Confusing Start but Together Again

The Ridge

On Tuesday, Oct. 3^rd Bill didn’t have to go to work but was still up with Gibbs around 6. I heard him (in the foggy state of wastefulness) say to Gibbs “let’s go out and then come back to bed”. Gibbs came up but Bill stretched out in his recliner. I could hear him. 😊 I managed to drop off a few times before getting up around 7:15 and joining him downstairs.

Yesterday, I painted this end wall
(and yes, I FOCUSed)

Today, I tackled the front.

And it's not bad for a first coat.
I was happy to be done though
as I finished in the sun.

I didn’t have to clean but did have to go to M’s to start painting as early as possible. Here is the confusing part of our morning. We learned last night that Bill is going back up to the Orillia area with Billy to build a shed. They would leave in the morning (Wednesday) and stay until Friday, hopefully with it finished. Our truck ‘may’ or ‘may not’ be ready to come home today. Bill would catch a ride with Billy so we would not need 2 vehicles starting tomorrow.

Soon, they'll be on the ground so
I'll continue to take pictures

We decided to take the rental Ram back to Listowel after I returned home from work at noon. Dave from Car Star called to say it ‘might’ be later today or at least tomorrow that we could pick Black Beauty up. Hmmm, more thinking. If it wasn’t until Wednesday, I’d have to find someone to go with me to pick her up. Okay, I’m sure I could find someone. After I left for work, Bill met with Gerry and did a few things that he needed taken care of and that filled his morning. 😊

I began painting at 9 am, working in the shaded area, it went pretty well. Up and down the ladder, putting on a primer/base coat first. My grief was that he’d bought the small foam rollers (I preferred small to get in the steel ridges) and I went through 4 of them in two days. They literally fell apart on the roller! Grrr. I managed to get the primer done and although it isn’t a perfect cover, the white overcoat would finish it off just fine

Back home at noon, I badly needed a shower before anything else, it was already a ‘beating-down’ 30C/88F. Boy, did I feel better after that semi-cool wash! The good (??) news is that I have to do it all over again tomorrow. Dave called back and said we could come and get the truck. Yay! That put all the confusion behind us and things started falling into place.

Black Beauty was all cleaned up and waiting

We left at 1:45, dropped off the Ram and then to Mount Forest to pick up Black Beauty. Our deductible is low of which we are pleased. We paid it, the insurance company paid the $13,099 balance. ♥ Bill carried on home to find that the Montana had been picked up. Gayle had texted me so we knew our paths would not likely pass today.

Bill is happy the wait is over. 💖

I stopped in town for more 4” paint rollers, this time – good ones, not foam, some bread and a few greeting cards before I drove home. It is great to have us all at home on the Ridge again. Bill called our insurance company to put paperwork in motion for Ptooties to go into hibernation for the winter so that is another thing off the list. 😉

The Richard's entourage is together again

For supper, we had hot roast pork sandwiches, fried potatoes and vegetables with the last of the pie for dessert. That emptied 4 containers from the fridge, always a good feeling. This ended up to be a better day than we first thought it would be with some decisions hanging. We cleaned up dishes, Bill made his lunch, packed some drinks and clothes, sleeping bag and pillow for 3 days. ☹ He’ll be missed around here but we’ll manage.

Supper was good and easy

I feel peaceful that more things have been taken care of. Black Beauty is clean and very happy to be home. We can tell. ♥

The sun sets through the trees

A better look

I thought I might be able to dig some bulbs tomorrow
or Thursday but there are still blooms to come.
(if we don't get frost, we may see them)
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are always welcome.

Back to the Ridge

The Ridge

On Sunday, Aug. 13^th Gibbs didn’t get Bill up until 6:30. I think he was pretty worn out from all the excitement yesterday. 😊 I slept well with the window open over our heads and I think Bill had a better sleep too. It was an overcast morning and who knows what kind of a day we’ll have. We decided when we got up at 8 (!) that we’d try and head back to the marina around 10.

On our way back to the Marina

Looking back, the cottage is
no longer in view.
In the middle is Miller Island
and they are tucked in at the 'turn around'.

I love the way Gibbs is facing
the wind, ears a-flopping

I love this picture, if I do say so myself.
Carol captured it perfectly.

That would mean that Bill doesn’t have to drive in the afternoon and Carol doesn’t have to provide lunch for us again. She’s awesome, coming up with meal plans for us every day. Next visit, we’ll be sure to contribute in some form or another. We had breakfast, toasted cheese bread and yogourt with coffee. Simple but so good! I’ll need to get back to my basics once we’re home as I’m sure the 2 pounds I lost have multiplied! It didn't take us long to strip the bed and pack things up. 

