Sunday morning again 😀

Amazing how fast a week goes hey! Polly and I watched a few videos last night at the end of our night, funny ones, best was Bob & Doug McKenzie. I'm smiling right now again as when I started looking at my phone this morning, guess what comes up, another video of these two spoofing together again. Nice way to enjoy my coffee ☕ and another great Sunday morning. 

The story of how the show got going, and what spured them on is good, the show was a success in USA & Canada, they laughed at it as did we in Canada. Imagine, people in both countries enjoying a laugh at "The Great White North" I truly think we could all use more laughter right now, as watching what's really happening in our world is just too painful, at least that's what I think. 

I've been working to get this sunroom up lately, dealing with a bit of frustration, Polly has been helping when I need a hand, still getting things to fit, I'm not sure if I can endure long enough to get it all together. Each morning I start again with fresh attitude, and fresh eyes, hopefully this week I'll have it done, and looking just right 👍 

Frustration hit me hard on Friday, I got a call at noon while I was putting things together, the check is ready to be picked up from the sale of our trailer. Cheryl was so happy, and cheerful, I was frustrated. "Great, thanks, I'll be there after I'm done getting this sunroom pieces to fit". I got a window in, and secured after much mucking around, so I quit at around 2:30 to go get the check, and the license plate, so I could turn that in. We were waiting for Joy and Dan to come back and pick up Harley, so Polly said "You don't need me do ya?" "Nope, I'll be ok will just deposit, and be right back!"

My thinking was incorrect, after getting the check, and going to the bank to deposit as I thought is a big check, better take to the bank. Then waiting in line watching one teller at a bank of many teller booths. They have now decided to put chairs in the line to wait, instead of having a few more teller's available. "Rock steady thinking!" I'm thinking as I wait, frustrated at the thought of waiting, thinking maybe I should just sign it and go to the bank machine and deposit it. 

Well it's good I didn't, as when my turn to go to the teller, I happily get up from the chair 🪑 and walk over, "I'd like to deposit this check". Teller gets my card information, I sign the check, then after she looks she says "I'm sorry but you have to have two signatures on this check 😲 I'm sure she caught the look on my face. "Really" I said, "I'm depositing in our joint account"  "It has both names on it Brent & Paulette so both have to be here"

I'm sure I had the crappy customer face as I left saying I thought this was BS, I was really pissed, stomping out I was just undone now. 

Burning up inside I drove home, once inside I said to Polly, "gotta come to the bank, won't let me deposit it!" 

I laugh now at how burned up I was, just the last straw I'd say, I was already frustrated from the sunroom fitting, so this just did it. 

I thanked Polly the next day, as she just did what was needed, no complaints, and tried to have me understand the process. Me I just wanted it done. We went back to the bank, Polly stood in line this time, I'd already signed it, besides I was still smoking hot! LoL 😂 

I can laugh now, but in the moment I wasn't. 

Yep, not every day goes smoothly, and realizing this, looking back it's good to see that I was pushing too hard to just get it done, not trying to understand it, just get it done. One of my bad traits, but also good at the same time. Getting it done is not as desirable as getting it done properly. I'm a good enough kinda guy sometimes, well most the time. In the case of the sunroom, good enough isn't working, it's like putting a puzzle together trying to push the pieces into the wrong place. 

Yesterday continuing on with the sunroom I realized after I'd installed the sliding door frame that the door would be closed by the trailer wall, not where I had planned, but after a bunch of tries, and Polly helping, we did manage to get it together. Installed but I'm not happy with where the door is, yet I did know when to quit, go inside have a beer, and some soup and quit for the day. 

Today I'm not sure I'll attempt to do anything on it, but writing here helps me see what I'm doing, pushing to get it done, not enjoying the process, which when I have lots of time to get it right, I should be doing. Standing back and taking a second look will help I'm sure, so that's my learning today, give it a little time, and take another look at how I'm going to tackle this. 

Watching Bob & Doug McKenzie this morning is what I need, a little laughter to start the day. Along with writing, this always helps me throw it behind me and move on. 

Our grandson Jet is coming over today, I asked if he'd come look at our furnace ducts, as they are banging on start and stop, he's been working as a sheet metal worker for the last couple years, so I hoped he'd be able to figure it out, he's already got an idea what it is. I'm looking forward to seeing him today. Jesse might stop in too, another grandson. He's working at Canadian Tire now, along with going to school, I gave him a ride to work and home yesterday, always nice to see him too. 

We are enjoying being close to our grandchildren now, looking forward to Christmas celebration with family & friends here in Port Alberni. Funny how fast things have changed, from travel in our trailer to being home in our town again. Feeling quite comfortable here again, we have been gone for over 20 years now, 2003 when Sproat lake division of MB was shuttered. We have traveled back and forth from Ladysmith, then every spring coming home, but this is just so much more permanent. 

Love our life ❤️ 

Many hands make light work!

Watching a video of a couple that we have been following on YouTube building their off grid cabin just made me think of this saying. "Many hands make light work" We have watched them as they built this past summer and fall, and just now I thought how difficult it is doing the jobs they did by themselves. 

I've been doing this most my life, getting things done by myself, or with little help, but now later in life I find myself asking for the help I need now. Stubborn, that's how I'd call myself, just "I can do it myself" kinda thinking. I really can't do it all by myself now, really I never could, just thought I could. 

