Weather (we like it or not)

That’s a play on words in case you didn’t catch it 😜. I enjoy the warmer weather but it sure plays havoc with my hips, knees, wrists, etc. (ie joints).  It is 8 pm and I am lying in bed with a heating pad😞. A lot of snow melted today and when I checked the bird feeder I could see why we are going g through a lot of seed. Under the feeder it looks like we just dumped a couple of cans of seed on the ground. I think the birds were stashing it. There was a two foot circle of seeds on the ground. It had been buried in snow. (Little brats). I am going to a museum board meeting on Monday night. I will check it out but I will not take an executive position. I want to understand what is happening before I even consider that. I know that there is potential a lot of work involved to keep the museum running, but I will start small. We are still waiting for info on the crib in NL. Don phoned the command last week and they said they had mailed everything out over two weeks ago. There is nothing here but our branch secretary is away and no ones knows if anyone collects the mail when she is gone (DUH?!). We did talk to dominion command and they think the best (read cheapest) flight for us leaves Winnipeg at 5am on April 24 and gets to NL at 3:11. Suits them but means a night in Winnipeg for us and a day lost in transit. But if we go Thursday they will not arrange transportation for us. I did reserve our room for the weekend. They are very “friendly” there. The receptionist called me “sweetie” and when I booked the room I said we could use the one queen bed, instead of the two doubles, she commented that if I was going to sleep with him anyway why waste an extra bed. I think I could have been a Newfie in another life 😜

A busy couple of days

Friday we had an early appointment with a tax preparing company, so were up before the birds--so to speak--as well as before breakfast. She had a lot of trouble getting into our accounts with CRU, mainly mine, until they figured out that CRU was missing the second "i" in my name.  After that everything worked out, but we were still with her for almost two hours.  We were missing one document to finalize everything, so have a return appointment Monday morning.  While we were with her, I was able to slip out for a coffee, and went to The Second Cup, as it was much closer than Tim's.  Wow!  I had forgotten how good their coffee is, especially now that I'm able to drink it without milk.  I plan to go back on Monday, while we're there.

In the afternoon, I went to Michael's to buy some larger beads for my Boho Beads, as well as some wire and a pair of side cutters.  Everything in the beading section was on sale and I had a coupon for the side cutters, so save about 45% on everything.  Except, the side cutters wouldn't cut anything, not wire, not the thread holding the beads together, and not paper.

So, this morning, we headed back to Micheal's to return the side cutters, and then off towards Osborne Village, where there is a bead store that I've been to a couple of times with Gail.  She had suggested that I try there for the side cutters, and sure enough, I found a little pair that work just fine, and at half the price of the ones in Micheal's.  And, of course, I picked up a few jewelry findings while I was there.  These Boho Beads are turning out to be a little expensive.  My only hope is to recover some of the cost when I teach them at the Selkirk Gallery in May.  David went in to explore the store while we were there, and as soon as he got in, there was the store cat.  I didn't even know there was a store cat!  That man is a cat magnet, where ever we go!

As we were leaving the store I happened upon some "fingerless" gloves. I have often thought that they might be useful, especially for driving.  They were half price and I bought two pair.  Does anyone need a pair of "fingerless" gloves"

During the afternoon, I tried to work on a quilted piece that I'm using, mainly, to practice my free motion quilting.  It is really not going well, as my quilting just isn't "up to snuff".  Usually by this point in my practice, things are starting to go well.  There might be two factors to this: either I'm to physically and mentally tired to work efficiently, or my physical ability just isn't what it once was.  This whole thing might be less concerning if I wasn't looking at a significant birthday, and if I wasn't having to spend time every morning loosening up my joints.  I'm also starting to see issues with my concentration and focus, as well as memory. That too could be part of general fatigue.  I have never felt old enough to be this old, but over the past couple of weeks, doubt is creeping in.

We are told that keeping active is part of healthy aging, so I'm reluctant to reduce my activity and spend more time relaxing.  Doesn't that sound a little stupid?  What the heck, I think I'll spend the evening playing internet poker and taste testing various mixes for my Kahlua.  Hot Chocolate is always a good bet.

Your Play Day

Have some fun Pati on your "play day" today. I have watched Geesje's video on making the BOHO beads and I think both you and Gail will have a ball. It would even had been fun to gather all your supplies as well.  I will look for some pictures.....and also perhaps some of your ideas as to how you wish to use these beads in your work OK?  I now have Geesje's You Tube on my bookmarks so I can follow her with other projects. 
It has snowed overnight and the plough just went by the house but i shall not venture out to shovel until much later - I think ( with fingers crossed) that we may have been lucky so far as not so much has accumulated but today may tell a different story.
Cathy what are you up to - if Pati is playing with beads, what are you playing with haha!  I have been crocheting another of my prayer shawls that had been put away long ago. I decided to bring it out again and try to finish it. It is a lovely moss green with embellished dark green beads and i have a feeling I shall enjoy using it myself if I ever get it finished.  Take care

"Pay Day" again.

