DON'T FORGET! City of Ottawa Spring Give Away Weekend - Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Happy to share in a friend's reminiscence
Last weekend, I was happy to join a friend on an afternoon outing. We visited an artist's studio, observed nature and shared in a lovely meal while getting caught up with each other. It was a welcome distraction from housework and chores :-)
You can read about it in her article at True North Perspective: http://www.truenorthperspective.com/May_10/May_28/villeneuve-sinclair.html
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Resisting those yard sales
'tis the season for buying other people's cast-offs
While I was out and about town this past week, I saw yard sale / garage sale notices on many a telephone pole. Yep, it's that time of year when families and neighbours get together to sell items they have cleaned out from the nooks and crannies in their own homes.
I have been through this before and even participated in community yard sales. It was a lot of work! One lesson we learned was NOT to schedule ours on the same weekend as the Great Glebe Garage Sale.
What I like about some of the community events is the growing commitment to donate proceeds to various charitable organizations. Of course, there's also the much appreciated social aspect.
Since I am avoiding the temptation to bring more items into my home, I will not partake in yard sale or garage sale activities. As I sift through my own material possessions and prepare for a move next year, I will put aside those items not wanted on the journey. I have already tagged a few items I plan to offer first to family and friends.
Since I want to avoid frustration, wasted time and energy, I prefer to contact directly some of the Ottawa area charities that will come to your home and pick up items. How easy is that? Some of them will even give you a charitable donation tax receipt.
While I was out and about town this past week, I saw yard sale / garage sale notices on many a telephone pole. Yep, it's that time of year when families and neighbours get together to sell items they have cleaned out from the nooks and crannies in their own homes.
I have been through this before and even participated in community yard sales. It was a lot of work! One lesson we learned was NOT to schedule ours on the same weekend as the Great Glebe Garage Sale.
What I like about some of the community events is the growing commitment to donate proceeds to various charitable organizations. Of course, there's also the much appreciated social aspect.
Since I am avoiding the temptation to bring more items into my home, I will not partake in yard sale or garage sale activities. As I sift through my own material possessions and prepare for a move next year, I will put aside those items not wanted on the journey. I have already tagged a few items I plan to offer first to family and friends.
Since I want to avoid frustration, wasted time and energy, I prefer to contact directly some of the Ottawa area charities that will come to your home and pick up items. How easy is that? Some of them will even give you a charitable donation tax receipt.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A Blond Nod and Bobble to Lisa Simpson
On Sunday evening, I really enjoyed watching some of the politically incorrect animated television comedies with my teenagers.
In the season 21 episode "To Surveil with Love", Lisa Simpson is faced with a personal dilemma after she attempts to defend her position in a school debate. Her opponent used a shady attempt to belittle Lisa's argument and logic because she is... blond. Whaaa?!
I guess it is acceptable that this subject was given sub-plot value to the civil liberties one. It was in-didly-deed hilarious to hear tattle tale citizen Ned Flanders state in so many words that "instead of being like Big Brother, I was more like a Little Sister."
When Lisa's blondness was centered out at a town hall meeting as she expressed concerns over public surveillance, I guffawed as the mayor's blond bimbo girlfriend attempted to provide support - although misguided. Yes, there are some exceptions to the evolving blond thought theory...
Although I could not agree with Lisa's extreme decision to darken her hair color, I applauded her efforts to defend her position and point out the flaws of the debate judges, the audience (and maybe society) in their own responses to her appearance and assumed intelligence as a brunette. I laughed aloud when Lisa revealed her blondness underneath the darkened locks and one of the horrified judges gasped "Roots!"
Kudos to the show writers for their creativity and wit. The Simpsons' official web site:
http://www.thesimpsons.com/recaps/season21/
Please note: Canadian English spelling of words were substituted by their U.S English cousins, to accommodate our neighbours to the south ;-^
Go peacefully, openly and ... fair :-)
T
In the season 21 episode "To Surveil with Love", Lisa Simpson is faced with a personal dilemma after she attempts to defend her position in a school debate. Her opponent used a shady attempt to belittle Lisa's argument and logic because she is... blond. Whaaa?!
