Coolish Day, Confirmation to Fall – A Special Birthday

The Ridge

On Thursday, Sept. 30^th Bill was up getting ready for work when I woke. Gibbs had been out and was back on the bed, behind me waiting for me to move. He’s so good up there and doesn’t bother us when we’re still sleeping. Today, is my sweetie’s birthday. Not a special one by number but special because of who he is. ♥ After he left, I went about making my tea. I felt cool so wasn’t keen on going for a walk. Wimpy me.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!
This is close to where we hope to be soon

When I reached the Keurig, I saw that Bill’s travel mug was still sitting there, waiting for a coffee. Woops! I made my tea and then texted Bill that I would bring his mug for his 10 o’clock break. That worked out since I had already planned to take him and the boys some cupcakes. That was another frustrating thing from yesterday that I didn’t tell you. Bill reads my blog faithfully so he didn’t need to know that I made them. As it turned out, his nose gave my secret away. “Did you bake something today?” LOL

After Bill left, Gibbs and I spent our usual
time together ♥

The frustrating part was when I couldn’t find my paper cupcake holders and greased the muffin tin, they all (24) stuck to the pan. Some so badly that they came out in a mess. Grrr! I frosted what I could (about 16) with peanut butter/chocolate icing. 

Gibbs was playing on my laptop
Clever at 6 mths, eh?

So, you see? Yesterday was just one of those days. 😊 And I survived. Ha ha At 9:30, I got things ready, made his coffee and took it and the goodies to the work site. I’m glad I took 4, they had a new worker plus Mike was there.

The shed they are building is quite a way off the road

Mike said I could let Gibbs out so he ran around greeting and having fun with his leash dragging behind him collecting as many dirt samples as possible. I borrowed Bill’s towel for the back seat when we left and Bill did a 3 (or was it 4?) turn to get Ptooties turned around in the narrow lane. 

The roof trusses have been built on the ground
This one inside the structure

They have really got a project going there with the shed improving in leaps and bounds each time I visit. The fellow with the lift comes in on Monday to raise the roof trusses. Nice job boys!

This one outside
When Bill says they were working on the roof,
I didn't have to worry about the height

Back home, I had my own coffee with a bowl of soup while Gibbs lolly-gagged outside, in his glory I might add. I still couldn’t shake the chill and there were far more clouds than I expected out there so the day just didn’t warm up. The sun makes a huge difference so it didn’t reach 16C/60F. Once the sun did pop out, I layered up and took my wagon to the big garden and up to the berm.

Gibbs made himself at home
looking for sticks, wood, anything

I gathered the many apples that had dropped off the tree up there and tossed many of them over the fence. Oh, I just remembered I left a pile behind my bin of mint. I’ll get them before Bill needs to cut up there. I clipped the hostas as well as the tiger lilies before walking to the veg garden and pulling the pepper and tomato plants. After dumping that load, the clouds moved back in and Gibbs and I walked to the mail box, no mail, and came inside. Aaah, warmth.

I began at one end
Gibbs watched me from his rope down on the patio mat

I had pulled a pound of ground beef out of the freezer with plans to make lasagna for supper. By the time, Bill drove in, I was saying between that and chili. It’s the chill that I’m feeling that is clouding my decision and I shouldn’t let that change my mind. 😊 Gibbs has gotten really good at jumping up on the bed so when he heard the truck pull in, he hopped up there and sat at the little window watching him get out. It’s quite endearing. ♥

One section finished up here
I'll trim the peony bush later and dig up 
my gladiolas

So……the lasagna was delicious and we didn’t need dessert. We have leftovers for another night and I think everyone agrees that leftovers are great! After dishes, Gibbs and I did our outside walk and boy has it cooled down! Bill said that it will be going down to 3C/37F tonight! That just makes me appreciate the fact that I have NO veggies in the garden that I have to worry about. A not so good ‘crop’ year for me means I don’t have to pull my sheets out of the shed. 😊

I'm glad I stuck with my plan
it was yummy

This was a good day, nice and peaceful, just the way I like days off. My hubby is another year older which is always a great thing, isn’t it?

