Friday, October 13, 2023

Okay, Let’s Catchup! Sorry, it’s a Long One.

The Ridge

On Wednesday, Oct. 11th we based everything we set out to do on the weather. It wasn’t a perfect looking day with a variety of clouds to start and the forecast indicated that some sunshine and some rain was possible. So, since we didn’t have to be anywhere early, we bundled up and went out, hoping for the best. We managed to get a lot done.

Nice that the weather cooperated
and even Gibbs and I got out for a nice little walk.

Our black tank got dumped for the second to last time, but it would be the last time for the Blue Boy. That meant it could get stored in the Outhouse along with other things. Each year, I think we get better at arranging stuff! 😊 With the chairs dry, and after I emptied the Bunky fridge of the frozen apples and few pop, it got filled as well. We have been trying to get Jazz to start for a couple of days now.

The bright colours are turning to browns
Notice the slight peek of a rainbow?

She needs to go into storage in Murray’s barn but that means riding her. Bill was getting stressed after trying a few things he knows to do and yet even though she would turn over, she just wasn’t starting or holding a charge. We needed a back up plan. The weather these two days would be the most feasible for Bill to ride her the 20 minutes, at least without getting wet! The Bunky was our second option, if we get her in the door!

Bill had the King chairs and picnic
table stacked behind the Bunky
when I returned from one of my jaunts
into town.
The hand pump and water pump are
closed up for the winter.

Bill tries to get Jazz started
while the sun is making an appearance.
The patio mats stretched out to finish drying.
Easy to see how important the sun is before
a pack up? 😁

The Outhouse on the left
and
the Bunky on the right.
We need the walkway to get in and shut power
off when we leave. It's behind the cupboard door
on the back right hand wall.

With most of what we could do done, we stopped just in time for the clouds, coolness and rain to move overhead. We came in for a quick lunch, showers and left with Gibbs around 2 for Sebringville. Bill’s stepmom, Marilynne, was at Carol’s for 3 days and wanted to take us all out for dinner – early Christmas gift.😊 

The picture on the left is my favourite.
Gracie and Gibbs both wanted out 
but it wasn't long they realized we weren't joining them.
So cute!πŸ’˜
On the right, gets the attention he NEVER gets at home. LOL
Carol and Brian's son and children.

We had a drink when we arrived and left the dogs in Cory’s care (their son) and drove to Demetre’s in Stratford.

It was a wonderful meal after a wonderful visit.
Liver and onions for me, best in a long time. 

It was a wonderful meal and visit and we headed the hour and a half distance for home. We were both quite tired, fighting to keep our eyes open so when we returned home, I went up to bed. I watched one episode of Justified and turned off the tv and lights. It was a very accomplished day. 

Look at this happy bunch!
Brian and Bruce in the back
Patsy, Bill, Carol, Liz, Marilynne
Thank you Carol for remembering to take a picture.

Good night!

Thursday, Oct. 12th brought us clear skies at least upon first waking. It has been cool, for sure, around 3C/37F, each morning and we’ve been lucky to reach 8C/45F by the afternoon. That’s okay, it is expected. If/when we reach 10C/50F it is a bonus, especially if the sun is shining. I had to clean so was in town at 7:30, and made a quick stop at Foodland for my yogourt, that Walmart doesn’t carry.

A much nicer sky to start another 
pack up day.

Back home just before 9, I had 20 minutes before driving over to run M into town. That was an hour but it will tide him over until Tuesday. Then, he’s on his own and will need to rely on family and/or friends to help him. So, back to our day. We had a bite to eat for lunch and then at 11:15, I took our furry little Gibbs into the Bath and Biscuit for his groom, including bath and nail clip. It is so expensive, it’s a good thing she does an awesome job and he’s worth it.

Yay! Bill talked sweetly enough to Jazz,
promising her a warm winter and good checkup in the spring.

Murray stores all kinds of customer vehicles.
You guys (& maybe some gals) will recognize this
pretty classic.

It was after I dropped him off when I was coming out of the post office that Bill texted and said “Jazz started, meet me at Murray’s”. That was great news! The sun was shining and I knew he’d bundle up for the ride (with some of my insistence). Before leaving Durham, I carried the 2 bags of donations from the Lost and Found to Rethreads. Turns out, I pulled in about 3 minutes before Bill, not realizing he was that close behind me. 😊

Murray’s barn gets full over the winter, he has a nice little set up though. It isn’t pretty but it doesn’t have to be. It is warm and safe. “This way”, Murray said, so Bill and Jazz followed him to her spot. With her covered up, we returned home. We’ll be back early in the week with Ptooties. Murray is a blessing, his price is so decent and he is a good friend. I picked Gibbs up at 1:30, looking spiffy, (he might need a sweater for a few days!).

Someone was waiting for me when I arrived.
Looks like with a big kiss at the ready too!

Now, we were able to take the shelter cover off and pack it away. Bill has drained and emptied the water pump and hose to the pond but will do one more walk along the lane to see if the water has completely drained. Bill spent the early afternoon packing his model plane things in the box he made in Black Beauty. Only he can do that so I stayed out of the way. I have a few bird feeders to put away on Tuesday, I’m not taking them.

I'm sure the grass felt good on his belly after
his cut.
He supervised, as you can see.

Bill has to arrange the basement/garage of the Suite and it was when he was puttering around in there that he discovered some hitchhiker wannabes. Not if we can help it! 

Our handsome guy walks to get the mail
with me. πŸ’“

At the back of the Suite, I chased
these 2 little squirrels around the generator
to see where they'd go.
Gibbs helped.
Doesn't this guy understand that the Welcome
mat is not for him? He scratched at my little
kitchen window until Gibbs barked at him.

We got cleaned up around 3:30 and drove to Hanover to pick Donna and Gerry up. Gayle and John had invited the 6 of us to one last ‘before winter’ get together at their new home. It was a shared meal so Donna, Cathy and I contributed.

It is a really nice home, not exactly small inside, but less square footage than their last and seemingly smaller. 😊 Less outside work and they will be happy there after making some personal touch changes. They both appeared relaxed. We had taken Gibbs and he approved of the home as well. We left around 8 and it was 9:30 when we arrived home after dropping our passengers off. It was a nice meal and visit.

Gayle had a nice table set 
and are using their Pub table as an island. 
It's perfect!

There are a few more things to take care of over the next 5 days, some work (for me) some packing/cleaning at home, and some pleasure. Stick around and you’ll see how things come together. It was another great day!

Delicious!
I didn't get a picture of our group
today, I'm slipping!
Good night!

Thank you for coming by to see how we're doing. 

7 comments:

  1. Such a good post, that picture of you with Bills stepmom is so good, geesh you look young! That Gibbs is so cute! Dee

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  2. Lovely family photo for certain! It's lovely you've been able to get together with family before you head south.
    That days are flying by. You're certainly keeping yourselves busy before the big day. Glad to hear that Jazz behaved herself and started for Bill. The garage at my son's house is so large, he's thinking of renting part of it out for the winter - maybe for Seedoo's or a boat.
    Those silly squirrels, was one of them the baby you saw before?

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    Replies
    1. The pix did turn out great.
      Storing vehicles is an easy way to make a bit of spare money.
      We think it is the baby(s) for sure.

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  3. Busy busy busy!! Glad Jazz started up for the trip to her winter hibernation. Gotta love those little squirrels. They are FAST!!

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  4. Haha, yes, lists are great!
    Once we've left, we learned early on to not worry about anything we might have forgotten.

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