June 24th – Fri
We picked up groceries and material for the shed this morning. First 2x10’s and 2x6’s, then trusses and metal roofing on top then we stopped for some paint and paint thinner. Terry & I unloaded all the material and then I helped Dad finish painting the old plow while Terry cleaned up the trailer.
After lunch we dismantled the outhouse and loaded it on the utility trailer. It rained a couple of times this morning but the lawns dried enough that we could mow. It was still threatening to rain again so we went full out with Terry on the mower and me on the weed eater doing the garden, between the house & greenhouse and the picnic area out back. It didn’t rain!!
June 25th – Sat
We took the outhouse to Rick this morning but he wasn’t there when we arrived. We walked down a hill to where he is situating his vacation place, walked back up and decided to come back later. We had just left his driveway when we passed him & 2 friends coming back so we turned around and went back. We were prepared to help them put the outhouse together but the spot for it wasn’t quite ready and they were looking for things to do so we unloaded it, headed back and unhooked the trailer.
We picked up Dad and went to Francis & Nicole’s to drop off their bags of sand/gravel and back to Rick’s to give him some nails and a door latch that we had forgotten.
Rick Tate (Pat’s husband) arrived in the late afternoon and Marg & Pat got home just after 5. We had a good evening hearing about Marg & Pat’s trip.
June 26th – Sun
Marg, Rick & Pat were going to go fishing but the weather didn’t look too promising so they decided to wait and go later or tomorrow. Marg & Pat unloaded and cleaned up the motor home and I got ambitious and mowed an area by the chicken house that was grown up at least a foot high with mostly weeds. Actually, Terry took over the mowing while I got the weed eater and trimmed it up. Terry got the gas weed eater and we cleaned up some grass under the electric fence as the reading was a little low. Then we took the ATV and unhooked a section of fence that had a lot of weeds and didn’t need to be electrified right now. That made a big difference in the strength of the fence. Terry went to town and washed the mud off the truck and then finished it up here.
Marg & I were out for a walk to check the sheep pasture when we saw a 5th wheel coming along the road. Our friends Terry & Judy Huber were supposed to call us so we could meet them and lead them to Marg’s but their phone wouldn’t work. Luckily, I had sent them instructions but unfortunately I said “Beechwood” instead of “Birchwood” so they were a little confused but found us. We got them situated, they set up and then joined us for happy hour & dinner.
We lit a fire out back in the firepit and made hamburgers on the BBQ. Hardier souls sat out until after 9 in one of the first warm evenings since we have been here.
June 27th – Mon
Quille dropped in for coffee and a short visit this morning while we were eating breakfast. Marg, Pat & Rick hooked up the boat and went fishing. Terry, Terry & Judy and I went for a drive to Mahood & Canim Falls. It was a beautiful walk to the falls and bug repellant kept us from getting eaten by mosquitoes. On the way back, we went to Howard Lake where the others were fishing. They had a little mishap and messed up the motor when launching the boat so Rick was rowing when we saw them. They only caught one fish which Marg delivered to Nicole.
We stopped at the house to take some lamb chops out of the freezer and then went to town where we first had a late lunch at A&W. Then we got some groceries, stopped at the tourist center and stopped at the drugstore for more bug spray.
By the time we got back it was nearly time for happy hour. Dad spent the day building & painting a little table to set drinks on at the picnic area.
Terry & Judy brought steaks & corn so we had a great dinner again. A bit later, Terry, Terry & Judy & I took the 2 ATV’s and made a tour around the farm.
June 28th – Tues
Terry & Judy and Rick & Pat left about 10. Marg took the boat motor to a friend to get it repaired while Terry & I removed some boards from the hay barn in preparation for the new shed. There were 2x10’s fastened on with Ardox nails (not meant to be removed) so Terry really had his work cut out for him. I don’t know how to run the tractor yet so he positioned the “scaffolding” on the forks and then climbed up to work which made him more tired as he had to keep moving it.
After lunch, Marg joined us to put on the 2x10’s which will support the trusses. They are rough-cut green boards so they are really heavy. We had to put on 2 layers with each layer secured with lag bolts. It took us all afternoon to put up 6 boards. Dad built another table for the picnic area.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
June 21st to 23rd - 100 Mile
June 21st – Tues
We need to put a mark on the calendar – today was the only day that we can remember in the last month where there was no rain!
We decided to golf in the morning rather than wait for a possible afternoon rain shower. There were very few people on the course so we didn’t have to wait behind anyone and we had a nice round and tied again – from the blue tees. We had told Dad to make himself lunch so we stopped for a burger on the way home.
Terry built the door for the outhouse and I helped Dad fix the wagon which broke when it slipped when he was trying to get it out the door and onto his ATV. Then I helped Terry with the door before calling it a day.
I decided to put Buck & Snow to graze a small area in front of the barn so Terry helped me put up 2 gate sections. I came out through a small gate with a hook-type latch and figured it was tough enough to latch that escape artist Buck couldn’t open it. Wrong!! I checked a couple of times and they were grazing nicely but after dinner the little gate was open, Snow was nearby and Buck was nowhere to be seen. I got grain, a halter and a rope and Terry & I took off on the ATV to find Buck. He was all the way over to the neighbors – in our field – visiting their horses. We weren’t successful in catching him. Terry finally swung the rope in frustration and Buck took off and ran all the way back to the barn and was looking innocent when we caught up. It’s amazing how much extra work I can make for us!
June 22nd – Wed
Finished door, figured out door framing, blade for painting, hair cut, carpet store, bank, liquor store, hardware store, dinner al & ceciles
We finished the outhouse door and spent quite a bit of time figuring out the framing. The door is 7 feet tall and 30 inches wide (the owner Rick is 6 ft 8 inches tall so Terry didn’t want him to have to duck and the tray for the composting toilet is 25 ½ inches wide) so it takes up most of the front of the building. Terry used the tractor to bring in a blade for the tractor that needs painting and Dad started to clean it up. He didn’t want to spray paint it so I finished the clean up and did just a bit of painting since the wind was blowing and I had no desire to become John Deere green.