I tend to go back to this picture
but it's only because I love it so much
good night, everyone!

Thank you for stopping around.

Sometimes I Let Things Get to Me

The Ridge

On Wednesday, Sept. 29^th I’d planned my day to be pretty busy. When I saw the sky clearing up from the wispy clouds, I was sure it was going to be. Bill left for work and by 8, I drove to the laundromat for cleaning. It was the bright spot of the whole morning when a young boy of about 10, who was waiting in the parking lot for the bus, walked back to me and said ‘Good morning’. I was baffled, to be quite honest, replied and then wondered if he needed something.

My pictures today began about half way through my post
so I'm throwing in some memory pictures
2017 Sept. 29

If he was just being polite, I didn’t want to discourage it by saying ‘Can I help you with something?’ So, I asked my question the only way I could think of. 😊 ‘Are you just being friendly or is there something you need?’ LOL, it still doesn’t sound right but he smiled and said ‘I’m just being friendly’. I laughed and said ‘great! That is so refreshing, thank you!’ That was it, but such a small thing is what I look back on this morning because it kind of went to pot after that.

A pond memory from Sept. 29, 2018

As soon as I entered, I was picking up rags, dryer sheets and ‘crap’ off the floor. One customer was in finishing his laundry and after pleasantries, I walked around eyeballing machines and opening the washer doors etc. I stepped into the bathroom and there it was. Scads of t.p. crammed in the bowl and when I went to flush it, I realized that the handle was broken. Oh, for crying out loud! The plunger didn’t help much so I made up Out of Order signs for inside and outside of the door.

I went about cleaning, frustrated and found that a full garbage bag of clothes and Christmas decorations had been left in a back corner. After texting Jamie about the toilet, I carried on. I deduced that I would take the bag and a 4’ long canvas, to Rethreads like last time and hope there wasn’t too much garbage inside it. When I was ready to sweep the floor, Jamie walked in.

Gibbs was not a good boy this morning
He was upset with me, maybe?

Sometimes, I get discouraged over the Mat and sometimes it is for the wrong reasons. Things need to be fixed and kept on top of more often but then I realize that it all takes $$ and time. Jamie has to rely on others to fix appliances and if parts are not available, the business suffers. He tried to do a simple fix on one of the washers but it was obvious it needed the Appliance Doctor to replace a part.

Yah, thankfully it was only pieces along the edge
Yes, I'm trying to see the brighter side

We chatted some and talked about a temporary fix for the washroom (close it off, is our thought) so that some of the same irresponsible individuals don’t add to the problem. We didn’t come up with much other than a new latch with a padlock for employees (me & Jamie) to use only. But what other damage would they do? The police officer, Constable Hinton (?), that was parked out front last week was there again today. His appearance keeps traffic slow around school bus time. 😊

Outside, Gibbs was quite content
not feeling punished at all

Before he left, after walking his town beat, he popped in to say hello and ask how things were. We discussed the ‘overnighters’ that we know of and then he suggested that we send him a video of last night’s visitors re: the toilet. Jamie and I watched one on his phone and there definitely was a questionable visitor, first at 10 and then at 1 am. ?? He knew the cameras were on so we had a hard time figuring out what he was up to. It definitely wasn’t laundry.

Anyway, I left there with much discouragement in my head and heart and drove home. It was 2 hours after I left the Ridge. Gibbs met me at the door and I was brought down even further. He is always so good and does NOTHING! Today, he found a corner strip on the slide-out carpet and just kept pulling and chewing. Little pieces of the carpet were evidence of his misbehavior. ☹

And when he came inside, he seemed to be doing everything right

Needless to say, I didn’t take him for a walk as I usually do. He went out on his rope leash and remained there for a good long time. It’s like sending a child to his room and the room is full of all his toys. Gibbs loves it out there and I had flashes of bringing his crate back inside for our outings. I really don’t want to resort to that, plus his size could make that a challenge now. 

