June 27th - Sat - 100 Mile House
Don’t know what is going on - we got another day off today and went to the Williams Lake Stampede. We left just before 10, got a close parking spot and went to see what was happening. Chariot races were nearly over so we got grandstand tickets that were reserved seating and good for all day. After the chariot races we watched pony chuck wagon qualifying races. They ended about 11:30 and we thought we would wander around and get lunch. Turns out there were only a dozen vendor booths and nothing else to do so we drove the short ways into town and had lunch.
Terry had to park much farther away when we returned. We were just in time for the rodeo which started at 1:00. All the usual rodeo events which were very organized and moved right along. In the rodeo intermission there were pony chuck wagon races. After the rodeo, there was an event called a “ranch challenge” where 10 ranches formed 3 person teams and competed in cattle cutting and wild horse racing. We only stayed for the first round of cattle cutting by all 10 teams and then headed to the casino.
By now it was 5:30 (a long time on hard benches with no backs!) and the casino was very busy with so many people in town for the stampede. It took about an hour for Terry, Marg & I to lose $20 each.
Marg & I made a plan so when we got home she did chores, I started dinner and Terry made drinks.
June 28th - Sun - 100 Mile House
Back to work! We switched to taking out trees behind the shop where Marg wants to build the new storage shed. Terry used a ladder to tie a rope to most of the trees to “persuade” them to fall where they wanted them. Worked very well. We hauled off all the limbs & small trees and towed several trees to the wood cutting area.
After lunch, we started building the storage shed. Of course the spot where we wanted a concrete block had huge tree roots. We moved somewhat but Marg finally had to get the chain saw to get rid of some roots. We got the floor built and called it a day.
After dinner, Marg & I took the ATV to set a snare at a spot where she noticed a trail under the electric fence - probably from a coyote.
June 29th - Mon - 100 Mile House
Marg & I locked the sheep in last night so we could count them this morning. Seem to be missing one ewe and 3 lambs. Friends Francis & Nicole stopped by for a bit and then we worked on the storage shed which is supposed to be our “reward” for clearing trees. Sounds a little weird when more work is the reward for working!
After lunch we had to go back to cleaning up trees by the barn. We felled all the trees that were leaning towards the barn and then Marg & Terry really went to work just behind the barn and got rid of all the dead, leaning and broken trees in a small area. We picked up all the branches and raked up all the little pieces since it is pasture.
Marg, Terry & I took the ATVs to check on the snare (no coyote) and Marg showed Terry a trail that she wants cleared so she can go cross country skiing in the winter.
No afternoon rain today.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
June 23rd to 26th - 100 Mile House
June 23rd - Tues - 100 Mile House
More work in the woods this morning. We have quite a few logs now in the area where we will cut them up later for firewood.
In the afternoon, Dad & I finished the trim on the barn bird houses. Then Terry joined us and we put together a box to be used for transporting bottles of wine from a wine shop. Wine is expensive in Canada so a lot of people buy kits and then use the facilities at a wine shop to make their own wine. A friend of Marg’s was using cardboard boxes to carry her wine so Marg & Dad made 3 boxes that carry 12 bottles each. We discovered that not all the pieces were cut so we will have to finish the box another day.
June 24th - Wed - 100 Mile House
Cool, windy, rainy morning so we finished putting together the wine carrier box. Then we loaded up Marg’s truck with all the stuff sitting around that needed to go to the garbage dump and made that trip. Dad picked up a pair of cross country skis in the “too good to toss” shack that he will use to build a sled.
Marg was home when we got back so we wandered around a bit to show her our progress on various projects. After lunch I helped Marg empty the motor home and got some laundry going after Marg found the filter on the cold water hose that was keeping the washing machine from filling properly.
Marg & I went golfing with the ladies’ league and then had dinner at the golf course restaurant. Terry went to KFC to pick up dinner for him & Dad. He figures they use banty chickens here as the pieces were so small!!
June 25th - Thurs - 100 Mile House
Marg made phone calls, caught up on mail and tended to the garden which I had neglected a bit before she joined the rest of us in the woods. Terry dropped a tree on the “emergency” outhouse. Luckily it was a small tree and didn’t do any damage. After lunch we moved slightly to take down some trees that were either leaning over a fence or towards a barn. Marg maneuvered the tractor to support the tree on the forks of the loader and Terry cut down the tree. Worked great - no damaged fences or barn thanks to Marg‘s expert tractor driving. We picked up 3 loads of debris and called it quits so we could clean up to go to dinner.
It was friend Francis’ birthday today and his wife Nicole invited us and friends Al & Cecile over for dinner. Good friends, good food - what more can you ask?! I rarely use the expression but dessert was a rum cake “to die for”.
June 26th - Fri - 100 Mile House
We took a break today and went to the Farmer’s Market in town this morning. Dad really enjoys a band that plays there occasionally but they weren’t there today. There were quit a few vendors and the sun was shining so we enjoyed wandering around. Next a stop to get Dad’s blood test done and then on to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the feed store and the lumber mill for some 2x4s and some free “scrap” ½ x 6 inch boards.
