Best/Worse/what did I learn today? Come chat with friends, ..a place filled with warmth..always a chair to sit and chat and feel at home!

Morning all

Sharon, nothing worse not having contact with friends and family at this time of year, know when I can’t get out I thank the lord for my iPad.

Something i never think of is giving a food basket.. drats forgot with making Christmas pies and breakfast if the family are able to travel here i need a few more dozen hmmm have too see what happens..wow 9.00 a dozen.


Was raining heavily when i got up, local news said we would have flash freeze by 10am so I went to get my emergency generator gas should hydro go out. Glad i did

Lindakay how is Todd doing? If it gets colder you will be glad to have all those extra quilts..will help warm you up.

Am comfy on the couch, Mom still sleeping, i could easily fall asleep, snow coming down like crazy so maybe i will have a nap

Glad you got gas for your generator.
18 this morning. Windchill is 5.
Todd is about the same. His pancreas is acting up, so he has to watch what he eats.

You must be worried sick Lindakay..there are no words, just prayers & hugs
Cold for you guys

3rd time out shovelling, mostly snow slush, when we get flash freeze what a mess it will be..

Getting worse, white outs, can’t see across the street.

I was out shovelling for my 3rd time, Joe pulled in and said he would keep an eye on my yard for me , hopefully help keep it clean..said it will be just a quick pass in everyone’s yard so none can’t get out in and emergency.. by doing so he can get to all on his list.

He had severe breakdown about a month or so, he is finding it hard not working and his wife is having a rough time..hope this gives him extra $$.. I’ll have to go to my piggy bank and get more $20’s out.

Just need to sew and decorate 2 more Memere’s quilt mitts then move on to finishing Grayson’s piece and all done.

Tomorrow is floors and dusting and wait for Santa.

Mom is laying down, she says she hasn’t been well since last night



This message was edited Dec 23, 2022 12:31 PM

The weather is crappy and the roads are going to get worse. Marie wants me at her house NOW so she is sure I will be there for Christmas. I have my grandson Aiden taking care of Stanley and I am leaving shortly.
Stay safe, stay warm, Merry Christmas!

Please let us know you’ve arrived safely Pat.

Sharon’s power is off in Penetang

Roger’s went down for 10 minutes but back on, for now.

Linda’s Christmas dinner at her DIL was cancelled..no power

Pray mine stays on

Bad weather all over. Praying Linda gets her power back soon.
I made a couple of these fold and stitch center pieces. They are quick and easy to do. Pretty when a pillar candle is in the middle.

Linda Kay - those are gorgeous!
Day 4 with no water except for my kitchen, and no hot water at all.
Went to the chiropracter twice yesterday & twice today. Now have a heated blanket on my lower back. That fall INTO my home on Monday sure did a number on my lumbar. My leg is all bruised, too. Still dealing with the infected toe nail that I banged up last week. Yup I'm a mess lol

It's 2* here. Roads were bad this morning when I went for infusion. I have appt. next Tues. Guess well find out if all this has helped any.
They have done a good job here clearing the snow away. There isn't much of it but there is a lot of wind blowing it around.

Have to wait until tomorrow to see if we will still have family gathering. I know the ones to the west are getting hit harder and sure don't want any to be taking unnecessary risks. More important to be safe.

Thank you Susan.
Praying your back is feeling better soon.
Karen, stay warm and be careful driving if you have to go out.

Garden helper and landscape crew came today and the landscape crew removed the frozen tomatoes and cleaned up a large load of trees. Garden helper helped me in the kitchen cleaning two shelves in one cupboard. Both shelves were full of oils and spice. I moved more than half of the contents to the pantry and only kept the one by the stove that I use all of the time. Then cleaned out two drawers by the vegetable sink. Everything in those two drawers belonged somewhere else. Put new liner in the drawers and placed a few temperature reading utensils.

Then we headed to the garage and cleaned off the cabinet top near the back door.
Then helper swept and cleaned the garage floor area.

We moved more succulents either into the garage or up against the house under the patio.

