Our Work Week Begins, Gibbs is Confused

The Ridge

On Tuesday, Aug. 15^th Bill was up with the alarm and so was Gibbs. Once Bill was washed, he took the little guy out for his first piddle. It had rained through the wee hours of the morning but I, of course, heard nothing. Our bedroom windows were open so it was a fresh sleep without being cold. I think it got down to 10C/50F. I heard Bill getting ready downstairs and since I had to clean, joined him before 6:30.

This morning, the sky was questionable
Again.

He had his sleeping bag, backpack and our large Kool-a-tron ready to go soon after. Saying goodbye is one thing but saying goodbye for 3, maybe 4 days is different. We will miss Bill, for sure, but we will manage quite well, he knows that. He made sure we had a tank full of fresh water last night.😊 At least I know how to dump tanks if that became necessary!

I sat with Gibbs for a bit before giving him his ‘look after the house’ treat and heading to Durham. The Mat was empty and other than washing a few of the clothes in the Lost and Found bin, there was nothing unusual on my plate. I left it in A-one condition, finishing up by washing the floors. I stopped at the Water Store to fill the jug and headed home. Gibbs and I went for our walk, to the east this time.

Our walk this morning
The half closed gate
and the view of our home from the east road

He had a brief ‘scary’ moment when one of our gates had closed. Anything unusual sets him into his protective stance. ♥ We still need to get the closing apparatus on the gates and that will be it for this year, I think. I left Gibbs in charge again, such an important little guy!, and went around the corner to M’s. We first went to town for 3 errands he needed to run and then back to the shop.

This is the only view of the trailer
you will see
The other picture would upset your stomach.
Mental illness and drugs as an excuse? I don't buy it.

Did I mind donning my gloves and face mask to clear garbage out of the trailer? I had previously told him I would help so, since he’d gotten the big stuff out and has had it airing out, I didn’t mind. This trailer is one M picked up for a song a few years ago and then, out of the goodness of his heart, made a bad decision to let an irresponsible ‘tenant’ live there. She was a disaster waiting to happen and completely ruined the travel trailer, leaving the worse mess I’ve ever seen in her wake.

He kicked her out after she did some damage to his car and stole things from his tool inventory. The police stepped in to usher her off the property with an order to never set foot on the property. That was last January. Good riddance! Long ago, I told him he was too soft-hearted, that he needed to get her out and unfortunately, he has now paid the price. He has made a few bad judgement calls since I’ve known him. ☹ Too bad.

So, I did what I could in an hour and a half and made quite a dent. He bought it first for storage and once ready again, he can make proper use of it. For the last 45 minutes, I cut rags for his business and then came home. I felt grimy so hopped in the shower before having a salad plate for lunch. Funny though, I didn’t really feel hungry. What’s up with that? Maybe the whole experience today turned me off! Our weather has been looking a bit unsettled, will it rain or not?

Gibbs is waiting for someone

It didn’t rain but Gibbs and I stayed indoors until 3:30 anyway. I sat outside with him until 4 when I came in to make my tea. He didn’t have his ‘collar’ on so I kept an eye on him. Sitting on the picnic table, his security detail kicked in so I wondered what he was hearing. When I stepped out, he was growling and then I heard a vehicle at the end of the lane. When I called him to come back, he did exactly that! I was really impressed and rewarded him.

My Purolator delivery

It was Purolator backing up the lane to deliver my Photobook. 😊 He’s a new driver to this route and didn’t know what he’d find up here in all the trees so backed up in case there was no turn around. Smart young man! After he left, I sat outside with my tea and read my book. Only one mistake was found but nothing major. It turned out good.

This guy was really noisy!
Funny, you don't see them for a while and then
the Jays are back.

After that, we came inside where I didn’t do much, just sit and read my book. It is getting hard to put down but not in a ‘mystery’ sense, just very interesting. 😊 Around 5:30, I made a batch of keto dinner biscuits to eat with my supper. Bill doesn’t like them and I need to get better at my meals after those delicious meals at Carol’s! They turned out good and I made a pot of taco hamburger to eat with them. And Brussel sprouts, of course.

