December 14th, 10 days to Christmas Eve

     Got a new to us sign the other day 😁 

We have had many opportunities to celebrate with others already this year, we are now looking forward to Christmas Eve, when most of our family will come to our new place for a fun evening celebrating Christmas as a family again. It's been awhile since we've all got together at Christmas, we have been gone almost every Christmas for the last 10 years, only one time did we stay home, and that year it snowed enough that only Penny and our two grandchildren Jet and Dax came for Christmas to the place we were staying. 

This year we have our own place, so with little a help, and decent weather, we will enjoy Christmas Eve to the fullest this year. Food I'm sure be plentiful, and a gift 🎁 exchange is happening, but for me the best is just the time spent enjoying being with each other together. We all have great memories of past Christmas Eve's at Memeres, Pollys Mom's place, so to recreate this feeling with our families will be great. Not exactly same, but still be nice to get together again. 

We all have different memories around this time of year, but being together, sharing this time, is special. For Polly and I, the best as our life changed this year from traveling and living full time in our fifth wheel trailer and going south for the winter, to living full time in our mobile home anchored in one spot in our home town. So much room to host a big group, along with close to most all our families and friends. 

Plans are underway, Polly is the planner, along with Lyn, Georgina, and whomever else steps up to help. I'll help where needed, mostly packing stuff, move this move that, stock the outside fridge, pop, beer, wine. My two bits worth, and get a few presents 🎁 for family. 

Sunday morning now, no big plans today, but I'm sure something will be coming up, always something. I bought, or got a Murphy bed last week, it's all apart, and I'm in the process of learning how to put it together. YouTube helps, a full set of plans and demonstration video's are available, I'm learning 😁. Maybe today I'll attempt to fit it together. Be nice to have a decent queen bed for company. 

Well up too early again, back to bed again, my shift sleep, Polly just got up, and she's planning cooking something already. I laughed to myself, how lucky I am, I wonder what's going to be made now? I won't ask, I heard Polly talking about molasses, hmm sweet! 

Retirement says every day is Sunday, but really Sunday still a quieter time. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Waking early is a given for me, reading the news an option!

            Polly wanted Icicle light's 

Most mornings I wake early to a sore back, go pee, make coffee ☕ and a read of what's happening, or coming in the future. This morning I read about USA deregulation of trucking and how it's being done by the people that have the most to earn in the business. The quote was "This isn't the Fox in the henhouse, it's the Fox designing the henhouse." 

I read quite a bit of two articles, as in one article links to others in a blue 🔵 highlite that are part, or connect to each other. I like the way it's written, yet at some point I realized I've had enough of what I'm seeing before I read, that our world is controlled by people that have a desire to make more $$$ rather than making our highway's safer. 

I always respect trucker's, as I believe they in general are more in tune with what's going on on the highways, so reading what's happening in USA re-truckers and companies was interesting. Learning that regulation that is being forced isn't really being put in place, that in behind scenes the government has people that were lobbying for companies now de-regulating, people that have been appointed to the position they hold in government office. Henhouse designers I learned. 

I'm happy to be driving here in Port Alberni, and on Vancouver Island, yet when traveling even on our highways I'm still in tune with the truckers. I don't communicate with them directly, but I watch what they are doing, as they have a "finger on the pulse" another beauty description of how they know way ahead of me what's up, what's happening, or what's coming ahead. 

I know we are not traveling as we did before, so no big trailer behind us, but the lessons learned are set in my head. Listen to my copilot 😁 (Polly be happy to read that) and watch the truckers, two valuable bits of information that helps me when I'm driving. 

The article's were good to read, but I find myself kinda giving up on the read after awhile, as just the feeling of "What's the use!" I'm not going to do anything about it anyway.  I still have an opinion, but likely will not change anything, other that being informed helps me understand what's going on, even if I'm not going to do anything about it. 

I was all in favor of deregulation when I read about change that was possibly coming, yet reading this article has me thinking of how change comes. Do I really want to have changes that could cause more deaths, nope. So I'll keep reading, not anymore today, but tomorrow morning, then the next, and on and on. LoL

 Till my time is done, as being informed about what's happening in our world is like watching the trucker, they see ahead what's coming. 

