FIRST ROAD TRIP OF 2009 - ALLISTON, ONTARIO, CANADA & All Aboard the G-Scale Train

I had the ultimate idea for Bob's birthday present back in January 2009 -- after the fabulous birthday gift he gave me I knew I had to come up with something just as special. I placed a request through Etsy and had three replies and picked one. The man on there told me he could have it done and to my doorstep before Bob's birthday. I heard from him around Valentine's Day to say basically he was working on two projects for someone else. My heart sunk, I had a feeling that my "ultimate present" wouldn't be arriving any time soon. I didn't want to be a pain in the neck to the guy, but come on, I requested this early enough and he said it would be done. I could of had one of the other guys did it. When Valentine's Day came around I presented Bob with a card stating that we could take a trip to a train store in Alliston and we could buy a train car for his garden train set. Bob was super excited, but we had to put those plans on hold because other obligations came up. Well, on Thursday I emailed the guy on Etsy only to have him not reply until Friday basically saying he would have the present done this weekend and would be mailed out on Monday. There is no way I'm paying AIR postage for a present that should have been done well before so I should have been able to only pay regular postage to have the present arrive on time. I'm very disappointed. I wanted this to be Bob's ultimate gift. So, it was decided on Friday evening we would take a road trip (2 1/2 hours away) to Alliston, Ontario to a train store where they have Garden Train supplies. We slept in (ahhhhhhhhh, so nice) and headed to Timmies for our breakfast and hit the road around 10:30am. Bob decided we should stop at an outlet mall in Cookstown where he knew there was a Lego store. (Bob is a Lego Train Nut) but we found out it was closed - since June 2008 -- seems to be full of stock, all the lego still on the shelves, everything inside, there was a note something about the buyers not purchasing new stock in time or something. Very strange. We had some lunch and then carried on to Hockley Valley Railroad train store which was another 15 minutes up the road.

Once we were inside, Bob went into shock. So many LGB train cars, so many G-scale buildings and accessories. His brain was on overload. lol I told him I was willing to purchase him a train car or building. Thing about G-Scale is it is very expensive. The cheapest car in stock was $69.00 plus tax all the way up to $250.00 plus tax. The buildings started at $65.00 plus tax all the way up to $300.00 plus tax. He couldn't decide. He suggested we go for a coffee at a local Timmies and discuss the options. Off we went. Once at Timmies it was decided the best course of action would be to purchase track. He doesn't really own any. Train cars, he has some, and no more shelf room to display at the moment. Buildings, as nice as they are and worth every penny, he has plans to make his own. Track, something he definately needs!!!! I said I should get him enough track that if he wants to set the track up in the house whether it be upstairs on in the "standing room" that he could and when money permits, we pick up more track at another time when he is ready to put the train outside. He seemed VERY excited. We hopped into the car and off we went back to the store where we purchased two boxes of track. So fast-forwarding to the end of the day, here is Bob with his track in the standing room. lol

Backing up to Alliston -- once we were done purchasing Bob's present we decided to head for home. BUT, we came all this way, which means it was time for a little Geocaching. Bob and I are geocachers. Scratch-n-Win that's us! You may ask, "WHAT THE HECK IS GEOCACHING?" As Bob once said to some fellows who asked the same question "Ever wanted to be a Pirate searching for treasure?" Definition: a type of scavenger hunt for waterproof containers bearing treasure using the containers' exact geographic coordinates and Global Positioning System devices. It's VERY addictive and we use to do it every day we could, finding 6 - 10 a weekend day. We've slowed down quite a bit since we bought the house and got married Sept. 2008 -- to the point that other "geocachers" have asked us if we retired. lol We told them we were hibernating. Prior to the trip we loaded up the trusty GPS. We found 3 actually. Small micros (equalling pill containers, key holders, etc..) but had to cut it short because 1 1/2 hours from home Bob's car decided to start making funky (scary) noises that we thought we might have to call CAA - but Bob said "let's just go and if we break down at the side of the road then we'll call CAA" Thank God the car stopped making the noise when we hit the highway, he thinks it might of been mud and stones in the tire area of the car.