That means grocery shopping.  We spent a bunch of money and appear to have everything on the list, and I'm exhausted.  David visited the Wild Birds Unlimited store for bird food as we find ourselves doing every month now, and the lady pointed out that he could save a fair bit by belonging to their bird food club.  So we are now members, and were gifted a "seed bell" and hanger.  But we were assured that now is the time for stuff like this as the spring birds will be arriving soon.  So once the "seed ball" we got earlier in the year is gone the "seed bell" will be going up.  I know this is a bit of an extravagance, but we get so much pleasure out of watching,not only the birds, but he squirrels and rabbits as well, that I see it as money well spent--at least for as long as we can afford it.

Needless to say, I came home exhausted, but it's now 4:45 and time to think about supper, so no nap today, but I'll bet it's early to bed tonight.  My friend Gail and have a "play day" planned for tomorrow.  We'll be making "Boho beads".  I believe I may have sent you a link to the UTube video of my friend Geesje making them, and I now have her permission to teach it myself.  Best I get some practice before trying to do that.  The last two days, when not napping, I spent working on the preparations for the beads.  My smaller, rolling suitcase is right full of "stuff" that I'm sure we'll need.  Both of us put stuff in, so I'm not sure what I may find, or if I'll find the right stuff.  Should be an interesting day.

Here comes the snow.......

.....and right on cue according to the warnings we have been receiving over last few days. I just looked out the window on this gloomy day, and sure enough, down it comes. It is supposed to be a real storm/blizzard with lots and lots of snow, and strong winds and snow squalls from now, overnight, and into Thursday. No way to prepare except to hunker down and pray the hydro stays on for the greenhouse heat. And then when all is said and done, to grab the shovel and get busy.
It is because of this weather warning, that our monthly bus trip to Casino Rama for tomorrow (Thursday) has been cancelled - so in this case, the anticipation really was better than the event haha!
I have been sorting through bags and boxes of wool with idea the of getting rid of most of it to a worthy person/cause. The first lucky person is Harry's sister who would be delighted to receive some - she is madly knitting / crocheting up a storm in preparation for her first grandchild to be born in July. This is her son and wife who just got married last September ( remember the wedding in the Barn that we attended)  So I have sorted out some and will drop it off next week. As well, since she is making stuffed animals I can get rid of two huge bags of polyester stuffing that is no good to me ( not suitable for using as batting for quilt tops as it is all little pieces)  The other four big bags will be offered to another person i know - hope she will take them.  I had spent some time trying to locate the Church ladies in town who did knitting over the holidays and pinned up their hats and mitts on the bulletin board for needy folks to take gratis. But I could not get a contact (yet).
So hope you folks will be free of snow storms and blizzards but if so, take a deep breathe, make a cup of tea and enjoy - just like I am doing now. Take care

The lonely skater?

So cute....but she looks all alone which I assume was not the case? And isn't it good that now they all wear helmets - this was not the way years ago. I am glad you made the trip Cathy..... family times and memories are important.
So Ladies, today is Shrove Tuesday. And I plan to make the traditional pancake meal - not likely a favourite for Harry but maybe he will have some? What about you folks?
And then Lent. I, for one, never really adhere to that particular tradition of abstaining from a chosen item or event or habit, but still the thought is there.
Big snow storm warnings for Wed/Thurs so I guess my shoveling days are not over yet. But so as not to upset me more than I am already, I have "leaking" again in spite of my diligence all winter to try to avoid it. So I must stay calm, and do what I can. 
Take care

Killarney

We made a quick visit to Killarney yesterday to see Chloe skate. I almost cancelled since everything seemed to be going wrong but we made it by two and were followed into the yard by Sandi’s family. They were so close behind we went to the house together.  It was chilly in the rink, but remembering last year I brought pillows for us to sit on. The program was about 1 1/2 hours long and Chloe's group were on the ice for about 3 minutes. 

I had a heck of a time getting this picture in. It seems that since my phone updated itself there are no pictures stored on it. I didn’t even try to rotate it. Not that you can tell it is her. She just got her new skates last week and really likes them. She had hockey skates up until then. We all went out for supper after the show. I think 10 people at once overwhelmed the restaurant but The food was good. The poor waitress wanted to know if it was individual bills or all together. Our reply?  These four as the one at the end are together. Those three are together and those two are together. We ended up with Sandi’s tea on our bill but that was nothing much.  My dolphin 
Plant is blooming too  Again on its side but at least I found it. I really have to figure this out now that it has changed

Call me silly?

A quickie note this Sunday morning....and I really did not expect an answer to that question above haha!
It is mild now as the longer days break through and that bitter cold dissipates somewhat,but when I took the dog out for his morning event, I could smell Spring! Maybe I am being a bit too optimistic but it was there... I took a few deep breathes in, and sure enough I could smell it! What a mood booster. Hope you folks take a deep breathe this morning and smell it too. Take care.

