A Good Day To Paint

This morning I’ll be painting the teeny tiny bathroom in our home, which is referred to as a ‘powder room’ because there’s no bath or shower in it, just a toilet and sink. But ‘powder room’ sounds stuffy, don’t you think? Or is it just me? It’s probably just me. Either way, I prefer bathroom. Or washroom. Or restroom.

Anyhoo.

This ‘bathroom’ used to have wallpaper in it, which I removed when we took possession of our home a few years back. Now, anyone who knows me well knows that my idea of the worst punishment in hell would be removing wallpaper eternally. It’s right up there with ironing. Both these things have the potential to make me go batshit crazy!

But remove the wallpaper I did. And the room was painted. Except that the paint job was really sucky. Because the previous owners had painted little ugly as sin charming gold leaves on the walls, and because the walls weren’t primed before painting, the leaves bled through. And the bathroom has looked like crap ever since. To me. My husband and daughter have never minded.

After complaining about mentioning this for the past four years, I decided to finally do something about it. Myself. It’s entirely up to me because hubby does not consider this an urgent chore. Like I do. So I washed the walls, primed them and spent yesterday evening masking off areas that should not be painted. With my annoying loveable black cat under my feet. No matter what I’m working on, she’s always there sticking her nose into everything. You know what buttinskis cats can be.

And today is the big day. Where I get to put my painting skills to the test. Did I mention that I haven’t painted walls for over ten years? Yeah, that long. When I told hubby about my plans for this bathroom, he looked a little nervous and asked me if I know how to do this. I waved him away. “Pfffftttt... How hard can it be?”

We’ll find out, won’t we?

Saturday Night Fever On Friday Night

So hubby and I watched ‘Saturday Night Fever’...of all movies. On Friday night. We had caught the last half of the movie ‘Grease’ on television a couple of nights earlier and I started feeling all nostalgic and stuff, so I turned to my husband and said “You know what movie I’d like to watch that I haven’t seen in decades? Saturday Night Fever.” And he said “Oh...really? Why?” And I said “Just for fun. It’ll bring back memories.” And he said (unenthusiastically) “I...guess...we can do that.”

"Why, oh why, this movie?"

My husband would rather pull out his fingernails one by one than sit through a movie featuring disco music, disco clothes...anything disco. Unless it’s with me. Because he likes to make me happy. And spend time with me. He is, after all, the most amazing man in the world. When we first started dating, he would do things with me that most guys I know would never do. Like watch chick flicks. He still does. And scores big points for that. But I reciprocate. I watch action packed, testosterone driven movies to make him happy. Some I enjoy. Some make me want to scream and pull the hair out of my head. But we suffer through do these things for the ones we love.

Anyway, so we watched 'Saturday Night Fever'. And I laughed and laughed and laughed. And laughed some more. I kept exclaiming “OHMYGOD...the shoes. That shirt! Oh, the hair! Look at the pants!” I’d forgotten about the clothes and the hairstyles and the overload of gold jewelry of that period that looks ridiculous today. Not that I ever really cared for it. I’m a classic rock girl at heart and I always preferred the denim and t-shirt look. But with music, I had no choice but to expand. Because you can’t dance to rock songs, and I love to dance...LOVE IT. And disco music is what people danced to back then. Way back then. When I was a very young girl. And so I danced to it, too.

'Saturday Night Fever' was a huge hit in the 70s. It popularized disco music and made John Travolta a household name, although people were already familiar with him from his role on TV’s ‘Welcome Back Kotter’. But the movie is a little outdated now. Even so, I had fun watching it because it brought back so many memories. And certainly made me laugh. And laugh. And laugh. I can’t say hubby felt the same way. He breathed a sigh of relief when it was finally over.

Here are some funny scenes from it:

Snapshot Sunday

"I believe in animal rights, and high among them is the right to the gentle stroke of a human hand."

- Robert Brault -

Saturday Silliness

Let’s get this week’s silliness going with a round of Maxine humour...

HAHAHAHA...love this one!

Sunny Side Up

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
- Laura Ingalls Wilder  -

Today’s end of the week smile is “THE cutest animal video in the WHOLE WORLD!” That is what Debra of ‘She Who Seeks’ called it in the email she sent me that included a link to it. The darling compilation below also includes beautiful music making it that much more endearing! This is definitely cuteness overload. Enjoy.



A big thank you to Debra for this. I literally squealed with delight - again - watching it.

(Incidentally, for those of you who are interested, the music is 'The Time To Run (Finale)' by Dexter Britain)

Have a glorious weekend, everyone!

Squirrely Squirrels

I must admit that I like squirrels. Are they troublemakers? Sure. Do they hog up the feeders? Of course. Do they terrorize gardens? Absolutely.

But they’re very entertaining. And so darn cute.

And just like the rabbits, squirrels chew up some of the things that I grow. But it doesn’t bother me. There are a lot of plants in my garden, and I don’t mind losing some of them in exchange for the entertainment these furry and feathery visits bring about, not to mention the photographic opportunities that go with them. The garden just wouldn’t be the same without the animals dropping by.