After a late lunch we intended to hit the logging again but first had to sharpen & gas up the chain saws. While Marg was doing that, Terry started cleaning out a storage shed under 2 fuel tanks on a stand. The plan is to move the tanks and build a storage shed in its place. Since it was all cleaned out, Marg got the tractor and moved the stand & tanks to a place where it is easier to access & load when we find someone who wants it. Next we had to repair the platform that fits on the tractor forks. We ended up replacing the whole back portion which took us right up to chore time and happy hour.
More work in the woods this morning. We have quite a few logs now in the area where we will cut them up later for firewood.
In the afternoon, Dad & I finished the trim on the barn bird houses. Then Terry joined us and we put together a box to be used for transporting bottles of wine from a wine shop. Wine is expensive in Canada so a lot of people buy kits and then use the facilities at a wine shop to make their own wine. A friend of Marg’s was using cardboard boxes to carry her wine so Marg & Dad made 3 boxes that carry 12 bottles each. We discovered that not all the pieces were cut so we will have to finish the box another day.
June 24th - Wed - 100 Mile House
Cool, windy, rainy morning so we finished putting together the wine carrier box. Then we loaded up Marg’s truck with all the stuff sitting around that needed to go to the garbage dump and made that trip. Dad picked up a pair of cross country skis in the “too good to toss” shack that he will use to build a sled.
Marg was home when we got back so we wandered around a bit to show her our progress on various projects. After lunch I helped Marg empty the motor home and got some laundry going after Marg found the filter on the cold water hose that was keeping the washing machine from filling properly.
Marg & I went golfing with the ladies’ league and then had dinner at the golf course restaurant. Terry went to KFC to pick up dinner for him & Dad. He figures they use banty chickens here as the pieces were so small!!
June 25th - Thurs - 100 Mile House
Marg made phone calls, caught up on mail and tended to the garden which I had neglected a bit before she joined the rest of us in the woods. Terry dropped a tree on the “emergency” outhouse. Luckily it was a small tree and didn’t do any damage. After lunch we moved slightly to take down some trees that were either leaning over a fence or towards a barn. Marg maneuvered the tractor to support the tree on the forks of the loader and Terry cut down the tree. Worked great - no damaged fences or barn thanks to Marg‘s expert tractor driving. We picked up 3 loads of debris and called it quits so we could clean up to go to dinner.
It was friend Francis’ birthday today and his wife Nicole invited us and friends Al & Cecile over for dinner. Good friends, good food - what more can you ask?! I rarely use the expression but dessert was a rum cake “to die for”.
June 26th - Fri - 100 Mile House
We took a break today and went to the Farmer’s Market in town this morning. Dad really enjoys a band that plays there occasionally but they weren’t there today. There were quit a few vendors and the sun was shining so we enjoyed wandering around. Next a stop to get Dad’s blood test done and then on to the grocery store, the pharmacy, the feed store and the lumber mill for some 2x4s and some free “scrap” ½ x 6 inch boards.
After a late lunch we intended to hit the logging again but first had to sharpen & gas up the chain saws. While Marg was doing that, Terry started cleaning out a storage shed under 2 fuel tanks on a stand. The plan is to move the tanks and build a storage shed in its place. Since it was all cleaned out, Marg got the tractor and moved the stand & tanks to a place where it is easier to access & load when we find someone who wants it. Next we had to repair the platform that fits on the tractor forks. We ended up replacing the whole back portion which took us right up to chore time and happy hour.
Monday, June 22, 2009
June 19th to 22nd - 100 Mile House
June 19th - Fri - 100 Mile House
A change today with rain in the morning instead of the afternoon. So we worked in the shop in the morning and went logging in the afternoon. This is getting to be a little repetitive and probably boring for our readers but it is too much hard work to be boring for us!
June 20th - Sat - 100 Mile House
Cool, very slightly drizzly morning - perfect for more logging. We have a huge pile to be burned in the fall, preferably after a snow fall so it doesn’t get away. My niece Katrina (brother Bob’s daughter), her daughter Robbie and her aunt Brita are coming today to spend the night on their way to Pemberton and Salmon Arm respectively. So I did some cleaning and changed bedding in preparation.
We were expecting them for dinner but Katrina called just before 6 to say they were still an hour away so we went ahead and ate.
Robbie is just over 2 months old. Dad was so looking forward to holding his first great-grandchild. Robbie was not too co-operative about being held after a full day in the car seat but Dad & Robbie cooed and laughed at each other.
June 21st - Sun - 100 Mile House
Katrina wanted banty chicken eggs for breakfast so I made bacon, eggs & fried potatoes. I gave Brita a brief tour on the ATV and they left about 10:30. We headed for the woods and put in a couple of hours before lunch.
Dad had the bright idea of cleaning up an area behind the shop. We ended up with a full load of sticks and a partial load that he will dump tomorrow before going back to the real logging. Dad & I started working on some log cabin bird houses until there were too many questions that needed Marg so we switched to a couple of red, hip roof barn style bird houses. They need trim for doors & windows so we got out an itty bitty chop saw and got part of it done. Terry finished the final fitting on the TV cabinet and got most of it glued and nailed.
