I introduced you to my friends Nic and Kara and their wonderful new food and art blog called Pepper + Paint. I’m greatly enjoying the blog and swear that one of these days I’m going to try a few of Nic’s recipes as they not only sound delicious but look incredible! Plus… I’m in need of recipes for my “Stalk and Ambush” theory for snagging a man!
Posts: Pepper and Paint… and Stalk and Ambush…
After shopping around the various garden centers… I decided I couldn’t afford the furniture I wanted on the back deck nor could I sneak the much needed lumber into the monthly budget to create a “screened in” room. Someday I will… and believe me, I’ll make the most relaxing and wonderful area to enjoy a glass of wine, a magazine and the company of friends… without the annoyance of bugs! In the meantime, I’m learning to garden and while I freaked out last month that I had no idea what I was doing… I have to say, I’m rather proud of how my garden is looking at the moment! There’s lots left to do… if only we could get a few more sunny days to do it!
Posts: I want this…, Or this… and The grass isn’t always greener…
I heard from Oprah!!! NO KIDDING! I sent her a letter after her final show and received an email back thanking me. At first I thought it was a form letter… and part of it is… but there’s one little part in the email that made me realize she’d actually read what I’d written. So… while I never made myself famous in time to sit on the yellow couch, Op’s and I are now great friends and chances are she’ll get me on her network soon… she’s even sent me a few more emails letting me know how her vacation is going and what shows are coming up on OWN… ok… chances are those ones really are form letters but whatever!
Post: Letter to Oprah…
I wrote a post about my friends… how they’ve been my elephants this last few years… gathering around me and holding me up until I could finally stand on my own. My friend Dish sent a video that was pretty cool… showing a group of Elephant’s rescuing a baby who’d fallen into the mud. They’re pretty neat animals! The next day, the ever talented and beautiful Ms. Pam Barr brought me a little elephant statue to place in my Living Room. I was taken back at how very thoughtful it was… I’m not kidding, my friends are truly special!
Post: They herd…
Chris Illuminati, from the blog “Message with a Bottle”, emailed to thank me for the post I wrote about him. I follow him on Facebook so I’m updated in my newsfeed whenever he adds a new post on his blog… or in this case, post-it! Join my Facebook fan site to get updates on Curtains are Open… and also read the fabulous comments that people leave.
Post: Message with a bottle…
After I was bitten by a wee fly and my arm swelled bigger than Stretch Armstrong’s… my head then swelled even bigger. My family and many of my girlfriends spoiled me rotten with glorious presents for my birthday. While I should probably say “Oh you shouldn’t have”… I have to be honest in saying that I’m not all that bothered ’cause I absolutely LOVE presents! (I love giving them too… but honestly, rather prefer being on the receiving end!)
Post: My swell birthday…
I received an email from Robb, the hilarious fellow who attempted to sell his boring tuna sandwich on Kijiji. He got a kick out of my response and must have told a lot of his friends because it received quite a few hits! I still believe that folks get bored too quickly… start looking for something new when what they have is perfectly good! But what the heck do I know? I’m just a simple tuna sandwich.
Post: Straight from the can…
So far so good as far as the phone goes… we’ve set some rules in place and I must admit I’m enjoying the communication and the fact that Spiderman writes some rather witty text messages! There’s plenty of discussion about what age kids should be when they get a cell phone and one of my readers commented that she’s going to get the badge that I gave up last week! Not only that… her husband works with Blackberry so she REALLY wins! Bottom line is, you have to do whatever works best for your family. I tend to be strict with a lot of things… but I’m rather lenient on others. It’s tough being a single mom… but I’ve a ton of people around to let me know when I’m doing something wrong… or when I’m doing it just right.
Post: Why I’m wonderful…
Quite a few of you enjoyed the post about embarrassing our kids! My children and I sat and looked at all of the photos of the Dad who donned a different costume and waved each morning as his son rode the bus to High School. I got a kick out of the photos and wish they’d continue through next year. My kids took the opportunity to tell me of the numerous times that I’ve embarrassed them. Hahahhahhahha hahahahah… I mean… I should probably be more careful of my foolishness but to be totally honest… it’s not going to stop anytime soon!
Post: Wave at the bus…
Some of the parents at Ecole Rockingham took on the Halifax Regional School Board over a policy they believe needs to be changed… in fact, even some of the board members agree. In the end, they were heard and it’s my understanding that the policy is being reviewed. I’ve had a few issues that have come up through the years regarding policies I’ve not been happy with. I will openly admit that during the Municipal elections… when marking my X for the person I’d like to elect to the School Board… I have NO IDEA who the folks on the list are! NONE! Not only that, not once have I thought to look into it and on occasion I’ve been kind of surprised to see I’m electing more than just my Halifax Regional Councillor! Municipal AND School Board elections take place every four years (unless Special Elections are required) so it really is up to me to investigate who the individuals are and whether or not they represent my views. Sadly, while I’m usually pretty diligent electing my Councillor, as far as the School Board elections go I’ve just selected anyone on the list. Shame on me. I really don’t have a leg to stand on when I complain about the policies, if I didn’t make an educated decision to begin with.
Post: It’s a Matter of Principal…
My kids are growing up too fast. I’m not really sure what it is I have to do to make it stop reminding me of the John Mayer song “Stop this Train“. The Tall Blond is coming and going between work and social activities, Spiderman is wearing cologne and my youngest has recently discovered the joys of a flat iron! She’s growing so fast that elbows and knees are constantly banging furniture and digging into me when she (thankfully still) curls on my lap so I’ve finally decided on her blog name… Bones! Besides… that’s what we named her after seeing her ultrasound picture over eleven years ago!
Post: Growing up stinks…
I heard back from Alice’s Bucket List. The sweet girl is being inundated with emails and media attention… most of it positive but some of it quite negative. From what Alice writes, folks are setting up Facebook sites pretending they’re who they aren’t. The good news… Alice’s sister ran in the Race for Life and readers of the blog raised a great deal of money. Alice is currently checking items off her bucket list and in a position to help a lot of people fighting cancer. What a remarkable young lady! I’ve watched a few people get “swallowed” up with negative attention from their blogs… and truly hope this doesn’t happen for Alice and her family.
Post: Alice’s bucket list…
Finally, I’ve been to the beach and back. We had another lovely “Girls’ Weekend Away” with fabulous walks on the beach, wonderful meals and conversation. I’m happy to report there were no murders and no dead bodies discovered on the beach! But there’s always next year!
Post: Gone to the beach…
So… that’s it for another update! All is well in my world… I’m loving life, enjoying adventures and laughing my way through it all… ok… through most of it! I’m working on my confidence on a daily basis… find myself slipping from time to time… I’ve been through a lot and time is definitely the healer. The other day Shelagh Duffet, from Alice in Paris Loves Art and Tea, sent me a note on my Facebook site suggesting I audition for an upcoming HGTV Design/Decor series called “Down Home with Deb Nelson”. They’re looking for someone who’s “FEISTY and FUNNY, with a real East Coast flavor… aggressive, opinionated, challenges Deb, but does all of this with an irresistible local charm – ideally with a pronounced east coast accent.” Shelagh said when she saw the advertisement she thought of me! WOW! And she hasn’t even heard my Newfie accent!! The thing is, someone out there who I admire, thinks I fit that description… which means that’s the way she sees me! I really have come a long, long way. I’m “Faking It” and “Making It” and I’m actually starting to believe it!
Queen
