is turning out better than I'd hoped.  I think she's going to love it.  I'll post a picture when I have a few more colour blocks finished.

Big congratulations to Ms. Bitchcakes, Sheryl, on completing the New York Half Marathon this morning.  She hasn't written her post about the race yet but she's likely having a much deserved celebratory beer somewhere.  She tweeted earlier that she finished in 2 hours and 40 minutes.  AWESOME!  Sheryl has an amazing Weight Watchers success story and is this week's cover girl on WW's Weekly meeting material/magazine.  I love reading about other people's running/fitness/weightloss successes.  It inspires me to be more careful with what I eat and to actually get up and move.  Heck, I ran on the treadmill again for the first time in months this past Friday thanks to reading all of Sheryl's tweets about running with her new running group.  Not for long, or very far, but I did it.  If you have a few minutes, head on over to her blog and check it out.  She's funny, smart, dedicated and full of sass.  And cute to boot!

133. The Devil's Rooming House (M. William Phelps)

True crime, especially murder, has to be one of my all-time favourite genres when it comes to nonfiction. I blame it on my father with whom I would spend hours upon hours watching McMillan and Wife, McCloud, and Columbo, Murder She Wrote, Law and Order and Quincy. Delving into murder mysteries and whodunits at an early age led to Saturday afternoons glued to A&E back when they actually had decent programming and not just hour upon mindless hour of Dog the Bounty Hunter and Storage Wars. It should therefore come as no surprise that my Amazon Wishlist is often peppered with tales of real life murder and mayhem.

M. William Phelps’ The Devil’s Rooming House: The True Story of America’s Deadliest Female Serial Killer caught my eye when I first saw the hardcover about a year and a half ago. While I waited for the paperback to come out, it slowly slipped to the bottom of my “must read” list and I eventually forgot all about it. It wasn’t until I started deleting items I was no longer excited to read that I saw it once again. A couple of clicks later and it was being shipped directly to my mailbox!

This true-life tale is about Ms. Amy Archer-Gilligan, a quiet unassuming woman who runs one of the first privately owned nursing homes in the early years of the 20th century. Her home and the services she offers seems ideal for many families – a place for their elderly or infirm loved ones to spend their remaining years without being a burden on their families, all expenses and medical care included.

Things though aren’t as rosy as Amy makes it seem to potential clients. A neighbour, who also happens to be a reporter, becomes suspicious at the number of people passing away suddenly from “natural causes” and begins investigating. He soon discovers that the inmates of the Archer Home for Elderly People and Chronic Invalids are dying at an alarming rate compared with other nursing homes. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a terrifying pattern of sudden unexplainable sickness, death and cover up by the doctor in Amy’s employ. It isn’t until one former inmate’s family members become suspicious about his passing, and his empty bank account, that the reporter is able to uncover the motive behind what appears to be cold blooded murders: money.

It took a little while for The Devil’s Rooming House to get going but once it did, I couldn’t wait to see if and how Amy’s murderous spree would be discovered. I found the story particularly interesting I think because I’m working in a related field and much of our work deals with nursing homes. It was also fascinating to read about one of the few female serial killers out there – I had never heard of Amy Archer-Gilligan before but found her story quite captivating. Who’s going to question old people passing away in a nursing home? They’re going there to live out their final days… who’s to say how many they have left?  If you like true crime, give The Devil’s Rooming House a try.

The story of the Archer Home for Elderly People and Chronic Invalids is also the inspiration for the play (and subsequent movie starring Cary Grant), Arsenic and Old Lace…which is, surprisingly, a comedy.

