That was a nice message

 Just checking before I head off to bed and to read, and found the last post and it was a surprise for sure. Congrats to Dave as the new Director. Now Dave you will have to catch up with the latest rules and regulations so you can participate fully in the affairs of the Gallery. I know you have always been there with Pati, so you are familiar and I expect you will fit in nicely.

It is humid and hot here and wouldn't you know it that I put the floor air conditioner away on the weekend. It was not being used and was sort of in the way in the front window so I figured it would be time. Harry was always complaining of being cold anyway but didn't he ask for the a/c to be put on today......but the answer was no, it is away now. I offered to bring a fan for him but that was not welcomed. I hope this heat spell will not last long.

I dehydrated more basil today as I use the ground powder in many dishes I make. Tomorrow maybe I'll do some oregano as I use it frequently as well. It dries very fast so it really is not a chore to do.

I have been looking seriously at all my Tim Hortons mugs and coffee containers i have on shelves on the kitchen wall and considering packing them up for storage ( I'll not get rid of them...yet) I rotate my morning mug frequently but do not use all of them ( some too high on the top shelf to reach) but I have also cut back on my coffee intake and for some time now have had only one coffee a day and that is first thing in the early morning. This new approach seems to be agreeing with me so plan to keep it up. In truth though, how many mugs does one really need?

Just like all of you folks, I, too, paid bills today. I need to buy 4 new winter tires as I have mentioned previously, so need to budget for that in next month or two and look for Dealership tire sales that should be starting soon. I have an appt for an oil change for Friday so I will ask the Parts Manager when he expects to be offering some deals. Even if I buy them now they can be stored at the Dealership until the late Fall when I will change them over with the summer ones (costs $20.00/year to store tires there and so much easier than trying to haul them home).

Time to say goodnight. take care and be safe...💋

Busier Weekend than expected, including a surprise

Saturday the Gallery was quite busy .  There was a special event out on the street, and this meant a fair bit of walk-in traffic including many people who had never been there before- total of 68 people signed the guest book.  Before going out, David and I talked about my continued involvement with the Gallery, and potential driving difficulties come snowfall.  The upshot is that David has joined the Board of Directors, and we will both being going to meetings until, at least, next May.  While there on Saturday I renewed my membership ( a little early), but paid a bit extra to take out a "family" membership.  Then, at the meeting, Sunday, he, and two other new members were voted in as Directors.  There had ben a very poor attendance at our AGM this spring, and we were two Directors below the minimum required according to our by-laws.  A notice had been sent out to the membership, that according to our status, as a corporation, unless we had a full complement of Directors, we would have to close down. Well, problem solved.  As well, neither David nor I will have to worry about my doing the drive out there and back during winter.  I think both of us will benefit, in general, with getting a little more into society.  I just hope I get a chance to drive once in awhile.  And another side effect is that we have both volunteered to work in the gallery next Saturday.  Dno how that happened!

Needless to say there was no studio work done over the weekend, and probably not today either.  However, I have been doing a little more hand stitching, something that's been neglected for a couple of months.  With the recent painting push, I have several projects lined up in the studio.  As well, I want to do a few smaller projects for the Christmas sales at the Gallery and at the group in Lorette, especially greeting cards.

But, today we're both ready for a quiet day, after all the weekend activity.  We've managed to pay the bills, and pick up a couple of prescriptions, and that's enough.  Grocery shopping can wait until tomorrow.

Slowly getting back to "normal"

 David is being re-assessed for his CPAP.  (Hard to believe it's been 5 years since he got it)  They no longer do it in a sleep lab, but rather give you a special machine to use one night at home.  This machine measures everything--yes, everything.  David got a long assessment form in the mail, that was to be filled out and returned.  There were instructions to watch a video on the web site, and then he had to go into the clinic (at Misericordia) for what was to be an hour and a half class on setting up the machine.  I had to go to pick up my repaired hearing aid, just off Sterling Lyon freeway and route 90.  Got that, just his class was supposed to start, and then went to Tim Horton's at Wilkes and Waverley, with a book, prepared for a long wait.  (Hey, great news--Pumpkin Spice is back!  That means that it's back at Starbucks too!)  But the class ended quite quickly, and the lady at the clinic called me to let me know that David was waiting, for me.  So off I go.  I had never realized before yesterday how very close all these areas are actually together, in that end of the city.  I was in the car and had David in sight in less that 10 minutes.

