After what felt like forever, but in actual fact was just a few days, Mark was sprung from the hospital. The following update was sent out to our family and friends today. We're really really really happy that he's home!
Hello everyone,
Apologies for the lack of an update over the weekend. Mark did get home. It was a bit like pulling teeth, dealing with all of the red-tape at the hospital, trying to get signatures and whatnot on the weekend, on a long weekend no less, to get him out the door. Once we got out though, I thought he was going to cry from the fresh air. It's so darned hot on the floor. I understand to a certain degree that they need to keep things warm for the patients but everyone was complaining about it, it was a bit too much.
Mark's much more comfortable being home, and of course, is so happy to be back with the dogs. He missed them terribly, particularly Gracie. She's been shadowing him ever since he walked through the door.
We can tell already that the recovery from this stay in the hospital is going to be different from the last time. Physically, he's feeling pretty beaten up. I blame those horrible beds. They aren't made for anyone who is taller than 5'10" so he has blisters on his feet from where they rubbed on the headboard. We both need to stop comparing where he is now to where he was on Day 6 from the colon cancer surgery. Earlier today we were discussing how, on a scale of 1 to 10, the colon cancer surgery was about a 3 and this liver operation is probably a 7. He's got a massive incision with 24 staples. The actual incision is looking good but he's got to be very careful whenever he is moving, getting up and down, etc. I don't think he'll be jumping around or going too far unaccompanied for a while yet.
As luck would have it, I woke up yesterday with the beginnings of the mother of all head colds. I suppose it was unavoidable, given the pace of the past week or two and everything else. Hoping to be able to sleep tonight. Did not get much sleep last night. It's funny how breathing makes sleeping so much easier huh??
So that's it for now. Not sure when he'll be up for phone calls but I think he's back on his email as of today. Thanks again, everyone, for your support over the past week. We still have a long road to go but I think the worst part of it is over.
Much love,
Peggy & Mark
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Monday, February 17, 2014
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Accidental Gardener
Our flower garden continues to surprise me.
When we first viewed this house, in November, we really didn’t pay any attention at all to the front yard if I’m honest. Our main concern was how to finish off the fencing in the back yard for the dogs.
Moving in January like we did, the first few months we were in the house, the front yard was completely covered in snow. I could tell that flower gardens did exist in the front because there were spindly bits of small bushes poking through the snow but it wasn’t really possible to figure out what was happening.
Earlier in the spring, while Mark and our friend Andy were installing the permanent fence at the top of the yard (we had installed some inexpensive snow fence during a freak mild snap which happened 2 days before we moved in), the front garden started to reveal itself.
Because had such a snowy, cold winter, the tulips and daffs were late in coming. We were pretty impressed when we saw them start to bloom. Neither of us is great at gardening but we enjoy a pretty blossom as much as the next person. As the weeks passed, more things were popping out and I could sort of figure out what some things were. Thankfully, my mum is a wonderful gardener and she’s been able to help me formally identify things.
Fortunately for me, the woman we bought the house from really seemed to know what she was doing in terms of how to plant perennials. I have not planted any annuals and there has been constant colour, in the numerous flower beds on our front yard. From what I can see, we should have things which will continue to bloom well into the autumn. We’re doing our best to keep up with some basic weeding but with everything else we need to do this year, I can honestly say that while we are enjoying the parade of mystery flowers, it’ll be a year or two before I can give it any proper attention.
I will, however, stop and smell the roses, poppies and peonies as they come and have been taking a few photos here and there. This garden is something I would have never done myself but I must admit, even in it’s semi-neglected state, it is pretty.
When we first viewed this house, in November, we really didn’t pay any attention at all to the front yard if I’m honest. Our main concern was how to finish off the fencing in the back yard for the dogs.
Moving in January like we did, the first few months we were in the house, the front yard was completely covered in snow. I could tell that flower gardens did exist in the front because there were spindly bits of small bushes poking through the snow but it wasn’t really possible to figure out what was happening.
Earlier in the spring, while Mark and our friend Andy were installing the permanent fence at the top of the yard (we had installed some inexpensive snow fence during a freak mild snap which happened 2 days before we moved in), the front garden started to reveal itself.
