Be - the big night is here

and I am ready with a bag of chips on the table and a glass of wine to be poured. I plan to stay up to see 2011 enter and have a line up of TV shows to take me to the magic hour - truth be told, I'll be lucky to make it to 9 pm !!!! But when I wake up, I shall be 50 million $ richer - that is unless one of you wins instead of me? It has been quite a week and I'll be glad to see the back end of 2010 exit. One can only dream of a better year to come. Right now it is 8 degrees and pouring rain - just what we need on top of all the snow.
So I wish you both a happy new year - best wishes and love XXX

Sort of glad it's over

Yesterday was a very strange day! I thoroughly enjoyed my class. woprked full out, came home and had a nap. Ate a couple of jujubes before lying down and my tummy didn't like them. We were early for our reservation at Ichi Ban, and went to the bar to wait-and wait-and wait--over an hour. There was obviously some sort of problem as the bar filled up and the lobby, but finally we were seated. I have to admit that by this time I was feeling a little frail, but attributed it to the glass of wine I had while waiting. The place was full, and very, very noisy. For some reason they were playing Christmas songs loud enough to be an annoyance, and of course, there were many holiday parties full of good cheer. If we hadn't already been seated, I think we would have chosen to leave. The food started to come and we both noticed the salt in everything--and more salt--and more salt. By the time the main course was cooked, I was worried about throwing up. We asked for the cheque before dessert and left. My digestion remained upset for the rest of the night. I had bought a sandwich on my way to class in the morning, and I'm suspicious about that. However, we both felt distressed about the atmosphere at Ichi Ban. Our first time there was almost 24 years ago, and until recently we have enjoyed it, but I don't know that we'll be going back again.

Everything at once

It seems all the special days happen all at once for you Pati, but Merry Christmas, Happy Anniversay, Happy New Year, and last but not least, Happy Birthday to Dave. Our Christmas was busy, but quiet. Sandi ended up getting sick on Christmas Day. She was at Chicken Delight, leaning on the counter and getting paler and paler. Kris took her home (our home) and she curled up on the couch with the dog. She swears the dog never told her that she wasn't allowed up on the couch! Kris came back and worked his heart out. He was serving meals, picking up old ladies that the HandiVan forgot, cutting meat and doing dishes. He even made up a plate to take home to Sandi. She didn't eat it, but Kris enjoyed the pie. By the time the day was over I thing we served about 80 people again. Next year the poster will say that dinner is from 3 to 5. There was no end time on it this year and people were arriving after 5. We didn't run out of food, though. Jim had 16 deliveries this year, but he had a volunteer driver with a 4 wheel drive truck. Of course, the weather was great this year and he wouldn't have gotten stuck, but he didn't mind being chauffered around. My feet were really sore by the time we got home. I was on them pretty steady from 2 to 6:30. I tried to sit down to eat, but people kept coming in so I ate in stages. Nothing hot by the time I got to it, but I did get a stuffing ball this year! We did the office yesterday so today is a day of doing nothing. Jim has offered to make supper. (stir Fry) so I am relaxing. I will have to start learning my lines for the play though. The first rehearsal is on Monday and we aren't allowed our books. My problem is I keep finding other books to read. Could be interesting. Saturday is the Levy at the Legion. Northern meats donated a 14 lb ham, so Jim and I will be slicing that up Saturday morning. Jim's friend Stef (from Minnedosa) is going to the Levy with us and spending the night. It will be good for Jim to have someone around to visit with. I am sooo looking forward to not going to work tomorrow!

Busy time but productive

I'm glad to see Amber wanting to establish family traditions at Christmas, but part of the idea was to share the load and not rely on Mom and Dad to supply and cook the whole meal. I'm glad you mentioned coolers, Beth, because that gave us an idea of how we could take everything out to Lorette. We had quite a carload between food and gifts, and a table. We were sure we had forgotten tinfoil ( essential for cooking scotch oatmeal dressing). We phoned Amber to see if she had some or if we were going to have to turn around and head back home to get it--answering machine. But David thought he might have packed it, so we pulled into the Rona parking lot and started to unpack the trunk of the car--and there it was!

So we had a good meal, with everyone sitting down together. Do you remember the meals we used to have at Phernambucq's with tables lined up through the kitchen and into the living room? I think we sometimes had as many as 24 people eating there. Poor Jeremy had the hiccups--and had been having them for over a week. They had taken him into Urgent Care twice, but his ADHD meds interfere with the medication for hiccups, so there had been some adjustments made ( I think they took him off the ADHD meds--the hiccups were really, really bad). So game playing was interesting. Loren had given everyone a "heads up" the day before and had suggest that we not play a game, as it could get Jeremy too excited, but he brought a really stupid game with him, saying that they had played the game earlier and that it seemed to keep Jeremy focused and calmer. It was one of those games that you have to play a few times to figure out what's going on, so everyone spent an hour getting totally confused. Munchkin--a card game based on Dungeons and Dragons.

Yesterday we went to Gail's for lunch, along with the rest of her family. They took a family picture while we were there and gave us a copy before we left. I took a look at it today. There are such strong family resemblances, and none of them age well.

But today! I spent the whole day doing gelatin printing! I had planned to do it this week and today was the day. What fun--and very productive too.

Tomorrow, I have a one day class with a very highly respected local artist, and then we have reservations at Ichi Ban. Amber and Darren gave us some money toward our meal, which David very quickly stuffed into my purse, so that it wouldn't get lost. Got home--no money! So whose purse did he stuff it into? Luckily we realized it right after we got home, and called right away and found it. However, Amber is holding it for us, so the meal will come out of my pocket until we can get together with her.

But the bottom line in all of this is family. We all had time with our families this week. Some of it might have been difficult, but there were good times too. I still wish we could have been together, but we can still have that dream, and hope for next year. We all need hope.

Be - Here I sit

with a Chai tea in hand, tree lights turned on and some Christmas music playing in the background. I know that Christmas has come and gone but it sets a nice mood for me still. I was just thinking that only four days ago (Thurs) I was sitting here in this same mood anxiously awaiting the arrival of Mike. It goes by so fast doesn't it? I just made a box of stove top stuffing and opened a tin of cranberry sauce so that I can enjoy a bit of the taste of Christmas as well ( boy, am I ever desperate!) I had very little of the real thing on Christmas Day and most of the leftovers went home with Harry's sister with a bit staying at Mothers. Harry's sister gave Mother a foot spa as a gift - you know the electric ones you put water into and plug in and have warm foot bath and massage. So you know who will be doing that, don't you? I set it up today and she got her feet done. I guess this will now become a weekly event along with her weekly bath. I helped her put all her gifts away - she has to decide where to put things and then know exactly where I put them.
Once I got back from Mothers, I tried to practice some violin but got caught up in cleaning up things here and putting Christmas stuff away, and stripping Mikes bed linen etc. It is easy to get distracted when you see so much to be done. I received a little hand held recording device as a gift - perfect for recording tunes that I am learning - the instructor will play it for me so that I can listen and practice each week. Up to now I was using an old cassette recorder I had. This little device looks like a large cigarette lighter and has so may applications for use I shall have to read the directions carefully. I am not really good at understanding this new technical stuff so wish me luck. Well, I am going to go and eat my stuffing and cranberries now ( Merry Christmas to me!)
Take care

Time is flying by

This time of year I always think of family. It is not my favourite time of year (I still dread fire.... what are the chances of it, though) Kris and Sandi will be here, but I will miss Keri. She won't even get her parcel in time for Christmas. We will be at Chicken Delight again. I am worried about Jean. She has been diagnosed with arthritis, Gary is disabled by his stroke, and her son, Michael, has been diagnosed with Spinal Cerebral Ataxia. He is in Neepawa right now. I don't know for how long. Jean never tells us these things. Glenda phones from BC to update us. I think it is just a sister thing. Never having had a brother I don't know it they share the same way we do. I don't even have my house clean yet. Good thing that Kris is used to my housekeeping abilities. I have next week off work. I am looking forward to the down time. I think I need to relax for a while. I really wish we could all be together again for a while. I think I need some sister time. We always seem to laugh when we are together. Even if we laugh through our tears. Have you ever noticed that I write down my thoughts as they arise, without any rhyme nor reason. I miss you both very much and hope your holidays go smoothly and you can take time to enjoy them. Love you very much

Be - Peace - I'm in a different place but...

the same feelings and thoughts are mine to you both. I, too, have taken a moment for peace before the rush, and decided to log on and see whats new.
Harry has left for North Bay to help with the Christmas Santa Fund Food baskets. 750 baskets were filled last night and so this morning they will be loaded onto Military trucks and civilian cars/vans and out to the community to be delivered. Mike is in charge of organizing the Military part so he will be one tired man after this busy week. I will be glad to see him walk through my front door tonight whenever they return home. In the meantime I am rushing around to get the house sort of cleaned up. Mikes bedroom is all set, so I only have to vacuum the house and straighten up the bathroom and kitchen. Then I have to get started on the food prep for Dinner Saturday. As usual we do the prep here at home and haul it all to Mothers early Christmas Day. I have a fridge full now and two coolers on the floor. My challenge this morning is to fit the huge turkey into the fridge for further thawing. I put it into cold water overnight and now have to get it into the fridge. Lots of fun!
Enjoy each hour and each day over these next few days of "family" celebration, and know that you are always on my mind. Take care and love.......

Last Peace

Pati here
I'm up early today and quietly enjoying the last of the peace until next week. There will be some last minute baking today, and shopping and last minute gift wrapping tomorrow. And then the rush and activity of the holiday--including Boxing Day at Gail's.

This is when I have the time to think of family, and to review my memories. I know we'll all be doing very different things on Saturday--some because they're important to us and some because we feel a duty to see them done. So I'm thinking of you both and hoping your holiday fulfills your hopes and that you spend the day with the people who are important to you--whatever you end up doing.

Surprize!

