Saturday 5 February 2022

Random thoughts

 What a difference a day makes! We had some decent weather on Monday, with the temperature reaching a high of -1C (30F). But then an Alberta clipper blew in that evening, bringing blizzard conditions and the temperature dropping drastically. When I went out to feed the birds on Tuesday morning, it was -22C (-8F). Brrr...  The snow had blown in on the sidewalks and in behind the front gate so I wasn't able to get in the back yard as I normally would.  I headed out back through the sun room, and dug a path partway and then just tromped through the snow the rest of the way. 


I'll get out and shovel another path the full way when the weather improves. For the time being, I grabbed the shovel, climbed through the pile and went around to shovel out the area behind the gate to allow me to get in that way again. I did go out in the afternoon to clear the driveway. It wasn't much warmer but I need to clear the sidewalks in front of the house within 48 hours of a snowfall.

Wednesday was even colder with a wake-up temp of -29C (-20F) but the birds still needed to be fed. I went out the back to take car of them, and then grabbed the shovel and cleared up behind the front gate. Based on what is on the ground we should have good moisture this spring. Whenever that might happen!

Much of my time has been spent watching curling and knitting, and fitting in chores between games. I've finished three pairs of mittens, of various sizes, using up some yarn I picked up at the thrift store. I baked buns on Tuesday morning - is there anything better than the aroma of fresh baking? Vaccuming and laundry got done too, on different days when I got up from my seat on the couch. The Canadian women's curling will end on Sunday; meanwhile the mixed double curling started this week in Beijing. I've been watching live when I can, and watching a replay of the live stream when the game is aired in the middle of the night. I need my sleep!

In other news, this week I reached the three year anniversary of my retirement (Jan.31) and my little brother turned 60 (Feb. 3). He had hoped to join me in retirement but for a number of reasons has decided to hold off for a couple more years. It's selfish of me, but I wish he wasn't waiting because we'd be able to spend more time together. In the meantime, he's also starting a home business, building live edge coffee tables, side tables, and cutting boards. On Friday, he made several glasses from old wine bottles. The guy likes to stay busy!

On another note, have you seen those television ads that suggest that running your dishwasher uses less water than running your tap for 2 minutes? I decided I'd put that to the test - a very unscientific test - by using the dishwasher and only hand washing certain items for a month. I ran the dishwaser about five times a week and waited for the water bill to arrive. The results - my water bill increased by $10, even after I took out the annual increase in the rates. So I'm back to my handwashing and will use the dishwasher only once weekly or when I have a busy cooking day.

My other test, if one can call it that, was to eliminate potato chips from my diet. I'll admit it, I love potato chips; the salty goodness and the crunch of the chip is my addiction, and I would normally have a bag or two in the house most of the time. I know that the salt isn't good for me. Heaven knows, my family history includes many heart attacks and strokes. I've tried in the past to limit the size of the portion, but that hasn't worked for me. I just go get more.....when the bowl is empyt. So I decided it was time to try going cold turkey on January 1. Since then, I've eaten home popped popcorn twice, but normally if I'm craving something salty I'll slice a couple of small pieces of cheese to eat with a few crackers. Best of all, I've lost five pounds of weight, not nearly enough, but a good start. Don't get me wrong, I still crave the potato chips, and evenings can be especially difficult. Reminding myself that I'm doing this for the long term health benefits is some consolation. 

Unfortunately both Eli and his mom were sick this week. They've both tested negative for Covid - D tested Eli three times, and herself five time.  Both had an ugly stomach bug. She let her guard down and had a friend and her two children over to the house earlier in the week. A assured her that both children were over the bug they'd picked up at daycare - apparently not quite. Eli has pretty much recovered, but D is like her mother and doesn't do sick well. She's resting as much as she can with an active 4 year old and calling her mother frequently to whine. She called this morning, and said she's feeling some better. And Eli woke up hungry, all good news.

The cold weather is finally starting to break. I woke up on Friday to -32C (-27F), and by this morning, the temperature had risen to -10C (18F). More snow fell overnight too, so you know what I'll be doing later today. Until then I've got the television tuned to the Olympic coverage. 

I'll leave you with a photo of Hoover. It was hogging the birdseed so I went out and chased it away several times. It would run down the fence and sit to wait for me to go back indoors, then go right back to the feeder. 


Have a great week ahead everyone!






23 comments:

  1. I know the snow is horrible for you, but my little southern soul thinks it is just gorgeous and magical. Of course this is from someone who has never had to shovel snow once in her life!
    I am glad your daughter and grandson are doing better.
    My sister's job did not withstand the quarantines during the pandemic so she was "retired" a little before she was ready to. As much as I hate it for her, I am really enjoying it! I have been able to see her continually because she isolates also.

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    1. I agree the snow is pretty, it's just a pain to have to move it. I'm tired of winter.

      I do get to talk to my brother regularly, but we don't see each other very often, even though we live just a half hour apart. You're fortunate to have the relationship and proximity with your sister. Enjoy!

