Showing posts with label Sunday night chit-chat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday night chit-chat. Show all posts

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sunday Night Chit Chat, 09 December 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

 
‎"The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” —Corrie Ten Boom

Reading
Mostly work stuff and finishing up the Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr Natasha Campbell–McBride. At some point i need to return to reading for fun.

Watching
I watched "La tête en fraiche" or the English title, "My Afternoons with Margueritte." Excellent film. I'd like to read the book on which it's based.

Listening to
The heater kick on.

Cooking/Baking
I made some pumpkin squares for my knitting group. They were yummy. My neighbours up the street gave an invite for supper. Yummy beef roast, latkes, and green salad. Mmmmmm.

Happy you accomplished this week
Cleared out the second bay in the garage so i can make room for the new-to-me truck. Thankfully it was really sunny and warmer than usual today, so i was able to move stuff without too much trouble. Going to have a friend help me with adjusting the open switch on the garage door, though, so i know the opening will be high enough for the truck. I don't have the confidence to take it on myself. It needs but a small tweak, lesss than an inch for the truck to clear.

I also had a great idea about storing the mast where it's out of the way but still inside the barn. Just have to figure out how to make the idea become real.
 
Got through most of my to do list today. I listed everything i thought needed doing and figured i'd be good if i got halfway through.

Looking forward to next week
Picking up the wreaths tomorrow and the Christmas tree. It'll be fun to watch Jim with the tree.

*Bonus Question*
What type of cell phone do you have? Do you have all the bells & whistles or just basics?
I have the basic phone. I can make and receive phone calls and texts. The end. it's a pay as you go plan, and i can roll over minutes i don't use. I have lots of minutes. There are a number of places around me that are dead zones, and really, the easiest way to call me is on my landline, since i work from home. I don't like texting, but there are times where friends are sailing and they can text me more easily than can call. I guess the texts take less whatever it is, because the calls will get dropped, but the texts go through.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Sunday night chit chat, 23 September 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

“Those who wish to sing will always find a song.” - Celtic Proverb

Reading
A few things at the moment.  "Advanced Sailing" by Tony Gibbs, "Grandma's Wartime Kitchen" by Joanne Lamb Hayes and "Eating for Victory" by Jill Norman

Watching
Nothing on the screen lately 

Listening to
JoJo crunch kibble. 

Cooking/Baking
The weather's turned colder, and i decided to make some macaroni skillet pizza. I don't have pasta very often, so this is a treat.

Happy you accomplished this week
One part of a very long, difficult work project. I've got another section to go and am hopeful that i'll have it finished by Tuesday. 

Got to see some sailing friends yesterday as they returned to port and before they headed for home.
Finished one of two mittens and hope to have the other done by this time next week.

My name was selected to win a drawing. I don't know what the prize is, but am shocked that i won, so that i shall like the prize no matter what it is!

Looking forward to next week
Visit from a loved one next weekend. It'll be nice to catch up.

Thankful for today
Glorious weather. It was hot outside, and i was wishing i could have gone sailing or hiking today. After allowing myself 10 minutes to pout about my walking cast, i decided that i could enjoy things around the house and be a patient patient by keeping the leg elevated.

Bonus Question
You receive an unexpected large sum of money. It's a BIG number. Whats the first thing you do with it?
Believe it or not, i've thought about this from time to time, and with different numbers. No matter what, i'm giving away at least 10%; i have some pet charities and organisations i like and believe in, so should like some of the monies to go there. And perhaps to some who are very dear to me. If the number is BIG enough, i'd pay off all the debt (real estate debt). If there was still money left, i'd have to think about next steps. Would i be able to work part-time rather than full-time as i am now? Would i be able to retire at this very moment? Even if the answer were yes, i'd never have to work another job for pay again, i'd still give a two-week notice. I think i'd need at least that long to get over some of the shock!

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Sunday Night Chit Chat, 22 July 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

“When I try, I fail.
When I trust,
He succeeds.”
― Corrie Ten Boom
 
Reading
Still on boat books. A sailing friend lent me "Practical Sailing" by Tony Gibbs. This is one i'm going to want to read again and again, so i went looking online for a used copy and found one right away.

Watching
Not much at the moment. I think i need something fun, so might watch The Devil Wears Prada.

Listening to
Crickets. 

Cooking/Baking
Made Moroccan Chicken, a recipe a friend shared with me that's chicken sauteed with some onion and spices and mixed up with tons of lentils in a vinaigrette. Can be served hot or cold and tastes better next day as the flavours can marry. I made enough for a few servings. MMMMmmmmm

Happy you accomplished this weekI've almost completed a long, tedious work project. I was hoping to get it all done by week's end, but still have the final tenth to go. My internet and business phone went out for about 6 hours during the week, so rather than work all clocks to make up the time, i opted to start fresh next week.
 
Introductions between Jim and the older cats occurred earlier this week. The older cats are still hissing and growling, but so far no fur has been flung. Jim has learned to hiss, and demonstrated that to me when i rolled a large empty spool near him. He was afraid of it, got bushy and hissed at it. Twice.
 
The lawn mower is finally fixed! Able to mow the lawn this week.

Looking forward to next week
Visit from a loved one next weekend. It'll be nice to catch up.

Thankful for today
Got in some great sailing yesterday. Needed a bit of help today when i realized halfway through something that i couldn't do what i had planned and needed to. Help arrived at just the critical point, and i was so grateful! Still am, and have been counting my blessings since.

Bonus Question
What is your favourite summer food and/or drink treat?
Hard to say; in years where i grow tomatoes successfully (didn't happen last year, and this year doesn't look promising), it's that first ripe tomato off the vine. I also love corn on the cob. This week, however, it'd have to be raspberries, as they're ripe now and i've been having my fill and giving away lots. I may end up freezing some for later on.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Sunday night chit chat, 15 July 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It's jolted by every pebble on the road.”—Henry Ward Beecher

Reading
Back to boat books.

