Hmmmmmm. Something is wrong with this picture. I know... No work outside the home. That must be the definition of weekend. Got the dishes and the laundry done. Cleaned the freezers. Turned the corn on the cob into niblets. The frozen tomatoes are now on the stove being turned into stewed tomatoes. I have the cool weather seeds ready to go. We already have some potatoes in. Tomorrow will be the peas and lettuce and onion bulbs. I want to wait on the rest of the potatoes for at least a week or two so that we will have new potatoes spread out a bit over the summer. With Jim hauling potatoes every fall we can get all the whites we want to overwinter. More that we could ever eat over the winter. And try not to be too jealous, but, well, tomorrow I am going to clean my oven. I know it is not fair of me to tease you with all the fun things I am doing, but I just want to brag :) This morning, at 1:30 I went into the spare room to sleep. Between Jim and the kittens I not no room at all for myself. Of course the kittens followed me, but without Jim there was enough room on the bed for all of us. Then, at 5:30, the woodpecker started drilling on the downspout. You would think that he would have figured out by now that there are no bugs in the metal downspout!!! We decided on the spur of the moment to buy a ticket on the Neepawa farm and leisure draw. The early bird draw is tomorrow so we better win the $10,000.00 because that is the only reason I agreed to spend the money. So far, over years, we have won nothing. So why do I think this year will be different? On Thursday I was at the legion after work. I lost my $20 in the machine in very little time. Bud was next to me. When he asked if I was done with the machine I got up and said yes. He said.. No, I want you to play $20.00 for me. Foolishly I agreed. I won $465.00 for him. On the machine that had paid me nothing. :( But, he had done so well all day ( I would guesstimate over $2000) that he gave me $200 for pushing the buttons for him on his $20. Hence the purchase of a $100 ticket on the Farm and Leisure Lottery. My life is so exciting. I am getting up every few minutes to stir the tomatoes. There is so much water in them that once they have cooked for a few hours I will leave them overnight and drain them in the morning before I deal with them. And so my life goes on. And now, because I can, I think I will pour a glass of wine and join Jim outside for a while (But first I will turn own the burners on the 3 stock pots of tomatoes on the stove. And speaking of stock pots, when we cleaned out the freezers we found about 15 bags of soup stock. Guess what i will be doing next week. I love you guys
Saturday, May 6, 2017
Everyone needs a time out...
Good for you to take the time and have a nice day out and about. It does wonders for the soul.
It would be nice to have a time out here however, with these constant rains you have no doubt heard about on the news, it may not come right now. Need to move plants from the greenhouses which have been closed up for days. My chore this morning ( in the rain) is to empty our grey canvas storage unit in the back yard that is currently being used for storage, and hide whats in there under tarps somewhere in the yard, and then move plants in there. It will be frost and rain protected, and more to point snow protected which is predicted, and may work for us short term. Lets see if it works!
In meantime, thinking of you both. Have a pleasant weekend if you can,
ps Pati, I love the little fold up purse you posted. I took a copy of the pattern but have not yet seen the video with demonstration of how to put together. I may miss that completely as they don't stay on site too long. It was gorgeous ( yours was gorgeous that is) I think I could make one if I could. I always look for projects and stash them away for another day. Keeps ones spirits up haha Take care
It would be nice to have a time out here however, with these constant rains you have no doubt heard about on the news, it may not come right now. Need to move plants from the greenhouses which have been closed up for days. My chore this morning ( in the rain) is to empty our grey canvas storage unit in the back yard that is currently being used for storage, and hide whats in there under tarps somewhere in the yard, and then move plants in there. It will be frost and rain protected, and more to point snow protected which is predicted, and may work for us short term. Lets see if it works!
In meantime, thinking of you both. Have a pleasant weekend if you can,
ps Pati, I love the little fold up purse you posted. I took a copy of the pattern but have not yet seen the video with demonstration of how to put together. I may miss that completely as they don't stay on site too long. It was gorgeous ( yours was gorgeous that is) I think I could make one if I could. I always look for projects and stash them away for another day. Keeps ones spirits up haha Take care
Friday, May 5, 2017
Need a time out
Yesterday, desperate to finish the charity quilt that's been driving me crazy, I tried to do a little work just before supper. I had wanted to get it done,and then be free to take the machine in for servicing, as I knew the time had come.
