Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Thundersnow

 

Last night out of the blue it snowed, it was only plus 2 degrees but just got cold enough to drop some of the cold stuff.  Half an hour later we had the strangest electrical storm with sheet lightning and thunder - two things we don't generally get on Vancouver Island.  We never lost power though so other than trying to catch the bolts of lightning we just listened to the storm.

Then at 1am I heard a weird thumping by the heat pump (our form of heat which only works to minus 10 degrees Celcius and uses the temperature of the air to heat and cool your house).  This had happened once before and since I was awake due to a bout of insomnia I got up and had a look.  Ice had formed inside the heat pump fan and it was having trouble functioning, soon to burn out if not fixed.  Fortunately, I knew what to do. Throw the air conditioner on - it sends the warm air out into the fan on the pump and within an hour the ice had all melted and I didn't have to do much of anything.  A service repair man told me that little trick last year when I was panicking in a snowstorm to try and thaw it out with hot water.  And no, he didn't charge me for a service call.  

Thank you for all the kind words on the last post.  Yes, I qualify for surgery.  Now to get it done, which is being made more complicated and possibly set back due to Covid.  We are supposed to hear from the surgeon this week about more dates but the date that has been thrown around is Dec 22.  Yes, in hospital for Christmas and maybe out by New Years'.  Not what anyone wants but I just want the surgery over and to be recuperating at home away from Covid with my husband and my dog and my Mom.  There is even a likely chance if I do get surgery before Christmas hubby will not be allowed in the hospital to see me.  These are the sucker punches that keep coming but I am a big girl and I am once again pulling on my big girl panties whether I want to or not and making sure I get the best possible chance at a long life and this is what is required to do that. Tenacity is required and I have that.

In the meantime, Christmas decorating continues.  The tree is up and a bit like a Whoville tree from the Grinch, if you put enough stuff on it it looks good.  I have rearranged a branch or two since these pictures were taken but it was completed on Sunday.  And we ended up with 1000 lights on the tree :)  The tree is a combo of family ornaments and a ton of vintage glass ornaments which I've collected over the years.  I will give you more glimpses of my vintage collection including books and candle holders over the next few weeks.  For now - here is the tree, mantle, and antique store cabinet with lights.  The lights look brighter in person, we have lights all over the place now, especially the bedroom and living room.  




















Our cases on the Island are rising so I am kind of self-isolating.  I have to go to the hospital for bloodwork.  Separate visit for chemo.  A separate visit to my public health nurse for biweekly cleaning of my semi-permanent IV(PICC line), drive-thrus are ok, and I am accessing my one pharmacy which is where I pick up all my required pills and can still buy a dozen eggs or pick up milk or other things.   I can pick up our grocery order as that is zero contact but they never have everything so there is always another local grocer that we have to go to for most products but hubby is doing that.   That is pretty much it.  Thankfully I have lots of projects at home, plus lots of entertainment.  And a husband who is amazing and doing anything I can't.

Did you know that YouTube has tons of old movies on there for free and can be played on most smart devices?  If you ever wanted to get an inexpensive tablet I highly recommend Amazon Fire Tablet.  I've had mine for 2.5 years, watch movies, play words with friends, keep up on Facebook and access the internet.  No, it is not a gaming platform but a very inexpensive way to get some free entertainment.  I take it to my appointments which last all day and read books on the kindle app.  Really for the price it was an amazing deal (hubby got mine for my birthday 2 summers ago).  Just a thought since they will be on sale this week.

And finally, in an effort to reduce food waste while at the same time avoid going to the store unnecessarily, here is my pandemic salad/slaw.  A tiny bit of romaine (last of a head), a couple of radishes, a sliver of onion, a couple of slices of chopped cabbage, a little bit of carrot, one tablespoon of caesar salad dressing, and black pepper.  It doesn't look like much but serves the purpose of a healthy salad and actually tasted pretty good.  Carrots, radishes, and cabbage are staples here no matter what.  I have in the past added a bit of chopped apple to the salad but forgot to last night. Raisins and nuts can also be used to round out the slaw.  

We still have a raging storm on, what is called a weather bomb which is bringing a lot of rain and high wind up to 70km gusts.  I've got to go get dressed up like a mummy to take Mom to a Dr appointment - but at least the snow has melted!

Stay warm, safe, and healthy everyone!

38 comments:

  1. Such good news!! Your decorations are beautiful! This will be a Christmas to remember! You are making what could be a dark time bright with light and hope and I absolutely admire you! I had cancer once and it was scary. My surgery was in November and I did Christmas up big and even hosted Christmas Eve for all my siblings that year. Continued prayers each and every day!

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  2. You've already created a beautiful Christmas, and Christmas is supposed to suck this year. Christmas early. Surgery and home to recuperate. This sounds like a much better holiday season than you had expected, and it makes me so happy. Also, thanks for decorating for us both (and several others); our cats would destroy a Christmas tree.

