A Change of Pace and Cooler Days

The Ridge

On Wednesday, June 1^st we started the new month off with a change. At least I did! After Bill left for work, Kincardine today, Gibbs and I sat together until 7:15 when I drove to town to clean. With a phone call and request from M, I left there at 8:30 and drove to Hanover. He needed a new sanding disc/disk (?) from CarQuest so I had a proper tool to work with.

A picture from yesterday's sunny day
You might remember this tree
I take many pictures of it on North Line
Something about it intrigues me

I stopped at Walmart, since I was going right by it and picked up a few groceries. Back in Durham, I went to Foodland and bought 2 more of their mixed planters. I absolutely love the first one I bought so wanted a couple more before they were picked over. I found some really nice ones with different plants. Once I returned home, I waited for M’s call that he was back from running his own errands in Durham.

As I was leaving our lot,
I zoomed in from the truck window as
these peonies are already in full bloom

Yup, we’ve got a couple of classic (old) vehicles to work on so he needs me. He called at 11 and we agreed on ‘after lunch’. I had my wrap and Gibbs ate his breakfast. He’s been better, eating when he’s hungry and/or with a wee encouragement. 😊 We’re happy, he’s happy. I drove Black Beauty over to the body shop at 12:15 and he got me set up to sand a 1991pick up. I think it’s a Chevy, what do I know? I just work there!

Another couple of planters

It has a bad paint job, looking like alligator skin, so we need to strip it and repaint. Cha-ching! This job was a referral from M’s friend, who has his own body shop but doesn’t have the time needed for a full job like this. We’re happy! Hopefully, a full job with no hidden surprises/fixes. Sometimes you get sanding and find things that require more time and money and the client doesn’t understand that. It makes for a slower process, waiting for an agreement of some kind.

I didn't get a picture of the truck I'm working on
but maybe next time
You'll have to settle for my flowers

Anyway, it’s full tilt today and I power sanded two doors, around the windows, and the panels down to the gravel guard. It felt good to be back at it although my arms may be feeling it tomorrow! At 3:30 I headed home, dirtier than I’ve been for over a year. Ha ha. Bill was home early and it was me that needed to hop in the shower today! Blue paint dust everywhere! I made a tea and we caught up on our day.

I watched one Chippy jump from the branch
onto my 'bungy cord' feeder
Notice the two cleaning up the ground

The day has been a mixed bag again. Not cold at any point, although the air is cooler now than it has been all day. We’ve had sun, rain, sun, clouds – repeat – repeat. It reached a high of 21C/70Fand that looks like the highest over the next 7 days. Spring has reared its head again after a lovely short ‘summer’. 😊 One extreme to the next. Remember our seasons when we were children in school? May and June were always so warm that we couldn’t wait to get out for the holidays.

He's just wondering how easy is it going to be
getting down to the next level
He made it by the grip of a toe nail 😂

Supper was air fried chicken thighs, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. It was quite good for a cooler day. No dessert required, says Bill. Last night, we treated ourselves to an ice cream cone because it was so hot and quite cooling. ♥ Bill loaded the dishwasher and because he didn’t eat his sandwich today at noon, he didn’t have to make lunch. 😊 Instead, he went down to the Hangar to work on his hobby.

Sometimes when Gibbs wants out, this is all he
wants to do

Gibbs and I stayed in the Suite and the sky cleared up all around us to the northwest. To the east, it still looked a bit weird with heavy clouds. We had a thunderstorm through the night, well, early morning and at 4 am a loud crack made me jump. Gibbs didn’t move. There was no wind, which is a relief (I hate wind in storms) mostly just rain and rumblings. I like it when the rainfall happens while we’re sleeping.

Supper was good, very good 

This was a different kind of day for me and I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I finished my blog and hope to get it posted. Gibbs was hungry tonight and needed no encouragement to gobble up his meal at 6. We can only shrug our shoulders and carry on. 😊

The day started like this

and it ended like this
Good night!

Thank you for popping in!

Goodbye to Gayle, First Flight, Deal Shopping in Yuma, Cool Forecast

 Pilot Knob RV Resort, Winterhaven, CA

On Friday, Dec. 27^th, I was awake and up first. Simply because I was in bed first last night. Bill wasn’t far behind me getting up and after I’d read a bit of my book, he was in the shower and then joined me downstairs. We walked our walk after he had his first coffee. It was 8:00 when we headed out and decided to go out the park again and down Hwy 80 to the west this time.

