Saturday November 28, 2009-Out for Dinner

It's been cold and windy all day today but we did have sun for a change. The wind was strong enough that it reminded me of my morning walks in Texas.


I spent most of the day on the couch reading. I did get some of Nancy's Christmas decorations out but we didn't do anything with them yet.

Nancy is having a couple of girlfriends over tonight and they're bringing dinner. Unfortunately neither of us can eat it so it's regular fare for us! So since we found out there was at least one smoker in the company (Nancy goes outside to smoke), we decided to go out for dinner since both of us can't tolerate cigarette smoke.

We wound up going to the Bella Vista (the restaurant we had planned to go to on our anniversary). Gordon says their gluten free pizza is the best. I had scallops with rice (wasn't much on the menu that I could eat) and the scallops were very dry. It came with Greek salad so after picking out tomatoes and feta cheese, I had lettuce and black olives but it was ok. I'm getting used to it!

After dinner we stopped at a Mall that we don't get to very often but I guess it's not close enough to Christmas yet as it was closed so we drove to downtown Ottawa and then into the market area coming home via the Ottawa River Parkway and stopping at the Walmart in Kanata for something to clear the smoke. I have to say it doesn't do a very good job.

I can remember when cigarette smoke didn't bother me and when we came to Nancy's I wasn't aware that it did, it's been so long since we've been around smokers indoors. It makes it hard to breathe and makes me extremely nauseated and Gordon's been coughing quite a bit.

Since it's open here at the house from upstairs to downstairs we had the bathroom and bedroom closed off so just went to bed when we got home, consequently no blog got posted last night, so here it is!

Friday November 27, 2009-A Visit

It was raining this morning so I didn't go for my walk and we had to get ready to go to friends of ours about an hour away for 11 a.m.

Before we left Gordon took this photo of Max and I on the couch. He's such a sweet dog.


We left just before 10 a.m. It was raining here and we ran into sneet, snow and more rain on our trip to Perth, ON.

Some sneet on the windshield

This is their house and what a beautiful house and in such a lovely area!

This is Shonagh and Dave. They are the owners of our favourite campground in this area and we consider it our home campground. Shonagh prepared a delicious meal for us, keeping in mind our problems with food.

This photo was taken looking out the window from their family room.

After lunch the rain stopped for a while so we went for a walk around the area. There are many trails and beautiful spots. Even though it was cloudy it was still beautiful.


An interesting tree. I liked the angle.


We had a very enjoyable day with wonderful company. It was dark when we got home and Nancy was already home but she was going out tonight so we're puppy sitting.

Thursday November 26, 2009-Meeting an Old Friend

The sun actually shone this morning while I was out for my walk. It was already 7C (45F) at that time and was quite warm although cloudy for the remainder of the day. Rain was forecast but we didn't get any. Our high was 11C (52F).

It was also sort of hazy this morning as you will see reflected in some of the photos below.


This little bush still has leaves

A muskrat mound

A goose reflection

I got ready and was out the door before 10 a.m. today. I had some shopping to do and I was meeting a friend of mine, Linda for lunch at the Carlingwood Restaurant at Carlingwood Mall for lunch. I haven't seen her for about 17 years. We had a good catch up and will probably see each other again this winter.

Photo below of us taken by the waitress

After lunch I had more stops to make and was home in time to make up some burgers (requested by my husband) so he could BBQ them, some fruit salad (for me) since I had a big lunch and do some reading.

Wednesday November 25, 2009-Only a Month till Christmas!

Hard to believe that it's nearly Christmas. This year has gone really fast. It seems the older you get the faster the time goes.

Today was fairly warm for this time of year at 7C (45F) but it was dull and rainy. It did stop long enough for my walk this morning. I didn't take my camera so no photos today.

Most of the day was spent lounging around reading and on the internet.

I had bought some sirloin steak yesterday (it was on sale so cheaper than round or blade) so made some swiss steak for dinner. It turned out pretty well but probably could have baked it a little less.