So, thinking of this saying gives to the idea that having a work party as many farmers do makes so much sense, rather that pushing to get it all done by yourself. 

I realize now as I age so many things that are just too frickin difficult now, just getting down to the ground, that's difficult, getting up I have to have a plan! LoL I laugh, but it's true, I'm not as able as I used to be, yet I still have that thought, "I can do it!" I remember when we built our float cabin, how able I was then, get down to the floor, get up on the roof, do just about anything. 

I can still do a lot, just have to pace myself, get ready, ok here I go lol. 

Well this past year we changed over from a fifthwheel travel kinda lifestyle to a mobile home, something that came as a surprise to us both as we really weren't looking formally, yet when the opportunity came, we jumped. Now looking back, we had all our ducks 🦆 🦆 🦆 in a row for this move, our age is one thing that pushed me to change. Looking forward I could see the setup of camp when we returned to the island was getting to be just more that I could handle every year, so I had been thinking of making a more permanent place to call home, where we could return with our trailer after traveling and be setup, the site would have my shop, and all our stuff there ready to just hookup again. 

Well after trying that out Beaver Creek on someone's property, we had this mobile home opportunity, and was a very good move. Hospital close, walk to the grocery store if we want, all services here, makes life so much easier. Still I had to improve, LoL, what a goof hey. We bought a sunroom that I saw in marketplace, was what I thought a "really good deal" and Polly likes the idea of having a closed in deck. 

So here is where I asked for help, I'm really not sure how to go about starting on the glass install, how to make the base level, how to put the glass wall up, how the end sliding glass doors will fit, how to lift them into place. I called Ted and Steve, friends that have skills I'm lacking.

 They came, pondered, each had ideas, lots of thinking 🤔 as the deck was not level on the edge that the big windows were to go on. I left to search for some brackets, on return Ted had gotten to the table saw, and made shims that would hold the bottom rails up level. That's what I needed to carry on, a level base he said, Steve came back, checked it out, and yep that'll do it. 

I bought some metal for flashing, my brother in law Ted made up the flashing, another ask a friend when ya need a hand. Next day I laid the bottom track for the windows, flashing over the wood strips Ted cut out, then gooped on the silicone and screwd it down good. 

A few days to dry then I asked my other brother in law Danny to help lift the glass panels in, he knew how heavy they were, as he helped lift them out of the trailer when I brought them home. Well that was a lot of work, but thanks to Dan and his experience in how to do stuff, we managed with Pollys help steadying them to get all 3 panels in that day. Then I had to go up and down the ladder screwing in the slot above that holds the panels in place. Felt like a long day, I was beat. No cleaning up, just shut the shed door, and do the rest tomorrow. 

Soon I'll have the rest of the glass and sliding glass doors installed, I work slowly now, but it'll get done, thanks to the help of friends. 

Going back to the couple that are doing it all by themselves, they do ask if they need help, but so far in the videos we have watched, it has been very limited asking. They're young and no problem getting under, or on top of the cabin, I remember when I was like that, but no more. I'll just take it a little at a time, no rush. 

Soon our deck will be closed in, giving us our covered, glassed in patio Polly wants.

 

Thanks for all the help y'all 👍

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Sunday again, time sure is flying 🛩️

Soon we'll be at Christmas ⛄ again. Be different yet same as well be at home this year for Christmas, first time for a few years. We are both looking forward to spending Christmas 🎄🎁 here with family. We will host Christmas Eve at our new home 🏡, then Christmas Day going to my sister and brother-in-law's 🏠 home. Been along time it seems since we've all been together, really looking forward to this year. 

BlueJays lost in the final game yesterday evening, but we all had a really good time watching the series, something I didn't know we'd get into, but I believe Canadians are rallying as somehow we need to feel together in a world so divided right now. I'm not going to get into the reasons, but we all are a little out of sorts, just unsure what's coming next. 

Our plan to go to Portugal this winter is on for sure, bought the tickets, and made the reservations, we are both excited about this. Funny how you go from one thing, just gets over, then "OK" what's next, without giving a break in-between, like bopping from one event to another. 

Sunday morning, that's our break here, I sit beside Polly, we both talk a little about what's coming next, then back to our phone me, Polly her tablet ❤️

Heat pump comes on, I don't have to think about it, sewage goes out, I don't have to go out and drain it, our new home just feels so right. I sneeze, blow my nose, wipe my one leaky eye, and continue pecking on this phone. Yep, life is pretty darn good this Sunday morning. Content I'd say in describing it, completely Content. Not in-continent yet! 🤣

We are going to dinner tonight with Dan and Joy, at there house. A way of keeping busy Joy says, taking their minds off Dan's operation he's going in for this week, a cochlear implant for his hearing loss, be a huge improvement from what we are told. I'm happy for Dan, yet I understand the feeling of unsureness in what's coming. Dan says their going to drill a hole in my head, then in a few weeks put in a device that'll help me hear much better. Still I understand the feeling as you go in for the operation. 

We will watch their dog Harley this coming week a couple days, he's very easy to look after, just starting to loose some of his hearing, and sight, getting old, just like us 🤣.

