Wednesday, August 19th - OMG look what I found!

 Earlier in the week I neglected to mention that Nancy and Marla had come into town to have lunch at a little cafe just up the street a week ago. I met Liz there on Monday as well. It has a little outdoor patio that is sheltered by trees and tables spaced apart. On Monday it started to sprinkle rain just as we finished our lunches so we drove back to my place for tea. Liz walked in, took one look around and declared "Oh my gosh, this place is SO you!". And she's right. That's the reaction I'm getting from everyone who has known me for a number of years.

When I was on PEI I took a couple of basic quilting classes. They taught you how to construct the top of the quilt. The majority of people I met in the quilting world there had someone else do the actual quilting for them, although I know some still do it by themselves. But it's a very time consuming and space taking venture.

One of the ladies who works at the store I'm volunteering at, is my age. We got together one afternoon last week for a glass of wine and a chance to get to know each other better. On Monday she called and invited me to visit her on Tuesday when I was done work, as she was putting together her latest quilt. I had no idea what I was going to be seeing. I arrived with a basket of fresh baked biscuits and some home made jam cause I learned over the last 11 years that this is an appropriate thing to do! When I arrived at Carlee's house, I was introduced to her sister and two of her aunts. The quilt in question had just been attached to a large wooden frame that took up the entire dining area. The quilt top, batting and backing were all thumbtacked to the frame. Now it's ready to be worked on. I've never actually seen this done in person, much less taken part. But I watched for a little while and was asked if I wanted to join in. I politely declined but said I would come back. So Monday when both of us are off, I'm heading back out to her place to give it a go. I felt like I was stepping back in time when I entered that kitchen, which just happens to be in a old farm house. So I think I may have found my new place to hang out. 

Monday, August 17th - Well, it's certainly not been boring...

 I've been managing to keep myself busy during this very warm and humid summer.

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting my friend Judi at her cottage in the Kawarthas. We spent lots of time just sitting around the cottage and catching up. We had a nice time but it was cut shorter than planned due to a meeting on Monday. This brought be back a day earlier than expected.

I'm learning that living in the city can have some unexpected events take place. Early last week I went over to Walmart to pick up the vitamins I take for my eyes. I had just found what I needed but as I headed to the cash the fire alarms went off and we were instructed to leave the store immediately. I decided to wait it out and after about 20 minutes it was determined to be a false alarm so we were let back into the store. Fortunately there's a liquor store on the same parking lot so it gave an unexpected opportunity to do some shopping of another kind!

Last Friday I was talking to Sarah at the house when I returned after work. She asked if I'd heard what was going on. Unknown to us in the store there were 3 incidents in the city in less than 3 hours that morning. The biggest was the explosion of a car outside the courthouse in the downtown (which is actually not very far from my house). The driver of the car was killed and it was determined that there

was an explosive device inside the vehicle. It's also been determined that he acted alone. Very sad. Then there was a report of an elderly woman who had hit a pole with her car in Waterloo and she also died. Even more sad. Then at the same time a cab drive was allegedly threatened by a passenger with a gun, who left the area and was the subject of a police search. Friday morning was quite busy.

Saturday morning I went to the market and then walked on to the library. I had to pass the courthouse to get there but by Saturday morning all traces had been removed. I love that the library is so close so I can pick up a couple of books a week.

I missed our Thursday evening supper as one of the ladies at work came over to my place for a glass of wine and some snacks. Also a great opportunity to get to know each other better.

It was a rainy day on Sunday so I used the day to visit with Fran in Rockwood. I hadn't seen her since Boxing Day. On my way out of town I dropped in to see what Nancy was up to. She was busy with a sewing project so I only stayed for a few minutes. She suggested I stop in to see Marla. She was busy watching the Jays play so I had a short visit there as well. But it was so nice to have people I could actually just drop in on. Then today, Monday, I had lunch with an old friend I haven't seen in a very long time - Liz. They now live in New Hamburg and have 4 grandchildren. Needless to say we had lots to catch up on.

Tomorrow I'm going to my co-workers house to see a quilt that she's putting together. She has some other ladies coming over and she thought I might enjoy meeting them. So lots to keep me busy.

Friday, August 7th - summer is flying by!

 It's been a busy few weeks. Most days are pretty humdrum but a few things took place in the past while to break things up.

I turned another year older on the 30th and had the pleasure of supper out with my friend Kay on the 29th and then a wonderful BBQ at Robin's with another group of friends. It wasn't in my honour, it was because his daughter and grandchildren were visiting from out west so it was just a happy coincidence. But it was very special to be surrounded by good friends on my special day, even though I wasn't there to share it with Ethan! I'm sure he's happy to get his birthday back all to himself. But I will always think of him on the 30th of July.

The same week I got older, I also traded in my car. I found a 2015 Toyota Prius.(same year as my old car) 

 It has less miles on it than mine did, it's automatic and a hybrid with a few more bells and whistles. It has air (not that I care about that), cruise control (essential when driving out to PEI) and a back up camera. I had to spend a little bit of money on it but I absolutely love it. I find I'm sitting much higher than the old car and the insurance is actually cheaper, as it seems to be rated as a safer vehicle, and the gas mileage so far has been amazing. So it's a win/win all around.

Last weekend we loaded it up (it's also a hatchback, which I love) and headed out to Sauble Falls Provincial Park to camp for the weekend. There were six of us - Patti, Greg, Tristen, Meg and her friend, and me. We had a great night on Friday with warm weather and a bonfire. Saturday was

very warm and another bonfire at night. The sky in the evening was brilliant red so we assumed we were in for a great day on Sunday. You know what they say about assume.... sometime in  the  middle of the night it started raining and just never stopped.All tents leaked, some more than others, and we were soaked. Fortunately for us Greg's mom and  dad live about 20 minutes away. So a group of rather soggy campers showed up on their doorstep at 8:00 Sunday morning. We were kindly taken in and given hot coffee and breakfast. Mid morning Patti. Greg and I went back and  dismantled everything.Meg and her friend had gone back to Guelph on Sunday as she had to work on Monday. Even if it had stopped raining (which it didn't) there was no way to dry everything out. We packed all the wet stuff into the back of Greg's truck and finished off the weekend at Lynn and Paul's. After lunch on Monday with Greg's parents and his brother's family, we all headed back home. 

Once back in Guelph we unpacked everything and sorted out who owned what. Because my landlords were painting the stairs up to my apartment, I stayed overnight at the Dennison's. John and Sarah had figured there would be enough time to finish the painting but the damp weather made it difficult. But the wait was worth it. They look absolutely beautiful. 

Back to town on Tuesday morning and back to my usual routine. I worked Tuesday till today. Last night I joined our group in Elora for supper on an outdoor patio and I'm meeting another friend this afternoon in Guelph for a late lunch.  Then tomorrow I'm off the spend the weekend at my friend Judi's cottage in the Kawartha's. Of course the weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend. But I should have known. Brenda had texted that if I was going camping, guaranteed it would rain. I sent her a message on Sunday saying "Okay, you win|"