Christmas done, tree down, presents away now what?

Our last few things we have to do before lifting our jacks. Tools need to be packed up, Polly has a list for cleaning before she leaves. Polly is planning to have us sleep in the trailer last night here so leaving clean sheets, and house clean for Ted & Cindy. I am doing same, thinking of how to put house back to how it was before we moved in. 

Not too much moved around, but want to have it best we can. I have some projects I made that will find a home for, and a few things I will use to pack the trailer with. 

A few hugs to say good bye to friends and family. We are both looking forward to traveling again. Polly said last night " Where will we hang the picture of Colton?" I'm not sure yet, but we will find a spot I'm sure 😃

Funny how when not in the trailer I forget exactly where stuff goes. Slides are in, and trailer is ready, so don't want to open it up again till the days warm a little. Been a very cold one this last few days. Happy we were in this house, and happy to be going back into our home. 

A couple more wooden projects complete, so packing up will be good, the cold prevented me from that along with Christmas. Today I will start, takes me a couple days to get all in order, looking like January 1 will be the go day for sure. Weather will warm up. We have our replacement house sitter for the last few days before Ted & Cindy arrive home. 

Some family and friends we didn't get to see this time around, maybe in the spring, if we return. We always have loose plans so we can take a different route, stay a little longer, or head east, south more or just stay put. I hear people say "This is how I roll" well I don't use this term, yet.

Often we are asked, where are you off to next? (Oh yeah, Medical insurance! I have to get that before we go!) This year we have a loose plan to head east if all the travel arrows line up, always wanted to spend a summer in eastern Canada. We loved Newfoundland, actually all the Maritimes. Quebec, Ontario, geez so big these provinces are. So much to see. 

Always wanted to see Virginia in the fall, see the Macy's Parade in November, and spend longer in the south east. Florida keys were a dream on our first trip, would love to spend time there looking around a little more, and all the south heading back toward the west. We also want to see the central states, Kansas', Colorado, New Mexico. I'm shaking my head as I write, is alot to take in, and that's why we like to leave the door open to changes in "Where next!" we just can't be sure, planning loose like this is what gives us possibilities, and that is how we like it. 

I laugh right now to myself, Polly has this saying I hear "I was thinking 🤔" lol 😆

When I hear this I laugh, and I always say "Really" 🤗 this is where possibilities come from, not just Polly, but from the thoughts we have as we go, like if we are going to be here why don't we! If we stop here we could? Hey, what's up there? That looks interesting, let's see! 

That's how we Roll 😃

We leave doors open, we are open to opportunities that come our way. We say "yes" often to invites, we love to explore our options. 

Retired with Options!

I like the sound of that. 

We are lucky to have friends, family, & fun where ever we go. 

Love our life!  Full of options 🤗❤️

I met a friend yesterday.

      Polly looking her beautiful self 🤗❤️

We went to the Casino by ourselves last night, was a dinner out, and Polly loves to gamble, so we decided we could fit this in on a Wednesday, as our schedule is getting very busy this next couple week's.

We walked in no greeter/vaxchecker at the door, so right up to the restaurant and got asked there for our id and vax proof. After that getting seated, the waitress asked would here be good? I said, how about over there, overlooking the Casino? Yes she said, and we started walking. As we passed a couple sitting also overlooking the Casino, I noticed was a friend I worked with with his wife. We stopped for a short time, well I did as the waitress seated Polly, and I yaked, well it had been a long time since I had seen him, and so much to say, but dinner was our goal, so I said I'd catch up later, come and see him at home. 

As we sat within 10 feet or 3 meters away, I kept turning around and saying a few things, till I finally had to order, and we heard them get their desert, they had ate already, (Seniors deal on the dinner before 5:30pm) then I said, will talk later. We ordered dinner and water for drinks, we both been off the booze awhile now. 

As my friend was leaving he came to the table for a quick goodbye, mask on, & shook my hand. He thanked me for not mentioning his name in this blog, as I had written about him before, Anonymous is his way. We are very good friend's, and will stop and see him before we leave in January. 