Rain has let up now, I see the blue sky coming, going to be a nice day after all. 

Polly got some flowers a couple days ago from her lover 😍 

She was really surprised, happy to surprise her, she definitely deserves flowers, I got a nice kiss 😘. Also got to listen to how much she loved them.

Our granddaughter Shayla wanted a photo of a photo that we had taken by Claudette a few years ago, when we got married, as they had one taken similar to it. Shayla wanted to show her husband, so I took a photo of it today, so she could. I liked looking at it remembering that long time ago day, over 31 years ago now, we sure were happy, still are.🤗❤️

Yep, love our life ❤️ 

Going for a drive out stamp falls today in the sunshine 🌞👍 on a Sunday.

Familiarity, Friends, our town.

Yesterday as I walked by the two guys standing on the sidewalk as I went into the dollar store. I didn't realy pay attention to who they were, I just said "nice day out today!" Yes they said, then came the yesterday I was at harbor quay one of them said, cold there I said, he agreed. 

After I'd finish getting what I wanted at the store, I walked past again, but this time I recognized one of them, I met a friend I had not seen since school days. Ron and I knew each other, and many others from high school, then after a short while talking came a couple of women, one Margaret, I'd met her years ago, when she was married to another guy I remembered, we talked awhile, was really nice to see them both again, and yak it up like we did so many years ago. 

I know why I love to return to Port Alberni, and this is one of the reasons, I know many people here, always bumping into someone else, just so nice to meet up, and give a "Hi, 👋 How are ya!" 

So many good people here, as many other places, yet here I know so many people, just feels good to say Hi to them. 

Another thing about being home is that I really don't have to think about how to get to where I'm going, I know the route, or routes needed to get to our destination, no real thinking involved, just put it in gear and away we go. 

Comfortable, that's how I'd describe it here, comfortable and so familiar where ever we go, really everywhere on the island. I try to stay out of the bigger city, Victoria, but everywhere else, is like home 🏡 

Today we are going to a familiar pub, with friends that we've known along time. We know many that go there too, kinda like walking into "Friends" pub. Be a nice time, and likely meeting a few more friends there. Yep, always nice to be "Home".

Love our life ❤️ 

Enjoying retirement, what's it mean to you?

I'm sitting outside my shop today, just thinking about how there isn't anything I have to do right now. Enjoying the quiet that comes early, knowing the rush of Friday will happen later. My warmed up hotdog 🌭 

from yesterday, I couldn't finish, and cold coffee ☕ from this morning. 

I'm enjoying the Glimpses I get here. I noticed the redwood 🌲 so perfectly formed compared to the fir trees.

The breeze just starting, the warmth from the sun feels great, perfect? I think so, no travel today, a walk around the neighborhood earlier, talking to friends I've never met before, I'm sure I'll meet again. I'm very fortunate to have the ability to talk with others, making friends so darn quickly, I surprise myself sometimes, as I walk away thinking, WOW, that was great 👍.

Today I met an older woman as I stood infront of her home, I really liked how the arbour was covered in Ivey, that's what caught my attention at first, the shape. Then as I looked I realized there was much more to this place, I continued to move left a little seeing more as I moved, first the flowers, then the pumpkins hanging, then the covered walkway, that's very cool, ya don't see that often I thought. 

Then as I was thinking about how beautiful the display was, the front door opens, and an older woman comes out, she spoke with an accent, German maybe, I'm not sure I didn't ask. We talked about the covered walkway, I said how beautiful it was, like Chinese looking with the scallops under the roof. She said there was a covered walkway in the back to the garage too. She said her daughter did the decorating, of course I said how good it all looked. Then the unexpected, she asked me if I'd like to look at the other walkway in the back? Yes, that'd be great.

So off we ploded, through the carport, seeing her daughter cleaning the pond I said Hi, and the conversation just ran, from the pond, to the garden, to the covered walkway, the garage, the storing of stuff, I was in awe actually. They were so welcoming, I learned that the daughter has to clip the Lilly pads, and take them out now, it's what she was doing, they grow back in the spring. The whole pond was fenced, and wire mesh over it too, I asked about birds trying still to get in? Nope, they stay away now, the fish are safe. Racoons, that was also a problem, but no more now. They were swimming in the pond the daughter said. 

We had a really nice visit, I forgot to mention the older woman before I left told me that she has both her daughters living with them, and her grandson, nice to have help with what needs to be done. She said she bought the house about 8 years ago, sold her small farm in Abbotsford and moved here when prices were decent. I forgot to mention that she had a bunch of colours dyed in streaks her hair, I didn't ask, I just noticed. No judgement, just was pleased to have had this morning conversation and tour of their yard. 

So getting back to my way, I just fall into the conversation. Thinking about it I just ask a question, ❓ that leads to another, then I shake my head at how it happens. 

Fortunate I say, just fortunate to have the welcoming ability. 

The breeze a little more now, but still light, still relatively quiet, just a few more cars moving about now. Afternoon is here, people get moving now. 

My sister in-law is coming over today, Polly has been busy making a cake 🎂 for her, her birthday was earlier in October, Polly didn't call this time, Lyn did giver her a shot about not calling, Polly wouldn't give in that she'd forgot, she remember, but wasn't sure what day it was.... LoL 😂 🤣.  I gotta here the chat that's going to happen when she gets here 😂

Well I did accomplish something, I finished my hotdog 🌭, and my coffee, and took a few photos, and wrote this blog. Oh, and I really enjoyed the sun outside my shop. Yep, I'm going to love this new adventure, staying in one place of our own for awhile. 

