Tuesday, March 30, 2021

And the Wind Blows

Some places in the province and further West, as strong as 90K.  The flag across the back was ripped to shreds overnight.  It was new on July 1st, and mainly intact when we went to bed last night.  We have used it to judge wind strength over the years, and feel sad to see it the way it is today.  The weather lady on tv last night was joking about there being 5 different types of weather warnings in effect in MB for last night.  Truly a night to stay home.  But the sun shines today, and there is hope for the future!

The final video of my Cloth to Codex workshop was posted today.  Somewhat anticlimactic.  Only 11 minutes long and basically said that if we have any scraps we don't know what to do with, we should pile them in bundles, trim them, staple them, and call them "flip books".  I have to admit that there has been so much going on in my life that I didn't spend as much time on the workshop as it deserved.  I hope to be able to go back and re-view the videos, at a more leisurely pace and see if I can't accomplish much more than I have during the actually workshop itself.  The material certainly deserves that.  I had found another on-line workshop that really appealed to me but have controlled myself --so far.

Yesterday, my income tax refund showed up in the bank account.  David's arrived 3-4 weeks ago, and I was getting concerned.  I still haven't received the printed assessment documents, but am re-assured knowing the money is where it should be.  Now, as soon as we pay for my new right hearing aid, we can decide how much goes toward the Line-of-credit, and how much we can spend foolishly.

Part of the "foolishly" will involve a wind chime Gail sold me.  She let me pick the style and the colour of the beads.  It's so pretty that I don't want to put it out in the weather, but we haven't found anywhere to hang it in the house where the wind might find it. 

Tonight is the second half of the beading workshop I'm taking, on Zoom, with the instructor from Australia. I've spent time trying to design a small sampler piece, using the stitches taught, but spent more time erasing than drawing.  So that is put aside, for now.  I'm looking forward to tonight.  One of the items on the supply list, that I didn't have last week, was chocolate.  I'll make sure I have some tonight.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Weather not too kind...

 A bit of an update. We had a snow storm last evening and night - lots of snow and windy. I lay in bed most of night watching to see if my clock radio would flicker or go out or be blinking meaning a power outage or surge of some kind. I noticed nothing so felt satisfied. However, something must have happened as this morning while shoveling i went over to the little greenhouse and was shocked. Cold and no heater on. Panic set in of course, and i quickly started the heater again but the plants were looking unhealthy. We watched them most of morning and were discouraged to think that we had lost them after all the work and vigilant care taking. By afternoon when the sun had been shining in, we were relieved to see that although a good few were gone, there were a healthy number of plants left showing life. It was a close call. Just shows what might happen unbeknownst and in spite of your constant care and worry. So, I'll just store this away in my basket of worries until another day, and get on with today. I made myself some corn beef hash for my meal and devoured it with great delight. And then I had a piece of homemade apple pie that I had made yesterday and devoured that. And I have just devoured a Wisers Deluxe on ice. So I guess there is nothing left for me to do but close up the house and head for bed soon and read... I have been really enjoying my "before bed" reads again and thrilled to be back at it. So I hope you have had a good day as well. Take care.

Friday, March 26, 2021

Jealous, but not justified

 Beth has rain; Pati has snow, and Cathy has a fire ban due to dry conditions. I have never heard of a fire ban in March!!  Please send your moisture to us. ๐Ÿ™. As usual, my days run together, but we keep trucking on. I’ve been watching curling and now have a whole week before the men’s worlds start. And then the woman’s worlds and then the mixed doubles worlds. I’m on overload. At least when the worlds start they are only broadcasting the Canada games, which is good since I will be planting the garden by the time it all ends. It is a lot at once but I am glad they are getting the chance to compete. I still feel sad that I never got to go to Newfoundland for the Dominion crib☹️ It seems that every time I look at the news there is more bad news on COVID and vaccines. I’m just going to ignore the news for a while. I don’t seem to have as much happening in my life as you two do, but I seem to be busy anyway. So now I am once again sitting on the couch, cuddling the cat and drinking a glass of wine. Sometimes all the days being the same has advantages  ๐Ÿ˜Š. 

