And the Staycation Begins

So my staycation has begun. I am so happy to know that for the next two weeks I do not have to hear the alarm. I do not have to go out if I don't feel like it and I can putter about the house doing things. I may have mentioned it a million times but I am very happy to be at home. I would like to go somewhere but my bank account says stay put so put I will stay.

I did get a little "away" in. The Banker, Teddy Bear, KitKat and I went to the lake for a day. Oh my it was wonderful. My chariot came to pick me up. Teddy Bear whisked us to The Banker's house. The Banker was the designated driver for the day.

Once we all got into the same car, after a tour of The Banker and Sweet Baboo's camper remodel. They have a truck camper and have been fixing it up. He has done a fantastic job. We hit the road with a stop for essential fuels first.

We were off and running. It was the perfect day, sunny but not hot. We usually make a day trip to the lake once a year but last year The Banker had broken her foot and I am not a big walker anymore so we never made it. It was lovely to get going again this year.

We got in on the last local flea market of the year. I actually walked all the way around it! I was concerned that maybe I had over estimated how far I could go. There were no sitting spots around but I found a spot to park my butt for a bit. Ran into some folks I have not seen for a while and had a nice chat. It was so good to be out, doing what I love to do, shop around a flea market, with my good friends. I have not done that for awhile.

We ate breakfast at the local bakery in the park. THE BEST PLACE to eat breakfast. We walked some more then I parked myself on a park bench and let the others shop. The only thing I wanted was a snow globe ( I did buy a new brooch at the flea market and some saskatoon jam)

. I sat near this lovely piano and listened to people play

People just walking about the park, would stop and play. They ranged from kids, just making noise to some really good musicians.

 We had a great day. No snow globes to be found but a good time was had by all

We stopped at a popular book store/coffee shop on the way back for break. Then we headed back home. I did not do all the wandering around I would have before but I did far more that I have done in the last year since I devloped bulging disks in my spine.  I was so happy I did as much as I did. It needs to keep on

The Banker told me she is going to go to Scotland next year. Its just a matter of who goes with her, me or Sweet Baboo. I figured that was coming and in fact if she had hot said it I was going to. I cannot keep her waiting forever if I am never going to be able to go. So I have some time to try and get into shape, and MAYBE get some weight off. That is a constant battle that I win a little and then get defeated. I am still 90 lbs down from my all time high but I REALLY have a long way to go yet. It would help so many things. I will see what I can do.

I was amazed today, I was not as sore as I anticipated being. I have not done a lot today but I am getting around quite nicely thank you. So since I was not completely stiffened up I did a bit around the house. I emptied twp overflowing baskets of containers.

I recycled what I could and threw out some. Its made a big difference. I also sorted these two baskets out. They hold the containers that I use for lunches. Now what I know about me is I feel that if one is good, two is better and eleventy million is FABULOUS. I am trying to cut that out. So now these two only hold the minimum of what I will use in a week. 

Salad, protein and pudding containers for a week with a few extra in case. NOT so many anymore that  they do not fit and overflow the baskets. GO ME!! I have four lids to find. I have no idea where the little bastards disappear to. I will find them!!

I was going to make Laundry soap today but that did not happen. I did get the kitchen cleaned, the dishwasher emptied and a lot of odd dishes washed. I have a garbage bag full of recycle to go to the dumpster.

I also got groceries today and tried out my new toy. 

Excellent $2.00 investment. I got almost the entire lot into the house without my arms falling off. I still have a bag of potatoes and two bottles of vinegar in the car but man, it was so slick and quick. I should have gotten one a long time ago.

I have has a lovely lazy day today. I have ambitions now to do a lot more for myself from now on. I am determined to be able to get around the stores again myself. I want my independence back. Not to mention I miss getting out and about. I have dear friends who look after me far better than I deserve and as such I do not want to overwork them and have them get sick of me always asking for favours.

Tomorrow I have a list of things to do and if they do not get done its ok and if not that is ok too. I am on vacation, I can be lazy but I have high hopes that things will keep on getting done.

Toodles

Linda

Whats a Weekiend??

