Full Friday, Let Victoria Day Weekend Begin! Birthday Boy

 

The Ridge

On Friday, May 16^th I woke feeling refreshed at 6:15. I don’t think I woke up other than to roll over and close my window. There is no bucket to have a hole in it, (dear Liza) but it had rained and the corner of my pillow was wet. I guess I know which way the wind and rain came from. 😊 It’s okay, I wanted overnight rain to add to the rain barrel.

Good morning!
Last night's sunset was a corker!!

Bill was finishing up in the bathroom when I was ready to get up, about 6:50 and was soon out the door for work. I felt pretty good this morning, before and after my exercises, so onward I go! I made my to-go tea and hopped in Ptooties (trust me, after 3 days in a row of no ‘hopping’, this felt great).

Stunning!

 There was one elderly gentleman in the Mat doing his laundry when I arrived.  He drives a Smart car, which would be comfortable for him as he was the size of Daddy. About 100 lbs. soaking wet. 😊 Nice man and he actually remembered that I go south for the winter, I credit those that remember those things.  We chatted a bit about the ‘scuttlebutt’ but I always steer away from those conversations, always, if possible.

All the time I'm hearing
"clear sunny skies starting at 11 am"
I'm thinking....."really?"

I left there in my hour and drove to Impact Tire to pick up our Catch the Ace tickets before returning home. The day was starting out quite cloudy but there was the promise of afternoon sun. Huh, sure didn’t look like it! I wasted no time and pulled my mower out of the shed. It doesn’t hold much of a charge so I did as much as I could. The grass was so long in spots.

And at 11 on the nose, I see this.

It still didn’t look like much of a clearing up there in that sky but at least I got most of the lawn cut. At 10:30, I cooked some bacon and an egg before taking my water for another drive at 11. I was cleaning the Air bnb at Williamsford today for the second time since I’ve been home. I’m really hoping Robin needs me a fair bit this summer. I have a laptop to pay for!

When I was halfway into town,
at 11:05, the sky is clear.
I stand corrected!

 On my return trip home, I swung to the west and made a stop in Hanover at Walmart. I needed a few things, as did Bill, things we couldn’t get at Costco. Quite a few items were on sale so I stocked up on butter and yogourt, and also on Diet cranberry juice. Bill drinks it like it is going out of style but I’m just glad he likes the 1 gram of carbs version. 😊

I picked Bill and I up a couple of
laptop stickers.
Gibbs, obviously, for Bill's.

Just before turning the corner on to Northline, I pulled in at M’s place. Today is his birthday and I wanted to drop off a card for him. He invited me for a glass of wine, piece of cake and a game of Crokinole to celebrate but with the dairy products in the car, I declined. I’m sure he’s lonely and Bill won’t mind if I make a point next week to stop.

Well, guess who this is?
I love it!

When I returned home, I was happy with my choice because my sweetie was already home. We’ve offered a parking spot to Bill’s boss, our friend, Mike for his 27’ Hideout RV. The spot he had previous summers at the Acreage has been filled with a cabin! 😊 It’s a beauty too. Mike doesn’t spend every weekend at the RV  but he is welcome to come and stay as often as he likes.

Bill had backed it in to an appropriate spot where it can sit without being in the way of the big rigs that come over the summer. We managed to get it levelled and then he went to get a bladder full of water to fill his tank, and ours. We are supposed to get thunder storms overnight, well, after midnight but they don’t sound severe here in our area. We have lovely sunshine this afternoon and into the evening. Just wonderful!

At 5:30, we dressed for a bike ride and took Jazz into the curling club for our Catch the Ace draw. Oh, by the way, our group picture was posted on FB yesterday from Wednesday night with the fire truck and crew. That’s cool! We’re not members yet, but they insisted we sit in as well. 😊

Best homemade burgers ever!

So, no luck at the draw tonight but we still enjoyed ourselves. Jazz was happy to get out again! ♥ The long weekend has begun, Victoria Day weekend or May 2-4 weekend, whatever you want to call it. Let’s hope the weather holds warm at least and isn’t a washout the whole time.