Tuesday November 24, 2009-Running Around

It was very foggy this morning and 0C (32F) for my walk but at least there isn't snow....yet.

Foggy photos


I hung around the house all morning and read my library book. I've read it before but I enjoyed it so decided to read it again - it's Colony by Anne Rivers Siddons.

After lunch I went out to pick up some groceries. Gordon was out of orange juice so that was the main reason that I went out but of course when I got there I found other things that we needed. When I got back to the house I picked up the mail and the lawyer in Buffalo had sent something I needed to sign before he can proceed with the case. So I signed it and drove over to the post office to get it mailed.

We have had other fulltiming RV friends turned away from the border today. This is getting ridiculous! Do the border agents have something against RVers or just specific ones?

Monday November 23, 2009-Good news!

The day started out rather foggy and we only had a brief period of sun this afternoon. I didn't get to go on my walk today since the housecleaner was to come at 8:30 a.m. However she called and said she wouldn't be there till 10 a.m. I still didn't go on my walk.

After breakfast I went out and did some shopping and then Nancy and I went out this afternoon. She gets every other Monday off since her hours are long the other days.

Today's good news is that my sister is home from the hospital! I haven't gone into much about it here on the blog but she had a very serious operation and we're so thankful that she is now home. Thanks to everyone on Facebook who said prayers for her.

Sunday November 22, 2009-An Easy Day

I've added a new blogger to my sidebar. George and Marilyn have recently also had problems with US Immigration, to read about it, click here. Luckily they were able to get things straighteed out and were allowed to cross the border and continue on their way within a couple of days.

Not much happened around here today. It was supposed to be bright and sunny but I didn't see a hint of sun all day. It wasn't cold though.

Other than going out for my walk I just sat around the house and read and watched TV.

Saturday November 21, 2009-Company for Dinner

People have commented on my blog that we might still get out of here this winter. That's not in the plans even if the deportation thing gets resolved quickly. I have an appointment with an eye surgeon in January about getting my cataracts removed so even if this gets straightened out, we'll remain here in Ottawa for the winter.

It was 7C (45F) when I went for my morning walk so didn't need the usual bundling up. Just as I got to the Trans Canada Trail I heard the tap tap tapping of a little Downy Woodpecker. That made a good start to my day.

The Downy Woodpecker

Where are the green fields coming from at this time of year?

Lots of geese in the air this morning

Power grid runs along the Trans Canada Trail

We spent a pretty quiet day and I even got in a nap this afternoon before Nancy's company, Mark and Joyce arrived for dinner. These are old friends that used to be her neighbours in a previous location. We had an excellent dinner of ribs, broccoli, carrots, roast potatoes (I had brown rice) and I made two mug cakes since it was Joyce's birthday.

Friday November 20, 2009-Lawyer Consultation

Today was mostly cloudy and rainy but not cold but I managed to get my walk in without being rained on. In fact November so far has been pretty nice weather. It could be so much worse!

After breakfast I went out to get some groceries and things but was back in time for lunch.

My telephone consultation with the lawyer in Buffalo was for 3 p.m. He says there are two ways to go about this. I can forget about the deportation and just apply to be allowed back into the US, or we can apply to have the deportation set aside and terminated. If that goes through I won't have to go to Buffalo to appear.

The lawyer will get all the information needed, prepare affidavits to prove we have been in Canada all this time and I'll have to get some paperwork together to show proof of our residing in Canada as well. At the point we're not sure how long we have to prove that we've lived here.

Now that he has a hefty retainer fee, he's ready to get moving on it.

Nancy managed another full day at work!

Thursday November 19, 2009-Lawyer

After my morning walk and breakfast, I finally got around to calling the lawyer in Buffalo.

Photos from my morning walk-all about trees




First of course, the receptionist wanted payment, then she would make a telephone appointment with the lawyer. We got that straightened away and she called me back this afternoon with an appointment for tomorrow. So hopefully I will get some answers then.

