Tricia's Musings

Random Thoughts about life in general, living in the big city of Toronto



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Stressed and tired? That’s me

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I’m feeling kind of wiped out today. Actually I was feeling that way yesterday too.

I think I’m still fighting the flu that my husband had last week – I think I’ve had a touch of it, but no where near as bad as he had it. Which of course I’m thankful for since I have Crohns and if I got the flu as bad as he did I’d probably end up in the hospital!

Also, all the stress of my sites being down – writing to two web hosting companies and waiting for replies from support which can take hours and hours wore me down too.

I really am pleased that my sites are finally working again though. Now, if I could get some decent rest I’ll be ready for anything again!

Actually I have some built up work for advertisers that I’m going to spend the evening working on. I might just take a tiny rest first though so my head will be clearer and with any luck my posts will be better.





Virtual dolls at the Cartoon Doll Emporium

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When I was a little girl I used to love playing with cut out dolls. I’m not even sure if that kind of toy is still around anymore.

The closest thing that I can come up with that is similar in nature would be sites like the Cartoon Doll Emporium where you can choose a doll type and then proceed to dress it up and accessorize with a selection of items ranging from hats, pants, skirts, dresses, tops, blouses, jackets, purses, shoes, glasses and all kinds of fun items.

The Cartoon Doll Emporium calls these dolls Virtual Dolls. Virtual because they are web based and Virtual because you can make them look any way your heart desires. Or … uhm … your child can make them look whatever way they’d like.

It’s for kids, but I know adults use sites such as this to create avatar images to use on their websites or on discussion forums too. I believe I might have made my own Tricia’s Musings avatar that you see in the header on the Cartoon Doll Emporium. I probably did since it’s supposed to be the most popular dress up website.

There are over 800 different types of dolls to choose from. There are girl, boy, celebrity, character, anime, Bratz, fashion, fantasy, makeover, international, historical, geeks, seasonals, babies,video game, political and even animal dolls. One of the doll types – webkinz even has virtual pets!

You know you’ve found a great site for kids when even as an adult you can have fun with it and spend some time creating interesting doll characters.

Be sure to visit when you have some time on your hands because I have a feeling you’ll be there for a while.

What makes you happy?

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Did you know that the word Genki means happy in Japanese?

I often think of things that make me happy. Perhaps that’s a side effect of being stuck at home due to my Crohn’s and being in pain a lot of the time. Considering my circumstances I think overall I’m a fairly happy and positive person.

If I think about it I can find happiness easily. It doesn’t take much. What kinds of things make you happy? I know that one of my blogging friends, Robyn, is full of happiness because she’s just purchased a beautiful home for her family. Security and living space, a new beginning. Yes I’d imagine that those things would make many people happy.

Gazing out my kitchen window at my backyard – seeing all the birds in the feeder or flitting from plant to plant, butterflies and bumble bees doing pretty much the same as the birds, but to flowers, squirrels chasing one another, and just seeing my many flowers in bloom or the pretty foliage in my garden. Those are things that make me happy.

When I take photographs, particularly of flowers, I’m actually trying to show you what makes me happy. I’m amazed at the loveliness of plants and the amazing things they do, the whole blooming process, the patterns within leaves or even within flower petals. I try to show you what I see and what amazes me when I post some of my photos.

I guess I’m a very outdoors oriented person because as I sit here and try to think of things other than family and friends that make me happy I keep thinking of outdoor things.

Being in a canoe, especially on fast or white water. The smell of cut grass. The fragrance of a rose or pretty much any flower or foliage that produces a scent. A sunset or sunrise. The way clouds look when they are dark, or when the sun passes through them. A rainbow after a rain storm, or walking in the warm rain. These are things that make me happy.

A child’s smile, or the sound of children laughing. My husband laughing. Helping others, especially when I’m working as a nurse. Chocolate – anything chocolate. Yes these are things that make me happy.

Today I’m happy and relieved that my sites are back up and running! Does that make you happy too?

I must buy a canoe this year

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I’m so envying my blogging friend RennyBA. You’ve seen him here many times as he’s a faithful commenter.

He recently had some very good friends come and stay with he and his family and they did some outings together. One of the things they did was go canoing on a beautiful lake. Lovely.

I swear I was born in a canoe. I used to white water canoe – now that’s an adventure!

Being Canadian you either play and live hockey or you are an avid camper and or canoeist – or something in between. Trouble is I haven’t been in a canoe in ages. It’s like a craving now after reading his posts and looking at all the photos they took.

I miss canoing and boating so much! We have a pop up trailer. I think I’m going to get a canoe sometime this summer and use it. I must get back into a canoe.

I can always store the canoe where we keep our trailer. Might as well have the complete outdoor package together right?

Does anyone else enjoy canoeing or boating?

Barbecue time

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We’re having a BBQ for the first time in a while this evening. Chris has either been tiring himself out working the early early shifts or working the 12 noon to 8 pm shifts at work so we haven’t been having as many barbecues that we normal do this year.

Tonight we’re having some grilled sausages – those cheese grill’ems or however the name is spelled. I love them. They don’t love me and they aren’t good for us but they sure do taste good.

Of course we are balancing it out with a salad full of cucumber, carrot, a variety of leafy greens, tomatoes and a light vinaigrette dressing, as well as Frenched beans.

Time to eat! What did you have for dinner tonight?

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