As I was working then came a sudden loud "clunk" and I knew something serious had happened. It certainly sounded like something had broken, and after looking at the machine, David said that for sure the titanium needle was bent. I closed it down, immediately and got it ready to be taken in. I had been on such a "roll", and so focused on what I was doing, that it then took me about an hour to calm down.
This morning, first thing we took it in, and got the welcome news that it would likely be ready by Wednesday. After leaving the shop, way over on Route 90, we decided to "run away from home", and headed to Morden to a quilt show. We both needed the down time. We haven't done this in years. We got to drive all over South-Central Manitoba, as neither of us was sure how to get there. We saw fields being planted,and other fields being burned off. Such flat land! I've been told that the flattest land in the world is between Portage and Elie, and the area we were in is just South of that. I was surprised to see the huge equipment that was being used, and David told me that they were tilling and seeding in one fell swoop.
We finally got to the show, and I was very glad to have taken my cane, as there was a lot of walking to do. I wasn't disappointed in the show, as my expectations weren't high. Very traditional, with an obvious worship of fine hand applique. There were a couple of examples of more adventurous work, but, from the accompanying write-ups these were as a result of a workshop. I ran into a couple of acquaintances who have a more "arty" bent, they agreed with my assessment.
By this time, we were hungry,and, to my surprise, in this huge arena with all sorts of displayers and vendors, ( there was a craft show and flea market at the same time), there was nowhere to buy food! So, back to the car and head back to Carmen, where we found a drive-in stand where we were both able to find something edible. There was also a screened gazebo, where we could sit and eat in the shade. It was a very hot day, with a fierce wind.
Home now,and both of us are exhausted. It's been a long time since we've had an outing like this, but it was a good day.
As I was working then came a sudden loud "clunk" and I knew something serious had happened. It certainly sounded like something had broken, and after looking at the machine, David said that for sure the titanium needle was bent. I closed it down, immediately and got it ready to be taken in. I had been on such a "roll", and so focused on what I was doing, that it then took me about an hour to calm down.
This morning, first thing we took it in, and got the welcome news that it would likely be ready by Wednesday. After leaving the shop, way over on Route 90, we decided to "run away from home", and headed to Morden to a quilt show. We both needed the down time. We haven't done this in years. We got to drive all over South-Central Manitoba, as neither of us was sure how to get there. We saw fields being planted,and other fields being burned off. Such flat land! I've been told that the flattest land in the world is between Portage and Elie, and the area we were in is just South of that. I was surprised to see the huge equipment that was being used, and David told me that they were tilling and seeding in one fell swoop.
We finally got to the show, and I was very glad to have taken my cane, as there was a lot of walking to do. I wasn't disappointed in the show, as my expectations weren't high. Very traditional, with an obvious worship of fine hand applique. There were a couple of examples of more adventurous work, but, from the accompanying write-ups these were as a result of a workshop. I ran into a couple of acquaintances who have a more "arty" bent, they agreed with my assessment.
By this time, we were hungry,and, to my surprise, in this huge arena with all sorts of displayers and vendors, ( there was a craft show and flea market at the same time), there was nowhere to buy food! So, back to the car and head back to Carmen, where we found a drive-in stand where we were both able to find something edible. There was also a screened gazebo, where we could sit and eat in the shade. It was a very hot day, with a fierce wind.
Home now,and both of us are exhausted. It's been a long time since we've had an outing like this, but it was a good day.
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Okay for the moment
We fired up the old computer from the basement, and I'm playing around to find out what I can and can't do with it. it looks like e-mail isn't available, despite my efforts,but, with a little luck I got on here. For some reason I had my very old Google password in my Rolodex, for some reason, and it worked.
