A return, of sorts

I've chosen to open up this blog again, merely to allow for those who wish to find the cats' blog to find it via my profile. 

Just a very quick update for those of you who may be interested. 
The biggest news, by far, of the past year was the birth of my grandson Eli.  He is the most adorable, sweetest baby in the world.  I swear I'm not biased in the least!

The number of marbles in the jar continue to decrease.  As of last Thursday, I reached the one-year pre-retirement mark.  My plans for retirement have been adjusted a little because of the first bit of news.  I still intend to move to Vancouver Island but my departure has been slightly delayed.  In addition, I'll probably spend 3-4 months a year back here in Saskatchewan to help with child care.  Who am I kidding, it's all about my being able to spend time with the most adorable, sweetest kid in the world.

I did manage a cruise last fall, a Canada/New England 7 day out of New York and return.  We had Hurricane Ike following us up the coast (a day or so behind) and had to miss one port (Bar Harbor) as a result.  However, it was a fantastic cruise; definitely the best pricing I've ever seen, great group of solos, and a wonderful itinerary.  We were a little early for the fall colors so I'll have to do it again someday.

I'm just 11 days away from my next vacation.  I'm flying down to Orlando on Valentine's Day, will spend two days at Cocoa Beach before boarding the Norwegian Epic for a 7 day western Caribbean cruise.  I'm joining two other women (possibly three) I met on the Norwegian Escape two years ago.  They sailed together last year but Eli was expected to arrive any day.  After the cruise, I'm staying in Orlando for two days before returning home.

I've been busy knitting and crocheting with various projects completed, and others underway.  I've made a shawl, a baby cap and mitts, a couple of other pairs of mittens, and am currently working on a small blanket and a tea cozy.  I have to keep my hands busy while I watch the curling....and the Olympics when they start next week.

That pretty wraps up what has been happening with me this past year.  I probably won't post here again for another year, but I'll be around to visit your blogs as time permits   Wishing you all a year of happiness, moments of joy, and good health.

Catching up and looking forward

Time keeps flying by and I can't tell you where it has gone.  I was talking with my brother this morning and he was saying his children go back to school this week.  Summer is over, though we'll still have good weather for a couple of months yet.  At least the forecast is for a warm, dry fall.  Guess we'll have to wait to see what Mother Nature has in store.

Work has been very busy and I expect it's only going to get busier.  I've been able to schedule my work week so that I generally only work four days and have Friday's off.  (I generally work 9 hour days and 150 hours every four weeks.  To get the additional Friday off I use some form of leave).  Last week, I worked a Friday because one of my employees chose to book an appointment out of the office.  I've been trying to go out with her on an appointment for months so I decided I'd change my schedule.  I think she was a bit surprised.  In any event, I don't lose out as I moved by day off to next Thursday, ahead a planned day off on Friday and the long weekend. That means five days off in a row!

At home I've been working on my knitting and crocheting.  The blue baby blanket is complete and I started on this pink and white shell pattern.  I'm about halfway completed (this photo was taken at 4 stripes, I've got almost 10 done now).

My daughter and I went to a local used clothing sale yesterday.  She did really well, getting two pairs of maternity pants, several onsies, a couple of sleepers, a baby University of Regina sweatshirt, and two Saskatchewan Roughrider t-shirts for $28.  There are a couple other sales coming up in September that we'll check out.

I made a run by the local Salvation Army Thrist store where I found three more onsies and a sleeper for less than $8. A friend had told me they often have baby blankets in near new condition but yesterday there were none.

I did try some items for myself as well but came home empty handed.  I haven't been to that particular store previously but will definitely check it out again as most of the stuff was in decent condition.  I assume they go through the donations carefully before putting them out on the floor.  It was a busy store with lots of shoppers.

So that's the catch-up.  What I'm looking forward to most is my planned vacation to Vancouver Island.  Less than two weeks from now, I'll be back on the beach at Parksville enjoying this view once again.

