And so..........

It has not been a good week so I write now with hopes that I shall put the past behind me, and look forward to the future. I gave up giving you updates on my car - it has been into the garage two times more since my last report. I picked it up yesterday and drove it today and low and behold it functioned OK. So I have my fingers crossed that maybe, just maybe things will be better. Yard work and the usual "goings on"  have kept me busy and incommunicato with you and this blog but again, maybe things will be better? I have read some posting though, and I can never get enough of your adventures Patty. Of course, I had to try to visualize the streets and the routes and had a bit of fun with that. When you mentioned Dad's little short cut I had a big smile on my face as I remember that well. I used to look so forwrad to the trips to his workplace. Just ended my water pumping at the front window - lots of rain and thunder storms with warnings all over the area but this little storm came and went fairly quickly over the supper time - hope it stays that way over night as I am really tired and don't want to be up manning the post all night haha.I just rememberred to plug in my EReader to charge the battery. I get so involved in the story that I forget to check the battery status and noticed last night as I turned it off that the battery icon was almost at its lowest. If I am to do some more reading before bed tonight I have to put some energy into it.Wednesday is Armed Forces Day in North Bay and of course, we want to go up and also Mike is working at it so it is always nice to see him. The snowbirds will be performing and that would be great to see as well.  But Wednesday evening is the retirement party I wanted to attend way down the highway in Bracebridge, so I am thinking that there will likely be a bit of a conflict and a quandry for me, and wonder at what will prevail. Harry is giving tomatoe plants away - he put an ad on Kijiji and got lots of responses so out the boxes go. We still have ample to plant in our yard though even with giving to his brother, and brother in law, and the people in Sprucedale. Also, on Thursday we went up to North Bay and rototilled a garden and planted tomatoes and pepper plants for this elderly man. We went to his 90th Brithday party back in March, and Harry promised we would do a garden for him. Last year I took up several plants on my own but didn't have to do up a garden for him. He lives with his daughter but they all work, and so we helped him out this year. Anyway, that 's life for now.. as Lloyd Robertson always ended his news with "And that's the kind of day its been" - well, that's the kind of week its been around here haha  Take care

The end of an era

As we came home tonight they were pulling down East View Lodge.  That was the building on top of the hill as you approached Neepawa from the east.  A few years ago,when they built the new home, the town was going to buy East View for $1.00 and they already had a developer lined up to turn it into desperately needed apartments.  At the last minute, the government, in its wisdom, decided that since they still owed just over $100,000 on the mortgage they wanted to get their money out of the building.  3 years later, the government having spent over $500,000 to try to keep the heat and utilities active in the abandoned building decided to sell it for $1.00.  Too bad that due to neglect mold had settled in and the structure was compromised.  Today it was torn down.  Now someone will build apartments there...... 5 years later.  What a shame.  We could have had apartments years ago.  Neepawa has so many new citizens now with no place to live.  Rents are astronomical.  Keri has a really inexpensive place to live, (inexpensive compared to what it could be rented for) but she can't afford it on the salary she gets.  There are no places to live in this town.  Just thought I needed to vent a bit.  The end of an era in Neepawa.

Not quite the adventure we planned

I think I logged awhile back about cleaning out more stuff from the studio.  One thing I ended up with was a fairly large bag of Duffel cloth and felted wool. I have acquired pieces of this since I worked at the Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton, and have made mitts out of it..  I don't even know if you can buy it anymore, but last time I saw it, the price was over $150/metre. Since I had fairly large pieces, I wasn't going to donate it to the thrift store.  I called my contact at the Craft Museum, and she offered to use it in their programming.  I know her programming and decided to look for a more traditional agency.  I ended up calling Thunderbird House, the funny building at Higgins and Main.  They said they could use it in their programming, but it was a young man and I'm not sure if he even knew what I was talking about. None-the-less, we set off with it yesterday.  We found parking about a block away and then had to walk by the Salvation Army hostel.  This means a crowd on the street, just hanging around, as they are asked to leave first thing in the morning and not allowed back in until evening.  While Thunderbird House is round, and has entrances on four sides, the only open entrance is on the East, which meant we had to walk around the building.  A fellow spoke to us to tell us to take off our shoes, and only when asked for help, did he direct me to the office telling me I needed to speak to Jason.  No Jason, but "he'll be back in a minute.  He;s wearing a red T-shirt".  Then the fellow went out into the main area to lead some sort of event.  I hope it went well for him, because everybody's attention was on us. However, no Jason, although a little while later a fellow in a black T-shirt came in, ignored us, and went into a different office.  So we left.  Back past the street full of indigents.

