Accomplishing Things and It’s Only Money!

The Ridge

Friday, Sept. 15^th brings us to the Ides of the month. The weather this spring and summer have been just as odd as our winter in the southern states was. Up and down, unpredictable and different than previous years. It hasn’t been all bad or all good but somewhere in the middle. 😊 We are just a little over a month from leaving our home province. We hope. ✌

Our morning walk.
Look at that sky!

So, Bill left for work at 6:30 and after a goodbye kiss, I crawled back into bed with the little bum. Last night, I’d watched 2 episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale (!!!) and went up to bed at 10. Bill came up from the Hangar around 10:45 and I woke when Gibbs barked at him. That’s a bad habit that we can’t seem to break. Then, he (Gibbs) proceeded to chew on his bone – for a long time! Once he stopped, I’d flipped and turned about 5 times, still seemingly wide awake. LOL

I apologize for this poor photo but
it was a laugh out loud moment and I had to 
share it as best I could. With my phone zoomed in -
Chippy had run into the mail box - I waited until he
popped his head out as if "did you knock?"

Midnight was the last I saw the time, projected onto the ceiling, then I must have dropped off. Needless to say, I wasn’t ready to get up when Bill pulled out. We dozed until 7:30 and then got up. I had my tea sitting with Gibbs and played some games. The sky was clear blue and I knew we’d reach a pleasant 20C/68F so once dressed, we went out to cut the grass. It’s gotten quite long in spots. It took me 40 minutes and as my mower battery began to die, so did my own! 😊

Top picture, the grass was long
and quite wet with dew
Bottom picture, all done cutting
and enjoying the shade.

I cooled down in the shade on the patio and then Gibbs ad I went for our morning walk. He wanted to go to the church today, so he led and I followed. ♥ After my lunch of a quesadilla (of sorts), I decided to go back out and do some weed trimming. Bill had called to let me know that the approval had gone through from the insurance company for the hefty truck repairs. Yikes! I’m glad it isn’t coming out of our pockets!

A couple of captures with my big camera
Still not perfect by any means.

Bill’s ball park guess was only about $3,000 off! At least that is one thing we don’t have to worry about and they figure around 11 days in the shop once parts are in. We’re getting down to the wire, as I mentioned above, so every day will count as we approach October. The rental is just a phone call away and we’ll make do with whatever allowance we have with that vehicle. When I ran out of gas for the weed-eater, I had done enough so put it away.

I added an extra row to my
beanie so it will cover my ears too.

Lunch, all it needed was sour cream
which I don't have in the fridge

Bill was home around 2:30 and I was just getting out of the shower. I drove Ptooties into the Service Ontario office and got the license sticker for Black Beauty. Hers has to be handled the old-fashioned way as payment is due, another hefty fee. We aren’t done yet, folks! So, after I got home, I noticed Bill crawling under his Cub Cadet replacing the belt AGAIN! I swore to myself even before getting out of the car. Not another problem! Nope, same old one. We’ve paid too much this summer getting this thing fixed, let alone the whole time we’ve had it. He got the belt on only to have it pop off again within 10 minutes.

Gibbs and I waited while Bill rode the
mower to Northline Service & Repair

It was the straw that broke the camel’s back, I guess. Bill drove it down to Northline Service & Repair and spoke to Rob. Next thing I know, I’m being asked to join them in finalizing a transaction. 😊 Trading in our C.C. for a new one. We really had hoped to make it through to the spring but we can’t keep putting $$ into a lost cause. We have lots of grass to cut! Rob gave us a good trade-in value on our 2012 machine. Well, Bill is a happy camper and that makes me happy. It is only money, after all although we're sure not getting ahead.

The cooler over night temps have slowed
down the process but here is Hibiscus #12 & 13

He cut the berm and the back field, I’m sure with a smile on his face, and Gibbs and I waited outside in my chair with my book until 6. Grilled cheese sandwiches for supper, mine with red onion, and we had cinnamon buns for dessert. I only needed ½ since they were so big. After clean up, I finished my blog, Bill went to get ready for the morning’s flying and then I watched more tv. Two episodes a night is getting me slowly caught up but I’m still only starting Season 4.

