A beautiful day!

 Off we went to Carleton Place. I had an appointment for a haircut. Before and after! Yes, I know. Not much of a change! 

Their water fountain is looking good.

There is an old quarry on the grounds. Often there are birds in it.

From there we went to lunch. It is a nice, enclosed porch. Sadly, for us, there was a noisy group of senior men we had to move from the other end of the room. Joe took out his hearing aids, and that helped. The guys nearest us were dropping F* Bombs, happily Joe Brian couldn't hear them. 😏

They are known for their fish and chips. I should have stuck to that. I think all the protein is deep fried. I took half home for dinner the next night. The pasta was over cooked.

We took a drive around the area. It was a beautiful, sunny day. 

While the restaurant overlooks the lake, we drove into a couple of these developments that aren't on the water. Joe Brian thought they'd run about a million apiece. Yeppers! They are pricey!

 

You can tell by the size of the lots. It's close to the highway and commuting distance into Ottawa. The lots are enormous by today's standards.

One can see how the older homes have trees and gardens.

From there we drove to see the water. Rideau Canal, Beveridges Locks. It was a nice walkabout.

It's cold on Crumbly Acres!

 It was a day on Crumbly Acres! Our silly Shaw satellite TV isn't working in the workout room in the basement. It took me a half hour on the phone with the technician, unplugging, replugging, moving the box, until he determined that there is something wrong with the cable. They are sending someone today between 8 and noon. Good thing we are retired. 

I noticed a face in the trimmed pine tree out front. It made me laugh even as I cry at the storm damage. The poor tree is the one that lost a ton of branches in ice rain, heavy snow, and messy weather.

Good news. Joseph Brian had another good PSA test. I've been doing a graph! We are holding the metastasized cancer at bay. Plus, they only jabbed him once. He'll have his Lupron injection next week. 

The day began with 11mm (1/2") rain and evolved into graupel and snow. Eventually it cleared up and it melted. 

We took off to Carleton Place. I had a haircut, and JB dropped me off to go shopping. It is a relaxing spot, except for the dude sitting there playing loud YouTube videos. This is my before.

This is the after. Not radically different! In the days when I went out to work 5 days a week, I was better at doing makeup. I wore my brand new dress. Too cold without leggings!

It is a pretty spot.

From there we went to Smiths Falls for dinner. 

I have leftovers!

At home we were happy to see Fred Groundhog out and about. His burrow under the deck must have dried out. I think it has been too cold for him. He was standing up looking for trouble, his little paws hugged to his torso.

Another sunny but cold day! 

We had an adventure!

Hairdressers and hair styles <= I hit a nerve with my hairdresser tales I posted in December. The saga never seems to end. 

 I was supposed to have a haircut Feb. 7th. Now, this is something that really triggers my social anxiety. I worry about it overnight, and usually come home shaking. The noise of a salon is a bad trigger for me. Some salons are noisier than others! I had to leave, a half hour late, and my stylist was just beginning a cut on a colour. I couldn't wait any longer, hands shaking, my mind and body vibrating. I dashed home.

The next day, I had a salon referral from my brilliant daughter. A coworker of hers sent me to a place her friend guaranteed was peaceful. I phoned them at noon, and snagged an appointment in an hour. It was a 40-minute drive, but I got dressed, put on my face, and we dashed out the door. 

We drove across a couple of rivers with ice fishing shacks still one them. I imagine they are locals, as they are fairly near particular properties. It takes someone local to know and understand the depth of the ice, especially on a flowing river. 

You can see tracks on the melting ice. 

The snow fences will come down soon. We could see blue sky, but Mr. Sun came and went. 

I like driving by these. They just look so funny, all awaiting action.

It is a beautiful spot. Calm, peaceful. The waterfall is lovely, and the stations are private. I don't hear the personal details of someone else's vacation, love life, or health issues! The waterfall is amazingly soothing.

It doesn't look like much of a change, but it is clean and tidy. No sticky outy bits. No more mullet, or perms, although I loved my mullet! If you know you know!

 

From there we actually went out for lunch. It's been weeks. 

Soon we'll be able to sit out on the patio again!

On our way home, a cute cattery. An enclosure that lets the cat sit outdoors safely. They are marvellous for indoor cats to get fresh air.

Home safe. The cat house continues to find customers.

Our Ottawa kids are enjoying their February hot tub. Caitlin and I are still playing Scrabble. I took a screenshot as I was dubious that Caitlin was waiting for me to play in the wee hours! She confirmed that.

Cluny and Bryony, in Vancouver, B.C., were with their dad, Jesse, on a ski race weekend. Such fun, good exercise and fresh air for all.