I intended to do my blog tonight but got hooked on one of the computer games that Terry has been playing and just didn’t get anything else done.
June 22nd - Mon - 100 Mile House
Put a load of laundry in before we went logging. Put in 3 ½ hours and 5 tractor loads before our bodies said “enough!”. Terry misjudged the direction of a tree that he was falling so we had to spend some time dragging it with the tractor and a chain to get it to fall past the tree & old stump that it landed on.
We gave Buck (horse) and Snow (donkey) a treat and tethered them out to eat grass for a change. They are normally in the corral as Buck cannot handle much grass.
After lunch we cleaned up and went to town to get some trim for our TV shelf, take Dad for his monthly blood test and stop at the grocery store. Turned out Dad needed a new special blue card which we did not have so he couldn’t get his blood testing done.
Dad & I then spent some time in the shop putting trim on the barn style bird houses while Terry worked on the TV cabinet. It is looking good!
Chores, dinner, TV, crossword puzzles - the regular.
A change today with rain in the morning instead of the afternoon. So we worked in the shop in the morning and went logging in the afternoon. This is getting to be a little repetitive and probably boring for our readers but it is too much hard work to be boring for us!
June 20th - Sat - 100 Mile House
Cool, very slightly drizzly morning - perfect for more logging. We have a huge pile to be burned in the fall, preferably after a snow fall so it doesn’t get away. My niece Katrina (brother Bob’s daughter), her daughter Robbie and her aunt Brita are coming today to spend the night on their way to Pemberton and Salmon Arm respectively. So I did some cleaning and changed bedding in preparation.
We were expecting them for dinner but Katrina called just before 6 to say they were still an hour away so we went ahead and ate.
Robbie is just over 2 months old. Dad was so looking forward to holding his first great-grandchild. Robbie was not too co-operative about being held after a full day in the car seat but Dad & Robbie cooed and laughed at each other.
June 21st - Sun - 100 Mile House
Katrina wanted banty chicken eggs for breakfast so I made bacon, eggs & fried potatoes. I gave Brita a brief tour on the ATV and they left about 10:30. We headed for the woods and put in a couple of hours before lunch.
Dad had the bright idea of cleaning up an area behind the shop. We ended up with a full load of sticks and a partial load that he will dump tomorrow before going back to the real logging. Dad & I started working on some log cabin bird houses until there were too many questions that needed Marg so we switched to a couple of red, hip roof barn style bird houses. They need trim for doors & windows so we got out an itty bitty chop saw and got part of it done. Terry finished the final fitting on the TV cabinet and got most of it glued and nailed.
I intended to do my blog tonight but got hooked on one of the computer games that Terry has been playing and just didn’t get anything else done.
June 22nd - Mon - 100 Mile House
Put a load of laundry in before we went logging. Put in 3 ½ hours and 5 tractor loads before our bodies said “enough!”. Terry misjudged the direction of a tree that he was falling so we had to spend some time dragging it with the tractor and a chain to get it to fall past the tree & old stump that it landed on.
We gave Buck (horse) and Snow (donkey) a treat and tethered them out to eat grass for a change. They are normally in the corral as Buck cannot handle much grass.
After lunch we cleaned up and went to town to get some trim for our TV shelf, take Dad for his monthly blood test and stop at the grocery store. Turned out Dad needed a new special blue card which we did not have so he couldn’t get his blood testing done.
Dad & I then spent some time in the shop putting trim on the barn style bird houses while Terry worked on the TV cabinet. It is looking good!
Chores, dinner, TV, crossword puzzles - the regular.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
June 16th to 18th - 100 Mile House
June 16th - Tues - 100 Mile House
Back to our logging project his morning while it was still cool. We didn’t stay cool for long though - this is hard work. My arms are covered with scratches & bruises and the mosquitoes love Terry. Dad hangs in there with us driving the tractor and then the 4 wheeler when we drag a couple of logs to the area to cut up later for firewood. We quit before lunch as it was getting too warm and we were getting too tired.
The cable TV has been acting up so a technician came today to see what was wrong. A couple of big trees are interfering with the signal, especially when the wind blows the branches. He replaced a part on the satellite dish, realigned it a bit and it hasn’t had a problem since.
We crossed off an item on our to-do list by insulating and covering an old door opening on the shop to help the heater keep it warm in the winter.
We have a project of our own in the 5th wheel. We are adding shelves to the big TV cabinet since we got rid of our old, large TV and have a smaller LCD model. Terry bought wood yesterday and got started on it today. Rain again this afternoon. The grass may catch up to the sheep if this keeps up.
Couldn’t drag Terry away from computer games tonight. He didn’t give up until he beat Marg’s score at midnight.
June 17th - Wed - 100 Mile House
We got a call that the electric fencer was repaired so we picked it up & installed it. Then we had to check the whole fence to make sure all the sections had enough charge to keep the sheep in. The pastures that the sheep were grazing were running out of grass so we had to get them into a bigger area. Everything went well (Marg had repaired the fence earlier before the fencer quit) so we opened different gates for the sheep.
