Usually January drags on and on, especially when we are back so early after Christmas break. However with the mild weather and longer daylight hours, it hasn't seemed to be as long as in other years. [ Although some days were very, very long ] We had our PD day on Friday and it was as expected, but 'hey ho' we got paid to sit there and listen.
I finished the poncho for the doll, made some leg warmers and a pair of mitts !! Hubby laughed at the tiny mitts ! Later on today I am going to try a pair of socks ! LOL But now I must get started on the names for the stockings. Those teeny tiny socks will be my reward after doing some names ! Today I also did our medical receipts for our prescriptions. Our bank account will be healthier.
This month I am going to try and track all our expenses. Hubby needs to see exactly what we spend, and how that will work with our pensions. He's forever picking up fruit as a treat - and let's face it no fruit is in session especially grapes and raspberries ! He also loves to wander around hardware stores and if there is a bargain......or he might need it...... This has to stop.
Last night I made pounded pork, thin sliced pork tenderloin pounded thin, breaded with dry, finely ground bread crumbs, oregano, garlic and parmesan cheese. They were delicious. Today we'll have roast beef which we haven't had for ages. I'll serve beets, turnip and roast potatoes. Leftovers for tomorrow night.
I am hearing more and more people talk about gardening brought on by the cost of fresh vegetables especially. I mean $4 for a head of celery ! There are more and more articles in the newspapers and on line talking about how to change one's eating habits. There is nothing in them that I haven't done forever. All just seems common sense to me !
YGS started to read this week - in English ! The light went on and he was so excited !
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
Good Week, Beautiful Weekend
What a difference a week makes ! This weekend the temperatures were around 0*C !! It was actually gorgeous outside, sunny and warm !
The week went well. On Thursday ED and I went to do another 'food audit' [ mystery diners] at a local well known chain. I have to say that the meal I had this time was the best of the four we've done. Now we didn't overeat, but felt stuffed------even though we brought home enough for our lunches the next day. It was a nice evening.
We're starting to plan our gardens; lots of coordination to be worked out. Looks like we'll have 4 'garden plots' We hope to plant the bigger ones with root vegetables and uses the ones at home for salad crops and beans.
I finished off one outfit on Monday for EGD's doll- a sweater, hat and scarf. During the week and weekend I made a coat, hat and scarf outfit and then a sweater, pants and skirt . I'm starting a poncho that will be easy to stuff in my bag. It looks like I have two orders for Christmas Stockings. $$ to put away for next Christmas.
This week we have a PD day on Friday. No one is looking forward to it at all ! 500 staff, at the very least, no time to go out for lunch, horrendous parking and courses that no one is really interested in. Registration was a mess. Oh well, the week after is a short week for Support Staff- three days and I'm looking forward to the long weekend, albeit without pay !
And that was the week that was .....
The week went well. On Thursday ED and I went to do another 'food audit' [ mystery diners] at a local well known chain. I have to say that the meal I had this time was the best of the four we've done. Now we didn't overeat, but felt stuffed------even though we brought home enough for our lunches the next day. It was a nice evening.
We're starting to plan our gardens; lots of coordination to be worked out. Looks like we'll have 4 'garden plots' We hope to plant the bigger ones with root vegetables and uses the ones at home for salad crops and beans.
I finished off one outfit on Monday for EGD's doll- a sweater, hat and scarf. During the week and weekend I made a coat, hat and scarf outfit and then a sweater, pants and skirt . I'm starting a poncho that will be easy to stuff in my bag. It looks like I have two orders for Christmas Stockings. $$ to put away for next Christmas.
This week we have a PD day on Friday. No one is looking forward to it at all ! 500 staff, at the very least, no time to go out for lunch, horrendous parking and courses that no one is really interested in. Registration was a mess. Oh well, the week after is a short week for Support Staff- three days and I'm looking forward to the long weekend, albeit without pay !
And that was the week that was .....
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Brrrr Baby It's Cold Outside !
-26*C with a windchill of -34*C !! It is cold ! I laugh when I read of people complaining overseas because it is -1*C. They still have produce growing in their gardens and greenhouses. It is easy for them to put on a fire in their stoves or fireplaces and bundle up with extra blankets which of course is all so frugal. When our furnace died and we spent a whole day without heat -- I'm afraid extra clothes and blankets with hot drinks didn't do a whole lot of good ! We cheered when the new furnace kicked in! There went a fast $7 000 but it was a necessity. We also are plugging in our cars;otherwise our vehicles will not start.