Pat, my son says your area is a mess. I spoke with my cousins in the Portland area today and they said the gorge is closed and they are not leaving their homes today or tomorrow.

Please everyone, have a wonderful Christmas Eve and be safe.

Hydro went out, no fun
Can’t move, trying to keep up with sump pump, thank god Greg,Mel and Noah came to help. Long haul to get generator on back deck and get it hooked up, all the while Mel helped with bailing water.

I’m in bed, can’t sleep from pain and making sure I’m awake if hydro goes out..
The wind is so strong you can actually feel like house is moving.
Cancelled tomorrows gathering.I’ll call to cancel Chinese in the morning.. Mel is doing Christmas on Christmas Day, we will see what it’s like out there although Greg would come get mom and I..hate to see Sharon all alone

Yikes Susan, lucky for you no broken bones, am glad though you have heat and warm home day can use washroom facilities.

Karen will be disappointing for you all as well..know you love Christmas with your family. It’s only a days, safety is what we have to think about..we can all pretend a day next week is Christmas.

I love those lindakay, always admire those when candle put in centre. You say easy hmmm is that a binding you had to sew around all those peaks which look perfect is mega work I’m sure

Dianne, you ok?

Waving to all others

Sounds like you are getting things organized Sharon.
Betty, no binding. Sew two 7 inch squares together with fusible foam inside. Top fabric you cut an x in the top, so you can turn it after its sewn. Then put fusible interfacing on 5 inch square. Fuse to top of larger square, then stitch edges down. Looks like binding.
I will take photos of instructions and post tomorrow.
Glad you have power back on. Praying it stays on for you.

Merry Christmas to everyone!
We made it through the cold of yesterday, temps finally reached 0 F this morning. I had the heating guys out yesterday. My boiler was working fine, it was just installed in August, but, when they put it in, they didn't think they needed to bleed the air out of the radiators upstairs. some of the rooms had heat, but, most didn't, and by yesterday morning with temps at -8 outside, it was 50 inside. The basement was toasty warm, though, with all those hot water filled pipes running across the ceiling!
I've got my brother and his family and both my kids coming for dinner tonight. Still lots to do, but, I think it's do-able. My son asked me to pick up some beer that he likes that is only sold in Wisconsin. I bought that on Weds when I was there, forgot to take it out of the car. One 6 pack exploded, the second one is frozen, but, intact, so far. At least it was in a bag, so my car shouldn't stink of beer! I can just imagine getting pulled over by a cop and having to explain.
Tomorrow morning I go to my son's in the morning, and to my brother's later in the day. Roads seem to be fine here, but, the winds are still pretty strong. I think that will calm down some by afternoon.
I hope the storm and the cold temperatures pass through quickly for everyone. Stay safe and warm, praying everyone's power stays on.

Two more photos in next post

Rest of instructions

Weather is the pits. High winds roaring and moaning around the house. It's a blizzard out there. No let up in sight according to the Weather Liars.

It is so cold that unless I sit right in front of the woodstove it is chilly. Power hasn't gone out yet but I have filled some buckets with water and have extra bottled water on hand. I've just put a small space heater in the bathroom so it can warm up enough so I can have a shower. I shut the 2 doors to the bathroom and Zeke is beside himself. I can never use the bathroom or shower without the TH joining me. I do have a generator if needed.

Pat I hope you made your trip to Marie's safely.

LK sending hugs and positive thoughts to you and Todd. Do you have winter coat to keep you warm? I imagine Todd really feels the cold.

Deb safe travels. I hope your company tonight can make it safely to your place.

Susan you definitely need some bubble wrap. At least you do have some water even if it is not hot.

Sharon I so enjoy you sharing what is going on in your gardens.

Betty don't you be going out driving in this weather. I am so glad I went out on Thurs and got everything I needed. White 2% milk is my very favourite cold drink right next to water. So I had to be sure I had enough for several days. Was happy to read Greg will pick you up tomorrow. Can Sharon join you or is her back pain too severe ?

Karen how many of your family will get together tomorrow?

Wishing you all an early very "Merry Christmas" in case my power does go out.

Stay safe, well and warm.

