A Pretty Busy Day, The Rains Arrived, Meeting the Family

The Ridge

It is Wednesday, Hump Day, Aug. 17^th, and we are witnessing another summer month flying by. Wow! It is incredible how quickly time passes. I do admit that Bill and I have been busier this summer than last, at least I have been, (he is always busy with work) so working most mornings does have a play in August’s speed. 😊 

Thunder storms can be threatening and scary at times,
but today's was minor, brought a nice rain and gave
me fodder for beautiful pictures. 💓

In some ways, I’m a bit saddened that we are both working so much because it takes away from things around home. However, we are enjoying reaping the rewards of our labouring so we’re not complaining. The pay is a real bonus towards our winter travel and we’ll need all we can get with the fuel prices. We’re not staying home because of it! Today, Bill left with Black Beauty to Grey Bruce Fleet services. It was time for a ‘checkup’ to get our yellow sticker for the large truck. Another good reason for the extra money coming in. Billy was meeting him there to drive him to their work site in Durham. 

The grass is cut and we're just waiting for the downpour

And it came so we closed the awnings and hustled inside
No need to close the windows though, nor the screen door.

When he'd left and I'd finished my tea, I vacuumed and washed the floors. It was about time. After hand washing the Norwex pieces used and our placemats, I hung them on the line. Then, Gibbs and I went for a walk, very watchful. When Bill took him out at 6, they both spotted a black and white critter that wasn’t a cat! It was in the neighbour’s field, the other side of the fence. He'll be in hiding during the day, I'm sure. We might be using our live trap yet and Gibbs will be on his leash first thing in the morning and last piddle at night. 😕It was too close a call for Bill. Yes, Gibbs chased him.

A nice walk before work at 9:30

A dahlia in bloom and another one close

The hummers are crazy over their food!
3 and 4 at a time
Time to boil more!

I left for work at M’s at 9:30. Today, I was working on Mike’s truck, which is getting really close to painting. The front bumper needed sanding as did a few spots on the roof that M had putty filled.  He was back and forth from shop to apartment, trying to find a leak in the shower. I left him to it and worked pretty steady on the truck. I finished my shift by lightly sanding the primed hood and fenders. When I got home, I had my quesadilla for lunch and then Gibbs and I went outside.

Not afraid of the rumbling, Gibbs curls up in my chair

I got my mower out and got my area of grass cut just in time. The thunder rumbled and black clouds moved overhead from the northeast while I was cutting but I’d put the mower away and Gibbs and I sat on the step watching and waiting for the onslaught. It was a nice rain, actually, heavy enough but not threatening and there were no winds. I don’t mind ‘storms’ like that. 😊 

Then the sky changed altogether
The storm is over, for us.
Gerry said later that they were getting it.

Yesterday, M sent me home with a container of homemade chili for our supper. I’d already planned our meal last night and since we’re having company later, this is the perfect night for a quick meal. The heavy rain stopped and then a few minutes later, it was like the epilogue of a book when it returned briefly, much lighter.

A quick and easy supper

The blue sky returned behind some white fluffies but boy it was still. Only a twitch of wind rustled the tree tops. Bill was home early around 3, from the Acreage, after he and Billy completed the gazebo for Donna and Gerry. They will be happy to see it done. The chili was very good, I had mine on the leftover white rice from last night and Bill had his on toast. We finished off the cherry Jell-o for dessert and yes, it jiggled naturally. 😊

Waiting outside for company I took a picture
of my plentiful geraniums
beside our Arizona spinner

My new laundromat bosses, Kaitlyn, Sandy and the 3 boys arrived shortly after 7. I’d only met K so it was nice for us all to get a chance to meet. The boys are a handful, very inquisitive, but what else do you expect from 5- to 7-year-olds? It was fun watching them run around with Gibbs, even though they were a little timid of him. He was having fun too. We showed them around, got to know them and visa versa. Bill got the drone out for a spin and gave them a sneak peek into his ‘planes’ trailer. 

It was a beautiful evening

Typical little boys and they were a joy
So many questions, I didn't know who to answer first 😂

Gibbs rested at the top of the hill
while the boys encouraged Kaitlyn to join them
She tossed her shoes too and then ran up and down a few times

It was past their bedtime, I know, when they left at 8:30. I’m glad they weren’t shy, all 3 showed no hesitation to hold my hand after getting to know me. 😊 I guess I’m missing my grandchildren being that age. ♥ They will sleep well tonight after being in camp all day – ahem, so will Kaitlyn after running up and down the hill with them!

a two part collage here
Top: Gibbs off to the side, watching the 'get set'
Bottom: But on the 'Go!' he ran and beat them all up the hill
They loved it! 💓💓
I enjoyed the evening with this little family
Good night!

This has been a great day with a nice ending. Thank you for your visit!