Last evening we had carollers! I haven't seen that in years. David answered the door, called me, and then retreated into the living room. There were quite a few of them lined up down our sidewalk and into the driveway. It looked like someone was standing beside the house taking pictures, so I have to wonder if we were the first house they had come to. They sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and then one girl stepped forward and handed me a paper plate full of dainties!!? They were from the church across the street. I have to guess that it was a youth group as most of them were younger. If you remember, I had told you how the neighbourhood was annoyed at the Church for putting up a huge illuminated sign at the corner of Munroe. (November 1st the brightness of the sign was cut down--we think in response to complaints--and for the past couple of weeks it hasen't been illuminated at all.) Now I'm wondering if this carolling was an attempt to repair the relationship. This church has always tried to maintain a good ties with the local community.

Amber and the girls were over for supper yesterday. She has a problem in that she has to go into the offfice every day during January, as she has accepted the temporary Team Leader position, and she has no suitable clothes to wear! We looked through my closet, but Silly Mom wears colours other than black, and too-casual old lady clothes. However, I pointed out that a simple black t-shirt and pants can be dressed up quite nicely with a coloured jacket and necklace, so she may borrow a couple of my jackets.

My head has been screwed on wrong for the past few weeks. I was thinking that Christmas Day was Sunday, and had planned everything with that in mind. Now I have to re-organize my schedule--busy that it is. Dang!

Busy, busy?

Everyone must be busy as the conversations have been quiet. I have a minute now as Harry just went to the store and I was able to log on. We are in countdown mode here - shopping for groceries for the Dinner at Mothers Dec 25. I have been trying to complete the wrapping of gifts so that I can take a load to Mothers tomorrow. I will be going solo again as Harry has chosen to go to North Bay to do some personal shopping for gifts. I haven't had that luxury except that one day two weeks ago when I went to violin and then to Mikes on my own. One day I would like to decide not to go to Mothers - a sweet dream?
Anyway I shall send my best wishes to you both for Christmas. Write if you can and tell me what each of you have planned. Take care XXX

Bad weather all around

I came home from work at lunch today. I have 9 days holidays left and I figured that this was a good day to use a couple of hours and come home. I don't think I got over 50kph all the way. I couldn't find the road and just sort of trusted I was okay. By the time I reached our road I was so glad to be close to home. I sort of eyeballed the hydro poles and tried to judge from them. I'd think I was doing good and then I would realize that I was right on the left hand edge of the road. I phoned back to the office when I got in and told them that I might not be in tomorrow until we could get out of the yard. To top it all off, Jim tried to blow some snow to keep ahead of the downfall and the blower won't work. They've closed all the highways around Neepawa except #5 south (the road to our place) If it is still open I can't imagine what the other roads were like. Elizabeth left around noon, but phoned to say she was home but her car didn't make it. She thought she was on the road but ended up in the ditch. And she has 4 wheel drive. Debbie didn't head home when Elizabeth did, because she didn't think she could spare the holiday time. Now she is stuck in town overnight. And the temperature has climbed. The snow is melting and then freezing. Not a good mixture. Other than that nothing is new. I went for more blood tests on Monday and now my arm is deep purple where they took the blood. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to get out of bed. I still haven't won the lottery so I guess I have to keep working a while longer. There is alway tonight, though! Since Christmas is only 1 1/2 weeks away, I guess I should do some planning soon. I am such a procrastinator!! I am making some nuts n' bolts right now, but I can never compete with Kris. He makes such good ones. But it isn't Christmas without them. ( and rice krispie cake with red and green cherries in it!!) I'm not sure what to do with all this extra free time! Bonus! I better stir the nuts n' bolts. Love Ya

Bad weather

The tv says your area is being very hard hit, Beth, but that all of the ski hills etc are quite happy. Always a silver lining, eh? I'm not sure what you mean about unsecure wireless, but then, I've never used my laptop, on the internet, away from home. Our router is hard wired into the system, and the sphere of wireless service is relatively small--into the back yard but not out of the yard. It's such a joy to be able to use the machine anywhere in the house--but I sometimes wish that we had separate e-mail. Right now, everything comes into both machines. The other side of that is that even if I do business on the laptop, I can save stuff into the desk top.

After a chat with DH about $$, I have signed up for a 12-hour hands on course on using PhotoShop Elements. Very little of the demonstration course I took a year ago has stayed iwth me. I sure hope I do better with this one.

Wow

I feel as if I have been through an Arctic winter these last three days. It is only now beginning to clear up. More snow than is space to shovel it, and wind so blustery it almost turned me backwards, not to mention wind chill temperatures of 25 to 30 below. I hurt all over from the exertion of shoveling. I tried to go out regularly to try to keep ahead of the drifts. Then the snowploughs finally came and dumped mounds at the end of the driveway (several times). So Patty I agree that your "Only in Winnipeg" sentiment and it has nicely carried over with me to life here in Ontario and helped me to survive. Congrats on posting your picture. I am still having to type one letter at a time in slow motion just to get a message off to you both - it is so frustrating and time consuming - so you will have to forgive me for my short messages. I have even thought about getting myself a laptop but then realize I would have no way to get onto the network -I wouldn't want to chance unsecure wireless use. So in the meantime, bundle up, stay warm and take care....

Only in Winnipeg....

Time to go out yesterday morning. I had on my undershirt and a t-shirt, and thought " It's only December, I shouldn't put on a sweater under my parka, or I'll have no way of keeping warm when winter comes and it's really cold". Then I thought--the wind chill is minus39--it's not going to get much colder thatn that--and if it does I'll stay home. So off I went in my brown trousers, lime green parka covered in blue paint, navy blue gloves, red scarf and purple purse--the Red Hat Ladies have nothing on me!!

Went to a pizza party and art critique at the local artists' group last night. Interesting. I ended up sitting with the instructor from the silk painting class, and her parents. We actually had a good talk and I learned a lot about the group. Time well spent from that perspective. I think the fellow who had put together the critique session had expected more out of it. He had compiled a slide show of retrospective work of three highly respected artists, and had --in the notice that went out--invited discussion about the pieces as they were shown. However, we were all seated in three rows in front of a 50" screen, so discussion might have been possible with your neighbour, but certainly not with the group.

Today, my "Tuesday Night Stitchers, that Formerly met on Wednesday, and now meet Tuesday Afternoon", are going out for lunch. We all dress up and have a wonderful time.

Tomorrow is a quilt guild meeting, and Dianne is coming in to the city for a couple of quick business meetings and then over here for supper, before we go to the meeting. Last time she did this, my car refused to work, so Dianne drove both me and the lady who usually rides with me to the meeting. Hope we have better luck this time.

Did it!

got it up here. I decided to try, before it was completely finished because I can't put it up after.

At least now I know how to do it.

Cookies and Cuban Music

Have been trying to make cookies. I found an old recipe, but I don't think it was one from home, rather one from when my children were small. You have a basic refridgerator dough, and then make variations. One of my favourites is pinwheel cookies, and that's what I was trying. First batch was overcooked--tasted burnt, although it didn't look it. Nothing to kill the appetite like burnt chocolate. The next batch I tried cutting a little thicker and cooking for a minutes less. Well, they cooked for the regular time and still taste slightly raw. Now, I used to be a good cook. So what's the problem? Well, I figure that Someone is trying to tell me that I don't need any more cookies.

Spent some time today cleaning and sorting in the basement. Tackled the drawer in the entertainment centre that holds the VHS tapes, as we had no idea what might be in there. We found some Disney tapes, a Peter, Paul and Mary concert, part of the Lord of the Rings, and an episode of Dog the Bounty Hunter--go figure. Couldn't find my "Sweatin' to the Oldies", which is about the only one I would choose to keep. Also took a look at my CD's, and found two that I had been given and never listened to. One is the Bueno Vista Social Club and the other is Ruben Gonzales. Both of them turned out to be the most delightful Cuban jazz. David enjoys jazz aas well, so these are both sure to become part of our music mix.

Today was also Amber's work children's Christmas Party, and she is on the committee. So a man came and took my white chair fromt he livingromm, for Sant's throne, and my gids as well as Dianne's. Brought them back exactly as promised. Other than that it was a typically slow day in the Findlay house.

Memories for sure....

I viewed the video also, but really couldn't make out too much. It is a bit spooky because it hasn't been a week since I was talking about Ronalds Shoe Store. I cannot remember how it came up in conversation, but Iwas telling Harry about how we would all make the yearly trek up to the Store for new shoes. And you are right Cathy it was just in time for school to start and we all could go with nice new shoes. I often wonder how Dad could afford it but I shall always remember how he made me feel so wonderful when Ronald would bring a selection to look at and I could try on whatever I liked. You wonder if Ronald didn't know exactly what Dad wanted him to show us. The other store you mentioned was a Hardware / clothing store and I can still picture the owners - a nice couple and she had arthritis in her hands. And don't forget the Pharmacy on the corner of Osborne and Morley. The sanitary pad boxes were wrapped in plain brown paper. There was a little "antique" store just between the Hardware and the Pharmacy and Mom and I went in and I bought a rocking chair there and had it in my bedroom at home - when I got married and left, Dad and Harry took it apart to fit into the car. I used that rocking chair for both Willie and Michael and still have it here. I guess we could go on and on couldn't we ?? It feels good to mention these memories - what I can't recollect, one of you can!
I had a wonderful day today. I went to North Bay on my own - the violin instructor requested a change in day from the usual Tuesday, to Wed for this week and next to accommodate a conflict in her schedule. So even though we went shopping there yesterday, I went back again today. I was able to buy some Christmas gifts, and even went over to Mikes and he put a pot of coffee on and we had a real nice chat. I splurged and bought three china dinner plates with a Christmas motif. I have always envied you Patty in having a "set" of Christmas china to put out each year. So when we were in Value Village yesterday, I spotted these three matching plates and decided I could use them when Mike comes for Christmas - each plate was 99 cents!!
Well, to Mothers tomorrow again so better sign off for now. Take care.

