Good for a laugh!!

I wasn't expecting to be writing another post so soon, but it is movie night tonight and Janis, Helena and I went to see the movie "The Heat", so funny, apart from the bad language, but if you can get past that then you will be in for a treat.

FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is a very skilled and effective investigator, but is despised by her fellow agents for her arrogance and condescending attitude. Hale (Demián Bichir), Ashburn's boss at the New York FBI field office who is being promoted, sends her to Boston to investigate a drug kingpin named Larkin with the promise that she would be considered as his replacement if she can solve the case while showing the ability to work effectively with others. Once in Boston, she is partnered with Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy), a skilled but foulmouthed and rebellious police officer with the Boston Police Department. Ashburn's by-the-book philosophy clashes with Mullins' rugged and violent style of police work. Mullins discovers the details of the Larkin case by stealing the case file from Ashburn and insists on helping her. Ashburn reluctantly agrees, realizing that she needs Mullins' knowledge of the local area.

Ashburn and Mullins follow leads to a local night club owner and successfully place abug on his cell phone. As they leave the club, Ashburn and Mullins are confronted by twoDEA agents, Craig (Dan Bakkedahl) and Adam (Taran Killam), who have been working the Larkin case for several months and are worried that their case will be compromised. After viewing him on a screen in the DEA agents' surveillance van, Ashburn discovers that Mullins' brother, Jason (Michael Rappaport), was recently released from prison, having been put there by Mullins herself, and may be connected to Larkin's organization. Ashburn convinces Mullins to go to her parents' home to ask Jason for information on Larkin. On their arrival at the home, it becomes apparent that Mullins' parents and two other brothers still harbor deep resentment for Mullins' involvement in Jason's incarceration. Jason, who does not have any ill feelings toward his sister, tips her off about the body of a murdered drug dealer hidden in an abandoned car. Upon examination of the body, chemicals on the victim's shoes lead Ashburn and Mullins to an abandoned paint factory, where they witness a drug dealer being murdered by a member of Larkin's organization named Julian (Michael McDonald). The two apprehend Julian and interrogate him regarding Larkin, but are unable to extract any substantial information regarding Larkin's whereabouts.

The pair spends the evening in a bar bonding over several rounds of drinks. After a night of raucous drinking and partying, Ashburn wakes up the following morning to discover that, in her drunkenness, she has given her car keys to one of the bar patrons. After unsuccessfully pleading for the keys, Ashburn watches, along with Mullins, as the car explodes upon being started, having been fitted with a bomb. During the investigation of the explosion, the two discover that Julian has escaped from custody and may mean to harm Mullins' family. Mullins moves the family into a motel, but learns that Jason has joined with the Larkin organization in an attempt to aid the case. Jason gives her a tip about a drug shipment coming in to Boston Harbor. The FBI sets up a sting at the harbor to take down the shipment, but discovers that the ship they have been waiting for is actually only a pleasure cruise ship and Jason has been set up by Larkin. Knowing that he informed the FBI about the supposed drug shipment, Larkin attempts to have Jason killed, but only puts him into a coma.

Mullins vows to bring her brother's attacker to justice. Ashburn and Mullins interrogate Rojas and learn of a warehouse where Larkin houses his operations. After equipping themselves with assault equipment from Mullins' extensive personal arsenal, the two infiltrate the warehouse. Despite taking out several of Larkin's men with a hand grenade, the two women are captured and bound by Julian, who threatens to torture them with knives. Julian is called away by Larkin, but before he leaves the room, he stabs Ashburn in the leg with one of the knives. Mullins removes the knife from Ashburn's leg and uses it to cut the rope binding her hands. Before she can finish freeing herself and Ashburn, they are discovered by Craig and Adam. Craig begins to untie the two women, but is shot and killed by Adam. Ashburn and Mullins deduce that Adam is actually Larkin, having been working his own case from inside the DEA for several months. Julian reenters and is instructed by Larkin to kill Ashburn and Mullins while he goes to the hospital to kill Jason. After Larkin leaves, Mullins, whose hands have already been untied, manages to finish freeing herself and incapacitates Julian. Mullins then frees Ashburn and the two race to the hospital to save Jason.

Upon their arrival, Mullins rushes to find Jason. Ashburn, hindered by the stab wound in her leg, is unable to move quickly. Mullins finds Jason's room, only to discover Larkin standing over his bed with a syringe, intending to kill Jason by injecting air into his vein, causing his death by an air embolism. Mullins drops her weapon in an attempt to save her brother's life. Ashburn, having had to crawl to the room, then enters and subdues Larkin by shooting him in the genitals. With Larkin captured, Ashburn requests to stay in the FBI's Boston field office, having developed a strong friendship with Mullins. Jason is shown having fully recovered from his coma. The film ends with Mullins receiving a commendation from the Boston Police Department, with her family present cheering for her, having reconciled her.

(Courtesy of Wikipedia)

May as well mention all the wonderful new items I found today for my Boutique, some really neat things - hope I get to sell them...........

Well, that's it folks for now.  Have a great day tomorrow.  Hugs, 

Crazy days of summer

Isn't the weather odd?  Recently we had really high and humid temperatures and now it has turned much cooler and we have been deluged with rain, to the point where our streets have been flooded, some like this......

