Check Up, Escaped Horses, and Stiff Pilates

No sun greeted us at 7 a.m. this morning. Just that heavy, flat winter light that makes everything feel a little slower.

S made coffees today delivering them back to bed, then scrolling for more updates on the cartel chaos in Mexico. I finished my first coffee in bed, then jumped into the shower before pouring round two. With that second cup I published Saturday’s post and polished up Sunday’s so it’s ready to go later today. There is something deeply satisfying about hitting publish before 9 a.m.

S showered next, then promptly nodded off in big brown for awhile before heading out to fuel up the car. Meanwhile I vacuumed — again. Dogs inside during shedding season is basically a full-time management program.

We were on the road after 9:30, stopping in Langdon where I ran in for teas and a muffin. I dropped S off a half hour early for his checkup and made the most of my free window — a quick Winners return and a little wander through the aisles. There’s something therapeutic about aimless browsing now and then.

I chauffeured the patient back home just after noon, he hit the bed to watch the news but fell asleep instead. I finished up the custom dresser tutorial — another project ready to publish as next month's paint project.

Later S went out to roll a bale for the horses while I read on the bed. Of course, the horses took that moment to escape into the big field. They were thrilled with themselves. I watched them gallop and carry on, though poor Katie — with her bad knees — will likely pay for that enthusiasm tomorrow.

Once they settled at the fresh hay, Harley and I bundled up and walked out to close the gate. It was only -2 and sunny, but that prairie sun is deceptive. It felt just as biting as those -12 days. Sheesh.

The rest of the afternoon was quiet. I read while S watched poker and whatever else filled the TV screen. B came out for her usual feed and Cooper’s bathroom break before heading home.

Renn in training to cook chicken last night

I wrapped up the Top Model documentary and started a Gordon Ramsay series — decent, not riveting. Somewhere in between episodes I did a beginner Pilates routine and wow… it is painfully obvious my flexibility packed up and left town years ago.

Winter days have a way of stretching and shrinking all at once. Chores, coffee, animals, a bit of productivity, a bit of escape. And just like that, another one folded into the books.

Gold Game Heartbreak & The End of the Olympics

It was an early one today. S was up just after 5:30, hustling downstairs to catch the men’s hockey gold pregame that started at 6:10. I woke around 6:30 to the sound of coffee being made — and he was back up for a refill by 7. I finally gave in, made my own mug, and joined him for what turned into a wild game. Matt was at a small pub, while Nathan and Renn were watching from their house too.

Beans however had no interest in hockey, only playing Fetch

Nail-biting overtime. Edge-of-the-seat tension. And then… heartbreak. Such a tough loss.

I came upstairs after and into productivity — finished and published Friday’s blog. S migrated back to the bedroom to watch the remaining Olympic events on the final day. I joined him with my laptop and chipped away at more posts. I cannot lie in bed without a streaming series. So it was vacuuming, wrapping up my custom nightstand tutorial, getting it published, shared and sent off where needed.  

Tuna sandwiches for lunch and then the closing ceremonies. S didn’t make it very far — out cold not long after it began. I wasn’t overly captivated either, so by 1 I ran to town for groceries because the fridge was looking bleak. Back home, groceries unloaded, a bit more computer work, and I caught the tail end of the ceremonies still carrying on.

B arrived around 3:30, which motivated S to finally get dressed. He and I took the dogs for a walk to the gate and back. It was -9 but felt sharper with that wind cutting through. B fed the horses and then settled inside to continue her scrub cap creations.

S and I curled up in the sunshine with Peaky Blinders for a bit before he showered and I got supper going. Leftover roast made a comeback, this time with cabbage cooked up alongside.

B finished one scrub cap while I scrubbed pots and pans. S hit the bed again and called his mom. B tidied her things and headed home. We tried to get back into Peaky, but he was asleep in short order. I carried on with two episodes of the America’s Next Top Model documentary before finally calling it.

And just like that — Olympics over. The house may need a new identity tomorrow.

Sunshine, Sold Shelf & Olympic Withdrawal Pending

After our late night I somehow slept until 8:45 — what a gift. Waking to full sunshine felt like winning something before the day even began. I made coffees and delivered one to the prince, who — without fail — flicked on the TV before even sitting up properly. Olympics mode: still fully engaged.

Seems someone had a slime incident this morning - vinegar soak to the rescue followed by a bath

Late morning I called Bell to see about increasing Sheldon’s phone plan and to sort out roaming charges on Shaina’s number. Well. That innocent little task turned into a solid 1¾ hours on the phone. But… credits secured, new offers applied, and accounts tidied up. I’ll count that as a victory.