Good Saturday morning

Much warmer this morning and for next many days before the temp drops again at end of week. Harry wants the little greenhouse heated but I am petitioning to wait until after this week to get through that forecast cold spell. Then I guess I shall have to move electric cords and heaters etc to warm up the little house - and then plants will have to be moved from one to the other. It all seems like deja vue - year after year after year haha!
On a nicer note, I went across the street yesterday morning carrying a plate of muffins, to have coffee with Ruth and Gerd. She has been wondering why i never visit. The other evening she called to tell me of a neighbour having an emergency air lift to Toronto for surgery for a sudden brain haemorage and asking if I might look after that ladies dog. NO was my response but finally they found another dog sitter lady to do it. The lady apparently has come out of surgery OK and is conscious. talking and can move all limbs at this time.  Anyway, i enjoyed the coffee break with them - he had to leave to do something which left Ruth and i to talk which is what she really wanted. I really should try to go over more often as it does me some good as well as her.
Thursday afternoon, on the spur, we went shopping to the Costco in Orillia ( about two hours south) Harry had the urge although I am not always that anxious to go there. As with other trips to Costco, I found a few things that caught my eye but really not much - but the bill came to 300 in spite of it. Where did all that money go?? Well for starters, one big package of printer ink cartridges was close to 90 on its own, so it really does not take too long to add up. I did splurge though and bought a box of Keurig Kcups- 110 Kcups for 36 - that to me was a good deal.
In other areas of my life I have made some decisions to "Just do it" I have heard you Pati say that to go into the Studio without purpose results in stagnation so you "just do something" right? So I have made first contact with a Support Group in North Bay for Blindness and Low Vision. As well, in connection with that group I have also made first contact with the CNIB which is functioning in broader coverage areas because of lack of funding to provide Vision Low Rehabilitation. I spoke first with a man in New Brunswick, and then a Registrar in Thunder Bay to initiate my application. They need a report from the Ophmalologist before preceding further. There is no CNIB in North Bay but a smaller "hub" in Sudbury. Apparently I shall have my case transferred to this Sudbury "hub" to proceed with the assessment as soon as the Dr report is received. In meantime, I had a delightful conversation on the phone with the Support group contact in North Bay. The next monthly meeting is March 11 and barring any unforeseen circumstances, i plan to attend. Wish me luck as it was a hard decision for me to make the first move, but I am confident in my approach so far. 
So another weekend is upon us. Hope you folks are all well. Take care.

Opportunity

Seems like we are all facing one.  I don't jump at every opportunity that faces me, but I now acknowledge them, if even to myself.  That way my choice becomes the result of a conscious decision.  Cathy, which Museum are you considering?  Or is there only one? 

My decision involves two opportunities to display my work, one in the Selkirk Gallery for a month, and the other in a travelling show which would have it seen all over the province, over a period of years.  I also think that there is a small chance that I could do both, and I'll have to look into that.  I may be able to find out at a meeting I plan to attend on Saturday.  This meeting is a " come and do your own thing" workshop, at the library in Selkirk, but sponsored by Textile and Fibre Art Manitoba.  There will be a meeting embedded in the workshop and I'm sure we'll be talking about the upcoming travelling show. The issue is the actual dates for having the pieces handed in.

Tuesday's movie was "Birds of Prey".  However, I read that the title is changing as a result of what would be considered a poor return on opening weekend.  This is a Marvel movie, so lots and lots of violence, but not necessarily everything making sense.  There have been articles written about it, talking about the relevance of the "MeToo" movement, and the growing demand for more female based movies, on productions like this.  The credits had far more female names than male, especially in things like "Produced by" and "Directed by".  The plot was very simple as most Marvel productions are, but it focused on women who have been treated poorly and taken advantage of by entitled men, who then "kick Ass" when they come to realize that they actually can.  In this movie it was "kick ass" for real. We had agreed before buying tickets, that if David couldn't stand it we would leave, but he managed to last to the end.  If you factor in that the main lady was an insane psychiatrist, who had been the lover of The Joker, and he had dumped her, you can understand what a crazy two hours it really was.  The actual ending appeared to promise a sequel.

This morning my friend Geesje will be delivering the quilt she has been long arming for me.  Not sure what might happen to it once it's finished but I'll  be glad to get it home.  Then I can start another one.  I think I've figured out what my next step will be in the mod and/or improv piecing I've been working on, off and on, since spring.  But that's for the other blog.

Museum Connection

To take my mind off of all that snow outside that will require my attention later today, I'll sit with my morning coffee and write a few lines. Cathy I was interested to hear more about your considering the offer for you to be on the Museum Board. This sound very interesting and I wonder if you have being involved with the Museum in the past? I imagine in accepting the offer, that you are ready to dive into some stimulating adventures to keep your mind at work. I hope you find such adventures as it becomes very humdrum always being at home without outside people and things Pati can speak to this handily. There was some comment among us, awhile back, about losing one's "social" skills. As i sat in the waiting room yesterday for my appointment, I realized that I must be fitting nicely into this ..I did not want to engage in the idle talk of the others in spite of having to comment here and there. There are other times when I have also felt this way. So what to do, and what opportunities do I actually have? I shall think about this. But in meantime, I am happy that you, Cathy are considering otherwise. And I recognize that Pati, you also make the efforts to socialize outside the home.
So here's to another day. Cleaning bird cages, and shoveling snow will likely take up some of my time today. Hope you folks also have a good day! Take care

