Downton Deliberations

What a great episode last night!  Jay, the Etiquette Guy and I have once again written our reviews of this week's Downton Abbey.  We both had a lot to say!  Pop over to his blog to read what we think of Ethel working for Isobel and Tom wanting to baptize the baby catholic.

 
Downton Abbey products are always available at Royal Ribbons and any of the images can be put onto buttson, magnets, pocket mirrors, mugs and notepads!  To order please email RoyalRibbon@yahoo.com


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Have a fabulous day!

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

It has been a whirlwind of politics, committees, meetings, business and and and...and now I finally get to relax for a few days!  I really do hope to blog more in the new year, I have so many adventures I need to record for posterity!

The Little Prince wound up in the hospital 10 days ago and has been in a cast ever since.  A second trip to the hospital got him a cast that can be removed so at least he can have a bath.  On top of that he has been as sick as a dog and in bed for a week.  He is on the mend tho and will be able to enjoy Christmas.  I, on the other hand, could use a drink!


I am armed with a bottle of Pimms and a case of ginger beer and will spend Christmas morning with my parents here for breakfast, then I am spending a few hours at the Christmas lunch for the poor serving and cleaning.  Then we will all head up to my inlaws for dinner and pressies.  I will be in bed with my laptop watching the Christmas episode of Downton Abbey, most likely accompanied by my little Furry Prince and a box of choccies. 

On Boxing Day I am taking the Danish exchange student to see Les Miz and I can't wait! If the audience is singing along you can expect me to whip out my phone and video it!

For all of the Downton Abbey fans...I will have Downton buttons, mugs, magnets and pocket mirrors available for purchase (well, they've been available since the UK premiere of season 3) in time for the new season to start on January 6th).

 In the meantime...from my family to yours (or as Paula Deen would say, yewers), have a very Merry Christmas, I hope Santa spoils you! 

Have a fabulous Christmas!

Mo-vember

From the Movember website:

“During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives”

 Matt Houston circa 1985

Now...it's confession time.  I've always had a thing for a moustache.  Maybe it's because I was born in the very early 70s and one couldn't go anywhere without seeing moustached men...I don't know, perhaps it's my long standing love of men and all their manliness...whatever it is...I love Movember!  Already I'm seeing shades of facial hair and we are only 4 days in - goodness help me in a few weeks time!

Two things about this photo of Lee Horsley - one, when this photo was taken he was about 10 years younger than I am now (I just sobbed a little) and two...this is a good time to remind myself not to google heartthrobs from my teen years, time isn't always as kind as it has been to me.  I might not recognize him in the street now, but that southern drawl...unmistakable.

To celebrate all the virility it takes to grow facial hair, moustache buttons are now available for Mo-vember!  This is just a sampling of designs...feel free to choose a different backgound.  Any design can be turned into a moustach pocket mirror or magnet for 1.00 more.

4.00 each with 1.00 from each button going to the Mo-vember foundation.  Any design can be turned into a pocket mirror or magnet for 1.00 more.

To order please email RoyalRibbon@yahoo.com

www.Royal-Ribbons.com



Have a fabulous day!

What a week...or so!

Happy Monday!  It has been a wild 10 days - I managed to survive the Wiggles concert and the arena has free wifi so while the Little Prince danced and sang, I replied to hundreds of emails and kept in touch with the real world.

While we were there I got a message from the Cheeky Reaper that he had a huge visitation that night and was on his own at the funeral home so when I got home I did a quick change and went to help him out.  I'm realizing if you want to see who's who...go to the big funerals!

On Saturday I called a police committee meeting and I really thought it would just be an hour - I got home 5 hours later!  The official meeting lasted 90 minutes but then my Spiritual Advisor came to the bar and we got to talking then I had to drop by the Lincoln Lawyer's (new character in this movie I call my life, he looks like Abe Lincoln, and is the lawyer for the police committee) house with a document.  His wife makes the best coffee and she knows I will never turn one down....aaaand after coffee we got into the raspberry beer and before I knew it I was strolling in the front door after 7pm. 

 

I went to have a chocolate from the little box I left on the coffee table.  Seems a certain Little Prince found them and decided to do a taste test!

On Sunday I went skeet shooting in a farmer's field.  I came home achy and the next day had a nice bruise - the big shotgun just about knocked me over!  And yes...I can hit a moving target.

On Monday I went to my Rotary meeting and then I think I stopped at the bar to chat with some committee members - tho I can't remember...it's all becoming a blur!

Every morning at 8:30 this farmer takes his horse out for a jog - I used to wonder how anyone could live in the country...I'm turning into one of them.  I'm way more Hunter wellies and riding jackets than I ever thought I could be.  I used to read Marie Claire...now it's Garden & Gun.

On Tuesday morning I had a meeting (at the bar, surprise surprise) with a member of the board that represents the police to council, then Hermes Scarf Friend came up and we had lunch in the cozy corner (a little semi private room with one table right at the front window of the bar) and chatted for a couple of hours.  We made plans for the exchange student, gossiped and decided we need to do a drinking tour of town again soon.  At this point I realized I needed to have a nap or I wouldn't make it through the rest of the day so I went home and rested for a while.

On Tuesday evening I went to the council meeting to make sure nothing shady was going on then stopped by the...wait for it...bar (I'm sure you think I'm some sort of lush by now but I assure you, as soon as I walk in the wait staff will come over with a club soda and lots of lime for me).  There were all sorts of interesting people there so it was a fun hour of chatting and deciding we all hate the same person.

