Where does the weekend go?

I don't know, but it's flown by.

Saturday I went to Value Village, tried on several things, but left with nothing. Hard to believe, I know. I did end up getting a pair of slacks at Northern Reflections, almost 50% off. They were offering 40% off any one item and as it turns out, they also give an additional 10% off (the already discounted price) during the month of your birth. So I lucked in!

Then there was the usual grocery shopping, house cleaning, errands, etc. I got home in the early afternoon to discover the family next door gone for the day; yippee! They got back around 11PM last night, I heard someone POUND up the stairs. If that was intended to disturb me it failed, since I had already woken up (maybe subconsciously heard the truck?).

This morning I had another problem with my hot water tank. I just had an issue with it on Christmas Eve, had to get a tech out to replace the temperature gauge thingie. This time it was the igniter (it's a gas tank). Apparently it had corroded already and needed to be cleaned. It's only 3 years old, I think it's ridiculous I'm having problems with it already, but am very glad it's a rental, so that service is covered.

Error code 6!

Then I went downtown for a bite to eat at Tim Horton's (breakfast wrap and tea), and toddled off to my very first United Church service.

Quite a bit different from the more formal Anglican service of Easter weekend and also of my childhood memory. I immediately was corralled by an elderly woman who took me under her wing, as it were, and sandwiched me between her slight body and that of another woman, in one of the pews. Both were seemingly lovely women, I should state, and very welcoming. The service itself was oh, lighter somehow, more joyful than services of my past. They certainly do sing a lot! And the church is lovely, with the congregation in a half-circle around the small altar, the choir behind the altar. Their community is going through a transition with a new minister, changes in direction, etc., which were decided upon by the majority of the congregation. They take care to state on their web site that they're at the liberal end of the United Church. That's partly what prompted me to go, though there's another United Church closer to me that I'd like to check out, as well.

United Church tower, snapped last June

So that was another hour and a half (without communion, but the reverend's sermon was rather too long, IMO), but at least the seats were padded. LOL. And there wasn't any kneeing, either. No kneelers at all, in fact. Anyway, it was about 1:30PM before I got home, what with Sunday bus service in town.

The young girl next door has been rambunctious this afternoon, and there's been lots of slamming of doors and pounding up and down stairs, but hey, you can't have everything. I bought myself a marpac white noise machine with some of my parents' b-day money. It came on Friday, from Amazon.ca:

 

It's loud, even on the lowest setting. I mean, roaring loud. Definitely takes some getting used to. Right now I have the air purifier on to help mask the noise next door, but while it's about the same volume as the marpac machine, the tone is different, if that makes sense. Still, I think this will come in handy, especially when I don't want cold air blowing around via the air purifier or a fan. I just need to position it in the best spot for noise coverage, yet in a spot that's not too close to me. LOL.

And one last bit of "news," though it doesn't directly relate to me: My boss's mother passed away this morning. She'd been ill for some time, in and out of hospital (heart), but mostly in hospital these past few months. I don't know how old she was, but quite elderly. I imagine that in some ways it's a blessing for all concerned, but still, the family is left to grieve. Doesn't matter how old you are, it's still your mum.

So on that unhappy note, I'll stop rambling and wish everyone a good evening. I made myself a belated birthday cake, so will go frost it and then have a piece...or two.  

Purrs and peace from the boys, who weren't impressed the box didn't contain something for them.