My Tuesday Stitchers

This group of ladies have been meeting for years.  We have always met in the living room and the hostess serves coffee or tea in fancy cups and there is always a tray of dainties.  This is the only time I use my fancy cups. there were 8 or 9 of us when we started meeting over 20 years ago, but now, by attrition, the group is small,.  There are only  4 of the original ladies left, and one newbie.  My friend Susanne, whom I met shortly after we moved back to Winnipeg in "75, is the youngest, then me, and the rest are in their mid-80's.  I am the only one still married, so I really have to watch what I say about married life.

Getting ready for them brought back memories of Mom and the Spinsters.  Remember when we heard "The Spinsters are coming",  it meant that the whole house would be turned upside down and thoroughly cleaned?  From somewhere, she would find a tablecloth for the kitchen table--the only time there was ever one on it!  The other thing I remembered was the 12 special teacups with the large dish/saucer with the special place for the cup and the rest a plate for food.  We've talked about this before, and didn't you say you had lost your set in the fire,Cathy?

Today, my second class with the new physio, she very abruptly discharged me.  I'm not happy with the decision, but have no say in it.  She feels that with my bad hips and pending surgery on the other knee, any hope of further strengthening is quite limited.    I saw the surgeon yesterday, and he is pleased with my progress.  Now the initiative to continue with my exercise program is entirely on me--and that's not a good thing.  David's Blue Cross kicks in February 1st, so if worse comes to worst, I can go back to the private physio a couple of times.  Maybe a quick re-assessment every 6 weeks, or so, would help keep me on the straight and narrow.

Today, after several weeks of "discussion" David took his computer in for servicing.  I'm sort of glad we didn't put it off any longer, as it is still under warrantee, and the cost will be minimal.  It's less than a year old. and several problems have arisen.  Funny, mine is many years old and just keep trucking along.  Now if only my sewing machine performed as well.

time to go.  My friend Rose Anne is coming over for awhile this evening.  I enjoy her visits.

Sleeping seems to have left me...

Must be the weather and time of year. Toss and turn until I finally get up - early!  I have a soup already on the stove cooking, and thinking of the dumplings I plan to add just before serving tonight Yummy!  Long story but Harry bought a small Rotisserie oven at the thrift store yesterday in North Bay and on way home I bought a chicken to do for supper. As it turned out the chicken was too big to turn in the rotisserie so it was cut up and boiled. This morning I am using the stock to make a hearty veg soup with cut up chicken. I am hoping my idea of dumplings will be more successful than your attempt Pati in slow cooker haha! Smells good cooking though as I sit with my second coffee on this cold morning.We were to North Bay yesterday to shop and other chores.  I bought some Lottery tickets for tonight's draw at the kiosk in the mall hoping a change in location may result in better luck. Think so? I finished putting the backing on the hooked rug on Sunday so took it to Mike and it looks great on his floor. Mike was out but Erin was home so had a nice coffee and visit with her. I had seen Willie the day before as he had a very early (7 am) Day Surgery appointment at the Hospital and I went up to take him. He does not manage these things very well, and being put to sleep bothers him so I hope my presence helped him through better? I guess we are always "Mothers"? Today may be a "take it easy day" but not sure at this point. I haven't been able to do any hexis for a long time and would like to get that out. But then the roof keeps beckoning me - so much snow and I haven't cleaned it off since before Christmas. How was your ladies day yesterday Pati? I thought about you and hoped you had a nice day. Do they work in the studio downstairs or upstairs now that you have moved things? Well, time to get on with the day. Take care

Is this an opportunity?

So you have five years to sort things out a bit.  This might be a good time to make some changes. Do you have any idea of how to approach it?  Do you still have access to an EA Program?  I know how helpful they were when I was first thinking of retiring. David also got help through the Union. A close friend, a few years back, on her own, she started working with a financial adviser, and they worked out a long range plan for her to adjust her lifestyle, ( she really didn't want to give up anything, and I think sometimes they disagreed).  They, sort of, worked out a plan for her retirement ( which is this spring).  Your bank might have a suggestion of someone who works cheap, or an agency that would help, perhaps on a sliding scale.

I guess my point is that you don't have to face this alone--nor should you. And, probably, the best time to start the process is now.  The sooner you get started, the less painful it will be.

The other side of the coin, is that you now have a time line for freedom.  Have you thought of anything you might want to do?  Do you have a tea cup list?  (Remember, none of us has a bucket list, as none of us plan to kick the bucket)  My first year, I slept a lot, and I've heard of others doing the same thing.  I guess we are so sleep-deprived when working that we have to catch up somehow.  
The other thing is that every volunteer run agency is looking for people newly retired to grab them before someone else does. They're like vultures.  Beware! 

I see my surgeon on Tuesday.  My range of movement is quite good--better than before the surgery.  But I don't seem to be gaining a lot of strength-despite the almost daily exercise.  The physio says to keep at it, and try to do my exercises three times a day.  I have trouble getting them done once!!  Besides, it was her last day of work before jetting off to New Zealand for 6 weeks, maybe she wasn't thinking clearly.  Me?? Exercise three times a day??
Well, breakfast is over.  Best go look for my weights.  Not likely!

