Not so hectic

Monday, the start of a new week which is not going to be so busy as the last one.

The weekend was lovely, nice and sunny with temps high enough so that no coats were needed just a cardigan sweater for the evening chill.  We have the same kind of day forecast for today.

Last Friday was one of my great granddaughters 6th birthday, so I popped over to give her a gift.  She had had a party the previous weekend so I am she had had an abundant pile of gifts at that time.  Children seem to get so many things given to them these days I was not sure what was going to go in my gift bag for her.   I know she love reading and colouring/drawing, so I decided to go to the bookshop.  

The staff helped by telling me the "in" books that children are reading these days, so picked up one they had suggested and the colouring books were on sale, so purchased one that I liked.  Unfortunately, when my GGD opened the gift she already had the book, however, it can be exchanged.   Had a nice visit too with Mum and Dad.

Sunday, Mother's Day,  my two daughters and hubbies took me out for dinner in the evening.  Had a nice meal, not fancy but very good indeed, the restaurant was giving Mother's a single rose.  Daughter also gave me a container of flowers for my balcony, which will bloom until frost in the Autumn.    

Tomorrow I will be going to a matinee at a local theatre, and Friday two friends will be dropping in for a morning sewing session.  That is all I have planned for this week.  

However, there is always the housework to be done, not that there is much of that being needed.  I also think it is now time for me to get the chairs out onto the balcony, that will be done today.  Should go for a walk to enjoy the sunshine, past days have not been nice enough to do that.  That is my excuse, I know I have been quite lazy these past couple of weeks for doing that.  

My newest great grand baby is doing well, she had a difficult birth and suffered some issues with her arms.  She is gaining weight, so Mum and Dad are pleased with that.

My second youngest GD and her boyfriend had a lovely trip to Vancouver for a few days, to see a friend and some of the sights.  Now back to the labs and studying for her PhD, which should be a bit easier now she does not have to teach.  

My youngest GD has received her Wings at a presentation gala a couple of weeks ago.  She will be in an aircraft simulator now until August at which time she needs to decided where and what she will do with her flying.

 Time to go to my regular yoga class.

Have a great day

Cheers.

Time.. where does it go

The sixth day of May already, and we have no sunshine again.  I find these grey skies make me have very little energy.  but, having said that I am busy.

On Saturday, I went  with a friend to a matinee live theatre production of Pride and Prejudice,  it was a very good show and  we both enjoyed it.  After taking her home, I headed to my DD1 as she was having a combined birthday party for three of her grandchildren who all have a birthday in the span of ten days.  I might add they are all in the same family.   It was a long day.

Sunday, my son and DIL visited in the afternoon, and I also received a Mother's Day gift from them.   We had a nice visit and they took with them gifts for there daughter who had her baby in April.  I was suppose to go to the shower for her, however, the weather did not co-operate so the gifts were still waiting to be delivered.  Both my son and granddaughter live more than a 2 1/2 hours drive from me and I do not like driving on the very busy highway that I would have to use to get to their homes, so that is why the gifts were still at my house. 

Yesterday, Monday I had an appointment with the dentist, just for a cleaning and do not have to go back until November for another cleaning.  Then went shopping as a store which is unfortunately closing after being a Canadian icon for years.  Picked up a couple of t-shirts.  Then went to a British store and picked up a sausage roll and a pastry for my dinner.   

Today, Tuesday, I need to wash my car and in the afternoon having a visit from a neighbour.

Wednesday, is my quilting guild meeting in the afternoon.

Thursday, going to be a visitor at another quilting meeting and show.

Friday, I am sure it will be grocery shopping and laundry day.  

Saturday, at the present time has nothing on the schedule, but that could change.

Sunday, is Mother's Day, and I will be going out for dinner, with one of my daughters.

The magnolia and fruit trees are all full bloom, and so are the dandelions, so signs of Spring are all around even if the skies are grey.   If the forecast is correct, we will be having spring like weather towards the end of the week.  

Have a great day

Cheers.

Summer, where is Spring

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day,  that is the only way to describe all the day light hours with wall to wall sunshine.

The temp went up to 26*C not a record for the day but I am sure it was close to breaking it.  Windows open, balcony doors open to let in some fresh air.    

Over the Winter snow and rain had mudded up my balcony doors so badly I could hardly see out there, well maybe not quite that bad but, really dirty.   So, I cleaned them and the screen door as well, now I can see the coming and going for everything.

