Back in the thick of things

This Eli's jack o'lantern - his idea executed by his mom. His face is obscured because it was used on the public school website. 

How on earth can it be November already? In a few days, it will be the anniversary of moving day from my old house to my son's. Do you recall we had a nice day for the move, and then the following day we had nearly over 4 inches of snow fall? I do! With the exception of one morning, about 10 days ago, when we had snow flakes in the air but melting before it hit the ground, we've no snow this week, nor in the upcoming forecast. I mention this, because the weather seems more as though it is October rather than November. 

Back to last weekend, the contractor Aaron did an amazing job in the garage. It took him less than 20 minutes to complete the work. He mentioned he had responded to me because he knew that no concrete companies would be willing to do it. When he pulled up the smaller anchors it caused some flaking of the top layer of the concrete, and the larger anchor resulted in a small hole. He recommended I pick up some concrete patching material to fill these areas, though said it they wouldn't like cause any issues.

I ran out to Home Depot for the material on Monday, and completed the patches. Then I spent about an hour mowing the front lawn and raking and picking up the leaves. By mowing, I was able to mulch many of the leaves, but there was still a full green bin gathered from under the hedge, along the driveway and sidewalk. I said to my son when I went in to the house, that if he got rid of the hedge, the leaves would blow across the lawn and into the neighbour's yard. :)

Tuesday was a housework and packing day. I did laundry in the morning, and sorted out the clothing I needed to take with me (home to my daughter's). When we talked that morning, I asked her to check the dresser drawers as I had left some clothing there, and the bathroom for toiletries. In addition, I asked her to check the pantry and fridge for a few items; peanut butter, tea, and parmesan cheese. These are items I like to have on hand and are on sale at Costco this week. D asked me to pick up cat food too as she is running low.

That meant a trip to Costco on Wednesday before meeting S at the library for Stitch and Chat. The store was nuts and although I had only a few items to pick up, it took much longer that I had hoped. First, I discovered I'd misplaced my membership card so had to wait in a line to get a temporary card. Then, the parmesan cheese I was looking for wasn't where I expected it to be and even after asking a store employee it took some time to find the display. I still managed to make it to the library about 5 minutes ahead of schedule. It was a pleasant surprise when another lady arrive (Io) who hasn't been there for several months. She had surgery in early summer and is still working towards her full recovery. We had a lovely visit, the three of us, and it was a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

Thursday, I spent the day finishing my packing, and vacuuming the house one more time. I ran out to do a couple of small errands and filled my vehicle with fuel. That evening I spent my time answering the front door to the trick or treaters.

The next door neighbour decorated the front of his house a week or so ago. It's often windy here, and when I was outdoors, I'd catch a movement out the corner of my eye, when the clothing and hair of the goblin/creepy guy moved. It made me jump every time!

I was packed up and on the road shortly after 8 a.m. Getting out of the city was the most difficult part of the journey.  I avoided the Ring Road around the city because of construction. Then as I turned south  onto a main street, I was stopped in a line-up because of a train. It was stopped at the crossing but started moving fairly quickly...but it was a long train.

Continuing south, I planned to turn left at the next set of lights. A broken down van meant a change to the next lane and a wait of two lights in order to make theturn safely. Do you know what I like about small town living? Very little traffic! I did have one more interesting moment when I spotted an eagle in a tree just off the highway. Had I noticed it earlier, I would have stopped to get a photo. 

We unloaded the car, put away everything I'd remembered to bring (oops left one bag behind), D did laundry, and we tidied the craft room together. I can get to my sewing machine! I have a couple of small projects to do, now I just need to ensure I have the supplies needed.

Today will be a mostly relaxing day. D and I plan to sit and work out a meal plan for the next few weeks. I'm recommending tonight's dinner be a simple one, as the Roughrider's game starts at 4:30 p.m. This is the western semi-final, thus a must win for the team if they hope to reach the Grey Cup game later this month. There is curling to watch too, and I've got another pair of mitts started to work on. 

A bit of work, a birthday surprise, and being lazy

Another week done and I'm less than a week away from returning to my home with D and Eli. I'm especially looking forward to seeing them both. Though I'll admit, Eli is the main attraction. :)

We had, what is likely, the last warm day of fall on Monday. We reached a high of 23C/73F and I took advantage of the warm day to continue clearing out the garage. I'd scheduled the carpenter for this weekend and wanted to ensure he didn't need to deal with debris from my efforts. Some of the lumber was good enough to re-use so I separated it and stacked it near the alley, putting a free sign on it. 

The rest went in a debris pile I'd started when I was cleaning up the back yard. Before I get away this week, I'll arrange for it to be hauled to the dump. 

Tuesday, I awoke to a chilly morning, and it didn't warm up to more than 2C/35F.  I had some errands to run, so bundled up and headed out. I stopped at a couple of grocery stores and then went to Value Village. I needed to return the two skirts I bought just before my trip as they didn't fit. There are no refunds at VV, just exchanges. I found a Corning Ware casserole dish and a table lamp. The total after my returns had VV owing me 53 cents, so I had to buy something else. :) I grabbed a hand towel to wrap the casserole dish and walked out having paid $1.67. 