Because had such a snowy, cold winter, the tulips and daffs were late in coming. We were pretty impressed when we saw them start to bloom. Neither of us is great at gardening but we enjoy a pretty blossom as much as the next person. As the weeks passed, more things were popping out and I could sort of figure out what some things were. Thankfully, my mum is a wonderful gardener and she’s been able to help me formally identify things.
Fortunately for me, the woman we bought the house from really seemed to know what she was doing in terms of how to plant perennials. I have not planted any annuals and there has been constant colour, in the numerous flower beds on our front yard. From what I can see, we should have things which will continue to bloom well into the autumn. We’re doing our best to keep up with some basic weeding but with everything else we need to do this year, I can honestly say that while we are enjoying the parade of mystery flowers, it’ll be a year or two before I can give it any proper attention.
I will, however, stop and smell the roses, poppies and peonies as they come and have been taking a few photos here and there. This garden is something I would have never done myself but I must admit, even in it’s semi-neglected state, it is pretty.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
fall down go boom
All last night, I kept hearing something creaking.
I thought that the gate was open.
I thought that the shed door was open.
I thought that our neighbour's tree was rubbing against our fence and creaking.
turns out, something was creaking but it was the big old Manitoba Maple on our front lawn.
We've been in the house for 4 years and I've never trusted that tree. The city butchered it 2 years ago to make room for heavy equipment which they used to replace the water mains. Apparently, the tree belongs to the city so, when it fell down this morning (after we went to work), they are removing it.
I'm happy it belongs to the city. If it was our tree, it would have cost $650 to have it removed. Apparently, there are trees down all over the place this morning. For once, I'm happy that something like this Is someone else's problem. I can think of lots of things I'd rather spend $650 on instead of tree removal.
I thought that the gate was open.
I thought that the shed door was open.
I thought that our neighbour's tree was rubbing against our fence and creaking.
turns out, something was creaking but it was the big old Manitoba Maple on our front lawn.
We've been in the house for 4 years and I've never trusted that tree. The city butchered it 2 years ago to make room for heavy equipment which they used to replace the water mains. Apparently, the tree belongs to the city so, when it fell down this morning (after we went to work), they are removing it.
I'm happy it belongs to the city. If it was our tree, it would have cost $650 to have it removed. Apparently, there are trees down all over the place this morning. For once, I'm happy that something like this Is someone else's problem. I can think of lots of things I'd rather spend $650 on instead of tree removal.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
reflections from the heating pad
So earlier this week, I was at home in bed, on the heating pad, nursing a seriously messed up back.
Occasionally, not recently though, when I get a cold, it can go into my back and knock me flat out. I think that's what happened on Sunday afternoon. Last week, I'd been fighting a cold which was floating around the office. Over the weekend I felt a bit better than I had all week so I figured it was all behind me. You may recall that it was freeeeeezing cold 'round here over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, I stepped out onto our deck with Gracie for a few minutes. I think it was just long enough to be outside without a coat on (and leaning against the deck railing) to expose my back and mess me up.
While I was home, the dogs were great company. We hung out on the bed and slept and watched movies on cable. This photo of Sam was snapped from bed on Monday. I couldn't sit up at the computer so I had to amuse myself with the camera and tetris game on my phone. He looks very intent because we were watching "Best in Show" and I think he was trying to figure out where all of the American Eskimo Dogs were.
One of the most bizarre things I saw during my two day stint in bed was Van Morrison on "Live with Regis and Kelly." He's out promoting his new live recording of the brilliant 1968 release, Astral Weeks. I texted Mark to inform him that the rapture must be getting close if Van was kibitzing with Regis. I admire Mr Morrison's restraint in not punching Regis in the face when he introduced "black eyed girl." Sheesh Reeg.
I'm happy to report that today, I'm feeling much better. Yesterday at work was a bit rough but today I feel more normal than I have in several days. Hopefully, by the weekend I'll be even better than I am now. That would be very nice!