Now, if there was a calendar for
men modelling mowers........
He'd be my January, February, March.......
you get the picture. 💖
Bringing the new mower home.

While Bill cut the lawn,
Gibbs needed my attention.
What was my first clue? ♥

This was a good day. The lawns are looking good. I put my tomato and pepper plants into the Bunky for a second night as it is dropping down to a chilly 5C/41F. No frost warnings but I don’t want to take chances with the last of my vegetables so close to harvesting.

An easy supper.
The buns weren't as good as Tim Horton's but
they no longer make them.

A quick peek out through the window reflections
at the sun behind the tree.
good night!

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

Summer Returns!

The Ridge

On Tuesday, Oct. 8^th, I woke up as per usual around 6 but rolled over and drifted off and on until closer to 7. Bill and I texted back and forth just to say ‘good mornings’ and ‘I love you’s’. He is on his way to work by then with Bob. It was still dark out so I opened the blind and took my time with my stretching before getting up. I’d had the heater on last night but low so it was just 62F in here. Just right for sleeping.

Good morning!

I stuck my head out the door enough to shiver in the 37F and say to myself, ‘Nope, not walking yet’. Instead, I made my tea and sat catching up on what our blogger friends have been up to. Once caught up there, I dressed warmly (I love my puffy vest!) and went out to greet the day and the beautiful sunshine. 

And it was a great walk

There was no wind at all by 8:30 so it was a wonderful walk. My mind wanders when I’m walking alone like this, out in the countryside, in the peacefulness and you’d laugh at some of the things that cross it. I’ll keep them to myself. Ha ha I do really enjoy the walk though.

Frost on our neighbours front lawn
it didn't reach up to my garden though

I will miss this walk but I'm sure I'll find new ones this winter

Time for a selfie

By the time I’d returned, 2 miles later, I was suitably warmed up and then some so turned the heater off inside. It had warmed up 4 degrees since I left and I knew it was going to be a perfect summer-like day. 

These bags suck!! haha

The first thing I did was bring the filled Space bags (vacuum) from the Bunky and took Bill’s suggestion to fill them using the outside hookup. That saves lugging them inside the Suite and then back out again. It took me a while and a lot of muscle to get the connection for some reason but Bill said he had the same difficulty when he used it last.

 I managed to get them up there

Persistence paid off after hearing that and finally I got it and was able to suck the air out of 4 of the 5 bags. The last one must have lost the seal somehow but at least it will be closed and nothing can get at the pillows inside. They all fit, with that one exception, up in the loft plus an extra bag of wool that I won’t be taking along. That was a job well done so I brought the hose inside to vacuum the Suite next. I went upstairs with my b.p. coffee to see how the suitcase we’d borrowed from Donna was going to work.

Oh, I knew I’d be going through the Cancun clothes at least one more time and this never feels like a chore to me. Each time, one thing either comes out or one thing gets added but this morning I was more particular than ever regarding how many outfits, shorts, tops etc. I was taking. I’m only taking 2 pair of shoes in my bags and wearing a pair. That’s pretty good, if I do say so myself. I’ll bet Bill takes that many!

Yes, the first stink bug - yeuch!
He is on the outside and made his way around to my side window
before I swept him off

Once I was satisfied, I neatly packed the ‘checked’ bag items and left just as much room for Bill to do the same. Then I laid out the items that need ironing before going into the backpack. These are ‘carry-on’ items that in case the checked bag gets lost or delayed, I can still function for a couple of days. We’ll have to pay close attention to the size of the lotions and liquids we take as most are bigger than the 100 ml that is recommended/allowed. We’ll use what we can of the hotel’s room offerings but things like sunscreen pose questions.

After finishing with the clothes, I focused on the jewellery I’ll take. Especially the wedding adornment. I have nothing expensive, except my wedding rings so I’m not concerned about losing any of it, but I’d like to have options if I feel like wearing something. One of those little roll-up accessory holders takes up very little space so I chose a few variables. Then, leaving the few to-be ironed things, I was done. A makeup bag is the last thing to pack, the day we leave here.

