Last day of the month of May!

This title came out of Polly's mouth this morning as she pealed a banana 🍌 for breakfast. Made me think alright, as we are almost all moved to our new site, just trailer and some more wood. Looks pretty messy right now, but after we get moved in be ok, I'll get to work setting up, and having our home right there, be easier to just go out and work at getting stuff in order. 

   My tent/shop is gone, looking different 

Weather looking like it will cooperate too, be a little easier setting up with sun rather than the rain. 

Car show today, I said I'd take my grandsons again, hope they're ready for it, never know if they stayed up late, both like the video games on line, so late nighters. 

When Polly said last day of May, it got me thinking how fast this month went, how we had hot days, then rain, the hot again, then rain. Been a really good month for the farmers I'm thinking, and anyone that grows gardens. My planter making has kinda come to an end till I get settled at our new place. I sold the last planter, well of the black rimed one's, still have one of the welcome benches left. I thought this woman would buy it too, she was up for more,but wanted the black, as matching her theme at home. 

I'm not assembling my shop till we have moved the trailer in, want to see how the layout will be for sure before I set up. With Arrowvale, I knew exactly where my shop would be set, but this place I had an idea I might be able to fit a bigger tent, one I got gifted by a friend a week ago, but I'm unsure if it'll fit till after I get the trailer situated. 

I don't make a snap decision on setup, I like to place the trailer first, then work around it. I'm excited, yet apprehensive too. When traveling, not so much, as just a few days, but when I'm thinking I'll be in place awhile, I want to get it just right 👍 

Our grandson Jesse helped me yesterday, take my shed down and move the majority of this to our site, was warm afternoon, he was not really setup for hot, so by noon he was sweating, and struggling, but he didn't quit, he took a break. 

          Jesse & I break after lunch.

      Going to miss some of this shade. 

Polly served 🍔 Burgers, which made us both happy. Then after we brought two loads out, Jesse was getting ready for home after the last load, he was done! Taking the pallets apart that makes up the floor was really tough on him, better if he had put it together, as he had a hard time finding where the screws were. 

After he'd exhausted himself, I said I'll finish, let a pro in at these LoL. He was happy to not have to search for anymore screws that held them together. We loaded the last pallets and the floor, delivered and came back, got the bottles and cans, and brought them in on the way home to his place. I don't think he ever did that before. 

Bottle's to the bottle depot has been something I grew up with, was my first way of earning $$. I would collect wherever I could, and give me money, I had no skills when young, so had to do whatever I could to earn a dollar. Jesse on the other hand, hasn't had to work at anything too much yet, but he's now learning at school how to get a job, how to apply, and getting skills as he goes. He's really getting motivated, I'm happy for him, as heading out in the world, you need to be motivated to advance in life. 

Rain is letting up now, pack up the last of my wood and two working platforms, then another trip out, then only trailer to go. Emptied the holding tank yesterday, so all ready, not sure if tonight or tomorrow morning, but soon be moved. Pollys big concern is will our starlink work there, I checked it out with a compass yesterday, yep it'll be great, north is what's needed, clear sky north ⬆️. 

Well I wrote till the rains quit, so off o go to load what's left, and unload, then be wanting to get the hitch back in the truck, I won't lift myself, so hopefully find a couple volunteers here, or will grab two grandsons to do. Oops, rain again, guess it wasn't finished. Oh well, breakfast time I guess. 

Love our life ❤️ our moves too!

Sunny 😎 now. It's crazy, It's Spring 🌼

     The bench finish will have to wait

Polly and I passed these words this morning, as the rain finished, and the sun came out 🌞. Thinking about the weather is a daily thing with us, and many others here on the island. This time of year we seem to be surprised by the on and off of the spring, yet we all know it's a time of changing weather. 

Yesterday I thought it was too hot out to put a coat of protection on the bench, today it's too wet to apply it. Oh well, I guess it'll have to wait till it warms up again. Nice to not feel like I have to giter done, I can be patient, the time will come. 

Mostly we feel compelled to accomplish this, that, many things that we plan ahead, have to be accomplished to feel our day was full, that we have gotten it done, even though it doesn't have to be. 

Even as I write I've turned off the TV, Polly is about doing the dishes, before she washes her hair, or hair's as her Mom would say 😄. I'm thinking of what I should be doing outside, finishing, completing. 

I'm happy to continue with writing here, just enjoying the time thinking, and pecking on this phone, putting my thoughts here. Is it a waste of time? I don't think so, really I think it's a way of clearly passing on my thoughts, and making them clear in my own head. 