        Baby Grand piano in the restaurant

             for evening performances

Our dinner was good, not stellar, will go on a weekend next time, better meal then I think. We talked about a picture our friend Claudette had found and put on our FB timeline, was in 1998, and we both were smiling, so happy, skinny, and younger. We talked about how happy we still are and many good times we had then up to now, the fun times, the love we share, as well as a few intimate times that still make us laugh, even if we be not likely to try that now 😆😂😂

We finished dinner, desert was advertised as chocolate covered brownie, the waitress asked if we minded chocolate moose as they have no brownie's. Of course, both are great 👍 moose with whipped cream on top, was delicious. 

We sat and talked some more, was a very relaxed dinner, but I knew Polly was ready for the gambling, so bill please, (Polly paid this time) 😀 we take the slip to the casino and get our $5 added to our gambling cards, then Polly starts, while I go talk with my friend, as his wife won so after their dinner she was back at it.

We stood and talked for at least 1/2 hour before I had to sit down, Polly passed by, I didn't notice, was busy talking. Once we sat down I started to gamble, not very lucky, but we continued to talk, so much to say, it had been awhile. I don't know how long it was, and I moved a few times, Polly came by and showed me her winning tickets, but my friends wife got to the end of her winning, so they said goodbye and off they went home. 

I kept loosing, Polly lost some of her winnings. I finally got off the machine, not my night, and found Polly, ready I say, and yes she was, still had some of her winnings good for her. We had a good night out, and Polly always thanks me for this kind of night out, she loves the gambling. 

As we leave Polly reminds me of my saying we would look at some of the lights tonight, so we drive around for awhile up and down the streets enjoying the beauty of the decorations and lights. Ohh look at that, oww Look here, look there, I like that one, WOW 😳 that's beautiful 😍. Was a nice way to finish our evening, so relaxed we were as many were rushing around, as we slowly cruised along pulling over so others could hurry by. Hmm, I laugh to myself now thinking of this time. 

As I write Polly and I plan our afternoon, I ask what about lunch, do we have plans tonight? Wanna go to the Barclay? Oh sure why not Polly says. Then she informed me she had really dry legs now as she was rubbing in some skin cream, then she says " My legs are so dry I think I'm going to have to vacuum them!" She starts laughing and so do I sure hard to be crabby with such a card I married. 

Love Polly I do. 

Our Life is so good ❤️🤗

Where has the time gone?

We went to the Barclay yesterday for lunch and to play Keno & Pacific holdem poker, both drawn on an electric board that you watch as you have your lunch. After planning to go we got a message from friends Americo & Claudette they were coming to town to visit his Mom, Americo had got my chain saw running and wanted to know if I wanted him to bring it with him. So Yes of course, and maybe meet at the Barclay was my response, as we were going. 

So our afternoon was planned, we had been sticking close to home since moving to our new location at the beginning of November, but today was an outing. We needed propane, 1 tank was empty, and fuel as we were going to Courtenay next Friday, always I'm going to town for more than one reason. 

Once we get there and get seated Claudette text's and says she invited Charlie to come too, so another plus to our day. So we ordered our drinks, tea for Polly and water for me, we have been innocent re booze for a month now, and are getting used to it. The waitress was so darn nice, we had delt with her before, and the whole experience felt so comfortable. She checked out our vax cards, and picture 🖼️ ID, then took our order. There was only one other person there at the time. 

    rain in the pool looks nice from inside😊

Polly always first to get her ticket's, check out her #'s and watch the boards lol she just loves to gamble. After we ordered I get my tickets, and we yak. Then I over heard the one woman at the bar talking about something, and if you know me, I put my 2bits in lol. Then we yak back and forth about retirement, as her comment was about not retiring yet. She is happy doing her job, and not ready, yet all her finances are set, she's just waiting till she feels she's had enough. 

We had much to yak about, and this made the time it takes to get our meal go like a snap. Funny how it goes, you can just start a conversation with someone, (at least I can) and click, you don't know how, but just here we are taking about something and like we have known each other for years. Not sure how it happens, but I really like it. I guess it was the privacy of the bar, nobody but the bartender this woman Polly and I. 

Soon our meal was there and the conversation ended, and we ate as the bartender and the woman talked and Polly and I watched all the TV's and the game boards as we ate. "How's your burger?" Says Polly. "Good, how's your Soup?" I ask. "Good"  we finished, and here comes Americo & Claudette, timing is great 👍, then not long after comes Charlie. We are all together like years ago, just different. 