Love our Life ❤️

Sunday morning after another busy week.

The view from Shayla & Carl's living room 

We went to Naniamo yesterday, a short visit with our granddaughter Shayla and her husband Carl was really good, our first visit with them since they were married. Was good, so much to talk about, as they are moving now to their new home, we didn't want to stop her from working, but Carl was busy getting the trailer ready, so she could take time to yak a bit. We talked about her siblings, her Mom, her dad, and the wedding, just how it all went, her time with her bridesmaids, and just how it all worked out perfectly. 

After she showed us a few photos from that day, one of her parents one each side of her they both smiling 😁, was nice for her. Many of her and Carl, really good photos. Some of her dress, and a few of others. Was really nice to just sit and yak awhile, been a long time since we were able, we busy, they busy. 

As we were driving to there rented home I realized likely be the last time we'd be driving here, they had lived there a long time now, so got used to the area, it has a really nice view of the water, a steep driveway I won't miss, but the view and the views as we'd walk around the area, I'll miss that. I know we could go there anytime, but without her wouldn't be the same. 

Still I'll remember the really nice walks and talks we had while they lived here. To say we are close would be a good way to think, we are connected in so many ways, and our history is long, from the time she was a little girl, just born to now as she begins her marriage, and new to them home in Cedar, not far from the dry land sort she works at. 

I'm looking forward to visiting her and Carl there too, but I'm going to remember where they lived when they first started out. 

In our talk yesterday I realized just how grown up she's become, as we talked about her siblings, just how calm she was and just how wise she's become at what I think is an early age.

I'm extremely happy for them to make this big purchase, and begin there lives together with so much opportunity ahead. Yup a proud Pepere alright, Memeres proud too. 

Today we have a rest, Polly interested in planting her memorial garden she wants to make, she's done the digging, bought the bulbs, now for the planting and the extra dirt she wants to get to cover them. Then the white picket fence "small pickets" she's told me at least half a dozen times 😁, yep I know I keep telling her, "Small" 👍

Been a long time since we gardened anything except a flower box. 

Feeling content right now, many things planned, but content in that we are home 🏡 

Love our life ❤️ 

Just a little bit of stuff stored!

Doesn't look like much, but was a big job getting it all outta the crawl space.

Thanks for storing what we couldn't while we were on the road Americo&Claudette, we were much younger when we stuffed it all in your crawl space under your home I found out yesterday. Getting in and out of there bringing boxes to Polly, then she brings them up the few stairs to the garage floor. Yep, we were much younger then, I can feel it today. 

On the positive, we both slept well, had a really good dinner with our friends,

 then played cribbage a different way after dinner, on a mat that we played as partners. Was fun to learn, and laughing, that's a given when we are with these two. 

Ya know great friendships happen, sometimes ya don't know exactly how, but our friendship with A&C has been since Claudette and I met at a first aid course year's ago, friendship developed as we went to volleyball, then a dance, and a blind date with Polly, that was the start of our relationship, with our friends and our relationship together 🤗

Today we'll my make our way home 🏡 later, with our stuff, mostly photos, packed in our truck cab. What we can't get in Americo & Claudette will bring at a later time in their van. Sure do appreciate our good friends ❤️

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Friends are a blessing.

         Our new sunroom be here soon

I had to move some furniture today that I got while making a deal to buy a sunroom for our new place. I thought a friend might be able to, but he had other obligations, I had arranged for my grandson to help, but his alarm didn't go as planned, thenas I realized I wasn't going to have help I called a friend. Brian was not golfing, he was watching golf ⛳ but was willing to part with his program and come give me a hand, with very short notice. 

I'm very fortunate to have such friends, that say yes when ya ask,and turn up, especially when ya need help like right now! 

We drove to Parksville, and talked like usual, but so much to talk about, he had just finished a trip east to Newfoundland, and I to Grande Prairie, so we both had stories to tell, was a really good trip down. Loading the furniture was the easy, no rain was great, then our return was the same, we both had so much to yak about. 

Then unloading went smoothly too, a coffee at our new table and chairs, along with a little cherry 🍒 pie made by Polly was just right. More stories, Polly was now listening and talking too, I'm glad it all worked out. Thanks again Brian, wouldn't have been able to giter done if you didn't help. 

Over the next month our deck is going to change a little, glass panels will be installed once the sunroom is here, have to wait till the contractor the people I bought it off of gets to deconstructing it. 

Then my work will start, assembly will be interesting. 

Or fifthwheel trailer hasn't sold yet, but hopefully this month we will get some interest. Might have to hold onto it for awhile but, that's ok, never know, might be using it again 😁

I'm thinking our blog has to have a name change, for now I think I'll just put a line through the RV part to represent how things are now. 

Dinner soon, company tonight, Catherine and Jesse be nice 👍 

Sure love ❤️ our life.

What a great trip we had, GP and back in a month.

