DAY 326
Tuesday, December 9th 4:30pm....WOOHOO...on holiday!
DAY 325
Wednesday, December 10th...I had this great plan, I have several days off so "Christmas Baking" here I come. Made a batch of Oatsies, switched out the mincemeat for dates. Turned out half decent, nicely mounded with the date puree hidden in the hump of oat cookie dough. They were more like store bought...I was aiming for Mom's version but that didn't happen. Yawn!
DAY 324
Thursday, December 11th...next day foray into cookie baking... decided to do a refrigerator dough called 'Party Swirls'. You divide the dough in thirds...one portion you leave alone, second portion you colour with red food colouring...third portion you mix in melted semi-sweet chocolate. You roll out each portion into a rectangle and stack. I should have made the roll before refrigerating and it would have been easier to handle. I made the appropriate thickness of slices and tried desperately to get them in one piece onto the cookie tray...lotta patching goin on to the taunts of my hubby watching my gallant efforts at baking - "two minutes on the clock, you should be plating by now". Thought I was going to pee myself. Burnt half of 'em, so much for my efforts!
DAY 323
Friday, December 12th...not baking this day, my next unsuspecting recipe needed cream of tartar and I didn't have any. This was a sign...I was not meant to bake today...so I cleaned instead.
DAY 322
Saturday, December 13th...there was a mission today! Up early, breakfast, shower...out the door by 9am. Next $10 quilt square meeting. Navigation to the quilt shop in Fonthill was interesting indeed. They have been digging and tearing up this section of road for what seems like months now. Well, this day they decide they are going to pave. The weather is mild with melting snow and slightly drizzly...messy! Took us a bit but we were waved into the parking lot along with what seemed like a dozen other ladies. The shop was all Christmas-y and decorated quite nicely for the holiday season but we did manage to curtail our urge to purchase any of the new fangled gadgets that are guaranteed to make your quilting experience that much easier and exciting. Next I went to pick up my Epicure order which came in just in time. I now had the seasoning and clay baker for a special hot cheese dip for our Quilting Friends potluck on Monday evening. Had to do some grocery shopping and, of course, pick up the needed items for my potluck offerings as well. House is starting to echo the holiday season.
DAY 321
Sunday, December 14th...today was a somber day, but a day to celebrate the life of a lady that made a lasting impression on my husband as a boy growing up. We drove to Toronto to a memorial service. I learned today that this Aunt and Uncle were the role models for the man I married, unconsciously instilling in him family values but most of all unbounding love. They celebrated 63 years of marriage...we're two-thirds of the way there...hope we are doing them proud.
Sunday, 14 December 2014
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
COUNTDOWN ~ The spirit of giving!
DAY 326
Gift giving! You know those coveted items on your desk: scissors, letter opener, 3 hole punch and hand held calculator. Well, maybe I'm getting used to the idea of retiring and those things you guard on your desk like a watchdog really aren't that important any more. I particularly like the Monday morning search for "my" pair of scissors...who had the audacity to take them from my gadget/pen holder and use them without permission. Then you find them tucked in between the stacks of filing piling up on your desk and thank heavens you haven't really vocally chewed anyone out at this point. You say "I'm sorry" under your breath return the scissors to their proper holder until the next stationary/supply crisis.
Not today! I heard a coworker discussing an elaborate plan to share a calculator with another gal and that it would be located in the top left drawer of the desk so that both could have easy access. My calculator was fairly new, under a year old, and it was stored neatly in my drawer out of the way...can't remember when I used it last. The spirit of giving overtook me and I asked the coworker if she would like to have "my" calculator as her own. Smiles ensued, hallelujah another good deed! She also placed dibs on my emoticon stand-up flip book. The ladies in the office love to change my moods for me by flipping to the appropriate mood of the day. When it was flipped to "postal" my boss approached my desk and viewing said mood turned on his heal and beat a hasty retreat - not sure what he wanted that day. LOL
Trivia:
Gift giving! You know those coveted items on your desk: scissors, letter opener, 3 hole punch and hand held calculator. Well, maybe I'm getting used to the idea of retiring and those things you guard on your desk like a watchdog really aren't that important any more. I particularly like the Monday morning search for "my" pair of scissors...who had the audacity to take them from my gadget/pen holder and use them without permission. Then you find them tucked in between the stacks of filing piling up on your desk and thank heavens you haven't really vocally chewed anyone out at this point. You say "I'm sorry" under your breath return the scissors to their proper holder until the next stationary/supply crisis.