I remember

that store. It was just south of Morley. It was pretty much a hardware store when I was very young, and just seemed to evolve into more of a low-scale department store. I remember wanting a black jacket with white leather sleeves--they were all the rage at one time. I must have been about 13. I worked for a week in the canteen at Riverview Community Club to make the $9.98 to buy it.

Ronalds Shoes

After reading your blog I went to the Free Press Web Site. They had a video of the fire. I remember being so excited whenever we went there because it meant new shoes and usually a new school year. There used to be a clothing store on Osborne, too. I think it carried more than clothes... maybe hardware??? I remember Daddy buying me my favourite coat there. It was a wool/camel hair jacket with a matching skirt. I loved that coat. I kept wearing it long after I outgrew the skirt. I think by the time I put it away I couldn't even do it up any more.

Ronald's Shoe Store

burned down last night--the whole building is gone. Read about it in today's paper. The building was actually owned by Ronald's wife, and -yes-both of them are still alive although in their 80"s. There's some memories for you, Beth.

Be - let it snow, let it blow

Wow - looking out the window all you see is white - blowing snow all around. I went out after supper to shovel in attempt to keep up and clear a bit before a snow plough comes by and leaves a pile in the driveway. I just took the dog out now and the walk and cars are covered again . It must really be winter? A mad rush over the weekend to get the Christmas decorations out of boxes and arranged all around. I just put the finishing touches on the tree and it looks very nice. It isn't hard to realize that we have animals -especially a little mischievous kitten. The bottom branches of the tree look very bare compared to the top half which is laden with lights and ornaments. From past experience it is too tempting for some fun and play to knock all the balls off the tree. Last year the kitten tried to climb the tree- I would see movement and there would be two little eyes peeking at me from halfway up the tree. I hope he has grown up a bit since then but I'm not counting on it. Already the two cats have been chasing each other around the base. As I do every year I bought another red bird to go on the tree and join the other mostly feather red birds. I look for something unusual and this year have a ceramic ornament which I quite like. I need to enjoy all the little amusements I can in my life haha.
At Mothers today Harry put up her tree and decorations while I did her bath, and a wash and her pills, and made lunch. She says she doesn't want anything to do with Christmas and don't put the tree up etc. So we wrapped up a gift for her and put little written hints in big letters all on the outside. Now she has something to look at and try to guess what is in the box from the descriptive hints. This will keep her amused for awhile.
The best news is that I have Daddy's clock working again! When I came back from my trip I had to start it (no one had kept the weights pulled up) But for some reason the hands were frozen in place at 6:25. So for all this time I thought it was broken and so never bothered to really play around with it until yesterday. I moved the hands backwards anticlockwise about one complete revolution and heard a click and suddenly when I went forward clockwise again, the hands were free and moved past the 6:25 spot. It is so wonderful to be hearing the chimes sound again and to look at it and see the right time. Again, a small amusement that means so much to me.
Well, I better get to bed - tomorrow it is the trip to North Bay. Take care.

things move quickly

Saw my doctor in mid-November, and was referred to an eye surgeon. Saw him today and now have cataract surgery scheduled for the left eye on September 16 and the right eye three weeks later. They've also put me on their cancellation list, but it's a lengthy one. Having made the decision, I want it and I want it NOW, but not to be. He warned me that 1/1000 looses their eyesight, and that if there were any problems, they wouldn't do the second eye. Thinking of Phyllis and another fellow, who lost the vision in both eyes, reminds me of the truth in that statistic.

I've been trying some of the recipes, Cathy. I think we're getting a little tired of cheese and tomato but I'm trying another one tonight--just cheese this time. Funny that you're going for a larger crock pot and I tend to use my very small one more and more. I don't cook many roasts though. One of the recipes was for a Beef Stew Provencal, which was cooked in the crock pot and used sweet potatoes rather than white ones. It had zucchini in it as well. I made it with pork and I thought is was quite fine. David didn't like it, but then I think deep in his heart, he prefers plain cooking. That sort of thing is just so boring, when you're trying to plan a new meal every single day.

Tonight is my monthly Ravenesque meeting, this time out in Steinbach at Dianne's. I'm riding with a friend, as night driving is getting more and more difficult for me. We have to bring back one of Dianne's grids to use as a Santa backdrop at Amber's childrens' party for work, next Sunday. She uses the big white chair from our living room as the throne, and, if you remember, we painted blue fabric with snowflakes for the backdrop last year.

She has claimed a table and chair set from Darren's Dad's house. It sounds as thought it's in much better shape than her old set. An old girlfriend of Rodney's helped clean up the house and has clainmed some other pieces of furniture, and I think Darren is quite grateful to her for help and support over the past few months, even though she and Rodney hadn't lived together for a few years. They've been told that they have to drop the price on his house, before it will sell. Bad time of year to be trying to sell waterfront property in Netley, but Darren is anxious to get everything over and done with asap. There is a funeral home in the family, who took care of the cremation, and it sounds like they charged a good price for it. A neighbour has made a ridiculous low-ball offer for the house. How pitiful! The man was robbed when he was living and now they're robbing him again.

I was sorry to hear about Darren's Dad. I know you were expecting it, but it is still a stressful time. And speaking of stress, it sounds like things are tough sledding for you again Beth. Remember we are here for you and a phone call lets you say everything you want without offending anyone! Nothing is happening here, as usual. We went to meat draw of Friday (actually, Jim went to meat draw and I cleaned the office, but I was there before the draw) Hardly anyone was there. I guess they were Christmas shopping. With no one there you would think we would win something, but noooo. One of the men working was a double winner!! We bought a 7 qt crock pot on the weekend, but I couldn't seem to get it to go on low. My stew was boiling and cooked in under 6 hours. Jim was going to fiddle with it today and see if he could figure it out, before we resort to taking it back. I wanted a big crock pot since ours is only about 3.5 qts and we can't even fit a roast in it. We also went to the wine store for a new kit, and Bill had an apple cider kit there for 1/2 price. He saw me looking at it and told me to take it. It had been in the store for a while. He even gave me new yeast for it. If it doesn't work we are only out sugar and time and if it does work we have to give him a bottle or two. Pretty good deal. I really have to get some housework done soon. Even I am noticing things. Especially the animal hair on everything. They are nice to have around, but all 3 shed!!!! Things have slowed down a bit at work which is good, because the mines and mineral searches have really taken off. We started a reference data base, but we just don't have time to update it. Oh well, keeps me busy. I'm almost scared to say anything, but I don't have any meetings this week. I wonder what I have forgotten? Time to go back to work (darn)

Pit Parties and Earl grey tea

I sure hate to see you being used as a workhorse or taken advantage of, Beth, and yet I know there aren't many alternatives or options within the situation. I wish I was with you to help you with your burden, or at least share the load.

Mother-in-laws are truly a mixed blessing. I have to be very careful what I say about Davids mother, especially around any one in the family. David knows about the difficulties I had, and I think his father had an idea too. But at the same time, I know how kind she was to you, Beth. I'll be interested to see how Darren's Mom fits into the current situation. She is quite willing to have the children in her home overnight--a one bedroom suite with a roommate--but the children love her. She was still married to Darren's Dad, after over thirty years separation, but Darren has been assured that this won't interfere with executing the will. We will be celebrating Christmas with her, at Ambers, and she is already talking about holobchi and pyrogies. I know she isnt too bright, but she managed to raise her child and care for her own mother while working three low-paying jobs. We have heard nothing more today. Although we had the children last night, while Amber and Darren spoke to the bank about him taking over as Executor. They had a full day today, and then are going out to her Christmas Party at work tonight. She is on the organizing committee and felt an obligation, but I think it might be good for both of them to spend some time socializing without the children. A friend, Sandra is baby sittting, which she does a lot. I just hope they both had enough sleep to enjoy it. So we take one day at a time.

I came back to edit this as I realized that I had missed the Earl Grey Tea. You may or may not know, that postage costs have gone up over the past year. It now costs more to mail a package of Earl Grey tea than it does to buy the stuff. We also decided that it isn't in our best interest to have big bags of salty nuts'n'bolts in the house. So if I make any, it won't be until just before Christmas, when I can take it to Amber's to share. I know how much of a tradition this sort of thing is, and I feel badly about letting it go, but there it is.

Be - pitty partys abound.....

I just logged on now and read your message re: Darren's Father. Not unexpected but nevertheless upsetting for all. It will be a great help to Amber for you to care for Jessica and Samantha. Likely you will go to Lorette? so safe driving.
I had the pleasure of a "sleep over" at Mothers Wed night. Just after 7 pm Harry got a call from his sister to say Mom had just double dosed with her sleeping pills and someone should go to stay and monitor her. She told Harry Mom would need to be checked for breathing and should be wakened every two hours anyway. So......away I went into snow squalls and zero visibility driving conditions. I won't get into particulars about how I seem to always be the "go to" person. But I gave myself a great pitty party all night as I sat up and listened to her snoring all night. Of greatest importance to me is that she will not kick the bucket, or otherwise injure hersef while on my watch!
Yesterday afternoon I finally heard back from the Doctor - sure enough my samples showed Campylobacter bacteria infection. Not 30 min later the Public Health Unit called me for a detailed assessment. It is a "reportable infection" which I knew, but didn't know how follow up would occur. Could you detail your entire diet menu? Questions such as "What did you have for breakfast three weeks ago?" Then I had to hear about Preventative measures such as taking the temperatures of all meats you cook, and about washing my hands. I am still not back to normal, but you can be sure that unless I am dying, I will not seek further medical attention on this.
So back to housework here at home. Trying to get gifts wrapped, and get some decorations ie the tree up. Mike will be coming here again for a few nights, and to come to Grandmas for Christmas dinner Dec 25. I always enjoy him - he will bring some movies and I like just relaxing and talking with him. Take care

Darren's Dad

died early this morning. He had been in hospital for about 1 1/2 weeks and had been deteriorating quickly. Don't know anything else, yet, but I anticipate that we'll be on call all weekend for things like baby sitting.

