I'm Back!

 
Well, hello world!  It's been a while and since life is slowly but surely getting back to normal (as normal as it can given who is writing!) and things are finally setting down, I thought I'd write some more...

Don't get me wrong, I kept writing postcards all the while, but in the past few weeks, since April actually I've also slowed down my participation in different games, etc. but kept on sending out my "officials".

You'll be happy to read that our renovations came to an end, after 18 long weeks of patience and muchos dineros BUT we are very happy with the end results.  This is now home!  

My office, generally referred to as "the Cave" by the Husband shows that I live there.  Despite very little efforts on my part, to be honest, it's a mess in there but it is MY MESS and I love it!  I can work when I need to, and do my artsy stuff when I want.  

We have, for the very first time, a nice patio set, and the room to actually enjoy it!  Check it out!  It went from this, with two camping folding chairs...  
to this, after delivery of our new patio furniture...  

I've taken out my sewing machine and the left over material I had bought in Hawai'i years ago, and made a few cushions... 

Isn't it inviting, to relax with a cold drink and shoot the shit?  I would think so!  I love it!

One day, as we were heading to DeSerres in Boisbriand for me to look at different supplies for watercolor painting, I found a painted rock on the ground as I got out of the car. It was so pretty.  Don't you think?  

I'd been talking with a friend about doing that for a while, and finding this rock brought that idea forward especially since on the back of it also said: "Keep, Hide or Replace Me. Please publish a picture on Facebook in the group aROCHEmoiunSOURIRE"  I kept it for a while and posted it in the group.  That started a new thing for me... being on the look out for rocks!  I started with an odd shaped one, mid April.

I quickly realized that painting on a rock is not at all like painting on paper, so I got myself some acrylic paint pens.  That makes a big difference in the details.  

I left it in front of a mail box down the street and was happy to see it gone by the time I walked back. 

Then I painted this fish...

which I left on a stop sign post by the grocery store we go to.  Hubby had to go back the next day and told me there was no stone left!

I'm attracted to smaller rocks, but they are harder to paint on and to stick the ID for the group on them is barely possible.  So I 'try' to get bigger rocks... like this one, which I loved how it turned out.  

I had found the perfect spot to hide it, on a trail near home.  

By the time we walked that trail again, the owl had flown away!

The group had a theme for the month: a little house, so I painted this little one and also left it at the stop sign post on our way in the grocery and when we walked back it was no longer there... 

So I've been painting rocks, and hiding them in the area...  Here are some of them...

Was hidden at Première Moisson on chemin Gascon.

  hidden... 


and these two...

and finally this little one, left on steps leading to a trail

At the moment I have a few drying from the varnish coat I gave them and today on my walk to the mailbox I actually picked up two more (blank ones).  I know I'm no artist and I'm enjoying doing this.  It does calm the brain, so that's always a good thing!

While doing all this I also started watching some tutorials and took on watercolor painting.  That is something totally new to me and I'm loving it even if it can be frustrating at times, but I see my evolution... slowly but surely, I think.

Ok this will conclude this post for today, and I'll be seeing you around!

TTFN

Day Fifteen - Popular Renovations Chronicle

A few days went by and things are slowly, but surely, getting more completed.  This morning a cute guy came by to measure everything for the quartz countertops.  If only the men who came in and out of this place lately could be like that one... he was clean, cute, polite and fast!  

Overall I'd say the work is progressing fine.  We are both tired to not have our refuge to ourselves.  Not only do many people come in our bubble but they leave it dirty, and we both hate that.  We are also both tired of having to get up early, as neither one of us are early birds.  It's been rough. I told a friend today that I'm a night owl, and don't do well with early birds, and if this keeps up I will turn into a bird of prey!

At times I feel like telling them to stop with the noise, the banging and all... but I keep reminding myself it's for our comfort in the long run, and it will end.  ...eventually!   Hubby is really not a happy camper, as we are basically camping in our home... He's been cooking using either our slow cooker or our air fryer in the garage.  At first it was on a folding table, but the last few days, it's been on top of our new kitchen sink box... It is getting old really fast...

BUT, I'm happy to say that one thing is completely done!  Check it out:

 Our new bookcase is the basement!  I love it!  I had it made deep to be able to contain all my scrapbooking albums, photo albums, our books, and the bottom section will be for our games and such.  Starting to fill it up as soon as I can find the right boxes!

Now, if you'll excuse me, boxes are calling my name to be unpacked!

Tourlou!

