Is he lazy?

Far from it. Kirk is always working on something.

This question all started with a comment I made at work (IGA) "when I get done here I have to cut the grass".

I work with a number of young ladies. To me, anyone under 30 years of age is in this category. However, this day, the ages run around 16 and 18. They talk about marrying some one rich. Now there's a goal.

Anyway, I find interesting their view of what a man is suppose to do. It seems, cutting grass is high on the list, along with helping with the cooking and cleaning. I was asked why my husband doesn't cut the grass? I said he was busy making money/a living for us.

He is a welder/machinist who produces an income. If he is cutting grass he is not producing. My take home pay from IGA doesn't even take me home. Last thing I want to do is stop the income producer from working at what he does best.

We may never have monetary riches however I believe we are rich in many other ways. Thank you God.

Things are stepping up?

We have another job.

First part is to repair these steps and make them stronger.
Then all going well, build additional steps.

The down side is, they requested that it be TIG weld.
So much for using the new welder which is MIG.

The "Look" of a Thunderstorm

We are living through a thunderstorm. Pete has a secure biting grip on his plush bird and at each clap of thunder his eyes open wider.

As always, to see larger view of picture just double click on it.

Bird in the Fireplace

I hear tapping at a window. This is a new sound from an area in the house that should have no sounds. Behold, a bird looking at me through the ash covered glass door of the fireplace.

We went through this a few months ago with no incident as Kirk reached in and picked up the scared creature returning it to the great outdoors. (I should have cleaned the fireplace then).

This looks like the same bird but much more aggressive. It seems like an easy fix. Calling Kirk into the house to catch and release the bird. Oh no; this one gets away. After slamming its ash covered body against a few walls before beating itself against a few windows we opened the front and back door and it finally flew away.

Guess who is cleaning today? And the fireplace is now spotless.

Had a great Sunday!

I did not have to work at IGA this Sunday.

We went to Church and then had the privilege of spending the day with the in-laws.

Kirk got to go fishing. They caught fish but nothing big enough to keep. I got to spend the day on the beach. We enjoy the hospitality and the introduction to new friends. It was a great day. Thank you.

6 weeks to Labour Day

It is definitely busy at IGA (only grocery store in town). The tourist are here in full force. Co-workers are also taking their vacations which varies my working hours from week to week.

Doing my best to keep the pace. The challenge is to produce twice the amount of product in the same amount of time. We are all moving as fast as we can which is wearing on all of us.

A comment was made "only six weeks to Labour Day". When I first heard this I thought, Gee lets not rush the end of summer. But yet, will I make it through summer. At days end I am so tired that even sitting in front of this computer is more than what I can handle.

Ok, I know I will make it. The down side, will this make the rest of the year boring?

Aging happens

In my search for pictures of Kirk's upholstery work (which I couldn't find) I came across a picture of myself taken in 2001 or 2002. This doesn't seem that long ago. Even the numbers four or five years ago don't even sound like a long time. And yet, I look and so many things have changed.

I've aged so. Now with grey hair, many wrinkles, fewer teeth and glasses. Not knowing how and when this all happened but it is obvious it did. I was stronger then too. I could unload a truck of produce and still go home eager to tackle yard work and household chores. Now I save that for my days off.

Time flies when you are having fun and changes happen in the mean time.
So, I'll look forward to the next four or five years and compare notes then (should my memory stay with me).

Upholstery

One of Kirk's many talents is upholstery. I wish I could find the pictures of some of the boat seats he covered or the vehicles were he sews in detailed emblems and/or names. It is that personal touch that makes it. Anyway,

Our latest jobs are adding seats to the back of golf carts. Apparently this is "golf cart country" and most are not used for golfing. The job requires the removal of the basket and holders for golf bags. The design and building of brackets and bars to hold up the roof so that it doesn't interfere with the seat. The building of seat and foot step/rest and the covering of the seat and back-rest.

He is on his third cart and now feels he has a system. This is good, as we feel there will be more to come. It is not what we thought we would be doing for a living but work is work. Gates and handrails may be a things of the past.

Temperature Extremes

Boy is it HOT! Here. It feels even hotter when you work in an air-conditioned store most of the day.