Then, at bedtime, we had to set the equipment up.  Very glad they had included a step by step instruction book, complete with pictures, and that I had taken surface anatomy classes.  Wires, and buttons, and sensors. "N'uff said about that!

When I got up this morning, I found the whole device all packed up on the kitchen table, and the final report ( a check list) all filled out, with it. He's still asleep 3 1/2 hours later.

Laundry to do today, and tomorrow I volunteer at the gallery in Selkirk.  I had taken my name off the list of volunteers last fall, but when I was asked about it, while taking in my piece for the current exhibit, I told her that she could put me back on her "emergency list", in case someone doesn't show up.  ( All people displaying work are expected to volunteer at least once during the show) I got a call yesterday that she  had two entirely new (first time) volunteers, scheduled for tomorrow, and there is a big art event taking place on the street and the parking lot behind the building.  This means that the gallery is likely to be quite busy.  If David drives me out and picks me up later, I should manage okay.  But then, there is a Board meeting Sunday morning.  So I'll be out there again.

But I still find small bits of time to work in the studio.  Yesterday, we were both down there.  Loren remains confined to home with positive covid, although he's able to work remotely.  (Thank Goodness!)  So we decided to try moving the empty book case and chest on our own, by sliding them across the rug and floor with an old towel underneath.  It worked, and that end of the basement is now put back together, and looks wonderful.  Since so much crap was purged, the area looks neat and well kept--with one exception.  A low book case that David finished for me, when we lived in Edmonton, has not been purged.  Task for today, while I do the laundry.

Weddings

 Yesterday we celebrated the wedding of Jim’s goddaughter, Kellie, and Marcus. It was an adventure!  The rain ( which we had be praying for, but not today!) held off for the ceremony, but then it poured!  Too bad the bride and groom had no contingency plan for rain!😤.  The outdoor wedding was destroyed!  It was held at the home of the groom’s brother and we ended up invading the house. A invasion that was not planned!!!  Fortunately they have a son so the kids headed upstairs to play (until the food😜). Dripping wet people invaded the home, begging for blankets to warm up.  Some very brave men braved the storm and brought back one of the BBQs from the wedding venue to the house. Food!!!  It was pot luck, so the matron of honour, for the first time in her life BBQed.  Jim went out to ask if she needed help.  All the burners were on and she was pressing the ignitor but nothing was happening. “ did you turn on the tank” asked Jim?   Oooops😜.  So, while all that was happening me and a woman (child (in my opinion!) with three children!!) and I got food set out. The pot luck led to marinated vegetables, bean salad, taco salad, dill pickles, b&b pickles, olives (yech!), cheese hamburgers, smokies, fruit Trays, cheese and a cake!!! And probably more!!! In the middle of my post Rodney arrived. Usually he arrives just as we are starting supper😜. So, tomorrow I read the news and then I have nothing for a week.  A whole week with nothing.  Oh right, except the garden😜 oh well

Rain finally came our way...

 Hello all,

Just finished my night chores and thought I would write a few words on the blog. The long promised rain came to us this afternoon in an hour or two downpour which stopped as quickly as it started. But it gave us water and so I did not have to water outside tonight. Yeah! It takes a good hour to hour 1/4 most nights when I water if I were to do a decent job.

So much road work being done in our area right now and our street. New culverts and patching holes in the roads and tearing up the cement sidewalk that runs from above our place right down to the highway. One hopes they will actually now re cement the walk as they are just receded sand pits now just asking for some dear old soul to trip and fall and injure themselves. And so many homes on the market here in town, and being bought up quickly as well. I have taken to checking the listings on line to see what each asking price is - most are very high in 400 to 500 range. There is a nice home on the Lake that is only $1.5 million. Should I take a look at it?

Yesterday I made apple pie with our own big apples that keep falling on the ground and today a made a delicious apple crisp with the remaining ones left in the dish here in the house. By tomorrow there will be more that have fallen on the ground but we are coming to an end of them now. I froze the pie in serving size pieces for another time. After one big serving of the crisp, I may do the same with what remains.