Watching
Jim playing. He plays with so much energy, and then when he's tired, sleeps soundly. Lots to learn from cats. Earlier today, Phobe killed a chipmunk down cellar and meowed to let everyone in the household know. Not to be outdone, Jo killed one outside later in the afternoon.

Listening to
The hum of the ceiling fan. I think the rain may come soon, and want to take a shower before the thunderstorms start.

Cooking/Baking
Nothing special. Made some salmon patties that hit the spot, and yesterday, i ordered a pizza from my favourite place just around the corner. I kept trying to phone them for the order, but the line stayed busy. When i went in person to order, i asked if they had something wrong with their phone. Turns out it wasn't hung up right. They were glad i told them and gave me the pizza half price.

Happy you accomplished this week
Changed out the rudder line to a smaller diameter one. Made all the difference with keeping the rudder firmly in the down position. Had a sailing lesson on Retrouvé with a wonderful sailing friend, and he said he'd give a few more.

Jim's a bit more used to the routine around here, and i'm glad his first visit to the vet went so well.

Picked some raspberries and gave some away to dear friends.

Looking forward to next week
Another sailing lesson, a visit from a friend who moved away recently.

Thankful for today
Jo did not attack Jim when i had him outside. I kept an eye on her and him, and when i turned for a moment, she had crept closer to see. We were on the deck, and she was about two steps away from the deck steps. Jim was on the second of the three steps, interested and didn't understand what the hissing meant. Jo also gave a low growl. Jim approached no closer, and finally came towards me, so i could pick him up and take him back to "his" room. I went outside immediately afterwards and praised JoJo for being such a good girl.

Saw some people i sailed with last year and had a nice chat

Took care of some boat housekeeping things since the rain held off.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Sunday Night Chit Chat, 8 July 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

“Those who wish to sing will always find a song.” - Celtic Proverb
 
Reading
Rereading Winnie-the-Pooh. I had picked up a copy in case a friend who has a child stops by.

Watching
The cats. Since Jim's arrival, Phoebe and JoJo have been a bit wary, standoffish, angry, and glad to see me. I try to comfort, cajole, soothe, or smile as the situation dictates.

Listening to
Jim play with a piece of paper. Of course, now that i've typed that, he's stopped playing and is watching my hands.

Cooking/Baking
Friends invited me for supper and gave me the leftover cooked pasta and sauce as they were heading back home, and home is a long way from here. I used some of the pasta for tonight's supper and made a white clam sauce for it. I'll use up the rest of the pasta and sauce tomorrow. I don't eat much pasta these days, so it's been a real treat.

Happy you accomplished this week
Boat was launched last week, today i bent the main sail (meaning i put it on) and took the boat off her mooring. Had trouble with the rudder staying down, so it was a very short jaunt and a bit harrowing. Kind next door neighbours lent me their lawn mower so i could mow. The repair place called me on the day the mower was supposed to be fixed to let me know the part is backordered until Thursday.
 
Able to see friends who were here on vacation. It was fun hearing about their adventures.

Looking forward to next week
Nothing specific on the calendar. I'll be glad to have Jim's vet appointment done with (scheduled for Tuesday morning).

Thankful for today
Great neighbours
Even though the rudder incident was harrowing, no one got hurt or injured other than a cut on my finger when i grabbed the mooring line.
A beautiful day weather-wise.
Phone call from a friend just to see how i was. :-)

Bonus question
Grab the book nearest you, turn to page 18, and line 4, and type out the line
 
The book nearest me is a medical abbreviations book, so i'm going to grab one off the shelf...
 
"a warm day." The book is The Drugstore Cat by Ann Petry.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sunday Night Chit Chat, 17 June 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

 

 
Reading
Still perusing knitting and boat books. Also started looking at a basic woodworking book. There's just so much i don't know.

Watching
Who needs TV when you've got bears wandering in your yard? This fella came by Thursday morning. More pictures are here.

Listening to
Silence. It's nice to be quiet now and again.

Cooking/Baking
I got the last of the fiddleheads on Friday and have one more serving.

Happy you accomplished this week
Repaired the dinghy! I need for the glue to cure at least overnight and then i can check to see if there are any leaks i missed. Hoping not.

Found a local steel place near me that can lift the boat from the jackstands she's sitting on and move her onto the trailer!

Found the spreaders! Happy dance. You can read more about that here.

Looking forward to next week
Having the boat moved from the jackstands onto the trailer. If the weather holds and work isn't too insane, the boat might be ready for launch by next weekend. That would be nice.
Solstice. I think there's something magical about the longest and shortest days of the year. I still think of it occurring on the 21st, though. Would LOVE to find the spreaders. They aren't where i thought i had put them. I'd hate to think they walked off by themselves. Happy for any thoughts, prayers, or good vibes anyone wishes to lob my way so i can find them.

Thankful for today
BEAUTIFUL day!! Between yesterday and today got some boat stuff and mowing done.
Dear friends.

Bonus question
If you could have just one item off of your wish list right now, what would it be??

Wow. About 10 things all clamoured to be chosen; some of them i wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with BlogLand. I guess i'd say have enough set by for retirement so i could retire right now. There's just so much i'd like to do, and some things have to wait because i'm still working. I do like my job for the most part and like many of my colleagues and clients—but to think of having a space where i didn't have to work fulltime and could live as i'm living now would be wonderful.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Sunday night chit chat, 10 June 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

 
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain 

Reading
Still perusing knitting and boat books.

Watching
I did end up renting Unconditional Love. Other than that, i've been busy living outside so haven't watched anything on a screen.

Listening to
The frogs calling.

Cooking/Baking
Not much--made meatloaf for supper, and it tasted yummy.

