Catchup - July 5th-8th

July 5th

Finally I had a lovely visit with Michelle! She even selected some of my purged clothes, fed me some of her cheese rolls before going into the back and picking some rhubarb for me to share. Thank you for the lovely visit Michelle and Wally and for asking about my upcoming vacation. Wally was impressed on my booklet of plans!

Then home to more purging while clearing my sewing away, made a list of items to pack, booked my Park n Fly for Wednesday and the last of my dishes!!! Just need to do a last load of laundry and pack up Monday/Tuesday. 

Finally, I've either sorted by size and fabrics, trimmed to various sizes, triangle pieces sewn together and fabric pieces gathered for future HSTs. This under the bed tub is 31x14x6" and totally full, a good two years of collecting from friends. The bag on top has two books full of ideas and a Chevron pattern card along with packages of HSTs sewn, trimmed and sorted by colours for future projects. The smaller case is also full of various sewn HSTs but need trimming and sorting!

HMMMM maybe I've enough triangles, don't you think?????

July 8th

Well I'm getting closer to a new adventure or two or three!!!

Yesterday Edna treated me to the Tropical Storm dish at Pole Mono at Lakewood near Shoppers. 

Today I finished packing and swiffered floors while the towel laundry was on. Then got my cash and last minute items. Next is a quick wash of the floors, bathroom wipe down and finish off the few dishes from breakfasts past few days.

Today Pat came over for my keys and also told me about the AquaBus that we should check out in Vancouver, good idea, I downloaded the map etc and also saw there's one to Grouse Mtn and Capilano Bridge, maybe another option.

My friends have arrived in Canada this morning from Sydney, Australia and I can't wait to meet them tomorrow afternoon in Calgary!

Catchup. - June 22nd-29th

June 22nd

Well I treated myself to supper at the Red Top and had the whole place to myself! Their Sunday hours are 9-9pm. Usually I go for a scrumptious late breakfast or a shared lunch of gyro or chicken fingers with the girls. The meals are huge and three of us don't finish the 1 order of fries! Today I had a 2 piece chicken dinner with tossed salad and again only ate 1 piece, the side salad and not even half the fries - the other piece and fries came home with me for tomorrow!!! I just might try the chicken dinner again! YUMMY!!!

June 23rd

Okay, now that I've regained some energy I went through the pile of clothes that again I'm sure I've not worn for a year or so. Some are summer capris and pants and those I'll try on first and decide if I'll wear them. Even a couple of black dress pants - all on smaller sizes. Now that I've room in my back closet, I can hang those up, if they are keepers! WOW there's lots going out the door soon.

June 24th

Ohhhh it feels wonderful to get this head of hot unruly hair tamed again! Just in time for my trip next month!!! Thank you Adele for making me cool and pretty again! 🥰

Used my hallway apartment mirror. 

OMGG!!! I must be sick, NOT!!!

See today I went through my double wide dresser of tshirts and threw out 13 that were well worn, and the other half off for recycling. Also a drawer full of printed events tees that are humongous men's styles that I'll line up and take pics of the decals/embroidery and then donate them too. So now my tshirts n sweaters all fit in. That is except those that have printing on them, hung in the now roomy closet. Dang I could not believe the clothes in smaller sizes I found, no need to buy anymore.

June 25th

Slow start today but lovely Northern Lights Lace gathering, last till the fall! Then Boston Pizza lunch of shared chicken wings n salad with Edna then home to do some hand stitching. Sylvia wanted to do something for supper, I suggested Casino and she agreed. The only drawback is me leaving downtown in 4:15 rush hour traffic and construction, took an hour to Niakwa to pick her up. Supper was awesome taste and cost wise as both of us had discounts plus points further reducing the total. Then in to play some games and both of us came home with what we put in plus me $10 (not on the Gold Fish this time) and Sylvia $18 extra on two different Gold Fish. I like that mucho better playing 1.5 hours, breaking even and getting pocket change too!

June 26th

It was awesome to visit and have lunch with Ruth at the Southdale Village Family Restaurant today. Also I passed on some clothes to her to look over and return those not to her liking etc, as Iona gave me a sad face that I shared some with Ruth. I did tell her they still may come her way. Then I picked up some Kinsmen Bingo cards for Saturday's game, apparently Mississippi Jack's on Fermor still had cards today, my first time in maybe 30 years to play again!

June 27th

So for my last trip, Sylvia lent me her backpack to try out. I loved it as it was roomier than mine plus lightweight and fit carryon size. The only drawback was the large company logo on the upper pocket, oh well, it was free. So when I returned it after my trip, she said I could keep it and immediately I was thinking on how to cover the logo up. I decided to embellish a piece of lovely dragonfly fabric I had and added some batting for depth, plus gluing the inside knots for longevity. Totally love it!

