Be - the week that is..

As our Father used to say in times of great need -Keeeeey..rice...st. Cathy, you are the best in repeating this just the right way for proper emphasis - so go ahead and say it right now for me, OK? There, now we can get on with this message. My hands are particularly sore and swollen this week and I have to think why- three things likely contributing 1) outside work - shovelling and raking gravel from the road and piling it up until I can put it on our yard ground and driveway which are still covered with snow and ice 2) opening up all the plastic bags full of compost that were thrown into the compost box over winter and piling it up with shredded papers- much still frozen yet and 3) I have been knitting! The only truly joyful of the three has been my knitting of the prayer shawl I chose from my new book and I sure hope that this pleasure will not be compromised too badly by the arthritis flaring up. And to think I only have about 6 or 7 more months of outside work to get through. I bought two tickets for Harry and I to attend a live musical show next Thursday night in North Bay. My violin teacher had them for sale and in a sudden impulse I decided to go. It is the Scott Woods Band - he is a Grand National Fiddle Champion and apparently puts on a nice variety show. My teacher says she usually joins in for a few tunes when he comes to North Bay because she knows him, but since she is 8 months pregnant right now, she has asked another of her senior students / instructor to play instead. I really go out on a limb when I commit to having to go up to North Bay for an evening performance especially since we'll be at Mothers that day as well, so here's hoping it turns out for the good. Easter plans are coming together as Harry's brother and his wife have confirmed their visit. So we shall do the catering as usual. Harry had his E-Bike stored in Mother's garage over the winter and today took the charged battery up with us and took it for a spin. He is hoping to get out more this summer, and as I mentioned to you folks before, I also want to use my manual bike a bit more. Wonder if I can actually achieve this goal? Anyway, time to close - I bought three Lotto Max numbers - one for each of us -so we are bound to win tomorow night! Count your money now, ladies! Take care.

Hard to say what's coming

Every time I look outside the weather is different.  Yesterday we had sun, rain and snow.  All I really know is that the nights are warmer and the days brighter.  Most of the snow is gone from our yard, and I can now wear joggers out, instead of waterproof insulated boots.  My shoulder has been bothering me for the past two days and I've been taking it easy.

A quiet weekend.  Amber invited us out for supper Sunday night, and instead of dessert, we had ice cream cones--our first of the season.  Monday evening was the monthly meeting of our Ravenesque group.   There were only four of us, as others had other commitments.  It was a less frantic meeting, with chances for quiet conversation, something that isn't always possible when the whole group is there.  Sometimes I value those quiet times.  I feel that these are the times when you can really bond as friends, rather than just enjoying socialization.  A subtle difference, I know.

Be- Oh,no! It must be coming...

When I hear snow in Manitoba, that means it is coming east and I will soon be getting it. We had a little dusting last night but the mild temps quickly melted that. But we have mounds of snow from winter still left yet to disappear. What a change from last year - this time last year we were out in our shirtsleeves doing gardening. Cathy, have you planted any seeds yet? Tomorrow to North Bay. We will visit Uncle Walter at the hospital. I called his room phone and he answered - Aunt Evelyn wasn't there. He sounded OK and looks forward to our visit. It must be a real change for them to have him in Continuing Care now and not at home. It was too much for Aunt Ev but now she goes to hospital every day which would be just as exhausting. I heard from my friend Sue by e-mail. Her Father died last week at 96 years. Her Mother died two years ago. Sue was a caregiver having to drive 7 hours into the Eastern Townships past Ottawa but faithfully took turns with her brother who lives in Toronto. Another sister who lives in Ottawa backed out last year from burnout as did her other brother. Its a tough responsibility as I am sure you all know. Ayway, take Care.

April Fools!

Snow snow and more Snow. I was supposed to have an ACT meeting in Neepawa today, but the President phoned early this morning and cancelled. Instead we will have a teleconference at 1pm. She is from Virden, and when I spoke to her later in the morning they had about 9 inches of snow. Ours is not that bad, but it is heavy and wet. It is easing up now, but the wind is howling. Some of the trees are bent over with the weight of the snow. I hope the wind doesn't break them off. Other than that nothing changes. The play is less than 2 weeks away and we still haven't gone through the whole thing. Hopefully tomorrow. Work was long on Friday. We had a system wide failure on Thursday and they wanted someone from each office to be there at 7am and let them know if the print outs had run, and to check all of the work done on Wednesday to make sure it was accepted. Since it was also our fiscal year end, I couldn't come in at 7 and leave early. I ended up staying until after 4 even though my regular quit time is 3:45. I sure hope they are going to approve the overtime, since they requested it. I'm so easily distracted. I went to get my cup of tea, realized the garbage was full, took it down, checked the freezer (I defrosted it this morning) Came back up, went back down to get a new garbage bag, and returned to the computer. I forgot to get my tea. I hope my mind is more focussed for my teleconference. I still haven't won the lottery. Back to work tomorrow. I'll keep trying. I have faith (of course so does everyone else in the country)

Be - Two small achievements

I will grab hold and celebrate any small success I can, so this morning I trialled the buttonhole foot and application on my sewing machine. I am practicing in order to do some requested sewing for Mike. It will work so I shall try to do the actual garment this afternoon. And last night I sorted through a box of found yarn, and chose some colours and ply that sort of match, and planned a prayer shawl to knit from my new book. I actualy cast on and have four rows knit already. It will serve as a pick up project me but because I am having to count stitches to make the ribbed pattern, I will need to work without interruptions. I love a new challenge and this should most certainly be a challenge! It is nice and sunny and warm today and you can almost watch the snow melting away before your eyes. Shortly I shall head for the greenhouses and do the watering. In meantime I celebrate with a nice coffee freshly brewed in my french press. Enjoy with me!

Money with wings

Yes, we got our income tax refund today and the $$ just flew out of here!  But we've paid a few bills and I re-stocked some of my studio supplies.  David even bought himself a new belt!  Wow!  So now I get to spend the rest of the afternoon sorting and putting things away downstairs.  We worked steadily this morning getting a supper ready to go in the Crock Pot, so that I could spend the rest of the day in the studio,  HoHoHo.  It's now 3:25 and all I've done is put a load of laundry on.

But--Bonus--I called Misericordia to have them put the cost of my second lens on the credit card, planning to then pay off the credit card and save a trip across town.  She asked me for my surgery date and then told me that by that time the province would be covering the cost of foldable lenses, and that I didn't have to spend the $300.00.  So we both celebrated at Tim Horton's while we were out.  Didn't win anything though.

Be - Good Friday to all

and as I sit here the sun is shining brightly and the temp is above freezing, and the water is dripping off the roof. That doesn't mean that we are free from the cold weather. This is good for the maple sugar producers as the sap flows best with cold nights and warm sunny days. But for our greenhouses we still need to light the propane heaters at night as well as the electric heaters. Sunny days will keep them warm during the day without extra heat. I just made a butterscotch pie to take to Mothers tomorrow. The filling was from a box I had to boil with milk, and it is not firming up very fast in the fridge. I may have to "drink" it for supper on my own, and plan an alternate dessert for her! I went on my own Thursday and will again tomorrow as Harry is suffering with gout right now and mostly in bed. The greenhouses , and a lot of the logging on the computer also become my tasks totally during these times. Thus this message written in the middle of the afternoon. Hope you have a great weekend - already April and I can't wait for nicer weather and get out more. I have been taking the dog for at least two long walks each day mostly for exercise for me. And here I sit with a tea and a lap full of cookies to eat - go figure, eh? I would like to get my bicycle out early this year and dedicate more time to ride it. I think I was out once or twice only last year. Take care.