Musings from the "Poor House"

It's been one of those days. Sunday the toaster oven stopped working. Monday we bought a new one, brought it home and read all the instructions, even baked a batch of muffins in it. Tuesday morning it wouldn't stop making toast. That is, after the toast was cooked, it just kept on working--a real safety hazard in my opinion. The book had said that a bell would ring and the oven turn off. So back to WalMart and after much discussion, bought a new toaster oven. Working fine so far. Tonight at supper time, the microwave just stopped working. ( I had been suspicious a couple of weeks ago, but today was the day) So, off to Wal-Mart again and buy a new microwave. Brought it home, plugged it in and set the clock. Digital numbers are screwed up. Tried to boil water. Nothing works. So tomorrow it's back to Wal-Mart. The only reason we shop there is because they have such a good return policy. I wonder why?

Now, we were broke for this month a week ago--and today's only the first. Thank Goodness for plastic money.

Tried to make Daddy's shortbread today, and used my nifty shortbread mould. Wouldn't cook. Finally took it out of the oven after an hour, and rolled the rest of the dough into balls to press with a fork. And today was the last painting class. And I've been working so hard on my latest sewing project that last evening my wrists said "no more", and I'm barely half done.

Tried Nanaimo Bar Ice cream. Nice custard-y flavour, nice bits of chocolate, but the damn stuff is full of coconut!

So that's my "pity party" for today. I hope your day went better than mine.

Strange life

David told me something scarey yesterday. The highlight of the day is when the Postman comes and they talk for a couple of minutes. You may know that the Post office has introduced a new parcel delivery system, whereby the actual postman will be delivering parcels, instead of having a special truck come out to try to deliver them to the house. This has caused hate and discontent within the Postal system, and there have been wild cat strikes in a couple of areas of Winnipeg. Since they are wildcat strikes, other union members can be brought in to voluntarily do the job. Our mailman has actually been doing other routes, working into the evening--at overtime rates, of course, although he says that he had declined some weekend work. Yesterday, when he came around, at noon, on his regular route, he was wearing a Kevlar vest and had a communication device of some sort with him.
Serious stuff when it hits your street.

chocolates

Pati here
I favour Brandy Beans myself. They're cheap, and because that makes me suspicious, I have to test every one in the box myself, just to make sure the quality is there. Gotta get my thtills wherever I can.

Hail Caesar!

The other evening I decided that I wanted a caesar. I pulled my clamato out of the fridge. Lo and behold it appeared frozen. I gave it a shake to confirm, and the clamato started to frizz up! It started to ooooze out of the top. I ran to the bathroom and put the bottle upside down in the toilet. I started to loosen the cap that the clamato had already started to oooze out of. It started to fizz more and as I loosened the cap, the clamato suddenly exploded. It burst out of the toilet and struck me in the chest. The clamato overflowed the toilet, (all over the seat and toilet), up the wall, over the vanity... over the floor and all over me. What a mess!!!! After recovering from the shock of being hit in the chest by a plastic clamato container I cleaned up the toilet... the walls.... the floor.... the vanity.... my self...... I then had a 7-up!!! And you wonder about all the fun and excitement in my life!!!

Be- That makes sense

The news item about the Wpg snow clearing budget failed to mention that the budget extended to year end only. Glad you cleared that up and remembered from Daddy.
I was unable to see any part of the Grey Cup yesterday - neither CBC nor CTV carry big sports events anymore - most are on cable or satellite such as TSN now. I tuned in the radio to see if I could pick it up on either AM or FM but still no luck. It has been a few years now since any CFL has been broadcast although CTV has NFL every Sunday! It seems inevitable that we shall have to look at getting Bell or cable installed. The rabbit ears are not going to work for us anymore within a years time when everything switches to digital.
I went to Mothers today on my own. Harry not well so stayed home. I find it is the most draining experience every time I go - I guess this is what they call "burn out" - I come home and need to revitalize myself somehow. I usually go for a walk. This afternoon I went to the bank and them cruised around the Home Hardware store not really looking at anything in particular! I cancelled my violin lesson for tomorrow but we'll still go up to North Bay. Mother wants chocolates for gifts and they (only Pot of Gold will do) are on sale at No Thrills.
Well, short note for tonight. Have a good week. Take Care

Snow Budget

I remember Daddy complaining about this issue. All of the neighbours used to sound off to him whenever Winnipeg ran out of snow clearing money in November or December. It seems that, while most of the world functions from September to August, Winnipeg budgets from January to December. Come January 1st, we'll have a whole new year of money to spend. But it was a rough stretch. David had to get the snow blower out 6 days out of 7. It just snowed and snowed. Not that I envy your isssue with snow melt running into the basement, Beth.

Finally I'm having some time at home. Cathy lent me some Kraft Canada magazines, and I've been working my way through them. I was desperate for some new ways of cooking chicken. I copied off those recipes I thought might work ( sorry Cathy, some of your page markers got lost in the process) When I got them all together in a looseleaf, I realized that I was looking at chicken, pasta, and tomatoes in just about everything, just changing the flavour of salad dressing used for the marinade. So, I've decided to use the recipes once or twice a week and stick with old stand-bys the rest of the time. I did try the broccoli salad recipe Cathy gave me, and seemed to end up with a lot of filler and not much broccoli--not that I minded. Next time, I htink I'll use fewer raisins and sunflower seeds. It doesn't taste right unless the bacon is really well cooked, either.

Otherwise, I spend time in the studio or on the computer. I much prefer doing work processing on the desk top, especially when that's where the printer is. But, ergonomically, it fits better. This means scheduling around poker tournaments, and football games. I got a big job off my mind yesterday. There is another on on the horizon, but I need approval from my partner on the first one before starting that.

So two more days that I don't have to go out. Glad I stocked up at the library. ( Procrastination??)

Saturday

It's a good thing I wasn't supposed to be at the craft sale at 8am... It was after 10 when I crawled out of bed. I really must need more sleep than I am getting during the week. I wasn't asleep, but I was "dozing". We won our usual at meat draw last night, but Kristy and Rodney dropped over afterwards. They have been fighting for custody of Rodneys daughter for a long time now. She left her moved in with them last March (ran away from her mom's) but a family judge ordered that at 12 she is too young to know what she really wants. She now has one week at each place. We read on facebook how unhappy she is at her moms and I really feel bad for her. Rodney and Kristy both want her so much. Her brother left his mom's when he was almost 15. He was going to stay until Jen was old enough to leave with him, but he couldn't stand it. Enough of the sad stuff. Let's talk about the lovely weather we are all having! The snow has stopped now and we just have "pea soup" fog outside. But that's okay. The snow is supposed to come back tomorrow. We did our "dickens reading" at the personal care home on Tuesday night. It was okay, but it is disconcerting to have your audience wheeled out because they are asleep! All in all, though. Whitemud is discussing having a number of 15 to 20 minute plays (comedies) to present there occasionally. Most of the residents enjoy a good comedy, but they can seldom get out to one. The Manitoba Association of Playwrights has a number of short plays (10-20 minutes) that they have submitted to ACT for possible production. Some of them would be great. Work is work... I go in and I come home. We had an office meeting last Tuesday and I found out (at the meeting) that we are having staggered hours. Patty starts at 8:45 (taking her coffee break before she arrives) and Deb leaves at 4:15. I am now working very hard to be out of there by 3:45. I knew Patty was starting late, but I had no idea that these staggered hours were in place. No more screaming, though, so that part is much better. I asked when were were going to switch jobs again (so the 3 clerks can fill in for one another) Deb said she would not learn my job... she didn't want to and Patty said she already knows how to do everything. So much for keeping on top of things. Patty complained about some of us (read Cathy) doing our own little projects so that we did not have to help with other things.... Little did she know that Elizabeth had asked me to work on the problem titles (score one for Cathy) Time for brunch! Have a good weekend

Be - "long time ... no hear"

rest assured though that I am indeed "here" Finally got to see the Doctor on Wed about my GI issues - yes, I still have my GI issues. She tells me that she had a bout of diarrhea in the summer that lasted two weeks! So is this supposed to make me feel better? Anyway, several specimens were collected and taken off to the Lab on Thursday morning. I should hear back from Dr Monday or Tuesday. The directions on the bottles suggested putting saran wrap over the toilet hole in order to ensure the specimen was not in contact with urine or water. Now, can you imagine someone with water diarrhea even attempting to defecate onto a piece of saran wrap? Or even having time to drape the hole properly prior to performing the act.....? And Patty you thought you had problems cleaning your bathroom! Well, I guess thats enough about my little issue.
I heard on the news tonight that Winnipeg has already spent its winters budget on snow removal just in November - I wonder about who, and how the financial people could not be on top of this - its not as if Wpg never gets a good share of snow each year - no wonder they had roque front end loaders filling in Findlays driveway! They didn't know what else to do with it (haha)
We had to go to North Bay yesterday afternoon to deliver something and got stuck in a freak freezing rain - we came back home on the highway about 60 kph all the way - all transit buses and even salt trucks were pulled off at one point. I was very happy to reach Sundridge in one piece. Highways all around the city were closed, and according to news, many fender benders. Now we are in the middle of snow squalls expecting up to 40 cm by tomorrow. Must be the storm you folks in Manitoba sent East to us.
We are continuing to experience computer problems - one reason I haven't been too active on the blog . Harry bought a fancy new keyboard thinking that was the problem but as I write this note I see that it has not improved - still needs "one key at a time prompting" in order to get a complete word written. Then the printer wouldn't print in colour so the "computer man" told Harry to clean the cartridge head by going into settings and printer. So you know who got that job - apparently I have a Masters in Computer Application from MIT. Long story short ( and you wouldn't want to hear the details anyway) we now have two new cartridges in the printer -one colour and one black and white and Harry has his colour printing back.
Well, it is time to quit for tonight as tomorrow will come soon enough. Hope all is well with you two. Take care.