So much history between us all, some we talk about and some we skirt around, but was a fun time connecting again, with so much history as friends it was great. As the time closed out and our tickets didn't pay up, we all were going to leave and we talked about a game of cards, but no real commitment was made. 

Out in the parking lot now looking at the new to them van C&A just got,  we talked in the rain as I got the saw from Americo and Charlie got some wood finish from him, Charlie asks, "What are you guys doing right now?" "Come on over to my place and we all play cards"  Well that sounds good, and we say an hour and we go our way A&C go there's, and will meet at Charlie's in an hour. Now this sounds good♥️

So we get the propane and fuel at the co-op and take the tank back to our trailer, and of course me, I get tired, so in the chair I go, Polly turns on the tube, and 💤😴 I go out, a quick nap, and I'm ready to go lol. 

As we get into the truck I see Claudette just text and I respond, yes we on our way 😆 

We brought our poker chips, but Charlie had found his, and they were all setup when we got there, hmm lol I'm thinking now how fun it was just walking in and like in minutes we are playing and almost like going back in time, gawd it felt good🤗

We all talked about so much, and so many past things were brought up, some it felt like we were still there doing what we remembered. Cabin trips, fishing, times we had we laughed at, we are so darn lucky to have all these wonderful memories, and as we talked we all realized this. 

We skirted around the memories that may cause friction, and hit on all the fun and laugh, we laughed like we were still there, like the last 10, 15, 20, or 30 years hadn't happened. All the games of poker, all the drunken times and the funny times that came from it, the fishing, the people, the past like we were still there for that moment. 

As we talked and played cards we created another moment 😊, Thanks Claudette, and thanks Charlie, for taking the initiative to get this together time happening, was a fun time. 

As the game ended, I won, 😉 and Americo says, "Lucky Fuc!" Lol. He's right I am 🍀

A&C had to go home to his Mom's for dinner, it was after 7 pm, what a fast afternoon that was. Polly and I stayed and talked with Charlie, was good, he showed us his woodworking, some beautiful pieces, and we all talked about Covid and how it does, and has effected us all. We talked about family, friends, plans re holidays, Mexico, Yuma. We covered alot of ground, made no solid plans for the future though.

After about an hour or more we took to our coats, and we gave a hug, and as we were leaving Charlie said something about not being strangers. I don't think we will be. 

Was a very good day, almost perfect I'd say, almost darn perfect.

          Thanks Cindy for the picture of

          Jennifer & her proud father Ted

Oh and not to forget our morning, I got up late after waking too early,  Cindy knocking on the door says "Did you know Jennifer is here?" "Yes I did and we be right over, just wanted to give you guy's time together first" so I get my coffee ☕ and Polly comes in a few minutes, and we get a real nice visit in with our neice Jennifer as she just finished her course for Home care working towards LPN. Was nice to catch up with her, and learn about what's been happening in her life. Nice hugs, and good to reconnect as has been awhile since we had talked. Love to see Jen happy with her success.

I'm thankful for all the great memories we have created. Moving forward in life we are going to create more I'm sure, but these one's we have already are so good to dwell on once in awhile, just to relish. 

Love our life I do🤗♥️

 

November rains can be fierce, pounding & wonderful all in the same moment.

          I wonder about this scene 

The third night at the house we will watch for friends as the spend some of there winter in Mexico. We have watched more TV than usual as the rain has kept us indoors. We have a bed in the house we could use, but decided to stay in the trailer till closer to when Ted & Cindy leave. 

Staying in a house again will be different, so much room, and everything is so big, and far away. I have to say the shower I had yesterday was the best I've had in my whole life, was like standing under a waterfall. 

Speaking about a waterfall, as I write here the rains are so strong on the trailer that it's noisy in a comfortable kinda way. Fireplace is going, coffee ☕ is made, I'm all snug in my chair, Polly is quietly sleeping. Life is so good in this moment. 

What will today bring, I started out on a walk yesterday, but that got rained out, next time I bring the umbrella. Was an unproductive kinda day, I looked at my tools, and thought about setting up, but the ambition left as the rain continued. 

       my first picture as I left the house

Picture #2 this squirrel came out to see what was up as I stopped to take a picture of the tree

#3 I remember when this much different

#4

     The things you see in the country 😆

I had a good look at Ted's shop yesterday, was a step back in time, so many memories in one place. I talked with him about it later, was interesting the stories there to tell. 

