Play Day for Clemson and Patsy, Following Bill Home

Friday, Aug. 11^th I woke up a few times through the night. I guess I was excited for the day to start. There was a lovely breeze coming in my side window too so perhaps once in a while my arm would get a chill if it became uncovered. I need something covering me although love the fresh air on my face. Clemson stayed snuggled right close beside me throughout the night, even when I rolled over and back.

Beautiful morning
Sky to the west

The clouds breaking up to the east as well

 I was up at 6:30 and texted Bill that we were mobile. He called and we chatted about our day. After my tea and reading a few posts, I hopped in the shower and started putting things together. I don’t think it will be a pool day, although Laurie extended the invitation if it was hot enough. I’ll throw my swimsuit in just in case, otherwise I don’t need to take much, just need to decide what to wear.

Can you see the moon playing peekaboo this morning?

Clemson will be the only one carrying a bag today, well you know what I mean. He doesn’t even know it at this point. 
  

Clemson finds a warm and safe place to rest

This will be a shorter post than yesterday, lucky for you! I’m leaving the Suite around 8:30 to first drop our ‘baby’ off in Durham and then head out #6 towards Mt. Forest and so on. It is a nice drive and with my tunes (Oh! I must grab another couple of cds) I can listen to Pokey,(Laurie, you seriously need to Google him!) Blue Rodeo, Johnny Reid, Celine and my guy Willie Nelson.

Clear roads and cloudier skies

Laurie is expecting me by 12 noon so I will have half hour to spare if all goes well. With a lovely day for a drive, I took a route just before Embro that I haven’t traveled for a while, at least on my own. I hoped I remembered all the correct turns but I knew I couldn’t get ‘lost’ at least, being in familiar territory again.

Cobble Hills Road which I drove past and had to go back a few hundred feet

Arriving at the outskirts of Dorchester

I turned onto Medway Road towards Thorndale, left onto Cobble Hills Road to Dundas St. left on Shaw Road to Catherine St. in Dorchester and left at Waubano onto Westchester Bourne to Hamilton Rd. in Nilestown. This road turns into the old familiar Commissioners Road which I traveled daily for 31 years of my employment. Love the memories but glad I’m not doing it anymore.

I arrived at Laurie's beautiful home on Compton Cr. at 11:40. Good timing.

Laurie's pool looks inviting but it wasn't hot enough outside for us to jump in

As always, when Heather and Laurie A arrived we fell into a comfortable familiar setting, talking about children, their employment woes and accomplishments, former staff and our futures. We settled outside in Laurie and Mark’s Tiki Bar setting by the pool and she brought out salads, cheeses, cold meats, fruit and brownies. These went down well with our Girl's Night Out Mimosa’s blended with fruit juices and club soda.

Laurie has a boarder at her house and this is Mac, his beautiful Bermise Mountain dog
He is so adorable and complacent
Sorry, Clemson, I made friends with him

Knowing I had to drive home later, I relaxed on drinking alcohol early and when 4:30 rolled around I made contact with Bill at CanAm. It was planned to hopefully meet up at Costco after his work day and my play day for some food items. 

Great friends forever!

Laurie made us girls a foamy creamy London Fog tea before I left. Bill and I could grab a bite after shopping and head home together. I’ve said it before and it may be odd but there is something romantic about following Bill home. Silly, maybe but I get a warm feeling about it all the same. We met at Costco around 5:45 and picked up our groceries.

Laurie has a butterfly bush but had no visitors yet

Our host under her sign
Laurie's smile is infectious, I consider her a very dear friend

Lo and behold, for the first time this summer, this fellow made an appearance!

He was beautiful and posed gracefully for me

 We stopped at the A & W on Dorchester Road for a bite at 7 and got on the 401 for home by 7:30. We hit some traffic but at Exit 222 we got off the busy highway towards Embro. It wasn’t long after we went through Stratford that we fell under stormy skies with very heavy rain. We slowed down, me keeping a close eye on Bill’s tail lights and the wipers beating a hard rhythm for probably 15 minutes.

Laurie's hibiscus is gorgeous!

At Teviotdale we were pretty much clear and some pretty pink sections of sky were showing through the clouds. Both Bill and I tried to snap photos, with little success. I wish I had a good Bluetooth connection as I’d forgotten to text Rob and Pat about our whereabouts. As hard as I tried to call them on my bluetooth device, I couldn't make a connection with it. Grrr! Time to purchase a new one. With the storms all around and tornado warnings they were starting to get worried about us and I’m sorry to have caused them that concern.

London Fog tea

We arrived in Durham around 9:45 pm and we separated at the intersection. Bill went towards home and I went to pick Clemmy up. He was sitting on the couch in his bed, all snuggled and quite content, I must say. It wasn’t until I peeked around the corner that he lifted his little head up with what appeared to be ‘joy’. (at least in my eyes!) I know he was well looked after and had a good first play day in their lovely home.

It is clear as mud that Clemson missed us LOL

After chatting briefly and me getting a triple face wash from my little guy, I packed up his stuff and drove the dark Baptist Church Road to the Ridge. I’m glad Bill was there with all scare lights shining brightly or I wouldn’t be so brave getting out of the car. Clem ran for the door and was happy to see Bill. It wasn’t until we were snuggled in bed around 11 that he gave Bill’s face the same bath I got.

