Colleen’s Corner

Colleen’s Corner has a new home.

URL: http://simplycol.com/

With two new grandbabies, I am finding that I just don’t have the computer time available to look after the technical, behind the scenes, webpage stuff that I have previously been doing. So.. after much thought I have decided to move my blog to WordPress.com. Admittedly there will be a few concessions .. but really not that many. My blog will present much the same way as it always has.

The new address for my blog, Colleen’s Corner, will be:

http://simplycol.wordpress.com/

I am hoping to soon have this address redirected to my domain, colleenscorner.com.. but that is not happening as yet.

These changes will be taking effect immediately.

I have been toying with the idea of this move for awhile. Funny how two little cutie-patooties can put things on the fast track. :-)

While we have been busy with babies and other such wonders, Winter seems to have snuck on in. Today was cold.. really cold. With temps hovering in and around the -20C mark, unprotected fingers and cheeks are freezing fast.

Sadie is about the only one that I know of that is happy with this nippy turn of events. She loves it!

I guess with all of the baby commotion, I have been remiss in giving “Sadie updates”. I am happy to report that she is doing quite well. Our walks are now longer and her tolerance is better. The limp is less apparent and the leg is rarely carried high. It has been almost three months since she tore her left hind knee ligament and finally I am starting to believe that she may have a good recovery.

I am hesitant to say that the recovery will be in full.. but I am definitely hopeful that it will be enough to allow her an active life. Right now we are still being cautious, but I am starting to hope that by Spring, barring further re-injury, we will once more be able to visit the off leash dog park. Fingers crossed.

Winter may have settled over Southern Manitoba but that doesn’t mean that life has quietened down. We are busy, busy, busy.

Yesterday was a fun day. Both new grandbabies visited with their Great Grandma for the very first time.

It took a little bit to convince Mom that it was ok for her to hold them, but once they found their way into her arms, she was not about to let them go. She was completely and totally smitten. :-)

Only two and one week old respectively and already brimming over with their own personalities. I am not sure how their parents feel about this but I have already christened them with nicknames… “Peanut” and “Piglet”.

I will leave you guessing as to which one is which. :-)

Tags: babynews, Sadie, winter

With the arrival of two new grand babies we are working on finding ourselves a new normalcy. Somethings do remain as they were… but much has changed. Especially with Christmas just around the corner.. my mind is full of tasks that need to be done and activities that I would like to do with not nearly enough hours to do it all in. I suppose that will be the way it is for the next little while.

This past weekend we were all together for the first time… the four new parents and the two new grand babies. The Moms and Dads all wore that pale, raccoon-eyed new parent look, but smiles and laughter ruled the day.. interspersed with newborn cries.. sometimes in stereo. :-).

Although my arms were rarely empty, there is no lacking for the comforting embrace of a grandparent. The number of grandparents easily doubles the number of parents and then we are throwing in three great-grandmothers for good measure and good luck.

These are happy busy days.

Tags: babynews, grandkids

Meet my new grandson.
Born: November 27, 2008
Weight: 6 lbs 15 oz.

I lack the words to articulate the joy. :-)

Tags: babynews, grandkids

I am thrilled to introduce my new grand daughter… little MissA.
Born November 21
7 lbs 15 oz of perfection. :-)

Happy Happy Days!!

Tags: babynews, grandkids

November 19th, and Nik’s due date. Still no baby but there have been promising signs. Everyone is trying hard to be patient.. but it isn’t easy. “Maybe today”.. is my first thought every morning. “Maybe tonight” is my last thought as I turn out the lights.

BJ’s due date is a mere two weeks away. More excitement and anticipation.

These babies are ruling my world and they are not even here yet. :-)

———-

pictures of the week:

All of these photos were taken on a cold sunny morn at Harbour View, a golf course that is just minutes from my home and that borders our favourite dog park. I decided on the spur of the moment to go for a by-myself photo shoot. No one else was there… except for the geese.

These guys look like they are walking on water. Time for them to be headin’ on South.

The newly frozen pond held many a photo op.

———–

currently reading:

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.
I am so enjoying this book. With amazing photos and easily understandable words, explanations and exercises, I am finding this to be a great resource. Love this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in photography.

Rush Home Road: A Novel by Lori Lansens
This story is set in the black communities of southwestern Ontario. The Canadian backdrop is one of the things that drew me to this book. I found it hard to read at first.. much of the language seemed overly harsh, almost vulgar. But now that I am into the story I am having a hard time putting it down.

