It is really that time of year?

Man does time ever fly!  Feels like a few days ago I was out in the yard, in my flip flops watching the pooch rolling over in the grass and just now I saw her roll in the snow!  We had a mini snow storm last week and (unfortunately!) it stuck...  Yep, early November and our yard is snow covered...

Barely had time to remove the Halloween decorations that snow covered everything.  Yes it was super pretty, but still too damn early!

2025.11.11

I've had this "rule" for many years now, that I don't do Christmas before my birthday.  My birthday is next week, last year in the fifties... argh... doesn't feel like it (despite what my body says!), and since I've been having some "social things" early December for the past twenty years I had to start my Christmas baking and get into the "spirit" earlier.  I've been out shopping a few times, here and there, buying little things and ordering online, you know getting things done for Christmas.  I will not put up my tree before December 1st.  Our neighbor in the back, put up their Christmas Tree, with lights and all, the weekend of Halloween...  That's almost as fast as the stores!  Yes it's pretty and I love to see the lights through their blinds every time I take out the pooch, but still, that was early!  I know I'm getting older as I think of all the work involve in setting it all up, even if I do love it, it is still a LOT of work...  Yeah!  I'm old!

Yesterday I started my Christmas Cookies Baking.  Every year I try to give some baked goods to friends and clients.  People seem to enjoy the personal touch.  Yesterday was a "patience" day, an afternoon of repeating my mantra, with a few swear words here and there.  I decided to bake some Vanilla and Sugar Snowman.  Three little balls and some decorations, easy, right?  Riiiggghht!!  First I've realized that I didn't have little black balls (eatable confetti type) so I decided to sit my ass down, take my nonpareils bottle of red, white and green and separate them.  Yeah, you read correctly!  Tiny little fuckers to separate, let me tell you!

I had decided green would be for the eyes and the red were for the mouth. Yay me!  What a clever (time consuming) idea!  But I do love how they turned out!  They're just too cute, aren't they and they taste delicious!

And, in case you're wondering I've used uncooked spaghetti for the arms and noses! 

Today I decided to give Biscotti a try.  I've been wanting to do these for some time, and today was the day.  

Started out like little logs, baked for the first time... to give me these...

Let them rest, lower the oven for the second baking...  I didn't want them too crispy, so I shorten the time a little and these were the results after being cut out... and they are so tasty!

Everything has been stored in the freezer, and now wondering what tomorrow will bring...  The house smells divine!  

'tata for now!

It's been too long...

 It has been a long while since my last post, and yet it doesn't feel like that long ago...  Time does fly, even if we're not having fun, it has one speed, one motion: forward.

Health wise I'm doing good overall, nothing worst than the usual pains and aches which often come with aging...  The last few days I've been having one "symptom" that is bothering me...  After coming in for outside, it's been twice now that I'm really having some vision issues.  You know after you've been "flashed" and you see spots for a few minutes?  It started like that yesterday afternoon, after having spent some time outside with the pooch, when I came in I was seeing spots.  Given that it was sunny and bright out, I didn't think much of it until the spots started changing to stripes, like zebra lines going and going.  I could walk and such, but could not really read nor look into a mirror - it made me dizzy.  After an hour or so I didn't notice it anymore.

Today, I sat outside some, in the shade (I can't do sun much anymore... the joy of getting old...er, urgh) and when I came in I was seeing "stairs" like pattern, but mostly in my right eye... that lasted a good 45 minutes to an hour...   I just got back from being outside, and my eyes are ok, I'm wondering if it is related to my glasses as both previous times I was wearing my glasses, which are for reading and do transit darker whenever in the sun...  Anyway, I've made a note of these "events" and will tell my neuro when I see him next... could be nothing or something related to MS.  We'll see. Ah!

I don't have a migraine, I'm feeling good, no nausea... just seeing weird moving patterns in one eye... fun!

During my last outing with the pooch, I lay down under the gazebo and listened to the noise around us.  Since living here, we've noticed that during the day it is VERY quiet as well as after 9pm...  Summer noises are very different from Winter ones, and this goes for smells as well.  Hubby often calls me "bloodhound"... I smell things... must have been a dog in a previous life...  

Rather than hearing the humming of the A/C, I heard the 640 traffic a few streets over...

Rather than hearing ice cubes falling in the ice bucket, I heard a kid plunked in a pool...

Rather that hearing my husband blow his nose for the xth time, I heard birds chirping...

After hearing the loud noise of a mower, I could smell the fresh cut grass... nothing says summer more than that.  After hearing my neighbor coughing, I could smell the joint he just lit... oh wait that's not just a summer smell...  After hearing the nails of my pooch going up and down the stairs from the patio to the door, I could hear her bark at the neighbor's cat taunting her by the fence...

So, life is good.  Despite the heat wave and humidex through the roof, I will take that over winter any day  Love having my toes out, in flipflops, and this even if my feet are always cold.  I'm not crazy about doing sweet nothing and sweating, or sweating so much my glasses fog up or slide down my nose... I will admit not being a big fan of gardening, I hate bugs and this year my lilies have been eaten, almost cut all of them off... beurk...  My planters are doing well and love seeing those colorful flowers, so pretty. 

Keeping busy with the few clients I've kept and doing this and that... like painting rocks, organizing a virtual meetup to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Postcrossing... yep, I still do the postcards thing.  I will admit that I'm sending less these days since the prices of stamps went up... it's getting to be an expensive hobby, but I still enjoy it!  Still selling postcards as well.  I'm importing less from the States since things are nuts over that side of the border since their last election it did NOT get any better!  Haven't traveled and not planning anything either... Home is the place to be for both (or rather all three) of us!

And voilà, this was my little update in the world of Stinkypaw! 😏

Day Ten - Popular Renovations Chronicle

 Another day completed and things are progressing... It started slow this morning since we were hit with a nice snow storm today.  Supposedly traffic was a nightmare so the worker (and his teenage son) arrived later.  I was a bit taken aback when I saw the "team" especially since I was told they would be done in three days.  When they arrived, Senior walked around with all the plans and told his son to unpack certain things.  He's quite chatty actually, but man, he can rock 'n roll from what I can see at end of their first day.  He works all over the place, spends some time in the kitchen, then goes to the basement to work some, then goes into the bathroom, then into the laundry room, a bit in my office...  it's weird, but things are getting installed, and that's the main thing!

Here's a peek at the bathroom, when he installed some cabinets above the (future) tub...

