Vet, StarChoice, Visiting and Dinner

Sunrise on the Scugog River

This morning I was up just after 6:00 a.m. It was 4C (40F)! Gordon had put the furnace on during the night and this morning when I got up the electric heater was on too.

After I took Bib out, I went out to find Gordon as he was out taking sunrise photos. I found him down by the water photographing the mist over the water and waiting for the sun to come up over the trees. I stayed with him and took some photos too. While we were there a flock of wild turkeys came by. We continued down to the beach taking some more photos and then to the boat docking area. There was a heron there yesterday but he wasn’t there this morning.

Last night Bib started coughing, I think from a treat that he swallowed whole. He coughed on and off during the night and this morning appeared listless and didn’t want to do anything. He didn’t eat or drink either so at 9:00 a.m. we took him to the vet up the road from us and he squeezed us in. He thinks Bib scratched his throat so he suggested giving him pepto bismol to soothe it and putting him back on small amounts of canned food feeding him often during the day in small amounts. So more vet bills!

Around 10:30 a.m. the installer came to put up our StarChoice Satellite dish. He was gone by about noon and we had satellite TV. Now we have to find out what channel is what. We have 290+ channels!

After we surfed some channels to see what was what, I had a nap then got up and got ready to go to Betty & Garth’s for dinner. We wound up taking Bib with us as he is eating small meals so I had to feed him again. We arrived around 4:15 p.m. and sat and chatted, went for a walk and had a lovely dinner in the gazebo on the dock. After cleaning up and some more chatting, we left arriving home around 10:00 p.m.

It’s been a long day!

We're On Our Way to Having Satellite TV!

Water lily pads on the Scugog

Today was sunny and cool all day. I got the laundry done this morning and this afternoon we went in to see Armand at 3i Communications to see about getting the arm for satellite TV. After we made arrangements for Armand to come out to our campsite after we get the StarChoice people here to do what they need to do we headed over to The Source in the Lindsay Mall and got our receiver.

Early this evening the installer called and will be here tomorrow early in the afternoon. We had thought that he would not be here until Monday so this is a good thing.

While we were out we had breakfast at Wimpy’s Diner. It was a huge breakfast and as such we haven’t had another meal today.

I did sit outside for a while when we got back to the RV this afternoon but it was quite cool so I needed my sweater and a blanket! What a change from last week!

Shopping in Peterborough and Lindsay

San Diego Skyline

Bird of Paradise

This morning when I got up at 7:20 a.m. it was already 16C (61F) and sunny. It warmed up quite quickly but by the time noon came around it had clouded over quite a bit and looked like rain. Fortunately it didn’t. More on that later.

Betty picked me up at the campground around 10:30 a.m. and we headed into Peterborough. We stopped at one mall where WalMart used to be and shopped there fore a while, then went into Peterborough to the restaurant at the Holiday Inn for lunch. The restaurant has a patio that overlooks Little Lake in town and though it looked like rain we decided to sit outside. The waitress said we could move inside if it did start to rain but the sky cleared as we were eating and it was sunny and cloudy on and off for most of the afternoon. The food at the restaurant was forgettable but it was a pretty spot. Betty and I both like patio restaurants. After lunch we went back out to WalMart and then came back to Lindsay. They rebuilt one end of the little shopping mall in Lindsay so I got to see it for the first time. They were building last year when we were here in June.

Betty brought me back as she needed my gluten free soy sauce to make a dish for Saturday night as we are invited to dinner. She also wanted to see my photos of Nick and Becky’s wedding. I had seen hers at lunch but mine are on my computer. So I need to do a printout of one of the photos I have for her. Betty and I walked Bib around the park and then she headed back to the cottage.

Both Gordon and I had a nap. I was really tired and didn’t wake up till about 7:30 p.m. past out dinnertime! Nothing but TV for tonight.

I also didn’t take any photos today as I didn’t want to bother with my camera so I’m putting up some that I took last Fall in San Diego, CA.

Now at Lindsay, Ontario

I got up around 6:30 a.m. today as we were moving. It was 9C (49F)! Fall is in the air!

