That Was the Weekend

   Cold today, in the minus numbers, and a smattering of the white stuff. I had little time outside but did walk up to the mall yesterday afternoon for a few groceries. I did a huge shopping in the morning at No Frills as my freezer was very empty, but I cashed in $20 worth of PC Points so the bill wasn't too horrendous.

   Today I made a batch of sausage rolls to take to Judy's as it was the multiple birthday celebration we have every November. Alison's birthday is the 14th, Steve's the 18th and Natalie's the 21st. I just had a light breakfast as we ate at 11:00 (all of us had things to do later). It was lovely to get together - I hadn't seen most of them since I got back from my holiday.

   Demo practice this afternoon - we learned a new dance called "Brisk Young Lad" and it was a very "brisk" tempo that had us gasping for breath. Most of us are no longer Spring chickens!

   That's it for today, just a light supper as lunch was so filling. I didn't have a nap this afternoon so should sleep well tonight.

Year End in the Garden

   Finally a night at home! Well, I did skip my dance group on Wednesday but it feels like I have been out every night this week.

   Frost overnight and it only got up to 3 or 4C today. I stayed quite a long time at the Senior's Centre after Fitness class as it was nice and warm and lots of people to chat with. Home by 11:00 and spent an hour raking leaves. Despite wearing a pair of gloves under my gardening ones, my hands were frozen by the time I had got all the leaves in the composter. The rest will get done on the weekend (unless it rains or snows) and will have to go to the curb as the composter is now full. Before I did that I dug out some of the well decomposed stuff from the bottom to put on the roses so that's another chore done.

   A long nap this afternoon as I didn't sleep well last night despite all the tips from the expert on Thursday. I was working on my jigsaw puzzle until 12:45 a.m. and then read for a while - his advice to get up and do something if you don't fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed. That did seem to work but I was awake by 6:30 so just 5 hours of sleep. It will be an early night tonight.

On the Go Again

   I have an early meeting of the tennis club executive this evening (6:30) so won't bother with dinner until I get back. Just to tide me over I made a bean and artichoke dip from stuff left over from last night's chicken casserole. As well as the above mentioned ingredients it had some roasted red pepper, green onions, mayonnaise and sour cream. I grated some parmesan on top and heated it through. I had it with pita bread wedges, red pepper and broccoli for dipping. It was quite filling so I may not eat again.

   Not too chilly today but quite windy. I think a new weather front is coming through overnight so who knows what tomorrow will bring. Probus club this morning - the speaker's topic was sleep disorders and he had many helpful tips for getting a good night's sleep. There were tons of questions and it seems most of the members had some sort of sleeping issue or another.

   Zumba class this afternoon and after working up a bit of a sweat I went for a swim at the indoor pool. The best part was relaxing in the hot tub after. I must have stayed in for at least half an hour!

My Usual Wednesday

   Not too cold today (started off at 6C) but still dull and dreary, typical November skies. I was out late last night at Markham Theatre, ushering for "Jitters", a very funny play about a theatre company just like the one performing the play. Quite an original scenario. So I had a slow start this morning but made it out to my Stretch and Strength class by 8:45. The second class at 11:15 is more aerobic and gives me quite a workout. 

    I managed to fit in a couple of errands (library, liquor store) between Fitness classes and was in the coffee bar by noon. It was a fairly quiet afternoon and I was home by 3:15. I went into the drug store on the way home to pick up a prescription and decided to get my 'flu shot. It is so easy to do at the drug store, no phoning for an appointment or waiting in the doctor's office, just in and out quick sticks!

   I have a new library book, "The Lying Game" by Ruth Ware - I read her previous book, "The Woman in Cabin 10" and enjoyed it - and a new jigsaw puzzle lent to me by one of my Bridge friends so I am a happy camper today with lots to do! Just as well as there never seems to be much on TV these days.

    Chicken casserole is in the oven and smells good. Better go check it. I will have it with some brussell sprouts. I managed to scorch the Christmas plum pudding the other day by letting it boil dry, so I don't want any other cooking disasters!