No winter coats, but we both have several sweaters we layer.
Just talked to Judy. She is doing great after her last surgery. She posted her Christmas decorations on Facebook. She is ready to celebrate. She said to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

Linda Kay - thank you SO much for the instructions. I've printed them out & will definitely do at least one.
My bathroom/laundry room thawed out & I had a hot shower :) Aimed the hot spray at my hip & it feels SO much better. I've been putting my heated blanket up against my back & that felt better, but the hot spray felt even better! I also have hot water in my kitchen :) To this point I haven't been heating water to do anything, even cooking. I've been either eating straight from a can or if necessary heating in the microwave. I dread the water bill when I get it the end of Jan. Being able to flush the toilet without carting water to the tank had a double benefit. Carrying the bowls & pans of water didn't help my hip, either, now I'm feeling better.
Tonight is the Christmas Eve service at our church, at 6:30pm. Tomorrow morning I'm looking forward to the turkey dinner at the Legon :)

I wish for all of you the merriest of Christmases however you choose to celebrate, and a Happy New Year with all the blessings you can handle, and more, in the New Year.

Glad you printed the pattern Susan. They are very easy to do.
Glad you have water again, and that you are feeling better.

Merry Christmas

Waving, it’s Christmas Eve, blustery and cold..should have gotten out of my nighty but left it on so ready for bed.,

Enjoy your family Deb and be careful driving tomorrow..yep, explain that to the police the smell of beer lol. Don’t know if the other beer that just froze will taste ok? Glad you have the furnace situation under control..you would have thought the 8nstallers would have known better.

Lindakay thank you for the pattern,you can bet I’ll be bored over next few days especially if this storm continues so will try it. i finished Grayson’s play Matt and sewed for about 2 hrs and now paying for it..hardly did i sew this year , not that I needed anything but could make some of these for next Christmas right?

Susan, so glad you got your water situation fixed, bet you appreciate it. The majority of churches here have cancelled services for tonight, likely tomorrow as well.
Not sure if our Legion will host their Christmas breakfast. Enjoy your meal.

Dianne, Ziggy did same last night when hydro went out I closed all the bedroom and washrooms doors so what heat i had from candles wouldn’t have to try and warm those rooms..he kept crying, scratching to get in. Wish I had a wood stove, can just see you all in front of the fire. Think we all should have generators.

i too drink lots of milk, think I should have bought another bag, by the time i make the chocolate pie filling in the morning I will be out, not sure if Foodland will be open Boxing Day?

Sharon is having Christmas diner tomorrow, if weather is ok she will pick up mom and think Greg will pick me up and also pick up pies i made this morning, of course I made him a chocolate one and he will be texting Jeff to show him i made him his favourite pie.
Young Evan and his dad came and picked up his stained glass. He came with wrapping paper and tape but i had put it 8n a Christmas bag..sure hope they are careful with it..very fragile.

Have all the Christmas lights on, so pretty but it’s time to call it a night, was just thinking if I should chance taking a sleeping pill or not, hydro wires are quite heavy, i sure don’t need a flood.

Incase I’m late getting up in the morning, a very Merry Christmas to you and yours

Be safe

Merry Christmas everyone

Merry Christmas everyone. We are so blessed here with 60 degree weather.

Linda, your explanation to me was like telling me how to do brain surgery.

A friend stopped by with a large pot of beef stew. Her dog is dying and they are not able to eat. I do understand that pain.

I pray that you are all safe, warm and happy. God bless you and all of your families.

Merry Christmas

How sad Sharon, glad your weather is bearable ..
Are you having squirt evening?

Karen, how is it going?

Been in the house since Thursday, will soon be going stir crazy

Betty, you are up past your bedtime.

Yep, like last night I’ll try to stay up incase hydro. Goes out.

Looked at Canadian tire store, they have an alarm plug in that goes off when power goes out, if i order tomorrow it comes in Jan 9th

I will see date if ordered on amazon

Sitting at the emergency vet. The boys got in a fight I think Luca will need stitches. Not too serious, but it needs to be taken care of now. I've been up since 4:30 this morning. Still have presents to wrap, and need to be at my son's house by 9:00 tomorrow, no, I guess this morning! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Just came in from trying to shovel my way out, both plow guys were here but 2’ snow pushed quickly snowed in cars up to windows, had my bath and put a clean nighty on, think that is what I’ll be wearing all day.

