Laundry Day, Windy Up Here, Checked Baggage and Clean up In Lane Way

On the Ridge

After a wonderful afternoon and evening with Bill’s family yesterday, we slept well until about 4 am. We were in bed and asleep by 11 but perhaps the coffee at 7:30 pm was the culprit. No worries, no regrets, it was great to see them all. We woke next and got up around 6:30-6:45 on Sunday, Oct. 6th. Bill first and I followed. It was still dark so we sat and had our morning brew together.

An usual thing for us, using our Mat dryers
15 minutes to dry .75¢
They work so well!

I had a blog post to write, having just created a title yesterday morning. It was too busy to do more than that!  I finished publishing, finished my tea and drove into the Laundromat to do the laundry. It got busy, which is nice to see, and I received a compliment about how clean the place always is. Gotta love that! I had taken my work keys and glad that I did as I needed to clean a washer for a customer.

We helped Donna and Gerry take down their car cover for the winter

Driving back out of the Acreage lane is very sheltered
but the sun had come out

After 2 days of someone else not removing their clothes, it smelled musty. I took the liberty of removing them into a cart for her and giving it a wipe down. She was very appreciative since the others were full. I’d decided already to use two dryers as we were supposed to get rain this morning. It still hadn’t rained by the time I was heading home at 9:30 but I was just as happy that for $8.75, the wash was done and folded. turns out, We never did get any rain.

It was a good day to trim back my lilies

We wanted to see Donna and Gerry while they were at the Acreage today as Donna brought a couple of suitcases out that would be suitable for our checked bag. We’ll have a look and maybe I won’t have to ‘scrunch’ my clothes so much. Bill was getting hungry so I made him bacon and eggs. We took care of the dishes and he went out to work on the mud/stone guard for Black Beauty. He had purchased new rubber and lights and Bob had some of the ‘sweep bristles’ that he offered to Bill too.

And the apple tree needed it so Bill could cut under there with the rider

Bill trimmed a lot of these saplings along the lane as they get top
heavy and bend over easily
Too many rv's use this lane way now so it is important!

At noon we drove over to the Acreage. While there, we helped them take the car cover off the frame so it could be folded and put away for the winter. We, nor they, are sure how much they’ll get out before we leave and these are little things where extra hands make a big difference. We chose the suitcase that would work best for us and around 1 said goodbye. The sun was coming out so we wanted to get at some of our outdoor stuff too. I was hungry when I got home so had some peaches and cream with granola. Just enough until supper.

It's an improvement but there are some weeds and grasses on the other side to clean up too

Much better with the lilies trimmed

Then, I went outside to trim the tiger lilies at the end of the lane. I took the wheelbarrow down with 2 different clippers. Long and short bladed ones so I could also cut some low branches on our very fertile apple tree down there by the fence. The lilies turned out not to need clippers, they were ready to say goodnight and with gloved hands, I easily broke the stalks and leaves off at the base. It isn’t an overly neat row of garden along there, with grasses growing close to the geranium plants, but I still like it.

The pond was very calm today

We had Geese visitors all day, just like a family reunion!

By the time I’d finished that garden, I cut the apple tree branches that my clippers could cut and soon Bill joined me with the chain saw. It was easier for him to cut the bigger ones. What a shame, looking up into the tree to see still tons of apples. I’m sure I heard a weak ‘pick me, please pick me!’ but I only grabbed 5 good ones to bring back up and eat this week. I don’t need anymore apples! These are the best ones on the property though.

These are a nice size for a snack

Sitting on the patio, it was lovely when the sun wasn't behind
a cloud when it would cool down considerably

After a couple of wheelbarrow loads up to the rubbish pile, I’d had enough and when Bill finished a few things on his list, we quit for the day. 

I hope you can see him heading towards our electrical cord

 I sat outside at the patio table with my book and watched dragon flies, geese and even a caterpillar dropped from my boot and crawled like crazy across the carpet and under the Suite. I don’t know what his destination was but he was sure moving. My book was too good though to dwell on the little guy for too long. I didn't get pictures of the dragon flies as they kept landing on my peach coloured top.