David was determined to get rid of the stuff and remembered that there was a women's resource  center somewhere on Selkirk ave.  So North on Main to Selkirk, looking for "some sort of women's center".  I finally spotted a sign just east of Balmoral, on the other side of the street.  So back we go, and I went in to ask.  A sign on the door suggested that men were not welcome inside. There was a desk. on the other side of a sitting area, where there were several women just sitting and watching tv. A pretty "scurvy" bunch, they were. Thank Goodness, the lady behind the desk was less frightening in appearance and quite pleasant.  ( the ladies sitting around might have been quite pleasant, but I sure wasn't going to try to find out)  She was even more pleasant when she saw the stuff, recognizing immediately what it was. So it was left, in what I'm thinking was a good home.

We were then wanting to go to a mall close to home, but how to get there off Selkirk?  First thought was North to the Redwood Bridge, and then I remembered that Hespeler is a horror because of construction/ clean up related to the new Disraeli Freeway. The radio has been warning people to stay away from the area.  So, South on Main, and back to Higgins?  But wait, there is no left hand turn onto Higgins off Main.  So David decided to try to get to Sutherland and then onto Higgins just by the Louise Bridge.  I mis-understood his intention, and figured we were looking for Annabella, to take the underpass South to Higgins. ( This was one of Dad's favourite routes, but I may be the only one who remembers that.)  We didn't want to turn East onto Euclid,  since we were looking for Sutherland, but soon realized that we weren't going to be able to turn East onto Sutherland, so turned onto Jarvis.  Then we dipsy-doodled through Point Douglas until we spotted Sutherland, and then it was clear sailing through to Annabella, Higgins and the Louise Bridge.  Not a part of town I like to go through, but probably no more dangerous than other areas. A bit of an adventure.  There sure are a lot of warehouses in the area, and the main garage for Greyhound buses.  It bought to mind Amber's wedding, as we had to go somewhere in the area to have the car detailed.

To cap off the day, we had supper at McDonald's.  I wanted to try their new "wraps".  I also tried their Cafe Mocha. The Mocha was very nice, better than Tim's, but the price is more than a dollar higher.    The wrap was also nice.  A good meal, and much nicer than the old style of wrap.  However, shortly after eating, it was off the the bathroom, and then again at regular intervals all evening.  So maybe we won't be visiting that McDonald's again.  But I did lose 4 pounds.  Maybe not a permanent loss, but any loss makes me grateful, and gives me hope.

Hi Ho Hi Ho...It's off to work I go

One week is way to short.  I must need another week at least, 'cause I was really bitchy last night for no reason other than I had to get up this morning. I didn't get 1/2 the things done I wanted to, but on the other hand I sat around more than I intended to.  The garden is in (and up) the flowers are planted, most of the floors washed (although with 3 dogs washing the basement point is useless) and most of the windows washed.  I waded through some "stuff" I have had in boxes for years and I looked at my clothes.  I have put off buying anything new because I was going to lose weight.  Not going to happen so I might as well bite the bullet and get some clothes.  Mostly work clothes.  The things I am wearing to work should have been relegated  to the "only at home" portion of my wardrobe months ago.  I will start my shopping adventures at the "Sally Ann" today.  Since we only have the Red Apple and Giant Tiger in town, the Sears catalogue is next in line.  We have "Its Time" but although the clothes are fantastic, so is the price.   We made it through the cold nights without any casualties but the forecast is for well below normal for the next 2 weeks.  Global warming??   Rain has been in the forecast for the last few days, (and next few) but other than a couple of days of heavy rain, we have just had cloudy and damp.  I shouldn't complain after listening to Beth's woes.  Between weather and vehicles you have been busy! Yesterday Kristy and I were going to drink wine and go over the Craft Sale applications.  We really intended to do more drinking, but instead we got most of the craft sale stuff done and didn't even finish our drink.  We got too involved in trying to cut back on tables and looking up the commercial applicants on line to see what their products looked like.  We both agreed that we would rather eliminate the commercial venders rather than the hand crafters.  (Except for some venders that we know people look forward to like Sunset Gourmet and Pampered Chef)  Well, it is time to face the fact that I have to wear something decent to work today.  I may even have to put on a bra!!!

