We dodged the worst of it

We definitely dodged the winter "bullet" in our region, with 8 cm on Friday and probably a few more on Saturday, a dusting early on Sunday (or that could have been blowing snow). Nothing like other parts of Ontario and oh my gosh, upper New York State. I feel for them!

Snapshots below from a walk on Friday.

Snow makes everything look so magical, but the reality of getting around, especially on foot, is vastly different. Our city must be the worst in the country for sidewalk clearing (lack of), even at bus stops, and I don't think they ever have sanded or salted said sidewalks, even when/if they get plowed. I'm sure long-time followers of this blog are tired of my annual complaint!

Anyway, we're supposed to have a warm-up this week, so most of the snow should disappear--I hope. It's too early for it to come and stay.

Some kitty has ventured outside into the (enclosed) back garden a few times, but mostly he prefers to be inside and warm.

BTW, I had made a vet tech appointment for this Thursday, for Derry to have the sensor removed (glued on with skin glue). However, yesterday morning I noticed it was mostly off anyway, so I was able to just gently remove the little bit that still was attached. Yay! So Derry does not have to go back this week, and I will give him a bit of a respite before I have another one put on, given that his numbers have remained so low (knock on wood).

Yes, it's as cold out as it looks, below! Minus double-digit Celsius windchills today, like January. Brrr.

I was proactive yesterday and managed to wrap Christmas gifts for my mom and my aunt. I didn't have a lot, but it still took me far too long. Some people like to wrap; alas, I'm not one of those people. I'm also not good at it, probably because I don't enjoy it. Still, I made it through and I packed everything up, took the box to the nearest post office this morning. OMC, Canada Post charges an arm and a leg for mailing, it's appalling. 

Oh, if you've been reading this blog for a while, you might recall that my fridge died in the spring, and I had to replace it, along with the stove/oven that was falling apart. Well, the old saying is that things come in threes, right? Yesterday my 22+ year old microwave gave up the ghost. I wasn't expecting it to konk out, I would have expected the washer (which still needs replacing!) or perhaps the television, which gives me the black screen of death from time to time. Anyway, I popped out to Canadian Tire in between the snow squalls and got a replacement, though I'm sure it won't last 22+ years.

The new microwave, below.

I had to fork over more money than I anticipated, but it was slim pickings and I didn't want to bus all over the city to save a few dollars, or wait several days for one via Amazon. I use the microwave multiple times a day to heat/reheat; next to my toaster/convection oven and kettle, it's the most-used kitchen appliance. It's a small one, but not tiny: 900 watts/0.9 cubic feet, as the old one was. I looked at a 700-watt one, but it was so small I don't think you could actually get a dinner plate into it, and I didn't want (or need) a larger one. I sincerely hope it lasts at least a handful of years, and I also sincerely hope that's it for 2022! It's been a very expensive year, with the new fridge and stove, the bathroom reno, all of Derry's vet visits and tests and sensors, now the microwave. Enough already!

Take care, everyone, and stay warm and cosy if you're getting winter weather, or cool if you're in warmer climes!