A difference you can see

Something that doesn't happen often with housework.  Today we tackled a couple of items on my kitchen "to do" list. The windows are clean and shiny.  Unfortunately one of them was scrubbed so hard with a poly scrubber that it's now scratched, but in a corner and not a problem.  Then we took on the fridge and freezer.  Now every time I open the fridge, I'm surprised at how good it looks.  No, this can't be MY fridge!!  So, for today, I'm grateful for a clean fridge.

Otherwise , the heat continues and we live indoors.  This is a bit of a pity, as the paper today had an article on the mosquito-free summer we're having here.  Hot weather and little moisture--and I missed it!

And for something completely different, I'm reading the autobiography of Rob Lowe.  Really different!  But I can't put it down--and what does that say about me?

Be - Satisfaction

That must be what you get when you see the transition in your kitchen, Patty and I remember that same feeling expressed from you Cathy when you did yours. Yeh, lots of work but great satisfaction when done. We are back to the hot and muggy and apparently will stay around for awhile yet. Back to the watering as well. Tomorrow I'll go to Mothers on my own and have lots of work planned for the garden, as well as lunch to make. I have to pull all the beans and remove the fencing and then clean and freeze the veg. Also have to start ear drops on Mother as her hearing is badly compromised (she can't hear a thing) and Harry made an appt for Tuesday at Drs to have them washed out hoping it may help a bit. So we need to give drops for three days prior which means I shall have to make another trip Sunday. But, as a bonus treat, I plan to drop into the Seniors Club there in Sprucedale as they have a flea market on Saturdays, and includes used books. Today I went to a Book / Fabric store in South River (next town up the highway) and browsed the used books - first time to go there and I was pleased to see so many of my favourite authors. I found the only book of Steve Berry that I did not have!! A bit more expensive than the Recycled store in North Bay but it was worth it. In the meantime I eat lots of cucumbers and tomatoes fresh from the garden and we picked our first pole beans today. Have a great weekend everyone. Take care

The work continues

Today was a "puddly" day.  All of the the minor, nuisence, loose ends of painting a room.  We hung my applique rabbit picture, and he fits beautifully.  There were a couple of small painted patches to finish, and David re-siliconed the back of the counter behind the sink.  We still haven't cleaned up and re-hung the blinds, as we are going to have to get an electrician in to fix/replace the fluorescent lights over the sink.  I know I'm going to have to replace my yellow wall clock, and the floral spray over the sink, but those aren't a priority right now.  Several years ago I got a gift certificate from a local furniture store, and may try to use it for a new table lamp.  The old one was bought when we moved into the house on Woodside

Before this all started, I had a "to do" list for the kitchen, and we were able to cross off a couple of items.  Two "biggies" left are to re-organize the pantry shelves and clean the fridge and freezer. It's a good time for those as the fridge is pretty well empty right now.  Just need to find some energy, but I need it before Saturday, as we plan to visit the farmer's market for veggies.

So what am I grateful for today?  I'm grateful that my shoulder is getting less and less painful and I'm now able to do a few jobs that gave me grief a month ago.  And again, I'm grateful for David and his willingness to tackle these lengthy and frustrating jobs, such as painting the kitchen.

Be- jiggety jig - we got some rain....

Glad everyone is home again - was thinking about you folks at the lake. Sounds as if the weather was perfect. A quick note to let you know we got rain this morning. Finally. I was pleased with the rain coming for the garden and also, an opportunity to get some housework done. But, then the power went off. Turned out to be a localized issue as not everyone was affected. As a matter of fact, the Hydro truck parked in front of our place, and proceeded to pluck a dead squirrel from the top of the hydro pole at the corner. The man I spoke with also said a downed tree down the street contributed to the problem as well. The power was off about three hours in total - required the Hydro truck to troll the streets looking for the local problem and part of the problem was at our house. Poor squirrel! The rain stopped this afternoon and it is now sunny, but at least I don't have to water tonight so for that I am thankful! Take care.

Question

Cathy, can you tell us anything about the Wild and Wooly Fibre Festival being held in Neepawa the  weekend after next?
Pati

Home again, home again, jiggety jog!

A good time was had --now and again--by all--as is usually the case when children are involved.  Lots of laughter, some tears.  Both of the girls took swimming lessons this year, but were a little "freaked" by the lake itself, as their experience has all been in a swimming pool.  However, fun soon took over and even Samantha was willing to play a little in the water.  Jessica was like a little water rat, but only if she was allowed to use a small blow up safety tube.  We spent most of the evenings playing Oh Shit! and a bit of cribbage.  Jessica loved being able to say Oh Shit! and not be chastized, and we just ignored it, rather than making an issue of it.  I was pleased that she was able to play, actively.  Samantha loved rolling the dice out of a dice cup, but usually got bored after a few rounds and went to play with her Polly Pockets ( little dolls).

 It was hot!  I actually have a sun burn-- for the first time in years.

But now we're home and will have to get back into the routine.  In the "It never rains but it pours" department, Shaw has now informed us that we are required to upgrade to HD tv.  Well, we got a converter some time ago, and found that it  wasn't compatible with our tv.  So now we either give up cable tv, and possibly our internet service, or we buy a new tv. 

Today I'm grateful for the privilege of seeing two Sandhill Cranes in a roadside field on our way home.

Be- Vacations in August

August is always a favourite time to take vacation - the weather is usually favourable, and there seems to be a disquieting mood in the air -maybe because Fall feels just around the corner, and people are in no rush to get there. Hope you have a good time off, and maybe you need to put some limits for others re: the visitation hours in order to get some "me" time? The gardens here are producing just the right amounts right now to keep up, but I am sure anytime soon, we'll be overrun and not able to find space or time to deal with it all. We have been lucky to have a neighbour on the next street with raspberry bushes and she has sold us many margarine containers full over the last two weeks (reasonable price too!) She called up again tonight at supper to say she had two more if I were interested.....and yes I was! Yummy. I made boiled beets for supper last night using that great recipe from Aunty Lorraine for sauce - something like harvard beets, but much much tastier. We brought another bag of beets home from Mothers today that I will boil and freeze - then as I want to use them, I can make the sauce to put on them at the time. Lots of freezing at Mothers today - beans, broccoli etc. Between my visit there on Saturday, and this morning, deer somehow mastered our fencing system, and ate the tops off all the pole beans, and the beets. And of course with no rain yet there is the constant need both there and at our own place to water, water, and water. Tomorrow we go to North Bay as is usual for a Tuesday, and will drop in on Mike as he is still at his place without word on a posting, and then in the afternoon make a visit to Uncle Walter at the Nursing home after doing a shopping for Mother and us. And so the week begins again - thank goodness I have my night bed time reading that helps to soothe the soul haha. Take care