Here's to hoping we see positive changes coming, cause the way it's looking right now, our world is in for a wreck! I'm not positive, but from this non truckers view, sure seems like,  hmm, 🤔  a wreck ahead.

Got the glass all in our sunroom now, decorated, Polly is excited, Christmas 🎄 🎁 is just around the corner now. Family and friends time 🤗 Going to be a really good Christmas ☃️

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Everybody wants to rule the world!

Amazing how a song can come on with a catchy beat, yet be talking about something really dastadrly as we are watching from a distance now. Wars that we all through our government participate in, yet they are fought over there 👉, just thinking about how wars are fought now, drone's, missile's, long range, in a comfortable room, with a screen in front of the person that follows the orders, boom 💥 and is done. 

We here in our part of the world watch as the grueling fighting continues, over there👈👉, anywhere but here. 

Reminds me of the many people here we see fighting the drug battle, as they continue to waste away infront of us, yet we avoid looking, pass by without wanting to really see it, yet there it is right in front of us, in most every town now. 

Just thinking about how many are getting Rich in Both cases, the war, as well as our friends and families here in their battles with drugs and mental health issues. 

Someone is reaping the $$💵💸$$💴$$ from both.

Helpless, that's how I feel thinking about it, helpless. I had to laugh a few weeks ago when the city council in Naniamo tried to get the ok to fence around their building, keeping the employees safe from all the druggies that are now close to them. Isn't it ironic how we are, from a distance we talk about it, even feel bad about it, but when it comes right to our door, we just want to avoid it at all costs. 

I know,  not a travel kinda topic, but today Polly and I have had the best of days, we talked so much, and traveled early to Qualicum, then Parksville, then Naniamo, looking at furniture I'm laughing now thinking of the fun we had. Here we are now, sitting close, on our new couch, having just finished a really nice dinner. Polly liking the decorations that shine on the ceiling,

as she prepares fo a dinner we are having with friends on Tuesday. 

Yep, Thanksgiving in the States this weekend, so much to be thankful for, yet many still haven't got a chance, I'm shaking my head right now. 

"Play the funky music white boy" the song that's on now 🤣, such great music 🎶 🎶 tonight. "Play the funky music till you die"

I'm not ready for that yet, I think I'll keep living, the best life I can, not perfect, just the best I can. 

I'm listening to Polly, she's so into it, talking to her phone, planning what she loves, a great meal with friends!

We sure are fortunate ❤️ 

Love our life ❤️ 

Doing what I enjoy feels great 👍

   I'm thinking snowman needs attention 

Everyone has something they really enjoy doing, me it's building something from wood that is discarded. Wood that would otherwise be thrown away. I've been doing this for awhile now, started when I was at Chemainus sawmill, I'd see the stuff that was thrown to the chipper, it really irked me to see beautiful pieces of wood throw away, chipped to go to pulp, or worse to go to burn as fuel. 

I trained to be a lumber grader while in Chemainus, something I had an appreciation for already, clear straight grained lumber, something that Chemainus mill employees prided themselves on getting the highest grade out of each log. 

I know I can't save every piece, but while I was at the mill I did ask and take home a few pieces that I made something out of, but of course when we moved into our trailer, I had to give all that I'd accumulated away to a friend, that gave it to his daughter. Still it was used, at least I hope so. 

Moving forward while covid was a thing we had to stay put awhile, so I got my table saw back from my friend's shed, and a few more tools that I setup in a tent beside our trailer, and went to work doing what I loved. Pallets were  easily accessible, and ideas were many, so I started making things people wanted. Funny how it went looking back now, I'm not sure what exactly I was making that I posted on FB, then a woman that I've known a long time asked, could you make me a wheelbarrow, one as a planter. Sure I said, and after a little looking around at what others had made, I came up with my version. 

