What Happened To Our Spring ??

There was snow in the air when I woke up this morning ! Some areas south of the city got a fair bit. We only had  a sprinkling of rain; certainly not the amount that was forecast.We're going from one extreme to another !! The birds had left us this week. Someone at work said that with the worn weather bugs were in abundance so they didn't need to come to the feeders. We haven't had to fill the feeders for over a week which is quite a change from daily refills.

Work was ordinary which is good. More and more is this one class acting up and trying to pull a Lot of stuff. More and more I feel vindicated. Even the classroom teacher was shocked ! But the best news is that my nemisis is retiring. What she will live on, I don't know as she has a big mortgage, has already claimed her CPP early so that will be quite small and is too young for OAS. However she has screwed the systems so well over the past 20 years I am sure she will survive. One colleaque made the comment that it was about time as she isn't doing the kids any favors this year. She hates the school, hates the kids, hates the teachers' ( who are lovely people) and hates her assignment. For the first time in over 20 years she has had to work-- no longer taking an hour and a half for morning and afternoon breaks - we are only entitled to one 15 min in the morning. Neither can she take 90 min lunch hours as opposed to the 38 min we get ! SStill comes late and leaves early.
While I won't know for a while if I have a job next year or not, I will have outlasted her. 

This week we had to do the ' food audit' of Sorrentino's restaurants in the city. The contact person had lost ED's phone number and so we had to do 6 restaurants in 7 days. Way too much and we had not negotiated the payment as of yet. $50 is not enough for a dinner for 2 people. Once we get this all done, we will change things-- or it won't get done. So tonight Hubby and I are going out for supper. He is such a particular eater-- should be fun ! Then I'm taking a girlfriend out and one son another night. ED took YD out last night so if we do continue, ES will be the next !! Good thing I tuck some money away ! 

I have now done over 1 000 hexagons. More and more ideas have been floating around in my head !  Since I've already washed floors and dusted ( ! ) I can continue adding to the total  before I get dressed for dinner. I was going to plant out some potatoes. YD brought me some blue potatoes, but it is too cold and miserable out to play in dirt.

We have an early reservation so we can be home for Outlander (me ) and Game of Thrones (him )  

ONly another 46 or 47 days left in the school year. Oops - even one less- I have a Masters' ceremony to attend and my PD day to take !

A Lovely Spring Day in the Forecast

 The sun is brightly shining  and there is very little wind. The temperatures the next few days are predicted to be quite high so we will have to water some of the plants. The Mayday tree is leafing out ncely. Although I dislike the tree ( too many purple berries ) I do appreciate the privacy it gives us. 

Hallelujah I found the plastic for the polytunnel. I knew it was in that room somewhere ! So neatly packaged away I didn't spot it til this morning ! It will be put to ouse this afternoon when I get out and start to plant !  We could easily be hit by frost or even snow - after all this is Alberta !  But I'll take the risk.

I have almost finished crossing over winter and summer wardrobes. Just taking a break at the moment as my back was sore bending over . Looking at the clothes, I haven't bought anything new for summer for 5-7 years !  It's looking kinda tired and dated. Oh well... I'll treat myself if I hear I'll have a job next year.

My sons are out practicing as their first baseball game is tomorrow night.ED is taking care of YGS. Hubby is going to go to EGS's swim meet this afternoon. Then my sons have a coaching clinic as they are going to coach YGS's baseball team. And so it begins 

Once I have finished all my chores, I'll shower and pamper myself a bit before I settle down to watch the best night of tv of the week. 

Radishes, Mesclun Mix( lettuce) and green onions planted in the Vertical Planter. Onions, spinach and radishes in the poly tunnel. Hubby was screening dirt to remove rocks and spruce needles at the far end of the now extinct pond.   So nice to get things crossed off and accomplished.

Nothing Much Going On

 This week seemed to drag on forever ! Too many subs in the school and the kids were not at their best behaviour. After all these decades in education I would not advise anyone to get into teaching. the demands put on teachers is horrendous and with the way society is going, I cannot see it getting better for years. Just too stressful !

I have now done 675 hexagons  !! I aim for 20 a night and it's a bonus if I do more !  I'm still not sure what I'm going to make and how the pattern is going to go. I am sure the 'material' will speak to me when I am ready. 
Today the laundry has been done. Grocery shopping done by 9am and everything put away. Meals for the week have been planned. Today I am going to paint the vertical planter. The vegetable garden has been turned once. I still cannot find the plastic for my little polytunnel, Grrr. Many more leaves were taken off the garden beds, although there is more to be done. We've run out of room in the composter. Still no rain.

ED and ES are doing their taxes today and then I'll do ours. We take turns buying the  tax program. So I guess I'll be doing that tonight while ED is at her Wine Club. Tomorrow I must get some summer clothes out as it is going up into the mid 20's this week. I also want to start planting some 'salad' veggies. then we'll need to water.


