Cold, rainy, windy Spring weather -- after we have had nearly a month of summer weather ! In between rain showers,the vegetable garden was framed. ES planted most of the onions and all of the garlic. Potatoes, beets and parsnips were done at the same time. I planted the peas and some pole beans. I now need to sow carrots, more onions, yellow beans , lettuce and radishes.
Hubby bought new plastic trellis to shore up the Clematis. The wood trellis had rotted and was being pulled down. Once that is done, I can plant the wax beans as I have already pulled the tulip leaves. The lawn has been fertilized and should do well with all the rain we have been having.
The neighbours on either side mowed their lawns yesterday so ours looks unkempt !! And we are the ones who do take care of their lawn !! We'll get that mowed later this week after it dries out !YGS helped me by picking up all my 'weeding' yesterday and capturing some of the dandelion heads. We have been fighting a losing battle with dandelions for the last few years. When neighbours on either side have not taken care of their lawns, their weed seeds have inundated our lawn ! There was a patchy frost warning last night for our area. I love how Environment Canada always is coming up with new terms. Anyway I ignored it and everything seems to have survived.
When Hubby was at the grocery store on Friday he found hams on for $1.49 a pound. When we did a shop on Saturday we picked up two more ! We love ham and there is no other protein now on sale at that cheap a price ! We are fortunate that we have such a large freezer. I checked and there is no mention of the ham in this week's flyer, so it might have just been this particular store. Good deal for us !
YS returned late Friday from Grande Prairie for the baseball tournament. They played 3 games yesterday and I believe another one or two today. Then he might be going up again to Grande Prairie. The two sons are off now to watch a couple of games and then to play at noon.
I've managed to plant more spinach , radishes and lettuce as well as putting in a row of carrots. I think that'll be it for gardening today. I need to do my hair and wash a few floors ! The Indianapolis 500 is on which Hubby loves to watch. We are still doing battle with mice. One came whipping out from under the kitchen sink this morning ! We still have no idea how they have gotten into the house over the years. We've plugged as many cracks ( existent or not ) around all the pipes. It is so frustrating !
Last night we had rotisserie chicken, corn on the cob, tomatoes, yellow peppers and mushrooms. YGS downed the lot though he did not care for raw mushrooms!! Today I'll cook up a ham and shove a banana bread in at the same time. I'll also make some coleslaw which will do me for school as well.
In between doing my little jobs, I've been trying to watch Game of Thrones which is difficult to do because one cannot watch it with a little one in the house ! I am sure I have missed many important events and characters !
A sweater has been mended. I really do need to pick up some summer weight sweaters. Maybe this summer. Continuing on with my hexagons. I am now up to 2 700 !! Slowly but surely I am getting there ! And if it is too many, I'll just make another quilt top !
This week, someone owes $23 064 + penalties + interest.
Sunday, May 29, 2016
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Rain, Glorious Rain !!
Rain, Glorious Rain !! And oh how we needed it ! Today we are under a heavy rainfall warning with rain lasting , certainly , until Monday. It is our May longweekend, celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday or as it is commonly called 2-4 , but we don't mind that we have to stay indoors all day for the whole weekend. The furnace has come on to take the chill out of the house. Thankfully there is tv with with a PVR and books !!.
Work was work. We found out on Friday that the support staff should all have their jobs next year. Funny how life changes. Years ago there was no thinking about working after retirement age. Here I am, nearly 67 and thrilled to be able to work another year. Now the question is, will my nemisis retire as she has said ? or will she hang on ? No one knows for sure. There is another staff member that she no longer talks to. Even more awkward than us as they work in the same wing.
YS made it up to Grande Prairie around 7:30 pm and the next morning they were all on their way home because of a heavy rainfall warning - and the next day it snowed. Supposedly they will be back on Tuesday. Thursday the smoke from the Fort Mac fire came into town. It swirled around and picked up the smoke from the Fox Creek and Whitecourt fires. It was absolutely horrendous. Hubby could not breathe, my eyes were smarting. The air quality index went up to 10 for this area.
Aside from the usual, I hemmed a pair of caargo pants for Hubby and am now up to 2 300 hexagons. I have calluses on my fingertips !! Some tamato plants were put into the planters and some black and orange tiger lilies were planted. We thought a rose bush was dead, but when I strted to take it out I noticed that there is still some life in it so I left it. We'll see how it does this year and then decide what to do with it.
Not much left of the school year. The ELI program is going to start to slowdown and I'll relieve teachers so that they can get some testing done. Hopefully this week Hubby can get to frame the veggie garden so more planting can be done.