Housework can be hazardous to your health

With all that has been going on, combined with my natural tendnecy to procrastinate, the house has turned into a pigsty. So yesterday I made a list of things to do, and one was scrub out the upstairs bathroom, even to the point of cleaning out the cupboards and washing the floor. We even decided to replace the shower curtain--the one we mended with shipping tape when you were hear last summer, Beth. In hind sight, we maybe should have just mended it again--the tear wasn't any worse than it had been then. Everything went well until I tried to re-hang the shower curtain. It took about 5 tries to get it up. Next was to scrub the tub. This has become a major problem ever since my fall last summer--I can't kneel down and put any weight through my right knee. So there I was on 1 1/2 knees scrubbing the tub and down comes the shower curtain. David --playing on the computer--heard the noise and came to see what was going on. He found me scrubbing away with both the shower curtain and tension rod on my shoulders. Once I was down there, there was no way I was going to even TRY to get up, until the job was finished. Needless to say, neither the cupboards nor the floor were touched yesterday.

I'm sitting here with my morning coffee, while David is out blowing snow. The newspaper says that we have exceeded normnal snowfall for the month by 75%--all in the last week. We've had heavy snowfall every day and the streets are just awful--plows are barely keeping up with the bus routes. Getting into our street and then into our driveway has been "iffy" at best. I've been glad that we live so close to the corner, neighbours further down have been having a terrible time with it. So I heard the roar of the machine and thought it was loud. Took a look, just in time to see a frontend loader drop a huge winrow across our driveway, while David stood with his blower and watched. We have to go out, but it looks like it might be awhile.

I refuse to shop on weekends this close to Christmas. It has been said that the intersection of Regent and Lagimodiere is the busiest and most dangerous in the city, and much more so during November and December. So I either have to do my once-a-month shoppng today or Monday. Amber and I are sharing the cost of a gift for Darren this year, and she has made arrangements to get it today. So we need to hit the bank and then meet her in St. Boniface around noon. ( We're meeting a guy at a certain street corner at 12:30. Hm-m-m??) I imagine it will live at my house until Christmas. After supper, we are supposed to go to her house for an informal family birthday party for Samantha. She already has her gift, so we just have to get a card.

Tomorrow I have another class--this one on silk painting. You'll be glad to know that there are no others scheduled in the New Year--although I've seen a couple that look interesting.

Run, run, run..

Got most of the Christmas shopping done yesterday. We had a good idea of what we wanted to get, and then the problem was getting to the right store to buy it. Nasty slippery roads, and behind every steering wheel--an idiot! Shopping for clothes for teddy bears is a challenge, especially when one of those bears is a frog. The frog got a pair of black trousers, and a white pin striped shirt with a built in black vest. The bear--who is multi-coloured but mostly pink-- got a very nice off-white party dress. They offer "frequent flyer" points at this store, so Amber got those, as well as a $10 gift card, purchased for $5-- they sure know how to keep you coming back. Loren's children live for Chapters gift cards, but they're getting older and their books cost more, so we had to bump up the price this year. Jessica will also be getting pink "Princess" pyjamas, and Smantha a little outfit in lavender--she rarely gets "new" clothes.

Then out for supper. So nothing got done around here yesterday, which means working our butts off today. I'm having coffee with my friend Carolyn this afternoon. She's in town to teach and to visit her oldest daughter, Katrina, who has been fighting cancer for about a year now. As far as I know, things are going well, but I guess I'll find out this afternoon. And this evening I have a one-off beginners acrylic class with a different teacher. We're doing a small landscape, and will be mixing our colours--something we don't do in the series of classes I'm taking. So this will be a chance to learn another style. But the series of classes was advertised as being for advanced students, so this may be a good chance to get back to some of the basic techniques.

I envy you somewhat Cathy, being able to hear live music, and enjoy the social atmosphere you experience at the same time. You and Jim have active social lives, even if it's just people dropping in to finish a mickey. We never experience that, and I'm seeing our social skills getting rusty. I have to believe this socialization is part of small town living. You have to make your own culture etc. , and I know you do this actively. Keep it up, as you will need it when you retire.

Country Life

is mostly dealing with snow. From nothing to soooo much in such a short time. I had my meeting last Sunday. My instructions were to buy Subway for lunch. Well, guess what has closed in Neepawa! We had meat and buns, but nobody minded and most of it went. Another meeting on Wednesday that lasted until 9:30 pm We usually meet at 4:30 or 5:00 for this one, but it was the AGM so it was at 7:00. I should have been in bed. The Evening Grosbeaks fought over the food for about 10 minutes after Pati & Dave left and then they all suddenly took off and never came back. We still have sunflower seeds left. I wasn't sure after reading how much they can eat. I worked meat draw on Friday. We won our usual. Whitemud Blues was playing so we stayed for a while. I found myself dozing off, but Jim didn't want to leave yet, so I went next door and started on the office. I got it all cleaned on Friday night so we don't have to face it this weekend. We will have to shovel snow again on Monday. I find I look forward to weekends so that I can catch up on my sleep. It is not unusual now for me to sleep to 9 or 9:30 on the weekend. I guees I just don't get enough sleep during the week. Next Saturday is the Christmas Wish sale in town. I though I would be there all morning, but somehow they missed me on the schedule. They only asked about coming at 4:30 but I can't make it then. It's been a long time since I didn't work a shift. Usually I am there from 8am to noon. The Parade of Lights is on Saturday night. I always enjoy watching that. Sunday is the Dickens Reading at VCC and a Grey Cup Party at the legion. We'll see how much I do. I didn't win the lottery so it is back to work on Monday

Another day down!

The sale is over at the Hydro Building. This morning was quiet, and we figured that would be the whole day, but it picked up a little in the afternoon, and I came away with a little more than expenses--enough to do a small bit of Christmas shopping. We hope to get out for that on Monday. Tomorrow I'm helping out at the large art sale. I had originally signed up to sit at a raffle table, before finding out that there was a scheduling clash with the Hydro Building sale, so now have to work the cash desk. OMG!!

Some things are mixed blessings. David and I were a little concerned about Amber and the children coming over tomorrow, especially with me being away in the afternoon, and the unanticipated need to cook a turkey. ( Life is full of surprises) Amber phoned us this morning to tell us that both girls have measles, and maybe it would be best if they gave dinner a miss tomorrow. Oh Yeah! Too Bad! I hate not seeing them, as missing means that we don't see them for a month, but I have to confess that this time it suits me.

So a quiet evening. We aren't even going to try to unpack the stock until tomorrow. I sure hope there's somethng on t.v.

Have a great weekend.

Be - yes, life goes on..

and I have missed most of this week. On Tueday I got sick and have been not well since then. gastrointestinal in nature and I'm now well into my fourth day with diarrhea which is untoward. I normally do not get ill so this is uncommon for me - I'm thinking some sort of bug or food poisoning but cannot think what could be the culprit. Of course, life goes on including the regular trip to Mothers Thursday and my Eye appt Friday. As it turns out I had laser sx in both eyes again. He tells me that the vitrius in both eyes is still pulling badly and a high risk to tear anytime. Oh, good!! My pupils are still not back to normal size yet but much better than yesterday - I just gave up trying to function and went to bed were I stayed until this morning. Harry has gone to an auction and I'm trying to clean up a bit.
Thought I'd write a quick note to let you know I'm still here. Sounds as if Patty is having the most fun right now - good for you. Unless you are holding out on us Cathy???? Take care

Day one down--

Not a good day a the big new Hydro building. We are there again tomorrow and I certainly hope it's a better day. The sale ended at 6:00 today and then it was off to the quilters' guild meeting where it was "Member Vendors" night. I had some hand dyed fabric and took along my little purses. I ended up selling more there than I did all day at the other sale.

They are still putting the finishing touches on the Hydro building. The washroom that was made available to the vendors was still under construction. So either we had men in the ladies working on things or we had men walk into the ladies while there were people in the cubicles. Ask me how I know! One poor lady is from Thailand and would never dream of speaking to a strange man or asking him to give any consideration to her needs. She seemed to spend most of the day trying to get in there, when the men weren't around. However, by the end of the day it was nice to have a toilet paper dispenser rather than having to pick up the roll from the floor.

So for supper I've had two cookies, a piece of cake and Southern Comfort. Maybe life doesn't get any better than this. Since the building opens at 8:00 tomorrow, my Southern Comfort and I are now off to bed.

Just coasting

Friday and Saturday is the craft show--the last one I've signed up for at this point. This is very much on my mind, but at this point, there is nothing I can do to get ready for it. We'll get everything together Thursday evening, pack the car early Friday morning, and then hang on, sit tight, and enjoy the ride! As well, Friday evening is the quilt guild meeting, and I'm sharing a sales table with another lady. I don't have much to sell this year, but am taking a bunch of my hand dyed fabric--priced quite nicely, if I do say. Yesterday we were out to Beausejour to pick up sandwich boards from the artists' co-op to lend to the Crafts Museum for the sale.

Tomorrow is a painting class. I'm apprehensive about this one. She showed us an example of what we're doing and it scared the pants off me. IMHO far beyond my skill level. I know I should just just suck it up and do my best, but with what I saw, I wouldn't even know where to start. I can't believe that I'm thinking about not going. I picked up some books on plants and leaves from the library, and I've tried to plan some sort of picture using them as references, but generally, I'm not happy. That was an experience in itself. I asked the reference librarian for books with pictures of leaves. She found me gardening books, landscaping books, books on weeds.etc, even a couple of books out of the children's section on photosynthesis. In retrospect, I should have asked for books on identifying trees. She was off and running, and pulling books and muttering to herself. Finally I took the books she gave me just to stop her performance, or we might still be there.

On the other hand, today was our monthly Tuesday Night Stitchers that Used to Meet on Wednesday Afternoon meeting. We had a new lady join us today, and we had one of our better meetings, I think. Mind you, three out of the five of us were quilting.

So we wait to see what the weekend holds.

Be -Makes you wonder if you really should...

