Sept 6 - 13 Finish that never ending garage project!

Sept 6
Before I get too far into this post, I got a message from Blaine, a fella I worked with before I retired. He won the lawn mower races at Mudfest Bonnyville for the 3rd year in a row!! Way to go Blainer! Lots of work goes into that mower and it doesn't actually mow the grass lol.

Blaine & Rachel with the first place trophy!!

Okay, back to our regular programming. We snapped some pics of the yard before we pulled out. We worked hard and it looks good. Gonna miss the acreage for sure.

Looking east from our yard

Looking south from our fence

We are going through town and out to Paul & Diana's place before we head for PGR. This will be the last chance to see them before we head south for the winter. Leslie texted Denise too but she is over at Ashley's babysitting the great grandkids and we'll be gone before they are done. See you in spring Gramma & Grandpa (aka Denise & Alan) We had a brief but nice visit with Paul & Di. Paul is still having some crazy pain and he wanted to go lie down after a while. It's sad to watch him go through this for so long and it's not easy for Di by any stretch. They are both just tired. Love you guys and hope things change for the better very soon.
Back on the road. We are stopping in St. Albert at Barry & Ailsa's to pick up a bike rack for the trailer. Fall is a beautiful time in northern Alberta with the grain ripe and leaves turning. The drive was really nice but I think I picked one of the roughest roads in the north. Need to watch how we open the cupboards.

Harvest time

Tornado damage from earlier in the summer, brutal!

Crossing the North Saskatchewan River

We arrived at Barry & Ailsa's a little earlier than expected and they are still out running errands. No worries. We can take Margaret for a walk in their beauty neighbourhood.

Across the street

Looking back at their house behind the rig

Ailsa invited us for dinner as she is making a large pork roast and there will be plenty for all of us. We had a couple beers and after being invited we decided to sleep over. By the time we have dinner and a visit it would be dark trying to back in to our site at PGR.

Dessert, wine and good friends

We had a really nice evening chatting with a moderate amount of wine ;) and then called it a night. Ailsa has an early appointment so we'll have coffee with Barry in the morning.

Sep 7

After coffee and breakfast we loaded the bike rack in the truck and as we were getting ready to leave Ailsa got back from her appointment. Just in time for a hug and we said god bye and thanks for a great night. Probably won't see them again until the race in Golden because they are going back up north to work. 

We got back to PGR and settled in. We're driving back to Wabuman Lake Provincial park for a trail run. I need some practice and get some longer runs in before Golden. We parked and got ready to go. Had to look at the map because we've never been for a run here before.

single track, perfect

double track service road, okay

Leslie and Margaret got in 4k and waited for me while I managed about 12k. I shut off my tracker for a bit while I took pics and forgot to restart so I'm guessing on 12k. Back to the rig for showers and relax for the night.

Sep 8

The garage door trim is in at Woodland Lumber so we are going there and then we can finish the front siding. Finally. While there I found out the garage door is also in but will need to get that delivered. My trailer isn't here and I have the hitch in the truck, tough to haul a 14 foot door. Back to PGR and get going on the siding. While driving, Sam texted that she was coming out for a visit. Yayy free help!

Sam, so "exsiding" doing siding lol

I had a couple cuts to do for the light fixtures and receptacle on the front while Sam & Leslie put up the pieces. While we were working Leslie called from where we had the saw set up to come and see something. She was pretty excited so we hurried over...

Grazing sheep in our yard!

Now this is a first. After the initial shock we remembered that the neighbour across the road from the resort has sheep. Me thinks they escaped to greener pastures! Namely the 8th hole and green of Pineridge Golf Resort lol. With help from the ladies next door Leslie herded the sheep over by the gate. When a truck drove in the sheep decided to leave and took off to the 9th tee. Fun to watch. The owner arrived quickly and by the time he got close to them they had found a hole in the fence and ran home themselves. Well that was fun but back to work everybody.

We did what we could on the siding and stopped for supper. Sam is staying over tonight for a nice visit! Awesome. With limited TV channels we decided to watch a movie. The one Leslie & Sam picked..... Dirty Dancing. It's Leslie's fave movie and Sam hasn't seen it. Of course I have several times and it's not my fave by any stretch but democracy rules. We enjoyed pie and ice cream and watched the movie. 

Sep 9

We slept in a bit and then got going with our day. Sam had an appointment in Edmonton and she left after big hugs by about 11am. My nephew Graham had texted he was bringing the kids out to say good bye because it will likely be the last chance before we go. He arrived about 12:30. Off to the new playground by the tennis courts to blow off some road stink.

