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!

An Eventful Few Days-The End of our RVing

Wednesday

We had some sun and cloud this morning but at least it wasn't raining so I had a nice walk.

After breakfast I got ready and went out. First stop was downtown at the bank to turn in all the rolled coin I had. After that I stopped at the two thrift stores. I was looking for some shorts but didn't find anything I liked. I did find a blue tablecloth for my table though.

From there I went and got a haircut. Today was the last day for my 15% off coupon and also the last day before we get charged an extra 8% tax on haircuts and many other things. After the haircut, I stopped at our local Dollarama and found some chair pads for $2/each. They'll do for now! Guess I should cut the tags off them though.

Then I stopped for groceries as tomorrow is Canada Day and most of the stores will be closed.

After a late lunch and some computer time, I had a nap.

Tonight we went out for sunset. We drove to the little town of Merrickville to see if there was an access there for sunset in a pretty spot but wound up going back to Kilmarnock.



Thursday

The second day in a row with no rain in the morning so I had another nice walk. I also got my hair coloured again! It doesn't seem to last nearly as long as it used to.

We were just hanging around this morning when the phone rang. It was a lady interested in our RV. They were at Tranquil Acres for the weekend. Dave had shown it to them last night so they asked if we could come over to the campground so we could have a chat. We made arrangements to meet them at the RV at 1 p.m.

The long and the short of it is that they liked it and made us an offer. We accepted! We hung around the campground for a while talking to Dave and Shonagh, cleaning the nose of the RV and cleaning out the storage area. Just as we were leaving Gordon saw this little fawn running through the campground trying to find a way out. He was so sweet!



Just before 10 p.m. we headed over to the easement that goes to the water just across from the house. It was a perfect spot to watch the fireworks. We just need portable chairs now - more garage sales!

Photo by Gordon

Friday

It was a beautiful sunny day so another nice walk. Very little humidity today. Other than some cleaning, I read and had a nap. My allergies are bothering me.

Late in the afternoon we got ready to go to Carleton Place to Tranquil Acres. I dropped Gordon off and went to Walmart and Bulk Barn. He wanted to check to be sure the fridge, air conditioner and furnace all worked since they hadn't been used in so long.

When I got back to the campground we met with the new owners and exchanged the ownership for money! We hung around talking to the owners of the campground for a while then left to return home.

Tranquil Acres views

Along the Mississippi River

A little frog

The new dock

The orange tractor

And a last view of our Titanium

When Gordon took this photo we were no longer the owners



We had decided to go out for dinner so went to Rob Roy's Pub in Smiths Falls. The food was pretty good. They have an open rear deck but it was too chilly to sit out even though it was 22C (71F).

View from the back deck of Rob Roy's Pub


The selling of the RV marks the end of our RVing lifestyle. We're both glad we had that five years on the road but we're content now with our little house. It's a relief that it's sold but it's also sad to mark the end of the lifestyle we enjoyed so much.

Thursday July 1, 2010

Happy Canada Day!

Monday and Tuesday June 28 & 29, 2010

Monday

I finally got through all the text versions that we have of newsletters that Gordon sent out in the 90's and early 2000. What a job! It still doesn't really tell me exactly when we crossed the border only generally when nor how long we stayed but it will have to do. How many people can remember these details?

This morning I mailed the package of tax forms etc. to my Immigration lawyer.

We hit our favourite store, Home Hardware this morning as Gordon wanted some brackets to put up a shelf in the shed to use as a workbench. We also got more new light switches to finish up the ones that need to be done.

I also got the house cleaned, my least favourite job.

This afternoon we went out to return my books to the library and pick up some new ones.

Just around dinnertime Gordon decided to put in the new light switches that we bought today. We had two singles and a double to do. You'd think it would have been an easy job however the screws had been painted over and a lot of scraping had to be done to be able to get the screws out but it's done now so all the upstairs switches are new ones. We still have some sockets to be grounded. There's always so much to do in an old house!

Gordon went out for sunset but I stayed home. It had started to cool off and I knew if he had to wait for me to change clothes he'd miss it!

Tuesday

It wasn't raining when I got up but from the radar I knew it was imminent so didn't go for my walk. By the time I was eating my breakfast it was raining AGAIN! This summer is feeling like a replay of last summer as far as the rain is concerned but it has been warmer than last summer.