That was my start to making things for others that they wanted, and using pieces that would be thrown out to create these beautiful things. I'm not sure now how many things I've created, but every year I have a chance to create something new wherever I go, have tool's and love to travel! 

This past year I created in Florida when asked to build a sign or two, when we moved on to Yuma I didn't create anything there this year, was a short time, but I had created a few signs and a bench there the year before, out of pallets. When we moved home, to Arrowvale I got into making planters right away, once I had my little shop setup, was a very productive spring, most all of this came from waste pieces from the sawmill down the road, some really nice pieces I saved from the firewood pile. 

Moving here to our new home, we have been busy settling in, so haven't made much, but the other day I decided I wanted to, so off to Beaver Creek hardware and got two pallets on Sunday. I asked the yard guy where they stored them now, he said there are 3 right over there you can have. I took 2, the kind that had the boards I was looking for, knowing exactly what my plan was. 

Into the back of my truck, and after a few visits on my way home I took them out and started disassembly. I see many that ask about the best way to do this on the Internet, using different tools, and saws, to get them apart, I've developed a very simple way, and baring getting a nail in the arm, or wrist, they come apart fairly easy. 

       My blank Canvas as artists say 😀

The wood was all wet, which is better for taking them apart, but not so much for building something with, but luckily I have a shed now, and a heater to dry my pieces, so that made it better. After some drawing, and thinking, as I was following a picture I'd taken off of a pallet building site I'm subscribed to, I slowly got the Santa just the way I wanted. 

     Oh, soup, in the middle Polly created 

Have some soup Polly said forcefully 

This is my fun, just created something from what would have been thrown away, yet here it is now displayed in front of our house. Not Earth shattering, but it makes me feel good, and that's what I believe this life is about at this time in my life, doing something that you enjoy, and if it's something that others want, even better, and if I can do it with what would otherwise be thrown away, bonus I say. 

                 Ta-da Santa created 

Oh, and Writing, I really like that too, I'm guessing I'm creative when I'm doing this too. My thoughts pecked away here, that's also a favorite of mine. No cost, and helps me think of what's next in life, today shopping for a new couch I've just been told is my next adventure. How does that saying go? "Better have a plan, or you'll become part of anothers plan!" LoL 😂 

Love our life ❤️ 

Sunday's are different.

     Maybe I'll make a snowman today 🤔

For me Sunday morning is slower that the rest of the week, unless there is something that has to be done. Most times we would travel on Sunday morning, as was just a little quieter that the rest of the week. That is unless its the last day of a long weekend, then everyone is getting home. 

Living in a more permanent home now that's all changed, no moving to another town, or packing up. I do miss some of it, mostly the freeing feeling as we started traveling down the road. Polly would be looking for what I was doing wrong, big huge breath in told me she was concerned about something she saw, but not enough to say "Brent!" Still, it was a warning to me to look, even if what Polly was seeing as a hazard wasn't. 

We sure did talk alot as we first pulled out, did ya do this? Where are? Whatever, what's the name of? Question's were fielded as we drove, just getting our bearings as we travelled. We will be doing this again in Portugal, I'm sure that'll be interesting, as we don't speak Portuguese, most times we do manage, this will be different though. 

Today, this Sunday I'm not sure we'll do anything too earth shattering, we have Harley coming to stay a couple days, so maybe have someone over for dinner? I never really know what Polly will think of, but for me today I'm just chill, no plan, a short walk around the neighborhood, I did that yesterday, but giving me a sore knee, going to have to keep trying, at least that's what my thoughts are looking at the scale. 

I'm up early today again, probably back to bed sometime, can't get the full night in anymore, just the way it is. Something's ya just have to accept, and do yer best with, I believe this is another one. 

I see in the forecast we might get a little snow, I'm kinda looking forward to it, not shoveling, but a walk in fresh snow, that's always great, well until the mess comes in a few hours. West Coast snow gets messy quickly, then the rain comes and washes it away. Yep I remember, so many great snowfalls, I hope to miss the 2-3' snow falls, that is not in my cards.

     cold and damp, fogs up the windows 

      

       Polly got the tree up on the Deck 

Hockey game tonight, football this afternoon, I'm wondering if I'll even get outta this chair LoL 🤣 

Oh well, I guess this is my sedintary life.