While he was out, I swept and tucked the pulled piece out of sight under the carpet edge. I pulled the plastic runner, that we put under our chairs and table, over to the edge and placed small scatter mats under each edge where our chairs sit. I was feeling pretty frustrated but I know not to keep on at him, ‘after the fact’, they have no memory of what they’ve done wrong after a certain length of time. I read or heard that somewhere.

When Gibbs and I got the mail we cut across the front field
and saw the geese next door

I keep a pretty constant eye on him to make sure he is safe out there and he can’t go far from the patio. I puttered around inside, filled our pill container, doing dishes and having my lunch. I made a packet of Cream of Leek soup and it was really nice for a change. Low carbs, so right up my alley and there is enough for at least 2 more bowls. Then I let Gibbs in and he slept in various spots on the main floor.

Cream of Leek soup was my lunch

During lunch, I finished my book. Maggie is another one of those 5* books for me. I loved it, the evidence of that is how quickly I finished it. I’d originally planned to come home from town and get out to cut some plants but that went down the tube when my mood did. There’ll be another day for that. Gibbs and I walked to the mailbox and I got another birthday card, this time from my sister, Cathy and her husband. Thanks, you two!

The sun was going down and reflecting on the turbines

The day isn’t as warm as I expected so I had no regrets about not being outside much. It would be fine for working in the dirt, but………you know, another day. 😊 I started writing my blog and of course, that means a long-winded blog posting. Sorry about that! With Gibbs inside and hopefully staying out of trouble, I hopped in the shower. When I was in there, he started barking and Bill walked in. I’m glad he is the only one with a ‘key’.

Supper was good!

For supper, we had fried mini sausages, fried potatoes for Bill, mixed veggies to share and I had cauliflower rice. It was all very good and a complete switch from what I’d originally planned. I had my days mixed up, thinking today was Thursday already. Rushing the week! After Gibbs had his supper, I took him out when he rang the bell. We went up the hill and I noticed the neighbour’s cat on the fence first.

The kitty belongs next door to the west but he was on the very east
corner of our property

Gibbs has never seen a cat before, I don’t think, and once he spotted it, he stopped in his tracks and started barking. The cat was not afraid of him at all and just stared before moseying along the fence rail. Nothing to chase here, I turned my wild protector back to the Suite. It wasn’t a productive walk so I know I’ll be out again with him soon. LOL After dishes, we sat and watched some of our recorded programs from Monday and Tuesday. A fairly quiet evening.

I chatted with Bridgette during meal preparation about books on Libby.com and got a better handle on how it works. I was happy to borrow the book Nomadland, that she recommended, a story about full-timers who have turned to the lifestyle for one reason or another. Some good, some sad and others out of necessity. This was an okay day, once the morning was behind me! 😊

Tough guy but Kitty wasn't scared at all

Then he konked out inside from all that exertion
Good night!

Thank you for your visit.

I Remembered!

The Ridge

On Tuesday, Sept. 28^th, we woke to another lovely fall day. With an expected rise in temperature from the chilly 8C/46F morning to a sunny 16C/60F, it will be a great day for Bill to work outdoors and for me to work on the garden cleanup. First things first, Bill pulled out and Gibbs and I sat while I had my tea. After a couple of trips out for his piddles, I confirmed that it would be warm enough to start work after lunch.

A nice looking day

Second things second. I drove into Durham for fuel, getting 7¢ off per litre. That meant I paid $1.22/litre. Yay! I also wanted to stop at the library, see? I remembered! When I entered the library parking lot, it was pretty full and I wondered if I was walking into one of their group classes or something. Oh well, I donned my mask, squirted my hands as I entered and stood in line behind only 1 other customer.