I'm soooo looking forward to the trip.  I'm ready for a break and I can't think of a better place to unwind.  For certain, I'll be visiting my cousin and her husband, who recently moved to a new place, and my uncle. It will good to see them again.

The way time has been getting away from me, the trip will be here and over before I know it.  In the meantime, the laundry needs to be folded so I'd best go get to it.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Catching up, random style

Okay, I want to know who sped up the clock?  It's already the middle of August, children will be going back to school in a couple of weeks, the leaves will begin changing color, and summer will fast fade away as a memory.

In the meantime we've had an official heat wave. We've had a full week of temps over 30C and highs near 35C.  For those you who are used to these temperatures (and higher), you have my admiration.  A heat wave is a rare phenomenon for us, especially as it has been accompanied by high humidity.  My a/c unit has been doing its duty and keeping the house reasonably cool at least when the sun room isn't open for the cats.

Menopause hasn't been so kind lately, especially at night.  I don't know how many times I've checked the thermostat to ensure the a/c is working only to realize I'm in the midst of a hot flash or worse yet a night sweat.  For those of you who have not experienced these (or never will), you can be very thankful.  I'm up two or three times a night, either to change my night clothes or TMI...get rid of them altogether.  Let me just say, sleeping in the buff with three cats is a dangerous proposition.  At least a nightgown provides a layer of protection when someone decides to come for a cuddle at 4 a.m.

With the heat I haven't been walking as much as I'd like.  A friend and co-worker is on holidays so I've been walking the three or four blocks to her house to water her containers, then take the long way round to get home, another five or six blocks.  With the heat and humidity the mosquitoes are out in full force too.  I'm generally not bothered by them, apparently I'm not very tasty, but these blood sucking bastards insects will eat anything.  Because I've been covering up as much as possible, most of the bites are on my head or neck.

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 My next door neighbour had most of the trees removed from her back yard this week.

On the left is a photo from 2013, the other was taken on Saturday.  It's definitely changed the lighting in my backyard.

I had Friday off work and was thinking I would sleep in.  The cats, however had other ideas, so I was up by 7:30.  Which, when I think about it is 2 hours later than normal, so I guess I did sleep in. Anyway, by 8 a.m. the workmen were revving up their chain saws next door so I decided it was the perfect time to walk.  I didn't take my camera as I figured I wouldn't want to stop if the mosquitoes were out in hordes.  I did take the precaution of spraying my exposed areas with bug spray and all was well.  There were lots of people out walking early, I assume also to avoid the heat.  It was great, there was enough of a breeze to keep me cool and the mosquitoes away.

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Our Friday night supper group has tried a couple more restaurants with mixed results. The week before last we went to a place known for its breakfast menu.  We were 10 in number and asked for a quiet spot, so rather than putting several tables together in a mostly empty room we were put at a back table, just off the kitchen and the staff bathrooms. Ambiance, not so much.  The food too was meh.  I had a chicken club sandwich on foccacia bread with a garden salad.....except it was served on a hamburger bun (think WonderBread) with bagged salad greens.  I, for one, won't be going back at least not for dinner.

This past Friday we went to a Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant near downtown. The food was good and plentiful but we were 9 crowded at a table for 6, and it was quickly apparent there was no air conditioning.  I would definitely go back, but with a smaller group and when the weather is cooler.

Last weekend we also go together on Saturday evening (with several others) to celebrate N's new job.  He starts training as a West Jet pilot this week. C had sent out e-mails a week or so prior, inviting us to surprise N that evening, suggesting we wear teal and dark blue clothing, and bring munchies to share.  She had arranged for a local bakery to make a slab cake and decorate it with the West Jet plane and logo.  Since it was a surprise I agreed to pick the cake up that afternoon and bring it with me.

I arrived at the bakeshop and when they brought the cake out to me, I took one look and thought, OMG what a crappy job.