Cribbage just for fun

Today as part of the winter festival the rotary hosted a fun cribbage tournament and I went. It was nice to play cribbage without feeling any pressure. There was nothing riding on it. Somehow most people ended up playing doubles and you just stood around waiting for someone else to be available. There was only once that I had to wait. And there was open mic so we had musical entertainment. They ordered in pizza but I had told Jim I would be home for supper.  It was pick a prize so I picked a couple of Bailey’s mugs. Too bad they didn’t come with the Bailey’s.  I also got to meet Rrain’s new kittens. They are very sweet and she says they don’t bother her allergies.  I was also asked about being on the museum board. I might consider it since I think I am ready to start getting involved in things again. We’ll see. Oh, and when I got home Jim told me he wasn’t hungry so there was nothing for supper. I guess I should have stayed for pizza.

Out of sorts

What in interesting description that is.  Suits me to a "T" the last few days.  Today may be a little better, and maybe I'm coming out of it.  I didn't make it to the library, and now have just one book to read until I can get there sometime Tuesday afternoon.  But, it's another British Police procedural and they are always slow going.

Beth, how's little Bailey doing?  Now that we've met him, via the internet, he's part of the family and of a concern to all of us.  We get so attached to these precious little creatures.  Our interest is the rabbits. David says that he has seen four at one time, but I've never seen more than two.  They are so territorial about a food source, something I never thought about with rabbits.  I know the neighbour will be trapping them again this summer, but I accept that as part of life in the city.

A power failure during the night.  We have no idea how long it was out, but it was awhile.  Of course, the first concern is the heat, which did get down a bit before it came on again.  Thank Goodness for the duvets.  I got up and turned off the computers. I thought I had heard that they came now with a degree of surge protection, but I'm not sure enough to neglect them.

Yesterday my friend Gail picked me up and we went to the bead store at Gertrude and Osborne that she likes. As well as beads it sells a bit of mysticism.  Cloth and clothing with East Indian designs, and Buddhas, some almost 4 ft high and costing thousands. Then there are the crystals, and semiprecious rocks, as well as incense.  Totally weird.

We plan to make some Boho Beads.  My friend Geesje has a fairly short video showing how it's done, here  youtube.com/watch?v=1cbbjHoolXo&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3gTwF4Vy_oNnaSNe1BWJOn_N0ADwUm9jfS159CYykG3Ul4emSPYyToeV4. 

I am also wondering if this might be a short workshop I could teach in conjunction with my gallery show in May.

The cold continues but not the severe wind chills that we had earlier in the week.  I'm still wearing my fake fur coat, that I thought would only be good for a couple of months.  Maybe it'll last all winter,  But we're at mid-Fbruary Spring is coming, we just don't quite know when.   So w hunker down and endure.  After all we grew up in Winnipeg.

Today it reached 0 degrees C

The weather is really crazy with ups and downs constantly challenging us to carry on. At times I feel like hiding under the covers and never coming out.- or, maybe that's not just the weather taunting me??  Looking forward to the real Spring coming to town,
We went to Mikes today instead of tomorrow as originally planned. That's OK by me though, and as always, another fun visit with lots of great conversation. I got the ironing of his shirts done and even a sewing repair to one shirt. So he is set...This week he has to work on research and papers due - there was a pile of texts sitting on his table that he borrowed from the U Library. I am glad it is Mike doing all the reading and writing, but in spirit I am right along side of him haha!
Wondering what you have done with all those hexis you wrote about Pati, I love hexis - maybe because i can sew them, and maybe because I have an unfinished topper that keeps calling my name. One day it will receive a reply but not right now.  
Tuesday i go for my mammogram appointment and then all my commitments will be over. My friend Sue has put out the call to me for our annual luncheon together in April at Swiss Chalet. We just have to settle on a date. It is always nice to have some event ahead of you to look forward to, There it is again....that wonderful "anticipation" !
Hope you are having a nice weekend folks? Any plans finalized yet Cathy for Newfoundland. At least you do not have to worry about cancelled rail service with all the barricades set up along the tracks - unless the protesters start to hit the airport terminals soon? Not a nice situation for Canada from my perspective. Take care

Unsettling news

Not really what you wanted to hear, Beth, but my eyes hung onto that word "may".  So there is reason to hope.  And, as you suggest, we carry on, whatever life throws at us.  And it sounds like you're getting more time with Mike than you're used to.  Think of it as a gift.

We can't really say that any of us has lead a "charmed life", although each of us has experienced a few high spots.  Old wisdom says that we wouldn't appreciate those high spots so much if we didn't have the low spots to measure them against.  We each resent the life our mother thrust on us, unknowingly, of course.  I wonder if she could have predicted how she would spend the last 20 years of her life, or of the effect that her illness had on the lives of her children.  Or how she might have responded had she known that she carried the gene for such a disabling disease.  (Boy, am I ever getting morbid/maudlin.) The joy in all of this is that we now know that none of us had inherited it, and the likelihood of our children inheriting it it is minimal.

