Tag: saskatchewan

June 10th…

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

I am running late today but I can’t break my blogging streak now! Day 5!

Yesterday we had a bit of excitement around here.  Some good, some not so much!

Daughter Jen set things off when she needed a ride over to pick up her Jeep from the mechanic’s shop after she got off work.  That was no problem.  Dan went with her while I stayed home to start supper.

Then, granddaughter Prim called to say she was at a nearby park so would be stopping by.   That was welcome news and we agreed she would stay for supper!

Prim

The evening took a turn to the wild side just as Prim (a friend of her’s and his younger brother)  were approaching our house.  It started to rain.  Not a gentle spring rain – thunder, lightening, and pouring rain.  They almost made it in the back porch before the hail hit – hard! Golf ball size hail and lots of it!

We were very fortunate with minor damage to our yard, gazebo, and house.  Our Jeep came through fine despite being parked out in the thick of things.

The boys stayed until we were sure we were in the clear.  We had supper with Prim and Jen came to pick her up shortly thereafter.

The gazebo roof suffered a few tears but that is not a big deal.  We already had plans to replace it next spring and Dan went out and got some tape to patch it up for this year.
Some of our plants took a bit of a hit, with Dan’s Bleeding Heart taking the worst of it.  I will trim it up and I am sure it will be fine in a few days.

Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky as we were.   When Dan was out walking Molly this morning he spoke to a man who lives across the old school yard/baseball diamonds from us.  The west facing windows on his house were all smashed by the hail and his brand new car was bumper to bumper dents. 

Apparently there was a lot of debris to be cleared from the streets, no doubt a lot more damage to be dealt with, and neighbours were out early this morning rounding up their wheeled garbage bins. 

This is our second hail storm this year.  The first one missed us, but hit Jen’s house (a few blocks over) pretty hard.  I hope it is  not a sign of more to come.   I don’t mind the rain, I love the thunder and lightening, but there’s not a lot good to be said for hail – or for the tornados that tend to hit more rural areas of the province.

The sun is out now so I should get outside and do some plant trimming and sweeping up.

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🤗

June 8th

by annemariedemyen, posted in Health and Fitness, 2026

It is a beautiful, sunny, somewhat chilly morning in Southern Saskatchewan.

I am back to blogging after being more off than on for the past few months.  I am feeling very well and the last thing I want to talk about is being sickly, but thought I should give somewhat of an update in that regard.

In February, I was diagnosed with Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.   My respirologist put me on a heavy round of Ciprofloxacin which failed to wipe out the pseudomonas.  So, my respirologist prescribed another heavy round of Ciprofloxacin – which did what Ciprofloxacin does.  Halfway through round two, it started to cause issues with my tendons – specifically the hamstring tendons in my right leg.

Despite the severe pain in my b#tt, I did what I do and persevered until I had completed the Ciprofloxacin.  Shortly thereafter, I was called up for the catscan on my lungs.   The catscan showed  that there still appears to be significant infection – most likely pseudomonas.

I told my respirologist that I could not risk serious injury to my tendons by continuing  on with the Ciprofloxacin, so he decided we  should do nothing further for now.  We will wait to see if the pseudomonas clears up on its own. (There are limited treatment options available).

I am good with this, but I did go to see a potential family doctor who gave me a requisition for a complete blood and urinine lab work.

I have not heard back from her but I did see the results online and they all  looked pretty good to me –  especially my iron, which was my main concern.

So that’s it for now.  The experience has left me with a few questions and concerns – and a number of promising health and wellness changes, which I will touch on in blogs to come. 

Meanwhile, I have a bit of housework to do before heading outside to tackle more yard work.

Yesterday, I did get the side curtains up on the gazebo and I powerwashed the side yard patio.   Dan powerwashed the patio furniture before we moved it back into place for the season. 🙂

That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

February 26th – Day 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

So far this year, there has been less than an impressive amount of activity in my life!  Things will turn around – hopefully soon than later.

Our weather is improving and with March almost here, it should keep getting better.  Before we know it, gardening season will begin and I am anxious to see it!

I’m not sure what will keep Molly out of the garden this year.  She has had no problem jumping the corner planter this winter, so the fence is more of a suggestion than a barrier at this point.