I texted S on Wednesday morning to confirm that she was planning to attend knitting group that afternoon. I spent the morning doing housework, and then ran to Walmart for a couple of things, before heading to the library. As I was making my way down one of the main aisles, I heard someone call my name. It was a fellow, I'd worked with for many years, and his wife. He retired a few years before I did, so I think it has been about 8 years since I'd seen him last. His wife was eager to go shopping, so after an introduction, she left us to chat. I couldn't stay long as I was meeting S, but we managed to catch up on the major topics, kids and grandkids. :)

Thursday afternoon, my son's friend B arrived with her birthday gifts for him. She went all out, because as she says it, he has managed to avoid any type of celebration for the past 7 years. She brought, something to snack on, something to drink, something to wear, and something to use. The latter included a new computer desk and chair! She insisted she bought everything on sale and refused my offer to help with the cost. She also brought a banner and a card. C's response on arriving home was muted - at first he thought I'd done it, but I pointed out the card. He didn't say much to me but then he never does. At least I know he texted B and thanked her.

I had a lazy day on Friday morning, woke with a bit of a headache, and after my call with D, slept a couple more hours. There was curling* to watch, so Saku and curled up on the bed to watch. It was after 3 p.m. when I got up, took a shower and dressed! That's the ultimate lazy. I met friends for dinner at 6 p.m. and enjoyed a nice evening visiting with them. My dinner of fish and chips was delicious too.

As usual, this weekend will see me watching more television, football, and probably baseball too (if the latter doesn't interfere with the curling). Today, the contractor will be here to remove the sill plate and the remaining stud wall. Since Sunday looks like a decent weather day with a high of 17C(63F), I'll likely spend some time cleaning up any sawdust/debris, and give my son a hand with the front lawn. It needs a last of the season mow, and there are leaves to be cleaned up on the edges of the sidewalk and driveway.

*With all the blue rocks in the rings, and only two rocks still to come (one red, one blue), it would be easy to assume that blue would have had a big score. They did not, scoring only one, even though they had four rocks in the rings on their last shot. I didn't see what happened, but it was obvious the skip messed up big time! (This is the only photo I've taken this week..and it's not a good one.)

A new project, time with friends.

I'm interrupting the cruise posts for my regular weekly round-up of the week's activities. Things started out quietly and got busier throughout the week. Other than unpacking, doing laundry and a bit of housework, I did very little over the weekend and into Monday.

On Tuesday, I went out to the garage and tackled a project that I've been pondering for awhile. The former renter of the garage had built a partial wall and a work bench that made it difficult to get a second vehicle into the garage. When I was driving the Corolla, I could wiggle my way into the spot (using S turns), but with the Equinox it was going to be more difficult. So I had decided to remove part of the wall. I started by removing the plywood walls and the work bench. I should note the bench was over 4 feet tall, so useless for much more than storage.

The goal is to remove the open section to allow more room to maneuver the vehicle into place. Well, I discovered that this wall was built to last as the sill plate is anchored into the concrete. I've neither the tools nor the knowledge to overcome this problem so I turned to the internet. I've found a journeyman carpenter who has agreed to do the work for me later this month. In the meantime I have a pile of scrap lumber (not shown) to carry out of the garage. I also need to find someone to haul away the old garage door opener. There's always something that needs to be done.

Wednesday was a busy day, as I did a bit of grocery shopping in the morning, attended Stitch and Chat in the afternoon, and went to dinner with the book club ladies. There were three of us at the library, and next week there will just be two as C is heading for California at the end of the month and will be busy packing. Book club was fun, with six of us in attendance. I haven't met with the group in months, so there was lots of catching up to do. We even discussed the book, "The Nanny" by Gilly MacMillan. It was my choice, and it seemed every one who read it enjoyed the book. 

I took the day off on Thursday and caught up on various programs, NCIS, NCIS:Origins, and FBI. As well, curling and the MLB games kept me entertained. Saku was quite content to keep me pinned to the couch. :) I did stir long enough to make meals and do dishes.

Friday was a chilly morning, just -2C/28F when I took garbage out to the bin. Good thing I had no plans to work outside that morning. Instead, I did some housework and watching curling. That evening, I met my friends K and J for dinner before attending a comedy event at the Center of the Arts. Our tickets were free, provided by financial advisors we use. We took along a few items for the food bank donations as well. Our meals were good, but the service was incredibly slow and we had to go to the counter, as no one came to the table to take our payments. I'm not sure I'd return to that particular restaurant again. The comedians were funny, without straying into very many controversial subjects. The funniest moment (for me at least) was when Erica Sigurdson told the story of getting her husband to hang a medicine cabinet in their bathroom. After he'd delayed the project, she took matters into her own hands, texting him at work about how to do certain things (though she wasn't actually doing those things). He returned from work and got the job done. 

It was late when I arrived home and by the time I had settled down, it was nearly midnight. Saku woke me just after 6, but I managed to ignore him until my daughter called shortly after 7. Although I meant to get up after our call, I dozed off and slept until 10:30! So my day is a little off-kilter. I've just finished breakfast while watching curling. There is football and baseball later today as well. I guess you all know what I'll be doing today. :) Time to pull out the knitting needles and keep working on the mittens.