"Dragonflies symbolize good fortune and prosperity, and can definitely indicate a positive experience is on its way."

"Dragonflies were given an extra set of wings so that angels could ride on their backs."

Gosh it's been that long since I made that landscape OR was it a memory then that popped up?

Well this is the latest project, covering up the law office name with some hopefully Good Luck dragonfly fabric I embroidered and beaded for my upcoming trip!

June 28th

So I'm still celebrating my birthday Saturday!!! This time was a lovely BBQ supper with Angela and Bruce. She made bruchetta, BBQd lamb roast, stuffed zucchini boats and served with her yummy potato salad. I was stuffed and could not have a second helping, my usual with her scrumptious meals! We finished off later on with graham cracker base (I think) lemon meringue pie (my favourite) and coffee! Definitely stuffed plus take home too, even with mint jelly! Her garden and patio is beautiful in daylight and in the evening too! 

Thank you sweetie, for the lovely BBQ, awesome visit and Happy Birthday to you too!!!

June 29th

Today was a so-so start to my day but I still picked up Edna and off to Assiniboine Park via the Portage Ave foot bridge. That was a BIG mistake as it was like 3 blocks before I was able to sit down and in mega hip pain and shaky legs by then. The rest of the walk around the duck pond was great with three rest stops before that long walk back to Portage Ave. But a nice long refreshing rest after Edna treated us to Sargent Sundae cones. Yes a nice day for a walk, warm and breezy!

Once home I did the daily exercises and then tried what Angela suggested. Lay on a floor mat (don't have such so used three kinda rough huge bath towels I don't like), feet up and did 10 minutes ice, 10 minutes medium heat, 10 minutes ice and last 10 minutes medium heat (twice a day). That position was welcomed relief in my lower back but DANG IT TOUGH GETTING UP!!! I will try my recliner for the next session as the bed is a pain for plug ins!

Catchup. - June 9th-22nd

June 9th

Thank you Alex of Zen Physiotherapy at 627 Dudley Ave for your help today!!! 👂 Pray it gets better too! Ryan, Dr's assisstant, said it may only need one visit and Alex agreed!

Well I did the complete balance and eye goggles tests, the treatment for my right side (ear with scarring from earaches as a child) and rechecked -- he thinks I'll be good to resume all in a few days. 🤞 I need to walk 15 minutes the next 3 days just to regain balance again then back to routine walks etc. I did not like it but noticed a difference before I left, no dizziness changing positions -- he does not think I'll have to come back unless a cold or fall triggers another spell and my home exercises don't work.  

I did walk up to Broadway, picked up Pat's gift of homemade hamburger soup, coffee at Tim's and bought a lady I've seen on the streets begging a cheese toast and coffee too. I was so thankful for my improvement I wanted to pass it on!!! 💞 Then on the way home noticed I was more steady and could even look at my feet without dizziness, still was careful! Taking it easy today.

June 10th

Well yesterday's relief of dizziness was a might short-lived. Early this morning I was restless tossing some and waking with slight dizziness upon turning. So kinda a quiet day with the girls getting a much needed border/binding fabric as I ran out of what was planned. Once that done we went to Boston Pizza for lunch, Edna and I sharing combo all-meat wings/salad, my appetite is still lacking. Then I ordered the pancookie dessert as my birthday offer from BP and us three shared! DUH I forgot to pass the phone to Sylvia or our waitress for this picture! Then home to relax.

June 10th

Thank you Brenda White for this so calming, lovely, subtle Hexagon PFA swap postcard that arrived today. I think they were stitched onto wool or a brushed flannel! The hand embroidery is so even and lovely. And the back so very neat, I cut the stamp and sticker off the plastic sleeve and glued it onto the back. Well worth waiting for from England! Thank you so much!

And look what I just found! Yes made by Brenda too, just not sure when the swap was.

June 11th

Well yesterday was a bit more iffy, but doing the exercise mid day it then improved.

This morning was iffy, not really dizzy, but I did the exercise early and feel lots better. Guess it's day by day!

Well today I treated myself!

See a month ago my iron started spitting brown spots, I cleaned it ages ago and it still acted up after cleaning again. My toaster is from the 70's and keeps burning things unless you watch closely plus not wide slots so a real pain. So today I treated myself to new ones, partially from a birthday gift card from family members!!! Thank you!

June 12th

I've found a lovely Geisha girl panel in my Oriental stash. This one I'm thinking of tracing various Sashiko stitches in various gown, headband and fan spaces, leaving her face, neck and hands as is.  

