A Different Kind of Day – I’m Whooped (but in a Good Way)!

Paisley, On

On Thursday, Jan. 28^th, Bill left as per usual. His words to me when he exited our door was “see you later”. What he meant by that is truly that he would see me later, sooner than later. I don’t usually work on Thursday. It is my day off BUT Bill’s boss who is also our friend, Mike, has ‘hired’ me to clean the upstairs of the house they are renovating. It is 95% finished except for tidbits and touchups and there are 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom on this upper floor.

Heading out of Paisley

Arriving at Neustadt by 9

I left the house at 8:15, cleaned Ptooties off and pulled out of the driveway by 8:25. There wasn’t a lot of snow, just light stuff and the drive to Neustadt was pretty good. Lanes were track bare but I stuck to the highway because it made the most sense for where I was going. I arrived at 9, almost on the dot. Mike was there, with Billy and Bill, and between him and Bill, they showed me where the cleaning stuff was and the ShopVac and then the boss left.

The guys are doing a great job
Materials are picked by the owners

I’ve never done this kind of thing before but it involved wiping down all window frames and sills, baseboards, door frames, washing windows and vacuuming up sawdust from the rooms and hallway. The bathroom would be the biggest challenge so I left it to last. It had new sinks, toilet and tub. I should have taken a picture in there so you see what I mean but it won’t take long once I start. A new tub comes with a thin 'skin-type' film of plastic to protect it. While the tile was installed and grouted, you can guess the mess that fell into the tub. Then the plastic wouldn't peel off as it should.

The first little room/closet done

Mike didn’t want the floors washed yet, it was a nice laminate flooring all the way through but with them still working downstairs and creating dust, the washing would be the last thing to do probably with a wet Swifter. Bill, Billy and Mike, when he was there, worked on the staircase. The whole thing needed to be replaced. 

Billy and Bill were conveniently 'out' of this picture
but this is where they're working

I went down when Bill called for morning break, lunch and afternoon break. It was a good job and a good day’s work AND it was nice to be working close with Bill again. Many hours/days/months of our working career at the school board, were in the same building. 💓

And although it looks like they're both sleeping here
It was actually a 'laying down on the job' type of job

They work very well together, figuring out which way to do
things when they come to a snag
The stairs are oak laminate

Billy cleaning the truck off out front of the house

Boy, was I physically whooped when I got home at 4:30. We all left at the same time and I followed Billy and Bill as far as Bruce County Rd 3 where I turned for home. They were very aware of me following at a lesser speed, keeping an eye on Ptooties, which I appreciated ver much. Bill went with Billy to get Black Beauty and arrived at the house a few minutes later. The weather was nasty, getting better closer to Paisley but after we both got upstairs, did it ever turn ugly outside. 

I'm glad I was following them and it wasn't
because I needed directions
I just wanted to know I wasn't 'alone'

we're still on a main highway here
That's Billy and Bill up ahead

Now we've turned onto Concession 8

The sun was trying to break through
Billy's truck is behind the :05 time

Here, I'd turned onto CR 3
heading north towards Paisley

We could have leftover lasagna for supper but decided on a simple bowl of soup with a sandwich. Yes, that’s how tired I am. I haven’t worked a full day since March of 2016! I’m sure glad it isn’t something I have to do everyday. I give Bill a TONS of credit. The great news is that when I got home, my new leather jacket had arrived!! It was delayed because of weather but am I ever pleased. Happy camper here!!

A transport truck met me so when the plow
came at me, I was ready to take a picture of what you 
are left with when the wind is blowing your way
It only lasts a few seconds and then you're clear again

By the time I reached Paisley, things were very clear

Kind of pretty actually
I'm getting much  better

The refund for the first one (that was skin tight in the sleeves and snug across the bodice) went into our account today as well. This company ‘Gen1leather’ gets more than 2 thumbs up from me. They actually made the sleeves and bodice to MY specifications on the size Large coat without making anything else bigger. I will be giving them an awesome review, unlike Wish. Duds, they are. Anyway, I’m tickled pink about my black leather purchase. 😊 👍👍👍👍

No picture of me in my coat - too tired
but one of our simple little supper

I won’t kid myself tonight. The evening will be short but I hope to get in to watch Jeopardy after supper and maybe get a couple of chapters read from the new John Grisham book I started last night. (PS - neither of those things happened) I was in bed by 8 and asleep by 9ish. This was a different but really good day. Hopefully, tomorrow after cleaning the Mat, I can finish the bathroom at the house so it’s done before the weekend.

