So I moved into my new dream home in November, leading right into the dead of winter. Now that spring has sprung and the sun is shinning their are strange green things starting to grow out of the ground. I have heard people refer to them as plants...what kind of plants, no clue. At our last home my husband and I hired a wonderful landscaper who came in and planted all those strange things know as plants. Made sure they had enough sun or shade, took the time to let us know that they were all LOW maintenance greenery. Just the kind of greenery we are looking for. In this new house, the previous owners were gardening enthusiasts and we have inherited their hobby. Oh happy day...

 

With the lovely weather finally upon us and the sun light gleaming off my dust bunnies. It is now the time of year to give my home a good scrubbing from top to bottom. The old Spring Cleaning Fever I suppose... Although not one of my favorite things to do, with the help of loud music and a bottle of Pinot, I always feel better when things are all spit and polished. Well maybe more polished than spit...

From cleaning out all the cupboards to colour coding my shoes...I do it all. But the newest place that I just learned (the hard way of course) to launder, is my 6th family member, my third arm, yes, my computer. In my home life I am some what of a minimalist. I don’t have collections or chachkis, however in my cyber life I was (am) a full on A & E Special HOARDER. Now I consider myself Tech Savvy, I have all the gadgets and know how to use them all fairly well. But when you start throwing around big words like, Cache , Ram & De-frag, you lost me at..well..Ca... I really have no clue what they are and how they impact my cyber life and quite frankly..don’t give a damn. So long as my baby works when I turn her on , I am a happy girl. So in by no way shape or form should you take this post as any type of HOW TO..Yes this is my blanket disclaimer that I am not responsible if you some how mange to erase your entire hard drive...(as I once did). These are simply tips I was given and then passed on to a professional techy type person to show me how to do them...I am giving you these tips in PC lingo, I use a MAC so some of the fancy names for things are different...(and better lol..once you go MAC you never go back)...

1) Clean Up the Clutter- sounds simple enough...and it is...just getting rid of unused icons & files etc. Also back up your baby (now a habit for me) then you can delete all those pictures and files you don’t use on a daily basis.

2) Remove Old Programs- USE CAUTION! Here is where it may get tricky for some..like me...be aware of what is a “necessary running program” before you UN-INSTALL anything. The term Necessary Program meant nothing to me unless you were referring to all the Reality TV Shows I love...now that is Necessary Programming...

3) Defrag your Computer- Ok, once again..No comprende...please refer to a cute techy person...Something about your computer having to run around looking for files and this will make it faster and easier...I need to Defrag my house when I’m looking for my keys or cell phone...

4) Clear you Cache- GAZUNTITE!...by doing, what ever this is, you clear up more space on your baby and she will once again work better. Apparently this is a good thing to do on a fairly regular basis...like a Manicure for your computer...

5) Take it in for a Tune Up- this is my own personal tip...no matter well you treat your baby, it can always use a professional touch up. I know the thought of being with out your computer for even one day is devastating, you will be thrilled you did. A simple tune up can make a world of difference on how well it operates and how long it lasts. Just be sure to do your home work and take to a reputable Techy person...You don’t want a hack...take Tory Spellings boobs for example...it can happen to anyone...


You can find more information on these tips at Microsoft Home Magazine...

http://tinyurl.com/yj8lrhq


ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ...Martini

1 ounce Berry Vodka
1/2 ounce white cream to cacao
splash Grand Marnier
orange slice

Shake all ingredients with ice and serve in a martini glass. Rim the glass with cocoa powder or crushed chocolate chips for an extra treat....Garnish with the orange slice...

Cheers

Dee

www.cocktaildeeva.com

Whether your hip to it or not, social media is running a muck in our society today...Like a crazy campus toga party, word of the new “IT” thing spreads like wild fire. Between Facebook, You Tube and Twitter it’s hard to keep up.  My new favorite techie time waster is Twitter. When I heard the premise of this new social outlet, I felt that for someone like me...who has verbal diarrhea...this may be a good fit. Turns out, it is, and it’s fun! Twitter is not for everyone and on a daily basis people tell me that “they just don’t get it”. This I can totally understand. When you first sign up and start TWEETING... to...well...basically no one, it seems all a bit odd. With the whole follo ‘wing” and follo ‘wers’ ...it seems to have a strange language of it’s own.

When I think of March Break I naturally think of my kids and what to do with them so they don’t drive me nuts...But this week I was hit with some astonishing news...There are people out there with out kids, I was stunned and in disbelief...

I guess after being a mom for so long I forgot that there are people out there looking for things to do during breaks and holidays that don’t have to be kid friendly. That can involve alcohol, nudity, swearing & no car seats!

I also feel that if the opportunity should aries, mom’s and dad’s should take a day and do something all grown up for themselves. So I started chatting to these childless people and asked them what they think are the coolest and funnest things to do in Toronto...Here are a few of my faves....

1) Tour the Steam Whistle Brewery - naturally this is at the top of my list as it involves Beer...mmmmm beer...There are several different tour packages available starting at the great price of $10. Be sure to check out their web site for details...

    I am at a loss...with the Olympics at end whatever will I do...When in doubt, throw a FABULOUS party!!! And what better glam event than The Oscar...

I must confess, I love award shows and The Oscars are the Olympics of award shows. This year is looking to be a fantastic show, great movies nominated, fabulous stars walking the red carpet. Oh the pomp and circumstance, can’t wait...

    Welcome to my virgin post for Toronto News 24...I am supposed to be blogging about Lifestyle...not quite sure what that all entails. But I do like life and I LOVE style. Not that my style is all that fabulous, but I do know I don’t have “BAD” style, this is according to my 70 year old male dry cleaner...I trust him.

Hope you enjoy reading what I have to say, if not I am sure you will tell me...

    There are even some special theme days through out the event. Mommy’s Day is Monday Feb. 22, there is a play area for the kids, presentations designed for moms and the first 250 moms get a goodie bag...mmm free goodies. Girl’s Night Out (my personal fave) is Thurs. Feb 25th, this night is all about entertaining and style. The first 250 women to the stage by 6pm also get a fabulous goodie bag. What also makes this night special is that I am on stage at 7:30 mixing up Divine Cocktails..(shameless plug).