Yesterday, Genie and Alec dropped by for a short visit.  They are both looking well and still enjoying married life.  Their visit was much appreciated as we haven’t been getting out anymore than we had to during our latest cold snap.  Of course… Molly was besides herself!  With some grooming help from Genie and Alec, she shed half of her winter coat while they were here.  😳

Yesterday morning,  Dan and I did have one short outing.  We went to see my respirologist about the results of my recent sputum culture.  He put me on a heavy dose of a strong antibiotic to deal with my lung infection.  

As usual, I read all of the information available on this medication before I started taking it.   As usual, that was a mistake.  The potential chaos this medication can cause is mild to life threating.  The real kicker is the mental instability they throw in – anxiety, paranoia, delusion, suicidal thoughts… like just reading the information on such medication isn’t stressful enough. 🤦‍♀️

I understand that the infection I have is serious and that if I do not clear it up completely I will be dealing with it for the rest of my life.  But still, you would think by now a pharmaceutical company could come up with a drug to kill an infection that can do it without taking my mind and body down as well.

I cannot imagine how people deal with cancer, organ transplants, heart disease, and the like AND manage the medications that they have to take.   I just can’t!

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

January 24th – Day 22 & 23  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

We are still in our deepfreeze here  in Saskatchewan.  I haven’t been outside for DAYS.  I haven’t been further than our front yard in weeks. 😟

On February 14th, I will close the door on Year Four of my Health and Wellness Journey and I will begin Year Five.

Every single year since Year ONE, I have approached this date with excitement and anticipation.   Every single year, I have crashed and burned as the date approaches.

Yes, Molly… wrapping up Year One and well into my plans for Year Two, you broke my arm.   It was an accident – but still!

Every single year, January has thrown me a curve ball!  It is like the universe is hellbent on dragging a deeper commitment out of me before allowing me to move forward. 

This year is no different, but…

Yesterday, I happened upon a free Tony Robbins online seminar.  Three days –  three hours per day.  January 29th, 30th, and 31st.

I know three things about Tony Robbins.  He is a motivational speaker, he has been around forever, and my sister-in-law attended one of his retreats in Bali a lifetime ago. 

I decided to sign up for it.  What do I have to lose?

Part of the sign up procedure involved an invitation to  join a Tony Robbins 2026 Tour Facebook page.

I avoid most social media.  Not ALL, but most…

Anyway, I accepted the invitation to join the Tony Robbins Facebook page. 

Then!! I was invited to post a photo of myself, a bit of an introduction, with  a few words about why I was attending this seminar and what I hoped to get out of it.

I went with this photo, a few words about my Heath & Fitness Journey, and that I was looking for the motivation to kickstart it for another year and to reach my 2026 goal.

I completed my registration, marked it on my calendar,  and moved on.  I thought that would be it until the seminar began.

This morning, I picked up my phone and  opened Facebook to find countless posts from people around the globe who had signed up for this seminar. 

These posts are incredible! They are filled with grief and pain and joy and hope and humanity! People living their lives and focusing on becoming people who make the most of their own lives by learning and growing, accepting gratefully, and giving generously.  

I have no idea how this nine hour seminar will go.  I have no idea what to expect.  But,  I do know that I have already gotten more out of this experience than I honestly expected to.

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞

January 22nd – Day 21  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Since I began my Health and Fitness Journey four years ago, I have focussed on Body, Mind, and Soul – physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

Today, I am focussed on all three, not just for myself,  but for those around me.

When I got up this morning it felt like -44 ° celcius (-47.6 ° fahrenheit) with the windchill.  It wasn’t much better without it!  🥶

That is brutal for anyone who must venture out.  We are fortunate that we have the option to stay in our home, snug and warm and comfortable in our retirement.   But, I feel for those who have to deal with this weather – as would any normal human being with an ounce of empathy.

But empathy be damned.  Our city planners, managers, mayor, councillors, and any and all overpaid city hierarchy who have a voice in such decisions – decided this was a good day to unleash the city graders on our residential streets.

This is our street.  The photo does not do the situation justice.  The grader operator (under order from those higher up on the chain of command no doubt) passed up and down our street – scraping off the solid pack of ice and snow (which was not causing any issue) and pushed it up against the sidewalks.

It is hard to tell, but this is not a lttle ridge of snow.  It is higher and  wider than it looks.  It is a solid,  impenetrable barrier of ice and snow.   The city will not be back to clear it away.  (This is not a one and done – this is an annual event in recent years.)