Toronto had similar weather a week or so ago - what is happening to our seasons and weather patterns - changing so, so much and it can't be for the good.

I mention my Boutique quite a bit in my blog so I thought I would show you where it is - it's in an old MNR building, an old warehouse type setting.............

It's perfect for our kind of store and being old and quite shabby, the rent is just right.  I don't think our "landlord" makes any money out of us.

It's been very peaceful at the Boutique for the last couple of weeks, the stress level has gone right down, and I hope it continues.  A few new ladies have been added to the room where I was (I think 6 people have their "stuff" in there now) and I hope we can all get along.  I must say though, I do so much like being on my own and anyway, the lease states that there is no sub-leasing allowed, so on my own I will stay, LOL

Here are a few things that I have been working on..........

Painted this mirror for a friend.  She wants to make a willow stand for it and put it on a dresser.

Turned this calender holder....

into this, a beautiful chalkboard.....

Found two old drawers at the side of the road "free", so I lugged them home and gave them a coat of home-made whitewash paint.  Looking good and now they hold my vintage linens in the Boutique..........

Made this out of another old, and really battered, calendar holder.  I think it looks so cute with its shabby paint job......

Here are a few pictures of my neighbourhood.  I live downtown so it's really nice to see some prettiness.....

This one is taken from the side of the Library where I used to work, it's just across the road from the apartment where I live....

and these are just round and about my apartment.....

A new blogging friend of mine is Sharon Srock and Amazon.com explains her far better than I can....

"Author Sharon Srock went from science fiction to Christian fiction at slightly less than warp speed.  Twenty five years ago, she cut her writer's teeth on Star Trek fiction.  Today, she writes inspirational stories that focus on ordinary women using their faith to accomplish extraordinary things.  A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Sharon serves her local chapter in the role of treasurer.  Sharon lives in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma with her husband and three very large dogs.  Her books include:  The Women of Valley View:  Callie and The Women of Valley View:  Terri, both of which are currently available.  The Women of Valley View:  Pam will release in early 2014."

Here is a synopsis of her book "Callie".  I'm sure you will want to read this one and the sequels.

"Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.  Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.  Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.  Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing.  And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.  For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need."

You can also find out more about Sharon at these links:

Visit her BLOG at: http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com/
Connect with her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SharonSrock#!/SharonSrock
Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/SharonSrock
Find her on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6448789.Sharon_Srock

If you'd like a chance to get acquainted with THE WOMEN OF VALLEY VIEW you can download a free 39 page PDF here:
http://bitly.com/SmQmUs

My favourite topic.... My granddarlings just came home from spending a beautiful week with their mum and dad at a cottage. The weather was great and they all had a fabulous time.  They needed a good time away.  To finish up, a couple of photos of darling Rhys and sweetheart Katherine.........

Well, that's it for now.  I hope you have a wonderful, happy and healthy week and I will "talk" to you again soon.

Hugs,

Summer is definitely here!!

Well, summer has definitely arrived and I'm already fed up with this hot, humid weather.  I guess I just cannot be pleased - complain when the winter lasts six months and then when the temperature is above 70 degrees.  Ah well, just have to put up with it I guess!!

I'm still busy with my Boutique and on my way there from my apartment just down the street are some pretty flowers planted alongside the road.....

Makes the walk enjoyable.

Talking about the Boutique, sad to say but things were not going too well.  There were three of us when it began and we seemed to be getting along fine but the old adage "Two's company, three's a crowd" came into play and it ended with me having no choice but to go out on my own, for my own peace of mind.  Quite a few people had warned me about three never working out, but as we seemed to get along so well I didn't pay much attention until I became the third wheel, LOL  I rented my own space just across the hall.  I'm loving this and am hoping that they will let me enjoy what I am doing.  I have a goodly amount of valued customers who love to come and visit me - they don't always make a purchase and that's okay.  It's not about money with me (although I don't say no to it, LOL).  No, it's having a hobby which fills my retirement days and satisfies my artistic side.  I'm always making something or other or re-doing an item.  Here are a few things that I have been working on.....

Just finished painting and re-upholstering these dining chairs.  I have done a few in the past but I am particularly proud of these two.

A couple more lighthouses.  Aren't they adorable?

A couple of plant holders, into which I put a couple of clay pots.  Quite cute.

And, I repainted an old highchair.  It wasn't selling in it's natural state so I asked some of my online friends what colour I should paint it and this was the colour which was mentioned the most.

Repainted an old mirror.

and that's about it.  From now on, things are going to be a lot better.  I'm certainly going to do my best to make it work.

Now that I have got all that out of the way, I saved the best for last.  I just returned a while ago from visiting my darling grandchildren and celebrated Rhys's 4th birthday.  It's amazing how quickly these kiddies are changing and growing up.  A few photos of the sweethearts to end this blog.

Oh, before I leave, just have to mention that I sold my crow table that I painted this past Saturday at the Boutique.  She said it was going to a loving home.

That's all for now folks.  Have a wonderful week.  Be kind to each other.

Hugs,