Saturday morning, workplace woes

Working has its challenges once you have a retirement plan set up. I often feel like not going to work, just don't want to deal with what the jobsite has become.  I find it harder to continue in a work place that is changing for the worse as I see it. Discipline is a normal right now, as management has decided on a new path, and this creates an unsettled work place. Safety is the basis for much of what discipline is handed out for. Wear all PPE, and behave in a certain way, regardless if it makes sense or not.

Boss is Boss, so got to do what they say? Right? I am looking at why I just don't like that. Union seems to have little to no influence, and we as workers are trying to figure out what to do when attacked with many controls we haven't dealt with before. This week cameras are being installed everywhere we are and management will be observing us on screens all over the mill and yard. This shouldn't matter, but attach the letter sent out in September about drug testing program set up starting November 1st, as well as our mill being visited at least once a week by safety people sticking their nose in every nook and cranny of our operation searching out that we are all wearing our PPE, as well as other changes they call for.

If we saw positive changes in our work areas at the same time, we might understand, but no investment in our operation, while other mills have millions invested make us all nervous about the future of the mill as well.

Change is something we all have to deal with in life, how we adapt to change is what makes the difference.  I like to go to work and just get to work, without all the BS to deal with, but this just isn't the way, too much crap in the way now. Glad I have just 1 year to go. Can I make it without a huge blow out with a foreman that is a nut ball as far as I can figure. Time will tell... LOL

Enough of the crap, today we will head up to Parksville for a visit with my sister and her hubby, and look in to our timeshare property. Another bit of investment we have to sever from our books before we get free of the locked in bills that hold us back from travel. Joy and Dan have sold their house and are in the process of moving to a new place, haven't talked with them for awhile. Looking forward to a visit.

Trailer is put to bed right now, with heater inside doing a good job of air circulation, and keeping things dry and warm. I feel like packing it up and taking off again right now... LOL  Funny how we now live between the two, home and trailer as we took many things with us that we only have 1 of, so have to get it out of the trailer.    

Need the rest of a weekend, will make a yard clean up today before we go, leaves, and grass still growing... Afternoons next week, that is always better, no idiot boss around, just get the work done, and leave us alone.

Home this week, now what?

We now have a trip under our belt, and have a list to do's for the trailer, and truck. This week has been just getting back to our life and doing all that we have to catch up while gone. Monday, after work, cut the grass which has grown 8-10" since we left, and is thick, and damp in some spots even after the day of sun. I like to mow the lawn, so was nice to do, but a little more work than usual as long, and after 1st day back was tired. I got it done, just in time for the arrival of my sister in-law Lyn, who is here for a couple days. Her Daughter Kristy is having surgery today as she has a collapsed lung, and has had it on and off for a few months now. So is a waiting game till the surgery finishes and we all sigh relief, she is ok.

In the mean time I get cleaned up, and put on shorts and a t-shirt, and start on Margaritas for a start to our evening. We sit outside and talk, may be the last warm evening for awhile, as rain and wind in the forecast. Polly makes a beauty dinner, and Lyn and I stay outside yakin and just enjoying the moment.

I can't remember what we had for dinner right now, but was good as per usual, Polly always makes such wonderful food. The evening was laid back, but worrisome, till we heard from Kristy that she was OK.

Tuesday was sore as work was tougher than I thought on my body, and cutting the grass hard on the legs. Polly was feeling sick, had a fever, and she slept in today.  Polly has an opportunity to return to her old job till Christmas, and she makes arrangements with Bonnie to ride with her to work. Polly and Lyn go visit Kristy today, Polly calls from Kristy's room and I get a chance to talk with Kristy. She tells me of her experience when waking up in recovery, and we all have a good laugh. Nice to hear her voice, and good to hear all is good. Was like I remember Kristy like 10 years ago, she was really funny while telling her story!

Upon return of our trip I have to deal with Electrical problem in Strata, not what I hoped for the strata council stuff, was supposed to be an easy year I was told. Hmm, well all will work out.

Wednesday Polly gets back to work, and I change shifts with Kenny, and get the day to sleep in, I needed it.  Thursday was a tough go but Friday was worse, as had a bad sleep, and agreed to come in 2hrs early too. Glad this week is over.

