Tuesday, March 31, 2015

S-h-h-h! Scary!

I think she brought someone with her.  After grocery shopping today I heard a man on my basement stairs calling himself rude names.

Grocery shopping was as  distressing this month as it was last month.  I'm guessing that the cost of things other than produce is showing up at the till.  We spent some time trying to figure out if it was that, or if the fact that we bought a few staples was to blame.  A bit of both, I think.  But this means re-jigging my budget.  This isn't as much of a problem as it could have been, as we also discovered that our Canada pensions, combined, have gone up over $100/month.

We're home now, everything is put away, and I need a nap.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Sisters

Reading about that "crazy old lady" is like reading about myself.  I love laughing with you and at the same time laughing at myself.  You have given me a lot of pleasure today

Warming up again

The Art Fair went better than we could have hoped.  There was a steady stream of people, but not too many at any one time. So the demonstrators were had time to demonstrate and time to answer questions.  I'm told that the guest speaker was very entertaining, very well informed, and well worth having back.  We believe that this is the first time there has been something like this within the Winnipeg Art Community, and already there is talk about the next one.

On the down side, I don't think I have done that much walking in a very long time, and my hips may never forgive me.  I took my tall stool and sat at the door as a greeter, but then served as a "go-fer" for a fair bit.  While everyone was in listening to the speaker, Dave and I sat in the hall, and ate lunch ( he brought me a lovely quinoa and mandarin salad.), acting as security.  It was also nice to see a lady, whose husband is severely and chronically ill at home, come out for the afternoon.  She managed to get some respite help, and came to act as one of our displayers.

In many ways I'm glad it's over, but now I still have to do paperwork.  I sent some pictures to the webmaster, for the group.  I sent a small write-up and pictures to the newsletter editor.  I have to write a final report on the purpose and activities of the small committee that morphed into the Art Fair committee.  I have sent out an evaluation sheet to all of the committee members, rather than having a face-to-face meeting, and we'll see how that works.

But on the home front that crazy old lady just has to go.  Today she tried to cook oatmeal for breakfast.  Carefully measured the dry oatmeal into the pot, carefully measured out the first cup of water-- and then dumped it into the bin of oatmeal.  Memo to self--don't try to cook until you are awake.  Trying to sort out wet and dry oatmeal made me think of clumping cat litter.

Today is my Artists' Trading Card group, over lunch, always a pleasant time.

Friday, March 27, 2015

It never left from here....

and more last night. Another snow storm with winds over night starting off as sleet and then snow. Tough to shovel this morning especially where the snow plow left a big dump of hard, crusty slushy like stuff.across the driveway. At least I didn't have to do a full out shoveling job - only the driveway and front sidewalk. I figure that the rest all around the house can just wait until it melts.
Today we went to an Amish Quilting Bee.  It was advertised in the paper to take place at the Library in Powassan (three towns north towards North Bay)  I was going to go but when I saw the weather this morning, I decided not to try the roads. But Harry said he would drive me so off we went. There is a very large Amish community in this area including  horse and buggies for transportation. Their hand made wood furniture is always on show at all the fairs etc with showrooms right in the town of Powassan. Anyway the newspaper stated ".....see how to put a quilt on a frame,and hand quilt. You can observe, or if you wish, help with quilting."  We got there in plenty of time but it was already in business with approx 15 ladies seated around the frame all doing some stitching on the borders. It was a tumbling block patterned quilt. About six Amish ladies were in attendance, and many others seated with more people coming in, it was a sort of musical chairs. We just looked on with interest but as the room became overflowing, we left. Maybe only there about 30  minutes?  But, it was an outing of interest for me and glad I went even if somewhat disappointing in terms of a real learning opportunity.
After supper tonight I took the dog for a walk down to the lake. This is the first time in a few months that we have walked. Over the last months with the cold temps we have just gone out in the yard. It felt good to get back into the habit - I have missed these walks a great deal.
Hoping your day today Pati, was successful, and now you can relax a bit. And to you both, hope your weekend will be just fine! Take care

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

It's B-a-a-ack!

But hopefully, not for long.  David had put away his winter boots and parka, and is off getting them out again.  He hadn't, yet, put away the snow blower, and got out the lawn mower.

To cheer us up and give us hope, here is a picture of my Daffodils at their finest.  They are gone now, but I kept this to remind me.



We have to head out today.  I need to get a bit of printing done and to pick up a couple of things for Friday.  I would like to get it done today, so that I can relax tomorrow.  Friday is going to be a rough day.  I lost two of my displayers yesterday.  I was able to replace one of them, thank Goodness. The other one is in the middle of a significant family medical emergency, and we just won't be able to replace her.  We had a sketching lesson at the club yesterday afternoon, and it's amazing how much other work you can accomplish just sitting there. The timing worked in my favour.

P.S.I just had a phone call telling me that one of the other ladies has found a replacement for my lady who's dealing with the critically injures daughter-in-law.  Yeah!  We're back up to full count again.

Winter Celebration (not)

We got as much snow last night as I think we have had all winter.  About 6 or 7 inches lying in our yard.  The ruts on the highway were hitting the bottom of our truck.  I'm glad we don't have a car!!  And now it is bright and sunny and looks wonderful out.  Just don't try walking 'cause there is ice under the snow.  I know it will melt soon.  (probably just in time for the 5-10 centimetres they are calling for on Friday. ) I wonder why our ancestors thought this was a good place to settle?  I should appreciate it.  Any further south and we would be Americans!! I like being a Canadian.  Since I am at work I probably should do some, or at least pretend.  Have a great day

Yes, indeed...

Today is Jeremy's Birthday, and we wish him a great time celebrating his day! Happy Birthday to you.
Here , the weather is forever the problem. Last night was OK for the greenhouses, but freezing rain from Winnipeg way is threatening.  Last evening Aunt Evelyn called ( as she frequently does) to say her son Marshall was stranded in Winnipeg because of freezing rain.So I knew our latest challenge was a gift from you! He is flying a bush plane for a friend who lives in BC. Flying it from North Bay to BC and only got to Winnipeg before he was grounded. If weather does not allow him to go on he plans to leave it in Wpg and fly back home to North Bay.
W worked in the greenhouses most of day yesterday intensely from 1 to about 4 pm planting seedlings, transplanting and me moving them back and forth between houses. Basically I was the gopher - finding more pots, making markers to identify each pot, moving plants, uncovering and then covering again etc.Lots of fun!
Today I hope to get the income tax papers organized so I can take them into accountant tomorrow on our way to Huntsville. It will be nice to see what we owe now, so I can fuss about it until the deadline due April 30.Always have to pay lots each year so not looking forward to this time of year.Also the property taxes come due April 30 - too much all at once!
Well, time for my second coffee to enjoy before the day begins in earnest!
Take care