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    1. Darn Cats and trees, luckily buddy just sniffs the odd ornament and leaves everything alone. I love the holidays, no matter what, nothing will take that away. And it is awfully warm and cozy in the house watching movies with thousands of lights all around you

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  3. Your tree is gorgeous! Here's hoping you are able to have the surgery ASAP, even if that means Christmas.

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    1. Yes, Dec 22 is the date confirmed. I've been waiting and waiting and the longer you wait the less likely it is going to happen but now it seems it is. Very grateful

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  4. Oh how beautiful you are decorated for Christmas!! Enjoy all the lights... they're pure magic, aren't they?! Just be sure to mask up and practically sterilize yourself when you get home from wherever you go... and you'll be fine. Have your family members do the same. Yes, tell hubby to stay home & away from the hospital. Talk by phone or video and be sure his phone number is clearly on your chart, so doctors or nurses can easily call him if needed. I've already planned this out if either my husband or I need to go to the hospital... it's a "drop me off at the door & I'll call you if I need you"-type of plan. Praying for you~ Andrea xoxo

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    1. Yes, he will only stay in Vancouver the day I am in surgery and if allowed to visit I day after then he is headed back home because I am in 5-9 days depending on if there are any complications afterwards. I am have no other health issues other than low hemoglobin and lack of energy due to chemo but yesterday was my last treatment before surgery and until February thankfully so I get a break from that. Thanks Andrea!

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  5. Love your decorations! So, cheerful and beautiful. Lights make such a magical difference. Hope they schedule your surgery and you leave it behind soon to recover quickly.

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    1. To me, lights are everything at Christmas. And food lol. Presents not so much. The house is now totally done inside and out, boxes mailed off to the kids, even made cookies with Mom. Dec 22 has been confirmed for Surgery so we are going to celebrate the week before with turkey and trimmings as have to be in Vancouver a couple days before. Yes, can't wait until I get home to recover.

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  6. Your tree and all the decor is just lovely and I hope each room makes you smile. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  7. Your weather bomb could be headed our way for the weekend or early next week. Here though it will be snow and more snow.

    Your tree is lovely, I haven't even got mine out of storage yet. Must do so this weekend.

    God bless.

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    1. Thank you Jackie, it took me longer to decorate this year so started super early due to lack of energy but now it is done. I love Christmas so am trying to get a full month of it in before I go in the hospital. Hugs

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  8. It probably won't be easy to be in the hospital over Christmas but it is generally the time that there are fewer patients. A former co-worker had brain surgery a number of years ago, on the 24th, and he said the staff were terrific with him. He even got Christmas on the 26th when he was feeling well enough. Of course, his family was able to be with him but I'm sure you'll be in contact with family. And best of all, it will be over and you'll be able to get on with the rest of your life. :)

    Your tree looks lovely! I've got my little tree up and am so enjoying the lights and the sparkle.

    Oh, and my cousin posted on FB about the storm - she lives in Campbell River and mentioned how loud the thunder was. I've only seen one winter thunder storm and it kind of freaked me out.

    Take care! I'm sure I speak for all your readers that we're happy you're back blogging.

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    1. Thank you so much, yes, originally I was upset it was Dec 22 but now we are just gratefull they can fit me in before they shut down for Christmas as don't do surgery between Christmas and new years. We are just celebrating early. It was a super weird storm but now we are just back to wind and rain which is more typical of our Novembers

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  9. The trees and lights are magical. And, I love the antique piece with its lights. And, the salad looks good and sounds healthy. Be careful like you have been. Good wishes from Alabama.

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    1. Thank you so much. Yes, I am isolating now that we know when surgery is except for all my medical appointments. We shopped super early for Christmas in preparation

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  10. Your tree is gorgeous! I love sitting by mine in an otherwise dark room. I bet you could take a miniature Xmas tree into the hospital and load up the tablet with Christmasey things. Rotten your hubs can't be with you. Are you going to VGH? I had surgery there three years ago. The staff were amazingly kind.

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    1. Yes VGH. The nurses and Drs were very kind when I was in there in August when the original surgery was supposed to go ahead, instead they just did gall bladder and endoscopy but I was in for 3 nights and was super impressed with my care. Our intention is for hubby to stay the day of surgery and the day after then go home until I get out. He can only see me an hour a day even if they allow it (still says for critical illness it is allowed but that could change as our numbers go up) and I don't want him exposed too much so we will communicate with face time and phone. Yes the tablet will come in handy. We do have a mini tree in the bedroom but I don't think with covid and cleaning they want that kind of stuff, I will call the front desk of the hospital to ask. If nothing else I will take a tiny set of battery operated lights for a little christmas

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  11. Your frosting of snow and the magical interior of your house with your tree and millions of lights is just lovely, so snug and cosy and inviting.
    That coleslaw looks really tasty, I love salad all year round, I'm not a fan of stodgy comfort food at all, it makes me feel sluggish and sleepy.
    That device sounds absolutely perfect for your needs and a welcome distraction from your appointments.
    I'm keeping everything crossed that your surgery goes ahead on 22nd December, to know that's behind you will be the best Xmas present of all.
    Not liking the sound of your weather bomb, we've got a warning for torrential rain all day today, it might be a lazy day of crochet and TV!
    Loads of love to you, my brave & fabulous friend. xxxx