Polly and I go to the Legion after I have a shower and a snooze. Not too much energy today, I have 1 beer, and no to much into it tonight, kinda numb all over. We go home after winning bacon and eggs in the meat draw. Was nice to see the Friday crew, has been quite awhile since we made it there, been really busy since spring started.

We were supposed to camp this weekend for Thanksgiving, but weather is to rain, and wind, so canceled. I regret it already, but will not miss being camping in the rain. Looking forward to dinner tonight with friends, and no travel sounds good, I still feel kinda numb.  

Light out now, will bring some coffee to my beauty wife, and talk. Life is good...

Oh! Bosco got a haircut yesterday, sure looks good on him. He feels better now I think, nice to be here.

Weekend in Port Alberni

Polly and I had a fast fun family & friends catch-up weekend making our way up Island Saturday afternoon,  1st thing we do is go to Memere's and give Louise a bag of presents in thanks for looking after Bosco. Boy was Bosco happy to see us! Jump, jump, and yip yip, just about coming out of his skin... Kisses and hugs all around, and tell of our trips experiences, and then off to dinner.

Lyn Andrew Dan & George were already at the Westwind pub, but surprise them we did. Was nice to see all of them again after a months absence. Much to tell, and was just nice to settle back in with friends who are family. After all the hubbub about how the trip was and what they had been up to, we finish dinner and are invited by George to Jane and Derricks', for fire and friends night, and request from Jane, Andrew please bring your guitar!

Well was a nice way to return, and couldn't help but think how interesting it is to be in USA early this morning, and travel half the Island to spend the evening with a small group of friends was surreal. Looking into the fire I was kind of mesmerised as I listened to the conversation, and thought to myself how wonderful our life is.

After one couple leaves we are about to leave, and the heavy request for Andrew to sing comes," sing one before you go", "can't leave without a song". Well Andrew did what he does, and did it very well. Nice calm songs, and very well done, just what the evening called for in my opinion, and all loved it.

Back to Lyn's for sleep, and was needed as was early start, and late night. Got up early just as dawn was starting, and went for a walk with Bosco as He was needing a good long walk, and so did I. Was a beauty morning, sky was a deep red reflected on the clouds that were making their way over Mount Arrowsmith. Air was cool, but not cold enough to get out a heavy jacket. We walked, Bosco sniff and pee, and me I just relished a nice easy walk, feeling comfortable back where I recognise all I see.

When we get back to Lyn's, Polly still in bed, I make coffee which Lyn has made up for us, with cups set up, and coffee loaded in the coffee maker. Nice of her, Thanks Lyn. Polly gets up, and we drink and talk, and make up our plan for the day. Ted and Cindy's for a visit is my request, as we have been talking about this since we left Port after the long weekend. Make the call and yep they are up for it, and we pack up, leaving Andrew and Lyn sleeping.

Our visit with Ted and Cindy was very good, as we had hoped for. Smiles all around, and holidays planned. We had heard some bad news before we left, so wanted to check in, and all is good, after much stress. Was very nice to catch up with them.

Now off to Visit with Jet and Dax, and get Jets Birthday present which we look forward to every year as we take them to the store and he picks out his own present, which is better than us making an un informed choice for him. Polly and I learn more about what they are into this way, and conversation is fun. He picks something not Minecraft for a change, then off to the J&L Drive in for a burger and fries. This is where we learn more about what they are up to, what they like and don't, and what is important to them, as well as have a few laughs.

Off to Catherine's for another birthday, her "40th" and a card and some $ for her, and a visit with Catherine, Taylor and Jessie, and a short Hi to Jayden. All is better here than last time I was over, hoping they will make things better in the future.

Now a last visit with Memere, and a snooze for me before we make our, but way home. Kristy is our next stop but she isn't home so we drop a card, and off we go out of town. We are now heading for Qualicum for a visit with my sister Joy and her husband Dan, and a card for her Birthday. We had a nice visit, and Joy liked her card. Birthdays all caught up now, and had a chance to tell all about what we have been up to, and find out what others have been up to. I wonder how we will do this when we are on our longer journey?