I have to say that even if he seems to be quite productive, he's not a clean worker...  There is wrapping paper and cardboard all over.  When he was done for the day, he left his tools, on the floor, right where he was, put on his coat and left.  Since he's supposed to be here for three days only,  I'm hoping he will clean up after himself by the time he's done.  Time will tell.  There are (already!) things that need to be corrected, but nothing too major just yet. 

This is it for today's Chronicle.  Stay warm and see you tomorrow!  

To See Past What It Looks Like

 It's been a long while since I last wrote here... Life has been keeping me busy, between my FIL drama (house sale, court case and him in general), every day life that just can't be smooth sailing all the way, and this damn Covid pandemic and covidiots are not really getting (any) better... life is taking its tole on me, I guess...  I did manage to spend some quality time with my mother.  Drove 1,300 km with her, helped her reconcile with one of her brothers, even did so ourselves to a certain extend.  There is something to be said to being locked up in a card for six plus hours at the time... we had time to talk, let's say!  I feel (more) at peace with her, and that's a good thing.  

Also celebrated a wedding anniversary (our 21st!) by taking a little road trip to Québec City with Hubby and staying there three nights.  We stayed right in Old Québec, great location, parked the car once and walked around the rest of the time.  We happened to be there along with a friggin' heat wave and oh so humid!  Neither one of us could remember sweating this much without ANY training involved, it was hot! Because of the pandemic, every stores and restaurants were short staff, and it showed.  It was our first time out really in almost two years, especially to restaurants.  The hotel where we stayed, Le Priori, was nice, but I must say that for the price (over $300/night, with breakfast) I was somewhat disappointed. 

The room was nice, and we both enjoyed it, but given its shape, a long room, the wall mounted AC unit wasn't enough so there was another (floor) unit at the other end of the room, which turned out to be by the headboard of the bed.  That thing had a compressor, a loud compressor, that woke me almost every fucking time it turned on.  The first night was the worst, I would jump in bed.  The other nights, I guess that all my walking around in the heat made me more tired and I would still wake up but not jumped as much.  The real disappointing thing was the breakfast.  We got a cardboard box delivered to our room, containing a yogurt, a hard boiled egg, a piece of cheese, an apple, a little bread and three bite size pastries, with a tea or coffee.  For three days in a row.  Because of Covid? Really?  Almost all restaurants around there were opened, so why couldn't they serve breakfast, have it catered or something, rather than these airplane meals lookalike? Oh, and we had no maid services.  We would have to put our towels in a bag by the door and someone would pick it up and return it with fresh ones.  We made our own bed, and took out our dirty dishes.  I understand the Covid issues, but then if they can't offer the services they charge us for they should review their prices accordingly.  The location was great, but NOT worth the price we paid for what we got.  Still happy I went, it was a nice change of scenery and I must say, to my surprise, I enjoyed Québec City.

Health wise, it's been interesting.  Had a tooth ache a while back, saw my dentist (in April) and she referred me to an endodontist, which I managed to see in July!  Talk about emergency! Anyway...  After special xrays, I was told I had an infection at the root of a tooth which had a root canal years ago and a crown.  He said he would have to redo the root canal but didn't have to remove my crown, he could go through it.  My appointment was scheduled for end of August.  It wasn't a pleasant treatment, at one point he pushed hard and actually poke at my sinus.  Not pleasant at all.  But what was worst was after... man oh man, did it hurt.  I was on antibiotics and pain killers for over a week.  When that started to feel better, I started having issues with an UTI.  Another round of antibiotics, but that worked fast, thank God!  Over a week ago I went back to the endodontist for him to finish off the treatment, close up everything.  I was still feeling something so he decided to be cautious and re-cleaned it all and would see me in a few more weeks, just to be sure.  I was to be expecting some discomfort, but was I in for a treat!  Worst pain ever! More painkillers and as of three days ago back on another antibiotics, this one Cortisone based.  Happy to write that it seems to be doing the trick.  No more pain!  It is unbelievable how toothache hurts and affects everything from mood, patience, and everything else.  I'm a little concerned how it will actually be post the next (and final, hopefully!) treatment. I guess time will tell...

Yesterday I watch a movie/documentary called: In and Of Itself with/by Derek DelGaudio.

Wow!  I laughed, I cried and I will watch it again.  Do yourself a favor, take an hour and a half, and watch it. 

Maybe I'm going through an existentialist moment, but this illusionist touched me...  Or maybe it is because it touched something in me that rings so true, like that I'm not only what you see, but also many other things that you will never see...  Trust me, watch it, you won't regret it.

This and That... mostly in front of the TV

Well hello there!  Fancy finding you here, or is that me?  Life is relatively good on this side of the screen.  I'm keeping busy with this and that.  Not always obvious, but it's good nonetheless.

Weather went from Fall to Summer back to Fall almost, in a matter of a week.  I went from legging to shorts and flip flops, with even a sun burn, thank you very much! -  back to legging with socks!  Last night we had a big storm, the summer kind, with thunder and lightning.  It had been a long time since I heard the gods this angry!

I haven't been watching the news much, so, I do know some black man was killed by a police officer while others were standing by, and that there was a walk with looting... that's all I know, and that's ok.  I'm saturated by it all.  By the media pushing down our throats all this bullshit no matter what its covering, the virus, the useless death of a man, the violence, all of it is just too much.  I saw the speech Killer Mike gave in Atlanta, so well spoken.  I don't agree with everything he said, but a lot of it made sense.  These are crazy times.  We are all feeling it on different levels, we're all affected and even infected by the craziness of it all.  Sad times really.

In order to escape our shitty reality, I asked Hubby to dig out my Harry Potter books, last week.  I'm already on book 3, and man oh man, I still love it!  So much imagination and like someone who sent me a Potter postcard wrote me recently, it would be nice to have such magic in our lives.   We've been watching a lot of television, some shows, caught a few (read quite a few) new series (like "Hunters", "Dead To Me", "Defending Jacob", "Dead Still", "A Discovery of Witches") and watched many movies.  Watched "The Art of Racing in the Rain", which I knew nothing about, but when I saw that Milo V. played in it I decided to watch it, and i cried! Lots!  I will try to find the book and read that. A good cry for sure, and I know, like always, the book will be way better than the movie!

