What a day!

Neither of us has been sleeping well, so we were both up before the alarm at 7:00. David had a 8:00 at Goodyear to have the tires checked. They took a cursory look and said there was nothing wrong with them. After, David spoke to his contact at our dealership, who gave him the name of a company who have a special means of checking them out, but we would have to pay for the test--about $100. However, if there is any problem identified, Goodyear will have to accept the result and we could save a bit on the price of new tires. Then we were off to the grocery store. We are on a strict budget this month, but I took along my coupon for a free ham if we spent over $250 on groceries. No problemo!! So I now have a ham in the freezer, but not a hot clue what the h__l I'm going to do with it. But it was free!! This trip was made particularly difficult as they are in the midst of a major renovation of the store and everything had been moved. Frustrating!

Home for long enough to put everything away and grab a sandwich, then off to Michael's to buy the rest of my paint for the class tomorrow--'cause I had a coupon, you see. Well, they didn't have the colour of paint I needed--but the paint was on sale!! And I had a coup0n!! Common sense prevailed, sort of, and we went half way across town to the other artists' store, because I had remembered that the illustration board was much cheaper there than the ones we found at Michael's, and--wait for it--I had a coupon!! I found the colour of paint I wanted--not cheap--and the illustration board, and she let me use my coupon. Then she carefully blacked out the coupon and kept it. Now last time I was there, I had used the same coupon, and the fellow had given it back to me. I wasn't silly enough to tell her that!

We had also been to Fabricland, where I had a coupon worth 50% off any five metres of regular priced fabric, that had to be used before the end of the month. What a surprise! All of their fabric was on sale and I had a terrible time finding any "regular priced" fabric, but finally, on a back shelf there was sturdy, 100% cotton drapery lining, 60"wide. I had some of this before and found that it dyed beautifully. So I used my coupon.

Then, later was the final part of my pulmonary function tests. He gave me several different short term drugs, one at a time, with breathing tests after each. Of course, he can't really tell me anything, but toward the end he said that I was just "borderline" and he wanted to try one more drug. Now, I knew that this section of the testing was for asthma, but I don't know if he knew that I knew. So there is a remote chance that I'm not a total hypochondriac. Maybe.

So, now its going up 4:00,and we are in rush hour traffic and there is nothing for supper, and we're both beat. So we went to buy a pizza--something we haven't had in ages. We waited for almost 45 minutes, after being told that it would take 15, then got caught in a traffic jam on the way home. However, luke warm pizza still tastes great when you're really hungry. We scarfed that sucker down so fast!!

I ead a response to the very, very annoying " Have great day!" (Barf!) You politely reply " That's not in my plans at this point,but thank you for the thought" Oh!! I like it!

Be - the "s" word..

The weather forecast on the TV tonight has mentioned the "s" word for the weekend (yes, that would be snow) At times even now with the drizzle outside most of the day, it almost feels like it is snowing. We went to North Bay today and bought a new portable phone for Mother - it is set up here at home to charge and I have to read the manual tonight to see how it will work and how to set up the speed dialing for her. On Thursday when we go, the real fun will begin when we try to instruct her. If it becomes too much, then we will have to stop and it would seem that we will have a new phone for ourselves I guess! New devices these days are not made for those with visual, or manual dexterity deficits. As I browse through the manual I wonder if even I have the intelligence to make sense of it all.
The little convenience store up at the corner called The One Stop will close its doors on Sept 30 after over 30 years in business. This is where I buy all my lottery tickets, and cards, and the sudden impulse bag of potato chips. I shall miss it - the trail I took from home to the store was a favourite for me and the dog. There are two other stores in town - neither as close nor convenient, nor as friendly. The owners say they can no longer compete with the Grocery Store - Foodland in town and be able to keep their staff paid well - they both were covering a lot of the shifts themselves and they say it is now time to retire. There is no sign of the store being sold yet but they may have something in mind down the line. It was always a favourite stop for all the kids (and grownups I'm sure) on Hallowe'en as the owner would dress up and always had a table of chocolate bars, or chips,or pop to give away - really good stuff!
Well, I better finish the phone instructions as I wish to watch the new season opener for Rick Mercer at 8 pm - it will feature a Winnipeg Goldeye baseball team game and I like to see things about Wpg or Manitoba. Take care.

Be - Yeh, Sunday again

Sounds as if everything is well on the western front by you two...here it is still very interesting. I am trying to practice violin this morning but had a chance on the computer so will take advantage. We are still experiencing some unexpected challenges with Mother and trying to sort things out eg strange 911 call came into Police from her phone at midnight - Police came to house - knocked on neighbours to get a key - phone call to us as to location of key - Police went in and found Mother sound asleep in her bed so made a quick exit. We shall not be telling her about her visitors! Harry's sister just called from Mothers (wow, some action on her part to visit ??) Harry has told her to follow up with Bell. Since the storm and disruption of services weird things have been happening related to the phone. What a worry. I was finally able to do some of my own housework yesterday - not near what is needed but enough to make me feel some hope haha
We heard from Mike who is on course in Sault Ste Marie - he should be home by Wednesday, so we shall go up again on Tuesday to check his place and feed the animals.
Tomorrow it is to Mothers again. Where do all the days go, and when do we start to have fun??
Patty, I'm so glad my little bag of goodies will be put to good use. Hope you really enjoy your course. Cathy, are you involved in any "onstage" fun this fall?
Must go for now.....Take care

