Yes you're the fairest of them all!

--"freezing rain-"---all night here --Lord love a Duck! It is quite the mess outside!-- I took Lopez out and he only did half his business --the major part is not happening yet, as he fell over on his side 4 times on the ice!----And poor Beau has not even been able to get out to do his business as he will fall for sure! 

So, I have dragged large bags of  salt into the sunroom so we can salt the walkways-- well, not "WE" -- " If it's going to be, it's up to me"--as Mom used to say,---"THE ROYAL WE"--well,  " I "----- got the ice melt out--

The Dish on the roof must be covered in ice as we cannot get one station-- I have CBC radio on both upstairs here and in the kitchen.-- 

So what else is new?--Well, I started  the taxes--which is so much easier to sort the amount of receipts now that Himself is not working. My goal is to ship it all to the accountant by the end of next week.----  It is all sitting on the dining room table.--- I really really hate doing that stuff! 

I do try to remember the above-- or I did--as I dragged out the bags of salt this AM--"I AM WOMAN"--LOLOL---And, we still have "POWER" which  is good, but,  it could go out any minute if  the freezing rain doesn't stop and the temperature doesn't begin to rise soon!--  I suppose I shall not think of all that-- 

Our daughter told me  last night, that I can order from Amazon big life-size cardboard people -- She has a few of her hero's-- I want one of the Queen--- Can you tell who is real  here? This was on her Birthday-- 

So, "keep your chin up"-as Dad used to say-- It's a new day! 

WE certainly ARE the fairest of them all! 


 

Sparking has turned me into a Blogger---

 Years ago, I was part of a website called , "Spark People"--It was a site, with participants from all over the world, who wanted to eat healthy, lose weight-- and learn about a healthy lifestyle-- But, the best part of it , was that there were so many people on this site, and I met a lot of them and still do keep in touch with some.There was no charge to join-

A year or more ago, Spark decided to not allow anyone from outside the U.S. to join and that is how I began to do this blog. --- I enjoy writing, and I find that by sharing my life experiences with others, well, I learned that we all share a lot of the same  problems--and the same joys--Do I miss "Spark" ?--I did at first--a lot--but--over time, the day filled up with more  different things to do--I  never enjoyed Sparking everyday,  trying to get points for hours slept--or exercising so many minutes- (as an example)_

So to-day,  life  just goes on and on--The pitfalls of not "Sparking", is that one must remember to get outside and move--  not eat in my easy chair after supper and then wonder why the scales don't move---and , try to stay positive , no matter what happens each day--I do try to "look ahead"-- and  no matter how confused  my husband gets at night, he never remembers it--only I do, and I know by morning, he is so much better--I believe that Women hold this world together---  We don't have time to moan and grown--  We must  always look ahead, learn from our mistakes, be strong,  and always be positive!

So that's my story---  The weather here is pretty awful to-day--freezing rain mixed with snow--and it is, windy and cold. Will Spring ever get here?--  Lord love a Duck! I sure hope so!--I have put my parka away 3X---  then hauled it out again--- Those Canada Geese have not been spotted in this area yet---- They must know something  that I'm not aware of---

You really are --AWESOME!

A very old story--

The above picture was taken last evening ---  The 2  boys--the big Beau with little Lopez ---

-We have sun, with cold temps--and--SNOW predicted for to-morrow--  depressing--10 to 15 cm predicted which I really hope is wrong---You know, I have tried very hard , over the past 2 snowfalls, to NOT shovel---  my  left wrist was so sore--inflamed, and hot to the touch--and my rt shoulder-- Himself told me it is probably arthritis in the joints--  Lord love a Duck!--- --- Stopping the shovelling really has helped but--- there is still tenderness in my joints- in those 2 areas--You know, I remember my Grampa having that in his hands and I can remember sitting at their table and studying his mis --shapen hands--And-- now me! 

This was my Grampa , on our far rt--with the hat on--my Dad on the left--Just look how Grampa was dressed! --Yu would never see that to-day----  I remember absolutely loving this Grampa-- I remember him holding my 2 hands , when I was a young kid, and the 2 of us danced around his kitchen, as he said, "A heel and a toe and away we go."

-and here is a very old picture of his Mom and Dad and their 13 children. Grampa was the youngest--right in the middle of this picture.  They emigrated from Scotland-- His Dad's name was George and him Mom's name was Mary-- and they settled near Oshawa, Ontario, on a farm--Just look at the size of this one family! --  And no-one is wearing jeans! 

Now how on earth did I ever get onto all this?-- Lord love a Duck! 