Off to work now...

Trips end is here, was a fun time, now time to get back to reality. Work Monday.

We made the Port Angeles ferry just in time we thought, after a beauty drive from Little Creek Casino Resort where we stayed 2 nights up the inner coast of Puget sound on highway 101. Water and beaches on our right, and housing like you would see at any place where holiday homes are on the lake, but on the ocean. Beaches were many, and trees were tall, and many cotton woods, maples and others in the fall colours. Lakes we passed, and estuary's at the mouth of rivers and creeks, made this drive one we will make again for sure.

We approached the ferry terminal, and wow we are earlier than we thought, NOT! 3pm, and ferry at 4... We thought. Well I looked at the schedule a couple days ago, and was sure 4pm was the ferry, and is was, for arrival of the LAST ferry from Victoria. No return ferry till 8:20am. Another lesson!

OK now what? We drive up the main road a ways, and park off the main road, and take a walk around the down town looking for one last present, as well as info about where to stay tonight. Polly gets her present, and I get some advice, Wal-Mart for the night it is. Polly has some concern re safety, but after we drive up we realize it will be good.  We walk in the store and ask to stay, and yes was the answer, 1 night, and please park on the outsides of the lot, out of the way of trucks. We did just that, and had a good dinner, played a couple games of poker, which I lost, and off to bed.

Early rise, 5:30am pack up, and off to the ferry terminal for 7am loading worked well. Got a coffee at a small place, on the ferry loading road where the woman could hardly turn around inside the very small wooden building full of coffee making tools and products. We were surprised at $1.00 for a cup of the best coffee we had tasted for a long time. Nice...

The ferry loaded fast after we paid and lined up in the lot, and was a breeze for us to get on even with our 30ft 5th wheel trailer. Polly and I were happy to be heading back to the Island, and went up for breakfast on the boat. Hmm, we decide after paying too much for 2 coffee and 2 breaky sandwiches, that we will make our own when waiting next time.

The boat rocked gently at first, then rocked like heck for about 1/2 hour till the skipper changed course. Now we can relax and enjoy the rest of our trip. Sunny, calm and warm now, wow couldn't get any better. Leave with the weather, and arrive back with same as we left with.

We unload with the same ease, and make our way through the border with no hassle, and of we go through Victoria, up Island to Ladysmith. As we make our way through down town we hear a clunking of the trailer hitch on stopping, and accelerating for about 10-20 mins. then was ok again, have to look into what caused this.

Get home, and park, take off trailer, and get mail in order, visit with John and Carol, to get involved in a problem in our strata, and back to reality... LOL All good, will take care of this next week. Now off to Port Alberni to see family, and friends, and celebrate Birthdays we missed, and just catch up.

We made it! We made it with no breakdowns, accidents, or arguments. Polly and I loved this trip, and are still on for our BIG TRIP plan. Will take the time now to get ready for the BIG ONE!  

Today we go home, looking forward to seeing our family tomorrow.

What a fun trip Polly and have had, from Ladysmith to San Francisco and back in 23 days, still not enough time to see all we would like, but was a good test for our truck and trailer, as well as for Polly and I. We now have a list of things we want to modify, or repair so we are ready for the longer trip next year.  Has been fun for us learning all we have about getting a site, booking ahead, or taking what comes.  How to choose, a site, and park, level, what has to be done as we get all that needs to be hooked up, and jacks out, slide out, and then usually, make dinner, or lunch, depending on the time.

As I write this I am sitting in our trailer, listening, and watching traffic go by, mostly logging trucks,  and want to turn on the TV, but also don't. Yesterday we heard on TV of another shooting, this time in Oregon, in a town we went by on our return trip. I want to know more about what happened, I want to turn the TV on, and at the same time I just want to not think about it.  We were in Shelton a small town north of here  yesterday afternoon, visiting there museum, talking with the man that is curator as his phone rings. Polly and I continue to look around, the man then hangs up the phone, he sighs, and says was my wife, another shooting, we tell him we know. Bad news travels fast I say he agrees, and we all shake our heads.