Friend Making Mondays - Bookworms

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here and at All The Weigh so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Bookworms (Revisited)

1. How often do you read for pleasure?  I try to read on my breaks and at lunch during the week.  On the weekends, I usually end up having a nice hot bubble bath each day and soaking for an hour with a good book.
2. Are you currently reading a book? If so, which one?  I just finished The Devil's Rooming House and am about to start The Coke Machine (I loves me some nonfiction).
3. Do you subscribe to any magazines and/or newspapers? If so, which ones?  No, although last year I subscribed to Shape.
4. Do you prefer reading traditional books or using an e-reader?  I've never tried an e-reader but my eyes have enough trouble staring at a regular computer screen so much already.  I love the feel of the paper in my fingers.
5. How often do you go to the bookstore?  About once or twice a month but usually to just look around. I try to watch my pennies and get most of books (and dvd's) from my local library.
6. Do you read at the gym? Back when I first went to the gym when I was in university, I'd read a magazine on the recumbent bike.  Now, I stick to my treadmill at home and watch TV or walk outside and might listen to music.
7. Have you ever been a member of a book club?  No but I'd like to.  However, its hard to find one that likes nonfiction as much as I do or wants to focus just on the classics.
8. Do you wear glasses when you read? I have to read glasses all the time so ... yes. :)
9. Has anyone read the Hunger Games?  I haven't but probably will one of these days.  I'm usually late to these sorts of trends.
10. What is your favorite thing about reading?  I find it very relaxing and love the feeling of learning while enjoying myself.  Plus its great to escape into a completely different world if even for only an hour or so.

Now it’s your turn!  Happy Monday!

Mini Milestone

I reached a milestone today.  Nothing super exciting but important to me nonetheless.  Do you remember last spring, former friend Earthquake Girl and I decide to have a little fitness challenge?  We called it our "Party in Paris".  About half way through the challenge, Ms. Quake and I had a falling out and now no longer speak.  However, I kept up the challenge by myself, logging whatever distance I managed to do each week on the treadmill or bike.  I'm certainly no hard core gym rat as you well know but I would still walk outside or hop on my treadmill while watching telly.  Today, I can happily say that I've reached Paris!!!!  It took me a few months longer than I had originally figured when we set the challenge - I'm a competitive person and racing against someone certainly encouraged me to log more miles than I did when it was just me.  However, I'm thrilled that I stuck with it and finished!  I'm notorious for starting any number of projects and never seeing them through.  Now, I just have to set myself a new challenge to keep me inspired.  Suggestions?  Somewhere else to walk to?  I've already climbed the seven summits.

Where's my grass?

The weather in E-town has been decidely spring-like lately, getting up to 12 or 13C on Friday.  A welcome change and not just for us humans.  The cats, especially Nero, have been eager to get out onto the balcony for the past few weeks and this weekend they were finally allowed back out.  I think they were all a bit disappointed that there were no plants for them to chew on. 

Bitch, you're blocking my rays.

While the sun is shining, we still get a chilly breeze up where we are.  That didn't stop Nero from finding his favourite chair and soaking up the little bit of sunshine that was left.  Yesterday, he spent all afternoon curled up on his chair in the corner of the balcony, feeling the wind in his fur.  Come summertime, we'll only see him when he comes in to eat or if we sit outside.

How did you spend your weekend?

Foto Friday - Food Faves

Last week, there was no Foto Friday thanks to life, work and the universe taking up too much of my time.  This week, I haven't gotten around to take new photos either so instead I'm posting some of my fave photos of food that I've taken over the past few years.  Yes the idea is to use Foto Fridays to inspire me in the taking of NEW photos but things don't always go as planned.  I promise to try harder next week... Forgive me!

Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake from Earls.  Sure, I didn't make it but it was absolutely divine.  Mom and I almost licked the plate.

Grilled Vegetable Salad from The Globe in Rye, Englnad.  A bit out of focus but that's likely because I was far too eager to patiently wait to take a decent picture.  Look at those colours!  Simply amazing.  If you find yourself in the quaint town of Rye, get thee to the Globe for lunch. 

Pancakes.  Simple.  Easy.  Delicious.  I'm not a huge fan of pancakes but I get cravings now and then.  I love this picture, although when one of my coworkers first saw it, he simply said "The bottom one is burnt" and walked away.  Jackass.  Just look at the butter melting and the syrup sliding across the plate towards you like some evil toxic ooze monster.

Red Velvet cake with vanilla icing and shaved dark chocolate.  The cake didn't turn out to be as tasty as I'd hoped (a bit overdone) but the presentation was perfect, if I do say so myself.