We also managed to raise the head of the bed today. I've been feeling kind of ill the last few days and I have a feeling it's related to reflux so hopefully this will help.

Nancy left for work at 6 a.m. today and managed to stay all day. Amazing!

Wednesday November 18, 2009-Stuff

Although today was busy I find I don't have much to write about.

I had my usual walk. It was bright and sunny again.

More of the Trans Canada Trail

Frost on the logs

This scrub reminds me of southern Texas


A stand of white birches



This afternoon we went to check out the RV again and pick up some flours and my Family Tree program. We took some back roads and enjoyed the drive.

A really big llama and some sheep. The sun was really bright so it's overexposed.

Old log barns

And a cute little log house


A third cousin found me on Facebook and we are going to compare family trees so I wanted my Family Tree program which I had left at the RV as he's given me lots of information for it.

Nancy is going to attempt to go back to work tomorrow so we'll be on hand in case she's unable to stay for the whole day.

Tuesday November 17, 2009

Today was another bright beautiful sunny day but a bit on the cool side. I had a nice morning walk and took longer than usual since I missed yesterday.

This farm is quite a ways from the Trans Canada Trail but I used my zoom lens

I'm pretending these Canada Geese are Sandhill Cranes

An overexposed lone tree


This morning I went out to do some shopping and when I came back Nancy was ready to go out and do some as well so I went with her. So I'm shopped out!

By the way I got an email from the lawyer in Buffalo. I just have to call him.

Monday November 16, 2009

I was up early this morning as the housecleaner was to be here for 8:30 a.m. I didn't go for my walk and she showed up right on time. Nancy had an appointment at 8 a.m. so we needed to be here.

After she left I lay down and had a long nap. There's just been so much going on that I've been tired.

It was bright and sunny all day but cooler than it has been.

I didn't even get outside the house today.

Sunday November 15, 2009

It was warm and foggy this morning for my walk.

I got an email ready and sent off to the law firm in Buffalo.

Not much else going on today!

Saturday November 14, 2009-Wet and Rainy

The day started off not too badly weatherwise. When I went for my morning walk the city of Kanata was setting up for the Santa Claus parade however it started raining somewhere around 11 a.m. so I hope that it was over by that time or Santa would have gotten wet!

The photo to the left was taken yesterday when we were on the Sarsaparilla Trail. The red-breasted nuthatch took a liking to my hat and there wasn't even any birdseed on it!

I went out and picked up a few groceries today, other than that I made stew for tomorrow. It's always better when it's been refrigerated for a day or so.

I read, chatted on Yahoo Messenger with Dee and generally lolled about!

Friday November 13, 2009-The Good News and the Bad News

Well, the good news is I got a reply from the lawyer in London, Ontario on my deportation problem. The bad news is quoted from his email to me:

It would appear as if you will be required to attend immigration court in the U.S. to formally reopen the deportation proceedings. Those likely relate to your permanent residence status years ago and a possible failure to apply to remove conditional status. I don't handle immigration court matters. You would be wise to seek an attorney in Buffalo who can do that for you.

So I sent him an email asking for a recommendation and he has complied with the name of a firm in Buffalo, NY. This just reinforces Gordon's and my thoughts that this ain't gonna be easy or cheap! So I'm bummed again. Since there are no immigration lawyers that I can find near the border in a US town that is close to Ottawa, it looks like I will have to go to the Buffalo area if I want to get this done and it's really not convenient right now with my sister in the hospital and pending eye surgery for me not to mention the winter driving to get there. I had such high hopes for this guy in London. He did indicate that the lawyer in Buffalo could file papers to allow me to cross the border to go to court but maybe it's just not meant to be.......

This morning we decided to go and find a trail so wound up on the Sarsaparilla Trail, another one that is fairly close to us. This one is also part of Stony Swamp. We started out on this trail a couple of years ago but for some reason didn't complete it and today the place was just crawling with kids. Must have been a PD Day so we didn't stay long.