Terry & I worked a bit after lunch and then went to town as I needed a haircut. He couldn’t go further without some hinges so he came with me and we went to the hardware store, the bank, the liquor store and a carpet store. Marg needs new carpet but didn’t want to get it until her old cat died which she did a couple of weeks ago. I brought home a couple of carpet samples just to get her thinking about it.
We went to dinner at Al & Cecile’s. They bravely had a barbeque and the weather was great. Also there were Nicole, Francis Green, Steve & Val and Quille. We sat out & ate outside and only moved in when mosquitoes were bothering Cecile.
June 23rd – Thurs
We finally finished the front of the outhouse. Terry brought in an old plow that sits out by the entrance gate so Dad could repaint it. We had a lot of the sand/gravel mix (that we got for concrete) left over so we had to get it out of the utility trailer. We put some in bags for Francis and for Marg and then spread the rest in a low area in front of the porch and on the driveway. Terry was worn out as he had to shovel the sand to the back of the trailer first in order to lift the hitch onto the ATV.
After lunch we put line in the gas weed eater and I started picking up sheep shit in the area where we will be building the shed. I knew this would be a problem when I let the sheep graze the area but I couldn’t see the grass going to waste. I had just gotten nicely started cleaning up when it started to hail and then poured rain. We finally made a dash for the house on the ATV. I had Terry let me off at our rig and spent some time doing an overdue cleaning. Then I came in and continued cleaning in the house. Terry was playing games on the computer and Dad was doing crosswords.
Our neighbor Ralph delivered lumber (from the store that he manages) on his trailer just before we were going to eat dinner. We will use the trailer tomorrow to pick up more lumber so Terry just had him park the trailer in the barn. After dinner, Terry went out and unloaded it.
We need to put a mark on the calendar – today was the only day that we can remember in the last month where there was no rain!
We decided to golf in the morning rather than wait for a possible afternoon rain shower. There were very few people on the course so we didn’t have to wait behind anyone and we had a nice round and tied again – from the blue tees. We had told Dad to make himself lunch so we stopped for a burger on the way home.
Terry built the door for the outhouse and I helped Dad fix the wagon which broke when it slipped when he was trying to get it out the door and onto his ATV. Then I helped Terry with the door before calling it a day.
I decided to put Buck & Snow to graze a small area in front of the barn so Terry helped me put up 2 gate sections. I came out through a small gate with a hook-type latch and figured it was tough enough to latch that escape artist Buck couldn’t open it. Wrong!! I checked a couple of times and they were grazing nicely but after dinner the little gate was open, Snow was nearby and Buck was nowhere to be seen. I got grain, a halter and a rope and Terry & I took off on the ATV to find Buck. He was all the way over to the neighbors – in our field – visiting their horses. We weren’t successful in catching him. Terry finally swung the rope in frustration and Buck took off and ran all the way back to the barn and was looking innocent when we caught up. It’s amazing how much extra work I can make for us!
June 22nd – Wed
Finished door, figured out door framing, blade for painting, hair cut, carpet store, bank, liquor store, hardware store, dinner al & ceciles
We finished the outhouse door and spent quite a bit of time figuring out the framing. The door is 7 feet tall and 30 inches wide (the owner Rick is 6 ft 8 inches tall so Terry didn’t want him to have to duck and the tray for the composting toilet is 25 ½ inches wide) so it takes up most of the front of the building. Terry used the tractor to bring in a blade for the tractor that needs painting and Dad started to clean it up. He didn’t want to spray paint it so I finished the clean up and did just a bit of painting since the wind was blowing and I had no desire to become John Deere green.
Terry & I worked a bit after lunch and then went to town as I needed a haircut. He couldn’t go further without some hinges so he came with me and we went to the hardware store, the bank, the liquor store and a carpet store. Marg needs new carpet but didn’t want to get it until her old cat died which she did a couple of weeks ago. I brought home a couple of carpet samples just to get her thinking about it.
We went to dinner at Al & Cecile’s. They bravely had a barbeque and the weather was great. Also there were Nicole, Francis Green, Steve & Val and Quille. We sat out & ate outside and only moved in when mosquitoes were bothering Cecile.
June 23rd – Thurs
We finally finished the front of the outhouse. Terry brought in an old plow that sits out by the entrance gate so Dad could repaint it. We had a lot of the sand/gravel mix (that we got for concrete) left over so we had to get it out of the utility trailer. We put some in bags for Francis and for Marg and then spread the rest in a low area in front of the porch and on the driveway. Terry was worn out as he had to shovel the sand to the back of the trailer first in order to lift the hitch onto the ATV.
After lunch we put line in the gas weed eater and I started picking up sheep shit in the area where we will be building the shed. I knew this would be a problem when I let the sheep graze the area but I couldn’t see the grass going to waste. I had just gotten nicely started cleaning up when it started to hail and then poured rain. We finally made a dash for the house on the ATV. I had Terry let me off at our rig and spent some time doing an overdue cleaning. Then I came in and continued cleaning in the house. Terry was playing games on the computer and Dad was doing crosswords.
Our neighbor Ralph delivered lumber (from the store that he manages) on his trailer just before we were going to eat dinner. We will use the trailer tomorrow to pick up more lumber so Terry just had him park the trailer in the barn. After dinner, Terry went out and unloaded it.
Monday, June 20, 2011
June 18th to 20th - 100 Mile
June 18th – Sat
We had a slack day today as it rained all day and we accomplished nothing. If it wasn’t for the chores and walking to our rig, we wouldn’t have got even a breath of fresh – wet - air. I was playing a game on the computer (rare for me) and Terry came over and asked if we had had lunch! I asked what time it was and was very surprised when he said 1:30. Dad was napping in front of the TV so I waited a bit until he woke up and then put together a snack for lunch as I had a roast beef in the crock pot for dinner and didn’t want to totally spoil our appetites. Weird day!!
June 19th – Sun
We got going early this morning so we could place the final footing for the shed posts and then mix & pour the concrete. It all went fine. Then I decided it would be good to put the sheep on the pasture around the hay barn since we won’t be working there for a few days and won’t have to worry about opening a gate all the time. We put up temporary fence panels to close off the barn and the sheep were happy. Shortly after, I saw lambs around the post holes and sure enough, when we looked later, there were 3 little hoof prints in the wet concrete in one of the footings. We finished the morning by picking up a couple of dead trees that Terry had fallen when we were completing the new fence.
