I hit the wall yesterday. I am tired of winter and grey skies. Yet, the temperature is really warm here for this time of year, people are smiling, good conversations have been had. I am thinking it is because the family has left. I have a plan. I am going to bake something for them every week so I. A see them on the weekend. I am going to walk everyday, weather permitting. I am going to listen to music much more. I am going to find ways to embrace the seasons.
January 15
Temperature: - 32C windchill -36C Feels balmy today.
Had an early morning Dr. appointment, then home to help move. Well, they were done with this part of the move and were just leaving to get the rest out of storage.
Sat and thought about where to start. Decided to start with GD room. Gave it a good “spring clean” then moved stuff in.
Was pooped so left the rest. Watched a bit of tv. Went for a walk.
January 16
Temperature: -17 C
Continued on with the moving and filling bags with unneeded, unwanted stuff. Cleaned the fish tank. Hermie was happy. Stiff from yesterday so not much done.
January 17
Temperature: -16.9 C
Back to moving things around, getting rid of things. Still rather stiff. Brought in some of the Christmas decorations from outside. Got off as much snow as I could outside. The rest will melt off inside. Moved my bedroom around to the way it was.
Wiped water up from the decorations. Started making them smaller.
January 18
Today my middle brother would have been 91. He passed away at the age of 80.
Finished folding the Christmas tree down and storing it away. Put more Christmas decorations away. Did a load of dishes and the collapsed to read.
January 19
Finally got the rest of the garbage out. Put the dishes away. Talked to DD. She is of work for a few weeks to get her health back in order. Son1 will be coming later to pick up an extra night table. Will be nice to see him and DD.
DD had a visit from DD2 and DD3 yesterday. They had time to kill between funerals so they came from another province to visit. These are a couple who adopted my husband and I as parents a long time ago. We felt very privileged to become parents. Bonus is we got 2 more darling grandchildren. I missed the visit as in my quest to get my house spring cleaned, I missed phone call inviting me to Thermea Spa. Rats!
DD came to pick up the last of Son1s items. We had a good visit.
January 20
Saturday. Not much going on today. Had a rest day. Tried to go for a walk, but the wind just ripped through my clothing. All of us in my building were commenting just how biting the wind is. Mad a short trip to the store.
Watched Netflix in the evening.
January 21
Temperature: -9C
On this day in 1967, my dad was killed in a head on car crash. I thought my life was over. In my family we didn’t cry, so I didn’t.
Much warmer today and a lot less wind
This Week’s Accomplishments
* Spring cleaned one bedroom
* Put most Christmas Decorations away…just a couple of things outside to do
* Vacuumed whole house
* Cleaned up plant stand. Yup I managed to knock one plant over
* Ate from the fridge/Freezer
* Had a wonderful visit with DD
* was able to bless my son and family with items for their new place
January 8
Temperature: -12.9C
Back to driving the GD to school. Only a few days left till they move. I love my GD and enjoy our conversations. I just am done with driving to the city every day.
On the way home, I stopped at Co-op. It is their 10 for $10 sale. I scored quite a bit. Various beans, tomato sauce, rice, bread, milk, ribs etc.Later in the week I may go back.
Son1 brought extra food home from work, mashed potatoes and broccoli. I will use the mashed potatoes to make potato cakes. They will go in the freezer. The broccoli and chicken I baked on the weekend, will be made into a casserole. I am going to have to make a trip to DDs to use the freezer there.
January 9
Temperature: -14 C
Getting to be a busy week. The house is a shambles as we get closer to Son1s move date. Not too bad out today, though I am tired of the dull days. Many people out walking. Did some housework, knitted and watched a bit of Netflix.
GD is getting home later and later each night. Working two jobs can be exhausting especially when both are retail.
Son1 is over organizing his belongings where they are stored. I asked for a list of what he needs. No list forthcoming yet. I will get a panicked phone call at some point….thinking it will be “I forgot to buy groceries” lol.