White world

 Yep, got up this morning to a white world.  A good snow fall that has stayed on roofs and lawns all day.  Since here was no reason to go out, we've stayed at home all day, and hope it melts soon.  Laundry day again.  But the day's worth of loads was done quickly.  We're cooking a small roast in the slow cooker today, so supper won't be a hassle.  But somehow, I spent the whole morning doing a lot of something, and was exhausted by 2:00.  I'm not really sleeping well with this splint, and have had a bit of a nap most days this week, so today was no exception.

I don't think I mentioned that we had a phone call Tuesday from --Hold your Breath--Ron Snider.  He had tracked us down, and decided to get in touch.  He is still married to his second wife.  They are living in Selkirk and raising Welsh Corgi.  He and his wife are very active in the theatre art field locally, as volunteers.  Things like the Fringe Festival and Rainbow stage.  He's somewhat handicapped with bad lungs.  We spoke for about 1 1/2 hours and exchanged phone numbers.

I finished the big beading project I was working on earlier in the week and will be posting pictures on the other blog later.  The bead workshop I took on Zoom Tuesday evening was interesting and I did learn a couple of things.  The rest of it was a good refresher.  The instructor has suggested that we each make a sort  of sampler from what we learn, and I sort of like the idea,  I have a design in mind, but would need to buy a few more beads.  At the same time, some of the ladies in the workshop have expressed an interest in buying some of the seed beads that I would like to get rid of.  Sounds insane, doesn't it?

I've heard nothing further about Jessica.  Last I heard was that she was home after surgery.  She has a huge bandage on her hand--her right hand.  We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

Well, cooking supper has proven to be a challenge to both of us.  I've been on the phone with Gail for the last hour, but now, best I take a more active role in the discussion.  

The rain is here...

It never rains but it pours seem an apt saying these days ...I suppose both with the weather, but also with other aspects of one's life haha!

I just set up the sump pump outside as i do when it is to pour even if i do not know if I shall need it. It is calling for copious amounts of rain, then ice pellets and then snow. Which one should I pick as my favourite?

I am visiting Daisy and her family this morning with a tray of homemade cookies and a card since it was her Birthday yesterday. I baked the usual choc chip cookies but also a recipe for oatmeal raisin that i found in my box from you Pati.  Both turned out well so i hope there will be leftovers to keep here at home when i make up her plate.

We went to North Bay for an appt for harry yesterday and I was able to shop at No Frills again - I like to do this on occasion. They have set up a queu line for all the carts and people to check out and you line up and then as a cashier is available it says to the first person in line and announces it on a telescreen at the front of the line "Go to cashier #5" or whatever. Very efficient and fast moving and much better than people cramming all around the aisles.

Harry put an ad on the net for people to get free plants eg Garlic and Kale so I had my first customer yesterday afternoon. Cleared a few of the excess plants out of the greenhouses - only to make more room for more as Harry bought more soil and little pots yesterday as well. Oh well....

Time to go...I must get my Lottery tickets on way to Daisy's and have to pick up meds at the Pharmacy as well. Have a nice weekend folks.Sat night there are extra $100,000 draws on the 649 so I plan to buy a ticket on that. You never know...just might be our lucky day folks haha!

Hope all is well. XX

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

I need to catch my breath

 Compared to life a couple of months ago, I feel like I'm on a marathon.  I'm really not liking this feeling, and keep hoping for  a nice quiet day under lockdown. While I try to fight it, I see us far too quickly resuming our previous life style of picking up a few groceries every couple of days, more as an excuse to get out, than any real need. But, then, I had a long list of supplements etc that I needed to pick up  from Walmart, and took my list along when picking up a couple of prescriptions, yesterday.  Only I find them in the middle of a major re-organization of the department, and bare shelves everywhere.