 We were home by 7ish and Bill grilled bacon cheeseburgers. The ‘you-know-what's’ were not too bothersome, maybe the smoke kept them away! 😊 They were delicious, as usual. I hope you have enjoyed your Friday too. We reached a high of 25C/77F, still at 7:30 with a low of only 15C/58F overnight. Perfect. 

I think I might have mentioned yesterday that our youngest grandson, Alexander George, is turning 2 (TWO!) today so we wish him a very special birthday. 

Happy Birthday
Alexander!
Yes, it's true, he is going to be
a big brother come October!! 💘
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in. Your comments are always welcome.

A Full Day of Activity, Celebrating 49.999

 

The Ridge

On Saturday, May 10^th our wheels were turning from 6:30 and they didn’t stop until midnight. The sky was clear blue, the sun was promising a lovely day and we were very happy about that!

By the time I was washed and dressed, Bill pretty much had the dirty clothes sorted into two piles. They weren’t big loads this time, I guess with working outside, it was the same pair of jeans that went on each day. 😊

Good morning!
I love how this picture turned out

I was at the Mat by 7:05 and lickety-split had our loads in and I was finished cleaning. The decision was to bring them home to dry on the line but we had company expected at 10 and a full afternoon and evening. Line dried clothes would need to be brought in and folded at a peak time. I popped them in the dryers there and they were all done in 25 minutes.

Bottom picture: Bill was
just getting going in the front field.

When I got back home Bill was cutting the front field at the road. That grass was so green and getting so long! I put clothes away and decided to get my little mower out and cut the grass up here out from the patio. I’ll call this our ‘lawn’. 😊 Bill managed to get the front field done and much of the back field before I called him in to stop. Roz and Brian arrived around 10.

 It was a lovely morning but because of black flies we chose to sit inside. Bill and I have made the decision to try something new and that is to join the West Grey Lions Club. We have met quite a few of the members from going to our Catch the Ace draws and enjoy getting to know them. It means something social we can do together and help with some needs of the community at the same time.

 

Brian, Roz, Gracie and Gibbs
(he senses treats!)

Roz brought ‘her’ little toy Australian shepherd, as we suggested, for Gibbs to meet her and she is quite a little temperamental squirt. Very protective of her parents and inside, she gave Gibbs a real warning every time he went near her or either of them. After we chit chatted for about an hour and a half indoors, we went out with the pups.

 This was much better and would have been the best thing for them, if it weren’t for the bugs. He now has another little friend. We showed them around a bit and they left before noon. We had lunch and Bill went back out to finish the lawn. When he came in for his snooze, I took a drive in to see Robin, my air bnb gal. 😉

She returned from finishing a bnb in Nfld so we caught up for half hour. I drove into town once more to pick up a few greeting cards to get us through the month and a hanging fern for Bridgette’s birthday. I gave Ptooties’ windows a wash and dusted her off with the California duster before we got cleaned up for a night out.

 

Arriving at the party venue

We left Gibbs alone in the Suite (although that wasn’t for long ♥) and drove to Slo-Pitch City just outside of Dorchester. Within 30 minutes, he was chauffeured by Dot and Caper to their place next door.  What a blessing for us that we don’t have to give him a moment’s thought other than the fact the he is having fun and getting lots of love from our friends. 😊

Bridgette has many interests
Her 2 black cats are special.
Seemed to be a theme in many gifts. 💕

Chris and one of Bridgette’s friends had a surprise 50^th birthday party set up inside. What a nice thing that anyone can book parties for free in this venue. Everyone arrived before 7:15 and when Chris brought her in under the guise to check out a possible ‘gig’ location, yes, she was surely surprised! 😊

SURPRISE!

There were 28 guests plus Chris and Bridgette and turned into a great time for everyone. Bill and I asked her to open her gift before we, (the old folks) left at 9:30. ♥ This was a young crowd so we even left just as the dancing started and I love to dance!! It was a 2-hour drive so we were both ready.

I did my best at including 
kitty cats in her shadow box.
She loved the card and gift. 💘🐈🐈

It was great to see my grandson, Jake and his girlfriend, Carmen, my son Patrick and, of course, Chris and the guest of honour. 

My middle grandson and I
share a few laughs

Lots of good food too!