Our friends and family along the way were great, always a fun welcoming, many happy times. I wrote a bit about our time away, but today being home again, feels great. Knowing we visited or tried to visit with as many as we could along the way. Sure was a great trip, sure nice to be home too. 

A relax after unpackin Rambo, then a beer 🍺 and a sit for awhile, I had a snooze, and then mobile again, 🛒 shopping was next on the docket. Always fun wheeling the cart around, and seeing and talking with people we don't see often, and learning about their lives as we stop and talk. Hometown meetups, always great. 

Talked with my sister and brother in law on the phone, thanking them for looking after our place while we were gone. Dinner Saturday Polly says, be nice to get together with them and yak it up. I can see that the weather is about to change, no more shorts weather, just cooler, and rain 🌧️ sometime in the future. 

Truck needs a bath, 🛁 tomorrow I'm thinking, dinner was the leftover Indian food from last night, with a bit more nan bread, and some more 🦐 prawn's in the sauce. I'm still shaking my head at just how tasty that stuff is. 😋

Done, don't throw the sauce out, do again 

I'm thinking to myself just how wonderful life is as ya go through enjoying the people you are in contact with, makes me happy to know just how freaking lucky we are. 

I guess I'll have to wash between the showers tomorrow, no problem, I'm really ready for a clean truck again. 

Our grandson Jet turned 19 yesterday, we did get a video chat in, happy to see he was with his father at the casino, a friend told us, so we called. Man, seems like such a short time ago we were going to see him as a child, now he's 19, and going to the bar. Hmm, 🍺 cheers 🥂 Jet🤗♥️

Yep, time moves on fast, gotta get ourselves moving before it catches up with us. Plans for Portugal are in the works, also Spain, but for now our plan to pickup our new to us sunroom we bought before we went away. Very excited to get that and assemble on our existing deck, and add to the other side of our new to us home. 

Plans are going ahead, I'm often thinking, movement is good, don't wanna get caught standing still 😁

Love our life ❤️ 

what a week! I have never read so much about someone that was killed that I never knew of before.

           A little wet out this morning 

Been a different week, every day something different coming at us. I usually turn away from the news, but this week I just couldn't run away, every time I looked up anywhere, there the storyline went again. I did so much head shaking that my neck is sore, maybe this next week be something different? 

During the week though I also got to finish the bar for Jack,

visit with Ciara and our grandsons at home and at the lake, oh and the Halloween store, have lunch with our granddaughter Taylor and her boyfriend Zain. Had a visit Jennifer Juska at dinner, then after a visit with her parents, a visit with Rod and his daughter. Yes been a really good last week in Grande Prairie. 

Overall been a really nice time here enjoying our family and our friends here in Grande Prairie. Today the rain came this morning for awhile, felt like fall as I opened the curtains this morning, rain on the window told the story. This afternoon we have a hotdog 🌭 roast planned in the firpit by Jack's Chuck Wagon Bar 🍻, fun times I'm sure. 

Ready to go home we are, looking forward to getting so much together when we get home. On the way we hope to visit with a few friends on the way, and just enjoy the drive west and south. The weather I'm thinking will hold, not too cold yet, and beautiful colours out as we travel I'm Sure. 

Will keep the radio off, and yak with Polly as we drive, able to stop much easier without a trailer behind us. Nice to travel this way, yet a little bit of sadness not into campgrounds. It is a nice way to travel with your bed and all your belongings with you all the time. Still, won't be long and we'll be home to all our stuff 😁

Polly watching Seahawks game today, beating the Saints into the ground. I'm not really into it, too much one sided this game. Sun is out now, for once the weather is as predicted, perfect day for a fire 🔥 and a couple hotdogs 🌭 

I put a couple shelves up for Wendy, and a small repair for Jack, said I could get a full time job here 🤣 Jack agreed. 

I feel content right this moment, having visited with many here in our time, and building stuff, something I really enjoyed. Polly talking about nice dinner with Jack and Wendy tomorrow before we leave. I don't think life gets any better, just feels great. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Grande Prairie is full of memories 🤔

Some memories are great, and some I want to avoid. This time here I'm thinking maybe too much, just can't avoid the sights, and feelings going along with them. I've avoided writing about this, just because, but here goes. 

The drive up to GP from Pollys cousin Julie's place was great, love the beauty in the late summer early fall 🍁. The Fields are golden, and as we drove by we saw the farmers harvesting with combines, with trailers behind or trucks beside. Golden and green the landscape is, just so endless looking, wide roads, with huge grass dividers between, as well as widest shoulders that are mowed so people traveling can see the animals at night I'm thinking. 

All in all was one of the most relaxing beautiful drives we both commented as we traveled. We got to listen to Boom FM on our way through White Court, something we always look forward to, some really good oldies we like. 

The names of the towns as we traveled I remember talking with Chris about as he'd travel, saying to me "I'll probably loose you in a minute, heading through".... Then nothing. That would happen often, going down to the bridge, or a low place where cell service cutout. The names of the towns bring back the memories. 

I can't talk with him anymore, but I do think of him often, but coming to GP it's just a little more intense, more things here that remind me of him. We saw Ciara the other day, and Chase and Colton, was a fun time, I didn't find myself thinking of Chris then, more just enjoying the moment with their family. ❤️

We bought a gun for Colton when we were in Tombstone, Chris would have loved this 🤠 Colton loved it too.