Happy you accomplished this week
Some of the boat jobs on my to do list, especially putting in the new ports. Have to tighten the nuts the rest of the way now that the silicone has had time to set. I also cleaned and waxed the hull today. My arms are going to be sore tomorrow.
Had great fun sailing on my friend's schooner, even though the weather was cold and rainy for much of the trip. The other passenger aboard were lovely people, and we had tons of fun. 

Looking forward to next week
Whittling down the outstanding items on the boat jobs list. 
Would LOVE to find the spreaders. They aren't where i thought i had put them. I'd hate to think they walked off by themselves. Happy for any thoughts, prayers, or good vibes anyone wishes to lob my way so i can find them.

Thankful for today
BEAUTIFUL day!! Between yesterday and today got some boat stuff done and mowed what felt like a hayfield. It's now back to looking like a respectable lawn.
Dear friends.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sunday afternoon chit chat, 03 June 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." From The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Reading
Still perusing those knitting and boat books.

Watching
I want to rent Unconditional Love again. I found it to be a wonderful movie. Lots of great lines; the two that come to mind just now are "It was the valette" ["valet" spelled phonetically as it was said for that line] and "Nobody messes with a dwarf in a red raincoat."

Listening to
The rain. It's been teeming off and on all day.

Cooking/Baking
The last of the fiddleheads.

At the lovely b&b which was the overnight part of the wedding trip, the hostess, Sarah, made some lovely savory scones. gluten-free and yummmmyyyyy.

Happy you accomplished this week
Went to lovely wedding yesterday! It rained but that didn't dampen anyone's spirits or the joy of the occasion. :0) Drove home in rain the entire way, as the drive home followed the same direction as the weather.

Looking forward to next week
The rainy weather cancelled the sailing trip scheduled for today, but the season kicks off all the same tomorrow when guests arrive for the first trip of the season. I am helping out on this trip so shall be sailing most of the week.
Still working on the boat jobs list. Hope to get some respite from the rain to get the replacement ports in for real.

Thankful for today
A chance to have a lie around day. Haven't had one of those since i can remember when.
The kitties are glad a "usual human presence" is back. Although they knew both of the kind souls who kept them plied with wet food while the usual human presence attended the wedding (as this involved a stay overnight away from home), they were glad the others were only temporary replacements.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Sunday night chit chat, 27 May 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

‎"A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle."—Benjamin Franklin


Reading
I've been poking around some boat books and articles. Also some knitting books as i'd like to try knitting a gansey.

Watching
I watched "The In-Laws" when a blogger had a clip in her blogpost (I forget her name, sorry!). I didn't realize there was a remake in 2003, and that's the one i ended up renting, although i thought it was the original until the movie got underway (at this particular video store, you only get the DVD/Blue ray disc in a clear jacket, and coverless). I wouldn't have picked it up had i realized it was the remaked, but i was highly entertained. Different from the original and one of the few times i can remember liking a remake as much as the original. It's been ages since i saw the original, though, so i'd need to see that one again to be sure i like them both equally.

Listening to
Birds chirping. It's still wonderfully sunny.


Cooking/Baking
Fiddleheads!!!

Happy you accomplished this week
Boat stuff: The portholes have been cleaned, i picked up the replacements, i touched up the fiberglass around the portholes and i'm hoping to get the new ones on tomorrow. Hope the weather holds for that. The keel is painted thanks to Himself. I can't find the spreaders for the mast. I don't think they got up and wandered away, but they weren't in the three spots i checked that made the most sense. I hope to find those tomorrow.

Finished the hat i was knitting. The gansey yarn arrived, and it's beautiful.
Weeded the asparagus bed and found three clumps of asparagus poking through! :-) Should be ready to pick in two more years.


Looking forward to next week
Still working on the boat jobs list. The port stern drain hose needs to be replaced. I definitely want to get the ports placed tomorrow (fingers crossed for weather) and work on the drain hose as time permits. Those are the two big jobs for the boat before launch this year. I ordered the right kind of adhesive for the inflatable and it's due to come Friday.
Attending a wedding for two lovely people on Saturday and sailing on my friend's schooner on Sunday.


Thankful for today
The sun! This weekend was great, weather-wise.
Celebrating Memorial (Decoration) Day here tomorrow. I've given thanks to those called to serve.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Sunday night chit chat, 13 May 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

The engineer Buckminster Fuller is often cited for his use of trim tabs as a metaphor for leadership and personal empowerment. In the February 1972 issue of Playboy, Fuller said:

"Something hit me very hard once, thinking about what one little man could do. Think of the Queen Mary—the whole ship goes by and then comes the rudder. And there's a tiny thing at the edge of the rudder called a trim tab.

"It's a miniature rudder. Just moving the little trim tab builds a low pressure that pulls the rudder around. Takes almost no effort at all. So I said that the little individual can be a trim tab. Society thinks it's going right by you, that it's left you altogether. But if you're doing dynamic things mentally, the fact is that you can just put your foot out like that and the whole big ship of state is going to go.

"So I said, call me Trim Tab."



Reading
I've been poking around some boat books and articles. One article i read about changing out portholes; on my boat they all leak to some degree and while i'd like to rebed them, it's best to get them replaced as the outer edge is cracked on all. The guy writing the article has the same kind of boat and decided to make his own. I wasn't sure if we were up to that, but we'd have to remove the ones we have at any rate, at least one fore and one aft to get measurements for replacements, and the article explained how the guy removed his. Well, i think he's related to Martha Stewart, and i'm definitely not. He was saying the whole job took him 4 hours (taking out the old portholes, making new, and installing them). It took me over an hour to try and pry off one. I was getting really tired and thought it best to stop and try again tomorrow.

Watching
I watched another episode from the  "Fan Favorites—the Best of Cheers" this week. Excellent one about a Thanksgiving hosted by Carla.

Listening to
David Francey's CD, "Right of Passage."


Cooking/Baking
Nothing special.

