Braving the Cold

   Very cold today but still no snow, thank goodness! The wind was bitter and I had to sprint from the car to the community centre for Mah Jong. We played for a couple of hours (I`m finally getting the hang of it) then switched to Bridge when the others went home.

   Bonnie was my partner again and we really had terrible cards although I did have one good hand when I bid and made a 4 Spade contract. I also went down badly on No Trump. I hate playing a no trump contract!

   Home for 3:30 and have just been relaxing since then, reading and working on my current jigsaw puzzle. Will get stuck into some chores tomorrow and do some more painting. Back to my usual schedule next week.

Keeping Busy

   I don`t feel like writing today so will keep it short and sweet. After two mild but rainy days we are back in the ice box. -6C all day but now dropping fast into the minus double digits and very windy. I don`t feel like going outdoors but had to venture out with the recycling as it was overflowing.

   I finished my paint project this afternoon and now have to get bundled up to attend my Wednesday dance group. We are learning the dances for Burn`s night so I must get going. At least we haven`t had any more snow so it won`t be hazardous driving. Talk again soon!

Drizzling

    It was 4C, foggy and raining when I got up this morning and it stayed that way all day. It will cool off overnight with a strong wind so hopefully it won't be an icy start to the morning. I don't have anywhere I have to be until the evening so will just hunker down at home until the roads are safe to drive.

   Tennis this morning and I managed three sets and was on the winning side for two. But now I am quite stiff and sore so may have overdone it. I resolve to pace myself better next time.

   I went to a movie in the afternoon, "La La Land", very good, great music and dancing. I would highly recommend it. A much better experience than last week but still very busy as the schools are still out. The movie theater was almost full but I went a bit early and got a good seat. People were still streaming in even after the movie started. Now it's just an evening in front of the TV.

  

A Fresh Start

  Sunny again this morning and the snowbanks are receding. Water is running down the gutter so it is almost like Spring. It clouded aver around noon but I had already had my walk and had sat outside for half-an-hour. The sun really had some warmth to it.

   I spent the afternoon painting the baseboard in the basement. First the sanding, then a wipe with a damp cloth and finally the paint. I ran out of steam before I was finished (my knees were getting stiff and sore) but I will get the paint out again later in the week. There is another little job I need to do down there. I always feel the need to do something extra around the house as we enter the New Year. I think this is a holdover from my childhood when my mother would compulsively clean the house from top to bottom before the last day of the year so as to have a fresh start.

   Last night's brussell sprouts turned out well and the leftovers will go in tonight's chicken pot pie. This is an attempt to use up the last of the stuffing before it becomes too potent to eat. I have to be careful with leftovers as I tend to let them hang around too long. I've had a few tummy upsets as a result - not very pleasant!