Yesterday MY Jane and I began organizing stuff that we have stored all over the house. All the camping gear is now located on the new shelf over the garage door.
The shelves at the side will be used for stuff that is used more frequently.
I love it when a plan comes together except that Jane is now dealing with a sore back.
Last night we were invited to dinner with our across the street neighbours, Allan and Jenny, after which we enjoyed a game of cards.
Yesterday I purchased more material for additional shelving in the garage. Right now, we have tons of Christmas decorations in the loft as well as a bunch of camping gear, all of which is stacked on top of each other.
Whenever we needed a cooler or lawn chair, it meant unstacking stuff. A real pain and very disorganized. Hence the need for more shelving.
These shelves will be used for more day today stuff used around the place like garden flags, toolboxes, etc.
I plan to use the space directly above the garage door for camping gear and picnic stuff while the main loft will have the Christmas decorations.
I intend to get rid of the table pictured under the lower shelf and use that space for heavier things like the power washer. I’ll work on moving stuff around later today.
Yesterday, MY Jane and I made a trip to Toronto to visit with Chris, Tonya and Max as well as to take some plants and belongings to Steve and Sara’s.
We decided to first go to Steve’s with the Rose of Sharon bushes and his stuff. Jane and Sara went to the nearby Home Depot to get some more plants while Steve dug holes for them.
They came back with a birch tree and some hostas as well as a couple of hanging baskets.
In the meantime, I struck up a conversation with Jason, a fellow working on the brand new house build next door, and when I commented on how nice the lilac bushes were, he told me that if we wanted them, we could have them as they were going to be taken out and discarded anyway.
All four of us went over there and Steve and I managed to get a couple of good branches with roots to bring back.
After all the planting was done, Steve BBQ’d some hamburgers and veggies for us and Sara made a delicious salad. All of us were pretty tired but happy. We enjoyed lunch on their back deck.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Max as there was some difficulty in his feeding. Jane plans on contacting Tonya today to see about going down later in the week to give her a break. This will be Tonya’s first week on her own with Max.
Yesterday morning I began working on creating more storage space in the garage. I want it so that I don’t have to unstack several items to get at the one I need at the time.
In looking around the garage, I noticed some usable space right over the garage door opening, so a couple of two by fours and scrap plywood later, I had enough space for about ten bins.
Yesterday MY Jane and I went to the nearby Garden Centre to pick up some new plants for the area beneath the dining room window. While Jane was busy putting them in, I went to the local hardware store to buy some 2 x 4’s for another loft storage area in the garage.
She worked all day with great results.
There are still some plants left to be planted in the back garden, but it’s looking pretty good! We’ll work on the back yard today, weather permitting.
Yesterday I received another WYZE camera, this one being a pan tilt model. Along with that, I got a protective cover and installed it on top of the arbour to cover the back yard.
In the meantime, MY Jane was working on the front yard, planting flowers and digging out the Rose of Sharon bush. I gave her a hand and we re-located it closer to the house and in the corner.
We have a number of excess Rose of Sharon plants which Jane offered to Chris and Steve.
She also set up an overturned flower pot display to which she will later add some flowers. Marigolds have been put in the lamp post planter and really brighten up the front area.
Yesterday, I did some more organizing in the garage and managed to get more floor space on the entrance side.
What I would like to do is eliminate the table and put in shelves to the left of the recycling bin.
On the gardening front, MY Jane has been looking at doing something with the area below the dining room window. It’s been a challenge. She has decided to move the taller Rose of Sharon bush back and try another display of some kind. Maybe a bunch of river stone pouring out of a flower pot on its side.
Something that is low at the front and won’t block the window.
She bought some marigolds for the lamp post planter and another lilac bush, but she hasn’t decided exactly where that will go.
For sometime now, I have been wanting a stool for my garage/workshop especially when I’m standing at the workbench tinkering with something. Yesterday, I decided to make one.
With a hinged top, this one also doubles as a little step ladder. We’ll see how it works. I think it’s a cool stool.
After a pretty good night’s sleep, we took it easy for the rest of the day. After breakfast, we went to Minets Point to have a coffee and doughnut and watch the goings on.
There were a couple of windsurfers down there taking advantage of the high winds and it was entertaining watching them prepare their gear and finally fly across the water to the other side of the bay.