The sheds look a little bare without their decor
The hats are staying, I just need to cut holes in the tops
so birds have a place to nest come spring

I soon realized why it was so busy. After getting my card updated, something I need to do each year, I asked if they were issuing the hard copy of vaccination certificates/passports. The polite librarian assured me ‘yes, would you like yours?’ Wha?? Just like that? So, I asked the price and once informed that it was free of charge, didn’t hesitate any more. ‘Of course!’

while I waited, I perused this shelf looking for
new Phaedra Patrick's books
All of these books look interesting

Today, I discovered that all that is necessary is our health card and they can print it immediately with all the information onto a laminated 3 ½ x 2 ½” wallet card. The place in Hanover charges $9 for each one. It was what Bill and I were about to do. I know now that Bill can go in and do the same thing that I did and get his printed off. 😊 

Before leaving Durham, I stopped in briefly to get and give hugs to our buddies who have returned home after some ‘vacation’ time in the north. I left Pat with her Norwex package and drove home to Gibbs. I had a coffee while sitting with him and then we went outside for the cleanup. I managed to get everything moveable into buckets or at least on the storage shelf and then came in for lunch. I wasn’t too hungry before I went out but once I started cooking bacon in Rosy, my tummy told me it was time.

I was getting into my new book and Gibbs was in a very
affectionate state today

You can't see it but he has another stick for the brush pile
in his mouth

Gibbs got his exercise out there running around, chasing sticks and finding things to chew on. No surprise, when we came inside, he was out like a light for a couple of hours, only raising his head (&/or body) to see where I was going or to follow me. He is definitely my shadow. ♥ Similar to yesterday, I felt by 2:30 that I had accomplished enough and called it a day. That blue sky encouraged me to go for a walk down North Line to the corner with Gibbs. The air feels chilly but a decent fall day.

The Bunkie looks bare too but
it's all ready for the upcoming season

A filling lunch today

We walked and then wandered on the Ridge until Bill turned in the lane at 4. Once parked, we came inside and watched tv until it was time for supper. Rosy air fried 4 boneless chicken thighs, on the stove I fried some leftover potatoes and cooked beans and corn in the microwave. There was even a bit of meatloaf to clean up so we shared that and topped the meal off with the last pieces of apple pie. I added a dollop of ice cream to mine. 😊

I'm glad Gibbs wasn't interested
in these fungi

I don't know if they have a special
name, but there were tons of them

I took Gibbs out for a long walk while Bill finished up the dishes. He has us hopping every evening, every half hour so I wanted to make sure he had a good piddle and poop so we can ignore him for a couple of hours. It should tire him out as well, we hope! The garden things are put away with just hostas and lilies to cut back one day. I also want to plant some of the iris bulbs that I dug up and dig up the dahlias and gladiolas once they are done blooming.

I mentioned Bill working at the Hangar the other day
Here is his finished project, new railing

Gibbs knows where to find good water to drink
when he is running around

This was a good day for both of us. Bill used our generator today at the work site so he was happy to give it a good run and it’s working tip top. All little things that are good to know.

Supper was good

Pretty sky this evening and I believe a 
nice day is on the way tomorrow
good night!

Thank you for taking the time to see how we’re doing. 😊

A Nicer Weather Week

The Ridge

On Monday, Sept. 27^th Bill was up with the 6:30 alarm and Gibbs and I got up before 7:30 to see him off. The day looked to be a decent one with an expected high of 20C/68F, so work for Bill, at the outdoor job down the road, is a ‘go’. 😊 He likes the work there and the nicer the weather is, over the next couple of weeks, the sooner it will be done.

The sky was no indication of the
day's weather
It was clear for much of today

I left soon after he did and cleaned the Mat. It was in decent shape so I have no gripes! I took some extra time and cleaned the inside of the washer doors.  Before coming home, I stopped at Foodland for some bread for Bill’s sandwiches. I felt ready for my tea when I returned and even had a toasted crust with peanut butter/honey. For .some reason I felt quite hungry. That is usually a good time to decide what we’re having for supper so I pulled some meat out of the freezer.