But since I've had many sights and sounds, and memories of him, just a little more that before, more than last year here. I'm not really sad, just reminders, and the yearning, wishing a little, that it was different. 

Keeping busy helps, I've been making a few things here, shelves for Wendy, along with a bar for Jack by the fire pit, that's a fun project, I really like to do those things while I'm here. Tomorrow I'll go get a few more things I need to finish, Polly wants to (go groceries), that's her way of telling me, "Go groceries" I smile now thinking of her way. 

Our anniversary tomorrow, 31 years married, who-da thought hey, been a wonderful marriage, we both getting all we want in life,,❤️ enjoying each day.

I sigh, still it is a feeling I can't just run from, I just push on, and hope that it'll get better. 

Polly is planning a dinner with family next Sunday, be nice to have them all here. Jack and Wendy are back east, so we are watching Gracie, their dog and gave the house to ourselves. 

What to say, life is good, family here, 4 grandchildren in GP, we went to dinner with Taylor and her BF Zain, he paid for the dinner, that was nice of him, Montanas, I had ribs, Mmm 😋. Was a nice dinner, getting to know Zain, and watching Taylor and him, so in love ❤️

Well tomorrow is another day, I'm hoping just a little less heart pulling as I busy myself with doing what I Love. 

Fortunate to have such a beautiful fall coming. 

Love our life, even without our RV ❤️

Now what? RV travel change's when sold!

             Huge Blue River bears 

Our trip north this year has had a major change, no RV. We have decided that after purchasing our mobile home, (which isn't really that mobile) that moving from spot to spot as we did with our RV isn't likely to happen anymore. This year we reverted to being couch surfer's again 🛋️, something we have done a few times as we traveled in the past, but since we've been living in our RV for the last 10 years we always had our home with us as we traveled. 

As I write this morning we are in Polly's cousins trailer, on their cabin property north west of Edmonton. Our trip here took us to Pollys cousin Jean's home in Peachland for a couple nights, visit with her and Pollys brother in Vernon, first couch, well really was a nice bed. 

Then next was a smaller RV at at place called Teepee Meadows by Valemont, BC, was an interesting stop as we traveled through to Julie's place. I laugh a little now, the owner of Teepee Meadows had a French accent, and was really friendly. He showed us the trailer we'd sleep in, but really wanted to show us the ponds, and the view from where his cabin's were, and the log cabin he had rebuilt. I didn't bring my phone for this tour, I wished I had, the cabin was beautiful ❤️ inside.

We stayed a night there, with less comfort than what we could have had, change in our booking as we wanted to be at Julie's a day early, I had work planned there that I wanted to have Julie around for, she had decisions to make. 

Valemont always a beautiful spot to stay the night, no driving late for us anymore, 5-6 hours is enough, out of a 10+ hour journey now. We went to the grocery store and liquor store, right beside each other, was a small town experience that I always love. Hi to this person, how ya doin to the next, each on their way to get something. Friendly people here, helpful, a guy that was working here, on the railroad, he said he was from Vernon, showed us how to get extra fetta cheese in our salad we we about to order. He was really friendly, he'd been here awhile tenting as he worked, saving the living out allowance that he'd get from staying. 

In the lineup to the cashier we had time to talk with a woman that has a young son, about the place and how she likes it here. 

Dinner was a roast chicken, with Greek salad, and a macaroni salad as well, and wine 🍷 in our small RV as we looked out at the emu's, duck's, guinea hens, horse, 🐴 donkey, 🫏 and our course the huge white guard dog that was so darn friendly. 

Perfect spot for us after a long day drive, dinner and a few games of cards, then bed. Well that was definitely a little tighter that we'd of liked, but hey, we made it through the night, and got going early towards our next surfing place to hang our hats at. Is a different way to travel, as we have to pack to go, not a cupboard or a drawer to just go to as before with our home with us, but hey, change is good, bring it on! 

As we left Valemont in the morning, it was wet, it had rained and thundererd during the night, but luckily we had a good view of Mount Robson, a favorite spot of ours as we'd travel by. The mountain was clear of most clouds, just right for a photo. We stopped and got a photo, another group were there, taking photos too, so I took there's, they took ours. Funny how that works so easily, wished everything was like that, easily given and taken with no BS in-between. 

Our trip to Julie's through Jasper was quick, much different with the trees all burned up, we didn't see any animals this time, wondered if was as there was no cover from the trees now? The water still that beautiful blue as we drove by, and river meandering along as we drove, still a beautiful sight. Polly said as we were just about out of the park "Crow 🐦‍⬛, there's a Crow, that's an animal!" LoL 😂 we had a laugh, yep we did see 1 animal. 

We arrived at Julie's about 4pm, I had jobs to do, things Julie had asked me to build, live edge shelves, a sign, a measuring ruler to measure her grandchildren as they grew, and 4 planters that I brought the wood for to be assembled. I greeted Julie and Jerome, Julie's son Murray, his wife and two kid's, and Julie's other two grandkids, Dominic and Riley. I opened a beer 🍺, drank about half, then to work I went. Unloading, and organizing, getting things where I wanted them, luggage in, wood to the deck, tool's out, ok let's start. 