The road isn't much to drive on but for walking, it is pretty much
vacant
This Hwy 80 runs parallel to I-8

Looking back towards the park

 We walked a mile before turning back to face the warm sun. It was only 47F/9C but very low winds so not bad at all. We were quite hot when we returned home. I had my tea and we played some Scrabble with each other on our online games before walking over to say goodbye to my sister. Gayle and John were packed up shortly after 10 and that was a good time to wander down.

Sidewinder Road is the exit to take to Pilot Knob RV Park

All rv’ers know that you should never try and visit while others are in the midst of setting up or tearing down. That is courtesy and helps to avoid distractions that create accidents. For me, I know that it only takes one bad experience when trying to get parked in a spot to ruin the whole set up process. The rule is after a quick greeting, please stay away until set up is complete. That applies to us too when friends arrive.

Now there is a great way to advertise

So, after hugs goodbye and a picture of them with their rig, we walked back home. Bill got his Timber plane out as he wanted to fly it while Dave was still here in the park. Dave had never seen it fly. Too bad Ken wasn’t around and as it turned out, the flight was very short. Bill said the old battery wasn’t holding a good charge anymore. Dave was impressed and I was too as it has been a while since Bill has flown and, on the gravel, it was a new experience.

As we walked back, a Dodge charger was pulled over
I can't understand why...........although he was moving by us pretty quickly

We decided to just have toast and/or oatmeal for breakfast as we wanted to get into Yuma for some shopping. I wanted to follow up on a sale for bath towels at J.C. Penney and I also wanted to check out Ross’s, just because. Bill dropped me at JC and after a long search, found the quick dri towels and face cloths to match. There were no hand towels of the same brand so I had to choose a couple of others that would match.

Back in the park, the road to home along the fence line

Saying goodbye

See you two in Quartzsite!

Bill got his plane out and put it together while charging batteries

The prices were phenomenal! $5.99 for bath towels, $2.99 for hand and wash cloths and $7.99 for a bath mat.  Now, we are all decked out and can get rid of some of our old towels. 😊 I walked across the mall parking lots to Ross’s. It wasn’t ideal as I was carrying the large bag of towels but I knew he was off in a different area. I grabbed a cart and went on the search. The only thing I really wanted was a pair of running shoes. Mine, that I wear every morning, are getting pretty beat up even though still comfy.

There it is all put together

Bill was getting his plane ready to fly and waiting for Dave
It looks like he is saying a few words for low winds and a good flight

One of the pictures I took for Bill
The rest, he will use in his next posting

I like this entrance to Yuma

I tried a few on, mostly the same brand, because the price was right. I settled on a black pair that are almost slip-ons but still have some laces too. They’ll do nicely! While shopping, Jo-Anne texted about Happy Hour at their place indoors, so a trend on these cooler days has started. Otherwise, we are all bundling up a little more than some of us are comfortable with. I passed the word on to everyone else since I am the one with everyone’s contact info. I said I feel like ‘Mom’. 😊 That’s okay!

At JC Penney, I found towels

It was a great deal for the towels and bath mat

Back home, I was hungry so had a piece of cheese, some yogourt and a fat bomb. At 3, we made a hot drink and walked next door. First to arrive, first choice of seats so I took a recliner and relaxed. Once everyone arrived, with the exception of the McMechan’s ☹, multiple conversations filled the air. Jo-Anne and Bob had food set out and I had determined that if I wasn’t hungry, I’m not eating, so other than 5 little nuts and bolts, I passed everything by.

My new walking shoes and I'm looking forward to trying them out

 We returned home just after 5 and Bill lit the Weber. Tonight, were grilled farmer sausages with salad. Bill, while outside, dumped our gray water tank. Inside, I made salad on our plates. Opening a pre-made bag of Bacon Caesar salad is a tough job but someone has to do it. As the sausages were cooking, I had to run out to capture sunset photos. Ever-changing.