He moved very quickly and slipped under the cord

The other day, I mentioned that Rob welded our screen into the
firepit frames - this the finished product
Bill will have to buy new hinges to attach a couple, I think but that
will be a spring project - Thanks Rob!

When I came inside, Bill soon closed his book and had a little nap. He has a drive tonight again so wanted to be rested. I finished The 5^th Horseman by James Patterson and it was a great read. I have 3 more J.P. books in the cupboard so will just move right along. At 4 I got the roast out of the fridge and after adding salt and pepper, sautéed it in Madame IP. I’d used all our potatoes up yesterday so had to get creative tonight to give Bill a nice meal.

Bill and I had our Happy hour inside today and it was very nice

Then, when ready to cook under pressure, I added the inner pot with carrots, a piece of spaghetti squash and yams. We soon realized that it was too high for cooking so removed the pot and will add them near the end for a few minutes. We were eating by 5:45 and as usual, everything turned out tasty. I will have roast beef for a couple of nights this week and I have no complaint about that. I'd made gravy on the Saute setting and I love gravy with leftover beef. This was Plan B when we didn’t have the roast on Friday night.

Supper turned out amazing! (if I do say so myself)
Magical Madame IP gets the credit though

Bill was packed and headed out around 6:20 and would be in Tavistock by 8, ready for another week’s work. The sun was wonderful this afternoon and although very windy up here, upwards of 20 mph at times, it was a pleasant 63F/18C. We sure can’t complain about that. I know that this week will bring some nice sunny days so I should be able to get all of my outside chores done without any difficulty. The weekend will be full as well so good weather is very important right now.

My heart pings when he gets into the truck
but as long as he arrives at his destination safely,
I can go to bed tonight content

So, the saddest part of my week began as I snapped a picture of my sweetie getting in Black Beauty at the bottom of the hill. I washed the dishes and then decided to go for a walk to the end of the lane and capture the sunset. I’m sure you get tired of the same view of it so you get a treat tonight. While walking back, I decided to grab the trunks of some of the branches that Bill cut along the lane.

First, I thought, I would grab some each time I came up the lane on foot. Then, after one trip, I thought, what the heck, I’ll do one more. Then I was so close to my 8,000-step mark today that I would take a third trip which turned into a fourth and last. There is still more to clean up but another day, another walk. 😊 These ones had nice smooth 1-2” diameter trunks so I didn’t need my gloves. The rest are a little harder on the hands.

Sunset through the wild grasses

One of my loads up the lane to the rubbish pile
I didn't pick them up, just dragged them behind me

Back inside, I decided to have some lime Jell-o. I don’t think Bill cares for it as much as the raspberry or strawberry as he opted for his last yogourt cup instead. Oh well, I’ll clean it up this week then. I sat and finished my post before settling down with Worst Case by J.P. First 2 chapters and I’m hooked. This has been a good day and we managed to get a few more things done and crossed off our list. I hope you have been out enjoying the nice weather too.

Good night!

Thank you for your visit today!

Data Mystery, Weeding the Corral, Painting Jobs, Little Bro’s Birthday

The Ridge

On Monday, Aug. 19^th I was so happy to wake up from the frustrating dream that I was having. It wasn’t a nightmare and although my family would never act this way in real life, opening my eyes and getting up was the best relief! Everyone was depending on me to cook bacon and eggs on a new-fangled stove with no help. It was just stupid which makes me wonder why it had me off my A game upon wake-up.

After I posted last night, this was our sunset

When I did look at the clock, it was 7:05 so we’d slept in again. I had no excuse since I was in bed last night at 9:30 AND out light like a light! We got up and greeted this beautiful looking morning. I should have walked but the ‘fog’ of the dream lingered and I was in no mood. A nice walk probably would have helped a lot!

Before doing anything else, we needed to get the garbage and recycle bins down to the end of the lane. We bagged the last of the garbage and pulled the bins out. Bill loaded them on the tonneau cover of B.B. and drove them down. Lately, the truck has come through by 7:30 and sure enough, within 20 minutes, they came through. Phew!

