Ian Abel

BIN day...Out and already serviced. Given it's not recycle week, the two weekly ones are usually done before I even finish my first cuppa. Yesterday a long shopping expedition as the Mrs was looking for a specific warming tray, mostly for our entertaining events. Costco carry the exact one, but seems they (Costco) are one of the very few stores that don't provide details of in-stock items/quantities on their web site/app. We went to the closest one, not carried, checked with the service desk, THEY can see who has them (so why can't consumers!!??), then off to the next nearest that had 66 of the beasts available. On the way obtained the new PC monitor I'd pre-ordered, so we were out-and-about for quite a while. Today, Whitney already here as Jemma is off again to the cabin, this time solo, to do some cleaning. Mrs off to the dentist, then PT! Me - working a new report for the client, and at some point re-arranging my PC configuration to incorporate the new monitor. It's one of three on the PC, but this one is larger/better/newer so I need to re-arrange to have it be the primary. Means moving almost EVERYTHING on my desk around - arrrggg.... Later, off to a schola rehearsal as the schola are singing for the Pentecost services May 19th. Our last official performance this season - though there's a RUMOUR we will have another Sunday performance to bid farewell to the choir director on her retirement. 9c and raining at BIN time, clearing already and 13c the expected high. Carry on.

HUMP day and May day at the same time! Yesterday uneventful and 100% devoid of the forecast rain, UNTIL, about 7:30PM, then it hissed it down for about two hours!!! Combined with a brief, literally 2-3 second, power cut, with no known cause. Usually not a problem, however this time it seemed to have annoyed one of my PC monitors, which now refuses to work. Just flashes briefly and then shuts off again <grrr>. I guess I'll just have to go buy a new/better/bigger one 🤣🤪 Today, a slew of "activity"/ Mrs due to dog sit at Trevor and Meagans around noon, I've got an appointment to "SEE" how worse my sight is after another year of use. Normally, being a single car family now for several years, we manage pretty well, today throws a wrench in that, so I'll need to drop the Mrs off, attend my appointment and then retrieve her. Little else to report, - may well take a trip to the local PC/technology store "MicroCenter" and determine how many tokens to provide them for a new monitor. 10c and sunny first thing, AGAIN reports of 100% rain are visibly incorrect! 17c the expected high and maybe the rain will appear late again as it did yesterday. Tally ho.

That's exactly the same message I got after I tried to set my password to " at least one special character." 😅 Morning each... Yesterday a panic again with report details for the "client", otherwise a quiet day. Today, more of the same. Mrs no is self-driving to PT/chiro sessions so at least I'm not the taxi service. Final work done as we speak for the entry floor at the rental house. Property manager will be doing a final walk-through with the tenant today and handing over the keys. Will be nice to start getting a rent check again! Weather first thing sunny and 5c expected to reach 21c today. Forecast says 100% chance of rain, judging by the skies/radar they're 100% WRONG!! We shall see. Onward.

Afternoon (here at least!) Weekend busy and enjoyable, dinner with friends Friday, tried a new to us Indian/Tibetan place, take-away order and general consensus was "unimpressed", for those styles we'll be back to our preferred/favorite in future. Sunday quiet morning/early afternoon, then off to the last of the 2023/204 season concert series I volunteer at. Amazing Eagles performance from a local tribute band. Closing your eyes you'd not tell the difference between them and the performance of the group we attended in the autumn here. All weekend was wet/raining on and off, more on than off... 6c and rain first thing, stopped now and the high of 9c reached. Down to 4c overnight before we see acouple of days of 20c with some rain thrown in. Carry on.