Love our life ❤️ 

I usually wait till Sunday for a blog post, but!

"Rainy days and Sundays always get me down" came to mind, it's a song by the Carpenter's, a band that was popular years ago. I had to look it up, Karen Carpenter the singer was also the drummer, I didn't remember that. I listened and watched the video, but I don't feel down. My thoughts were, if I was to be down every Monday & every time it rains I'd be down most the time here in Port Alberni. 🤣

We had a really good family visit yesterday, with the siblings of Polly's family and the outlaws, myself included. 😄 Was really nice to get together, yak it up, kinda like a Christmas visit early. Heb & Val live in Vernon, so we don't see them often, but the rest live here, as we do now. Most of our family are on the island, biggest group here in Port Alberni, so making easier to see each other. Yesterday was just the best visit, at times in our place we had 3-4 conversations going at the same time, loud it was, sill, felt nice to be together 🤗

Polly said it's like a test Christmas Eve for us in our new place, I'm sure that'll be really good too with everyone that's planning to come on Christmas Eve. On a rainy Saturday I have to say, this has been the best November I've had in Port Alberni, a little rain, but mostly been really nice.

Looking forward, I'm thinking be really nice weather up to the time we fly away to the East, Toronto, then Lisbon, we are both excited for Christmas, and soon after our winter trip ✈️. A visit with friends before we fly to Portugal will be great. Really nice to have so much to look forward to, we are fortunate ❤️ 

Today will be a quiet day here at our place, I'm thinking I'll go for a walk between the rains, if it doesn't stop I'll take my umbrella ☔, be nice to get out. 

Sunday tomorrow, we have our little friend Harley coming for a couple days, Danny has to go back to Vancouver to get his sending unit to match up with what they installed in his head so he can hear again out of that ear. I'm very hopeful that this turns out good, I can't imagine not being able to hear, as I said before, we are fortunate ❤️.

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Biggest fan, I'm my wife's biggest fan ❤️

    Pork chop, rice and cabbage creation.

This one called monkey bread, ya tear piece's off, was like pizza.

   This one not pretty, but Mmm 😋 good 

          These for the Ball ⚾ game 

Just so u know, I post much less of what my wife cook's and bakes than she does. If I was to post all she created, my finger 🤞 be callaused from pecking on this screen. Saying in this blog this morning that I'm my wife's biggest fan came to me this morning as I scrolled through the Instagram posts of music, a woman was singing of her boyfriend was her biggest fan. Made me think, I think I'm Polly's biggest fan. I think she's my biggest fan too❤️ 

Funny how that works for us, seeing all that we do of each other, knowing each other as we do, we truly are our own biggest fans. 🪭🪭

Just now I had the thought, will I post this? Hmm, I'm not sure as I write now, but I like the thoughts I'm having. 

The song that inspired it came after watching a few videos of singers giving really good performances, with really good messages. Sometimes I like to listen a little before I go on to reading, or writing, this morning I'm thinking it was just a little bit of melancolly that inspired me. 

Words with music 🎶 can really give me strength when I'm feeling low, today I'm feeling good, but the music helps me, why? I'm not sure, but was a really nice way to start my day. 

Polly got up early, 6am, unusual, but a kiss 💋 😘 or 4 then she's got her coffee ☕, and I play her a couple of tunes I liked, then we both go about our own way, beside each other, quietly enjoying our coffee ☕, and doing what interests us, each in our own way. 

We had a good Friday night, a couple movies, nothing stellar, some we turn off before too long, not great. 

Today I'm going to work towards getting the sunroom completed. I will need the glass guys to come this coming week to alter some panels, but after that, be all complete. Then house warming be next, then Christmas. Man the day's are rolling by fast. November 15th now, WOW. 

Looking forward to having Christmas here this year ⛄🎄🥳🤗❤️

Love our life ❤️