The cold continues, although today is a little milder.  I remember when we could count on a "Bonspiel Thaw" in association with Festivale du Voyager. I remember working on marshaling the parade in shirt sleeves. It was almost a local joke.  Well, my memory says that the last few years, the oldest days of the winter came about the time of Festivale.  Climate Change?

Yesterday I got a haircut.  I had rehearsed what I was going to say to the hairdresser about not liking the style she had given me last time, and wanting something different. Well, turns out it was her day off, and the younger woman did my hair.  So far I love what she did.  It appears to be exactly what I had asked for.  The cut took away the last of the lighter highlights I had, and the grey really shows.  I'll see how I like it, but may consider a colour again in a few months.

Quiet times here.  Too cold for gallivanting, and my diet eliminates the  idea of eating out, which we've been enjoying a little more of lately. We both spend a lot of time reading.  The third and final book of the Nora Roberts series, "The One" finally arrived.  I was absolutely enthralled by the first book "The One", which described world wide Armageddon by disease, and how the few people left started to re-build.  The last two books were excellent, but a bit less enthralling, as the plot turned to a more mystical/magical future.  Their titles were "Of Blood and Bone', and "The Rise of Magicks".  People used to dismiss her as a writer of romances, but her plots and character development are first class.  No wonder she's such a successful writer.

In the studio, I discovered a plastic bag full of small hexies, all within an orange/yellow/red colour range with highlights of green.  A group of them had been sewn into a rectangle that is just the right size for a cover for my sketchbook.  That may end up as my project for today.  I've tried to do this a few times in the past, with mixed success, so vainly carry on searching for the right technique or pattern.

Looking at the clock, I guess it's time to move on.  I see that it's started to snow again.  We've had a van parked right at the foot of our driveway for over  a week now.  We thought it had been abandoned, until we realized that it was being started remotely, periodically, so must belong to someone local.  More snow will just make getting out of the driveway more difficult.  Damn!

Have a good day ladies.

Wow, that was COLD!

It appears some of the plants may have been lost but we just opened the greenhouse for a moment this afternoon to look and spray with water - time will tell. Tonight should be better.
My friend Sue just sent me a message with a picture of her floral arrangement of a dozen Red Roses in a crystal vase sitting on her table. Beautiful gift for Valentines Day. Can't say that I can beat that - how about you folks haha!
Nice surprise to hear from Mike with another invite to visit. Next week is the University Reading Week so he has no classes but lots of research and papers to produce. So we are going on Monday ( an actual STAT holiday). I managed to buy an ironing board at Rebuilt Resources today in North Bay and I had an extra iron to take - so I know that I shall be ironing some of his shirts while there but will leave the board and iron for him to keep it up on a regular basis. He is worried because the openings of all his shirts are curling up around the buttons when he washes them and starting to look sloppy.
Well, I went to see the Eye Surgeon today and it seems I do not need to worry so much about that cataract that I was worried about. Instead, I have been diagnosed with retinal degeneration. No cure - it just gets worse - may lead to blindness. Not necessarily what I wanted to hear, or needed to hear but nevertheless - there it is. So life shall go on, and so will I.
Anyway time to put the birds to bed, and think about some sleep myself. Bailey had me up in the middle of the night - he has started to vomit now unexpectedly over last three days - just when I thought he was responding well to his latest issues. Poor little guy - he is so bright and happy otherwise.
Take care folks and lets hope for warmer weather and clear skies.

found It!

Thanks for the "heads up", Cathy.  There for posterity.

My Fibre Art Divas meeting was last night, out in Charleswood.  Very close to where I used to visit, and often stay the night, with my teenage friend, Kathy Irwin.  Brought back a few memories, more of her father, rather than her, and playing poker with a couple of fellows from the neighbourhood. I dated one for awhile, who was attending Moler Barber School, just off Main Street, where City Hall is now.  It was that spooky old Victorian City Hall then and a fairly unsavoury neighbourhood. but they always liked having female customers, so Kathy and I would go to get our hair trimmed once in awhile. I remember seeing Daddy gave him a set of barber tools, including a few straight razors.  I also remember watching a female student shaving "shaving" a balloon with a straight razor.  This was how they learned to shave a face.

During the meeting, I realized something about myself.  I'm losing the ability to socialize in a larger group of people. There were 10 of us, and I found myself talking over people and interrupting.  I also found myself with no idea what people were talking about, both because I was tired, and because they were discussing something I had no experience with, or my brain took a "time out".  I confess that there were a few times that a technique that had them very excited, was of no interest to me. Certainly, a lot of this can be written up to my getting old, but some of it was more a matter of "been there, done that". Not sure what to do about this, other than seek out situations where I'm with a group for socialization, such as the Monday Free craft Group I sometimes attend out in Lorette.  But the ladies did like my Batiks.

On re-reading that paragraph, I realize that my basic egocentricity is showing more than it should.  That's probably a big part of the issue--one that is becoming worse as I age. (dis-inhibition?)