Our neighbours who do not have the luxury of offstreet parking, will return  from work  unable to park in front of their homes.  They will park as close as they can, and risk exiting their vehicle in traffic –  then struggle to climb over this city built obstacle – carrying tots from daycare, groceries, and whatever else they need, to go about their daily lives.

Delivery drivers will risk life and limb to climb over these icy ridges, as will seniors accessing their vehicles,  as will  people –  especially those with mobility issues, struggling to access public transit. 

For most people in our city, life at minus 44 degrees is more than an inconvenience.  That our city would do anything as unconcienable, dangerous, and stupid to make things harder is beyond comprehehension.

It is not a matter of finances. Our city has no issue raising taxes, or spending outrageous sums on vanity projects, or paying obscene severance packages to incompetent city managers who should never have been hired in the first place. They have no problem buying electric buses – in Saskatchewan 🤦‍♀️, questionable artwork,  and so much more.

It is beyond  stupid and irresponsible.  It is  a danger to our physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing and that of our friends, neighbours, and family. 

Ready for signs of spring. 🥲

January 21st – Day 20  of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

This morning, I woke up anticipating the blog I would post today. 

I was excited to share the news that,  not only had I done my aerobics and treadmill yesterday, but I got outside and shoveled snow!  The walks were not bad, but our front steps and landing had a solid layer of snow to clear.  And, I cleared it!

But, Mother Nature made a mockery of my efforts.   We awoke to a  thick layer of fresh snow.

The front steps and landing were buried (as well as that back steps and landing 🤦‍♀️).  After a walk that was cut short by an overexcited Molly dog, Dan returned and got out the snowblower.

Our walks, as well as our neighbours’, have been cleared.  As well as the snow behind our garage (and the neighbours).  And our landings and steps have been cleared.

I do plan to venture outside for more fresh air today.  It is doubtful that I will find more snow to clear, but who knows.  Mother Nature may just have a fresh load to dump on us.

At least, we do not live in Russia!

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/video/sTQEBYIl?playlist=oLRZ3mum

I cannot imagine getting snow like that!  I doubt that Dan could even make a dent in it – with or without our new snowblower.

Anyway, that is all that is newsworthy in my world today.

Take care and have a great day!

January 15th – Day 14 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness, Uncategorized

Today is Thursday and I am still on target for my respiratory care goals for this week.  I have been struggling a bit, but I have been completing my aerobic and treadmill workouts and I have been getting outside for a bit of fresh air.

This afternoon, I spent the better part of an hour outside with Molly.   Our temperature is around the thawing point, which is nice enough for January in Saskatchewan, but the wind was rough.

The ice on the sidewalk is from the past few days of freeze/thaw temperatures.
The front and back patios are packed snow.

My mission outside today was to test the traction cleats that Dan bought for my boots a few weeks ago. I want to get back to walks with Dan and Molly but our streets and walks are daunting without some help.

These things are amazing!  I did not slip at all on the solid ice and on the packed snow they were just as  great.  I always had concerns that the cleats would bite into the ice and snow and I would faceplant then and there.  It’s not like that at all.  It is just like walking on a rough surface.

I walked around different areas in our yard – stepping up to the backyard and down to the sideyard.  I went out the gate to our front walk that slopes down to the city sidewalk and along the sidewalk.  Even with the strong wind hitting me, I felt solid, safe and confident.

My only regret is that I was not open to trying them a lot sooner.  🤦‍♀️

I can’t wait to go hiking some of the city parks.  We have several beautiful parks in the city, but they have been difficult to enjoy when I was always concerned about staying upright.

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great rest of your day! 😁💞

January 9th – Day 8 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

It is twenty-three days  since I had my hernia repair repaired.  Today I feel GOOD.  I am still coughing – and coughing up some mucus, but the upper chest congestion that I have been struggling with since I entered  the operating room has finally cleared!

The incision is fine.  It has been fine  from the beginning – zero signs of infection and just a little swelling the first couple of days.  There was a bit of discomfort in those early days but definitely nothing that would warrant the use of OTC painkillers, much less the hydromorphone that I was prescribed.  That will go back to the pharmacy for disposal, along with the anti inflammatory.  🤷‍♀️

It has been a rather frustrating recovery, but only in regards to my respiratory system.   Thankfully that appears to be behind me.

