Thursday & Friday July 22 & 23, 2010

Thursday

The contractor was here early this morning to have a look at the deck. George, the contractor had left early yesterday as he wasn't feeling well leaving his son and another fellow to finish up so he was here to see what kind of a job they did and also to stain the deck. We also had him change the locks on both doors. When George's son was putting the locks in this morning he told us that his Dad is 80 years old and still able to swing a sledge hammer.

The new deck

The house with the new deck

Bath Fitter arrived mid morning and proceeded to get our tub and tub wall installed. It took about six hours but looks wonderful! Now I can't wait to get the new vanity in!

Tub & tub wall

I also got an email from our Immigration lawyer this morning advising that he's working on something right now that will take him to the end of next week and after that he will work solely on our case. Wish us luck!

We went out for sunset again this time at Lower Reach Park which is just down the road from us.




Friday

Today was another busy day. George, our contractor came by and started doing some of the little things that I wanted done. He changed the weatherstripping on the back door (it was in very bad shape), took the back door down ready to paint, painted the door jamb and also the side door to the garage. We were going to paint it red but he was already painting it black by the time I got home. It was black originally so that's ok.

I went out to get groceries so he could have done other things and I didn't see him doing them. He has an amazing amount of energy for a man his age.

Tuesday & Wednesday July 20 & 21, 2010

Tuesday

I went for my walk this morning. My shoulder has been doing really well today.

We had to go to Ottawa this afternoon as Gordon had a doctor's appointment to go over his tests from his annual medical. All tests were A-OK!

While there we ran a number of errands. I had contacted someone about a used dresser that we were to see on our way back home. We got there and it was way too heavy for us. We're not going to have a replay of that office desk we got last month so we said thanks, but no thanks.

While we were out trying to find the house where the dresser was we saw this very interesting barn.



While we were gone the guys worked on the deck. It's starting to look like a real deck!



We got back just in time to go out again for sunset. It was pretty at the beginning but clouds rolled in and it fizzled.

Wednesday

After my morning walk and breakfast I got the urge to do something with the basement. Unfortunately I can't get everything put away until we get more storage but I got things cleaned up and put against the wall so at least the centre of the room is cleared. I put my craft supplies away in one of the storage cupboards that I bought and used vacuum storage bags to shrink down some of the blankets and linens and put into a plastic storage tub. Gordon was putting his tools into an old laundry basket. When the guys are finished with the deck, he'll move them to our storage shed. They're using it right now.

The construction guys arrived around nine and worked all day. It is definitely now a deck!


My sister called while we were cleaning the basement. They had planned to come for a visit so they arrived later this afternoon. It just started to rain when they arrived. We had lots of rain and a bit of a thunderstorm. They only stayed an hour or so but they hadn't been here for a while and hadn't seen the office set up.

I had made up a meatloaf for dinner so put it in the oven around 4 p.m. as it's a really big meatloaf! It sure smelled good!

I found this photo today when I was going through stuff in the basement. You may not recognize the two people in the photo but it's us nearly 20 years ago when we were married in Gatlinburg, TN!

Sunday & Monday July 18 & 19, 2010

Sunday

The hot spell broke finally. Almost two weeks of over 32C (90F) weather with high humidity was too much!

There was a lovely breeze this morning with some coolness in it for a change. We decided to go for a Sunday morning drive so we headed over to the locks east of Merrickville - Clowes and Upper and Lower Nicholson's.

Osprey nest along the road

The dam at Clowes Lock

Pretty sky

I always liked the colours in these flowers

This is a very old house

At Upper Nicholson's Lock
Another osprey nest just across from the lock

Lower Nicholson's lock



It was a lovely morning for a drive but around noon started to cloud over a bit so we headed home.

We were almost out of gluten free bread so I put another loaf in the breadmaker.

Other than a nap, the remainder of the day was uneventful.

Monday

We had quite a bit of rain overnight but by the time I got up the rain had stopped although it was still cloudy. I decided sore shoulder or not, I was walking today. I sure enjoyed being out again and although my shoulder ached I was able to ignore it.