I cannot imagine living a life where you had no idea what a weekend was. I wouldn't mind that sort of life. I could give it a shot given half the chance but for now I am very aware of what a weekend is and how fast they go and that this particular one is nearly finished. Drat

The laundry is done. the laundry baskets are back on the top of the washer where they live. The clothes are hung in the closet and the others placed in the dresser drawers. Big deal you say, well sadly on this house it is a big deal. I have not hung the clothes or emptied the laundry baskets in I cannot remember how long. This is a big deal. One more small step to getting back to where I was at one time

Here is another big deal:

I have coveted these frying pans for some time and I got the 12" and the 10" not long ago because they were on 70% off and I had some birthday money. I would never ever have gotten them otherwise.So this weeks flyer had the 8" on sale for $19.99 regular $83.99. I had some Canadian Tire dollars to use so I got it. That is only part of the big deal, the other part is I got it myself. I have not been on Canadian Tire for I bet nearly two years. Thankfully the kitchenware is not far from the doors so I took myself and my sore legs and we managed to get the prize all by ourselves!! Victory is mine!!

I have finally got a container in from the shed and boxed up the cat stuff I am keeping. Next thing is to get it down to the basement. In washing it out I discovered a crack in the bottom of it. Only after I poured a pail of soapy water into it. Then the kitchen floor got a wash.

 I also have finally dealt with the cats'  ashes. I still had Minou in her little jar so all three of them have now finally been put in their final resting places. They each have a nice spot in the flower bed. Lucy and Desi are together but side by side (not in the same hole). Just as they liked it in life. I am glad to finally have it over and done. 

I also made a mushroom. I have had the dish and vase hanging about for ages and at long last got it put together. Its pathetic that this took so long. Seriously its a 5 second job to do this. Its just another of the many things I have managed to ignore that needs doing around here.

I broke one of the ones outside. A mishap with the lawnmower some time ago. I now have three of them again

As I sit here I can hear thunder. We need rain so desperately. Everything is horribly dry. I hope we get a complete soaking.

I had a little visitor on Saturday as I took my coffee on the veranda

He scrambled around the tree up and down for quite some time. I had a hard time getting his picture because he would not stay still long enough. I ended up with a number of tree trunk pictures before I finally caught him. Coffee on the veranda days are precious and one must savour them while they last, it was nice to have a bit of company.

I spend some time this weekend purging and hauling things to the dumpsters. I think I have enough wine bottles delabled so I can finish the boarder. I want that done before the snow comes again. having those finally in the flower bed will make some space in the shed. Its just a never ending round of things that need doing and getting some done and more jobs show up to take its place.

The house is still visitor ready. I am proud of that. There is a long way to go yet but I am on the right path, going the right direction and that is major. Its too easy to let things get to you and ignore the day to day things. I am making headway and that's what is important.

Well I cannot think of anything else to dazzle you with so I will call it quits for now.

Toodles
Linda

Weekend this and that

I never did get posting last week. I was not in the mood, feeling sad and sorry for myself. I have come to realize that depression is part of my life. Took me all these years to figure it out. Its gotten the better of me the last few years but now I am working on getting it under control. I am acknowledging it now so that is the first step. Like I always say I am just a work in progress.

This week is better, this week I am doing and accomplishing and making my life more organized. The house is remaining tidy and that is a big thing. I have gotten some things I have been needing for awhile. New mattress cover, new sheets, (thank goodness for good sales). I found one of these at a garage sale.

I have wanted one for sometime but I did not want to buy a new one. It will make getting the groceries in from the car so much faster and easier. Princess Diva was posting a garage sale on facebook and I spied it in a picture. She acted as my personal shopper and snapped it up for me for the grand price of $2.00. I am thrilled.

I found a clothes hamper at Home Hardware that I have been wanting for awhile. Now I can get rid of the useless one I have been using for towels. Its so flimsy, makes me nuts. Its out by the dumpsters waiting to find a new home. It was great yesterday morning, being out and doing a bit of shopping.I have  come to know that I can shop around smaller stores to get things for myself. I am trying to do more, walk more and get a bit of my independence back. I can go 270 steps before the nerves in my back may my right leg scream like a banshee. I am determined to increase that. Never thought I would miss the days when I could walk three miles. Not to mention I hate to constantly have to ask people to do things for me. I have no problem helping others when I can but I am not fond of having to ask for help. I will but I am not fond of it. I am fond of a good barter, I do something for you, you do something for me. Saves the pride .