Sometimes the odds seemed stacked against one doing things they want eg violin - I have persevered with great determination to go to class every week and try to get in a bit of practice in between. I was doing great this week until Sat when I sliced the top of my ring finger on left hand -the one that needs to press the strings. I had a time to stop the bleeding and get a steristrip in place (a bandage that acts like a stitch) Try to play the strings with bandages on and pain with the slightest touch. And my lesson is tomorrow. Oh well, I am not a concert violinist so I guess it really isn't the end of the world! Today we were the entire day at Mothers - she had a Doctors appt for 2 pm for physical and flu vaccine and it was a challenge to get her ready and there in time. Creates some interesting verbal exchanges - enough said! On Saturday we went to the North Bay Annual Art and Craft Christmas Show. We have gone most every year and I enjoy it - however this year seemed to be less than exciting. I did buy two wooden tree ornaments - one saying Simplicity and the other saying Faith. Maybe speaks to my state of mind these days? I just returned from another evening of curling - I have a good time inspite of not really being very good but it is an outside activity balancing the other aspects of my life. Hope my eyes will behave! Time to watch the news and then to bed. Hope to write again this week Take care

Be - I was one of the Grosbeaks at Cathys

Well, maybe not really but my spirit was there with you all. Wouldn't it be a dream if we were all together walking Cathy's trail. I have always loved that walk. So it was a week from h--- for me. The only bright spot in an otherwise horrible week was to see Michael in his "Sunday going to meeting" dress uniform with white leather belt and white gloves leading the Volley team at the Remembrance Day Ceremonies - both at the North Bay Arena, and then again at the Algonquin Regiment Cenataph. Makes a poor old Mother very proud!
This computer is still functioning almost at a halt and requires me to take a second or two just to type one letter - perhaps one reason why you haven't had a note from me recently (among other reasons) But it always boosts my spirits to be able to log on and see all your news.
Believe it or not, I just walked up to the LCBO and bought a bottle of sherry and just mixed a drink 1/2 sherry and 1/2 ginger ale. Remember that was what we were given at home the odd time. And when done here I shall go and practice some violin. Perhaps I shall be a bit more chatty in the week to come - next Friday I go to the Eye Surgeon - good thing as I have lots of floaters and wouldn't be surprised if he does a bit of laser. If so, I plan to quit curling as it may be a few weeks again before I can participate and likely not a good activity to continue with retinas that like to tear and bleed all the time. More to come - Take care

Home again

after a flying trip up to Cathy's to pick up the poultry she and Jim had bought for us at the Colony. I had awoken feeling pretty rotten, but the day picked up nicely after Cathy gave me a T3, shortly after we arrived. Cathy made a very nice soup for our lunch, but it was drive up, eat and come home. Just before we left there was a flock of about 10 Evening Grosbeaks at the feeder. They were beautiful! I've never seen them before and I think they deserve a prettier name--Golden Grosbeaks, maybe. My book says that they love sunflower seeds and can empty a feeder in a very short time. Sure hope Jim was ready with refills when they were needed. The birds sure weren't shy about coming when there were people there,but a little more cautious when the dogs were out. Cathy and I talked about recipes, and bored David to tears so he ended up watching TV with Jim, and then we all took a walk to look at the swath of devastation through the bush. All of us really feel that it must have been a small tornado that almost touched down. We were stopped by a RCMP check on the way out, just west of Headingly, right by the scale. We waited in line until the officer came to us, and then he just told us to wait a moment and then signalled us back onto the highway. The people that were pulled over onto the shoulder were all young men, so, for once, we were glad to be over 50!

Stopped at Dollarama on the way home and picked up some real cheap acrylic paint. Then I made four more pieces in the same technique as my class from Wednesday. So far, they look better than the three pieces I did in class with the very expensive paint, but I have to wait until the first layer dries before I can put the finishing touches on them. This is a technique where you squeeze some paint on and then spread it with a credit card. Then you look for figures in the swirls, and do a bit of brush work to bring them out. Except, during class I couldn't see any figures. Another student found some peppers in mine, and then we looked at each other, and she said " Alright, I know they're really penises, but I didn't want to say that". This from a very proper lady whom, I believe, may be older than I. Maybe not so proper, she talks about travelling with the "man I'm seeing", and is still wearing her wedding rings, so who knows.

A meeting out in Selkirk tomorrow afternoon. I've done a little preparation, but it may still turn into contentious meeting. I'm not looking forward to it. Thank Goodness, I still have a little left in the mickey of Southern Comfort I bought to take to the Retreat.

Good night all.

Quick review....

this is just a quick note, since the entire blog I posted on Saturday disappeared! I was glad when Saturday came. We went to meat draw on Friday and won our usual. We had only been home for 1/2 an hour when Jim got a call from the Legion. A friend of his son's ex-wife's mother was there and wanted to meet him for a drink. So back we went. She had come from Dauphin with 4 other women for an old time dance but the dance was over sold and they were sitting in the hallway. They figured the clubroom was a better place to drink. It was going on 11 before we got home again. Saturday was the annual legion banquet. It was okay, but the roast pork was really dry, and there were sure a lot of protocol mistakes!! Even I could spot them. Sunday, dispite our good intentions we did nothing. I sat outside in my shorts and t-shirt and read a book. We were going to haul some more wood out of the bush. There is a whole section that got hit with the wind the day we lost the tree in the shelterbelt. It looks like a small tornado touched down in the bush, bounced over the house and hit the shelterbelt! I did talk to Kris on Sunday. A couple of people had stopped me on Saturday and asked it it was my son who had won?!?? Not a country station listener I knew nothing about the contest. He won a $5000 shopping spree at the Brandon Mall. You phoned in over a couple of months and the 80 people that got through had to be at the Mall on Saturday for the final. It was last man standing as people were eliminated when called. Guess who stood there the longest!! Okay, today is Monday and back to work... there is a casting call tonight for the spring production, a rehearsal tomorrow for the DIckens reading and an ACT meeting on Sunday. THat's all I remember right now. Enjoy the week ahead

Birthday challenge

All the portends were good, schedules came together, and we had money in the bank--so today we met Amber and the girls, and treated them to lunch at McDonalds ( the one with the BIG playland), and then a trip to "Build a Bear". Both girls had gift certificates from Day Care, and Grandma and Grandpa added a bit. This is a store where the bodies are already made. You choose wich bear you want, and what extras you want with your bear ( noise thing-y's in a paw, or maybe music). There are three or four types of hearts to put in your bear. Then you run the machine to blow as much stuffing as you want in, and a helper stitches up the back ( the lacing is already in place and she just has to draw it up and tie it off) Then you take your bear to a special "massage" table where you can run a machine to blow off any extra stuffing and there are brushes to give your bear a brushing. Then you get to choose clothing including footwear, and hats and underwear--all at prices comparable to adult clothes. I was blown away with what was available. You the register the birth via a computer,-- so that when it comes time to pay you don't notice grandparents collapsing in price shock--as the clerk gives you a birth certificate with both your name and the bear's. Samantha actually picked out a green frog, instead of a typical teddy bear, and refused to have any clothes, although she spent some time considering boys undershorts. Jessica picked a multi-coloured pink bear, but had been warned that there was a budget, so all she took home for her bear was a purse--with pink sequins. But now Grand parents have a real good idea of what would work for Christmas--along with the required pyjamas, of course. The trouble is that Amber has a strong views of what is acceptable as the girls.

Needless to say, we both came home and collapsed. When it came time to leave McDonalds, Samantha refused to get out of the play structure--one of those things with towers and tubes etc--somewhat like a maze they have for gerbils--I'm sure you've both seen them. So Amber ended up climbing up into the structure and actually having to crawl through one of the tunnels--high in the air--to catch the little monkey. She is as stubborn as both of my children put together. When she doesn't want to do something, she just holds her ground and refuses to move. Amber says that she can walk away and disappear from view and it doesn't make any difference--scare'y!!

But that is one thing to stroke off the "To Do" list.

Be - apparently no reprieve

I was out in the blowing snow this morning putting tarps on some of the outside furniture etc. I should have had it done earlier but honestly thought the snow accumulated would disappear and we would have some nice weather for a bit more. That may happen yet, but not anytime soon. Took the dog to the South River Park and it felt as if I were in a bitter winter storm as I walked along the riverside trail. I think the dog was as happy as I to get back to the van. Would you believe that I got out the Christmas Cards today to get organized and ready to get them made out and mailed. Mike gave me the trilogy set of "Back to the Future" and as yet have not had a chance to view - it might be an idea to do the cards while I watch. Somehow it seems unacceptable here to just sit and be doing nothing. The other day we bought Brandy to soak Christmas cakes - there was a little bit left and I had a hot milk and brandy before bed - wow it was delicious - alone my stomach cannot take it, but I was so surprised to enjoy it with hot milk. I believe I had a much better sleep as well!
So, the weekend is here. Hope you both have a great weekend. Enjoy your visit with Jessica and Samantha Patty - I put a card in the mail to Jessica on Thursday so it should get to her in time. Then I'll send one to Samantha as well. Take care ....

More beaches

There was a further article in today's paper saying that, yes, the beaches were down to stones and rock. Damage is in the millions. They are describing it as a "non-tropical cyclone".

Things remain quiet around here. The studio area remains a disaster. Every day I try to do a little bit more, but the mess never really goes away. An emerging problem is the paintings I seem to be accumulating. They just hang around making a nuisence of themselves.

I made up a recipe for my chicken and soup casserole. It was quite good, but I can't remember what I put in it. Today I'm going to try rouladen. It's been awhile since I made anything like that. For the most part, I've been eating veggies. The diuretics I'm taking have had a negative effect on my digestion, and I'm really trying to push fibre. It seems to be working, and I've even lost few pounds--so that can't be bad.

Amber and the girls will b eover for supper on Sunday. Both girls have birthdays with month, and Amber had promised ot send a "gift list", but I haven't seen it yet. I guess I better get on her about it. We haven't seen them for ages, and we're both looking forward to it.