After lunch we hit the tree cleaning up project. We had to make an opening for the tractor into a different section so we wouldn’t have to carry debris so far to load on the tractor. Luckily there were trees that needed to be removed and we got through. After a couple hours of hard work, Terry noticed some really black clouds and suggested that we get all the gear and ourselves under cover before the rain hit. Just in time! We ran for the porch where we sat and watched hail & rain and listened to thunder. I was supposed to play golf but I don’t start a round when it is raining. Also, the temperature dropped many degrees with the rain and I get cranky playing golf when I am cold!
Then the usual evening routine of chores, dinner & relaxation.
June 18th - Thurs - 100 Mile House.
A haircut for Terry this morning and then we worked on our TV cabinet until we had to take Dad for a hearing appointment at 11. Terry ran some errands while I waited for Dad. It ended up taking over an hour for his hearing tests. We went to a couple of stores and then had A&W hamburgers for lunch.
When we returned, Terry continued working on the TV cabinet shelves. We barely had time to think about getting back to the “logging” when the afternoon thunder started rumbling and changed our minds. Sure enough, more welcome rain. We puttered around some more, retrieved the sheets that I had washed and made the bed, did the chores and then headed inside for happy hour, dinner & TV. Also computer games for Terry - he is hooked on trying to beat Marg’s scores on her games.
Back to our logging project his morning while it was still cool. We didn’t stay cool for long though - this is hard work. My arms are covered with scratches & bruises and the mosquitoes love Terry. Dad hangs in there with us driving the tractor and then the 4 wheeler when we drag a couple of logs to the area to cut up later for firewood. We quit before lunch as it was getting too warm and we were getting too tired.
The cable TV has been acting up so a technician came today to see what was wrong. A couple of big trees are interfering with the signal, especially when the wind blows the branches. He replaced a part on the satellite dish, realigned it a bit and it hasn’t had a problem since.
We crossed off an item on our to-do list by insulating and covering an old door opening on the shop to help the heater keep it warm in the winter.
We have a project of our own in the 5th wheel. We are adding shelves to the big TV cabinet since we got rid of our old, large TV and have a smaller LCD model. Terry bought wood yesterday and got started on it today. Rain again this afternoon. The grass may catch up to the sheep if this keeps up.
Couldn’t drag Terry away from computer games tonight. He didn’t give up until he beat Marg’s score at midnight.
June 17th - Wed - 100 Mile House
We got a call that the electric fencer was repaired so we picked it up & installed it. Then we had to check the whole fence to make sure all the sections had enough charge to keep the sheep in. The pastures that the sheep were grazing were running out of grass so we had to get them into a bigger area. Everything went well (Marg had repaired the fence earlier before the fencer quit) so we opened different gates for the sheep.
After lunch we hit the tree cleaning up project. We had to make an opening for the tractor into a different section so we wouldn’t have to carry debris so far to load on the tractor. Luckily there were trees that needed to be removed and we got through. After a couple hours of hard work, Terry noticed some really black clouds and suggested that we get all the gear and ourselves under cover before the rain hit. Just in time! We ran for the porch where we sat and watched hail & rain and listened to thunder. I was supposed to play golf but I don’t start a round when it is raining. Also, the temperature dropped many degrees with the rain and I get cranky playing golf when I am cold!
Then the usual evening routine of chores, dinner & relaxation.
June 18th - Thurs - 100 Mile House.
A haircut for Terry this morning and then we worked on our TV cabinet until we had to take Dad for a hearing appointment at 11. Terry ran some errands while I waited for Dad. It ended up taking over an hour for his hearing tests. We went to a couple of stores and then had A&W hamburgers for lunch.
When we returned, Terry continued working on the TV cabinet shelves. We barely had time to think about getting back to the “logging” when the afternoon thunder started rumbling and changed our minds. Sure enough, more welcome rain. We puttered around some more, retrieved the sheets that I had washed and made the bed, did the chores and then headed inside for happy hour, dinner & TV. Also computer games for Terry - he is hooked on trying to beat Marg’s scores on her games.
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 14th to 15th - 100 Mile House
June 14th - Sun - 100 Mile House
Marg has a short list of projects to keep us busy so we got going on one this morning. Last winter there was a bad ice storm that made a mess of the trees on the farm. A lot of trees have the tops broken off and many are bent over and will break with snow next winter. So they all need to be cut down and removed. There are also dead standing trees, fallen trees and scrub trees to remove. We had 2 chain saws, 2 ATVs and the tractor and kept them all working. Marg & Terry felled & cut up trees. We had to tie ropes to some trees to persuade them to fall away from fences. We loaded branches & junk on the front end loader on the tractor, drove a short way around the house and created a pile to burn in the fall when the fire danger is not high. Logs suitable for firewood were dragged to an area to be cut up later.
We took a lunch break and went back at it. We stopped about 3:30 so we could shower and make dinner for friends Francis & Nicole. Evening chores are minimal right now and I got a lesson from Marg on what needs to be done. We had a nice dinner and visit with Francis & Nicole. Everyone except Marg was falling asleep by 9.
June 15th - Mon - 100 Mile House
Counted bruises and sore muscles today!!
