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Afternoon Crackers,
Very happy to report a 1.2 loss this week which I shall put down to still being busy with work orders plus occupied with my paint work, because once you start painting something in a very bright colour - you need to complete so others (the husband) can see where you are coming from! I didn't stop with the chairs, I decided the table legs and base also needed to match! The bench I've painted the same blue as the wood panels so I really need to finish before I leave for the UK so it will all come together!!!! It will as it can only be an improvement....
Bracken - looking forward to your update.
PB - Are you still singing with the choir?
Well I must return to my potatoes - looking forward to my spud free break in the UK!
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Hello Crackers. I too can hardly believe it has been so long since I have posted. It might not have been quite so long if I had not had a wretched time, at least three times in fact, trying to log in and being denied by the MFP gremlins! Today after some time I have finally got in but had to completely change my way of logging in and set a new password. At one point I had a screen which seemed to suggest there was a fee for being a member. Anyway thankfully I am here and have at least been able to catch up with the posts and am, of course, delighted to find you, PB, here. I too continue to struggle with weight so am too reflecting on how this site and most importantly the Crackers group have been previously helpful. There is much to say and I can't say it all today but as with many things, once that first step is taken it seems easier. I will make this short today as I am finally getting back to using my treadmill (I had to have it overhauled) and have not yet done anything today. I did get a sweep, mop, and polish of the main floors today so I hope that was a bit of exercise.
MITM, if I have not done so previously, thank you for the kind words about my story. My writing group continues. I have not written a lot recently but did do a short story for Hallowe'en. I do not read much horror fiction nor is it the usual genre I try to write but our group decided we would all do a Hallowe'en themed story. Mine was more realistic and revolved around a black cat. I had read that many places will not adopt them out around this time as they are regrettably liable to be abused. I am working on a Christmas piece - trying to write something meaningful but not sugary. We will read our pieces out at the Christmas meeting where one of the members is treating the group to lunch at the clubhouse of her condo complex.
Really must go now if that treadmill is to be trod upon today. Guess which of the two places here or there, I might rather be!
Regards and hope to be back soon.
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Evening Crackers,
Well done Bracken for cracking the code! I'm off to the UK tomorrow to see my parents before returning with the daughter to spend Christmas in Austria. This year I am just not prepared. I have not had the chance to do any decorating except to put up my wreath outside (to keep up appearances) for the 1st Advent Sunday... We have just been so busy with work. I've also not had a moment to exercise but somehow I have lost 0.6 of a pound this week probably due to stress, so I am just 0.4 from my target weight. I would have preferred to have been under as I know I'm going to be faced with temptation everywhere I go! I will be back Monday 17th to report the damage. Very impressed Bracken you have been on your treadmill is this set up now in the new blue room?!
Be good Crackers!0 -
Hello Crackers. PB, I have just read of your formidable achievement with a stellar total number of pounds lost. I tried to leave a comment but it seem uncertain if it was going to log it so I'll add congrats here too. As soon as Christmas is over, I will refocus on my weight which had crept up again through the hot summer and wet fall. I am trying to work in some exercise but not enough is happening and there have been too many Christmas celebrations. The book club Christmas was lovely and unlike most meetings where only coffee or tea is served, it too included a rich variety of baked squares and cookies. That was followed by the writing group luncheon which one of the members hosted at the clubhouse that is part of the community where she lives. Again lots of desserts. Yesterday was an Open House at the stable where I used to board my horse. The owner who just celebrated her 80th birthday set out a full table of cheeses, pickles and crackers along with plates of Christmas cookies and squares, all of which she made herself. She is an amazing woman and is still instructing riders as well as doing a lot of feeding and cleaning in the stables though of course she has some help with the 36 horses, many her own and some boarded.
I seem to have had numerous appointments at the moment- in the past 2 weeks, family doc twice, checkup at specialist, to a lab for blood work, and to a lawyers. I am still tutoring my student though now only once a week, not twice as I did in the summer.
