Looking for...

It really does feel like I've been dragging stuff around in my prospecting quest.

DD#1 and I had a marvelous time hunting up the things she had listed on her to-do list!  It took a bit to get her to take her clothes off, ahem; but once we got her into that change room the sales gal and I undated her with all kinds of options and now she has a pretty exciting wardrobe!

I suspect her favourite outfit was the Canada sweat shirt.  She is dressed for Canada Day and all our birthday celebrations!

We got all that done the morning/day I flew in.  My fitbit clocked 8 miles!  I was wonked but pleased.

Early next morning we checked her in for day surgery on her sinuses.  Among other things, she cannot breath through her nose nor taste nor smell.    When they wheeled her back I was sure we needed some kind of red alert but she is a trooper and 2 hours later I got her back to the hotel and we both collapsed!

We spent a quiet day in the room, me running room service (Yay for Timmies!)  and Laura trying to get comfortable.


Next morning we headed off to her home for the next week.  She shouldn't lift so I'm the packie! Maybe we shouldn't have shopped so much!!!   Only problem was I slipped on some water in the grocery store aisle getting groceries for the week and my ankle knew it!   So we both shared the couch and watched old movies!

Back to Edmonton for her follow up and it was a very rainy, miserable trip.  My brother and sister in law greeted us with candles as trees were down and power was out!

My plane flew out the next evening so we thought to kill some time with a few odds and ends at the BIG mall.   I didn't know I needed Royal Dalton dishes.  I thought I was safe in there while she added to her tea cup collection.  LUV!!!

Speaking of tea...

Expensive chocolate is wasted on the grand kiddies.  So I got expensive cookies.  lol

I did strike some gold in my shopping.  I was looking for purses and not shown is my lovely neutral backpack purse.  My dishes are awaiting a new kitchen which hasn't quite arrived yet as the Rooster didn't get the place we were hoping for so we are still prospecting.  Hopefully there is more gold ' in them thar hills!'.

In the mean time we'll keep looking!

Reviewing Summer's Theme

Summer's theme this year was visitors: the preparing, the visiting and the recovering.  ;^)

The house was made presentable.  The upstairs is all painted and just needs some fine tuning and a few touch-ups.

 The farm buildings were decluttered and the yard received more TLC as the weather and time permitted.

 The barns are all painted.

Word got out that we are preparing for selling and relocating so we got lots of visitors this summer.

My DD#1 and I were supposed to go shopping for wardrobe additions and accessories.  We stalled out at the bookstore.  :/

Laura and I went off to visit an old friend and she persuaded me to stop by the cemetery where my grand parents  and uncles are buried. Thank goodness for GPS!

The old church was open and I was amazed to find mention of my great grand parents as well as my grand dad's baptism. 

My sister's health has deteriorated. She also is making a move so I hitched a ride with DD#1 who was driving by on her own way home.  Here we are leaving the main street of the town nearest to where I live.

We had dinner in the city where my sister will be moving.  The old house has tours and a lovely restaurant.  It also has a resident ghost.  Gee, it must have took my picture!!!

I returned by bus and took the first day off to finish up my book series and peruse my new books. Now I need to look at the contents of my suitcase, my photos, and my planner.  :O

I brought home some extras.  My niece has passed on to me old memorabilia that she comes across as she helps her mum downsize.  The Rooster is the one who is interested in his ancestors.   awk!  I didn't really want another hobby which was why I had given all the above to my sister when my parents downsized.  Timing really is everything because now my interest is piqued.  And, I do now have ephemera for my mixed media journaling!  ;^)  

She also included some memorabilia from not so very long ago!  I wasn't always a white, make that silver, old biddy!  lol

As summer winds down we should enjoy a slower pace.  I will be very happy to get back to other creative endeavours.

