I was supposed to get my hair de-greyed today but the forecast for today was freezing rain on top of snow so I called my colorist yesterday to let her know she could cancel if she wanted. She called this morning to cancel as she comes in on a the highway and it's a sheet of ice and her daughter is home as schools are closed in her area as well.

I'm feeding my neighbours cat so I'll do that and then I have to go and see my mom.

Snow day here in the NE. Predicting 8-10 inches and hopefully will stop at 3:00PM today.

I am holding my breath and hope we don't have a power outage. I hate those!

It is a gorgeous day outside, I planted 11 roses, went for a two mile tricycle ride in the neighborhood and to the park with the dog, I'm taking a break and this afternoon I am going to work some on reinforcing the backyard privacy fence pickets with additional nails.

Happy Birthday Joan Eileen!

OK, cancel pizza... I'm making veggie soup instead! It's a "snow day" and most I've done is look out the window. Might, and I do mean might) need to pus a very small amount of snow away from front door.

A "frugal" (OK, cheap) tip on dealing with snow/ice. Before becoming a cat person, always had big, goofy dogs. Most of those salt products are not very nice on a dog's paws.. And the ones that purport that they are come at a high price. Salt, or other ice melting products, inevitably create some amount of mess, even with careful wiping of feet on mats. I buy a bag of the CHEAPEST cat litter when cold weather starts rolling in. Just clay, no "clumping" qualities needed. It doesn't melt ice but give plenty of traction when walking/driving. Once rescued the mailman in his cute little truck when he got stuck... generous amount of cat litter under wheels got his rolling in no time. I keep a bag in my car and another bags worth in a bucket by front door during the relatively light snow "seasons" we have.

I am trying not to be crabby on this, my 84th birthday. Didn't sleep well last night but was snoozing away at 7:45 when I was awakened by a call from those damn Microsoft scammers. Was cooking breakfast when I noticed something on one of the lights above the stove. Reached up and burned the heck out of my finger. I forgot how hot those bulbs are. So then I glanced out my window and couldn't figure out what I was seeing on the lawn. Put on boots, coat, hat, gloves and found my mailbox had been sheared off. I think the snowplow must have done it. I set it back on but the post seems a bit wobbly. So I went back inside, sat on the sofa to calm myself and watched a delivery truck pull up. A woman jumped out, grabbed 3 big boxes and dumped them at my lower door. When I went down, they were flowers. I was so surprised that she wouldn't even ring the doorbell----it's going down to 13 here this PM. Good thing I was watching. I don't want to sound ungrateful but now I must stand on a stool to reach the vases that are stored away--kind of scary for me. So that's what I am doing today.

Aw, Happy Birthday, JoanEileen!! Well, it sounds like it's been one of those days, but someone cared enough to send you flowers. (You should probably either call the florist or yelp to complain about the box being thrown on your doorstep, without even a knock.) I hope the rest of the day is MUCH better!

I'm home sick for a third day and waiting to hear whether I need to go up to see my mom, as she's been fading, again. Her body doesn't seem to want to give out which is hard on my caregiver sister, but so nice in that I still get to talk with her over the phone. Hoping I can hold off a day or two until I feel better.

Well, hubby decided to 'deep clean' the whole house one room at a time. Started Monday, now is working on the kitchen. God, help me, I am trying to stay out of his way! I am of no use to help, but I have to keep watch. No tell'n what he might pitch, move where I can't find it, etc, etc.

My leg cast has been removed and upgraded to a brace, so I'm celebrating that today. Thankfully I don't have to use a garbage bag over my leg when taking a shower any more. Have just baked cream cheese brownies for DS and his family and will be doing some indoor walking.

JoanEileen....

Here, talking to you guys!

When I backed the car out of the shed and returned to close the door ... there as a small trail of something brown in the newly fallen snow. I backed the car up a bit ... and there was a pool of it under where the engine had been.

Was it oil? They'd done a repair on the oil pan which had developed a hole, a couple of months (three or four?) ago. If it were, and I drove it, soon the engine would be out of oil and would seize up.

Brake fluid? Tranny fluid??

Drove it when uphill, coasted downhill, never close to a vehicle ahead, in case it might be brake fluid, to the church and had coffee with the old guys. Didn't see residue where the car had driven in, or under the engine where it had stood.

Wondered about calling CAA - decided things were going well.

Running uphill, coasting downhill to the other church - I got rather good at that when caring for stepuncle's farm and house, about 12 mi. from my house at the edge of the city, something over 10 years ago - could coast 80% of the time on those rural roads [and if someone had told me that (s)/he could coast 80% of the time ... I'd have called him/(her) a liar!].

No visible residue there, either.

Had noticed that the gas gauge was slipping down much faster than usual.

Drove a few more kilometres -very carefully, in town - to the garage.