The only time he didn't come when called was when he was chasing something in the grass

I sat with Gibbs in my (our = his and mine) recliner 😊 and he dozed while I caught up on reading blogger’s posts. I’ve missed some for sure but at least took the time to read the latest. I had a woops while I was making my tea this morning by knocking the cream container over without the cap. Oh dear! I moved fast though and saved it but not until about ¼ cup went across the island counter, and onto the floor, spattering everything in its wake.

the beginning of my gathering
Gibbs found shade

Knowing that milk is not good for puppy tummies, I quickly wiped it up while Gibbs followed my every move with his little tongue. I was sure I got it all but made the decision then and there to wash the floors. He wanted outside so I put him on his rope tether hoping to do it then. No such luck, he wanted back in before I even got the vacuum out. He isn’t a bother, but he doesn’t like the hose and runs around a lot trying to get out of the way. Comical, actually.

We relaxed

‘We’ got the floors cleaned up and washed easily. I won’t say it again………(I love my Norwex mops) sorry! The floors dry so quickly because they don’t get sopped with soapy water or cleaner, just water. 😊 Then, we went outside. It was a beautiful day so a good time to start gathering the garden ornaments. Once I started, it didn’t take long to get everything together on the picnic table but with my newly painted rocks, there seems to be more each year.

Up in the bedroom, Gibbs seemed content
at the window

Gibbs was very good while I worked, running free with his leash dragging behind him. He doesn’t go out of sight for very long. I like the ability to let him go free so it tires him out. The method to my madness. I worked steady, loading up 2 bins and saving the last one for the things that are screwed down like signs, the woodpecker from Keith and our old wooden Mexico name sign. We will leave the latter at home and get a new one that includes our new family member.

After I finished working, the clouds moved in
and the temperature started dropping

We came inside once I'd gone as far as I wanted for now and he immediately crashed once I opened all our downstairs windows. It was quite hot out and the Suite was an oven. This is the time of year when we switch from heating sources at night to opening windows and doors during the daytime. I’m not complaining, the warm days can stay as long as they want! I did the few dishes and then sat back in my chair with my book.

Look who's back

Speaking of books, I want to thank Loree for the book suggestion, I likely wouldn’t have come across that one unless it was recommended. I have added it to my Goodreads ‘want to read’. James Patterson books always come up near the first of my searches so I’m sure I’ll come across the one mentioned in a friend’s blog yesterday. 😊 Thank you for that too. I wish I would remember to stop at the library in town and update my card. Duh! Maybe tomorrow! (Psst: I’ve written a note)

These little bluebirds are the sweetest birds
to watch

At 3, I could really feel this morning’s exertion in my upper shoulder and arms so Gibbs and I went upstairs for a snooze. I know I dozed for a while but Jr. ended up jumping off the bed and sleeping on the floor. When I heard a vehicle out my open window, I was surprised to see Bill pulling in. It was 3:50 so I guess not so surprising. That’s when I realized I had actually slept and my aches were gone.

So, I took lots of pictures
They don't even look real

We sat together until 5:30 when I coated the pork chops and started preheating the oven. With potatoes on the stove to boil and beans and corn ready for the microwave, I sat with my sweeties until things were ready. The pork chops, not being a favourite meat of mine, tasted great! They were done perfectly with the edging of crispy fat being the best part of all! 😊 There are leftovers potatoes for another night or two and that makes things easier for another meal. 

This guy was shy

After dishes and Gibbs was taken care of, we spent the evening watching (and recording) our programs. Why do the networks have to put so many all on the same night? Last year it was Tuesdays, now it’s Mondays. LOL Why not spread it out over the week? aside from that, this was a good day and we didn’t get any rain! It actually got quite warm so I got a few things packed up for storage.

Supper was delicious
and we had a piece of the runny lemon pie
good night!

Thank you for stopping around.