Happy you accomplished this week
The boat is uncovered! I've started with a few of the jobs.


Had  lovely chats with three dear friends this week.


Changing to summer sheets on the bed. I love my polar fleece sheets or flannel sheets when it's cold, but the first week of putting on the cotton sheets had its own sort of deliciousness.


A few of the tomato and basil seeds i planted have sprouted. Nada for the pepper seeds. I've seen a few places selling raised beds for a good price and think it'll be worth my while to get one or two.

Started knitting a hat, guessing on gauge (tension) as i was using lighter weight yarn and smaller needles than the pattern called for. I didn't guess quite right and rather than trying to make do and fix from where i was, i ripped it all out and started over. My second attempt seemed much better, but i realised i misread the patttern and ripped out again. sigh. So far, she says with fingers crossed, this time looks like it should be a go.

Looking forward to next week
Full speed ahead with the boat jobs list. Some of it is weather dependent, but i do have a few jobs i can do in the barn as well, now that the temperatures are warmer. So, if it rains, i can repair the dinghy (inflatable) and start varnishing the few wood pieces i have. (The glue for the repairs and the varnish need temperatures to be at least 40°F and stay there--we had dips into the 30's, so i thought it best to wait. For Celsius readers, 40°F=~5°C, 30°F=~-2°C.)

Weeding the garden--i still haven't seen any sign of asparagus in the bed i started last year, but the weeds look healthy enough.

Ordering yarn for gansey sweater i'd like to try and make. Yes, this was on last week's list, too, but i didn't completely decide on which colour until this week.

Thankful for today
The sun! This weekend was great, weather-wise.

Enjoying the violets growing in the yard. There are purple ones and white ones.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Sunday Night Chit Chat, 06 May 2012

I'm posting this early, as I'll be at the potluck for hockey and not sure that i'll want to fire up the computer when i return!

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.


This was on the morning of my 50th birthday. The captain (she's wearing the hat, green shirt, and dark shorts) had filled balloons with helium and put them around the boat.

Reading
I've been poking around some boat books and articles. Trying to steel myself for tackling the boat to-do list and emerge successful. Also looked at some knitting patterns, which isn't reading per se, but it was during my reading time.

Watching
I watched some of  "Fan Favorites—the Best of Cheers" this week. I haven't watched any reruns of the show "Cheers" in probably 10 years, and while i enjoyed it when it was on prime time, i didn't plan my life around it. The episodes i saw have aged pretty well, although a little of the Diane Chambers character (played by Shelley Long) went a long way with me, much the way it did when the show first aired. 

Listening to
Lots of motorcycles going past the house. It's sunny for the most part, and the warmest it's been in weeks. Spring fever for many.

Cooking/Baking
I made brownies for the potluck we're having for hockey this evening. There were some that were a bit too thin near the edge of the pan, so i'm keeping the leavings for the house and am taking the nicer ones for the potluck. My favourite part still is licking the bowl.

Happy you accomplished this week
Lawn mowed! I ran out of fuel with the last 10 minutes to go. Yes, i did what Himself hates, and ran the mower dry. He's right of course, not wise to do, as all the crud on the bottom can then work its way through the engine. But i was so close! However, i wanted to get done by noon, and it was 11:52 a.m. Phoebe was crying for lunch (usually served at noon), and i couldn't get the mower restarted. I had this same issue last year, where it seems it'll start once a day and no more. My workaround was to mow half one day and half the next. It worked better with my schedule, too, as i could mow a half hour or so at lunch and be done in two days. Yes, the advantages of working from home. Taking care of that over two lunchtimes left the after work hours free for other pursuits. Besides, the birds converged on the feeder within five minutes of the mower's petering out, and i had a half a headache. The bit that needs doing can stand another day.


I went back to the animal shelter yesterday to see if any dogs needed walkies. I got to walk Sandy, a gentle, sweet-natured English Shepherd. She's the nicest dog i've ever walked. Doesn't pull at all, and a real joy. When i entered the shelter, Sandy was walking around, as she likes to follow the woman in charge. When i asked if Sandy could go for a walk, Sandy's ears perked up,and she made her way to the door. The woman in charge laughed, put a leash on Sandy, and we walked for a little over a half hour. The shelter closes to the public at four o'clock, and i thought it best to get back around closing time. She enjoyed sniffing the grass, the air, and wanted to chase after something in the woods--a squirrel or chipmunk maybe. I told her a few times on the walk that she was a good girl, and one time, she stopped, looked at me with doe eyes and sat down obediently. I pet her, and when we made our way back to the shelter, the door was unlocked, but the closed sign had been put up. I took her inside, and her tongue was hanging out and tail erect as a worker took her back to her kennel. I signed out, got in my car and sobbed on the way home. I can think of any number of perfectly logical reasons why trying to bring a dog into the house would NOT be a good idea, but as i thought of each one, i cried harder. We may just have to think of making a plastic place for Himself after all. My prayer is that Sandy can find her forever home very soon, and that it can be the perfect fit for her and her new family. She's eight, and i don't know why she was placed at the shelter. If the perfect forever home is with yours truly, then i need to know unequivocally this is the right thing to do for all in our household.

Digging out some lilacs. I've had a number of volunteers and they really need to be thinned. One of my hockey teammates said she'd like a few, and my plan is to take a bunch with me to the potluck. My teammates can have free lilacs, and i'll have done some necessary thinning.

Planted some tomato and pepper seeds. I saw the slugs in full force on the dandelions in the garden spot, so i'm thinking that raised beds might be the way to go.

Started knitting a hat, guessing on gauge (tension) as i was using lighter weight yarn and smaller needles than the pattern called for. I didn't guess quite right and rather than trying to make do and fix from where i was, i ripped it all out and started over. Second attempt is much better. This should be a good sailing hat for chillier times on the water.