Yesterday, my only workout was freelance dancing to some tunes from the 80’s.  It felt good to move and the music was great for elevating my mood! 

I straightened out a couple of more shelves in my closet and I packed away the Christmas wrapping paper, ribbons, etc.  It feels every bit as good to pack everything away, as it did to take it out in the first place. 😁

I spent some time outside yesterday afternoon.  I  enjoyed the fresh air, cleared the ice and snow off of our front steps and landing, and basked in the Saskatchewan sunshine.

For supper, I made a chef salad with ham,  eggs, and cheese on a bed of lettuce and fresh vegetables.   That was my forth salad in the first eight days of 2026.    I am happy with that!

After supper, I watched 911 and The Pitt on TV  before resuming my crochet project.

I now have a ball of yarn to work with 😂

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞

January 4th – Day 3 of My 2026 Daily Activity Journal

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2026, Health and Fitness

Today things are starting to come together!

For the past few days, I have been seriously focussed on healing – daily aerobics, healthy diet, serious hydration, fresh air, and SOLID sleep – 8 to 10 hours a night!

Molly sleeping in solidarity…

Today is Sunday.  Typically this is my ‘rest’ day.  At this point, I do not work out hard enough to need a day to rest,  but Health and Fitness is more than physical – SO  today, I will indulge in some self pampering – show  my hands some love with a hot waxing and a manicure, do some reading, maybe (finally) finish my Christmas Jigsaw puzzle.

Tomorrow, I will get back on track to increase my activity levels in 2026.   As well as doing my daily aerobics, getting back on the treadmill, and starting back to light weight workouts, I have set one goal for the first week of 2026…

This week, I am going to get out and about to visit one of our local malls.  There is nothing that I particularly need to buy – I just need space space to walk (preferably space that is not covered with ice and snow) and the opportunity to mingle with humanity outside of my immediate family.

It is not that I am totally antisocial.   Since Covid I have avoided unnecessary contact.  Since I developed this miserable chronic cough,  that I am working to overcome, I have been avoiding necessary contact as well.

I am well overdue for a haircut, an eye examination, a visit to my dentist, and probably more!

So… first steps first.. I need to get myself out there and prove to myself that I am ready to re-enter society. 

This seems to be a happening place!  I wonder what happened to all my fellow shoppers?

If this goes well, who knows where it  will lead?  Museums, art galleries, floral conservatory…my options are endless. 

Daily Food Diary – Day 349 of 365

by annemariedemyen, posted in 2025, Health and Fitness

Today is Day 349 of my Daily Food Diary. 🥳

Yesterday, I had a few wins to celebrate:

1) I walked with Dan and Molly in the morning, did my aerobics in the afternoon and went for a spin on the treadmill in the evening.

2) I got most of the house vacuumed, scrubbed,  and tidied up – while dan washed all of the bedding.  Even if I am totally knocked down by my little surgery tomorrow, the house will be in order when son Dan and family arrive on the weekend.

3) I messaged with one of my nieces yesterday and it was all good news with her and hers! 🤗

This morning I awoke to a weird win…

I swear, since my Mother passed away in 2013, she communicates in music – music and hymns that I am vaguely familiar with.   I woke up to this tune playing in my mind this morning. (?) Not my favourite but not the worst way to wake up. 😂

My Daily Food Diary win for the day…

Cutting back on restaurant meals and on using processed foods at home.  We still get take out, eat out, and use some processed foods – but we have cut back a lot and Dan and I are both better off without the additives and extra salt and sugars.  👍

Good, nourishing, and natural (mostly)!

Daily Food Diary – Day 349

Breakfast:

(1l c coffee (2)

(1) granola bar (160)

Lunch:

(1) serving shepherds pie (340)

(5) hot chicken wings flats (156)

(60) Oz water

Supper:

(2) Harvest hotdogs (320)

(6) onion rings (150)

(8) tater tots (124)

(2) mozzarella cheese sticks (127)

(2) tbsp Dilly Dip (100)

Total consumed calories:  1479

Total used calories: 379

(30) min walking (137)

(30) min aerobics (171)

(30) min treadmill (71)

Total net calories: 1100

Net calories goal: 1208 – 1100 = 108 under 👍

That’s it for today.  Take care and have a great day! 🥰💓