Along I-8 we always see boondockers out on this stretch of desert

The sky was very interesting just at Happy Hour

A glance back at our site

What a great meal! Just enough and we were full. There is always ice cream and goodies if we needed a snack later. The evening was quiet after dishes. Bill had the television on but Friday night entertainment doesn’t do much for us. I was into my book so after finishing my post, my goal was to get a few chapters completed. As it turned out, we were done dishes by 6:15 so I talked myself into the last scoop and a half of the Oregon Strawberry. Bill opted out.

My dessert before 7 pm

I have enjoyed this day. The sad part was saying goodbye to Gayle and John but there were good moments in shopping and our happy hour to make up for it. Bill and I are really enjoying spending time sitting still this winter, here. As the days arrive, there will be some calm days for Bill to fly his plane and drone and I’m sure some warm days for a pool visit for me. I hope you’ve had a good day.

A beautiful sky tonight
Good night from Pilot Knob

Thank you for your visit!

More Guests, Clothing Swap, Cooler Days but Tons of Fun, Quiet Sunday

On Saturday, Sept. 8^th Bill and I were up before 7 and out the door for a walk right away. Bill had a better night with Clemson only getting up once around 5:30. When we returned Brenda and Randy weren’t out of the bunky yet so we came in and made our coffee and tea. The problem with not writing throughout the day is that I forget the ‘order’ of the day but less words for you to read that way and I'll remember the good stuff anyway.

the sun rises  through the clouds

The four of us had breakfast together inside around 10:30, scrambled eggs and bacon and grapes to fill the little holes in our tummies. We put the dishes in the dishwasher, enjoying the break from hand washing etc. while company is here. Since Rob and Pat had offered their Cedar Creek up for the other girls and it was empty, we invited Randy and Brenda to use the bathroom facilities to wash up this morning. I thought the privacy would be nice for them.

After clipping along the lane, we can see the dry pond area

When 12 noon rolled around, of course we weren’t hungry for lunch so Bill showed them the Hangar. They were both very impressed and happy that he had a nice area to work on his planes. They’d picked him up a 100’ extension cord at Costco, that was on sale, but refused to accept payment for it once they got here. Brenda said it was an early birthday gift. What a nice gesture!

It was nice walking together today

Bill and I checked out the 'Field of Beans' 

I lagged behind taking pictures 

At 12:30 Brenda and I drove over to Cheryl’s, next door, and she followed us in her vehicle to Durham. The clothing exchange started at 1 and even though we were a bit early, we helped Sandra, Jennifer and Pat set the clothes and some food out. Pat was really putting on a wonderful array of food choices for snacks, she was thrilled to be today’s host. Gayle, Donna and Michelle arrived soon after, Barb, Pat's next door neighbour and at 2:30 our 3 girlfriends from London arrived.

Lots of clothes, purses, jewelry to choose from

Brenda, Gayle, Laurie, Heather and Laurie
getting into the act

My sister models the leather with capris and flip flops

Shoes, anyone? Mostly size 7 & 8

The clothes were spread out over Pat’s living and dining room and there was no shortage of choices. Wow! 

Pat had quite the spread on their island

We had a blast from the time we arrived until the last of us left at 5:30. Laurie A., Laurie B. and Heather followed us to the Ridge. We sat around with a drink for a while and Bill lit the Weber at 7. We’d been munching all afternoon but the boys hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

The sun focuses on the turbines

We did burgers and sausage and I wish I’d taken a picture of the full grill. I cooked corn on the cob inside and when it was ready, we all moved inside to eat. The air was that cool plus dusk was approaching fast. Supper was good, everyone had plenty to 

eat. Laurie B. provided the wine and Laurie A. brought mini cupcakes for dessert. 

Our company relaxing around the fire before supper

When they were brought in and we were ready, we all sang Happy Birthday to Laurie B. The cupcakes were her 'cake' without candles. Her special day is on Tuesday. We cleaned up and moved outside with lots of layers to enjoy the fire that Bill had started earlier.

Bill, our barbecue chef tonight

The campfire is always more fun with company and between Bill (and Brenda, his fill-in) we were warm all night. Laurie B. and Heather were bundled up in their sleeping bags like little cocoons and the warmest of the bunch, I’m sure. At 11:30, Bill and I said goodnight and I believe within 10 minutes the rest of them followed suit. It was a cold night, around 6C/44F so I worried about the ‘children in the bunky’. Rob turned the furnace on for the girls in their fiver.

