Thursday Tid Bits

It has been a quiet day on the old homestead. I had another trip to the dentist and so far no trouble what so ever. This is my kind of trip.

We managed to get everything back on the deck and even most of the yard cleaned up. Things are getting back to normal and I am starting to look forward to our summer at home.

I can't remember if I posted pictures of Harvey's "Lazy Kitties" so if I have forgive me. He now has them up on the new and improved deck.

Ahhh, don't they just show how relaxing summer really is!

My flowers are starting to come a bit better. We have had a bit of warmer weather and that is helping a great deal.

My begonia's are starting to bloom.

And what I call mini petunias are starting to fill out.

Ahhh, summer in all its glory is here.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

The day started off rainy and cool. While it stayed cool, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Came to be a wonderful new day.

Mass was wonderful, we had a baptism today and that always is a treat. What wasn't a treat was while cleaning up one of the other clean up ladies decided that she should boss me around. Having her there made me feel very nervous and unsure. It was like I forgot everything I ever knew about being a sacristy helper and was just a nothing.

The sermon was about forgiving those that make you feel less than you are so I will be working on that this week. Seems to be a recurring thing with me lately.

Other than that little upset, my Mother's Day was wonderful. I got a phone call from both Kurt and Kris and it was wonderful to hear their voices. Kris said he will be coming home next weekend so we should have a nice long visit.

Started to buy even more flowers yesterday.

I bought two of these to put by the front door, but they look so nice hanging by the door we come in all the time I am going to leave them there and buy two more for the front.

This is the start of my plants for the deck and some of the baskets that hang from the back soffit. These are baskets that I usually make up myself. Some of these will go on pots that sit on the deck and there are a few tomatoes and herbs mixed in here as well. I have a long way to go before I am finished buying however. Hope I can find everything I want to make my yard lovely for the summer.  Hmmm, my deck needs painting and I hope to get at that this fall after Harvey replaces a few of the boards.

I got a wonderful gift from Harvey for Mother's Day.

A wicker rocker!!! I can just see myself rocking those lazy summer days away with a good book or some handwork. Once my work inside is done of course. I must remember not to spend too much time being lazy and unproductive.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

End Of The Week Blues

The title of this post may be a bit misleading. I don't feel sad, in fact just the opposite as I have slowly but surely been getting used to the new ministry and have a few more bookings for subbing at the schools.

What I am a bit sad about is this.....

Our falling Canadian dollar.

While a less than stellar exchange rate will help our exports, it does nothing for the cost of everyday living. Since Harvey is now retired and we live on our pension plus our retirement savings and any extra money I bring in, this could cause a problem in a few months.

News casts are already warning us about increased costs from food to heating and fuel down the road. This could make what we thought of as being a relatively good retirement a bit of a struggle. Actually we are probably much better off than the majority of Canadians as we socked as much as we could into RRSP's and GIC's. I worry about others who were unable to do this.

Over the past couple of years I have watched food prices rise as well as basic heating costs and electrical costs. I think it may be time to go over the budget once more and see where we can cut even more.

Thank heavens we already garden, thus saving on frozen veggies over the winter as well as potatoes and onions.

Once this ministry is done at the church at the end of May, I will not be driving as much and so will be back to saving on fuel as well as mileage on the SUV which means fewer oil changes and less maintenance costs.

Holidays could be curtailed or a bit less spent.

Gift cards and coupons will be used even more.

Life will carry on, and all will be just the way it was meant to be.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Gardens

Over the years I have tried and tried to grow bouganvilla. Finally something seems to have clicked. This is the best I have done in my life time.

I am so happy. This winter I plan on bringing it inside and trying to keep it alive for next summer.

Harvey planted corn again this year after a couple of years not growing it in the garden. It sure has gotten tall.

I am looking forward to all the lovely corn on the cob we will be eating this fall. To put the height of this corn into perspective the fence is 6' tall on the right hand side.

Things are changing now that I handed in my resignation from my Educational Assistant position. I am actually sleeping in and I find myself more relaxed as the days progress. I know I will miss the children (they actually become a part of me I am with them for so long), but the politics and back stabbing will not be missed at all.

I am looking forward to quilting, knitting, cross stitch and any other hobby that I manage to fit in. Perhaps even taking a few online classes or taking up gourmet cooking. Life has endless possibilities and I am looking forward to them.

Everybody have a great evening.

God bless.