Not today! I heard a coworker discussing an elaborate plan to share a calculator with another gal and that it would be located in the top left drawer of the desk so that both could have easy access. My calculator was fairly new, under a year old, and it was stored neatly in my drawer out of the way...can't remember when I used it last. The spirit of giving overtook me and I asked the coworker if she would like to have "my" calculator as her own. Smiles ensued, hallelujah another good deed! She also placed dibs on my emoticon stand-up flip book. The ladies in the office love to change my moods for me by flipping to the appropriate mood of the day. When it was flipped to "postal" my boss approached my desk and viewing said mood turned on his heal and beat a hasty retreat - not sure what he wanted that day. LOLTrivia:
emoticon
Monday, 8 December 2014
COUNTDOWN ~ Short and Sweet
DAY 327
Been missing in action for a couple of days. The Blog meister took a weekend off. Accomplished a few things... knocked several things off the Christmas Shopping List; sewed block number nine of the $10. Quilt with my sister; made a donation to Movember and received some sad news that a relative had passed. All part of that big wheel called life. Have a bit of a cold/nasal congestion and now am craving some serious bedtime.
 |
| I actually say this! LOL |
Friday, 5 December 2014
COUNTDOWN ~ Pay It Forward
DAY 330
I had listened for days about how my co-worker was having difficulty with her wireless headset. I use the same headset but only rarely. For years I had a wired headset that was quite handy and was quite indispensable...until I was given the wireless set. She wasn't sure what was happening with the device and we determined together that it might be the rechargeable battery (they do fail once they have passed their prime). She did put in a request to our supervisor with a heads up that she would soon be needing a replacement. A search began for a headset that no one was using that could be a source for parts...she'd already been there, done that!
I kept staring at the headset in its cradle, neatly tucked in beside my phone and thought "when was the last time I used that?". In my job the calls I receive and make these days are few and far between so I disconnected the device from the phone and unplugged the power cord...disinfected the ear and mouth piece and proceeded to hand over this unit to my friend.
Well, you would have thought Christmas had come early. This was one of those "Pay it Forward" moments...my good deed for the day!
And hey, I still have the wired unit should I need it in the next 330 days!
I had listened for days about how my co-worker was having difficulty with her wireless headset. I use the same headset but only rarely. For years I had a wired headset that was quite handy and was quite indispensable...until I was given the wireless set. She wasn't sure what was happening with the device and we determined together that it might be the rechargeable battery (they do fail once they have passed their prime). She did put in a request to our supervisor with a heads up that she would soon be needing a replacement. A search began for a headset that no one was using that could be a source for parts...she'd already been there, done that!I kept staring at the headset in its cradle, neatly tucked in beside my phone and thought "when was the last time I used that?". In my job the calls I receive and make these days are few and far between so I disconnected the device from the phone and unplugged the power cord...disinfected the ear and mouth piece and proceeded to hand over this unit to my friend.
Well, you would have thought Christmas had come early. This was one of those "Pay it Forward" moments...my good deed for the day!
And hey, I still have the wired unit should I need it in the next 330 days!
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
COUNTDOWN ~ Board Meetng
DAY 331
Interesting thing, the Internet. One of the groups that I volunteer for has their Board meetings via Yahoo as a conference. The host for the meeting creates an invitation on Yahoo Messenger. Once logged in and accept the invitation, you are off and reading...reading more than typing. Sometimes your comments get overlooked and several conversations are going on at the same time, it just depends on who types the fastest. Looking back at the script, sometimes it has quite the comedic potential. The only drawback is that it can last for hours. As with all good Board meetings the conversation can run amuck or go on a tangent. Good though, business is discussed, matters settled and follow-up assigned. As members of this group live throughout the U.S. and Canada (mostly U.S.) as organization is American this was the only feasible way to have a board meeting. When I first joined the group and received my first newsletter I marveled at the varied locations that each Board member lived...how on earth did they hold their meetings. I did ask and was told by the Internet. Still was a bit of a mystery to me until I became a volunteer, now when I'm asked the question "how does the Board communicate"...the Internet!