As usual, when Gordon took the truck for service last month, they didn't put the air in the tires properly so Gordon went out to fix that. While he was gone I was talking to the manager of the campground, Lois, who had given Gordon the instructions on how to get to Marble Bluff. I told her we didn’t find it but we did find Tatlock Quarry. It turns out that Tatlock Quarry and Marble Bluff are one and the same, so we did find it after all!

Anyway after packing up, getting fuel and so on we pulled out of Tranquil Acres at 10:00 a.m. We had an uneventful drive west on Hwy 7 and beautiful weather. Traffic was fairly light so we actually arrived at Double M RV Resort & Campground at 1:30 p.m. Daphne (owner) had emailed me instructions and had given us a spot backing on the water. Unfortunately Gordon we couldn’t get level at that site so he had talked to Mike (owner) who had driven him around in the golf cart and showed him other possible sites. On our third try, we managed to get level and have our internet satellite. We aren’t backing on the water but it’s not a long walk to get there. Oh well, we all have disappointments in our lives and if this is the only one I have today, I’ll live! Consequently it took us over two hours to get set up. Luckily it wasn’t really hot.

Bib and I walked around the park a bit and then checked out TV stations with our aerial (until we get satellite) Yeah! We’re in Lindsay. Time to go to see Armand at 3i Communications to get set up with our TV satellite arm so maybe in a week or so (by the time Starchoice gets around to bringing the dish to us) we might have decent TV!

Tomorrow my sister, Betty, is picking me up and the ladies are going shopping. Don’t know where yet. It’s supposed to rain, so if it rains, we’ll go to Peterborough where we can shop indoors, if not, maybe Lindsay or Fenelon Falls. Tomorrow is another day!

The photo today is of our site at Double M.

The Search for Marble Bluff

Cute old log home along Hwy 511 with day lilies growing against it

Tatlock Quarry

Tatlock Quarry

Bib got me up before 7:00 a.m. today. It was bright and sunny but only 14C (57F) and quite breezy.

This morning Gordon was going to see a former client of his at her new job to have coffee and see their new office so while he was gone I took some time to start putting things away in preparation for our trip tomorrow.

This afternoon we headed out to find Marble Bluff. We never did find it but had another nice drive and took Bib with us today. We did find Tatlock Quarry where they quarry white marble. The white hills reminded me of White Sands in Alamogordo, NM. They let you take the white stones for free! I used to pay a fortune for a bag of those stones at the nursery. I've lived in this area for 35 years and never knew that marble was quarried this close to home.

We drove as far as Calabogie as I hadn’t been there in a lot of years. For a resort community, I expected more but we didn’t go as far as Calabogie Peaks. Another time. We’ll also have to find Marble Bluff next time we’re here.

It turned out to be a beautiful summer day - no humidity, sunny with a breeze and 24C (75F).

Fell asleep watching TV tonight.

Trip to Purdon Conservation Area

Scene along County Road 12 near Lanark

View from the lookout at the Purdon Conservation Area

It was much warmer when I got up this morning 21C (70F) and this was before 7:00 a.m. however when I went outside there was a really nice breeze so it didn’t feel that warm.

This morning I sat outside and read and did some painting on my doggie part of our name plaque. It was very pleasant with the breeze but when I was painting at the picnic table, it was hot and my paint kept drying on me. This is good for the piece you’re painting on but not good for the paint you’re using.

This afternoon we headed southwest to see if we could find the Purdon Conservation Area. We did find it without any problems and had a nice drive. Purdon Conservation is a wetland area and is home to the wild Lady’s Slipper Orchid from mid-June to mid-July so we missed that and I have to say that other than a nice boardwalk throughout, it wasn’t much but it was a lovely afternoon and we saw some towns and places that we had never seen before. We drove through Lanark which when I was a kid was home to the Kitten Mill but that is no longer open although the village itself is kind of cute – not by Merrickville or Perth’s standards but cute in its own right. For anyone who doesn’t know Merrickville and Perth are two very cute, trendy little towns in Eastern Ontario with all sorts of little shops.

Watched TV this evening but it pretty much sucks! Only a few days till we look into satellite TV!