I spotted this little beauty in town a few weeks ago - my dream car!  It was a gorgeous day and it took everything I have to resist asking the owner if I could take it for a spin.

On Wednesday I spent the whole day dealing with media - from 5am I was emailing reporters and making arrangements for interviews - then I had to do a photo op, then go to the radio station to record the new ad for the police committee.  I stopped by the...you guessed it...bar to chat with my Spiritual Advisor (with just a few days left before the vote everyone is spending a lot of time thinking and talking about it).  Everyone knows my car so anytime I am in the bar there will be a stream of people coming in to talk, pass on information, say hello...so an hour later I got home and needed to lie down.  5am is very early when I have evening plans the same day!

That night we went to a soup dinner party - just my luck tho, I was allergic to three of the 4 soups and don't like the 4th one. I filled up on cheese and crackers and didn't make a fuss.  The people sitting next to me were the strangest couple.  She is about 6'4" and he is just slightly taller than my 5'2". I also suspect she was once a man.  Anyhoo...when another one of the wives started talking about her cat I knew it was time for me to go home. 

Our Rotary exchange student is the loveliest girl and I'm not kidding when I say I am going to have a hard time giving her back to her parents.  I tend to invite her out with me more than I am expected to (I'm her guardian and counselor but she doesn't live with me) but she is just so nice to have around.  I took her to the mall with me and stumbled upon these - you know you are getting old when this prompts the sudden donning of sunglasses.  And these weren't the brightest ones they had!  As the exchange student was trying things on it made me smile, then cringe to think when I was her age I would've been going gaga for all the neon in the shops.  Preppy or not, no one got through the 80s without something neon.

My parents went to Florida for a few weeks and I didn't ask them to bring anything back...to be honest I just didn't get organized enough to do the research and make my list.  They will do the leg work as long as I provide item names and numbers, store addresses and phone numbers etc.  Anyhoo...I did have a few things shipped to them - a box of ribbon so I could avoid the customs bill and a couple of Android tablets (half the price they are in Canada) - but this is what they bought for me!  Wahoo!   I'm known for my club soda (or soda water as it is called in some places) and everyone knows to follow the trail of empty blue cans if they want to find me - well, my mom asked the Lilly staff person what the little thing is, which surprised me as it's not like we don't have koozies here, anyway...she was told it's "for your can of club soda".  My mom knew at that moment she had to get it for me to go with the monthly planner.

On Thursday I did my usual running around, customer calls, seamstress meeting (I get all of my clothes tailored) and then had a civic awards meeting.  It was decided the Little Prince and I will be placing the committee's wreath on the cenotaph on Remembrance Day. He has watched me fight for democracy all this time with the policing issue and it is the perfect opportunity for him to come and see why I have put myself and my family through this.  We will have some talks about the people who have given their lives in the name of democracy so I hope he takes something from it.  It's a bit of a big deal and a privilege to be able to represent the committee and take part in the ceremony.

After the meeting I went to...the bar...and everyone was shocked to hear I was meeting the Suburban Prince for dinner as we never seem to be in the same place at the same time!  I had to wait for a while so I chatted with the regulars before I sat at my table and one of them was nice enough to think I needed some vodka in my club soda so he sent one over.  How nice is that!  

This week there is a 'town hall' meeting for the public on Monday and I will need to be there as police committee chair ready to ask questions of our elected representatives.  On Tuesday there is a special council meeting and the supposed final vote is to be that night.  We are supposed to find out once and for all if we will be keeping our police force.  We have spent 3 months trying to get just one councillor to change their vote, I am cautiously optimistic as these people have to know there will be either a riot, or a parade.  If we get what we want I will be the first one to jump up and lead the standing ovation.  I've also made it clear that if the vote goes wrong, I am no longer responsible for holding people back.  I have prevented riots, talked people out of burning down the mayor's house, kept people from picketing and storming town hall...if it goes wrong, I am stepping aside and letting the chips fall where they may.

It's Downton Day!  Episode 7 is tonight and I wont give any spoilers but I will be here at 4pm watching the live stream, armed with a handkerchief.  I will post this link to the new ep once I have it.

And that's my life in a nutshell - I have spent the weekend at home, alone, not going anywhere, recharging and getting organized again.  It has been nice to stay in my jammies and not have to be 18 people all at once!

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Have a fabulous day!

It's a crazy life...but it's my life!

Happy Monday!  It has been another crazy week!

The police vote was supposed to be this week but has been deferred until October 23rd.  Two of the councilors put a motion forward to delay it...which is good and bad.  The council meeting this week was awesome...lots of anger in the crowd and people shouting out.  There is a lot of passion in this town about keeping our police force!  I thought we would be done but no...now we get another 6 weeks of campaigning.  We have had to shift our strategy a little bit and have spent the weekend at the fall fair with our tent and flyers.

I have been asked to drop the ceremonial first puck at the season opener for the local hockey team this coming Friday night.  This is something the mayor is traditionally invited to do but since most of the town would like her removed from office, she hasn't been asked to come.  Most of the police committee will be there but it is meant to be me out there on the ice with the owner and the two captains for the photo ops - I decided I will take the Little Prince out with me to do it to represent the committee.  It's makes for a nice message when a mom is out there fighting for her community....and the Little Prince loves the spotlight!  Unfortunately the owner of the team doesn't have much of a marketing plan and I've ended up writing his press release and had to tell him what to do with it - no, not that!

