Good morning!

Hubby and I are just getting over the worst cold that I can remember in a very long time.  I don't know what the name of this virus was...but I assigned a few to it over the past two weeks.  Unfortunately we passed the bug on to my daughter and her husband when we were brewing it.  Both were hit very hard.  They are recovering now...just in time for the birth of their little one.   There is also a gastric bug that is making its rounds.  I don't think that you can be too diligent about washing your hands, particularly after shopping and pushing carts.

I have been working as I have been recovering, and am no longer contagious.  When I am not working, I am busying myself with the never ending chore of de-cluttering and ridding myself of that which has accumulating over the years.

It is hard to part with those things that have memories attached to them, but this task is made easier in that I am donating to a cause that my mother, for example, held very dear.  Mom was a brittle diabetic.  I have been asking the Canadian Diabetic association to pick up items which they will, in turn, sell to raise funds to further research.

When I am not sorting and disposing of, I am crocheting baby jackets for the two babies that will soon join our family.

The weather outside is nasty today...rain with snow soon to follow....so I am going to leave you with a picture of warmer and happier days spent with family, and friends that are family, taken last summer.  We just LOVE this lady!

Packing and Reminicing

Christmas has flown by, and as I pack up our decorations for another year, I am reminded of those who continue to make our Christmas special by their contributions to our tree.  My M-I-L stitched the heart above many years ago.

This piece of hooking was done by my friend, Donna

I believe that my mother made this decoration....

Another decoration hooked by my friend, Donna!

My S-I-L made this star from clay.  I LOVE it!

This is another decoration that was hooked by my mom.  I miss her so much.... but it nice to be reminded of her presence at this time of year.

I made this one, many years ago

My Daughter made this tree topper when she was 5 years old in 1989.  It has graced our tree for 22 years now.  I had the best Christmas EVER!  We celebrated with our children (the ones who lived closest) on Christmas eve day.  It was so nice to have them all together, and even though our home is small, it did not seem crowded.  Dad visited for a short time and was off to Newmarket for supper with my brother.  Although my Sudbury daughter and hubby, and Guelph son,were absent, they were in touch.  As I said...it was the best Christmas EVER!

Is this the last straw?

Have you ever stopped yourself mid-stream...and asked what the hell you are doing?  I did this morning.  I looked out my bathroom window to see the septic tank overflowing.  This will be nine times that we have had to have it pumped in less than two years.  I am sad.

I thought that we could do it.  I thought up until last week when I came down with a vicious cold, that I could do this.  (perhaps it is the constant coughing that has also worn me down.)

Did we make a mistake?  Are we too old for this?  Did we jump too fast?  Am I just too sick to deal with this right now?

Last winter we had no problem with the tank.  It seemed to happen in the spring, summer and fall...and usually before company was to arrive.  There are two of us living in this house.  We use very little water.

There is no point asking whether we could "go back" on the previous owners.  That is not our way.  Perhaps the weeping bed was damaged during their move.  They, supposedly, had little trouble when they were here.  That would not solve the problem, anyway.  It is winter and the tank needs to be pumped.

I am sure the situation will be a lot brighter in a few days, when I finally shake this cold...but in the meantime...please have patience while I indulge in a little self-pity.

Happy New Year!

  

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!” 

-William Arthur Ward