Keto dinner biscuits

With the dishwasher running, Gibbs wanted to go out. He didn’t eat his supper, by the way, and keeps watching out the windows of the Suite. He knows that someone should be home by now. ♥ While eating supper, I put the movie Mad Money on to watch and it gave me some good laughs. What else, when Diane Keaton, Ted Danson, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes get together? It was a good show with no violence and little bad language. Sometimes those movies are hard to find.

Yum, I went overboard on the sprouts,
but still ate them all!

Gibbs went up to the bedroom while I wrote my blog and then he sat with me for a while to watch tv. Tomorrow, I’m off work so it will be a nice day to take care of a few things around here. Plus, I need to start thinking what to take to Montreal next week. 😊 

Something just isn't right,
supper time and Daddy isn't home.

This has been a good day here on the Ridge. There was a beautiful red sun dropping below the horizon, but I wasn't close or quick enough to capture it. I hope you did! Bill called around 8 and Gibbs came running downstairs and looked out the window for him. 💘

A cloud filled sky, I should have been prepared
for the beautiful sunset.
Good night!

Thank you for stopping by.

Jumping Right Back Into It, Then There's Gibbs

The Ridge

On Monday, June 27^th it was like we stepped into another dimension. One where it was the early days of spring. Good grief! From having the a/c on yesterday to needing long pants, socks and shoes again this morning. It was 12C/55F when we got up. Bill was up before 6 getting ready as he had to drive to Mildmay for 7:30. It’s about 40 minutes. Ptooties will be his transportation for a few days at least. 😊

I remembered to look for Moonflowers ♥

I was up and out the door shortly after 7 and went directly to Foodland for bread and then The Water Store to fill a bottle. Oh! That reminds me that the bottle is still in Black Beauty! (lightbulb) The Mat wasn’t too bad and there were 3 customers in and out while I was there for my hour. Back home, I drank the ‘to-go’ cup of tea that I left sitting on the kitchen counter and had some cereal.

These are the kind of touch ups
the Sierra needs

This one on the back passenger door
has been sanded

For an hour Gibbs and I sat together, cuddling, until it was time for a quick walk outside for him and then I left for M’s around the corner. I thought I would be working on the Datsun but no, another client had brought their 2014 GMC Sierra pick up for a few touch-up jobs. They seem like small jobs but when you have to sand the spots, prime them and THEN paint the whole doors, it’s not so small. It is quick work, put it that way and M says ‘easy money’. 😊

Breakfast quesadilla
I have leftovers for tomorrow

We should be able to get it done in a few days. He’s coming on Wednesday or Thursday, I think, to see how we’re coming along. It’s a beautiful truck. The unfortunate thing is that the 2 bays were full with the ’91 Chev and the ’82 Datsun so I had to work on it outside. I’ve been spoiled with the heat we’ve had so I wasn’t dressed for it. However, I’d rather it be cool like this than with the humidity.

You haven't seen the Gibbs pose
for a while
Here he is ♥

I borrowed one of M’s plaid hoodies and set to work. I managed to accomplish a lot without once checking the time. Before I knew it, two doors on river’s side were almost done and he said it was 12:30, time to go. Time really flew today so I must remember not to look at my watch next time. 😉 I like the 3 hour shifts so glad that is what he’s going with these days. I left and came home to the little bum, who is always happy to see Bill and I.

Supper

With my shower done, I planned supper and rearranged the canned goods cupboard. It got really bounced around from our trip to London. It always does when we travel so it’s nothing new. There are a couple more cupboards that need to be straightened but that’s for another day. I’m expecting a Norwex parcel to arrive today, I’ve had 2 notices saying so, but when we walked to the mailbox, Bill got his parcel instead. Hmm. Maybe mine comes Fedex or something else, can’t recall from previous shipments.

Rule: no Gibbs at the table until we're done eating

Well, we're done eating but dishes 
weren't removed

Bill came home just before 5 and we relaxed until it was time for supper. Tonight, we had beef stroganoff with corn on the cob. It was delicious and very filling. No dessert for me! We loaded the dishwasher; Bill made his lunch and that was our day. The sun came out around 6:45 and that was the nicest it has been all day. We reached a high of 15C/59F which felt colder than that because of the winds.

Oh-oh, Daddy says, we're going to be
in a blog tonight. 💕
Good night!

This has been a good day. Thank you for stopping by.

