Cupcakes

Last night Detta went to Oshawa Library - Northview Branch where they had a Cupcake Decorating session for Mother's Day.  All the girls did such a beautiful job decorating their cupcakes.  Here are Detta's, needless to say they didn't last the night.  The cupcakes were by Aunt Aubreys.  They were very good!

The weight loss has had its ups and downs.  Hugh is doing well with over 18 lbs lost.  I gained 4 lbs last week but still have an overall 9 lb loss.  So much of my clothes doesn't fit me.  I need a good clear out of my closet.  Maybe next weekend.

Detta and I are off to Dorchester camp this week with the Pathfinders.  It is going to be a blast, I can't wait.  This is in conjunction with Scouts.  There are lots of good activities to do.  The official name of this camp is Dorchester International Brotherhood Camporee or DIBC.

Girl Guides 100th Birthday Rally Day

On Saturday, I went to the 100th Anniversary Celebration for Girl Guides of Canada. It was an all day celebration at Ontario Place. There were approximately 11,000 girls and women attending. The Molson Amphitheatre was packed. But to start at the beginning, Detta and I woke very early and Hugh drove us to meet the bus for 7:20am. It was a bit disorganized as no one knew what bus they were supposed to be on. Luckily we happened to be dropped off right where our bus was sitting. I had a cooler full of drinks and snacks and Detta and I certainly didn't want to be lugging that around. The drinks and snacks were for the journey home.

Well off we went about 25 minutes late but the organizers had staggered the arrival of buses so it was no a problem. After receiving our welcome package we all got our tickets and wrist bands. Since we were early we walked over to the Cinesphere where we were supposed to see a short movie on Girl Guides. I guess they were not quite ready for us since we saw 'North of Superior'. I probably saw this myself when I was little since it was made in 1971.

After we left there we made our way to the Amphitheatre for the opening ceremonies. We had to wait quite some time as some buses were late due to the Gardener being closed. The opening went well and once it was finished, we made our way to our first station. The whole process of moving from station to station was interesting to say the least. There were so many people there, that at times it was difficult to move especially with 23 people and one wheelchair. Some of the girls didn't want to take part in the events and only wanted to go on the rides. We should have just let them go about on their own or broken into smaller groups. It was a long day.

By the time the closing started it was getting much cooler. I wish I had had mittens with me. They called the buses numbers out so getting out of the Amphitheatre was much quicker than in the morning. We were back to the pickup site by about 7:30pm. I was exhausted and my feet were killing me.

What a couple of Days

On Tuesday night, Kath called me and asked if I wanted to come over to her friends on Wednesday as she was dying!!! I thought that seemed a bit strange. Why would I want to watch someone dying!! What Kath meant to come and see some fabric being dyed!

So on Wednesday morning after my dentist appointment which went very well except at my next appointment I am having my gums measured. My husband informed me that it is excruciatingly painful, thanks for that darling. Anyways I went to meet Kath. I know Kath's friend also but we will just call her Mrs. P.
Mrs. P was demonstrating how to dye wool for hooking. She was finishing dying the background for a friendship rug. We had a very good demonstration on dying fabric though I can't remember what this method is called.

While the material was cooking/steaming, we went through a bunch of Mrs. P's quilt and rug books. I just might hook a rug myself. I found one of a cow I really liked. I also finished the heel on my sock. We then left there and had lunch in Orono. I had a beef sandwich with fries, delicious. By the time we got to Kath's house there wasn't much time to help pin her rugs but I did get the wool to start a hat to match the baby sweator Kath knit for her friend Jan's daughter.

I was home by 5:30 and started casting on the hat. After a couple of trys I got it right and started knitting. But then it was dinner, Hugh cooked a lovely dinner of baked chicken, vegies and rice. It was delicious. Everyone loves this chicken.

Then Detta and I were off to Pathfinders. We were all meeting at Greenwood Conservation area and going for a hike. Detta and I forgot our whistles, water and flashlights. We were not very well prepared. Anyways the hike was great, what a workout. This is the trail I was trying to find when we went on the snake hunt at Easter. The boys would love this, right by the river and lots of mud. I was so sore, up and down hills. I want to do it again this weekend. My legs and butt were killing me.

I knit more on the hat while watching CSI. I did say I was going to stop watching CSI. The episodes seem to be in for the thrill factor and their lack of wearing protective gear for the crime scene is beginning to irritate me. I just love all the high heels and loose hair!!!!

Today I headed to Kath's early. I was so stiff I could hardly get out of bed but I was there by 9am! We had some coffee and Kath started to put the finishing edge on her carpet. I think it is called 'Queen Anne's Lace'. It is so pretty. I kept knitting at the hat and finished it. The curly q's on the top look so cute. It was a good morning and afternoon.

I had a really had a surprise when I came into work. I had a message from one of the staff in the fashion dept. Earlier in the week I had bought some raffle tickets and then you put them in the envelope of the item that interests you. Well I had put all of mine in this Dior make up set (there were quite a few of them). So guess what, I won one!!! YES. I better go and buy a lottery ticket now.