I helped in the Rotary canteen at the fall fair for a couple of hours at the fall fair and someone brilliant scheduled the mayor to work there at the exact same time.  I am her biggest political opponent right now and it's to the point I doubt we will ever be friends again.  I think she felt uncomfortable enough and decided to work outside at the grills rather than spend any more time with me in a closed room than absolutely necessary.  She kept looking at me like we were going to have a nice friendly chat...not bloody likely.  The day I heard she tried to get the chief of police call off the escort for our march was the day we stopped being friends.  Putting her own political agenda ahead of the safety of the people who elected her is just wrong wrong wrong.  And low.

I was just asked to drive a car in the Jazz Fest parade next weekend - I'm getting very tired but it's for a guy who is so nice and he works so hard to bring the arts to our town - I'm told there will be a big stereo in the back of my car so I should bring ear plugs.  The Little Prince will be pulled in his wagon by someone in our group so I hope he is ok with that! 

I had a lovely lunch with the Cheeky Reaper.  It was nice to run away from home for a couple of hours - we decided to go to another town as between us we probably know everyone in town and wouldn't be able to just relax and chat over lunch.  We tried this little restaurant a mother and daughter run from their house and it was quite nice!  Perfect for lunch and a chat.

I watched the new episode of Downton Abbey and I am giddy with excitement!  Poor Mr Bates...stuck in prison for most of the season no doubt.  I promise to do my very best and not spill any details...tho it will be hard to keep it all to myself!  If you are watching S3 and want to chat about it...email or message me!

Autumn seems to be here...I got up this morning and it was so chilly I asked the Suburban Prince to build a fire...he didn't do it, but still...it feels like a snuggle in front of the fire sort of day.

I have added some new designs to my button/magnet/pocket mirror collection and will be adding more each week - if you would like something custom created for a wedding, party or business please let me know!  Small and large orders are welcome...and I am still creating custom, personalized ribbon and am slowly but surely expanding my custom product empire!  For ribbon or button information please email RoyalRibbon@yahoo.com


If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts

Happy Friday!  It has been another crazy week here in the 'burbs!

- The Little Prince has started playing soccer and so far it has been a frustrating experience.  The two coaches are bozos and are so worried about offending the parents they aren't actually accomplishing much.  They wont give a parent contact list, only check their emails once a week, can't get the kids' numbers right and refuse to allow any of the moms to manage the team.  Oh and the wife of one of the coaches is the reason the Little Prince lost his daycare spot two years ago.  Good times!  The Little Prince enjoys wearing his uniform and running around so I'm hoping we don't have to deal with these same people next year!  Soccer is tradition in my family so I do feel the need for him to enjoy and continue to play it!

- This week my Rotary club spent the day at the Habitat For Humanity build site and I was asked to organize the lunch and snacks for everyone.  I guess I have a reputation as a foodie or an organized person or something....as long as I dont have a reputation for doing manual labour everything will be fine!  I ordered subs (FYI Subway has always been very supportive and given me a great price whenever I do this!), made Greek, and broccoli salad, cookies, ice creams, ice, juice, water and iced coffees.  One of my fellow Rotarians is famous for her potato salad so she made a big bowl of it for us as well!  It was a great day for a great organization and I look forward to our next build day!  If you are looking for a way to contribute to your community, and let's be honest, we should ALL be contributing to our community, please contact Habitat and they will get you sorted out.  They are always happy to accept lunch, paperwork help, building skills and accounting!

 

This is what your loyal readers have to contend with if you have word verification!

- Please check to see if you have word verification on your comments - I don't think you realize how many of you have it and blogger is making them harder and harder to read.  I love commenting on so many of your blogs but it's very hard to do so.  Take a moment and try to leave yourself a comment and you will see if you have it and what I am talking about.  The worst is when a blogger has word verification AND owner approval!  As a fellow blogger...I'm begging you...take word verification off.  Please.  Thank you.

- I had lunch with Hermes Scarf Friend on Thursday.  I booked us a 'power table' at the new tea room in town and dished the goss!  We've not had a serious lunch in ages as we always seem to be with other people at events and lunches.  We got all caught up, had our photo taken for the website and dished about everyone we know.  It was awesome!

- Have we been watching Mad Men?  I find it compelling but so depressing at the same time.  I keep wondering if everyone was like that in the 60s or just people in advertising.  Do we like happy Don?  And why does his skin always look greasy?  I did love the time Joan and Don spent together in the Christmas episode (which had me confused the entire time...when I saw the Christmas tree in the bar I realized...this is the Christmas ep) and Don letting Glen drive his car home was a nice moment as well.  Why did Lane's ghost have an American accent?  Or am I missing something?

- Just a head's up...I am doing a contest on my Royal Ribbons website and my Royal Ribbons Facebook page.  It has already started and the prize is custom ribbon!

- I am currently reading The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon.  It's a part of the Lord John series but Jamie Fraser is a huge part of the story.  Have you read the Outlander series?  If not you should get on with it!  There are only about 8000 pages of it so it will keep you busy for a long time!

- While I was planning my trip to Scotland my husband's cousin (who knows everyone it seems) told my favourite author I would be in town and how much I love his books.  I thought that was awfully sweet but was blown away when I got a message from the author (through his editor) inviting me to tea!  Squeeee!  Too bad my plans and his plans didn't line up and I didn't end up meeting him while I was in town.  But, he did send me a couple of signed books which I can't wait to dive into!  Everyone at book club is suitably jellybean!

