Saturday, March 8, 2014

Funtime Friday

Since retiring I have not allowed myself the luxury of spending an entire day playing hooky.
Doing silly and fun things...an entire day out and about in the downtown core.


I wore my pearls...love a dangly drop earring as it makes me feel so feminine.


I hitched an early morning ride with Mr. HB on his way to work and took myself off to Starbucks for coffee and breakfast. I do love a good decaf Americano.
I sat myself down at a table beside the window and gazed out onto the streets of Chinatown and noticed some weary looking street people gathered with their over flowing shopping carts which they use for all their personal belongings. Our city has quite a few street people who live in the downtown core. Some sleep in shelters at night and others create makeshift beds on cardboard scraps and hunker down in doorways and alleys.
It is a sad state of affairs...
I wonder how they have come to be down on their luck, displaced and homeless.
I cannot imagine what it must be like to be living on the street, cold and hungry without a roof overhead.

When they noticed I was staring, I turned my eyes away so as not to invade their privacy.
Then I watched the people in line come in and order their morning coffee and wondered if they were regulars and by the greetings that they were exchanging I felt they must be, at least on Friday mornings.

After a leisurely breakfast I caught up on my blog reading on my IPhone and then walked down through Chinatown to Value Village. It was quiet at 9 am and I felt like I had the store to myself when an older gentlemen came up to me and started telling me that many of these items could be re purposed for things that they were not originally intended to be used for ...he was going off on a tangent and said "Young people need to know this but you don't!" I couldn't help but laugh! I said laughing "Yes I am old, have a great day!

I found a vintage jar with a lid that I am going to use in my pantry cupboard. I am always on the look out for these to store oats, flour, sugar and such in them as they look so much nicer and keep things fresh and neat.
I also found a pair of cowboy booties...my breakfast cost more than these boots!


Giddy Up!


I cruised through Gap looking at their sale racks and found two new tops.
I am loving these striped tops.
I had a further discount card so they were a steal.

I browsed Roots and checked out their new handbags as I love the quality and that they are made in Canada.
A bright colour would be fun for a change.
I own a few bags and they are all black!
I walked out without buying a thing.

I visited Chapters and looked at the books and was surprised to see how many other things that they have for sale.
Scarves, candles, home decor items...
I rarely shop in Chapters because I use the public library and buy books from a small shop on Oak Bay Avenue owned and run by the sister of a long time friend.
Ivy's Book Store is so convenient and the ladies that work there are super fun and friendly.

I checked out the Bay and some of the racks of women's wear but nothing really stood out and besides my stomach was growling. I checked my watch and it was 1:30 so no wonder I was hungry.
I took the escalator up to the top floor and dined in the cafeteria and sat beside this seagull.


I had planned to walk home but after 5 hours of walking my feet were tired so I hopped on the bus.
Came home and polished my booties, washed the jar and put the kettle on.
I finished the book that I was reading.





I leafed through the cookbook given to me by a friend.
Soup Sisters is an organization that makes soup for the needy.
We have a local chapter here in Victoria.
They meet at The London Chef on Fort Street.
Sounds like fun!

By the time Mr. HB arrived home after his day, I was in the kitchen with my apron on making dinner.
It was a great day and I was weary so we had an early night.

I plan to schedule in another full day of play next month. 

Have a great weekend!

22 comments:

La Vie Quotidienne said...

What a fun sounding day. Love your new tops, stripes are such fun to wear. The pearl earrings are lovely.

Did you enjoy Ann Mah's book? I read it a while back, I love 'cooking' themed books, or books about chefs.

...the library just now called me, Louise Penny's book I put on hold just came it ~ hooray!

Linda said...

Sounds like a wonderful day. Sometimes we are our own best company. Love the booties!!!

Jim & Sonya Guthrie said...

The more I read your blogs, HB, the more I realize how much we are alike...VV Boutique, books from the Library (why buy, hey?), loving striped tops, etc, and the one I had the most laugh about was sitting beside the seagull!!! My Mother had a pet seagull, she named "Jodie", and he use to come to her house, twice a day for 17 years!! Loved that bird :)

Jen Lawrence said...

What a fabulous day. I grew up visiting my grandparents in Victoria so I always like to read about it!

Pondside said...

Those days are good for the soul! Just because you aren't going out to work anymore doesn't mean that you shouldn't indulge yourself like that!

Jeannine said...

Sounds like a wonderful day - I love a good day on my own like that! Your story of the man who came up to you to talk about re purposing reminded me of a recent trip I had to the grocery store - a man got right in my face with his bag of frozen cherries and started telling me the benefits, talking about how he eats to take care of himself, etc., etc. I decided that he was lonely, but it was a little humorous.

Susan said...

I think you should plan a day like this for yourself at least once a month--because it would be fun AND we want to read about it!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I did enjoy her novel and loved how she divided it up into areas around Paris that were known for their various foods and she included a recipe at the end of each chapter.
I hope you like Louise Penny's book...I just finished her second in the series and have more to look forward to!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

They were a lucky find and I wore them yesterday and so very comfy!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

That's an amazing story of that seagull and his regular visits!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

If you find your way back here please let me know so that we can arrange to get together!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Funny thing how we get so busy with life and domestics that we forget to take that extra special "me" time. Hope that you are well....we must get a walk in sometime soon maybe when the rain subsides.

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

These encounters are becoming more frequent...I think it must be my grey hair!
What do you attribute them to? Do we look like we are keen to lend an ear?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

After having such fun I do plan to make it part of my routine...and as you know I am a passionate blogger so you will be hearing about it !!

Deborah Montgomery said...

Sounds like a wonderful day! I love being home so much I have to remind myself to get out once in awhile, and a day like you describe can be very refreshing. it's a real blessing to be able to enjoy your own company too. I know people who won't do things unless they have someone to go with them.

kristieinbc said...

It sounds like you had a wonderful day! My son, daughter-in-law and baby granddaughter live in Oak Bay. Next time I visit I hope to get to Ivy's bookstore. I love small, cosy bookshops. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

I love days like that. I can't believe you haven't allowed yourself to have more of them. There's a fine balance though and too many and you start to feel bored and indulgent. I'm on March Break holiday right now so I'm getting some of those relaxing days in myself.

Lorrie said...

A fun day like that is good for one's soul. I'm taking note of Mah's book as it sounds like something I'd like to read.

Duchesse said...

I love having time to people-watch and stroll streets without a time limit. May I suggest, if looking feels invasive, that you wear a pair of sunglasses?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

When you come to visit perhaps we can meet for a coffee?

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Enjoy the slower pace of life on your holiday...perhaps you'll indulge a little!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

I am planning to buy some prescription sunglasses in the next few months but I might feel a bit silly wearing them inside a cafe!