So the following picture is one of the cache area's we stopped at. (Click on the photo to read about the cache)

Here's some pictures of things we saw while we were travelling home. Jets taking off from Toronto's Pearson's International Airport.

The Weather Network Building The Burlington Skyway and Stelco And now for some Train video's taken this evening....

Now, I'm off to go post some funny photo's Bob and I took of his G-Scale Passenger Train Cars -- CLICK HERE TO SEE THEM

NOTE: WE HAVE NOW MOVED ALL THE G-SCALE TRAIN ENTRIES TO OUR NEW BLOG: www.gscaletrain.blogspot.com

Craving Thunderstorms

With spring fast approaching and the odd mornings getting up and going outside to feel the warm temperatures the odd time along with a drizzley morning, it makes me crave thunderstorms.

Bob and I LOVE thunderstorms and driving somewhere where we can try and take photo's of lightning.

These were taken near the Beacon in Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada.

There were taken in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada

JUMP JUMP - Everybody JUMP

Time to be silly!

Last year we decided to start taking funny photo's. I would get Bob to run into a normal situation and jump and I'd try and snap the photo while he was in the air. The end result was hilarious!!!!!!!

So then we would ask other people to jump with Bob.



People were finding it fun and then they were jumping when we asked.And then they were taking photo's of themselves jumping and sending them to us.



When Bob and I got married in Sept. 2008 -- we had him jump for one of the wedding shots!

We then came up with this shot after seeing someone else do this on the internet.

So as you can see, we were having fun. We even started our own FACEBOOK GROUP titled JUMP. Please feel free to check it out and join and better yet, add your own JUMP photo's! It's fun and really can make people laugh and have a good time. There are a lot more photo's in that group as well. Be prepared to put a smile on your face. I'm still laughing at some of them!

ABOVE NIAGARA

When I first started dating Bob, in 2005, he told me he was acting in a show that could possibly hit the tv stations in the future titled ABOVE NIAGARA. It was all shot within the Niagara Region.

One day he had to go and do a film shoot and asked me to come along. I was just going to be on the side-lines watching. It was a cool afternoon and it was starting to cloud over. We got there early. The scene was with the Mayor (Janine Heaven)* of "Port Niagara" along with the Mayor's Assistant "Bob". There were suppose to be a bunch of extra's pretending to be the media interviewing the Mayor. Robert "Tanos", the director, showed up with his crew and cameras and started setting up. A few more extras showed up but there weren't enough. Bob introduced me to him and "Tanos" asked me if I would mind playing an extra. I had no experience acting since I'm quite a shy person in real life. What the heck, might as well try. I agreed. My job, take a camera and just pretend to take photo's of the interview. It was fun!!! Mind you a while later when I actually got to see part of the show, I wasn't on screen for very long and it was my back (and I was 30 lbs lighter) ROTFL!!!!!!!

I was asked again to play a part as Bob's assistant in a town hall meeting, and I didn't have lines, but as the rest of the cast and extra's left, they did a close up of Bob asking me out for a drink and I had to respond. (BLUSH). Another time was a scene for a Halloween Party. I was told once again just to be an extra in the background playing a game with Bob, etc......... but again at the end of the night, Bob's big part came up and he was having a conversation with another character. Next thing I know, "Tanos" is saying "Say this and say that", etc...... LOL -- my big break! Shy little Mary is acting reciting lines.

The show is still being compiled and Tanos has added a new twist. He is actively searching for more positions to be filled. This you are interested? CLICK HERE and then click on the menu selection CASTING.

There currently is a FACEBOOK GROUP as well.

* Janine Heaven is the offciant who married us - looking for an officiant? CLICK HERE


PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KARYN : TRAILMIXDESIGNS!!!!!!!


PSS: Just added some cute little penguins on the side of the page, you can't miss them. Try moving your mouse around them and they follow!

