I started this post earlier in the week, but deleted it because it was just words about nothing. The entire week has pretty much revolved around the weather.
Monday - cold
Tuesday - a little warmer, snow and blowing snow
Wednesday - getting colder, blustery with windchill near -30C.
Thursday - colder still, by 8 p.m. it was -27C, adding in the windchill it was closer to -35C.
Friday - freaking ridiculously cold in the morning -31C when I woke up, I don't even want to think about the windchill. It "warmed" up through the day to -21C by evening.
Saturday - warmer still, about -17C in the morning and -12C by mid afternoon. More snow!
From the indoors looking out...I really need to clear off the sills.
Sunday - temp remains around -12C, more freaking snow!**
I did get out a few times this week, getting groceries, going for coffee once, to stitch and chat, and to dinner with C. Shovelling snow took me outside three times (thus far), and I've fed the birds every day as well. Other than that, it's been a lot of sheltering indoors, working on a few knitting projects. Eli's sweater needs to be sewn together and the neck edge completed. I've currently got another baby blanket on the needles, and started crocheting an infinity scarf. Keeping busy and warm has been the order of the day!
I've been watching the Continental Cup of Curling event since Thursday. Sadly, our Canadian team hasn't fared any better than we have with the weather. There are still a few matches to be decided but if I were a betting person I'd be saying Europe will win the cup this year. It still makes for entertaining watching...at least for me.
Have a great week everyone. We're back into the deep freeze after Monday. Hope the weather is better where you are.
**At least we're not getting the freezing rain that others are experiencing in Ontario. I may not like the snow and cold, but I'll take it over freezing rain any day.
Unfortunately, it doesn't appear the winter is going to relent any time soon. We're back into extreme cold warnings again, though even when there the warnings are lifted it's still freaking cold. I'm pretty sure I'm starting to suffer from cabin fever.
I was out on Friday, but not for our regular dinner. Unfortunately my son C was in a car accident on his way home from work. I got a call from him, shortly after it happened, and because he wasn't certain where he was due to the pain he was in, I suggested he take the ambulance to the hospital and I would meet him there.
I did find the aftermath of the accident on my way and spoke to an officer at the scene. He indicated C wasn't seriously injured, but had "his bell rung" when he hit is head. I headed over to the hospital and met him as he was being moved from the triage area to the waiting room. Then we sat and waited; very little was said as he had a headache and wasn't feeling up to it. We waited nearly 2 1/2 hours for him to be seen. Meanwhile, a woman came in with a nose bleed and she was taken in shortly before he was, which made sense to me. What frustrated me were the people with colds/coughs/possible flu who were seen earlier than he was - all of those could have been dealt with at a walk-in clinic. The doctor ran him through the concussion protocol and sent him home. He was a bit bruised and sore but is feeling okay now.
Today we'll head over to the compound so he can gather up the tools he has in the car. He's talked to the adjuster, and the claim is started, but I suspect he won't hear the results for a day or two. However, since his current vehicle is a 2005 Chev product we both suspect it will be written off. He spent some time on the weekend researching used vehicles for sale and has determined he would like to test drive a couple. Since today's temps are so cold he agreed to hold off until tomorrow after he's done work. He has a short day scheduled and I'll drive him to and from work. I'm always up early on the morning anyway so it's no big deal to me. Sadly we'd been talking about him replacing the car this spring, but now it is a must.
So, while I'm feeling a bit of being stuck indoors today and tomorrow will definitely take care of it. Even if I'm only in and out of the car for brief periods of time! At home, I've continued the de-cluttering, mostly in the craft/sewing room. I had it set up a couple of years ago before Eli came along, then gave it up for the nursery and now it's back and actually getting used! I finally got around to sewing the lining for the crocheted bag I made, and finished it up with some hand-stitching to tack into place in the bag. I also went through my yarn stash, ridding myself of yarn I can't/won't use, sorting small balls of yarn that I will use in one bin, and putting the rest of the unopened/unused yarn in another. There is stuff there I'd forgotten I'd purchased. Oops!
Yesterday I tackled my sewing materials. I now have one bin of fabric and patterns, and one of sewing supplies; needles, thread, elastic, buttons, bobbins, binding, etc. I found I had three pin cushions, two of which are brand new. No idea where they came from. I also have enough sewing needles to outfit a small army unit. Again, why? I've set these aside and was thinking I might put together sewing kits for my adult children. However, I suspect neither of them would ever use them, even to sew on a button, these items will likely end up as a donation.