Surprised to read about your car being ready so fast Pati. Hope you are pleased with the work. You will be especially happy to rid yourselves of the rental as they can get very expensive - so I am told.

Harry read on the facebook that Loren is still not well so I am hoping that things will turn around for him and also Amber and her crew have overcome the worst of their sicknesses as well. The reports I hear on the radio are not too good related to what we can all expect come the Fall related to an escalation of the Covid mixed with the Flu. Makes you want to shelter in place again haha! I still wear my mask into stores and probably only one of very few who do anymore.

So off to bed for me now as I prepare for tomorrow to come and what ever may come with it. Take care and be safe. 👀

Productivity

Progress in the studio is very slow.  No matter what my plans are for the day, I find that I would rather sit and doze over a book, either in the garden or at Starbucks.   Thinking about this, I had to admit that the only person in the world who cares whether I finish my box or not, is me.  So, I'm now setting targets for each days work.  Not  tremendous targets but fairly simple ones, so that I can remain productive, but only work according to my tolerance.

This can be a problem, as I have so very many ideas in my brain, that I now realize that most of them will never reach fruition.  So, I have to decide whether I really care or not.  No, I don't.  I will continue with my studio work and be grateful for each day that I can manage to continue do the work I love.  But--I have absolutely no need to purchase more supplies, unless it is something very specific, for one project, and that can be purchases in small amounts.  I guess that includes more beads.  Snort.

Today I had to pick up some pills at the pharmacy.  The pharmacist told me all about the program to provide pills in blister packs.  Evidently, in Manitoba, this is done free of any extra dispensing fees, by government decree.  This is starting to sound like it might be of value to us, and we just might ask for that type of assistance.

And it was just announced on the news that we get another carbon tax rebate in mid-October.  Fine with me!  Especially as it's non-taxable.

Today, I just didn't want to go out to Lorette, given that I'm not yet comfortable with the rental car, and there is an awful lot of highway  construction, both going and coming home.  But then I did drive to Walmart, found parking, and came home via Starbucks, which meant dealing with the intersection of Regent and Lagimodiere.  Sunday, I need to go out to Selkirk, and I think I figured out the cruise control, which is a victory for me.  Driving is not a problem, but figuring out all the symbols on the computer screen is quite a challenge.

I guess all that I can say is that old age may be a bit of a problem, but with all the challenges, we're not bored.  

A bit more silliness

Hi again, 

Further to last post, I searched and found the two Koop mugs and another treasured mug called Sisters that was a gift from Cathy on one of my cherished visits home. Along with my Duchess.

So I took a picture to send.

The Sisters mug reads in a circular flow around the mug as follows:

Sisters...We have laughed together,worried, joked and sighed together. As friends we have pulled together. As we travel through life it is good to know that you are always by my side ...Sisters

So here is the picture.

Take care....❤

A quick note re mugs

 Good morning,

As I sipped away on my first coffee ( in a Tim Hortons mug by the way) I had to comment on your new mugs Pati, Very nice indeed and no wonder you had to have them haha! And the display above your fridge is equally appealing not only to see the Royal Doulton but also to see your Koop mugs. It reminded me that i also have two Koop mugs - one you gave me and one friend Janie gave me. Now I want to seek them out and have another look. I wish i could display such treasures but really do not have the space. My one Royal Doulton Duchess mug (again a gift from you) stays safe in a china cabinet and comes out at our special times or when I am feeling especially nostalgic and needing some comfort haha!

That's all for now and now on with the day. Take care 😇

NOT bight eyed and bushy tailed!

 

The phone call was wonderful.  It adds so much to our relationship that just doesn't happen on the blog.  Both are valuable, and we can definitely keep blogging.  I so very much look forward to messages there.

We both didn't sleep well last night, so a very slow start to the day.  It's now 1:00 and we're still working on breakfast. But we have a task for today.  Yesterday, while having coffee with Gail, we took a good look a 3 very pretty coffee mugs, for sale at an outrageous price.  I'd had an eye on these for awhile, but was now looking at them seriously.  Came home and talked it over with David, and he drove me back to buy them.  They are 14 oz. mugs which is a "deal breaker" for me, and both microwave and dishwasher safe.  And the blue matches the kitchen.  Now when David's sister comes to visit, I can pretend to have a set of blue mugs, as we'll have enough for each of us to drink.