Looking forward to next week
Puttering around in the garden and getting to work on the boat list. The rain and colder temperatures this past week curtailed efforts in these areas.

Ordering yarn for gansey sweater i'd like to try and make.

Thankful for today
The sun!

Potluck for hockey, which is always fun. It's nice to see teammates outside of the rink and to have a chance to chat.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sunday Night Chit Chat 29 April 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.


"No one is ever too old to learn, but some people just keep putting it off."  As seen on the Farmer’s Almanac Facebook page, 25 April 2012.

Reading
I finished reading Captain Caution by Kenneth Roberts. Not sure what to read next, although since i'm gearing up for getting the boat ready, it might be snippets from different boating books in our home library. We've amassed a small collection.

Watching
I haven't watched anything noteworthy this week. I did watch a bit of some stand-up comedy, but i didn't find it funny. Guess i'm a tough crowd.

Listening to
Phoebe racing up and down the stairs playing with a sparkle ball. The heat just kicked on.

Cooking/Baking
I splurged on some hydroponic tomatoes, sliced them, and poured over a simple vinaigrette comprising balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and dijon mustard. Yummy!

Happy you accomplished this week
My neighbour installed the light switch in the wonky light fixture in the dining room. Wonky no more! I mentioned that we'd take him and his wife out to dinner as a thank you. They both agreed that we can go out for dinner, but we can go Dutch. He said we can repay him in sailing time.

I went back to the animal shelter yesterday to see if any dogs needed walkies. All the dogs have been adopted!! There is a new dog coming, but she won't be ready for walkies until later in the week. I did see a wonderful, shy, black cat i'd like to bring home. Phoebe was very needy all day today, her tail got bushy for no reason that i could tell, and even though i washed all the clothes i wore at the shelter, i realised finally, that i was wearing the same shoes today. She must still smell the other cats on them. I did ask for a sign if i could consider bringing this new kitty home. Not the sign i wanted, but the message is clear: for now, the answer is no.

Updated my spending log. Ahem. I totally fell off the waggon for March and April, although i had receipts and made a few half-hearted attempts on the back of a few envelopes. So, i didn't even try to track my no spends or no drive days. Here's hoping i'll be more diligent in May.

Made out the boat list. The weather should be warming up this week, so i might be able to get started.

I got the lawn mower started. It wouldn't start for me on Wednesday, and the back yard is very thick, so i knew the mowing needed to happen soon. I figured i'd try again Thursday to see if i could get it started, before having to ask Himself or another man to start it for me (and yes, i did succumb last year and ask for help. After the initial start-up, it was fine the rest of the mowing season. Just cranky at the very beginning.) It finally turned over, and i got the back yard and side yard where the boat is all mowed before the rain came back. Front and other side yard has sparser grass, so it wasn't as critical to get that done, but i'm thinking some time this week would be fine.

Looking forward to next week
Puttering around in the garden and getting to work on the boat list.

Thankful for today
We have light in the dining room! Woo-hoo!!

Very fun last day of hockey for the season. Last week, one player fell funny into the boards. Turns out, she broke her fibula and has some ligament damage :0( She is on the mend, though and ought to make a complete recovery. :0)

I won an ebay auction for an Origio Heat Pal that i can use on the boat. It's an older model that doubles as a heater and single burner stove. Non-pressurised alcohol sort, so no worries about explosions, and in case of fire, i can use water to put out the flame. So far, we've done sails for just part of the day, but we were thinking about doing an overnight trip, and it would be nice to boil water for tea. Also, should we find it really chilly, having the luxury of warming up the cabin would be wonderful. The boat is a 19' sloop (~5.8 m), so the Heat Pal would work wonderfully well. Compact, low maintenance, and nearly idiot proof.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Sunday night chit chat 22 April 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.


"Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet him." –as seen on a bumper sticker

Reading
I finished reading My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Not sure what to read next.

Watching
I watched the movie, Baby Mama, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. I liked it better than i thought i would.

Listening to
JoJo purring and the rain.

Cooking/Baking
Nothing special this week.

Happy you accomplished this week
Got a neighbour to take a look at the wonky light fixture in the dining room. He's a marine electrician, and i asked if he'd take a look to see if the wiring was all right to the fixture, and if the fixture was all right except for the switch. I mean, we can look at this stuff, but we're not experienced enough to know what exactly we're looking at. Turns out it is a wonky switch. The trick now is to find an switch with a long enough thread. It seems the current style is 1/4 inch, and i need 3/8 inch. We're not in love with the light fixture, so we can replace it, although a switch is less expensive than a brand new fixture.

Looking forward to next week
Puttering around in the garden and getting to work on the boat list.

Thankful for today
Although it wrecked my garden and outside chores plans, i was glad to see the rain.

Great fun playing hockey. We had two good, very fast games.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sunday night chit-chat 15 April 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.




Phoebe hard at work as a paperweight.



Reading
I am reading My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. I'm still drooling over Treasure Chests The Legacy of Extraordinary Boxes by Lon Schleining.

Watching
I watched some episodes from the tv show "Frasier," and this was from the first season. Well-written show and great cast.

Listening to
JoJo crunching some kibble. We're all getting ready to turn in for the night.

Cooking/Baking
Made a lovely baked beets and onion dish following a recipe in the "Moosewood Low Fat Cookbook." It's been a long time since i made that recipe, and i can't think as to why, as it's tasty.

Happy you accomplished this week
I was hoping to say, "I got all the tax forms filled out." Not quite; i have two left, but all i have to do is transfer the values and i'm done.

Made a good dent on spring cleaning the kitchen. I've been giving it a lick and a promise for awhile and decided a good scrubbing was in order. I'm about two-thirds of the way there.


Looking forward to next week
Puttering around in the garden a bit. I've got some weeding to do and i'm going to start a few tomato plants.

Thankful for today
Gorgeous weekend! The weather was sunny and warm.

