Ellen DeGeneres ~ "I Love Jesus But I Drink A Little" With Gladys From A...

This is an oldie but so funny. Gladys is awesome and of course, so is Ellen.

Gangnam Style Halloween

Happy Halloween Everyone!!! If you like to watch people dance, you will enjoy this video. This song is all you hear lately - very popular.

I think I've gone bloody bonkers!!!!

Believe it or not, I shopped for stocking stuffers today for my husband and two sons and then brought the stuff home and wrapped it all up. I am not sure what came over me. I got looking at some Christmas stuff on Pinterest and the next thing you know I decide to run out and get a start on the shopping. This does not mean the momentum will keep going. It could just be an isolated incident. I am just one of those people that get something in their head and then I just have to go and do it.

I have to say I find it harder to think of something for a guy's sock than a girl's. I used to shop for my three daughters too and it just seemed so easy. They liked so many things: make up, hair bands, pens, smelly stuff...easy peasy. I find it more difficult to pick things up for the guys (that they will actually use).

I found a few suggestions on Pinterest and thought it may help a few of you out. I was able to make a mini list from this big list and managed a lot of things from the Dollar Store (gum, floss, toothpaste,chapstick etc.)

Just click on the link:

http://thelifeoflulubelle.com/2012/09/29/100-stocking-stuffer-easter-basket-and-gift-bag-ideas-for-men/

Sons Just Don't Get It!!!!

I have five children, the three oldest being girls. Girls tell you what is going on and keep you up to date on things. Boys, at least mine, not so much.

My youngest son, in his last year of high school now, has repeatedly forgotten to tell me about class trips, permission slips, and the list goes on. Over the years I have rushed to the school with a packed lunch in hand as the entire class waits for me so they can carry on with their trip. I am wondering if the teachers think I just don't care or I am tired out with all these kids. Seriously!!!

Anyway, in keeping with that theme, I receive a letter today inviting me to a celebration at the High School YESTERDAY to recognize the academic success of my son (oh, and other kids too).
Don't get me wrong, I am very proud of him, just disappointed that I wasn't at the school. I was here at home doing laundry and other mother things. His reaction "no big deal Mom, here are the certificates and things they gave me". Great, thanks!!.

This is my baby, his last year in school, best he has done in his entire school career and I wasn't there to be a cheerleader...hmm, maybe that is why I didn't get invited.

Oh well, sons just don't get it, or perhaps Moms don't get it. I'm not sure.

I Love Surprises!!! Two brothers restore their father's motorbike and surprise him

Just happened upon this video. I love surprises and being part of them as well. This is just so adorable and fun.

I had the pleasure of taking part in a flash mob surprise "remarriage" for my sister this past summer. She had no idea she was renewing her vows and having a wedding, reception, the whole thing. I understand what these guys are talking about when they say the "lies, lies, lies". It is hard when you are close to someone to pull off something bigger because you do have to lie to them. I avoided my sister as much as possible and yes, she noticed but still did not expect anything like we pulled off. It was a success..just like these guys. So cute.

We had fun after the fact when I could tell her some of the funny things that happened along the way and the times we came close to blowing the whole surprise.

PS: she was shocked for a very long time...lol

IKEA Nanny Banned Commercial

OMG..this one is hilarious too. Don't you just love IKEA stuff???

"Time to leave home"

I had someone ask me for suggestions the other day on how to get an adult daughter to move out on her own. I had suggested not wearing any clothes but apparently she has tried that..yikes!! I was only joking!!. Anyway, the demonstration in this video shows exactly how you can get your kids to move out.

Banned Ikea Commercial - Tidy Up

Lol; love it!!!

Worst Day EVER!!!

Pisser of a day, huh? LOL
One time I made four homemade pizzas and was taking them to Kevin's parents place in the back of our van. We pull into the yard (on an incline) and when Kevin opens the trunk, the pizzas fly out onto the pavement. Homemade donair meat on homemade dough...on the f'in driveway. We managed to salvage some...ah, memories!!!

Sarah Millican Live At The Apollo Full (adults 18+)

Love watching stand up. She is adorable. I had never seen her before and apparently she has her own show. I have seen clips but not a full show. Enjoy!!

Sharesies - Growth Spurts Consignment Store

When I find info worth sharing, I do.........

Today Mom and I decided to check out a consignment shop called "Growth Spurts" located at 6092 Cunard Street in Halifax. There is another location at 1175 Bedford Highway, but I have not visited that location...yet!!

