Thursday to Saturday October 14-16, 2010

Thursday

The threat of rain was in the air and in fact it had rained during the night but I went for my walk anyway. We had a few sprinkles on and off this morning.

My Immigration lawyer had requested that we print out the statements that we had prepared for him, sign and date them and mail to him so we got that done this morning, then I went out to the post office. While out I stopped to get a key made (it doesn't work) and picked up a few things, one of which is a kneepad so hopefully this will save wear and tear on my knees for jobs like gardening.

We had to go out and put gas in the car so took the key back and the lady made another one. This one is tight but it works.

I was looking around in blogger this afternoon and found they've updated it. You can now apparently upload as many photos as you want and move them around so I've switched. I'll have to take some photos to give this a try!

I made a meatloaf for dinner and we just hung around for the rest of the evening. Gordon had an appointment for midnight for an MRI at the Ottawa Hospital so we had to go out in the rain to go to Ottawa. Neither of us likes driving at night in the rain and on the way in to Ottawa it really rained. It felt like we were hydroplaning at times. But we arrived, safe and sound, about an hour early. He was taken early and we were headed for home about 12:15 a.m. It wasn't raining as hard then and we arrived home around 1:30 a.m. The MRI is to check his lungs from the Valley Fever and also to look at some fluid that they found in his spine the last time they did an MRI. The thought is that it's congenital. Hopefully,  nothing serious.

Friday

Needless to say, I slept late this morning and it was still raining. I decided to take the day off from walking.

This afternoon we had an appointment with our local bank to get all our accounts transferred here. They were very accommodating.

After dropping Gordon at the house I went on to Walmart to pick up some things, Zellers for a prescription and a grocery store. Very exciting stuff!

It rained all day and was still raining when I went to bed. On the radar it looked like we had a stalled system.

Saturday

I was surprised to see some sun when I got up this morning. I had an enjoyable walk and took some photos of my walk downtown.

The oak tree in front of the house is pretty now

Red & green leaves

 

 

 

Autumn sky

This is an interesting bridge

Downtown-Beckwith Street

I walk by this door often - the art is cute!

Plant cycle

 While I was cleaning out the front garden this morning, Gordon went off in search of something to cover the air conditioner for the winter. I got all the garden debris boxed up and Gordon came home with weather stripping and nothing to cover the air conditioner BUT he had found a tool chest that he wanted. So off we went to the dump site for garden waste, got rid of that and went and got him his tool chest.

While we were out we went to the cemetery beside the dump site. The trees were pretty.

After lunch he installed the weather stripping and did some caulking on the front porch roof so our mail doesn't get wet. Then we started putting away lawn furniture for the winter. It was a nice day to get things like that done.

While he was outside putting together his new tool chest,  I did some inside cleaning. I use my swiffer with either wet or dry cloths usually but every once in a while you need to actually mop (with something other than my socks walking across the floor LOL) and I love the smell of Pine Sol!

When he finished the tool chest he put together my yard cart so it's ready for spring! The yard cart is cool. It even has a dump feature!

I just read that the RV community has had another tragedy. Bruce and Margie went out for a walk this morning and were struck down by a car, neither survived. Apparently the driver of the car was trying to commit suicide. They will be missed by their family and by the RVing community among others, myself included.

Monday to Wednesday October 11-13, 2010

Monday

Today was a pretty low key day. I had filled in my ballot for the Municipal elections so my morning walk took me to the post office. In Smiths Falls, Municipal voting is done by mail.

After that, I filled in some documents for social security that I'll need at the U.S. Embassy tomorrow. Then did some cleaning and laundry.

I had cut up some of our gluten free bread and left it out to dry to try to make my own stuffing since El Peto's was not worth the $5.79 it cost. I used butter, onions, chicken broth, some seasoned salt and sage. I also had a chicken breast that I had bought a while back so that went in the oven.

I finished a J.A. Jance book that I started yesterday. It was easy reading but I had figured out who did it about half way through.

Tuesday

It was an early morning today as we headed in to Ottawa to go to the U.S. Embassy. Traffic in the city was horrendous even though it was after 9 a.m. by the time we hit the city so we wound up taking different routes and got downtown around 9:45 a.m. Gordon dropped me at the bank as I had to have part of the form for Social Security completed by them. That done, we headed to the Embassy where they went through purses, pockets and kept some stuff till we left. We were treated very well by Mary, the lady who looked after us. She photocopied all my documents for Social Security, will certify them and ship them to my caseworker in Ogdensburg, NY. So, hopefully, I'll be receiving my social security in due course.

We also stopped at Hog's Back Falls for some photos.

Hog's Back Falls

Rainbow at the Falls

On our way home we stopped at my sister's place and picked up more boxes of dishes and crystal. After we left there we had some sort of rattle in the car that we couldn't locate so when we got home Gordon took it to the Kia dealer. They finally found out what it was - the garage door opener - no charge! They are a great dealership!

