Losing local businesses

Unfortunately, this is a real problem, as internet shopping becomes the way to acquire things.  I have patronized Sheena's since Carolyn's shop closed, although I did go into it again, a few times,  after Kathryn took it over.  Add into this, the fact that Nordic Needle in Fargo has also closed, and is now only doing on-line business.  Needlework supplies are not so bad, as you can get colour charts that offer actual samples of various threads, so you can see what you're getting, but it sure isn't easy to find the more sophisticated and unusual threads.  I wanted to stock  up on curved beading needles, prior to Sheena's closing, and she had none.  I tried Nordic Needle and couldn't get through their ordering system, so ended up on Amazon.ca.  I've ordered, and paid for needles from some shop I've never heard of, and was supposed to receive them, by courier ( DHL and I remember the problems you've had with them) ,  between December 27th and January 2nd. And paid through the teeth for them plus postage. We'll see.  I also ordered some clear plastic bags for my book marks, and they arrived in jig time, but I paid more for postage than I paid for the bags. I've been ordering my machine sewing thread over the internet for two or three years now.

The other side of this is that we're using my little credit card more and more all the time.  We had to provide a credit card number before the plumber came out, and David used it for that.  I've been assured by PayPal, that we are insured, for a healthy amount, for any credit card fraud or theft, not only through them, but also through the credit card companies. David still doesn't trust enough to give out our big credit card number over the phone or internet.

The big chill continues.  I've got a doozie of a cold, and David now appears to be coming down with it.  So any plans for tomorrow are up in the air.  Not being well enough work on anything important, I'm puttering away at more book marks, while David watches old movies.  And we both nap frequently.  Ain't it great to get old!

Years end...

And the weather seems to have the upper hand. Many events being cancelled for the New Year Eve celebration. I heard that The Forks will still go ahead (at least that was the last announcement on CBC radio) but the temps are dipping once again so who knows. We don't plan to go anywhere so staying inside at home sounds just fine.
I read in Free Press that "the last cross stitch art store" is closing in Winnipeg. Pati will this affect your access to supplies or did you not use this store much. I guess when your friend Caroline closed down it left few good options, but now it sounds dire for those who count on such places to keep their art viable. But then the on line shopping has really come to be the way to go right?
My neighbour and friend Ruth is having a hard time following surgery. She had her hip replacement Dec 18 and much trouble since then. Had to stay in hospital a few extra days because of BP issues ( she crashed one night and they had to transfuse her)  I was over to their house to visit this past Thursday afternoon and played table game with them and then the next morning saw the fire rescue and ambulance at their place . I called over after the ambulance left and her husband said she started to bleed. He was following the ambulance so I was to look after their dog. I took him for a walk etc and glad he was used to me. Turned out that the North Bay hospital just cleaned her up and sent her home. The Orthopedic Surgeon there would not see her because she had her Sx in Parry Sound. What a terrible health care system we live with today! 
She is home still and waiting to see her Surgeon on Jan 9. Apparently a Nurse visits her every two days.
So I wish you all a Happy New Year. And may 2018 really be happy for all of us.  Take care

Yesterday

Well, not quite the day we had planned, but a good day, none the less.  We found out that the plumber wouldn't be able to be here until this morning ( he's here now).  But David has a sore thumb, and it's been getting steadily worse for the past two weeks, so we took him into Urgent care at Victoria Hospital.  This is the only Urgent Care in the city now, and this was our first visit.  I had been told in the past, that one wants to get there early in the day.  That around noon people start coming out of the woodwork.  That's exactly how it went.  The waiting area there is huge, and there were fewer than 10 people when we got there just before 11:00.  When we left at about 2:00 there must have been more than 50 people waiting.  Considering that there were almost 30 treatment cubicles in the back, it appeared very busy.  Glad we got out when we did.

We had saved our money, and had planned to head out to the casino near Grand Beach, for the day.  Needless to say, we ended up at Regent for supper.  There was a rib buffet, and I enjoyed three different types of ribs, and a salad.  There was also some very nice roast beef that David appeared to enjoy.

At this point we have nothing more planned for the next few days.  It's just too cold.  This is the first time I can remember having our windows frozen over, since we moved into this house.  David lowered the humidity, on the furnace, and that helped a bit, but the ice is still there.  I seem to have developed a bit of a cold.  First one in ages.  So staying inside just might be a good idea.

On Monday, we had divided up the left over turkey with Loren and Amber.  I had planned to make some turkey pot pies, and had bought all the supplies.  But it's starting to look as though there won't be enough turkey, as we're been nibbling on it for lunches etc.  Now we're joking about having to cook another turkey.

Tuesday, I took myself to Micheal's, and bought scrap booking paper at $0.20/sheet, instead of the regular price of $0.95/sheet.  I've started making fabric paper to turn into book marks.  I need some bookmarks for Feb 4th, to take into the gift shop in Selkirk.  Messy, but sort of fun.

Thank you Cathy.

We did have plans but they're up in the air now.  We have developed a leaky toilet, and are trying to get someone out to fix it.  Seems that there are a lot of plumbing emergencies right now, maybe because of the extreme cold.  Since we have a second toilet, we don't have an emergency. Although, since it's in the basement, I worry about frozen pipes, especially if it's not used for several days.

Once we find out whether someone will be out today, or tomorrow, we can adjust our plans.  I guess that no matter what time of the year it is --life goes on.

Happy anniversary!

I hope your day is wonderful and you do something special for yourselves. I love you

Buuuuurrrrr!

And you folks are also a wee bit chilly in your parts as well, apparently.  Bundle up to go outside, or if you are staying in, cuddle up!
I was sitting with my coffee on the chesterfield and have the "fire" roaring on the TV.  I have that lovely DVD that plays music and sets a warm fire to sit by. At some point while in this repose, I realized that perhaps one should get on with it.  Reality hit. Christmas is all but over. So I made another coffee and sat down to write a few words. Don't want to move too fast now, do we?  Yesterdays Turkey is the leftover meal for today. And I made the stock last night so all I have to do is make soup and maybe freeze that.
Thinking of my travelers with reports of snow squalls along Highway 11 yesterday.  Mike left Toronto just after 8 am. Erin is staying on for a few days more.  He hit rough going around Orillia cutting his speed to about 30 km because he had zero visibility for awhile, so he cut across on #12 to the 400 and then up to #69 and into Sudbury that way. ( So no visit to dear old Mother this trip) He called about 1 pm to say he was home safely and their three cats all were fine but the house was cold. They have an elaborate heating system controlled by either of their cells phones but when there was no activity he guesses the computer put it into energy save mode. That was soon rectified, and he was about to slip over to the tavern for something to eat.  Erin should be home in about two or three days and when I hear she is safe, I shall worry no longer.
So how are things with you two? Hoping your Christmas was happy. The pictures showed a happy crew anyway, haha! And when I opened the blog just now, there was Cathy smiling at me. What more could I ask for.......my family!  Take care

Cathy

Here it is.