After lunch, we took the tractor, 2 fence posts and 2 bluebird houses to neighbor Reg’s place where we put in the posts to thank him for working on the tractor. When he saw how easy the posts went in, he had us put in 4 small posts so he can build a fence to keep deer out of his garden. Hopefully this is the end of putting in posts for a while so we took the pounder off the tractor and then pretty much took the rest of the day off. Dad took apart a toy buckwagon that he built a few years ago and got a new coat of paint on most of it.
We had our usual light sprinkle of rain in the evening.
June 20th – Mon
Terry was puttering around on the outhouse construction this morning so I took the opportunity to clean the fridge. Something sticky had been spilled and it was past time to get it cleaned up. The sun was nice enough that Dad was sitting in the sun and petting Sage and a cat (Uncle).
Terry & I got the roof built for the outhouse. It is a bit of a challenge building it in pieces and making sure it can all be nailed together when it is assembled on site.
After lunch, we displayed our optimism that the sunshine would last and loaded our golf clubs in the truck. But first we went to see Marg’s neighbor Ralph who is going to pick up the trusses, roofing and 6x6’s for the shed. We had rain checks for some bird seed that was on sale so we picked it up next and the salesman pointed out the rain clouds moving in. Sure enough, it started to rain. Luckily, we were sitting in the golf course parking lot waiting to see if it was going to rain. We picked up some DEF at the Chev dealer since we couldn’t get enough the last time we filled it up, went to the grocery store and then headed home. Dad hauled another load of wood this morning and then put a second coat of paint on the wagon while we were gone.
We had a slack day today as it rained all day and we accomplished nothing. If it wasn’t for the chores and walking to our rig, we wouldn’t have got even a breath of fresh – wet - air. I was playing a game on the computer (rare for me) and Terry came over and asked if we had had lunch! I asked what time it was and was very surprised when he said 1:30. Dad was napping in front of the TV so I waited a bit until he woke up and then put together a snack for lunch as I had a roast beef in the crock pot for dinner and didn’t want to totally spoil our appetites. Weird day!!
June 19th – Sun
We got going early this morning so we could place the final footing for the shed posts and then mix & pour the concrete. It all went fine. Then I decided it would be good to put the sheep on the pasture around the hay barn since we won’t be working there for a few days and won’t have to worry about opening a gate all the time. We put up temporary fence panels to close off the barn and the sheep were happy. Shortly after, I saw lambs around the post holes and sure enough, when we looked later, there were 3 little hoof prints in the wet concrete in one of the footings. We finished the morning by picking up a couple of dead trees that Terry had fallen when we were completing the new fence.
After lunch, we took the tractor, 2 fence posts and 2 bluebird houses to neighbor Reg’s place where we put in the posts to thank him for working on the tractor. When he saw how easy the posts went in, he had us put in 4 small posts so he can build a fence to keep deer out of his garden. Hopefully this is the end of putting in posts for a while so we took the pounder off the tractor and then pretty much took the rest of the day off. Dad took apart a toy buckwagon that he built a few years ago and got a new coat of paint on most of it.
We had our usual light sprinkle of rain in the evening.
June 20th – Mon
Terry was puttering around on the outhouse construction this morning so I took the opportunity to clean the fridge. Something sticky had been spilled and it was past time to get it cleaned up. The sun was nice enough that Dad was sitting in the sun and petting Sage and a cat (Uncle).
Terry & I got the roof built for the outhouse. It is a bit of a challenge building it in pieces and making sure it can all be nailed together when it is assembled on site.
After lunch, we displayed our optimism that the sunshine would last and loaded our golf clubs in the truck. But first we went to see Marg’s neighbor Ralph who is going to pick up the trusses, roofing and 6x6’s for the shed. We had rain checks for some bird seed that was on sale so we picked it up next and the salesman pointed out the rain clouds moving in. Sure enough, it started to rain. Luckily, we were sitting in the golf course parking lot waiting to see if it was going to rain. We picked up some DEF at the Chev dealer since we couldn’t get enough the last time we filled it up, went to the grocery store and then headed home. Dad hauled another load of wood this morning and then put a second coat of paint on the wagon while we were gone.
Friday, June 17, 2011
June 14th to 17th - 100 Mile
June 14th – Tues
We got half the wire stapled to the posts this morning and I cleaned up more debris before it was behind the fence. We put in the last 3 posts and then came in for lunch. Dad was busy hauling in more firewood.
After lunch we got the rest of the wire up including a section that we had to rescue from the scrap pile as we didn’t need enough to buy 2 rolls. Dad worked on the tailgate from the utility trailer that we removed a couple of days ago as it was falling apart. We had cut a new piece of plywood and Dad replaced the rotten wood and gave it a coat of paint. Once again a rain shower caused us to stop a little early which was OK as we were invited to Nicole & Francis’ for dinner and we had to shower and change clothes.
Nicole made very good pizza for dinner and we were joined by Marg’s neighbor Reg who fixed the tractor. When we were sitting & chatting after dinner, it rained really hard. It let up as we were leaving at 9 and there was a gorgeous rainbow for us to admire.
June 15th – Wed
It was cold and overcast this morning. We put up the metal gate in the new fence, cut down 2 more dead trees, unloaded gear from the ATV and decided it was too miserable to work outside. Terry played computer games while I did laundry and pulled out the sewing machine for some mending & alterations. Dad put a second coat of paint on the tailgate and made himself a new cane.
After lunch, I finished my sewing and made cookies. I haven’t made this recipe for several years and now I know why – it makes 8 dozen soft chocolate cookies that you sandwich with a cooked filling to end up with 4 dozen yummy cookies.
I called to say that I wouldn’t play golf this evening as it was just too cold and found out that ladies’ golf was canceled as too many women were wimping out or watching the final of the Stanley Cup. I had taken cabbage rolls out of the freezer for Terry to make for him & Dad so I had an easy dinner to prepare. Quille came over about 6 to watch the hockey game with us. I almost wished I was golfing in the cold rather than watching the Canucks get soundly beaten.