While he was gone I watched a couple of TV shows that I missed on Thursday night at the cottage and read some and I think I had a nap!

Wednesday

It was another beautiful sunny but chilly morning for my walk. Someone wasn't paying attention and I almost got hit crossing the street. I saw the look on her face when she realized I was there. I was crossing in a crosswalk area and I have no idea why she didn't see me - not paying attention?

Gordon decided today was a good day to go to Jones Falls Locks. (There are four locks.) So, off we went. It's a very pretty area and I think I like these locks the best of any we've seen so far. It's definitely a pretty setting. There are also trails around there.

One of the locks at Jones Falls

Along one of the trails

Hotel Kenney at the Locks - We thought we might spend our 20th anniversary here. Unfortunately they close on October 25th.

How many hotels do you know that hang their sheets on the line?

Stone Arch Dam

Stone arch dam at Jones Falls - completed 1831

At 61 feet, the dam was the highest in North America in its time

This is what is left of Jones Falls after the Dam went in. It's now called a weir.

On our way home we took some photos along the road.

Old barn in scenic setting

An old shack by the marsh

The Anglican Church in Portland, Ontario, a very pretty setting

This afternoon I went out to pick up a few groceries. That's about it!

Thursday to Sunday October 7 -10, 2010-Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

On Thursday, we packed up and headed for my sister's cottage near Lindsay, Ontario. We stopped several times along the way to take photos. The whole weekend was beautiful, bright and sunny. Some days were warmer than others. In fact, Friday was like a summer day.

Photos taken along the route









We arrived mid afternoon and stopped by Double M Campground to see if Daphne was there but the office was closed so we just went straight to the cottage.

Betty and Garth were getting dinner ready. Ribs!

The GBH (Great Blue Heron) was also there to greet us

On Friday, I started my day with a nice walk on the cottage road. After lunch, Betty and I went shopping in Lindsay for a couple of hours before meeting the guys in the parking lot at Fleming College. The Trans Canada Trail runs behind the college so Betty thought since it was such a nice day we should walk part of the trail. It was indeed a lovely day for a walk.

Along the trail








After that we had dinner at Swiss Chalet. Betty thought that would be a good idea as we know we can eat the food there.

My morning walk


The kitties all came out to greet me

This is Freckles

And this is Tiger

On Saturday most of the day was spent getting Thanksgiving dinner together as this weekend is the Canadian Thanksgiving. I did go for my walk first thing and then walked down to get the paper with Betty mid morning.

Garth's daughter and her family arrived mid afternoon and we had turkey, stuffing (I made El Peto stuffing for Gordon and I - it tasted like plastic) and all the trimmings. I love turkey!

This morning I didn't walk, just packed up to come home. It was only 2C (36F) when I got up but it warmed up to a respectable 20C (68F).

It was another nice drive but we only stopped for one photo as we were anxious to get back. I went and picked up some groceries and got everything unpacked then tacked email! Nearly four days without internet, I don't know how I survived! Gordon did go into Lindsay and found some open wifi so he had at least checked email. Actually it wasn't that bad without it!

My condolences go out to George on the death of his son. I have been reading George's blog now for about seven years. I'm very sad for him.

Sunday to Wednesday October 4-6, 2010

Sunday

It was nice and sunny this morning but I decided to forego my walk as Gordon wanted to go and hike one of the trails at the Marlborough Forest. The one we were on was the Cedar Grove Walking Trail at Roger's Pond.

Cedar Grove Walking Trail

White birches/blue sky

Roger's Pond

We didn't see anything of interest on the trail. Gordon wanted to see the pond and he decided it's a good spot for sunrise photos.

From there we continued traveling around looking for pretty leaves. It's funny that the prettiest ones are in town but then you have to contend with all kinds of wires.

Church at Burritt's Rapids/Tree with brightly coloured leaves

We arrived home around noon.

After a brief nap, Gordon got the new pressure washer put together and we washed the car. Then we took it to the front of the house to wash the dirt of the eaves. It looks soooo much better! I cleaned up a bit of the flower bed from when the deck was built. I'm still deciding what to do with the bare spot. I expect I will wait till spring now to do anything.

Monday

Although the day started out sunny it rapidly deteriorated to cloud. This whole week was supposed to be bright sun but that was yesterday's forecast! Now, not so much. I had a nice walk, even checked out a new street.

After breakfast I went out to get some groceries. While out I found some flannelette sheets on sale so I bought one set. We always used them in the winter in the house but I had gotten rid of them when on the road. I like that they feel all warm and cosy.

