The Wacky World of Weather

I didn't think to take any "weather" photos yesterday but then it would have been near impossible what with the constant downpour and heavy winds. 

Anyhoo, it would have looked like this!

And I was a little busy once I found that the living room was drenched because I hadn't closed the patio doors. Did I say drenched..... I think I meant soaked. I was busy wiping up floors and furniture and now have a lovely display of wet towels draped around the house. I may have to run the dryer as nothing hanging up is going to dry today. Silly me. I was sitting high and dry by my bedroom window glad I was safely indoors and thinking "boy, that wind is strong" all the while not realizing that strong westerly winds were blowing in through the patio doors. 

Oh well, it could always be worse. 

Here's what southwestern Ontario looked like all day yesterday. And today. Can I just point out however, that I am brilliant (accidentally) when it comes to "timing" - I pulled into my parking space yesterday just as a few little drops started appearing on my windshield. By the time I got myself and my packages into the house all HELL broke lose!! Dodged that one...sorta....Today it's only 13c!! Once again I am sitting by an open window and the breeze is freakin' COLD!! 

However....not quite THIS cold!! This is Alberta where winter arrived in summer! They've had over 6 inches of snow and it's still coming down and so are the tree branches. It's a mess out there and I'll take thunderstorms any day over snow.  Which is a good thing I guess since more thunderstorms are forecast and are heading eastward to all my maritime family and friends! 

Watch out!  You're welcome!

Dear Diary:

Brrrrrrrrrr! It's been a long time since I've seen the sun shine and my head is starting to feel the effects of that loss - pound, pound, pound. It's a whole +13c with more rain forecast for today but at least it's not snow like in Alberta.

I got a good bunch of my shopping done yesterday before the rain shut everything down. I went out to MEC and found 2 good pairs of hiking pants - one was on sale and was for "short" legged people like me. Then I found 2 long-sleeved tops, both on sale :) I also purchased 3 pairs of sock liners which worn under hiking socks is supposed to absolutely prevent blisters. I seem to have a major fear of blisters probably due to the fact that I seem prone to getting them. And I bought a "platypus" which is a flat plastic container for water which takes the shape of a bottle when filled. Easy to pack. 

Then off to the Bulk Barn where I purchased cashews, almonds, dates, peanuts, hazelnuts and chocolate covered ginger. Plus a box of CLIF granola bars and a whole bunch of carrot/apple/ginger thingies (like the fruit leathers I used to buy for Kazi before the dentist told me they were the worst things for children's teeth EVER!! (I mixed all the nuts, dates and chocolate covered ginger in a huge bowl and then filled 14 sandwich sized plastic bags. This is my trail food and quite possibly my lunch. My plan is to eat the free traditional English breakfast and then use my trail food to get me through til supper. I need more ways to get "ginger" into my day (for pain relief) so I may take some ginger tea bags and hopefully I can make a tea at the B&Bs I stay at. 

After that was Shoppers Drug Mart to pick up an item for Annie and a couple of things for myself - they had little first aid kits on sale for less than $4.00!! so I bought one for my backpack.

Lastly was Walmart where I bought a long sleeved black top for $7.00 (it's all about layering!) a travel purse (strap goes cross body so that the purse part hangs safely in front) to hold my passport, boarding pass etc - don't want to be rifling through my backpack. Also bought a luggage tag, got a new watch battery as I'll be checking my watch a LOT to make sure I'm on time for the train, tube, plane etc. Also bought 2 sizes of plastic bags to hold my trail food and other items that I'll want to keep dry (daily maps) and to put things in that might break in my suitcase - hydrogen peroxide etc. 

Figured out with the help of google last night how to change the resolution on my camera so I can take more pictures but will also buy another SD card just in case. The one I have is 4g but I think I'll also get an 8g. I'm not a shopper, I'm a picture taker and my worst nightmare would be running out of space on my camera for more photos!!

All that's left to do is lay in supplies for Tisky and get the SD card for my camera. Oh, and laundry...and packing...:)

My Pill Poppin' Journey

Over the years I've been on various medications for various troubles - from sleeplessness to acid reflux to depression to pain control etc etc etc.  Like the ninny I was I didn't argue with the doctor when he/she would prescribe a new medication - I was just grateful to be taking something that would help (hopefully) with whatever was currently bugging me. I'd say that over the past couple of years I've become more conscious and concerned about just popping another pill in my mouth and have started to consider alternatives.

