I feel very guilty about neglecting my blog for nearly two weeks but will gradually catch up over the next few days. Due to a mix-up with my medications (my own fault, I took a double dose of one drug and a half dose of the other!) I have had a recurrence of the symptoms from last summer and only today am feeling back to something close to normal. Luckily, this all occurred after I got back from my trip.
It's still very cold and wintry here - morning temperatures in the minus double digits - so no relief in sight for more Spring-like weather. The snow remains stubbornly on the ground and we have even had a further accumulation this past week. It will be some time until we see bare ground and several weeks more until the ground is ready for planting. In the Prairies, they say, the ground is frozen to more than a metre's depth and it will be summer until it has thawed out, so we are luckier here.
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I hope to load the photos from my trip soon but here's one to be going on with. It was taken in Placencia, a little tourist town in Belize - all coral sand, blue sea and quaint little shops, bars and boarding houses (couldn't really call them hotels, they were too rustic). The photo was taken by one of the crew from the ship and included in a CD we got on disembarking.
I got seriously down to organizing myself for my departure on Saturday, filling the suitcase with odds and ends and making sure everything is at hand for a quick final pack tomorrow night. I have an early departure on Saturday - taxi booked for 5:00 a.m. I usually hoof it out to the airport on public transit but the buses and trains won't be running that early.
It has been a mild couple of days - Wednesday was positively Spring like - but today we were promised rain and, guess what, it's now snowing! I hope there isn't much of an accumulation as I am not in the mood to do more shovelling!
Yesterday was a little different from normal. James was here but we had been invited to a Valentine's Day Party at the Early Years Centre in the afternoon so spent most of the morning at home. We had a brief excursion to the library and Walmart to buy some more seed bells for the birds as they are clamouring for more food and I am happy to oblige.
After lunch we headed out for the party - it was a great success, more kids and parents than usual and lots of activities which James joined in enthusiastically. His favourite thing was "snack time" - fruit, crackers and cheese and a big cake. He had seconds of everything! The local MPP showed up and circulated with her aides promoting her programs. I guess it's part and parcel of what's needed to retain her position. We are expecting a Provincial election this Spring.
Today I had to stay home for the repair man to come and check my gas fire. I was pretty sure I needed a new remote (the only way to turn it on and off) and, sure enough, that was his verdict. It's 5 years old so was past its shelf life (even with new batteries) so I can't complain. However, I did complain about the price - $200 for the remote and $100 for the technician's time. I did ask at the store for a new remote but they said it had to be "re-programmed", thus the need for a hefty labour charge.
It has been quite pleasantly mild for the last two days, and sunny. Maybe we have seen the last of the nasty weather. One can only hope. Dinner tonight is leftovers but I am into the wine and snacks already (smoked mackerel) so will postpone dinner for an hour or two.
Quiet morning - just dithered around until 11:30 then went for a walk as the sun was shining. I felt a bit guilty about not heading to the slopes - I've had my skis in the car for the last few weeks - but actually when I got outside, the wind was quite brisk so I was glad to not spend too much time outdoors.
After lunch and a nap I headed to the swimming pool - 12 laps and a dip in the hot tub. Then I headed to Kennedy Commons for the Kitchen Plus store. I was looking for a new frying pan and I found a double deal - two frying pans for just a little more than the price of one! Then I headed to Metro to cash in my Air Miles and scored a stuffed chicken for $4.00 off so it was basically free. Of course I bought other stuff so ended up spending more than I meant to. Who said "never shop on an empty stomach"!
On them way home I dropped into Home Depot to get a new cover for the drain in the basement. However it looks like the wrong size but I will wait until I get the new floor in there before exchanging it. Anyhoo the chicken is now roasting in the oven along with potatoes and I will cook some cabbage in an hour or so. I also got some smoked mackerel on which I am currently snacking with a glass of Cuvee Saint Pierre - it is delicious but I will ration myself to just one glass.