I have managed to get nearly all my Christmas shopping done in a timely fashion and most of it is wrapped. I also got the decorating done in good time as I find if i don't do it quite early I am inclined not to do it at all. So my little cheery village has been up since the day after Remembrance Day and the small artificial tree since shortly thereafter. They both provide warm lights. This year I have decorated the mantel with cards and a few Christmas decorations and threaded around them is a string of microlights (they run off a small battery). So I find when all these lights are on, the living room is very cosy. It is surprising how a few lights can
be seen from the outside and really create a warm atmosphere. Because my house is quite old
(by Canadian standards!), there are no good electrical outlets outside so I do not put up outdoor lights; however, there are many houses on my street that have good displays. Another favourite decoration is a snowman that looks as if it is made of stained glass and it glows red and green alternatively. I put it in the small entrance alcove window so it too creates my Christmas warmth.
Must leave off now. Regards.0 -
Just a quick pop-in to wish all Crackers a happy, healthy New Year. I am resolving to be a more regular member in the new year as my diet and fitness seemed much better when I was more regular here.0
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And a very Happy New Year to you too Bracken. I will be back on the 9th January.0
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Hello Crackers. It seems to have taken me this long to get at least semi-organised after Christmas. We had a very green Christmas- no snow and above freezing. This suited me fine as it made the driving much easier and less worrisome. I had two drives- Christmas morning at my brother's farm with his family and two of my sisters with family. Then in mid-afternoon I drove to another sister's for Christmas dinner. She lives a 30-40 minute drive in the opposite direction. As well her two sons and their families came; they live 2-3 hours drive away so the driving is always an issue.So far this winter has been different from the past three which had a lot of snow and early too. We have had small amounts but several mild days ( yesterday 9C).Today is much colder and there is a light covering of snow with larger amounts predicted for the next two days. I have been trying to get out to my horse when possible but have not been on him since early Dec. Again we are both out of shape. Yesterday I did light lunging with him but mainly recently I have just gone out to groom. However, I am hopeful I will be able to do more fairly soon as the stable owner who recently had double knee surgery is starting to ride again mid-Feb and spoke to me about us riding together and her daughter who had a baby in Sept. has started riding again so there should be more times when I can ride as I can't ride alone. Now I just need the weather to co-operate. It is a good incentive to work on getting in better shape at home. I am back to using a journal to record diet and exercise and am slowly getting back to the treadmill. Of course, at this time of the year the media is full of diet and exercise advice. It can get really confusing but I do think there is not one diet that fits everyone and that you must individualise your food plan. That said, I know my biggest challenge is moderating my sugar intake and I am trying to keep it to 25g or less a day- not easy when one small chocolate bar or commercial muffin can easily have between 25-30g of sugar alone. We hear a lot here about whether saturated fats are really bad for you and there seems to be a lot saying it is sugar and not saturated fats that are the problem. My Doc still thinks saturated fats should be very limited. I am trying to eat more so-called good fats so use some avocado, for example, which I used to avoid just because of calories. I also
regularly use almond butter on toast for breakfast; I really like it as well as some peanut butter.
I have a novel to read by next Thursday for book club and am trying to revise a piece of writing to enter into a short story contest. I also volunteered to host the next meeting of my writing group, something I have not done before and thought I should step up- the end of Jan will come quickly. I am a bit of a worry-wort hostess; I don't know why since the people is my group are a very congenial group.
Off now. Regards to all.0 -
Hello Crackers,
Long time no see!
Bracken, thank you for your phone call and message yesterday and sorry you couldn’t get through the security on our phone today. I have now added your number so hopefully if you call again we will get to speak. I was willing you to call a third time, but you obviously didn’t get the vibe! Your phone card doesn’t allow me to call you, I did try. Anyway, on the plus side that prompted me to log on here so I could let you know about the phone. I didn’t expect this group to still be going so I was delighted to see that you and MITM have valiantly stayed in touch and that PB has also been back in contact.
2018 was a sad and difficult year with the unexpected death of my father and then my father in law just six weeks later. My mother is living with us at the moment so our lives have been turned upside down and I didn’t know if I was coming or going for most of 2018. I hope we have a more settled 2019 and I really need to do something about my weight which I have completely ignored for the best part of a year. The time is probably right to start doing something about it. Time to get organised and focussed on the diet and exercise front.
I haven’t read the posts for the last year yet, but I hope everyone is well and I look forward to catching up with everyone’s news and shifting some weight with help from all of you.