Interesting thing, the Internet. One of the groups that I volunteer for has their Board meetings via Yahoo as a conference. The host for the meeting creates an invitation on Yahoo Messenger. Once logged in and accept the invitation, you are off and reading...reading more than typing. Sometimes your comments get overlooked and several conversations are going on at the same time, it just depends on who types the fastest. Looking back at the script, sometimes it has quite the comedic potential. The only drawback is that it can last for hours. As with all good Board meetings the conversation can run amuck or go on a tangent. Good though, business is discussed, matters settled and follow-up assigned. As members of this group live throughout the U.S. and Canada (mostly U.S.) as organization is American this was the only feasible way to have a board meeting. When I first joined the group and received my first newsletter I marveled at the varied locations that each Board member lived...how on earth did they hold their meetings. I did ask and was told by the Internet. Still was a bit of a mystery to me until I became a volunteer, now when I'm asked the question "how does the Board communicate"...the Internet!
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
COUNTDOWN ~ Influenza
DAY 332
The best defense against getting the "flu" is to get inoculated against the most current strain. I went for my flu shot yesterday, it was a bit late as I generally get mine when they become available in October.
Things I have learned....
1) you do not get the flu from the flu shot
2) it takes 10 - 14 days to build your immunity after the shot
and...if in that time you do come down with the flu, more than likely you came in contact with the virus in some way...handle of a shopping cart, touching an elevator button or in the direct path of a sneeze or cough.
I started getting the flu shot when my sons were little. They would bring home everything going from school and daycare. There always seemed to be a steady flow of snot. Of course, they only got the sniffly snorts. But Mom, that being moi, would be knocked flat on my back for days. One particular trip to emergency I eyed a beautiful white snow drift on the walkway leading into the clinic...and really contemplated sticking my head into the bank of snow. "just dig me out in the Spring". That winter was bad...felt good for a week and back to my bed for another ten days or so...repeat...repeat!
So I am on the side of "pros" in the list of pros and cons when recommending the flu shot. I highly recommend it. Granted you don't miss all the colds and viruses but the immunity you build up helps you to have less severe symptoms and you can at least function.
The best defense against getting the "flu" is to get inoculated against the most current strain. I went for my flu shot yesterday, it was a bit late as I generally get mine when they become available in October.
Things I have learned....
1) you do not get the flu from the flu shot
2) it takes 10 - 14 days to build your immunity after the shot
and...if in that time you do come down with the flu, more than likely you came in contact with the virus in some way...handle of a shopping cart, touching an elevator button or in the direct path of a sneeze or cough.
I started getting the flu shot when my sons were little. They would bring home everything going from school and daycare. There always seemed to be a steady flow of snot. Of course, they only got the sniffly snorts. But Mom, that being moi, would be knocked flat on my back for days. One particular trip to emergency I eyed a beautiful white snow drift on the walkway leading into the clinic...and really contemplated sticking my head into the bank of snow. "just dig me out in the Spring". That winter was bad...felt good for a week and back to my bed for another ten days or so...repeat...repeat!
So I am on the side of "pros" in the list of pros and cons when recommending the flu shot. I highly recommend it. Granted you don't miss all the colds and viruses but the immunity you build up helps you to have less severe symptoms and you can at least function.
COUNTDOWN ~ A Farewell
DAY 332
I learned today that our family doctor had died. Dr. William Allen Matheson - who I had been a patient of since ten years of age until he retired. He was 90 and according to his obituary he lived a complete, wonderful life.
There are a multitude of stories to tell. Apart from him coming to the house when I was ill as a child, uppermost in my mind was when: I spent several months in the hospital before the birth of my second son due to phlebitis in my legs. Once I gave birth (caesarian) I came up lame; I had this gawd awful pain that went up and down my leg and I could hardly walk. The attending OB wanted me to extend my stay in the hospital and go through physiotherapy 2-3 times a week. When Dr. Matheson did his rounds, I asked him about the OB's recommendation and he said "you need to go home and chase after your two boys!". He got it right!
May he rest in Peace. View obituary notice here.
I learned today that our family doctor had died. Dr. William Allen Matheson - who I had been a patient of since ten years of age until he retired. He was 90 and according to his obituary he lived a complete, wonderful life.
There are a multitude of stories to tell. Apart from him coming to the house when I was ill as a child, uppermost in my mind was when: I spent several months in the hospital before the birth of my second son due to phlebitis in my legs. Once I gave birth (caesarian) I came up lame; I had this gawd awful pain that went up and down my leg and I could hardly walk. The attending OB wanted me to extend my stay in the hospital and go through physiotherapy 2-3 times a week. When Dr. Matheson did his rounds, I asked him about the OB's recommendation and he said "you need to go home and chase after your two boys!". He got it right!
May he rest in Peace. View obituary notice here.
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