Friday Fill-Ins #83

Questions 1 and 2 this week are courtesy of Sherry, thanks!
Here we go:

1. If I could travel back in time, I'd go to back to the mid 1700's so I could be a pirate (Arrr!).

2. Give me liberty or give me death! - Patrick Henry

3. I am listening to Last of the Ghetto Astronauts - Matthew good.

4. Somewhere, someone is thinking of you. Someone is calling you an angel. This person is using celestial colors to paint your image. Someone is making you into a vision so beautiful that it can only live in the mind. Someone is thinking of the way your breath escapes your lips when you are touched. How your eyes close and your jaw tightens with concentration as you give pleasure a home. These thoughts are saving a life somewhere right now. In some airless apartment on a dark, urine stained, whore lined street, someone is calling out to you silently and you are answering without even being there. So crystalline. So pure. Such life saving power when you smile. You will never know how you have cauterized my wounds. So sad that we will never touch. How it hurts me to know that I will never be able to give you everything I have. - Henry Rollins

5. I'll always be in love with you
Treasure these few words
Till we're together
Keep all my love forever
P.S. I love you
You you you

As I write this letter
Send my love to you
Remember that.... -- P.S. I Love You (The Beatles)

6. My idea of a good time includes good company, good food, good wine, of course it does depend on my mood too. Sometimes my idea of a good time is hanging out at home with the family, playing a game or watching a movie.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to kicking off the long weekend with good company, good food and good wine, tomorrow my plans include a drive with the hubby and Sunday, I want to go to my nieces christening and hubby's cousins wedding!

Random Thoughts

It's a glorious Wednesday here on the East Coast. The sun is shining, there is a gentle breeze blowing and all is good. Here are some random thoughts for this Wednesday:

-Most song I love make me feel good.

-Certain genres of music make me want to poke out my eardrums, such as most Country music and Opera -- however, there are some Operas I do truly enjoy, two of them are; The Rabbit of Seville and What's Opera, Doc?

Elmer Fudd: I'll kill the wabbit! Awise storm! North wind bwow! South wind bwow! Huwwicanes! Typhoons! Earthquakes! *Smog!*

Bugs: O mighty warrior of great fighting stock. Might I inquire to ask, ehh, what's up Doc?
(Oh my, those two crack me up!)

-Music, like Art, can inspire us and affect us all in a multitude of ways.

So tonight I think I will put on some vinyl, poor a glass of vino, relax and let the music inspire me.

Here is the link to watch The Rabbit of Seville and What's Opera Doc?

Wordless #2

Visit Wordless Wednesday

Lilly - Pink Martini

In honor of the new header I made for Slightly Off-Center, the song I picked for this Tuesday is Lilly by Pink Martini. This is a fun song, have a listen!

Monday - - A New Beginning

This morning while sitting her at my desk day dreaming, something just clicked. It was an artical I read last week about a Zen practice called "Beginners Mind", "Zen Mind" or "Shoshin".

Beginner's mind is Zen practice in action. It is the mind that is innocent of preconceptions and expectations, judgments and prejudices. Beginner's mind is just present to explore and observe and see "things as-it-is." I think of beginner's mind as the mind that faces life like a small child, full of curiosity and wonder and amazement. "I wonder what this is? I wonder what that is? I wonder what this means?" Without approaching things with a fixed point of view or a prior judgment, just asking "what is it?"

This is an interesting concept and might be just the thing to get me out of this funk. If I were to approach each day like a beginner, I could see each new experience in a new light. Maybe this is the way I need to look at the "roadblock/detour" I am faced with -- like a baby full of curiosity and discovery. I am facing the remainder of the week with a positive outlook.

(Hmmmmmmm, having O.C.D might make this challenge a difficult one)

Weekend update (Hubby's Birthday)

My creation

Hubby celebrated his 43rd birthday on Saturday. The kids took us out for brunch on Saturday morning, then later hubby and I went out for dinner with family. Good food and great company made for a fun Birthday celebration.

Friday Fill-Ins #82

Questions 4-6 this week are courtesy of Sherry! Thanks!
Here we go:

1. I believe whatever doesn't kill you makes me really grateful it didn't.
2. If you're good at something, don't do it for free. lol
3. (I'm sure this will be a popular answer)

4. Something is out there, it's beautiful and mysterious.
5. If my life were a sitcom, it would be titled "Slightly Off-Center" or maybe, "Are You Ready For This?"
6. Sitting on my back porch [if you don't have one, use your imagination] I see A forest alive with wildlife; I hear the Mourning Doves mournful coo.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to an evening out on the town, tomorrow my plans include brunch with the family for the Hubby's birthday and Sunday, I want to chill out at home and maybe do some chores!

Rule # 14

Wordle is a toy for generating “word clouds” from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text. You can tweak your clouds with different fonts, layouts, and color schemes. Give it a try!

This is the Wordle I created today.
From: at last there is nothing left to say ~ Matthew Good

The Handbook -- Rule #14

The World is NOT your OYSTER
PRYING it Open Ruins your chances
of Putting it BACK

Wordless #1

Rain Rain, Go Away...