Herbal tea and a slice of pie from Simon the Pieman, also in Rye.  Sadly they don't have a website.  Its a shame because its the most charming little tea shop.  Great service, great food, great atmosphere. 

Feel free to share your favourite food fotos today!

Toned-Down Tuesday

While we didn't get as much as Calgary, I took today as a snow day.  Actually, I had booked this day off last month; it just happens that it came at the same time as our most recent snowfall.  A lazy day off with no real plans other than some reading for work (which I haven't got around to yet...sigh) and a long list of other, far more important things that I want to be doing.  Like this:

Karen's Bippity Boppity Boo Baby Blanket

A coworker is having a baby in a few months and that means its time to start knitting.  She's having a girl but I don't go in for those stereotypical boy/girl colours.  No pink blankets for this knitter!  Sure, I've knit a blue one before but I don't think of it as a gender specific colour.  I've also knit one in a burgundy/purplish colour and another blanket in a colour I can't remember.  Shoot.  I really have to take more pictures of stuff so I can remember these sorts of things.  Whatever.  I went with green (my favourite colour) this time around.  A very neutral colour that is also very soothing and comforting.  Plus its also perfect should she have a boy next!

I've also decided on a Christmas present for mom.  She's getting her own blanket.  When asked what her favourite colour was, it came as no surprise that she said blue:  Maple Leafs fan, Blue Jays fan, Allouettes fan... So, rather than doing the rainbow theme in the pattern, I'm going to do gradual "waves" of dark/medium/light blue and white.  She'll be able to use it in the winter as she falls asleep on the couch listening to the Leafs lose yet again play their hearts out; she'll be able to use it in the summer as she falls asleep on the couch listening to the Jays play ball.

Blankets are probably my favourite thing to knit, especially this baby blanket.  Like scarves, its mindless busy work for my hands but with enough changes in each row that I don't completely zone out.  If mom's blanket turns out, I might just have to make one for myself.  Next year it might also be something I could make for the niece and nephew in their fave colours... Yes I'm already thinking of 2013 knitting!  Mom's blanket, I'm guessing, is going to take me a while.

I had set a goal for myself that I wanted to knit a bunch of mittens and a few hats this year.  So far, I have one half-finished hat that I have little desire to finish.  I will, eventually, but the mittens?  I can't get motivated.  I'm tired of my pattern book and want something knew but haven't found anything that grabs me enough to want to start knitting mitts again.  Perhaps I overdosed on the Komi's.  Oh well, for now I'm focusing on the baby blanket and looking forward to Mom's present.

132. Lost in Shangri-La (Mitchell Zuckoff)

Lost in Shangri-La is one of those amazing World War II stories most people these days have probably never heard of.  In early May of 1945, the war in Europe is winding down but the war in the Pacific is still going.  A pilot stationed in Hollandia on the island of New Guinea discovers a hidden valley nestled amongst jungle covered mountains and filled with natives untouched by the outside world; a real Shangri-La.  Soon the base begins running sight-seeing tours for military personnel over the valley and on May 13, a group of 24 sets out for a low level flight over the valley and its native villages.  Unfortunately, the plane crashes in the dense jungle and the pleasure trip turns into a battle for survival as three survivors drag themselves from the wreckage, including a member of the Women's Army Corps. 

From Good Reads.com: 

Emotionally devastated, badly injured, and vulnerable to the hidden dangers of the jungle, the trio faced certain death unless they left the crash site. Caught between man-eating headhunters and enemy Japanese, the wounded passengers endured a harrowing hike down the mountainside;a journey into the unknown that would lead them straight into a primitive tribe of superstitious natives who had never before seen a white man or woman.

Drawn from interviews, declassified U.S. Army documents, personal photos and mementos, a survivor's diary, a rescuer's journal, and original film footage, 'Lost in Shangri-La' recounts this incredible true-life adventure for the first time.  Mitchell Zuckoff reveals how the determined trio; dehydrated, sick, and in pain; traversed the dense jungle to find help; how a brave band of paratroopers risked their own lives to save the survivors; and how a cowboy colonel attempted a previously untested rescue mission to get them out. 

