Busy-Ness, Ran Out of Time = Another Late Posting, Birthday Fun

On Sunday, July 29^th I woke up pumped for the day. I’d put a fair bit of thought over the past couple of weeks into this day. Rob’s birthday is on Wednesday and I wanted to see if we could celebrate a few days early, when more friends and family could attend. Pat was all for it and helped me put things together. Today, I think we were both up out of bed by 6:30 and had our tea and coffee while reading a few blog posts.

The geese families are having a reunion

Bill got cleaned up and by 8 o’clock he had gone out and asked Rob if he wanted to join him for a drive to Princess Auto in Owen Sound. When Pr. Auto has a sale on, it is often worth the 40-minute drive to take advantage of it. The savings are that good. While there, Bill had also planned a stop at Home Depot for a couple of sheets of plywood as well. All things for the inner workings of his new workshop.

I wasn't alone on my walk this morning

The Divine Love house on the corner is up for sale
Gerry says they are asking a lot of  $$ for it too

While they were gone, I first went for a walk down to the turbine entrance and back. What a beauty of a morning. When I returned after 2 1/2 miles, I cooked the ground beef and made up 2 pans of lasagna. I covered both with foil and set them aside for the day, until it was time to cook them for supper. That was my biggest obligation for the day other than making sure everyone was happy! That is never a challenge with this gang as they already have smiles on their faces. 😊

Across the bean fields, I spotted these deer grazing
but didn't have my zoom lens on   Darn!

We met for Happy Hour at Rob and Pat’s and the conversation flowed. Bill and Sandra arrived, as did Donna and Gerry. George and Suzie had earlier decided to try Deb's Beer Margaritas with strawberry punch instead of lime juice. Once we were all present, they served us each up a glass to try. It was good for a summer drink but I prefer the lime for more of a magarita taste. Thanks guys! 

A great Happy Hour today
So nice to have Sandra, Bill, Peter, Linda and Donna and Gerry join us all
for the day

And this is gentle Jenny

While sitting at H.H. we had a surprise visit from Bill’s cousin, Peter and his wife, Linda. They were on their way from Peterborough to visit friends in Kincardine for a few days. Unfortunately, Bill missed earlier Linda's text but fortunately they took the chance and came anyway. We didn't recognize the Subaru coming into our area until Peter stepped out of the vehicle. What a great surprise! Jenny, their beautiful poodle happily explored the surrounding area while we caught up.

Clemson sat out with me while I read my book
Mama's boy, I think

How nice to see them and even nicer that they feel they can just drop in. We both love that! Too soon they were on their way but promised that we’d see them again soon.

Throughout the afternoon, beginning at 3:30 I needed to bake one pan after another of the lasagna in my convection oven. That meant plugging us into electric. When the first one was done, Bill lit the Weber and turned it on low to keep that pan warm while the second one baked inside.

I had to take one more picture of Bill's shed from this angle
There will be a 4' porch on the front for me to sit on

At 5:45 I announced that the entrée was ready and Pat brought her Caesar salad over to the Suite. Rob warmed the loaves of garlic bread on the bbq and soon enough everyone was loading their plates inside and moving outside to the tables and chairs we had set up. Everything was very good and then we offered up Pat’s homemade carrot cake (YUM!) and the Chapman’s ice cream that Bill and Sandra brought for dessert. No one can say there wasn’t enough food. There were 10 of us sitting down to eat. Oh crap! We forgot to sing Happy Birthday!

Today's feast was perfect

The day turned out perfectly even though earlier the dark gray clouds gave me a bit of inner grief. In the late morning and earlier afternoon after prepping I was able to get a few more chapters of my book read. This Jonathan Kellerman book is good but it hasn't got me hooked quite yet, too many other pleasant distractions right now.

Told ya! Clemson loves his Mama
I wondered if I had lasagna drippings as he gave me a full chin wash

and then he posed for a picture

Rob was pleased and appreciative for all the cards he received. I cleaned up the dishes we had inside from the day and then joined the others for a fire. It wasn’t a late night at all with George and Suzie leaving first around 8:30 and Pat and Rob soon after around 9. We were all worn out and needed to relax.

Bill got a fire going

Bill and I moved inside after stirring the ashes and closing the shed doors. I hope you also had a great day. Thanks for joining us today! Your comments are always welcome.

Someone Turns a Year Older, A Day at the Field with my Guys, Stop in Stratford, Supper Treat

On Saturday, Sept. 23^rd I woke up to the gentle tap tap on my leg. It was 6 o’clock and Bill had been up and showered already. We wanted to leave for London at 7 so I needed to move. I had such a great sleep, don’t think I woke once. Bill was out hooking up the cargo trailer so I washed and prepared myself for the day.

A great day to get a year older

 We made a tea to go and I had a small bowl of cereal just for something in my  tummy. Checking the list on my phone for things to take I set things by the door and Bill loaded them into the truck. We were on the road at 7 as planned and I soon realized the only thing I forgot was Clemson’s bed and blanket. Nothing major, he will have his stool at least.

Aside from the dirty truck windows, a pretty morning

It is a beautiful morning for a drive with light clouds over the Ridge but a perfect forecast all around with clear skies and light winds. My daughter, Bridgette, called en route and sang Happy Birthday to me, as only she can. Made my day. Good flying weather for the RC club at 5 to 10km/hr. It was an uneventful drive and we arrived at the Forest City Flying Field at 9:20 am.