This has been a frustrating day, and I've tried to deal with it by giving myself a break from the "work" in the studio, and doing something silly, just for myself. I've been working on a silly little accordion pouch I found in The Quilt Show daily blog this morning. It's probably totally useless, but so-o-o-o cute!
This has been a frustrating day, and I've tried to deal with it by giving myself a break from the "work" in the studio, and doing something silly, just for myself. I've been working on a silly little accordion pouch I found in The Quilt Show daily blog this morning. It's probably totally useless, but so-o-o-o cute!
It even sits open on a surface for use.
The more concerning thing about the day was how poorly I reacted to the many frustrations. When I was working, I trained myself to react calmly to any situation, to the point that some people thought I had to emotions. Well, I no longer seem to have that degree of control, and, unfortunately, poor David bears the brunt of my "hysterics". While it may be healthier to express my frustrations, I get embarrassed, especially when he seems to take it in stride. Maybe, I just need to have a liquid "indulgence" tonight.
Well, it's done and no fuss for you.
Pati, thanks for the ongoing update and pictures of the roof work. Sounds as if it went very well for you, and now another issue off your mind. And the skies were sunny by your picture which always makes roof work go well.
Here, not so nice weather, and again we covered up last night. I think it will be this way for awhile.
Today I take the car in for 8 am and then go to Daisy's to visit with her and Michelle for 2 pm. I made a batch of banana muffins yesterday, and will take some for our afternoon tea together.
Early morning again and I am about to have a bowl of cereal. The other day I had my full bowl in my hand and going over to the computer it slipped out and landed all over the keyboard and table and floor. Think of lots of bran flakes soaked in milk with cut up bananas to clean up! It took me awhile to get the keyboard cleaned and then scrub the carpet - not a good way to start my day.
Today I think I 'll eat it at the kitchen counter haha!
Take care
Here, not so nice weather, and again we covered up last night. I think it will be this way for awhile.
Today I take the car in for 8 am and then go to Daisy's to visit with her and Michelle for 2 pm. I made a batch of banana muffins yesterday, and will take some for our afternoon tea together.
Early morning again and I am about to have a bowl of cereal. The other day I had my full bowl in my hand and going over to the computer it slipped out and landed all over the keyboard and table and floor. Think of lots of bran flakes soaked in milk with cut up bananas to clean up! It took me awhile to get the keyboard cleaned and then scrub the carpet - not a good way to start my day.
Today I think I 'll eat it at the kitchen counter haha!
Take care
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
It's very noisy here in my studio.
No shingles showed up yesterday, so David phoned about 4:30 to enquire. We left it with the understanding that, if the shingles showed up today, the workers would be out tomorrow. However, at 7:20 the phone rings. The shingles are coming sometime today, and they would be out at 8:00 to start removing shingles from the roof. Interesting time to wake up. Anyway the shingles were here before 8:00, and before any workers, but parked down the street, where there was room to get his heavy duty fork lift for moving them off the truck. The first worker here told us that the shingles weren't expected before 10:00, not noticing the truck parked down the street a ways.
Anyway, it has started, and we get to endure the noise for a few hours. They have even put up special hoarding to protect the rhubarb and Lady Slippers.
10:30
All the old shingles gone, and now they're about to lay down the special surface that acts to protect from ice dams and such. Five guys on the roof, but one is an apprentice. He just gets to pound down any nails left sticking up from the old shingles.
In the next picture, they have just rolled out the first layer of ice protection. This gets stuck to the wooden base, and then another layer, a little different product, slightly overlaps, and then another until it goes all the way to the peak of the roof. They have already upgraded the plumbing stack, and cut the holes for new venting system.
4:30
They finished about 3:00. Cleaned up beautifully--you would never know they had been here. Then, surprise! When David went to pay, we were told we would be invoiced! Overall, we were very impressed with them. They were a very well organized team. They behaved professionally in every way. We got everything we had been promised, and when it had been promised. One fellow even jumped in when he saw David trying to put out Lion. David managed to get the wheelbarrow down from the rafters of the garage, and get Lion loaded. The fellow picked him up out of the wheelbarrow, and put him in place.