- I've invited everyone for dinner for Fathers' Day (instead of leaving the country to avoid it) so I need to come up with a plan!  I am thinking ribs, salads, homemade gelato, and smores on the fire!  I've also spoken to my mother about what is an appropriate time to go home.  I'm good for six hours then I need my life back.  Certain people have no idea when to go home...and once they have said they are leaving take another hour to actually get out the door. And I don't mean my parents.

- The Little Prince built a birdhouse with my father-in-law and I see it is now inhabited!  Yay!  I will have to try to sneak up on the little birdies and take some photos!

- I've been made chair of the lobster dinner committee for 2013.  I am sure this saga will make it's way to my blog as there is someone on the committee I cant stand and who has crossed me in the past.  I do my best to avoid him and if I get through this without punching him in the face it will be the greatest act of charity many have seen in a long time.  The weird thing is...his wife is so nice!  Like super nice!  Le sigh. (That was for you Tabitha).  Anyhoooo I need to form a committee and make changes to the event.  Wish me luck. These people hate change!

- I've come to the conclusion I don't like people.  I remember being at a drs appointment and I was asked if I have an intollerance to heat or cold and the Suburban Prince said 'No, just people'.  I think it's the way our society has gone downhill, become apathetic, all anyone does is work...someone please tell me it's not just me!  I read through this post again and see I've complained about how several different people and their behviour really annoy me.  Thank goodness I was an only child!

- Now to end on a positive note!  I have a fun giveaway on this blog coming next week!  Wahoo!  So you will need to be following to enter so you might as well do that now.


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Have a fabulous day!

My view for the next week....

My uncle lives very close to the castle...anytime I walk 'doon the toon' I pass right by it.  I am looking forward to a week of Irn Bru, fish & chips with mushy peas, visits with cousins, big burly accents and Coronation Street in real time.  I'll miss my guys 'sae muckle' but it will be nice to not have to cook or clean up after anyone for a few days.

Royal Ribbons will be 'closed' until May 17th.  I will be answering emails but not printing ribbon until I get back. 

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!


Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts

Happy Friday!  It has been such a busy week - I am looking forward to some downtime tomorrow!

- The continuation of the long lost cousin story...his son wrote me an email to say hello and it turns out they knew about us but didn't know how to find us and are all very excited I found them!  How cool is that?!  This story just gets better and better!  So the guy who emailed me...he and I share a set of great-grandparents.

I got a letter yesterday morning from long lost cousin - he told me his father, my gran's brother, left them when long lost cousin was 7 years old and it sounds like he never saw him again.  He knew the city he went to so the death record I found in that city is the correct one.  The letter actually sounded a bit sad, I think he is wondering if we still want to meet him even tho he doesn't know anything about this long lost uncle.  I wrote back right away to assure him - I suspect he has had a hard life.  

- I am on so many committees I am actually starting to get them confused.  I went to ask about chair covers for an event and could not for the life of me remember which event they were for!  Good thing I keep notes and save every email!  Awards season is looming - I need to get some outfits and dresses picked out!  Oh and buy the dreaded pantyhose.  Not that I dread them, it just so hard to find ones that fit properly...the height/weight chart is always so vague!

- Royal Ribbons was nominated for a Business Excellence Award!  It's very exciting!  My business will be judged by a panel and *fingers crossed* win for Micro-Business this year!

- It's feeling very spring-like this week.  It's quite odd for this time of year so I hope this doesn't mean it will be snowing in June.  We have had hardly any snow at all which makes me just want spring to arrive and let's get on with things!  I haven't had my winter coat on once this year!

- I went to NYState last weekend.  I found a border service that will receive items for me then I just drive across the border and pick them up.  It's a lot less expensive for shipping and border fees.  I had a huge box of ribbon sent there and picking it up was a breeze.  I decided to go to Target for some of the Little Prince's favourite snacks and jammies and on the way back up to the border I watched a transport truck get lifted by the wind, almost go over on it's side, go out of control, smash through a fence and land in a field.  I was right behind the transport so I pulled over and called 911.  8 rings.  Yes, 8 rings before 911 picked up.  Y'all might use high taxes as your argument against Obama's government...but let me assure you, 911 taking 8 rings to pick up would not wash in Canada when the service is paid for by taxpayers.  When the operator answered the phone it sounded like I had called someone's house and not a call center.  Is this the norm for the US?  Even our local, small town police station answers on the first ring and sound professional!

- On this trip to NYState I took my little ipod...it plugs into the car stereo, which I love!  About 30 minutes into the trip it ran out of power and I was stuck with the radio.  I now know south eastern Ontario has at least 5 classical, 5 French and 5 country stations.  I also noted there is not one single jazz station, nor did I find any big bag or swing stations.  There is a radio station opening in town and it's going to be listener driven.  Anyone who wants an hour to program and host is welcome to it.  I have a feeling there will be a big band hour soon enough!  **I was born in the wrong decade and lurve big band music**

- Dont miss my Luxe Box giveaway!  If you are outside of Canada please enter and if you win you can have it sent to a Canadian friend!



If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

The last Dowton Abbey post until September....

 

So...what did we think of last night's episode?  As much as it was the Christmas one, it wasn't overly Christmassy!  I did enjoy the servants' dinner with their Christmas crackers and paper hats!  The moment when the tree was lit must've been such a magical one!

