Month: October 2014

Yesterday, MY Jane and I went over to check on George’s new house while he away on a Habitat for Humanity build in Jordan. We dropped the mail off and I picked up his truck so i could pick up 4 x 8 sheets of corrugated plastic at Lowes. These sheets are what will be installed on the garage ceiling as part of my insulation project.

I’m going to get at the garage again later today. I will need Jane’s help to do this….hopefully she’ll be feeling well enough. She said, yesterday, she was feeling better.

Yesterday I managed to get most of the leaves raked up and bagged despite the windy conditions. There are still a few leaves left on the trees but, for the most part, it’s all but done. Another raking in a few days and the grass can be cut for the last time this year. 

I believe, if I tried, I could have it eating out of my hand.

What is really fun, though, is throwing the peanuts out for the jays when Minnie is perched on the corner of the patio table. The jays will swoop down as if to grab the peanut, but when they see Minnie there, they veer off. Then they’ll continue swooping back and forth between the fence and the platform feeder. It’s only when I bring Minnie back in that they’ll actually grab the peanuts. Quite entertaining, really.

Today I’ll probably pick up the corrugated plastic sheets for the garage project. We’ll see how Jane is feeling. As I mentioned yesterday, she has been suffering from a cold for the last while. She claims she is getting better, but she is still has these coughing spells from time to time. 

Yesterday was a very productive day. With the help of MY Jane, I was able to get a lot more done out in the garage. Instead of having to go up and down the ladder countless times, Jane was handing me stuff as I needed it. A big, big help. And, of course, Minnie was out with us as supervisor.

Jane wanted to take this picture because, unbeknownst to me, there was a piece of insulation hanging from my goatee which she said made me look like a turkey. After about an hour and a half I told Jane, “That’s it for today.” She was aghast. “You want to stop now?”, she exclaimed. I made the mistake of insisting that was it for the day. That’s when she began cleaning up MY garage! It made me increasingly nervous. She was picking up stuff and putting it places I would never think to look if I ever needed it. Not only that, we ended up taking a bunch of stuff to the Habitat for Humanity Reuse It store here in Barrie. I suggested we do that because on the way there we could get a Timmys.

We ended up parking at the Barrie waterfront for a bit and, while there, saw some scuba divers just offshore.

Turns out there’s an old shipwreck there – a paddle wheeler, one of the divers told me.

This morning as I sit having my morning coffee, it is very obvious that Fall is upon us. The large maple in the back yard is bare of leaves although, interestingly enough, the maple in the front yard is resplendent in orange.

By the way, Jane and I decided last night that we were not going to use our I pads at all for the whole day. We’ll see how that goes. LOL.

Yesterday, I began insulating the ceiling in the garage. Fortunately, the builders of the house had the foresight to install the rafters 23 inches apart which is exactly the width of the insulation bats. Before that, though, I took MY Jane to a walk in clinic because she has a cold which she thought might need to be treated with antibiotics. As it turned out, the Doctor said it would probably work itself out, so no medication other than cough syrup is needed. All she has to do is rest. 

I better let her in!

Yesterday, MY Jane found and booked our mid-winter vacation to Antigua. It’s an all- inclusive deal that she got through a former work colleague who used to work with her at CAA. The name of the resort is called Verandah and, by all accounts, it is highly rated.

Today I intend to install 1 x 3 pieces between the rafters to provide a fastening surface for the drywall. Then I will install the ceiling insulation and complete the insulation of the walls, apply the vapour barrier everywhere, and finally, put up the drywall. 

Now that I have a plan for insulating the garage roof, I’ll be going to Home Depot or Lowes to get the material. I’ve decided to go with  Bill Knoof’s recommendation and use 24 inch batts along with the 4 x 8 sheets of corrugated plastic for the ceiling. The sheets are much lighter than the drywall and will be more manageable. In addition, they are white so they will provide a reflective light surface.

This morning it’s dull and dreary and raining steadily. Most of the leaves are down from our big backyard maple. Soon it will be raking time.

Minnie is meowing because she wants to be outside but doesn’t like the rain. 

Yesterday, MY Jane was feeling a bit under the weather so she stayed home while I took Ted shopping. By evening, though, Jane was feeling somewhat better, but not 100%. Hopefully today she will be back to her usual self.

Yesterday morning, as I was sitting having my morning coffee and looking into the back yard, I noticed something out of place. Near the waterfall, the red container, in which I had been storing bird seed, was laying on its side with the lid off.

On closer examination, several teeth marks could be seen in the lid.

Evidently, we had been visited by a raccoon the previous night. Although MY Jane and I have never seen one in the two years we’ve lived here, apparently there are some around. We’ll have to keep this in mind from now on.