Well, that all went pearshaped... The above referring to yesterday, and only checking in now! Yesterday was "supposed" to be a regular day, whatever that means. However, Jemma was due to drop Whitney off here, take the water pump for the lake cabin, and head north to rendezvous with the Mrs. niece as they are now co-owners of the cabin, and install the pump, get the water running and spring clean for the season ahead. Issue #1 - the Mrs niece was down with some severe flu, so was not going to be able to go up there. Issue #2 - the Mrs, having NOT expected to be called for duty, had scheduled a fang removal and was therefore not at option! Issue #3 - Well not an issue but a bullet-point, it fell to be to VOLUNTEER to be a secondary party to the spring opening event. all went well getting the pump in place and hooked up, and THEN the fun started; Soon as we turned on the pump, started flooding the cabin with water - apparently over the winter, even though the system was drained the same was as we do every year, the main feed pipe for the cabin system managed to have a 1 inch SPLIT half way up the wall where the line feeds the various facilities. We quelled the flood, determined the issue and then had the enjoyable task of the 25 minute ride EACH WAY to the nearest hardware store for the necessary supplies. After returning and sorting the problem, which involved many choice words, a SECOND issue with one of the elbow joints was discovered... Second round trip to the hardware store. Solved THAT problem, and finally the water system worked and was certified by the chief inspector - ME - as ready for use. Problem NOW was it was almost 4-m, so no cleaning was managed with the exception of some quick vacuuming of the floors. Another trip by other parties will be required to do the spring cleaning portion of the tasks. There we are. spent THIS morning with taxi service and sorting access/payment for the flooring company who were scheduled to install a faux granite floating floor in the entryway of the rental house. Finished the day with some work, and am ready for the weekend! Weekend sees us having dinner tomorrow with our friends who've now returned from the Arizona winter getaway and Sunday attending the last of our church Concert series season performance. This one by a very good local tribute band presenting an Eagles tribute - "Takin' it To The Limit" Weather was delightful yesterday, but of course now it's the weekend, we're expecting rain almost all weekend. 8c and raining first thing, high of 11c expected and rain showing as 10-0% probability for now through Sunday evening!!! ☹️ Enjoy the weekend.

DUH!!! NBA of course 🤣

Hump day. Yesterday, taxi service followed by an assault on Costco. Objectives captured with the help of Jemma, the Mrs actually walked with us, we took it easy and she's definately feeling the improvement of a cortisone shot. Jemma stayed and had dinner with us. Watched the men's NBA basketball playoff as the Mrs likes the game and Minnesota are present. They're favorite, BUT, taken the first two games from one of the favourites, so fun to watch. Today taxi services again, followed by a quiet day. Work is slow as one of the key client members I work with is on vacation. 3c and sunny first thing, 15c the high with sun all day. That'll help the roses and other flora wake up more 👍 Onward.

Morning... Busy weekend with taxi service to PT and chiropractor for the Mrs. Sunday up early for the Earth day services, last full choir performance for our season. Long services and choir standing for all of it! Needed a nap following that 😮 Yesterday, more taxi services... Today, yet more taxi services, Mrs having a cortisone shot and updated x-rays for the on-going treatment. This leaves me to also head to Costco as the Mrs and Jemma were scheduled for a trip together, given the Mrs current mobility issues, yours-truly will take on the task. Weather getting delighful, 7c first thing, sunny and calm, expecting 13c for the high. Onward.

POETS, a likely course of action. Rather somber choir rehearsal as our choir director, after 25+ years at the position, announced she is retiring in June, this being the last full rehearsal we will have with her. We sing for Earth Sunday at two services, and the schola will perform for a Pentecost service in a couple of weeks, then that'll be "it"! Somewhat expected as she's now 76, BUT, none of us wanted to accept the inevitable. Will it change the music direction with a new leader, will the choir members (many of whom are there as much for her leadership as to be choir members), will any change in the style/type of music we perform affect the congregation, again many of whom are there for the style of music presented, both by the choir and the regular Sunday musicians, of whom she is a key member? Lots to ponder, and in discussions with several members, post rehearsal, wondering what the autumn return for our season will bring. Could lose some long term members. No other news to "consider". Whitney will be joining us this afternoon as Jemma is already on a trip "London again", and Brendan heads out this evening. Mrs generally improving though after yesterday's PT/chiro had some late night pain that kept here awake for a couple of hours. Somewhat better this AM. Weather-wise we're now being taunted with some ice-pellet showers, just when it was SUPPOSED to be getting more spring-like. 1c overcast, windy and ice-pellet showers first thing, 6c for the high. Hopefully the forecast improvement to sunnier days and warmer temperatures starting Sunday will be correct as the roofer has scheduled the re-roofing of our rental property for Monday <sigh> Carry on with the weekend...

You DIDN'T POST THAT, DID YOU!!! 🤣🤣 Fortunately, the Mrs doesn't see my ER thread/contributions, otherwise she'd be tracking you down sir! 😮

Great to see you back @Debs. Couldn't agree more, it's our "corporate" choice, prior company used Zoom, far superior IMHO. Then again, given it's a Microsnot product it comes with a guarantee that it's rubbish 🤣🤣 Noonish here, and BIN day... Nothing to post from yesterday. Today the Mrs is much improved over the previous couple of days, so much so, she took herself to PT and chiropractic appointments. Today, Zoom earlier that was enjoyable and entertaining, later pre-choir happy hour and then rehearsal. We sing this Sunday for an Earth Sunday service. Weather, 6c and sunny at BIN time, expecting a high of 12c or so. That's all folks..