Day Three - Renovations Chronicle

 Today will be a short post, things are still on the right track, running smoothly, which makes us very happy.  It wasn't a quiet day in the house, Hubby escaped again.  The lucky man can go to his employer's office ten minutes from home for some peace and quiet and he can even shower there, which he did today!

I've been thinking how I'm going to manage that tomorrow, as our shower will not be available for a few days...  He offered to take me to his office, but that would be after working hours, I'm thinking...  

Tomorrow the plan is to do the ceramic (on the wall) and finish the kitchen's walls. The guys show up really early, and as most of you who do know me, I'm no early bird.  I've been getting even shorter nights than usual, to the point that this morning, while they were cutting tiles and banging whatever it was, I fell asleep and slept for more than one hour!  I guess it's true that one can sleep through anything when tired enough! ah!

And I did manage to sell and liberate the garage of the old vanity!  Yay me!  Been trying to sell some of the stuff we've been taken off/out.  I wasn't too thrill to just get rid of it all (as strongly suggested by Hubby), so I took pictures and posted some items on MarketFace.  I'm always amazed at what does and does not sell on there...  A lot of people ask questions, but few do follow through.  I'm happy that I've managed to sell a bunch of things, like light fixtures, blinds, furniture, and once I'll be unpacking the many boxes, I'm sure there will be stuff in there it will be time for me to get rid of.  Anyhoo... one thing at the time, and these days it is all about the renovations! 😉

Day One - Demolition!

 Today started thirty minutes ahead of the scheduled time, and about twenty minutes ago the workers left...

I'll give them that: they are efficient!  I've asked them to start with the bathroom, since I have a few people interested to buy a few things, so...

As the day went along, the noise level was getting higher, and Hubby left to go to the office - too much noise since he needed to be on a zoom call.  They took a break for lunch and then they attacked the kitchen...

When I came down to see what had been done, I was a little... surprise to say the least.  Father and son team... I must say I'm impressed!

Now let's keeping our fingers crossed that it keeps on going this way!

To See Past What It Looks Like

 It's been a long while since I last wrote here... Life has been keeping me busy, between my FIL drama (house sale, court case and him in general), every day life that just can't be smooth sailing all the way, and this damn Covid pandemic and covidiots are not really getting (any) better... life is taking its tole on me, I guess...  I did manage to spend some quality time with my mother.  Drove 1,300 km with her, helped her reconcile with one of her brothers, even did so ourselves to a certain extend.  There is something to be said to being locked up in a card for six plus hours at the time... we had time to talk, let's say!  I feel (more) at peace with her, and that's a good thing.  

Also celebrated a wedding anniversary (our 21st!) by taking a little road trip to Québec City with Hubby and staying there three nights.  We stayed right in Old Québec, great location, parked the car once and walked around the rest of the time.  We happened to be there along with a friggin' heat wave and oh so humid!  Neither one of us could remember sweating this much without ANY training involved, it was hot! Because of the pandemic, every stores and restaurants were short staff, and it showed.  It was our first time out really in almost two years, especially to restaurants.  The hotel where we stayed, Le Priori, was nice, but I must say that for the price (over $300/night, with breakfast) I was somewhat disappointed. 

The room was nice, and we both enjoyed it, but given its shape, a long room, the wall mounted AC unit wasn't enough so there was another (floor) unit at the other end of the room, which turned out to be by the headboard of the bed.  That thing had a compressor, a loud compressor, that woke me almost every fucking time it turned on.  The first night was the worst, I would jump in bed.  The other nights, I guess that all my walking around in the heat made me more tired and I would still wake up but not jumped as much.  The real disappointing thing was the breakfast.  We got a cardboard box delivered to our room, containing a yogurt, a hard boiled egg, a piece of cheese, an apple, a little bread and three bite size pastries, with a tea or coffee.  For three days in a row.  Because of Covid? Really?  Almost all restaurants around there were opened, so why couldn't they serve breakfast, have it catered or something, rather than these airplane meals lookalike? Oh, and we had no maid services.  We would have to put our towels in a bag by the door and someone would pick it up and return it with fresh ones.  We made our own bed, and took out our dirty dishes.  I understand the Covid issues, but then if they can't offer the services they charge us for they should review their prices accordingly.  The location was great, but NOT worth the price we paid for what we got.  Still happy I went, it was a nice change of scenery and I must say, to my surprise, I enjoyed Québec City.

