We didn't get much snow, mostly a rain-snow combo. While hubby did have to shovel our sidewalks and driveway yesterday it was only a couple of inches so didn't take him long thankfully. There may be more this week but by the weekend it appears to be warming up.
We've heard some good news about our points from our unused flights to Mexico due to pandemic cancellation. After several emails back and forth asking if we wanted a refund we shall receive our points back in a cheque - yes, they are paying us out for them. So in 6-8 weeks we will get a cheque for $1500 which pays back all our taxes, insurance and points. We continue to collect points as at some point in the future it will be safe for travel again, even if it is just to have the kids fly to visit us. We already have built up enough for a couple of tickets across country so no need to get our refund back in points. This refund was very unexpected, we had thought we were losing them. The money will go into a summer travel fund (if we are allowed to travel locally at that time) and the intention is to rent a cabin or house right on the ocean for a week or two this summer - with Buddy of course.
Other than that we are just living life. Chemo will start up in a few weeks so I have a tiny break before then. We still are running the business but only renewing returning clients and trying to limit it to part time work as hubby has had to take on so much more in our life. He does enjoy the company work, however, so we won't be shutting things down anytime soon.
My garlic has come up - 8 plants worth. Garlic is so easy to grow here. Plant in October, comes up in January, clip the scape (tall green curly growth) in July, harvest and dry in August. Hubby really wanted us to grow it so I made sure to plant some as we were cleaning up the yard.
Have a safe weekend everyone!
That must have been a nice surprise getting those points refunded in cash. That should give you something to look forward to when it's safe to travel again. And well done on that book haul - I'm sure your mom will be delighted. Your mentioning "chemo fog", when my brother lost his wife suddenly he couldn't read for a couple of years and he was also a voracious reader, so it was such a loss to him. It came back of course so I'm hoping it will do the same for you when your treatment is over. Good luck for the next sessions!
ReplyDeleteI've had a 2 month break and still can't read so thinking it will take longer but I am sure I will be able to read again one day. Other friends who've undergone chemo have told me that
DeleteWell right after messaging you I pulled up blogger and lo and behold here you are.
ReplyDeleteDo you use the garlic scape in recipes? I was thinking of trying to grow some specifically to get the scape.
Good find on the books for your mom.
I know when the fog lifts you will return to reading, until then though amuse yourself with anything you can find. This might be a good time to watch some of the truly vapid television that is available!
We've tried the garlic scapes in recipes but found them very stringy. Garlic is such a staple at our house though, we use reguar garlic at least 4 meals a week. Yes, I have been watching lots of things on tv, this week National Geographic was the star. I have also rewatched a bunch of british mysteries which thankfully there are a lot of
DeleteGreat result with the refund, I've heard so many horror stories with people losing their money.
ReplyDeleteThat's a cracking reading pile - love Jo Nesbo and Ian Rankin. When I was on Tramadol after my hip op I found it impossible to read, it's wonderful when your concentration comes back, which it will once the chemo is out of the way.
How exciting about the garlic, maybe I should try it, there's alos a bulb sprouting the the kitchen. xxx
We were a little shocked about the refund, we did lose our deposit on our little Mexican hotel - but I wanted them to have that money anyway since they have so little coming in right now. You really don't have to do anything with garlic (not even really water it) as it grows a bit like a weed so if you found a spot in your yard for it I highly recommend growing it. I would use good organic garlic for planting though versus the stuff that we get that comes from China as they spray it and I don't think it would grow well
DeleteThanks again for updating how things are going. When I was on chemo treatments I watched Agatha Christie on my tiny ipad and that was it for concentration. Pillows to hold it still - couldn't read either. Remembering to drink water was a job. Eating wasn't interesting. Things do get better when the chemo treatments are over. You have a great Hubby and Mom.
ReplyDeleteKeeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Joy
That is so funny Joy, I am rewatching on my Fire tablet all the old Midsomer Murders, Death in Paradise and now Grantchester lol. I am getting enzymes and a bowel spasm medication today which will hopefully help me eat Thanks Joy
DeleteOur brains are complicated aren't they. When I was ill it was my dreams which went missing. Then I went on steroids and had amazingly vivid, technicolour dreams. Post steroids my dreams are back to "normal". Fingers crossed the restrictions will be lifted and you can have your waterfront vacation.
