Victoriana Online
Were the Victorians repressed?

I think they were not.

I think they couched their natural instincts in a bower of flowery language and rustling silk that nevertheless resulted in large numbers of children!

Queen Victoria herself was the of domesticity, with her large, mostly healthy and beautiful family.
How else, but through fun in the flowery bower, did her prodigious progeny appear?

I love the clothing of this era.
I love to watch period romances featuring the whispering, puffy dresses, the elegant suits, the hand stitching.

I do sew, myself, and I have always longed for the luxury of a full costume of this time, from the petticoat to the tippet.

Oh, and the servant to help me into it.

On This Day

Remember, Gentle Reader, that Hubbs and I were married the same year as Charles and Diana? The New York Times remembers!

Our homestay guest returns to Japan via Calgary, Banff and Jasper on Saturday. Tonight we will have a barbeque to say goodbye to him and three of his student friends.

I am regularly emailing our first homestay guest. Let us call him Lance. I send Hubbs a BCC of each missive I send, and forward to him each message I receive. Last message was about a two-tusk narwhale an Inuit hunter bagged. Before that, we discussed Lance Armstrong's win at the Tour de France.

Or, should I say, the Tour de Lance?

Rosacea Awareness Program - Programme de sensibilisation � la rosac�
When I was a teen, I had a very hard time with my skin. I used stong anti-acne products and exfoliated a lot.
I did not understand that my skin was sensitive, and over-producing oil in an attempt to protect me. Now that I am older, I have a definite diagnosis: Rosacea.
I have to treat my skin with great care, as the capillaries are delicate and sometimes break. I use Cetaphil cleanser ONLY, now, and Aloette Visible Aid cream, and a Parsol sunscreen. I look like much younger than I am.
I want to keep it that way!

I had Sushi tonight! Raw salmon and grilled tuna with avocado and special rice wrapped and rolled in roasted seaweed. This fits with my Zone life! It was fun to help our guest in the kitchen... After, I helped him with his pronounciation of the schwa.

My brother has broken up with his fiancee. They seemed to go well together, but she is very intense.
Ah, well...

The Human Clock - A Photo for Every Minute of the Day

Tempus Fugit
That's Latin for "Time Flies".
I just got back from the lake. It was great. So beautiful. Birdsong in big liquid trills refreshing the jaded ear of an aging urbanite. Lots of weeds gone, by the wheelbarrowfull, heh, heh...
My big fat highlight was getting stung by a bee!
I'm supposed to carry an epi-pen, but I never expected a bee. I don't bother them, and they don't bother me.
Until today.
Nobody expects bees or the Spanish Inquisition. It had crawled under my RED t-shirt, and I cupped my hand over it when I felt it crawling. Shoulda swatted it hard, but I don't like to kill anything I can't see. It stung me, I shook it out onto a blanket, and folded the blanket over it to crush the critter. I have the bee in a hanky. Funeral later tonight.
I'm ding-dang allergic to bees, wasps, horse- and deer-flies so I had to take a antihistamene PDQ, as well as a painkiller and relaxant. Mom gave me a cold compress because I was flushed and feverish. After a short snooze into the cool of the evening, I woke up fine.
Read some more about Princess Diana. She and Charles were married the same year Ron and I were. On our old street, some of the neighbours thought of us as their own Royal couple. True story, they told me this!
I was always out doing good works, and Ron was always out working. To the public eye, he didn't show a lot of affection. We never seemed to have time together. At times, our marriage was in trouble. I never knew until later just how much.
However, we have an advantage on the Royals. We are still alive and together. It will be 23 years in November.

Yoshi is making sushi for us tonight. There is also a farewell party for a couple from church. He is going back to Bible College in the US, and while there, she is going to babysit her adorable grandkids.

Our second son emails to tell us that maybe he will not go to College this fall. He is hoping to get on as full-time staff at the Bible Camp where he is working this summer. I hope he will at least submit the app. in case he is not selected to work there.

Saw "I, Robot" last night. The computer has the same name as yours truly. Went to Romance Street for a snack, listened to music.
I want to dance, he doesn't.
We look at each other as if from Venus, from Mars.
Which we are.
I MUST find a way to get dancing back into my life!!!