I was to another meeting in Selkirk, Sunday.  I have been given this awkward stove-pipe splint to wear on my right arm when sleeping.  I just don't sleep well when wearing it, and have found that I need a bit of a nap later in the afternoon.  Sunday I came home, had a bit of lunch and fell into bed for almost 2 hours.  Yesterday, I had an appointment for the preliminary work of getting a new hearing aide. This evening I have a 3 hour Zoom workshop on beading, and had arranged to pick up a special button I need for the workshop, in Riverheights, so went on my way home from the hearing center. Then it was off to Walmart, off to buy coffee and gas, and finally home--to another nap- not so long this time. While all of this is going on, I'm trying to spend every minute I can working on the beading of, what I hope is, the last piece needed for the exhibition in May.

The workshop this evening is on beading, but the instructor is a very high profile instructor from Australia.  I would take a workshop from her in just about anything she wants to teach. Beth, it's Lisa Walton, whom we have both seen on The Quilt Show, and I also know as the past chair of SAQA, the largest and best art quilting association there is. We get 3 hours tonight and another 3 hours next Tuesday.  I want to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for this. (When I say that I always remember saying that to an old lady client I had, who responded with "well my eyes aren't so good, but my tail's in fine shape".)  I may not learn a lot, but Lorrain used to say that if you learn even one thing in a workshop, it is time well spent.  And being on Zoom, there is a somewhat social aspect to it.

Meanwhile, David is holding everything together on the home front.  I don't know how I could get along without him.  We both are very dependent on our books, to fill time. The library is open to pick up books that we have on hold, but not to browse the stacks. David is number one on the list for quite a few books, but they never come in, so he asked and found out that they are all in the Cornish library, which is not yet open.  He won't get them until it does, and then he'll probably get them all at once.

David has just told me that we have an e-mail from Amber telling us that Jessica needs plastic surgery on her hand, at HSC, and they are waiting for it, maybe later today or tomorrow. That family doesn't need this, especially right now.

Best go.  Looking forward to hearing from both of you.





Monday, March 22, 2021

Here's to another week...

 Not really much to share so thought I would start us off for another week with at least a friendly "Hello" to all.

We have a few more appointments this week and next, and it keeps me busy trying to keep organized and on top of it all haha! I have committed to visiting Daisy and her family sometime this week but the date is not established yet ( due to me cancelling for Thursday as result of Harry appt in North Bay) Since it is her 93rd Birthday I would really like to go over though, and so i shall try to get that in. And to celebrate i was going to bake some goodies but again, I do not know what or when I can do that. Maybe a store bought cake perhaps???

Yesterday I made myself another veg stir fry but...and do not poo poo this.. I put liver in it! Instead of the usual frying liver with onions etc, I changed my plan a bit, cut the liver into chunks, fried it nicely and then included it into the stir fry. It was really OK if you like liver as i do.

So onwards we go ladies, and keep safe all. Take care 

I include this cute character as I really need a haircut - I shall try to fit that in somehow in next few weeks i hope ๐Ÿ’‡

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Celebrating the first day of spring

And what a great day it was.  I made my vaccine appointment, it was 15C outside, went for two long walks with the dog, we had BBQ'd steak and homemade fries for supper (Thank you Jim) and for the first time in many many years I weigh less than 170 pounds.  What more can one ask for?


Friday, March 19, 2021

Then there is Cathy

 I don’t have a Maplewood cactus but a do have a bloom on the Cactus I have. It usually blooms at Halloween. 

Happy for you.

Getting those things to bloom is a chore.  We have 3 blooms and several buds, but this is the first time in a couple of years.  We get buds but nothing comes of them, and certainly not at Christmas. 

Bragging...

 Hey David and all....

Here I am bragging as well. My Maplewood cactus has blossoms ...welcome to Spring... I am so excited. I love this plant and it has come a long way since that tiny little cutting you gave me a hundred years ago, David. 

Just passing along the news especially since it will soon be the Vernal Equinox come this Saturday. There is hope.....