June 16th – Thurs
Terry & I finished a couple of jobs by putting up electrical tape on the new fence and on the remainder of a fence along the road. We are building an outhouse for Quille’s friend Rick so we cut plywood and left Dad working on the floor. We helped him finish it up and then took over the job as it is just too big for him. We have to build it in pieces and assemble it at his place as we couldn’t move the completed building. We are figuring it out as we go along so we just got one side done. We also got the new tailgate installed on the trailer which involved grinding off the screws on an old broken hinge, drilling new holes though metal and putting on a new hinge. Dad went back to hauling & stacking wood and is doing a great job of that.
When I was doing the chores this morning, I twisted my foot and hobbled around all day. It was swollen and pretty painful by the evening but I could walk on it.
June 17th – Fri
Dad hauled in more wood while Terry & I continued working on the outhouse. We built the 2nd side and the back and tacked it all together. After lunch, we hooked up the utility trailer and went shopping. We got some groceries, a yard of gravel/sand mix for concrete, bags of cement and paid for trusses & metal for the new shed. When we got back, we mowed the lawn in the garden area and then I talked Terry into putting 2 of the forms for footings into place for the shed.
The weather was nice today until showers late in the evening. Luckily my foot was much better this morning than last night.
We got half the wire stapled to the posts this morning and I cleaned up more debris before it was behind the fence. We put in the last 3 posts and then came in for lunch. Dad was busy hauling in more firewood.
After lunch we got the rest of the wire up including a section that we had to rescue from the scrap pile as we didn’t need enough to buy 2 rolls. Dad worked on the tailgate from the utility trailer that we removed a couple of days ago as it was falling apart. We had cut a new piece of plywood and Dad replaced the rotten wood and gave it a coat of paint. Once again a rain shower caused us to stop a little early which was OK as we were invited to Nicole & Francis’ for dinner and we had to shower and change clothes.
Nicole made very good pizza for dinner and we were joined by Marg’s neighbor Reg who fixed the tractor. When we were sitting & chatting after dinner, it rained really hard. It let up as we were leaving at 9 and there was a gorgeous rainbow for us to admire.
June 15th – Wed
It was cold and overcast this morning. We put up the metal gate in the new fence, cut down 2 more dead trees, unloaded gear from the ATV and decided it was too miserable to work outside. Terry played computer games while I did laundry and pulled out the sewing machine for some mending & alterations. Dad put a second coat of paint on the tailgate and made himself a new cane.
After lunch, I finished my sewing and made cookies. I haven’t made this recipe for several years and now I know why – it makes 8 dozen soft chocolate cookies that you sandwich with a cooked filling to end up with 4 dozen yummy cookies.
I called to say that I wouldn’t play golf this evening as it was just too cold and found out that ladies’ golf was canceled as too many women were wimping out or watching the final of the Stanley Cup. I had taken cabbage rolls out of the freezer for Terry to make for him & Dad so I had an easy dinner to prepare. Quille came over about 6 to watch the hockey game with us. I almost wished I was golfing in the cold rather than watching the Canucks get soundly beaten.
June 16th – Thurs
Terry & I finished a couple of jobs by putting up electrical tape on the new fence and on the remainder of a fence along the road. We are building an outhouse for Quille’s friend Rick so we cut plywood and left Dad working on the floor. We helped him finish it up and then took over the job as it is just too big for him. We have to build it in pieces and assemble it at his place as we couldn’t move the completed building. We are figuring it out as we go along so we just got one side done. We also got the new tailgate installed on the trailer which involved grinding off the screws on an old broken hinge, drilling new holes though metal and putting on a new hinge. Dad went back to hauling & stacking wood and is doing a great job of that.
When I was doing the chores this morning, I twisted my foot and hobbled around all day. It was swollen and pretty painful by the evening but I could walk on it.
June 17th – Fri
Dad hauled in more wood while Terry & I continued working on the outhouse. We built the 2nd side and the back and tacked it all together. After lunch, we hooked up the utility trailer and went shopping. We got some groceries, a yard of gravel/sand mix for concrete, bags of cement and paid for trusses & metal for the new shed. When we got back, we mowed the lawn in the garden area and then I talked Terry into putting 2 of the forms for footings into place for the shed.
The weather was nice today until showers late in the evening. Luckily my foot was much better this morning than last night.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
June 11th to 13th - 100 Mile
June 11th – Sat
We were back to falling trees and cleaning up. Terry got a good workout cutting stumps down to ground level. In the past, too many stumps have been left and make it tough to get the tractor through some areas. Rain threatened so we stopped early for lunch. Dad had the great idea to repaint the gates at the entrance to the farm so we brought them into the carport for him to scrape and paint. He finished putting hanging brackets on the 2 feeders that he built, got in more wood and worked on the gates.
After lunch, we continued with the trees and cleanup. Ron & Steve from down the road came to pick up Steve’s boat which was stored in Marg’s barn so we visited with them for a bit. We got our daily rain about 7. At least I don’t have to spend time watering the garden.
June 12th – Sun
We had to put the fence post pounder on the tractor this morning and had a couple of problems. Marg didn’t tell us where to find the sleeves for the drawbar so Terry decided to put the new drawbar on the post pounder which is a very heavy, unwieldy piece of equipment. We managed the job with a large jack and the courage of the ignorant. Then we had to jack it up even more to hook it to the tractor. It turned out that Marg had put a retaining pin in the wrong position and the pounder settled during the winter which made it too low.
The posts actually went in quite well thanks to all the rain softening the ground. But it was a challenge for Terry to maneuver the tractor around all the stumps, trees and uneven ground to back up to the correct position for each post. In a couple of cases he had to move to the opposite side of the fence as the front wheels were in a hole and we couldn’t get the post in far enough. We can’t have things too easy!
Dad was busy too. He continued painting the gates and brought in more wood.
We got a phone call from Marg. She & Pat are in Golden and had rented bicycles for the day so they are having a good time.
June 13th – Mon
The overcast sky this morning prompted us to go to town for several errands – bird seed, liquor, groceries, metal gate and paint. By the time we got back it was too late to work on the fence before lunch so we just puttered around doing small things. Then it was back to the fencing project where we put up three braces, cleaned up more debris from the old snake fence and rolled out the wire. Rain threatened so we quit the fence and I touched up some paint on the gates that Dad was working on and put the second coat on one side of the second gate. The paint dries very quickly so we were able to hang the gate and admire another job well done.
