I LOVE the Ocean!

I saw this poster recently, and simply adore it.  Many years ago Ray and I decided we would retire near the ocean.  We both love the smell, sight and sounds of rolling waves, and couldn't imagine anything in life better.  But, here we are licking at our retirement years and settled at least 8 hours from the nearest coast.

On the bright side, it is ONLY 8 hours, and drivable in one day ... plus, living here we can see our grand kids and family regularly.  Life is all about trade-offs, isn't it?

However, give me a rocky shoreline, pounding waves, and seagulls screaming overhead, and I am in heaven ...

Wanted: Good Contractor!

We have entered the extremely scary world of hiring a contractor.  Finally we are ready to start the construction of a 4-season sun room addition, plus a 3-season screened-in porch to our home. Ray did the drawings for it and we invited five contractors, recommended by neighbours and friends to give us estimates. Seems simple doesn't it?

Believe me, it hasn't been. To begin with I am flabbergasted by the different approaches each man took to applying for this job (which is basically what they were doing.)  One didn't even bother coming to meet with us, just wanted the plans emailed to him.  Another came out, spent very little time here, and we've never heard from him again.  Then, there was the fellow who proceeded to pull Ray's plans apart with all kinds of criticism.  Now, remember, Ray is a structural engineer, and he has worked with plan drawings for fifty years ... We are open to suggestions, but this fellow was very arrogant in his remarks.  After I watched Ray's face change from red to purple, I left the "discussion".

Another contractor arrived looking very impressive and organized, with laptop containing photographs of past projects.  Ray and I exchanged admiring glances as he started downloading the pictures.  Unfortunately, he wasn't very proficient with his computer, and spent a lot of time trying to get them onto the screen.  He finally found the one he wanted - a log home he built for a local professional hockey player.  I joked that if this guy hired him he is probably way out of our league in price.  He hastened to assure me that wasn't the case - but, his price came in very much higher than all the others.


Prices?  Oh dear, what to do?  They say not to always go with the lowest bidder.  But, what if the lowest bidder is the only one you can afford?

The estimates came in, and they were all over the board.  Mr. "I can't find my business cards" was the lowest, with Mr. "Just give me another minute to get this picture on the *%#@! laptop" almost 80% higher.  Mr. "Arrogant" was almost as high.  Mr. "Can't be bothered coming to meet you" simply emailed us a figure with absolutely no break-down details saying if we're interested in pursuing it he'll come and talk with us.  Then, there was Mr. "No estimate at all" who was a different surprise again.

We're hoping to get this project started as soon as the frost is out of the ground (early April) ... wish us luck!

Booklover Hug

Eating and Walking ...

I cannot believe my own eyes when I weigh myself these days.  As it shows above, after one full month on my diet I am down 16 lbs, and boy does it feel good!  Eating only lean meats, fish, sea food, oat bran, fat-free dairy and vegetables every other day is easy, and I am not hungry at all.

OK, enough bragging ...

Last weekend I was lucky enough to attend a fundraiser Walk in Toronto with daughter, Suzanne.  It was to raise money for Alzheimer patients.  Suzanne volunteered and participated last year, but we were in India at the time (was that really a whole year away?)  However, this year I made the effort to get there, and am so glad I did.  What a superbly organized event it was.  Over 1,000 walkers congregated in the magnificent downtown B.C. Place building, to be registered and entertained before setting off for the Walk, along the amazing corridors deep under the skyscrapers of the city.

Suzanne strikes a pose with 2 new 'friends'

 I had been down there a few times, but never walked it - there's another world down there!  One could live there and never come outside all winter!  (Phantom of the Opera springs to mind) Stores, restaurants, subways, it's all there in a very swish up-beat design.  As a long-time claustophobe I was afraid I might feel a bit 'closed in' but not at all, as the high ceilings and wide corridors disguised very well where you were.


Before we descended for the Walk itself, there were all kinds of entertainment to get everyone into the mood.  From Darth Vader to Batman, Mimes to juggling men on tall stilts, there was a festive feeling in the air as everyone took turns having their photographs taken with the 'celebrities'.  Lots of young children with parents, and I enjoyed just watching them, eyes aglow as they stared at the wonderland of characters around them.  The women dressed up as Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe fluttering their long false eyelashes at all the men were in great demand for pictures.

The Walk itself finally got underway and 1,000 people snaked down out of winter's reach, far beneath the world above.  At every turn there were bands joyfully playing, and volunteers waving yellow balloons cheering us on - I started to feel I didn't deserve such treatment, after all I was only walking 3km.  Then, at the end, as we ascended the escalator back into B.C. Place's main hall again we were greeted by Darth Vader and his cronies, plus throngs of volunteers all cheering us!  Wow, it gave me a tiny glimpse into how long distance runners must feel finishing a marathon!

We all wore the yellow shoelace tired to our index finger - a reminder of those we love who cannot remember for themselves.  Suzanne and I walked for my mum, who struggled so hard against this insidious disease.  I think she would have been proud.