A great blog to greet my day..

Pati, I was thrilled to log onto The Mouse Factory and see your newest blog posting with pictures.  You have been very busy and with a little setback like having to tear out stitches, it has come together beautifully. I commend you for sticking to your high standards of workmanship and for caring about your presentation. And I was happy to see those little hexis put to good use. 
Last evening we covered the already covered tomatoes with plastic sheets and tarps to protect from the predicted freezing rain and snow overnight. It froze but no precipitation so far. This is a really wild roller coaster ride this year. I just keep hanging on for dear life and go with the flow....haha!
Yesterday though, I did get much work done in the yard itself (with hat and mitts and winter jacket on mind you)  I have set up most of the chairs and some of the ornaments that I store under tarps for winter. Still much to do, but with this current "on hold" status of the work with the greenhouses, and tomatoes, it gave me some time to do these other chores. 
Now time for coffee and breakfast - I bought another dozen eggs yesterday on sale thinking I needed them, but soon discovered a package of 18 in the fridge that I bought on sale last week. I guess I better have some eggs this morning?? And, maybe tell that crazy old lady who often frequents this home, as well as yours Pati, to be more vigilant? Any crazy old ladies showing up in your place lately Cathy?Take care.

A couple of lost days

Sorry to have been out of communication, but the past couple of days have been unusual. Wednesday we had planned to pay our bills, and then go grocery shopping.  Over breakfast, David complained of having dizzy spells.  He had been quite "out of sorts", the previous evening, so, when he suggested that he needed to see a doctor, I took him into Urgent Care. We spent most of the day there, getting an EKG, a CT scan, blood work, and a fairly extensive physical exam of reflexes--more than I had seen before.  They diagnosed a series of small stokes, and the plan is to refer him to a neurologist, and a Stroke Prevention program. We managed to get the bills paid, on the way home, and after some supper, he appeared fine (F.I.N.E.??). By then the day was shot, and we were both ready for bed.  

Thursday, I had an appointment to discuss the research I had done for the local Seniors' group on craft sales and bake sales, with the Executive Director of the organization, and then we started our shopping.  While we were in Walmart I stopped at the hairdressing area, as my hairdresser had lost her job, and is now working there.  I wanted to make an appointment, and check to see if there was any way she could continue to see David. Well, she was available, the air seemed clear, so I fed him a Benadryl, ( I didn't have any Claritin with me)and he got his hair cut.  I had mine cut too, and by the time we finished it was into the afternoon.

While in Walmart, I had done some price comparison on the "over-the-counter" supplements we buy, (as directed by our doctor), and it looked good.  But, we weren't able to get all, and the bill was still over $99.  This is usually hidden in our overall grocery bill, and the total was a bit of a shock.  Maybe back today, to pick up the last few items.

Then in the evening, my friend Gail, came over and treated both of us to take-out pizza, and then she and I spent the evening culling the many, many photos she has, with a the goal of narrowing the choice down, so she can chose some for publication, in a couple of special interest magazines.  Congratulations Gail!!

So today, I won't be washing windows, but I will be washing clothes and bedding.  We have a little more shopping to do.  I have to plan some menus, which means going through the freezers.  We have food that needs to be used or thrown out, as this spring I do want to clean out both freezers,--while you ladies are washing your windows, maybe.  I think I've given up on mine.

What?...clean windows?

Now you have me all worried.  I didn't know I would have to clean windows besides all the other chores imposed upon me...  haha!
Terrific thunderstorm last evening. Bang, flash, splash!  Just when I thought I could safely go out to shovel water at the front of the house, and fix all the tomatoes blown over by the wind and rain, back around it came again.  At the time of another brilliant flash and earth shaking rumble, I was on the ladder tying to sweep water from atop the big greenhouse. 'Nuff of this nonsense. Back in and under the covers I went. 
Last week I started to buy Daily Grand  tickets - cost $3.00 a row but chance to win $1000 a week for life. Now, wouldn't that be nice? Anyway with two draws under my belt so far I have won a free ticket and then last night $4.00. I think I'll stay with it for awhile and see what happens.
Must go and get to the days events.  Last night I started to pay my bills on line ( as I now must since RBC bank said they won't help me at wicket) The storm came and knocked out the power so I had to quit. I must try that now again - the Property taxes must be paid by Apr 30!!  I am still not comfortable doing on line banking but I have no choice.
It is Friday Cathy - so celebrate the end of this "week of Mondays" haha! And Pati are you having your roof done this coming week as you  mentioned may happen?  