He drives one of the smaller UPS vehicles

Before vacuuming, I realized it was 1 o’clock so needed to eat something. There was some of the southwest salad left so I added the last soft-boiled egg with dressing and ate that. It was quite good and filling with a delicious peach afterwards. Sitting here at the table, I saw UPS zoom by so figured no parcel today but still watched for his return trip on North Line. That truck didn’t come back this way but my driver soon turned into the drive from Baptist Church Road and brought my Avon order. Tomorrow, I told him that I‘ll see him again, that is when my 2^nd book says it will be delivered. No problem, he says! Inside, I opened the box and put the gels and deodorants away.

Okay, time to get back to work! I vacuumed top to bottom making sure to get the tile floors really good since I wanted to wash them. Then I got the pail out from the Basement, added Mr. Clean and water and gave the bathroom and kitchen floors a good scrub. There isn’t a lot of floor to wash so I added more water and went outside. I’m disgusted every time I look at Ptooties and she looks really sad about being so dirty too. With the big scrub brush, I did what I could to clean her up.

I think we are well stocked now until we return home

The problem with washing our vehicles up here is having no water from a hose for the final rinse, especially. I’ve seen Bill do it with other things and since I’m not familiar with the pressure washer (nor if it is still working?) I did it the old-fashioned way. I backed the car up to our Suite’s back side where the spray hose is. With the knowledge that there was an almost full tank of fresh water when Bill left, I didn’t hesitate to use it. I felt it was necessary! By the smile on Ptootie’s face when I finished, it was worth it.

The other side is no better

I went into the Bunky and used a couple of old towels to stuff into the window jams since they aren’t 100% airtight. Maybe 95% but we don’t want any cold air or frost sneaking in those windows. Washing the car was not on my list but I did cross off a couple of things that were, so today was a successful one. It was 3:30 when I came inside and knew that I needed to have a shower. I texted Bill so he was aware in case he called and wondered why I wasn’t answering. He was just finished work so I caught him at the right time.

Ptooties looking brand new except for her wheels
That and the windows will be Thursday's job

See the smile?

The sky today hasn’t wavered, a lovely shade of blue with no white adornments like yesterday. I took a walk down the lane to check on the mail earlier and was happy to see that the birthday cards were picked up. I hope one in particular isn’t late but it might be because of the holiday. The radio was on and as I was catching up on my post, I was jiving and singing along to Meatloaf’s Paradise by the Dashboard Lights. Always a fun song.

When I walked down the lane, I caught this little guy
on a wire using my 48X zoom
I love my little camera!

With a nice hot cup of tea, I decided to stay put and read in my chair for a bit. The patio is in shade now, at 4:30, and as much as I could move my chair around out there, I’d been outside enough today. I sat and read a couple more chapters and turned NCIS on in the background. At 5:30, my hunger got the better of me so I nipped outside to plug us in and set the microwave on reheat for the roast, carrots, gravy and asparagus. Within 10 minutes, I was eating and it was great!

Yup, the geese are swimming around beautifully

I washed the dishes up right away so I could relax for the evening. Bill called to let me know he had just arrived at his oldest daughter’s in Tavi. He was stopping in to deliver cards to our twin grandsons, Carter and Zach, who will be turning 13 on Sunday the 13^th. I asked him to give them a hug from Grandma too, I won’t be seeing them before we leave for the southwest. I will, however, be seeing Yvonne and Dennis since we are all going to the Cancun wedding.

Supper was great, the roast beef was perfect

Sitting at the table, the air outside has completely calmed again even though today it didn’t get too windy. Looks like 6 mph was the highest, according to the anemometer. This was a great day; the temperature rose to a sunny 63F, I got more things done and enjoyed the day at the same time. Tomorrow will be another busy one, more on the social side of things though.

The Ridge and I say goodnight
after a wonderful day

Thank you for stopping in. If you care to leave a comment, I love hearing from you!