Much love to you all
xx
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Good Evening Crackers,
LMV - what a lovely surprise to find you here after so long, but I'm very sorry to hear of your Father's death and that of your Father in-law. I do hope 2019 will be kinder to you.
I had this crazy notion that a New Year would equal more 'me' time, to allow me to manage my time better - mid January and it's dawning on me I've got to make the time! The good and surprising news I maintained my weight through December and stayed at my target - a first. I started the New Year at target a first. I have been to the UK last week and returned still at target another first!
I had a couple of Beck moments on my journey home. At the airport I was looking at the 'meal deal' which included crisps and I realised I could/would refuse the crisps and at Salzburg, walking the supermarket aisles looking for food/snacks to pass the 4 hour train journey again I realised I could survive without biscuits, crisps, chocolates... I did not need to eat rubbish, I could make better choices and guess what I survived! I wasn't hungry and I had enough to read so I wasn't bored. Aside from that the scenery was pretty spectacular due to the heavy snowfall. In fact I was lucky to get home as my train at midday was the last one that ran that day, before they had to be cancelled due to avalanches. There is 5 metres of snow in some parts of Austria but where I live there is none except on the mountain tops. So the husband has dragged me out this afternoon up the hill on our usual Sunday 'hike' which obviously all helps.
Bracken - good to hear that you are back logging exercise and calories, how are you getting on?
LMV - let us know what you are intending to do are you be rejoining WW and what exercise do you have in mind? My husband purchased a trampoline which is up permanently in his office and he is hooked! I wasn't very enthusiastic at the idea however I've just started taking supplements for the lymphatic system and was amazed to read that trampolining is recommended so I'm going to add a bounce to my exercise routine.
Be good Crackers!0 -
I am delighted! MITM, your message sent me directly here so thanks very much.And what a pleasure to find LMV to whom I am always grateful as it was you who first organized this little group. So if you have been absent, you have not been forgotten. I too send my condolences on the passing of your father and father-in-law- so much for one year. I had wondered if your mother would now need more care from you. You are now understandably busier .MITM, you continue to be an inspiration and a roadmap for weight maintenance, Congrats on your new
achievements over the holidays. And your trip home sounds very beautiful.
My logging exercise and food is going so far so good. I have dropped several of the first pounds that are probably partly water weight but already feel somewhat better and some tight pants more comfortable. I saw my Doc today and was really pleased that my blood pressure was back to its normal- the month before Christmas it had gone up a fair bit which was concerning. I am slowly working in steps on my treadmill again. Shockingly, last winter I did not use it- partly because the basement was under renovation for much of the time. But even then, I don't think I should use that excuse entirely!
It has been too cold and icy for me to walk much outdoors but I have made an effect to get in as many steps as I can when I go to stores. Also I think Nellie may have strained some muscles,possibly when jumping into my vehicle. She has yelped a couple of times when I patted her. However, I do not think it is too serious as she is not limping and is quite active when I let her into the back yard. There is a small snow cover, quite soft, (much more predicted for the weekend) which I think is quite easy for her to navigate. I am enjoying the birds at my feeders outside the kitchen window. For a while in December, they seemed not around as much. I think I know why- twice I saw a large hawk around the feeders. I know they have to eat too but wish they could keep to hunting mice. There has not been that much snow yet that the hawks couldn't find their prey. I suppose the hawk has stumbled upon the feeder
and thinks there is easy prey!
I am working on revising the story I plan to send to the contest by the end of February. I was quite satisfied with it but now going over it with the proverbial fine tooth comb, I find much to criticise. I just hope I am not over-thinking it. Regardless, I do find the process of editing and revising very absorbing.
PB and BM thinking of you too. It has been some time but you are not forgotten.
Off for now. Regards.0 -
Good evening Crackers!
I read 3 sensible old Beck quotes today.
'Did you go off track with things like exercise or daily motivation during the busy holiday season? If so TODAY IS THE DAY TO RESTART.'
The second 'remind yourself "I won't regret the food I don't eat, but I definitely will regret the extra unplanned food I do eat."
