Want to change the weather? Paint outside!

The week was supposed to be bright and mostly dry, but that all came to a crashing end last night when the boomers rolled in! The good news, I knew things were changing for the worse and I pulled out my tarps and covered the deck I stained yesterday.

As the rain continues, I may end up playing in the greenhouse. A project I'm excited about are a pair of men's rain boots! I need a 'soft' doorstop for the greenhouse and I thought these would be the perfect choice once they are planted up! The boots are found objects and Joe so nicely drilled some drainage holes along the soles. A brick in the bottom for weight and they are almost ready for flowers.

OT - Harvey Korman from the Carol Burnett show was passed away at age 81. The chemistry between him and Tim Conway was so funny...that was comedy! I don't care for today's shock comedy where the more F bombs you can fit into a story the funnier - NOT! Give me the Apple Dumpling gang!

What a mixed up month!

Since May began, I've been unbalanced. The May long weekend was a week early, my garden club meeting was on the 15th when it's usually later in the month...and now our town wide yard sale is this coming Saturday! And I had forgotten all about it. How can I be staining the back deck when there are bargains to be had??????? What's a girl to do, wish for rain? Maybe!

Are you celebrating?

Seems we have some birthdays in the family this week.

Amy celebrated yesterday.
Lucie celebrates her day on Friday, Monica on Saturday and Joeye on Sunday!






Also another significant date, May 30 is the 22nd anniversary of David & Paula! That's quite the milestone by today's standard but I know there will be more happy years together to come.



These are some of our fiddleheads! Just gorgeous but we can't for some unknown reason get them into the pot for supper!!!!! Oh well, this way we get to enjoy them visually for a longer time.

Thankful Tuesday

Some tulips picked from our garden last night, for all my family and friends, far and near!

Great weekend - how was yours?

Despite the bee sting start, it was a very nice weekend at home. It was our turn to host UFC with Joanne & Ken and Gayle & Steve. We picked up some fresh produce for pickies after our BBQ supper of beef ribs and smokies with the sauerkraut and potato salad. Thanks Lesley for the spinach dip...it was a hit, both Gayle & Joanne needed the recipes! Between supper and the beginning of the fights, we had a mini Wii tutorial...Ken had heard his grandson talking about the game system but had never actually seen it in action. I think we'll have to have a Wii night another weekend!

Sunday, we rolled out of bed to go out to the hot tub and rehash the night before. The air was cool, the tub was just right and the coffee energizing. After that we headed out to Hole's Greenhouse where we got some really nice plants, mostly perennials and Joe got all his herbs for the kitchen garden. Prepping that bed is today's project!

After lunch, we went and picked up the camper. We are a bit rusty with the hook up procedure...Joe forget the lights and electric brake but we hadn't gone too far. Got it backed in, now to get the cleaning supplies out and give it a good wipe down and air the place out. it always smells stale after being closed up for so long. Supper was leftovers from fight night. We watched Juno, a very funny movie. I can now see what all the fuss around Ellen Page is all about! Then we caught most of PS I Love You. I was surprised that Joe didn't try and change the channel despite the fact I was falling asleep on the love seat. Joe had a 2 hour nap late afternoon. Lucky guy.

Spoke too soon!

I stopped to check the garden after dumping my veggie peelings into the composter, when I heard a bumble bee.

Next thing I knew I had a piercing pain under my left shoulder blade and I was running into the house like a crazy person, peeling off my clothes!

I dropped my clothes on the floor, the bee still making his buzzing sound. I closed the door and raced upstairs, past my wide open front door into my bathroom with the full length mirror.

By this time, I'm trying not to panic...this is my first bee sting. I do have a mild reaction to wasp stings, but you never knew when it's going to go ugly on you.

Twisting and turning I can see the stinger, but I can't reach it. A quick call to Joe who is on his way home...he knows the situation, and suggested a R*actin.

Oh yeah...the bee is still in the bathroom...Joe can handle him!

What a start to my weekend!