Sunday Morning

Yesterday was not the warm and sunny day that was forecast. I kept checking the weather on the internet and then looking outside. Obviously the forecast was for another dimension. We did get a lot of the wood in the yard cut up, but it was too damp to try and haul anymore out. Pulled all our onions (not a good year for onions) but it wasn't good drying weather for them. It is supposed to be warm and sunny all week. So far so good...... the sun is out. Jim's sister Glenda is visiting Jean, as well as Jean's son Mike. We met with them at the legion yesterday afternoon. Mike has not been well. (Glenda told us a couple of months ago... Jean has not said a word)He sees the specialist on October 20th. His internet research has led him to suspect MS. It is something neurological. You can tell from the way he moves and speaks. We are going to Jeans for supper on Wednesday (her birthday) Glenda and Mike are preparing it. We are taking the bottle of wine you left, Beth. I had been saving it for company and I think this will be a great time to drink it. We are cooking Thanksgiving dinner, but I am not sure what day. That is when Mike is going home, and I think he leaves on the Monday, but I am not sure. Isn't it interesting that are social life centres around food! I promised Jim a quiche for brunch today, so I sure hope I have everything. IF not, I'll improvise. Then it is off to work outside again. We still haven't put the pool away. It needs a good cleaning and it has been too cold and wet to stand in water and scrub. It's still too cold, but It is not going to get any warmer and it really has to be done. The last of my tomatoes are going to be chopped up and frozen raw. We can toss them into anything we want. I ended up with about 30 bags of tomato sauce. I would make more but we would never eat that much in a year. (watch... we'll be out by January) Next Thursday is my 1st aid refresh. Hopefully I never have to use it. Quiche time!!!!

Test almost done

I had the pulmonary function tests --the first half--yesterday, and was told that I'm perfectly normal. I see this as a terrible thing in today's healthcare. Now I'll be labelled as a hypochondriac. I know I was sick this summer, although I also know that I'm much, much better now. but over all, I gues this is good news, and I should be happy. Next Tuesday, I have to go back to be tested for asthma, but I'm not the least bit worried about that.

I bought most of the supplies for the painting class I've signed up for, and then came home to gather together the supplies I thought I had on hand. A couple of years ago you sent me a plastic bag of brushes, Beth. I grabbed it thinking that I would take if for the first lesson and then buy anything else that was suggested. Lo and behold, if there weren't a bunch of palette knives in the bag as well--just like the one I had just bought. Well, the one I bought was so cheap that it would cost more to drive across the city to return it than I would get back, so I guess I'm keeping them all. I got a course outline this week and now I'm really excited. It sounds like we're going to be exploring a different technique every week, and I won't be expected to paint copies of picture after picture. The last week we're to take 2 or 3 old pictures to colage over. I won't have any, so will probably go to Value Village and try to pick up a couple cheap.
So now it's Saturday night and I spent over two hours this afternoon herding two little girls through a sidewalk sale at the mall. I'm beat. David has been sick for three days now, and not wanting anyone hovering, so, when Amber asked, we didn't want to baby sit here and expose them to his germs. I don't know if the mall was any better. I meet Amber at the children's play area and we stay there while she runs errands, then I usually leave, but this time we wanted to see the sales. We ended up at a "buy one, get one" (at half price) sale at Payless. Amber was determined to get sneakers for the girls and just couldn't find any that fit, so she and I both got a pair of shoes. What a hassle! Big sale and two restless girls! Not my cup of tea.

Be - My "sleep over" is over

and I am now back home. On Tuesday we experienced a horrific storm with heavy winds and rain causing considerable damage in the area. However worst hit was around Sprucedale where Harry's Mother lives. So after we suffered through no power at home for 12 hours, we drove to her home where I stayed with her until things got back to normal which was this afternoon. Without power and water, it was indeed a challenge for me to care for her but nevertheless, I prevailed. Of interest to me was to watch from her front door the Hydro One crew installing new telephone poles along her street and rewiring all the downed wires. Huge trees were broken and thrown across roads tearing down poles and wires as if toothpicks. It was a miracle that nothing occurred directly on Mothers property or house except the power outage. It was reported that one young Hydro worker was killed in the Huntsville area trying to install new wires as result of the damage. Two people were injured when a large tree fell onto their car. I haven't heard of other injuries. Now, there is a rain warning for our area. One wonders if we are not paying back now for the wonderful Spring that we had?
So I have felt left out of communication for the last few days and suffering from lack of sleep and a clean body! I just had a bath, and after this blog shall jump into bed and hope for a good nights sleep - if the rains come as they are reporting I may have to be up to man the sump pump outside . The water still accumulates under the living room window and seeps into the basement if it is allowed to go over the basement window casing. Thus we use a sump pump.
And this has been my week and by the sounds of the one posting so far, it hasn't been any better for you? So as I sign off for tonight, I think of you both and sent my best thoughts and wishes for resolution of all our worst woes! Take careXX

Some days---

Pati here
Somedays are better than others. This wasn't one of them.