Arrghhh... returning after a long delay! Vacation in Phoenix cut short as the Mrs ended up with severe sciatica and back pain, reducing her to wheelchair mobility! Spent a lot of time at various A&E and Dr/Chiropractor/physical therapy offices with me as the designated (REQUIRED) driver. Finally on a path to recovery, but disappointed she/we missed out on our Grand Canyon adventure. Work also demanding, some I've been hanging on by a thread, tired and needing frequent breaks. Anyway, back now, under control as best we ever can be. Weather variable here chucked it down yesterday, clearing today, 7c first thing, partly cloudy, headed for 11c for the high. Onward.

BIN day... BINs sorted and serviced. Yesterday busy with work (CRAZY!!) and some vacation organizing. Minor PANIC late evening when Jemma called and let us know she won't be home today as the flight got cancelled. She'll now not return until Friday evening! Means we need to have Whitney overnight as Brendan is leaving on a trip, AND, need to get a car service for the trip to the airport. All sorted, but NOT the kind of thing you want to have happen. Apparently, the inbound flight from JFK that would have arrived this morning in LHR was cancelled, meaning she and her crew have no aircraft for their flight. Rescheduled and they're flying the Friday service back to JFK. Minor flustercuck. Today, HOPEFULLY, all report changes sorted and I can take the afternoon to pack/prep for vacation. Later, happy hour and choir rehearsal. Posting after today will be variable, based on activities in Phoenix. We are doing a two-day trip to the Grand Canyon, INCLUDING the Grand Canyon Railway - YAY!!! 50-50 on being a steam or diesel motive power though <sigh> Weather here 1c at BIN time and sunny, 8c the expected high - laughingly tomorrows high here is expected to be 10c and in Phoenix 22c. Onward.

Indeed, also true here in a "normal" year. We expect 2-4 inches in April, but my disappointment was mainly due to the very mild winter and the fact we'd already lost all the snow over and enjoyed a week of decent - for Minnesota - temps 🤪 HUMP day - and I've already got the 'ump. The latest changes to reports require something just short of magic to accomplish! Where's that bridge to jump off... Outside of work today and tomorrow will see the Mrs and myself organizing and starting to gather the carp we decide on for our trip to Phoenix. The regular attempts to pack minimally, resulting in ALWAYS overpacking, such a joy! 1c first thing, 8c the high today. Carry on...

Chewsday. Nothing notable yesterday, except ears lowered to provide a "presentable" persona for our upcoming 7-day vacation to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon starting Friday. Today, apparently the weather/climate decided it forgot yesterday was April Fools so gave us this prank first thing today; Colour me NOT IMPRESSED!!! Nothing else beyond frantic work expected to happen today. 1c getting the newspaper in the snow, headed for 4c later. Onward.

I actually get "unlimited PTO", provided the project manager (currently ME 😀) and client approve/agree. Not really bothered about getting it off per se, just recognizing that many other countries do have one or the other, or both as public holidays. My first year here in the US I arrived in early March, looking forward - was uninformed then - to a 4-day weekend shortly after my arrival. Imagine my surprise/disappointment to discover I was not getting ANY time off on the company 🤪 Morning all, from the NON-HOLIDAY Easter Monday. Weekend was busy enough, especially since the Sunday services both ran long resulting in the choir putting in about 4.5 hours of mostly standing on the risers. <yawn> Had a brief respite after that, a leisurely meal and then Trevor and Meagan arrived for dessert and a game or two of Mexican Train. Busily working again today, much report changing to be done! Was also just informed by our property manager that we've a tenant moving in to our rental on May 1st. Yay!! Weather moderates, snow almost entirely gone now, just a few patches on the ground where it had been piled up by the plows. 1c and partly cloudy first thing, 7c the expected high. Warming trend expected all week. Tally ho.

Moaning!! As reported previous years, Easter here is devoid of anything approaching a public holiday, so, working today and Monday as if it never happens. Yesterday a VERY LONG service to sing at followed by a much longer rehearsal than expected. Started the service warm-up at 6PM, service 7-8:30PM, finished rehearsal at 9:40PM - ARRGGHHHH Today, major additions/changes to reports greeted me first thing for work. No POETS likely today. Later Jemma will drop off Whitney as she heads out for a 4-day trip, two turns to London. Only weekend plans, other than getting some sleep are the Easter Sunday services the choir sing at. We'll be on our own for Easter, not a problem, we're getting a nice take-out of traditional glazed ham and all the sides just for the two of us. Weather finally continues to head towards Spring, -4c first thing, partly sunny, high of 6c expected. No below zero overnights in the week ahead, yay! Carry on.