I was impressed with Lord Grantham's reaction to Mary's news.  His reply that she isn't the first Grantham to make a mistake leaves me wondering if he is referring to his dalliance with Jane or some other family scandal.  

Wasn't the conversation between the Dowager Countess and Daisy lovely?  It added such a human touch between the highest and lowest on the totem pole.

I can't wait to see what happens with Mr Bates - surely they will find the real murderer...or have they already?

Lavinia's little appearance at the very end was just perfect and Mary was right to make Matthew kneel...on gravel, in the snow.  Le sigh!

I can't wait for season 3 to come in September - in the meantime I will listen to the soundtrack, watch the DVDs and amuse myself creating Downton Abbey ribbon....

Keep Calm and Wait For Carson.

I love you more than Downton.

If you would like to order your own custom ribbon please email me at RoyalRibbon@yahoo.com  

I think my next one will say...Keep Calm and Act Like Lady Mary

Have a fabulous day!

Monday's Random Thoughts

It has been a crazy couple of week of meetings, meals, events and work! 

- On Sunday I attended a charity tea at High Heeled Life's house...you can see the pictures here.

- On Monday I attended the annual Rural Urban dinner in our town.  The first surprise was when I found out we are the urban side.  Really?  Ok!  The rural side is verrry rural.  Farmers.  Like reallio trulio farmers.  The second surprise was when I realized that even tho we were sitting at the same table as 6 farmers, they weren't going to speak to us.  Hermes Scarf Friend and I tried forcing ourselves on them but they were having none of it!  The urbanites *ahem* are expected to mingle with the farmers and we will be called out if we don't.  It's all in fun and raises money for charity but I think I will raise some expectations of the farmers...like next year they should actually speak to us!

- On Tuesday morning I had a civic awards meeting.  I picked up the chair of the committee and we went to another member's house.  He must be retired as he is around all the time and...he baked us scones!  I want to know who the heck has time at 8am to bake and clean up before someone comes over at 9am!  I didn't know much about what this meeting was about - and I was told I was chairing it!  Ummmm.  Shoooot!  I made it up as I went along and we got through it!  The chair sent me the nicest email telling me how much she admires and respects me.  I get a bit misty just thinking about it!

- Tuesday evening I had another meeting - Rotary Christmas fundraising this time.  Last year we made it competitive and had teams assigned to each of us.  This year we are keeping the teams but not the competition...but if we sell 500 hams and 150 boxes of chocolates the chair of the fundraising committee will come to a meeting in drag...and makeup.  He is currently growing his mustache for Movember.  This will be fun.

- If you follow me on Twitter you might've been witness to my thoughts on a conversation about ribbon colours for the Christmas chocolate fundraiser.  The chair thought pink ribbon on lime green boxes would be weird (because agreeing to dress in drag and makeup isn't weird).  A lawyer on Twitter actually offered to call him and sort it all out!  Now preps, don't worry, I got my way and we will be offering the choice of pink or red ribbon on the chocolate boxes. Crisis averted.

- The basement renovation is coming along nicely.  The drywall is almost all up which means the power tools will get a break...as well as my headache.  The other day the guys were down there and a fight escalated until I thought it was going to come to blows.  The guy in charge knows one of the issues we have had is the noise level.  Not the work noise, but the stereo they play down there and the fighting that used to go on and rang through our entire house...one of them has the whiniest voice, it just makes people want to punch him in the face!  Anyhoo, the fight got louder and louder until I heard the guy in charge yelled at the top of his lungs 'We're not supposed to be yelling!!!!!!!!'.  And then silence.

- Hermes Scarf Friend and I worked for the hospital gala last week.  We set up the silent auction room and there were 85 items!  Some of them were big ticket like Pilot Friend donated a flight for 4 to Ottawa, a tour of the parliament buildings and lunch with our local MP, trips to Toronto with hockey tickets, $400 bottles of wine and so much more!  I have watched enough soaps to know getting on the hospital board will be the pinnacle of my career as a Suburban Princess...this is step one towards that goal!  It was so much fun seeing my custom ribbon on a few of the auction items!  To order your own personalized ribbon please visit Royal Ribbons!

- The other day the Little Prince was looking at photos on one of the laptops.  He came across one from the highland games in the summer and said 'Oh I do love a marching band!'.  He is definitely an old soul!

- I went to a 'shopping extravaganza' the other night.  I was invited to bring my ribbon samples, a dish for the food table and a prize for the gift basket.  I had never been to this sort of thing so I had no idea what to expect.  I'm all for being a team player but I would struggle with asking people to bring so much to my house.  Have you been to such a thing?  The hostess invited lots of vendors from different companies to set up their displays and invited lots of guests to come and get some Christmas shopping done while holding a glass of wine and eating something one of the vendors brought.  One of the shoppers won the gift basket all the vendors donated to.

- Remembrance day brought nice weather.  I am always happy to know the people at the memorials don't have to stand in the rain or snow.  I find these events so emotional and end up having to think of other things while I am there so I don't start sobbing.

-  Does no one ask 'How are you?' back anymore?  I always lead with 'Hi so-and-so, how are you?' and almost always get 'Good thanks' back but they never ask me how I am!  It's a bit of a conversation killer isn't it?  I'm always left wondering if I am supposed to walk away, carry on with what I was going to say, stand there staring at them....