Tonight, we watched "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas".  What a movie that was.  Yes it is about WWII, about the Nazis, but it made me (us, really!) think about those kids (on either sides), the wives and relatives of those officers, something I had never really thought of before...  That too, I will watch again.  Some movies felt like we were robbed of two hours we would never get back, but others, were worth the time to watch them for sure.  One that was weird was "I See You", twisted and yet, to think that someone could slip into our home, and live hiding in our house without us knowing... that is one scary thought!

In case you're wondering about my hair, it is growing (fast), so I've booked myself an appointment with my hairdresser (for when she will reopen) for a cut, but I haven't decided if I want to stay salt and pepper...  Some days I think, nah, don't like it, and others I don't care... so maybe once I have an actual cut (whatever she will be able to do with what I'll have by then) I won't mind the grey so much?  I always thought Jamie Lee Curtis looked great with her grey hair...

So who knows, maybe I'll like it too?  Started "socializing" some.  Went for a walk, with a freaking mask (because my friend insisted!) which I hate wearing BTW, and it was nice to talk to someone in front of me that wasn't my husband.  He's the one who goes out and does all errands, so I haven't seen many real people in the past few months, other than him.  I went out again, with another friend, also for a walk (that is when I got my sun burn), but without a mask this time.  We saw so many people, walking in cluster, no social distance at all, very few were wearing masks, and often those who were weren't wearing them correctly.  If you're going to put a mask on, then put it on you nose and mouth, not your chin or throat.  Like those morons who are alone in their car with a mask on... really?  Do they also wear a condom when masturbating?  Just as stupid!

This whole pandemic, real or not (many conspiracies theories out there) was a major clusterfuck on many levels.  It has affected not only our morals, but hurt everyone.  Our economy hurts and will hurt for some time, some businesses closed and won't reopen, it sucks on more level than one.  The worst of it all, is that we're being fed whatever the government and the Powers That Be wants us to "know" or "think" and that is scary.  We can have those numbers say what the heck we want, and make us fearful... a great way to control the mass... 

OK I will stop here, enough.  Stay safe people!

Quarantine Time

Almost two weeks since my last post, two weeks of all we hear about is this pandemic of COVID 19, two weeks (if not more) of:  wash your hands often, sneeze or cough in a tissue or the bend of your arm, avoid touching your face, do the social distancing, isolate, and yet...

Today was a pleasant day, cool but sunny, great time to open the windows and air out the house some.  Many of us have been in isolation, or self quarantine, staying home as it was "requested" by our government.  Having our windows open meant that we could hear the birds chirping, the geese coming back and announcing their return and of course, kids screeching in the back yard.  At first, I thought "signs that Spring is on its way" (even if it snowed all day a few days ago), but then,  I went all...

Why the fuck are there more than one kids playing together outside?  What is it about limiting contacts with other these parents did not understand?  They closed schools, and a shitload of others places to avoid crowded places and/or non-essential gatherings, and yet some thought it was ok for their kids to play together? Really?  Like I often say, the scary part is that those people, those thinking people do reproduce!  Come on!  Do they think this virus only attacks old folks, that anyone below seventy is safe from it or something? 

I know older people might not get the seriousness of it all, I get that.  Maybe it is because they know their ticket is closer to expiration than younger folks, but still, it is no reason to be carefree about this.  Talking with my mother, I realized that she doesn't grasp the extent of it all.  Sure she says its horrible and how scary it is, but at the same time, after being away to the States for six months, she came back - because she rather be sick at home than in the States and since they were not allowed to gather together for their daily activities (cards, bingo, shuffleboard, etc.) what was the point to remain there - the same day she got back she went back out to do her groceries.  She had nothing home, she had been gone for six months.  When I reminded her that she should self-isolate her answer was: I'm not sick, and needed food!

Yeah ok, like I wrote before, she's one who reproduced, too!

I will NOT write about Trump, it's useless and too ridiculous to be believable.  I've seen people  (on the web and TV) who with gloves and a mask on, will remove their mask to lick a finger... just as bad as this official

I will admit, the one thing I'm having a hard time with not touching my face.  I'm realizing that's a habit I have, like biting my nails, also not so great these days...or any other days really! I'm trying to keep my hands busy and away from my face, but I often catch myself with a finger in my mouth...

Other than that all is good.  I will most likely look like a sasquatch by the time the hair salons reopen - I needed a haircut a few weeks ago already, so it will not be a luxury but a necessity by the time I go!

Hope everyone is safe and healthy, and please try to stay the fuck home.

Living my life and (trying) to forget my age!

My need to vent quite high, so here goes:

On November 1st, we had really strong winds, so strong they actually ripped the gutter covering the thermo pumps tubing making it to the top floors of our building.  Since that day, I've been trying to reach a contractor, in either gutters and/or roofing to get someone over to fix it.  To no avail.

I'm actually being ghosted by some!  They tell me: I'll be there tomorrow after 3pm, and don't show.  I've called a LOT of them, some simply refused to even come to look at the situation, saying they are too busy.  Some I've contacted have an emergency number, but that's not "serious" enough to come.  Others offered to send an estimator for the cost of replacing our gutters.  Name it, in the past few weeks, I've heard it all!  It is utterly ridiculous that contractors do not give a rat's ass and, and as Hubby often says "don't want our business".

Last night it was quite windy again, and the noise this dangling thing was making was quite nasty... almost as bad as nails on a chalkboard, it was bad, and it was windy.  I could ear it in our unit, I can only imagine the people living on that side.  This morning I decided to try another avenue, as suggested by a friend; maybe the firemen could help.  I didn't want to call 911 as it is not really an emergency as such, so I called 411 to get a phone number of a local fire station. The first respondent was kind enough and transferred my call to  Montréal Service (not quite sure where he transferred me to).  As I started telling the reason for my call to the lady, I very quickly realized she had no idea what I was talking about.

Me:  Hi, I'm calling to see if you could maybe direct me to a service or something as one of our gutter on the side of the house got undone and I'm afraid it will cause some damages...

Phone Help:  I see.  Is this inside or outside?

Me: ...

Phone Help: Madam, is this thing inside or outside and it this a commercial or residential building?

Me:  It's a gutter like a metal cover on the side of the building.

Phone Help: So, this is outside?

Me: You don't know what a gutter is?  Really?  It's that thing that collects rain along the roof of houses...

Phone Help: So, it is outside.  And if this is for a commercial building you're not calling the right place.

Me:  Yeah, I got that, thank you.  I'll figure it out.  Thanks anyway.

I hung up feeling almost dizzy.  This was like an episode of Outer Limits!