I know this says the 29th but it was a pretty picture
anyway from over the fence at Pilot Knob RV Resort
Winterhaven, CA

Good night!

Thank you for your visit on a snowy Thursday.

Profitable Hour at the Mat, Getting Used to Winter Travel, Sunshine Peekaboos

Paisley, On

On Wednesday, Jan. 27^th there was nothing unusual about the start of our day. Bill was up and out the door by 6:30, texting me after a few minutes to inform me that the plows had been down the highway and it was snowing lightly. I knew I was going to be brave today and not even think about whether I was going to work or not. I was going.

Cleaning the car off before I left at 7:50 was the biggest chore. We’d received a dumping again yesterday and a bit overnight so Ptooties was blanketed with another 3 to 4”. I’m very sheltered where I park but sometimes that means a lot of snow blows in there and has no where to go so………..dumps on the roof. 😊 It was light and fluffy so it only took a few minutes to clear.

The highway wasn't bad at all

Big flakes were coming down and the roads were snow covered to track bare. I just kept my speed at 80km and it didn’t seem to impede anyone else. Eventually, the lanes were 90% clear so I could increase to 90km/hr. I didn’t even try going by way of Concession 8, it looked messy, but stayed on the highway and went through Walkerton, then Hanover on the way to Durham.

The sky to the east was pretty amazing
The sun was trying really hard to peek through the clouds
giving it an unusal effect

The fuel gauge was just above ½ so I pulled into the ‘Pay at the Pump’ tank (there are only 4) at the Pioneer rather than the ones where you have to go inside to pay and topped her up. Next time, I should be eligible for .07¢ off with the Journie points card. I think. Gas prices were $1.08/litre, slowly getting up there but still better than it used to be. I drove across to the Mat of which the lot had been cleaned out. There was someone’s laundry in a machine when I arrived but the Mat looked clean.

A non-speaking man retrieved his clothes in a cardboard box (unknowingly leaving 2 t-shirts inside) and left without a peep. Fine by me. I hung the shirts on one of the carts to dry and hope he returns for them. No matter their condition, he looked like he needs them. ☹ One washer was dirty so I threw the rags I use and the rag mop head in and ran it through a wash. The floors were wet in spots from snow boots/shoes so I just swept with the broom, then did a quick damp mopping.

This truck and trailer pulled out ahead of me but he was going the same speed

Isn't this cute? His older brother and sister were
alredy on the bus and he's running
Mom was in the lane with the dog watching

I'm sure she was saying, 'hurry up!'
He disappears inside

Today, I seemed quicker than normal, geesh! I did have to take the shovel out and clear the 3’ wide walkway across the side of the building as well as the front and back entrances. That filled up the rest of the hour. After sprinkling down the last of the salt in the bucket, I was done. Already, with the patches of sun I was seeing, I could see it melting the snow by the time I left. I was in the winners circle today as in one lint tray I found $10.35!

The lint trays in these dryers are about 20" wide
and about 28" long
This one had $8 plus some eggshells (?)

When I looked in the dryer (never satisfied, huh?)
there was another $2.35 that hadn't fallen through

I stopped at Walmart for 4 items and came out with about 14. Never fails but I just figure when I’m there, I’ll get this and this and this. I may have to stop Friday for milk but we’ll see. The store is always busy but not overly. Everyone is courteous and friendly, customers included. We are all in this together and seem to understand it helps to be cordial about it. I checked through the self-checkout, in and out like clockwork. "Have a good day, ladies!"