I  finally put Lucy's shark out by the dumpsters yesterday morning and it was gone in no time. I could not keep it and I could not bring myself to throw it way. I was not sure I wanted someone else to have it but then I realized that was totally stupid. This way it has a new home and I do not know where it went. Win Win. Desi's bed is gone as well. I put it on a local swap and shop page and it went this morning almost before it hit the internet. Free is a popular price. A little rescue dog will have a lovely soft bed to sleep in in his new home.

All the rest of the cat stuff is washed up and ready to be stored in the basement. I shall keep it for a while. I am not ready to say I will never have another cat again. I could get rid of Desi's carrier but its not under my nose so it can just stay where it is for now. I miss those two knuckleheads. The house feels empty but I am not ready to replace them just yet.

Since I am changing towel hampers, and bedding I am washing and washing and washing. Its lovely today so I am hanging the bedding out to dry. It will smell delicious and fresh tonight when I crawl into bed tonight.

No more changing tiles around to find the right positions, I finally got them siliconed down. One more item on the grout list.

I have one more star to do and then I can grout the bench along with these:

I found a BC snow globe. Happy dance of joy!! That just leave me Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan to get. My plan is to have one from every province I have visited. These silly things are hard to find. Of course if I had decided I wanted to collect one from each province that I have actually visited when I actually visited there it may have been a little easier. Oh well it gives me something to hunt for.

I'm getting there. Not to mention it give me the push to plan to make a trip to Newfoundland one of these days.

I have the new to me air conditioner in place in the bedroom. Its a God send for sure. The upstairs gets a bit oven like in the hot weather. If it does not cool down at night, it makes it very hard to sleep.

Next year I hope to swap out the downstairs window one. Its so old, it must suck up the entire power for the province when I turn it on. Not to mention I am scared its going to short out, blow up or something one of these days.

So that is all my news caught up. I hope things are well in your corner of the world, where ever that may be.

Toodles
Linda

Lovely Long Weekend

I was not too sure what I would get up to this long weekend but I did not need to worry about it. The weekend looked after itself. Friday was No Cook as always. We were a bit thin on the ground, there were only three of us in attendance. The Banker, Teddy Bear and the Sailor were off doing family related things. So the Baker, KitKat and I were there for supper and just KitKat and I for coffee. It was still a fun evening.

Mommy Bug and I spent a fabulous Saturday making greeting cards. She was in town for the weekend so we got together at her parents place and we crafted. We have not had a good visit for a long time so it was every so nice to get together and catch up.

We crafted, chatted and just generally had a great day She had lovely snacks and cooked us pasta for supper. So yummy.

And I have a bit of a stock pile of cards once again. Hers were far fancier than mine but I like mine too. I am so happy to have them made, I was running a tad low on what I have on hand and I like to have some ahead of myself. You never know when you may need a quick card. I have so much paper and embellishments I could make a thousand cards.

I will need to do another session at some point to make some thank you cards and of course Christmas ones. It was the best way to spend a Saturday!

Sunday I picked Teddy Bear up at the airport then we went for lunch. She has been off visiting her sister and her family for the last week. Once we were done our lunch  her daughter whisked her away and I popped in to have a wee visit with KitKat before I headed home. I was out for the majority of the day. By the time I got home and has a wee nap there was no point in doing too much. I made supper and lounged around for the rest of the night.

Today was coffee/breakfast with Teddy Bear. A quick text had me up and out the door in no time at all. I wish I could get up like that on a work day. Three cups of coffee later, she headed off to get groceries and I headed home to do some housework.  The Banker stopped in for a visit mid afternoon. She has been away with her man for three weeks so it was so nice to have her back. She left and it was time for supper and now I am blogging.

Did you notice I said the Banker came to visit? She came over and I could let her into the house!! How grateful and happy am I that at long last my house was in order and I could have her (or anyone) come in and not die a thousand deaths because the place was such a mess. I am currently working on the living room but the kitchen and dining room have remained tidy. This is major in my live lately. I felt like a million dollars. Its by no means perfect but it is soooo much better than it was before. Go me!!

Another good thing out of the many good things this weekend is this:

Oh yeah the quilt is done, bound and washed!! Its ready for delivery. Now I can move onto the next one.

Its been a super crafty, friend filled weekend. Back to work tomorrow but its been a nice three days.
My kind of days!! Love it!!!!