 I turn on the TV, and hear more about what happened, and how many people died. I hear the police are getting better at quickly engaging the shooter, and ending the shooting by shooting him. I am glad to hear the police make faster engagement, and ending this quickly. Now what? The gun free zone is now discussed, we should all have guns, then it would be safer! Geez, Now they talk about how many of these shootings there has been in the USA, and why it seems to happen more here than in other countries... I feel for the people immediately affected by this, I also think these are the people that will have to make changes in how the states treats guns in their country. Me, I go home to Canada, and hope I will never have to be close to something like this.

A reporter now comes on and says we will talk about this, react to this, and think about it for about 48 hrs, then we go on... Geez, I write no more of it.

We are at a RV Park provided by the casino, and have all we need, and want, Electricity, Water, Sewer,  Cable TV, and of course entertainment, Casino... Polly likes the casino, I like cards better, Polly the slot machines. This casino has more to offer, a golf course, which we won't use, and a pool , and hot tub which I used yesterday, and will again today. Internet (wifi) is slow to nonexistent, so as before we will make a change on how we hook up next trip. A data plan on our phone, and wifi booster for the parks that do have wifi. We stayed 2 nights, and had a good rest from driving yesterday, now ready for the final trip back to our island.

The Oyster Festival is on the weekend in Shelton, and if we were retired I would say let's stay the weekend, and return next week, as we hear it is a fun festival, many good bands, and food is great. Next year I guess...   

Two days of travel later, now in Talent, Oregon.

We left early, 9am from Marin RV Park, and headed around the marsh for about an hour, next time will look around this area a little more while staying here. Very interesting place. We drove all along the water's edge till we finally got to the Richmond Bridge, which took us north and on to different drier, hilly areas. Then to flat farming areas, and fires off in the distance, not sure if set on purpose, but likely wild fires, in fields. Farms that seemed to go on forever were all along the highway, and most were orchards, some vineyards, but mostly trees of all kinds.

We drove to Corning on the advice of another RV guy we met at the Chinook Casino lot on the coast of Oregon. He said was a good place to spend the night, had services, and was good Buffet! Well dinner was ok, not great, and casino park costs more than others, as you have to play says Polly... LOL we did have fun, but lost in the end. Well not really. Polly went in the casino with me in the morning, me I went to the bathroom, Polly the machines. When I came out, Polly had won over  $100.00. Nice so I said let's go!  She didn't want to, but thanked me for haulin her outta there with some $ in her pocket.

We pack up the trailer, getting better all the time at this, and off we go to our next place I have looked up on line. I find it works better than just winging it and taking a chance on what you find. We are tied to wifi when it comes to the internet this trip, but I think better to have data on our phone next time, hard to plan with no good internet from place to place.

Along the way we make good use of the rest stops, as makes the trip just a little nicer then pushing it and making time. We also stopped at a Camping World RV supply for a good look around, got some ideas for what we might want, and what we could make. Got some good info from a salesman about Honda Generators, will probably buy 2- 2000 watt for boondocking, as get more power  3800 watt, vs less than 3000 with the 3000 watt, and comes with an RV plug, and I can lift them better as only 40 lbs he said. About the same price, $2400.00. I tried a lift, and yes will be OK for me. Was good to stop in here as on line just isn't the same,you have to see the stuff, and get a better sense of what you want, and compare products, not just use someone's opinion on line!

The drive to Talent was nice, flat, and wide highway, and was a real pleasure after the coasts narrow, bumpy, windy roads. The views were worth the drive on the coast, but nice to relax on this road now. Close to the end of our trip today, got into some hills, and one hard pull up a long hill that made the truck work hard. I kept the revs at around 2000, and made sure not to loose momentum, while not pushing it too hard. Passed 1/2 dozen big rigs, when full they just couldn't make it up as fast. Now the coming down is different, I can see why Kevin, the guy we bought the truck from said, "got to have an exhaust brake", I will investigate this a little further in the future.

All in all we did good yesterday, didn't get here as soon as we thought as we stopped and had lunch (and a snooze), and didn't push too much, as we know not fun if push, push.