Since I knew I was going to retire in June and that I would no longer have cushy expensive benefits (my choice - yikes - but still have OHIP) I decided I was going to wean myself off of the 3 drugs I was currently taking: over the counter ibuprofin in ridiculously high amount for pain, cipralex to help with menopausal symptoms especially anxiety and amitriptyline (also known as Elavil) which is an anti-depressant but was prescribed in a non-therapeutic dose to help my lower back pain.

Fun times.

1. Ibuprofin: I have a tendency to carry my stress in my shoulders, neck and head. I also have pain in my arms and hands due to overuse of computers. I have become adept at using a mouse with either hand (I'm ambi-mouse-trous) but then I just had pain in BOTH arms and wrists instead of one! Soooo I turned to organic anti-inflammatories instead of pills - ginger and turmeric. Every day without fail I add ginger and turmeric to my diet: I add fresh pieces to my drinking water plus I keep a pot on the stove in which I boil both to make tea. They can also be added to green drinks and smoothies. I reduced the amount of ibuprofin I was taking - sometimes as much as 1600mg daily down to zip - over the course of a few weeks - this was last spring. Now I rarely take any - I only reach for a pill if I need immediate relief and I feel it's an emergency. So very rarely. Maybe once or twice in the past 4 months. And yes, the fact that my doctor put me on "OTHER PILLS" to help protect my stomach from the ibuprofin was a huge factor in all of this. I have been 99% ibuprofin-free since March or April.

2. Cipralex:  Okay, this one was easy, I cannot tell a lie. I just stopped cold turkey. Back in April.

3. Amitriptyline: The story with this one is long and eventful, but not in a good way. I've been on this horrible drug (though at one time I thought it was miraculous!!) for close to 20 years!!! When Kazi was 3 I injured my back at work by trying to move a full 100 cup coffee maker from the back of a table to the front of the table. Gradually over the course of the day the pain steadily increased. To make a long story short I lived with chronic pain for years. I did physio of course, took the pain meds, went to the chiropractor frequently etc but nothing helped. (Let me just say here that I am very grateful my doctors never put me on any of those narcotic pain killers like oxycontin or percocet!! which are terribly addictive!!) 

At one doctor's visit my doctor said he'd read that amitriptyline in small doses helps about 3% of people with lower back pain would I like to give it a try. It HELPED; it was GLORIOUS! The RELIEF was incredible! The problem was that whenever I would stop taking it for a couple of days the pain came roaring back. Fast forward about 17 years to this past spring and I decided I would wean myself off once and for all. The ginger and turmeric were wonder foods and I was passionate about being pill-free and relying on foods and natural herbal remedies instead.

I did my research online about withdrawing from this drug but I didn't do ENOUGH research!! And my doctor was of no help whatsoever. Here's a clue for you - after having some MAJOR withdrawal symptoms I found an article that said withdrawing from amitriptyline is HARDER than withdrawing from heroin. I tried cutting my dose too quickly and had to admit defeat and up my dose once again. I started at 50mg and immediately cut to 25mg. Way too big of a drop. But I managed that ok and thought I really knew what I was doing. I didn't.

After a week or two on 25mg I just stopped taking any!!! Whoa - I kept a journal and let me tell you it was horrific. Full-blown allergy symptoms, nausea, dizziness, my head was a total fog, I couldn't think and I felt suicidal and anxious beyond belief. That's when I did more research and found the article mentioning heroin. So I went back on the 25mg pills and have been really slowly reducing my amount. I'm close to being finished now but it's taken several months.

Right now I'm cutting 10mg pills in half and taking one half every 3rd day. It's been a long journey and quite a brutal learning experience. Amitriptyline is NOT a cold turkey kind of drug. My doctor should have known more about it and advised me but basically it was all my research and all my decisions all the way through. I'm going to continue with 5mg every 3 days til after my trip and then I'll move to every 4 days, every 5 days and that's it. FINITO!!

Here's a link for more info on withdrawing from Amitriptyline. 