Back to Work! A Lovely Afternoon

The Ridge

On Monday, June 13^th I meant to get up at 6:30 but that didn’t happen. It was more like 6:45 when Gibbs and I got out of bed. Woops! I was washed, dressed and out the door by 6:55. Gibbs was disappointed because he didn’t get his walk – again. Poor deprived little boy. ♥

These are the oldest washers
The one on the left has a stuck coin dispenser
The one on the right fills with water as soon as you close the lid
and leaks on the floor - Geesh!

The Mat was empty when I arrived and I remained alone the whole hour. With a couple of washers needing attention, I popped a text to Jamie so he was aware. He’ll be hoping that doesn’t happen too much over the next month or so. He responded with a thank you pretty quickly. I have to admit that the laundromat does look good with the two rooms cleaned up but my future there is still uncertain.

At the stop light in Hanover, this
remodelled old classic pulled up
The tires are sure not like Tommy's
but it is on the road at least and looks cool

When I left there, I popped down the street (that is what I love about small town living) to the Home Hardware. Josh, the owner, was at the front and took me right to the spot where the outlet covers were that Bill wanted. 😊 He’s a great entrepreneur, cares about his business and his staff and customers. He knows that place inside out and we value his expertise whenever we go there. M had asked if I would go to Hanover for him and deposit some cash at his bank so that was my next destination.

My kind of afternoon
Quiet, calm, warm/hot, nothing but birds chirping
and the occasional bark from my security dog
when a loud truck goes by

He pays me for the hour and fuel since it is an hour of his time saved. When I got home at a few minutes before 9, I sat with Gibbs and had my tea and played my games. I took him out for a short walk and just relaxed for the day. It was warmer outside than I first thought so I had to change out of my long sleeve tee shirt. It would be warmer still working in the auto body shop. I drove over to M’s at 10.

There was some rust in the corners of the truck bed that I needed to use the small air grinder on but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. That little machine and I took a while last year getting familiar with each other but I pretty much picked up where I left off. It moves quickly, depending on my steady hand, and I need to be in control. The time went pretty fast and I finished up the driver’s inside door before I left at 1.😊

Gibbs likes the hammock 
I think because he's up higher and can see
further 💖

I got out my new lounge chair and the hammock bed and changed into my bathing suit. Gibbs and I shared the hammock in the part shade and then when he got too hot, I moved to my lounger and he stuck to the shade of the picnic table. What a lovely day! I’d had cereal at 9 so wasn’t starving but by 3, I made myself an ice cream cone. Tsk tsk all you want, it was delicious! Gibbs got a chewy treat too.♥

When the clouds moved in, they were welcome

Bill got home around 4 and when he came in for a snooze, I moved Gibbs over on his rope to the Bunky with me. He’d been free a fair bit today but still behaves very well on the tether. He’s a good little guy – mostly. Ha ha. I worked on the puzzle until 5:30 when I came in to prepare for supper. Bill came up from the Hangar at 6 and grilled our sausages.

This little lady made her way up the hill
but I told her no egg-laying up here
She moved on after 20 minutes 

They took forever, we’re wondering if the bbq got water-logged from all the rain. They were worth the wait though, yummy! We had our last strawberry tarts for dessert and Bill went back down to work on a plane. There is a flying event this weekend so he’s seeing what he’ll take etc. I worked on my post with the tv on in the background. Gibbs finally went to sleep on the floor. He’s so busy all day, you know!

Yum, I kept saying, yummy.

This was a great day. I loved the long weekend that I had and look forward to the next one. However, earning some extra cash is also a good feeling. 😊

I thought this was a good time to show you how The Ridge looked
when Gerry and Donna purchased it

This is the area where we park now, being levelled and 
the berm created 

The laneway was built up quite a bit
after the brush and weeds were cut down

Donna starts the large flower garden
Notice the small blue spruce trees?

The corral was pretty overgrown
but Donna looks happy at the prospect

Our first trip up here with our
Jayco Designer and first King Ranch
This was just the beginning for us
October 2014. 💕💕💕
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in. You are welcome to leave a comment if you wish.