Nice news

 Good morning...Yesterday I received a call from the Eye Surgeon that my referral for cataracts is now being processed. (that was along wait) I have the pre test appointment for April 19 and i am very pleased with this. i hope I shall be able to manage to have the surgery if that is the proposal from the Doctor and manage the after care on my own. In meantime Harry received his call from the Joint Assessment Department at the North Bay Hospital for his appointment about his hip and he goes next Thursday. I so hope there will be no conflicts for me if they proceed with any treatments/surgery for him so I have my fingers crossed.

The weather is favourable and I can see signs of melting and Spring yeah!! The streets themselves are mostly cleared but there are ice patches all around so I have to be very careful when taking the dogs.

The folks living across the street are having renovations inside their home and i have been secretly watching out the window and thinking how nice it would be to renovate. i think it is their kitchen as a big Brick Store truck unloaded two or three big boxes that resembled a stove and fridge and maybe an over stove fan? But of course I am imagining aren't I. And i was speaking with Daisy's family and they are still living here in Sundridge as the daughter in laws Hair Salon in Toronto is still closed due to restrictions there. But they are fixing her house up - bought new living room furniture and have plans to get the flooring done by the local expert here in town. But what surprised me was that they were told by this company that they could not come until the fall because they were booked solid until then. Wow! Is is that busy?  I guess lots of folks are idling away their time by renovating and fixing up. Oh I envy them haha! It is Daisy's 93rd Birthday next week so I plan to visit with a card. Not sure how close i will get but I shall have to see the new furniture. Last time I visited i stayed on the porch outside and talked through the door .

Well better go and get my family of animals all organized for the day. Take care and be safe.

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Quite a day

Firstly there was me trying to get our vaccinations scheduled--both of us for April 1st, mine at 11:00 and David's at 11:10.  Then a letter giving me an appointment with "electrodiagnostic medicine", on April 9th. I was to phone and confirm, which I did, leaving a message on an answering machine.  She called me back a few minutes later, saying she had just then got a cancellation and could I be there tomorrow morning.  Well, golly gee--"YES".  So we're off, back to the MB Clinic tomorrow morning, where I had been planning to go anyway to pick up the arm splint that had been prescribed during our doctor's appointment Tuesday.  With one thing and another, I was on the phone most of the morning and afternoon.  I managed to get my whole bead cupboard sorted into similar colours, before going bead shopping again.  I had decided, while pondering life, in bed, last night, that I would consider doing the beading on my current project in white, rather than black, depending on my bead supply.  The supply turned out to be pretty good, except for larger, focal beads.  So, off to Michael's for more beads.  Picked up some bird seed and back home in time for Gail's phone call.

After supper, I took those beads that would be appropriate, from both the white and black beads that had been sorted out, and added them to  the appropriate bead soups.  Both Gail and I have found these bead soups to be an excellent way to work with beads for the projects we have in common.  She tells me that she plans to steal my bead soups when she gets a chance!  Once that had been done, I found myself exhausted.  So, now having watched "The Masked Singer, and having had a shower, it's time for a glass of wine and relax before bed.

Vaccines part two

 Jim became eligible for a vaccination today. He called in as soon as they announced it and they called him back around three. He has an appointment for April 10th. I have a feeling it will be June before I get a chance. We will have to go to Brandon since there is nothing closer. I read an article on food “burnout” that is happening. I’m not the only one who can’t think of what they want to eat or even get the ambition to cook something. There is nothing available for takeout that appeals either. Oh well. Maybe I will lose weight๐Ÿ˜Š. Since Lucky can’t be trusted to stay around if we let him run loose like we always did with our other dogs, I go for a walk with him once or twice a day. Gets me moving instead of lying around. And right now I am lying around and Jim is making himself a sandwich for supper. We really have to work on this๐Ÿ˜œ. 

Monday, March 15, 2021

Covid Vaccinations

 Are you folks going to get the vaccination when your age and eligibility come up?

Today in Ontario marks the start of Covid vaccinations for those born in 1941 and before. So I have the information and numbers to start to call when the lines open at 8 am to try to book Harry. The system in Ontario has been called confusing and flawed at best, but it is what it is. So i may be tied up on the phone all week but on the other hand, I may get lucky and get through. The PHU for our area have four Clinics booked in Sundridge over next few weeks and that would be ideal for us to attend locally. But i would consider going to North Bay if necessary. For my vaccination, I will have to wait a few months more according to the age brackets and time frames set out.