The airplane was obviously copied from a picture and the perspective is totally off.  The lower wing looks like a stick and the icing on the tail was smudged. Worse the airplane overhung the sides so it wasn't iced all around.  It looked like something a child might have done...and certainly not worth the $80 she paid for it.


The clerk asked me if it was okay, and I told her it would have to be because there wasn't time to correct it.  I left the store in a panic, and drove a block away before stopping the car and calling C. I was so frantic, I dialed three time before I got the right number. She wasn't home but I left a message to call as soon as she could.  The lucky girl was off buying her new car (2016 Ford Escape) so I didn't hear back from her for a couple of hours.

I told her the cake looked horrible and sent her this photo by e-mail. She told me later, she thought how bad could it be and then she saw the photo. She immediately called the bakery to let them know she wasn't happy and asked for a refund.  They told her they don't do refunds.  When she called me back she was nearly in tears. This is totally out of character for her; I don't think I've ever seen her rattled.  She asked if I would do a huge favor and take the cake back to the store while she tried to find something else.

I was happy to do it and by the time I got to the store and dropped off the cake, they had agreed to provide cupcakes with the teal and blue colored icing in exchange for the cake.  Nothing like what she had asked for but at least it was something.  They weren't ready when I arrived and it was nearly closing time so I headed to a nearby mall for a walk until I could pick them up.

Despite the catastrophe of the cake, the party itself was fun.  There were nearly 20 people there, including a friend from Winnipeg who flew in from Calgary on his way back from Halifax.  (Confused yet?)  He had another friend pick him up at the airport here, and the two of them circled around to the back yard to come in the back door.  It was great to see J and to catch up on his most recent trip.

Several of us dressed in the West Jet colors, while one of the neighbours showed up in a navy suit and scarf that was reminiscent of the old style outfits that stewardesses (now flight attendants) wore. C had contacted West Jet, and they provided official napkins, styrofoam coffee cups, and stickers.  She'd picked up napkins, plates, and cutlery to decorate the table.  As always at a get together in their home, there was lots of food, airplane talk, and laughter.

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On Sunday last week I went out to spend some time at my brother's farm.  He and his family were up north near Meadow Lake, where he was running the Boreal trail .  If I remember correctly that was about 80 kms. over two days.  Yeah, I know he's nuts and I tell that every time I talk to him.  He did tell me today his feet have finally healed up though his legs aren't up to a run just yet.  No freaking kidding.

My time was more pleasant.  R and P were cat-sitting for a couple of weeks while a friend from LaRonge was on vacation.  They left Friday and weren't going to be back until Tuesday so he asked if I'd spend some time with her on Sunday.  She'd been cooped up in one of the children's bedroom for most of the time she was there, since Anna (the dog) and the other cats weren't thrilled to have her there.

I opened to the room and she was thrilled to see me.  After a brief time playing, she was happy to get out of the room and explore a portion of the house. (Anna was up north, and the other kitties were in the porch).  I closed off the door to the kitchen and the one on the second floor leading to the back stairs and just let her go.  In the photo she had jumped into the window in the front stair landing and was trying to decide whether to follow me downstairs or not.  She was quite content to check in with me every so often but I think she just wanted to stretch her legs.  I was there for a couple of hours and then headed home.  R told me her owner picked her up on Monday so I'm happy she's back in familiar surroundings.

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The last couple of weeks at work have been insane.  I keep making to-do lists and it seems like every time I cross something off the list, two more items are added.  I won't get into the details as they will sound very mundane but suffice to say, my upcoming vacation can't come soon enough.  Just 34 more sleeps!

On that note, I'm pretty much caught up on the happenings of the last couple of weeks.  I must admit I've been rather lazy this weekend, did some housework on Friday, and a bit of cooking for the week ahead on Saturday, started a new knitting project which has been ripped out once, did some reading and just relaxed.  Today I foresee much of the same.  Have a great week everyone!