A New Macine

   I have been suffering with a scratchy throat for the last few days - this morning my voice was really husky - but it hasn't affected me physically. I managed quite a lot of tennis this morning. We were lucky because rain arrived early in the afternoon, not much but enough to wet the courts.

    My challenge this afternoon was to purchase a new washing machine. I found a good deal at Home Depot, with a substantial rebate because it was a high efficiency model. However, it won't be delivered until next Saturday so I will have to use the old machine one more time, with the inevitable puddle! The purchase includes removing and disposing of the old machine, installing the new one and connecting all the hoses.

My 20+ year old machine - I wonder how long the new one will last!

Labour Day

   A holiday here. Spent it at the tennis club, played for a couple of hours, had lunch and socialized until 1:00 p.m. then staggered home for a nap! Lunch was hamburgers or hot dogs, green salad and potato salad, and delicious desserts. And lots of coffee!

   Still lots of tennis on TV so a light dinner and taking it easy stretched out on the couch. The cat has gone home so I will have it all to myself.

Did a little gardening this afternoon after my nap, nothing too strenuous, as it was quite cool and comfortable. I have started pulling up plants that are dying off. It really feels like the approach to Fall.

Getting the House In Shape

   The guys (Steve and Dave, son and son-in-law) came over today to do some badly needed chores around the house. After a quick assessment and a trip to Home Depot, they set about fixing and replacing broken and/or damaged things chez moi. It took them about three hours and the only thing they couldn't fix was my leaky washing machine. It would appear I will have to replace it but it is over 20 years old - here when I moved in!

   An indoor day as it has been drizzling most of the afternoon. I got a walk up to the Mall before the weather deteriorated but, since then, it has been kitchen activities. I have a stew in the oven for dinner - lots of fresh vegetables - and made a batch of rugelah cookies. Can't wait to tuck into them after dinner!

   Other than that I have been watching more tennis and that will continue into the evening. Hope it dries up for our tennis social tomorrow!

   

August Coming to an End

  We are back to sunny days and cool nights but I think things are about to become more Autumnal as there is a strong cold wind this afternoon. Maybe a vestige of Hurricane Dorian?

I think I have shown this gorgeous hibiscus already but it seems to have taken on a new lease of life. There are still lots of buds on it, not that I have been looking after it particularly well.

   I haven't been in the pool for at least a week so I think this summer's swimming is well and truly over. I won't heat it once the nights start to be consistently cool. The pool guys will be closing it up in three weeks and I have overspent my pool budget by several hundred dollars so have discontinued the weekly chemical check. I will stick a puck in from time to time to stop it turning green and will keep the pump running until then.

   Tennis this morning - still a good crowd and a bit of a wait for a court. The smart ones arrive early and get a couple of games before the rest show up, then it peters off as lunch hour approaches. Still some exciting matches from the US Open on TV and still two Canadians in the mix. That's my weekend all organized!