Leftover goulash was heated for lunch. S emerged from bed for his bowl, then retreated right back to Olympic headquarters. Honestly — what will he do when the Games end tomorrow? These past two weeks have been prime in-bed viewing season.

Shaina finally was able to give Renn her late Christmas gift now there is finally snow - a sled

I pulled out my gel nail kit and patched the snapped middle fingernail situation. The soft pink isn’t a perfect match, but it’s close enough to pass. Crisis managed.

Then — ding! The shelf lady messaged back. She wanted it. After a few back-and-forths she sent a deposit and will pick it up in a couple weeks. SOLD. Love that feeling. I also had someone ask if I’d deliver a $25 bread box near the airport. Sorry. That would be a no.

Harley and I headed out for a walk. It looked mild in the bright sun but that -13 had bite. Back inside, I stretched out on the bed and wrote today’s blog while S napped beside his sports recap.

I watered the garage plants, cleaned the dreaded kitty litter and fed Harley just as B and Cooper arrived around 4:30. She did a quick feed of the horses, then settled in with more custom scrub caps and dog bandanas. The sewing machine hummed while S counted down the final Olympic events.

Todays projects complete - these 2 reversible mini dog collar bandanas ordered by the friend who also ordered the big ones

I had a pork roast in the oven and peeled potatoes B brought along. We sat to eat — sadly I only made gravy after we’d finished seeing the centre portion of the roast went back in the pot to cook more.

B and Coop wrapped up at 8 and headed home. S and I climbed into bed to finish Season 5 and start the final Season 6 of Peaky Blinders, pausing only for a yogurt bowl intermission. We shut it down just after 10.

Sunshine, sales, phone-call marathons, sewing projects, and the slow approach of Olympic withdrawal. Not a bad Saturday at all.

Close Calls, Chicken Deals & a Date Night Dash

A bitter -21 greeted us at wake-up, though the forecast promised mercy as the day wore on. Coffees were made, Instagram scrolled, and I hopped in the shower while S fired up Olympic coverage. The Canadian men’s hockey game quickly took over the morning — such a nail-biter. Even I was fully invested. A huge win with just 34 seconds left. The house may have heard some hollering.

After 11 I headed to town. The dash read +18 backing out of the garage (ha!) and promptly corrected itself to -18 once outside. Reality check. I had my nails shortened and colour refreshed, and while there my gal mentioned the brand-new Chicken Delight next door — apparently 50% off for soft opening day. Well… not quite. The slightly confused cashier offered 20% instead. Twenty-plus minutes later (with only one other couple waiting!) I grabbed two chicken wraps and fries, picked up Cooper and sped ranch-ward hoping they’d still be warm.

S was freshly showered and ready to chow down while the USA men’s game played — winner facing Canada for gold. As he settled in, I power-sanded Kaylin’s wooden charcuterie hearts silky smooth and gave them both a coat of salad bowl finish.

A lady messaged about the wall shelf with a lower offer; I countered. Since I could take it city-side later, I glued the loosened pieces back in and stained fresh wood plugs for the top screw holes. Even if this buyer passed (which she did), it’s polished and ready for the right home. Dogs and I then took advantage of the now-balmy -12 sunshine for a brisk gate walk.

By 3:30 we were city-bound for my Renn-sitting evening. Quick mail stop for the Nespresso order and Robby’s wedding invite, then the trusty Stoney Trail route to avoid Glenmore gridlock. We arrived just before Kaylin, who scooped Renn from “school.” I turned Olympics on for S and tended to the ailing pothos plants — Shaina’s I had taken there and had looking so good is no longer thriving.

Then it was full Renn entertainment. Nathan cooked up a delicious sausage pasta despite battling a head cold (their fancy dinner plans cancelled, better not to waste $$ when not feeling great). Play-dough pizzas, imaginary ice cream service downstairs, then bath and bedtime stories. It took a full hour of snuggles and storytelling before she finally drifted off.

she sits where she fits :)

Back downstairs, S and I squeezed in more Peaky Blinders, nearly finishing Season 5. I went out to warm the car before Kaylin and Nathan returned from their Harry Potter Philharmonic at the Jubilee — Shaina and Matt were there too. While flipping the seat forward for S I snapped my middle fingernail clean off. The drama! A quick hunt for clippers solved the jagged edge crisis and will file when home.

Beans tucked right under me as we watch

Goodbyes were quick, and we were eastbound after 11. Wide awake upon arriving home, we grabbed a bag of chips and pressed play again — stopping partway through the finale so we don’t miss a single Shelby moment.

Cold day, close hockey win, questionable chicken discount, and the sweetest date-night babysitting gig. Not a bad way to spend a winter Friday.