- I have been talking to the Little Prince about Santa and asked if he is going to write a letter to Santa.  'Yes'...Ok...I asked what he will say in the letter.  He replied, 'Thank you'.  Four words:  Mom. Of. The. Year.


Have a fabulous day!

Autumn around the palace!

Autumn has always been my favourite season so I enjoy decorating and getting everything ready for Thanksgiving, a chill in the air and all of the Halloween fun!

On Thanksgiving day I had every intention of taking photos of everything but I just got too busy with the cooking and entertaining.  I did a repeat of a lot of my Thanksgiving favourites from last year like my acorn cookies, apple pocket pies, and mini pumpkin pies with a single oak leaf on top.

Just before we sat down for dinner I decided to take a few photos of the table before it was ravaged.  An amazing thing happens when I pull out a camera in front of our parents...for some reason they will all get their cameras out too!  If I stopped to take a photo of say, a tree...they would all start taking photos of the tree too, even tho they have no idea why they are taking photos of it.  So, while I was trying to take a few photos of the Thanksgiving table, for the BLOG (!!!), they gathered around and started taking photos too, with no idea what they are doing, flashes going and finally I had to tell them all to stop.  Number 1 because my inlaws need a special battery for their camera yet wont order one so they are in the way yet only able to take 2 photos before the regular batteries die then spend the next 20 minutes complaining about it and, Number 2, my parents have had a digital camera for almost two years yet refuse to get a computer (yes, they are those people) so they have never printed a photo, seen them except for on the little camera screen and for some reason wont take the little SD card to Wallie's to have them printed there.  So honestly, who knows why any of them had to get in my way.  The Suburban Prince says it's like when Japanese tourists see a baby panda.

Anyhooooooo - since Thanksgiving day the cookies have been eaten, the table is back to being the Royal Ribbons headquarters and I found all I managed to get were four photos of the table.  Hmpfh!

 

The Thanksgiving table is full of leaves, pumpkins, acorns and candles!

 

I made spice acorn cookies and packaged them for each place setting.  

The ribbon on each wine glass saying Happy Thanksgiving and can be ordered at www.Royal-Ribbons.com

I love all of my different pumpkins!  Especially the glittery ones!

I added a leaf shaped chocolate to each place setting to keep the autumn theme going!

The wall unit was emptied and then filled with leaf garland and lanterns.

The camels were in this section rather than on the table this year. 

I wont even embarrass myself by admitting how many dark chocolate balls were in this vase compared to when I took the photo!

Little leaf dishes are scattered about the house filled with chocolates!

 

Easiest autumn decor ever!  A large vase, leaf garland, dogwood branches and autumn coloured ornaments!

 

Outside I got mums in shades of orange and yellow - they looked so much better a few weeks ago before the rains flattened everything.  I love my little welcome bears!

I think the steps to the house look great!

 

A splash of pink and a home grown pumpkin!

 

The front door wreath and garland.  We are the only house on the street to decorate.

 

The jack-o-lantern the Little Prince carved last weekend!

Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts

Happy Friday!

I am slowly but surely getting back into the swing of things.  It takes a lot of work to get back to blogging with any sort of regularity and I quickly got out of the habit this summer.  With Thanksgiving coming quickly  will have lots of Autumn posts to share as well as Thanksgiving ideas.  My American friend have the benefit of seeing what Canadians do first and get their inspiration early!

- The Little Prince says the funniest things...probably the strangest is 'Shiver Me Timbers!'.  I have no idea where he picked that up but every once in a while he comes out with it...usually when I am driving down the highway!  He told the Suburban Prince to 'step away from the cookie'  LOL!

- The fall fair was a great success!  The Little Prince won lots of ribbons and got second place for the pumpkin he planted and grew all summer!

- We saw the divorcing neighbours at the fair last weekend.  Not together but when we saw each of them they had their children.  MrsDivorce tried to get all chittychatty with me but I have no time for that.  After basically telling me she doesn't want to be friends and only ever speaking to me when she wants something I'm not going to waste precious fair time on her.  She wanted a life of solitude and now she has it!

- One more day until pumpkin pie blizzards at DQ!

- My Rotary Club's 90th anniversary party is....a disaster at the moment.  I had the whole 1920s themed party ready to roll the second I got full approval and one of the board members (the one who was putting pressure on me to get this planned!!!) decided to stir some $**t and we had to then take it to the membership and ask them if they even wanted to celebrate the 90th anniversary.  It was such a mess and at the end of the meeting the president tried to apologize to me but I wasn't in the mood to hear it.  A few people are on my naughty list right now.

- What's with all the PDA at Costco?  I have written about this before but we went shopping there this week and it's quite shocking how many couples are there holding hands and having romantic time in the bulk cereal aisle.  I love my husband but sheesh, I don't need to be hanging off him while grocery shopping.

- It irks me when I post what I am cooking on Twitter and someone replies 'Recipe Please!!'.  Especially when it's someone I barely know..  Do we think that's the polite way to ask someone to share their recipes?

- I have searched everywhere for these shoes.  My parents are in Florida right now and have searched for them too.  I fear I am going to have beg my 'shoe dealer' to get them for me.

- I am having a giveaway on my Royal Ribbons site!  Please take a moment over there to enter!

- It's election time in Ontario...I find these ones so hard because they tend to affect us more than local or national elections.  I am 99% sure I have decided which party I am voting for but there are still a few days to go!  Hopefully something major doesn't happen, forcing me to rethink my vote!