Anyway, in my opinion, this is a place worth visiting if you are expecting, have a baby or a toddler. I purchased several items for my grandson. One of the items I purchased was a Columbia snow suit. I didn't buy it for the name, it was just a quality snow suit. It was $35.00. I have no idea how much it would be new but I know it would be more than $35.00.

I also purchased several other items, some with the tags still on (never worn)..pants, shirts, old navy, joe, george. I had a bag full for $63.00.  I know that may seem high but the snow suit is what put the price up. I was no intending to buy one today, but when I saw it for that price and it had just come into the store - I grabbed it. He will look adorable in it. I will get his photo in it and post it one of these days.

Anyway, if you are preggers or if you have little ones and you enjoy a bargain, check it out. You can also find them on Facebook and their email is growthspurts@hotmail.com if you need to get in touch. The Cunard Street location (407-3434) is open from Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30 am to 5 pm and the Bedford Highway hours are the same with the exception of Thursdays when they are open until 9:00 pm (431-7738).

I am now on the lookout for a high chair.

The Best Ballads Of Phil Collins

I love to crank tunes when I am picking up around the house or when I take a break like right now with my feet up, cup of coffee in hand, enjoying Phil. Great concert and the songs bring back memories. This is best done alone because if the kids are home or my husband...I hear "will you please turn that down?" I understand, I have it cranked. I do the same thing in the car when a song comes on that I love. Funny, I don't care for loud music at any other time. I don't like to yell across the table at someone if I am out with them....so..home alone or in the car..that's it.

PS: I planned on puttering around the entire time Phil was playing, but here I sit...ahh...yup, I'm a fan. One more song and then the next load of laundry gets done.

Shooting with the Nifty 50...

A few of my fellow classmates asked our intructor last night which lens he would recommend if he were to pick one for them to add to their kit. He said the "nifty fifty" which is a 50mm lens. Every camera will have their own version of this lens. Apparently Canon marketed a lens called a "portrait lens" and they sold like crazy. It is the same thing (may have been called the perfect portrait lens)..anyway, our instructor said it was the same lens as the nifty fifty and it is a very useful lens to have. I have a Sony 50mm F2.8 lens and it is the one I use the most..love it.

Photography 101 - Week 2: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO

Week 2 we focused (no pun intended) on the fundamentals of photography. The instructor mentioned that this week may be the toughest one we will have to remember the rules but once they are remembered, you won't forget them (here's hoping). Anyway, I searched for a video on youtube that best explains what we went over. I find I benefit from actually watching a video or listening to an instructor versus just reading it from my notes.

In simple terms, an image can be classified in 3 ways: underexposed (too dark), properly exposed (enough light) and overexposed (too bright).

The 3 key settings of exposure are as follows:

Shutter speed - the length of time it takes to record a photograph
Aperture - the size of the opening in the lens
ISO - the level of sensitivity of the recording surface (sensor)

In order to have control over the exposure in the camera, set it on Manual Mode. This way you can adjust each setting individually to achieve the correct exposure for your picture.

Our instructor explained that the shutter speed and aperture are artistic choices and the ISO is a technical choice. Using different shutter speeds will create different effects in the photo and these speeds are represented in seconds. Slowing down the shutter speed will allow more light in.

It all comes down to practice, practice, practice..no way around that.
PS: our teacher has a favorite shutter speed and that is 1/15th second. I guess this wouldn't work for everything, but it must work for most things he does.

I am sure the video explains it better than I do...lol. I am still learning. My home assignment this week is to set my camera on Manual Mode, ISO 400, Aperture f/8, Shutter Speed 1/125, select a subject to photograph, take note of what the camera light meter is telling me, overexposed, underexposed?? and make adjustments to shutter, aperture and ISO until I achieve a properly exposed image. Post at least 3 images to the Flickr Group, including the correctly exposed one. Easy peasy??? we shall see. It is all about having fun. I can do that.

THRIFT SHOP FEAT. WANZ (OFFICIAL VIDEO)-* Warning - If you are offended by swearing, don't watch it!!! For 18 years +

I  did a LOL for real when I heard the lyrics to this song. Great, now I will be singing it to myself when I go thrift shopping. First, let me say, I have always loved bargain shopping. I want to say that I started doing it as a single mom with 3 little girls and that is true, I did, because I needed to, but I think my love of the bargain goes way back. I remember getting excited about rummage sales and I would always frequent yard sales and flea markets. Another thing I remember from childhood: hand me downs; I always loved them. I would always pass my clothes on to others as well. I remember my aunt would take them to a family close to where she used to go camping a lot. I would get a written thank you in the mail from a little girl I never met before.