George Brown Visit with Pathfinders

Today was our visit to George Brown in Yorkville with the Pathfinders. One of the girls mothers works there and she arranged all of this for us. Instead of taking public transport, we all met at the church and the girls were divided up between several different vans. I knew exactly where the place was, as this was where Alex took her make-up course (I was a model for her)

Once we arrived, the girls had a introduction to cleansing, moisturizing and generally looking after their skin. This was one of the students who was doing the presentation for us. She did a very good job. Then the girls were divided into two groups. One group was having a manicure done and the other group went through the steps of cleaning their faces. I think everyone had a great time. All the people doing the manicures were students from the cosmetology course.

Then we had lunch which was provided for us. It was a great lunch of wraps and salad. It was delicious, I had to have seconds of both. The after lunch the groups switched places so everyone had manicures and facials.

One of the Pathfinders volunteered to have her make-up done. The teacher demonstrated to the girls the correct way to put make-up on. I think all the girls loved the way they could watch on the big screen. But by this point in the afternoon, I think everyone was getting tired, at least the leaders were.

Camp Weekend

Had a weekend away at camp with the Pathfinders. It went well. The food was good. The beds could have been more comfortable but it was a Girl Guide Camp. At least we were sleeping indoors.

Detta enjoyed herself. We had 23 girls attend out of 25 which was great. We did lots of crafts and the girls enjoyed rolling on the hill. The weather was beautiful. Some of the girls went for a walk on the Brownie Trail!

Lavenders

Well I had to finally get those lavenders I bought planted. They only cost $1.00 each. In fact, Hugh had to pop out to the grocery store so I had him buy 6 more. So in total, my front bed has 15 lavender plants in it. They are all French Lavender but 3 different varieties: Mulberry Ruffles, BoysenBerry Ruffles and Blueberry Ruffles. They look very nice. I just hope they all last being planted so late in the year. When I saw the lavenders on sale, it reminded me of when I was in England and Detta and I were visiting Ham House. The lavender gardens there were beautiful.

Well I haven't heard about the Environment Canada job. But I have an interview with Clarington Public Library. This position is only a part-time 16 hours a week but with 20 hours at Seneca, it may just be perfect.

Anne arrives home tomorrow. She has been in Italy for the past 2 weeks, touring around with a bunch of her girlfriends. Sounds like they had lots of fun. Kath and her husband are in New Zealand until December. They seem to have been having lots of rain and 2 tsunami warnings but then it is spring. Check out her blog - Kath's Blog.

I am off this weekend to camp with the Pathfinders. We are sleeping indoors, thank goodness. I am supposed to have set up some games, but this past two weeks have been crazy and I am not going to get around to it. I haven't even started to pack, well I guess that's what I am going to head off and do now. I still have to finish painting Detta's room. Just the last coat of the orange but that may have to wait till next week, I am running out of time.

Pigeon

The pigeon has now laid an egg. Hugh says it wasn't there this morning. The last meeting of Pathfinders. We had a potluck dinner and then presentations. No more meetings till next Sept.

Home

Finally home after a weekend with Pathfinders. All in all it went well. I did the adventure tasks with the girls. The best one was saving the vase from the toxic waste. It took the girls the longest. The boxes with keys, well they didn't need the compass and co-ordinates because they saw the boxes and grabbed them. But I mixed the boxes with the wrong keys so it took a bit longer. Everyone was excited about the keys and it was a very big free for all. I am exhausted!!!

We also did tie-dying. It was fun and the girls did some very interesting items of clothes. Detta only did her t-shirt and a pair of socks.

Camp Weekend

Detta and I are off camping this weekend with Pathfinders. I am all packed and ready to go though I am sure there is something I have forgotten. I have the adventure tasks all ready - my nephew, Andrew gave them to me. He has done them with Navy cadets in the past. It will be nice to sleep indoors, as I said before, with my Guide unit we have been rained our for the past two years. Hopefully I won't have to do too much, the older girls can do the first 3 adventure tasks with girls. I only have to go and set up the orientation.

I am going to bring my knitting with me. I want to try and finish the baby blanket.

Baby Blanket and Pathfinders

Yes, I am still working on the baby blanket. I had to work today and then there was Pathfinders this evening. I can't believe it is almost 8:30 and it is still light out. We went for a walk with the Pathfinders from Rotary Park to Harwood. It was really nice to walk along the lake. But coming back the bugs!!! There were swarms of those tiny little midges(?!) which were getting in hair, mouths and eyes. I need to do this every night.

I must get the kit list from Detta. We are going camping this weekend with the Pathfinders. She was given it last week (I wasn't feeling well and didn't go) and I still have not received it! We aren't actually camping in tents, much to Detta's relief. I would prefer tents but I do like somewhere dry to sit. The past two years when I went camping (in tents) with the Girl Guides, it rained the entire weekend. Last year we all go soaked, very unpleasant. And an experienced Guide leader like myself had all her clothes soaked!