Work was work. We found out on Friday that the support staff should all have their jobs next year. Funny how life changes. Years ago there was no thinking about working after retirement age. Here I am, nearly 67 and thrilled to be able to work another year. Now the question is, will my nemisis retire as she has said ? or will she hang on ? No one knows for sure. There is another staff member that she no longer talks to. Even more awkward than us as they work in the same wing.
YS made it up to Grande Prairie around 7:30 pm and the next morning they were all on their way home because of a heavy rainfall warning - and the next day it snowed. Supposedly they will be back on Tuesday. Thursday the smoke from the Fort Mac fire came into town. It swirled around and picked up the smoke from the Fox Creek and Whitecourt fires. It was absolutely horrendous. Hubby could not breathe, my eyes were smarting. The air quality index went up to 10 for this area.
Aside from the usual, I hemmed a pair of caargo pants for Hubby and am now up to 2 300 hexagons. I have calluses on my fingertips !! Some tamato plants were put into the planters and some black and orange tiger lilies were planted. We thought a rose bush was dead, but when I strted to take it out I noticed that there is still some life in it so I left it. We'll see how it does this year and then decide what to do with it.
Not much left of the school year. The ELI program is going to start to slowdown and I'll relieve teachers so that they can get some testing done. Hopefully this week Hubby can get to frame the veggie garden so more planting can be done.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Normalcy
Life is returning to normalcy. Evacuees have found places to stay , for the most part, due to the generosity of Alberta residents. There is hope in the future for Fort McMurray. Although 2500+ structures were destroyed, 25 000 structures were saved, including the downtown area. The generosity of Canadians is overwhelming ! Over 88 million dollars have been donated to the Red Cross for Fort Mac.
We have a few student evacuees. Many of our students and staff have extra people living with them. I do hope that the money will go to those who had no insurance; the ones who worked in the fast food restaurants, who lived in apartments. The ones who had good insurance which will replace their homes, that have or will have living expenses paid will defer to those who truly have nothing. There are/ were people working in the city that didn't even have a car to get out.
Nothing new at work. PATs were written this week. I was able to bring a book and some hand sewing while I invigilated one student ! Now that was a long morning ! The rest will take place in June
Friday was YGS's 6th birthday. Every time we celebrte any holiday/ occasion with him, we are truly thankful. After nearly losing him , we are so thrilled that he is here with his Dad and us ! His other parents came back from Hong Kong. Bittersweet day for them as their daughter's birthday is on the same day. I wonder-- does it hit her on her birthday that she hasn't seen her son for 30 months ? Does she remember her 30th birthday spent giving birth ??
I've used a homemade weed killer; vinegar, Epsom salts and dish soap. It has worked well on the patio. I think it needs the sunlight and warmth to kill them. The places I sprayed on the ront walk didn't work as well because, I think, they stayed in the shade. I've just been out respraying. Hopefully the sun will shine on those spots today ! I planted some of the pansies and wave petunias I received on Mother's Day. Last night ES came over with tomato plants that ED has started. I'll get most of them in today. Much work remains to be done on the vegetable garden [ well in all the gardens] Hubby has had a terrible chest cold and with his asthma and the smoke from the fire, he has not been able to do too much outside. Ten minutes outside and he can't breathe !
Over 1 800 hexagons are now done !! Today I will try to get to the new cargo pants and get them hemmed. Floors upstairs need doing. YS is going up to Grande Prairie for a week and a half so he is busy getting packed for that.
There is the prospect of rain this week. Oh how we need it ! This is one long weekend that we won't mind rain at all !!
Off to plan menus so I don't have to think !
We have a few student evacuees. Many of our students and staff have extra people living with them. I do hope that the money will go to those who had no insurance; the ones who worked in the fast food restaurants, who lived in apartments. The ones who had good insurance which will replace their homes, that have or will have living expenses paid will defer to those who truly have nothing. There are/ were people working in the city that didn't even have a car to get out.
Nothing new at work. PATs were written this week. I was able to bring a book and some hand sewing while I invigilated one student ! Now that was a long morning ! The rest will take place in June
Friday was YGS's 6th birthday. Every time we celebrte any holiday/ occasion with him, we are truly thankful. After nearly losing him , we are so thrilled that he is here with his Dad and us ! His other parents came back from Hong Kong. Bittersweet day for them as their daughter's birthday is on the same day. I wonder-- does it hit her on her birthday that she hasn't seen her son for 30 months ? Does she remember her 30th birthday spent giving birth ??
I've used a homemade weed killer; vinegar, Epsom salts and dish soap. It has worked well on the patio. I think it needs the sunlight and warmth to kill them. The places I sprayed on the ront walk didn't work as well because, I think, they stayed in the shade. I've just been out respraying. Hopefully the sun will shine on those spots today ! I planted some of the pansies and wave petunias I received on Mother's Day. Last night ES came over with tomato plants that ED has started. I'll get most of them in today. Much work remains to be done on the vegetable garden [ well in all the gardens] Hubby has had a terrible chest cold and with his asthma and the smoke from the fire, he has not been able to do too much outside. Ten minutes outside and he can't breathe !
