Rain,Rain, go away........

At least with the rain, the garden gets watered! So that is good, right?  I was up early pumping water and although it is only 7 am now, I feel as if I've already put in a full day haha.
We start the Nielsen Homescan Weekly Food survey again today.  I have to log in everything each of us eats and drinks for the entire day, and for 7 days. If completed we receive a $25.00 Visa card. So in a way it is worth the effort, but still I have to do it for both of us, and I consider it a pain as the set up of the survey is not in my opinion user friendly.
We did not end up going on the Cruise Friday night as got up to North Bay and eventually for a variety of reasons decided not to go - offered the tickets to Mike and Erin, but by time she got home from work, was too tired to go - Mike tried to call friends to give away tickets but couldn't. So in the end, no one used the tickets. Shame!
Yesterday I accompanied Harry on his garage sale excursion. It turned out to be a nice day as we drove along back roads from South River all the way south to Huntsville ending up at the Restore and then shopping at Fresco. I purchased a few items which included a gorgeous Quilt Book demonstrating quilting blocks and fabrics through the ages from 1800 to about 1960. At the restore they had a sale table of old tarnished silver items, I picked up a beautiful gallery tray about 12 diameter for $1.00. I will try to shine it up, but even still if it doesn't come up, I shall like to use it (don't ask when as I never really have an occasion!) or keep it with a few other trays I have.
Speaking of quilting, I watched another installment of The Quilt Show- Jane Dunnewold. I had to keep refreshing the video, but after all, it really doesn't affect the overall enjoyment of the Show for me. And, that little fabric Store in South River is closing out! Not that I went there often, but when I did have the urge, it was a bit of an outing and excursion for me that brought some pleasure. Oh well....!
Anyway, the day begins.... Nice to know Cathy is back home from her vacation -refreshed and ready to face the world - you go girl!  Take care

Cat sitting

Mikey arrived about 1:00 yesterday.  He had been sick in his carrier and Loren had to wash everything, including the cat.  Cat disappeared into the basement.  We were trying to keep an eye on where he was hiding, but never figured he would go around the back of the furnace, under the gramophone, pull the insulation off the back of the basement shower stall, and crawl underneath.  Since my computer is in the basement, I was there most of the evening, with no indication of a cat.  When I was shutting down, around 10:00, I turned around and there he was watching me.  He came for a short bit of stroking, and then disappeared again.  We had an early doctors appointment today and were out of the house by 6:15. I had a bit of a nap and when I got up he was with David in the kitchen, but as soon as I appeared he took off again.  But a short time later he joined us in the living room and has been with us off and on for the rest of the day.  Thank Goodness he is settling in.  I was concerned, as Loren and Sheila hit the road this morning and won't be back for 2 1/2 weeks, and Jeremy and Gillian are up at Clear Lake for a couple of weeks or more.

It's a little strange having an animal in the house, as we've been without for almost 20 years.  I half expect that both of our allergies will kick in, as well, so we're going to have to make sure he can't get in our bedroom, as he usually sleeps with Loren.

Strawberries are just starting around here, but many of the farms along the Assiniboine will be out of service again this year. On the news tonight , it appears as though there is cautious optimism about the flood situation.  But everybody and his dog is talking about compensation.  For Pete's sake, the Army is still sandbagging!  Let's get the crisis over before casting blame.  It really makes me angry to see protesters blocking efforts to get the diversions moving, because it may interfere with their fishing!

I should have had a longer nap.  Not enough sleep makes me cranky.

More strawberries

We went to pick more strawberries this morning. The weather was overcast and cool, and the field was saturated from all the rain lately. But four more baskets were picked. They are not as nice as the very first day we picked, with lots of berries spoiling in the field. But the ones we got are just fine - selective picking helped!  I made a double batch of strawberry/rhubarb jam and it turned out good- thickened nicely. And I froze some more. Perhaps tomorrow I may make more jam as have two baskets in the fridge yet, and almost a full basket in a cooler left. We will have to start eating them non stop before they spoil.
Pati, your prompt to do some summer reading with your suggested author Donna Leon struck home with me. I was in need of something for me, and since we were at the Mall and close to the Coles, I anxiously pursued the books. Couldn't find them until the worker pointed me to the Crime and Mystery section. Then did not know what might be the first book in the series, and worker could not help me. She went to ask another worker how to figure it out, but in meantime I decided to just buy one as there weren't really that many to choose from. Most series allow you to read any of the books without missing info necessary. And I still had a gift card Mike gave me for my Birthday....so it was all good! I bought The Golden Egg (2013) so it must be a more recent publication. So thanks for the idea and incentive to buy something for myself haha I started it last night and plan to get to bed soon and do some more reading.
Hoping your lawn is looking pretty spiffy by now. The pictures really told a story of what you are going through, and no wonder you took off to Steinbach haha
The radio station called me this morning to congratulate me on winning the Cruise Package- a fund raiser Cruise on the Chief Commanda this Friday evening. Harry keeps putting my name into the contests with the points I've earned but doesn't tell me. So the calls come as a surprise (shock) There will be BBQ, live music, door prizes etc. So think of me Friday night on Lake Nipissing!
Time to go....take care.