There was a flock of ten or more buzzards circling around looking for something to eat,  flies and bugs had all woken up and enjoying the time to do what flies and bugs do.  Even saw a couple of small butterflies.

I swear  you can almost see the leaf buds opening up, making the trees look green instead of a grey/brown colour.  

Today, Friday it is still warm, no need for a jacket today when I go out for a grocery shop, however, the brolly might be a handy thing to tote along with me as all that sunshine we had yesterday is now gone and grey clouds are all I see.

Must get ready for my Yoga class,  do the grocery shop, lunch, prepare something for the pot luck dinner tonight, then might sit down and do small cross stitch piece I am working on.

Have a great day

Cheers

Easter

A four day week was a busy one catching up on a couple of appointments, laundry for my vacation clothes,  a service for my car and a visit to the grocery store.   Suitcases now pack away in my locker until next vacation.

Easter weekend.

The visit from my son and DIL was postponed as family members were not well. 

DD2 and husband went to Peterborough picked up their DD2 and then on to Ottawa to DD1.   The two daughters and a boyfriend prepared Easter dinner on Friday.  Everyone returned to their homes late Saturday.

I went to DD1 for dinner on Sunday,  she decided it was time for a BBQ so chicken was on the menu.  It was a busy time with five of my great grands hunting for Easter eggs in the garden,  

Yesterday, I went and did my yoga class in the morning and then chat, coffee and craft in the afternoon.  

My new great granddaughter had a little set back a few days ago and is now doing well.

All of the spring flowers are now blooming, waking up from a very cold and snowy Winter.  It always amazes me, how these plants survive, freeze solid and come back looking so beautiful.  The grass is green and the leaf buds on the trees are swelling getting ready to burst open when it's their time.

Sunny day, but still cool at 9*C as I write at 9:30 a.m.

Have a great day,

Cheers.

Home safe and sound

My two daughters and I returned home on April 12 from a lovely vacation in the Dominican Republic.  

It was a first trip for my youngest daughter "E" and myself to this destination, my eldest daughter "B" had been there on a previous vacation with her husband.  

Everything  on the resort we went to was great, clean, friendly staff,  a large verity of food and of course drinks.  Evening entertainment for young and old, swimming pools also for the smaller guests and adult guests.

We decided to go on two tours off of the resort.  The first one started with a safari type vehicle up Mount Isabel de Torres.  At the top was the statue of Christ the Redeemer,  a botanical  garden and views as far as the eyes to see. 

Then the trip down, it was quite a ride.  Back down at sea level, we went to an Amber Museum, Rum factory, Chocolate factory, cigar making demonstration.   Walked along Umbrella Street where the colourful umbrellas and bougainvillea blooms above, protected us from the sun. 

Then on to Pink Alley, where everything was painted a vibrant pink.

Now, time for lunch we had a choice of chicken or fish,  E and B had the chicken along with the five other people on the tour, I decided to have the fish and we were all very satisfied with our choices.  Then on to the Fortress San Felipe,  by this time it was late afternoon, so time to head back to our resort.  A fun filled informative day which we all enjoyed, and pleased we decided to do this tour.  Now back for a cool swim in the pool before dinner.

The second tour again was a full day to Ocean World Adventure Park. 

This park has a rain forest where we could enter a huge area where we could feed Love birds, E loved doing this. There were also flamingoes, parrots and toucans.   Dolphins,  sharks and seals also put on shows to watch, there was also an opportunity to swim with the dolphins, we had all done that previously so did not want to do it again.    We all decided to snorkel in a man made coral reef, so we donned the required mask.  I am not a swimmer, I am not a lover of putting my head  especially the face under water.  I did it, however, was not the most graceful person in the water.  Seeing all the fish so close was exciting, just wished I could have relaxed a bit more.  B and E did a second time, I took photos of them though a glass part of the enclosure.  Buffet lunch and a short rest, then off the the beach area for a swim.  Some dark clouds were now present, so we decided it was time to visit the gift shop, got there just in time before the skies opened up.   It rained hard and was still coming down when it was time to meet our bus back to the resort.  We got wet again.

We had booked two al a carte meals, one Japanese Teppanyaki grill and the second was a steak house, both were great dinners.   All of our other meals were from the buffet.  

All of the other days, we were in the pool, at the beach, taking photos, reading or just relaxing.  We each had our own room, so it was nice to have our own private times too.

Unfortunately, our time here was coming to an end.   We had never been on a vacation with just us three before, it was a great  time, and thinking of doing it again.