I guess it is acceptable that this subject was given sub-plot value to the civil liberties one. It was in-didly-deed hilarious to hear tattle tale citizen Ned Flanders state in so many words that "instead of being like Big Brother, I was more like a Little Sister."
When Lisa's blondness was centered out at a town hall meeting as she expressed concerns over public surveillance, I guffawed as the mayor's blond bimbo girlfriend attempted to provide support - although misguided. Yes, there are some exceptions to the evolving blond thought theory...
Although I could not agree with Lisa's extreme decision to darken her hair color, I applauded her efforts to defend her position and point out the flaws of the debate judges, the audience (and maybe society) in their own responses to her appearance and assumed intelligence as a brunette. I laughed aloud when Lisa revealed her blondness underneath the darkened locks and one of the horrified judges gasped "Roots!"
Kudos to the show writers for their creativity and wit. The Simpsons' official web site:
http://www.thesimpsons.com/recaps/season21/
Please note: Canadian English spelling of words were substituted by their U.S English cousins, to accommodate our neighbours to the south ;-^
Go peacefully, openly and ... fair :-)
T
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Hoarding and Mini Storage Trends
While I was watching Law and Order on a U.S. station the other night, an advertisement came on for mini storage units to alleviate consumer citizens from their overcrowded drawers, closets and garages. This confirmed the recent news that there is a trend in American citizens who rent these units to pack away their excess "stuff". I am assUmIng the same applies to Canadians as well.
I can understand the need for short-term storage when you move to a smaller house or apartment - or plan to travel for an extended period of time (you lucky buggers). Another need would be to keep extra furniture and appliances that your offspring may need - once they move out on their own ;-^ Once they move out on their own...
With the exception of heirlooms and archives, I do not wish to get to the point of having to store "stuff" that neither my family nor I will need in the near future. Thankfully, I didn't buy into the Beanie Baby craze or other collectibles such as "commemorative plates" or "ethnic dolls". If anyone has actually benefited financially from these, I'd really like to hear about it!
So, I continue my de-cluttering project by focussing on the bathroom cupboards and counters.
Related articles and links:
Time Magazine
Hoarding: How Collecting Stuff Can Destroy Your Life
By Kayla Webley Monday, Apr. 26, 2010
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1984444,00.html
The Story of Stuff (fun, informative!)
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
City of Ottawa Spring Give Away Weekend - Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6 2010
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/recycling_garbage/giveaway/
"One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. " If you're nosy enough, it will be interesting to see what the neighbours are clearing out :-)
Go peacefully - and on a clear path :-)
I can understand the need for short-term storage when you move to a smaller house or apartment - or plan to travel for an extended period of time (you lucky buggers). Another need would be to keep extra furniture and appliances that your offspring may need - once they move out on their own ;-^ Once they move out on their own...
With the exception of heirlooms and archives, I do not wish to get to the point of having to store "stuff" that neither my family nor I will need in the near future. Thankfully, I didn't buy into the Beanie Baby craze or other collectibles such as "commemorative plates" or "ethnic dolls". If anyone has actually benefited financially from these, I'd really like to hear about it!
So, I continue my de-cluttering project by focussing on the bathroom cupboards and counters.
Related articles and links:
Time Magazine
Hoarding: How Collecting Stuff Can Destroy Your Life
By Kayla Webley Monday, Apr. 26, 2010
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1984444,00.html
The Story of Stuff (fun, informative!)
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
City of Ottawa Spring Give Away Weekend - Saturday June 5 and Sunday June 6 2010
http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/recycling_garbage/giveaway/
"One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. " If you're nosy enough, it will be interesting to see what the neighbours are clearing out :-)
Go peacefully - and on a clear path :-)
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