Marg left for a week long vacation this morning. I sent my cell phone with her as I feel like I might need to call her - not much time for instructions.
We went back to the tree cleaning up project. We got a lot done - Terry on the chainsaw & heavy lifting, Dad driving the tractor to dump the loads of trees & branches and me picking up & loading the tractor. We decided to quit about 11:45 as it was getting quite warm and we were all tiring. We thought at the time that we might do some more when it cooled down but that didn’t happen.
After lunch Dad & Terry went on a farm tour and then we started on another item on our to-do list - replacing screen in a screen door. We tore off all the wood slats & screen and then discovered that the roll of screen was only enough for the bottom - guess Marg figured the top was OK! We had a couple of other errands so we made a trip to town - bank, grocery store, feed store, building supply store and glass shop for screen.
We finished repairing the screen door and it was time for chores and dinner. There was thunder rumbling during the afternoon with some showers and then a short downpour while I was doing chores.
Marg has a short list of projects to keep us busy so we got going on one this morning. Last winter there was a bad ice storm that made a mess of the trees on the farm. A lot of trees have the tops broken off and many are bent over and will break with snow next winter. So they all need to be cut down and removed. There are also dead standing trees, fallen trees and scrub trees to remove. We had 2 chain saws, 2 ATVs and the tractor and kept them all working. Marg & Terry felled & cut up trees. We had to tie ropes to some trees to persuade them to fall away from fences. We loaded branches & junk on the front end loader on the tractor, drove a short way around the house and created a pile to burn in the fall when the fire danger is not high. Logs suitable for firewood were dragged to an area to be cut up later.
We took a lunch break and went back at it. We stopped about 3:30 so we could shower and make dinner for friends Francis & Nicole. Evening chores are minimal right now and I got a lesson from Marg on what needs to be done. We had a nice dinner and visit with Francis & Nicole. Everyone except Marg was falling asleep by 9.
June 15th - Mon - 100 Mile House
Counted bruises and sore muscles today!!
Marg left for a week long vacation this morning. I sent my cell phone with her as I feel like I might need to call her - not much time for instructions.
We went back to the tree cleaning up project. We got a lot done - Terry on the chainsaw & heavy lifting, Dad driving the tractor to dump the loads of trees & branches and me picking up & loading the tractor. We decided to quit about 11:45 as it was getting quite warm and we were all tiring. We thought at the time that we might do some more when it cooled down but that didn’t happen.
After lunch Dad & Terry went on a farm tour and then we started on another item on our to-do list - replacing screen in a screen door. We tore off all the wood slats & screen and then discovered that the roll of screen was only enough for the bottom - guess Marg figured the top was OK! We had a couple of other errands so we made a trip to town - bank, grocery store, feed store, building supply store and glass shop for screen.
We finished repairing the screen door and it was time for chores and dinner. There was thunder rumbling during the afternoon with some showers and then a short downpour while I was doing chores.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
June 10th to 13th - Spokane to 100 Mile House, BC
June 10th - Wed - Spokane
Today is EllaMae’s birthday but we will be waiting until Cindy is here to celebrate it tomorrow. Gary came over for lunch and showed us some of his wonderful waterfowl (and eagle) pictures. We picked up our mail and were surprised to see that my driver’s license (with EllaMae’s address) was sent to our mail box.
Bill & Georgia had us over for dinner this evening. We had so much catching up to do that we didn’t even play Sequence.
June 11th - Thurs - Spokane
Cindy, Don & EllaMae went to the casino at Worley after breakfast this morning. We returned items to the 5th wheel in preparation for leaving early tomorrow and then went to have lunch with friends Dan & Dottie. We visited for a while more after lunch and then came back to finish laundry and packing up. We are not sure if Marg will have her water pump repaired so figured we better wash all dirty clothes.
At 5 we all went to Skip & Kathy’s for dinner to celebrate EllaMae’s birthday. Gary & Suzanne were also there. We had drinks & snacks and then played Ladder Golf - the outdoor game where golf balls on the ends of pieces of rope are thrown at a “ladder” in an attempt to wrap the rope around a rung.
The car was loaded more heavily on the way home after a nice dinner and birthday cake!
June 12th - Fri - to Logan Lake, BC
We left at 5:20 for the 8 hour drive to Logan Lake where we will stay overnight with my cousin Pat & her husband Rick. Uneventful drive - easy customs stop, breakfast in Headley, lovely weather. Pat arranged a get together with 4 other couples that we have met previously. 3 couples live in Logan Lake (Lynden & Charlie, Ian & Pat, Don & Joanne), the other couple was Claude & Val who we met up with earlier this year in Tucson.
I helped Pat with some food prep for the party, we made a quick trip to town for a few items and stopped to see Pat’s daughter’s (Morgan) condo. Terry & Rick took a little walk followed by naps to prepare for the party.
It was great seeing everyone again and we all had a good time. Too much food and lots of laughs.
June 13th - Sat - to 100 Mile House
It was great to sleep in our own bed last night! Pat made breakfast this morning to give us fuel for the just over 2 hour trip to Marg’s (sister) in 100 Mile House. We stopped for diesel and then at the sani station in town to dump and fill our water tank. Arrived at Marg’s just in time to set up before lunch.