Hard at It, Thunderstorms, Dam Swim, TGIF Drink

The Ridge

Up and at ‘em this morning. Friday, July 10^th we woke to a lovely fresh breeze coming in my window. Bill had his shower and I got up at 6:30, washed, got dressed and kissed him goodbye. The Mat doors were open before 7 but all lights were on so I know when Jamie and Bill reset the timer, it worked. I cleaned and was out of there just after 8.

While working at Mitch's, i took a picture of this vintage washer
Told you I had an interesting picture
Still works

Another stop at Foodland, this time for head lettuce for our evening salad. When it’s hot like this, we are enjoying them. It doesn’t hurt our weight any either, as we’ve both lost a bit. Yay! I headed home and upon arriving, had my creamed tea and read some blogs and played my online Word games with my sisters and Bill’s cousin. At 9:15, I drove over to Mitch’s for the second job of the day. Might as well finish the week off properly.

Not so many people at the beach today
But still very refreshing in and out of the water

Leaving the Conservation area

I worked away at the task he gave me today and got half of the car 80% finished. It is the trim pieces that need to be sanded right down almost to the metal and Mitch provided me with a stool since it is at knee level. There was a decent breeze every so often that cooled me off and even though I was extremely hot and drippy, the heat didn’t get to me as much this morning. I finished up at 11:30 and said goodbye. I guess I’ll have to question when his ‘pay day’ is when I see him on Monday. It’s adding up nicely.

Cheers!

It was delicious too

Back home, I had my shower right away and then made my lunch but skipped a coffee today. It was around 12:30 that Bill texted to say he was on his way home. That’s nice, too hot to work the afternoon and Mike does like to end the work week by noonish anyway. Bill came home soaked from head to toe again so I hung his clothes on the line. We’ll do a wash on Sunday when we both go to clean the Mat.

When there was a break in the rain, Bill went out
and re-positioned the tent and the sun came out

I had already packed my beach bag and he told me to go for a swim. He was going to snooze and start grass cutting. The beach wasn’t as packed and I found a spot near yesterday’s. Eventually, I had my dip in the dam and got very refreshed. It was lovely and I would stay in longer if I had my noodle with me or a friend to hang with. Around 2:30 the sky opened up quickly and I (along with everyone else) made a dash for our vehicles holding my webbed chair with the towel inside over my head. LOL I sure can't run up hills in the rain like I used to.

The sky to the north was pretty dark

A closer view shows a probably fire of some sort

As it let up, I drove to Rob and Pat’s to return his edger and Pat had some books for me to peruse. I sat under their carport going through them and the rain hit again. Very heavy rains and then after Pat joined me outside, pea size hail. We chatted while I waited it out and finally ran back to the car. I hoped that Bill wasn’t in the field cutting when it hit, the mower can’t go that fast up the lane! That was the worst rain storm I’ve driven in for a long time but I made it home.

to the east

Our dining tent had a leg/arm bent inwards and we thought it might be broken. Once the second (or third?) bout of rain stopped, Bill checked it and it was not broke, thank goodness. He re-staked the legs that came out of the ground and moved inside. The air has cooled down considerably, a comfortable 24C/75F now and we’ve opened up the west facing windows again. All the rest have been open. I made us each a Strawberry Daquiri for Happy Hour today celebrating the weekend. 😊

Sugar free and no carb Jell-o
Can't say the same for the cookies

Bill went out about 5:45 to start cutting some grass and I began prepping our chicken vegetable salads. He got a fair bit done up around our area and in the corral before I waved him in for supper. It’s just salad but enough of it is very filling. For dessert we had another dish of Jell-o and a couple of Girl Guide cookies each. They were the last of the box I’d bought and they were going soft. I’ll suffer the carbs tonight.

After supper, we had rain and thunder off and on for the rest of the evening

Our tent flopped a lot in the wind but held its ground

As Bill was coming in to eat, the rain started again. We are not complaining, after waiting so long for it. The heat relief is so welcome and we will enjoy it for a few days before it climbs again. Which it surely will. After dishes, we found something on tv to watch. I like a few programs on Animal Planet so when Bill didn’t want to watch something, I moved upstairs so he could watch a recorded movie downstairs.

The pond always looks so different in a rain storm
The cows in the yonder field are huddled together, not having sense
to go to the barn
Although, maybe they too relish the heat relief
Good night!

It was a good Friday and now we’re geared for the weekend. Thanks for the visit!