We never needed air-conditioning when we lived in North Carolina. In the mountains, the mornings would be foggy, afternoons would be breezy and evenings/nights got cool. Yes, it got hot too but some how it was different. My memory may be playing tricks on me but it was bearable. Or, maybe I handled the heat better. I don't know.

We now use air when we settle in for the evening. It is almost an necessity just to get comfortable to relax/sleep. The scary part will be, how much this comfort is going to cost? We keep the windows and blinds closed during the day to keep the heat out and only turn on the air when our work day is done. Once we are comfortable we turn off the air because soon the sun will set and hopefully it will cool down outside. Wrong. (It feels like Florida. Been there, done that, didn't like it.)

Well, we are experiencing the extremes of Canada. Very cold in winter and very hot in summer.
(Ok, I know, "Get over it")

Sea legs

Shadow & Pete (the dogs) went fishing with Kirk yesterday. They have been on a boat before and handled it quite well. This time was a new experience for them. The water was choppy!

I can relate. I guess dogs are like people sometimes. Some can handle rough waters and others can't. It seems that Pete is like me. Poor little fellow got sea sick a few times.

Years ago, sailing across Lake Ontario, we sailed through a thunder storm. I was told to watch the horizon and eventually I would get my sea legs? I didn't understand it then and I don't now, but it did help a little bit. I just know, when I got sick I could lean overboard.

So when Kirk was explaining his adventure I got thinking, Pete couldn't watch the horizon and he has four short legs and no way to lean overboard. He may never want to go on a boat again. Well the phrase we get here in Canada "get over it". I'm sure he did.

New Beginning

News Flash!

My parents have purchased a home in Grand Bend.
Closing date is mid August. The location is a half hour drive from our place in Forest.

This is great news. We are happy for them.
I believe the following link is the style of home they purchased.

http://www.anewbeginning.ca/samples/shgc2.html

This next link tells more about the location and estate.

http://www.anewbeginning.ca/html_Ver/grandCove.html

Old Friends New Friends

Life is full of surprises. This was one of the best weekends.

Friends of 30 years ago dropped by our home Saturday evening. They are old friends to me and now new friends to Kirk. We had a great time just exchanging stories of our experiences over the last 30 years. (For the record we stayed up until 1:30 am that may have happened once since Kirk and I have been together)

Kirk gets along with most everyone however it seemed to me, he really hit it off with this wonderful couple. Actually, our track record of having a great time with Old Friends dropping by is perfect. Can't wait for more surprises to happen.

Life is great!

In addition Family dropped by on Sunday which added to a great weekend. Thanks to all.

New Welder and paid for

Lets Celebrate! We are now officially the proud owners of this welder.
This is it. The Welder that is going to change time.

What Drives Your Life?

Many people are driven by the need for approval. They allow the expectations of parents or spouses or children or friends to control their lives. Many adults are still trying to earn the approval of unpleasable parents.

I don't know all the keys to success, but one key to failure is to try to please everyone.

No problem there. I managed to offend and/or insult my parents by stating my feelings of their past comments about us. And, I did this loudly!

I was told this was the alcohol talking. Well, this morning and all day at work I still feel the same way as I did last night. (no alcohol)

The only thing I've learned from this; it doesn't help to tell how you feel.

We believe our life is great. We love each other, our home, our dogs and our lifestyle. We pray and read the Bible. We work hard and play hard.

We don't meet the expectations of my parents for I was told "You are under me." Sounds like a control thing to me. Well, life goes on.

The Purpose Driven Life

I am re-reading my book. This time I will stick to reading one chapter a day for the next 40 days. It helped me the first time I read it. This time I want to absorb even more. Praying that complete understanding will happen in the near future.

"The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us."

This poem by Russell Kelfer sums it up:

You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called god's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what he wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones he chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!

The Rest of the day

Kirk has been working hard at building a back seat on a golf cart. It is almost complete.

I couldn't wait to take a picture. (patience is not one of my strong points)

He is also working on a set of wheels. I'm not sure what he is doing other than it is taking a lot of grinding, buffing and polish.

Today, my job is to keep him company and feed him. I'm handling that.

July 1

Us "Mountain Folk" never saw anything like this before. This is "Good Eatin".