Today it is 15 years since I handed in my retirement notice. It was a Tuesday, and I was effectively gone Friday, even if I managed to keep being paid for another month. I know the world sees this as the anniversary of another much more life changing event, but it is meaningful to me in a special way, as well. While I spent the next two years in part-time work, this is the important day.
I have ordered several books form the library. Well, they all arrived at the end of last week. I had 10 books piled up waiting to be read. Have taken a good stab at it, and have finished two.
The squirrels and birds are back in the yard, but no sign of ants. This means I can sit outside, to read and drink my coffee. One of my goals was to spend more time outside, in the yard, and to a certain extent, I think I've met it. I've also tried to increase my physical activity, as an alternative to the exercise program that is impossible for me. Unfortunately this means spending more time doing housework. It may show, but it always needs doing again. Now I'm wondering if I should be looking at something more organized. While I no longer nap every day, once in awhile, I run out of strength, and need a short nap to carry on. Maybe I should just concentrate on reading the books.
Today I am cooking quinoa to use in a couple of the diet recipes. I'll portion it out and freeze it. I've had it before, and not minded it at all. It seems to pick up the flavour of whatever it is served with. However, I seem to have stalled out again. I am back to phase 3, as of Friday, and will really have to work it out. Yesterday, I was really craving sweet. I had half convinced myself to get a cookie with my coffee, but stopped at the grocery store to buy greens on my way to Starbucks. As I walked in, in the foyer, weren't they handing out cake for some sort of anniversary celebration. Little tiny pieces, about an inch square. Yep, I ate one and it pushed all thought of cookies out of my head. It was just enough. I see this as a type of victory.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Saturday, September 10, 2016
YOu did it out of love
and there can be no better reason. If there were no sad times, we would never appreciate the happy ones, especially with our animals. They ask nothing from us but kindness, and you gave that. The fact that you mourn tells of your love.
Tough day
I took my cat in today to be put to sleep. I swore I wouldn't cry but of course I did. It was very peaceful She sedated him and then I held him in my arms until he was all calm. I held his head as he passed away. Sometimes I wonder why we have pets. The vet said it was time cause he was sick and old. It was still a hard decision for me. And now I am crying again, damn it!
Bricks
Lucky to get your post, Beth, as it's "giveaway Weekend" here, and we had a couple of plastic bins to give away. So we rushed out with them, and hope to see them gone, even if we were a bit late. Bricks seem to move well in these events. A couple of years ago we got rid of quite a few cinder blocks we had stored in the back yard forever.
P.s. We put them out just before I started this, and by the time I was half way through, they were gone. Hurray!)
Beth, are you not able to get some advice etc from a wine store? David gets most of his help from the family that run the local "Wine Baril", that's been in the business for many years. Our recipes, that work from juice or fruit, indicate that the wine is kept in the secondary (glass carboy or the smaller ones you may use) for a year or more, before you need to worry about bottles. And white wines, such as those made from apples, use clear bottles, leaving the green or brown ones for red wine. I'll send you a couple of the recipes we've used. Of course, sometimes, you have to just take a method that works for one type of wine, and use it for another. A bit of an experiment.
No plans for the weekend. I hope to get some studio time in, and there's a washer load of towels to run through. I'm looking for a way to clean my washing machine. There is a "tide line" near the top of the agitator tub, and I want it gone! At the same time, I don't want to think about having to get in there with the Magic Eraser and "elbow grease". Ugh! But I have ha hunch that's in my future.
P.s. We put them out just before I started this, and by the time I was half way through, they were gone. Hurray!)
Beth, are you not able to get some advice etc from a wine store? David gets most of his help from the family that run the local "Wine Baril", that's been in the business for many years. Our recipes, that work from juice or fruit, indicate that the wine is kept in the secondary (glass carboy or the smaller ones you may use) for a year or more, before you need to worry about bottles. And white wines, such as those made from apples, use clear bottles, leaving the green or brown ones for red wine. I'll send you a couple of the recipes we've used. Of course, sometimes, you have to just take a method that works for one type of wine, and use it for another. A bit of an experiment.
No plans for the weekend. I hope to get some studio time in, and there's a washer load of towels to run through. I'm looking for a way to clean my washing machine. There is a "tide line" near the top of the agitator tub, and I want it gone! At the same time, I don't want to think about having to get in there with the Magic Eraser and "elbow grease". Ugh! But I have ha hunch that's in my future.
