Feb.20, 2014

I had a lot of trouble with this site so please be patient, I will update the whole year before we get to 2015.

I can hear everyone cheering. What lovely weather we had for a long weekend. The blow we were supposed to get never materialized which was a good thing. the nasty weather has finally given up for a few days and how wonderful it is. The kids are going by carrying their sliding saucers in order to make use of the huge snow hill on the playground. the skating rink lights stay on till closing rime. I'm sure everyone is happier. even though Manitobans know that spring will come, it's good to get a wee taste of it in February.

Hockey update
 You know spring is around the corner when hockey playoffs begin. Some teams are in full swing while others are just beginning. The Miller Aces aren't doing very well by all reports. Maybe they need to watch the Olympic teams in their down times to learn a new hockey move. Is there anyone who doesn't watch any of the Olympic events? My favourites are of course ladies' and men's hockey and the figure skating.
Dave and I attended another Altona Maroons Bantam I game last Sunday night. we crossed  our fingers hoping for a good game as this day is usually not conducive for a win. If past games were any indication then we were not going to see much action from this team. But they proved us wrong. They took on Oakville with vim and vigour, tying one all until the third period. They came out flying in the third and won the game 4 - 1. and it made it more worthwhile seeing as Thomas Wolfe scored and had an assist.

Community update
The Good Neighbour Center committee is again planning a winter carnival. It will take place on Sat. Mar.1. Watch for posters and I'll try to get events, times and locations for the day in the next column.

Progress report
Some days I'm ready to throw in the towel where exercise is concerned but that feeling soon gets thrown under the couch. More exercises are added every week by my therapist but if I'm going to be able to push that mower, quitting is not an option. I have one exercise which requires me to slide off the couch, seeing how I can't go on my knees. do some tricky manoeuvring and end up lying on my back on the floor with my legs on the couch. Then I have to lift up my body and back down I go this stretches the back muscles which have gotten tight due to all the sitting around I've been doing.
Then I do a routine fo sit-ups while Im already on the floor. Getting back onto the couch is another comical performance. After I get mu legs back on the floor, I sit with my back up against the bottom of the couch. With elbows on the couch I lift myself up and slowly slide onto the couch. Okay, now I'm tired. Put my day has just begun. Out comes the elastic band which I hold and slide under mu feet. Then I bend and straighten my legs, holding the band taut in order to strengthen my quads. I tried doing squats but that put too much pressure on my ankles so we came up with this alternative. Usually that's enough for the morning and the exercise bike wits till the afternoon. I reward myself with puzzling or reading once I'm done.