Community Christmas dinner

We attended the Christmas Dinner at the LMC yesterday at lunch time.  It was a full turkey meal and there was a room full of people there to enjoy and visit with each other.  We sat with people we did not know and found that we had common connections which was nice.  Great food.  There was a poinsettia on each table and the person who had come the farthest was supposed to take it home.  In the end, no one else wanted it so we took it home.  I will bring it tomorrow to the church and add it to the nativity display.  We had a very good day and Brian gave us dance lessons - I am so very happy.  It had been our goal to take lessons when we moved to Alberta and here we are getting on with it.  Therese
 

Decorating for Christmas

Our first day of Christmas!!  We went to church, had some lunch and then hauled out the decorations and got started.  The Christmas cards normally go in the family room but considering that it is a construction zone I decided to put them on the book cases that are being stored in the living room.  Worked out pretty good!!  Brian started with putting the lights on the tree.  We took out three boxes of ornaments and they all went on.  Next year, we will pick the other box so we can reminisce about different times when we put those on the tree.  We put our nativity under the tree again this year.  We will have to be careful when the construction gets going again.  It was a very pleasant afternoon and it is now all done!!! After tourtiere for supper we will be headed back to church for the Christmas service.  We are so blessed and are thinking of family and look forward to see family as the week goes on!!!  Merry Christmas to all!! Therese

 

Family room reno - all the joists are in place , insulation is going in and plywood flooring going down

 

Brian has been working all day and it is finally coming together.  The joists are all in and the floor will take two batts of sound insulation which will be really good.  The "plywood" flooring is going in.  It is so nice his is cutting on the deck outside without getting crazy cold which is keeping the inside cleaner. 

 

This is the progress so far.  We are taking the next three days off for Christmas and then he will finish putting down the plywood flooring before Sylvia comes for a visit later this week.  So good!

Therese

Mom's portable is ready to go!!

After getting Mom's portable working and having it serviced it is ready to go to its new home.  I will be bringing it to Stephany at Christmas time.  She was wanting a sewing machine and Mom's will be the perfect machine for her. Not too heavy and with enough stitches and capability to do the sewing she needs to do.  She has been doing mending by hand.  I am so glad to have Mom's machine stay in the family!!!  I added a few items that were missing - a little screw driver, some pins, a new set of needles and a measuring tape.  As we were digging out the Christmas decorations I spied my old luggage set - the ones I left home with in 1974.  They are a solid set of luggage and the large one might be a perfect home for Mom's portable as Stephany does not have a sewing desk to put it in.  I brought it upstairs and with a bit of sorting we were able to put all the pieces into the suitcase!!  Excellent!!  So it will be riding in style and will be safely stored any time it is not in use.  Reduce - reuse!!  Therese

 

Sewing machine servicing and repairs

I have been working on getting my sewing machines serviced this year.  I brought in the Bernina 730 with my regular Bernina 830 earlier this year.  I discovered that having Bernina machines can be expensive when they need parts - $18 for the rubber ring on the 730 bobbin winder.  I was happy with how well they are sewing now.  

I brought in Suzanne's serger along with the 810 Bernina which Sal gifted me this fall which he got for free on Kijiji.  The 810 needed a bulb and after servicing it indicated that the light assembly had been fixed.  In the end, it had not been permanently fixed.  Brian gave it a go as well and it was not much better.  I expect the reason the machine was free because the light would not switch on and off.  If you switched it off - you could not get it back on.  Not really fun to sew that way. Brian suggested that I used another light source but that was not my preferred option.

Brian managed to fix Mom's portable machine.  Mom was having trouble with feed dogs and because she used it anyway it had worn down the cam some.  On his second go around he discovered that the feed dog plate was loose and that was causing the problem.  He seated it in place with a drop of Lock Tite and it was good as good to go.  

When I brought in Mom's portable and my Nait 830 for servicing I inquired about a new pedal for the 830 and a new light assembly for the 810.  The pedal on the Nait machine runs fast and slower intermittently and when Brian checked it the brushes are worn so it cannot be fixed. It is not the end of the world but I thought I would buy a used pedal considering that Red Deer Sewing had one on hand.  The cost of the pedal was $65 which I did not consider too bad and I was glad to have a spare.  They also had a light assembly but the machine it was in no longer had a plug so they could not check it to see if it worked.  They just kept the used pedal to manage the servicing.  They called me to tell me that the motor on the Nait 830 was no longer working and I would need a new one - $255.  I decided to bring it home and consider my options before putting in a new motor but I would take the light assembly which they checked with the 830 as they are the same part.  They called the other day to say they were ready to be picked up.  The light assembly for the 810 cost $120 but they are NOT available anywhere except second hand so I paid for it so I could have a good light assembly in that machine.  You can see that Brian rigged up something so we could check it out.  We have been switching it off and on several times today and all is good.  Brian will replace that part when he has a bit of time. Not serious considering that there are several others around.  It will be good to have that machine complete.  It runs really well after its servicing.  We will keep the old one because Brian indicated that there would be a way to rig it be on all the time but the process could not be reversed.  In a pinch it would do for either the 810 or the 830.  