A week of Mondays

Do you ever have weeks that everything is wrong in?  A week of Mondays.  In fact, 2 weeks of Mondays.  Stress seems to turn me into a bitch... oh wait!  I am a bitch..I better change this to "reality bites' I get so frustrated at work and I try to be "politically correct" but I can only last so long. How do you  deal with incompitence when the "powers that be" have determined that she is qualified.  I guess the standards in Winnipeg are less than here.  We had a meeting with top management yesterday (HR and operations manager)  We talked about how difficult it is to function with only 3 staff.. their response..... that's nice.  Enough trying to meet their goals.  What you see is what you get.  Sorry to vent but I am soooooo frustrated with managements attitude.  We cannot meet their goals with only 3 people.  Nuff said.  I hope spring comes soon so that I can start cleaning my windows and planting my garden. Once again we are trying to downsize but it seems that we want at least one of everything.  Jim had oral surgery last week  I was worried and went to brandon with him thinking that I would have to drive home.  He didn/t even need an asprin for pain.  the downside is that he couldn't eat anything but soft food for a week.  I am so sick of casseroles and pasta,  Back to work tomorrow.  One day I will win the lottery

Scooby

She saw the Vet this afternoon. Has a terrific bladder infection, with possible bladder stones. She is on antibiotics over weekend and if still not greatly improved, she goes back Monday for xrays to check out "crystals". Not a cheap affair but one never compromises when dealing with one's precious pets.
I had to get a urine sample while there. Picture me crawling along behind her on the grass with a kidney basin stuck under her "you know what" hoping to catch some urine.  I was successful in catching no more than a teaspoon but this was enough for Vet to examine and determine infection.
Rest of entire day spent in yard. Except that is, a trip to Burk's Falls Valu Mart to buy some pork chops on sale for 99 cents/lb. Yes, we did this before not long ago, but Harry likes a real bargain !!  But, I must tell you that I scored myself in finding the Dawn Dish soap I have been looking for ever since you mentioned it Pati.  I bought not one, but two bottles - on sale at this store when I have not even seen it at our usual grocery stores. Bonus!!  
Thats my day.....exciting, eh??

Today we need to do something with the tomatoes..

In spite of nice weather last two days, the bottom is supposed to fall out tonight so today will be panic time to get plants either back into greenhouses, or find a way to cover them. They all won't fit back into the houses as they are too big and staked so I am hoping to fine tuned the covering up to make it easier for me.
On a brighter note, I had lunch with Sue yesterday and as always had a lovely visit.  Harry and I went down to Huntsville early ( I was to meet Sue at noon) and did our shopping. He went to Can Tire for soil while I was in restaurant and then sat in car waiting for me. Reminded me of your tale from Sunday Pati! He tells me he went into Tim Hortons (next to Swiss Chalet) and asked for a hamburger, and when told they didn't sell them, he left with nothing. So he starved ( apparently) while I enjoyed a nice meal haha! Funny thing was that this Swiss Chalet partners with a Harveys  (side by side in same building) so a hamburger could have been had!
Sue gave me a nice solar hanging Owl as a birthday gift ( she always does this in spite of my objections) She knows I love Owls. I took the picture of the three of us in The Pony Corral and also of our dear Owls to show her. So then she thought all three of us collect owls until I told her of our little silly fun we have had with our Owls - I even named them to her.  She may think I am crazy afterall........
So onward with the day.  Apparently as it is the end of the month, I have bills to pay today or tomorrow. The property Tax bill has been nagging at me - due April 30.  I have already paid our Income Taxes so they should not be appearing at my door (I hope).  I may also have to take Scooby to the Vet - last week or two she has been showing signs of maybe a bladder infection or ?  I have to take her out in middle of night and last night it was three times. Obviously something bothering her.   Take care XX  ps no win for me with my ticket boo hoo.

No snow in immediate forecast...

...and thank goodness as many of the plants were taken out of greenhouses and left outside overnight in the misty rain that fell. All was good this morning in my first "out with the dog" look around. 
The Casino Rama location is on the East side of Lake Couchiching right across the lake from Orillia, which is on the West side along Highway #11 going South towards Barrie and then Toronto. It is on Rama First Nation. The trip will take no more than 2 hours.  When we used to travel to Midland all the time to go the Auction Store there (don't go anymore) we drove to Orillia and then West. It is beautiful country, and I always loved the trip.
Still don't know if Harry is driving today to Huntsville but if not, I have a list of stuff to buy while I'm there and on way back - eg more bags of soil haha! Whatever the case, I shall enjoy my visit with Sue.
Now onto my coffee and then get things organized here before leaving for Huntsville.   Mid week, and since there is the Lottery Draw tonight, I have something to look forward to ...I have a ticket for Ontario 49 - not high stakes ( not that I ever win) but the tickets are only $1.00 each. Good Luck to us all....