Finished Laying Tile . . .

We were at it early this morning and started on our second wall of tiling. It went pretty fast - we were done by 1:30p.m. Cleanup wasn't that bad either. Now we are relaxing, having a beer and putting our feet up!

Project Has Started!

Yesterday, half awake, I could feel Smoky walking on my back trying to get me up. Then he came up to the head of the bed and gave me a couple headbutts! How could I ignore him then? I got up, let him out, then got ready for the day. Later in the morning, we headed out to do some grocery shopping, stopping at Canadian Tire to buy paint, brushes, etc., all the things need to paint two walls in the kitchen.

Just before noon, I could hear Bruce sanding - when I went upstairs he was busy preparing the wall for our backsplash. I thought to myself, "Today's the day." The plan was to lay out the tiles for one wall so that after appling the paste, we could move right along putting up the tiles.
















But even the best plans, don't always play out.









Bruce had a problem laying the tiles, they just weren't working for him. I asked to give it a try and as it turned out, I'm now the official tile layer - Bruce is the cutter.

Change of Plans . . .

Bruce took the truck back to the shop to have the A/C recharged, then we drove into Ottawa to buy our tiles. My selection that I had made at the hardware store in town, turned out to not be the color I thought - the newer stone is much too dark and yellow looking. I searched for something else, found another that I liked, but it wasn't in stock. So I went back to looking and found another! I wasn't leaving the store empty-handed. We also bought the necessary tools. Project will start Tuesday or Wednesday!

We ran a few more errands after buying our tiles - Costco's, Home Deport - then lunch at Eastside Mario's - love that place. I had a craving for red pasta - and Bruce ordered his usual, chicken Caesar salad.

Haircut is a Joke!

The next time I'm ready for a haircut and the same technician is there, I'm running! My hair is doing whatever it wants - sticks up in all directions. It is way shorter than I've ever had it.

It's a beautiful fall day - Bruce pushed the trailer into the backyard - I guess that makes it official - winter is just around the corner. Smoky did a double-take when he saw the 'new' scene outside his back door.

Friday Already?

I badly needed a haircut, so just before nine we were off to the hairdresser. Do you ever give the hairdresser a once over, judging whether or not she will be up with the latest cuts? Well, this gal was older, thinning, colored hair - I thought to myself, "I'm in trouble." She took much longer than the other beauticians and when I left I said to myself, "It will grow back." Bruce always calls me "Cutie" when I come out with the fresh cut - you gotta love him.

Anyway, driving home, there was a yellow convertible in front of us - top down. It's 32F degrees today. And he was from Massachusetts. What the heck is he doing in this small town - for sure he must have been lost.

Bruce finally got the call from the Ford service center that our truck might be ready today. We'll have to take it for a short ride to retrain ourselves on how to drive it! It's been at least 10 days since it was dropped off for repair. If in fact we do get the truck today, it looks like we'll be heading into Ottawa next week to buy the tile for our kitchen backsplash.

The other day on Facebook, I also came across someone with the same last name as an old friend that I had from my Mass Mutual days which was years and years ago. To make a long story short, the person on FB was the nephew of my long ago friend and he gave me her email address. She was also a graduate of the same high school - LHS. She now lives in California. It seems everyone I have found through the internet, either classmates or co-workers, all live in either Florida or California. Has everyone left Massachusetts? I take that back, one friend (Jane) only made it as far south as Virginia and another friend (Shirley) lives in Texas.

Yesterday, I also had a doctor appointment - good news - my levels of hemoglobin and iron are now normal. The doctor feels that by taking a daily dose of iron for the rest of my life, I can maintain these normal levels. Also got my flu shot - thus a sore arm today. Life is good!!!!

Mid-Week!

We might possibly get the truck back today - it's been a week since it first went into the shop. Got my fingers crossed that it will be perfect!

Not much else going on today. We went grocery shopping this morning - seems all the houses on Harry Street have their Halloween decorations up. Some are just a scarecrow and a pumpkin, others are quite elaborate. Harry Street is the street where everyone in town brings their costumed kids for 'trick or treating.'

Pictures of our leafy yard . . .

Smoky hangs out under the green bush - stalking the cat across the street.









These are the two trees the kids tried to mutilate as they were waiting for the bus - thank goodness the bus now picks them up in front of their own house.









Just the back corner . . .

Still Waiting!

No word yet on the status of our truck. Will it be done today or will it not be done.

Bruce's Wild Weekend!