So having a few swappable parts I decided to check out the pedal I bought from the shop.  I ran it with the Nait 830 and then with my 830 - both were VERY slow so I decided to see how the pedal on my 830 would work on the Nait 830.  Both worked very well.  So it would seem that it is not the motor that is gone on the Nait 830 but rather it is the second hand pedal that I bought that is not working well.  I inquired at RDS and they will give me my money back but unfortunately that does not give me a spare.  And so it goes.  

To be fair Mom ran her regular sewing machine for 6 decades without yearly servicing.  I don't recall that it needed many repairs either so regular maintenance - cleaning and oiling is well worth doing to keep these older machines going.  

Happy to have all of the machines running well.  I still have my Husqvarna which I have not used in quite a while but it the lighter of all of them and does not require oiling.  I should haul it out once in a while and put it through its paces just to keep it going.    How many machines are too many??  I will be selling off the Bernina 730 this spring and I will see about the Nait 830 as well.  Therese

Christmas tree is in the house!!

We bought our tree early because last year they were gone very quickly.  There was a couple of loads come in this year - only one last year.  The price dropped to $40 and the final 6 were free to anyone who wanted to take them home.  No loss!!  We are happy to have it in the house - not that it needed much thawing this year - and we will be decorating it tomorrow, Christmas Eve.  It may stay up until mid January depending on how well the needles stay.  Therese
 

Family room reno - ready for starting the floor

 Brian is ready to start putting in the flooring joists!!  The big bags are sound insulation to put in between to ensure the floor is quiet and doesn't sound hollow.  Therese

Arum lily blooming again

The arum lily which I got from Mom is blooming again!!  It has grown so much this year and there are now four plants vying for space in the pot so I will have to divide it this spring!!  It is doing very well in the upstairs window in Aunty Irene's cookie jar.  You can see that some of the family room furniture has taken residence in the upstairs hallway. 

Therese

 

Enchanted April - James' drama presentation

 Here is the cast and technical team for the drama presentation at their school.  It was a funny and witty play and everyone played their part very well including British accents!!!  The stage was very nicely decorated for each half.  Here they are finally at the Italian Chateau!!!  James's played one of the husbands of the two main characters - third from the left in the photo.  It was really nice that they gave us all a chance to take photos at the end of the play!!  This was their matinee on Saturday and they were finishing up with their final presentation at 7pm that evening.  Well done!!!  Therese

Kale's basketball game

 We joined Suzanne and Kale at the Shane Homes YMCA for his final basketball game for this session.  He has been having practices on Tuesday evening and intramural games on Saturday mornings.  The facility is fabulous and very organic looking from the outside.  There were three full basketball courts!!  Kale's team were wearing the red jerseys and though the first half was a bit slow they came into their own in the second half and won 40 - 10.  Kale said they are usually the ones that loses with that sort of score so he was happy to be on the winning team this time.  We stopped and picked up Subway for lunch and headed to Suzanne's while she picked up TT.  We had lunch and then headed over to James' school for their drama presentation - Enchanted April.   Therese

Family room reno - moving on with electrical, cable and other wiring

 The reno moves on  to getting the services moved along with moving up the plug ins in that room.  It is coming along well!!  Therese

Deer in the neighbourhood

Deer have been wandering around the neighbourhood!! They always walk around at night but not usually during the day but Brian was in and out of the back garage with the reno and saw these deer checking for traffic before crossing the road.  They are headed to the end of the fence on the other side  and into the forest there.    They were back in the neighbours yard the next night eating crabapples that had fallen off of their tree.  We have never seen so many at a time!!  Therese

 

Family room reno - moved the TV down

 We adjusted the height of the TV to what it will be once the new floor is in and tried it out for a few days.  We had to come up with a plan so once we need what height we needed we walked around with a measuring tape to see what would work.  Boxes from the craft room worked the best.  Brian strapped the TV to hooks in the wall so that it would be safe and at a good angle for warching.  It will work just fine!!!  Therese

Therese

Christmas cactus is blooming

The Christmas cactus is blooming!!!  Has been for a couple of weeks now.  I have raised it up on the table because with the chair in front - I have moved it to take the photo - it is mostly hidden.  Much better with the height.  I had said it needed a haircut last time and it will surely need one before Easter.  I will consider starting a new one and replacing this one because of the large and heavy branches.  We will enjoy it this season!!     Therese

 

Family room reno

The family room reno has begun.  We have decided to raise the floor so we can have expandable dining and it reduces the chance of a fall as we get older.  The fireplace has been removed and will be replaced.  We are considering an electric due to the fact that most new fireplaces vent up and there will be no room to make that happen.  We shall see - the reconstruction is still under discussion!!  