Sunday Jaunt

View from my lawn chair this afternoon at Tranquil Acres

I enjoyed my walk this morning as it was another cool, bright sunshiny morning, only 13C (56F) outside.

I had decided yesterday I was going to make a trip into Ottawa to pick up some things and get the mail from my sister’s house so I set out around 10:45 a.m. and headed into Ottawa. I made several stops and got to my sister’s around 2:00 p.m.

When I arrived Nick and Becky were there for a short time so I got to see them which was a bonus. Nick was there to pick up his clothes. After they left, Margie, John, Danica and I chatted a bit and I headed out to do grocery shopping around 3:00 p.m. arriving back at the campground at 4:15 p.m.

I sat in my lawn chair for a while after I got home - see photo above.

Nothing else happening today!

Beautiful Day!

Wow! What a difference this morning. We slept last night with the windows open as it seemed to have cooled off last night. This morning when I woke up it was only 18C (66F) inside the RV. It’s been a long time since it’s been that cool inside. The outside was bright and sunny with no humidity so I had a very nice walk. A real Ottawa summer day!

Unfortunately I found out too late that there was a pot luck tonight at the campground so we didn’t go. Next year when we’re here, I’ll have to pay more attention.

I had planned to go out and pick up some groceries today but was lazy so just stayed around the campground reading and chatting with neighbours.

Michelle sent us new pictures of Luke so he is the photo for today’s blog.

Trip to the Vet and Housework!

Northern California coast near Crescent City, CA

Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City, CA

I woke up to a nice bright sunny day today with no humidity. It was actually quite refreshing at just past 7:00 a.m.

After breakfast I got the refrigerator defrosted. It badly needed it but I hate to do it when it’s so hot because I only have two small coolers and one big insulated lunchbag to put things in while the defrosting is going on.

Today was Bib’s day to visit his doctor and get his yearly checkup and his shots. He was his usual “Vinnie the Killer Poodle”. We always have to muzzle him so he doesn’t bite the doctor. He got his shots so he’s okay to cross the border now.

Again I didn’t take any photos today so the ones above area again of Northern California taken last November.

Uneventful Thursday

These are the gates that we have to open and close every time we leave or come back to the RV Park

A couple of little frogs cooling off in the Mississippi River (at Appleton, Ontario)

Today was cooler with a bit less humidity but still got to 32C (89F). The forecast had been for 26C (78F).

This morning I packed up the laundry and went in to Carleton Place to the Laundromat. There was only one other person there when I arrived but before long it was full. I was glad to get done and get out of there. Then went to the grocery to pick up a couple of things and arrived home around 1:00 p.m. There is a wooden gate to gain access to the campground so if you’re traveling alone you have to get out of your vehicle, open the gate, get back in and go through the gate, get out again to close it. So I had opened the gate when I saw Gordon and Bib coming my way. It’s always nice to have someone there to open and close it for you. Photo shown above.

Nothing exciting today!

Errands in Ottawa

Photos from the Northern California Coast



This morning when I got up it was already 25C (77F) with no breeze. After I walked Bib, I decided not to take my walk this morning. It was just too hot and humid and I already felt sort of ill. Since we were going in to Ottawa today, I decided to do some mall walking.

Gordon had a date with his Macintosh (computer) friends to meet up at the Fishy Place AKA Lapointe’s in Bells Corners for a fishy lunch. Before this was arranged I had already decided to go in to Ottawa today to go to the chiropractor.

I called yesterday for an appointment and found out that my chiropractor, Ken Dick is off for a number of months due to an operation but has someone filling in for him. At the time of booking I thought thank goodness it’s a guy.

I had some items to buy at GNC and also prescriptions to pick up in preparation for leaving for Lindsay next week. We got back to the RV around 4:00 p.m. to a hungry puppy. I sat outside for a while but it was just too hot. I didn’t get much of a breeze although the trees seemed to be blowing.

We watched ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ tonight. It was nice to see parts of Italy but the movie itself was a little hard to follow and somewhat disjointed however there wasn’t a lot of choice!

I didn’t take any photos today so have taken two photos from our trip of the area north of Smith River, CA along Highway 101.