Occasionally, not recently though, when I get a cold, it can go into my back and knock me flat out. I think that's what happened on Sunday afternoon. Last week, I'd been fighting a cold which was floating around the office. Over the weekend I felt a bit better than I had all week so I figured it was all behind me. You may recall that it was freeeeeezing cold 'round here over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, I stepped out onto our deck with Gracie for a few minutes. I think it was just long enough to be outside without a coat on (and leaning against the deck railing) to expose my back and mess me up.
While I was home, the dogs were great company. We hung out on the bed and slept and watched movies on cable. This photo of Sam was snapped from bed on Monday. I couldn't sit up at the computer so I had to amuse myself with the camera and tetris game on my phone. He looks very intent because we were watching "Best in Show" and I think he was trying to figure out where all of the American Eskimo Dogs were.
One of the most bizarre things I saw during my two day stint in bed was Van Morrison on "Live with Regis and Kelly." He's out promoting his new live recording of the brilliant 1968 release, Astral Weeks. I texted Mark to inform him that the rapture must be getting close if Van was kibitzing with Regis. I admire Mr Morrison's restraint in not punching Regis in the face when he introduced "black eyed girl." Sheesh Reeg.
I'm happy to report that today, I'm feeling much better. Yesterday at work was a bit rough but today I feel more normal than I have in several days. Hopefully, by the weekend I'll be even better than I am now. That would be very nice!
Monday, February 23, 2009
sushi man
Mark's head appears to be floating around the restaurant in this photo. Today I'm sure he'd rather that it was detached from his head. This morning, just before he came to pick me up to take me to work, he had a lady in his taxi who, because she was running late, decided to spray herself with perfume in the taxi! He instantly went into migraine mode and was sick to his stomach when he got to the house. People are so inconsiderate. Never mind that most taxis are kept scent free because they take a lot of folks to and from various medical appointments, you would think that she'd have asked if was okay before doing it. When I got into the cab to go to work, I could still smell it. It was very sweet smelling, just gross, almost banana-y but really fake vanilla-y banana. Not good.
My computer at home has been acting up for a while now and we've been nursing it along. On Friday evening, it started overheating. On Saturday, the sound card died. Before we could figure out if it was the CPU or the sound card causing the issue, the whole thing died. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to back everything up before it happened so I've not lost any data at all. We're both just really irritated by the idea of having to figure out what is going on and then buy the parts to get it up and running again. I'd really hoped we could have avoided this until the summer but sometimes you just can't control crap like this.
Other than doing errands and chores and eating sushi (oh, and playing with the dogs of course), our weekend was pretty quiet. Good quiet, relaxing quiet, fun quiet. The only thing I can think to complain about right now is the computer thing. In the grand scheme of things, that's not so bad, is it?
My computer at home has been acting up for a while now and we've been nursing it along. On Friday evening, it started overheating. On Saturday, the sound card died. Before we could figure out if it was the CPU or the sound card causing the issue, the whole thing died. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to back everything up before it happened so I've not lost any data at all. We're both just really irritated by the idea of having to figure out what is going on and then buy the parts to get it up and running again. I'd really hoped we could have avoided this until the summer but sometimes you just can't control crap like this.
Other than doing errands and chores and eating sushi (oh, and playing with the dogs of course), our weekend was pretty quiet. Good quiet, relaxing quiet, fun quiet. The only thing I can think to complain about right now is the computer thing. In the grand scheme of things, that's not so bad, is it?
Friday, December 19, 2008
please may I have some salad
So far, my vacation has been really lovely.
We had our office do on Tuesday afternoon. It was just my immediate team (and a couple of ladies who left the team this year) and we had a good laugh. My supervisor ordered a tonne of greek take out and we had a huge feast. I was able to bring home an entire salad and some chicken for Mark so he didn't have to cook that night (which he was happy about because I got home from work so late).
I really love the ladies I work with. I think a couple of times, I laughed so hard that I had actual tears running down my face. It was a good time.