Cleaned GD fish tank today. Wow was it smelly. Yuck!
January 10th
Temperature: -6C
Well, today marks 13 years since my husband passed away unexpectedly. For whatever reason this year it hit the family harder than ever before. It was nice that his family thought of us and messaged.
I took down the outside decorations. Yup, should have done so a couple of weeks ago. Oh well, better late than never. I still need to put them away. That will be done next week, once they move.
Other than that not much going on. Hunkering down for the coming storm.
January 11
Temperature: -9C Blizzard today. Schools in the country are all closed as well as all the French schools. Lots of road closures. We are staying put today.
January 12
Temperature: -20C At first going out this morning I thought it was pretty cold. Once I was out for a minute, I realized it was going to be an awesome day to be outside. Instead, I had to get laundry done for the move on Monday. I think GS3 will be staying here this weekend. He is back playing hockey for the second half of the season. Excited to see them move into their own place and no more driving to the city every day. I really did enjoy having them here. It is an honour to be able to help my children out.
January13th
Temperature: -18.7C
Getting ready to have the kids move out. Helping organize for them. No boys here this weekend.
January 14
Temperature: -24.8 Tomorrow is the big day. GD working all day. She will finish packing when she gets back after work.
Friday. Again with the organizing. Taking many loads to the dumpster. Took GD to school.
January First Week
Temperature: -1.4 C
New Years Day found only a few here. GD and BF left to go to a brunch. Son1 left to take GS2 back home to moms. Quiet day and a good day to get rid of Christmas. After which I bummed around knitting and watching Netflix.
January 2nd
Temperature: 0.4 C
GD stayed in her room all day. Getting organized for their move. I cleaned up, did laundry and bummed around.
January 3rd
Temperature: -4.4 C
Great day. Went out a bit - just because I can. D, GD and I went out for brunch. After, we went shopping. It was a rather enjoyable relaxing day. The girls took off together after. I came home to plan my 2024 temperature blanket.
January 4th
Temperature: -6.8
Coldish today, but, wind blowing a Holley. Worked on my budget. Not good from last year. Budget was smashed beyond repair. This year I am determined to do better. GD asked if I was ready to go. What??? She had an appointment to get her lashes done. Another day, another trip.
January 5th
Temperature: -4C
Better today. Worked on my budget. Was reminded that boys coming today, need to give supper. GD working again. Back to the city through freezing rain. Much later it turned to snow. We had a left over pizza for supper. Went to bed early. GS2 was left to his own devises till GD and BF got home.
January 6th
Temperature -6 C
Son1 and GS2 left to golf at Son1’s course. The simulator is set up for the winter. From there they went to Cabellas to spend some bucks. GD and BF stayed here till late afternoon. From what I see they did very little packing, however, they did take out some items. I notice they retrieved all the boxes we took to recycling at Christmas lol. Still getting over a cold. Off to bed early. Son and GS2 watched movies in the evening.
January 7th
Temperature -15 C, sunny
A bit more snow this morning. We now enter winter that is usually very cold. With El Niño we shall see. Son1 and DS2 left early. Though it is Sunday, he. Has to be at the course to teach. In between GS2 will practice until Aunty arrives. He and Aunty will hang out for the day. Will be interesting to hear about their day. GS2 will be dropped back at the course for dad to drive him back to Carmen where he lives with mom. Youngest GS did not want to come this weekend as from now on till the end of February he has hockey games both Saturday and Sunday. GS3 wanted to go ice fishing. Last weekend he caught 15 fish. All but the limit were released. Once back in the city Son1 will go visit his girlfriend. At 10:00pm he will pick up GD from her second job. Tomorrow we get back into routine. I am excited that they move next Monday. I have enjoyed having them here, but, it is time they were on their own. I baked 3 chicken breasts. One will made into chicken Alfredo. The other two will be made into something else.
I talked to Son2. He started trading this week to become a millwright.He has lots of homework so DIL left to give him space. He has been out of school for over 25 years.
Blessing
Jean
