Chloe’s birthday

Anticipation was a bit more exciting than the visit but it was so good to see them. Chloe sure has an extensive vocabulary, enormous being one of her favourite words. At least in relation to potato chips 😊. We gave her a box of what I call “consumables “. Scissors, craft paper,drawing paper, glue, scented markers, and, of course, play dough. The play dough was the big hit.  She opened each colour but very carefully put it away before opening the next one. I also found some play dough soap. They were going to try it out last night at bath time. Sandi made an Olaf cake out of mini cup cakes. Including the black icing for eyes, buttons and arms. Chloe’s mouth was solid black. Her day care fundraiser was “sunset gourmet” so now I am getting some bbq sauce, sticky monkey bread mix and garlic cheese bread mix. And sandi is “sort of” selling Tupperware so I got a couple of Christmas gifts ordered. And next week is the craft sale here. For the first time in years I am not working 12 hours at it. I have one shift selling tickets from 11 to 12. I’m not sure how I will handle not being totally exhausted all weekend. In fact it is the first time in years that we will have to come back to town for the Santa parade. We have the parade of lights at 6 and I have just made it to the legion I. Time from the sale. This year I will have 6 hours between sale and parade!  I didn’t win the lottery so I am back to work tomorrow (sigh)

One extra, special purchase

With all of my trips to Selkirk lately, I've noticed a little covered casserole in the gift shop that appeals to me.  I guess I mentioned it a couple of times to David, and yesterday morning he told me that, if I really wanted it, to buy it.  ( Maybe to make up for the sweater that I didn't get?)

Soon after getting to the gallery, I mentioned wanting it, and that my husband hadn't really wanted me to buy it. Since we were in the process of re-arranging the gift shop a bit, at the time, the ladies suggested that we put it in a special place on one of the shelves, and that if no-one bought it by closing, then it was meant to be mine.

Here is the little vignette I have arranged on top of my fridge.  The round dish at the back isn't visible from the floor, but everything else is.  The blue on the pot fits in quite nicely with the blues in the rest of the room.  But--the special thing--the handle/figure on the lid is a sitting PIG!!  Another special part of it is that I have known the artist for many years, and it's been a pleasure to see how his skill and artistic sense has grown.

While Friday was warm ( +6), and yesterday and today around -10, the forecast for tomorrow is for rain.  Go figure.

Just love it....

No way I can beat this one.......what a wonderful way to greet my early morning. Thanks for the story, Pati. Now you have an "extra set" of keys for the car - put them somewhere handy and noticable - maybe in your "new"purse!
Woke up to snow and snow and more snow. I know what I'll be doing once it gets light out "here we come a shoveling, lalala"
Cathy, how about your day - shall I pour another coffee in my Duchess cup to read about your adventure?  Take care

Let me tell you about my Friday

Grab a cuppa--preferably in a "Duchess" mug.  This may take awhile.

It all started on Thursday, with buying the new phone.  There were a few things that we needed, and it's been a tight month, so the decision was made to break out the plastic money, starting with the phone.

Friday started at 5:05 am, when my alarm clock went off, but no-one heard it.  No-one heard David's either, but we both woke up and were out of the house by 5:30 for a 6:15 doctor's appointment.  This is his second appointment of the day, but, regardless we still had to wait until almost 7:30 to see him.  Then off for breakfast, ending up at Perkin's.  They don't serve much that isn't smoked, at least that's what the waitress said when we asked.  We needed to eat before going grocery shopping, so finally got something.  Don't ever order fresh fruit there.  Just sayin'

There was an excellent sale on at Sobey's, and we had prepared a list  based on the flyer received Thursday.  Got a lot of meat ( a lot of meat!!)  Took the groceries home and headed out again.

So, a quick stop in Walmart to drop off prescriptions for both of us.

Now, I had lost my car keys, sometime in the last week and a half.  We had been looking everywhere we could think of  for them.  We had decided to bite the bullet and order a new car key.  Luckily, the local dealership had it in stock, and were able to program it then and there.  Glad we had the plastic money--almost $300--but we knew it would be expensive, going in.

Next it was off to the mall to join CAA.  Our roadside assistance had ended in July , with our warrantee, and for my peace of mind, this seemed like a good thing.  While there, I noticed that they had a display of LUG bags--the same sort of bag I've been looking for for over two years. Yes, I now have a CAA card, and new purse and a new wallet. Yay!! Very shortly after, I got a call from Amber, asking if we could get over to Jeanne's bakery to pick up not one but two birthday cakes.  Quick trip across town and managed to get the cakes, then home to leave them in the house, and quickly tidy the kitchen, because we figured we would never be home in time to do it later. 