Over 1 800 hexagons are now done !! Today I will try to get to the new cargo pants and get them hemmed. Floors upstairs need doing. YS is going up to Grande Prairie for a week and a half so he is busy getting packed for that.
There is the prospect of rain this week. Oh how we need it ! This is one long weekend that we won't mind rain at all !!
Off to plan menus so I don't have to think !
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Catrastrophe
Alberta has been hit with a huge catrastophe!! A HUGE forest fire ( as if this morning it is 156 000 hectares and is expected to grow, doubling in size today). Over 88 000 people were evacuated safely. The largest Canadian evacuation on record. So far, no one has been killed or injured during the evacuation. There were two fatalities on a secondary highway because of a motor vehicle crash.
All communities in Alberta are rising to the emergencies, with fund raising, emergency accommodations, food, toiletries. Many of our families at school have multiple families living with them. There is no break in sight. No one knows when people will be able to return, 1600+ structures have been obliterated. The only thing that will stop this fire is the weather.
All levels of government are doing their part. The military is up there, firefighters from all over Canada are fighting the fires. We are strong, we are pulling together.......and some of the right wing have even calmed down their rhetoric. People who have no idea how emergency procedures must follow certain guidelines are being shut down. I wonder about the stupidity of people who think the Federal Government should have sent the military in immediately -- not understanding the logistics of a command centre, medical etc. A State of Emergency was called too early during the Slave Lake fire which caused chaos ! Fortunately the Provincial Government had learned from those mistakes and did it correctly this time.
The fire is growing as much as 100 km an hour !! Man cannot battle that. The fire jumped the river which is a kilometre wide ! The fire is 6 hours a way and we can smell it down here. Hubby cannot work outside as his breathing deteriorates. YS is going to go shopping with me as it has been at least 3 weeks since I've done a big shop. The temperature is going up to 29*C today so I am not sure how much we'll get done outside. The weeds grow fast no matter what the other plants and grass do.
I'm up to 1390 hexagons so far. I'm even planning on bringing them into school one day next week as I have to invigilate a PAT. It'll give me something to do as I sit in a room with a child for 2 + hours.
There is no rain in the forecast. This is one May that I wouldn't mind some snow. We do not need a thunderstorm with the possibility of more lightening strikes. There is a provincial fire ban and a ban on off road vehicles.
Devestation, but people are strong.
All communities in Alberta are rising to the emergencies, with fund raising, emergency accommodations, food, toiletries. Many of our families at school have multiple families living with them. There is no break in sight. No one knows when people will be able to return, 1600+ structures have been obliterated. The only thing that will stop this fire is the weather.
All levels of government are doing their part. The military is up there, firefighters from all over Canada are fighting the fires. We are strong, we are pulling together.......and some of the right wing have even calmed down their rhetoric. People who have no idea how emergency procedures must follow certain guidelines are being shut down. I wonder about the stupidity of people who think the Federal Government should have sent the military in immediately -- not understanding the logistics of a command centre, medical etc. A State of Emergency was called too early during the Slave Lake fire which caused chaos ! Fortunately the Provincial Government had learned from those mistakes and did it correctly this time.
The fire is growing as much as 100 km an hour !! Man cannot battle that. The fire jumped the river which is a kilometre wide ! The fire is 6 hours a way and we can smell it down here. Hubby cannot work outside as his breathing deteriorates. YS is going to go shopping with me as it has been at least 3 weeks since I've done a big shop. The temperature is going up to 29*C today so I am not sure how much we'll get done outside. The weeds grow fast no matter what the other plants and grass do.
I'm up to 1390 hexagons so far. I'm even planning on bringing them into school one day next week as I have to invigilate a PAT. It'll give me something to do as I sit in a room with a child for 2 + hours.
There is no rain in the forecast. This is one May that I wouldn't mind some snow. We do not need a thunderstorm with the possibility of more lightening strikes. There is a provincial fire ban and a ban on off road vehicles.
Devestation, but people are strong.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
It's May Already !!
It's May already !! This week especially has just flown by ! and we're back with the warm/hot weather with no rain at all.
Sunday dinner was very nice. Hubby had steak although he didn't like the mashed parsnip baked in a red pepper. We brought his birthday dessert home, and I had my leftover chicken scaloppine for lunch the next day. On Wednesday I took a girlfriend to another restaurant and we had an absolutely fun time ! As we were early arriving we went to Value Village where she picked up two tops - originally around the $80 price range for $5 each. She was thrilled ! I picked up a pair of cargo pants for Hubby and a kilt in a blue tartan !!