Still too cold here for my liking and bitter winds. If the suns would just shine a bit brighter and throw down some heat maybe the snow will start to melt. it is hard to walk with icy roads and driveways and I am so fearful of a silly fall that I inch my way along. The dogs tend to pull me too hard so I have to pull them back constantly to keep my footing.

So the Ides of March are upon us today. Be safe and take care .

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Another remarkable day

 To acknowledge our sister Pati, who is extra, extra special today. Have a wonderful day. XX 

Friday, March 12, 2021

Just filling time

 We  just plug along, filling our need for food, shelter and clean clothes--yes today was laundry day--again.  I sometimes think I see my week as running from Friday to Friday.  Or from Sunday to Sunday, when we re-fill our dosettes.  Being in the basemen to monitor the laundry all day, led to getting busy on my latest project in the studio, and I accomplished quite a bit today.  I'm happy with what was done. (see other blog) I've also been busy playing catch-up with my work for the Gallery. I did nothing during the almost year-long lock-down, and am paying the price now.  But the bulk of it is done, and I can catch my breath.

While I don't like to dwell on my aches and pains, I have to say that my right wrist is giving me grief these days.  For the last couple of days I've been wearing my brace, just about 24hours/day.  Even with the brace, and to a greater extend without it, the whole forearm aches.  We have a doctor's appointment Tuesday morning and I'll be sure to mention it. The biggest blow of all is when I had to put away my EPP.  I was so close to finishing it, and knowing me, it may now never happen.  Still, it's hard not to be optimistic at this time of year.  With the snow going so early, maybe spring will be long and warm.

Now I have to look forward to Sunday.  For several years, Gail and I have celebrated my birthday with a trip to Starbuck's.  We go at other times, but this is a special trip. All year I save my Starbucks Stars, and on  my birthday, we use them to buy both of us lunch, --and we tend to treat ourselves.  We will get our food and then sit in the parking lot, this year, but that's just fine!  We even plan to "piggy-back" a visit to Michael's with our lunch.  All things considered, there isn't much more we could do to celebrate.

Otherwise life just goes on.  We have geese everywhere. Stupid geese! I was out to Selkirk last Sunday and the river was still covered with shacks, trucks and people.  When I was out there on Wednesday, they were gone and it looked as though some sort of ice breaker had been down the middle of the river.  The Christmas Cactus is starting to bloom, and with lots of pending buds showing. David is worried about the rhubarb coming up.  So signs of Spring are all around.  Daylight Savings Time comes in this coming weekend.  Can summer be far behind?  I so look forward to sitting outside in the sun.  Without everything else going on, I treasure that thought!  Even if I can't go anywhere else, I can sit in my garden.

Starting to see some melting..

 For awhile I was very envious of you folks with your melting and clear streets and yards. Now I think that we may also be blessed with the same and if yesterday is any indication the snow should be gone before I know it. At least that is my plan haha! A bit colder for a few days with some snow flurries, and then warm so the forecast tells me. The winds are really the problem and I do not know why we are getting such strong winds - perhaps a signal of things to come with global warming and weather changes?

I took our Income Taxes into the Accountant yesterday - she has moved her office into a new house in Burk's Falls ( town just south of ours) and it was a bit hard to find at first but we did and I dropped the envelop into the "drop box " at her fence just as her telephone answering message told me too. Generally the response comes within the week and so I can plan my approach for payments or whatever over next month to end of April when they are due.

Would you like some Kale plants - I could send them on the bus ( actually I cannot as there is no bus anymore) so I guess we cannot use that old,funny comment anymore? Boo hoo! The greenhouses are full and as with all other years Harry has planted way more than is reasonable and we end up trying to give them away. 