Good Morning folks
Another week done. I feel as if I have been run over by a dump truck. It was one of those weeks for me. but let's look at what was best about it. I got to sit and have a coffee and chat with Mike. Erin was on nights doing some training so was sleeping when I got there, but got up to have a chat. I thought maybe we were too loud talking, but Mike told me she intended to get up so that she, too, could visit with me. I liked that comment as it made me feel good. Before I know it, they will be off in Sudbury and my dropping in while in North Bay will no longer be a special event for me. So I'll take what I can now!
There are now three vats of wine working in the back room. No idea what is to come of it all, but time will tell. I picked up 15 green coloured wine bottles from the auction house while I was on my trip to North Bay Thursday. Harry is getting some good deals from the weekly on line auctions. These were only $6.00 for the 15 of them. And Pati we bought a big bag of the sterilizing powder you mentioned and cleaned all the demi johns (3) and have rinsed them with the mixture.
In North Bay as well, I had to go to Canadian Tire to purchase a ladder. It was on sale and a really good deal. I was terribly worried about getting it in the car and prepared myself with rope and red swatch to tie to back if need be. Mike told me he was familiar with these ladders (21 feet) and that they would break down to about 5 foot pieces so I was somewhat relieved driving over to the store. As it turned out they were all packaged nicely in plastic wrap and were indeed only about six or seven feet in length and a boy helped me to the car and it fit perfectly. I was really relieved then. I need a larger ladder to do the roof in winter, I think I told you I bought one at the Home Hardware here but once home it proved to be too short much to my disappointment. We kept that because Harry wanted a taller one for picking apples, but I was still on the lookout until this sale came up at Canadian Tire.
Yesterday Harry and I drove to Bracebridge (1 1/2 hours south) because he answered a notice on Kijiji for free bricks. Turned out to be bricks all right - tons of boxed red bricks 6 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and about 1/2 inch thick. They were sitting at the side of a house and were in cardboard boxes that has rotted by time and weather, and were crawling with bugs and slugs of assorted kinds. It took us over an hour to carry them all to the car. It was a heavy load and once home, more time to unload at the back of the house.
He intends to build up another raised garden plot with these bricks.
Then we headed for the Log cabin to buy more fruit from the orchard people. Harry intends to dehydrate tomorrow the apples we purchased. Some are the honey crisps and they are delicious to just eats so I'm hoping to get a few of them for just that purpose.
Well, Harry is off to garage sales - only a few this time of year, but I should be getting my ass in gear and starting some house work.
Here's to a fine weekend - hope you are all well. Take care
There are now three vats of wine working in the back room. No idea what is to come of it all, but time will tell. I picked up 15 green coloured wine bottles from the auction house while I was on my trip to North Bay Thursday. Harry is getting some good deals from the weekly on line auctions. These were only $6.00 for the 15 of them. And Pati we bought a big bag of the sterilizing powder you mentioned and cleaned all the demi johns (3) and have rinsed them with the mixture.
In North Bay as well, I had to go to Canadian Tire to purchase a ladder. It was on sale and a really good deal. I was terribly worried about getting it in the car and prepared myself with rope and red swatch to tie to back if need be. Mike told me he was familiar with these ladders (21 feet) and that they would break down to about 5 foot pieces so I was somewhat relieved driving over to the store. As it turned out they were all packaged nicely in plastic wrap and were indeed only about six or seven feet in length and a boy helped me to the car and it fit perfectly. I was really relieved then. I need a larger ladder to do the roof in winter, I think I told you I bought one at the Home Hardware here but once home it proved to be too short much to my disappointment. We kept that because Harry wanted a taller one for picking apples, but I was still on the lookout until this sale came up at Canadian Tire.
Yesterday Harry and I drove to Bracebridge (1 1/2 hours south) because he answered a notice on Kijiji for free bricks. Turned out to be bricks all right - tons of boxed red bricks 6 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and about 1/2 inch thick. They were sitting at the side of a house and were in cardboard boxes that has rotted by time and weather, and were crawling with bugs and slugs of assorted kinds. It took us over an hour to carry them all to the car. It was a heavy load and once home, more time to unload at the back of the house.
He intends to build up another raised garden plot with these bricks.
Then we headed for the Log cabin to buy more fruit from the orchard people. Harry intends to dehydrate tomorrow the apples we purchased. Some are the honey crisps and they are delicious to just eats so I'm hoping to get a few of them for just that purpose.