Nothing planned for today.  David bought some special spray for our out-door shoes, and has spoken about applying it today.  It takes 6 applications with 1/2 hour between each.  He'll do his boots (plural) first, and then my shoes.  This may mean no trip to Starbucks, even with a buy one, get one, special this afternoon.  But then I can't afford the calories involved in that sort of special, anyway.

So off to visit Facebook, and then maybe a shower before starting the day off with housework.

15 minutes of fame

If you go to the Manitoba and Northwest Ontario legion website and pick sports, and the cribbage, 2020 winners you will see my name. ...  Whoo Hooo

Reality

Well, get ready Beth, more reality is headed your way.  We woke up this morning with a wind chill of minus 44.  the only blessing is that there isn't usually much snow when it gets that cold.

We went to see the movie "Bad Boys For Life" last night.  We didn't expect much and got just that, The whole thing made me remember how interesting the movie "Knives Out" was with constant twists in the plot and somewhat believable characters, even if they were a tiny bit over played.  The final scene is a killer when you actually think about it.

Next week we're planning on seeing "Birds of Prey"  I've read the review and the plot is somewhat disjointed, as many Marvel movies are. this isn't usually something David enjoys, so we'll see.

Next on my agenda is a haircut.  I hate the style the hairdresser gave me last time, and want to get something different.  I realized today that the style I have is better if I let it curl, and I've been using gel to smooth it out.  But now it's too long to really hold a curl, so it's time.

The meeting of my Fibre Divas group is tonight out in Charleswood.  Not sure I want to venture that far, but I've said I was going, so better show up. My friend Geesje has told me she won't be there, so won't have the quilt she has machine quilted for me, which is the whole reason I was going.  but I know I'll enjoy it once I get there.

Back to reality....

After the good news from Cathy from the weekend, back to reality for sure......Lots of snow last night so today was spent outside shoveling everything haha! I got the driveway cleared, the shed roofs cleared, the roof raked off front and back, and then the ground snow removed from where it fell off the roof. I only have some of the walkways in the yard to clear and maybe I'll do that tomorrow? We will be going to Huntsville to shop tomorrow as well. 
This afternoon the Vet called to say the special wet food ordered for Bailey was in so I went over to pick it up.  He asked how Bailey was doing and made some suggestions - he said he wants to be kept informed as to his progress. I may be warming up to this Vet's approach maybe as at first I was not impressed. He is really laid back but I am coming to think that he might be OK and will be helpful in caring for my "darlings" - time will tell.
Anyway, tonight I am really pooped from the work today so I'll call it quits for now.....I will do some more reading I expect as I am happy to be back to my routine of reading before bed. For quite awhile I was off that but I find it helps to settle me down. Harry got a call from the Eye Surgeon office with his appointment which is in May. So when I go Friday to see this same Dr. I may decide to have my Sx if the schedule date will be within next few months - who knows.  Take care.

Wonderful...

...hardly covers the emotions I am feeling for you both. What an absolute thrill. Of course I had hoped that the Nationals were to be held in North Bay, but...Newfoundland beats that hands up!
Pati has been there as she mentions, so can tell you what a beautiful place it is - I have only seen pictures but I would agree about it's appeal. Please keep us informed of your plans Cathy, because as you know only too well, I shall be along side of you all the way.
I am so proud of you both. Cathy you have waited too long to be part of the National team - well deserved! XX

Wonderful!

Congratulations Cathy!  Newfoundland, at least the part I saw, is beautiful and the people very welcoming.  I took a "Bird Island Tour",  and of course, a 2 day trip to St. Pierre Micquelon, but you probably won't have time for that.  Get as much out of your time there as you  can.  The place is unforgettable.  An of course, good luck in your tournament.

Newfoundland here we come!

We lost in doubles but won in teams so four of us are headed to Conception Bay,  Newfoundland at the end of April. I think all four of us were tearing up when they announced it. They did the runners up first and when they gave their score I knew we had more but until they announce it  and make it official it isn’t real. In fact it still doesn’t seem real!  Now I have to start saving. The command gives us each $700 for our flight, and I think a per diem but the hotel etc is up to us. We’ll be there about four days, but we only play on one so we will have some time to wander. I’ve already booked Rrain to house sit. In case you haven’t figured it out, I am very excited.  Still can’t believe it is real!

Nicer weather...