Dear Diary:
Getting a wee bit sick and tired of this cloudy weather. Blah..... Found out yesterday that my "hosts" will only move 1 suitcase daily from 1 B&B to the next B&B so am having to revise my plan. I was thinking 2 small suitcases instead of 1 large one. Which was a revision on the idea I could manage with just 1 carry-on. I just can't fit all that I need in one carry-on as I need to pack a backpack, extra shoes, water-proof pants, walking poles etc. So my plan now is that I will take one small suitcase which will be checked and will pack my backpack and use as my carry-on. Then the backpack will go with me on my hikes and my "hosts" will move my small suitcase daily. There's NO WAY I'm going to navigate trains and tubes with a huge suitcase. I think this will work out. Will do a trial packing today and what's what.

Today is a shopping day - I will get out (rain or not) and buy the last few things that I need. Just got a message that tonight's hike is cancelled due to the weather :( My daily exercise has suffered the past few days "due to weather".

Another family get together on Saturday with mega cousins again. Hope the weather improves by then!

Heard from the lawyer's office yesterday - they are mailing out cheques - one to discharge the mortgage and the rest coming to me - YAY!! There is such relief in being able to close the book on that sad chapter of my life. I only want to look forward not backward.

Tally ho!

Lady of Leisure

 Somehow I don't think "lady of leisure" describes me very well. I'm always up to something. And this past Saturday that "something" was the basement.

I noticed the large TRASH BIN was back and I found out it's going to be there for the month of September as students and families move in and out. Brilliant! I wasn't planning on starting the basement quite yet but can't look a trash bin in the mouth! (Is that how the saying goes??)

About 12 years ago me, myself and I laid laminate flooring down in the basement. You didn't know I was so handy did you? It was a March break project - I cut some instructions out of a magazine, found some half price flooring and literally "got busy"!! The basement is home to our TV/exercise room, a furnace/work room, a laundry room and two storage areas and a reading nook.

I think I did a pretty good job overall. I also did the trim and baseboards and since I didn't know how to mitre the corners I used corner pieces for the baseboard but it looked nice I thought.

 BUT ever since the hot water tank broke down a couple years ago flooding the basement with an inch of water I worried that there might be mould under the laminate and underlay.

 So I've been waiting for the right moment to get started on this lovely project and what with the free bin to throw the flooring in I thought to myself - "THE TIME IS NOW!"

My tool of choice...plus I used a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and my amazing strength!

 The hardest part was finding a place to start. Once one board is removed it all starts to come up.

I had two shag area rugs I decided to toss too - they date back to when Kazi was in Gr. 11 and we had an exchange student from France stay with us for two weeks so they are 6-7 years old. I suppose that's not terribly old but I'm in a "out with the old, in with the new" kind of mood.

I ripped through the underlay thinking I was going to see black mould but all there was was the bare concrete floor. No mould behind the baseboards either. I'm very relieved.  Now could somebody put the laminate back in place please??

 Hah, just kidding, sort of...

You know vacuuming the underlay is a tricky business - the vacuum wanted to suck it all up so I switched to the vacuum brushy attachment and that worked better.

 Isn't the TV/exercise room lovely now? Such a nice floor. I haven't a clue what to put down there - suggestions?

 My old cat likes it better - she doesn't slip around on the underlay as much as she did on the laminate.

 The reading area is done....

and vacuumed.

It took many many trips up and down the basement stairs with arm loads of flooring and baseboards - I pulled Dougie the Dodge right up to my front door and loaded him up, then drove over to the bin and unloaded. A neighbour came over and helped me unload the first and largest load - thank you Clint!

 There's all my crap - it's going to get hauled away for FREE!! 

And Dougie, once again you came through big time! Who needs a man when they have Dougie the Dodge to help!?!  I mean look at him - isn't he lovely? He just sits there waiting patiently and quietly until I need him. The strong and silent type! Of course my back is feeling it and my right wrist is suffering from repetitive strain but those things won't last.

And so, the decision of what to put down for flooring in the basement will be scheduled for AFTER my trip - it's ok for now.