Due to our thunderstorm tonight and the satellite being down I won’t be posting this blog until tomorrow morning.

Hottest Day in This Area That I Can Remember!

Today was very hot and humid even at 7:20 a.m. It was already 24 C (76F) then so I only did half my walk. There was a little breeze, but very little. Forecast was for 34C (93F). Our thermometer actually read 39C (102.2F) at 4:00 p.m. There was a pretty stiff breeze later in the afternoon but that didn't cool anything off. Right now it's 8:30p.m. and it's still 29C (85F).

I spent most of the morning uploading photos of the Gift Opening Party on Saturday to my Yahoo site and trying to get them arranged in some sort of order. The link to my Yahoo site is in the sidebar and the photos are under Nick and Becky.

Other than trying to keep cool today, nothing much happened. I did sit outside with Bib for a while but not very long. Bib didn't seem to mind sitting in the shade.

Photo today is of a pretty flower in the flower garden here at the campground – no idea what it is though!

End of the Month Again

Gordon had planned to go to the dentist today as he has a tooth that’s been bothering him but when he called he found out his dentist is away till August 7th and we’ll be leaving for Lindsay on the 9th so he’ll have to wait until we get back in September. The good news is that it’s not been bothering him for the last four days or so. Late this morning we went out and got propane and took Bib for a little drive. After lunch I went and got groceries.

Since it's the end of the month, here are our expenses for July:

Campground Fees – 676.14

Groceries – 459.34
Laundry – 27.25
Wine/Spirits – 69.10
Entertainment – 0.00
Snacks – 7.25
Eating Out – 70.64
Fuel for Truck – 267.30
Propane – 27.00
Dog Food/Vet etc – 247.36
Repairs RV/Truck – 968.95
Misc – 241.22
Insurance – 189.44
Internet – 13.00
Cell Phones – 108.77
Medical/Dental – 138.12
Gifts – 502.88
Total – 4013.76

We had an expensive service this month on the truck. The rear oil needed to be changed and that is always expensive. We also got our bathroom sink replaced in the fifth wheel so this month was expensive in that regard. We switched from a one year contract to a two year contract for internet satellite so I expect we will be charged for two months next month. The $13.00 is for something to do with Gordon’s domain that I don’t think we should be charged for so we have to look into that. Our alcohol consumption didn’t increase this month, we just bought wine for the rehearsal dinner for Nick and Becky’s wedding. Also the gift category is higher this month because of the wedding as well. Considering all the expenses we had this month, I thought we did quite well overall.

Quiet Sunday & More Wedding Photos

Wedding Sunset

Best man, Pete and his significant other, Sam

Rings

First dance for the newlyweds

The wedding cake that Becky made

Betty & Garth

Nick, Becky & Becky's Mom

Becky's family

Nick & his sister, Danica

The three sisters - Betty, Margie & I

Nick with his parents

Nick and his Mom

Danica

L to R - Danica, John, Margie, Nick

Nick & best man, Pete

Today we spent a very quiet day after all the festivities of the weekend. It was bright and sunny with no humidity and when I sat outside for a while this morning I was actually too cool in my shorts.

This afternoon Gordon got our desktop PC set up with the program for booting up the satellite. I napped and read and then vacuumed, dusted and washed the floors then did some interneting. Have you ever checked out www.jibjab.com? It’s got some cute little videos. My favourites are This Land, Big Box Mart and Drugs I Need.

Anyway, nothing happening today!

Since I didn't take any photos today, I'm posting more wedding photos. Some didn't turn out all that well, my camera has restrictions but here they are anyway.

Wedding Gift Opening Party

The happy couple relax after an afternoon of opening wedding gifts

All the bows were being put on Nick's person somewhere -he's a good sport about it

Nick & Becky open one of the gifts from Debbie & Peter (Margie & John's long time friends)

Our Mom (Nick's Nanny) made this quilt for Nick before she passed away. There was a note on it to give it to him for his wedding

Nick and Becky open Best Man, Pete's gifts

Nick and Becky open Best Man, Pete's gifts

Becky's Dad, Al chugs champagne (I told him I'd take his photo if he did it)

Gift from us - photo of the Nick's Uncle Garth and Aunt Betty's cottage taken by Uncle David (Gordon) and changed to a conputer generated watercolour painting

Nick & Becky open gift from Nick's Uncle Albert and Aunt Reina

Nick's Aunt Terry and cousin Ben couldn't come to the wedding from England. Photo above is of Nick and Becky opening one of their gifts.