I finished my BBQ cleaning chore yesterday afternoon and the BBQ is in fine condition now. 

Jane was outside doing some gardening yesterday when the neighbours from across the street asked her if we could join them and another couple later in the evening for dinner. Allan and Jenny were great hosts and we had a wonderful time. Barrie and Ann were great company. Barrie had a great sense of humour and it was enjoyable listening to the witticisms exchanged, especially between Barrie and Jane. Jenny was delighted that Jane had made apple raisin crisp for dessert and everyone there loved it! After a delicious dinner, we all played cards, laughed and chatted until it was time to leave. 

Yesterday, around noon, MY Jane and I headed to Woodbridge, Ontario, where the headquarters of Cuisinart is situated. We took along the coffee maker that we had bought two years ago. We like this coffee maker because it has a built in bean grinder and makes a great cup of coffee. Ours had recently stopped grinding the beans. The motor would whir like crazy, but the beans remained intact. Besides that, the lid on the carafe fit so snugly that Jane could never get it off. We had bought it in October of 2012 and there was a three year warranty on it.

It’s nice to deal with a company that stands behind their products.

After we left there, I asked Jane if she would like to have a look around the Vaughn Mills mall at highway 400 and 7. She had never been there before and when I mentioned that there were all kinds of clothing stores, she couldn’t resist. It’s even bigger now than the last time I was there a few years ago. We walked and walked and walked. Good exercise, but no major purchases made.

We got home in time for the Leafs game against Detroit. Leafs lost 4-1. We had our supper of Turkey pies  while watching the game. Delicious.

About two weeks ago, I told MY Jane that I was going to return some mouldy bread to the nearby Macs Milk convenience store. I decided to walk over because it was a nice day. I approached the clerk, a young bearded man, and showed him the mouldy bread. I was surprised when he told me that all 19 Macs Milk stores in Barrie were having the same issue – complaints about mouldy bread. He offered to give me a replacement loaf, but I told him I no longer would buy bread there; I said I wanted my money refunded and he told me that he wasn’t allowed to do that. He said I would have to complain to Head Office. So I did.

Yesterday, MY Jane and I went to Home Outfitters looking for another coffee maker as the one we bought two years ago doesn’t grind the beans correctly. 

Instead of getting a new coffee maker, though, we ended up getting a new waffle maker.

We decided to try to get a new coffee maker by using the warranty even though we don’t have the receipt. Maybe tomorrow, we’ll take it down to Cuisinart customer service in Woodbridge and see what we can do.

I put the old recliner on Kijiji as well as a curio cabinet that really doesn’t fit anymore. Already had enquiries about both. We’ll see what happens.

It will soon be time to start wrapping up the patio furniture for the winter. I want to get that done before it gets too cold and becomes a very unpleasant chore. You can see the leaves on the big maple are just about ready to come down. Some strong wind and rain will do the trick.

Later this morning, Jane and I will head over to Ted’s.

Last night, MY Jane and I took the GO bus to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto to take in a Leafs game against the Colorado Avalanche. I wanted to avoid the city traffic and the exorbitant parking fees. I also didn’t want to have drive back at about 11 at night. The return fare for both Jane and I was only $36….$24 for her and $12 for me because I’m a senior.

The seats we had were very high up. We bought them for good friends of ours who are season ticket holders. They were pretty high up which allowed for a view of developing plays, but the closer views provided on TV were missed.

Jane and I had a great time as we always do regardless of what we’re doing.

Unfortunately, to catch the last bus back, we had to leave in the middle of the third period when the score was 2-1 for the Avalanche. Before we got home though, we learned that the Leafs had tied it up and my man, Kessel, scored the overtime game winner.

Chris and Tonya went back home yesterday morning. Ted went back home yesterday. Steven and Klae left yesterday afternoon. The house was unusually quiet last night. MY Jane and I did some minor tidying up and watched a movie on Netflix. I got to use my new Lazy Boy recliner. It is so comfortable!

I am going to check into going down there and back on the GO bus. I just hate Toronto Traffic and the parking problem. 

It’s going to be another fun Saturday. Oh! Did I say Saturday? Sorry to confuse all you hard working folks out there who, through your taxes, contribute to mine and Jane’s pensions. For you guys, it’s really Tuesday.

Yesterday was my birthday. And what a birthday it was. From the time I got up and saw the birthday balloons and decorations first thing in the morning until I flopped into bed later that night, it was wonderful. There is nothing better than sharing a day with Family. They all made me feel so special and what a great feeling that is.

After assembly, Steven set up his Go Pro camera and took several pictures of the birds while they were feeding. Chris, too, took pictures with his camera. 