 

As we age, we start to forget things-

 And--it is a new day--  so, I shall start all over again! -Yesterday, I worried about going to  the grandchild's concert--I knew there would be so many people there, probably not wearing masks-- so, after spending the morning, wondering, "Should I go or should I stay?" ---  I decided to drive Lopez to Son #3's house to get his nails done and then come home--

BUT ---(There is always a big "butt")-while there, our eldest Grand daughter, said she was going to the concert and would video it with her phone--  I mean, video, the 2 dances our wee Grand daughter was doing--so, in this day of covid stuff, that seemed like a great idea!--- I tried to put the video on here for yu all to see, but couldn't get it to download--but--it is pretty cute. This child is 7 yrs old--

So, I did not bring that Covid virus back to Himself-- 

It is cold here to-day---sunny , but very cold--like minus15C ---I did step on the scales this AM--183 pounds--  The weight is not moving--because I am not eating properly--which I will try harder to-day to do--  It is tough being fat---  easier on the body to be thinner-- so, I shall try for the 154th time!--- Lord love a Duck! 

I know I can do this---if I can be consistent-- I must remember that soon, all the winter clothing will go , and all the pounds will show for sure! 

I don't know whether I'm coming or going"

Well, It would be kind of fun--if the above are true--but how would we really know?--  Deep thoughts here for sure! 

This afternoon, I am dropping Lopez off at Son#3's house, and am going to a Dance Recital, where our youngest Grandchild, will be performing-- I had decided NOT to go , many times-- phoned Son#3 and told him,  "I won't be going-"- and then changed my mind when Himself over fed little Lopez--- (while I was changing our bed upstairs-)-so--I called that son AGAIN, and said, I will be going----and then I sat down and cried--- which didn't solve anything----so, for my own sanity , I am going--- I guess you could say that I don't know whether I'm coming or going!-

I think it was "the soup" yesterday, that Himself decided to make-that had almost pushed me over the edge-- There are 2 of us in this house, and we had enough soup to feed the whole army-- Himself really overdid it--and what a huge mess in the kitchen.  I don't know why I didn't keep an eye on him----so, I paid the price later, as it took me forever to clean up the mess--We had soup everywhere--bones--meat--dishes--Lord love a Duck!-

So----  you just never know eh?---  Maybe a getaway will help me a lot!--  I hope!--- I wonder if the Queen needs this periodically-- ?---  -- a getaway-- Hopefully it will be as good as a rest!  
 

Best before dates sure confuse some people!

 

It is Sunday---which so far, is a good day--  yesterday was kinda weird-- Yu see, Himself  said he was not feeling well-- He told me, it was because all the milk in the house was bad--and it made him feel ill.

"Why do yu keep milk that is over it's "best before date"--?--is what he asked me. I didn't think there was milk in this house  in that state---but--  Himself really did look ill, as he sat on the stairs telling me this.

" Anyway, I threw it all out--4 quarts of old milk" he said.--

"and this was the day,  that we were supposed to go for your 4th vaccine--the 2nd booster--" I told him.

I spoke to Son#2, the Pilot-- "Mom, don't miss yer booster shots" he said, "because if you do, you will never get it again. Maybe Dad feels ill because he is afraid to go out--"

Well, I dragged Himself , with me--We did get the booster shots-- and while out there, I stopped for more milk.

"By the way" I asked the Lady in the grocery, "Is "M-A "--on the ticket on the milk, MAY--or MARCH?

"March is MAR", she replied--"May, is MA--"--

So guess what? All the milk Himself threw out was best before MA something or other-- 4 quarts of good milk went down the drain----- I suppose it was an honest mistake on Himself's part, but---  it was one more errand I had to do yesterday-- 

Lord Love A Duck! No-one would even guess what I must do, to take care of this man--

 

I really am just a pushover!

 I try----to stay classy--but--(that big "butt" again!)--It isn't easy  when one is nearly 80 yrs young and has a Chihuahua! 

Yesterday, at the Hair dresser, she began to put the cap on my head--for "streaks"---  I said, "Oh no, no no, I just cannot stay here that long--"---

"Well, it will only take 20 more minutes," the hair Lady said-- 

You know, I was thinking of poor Himself at home, trying to deal with little Lopez---

"Well, OK", I heard myself say--(because I really am just a "pushover")---  but--I think I really wanted to " be classy."

So, I walked out, feeling pretty classy- with my new blond streaks.--When I got back home, I asked Himself if Lopez did his business outside and how he handled it. 