We watched the Canucks lose again to Boston and then watched rain pour down.
We were back to falling trees and cleaning up. Terry got a good workout cutting stumps down to ground level. In the past, too many stumps have been left and make it tough to get the tractor through some areas. Rain threatened so we stopped early for lunch. Dad had the great idea to repaint the gates at the entrance to the farm so we brought them into the carport for him to scrape and paint. He finished putting hanging brackets on the 2 feeders that he built, got in more wood and worked on the gates.
After lunch, we continued with the trees and cleanup. Ron & Steve from down the road came to pick up Steve’s boat which was stored in Marg’s barn so we visited with them for a bit. We got our daily rain about 7. At least I don’t have to spend time watering the garden.
June 12th – Sun
We had to put the fence post pounder on the tractor this morning and had a couple of problems. Marg didn’t tell us where to find the sleeves for the drawbar so Terry decided to put the new drawbar on the post pounder which is a very heavy, unwieldy piece of equipment. We managed the job with a large jack and the courage of the ignorant. Then we had to jack it up even more to hook it to the tractor. It turned out that Marg had put a retaining pin in the wrong position and the pounder settled during the winter which made it too low.
The posts actually went in quite well thanks to all the rain softening the ground. But it was a challenge for Terry to maneuver the tractor around all the stumps, trees and uneven ground to back up to the correct position for each post. In a couple of cases he had to move to the opposite side of the fence as the front wheels were in a hole and we couldn’t get the post in far enough. We can’t have things too easy!
Dad was busy too. He continued painting the gates and brought in more wood.
We got a phone call from Marg. She & Pat are in Golden and had rented bicycles for the day so they are having a good time.
June 13th – Mon
The overcast sky this morning prompted us to go to town for several errands – bird seed, liquor, groceries, metal gate and paint. By the time we got back it was too late to work on the fence before lunch so we just puttered around doing small things. Then it was back to the fencing project where we put up three braces, cleaned up more debris from the old snake fence and rolled out the wire. Rain threatened so we quit the fence and I touched up some paint on the gates that Dad was working on and put the second coat on one side of the second gate. The paint dries very quickly so we were able to hang the gate and admire another job well done.
We watched the Canucks lose again to Boston and then watched rain pour down.
Friday, June 10, 2011
June 8th to 10th - 100 Mile
June 8th – Wed
We worked on the puzzle and did a few small things this morning before we got a call saying the tractor parts arrived at Williams Lake. We quickly finished what we were doing, changed clothes, told Dad we were leaving and Marg, Terry & I headed to Williams Lake. We stopped at a feed store, a hardware store and the tractor dealer. Then to WalMart for a few items and lunch at McDonalds before stopping at the casino on the way home. Terry & I lost $20 each but Marg doubled her $40 and actually walked out with the winnings.
We stopped on the way home to drop the parts off with the neighbor who fixed the tie rod and who still had the tractor. He said he would work on it tomorrow morning.
I rushed to boil eggs & potatoes to make potato salad for Dad & Terry’s dinner and helped Marg in the greenhouse & garden while they cooked. I threw the salad together, gave Terry instructions for dinner and Marg & I went golfing. I didn’t do as well as last week but did OK. This week we had to keep track of putts and I got 14 which is pretty good. The lowest total was 12.
When we got home, we noticed tracks turning into the drive and realized it was tractor tires. Reg had fixed the power steering lines and delivered the tractor.
June 9th – Thurs
I helped Marg with some final loading of the motor home and then we made an inspection tour of the pasture to determine when the sheep had to be moved. She came back after driving a couple of miles as she remembered that she didn’t have a receiver in the MH and she will be towing Rick & Pat’s trailer.
Terry put the bucket on the tractor and we headed to the new fence location which is close to the house. We tied a string to show us the fence line and to determine which trees had to come out. One tree would have fallen into the lagoon (septic pond) so Terry lifted me in the bucket, I tied a rope to the tree, ran the rope around a tree and I pulled on the rope to redirect the tree as Terry cut it down. We didn’t get it to fall exactly where we wanted and of course it hung up in some other trees but it was nowhere near the lagoon. Oh well, we are experienced in this situation with dead trees that fall over and with our tree clearing a couple of years ago after an ice storm. The area where it fell had a lot of dead trees so we started falling & clearing them out. We had a break for lunch and continued to work until Terry’s back said STOP about 4:00. Marg plans on being gone for 10 to 14 days so we don’t have to get this done all in one day.
The sheep were grazing in the field where we were working and a gate that we would be using had to be closed so I decided to switch the sheep to a new field this afternoon rather than tomorrow. It is so fun to see them attack a new field of grass but you have to open the gate and get out of the way so you don’t get run over! This also allows us to open a gate from the main road which has been a pain to open & close every time you go anywhere.
The weather was beautiful today. The wind came up a bit later in the evening and there was a very brief hail storm but all is quiet again.
June 10th – Fri
We attacked the tree clearing again this morning. Our age & inactivity is sure showing up in this job! Dad started hauling firewood to stack in the carport since all the staining is done.
Just as we were finishing lunch, it started to pour rain. Terry had to dash out and move the ATV under the carport so everything on it wouldn’t get soaked. We started another jigsaw puzzle while we waited for the rain to stop – and it did stop so we continued falling trees.
It started to drizzle again about the time Terry’s back gave out so we changed clothes and went to town for a few items at the hardware store and at the grocery store. We got home in time for me to do chores and Terry to fix drinks. We watched the Canucks beat the Bruins (Stanley Cup) and fit dinner in at the start of the second period.
We worked on the puzzle and did a few small things this morning before we got a call saying the tractor parts arrived at Williams Lake. We quickly finished what we were doing, changed clothes, told Dad we were leaving and Marg, Terry & I headed to Williams Lake. We stopped at a feed store, a hardware store and the tractor dealer. Then to WalMart for a few items and lunch at McDonalds before stopping at the casino on the way home. Terry & I lost $20 each but Marg doubled her $40 and actually walked out with the winnings.
We stopped on the way home to drop the parts off with the neighbor who fixed the tie rod and who still had the tractor. He said he would work on it tomorrow morning.