In the afternoon I spent some time cleaning up my garage/workshop. It tends to get very dusty out there with sawdust and I am guilty of not cleaning up promptly after every job.
After getting g the place relatively clean, I decided to get my bicycle down and go for a spin.
One of the things that Steve was concerned about was the installation of his brand new 55” inch TV over the fireplace. The main worry was whether there was wood behind the faux limestone that would be strong enough to hold the 50 lb weight.
At one point Steven stuck my I Phone in the tiny outlet hole to take a video of what was behind there. A few scary moments for because if he dropped it, we’d never get it back. Turns out there was solid wood and the TV was put up without a hitch and looked great.
The next big thing that had Steve feeling anxious was getting the king size mattress up the stairs to the master bedroom. After some angst, the four of us, Steve, Jane, Sara and I, managed to wrestle the monster mattress upstairs and place it on the new bed which Steve and I had assembled earlier.
Steve and I then went to Raha and Nico’s to pick up some patio furniture that had been given to Steve.
We ended the day with a wonderful BBQ dinner of hamburgers cooked up by Steve on his new housewarming BBQ. Delicious.
Right after dinner we headed home and to our delight, found that our tulips had opened and the back garden was a blaze of colour.
Yesterday morning I picked Jane up at Chris’ and went back to Steve’s where Jane put on a second coat of paint. In the meantime, Steve and I hooked up the BBQ with the adapter he had gone out buy. It’s up and running.
Last night we removed the masking tape and the room looks good except for a couple of spots where the tape pulled off some paint.
Later today, the movers will bring the rest of their furniture from Saras’s parents place and this evening, Steve and Sara will go to Raha and Nico’s to pick up some patio furniture that was given ro them.
Yesterday morning I got back to painting the master bedroom at Steve and Sara’s. I began by cutting in and a little while later Mostafa came back and he started doing the rolling.
The room looked pretty good but there were a few touch ups needed. Both Mostafa and I thought that a second coat wasn’t needed, however Steve’s eagle eye spotted some areas that need touching up so he wants to do a second coat.
When Steve got home, we finished putting the BBQ together that Jane and I bought for them as a housewarming gift and found that an adapter is needed which we’ll get today. Jane may be coming over from her stay with Max and his new parents.
Yesterday morning, right after coffee with MY Jane, I left to go to Steven and Sara’s new house to do some painting. On the way, I picked up some Egg McMuffins for Sara and me. Steve was already gone to work.
After breakfast, Sara and I began applying masking tape to the crown moulding and baseboard of the master bedroom.
Once that was done, I started putting primer on and Mostafa, Sara’s Dad arrived and began to help paint as well.
We finished painting late afternoon and when Steve arrived home he immediately conferred with the Bell internet installer who had just completed the fibre optic Cable connection.
Sara ordered pizza and filet of fish for supper, after which the king size mattress arrived. Steve and Sara decided to sleep on their new mattress in the downstairs living room.
Today, I will start putting on the final colour of paint. Mostafa will be coming later today.
Yesterday morning I drove back to Chris and Tonya’s place to help clean up after the previous night’s sink clogging situation. In fact, it was pretty much back in order when I got there.
Chris and Tonya went to Scarborough Centenary hospital with Max for a consultation with a lactation expert and while they were gone, MY Jane and I organized the pantry and furnace room, moving infrequently used items to the back of the furnace and grouping foodstuffs on the pantry shelves. Now there is an unobstructed path to the fridge and front of the shelves. Much better.
After they returned, they had a little rest while Jane and I watched Max. She held him for awhile and then I held him. Max just slept through it all. What a cutie.
Jane prepared a great dinner of oven baked chicken breasts and peppers along with a macaroni salad. Delicious.
THEN we got the call – Steve and Sara called to tell us that they took possession of their new house and decided to sleep there last night!!
They’re pretty happy and excited, as we are for them.
I’m going over there today to paint the master bedroom before they assemble their new king size bed.
Yesterday I continued gathering tools and painting equipment in preparation for my trip to Steven and Sara’s new house which they take possession of later today. They have one room, the master bedroom, which they want painted a different colour.