Visit Wordless Wednesday

Road Closed -- Detour Ahead

You're cruising along on the road of life, fairly confident of where you're headed. You know this road, every pothole, pump, stop sign, and light. You are so familiar with this rout; you could drive it with your eyes closed, because it's the same road you've traveled for the past 19 years. Then one day while you’re contently driving along, you encounter a dreaded roadblock.

Some people aren’t the least bit phased by taking an alternate rout; they are excited by the prospects of a new adventure. I'm not one of those people. "Off the beaten path", well, to be blunt - scares the living shit out of me!

What do you do when your journey though life takes an unexpected detour? Do you embrace change and look forward to the challenge of something new, or are you cautious but move forward tentatively, or are you the type that panics because you are unfamiliar with the alternate routs?

Under The Falling Sky ~ Jackson Browne

I picked this song to post today simply because, I'm in a "Jackson Browne" mood, and I love this song. Enjoy!


Under The Falling Sky

Warm and lovely mystery, fire smiling through
Before this moment fades away I want to know you
I've got lightening in my pocket, thunder in my shoe
Have no fear I've got something here I want to show you

Low, under the falling sky
Easily we will lie
While I bring it to you

It's a low road, a high wire going from me to you
And in your eyes the distance left is closing
I've got a feeling in my oceans
Blood underneath my skin
That into your bright fields this prison is opening

Low, under the falling sky
Easily we will lie
While I bring it to you

Our shadows wake each day though they don't know why
They hope and try -- live and die
So leave them in their frozen world
Come and be my lover
If only for one stolen moment
We will live forever

Warm and lovely mystery, can you hear the choir?
Voices can no longer hold my desire
Abandon your sad history and meet me in the fire
Our angels wait to take us higher and higher
Higher and higher

Low, under the falling sky
Easily we will lie
While I bring it to you

Intermezzo

As I sit here it is pouring outside and I'm watching the light-show just outside my window. I actually love the sound of rain and thunder at night, it comforts me.

Rain Is Falling

Blinding streaks of light
Fill the sky tonight
Thunder cracks
My heart pounds
I open my window wide
Cool mist hits my face
I breath in deep
The scent is intoxicating
Water flows from the Heavens
A gift from the Gods
Streaming down my window
Hypnotized
Mesmerized
My eyes are growing heavy
I am drifting away

Moody Monday

Gray has filled the sky and has somehow seeped into me. I am a little surprised at how easily my moods can change lately. It all started with a night of thoughts. Fear and anxiety took over and I barely slept last night, just thought. Thought about the past but mostly the future. This week is a big week for us, well mostly for hubby but it will have an affect the whole family. I need to be in "support" mode right now so I will try to bottle up all of this anxiety I am feeling, and toss it far into the sea.

Anniversary Get-Away

Hubby and I had a wonderfully, relaxing three days up in the Annapolis Valley. You can view some photos from the trip here.

Friday Fill-In #81

All questions this week are courtesy of Sherry; thank you, girl!

1. If I could be a fly on the wall I would ______. (I don't have an answer for this one, I don't think I'd want to be a fly on the wall)

2. Jealousy is just human nature.

3. When I see a shooting star my wish would be that my family will be healthy and happy.

4. I'd rather be warm than cold any day!

5. Certain songs when I hear them make me wanna poke out my ear drums out with bamboo skewers.

6. If time were in a bottle "The first thing that Id like to do
Is to save every day, Till eternity passes away, Just to spend them with you".

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to putting things in order, tomorrow my plans include more of the same (kids made a mess while I was away) and Sunday, I want to relax and enjoy my last day of vacation!

20 years ago today

Hubby and I are very proud to be celebrating our 20th year anniversary today. We both have worked very hard at building a solid relationship as well as a secure and loving home for our three kids. Not every day was (is) perfect, but with love, respect and dedication, we were (are) able to work through any problems and build a strong, lasting relationship. I love my husband more now than ever, he is not only my partner but my best friend.

Happy Anniversary Babe!

No tune this Tuesday

Weekend Update

Well, not really a weekend update, just a Sunday update. We were going to hit the beach but decided it was a better day for a leisurely drive up the shore. Here are some photos I took while on our drive.


Now I have to go pack for me anniversary get-away. Yay!

Friday Fill-Ins #80

All questions this week are courtesy of the original founder of the Friday Fill-Ins, Megan

1. Oh, I can't wait until I have a couple days away with just me and the hubby.

2. Beer is the first thing I see when I open my refrigerator.
(I need to do some grocery shopping)

3. I never leave home without my camera.

4. If I were a condiment, I would be hot sauce because I am spicy?

5. Disrespect is really high up on my list of pet peeves.

6. The last thing I thought of before I went to bed was .

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include groceries and Sunday, I want to pack for a few days away with the hubby to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary!

Random Thoughts

I'm sitting here on this gray Wednesday morning sipping my tea, waiting for Hubby to return from work. Yes, he was suppose to have this week off but something came up that the other technicians couldn't handle, so he was called in - ahhhh, what can ya do?