I'm happy I did not rip her a new one.  So after a few deep breaths, I called 911.  I explained the issue and mentioned the exposed wires, etc. and how I didn't want it to get worst and if maybe the firemen could do something.  I was transferred to the fire department, explained the situation once more, and was told they would come by to see the situation.  Within minutes I heard the sirens and saw the firetruck.  They looked at it, one fireman told me they were best at breaking things and unfortunately couldn't really do anything.  I did apologize for making them come over, and they were quite gracious about it and understood my concerns so they put up some yellow tape blocking the passage way near it, and left.

I'm hoping that on Monday at least one of the many contractors I've left messages with will call me back.

I've been single for the past fifteen days, and let's be honest, I'm enjoying it.  You see Hubby is a walking, breathing noise maker!  I kid you not, between his coughs, sneezing fits, his efforts to move his phlegm (ah! I've used that word!!) or whatever else he has stuck in the back of his throat, his burps and farts, and let's not forget his cracking ankles and knees, the man makes noise, lots of noise.  The house has been so freaking quiet, it's unreal.  The only thing I hear (besides the gutter clapping on the bricks outside) is the low hums of the computers.  I do miss his companionship, but his noises, not at all.  I enjoy being alone, and even when he's home, we both like our time apart.  I guess the only child we were is still there and remained comfy with being alone, in some ways.  Both of us find that the evenings and weekends have been boring.  We're used to each other's company.  We've been together for almost twenty-six years now (in January) and never really been apart except for ten days or so.  Do I miss his sweaty ass in bed?  Not really.  Do I miss him preparing dinner?  I do.  Yesterday I washed the toilets and I think it was the first time since we moved here over three years ago; he's been doing them.  He also generates a lot more laundry.  He could be called Sir Changealot.  Don't get me wrong, I love the man, and I'm very thankful he's in my life, but this little break will be doing us some good, I think.  We will appreciate it (or not at all, time will tell!) when we'll get back together in a few more weeks.

Today, I'm celebrating my fifty-third birthday.  Yep, I'm an old broad.  And yes this fact explains some of the crankiness.  At some point yesterday I've realized that it would be my very first time celebrating my birthday alone.  Without Hubby (for sure) and my mom (she's now a Snowbird and is now in FL.)  It dawned on me while at the hair salon where my hairdresser, who's also an old friend (we met when we were about 12 years old), brought out a birthday cake and had a salon full of people signing happy birthday, that I was going to be alone on my actual birthday...  It felt weird.  I know it is a day just like any others, and I don't care about it as much as I used to when I was younger.  Aging isn't all that fun really.  Our body changes, not always for the better; our mind changes too, also often not for the better, our vision goes down, our waist thickens, our memory slowly goes, we discover new pains on a regular basis, but the one good thing (for me at least!) is the fact that there is more and more shit that I do not give a crap about.  A lot of the things and people I cared about are gone.  Some I let go of, some let go of me, and some life took care of...

I will say/write this though, despite not being with Hubby today I'm lucky enough (blessed really!) to have good friends. I might be home alone, but between real life and social medias,  I know I'm not all alone...  Had a delicious dinner with a couple of friends last night, will be having a good time tonight too with other friends, and I'm pretty sure I'll be getting some phone calls and messages. I have a box waiting for me to be open from Hubby which I received a few days ago and four env. from Europe and two from Canada to be open on this day, so I know what I'll be doing when I get up later...  Speaking of which, I should hit the sack now, I'm not getting any younger and need all the sleep (and beauty rest) I can get.

See you around!  Thanks for reading!

Catching up some...

I guess it is time for me to catch up some.  Life has been real, you know, daily routine, ups and downs, and everything is between, you know, life.

Summer took its sweet time to get to us, but then it hit us with such a heat wave, and oh so much humidity!  Thanks to all engineering gods for the A/C - wouldn't want to be stuck without that luxury.  In weather like this I'd say it is more a necessity than luxury, for me at least!

Still addicted to postcards, yep, that hasn't changed the slightest.  Even managed to drag Hubby for a road trip to Halifax for me to attend a meet-up!  Three thousand five hundred and one km later (or 2175 miles) we went to Halifax, did the Cabot Trail and drove...  You can read about it here, through Likki's Adventures.

Halifax Meet-up Participants - 10 of us from Toronto (2), Montréal (4) and Halifax (4)

It is always fun to meet people in real life after having chatted and written with/to them for a few years and actually click when you do meet them.  We, both Hubby and I, made new friends while visiting and that is always fun.

What else is new?  Oh!  I'm no longer member of the Executive for our condo association.  Gave that up after three years of being on.  Actually found out this week that we won our case against the Insurance company/builder for some of the issues that we were asking to be fixed under the warranty coverage which they had declined.  So I had opened a claim against them, built up a big file and called in a mediator who decided in our favor.  Had to testify and all.  Happy with the results of that, now time will tell how they will address the rest of it. I'm not holding my breath on this one!

The more I live here, in Pleasantville, I feel at home, this is a good place.  I love our home, we made it ours, and we enjoy the area, even if it is full of kids.  In all honesty, I would much prefer to live in a stand alone house, someplace where we wouldn't have to deal with moronic neighbors who throw their trash around the bins rather than inside.  At times, when I sit down and look at what is going on around us, I wonder how long the world has left, before it collapses on itself, really.  We, as humanity, are not improving, far from it. 

We have a whole new generation of phone zombies.

At first I thought it was aged based, but realizing, sadly, that it is not the case.  For example, Sunday we went to do a quick grocery run and ended up behind this lady (older than me, I'm thinking - at least she looked it!) who was playing with her phone.  I could not pass her on either side, we were in a grocery store, after all.  Ridiculous that she was so clueless of her environment and wasn't at all looking at what she was doing and where she was walking.  I expected that type of zombie-like behavior from a kid or young adult.  I just can't understand what is so important that they can't lift their nose from their phone.

People have less and less manners.  Watching people eat at the restaurant will confirm any doubt you may have about that.  From not knowing how to hold the knife and fork, to simply properly sit at the table and let's not get into the eating portion of this.  Man!  I swear, I've seen pets with more class than many in restaurants, no joke!  And don't get me started on couples sitting at a table together and both on their phone.  Whatever happened to people talking to each other?!

We did improve our lives with technology, science and such, but the people as such, and the way we treat others... not so sure.  One of my friend often says we are too many people and thus breaking the planet... when I think about it, he might be right... Something has to change, and since men (in general) won't, then the planet will, of that I'm sure.  It wouldn't be the first time, if we think of the Ice Age and such events, it is Earth's way to protect itself...