Health wise, it's been interesting.  Had a tooth ache a while back, saw my dentist (in April) and she referred me to an endodontist, which I managed to see in July!  Talk about emergency! Anyway...  After special xrays, I was told I had an infection at the root of a tooth which had a root canal years ago and a crown.  He said he would have to redo the root canal but didn't have to remove my crown, he could go through it.  My appointment was scheduled for end of August.  It wasn't a pleasant treatment, at one point he pushed hard and actually poke at my sinus.  Not pleasant at all.  But what was worst was after... man oh man, did it hurt.  I was on antibiotics and pain killers for over a week.  When that started to feel better, I started having issues with an UTI.  Another round of antibiotics, but that worked fast, thank God!  Over a week ago I went back to the endodontist for him to finish off the treatment, close up everything.  I was still feeling something so he decided to be cautious and re-cleaned it all and would see me in a few more weeks, just to be sure.  I was to be expecting some discomfort, but was I in for a treat!  Worst pain ever! More painkillers and as of three days ago back on another antibiotics, this one Cortisone based.  Happy to write that it seems to be doing the trick.  No more pain!  It is unbelievable how toothache hurts and affects everything from mood, patience, and everything else.  I'm a little concerned how it will actually be post the next (and final, hopefully!) treatment. I guess time will tell...

Yesterday I watch a movie/documentary called: In and Of Itself with/by Derek DelGaudio.

Wow!  I laughed, I cried and I will watch it again.  Do yourself a favor, take an hour and a half, and watch it. 

Maybe I'm going through an existentialist moment, but this illusionist touched me...  Or maybe it is because it touched something in me that rings so true, like that I'm not only what you see, but also many other things that you will never see...  Trust me, watch it, you won't regret it.

Happy New Fucking Year!

 Yep! I wrote that!  Same shit different digit, that is it!  I'm not pretending to be positive and to believe that everyone is nice and kind, that is bullshit.  People are fucking stupid and we are proving this daily.  You don't believe me?  Just watch the news for 15 minutes, you'll see.  

Many people were all : it's a new year, things will get better!  Come on, all that changed was the 0 for a 1, that is all.  Our shitty behaviors and stupidity did not vanish because the zero became a one.  We don't want to put in the effort it takes to change, to address our issues, to face the truth, so we play the positive people, who believe in rainbows and unicorns and hope for the best.  The pandemic is here, it's a fact, and (I believe) it will be here as long as we keep acting like the selfish people we are.  After almost a year of this being "our normal" why is it that we still have to remind people to wash their hands, to wear a mask and keep a social distance?  Are we that dense?  Really?  Obviously.  It is sad really.  But then, why would someone try hard to respect all that when our, yes OUR government paid them $1,000 in compensation after they've travelled down South during a pandemic?  It was ridiculous and Trudeau did amend that stupid decision.   What I still can get over is why oh why are we still allowed to travel.  If it is that dangerous and that easy to spread, why are we not confining and restricting movements of the population?  We've had a curfew established last week, in Québec, woohoo, it was about fucking time!

Everyone bitches and complains about all this, and even if it could be/is a conspiracy, manmade or natural, who gives a fuck, it's real and people are sick.  That should be enough to convince us all to be careful.  We are so selfish that we just have to get together, to celebrate, because "it was Christmas".  I love Christmas, I love to get together with friends and all that, but I haven't really done so in a long while.  I've been using Messenger, Zoom, Google, etc. to catch up with some people.  I've managed to teach my mother to use Facebook and video chat, since she wanted to see me so bad.  She was sad that I didn't visit her during the Holidays - last time I saw her was in June - she was sad that her Christmas gift was mail delivered.  She was sad that she didn't get to feed me and give me the goodies she had prepared for us.  I rather stay home and away that teasing myself at a distance, with a mask on, not able to give a hug, etc.  Yes, I am that way: all or nothing.  These half-ass measures we've been playing with for the past ten months are just that, a little tease.  I rather be told no than maybe and not know if it will happen or not.  With a firm no (or yes), I know where I stand and can deal.  I can decide what to do knowing what I can and cannot do.

Ok I think I got my venting out of the way. For now. Hubby's dad is now settled in his new apartment.  It was a lot of work, but it is done.  The rest of his life is still a big mess, and we're addressing that as we go.  Not always easy, lots to deal with and at times quite frustrating, especially in a pandemic situation, it just adds to the fun of it all!  Not!