I didn't get too much done that evening, but started, then time to visit with them, around a fire later after dinner. Was nice to relax. 

Yesterday was busy, I knew there was much I wanted to accomplish, the cabin was in the midst of a total rebuild, so some tools here already, but I always like to use my own, although a table saw, and a miter saw here came in handy. Putting the planters together I realized I'd forgot a few boards for the bottoms so good there was a pile of scrap here I could use. 

Polly started helping with putting on the helmsman clear coat later in the afternoon once I had completed a few of the projects, everything needed a coat, and we got almost all one coat, but a couple planters, today I'll finish, and get the shelves up, and screw the ruler to the wall, be nice to see the finished results. 

I remember a friend saying to me how I leave a little of myself where ever I go, I like to think that's true, today I'm going to have left a little here, something that Julie really wanted, makes me happy to do this for her. 

Travel without our home is different. Good we are adaptable, every day a new experience. 

Sure do love our life ❤️ 

Feeling a little sluggish this morning after dancing last night.

What a fun time we had last night, after a few chicken wings and veggies with Larry and Maria we headed over to the knotty cowgirl dance. It was early, and quiet to start, but after awhile the band started playing, and the sun went down, a few lights went on and the Party 🎉 started. 

People everywhere, all taking and mixing as the band has a break, then the music 🎶 starts again and, well we just had to dance. It was a challenge to dance in the farms field, but one that made the experience just that much more interesting. A few times when we were waltzing we had to kinda catch each other as we step in a depression, was really a good laugh. 

Polly had to have the hat for awhile before the sun went down.

I slept like a log 🪵 last night, maybe I gotta go dancing more often. Today we'll start packing, as we are leaving on a trip north to visit family and friends this next month. We've been looking forward to this, yet after having just settled in, ya kinda like to stay. It's ok, well continue with our unpacking here when we return, it's been a whirlwind with first moving and getting things in order here, then our granddaughter's wedding, and all the grandkids and family were here last week, just left on Friday, now we get ready to Go. 

As I here often now "It's All Good!"

 We'll be in the Okanagan soon, then to just above Edmonton for a few days, then Grande Prairie for most, or all of September. Our friends Jack and Wendy have decided a trip east would work for them, so we'll house sit, and enjoy their home and pup Gracie for awhile, as we visit with grandchildren and children. 

Yep everything is falling 🍁 into place. 

Cecile & Christopher are removed now 😟

Polly has plans for a small garden memorial at our new place.

Our trailer is at Arbutus RV on consignment now, hopefully it will sell soon, then our plan to go to Portugal will be our next travel destination. I've been looking at how we'll stay and where, but still no booking yet. It's early yet, but I'll probably do that over the next month. 

Loving our life ❤️ as we change how we travel now. 

New tires before we travel again

Sitting in the tire 🛞 store waiting for my new tires to be installed. I've done this many times before, this time, relaxed as not leaving or going anywhere right away. Being prepared for our trip planned for next week is important, no flats and good winter tires as we head over the mountains just makes us feel safer. 

Imagine, I'm thinking of winter ❄️ 🥶 now, I believe we are in Fall 🍁 now, even though we have just had a couple Forest fires 🔥 here, and really high temperatures, still I felt the chill in the air early this morning, and the leaves all over Stamp Ave, that's a sign to me always. Rains, leaves, and Cool temps, 🍁!

I was messaging with my nephew this morning, he said "my favorite time of year" I agreed, sunny day's, no bugs, Cool evenings, great working days. 

But for us traveling, I'm always thinking possiblity of changing weather can happen quickly, especially as we go East and North. Okanagan to visit relatives, Pollys brother had a bad accident this spring, we want to visit him, also other friends in the Okanagan, Edmonton area, we have relatives, we'll stop there for the weekend, and Grande Prairie our final destination to visit family and friends there.

We are both looking so forward to traveling again, this time be without CC, our fifth wheel. We have been talking about this, how it will be so different, as before we could just pull over and have a rest or a nap, or even stay the night. We now have booked in with relatives, and friends, and booked a motel, so ready to go, but our return not anything booked, as ya just never know what will come. 

    Our last time traveling with our CC ❤️

Said our goodbyes to CC this afternoon, ready for another couple to take off with her. Been a great 10 years, now we will travel in our pickup 🛻 or flying ✈️ is the next mode of transport for this couple. Our CC is now at Arbutus on consignment, ready for the next stage of its life. 

We both had some thoughts as we took the photos down inside, we talked about it, the photos will be going up in our new 🏡 home. 

What now? Be another adventure I'm sure, just wait, our surprise will be a surprise to us too 😂🤣😂.

Never know what might come our way, always good to leave things open to opportunity 👍. 

Love our life ❤️ 

Anticipation, a wedding is about to happen.

       The number of our site is #1 😀

Tomorrow our granddaughter Shayla will be married to Carl, becoming Mrs Carl Warm in a short time. This wedding has been in the planning stages for months now, then all the sudden it's here. 

Of course we haven't been the planners, but we have been informed as plans developed, culminating into this next day of fun. Will the sun shine? Who knows, will be fantastic no matter what happens with the weather, as Shayla and Carl have been arranging the tarps, and tent's needed to help keep us dry. 