On Wednesday morning, I made myself a little to do list. The list had less to do with the holidays and more about decontaminating the house. We've basically done very little around the house, just the bare minimum, all fall. Between us being sick and having a new dog, and then having a third dog for 2 weeks, the place was pretty grimy. I've checked a few things off the list and am slowly getting through it. It feels pretty good and the house is starting to look a lot less disgusting than it was.
Over the past couple of days, we've managed to get our holiday shopping done. We didn't have a lot to do which was nice. Over the weekend, I need to sort it out and get it wrapped up but I think we have everything we need. If we don't, I can always do another trip to the shoppes on Monday.
As I type this, it's snowing and blowing outside. We heard about the storm yesterday so we got out last night and stocked up on groceries. I'm really glad that we did that because it's looking quite nasty outside. Mark called home a little while ago and said that the visibility was really poor and that the roads were getting bad too. He's going to pack it in early if it gets too rough out there.
It's hard to believe that I've been off for 3 days already but I do love this time of the year. I like being home, in a nice warm house. I got the tree up yesterday so the house is all festive-ized. I'll start my baking on the weekend I think. Today, I have a couple of little things to get crossed off my chore list and I may get a nap with the puppies in at some point too.
It's a rough life for me, isn't it!?
We had our office do on Tuesday afternoon. It was just my immediate team (and a couple of ladies who left the team this year) and we had a good laugh. My supervisor ordered a tonne of greek take out and we had a huge feast. I was able to bring home an entire salad and some chicken for Mark so he didn't have to cook that night (which he was happy about because I got home from work so late).
I really love the ladies I work with. I think a couple of times, I laughed so hard that I had actual tears running down my face. It was a good time.
On Wednesday morning, I made myself a little to do list. The list had less to do with the holidays and more about decontaminating the house. We've basically done very little around the house, just the bare minimum, all fall. Between us being sick and having a new dog, and then having a third dog for 2 weeks, the place was pretty grimy. I've checked a few things off the list and am slowly getting through it. It feels pretty good and the house is starting to look a lot less disgusting than it was.
Over the past couple of days, we've managed to get our holiday shopping done. We didn't have a lot to do which was nice. Over the weekend, I need to sort it out and get it wrapped up but I think we have everything we need. If we don't, I can always do another trip to the shoppes on Monday.
As I type this, it's snowing and blowing outside. We heard about the storm yesterday so we got out last night and stocked up on groceries. I'm really glad that we did that because it's looking quite nasty outside. Mark called home a little while ago and said that the visibility was really poor and that the roads were getting bad too. He's going to pack it in early if it gets too rough out there.
It's hard to believe that I've been off for 3 days already but I do love this time of the year. I like being home, in a nice warm house. I got the tree up yesterday so the house is all festive-ized. I'll start my baking on the weekend I think. Today, I have a couple of little things to get crossed off my chore list and I may get a nap with the puppies in at some point too.
It's a rough life for me, isn't it!?
Thursday, April 10, 2008
smokin' barbecue
We had another barbecue tonight. It was awesome.
There are many things I like about barbecue season. The first thing would be that Mark is an awesome barbecue chef (not to mention that he's just a plain old fabulous chef no matter what he's making, he is a chef afterall). The second thing would probably how quickly dinner can come together when we're grilling. The third is really how fast the clean up is.
One thing that Mark does is he makes stuff for our meal, like grilling off veggies and some meat. He always cooks way too much stuff though so we always have leftovers. The next night we'll have pasta or a stir fry which is made up of grilled, smokey delicious ingredients. It's awesome and really yummy.
If this is too much food talk and it's making you hungry, I'm sorry about that but I really felt like Mark deserves some serious kudos for this.
There are many things I like about barbecue season. The first thing would be that Mark is an awesome barbecue chef (not to mention that he's just a plain old fabulous chef no matter what he's making, he is a chef afterall). The second thing would probably how quickly dinner can come together when we're grilling. The third is really how fast the clean up is.
One thing that Mark does is he makes stuff for our meal, like grilling off veggies and some meat. He always cooks way too much stuff though so we always have leftovers. The next night we'll have pasta or a stir fry which is made up of grilled, smokey delicious ingredients. It's awesome and really yummy.