Laurie and Heather bundled in their sleeping bags and Laurie A. checking out the stars

Randy and Brenda

A good time was had by all

It was a great day and now it is Sunday, Sept. 9^th. The temperature had risen to a balmy 8C/48F and it was windy when we got up at 7:50 am. We slept in after being up again 3 times through the night with Clemson. Well, Bill was up, I was just awake a couple of those times. Poor guys. Snoozes will be in order today for both of them. We saw Laurie A. walking out the lane and down the road at 8 so texted her that coffee was ready when they were.

The morning after

The girls packed up the bedding, folded the couch up and loaded Laurie’s Sante Fe before joining us for coffee and tea. Brenda had already taken an early walk at 7 so her and Randy joined us as well around 8:30. I began making breakfast around 9. Hash browns in tin foil on the barbecue and mini sausages inside in the electric frying pan and toast. I think I actually managed everything quite well while Bill kept everyone in conversation.

From the Suite window, looking across the pond to the road

We ate by 9:45 which meant they would have a later departure than they’d planned. By the time we were cleaned up again and the dishwasher loaded, it was closer to 11:30 when they pulled out. I felt bad for the delay.  Sorry, Laurie A.! 

We never have fun with these gals
Can you tell? Notice the fly swatter?

Three Musketeers, my ex-co-workers
I do miss the girls

 The two Laurie’s’ had ‘homework’ for their jobs to finish before Monday morning. Just another reason that I’m grateful for retirement and the type of employment I had. No weekend work was necessary, ever.

Randy and Brenda, the Love Birds
what a great picture!
I miss Brenda too

Check out Brenda's cool socks! I'm thinking Arizona!

We were so happy that all 5 of our guests were able to commit to the weekend sleepover. 

this picture turned out fun with everyone walking down the hill
from checking out my garden

It made it so much nicer for them, not having the long drive of 2 ½ hours in one day. They were able to let their hair down and enjoy relaxing with us. This was a hoot! 

Randy's little Kia Sol

Laurie A's Santa Fe

After they drove off, Bill took Black Beauty over to the Acreage for water and I went through my bag of ‘new to me’ clothes. I dropped off 2 very bulging bags and returned with only 1, so kudos to me. You just never know what you’ll find and it is all about the comradery and the thrill of the ‘hunt’. 😊

My bag of goodies
I'm super thrilled with what I brought home!

Bill and I went out and pail by pail by pail shifted the car shelter to the east, more off the grass at the west end. Now it will be 90% on the gravel and the grass can be cut easily. Inside, Bill hung the Richard’s Crest that he got from Dad’s and I looked after the bed in the bunky for the next guests. It needed a bit of air so I pumped that up before taking a walk down to the corner. Down time and it was cool but really refreshing.

the 3 girls gave Pat and I each a bouquet like this

I noticed more beautiful wild flowers but instead of picking them, I just captured them on my camera. When the girls arrived at the exchange yesterday, they brought a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers for both Pat and I. Such a sweet gesture! Mine are looking great in our vase from Los Algodones, Mexico. Bill had the idea that he’d work in the Hangar for a bit but after puttering around, we both admitted defeat and sat in our recliners. You know where that led!

I took a picture of the shelter but look at the wind sock
It was a very windy day

The day zipped by and before long it was time for supper. I actually didn’t even snooze like I thought I would but my sweeties did. At 6 I got the leftover burgers out of the fridge and warmed 3 up for supper. There were a couple half cobs of corn that didn’t get eaten last night as well so I warmed them up. Bill had 2 burgers and I had 1 with the corn. It was simple, fast and filling. After dishes, I downloaded pictures and finished this post.

Bill hung his family Coat of Arms
in the perfect spot

 Another great day has come and gone and just like that it means the weekend was over too. Now it will warm up, or something like that. There is a warming trend coming after tomorrow. I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend too, even half as much as we have.

a close-up

I took some pictures of wild flowers this morning but those pictures will be posted tomorrow. I've probably already put you to sleep!

Thank you for taking the time to see what we’ve been up to. I’d love to hear from you!