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Canada Day - plus

The Birthday Boy!

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Jaguar for Sale!

This is an old picture (2001). That doesn't matter. The Jag still looks the same and it is still up for sale. If anyone knows of someone who might be interest have them email us. Thanks. Asking firm price of $35,000 Canadian.

Hot Time

The concentration level of working with Simply Accounting has been high. I believe the strain of using my brain for a change has caused my eyes to be sore. My back and legs are sore because of the sitting. Sunday after working at IGA, I took a break. (Kirk, gone fishing)

It is mid-afternoon and it is hot! The hot-tub relaxes my aching muscles but the sun was too much. We need a sun umbrella. I dug out our rain umbrella. It works great for one person. Should the opportunity and funds present itself we are getting a large sun umbrella.

for larger view of any picture just click on it

I think, I got it!

Working diligently on entering data onto our new software Simply Accounting for a few days now and while running trial reports I accidentally came across a report that made sense to me.

The excitement was too much. I called the accountant to make an appointment for her to check out my accomplishment. I'm hoping, I'm on the right track even though it shows we have no money. We will work on that part later.

Graduation

We feel fortunate to be part of the celebrations even though we are not able to attend.

I have to share this picture sent to us.

This beautiful and talented young lady, Samantha our niece, is celebrating her graduation.

Congratulations and all the best to you.

Simply Accounting

We purchased some software to organize our new life here in Canada. "Simply Accounting" was recommended by almost everyone we talked with. One minor problem. You have to know something about accounting to start with in order to use it.

Our life was fairly uncomplicated while we lived in NC. I guess we were fortunate to have an accountant who looked after things. She gave me a book "Simplified Monthly Bookkeeping Record" to record our purchases and income and at the end of the year she took it from there.

We found more detail is required here. So, Simply Accounting is suppose to be the answer. I have been reading, entering data, reading, and reentering data for two days now. I'm not sure if I'm doing it right or wrong? I'm just doing. Actually, I'm waiting for something to click in my head saying "OK, I get it now!"

I fear that it is not going to happen. I need help and don't know where to turn. I'm sure there are courses and people to help with this. Now, I just need to find one or someone before the end of the year.

Spiders

I don't like spiders. I don't think many people do. But, they are here and I'm trying to live with it.

The good news is, there are no known poisonous spiders or snakes in our area. This makes the sight of a spider less traumatic.

Now, it is just aggravating since we seem to have more than our share of them.

I really need to invest in a fly swatter and not for flies. These little spiders jump when I try to kill them. It is a real chase. It could be quite entertaining to anyone watching because I tend to have a threatening conversation with them before I squeeze the life out of them.

I'm sure there must be some product out there to kill/repel them from coming into the house. Until finances present that luxury I will be chasing spiders with whatever is handy. It keeps me hopping.

Father's Day

Father's day from a distance works well.
Hopefully, all enjoyed the day.
The one, who is the most distant in miles, makes the most effort.
Which I'm sure is greatly appreciated by contacted Father and Grand-Father.

Canadian Quiz

We found this interesting. Of course, I didn't do well. Scored 8 out of the 20 questions. Kirk got 9 out of 20. We are still learning about our new home/country.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/special/canquiz2005/

Canada eh!

This is for you folks in the south. "As I said before, I never repeat myself". (Say Not)

It is HOT here! (92+) It is dry here! It is still windy. This is Canada! And so far, no sign of any change in the near future.

I finally broke down and turned on the air conditioner. The dogs don't even want to go outside.

For those of you who asked "does it get warm here?" Yes, hotter than......

Won't have to cut the grass for awhile. It is dying.

Why dogs bite people!

I like this one. I had to do this.

Dear Mom & Dad

Have to Love them.

God brought them together and then came ME!
(plus two brothers and two sisters)
We have our differences.
This may be, my distant effort to wish them a Happy Mother/Father's Day.
(our Sunday is open)

LOVE from AnneMarie & Kirk (plus Shadow & Pete)

The Good Old Days

http://www.paulalfrey.com/email/olddays.html

I can relate to this link. Can you?

Mahonia Aquifolium

This is a plant. A nice one at that. The other day I was hoeing a row of Mahonia Aquifolium. The reason I know this is because of the tag that was in the row. It has a leaf that looks like a holly but it has shades of red in it. It may be a holly. What do I know. I want one. Or two.

Actually, if I had the money I would get one or two of everything at the nursery. I love plants.

Years back when I worked at Grass Root Gardens (a garden center in NC) I never did take home a paycheck. One reason was I didn't have a "green card" yet. Second they liked to pay in cash. This was good and bad. On pay day I immediately turned around and bought plants. I would arrive home with a truck load of plants and Kirk would say "Looks like Pay Day".

If it wasn't for us still adjusting to our new life I would be spending my pay on plants. Maybe next year.

Topics of conversation

When socializing there are many topics of conversation. In fact the list is endless.

First one that comes to mind is the Weather. It seems to be an ice-breaker in starting a conversation. No one can change the weather. You just live with it the best you can. The weather can make or break a persons life. It can be a boring or interesting, powerful topic.

Then comes the topics with recommendations not to talk about, politics, religion and sex. From past experience I agree with the recommendation yet we do talk a lot about religion. The belief in Jesus as our Saviour is high on our list.

Next, anything can be a topic; (no intentional order) family, friends, jobs, sports, recreation, life in general, etc.

One topic I'm not interested in listening to is, how much MONEY someone has. We have found that most people with a lot of money don't talk about their money. Mind you, they don't have to.

