Sunday 😀 Christmas has come and gone.

The last Sunday of 2025 today, hmm. Looking ahead I wonder what this next year has for us? Will we travel? Will my health hold up? Get better? Will the world become a little more accessible, or will we see more restrictions everywhere? Will the war in Ukraine end? Hmm, who knows?

For now we will take it one moment at a time, first on my agenda is my swollen legs and seeing the specialist Dr on 5th of January, will go from there then. Every January I think of exercise, starting doing something that will be beneficial, the pool, the gym, just thinking doesn't help 😂🤣 but today I'm thinking will have to at the least continue walking. That's one thing I like, yet my knee has held me back, just because it'll hurt if I walk too far. 

Well let it hurt, I'm going to walk regardless, helps me stay fit, and helps me with thinking too. I like our neighborhood, close to much shopping as well as trails and just easy walking areas, so I'm going to continue with that. 

The pool I said to myself I'd enjoy here, in the close proximity to it. I've yet to go, that's something I can do seeing I'm not going to be traveling anytime soon. 

Project's, I have a few I'm thinking about here, move the shed, building another small deck, but really I'm looking forward to building some planters for the spring. Polly has developed a small memorial garden in our yard, I built a little white picket fence she wanted, will be finishing that off later in the spring. Funny how your mind switches from one season to the next, just goes "Christmas 🎄, New years 🎉 Spring 🌼 LoL 🤣, well it's still aways to go, but that's how it seems.

Yesterday we planned a card game with friends here for tonight, as well as friends coming for a visit this afternoon, busy schedule for a Sunday. This morning we sit Polly and I side by side pecking on our screens. Furnace goes on and off, I don't have to think of changing propane tanks, I'll go to the bathroom and never a thought of emptying the sewage. Nice to be in our mobile home, well doesn't feel mobile, just feels like a house. 

I'll enjoy the views of the Beaufort mountains, and the neighborhood out our bay window in the kitchen, and just thinking of how nice it is to be grounded here, in our home town again. 

I always loved Port Alberni, so when we had to leave for work we adapted, but really my heart ❤️ was always in Port, just feels so good here, home, with friends and family. Familiar roads, building's, people, Home! 

Going to be a really good year I believe, regardless what the world throws at us, adaptable is how we have to be. Also being able to ramble in my thoughts, that's entertaining for me 😁 too.

I have a walk planned for tomorrow with my friend that lives close, a trip to Parksville to shop for some 80's clothes to dress up for New Year's Eve 🎉🎉, and maybe a visit with friends in Parksville that I used to work with years ago that moved there. Always a plan, something that ya like, or have wanted to do for awhile. 

And life goes on, day to day, week to week, on and on, till a hickup changes things. We were at friends yesterday afternoon, talked about how so many people now getting hiccups, health hiccups. We all agreed, is our age now, just all our past mistreatment catching up with us. 

I see now we have graduated, Polly has the TV on now, I wonder what we'll watch?

Another thing, I don't have to think about how we'll get our Internet, it's always on now, don't have to think of where the satellite dish is, or if I've got a signal, or if it's well anchored. 

We now watch a movie that we started last night, I'd forgot, Polly remembers 😁.

Yep life goes on, sure is comfortable our new to us home, with all the befits we take for granted living in a more anchored to the ground, mobile home. I have a new appreciation for these basic comforts after living full time in our fifth wheel trailer for the last 10 years. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Thoughts

As I made coffee ☕ and looked out the window this morning early, I thought for just a minute, turned the light out, looking out the window at the dark street, thinking about how nice it is to be in our home, with plans for family at Christmas. Then I thought of the less fortunate, that are out  there? In what, a tent, cold, homeless. 

I really can't imagine, yet I know they are there, somewhere, as I see them walk by sometimes, with a bunch of cans in a bag, trading them in for more of what they need to survive. 

Yep, we are very fortunate to have what we have, and be where we are. 

Really looking forward to this evening, be a fun time, and so many coming over. Was nice to reflect a little this morning early, just think a bit about those that are out there without. Hmm. 