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    1. Thank you my friend. Yes, it appears surgery is going ahead for Dec 22. By then hubby may not be able to visit me but at least we can get the surgery over and start recuperating. I have to be in the hospital 5-7 days so we are celebrating Christmas with turkey and all the trimmings the week before plus zoom meetings with all the kids. We have had a lot of windy raining weather the past 2 weeks but fortunately no damage. Cheers back to you

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  12. Your tree looks beautiful! Those vintage ornaments remind me of my childhood Christmases. I used to have many of those that I inherited from my aunt, but I passed them along to my sisters as they put up trees and I no longer do. I need non-breakable decorations now because of my cat. My hubby surprised me the other day with a tablet. It's an off brand called Zonko and it's very nice. He got tired of seeing me squint at my phone. Also it will come in handy for emergencies as it can use a sim card to get internet if ours goes out. Hoping that you get that surgery date locked in. Covid is really messing things up. The stores are getting sparse again in the supermarkets around here. Rumors are rampant that there will be a shut down from Thanksgiving break until 1/1. Also Mardi Gras in New Orleans has been cancelled. Waiting to hear about Mobile. Hopefully they will postpone it until spring.

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    1. Surgery seems locked in for Dec 22, already received a call from a nurse from that hospital starting the chart. Also have new CT scan date in 2 weeks so that is good. No hoarding here, I think people are more confident in our supply chain. I did store 40 rolls of toilet paper in our garage to get us and mom thru if there is hoarding of that. Lysol wipes are the only impossible item to buy. I've bought a no name wipe once a month ago but haven't seen any more since (they were limiting which is good). A tablet is so handy, I take mine to the hospital for treatments and can download a few movies/episodes to it so don't have to try and hook up to their internet which is ok for basic stuff but not streamining. Your thanksgiving scares me, I really hope people do the right thing. Found out my cousin in Idaho has covid, she works in a post office so thinking that is where she got it. Still recuperating from it.

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  13. I hope your operation gets to go ahead - and get it over with! Fingers crossed. And your tree is just beautiful!

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    1. Operation is a go ahead for Dec 22. Yes, just want to get back to our safe and sound house and world, we have so many fewer cases here than Vancouver. Thanks!

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  14. Your Christmas decoractions are beautiful. Fingers crossed for your surgery date.

    I wasn't going to do much for Christmas this year but have decided to go full out in hopes of enjoying the season indoors.

    Stay safe.

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    1. Please go full out, if nothing else it is lovely each day to wake up to a decorated house and my favorite is the evening when all the lights come on. Surgery date has been confirmed for Dec 22 so glad we did everything early this year

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  15. Isn't that a wonderful Christmas present - an extension of your life?!

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    1. It is and so few people get the chance with my type of cancer as the paramaters are very tight - no spread, and not intertangled with other veins. Also the surgery is very harsh so you have to be young enough/physically able to handle it. I am very fortunate in that way

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  16. There are no rules for Christmas this year. Decorating cannot be too early or too extravagant! Yours are gorgeous! As you know I think of you daily and send the most positive thoughts your way.

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    1. Yes, zero rules this year. We turned our outside lights on on the weekend and they look so good. All decorating is complete. Based on surgery they may stay up until mid January!

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  17. Your tree is lovely. I love your fireplace, I think I will copy those decorations! The salad also looks v

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  18. I mistakenly hit Publish .mid sentence! I was commenting that your salad looks very good, and gives me ideas for dinner! Im sure it'll be a wonderful Christmas for you with the surgery hopefully done. Best, Celie

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  19. I guess you will have to add mechanical engineer to your resume. Great save on the heat pump repair.

    All of your Christmas decor looks so relaxing and cheerful. Never too may lights is my motto. So glad that you started early and have enjoying it. Perfect light therapy.

    No matter what date your surgery is you will come home to Christmas and can keep it up as long as you want. I once visited a friend in Edmonton in March and she still had her tree up. She said it kept her happy. The tough part will be not being able to see your hubby or for as long as you would like. Possibly having him stay nearby at an Airbnb will help you just by knowing that he is not far away.

    Just read some of your replies so I now get your plan. Being in the hospital over Christmas is a nice time as you tend to get extra attention from the nurses. Nothing that plus in will be allowed but battery operated is allowed. Be sure and enjoy every moment as best you can in the weeks ahead. Love your pre Christmas dinner a week before you go in.

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    1. Yeah, we are sending him home the day after surgery once he visits me to keep him safe and he will come back to get me when I get out. He will then be able to spend time with Mom on Christmas too which is important for both of them. We will face time. I can do this, it's not easy and made so much tougher with Covid but it is what it is. Light therapy is my normal but this year we went even bigger

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    2. I am well aware that this will be your hubby's first Christmas without his Mom. And of course your Mom will be so very worried about you.

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