We were very relieved to find that there was no evidence of mold in the attic of the garage. There had been a problem inside the garage proper, and David warned them, so they wore masks when cutting into the roof to install a vent, but the wood came out absolutely clear.
Now we only have to face the pain of paying for the work.
Anyway, it has started, and we get to endure the noise for a few hours. They have even put up special hoarding to protect the rhubarb and Lady Slippers.
10:30
All the old shingles gone, and now they're about to lay down the special surface that acts to protect from ice dams and such. Five guys on the roof, but one is an apprentice. He just gets to pound down any nails left sticking up from the old shingles.
They finished about 3:00. Cleaned up beautifully--you would never know they had been here. Then, surprise! When David went to pay, we were told we would be invoiced! Overall, we were very impressed with them. They were a very well organized team. They behaved professionally in every way. We got everything we had been promised, and when it had been promised. One fellow even jumped in when he saw David trying to put out Lion. David managed to get the wheelbarrow down from the rafters of the garage, and get Lion loaded. The fellow picked him up out of the wheelbarrow, and put him in place.
We were very relieved to find that there was no evidence of mold in the attic of the garage. There had been a problem inside the garage proper, and David warned them, so they wore masks when cutting into the roof to install a vent, but the wood came out absolutely clear.
Now we only have to face the pain of paying for the work.
a day or two reprieve...
Yesterday we took off the tarps and plastic, and soaked sheets from the plants outside, and I turned off the heaters in the greenhouses. The rains were still here but the temp had risen to around 5 or 6 degrees. It rained most of day but warm rains are good for the plants. We did not take any more plants out of the greenhouses though, because, surprise, it will be near or below zero again by end of week. The sheets were soaked and I did not plan to dry in my dryer so a brain wave hit me - take them to the laundromat and put into the big dryers there. Cost about 16.00 dollars to do them all ( some were a bit damp when I brought them home) There were some little leaves etc scattered on the floor and in the filters that I cleaned up nicely. I wouldn't want to do this all the time but it was a necessary evil this time. I wondered if they had cameras there watching what I did, but I really had no choice and I left it clean as I could.
I also had to take Scooby back to Vet as things have not improved with her bladder issues and I wonder if anything else is going on? He took two xrays because the first side view showed a curious mass but it did not show on full view. It showed no bladder stones either and that her bowels were not blocked but were empty and her stomach was empty ( she has not being eating either) He also changed the antibiotic so I am hoping she will rally. If not by Thursday, then he will take blood samples to see if anything shows up there. Very costly again, but once you start, you have to continue. Right?
Today we go to Huntsville (must be Tuesday, is it?) And tomorrow I made an appointment at Bray Motors for oil, maintenance, and to change tires to summer. They store the winter ones there so thank goodness I don't have to bring them home. I also promised to visit Daisy and her granddaughter Michelle this week for tea - don't know when I can fit that in? Sounds like I'm a social butterfly when in reality, it is just a reflection of my life as it is.
So onwards we go - with coffee in hand I shall check my Daily grand ticket - maybe I'll get the $1000.00 a day prize? Take care
I also had to take Scooby back to Vet as things have not improved with her bladder issues and I wonder if anything else is going on? He took two xrays because the first side view showed a curious mass but it did not show on full view. It showed no bladder stones either and that her bowels were not blocked but were empty and her stomach was empty ( she has not being eating either) He also changed the antibiotic so I am hoping she will rally. If not by Thursday, then he will take blood samples to see if anything shows up there. Very costly again, but once you start, you have to continue. Right?
Today we go to Huntsville (must be Tuesday, is it?) And tomorrow I made an appointment at Bray Motors for oil, maintenance, and to change tires to summer. They store the winter ones there so thank goodness I don't have to bring them home. I also promised to visit Daisy and her granddaughter Michelle this week for tea - don't know when I can fit that in? Sounds like I'm a social butterfly when in reality, it is just a reflection of my life as it is.
So onwards we go - with coffee in hand I shall check my Daily grand ticket - maybe I'll get the $1000.00 a day prize? Take care
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