The press and military focused on the WAC member, Margaret Hastings, and the riveting story of a white woman stranded amongst the primitive (possibly cannibalistic) natives of New Guinea.  It certainly helped keep the public interested but the reports practically dismissed the danger to life and limb the Filipino paratroopers had to face in order to rescue her and the other survivors.

Survival in the South Pacific

While I found the story exciting and had trouble putting it down, there was always a nagging thought in the back of my head:  this wasn't a military reconnaisance or bombing mission gone awry.  It was a pleasure trip, a sight seeing tour.  The amount of money, resources, and time involved in the rescue operation (not to mention the danger to the rescuers lives) must have been enormous (especially with daily supply flights/drops).  The closest comparison to this would be if the US Navy sent an aircraft carrier to search for the USS Minnow after their three hour tour got unexpectedly extended. Ok, not the best comparison but you get the idea.

Lost in Shangri-La is a great rescue story and the extraction plan will leave you shaking your head at how it possibly worked.  Mitchell Zuckoff easily transports readers to the jungles of New Guinea and drops you alongside the survivors to share in their unlikely adventure.  Looking for something to take your mind off the cold wintery weather outside (unless you're in Alberta where's in downright springlike!) or planning your summer beach reading?  Make sure to add this to your list of must reads.

Guess Who's Feeling Better?

Me for one! I've been a smidge quiet lately, especially regarding Anubis because I didn't want to jinx his recovery.  The past week and a bit has been, to put it mildly, stressful.  Needless to say, my goal of giving up the Coca Cola addiction for Lent has failed miserably this weekend.  Where to begin?

As you know, the little furry dude had to take a trip to the emergency room last weekend for what appears to have been gastritis.  He was on the road to recovery, putting up with our various attacks with syringes full of medicine.  Exactly one week and two hours after he first got sick, he threw up again.  The sound of a cat vomiting in the middle of the night is never good.  Fortunately (yes there was a positive side), it appeared to be only a hairball.  It was bound to happen after a week of extra licking of his fur to remove the medicine that missed his mouth.  He didn't seem bothered by it and practically jumped into his food dish with more gusto than he's mustered all week long.  Yippee I thought, he's back to normal!  My euphoria was not to last.

Anubis and Nero four years ago

A short while later, he went into his litter box just as I followed him into the pantry.  He let out a massive bit of gas and then a big wet plop.  Diarrhea.  He went a few more times that morning, same result.  I called the Emergency vet to check in and see if they had any suggestions.  A new medication and, if no improvement in a day or so, back in he goes.  Is it any wonder I've been stressed?  One thing clears up only to be replaced by another.  Sigh.  Is this what happens when cats become senior citizens?

I picked up the new medication but by the time it came to administer it, the diarrhea hadn't happened for a few hours.  So we waited.  No diarrhea but no pooping either.  And no pooping this morning.  And no pooping all day long.  I was starting to get worried.  When I got home from work, he went into the litter box and ... nothing.  What's a crazy cat lady to do?

Time to take a hard stand.  I picked him up and gave him a scratch behind the ears.  Then, I threatened him:  if he didn't poop this evening, I was going to take him back to the doctor and we all know how much he hated that.  I put him back on the ground and he headed straight to the litter box again.  No lie - he pooped.  A big one.  OMG. 

I AM the poop whisperer and not just when it comes to kids and babies.

13 yr old Nub Nubs last spring

Is he completely back to normal?  I'm not going to go that far just yet but he's definately feeling better and I am so very relieved.  We're hanging onto the medication just in case but it doesn't look like we'll have to give it him.  I'm also keeping a close eye on him to make sure his bowels are working and there's no recurrence of the vomitting. 

Being owned by a cat is rough ...

Foto Fridays - Inside the Fridge

I have to admit that my Foto Fridays challenge has not been on my mind all week so I had to whip this post up early this morning.  What does waiting until the last minute mean?  A relatively empty fridge and a lack of subject matter.  This wasn't exactly how I originally envisioned this photo set turning out but overall its not a complete fail.