Should I write a book?

I had my car into the garage again today -becoming a daily event on my calendar. I actually started it this morning to go to the garage to start paying off my bills and speak with accounting about it. I parked and turned the car off and guess what! The key locked again and I couldn;t get it out. I went into the garage dealership and spoke with the both owners and the mainenance manager. Long story short, they gave me a loaner for the day, and they replaced the ignition lock cylinder and cut a new key. This visit was considered a "goodwill" visit and no payment was requested. Apparently they will submit it as per a memo they received from GM with a recall for certain similar cars although my car VIN was not included in the recall notice. I am so hopeful that this will complete my frequent issues and that for a time I can feel confidence in driving the little car. I will let you know. In meantime the plants remain covered and will stay that way for two more nights. I just have to turn on the heaters in the greenhouses for the night but will have to water in there tomorrow I am sure. I have made an appt to get my hair cut next week to get all pretty for the party I go to June 5 to celebrate with an old friend from Home Care who is retiring. Should be a fun evening. Have to find something in my closet to wear. Enjoy the weekend folks, and take care.

Unbelievable

Remember my car? I picked it up at the garage yesterday. This morning we decided to go to Huntsville to Canadian Tire. Started my car and saw that the front left tire was low, and surprise, the "Check Engine Light" was on. I immediately drove it to the garage. Long story short, we left the car to be checked, and went to Huntsville in Harry's van. This afternoon the garage called - it is the oxygen sensor that is defective, and the part was ordered. and there was a nail in the tire and that will be fixed. Another big bill is pending. I expressed my opinion to the Service Manager. I feel like there is a curse on me and my little car.
I was out at 5 am this morning fighting the thunder and lightening trying to get ahead of the water - but to no avail. I was even up a ladder trying to clean out the eaves trough - again to no avail. David, call off your rain curse please!! haha  And frost for tomorrow night to start the weekend off . I bought big bags today at Canadian Tire and I found another box of old sheets and I have lots of cloths pins so I am at the ready to cover up.
There is no more ARROW so I plan to start a new book tonight as I finished the one last night - I am enjoying this series called The Bower Files by Steven James. A great read and always a catchy conclusion - the least likely suspect is the villain!
Your trip to Lockport and Selkirk got me reminiscing- I always loved that trip and I could almost picture it in my head as you described it. I would like to repeat that tour when I ever get back to Winnipeg. At present time looks like it will be December 2015 and also dinner at a Sushi restaurant? haha Time for bed, I'm getting silly. How is your vacation Cathy? Take care

Today's adventure

We managed to get out on the bikes for about the 3rd time this year.  We got home and spent a couple of hours working, me int he studio and David in the garden.  Another hour of both of us in the studio and David is talking about lunch, saying he was thinking about some canned salmon.  I laughed and said that I was thinking about the A&W coupons that came in the mail.  Let's go, he says.  So after some confused discussion about where we were going we ended up heading for Lockport via Henderson.  Oh how it has changed.  Huge housing developments, and when I say huge, I mean not only the acreage but also the size of the houses themselves.  I can sure see where the term McMansion came from.

After teenburgers, chips and root beer, our challenge was to find Pelicans to photograph.  We found a small group right up against a little dock just on the North side of the locks.  No way we could get a picture as they were only visible from the bridge, and they frown on you stopping to take pictures there.  We found none in Selkirk, but did find the new harbour front.  What a very nice development that is!  A tiered system for both cars and people, that gets you right down to the waterfront.  A lovely setting, with ice cream etc at the top of the hill, and not "in your face" down where there was the view.  But, alas, no pelicans.

So home on #59 where we stopped at a greenhouse and bought two Columbine and two Iris.  The Columbine is for the front garden near the driveway, and the Iris for the against the garage at the end closest to the house--one blue and one yellow. Hope they survive the freeze tonight.