Happy Homemaker 2026-08-31

 Good morning 

Feeling better than last week, no news from doctor, should get some results soon.  As for the feet that still hurts but no exam until a few months, so... on we go.

Saturday was housechores in the morning, Xavier's baseball in the afternoon and for supper decided to go to restaurant and ds, ddil and grandkids came with us.  Afterwards took a small walk with them before going back home.

Sunday, after baseball game, came home to no electricity from 3:30 to 6:30, so that was pretty quiet here.

Grandkids all start school this week.  Xavier (grade 1) and Anne-E (kindergarten) going to English school in town, long school bus trip, but worth it.  Xavier cried a little - overwhelmed with the 'English' part of school and new school and friends,  on the other hand Anne-E couldn't be prouder than to start school. Alysanne (grade 1) and Ely (kindergarten) also start this week.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

Weather this week

Fall is a-coming!

Looking around the house

House is clean but I do need to do some 'extra work' not just maintenance.

Thinking and pondering

Need to work on my procrastination list, starting with retirement date and meeting financial cousellor.

TV this week

• Big brother
• Rewatching the old Dexter series

Interesting blog I saw this week

Nothing

On my reading pile

The seven sisters book 8 - Lucinda Riley

On my to-do list

This weekend

• Wash main bathroom
• Vac main floor
• Dust main floor
• Laundry

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Make a veggie potage to use up all veggies in the fridge
• Fold towels
• Take a walk after breakfast - DONE
• Pick up here and there
• Enjoy the beautiful day as it is 'the' good day this week

Decluttering

• 1 underwear
• 1 bread-making machine that was mom's and was in our basement - sold on Marketplace

Simple pleasure

Smell of soup and fresh bread, cool wind , getting more things out of the house

Upcoming this week

Nothing on the schedule, decided not to go in-town tomorrow as most of my team will be absent.

From the camera

Player of the game

Missing Ely but he only starts Tuesday

Funny quote of the week

Happy Homemaker 2026-08-24

Good morning 

Have been having pain a little everywhere so finally got a doc's appointment on Saturday. will need bloodework and echography for my feet also (whe thinks I have a small tear under one foot).  she will also try to speak with gastro depending on test results.

Thursday was a music concert (free) at rodeo in next town with some big local names.  was very nice but we left home at 4:30 for the 9:00 concert... at least we got a seated place (neighbors were with us),   a bit cool but was well dressed.  Went to bed past midnight which probably explains why Friday was worse with the aches.

Friday had taken a day off so managed to do some housechores and some rest.  DH helped out at town hall for outdoor cinema night.  Kids and grandkids were gone for the weekend camping.

Saturday was doc's appointment, trying to get appointment for bloodwork (only got it scheduled today for this afternoon), sil's came by to chat in the afternoon.  A slow day.

Sunday cooked a beef / vegetable stew and then in the afternoon had free tickets to the rodeo, so off we went.  Was very cool (I was well dressed but dh might've taken one more layer... had told him but he said it isn't Fall yet... no it isn't Fall but Sunday was a Fall day).  Supper was at restaurant with bil, sil and neighbors.  Sis back from her 3 week vacation and chatted (FT) in the evening.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

Weather this week

humm... a few hot days at 26

Looking around the house

House is clean but I do need to work in basement, just waiting for feet to have less pain.

Thinking and pondering

Foot are still hurting alot - waiting for tests before scheduling a podiatric appointment ($$), had had some laser done last time there was a tear.

Feeling a wee bit better than last week, thinking it was inflammation and it's going away slowly.

DD  - waiting for her results for stomach ache

SIL getting her 1st chimio treatment Thursday

TV this week

• Big brother
• Rewatching the old Dexter series

Interesting blog I saw this week

Nothing

On my reading pile

The seven sisters book 7 - Lucinda Riley

On my to-do list

This weekend

• Wash main bathroom
• Vac main floor
• Laundry
• Cooked a meat and veggie stew(some will be for freezing)
• 
  

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Book bloodwork appointment - DONE, at 13:55 in town (couldn't get it at local hospital)
• 11:20 Dentist appointment for touchup on crown still hurting slightly but much better than last time.

Decluttering

• 6 facecloths
• 1 double-stroller with front wheel for runners - sold on Marketplace, from ds' but was in our garage
• 1 old paint gallon
• Another fluorescent casing.

Simple pleasure

warm wind from open windows, smell of freshly mowed grass, talking with family

Upcoming this week

Dentist

Bloodwork

In-town work on Tuesday

Xavier baseball tournement next weekend

From the camera

Happy Birthday to my Dad up in heaven - miss you alot

Funny quote of the week

Happy Homemaker 2026-08-17

Good morning - mid-August, the BER months are just around the corner, had a much cooler weekend, but this week should be warm again.

Have decided to take Friday off, so that means only 3 days of work which I will do in telework, so not going to town again this week, yay!  Evryone still on vacation.