My leg feels nearly 100% so i played hockey this afternoon. There weren't many of us on the ice as kids have off school this week, and many families are away. We started with six-on-six and ended up with three-on-three. Phew! One of my teammates needed to move her boat, and i offered to help if i could. We drove over to the shipyard after hockey. Hauled on the bow spring and stern spring, realising as i did so that my hands have become very soft over the winter. I also didn't have a lot of oomph, though i was glad to be of at least some help. So many neighbours and friends have been so kind and helpful, that it's nice when we can lend a hand.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sunday Night Chit-Chat 8 April 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.






Reading
Today I finished the third book of the Arundle Chronicles, The Lively Lady, by Kenneth Roberts. A good read, and the last book in this series. I preferred the first two books to this one, although they are all excellent. This one is very heavy on the nautical things, which would make it hard going for some readers, and a few of the characters in this story speak with such an accent that i sometimes had to read what they said a few times to get the meaning. I'm still drooling over Treasure Chests The Legacy of Extraordinary Boxes by Lon Schleining.

Watching
Rented the movie The Ten Commandments. I marvelled once again at the costumes and pagentry of this Cecil B. DeMille film. Even though i know what's going to happen, i still get caught up in this movie. Every. single. time. The DVD had some bonus features, including a six-part documentary on various aspects of the film, the original "making of" trailer as well as the 1966 and 1989 trailers advertising re-releases of the movie to the big screen, and a newsreel showing the streets of New York on opening night, and zeroing in on the stars in the movie as they attended the premiere as well as other notables like John Wayne with his wife, and William Holden with his wife. There was a sense of glamour that i find decidedly lacking today.

Listening to
Nothing noteworthy this week.

Cooking/Baking
It was hard to top last week's roasted chicken, so i didn't try. LOL I've had a hankering for grilled cheese sandwiches, and made some with harvarti dill cheese and rye bread.

Happy you accomplished this week
I got the taxes done! I spent part of this afternoon and evening doing the last two forms. They aren't due until the 17th this year, but i always like to get them done in time to review for accuracy before sending along.

I got The Lively Lady read before its due date of tomorrow. I have the option of renewing the book and did that for the earlier two books but they were rather long (600-700 pages) so i didn't feel quite so bad needing an extra few days. This one was 274 pages, so i paced myself. When i get a book i really enjoy reading, i want to savour reading it and not feel that i must rush through.

A friend and i had dinner at a lovely Thai restaurant this week after she washed her theatrical hamper chez moi. It was a nice midweek treat, and we both admired our clean hampers. She came by today to pick it up; she had wanted to get a few things sorted at her house and make room for it before she took it home.

Looking forward to next week
I don't have anything special planned. Besides the small piece of fig cake i mentioned in my earlier post today, i had a small glass of Diet Pepsi. I haven't had any of the chocolate covered apricots yet. Not sure when i'm going to cross the sugar threshold. Now that i can, i find myself really wanting to think about it before i do so. I'm glad i have the option and neither the restriction nor the compulsion.

My paycheck on Friday the 13th should show a bit more than previous ones for this year, since i got a small raise. I also got a small bonus, and am unsure whether that check will arrive midmonth or at month's end.

Thankful for today
The cats let me sleep in this morning :-)

The taxes are done!!!!!!!!!!

Although we had snow flurries for a bit today, nothing stuck and did indeed switch over to rain showers. April showers mean rain to me rather than snow.


My leg continues to heal. Only occasional twinges now. We had no hockey today as the rink was closed for Easter, so i ought to be ready to go this coming Sunday for both games.

It's Easter. I gave thanks and have a happy heart.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Sunday night chit-chat 01 April 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

May all that is unlived in you
Blossom into a future
Graced with love
~John O'Donohue

I'm sure others have already seen this, as it makes its way around Cyberia, but i'd like to give a shout out to Charlotte and Jonathon. WOW! It's not often that someone's singing makes me cry because it's so beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsNlcr4frs4

Reading
I am on the third book of the Arundle chronicles, The Lively Lady by Kenneth Roberts. I'm still drooling over Treasure Chests The Legacy of Extraordinary Boxes by Lon Schleining.

Watching
Rented the movie Dancing at Lughnasa. I thought the ending was too abrupt, as if the director realised the film was approaching the one hour, thirty minute mark, so just summed up in a voiceover what happened to the characters to keep within the ninety-minute timeframe. Then again, perhaps it was done to show just how quickly things change. I can be a very dense moviegoer.

Listening to
Besides Charlotte and Jonathon, I listened to a bit of Earl Scruggs this week, in homage to him and to mark his passing. I take bluegrass in small doses, and am not fond of that sort of singing, although i found my toe tapping along, and i sang bits and pieces.

Cooking/Baking
Emboldened by the success of the scones i recently made, i did make some this week with bacon, cheese, and onions. They were the best ones yet. The friend who showed me the recipe she had found didn't want some just now, as she's trying to eat fewer carbohydrates. I volunteered to freeze a few, if she wanted some for later. She nodded, so she'll be my guinea pig to see how well they freeze.

In honour of Phoebe's 12th birthday yesterday, i roasted a chicken. Everyone in the household loves roasted chicken. :)

Happy you accomplished this week
The oil company sent a repairman bright and early Monday morning to fix the water heater. Actually, the water heater was fine, but the oil-fired boiler was the problem. There are four main components to the boiler, the whoseit, the whatsit, that other gizmo, and the thingamjig. On a holiday, gizmo stopped working so was replaced. And, on two weekends several months apart, the thingamajig an whatsit stopped, and needed to be replaced. Last weekend, it was the whoseit's turn. sigh. At least it got fixed very quickly and we didn't have freezing temperatures, so no worries about frozen pipes.