After breakfast I baked some butterscotch brownies in preparation for company coming this afternoon.

We just hung around the house all day. Our friends, Laura and Steve from Rockwood, Ontario called from Kingston saying they were on their way to our place and arrived around 4 p.m. It was a quick stop but great to see them! They're on their way to Ottawa for the Canada Day celebration.

Steve & Laura are our third visitors to the house, the first being John & Margie and the second, my sister, Betty.

After dinner we went for a walk as it was such a nice evening. It's much cooler today and no humidity at all.

We walked down to the water on the easement that is near the house.

Looking across the water

Looking toward downtown with the water tower in the background and the sun on the water

Some day lilies beside a house on our walk

Saturday & Sunday June 26 & 27, 2010

Thanks to Judilyn for the assistance with our Mac problem. Gordon says the file juicer program worked pretty well. Much better than me going through and deleting all the gibberish.

Saturday

It was raining when I woke up so didn't get to go for my walk.

We hung around the house on Saturday. I had a nap and rolled up a lot of coin that's been hanging around forever in various spots.

Saturday night it cleared up and we went for a walk downtown. We even had a pretty nice sunset.

This is the Giant Tiger store sign downtown

Falls beside the Rideau Canal Museum

Lilies heading for the sky

Victoria RV park across the canal
Water drops on leaves

I really like this old house - it's been made into apartments but look at that verandah!

Saturday night sunset



Sunday

Sunday wasn't a good day although there was no rain and I did get to go for my walk.

Murphy's Law was around for much of the day and it really got me down but I'm sure things will be better tomorrow.

I had a short nap so that helped a bit.

I talked to my sister. She was at the cottage and things are going well there.

Thursday and Friday June 24 & 25, 2010

Thursday

I woke up to rain so stayed in bed for a while longer listening to the rain and the radio. By the time I got up I had a headache so whether it's from staying in bed or atmospheric pressure, who knows?

Thursday's rain taken from the front door

Thanks to Alfreda for identifying the Virginia Creeper as my plant growing on the shed. I'll quit looking for clematis flowers now! LOL

It appears that everyone must have a life but me. No one is doing Jigzone puzzles anymore. I still do one every morning and sometimes more during the day. They're kind of fun and it keeps me off Bejeweled for a while. I should stop altogether and get at the basement!

It seems that not only did we have a major earthquake in this area yesterday but the pretty little town of Midland on Georgian Bay that we visited last summer when we stayed in Orillia was hit by a tornado. It took Environment Canada a while to determine that it was a tornado but one look at this photo would have told me!

Photo taken from the Weather Network news page

After a shower, I started on the basement, three more boxes emptied but there's still lots of stuff I can't find!

Friday

Gordon used to do a newsletter every so often after he moved up here in 1990 to send to friends and family in the U.S. He still has the soft copies but unfortunately the programs that he used to compose them don't work on the Intel Mac so he's been trying to find a way to open them so we can determine when we crossed the border since 1992. We need this for the Immigration lawyer, I have no idea why as they should have records of when we crossed the border. We always show our passports. Anyway, Gordon wasn't having any luck but he did have text files. So my job has been to go through the text files and take out all the gibberish that would have been photos and formatting etc in the original files.

That kept me busy today until we left to go to Ottawa. We were going to my sister's for dinner as it is my nephew/godson's 25th birthday today. Quite a milestone!

We had some errands to run first so arrived at their house around 4:30 p.m. Nick and Becky were already there but Danica was leaving to referee the top women's soccer league in Canada so we only got to see her for a few minutes.

Nick doesn't like cake so he always gets a birthday pie, blueberry, his favourite! Here's he's blowing out the candles on his pie.

Modeling his new golf shirt

Becky, Nick and Margie

We took our own dinner as Nick always requests baked spaghetti for his birthday, we can't eat the noodles and I also can't have the tomato sauce or cheese so it's just easier this way.

We had a nice time until Gordon checked his ipod and saw that the money had come through for a photo order that he's been waiting for for DAYS! So we had to leave and get home so he could send the photos to the purchaser. It was a BIG order! The largest he's ever had.

On our way out of Ottawa I saw this strange looking bicycle


After we got home and the photo order taken care of we were just in time to head over to Kilmarnock for sunset. And a pretty one it was!

A loon in sunset light