Well TODAY IS THE DAY TO RESTART for me. I had two birthdays to contend with last week, the husband and my best friend and I was in charge of baking the cakeS. I did for some reason think of you LMV as I whipped up the cream which I know you detest!! Anyway I did (as I always do) gain weight. However I was very happy as it was only 1/2 a pound but what I'm not so happy with is the fact the scales are still going up because I'm off track - I'm not exercising enough and I am eating unplanned foods. So as of today I'm drawing the line in the sand and I'm back on track.
My final Beck quote 'remind yourself that you can't change what you ate in the past, only what you eat from this point moving forward. Instead of ruminating on past mistakes focus on making today a great day!'
So I'm doing just that and I'm now off to salsacise! Bracken well done on your loss.
Be good Crackers!0 -
Hello Crackers. I wanted to come here today but this is a bit of a pop-in as I must get Nellie out again before dark. It is wretchedly cold here now and heavy snow is predicted for tonight and tomorrow. I feel rather housebound at the moment but have tried to keep busy with my writing on the computer.
Thanks MITM for digging out those quotes. The second particularly is well known to me but have not consciously thought of it recently. I weighed this morning and was down .4 of a pound from a few days ago so was not unpleased. I have bought a new scale (first in about 35 years!)- a digital that gives me more specific smaller weights in tenths of a pound whereas the previous only showed pounds and half pounds (sort of). The hard news was that it weighs me almost ten pounds heavier than the old one but I have decided to persist with it because I think in the long term seeing the smaller gradations will actually be more helpful. Absolutely must get Nellie out NOW! Regards.
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Good Evening Crackers,
'Age has no reality except in the physical world.'
We had snow over the weekend. First 50cm and then 40cm yesterday. I can confirm as I'm sure you would agree Bracken, snow clearing leaves you in no doubt just how old you are!!
My husband was working in Italy during the second lot, so I had to clear alone. I was absolutely knackered so how did I 'reward' myself for my hard work?!! I took to my bed early and ate an entire box of chocolate profiteroles with Baileys flavoured ice cream. Originally purchased for Christmas for the family but we didn't get around to eating and I have to confess, I've been thinking about them sitting in the freezer ever since and I seized the opportunity whilst all alone to scoff the lot. What a waste of my energy, they were so not worth the calories - just another item I won't be tempted again to buy 'for the family'.
Luckily today I awoke to the most beautiful winter wonderland, with blue skies and bright sunshine and my sensible head screwed back on again.
I agree with you Bracken about your scales seeing small losses (or small gains!) will help and inspire you on but I would double check these new scales are correct by weighing yourself and a bag of flour or sugar.
Be good Crackers!0 -
Hello Crackers. I think I have succumbed a bit to the February blahs. To begin, I have some kind of cough/cold that seems to have gone on for almost two weeks now and has drained me of a lot of energy.The weather has continued nasty with another significant storm on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is a lot of treacherous ice, now covered with some snow. I have not tried to entirely shovel the snow as the ice is too think to chip away and I think it is safer walking with a snow layer on top. The weather has left me quite housebound- even getting Nellie in and out has been a real chore. I have spent a lot of time on my writing projects and have managed to send a story off to the Toronto Star short story contest. It would be lovely to place (they award three winners) but get as many as 2000 entries so I won't hold my breath! Still there is some satisfaction in completing a project and I do find I am really immersed when I am writing. Of course, it also gives me cred with my writing group (though I must say there is absolutely no pressure to meet any deadlines). Part of the pleasure of the writing group is that we share work through e-mails and respond to each others' projects. I often find it quicker to just phone and discuss a piece as I am not the fastest typist. I have a lot of books to read so should not have any complaints about not having something to do. I am only half through the next book club selection for the meeting in a week. I missed the last one because of weather but at least did get the book read. (Sebastian Barry- Days Without End.It deals with the wars waged against the American Indians in the 19th century and is at times amazingly poetic and lyrical but at others one of the most violent books I have read. Barry has apparently been previously short-listed for the Booker).
With this cold I have had no energy to be on my treadmill which may account for some of the blah feeling. I had a few days where I was a 'tea and toast eater' as I had no motivation to do the prep of properly organised meals and ate too many carbs certainly. But I have at least got back into reasonably prepared meals for a few days now.