We found out last night when we turned on the furnace that our temperature control isn't working properly so Gordon called our electrician and he's coming tomorrow. In the meantime, the electric fireplace is doing a good job and the house, at least at this point, appears well insulated.

I managed to get my hair coloured this afternoon, got some laundry done and went to the library. That about wraps it up for today!

Tuesday

Today was pretty much a beautiful sunny day but other than my morning walk I was inside all day.

The electrician came today and put in our new thermostat control. He also changed one of our breakers as our microwave has been blowing the old one lately.

Laundry and cleaning got done today as well. YUK!

Wednesday

We had a lot of rain again today but it didn't rain this morning so I could go for my walk.

I ran a few errands this morning. This afternoon we headed into The Brick in Carleton Place to pick up our new bookshelves. We managed to fit them in the car although I was laying down for the drive home. Gordon put them together as soon as we got home.

Saturday October 2, 2010

I woke up to bright, beautiful sunshine although it was cold at 4C (39F). Luckily I had gotten out some winter things last night so I was able to cover my ears when I went for my walk.

Since it was sunny today the plan du jour was to go out leaf hunting. We had both cloud and sun on our drive toward Clayton, Almonte and Carleton Place. We got a few photos.

Someone was burning something. The flames were pretty high. Sure hope they were looking after it.

Lilac Lane, Franktown

Horse barns behind the church in Franktown

Along the back roads

Some turkeys - they'd better watch out, Canadian Thanksgiving is next weekend!

One of the Falls at Almonte

While we were in the area we stopped at Tranquil Acres but the trees on the other side of the river weren't as pretty as usual. While there we stopped by our former Titanium. Warren was there closing it up for the winter. He again reiterated how much they love it. That's good to hear. We didn't have any nostalgic feelings while we were there so I guess we've moved past it.

Then it was on to The Brick where we were looking at bookshelves that were on sale. We found ones that we liked and put them on order. They should be in on Wednesday.

Thursday & Friday, September 30 & October 1, 2010

Thursday

It was cloudy with the threat of rain in the air and we did indeed have rain and lots of it all day. I had a short walk with just a bit of drizzle but we had to get ready to go in to Ottawa. We had errands to run, I had an appointment with the eye surgeon and the company that looks after our retirement funds had a Customer Appreciation BBQ.

We got our errands done. I was at the surgeon's office in lots of time only to wait for an hour to be seen. Everything with the cataract surgery is fine but my optic nerves are not 'normal' looking so he sent me for a glaucoma test. He said to take it to my optometrist so when I left there we went straight to the optometrist's office to drop that off. We both have appointments in mid October.

Then it was on to the Customer Appreciation BBQ. They have these little parties about twice a year. We usually get to go to the one held in the summer. It was a bit late this year. We've only been to one Christmas one.

Retired people will show up even in the pouring rain for a free meal! LOL We did!

Apex Jazz Band

They had a good jazz band called the Apex Jazz Band. We had some food, spoke to our financial advisor to say Hi and then left to go to my sister's for a few minutes before heading home in the rain. While there I picked up some of my china that she had stored there. It's my grandmother's set that she got as a wedding present in the early 1900s and a very pretty pattern. It's very difficult to find pieces but I have done so at flea markets and have added to it over the years.

Now that I have my new storage unit I have one empty side to store the china in.

I caught up our monthly expenses tonight. This is the first month since we moved in that we've actually come in under budget even with things purchased for the house. Finally!

Friday

We actually saw some sun today although it was cool. I went for my walk, thankful that there was no rain in the forecast for this morning as we've had enough rain for a while. The ground in spots is saturated. Gordon went out after breakfast to take some photos.

While he was gone I unpacked my box of dishes and did some cleaning. My throat felt a little scratchy so I decided to rest today.

Gordon has been scratching his head for the last few days wondering why the garage door opener didn't work. So today, he was back out in the garage to try again. Well, something he did worked and he has no idea what it is but we now have our car in the garage. The photo (above) is of him looking quite pleased with himself.

Wednesday September 29, 2010

Today was mostly a cloudy day with one little patch of blue sky this morning so we headed over to Poonamalie locks for some photos.

Houseboats leaving the locks

On the grounds of the locks

Flowers at the locks

I did go out for my walk this morning and wound up going downtown. I don't often go that way because of traffic crossing Queen/Elmsley Street. I'd rather just keep on truckin' on the side streets away from traffic.

My doctor's office called this afternoon with the results of my sleep test. I have mild sleep apnea but only when sleeping on my back so the recommendation was to sew tennis balls in the back of my nightwear and lose some weight.

Tonight we went out for sunset. Another photographer had mentioned this spot to us and Gordon checked it out and it's right in town, just a stone's throw from the RV park!

Sunset throws golden light on the new water treatment plant

Sunset

The old train trestle bridge at sunset, lots of pink sky