We only had time for a little looking around the farm before a couple (George & Helen Purden) who knew my parents stopped in for a visit. By the time they left it was time for a few quick chores and dinner.
Marg has satellite internet and a router so I have a wifi connection while we are here - very nice.
Today is EllaMae’s birthday but we will be waiting until Cindy is here to celebrate it tomorrow. Gary came over for lunch and showed us some of his wonderful waterfowl (and eagle) pictures. We picked up our mail and were surprised to see that my driver’s license (with EllaMae’s address) was sent to our mail box.
Bill & Georgia had us over for dinner this evening. We had so much catching up to do that we didn’t even play Sequence.
June 11th - Thurs - Spokane
Cindy, Don & EllaMae went to the casino at Worley after breakfast this morning. We returned items to the 5th wheel in preparation for leaving early tomorrow and then went to have lunch with friends Dan & Dottie. We visited for a while more after lunch and then came back to finish laundry and packing up. We are not sure if Marg will have her water pump repaired so figured we better wash all dirty clothes.
At 5 we all went to Skip & Kathy’s for dinner to celebrate EllaMae’s birthday. Gary & Suzanne were also there. We had drinks & snacks and then played Ladder Golf - the outdoor game where golf balls on the ends of pieces of rope are thrown at a “ladder” in an attempt to wrap the rope around a rung.
The car was loaded more heavily on the way home after a nice dinner and birthday cake!
June 12th - Fri - to Logan Lake, BC
We left at 5:20 for the 8 hour drive to Logan Lake where we will stay overnight with my cousin Pat & her husband Rick. Uneventful drive - easy customs stop, breakfast in Headley, lovely weather. Pat arranged a get together with 4 other couples that we have met previously. 3 couples live in Logan Lake (Lynden & Charlie, Ian & Pat, Don & Joanne), the other couple was Claude & Val who we met up with earlier this year in Tucson.
I helped Pat with some food prep for the party, we made a quick trip to town for a few items and stopped to see Pat’s daughter’s (Morgan) condo. Terry & Rick took a little walk followed by naps to prepare for the party.
It was great seeing everyone again and we all had a good time. Too much food and lots of laughs.
June 13th - Sat - to 100 Mile House
It was great to sleep in our own bed last night! Pat made breakfast this morning to give us fuel for the just over 2 hour trip to Marg’s (sister) in 100 Mile House. We stopped for diesel and then at the sani station in town to dump and fill our water tank. Arrived at Marg’s just in time to set up before lunch.
We only had time for a little looking around the farm before a couple (George & Helen Purden) who knew my parents stopped in for a visit. By the time they left it was time for a few quick chores and dinner.
Marg has satellite internet and a router so I have a wifi connection while we are here - very nice.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
June 7th to 9th - Spokane
June 7th - Sun - Spokane
I took a turn making breakfast this morning. My sister Marg was supposed to accompany a friend to Ft St John for a few days but when I spoke with her this morning she said her water pump quit so she could not leave Dad & a “sitter” with no water and no electric fence. She knew the water had a problem and had made an appointment but the earliest she could get a plumber was Thursday. Cindy left about 10:30 to fly home to Portland.
EllaMae has an electronic picture frame that Terry’s brother Harry had loaded with pictures. He suggested that I add some of our pictures so I edited some that were on the chip and then added some of ours - a time consuming job followed by a late lunch.
We had made tentative plans to meet Bill & Georgia for dinner but Georgia’s Mom was not doing well so we decided to go to the Coeur d’Alene Casino for a while. I won a few dollars which kept me going until we took a break for dinner. We split the Southern Fried Steak dinner and it is so large that I could not finish my half and Terry was too full from his half to eat more of mine. The casino finally ate our “allowance”.
Georgia’s Mom passed away this evening.
June 8th - Mon - Spokane
A couple of errands this morning. The first sewing machine place did not have my bobbin case so he sent us to another store closer to town. On the way, we stopped to chat with friend Gary in his carpet store. Got the bobbin case and the very nice clerk checked out the needle threader and told me what I might have been doing wrong when it didn’t work.
After lunch, we tried a couple of places to get an oil change and ended up getting it done in Liberty Lake. Back to EllaMae’s for dinner & a quiet TV evening.
June 9th - Tues - Spokane
Skip & Kathy stopped by for a visit this morning. We went on a short shopping trip and returned just in time for lunch. Suzanne (Terry’s sister-in-law) came over to do some paperwork and we had a nice visit with her. Terry was antsy so after dinner we went to Northern Quest casino. Didn’t cost much this time for a full evening of gambling.
I took a turn making breakfast this morning. My sister Marg was supposed to accompany a friend to Ft St John for a few days but when I spoke with her this morning she said her water pump quit so she could not leave Dad & a “sitter” with no water and no electric fence. She knew the water had a problem and had made an appointment but the earliest she could get a plumber was Thursday. Cindy left about 10:30 to fly home to Portland.