Dot messaged at 9, just as we were preparing to leave, that Gibbs was home in bed for the night and I was able to see him on our Wyze security cam until we got home. Sound asleep, curled up in a little ball after his playdate. 😊

The cake
Black Forest, 2 layers, each 2" high!!
Shaved chocolate edging. Yum!
I couldn't eat a whole piece.

It was 11:30 when we were greeted at the door and within minutes we were in bed and asleep. What a great day! The temperature reached 20C/68F yesterday, just a perfect weather day.

Happy birthday to my little girl.
She'll turn 50 on May 11th at 5:45
but who's counting??

Not the best shot but
it was a very pretty night.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by!

Another Fun-Filled Day, Oh Brother, Some Things Never Change!!

Park Place RV Park

We were up a bit earlier on Sunday, Nov. 12^th than our more recent mornings. At 5:20, I saw the clock when Gibbs moved to Bill’s side and advised him ‘Go back to sleep, it’s not time’. He listened and slept until 6 – when he then bothered Daddy to take him out. I rolled over and dozed until 6:45 when I got up. 😊 Rather than make my tea right away, I sat in pj’s and played my games online.

The finished puzzle.
Sorry for the glare, it hides the doggie in the car window.

I was in and out of the shower before Bill left for the field but it was already closer to 8:30. When my hair was dry enough, Gibbs and I went for our walk. The air was cool enough at 49F/9C that I remembered Mom’s words ‘don’t go outside with wet hair’. I listened too. It starts out cool but sure warms up quickly and our walk found me in a sleeveless top and capris.

Our Nancy quilts on the line

Back home, I gave Gibbs a treat and wandered over to the laundry room with our two chair quilts. No one was there so while they washed, I went to work on the puzzle. Susan came and together we worked on it until it was done. Then I went and hung our quilts on the line behind the clubhouse. They didn’t take long to dry, I retrieved them after Bill and I finished lunch at 12:30. 😊 Fresh desert smell!

Susan and I started my puzzle today.
If you can enlarge the picture, you'll see what I mean
by letters on the back. the little groups of pieces are
A's, B's, C's......you get it.

It was still early enough so Susan and I started my gifted puzzle from Patti. We were ready for a challenge! This is 1000 pieces and it is a circle. There are letters on the back of each piece, from A to E and then H so once we had the border pieces separated, we followed the alphabet around the outside edge. Eventually, after a few head scratches, we got the border finished. Time for lunch! 😊

Around 3, we went searching for Lorne, Sue, Archie
and Percy.
When we stopped and asked these fine folk for directions,
they were no help, looking as confused as we were.

Bill, Gibbs and I retreated indoors and while I read, they snoozed. Woops! I know my eyes closed a few times too! We packed a small cooler to go to see how Lorne was making out with his solar installation at Scadden Wash. Once we found Percy, their new home, no one was around so we drove further out to Roadrunner to visit the rest of the group. Tom, Deb, Deb and Riley are camped together and we Happy Houred (new word) together.

No one home. Have I been spelling it wrong?
Maybe it's PUrcy?

As we were thinking of leaving, Lorne and Sue arrive to join their friends. It is much nicer at RR then at SW and nice to be around friends out in the desert. Well, things really don’t change, do they? Was I surprised when Percy pulled right up within 10 or 12’ of Deb and Riley’s home? Wha?? No, not really surprised at all. Well, I believe it is the driver who doesn’t change.

Some people never change, I guess.
Although, we know now that Lorne will do much for a laugh.
Laugh, we did. Of course, he moved. 

This is a special memory and how we met Lorne and Sue the very first time. It was 2016 when they pulled in (not as close) but close (not even shockingly close, really) around Happy Hour beside the Suite at Borrego Springs. 😉 I hope I never forget that as we still laugh about it today. 

We chatted a bit with them while Gibbs and Archie got acquainted. They are about the same age, same size and same temperament. ♥

Gibbs was bored (bottom right) watching Daddy help
Deb K, until Archie arrived!
Riley watches them play.

We left after the sun set and I managed a group photo. 

