Yikes, what happened to the warm, sunny days of autumn? We've had frost the last couple of nights and today (Saturday) is supposed to bring a mix of rain and snow. So far, thankfully the moisture is falling as rain and a bit of sleet. I'm not ready for the potential of snow!
Edited to add this photo. My brother was on his way out to the lake to winterize the boat. Yikes!
However, I know I ought not whine so much when I consider the storm that tore through the communities of Dunrobin in Ontario and Gatineau in Quebec yesterday. As the news reports have said the devastation is hard to fathom. So many homes, businesses, and vehicles have been damaged, and at least two residents are in hospital with life-threatening injuries. The clean up has started but will be weeks or months before anyone is back in their homes. For certain, the lives of many have been changed forever.
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D took Eli to Melville this week to visit her friend A (and children). Tuesday was A's birthday so D made a lasagna and some cookies to share. They were \
planning to be there until Thursday but D decided to come home early, on Wednesday evening. Eli wasn't able to sleep well, as he was sharing a room with Knox, who was teething. D said she ended up sleeping with Eli on a couch, with the baby resting (as well as he could) on top of his mom. Things didn't improve on Wednesday either, as neither baby slept more than 20 minutes. She eventually decided coming back here was the best decision...and then the little stinker didn't sleep for the entire 90 minute drive. He did, however, spend a little time with G'ma before he was ready for a good night's sleep.
D has decided she'll allow Eli to sleep in her bedroom for the first few nights in their new home. We are going to set up his crib as a toddler bed (with the side down) as he getting to the point where he is trying to climb out on his own. He's late in comparison to his mom; she was climbing out of her crib before she was 18 months old! She'd scale the side, swing over the top and slide down the bars to the floor. I'd wake up with a toddler next to bed asking to be let up. Yes, she was destined to be a gymnast! Eli is slightly less adventurous but demonstrates his climbing skills daily. He no longer needs an assist to get onto the couch.
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It's now Sunday, I've been awake since 5:30 and out of bed since 6 as a certain elderly cat insisted on being fed. He has taken to sniffing my ears and even licking my face. I don't know what wakes me up faster, the tickle of whiskers or the rasp of his tongue. Either way, there is no sleeping beyond that point.
It's been a relatively quiet weekend, with some errands run, some housework done, and a bit of cooking for the week ahead. I'm in my soup phase again, this week was a macaroni meatball version. I made enough for lunches for most of the week for both Eli and me. I also made up some taco meat for wraps and salads. It makes getting ready for work in the morning so much easier. With a container of carrots, a piece of fruit and sometimes a biscuit or bagel I have a satisfying lunch. I generally take yoghurt with cereal (either bran or granola) for breakfast.
Oh, I should mention the procedure I had this week. It was follow gastroscopy to one I had in June. I never heard back from the doctor after the first and suspect I won't this time either. He was a little upset with me because I mentioned I didn't always take the prescription he gave me. First, because I often forget - I rarely take medicine and only when I have to, and second, because the research I did indicated this drug can cause kidney problems. I have been diagnosed with GERD. He has also suggested I cut out caffeine from my diet...my response was a resounding "no". I have at different times cut back but it has had no real effect. To be honest, I suspect if I were to lose 40-50 pounds of excess weight the issue would resolve on its own. It's a goal I plan to tackle in the upcoming months.
Well, I should get to today's chores. I was hoping to get outside, and may still do so, to start pulling plants from the containers. It froze again last night and it looks like we'll get more rain today. In the meantime there are a couple of closets that I want to tackle (thank you Carole for the inspiration), and fridge and freezer need a good clear out.
Have a great week everyone!
It's been a busy weekend, with lots of fun with friends and family (Eli) and productive as well.
Friday, after I dropped Sheldon off at the vet's office, I came back home to do some housework and make some phone calls. I've booked my tire change-over for next Friday, a dental appointment (yuck) for later in November, and followed-up with AirMiles. If you recall, I had to pay for my hotel room in New York as they could find no reservation. I had called a couple of weeks ago and was assured the hotel would reverse the charge but it hadn't happened yet. I spent about 35 minutes on hold, during which time I cleaned both bathrooms, did the breakfast dishes, took out the garbage and started a load of laundry.