Arrrgghhh.... Back again after three days of some undefined cold/flu/cough/lurgy keeping me in a sorry state. Actual onset was shortly after the Palm Sunday choir singing. Not helped by the snow that started Sunday and refused to completely be done until early AM yesterday. More snow (though still below the norm for March) that we've had all season so far. Just when we thought it was time for Spring... buqqer... Nothing else to report for days given the above condition. BIN day, and all sorted. Today back working and will be singing at the Holy Thursday service this evening. Apparently, we are also doing a short rehearsal afterwards in preparation for Easter. With 8+ inches of snow on the ground we're probably going to have a white Easter -13c at BIN time, sunny but will only slowly dissipate the snow. -1c the expected high. Onward.

It's shipped in through the great lakes :)

BIN day. BINs already processed, just leaves it for me to retrieve them and set them in their resting place. Yesterday slow and the Mrs still/continuing to exhibit signs of a cold/flu. She'll test for the "C" bug today. Has a cough also now and not feeling a very happy camper ☹️ Today, SUPPOSEDLY, we're going to see some snow. There are light flurries on and off at the moment but the forecast is for 2+ inches today. I'm hoping it holds off until late evening so that it's not too miserable heading to/from choir practice. Said practice will likely be long as we have to cover Palm Sunday (expecting 6-8 inches of snow Sunday!!! That'll be annoying!), holy Thursday next week and of course that is followed by Easter Sunday services all of which we sing at. For now, I'm showing no signs of whatever the Mrs has, let's hope it stays that way, though if she tests +ve for the lurgy I'll then be confined myself. -4c and overcast at BIN time, 1c the expected high and the snow not expected to start until around 9PM if the seaweed twirlers are to be believed. Onward.

HUMP day... Little to report for the past couple of days. Slow and uneventful both with work and post work activities. Mrs seems to have a pinched nerve that is giving her some lower back pain, scheduling a physiotherapist hopefully soon. Weather returning to winter rapidly here, threats of a couple of inches of snow overnight tomorrow and possibly plowable amounts Saturday night and all-day Sunday! Just what we'd need for Palm Sunday since we've two services we're supposed to sing at! 😵 -6c and sunny first thing, -1c the expected high with clear skies forecast all day. Onward.

Monday, good morning all. Very nice weekend overall; Friday evening great happy-hour with Jemma and Brendan, nice pop-up beer event at local wine&cheese shop. Saturday, much to-do activity around the house. Sunday, Mrs off to a birthday party followed by us at a concert, one of our fund-raiser events. Six local female singers put on a '60s womens' songs special. Back working today, slow but "proceeding" Weather dropping down again here, -6c first thing with partly cloudy skies, only going to manage 2c later. Forecast of some light snow by the end of the week! Carry on.

In a late afternoon update, we're invited to join Brendan and Jemma at 5pm for a pint at a local wine/cheese locale where there's a beer popup event happening... Let's go 😀

POETS Most excellent evening with friends at the Queen tribute concert last evening. Otherwise, nothing to report from yesterday. Today, not a lot planned, looking forward to a relaxing weekend - like THAT will happen 😀 will avoid all the offerings of "everything GREEN" taking over for Paddys day. We are attending one of our fund-raising concerts Sunday, and as always I'll be there to "help" folks with ticket issues. The typically aging crowd need help ALWAYS, as they can seldom find their receipt that was emailed to them, insist they can't print them out and can never find the email on their phone <sigh> Very nice out this AM 4c and sunny with a high of 11 forecast. Enjoy the start of the weekend.

BIN and Pi day. Have to make do with 3 BINs, Essentially rounded down for Pi collection. Two of the three already collected, we just await the Midday collection of the recycle. Yesterday, by all accounts (those with an appreciation for our performances), the schola managed a very creditable effort at the Reconciliation service. More importantly we (the schola) had an excellent evening, post service, at a local watering hole, good food and beverages in abundance. Today, slow work looks like and later we're off with friends to hear a Queen tribute band. Heard them before, last year, and they're so good we wanted a second serving! 6c and BIN time, overcast but no expectation of precipitation, 11c the high later today. Tally ho.