Chaos

First  is part of the pile of mud they are taking away.  Two full very large trailer loads have already gone to the dump

Here is the machine they are using to dig it all up and load it.

 
And here is part of the load of sod they will be putting down, after a truck load of soil arrives.

This afternoon, David is out having new hearing aids fitted.  Hooray!!

Gosh, I wish something would happen around here!

Cathy, Beth tells me she has spoken to you, and you have made it successfully to your camp spot, despite detours around water.  Please, please enjoy every minute of your holiday--you have certainly earned it.  While camping doesn't appeal to me, getting away sounds like a really good idea.

Either tomorrow or Tuesday, the men are coming to dig up, and replace out front lawn.  We are infested with some kind on nasty worm that destroys the soil and kills the grass.  Then in the evening, I am driving out to Steinbach with my friend Rose Anne, to visit Dianne.  Wednesday, Loren will be bringing his cat over to spend over two weeks with us, while Loren and Sheila attend a family wedding (her family)in  Colorado Springs.  They plan to do some tourist-y things while they are away, as well.

I am reading another book in the Commissario Guido Brunetti  series by Donna Leon.  I read a lot of blood and guts police procedurals, and while these are police procedurals, they are a pleasant change.  They take place in Italy, and are quite frank about social problems within Italian society, but there is a gentle, laid back pace to them that is refreshing.There are no wild chases or frantic gun fights.  The hero is in love with his wife and she with him after many years of marriage.  While I've only read 3 or 4 of the books, the list of her publications includes many familiar titles.  If you are looking for a good summer read, Beth, you might want to take a look.

Dribbling for last two days

But nothing like you folks have had - not yet anyway. And I hope it never will be as bad. As a consequence, not much done outside. I have done some inside chores that have been pending though - like shredding papers (we use the shredding in the compost pile), shortening new pants for Harry, and putting pictures into albums. On Saturday I will be attending a Community Baby Shower. I have only been to one other Community Shower and it was for this same girl but was her bridal shower - now two years later, surprise, it is her baby shower. We were friends with her grandmother, and watched her mother grow up and then watched her and her sister grow up. The mother looked after Willie and Michael when I worked. So I feel a need to attend. Not that I like walking into the Community Centre and mixing with people I don't really know, but because I want to acknowledge Jenna and her family. So off I shall trot with my little gift !
I have started to pick little tomatoes on my walkabouts in the yard. I just pick and eat as I do my rounds. Before long there will be too many to nibble on comfortably and I'll have to start doing them down.
Pretty soon now Cathy until you leave - have you been "counting sleeps" haha  Best wishes to you both for a wonderful and relaxing holiday.  Looking forward to your message on your return and all the great stories! Take care

High water

Sunday I went to lunch with my new ATC group.  Going across the city I had to cross all three rivers and every one was high--the Seine scary high.  I think the Riverwalk is covered, along the Assiniboine.  Driving down Main street, just North of the Main St. Bridge, by Assiniboine I was in the curb lane planning to turn down River when there was a tree down, well into the curb lane.  Since it was raining, I was almost onto it before I saw it, but managed to get around it safely.  And when wasn't it raining over the past 4 days?  There were only 5 of us at the luncheon, and one didn't bring anything to trade, but it was a pleasure to be sitting inside the restaurant, looking out into trees and flowers, and feeling warm and cozy.  Our table was in a lower "sun room" type of area, so the windows were at waist level and so were the trees.  Really a very nice area.  Mind you, after lunch I got fairly wet walking to the car and had to turn the heat on to prevent a chill and to make the defroster work.  But I got 3 new cards, so it was worth it.

Last week we got coupons from the Marble Slab Creamery, so tried a sundae there.  It was better, and cheaper than where we usually go, so will  probably use up the rest of the  coupons before summer is over.

Yesterday was spent in the studio, and I accomplished a fair bit.  I hope to get some pictures on the other blog tonight. Today, we had to drive across to St. James to pick up some more fused glass cabochons.  We got home and, of course, I ran for the bathroom, so David took them downstairs, and took a look at them before I could.  This is very exciting for me, as I never know exactly what I'm going to get.  But first, since we did so little around the house yesterday, today we are working in the kitchen.  I had promised David brownies, and they are now in the oven. Two Shepard's Pies are in the fridge waiting for the potatoes that are cooking.  All of the dishes are done, and as soon as I can, it's down to check out the cabochon!  But for now it's good to sit down.