Thanks for help

When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Plus, we are glad it was raining hard.

My Brother arrived today because it was raining so hard it was impossible to landscape in the mud. (He usually works in the rain or any other bad weather).

He offered to help Kirk with the insulation. My Brother is one tough man and we are glad.

As you can see the ceiling is insulated.

Celebration is in order. Mind you around here, Kirk and I celebrate everything.

PS - Yesterday we almost sold that Jag you see in the background but the person now wants to wait until January. Oh well.

Don't try to convert...

Adjusting to things like the temperature Fahrenheit to Celsius.

My comment is "don't try to convert", just feel it and add or subtract clothing as necessary.

However, I found I should listen to my own advice as I was analyzing some of our recent bills.
Kirk took Shadow to the vet. They charge more here.
The Chiropractor is less here. So I guess it averages out.

I just wish we could just add or subtract income as necessary.

Pete, Petey, Peaty

Can't help it.

Have to post his picture.

He is just too cute.

(of course for larger view just click on photo)

Cake Decorating - Past & Present

This is one tough lady! She was the manager of the Deli/Bakery Department at BiLo (Candler) It wasn't easy working with her but she was fair and even fun at times. She gave me the opportunity to learn how to decorate cakes. She even sent me to some company sponsored classes. I helped with (what they called) the production cakes. (carrot, black forest, cream cheese, cookies & cream etc.) When it wasn't busy we were allowed to let our imagination run wild and get creative. That was fun. If the idea was good we used it for awhile. We seemed to be a team and shared ideas.

It is different here. When I was hired, Dave (store owner) asked about my cake decorating experience. I told him my preference to icing cakes as to decorating. I could be a benefit in production but I don't have the talent in decoration. However, when put in a spot, I will do my best with effort & $ to produce something the customer will appreciate.

This brings me to my resent SPOT. I'm told Saturday afternoon, by the "Cake Decorator" who is leaving for the day, to decorate a photo cake for Sunday morning. My logic - do it now! With what little talent I have and knowledge learned from BiLo the cake was ready for Sunday.

I open Sunday morning. The concentration is on baking & putting out product before the doors open at 9 am plus begin setting up for Monday.

The customer arrives on time. They are very pleased to the point of thanking me many times over. I can't explain my relief and satisfaction that I made someone happy with the realization that this is what it is all about.
Making others happy.

1 1/2 hours at the Fair

checked out the animals
antiques
artwork
ate some ice cream
bought some candy-coated nuts
and cross paths with 4 people we knew.
We had a good time!

Fishing success continued...

The man who instigated Kirk's participation in the Bass fishing tournament was waiting in front of the shop at 6 this morning.

I guess he was excited to tell Kirk the news; if Kirk would have entered the fishing derby he would have won! Others caught fish but very few caught Bass.

Would have, should have, could have but didn't. There you go.

Still, it was exciting to know it was a fishing success.

Forest Fair

The fair starts tomorrow!

We were reminded today because one of the carny folks arrived to have something fixed.

When I saw their truck drive in my first thoughts are; sure hope it has nothing to do with a ride.
(not ready for any structural liability) It was just welding a part holding a lighting unit.

We plan on going to the fair for reasons unknown. Not sure which day. We have to decide soon. It's only here 22nd, 23rd and 24th.

PIDDLE

The shop now has a place to piddle. Or, the shop is a place to piddle.

Today a urinal was installed. (Yippie)

Kirk's friends and lingering customers do not have to wander around the building to relieve themselves.

Main Entry: pid·dle
Function: intransitive verbPronunciation: 'pi-d & l
Inflected Form(s): pid·dled ; pid·dling
/'pid-li[ng], 'pi-d & l-i[ng]/
Etymology: origin unknown1 : DAWDLE , PUTTER 2 : URINATE

Survived

To explain this there are few points I should mention;

• my spelling and grammar is poor to terrible
• my penmanship is that of a small child
• when put under pressure the shakes set in
• situations seem to happen when there is no back-up help
• customers make picking up the cake their last stop before the party

Last Saturday afternoon the customer arrived for their cake.

Survived

was spelt wrong! (we are missing a v)

I offer to fix it. "No time". The customer shows the cake to her three friends all making sounds of disappointment. Still "No time. It's OK, it's OK". I go back to my station and discuss this with my co-worker who motivates me again to offer to fix it. In the mean time the think-caps are put on and the customers want Spiders? "Can you draw spiders"? Sure, I do it all the time. Right. The objective here was to cover the error with a spider. Thanks to the quick thinking of my co-worker she whipped out some plastic spiders from cabinet. I put them on the cake.

I Survived!

And we all lived happily ever after.

Insulation continued...

This is a slow process since Kirk is doing it all by himself between welding jobs.
However, it is coming right along. (pictures are; NE corner, SE corner and NW corner, for larger view click on photo)

Fire escape

Another project done! The afternoon was spent on engineering the pulley and hitch system to raise and lower the steps Kirk built to access deck from outside the cottage. Success and another happy customer. The owner can raise with ease, lock/hitch into place and remove pulley to deter miss use.