Local Music Talent for the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

Now it is time to introduce you to some local muscians who live in my neck of the woods. :o)

Ceol Cara, pronounced (“key-OLE KAR-uh”) is an Irish (Gaelic) phrase meaning “music friend ”.
The band formed in early 2005 through newly bonded friendships with the sharing of music at song circles. The four band members each currently live in the Niagara area and have been active in the music scene for many years. Everyone contributes vocally in rich textures and harmonies covering a variety of Celtic, Traditional, Shanties and Canadian music. Known for their personalities on stage and the fun and energy that they have performing together, Ceol Cara continues to grow in popularity around Southwestern Ontario.

I was actually introduced to them because I work with one of the group members. I first saw them when they played at a Piratefest in Toronto a few years ago and they were totally amazing. I then saw them again at the Grape & Wine Festival in St. Catharines and then again at a friend's wedding. You can normally find them out and about at different bars, etc... playing for small to big crowds as everyone seems to enjoy their music. One of their fun songs is titled TIGHTY WHITIE MAN. They are currently recording for a CD - so stay tuned for that! Also, here is their schedule to see them live.

Next we have the great Joe Lapinski (giggle).

I was introduced to him back when I first started dating Bob (2005) and saw him perform in a theatre group named Suitcase In Point . I'll never forget, I really really enjoyed the show that I contacted the group to tell them so and Joe wrote back thanking me. I went to another show later on where Joe (which I didn't know at that point) was going to perform musically and he actually recognized me from MYSPACE (when I was using that site) and he remembered I liked the Pet Shop Boys. So as time went on, I found out he had his own album along with one he had with a group named The Regards. After listening to some previews of songs on Joe's SUNDRIES album I knew I had to have a copy. I purchased one and even had it autographed by Joe! (GRIN) I love all the songs off the album but my favorite by far is SONG FOR DIGGING. Maybe it is because Bob and I love to Metal Detect. lol Here is Joe's Schedule.

And last but not least we have Michael Wainwright.

I first saw him when he was playing with The Caverners. He was John Lennon. Who doesn't love the Beatles?? You can also see some video's shot from the Grape & Wine Festival in St. Catharines. But that was just the beginning. I didn't realize until we bumped into him at the Ringo Starr concert at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls last year that he did solo work. Bob recognized him when we let out from the concert and we went over to him and I was quite shy. Bob said he knew his brother and they went on talking and that's when Michael told us about the Guitar and a Car Tour. I even got a hug from Michael. (BLUSH) If you have time, you really have to listen to his music and take the time to watch all the video's he has for the Guitar and a Car Tour!! Very very interesting stuff!!! Here is his schedule.

And there you have it, I'm sure there are hundred's of other local bands, but these three are my favorite so far! Here's hoping they get nominated for the Niagara Music Awards 2009! It would be so cool if their music could be played on 91.7 Giant FM radio station!

Keep up the great work lads!!!! Keep those hits coming!!!!!!!

MICHAEL WAINWRIGHT IS NOW ON TWITTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was a Lazy Day

So, yesterday was a lazy day. We slept in, woke up, it was blowing and snowing outside. We made coffee & toast and decided it would be an art day.

Bob started working on more little G-Scale items for his Garden Train set and I was inspired by a Blue Meanie from Beatle's Yellow Submarine and painted this funky and fun photo frame. (Currently for sale on Etsy, see to the right of the screen for my store).

Later on in the evening we stayed up to watch the Academy Awards. We were VERY impressed with the whole set up of the stage along with how they handed out the awards for the support actress, actor and main actor & actress. Loved the speech from the director of the short animation Kunio Kato’s “Domo Arigato Mr Roboto”. Here's the link I found on YouTube of the speech!

PS: Happy Birthday to our friend JOE!!!!!!!