If this is too much food talk and it's making you hungry, I'm sorry about that but I really felt like Mark deserves some serious kudos for this.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
goodly strange
For the first time in several weeks, I didn't have to work on Saturday. I've gotten into this habit of rushing home on Friday night, getting all of my laundry done (because normally I do it throughout the weekend) and then getting my stuff packed up to head out to work (sometimes out of town) first thing on Saturday.
Today I did not have to do that. I slept in a little bit, had a shower, puttered away at the laundry, played with the dog. Some TV watching happened in amongst that stuff. It was really nice. I could actually get used to this again.
I think I will be able to. I'm pretty sure that I won't have any work weekends to worry about until at least the spring. I have a little list of "to do" stuff for tomorrow which might actually get "to done" because aside from a couple of errands, I don't have to be or go anywhere specific tomorrow. It's nice.
Today I did not have to do that. I slept in a little bit, had a shower, puttered away at the laundry, played with the dog. Some TV watching happened in amongst that stuff. It was really nice. I could actually get used to this again.
I think I will be able to. I'm pretty sure that I won't have any work weekends to worry about until at least the spring. I have a little list of "to do" stuff for tomorrow which might actually get "to done" because aside from a couple of errands, I don't have to be or go anywhere specific tomorrow. It's nice.
Friday, November 02, 2007
smilin'
it is officially the weekend.
officially, it's been the weekend for about 3 hours give or take a few minutes here or there. it feels pretty good.
I've been listening to "California" by Rufus Wainwright a lot lately. I think it would be neat to have Bea Arthur be my grandma. I had two perfectly lovely grandma's, don't get me wrong at all, I just like Bea Arthur. She and I actually share a birthday. Have you ever looked up those lists of famous/infamous people who share your birthday with you? I share mine with Bea, Bobby Darin, Harvey Keitel, George Lucas & Stevie Wonder.
So, in the continuing saga that is the construction project on our street, we were able to park in our driveway tonight. What a treat it was to bring groceries in from the driveway and not from down the road.
When we got home, I noticed tire marks all over the driveway. It was kind of funny actually. They only paved the bit of our driveway that was ripped up so there is a huge difference between the old drive and the new part. All over the brand new, dark asphalt were bicycle tracks. At the moment, there is a huge pile of top soil across the street from us. There are tire marks in the pile and they lead right to our spiffy new driveway. Of course, there is still a 3 inch drop from the end of driveway to the street - I think they'll fix that next week - so it's dirt and jumping and new pavement. What more could a kid ask for when you're all hopped up on halloween candy?
officially, it's been the weekend for about 3 hours give or take a few minutes here or there. it feels pretty good.
I've been listening to "California" by Rufus Wainwright a lot lately. I think it would be neat to have Bea Arthur be my grandma. I had two perfectly lovely grandma's, don't get me wrong at all, I just like Bea Arthur. She and I actually share a birthday. Have you ever looked up those lists of famous/infamous people who share your birthday with you? I share mine with Bea, Bobby Darin, Harvey Keitel, George Lucas & Stevie Wonder.
So, in the continuing saga that is the construction project on our street, we were able to park in our driveway tonight. What a treat it was to bring groceries in from the driveway and not from down the road.
When we got home, I noticed tire marks all over the driveway. It was kind of funny actually. They only paved the bit of our driveway that was ripped up so there is a huge difference between the old drive and the new part. All over the brand new, dark asphalt were bicycle tracks. At the moment, there is a huge pile of top soil across the street from us. There are tire marks in the pile and they lead right to our spiffy new driveway. Of course, there is still a 3 inch drop from the end of driveway to the street - I think they'll fix that next week - so it's dirt and jumping and new pavement. What more could a kid ask for when you're all hopped up on halloween candy?
Monday, August 20, 2007
welcome to my driveway
This doesn't look too bad, does it?
From a distance it seems like there is a little bit of ripped up asphalt at the end of our driveway. There is a 8 inch drop off though. You can't see it (and I wasn't going to get any closer than where I was standing) in this photo. The big trucks are out there right now, moving stuff around.