With a little research I came upon this site;
Can Money Buy Happiness?
Yes and No.
(It is a bit lengthy broadcast but I found it interesting. To listen to it click on below.)

http://www.theconnection.org/shows/2003/03/20030306_b_main.asp

Facial expressions :)

We came across a program call 100 Huntley (I think that's what it was called) and the person being interviewed was a writer/specialist on personalities. I missed most of the interview because of the different expressions she made with her mouth when she spoke. To me, it was a cross between a smile, grin, sneer and gritting of teeth. I'm sure she didn't do this on purpose as it was very distracting.

It was brought to my attention the other day that my expressions must be distracting/unpleasant.

Yesterday I spent the morning cleaning windows. There in the reflection of the glass was a scowl that was scary. It was me! I looked angry and yet I was far from feeling that way. In fact I felt very good about myself and the shiny clean window. The next window I tried harder not to scowl by starting out with raising my eyebrows. Now I looked like a face-lift gone bad. Each window I tried get my face to relax. It was starting to get funny to the point of laughter and that was the only expression that I enjoyed.

I have come to the conclusion I have to laugh a lot to look good. (I sure hope they don't lock me up)

Famous for trading

Another little job completed. This one was a trade. Kirk is famous for trading. He built this wagon in return for not having to remove old cages and install new cages. (see Post May 29; Income, no profit yet?)

Waiting for Kirk! Loyalty & Love

I knew he was going fishing today at noon. He told me that he was going to leave the dogs at home. (The dogs didn’t hear that part.)

I arrive home at 3:05 pm to two panic stricken animals. Panting and excited to see someone, anyone would do, but since I’m there they are happy. I now have to let them out to check out the shop. They don’t understand my telling them that Kirk is not here. We go out and roam around the shop to prove that he is not around. We settle down. Back in the house and staring at the door.

I had great intensions of reading the instruction manual to the new software I bought on Monday. (Simply Accounting) I now become like the dogs. (Anxiety setting in) None of us are use to being apart for any length of time. I cannot concentrate on reading. Shadow wants out again and sits in front of the shop door for ½ hour or so. When she came back we all had something to eat which keep us occupied for a time.

It was a site. The three of us watched, staring at either the driveway or the back door. Some whimpers and whines and I would start thinking “The what if”. Sure he is having a good time. But what if. I’d be like the dogs. I was like the dogs. Where is he? What would I do if he didn’t come back through that door?

Ok, time for a Hot Tub. Relax; all is fine. Dogs are chilled out and yet staying close to me at all times. (Unusual for Shadow).

It is now 7:37 pm and I writing this in anticipation that he's soon walking through that door. The dogs are asleep.

7:51 pm; I got a phone call. They are cleaning fish. I can relax and go to bed now. I can’t. I need to see him walk through that door.

I thank God; for Kirk every day.

Pasta People?

While I'm hoeing I have time to think about all kinds of things. At times I could write novels about all the thoughts that go through my mind. Of course, it is all insignificant thoughts about absolutely nothing. So why bother thinking? But, you can't stop thinking. At least I don't know how.

What got stuck in my head today was a comment "They are Pasta People". What does that mean? Is it like a ethnic, race, color, and creed category?

It got me going. What about Rice, Beans and Potato People?

I did a little search and found this site. http://www.kroger.com/hn/Healthy_Eating/Food_Guide_Pyramid.htm

It shows the Food Pyramid for different areas; Asia, Latin America, USA, and Mediterranean.
I think I like Latin American. But what do I know, I'm a Pasta person, Bean person and Rice person. Plus lots of Bread person.

I really should get out of the sun.

Who Moved My Cheese?

Adjusting to change is sometimes harder than you think.

There are days I feel I handle change quite well and then there are days a stubborn streak rushes in and change is not happening. Trying to keep an open mind, most of the time, I like to learn new ways of doing things that benefit all involved in the process.

Then the past kicks in. When you are trained to do something a certain way and it is done on a regular basis it becomes a habit. I guess some of my past habits are unusual to my present work environment.

When I get comments like "what are you doing?" I know, I have just done something out of the normal process. This is when I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or just unusual to "their" training.

I have been told by my present supervisors, "it doesn't matter how you do it, so long their end result is met." (If this all sounds confusing it is because I'm confused. What else in new.)

I think I have to read/listen to
Who moved my Cheese? again.

Post Script; I was asked "Who are They?"
I know I don't have a good command of the English language and that may never change.
But, I do try to look up the answer.

Main Entry: they
Function: pronoun plural in constructionPronunciation: '[th]AEtymology: Middle English, from Old Norse their, masculine plural demonstrative & personal pronoun; akin to Old English thæt that1 a : those ones -- used as third person pronoun serving as the plural of he, she, or it or referring to a group of two or more individuals not all of the same sex

So Proud of my Niece!

Thoren Receives National Association of Women Lawyers Award
Western New England College School of Law graduate Natasha Thoren of Strathroy, Ontario, Canada, is the recipient of the National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Student Award. School of Law Dean Arthur Gaudio made the announcement at Commencement ceremonies on May 20, where Thoren also received her Juris Doctor degree.
Each year, the National Association of Women Lawyers asks the Western New England College School of Law faculty to select the person among our graduating seniors whom best exemplifies the personal and professional qualities that assure a career characterized not only by professional excellence but by professional leadership.
Thoren was President of the Women's Bar Association in her second year, was responsible for cooperative activities with the Massachusetts Women's Bar Association, and was active in organizing fund drives for the American Cancer Society-even cutting her long hair to be donated for wigs in honor of the late School of Law Professor Catherine Jones, who died in 2004 after a long illness.
For more photos from the School of Law's 2006 Commencement, click here or visit our Campus Photos page.