Month: March 2018

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Chris and Tonya Arrive

MY Jane and I were happy to welcome Chris and Tonya for Easter weekend. They had an easy drive up and arrived in good time.

We had brunch consisting of quiche, home fries and fruit after which we got caught up on the news.
Later, Chris and I went out to the garage to try some knife throwing. 
It has been quite awhile since we have done this and I just couldn’t get the range right. Chris, however, was still quite proficient at it. So after awhile, when Chris said, “Let’s take a break”, I didn’t object at all.
In the afternoon, we began the meal preparation for dinner, braised chicken with squash and Swiss chard.  Because we had to do it in two batches, it got quite convoluted, but everyone pitched in and we had a few laughs doing it.
It turned out to be a great dinner and the dessert that Tonya made was delicious, complete with chocolate Easter eggs on top.

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Skip the Dishes

In the last while we have used a service called Skip the Dishes to order take out meals from places that, to this point, have not offered delivery.

You simply use their app to select a participating restaurant and choose whatever meal you want. Payment is by credit card which includes a delivery fee that is itemized on your bill. This is done before you actually get the delivery, so there’s no payment at the door or tipping involved.
You can also watch on a map the movements of the delivery vehicle so you can see exactly where it is. Then, two or three minutes before arrival, you get a text message advising you to wait by the door.
Service is very good and meals are hot.
Pretty cool.

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Easter Preparation

Yesterday we began getting ready for this coming Easter weekend. We have done a lot of shopping and Jane decorated the dining room table.

And today, we did some advance food prep to make it easier when everyone arrives.
But the best news is that Jane got word that her X-RAY SHOWS that she us clear if the pneumonia. All she has to do now is take it easy and rebuild her strength and stamina.

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Grilled Cheese Place

Yesterday, while Merry Maids were doing their thing at the house, MY Jane and I decided to try out lunch at the Grilled Cheese Restaurant here in Barrie.

It did not disappoint. We enjoyed the lunch and the folksy decor.
When we got home, the place was spotless.
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Nesting Box

Yesterday afternoon was a milder, sunny afternoon so I took the opportunity to install the nesting box I made. This was prompted, in part, because I saw a robin perched on the fence. Also because I saw a couple birds carrying nesting material into a vent on my neighbour’s house.  MY Jane had suggested I make this a few weeks ago and I had been checking on the Internet as to where it should be located.

I wanted a spot that would entice a robin but also allow us to observe during the nesting period. I decided that just under the eave of the house might work. We’ll see.
Later this morning, Merry Maids of Barrie are coming to do a housecleaning in preparation for Easter weekend. I had got a Gift Certificate for MY Jane last Christmas and this seemed like a good time to use it.
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March For Life

Yesterday young people of the United States and around the world held a March For Life which was meant to memorialize the seventeen innocent children recently gunned down at a Florida school.

Not only did the march do that, it also sent a powerful message to the National Rifle Association and the United States congress. They would be wise to heed the message by these young future voters because they appear to be committed to a long term commitment to rid the US of automatic weapons and strengthen gun laws there.
The whole March was organized by young people and no one over the age of twenty spoke there. And those that spoke did so with passion and in such an articulate manner; so much better than their own President.
It’s a shame that it takes kids to provide leadership on such a common sense solution to a major problem i.e. gun deaths in the United States. 
I hope the kids that are eligible to vote do so in the upcoming mid terms and they keep the pressure on the lawmakers down there.

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Lie Like A Rug

As a result of Minnie knocking over the table vases the other night, the area rug got wet and, after drying, it began to curl a bit. 

You can see some of the bulges in the centre of the photo.
So yesterday I began placing heavy flat objects over the affected area. It seems to be working but there is more than one place that has to be flattened, so it will take a few days.
Minnie pretends that she knows nothing about it. She lies like a rug.
Thanks Minnie. I needed something to do

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Innocent Minnie

Yesterday, after a nice meal of fish and chips, MY Jane, my sister, Terry and I were having a conversation about ghosts and sightings and strange noises heard from time to time.

All of a sudden, we were startled by an unexpected sound from the dining room. 
When we rushed there to investigate, we discovered that Minnie had been brushing up against one of the vases and managed to knock it over.
We all scrambled to sop up the water all over the place. We even had to move the table to lift the rug which was all wet.
Throughout this, Minnie looked on calmly while resting comfortably on one of the chairs.

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Tulips

Yesterday, while changing garden flags, I noticed some growth in our flower beds. These look like tulips  poking up through the ground.

This morning I head down to Milton to pick up my sister, Terry, who has been visiting with her daughter, Stephanie and grandchildren. She will stay at our place overnight and head back to Temiscaming tomorrow. 

It’ll be nice to get to visit with her. It’s been awhile.
So, after breakfast, I’ll be on the road and I think I’ll take the 407 again. That way I can avoid the 401 which is busy all the time.
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Spring Flags

Well, it’s that time again. Today, I changed the garage and garden flags to more of a Spring-like motif.