Dear Diary:
HAHAHAHA day off to a great start! Warmer this morning - +17c whereas yesterday morning it was freezing! No sunshine to speak of yet. The neighbour guy with all the dogs was outside laughing maniacally earlier - not sure why...other than he's weird! Yesterday did not go exactly as planned but then my days rarely do. I had it all sorted that I would get details of my trip figured out and then go for a bike ride to loosen up my stiff muscles but it took the whole freakin' day to find and print things like the London TUBE map and my train trip reference numbers for the 3 train trips I booked etc etc etc...not that I'm complaining Diary (yes, I am) but it was a long day sitting in front of the computer. Thanks to my friend Annie for booking another train trip for me as I didn't know which station I'd be leaving from after I visit her. Well, at least I know what an "Oyster" card is now:)

The detail that took the longest to sort out was how to get from the Norwich train station to my B&B which is in a small village a few miles away. I finally found a local bus line that goes "close" to where I'm staying so then I'll either walk the rest of the way (not far) or call a taxi (I found a phone number for one). 

Note to self: next trip will be much simpler - no zigzagging all over the damn place requiring multiple planes, trains, buses, tubes and taxis!!!

Today I am going to read all the pre-trip info that was sent to me by the "walking tour" people and make my final "to do" and "to buy" lists. Everything is pretty much paid for except my meals. Breakfast is included at all of my B&B's and I'm going to see if I can nab a few extra items from breakfast to eat for lunch - worth a shot. Then I only have to pay for dinner. I'm told everything is expensive over there. 

Then, if there is any time left I'll get out for a bike ride, oh, and if it isn't raining! At least I have leftovers for dinner so no planning required there. Last night's dinner of salmon, cauliflower and green onions was superb! Green onions just make everything taste better and mixing them with steamed cauliflower was to die for. But here I still am :) 
Ciao
PS - finished "A Fatal Winter" - only 1 left in the series :(

Dear Diary

Good morning my dears: From time to time I've toyed with keeping a diary, something in which to record daily events from the mundane (the weather) to the ridiculous (my life:) and occasionally get started but always I let it slide. I find it both burdensome and somewhat redundant to keep both a blog AND a diary so I've made a decision.

I'm going to include a "Dear Diary" segment at the end of each post and sometimes it will be instead of a post as I don't usually do a blog post everyday. You're welcome of course to read my diary entries - they may not be very exciting and don't feel obligated to comment on them. It's more a little record-keeping for myself as my memory isn't what it was and sometimes I try to remember what I did on such and such a day and I can't! I've kept diaries in the past (pre-computers!) and I enjoy looking back to see what I was up to in l992. We remember the big events, but the ordinary everyday stuff gets forgotten (and yet I find it so interesting!!)

So here goes....

Dear Diary:
So I'm starting a new routine, or at least trying to (must be honest with Dear Diary!) When I first get up in the morning I'm going to make a coffee and toast (or oatmeal) and spend some time on the computer updating my diary and perhaps writing a blog post. I don't get the newspaper from my neighbour, Alma, until about 8am, (sharing the cost and sharing the newspaper is going well) so I have some time if I get up at my usual 7am.

Yesterday was a good day - went on a hike along the Thames from Adelaide almost to Richmond, behind St. Peter's seminary. We had some difficulties though because parts of the trail were flooded - I heard we got 6 inches of rain thereabouts during Friday's multiple thunderstorms. Michelle, Mike and I went to Timmies after. I had some good conversations with people I hadn't talked to before while hiking - Mark in particular about retirement and choosing the right time to go.

Still haven't received the $$ from the house closing. The lawyer dealing with it is off on holidays until Sept. 12th so perhaps that's why? Doesn't seem right though that I should have to wait while the lawyer cavorts around the island! I'm dragging my feet on the trailer - I'm just not sure at this particular point in time whether to take the plunge or not - I may wait until spring as I wouldn't be able to use the trailer until then anyways and I could possibly get away with making a lower offer. The hot water tank has to be replaced at a cost of $600 so there's that to consider. I'm going to wait til at least after I come back from my trip and then decide if I want to make an offer or wait til spring. I like scheduling my decisions - it takes off the stress:0

Just found out Kim is going to Ireland while I'm in the UK - two siblings overseas at the same time! Too bad we're not on the same plane but he's leaving one day before me.