It won't matter, we'll all be there rain or shine, watching and listening to the vows that are made on this day. Polly and I are so proud of these two, making a life for themselves as they just bought a home, and are getting married in the same year. Quite an accomplishment I'd say, so much effort to gain exactly what they want starting out their lives together. 

We have watched and listened to them plan, and achieve goals all along, tomorrow will be another step into the life they have planned. 

Polly and I are so happy for them, we have not seen their home in person yet, as we have also been very busy with our own purchase, and moving. We will get to seeing their place in a week or two, depending on the length of honeymoon. 

Focused is what I'd say Carl and Shayla are, just really focused on what they want, and patient as they atain each step in their plan. We on the other hand a little more shoot from the hip, we kinda just do as comes to us, not always good planning, just jump when the options come to us as this move to a mobile home getting a little anchored down. 

Both ways work, for each of us, no matter that they are different, the outcome is just right 👍 

Tonight as I write this, were thinking we had a day of "revolving door's" as Polly just said as we sat down, a day that many people came and went, and dog's amongst us too, was another perfect day, just as we like it, varried, and surprising.

Hmm, Friday night, I hear the cars racing around, and the Sun will set soon, not Friday as I remember, we are now quite content to stay home, especially in our new to us home. 

What to say, sure do love our life ❤️ 

Write a little about our neighborhood.

     My view as I walk to make coffee ☕ 

Sunday morning again, perfect I say, cool yet not cold, quiet, really quiet out, even the crow's 🐦‍⬛ are still sleeping. Not a car, not a person, just the most peaceful morning. After I made coffee, and put my slides as I'm told they are, on them I start slowly walking along in front of our home, looking at the full moon across the street above the RV park. 

This small RV park has 9 trailers and a house on it. Minimal to no landscaping, just a place to park. I expect not to expensive, and close to everything here. 

Our small mobile home park is different, in that we all have a yard, and most a shed, flowers seem to be the theme in most the yards. 

I continue my walk, down the street towards the highrise as is called here, the only one in Port Alberni. Something that stands out, a landmark I'd say. I thought a photo of it with the moon above, or beside might make a nice photo. 

On the way I looked around, I walked really slowly, taking in all I saw, not hearing a sound, until the geese flew from the pond above the hospital to the water below, the river mouth, the delta, that's where they will likely spend there day. There were hundreds of them, about 5:20am. I kept waking, looking about at properties, and the way house's were built, styles, and the way people arranged the yards, just looking at how it is. 

I got to tenth Ave, I'm close to my daughter now, I could stop in for a visit, I messaged her, but she wasn't up yet. 

As I walked along I heard two guys talking, as I got closer I saw a couple dogs, dash hounds, and they saw me! Yap yap yap, until the owner gave them a pull an said quiet. I realized I knew the owner, John, a friend I met many years ago, the other guy was a young guy that came up from California, to visit John's son Toby, they play games on line, and get together in person every once in awhile. John said they were going camping out on another property they have our beaver Creek. 

Was nice to say hi, now I know where he is, might stop in say Hi once in awhile. As I left I heard a skateboard being pushed, and a flap from when the guy was doing a spin and landing it. I got closer to a restaurant on the corner, where I remember a corner store years ago, with a really friendly man that always had a smile, and sold candy the old way, so many for a penny, then it went up to a nickel. I can still remember his rosey cheeks, with white hair, just a really nice guy. 

 Now it's a Tai restaurant, with tables outside 

One table resembles the Chinese roofs.

As I cross the road I noticed the ball field, and the backstop that I played ball at when I was a young teenager, looking very basic now, I remember when it was much more to it that this. Change happens, regardless of weather you pay attention or not. 

Our wide roads the city planers at the time had a really good idea, huge wide roads that gave good parking, as well as a really good wide road for cars & truck's. I notice now the educated design from someone somewhere decided to narrow all the roads, not just for biking, but for car's & trucks too. I believe the idea is to slow traffic, having the sidewalk pertrude into the road. I'm not sure that this is the way to go, but hey I'm a dinosaur 🦕 🦕 in my thoughts, I'm old, and the new groups of educated people think this restriction on our highest traffic roads makes sense. I do not! 

Enough of my short rant, as I walk up the road I hear the one and only crow 🐦‍⬛ now, he's caw caw, then he files, and a couple others join in. I'd say that's it, the day's started now. A car goes by in the distance, and I hear another, yep that's it, the quiet is disappearing now. 

Steam from the "pulp mill" as we have called it for years, still a big part of our town, taking chips from the saw mills here, oops, no saw mills left now, well one or two small ones, but the last big production Mill shut down a couple years ago APD, now most the chips made in the pulp mill out of whole logs, or hauled in by truck.  

Yep change happens, even if you're not looking 🙈

Today we go for a drive to get new to us furniture, we found on marketplace. Will it be our forever furniture? I'm not sure, but be better that what we have now. 

I borrowed a friend's truck, bigger box on it to get a couch and a loveseat. Be nice to recline again, we got used to that in our trailer. 

Leave early, get back before the rush my thoughts, they have another guy at each place that will help me load, Polly coming to make sure is what she wants, not going to get something that just doesn't look good. I trust Polly to make that determination, I'm not great at what's 👍 good or not. 

Although I did choose Polly and that was a perfect choice 😄 

Loving our life ❤️