———-

Now… back to the baby watch. :-)

Tags: babynews, books

As soon as I heard the words ‘Colorado Low’, I knew our Indian Summer was about to take a nasty turn. Fortunately for us, the first day of the storm, the percipitation was mostly in the form of rain but during the night, Winter won out and by morning snow blanketed our world.

Poor Bear. His favoured spot under the bird feeder seems no longer attainable. He has braved the cold a couple of times but this new landscape of winter and snow is not to his liking. He gets no further than the end of the patio, does a quick about face, and quickly comes back into the warmth.

Sadie, on the other hand, is thrilled with this snowy turn of events. She bounds through the snow with a look of pure joy on her face. The sad thing is, in her exuberance yesterday, I think she over did it. She is limping much more today. +sigh+ I am going to have to try to hold her back some if that knee of hers is ever going to heal. Trying to stay positive here.

The snow that fell is wet and heavy. Roland actually had to fire up the snowblower to clear the driveway. This is the “not so fun” part of winter.

But, the truth is, even after all these years and all these winters, the first snow still carries a wee bit of magic interlaced in amongst the flakes.

———–

And in book news: I just finished reading “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger. I first tried to read this book about 3 years ago and, for what ever reason.. mindset I suppose, I could not get past the first 50 pages. Any way, a couple of weeks ago, I was feeling the pain of being without a book, came across this one again, picked it up and decided to give it another go.

And am I glad I did! I loved it. Last evening I slowly and diliberately read the last few chapters, now completey lost in Clare and Henry’s story, not wanting it to end. Reaching the last word on the last page I found it difficult to close the book not yet ready to leave them behind.

It is not often that I give a book a second read but I think I will hold on to this one. Perhaps, on another day in another time, I may pick it up again.

Tags: books

Last evening my hubby and I, along with millions of other citizens of this world, watched with much anticipation as president elect, Barack Obama, gave his acceptance speech in front of thousands in Chicago. History has been made as Americans proclaim their first African American president.

I was surprised by the over whelming positive emotion presented on the television screen as well as how it settled and lay claim to my own heart. There appears to be more to celebrate here than just the colour of this man’s skin. There is a decency and a sense of bringing together that appears to have the power to bridge borders and cross divides. The sense of hope is contagious and inspiring. Dare we allow ourselves to dream of peace.

“Great ideas, it has been said, come into the world as gently as doves. Perhaps, then, if we listen attentively, we shall hear amid the uproar of empires and nations a faint flutter of wings, the gentle stirring of life and hope.”
~ Albert Camus

Yesterday’s day can only be described as “balmy”… not a word heard often in Winnipeg in November. With temperatures soaring to 18C the day broke records that were set over a 100 years ago.

And the best part… today is promising more of the same. :-)

But it sounds as if “reality” will soon come a knockin’. The forecast for Thursday and Friday are laced with the words “cold” and “snow”… normals for this time of year… but not normals for us as yet. +sigh+

Thankfully, this last tidbit of news I plan to file under tomorrow’s tribulations. Today will be simply about enjoying “what is”. ( still minus gloves and scarfs ) :-)

I kind of fear that I am starting to sound somewhat like a “weather blog” so I had better move on to other happenings. This day promises a few.

High on my list of things to do today is to pick up my new telephoto zoom lens for my Canon Rebel. I have been pondering on just which lens to buy for months but after much, much thought I have decided on the Canon 55-250mm IS lens.

I really had no idea when I bought my DSLR camera that the type and quality of the lens would be the true variable in the photographic equation. The camera body merely sets the stage.

The selection and range in cost for a lens is mind-boggling. So much to learn and consider. I do admit to looking at and wishing for some pretty sophisticated glass.. but luckily common sense won out and I have decided on a good lens that won’t break my bank account. I know that there are better quality pieces out there but, from what I have read, this one will give me a good bang for my buck.

If you are interested, here are a few of the reviews for this lens.

Canon EF-S 55-250 f4-5.6 IS

Photozone Review

digital-picture.com

———-

In other happenings: This evening the entire family is getting together to wish our daughter and her hubby “Happy Birthday”. Jaimie turned 31 yesterday and her hubby celebrated his birthday a couple of days earlier. The restaurant choice was their pick… an Italian place called Monticchios. I haven’t been there as yet, but all the kids seem to know it and have good things to say. I love these times and these kids (soon to be more). :-)

As you can see.. my day holds much so I had better get with the program. I am hoping to get in a couple of walks with the dogs as well as read a few more pages of my books. I have two on the go right now… The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson.

And to all my American friends: I know this is a huge day for you folks. We in Canada (and the entire world) will be thinking of you and watching with much interest.

So, ciao for now.

Wishing you a good one.

Tags: autumn, books