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  2. Man, I'd have to really try to find someone to do that for me. Cardio-myopathy does the to a fella! I admire your heart and ability to do this! :-) At least my whoopty-do surgery helped tremendously but I am still allowed only so much. Now. Good on you feeding the birds! Never fails to make ME happy all the way over here! Hover has relatives here and MINE do the same. They move where they think I can't see them...still hanging on the deck post..and hope they hear the deck door close (I now [try to remember to} put something between the door and the frame to keep me from getting locked out).

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    1. There are lots of businesses out there who do snow removal here, but I'm far to cheap to pay for it. As long as I am able to do it, I will.

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  3. Perhaps the shovelling has also helped with the weight loss. Good job on giving up something you love, I don't think we could ever go cold turkey on chips. We only eat them one night a week now and always with cheddar cheese pieces. It's a psychological thing, maybe, but good fat with carbs balance each other out! Also, the salt is good for us. That snow looks very heavy, you must be in pretty good shape. :)
    Glad the kids are feeling better.
    I couldn't imagine those dishwasher commercials being true. In our rv, we use ours once a month to keep it primed and it only takes 4 gallons of water but that's a whole lot more than we use handwashing in a day. LOL
    Stay Warm my friend!

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    1. Perhaps, but I was shoveling the month prior too and didn't see any results froom that. I'm wondering if I'll ever get over the cravings though. :)

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  4. I guess I should quit complaining about the weather (won't happen) because at least it isn't as bad as yours! Yuk.
    Good going on losing a few pounds. It all helps - I have little resistance on some things. I understand.
    Happy anniversary on your retirement!!
    Stay warm
    Glad everyone is getting better.

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    1. We all complain about the weather, I think it's just human nature. It's almost always too cold, too hot, too wet, too dry, etc. Not that it changes anything but it gives us something to talk about. ;P

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  5. You sure don't need a fitness trainer. Mom Nature is taking care of that quite nicely. Luckily I don't have to go anywhere and we are melting fast here. I can wait.
    One thing I have found works great for chocolate binging. If after one piece, I rinse my mouth. With the taste gone, I don't crave anymore. Don't know if that would work with chips.
    Great news about Eli and Mom testing negative.

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    1. Thanks Patti, it was definitely a relief.

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  6. Don't blame Alberta for the cold winds: when they left here, they were warm! We must've used all the heat. I've not seen anything about running water versus dishwashers, though it may be because I haven't watched tv in twelve years. But I'm not surprised that the ad was wrong. I don't have a choice in how I wash dishes, anyway. And I couldn't give up potato chips; you have more will power than I. But you can send all yours over to Eli, who is hungry again, after his illness! That's good news about D and Eli feeling better. In the era of covid, we sometimes forget that there is any number of other sicknesses ready and waiting to ambush us.

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    1. I can't blame Alberta for the winds, these came from the north for sure.
      There isn't much will power here, either. I'm just at a point where I know I have to make a change.

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  7. The guy likes to stay busy! Must run in the family.
    That is a ton of snow. Pretty -- but less so on the end of a shovel, I know.

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    1. You're absolutely right Olga, my brother is so much like my Dad. Dad was always in motion, doing something or simply walking in a circle around the house. The latter drove my mom crazy. It wasn't until he had his first stroke that he learned to sit. I suspect R will be the same.

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  8. I think a relative of Hoover is using my bird feeder too.

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    1. They're greedy little buggers. Cute, but annoying at the same time.

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  9. Gosh, another eventful week! I hope your daughter soon will be 100% again; I'm glad she and Eli are doing better.

    I've seen that TV ad re: the dishwasher, but I've never had one to use, and there's certainly no room in the tiny space that passes for a kitchen in this townhouse. But now I'll stop feeling guilty for running the water as I hand-wash my dishes!

    Congrats on your third anniversary of retirement, and belated happy birthday to your brother.

    As for all the snow, no comment. It's bleeping cold and snowy here and I just want temps that aren't minus double-digits. Bleh!

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  10. Thanks Kim! I hear you on the winter weather - I am so very tired of it. Spring can't come soon enough.

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  11. You must have had a tense time watching Olympic curling!

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    1. It was a real shame that the mixed doubles curling trials were cancelled in Canada. John and Rachel are good, but I think we have far better potential reps. Now onto the men's and women's!

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  12. It seems like we are always digging our way out of the snow this year. Kris got the house as it passed the inspection except there are no down spouts.... Who in the world does not have down spouts to direct the water away from the foundation. He has permission to go and shovel the sidewalks and get some snow away from the house and plans to do so this weekend.

    We have a cheeky fat squirrel that tries to steal the bird food as well.

    God bless.

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    1. I was surprised last night to see on the news that we actually had less snow in the city this January than the previous. (At least at the airport).

      Good on Kris. The last house I owned prior to this one was subject to flooding in the back yard due to be a low spot on the block. Kris is smart to keep an one on things like that. Smart too to hire a mover for the big stuff.

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  13. The snow is about the same here and it is windy too!

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