Beaches

The only pictures were of damaged and flooded cottages and the torn up boardwalk. The article said that there were 2metre waves going right over the board walk and into the sand dunes, so I'm guessing that a lot of the sand was drawn back into the lake. It said further that the other beaches in that area had lost most of their sand. Victoria Beach is the one where no cars are allowed and you have to park and walk in. Most people have wagons etc for hauling groceries and luggage. The year I remember Dad and Mr. Martin rented a cottage there for a week, but Mom stayed home. I think it was before Cathy was born, or while she was still a baby. I can see Mom refusing to do something like that if there was a little one. Of course you're sore! The heavy work you usully do uses totally different muscles than curling. I hope you keep it up. The socialization is much more important than the actual game.

Be - Thoughts of long ago

Isn't it wonderful that we have flashes of good times from long ago. I often think about happy remembrances - I guess it takes the "dismal" out of my daily life. I especially remember the Lake - at Boundary Park we walked and picked hazelnuts off the tree. I believe it is to Victoria Beach where you drive towards it and at some point on the road you look ahead and all you see is water. I cannot picture Grand Beach without the sand dunes. Did the water rise to cover it all, or was the sand swept back to the lake, and if so, what is left of the beach area - is it now rocks? It was to Patricia Beach where I remember going more frequently with Mom and Dad. Equally beautiful with long sandy beaches - I guess it, too, must be damaged.
I went to curling last night and actually played for the first time. I also had a terrible fall trying to sweep - it happened so quickly and I was flat on the ice. Caused a great commotion but fortunately no damage except perhaps my dignity! Besides that, I was able to throw the rocks and sweep not too badly after years and years (how about decades) of being away from it. Today though, I have to admit I am a little sore. I wonder if I made a wise choice to sign up for the league when I could really hurt myself, but it is nice to get out and see people. One lady asked me if I was new to the area, and I responded, ...no, I was new to getting out !
The snow is still thick on the ground after the storm on the weekend and I wonder if it will go away, or is this the real start to winter. We only had 22 kids at our door Hallowe'en night - we had candy bags made up for 160 - in years past we have had well over 100 but things are changing. Of course, it was also below freezing and snow on the ground which was likely the major reason. So today we dropped into Mikes with bags of little chocolate bars, and licorice nibs. He said with all his friends, and at work, he could "move it".
Harry spoke with Mothers Red Cross homemaker tonight and after over two months off, she will be starting back again tomorrow. So part of my "duties" will be removed, but apparently NOT the bathing. Mother will not allow anyone to help her except me. She cannot manage safely alone, nor is it safe even for me to assist her in and out of the tub so I refused to help her do this. So I brought a bath bench and faucet hose with attached spray and for the first attempt with this method, it worked out so now I am designated to assist her regularly. She refuses to have the homemaker help her, so it leaves little choice for me.
Well, bed time. Hope all is well with everyone??? Take care

Storms

Was reading in the paper about the damage done to places on lake Winnipeg by the recent storm. It seems that, at Grand Beach, both the board walk and the sand dunes between the boardwalk and the lagoon are heavily damaged--the sand dunes gone--and, my memory says they were huge. Victoria Beach and those beaches in between there and Grand Beach, were damaged as well--most of the sand gone. The paper said that this has happened before, and that the sand beaches tend to rehabilitate themselves without human help, in about 10 years. Gimli was hit too. These places were part of our childhood. I remember spending a week at Victoria Beach with Dad and Mr. Martin and Ron Martin. I think you were there with us Beth. And there were many holidays at Boundary Park in Uncle Tom's cabin. All of this reminiscing makes me feel old

We were out to Wal-Mart again today to se if we could find another sweat jacket for David. he really likes the fit of the one we bought a few days ago. So he now has three of them. But while we were out I saw several old men. Some of them were just wandering around looking lost, and a couple of others were quite debilitated and pushing shopping carts to appear less so. It doesn't seem fair that life has to end with a loss of dignity--and that it seems to hit men worse than women. Possibly because so many men base their self esteem on physical ability.

Boy! Have I ever taken a dismal pill today! But I also spent time this morning looking up recipes on the internet. OMG! When did I turn into a boring old woman? Does anyone have a recipe using Campbells Mushroom soup and chicken and mushrooms,that doesn't have broccoli in it? Maybe I'll just have to make one up--that includes wild rice.

Pati here

I actually got some creative work done in the studio today. That was after a hurried shopping trip. Yesterday evening we got an e-mail from the local artists' supply store telling us that artists' canvasses were on sale-no date or time-just notice of a sale. So we were there shortly after opening today and bought 11 of them, along with three more tubes of paint. I have an idea of how they could be used, and that may eventually happen,--maybe--but I just couldn't pass up a good sale. We even found a good place to store them until the day they actually get used. And then--tada--David bought himself a new sweat jacket. I can't remember the last time he bought clothing for himself.

I think we're getting quite blase about lotteries. There was a big winner in Manitoba recently. Fellow from Victoria Beach (?)won over $11,000,000. Waited two weeks to claim his prize and there was a very small notice in the paper on a back page. He didn't even make a fuss about it, but rather just took the ticket to the corner store to check it out. And I get excited matching 3 numbers on 649!

Cathy, thank you for giving us an update once in awhile. We haven't forgotten about it, but sometimes it's better not to ask, and let you tell us at your own pace. Do you see any light at the end of the tunnel, or is this just an exercise in futility?

Actually working!

Seems like forever since I had a chance to play in the studio. I Decide to play wiht someof hte gelatine prints I did to demonstrate the technique. So far, it looks like this will just become a small contribution to my crap quota. I had used adhesive spreading combs while making them and I've been FMQ'g along the resulting lines ( more or less) Of course, I picked the best of the bunch to experiment on. It is mainly black with some red on a white background ( very little white). I'm quilting with scarlet rayon thread, in, more or less parallel lines. I'm finding that my ability to do FMQ'g in straight or curved lines needs some work, but then I've been doing a lot of very fine stippling recently, which involves a whole different skill set.

During the recent retreat, I found out about two different opportunities to enter exhibitions, both of which may turn out to be travelling exhibitions. I think I might want to explore both of these further. So I'm thinking about what to enter. Many years ago I started apiece that I call "Snow and Red Berries". It, too, became part of my "crap quota", but the image and concept has stuck in my brain. Just before I went away, I did a piece in my painting class that brought the whole idea back to the forefront--a silly little piece that I ended up calling "Red Berries in Snow". I know my skill level has improved over the years, and now I have couple of other techniques that could work with this, so I'm seriously thinking of starting the piece all over agian. I know I could do it better, and it would fit the theme, ( Canadian Content), and a new piece could be made into the dimensions that are required. The theme is more important than size, for the second show--Pathways--but my concept of quilted labyrinths could work quite nicely there.

So my muse is wandering around the studio. Now I need to convince her to sit down and start talking to me.

Be - a long week over and now it is Friday

I finally cleaned the bathroom today here at home and what a feeling of accomplishment. There seems to be no time to do any of my housecleaning. Been at Mothers three days this past week - her house is clean, laundry done, and a bath given. Today I made a banana loaf in one of those silicon baking forms. Apparently you need to put the form inside a metal loaf pan to bake it, otherwise it flops all over. Have you used these forms for muffins or loaves? I also made a pizza with a yeast crust. It was really good and not all that much fuss. While the dough was rising for "1 to 2 hours" I walked uptown to put my medications prescription into the Pharmacy, and to buy a Lotto Max. There is a quaint little storefront called The Red Brick Cafe on the mainstreet so I dropped in and bought myself a Chai Latte. What a treat! Small happy moments go a long way..... I have another appointment with the Eye Surgeon for Nov 19. The office called me today and said the Doctor prefers to make the appt at the hospital so that if he needs to do Laser he has it all available - makes me think that he thinks I'll need more laser - not too reassuring for me but maybe I am being too pessimistic? Should be getting some rain / snow tonight just in time for Hallowe'en. I have found a feather face mask in my box of decorations and will put it on with a colourful caftan to answer the door. It always surprises the little ones coming for treats, and helps me get through the evening when I would rather just go to bed! Hope you have a real scary weekend - Take care

What Winter Storm?

Neepawa seemed to be in the eye of the storm this week. 10 miles, north, east and west of us were hit, and I am not sure how far south it started but we only had wind and rain. And talk about wind! We lost one of the large evergreens on the south side of the house, along the road. It just snapped off in the wind. We only have one row of trees there, so we will have to replace it next spring. The new tree will be much smaller and of a different variety, but the alternative is losing what little privacy we have. I had trouble keeping the car on the road, so Jim didn;t even try the van. Things are much quieter this morning. We had our intervention interview yesterday (yes, she made it from Winnipeg) It went quite well. She review everything that had been said, but it was compiled and somethings were put together. I could spot things I had said, and things she told me had been said about me, but there was lots more. I think everyone got something out of it. We how have to compile our own office listing of what we want to keep, what we want to stop and what we want to change. Could be an interesting program. On the other hand everyone in the office was polite and talking to each other and even joking. JIm has a dentist appointment in Brandon this morning so he is driving me to work early. I guess it is time to eat and get ready.

Over the limit

Pati here
Unless you're driving--what difference does it make? Maybe your mistake was in asking your doctor?? Of course I'm a woman who went through half a mickey of Southern Comfort in three days, while on retreat.

Actually, I've had a supposed coffee restriction for several years. I limit myself to one large mug of regular and stick to decaf the rest of the time--as much as I want--until recently. The Furosimide comes with a warning to avoid coffee. In my mind I said I was okay with my regime, but I started having problems, so have had to cut back to one regular and two decaf in 24 hours. I'm going to try to cut back to one mug period, but am having some problems with that, although I'm down to one and one now. Not feeling nauseous and not having a throbbing headache is acting as a good incentive, but my brain keeps saying that there must be a definitive line I shouldn't cross, that I just haven't found yet.

