I’m nondescript. Of average female height, do not stand out in a crowd as such, and am probably considered average to look at with short semi blond mousy hair, petaled blue eyes 1 and an unmemorable face unless, you are paying attention. Then, you might see the small scar to one side of my nose, and then remark on the odd shaped nose sat above somewhat thin lips.
Definitely not pretty and nothing to write home about. Sometimes this to my advantage if I want to disappear into a crowd and not be noticed. But mostly it means I get served last at the deli counter when I go in for sliced meat and potato salad.
Does that matter in the long run? Probably not. When you look at the big picture being average is okay, most of the time. I can’t say I enjoy it when I want prompt service, but hey, it’s something I’ve adapted to however much I wish otherwise. This is it, this is my life and, at my age, it’s a little late to complain or, worse, try to change.
I am who I am. I look how I do thanks to my parents and a random set of genes shaken not stirred to perfection. Thanks, I’m use to the face that stares back at me from out of the mirror (hi, Alex).
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Though it’s true, one eye has a large brown spot in it which, according to my mother is inherited from her side of the family. She had it but not her sister. I have it but not my sister. My mum’s mum had it but not her sister. You see what I mean. Also, my gran was told by a traveller it was the mark of a witch, an Irish thing apparently. ↩︎
We decided to catch up on one or two shows, on Netflix last night, and chose the movie, Troll (no, not the kiddies animated version). And, I have to say, I’m glad we went with a silly fantasy because, it was ridiculously good fun. Putting aside whether we believe in trolls or not. It doesn’t matter. They gave their existence plausibility in this amusing Norwegian romp through the countryside.
Genuine and heartfelt in places, whimsical in others, it was all the scifi references and throw away lines that made this all the more enjoyable. And yes, before you ask, we will be watching Troll II at some point and will probably enjoy it just as much.
We decided to set to a do a deep clean on the apartment today given we hadn’t touched it in over two weeks. So we dismantled the tree and stowed everything holiday related back down in our lockup, in the basement. Then we set too and vacuumed, dusted, washed, and stripped the bed.
Strangely enough, it only took us just over a couple of hours to do all that, which surprised me. Talk about working like a team, or clockwork. It was cathartic. And I’m thankful the OH did most of the heavy lifting. I’m still on no lifting anything over 20 lbs till the next doctors appointment in March. So I’m behaving myself till then.
After a much needed shower and a very light lunch we collapsed on the couch and watched a couple of episodes of Neil Patrick Harris in his new Netflix gameshow (yes, I watched a gameshow can you believe that?) What’s In The Box. What you need to know is I don’t normally watch that much TV, and definitely not a gameshow, but there we were laughing and thoroughly enjoying this one for what it was worth.
To be honest, after everything, I think it was just what the doctor ordered, something silly, fun, and mindless to watch and distract us after a morning’s workout cleaning.
Now, excuse me while I go make a brew and watch another episode and see who’s going to Paris.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
This shot of the moon was taken earlier tonight by my nephew, Cedrik. It looks amazing.
A desperate father searching for his runaway daughter gets caught up in a murder case and stumbles upon secrets that could destroy his family for good.
We watched the last couple of episodes of Harlan Coben’s latest mini series, Run Away, on Netflix last night. And, well, what can I say? What seemed like a great premise and a story ripped straight from the news headlines, this one came across as convoluted rather than clever and muddled rather than twisted. Both of us kind of guessed early on certain key plot points even before the so-called great reveal at the end.
There were some interesting aspects, but over-all? It lacked integrity in that we’re once again presented with the big bad cult brainwashing people into subservient belief. As the side plot, quite frankly, it bordered on the ridiculous. And then, the big reveal?
Seriously, no. Just, no.
A struggling 2 bags of popcorn 🍿🍿
Another bright sunny day, but boy is it cold out there. It was MINUS 22 again this morning. And, with the windchill, only supposed to get up to about minus 17 this afternoon. Welcome to winter in the Frozen North.
Okay, so everyone hates writing lists like this because, let’s face it, none of us stick to them. It’s like the minute we even think about them we fail, whether we’ve listed 1 thing to achieve or thirty.
This time, however, after the year I’ve had and, let’s face it the fact I’m still here with you all, I’ve decided if ever there was a year to check off items on my list, it’s now, in 2026.
So, here we go:
I want to read more (no number specified, anything past 1 will be an achievement in and of itself.)
I want to take a walk every single day it’s not snowing! (Believe me when I say this will probably be the hardest resolution to achieve).
I want to take more photos with my Pentax camera.
I want to listen to a lot more music. (Suggestions welcome).
I want to eat less junk food.
I want to lose another 15 pounds in weight by the end of 2026.
I want to visit at least 3 new places.
I want a holiday abroad.
I want to try a new food (nothing nasty like big fat white grubs). But maybe Afghan food, or Persian, or … well, you get the picture.
