The End of April

   Very chilly today - only 4C when I got up but it did reach the projected high of 9C. Now it's raining and I have lit the fire, but tomorrow is forecast to be 20C! Who knows what to expect from day to day.

   I have had a very stiff neck for the last three days, and it doesn't seem to be going away. I managed to play a bit of tennis yesterday - it was the opening social at Don Mills - but today my neck is even worse. We had a very tasty barbecue at the courts followed by yummy desserts. It was nice to see everyone again after the long winter.

   Also yesterday was the monthly dance and AGM at RSCDS - very pleasant evening and the meeting wasn't too long. We managed to get through the whole dance program. Today I have just been happy to spend a quiet day at home. I had a long nap this afternoon which seems to have helped my neck.

   I have some fish (not much) in a curry sauce to eat up tonight and have cooked two vegetables to go with it - a broccoli casserole and mashed sweet potato. A minneola to follow.

Too Many Carbs

   This has been a busy week as I have been out three evenings and will be out again tomorrow night. I will be very grateful for a proper rest on Sunday!

    I finally got my tax return in the mail this afternoon - just in time - as, after frequent phone calls and badgering e-mails, I finally got the tax receipt from Plan Canada. I think it was actually my fault as, at one point, I blocked messages from them (always asking for more money) so, who knows where my receipt was ending up? But that's it done and I just have to wait a few weeks now to find out if I will get a refund. I plan to buy a new printer if I do - fed up with running up to the library every time I need to print something.

   It has been a nice week, weatherwise, and I have got quite a lot done in the garden. I haven't bought any plants yet, just in case there's a frost. I got into the Wednesday fitness class so had coffee with all my exercise buddies on after. Then it was Book Club in the afternoon but I didn't finish the book.

   It was so nice when I got up on Thursday morning I called Kathy to see if she would meet me at the outdoor tennis courts. We hit for about an hour and a half (stopping to chat frequently, we haven't seen each other all winter!) and then I met the RODEO ladies for lunch at Montana's. I had a delicious, apple, cranberry and goat cheese salad, with a glass of wine so it was worth the trip. Also lots of chat as I hadn't been out with them since before the New Year. I have been playing bridge on Thursdays but that is over now. In the evening I was "ushering" at Markham Theatre and got to see the comedy, "Bedroom Farce", really funny!

  Today I took a pass on tennis to attend the AGM at the Senior's Centre, a tedious affair but we got lunch after - pizza, veggies and fruit but too many carbs. When I got home I put a loaf in the bread machine and, of course, had to try a slice when it was done! The first slice is always the best. It didn't rise very much but will be good for toast. Fish for dinner and NO MORE CARBS!!

  

Still Not Quite Spring

    After a very rainy morning, it has started to dry up and I do believe there are some glimpses of sun just as it is about to set. Augers well for tomorrow. It only got up to 11C today so the fire is on to warm things up. Just when I think we have turned the corner, the cold weather returns!

   I had a quiet morning - finished my tax return and, according to my calculations, should get about $400 back. We shall see. I went to Bridge class this afternoon and learned a few new tricks. Frank is a very knowledgeable teacher but gets a bit impatient with us as we don't remember all his rules. It's the "world according to Frank" in his classroom!

   Had a quick look around the garden when I got home and everything is coming along great guns. Chives are up as is the asparagus. The rhubarb is looking healthy and I see a few green sprouts on the raspberry canes. I have already had a few cuttings of daffodils and tulips with more to come, so the house is full of flowers. Judy gave me a beautiful lily for Easter and it is blooming prolifically. It will go in the garden once the flowers are past. I have a few there already and it will bloom again next year.

   Chicken and veg for dinner but I have been nibbling all afternoon (the coffee at the Senior's Centre is so good and you get a couple of cookies with it, all for 75 cents) that I am not too hungry. It may do me another day.

  

Hava Java and Other Delights

   Just a quick post as I am going out in half-an-hour and haven't had any dinner. It will just be soup and a sandwich. Another sunny but cool day but I did sit out for a while this afternoon - too lazy to do any gardening.

   Did my step class video this morning, worked on my tax return (almost done) and was at Hava Java by 10:30 for my free coffee and pastry. It's a social for retired teachers of which I am one. I stayed chatting until noon then got on my way to my Bridge group and arrived on time. None of us was able to win a contract except Marie who was my partner, so I did help her. She made 3 contracts so was the definite winner today.

   Dance class tonight so better get my skates on!