School days

Home from 2 days of union training in Brandon.  Lots of information, but it seems the more you learn the more questions you have.  I also don't know how we went to school full time.  Two days and my brain is full and I am exhausted! I have a load of laundry on and have already switched to my pajama pants and t-shirt.  Comfort is good.  I have booked 4 more days of holidays this year and I guess I will carry the rest over.  I hate to give my 5 year notice, since we are so broke, but I really don't want to keep working.  In 5 years maybe we will re-organize everything and our payments will be lower.  Or maybe I will be able to retire sooner!  :)     Jim is watching curling everyday.  This is prime season for his enjoyment.  I guess this is the end  of Legion Cribbage.  They cancelled Dominions this year, and we are not sure if they will even have the Command finals.  They are scheduled for Emo Ontario in mid march, but that might change. I will miss it, cause I really enjoy it.  Oh well.  I will have to find something else I guess.  Whitemud Comedy is planning on doing Suitehearts this year.  I am too old for a part in it, but I will see if they need help somewhere else. Time to switch the laundry.

Aaaah......'tis Friday

I don't know why it really makes much difference what day it is as each day seems to meld into the next. When I awake in the morning I have to remind myself what day it is ... as if I am forgetful haha!? But the weekend always seems like an achievement. Reminds me of when I worked - and looked so forward to the weekend. And it is after all, the time when one dreams/hopes for the right numbers on one's lottery ticket for the weekend draw!  Oh, what has life become.....? Well in my case right now it seems to be only shoveling snow, and snow, and more snow! But for a special treat I have pickerel frying on the grill, a coleslaw ready in the fridge, and (oh my) I just poured a glass of wine. So, all is good!
I am certainly getting brave with on line shopping. This afternoon I logged onto the Keurig site after getting an email with an offer to buy two boxes of Kcups, and get two boxes free as a promotion for buying a new machine.  And I used my new RBC Virtual Visa Debit card that I just received. This is what I requested to reduce my anxiety with using a VISA card with a fairly high credit limit.  The bank suggested it, so I am using it.
Harry is just about finished another large hooked rug and my job will be to sew a backing onto it just as I did for the other three. Mike loves these rugs on his hardwood floors and is looking forward to another. Hopefully I will get it done for this coming week and we can take it to him on our regular trip to North Bay.  In meantime I am making more hexis, and love this past time- no pressures and just sit and enjoy!
Well, the fish is nicely cooking so better go for now. Here's wishing you a fun weekend. Take care.

Hunkered down

 This is not the weather to be doing anything outside!  We seem to be sleeping a lot, which is probably normal for this time of year, and this cold,  But it sure skews your day.  Unfortunately today I have a doctor's appointment, so we can't avoid going outside, But it does give me an excuse not to  go to exercise class!  This first week in January is always a bit of a downer, with all of the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries over with.  A bit anticlimactic, and a little sad.

I always enjoyed the Brad Thor novels, but can no longer read small print.  In fact, I'm not doing much reading at all, which, if you know me, is a shocker.   I have been working in the studio and the kitchen.  David replaced the silicone around my bathtub, and now that room needs attention.  There are four globe light bulbs at the top of the mirror, which need dusting periodically. I don't usually worry about it this time of year, as the room is dark without lights, and I can't dust the light bulbs with the lights on.  Sounds like a good reason not to bother. LOL  But my Tuesday stitchery group will be here next week, so every public room will need a good going over.  Ah well, maybe not today.

Turning on base heaters

I actually turned on some heaters not already on, and turned up some others including plugging in a space heater in the basement. - all because it should be in the high minus thirties tonight. I do not like to turn up the heat, but would rather do this than try to thaw frozen pipes! Still have snow and snow squalls in the area. We drove to Huntsville today to deliver some things to Harry's brotherinlaw and the weather and driving were not good. When we got back home we heard of a 7 car pile up right where we had driven on the highway and another one farther up closing the highway.Sometimes you feel lucky!
At the ReStore I bought a movie (VHS) and then another at the Salvation Army Thrift Store. I like to buy old classics as I love watching these- Brigadoon, and State Fair. Most often they are musicals with lots of dancing and the old famous stars such as Gene Kelly and Cid Charisse in Brigadoon, and Pat Boone, Ann-Margret in State Fair. And best of all they are usually $1.00, or 50 cents each.
This morning our new Keurig coffee machine acted up strangely - I turned it on to heat up, and water started to spout out continuously and would not stop until I pulled the plug. Then Harry looked at it, and the machine then stopped completely and would not turn on.This afternoon I phoned the 1-800 number given and after finally connecting with the right dept, we began a troubleshooting demonstration with us at the machine and the women on the phone prompting us - incidentally from Georgia, USA with her strong Georgian accent. We went step by step and long story short (although I found it to be a very entertaining 45 minutes) got the machine working again. She told me about things I should do that I had NOT read in the instructions, and which because of, possibly caused the problem?  Time will tell, and here's hoping that I will get my morning coffee without undo stress tomorrow morning haha!
I am halfway through another Brad Thor novel with his hero Scot Harvath. so shall end now and head to bed to read more. It has been awhile since I found myself wanting to read before bed, and I am enjoying it!  I might look at updating my eReader which I have not used for months, and maybe download some new books.  Take care