My mom is doing well, considering her beau is basically sitting at home and waiting for death to come.  Sad situation, he was diagnosed with cancer and was told they couldn't operate nor treat.  They could give him meds to alleviate the pain.  So, for the past few months, he's been stone and/or sleeping.  On New Year's day my mom asked me to talk to him while we were video chatting... what do you say to someone who's waiting to die?  Hang in there, it will be over soon?  I can only wish him that.  Let's just say it was a short little chat.  But mom is hanging in, after all this will be her third man she will burry!

 Hubby is super busy, too busy it seems at times.  But he said, last week he actually had fun (learning!) so that's good.  If ever I had any doubt (which I never did!) that my husband is a true geek, hearing him talk about what he does, proves it to me, almost daily. 

He is not only wired to be a geek, he's like the Sheldon of my life, really!  At times it can be interesting, for lack of a better word, but one thing for sure it not boring!

On that note, I will close this post, hoping I did not offend you more than usual with my foul language and direct approach on life.  Life is short, stop bitching about what you can't do and address the things you can.  

Twenty Freaking Years Already!

 

This is my favorite picture from our wedding reception...

Twenty years ago we were barefoot,
somewhat sweaty on the beach,

at sunset,

surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Twenty years ago we exchanged vows, 

in front of everyone,
we promised to be there for one another.

Twenty years ago we were in love, 
we wanted to do the deed, 
and we did it our way.

Twenty years ago I married my best friend, 
the man with whom I laugh daily, 
mostly at him, 
but that's another story.

Twenty years ago we were happy, 
excited to celebrate it all, 
to pursue our dreams together.

Twenty years ago I had no idea, 
my love for you would keep on growing, 
and we'd have so much fun.

Thank you for being here for me,
freely and willingly, 
(if need be)
for your patience, 
your tenderness and care.

Cheers to us for another twenty years!
Luvu my cute husband!

Another Month Zoomed By...

I thought it wasn't that long ago that I last wrote on here, and yet, it has been well over a month.  Geez time flies even in confinement!

As I'm writing this I feel like crap, not because I am sick, but because I feel bad, for more than one reasons actually...  You see, I've been working on that husband on mine for a while now, chirping in his ears that we should think about changing our car.  We were the (proud) owner of a Honda Civic that we bought in 2010 a recup from an end of lease that was already five years old.  When we got it, purchased following a car accident I had (while stopped at a red light some truck rammed into me, while he was on his phone planning his vacation).  We were going away on vacation, and decided to get a car, not a new one, temporarily, until we decided what we wanted.  That "for now" car became our car for the past ten years.  It served us very well.  Honda were/are good reliable cars, but like any car of ten+ years, rust was starting to show, it had a hole (made from a hitch of a pickup who backed into it one winter) right in the center of the front bumper, the doors would not stay open, the rear passenger left side window did not go down anymore, the speedometer wasn't indicating our speed at times (and according to the husband, more and more often), the AC wasn't as cold as it used to be, plus last January, while driving on Ste-Catherine downtown, some guy slowly "scraped" our car while he was changing lane.  Since it was night, and darn cold, it looked like he had peeled off some dirt.  When we looked at the car in daylight there was a little more damage, but since it was an old car, we didn't care too much.  Following that though, it had loosen the left part of the front bumper and one day while Hubby was going in to work, a piece of plastic flew off the car, exposing the window washing container completely.  Something had to be done, so I did a tape job on it!

It didn't look that bad, right?  Granted we did not fit in our neighborhood where most people are driving Audi, Mercedes, BMW, etc, so our tape job was clashing to say the least, but it still got us from point A to point B.  Hubby had been researching some models, asking friends, etc. and we agreed that the Kia Forte pleased us both.  It was in our price range (cheap! not really) and offered good warranty.  We made our way to our dealer, in Laval, and after four (long) hours, we had signed for a brand new car.  They (offensively, almost!) offered us $350 for our old Civic. Yes we could have tried to sell it ourselves for more, but didn't want the hassle.

We picked it up Wednesday evening.  Hubby drove it home.  Thursday he drove me to the eye doctor, because I have another lids (eye lashes) infection, and Saturday we decided to go for a little drive, and visit some friends in the Waste Island.  (On a side note, I will say that it was really the first people we've visited since this Covid nightmare started and it felt somewhat strange at first, but also nice to catch up with friends, and talk with someone other than my husband.  I also realized that I'm far from ready to go back to malls or even restaurants, call my pussy, I don't care.  I haven't been "secluding" for months to go into a group or a crowd, just to be social.  Nope.  Not yet. Side note closed.)
We visited our friends, and actually stayed over for dinner.  A pleasant afternoon was had by all.  Since Hubby had been drinking I was to drive home, my first time driving our new car.  I put it in drive, and I started pulling out of the driveway when I heard my girlfriend yelling "Stop, Stop!"  I had clipped a little cement triangle that was along the road... Long story short, and to spare you the drama, I scratched the car.  Let's just say that there haven't been much conversation in this house today.  We've been on different floors most of the day, and earlier we went out together to look at the damages... I scrapped the bottom of the door from the driver to back door it seems.  I feel like shit about it, it was my bad.  I didn't know (and still don't)  the feel, size of this car, and I put on its first scratch.