Few weekends ago, we made our way to a friend's place, he lives in the woods, really, by a late, really remote area.  While we were catching up, somehow the subject of weather changes came about (no big surprise there, since Spring was yucky and then we were hit with very high humidity, etc) and we all agreed that times were changing.  We all remembered when driving in the summer implied, without any doubts, bug splats. It was my job, whenever I went somewhere with my father, to clean the windshield when he would stop for gas.  In the summer, I remember having to use some elbow grease to get rib of all the dead bugs splat on the lights and windshield.  We we drove to visit that friend, we barely had any.  We we drove to and from Halifax we had some, but nothing like in the past. Granted, it also rained part of the drive, but still.  Times are changing, things are changing, we are too, but I'm just not sure it is all for the better...

OK enough venting for now.  Catch you around somewhere!  Enjoy what is left of Summer, be safe and enjoy each day.

Eight Posts This Year! Woohoo!

Would you look at this, it looks like I went all out this past year with eight posts.  Man, we are a long way from me writing a post almost daily to now writing a post every now and then.  Thinking back to my blogging days I will say this, I sure had fun and met some pretty cool people through those years.  I was even lucky enough to actually meet with one IRL.

Things did get messed up by the arrival of Bacefook and company.  A bunch of bloggers went on to Bacefook and that was the beginning of the end.  I will admit to getting hooked on Bacefook.  I started slow but when I created that Postcrossing group and became more active with Postcrossing that was my turning point.  Like I did in blogging, I did meet some interesting folks and many more than through blogging, but because of the group I've also seen the ugliness of little cliques. 

People in groups can be mean, to say the least.  There were cliques too in blogging, but I never felt that it was personal really. It was more like you'd prefer the writing style of this person, the humor of that one, but it didn't feel personal.  On Bacefook, it often feels personal.  It actually reminds me of high school.  I would lie to say I had it easy in high school; some parts were pretty rough, but I always managed to make a few friends and plow through.  I find that on Bacefook,  if someone doesn't like you or if they assume you're this way or that way, and they want to foul things up for you, they can.  It is (almost) scary at times.  I've told a few people they could leave the group (I manage) if they didn't like me; some did and others I took out myself.  Managing it all can be stressful at times, but I do enjoy it.   I think I have a good bunch.  Some, like on here, are only lurkers.  That's fine I respect that.  Not everyone cares to be out in the open, to express themselves or to share.  For some it is simply due to the fact that they are technically challenge; for others they might be too shy.  Whatever, it's all good!  It's been going good for the last few months, and I'm happy about it.

Can you believe 2018 is coming to an end? I can't! It feels like not that long ago I was celebrating its arrival in beautiful Hawai'i and now we're about to close it but this time from our home... 2018 has been a somewhat challenging year.  Health wise, both Hubby and I were good.  We had colds, pains, Hubby even had a little bout of Shingles, but overall we were good.  Work wise,  Hubby had to make some decisions and only time will tell how those turn out.  I, in this new year, will have to make some as well.  Time for me to review and decide what I want to do and how to pursue it. Friendship wise I've faced some disappointments.  I've been hurt but someone I thought of as a friend.  I've worked on forgetting about it all, and concentrate on others who are there and have been there for many years.  Not always easy to deal with unknowns, and for me this is I think the hardest:  the "not knowing" part, the reason why.  I'm learning to let go.  I'm growing up (or old!) I guess.  Family wise well... that is something on itself.  As time goes by, I'm more and more convince that blood is not thicker than water.  Family is what we decide it to be. 

For this new year coming I don't have many expectations.  I don't watch the news, so I have no clue what Trump and cie are messing up, how bad the climate is (other than when I can see around it, and let's be honest, it IS fucked up!), or how things are going in general.  I keep to myself as much as possible, trying to fly under the radar - yes, that is very selfish of me, and I assume it completely! - I do my things, try to avoid conflicts, and find refuge in our comfortable home.  I haven't done New Year's Resolutions in years, and I'm not about to start again.  I'm resolute in trying to do my best daily, how's that?

In closing, here's my wish for you:

May this new year ahead be filled with 

less stress,
genuine friendships,
more laughter,

no drama,
lots of health, 

peacefulness
and
time to enjoy it all!

All the best xox
 

Argh! Turkey. Elections. Did I say Argh?

I can't believe we are already in October; that today is our (as in, us, Canadians) Thanksgiving. 

I don't know about you, or if it is a French vs English thing, but Thanksgiving was never a big thing for us.  It was basically a day off.  We didn't do the turkey (that is a Christmas thing for me), we didn't give thanks, and we didn't even really get together as such...  It was more like the last day off before the Christmas break.  Since I've been exposed more to the English side of things, I've come to realize that more people might celebrate that day.  Nothing like our neighbors the Americans though., but still.

I will give thanks for what I've got.  I'm thankful for my health in general, for my good husband, for the family I chose, i.e. my friends.  I have a good life and for that I am thankful, and not just today but most days of the year.  I write most because I know some days I do forget...

This time of year my favorite "holiday" would be Halloween.  That I celebrate!  As I kid I used to dress up and go trick or tricking.  I just loved it.  I remember wearing my snow suit under my costume because it was so cold, or wearing a big garbage bag over my costume because it was raining.  The joy of living here, you never know the type of night you'll get.  All my goodies for the little monsters are ready.  I started assembling my little bags and realized that I had done them all.  I have one hundred and twenty of them, and I'm hoping it will be enough.  As long as the weather is cooperating, it should be good.

Things have happened here and there, and at times I feel like I should be a fucking recluse, with no neighbor, no screeching kids, no hyper sensitive people, no relatives, just myself. And maybe Hubby (depending on the day, ah!)

I've been trying to get things together for Canada Posts to issue an official Postcrossing stamp.  I've asked Canadian members to help me in this.  The response rate is low.  Oh, I guess I should be happy that some did answer my request, because after all, we are Canadians - we are great at asking for things, but when comes time to actually do something or to get involve we go roach (as in we disappear as soon as the light in on us).  We're are great for wanting, but to actually act, that is a whole other story.  And when you are one (of the rares) who do actually do something, you are judge for being a shit disturber or someone who's disturbing and even a bully because you are pressuring people to do something.  No matter what you are fucked.  Damned if you do and damned of you don't.