EllaMae has an electronic picture frame that Terry’s brother Harry had loaded with pictures. He suggested that I add some of our pictures so I edited some that were on the chip and then added some of ours - a time consuming job followed by a late lunch.
We had made tentative plans to meet Bill & Georgia for dinner but Georgia’s Mom was not doing well so we decided to go to the Coeur d’Alene Casino for a while. I won a few dollars which kept me going until we took a break for dinner. We split the Southern Fried Steak dinner and it is so large that I could not finish my half and Terry was too full from his half to eat more of mine. The casino finally ate our “allowance”.
Georgia’s Mom passed away this evening.
June 8th - Mon - Spokane
A couple of errands this morning. The first sewing machine place did not have my bobbin case so he sent us to another store closer to town. On the way, we stopped to chat with friend Gary in his carpet store. Got the bobbin case and the very nice clerk checked out the needle threader and told me what I might have been doing wrong when it didn’t work.
After lunch, we tried a couple of places to get an oil change and ended up getting it done in Liberty Lake. Back to EllaMae’s for dinner & a quiet TV evening.
June 9th - Tues - Spokane
Skip & Kathy stopped by for a visit this morning. We went on a short shopping trip and returned just in time for lunch. Suzanne (Terry’s sister-in-law) came over to do some paperwork and we had a nice visit with her. Terry was antsy so after dinner we went to Northern Quest casino. Didn’t cost much this time for a full evening of gambling.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
June 4th to 6th - Spokane
June 4th - Thurs - Spokane
Cindy arrived last night (after I posted my blog) for her weekly 4 days to look after her Mom.
We played golf at Fairways CG this morning with good friends Mike & Mary. Weather was beautiful, the course was in good shape and the company was super - but they made us look like the duffers that we are. Then on to lunch at Northern Quest casino which is undergoing a huge expansion and remodeling. Of course we all had to try out the slot machines after lunch.
We got back in time for a nice dinner prepared by Cindy and Don.
June 5th - Fri - Spokane
We took the 5th wheel in for the slide adjustments. Made a short trip to a nearby WalMart, returned to find out & approve what needed to be done and then went to Northern Quest casino to pass the time until it was done. I lost my allowance but Terry managed to win enough to get us back to even. We had lunch there before picking up the 5th wheel. We were really happy with the work that was done and felt that the price was reasonable.
Phone calls back & forth with Marg today as her electric fence quit. We were trying to figure out if we could get a new energizer for her here.
The ball game went to 10 innings tonight before the Mariners lost.
June 6th - Sat - Spokane
Terry & I went searching for a roll-up blind for Don & EllaMae’s patio. The late afternoon sun shines under the end of the roof so it is too bright and hot to enjoy dinner on the patio. We finally found exactly what we were looking for at Lowe’s. During our shopping, we bumped into friends Dale & Patsy and stood in the aisle at Home Depot and chatted for a while. A short stop at Costco (including a hot dog) and we headed back. Decided to check out a new WinCo grocery store - nice store with good prices but some people don’t like bagging their own groceries.
Terry & I installed the blind - works great. I decided that I had to get the other 2 zippers done on Terry’s short so I ripped out the old zippers while we all watched the end of a movie. Managed to get the zippers done before dinner. But as I was trying to mend some jeans, the thread snarled up. The bobbin case pulled out when I was getting the thread out and it has a piece broken out of it. Don’t know if it just happened but we have to get it fixed.
Sleepy group here this evening. Guys are snoozing in the living room and Cindy & EllaMae are getting a little shuteye while they are not talking to me at the dining room table.
Cindy arrived last night (after I posted my blog) for her weekly 4 days to look after her Mom.
We played golf at Fairways CG this morning with good friends Mike & Mary. Weather was beautiful, the course was in good shape and the company was super - but they made us look like the duffers that we are. Then on to lunch at Northern Quest casino which is undergoing a huge expansion and remodeling. Of course we all had to try out the slot machines after lunch.
We got back in time for a nice dinner prepared by Cindy and Don.
June 5th - Fri - Spokane
We took the 5th wheel in for the slide adjustments. Made a short trip to a nearby WalMart, returned to find out & approve what needed to be done and then went to Northern Quest casino to pass the time until it was done. I lost my allowance but Terry managed to win enough to get us back to even. We had lunch there before picking up the 5th wheel. We were really happy with the work that was done and felt that the price was reasonable.
Phone calls back & forth with Marg today as her electric fence quit. We were trying to figure out if we could get a new energizer for her here.
The ball game went to 10 innings tonight before the Mariners lost.
June 6th - Sat - Spokane
Terry & I went searching for a roll-up blind for Don & EllaMae’s patio. The late afternoon sun shines under the end of the roof so it is too bright and hot to enjoy dinner on the patio. We finally found exactly what we were looking for at Lowe’s. During our shopping, we bumped into friends Dale & Patsy and stood in the aisle at Home Depot and chatted for a while. A short stop at Costco (including a hot dog) and we headed back. Decided to check out a new WinCo grocery store - nice store with good prices but some people don’t like bagging their own groceries.