Friday we went to music festival in next town, small band was very nice. then silent disco but the ran out of earphones before we got some, so left around 9:15.

Saturday was Xavier's baseball game, some housechores and in the evening went (with our neighbors) to see another band at music festival - they are very good but too many people and we were seated and people just went and stood in front of us (not dancing, just standing)... grrr... I do not go to big festivals because of this.

Sunday dh picked up Anne-E as DS and Xavier were at baseball practice and ddil was doing some mountain running.  She was to sleep here but changed her mind so dh droppe her off for supper.  DS and Xavier went fishing this afternoon, Xavier enjoyed it.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

Weather this week

Yay! not too hot

Looking around the house

Yesterday did some houschores so it's fine, though I still feel I could get rid of more stuff.

Thinking and pondering

Foot are still hurting alot, have a bump under one and when pressure it hurts.  Need to have a podiatric appointment scheduled.  Have not been wearing my orthesis as it has been too hot for shoes.

DD went to urgent care on Sunday with stomach cramps (she also has crohn's disease but usually better controlled than mine - different doctor, different medication).  She is to have a scan today but said the night was much better.

TV this week

• Big brother
• Rewatching the old Dexter series
• A few recorded movies

Interesting blog I saw this week

Nothing

On my reading pile

The seven sisters book 6 - Lucinda Riley

On my to-do list

This weekend

• Wash main bathroom
• Vac main floor
• Dust main floor
• Laundry
• Cooked some cabbage rolls (3 containers were for freezing)
• Made blueberry / apple cake

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Fold towels
• 
  

Decluttering

• 1 plate (broken)
• 1 ladder sold on marketplace
• 1 fluorescent casing given to guy who picked up the ladder
• 3 markers

Simple pleasure

Rain, cool temps, a good series, a good book, some tea

Upcoming this week

This weekend rodeo starts in next town, will probably go take a look and there is an intercultural bbq on Saturday too.

From the camera

Funny quote of the week

Happy Homemaker 2026-08-09

Good morning - had a very hot week last week hoping it'll be better this week, tired of the hot temps and humidity.

Wednesday was back to telework, all went well as lots of people are still away on vacation.

Grandkids came over for supper one night and they played a little basketball (had a net to finally put on the stand).  Xavier got stung by a hornet :(  Next day dh found the nest and it was destroyed (it was right where Xavier was playing hidden under a chair cover).

Friday was music festival and it was a nice show (quieter music). 

Saturday morning was housechores and afternoon-evening we had a corn-on-the-cob /hot-dog party at bil's cousin's house.  Kids and grandkids were away camping all weekend so dh went to their house to take the dog out a few times during the weekend.

Sunday was a quiet day and supper at restaurant with bil, sil, ds and grandkids. 

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

Weather this week

Looking around the house

House is picked up on the main floor, will start working on basement in the next few weeks

Thinking and pondering

Have been aching feet, knees, hands for the last month, wondering what's going on.  Have an osteo appointment on Thursday, hoping it will help

TV this week

• Christmas movies
• 2 Tapons au Japon
• Big brother
• Rewatching the old Dexter series

Interesting blog I saw this week

Nothing

On my reading pile

The seven sisters book 5 - Lucinda Riley

On my to-do list

This weekend

• Wash main bathroom
• Vac main floor
• Dust main floor
• Laundry

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Tag and wrap handmade ornaments - DONE...uh-oh seems I didn't do enough so will have to make more IF I have the supplies
• Took a walk
• Take out recycling bin
• ? there are some things I am procrastinating about.... hummmm
• 
  

Decluttering

• 1 Star Wars backpack
• 1 pen
• 1 1 children's toilet (will be given to sis)
• 1 bassinet (was ds' but was in our garage) sold on Marketplace
• 3 solar lamps (old and didn't work anymore)

Simple pleasure

A cool wind... ah I do hate hot and muggy days.

Upcoming this week

Osteo appointment on Thursday

In-town work Tuesday but have not reserved parking, will see if I go in or not.

From the camera

Web picture of the week

Happy Homemaker 2026-08-03

Good morning and welcome August.. one month until the BER months :)

Tuesday we went with grandkids to McD's, followed by cinema to see Toy Story 5.  They stayed for supper as there was no electricity from 3 to 10 pm at their house.

Was a quiet week doing a few things around the house, reading and doing a bit of crafting.

Saturday we went to Pier with neighbors for a few hours then we went to a nice restaurant in town followed by some ice cream. Hot day.

Sunday was very humid and hot, uggg.  Did some housechores and went to a small local market for some bread and pork spread.  Got Anne-E a jeans skirt and capris for free at the Troc-don.  Printed out my 'ber' months calendar and filling it up with things to do before Christmas (food, Halloween prep, Christmas prep, Fall prep).