I played a few songs after while as I made up a little Instagram post, one I like is by John Lennon, started out "So this is Christmas" always gets me, as in his song "Imagine" does to, often talks about "no wars" yet every year if ya pay attention, there is always something going on where people are going to war. Not trying to be down, just thought how we are always so hopeful at this time of year, yet reality still bites! 

I'll brush this off as usual, and continue with our family time 🤗, and tomorrow I'll wake, make coffee ☕, and probably have a similar thought. 

And on our lives Go, fleeting thoughts as we go.

Well we have many things to do today, well really Polly has way more than I do, but I'll help where I can. 

I ask Polly what's her first to do today? "Well she said, Bake my Cupcakes 🧁, then cookies 🍪 then wash my floors, and put more toilet paper out" 😂, things I never think of. Then after she said "What time is it" then she looks to see. 

Plans develop, Polly already has her plan in place, me I'm just going to help, if she needs it. "Take that foam out of our room please" yep, I can do that, been putting it off awhile, thinking I might use it on our bed, but no. 

Yep today be going fast now, funny how that goes, plan, plan, then poof, done! 

I'm done my second cup of coffee ☕ ☕, Pollys on #2. Things going to get going now. It's light out now. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Merry Christmas 🤗 🎄⛄

Lucky me, another Sunday morning to enjoy.

Polly twice says she likes this, I'm thinking going to have to build at least One 

When I started this blogging I wasn't sure how to do it, but like many things in life I always found the best way was just start! So far it's working good, usually about once a week I take the time to peck something out that's interesting to me, today I'm thinking about my liver. 

A few years ago a Dr gave me the warning, ya better eat less potatoes and rice, loose a little weight. Ya got a fatty liver. And cut back on the drinks 🍷 🍺. Then next time I saw him he said getting worse, now, no drinking. So I quit for a year, then he said looking better my liver, so I thought 🤔 geezz, I can drink a little again, and eating, well that really hasn't changed, I like my food. 

Looking back I should have really been changing my ways, but here I am now, plans ahead, committed to a trip to Europe after Christmas, and my legs are swelling, my side hurts, and I've gone through a few tests, Dr appointment in the New Year, just before we supposed to go. Unsure, that's my way now, unsure of my condition, and unsure of our plans. 

I'm sure we will have a wonderful Christmas this year, family and friends will be here Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day we have dinner with my sister and her husband, then a week of visiting, so many we love to see. Then New Year's 🎉🎉🎉 we have an invite to a dance, be so much fun I'm sure, not sure we'll make it till 12pm, but be fun just the same🥳🥳

New Year's Day, we don't have a plan yet, at least I'm not aware of one lol, sometimes I'm last to know, so maybe there is a plan. 

Then a few days and will be Dr appt, then see if something can be done with this swollen legs, and pain in my side. Sure has made me feel older, I was painting the walls after we had a gyprock Guy in yesterday, getting down to tape the mouldings was extremely hard, but getting up even harder. Today I'll finish the painting, yesterday was just the base coat. 

Polly is looking towards the Baking she's got planned, and I'm loving the thought of the smells coming. Always wonderful when Polly is in her kitchen, so into it I really love watching her create. 

This morning I'm content to write, and think, we are so darn lucky to have landed on this new place, enjoying the moment's as we improve our new to us place. Things that might be nothing to many, are extremely enjoyed here by us. A plugin in the island, was Pollys request, (I hear her up now, I'm thinking she'll go back to bed though), patch the walls where the holes are, there were two big bangs in the wall, that'll be all fixed up now, (yup Polly back to bed) the sunroom was something I just saw on marketplace, it fit our deck perfectly, that kinda luck we have often. 

Furniture, lighting, TVs, dam it sure fell in place fast, so fortunate we are. I'm just hoping travel will be possible in the new year, although I could hangout here just fine, as we have a few things to do here yet, and is a very nice place to spend our time, close to friends and family. 

Nice to have this quiet time, before the world gets going on Sunday morning. 

Still have a Murphy bed on the deck I will put together for the spare room, I'm thinking that'll be next on my list. 

Sure do Love our life ❤️ 

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 ❤️