w's

windy

 wild

 wonderful

tree troubles, captured, and the kids

1 Tree falling and root pulling....hmmm Well here's the story. The root system on this maple is HUGE! We did a bit more tree trimming and got to the place where we just had a very tall stump and he tried to pull it out. First the rope snapped and then when we used a thick cable wire it just sawed it so we had to stop. So root digging and axes were used and we just barely made a dent. So needless to say it was time to stop. Chris needs to find out what's underneath all those roots so we don't break septic or gas lines. We are on pause.
2 It's time to get back to photography. The camera is calling me and I have a few ideas for what I'd like to get 'captured'.
3 Isabelle loves playing and drawing on the sidewalk with chalk and Kesler has fun with the tiny dribble of water from the hose. They manage to amuse themselves while we work at our tasks. I cook dinner, Michie does a bit of plant pruning, the guys move furniture and setup the rooms and Izzy and Kes decorate the front driveway with their toys!

maple tree, kisses, sleepy girl, once upon a time

1 The kids have a very large maple in their front yard that has huge roots and makes a mess and well, although it's healthy it's bound to be even more trouble later on. So now is the time to get it out. It's round two on the tree falling project, and we have taken two truckloads of branches to the dump already. Tomorrow it's round three, tree falling and root pulling.
2 Grampa lies down on the couch for a rest. Isabelle kisses him gently on his forehead and says good night Grampa, then giggles.
2a Izzy is tired but doesn't want to sleep even though we are snuggling. Eventually she says, "Can I be your baby? Hold your arms like this Grama." I say of course and snuggle her into my arms, smooth her hair, give her a kiss. I love how her eyelids flutter as she struggles to stay awake, sees me, is reassured and sleeps. She wakes once and says she wants Grampa and he is right there to hold her hand and once again all is well.
3 Okay folks, we are sleeping in our own room tonight! So excited. All we have in there is the bed because well we need a new chest and night tables so it's sparse. Pictures, drapes and rugs will go in soon enough. For now we're just happy to be up off of the floor. Before and after pictures to follow soon.

homeward bound, hot dogs and coffee, and ETA

1 Our friend is discharged! Such great news after such a horrific few days. He was sent home hospital via ambulance and once checked over was outta there. He's enjoying his first moments at home with his kitty, making a fire probably and settling in. Lots of things to attend to but he's on his way to wellness.
2 I spend the late morning with the grandkidlets. They wolf down the chips and hot dogs that I bring and before long Kes is asleep and Izzy and I get to play with her books and dolls. Later her mommy and I spend a few hours talking over cups of coffee and rays of sunshine.
3 Our ETA for sleeping in our own bedroom is TOMORROW! And we are thrilled. Tonight he puts the final caulking on the baseboards and tomorrow a bit of touch up paint. I'll wash the floors and then in goes the bed and dresser! Yay!

hoping, great introduction, and why we love

1 The morning is busy with  my class and then a quick trip to the union office to perhaps see my potential boss. I've worked for the union before and I am hoping to continue a temp position here. She's not in but I leave her a note and will send her an email to follow up. Fingers crossed they need someone on their on call list.
2 I meet the two women who work at this office and we get along famously. The one woman tells me she's heard of me and it's all good. We smile at each other and I'm pleased how this first meeting has turned out.
3 When I walk in the door, Izzy runs to me and hugs my legs; Kes comes over too and puts his arms up for me to pick him up. He snuggles in right away. Later when I'm leaving the grocery shop I hear this familiar sweet voice say, "Grama, what are you doing here? Where's Grampa?" It's the first time we've bumped into each other while shopping and I eagerly get my hug and we blow kisses to each other when we part.

blenz, ktown, and book club

1 A morning spent reading the rest of the book for book club tonight. Blenz is great coffee and the shop is locally owned and operated. I indulge in a large latte and bran muffin. Oh yes, it had raisins but I pushed through that...butter helped!
2 The local radio station is similar to one at the coast. It's classic rock and they play a lot of the songs we regularly listen to. We laugh to ourselves when they call the city KTown. Sounds so country and we definitely rock and roll people!
3 Jan and I go to her book club tonight. The book we read was, A Visit from the Goon Squad. The consensus was unanimous that no one liked this book. It was too incoherent and not easy to follow. I liked certain parts of it and was drawn in by certain characters but nothing ever built to a full conclusion. On a different note, the group is wonderful. I really enjoyed the women, laughter, food and look forward to next months' get together. We are reading Fifty Shades of Grey! I suspect the focus will be on food and laughter not the literary accolades that this book will never receive.

bridging, grow up, and having fun with grampa

1 Doing work on my class I am stumped by a series of questions and am frustrated by my inability to 'get it'. I take a break, then realize it's okay to ask for help, google or do other things to build the bridge of knowledge to my brain!
2 It's been a sunny few days and the plants we brought from the island are happy and growing like mad. The peonies never liked having wet feet and now they're reaching wildly for the sun. I'm so looking forward to seeing if theses lovelies will bloom in pots this year. Their homes are still to be determined.
3 We help some new friends move then go to the kids place to help with the cutting down of a large maple tree in their front yard. Mr P does the trimming of the lower branches and we get that cleaned up and they haul a truckload to the dump. Saturday we'll be back to do the rest of it. The maple will be replaced by a cherry tree, yum!