I am indeed itching to get back to my creative hobbies.  I also need to update my wardrobe which hanging around young folks inspires!  My niece says that we are 'hipsters'!  Shoot, now I need to update the Rooster's wardrobe as well.  ;^)

The grand kiddies are already back at homeschooling and I need to plan the art and creative literature lesson plans.

My sister is downsizing her considerable music collection which means I have some great music to motivate me. 


What's that you say?  Sorry, I can't hear you.  My music is loud and I'm grooving and moving!  :)

Phase one accomplished

The guest room was ready for my guests.  Not that ones kids are guests, but you get my drift.  I did notice I definitely have dull spots on the trim where I missed but the overall effect was good.

The Rooster readied the 'secondary' guest room for DD#1 and it seems it is cozy enough that she is happy to spend the last few days in it although DS#2 and his wife have vacated the 'primary' guest room. 

Come the first snowfall the Rooster and I will be going through each room to adjust all the bits that were overlooked in our rush to get everything finished.

Most of our family activities centre around the kitchen and meal planning.  And indeed we are blessed.

Even the one or two work projects centred around food.  The old freezer in the basement was removed.

Then the remaining one was topped up with cabbage rolls and stewed fruit.   The Rooster nixed the red berries I had found in the bush though. :O

Not exactly food related, but a reason to celebrate, the final pail of red barn paint was sprayed over the door, the north wall and the other barn. 

We finished up with a lovely campfire in the grand kiddies back yard. 

DD#1 and I shall do some retail therapy, finish up my sister's planner, load up some memorabilia and head out for phase 2. 

I expect I'll be back for regular programming in October.  They do say normal is only a setting on the dryer. Alas, I only have a clothes line!  LOL

Reflections: The first day of the rest of my life

 We just finished having a little reunion here at the coop.  Four out of the five kids were able to come home. 

DD#1, who blesses this blog with pertinent comments that keep me from exaggerating too much, arrived on the Canadian from out west. 

DGD#1 asked me privately why she couldn't go back on the train with her very favourite aunt.  ;^)

DS # 2 and his wife arrived from Seattle by car.  If the Rooster and I can ever get to the coast they'll be happy to 'ferry' us around.  :O   DS#3 and his gal had a short walk to meet us as they call Winnipeg home.

The Rooster and a couple of wee grand kiddies got the new Ikea island and stools put together 'just' before everyone arrived.

Lots of late night meetings and early morning planning sessions were the order of the day.  Laur's jams were dispersed somewhat fairly!   shhh!

A few work parties as well!

The 'art' department was responsible for decorations for the welcome party.  The grand kiddies and I made banners and a tree.  I actually impressed myself with that tree!!!  DD#2 had the kiddies make 'turkey' cookies for the fall theme and they were a big hit as well.  Sorry, nothing left but the crumbs!

 DD#2 likes coordinating family pictures.

Of course getting them all NICELY in the same picture is a bit of a challenge.

This family is all about gathering around a table and food.  With the right incentive some of them will play games.   Since favourite auntie sent it...

Of course, computer games add an whole 'nother dimension. 

We also had less formal dinners.  The weather was perfect for this day.

Our falls are pretty brief as far as colour goes, but the fall flowers and leaves have been especially intense this year.

 A last minute luncheon date for the sisters. Guess who babysat the grand kiddies???  ;^)
 Laura and Cari are a year apart and then followed Michael Charles, Christopher and then Steven.

Some last minute tips on traveling through life...

and we are back to our regular schedule of fall events and getting ready for the next season.

Two weeks of intense family time has surely shaken up the rut I somehow found myself in these past few months.  With a serious nudge from the Rooster I am flying the coop.  :O

I've always been a stay at home mum and homemaker.  Luved it!  I turned 65 this summer and instead of retiring (ha!) I have gotten a job.  I start tomorrow.    It'll be three days a week, not including meetings.   I do expect to still have time to reflect on my life through blogging. 

Ready or not,  it is time to spread those wings.  First one I shall dive bomb will be the Rooster!  ;^)