Funny store about me and thrift shopping. I had my granddaughter here visiting and I told her I wanted to take her to the "Black Market" which is a cool "retail" store in Halifax. Anyway, Sarah kept saying "no, that is okay, you don't have to take me". I insisted, told her she would really like it, she did and then she added "it isn't at all what I thought it would be". Now I am curious "why is that Sar?" to which she replies "I thought it would be all dark and musty and stuff"...LOL. I guess not everyone in the family is a fan of the bargain bin.

I am glad that frugal shopping is now a trendy thing to do. I now have a reason to see if my skills are still sharp - an ever growing grandson . Not for my granddaughter, she wants no part of it..lol

Photography 101

So...after a few failed attempts to get into a Photography Class, I managed my first class last week. Henry's School of Imaging has offered different classes and twice before I was all signed up and ready to go and the class was cancelled due to lack of interest. Anyway, when I called to check on this class to make sure it was a "go ahead" and I explained what had happened the last few times, I was told that this won't happen in the future. Even if one person is signed up for the class, it will go on. Good to know.

Anyway, there are 12 people in this class and it is called Photo 101 and is a 6 week course. The teacher is Mike Bayer who is a photographer/teacher and the classes are very laid back. We were all given the teacher's business card at the beginning of our class and he said we could email or call any time we like. He is willing to share everything he has learned as a photographer. Wonderful!!!

Our first class we went around the room and each person said why they were taking the course. Most everyone said they are tired of leaving their camera on "auto" all the time. I don't leave mine on auto a lot but I do know there are a lot of settings that I don't use much. Hopefully this class will help with that.

I am glad our teacher clarified one thing. A fellow student told the teacher that his wife is obsessed with getting the perfect shot, no editing required. I do not know a photographer that does zero editing. It isn't like I know a lot of photographers, but I know a few and it just isn't possible to get everything perfect. The teacher said it was about 30 percent the shot and the rest would be what comes afterwards. I wouldn't have guessed 30. I was going to say about 50/50 but I am not a professional photographer. Anyway, it is good to know. Some photos don't require a lot of editing but I would think most would need to be a tad sharper or some of the colour a little more vibrant etc. Anyway, this class isn't about editing, it is about knowing how to use the camera.

This class is more like someone handed you a new camera in a box and the teacher is guiding you on how to use it. My second class is tonight. Homework completed.

First Assignment: create a flickr account (for those of you wondering what this is, it is an online photo sharing site). We were to take 3 photos of the exact same thing, no flash, and experiment with the Exposure Compensation. Anyway, you take one photo overexposed, one underexposed and one regular. Post the good and the bad.

We were also given some useful links:
http://wvs.topleftpixel.com
http://www.dpreview.com
http://www.flickr.com
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures/
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/
http://www.photolife.com
http://www.aperture.org

I should also explain what Exposure Compensation means. It is basically a way to make adjustments to the brightness of a photograph as you are taking it. With the camera set in Program Mode (P) you can hit the +/- button (hitting the + button will make your picture overexposed and hitting the - button will make it underexposed). You always have to remember to go back and set it to 0 or the camera will stay what you had it on last, even if you turn the camera off and back on again.

Anyway, second class is tonight. Looking forward to it.

Epic Translation Fail

This English lesson has gone horribly wrong...LOL

Livia Soprano - "It's all a big nothing"

Have to admit, I was a Soprano fan. I was sad to see the character of Tony's Mom die but apparently she died in "real life". I loved her character, she cracked me up.
We still say this to one another in my house  ..."it's all a big nothing!!!" (always seems to make someone laugh).  

Secret Talent - Thrift Shopping

 

I have a secret talent and that is thrift shopping. I have always been a fan and although I don't do it as often as i used to,(you can just gather way too much stuff ) I still get a kick out of it. My grandson is growing pretty quickly and he hardly wears something before he is out of it. Some things I bought him new, he never had on his back before he outgrew them. Anyhoo..today I bought him five items for $5.00, no tax. I am pretty happy with that. I have no idea if Ed Hardy jeans are in any longer but they are bootcut and adorable and they cost $1.00...so.....

Brian Regan-I Walked On The Moon (Full)

I love watching stand up. Saw this guy for the first time a year or two ago. I laughed the whole way through. Most people don't know but I have had chronic pain for 7 years now because of a neck issue that often causes migraines. Anyway, when I am having a day where I need to put my feet up and put a magic bag on my neck - I often search the web for something to laugh at, take my mind off of how I am feeling at the time.

