It's Mother's Day.

My email and Internet is back up and running, somebody in the county cut a fibre optic line, and hence, no email, or anything for a while.

I wasn't going to post about the baby number 18 that is going to be born on New Years, by the infamous Duggar family.

Whether or not it is a boy or a girl, Jingles, Jo Jo, Jube Jube, Jazzzam, Jo Mama, Jizzy, would make fine names.

Now, after having time to pontificate this announcement, I realize there is a big and terrible dualism.


If it was a family, that happened to be on welfare who had eighteen kids, many people would be outraged. "They are draining precious resources". "Taking away needed tax dollars". . . the putrid "welfare rant".

If it was a family with eighteen children, who came over from another country, who also happened to be receiving state funding because they were running from persecution, some of the public would also be in an uproar. The immigrant rant, that some think is okay.

But since this is a family, who is not openly declaring any state aid, we are not supposed to comment about them, unless it is positive. They do receive tax breaks, as rumour has it, they have their own church within the house, and Jim Bob is supposedly the minister . . .hence tax write offs. TLC has obviously helped them.

It's not to be written about negatively because they are right wing religious, and therefore untouchable. We are not supposed to cringe at their lifestyle, unless you are a certain type of militant lesbian (anti-breeder, anti heterosexual type, not saying all lesbians are this way, but on certain websites this view goes unchallenged, encouraged and applauded). For the record, I am very pro gay, and it is not my intention to pigeon hole all lesbians into that mindset.

Pro Choice, also means the right to procreation, and I was told that by de facto that makes Mrs. Duggar a feminist in her own right. There is also a belief that a woman might "enjoy pregnancy and breastfeeding", so the more you have the more to enjoy.

The mother has been told she is "high risk" for future pregnancies and is putting her life in danger. Chromosomes are getting a little sticky at Michelle's age. Yet, Jim Bob still is on the prowl. Now, what would happen if Mrs. Duggar died (god forbid) during childbirth? What if the baby is born with an issue? I suppose, the girls in the family, with all their experience would step up to the plate and raise the family, as they do anyway, because it is their "jurustiction".

Even as a very liberal person, I cannot endorse this televised lifestyle (not that anyone is asking me). Yes, many families have lots of kids, but, they are not running to the networks to shine in the public spotlight and get endorsements.

We have a huge Mennonite population in this area, I do not see them lining up to have their own television slot on TVO, nor the family of seven living up the road, nor even the single mom of five, who has such difficulty caring for her children, that they are given to the grandparents to look after, and she still keeps having kids. . . a friend who came from a family of forteen, his family never, ever wanted the spotlight on their dynamics.

I have noticed that the Polygamist family (two wives, a third was pending, and after giving much financial support, was booted from the family), and the Wiccan family has not been seen on TLC for some time.

I would love to see a show about a gay couple who adopts multiple children (too controversial for the right wings, or the homophobes), or a childless couple who remains so by choice and instead breeds goats to fill the void (too boring and upsetting to those that like to have kids), maybe even a reality show based on Jamie Lynn Spears teenage pregnancy (too influential supposedly on tweens). I wonder how that would go over? It wouldn't, it is not considered cute y'all.

You know, maybe if the Duggar's went Green it would be more palatable. If someone was able to set them up with their own windfarm, geothermal heating, solar panels and rain barrels, it would be appreciated. Even compostable diapers would be a blessing. Hopefully they are using Pampers, because, thanks to Salma Hayek, each package bought, donates one vaccine of Tetanus for a needy child, heck that family could help immunize an nation.

Happy Mother's Day (tomorrow) to all my mommy friends out there! Hope your day is filled with love and lots of pampering :)

I'm not a mom...yet. Since I'm not yet a mommy, I decided that this year I will celebrate and honour some of the very special mommies in my life. We've got family from Montreal (including one of my favourite aunts), my grandmother is here from the Philippines, and of course we've got my mom, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law who lives right around the corner from us.

Au lieu of taking all the moms to a restaurant, I decided that Mother's Day would be at our house. It was going to be on Sunday, but my mother-in-law is singing in the Island Singers concert and my cousin, Super Boy is returning to Montreal since he has to work on Monday. There will be fourteen dinner guests tonight and I've been cooking since 8:30 this morning.

Remember how I said that Baby Bro taught me how to work under pressure? This is what I'm talking about. The old me would never plan a big supper at the last minute. I like the have my menu planned out way in advance. I like to be able to have time to prepare the meal and have ample time to clean the house. When I told everyone yesterday that dinner was at our house tonight, I almost immediately thought: What on earth were you thinking!?!?!?!