- I have been watching season 2 of Downton Abbey.  It will be airing in the US in January but I have seen it online.  All I can say is have your tissues handy and oh my goodness, I think it's even better than season 1!  I just hope we get more than 7 episodes!


Have a fabulous day!

August Recap!

What a crazy summer!  It flew by - who knows what happened to August because I blinked and it was gone!  I packed in a lot of fun events as well as lots of work and pool time!

- We are still plugging along with the Civic Awards - we have been busy working on new awards and re-writing the bylaws as the mayor and town council want huge changes for next year's awards.  My ideas are to have agriculture, beautification and wildlife awards....basically we need to create categories for more people to fit into.

- Our town has a bandshell in the park (we are so small town there is a baby Jesus in it at Christmastime) and all summer they have concerts on Thursday nights.  Lots of people go to sit in the park and listen to the music, each week is a different style of music.  I took the Little Prince to see the swing band and he loved it...but then he does have my taste in music.  We took a blanket and a little picnic and picked a spot on the grass to lounge and be entertained!

- 50kms north of us is a much bigger city so we go there for shopping, there is a big mall, Costco, Sbux and lot's more.  We love making a whole day of it so we took the Little Prince to the zoo up there which is free and small enough for a 3 year old to manage.  We took a picnic lunch and wandered around looking at the meercats, otters, camels and ostriches.  Once we were finished there we made all of our shopping stops and bought everything we need to fill the freezer.

- We took the Little Prince to see the Smurfs movie.  I thought it was cute but the Little Prince said it was a bit scarey.  He hasnt mentioned it since so I think we are safe!

- We sent the Little Prince to Camp Granny for a day.  It was the weirdest day - to not be rushing around to get things done before he wakes us and to not hear him laughing and squealing in the house was so strange.

- Hermes Scarf Friend got tickets to see Hairspray so I went with her, her son and her best friend.  It was a great show and we got to go to the cocktail reception and rub elbows with all the town bigwigs and the actors.

- We went to a bbq at the home of a guy the Suburban Prince's brother grew up with.  All these guys knew each other and it turns out this one lives just 15 minutes away from us.  We were told too bring a chair, a dish for the food table and our own booze.  Hm.  I know we have discussed this before but I still believe if it's the first time someone is coming to your house you should extend some hospitality and not make them bring all kinds of things so you can have a party.  Anyhoo...it was pretty boring for me as I didnt know anyone and didnt go to the same schools as all of them so we stayed for a few hours then made our way home.  Maybe we will invite the hosts for a coffee or something in the next few weeks and show them how it's done.

- Our contractor and his girlfriend (one of my babysitters) were in an ATV accident a few weeks ago.  The ATV flipped over and landed on them while they were out riding it.  Fortunately they got through it mostly with just lots of bumps, bruises and bandages tho our contractor needed surgery on his ankle and had a few broken bones.  I was busy for a week or so making them meals and going back and forth to make sure they had everything they needed.  Hermes Scarf Friend's husband is good friends with the contractor and he came home from visiting them telling HSF that I was the only person who did anything to help them.  I hope they take this opportunity to re-evaluate the relationships they have with people because if I had an accident and not one of my friends came by or brought a casserole or did a single thing to help me, they would be removed from my life.

- There was one day this last month that made me realize what people who work full time go through - I had a hair appopintment 45 minutes away, then rushed back to see a potential customer, then dashed across the street to have lunch with the Happy Reaper (code name for the local funeral director who is very cheerful) to discuss a Christmas fundraiser then raced home to cook dinner for the contractor and girlfriend....while cooking dinner got a phone call from my longest friend who recently moved from NJ to Kansas City so it was nice to catch up with her.  Then I packed up the dinner, dropped it off and went to pick up HSF to go to a Chamber of Commerce cocktail party.  I get a bit tired just reading that!

- The Mayor and I went to see The Help and we both loved it!  Neither of us has read the book yet but really wanted to see it in the theater.  The book is on my list...in my ereader waiting for me.

- The Little Prince went to Canadian Tire with the Suburban Prince and bought himself some stickers...with a stack of Canadian Tire money.  His first purchase! 

- I had nibblies and cocktails with a couple who do a lot of work in town on arts festivals and the like.  Currently they are working on building schools in Laos and have a fundraising event planned so they came over to chat about that and they gave me some great ideas for the 1920s gala I am planning for next spring.  I haven't seen these guys for a couple of years so it was so nice to get a couple of hours with them to catch up.

- Housekeeper had a corn roast at her house about 20 minutes from me.  You know you are in the country when there isnt a single landmark to help with directions.  She told me to go to the stop sign and her street is the third on after that.  My gps could barely find it!  But we got there and had a drink, sat by the fire listening to country music (Lawdy, what has happened to me?!) and had some corn and s'mores.  The Little Prince loved the s'mores and kept wanting to 'go for a little walk' by the food table!

- The basement renovation is still coming along.  We found another electrician after the one we hired in the spring just stopped showing up and put us a few months behind schedule.  Ugh I bumped into him in the grocery store the other day - what a jerk.  I still like his girlfriend tho as she is my seamstress but he just rubs me the wrong way.  Anyhoo, the electrical passed inspection and the insulation has been installed and now it needs to be inspected before we drywall.  