Happiness is

• Joe invoking the 3 hour rule! For those not in the know, when Joe began his civvy career, he decided that if he was 3 hours away from home, he would sleep in his own bed.
• The girls calling us, just because!
• Joey and/or Alex calling to tell/ask or sing us something that is important to them
• A comfy chair to sit outside in and read a good book
• Leaving the cooking to someone else
• Sharing recipes with your youngest child...yes, the one who used to talk on the kitchen phone while her cookies burned ..er..overcooked in the oven
• Time spent in the garden despite the yellow flowers popping up everywhere!
• A comforting home, a loving family and understanding friends!

Have a lovely weekend whatever you do!

Now this is a keeper!

I found this link for a photo editing website..free...and decided to give PICNIK a try. What do you think of my first attempt?

Here's my distraction!

Before & After

The hall had a burgundy power wall facing into the living room.

















The living room had another burgundy wall apposite the north facing window.

















Jonathan was happy to get his toy corner back up and running! I'm not sure he realized the colour change or not!


















Looking into the hall at the former dark wall. Only took 1 coat of primer and 2 top coats.

The unfortunate thing...I never got the job finished! Between trying to have some fun and 'life' the living room window wall along with the end of the hall still has to be painted. The priming is done but there are four doors to paint around and trim with white. Any volunteers? Oh well, I'll get back before the wedding crowd arrives -I hope!

Camera Found!

Since I had to go out anyways in this monsoon, I figured I'd take a couple extra minutes and go through the car...I was happy to catch a glimpse of the camera strap! Cody may have kicked it under the seat in her haste to exit the car.

Will upload photos later this afternoon! I have to go and dry off!

Lost and not found

My camera with all those wonderful weekend photos!

I don't know where it is. I last seen it on Heather & Jeff's kitchen table beside Joe's Blackberry Monday morning!

Today was garbage day and yes, I went through the bags we got since returning from out trip. No camera.

Went through the luggage...no camera.

Emptied the totes, including the one of painting supplies... no camera.

Did laundry yesterday...didn't wash it!

So unless it fell out of a tote and rolled under a seat in the car, I must have had an Alpiner's moment and stuck it somewhere odd...like in the frig! As soon as the rain slows down to a drizzle, I'll head out with a flashlight and check the car again.

Sigh :(

VW wrap up

Seems the manager of the oil change location has been off 'sick' the past few days and the owner knew absolutely nothing about the 'incident'. He was however very concerned and is reviewing the paperwork and there will be a cheque cut later today to make things right.

As the adage goes, It isn't a mistake if we learn from it! We have learned our lesson...now to wait for our friend Mark to get his newly relocated shop back up and running! He is the best, hands down!

No matter who you are, you always need to know a great plumber,electrician and auto mechanic!

Oh to be 40 again!

Seems time is running faster as I age! I used to get my daily household chores done by noon so I could have the afternoon for projects. Well there doesn't seem to be much afternoon left by the time I get to it!

And forget about watching TV...2 nights running I fell asleep watching one of my favorite shows...House (which was really weird) and NCIS! And this was all before 10 pm! Wasn't there a time when things never heated up until after 11?

And because of that, I haven't been reading my library books...have 4 to go back next week...2 are still being read. I used to read in the bath tub while I soaked away my aches and pains...but I can't now, my glasses steam up and I can't see without them! How sad is that? Very!

I hope I'm not slowing down too much....I have a 5 km Team Crockett race to do next month! Isn't there a VetaVitaVegamin for my generation????

Isn't he cute?

Catching up

First and foremost, I had a lovely Mother's Day. I shared it with Lesley...the boys made us a lovely brunch of deli meats, fruits, cheese and breads with Mimosa to sip. I got some goodies to pamper myself as well as Chanel's' Chance Eau Fraiche. We are also getting a WII game from Heather & Jeff - can't wait for a rainy day and that baby! Heather had to work, but it also rained all day so maybe it'll be nicer on her next day off and she can play with JR on his climber in the backyard.

Joe & Aaron picked up my car Friday, seems to be good as before the fiasco. Now to get the financial situation squared away.