They told me that my fuel filter is rusted out, and it needs some repair to the line, as well. Will return to learn the damages in a couple of hours - glad I visited the bank yesterday, as I was nearly broke, before.

Will talk to you all later.

ole joyfuelled ... with some fuelling help from gasoline, most days (also furnace oil - had a delivery yesterday)

I called a granite fabricator asking if they carried Giallo Fiorito. Yes, but it was $15 sq foot more than another fabricator. Called my tax guy to make appt. Called appliance place to see if my salesman was in, nope, so I drove over and got a receipt for a purchase being delivered tomorrow. Stopped at the granite fabricator, chatted and paid half down. Put the cat out on his leash while I fried chicken quarters, made macaroni and cheese....out of a box. It was a free Friday download a few weeks back. Called DH to catch him up in case he gets an appliance delivery phone call. I didn't sleep well, all excited the kitchen is almost completed. I need a nap.

Cut out a Dutch costume to sew later. Make a big pot of Creamy, cheesy, chicken soup and fresh home made sourdough bread to go with it. And a salad if I decide to make it. Going to get our Foster grand daughter from school and spend a little time with her :) :) :)

I volunteered for a couple of hours at the dementia neighborhood at a long-term facility. I finished a book this afternoon. I wanted to take a nap, but the cat was awake; he feels a strong need to crawl on me when I am napping (I gotta nap when he does!).

Happy Birthday JoanEileen!!!!!

I met with someone in the government about an issue with some land and got the run around. This is the 10th time and I am starting to get frustrated. It seems like they just don't want to do their job, and I can't figure out why. This is an issue I will have to pray about. I also am painting my basement and it's looking GOOD! I am painting some conduit and making it into curtain rods too. It's cold but I painted the conduit outside anyways lol. It's 47 degrees and the paint said don't use in lower than 50 degree weather. I hope it works :)

Did very little today. I was filling the bird feeders this morning around 8am and suddenly there was a white-out, a little blizzard if you will. Wow. The cats I had just let out of the cellar were hugging the back door wanting in asap.

Since we finally had some decent snow I decided snap a few photos for possible Christmas cards next year while I was dressed in heavy coat and boots. Then after breakfast, I set up a tea tray by the big window with a Christmas theme just as a photo-op. Except that meant I had to get down the boxes of Christmas ornaments to find the little trees and deer I wanted. ha.

I took quite a few pics and chose this one as a contender for a card:

re the green depression ware sugar bowl. I was giving the lid a quick wipe with the dish cloth when it flew out of my hands and shattered on the floor. :( so that's why there is no lid. Now I need to find another pretty sugar bowl, mostly for photos as I normally use honey in my tea. The plastic bear container the honey comes in at the store doesn't fit too well in a "serious" card. lol!

Went to lunch and the movies.

Happy Birthday Joan Eileen, Hope the flowers cheer you up, and please be careful reaching high places

Today I finished up transferring my sermon notes into my bible. I had several pages from when Tobey had his heart surgery and we didn't attend church. But our church has it in the internet, so I can get caught up.

Then I decided to do Income taxes. Not so bad, no taxes owed any more. woot woot !! After that I fixed a nice cup of Chai tea and read a few chapters. My daughter called and we chatted for about an hour. I am so looking forward to going to Florida for the month of April. She lives just an hour and a half away from Coastline RV where we will be staying.

Then I decided to Swiffer and mop the floors after which I went into where my desk sits, and cleaned out a boatload of junk. How does one collect so much junk? LOL

Tobey and Rob were planning on maybe coming home tomorrow, but he sad the National WWII museum was huge and had so much to see. So, I told him to stay as long as he liked. The RV is ready for pick up, but I called them and they said they'll just set it on their back lot for whatever extra days are needed. He said the museum has a pretty darned good restaurant too.

It's cold out today, so I am going to put a fire in the fireplace later on. Supper will be a salad and fresh fried oysters.

Happy Birthday, Joan Eileen!

Schoolhouse, that would make a lovely card. I took some snow pictures too, but I wasn't thinking of Christmas cards. I should do better at planning ahead!

Very cold and windy here after a heavy snowfall overnight. Today was mostly about staying warm--feeding the woodstove, feeding the birds, feeding the cats, and providing the two outdoor cats with a warmer in their comforter-covered dog house on the porch.

After the birds finished feeding for the day, I covered the feeders with plastic bags so the snowblower discharge wouldn't encase them in snow. It worked!

Happy Birthday, Joan Eileen. How nice to receive flowers even if it does mean getting the vases down from the cabinet. Just be careful.

It has been a mix of sun and fog today, but pretty warm...I'm guessing high 60's. I've been doing laundry. I cleaned house Tuesday so I can enjoy the rainy day we are supposed to see tomorrow by reading a good book and staying home.