At this moment there is silence in the house. We had a sleepover last night and so far everyone is asleep but me. I wakened several times in the night to make sure they were all covered up. the YGS usually takes his pyjama top off but I persuaded him to keep it on as our bedroom gets quite cold when the temperture outside is so cold. We keep the house at 17*C at night, but it is cooler upstairs.
We went grocery shopping yesterday. Mostly we bought canned goods. A small head of cauliflower was $7.00, aa smaller brocolli was $5.00. We bought a small bunch of bananas, a turnip and some onions for'fresh' vegetables. Even the frozen vegetables were outrageous. So meat is almost out of reach, as are fruit and vegetables.It's going to be a long winter and spring !
ED is already planning out her garden. We will try and coordinate. We think we have two places where we would be able to plant a large amount of potatoes, carrots and onions .More and more people are saying tht are going to have to plant a veggie garden. Several have asked ED to help plan out their gardens after hearing that she is planning what she has to start in February. They were shocked that the planting of seeds start so early ! Obviously they have just bought their produce or bought plants started in greenhouses. I imagine the cost of plants i going to skyrocket this spring. Good thing we have so many perennials.
We will do more preerving, canning and dehydrating. ED who doesn't like beets made the most delicious dilled pickled beets ! Monday night I ate 1/2 the jar ! Yesterday I made ham and lentil soup with a small potato, onion and carrot. It is delicious. YS may take some with him to work and use his camp stove to heat himself some lunch in this cold. For supper I made YGD her favourite, Shepherd's Pie with a side of corn niblets. I bought, as a treat, some chocolate mint ice cream and they never asked for another thing ! YGS was with his other grandparents who took him to a movie- popcorn and a pop and Skittles; then took him to McDonald's, and home for chocolate treats. He told his Dad he had had too much sugar and at one point during supper he sasid he wasn't feeling well. After two trips to the bathroom, he felt better.I do't know when they'll get it that a child cannot have that much sugar or fast food. He never seems to eat a 'meal' there with veggies or salad. A child doesn't need' treats, ours enjoy a piece of fruit as a treat.
Becaue of Hubby's Type 2 diabetes, we don't have much of anything with sugar anymore. It was his own fault as he loves doughnuts, chocolate and jelly beans. It is now under control.
Last wine was ED's wine club . This year they are doing 'countries' YD chose China and last night was Chinese New Year. My sil and friend were going to be letting fireworks off -- bl**dy cold out there last night setting them off ! LOL YS was off to his company's Christmas party and ES was his designated driver. So everyone was busy ! I like when my children work play and take care of each other.
Today I have to find a pattern to knit a sweater for GD's American doll. She had packed her away in her suitcase so I could see how big she was . Guess I'll do a hat and scarf as well. Don't know about the mitts tht YGS thougoht I should make as well.
Once everyone leaves, I'll strip our bed, have a shower and do my hair and nails for another week of school. Roast pork for supper with turnip !
At this moment there is silence in the house. We had a sleepover last night and so far everyone is asleep but me. I wakened several times in the night to make sure they were all covered up. the YGS usually takes his pyjama top off but I persuaded him to keep it on as our bedroom gets quite cold when the temperture outside is so cold. We keep the house at 17*C at night, but it is cooler upstairs.
We went grocery shopping yesterday. Mostly we bought canned goods. A small head of cauliflower was $7.00, aa smaller brocolli was $5.00. We bought a small bunch of bananas, a turnip and some onions for'fresh' vegetables. Even the frozen vegetables were outrageous. So meat is almost out of reach, as are fruit and vegetables.It's going to be a long winter and spring !
ED is already planning out her garden. We will try and coordinate. We think we have two places where we would be able to plant a large amount of potatoes, carrots and onions .More and more people are saying tht are going to have to plant a veggie garden. Several have asked ED to help plan out their gardens after hearing that she is planning what she has to start in February. They were shocked that the planting of seeds start so early ! Obviously they have just bought their produce or bought plants started in greenhouses. I imagine the cost of plants i going to skyrocket this spring. Good thing we have so many perennials.
We will do more preerving, canning and dehydrating. ED who doesn't like beets made the most delicious dilled pickled beets ! Monday night I ate 1/2 the jar ! Yesterday I made ham and lentil soup with a small potato, onion and carrot. It is delicious. YS may take some with him to work and use his camp stove to heat himself some lunch in this cold. For supper I made YGD her favourite, Shepherd's Pie with a side of corn niblets. I bought, as a treat, some chocolate mint ice cream and they never asked for another thing ! YGS was with his other grandparents who took him to a movie- popcorn and a pop and Skittles; then took him to McDonald's, and home for chocolate treats. He told his Dad he had had too much sugar and at one point during supper he sasid he wasn't feeling well. After two trips to the bathroom, he felt better.I do't know when they'll get it that a child cannot have that much sugar or fast food. He never seems to eat a 'meal' there with veggies or salad. A child doesn't need' treats, ours enjoy a piece of fruit as a treat.