"No, he replied--He has not done anything."--which was kind of weird---  so--out Lopez and I went, and we walked the back road-- NOTHING--He did NOTHING---  

"This dog did not do anything outside", I told himself-- Really I was just happy that both Himself AND Lopez were alive and OK--BUT---- I checked under the dining room table---AND_--  THERE IT WAS!

So, I felt pretty classy, but---  poor Lopez must've suffered somewhat--probably needed to go, but Himself does not recognize the signals.

So, I have beautiful hair, but it comes with a price, when you are trying to train the Chihuahua--

I am going for --"the seventies"---  That means, a tad more exercise, not eating crazy stuff in that easy chair watching CNN---I will be stronger, Kinder, and will try --really try, to be fierce--but---it's tough to do, when I really am such a pushover!  

I think I am beginning to love this wee dog!

 I'm here--  and--yes, we did get at least 6 inches of wet snow--  and little Lopez decided that he wanted to do his business on the back road, in spite of the snow being over his little wee body. It was pretty funny, because he hopped thru the snow, out to the gate, then stopped, and looked up at me, and it was as if he was saying, "Open the gate Lady, I want out  onto the road."---

And he  and I trudged thru the deep snow, AND--HE DID HIS BUSINESS out there!--  Whatta trouper eh?- I am beginning to actually like the little guy! --Of course, he had on his $70 parka--

We did NOT lose power last night, but it was pretty "iffy" when the freezing rain began to fall--- --so--The back road has not been ploughed---  only a couple of sidewalks, thanks to the Lady of the house (who is ME)-and I had to clean off the TV dish as no reception came thru until I did get the snow off it--Hopefully that is the last storm of the season! And of course it is hair day, whether I get there or not--

I just had to let yu all know, that I FINALLY am beginning to "like" this little Chihuahua--altho he really is the most different dog I have ever been exposed to--so attached to me--screams when he doesn't have me close by--I never had another dog like him!--  BUT--I have to admit, now, that I think I love him! Lord love a Duck eh? Who would think?-

This day only comes once---  so, I must make the best of it-- Hugs----  and --- remember how blessed we are to live where we do! 

Bad weather on Wednesday night here-

 We are having freezing rain--  just to let yu all know--in case the power goes out overnight here-- Hopefully it won't-- The weather is terrible!

I took Himself to the Hearing Clinic this AM--  The Lady there put him in a booth and retested his hearing and since 2018, his left ear only has 12% hearing --She told him to not wear the hearing aid at all , in his left ear --We were there all morning--

Hopefully we do not lose power overnight--and I will be able to post a new blog--  Lynda

This and that---

This is Elliot Lake--I mean, "the lake" in the town of Elliot Lake--And this is Westview Park, beside the lake--There is a hiking trail which begins here and goes beside the lake--and there are 2  sandy beaches along this lake, maintained by the city-- This is the reason that we moved here---  The water is fresh and clean and Son#1 and Son#2 learned to swim in this lake--There are about 4000 lakes in this area--Dunlop Lake where  we live is about 9 Km north of the city--

So, I have no idea how I got off on this tangent, maybe because I really love this area--The picture always inspires me. We live very close to the Boreal Forest, where the tree line changes ---There is a Provincial Park North of here in the Boreal Forest--which has so much wildlife , and birds, AND BLACKFLIES.

To-day, Himself is going to the Hearing Clinic. The Hearing Aids he wears seem to cause allergies in his ears - I do not know if exterior Hearing aids would solve this problem or not----or--could we afford another kind of "aids"?--

Yesterday I called a chap, a neighbour, whose wife passed last summer and now spends everyday alone, in his home. He kept thanking me for thinking of him--said he finds it hard alone, with no-one  to talk to--  His wife had Alzheimers and  he took care of her and  misses her very much . I wanted to tell him to get a cat----  but------I suppose not all people care for pets--  the 2 of them had no family--sad!---(-Me and my animal's eh??)

Lopez is beside me barking up a storm--  The day has begun---  I best get going--  Hugs-- 

The early morning walk is becoming easier every day-- This week was Day#1--not a long walk, but it's a walk! -----  I finally began! 

 

Tempus Fugit! (Time sure flies!)

 This is  of the state of the driveway this morning-- There is a bit more ice, but--- it sure is better to walk on to-day, than it was!--Even the roof is "snowless right now!  --But----  I hear that 10 more cm of snow is heading our way in the next few days! Lord love a Duck!