My son and D I L were also on vacation with friends, at the same time in Mexico.

If you have read previous posts you know I had an accident on an escalator.  I am now petrified of them.  The airport  in D. R. had two, both of which we had to use, the first was a short one, I put my big girl pants on, took a step, I was so scared.  I made it to the top and had tears running down my face.  The second was longer, made it to the top  once again.   

Home, now just need the weather to warm up here.

Have a great day

Cheers

My week in review

We have had some good, bad and ugly weather this week.  A mix of everything Mother Nature can throw at us, sunshine for a couple of days, including today, Friday.  Then we had freezing rain, a couple of thunder and lightening storms, and lots of rain, which caused flooding and washed out at least one road.  Today is looking a little quieter, however, the forecast is predicting more rain tomorrow and in the coming week.

Monday, I went to the yoga class and the coffee, craft and chat in the afternoon, and did some much needed housework.

Tuesday,  I was in my sewing room most of the morning, late afternoon  a trip to London, to attend the first day of a month long Jazz  festival.  This one was really enjoyable,  seven musicians, and six singers for a two hour performance, great music so loved every minute of it.

Wednesday,  an awful start to the day with freezing rain which I thought would put a stop to the guild meeting, however, warmer temp and rain made the early afternoon trip safe enough to travel.   Did the yoga class in the morning and early afternoon the quilting meeting.  Several members decided not to come, however, there was some lovely quilts for the show and tell portion of the meeting.

Thursday,  Did some laundry and a quick visit to some shops for some things needed for next week.  Finally, the last piece of paperwork arrived in the mail for the preparation of my income tax, so delivered everything to the accountant.   In the afternoon I packed my suitcase, just some last minute items to go in later.

Friday,  Wall to wall sunshine,  not quite as warm as yesterday.   I am writing this in the morning, this afternoon I will finish packing.

Tomorrow,  I am leaving for a vacation for some sun and warm temperatures.  Feeling a little on edge, understandable I suppose after what happened last year while on vacation.  This time I will not be travelling alone, my two daughters will be with me.    

Have a great day

Cheers

My week and disappointed

Monday, I went to my yoga class in the morning.  There is a new apartment building next door to where I live and at the present time model suites are being shown to people who are interested in moving in later this year.  A friend and I as well as others in this building went over to see what those apartments look like, should say we were being nosey.   They were nice, different features than the ones in this building, however, the price reflected that.  In the afternoon I went to the chat, coffee and craft get together.

Tuesday, it was cold and wet, so did some sewing and also sorted out the clothes I am taking on my vacation.

Wednesday, colder than the day before and the rain was now snow.  In the evening I went to a Jazz concert.

Thursday, the weather improved and we saw the big fire ball in the sky for most of the day.  Took advantage of the dry conditions and did some errands that needed to be taken care of.

Friday,  back to damp conditions again, a housework day.  In the evening I went to the monthly pot luck dinner we have here in the building.  Again, all the food was delicious.

Saturday,  Both my daughters and I were scheduled to leave early in the morning for a 2 1/2 hour drive to a baby shower, however, Mother Nature had different plans.  Where we live it was raining, we could cope with that, however, the place we had to go was experiencing freezing rain.  Unfortunately, we made the decision to stay home and not risk the drive which would have been on a very busy highway.  It was the right decision, however, I was very disappointed to say the least. 

Here in S. W Ontario, the weather can be nice in one location and miles (km's) further afield it entirely different and changes from one hour to the next.  At this time of the year we can expect a mixed bag of everything Mother Nature can throw at us.  So what to do on a rainy day.  Nothing, I did virtually nothing, apart from the normal daily things that need to be done.   Then I decided to go to the movies, and saw "Paddington in Peru" something to lighten my mood.  I was surprised to see so many adults watching the movie.  Two actors I like were both in the movie, Hugh Bonneville  from Downton Abbey fame and Olivia Coleman from the Crown.   When I arrived home, it was G & T time.

Sunday, you guessed it, it's raining again and becoming very foggy, these days make me feel lazy, so not sure what I am going to do today.  This afternoon I will get into my sewing room and do some cleaning up from a previous project and start another one.  

As I have made quilts for everyone in my family plus many for my sister's family I have decided to get more involved with smaller projects.  I have just finished this peacock picture.  It is not a very good photo as I was on the wrong angle to take it.  You can click on it to enlarge. Memo to self, take another one which should look better.  

Have a great day,

Cheers.