I really feel terrible about it all, and to see Hubby this upset about it doesn't help at all how I'm feeling...  I didn't do it on purpose, and like Hubby said, I have really bad juju with new cars, or so it seems.  I have to let this go and get over it.  But it was brand spanking new!!  Within minutes of me driving it!!!

This and That... mostly in front of the TV

Well hello there!  Fancy finding you here, or is that me?  Life is relatively good on this side of the screen.  I'm keeping busy with this and that.  Not always obvious, but it's good nonetheless.

Weather went from Fall to Summer back to Fall almost, in a matter of a week.  I went from legging to shorts and flip flops, with even a sun burn, thank you very much! -  back to legging with socks!  Last night we had a big storm, the summer kind, with thunder and lightning.  It had been a long time since I heard the gods this angry!

I haven't been watching the news much, so, I do know some black man was killed by a police officer while others were standing by, and that there was a walk with looting... that's all I know, and that's ok.  I'm saturated by it all.  By the media pushing down our throats all this bullshit no matter what its covering, the virus, the useless death of a man, the violence, all of it is just too much.  I saw the speech Killer Mike gave in Atlanta, so well spoken.  I don't agree with everything he said, but a lot of it made sense.  These are crazy times.  We are all feeling it on different levels, we're all affected and even infected by the craziness of it all.  Sad times really.

In order to escape our shitty reality, I asked Hubby to dig out my Harry Potter books, last week.  I'm already on book 3, and man oh man, I still love it!  So much imagination and like someone who sent me a Potter postcard wrote me recently, it would be nice to have such magic in our lives.   We've been watching a lot of television, some shows, caught a few (read quite a few) new series (like "Hunters", "Dead To Me", "Defending Jacob", "Dead Still", "A Discovery of Witches") and watched many movies.  Watched "The Art of Racing in the Rain", which I knew nothing about, but when I saw that Milo V. played in it I decided to watch it, and i cried! Lots!  I will try to find the book and read that. A good cry for sure, and I know, like always, the book will be way better than the movie!

Tonight, we watched "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas".  What a movie that was.  Yes it is about WWII, about the Nazis, but it made me (us, really!) think about those kids (on either sides), the wives and relatives of those officers, something I had never really thought of before...  That too, I will watch again.  Some movies felt like we were robbed of two hours we would never get back, but others, were worth the time to watch them for sure.  One that was weird was "I See You", twisted and yet, to think that someone could slip into our home, and live hiding in our house without us knowing... that is one scary thought!

In case you're wondering about my hair, it is growing (fast), so I've booked myself an appointment with my hairdresser (for when she will reopen) for a cut, but I haven't decided if I want to stay salt and pepper...  Some days I think, nah, don't like it, and others I don't care... so maybe once I have an actual cut (whatever she will be able to do with what I'll have by then) I won't mind the grey so much?  I always thought Jamie Lee Curtis looked great with her grey hair...

So who knows, maybe I'll like it too?  Started "socializing" some.  Went for a walk, with a freaking mask (because my friend insisted!) which I hate wearing BTW, and it was nice to talk to someone in front of me that wasn't my husband.  He's the one who goes out and does all errands, so I haven't seen many real people in the past few months, other than him.  I went out again, with another friend, also for a walk (that is when I got my sun burn), but without a mask this time.  We saw so many people, walking in cluster, no social distance at all, very few were wearing masks, and often those who were weren't wearing them correctly.  If you're going to put a mask on, then put it on you nose and mouth, not your chin or throat.  Like those morons who are alone in their car with a mask on... really?  Do they also wear a condom when masturbating?  Just as stupid!

This whole pandemic, real or not (many conspiracies theories out there) was a major clusterfuck on many levels.  It has affected not only our morals, but hurt everyone.  Our economy hurts and will hurt for some time, some businesses closed and won't reopen, it sucks on more level than one.  The worst of it all, is that we're being fed whatever the government and the Powers That Be wants us to "know" or "think" and that is scary.  We can have those numbers say what the heck we want, and make us fearful... a great way to control the mass... 

