Month: March 2014

Yesterday we went to Jane’s Mom’s apartment to pick her up and look at her kitchen curtain project. We had given Ted a sewing machine for her birthday last year and this was the first use of it since then.

After a time we decided to return to our place for a BBQ pork roast which I did on the rotisserie and Ted would continue with the curtain project at our house the next day.

I have watched Sewing with Nancy before and was intrigued by the precision cutting and measuring required to have a good product. It reminds me of woodworking which I love to do. Trying to get this new sewing machine going and actually sewing a straight hem on the flag was quite challenging for me. I think I will leave future sewing to the experts like Ted and Jane.

Yesterday was a very busy day. Jane had left to meet a friend in Collingwood and I managed to contact the current owner of the boat that we are buying. We had a great conversation about boating in general and the boat in particular. He is agreeable to coming with us to take the boat through the Port Severn lock and over to Bayport Yachting Centre in Midland when we take possession. That makes me feel better because, although I have been boating for 30 years, I have never operated a twin engine inboard or a boat this size. It’s 35 feet long and 13 feet wide, so it’s pretty big.

Easter isn’t until April 20, but somebody forgot to tell the Easter Bunny. I looked into the back yard this morning and saw a whole bunch of rabbit tracks – even over top of the Quinzee Snow fort.

It make you wonder what the animals are thinking about this long drawn out winter, doesn’t it?

As for me – and everyone I talk to – we’re all saying we’ve had enough. Today the temperature is supposed to go up above freezing so that may help get rid of the snow cover. I’m anxious to see the tulips and crocuses that we planted last Fall.

And, of course, both Jane and I are very anxious to take possession of the boat on which we placed an offer a few weeks ago. 

Today I am meeting my cousin George for lunch and driving him to a follow up appointment after his recent foot surgery. He is on the verge of finalizing plans for the building of a house here in Barrie and hopes to be moved in by Thanksgiving. I have seen the drawings and it will be quite impressive, I’m sure.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon at Jane’s Moms place helping her with measuring curtains that she is making for her kitchen window. We then had dinner there and a nice visit.

Yesterday, our plan was to take drive to Collingwood just for something to do. Well, Mother Nature decided to dump a whole bunch of snow on us here in Barrie, so we cancelled that idea. No sense in travelling on snowy highways if you don’t have to.

Today there is a light dusting of snow, just enough to make everything look clean again. However yesterday, there was a little greenery showing in our front yard.

It won’t be long!

Today I have an appointment to see an optometrist for a check up. Other than that I don’t have much else to do. Oh wait! Jane has suggested putting crown moulding in the bathroom, so maybe I will get the material today and work on that.

Yesterday, Jane received a letter from Canada Pension that her application to begin receiving CPP was approved. So, beginning in June, she will officially begin retirement. It is a big decision for her and not made without some trepidation. Having been retired for the last 12 years, I can say with certainty that there is no life like it.

Yesterday I returned the Rogers Home Phone modem because both Jane and I now have our own cell phones and we were receiving next to no calls on the house phone. In speaking to many of my friends, they are doing the same thing. It seems to be the way to go these days. There does not appear to be any advantage or necessity to have a house phone any longer. Progress.

Yesterday, we went to Jane’s Moms apartment to have a look at material she bought for new kitchen curtains. My job in the project, of course, is to install the hardware to hang these curtains. We then had Ted over for dinner and a visit. It was also Jane’s last day of vacation and today she has to get back into the work mode.

While visiting good friends, Berc and Roza, in Toronto last night, I received an e-mail from the yacht broker that our offer to purchase the 35 foot President Yacht had been accepted by the owner. Jane and I are very excited and hopeful that the marine survey and sea trial will be satisfactory. Once that happens, the deal will be closed.

Well, we did it! Yesterday, MY Jane and I went to Midland and met with the sales rep for the 35 foot President Yacht. We put in our offer…..now we have to wait for the marine survey to be done and sea trial…..if the ice ever leaves. In the meantime, here are a few shots of the boat inside and on the bridge.

This morning we are heading to  Midland to retrieve personal belongings from the boat which we sold. And, on the same trip, we will be meeting with a sales broker to put a conditional offer in on a 35 foot President Yacht.

Well, as expected, the signs of Spring were very short lived. Today there is a very light dusting of snow in the driveway and it is back to being cold. Weather forecast is calling for 10-15 cm of snow in Toronto, so it looks like our plan to go to see Berc and Roza at Humbertown Framing are going to have to be postponed. It makes no sense to travel to the GTA  in weather like that.

For the first time in a long while, the sound of a songbird could be heard. This, despite the weather forecast for colder temperatures and a dump of snow for the GTA. I spotted a female cardinal in the top branches of a tree adjacent to our property. Yippee. Signs of Spring begin.

Jane has week vacation beginning today. Today, we take Miss Minnie to the Vet for her shots. Tomorrow she is having a day with her Mom, Wednesday we are taking her Dad’s war medals to Humbertown Framing then going to dinner with Berc and Roza. On Thursday we are going to take stuff off our boat and Friday, Jane is meeting a very good friend in Collingwood. Sounds busy but it’s all things that Jane wants to do ( except for the Vet trip maybe).

-15 C this morning. The clock has sprung ahead by one hour, but not the season. However, the sun is beginning to shine and the thoughts of Spring are foremost in my mind.

It’s about -18 this morning. I have coffee on the go and I am sitting at my favourite morning spot in the house, at the kitchen window. The quinzee snow fort that Steven, Chris, and Tonya built in February is still standing. From time to time, Minnie will venture in there to explore briefly but she doesn’t like the cold and it’s not for long.

It’s -18 C here this morning! Today I will be taking Jane’s Mom, Ted, to do some shopping and afterwards, I will do a little shopping myself. That’s the extent of my schedule for the day. Ahhhh…..retirement is good.

It’s Jane’s birthday next Monday so I have to start organizing for the upcoming weekend when we will celebrate. Steven and Chris and Jane’s Mom will be joining us here at the house for her special dinner. 

It’s going to be fun!

Yesterday, Jane and I drove to Victoria Harbour to inspect a 37 foot President Yacht which was having extensive work done especially on the deck which was being re-cored. When moisture seeps in between the fibreglass on the decks, it causes the wood to deteriorate. This is found by doing a marine survey. We spent about an hour and a half on the boat checking things out. Lots of room on this boat.