Read "Bridget Jone's Diary" yesterday. Somewhat resembles my blog!!!!
Funny, trashy, but exactly what the compromised mind of a modern woman approaching her "best before" date can be. Full of cautionary tales!
Women, take warning! This could be YOU!
I haven't seen the movie yet. If you've been reading my blog, you know I usually read the book first, and sometimes after, I see the movie.

Supper is ready.
Laters!

lost socks

Single socks on the Internet!!??

Internet SOCKS??

SHOCKING!!

Finished with work today.
I was assessed today. I think I did well. I felt a little nervous, but the assessor was nervous, too. I just did as I always do; considerate, not too fast, talking to the client often, thorough with each action, Universal Precautions.

It is about two years since my last assessment. I received a very good report then. Has anything changed? If anything, I have more qualifications. I have my HCA Certificate. I also feel more confident, more adept. Hope I am not getting sloppy in my old age!

Maybe I'll go to the beach this weekend, Sat. noon to Sunday noon. I talked with Dad about becoming the owner or co-owner of one place, and thereby relieving him of some bills. A beach neighbour gave her child co-ownership of her place. They look after it together, and there will be no hassle when she dies.

Got Japanese movies and groceries in Hippytown yesterday. Our guest will help me to make a Japanese meal on Sunday, featuring Sushi.

Tonight is a funeral service for one of my clients. I want to attend. It is observed in another religion, which i know little about.

I am feeling the old yearning for an exciting, meaningful life again.

When I was involved and important in several volunteer groups away from home, it was certainly validating, but very inconvenient for my family.

The phone was always busy, the phone machine always full of messages, usually for me.

I kinda miss that.

I feel like a lonely sock... on the internet... matchless!

Crystal Gayle Lyrics - Old Boyfriends Lyrics. One from the Heart Soundtrack Lyrics (Movie)

Oh NO! All alone on my second-last day of vacation, and I'm Googling for nostalgic purposes only, "old boyfriends".
A John Belushi movie and this country western song lyric come up at the top of the list!
SCARY!
It's too pathetic - LOOK!
My husband pulled up for lunch and I'm SAVED!!!

Welcome to Sympatico / MSN

RIBACK'S KISS-OFF - Eric's List of Kissing Songs

Kissing is still on my mind...
If songs about kissing are the food of love, welcome to the Smorgasbord!

Sixpence None The Richer Lyrics - Kiss Me Lyrics. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Soundtrack Lyrics (Movie)

This is a cute song!
Kissing is unde - .
I don't watch Dawson's Creek, but I did see "How to Lose a Guy..."
and "She's All That"
and...where else have I heard this sweet little song?

I wonder if my rhyming French translation of it will be a good thing when it's done?

Baise-moi, mais oui!

JONI MITCHELL � ( Carey Lyrics )

I was driving home from the beach, and got caught in a time warp.
I started singing "The wind is in from Africa, Last night I couldn't sleep..."
I've been going the same route to the beach for over 30 years.
In my tweens and teens, this was a song I might hear on the AM radio while we chewed up the miles in a funky old station wagon, filled with kids, coolers and cottage stuff.

If you love Joni Mitchell, you will find more of her songs at this site. I like the old stuff for the memories, but I like new jazzy stuff MORE.

I got too much sun, not enough sleep and Midol week has arrived. At least I've been mostly nice, and not hyper harmful...except for the jealous episode with my spouse and the CYBER thing.

A warmer reception may have helped... But Noooo... He MUST spend four hours alone on the computer, "researching things"...

Where are we going?

the Mail online
This link should lead to a "How's your Man Radar", featured in the Brit Daily Mail.
I had a high score for assessing a man. I err a bit towards caution, and these days, that's a good thing.
My husband has the Cyber filter off again, after turning it on just BEFORE I left for the cottage with my Mom, my brother, my son, his friend and our Homestay guest.
It was turned off yesterday, the day I was away.
Here is the message:
Report generated: Saturday, July 17, 2004, 12:47 pm

CYBERsitter appears to be functioning normally.

CYBERsitter is NOT active
Last Filter Update: July 16, 2004

There are log entries recorded for today
Here is my reply:
Again, CYBERsitter is NOT active.
Why? You just had put it back on, before I left for the cottage.
I will forward these messages to a third party from church to compile a record, if you continue to play around like this.
Have you been following the string for any length of time, Gentle Reader?
If so, you may be aware that my spouse has had internet use issues.