I rushed to boil eggs & potatoes to make potato salad for Dad & Terry’s dinner and helped Marg in the greenhouse & garden while they cooked. I threw the salad together, gave Terry instructions for dinner and Marg & I went golfing. I didn’t do as well as last week but did OK. This week we had to keep track of putts and I got 14 which is pretty good. The lowest total was 12.
When we got home, we noticed tracks turning into the drive and realized it was tractor tires. Reg had fixed the power steering lines and delivered the tractor.
June 9th – Thurs
I helped Marg with some final loading of the motor home and then we made an inspection tour of the pasture to determine when the sheep had to be moved. She came back after driving a couple of miles as she remembered that she didn’t have a receiver in the MH and she will be towing Rick & Pat’s trailer.
Terry put the bucket on the tractor and we headed to the new fence location which is close to the house. We tied a string to show us the fence line and to determine which trees had to come out. One tree would have fallen into the lagoon (septic pond) so Terry lifted me in the bucket, I tied a rope to the tree, ran the rope around a tree and I pulled on the rope to redirect the tree as Terry cut it down. We didn’t get it to fall exactly where we wanted and of course it hung up in some other trees but it was nowhere near the lagoon. Oh well, we are experienced in this situation with dead trees that fall over and with our tree clearing a couple of years ago after an ice storm. The area where it fell had a lot of dead trees so we started falling & clearing them out. We had a break for lunch and continued to work until Terry’s back said STOP about 4:00. Marg plans on being gone for 10 to 14 days so we don’t have to get this done all in one day.
The sheep were grazing in the field where we were working and a gate that we would be using had to be closed so I decided to switch the sheep to a new field this afternoon rather than tomorrow. It is so fun to see them attack a new field of grass but you have to open the gate and get out of the way so you don’t get run over! This also allows us to open a gate from the main road which has been a pain to open & close every time you go anywhere.
The weather was beautiful today. The wind came up a bit later in the evening and there was a very brief hail storm but all is quiet again.
June 10th – Fri
We attacked the tree clearing again this morning. Our age & inactivity is sure showing up in this job! Dad started hauling firewood to stack in the carport since all the staining is done.
Just as we were finishing lunch, it started to pour rain. Terry had to dash out and move the ATV under the carport so everything on it wouldn’t get soaked. We started another jigsaw puzzle while we waited for the rain to stop – and it did stop so we continued falling trees.
It started to drizzle again about the time Terry’s back gave out so we changed clothes and went to town for a few items at the hardware store and at the grocery store. We got home in time for me to do chores and Terry to fix drinks. We watched the Canucks beat the Bruins (Stanley Cup) and fit dinner in at the start of the second period.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
June 5th to 7th - 100 Mile
June 5th – Sun
This might be a day of rest for some people but not for us. After Marg left to go fishing with Quille (Terry emptied rain water out of the boat and put the motor back on), Terry & I added electrical tape to another section of fence. It didn’t take long as we could use the existing insulators and we ran out of tape halfway through. Then we got the gas weed-eater, added the metal blade and cleared the right of way between the road and Marg’s fence. I had some long handled limb trimmers and cut the willows & wild roses that were too close to the fence for Terry and the ones just behind the fence. We took a break for lunch and Terry’s back held out just long enough to finish the job. Dad had a request for 2 feeders that hang on a fence or barn stall so he was happy in the shop.
Chores, a couple loads of laundry and dinner finished the rest of my work day. Marg & Quille had a great day fishing and brought home 10 Kokanee & 4 trout.
June 6th – Mon – HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD
We are still without the tractor and waiting for a call from Williams Lake saying that the parts are in and we can pick them up.
Terry & I went made a trip to town to pick up posts to replace rotten braces at the entrance gate and made stops at the liquor store, grocery store & service station. After lunch we replaced the braces and were just finishing when brother Bob drove in to have dinner with us for Dad’s birthday. Marg was cleaning her motor home so I helped with that and did some other quick cleaning in the house and some dinner prep.
Francis & Nichole, Al & Cecile, Quille & Gail and Toni & Micheal joined us for turkey dinner. We had a great time as usual with all these good friends. It was so nice during the day that Marg & I were wearing shorts but by the time we went to bed it was raining again.
June 7th – Tues
Breakfast was a little later as Bob had fallen back to sleep and was late getting up! He left for home (Pemberton) about 10 and we went out to get some work done before it started to rain. We had time to make calculations and place one form for footings for a side shed on the hay barn when the rain sent us inside. Terry worked on a jigsaw puzzle, Dad was in the shop and Marg & I planted baskets in the greenhouse.
We lingered over lunch and didn’t finish until nearly 2. By now a steady rain had settled in so Terry & I worked on the puzzle and Marg got things ready to load in the motor home before going for a physio appointment at 4:30.
With breakfast and then lunch being late, we didn’t eat dinner until 8 which makes the evening very short.
This might be a day of rest for some people but not for us. After Marg left to go fishing with Quille (Terry emptied rain water out of the boat and put the motor back on), Terry & I added electrical tape to another section of fence. It didn’t take long as we could use the existing insulators and we ran out of tape halfway through. Then we got the gas weed-eater, added the metal blade and cleared the right of way between the road and Marg’s fence. I had some long handled limb trimmers and cut the willows & wild roses that were too close to the fence for Terry and the ones just behind the fence. We took a break for lunch and Terry’s back held out just long enough to finish the job. Dad had a request for 2 feeders that hang on a fence or barn stall so he was happy in the shop.
Chores, a couple loads of laundry and dinner finished the rest of my work day. Marg & Quille had a great day fishing and brought home 10 Kokanee & 4 trout.
June 6th – Mon – HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD
We are still without the tractor and waiting for a call from Williams Lake saying that the parts are in and we can pick them up.
Terry & I went made a trip to town to pick up posts to replace rotten braces at the entrance gate and made stops at the liquor store, grocery store & service station. After lunch we replaced the braces and were just finishing when brother Bob drove in to have dinner with us for Dad’s birthday. Marg was cleaning her motor home so I helped with that and did some other quick cleaning in the house and some dinner prep.
Francis & Nichole, Al & Cecile, Quille & Gail and Toni & Micheal joined us for turkey dinner. We had a great time as usual with all these good friends. It was so nice during the day that Marg & I were wearing shorts but by the time we went to bed it was raining again.