Later this morning I'm going for blood a test, had to book an appointment to get this. Then an X-ray, knee needs some work. Then after I'll go say Hi to my sister, as I often get caught up in giter done, and forget she's here in the same town. 

Oh yeah, Polly is coming with me today, she's going shopping while I'm at the hospital. I just checked, and Polly is dropping me off, and taking the truck to shop. I'm used to her getting a ride, but today this makes more sense. I'm glad I just checked, as that was her plan all along, I was out of sinc. 

Ok, I'm going outside now, the shower Pollys having is my signal to get busy with my stuff I wanted to get done. Well really, it doesn't have to be, but I'm going to do it anyway, just because I want to. 

That's our life today, and I love it ❤️

Thirsty Thursday at Creekers pub today too 😁 be fun.

Anticipation

Our move will come soon now, not far but still just planning to get it all done by the day we need to, as well as being able to do stuff before we go. Yesterday I worked on a bench I had planned to give to a couple here, there about to move too, into the basement of Ann & Bob's house. Be an improvement, as right now there living in a small trailer, with a huge canvas tent attached. 

Is a nice place they have, yet as the lady is pregnant, there going to need something a little more permanent to raise a child. I heard they have a small patio outside now, so hopefully the bench be a good house warmer. 

I also have a few other things to build, but as we've got a move plan I'm not sure I'll get to any of my projects till we are setup in our new place. 

I wake early every day, as sleep is only about 6 hrs, if I'm lucky, and at 9:30pm I'm ready for bed. TV just doesn't hold my attention too much, tired happens, I go to bed!

This morning the rooster 🐓 thought 4am a good time to crow, I'm really not going to miss them/him.

Sun's up, and just now I hear Polly getting up too. 6:30, still early for her. But she has a plan to make some cinnamon buns today. I hear her saying "Oh shit, that's what I didn't have, I just remembered something" "I need a small whipping cream" so, into town this morning we'll go, I got some more wood to bring to the new site anyway. Little bit at a time moving, that's working. 

I'm looking forward to the results 😋😃

Anticipation is good, looking for getting settled in our new place. Like traveling, just not to far this time. 

             Going to miss this view

Love our life ❤️ 

When you can leave the door open, and the day is warm 🤗

Every year at this time ya get a really nice day, where the weather warms, and the air is warm too, when you leave the door open, yet it doesn't get hot in the house. Today is that day, and as I write I'm enjoying the moment. Pollys sister Lyn brought her flowers this week, she just loves ❤️.

Polly got this book from Lyn 

They played cards, rummy, Lyn won one Polly won one, another game is in the future. They now have a book that they're marking the games in, they both enjoy this time. 

Next game be fun I'm sure 

Today I had a friend Brian, come to take a look at the mill felt I have by the trailer, as I asked if he had any pull at the mill he worked at, he's been retired 5 years now, and not really connected anymore. He has a friend that might have what I'm going to need, as I'm looking to cover the area I'm going to put my shop at so no sawdust goes into the crushed rock the people have put in the site. 

I bought a microwave on FB marketplace, that I was sure would fit in place of the one we had before, as the other one's door was broken, and a new door would be almost as much as a microwave. So while Brian was here, I asked if he'd help install. Yes was his answer, so with him and Polly doing the heavy lifting we got a new microwave installed, a little bit of an upgrade, big door wasn't exactly as we had in mind, but I'm sure it's going to be great. 

our New updated microwave 

Nice to have friends, nice to have friends that'll help ya too. Polly says she likes the new microwave, that's all that matters to me. Nice when things work out. Now I'm going to try to sell the old one, as I'm sure there be someone looking for one that has one like this, but has a good door on theirs, as this one still works good. 

Our old microwave 

Getting back to the warm day, I see cottonwood fuzzy seeds floating by, always a way to tell weather getting better, that seed always fly's when it's just the right temperature 🌡️, sign of warm weather to come 🌻 

Soon the reunion dinner and dance be happening, Polly now blowdrying her hair, be a fun night for us. I better get cleaned up. 

Another good day 😄 

Love our life ❤️

Grad reunion, WOW what a blast!

I thought about taking a photo, but decided not to. So many people came, so much chatter, so loud, everybody was up for this visit with friends from past years. We started visiting before we even got in the haul, was nice to see so many people from my early days. 