ReplyDeleteSome of my chemo meds give me those vivid dreams (or maybe it is the sterioids) too - one though gave me vivid nightmares so I got off that med quick. Yes, really hoping we can go somewhere this summer for a week. At least we live in paradise and can go to the ocean if we can't travel, I am ever so thankful for that
DeleteI am glad you got a refund, I have also heard horror stories about people losing their money on trips.
ReplyDeleteGood deal on the books. I have read a few of those and really liked them.
God bless.
Thank you Jackie
DeleteIm so glad you are getting the refund. The cabin on the beach sounds pretty good for you all, especially Buddy. Hey please message me samandcoffee65@gmail.com and I'd be happy to source and send books for your mom.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your offer. Mom is good for a while now, I am hoping next time she needs books I can drive her around to a bunch of our little free libraries (we have loads) for exchanges
DeleteI was planning to write you today to let you know I was thinking about you. You beat me to it! Sorry about the chemo brain! I hope you can enjoy this break between rounds. I would love that collection of books. I've been buying ebooks, but I go through them too quickly and they cost a fortune. I can't believe you got a cash refund for your points. Amazing. Be well!
ReplyDeleteThank you for thinking of me Mitchell. A break from chemo has been the best part - and I get meds today for my stomach so things should be better. I have a couple of ebooks on my fire tablet but no luck there either. I much prefer real books as does Mom, too bad they hardly print them anymore
DeleteHow nice to get a check, especially when it's unexpected. :-) It's awesome that your mom is a voracious reader. I find in my older age, I'm unable to read as it puts me right out. I can read stuff on my computer, but nothing too lengthy or I find myself skimming through much of it looking for just highlights. I think the internet may have given me ADHD. lol
ReplyDeleteThings have been stressful for you too - that may be part of why you can't read books (and why you've taken some breaks from painting). Yes, the offer of money back sure surprised us.
DeleteHow wonderful that you are getting the refund. It would be frustrating to lose that money.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great pile of books for 8 bucks.
I am sure that fog will be lifting soon. Have a great weekend!
Yes, usually a big pile of decent books like that would have gone for more but I was lucky! And their house was only 2 km away (porch pickup so contactless) which made things easier. You have a great weekend too!
DeleteGreat news about your refund. That's awesome. And, love the bulk book purchase. I've really struggled with adapting to digital books, but our libraries have been closed since March & I read a lot. I did pass on all of my books to my dad, so I have virtually no paper books on hand. I cleaned out the kids books & gave all of those away on our local Buy Nothing, & people were so thrilled to get them. Books are a real treat these days.
ReplyDeleteGrowing garlic sounds like fun. I'll have to do some research. We are right next to "the garlic capital of the world", so I'm guessing we have the right climate to grow it here.
I don't love digital books - much prefer a paperback, especially when trying to read in the back yard in summer. Garlic is super easy if you have a small patch of dirt to grow it in. You might need to water it more than we have to (usually the rain is good enough) but of all the things I've grown it is the easiest
DeleteGreat deal on the books! I haven't used FB marketplace at all, I may have to take a look.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting with a credit with WestJet for the cost of the flights to England from my cancelled cruise. I'd love if they'd pay it out but I do hope to travel in 2023...if they'd pay interest on it I'd leave it where it is.
Enjoy your brief break. Hopefully the snow is gone quickly.
Take care.
You may want to call to see if a refund is possible, they are doing refunds on on flights previously they said they wouldn't. You never know!
DeleteI hope you can return to reading soon! I would hate to lose that. Great news on the return of travel funds.
ReplyDeleteI am sure the reading will come back. Chemo should be done by May so hopefully this summer I can do some reading again
DeleteGreat score on buying your points back. Who knows when we will be able to travel again. I remember how you said hubby liked garlic so now he will be very happy, homegrown is always best. Enjoy your break before chemo starts. Hoping that you keep getting stronger every day.
ReplyDeleteYes hubby loves loves loves garlic. He has been reporting daily on garlic growth lol
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