Thursday to Saturday, July 8-10, 2010

Thursday

Today was another hot one 35C (95F), bright and sunny!

We stayed at home till mid afternoon then went out to our 'home away from home' Home Hardware and picked up a ceiling fan for the office, dryer vent hose, sprinkler, hose nozzle attachment, all those little things you need. We also inquired about a french door for the office (it had an accordian door which we both hated and Gordon took down the first week we were here) and a slab door for the bedroom. Our bedroom has an old fashioned white door with panels and Gordon doesn't like it. He wants a plain slab hollow core door. More detailed measurements have to be done before they can be ordered.

Gordon had looked at a map after we went to Beveridges lock yesterday and found out there was a second lock further up the Tay Canal so we drove over there today. This old scow called the Tay was sitting there looking abandoned.

Driving along the Tay Canal on the way to the second set of Beveridges Locks

The Tay at the locks



Friday

It was cooler today but still very humid and we had rain and a rumbling of thunder late morning. In the early afternoon we had another storm and the rain came down in sheets! The rain lasted on and off most of the afternoon and evening but it wasn't heavy all the time. Just a nice steady rain - good for my petunias.

This morning we had someone from Bath Fitter come to look at our tub. The tub wall is made of what looks like floor linoleum. There was once a glass sliding door there so there's damage to both sides of the wall. He gave us a quote for a nice white one piece wall and a shell that fits over the present tub which looks to be the original one. The alternative is to have someone come in to glaze the tub and have someone put in a bath wall. Bath Fitter has a lifetime guarantee on theirs. Has anyone had this done by Bath Fitter and not been happy? There are some bad reviews on line. I think I'll call the Better Business Bureau on Monday.

The rain cooled things off by late afternoon but there was still some humidity.

Saturday

It was only about 22C (72F) this morning so I got to go for my walk. That's the first time since last Monday.

After breakfast we went out and hit a couple of garage sales. I found a sewing table for $5.00. It needs refinishing but I am capable of that having refinished our dining room table at the house before we went on the road. This however may be veneer so it may just get painted. That was about all I found.

This afternoon I went out again mainly for some groceries but we had passed a Liquidation World yesterday. That's the first time I had seen it so I went there to see what they had. It's kind of like a mini department store, a little bit of everything.

I also stopped at the Real Deal to see what they had but nothing exciting. The Real Deal is a not for profit organization run mainly by volunteers. It's used everything from sinks and doors to dishes and craft supplies.

Then it was off to the regular stores to get the groceries. It was 33C (91F) when I got back home. Glad I turned the air on before I left!

Monday

It was 26C (78F) this morning with 83% humidity so decided to forego my walk. I was fighting with things with tentacles in my dreams last night so I didn't have any energy anyway.

George, our contractor for our front deck arrived early. I asked him to price two options, one to replace the porch that's there and one to extend it the length of the house. While his price was quite reasonable for the full length we decided against it for now. We have a lot of other things to do in the house. So, he'll get started as soon as it cools down some.

I went out to pick up some Vitalux S for Gordon. He has the beginnings of macular degeneration and this is what the eye doctor told him to use. While out, I stopped by the grocery (not the one I was at yesterday). They had free annuals so I picked up one red and white petunia that didn't look in too bad shape. When I got back, I planted and watered it. Hope it likes heat!

Just hung around in the air conditioning this afternoon.

The contractor came by a few times. He put up caution tape on the steps so I called the post office and we'll be picking up our mail till our new deck is finished. This only happens in a small town I guess but the guy who issues building permits is on holidays so we don't know if we can get a building permit until he gets back. They were going to try to reach him since the front steps are a hazard at the moment.

Tuesday

We got ready early and headed in to Ottawa this morning to Nancy's new house. Everything was moved in yesterday and her friend, Carole stayed overnight last night so they were well on their way to getting things done when we arrived even though it was only about 9:30 a.m. With all of us working we had emptied most of the boxes shortly after lunch. There are still some with Christmas ornaments and such in them that we stacked on the shelves in the basement. Yes, this house does have a basement. The reason I say that is her house where we stayed all winter had a walk out so it technically wasn't a basement.