The contractor showed up and started chipping away with the sledge hammer again. I went out and suggested he could probably get farther if he rented a jackhammer so away they went and came back with a small jackhammer. If he hadn't he'd still be here next year this time chipping away. As it is, most of the front steps are removed and it looks like he's going to build over the rest of it.

We went out to run a few errands this afternoon and took a few photos.

This heifer was very protective of her barn



Here she is telling us off



We had planned to go to Perth to get more printouts of Gordon's photos but they were busy today and couldn't do the printing so Gordon will probably go in the morning.

The progress on the front deck



Another sunset drive tonight but it was too clear to make it a nice sunset unfortunately.

Thursday evening, Friday & Saturday July 15-17, 2010

Thursday evening

After posting we went for an evening drive. Gordon had found more evidence of the Wolford name in the area. There's a Wolford School, a hamlet called Wolford Centre (just a couple of houses) as well as the Wolford Chapel.

We saw this old house that had very interesting brickwork. It looks like dots.

















Friday

We had some rain this morning and it was very hot and humid. It was 22C (72F) when I woke up shortly after 5 a.m. after a restless sleep but with the humidity it was already 30C (86F). After I got up shortly before 8 a.m. we had a few claps of thunder in the distance and then the system moved out.

Shortly after 10 a.m. the contractor arrived with a truckload of materials and he and his helper started on the deck. I don't even them building the deck in this humidity!

I had wanted to go out to pick up some groceries and stuff but I kept putting it off as I woke up with a giant headache and felt generally blah.

I did go out for groceries but didn't go to all the places I wanted to go.

After lunch I had a nap and felt a bit better although my shoulder is still causing grief.

When I woke up the guys had gone. The bottom step was the only one that had disintegrated badly and they're having a problem demolishing the other two (photo below). It's very hot work!

Gordon and I went out and I picked up some flooring at The Real Deal for $2.00 to go in front of my washer and dryer. The concrete just wasn't working for me. Then we went to Canadian Tire to find something to kill all the bugs that are crawling around on our back patio. Apparently this is a terrible year for bugs.

When we got home Gordon tried to vacuum up the debris along the patio with our little shop vac but that didn't work so he did the best he could getting rid of it before we sprayed the bugs. Hopefully that will discourage them for a while. While out we also stopped at Victoria Park, our municipal RV park and I took a few photos. From a distance it looks like they're really packed in but there is a pretty good distance between them. We've been in much closer quarters (thinking back to the Prince of Tucson)!

For Gordon's latest update, click here.

Saturday

I slept better, thank goodness but I did have Immigration dreams. I didn't walk again as I wanted to get ready to go out for the garage sales this morning. After breakfast we headed out. We went to quite a few but there was a lot of junk and a lot of overpriced stuff that I might have wanted so I bought a blender for $3.00 and a couple of lawn chairs for $1.00. These are light enough to carry.

When we got back from the garage sales, Gordon walked over to the Canal, Railway and Chocolate Festival at Centennial Park. It's mostly for kids but he wanted to take some photos and I didn't feel like walking that far with my shoulder problem. It was also still pretty hot even though there was quite a strong breeze so instead I sat outside on my swing and read and even weeded and watered my little petunia bed.

I had a long nap this afternoon. It was a very deep sleep and difficult to wake up.

Thursday July 15, 2020 - Pre-Op Assessment

It was very hot today with no breeze to speak of. This equates to no walk for me especially with my shoulder acting up.

Today was the day I had to go for my pre-op assessment at the Riverside Hospital in Ottawa for my cataract surgery.

We left Smiths Falls early like good little Virgos as I wanted to stop at Natural Food Pantry at Billings Bridge and get some bread mixes. We arrived in lots of time, I got what I needed, then Gordon dropped me at the hospital and he went to photograph the ducks across from the Mall where Natural Food Pantry is. It's just a stone's throw from the hospital.

The assessment went fine, I was told when to show up on August 4th, what I could have to eat and drink before my surgery and what to expect. So, I'm all set!

After that, we stopped at my sister's as we hadn't seen them for some time. Gordon also had his second set of photo DVDs with him so a set was dropped off with them as a precaution.

Before we left this morning I had gotten hold of our contractor who is building the deck at the front of the house. When we arrived home, he was sitting on our back patio waiting for us so I guess construction starts tomorrow!