Approaching the Marina

A final wave from Carol

Brian and Carol (& Gracie) took us back on the barge/pontoon boat and we arrived with no rain. The sky didn’t look great and after we drove off, we hoped they made it back to the cottage without getting wet. It only takes about 10 minutes one way, if that. We had some rain in different spots, some dry pavement in others but the biggest issue was our gps was taking us towards Barrie, instead of the route we came on. LOL

The sky cleared up for a while
Lots of traffic

I think it was around Orillia where we noticed
a traffic slow down
OPP were directing traffic in and around this
classic car show
Yes, I see the airplane. 😂
(it's at the airport)

Lots of traffic coming
this way

We didn’t want to do that because of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival. It was crazy busy all around the area, so we did our best to ‘boot scoot & boogie’ a different way home. We got mixed up and had to turn around a couple of times on Hwy 11, but soon caught Hwy 12 to 22 and eventually got on Hwy 26 to Stayner. Once on Grey Road 4, we were home free. The rain had stopped again as we arrived at our gate at 1:15.

In his new thunder shirt,
Gibbs checks out the view behind
Notice he's sitting on that little bum again.

Gibbs was happy to have his own yard and his own chair to roll around in and slept for a lot of the afternoon. When the rain reappeared briefly, we all just stayed indoors after unpacking and dozed. A nibble around 1:30 kept us going until supper. I went out and unlocked the Bunky and started working on the puppy dog puzzle that Patty gave me. It will be fairly easy, which is good since it will be a busy enough week.

Now on North Line

Home sweet home.
This is within minutes of walking in the door

Shouldn't take long to do this one. 

For supper, we had toasted blt’s with cheese and that filled us. Bill went up to watch a movie while I finished writing my blog. It will be a quiet evening. We had a wonderful time! 

Bill went in while I worked on my puzzle
Gibbs sat on the stoop waiting for me.

We didn't need anymore than this for supper.
We've eaten so much this weekend!

For those commentors who wondered about me calling the pontoon boat a barge, that is what it was used for and what Carol called it from our first conversation. That was part of ‘my’ original confusion/concern about the ‘ride over the water’. Silly me, it was fun! They used it to bring equipment, furniture, appliances etc. for building and setting up the cottage. 😊

It reached 20C/68F today
dropping to 10C/50F overnight.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by!

Home Again, Jiggity Jig

The Ridge

On Wednesday, June 21^st Gibbs and Bill went out at 6:20 and I remained right where I was until they returned. We rested together until 7 and Gibbs and I went for a walk down to the park and back. I meandered a bit longer today and sat on the bench for a few minutes before heading home. 😊

It's a pretty little park
I'm sure it is busy in the summer

Bill and I knew we wouldn’t dawdle this morning, wanting to get on the road fairly early but when we went in to say good morning and get our coffee and tea, Ron was out walking Reggie. Poor pooch wasn’t feeling great, didn’t sleep (unlike Gibbs who slept like a log) so we didn’t get to say goodbye to them. Hugs to Loree though and it was 8:20 and 16C/61F when we hit the road. We drove to the park to see if we could find Ron, no luck, but he did call after he got home to wish us a safe trip.

We stopped on the reserve for gas
$1.46/litre, saved us .15¢ per litre
too bad we only needed 1/2 tank

What a gorgeous morning for a drive. There was a fair bit of traffic but once we hopped on Highway 40 and then the 402, we were moving pretty good. We made a stop in Strathroy at Action Trailers to check something out for Bill's cargo trailer and then it was homeward bound. Oh, a stop at Tim Horton’s gave us a nibble to tide us over until lunchtime. 😊 We pulled in the lane at 12:15. Thank you again Ron and Loree for sharing your home with us!

Gibbs was a good boy,
with very little whining on the drive home
to Durham

Gibbs was joyful to be on home turf and I was happy for him to be where he didn’t have to be watched as closely. He knows his boundaries here, even though he tests them sometimes, and there are no close neighbours to bark at. LOL We had a sandwich for lunch and then we all hopped in Black Beauty to go to the Acreage for a water top up. My second lesson. 

Bill relaxed while I looked after the water
Gibbs played in the trees, can you see him?

I thought I'd be throwing my
wildflower bouquet out but
I just had to remove one that was 
dropping 'stuff'.
this dandelion and these daisies
are so pretty still

This time, I did it all, well, 98% of it, with a teensy bit of reminding on a couple of things. Back home, I completed the job with Bill helping when I fumbled. I do believe I have it now and feel confident I’d figure out anything I might forget. 😊 Then we crashed in our chairs for a while. I know I dozed but not the way my boys did. I read a couple of chapters and am still wondering if this book is going to meet my satisfaction. Not giving up, yet.