Hopefully Mother Nature won’t get annoyed and dump a whole lot more white stuff on us.
I even got Minnie outside for about five minutes for some fresh air.

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Red Lobster

Yesterday, MY Jane and I decided to go to Red Lobster for dinner. We haven’t been there for quite awhile and both of us had a craving for their tea biscuits not mention their sea food platters.

It was a pleasant dinner and the food did not disappoint. Both of us were full from the main course and declined the dessert although the Chicolate Wave was very tempting.

Tonight, being the first day of Spring, I am going to BBQ a chicken using the rotisserie.
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Cancelling Culligan

Today, I checked into the contract we have with Culligan for water softener equipment. When we moved here 5 years ago, we simply assumed the existing contract for water softening equipment rented from Culligan.

Sometime ago, we were encountering difficulty in getting Culligan to deliver salt and, over a period of several months -without salt- we did not notice any real change in water quality. In checking with neighbours, I learned that several in the South end of Barrie had disconnected their water softener equipment because the water treatment plant built a few years ago made water softeners unnecessary.
I knew the contract was due to end this year and when I called, they confirmed that it, in fact, expired this month so I requested they come to remove their stuff. 
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Saturday Visit

Finally, MY Jane and I made it to Steven’s yesterday. His birthday was February 23 and due to illness we hadn’t been able to see him to give him his birthday card and gift. 

It was a good drive down and when we got there, Chris had already arrived and Sara surprised us by being there too. We thought she would already be gone to a bridal shower.
It was nice that she was there because Jane got to give her a little photo album of pictures of the engagement brunch held a few weeks ago. Jane also included some childhood pictures of both Sara and Steven. 
After some snacks and lively conversation, Sara left and we stayed to try out Steve’s virtual reality setup.
Great fun and a great visit!

 

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Visiting the Guys

Later today, MY Jane and I will take a spin down to Toronto to see Steve and Chris. We’ll all meet up at Steve’s place for a few hours. Their ladies, Sara and Tonya, won’t be there because they have a bridal shower to attend.

Jane and I are anxious to see the guys. It’s been awhile and we still have Steve’s birthday gift that we couldn’t get to him because of illness. 
After our visit, we’ll return home. 
It was touch and go as to whether we would be able to go today because Jane is still fighting pneumonia.
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Taking Terry to Milton

Yesterday, MY Jane and I had a really nice visit with my sister, Terry. She was enroute to Milton to help her daughter, Stephanie, over March break. Stephanie has two energetic children, Megan who is four and Oliver who has just begun walking. 

The original plan was for Terry to drive to our place in Barrie from Temiscaming and then someone would come to pick her up and take her the rest of the way, but that plan got changed. Terry was going to drive the whole way. But, when she was at our place, I could see she was having some discomfort because of her recent hip replacement. So I offered to drive her there and then pick her up next week to bring her back to our place for an overnight stay. She liked that idea.
We had a great drive down. The roads were clear and the weather bright and sunny. I noticed on the way to Stephanie’s that returning traffic was stop and go, so I elected to take the 407 toll route on my return. I’m glad I did that. It was quite a pleasant ride.
I got home just in time for a nice dinner that MY Jane had ready.
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There’s Hope in the South

There is hope for our friends South of us. A Democrat has made significant inroads in the Pennsylvania 18th Congressional District election for Congress.

Right now, there are mere hundreds of votes separating Democrat Conor Lamb from Republican Rick Saccone. But already, one network has declared it a Democratic win. Remember, this is a district in which Trump bested Clinton by 20 points in the 2016 Presidential race. It has been Republican for the last two decades.

So this showing by a young Democrat, one who has never held office before, is very encouraging. It is also seen by both Democrats and Republicans as a repudiation of Trump and his antics, described by a fellow Republican as “chaotic”. And it is especially significant seeing as how Trump made a special visit there to endorse and support Saccone. In his speech of support, Trump is alleged to have made THIRTY false statements. No surprise.
Hopefully, by the end of the day, a final tally will have been made and Lamb will be declared victorious.
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On the Mend

This morning, first thing, I went to Georgian Radiology for an X-Ray that my doctor suggested I have. Although he had listened to my chest last week and said it sounded clear, he wanted me to have a follow up X Ray just to confirm. 

I got there just before the clinic opened at 8:00 AM and I was done and out of there by 8:30. You gotta love Barrie.
MY Jane continues taking more antibiotics X and seems to have more energy since she started them. And she’s coughing less.
We are on the mend.
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Shoes

Earlier today, MY Jane and I went looking for shoes that we will use during our river cruise trip in May. We plan on doing a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must. At Designer Shoe Warehouse, I ended up buying a pair of Skechers hiking shoes that boast having a cooling memory foam. I tried them on and walked around the store a bit. They were very comfortable.

