My birthday

It was my birthday, and my first call came from two of my favourite girls, K and R, via FaceTime. As we chatted, the snow started to lightly fall and turned to rain, which drizzled on and off for the rest of the day. I received other calls, texts, and Facebook messages, which I always enjoy.

the cutest birthday wish in the world XOXO

On a funny note, I pulled a mug out of the dishwasher to make my coffee and was enjoying it when S said the dishes in there were dirty. So, it seems I had coffee with Nathan and Renn from yesterday! LOL

Our rainy day project was to continue the purge. The huge shelf of DVDs and VHS were a puzzle if we no longer had a machine to play them. I had S hook the machine directly to a TV, and guess what? It worked for both! This was a huge relief because all the movies can still entertain kids. However, I did purge many adult movies because they can all be found streaming if needed.

I sorted through the dress-up box and was flooded with memories. I was only able to purge a couple of things, even the blue leather bomber jacket Shaina had me keep for an 80’s theme party she may host when we chatted on her birthday call. As I was still talking to Shaina, an unknown call came through, which I ignored until we were done. Oh no, it was the guys calling from the front gate to buy the dresser!

Luckily, it wasn’t long before I returned their call, they understood I was delayed by a birthday call from Ottawa. They loved the dresser and had it loaded under a tarp cover as the rain stopped, but soon after, it started again, so good thing for the cover.

 

Back to cleaning, sorting, and wiping down the TV room while S hooked up the movie machine directly to the big TV. Mom called before 3, and for the second time today, another unknown number came through right after. I looked out and saw the FedEx guy at the gate. I called him and let him in. We met him at the yard gate for the parcel. He refused to come into the yard and looped around, but rather by backing the entire laneway to the highway, meeting Britt on her way in. I brought the stool in to snap a few photos to post.

Mom and I chatted while B fed her horses. Then, she and Cooper came in to drop off a fancy gin and birthday wishes before heading off. Both she and Kaylin voted today, which made S happy. I finished sorting, loaded the stuff in the car, and headed to town just before 5 p.m. hoping to drop at the church for the rummage sale. Lo and behold, they had changed the spring sale to an antique and vintage tea and bake sale event. Now what do I do with a car full of treasures? It looks like the thrift store will be the next stop.

Birthday bonuses can’t be beat by the Station in town for a FREE birthday supper, dessert, and drink. I had the $34 maple glazed salmon and cheesecake. Next stop was DQ, where S enjoyed my FREE ($5.45 value) milkshake as I thought I was getting a Starbucks. This did not pan out as planned yet again this year. Not being able to log in to my app after downloading it to my new phone in-store. The car was emptied at the thrift store, and we headed home in the drizzle.

Once home, I was able to change the password, get online, and get it working. Normally, you get a coupon emailed beforehand, but since I didn’t, they gave me a one-time-use coupon that I have to use in the next two days. Thanks, Starbucks! I also got my FREE XL Tim Hortons tea yesterday. So, don’t forget to take advantage of the great birthday bonuses.

We spent just under 4/10ths of the weekend together. S was cozy in a big brown sweater, watching hockey, using Duolingo, and eating blueberry cheese. While I enjoyed half of my take-home cheesecake. I laid in bed writing today’s blog with Miss Lexi. The rain turned to snow before 9 p.m. and it was coming down at a good pace. We finished Spenser Confidential finally after hockey ended. Not quite the birthday of yon but like S says "well better than not having one" :(

Snowy Easter - loads of pictures and videos

I woke up at 7 a.m. to a gloomy, grey sky. When Renn woke up at 8 a.m., the snow started falling. It continued to snow throughout the day. Renn had a great time on her Easter egg hunt, finding all sorts of treasures. We enjoyed coffees before S left for church at 9:30 a.m.

Little Miss received more gifts after the egg hunt.

B joined the egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. She and Renn found all the eggs above Renn’s height. S returned home from church before noon to join us for brunch, where we enjoyed sausage eggs and fruit. Renn had a nap while Sheldon and Nathan played cribbage.

B fed Bird in the snowstorm, but the snow eventually stopped and the sky got brighter around 1 p.m. as she was still feeding. The snow melted quickly because it was plus 6 degrees outside and had been above zero. B and Cooper headed home. K, N, S, and I played golf.

In Medicine Hat, Papa got to leave the hospital for the first time since Jan 18 to celebrate Easter

After her nap, there was more play. Sheldon and Kaylin decided to take advantage of the nice weather and went to the hot tub. Nathan relaxed on the couch, and Renn and I spent a lot of time hopping up on the tub edge to knock on the window and get Mama’s attention. I bundled her up in a blanket and took her to dip her feet in the tub, which of course only made her want to get in. Luckily, it was the end of their soak, so they were getting out.

This is a little Osh Kosh dress B gave her too that is just fitting

the dancer

playing puppy

a new Easter outfit from Nana and Bapa

Using CHatGPT I asked it to recreate this photo like Beatrix Potter and Bluey. crazy heh?

S shocked the hot tub, while they packed up their goodies. Sheldon helped them load a few of the sourced moving boxes and they were on the road by 5 p.m. I tidied up the toys, did a quick Dyson and mop tidy, and downloaded 60+ photos. I ran to town before 9 p.m. to grab a free birthday tea at Tim’s while Sheldon watched hockey. A woman had messaged earlier to arrange to come buy the MCM dresser tomorrow and sent a deposit too. She never dickered or lowballed, which was great! 

Easter supper

There was a crazy coyote calling at 2:30. I woke S who found the "bang" that would scare him off but he had quite by then. The ground was wet and a drizzle still happening when I woke for the day at 8. This had me concerned for the boxes in the back of the truck. S drove them into the shop when he woke at 9. Time for a couple coffees.

Little miss one year ago

I brought the turkey in to put in water for a bit. I caught up the blogs and posted yesterday. A pan of brownies were made and baked up preheating the oven. Potatoes were prepped and the turkey put in the oven around 130. B was out after 2 catching roo and taking her for a leisurely ride. S took the dogs for a walk and to his shop. I did more plant care chopping dead roots off one orchid in hopes of getting it to bloom again.

B and S worked together to tidy the shelter areas of old hay and crap. The Boysis family arrived around 4:30 as the poop pickers finished up. The huge turkey was not cooked and took many more hours of cutting some off and putting back in the oven. We decided no more 30 pound turkeys ever unless a family of 30 was here. 

I got her this cute little 12 month outfit in hopes of her fitting at one but she now is wearing it at nearly two

Nathan and Renn went out to see J as the day turned sunny. It was a good timing, though, as another rain cloud rolled through around 6:30 p.m. while it was still sunny. Shaina FaceTimed us all for an Easter visit after she and Matt went to his grandma’s for Easter dinner.

3 photos by Nathan

Eventually, we all ate and enjoyed dessert later. We dyed eggs in a new baking soda and vinegar technique. Renny had a bath to get cleaned up, and Auntie B read her some stories.

Britt and Cooper headed home at 8:30 p.m., and Renn went to bed soon after. K and N set up their Easter egg hunt, and we all headed to bed after 10 p.m.