So, if the rabbits and squirrels and chipmunks and birds and groundhogs chew a few leaves and munch on a few berries...well...so be it.



"Mine...all mine..."

Manipulative Guilt Trips

When I was younger, it was quite easy for someone to get me to do something, or behave a certain way, so they can fulfill an agenda. All they had to do was pull out the manipulative guilt trip card, and I’d have a hard time saying no to their request. I was a member of the 'perpetual niceness' cult, and would scramble to apologize, soothe hurt feelings and fulfill demands when a guilt trip manipulator would tell me that I was being selfish, mean and uncaring.

But then I got older. Smarter. More experienced. Confident. Even somewhat cynical. And all that string pulling became a thing of the past. Now, I listen to myself and evaluate how a situation makes me feel. If I’m feeling pressured or oppressed by someone, or uncomfortable about doing something, I put on the brakes.

I’ve learned over the years to tell the difference between a sincere person with a legitimate request, and someone who uses scheming and forceful tactics to get their way. And if someone accuses me of hurting their feelings and of being mean if I don’t give in, I simply bat it right back with questions such as “How am I hurting your feelings...?” or “Why am I being mean by not doing x,y,z...?”

And life is so much better.

Do you feel guilty easily?

Today's Trivia - Cats and High Temperatures

I often find my cats basking in the sun even on those really warm summer days. And I wonder how in the world they tolerate it. Just looking at the heat and sunshine beating down on them makes me break out in a sweat! Don’t they overheat with that fur coat on?

Well, apparently...not that easily...

 

 

Possibly because of their descent from desert-dwelling species, cats are able to tolerate relatively high temperatures. They show no discomfort until their skin reaches around 52°C (126°F), and can tolerate temperatures of up to 56°C (133°F) if they have access to water. Humans generally start to feel uncomfortable when their skin temperature passes about 38 °C (100 °F).

And that explains it.

 

Garden Awakenings

With the weather acting crazy, the garden has been struggling to get started. But I think we might finally start enjoying spring. Not many of my plants have been eager to get going, and the flower beds are pretty bare, but there are signs of life.

It’s hard to believe that these tiny little spurts of growth will lead to beautiful, lush plants that will showcase amazing blooms. But that’s what will happen.

Clematis ‘Niobe’ has been gracing my garden since 2010, and is one of my favourite garden plants. There are oodles of flower buds preparing to open.

Hyacinth Jacinthe is slowly emerging. I can’t wait to get a whiff of that rich, spicy scent that the flowers exude.

Crocus Jeanne D'arc is supposed to be an early bloomer, but it took its time getting started. It’s been difficult getting photos of the blooms because they close when the elements are not to their liking.

The stars of the show up until now have been the daffodils. No matter the weather, they never disappoint. They are one of the most beautiful signs of spring.

 

 

Many of the other plants are showing signs of life, and it’s only a matter of time before the garden is overflowing with lovely flowers. Can’t wait!

 

What’s growing on in your part of the world?

A Single Photograph

"A horse is poetry in motion."

- Author Unknown -

Saturday Silliness

Let’s start the day off right: with a good laugh!

Sunny Side Up

"Any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own,

and makes it so much the larger and better in every way."

- John Muir -

We end the week with an uplifting video featuring some sweet animals. I almost managed to get through it without becoming overwhelmed. Until I reached the end. Then my eyes filled up.



A happy weekend to all of you!

Every Day Is A Beautiful Day

"Pleasure is spread through the earth
 In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find."
- William Wordsworth -

A few months ago, I happened upon one of the happiest and friendliest cashiers. She chatted with everyone, grinned from ear to ear, and maintained an upbeat attitude even with customers that were grumpy and impatient.

When it was my turn at her cash, she greeted me with a smile and asked “How are you today?” I told her I was fine, thank you, and inquired about her day. She said it was “another beautiful day.”

It wasn’t a beautiful day in terms of weather, and when I mentioned that, she shrugged and said that every day was a beautiful day to her, no matter the weather. I figured that’s because she has such a positive attitude. But that was only part of it.

I found out as we were chatting that for several years she’d been battling different forms of cancer. And so far, she’d beaten every one of them. And lived to see another day. Another week. Another month. Another year. So every day that she was fortunate enough to wake up to was another beautiful day.

I was moved by this woman’s story. Inspired by it. Even humbled. Just that very morning, I’d been complaining about the weather, forgetting to be grateful that I’d lived to see another day.

I’d forgotten that I’m married to the most amazing man in the world, and how fortunate I am to have two healthy and beautiful daughters, a wonderful brother, a very loving mother who is still in this world, loyal and thoughtful friends, and a caring extended family.

I’d forgotten to be grateful for the good life I lead, for having very little reason to complain, for the beautiful, progressive and safe country I live in, and for the magnificent moments I experience every day. Every week. Every month.

I’d forgotten to be thankful for good health, for having enough to eat, for living in a warm and comfortable home, and for being able to share all these blessings with people I love. And with people that love me back.

I’d simply forgotten what’s important that day. Until I met this remarkable woman. Then I remembered. And was grateful for yet another beautiful day.

Because every day that I wake up to see really is a beautiful day.