What do you think? Has anyone done this before, I know there were various presumed panels, but a do it yourself plan?

Well I can tell I'm feeling better and definitely on the mend as I spent most of yesterday measuring and figuring out fabric for a quilt back!  

AND today I actually SEWED on my BOM quilt project! It's been maybe a couple weeks or more since I touched it! Plus I'm dreaming up other projects! YEAH!!!!!

June 13th

Love this painting!!!

Yummy! Balsamic salmon and salad for lunch! I'm glad I'm feeling better and back to experimenting with tastes again! Also doing laundry and sewing. YEAH!!!

June 15th

Well an awesome day!!! Even got in a 1.5 km Sturgeon Creek Pathway walk with Edna plus Tim's coffee and muffins as a reward. Then over to have gyro supper with Sylvia and a visit too!!! Yep a totally good day after a so crappy week!!!

June 17th

WOW!!! The parade of the ACQ BOM quilts researched and put together by Jackie J and Lynda K was just AWESOME! Talk about the beauty in fabrics of the same pattern! Thank you to Barb F for the pictures. 12 besides the two samples!

Jackie J

Lynda K

My inspiration was triggered right after seeing Lynda's version, finally a plan for the pile of Orientals I'd gathered over the years. I found a scenic FQ that fit in for part of the large centre block, only variation I made to the pattern. 

Then I picked a larger panel and built up a backing, 5" wider than the front for hopefully quilting ease, basically two quilts in one - and mine! Not sure which I like best, the front or back? 

And as usual it didn't even make a dent in that pile. Guess I'll be making a few charity quilts with the rest!

And here's Sylvia's top.

June 20th

Friday (20th) after a slow start and errands I picked up Edna for a short walk on partial shade in Bruce Park. 

Then once home I continued trimming my 1.75" HSTs and sorting/storing my gifted scrappies! I've an under the bed plastic tub FULL!!! YIKES!!!

AND GOSH it's 18 days and I'll be off to meet Leanne n Rod, from my jaunt to Sydney Australia, here in Calgary for our combined vacation!!! I'm really looking forward to the Rocky Mountaineer Adventure and pray it doesn't scare the BGSs out of me!!!

June 22nd

This weekend I spent time in between laundry purging my closet. Gosh lots of items in the back half I haven't looked at in years!!! OUT THEY GO!!! Then used pant hangers for my pants instead of folding them over the hangers in the front part. Lots of resting too as my hip didn't like all the standing! Next will be tackling my dressers!

Okay I think I may have missed posting some health reports. Seems all is good, but still hip back pain!

Anyways xrays say minor deteriation from a few years ago xrays on lower back and hip pain. No surgery at this time. I've been referred for physiotherapy and a hip cortisone shot, PanAm is late August, just waiting to hear from Legacy Sports Clinic for a date then I'll choose.

My bone density results came back good, nothing bad there.

My Dr's assisstant follow-up on the dizziness is no Ménière's, no ear infection, but probably inner ear imbalance. Advised I see a Vestublar Rehab Physiotherapist and I did June 8th. This seems to have improved and I've exercises to do if it returns.

Yes aging sucks, especially when I don't think I'm that yet!!! BUT I'm thankfull I'm alive and kicking!!!

Catchup - Sept 3rd-14th

Sept 3rd

Ooooohhhhh not sure what the red sunrise means but it was lovely but too early for me to stick around!!!

Now outside to have breakfast but the clouds are moving in and the breeze picked up but its goingto be a hot one me thinks!

But WTF??? the confused geese are flying into the city from the south and I'm sure near a hundred or maybe more as there were FOUR huge flocks that flew over. I think to Fort Whyte? The dogs did not like all the honking!!!

Sept 4th

Hmmm you know what's coming sooner than later when breakfast on the deck is coolish!!!

These crazy kooks!!! Dahli started chasing Bubba around the yard really fast and he tried all kinds of evasion tactics to no avail. Both panting till Bubba jumped into the pool, naturally Princess wouldn't get wet so the chase seems to be forgotten? LOL!!!

Sept 11th

Awesome!!! My loveseat and folding table have been picked up and on their way to their new home! Then I called Leon's to arrange for delivery of my new recliner but not as lucky. The soonest delivery is September 19th or 20th - hmmm neither work for me. So it's Monday the 23rd. 🤔 I didn’t want to arrange anything till I definitely had the room for it. Maybe will give me time to purge more???

Sept 13th

Sept 14th

OMGG something musta perished in the wilds as I cooked supper! And a YUMMY one too! I steamed the last of Florence's green beans, her cherry tomatoes but not keen on these yellow ones and pan fried the salmon! Delicious!!! Finishing off with a fresh peach!