Beaver pond

This blue jay landed quite close to us - he was interested in the seeds that I had put on the fence

Part of the trail



After that we took off in search of different areas of the Jock River that we haven't seen before.. Gordon read about it on line and wanted to see some different areas of it. So we drove around a lot and got some photos. At one point we saw a Great Blue Heron by the river. I thought they would have all left to go south by now. No photo of him as he took off as soon as the truck stopped.

An old barn along the Jock River

Jock River

Still lots of geese around


All in all it was a pretty day with a high of about 10C (50F) and lots of sunshine.

This afternoon I took Max for a walk on the Trans Canada Trail and he was full of burrs when he got home so his Mommy had to cut most of them out. I had pulled a few of them out on the trail and he is so good about it. No biting or snapping like our dog would have. He's a very gentle creature.

Thursday November 12, 2009-Frosty Foggy Morning

I feel special when anyone leaves a blog comment but today I felt extra special to receive a comment from the blogger of all RV bloggers, Tioga George! Thanks for reading my blog, George. And thanks to everyone else who wades through my daily boredom!

Even though it was -5C (23F) this morning I had a wonderful, peaceful walk. The sun was shining but it was also foggy so it was very pretty. After I got moving I wasn't cold at all.

Morning walk photos





I had been told about an Immigration lawyer in London, Ontario by a friend. His son used him when he wanted to move to the US to be with his fiance so this morning I sent him an email with details of the deportation problem and he emailed me back with a few questions which I have now answered. I'm hoping that finally we have someone who can help!

Gordon and I went out this morning to do a little shopping. He needed some clothes to wear around the house and I needed to pick up a few groceries. Then we stopped at Tim Horton's for coffee. I don't seem to be having a problem with coffee right now. Yay!

I had a chat with Dee on Yahoo Messenger this afternoon. She always brightens my day!

We're having breakfast for dinner tonight. We're making buckwheat pancakes with bacon. Never tried them before. Hope they're good!

Wednesday November 11, 2009-Remembrance Day

All the best to our brother-in-law, John. Today is is birthday.

A lot of businesses are closed at least for the morning here but places like the Government offices, liquor and beer stores, banks etc. have the day off for Remembrance Day. Since we're retired, we also have the day off, but then we have every day off!

And so to our veterans as well as our military personnel wherever they may be in the world, THANK YOU!

This morning I made gluten free spice cookies. They're a little dry but most gluten free baking seems to be dry. They taste pretty good though and are very spicy. Too bad there's so much ginger in it. Ginger is one of the many things that I have a sensitivity to.

This afternoon I went with Nancy to make arrangements to replace her kitchen counter and she decided to go with a new sink for the kitchen as well. The sales lady at the kitchen department at Home Depot was so nice and helpful! Everything will be done before Christmas. It will look so nice!

I've still heard zip from the lawyer. I think we'll have to go to their office and get in their face!

Tuesday November 10, 2009-Out and About

I went for a quick walk/run this morning. I was up early as I was following Nancy to the dealership to get her winter tires put on her vehicle and then brought her home rather than having to wait in uncomfortable waiting room chairs. While there we had a look at the Pontiac Vibe. Nancy's Saturn Vue is 6 years old and she's thinking of trading but the Vue only has 61,000 km (37,800 mi) on it

We hadn't heard from them by noon so I took her for her doctor's appointment and then we went and picked up her vehicle. It was all bright and shiny. They still wash cars that are in for service at this dealership. It's rare these days.

From there I took off to Walmart and then the grocery store.

It was a bright sunny day again but only got to about 12C (54F).

Oh, I did call an Immigration lawyer today and left a message on her voice mail but haven't heard back from her.

Monday November 9, 2009

Nothing much to report today. It was fairly warm 17C (63F) but cloudy most of the day.

We took the truck in for a check up to be sure it was okay for winter and it checked out fine. Other than that Nancy bought me a water pillow at the chiropractor's when she was there today. She has one and loves it.