This is a recliner that rocks and swivels too! It is so comfortable! And it’s ideal for our Family room, especially for watching hockey games. But it would be very nice for sitting and reading a book by the warmth of the fireplace too. A thoughtful and generous gift from Jane and Ted.

The guys and I had great fun out in the driveway practising our hockey skills and trying not to hit each other with the ball. It’s surprising how you can work up a sweat just fooling around like that and not so surprising that you feel kind of stiff later in the evening.

Whenever we have the whole family together here, there’s always lots of activity. It wasn’t long after the hockey that pumpkin carving took place. Chris, Steven and Klae each carved a pumpkin and all of them created their own design. I was very impressed with the creativity all of them had.

I got to choose what the dinner menu was to be. We had BBQ tenderloin steak (done by Steve and Chris) as well as chicken shishkebab and double baked potatoes, and green beans. Later we had carrot cake for dessert during the first intermission of the Leaf – Rangers game. The Leafs won!

This morning, when I came out to the dining room, I found that my family had decorated my spot at the table with birthday greetings and wrapping paper along with balloons from the chandelier. What a great start to the day and a great beginning for the first day of the rest of my life, as MY Jane would say.

Yesterday, we had our Thanksgiving dinner and it was delicious. Fresh turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, baked squash and pumpkin pie for dessert. Jane and Ted did a marvellous job of decorating the table.

Thanks, Klae, for getting this shot.

Yesterday, I took MY Jane and Ted to their hair appointment and was informed that I could not return to the house for at least two hours nor am I allowed into the garage. This is like torture. Apparently it has something to do with my upcoming birthday tomorrow. There is something in the garage that they don’t want me to see. As Ted says, “We have a secret!”.

Around 7:30 Steven arrived and shortly thereafter, Chris and Tonya got here. Klae is coming up by GO bus today as she had to work. We all had a great dinner. There was lasagna, chicken florentine, fresh rolls and croissants, salad with Asian dressing and apple pie and blueberry coffee cake. A delicious dinner as usual.

Yesterday, while MY Jane and I were out shopping, the cleaning staff, hired by my cousin George, cleaned our house from top to bottom. They even polished the dining room table and of course, Minnie had to check it out.

There were three ladies from Merry Maids of Barrie and they did a marvellous job. When we arrived back home some two hours later, as soon as you walked in the house, you could even smell the cleanliness of the place. I think Jane could get used to this very easily.

Today, we will be baking that caramel apple pie – the one that was a bitch to prepare and this afternoon, we pick Ted up at her place and both she and Jane will be going to get their hair done. When they get back, she and Ted will decorate the table.

Now that Jane is retired, preparations for Family gatherings, especially cooking and baking can be done ahead of time making it a fun exercise instead of rushing around at the last minute. Also, the fact that the guys and their significant other, are bringing a casserole and some dessert, makes it that much easier too.

Yesterday, MY Jane and I helped my cousin George and his wife Jean move their belongings from our place to their newly built house here in Barrie. There really wasn’t that much to move from here. The bulk of their stuff has been in storage since they sold their house a few months back. I’m sure they are happy to finally be in their own place.

Yesterday morning, MY Jane and I got the idea that we should put together a Caramel Apple pie. We had all the ingredients. Why not? Jane would do the Apple filling and Caramel and I would do the pastry. Pitter patter – lets get atter.

I started on the pastry and Jane started on the caramel and apples. Everything was going along fine until I mentioned that I was ready to put the pastry dough in the fridge for half an hour to chill. That’s when Jane realized her peeled apples would turn brown if left out for that length of time! Oh oh!

Here’s a more candid shot of the above:

By now I was ready to jettison the whole works and forget about it but Jane convinced me to make some more dough and try again. We finally got it done and put it in the freezer for baking at a later time. I’ll post photos of the finished product and tell you how it tastes.

On another note, my cousin George and his wife Jean, who have been our guests for the last few months, are happy to be finally moving into their brand new house today.

It’ll be a busy time for them and will get even busier in the next little while. George is insisting on having his annual Thanksgiving dinner this coming Saturday and then in less than two weeks, they’re off to Jordan on a Habitat for Humanity project of which he and Jean are the leaders. Crazy schedule to say the least! Crazy relatives, but we’re happy for them! 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, MY Jane has turned her mind to preparations for the upcoming weekend. She puts a lot of thought and effort into all our holiday occasions with great results. She is very creative when it comes to table decorating and I tease her from time to time about not being able to walk by Pier One or Home Sense without buying something. Inevitably, her response is, “But it was on sale! I saved us money.” But the table always looks fantastic.

The front entrance has already been done and looks quite inviting, don’t you think?

Well, the NHL hockey season is about to begin. MY Jane and I are Toronto Maple Leafs fans despite the fact that our team seems to implode year after year.