We've had Provincial elections, and for the first time in a long time, people actually elected a majority government that wasn't Liberal or Québécois, a first since 1966! Oh, by the way, if there is anybody from any of the political parties, the elections are now over, so please do remove all those big card boards.  We've seen them all, please take them down.  Last elections I had to send an actual email to a party to ask them to actually stop littering the neighborhood with their signs. As I was reading a news feed earlier I came across an article stating that the 'new' government was racist, because the Premier didn't want any religious signs (that old debate, again), and the Muslims, etc. were up arguing about it all.  Why are we supposed to remove any religious signs (as in crosses) from City Halls, Parliament, schools, etc. even if we are (mostly) a Christian nation and yet it would be allowed for women to wear a hijab or men/kids to wear a kirpan?  I don't get this not good for one, and yet the others do it.  If we are a lay-society,  then everybody is the same and shows nothing... but then that would be too easy.

We live in one crazy world that is for damn sure!

Thank you! Fuck You! Bye!

Whenever I think I've seen it all, as far as stupidity goes, or worst when I think that people can NOT be THAT stupid, one more person comes along to prove me wrong...  It never fails!

Let me do my best Sophia (for the Golden Girls) impression:  Let me tell you a story, picture it! Montréal, 2018.  An attractive condo owner, who was also involved in administrating her condo association, made sure to share a bunch of information with her co-owners because, deep down, she knew most of them didn't really care about the rules and regulations as long as it was taken care of.  By someone else, of course.  In order to prevent many questions, she even put together a one page document (did her best to keep it as simple as possible), explaining certain responsibilities these folks had to assume. 

Imagine her surprise when one of the co-owners sent questions her way about something clearly written about on the document she sent a little more than a week before. She did remain calm, and did manage to remind the person of their responsibilities and role within the association and was pretty clear at letting them know they should clearly RTFM.

I don't know if my message went through, but man oh man, did I talk to myself.  Unreal.  People who have spent almost half a million dollars on a house to be so clueless is beyond me.  It is not rocket science.  They are rules, there are roles to be played by different people and yet, that seems to be too much.

Then, to add to my stupid of the day, in a group I manage, I'm told one person wants out.  So I ask why. (OK, that was my bad!  I'm not exempt from being stupid either, obviously!).  You see, in this group we send and receive things (read postcards, mostly).  I created that group based on a bigger group, an official group, let's say.  In that official group, whenever you receive something you have to register it.  The way the site is set up, you can (strongly suggested) write a note to the sender thanking them or whatever.  For each item received you need to register it.  Some people don't, because people are assholes like that, but generally speaking more items sent do get acknowledged when received. 

So, in this little group I manage items are being sent and received as well. As for the the official group, some members are assholes too.  When that one person she wanted out because she felt it was overwhelming to have to acknowledge reception and was taking the fun out of the activity, I could not really bite my tongue.  I did tell her that it was no different than the official group... she gets that we have different views on this... Really?  There are different ways of looking at things... No shit!  Talk about being one of those ass wipes who loves to receive but never says thank you.  One of those people who takes but rarely gives.  One of those who complain but never get fucking involved.  One of those who as long as they are happy everything is fine. 

Yep, really, it's been that kind of day, covered in a nice thin layer of ice to top it all off!  Just a fucking perfect stupid day!

Updates, etc

Hello peeps,

Returning home after two wonderful weeks in the sun, was rough to say the least.  The weather here sucks!  No kidding, it's been a freaking nightmare!  From freezing temperatures to melting ones, snow up the wazoo, and now everything is covered in ice, WTF?  No matter what people may say or think, and this being the regular smucks to the American presidents, we broke our planet and it shows!

Anyhoo, we had an amazing time in beautiful Hawai'i, not a drop of rain, very little clouds, nice warm temperature, lovely people, so yeah, a great time.  To get there and back, I could do without.  It is such a long trek, but the return was easier that the going there.  That was one friggin' long day.

I did manage to remain sun burn free - yeah me! - granted we didn't do the toast (or bacon) much.  We visited a little, and on the Big Island we did one awesome tour.  We witnessed a gorgeous sunrise on top of Mauna Kea... what a sight!  I've never seen so many stars (except at the Planetarium), shooting stars and even saw the Hubble Telescope as it flew above us, unreal!

Observatories on top of Mauna Kea, with its shadow...

We were lucky enough to be up there, at about 14,000' high, feeling a little dizzy like we've had one too many Mai Tai, with no wind whatsoever and some snow.  It was cold though.  Had my coat from home, plus the parka they gave us and it wasn't too much!  We were also very lucky with our guide, he loved astronomy and the volcanoes, and it showed.  He was passionate and made it much more interesting for sure.  Being there was something else, where the earth met the sky, above the clouds, such a beautiful place...

We did manage to catch up with some friends while there, so that is always a BIG plus.  Even made her visit this statue, at Punchbowl, which she had never visited before.  Figures, she's local!

Made famous with the opening of the original Hawaii 5-0

And then we came home... argh.

Yesterday I woke up with my left eye sore, as if a lash was folded wrong or something...  Tried some hot compresses, some eye drops and ended up calling my eye doctor for an emergency visit.  I was lucky enough that he could see me.  Good thing Hubby was working from home and drove, since I couldn't keep my eye open.  It hurt to blink and felt like cramps behind my eye. Within a few minutes of sitting in his chair with his microscope he said I had a scratched cornea.  - yeah me! - He prescribed some antibiotic ointment, to mostly prevent infection and promote quick healing and sent me home, with a follow up tomorrow.  I will say this, that little ointment of his works well.  As soon as I put it in I felt relief!

In other news, I think it might be a sign that you've been with your loved one for a loooong time when neither of you are sure of the date you started dating... we both know it was in January 1994, so that will do...

Yep, I've been with my grumpy old man for the past 24 years... who would have thought... Half of my life, I've spent with him.  It almost feels unreal.  Where did all that time go?

One thing for sure, even if it might be because I'm used to having him around, with all his noises, and man, trust me, he generates a LOT of them from sneezing, coughing, farting, burping, swearing, chewing and even breathing this past week (he's been sick, poor thing!), he's one noise making man, but I love him.  Like I've said in my vows when we did the deed on the beach, I love him not only for who he is but for how I am when I'm with him. He makes me feel loved, he's my best friend, and even if there are (and trust me, there are!) days when I don't like him so much, I do love him.

International Day of Happiness!