At least not so cold today and should be milder for the next few days which serves me well. Always a panic situation when temps outside drop and the greenhouse inside temp also drops. Staying close to home as result of the cold and caring for Bailey as well..... he is holding his own and I am still assessing him closely.
I did a big clean out today by boxing up music CDs and cassettes with plans to take the boxes to the storage unit tomorrow. It makes more space for me although while choosing the ones I wanted to keep - the ones I play most often or like better than others - I had a chance to play some of the more obscure ones. Interesting that I always seem to play the same over and over, so I guess I like them best haha!.
I am reading one of the books Mike gifted me at Christmas right now "An Ocean of Minutes" which is about time travel and a flu pandemic that has killed off most of Americans - it strikes me as a very real time plot in light of what is going on in the world at the present time. It is actually scary to hear the news "on the hour" of the deaths and of the numbers confirmed - in luxury liners of all places! Thank goodness I did not book a world cruise this year.
But I thank you for the book suggestion you mentioned Pati. I always write them down for future when I order from the Library.
So this week I go to the Eye Surgeon on Friday and hoping for a good decision on my part if he recommends it is time for Surgery - he said last time that it is entirely my choice - when my vision and thus my life is impacted by the cataracts, I choose to go ahead.
Hoping to hear from you Cathy about your weekend as I was thinking about you every day wondering how things were going.
Anyway, time to put the birds to bed....and do some reading. Here's to another happy week ahead folks...take care 

I'm reading a book

It's "The Chilbury Ladies Choir" by Jennifer Ryan.  It was recommended by our local librarian, so I was not optimistic, and it took a few pages until I got the variety of characters  who were narrating, but once I got into it I really couldn't put it down.  It takes place during the early part of WWII, and deals with how the women, who are left behind deal, with the changes that wartime brings to their village.  It has a not entirely subtle feminist bent, as the men have all left, and the ladies are forced to deal with things that they have never dealt with before.  There is also a less obvious current dealing with the changes is social standards that the changing social structure creates.  On the surface it is a somewhat exciting story, but there are some very deep thought expressed.  I recommend it.

Mojo?

Nice to see the pictures on the Mouse Factory blog, Pati.  I never think you have lost your "mojo" ever, as I enjoy all your art, and I know you are always thinking about your art all the time, right?. But I do understand what you mean.......
Still tending to Bailey and have my fingers crossed that things may be improving. 
I was off to do a few chores this morning and held the door open at the Bank for an elderly gentleman ( who knows how old? maybe even my age but I think he was maybe in early 80's) He started a conversation right at the door and i could tell he was in need of talking....venting actually, but he was needing to share his woes about life with me. So I listened. There is no harm in listening. I do not know him but he lives in Sundridge and his family from Toronto have insisted he move down there to a Seniors facility. His wife has died and he is terribly lonely and missing her - thinking of her all the time. The whole conversation was a reminder to me that we will all be or are, in the same position really - looking ahead to what may be, and what we will do about it. Much to think about.....
I fashioned two more little sampler pieces yesterday from your suggestion to use the Christmas motive fabric, Pati, and I think it will work just fine - as long as i can actually get at trying the stitching on the machine. I am ready..now to make the time to do it haha!  
Now back to the issues at hand...greenhouse is opened and Harry intends to do some transplanting in there today. Two nights more of cold night temps needing the heaters set higher, and then we should be OK for a few days as it is to be milder. 
So Cathy, you and Jim really shake them up there in Winnipeg OK! Will be thinking of you. Take care

Date Night??

We seem to be getting into the habit of going to the movies on Tuesday evening.  Today it was "Jumanji: The Next level". the second of the series with Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black.  It really helped having seen the first one.  This one could be watched without, but there were many references to people, and things that happened, that it was just that much better.  Totally weird hearing Dwayne Johnson playing Danny deVito as he was playing the young hero's Grandfather.  

What was really strange was the previews before the show, and even a cartoon.  Thinking about it,  I realized that the show is "G" rated and there were children in the very small audience.  So previews of any movie with more than a "G" rating couldn't be shown.

We didn't have supper at the mall, as I'm on Phase one, and knew I wouldn't be able to find anything "legal".  So it was an early night, and home to play poker.

I know I had promised to show pictures of my efforts at making batik.  Well, for the most part, my efforts weren't up to the job.  One piece was totally useless, except I think I may have another use for it.  A second piece is acceptable after much effort, and the third piece is still in the drier.  The problem was getting the wax out.  Even knowing that it is supposedly water soluble, and bio-degradable, I still didn't want to try putting all that wax through the plumbing.  So, I followed the instructions for batik using bees' wax, and tried to iron it between layers of newspaper before washing it.  Didn't get a lot out, and after the second washing there was still a halo around anything that had been waxed.  So it was soaked in Oxyclean, and washed and dried again.  That still left the halo so it  was thoroughly treated with Resolve and washed yet again.  The first wash was with the special (expensive) soap that is used for all hand dyed fabric, second and third, with Blue Dawn. Really a few very busy days.

Now it really is time for bed.  Have a good night everyone.

Bragging again.....