Happy to be going with us today

Good timing. There was room beside Keith and soon after we backed in, Kevin and Chris arrived. These are Bill’s closest flying friends along with Gary and Tom, who were further down the line.

Stratford by-pass

Love this '67 Chevelle
But even more got a kick out of the license plate

I set up my chair and Clemson’s stool in between ours and Kevin’s cargo trailer. We were in the shade and I had everything I need. My table for drinks and my book, my camera and hat. I felt bad that Bill’s shelter got damaged at home because it meant he had to set up his planes in the heat of the sun. He was early enough to nab a little table to put a plane on rather than working from the ground.

Our turn off to the flying field, appropriately close to the Flying M truck stop

They need to get someone to paint their sign

With a trip to the port-a-pot, I realized how much I like our Restroom back at the Ridge. Next to us on the other side, Keith was set up with an awning for Bear, his buddy. Bear is a big hairy dog and I’m sure much hotter in this heat than the rest of us. I’m aware that in a short time, I will lose my shade too so thank goodness for my hat at least. I still won’t complain about the 30C day.

Black Beauty nestled in there with the other Fords

We started at the back and moved forward with the shade

Bill getting his Stinson together, hoping for a maiden flight that unfortunately didn't happen
But the plane looked nice all the same

We have the best little guy

 Picture overload here of a few planes and our pilot friends

Kevin first does some aerobatics

Yikes! It's okay, he has perfect control

I love watching the pilots 'walk' their planes home

Chris brings his in for a landing
Bill can name them, I can't

A nice soft touch down

and comes home

Another beautiful plane
Chris, being from Barbados, I think is a rum man!

It was very hot and humid sitting there for the afternoon. Clemson was the best little guy ever, moving from the blanket to the stool to under the cargo trailer to my lap. Always in the shade. He drank lots of water as did the rest of us. Bill was mostly in the sun as were the other pilots so I encouraged him occasionally to sit with us.

Bill walks his Piper Cub out for a flight

Good buddies flying together behind their stations

Keith's beautiful plane

More aerobatics

Bringing it home

There were quite a few attendees, approximately 30 when you included the observers, wives and children. I enjoyed seeing a couple of wives whom I haven’t seen for a while. Helen and even longer since I’ve seen Lena and Giselle. How did that young Giselle, who was like 5 or 6 when I saw her last grow to be this 16 yr. old beauty? And to think her sister is starting University in Guelph! I’m getting old, literally as I write. It was great catching up with Lena and their family.

My sweetie doing what he loves

The Piper flew nice

So, I took our turbo hub and my laptop today so I could keep up with postings and greetings on Facebook. My phone has been pinging all day which sure makes a gal feel special with all the friends and family members wishing me well on my birthday. I tried to at least acknowledge with a ‘like’ because I appreciate every single one.

Beautiful landing

and touchdown

And the walk home

The club members barbecued sausage dogs and hamburgers with cold drinks and potato chips for us at no charge. What a wonderful thing to do. Bill got a few flights in today with his Piper Cub and his drone so he will be anxious to see these pictures too. All good things come to an end and so did this time at the field. We said our goodbyes as others left and then our own when we pulled out around 3:30. There were only a handful still there when we left, 4 actually.

Beautiful classic

Clemson and I took a walk, more wildflowers

The laneway to the road

Nice field for the guys to fly on

Chris, Lena and Giselle
Giselle is looking through Keith's Virtual Reality glasses
so she could see what his sail plane could see

We drove the 401 to our Embro exit 222 and stopped at McCarthy Place in Stratford to see Dad and Marilynne. They called me earlier to wish me a great birthday but Bill didn’t get to talk to them. We caught up with their goings on and headed off for home. Clemson got his supper in the truck tonight right around 5ish so he is happy for the rest of the way.

A look inside a couple of cargo trailers

Keith took a lot of planes but only 3 shown here

Chris's set up using his business truck and trailer
He is the owner of the business and does it up nicely!
Need a walk-in closet?

Bill models his new wing drawer
The guys thought this was a great idea and gave him the ☝☝☝

That sky is still gorgeous, no sign of clouds at 6 pm so another wonderful evening. We had a peaceful drive home and other than stopping at hwy 89 for Bill to close his eyes for 15 minutes, we had no reason to stop or detour. Bill said last night he had 2 instances on the highway between Embro and home where he was detoured because of accidents.

The London Air Show was on this weekend and this military refueling tanker flew over
Wish I'd had my zoom lens on

This peaceful road takes us to..........................

this quaintly-named town
For you, Brenda, I mean "Joy"

We were home by 7:15 pm, dropped Clemson inside and turned the a/c on. Bill unhooked the cargo trailer in its spot and we drove into Durham for supper. I had no intention of cooking tonight nor was it expected. We went to the Country Corner Café on #4 and ordered the small Haddock and Chips order. This was quick and delicious. 

Needless to say we had the a/c on in the truck all the way home

To celebrate my birthday, I ordered a rum and coke and Bill opted for a tall chocolate milkshake. This was the fastest service we’ve ever received here so a good time to go with only 3 other patrons there for a meal.

A quick shot of popular Durham diner

Yum, fish and chips and the best thing of all
It was prepared for me and no dishes!

We were back home by 8:15 with full tummies. It was cooling down inside and more flies were dead from the heat most likely! I had a wonderful birthday and I know Bill enjoyed it as well, doing what he loves. I hope you enjoyed your first full day of this new fall season.

Happy Birthday, me!

Thank you for stopping in. It is nice to read your comments if you choose to leave one.