Today is so many things to celebrate.  Who knew March 20th was such a busy day!

1. First Day of Spring
2. International Day of Happiness
3. Alien Abduction Day
4. Atheist Pride Day
5. Bibliomania Day
6. Franch Language Day
7. National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
8. World Sparrow Day
9. National Bock Beer Day
10. National Jump Out! Day
11. National Kiss Your Fiancé Day
12. Won't You Be My Neighbor Day

Those are the events being celebrated on March 20th, there are more for today being the First day of Spring or today being the third Monday of the month of March, unreal how we need to mark things.  Anyway, today being the first day of Spring, I thought I'd show you what Spring looks like in Pleasantville...

View from home office, March 20th, 2017 @ 1 pm

Nice and Springy, isn't it?  Today being the International Day of Happiness, that view doesn't convey that for me at all!  Quite the contrary.  I'm done with snow, I'm done with winter really!

I hurt myself thirteen days ago, in the back yard which at the time was all grass and ice.  I was touring the property with engineers and a representative of the builder as I slipped on the grass/ice.  I fell hard, and since I have a really hard time sitting down or getting up.  I've seen my osteo twice thus far, and according to her it was a good thing I fell on the grass rather than the cement, but still did some damages to by lower back.  2017 really sucks this far health wise for me, but I'm keeping at it, slowly and on pain killers but still not giving up.

Let me tell you about what brings me happiness these days, in no particular order:

• my lovely husband, who takes care of me and makes me laugh daily
• where we live, I like this place, our home...
• being able to be home...
• writing
• my postcards
• our friends
• getting closer to cousin's kidlets
• reading
• creating (postcards, scrapbooking)

So, you see overall every day  is a good day to celebrate!

The Paw is Alive!

Despite a very rough start to 2017, I'm happy to report I'm still alive!  After two full runs of antibiotics which made me dizzy and really nauseous and the other gave me diarrhea, and felt like shit for many, many days, and lots of sleep, I'm starting to feel human again.  Well, let's face it, as human as I can be or feel.  I was home for almost two months, doing nothing be read, sleep and eat a bit.  It wasn't a fun time, that's for damn sure!

We did very little socializing.  Managed to catch up with some people we met during our trip in Dominican Republic in November.  A very nice couple who actually live about five minutes from us, small world.  We met up with them for a drink (while I was finishing my second runs of drugs), it was nice to catch up and to see that we still clicked even dressed and sober, ah!

Managed to go see, with a girlfriend, ''Fifty Shades Darker''.  It's a love story with a bit of very soft porn.  I liked it, but then again I liked the books too (sue me!).  We also started watching ''The Fall'' with Jamie Dornan (oh man!  Just googled him for a cute pict. to put up and just saw he was born in 1982, O.M.F.G. I could be his fucking mother!!  Geez!  That's a kick in the teeth!!) - a series he did before the Fifty Shades movies, and he's fucking creepy in it, but I love it!  He's so twisted, and in a way not that far off from Christian Grey... If you haven't and want to hear what he really sounds like, with his cute Irish accent, I strongly suggest watching 'The Fall.'

Anyway.  Despite having quite a bit of snow at some point this winter, we haven`t done one single outing of snowshoeing, either because I was sick, felt sick or by the time we felt like we could go, the weather turned, got really warm and melted a lot and then froze over. So no snowshoeing!

About two weeks ago, we went to our jeweler to get a new battery for one of my watches and noticed that he made some silver bracelet like the Ani and Alex ones - which I have a few - and since he had done a little paw for me as a charm on a chain, I asked to have a bigger one done and to have it mounted on the bracelet.  Today we went to pick it up... and I love it!  I love my paw!

Ain't it purrrdy?!

Other than that, life is good.  Can't complain too much.  Hubby is busy, we still enjoy our new place, and liking the neighborhood more daily, so life is pleasant in Pleasantville, and I'm thankful for it all!

It's Christmas Time... already...

As I sit here, not moving too fast, since every time I move a wave of nausea hits me or I get very dizzy, and this for the past two days now, I think it is time for me to post about me hitting the BIG 5-0.

Despite the way our trip started, with a six hours delay leaving YUL and the three first days of rain, we did have a great time during our week away in Dominican Republic.  The resort was nice, beautiful property, and the staff was really pleasant. We met some interesting people, relaxed and enjoyed being away. 

While we were away, we missed the first snow fall - what a shame! - we came back in time to get ready for Christmas.  Since my mother is now a snowbird, it simplifies the family visiting time a lot. Not a bad thing, really.  Makes life simpler, less coordination and feeling like we have to, rather than want to.  I've had two Christmas parties this far and one more is planned between Christmas and New Year with his mother's side of the family.  It will be a calm and somewhat quiet Christmas this year, especially since it looks like Hubby will have to be available, if not working.

We had decided to get that Murphy bed unit a while back, for the spare room, and it was delivered and installed the week of our return.  We are very happy with the end result.  It not only looks good but will contain a lot of stuff, and our visitors will have a bed to sleep in!

 

Following that day of installation, our house feels, to me at least, cluttered, since all the stuff (and there was a lot!) that was in that room was dispersed throughout the house.  I've been filling up the new unit, but some of the things left to be put away don't fit, so I'm stuck with things that I don't know where to put.  Plus, to add to everything else, I wanted to do our Christmas tree, so after a visit to our storage unit we came home with more boxes.  Long story short, the guest room is back to being full of boxes.

It's not easy.  I want to get rid of stuff, and we did in between moves, but like Hubby so often says: ¨We have way too much shit for two people¨.  He's right, but how do we get rid of it all?  I have many boxes of Christmas ornaments, collectables, to name a few.  I'm planning to re-evaluate my ornaments as I take down the tree in January.  Things I haven't used in the past few years will be leaving the house, one way or another.  I've started sorting as I put up the tree and will do some more later.  It will not be an easy task for me, given that the ornaments I have were chosen, one by one, as souvenirs from different trips or received.  When we had the space (to store) I did a rotation, some year I would use some, and not the following year, but if our storage space will now be limited, I have to think about this better.  I will keep what I use, and will get creative with what I keep. Challenges up ahead!

On this challenging note of what is to come, I want to wish you a very merry Christmas!

Countdown to Half a Century...

It has begun!  I've been counting the days before I hit that milestone, the BIG 5-0, and I'm not even thinking of Hawai'i, my big 5-0!