Taxes are done, and the ertical planter has been stained !! It was HOT out there ! Tomorrow I can start planting 'salad' vegetables.  Now to relax....

An Intense Week

  The first week back after a break is always busy and this past week was no exception.We found out that one of our very good French Immersion Science teacheers is leaving to go to another school board to be nearer her children. Good move for her, not for us ! Were madly trying to work out and test a child who does not belong in the program but the mother cannot see that. It has been my job to do these tests before this coming Tuesday. As well, in Math, trying to get through to those stubborn students who can  not see the value of working each step in math problems. Oh if they'd only trust us that we actually know what is coming ahead  and it is absolutely necessary . I had a couple of confrontations one of which did not go well at all.

We had the two oldest grandchildren on Tuesday, and then the oldest again on Wednesday. EGS had swimming both days. Since he has noved up to Bronze he had two hours of practice. GD had cheer practice on the Wednesday.  YGS has been over everyday to go in the hot tub.

Hubby emptied the hot tub Friday night and this tine he used the wet/dry vacuum  to  emty the last bits. We made sure to use the water to water all the flower beds that we could. It was filled Saturday morning and able for use by 6 pm !  There are always bathing suits in my house.

I made a ham and lentil soup which every one enjoyed YGS hadn't eaten much on Friday and when he was at this other grandmother's he asked to come home. He wanted more Liam / Dady time. We found out he ha eaten cotton candy and fruit snacks. Too much sugar really does upset his stomach.EGS and Hunny had made plans to go to Dufflebag Theatre, but there were only 3 seats left and they were widely separated; so the they went to see if there was aa movie; and ended up getting a new game for the Wii.YGS came over and they played the game.GD was sad that she had to stay home so Hubby will have to plan a day with her.

Today the little greenhouse will go up. I've allready rearranged the dining area. Still cannot find the clear plastic for the little polytunnel. Oh well. Many of the seeds have germinated so that was a surprise.YS will assemble it and then I'll be  able to get the seed trays in it and off the table. the kids had to eat their supper sitting on the floor one night ! "they thought it was great.


The hexagons are growing ! Yesterday  I did 100 !!  I photocopied the hexaagons at school and even cut a lot out while I had quiet  times in the back of a classroom.  I should be able to get a lot done tonight as I have 5 shows on tv that I love !! Finally Outlander is back ! LOL My friend who helped me get started quilting 10 years ago, had no idea what English Paper piecing was alathough she tried to pretend she did.  She made a couple of comments so I actualy had to bring soe in to show her that she was wrong.  I do worry about her; whether there is something organic going on or mentally, she is not the person she was. 

The oatcakes are nearly gone. Today I'll made a couple of banana breads, maybe some fruit bars. I'll shove the turkey in so all is ready before 5 ! Cause at 5 I'm ploking myself down in front of the tv !

Last Day of Vacation

Last day of vacation ; it went far too quickly !! While I am sitting ere composing this, the three grandchildren are watching somesthing on tv. GD came down at 6:00 am ! I sent her up but the next thing you know she was back down with YGS to uses the bathroom; sent both of them up. The two monkeys stayed up for about 5 minutes but found it too boring to lay in bed, so back down they came ! Next thing you know, EGS was down !! Our day has begun !

We've had absolutely gorgeous weather. Yesterday was up over 21*C. Now we have to hope for some rain as parts of the garden beds are bone dry. The Lily of the Valley  are poking throuogh, the Rhubarb is crowning and two of the newest rose bushes are beginning to bud out. A full month aahead of schedule. No more leaves have been  raked as we have to room to put them. I must check to see if there is compost pick up this week. Rain is predicted for  Monday afternoon so I may try today to get a few more leaves done and put into the garbage can. 

I've sewn 195 hexagons  so far.I suppose I could have sewn more but quickly read 3 books ! I couldn't put them down ! Haven't done that for a long time but I so enjoyed it. When I get back to school I will photocopy a sheet of hexagons so I do not have to keep tracing them out. 

Hopefully ED will soon buy the income tax program and we can all get our taxes done. She has not been feeling well with the flu and now a cold. Yesterday she and ES went to the Beer Festival. She was saying she is glad she won the tickets as it was certainly not worth the price. YS has been to the physiotherapist and put in traction. He is slowly getting better but certainly not ready for work on Monday morning. 

The latest saga for the armpit of NOrthern Ontario. The egg donor just suddenly showed up on Good Friday and dropped her daughter off at her father's house She walked into the house with a ' Hi Grandma" Thsi grandma was supposed to go to work at the nursing home but had to switch shifts with someone. The father who has legal custody is too busy out partying and all that goes with it. Poor little girl.

Time to get the waffles going. It has become a tradition with the grandkids and a sleepover.