Today if the rain let's up a little we'll hang some plastic around the area I'll make my shop and start getting set-up to make something, not sure what will be first yet. I'm excited though as I have much to accomplish in the next couple months. 

I think I'll start with a piece of wood I've had for a year now, has a big knot in it, and looks like some kinda animal. That will be fun, a good start as will be artistic and push me outta the comfort of boards. 

I have this desire to set up a shop, yet I want to travel. So when we leave this time I have a few tools I'm taking for sure. My battery operated Brad nail gun, a saw of some kind, a palm sander Hmm🤔 I have to be aware not everyone in and RV park wants to hear the sounds of tools operating. Will pick my times, and be considerate, but I will create 😃

Actually I have some driftwood I brought from the beach this summer that needs to be used before we leave. I have ideas for them. Project #2 

And that's how my mind works, jumping from one idea to another, then the stuff I said I would do is mixed in as time goes on. Trailer improvements, and stuff I should do usually gets put on the list to work on once we are outta the trailer, this will be a perfect time to get these things done. Like making storage under the stairs for our shoes & slippers, that will be my first "I gotta do". 

I get a Snapchat from my son in Rainbow lake, Alberta. Is clear and cold today, snow in the forecast Friday. As a father you then go to,  he has to drive home that day!

5-10cm snow, then my mind goes to the thought of worry. Funny how my mind works. I let it go.

Still dark out, daylight savings ends Sunday, fall back to standard time again, the deep dark winter. I never really let the weather effect me, I keep my spirits up. Winter is a time I can alter by going south, and if I can't I do what I can during that time. Like last year, we managed just fine with the rules in place, this year will be different again, still some rules, but slowly change is happening. I'm looking forward to Christmas ⛄🎄 here this winter. The closeness with family and friends, the music, I did miss that couple days when we were South, but I did enjoy the pool on Christmas day 😃

Let's see how the next 2 months goes, I'm sure I'll blink and we will be traveling again soon. I feel Polly rolling around in bed, that's one thing about a trailer, you learn to feel what's going on by the trailer moving. 

I might have to go say "Hi"😉 and ask her if she wants a coffee ☕ 🤗 

Nope, she's still out, I'm going to watch a little utube now, get a plan for those huge pieces of red cedar I have, still not sure exactly what I will create from them. 

Enjoy the rains today, I will for sure. 

Love this life I do 🤗❤️

Yesterday we went to visit a friend❤️

       Gary's Restaurant car on the wall

Was a stormy day and after we said we would go we thought, hmm. But we went, the wind was blowing, the rain was pouring, the inside of our truck was warm and dry. Yes this was the right decision, as our friend reached out on messenger as most of our connections are, our phone numbers change every once in awhile. 

The drive was great, was nice to see the trees swaying, and leaves coming down, just a beauty day. Cameron lake was wind blown, but not crazy. When we arrived at the pub by the water the ocean was huge waves and wind and rain like crazy. Our friend was there already watching the water rage. We got a hug in then looking at the pub, Closed Monday sign was not expected. So off we go to another local restaurant Gary's for a bite. 

Vax and ID please was the first order of business. Once that was outta the way,

Coffee ☕ and a shrimp cuissant for me, Shrimp wrap for Polly, and a bowl of Soup for our friend.

We sat by the window looking out at the street, but didn't pay much attention as conversation was good, very good. Been awhile since we caught up, and much had changed. Lot's to talk about, past events, present decisions to be made, and future plans. So much of our lives were changing for many reasons. 

Was a beautiful day to meet and talk just the right day and best time. 🤗❤️ 

Time passes fast when it has been a few years since you met last. Before we knew it 2hour flipped by just like that. We had covered alot of ground, made loose plans for the future, listened, & talked our way through lunch, like the food wasn't even there. All on a rainy, windy, ugly kinda day.

 What a gift we had that day. ❤️

We parted outside with a hug, and off we went on our seperate journey's just a little more prepared as we now are on this journey with a friend, a friend that knows what's up. A friend that you know is on your journey, as you are on there's. Reconnecting gives us that comfort to move forward knowing you have people that care along with you as you move through this life. 