I had my first round of golf on Saturday with the family. The weather was good despite a stiff breeze caused me a bit of grief! Alex is the proud owner of 2 clubs, 7 iron and putter. Joey tried out his new bag, worked very well. I had a big laugh about mid way through the game. Aaron zipped to the clubhouse for some drinks and chips. Alex in his haste grabbed his Dad's V8 juice! He took a big drink, swallowed and then looked at me and said "This tastes like SOUP! I don't like Soup!" He then exchanged it for his apple juice he had requested! Too funny.

Sunday afternoon, Joe mowed the front lawn with the new mower. Very nice cut. then we edged the sidewalk and driveway. Went for a little spin to return some movies and buy a new push broom for outside and we had to pat ourselves on the back when we drove by our house on the way home. Our curb appeal ROCKS even without any leaves on the trees and flowers in bloom. Now to work on the back yard.

I had a reality check over the weekend when I realized that THIS coming weekend is the long weekend and we are supposed to be camping ans helping Jeff & Heather prep the house for sale!!!! I'm not ready! So I better get this published and get myself into gear!

I hope all the Mom's had a wonderful weekend!

2 times is not always good!

Seems they shoved twice the required amount of oil into my car and we were lucky that the engine didn't blow. So now to get the money end of things squared away.

While the dealer has the car, they are going to change the serpentine belt, which is cracked and take care of a minor recall issue.

I will want reimbursement of the oil fiasco, the equivalent of my towing the car and the original oil change fees. The good news...no permanent damage done.

This should be another adventure to write about in future posts!

It comes in 3's

1. Joe takes my car into the city for an oil change, and a car wash. Very shortly afterwards there's black smoke everywhere and the RPM's are racing over 5ooo. He pulls over and turns off the car.
   
2. Joe calls me to go meet him - I have the AMA membership for touring - but alas...he has the keys to his work truck which is parked behind our truck!!!! He gets a ride from a co-worker who happened to be going in this general direction.
   
3. We finally (after 2 hours waiting in the funeral home parking lot) get the tow truck, talk to the VW service dept...it may be a blown sensor...we run into C*stc* for a few necessities and when we are driving back, Joe realizes something important fell out of his pocket...his brand new hearing aid! So back we go and try to find it. We did, and it still works.

I hope this is an indication of the happy resolution of the auto problem! Won't know anything until Friday....they are busy!

Keep your fingers crossed!

My balls are starting to drop!

Projects seem to be taking over my life in one form or another. Don't get me wrong, I love doing them but for some unknown reason I feel hurried.

JR's quilt has stalled. I'm reworking HL's rocking chair and hoping to drop it off this week. The quilt can get mailed.

I have yet to run up L's curtain requests. #1 son is going combat so needs some olive drab to hang in his window and L wants a change in her hallway. Both very doable, seeing I have the fabric and measurements.

The garden is so so. I have a lot of perennials yet to poke their head through. I'm beginning to wonder if the mice had a mid winter feast at my expense! tomatoes continue to do okay...green peppers were a no go...so will buy a couple. Have you checked prices! OMG....do they have a payment plan?!

We are clearing out the sheds/basement. More to Freecycle...seems they have slowed down or all my good stuff has already been taken! Well if they aren't gone by Wednesday, the trash man will take them!

TTYL

Awesome weekend here...how was yours?

We got a lot of things attended to but without that feeling of being overly rushes. there's still a lot I want to get done, but...where do you draw the line? it's a wonder how better things look after a good night sleep.

We met Lucie and her friend Bev for breakfast this morning, before heading to the office so Joe could drop some stuff off...we were in the neighbourhood AND he's planning on taking the bike in Monday so...

We did some more puttering around the yard, cleaned out the sheds, got permission to Freecycle the reel push mower we borrowed - I posted it and have a potential candidate for Monday after supper!

Cody is feeling better...she wasn't chasing after the ball all winter but now the hot tub is up and running, she thinks she's a puppy. That's the good & bad news....we extended a flower bed to go past the tub area...and she' running through my tulips for the ball! She's not exactly Tiny Tim but what do we do? Joe did put a board down over the bulbs...but as the stems emerge, I think it'll be a lost cause. Oh well, she is family.