My original plan was to go there tomorrow morning, but a situation arose yesterday at Chris andTonya’s with a clogged sink that created quite a mess, so I am going down there this morning to see if I can help with cleaning up. And, of course, I’ll get to see Max too.
At home, our back garden is starting to come to life. Tulips are ready to bloom and buds on the maple trees are getting closer to becoming leaves.
Yesterday I took a quick run down to Chris and Tonya’s to bring some fresh clothes to MY Jane and to see Max.
He’s as cute as a button and held onto my finger for awhile, something I’ve been looking forward to even before he was born.
He went to a Doctors appointment and the good news is he put on a bit of weight.
Jane did some grocery shopping for them while they were out and was planning a supper for them.
In the meantime Sara and Steven are getting ready to take possession of their house on May 15th. They have ordered a sectional sofa and a new king size bed.
I’ll be going there on Thursday to do some painting and help put things together.
It’s raining steadily in Barrie and is predicted to do so all day. If it clears up, I will take some clothes to MY Jane who is still at Chris’ and Tonya’s helping with our new grandson, Max.
He’s holding Grandma’s thumb here. He’s quite the little rascal already, slipping his hand out of his tiny mitts and sneaking his arm out of the blanket. Grandma calls him her little Squeaky Bear. I haven’t yet come up with a special name like that, but I do call his Dad CBear.
Max’s Uncle Steve and Aunt Sara are taking possession of their brand new house on Wednesday and moving in on Thursday.
They may be doing some painting with which I will try to help. I also will bring the new BBQ, a housewarming gift from Jane and me.
Yesterday Max came home from the hospital. We were there to help; Tonya was experiencing quite a bit of discomfort and both she and Chris were exhausted, overwhelmed and apprehensive.
As soon as they brought Max into his new home, Chris changed him and got him warm. I was so impressed at how well Chris did. He made it look like he had been doing this stuff forever.
Little Max is now feeding well and he is beginning to become aware of his surroundings. His eyes are moving around slowly taking things in. He is so cute.
He had his first home bath at the kitchen sink; Chris was holding him over the sink and Tonya was about to bathe him when he peed, right at his father who could do nothing! Jane smothered a laugh at the look on Chris’ face and has instant memories of a similar incident 32 years ago, with Chris and Steve. Max was unaware of the kerfuffle, looking up intently at Tonya while being bathed and not liking the process. But once he was covered up, he settled nicely. It turns out that he was not fond of the cool air.
I left in the afternoon and went home to Minnie while MY Jane stayed to help out. She watched over Max while Tonya and Chris got some sleep.
The day after our grandson was born, and while he was still in the maternity ward with his Mom and Dad, I was at their home waiting for Max’s Grandma to arrive. While there, I began thinking about how happy I was to finally have a grandson. The following words for this poem just poured out of my heart— all within about 10 or 15 minutes.
FOR MAX
Can you be happier than being high on a cloud? Can one person feel that way? Is it even allowed? Being a new grandfather – that’s how I feel And holding my grandson just makes it so real. My hope for Maximus Ronan Ball Is very simple – just give it your all If you do that, you’ll have sure success You can’t do better than to do your best. We know not the future; few things are sure But this love that surrounds you will ever stay pure.
Although both MY Jane and I woke up at 3am still thinking about our new grandson, Max, eventually we went back to sleep and feel much more rested today. It’s a very exciting time!
This morning, Chris messaged to say that they would be staying another night so that a lactation specialist could help make sure Max was getting enough milk. He invited us to stay at his house tonight and for Jane to stay a few days after they get home.
Last night Steven called to bring us up to speed on his house purchase and was happy with the roof repair and master bedroom ceiling. He said that the vendor also extended his deck and put in stairs at no charge. Closing date is May 15th.
He also invited Jane to go for Mother’s Day lunch on Sunday so they can do that while she’s still in Toronto. It’s all good.
At 3:27 today Maximus Ronan Ball was born at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto. In fact he came into the world 10 minutes sooner in the day than Tonya, his Mom.
He weighed in at 5 lbs 11 1/2 ounces and is the cutest baby ever.
Here he is with Grandma just hours after he was born:
I got to hold him too and decided to sing him his first lullaby – Toora Loora Loora.
When I finished, Max smiled. I like to think he did, anyway. Maybe a yawn.