My youngest sister stopped in this afternoon with a Valentine's treat of some dark chocolate ginger.I am very fond of that but can usually dole it to myself in reasonable amounts. I generally find that dark chocolate, which I really like, is more self-limiting than milk chocolate - I wonder if that is because it usually has more sugar than the dark. I gave my sister some black currant jam that I made up today from berries I froze. I am always glad I have those berries as everyone seems to like the jam and it is hard to buy a good quality one- I use far less sugar than in commercial jams.
Hope all are coping with winter wherever you may be.
Regards.0 -
Good Afternoon Crackers,
Bracken sorry to hear that you have been feeling out of sorts. It is that time of year. I too had a cough fortunately no cold but I spent a week having to sleep upright to stop the endless coughing at night. Sadly it did not put me off eating and I had another stupid week of eating ice cream which was very disappointing (when will I learn?!) and donuts... in other words lots of sugar which did not help.... Plus just like you I was a 'tea and toast eater' when I didn't have to cook for the husband. Love that expression! However I have completed a week of sensible eating and re-lost the pound gained so I'm feeling once more in control - famous last words.
I read Beck's quote for Thursday 'Are you exercising this week? Remember you don't have to go fast. You just have to GO.' Well yesterday the husband dragged me on our usual Sunday walk which due to illness we missed last week. Surprisingly no one has walked our route since the snow arrived 2 weeks ago and I found myself sinking into the snow up to my knees! It was an exhausting climb, going up hill is bad enough but having to lift my leg up and out of the snow... fortunately at the farmhouse at the top, the road down was completely cleared as I walked down on quivering legs! However I have made a start.
I am currently reading Winston Graham's The Poldark series. I am on book 5 already 'The Black Moon' and really enjoying them. Even more so than the tv series because you know what the characters are thinking, if that makes any sense!
Right I should make some lunch or else it will end in toast which will not do!!
Be good Crackers!
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Hello Crackers. MITM, I see you have logged in for an impressive 55 days in a row. And well done with gaining back control of your eating plan. I feel like something of a broken record here because i have just read my previous post, complaining about not feeling well and the weather and I am complaining about both again. After just feeling I was getting over the cough thing, last Saturday I awoke to the worst cold I can remember in several years- headache, earache, dripping nose, watery eyes, hot face, chills, and the most tremendous sneezes I can remember. There is one thing funny about it though- Nellie's reaction to my sneezes. If he is sitting by me, she gets up, runs to the corner of the room and starts barking.
I thought I might be over the sneezes by today but no such luck- a bout even as I have been typing this. Thankfully the headache, earache, and chills have largely gone. As for the weather, still snow covered ground and on-going extreme cold- today -16C (-24C with the wind chill). No letup predicted before Sunday. It is very hard on the maple syrup produces who need warm days and cool nights; so a poor season is predicted. My brother makes maple syrup and is having very little sap to gather. Two weeks ago Sunday when we had a slightly milder day before this Arctic vortex set in again, I saw six robins in my yard- poor things they had definitely returned too soon. I have no idea what they would find to eat as they won't come to a bird feeder because they eat basically worms and grubs.I have not seen them since. I have had a hawk around my feeder and many of my small birds have disappeared- some scattering because of the threat and others perhaps caught. Of course, the hawk has to eat but I wish it would go back to mouse catching!
I did not realise how bad my cold was on Saturday morning, so I went to a writing clinic as planned. It was very interesting. The featured presenter was a woman who writes fantasy novels featuring werewolves, vampires etc- not my usual reading fare. However, she was an excellent speaker and said a lot that applies to writing in general. And one could not argue with her success. She has published 32 novels (!) and been on the New York Times best seller lists. Interestingly, she lives in the small town where I taught.
MITM, I can't believe that you would not have superior cardio fitness with all that mountain climbing you and your husband do. Walking on a grade is one thing but when you add snow up to your knees-well!
One of my sisters really enjoys Poldark. I could get it on my tv but I missed the first series so may try to catch up by taking it from the library at some point. I have been watching several series borrowed from the library. First I watched Broadchurch-loved it and disappointed only three seasons. Have also watched three seasons of Grantchester- really liked the interplay between the tough seasoned detective and the younger vicar cum detective. Now I have the first three seasons of Shetland, again very enjoyable though at times I have trouble understanding their accents. All have such amazing scenery.