Bruce took our old digital camera on his cottage weekend which was going to be rides on his ATV and just chilling! Well, I guess he was chilling, because it was cold. But events turned to cutting down trees and chopping wood! Wild weekend? I guess not.











Riyan dragging logs out of the woods!











Where's the next tree?











Ryan with the chainsaw. Yep, that's an outhouse in the background. During the night, you just pray you don't have to get up and use it.











Looks like he has his work cut out for him.











Another view - river in the background.











OMG - that looks dangerous. I think that's Ayden trying to pull out his stuck axe from the log.











Ryan taking a break.











Rick at it again.











Sun coming up over the river - couple of otters playing by the riverbank.

All Alone!

Bruce took his ATV and headed out to the cottage to meet his son, Rick, and grandkids - he'll be staying the night. But before he went, I asked him to get me some ice cream - 2L of black cherry ice cream and 24 ice cream sandwiches. I'm in heaven!











Almost forgot to mention, the truck might be ready on Tuesday!

Still No Truck!

Not a word yesterday about truck repair progress. Hopefully today we'll get a call.

It was a cold night, glad I put that extra blanket on the bed. And having an electric mattress pad helps, too. Smoky woke up early in the morning and kept walking over me trying to get me up to let him out. Finally at seven, I couldn't take it anymore and headed to the back door - again he won.

My Christmas cacti are starting to bloom - don't they know Christmas is months away?

Our Temporary Wheels!

Late yesterday afternoon, Bruce had a call from the Ford service center - they were having a problem with the truck and they might have to pull the engine. WHAT? Because we had some errands to run, Bruce asked them for a loaner. Here it is - 1992 Mercury that has seen better days!

No word yet today on the truck - I'm thinking now, no news is bad news. Tomorrow is flu shot day - hope the whole town doesn't get there before I do. I hate having to wait.

Also learned today that my nephew Andy got married - what a surprise. He's a great guy and I wish him the best!!

Waiting Game!

Yesterday, Bruce dropped the truck off for repairs - something about a new manifold. It supposedly was just a day's work to get it done. But late in the afternoon, he received a call from the Ford place saying they had a problem getting the old part off and that they wouldn't have the work done until today. It's now almost noon - still no truck.

We've got places to go, things to do and people to see!!! But it looks like that won't happen until tomorrow. In the meantime, we just sit and wait (not really!). The weather isn't cooperating either - it's a cold, dreary day.

I'm hoping tomorrow we can go to Ottawa to buy our backsplash tiles - getting anxious to get on with our project.

Almost Mid October!

The month seems to be flying by. Today, not much happening - although Bruce is getting the truck repaired. It's a one day thing. Also heard from the doctor's office, flu shots are Friday - nothing was said about a shot for the swine flu - maybe it just isn't a threat around here.

Still trying to figure out what to use for our kitchen backsplash. I'm now back to thinking we'll do it in natural stone - supposed to look better. Wonder if we can handle that. I'll make up my mind when we are actually standing in the tile store ready to buy.

It's been a rainy, dreary day so far . . .

Happy Columbus Day!

To all my American relatives and friends. Whatever you are up to, hope it's a bunch of fun!

Today We're Celebrating Canada Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian relatives and friends. Here, it's a pretty nice day - in Calgary, I hope you aren't getting snow! But if you are, keep it there!

Veggies are peeled, stuffing is made and the turkey is in the oven - this is one of my favorite meals. Then there are the leftovers - we always roast a large bird, but the leftovers never seem to last long!

A New Day . . .

The past two days have been busy - first I had to empty everything out of the bottom kitchen cabinets - the dining and living rooms were in total chaos. Our installer was due on Friday morning - and as soon as he walked in the back door, he got busy removing the counters.

Of course, Bruce gave him a hand getting the old counter out of the house.









The first piece that was installed - the stove didn't even have to be pulled out (and after I specifically cleaned in back of it).











The next step was to take the sink template and cut out the hole for the sink.









The new black sink - I love it!









And faucet . . .









This is a before picture -









And the after pictures.











Our next project - buy and install the backsplash - four inch square stone tiles laid out in a diamond pattern. At the moment, it looks like Bruce and I will be doing the tiling. Then we have to paint two walls - a light beige color.

My Man, The Roofer!

Since the day was gorgeous, Bruce went on the roof to repair the flashing between the house and the carport.











Even Smoky was enjoying the day!

And the best part of all, our counter tops were delivered.