Our friend, Jim McDonald, who has season tickets to Leafs games and will be away on a European vacation for awhile, sold us a pair of tickets to the Leafs game against the Colorado Avalanche for next Tuesday and we are looking forward to it.

Recently, because we watch very little regular TV, I cut back our cable coverage to basic. Now I find out that, since Rogers bought the NHL broadcasting rights, I will need Sportsnet to watch the games at home. But, of course, you cannot buy just one channel…you need the VIP package. That costs another $39.00 a month. I feel ripped off.

Yesterday, MY Jane and I spent the day at Chris’ home to help him on his crown moulding project. We began after breakfast and the job took us about half a day. It would have been done more quickly, but working with crown moulding can be tricky. As the day progresses, it goes from tricky to downright mind boggling. Anyone who has worked with trim like this will know that, for some reason, you have to cut it on your mitre saw with the moulding positioned in an upside-down orientation so as to get the angles right. In this way right becomes left and left becomes right and top becomes bottom and bottom becomes top when you’re standing at the saw looking at it. 

Oh-and did I mention that when fastening it in place, you have to ensure that the flat sides on the back of the moulding, top and bottom, have to be flush against the ceiling and wall respectively, otherwise your angle joints will be askew?

That being said, both Chris and I were happy with look of the end product.

All that’s left to be done today is to apply caulking top and bottom and the job will be complete. Total cost of the project was less than $200 but it adds a few thousand to the value of the house not to mention that look of elegance too.

Despite all the trials and tribulations putting this stuff up, both Chris and I had a good time sharing a few laughs over how brain numbing this exercise was. We work well together.

The day before yesterday, I was speaking to a good friend of mine and he pointed out to me that he had noticed I was putting on weight again. He’s right. Over the last several months, MY Jane and I have gotten out of our routine of taking a walk every day.

Have a look at the maximum fine amount. One hundred thousand dollars! Barrie means business.

We had lunch in a local cafe and I tried a new kind of root beer. New for me, at least. It was quite tasty.

We learned that a pick your own Apple place was near Thornbury, so we headed there and soon found the place. We picked about a bushel of apples for $29. They give you a couple of special plastic bags which you are allowed to fill. Of course we did just that. One full bag of McIntosh and one full bag of Courtland. We wanted some Spy apples too, but they aren’t ready.

On the way home, we stopped in Collingwood at a local park by the water and, of course, when you get Jane within 10 feet of water, she has to dip her toes in it. Inevitably, she always says the same thing. “Oh the water’s so nice!”

Today, Jane will be making Apple Crisp to take to Chris and Tonya. We’re spending the weekend there so Chris and I can install crown moulding. He’s already got all the painting done. Going to be a fun weekend.

Yesterday, our original plan was to go to Meaford to do some apple picking, but after MY Jane finished with the dentist and returned home, we decided that the next day would be better for the Meaford trip. Instead, we went to Midland to check on the status of Georgian Spirit and our dinghy, Shenanigans.

I spoke to Ken Shiers, one of the mechanics there, and he to,d me that it had been prepped by him for the winter. He was, at that very moment, working on winterizing the dinghy inside the heated storage shed.

The end of another boating season.

Later in the evening, my cousin George and his wife Jean took us to dinner at Doneleighs in Barrie. An enjoyable evening. Thanks George and Jean.

Today, the trip to Meaford is on!

Yesterday, MY Jane and I went to Wild Birds Unlimited to look for another suet feeder. I was also interested in checking out the roofs they have for their pole arrangements. They do have some for sale, but $80 seemed a little much, so I’m going to make one myself. We did, however, buy another suet container for the right hand side of the pole as well as a finial for the top of it.

The word is getting around the local bird world that there is a lot of food in our back yard. We are having regular visits by blue jays, mourning doves, gold finches, and chickadees. In fact, yesterday, I counted 10 finches in the feeder at one time. They’re fascinating to watch. We get a lot of enjoyment from them while we’re enjoying our morning coffee.

Shortly after we got back home from Wild Birds Unlimited, we had a surprise visit from Chris who was up in the area on business. He stayed for a brief lunch and he and I talked about our crown moulding project at his place this upcoming weekend. He has invited Jane and I down to his place this Friday. It’s always a delight seeing the guys and Chris’ timing to visit was right on because just the night before, Jane was clearly missing them. We’re both looking forward to having them for Thanksgiving.

When either or both of them are around, she just beams! And it’s always fun! Two wonderful young men!

This morning, the large maple tree in the back corner of our yard is showing its beautiful Autumn leaves with that vibrant red colour that is so symbolic of a Canadian Fall.

Later today, Jane and I are heading up Meaford way to do some apple picking and then George and Jean, our house guests for the last while, are taking us to dinner at a local eatery. Looking forward to today!