Becaue of Hubby's Type 2 diabetes, we don't have much of anything with sugar anymore. It was his own fault as he loves doughnuts, chocolate and jelly beans. It is now under control.
Last wine was ED's wine club . This year they are doing 'countries' YD chose China and last night was Chinese New Year. My sil and friend were going to be letting fireworks off -- bl**dy cold out there last night setting them off ! LOL YS was off to his company's Christmas party and ES was his designated driver. So everyone was busy ! I like when my children work play and take care of each other.
Today I have to find a pattern to knit a sweater for GD's American doll. She had packed her away in her suitcase so I could see how big she was . Guess I'll do a hat and scarf as well. Don't know about the mitts tht YGS thougoht I should make as well.
Once everyone leaves, I'll strip our bed, have a shower and do my hair and nails for another week of school. Roast pork for supper with turnip !
Saturday, January 9, 2016
The Week That Was
The firt week back at school is over and for me, it wasn't as bad and long as it usually is.The first couple of days the kids were chatty and hyper but gradually they settled in. It was the staff that were exhausted !! Most peoplel seemed to have spent relaxing , laid back holidays. It seems many lounged around in pjs, reading and watching tv !! Guess we werenn't the only ones !
On Monday we stopped at the bank and I deposited all the room and board money and the cheque for the stockings. I now have a healthy bank account which who kows, we made need as the economy in our province tanks.
On Tuesday we had a shooting incident here in town, in my daughter's subdivision. It was resolved with the RCMP firing a shot, although the man suffered a self inflicted gunshot wound. We are waiting to hear more info and charges. The family had just moved in two days before the incident inot a house worth around $700 000. We are surmising that as the gas and oil industry has tanked tht perhaps there was stress that he could no longer afford the house[ which would have been 'bought' a year before hand. The oil and gas sector have been hit hard, really hard. Oil workers made a tremendous amount of money, but they spent it on big houses, expensive RVs, vehicles and other toys like quads, snowmobiles etc. Most of the houses being offered for sale or rent are those of oil workers. On EI the cap is $500/ week. When the mortage payments are over $3000 a month you can see what trouble these families are in. With their lifestyle and attitude most did not save a penny but lived paycheck to huge paycheck !
We are seeing the slowdown - or stop- in all areas of society. Many families are no longer joining in on long held activities such as in Junior Forest Wardens/ Where there was a waiting list to join weekend activities, there are now vacancies. I went to get my hair cut on Wednesday and the salon was empty. I asked if it was the usual January slowdown or has it just died. It has just died. This is not an expensive salon. Who knows what is happening with the 'name' salons. Soon people in retail will be let go as owners cut staff.My youngest son has worked 3 days out of 5 as his company does not have enough work coming in.
Fortunately for YS he lives at home. His co workers have famillies to support, although one has just bought an expensive truck while his wife also bought a new vehicle !! We all knew the slowdown was coming so why buy new vehicles ??
The weather has been cold this week and my hands have ached. I've done very little knitting. I think it will be another stay at home weekend so I may do some pants hemming and try to mend a zipper. I'm thinking I'll try to clean one kitchen cupboard a weekend so by spring break they'll all be done. Mustn't rush and do too much ! LOL
I wore a 'new' outfit or top every day this week. It was fun getting the complements with all the purchases being from Value Village ! I may alter a top or two to see if I can get something else ' new' for this week !
It was a good week.
On Monday we stopped at the bank and I deposited all the room and board money and the cheque for the stockings. I now have a healthy bank account which who kows, we made need as the economy in our province tanks.
On Tuesday we had a shooting incident here in town, in my daughter's subdivision. It was resolved with the RCMP firing a shot, although the man suffered a self inflicted gunshot wound. We are waiting to hear more info and charges. The family had just moved in two days before the incident inot a house worth around $700 000. We are surmising that as the gas and oil industry has tanked tht perhaps there was stress that he could no longer afford the house[ which would have been 'bought' a year before hand. The oil and gas sector have been hit hard, really hard. Oil workers made a tremendous amount of money, but they spent it on big houses, expensive RVs, vehicles and other toys like quads, snowmobiles etc. Most of the houses being offered for sale or rent are those of oil workers. On EI the cap is $500/ week. When the mortage payments are over $3000 a month you can see what trouble these families are in. With their lifestyle and attitude most did not save a penny but lived paycheck to huge paycheck !