We then went to Walking On A Cloud where Jane bought a stylish pair of Rieker anti stress shoes that were made in Germany. She intends to break them in before our trip. She says you can never have too many shoes.
Before that, we picked up a couple of X-Ray requisitions from Dr. Morin’s office. I’ll go tomorrow, this being the suggestion of Dr. Morin when he called Jane Saturday evening. She will go for hers after she finishes the antibiotics he prescribed.
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Birthday Dinner

Yesterday both guys and their ladies called Jane to wish her happy birthday. Chris & Tonya had sent up a gift bag of travel related items which Jane can use on our upcoming river cruise and we Face Timed while she unwrapped all of them. Such a thoughtful gesture.

Steve & Sara sent flowers and Steve says there is something else coming but he doesn’t know when it will arrive.
Needless to say, Jane was touched by the fact that everyone took time out of their day to wish her a heartfelt happy birthday.
And later, with Jane’s guidance I cooked a birthday dinner which turned out pretty darn good.
We even sat at the dining room table which we usually only do when the whole gang is here.

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Happy Birthday MY Jane

Well, today the plan had been to take Jane to Toronto to meet up with Steven & Sara and Chris & Tonya for dinner and a show at Second City. That got cancelled because Jane is still recovering from pneumonia.

Fortunately I was able to get a credit for the prepaid tickets so we can use them at a later date.
So Jane has requested that I make her a special birthday dinner which I will do later today.
In the meantime, very early this morning, I put up some banners and blew up some birthday balloons for a very special lady.

Table set for dinner below:

Happy birthday, Jane!
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Amazon Prime Videos

Within the last week, MY Jane and I discovered a sequel series to one we previously enjoyed called The Good Fight. The prequel was called the Good Wife and stars many of the same actors.

I managed to bring up a few episodes of season 1 on our Apple TV using VPN but it became very cumbersome and a few episodes were unavailable because of copyright protection.
Because we really wanted to watch ALL the episodes and, because it’s available on Amazon Prime Videos, I signed up for a 30 day trial. 
We’ll probably end up binge watching the whole series within the next 30 days and decide whether we want to keep it. We’ll see.
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Follow Up

This morning, I drove MY Jane to a Doctors appointment that had been scheduled before she came down with pneumonia, so it was timely.

Despite taking antibiotics, she is still feeling lethargic at times. The Doctor has said this is not unusual for whatever is going around. He sent her for an X-Ray even though he says her chest is clear. Just being cautious.
I am almost back to normal three weeks after coming down with whatever it is.
Both of us are glad to be retired. 
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Regular Doctor Appointment

This morning I have a regularly scheduled appointment with my Doctor to review medication, etc.

I have been feeling pretty good except for the couple of recent weeks when I was feeling pretty lethargic because of a cold.
We had a light snowfall overnight, but I don’t think we’re goibg to get mych more.

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Cancelled Plan

Along with Steven & Sara and Chris & Tonya, I had planned on taking MY Jane to dinner at Gretzky’s and then a show at the adjoining Second City theatre to celebrate her birthday.

Unfortunately, Jane’s cold is not likely to be cleared up enough to allow us to go, so I had to cancel that plan. 
Second City is allowing us to use the pre-purchased tickets another time for a small admin fee, so I will check for another date and show. 
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Small Town Atmosphere

I had another reminder this morning about why I love Barrie.

I was in Shoppers Drug Mart, lined up at the cash with just one item to pay for. A man, ahead of me in the line, asked if that was all I had. When I responded in the affirmative, he waved me ahead. This is just one example of the small town friendliness we enjoy.
And it’s not unusual, if you’re making a left turn, for someone with the right away to beckon for you to go ahead.
Yup, Barrie is the best!
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Dishwasher

Took it easy today. The only real productive thing I did was to try to figure out why the dishwasher was leaking. 

I levelled everything up, checked the seals and ran a test with no dishes in it. There was a little bit of water but it may be because it was empty.
I have a full load going while we watch the Oscars. If the thing keeps leaking, we will have to get new one despite it being only 6 years old.

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River Cruise

As I sit here with my morning coffee, looking at the squirrels scampering around the back yard, my mind wanders to thinking about our upcoming European River cruise planned for this coming May.

I have been watching videos and I’m getting excited. 
This is a once in a lifetime adventure for MY Jane and me. We decided that, because we will be close to Prague, we would tack a 3 day visit to that City too. It is supposed to be beautiful.
There is no substitute for actually being in some of these historical places.
Can’t wait!

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Walk In Clinic

This morning, I drove MY Jane to a nearby walk-in clinic to see a Doctor. She has been sick for about a week and a half following my own illness. I think whatever she got she caught from me.

Turns out she has pneumonia and the Doctor has prescribed some strong antibiotics as well as some eye drops. Jane also has to drink fluids like coconut milk and Gatorade to get rehydrated.

And she has to rest.

The antibiotics have to be taken for seven days.