June 7th – Tues
Breakfast was a little later as Bob had fallen back to sleep and was late getting up! He left for home (Pemberton) about 10 and we went out to get some work done before it started to rain. We had time to make calculations and place one form for footings for a side shed on the hay barn when the rain sent us inside. Terry worked on a jigsaw puzzle, Dad was in the shop and Marg & I planted baskets in the greenhouse.
We lingered over lunch and didn’t finish until nearly 2. By now a steady rain had settled in so Terry & I worked on the puzzle and Marg got things ready to load in the motor home before going for a physio appointment at 4:30.
With breakfast and then lunch being late, we didn’t eat dinner until 8 which makes the evening very short.
Saturday, June 04, 2011
June 2nd to 4th - 100 Mile House
June 2nd – Thurs
Marg took the motor home in for an oil change, Terry followed in the truck so they could leave it there rather than waiting and they got the page wire for the new fence on the way home. I spent the time they were gone on the computer.
After lunch, Marg took her truck to drop Dad off for a blood test and take Terry to drive the motor home back. I stayed home and did some cleaning. Dad had to wait over an hour for his blood test so I had dinner prep done by the time they got back.
June 3rd – Fri
Marg, Terry & I went to the Farmer’s Market this morning, stopped at the grocery store & liquor store and at the lumber yard for wood to build an outhouse for Quille’s friend Rick . We had told Dad that we would be back in time for lunch but he didn’t trust us and was eating a sandwich when we returned at 12:15. I made lunch while Terry & Marg unloaded the wood.
A section of fence between Marg and her neighbors Ralph & Gina had taken a beating by their horses and Buck in the winter so that was our project this afternoon while Marg worked in the garden and Dad worked in the shop. We removed existing insulators and replaced them with insulators that will carry electric tape which can be seen – and respected – by horses & deer. We also left the electric wire as Marg discovered that the tape cannot carry the necessary load. We were severely attacked by mosquitoes but got the job done.
Marg went to Quille & Gail’s for dinner and we put hamburgers on the BBQ.
June 4th – Sat
Breakfast was a little later than usual this morning. Marg had to get a haircut so Terry & I loaded up the ATV, replaced 3 brace boards at the power line gate, secured the wire on 3 posts and wove lath strips into sections of page wire to tighten and straighten it. Then we went out and hooked up the power on the fence we worked on yesterday. There was only one short which didn’t take us too long to find. We were hanging up Marg’s collection of old tools on the porch (taken down a couple of years ago in anticipation of new paint which was just finished yesterday) when Marg got home and helped. This made lunch quite late as it was a bigger job than we thought trying to get everything back where it had been previously.
We worked in the garden and watered everything trying to empty a water barrel so Terry & Marg can connect 2 barrels to collect rain water and use it in the garden. Then Marg had the bright idea of going golfing to see if we could beat Terry. Didn’t take us long to change clothes and load up the clubs. The weather was perfect and Terry & I were smart enough to put on insect repellant so the mosquitoes only ate Marg. We all played from the blue (men’s) tees and Terry & I tied and beat Marg by only 2 strokes. It took us just over 1 ½ hours for the 9 holes so we were back in plenty of time to boil baby back ribs for dinner.
Francis & Nichole stopped by just as we were finishing the dishes. They brought some bedding plants for Marg and are going to take an excess rooster to become their dinner some day.
Marg took the motor home in for an oil change, Terry followed in the truck so they could leave it there rather than waiting and they got the page wire for the new fence on the way home. I spent the time they were gone on the computer.
After lunch, Marg took her truck to drop Dad off for a blood test and take Terry to drive the motor home back. I stayed home and did some cleaning. Dad had to wait over an hour for his blood test so I had dinner prep done by the time they got back.
June 3rd – Fri
Marg, Terry & I went to the Farmer’s Market this morning, stopped at the grocery store & liquor store and at the lumber yard for wood to build an outhouse for Quille’s friend Rick . We had told Dad that we would be back in time for lunch but he didn’t trust us and was eating a sandwich when we returned at 12:15. I made lunch while Terry & Marg unloaded the wood.
A section of fence between Marg and her neighbors Ralph & Gina had taken a beating by their horses and Buck in the winter so that was our project this afternoon while Marg worked in the garden and Dad worked in the shop. We removed existing insulators and replaced them with insulators that will carry electric tape which can be seen – and respected – by horses & deer. We also left the electric wire as Marg discovered that the tape cannot carry the necessary load. We were severely attacked by mosquitoes but got the job done.
Marg went to Quille & Gail’s for dinner and we put hamburgers on the BBQ.
June 4th – Sat
Breakfast was a little later than usual this morning. Marg had to get a haircut so Terry & I loaded up the ATV, replaced 3 brace boards at the power line gate, secured the wire on 3 posts and wove lath strips into sections of page wire to tighten and straighten it. Then we went out and hooked up the power on the fence we worked on yesterday. There was only one short which didn’t take us too long to find. We were hanging up Marg’s collection of old tools on the porch (taken down a couple of years ago in anticipation of new paint which was just finished yesterday) when Marg got home and helped. This made lunch quite late as it was a bigger job than we thought trying to get everything back where it had been previously.
We worked in the garden and watered everything trying to empty a water barrel so Terry & Marg can connect 2 barrels to collect rain water and use it in the garden. Then Marg had the bright idea of going golfing to see if we could beat Terry. Didn’t take us long to change clothes and load up the clubs. The weather was perfect and Terry & I were smart enough to put on insect repellant so the mosquitoes only ate Marg. We all played from the blue (men’s) tees and Terry & I tied and beat Marg by only 2 strokes. It took us just over 1 ½ hours for the 9 holes so we were back in plenty of time to boil baby back ribs for dinner.
Francis & Nichole stopped by just as we were finishing the dishes. They brought some bedding plants for Marg and are going to take an excess rooster to become their dinner some day.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
May 30th to June 1st - 100 Mile
May 30th – Mon – 100 Mile
I took a little extra time with the morning chores and started cleaning out the little barn where Buck (pony) and Snow (donkey) are hanging out when it is raining. Marg & Terry hooked up a utility trailer and went to town to run some errands. We had a phone call saying the old water pump was TU and that they had replacements in stock – oops, had to order one when they got there today but they did come back with a sensor to turn off the pump if the water runs out.