Super Boy and his girlfriend, Super Girl told me that they wanted to help out when they heard what the menu was! They're going to be in charge of manning the BBQ grill.

Tonight's menu:

Appetizers:
Baked whole grain nachos and salsa with cheese
Cucumber Salad
Tomato-Boccaccini SaladMain Dishes:
Roast beef with onion, carrots and potato
BBQ chicken
BBQ pork chops
Whole grain rice

Dessert:
Homemade chocolate brownies with chocolate fudge frosting
Homemade Ice Cream Cake
Strawberries
Mommy's Famous Filipino Leche Flan (made by my 88 year old grandmother)
I wanted Mother's Day to be a day for all the lovely mothers in my life to not have to cook or clean. My grandma insisted on making her leche flan!

Since I'm in the sharing mood, here's the recipe for my Tomato-Boccaccini Salad.
3 ripe tomatoes
1 red onion
1 seedless cucumber
Boccaccini cheese
1 bunch of fresh Basil
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

Slice tomatoes, boccaccini cheese, red onion and cucumber into 3/4 inch slices. In a measuring cup, mix together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. On a serving plate, arrange each guests' "tomato-boccaccini stack" by layering in the following manner: tomato slice, boccaccini cheese slice, red onion slice, two cucumber slices, tomato slice. Top each "stack" with a basil leaf. Drizzle each "stack" with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle salt and black pepper.

It's a very tasty, refreshing and pretty dish :) Enjoy! The brownie recipe is a family recipe, so I'm not at liberty to divulge any of that information ;) I'll post a step by step recipe with photos of the ice cream cake sometime soon (if I don't forget).

I'd better dash if I want to get everything done in time! It's 10:25 AM and so far the ice cream cake is made, the chocolate brownies are made, the roast is in the slow cooker, and the living room has been cleaned. I'm starting to panic. I'm such a spazzzzz! I don't know why I freak out so much about getting everything perfect when things always end up fine in the end. *sigh* I annoy myself sometimes. LOL!


I don't care what anyone says, but Freddie Mercury and David Bowie were hot in their day! Yes, I know Freddie was gay. He was still hot though! LOL! I had such a crush on him when I was younger!

Ahhh, there is nothing like young love. Here are my parents circa 1969, full of glee (before they had Rutiger and I).

Thirty nine years together and still enjoying their honeymoon!

I had to slip that post wedding pic of Dad in. He started growing his beard on the honeymoon, and we have only seen his upper lip once shaven since then.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING
The Council of the Corporation of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula will hold a
Special Committee of the Whole meeting on May 21, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. for the
purposes of:

1. Discussing the 2008 Ontario Provincial Policing Contract

WB and I went out yesterday. I bought a "wardrobe", one of those thirty dollar things that suffice for lack of closet space. It took me a whole hour to put the contraption together, and after getting the nose sweats, it was finally erected. I thought it would be easy as pie, but of course I was in a hurry and just could not get all the little parts lined up. Then problem became, where to put it? I couldn't move the 1970's personal sauna (it's full of high heels that I cannot wear), I couldn't move the dressers, I couldn't move the sea chests, my bedroom is FULL.





Addled came home to a house that looked like a bomb hit it. I hung up his extensive collection of retro inspired cowboy shirts and vacuumed and called it a day.





While WB and I were at Wallymart, I noticed a cart that had been deserted, I looked around for an owner but was unable to find one, so I took all the dinky cars out and placed the bundle of toys and stuff on an empty shelf in the store. After a few minutes, WB said "Lisa, I think that is the owner". . . WB ran away swiftly, baby in tow. So there I was, with a potentially stolen cart, and not knowing what to do. The cart was now full of pig ear strips, closet organizer, wooden hangers and natural cleaners (I ran out of Tea Tree Oil, and I figured I would try the Citrus Sage blend out). WB had deserted me! Full of paranoia I walked the aisles trying to find her, while thinking, what if the prior cart owner was of the violent type and would I feel a sudden cuff to the back of my head? There might be a need for back up. I found WB in the juice box aisle, and then she thought she saw the owners again. She watched where they went, and then with a sigh of relief said "they didn't go down the car aisle. . .they just must have been confused shoppers."



Anyhow, today, I cut three property's worth of grass (I am posting this post later in the day), took the dogs out separately for uphill fetch with my dear tenant / neighbour. She is such a sweety. May is in full swing. Flowers are popping, and things are getting very green and lush.