Oh no Deb, do they usually scrap? You are lucky you were able to get to the vets..you will be worn out by 9a.m. Please update when you can.

Sharon’s road hasn’t been plowed, 3’ of snow, Kunitz has been quite ill, vomiting white slime/froth every 10 minutes or so and can’t get out to bring him to vet emerge..talk about upset, hope she doesn’t lose him. Mom was to go there for supper but doubt that will happen as we are suppose to get anywhere from 20-60 more centimetres..problem is where do we put the snow?? I have to give all those plowing mega gratitude as i don’t know what we would do.

Can’t even imagine what will happen when it rains next week.

Darlene called, John has been in bed 2 weeks, now she has the cold/flu.

Brenda my cousin messaged me, they are travelling in a rv, are in Alabama and it’s close to freezing.

Jeff called, the boys are at their mom’s so he is alone today, i joked that I had a chocolate pie for his brother..know they always argue over chocolate pies..lol

Well, best I bring up mom’s Xmas gifts for her to open then clean the house and put turkey roll on.

Please post that you are all ok

We had I think 24 at daughters yesterday. Oh the food was wonderful. So glad I raised good cooks. I know I'm in trouble for all the goodies I couldn't resist. We made Bracciole.(Not even sure of spelling) It's an Italian breaded meat dish my uncle taught me to make. It quickly disappeared as soon as it was found out. Everyone saying they hadn't had it since last I made it up north. Now they could, everyone knows how to make it but they just wait for me to. Another old recipe is German pigs in the blanket. An all day job and they all love it but all wait for mom to do it.Maybe next gathering I will surprise them with it.
Our weather didn't get as bad as was forcast. Bitter cold but very little snow. High winds and the roads were greasy.
Merry Christmas. I think we will have a quiet day today and then a dinner with grands tomorrow.

Ohhh so pleased you could gather..guess the sweets do a number on your system, do hope you won’t pay for it..your specialty meals sound wonderful..well maybe not what we all pigs in a blanket.

Glad you are safe

Merry Christmas everyone :)
I stayed up until 2am trying to finish a beret for a friend of mine. She can never find them small enough. I hope this isn't TOO small lol Anyway, she & I are going to the Legion Christmas dinner at noon.
When I tried to go to sleep, it wasn't happening, so stayed up until 7:30 to open gifts & watched Little Women in the meantime. At 8:00 I went back to bed & fell asleep until 9:45 when my daughter called. They'd given me a hoodie blanket in the Hamilton ancient tartan (my mom's maident name). It's SO soft & warm! I'd given them a gnome (had the picture here, I believe?). It was made locally, by our postmaster, so they really appreciated that. My friend Dianne said she saw online where you can make your own :)
Anyway - about to get ready to go for Christmas dinner with Estelle, so I'd better get hopping (as much as I can, with my gimpy hip lol)

Good afternoon everyone.
Deb, sorry to hear about your dogs.
Susan, gnomes are easy to make. I have made a few.

Merry Christmas everyone.

They are adorable, might be a good project for valentines for kids to do

Susan sure hoping you are enjoying dinner

Merry Christmas everyone. All is well in sunny Las Vegas. 64 today and sunny. I went to my daughter's for Christmas breakfast and watched the little ones open their presents. I am suppose to go there for dinner but I think my cold is coming back so I may just stay home. It is only about 10 minutes from my home to theirs.

There are lots of YouTube videos to make the gnomes.
Sounds like you enjoyed your morning Sharon. Sorry to hear you think your cold is returning.