But what about the Royal Albert mugs that have been in use for years?  Lately I've been concerned about the gold trim coming to harm in the dishwasher, and have pushed the ones with gold handles to the back of the cupboard, and not using them.  The ones I do use are getting to the point that they appear to be getting stained every time they are used.  So, the ones with gold handles will be hung over the fridge, below the Wanda Koop mugs that are hung there.  (Those are never used.) There is probably only room for 4 of them there, and David will have to screw in some large cup hooks first.  So what ever is left, will go on the top shelf of the corner cabinet over the microwave.  Task for the day.

Another thing we'll be doing over the next day or so, is coming up with a "to do" list for the time we're stuck at home, while the car is in the shop.  There are several things that spring to mind, and I know it's just a matter of getting down to it.

In terms of cooking, it sure isn't the big deal it might have been in the past.  We just fend for ourselves in any way we want.  If one of us feels like cooking for both of us, it's a treat, but does happen about twice a week.  I do checkout recipes on the internet, and drool over them.  I even found a recipe for smaller flat breads at the back of a silly book I just finished reading.  I was going to copy it and give it a try until I read the ridiculous instructions.    It wanted me to roast cumin seeds, and black peppercorns, separately, and then grind them up with a mortar and pestle. Nope, not going there.

The toothache continues, but more an annoyance than something that might need my precious t3's.  They were a Godsend Friday, but I haven't needed them since.  While at coffee yesterday, Gail agreed to drive me out to the Divas meeting just west of Morden, in mid September.  The meeting generally lasts about 2 hours, but Gail has business in Morden, and this will also give her a chance to get together, for a bit, with her favourite niece in Winkler.  I could probably get a ride with some of the other ladies, but Gail knows me well enough to not be bothered if I need to pee every 20 minutes, and to know that we need to stop at any Tom Horton's we come upon.  As well, she has wanted me to come along when she visits the various galleries in Western MB, in the past, so it will probably be a fun trip.

And now a very short day ahead of me.  Supper will be roast chicken.  Gotta' use those chickens that are taking up so much space in the freezer.  Stay safe ladies!

p.s. We spent close to two hours setting everything up, and the area over my fridge now looks like this.

Life in Neepawa

 It is way too hot to turn on the oven so we have a freezer meal on the BBQ using it as an oven. We stopped at the legion today (surprise). Jan Parrotts family was there having drinks in her memory. Her urn was on the table, in front of ‘her’ chair and Brent had put a rose on it.(her husband made the urn. …it was beautiful) She had Alzheimer’s but her death was unexpected. It was the first time her kids had been together in six years so it was fun, not sad. Rodney texted me this morning at 8:46 saying he forgot to ask us to look after his dogs. (Second time in two weeks Rodney!!). I was in the middle of the field with Lucky at the time but I went down as soon as we got home. We went early this evening since we had two drinks with Jan’s family and knew if we had one at home we wouldn’t be leaving. And now I am outside in the shade waiting for supper to cook. I picked beans today and then pulled up the plants. Enough is enough. I plan on making some pickled beets with the beets in the freezer and then starting all over freezing this year’s crop. I want to make dilled carrots too. I really like them but haven’t made them in years. It is very hot and dry here. They keep forecasting rain but all we get is a spit. Monday I pick Rrain up at her mechanics and take her back when her car is done (how exciting😜). Thursday I read the news again. Rrain won’t be there since it is Nancy’s family gathering at Lilac Beach (east of Winnipeg).  So, supper is over and, yes, the BBQ did a good job on the lasagna. Watermelon for dessert, which Lucky seems to love. (It is good for dogs😊).  Tomorrow is another day. I wonder what will happen?  Anticipation is everything😊. Love you♥️

Another coldish morning

 Greetings,

Perhaps as we discussed, the Fall is approaching. But this morning the moon was brilliant in the night sky surrounded by light fluffy clouds with the odd twinkling star peeking through  - it is a full moon so lights up the sky beautifully. But a bit on the chilly side as i took Bailey out for his first pee. We'll take what weather we get i guess.

I have lots planned for the weekend in terms of house and garden work so thought I would rise early, have my cup of coffee, check my Lotto Max ticket and then prepare myself for the day.