Must get back to a story I am hoping to submit to another contest- due March 18. Not sure how strong I feel it is but it gives me something to look forward to if only rejection! At least, it gives me something to focus on as I feel rather house bound at the moment.
Regards.0 -
Good Morning Crackers!
Bracken how lovely to hear from you as always but I'm sorry to hear that you are unwell again and I wish you a speedy recovery. Your weather sounds bitter. Here we have been very fortunate and have had a month of glorious sunshine and the snow is disappearing fast on my side of the mountain. It's quite strange to look across or down to the lower village and see complete whiteness still, where they don't get snow in the winter. I couldn't live in the shade for 2 months without my daily dose of vitamin D!
Amusingly Bracken we are both like a broken record, since last writing I've had the most appalling diet record and ended up at my heaviest weight in over a year. Talk about being a drama queen, I'm 4 pounds over my target!! However it's the constant yo yo-ing that I'm not happy with although I have pinpointed my current problem CRISPS which we 'treat' ourselves to when working, which once was just a packet over the weekend and now is every shift so that's a lot of crisps - family sized packets only here in Austria alas. So my husband and I have decided to give up crisps for Lent - watch this space!
I need to get back on the straight and narrow as I have a week in the UK which will be hot cross buns everywhere, my absolute favourite, plus an early Mother's day treat for my Mother I'm taking her for afternoon tea whilst in London, then on my return it's my birthday, our 30th wedding anniversary which we are celebrating in Venice (ice-cream!) and Easter. It's all go and non stop food! I don't mind gaining whilst 'celebrating' but I do mind gaining when it's from senseless, mindless eating of crisps.....
I'm back on the painting as of yesterday. All this sunshine not only shows up the dust but the woodwork which needs touching up, so I'm giving the doors a lick of paint ready for Spring - keeps me busy. Plus I'm back on my exercise DVDs as I know from past experience they work!
Good luck with your latest writing competition.0 -
I can hardly believe where the time has gone since I last posted! MITM, I am very envious of your long stretch of glorious sunshine. We have had some nice sunny days but never more than three in a row, marked by returns of cool, often very windy weather and a lot of rain including this weekend- huge rains last night, rain today and rain tomorrow though Sunday is predicted to be warm and sunny, It has made getting yard work done difficult and there has been so much because last fall the leaves were so late falling and then the cold weather and snow set in so I had to leave them over winter. Finally I have done most of the raking with a bit of help from my younger sister who is now retired but busy as ever. I don't know if you have the same heavy duty paper bags (about three and a half feet tall) we have for leaves here; in any case I have raked 30 bags, many very heavy as the leaves are damp and compacted. My Epsom salts have been well used I can also say! It has only been recently that the little chipmunk who wintered under my front steps has come out of hibernation. I do have a few hyacinths and daffodils in bloom along with some other small spring flowers. None of the trees are in leaf yet -I'm looking out my den window and the maple has very small buds now visible. I have put a nice pot of pansies on my front steps- they seem to appreciate the cooler weather and don't mind the rain.It is always a sign of spring to me when they appear in the stores and I get some as soon as possible.
Many of my family will meet for Easter at my brother's in the country. Everyone brings something for the meal so there is not such a burden on my brother and his wife to prepare the meal. I'll bring wine and roasted vegetables. Nellie will get to go too.
I have been trying to get my horse back into shape by lunging him but have still not been able to start riding yet. I have spent a lot of time grooming however as he seems to like to roll in the one spot in his paddock that gets muddy. I suppose it might be because he feels itchy as his heavy winter coat sheds out.
My book club has wound up for the year until fall but my Writer's group continues to meet monthly and we post writing among the group for comment and feedback. I entered two contests but have not placed in one for sure as the results were just announced. Since the contest regularly gets over 1500 entries and chooses three winners, it is no easy matter to place. I may look for another venue for that particular story. Usually in the summer I do little work on my computer as it is upstairs in a den and there is no air conditioning so it becomes unpleasantly hot. However, I have decided to buy a tablet so I can writer downstairs in the summer and sometimes in the evenings when I don't feel like sitting at my den chair but on the comfy downstairs sofa. My friend and former teaching colleague is helping me to find a good one and he will set it up for me.