The people part of Christmas was wonderful, the dog part, not so much. I didn't get home until 4am this morning. They kept Luca, there is a laceration that goes all the way to the bone. The emergency vet wanted their surgeon to look at it in the morning. Went to bed as soon as I got in. Slept 2 hours, 6am a friend of mine in Florida calls to say she lost Andy, a boy I bred, brother to my Charlotte and Teagan, only 5 years old. He had issues with fluid accumulating in his chest, but, had just had it drained on Friday. I am just shattered. I let him go to Florida when he was a year old, I never wanted to let him go, and now he's gone. At that point, I stayed up wrapped presents, headed to my son's around 9am. Got a call from the emergency clinic, surgeon says too much swelling and some drainage, wants to wait until tomorrow when full staff is on, including an anesthesiologist. They will go in, clean it out, make sure no infection, and, close him up, or put in a drain. He may get to go home tomorrow night, but, may have to stay longer. Drove up to my brother's house, for dinner, just got home. I've only had 2 hours of sleep since 4:30am yesterday, dogs will eat early tonight, and I'm going to bed.
Getting together with family was good, it kept my mind occupied.

Hoping Sharon can get her dog to the emerg vet.

It sounds like everyone had a good Christmas. I hope you're feeling better quickly, Sharon.

Sharon, nothing like watching excitement of young ones opening their gifts. That virus is a hard one to beat, need to rest a lot. 64 is my king of temp.

Oh Deb, sorry to hear about Andy’s death..poor Luca, must have been quite a scrap..hope he gets to come home tomorrow evening, am sure you are worried.nothing like family laughs and memories resurfacing.

I will check u-tube 1

Mom and I ended going to Greg’s for supper..i was in mega pain so Noah took me downstairs to use their commercial massage chair..drats, far worse so had Greg bring us home. Said i should bring my gifts home, was sure I’d appreciate opening it, beautiful plush heated throw and $200. Here I am, in bed, laying on throw to help heat shoulders and also have dr Ho on..

Best I not shovel tomorrow even though we have another foot of snow and more to come..when will it end.

Better check on mom, she had glass of wine and is tipsy

So sorry to hear about Luca - worrisome, to be sure. I know that you're praying for him, and ad my prayers, too.

Did Sharon get her dog to the emergency vet?

Send prayers for Luca as well.
Betty, sorry you had to go home early.
Glad to hear you are home resting. Praying your new heating blanket helps relieve some pain.

Morning,

Hoping Luca is doing ok this morning.

came inside, so much snow has been pushed to the back is now blocking entry to back deck, Marie came over and made a pathway and did mega shovelling, goodness i a blessed having her as a neighbour. I couldn’t just watch her so out I went, cleared around mom’s car, the car itself and then my car. We have so much snow that another day of this and the banks are so high that the plow can no longer push them back and I won’t be able to use back entrances grrr m

Dianne, how are you doing in your neck of the woods..only 40 miles from here and there is no snow. Sure hope your hydro didn’t go out. Have you been able to get the TH out?

Only nice day in about 10 days will mom be able to go home. Sharon is coming in an hour or so and is taking mom to her house but not Bella. Kunik has kennel cough, not sure where he got it? he is doing better.

I know nothing of kennel cough but i believe adults can transfer it to dogs, mom will have to change clothes and bath when she gets home.

I’m here,back pushed into couch with the heating throw I got from Greg and Mel, Greg and Noah will be here in about an hour to help me get my car out so that the plow has more room to do a clean up when it finally clears, right now it’s a quick sweep in.

The sun is trying to break thru, imagine seeing sun out..looks pretty with snow falling, not that I want snow.

Here we are all calling for snow and Greg is leaving tomorrow for 4 hr drive to norther country with a few men snowmobiling as we have so much snow and lack of manpower that our trails haven’t been groomed.

Time to clean the kitchen and make meringue for the lemon pie

Quiet day yesterday. We did get a lovely surprise phone visit with Daughter across the state, her son in Japan and DIL in Washington St. All her others were at the house too so it was a fun, lenghty call.Was good to hear he will be home in the spring and they are planning a visit when the twins arrive. This was Alicia's first Christmas away from everyone in the 5 years she has been a part of our family. She was handling it well but I was all teary.

Today we will have dinner with another grandson's family. They have three littles and do not attend the large gatherings. Hoping for the day they feel they can again.