Lorne's question: "Did anyone get the sunsetting?"
Yes, Lorne, I did. 😁

Before we left, I snapped this.
L to R: Sue, Deb D, Bill, Tom, Lorne ........ and Deb K. If she
could have reached, he might have had bunny ears instead
of shoulder peace signs. 😂😂

Such a wild bunch here! 

This is the desert
and
this is their set up for a few days. 

Back home, we had bbq’d sausages, fried potatoes and our vegetable of choice. With dishes done, I wrote my blog post for this wonderful day. We live, we love and we laugh. When those things happen in one day, it spells perfect to me!

Good night!

Thank you for dropping around.

Now That was a Full Day!

The Ridge

On Thursday, May 25^th there was no time for sloughing around like I’ve been doing. Finally, I had a full day and I feel great for it. I was up at 6:15 in time to say goodbye to Bill as he left for work. Another long day for him, with a drive to Port Elgin again. At least the jobs he is doing with Billy, are relatively ‘easy-going’, meaning he isn’t doing any of the heavy stuff that worries me. 😊

My first picture of the day

They are working hard, don’t get me wrong, but building decks and replacing bathrooms etc. So, I earned my keep today as well. I left the Suite at 7 to report for cleaning at the Mat. One customer came and was finishing up when I left. There was a full cart of washed clothing still sitting there from Tuesday and that is frustrating. It appeared to be some bedding and mostly a young adults articles.

Because they were inside out and yet still held some dampness, I tossed them in two separate dryers and let that run while I cleaned. It was a worthwhile cleaning day, earning my $15 in the hour. Before I left, I folded the items and dropped them in the lost and found. At least they won’t stink and if they aren’t claimed in a week, they’ll be donated to Rethreads here in town for resale.

I'm jumping the gun with the pictures
but here is the new and improved Leroy Jethro Gibbs 💝

I returned home with Black Beauty and took Gibbs for a leisurely walk down the lane and back. It was gearing up to be a decent sunny day. I had some yogourt and had finished my morning tea so was good to keep going. I made a coffee in my thermos and headed over to M’s for 9:30. Instead of running into town right away, as he’d planned, I taped and papered the inside of the cab doors on this truck. It took me a long time, it was finicky.

The only thing missing here is a Crown
What a regal look he has!

At noon, he had the visitor he was expecting so I took him into Durham for a few pit stops. Yesterday, I suggested he make a list and apparently, he heeded that as instead of one stop, we made 3 before returning to his place. He promptly paid me for the day (😊) and I scooted home to Gibbs. I had some lunch, leftover Kraft dinner, (boo for me) and then we went to Bath and Biscuit for his grooming appointment at 2.

And the 1000-pc. puzzle is finished

1 hour and 45 minutes, Kate said, so back home I cut the grass I’d left in the corral and then in our ‘front yard’ until the battery died. I hoped plugging it in would give it enough juice to finish it later. Then I worked on the puzzle until it was time to get our little handsome fellow. He looked great, as always, she does a great job.

We played outside for a while,
he has to be feeling great right now
as he ran after his toy and his block of wood. 

Admiring the fresh cut lawn

While waiting for Daddy

Back home, I finished the lawn and then we waited for Bill. He was late again, 5:45 before he pulled in the lane. I made a tea at 5 and planned supper and we sat for a while before I started. Baby sausages, Caesar salad and mashed potatoes. This day turned out quite nice and I believe (ssshh) the black flies have vacated. Bill thinks the Chorus frogs are slowly dissipating too. Makes sense, we have had 3 frosts, which is the rumour. 😊

Tonight's meal was good!

Dessert was ice cream for a change - oh yah!

Supper was good, although late, and we found the NCIS episodes from early spring that we missed. It’s on Stack TV. The weather today was really nice, warming up each day. 

Did anyone notice the shape of my posted picture
yesterday? I didn't until I was looking back at it. 😀

There is a round of hot weather headed our way, which Winnipeg will be getting tomorrow so I want to say that we are ready. Today was a good one, a feeling of my contribution. 😊 I hope you enjoyed your Thursday!

I wasn't the only one who had a busy day
Someone is exhausted. ♥
Good night!

Thank you for the visit.

