Year books??

Mine are long gone.  Can't remember what happened to them.  Beth, you'll always have the memories, the "stuff" is just a reminder.  My emotional conundrum comes when I come across something and think "I should keep this,but don't really want to/have space etc"  We have taken to offering it to the children, and if neither of them want it--out it goes.  I think I mentioned that Amber told us that if there was a lot left, she would probably have a huge garage sale, so we have been taking a good look at what we have and a lot of it is going.  This is what has been behind my book clean-out over the past couple of years.  I'm making sure things go where I think they should go--NOW--not leaving it to chance later. My Ravenesque ladies have agreed to be responsible for each others' "stash", and David and Amber are fine with that.  I can't really expect them to know what has value to another agency or person and what is really junk,or even junque.

But what a great time you seem to be having with the memories that your sorting has released!  No-one can ever take those away from you.

A smile and chuckle for myself

A coincidence for sure – I have been sorting through a few things, initially from sorting out Mike's game cards in his cupboard which extended to another shelf and lead me to some softcover books stored away for a rainy day. Long story short there was a book by Stuart Woods titled White Cargo and as I held it in my hands gave a nice little chuckle and thought of you Patty and your recommendation to read his work. So since I am currently reading another Steve Berry novel, I shall finish it, and then jump into this one. What have you both done with your old yearbooks etc. I am at the stage where I want to throw them out, but then again, have this need to hang onto them! What is the point?, or is there a point?

Trouble with sorting through stuff is that you spend too much time looking and remembering. Found all the old picture albums from Willie and his Christening, and his dress, and sweater set etc etc and sometimes it becomes too much to fathom, if that makes any sense. When can one actually let go of memories, or is there no time that you can? Perhaps I am in this mood because I am touching all this stuff that has been hidden away and really don't know what to do with it, short of boxing it up and putting it back on the shelf haha

I have decided to switch from buying Ontario 49 lottery tickets to buying 649 tickets – the difference being the cost and thus the number of lines you can buy. The Ontario 49 are only 50 cents each, where the 649 cost 2.00 each. So for my self imposed maximum expenditure of 5.00, it cuts my chances. Do you think I will actually be better off – time will tell when I check the numbers this Sat night. Back to my sorting – wonder what other surprises I will find?

Renewal time--Ha!

Lasted until about 11:00.  Then it was off to the bank, to buy groceries, and renew most of my prescriptions.  While I was out, I made the impulsive decision to have my hair cut, so took David home and then went off to have it done.  Over the past couple of months my hair has become much more gray, and it was very obvious in the mirror there.  Instead of scattered grey hairs, I now have grey streaks.  I remember Dad and Auntie Lorraine being in their 70"s before they were noticeably grey, so I guess Mom's genes strike again.  I am growing it a little longer than it's been in over 40 years.  Without my glasses, I felt my "old woman face" needed a different focus or balance.  Now I'm being teased for growing a "mullet", but the hairdresser told me today that, while the mullet is coming back to a certain extent, the sides are shaved, and I have no intention of doing that!  After the hairdresser, it was off to the dentist.  Whoopee!

During my shopping we also went to a local bead store with a gift certificate from Christmas. 
She was very nice and gave me the same discount as I would have had during their boxing day sale.  So I ended up with almost twice the value of the certificate, after the descount.  So this evening will be spent playing with, and sorting beads--probably in front of the tv.

Train Travel

Yes, I'm  still enamoured with the thought of train travel and coincidently this afternoon while I was cleaning up in the front room, I opened a video cupboard – you know those little cupboards that hold VHS and DVD movies and tend to be totally useless! I found an old VHS movie called The Great Canadian Train Ride and described as "a breathtaking transcontinental journey aboard the newly restored Canadian with stops in Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Jasper, Banff, Lake Louise, The Canadian Rockies, Kamloops Vancouver and Victoria" It is dated 1993 so a bit out dated but yet I enjoyed watching it in the past and plan to view it again- likely not tonight but within a few days for sure. We have to get up and leave early for Harry's Mothers place so that we can tidy up a bit before the Real estate lady comes at 11 am so I'll go to bed early, read a bit and then try to get some sleep. It has been difficult lately to sleep well, and I cannot attribute it to anything particular other than the usual demons that tend to make me anxious and annoyed and stressed all the time haha