Back on 02-12-09 we had a Weird Power Problem in Jordan Station

The morning of February 12, 2009 the wind was howling outside. Bob was in the washroom getting ready for work and I decided to put some items out in the recycle box. As I was outside I could hear some weird electrical noise in the distance while the wind was howling through the trees. I noticed the outside security light was flickering fiercely. I walked back into the house to see the lights all dimming down to equal what you would call a brown-out and then coming back on full-force. Bob yelled from the bathroom "What are you doing?" because our bathroom doesn't have windows so the room he would of been in would go completely dark as the power would shut off and back on. I ran back outside and saw a blue flash above a tree in the distance. I ran down to the top of the street to see a power line arching. I ran back to the house to grab the camera and then ran back to the top of the street to record this:

When I got back to the house the power was still flickering wildy. Bob and I ran around the house unplugging anything that didn't need to be plugged in and decided we better head to work or we were going to be late. We then decided to stop nearby where the arching wire was but far enough a way so we wouldn't get hurt and Bob took a series of snap shots with the camera and was lucky enough to come up with this one:

Showing off some of Bob's work

Bob likes trains. His dream is to one day have his own Garden Railroad. The house we purchased actually has the main rail system running near it.

So since things are tough money wise, he has decided to use his talents and start to build from scratch some items for a Garden Railway. He has a few train cars to get him started but he needs some little props.

He started to build little pallets, build spindles to hold wire, and paint little barrels. His mom even made him some little grain sacks.

And here are the pieces to his train.

and if you use Facebook and currently live within the Niagara Region (or not) you are welcome to join our new Facebook Group for Garden Trains

NOTE: We have created a new blog STRICKLY for our G-Scale Train Hobby - so feel free to check out: www.gscaletrain.blogspot.com

Backing up to Valentine's Day 2005

My very first Valentine's Day gift from Bob.

I was in shock - I was so excited, I couldn't believe someone actually made me something.

Here's what the sketch was based on.

and here is the sketch

He knew I loved the PET SHOP BOYS so much, so he sketched me a picture of them and it isn't small.

Maybe you'll like the Pet Shop Boys too -- check them out: http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/

The Fab Four Meet Up Together & Awesome Finds for me at Value Village

Ladies & Gentlemen

THE BEATLES

lol

Well, here you have it, the Fab Four together once again and in my "standing room". Yep, Bob and I have a standing room in our house. He calls it that because we don't have any furniture in it. It actually has come in VERY hand that way. We had extra room to place another table of 6 for Christmas Dinner and on New Years Eve we had a party and people brought their blow-up beds and it was an extra room for that.

I still have to varnish them. Ringo is done, George needs one more coat, Paul two and John three. I'm pretty impressed.

Next I want to brag about some fab finds at Value Village. I can hardly wait until it gets warmed out for me to wear the shirts.

I also found this (I took a photo of the front and back)HI TO MY FRIENDS IN ENGLAND!

And last but not least, this awesome fun-fur purse!!

I just love it, it is so soft!!!

PET SHOP BOYS on the BRIT AWARDS 2009

If you didn't know this already, I LOVE THE PET SHOP BOYS !!!!!!!!!


They were given the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award !!

Here are some clips I found on YOUTUBE of them doing their thing on the Brit Awards 2009


The Award (and part of the act)




The act :o)




I really hope they do not take too long to come back over to Canada for concert!!!!!! I would love to see them again live!! THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Backing up to December 24th, 2008

December 24, 2008 was my birthday! Bob was super excited to give me my birthday gift. It was something he knew I would love. The best part of it, he did it all by himself.

He has been hanging around the local craft store since it contains a TRAIN department (We'll get to that in another blog entry sometime). As he was going through the store, he came across little WEEBLE like figures. They were blank wood of course and since he knows I collect Weebles and LOVE the Beatle's Yellow Submarine he carefully painted the four weeble life figures into custom Weebles for me. The photo you see also contains my Beatle's Yellow Submarine cookie jar. I just love these! Funny thing was he painted these while I was in the house one day; my painting class had been cancelled and I was at home, so he made me go upstairs and play the WII while he went crazy painting for 2 hours (I didn't know this of course) what an ultimate gift!!!!

And as an added note, I'd like to introduce you to a new Etsy friend who has a blog and was sweet enough to post my Etsy shop in her blog: http://lilbitof.blogspot.com/ if you have time check it out!!!!

John Lennon joined us at the end of Family Day

Hi everyone!

Had a long wonderful weekend with Valentines Day & Family Day.