Last of all the craft items to go through is my scrap-booking bin. Years, and years, and years ago I dabbled in it. My favorite scrapbook of all, was one I made for my Dad when he went into the nursing home. The pages told his story, from a young child to adulthood, containing photos and mementos. When he passed away, I brought it home and it is currently packed away. I also had scrap-booked my first out-of-country vacation, and started one for the cats. And that's were it ended. I'll likely keep the items that might end up in the cat scrapbook, but the rest will be donated or given to my daughter. She's continued with her activities and is more likely to use this stuff than I am.
While I was in the craft room, I looked longingly at the sewing machine and materials but decided I'd best continue to work on my current projects. Too many things to do and not enough time to do them in! Good thing I'm cooped up inside...most of the time.
Speaking of getting out of the house, it's nearly time to head over to the claims center.
I'll leave you with this photo my daughter sent of Eli having his lunch today. He's wearing one of the t-shirts I brought back from my latest cruise. AND, of course he's bare-footed. This kid hates socks!
Have a great day everyone! Hope you are staying warm and dry wherever you are.
Environment Canada has finally lifted the severe cold warnings for our area of the province. However, temperatures are still a good 10 degrees Celsius lower than normal...which means it is still cold. Today we're getting more snow so after the recycling truck comes by I'll head out to clear the driveway.
But for all my whining and complaining, I know it could be far worse. The eastern provinces have had cold, snow, and then freezing rain. The western most province, and the island have been hit by snow, up to 30 cms. in places. I have a university friend who moved to Victoria, on the island, a year or so ago. On Facebook she commented one evening, she might not make it home because of accidents and downed trees. She did, but it took more than 3 times the normal driving time.
Meantime, I simply stay indoors as much as possible - not having to work definitely makes that easier. On Friday, though, I did get up and drive my son to work. He drives a Chev Cobalt, whose designers were not up on winter weather. The battery is in the trunk, while the engine is in the front of the car. While he parks in our garage, and plugs the car in when he parks in the lot next to the office, the battery eventually freezes. He had gotten on Thursday after work, in order to make it home, but as the forecast was for even colder temps I decided I'd save him the worry. If I weren't I suspect he'd have taken a taxi to and from work, as the nearest bus stop is several blocks away. He's looking into purchasing a charging block or a battery blanket with the hopes this won't happen again soon.
According to our latest forecast, we may be seeing more normal winter temperatures about 10 days out, but the worst of it is over. Fingers crossed!
D and Eli were here overnight on Wednesday and headed back to Melville mid-day on Thursday. I can't say I didn't worry as they were travelling in very cold temperatures, but they made it safely both ways.
He and I had fun, while his mom had her medical appointments. His favorite things to do are watching Paw Patrol (paw paw), eating, and playing tickle with G'ma. Oh, and getting "guck" (stuck). If he's trying to climb on a chair, or the bed, or the cat tree, he'll holler guck for help. Yes, this little boy definitely rules his world.
Eat, oh my gosh, can he eat! Just Thursday morning alone, he had a slice of toast with peanut butter, half an orange and a handful of dried cranberries, a Bear Paw cookaw (cookie), and for lunch a hot dog, a half of green peas, and half an apple. He's definitely a growing boy.
I've yet to completely clean up after the visit because this weekend I spent a fair amount of time, watching curling events. Three provinces were holding their men's Tankards, here in Saskatchewan, and also Manitoba and Alberta. Unfortunately, for me, the timing often overlapped so at times, I was streaming one event on my laptop, while the other was on the television. Both my son and my brother thought that was rather humorous.
While I'm sitting, I've been knitting a lot. I've now finished 6 dishcloths, Eli's sweater is currently being blocked in preparation for assembly, and I knit up a quick hat to go with it last night. However, I choose a pattern that was knit flat, and after I sewed the back seam this morning, I didn't like it. So that hat has been pulled apart and the ball of yarn is ready to be cast back on to be knit in the round. I'm sure it would have been fine but I wasn't happy with it, and I have lots of time.
My de-cluttering has come to a stall as well. In fact, I'm feeling rather lazy today. I guess I'm ready for a bit of down time, and since nothing is pressing I can get away with it. Tomorrow is another day!
The photo I'm sharing is obviously not mine, but from my pilot friend N. He took the photo from 39000 feet above Regina a few days ago. It looks cold even from that height.
I hope all of you are staying warm, dry and safe throughout this miserable stretch of winter. Time for me to head out with the snow shovel...again!