Yesterday, in No frills, they had bagels--if you bought 2 pkgs., they were cheaper--so--I did!  This morning I dragged them out for Himself and I-----I told himself I forgot to get the cream cheese to spread on them, but I had cheese whiz in the frig----Himself looked at the cheese whiz, then asked, "You know this jar of cheese whiz says , best before 2019." --

"I'll throw that out", I told him, "because I have another jar of cheese whiz in the cupboard here."---I brought out the one in the cupboard, opened it, and spread it on my bagel--

Later on, while in the kitchen, Himself said again, "Did you eat that cheese whiz, from the cupboard?" 

"Yes", I told him. 

"Well, that jar's date says, best before July, 2020", he said!---

So, once again , I must go thru the can cupboard--do some throwing-- It really seems like I just did that---  Maybe it was in 2019 ---- OMG---time flies doesn't it?

I guess in my spare time, (what spare time?)-I should  set my book aside --- Covid-- CNN---  a good book really does help keep reality away! 

Enjoy yer part of the world!

 Sometime soon, I will be off to buy bananas---It is the "crack of dawn" here-- almost time to get a wee walk in on the back road-- --All is well here--

  Isn't it wonderful that we do have a "night"--?---  a time to rest our mind?--- You know, yesterday , I phoned a neighbour and was chatting away to him, complaining about all the snow falling from the roof, and the ice on the back road--etc etc etc--It was all bad!---  He replied, "But, there are no black flies yet--and no mosquitoes, and we don't have to cut the grass yet, or weed the garden."---I stopped complaining, because, he  saw all the good points ---  a great way to look at the day--  "Focus on the good stuff"-- --I thought.

So, I'm  off to see the wizard--as Mom used to say--I really am going to get Lopez out , and then "hit the trail"  (another expression of  someone-)--  I will be off to get bananas--masked---  

Enjoy your part of this world! -----  Take along a wee hug!

I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way!

 It is Sunday----Spring begins to-day-- a " spring in yer step"----seems appropriate  to-day--  I see that some of you have spotted a robin-- I have not---yet---but, I'm sure that Mother Robin that raised her one wee baby last summer, will make her way back here --with the wee one---We still have ice and snow, but, I can see the driveway now in spots popping thru the ice.

This morning , Lopez decided he wanted to walk the back road--so, good thing I had my cleats on--AND---he did his business back there--which, to me, is an act of God, because then I can turn  around and come back home! ---

I have decided to not shop to-day---  The bananas can wait--I'll get there to-morrow morning , by 8am--less people then I hope! ---- 

 Yesterday, Himself went into the sunroom, to take big Beau out and he didn't return--for ages---  and it was dark---about 9pm--- so--out I went, and no Himself-- Lord love a Duck! --I spotted him, on the driveway, IN HIS SLIPPERS-----  shovelling snow--Snow had fallen from the roof and was sitting on the bricks in front of the garage-- I could not believe it!-----IN HIS BEDROOM SLIPPERS----I know  that one cannot see the ice on these bricks--plus--  He has already fallen at least 3 times--had to be sewn up--his head and his arms----He could not see anything wrong with the whole scene-

-I do my best to watch him, but, there are times it is just impossible--  I would NEVER wear my slippers outside-- but----I have to accept that I  cannot always be there to watch him--He should realize the problems of walking outside in bedroom slippers--I can only do so much--- and have to accept that  sometimes it is just not enough-

I took time yesterday to play the piano--I LOVE MY PIANO---I have not been asked to play at Carnegie Hall ever, --or--for the Queen---but---  the piano sure does relax my soul-----Perhaps  dancing  to-day will be a good thing also--We are so fortunate to live where we do---

 I will enjoy the day--even if I have to hide all himself's bedroom slippers---(That might be a good idea!)_

Take time to make your soul happy!

 It is Spring--  "Spring has sprung--"--and we have rain falling--  NO SNOW! Geepers creepers!---- Our whole yard is one huge ice-y mess --but-- at least with  cleats on my boots, I can walk on it!~ 

I lay in bed this morning thinking to-day was Sunday--already--  And --it's only Saturday--  I am so so happy about that! --So, to-day I can stay home, and to-morrow I shall go for bananas at No Frills.  So much has happened since yesterday-- The cable company called--will be here next week to fix the dish-- The Health clinic called also--and both Himself and I can go on for our 2nd booster shot , next week-- that will make  4 shots that we will each have --but--I hear that the latest variant to the Covid, now has a variant added onto it--Lord love duck! --  I'm afraid that this will go on and on--forever! -- I shall wear the mask--wash the hands--distance  myself from people--FOREVER!