School was never my strength, I just wanted to get out and get on with life, make a buck, have a family, get going on what life was all about, I always felt school, the way it's taught, was a big waste of time. But friends, and the connection we got there, that was fantastic! Some friends we have stayed friends since school, others I hadn't seen since going to work. I'm really glad I went last night, Polly didn't go to last night's get together, but tonight we will both attend the dinner and dance. 

After entering the room, I couldn't take a step without seeing someone, talking with another, took me 1/2 hour to get near the bar, then another, so many people it was overwhelming 🤯, yet beautiful, to see so many that cared enough to attend this fun time. 

Polly just asked me "did ya have a few beers?" I said "one", she laughed then I said "drinking would get in the way of talking " LoL I did talk alot, but I also listened, was a really heart warming time seeing and meeting people that I went to school with so long ago, yet never seeing since. 

I made a big circle around the hall after I got a beer, every time I was talking with one person, I was seeing another I wanted to talk with, was really difficult to be surrounded by so many people, and want to talk with them all at the same time! 😂 

I could name all the people, but instead I'll say, I was so happy to be there, in the moment enjoying so many conversations, and seeing so many from my past. A feeling I can't really express, other than it was great 👍 

It is an amazing life we, Polly & I live. Yesterday a couple that just got together a year ago came for a visit, she from Vernon now in Alberta, he from Port Alberni and now in Alberta, working in the same area met at the lake one day, he kept asking for her number, she finally gave in, and the rest is history. They have been together since. 

Yesterday she said that she wanted what we had, she remembered when she met us, how much she thought she wanted that. Now I'm thinking she has that, and so does he. Nice to see, people together, really enjoying each other. 

I saw a whole room of that last night, and tonight I'll see that again, this time I'll have Polly with me, be a really good time again I'm sure. 

I did have one guy ask "Are ya still writing to the paper?" I said "no, but I write a blog" I'm still enjoying writing, funny hey, I hated English, yet I like to write ✍️ 

I just had best laugh, Polly was knocking on the cantaloupe, there is a commercial about knocking on the cantaloupe, and here she was testing it out, ya can't know how loud I laughed, and so did Polly 🤣🤣🤣

Love our life ❤️ 

Some days better than others, yesterday was Stellar 👍

Ruel family getting together at Arrowvale 

We started off slowly yesterday, me working on planters, and Polly slowly getting herself going. I had a person come by as often happens here, just wanted to look, and of course I'm talking and asking questions, found out he was Pat, from Cumberland, so I asked if he'd bring some crates to a person who wanted them in Courtenay. "Sure" he said. So I messaged the woman who had asked if I come to Courtenay, she wanted the crate's I'd advertised on marketplace. 

I gave him a friend's address, said if I get a response I'd message him, if not drop at my friend's. 

So as I went through my day I'd get a message here, a message there, finally got the message to Pat, he delivered, and Michelle was happy, she tried to pay Pat, LoL 🤣. He said no, but last night when I got home had a message to send Michelle my email so she could pay me. I'm still shaking my head, I told Polly when we woke in the night, she was wow. This morning I woke to a message that I had payment from Michelle. Makes me believe in the kindness in people, I'm happy to say were not as bad off as the news would have us believing! 

During this a visit from Albert & Brenda who are camped just below us. Albert and I talked about so much, a lot about wood and woodworking, and what and how we do what we do. Was really a good conversation. Polly and Brenda parlayed inside the trailer, after awhile when Brenda came out, we all talked a bit then they had to go, there was a group of family coming to visit at 1pm, and was after 11 already. Had to get there campsite ready. 

I tried to finish a couple planters, but to no avail, just to much going on here. About 1:30 we ambled down to enjoy lunch with the Ruel family, was a great time, so friendly, so fun. Every time we see them as a group, it's like coming home to family. What a great visit. What a fun family. During the visit I'm getting texts from Pat & Michelle, then Catherine, How did we ever operate before texting? 

Then Ted sends a message, we just bought finished putting groceries away, thinking of coming over for a visit, be ok? Yes, but be a short visit, we have to go by 4:30 for dinner with Shayla & Carl at the Black powder range. 

Another great visit in, shorter, but still was great. Got to see them again soon. 

Off to dinner at the gun range, at their campsite, was ribs and potatoes with salads. MMM, Carl has a new smoker, what a treat. I didn't take a photo, but the ribs looked great, and tasted wonderful 👍

Carl's Mom and Dad Jim and Tannis were dressed in period clothing. Was a really good dinner.