OK I will stop here, enough.  Stay safe people!

Time only goes one way...

...and it seems to be heading that way!  Already two weeks since my last post.  Not much news on this front.

The government postponed the de-confinement from May 11th to 25th, that is all I know, since last week I decided it was enough watching the news and everything Covid-19.  We are stuck, we've been stuck for over two months, so it's not a week or two that will change much.  Plus, seeing how people are behaving on the rare occasions the sun did come out some, it is not reassuring at all that this pandemic will be over anytime soon.  People are morons, and even if many died, people are still doing dumb shit and not respecting the suggested recommendations.  I'm happy we're not in Europe, like in Spain, where they have stricter rules of confinement than we do.  Some of us would not make it over there.  And yet...

It's been a while since I gave myself the Covid Haircut, as Hubby lovingly calls it, because I could feel the hair on my neck, so yesterday I took out the clipper, again, and gave myself my second haircut!

Not as much as the first time, since I only did the back of my head and around my ears... now I look like a monk!  It is hard to do the back of our own head, I will say that!  I also did Hubby's.  So much easier on him.

In other news, I've been keeping myself busy by painting... You see the first Christmas after my MIL past away, her sister gave me a wooden duck that I should paint, with some of my MIL's old paints and brushes.  I kept it all, but never did anything... I guess it was intimidating me in some ways.  My MIL might have been a crazy lady, but she was very talented. She was an artist, really. A few weeks ago I had an idea of what I could try.  Hubby went to get my painting kit in the locker and I started fooling around.  I did the back of the duck and wasn't happy with it, so I sanded it all off and gave it a good layer of white paint and waited for inspiration to come.  It did by waves, I'd say.  I've been playing with it for a while, daily almost, a little here and there, covering more and more of the bird, and last night, while "90 Days Fiance" was playing I finished it!  It's quite funky, I will say!
There are some parts I really like and some others, well, not my best work, but, in my defense, my MIL died in 2007, so those little paint bottles were not really fresh, some of them were even dead, but I made do with what I had.

yep, that'd be my funky duck!

I've also been keeping busy creating (more) postcards for my online shop, and of course, sending (and receiving) them as well!  Plus to add to the fun of it all, I'm organizing a virtual meetup, across Canada!  So far we're about 18 people confirmed, should be interesting!  One thing for sure, it will be a lot cheaper than having to drive/fly anywhere and once it's done, we'll be home, bonus!

I hope you are keeping well and distracted.  I sure am!  Stay safe!

Hair, Sneeze and Scares

It's been two weeks since I buzzed my hair off, and I must say I'm liking how easy it is to wash and dry.

It is still surprising me every time I catch my reflection passing by a mirror...  but I'm getting used to seeing myself.  I like it.

When I cut my hair I had sent a picture and a small lock of hair to my mother, as a joke, to show her what I've done - she's technology challenged - when she got my note with the picture she called me laughing.  Seems like no matter how old I am I still do stupid things, according to her.  I guess she did not like it.  I didn't ask.

I love the way it feels, even if I was actually surprised last week at how much insulation hair provides.  Never really realized that before, or really thought of it.  Now I know!  Hubby thought it was really funny when I experienced it.  Now I understand why he wears a tuque in fall, winter, spring.  It does get cold!

One thing I find funny is that even at this length I get up with pillow hair, weird huh?  There's always a spot or two that bend or went crooked, it's weird, as I notice it even more than I did with longer hair. 

Also, we (Hubby confirmed my suspicion) noticed that since I've cut it, my hair seemed to have gone whiter!  Maybe it is the shock of it all?  I'm definitely salt and pepper, with still plenty of pepper in my shaker though...

Self-isolation is going well.  Granted there are some days tougher than others, but over all, I'm good.  I like being home, and that hasn't changed.  I'm not really bored, there is always something to do.  I haven't been overeating, that has stayed the same.  The real big change really is having Hubby home all the time, working in the same office, but other than that, it is pretty much life as usual. 

This season my allergies are bad.  Once this pandemic is over and we can get back to some type of normalcy I will need to find myself an allergist and get some tests, because my eyes are leaking a lot, daily as well as my nose.  I've been popping pills, which helps, but still would like to know what the heck I'm reacting to, since I don't really know.  Some days my eyes are so bad.  It's not pretty.

Saturday I heard the funniest thing since this pandemic started.
  