I want to write every day in my new Hobonichi Techo diary.
I want to live each and every day in the moment.
And you, did you make any resolutions for the New Year?
From Boxing Day to New Years Day, I survived my two visits to various inlaws, and the onslaught of food followed by food, followed by yet more food. Yesterday my nephew and his girlfriend came by and picked us up, early, too early for my liking, to go to my mother in law’s for brunch. We drove through a horizontal snowstorm on icy roads driving between 45- 50km and yet … the sun kept trying it’s best to break through.
My mother in law put on a big spread, but I think she though there would be 10 more people there than there actually was. There were only 7 of us this year, but mothers always over prepare the amount of food anyone one person might need to eat. I did my best to politely refuse all the extras and just ate what I knew I’d enjoy and left it to the boys to vacuum up the surplice. I really don’t need jello, cream and ice cream with my teeny slice of pie.
I’m just glad the two kids wanted to go home early while it was still daylight, given the snowy conditions. So we escaped mid afternoon, and drove safely home enjoying the winter weather without incident. Thankfully, the ploughs were out, four-deep, doing the roads both journeys. I for one was so thankful for their due diligence.
Today? Today in stark contrast, the sun is shining in a clear vivid blue sky but, with the wind chill, it’s a brisk minus 21 at the moment. It looks enticing enough to want to go for an afternoon walk but, on reflection, and the need to get dressed in one too many layers of clothing, I think I’ll just watch the afternoon pass twatching hrough the window, safely on the couch, reading a good book.
Happy new year everyone!
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Well, I don’t care what anyone else says, we watched Borderlands on DVD last night and, I have to say, it was pure unadulterated fun. I should also add noisy, colourful, crazy, madcap, seriously demented fun. Kudos to both Kate Blanchet and Jamie Lee Curtis for knocking it out of the ballpark. Seriously, Jamie Lee gets better every film I see her in. Also, Kate was excellent as Lilith, she nailed the character.
Four bags of popcorn for the entertainment win 🍿🍿🍿🍿
Yesterday was our busiest and noisiest day yet of the Christmas holidays in that we were at my sister in law, Valerie’s place, for the family dinner — which is normally on Christmas Eve but, because of work and other commitments by the young’uns, everything was moved.
It also meant my sister in law was the one on driving duties. She had to come all the way from to Beaupre coast to pick us up, and then, head out of town into the sticks to collect my nephew, Cedrik. Before taking us all back up the coast to collect the mother in law. This journey, on a good day, would normally take about 45 minutes (with clear roads) but, due to it being early morning, Boxing Day, the plan went out the window, as it were, and the journey, due to traffic snarls at all the major intersections, took us an twice as long: 95 minutes to be exact.
Truely I have never seen so much traffic on the road. Everyone, and I mean half the population of the city, were in their cars determined to go to the Boxing Day sales at one mall or another.
It. Was. Insane. Out. There!
Crazies aside. Being late back to Valerie’s meant all hands on deck to start peeling veggies and getting various things ready and or cooked; except the turkey, thank god, which Valerie had cooked Christmas Eve. Throw in two LARGE excitable Newfoundland dogs demanding attention and belly rubs, and it was none stop chaos.
All the rushing was for naught as my nephews partner was working and got off work late, and then, had to drive out of town just as everyone else were leaving the malls for home. So, of course, it took her twice as long to get to us. I guess a late dinner is better than no dinner, right?
Anyway, in the end, all was well, we ate, we drank, and we made merry as if it were Christmas Eve, and enjoyed ourselves. Oh, and what did I get for Christmas from everyone?
Day twelve of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Home
Day eleven of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Feast
Day ten of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Travel
Day nine of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Baking
Well, the time draws near for Santa to be out on his sleigh so I’d just like to say to one and all (old and new) a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the coming New Year!
Day eight of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Grinch
Day seven of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Solstice
We watched the torturous last episode of season 4 of Stranger Things last night which left me asking a number of questions. Like, “Why the hell did I put myself through watching several overly long episodes bulked out with so. much. filler?”
And … “Do I really want to watch season 5 based on my viewing experience of season 4?”
And … the answer is, no, maybe, I don’t know. Honestly. I might leave watching it till sometime in January, at least till all the episodes have aired and all the hype is over with.
As for what I thought of season 4? It wasn’t my favourite for a number of reasons (seasons 1 and 2 were the best). The humour was thin on the ground this time around, wedged in between lengthy and very boring monologues. And then what felt like tedious schlock action pieces.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the monster being a dude in a really bad rubber suit.
I mean, really? Sigh, I wanted so much more.
A begrudging two bags of popcorn: 🍿🍿
Day six of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Sparkle
Day five of the 12 days of Winter Wonder Photo Challenge and the topic is: Beard