We arrive in Talent, Oregon about 4pm, and get a place at American RV Resort, and make an easy back in, leave the truck attached, and setup in such a short time. Polly and I give a high five, as all went well, and quick. Nice to feel like we are improving at the park, and set up. We crack a beer, and Polly says she wants to cook up the spaghetti sauce for tomorrows dinner, so off I go to look around the place.

This place is a little down trodden, but organized spots, with most sites people live full time here.  I saw a few things out of the ordinary, and had to laugh to myself, one trailer had Ginney hens walking around like chickens in the front yard, and a few were very old trailers. Some in good shape, most not. The pool was empty, and paint peeling, and by the looks of it has been for a few years. Tennis courts were unused for many years too, the place was a RV Resort, but now just making some bucks to stay afloat it looks like.

Maple like trees planted all around, and a rose garden like I haven't seen for awhile, blooming and beautiful. Washrooms were older, but had linen instead of paper for towel. Nice... Electric, Sewer, and Water is all we need, no TV, but Polly found a real good radio station, 95.7 KBOY, and it played some AC-DC first up, so we listened to this all evening.  What a good station.

No internet so will have to wing it today, unless we stop at a casino, and get some wifi, Oh and Polly would make a few more bucks... LOL

Bye, Bye San Francisco! Back on the road again.

What a great time we had in the big city. Walked our shoes off the first day, and used the bus more the next two. Fisherman's Warf was a bit of a letdown, more commercial then we remember from 21 years before. Bushman was still there, but different  guy as the other guy died. Walked to Coit Tower and saw the city from the view points. Lunch at the Stinky Rose Garlic restaurant was great, private curtained booths were a nice touch, and food was real good. We met our friend Sarah at the Oriental Pearl Restaurant for dinner, was real nice to spend time with her, and share a real good meal.

Went to the mission district 2nd day on recommendation from Sarah, was interesting to see what people that have less live like in this big city. Went through an alley that has many paintings expressing ideas about many things. Went to Delores Park, didn't expect what we saw even though had been told the night before, I forgot that gay people was what we would see. And we did, many of them sitting, laying, and just hanging out on a huge grassy hill. I didn't notice almost all men, Polly had to tell me. Looked like a celebration about to start, so many people hanging out in one place.

 AC-DC was a blast, even better than we thought they would be, packed stadium, and loud! After the walk to the bus was off a little, went too far one direction so had to back up a little, but made the bus any way. Polly and I feel just a little unsure in the city, some unsavory characters hanging around bus stops. All went well, got home at 1:30, latest night through the whole trip.

Last day we got off the ferry and were surprised to be in the middle of a market setup for Saturday morning. We shopped and got a few things, and shared the best piece of Peach/Raspberry pie ever, then off for a walk along the Embarcadero till we got to Fisherman's Warf, now bus to the Golden Gate Bridge for a walk on the bridge, and a few pictures. Back to China Town, where Polly can buy a few things she wanted, and we stumble on the same Oriental Pearl Restaurant, so dinner and a ferry back.    

Was a fun trip, Polly and I will be back again. The place we stayed, Marin RV Park, was the ideal place to stay as close to the ferry, which we took every day back and forth to the city, and a nice clean well run park. Had a pool that we enjoyed the first day, but were too busy to use again. Met people from Texas, Denmark, Australia, Holland, was interesting talking with so many people from different places.

We were right at water's edge in a different way, walk to the outer edge of the park, and you climbed a small hump to an old unused train track, and on the other side of this water and a marsh from the delta of the river beside us, with a view of the city in the distance. From here you could see the ferry make its way in and out of the dock, and you could see San Quinton Prison too. Beside the trailer park was a boardwalk over the marsh with a community of homes on stilts that bordered the river, and sat on the marsh. This is where I took my last walk in the early morning the day we left. What a beauty place to visit early, many people live here, and has all services, Gas, Elect, Sewer, Tel, and Cable, just like a subdivision in any town. The birds were always around too, feeding on small bugs, and fish in the marsh, some were white long legged, and some grey, and some black and white. Felt tropical with the warm air, and much different birds, and palm trees all around the city.   

Have to say was a great time here in San Francisco. All we wanted and more, just couldn't see all we wanted to, so have a reason to be back!