Hope all is well there. The Hair Salon is now open here and so I want to make an appt if I can for a haircut - just have to make time for that. I called the Dentist office and indicated my desire to still be a patient there so will make an appt over next few weeks.  I have not been reading much lately related to time and energy to do so, but would like to jump in again now that the Library is open for orders. It was on the news this morning that the Sudbury area has gone into lockdown again because of an aggressive increase in variant cases mostly transmitted through the schools. Scary stuff.

Take care and as they say keep calm and carry on! ๐Ÿ˜


Tuesday, March 9, 2021

That "fresh" smell..

 Early outside with Bailey and since the temperature has risen nicely overnight i was struck with that ...oh so lovely "fresh" Spring smell and I was so happy. Not withstanding the forecast for lots of rain in next two days though which i am bracing myself for, I was overcome with emotion thinking that just maybe Spring will come and all these mounds of snow will disappear and i can once again enjoy the yard and garden.  I saw the picture in the Free Press of the BDI (bridge drive in) ice cream place open and flocks of people lining up and not a bit of snow lying around and was very envious of you folks there. And Cathy speaks of the mud and slush ( not as nice as the ice cream store opening) and I wonder how long it will take here.  We made a mad dash to North Bay at 4 pm yesterday to buy more soil as we had worked in the greenhouses all afternoon. So took advantage of being up there to shop in No Frills. Harry went into Dollarama and I into No Frills. Can one enjoy grocery shopping??? I did actually - just to get in there on my own, and walk the aisles (and unfortunately to spend money as well haha!)  I have to admit that i do not like to pack groceries on my own. The teller I went to only had one conveyor belt working so I was left feeling awful trying to fill my bags with a long lineup of people waiting for me to finish so the next person in line could put her groceries down. Not a nice feeling but I did it.

Take care all, and happy to read all your news. I have cut back on my computer reading - deleted many blogs etc that I had found redundant so my time now is diminished somewhat in the early morning which seems to suit my life for now. Be safe.๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜

Monday, March 8, 2021

Busy all day

 And nothing accomplished!  I find that is happening more and more often.  It was warm again today and more melting.  Lots of muck everywhere.  I went for a walk with the dog this morning while the road was still mostly frozen but when we went this afternoon I was sinking in the road.  We cleaned up a bit outside, but it was a losing battle.  Tomorrow it is supposed to snow, but we don't know how much.  The Minnedosa forecast is calling for 15 to 20 cm, but Carberry is 3 to 5.  Which one do we believe since we are on the edge of both.  I finally made my Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower and it was really good.  A bit too much garlic, but I didn't measure accurately.  That is basically all I had for supper, and I would definitely make it again.  I want to try other roasted cauliflower recipes too.  

I don't think I am going to make it to the end of the curling tonight.  I'm not even sure I will make it to the start.  Like I said, I was busy all day, but I'm not sure what I did.  I went grocery shopping and carefully put the list with my phone so I wouldn't forget it.  Of course I took my phone and left the list.๐Ÿ˜’ Tomorrow I guess I will go back and get the things I forgot.  Rrain was over for supper yesterday and we had a nice visit, but Lucky would not welcome her.  He has been so good with people lately but not her.  We are going to try again but I was really discouraged when he went after her.  He even got close enough to bite her coat.  And yet today the neighbour came over with his son, who Lucky has never met, and he was fine.  He has a lot more energy than I do.  I'm wondering what happened to him being Jim's dog.! So now my big question is whether to have a glass of wine in the bath or just give in and go to bed.  Decisions, decisions.  

Weather

 Gosh, with the warmer weather the snow is just about gone, even out in the country.  Had a meeting out in Selkirk today,( Sunday)and the drive, with dry roads and sunshine, was a pleasure.  There were still quite a few ice fishing shacks, with accompanying trucks and cars, out on the river, but I imagine that won't be safe much longer.  Several of the studio projects I've been working on haven't worked out well, and I've given them up.  I decided that I was trying to force it too much with the looming deadline for the exhibit in May.  I have barely enough, for the show, but enough to make it work.  