A Full Day, Work, Hair and Heat

The Ridge

On Tuesday, June 21^st, the first day of summer, it felt like it! From the get-go, when we got up, it was already 18C/65F. I took Gibbs for his walk and when I returned, headed into Durham. No one was at the Mat when I arrived and so I set about checking the machines. Two needed to be run, one was dirty and the other had water in the drum, so I retrieved coin and started them.

I wish I didn't care so much but I do
Last night, I placed this piece of slat over the newly
laid eggs
This morning, I see the skunk moved the slate
and ate the eggs. Again. 😖

This big hole was also disturbed
As I gather the empty shells so Gibbs doesn't
eat them, I counted 10. 

I was out of there at the hour and I went to Home Hardware to see if Josh had any of the right size chicken wire. When he didn’t, he suggested the FS-Co-op but that was a bust too. Hmm, not today then. Back home, Bill had left. I had about an hour to relax with Gibbs before I drove around the corner to M’s for my shift. There was a bit of computer stuff but then I started working on the Datsun 240Z.

The little red Datsun
is next in line

It’s a cute little car and much easier to reach parts for hand sanding. 😊 The hardest part would be the hood grills, as each one needed to be sanded to remove the shine aka the original paint. It was hot in the second bay even with the big door open, there just wasn’t much breeze today. M was working in the other bay, on the new hood, sanding the underside by hand as well. The top was already primed, ready for paint.

Getting the sandpaper in between the grill is time
consuming but I managed to get it done

Before I left, I finished this one too
Not sure what I'll be doing tomorrow

When I left, I was already looking forward to getting my hair cut. I should have tucked it up under my ball cap but didn’t want to wear my hat today in the heat. At home, I washed and once more spent time with Gibbs for about 45 minutes. He was getting a few runarounds outside but always seemed grateful to come back into the cool of the a/c. I turned it on first thing this morning, knowing what we were in for. I drove down North Line for my cut. 😊

It's not a long shag
but I love how free and cool it feels
in this heat 💖

Bonnie was ready for me and even though she may have given me a shorter ‘shag’ than what I really wanted, I’m happy with the result. It’s off my neck and feels quite nice. From Bonnie’s home salon, I drove to Bill’s work site to drop off a few empty pots that the garbage collectors don’t take. It was nice to see the work they’re doing on the red ‘shed’. Bill isn’t as keen on my hair as I am, his comment being “hmm, shorter again”. He prefers the longer locks but he’ll get used to it.

I felt bad for them working in the heat but they were at least inside a shell of a building not outside in the sun. I didn’t hold him up for long and headed home to Gibbs. I always look forward to the last bit of running around, knowing that I was done for the day and could sit with our little guy. By now, it was 31C/88F out there so each of Gibbs’ outings were short and sweet. Mostly.

Supper was good with potatoes
leftover for another night

I played my afternoon Wordle/Phrazle games, competing with Doug miles away. He’s getting pretty good at them so I have to step up my game. 😊 Bill got home around 4 and stretched back in his chair but with Gibbs going back and forth between us, he didn’t sleep much. For supper, I baked some coated pork chops, boiled some potatoes and mixed vegetables. It turned out very good and we both had room for some rhubarb crisp and ice cream. ♥

Gibbs sometimes just wants out
for no other reason than to be outside 

After dishes were loaded, and Bill made his lunch, he went upstairs to change his shirt and discovered what Gibbs had been up to while we ate. LOL, I moved too quickly to get a picture so you’ll have to just imagine it in your mind. The small couch pillow that Gibbs likes to ‘hump’ (sorry for THAT vision!) was on the floor with one corner chewed open and fibrefill was spread all over.

After the pillow incident, he does something
that makes us laugh 

I’m surprised he left it alone and was innocently downstairs with us. Hard to be mad but I don’t think I’ll be resewing it up again. Bill went to the Hangar for a couple of hours and I worked on my blog. Mr. “I didn’t do anything” laid on the floor, cleaned his paws and went to sleep. This was a busy day but it was another good one. Tomorrow will likely be a duplicate but in a different way.

This was last night's sunset
Happy Summer!
Good night!

Thank you for checking out what we’re up to!