Well, Harry is off to garage sales - only a few this time of year, but I should be getting my ass in gear and starting some house work.
Here's to a fine weekend - hope you are all well. Take care
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Ants
Yesterday we had the yard sprayed for ants. Of course, the day after I made the appointment most of the ants disappeared. Likely because of the the cooler weather.We're told it was a little late in the season, but should still be about 70% effective. Actually, they only sprayed the patio , sidewalks and driveway, as that appears to be where the nests are. We'll probably have to do it again next year, but it was still worth it now. They gave us a good price, as they didn't have to do the grass. The fellow was more concerned about the fact that we have a feeder the squirrels visit than anything. But we had to spend the about 4 hours away from the house after he did it, and kept the windows and doors closed for about 12 hours. It seemed to bother me a lot more than David. The fellow took a loot at the tree, and seemed to think he could spray it for aphids in the spring, using his very long spraying wand, maybe from the roof. Not to sure about our liability if he does that. But it would be far less than having to get a tree service in, with their big lift rucks, especially when there isn't any immediately feasible way of getting the trucks close enough to the tree.
We started a process recommended by the manager at the credit union. We have three automatic deductions that come out in the middle of the month, and that timing can't be changed ( that's what the companies claim, and we've gotten no where trying to change it) This means that I have to make sure that the money isn't taken out of the account for the first two weeks of the month. Which means that the balance in the account is inaccurate for that time. So it was suggested that we transfer the money to a different account, and have it taken out of there. We were in and made the necessary arrangements for the monthly transfer, and now have to make arrangements with the companies involved. I have about 4 weeks to do it, but hope to have it done in the next day or so. It should make things a little simpler around here.
Otherwise, not much going on. I spoke to Amber a couple of days ago, and she was telling me about the trip she and Jessica made to Churchill. While they saw bears, she seemed more excited about seeing the beluga whales. I hadn't even thought about them doing that, but now realize that it's just as big a deal as the bears. She told me that Samantha later asked if she could go to Churchill when she becomes a Girl Guide. Oh oh! It sounds as though they are pretty busy as a family, and we probably won't being seeing them much this fall.
We started a process recommended by the manager at the credit union. We have three automatic deductions that come out in the middle of the month, and that timing can't be changed ( that's what the companies claim, and we've gotten no where trying to change it) This means that I have to make sure that the money isn't taken out of the account for the first two weeks of the month. Which means that the balance in the account is inaccurate for that time. So it was suggested that we transfer the money to a different account, and have it taken out of there. We were in and made the necessary arrangements for the monthly transfer, and now have to make arrangements with the companies involved. I have about 4 weeks to do it, but hope to have it done in the next day or so. It should make things a little simpler around here.
Otherwise, not much going on. I spoke to Amber a couple of days ago, and she was telling me about the trip she and Jessica made to Churchill. While they saw bears, she seemed more excited about seeing the beluga whales. I hadn't even thought about them doing that, but now realize that it's just as big a deal as the bears. She told me that Samantha later asked if she could go to Churchill when she becomes a Girl Guide. Oh oh! It sounds as though they are pretty busy as a family, and we probably won't being seeing them much this fall.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Funny time of year...
Back to work, back to school, back to organized activities, back to regular life styles.....it is a funny time of year. A drawing of the lines so to speak. It says time to regroup, and get yourself ready for winter. In my case, so much produce and so much to do to clean up the yard and garden, it seems impossible. So I make my TO DO list, and try to follow it best I can.
I have to admit that my injured foot is giving me great discomfort and anxiety. There is no pity, nor compassion so I have to just truck along as if all is well. Time shall heal!
Good for you to hear a definitive diagnosis Cathy - something to grab hold of, and now to take care of. Let us know what you will be doing for a healthy nutritional plan - are you seeing a dietician?
Well, my list looms in front of me - one day at a time will be my motto. And after just finishing the latest Gamache novel, I can say with great authority that all is just FINE with me haha! Take care.
I have to admit that my injured foot is giving me great discomfort and anxiety. There is no pity, nor compassion so I have to just truck along as if all is well. Time shall heal!
Good for you to hear a definitive diagnosis Cathy - something to grab hold of, and now to take care of. Let us know what you will be doing for a healthy nutritional plan - are you seeing a dietician?
Well, my list looms in front of me - one day at a time will be my motto. And after just finishing the latest Gamache novel, I can say with great authority that all is just FINE with me haha! Take care.
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