Our next door neighbour, Pat, has a beautiful hedge on his front lawn. I'm not sure what type of hedge it is. If it helps at all, it's the same kind that my grandfather had at the house my dad grew up in. I guess that's not actually helpful at all unless you know where exactly in Smiths Falls my dad grew up. It's lovely and Pat takes very good care it.
I watched, with my stomach in my throat, as this big digger thing ripped up the sidewalk a mere inches from the hedge. I hope that they don't destroy it but I have a feeling that they might. Mark told me that Pat is pretty upset about it but you can't do too much about it, unfortunately.
Kinda like how we can't complain about parking on the street right now. You just know too, that the city is going to do an amazingly shitty job of paving the portion of the drive that they muck up. I know that this will happen because it happened at our old house when they put in new sidewalks.
Oh well, it could be worse I suppose. Instead of living with minor water main repair inconveniences, we could be trying to survive a hurricane or a flood. It's all about perspective.
From a distance it seems like there is a little bit of ripped up asphalt at the end of our driveway. There is a 8 inch drop off though. You can't see it (and I wasn't going to get any closer than where I was standing) in this photo. The big trucks are out there right now, moving stuff around.
Our next door neighbour, Pat, has a beautiful hedge on his front lawn. I'm not sure what type of hedge it is. If it helps at all, it's the same kind that my grandfather had at the house my dad grew up in. I guess that's not actually helpful at all unless you know where exactly in Smiths Falls my dad grew up. It's lovely and Pat takes very good care it.
I watched, with my stomach in my throat, as this big digger thing ripped up the sidewalk a mere inches from the hedge. I hope that they don't destroy it but I have a feeling that they might. Mark told me that Pat is pretty upset about it but you can't do too much about it, unfortunately.
Kinda like how we can't complain about parking on the street right now. You just know too, that the city is going to do an amazingly shitty job of paving the portion of the drive that they muck up. I know that this will happen because it happened at our old house when they put in new sidewalks.
Oh well, it could be worse I suppose. Instead of living with minor water main repair inconveniences, we could be trying to survive a hurricane or a flood. It's all about perspective.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
hosed
is it hot hot hot in your neck of the woods?
it's still hot hot hot here but not hot hot hot hot hot like it was yesterday. today we have a breeze and it is good. it's still humid and all but at least the air is moving.
we just got home from costco. I would like to move in to their walk-in produce cooler. it's nice and cold and you can see your breath in front of you as you select your mushrooms and what not.
I'm glad to be home, very very glad. it was very hot in our office today and I had a hard time concentrating by the mid-afternoon. Part of me would like to go get into our pool and the other part wants to hide in the house, in the air conditioning and eat chicken salad in front of the television.
If I wanted to, I suppose I could eat chicken salad in the pool but that doesn't sound quite so appealing.
seriously, the heat has fried my brain today but then, I'm sure you can tell that already without me pointing it out.
it's still hot hot hot here but not hot hot hot hot hot like it was yesterday. today we have a breeze and it is good. it's still humid and all but at least the air is moving.
we just got home from costco. I would like to move in to their walk-in produce cooler. it's nice and cold and you can see your breath in front of you as you select your mushrooms and what not.
I'm glad to be home, very very glad. it was very hot in our office today and I had a hard time concentrating by the mid-afternoon. Part of me would like to go get into our pool and the other part wants to hide in the house, in the air conditioning and eat chicken salad in front of the television.
If I wanted to, I suppose I could eat chicken salad in the pool but that doesn't sound quite so appealing.
seriously, the heat has fried my brain today but then, I'm sure you can tell that already without me pointing it out.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
too cool
our pool
is too cool
literally
I was just standing in it, trying to smooth the liner wrinkles out (and actually accomplishing that) and the water is freezing.
Of course, this does mean that there is water in it. it's filling up. yay!!
by the time we go to bed tonight, it should be full. it'll be cold but full. The sun actually ducked behind a cloud just now and it's chilly in the back. it's not so chilly that you can't be out there but it's not exactly swim-inspiring.
next weekend should be good though. if we're lucky, the water will have warmed up and the sun will be out and we'll be floating.
won't that be nice?
is too cool
literally
I was just standing in it, trying to smooth the liner wrinkles out (and actually accomplishing that) and the water is freezing.