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

Weather this week

Too hot for me.  the forecast changed as it was to be rain most of the week

Looking around the house

Can't wait to get the autumn / Fall decor out... sigh... still 1 month to go.

Thinking and pondering

Financial planification, upcoming projects, retirement....

TV this week

• Christmas movies
• 2 Tapons au Japon
• Big brother
• Rewatching the old Dexter series
• Indomptables 

Interesting blog I saw this week

Nothing

On my reading pile

The seven sisters book 4 - Lucinda Riley

On my to-do list

Last week

• Wash freezer
• Laundry
• Update ebooks on usb key and hardrive
• Reorganize bathroom armoire and get rid of expired medication
• Weed front, side and back flower beds
• Cooked ragoût boulettes (some for freezing and some for the kids)
• ... tried to do at least 1 chore a day

Sunday

• Wash main bathroom

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Vac main floor - DONE
• Help out dh with some computer stuff - DONE
• Schedule dentist appointment - the tooth i had a crown done in June is still hurting
• Schedule bloodwork in Autumn
• 
  

Decluttering

• 4 old pill bottles with expired medication
• 1 medical bandage
• a few fruit plastic containers givent to frigo-partage
• A piece of an old lawn-mower
• 5 old paint gallons
• 2 medium pieces of aluminium siding

Simple pleasure

Eating on a terrasse on a warm evening with no mosquitoes.

Having friends to talk to.

Upcoming this week

End of vacation, back to work on Wednesday but at least this week will be work from home so that's great!

From the camera

Web picture of the week

Happy Hoemaker 2026-07-27

Happy Tuesday! 

Am very late in posting but just got home at 5:00 pm Monday night after a weekend away at sis' house.

I worked a few hours telework during the week but mostly was a quiet vacation week.  We did go to the Pier one day to sit for awhile.  SIL fell on her face while going in her house and is quite scratched.  Other sil got more results and will have chemio, radiotherapy and operation all of that will start soon.

Friday was town celebration of Christmas in July, dh spent day there as volunteer to help decorate and set it all up.  I had gotten all our Christmas hats out as well as a snowman homemade-costume (for Xavier) and some red tutus for me and Anne-E.  DH and I also had Christmas sweaters on.  It was very nice, lots of games for the children, free hot-dogs and finished off with outside cinema presentation of Christmas vacation.  DS (had put on his Christmas shirt and elf hat) and 2 grandkids joined the 'Family Category' for Christmas disguise and won a 75$ gift card at local grocery store.  Not many people came for the celebrations though and that was a bit sad because alot of work was put in that activity.  I fell and twisted my ankle at the end of evening and spent the weekend with a swollen ankle but it didn't hurt that much so all was fine.

Saturday went to sis' house for the weekend.  A very HOT, HOT weekend.  Took a small ferry with sis and bil and walked through the streets of Old Montreal on Saturday afternoon and got some ice cream in the evening.

Sunday did errands with sis in the morning and sat outside in the shade chatting in the afternoon.  Brothers and their family came by in the afternoon and for supper.  Had a very nice time with all of them.  Nephew got picked by a hockey academy and will be going to Michigan next school year.  He is 16.  

Monday 1 brother and nephew came for breakfast with us at sis'.  A cousin and his wife also joined us for lunch at sis.  We left not long afterwards and got back home at 5:00 pm.

Let's join Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

Weather this week

Looking around the house

All is to be done in regular housechores and we were away all weekend.

Thinking and pondering

Hoping for another quiet week of vacations.  Need to fix my date for retirement.

TV this week

• Vivre en forêt
• Construire demain
• Christmas movies
• 2 Tapons au Japon
• Big brother
• Rewatching the old Dexter series

Interesting blog I saw this week

Nothing

On my reading pile

The seven sisters book 2 - Lucinda Riley

On my to-do list

Monday

• Post here - DONE
• Make a to-do list of regular housechores and activities for my last vacation week, will follow the temperatures with the inside and outside to-do's

Decluttering

• 8 elves (from mom's) given to town for CIJ celebration
• Shredded papers in my nightstand

Simple pleasure

Being back home

Upcoming this week

Maybe cinema with grandkids to go see ToyStory 5,  go see some family friends? we'll see going with the flow

From the camera

Family

Christmas store

Haggen Dasz on a hot summer day

Brothers and sisters

DS, DDIL and grandkids at CIJ

Reading at the Pier

Web picture of the week

Nothing this week

Christmas in July 2026 - day 25 Merry Christmas!

 

Christmas in July day 25 — A Slower Christmas Season

The goal of this series was never to prepare perfectly.

It was simply to begin earlier, move slower, and hopefully make December feel calmer and more enjoyable.

Even if you only use a few ideas from this series, that’s enough.

Christmas doesn’t need to be bigger to feel meaningful.

Sometimes slower is better.

Merry Christmas in July!