Went to lunch with my neighbors. Then started working on the atrium. It's full of dead planters. It is a big project. We have not really been in there since the flood. It's a mess. Full of fallen leaves and pine straw. I am taking all the planters out, most to the trash. Not going to have as many plants this year. Considering putting a small hot tub in there for my arthritis. Plenty of room.

I discovered the Easter lilies from mom's funeral are alive and I think they are going to bloom. I didn't think anything survived the freeze. I hope my stargazer lilies will come back up too. My Aloe Vera survived.

The azaleas are in bloom! The only color around!

Gorgeous day today wonderful weather, could take a lot of this!

Oh making Lobster ravioli with creamy Mozarella sauce and cheese garlic bread.

Sabbath, the paint can probably says *for best coverage apply two coats* I hope you wore both winter coats outside to do this.

Mamapinky- I was so frustrated after my meeting that I just went out and started painting with no coat. I don't understand when you ask a person that handles permits, if your permit application needs modifications to get approval and they just don't answer and give you the run around. HELLO??? Aren't you employed to handle permits. Yeah...I just started painting with no coat and full of determination.

Worked my behind off. So wanted to call in the last two days, my ankle/foot/leg pain kept me up all night Tuesday night. So last night I took Benadryl and Flexeril and it knocked me out. Woke up groggy but was able to make it to work today with some sleep. Supposed to know by tomorrow when I am moving to the new job. Today was busy and painful but yesterday for some reason was worse. Was nearly in tears during my 1200 med pass. Off the next three days.

sabbath....she's teasing you...trying to cheer you up, get you out of your funk. :0) If the sun is out your paint will be fine.

Happy birthday, Joan Eileen!

Usual day around here. Washed clothes, fed the animals, straightened up the house a little. Rode Val....he was better today. Perfect, actually. I am very pleased with him. Jody didn't come home for the second night in a row. He called and said he had to do a brake job on his truck, and he worked on that boat that he is probably going to deliver to Florida. Had to put a new alternator on it. The guy paid him and he told me to come pick up some money, but told him I'd do it tomorrow. He said he'd call and let me know where he would be. I made a late trip to Tractor Supply to get a bag of Senior for the horses. I had enough for their supper but would be out for breakfast in the morning. I ran into Kroger for some RC cola. I sure wish I could quit it....but I am weak. :( Ate two hot dogs for supper. Now, it is just me and the cats and Tricia, the dog, and we are ready for bed.

Kathsgarden, can you not get temporary disability for your painful foot? How awful to be limping around on it for such a long day! I know you're close to changing jobs, but I'm afraid you might be injuring it further. :(

Took home my car I bought :) Not mine, just looks like it.

Working on the taxes this morning. When that is done, I plan to photograph some jewelry so that I can get it listed in my Etsy shop. I didn't realize how much I had sitting around until I sorted through it all the other night. Hoping to take a long walk this afternoon provided it isn't raining too hard. Walked in the rain the other day (about a mile) and it was nice with my coat and umbrella. Saw some out walking who were soaked; they must have been caught unprepared or else they just didn't care.

Happy birthday, JoanEileen!

Thank you for the birthday wishes---it turned out to be a pretty nice day after all!

I'm doing "nothing"......and I'm loving it...!

Happy Birthday Joan Eileen. Yesterday was mine. Enjoyed mine with family.

Schoolhouse..I love your card setting

It's a cool Saturday morning here in Calgary, but balmy compared to the frigid temperatures we've had for the past few weeks. I've gained some weight back since my husbands surgery and decided enough is enough: I'm going to Ikea to buy some glass containers with the snap on lids. Then off to Costco to buy meat and veggies to make a Cabbage Roll soup. I'm going to portion them and freeze them to take to work for lunches.

We haven't seen the sun in 10 days and it is out. It has finally stopped raining. I am going do some outside work like planting bulbs, weeding and maybe planting some lettuce and radishes.

Going to one of those breakout games with the girls and Alex this afternoon. It is the last full day with Michelle. She's moving in with another family because her and Nana aren't getting along half the time. The sad thing is they are getting along right now and Michelle really doesn't want to go. Maybe they will stay friends if they aren't living in the same house. Then coming home and making chicken N Dumplings for Michelle.

I'm on my way to Home Depot and Lowe's to look for new plants for my hanging baskets plus tomato and pepper plants for the raised beds in the garden. The temp. was 88 degrees here yesterday!

I didn't read the posts before leaving my comment. Happy Birthday Joan Eileen! Hope the rest of your day goes better.

It's going to be 82 degrees here today. I just put a pork shoulder on the smoker and will work in the garden most of the day.

Lucille pork shoulder smoked sounds delish. Sure can't wait for spring to hit us so my hubs and boys can clean up the rock gardens. I'm not a fan of outdoor work, but I'm great at issuing orders on what and what not to do LOL.