Family Time and Fresh Air

    What a gorgeous day today! I went for a long walk this morning along the ravine - didn't see much wild life except for a few pairs of ducks in the stream - but it was just like being in the country. It was a bit icy underfoot but I wore my hiking boots and walked off the path in the worst areas. 

   I was home in time to clean up some of the winter debris from the deck, then sat outside soaking up the rays for half an hour - a very pleasant way to spend the morning! After lunch I slept for an hour - must have been all the fresh air, and then buckled down to type up the Minutes from last week's RTO meeting. Only half done but I will be home tomorrow morning and will get some more done then.

   James' eighth birthday party last night - he was pleased with his presents and we had a lovely family evening. Steve, Alison and Lucy dog were there too. Today was to be a backyard skating party for his friends but I'm afraid it was too mild - the ice was probably too soft for skating.

   The guy from Enercare came first thing this morning and got the gas fire started up. He even fixed the remote for me which hasn't worked for two years! So I have the fire lit this evening and it is nice and cozy indoors. Chicken and chickpeas for dinner - it's smelling good!

Another Catchup

   So much has happened since my last post that this may be a long one. The first thing was  - no hot water for my Tuesday morning shower. The guys finally came on Thursday (I had to miss my Zumba class to stay home for that). They fixed the water heater but, in the process, caused my gas fire pilot light to go out - they had to turn off the gas to do the repair. No luck either the repair guy or me to get it lit again so I have had to call in the gas guys to turn it back on. Grrr! That will happen on Sunday morning and I will send the bill to the water heater company - it's a rental.

   Tuesday was RWTO lunch. There was supposed to be an Executive meeting beforehand but it was cancelled (a very wise decision by our President) due to bad driving conditions. I spent the morning shovelling about 6cms. of snow. By the time we headed out for the lunch the roads had been mostly cleared. The lunch was salmon (delicious) and the speaker was not only interesting but funny too. His subject was Art Forgery.

   I was out Wednesday and Thursday evenings so am very happy to have an evening at home today. I had my "Gentle Fit" class this morning and a Robbie Burns' demo this afternoon and came home from that quite bushed. That's two done and another on Monday afternoon. Probus meeting on Thursday morning and we had Sgnt. Bob again with a presentation dealing with online scams.

   On Thursday evening it was the Tennis Club Executive meeting - it didn't end until almost 10:00 p.m. I hope subsequent meetings don't run that late! Most of what was discussed didn't involve me - I'm the clubhouse coordinator - but at the next meeting I will have to come up with a report.

   The weather has turned mild again - above freezing today and sunny - but this will only last for a few days then we will be back in the deep freeze. Winter is definitely not over!

   

Blue Monday

   The third Monday of January - the phrase was coined by a travel company, Sky Tours in the UK, to encourage people to travel to warmer climes. Although, they do say that lots of folk suffer from mild depression during this time of year.

   Still cold, minus 10C for most of the day, and it has been snowing off and on all day. Accumulation is supposed to be around 6cms. before it finally tapers off overnight. I won't bother shovelling as it is predicted to be milder by the end of the week. Currently I am sitting by the phone waiting to hear that tonight's dance class has been cancelled. So far it's still on, so I must go. Driving home from Bridge this afternoon the roads were quite slippery. I have to be out early tomorrow morning for an appointment so will have to just take it easy in order to arrive safely.

   I watched some tennis from Australia this morning and one of the Canadian players was doing well - hope he won! If he did it will be in the newspaper tomorrow.

Some Good TV

   Still chilly when I got up this morning but it managed to get up to minus 6C by the afternoon. The sun was shining for a good part of the day.

   The morning went by with chores and I did my exercise show as well. An early lunch as I had to be out to demo practice by 1:40. I put a seasoned pork  shoulder in the slow cooker before I went out and it was smelling good when I came home.  It didn't need much longer and was extremely tender and tasty.

   Now I am watching some early rounds tennis from Australia - we don't usually get it here but it looks like it will be showing most days. Yaay!!