He was surprised I came home so soon.
I wonder what I am interrupting?

Beep...beep...beep...BEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Sympatico / MSN - Partner content

This link should bring you, Gentle Reader, to the Random Date Idea Generator.
I wanna go OUT on a date, and Hubster's always too tired.
"Surprise your honey with fresh, exciting and romantic exploits."

I like the sound of THAT!

Daily Times - Site Edition

Hubster has had to go to Pakistan to find an article to forward on to me about the new cholesterol guidelines.
I find that his family history as per his mother, shows a genetic disposition to self-manufacture cholesterol out of foods that ought to be healthy.
Would reducing stress help prevent this pattern?
The Doc DID advise on diet and excercise, for this and another problem.
You can lead a man to good advice, but you can't make him THINK.

Amorak Web Site

I just returned from an overnighter at the parent's cottage, hoping to get it ready for the weekend.
I want to take the boys and our guest from Japan out there.
The parents haven't been there yet this year, so the weeds were 4' tall, as was the grass.
My brother and I mowed and mowed around the two adjoining cottages, then we weeded the beach until sand was once again visible.
Mom planted flowers and tomatoes. I hope they survive!

Everyone needs a special place out in nature.
I am a "beach " from my childhood. It's a part of me that I consider important, but not Hubster.
So I just won't bring him!

Yeah!

Sitter Search Results

My husband's annual general checkup results came in. He has gained a lot of weight, and his cholesterol levels are way up. The BAD cholesterol. He has a pot belly. While it is kind of cute, I like remembering his belly hard-musceled, like his arms were, when we first met.
I find that he's defensive, in denial, and suspicious that the Doc and I are ganging up on him to take the pleasure from his life, and make him take expensive meds. He's been acting old for quite a while
I, on the other hand, am looking pretty good for my age. Careful eating, Pilates, and suppliments have helped me to lose some weight and gain some tone. The Doc is pleased with me. I represent good results from following his advice. I gave him full credit for it, too. My hair is a pretty colour, I think. L'Oreal. I feel attractive. And I have a thirst for affection and love like never before.
Younger men? I speculate. I remember how silly it seemed to me last time I tussled with that thought.
No.
Only to make my hubster think he is a younger man again.
That would be heaven.

English Pronunciation Practice for ESL EFL TOEFL TESOL TESL learners - stress-timed and Intonation patterns in English

I am finished with my work for the day, and I'm looking for helpful sites for our ESL people. In a few hours, Hubster and I will be picking up our latest Homestay student from the airport.

I'm taking a quick shower because I smell like tobacco. I visited a chain-smoking client and fixed him a week's worth of batchelor-chow. One look in the fridge and freezer and I could see that his diet had little variety, so I blew his socks off by suggesting that we workers could ROTATE RECEIPES!!! As a smoker with a chronic health condition, he needs good nutrition.
Well, he likes Shepherd's Pie, so that's what I'll make him a batch of, next time.

My oldest son has made Banana Bread, and is playing Settlers of Catan with my youngest son and his two friends. My Husbie is happy to learn that his med is now made in a generic form, saving us $10 per perscription. The house smells very welcoming. I hope our student will be happy here.

I'm making a sign with our student's name so that we can find each other at the airport. I'm wearing a black outfit with a pretty floral silk blouse for flutter.

I'm feeling so nostalgic lately! I'm thinking about my old steady boyfriend (five years and chaste, though chased), my first kiss, my graduation, the assorted flash-flame boyfriends, my old jobs... Being with another Wolseley on Canada Day only made it stronger.
Oooooh! I got so , so silly, so REAL with her. What usually takes years became instant intimacy, heart to heart.

I'm feeling so romantic lately, too! I'm trying to compose poetry in French, German and Spanish, as well as trying to translate favorite love song lyrics. I have begun a translation of Kiss Mein French, and it rhymes! I'm so hungry to hear the languages of love, to be caressed with words and to speak words of love and courage myself. Something is changing, some sweet influence is making ripples in our staid little pond.

"Wake" me, dreamboat!

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

This is a link to one of the techniques described by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, to cure stress and emotional damage without or psychotherapy.
Our Homestay student from Quebec put me onto Dr. David when he saw that I was suffering from stress, sadness and old injuries. Apparently the Dr. presented at Lavall University, where our Homestay studies.
A new Homestay is coming tomorrow.