And after fluffing the pillows to his satisfaction, he sleeps

This was a fantastic day, the drive was totally worth it. I was able to visit my girlfriends for a good 6 hours after not seeing them since last September. I hope you enjoyed your day as much.

I don't like it when someone gets between me and my man!!

quick bite at A & W

Following my sweetie home
The 401 was busy enough

Capturing the sky after the storm

Those clouds could have provided us with a lot worse so we were thankful to be spared the worst

Thank you for stopping in folks! I love hearing your comments if you have the time to leave one.

Great Day for a Wedding! Wonderful Couple United, Fun with Friends

Saturday, Aug. 5^th I was awake before 7 and up to greet the day. I was in bed by 10:30 so it isn’t surprising that I’m ready to get up. I let Clemson out in the drizzle and came in chilled. It takes him a while to find that ‘perfect’ spot to squat or lift his leg. I knew I was due for another trip out shortly since he only completed one job.

Morning start - Good luck on a wedding day

I made my tea and sat reading blog posts. When I read the comments on my post I was happy to see the return of Tucker from Tucker’s Adventures. They came to visit us earlier this week and seldom do we hear a peep. Yay! Welcome back to the blogger forum! All comments are special and very important to us bloggers, whether you blog or just blurk (read blogs), we love to hear that we are being read.

It was another hour and a half before my sweetie got up so he slept really well after a midnight departure to bed. The day is not what one would hope for when it is a day for a wedding BUT the wives’ tale is that rain on a matrimonial day brings Good Luck. Bill and I were married in May, 20 years ago and instead of May it felt more like February. Wet, cold, rainy and windy but by late afternoon it semi-cleared and the day was a total success from beginning to end. And here we are!

Change of dress

As I begin to write my post, it is 10 o’clock and already the day is appearing brighter. I had to make a decision though. With temperatures only rising to 17C/62F, I had to rethink my attire for the day. Hmm. I know we’ll be in a huge tent but not sure how warm it will be. My spaghetti strap summer (August-type) dress just isn’t going to cut it.

This meant silver instead of gold accessories

To my fruitful closet I rush and easily find an alternative outfit. Then the shoes, the purse and the jewelry adjustment. Yes, it makes a difference! I’m nothing if I’m not coordinated. I’m still undecided what jacket I’ll need but can decide that at the last minute when I see the sky.

And a warmer choice for shoes

I poured my second tea and Bill popped over to advise George and Suzie what time we will pull out of here, since we’re all riding together. We popped the furnace on this morning, because we can and because it was a cool 13C outside and 18 inside. Just to take the chill off while we shower. I hopped in around 11 so I can mess with hair and face stuff.

Clear breaks in the sky

I made up a bacon and egg lunch so we’ll have full tummies when we leave. I guess Clemson will get an early supper today since we won’t be back home until late. I’m going to plead to my sister’s kind heart and hope she can pop over to let him out around 6 for a piddle. Of course, she said ‘sure!’

Checking out the receding water at Don's, next door

Once the sky started clearing out, I took a walk down the lane in the wind. Our fingers are crossed for a dry afternoon at least. We were showered and ready to go shortly before 2 and I set up my tripod and camera to get a picture of us. If I don’t, we won’t feel like it later, I know from experience.

All decked out and ready to go

Strong strong winds

Arriving at Ground Effects Landscaping on Concession 2 we wandered through a bit of the grounds. It is lovely here, nice spot for a wedding for sure. Every venue has their own rules and although there are some pretty strict regulations, Sandra wanted her day here. The ceremony was held just outside the banquet hall with a light snack area inside. The Stone Bar was held inside a unique building, where we each had a drink of choice. (Picture overload aka WEDDING)

Beautiful venue

Great idea

With the tent set up early, we slipped down to snap some photos before everyone arrived. Seating chart, gift and signature table, candy shoppe and beautiful table arrangement. We were seated at Table 6 with George and Suzie, CarolAnn and John and Linda and Merle. We had fun and the roast beef/chicken dinner was awesome! So much food, I hope the wedding party gets to take the remainder home.

Suzie and George from Our Awesome Travels
(no hat, no vest but it is still George)

My handsome guy walking to the tent

This building is where the bar is set up

Without the strong wind, the day was perfect and even with it we early on gave up the hope of keeping our hair neat. After a few speeches, the dancing started and Bill and I got to dance our feet off until the music turned to the stuff we don’t know. The four of us agreed to call it a night around 10:30 and Bill drove home to The Ridge. Clemson was happy to see us and did a great job of looking after our Suite.

Proud little flower girl, Olivia

2nd flower girl, 

Charming little ring bearer, Joseph

Proud parents and beautiful bride

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Carlisle
We did it!

The bride and groom with their parents

Yours truly on the prettiest bench ever

This was a wonderful day! That is what weddings are all about. I have more great pictures so tomorrow will include some follow up pictures displaying the fun we had.

Thank you for stopping by today to check in on us. I love reading your comments if you choose to leave one.