- We spent an afternoon with my in-laws.  They made a nice lunch and we sat outside in the sun enjoying it.  These days they are getting on my nerves...which is awful, I know, but MIL is getting needier and needier and I just cant handle it.  She wants to see us alllllll the time and we barely have any free time (Hello!  I've been out alone with my husband twice this year!!) so we don't want to be pressured into spending what little time we have going back and forth.  We have tried to tell her that if we could do short visits we could do them more often but then she gets all weepy *sigh*  She just doesn't understand that just because she has nothing to do doesn't mean the rest of us aren't run off our feet trying to keep up with our lives!  The Suburban Prince gets annoyed at her notion that if we don't have a meal together it doesn't count as a visit.  The has been Christmas drama already and I am thinking about booking a holiday for a few days to avoid it all!

- GEM Munro came to my Rotary club to talk about his work in the slums of Bangladesh - he is so fascinating and such a great storyteller.  We were all on the edge of our seats waiting to hear how it all turned out!  He has written a book about his experiences so if you are interested in reading about how he did the impossible you can purchase it here.

- The leader of the official opposition in Canada died.  Jack Layton was only 61 and at the height of his career.  I wont politically out myself here but regardless of what he fought for or against he was an amazing politician, passionate Canadian and made politics in this country interesting.  I feel he was this generation's Trudeau and I doubt his party will be the same without him.

- I have been in discussions with a big company for ages and got the word that I got the ribbon contract!  Yay!  So I will be printing up lots of ribbon for them to go with their marketing materials and donations they make to every charity in the area.  It's all so exciting how fast my ribbon business has taken off!  In case you havn't seen it yet, my ribbon business site is www.Royal-Ribbons.com and I create personalized ribbon!

- I spent the summer watching Downton Abbey in the kitchen while I made meals and did dishes.  I just watched the last episode a few days ago and now have a touch of Downton Depression.  If you haven't seen this show get the dvds asap!  It is so good - I couldn't take my eyes off it!

- Let's not forget Big Brother 13 - I can't believe we have been subjected to Rachael's voice for all these weeks!  I didn't have a favourite this season so there was no one I was rooting for except anyone who had the power to evict Rachael.

- I cant believe I only got to golf twice all summer!  I am having visions of being in my parka knee-deep in snow just to hit a few balls!  I must book some time with my teacher before the weather turns...only 8 weeks or so left!

- We went to my Rotary club's corn roast and got to hang out with everyone and their children and grandchildren.  The weirdest thing is a woman I met...she was saying how cute the Little Prince is and I joked and laughed and said I don't even need my husband anymore, I just stare at my son all day long.  Well.  I think she thought I was serious because she said 'I know!  If my vibr**or could mow the lawn I wouldn't be married anymore!'.  Ummm ok.  Holy inappropriate!  I was sitting with HSF and we were just looking at each other like WTH?  and this woman kept it up saying 'Am I right?!'.  The worst of it is...I know her husband!!!! 

- The juiciest goss of the summer...the neighbours across the street...the ones who are anti-social and only speak to us when they want something...have been seen with legal separation papers.  And he is sleeping in the basement.  I guess two self-centered people just dont make for a good marriage.  So I am hoping this means their house is up for sale soon - I never understood why they moved into a neighbourhood when they want nothing to do with anyone or socializing or anything.  They have a little girl the same age as the Little Prince and never had play dates or anything!  I will be happy to see the back of them and hopefully some nice, friendly people move in.


And now it's September already and Thanksgiving is in 6 weeks or so and I need to hit the ground running!  All of my autumn decor is packed in the storage room and I had no idea the basement renovation would take this long so now I need to figure out how to get in there and get it all out and get the house ready for fall!  I have been pinning like mad on Pinterest and have a million ideas for food, decorations and everything I want to do while the leaves change colour.  First up...a PSL from the new Sbucks just down the highway!  After that I can put some old jeans and a t-shirt on and see what I can do in the basement to get things a bit organized and ready.

And how was your summer?


Have a fabulous day!

Personalized Ribbon Giveaway!

As I am sure you know by now I have been running my business, Royal Ribbons, for a little while now and have been having a great time making wonderful ribbon for your blogs, businesses, parties and presents!

Everyone has been to supportive and given some amazing ideas!

I love seeing my ribbon in your photos and on your blogs!

It's very satisfying to provide the a personal touch to your gifts and branding for your business.

I have loved every minute working with my wonderful customers!

Coming up with a design out of thin air is a challenge but so worth it when I get emails telling me how much my ribbon is loved!

Helping make your holidays and celebrations special gives me such a feeling of satisfaction.

So now it's time to thank YOU with a giveaway!

One lucky winner will receive 10 yards of personalized ribbon (5/8 inches wide) made just for them!

You may choose your ribbon and print colours, font, wording and logo!

To enter you may....

- Leave a comment for 1 entry
- Follow this blog for 1 entry
- Follow Royal Ribbons for 1 entry
- Follow Suburban Princess on Facebook for 1 entry
- Follow Royal Ribbons on Facebook for 1 entry
- Follow @SubrbnPrincess on Twitter for 1 entry
- Tweet this giveaway for 1 entry - be sure to @SubrbnPrincess
- Blog about this giveaway for 5 entries

***Please put your entries in just one or two comments***


 I do notice if you only comment on my giveaways so please feel free to comment on other posts too!

The winner will be chosen on Friday, August 12, 2011 and the name posted here.  If I dont hear from the winner within 72 hours another winner will be chosen.

Good luck!!


Have a fabulous day!