Have a great weekend everyone!

In a good place

The rest of the Easter weekend (including Monday as my son did not have to work) was very quiet.  Other than regular housework, I did pretty much nothing besides reading and enjoying the sunshine outdoors.  I really will miss this yard, especially the front patio and back deck, as I enjoy being out in the fresh air listening to the birds sing.

Speaking of which, I went for another walk this morning and spotted that damn hawk again.  I'm not sure if it is a Merlin or a Kestral but either way I wish it would leave the neighbourhood.  Last year by early July all of the small songbirds were gone.  I assume they moved to more friendly territory but suspect several of them were prey to the hawk.  While it is a beautiful bird and that's nature at work, I still wish it wasn't so effective at disposing of the smaller birds.

I didn't take my camera with me as I walk a little more briskly without it and don't stop quite as often.  I did my circuit again, but walked a little further up to the small bridge in the park.  There I did stop to see if there were any ducks or geese in the water...there were none but I did listen to the blackbirds sing for a bit before I turned back to finish the walk by the pond.  There the geese were making a racket.  I'm not sure if there was romance in the air, but there were several, what I assume were males, extending their necks and flapping their wings and making moves toward smaller birds.  It seemed to be happening without malice so I'm thinking it was amorous rather than arguments. 

After my walk I sat out on the back deck with a cup of tea.  It was still a bit cool about 5C/41F but nice in the sun.  I finished my book Lace by Shirley Conran.  I'd picked it up last summer at a used book sale and it had sat unread in a pile until I returned from my cruise in January.  I was tired of reading on the Kobo (the Canadian version of the Kindle) and ready to hold a real book.  It was an interesting story but dragged on far too long, with over the top drama.  Some of it I could have seen happen but there were parts that were implausible.  But I guess it is a function of the writer's imagination.  I was more relieved than anything else when the story line was finally tied into a neat (though rather disturbing) package.  I felt slightly let done as if the story wasn't finished.

Yesterday's finish was much better.  I had contacted a junk removal company on Monday to pick up the load of items I'd gathered up in the house and yard.  They were busy and so I booked an appointment for Tuesday at 1 p.m.  A young man (the son of the owner) showed up and in a very short time he had his trailer loaded up with my garbage and was on his way.  While he was loading, he told he and his Dad have been doing this full-time for two years, and they are booked solid.  I admire the entrepreneurial spirit but it makes me wonder how much garbage is being sent to the dump.  Yikes and I just added to it!

Before he had even left the driveway I was tackling the floor with a broom.  I used the broom to sweep off the shelves as well, then brought out a bucket of water to clean off the shelves of the remaining dust.  It took several buckets to get rid of the dirt from the past (and I'm ashamed to admit it) nearly 9 years.  I cleaned off the work bench, sorted items to remain with house, things to go to D, and items that I plan to keep.  The items that will stay with the house are the leftover tiles, grout, and casings that may be of use in the future.  This was where I found the door panel that I used to fix the front closet so hopefully the new owners won't be annoyed that I leave these behind.  Below the work bench is the stuff D will take will take back with her when she comes for doctor's appointments next week.  The tall box beside the green chair contain the makings of two 4X4 raised garden beds.  Costco was selling these for a reasonable price, and a check of the reviews indicate although made of vinyl they'll hold up in our prairie winters.  

Next to that box are two televisions and an old computer monitor.  My friend K had mentioned that she knew someone who would take them.  I contacted this person on Monday as well, and she thought she might pick them up on Tuesday but that didn't happen.  I told her I'd like them gone by the end of the week so hopefully I hear from her in the next few days.  I'll call again, if not.

I also gathered up the many, many paint cans (most left over from the previous owner), and an old battery.  The city is having the first of its hazardous waste days on Friday, and I plan to be in the line up at 4 p.m. to drop these items off.  

On the other side of the garage in the wooden shelves are the items that I'm keeping.  There is camping equipment, my son's kitchen gear, electrical cords, and tool boxes and various tools.  The rest is paper towel and toilet paper.  I have decided, I may need to rent a small storage unit for a period of time as I anticipate the new space (whenever that might happen) won't be big enough.  I know I've significantly downsized, but my spreadsheet would indicate the space we'll be moving into will be about a 1/3 of the space we currently have.  I'm not sure I've downsized quite that much!  However, when I do find the perfect place on the island, I'll take some things with me so I don't to purchase everything once I get there.  

Of course, this is all predicated on the sale of the house.  I reached out to the realtor on Monday and had an e-mail back that he is in Costa Rico for a family vacation. 37C/99F temperatures there!  He'll be in touch on Saturday so that we can meet and discuss next steps.  I must admit there was a tinge of sadness when I made that contact.  This house has been a great home for us, but I realize it no longer fits the life I want to lead...more time outdoors, a more walk-able neighbourhood or at least closer to public transportation, and less of a house and yard to maintain.  So while I will miss so much about this property, I'm excited about is yet to come.

In my world, that's a great feeling.

Have a great day everyone!