1 Super Panda + 2 Turtle Gloves = Fun Rainy Sunday

It is raining like CRAZY out there.  Chucking buckets.  Cats and dogs for everyone.  

I'm all for some April shower, but sheesh.  Simmer down now.  

Simmah dahn nah.

Yesterday was TV Saturday.  I prepared myself with a lovely nap.  Hate to go into TV Saturday unprepared.  

Sunday was about to be a repeat but we were saved by Mandy and her boys!  Mandy volunteered to make three puppets for her son's grade two class project.  One for her son and two for two other lucky kiddies. 

The kids had already made the "heads" for their puppets.  They also sketched out their vision for the finished product. Grade 2 style.  

So we hauled out my felt scraps and started making puppets. Three hours later we had a Monkey with some type of banana weapon, a Super Panda with a cape (as per the drawing), and a Super Turtle (with a crest, again as recommended in the drawing). 

I only had to sew Super Panda three times before I had the hang of it.  Super Turtle went MUCH more quickly.  

Note S. Panda's cape in the drawing. 

Super Panda in action.  

Ninja

Who's the ninja in my neighborhood?  Emily.  Aka EmDawg.  AKA ETown.  

So see this cool blue tupperware come suitcase below?  You know I love a good container.  A few friends at work had the idea to make a care package for Emily b/c she is at a new job now (and likely misses us like CRAY ZEE).  

So we did.  It was fun.  It was also fun to watch her go through the package (even though I did have to explain the Ava Hessington folder - does NO ONE watch Suits?)

Then tonight I recieve a text.  

"The Eagle has landed"  

"On your front step"

I swear I didn't even hear the dogs bark. 

Here's what I found inside:

(39 pts for excellent jar use)

They are POM POM SOCKS FOR MY CHAIRS! Well, for one chair.  I am assured (according to what is written in the card) more chair socks are on their way.

And here's one in action:

I've never been much of a tennis player (ok, I have never PLAYED tennis) but I sure had these socks.  

AND NOW SO DOES MY CHAIR. 

But wait - that's not all!

In case you can't guess from the sticky notes, this is not the first loaf of bread Emily and Kurt have given me.  Do I need to say more? Let's not talk about it.  It was a sad day. 

Chair Socks!

Emily (and Kurt) thank you so much!  That was such a fun package to discover on my step.  

Twister

Left paw green?  Are you KIDDING me? 

Bike Clinic

Emily and Kurt hosted a Bike Clinic at their place this morning.  

What the what?

Yep, a bike clinic.  This is for people like Sarah and I who do not take care of our bikes all winter and need people like Emily and Kurt to spiff them up and get them ready for spring.  Like a medi centre for bikes.  

Maddy brought her ol' Princess bike in for a tune up too.  She plans to sell it on kijiji. 

Maddy's bike needed minimal help, just a good clean to get the after market sticker collection off.   Jared also put a little air into the tires.

My biked needed a bit more attention.  My parents bought me a new seat for my birthday (yes, someone is having a birthday very soon).  I also bought an "extender" to make the handlebars go up a little higher.  Sort of like a cruiser bike BUT NOT AT ALL.  When I say cruiser, Kurt gets the giggles.  Must be a cyclist thing.  (side note:  Emily and Kurt are not "bikers".  I called them that once.  That was The Wrong Thing To Say).

Anyway, back to me.

Actually, back to the beginning.  

Maddy and I arrived to find the clinic in full swing.  Such a fun atmosphere.  Emily made waffles.  Sarah brought cookies (like she does) and Mandy brought delicious fruit salad.  Emily knows how to make coffee.  And you know I mean that as the highest compliment I can give. 

Because this bike clinic was The Real Deal, there were all kinds of contraptions for bike access.  Why hunch down when you can lift the bike up on a hoist in your living room?  

Here I am RIDING IN THE LIVING ROOM.  Sheesh.  With my fabulous new Way Up Handlebars.  

Not only did I not contribute food, I did not wash the dishes.  Jeepers I owe these people.  I love this picture of Mandy, she has such an engaging smile.  You just want to spend the afternoon with her.  I am afraid Emily will not be a fan of this picture, but I wanted to have the shot of Mandy.  So, sorry Em.  

Instead I will add this pic of Em-Dawg.  It's my hands down most favorite picture of all time. 

(Come back soon and laugh in my office again)

Sarah also brought her bike.  It faired quite well, considering it spent the winter chained up in her condo parking lot....

Emily suggested we name our bikes.  We named Sarah's Gerschwin.  I named mine Regards.  The bike is a hand me down from my Mom.  

After supper tonight I took a few minutes to add the final touch:

Today I am grateful for good friends with warm smiles and skills.