Of course, this does mean that there is water in it. it's filling up. yay!!
by the time we go to bed tonight, it should be full. it'll be cold but full. The sun actually ducked behind a cloud just now and it's chilly in the back. it's not so chilly that you can't be out there but it's not exactly swim-inspiring.
next weekend should be good though. if we're lucky, the water will have warmed up and the sun will be out and we'll be floating.
won't that be nice?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Mr. Robin
The sunshine fills our backyard!!
Really, honest!!
This huge, horrible, tree branch, which was hanging into our yard from our neighbours, was removed today. The whole back yard is now full of sunshine. It'll make being in the pool this summer, so much nicer! Not to mention, we won't have all of those flicking seeds in the water, mucking up the filter.
Our yard is looking lovely. It's all weed free, neat and tidy. Our neighbour (not the ones with the branch) even tuned up our lawn mower today. It looks like brand new and it's running like a dream.
Have I mentioned before how much I love this neighbourhood?? Around here, folks actually help each other out, it's amazing. Such a switch from our old place, just around the corner. People actually talk to each other, amazing huh?
We literally moved around the corner, 2 stop signs away from our old house, but it's like a different planet. It's a good planet though, no mean aliens or anything, just friendly folks who watch out for each other.
who knew huh?
Really, honest!!
This huge, horrible, tree branch, which was hanging into our yard from our neighbours, was removed today. The whole back yard is now full of sunshine. It'll make being in the pool this summer, so much nicer! Not to mention, we won't have all of those flicking seeds in the water, mucking up the filter.
Our yard is looking lovely. It's all weed free, neat and tidy. Our neighbour (not the ones with the branch) even tuned up our lawn mower today. It looks like brand new and it's running like a dream.
Have I mentioned before how much I love this neighbourhood?? Around here, folks actually help each other out, it's amazing. Such a switch from our old place, just around the corner. People actually talk to each other, amazing huh?
We literally moved around the corner, 2 stop signs away from our old house, but it's like a different planet. It's a good planet though, no mean aliens or anything, just friendly folks who watch out for each other.
who knew huh?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
pressure
Poor Mark, this weird weather system is doing bad things to his head. He's been on the edge of a migraine all afternoon. I think he's taking some drugs and hopefully that will make the pain go away. It's surprising too, after the nice weather we've had the past few days, that it's suddenly cold again. I say cold, it's not freezing or anything, just a few degrees lower than yesterday. I'm a wimp, what can I say!?
We've really been enjoying our new barbecue. It works soooooo much better than the old one. Cooking with the natural gas outside makes a massive difference over cooking with propane. I knew that our old barbecue was in bad shape but you don't realize how crappy something is until you replace it.
Speaking of replacing, we have this shed out in the back which I was planning on painting this year (I said I'd do it all last summer too but never did!). It has some paint on it only because the folks who lived here before us let their kids shoot it with paint ball guns. Mark was talking to our neighbour today and he's going to side it for us. The shed itself is structurally in good shape, it just needs the outside "prettied up" because it's ugly. Once it's all sided too, we shouldn't have another squirrel infestation like we did last winter. They are cute and all but boy can they make a mess!!
We've really been enjoying our new barbecue. It works soooooo much better than the old one. Cooking with the natural gas outside makes a massive difference over cooking with propane. I knew that our old barbecue was in bad shape but you don't realize how crappy something is until you replace it.
Speaking of replacing, we have this shed out in the back which I was planning on painting this year (I said I'd do it all last summer too but never did!). It has some paint on it only because the folks who lived here before us let their kids shoot it with paint ball guns. Mark was talking to our neighbour today and he's going to side it for us. The shed itself is structurally in good shape, it just needs the outside "prettied up" because it's ugly. Once it's all sided too, we shouldn't have another squirrel infestation like we did last winter. They are cute and all but boy can they make a mess!!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
I'm waking up to nuts
For the first year or so that we lived in this house, we had weirdly quiet neighbours on the western side of us. They pretty much kept completely to themselves and didn't really bother with anyone.