Twice Rinsed, Country Drive, Meeting More Family, Victoria Day 2-4 Weekend

The Ridge

On Saturday, May 22^nd when I woke and checked the clock, it was 5:47 am. Bill was still in bed and there wasn’t a sound from downstairs. We got to sleep in, more importantly, Bill got to sleep in a bit. At 6, Gibbs whimpered so it was time to get up. Praising him for sleeping in, Bill took him out for his piddle and poop and we were up for the day.

On my way home from Durham, a glance
across a recently plowed field shows a promising sky
to the west

I began sorting clothes but it was early enough that I could have my tea at home before leaving for town. Around 7, I was on my way to the Mat. Two loads of laundry washed and I finished cleaning by 8:15. Looking at the ‘iffy’ sky, I took a chance and brought the clothes home to hang. That could be a mistake as when I got them hung on the line, the rain clouds moved in. Oh well, a second rinse won’t hurt them.

And the sky to the east with a battle of sun vs cloud

Bill had an item from the latest auction to pick up and since we couldn’t take Jazz on account of the possible rain, we all 3 hopped into Ptooties. It wasn’t at the usual Rockford location so we needed to follow Google maps to find the farm from which to pick up. We found it easily enough, along some country roads and then drove further to Owen Sound. Bill had ordered the Royal Canin Puppy Small food from PetSmart since we were getting low at home so we did the curbside pickup.

The rain started as we were leaving O.S. so we were glad to not be on the bike BUT it also meant the chances were high that our clothes were getting wetter. 😊 A chance I didn’t mind taking. On the way home, down Hwy #6, we stopped at my sister’s home, CedarHaven to pick up a Norwex order for our friend. Of course, we had to show our new baby off too so we all went inside for a short meet and greet. How could anyone not love a little fur ball like that and I knew they liked him.

And the clothes got a second rinse around noon hour

After Gibbs having met his second auntie and uncle, we headed home. The rain was enough to keep the wipers on but not heavy at all. The line of clothes was right and properly wet and the sky indicated that we weren’t done yet with the precipitation today. We came inside and had our lunch of bacon and eggs. I vacuumed while Bill started dishes and then he took Gibbs upstairs with his blanket and a chew toy. Hoping to coerce him into the idea of a ‘snooze with Daddy’. I think it worked, there is only silence from upstairs. 😊

Downstairs, I also relaxed in my chair with my book. I’m too tired at night after posting my blog (when I do it at all) so not many pages get read. The book is good and I want to get lost in it. Today, with the rain, was a good opportunity since we couldn’t do much outside. On the positive side of things, thank goodness for the rain! My plants wanted it, I wanted it for them and they should thrive because of it.

Bill finished adding sides to my wagon
We agreed that they didn't have to be removable
until winter when we store it away
This will be a huge improvement, holding in twigs and
branches when I need it to

The boys woke up and came downstairs after an hour of sleep. Bill said he settled down and slept. Moved around a fair bit in amongst the pillows that we put around the bed edges but still slept a lot. 😊 That’s good news and we hope it will be habit-forming. I dozed in my chair a bit too and managed to get many pages flipped as I got further into my story. At 3:30 I made a cup of tea and then went out with Gibbs to check the clothes on the line. They are coming along and it looks like the rain has stopped for the day.

We walked down to the Hangar where Bill is working on a project. That was enough for Gibbs to do his business(es) and we came inside for the required feet (& belly) wiping. Bill counts as he dries each paw so I carry that forward as well. Clemson learned how to lift the feet on command, they are so smart! I wrote some on my blog and took a couple of ground beef burgers out of the freezer for supper. I’ll cook some corn on the cob as well while Bill bbq’s.

What do you do with a small puppy and a wagon?

Planning an escape route

The afternoon went by with Gibbs sleeping under the table for the most part and me reading. We went out again around 4:30 to check the clothes and they were almost dry but not enough to bring them in. With no dryer to finish them off, we have no room to spread things out. The sky to the northwest is looking pretty dark and there is a chance for a thunderstorm around 7. Oh-oh. Not much we can do but wait it out.

It was a nice 'summery' meal tonight

Bill came up at 6, just minutes after I turned the tv on. A favourite movie of mine was in its last half hour and I never like the ending, but it is Kevin Costner so of course, I have to watch it. We watched it together and I cried. Message in a Bottle. At 6:30, I started boiling the corn and Bill put the bacon and burgers on the Weber Q. We were eating shortly after 7 and cleaned up by 7:30. It is Bill’s night for tv so up to me to decide whether to stay or go (upstairs). 😊

Of course, at 7:45, the sun arrives and the sky clears
A beautiful night!
We would have gone to the Acreage for their first campfire
but the Toronto Maple Leafs were playing tonight
Priorities, you know!! 😂

At 8, I went out and brought our dry clothes in 😀
Good night y'all!!

This was a bit of a lazy day started off with a nice morning family drive. Thank you for popping by!