The hockey game with friends was quite fun. One had never been to a hockey game, and i waved for one of the throwers to throw a tee-shirt to us. She did, and it landed between me and the newbie. I gave it to the newbie, in honour of her first game. Our other two friends have attended games, and one of them plays hockey with me on Sunday afternoons. Their adopted son turned 1 in the beginning of March, and was a wonderfully behaved baby. We ate at a restaurant before the game. K was sitting on his mother's lap eating bits of food from both her plate and his dad's plate. He placidly munched on a bit of pita bread and we all watched with anticipation as he munched on a bit of dill pickle. His expression never changed, which surprised all of us. Mother had falafel, and K picked up a piece of the falafel and popped it in his mouth. Within a second, he screwed his face up as tightly as possible and cried. He next tried jamming his whole hand in his mouth and scratched at his tongue to try and remove the offending bits. We all laughed, and even though his mother tried to get him to drink from his sippy cup to remove the taste, he gave her a look that plainly said, "Betrayal!" He took nothing else from Mother's plate and also looked circumspect at the bit of pasta Father gave him from his.


Looking forward to next week
I don't have anything special planned. I'd like to get the taxes all done so that by this time next week, i can saw Phew! That's behind me for another year.


Thankful for today
Cleaned one of the theatrical hampers to see how it would go. I'm sure the Antiques Roadshow folks would get all "stabby" as a friend says, knowing that i washed off grime from perhaps the 19th and 20th as well as the 21st centuries. Yes, the "patina" went down the drain, but the hamper is more useable now for me, and that's why i got it. I had it drying outside, although the clouds blocked the sun in the late afternoon, so i brought it back inside before leaving for my hockey game. I'll set it out tomorrow if the weather co-operates.

My leg feels nearly 100% so i played hockey this afternoon. Only one game rather than the usual two. I didn't have a lot of jump, and i couldn't pivot as normal, but otherwise, all was fine. Even towards the end of the game when i fell. It was one of those moments of truth; i paused a minute, breathed in, and everything was okay. :) It's still amazing to me how our bodies can heal, especially if we try to encourage it or create a situation where healing is unimpeded.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday night Chit-Chat 25 March 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.






A friend of mine took a snap of this bumper sticker while travelling.


Reading
I finally finished a Rabble in Arms by Kenneth Roberts. A friend lent me a book, Treasure Chests The Legacy of Extraordinary Boxes by Lon Schleining. The book contains photos of some wonderfully made chests. I admire woodworkers and indeed all artisans and craftsfolk who can produce beautiful things with their hands.

Watching
Rented the movie My Best Friend's Wedding, because it was one of those i had never seen and thought it might be enjoyable. The cell phones and computer scenes look so dated now. I remember not wanting to see the movie when it came out because i thought it's be too predictable and in part because i thought it might hit too close to home. One of my dearest friends who was like a second brother to me really wanted me at this wedding. And, i really wanted to be there and did attend. His wife, having been brought up with only sisters and having all female cousins, really couldn't understand how a boy and a girl could simply be good friends and nothing else. I do think that woman was the happiest person at my wedding that took place a few years after theirs. The movie had as its premise, that this man and woman did date for a bit first, but remained friends afterwards. I'm glad i didn't see it when it first was released, as that's exactly what so many thought about my friend and me, only we never dated. I had dated his best friend off and on for three years. That relationship never worked, but the friendship i developed with the on-again/off-again boyfriend's best friend remained.

Listening to
The heat kick on. Our week of unbelievably warm weather has left, and we've had grey skies all day with spits of rain.

Cooking/Baking
Emboldened by the success of the scones i recently made, i want to try some bacon, cheese, and chive or onion ones. A friend of mine found a recipe and showed it to me, independently of my trying to figure out how much bacon i'd need. So, it seems like a sure sign that i must make these.




Happy you accomplished this week
Made through a slog sort of workweek!



The oil fired boiler isn't working right, and of course, these things always seem to occur on the weekend. Grrr. I only found out when i realised we had no hot water, as the hot water heater is heated by the boiler. I called the oil company to let them know and asked the after hours person to have someone come round Monday morning. Thankfully, the weather has been warm enough, but i do love taking a hot, long shower. Making do with the camping solar shower is okay, but i'll be glad when we're back to having a seemingly endless supply of hot water. I know, i've gone soft in my old age!




Looking forward to next week
Attending a hockey game with friends midweek.




Thankful for today
Got a chance to rest, finish my book before the due date of tomorrow, and just putter about. My leg is still a bit twingy, so i decided not to play hockey today. It's still a bit stiff and hurts when i bend and put most or all of my weight on the right knee. I overheard two women talking about someone they knew experiencing a soft tissue injury and the one said to the other with a knowing tone, "You know, those soft tissue injuries take six weeks to heal." I hope they're wrong in my case, as my hockey season will be over by then!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Sunday night Chit-Chat 18 March 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying.

"The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground."


Reading
Besides the boat books, i'm reading Rabble in Arms by Kenneth Roberts. Also, found out that a local business paper will revive our local regular paper :0)

Watching
Rented the movie Bridesmaids, because i wanted something mindless and fun. It fit the bill, and i can see why Melissa McCarthy was nominated for an Oscar. Parts of the movie dragged and were predictable, but i was in the mood to be entertained, and i was.

Listening to
Chad Mitchell Trio, Singing Our Minds. Still a great album, and of course i'm singing along.

Cooking/Baking
I made these scones, and took them to my knitting group. Everyone enjoyed them, and i made a second batch on Wednesday. The second batch was tastier than the first in part because i took care to grate the cheese, really chop the onions, and break up the walnuts into small pieces, so i think everything blended together better. Yummy!

Happy you accomplished this week
First runthrough of most of the taxes. I have a few questions that need answers, but by and large, we're getting a refund from one and either shall break even or owe a little bit with the other.