When the service agent got back on the line, she advised that the third party booking agent they use had made a reservation for me....for February 16, not September 16. As a result, the hotel wouldn't reverse the charge but the third party had now agreed to reimburse the hotel....I should think so! I have to wait another 7-10 business days but I've been assured I will get reimbursed for the costs. And if it hasn't been reversed, you bet I'll be calling again.
After a few more household chores, I headed out to do a few errands before I picked up my friend K for lunch. It is her birthday in a few days, so lunch was my treat. We went to a local Boston Pizza and I was impressed with our young waiter. I told we hadn't seen each other for several weeks so we'd likely be some time talking and we definitely did. He kept our water glasses full and only brought the bill when I asked for it.
She and her partner J were just back from several weeks of a road trip to the States. They visited a number of states and met some friends in Washington, D.C for a few days. They managed to get in lots of golfing too which they both enjoy. She was interested in my cruise as well, as they haven't done a Canada/New England. I brought my photos but we talked so much, she didn't actually look at them until we were in the car on the way to her house.
On the way there, we stopped at the Casino to pick up tickets for a Corb Lund show in November. We've made tentative plans to meet for dinner that evening before the show but I expect we'll get in another visit before then. We never run out of things to talk about.
I joined my regular Friday night crew for dinner that evening. Lots of laughs that evening and then it was home to watch the Riders snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. :(
Saturday, I had Eli from about 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. while his mom was working her part-time job. He is such a character, so happy and content.
He and I shared a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast..that is, until he dropped his bit of toast and Sheldon decided he wanted it.
Despite having no teeth yet, this child is quite capable of gumming pretty much anything. He definitely likes his food. He went down for a nap about 11:30 and slept until 2 p.m. I fed him again, about a half jar of sweet potatoes and he finished his lunch with an Arrowroot cookie. (There wasn't any sharing with Sheldon...he loves his cookies).
While Eli napped, I decided to start knitting a pair of mittens. I finished one before he woke up, and discovered this little guy isn't so little anymore.
I've since knit another larger mitten and will finish the second today. We're definitely getting colder weather so he needs these....and sooner rather than later.
Eli spent the rest of the afternoon playing on the floor. Most of the time I sat with him, though managed to get supper in the crock pot while he amused himself. His mom showed up about 4:30 to pick him up. He was so excited to see her. She's working again on Monday evening and his useless twit of a father has balked at caring for him has asked me to care for him again. I enjoy our time together, though it will mean I'm up later than normal as her shift doesn't end until 10 p.m. For Eli, I'll give up some sleep.
Today, I've been taking it easy with one or another of the cats settled on my lap. At the moment, it's Saku. I did get a pot of soup made with the leftover turkey from last weekend. Very simple recipe - saute onion and garlic and chopped up turkey in olive oil. Add a container of chicken stock, and chopped potatoes and carrots and spices. The original recipe called for tarragon which I didn't have so I added an Italian blend and some salt and pepper. About 20 minutes on medium heat and it smelled and tasted great. It will make my work lunches easy.
I do need to do a bit of grocery shopping as we're out of staples. I plan on using the leftover cranberry sauce and some blueberries I had frozen to make muffins this afternoon. I brought out some hamburger patties from the freezer I'd made earlier this summer - we'll have those bbq'd with baked potatoes and corn on the cob for supper.
On that note, my coffee is finished and its time to go do my shopping. Have a wonderful week everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend too.
Edited to add this photo. My brother was on his way out to the lake to winterize the boat. Yikes!
It's now Sunday, I've been awake since 5:30 and out of bed since 6 as a certain elderly cat insisted on being fed. He has taken to sniffing my ears and even licking my face. I don't know what wakes me up faster, the tickle of whiskers or the rasp of his tongue. Either way, there is no sleeping beyond that point. 