First up - kitty cat medicine.  One set of pre-filled syringes.  Only a couple more days and they'll be finished.  Thank goodness.  Its horrible giving an animal medication but the worst part is the evil eyed stares they give you afterwards.  Ugh.

When I saw this jar of sauce I became confused because I don't remember when I bought it.  I think it may have been at Christmas but I have no way of saying for sure.  Its still good (probably because of all the sugar it contains) and tastes yummy.  Now, I just need something to put it on.

Continuing with the Asian theme - I give you China Lily soy sauce.  THE best soy sauce in the whole world.  Extremely salty but oh so delicious.  Its a little hard to find so when I see it, I generally buy a couple of bottles. 

I've been loving English Muffins lately, especially the sourdough ones - in a fried egg sandwich, smothered with cheese and tomatoes, or toasted with PB&J.  Mmm, mmm, mmm.  Do the English just call them muffins?

Finally, my lunch for today - a simple salad (romaine, bell peppers, green onions and radishes) with roasted red pepper and parmesan dressing followed by farfale with a simple tomato/meat sauce with sauteed peppers. Yummalicious.

Next week's theme: Doorways

A Goal For Lent

I’m not a religious person but I’m taking part in Lent this year. Yes, you’ve guessed it; I’m giving up something for the next few weeks. What is it, you ask? Posting sickeningly cute photos of my cats? Talking about (and photographing) food? Not likely and bite your tongue. Nope, it’s my longtime nemesis … I’m giving up Coca Cola. Once you finish laughing at my announcement of yet another attempt to ban the devil’s drink from my diet, we’ll continue.

Finished? Thank you. Sheesh.

I kid but I know (and many of you know too) that I’ve tried numerous times (most only half-heartedly) to stop drinking pop or at least to cut back. The one time I was even remotely successful was during my archaeological field school during university – 6 weeks in the Rocky Mountains without money or access to soft drinks meant an unplanned, involuntary lack of soda in my diet. And you know what? I didn’t miss it. Oh sure, the first week was a bit rough but you quickly get used to it, especially when you’re not confronted with it day in, day out. We had no television, no laptops or smart phones, and only went into town once towards the end of our stay. Out of sight, definitely out of mind.

In my current life, I’m bombarded with the accessibility of Coke (or other soft drinks) – the food court in my office building, the vending machine in my office kitchen, in every restaurant and grocery store, gas stations, billboards, commercials, movie theatres and concert posters. Heck, I just heard my boss crack open a can in his office. ARRRGGGGH! Save me!

Wow, that looks soooo inviting right now...

The past few days really hit home that I need to quit. I’ve drank far too much (and made far too many poor food choices) because I’m an emotional eater and the Nubs situation has had me stressed and sad. Sitting at my desk at lunch yesterday, drinking a soda and eating my salad, I wondered what I was doing. I’m embarrassed to admit but it was my third of the day. Yes, three sodas by lunchtime. I told you it’s been stressful! At that point, I knew it was time to really make the effort to ditch it. That and the fact that my desk was beginning to look like a bottle depot with cans accumulating at a rapid rate.

I’m aware of all the bad things that Coke can do to me and my innards. Not to mention all that added useless sugar that is likely adding a couple of extra pounds which could be shed by simply not drinking the stuff. However, it’s an addiction. Much like smoking, alcoholism, or drug use, going without has consequences after a certain length of time spent chasing that sugary dragon… headaches, irritability, the overwhelming desire to find enough spare pennies to buy just one more can…

It’s not going to be easy but I’ve enlisted help at work and I’ll be roping in Mommikins for help at home. There’s none left in the house which is good and considering all the money I now owe her, I’ll be saving myself a few bucks here and there could instead be going to paying her back. Big Brother’s Birthday lunch might be difficult but I think work is going to be the hardest struggle for me. Its far too easy to walk ten feet, drop a loonie in the machine and crack open a cold one. Ahhhh, that sweet, dark, bubbly elixir! Oh sweet bejeebus, someone help me!

Are you giving up anything for Lent?