 Noticed that we had a voice mail message.  It was Red River Co-op informing me that my car keys had been found at our dentist.  It had taken this long to trace me through my Co-op number. Emotional stress X10, but one must carry on.

Quick stop to buy gas, knowing we would never make it if we didn't.

Next was buying David a new pillow.  He's found that he needs a much firmer pillow, with using the CPAP machine. (Ka-a-aching!) Then to Walmart to pick up prescriptions, and a stop at Ricki's to pick up a sweater I had fallen in love with the day before.  They didn't have the size I needed, so no sweater, but did have both smaller and larger.

By now it's going up 4:00, and we were both frazzled, so we opted for a few minutes of R&R, before heading back to the other side of town to meet the family.  A few minutes in the casino.  Won some, lost some.

Finally off to the miniature golf place the girls had chosen for the family get together.  We were a little early and bought supper there.  The food was a pleasant surprise, considering the place and the clientele. Finally the family arrives and we proceed to play miniature golf.  OMG!  Total chaos.  It was under black light, with a very vibrant carpet, so much so that David didn't play.  We lost Loren for the same reason after a couple of holes. There was loud music, and 5000 uncontrolled kids, all appearing to do whatever the heck they wanted to do with the golf balls and clubs.  No waiting your turn.  No proceeding through the holes in a set order. Not a pleasure.

To our house for cake, but once we got into the house everyone except David and I sat in the living room with their phones.  I made a comment, and Jeremy responding that they were having a special family texting together experience.  Snarky brat!  By the time we had our cake and drinks, everyone was exhausted and they all went home.  Not one of our better family get togethers.

And today I was out to Selkirk, where the gallery was being decorated for Christmas--by committee.  'nuff said.

Don't let your tea get cold. Me, I think will consider some other type of beverage.

This and that amounts to ???

I don't know either! But this week has been a whole bunch of this and that and I wonder whether anything has actually been accomplished - I know that I am bushed though, haha!  A bit of Christmas cheer though, in the way of putting up the fibre optic table tree, and three moving ornaments that light up and play music - a Santa and two Mrs Santas.  I also brought up my box of Christmas music and movies, and so for the next little while I have the option of putting on a movie or playing the music when I can. I also placed a little creche on a small table - I always like to have one in place. Although I have many big and small packed away and I know they are there, space does not allow me to fully enjoy all the decorations that I would like. So I love what I can do.....
So the weekend is upon us again. Tomorrow is the first of several Craft Shows that I mentioned in a previous blog message.  I am looking for a d... set for Erin as well as red mitts and orangy mitts for me to match the hats I just knit. Probably won't find what I want but maybe it will be fun looking?
So Pati have fun at your Family Birthday celebrations for Jessica and Samantha, and Cathy you have fun with Chloe's Birthday celebration.  Take care all.

Night driving

Night driving is a bit of an issue around here as well.  Not as bad as it was before we both had out cataracts removed, but I'm certainly an little apprehensive when I have to do it, and David certainly prefers to avoid it whenever he can.  I drove home from Selkirk just about sunset on Tuesday, and was uneasy all the way.  I think I annoyed others who wanted to drive faster than I, but I remembered being told that the speed limit is the top limit, not the bottom and I should drive wherever I'm comfortable.  I was out last evening, down hwy 59 between Regent and Fermor.  Slippery road, and lots of cars--nasty.

Re: dogs.  Being a pack animal, I can see why your new dog might get quite desperate for company, if the other dogs (pack?) refuse to let it join them.

Greetings from Neepawa

Yes, contrary to rumours I am still alive and kicking.  It sounds like you two have been keeping yourselves busy.  What can I say.  work and home.   The legion banquet was on Friday night.  Jim got his 50 year pin.  That's kinda impressive.    we have no Costco near here.  There was a rumour going round that one was coming to Brandon, but the nearest in Winnipeg.  We have a Giant Tiger, a Red Apple and lots of grocery stores.   On Saturday Jim and I are heading to Killarney.  We can't make it on Chloe's birthday, but we are invited for lunch tomorrow.  Neither of us is very good at night driving anymore.  I was always a bit night blind, but Jim is getting less confident now so it is much easier for us to visit during the day.  Also, we are in a 2 day training on the 22nd and 23rd and I would not be able to get away from work in good time.  We have been working a bit in our basement.  Jim cleaned up a corner and he put up some cupboards that we were given.  we have food and paper goods and stuff in them and it looks much neater than it did before.  We are still sitting a dog and I have a feeling that she will be with us forever now.  She is really sweet, but is not yet a year old and wants to play with our dogs and they just growl at her.  So she tries to play with the cats instead.  They are actually willing to play a bit with her.   She also eats garbage :(    Now people are sending me emails about work.  How rude to expect me to work during work hours.  what are they thinking?   Love Ya