Today at Little Pike Bay: First Cape May and Black-and-white Warbler; also a Blue-headed Vireo Alfred Raab

Red Headed Woodpecker seen around 4 p.m. at the junction of Maple Drive and Miller Lake Shore Road. Ken Teasdale

I always look forward to Baby Bro's visits. His visits are never long enough and even when he's here, I feel like I miss him. Does that even make sense? If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that Baby Bro is my youngest brother (I've got two brothers) and he is the apple of my eye. I know it sounds weird, but he's very special to me because he's so much younger than I am and I was his second mom. I used to take him to baseball practices and drive him to his games. I used to bring him to his acting lessons on Saturday mornings and drive his friends home after parties. Instead of reading him Dr. Seuss books, I used to read him works by Shakespeare, Orwell, the Brothers Grimm, Dickens, etc.

Baby Bro was supposed to come to the Island for a few days to spend Mother's Day with us. He was going to bring his amazing girlfriend (I love that girl!), his best friend and his best friend's girlfriend. Unfortunately, Baby Bro's work scheduled him in for the weekend even though he requested to have Mother's Day weekend off THREE MONTHS AGO. They love that kid. I have to admit, I've seen him at his work and he has super amazing people skills.

Baby Bro is hoping to get to the Island in two weeks. I hope he's able to make it. I really, really miss that kid.


If you think that Baby Bro learned a lot from his older sis, you'd be surprised at what Baby Bro taught me!

Things I learned from my Baby Bro:
1. Not to take things so seriously

2. Learn to suck things up and just agree sometimes (when you know you're facing a losing battle with someone who will never accept that they are at fault)

3. How to burn a CD

4. How to HTML and do my own work on my own business webpage

5. That bredren is something a guy calls his friends

6. How to scan and upload photos (yes, I'm that technologically challenged)

7. How to eat sunflower seeds like a baseball player! In the dugout, Baby Bro and his teammates used to eat sunflower seeds...without using their hands to get the seeds out of the shell! That to me was one of the most amazing things I had ever seen (I'm easily impressed)! They just popped the seed in their mouth, shifted it between their teeth to crack it, et voila! Oh, and the most important part was spitting the shell as far as possible. I was never successful at that. It usually resulted in me spitting the shell right in front of my feet or on my shirt. I know...loser with a capital L!

8. How to work under pressure. I'm the type of person who likes to have things done on time waaaaaaay in advance! Baby Bro is the master of getting things done at the very last minute. Surprisingly, he does an amazing job! Me? I need to plan things out, know what I'm doing, get the job done, review, revise, review and revise again...and still worry that it's not perfect.

9. That Skoal is some pretty nasty stuff! I am a wuss. I don't like doing things that are hazardous to my health and well-being. I used to be spontaneous, adventure-seeking, a little bit stupid and fearless, but not anymore. Anyway, one night, while driving Baby Bro and his friends home from a party, his friend had some Cherry Skoal. Having no idea what that stuff was, I gave it a try. I thought it was gum or something. GAH! It was the most wretched tasting thing ever. One of Baby Bro's friends gave me his bottle of Gatorade to wash away the taste. I didn't know that I was given the bottle for that purpose, and vomited in it. Poor guy. He didn't ask for his Gatorade back. That was my first and only encounter with Skoal. I have no idea how people use that stuff on a regular basis. It's disgusting and it's so not good for you! Bleh. Oh, and don't let those fancy flavours fool you. Vanilla, Berry, Mint, Winter Green, Cherry...I bet they're all awful! LOL!

10. Laugh and laugh a lot. Baby Bro is one of the funniest kids I've ever met. (I really have to stop calling him a kid. He's 21!) He's got the most infectious laugh and his smile can just make an entire room light up.

11. Not to be a nag. Baby Bro always stops me before I even start to nag. If I even look like I'm about to say something that sounds like nagging, he'll give me the look or just tell me to stop. I love that kid!

12. That life is meant to be enjoyed.

13. Baby Bro taught me that time with family is the most important thing to me. We don't see him often because he's in K-town (8 hours away from the Island) finishing his program at Queen's University. Time spent with Baby Bro is very special.

14. Some of the most amazing things in life are surprises. Baby Bro was unexpected. We thought we had everything and that our lives were full. It was Ma, Pa, Middle Bro and me. I was almost in high school when we discovered that Ma was pregnant with Baby Bro. He completely changed our lives...for the better :)

I just wish we'd get to see him more often!!