Himself is good this AM--normal as he can be! ---Yesterday I did increase his very mild tablet--It seems to have helped him this morning.--  

 On this first day of Spring, even tho it's cloudy, it feels good to be alive-- We have heat--we have water-- we can walk outside (if we don't slip on the ice)_ the bank book balances--we have our health---and I am so thankful-- Happy Spring--Oh--and send that goose , that one of you saw yesterday, up here to it's "fatherland"--  We are watching for them to arrive!---AND_______

Walking outside makes such a difference in a day!

We are alive----and  the big melt down in the North continues- ice everywhere --which is becoming squishy--This morning I put away my parkas--That is a sure sign that Spring is almost here--or--is here! 

Sunday is the first day of Spring--There are more and more birds returning to the North--no geese yet tho!--I hear different bird calls everyday when Lopez and I walk on the back road--And--he does his business on the back road--I'm happy about that! 

Yesterday was hair day-- "Do yu need a cut?" the hair dresser asked."I dunno", I replied--so--she trimmed it and the hair feels so much better. Good thing for hair ladies! --And, it felt so-o-oo good to get out of the house and to see other people and  see there is a world out there!-

We did get a call from the clinic, and our 4th shot (2nd booster) is now booked for the 25th--for both of us. After that, maybe Himself will get out more with me!--

Everyday brings a new challenge with Himself---So far, I have been able to manage this-- Sometimes, the things he says , makes me cry--but--then I think, I can handle this--It's odd how a very intelligent person, very bright person, develops such paranoid thoughts--I must remember not to allow insecurity to ruin my life-- that this is not how he should be remembered-- Getting out and walking once again has really helped me-- to believe that I can handle this!--even 10 or 15 minutes outside,  makes a bad day feel so much better! 

So, Lord love a Duck!---  We are made to move---  Sometimes all the "stuff" in our life , seems important--  Really--"WE ARE IMPORTANT!"


 

It's St Patty's Day!

 

If you are Irish --this is yer day---  Even if you are not Irish, celebrate anyway------  altho, I think I'll celebrate SPRING 

--Spring has sprung--the grass has riz---I wonder where the boides is?--The Boid is on the wing--but--that's absoid--I thought the wing was on the boid!

We used to chant that--as kids--the laugh and laugh and laugh--

So, the big melt down is here in the North--ice everywhere--  As the snow melts, we get ice--  The melt down is happening pretty fast-- Last night, I felt the house shake, as tons of snow was sliding off our metal roof-- I had to shovel big blocks of ice from the deck off our bedroom--The weight of it was terrible! And, some of it must've hit the TV dish,   as the dish is not bringing in some channels. I was on the phone with the cable company for an hour this morning---Finally they said they would have to send a guy here to  reposition the dish plus plus plus--on April 20th---  That is forever away---but---  what can one do?---  One of the channels that is out is CNN --Maybe that is a good thing? 

So, here are the 2 dogs--the big and the little ----- 

It is "hair day"---  and I am going to go for it---  t was debatable for awhile as so much needed  to be fixed this AM-- Lord love a Duck!--It seems that some days I feel like I come from a broken household! 

Chin up----ever forward--- March onward--  I CAN do this --I think! --and I blamed Himself for the TV not working---  poor guy---  (It was his TV that we noticed the channels missing)--Turns out it wasn't his fault at all-- 

I must remember the above-- Poor guy eh?--- -----It's sunny--- and it is warm----  so nice!---

A new day to get it right!

 Yesterday I decided to resume my exercise routine--outside--I walked to the corner and back --and later in the day, I did a few light weights--and--guess what?--I GAINED weight to-day--only .5 of a pound but still-- the ol' body does this when one begins to move more--I do know that. I walked this AM, with wee Lopez this morning--  So, I am stronger than my strongest excuse--for now! I know , ---everyday is a battle in my mind--

To-morrow is St Patty's Day----(There is not a Chinese Day--but there is Chinese New Years!)

It is mild--well, around zero--with rain expected , which will help to melt the snow, but will make it very icey to walk. The big meltdown is beginning in the North--

I read all your comments and suggestions on giving Lopez away--but--geez--it will mix him up--I have to take Sushi, the cat who came in from the cold, to the vet this afternoon, so I will have a talk with him about this crazy Chihuahua. Does everyone have problems  training him to do his business outside--or is it just me?-- Next month, he gets neutered--Will that help him or make it worse?

I saw this and thought it was  interesting-- I write because I enjoy reading all yer comments--also, I don't feel so alone in all the crazy stuff that goes on in life--just by sharing it all, makes me see that we really are all the same---

One day it will be Spring--  I already hear more birds around ----  I shall try to be kind to Himself---  He did not have the best night--seems , this dementia thing is worse at nite--Hugs to all--