Toodles
Linda

And the Cleaning Continues.

It was so nice to come home tonight to a clean (yeah I said it!!) clean kitchen. I got busy on the weekend and took a ride on the happiness train that was created by a clean dining room. I tackled the kitchen and a portion of the laundry room. It made a world of difference to my mood when I walked in that door tonight. Once again my scrap of remaining pride prohibits the the sharing of the before pictures but I will share one. The laundry room

An over abundance of stuff that needs to go back to where it lives or be gone. Here is the after picture:

I am happy I found a purpose for the little wire bin that is on the top of the cabinet. It holds my plastic grocery bags. I know I should not use them but I do pass them onto a group that uses them to crochet sleeping mats for homeless people. That makes me feel a bit better about them. Once I figure out how to use cloth grocery bags with click and collect, these will end and I will use the bin for something else. I also am happy that the wicker box on the deep freeze has a new purpose. It used to hold cassette tapes but now it hides some clutter that I have no where to put. It makes the place look neater. Now I have to figure out what to do with the laundry basket that used to be there. I have a hard time parting with a basket. The newel post is going to be painted and made into a wreath hanger one of these days. Stay tuned!!!

Here is my not yet perfect but oh so much cleaner kitchen

There is usually a big old pile of things in front of this poor hutch. Things to be donated, things to go to the recycle, the dump, to work etc. Now there is just this little stool thing that I have not found a place for yet or a purpose but I will. I love the look of it and it has potential, I just have to find a use for it. Now you can just see mostly floor. Its a proud moment.

I am still working on the quilt and I am so happy to say it will be finished this week. Then I can move onto the next one. So excited.

The living room is next on the clean up hit list. I am going to keep going as long as the mood is with me. The weekend is going to include  a good clean of the upstairs. Its a disaster but only because things need to go back into the closet and  soooooo many magazines need to be purged.

Mama Bug and I may get together on Saturday and have a card making session. I think it will be super fun. We have not had a visit in a while and its always fun getting crafty with a like minded friend. I hope we manage it.

So that's about it. Work, cleaning, quilting and the no cook thing. Its my life at the moment and I have to say its ok by me. I so want to get this initial cleaning done, then the trick will be to keep it up.

Toodles,
Linda

Quiet

It has been quiet around the house, not that the cats were loud or big talkers but their absence brings a strange quiet to the place. Its a new normal that I am adjusting too. I am slowly getting their bits and pieces cleaned up and put away, or thrown away as needs be. Teddy Bear and I took Desi to the vet on Saturday to have him cremated. Its done and I am glad to have this nearly last deed taken care of. Getting the ashes back and placing them in a final resting place will be the last step and somehow one of the easier for me.

So I am organizing myself and getting myself back to this new normal. I started on another quilt.

The pattern is called Celtic Twist. Its super easy and I do like the look of it. It reminds me a bit of a new play on a wedding ring quilt. It sewed up quick enough and now I am quilting.

Feels rather odd to be able to quilt without having to wrestle the cats for the quilt. I have high hopes that this one will work up as quickly as the top was sewn up. I am doing it as a wedding social prize for a friend. I just hope she likes it. She had no say in what I was making. Its a not so surprise gift.

I finally finally finally got the dining room back in order. It was a major mess for longer than I should admit to. I am not showing the before picture because I do have a scrap of pride left but here is the after:

I will carry on and work at each room until I get it back to where the house should be. No more letting things slide, its been happening for far too long.

Other than that not much is happening around here. Housework, work and No Cook Fridays. that's my life in a nutshell, with some crafty stuff thrown in now and then.

Toodles,
Linda

Sharks Can Make You Cry

Who knew the sight of a shark shaped bed could make a person cry but it can. I was headed up the stairs the other night and came eye to eye with Lucy's shark and I burst into tears. There were no little green eyes peering out at me and there never would be again. July 11th, 2018 was a sucktastic day at my house.

Both of my babies took their leave of me, left this life together and moved on to the next, leaving me behind, heartbroken but comforted that they are together. They arrived together, stayed together, had spent many many years together so it makes sense that they would move on together.