We were on our way home when I asked Polly, "Wanna go look at the water?" "Yes" she says, and after a few turns we drive close to the water and what a change, water was calmer, no wind. Like we had talked the weather into calming lol. 

The turnarounds took us to Judge's row a little known street by the water, was nice to drive slow and look at what I remembered from my youth. Just a beautiful place. The subdivision at the end of the street was a football field when I was younger, now full of huge houses, all with there own place by the beach across the road. 

I have the memory of walking across that field years ago, that will stay the same 😉

Never know what a day will bring if you go with what comes to you. Thanks to our friends for all we get and give. I'm thankful always for our friends, always 😊❤️

The rains are here for awhile, enjoy the sounds inside our dry, warm home. 

Love this life I do 🤗❤️

Are you going South?

          Our view today is sunny ☀️

One of the most asked questions I have been asked lately "Are you going South now the boarder's opening up?". Along with "Where are you going to go?"

Yes we are going south, but will wait till January as we have a house to watch over here in Port Alberni while our friends go south. This will give them peace of mind, and us a chance to see how the boarder opening goes. A little time to have the crazy get outta the way, so when we do go the rules in play will be just a little more organized. 

I think the first of the people that go may be in for a long lineup's, with mixed up boarder control officers. The way this  passport is being created as the boarder opens makes me happy to stay put till things get better. 

Our plan will be to make our way towards Yuma, by way of Palm Springs and to Indo at Indian waters, we have friends we want to see there. Then a couple weeks in Yuma.

Talking with our friends recently, I believe we will head to Mexico again, San Carlos was a good place to spend our time together in early 2020, so will try that again. We did love the beach, and looking at the water, dolfins, sandy beach. Just love that kinda beauty ⛱️

Just messaged or friends, yup all reserved already, so lucky Rock is looking out for us. He has it booked, and we are ready to go, just a couple more months to go.

Wile we stay at our friends I'm going to do a few things to the trailer that Polly wants, improvements that need time to get just right, and while we are out of it will be the best time to do them. Nothing big, just some comfort alterations. 

So, Yes we are going south. 

Now for my morning walk, looking just beautiful out today❤️🤗

Loving our life as we plan ahead. 

Mexico here we come 😁🏖️

Thanksgiving weekend lasted 2 weekends

It started early, and ended late this year, as we didn't have the regular kinda Thanksgiving dinner as family is still kinda separated. Vax, non vax, in town, outta town, also some other stuff. Our families, like many others have challenges when it comes to all getting together. 

When Polly's Mom "Memere" was alive we all gathered at her house at times like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and birthday's.

Dinners were an event, everyone brought something so there was many different flavors, we all dressed up, so that was exciting too, we were working so was a rush to get there and organize the families each trying to get everyone we could to show up. The more the merrier was Memere's way. 

Cards, always cards after dinner, cards sometimes just a few games of crib would keep Memere happy, but most of the time poker, Texas Holdum was the game of choice. A few times so many players we weren't sure if we had enough cards to play 😂😆 Always fun that lasted late, and the last one at the table was Memere, saying aww, comon, 1 more game 😀 you guys.

As Memere aged and we took the rein's organizing the day, things started to change. A few wouldn't show up, then some would be late, and the day would kinda change. Memere though, always a smile happy to have who came to be there and spend time together. 

I remember one year two of the families, us and another, and our kids went to the cabin to celebrate Thanksgiving, Memere was not happy about that, and she let us know 😠😆

This year was very different, we had 3 small dinner's that was great, but different in that we didn't all get together in one place. Funny how things changed, and how fast it seems it happened. 

7:00 am now and just starting to get light out, and thankful we had time with family, & friends even if was in small groups. 

Next year we will have to start earlier, so we can get to everyone's place for a "Hi how are ya!" Thanks to everyone for the Mmm 😋 good cooking, and the fun visiting. Was a great Thanksgiving ❤️

 Remembrance day ceremonies next, a solmen time we always observe.

 Christmas day, we are staying home for this year, let the boarders clear up, and get the rules figured out, well travel in January this winter. 

Life on the road is also different this year, but travel we will. Mexico is in our sight's as we make plans for our winter. 

Life is a changing, just like the season's. 

Loving our Life ❤️🤗