In case you were wondering, that's not just a random YouTube video :) Whenever I hear that song, I think of Baby Bro for some reason.

I replanted all the Rose of Sharron, two really odd looking rose bushes (they have protuberances like scrubbing pads on them), and another wacky vine along the sides of the dog run. These plantings, along with the Engleman's Ivy, should help with concealing the run, and the passersby.

There were so many black flies out, I ate at least three, had two in my eye (one underneath my contact), and some down the back of my pants, in the ole coin slot. It will be nice when it warms up and the black flies die off and we are plagued by mosquitoes.

I didn't list anything on line.

Yesterday, it pissed down rain. When it came time for the kids to come home, Tibbles rushed inside the house and yelled "WHY DIDN'T YOU PICK US UP?!", after replying that she has a four minute walk home, and skin doesn't automatically slide off your bones during a rain episode, she pulled the "bad parent" card. "ALL THE MOTHERS PICKED UP THEIR KIDS, WE WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAD TO WALK".

I think children are too coddled. Really, rain will not hurt them, snow will not cause them harm. If there was a tornado, I might consider picking them up. It's not like they live on Glebe Street in London, where all the crack heads used to hang out. We do have our weirdos, but after teaching my children various self defense techniques, I feel pretty confident that they could handle perverts. (Scream, Run, if all else fails, kick them in the package and jump on their foot).

When I used to walk to the school to meet them and drop them off, I noticed that so many parents who live even closer than we do, drive their kids. The one family, doesn't even belt the kids in, and you can see in the back of their vehicle, four of them doing gymnastics on their two minute drive to school. Another family, with the same walking distance as us, drive their kids as well, everyday, and are perpetually late. It would be more apropos, and more environmentally friendly if they just let the little winkies walk, quicker as well. You wouldn't have to try and find a parking spot, or dodge rambunctious children with nits.

I think that parents who force their kids to walk should be entitled to a carbon credit. I do not know what I would do with the carbon credit, it's not like it could be put in a side pocket, but it would be an idea.

Where on earth did the week go? I just noticed that my last post was on Saturday and today's Wednesday already!?!

My grandma's here visiting and we've got a Japanese boy here for another two weeks. My cousin, Super Boy is here until Sunday and more family will be coming up from Montreal tomorrow. Between getting the house ready for our guests, getting things organized for the next batch of students, trying to figure out what I'm going to cook for Mother's Day (I'm hosting supper at our house on Sunday), running errands around the Island and Stinky-nola for my mother and grandmother...I seem to have lost track of time and what day it is! In case you were wondering what Stinky-nola is, that's what Hubby used to call Espanola when he was a kid. If you've ever gone through Espanola, you'll know why!

I took J-Boy on a tour around the Island. We went to the Manitoulin Soap Factory, Little Current, M'Chigeeng, Kagawong, the Bridal Veil Falls, Gore Bay, Spring Bay (to see the windmills), Mindemoya and returned home for supper. He's gone hiking up the Cup and Saucer trails and if it hadn't rained today, I was going to take him to the beach.
J-Boy is a total city boy and this is the first time in his life that he's ever been exposed to this type of lifestyle. His English has improved immensely, and he seems to be embracing everything we introduce him to. He really likes riding the ATV, splitting firewood, going fishing, going hiking...and last night was his first time camping. He also remarked that he has never seen so many stars in his life. He said that the night sky was impressive.

While in Espanola the other day, I decided to pamper myself. I don't normally go out and buy things that I don't really need, but I couldn't resist this:
I've always wanted an elliptical machine! When I was teaching in Toronto, I used to go to a gym and my favourite thing there (apart from the classes) were the ellipticals.

I realize this is a really boring post, so I'll leave you with these beauties:

Ways to TOTALLY annoy your husband

1. On a whim, decide to totally change the look of the house. Tell hubby that you only want to make the home a better place to live in.

2. Ask husband to help you move ALL the big, heavy furniture. Yes, every single big and heavy piece of furniture in the house!

3. Tell hubby you don't want to get in his way, so he might as well do it without you. Assure him that you don't want to be an inconvenience.

4. Forget to cook his meals because you've gotten engrossed in your work. You've immersed yourself in work and have totally forgotten to cook. You figure it's the first time you haven't had all his meals ready, so it's no biggie!

5. Purchase new curtains and curtain rod holders. Politely ask hubby to put them up for you...first thing in the morning. Ask in your sweetest voice. Remember, he has just woken up and hasn't had his breakfast yet. Be sweet.