Hubby was in the living room, and I was reading in bed in our bedroom.  Both rooms had windows opened. At some point Hubby sneezed. Loud. Like he often does. (His nose is also messed up).  I heard a kid outside, say: "A Sneeze!  Aaaahhh!  Run!"  The reaction and the way it was said made me cracked up out loud.  Imagine, we've now conditioned the kids to run from a sneeze!  It is a good thing, but at the same time it is a scary thought.  Anyway, Hubby's sneezes and the way he blows his nose are scary no matter if we're in a pandemic mode or not, 'just saying!

Speaking of scary, not sure what and why these things are happening, but it is scary to think of shooters like in Nova Scotia.  Sad times for sure.

Hang in there people, keep busy and do stay safe.

Ooopps I did it now!

If you've been reading this blog, you do know I've been toying with the idea to shave it off, my hair that is!

I didn't want to go all Alpha, that's a bit much even for me...  But I think it looks great on her.

When I got up, my hair was a mess, like it always is, but usually within a  few minutes with water and a comb, it's viable... today there was this fold that wouldn't let go. So today was the day!  Yep!



Here is how it went down. 

This is me before the shower...

The clipper is now charged and I go..
.

First clip...

A few more clips, and it's starting to take shape, or rather I'm starting to worry?!

Too far gone, must continue!

My hair wasn't 'that' long, but it is thick... and as I'm stepping it in is is so soft...

All mine...

There's this strip in the back of my head that I can feel still long, and for some reason can't seem to be able to clip... so I have to call the husband...  I think it scare me more to see his reaction than the end result of this crazy endeavor of mine... When he came in the bathroom, he looked at the hair on the floor and said: "Had a feeling this is what you were doing.  I could hear the low buzz..."
When asked what he thought:  "It's cute! and it will grow back."  He clipped my neck and asked for me to do his hair after, since there was hair everywhere.  He is such a practical man!

I actually kept one strand of mine, that I'm sending to my mother...  Remember as kids, that first haircut and mothers used to keep à strand to put in baby journal and such?  She will freak out, I'm sure, as she doesn't read my blog nor has she been on Bacefook for a while now... Sending it along with a few pictures.

So, here is what a Coronavirus, confinement induce haircut looks like!

To my surprise there isn't as much white/grey as I thought I had.  Even with by fat/round face, it doesn't look that back, me thinks, anyway.  And like Hubby said so well "it will grow back".

Sent a picture to my hairdresser and she loved it.  She didn't think I would do it, but I did!

It is done, and I like it!

Pleasant Surprise

Update: Have not yet cut/clipped my hair.  It will happen, that much I know.  Hubby suggested for me to wait a little longer so that my roots show more... better guideline or something.

As you (most likely already) know, not only do I send and received lots of postcards, but I sell some as well. I've had an online shop for a few years now and each year it is doing better.  Will it be my retirement income? I doubt that very much, but it is fun for me to sell my creations and other cards.  I even recently partnered up with someone also making her own cards, so that is good.  The last two years I've noticed that some of my clients were from abroad, not only people I knew were buying some cards, but I'm getting foreign orders more often.  The prices of our postal services are quite expensive, and yet, some people do order.

Yesterday morning I received this one line email on my email account with the title: Order received.
My first thought was: "Crap, something went wrong..."  I read the email and started grinning.  The client (a new one from QC city) wrote:

Hi, I just wanted to let you know I have received my order and I am really happy, thank you! Really nice quality postcards, will definitely purchase again :)

Can you say that made my day, or so I thought, until I went to pick up the mail.  Even if it was dark, because I went around 8:30 pm since our mail person does his/her round very late these days, I noticed an envelope coming from the States (from the return address). Actually what I noticed was the fact that it was addressed to my shop and the address was a cut out of my shop's address label that I use when I ship out orders.  I was wondering what the heck this could be.

When I got home, after washing my hands (what did you think?), I opened the env. which contained a letter, an Easter card and a First Day of Issue Env.  I started reading the letter, and immediately noticed *Fan Mail*

WTF?

The letter came from a client, from Arizona, who received her second order!  She loved my postcards and mentioned how important it was for her to support small businesses.  She loved my cards! Wow!  She wrote about herself a bit and offered some cards suggestion.

The Easter card she also included dates back to 1911.  It has a one cent stamp (yeah, one cent!!) and a cancellation from St-Louis, MO.  It is addressed to an address in San Diego, California.

The First Day of Issue Cover dates back to June 6, 1974 in Washington, DC.  Funny how before doing Postcrossing I knew nothing about First Day Covers, etc.  Now I'm getting more and more familiar with them, and so much more in the philatelic world.  I've developed an interest in stamps.  Some countries really do have some pretty gorgeous stamps, we used to in Canada, nowadays not so much. 