I washed the kitchen windows and screens today. Wow, what a difference! Beautiful day today, so i did do some weeding in the flower bed by the house. I also washed most of the winter crud off my car. I was fearful if i washed it completely away, snow may return. In another month, i think i can remove all the last vestiges without tempting Old Man Winter too much.

I repotted the horseradish so the roots have room to grow. The compost bin is full of partially decomposed stuff more so than finished compost, so i'll need to get some more potting soil.

The rest, ice, elevation, anti-inflammatory meds, and gentle moving is just what my leg needed. It's feeling very much better--not 100% yet, but i'm hopeful i'll be able to play hockey this time next week.

Looking forward to next week
Leo Kottke will be in holding a concert next town over! Buying tickets before the show are a little cheaper than at the door, so my plan is to buy tix tomorrow before heading out for knitting.

Thankful for today
Sunny skies, warm temperatures, and a delightful day! I sat outside whilst working on the taxes, and it was nice to walk around the yard and see what was pushing up through the soil. I was pleased to see the smallest tips of the rhubarb crown poking through. Given the slugs last year, i wondered if the rhubarb would come back.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Sunday Night Chit-Chat, 11 March 2012

Carla says this can be a photo or saying. Himself and some of our friends had a rough week of other people flinging poo at them. Several years back, one of our friends, who herself had been in a situation where lorryloads of poo were dumped on her, gifted us with lovely guest towels. One especially made me smile, as it did Himself, and i hope it did for our friends who found themselves targets this week:

"Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have."


Reading
Besides the boat books, i'm reading Rabble in Arms by Kenneth Roberts. Also, on a sad note, our local paper will publish no longer :-( Found this out on Friday, and i enjoyed reading about the goings-on in my small corner of the world very much.

Watching
A friend stopped by for a midweek visit, which was completely unexpected and a delightful surprise. We watched the movie Bigger than the Sky, as Himself and i had the DVD, and she hadn't seen it before.


Listening to
I forgot to say last week that i listened to some Monkees tunes, when I heard the news about Davy Jones. This week, in the grocery store, i was singing along to the tunes they were playing in the store--late 50's to mid 60's hits. I remember when quite a few were new. In another store, i'll admit, i stayed a bit longer to hear all of (Hold on, Just a Little Bit) Tighter. I hadn't heard that song in decades.

Cooking/Baking
I made some beef curry with rice in the crockpot, which made a nice supper after hockey this evening. I also want to make these scones, but i had forgotten to take butter out of the freezer. I hope to make them tomorrow and take some to my knitting group. The beef curry hit the spot, and there are leftovers! Yummy.

Happy you accomplished this week
Very nice midweek visit with a dear friend. Just what the doctor ordered for both of us.

Found a very nice place to consider for vacation thanks to Cro Magnon's blog entry. I want to do the entire trail. Himself isn't so sure that we can do all of it. I think if we train long enough, we can, so this might be on the holiday schedule for next year.

Looking forward to next week
I fell funny on my knee at hockey, during the second game this evening. It feels akin to what happened several years ago when a large player landed on me, trying to break her fall, and all her weight went on my left knee, shifting everything to the left. That turned out to be an ITB/LCL strain (ilea tibial band/lateral collateral ligament). Nothing was torn, i took a few weeks off from hockey, and was right as rain. Tonight's little spill about 12 minutes into the second game, occurred when a player and i collided. I fell forward, and my right knee took the brunt of the fall. I twisted it to the inside just before impact and somehow my legs ended up in front after i fell back on my bum. I got up rather quickly, although my right leg felt leaden, and within 45 seconds, i decided i need to come to the bench. It just wasn't feeling right. After about
20 seconds on the bench, i realised it was best for me to head on home. I've been icing it, keeping it elevated, and took ibuprofen, 400 mg. Now we wait and see. I'm hoping that it's just a strained something that will right itself in a few days. All that to say i'm looking forward to next week, when this shall be but a memory and 100% behind me. Fingers crossed.

Thankful for today
Sunny skies, nurse friends who seconded my idea of ice and elevation, and suggested Vitamin I for my knee, and that the cats are currently demanding that i let them in/out/down cellar even though i'm walking a bit slowly. If i were really injured, they'd be fussing over me a lot more. Himself is a bit worried, but he's the worrying type; the cats are a better gauge. That said, Phoebe did sit with me for the intial icing and didn't complain once. After i got up to put the bag of ice back in the freezer to keep cool for the next ice round, she decided i could also let her down cellar and top off the kibble bowl.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday night chit-chat 4 March 2012







This is a photo of the Town Beach in my hometown. The photo was taken by someone who used to live there as well, and she was back for a visit.



Reading
Besides the boat books, i'm reading Rabble in Arms by Kenneth Roberts.

Watching
I found a place online to watch Downton Abbey. The PBS web site had
season 2, and i had to hunt for season 1. The online viewing on the PBS site expires 5 March, so i had a marathon view session this weekend to get caught up.

Listening to
Right now, not very much.

Cooking/Baking
Sauteed some scallops in oil, lemon, and a bit of garlic, and served it over a bed of steamed kale. Yummy.

Happy you accomplished this week
Updated my spending log. I've had 26 no-spend days since New Year's Day. :0)


Able to catch up with a dear friend via a long telephone conversation.

Shovelled the paths and walk on Friday, and took the time on Saturday to clear off the rain/slush accumulation on the driveway.


Looking forward to next week
Nothing jumps out from the calendar for next week. Might be a good week to get a lot of little things caught up.

Thankful for today
Second pot of horseradish root is sprouting! I'll have to move them soon to deeper pots, so the roots can really grow. Saw a tom turkey at my bird feeder! He was pecking at the seeds on the ground. All other birds gave him wide berth, and one squirrel, who was using the fence top as a thoroughfare sat and waited, not wanting to get too close. He finally jumped more than the lengths of two fence posts so he didn't have to get too close to the turkey. Both of the cats were mightily interested in the big bird.