Still enjoying the sunshine appearances on the drive

At the car, I texted Donna that I was on my way. I had a bag with two puzzles for her and 2 tops. As a show (mostly for her neighbours, in case they are the ‘type’), I wore my mask around my neck and slipped it up over my nose and mouth when she opened the door. She got a laugh out of that. I wasn’t in the house long, and I’m certainly not worried about passing anything to or getting anything from my sister. We’ve seen each other often enough during this pandemic.

Driving through Durham

A pet peeve of mine
Clean off your darn vehicle!!!
Lights not very visible, let alone his license plate

It was a straight drive home. Interesting how in 2-3 hours, the roads have cleared up. Even close to Paisley but entering the outskirts, the snow started again and clouds were in control of the sky. Wes had had Jim come in and clear the laneway while I was gone, which I was glad. Not so much for me but for Bill. He had a hard time backing in last night, even with the 600 lbs. of sand bags in the back. It's the ice underneath. Probably Wes will spread some of his ice salt down to melt the hard-packed stuff.

Lovely blue sky on my drive home

On each end of Walkerton, there are steep hills
with a speed limit of 50 km per hour
It's tough to do without your foot on the brake the whole way
It should be called Valleytown

My new coat/jacket was due to arrive yesterday by FedEx and wouldn’t you know it, the weather delayed it. I’ve received a message acknowledging that it should be here today. I hope so and I hope it fits this time. 😊 Since it was just before noon hour, I put the groceries away and immediately made myself another one of those yummy quesadillas. This time with some sour cream that needed to be cleaned up.

Roads were clear for the most part, just wet

Upstairs, I started my blog and then went down to do the dishes and work (play) on the puzzle. It didn’t take long to put in the last 30 pieces and when I got to the last one, I called Susan in to show her. I left the last piece for her to place. Now she could say she did ‘some’ of it. 😊 She was quite pleased with how it looked, and has fond memories of where she got the puzzle and from whom. They have a car they call Betty Boop so the framed puzzle will go with them for display at their car shows.

A repeat of yesterday's lunch

With that puzzle completed, I came upstairs to look for my next one. I have 4 left to do, one from my girlfriend, Brenda, 2 from Donna and 1 that I’ve had for a while. Three of them are 750 pieces so I will work on those here first, where I have room to spread the pieces out. At home, in the Bunky or in the Suite, I am only able to do the 500 pc. puzzles. The snow, once more, has been off and on all day but not at all heavy like yesterday.

It was inevitable
The puzzle is done, now it's up to Wes to
move the 22" x 27" onto a board and glue
it
Isn't she cute?

This will be my next one
I will enjoy it too

I walked over to the Foodmart variety across the street to buy some lottery tickets. I figured I was lucky enough to find $ in the Mat today, I may as well see how far the luck goes. LOL I never hold my breath but it is fun to try once in a while. When I returned, I made myself a cup of tea and began preparing supper. I’d decided on lasagna in Madame IP. Bill came in around 4:30 just as I was finishing the prep.

The lasagna is looking and smelling yummy

We came upstairs after I opened a Pillsbury can of crescent rolls. Always nice to go along with pasta. I’ve never made lasagna in the springform pan but someone in my IP group on Facebook did that. Worth a shot although mine is always so runny that I think I’ll be serving it right out of the pan rather than removing the bottom like she did. I don’t add cottage cheese to my recipe, never have, so it is never as thickly packed.  I add enough other cheeses.

Supper was delicious and we have leftovers for another night. We cleaned up dishes, Bill made his lunch and I went next door into the tv room to watch Jeopardy. I’ve missed it all week and apparently one contestant is doing really well, on his 5^th or 6^th game. I can’t even imagine knowing that much stuff! Wow! The evening following was quiet but I wasn’t in the mood for starting a new book yet. There were some crosswords and Jumbles that I did instead.

You know what? Sometimes, you just gotta get goofy
Memory from our first year in Quartzsite, AZ
First year to meet Gerry and Melinda too
I had a few wigs to get silly with
Jan. 27, 2017

Good night!

Thanks for stopping in. Have a great night!