In June or July 2006, we got some new neighbours. For the most part, they too keep to themselves. One thing they do do, which drives me batty, is slam their car doors. The slam them so hard sometimes, that the entire house shakes. It's just strange and annoying.
Last night, I woke up suddenly, about 2 hours after I'd gone to sleep. I'd been having a really lovely dream about being on a trip to Italy one second and the next, I was wide-eyed and awake. Mark was awake too. It was the car door. It seems really nuts to me for a couple of reasons... one being, you live in a neighbourhood, close to other folks, some consideration to this must be made; the other would be that this cannot be good for their vehicle.
I suppose this is the trade off that one must make for municipal water and access to high speed internet (the two things which kept us from buying a house in the country).
In June or July 2006, we got some new neighbours. For the most part, they too keep to themselves. One thing they do do, which drives me batty, is slam their car doors. The slam them so hard sometimes, that the entire house shakes. It's just strange and annoying.
Last night, I woke up suddenly, about 2 hours after I'd gone to sleep. I'd been having a really lovely dream about being on a trip to Italy one second and the next, I was wide-eyed and awake. Mark was awake too. It was the car door. It seems really nuts to me for a couple of reasons... one being, you live in a neighbourhood, close to other folks, some consideration to this must be made; the other would be that this cannot be good for their vehicle.
I suppose this is the trade off that one must make for municipal water and access to high speed internet (the two things which kept us from buying a house in the country).
Friday, January 05, 2007
fuzzy lights
it's the last official day of my christmas vacation.
I have the weekend off too but this is the last week-day that I'm off, how did that go by so quickly?
I did a bunch of stuff today though, made the most of my last day off. I got all of my errands done early (like really early), puttered around the house, cleaning up and doing some laundry...
Mark and I even went out to mum & dad's to fix something on her computer. Not an overly exciting day but it was a good day for getting things done.
one little weird thing that we did see today, well, weird for January anyway, when we were walking up the front walk at my mum's, there were all of these tiny little bugs (a bit bigger than midges) flying around her flower bed. how is that even possible, in Ontario, in JANUARY?
I have the weekend off too but this is the last week-day that I'm off, how did that go by so quickly?
I did a bunch of stuff today though, made the most of my last day off. I got all of my errands done early (like really early), puttered around the house, cleaning up and doing some laundry...
Mark and I even went out to mum & dad's to fix something on her computer. Not an overly exciting day but it was a good day for getting things done.
one little weird thing that we did see today, well, weird for January anyway, when we were walking up the front walk at my mum's, there were all of these tiny little bugs (a bit bigger than midges) flying around her flower bed. how is that even possible, in Ontario, in JANUARY?
Thursday, January 04, 2007
baked
I've been inspired to bake more.
I baked a lot before christmas, literally hundreds of cookies, most of them were given away as gifts.
We didn't keep too many in the house and I still have the best part of a huge ass bag of flour in the cupboard so I baked some cookies today.
I didn't bake the ones in the photo (the skor cookies), instead I made a batch of chewy coconut cookies and a loaf of banana bread. the banana bread could have done with an extra 10 minutes in the oven but it still looks okay. I'm sure it'll taste just fine.
the two things I like most about baking, besides the obvious yummy results, are the way it makes the whole house smell good and the way it warms up the kitchen floor.
home feels more homely when it's full of yummy smells.
I baked a lot before christmas, literally hundreds of cookies, most of them were given away as gifts.
We didn't keep too many in the house and I still have the best part of a huge ass bag of flour in the cupboard so I baked some cookies today.
I didn't bake the ones in the photo (the skor cookies), instead I made a batch of chewy coconut cookies and a loaf of banana bread. the banana bread could have done with an extra 10 minutes in the oven but it still looks okay. I'm sure it'll taste just fine.
the two things I like most about baking, besides the obvious yummy results, are the way it makes the whole house smell good and the way it warms up the kitchen floor.
home feels more homely when it's full of yummy smells.
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