Today's photo is one that Gordon took when we first moved here. It's also the one he framed for sale at Spotlight on the Rideau.

Tuesday & Wednesday July 13 & 14, 2010

Tuesday

I had another decent morning for my walk, it was cloudy and the humidity was building but there was some breeze.

We headed back to Perth today and Gordon got his photo printed. While we were waiting for the printing we walked around downtown Perth a bit. Then went and had a coffee at Tim Horton's. Hope I don't have any side effects from it.

On our way back we stopped at the Ottawa Valley Home Improvement Centre which is just outside of Perth to get a price on our vanity. This is a family run operation and the lady who helped us certainly seemed to know what she was doing. The price was very competitive and I would rather give my business to the small businessman than a large corporation wherever possible so I think we're going to go ahead and order.

When we got home, Gordon framed his photo and we took it over to Spotlight on the Rideau. Hopefully we'll have a sale soon! We're not counting on it but you never know!

My shoulder is back to bothering me again so I took a muscle relaxant last night so I had a long nap when I got home.

It was cloudy and gray all day so no photos were taken.

Wednesday

Today was another warm, humid day. I didn't walk as I didn't want to aggravate my shoulder any further.

I did some cleaning while Gordon was out in the shed putting up his work bench.

I called the Ottawa Valley Home Improvement Centre to order my bathroom vanity. She said she'd make up the paperwork but we had to come in and sign the contract so another trip to Perth was in order. Luckily it's only about 20 km (12 mi) and they are on the outskirts of Perth.

On the way out we stopped at Spotlight on the Rideau. The owner was there today and he's anxious for Gordon to bring in a couple more photos so he will have a grouping of them.

We headed over to order the vanity and found that we needed to come back to the house to check to see if there was any room between the top drawer and the vanity. We found out there wasn't so back to the home improvement store where we placed our order.

On the way back we stopped to pick up some nails and things for Gordon to get his workshop set up. He spent a while out there this morning in the heat getting it started.

Last stop was the library where I picked up about 8 large-print books.

I've been trying to get in touch with our contractor to see if he has our building permit for the front deck. No luck yet. Maybe with all these hot days he went fishing!

Saturday evening to Monday - July 10-12, 2010

Saturday evening

After I posted, we noticed that the sky was looking quite interesting so we decided to go out with our cameras. We headed southwest and stopped first at Otter Lake, then on to two locations in Portland. The first was the yard of the Tourist Bureau and then the Portland Conservation Authority.



Sunday

It was already 26C (79F) when I got up so I decided not to walk this morning. After breakfast and doing some cleaning we drove out to the Wolford Chapel to see if it was still in use on a Sunday morning. It appears that it is not. We then drove around a lot of back roads between Smiths Falls and Merrickville and took some photos.

Little church in Easton's Corners

Doughnut cloud

Lots of water lilies

Wildflowers along the road


There was enough breeze this afternoon and it was cool enough under the big tree that I was able to sit outside on the swing for a while.

Monday

It was cooler this morning with a nice breeze so I got to go for my walk again. On my return it was getting rather humid. I did notice that there were some roofers out roofing a neighbour's garage this morning. We haven't seen our contractor lately so I expect it's because he hasn't been able to get a building permit yet.

I called the Better Business Bureau on Bath Fitter and they've had one resolved complaint in the past three years so we're going ahead with the tub and tub wall and an appointment has been made for next week to get 'er done!

Today I went through all my Yahoo Groups and deleted my membership in those that I no longer look at or those with no activity. Quite a job as each one has to be done individually!

This afternoon I went to pick up prescriptions then came back and we went to Rona (Hardware store). It's the only place we haven't gone to price a new sink and vanity in this area. We'll have to wait till Thursday for a price but I think they'll be too expensive. We then stopped at a printing place. We're looking for someone to print out Gordon's photos so he can frame them and put them in the Spotlight on the Rideau (consignment). They printed off a sample and he wasn't happy with it but they did tell us of a place in Perth that has a wide format printer so we went there but they closed at 3 p.m. and it was about 3:30 at that point. We hit a couple of grocery stores that we don't have here in Smiths Falls then returned home.

It was hot again today - 32C (90F).

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!