Terry & I installed the blind - works great. I decided that I had to get the other 2 zippers done on Terry’s short so I ripped out the old zippers while we all watched the end of a movie. Managed to get the zippers done before dinner. But as I was trying to mend some jeans, the thread snarled up. The bobbin case pulled out when I was getting the thread out and it has a piece broken out of it. Don’t know if it just happened but we have to get it fixed.
Sleepy group here this evening. Guys are snoozing in the living room and Cindy & EllaMae are getting a little shuteye while they are not talking to me at the dining room table.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
June 1st to 3rd - Spokane
June 1st - Mon - Spokane
We made our to-do list and started working on it today after a visit from Terry’s brother Skip and his wife Kathy. Driver’s license office was closed so couldn’t get that done. Got license tabs for the truck & 5th wheel, made a stop at Costco and went to an RV place to make an appointment to get the slides on the 5th wheel adjusted. While we were there we had to check out the Montana that has caught our eye - we’ll keep ours for a while.
Don had ribs boiling when we returned and I used leftover carrots & potatoes to put together an au gratin casserole for an easy dinner.
Don & EllaMae like to watch baseball so we are learning to commiserate with them when the Seattle Mariners blow yet another lead.
June 2nd - Tues - Spokane
I got an eye exam this morning and then spent 45 minutes waiting to get my driver’s license renewed. When we changed our address to our mail box 2 ½ years ago, 2 employees allowed Terry & I to use that address. This time, the guy who waited on me said that according to WA state law I had to have a physical address. When I said we lived in our RV he asked where it was and I told him it was parked on the street in front of my mother-in-law’s house. He asked for her address and I was surprised and unhappy to see that address on my temporary license. That means my new license will be mailed here and Don will have to forward it to us.
Visited a couple of stores, washed the truck and returned to the house. Don & I had sorted through the freezer and I used a “well aged” steak to make stroganoff while Don made a run to the grocery store.
Mariners won tonight!
June 3rd - Wed - Spokane
3 overripe bananas demanded to be used in muffins this morning. Then I had Terry haul in my sewing machine so I could replace zippers in 4 pairs of his shorts. They all have nylon zippers that split open at inopportune times. He loves the shorts and they are fairly new so I figured I would see what I could do. I was a bit of a pessimist and only bought one zipper so after I struggled through one replacement we made a trip to get the other 3 zippers.
Terry’s brother Gary came for lunch today which he does most Wednesdays. It was good to see him again. After lunch Don mowed the lawn, Terry trimmed with the weed eater and EllaMae & I sat in the shade and watched them work. But I took my turn later and trimmed some plants overhanging from the neighbor’s yard. Then I cussed my way through replacing another zipper.
We introduced Don & EllaMae to Frito Pie for dinner. I am blogging while the others watch another ball game.
The weather is lovely here right now. Breezy mornings, sunny all day. I am happy that we are sleeping in an air conditioned house.
We made our to-do list and started working on it today after a visit from Terry’s brother Skip and his wife Kathy. Driver’s license office was closed so couldn’t get that done. Got license tabs for the truck & 5th wheel, made a stop at Costco and went to an RV place to make an appointment to get the slides on the 5th wheel adjusted. While we were there we had to check out the Montana that has caught our eye - we’ll keep ours for a while.
Don had ribs boiling when we returned and I used leftover carrots & potatoes to put together an au gratin casserole for an easy dinner.
Don & EllaMae like to watch baseball so we are learning to commiserate with them when the Seattle Mariners blow yet another lead.
June 2nd - Tues - Spokane
I got an eye exam this morning and then spent 45 minutes waiting to get my driver’s license renewed. When we changed our address to our mail box 2 ½ years ago, 2 employees allowed Terry & I to use that address. This time, the guy who waited on me said that according to WA state law I had to have a physical address. When I said we lived in our RV he asked where it was and I told him it was parked on the street in front of my mother-in-law’s house. He asked for her address and I was surprised and unhappy to see that address on my temporary license. That means my new license will be mailed here and Don will have to forward it to us.
Visited a couple of stores, washed the truck and returned to the house. Don & I had sorted through the freezer and I used a “well aged” steak to make stroganoff while Don made a run to the grocery store.
Mariners won tonight!
June 3rd - Wed - Spokane
3 overripe bananas demanded to be used in muffins this morning. Then I had Terry haul in my sewing machine so I could replace zippers in 4 pairs of his shorts. They all have nylon zippers that split open at inopportune times. He loves the shorts and they are fairly new so I figured I would see what I could do. I was a bit of a pessimist and only bought one zipper so after I struggled through one replacement we made a trip to get the other 3 zippers.
Terry’s brother Gary came for lunch today which he does most Wednesdays. It was good to see him again. After lunch Don mowed the lawn, Terry trimmed with the weed eater and EllaMae & I sat in the shade and watched them work. But I took my turn later and trimmed some plants overhanging from the neighbor’s yard. Then I cussed my way through replacing another zipper.
We introduced Don & EllaMae to Frito Pie for dinner. I am blogging while the others watch another ball game.
The weather is lovely here right now. Breezy mornings, sunny all day. I am happy that we are sleeping in an air conditioned house.
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