Our guardian goes from sitting with me
to visiting with Bill
In the first picture, he's waiting for me to come back.

and finally, he had to give it all up for a nap

Gibbs and I were in and out a few times to cool down, the Suite was quite warm even though it felt cool when we first arrived home. All the windows and blinds were closed until we stepped inside and opened things up. Duh! Oh well, we’re home and it is supposed to cool down a bit tomorrow. Today is the first day of summer and we welcome what comes our way! The turtles are digging like crazy today! It must be the hot weather or just knowing it's summer that has them out in droves. 😀 We'll set our live trap tonight to try and distract the skunks from finding the nests I can't cover. 

These pictures turned out better than I thought they would.
The one on the right in the sun's rays is my favourite

I watered my plants, which I had moved to the shade (except for my vegetables), and things are looking good. I picked some spinach for supper and began cooking the chicken thighs in Rosy and potatoes on the stove. It just made it hotter inside but I would step out every so often to get some cooler air. Bill filled in the hole around the cemented flag pole location and then went to the Hangar until it was time to eat. Supper was good and filling.

My spinach was good, but next time I'll steam
it a wee bit longer

I didn't realize that I'd collaged 
Madame Yertle twice, sorry.
Chippy made it up this pole twice and
then I put oil on it. Hilarious!

He hooked up the water sprinkler this afternoon and our grass is getting a good soaking. How nice to have the pond pump working! How many times I’ll be saying that this summer again?! 😊 I got a laugh out of Chippy who shimmied up the wrought iron shepherd crook and was eating the finch seed. I fixed him by greasing it with coconut oil and got a few chuckles out of his efforts. He’s cuter but I’m smarter! I wish I could download the video but it isn’t working for me.

I caught Bill at just the right time, don't you think?
Looks like he's ready to salute the flag - but
the flag isn't hanging yet.
Gibbs checks his work filling the hole.
Madame Yertle took 4 hours to dig, lay and bury.
I covered it with a stepping stone.

What a great day. We had a nice mini vacation away but it is always good to get back home to our routine. We’re not used to so much sitting around! We are also grateful for the StarLink with good wifi and our satellite tv. 😊 I sure enjoyed being out of reach of M's phone calls for errands but that will start up tomorrow! 

The  goldfinches are loving the niger seed. 

I hope you are enjoying this heat. We reached a balmy 28C/83F today both in Port Lambton and here in Priceville. ♥

I love the way the sun's ray came through orange
with no touchups to the picture.
Good night and Happy Summer!

Thank you for popping by.

Home Suite Home (teehee)

The Ridge

On Sunday, Sept. 18^th I was up around 6:30 and when I went out to the living room, Audrey was already up. I made a cup of tea and proceeded to finish yesterday’s blog post – as you’ve noticed by now. This was our last morning of the weekend together but we didn’t have to check out until 11. There were antique shops down the street with a restaurant nearby.

We all took turn sitting outside on the
back patio this morning before checkout
Nice yard even with apple trees

We checked out around 10 and drove down the block to peruse them before we ate. The first one was a really great one, with lots to see and a large area with displays. I saw a couple of things that I remember being in my parent’s home as a child. 😊 The second one was mostly jewellery and glassware so not as interesting to me. We walked further down the street to Silks Restaurant and took advantage of their ‘all day breakfast’. Most of us missed our egg meals.

I loved this Arizona display
in the antique shop
Silks restaurant where I had the
Everything Omelet with home fries

Back at the vehicles, Donna and I rode with Wendy and Cathy and Audrey rode with Gayle. We drove as far as Fergus where we met again at the Walmart and said our goodbyes. Donna and Gayle traded places, don’t ask, and we made our way to separate destinations. It rained off and on until we were closer to home and had stopped completely by the time Wendy dropped me off at home. Bill and Gibbs were outside waiting for me. What a greeting! ♥

It was an uneventful drive home
Go west, Wendy!

I unpacked while Bill told me about his weekend and then I returned the favour, filling him in on mine. I thoroughly enjoyed the time with my 5 sisters but I have to admit that it is great to be home as well. Home Suite Home. 😊 Bill and I talked about when I would do laundry but with cleaning in the morning and then having to be at M’s shop for 9:30, it was going to be quite rushed. My suggestion was that both of us go in tonight, so just after 5, we did that.

Changing fall colours
Fun Fall Fair displays

A beautiful skyful of clouds

While there, why not clean? I took care of the cleaning while our 2 loads were in the washers and we folded the dry clothes together. Back home, Bill grilled the sausages and we had them on a bun. Nice and simple. I’ve been spoiled all weekend by eating meals other people prepared and now at home, Bill did that for me. 😊 He made his lunch and I filled our pill containers for the week before working on today’s blog.

Supper and sunset

This has been a great day; we had a good drive home and it was a wonderful finish to a fun weekend. 

Why I love to come home 💓
Good night!

Thank you for your visit!