The flooring is out and that is already so much better.   

The mantle has been removed and we are discussing our option in regards to what sort of electrical and services will be required for the TV and if they need to be moved.  

Therese

Steve Bell concert for Advent

 We headed up to Sherwood Park to see Steve Bell in concert at the Alliance Church.  We met Sylvia for supper at Swiss Chalet and then we headed over for the concert.  Large church and by concert time it was pretty much full - a very good turnout!!  As always, it was an excellent concert with great songs and wonderful story telling!!  The roads were good all around which makes the decision to go much easier!!!  Therese

Lunch at Loraine's

Madeleine arranged for some of us to get together at Loraine's for lunch so she could connect with us.  It was great to see everyone and Alyx and MacKenzie as well.  The weather was excellent and so the drive there and back was good.  As always, good food - tourtiere and trimmings - and good company!!  It facilitated the transfer of goods as well for several of us which was an added bonus!!  

Therese

 

Cow Patti Theatre - Danny and Delilah

 Went to this play last week with a few friends!!  It was an entertaining play and the food was good - Tacos with everything and excellent desserts!!  We had a good time!!  Just hanging out and good conversation!!

Therese

Giving Tree at church

I prepared some ornaments, donation envelopes and a poster for the Giving Tree at church which will be there all of Advent.  We have a family in the parish which needs support this year!!  Therese
 

Puzzle - beach scene and English village on a river

 Brian has managed a couple of puzzles since we got home from Winnipeg.  He has been working on sorting out the family room project - new fireplaces and maybe a redesign of the space depending on which fireplace he ends up buying.  It will take a little coordination to get it done without too much impact on the rest of the house.  There is someone coming to cap the gas line next we so he will be able to take out the fireplace and have a better idea of the space and possibilities then.  Therese

TT birthday in Calgary

 We headed back to Calgary for TT birthday!!!  He was anxious to have his birthday celebration so once Richard had a few days off they scheduled our get together.  Unfortunately, it was a week night and a very busy one at Suzanne's house so they were not able to come over.  Richard made home made burgers - sausage and hamburger meat.  They were so good!!!!   Tender and juicy and delicious!!  He also made twice cooked home made french fries!!!!!!  They were excellent!!!  Brian and I both are more than we should have but it is hard to pass such good food!!  

TT was very happy with his cake even though the icing had been a challenge for Richard.  It tasted delicious and so was the cake!!  TT made a wish and blew out all his candles.  Then he cut pieces for everyone!!  Presents were opened after the cake and he got a cool Lego Book from Richard and Steph.  Sort of a history of Lego with all the sets and a special Lego on the front.  We got him a Lego gift card while we were in Winnipeg and he has a set already picked out to spend it on.  Selina really enjoyed singing Happy Birthday and she always enjoys chocolate cake.   A really good visit and so nice to see them again.   Therese

Selfie at the Calgary airport

We had noticed this bright space when we were on our way to Winnipeg and had thought we would take a selfie when we on our way back from our walk but we took a different way back and missed taking a selfie.  So when we got back to the Calgary airport I made sure to not miss it on our way out.  You can see below that it is just a little corner that you can stand in.  I took a close up because it would make an awesome quilt!!  We shall see how it goes.  My arms were too short to take a decent selfie so Brian took one with his phone and there we are!!  We had a good trip home and the weather was just as nice in Alberta as it had been in Manitoba so the drive home was also very good!!!  

We did not notice a selfie spot in the airport in Winnipeg but we will have to check next time we go.  

It was good to fly instead of driving but even with their gas being 152 it would have been less expensive to drive.  So be it!!  It was nice to be there in a few hours and home the same day on our way back!!!    All good!!  Therese

 

The whole family!!!

 Got a good family photo that evening before the kids were ready to head off to bed.  They had had a day off on Monday for Remembrance Day but were headed off to school the next morning!!  They are all growing up and getting taller!!  It was nice to reconnect with all of them.  We headed over to see Katherine's new space for Winnipeg Sews.  A nice space with large windows and enough room for classes and meeting with clients.  She had a couple show up that were there to shop so we left her to it and headed to Polo Park for a bit of shopping.  We had packed a lunch from the leftovers from the condo so headed to the airport early to have lunch before going through security.  

It was different flying again.  We wore our masks on the plane and had a good flight home.  

Therese