And I finally captured our other floating visitors
They've been here for awhile, I've heard them
Today, they swam into my lens view

Then, to make matters worse, I went on to record our data usage from the previous day (as we always do). For the second time this month, my usage was off the charts, putting us in limited territory for the remainder of August. This happened on August 4th/5^th as well jumping 5 gb on MY usage alone. We believe that it is another quirk in the system since I don’t do anything different on a daily basis.

I love to see the grass cut in here

 We had one instance like this in March, on our way home. Rob and Pat experienced a similar burp that later corrected itself for both of us. I can only hope that is the case here but today, we’re going to test it by me not being online except to post my blog tonight. I know that if we get really stuck in the last few days that the library is close and so is our buddies’ house. 😊 They have unlimited and have offered it in a pinch.

This hill doesn't look like much from here but my
heart was sure pumping by the time I finished

I finished my tea and then dressed to work outside. Catching the early part of the day, I was outside by 8:30 with the weed trimmer. I even got it started on my own this time, which doesn’t often happen. The weeds on the Corral hill were very tall, mostly Queen Anne’s Lace, and I wanted to skim over the top where I’ve planted ground cover. I was surprised to see that some periwinkle is actually taking hold plus the last plants that Gayle gave me. Their name has escaped me right now.

The light green plants are coming along nicely

When I finished the corral and the outside trimming along the fence, I was relieved yet hot, sweaty and famished. I sat with a water on the patio and watched Bill as he finished his morning job. He was painting areas around the Suite, the jack pads, the hitch, the propane tank tray and the steps. Everything needed a touch up and now looks great!

breakfast - yummy

We came inside and had eggs and peameal bacon. Once the dishes were cleaned up, I made myself a bp coffee and Bill got washed up for the day. My shower yesterday had me nice and clean but after the weed trimming, my feet needed another wash.

A foot bath was necessary

I wasn’t up for another shower so I showed some flexibility and did them in the bathroom sink. LOL We don’t wear socks in the summer unless absolutely necessary so with just my Crocs on, my soles were a disaster.

I like this bright red building in town kitty corner to the Mat
An old 2 storey home was blocking the view but has since been
torn down

Then I drove into Durham to pick up a couple of birthday cards. I really dropped the ball this month with 3 siblings celebrating. The first two would be late and that just isn’t like me. Speaking of birthdays, my little brother, Michael, out in Cold Lake, Alberta turns 53. 53!! How is that possible? Oh yeah, I guess I’m up there too!

Happy Birthday, Michael!

We tease Michael that he was an ‘oops’ in Mom and Daddy’s family planning. He arrived 12 years after me but what a cute little oops he was. As blonde as blonde could be with blue eyes (am I embarrassing you, Michael?) he was a little gift for all of us. Oh, and not spoiled at all!!

When I returned home, I got lazy and did nothing but read my book. I’m close to the finish, well within 15 chapters, but when it is a great book that is close to the finish. I took my chair down and sat near the Hangar and the cargo trailer while Bill finished putting some touches in the trailer for his Telemaster. I wanted to be outside so why not within talking distance?

Bill is working on the shelf
Nice view I have, eh?

 We both came up around 2:30 and had a snack of some fat bombs and cheese. Plus we each had a chilled glass of soda in our recliners. I’m not sure I dropped off like Bill did but in between chapters, I know that I relaxed my eyes a couple of times. At 5:45 my book was done so I got to work making supper. Not much was planned but I had thawed a pack of ground beef.

He has a table set up in the shade for cutting wood pieces

With a few small potatoes, onions, broccoli, mixed veggies and the beef gravy we had a good supper. I added the last of the canned tomatoes to mine, mostly to clean them up. We did dishes and the rest of the evening was spent watching some tv. Then I finished my blog post for today, waiting until 8:30 to post so we can keep an eye on our data usage. Every 4 hours it updates.

supper was filling enough that we skipped dessert tonight

This has been a good day and I’m happy to get that weeding done on the hill. It looks 100% better if I do say so myself.

Thank you for stopping in.