They stopped for a few groceries and got posts for the new fence.
While they were gone, I caught up the blog & email, watched the farrier trim Buck & Snow’s feet and helped Dad in the shop. Terry, Marg & I ended up finishing the first stage of the project that was frustrating Dad – another large planter.
After lunch, we all puttered around (puzzle, shop, greenhouse, laundry, baking). I filleted and deboned the Kokanee that Marg caught and we had a gourmet dinner with fish cooked on the BBQ, jasmine rice, salad and fresh beer batter bread.
May 31st – Tues – 100 Mile
Terry & I finished the jigsaw puzzle this morning and I helped Marg get the recyclables ready to go. Marg had an appointment for physiotherapy for her shoulder so she ran errands before & after. Dad had started a new project in the shop so Terry & I went to town and found the visitor center open today. Terry picked up some information for Gary, we went to the post office to mail it and then went to the grocery store.
After lunch we worked in the shop to finish the planter. We were checking Marg’s measurements of the new fence when Marg got back and joined us. She was right that it is 400 feet long – no, she doesn’t pace in metric. Then we adjusted the boat trailer. First we removed the motor, pulled the boat (12 ft aluminum) off the trailer and realized that the bunks were falling apart. So into the shop with the bunks to drill holes in metal brackets and put in new screws. We put the bunks back on in a new position, put the boat back on the trailer and started adjusting with Terry under the trailer and Marg & I lifting the boat as needed. We got it all done just as it started to rain. Marg did chores while I prepared BBQ pork for an appetizer with our drinks. Dinner was leftovers so not too much work.
June 1st – Wed – 100 Mile
Marg took her truck in for an oil change this morning. Terry decided to add guides on the boat trailer so he raided Dad’s BBQ parts stash and found perfect pieces for the job. He cut them to length, we added carpet padding and installed them with u-bolts. A precisely cut – seriously! - piece of plywood holding a swivel seat in the boat had broken so we found plywood, used the old one as a template and got it installed also.
Marg got back after lunch – her 10:00 appointment didn’t mean much – and we installed the new water pump. It only took about 4 trips on the ATV to the shop for more tools & materials. And it works! I put together a potato/onion/ham casserole for Terry & Dad’s dinner as Marg & I were going golfing. We rushed to change clothes, get my clubs & a cart out, give Terry dinner directions and get to the golf course.
A huge wind gust came up shortly after we started (shotgun start at 5:30) but the rain held off until the last hole. Marg’s whole team showed up today so she played with another team with a missing player and I played with her team as usual. The team that Marg was playing with started as a “b” group (2 teams on the hole) and was behind a hole with 2 teams so they were the last team to finish and they got quite wet. The ladies that I played with were almost done eating when we got to the restaurant. Marg bought a pie today but we hadn’t specifically told Terry & Dad that they could have some so they thought it was for something special and didn’t cut into it. We all had pie when we got home.
I took a little extra time with the morning chores and started cleaning out the little barn where Buck (pony) and Snow (donkey) are hanging out when it is raining. Marg & Terry hooked up a utility trailer and went to town to run some errands. We had a phone call saying the old water pump was TU and that they had replacements in stock – oops, had to order one when they got there today but they did come back with a sensor to turn off the pump if the water runs out.
They stopped for a few groceries and got posts for the new fence.
While they were gone, I caught up the blog & email, watched the farrier trim Buck & Snow’s feet and helped Dad in the shop. Terry, Marg & I ended up finishing the first stage of the project that was frustrating Dad – another large planter.
After lunch, we all puttered around (puzzle, shop, greenhouse, laundry, baking). I filleted and deboned the Kokanee that Marg caught and we had a gourmet dinner with fish cooked on the BBQ, jasmine rice, salad and fresh beer batter bread.
May 31st – Tues – 100 Mile
Terry & I finished the jigsaw puzzle this morning and I helped Marg get the recyclables ready to go. Marg had an appointment for physiotherapy for her shoulder so she ran errands before & after. Dad had started a new project in the shop so Terry & I went to town and found the visitor center open today. Terry picked up some information for Gary, we went to the post office to mail it and then went to the grocery store.
After lunch we worked in the shop to finish the planter. We were checking Marg’s measurements of the new fence when Marg got back and joined us. She was right that it is 400 feet long – no, she doesn’t pace in metric. Then we adjusted the boat trailer. First we removed the motor, pulled the boat (12 ft aluminum) off the trailer and realized that the bunks were falling apart. So into the shop with the bunks to drill holes in metal brackets and put in new screws. We put the bunks back on in a new position, put the boat back on the trailer and started adjusting with Terry under the trailer and Marg & I lifting the boat as needed. We got it all done just as it started to rain. Marg did chores while I prepared BBQ pork for an appetizer with our drinks. Dinner was leftovers so not too much work.
June 1st – Wed – 100 Mile
Marg took her truck in for an oil change this morning. Terry decided to add guides on the boat trailer so he raided Dad’s BBQ parts stash and found perfect pieces for the job. He cut them to length, we added carpet padding and installed them with u-bolts. A precisely cut – seriously! - piece of plywood holding a swivel seat in the boat had broken so we found plywood, used the old one as a template and got it installed also.
Marg got back after lunch – her 10:00 appointment didn’t mean much – and we installed the new water pump. It only took about 4 trips on the ATV to the shop for more tools & materials. And it works! I put together a potato/onion/ham casserole for Terry & Dad’s dinner as Marg & I were going golfing. We rushed to change clothes, get my clubs & a cart out, give Terry dinner directions and get to the golf course.
A huge wind gust came up shortly after we started (shotgun start at 5:30) but the rain held off until the last hole. Marg’s whole team showed up today so she played with another team with a missing player and I played with her team as usual. The team that Marg was playing with started as a “b” group (2 teams on the hole) and was behind a hole with 2 teams so they were the last team to finish and they got quite wet. The ladies that I played with were almost done eating when we got to the restaurant. Marg bought a pie today but we hadn’t specifically told Terry & Dad that they could have some so they thought it was for something special and didn’t cut into it. We all had pie when we got home.
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