In nineteen days I will turn fifty.  I thought that writing it down might make a difference, nope, still cringes... I know it is just a number.  I also know that I don't look it, or feel it - but, depending at what time you ask me that question, you will get a different answer, that's for sure.

In thirteen dodos we are leaving for the sunny beach of Punta Cana, in Dominican Republic, at least I'm hoping it will be sunny, because I sure need to crash on the beach and do nothing but decide with bathing suit to put on and what drink to order!  I always thought I would celebrate my passage to being half a century...  I've celebrated my 30th and my 40th, in style, you know, renting a room, DJ, catering, the whole shebang... My fiftieth (yuck, ugly looking word!) I thought I would celebrate in Disney, but turned out to be too expensive and I/we had different priorities, like getting this place organized...  I would have loved to be surrounded with friends and enjoy it all but instead Hubby and I will crash for a week in an all inclusive, which we haven't done in a few years, by ourselves.  It will be nice to recup together, he needs it more than me since he's been working hard lately. He's being pulled in different directions by many people, and he's not really wired to manage it all that well.  He likes his peace and quiet, and lately he hasn't been getting much of that.  He feels like a pooper scooper at even if that can make one feel good at times, it can be very tiresome as well.

Talking with Hubby earlier, we realized that we haven't been to a beach (read sea or ocean) for a good two years.  We were by the water in Bodø (Norway), but it was so friggin' cold it's not like we swim or anything of the sort.  I did go to Rimouski in June, but that as well wasn't really the best condition for a fun time at the beach... 

This summer I swam once, in a pool in July and it was friggin' cold that one time.  Did it anyway, because I like water that much, but time was not wasted between the pool and going in that night, that's for sure!  We are well past our expiration date in regards to some fun in the sand.  Time for me to build something, like a turtle or a Hawaiian Sandwoman... I just love the feel of soft sand in my hands or between my toes...  As Young Dory says: "I like sand. Sand is squishy."  Then again, I've recently watched a short movie made by the daughter of a friend (you can check it out here, very well made and quite interesting) where she talked about Tardigrades, those little water bears that live in the sand, reads all cute but I think I won't be able to help myself and think about them all as I crash upon them...

All in all, my brain has been on overdrive for some time now, and getting away, if only for one week, will do me good. Being away from a computer will also be a good thing for me.  As we are about to enter week 46 of this year 2016 - and a big week this will be as well, with the American Election Day on Tuesday - I can only sit here and wonder not only where did those past fifty years go to, but this past year seems to have gone by as one big blur as well...  Many things came and went at us in 2016 and the year is not over yet:  just this coming week, I have to visit my osteo, then my neurologist, then my dentist to have two crowns put in (can you hear the cash register?!), then next week it will be the hairdresser, annual check up with our family doctor and the esthetician. 

I did laugh when I saw this picture, even if I don't shave (I wax), this image feels true.  Since I'm thinking of joining the Y this winter, that might not work for me, darn!, but still love that image.  Another pleasure of aging is those hairs growing on my chin... never had that before, now every now and then I have to pluck one dark one away... strange and oh so ugly!

Before I get in the TMI space, I shall close.  I do find that people are over sensitive about every little damn thing.  It's unreal how you can not say anything without someone being offended or frustrated.  It's ridiculous.

I miss the days when as kids we were afraid of strangers and/or neighbors, not because they would abduct or hurt us, but because they represented authority and that was respected.  They could and would tell us to get lost or to go plain somewhere else, and we did without crying to our parents about it.  We feared authority and showed respect towards it.  Nowadays nobody says anything.  The kids, read brats, run the world and it's normal. Argh!  Nobody respects anyone no more.  We're all afraid to say something when we see something that is wrong, like a kid who won't give up his seat on the bus for an elderly, nobody says anything. A few years ago, we would have gotten a smack behind the head for remaining seated.  Times have changed.  I have grown old...er... and one thing for sure, I'm damn happy not to have had any kid.  I wouldn't want to be raising kids today.  I'm not saying that we should hit kids (well... no, I'm not!) but we should teach them to respect others and their elders.  I hate it now, when I speak (French) with a young person and they use "tu" (informal way to address someone) rather than "vous" (formal way to address).  It's a little thing but it does make such a difference, it creates a little gap, a little difference, it shows some form of respect. 

O.M.G. I read like such an old broad!  OK time to close up, and go drink my cup of hot tea...  Geez...

Week 35: Venting and did I say Venting?

Yep, already on day 238th in week 35 of 2016 - zoom, zoom, zoom!  In four months, you've read right, only four little months Christmas will be upon us!  In exactly eighteen Fridays it will be here... A few days ago it got cooler here and wore closed shoes and I so feel like I'm not ready to go back to socks and long pants, and boots... argh... I know I still can go bare in my shoes, but I'm not a big fan of that, so if I were shoes I need socks - yeah I'm weird, as if you didn't know that already - I am so ready to (go) live somewhere warmer than here... but then again, not, because I was to enjoy that friggin' house of ours! 

I've been keeping busy, as usual, and trying hard to stay away from trouble. So let's just say that I've been keeping to myself a lot.  Last week I was alone all week since Hubby went to Washington for work.  I stayed home and actually love how quiet this place is.  I did my things, didn't feel odd or scared being alone, it was all good.

The reason why I've decided to post today is because I felt this need to vent (again! - hey! this is my blog! -)  I've been putting a lot of time and effort on administrating a Bacefook group, I like it.  I don't mind the time spent on there.  I enjoy it.  Well... most of the time that is.

The group that I created is based on Postcrossing, it is a closed group and only people who are Canadian Postcrossing members can join (yeah, I know, big discrimination here, sue me!).  I thought that because of that ''restriction'' members would have least have an idea of the Postcrossing thing work, i.e. you send a postcard, when it's received the recipient send you a little message saying they got it and (most of the time) say thank you.  When you do receive a card, you have to register said card and send a little message to the sender and (I assume) thank the person.  It's simple and the site is well made so not much thinking is really needed.   On Bacefook, there are many games going, all postcards based.  I'm actually only managing one and that is enough. Most of the members are adults (in age that is!).  I always find myself blown away when I see people who are totally clueless when it comes to something as basic as thanking someone for sending them a card.  Respect is out the window, really.  It is sad to see.  And even more to live it.  Common courtesy should be on some extinct list somewhere along with common sense and respect.  Geez I read so old and grumpy, don't I?  Oh well!  At least, despite being grumpy I still can say thank you and be respectful of others. Imagine that!