We are seeing the slowdown - or stop- in all areas of society. Many families are no longer joining in on long held activities such as in Junior Forest Wardens/ Where there was a waiting list to join weekend activities, there are now vacancies. I went to get my hair cut on Wednesday and the salon was empty. I asked if it was the usual January slowdown or has it just died. It has just died. This is not an expensive salon. Who knows what is happening with the 'name' salons. Soon people in retail will be let go as owners cut staff.My youngest son has worked 3 days out of 5 as his company does not have enough work coming in.
Fortunately for YS he lives at home. His co workers have famillies to support, although one has just bought an expensive truck while his wife also bought a new vehicle !! We all knew the slowdown was coming so why buy new vehicles ??
The weather has been cold this week and my hands have ached. I've done very little knitting. I think it will be another stay at home weekend so I may do some pants hemming and try to mend a zipper. I'm thinking I'll try to clean one kitchen cupboard a weekend so by spring break they'll all be done. Mustn't rush and do too much ! LOL
I wore a 'new' outfit or top every day this week. It was fun getting the complements with all the purchases being from Value Village ! I may alter a top or two to see if I can get something else ' new' for this week !
It was a good week.
Sunday, January 3, 2016
Holiday Is Over
How quickly the time flies !! Tomorrow it is back to school and our daily routine. I have certainly enjoyed this time off and have indulged myself. I watched whatever I wanted on tv, worked on my wool stash and napped if I felt like it.
I have finally started sleeping in , and now I'll havae to be getting up early again. Maybe when I am retired I will sleep in !! Whenever that happens. I finished the stoscking so that ED can take it with her for the March 20th wedding. Postage is just horrendous. I wanted to make sure that it was done and I w as not scrambling at the last minute to get it don e. Now I can put away all the felt, patterns and batting. I put all the finished stockings and stocking wool into my huge wool hamper. I've started knitting the baby afghan as I wait for Downton Abbey to come on. Hard to believe it's the sixth and final season.
For supper I made a stove top 'Mexian' casserole with ground beef, onions, corn[ with a few leftover mushrooms and carrots thrown in], black beans, rice , a couple of cubed potatoes and a large can of tomatoes I made a wholewheat, rye and oatmeal loaf to go along with it. It's okay . I'd need to tweak it some more.
ES and YGS stopped in to go in the hot tub. Somehow YGS's glasses were under his dad's bed, right in the middle. Good job they were found although I really don't think he needs them. There is just the slightest of corrections.
OH well, we'll get all caught up on each other's holiday tomorrow morning,It'll tlake a week before the kids are ready to actually learn and then we'll be off !
So goodbye to pjs and sweats.
I have finally started sleeping in , and now I'll havae to be getting up early again. Maybe when I am retired I will sleep in !! Whenever that happens. I finished the stoscking so that ED can take it with her for the March 20th wedding. Postage is just horrendous. I wanted to make sure that it was done and I w as not scrambling at the last minute to get it don e. Now I can put away all the felt, patterns and batting. I put all the finished stockings and stocking wool into my huge wool hamper. I've started knitting the baby afghan as I wait for Downton Abbey to come on. Hard to believe it's the sixth and final season.
For supper I made a stove top 'Mexian' casserole with ground beef, onions, corn[ with a few leftover mushrooms and carrots thrown in], black beans, rice , a couple of cubed potatoes and a large can of tomatoes I made a wholewheat, rye and oatmeal loaf to go along with it. It's okay . I'd need to tweak it some more.
ES and YGS stopped in to go in the hot tub. Somehow YGS's glasses were under his dad's bed, right in the middle. Good job they were found although I really don't think he needs them. There is just the slightest of corrections.
OH well, we'll get all caught up on each other's holiday tomorrow morning,It'll tlake a week before the kids are ready to actually learn and then we'll be off !
So goodbye to pjs and sweats.
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Staying Positive
I am by nature a worrying, but on the whole I am a positive person. In fact I detest people who are negative, railing against the new government and new ideas. I have to come to terms with the fact that some people are just like that- and it is a close family person !! If a light turns red, it is like it turned red personally for that person. It drives me up the wall. But I cannot control that so I must concentrate hard on staying positive.
We have two more whole minutes of sunlight today ! Whoo hoo ! The sun rises at 8:51 and sets at 4:25. And the weather is warm for winter way up north where we live. It was so mild yesteday we were able to top up the water in the hot tub, our one and only extravagant purchase. The whole family loves it, in fact the grandkids sometimes refer to us as the Grandpa/ma with the hot tub ! I must use it more often this year. I haven't used it very much because of the awkwardness of getting in with my knees. However it does wonders for aches and pains.