Nancy's new dining room table and chairs



Unfortunately Max wasn't there, he was staying at Nancy's friend's house. She was only picking him up this afternoon so we'll have to see him another time.

On our way home the thermometer in the truck reached 36C (97F). Tomorrow is supposed to be our last day that is this hot, at least for a while.

So we headed out to Ikea shortly before 3 p.m. as Gordon wanted to pick up some picture frames and there were a couple of things I needed, one of which was a magnetic knife rack. I don't like my knives in drawers. I left the one I had in the RV as where we hung it would have discoloured the cabinet by now.

Tonight we went out to fill up the truck at 96 cents/litre (it's gone up as a result of the 8% added tax). While we were out we took a drive out to Beveridges Lock on the Tay Canal and also took some sunset photos.

Beveridges Lock

Tonight's sunset

Saturday, Sunday Monday, July 3,4,5, 2010

Saturday

We started out for Ottawa this morning with a short side trip to Burritt's Rapids for a few photos. The first order of business was to get the cheque for the RV in the bank. Small town banks aren't open on Saturday. After that we checked out a few garage sales and headed home for lunch, then I crashed. I didn't sleep well last night.

Lily in the water at Burritt's Rapids

Swing bridge at Burritt's Rapids. There are a lot of swing bridges in this area to allow boats through.



Today was a beautiful sunny day, hot but with a good breeze. I saw 31C (88F) on the thermometer this afternoon.

When I got up I put a bread mix in the breadmaker.

It was hot today but there was a nice breeze.

Sunday

Today was another beautiful, sunny hot day with a lovely breeze. The temperature was 33C (91F) this afternoon.

We spent most of it at home except I went out for a bit to pick up a few things. This afternoon I spent a couple of hours outside on the swing. Although it was hot it was beautiful under the big tree with the breeze.

I finally spent some time this afternoon getting our monthly expenses sheet updated. Not a good month!

When Gordon was out barbecuing our dinner he was talking to our neighbour, Pat. She just bought the house next door in February and she's selling and moving to a nearby town . I'm really bummed because that's the house I wanted in the first place but by the time we got around to buying, it was too late. Guess it wasn't meant to be! It doesn't have a finished basement or a garage but it does have a fireplace in the living room!

Monday

It was already pretty warm when I got up this morning at 23C (73F). I checked the weather in Port Lavaca, TX this morning and it's going to be warmer here this week than there. We're supposed to have high temperatures and high humidity. This will NOT be my favourite week!

Today I started calling for estimates on repairing or replacing our front porch. The first guy I called is booked till October! He suggested I call the Commercial Division of the local Home Hardware for some recommendations, so I did and got two names. The first guy I called said he could come to look at it this afternoon. He arrived early and looked at our front porch and said it could be repaired. Then he came back late this afternoon and started taking the black carpet off the steps and they disintegrated! So he's giving us a price to build a deck over top of the porch and steps instead. I've never seen anything like it. Now I know why the carpet was there!

Porch with the carpet on it holding things together. The carpet was worn through on the edges and looked very unkempt which is why we were taking it off.



Disintegrating steps

This afternoon we decided to go out for a drive. We ended up going further than planned. We first stopped at the locks that are in Smiths Falls' downtown area.

Wooden boat on the Rideau Canal downtown Smiths Falls


Song sparrow on a sign at the locks downtown Smiths Falls







As you can see the lock at Smiths Falls is very deep

Boats in the lock


Then we decided to drive over by Portland to the Narrows Locks. These are small locks and only fit about eight average size boats in it. We spent a while there then started back but took a detour on a side road just because we had never been on it.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies at the boat ramp at Narrows Lock. There were a lot of them vieing for one spot. No idea why.

Closing the locks at The Narrows

Pretty little Anglican church at Portland

Motts Mill Conservation Area


A short stop for a cold drink and the grocery and we were home. It was 34C (95F) with 58% humidity. If it weren't for the breeze it would have been unbearable for me. When we got out of the truck at one stop I was actually dizzy. That's when I know heatstroke is setting in!

Luckily when we got home the air conditioner was working well!