Saturday 2 July 2022

Picking up the pace

 After a couple of week's break, it was time to pick up the paint brush again. But first, I needed more paint. Monday, I headed to Home Depot to get paint for the basement, for the front door, and waterproof sealant for the fence that was put in last year. I had a bit of a scare when I couldn't find the paint chip for the natural gray that I was using. It took a bit of scouring the pamphlets but I found it. While I was at the store, I stopped in at the garden center and picked up a few more annuals (petunias) and a perennial Astilbe for the front bed. I also wanted some annuals for the front flower bed to fill in a bit, but couldn't find what I was looking for there. These need to be shade tolerant as the bed doesn't get much sun as it faces north. I made a stop at Rona, but they didn't have nicotiana (tobacco plant) either, but I picked up three white New Guinea impatience. Back at home I got the plants into the ground or containers. 

The next day, I pulled out my painting clothes and set to work on the exterior of the house. I cleaned the casings around the front door and the garage. I already had this paint, as I had done the window and door casings on the exterior of the house last year but hadn't made my way around to the front. The weather was perfect for it and the paint dried in short order. Next up was the front door. As you can see I've gone with yellow - it was already a lighter shade but I wanted something slightly bolder. The first two coats were brushed on, and on Wednesday I rolled on a third coat. It is such a sunny color and makes me smile each time I open the door. The screen door got a good cleaning as did the windows and I've since hung the wreath and put down a new door mat to make it even more welcoming. First impressions, right?

My brother dropped by mid-week to drop off this display case for Eli's hot wheel cars. R has started making rustic wooden furniture - he plans to start up a business once he retires. D had sent him a photo of something similar as something he could make and sell. She didn't intend for him to make one for Eli but he did anyway. It's made from an old bicycle tire and some leftover pieces of wood he ripped down and stained to make the shelves. R mentioned that he learned a couple of things that he would do differently on the next ones. I think it's wonderful and it should be something that sells. He just needs to find some more old tires.

Thursday I had to run out to do an errand for D, and I needed cat litter so I took the opportunity to visit a couple more stores. Now that fuel prices are over $2 a liter here I'm more conscious of my mileage so made a circuit that brought me back around to home. After my stop for D, I headed to Dollarama - nothing too exciting but Eli will have a new Hot Wheel car for his display (and to play with I'm sure). Next up was the cat litter - is anyone else finding it difficult to find certain brands? I use Fresh for Life, available only at Pet Valu. Normally I would buy a bag or two, but they only had one pail of it. At least I got my 10% senior discount as the pails are more expensive than the bags.

On the way over to Michaels I stopped in at Winners. It's been months since I was in the store, and I was not impressed. I did find a mat for the front door that wasn't a horrid price, but even their clearance items seemed to be much more expensive. At Michaels I found letters for my welcome sign that I've been thinking about for a year or better. I'm hoping to get those painted and affixed to the board this weekend or early next week. 

We had cool weather and some intermittent rain during the week, so didn't make it out to the back to work on the fence until Friday. I did get some very much needed weeding done though both in the front yard and the back. I spent about two hours working on the fence before lunch and I'm probably half finished at this point. I won't have enough of the wood sealer to complete the rest of the fence and gates, so will need to pick up another container. However, my neighbour has been in contact with the fencing company as one of the posts that was installed (just) last summer is leaning and needs to be reinforced. So I'll wait until they've done the work before I proceed on that portion of the fence. I do have enough to do the rest of the back fence and the gates and thought I might get this done over the next few days. However, the weather isn't cooperating, we've got rain and thunder showers forecast for the next four days. 


As a result, today is going to be a quiet day. I've got the first of a double header for the Toronto Blue Jays on the television, while I continue knitting my sweater. Later, our Saskatchewan Roughriders will be on the field. I'll enjoy the games and appreciate the rain as I won't need to water. The potatoes as you can see are doing well. 

Have a good week ahead everyone!
Happy 4th of July to those who are celebrating in the USA.

20 comments:

  1. Love the door color - so cheery. That is a really neat idea for the cars! Nice job to your brother. NOW, I am the one wishing for rain - it seems I had so much all spring and now we are in drought mode. We sure could use some. Only got sprinkles last night and nothing projected until next week sometime. Golly I need to get busy and paint - I need your get up and go! I think mine went!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Cheryl. I'm pretty proud of my brother - he hasn't always been known for his carpentry and has come a long way.
      I'd send you some of this rain if I could. :)

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  2. I agree about the door. It will be very welcoming! Love the car idea for Eli. Very creative.

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  3. That is such a clever idea for the hot wheel cars. I'm sure Eli will love it and it should sell.
    You sure have been busy with a paint brush. Painting always lets you see dramatic results quickly.

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    1. I agree, nothing makes a room or an area look better than fresh paint. If only it wasn't as much work... at least for me. That's why I enjoy smaller jobs like the door and casings.

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  4. Nice job on the door and your other projects too! I am curious to see how many potatoes you get!

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    1. Thanks Connie. This is an experiment with the potatoes and I'm hoping to get enough for a couple of meals. Time will tell.

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  5. What a great display shelf! Your brother is very creative!

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  6. Thanks Marie! I have to chuckle, as his carpentry skills have much improved. He and a cousin did some work in my mom's bathroom years ago and let's just say it was an obvious DIY.

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  7. Well, vacation is over! The door to your home should make you smile.
    I am scraping paint off my deck floor in prep for new paint -- not making me smile yet.

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    1. I'm so grateful that this house has composite decking. I've re-painted a deck once and it wasn't a whole lot of fun. Good luck with yours.

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  8. I haven't yet found that items I need are in short supply but I have found them more expensive than they were. The 'deep discount' stores now feature prices that are not much lower than regular stores.

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    1. I haven't noticed it with the cat food, but this particular brand of litter is definitely in short supply. D happened to be at her local store when the order came in but I obviously missed that day (waiting for my senior's discount).
      And in answer to your question, yes, I am continuing the preparations to put the house back on the market. Hopefully in about 15 months and this time will result in a sale.

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  9. Ditto on the door and your brother's creative talent. Obviously creativity runs in your family. 🙂

    I always feel partly tired reading your weekly updates, and partly guilty because there's so much that I should be doing in the house, but I lack any interest motivation at all. Oh, for a magic wand...! 😁

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    1. No need to feel guilty. I can assure you before I was retired I didn't feel like doing much of anything when I arrived home after work. Whatever housework and yardwork that got done, was accomplished on the weekends.
      But if you do find a magic wand, let me know because I'd love some help too. :)

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  10. The yellow door is so very welcoming. I wish Harvey would let me paint our doors, but he is quite set against it.
    I haven't liked Winners for awhile now. Their prices seem to have gotten much higher in the last few years.
    What a great display case for Eli's cars. He is going to love it. Great recycling idea.

    God bless.

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  11. Thanks Jackie! When I bought the paint for the door I explained it was for an exterior door and I was assured this paint would adhere well and would last. A lot less expensive that replacing the door. :)

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  12. I have been missing a lot...it is events here at the house- and I wanted to say I have missed reading and commenting this little while. I always enjoy your everyday! .As the Terminator said, I'll be back.

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