MITM, you may have already celebrated your 30th wedding anniversary. In any case, congratulations are in order (birthday wishes as well) - you are entering increasingly rarified territory with a long marriage. I hope you had a lovely time in Venice.
There is something about spring and paint, isn't there? I too will need to have a paint brush in hand as soon as there is some dry weather as my garage needs a bit of touch up painting (thankfully not a complete redo) and I have a bench that needs staining and sealing. I think of you and your marathon paint jobs if what I have to do seems like a lot.
I may have mentioned last year about the little family tomato contest I had. I had purchased these tomatoes I thought were the best I had ever tasted from a local farmer. He stopped vegetable farming the next year so I tracked down some seed. My garden does get enough light for tomatoes so I gave some seed to three of my siblings and as a fun thing said I'd give $25 for the best tomato. Everyone enjoyed it so this year year, I've enlarged my contest so there are 5 categories and now another of my sisters in Saskatchewan and a friend in Regina are interested in trying to grow the tomatoes. The tomatoes are called Sicilian Saucers and are a heritage variety. I expect they are not widely commercially grown because they are not a uniform size or shape but are particularly good for pasta sauce.
Most off now. Happy Easter. Regards.0 -
Grrrrr! Ever since MFP was taken over by Under Armour I have had frequent problems with logging in- today being no exception. Most annoying.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am again complaining about the weather which has scarcely changed since my previous post- continued rain, rain, rain, and cool temps. I don't mind the temps as much as the rain. However, I must admit that the trees everywhere in my village, although slow to leaf, and not yet in full leaf, are a wonderful canvas of greens. And in my back garden which has several large old trees that take up huge amounts of water, many plants have never done so well, including some primroses, cranesbill, and bluebells. The hostas were slow to appear but are now growing quickly despite cool temps. I am impatient to get planters set up with annuals and have bought a number of pots and hanging baskets but I have to keep bringing them in and out of the garage. The garden centres still do not have any water plants - very disappointing as I had my pond cleaned and set to go in record time this year. So the fish remain in their winter quarters in the basement. The weather has also held up my touch-up outdoor painting and sanding and staining a bench. My complaints pale beside those in other parts of Ontario and Quebec which are experiencing serious, life-threatening flooding. For some this is the second year in a row for such floods.
Nellie and I have done a little more walking than earlier but still affected by rain. Plus I seem to spend a lot of time cleaning her from mud in the yard. Finally I have been back on my horse after too many months off. Of course, for both our sakes this requires a slow return to work but just being able to do some trotting again has been lovely and seems to have helped my chronically sore back. (Of course, the gardening hasn't helped on that front and I have had a number of mornings starting with an epson salts bath- I do believe that also helps).
My book club has wound up for the year (except for a pot-luck dinner next week). I have started some enjoyable but lighter reading now. Having watched all the Grantchester series, I have started to read the books on which the series was based. In part, I want to see how closely the series follows the books. I have discovered that the author, James Runcie is the son of the late Archbishop of Canterbury which seems to explain his detailed knowledge of Church/religious matters. I have read that he has said his fictional character Sidney Chambers is loosely based on his father who served in WW2 and was a clergyman during the '50's when the stories take place. My Writer's Group continues this week and I am only part finished the assigned piece for the meeting- we may not be famous writers but we are serious ones!
I recently had an eye examination and as I suspected, my prescription has changed fairly significantly since the last one. (couldn't believe it was almost exactly three years). So now I must get some new glasses. I originally wore contact lenses for many years and for a long time now have worn rimless glasses. I can get new lenses put into my rimless frames but have also decided to get a pair of more substantial ones with a complete frame;however, I am quite overwhelmed with how large all the frames are now. I feel as if my face is quite overtaken by them! Clearly, I am not very adventuresome and adaptable to change in this department.
Have also been dealing with other health issues lately but believe in following the rule my sister established about discussing medical problems as we are getting older- she always says, "remember, only one medical issue allowed". So as I have already exceeded that with the back complaint and the eye commentary, I will say instead- Regards.
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