So after we got home this evening from a wonderful dinner prepared by my brother's girlfriend at my mom's house, I really wanted to work on my John Lennon chair. I had base coated him yesterday evening and so I really wanted to get him finished before the weekend was out. I actually was done painting at 11:30pm just as the evening news finished up.

His colours are a little wild (I really thought my brother might get upset with me as the chair is pink) LOL!! Oh well, Bob thinks it looks fab. I'll have to take a photo tomorrow of all the FAB FOUR together. I want to get them all sealed before March 5th as we are helping host a Guitar Hero World Tour party and I would love for these chairs to be used at the party.

My next big project will be to work on the table. I'm debating what to do. I know I want to paint each leg a different colour (based on colours I used on the chairs) but I'm debating to paint on the top. Right now, it is just plain wood -- but it is going to be my Art Room table, so thinking that it might get "well used" I'm thinking of not putting too much work into it and then focus painting other pieces of furniture such as TV tables, etc... maybe even a dresser in the bedroom.

I'm so thrilled I was able to knock off four chairs so quickly. I love painting!!


Pillows in the background purchased from this shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6165982

PET SHOP BOYS new single! LOVE ETC.

LYRICS - Sing along!

You need more (9x)

Well it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine
And a boy needs a girl
It's about getting out of a rut
You need luck
But you're stuck and you don't know how

(Don't have to be)
A big bucks Hollywood star
(Don't have to drive)
A super car to go far
(Don't have to live)
A life of power and wealth
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful but it helps
(Don't have to buy)
A house in Beverly Hills
(Don't have to have)
Your daddy paying the bills
(Don't have to live)
A life of power and wealth
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful but it helps

You need more
Than a big blank check to be a lover, or
A gulf stream jet to fly you door to door
Somewhere chic on another shore
You need more (6x)
You need love

You need love
You need love

Too much of anything is never enough
Too much of everything is never enough

Well it's tough getting on in the world
When the sun doesn't shine
And a boy needs a girl

It's about getting out of a rut
You need luck but you're stuck
and you don't know how

(Don't have to be)
A big bucks Hollywood star
(Don't have to drive)
A super car to get far
(Don't have to wear)
A smile much colder than ice
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful, but it's nice

You need more
Than the Gerhard Richter hanging on your wall
A chauffeur driven limousine encore
To drive your wife and lover to a whiter ball
You need more (6x)
You need love

I believe that we can achieve the love that we need
I believe, call me naive, but love is for free

(Don't have to be)
A big bucks Hollywood star
(Don't have to drive)
A super car to go far
(Don't have to live)
A life of power and wealth
(Don't have to be)
Beautiful but it helps

Beautiful but it helps
Beautiful but it helps

Ladies & Gentlemen "Paul McCartney"

Hey all! Meet Paul - he has entered the building. :)

Just finished him this evening 02-09-09

Love the colours in this one, nice and bright!

Well, that means Mr. Bob has one more night of sanding coming up with one last chair. That means John will join the group.

I then will have to do the ultimate plan for the table which will be a major job, but I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks for checking this out! Let me know what you think! Thanks!!

George Harrison has come to visit Ringo Starr

Well, George decided to come and visit Ringo. lol I've been sick all weekend and when I did feel good enough I asked Bob to sand down the next chair and I started to basecoat it on Sunday. My flu turned into a cold and I was off from work and after a lot of sleeping and drinking orange juice started to feel better. By Tuesday night I decided to finish George up after watching the movie Hanncock with Bob (that's actually a good movie, I heard it sucked, but we were happy with it). :o)

As you can see, George isn't as fancy as Ringo with the colour choices, but I had decided to use the brown and green based on what George was wearing in the photo.

So now I have to get Bob to sand down the next two chairs so I can paint Paul and then John. I'm having a lot of fun painting these chairs!

NOTE: I decided to seal Ringo's chair with DecoArt extra thick sealer and I will never use that stuff again, basically it is REALLY thick to apply and it globbed a lot on the chair (sigh) I thought it was save time, but what a mess. I've decided I'll buy a different sealer and just take the time to apply 5-6 coats. :o)