Today there was a gift opening party at Becky's Opa and Oma's house. I'm not going to write about it. I'll just post photos. By the way, these photos represent only a small portion of those actually received.

Congratulations Nick and Becky!

Nick and Becky cutting the cake - Becky made the cake and decorated it herself. It was good too!

Nick and Becky share a kiss with the Ottawa River in the background at sunset

Nick and Becky leaving the church in Nick's friend, Kyle's 1938 Chev Coupe

Nick and I in front of the church before the ceremony

Today started out cloudy and humid with a high smog advisory.

Nick called last night and wanted us to be at the church today for 5:30 p.m. to take family photos with him before Becky arrives.

We went to The Gourmet Restaurant in Carleton Place for breakfast and then toured some streets of rural Carleton Place that we hadn’t been on before. We also stopped at Mississippi Lake RV Resort to see what it looked like. They wouldn’t let us go in and look around. You have to make an appointment with the owner if you want to go in and tour the place. There are a lot of cottages on Mississippi Lake that I didn’t realize before. I had never thought of the Carleton Place area as ‘cottage country’.

I got my hair done this afternoon and then went and got my driver’s license renewed. At least I know my hair will look good on my driver’s license.

Around 3:00 p.m. the sun came out and stayed out so we had a really nice sunset in the background for some of the photos.

We left about 4:45 p.m. and headed into the church, All Saints Lutheran at Pinecrest and Queensview. We beat everyone there but with rush hour traffic on a Friday night, you never know. We got the photos done of Nick and Pete and Nick and me as aunt and godmother. It was a beautiful wedding but was very hot in the church. Nick looked very handsome in his tux and Becky made a beautiful bride.

After the wedding the immediate family headed over to Andrew Hayden Park and we took more photos before ending up at Capone’s at the Nepean Sportsplex for the reception. I got to dance with my husband, that doesn’t happen often. I also got a dance with Nick. He and Becky really seemed to be having a good time. Becky baked her own cake and did a really good job.

We got home about 11:45 p.m. and Bib was really happy to see us!

Helping Out

Nick and his best man, Pete (taken last night at the rehearsal dinner)

It was cloudy and humid this morning but still managed to do my walk. After breakfast and some interneting, I mowed the area around our ‘house’. With all the rain we’ve had it was badly needed and if I didn’t do it today, it probably wouldn’t get done till Sunday as the next two days will be busy.

This afternoon one of our neighbours that we met last year came over and asked if we could move his trailer. He’s one of the seasonal people here at the park. They bought a new trailer that is being delivered tomorrow so Gordon moved his trailer off his site and into an area where it can be picked up tomorrow after the new one is delivered. He did a very professional job!

I was sitting outside reading my book when Gordon poked his head out the door. He just had socks on and we started talking and he started to come outside, lost his footing and slipped coming down the stairs. It seems like he broke his toe so we had to go out and get tape and gauze to bind it so he’ll be able to get into his shoes tomorrow for the wedding. He’s also got an abscessed tooth that we’re hoping won’t get any worse. He’ll have to go in and get it pulled on Monday.

Rehearsal Party

Nick and Becky cutting their rehearsal dinner cake

Humid and cloudy with sunny periods this morning so I did my walk.

Betty, my sister and Garth, her husband picked me up around 2:00 p.m. Betty and I went to our younger sister, Margie’s to help set up for Nick and Becky’s rehearsal dinner which took place tonight. Gordon remained behind to feed the dog and then joined us for dinner around 7:00 p.m. The rehearsal party got back to the house around 7:45 p.m. and we enjoyed a buffet dinner.

We got home at 11:30 p.m. and I’m pooped so not writing much tonight!