Nice walk to the playground

Katelyn on the swing

Rylan piloting the plane

After a fun time at the park we walked back to our site and got a fire going for hot dogs. A nice lunch with hot dogs, ice cream and fresh berries. They left after big hugs around 4 pm and Leslie and I cleaned up a little and back outside to finish the siding. Well I won't write what I said when we got to the top and realized I don't have enough siding !!! We are short 2 pieces and it's a custom order. Oh shoot right? I called the lumber yard and we can drive to the southeast part of Edmonton and pick up 2 pieces tomorrow. That's good but 2 hours round trip for 2 pieces. Oh rats (insert your favourite words). We switched tasks and installed the solar lights by the man door inside and out and called it a day. Off to Edmonton in the morning.

Sep 10

It's cold and pouring rain outside. Great day for a drive to Edmonton. We picked up the 2 pieces of siding in Edmonton and drove back to Stony Plain for groceries etc. Make the trip count we figure. There is a new Sorrentino's Italian restaurant just opened in Stony Plain and we want to find it. Sorrentino's is really good food and we have been to 2 other locations in Edmonton and St Albert. We were there for an early supper and lucked out with happy hour beverages and 20% off certain menu items. Score ! They did not disappoint, excellent meal. Afterwards we drove home to do laundry and get Leslie packed for a trip back to B'ville for work! Yes, she's working a couple shifts as a temporary. Yay! She gets paid lol.

Sep 11

Leslie left for B'ville about 11 am. I grabbed the 2 new pieces of siding and got to work. Angle cuts on both edges so I can't mess up or it's another trip. I measured twice and cut once and it all worked out.

Last piece of siding finally!

I did a big cleanup and loaded the truck for a dump run. Once back to Pineridge I just relaxed and went for a walk with Margaret. 

Meanwhile in Leslie's world.... she arrived in B'ville and picked up some groceries for at work and home. She's staying in the spare room at the house with Derek & Devan. They're working dayshift too so it's not much trouble. Eat, sleep work basically.

Is it finally my turn Dave?? lol Hi, it's Leslie. As Dave said I made it to Bonnyville and got settled in by 4:30 pm. A few of the girls from work are getting together for a lasagna dinner at Lindsey's. She is on maternity leave right now and was kind enough to host. It was great to get to see everyone for a nice visit and supper was awesome.

Rena and Lindsey

Amber

Lindsey and Marlene

Shelby was there too but somehow I missed getting a pic. I'll see her at work on Thursday :) After a very nice evening it was time for this girl to get some sleep. I haven't "worked" for 4 months.  

Sept. 12

I have to admit I'm a bit nervous when I get to work. I manage to update all my passwords without any trouble and by the time the first patient arrives it all comes back immediately. Too easy! The only major surprise was...

Anne...what did you do??

Anne, who has been covering the supervisor duties while Di is off looking after Paul, had an incident with stairs of her 5th wheel trailer. Just 5 fractures...ooops! The work day was just the right amount of busy and I got home feeling pretty good. Tomorrow is our Orthopaedic Clinic day so it should be very busy. I better rest up.

Oh soaker tub I have missed you so. I love you, my bubbles.

After my tub I made myself some dinner and watched a little Netflix. Derek and Devan got home around 7:30 and went to do a work out in our former garage/ their new gym.

Meanwhile, back at PGR...

SNOW!!!

Dave woke up to a light dusting and no-one was impressed. We had arranged for a guy to come install our garage door and I bet he's not too thrilled either. At least it's not the four inches they called for...yet. Dave finally texted me the picture I've been waiting to see since July.

Don't tease me!!!

Yay!!! A fully lockable garage. So beautiful I'm tearing up...lol

Sept. 13

I got up plenty early to pack up all my gear and get ready for work and what do I see? Snow! In Bonnyville! All over my Mustang (which does not have a snow brush in it as this car never sees snow!) Ggggrrrr. This is why we have decided to hit the road south for the winters. I head to work and hope the weather gets better by the time my shift ends. I must tell you, working when you want to vs. when you have to is really fun. I actually had a great time! Making a few bucks doesn't hurt either.

Matthew, Amber, Shelby and me taking a break.

Goofballs! lol

In the afternoon one of our other techs popped in to say hi even though it was her day off.

Another baby to snuggle!! Me and Mallorie

Thanks so much for coming in. It was great to see you! At the end of my day I was eager to get on the road to get home before dark. There was lots of hugs and a couple tears with Shelby as she is moving back to Ontario in October so my chances of seeing her again are less likely. Shelby, you are an awesome lady and a great tech. I'm so glad I got to know you.

The drive home was pretty sketchy in places, with wet snow/sleet, then dry for a bit back and forth. I made it safely home in about four hours and parked my poor Mustang. No more winter driving for my baby!! Dave had a nice dinner ready when I got there so we ate supper together, nice! A glass of wine and a little chat and that's it. Lights out.