6. Come home late from Espanola excursion and show hubby your new toy. Get hubby to assemble new elliptical machine...even though the clock says it's midnight already.

7. Get really excited about new elliptical machine and test it out until 1 AM.

8. Remember that horrible bug you caught? The terrible cough that has been with you for well over a month? Share that with hubby. Poor hubby was coughing up a storm the other night...and now you seem to have started to recover.

Monday, the kids, Addled and I went out for lunch, both kids ordered the same thing, and came down with a touch of food poisoning. Gibbles went to school this morning. Tibbles bounced back quickly.

Last night was Wookie's training. It went relatively well, considering she is too bloody happy, and wants to kiss everyone she meets, and sniff every dogs bum. It was like a party.

I came home with yet another new type of head halter New Trix, it looks like a bondage outfit, but it is the cadillac of training collars. You have to be a Rhodes Scholar to figure it out though.

Also came home with two balls that you stuff with their kibble, and it gives you a break, as well as gives the dog a job. They have to work for their kibble.

Now, I am starting clicker training. God help me if I am around a bunch of old people with floppy dentures, the dogs will go nuts.


It is auction listing day, so once I get the house in order, replant some more Rose of Sharron, and have a bath, I am going to dig through my hoard, and post some stuff. Nothing at the moment is popping out for me, so I will have to ponder what I will sell.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CONSTRUCTION OF AMABEL SAUBLE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
AND
TRUNK WATERMAINS
SAUBLE BEACH
TOW N OF SOUTH BRUCE PENINSULA

From May, 2008 onwards, the new Amabel Sauble W ater Treatment Plant w ill be constructed at the Amabel
Sauble School location. Additionally, watermains will be constructed along the following streets/roads:

· Sauble Falls Parkway
· W oodland Crescent
· 6 th Stree t North
· 3 rd Avenue North
· 9 th Stree t North
· 2 nd Avenue North
· D-Line
· Jewel Bridge Road
· Deer Trail Road
· Martin Drive

The proposed watermains will connect the seven (7) existing small water systems (Gremik, Thomson, Trask,
Forbes , W inburk, Fedy and R obins).

Please note that no connections to the new watermain will be permitted at this time. W ater service
connections are only available to those currently on municipal water service.

W ate rm ain construction is anticipated to be completed by end of October 2008 and the W ater Treatment Plant
building is anticipated to be com m issioned in Ma rch 200 9. Du ring cons truction of th e wa term ain, the prop erty
owners along the above referenced locations ma y experience som e inconvenience , however, all effo rts shall
be m ade to m inim ize it. W e request your co-operation and patience for the successful completion of these
projects.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the construction, please contact the undersigned.

Iss ued by:

Brad McRoberts, Manager of Public W orks
Tow n of South B ruce Peninsula
Box 310
315 George Street
W iarton, ON
N0H 2T0
Tel: 519-534-1400

Notice
to the residents serviced by the

Trask Water System
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula has imposed a
WATER RESTRICTION
in accordance with By-Law 42-2001

THIS NOTICE COMES INTO FORCE AND TAKES EFFECT ON
MAY 1, 2008
AND CONTINUES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Due to the decrease in the water level within the well, a total ban on lawn watering, car
washing, etc. has been imposed.

Please refrain from any of the above mentioned activities and excessive water use immediately.
This restriction will remain in effect for the majority of the 2008 summer season.

Questions may be directed as follows:
Malcolm McIntosh Brad McRoberts, P. Eng.
CAO Manager of Public Works
Town of South Bruce Peninsula Town of South Bruce Peninsula
PO Box 310, 315 George Street PO Box 310, 315 George Street
Wiarton, ON N0H 2T0 Wiarton, ON N0H 2T0
519-534-1400 ext 122 519-534-1400 ext 131

PUBLIC NOTICE OF
MEETINGS

The Council of the Corporation of the Town of South Bruce Peninsula passed a resolution on
Monday May 5, 2008 to fix a time for continuation of the regularly scheduled Committee of the
Whole meeting for Tuesday May 6, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Contact: Cherry Wyonch
Deputy Clerk
E-Mail tsbpdepclerk@bmts.com
Phone 519-534-1400 x144
Fax 519-534-4976

www.southbrucepeninsula.com

Posted: May 5, 2008

Just to let everyone on the list know, the Piping Plover's are back again this year!!! http://sbp.teledyn.com/node/955