heating it up

My resolution to write everyday didn’t last long. Again, I have let the days slip by with nary a comment. They’ve been good days too. Although I will make a small complaint about the cardinal that is waking us up at 6:30 am… I feel exhausted and barely able to function. We’ve tried some things to scare it away but no luck so far.

The new stove got a workout on Saturday. Roast beef and yorkshire pudding on New Year's Eve is what triggered the purchase of our new stove, so it was with bated breath that I put the yorkshire batter into the oven. In at 400 for 20 minutes, then temp reduced to 350 for 10 or 15 more minutes and it was perfect! The roast beef turned out well too - instead of bringing it out at 142F, it was removed at 138F, covered, and left to rest while the yorkshire cooked. Oh my… swoon. I love pink prime rib!

Monday we dashed into the mall for me to change my nail polish, and then went to Jo Ellen and Don’s for a lovely bean soup.

Tuesday, Carm’s birthday, we went to Ikea for a lookie-loo, the accountant’s for pre tax meeting, the Works for a juicy burger, home for a rest, then over to Vashek & Marie’s for a birthday supper. All in all a wonderful day.

Today I’m doing some pre-final travel activities: charging the camera, clearing of the camera data card in anticipation of another set of Caribbean blue ocean photos, getting jackets arranged… Tomorrow I get a manicure so I’ll be protecting my nails from any bangs or nicks.

Spike has his DAP collar on - he’s been fairly quiet but that might just be the norm for a cloudy day.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
~Marcel Proust

I want to taste and glory in each day

Another sunny day! And yesterday was nice too, although the temps haven’t made it much past 2C. It is trending up though. I wonder why we decided that April was the time to go away? These can be the most glorious days as the earth sheds its wintery shroud and slowly comes awake. Crocuses will soon be poking their noses through the sun warmed earth (assuming the snow eventually goes away - still lots on the ground).

The strange thing about spring though is it is the time when I am most likely to get depressed. I can’t figure out why. The sun is coming back, summer is around the corner, camping season is nearing - all this somehow overwhelms me.

Yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon toddling around the mall with my Mom. I tried on enough clothes to feel thoroughly sickened, we ate Cinnabuns to make us feel happy again, and had a great time. Mom is so much more fun to shop with than Carm! Especially for clothes…

My new black dress pants have had a trial run: first night curled on the sofa, second night supper with Jo Ellen and Don including some sofa curling, third day shopping. They do bag at the knee a little bit after all that abuse, but are supremely comfortable. Now I have to decide if I’ll bring them on our trip… I have everything already planned out and don’t really need another pair of black pants, but the ones I am bringing are palazzo pants (wide leg), and these have a more flattering narrow leg. I’m driving myself crazy… maybe I’ll decide when we weight the suitcase

:-0

You must all be pretty certain that I have gone ‘mad’ and perhaps you are right. I’m having a fair amount of anxiety about this trip and find that distracting myself with the small details helps to calm my mind. I sort of wonder if the vacation is worth it...

I wasn’t there to witness it, but apparently Spike was a tail hair away from catching a black squirrel. Luckily for Mr. Rodent who eats all the bird food, Spike did not continue the chase after he snuck under the fence. The puffy poodle almost triumphs!

“I want to taste and glory in each day, and never be afraid to experience pain; and never shut myself up in a numb core of nonfeeling, or stop questioning and criticizing life and take the easy way out. To learn and think: to think and live; to live and learn: this always, with new insight, new understanding, and new love.”
― Sylvia Plath

motoring around

Yesterday was a bright day, and with my trembling mood we decided to go for a drive (always the best medicine for me). We started off in the city at a big mall. First stop: try on pants and found two pair that are actually flattering and feel comfortable too. From there we did the circuit around the mall, with a few stops as we oohed and ahhed over various things. The second loop we decided to just zoom around, getting our steps for the day. It was a fun afternoon.

I had thought that I’d wear the new black pants on the plane, but looking up the flammability of rayon, I decided I’ll stick with less comfortable cotton jeans… cause you just never know. Of course I did my research when I was in bed, desperately trying to fall asleep - giant fail!  The awfulizing started and I didn’t get to sleep for hours :-(

From there we did some groceries -  it seems that we are always shopping for some sort of food as we eat it up as fast as I make it.

I clipped the dogs nails this afternoon and did a total hack job - it looked like a scene from Carrie. Kabira got off scott free, Bella had one nail nicked, but Spike? My poor wee pup had several nails slaughtered. Bloody footprints from multiple paws earned him time in his crate. I’ve only rarely barely nicked him and don’t know what went wrong for me to do such a bad job.

This afternoon we sped into the city to pick up a new motor for our Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV). The old one has failed and since our house is so airtight it is important that we get it fixed asap.

“Can you understand? Someone, somewhere, can you understand me a little, love me a little? For all my despair, for all my ideals, for all that - I love life. But it is hard, and I have so much - so very much to learn.”
~Sylvia Plath