Carl's birthday, Shayla brought out the Cake.

What a great day yesterday was, no cell service at the Black powder range, so Polly couldn't find out the loss of Toronto until we got closer to the highway. 6-1 was not what she wanted to hear Google say! 

Looking back this morning, I believe yesterday was a perfect day. Raining last night, was great too, today puddles are full again, and rain has stopped.  I hear the kid's out looking at the goats and chickens, and the hens laying eggs, making their sounds, the rooster 🐓 making him self known. Coffee ☕ tasting great. On to another perfect day ❤️ I'm thinking.

Love our life ❤️ 

May long! surprised it's not on the 24th?

Polly's Birthday celebration, Creekers pub 

Andrew & Lyn, Joy & Dan, Brenda & Albert 

Polly was really happy 😊 

Rooster 🐓 is awake, 4:39 and a little cloudy out, otherwise he'd be up earlier. Geese are flying in now I can hear, I do like that we hear so much more living in our trailer, a little more connected to the sounds outside. The rooster 🐓, I can do without him though 😂.

Polly had a really good Birthday yesterday, different than I planned, as cold and wet out, was much nicer to sit inside and enjoy the Keno board, and talk amongst ourselves while having a drink, than trying to keep warm outside at the campground. A few cards, presents, as well as kisses and Hugs during the day helped make her day. A conversation on messenger with Pollys good friend Terry was especially special, as they have such great memories together, I'm thinking that'll be a visit in the making now. Chris & Don Wutke also a good call, friends for many moon's 🌙, made her day. Our granddaughter Shayla came with her fiance Carl, even though they had a busy weekend at the Black powder range. 

Yep, All in all was very special to Polly, dinner and casino topped it off! No big win, but Polly does enjoy the casino! 

What more do you want, friends and family to say HI, Happy Birthday on your day. A hug, and share a story or two. That's perfect,just as relaxing as could be. Also got an invite to a potluck on Sunday, and another birthday party/Dinner, life just got busier. How we going to fit two invites in same day? Polly was planning what she was baking before the door closed on our way outta the pub, forgetting we already have and invite for dinner that night. I wonder what will come?

I can hear the birds awake now, they are the real telltail of the daylight. I know that if I look out now, I'll be seeing light outside. Through the window it still looks dark, but open the door and yep it's daytime. Saturday finally, we have both thought it was Saturday yesterday, funny how a long weekend seems to start early. 

I wonder how Victoria day changed from May 24th, to this year May 19th? Always May 24th is the long weekend, but this year it changed. Who's in charge? Who makes that decision? Oh well, who cares, we are in the long weekend, let's enjoy it. 

Many go camping, we of course are already here! Albert Ruel Brenda Forbes are camping here for the weekend, they came to the pub with us, be nice to catch up with them over the weekend. Camping gives opportunity to pop in, closeness helps, and the door's not far away when in a trailer or MH, just walk over and knock, or if nice out your all outside most the time. 

Our future has a wedding 💍 in it, Shayla and Carl are getting married this summer, August 16th, that is date#1 for us this year, then after that, who knows. We will make our summer trip a little later, to Grande Prairie and back, our new to us campsite be a change too, looking for to this at the end of May! Ohh, geezz that's like 2 weeks away, good we had the long weekend now, we will need time to get ready 🙂. 

cleaned up the tent, more organized now 

This next week I'll get stuff ready to go, got a tire to install on the trailer, and so much wood to transfer to our new place, a long with taking the tent down and packing all that up. Our grandsons going to help, nice when they ask "do ya need a hand? Pepere/Grandpa?" Feel's Good 👍 

Today I'm going start on one last planter build, two 5' planters that I was told no hurry, but I'm thinking be nice to get them done, looking forward to this. I've taken most my stuff off marketplace now, as can't build and move at the same time, still I have a few things that I'll make as I go. Most will have to wait till after I get settled again. 

It's not like moving across the country, but all will have to be transferred to our new site, and setup just right. 5:19 now, 1hour past the reminder of Chris. Happens daily, when you don't expect it, ya just have a little tug at her heart, then ya go on. Good to have that thought every once in awhile. 

We met a couple at the casino, Dale and Heather, she has her Birthday same day as Polly, was nice to see them again. We'll catch up was the talk, be nice to sit and yak with them again. Been awhile!

Of course I'm rambling now, coffee ☕ is good, rooster 🐓 still crowing, I'm ready for coffee #2 ☕☕ now. 

Life is good, love our life ❤️