It's going to be a busy week...lots of travel and then the weekend...and yes the golf course is JUST opened...we call on Thursday for a Saturday tee off time! Now to hope for good weather.

I'm awaiting word on my cousin Tanya who is in U of A hospital...hopefully she's on the mend.

Other than that, stay healthy and have a great week!

May 3rd and I feel so behind in everything!

Is it the fact we have a very busy summer approaching that may run into mid autumn?

We replaced the lawn mower & BBQ today. The mower got Freecycled...my favorite 'friend' replied almost instantly and I just wanted it gone from the yard. He
s good at picking up ...I think he may be the type that runs yard sales all year round, but at this point, I don't care.

Joe got the tub up and running...we need to order a new top after we get the correct measurements and perhaps do a little comparison shopping. Like everything else, they went up in price.

We got new bed rails to replace the 33" ones we had. The bed is now a respectably 28"...no nose bleeds from being so close to the ceiling!

As for the rest of the day, I didn't finish much but I sure was busy...wish busy was synonymous for productive...but it doesn't fit today.

I was just running through my Sunday when the phone rang...Lucie is town...I had forgotten and we are meeting for breakfast. I think I'm heading off to bed before I fall down and can't get up!

Sleep tight everyone!

Busy street!

This morning I seen a 'gaggle' (what is the collective word for lots of these...that aren't in a car lot!) of limos driving into town! Our local high school is having their graduation today and the prom tonight. I hope not to hear any horror news stories in the morning. They've been quite good, having safe grads etc.

On my way to recycle, our 4 way stop corner was quite congested. People standing on the side of the road, chatting with writing instruments, cars parked along to road, some precisely, others, not so much. Oh I should also mention the presence of a certain unpopular guy standing behind the portable radar gun!!!!! They were tagging folks going too fast through the school zone. Keep up the great work.

Outside, lots of racket from the neighbours...they are having their back deck ripped up and replaced! I'm glad it wasn't warm or dry enough to hang my clothes out to dry...sawdust everywhere!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Water & Freecycle

Update...just got this photo from Aunt Betty...no explanation needed!





1. I have to extend our good thoughts, vibes, prayers, whatever you want to call it, to our family & friends affected by the flooding of the Saint John river. Here I was feeling sorry for myself after a day and a half of rain and cold when I was high and dry inside with the furnace on and a cup of hot tea! I just learned that cousin Dave & Jo-Anne are cut off their power, internet. Not sure how close the water is to the house. My friend Cathey's home if cut off from the outside world on both sides of the road. She still has internet and power but for how long?! She claims to have seen a fish in their water swollen front ditch...but she didn't get a photo!

2. I did more purging etc yesterday...lots of paper shredded. Joe came home unexpectedly - I didn't get back to it after supper. He's such a distraction...in a nice way of course! I pulled out dry erase board to Freecycle along with some labels I'm not going to use. Well what do I do...do I give this to the first one who responds? He's tagged me twice before for stuff...I think he lives on Freecycle! I swear I haven't posted it 5 minutes before I got tagged. He knows where to pick the stuff up but I want to give someone a chance...I know I have NEVER gotten anything I've gone after.

3. Looks like a busy weekend ahead. Seems our BBQ has seen better days...some rust issues, but we were very pleased with the Flav-wave system as opposed to lava rock or ceramic bricks.
We'll also get the mower out and give it the once over. We did a mini tune up lat year and it worked great but...seems this is year 10 for the beast! I'd rather replace it on my terms than to have it die the day before company arrives!

4. We'll also be breaking the water budget by starting the hot tub. Joey called to ask if our snow was gone...and if so would there be water in the tub next weekend. How can you not comply with that request! He's also got other huge plans for him, Alex and the rest of us. In a day and a half he wants to swim, golf, bowl and maybe sleep a bit! I hope we are ready for a busy weekend of fun & games.