Yesterday we bought David another computer. He has needed one for awhile.  This is a stressful, and significant, event in our house.  Even the salesperson admitted that the technology is changing so quickly that they can't keep up.  They no longer sell laptops with large monitors--unless one is willing to pay almost $2000 for them.  But they do sell a device with the monitor and computer built into one, with  a separate keyboard.  Very pretty thing with a large enough monitor that old duffers can actually see it.  Unfortunately, the keyboard is very lightly coloured ( beige with white letters) and difficult to see.

We left his old computer with them overnight and all of the information on it was transferred over free of charge--as per our contract with the Geek Squad.  But, as always, there are a few things that they can't do, So I spent a fair bit of time sorting out  what I could, and then left David to make phone calls.  One was to Shaw , as the Shaw e-mail was one thing that only they could do.  As always, this took awhile and I had to step in to follow the verbal directions from the lady over the phone.

(Insert picture of the moon and bats flying around in the dark)

So, now is Monday morning.  Yesterday, all being said. was a busy day, and I had promised myself a quiet, peaceful day today.  Yeah, sure!  Jobs are already starting to pile up.  The ceiling in the bedroom needs to be washed (don't ask-not anything "kinky") That may prove interesting as neither of us is in really good shape this morning. But we've been procrastinating over it, even with things like ladders and very high stools sit in the house waiting to be used, so today will be the day.  There is paper work to be done.  This is something that isn't too demanding physically, that I enjoy( to a certain extent--I wouldn't pay for the privilege), and gives me a good sense of satisfaction to see completed.  I've run out of basted EPP pieces in the most important colour of fabric.  Those need to be cut, and basted.

I cooked extra chicken last night, while making supper, so as to have something almost ready for tonight's supper.  I had last night's supper planned well ahead of time, knowing that the day's timing would be tight.  I planned to have tacos and had pulled the green pepper out of the freezer, when the chicken as pulled out, early in the day.  The chicken had to be cooked first, so did that, and chopped up the spinach.  Got the shells broken up and waiting on my plate-I can't manage tacos in their shells.  Then I put everything in the pot to cook.  Opened the plastic bag of green pepper only to discover that it wasn't green pepper but green beans.  So supper was green bean tacos.  'Nuff said!

We had our taxes done last week.  With the high medical expenses, and having to deal with the Disability Tax Credit for the first time, we took it to H&R Block, in the mall.  Very different this year.  All the info was dropped off, he called us when it was done. and we went in, masked and socially distanced, to a bare walled, former greeting card store, and signed the agreement, tax form sight unseen.  Once I paid him, he sent them off electronically.  While we have paper copies to keep for 7 years, we haven't looked at them.  All things considered, we made out like bandits.  I had no taxable income, and will get everything I paid back.  David paid nothing but provincial tax.  So we'll be able to afford both David's computer, and a new hearing aid for me ( as planned when I got the new one for the other ear, last year)  That Disability Tax Credit is the gift that keeps on giving.  Of course, the very high medical expenses, coming from including the bathroom renovations we had to make to facilitate access to the bath tub, increase the chance that we'll get audited. So for $25 each, we have purchased audit insurance that will mean that H&R block will deal with the audit, and if their work is proven faulty, and costs us money, the insurance will cover up to$3000 each.  I figured that it was well worth the price. 

And so the week starts.

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Another cold night

 If the forecast holds true though, we should be getting nice temps for awhile and maybe kick start some melting around here. Not that i look forward to more leaking but have my fingers crossed that this will not be a big issue. The greenhouses are flourishing and I need to make more room for the plants. We bought two more bags of soil yesterday so there is planting in the works for today. The bags are 81 L bags and one can hardly carry them they are so bulky and awkward.

The lockdown for us ends tomorrow and hoping to get a haircut and I must make a dentist appointment. i got what I thought was a rather nasty letter in the mail from the dentist office saying that since I had not had an appt for some time, that if they did not hear from me in 4 weeks i would be deleted from their roster. i could not believe it after having been a client for 40 years in that office. I decided to bite my tongue and just get in as soon as i can. Of course I had an appt cancelled by the office r/t Covid last June and never proceeded to go back any sooner than now. 