Desi had not been himself for a while, not eating much, drinking very little and sleeping on the floor. I thought it maybe the heat, or a virus or a mood, I was not sure. I hoped he would perk up and I tried to do what I could to make him feel cooler and know that he had someone who was watching him. I trimmed his incredible fur and made sure I gave him some extra love and attention for which I was rewarded with that magnificent purr. Lucy had been showing her age lately. Having trouble to jump up, sort of hobbling when she got up, not too steady on her pins. I'm the same way so I just figured we are aging.

On Wednesday morning when I got downstairs I found her on the floor in the doorway at the base of the stairs. She could not get herself up and when I picked her up she was soaked on the one side. Poor little thing had peed and then was laying in it. I grabbed a towel, wrapped her up and put her on the work table I have in the living room

I put my left hand under her head to keep her head up and then dried her off with my right hand. She wrapped her little paw around my wrist and literally clung to me.

 Little heart going a mile a minute, obviously scared because she did not know what was going on and why her body would not do what she wanted it to. I did not know if she was dying, having a seizure of some sort or what. So I wrapped her up like a baby, laid her on my chest and we snuggled for about an hour and a half while I tried to decide what to do.She calmed right down and purred but still every once in a while trying to move.

I always promised them that I would not see them suffer. I looked for Desi and he looked like he was sleeping on the floor in the kitchen. He is a pretty content, laid back cat and does not startle easy unless you are thunder. So I quietly gathered Lucy up and and we headed out the front door to the Vet.

My feisty little princess hissed at the nurse and tried to pull away from the Dr during her examination. She was always grouchy with others but not with me. With me she was super sweet and loving, could never get enough pets and snuggles. Spunky to the end she let them know she did not want them touching her. She was once again scared and stressed, struggling to be her old self. I have to say it is a powerful feeling to know that it is your touch, and your voice that has the power to sooth, comfort and calm. Poor little girl, but as I stroked her head, and talked to her she calmed and relaxed.

The Vet felt she had had a stoke and that it was time to say good bye. I had already known that would be the outcome. So we let her go. I stayed with her to the very end. I wanted her last minutes to be as calm as could be and I wanted her to know she was loved. We said our good bye and I came home alone.

When I came in the back door Desi was still on the kitchen floor, all stretched out and peaceful looking. I informed him that he had better perk up because I was not prepared to do this again so soon. I leaned down to give him some love, fully expecting that big purr but he was already stiff and cold. He must have passed at some point in the night. Two at once, My heart could not stand it but stand it I must, I had no choice.

My beautiful gentle giant, my big man with the best purr in the world was gone. Not more naps together on the couch,

no more getting yelled at in the morning because breakfast was not already in his bowl before he thought he needed it. no more loving looks from the couch while I sit in my chair.

No more head butts for attention, No more being greeted by two furry little faces after work and then fussing over them as they jockey for attention. No more fighting to work on a quilt as these two knuckleheads sprawl all over it.

 No more unconditional love and endless entertainment. Only a wealth of memories and comfort that they are together.

Lucy always slept upstairs with me. but while Desi was feeling not himself she would come up but after a few minutes, leave me and head back down to be near him. I think she knew something was up. I also think that when he died, she tried to come upstairs to me but had her stroke before she could get there.  While they were not complete love bugs with each other, they had been together for a long time.

I will miss these two so very much. Desi, with his big size, his beautiful face and massive paws.

I loved those starfish feet!!

 His beautiful orange fur that coated every inch of this house.

 I will regret forever I never got his Viking helmet made. He would have been so cute in Viking horns

 I will miss him at nap time on the couch and for a million other reasons.

I will miss Lucy, petite, sleek and black as coal with those beautiful green eyes.

I will miss her demands for attention, that tiny paw reaching out for me. Look at me Mama, stop knitting and love ME!!

Her never being able to have enough love or attention. For the way she would drape herself over my head after I had my hair done. That girl loved herself some hair product!!

I will even miss her penchant for shoving her little bum in my face when I tried to sleep. The way she could steal most of the bed inspite of her tiny size. Her ability to let me know when I have stepped over the line of her tolerance with just a look

The heartbreak I feel now is payment for the happiness I have had. So much love and joy in the years I had them. They were frustrating and maddening too but the good out weighs the bad. It was all worth it to have had them in my life. I did the best I could for them, to give them a good life and make them content. They paid me back ten times over. I will miss them more than I can say.


Toodles,
Linda