A quick trip to North Bay this morning in minus 30 degree weather to do a bit of shopping and take the boxes of game cards over to Mike's. He is working so it was just a drop off and no visits but I just spoke with him a few minutes ago, and as I called he was going through all the cards. I find it very interesting that what was a forgotten joy in his life for many years when he was younger, has now made a comeback and the cards and the thrill of the game are reborn so to speak! That's alright with me because I have just gained about four big boxes of space in my house although you would never know it. haha  I have discovered a new wonderful drink – Presidents Choice Chai Black tea bags but I mix it with hot milk instead of boiling water and it tastes very much like a hot Chai Latte which would cost me usually about $3.75 at the specialty store. The good part is that not only does it taste great, but I'm getting my daily amount of milk/calcium that I require. So that's it for now – take care.

 

Opportunity Knocks

You speak of resuming the pattern of your life, but I see this time as a opportunity to develop new patterns.  Caring for Harry's mother took so much of your time and energy that, once you spend a little time renewing your inner resources, you can create any new pattern you choose. 

This morning is my renewal time.  I have been so immersed in "to Do" lists etc over the past while that I told David that this morning I just want to "drift".  Because of all of the activty lately, I now sit in a fairly tidy house, with food in the fridge.  There are pending activities, but I have control over the "when" of them--a trip to the library, spending a gift certificate I received for Christmas. "Drifting" ends this afternoon when I have a dental appointment, but it can resume immediately after.

Ravenesque was both a treat and exhausting.  Only three of us ended up enjoying supper and spending the evening, but my exhaustion must have shown because the other two packed up and left around 8:00.  I had been in "hostess" mode since 9:30, after having had a tiring day Sunday.  We all worked on projects, during the day, but knowing that I could be called upon to fetch and carry, I chose something that could be picked up and put down easily--a series of business cards.

But back to the pattern of life.  Now I must concentrate on my Milky Way piece and the beading that involves.  I showed the ladies yesterday and they seemed to think it was going well. After that there is another exhibition coming up, and the piece exists only in my head.  I anticipate that project will take me into the summer.  And I refuse to plan beyond that.

Today, with no apologies, I'm grateful that the holiday season is over.(although I still have to take the tree down and put the dishes away--maybe tomorrow)

Waiting for the hockey game

As I write this note, Patty will be entertaining her Ravenesque ladies, and I will assume you others will be at work???

I am waiting for the start of the Winter Classic Hockey game that is due to begin at 3 pm – another 15 minutes or so. I have some potato chips in a bowl at the ready, and plan to pour myself a drink ( a real drink that is haha) I actually thought it was to commence at 1230 so was ready then but after not finding it on the CBC TV I realized I had misread the time and the 1230 slot was Pacific time – hence the 3 pm start is eastern time. You can see how exciting my life is when an event of this nature captures my undivided attention!

We were to Sprucedale this morning and brought home a big rain barrel and large outdoors flower pot full of soil. Harry has arranged to meet a real estate agent at the house there at 11 am on Wednesday. We haven't cleared out the inside yet as we are waiting on his sister to get mobile and remove the articles she wanted – so far no movement on her part although to be fair Christmas and New years did occur. Harry has told her that he will pack up stuff and if her husband can help, then the both of them could make a day of hauling stuff to her house. Don't know if that will happen? 

It's pretty sad and lonely with the tree all gone and the other Christmas stuff boxed up. I really enjoyed sitting early in the morning with a coffee and hearing the "quiet" I shall have to create another distraction for myself I guess.

Anyway, as we get back to our usual patterns in life, whatever they may be, here's to a new year full of promise. Take care 

Adult conversation

Tonight Amber, Samantha and Gail arrived for supper.  We were expecting Loren as well, but he never arrived and we haven't heard from him.  With only one little girl there was no fighting, and a quiet pleaseant evening. Rather than play a game after eating we sat around the table and talked--very unusual behaviour from this group.  A bit anti-climatic after spending three days cleaning house and preparing food, but with Ravenesque coming tomorrow the effort was still worth it.  We bought a good beef roast and cooked vegetables around the roast for a real treat.  The best roast beef I've had in a very long time--and lots of leftovers. 
So, I guess today I'm grateful for family--near and far.