ELDERS REACT TO GANGNAM STYLE

This is great. I wish I had a webcam and could tape my Mom. She is hilarious and you never know what she is going to say. I am going to ask her today if she knows what gangnam style is. She just might. A few years ago I was with her in the grocery store and there was a guy walking down the aisle who had his pants so low that it seemed like his belt was just above his knees. Mom looks at me and says "pants on the ground, pants on the ground, looking like a fool with your pants on the ground". I had no idea that she even knew that song. She also used to say things too loud before we convinced her that she needed to get her ears tested. She now (reluctantly) has hearing aids. I feel pretty lucky as Mom is 78 now and she is always on the go and pretty active. She still makes her own wine (in her walk in closet)...lol...she is a cutie for sure. I hope I am in as good as shape as her when I am 78. She does refer to herself as old and "not like she used to be" but seriously, she has as much energy as I do. I love you Ma!!! You are an inspiration.<3

Update: I asked Mom yesterday if she knew what gangnam style was. She didn't miss a beat: "Yes, it's a style of dance and so and so is doing it next week on Dancing with the Stars"..lol. Told you I have the attention span of squirrel, I don't remember which stars she said. Anyway, she knew exactly what I was talking about. Doesn't really surprise me.

It's Anti-Bullying Month and I am tired of hearing the word suicide!!!!

I have to admit it, I am not "worldly". I should know a heck of a lot more about what is going on in the world but to tell you the truth - the news depresses me. It really does. I will often scan the headlines and then I wonder why I do.

On the weekend I read about yet another suicide by a young woman. I watched her story on youtube and it just broke my heart. I watched a program on W-5 about sexting and how that has turned into some pretty awful cyber bullying. I am just sick of it. What are we to do about it? Technology is a wonderful thing but if used for the wrong things, it is just catastrophic. My heart aches for all involved.

I guess I am just one of those crazy people that believe we were put here on this earth to love and to be loved. I still believe in that.

I have seen the after effects of what suicide does to a family. Please stop and think before you bully someone. We all need love, we all want love.

I am tired of reading about the bad things. If listening to this song over and over helps one person, that would be the most amazing news ever. I have personally gone through some challenges in my younger life and my sister gave me a poem titled "Don't Quit". I posted it on the fridge and I read it every day. It may sound crazy, but it did help me. Especially the "rest if you must, but don't you quit!!!" Life can be wonderful and you have to keep the faith that it will. Amazing people come into your life when you are open to it. Tell someone if you are in pain. People really do want to help. Hang on!!!

Hilariously FAST performance of popular PARENTAL SAYINGS!

Awesome!!!

Cutest Father & Daughter...

I have seen this video a few times. I think it is adorable and you can just feel the love between them. Precious.

Scary Web Videos Ellen

Well, it's almost that time of year again. I know the few times over the years that the guys in this house have scared me, my reaction is to be upset. I just can't imagine the lady at the end of this video segment. I would be scarred for life. Why does it always seem like it is mostly guys that get a kick out of scaring people or is that just my experience? Funny how I hate it so much but the videos I find hilarious. Enjoy!

'Grace': PETA's Banned Thanksgiving Ad

too funny...this cracks me up. She makes it sounds so awful, yet here I sit smelling my turkey as it cooks in the oven. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Sharesies

If I find something that I consider a really good deal or a great idea; I love to share that. I bought this candle (sorry for quality of pic but I took it quickly with my phone) at the Dollar Store in Bayers Lake, Halifax a few weeks ago. I have used it many times since...I can't guess at how many hours but lots. Anyway, it wasn't a dollar. I think it may have been $3.00. The point is, it smells so much like a candle I purchased years back at the Aveda Spa in New Glasgow, N.S. Weird, huh? I think the candle from the spa was around $20...may have been more. I bought a candle with a gift certificate I had. Anyway, I hope other Dollar Stores have them too. I want more.

 

Update: I found a candle that looked just like this one, same colour, same jar but it didn't smell like the spa one at all. The fragrance you are looking for is  "Garden Mint". There are ones that look exactly the same but are "Garden Green" (me no likey)

Isn't Technology Grand?

My Mom called me this morning. She didn't get an answer when she called my sister's house. She left a message but didn't call her cell phone because she didn't want to bother her if she was at the doctor or something. My sister hadn't been feeling well, so Mom thought maybe she got worse and went to the doctor. So...I text my sister, ask her how she is. she reports that she is fine and at the grocery store. I call my Mom back and let her know that my sister is fine and at the grocery store. I then text my sister back and she says she will call Mom later. Too funny...if only we could convince Mom to get a cell phone or a computer. She isn't having it!!! I am still working on her. Never say never.