Last night I took another girlfriend . We have been friends for over 34 years. She is going through a really rough time as her husband has Alzheimer's so it was wonderful for her to get out. Meanwhile at home, Hubby had all three grandchildren. Our eldest GS just loves coming here which he has remarked so often. He and his grandfather have such a special relationship. Listening to the t wo little ones while they plot who gets up first and whom they wake up is quite entertaining. At one point YGS said " What if grandpa is up first ? " GD said" Like that would ever happen ! " I guess I will be making waffles as EGS asked for them, again, last night !
Yesterday morning I w as out taking off more mulch off the front beds and weeding. Two hours is about all I can do. Then Hubby mowed the lawn and watered. This morning I can see a difference in the greening of the grass. Today YS will start to plant some potatoes and YGS gas said he'll help me weed as he loves to weed [ which is true]. We really should have gone grocery shopping this weekend, but as usual life and events happen. Yesterday was the first of YGS's baseball meeting. ES and YS are the coaches; they met the children and their parents. received their t shirts and had hotdogs ! So now every Tuesday and Thursday they have a game-- should be fun to watch.
All the 'salad fixings' I have planted are up. Hopefully this week Hubby can frame the garden so I can get potatoes in as well as more onion sets. So much gardening to do.
More drama at school. So much fun when one is not involved at all. Of course it was my nemesis. She was trying to cadge a ride to a supper meeting but expected the driver to travel 32 Km out of their way for her. She would not meet them at a meeting point; in fact she was so rude and the others got their backs up because she never asked politely nor did she even say please ! Eventually one of them caved, reluctantly and then ---- she left school early in the afternoon and didn't show up the next day ! Oh people are ticked !! So now she will not be talking to less people. There is also some confusion as to when she will retire. One person said it will be next year which is ridiculous. I think she'll retire on her birthday in May or June- but finish out the year and claim salary for another month. We'll see. There is no way you fill out papers over a year in advance of retirement, tell people on FB that you're retired and bed to go to ' your last EA supper meeting". Time will tell.
I was very lazy this week doing my hexagons - that and I've been out so much. I should be able to get some done today... oops the two little ones are up !
Sunday dinner was very nice. Hubby had steak although he didn't like the mashed parsnip baked in a red pepper. We brought his birthday dessert home, and I had my leftover chicken scaloppine for lunch the next day. On Wednesday I took a girlfriend to another restaurant and we had an absolutely fun time ! As we were early arriving we went to Value Village where she picked up two tops - originally around the $80 price range for $5 each. She was thrilled ! I picked up a pair of cargo pants for Hubby and a kilt in a blue tartan !!
Last night I took another girlfriend . We have been friends for over 34 years. She is going through a really rough time as her husband has Alzheimer's so it was wonderful for her to get out. Meanwhile at home, Hubby had all three grandchildren. Our eldest GS just loves coming here which he has remarked so often. He and his grandfather have such a special relationship. Listening to the t wo little ones while they plot who gets up first and whom they wake up is quite entertaining. At one point YGS said " What if grandpa is up first ? " GD said" Like that would ever happen ! " I guess I will be making waffles as EGS asked for them, again, last night !
Yesterday morning I w as out taking off more mulch off the front beds and weeding. Two hours is about all I can do. Then Hubby mowed the lawn and watered. This morning I can see a difference in the greening of the grass. Today YS will start to plant some potatoes and YGS gas said he'll help me weed as he loves to weed [ which is true]. We really should have gone grocery shopping this weekend, but as usual life and events happen. Yesterday was the first of YGS's baseball meeting. ES and YS are the coaches; they met the children and their parents. received their t shirts and had hotdogs ! So now every Tuesday and Thursday they have a game-- should be fun to watch.
All the 'salad fixings' I have planted are up. Hopefully this week Hubby can frame the garden so I can get potatoes in as well as more onion sets. So much gardening to do.
More drama at school. So much fun when one is not involved at all. Of course it was my nemesis. She was trying to cadge a ride to a supper meeting but expected the driver to travel 32 Km out of their way for her. She would not meet them at a meeting point; in fact she was so rude and the others got their backs up because she never asked politely nor did she even say please ! Eventually one of them caved, reluctantly and then ---- she left school early in the afternoon and didn't show up the next day ! Oh people are ticked !! So now she will not be talking to less people. There is also some confusion as to when she will retire. One person said it will be next year which is ridiculous. I think she'll retire on her birthday in May or June- but finish out the year and claim salary for another month. We'll see. There is no way you fill out papers over a year in advance of retirement, tell people on FB that you're retired and bed to go to ' your last EA supper meeting". Time will tell.
I was very lazy this week doing my hexagons - that and I've been out so much. I should be able to get some done today... oops the two little ones are up !
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