Chris and Tonya returned to the hospital last night almost right after they got home. They had induced Tonya but sent her home, much to the dismay of all of us, but mostly upsetting for Tonya and Chris.
MY Jane and I stayed at the Days Inn overnight and returned to St. Michaels Hospital at about 7:30am.
Tonya was now in a delivery room and we had a brief visit with her just as Linda and Michelin were coming out.
Chris was looking tired but Tonya looked much much better after having an epidural.
The attending nurse was very informative, keeping Tonya and Chris up to date with what would likely happen and encouraging both of them to rest up.
Today Tonya will be going to St. Michaels hospital to be induced into labour. MY Jane and I will be going down to Toronto for a few days and staying at a hotel close by.
What an exciting time! I can only imagine how excited Chris and Tonya must be.
This morning I put together an activity board for our grandchildren when they visit.
This board has all kinds of things that a little one would find interesting, especially things that can move or make a noise.
I wanted things that were safe and couldn’t be removed from the board and had lots of eye catching colour.
The neat thing about this board is that there are a number of items that belonged to their great grandparents, Bill and Ted Lack.
The light switch at the bottom left was Ted’s as was the drawer pull. The door stopper was Bill’s as well as the grey thing just under the door safety latch.
A fun project. Can’t wait to see our grandchildren play with this.
Yesterday, MY Jane and I joined up with Sara & Steve along with Chris & Tonya for a tour and inspection of the brand new house that they purchased. Also present were Charles Stanley, the realtor, and Baron , the contractor.
Overall, the house is beautiful, however, Steve and Chris noticed a suspicious spot on the ceiling just outside the master bathroom. The doorway also looked damaged. Steve went back later and climbed into the attic crawl space where he confirmed that there were signs of a roof leak.
Charles advised that the contractor would definitely have to fix that before final payment.
Both Sara and Steve were disconcerted with this turn of events but Steve says the contractor was very open to tearing down the whole ceiling and also advised that the roof was under warranty.
After the house tour, we said our goodbyes to Tonya and Chris and then went to the Astoria restaurant on the Danforth for a bite to eat.
Steve and Sara were very happy when we showed them the picture of the BBQ we bought them for a housewarming gift.
Today was the first day this year when I was able to have my morning coffee on the deck. Mind you, being so early in the morning, I had to wear a light jacket to stay comfortable.
Even Minnie joined me for awhile.
Later today we are going down to have a tour of the brand new house that Steven and Sara bought. The deal closes on May 15th.
Now that Pal, the rocking horse is finished, I can move on to the next toy for our grandson and grandchildren that may follow. It’s going to be an activity board or “sensory” board as they call them today. But this one is going to have some sentimental aspects to it too. I plan on using some items that once belonged to/were used by Steven and Chris’ grandparents.
Already I have begun gathering different items that I think the little one(s) might have fun with. I want things that will make noises, stuff that will have colour and items that move back and forth. They have to be safe so little fingers don’t get hurt or bruised. No sharp edges or things that can cut. And I want to make sure that everything remains intact during and after play.
Some of the things I already have are hinges, screen door hook, a bell from St Leo’s where Ted worked, a wall switch – stuff like that.
Right now, the piece of plywood that I intend to use has the housewarming gift for Steven and Sara sitting on it, so it will be a little while before I actually get to work on it.
Yesterday Chris called MY Jane and me with very exciting news. Tonya is going to be induced into labour next week. So our first grandchild will be coming into the world around May 8 or May 9, just in time for Mother’s Day. Chris was very excited to tell us the news.
We will then be told the baby’s name and see him for the first time.
Jane has already booked a hotel for us down in Toronto around that time and last night Tonya called Jane to ask her if she could go down there for a week after the baby comes home. Of course Jane said yes immediately and felt so honoured at being asked to do this.
Yesterday I spent some time learning about the features of our newly installed Wyze security cameras. MY Jane and I didn’t see the need for the cameras to be on while we are at home, so I was able to program a few shortcuts into the system.
It is now set up so that the cameras are only activated between the hours of midnight and 6am.
We do, however, have the option of clicking the We Are Away icon which will activate the cameras all day.
We have one more camera to come which will give us coverage of the front entrance and inside garage door.
Life Unfolding 