Am having difficulties with my complexion - at MY age! I find my pores are larger so when I sweat they get clogged. What fun! I rarely wear makeup (YAY!) and try to clean my skin a few times a day but still I get a whitehead or two after a sweaty hike. Thank you menopause! Grrrrr.

The humidity is gone and the weather is perfect right now. Sunny and low 20's (celcius). I think today's exercise will be a bike ride. I'm still looking for a gas station with free air for my bike tires. I refuse to pay $1.00 to add air to my tires!! What's that diary? cheap cheap cheap! 

I am reading two books right now. A real book that Kim gave me by Canadian writer Alistair MacLeod (died this past April) called "No Great Mischief" about the clann Chalum Ruaidh. (Kim has Alistair MacLeod as a teacher when he went to the University of Windsor!) Kim and I have been talking alot about how we sometimes get bogged down and depressed by our memories of the past and that we're too darn sensitive and he gives me a book to read that's all about memories of the MacDonald clan!! narrated by the 'ille bhig ruaidh. It's a weighty book, full of loss but full of strength.  The other book is on my iPad and is a bit more light-hearted called "A Fatal Winter: A Max Tudor Novel" about an Anglican minister in England who formerly an MI5 agent and gets caught up in a murder investigation. The author G.M. Malliet (Death of a Cozy Writer) is one of my favourite british mystery writers and has a quirky sense of humour and this book makes me laugh out loud while reading. (A Pagan Spring - haven't read yet)

And that's life at Crabapple Landing.

I Won I Won!! What??

You probably haven't noticed the new badge at the top of my sidebar. Don't feel bad, I just put it there 20 seconds ago! I received an email from Robin at Suncityorovalley recently saying that my wee blog had been featured in their 51 Brilliant Retirement Blogs List! How about that!!

If you would like to check out the post and see what she said about my blog (and 50 other equally BRILLIANT retirement blogs) go HERE!!

A Day at the Beach!

So what does a retired teacher do now that school is back in session?? Why...go to the beach of course!! Bayfield beach to be precise - one of my favourite places to relax. There's a nice pier to walk out on, a beautiful marina with several quaint old building and boat houses. Thursday was sunny and hot - so a trip to the beach seemed like the natural thing to do!

 A LUCKY photo of a sandpiper walking in between me and the lake just as a wave was crashing on the shore.

It's not the ocean, but it sure is pretty.

The fishermen were out as usual on the pier.

 Andy many sailboats were out on the somewhat choppy water.

 I count 4 in this picture alone!

 The seagulls were busy basking in the sun and eating the popcorn Julie kept throwing in their direction.

 Walking on the pier - I did go and see a trailer I was interested in but I seem to be dragging my feet.  I'm going to wait til after my trip before I make a decision...or put in an offer...

I'm way out on the pier but zoomed in on Julie and our spot without her realizing it!

 I find there are LOTS of photo opportunities at the marina.

 These lights along the pier always make me think of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I expect Tumnus to wander into sight any minute!

 The colours are so bright and crisp in the warm sunshine.

 However fall is definitely on the way - the purple martin houses are deserted now.

 I love this boat - I'm not sure if it's operational - I've never seen it move from this spot.

 A POSTCARD shot :)

 I've often thought I could live in a houseboat.

There's Jules...I'm going to sneak up on her! Shhhhhhh!

Big City Living

Sometimes life in the big city can resemble an episode of COPS!! Sunday morning in my condo complex was a good example. Around 10am I noticed a police car sitting in my parking lot - it was there for a long time. Two officers sat inside, and sat, and sat. 

Of course I felt guilty. I had parked my truck in my daughter's parking spot while she was in Chicago - were they here for me?? They were parked perpendicular to the parking spaces and their front wheels were sitting squarely inside my truck's assigned space. I started to sweat.....after what seemed like hours the two officers finally exited their vehicle and started walking towards...

a dark blue van parked further down the row of cars. I noticed it had no license plates - someone in the complex must have noticed the van abandoned in the visitor's parking area and called it in.
Wow - what drama!! 
The officers actually opened the doors of the van and looked inside!!!

Then they walked back to their police car.....to get their truncheons?? crowbar?? tasers??

No, to get into their police car...and...drive away!!!  It's ok Dougie, they're not after you...you can relax now!!  Phew, another bullet dodged!!