The wind arrived here today, although it's been raining for three days now--cold nasty rain. Today we had to run all of our errands in windy rain, along with grocery shopping. Now we're in a position to stay indoors for two days--thank Goodness.

Be - Quick before the wind blows me away...

The winds are certainly strong and gusting just like the forecast predicted. Fortunately so far there is no precipitation to go along with it. Lots of blackouts all over a very broad geographic area. The power keeps flickering and will go out just long enough to make the electric clocks flash and the computer to go off. So I shall make this note short. I see that south western Manitoba has been blasted with snow so I imagine Cathy has been affected but not sure if Winnipeg has yet? I have worn shawls my whole life. I love them and never realized that they might have gone out of fashion and are now back in fashion. I have two white knitted ones, and also several woolen coloured ones I wear with my winter coat. I wore the white ones at work because it was always cold sitting at the computer so you have the right idea Patty to throw one around your shoulders. Maybe you could knit yourself another in your spare moments - better still have you thought of setting up a loom, and weaving? On the other hand, just go shopping!
Annual Doctors appt today, which included the usual probbing but also a flu vaccine and I am starting to feel sore now. Also she delighted me by saying I am soon due for another colonoscopy. Who said my life wasn't fun! She cautioned me that on a daily basis I am over on what is acceptable for number of coffees, and on a weekly basis I am over what is acceptable for number of glasses of wine! So I am in a quandry now - what should I do about it?
Anyway, take care for now.....

Books

I took the book Scarlet Feather, by Maeve Binchy, with me to the retreat, to read in my spare moments, not realizing that I had read it before. The first time I was so involved in the story that I think I missed that the book is all about dreams and aspirations. A second thread running through it, is that we shouldn't loose sight of the things that are really important in life, in order to feed and follow our dreams. This has given me much food for thought in my eternal struggle to figure out my life. Good book. I recommend it. I've also read the preceding book, although each of them stands quite nicely alone.

At the retreat I was quite taken with some of the younger ladies wearing and knitting shawls. When I'm sitting at the computer inthe evening I often wrap an afghan around myself, but it never quite covers. So today I bought a shawl. Quite soft and not very substantial, man made fibre, of course. Bright pink and grey, and very warm and cozy. I don't know if this is a fashion trend or not, but I think I could get very used to wearing it.

It's over--home again

and totally "fuzzy-brained". All went well, and the participants expressed that they were very pleased with both the venue and the activities. I'm not sure that the organizing committee will ever speak to each other again, but since we have a meeting next Monday, it'll probably happen. I made some good contacts. One of my friends, a master weaver, went, but was feeling very out of place before things started. The ladies were very welcoming, and you could see her "blossom" as the days went on. It was a very good thing to witness. Towards the end, in one of the discussion groups, the tag line to our title (on the website), was changed to accomodate those members who are not "dyed in the wool" quilters. During this discussion, there had been about 5 minutes when you could visibly see everyone making adjustments in their thinking. what life-altering type of experience.

So today, I do laundry.

Sunday again

THe time sure seems to be flying by again. Already its the last week of October. And, of course, all the AGMs are happening. I am at a meeting in Portage today, and I have 2 meetings on Tuesday. And next Saturday is the Wine Tasting. I had no intention of going, but it seems that I am going to be helping in the kitchen, so I guess I will be there. The weather is turning cool now, so I guess our extended summer is over. They are even forcasting the dreaded "S" word for next week! At least the roads will be good today for travelling. Jim is entering his winter mode again. He no longer heads outside to "putter" every day. At least we had time to get all our fall work done. Actually, some of our flowers got confused by the weather and started to bloom again, so we left them in the garden. Jim wanted to get some more onions planted for spring, but he hasn't done it yet, so he may have to make do with what is there. He took the deck off the tractor and put the snow blower on last week. I was hoping that that would mean no snow, but I guess I was hoping for too much. We get another visit from the Respectful Workplace intervention person on Tuesday. It has been about 6 weeks since she came. I wonder what will come of it. I have a roast in the slow cooker for supper tonight, so when I get back from my meeting supper will be ready. I have been craving some kind of roast for a while now. Another sign of winter. BBQing is over and the oven gets turned on again. Good thing I cleaned it. (even if it did start a fire!) I slept in yesterday and ended up staying up until after midnight. Naturally, I woke up at 5:30 this morning and didn't get back to sleep. Feast or famine! Maybe that means I will get a good sleep tonight. I have to phone the Respectful Workplace person at 7am tomorrow for my review. Nothing like trying to come across as a good person when you are half asleep! I should have held out for 3pm... then I could have left work early! Almost time to leave for Portage. Have a great week!

Be - here I am again.....

Saturday morning and the sun is shining and I have a coffee sitting close at hand so all must be well! Hope I find you both equally as "well".
I know Patty is at the retreat in St Norbert, and Dave is taking over her sales table in Steinbach, and Harry is at the Flea Market, and Beth is at the computer at long last, so what is Cathy and Jim up to? I was tempted to telephone you this morning but remembered getting you up from a nice sleep in last time I felt so impetuous - so choose not. haha
There is still so much that has to be done outside to prepare for winter but this past week I have felt less than ambitious. I had laser surgery on BOTH eyes on Tuesday and have been trying to take it easy (ha) I will not be able to take an active part in Curling again this Monday evening but decided I would go out on the ice and "shadow" one or more of the rinks observing what I can of the players and interactions. That way when I actually do get to play, I might have a bit of an advantage rather than coming in cold turkey (or maybe not..?)
So, I better get on with my chores. Everyone have a great weekend and count down to Hallowe'en. I plan to carve a pumpkin today to put on the stairs. Boo...Take care

Be - Here I am

It really feels good to sign on and read all sorts of messages. I have not had much of a chance to sit at the computer lately but Harry went to the auction this afternoon. Yesterday I experienced another retinal tear - in my good eye - so I am feeling a bit down right now. I shall stay home tomorrow instead of going to Mothers and call the Doctors office right at 9 am in hopes I can get in asap. If I can go tomorrow I shall drive up and then Harry will come to get me after he is done at Mothers. I will have to leave my car in North Bay and retrieve it on Tuesday when we go up. I hope all shall be OK. I just made two pumpkin chiffon pies with intention to take one to Mike on Tuesday (or maybe tomorrow ifI can get into the Drs.) We have a family of racoons in our front yard - they come to feed atthe bird feeder and in the morning are scared into the trees. It is quite a sight to see them clinging at the very top branches - sleeping most of the day, but also a bit sad as they should be in the bush and not our yard.
Hopeyour week will be super Patty as you sound very excited and also very organized. Thank goodness for "lists" - I could not get by without them. Cathy, always take a big breath and put a smile onyour face before you open the office door. It helps to get you over the first hurdle of actually "entering". Take care to you both.

You two put me to shame!

I am starting to feel quite guilty about enjoying my holiday. Okay, not that guilty. Yesterday we did pretty much nothing. We cleaned the office and went home and watched television. I finished a book I was reading. Of course it was so windy you had to bend into the wind to walk, so outside work didn't appeal to us. I did get the fridge and stove clean (and yes, it really stinks) I can probably one up you on the stove, because something in mine caught on fire. I washed my floors, too, but I am not happy with the results. I used my swiffer wet jet and the floors are all streaky. I think it is time to buy a new mop (despite what the television commercials say) and really give the floors a wash. The all you can eat fish fry was on Friday. We worked meat draw again and it was quite busy. The food was really good. I asked for only a small scoop of cole slaw and corn, 1/2 a scoop of fries, and FOUR large pieces of fish. I can't believe I ate the whole thing. This week should be quiet for me. No meetings until next Sunday and then things take off again. I might have a VCC exec meeting. We received a very strongly worded letter of "disgust" at how our current show was handled. We are actually contemplating asking this woman if she would consider mentoring our program director. She did make some very valid comments in her letter and we would really like to turn her hostility into support for us. We'll see. Today may be another day of nothing (at least if I have my way) It is back to work tomorrow.. I noticed that when we went into clean on Saturday, I practically turned into a raving bitch the second I walked in the door. I really need to temper that when I am with my co-workers! We did get a storm door on Tuesday and Jim installed it right away. He had to make some adjustments so we now have an extra high step as we walk in, but I am getting used to it. It should make a difference this winter and keep the frost from creeping all around the door. We didn't pull the flowers at the office this week. It was on our agenda to do, but the darn things were blooming with the warm weather and looked better than they had all summer!!! We should do it this week because we are starting to get frost every night now. Even close to the buildings in town by now I would think. Jim will give one more water to the grass he planted here and then the hoses will go away for the winter. (I think) He is hoping for a light snowfall that he can put more grass seed down on. I am hoping for more warm weather. I have a feeling that his hope will be fulfilled before mine is. Well, I am off to do nothing again today and I intend to enjoy it.

What a day!

When I was planning for my volunteer shift at the art gallery in Selkirk yesterday, I was mainly concerned aobut having enough hand work with me to keep me busy. No worries! There were 47 people through the gallery in the five hours I was there. These weren't people who walked in , walked around and walked out. These people stayed and talked and asked questions. The fellow trying to teach a watercolour class was blown away, and he volunteers there regularly. The norm is probably closer to 6-8 people in a day. It was avery busy day and I was exhausted when I got home.
Very gratifying , in that I was able to get a lot of general feedback on the three pieces I have there. One in particular got a lot of attention. It was a great chance to talk about art quilting and what sort of thing qualifies as art quilting. The show contained both very traditional stuff and the very art-y stuff. A good range of styles--and skill levels. ( enough said about that!) One piece was hand-embroidered traditional "Red Work", and then hand quilted-the most tradtional piece there. I was lucky enough to meet the lady who made it, and was able to verify the info I was handing out. A good thing, as I was just going by my knowledge of the the tradtion and how it was done. Turned out I was right.
So now I'm having a cup of coffee and waiting for Amber to come to pick me up for the crafty fund raiser at Dalnavert Museum