Every postcard I create has this little tag line at the bottom saying: Sending a little love today.
Feels like not only am I sending some, I'm getting some back! Yay!

Je le fais ou je ne le fais pas?!

Je ne sais plus à combien de jour j'en suis rendue, car il me semble que ça fait un bout que je suis à la maison.  Je ne m'en plains pas, j'aime être chez nous - une chance puisse que je travaille de la maison et suis presque toujours là même sans restrictions dues à la pandémie - j'ai la chance d'être en santé, à la maison avec l'internet, la télé et tous plein de trucs à faire, alors je suis bien. L'isolement n'a pas changé grand chose à mon quotidien, sauf pour mes deux soirs de méditation, le reste est pas mal pareil. Oh, et le fait que le mari est aussi à la maison! Le juré est encore en délibération à savoir si c'est mieux ou pire...

Blague à part, j'aime bien avoir de la compagnie même si j'apprécie beaucoup être seule, comme durant les semaines ou il était aux Açores.  Ce qui est différent est le fait que lorsque je sors à l'extérieur de chez nous, je me sens sur le qui-vive, je n'ai pas peur mais je vois les gens autour de moi et comment certains sont inconscients, voir même insousiants. Ça ça me fait peur!  En ce moment j'entend le mari tousser, et ça aussi ça me fait peur, de penser qu'il pourrait être atteint car contrairement à moi lui sort, c'est lui qui va à l'épicerie, qui fait face aux lignes d'attentes, etc.  Il dit que ce n'est rien d'anormal pour lui cette toux, je l'espère... le temps nous le dira.

Cette semaine, ma coiffeuse et amie m'a téléphonée pour m'offrir un kit de teinture qu'elle préparerait et que je pouvais passer prendre (sans contact) chez elle.  J'ai appréciée l'appel, surtout que j'ai besoin d'un rendez-vous. Ma dernière visite au salon fut le 12 février, pour une couleur et coupe. Je prends habituellement un rendez-vous aux cinq ou six semaines. Depuis quelques mois je jongle avec l'idée d'arrêter la teinture.  Ma coiffeuse était bien excitée par l'idée, j'avais même pris un rendez-vous, cet automne, pour me faire bleacher la tête avant de passer au gris/blanc, car j'ai beaucoup de cheveux blancs ou gris, mais la journée même j'ai changé d'idée et ai fait faire ma couleur habituelle.  J'en avais parlé avec quelques personnes et les avis étaient très partagés.  J'ai eu la trouille et j'ai couvert le pâle avec mon brun régulier.  C'est l'idée du bleach qui m'a déragée et je n'avais et n'ai toujours pas vraiment l'intention de faire pousser le gris.  Je ne veux pas avoir l'air de ça...

Je me doute bien que je n'aurai pas la même allure puisque mes cheveux sont courts, mais quand même, l'idée du deux tons comme ça ne me tente vraiment pas.

Lors de ma conversation téléphonique avec ma coiffeuse, je l'ai remercié de son offre mais j'ai décidée de passer mon tour.  J'ai déjà une bonne repousse, mais le pire pour moi est la longeur. J'ai le toupet dans les yeux et mes cheveux sont épais alors j'ai chaud.  Cette semaine j'ai commencé à mettre un bandeau pour retirer mon toupet.  Hier j'ai mis des barrettes.  Une chance que je ne sors pas de la maison, car j'ai vraiment l'air de quelqu'un qui est souffrante à la maison.

Il y a quelques semaines j'ai lu un article sur une artiste locale qui avait relevée le défi des têtes rasées et elle est vraiment belle...

Je n'ai pas 30 ans (si elle a ça!), ni son visage, mais l'idée d'avoir les cheveux courts comme ça me parle.  Cette idée me parle depuis la première fois que j'ai vu Annie Lennox avec sa brosse et ses cheveux orange.  Ça date, hein?

Avouez qu'elles ont de la gueules quand même. J'ai demandé au mari se qu'il pense de mon idée d'éviter les repousses deux tons en me rasant la tête... disons que l'idée n'a pas fait fureur.

Il a (surement) pensé à quelque chose comme ceci...

J'y ai aussi pensé, mais au pire, si je rate je peux toujours continuer pour quelque chose comme elle...

Mais au fond, ce que je veux c'est juste ça...

Qu'en pensez-vous?

Yay or Nay?