Like most Wednesdays, I don't have much to post so here are some random thoughts:

All good things must end, and nothing lasts forever...
It's nice to sit back, and just listen and watch...
Go with what you feel...
Sometimes people can surprise you...
I'm comfortable being myself...

Blast from my past - More than A Feeling

What nice weather we are having here on the East Coast of Canada. Today was one of those -"so hot you can't breath" - days. Love it!

I've been doing a lot of reminiscing the last couple days. Today I was thinking about what my favorite summertime songs were back in the day. I always think back to sitting on the front stoop with my friends, sipping Pepsi from a glass bottle and listening to "More than A Feeling" by Boston. This song always takes me back.



What are your favorite songs that take you back to your youth?

Weekend Up-Date (with photos)

Friday night was pretty quiet. Hubby and I went out for a little walk down on Pier21. Baby girl had her girlfriends over for the night so they were busy doing the typical sleepover things - Makeovers, Ouija(contacting spirits from beyond), movies, music...
Saturday isn't even worth mentioning really. I did my typical Saturday stuff - grocery shopping, errands, and so on.

Sunday was so nice, we had to call it a beach day. We packed a cooler with goodies and dug out the beach toys and we were off! I love the smell of the salty water, the wind in my hair and the gentle roar of the waves -- ahhh, I'm relaxed just thinking about it.

1. View-D-Full 2. R&R 3. Me 4. Miss Priss 5. Hubby

6. Seaweed covered 7. Name in the Sand 8. Priss and Godchild
9. My Niece 10. The Girls 11.*Nude Beach 12. Baby Sis 13. Sister-in-law

*Crystal Crescent is a stretch of white sandy beaches that goes on for miles and miles. The first two beaches are easy to access, however, there is a third beach that is somewhat secluded. I had never ventured over to this beach before and decided to be a bit voyeuristic and take a walk over. The trail is very easy to walk, took about 1/2 hour. It was very nude and not just topless, it's the full meal deal (not that there is anything wrong with that). The nudest were all very friendly, giving a nod or "hello" as we walked by. I am sure they are used to having lurkers wonder over from time to time.
(the photo I took was from a distance on the path leading to the beach. I didn't want to offend anyone by going right on the beach snapping photos)

Friday Fill-Ins #79

1. Holidays in the summer are a great excuse for family and friends to get together for some great outdoor fun.

2. Veggies and kabobs are my favorite things to grill.

3. My thoughts are scattered at the moment.

4. The start of vacation for hubby and myself is what I'm most looking forward to this weekend!

5. My favorite book so far this summer is Fall on Your Knees -- by Ann-Marie Macdonald.

6. Coffee and a smile is the best way to begin a day.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m (not) looking forward to a house full of teenagers, tomorrow my plans include most likely cleaning up after the teenagers go home and Sunday, I want to doing nothing in particular!

Ps. Wishing all my fellow Fill-Iners from the U.S., A safe and happy 4th of July!

Two (Green) Thumbs Up!

The Hubby planted himself an herb garden this year. I think he is just being a show off myself ~ would you look at these?!?

Growing your own herbs is relatively easy even if you don't have a garden. Hubby's are in a medium size pot that he has placed in full sun out in the back yard. He has some parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, mint, and chives. The the aroma greets you as soon as you get anywhere near the garden.

Herb uses:

Beef - Thyme, marjoram, summer savory, coriander, chervil, parsley, bay leaves
Pork - Sage, thyme, marjoram, oregano, bay leaves, parsley, coriander
Lamb - Rosemary, marjoram, thyme, parsley, dill, oregano, parsley, mint, coriander
Veal - Thyme, marjoram, summer savory, bay leaves, chervil, basil, parsley
Poultry - Sage, basil, thyme, borage, marjoram, coriander, bay leaves, parsley, rosemary, summer savory, tarragon, mint
Fish and Seafood— basil, tarragon, basil, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, coriander
Eggs and Cheese - Basil, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, chervil, chive, parsley, bay leaves

Pasta and Pizza - Basil, borage, oregano, parsley, marjoram, thyme

Vegetables - Chives, coriander, dill, borage, sage, basil, oregano, marjoram, mint

And don't forget the herb butter and sauces

Canada Day Fun!

Canada Day photo montage

1. Head Band 2. Pool Fun! 3. Yummy!, 4. Sharkie 5. Tattoo You
6. Canuck Baby 7. Busted! 8. Happy People 9. Relaxation

The sun was shining, people where happy, and the food was delicious. Couldn't ask for a better way to spend the day!

Happy Birthday Canada!

Celebrated on July 1st, frequently referred to as "Canada's Birthday". The occasion marks the joining of the British colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces on July 1, 1867.

We celebrate Canada Day every year by attending a family BBQ hosted by Hubby's Uncle Bruce and Aunt Heather. We always have a great time!

For my tune this Tuesday, I picked a great band who are not only Canadian, but Haligonians as well ~ This is "The Rest of My Life" by Sloan.



I hope all my fellow Canadians enjoy the day with family and friends, and remember what a great country we have!