Nice to speak with you both and sending wishes for many happy conversations in our future. Take care 😊 

Telephone chat

 Gosh, Beth, I hope I responded to your invitation to the call. I can't remember, but I'll be there.  Perhaps not with bells on, but with my Duchess mug firmly clenched in my hand.

Awhile ago I advertised to my "Divas" group that I wanted to sell all of my Quilting Arts magazines, and maybe the dvd's that I bought from the same source.  I had no response, but this evening my friend Geesje, called, and is interested in them.  I would be so glad to have them out of the house, that I might even think of paying someone to take them away, until I regain control, and come to my senses.  She will have to see my jumbled up basement, in all its messy glory, but that can't be helped.

This is late in the evening, so a quick "Goodnight", and will post again soon.

So Cathy...was Jim surprised?

 Hi ladies,

So while Cathy was trying to keep secrets from Jim for his Birthday Celebrations yesterday, Harry and I made our way down to Hidden Valley Resort in Huntsville to attend the wedding of sister Donna's daughter Julia, to Eric. It was to be a water front Ceremony and fortunately, the sun shone brightly and the temp rose to a wonderful 30 C as we sat on chairs out in the open air Lakeside for the actual Wedding ceremony. Very nice indeed. Some familiar Pearce family there to meet and greet ,but many unknowns as Eric is originally from the Netherlands (his name is Schat) and some of his family from there flew over to attend and take part. As with any Resort, the summer tourists were frolicking on the sandy beach and in the water right beside the ceremony area and so there were many other onlookers watching the event. The Cocktail Hour and Dinner/Dance reception was to be held in the Resort building proper. Unfortunately, as things occur, Harry was not feeling well so we decided to drive home right after the ceremony thus missing the excitement of the rest of the Wedding. As Harry sat in the air conditioned car waiting, I ventured into the Dinner Room (asking the desk receptionist if I could of course) to deposit our card into the so designated box, and took the time to look around the room which was gorgeous. Very nicely set up with tables and pictures and guest books etc. It would have been nice to stay if circumstances were different. I took a token Wedding remembrance gift that are always given out to guests. The theme was a Sweet Beginning  and in keeping with that, the table handouts were little bottles of local Maple Syrup with a thanks for coming card attached . And so we came home...I wonder if we were missed?

And all the time I was wondering how Cathy was making out at her Surprise Jim party at the Legion. So much exciting activity in one day for family members ....both the McGraths/Holmes crew, and the Crump/Schats crews with a few of us Pearces thrown in.

So now back to reality... I picked lots of cucumbers this morning and plan to nibble on most of them but as some point I may have to do  something more domestic like pickle some ...yuck!

I planned on Pizza for my meal ( it is Friday is it not?) but Harry bought some new potatoes and red peppers at the Farmers Market today and so we had a stir fry instead. It was still OK I guess, but not Pizza haha!

Take care folks,,, have a nice weekend. Are we all a go for a Three Sisters telephone call for next Friday Aug 12????  😇

Busy week for Cathy

 Oh Cathy!  I know it's a busy week for you, and we both want to share it as best we can, even if it is vicariously.  Keep us up to the hour, if not up to date.  We want to share your pleasure and joy.

I have been lax…

 …but with such a busy week I have been going in circles. Tim and Cheryl arrived about 4:30 Friday morning. Jean picked up Glenda and Pete Thursday evening In Winnipeg, but hid them until Friday when she walked them into the Legion to surprise Jim. And he was surprised both times. Now if we can just surprise him on his birthday. I’m not sure how we can get everything done without Jim knowing but I have had two friends offer to help and I might take them up on it. Everything has to make it to the legion and be ready by 2:45 but the legion doesn’t open until  1:00. And Jim won’t leave us alone. Glenda and I escaped him yesterday by telling him we were going clothes shopping so he went to the legion. And jean had a hissy fit so Glenda and Pete packed up and moved to our place. Then Rodney texted Jim and said did I remember to ask you to look after the dogs?  No!!!  Tim offered to do it this morning but he is still in bed and I usually let them out befor 8:00. Going to be an interesting few days. I sure hope Jean calms down and at least comes to Jim’s party. And, she and  Glenda we’re going to do the cheese trays so all the cheese is at her house. Good thing I have extra here😊. I will post again  when I can breathe. Love you both♥️♥️