On with my day folks. Just having a bit of breakfast and then get at it. Hope all is well there - lots of melting and slush??  Take care 

Friday, March 5, 2021

Share with all the world....

 Today our sister Cathy, is extra, extra special. Enjoy...๐Ÿ’“ 

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Busy Days

 Same here and you have to wonder where the time goes when you look around and see no visible difference in house or home as result of your day. Although to be fair, the animals are well cared for and we have food to eat and the greenhouses are being looked after and the shovelling is being done, and the mail is being checked at the Post Office, and there is still a little time for "happy hour" most days haha!

Oh how I would love to be with you Pati as you go through your so called "stuff". I always enjoyed my visits there ( when i was actually able to  visit in those days) and seeing your studio and all your works of art etc. Glad you are carrying on with your studio and other volunteer activities now that lockdown has lifted. The decision to stay put in your home must have been a real relief for you both and good on you to come to that . Now you can relax and enjoy what you have there.

We had the roof shoveled on Tuesday and unfortunately is was less than satisfactory job from my perspective but it is done (sort of!). I spent a good portion of yesterday clearing the roof snow from around the back doors where it had been dumped and not removed by the two young men who did the work. Needless to say they will not get a recommendation from me. Now to see if it will make a difference when temps rise and i might see more leaking - I can hardly wait until summer and get rid of all this snow around.

Well, time to get some breakfast and then on with the day. Take care of yourselves and be safe. We are still in lockdown and it does not sound too good with rising cases in our area. My hair needs cutting.


Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Why are we so busy?!

 We seem to be constantly busy these days.  David has been seeing the massage therapist, on the recommendation of our doctor, for a torn quadriceps muscle.  It has really helped.  Today I took some silk threads that are superfluous to needs to a friend out in Charleswood, and picked up a box of cotton threads, just to play with, that another friend had dropped off at the first house.

We've decided not to worry about future housing, and to do whatever we have to to stay where we are for as long as possible.  This has been a major decision, but both of us feel it is a good one and emotional. Both of us are relieved, not to be facing a move.  Not that we'll stop the almost constant purge of "stuff".

Since the galleries have been allowed to open, there are meetings and volunteer activities that are keeping me somewhat busy, either travelling or doing paper work on the computer at home.  I've started reading another Elizabeth George novel, so that should keep me out of trouble for a few days.  Thank Goodness our local library is now open, although with limited hours.  Still we can pick up and drop off books, as needed.  Unfortunately, due to a mis-communication, yesterday, David drove all the way out to Transcona to pick up a book that was waiting at the Munroe library, just across the street form home.  Nothing much on tv.

So life goes on in this house.

Monday, March 1, 2021

Kidneys and The Quilt show

 I remember that Daddy's stew's were usually quite hearty.  He often added kidneys. to beef stew.  I think that was a trick from living at home in the 30's--a way of stretching the beef, while adding more protein at a much lesser cost.  But it sure made for a hearty stew, especially when he used carrots, onions, turnip, and celery as well.  The dumplings were another way of stretching the meal, and they always went well with gravy.

I think we just have to get used to The Quilt Show.  I have my favourite spots on the site, and generally ignore the others. I ran into a problem there this morning, and tried their support service.  I "created a ticket" (?) but got a response within about 30 minutes.  Evidently we can no longer use PayPal to pay for either monthly or yearly subscriptions, but have to use something called "Script".  It's a donation site and might actually work better than PayPal.  I've used donation sites before and found them quite reliable and safe.

Today was spent mainly working on stuff for the Gallery in Selkirk.  I did set up 4 dye baths before starting the computer work and just went every 30 minutes or so to give them a bit of a stir, while I was down stairs. I'll finish them tomorrow morning. That way I could tell myself that I was getting in some studio time, as I prefer to do word processing at the studio table.

Tonight it's Cathy's B-B-Q pork for supper and I think it's now ready. Be safe ladies.