To Huntsville today which means another opportunity for me to visit Starbucks. I do not go in every time we go to Huntsville but today was a day that begged me to enter those hallowed doors and spoil myself totally.  Today it was a Caramel Macchiato. How does that sound????
I have been very concerned about my Bailey for almost a month but certainly over the last week related to his urinary system and the evidence of obvious bleeding.  I have documented and observed and tried to diagnose to no avail. I saw the Vet three weeks ago and was terribly disappointed with his lack of doing anything. yesterday i called the other local Vet only to be told they had no room for appointments until next week and that I should really go back to the previous Vet. This confirmed my opinion that there is no cooperation or incentive for one Vet to take patients of the other regardless of the urgency that I indicated. I even called North Bay and spoke with the Dr on call in that area - she was very helpful and considerate and helped me focus on the issue with more objectivity even suggested to call them this morning if i wanted a "second opinion" and they would fit me in.. So, this morning I called my first vet back and made an appt for this afternoon. I was fully prepared to advocate for my little fellow. The appt went OK, resulting in an xray to see if any bladder stones showed, which they did not, but what was very evident was that my little guy was impacted and "full of shit". So lactolose was given and I must give more in the morning, and antibiotic Rx and special food for urinary problems, and a large expense billed to my Mastercard.  Now I hope that he will respond positively. 
Well, I have a few things to do before bed and  i am anticipating a need to care for Bailey overnight so  i better go now.   Hope all is well with all... take care. 

Busy family-lol

What's spurred your "purge" Cathy?  I find that I just tend to procrastinate until I get so frustrated that I just want to put everything in a pile and set fire to it.  We've been at it so long, off and on, that I wonder what's left to get rid of, and then realize that I still have oodles of fabric sitting around catching dust.  David seems to wander around the house looking for stuff to go through, and I see him eyeing those plastic tubs every once in awhile.  But maybe he knows it would be worth his life to suggest we go through them--again.

Good luck in your tournament! You two usually do fairly well, so we'll expect a report.

Beth, please talk to your doctor about the Sx.  Neither David nor I remember needing any special care, or any other concern.

Christmas fabric is great for practicing free motion quilting.  Make a couple of 12 by 12's of it, and practicing stitching around the shapes. Then practice echoing that stitching.  Or you could always use it for backing your other practice pieces.  When you go to the Quintessential Quilting site, click on "videos".  There is nothing else anywhere on the site.  Go Figure!

I've been in a frenzy  of batik dyeing over the last three days--and frenzy is the right word.  I've done nothing else.  I bought far too much soy wax, so will have to find a use for it, or maybe barter it.  There are three pieces pretty well finished.  I have probably used too much wax, as it was applied with a paint brush rather than stamped.  I hope to have pictures on  the other blog by tomorrow later in the morning.  But that won't happen unless I get off the computer and down into the studio!

Crib Tournament

Now I have something to look forward to for this week - to cheer you on at your tournament haha! So best wishes to you both.
Nice visit with Mike yesterday but the weather produced ice pellets on the way home - not to worry though, as the drive was OK. It is nice and mild and i see water dripping from the roof. I wonder if we are going to be OK without the ice buildup and daming this Spring because it has not been as drastic a winter as last year  (not yet anyway with ...fingers crossed)
Harry went to Optometrist this morning and he sent a referral to the Eye Surgeon in North Bay ( same one I go to) as Harry's cataracts are in need of removing. He has had trouble seeing but I did not realize he was in as much need of Sx as apparently he is. So this creates a bit of a dilemma for me in planning my future needs. I go to this same Dr next week on Feb 14 for reassessment of cataracts and retina bleeds, and i was about to suggest to him that i was ready for surgery now. However I must reconsider in light of what might be happening to Harry. Never simple is it?
Harry brought a box of fabric home from the dump store and thinking there might be some use for me with my new found interest in machine quilting, I have sorted it through and plan to use some of it to prepare the 12 x 12 sampler pieces. The rest went back to the dump. The majority of the fabric kept is of Christmas designs so I tend to keep them with the idea of another patchwork topper or something. I find that i can easily make these simple patterns with my limited space and time, and the Christmasy colours appeal to me. Who knows for sure, but maybe this afternoon I will cut out some 12 x 12 pieces and see what happens????
In meantime, thinking of you both, and hoping you have a pleasant week ahead. Take care

Electronics!

I am trying to figure out how to scan with my printer. It really isn't that hard, but I keep thinking there should be an easier way.  Too much for my brain this morning so I decided to blog instead😃. I haven't done much lately, but with the wonderful weather on the weekend Jim and I sat outside by a fire for a while.  I really enjoyed it.  There was a poker derby on Saturday and we must have had about 100 skidoos go by.  The dogs ignored them, but the cat really didn't like the noise.  We head to Winnipeg on Friday for the crib tournament.We haven't heard officially, but we were told that our legion approved giving us $100 each to help with expenses.  That would be appreciated.  I think our district will give us some support too, but we have to submit an expense claim of some sort. Our main expense will be the hotel on Friday and Saturday night, and the gas money.  Our $50 registration gives us the Friday Meet and Greet, lunch and a banquet on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday.   We might need a cab on Saturday night if we drink.  We don't know if they have courtesy rides for the players.  Today I get to go and get more eye drops for the dog.  How exciting!  I am still trying to sort through all the stuff we have hiding in the corners of our house, and Jean is doing the same so she keeps giving us stuff she wants to get rid of.  Lots of it is nicer than what I have so I keep hers and just add to the pile of give-aways that keeps growing in the basement.  And then I find something I had forgotten about and get distracted by it.  I need to focus.  As if that will ever happen. Maybe I will watch TV instead.😜