I'm starting to knit more stockings. I want to know for sure how many stockings I can get out of 16 oz of wool.
I want to use up all my 'fine' wool in baby light colours. I'll use it in more baby afghans and get rid of it all. I may have to knit some more preemie hats.
I want to try and use up my quilting material, but honestly no one needs another quilt in the family !
As Hubby has been diagnosed with diabetes, due to his unhealthy diet and his mother and brother have Diabetes II, and not listening to me about his diet, I now have to take better control of meals. He'll learn.
It's nearly 8:30, we'll see wht the day brings.
Aother relaxing day with lots of little jobs done. Satisfying. One more day off and then back to work !
Aother relaxing day with lots of little jobs done. Satisfying. One more day off and then back to work !
Friday, January 1, 2016
A New Year
Another day, another month, another year. Looking back, the last twleve months were not too bad. We've certainly had way worse ! We looked after YGS Wednesday and Thursday. ES said it is hard to parent and work at the same time especially when YGS was acting up. As the two sons were going to a New Year's Eve masquerade party we kept the boy for a sleepover. Their eldest sister was the DDwho didn't mind a bit driving in from our youngest daughter's. She said the highways were virtually empty.We had a lovely supper , YGS went to bed at his usual time and so did we !!
Today I tidied some more. I've just shoved a ham into the oven. I'll make some scalloped potatoes later. We 'll have salad and corn. There is plenty of baking leftover as Hubby isn't eating any sweets at all. In fact I have frozen some !
I'm on my eighth pair of mitts and that should be the end of the wool suitable for mitts. Got rid of quite a stash. I had earlier in the year fiddled with some fine wool , but I guess I will go ahead and make my usual baby afghan.I have one Christmas stocking to make up as it will be going to California in the spring. Then all the felt, batting and stockings can be put away. I was given a lot of quilting material and some of it is in Christmas patterns so I ay try and make table runners or new tree skirts for next year. What ever I feel like doing !
I have a few little goals in mind, nothing too drastic. We, [ mostly me] have always been frugal. We live simply and have simple pleasures. Even Christmas is not expensie in our family. We draw names, and then just buy for the grandkids and stocking stuffers. I pick up the turkey when it is on sale earlier in the year or when it is a freebie with a large order. I keep baking supplies in the pnatry all the time so the only thing needed was a pound of butter which I picked up when it was on sale. All the other food was just our normal shopping, fruit, veggies , milk and eggs.Oh yes, and olives and pickles :)
YS rolled money the other day and wrapped up $165 !! He uses cash and throws his change into jars. We usually only use our debit card so I rarely have change. We couldn't do a sealed pot challenge that's for sure !
The sun is shining and the sky is a brilliant blue. We have had a mild winter so far. In fact at this moment the temperature is up to 0*c!! We know we'll get slammed later on, but it has sure been nice for travel and shopping with clear roads.
Two more days and then back to work !
Today I tidied some more. I've just shoved a ham into the oven. I'll make some scalloped potatoes later. We 'll have salad and corn. There is plenty of baking leftover as Hubby isn't eating any sweets at all. In fact I have frozen some !
I'm on my eighth pair of mitts and that should be the end of the wool suitable for mitts. Got rid of quite a stash. I had earlier in the year fiddled with some fine wool , but I guess I will go ahead and make my usual baby afghan.I have one Christmas stocking to make up as it will be going to California in the spring. Then all the felt, batting and stockings can be put away. I was given a lot of quilting material and some of it is in Christmas patterns so I ay try and make table runners or new tree skirts for next year. What ever I feel like doing !
I have a few little goals in mind, nothing too drastic. We, [ mostly me] have always been frugal. We live simply and have simple pleasures. Even Christmas is not expensie in our family. We draw names, and then just buy for the grandkids and stocking stuffers. I pick up the turkey when it is on sale earlier in the year or when it is a freebie with a large order. I keep baking supplies in the pnatry all the time so the only thing needed was a pound of butter which I picked up when it was on sale. All the other food was just our normal shopping, fruit, veggies , milk and eggs.Oh yes, and olives and pickles :)
YS rolled money the other day and wrapped up $165 !! He uses cash and throws his change into jars. We usually only use our debit card so I rarely have change. We couldn't do a sealed pot challenge that's for sure !
The sun is shining and the sky is a brilliant blue. We have had a mild winter so far. In fact at this moment the temperature is up to 0*c!! We know we'll get slammed later on, but it has sure been nice for travel and shopping with clear roads.
Two more days and then back to work !
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