Fishing Success

These are pictures of Kirk's best day while living in Canada. I think he made that comment at least four times. Too bad these pictures do not reveal the full joy and excitement in air.

Originally, Kirk was lined up with a partner, who is native to the land and sport with excellent knowledge of the waters, to participate in Cedar Cove Marina Bass Derby. Since his day starts very early the 7pm finish time for the derby did not fit his schedule. However catching fish was the goal. Kirk left at noon with his designated partner Dwayne, just to fish and enjoy the day.

The humor of day; as Kirk caught fish Dwayne became more and more frustrated with his failure to even get a bite. Dwayne threw his fishing rod in the lake and declared himself "The Guide" while opening another beer.


As you can see, we will be having fish for dinner.

Potatoes and Onions

Today I experienced an appreciation of customers. I can't really explain the feeling but I will do my best.

I went to Ausable Produce a local grower and distributor of potatoes and onions. This is a good size business that supplies many grocery stores in the area. They will also sell to walk in customers like me. I purchased 20 lbs. of new white potatoes and 10 lbs. of Spanish onions for $9.50.

It is not so much that the price is really good. It was the way I was treated that made me feel like I was important to their business.

Upon entering the office I was pleasantly greeted by a lady who I will call an office worker. (she wasn't wearing work boots) I put in my request for potatoes and onions. She explained the different sizes and types. After paying she directed me to door number 5. This should be easy but the roll-up doors were up so the numbers are not visible except for the closed door number 6. My conclusion; door before it should be 5. I wander in and again, I'm pleasantly greeted by the partner/operator of the business. I'm at the wrong door but no matter he explained where to pull my vehicle next time. I offered to move there but that was not necessary "just wait right where you are". He left and got my order carried it to my truck in front of the office and thanked me and I thanked him.

I feel I met "givers" not a "takers" and people that show sincere interest in others.
I hope I can touch others the same way.
Then the life that I am blessed with, will not have been a waste of time.

Been there without one!

Remembering 9-11

We watch FOX News most of the time. This triggers my thoughts of that tragic day.

I was working at Bi-Lo #128 Canton, NC. (store is no longer there) Mid-morning my co-worker, O'Dell, received a phone call telling him to watch the news now! Since we are at work this seemed to be an impossible request. The desperation in his voice and actions made me stop what we were doing and take him out to my van. (which was given to us by my parents) It has a TV in it.

We sat and watched in horror as the buildings came down. At first there is this disbelief. This is not for real. As the day went on the realization set in that it is for real. Our feelings about life changed that day. I believe a greater appreciation for others and their help and thoughts in large and small things is a big part of what life is all about.

Kirk was with Mark setting up a metal building on that day. Radio was their only source of information. The feelings were the same.

We will never forget that day.

Insulation

This is now the "weekend" project or "I have a free day to do what I want" project or the "getting ready for another winter" project. Actually, we could call it a lot of things but when it comes right down to it, keeping the whole building above freezing temperatures is the main goal.

Thanks again to my Brother, we have insulation. Kirk is anxious to get it installed. (one motivation - it is cool today) As you can see Kirk is on a mission and I'm staying out of the way. The clean dogs are chilling out, not understanding that this will make their winters better too.

Fresh country air?

I don't know if this is an aging situation or not.
Sight, sound and smells seem to be in the faint distance most of the time now.

Then things happen. Like seeing something from the corner of my eye not sure if something is there or not. A new noise that needs investigation just to reassure myself that nothing is going to break or blow up. Now, when it comes to smells, blame the dog.

Wrong. It is not the dog. It is the farmer fertilizing his field. The smell is familiar but nothing I can change at this time. Welcome to the country.

Aluminum boxes

All for Kirk's latest works are a far cry from what he built in NC.

Everything is a box shape. Gas tanks, storage tanks, tool box, and gas tank with tool box on top.
(This is not a complaint this is a observation.) It is what the customers want and it pays the bills. We are in a different country now. Customers priorities are different here.

Sarnia Expedition

When the going gets tough. The tough go shopping.

I dislike shopping. I dislike driving. But it was one project I could accomplish that didn't require heavy lifting. So off I go to purchase some of the necessities that have been put off long enough. Plus, according to Kirk, since I was in the area I could pick up a sheet of aluminum.

Walmart, Food Basic and Canadian Tire are my preferred stores. If they don't have it we probably don't need it. Well, as usual I purchased more than planned. Still all necessities just more of them. Managed to spend $656 today and nothing for "Show & Tell". What a drag.

Made it back in time for my chiropractor appointment. Getting better but still more adjustments to be made. No surprise there.

Actually, I'm looking forward to going to work tomorrow. No spending, no driving, just lifting and customer service. I know, I have strange preferences.

Chiropractor

It is a miracle. One visit to the Chiropractor and life is back to normal. Well, almost. Everything is relative.

Now that Labour Day is over the store is dead slow. So, taking the time to recover is not a major issue. I have another chiropractic appointment tomorrow so I should be well on the way to handle Thursday work day. At least, that is how I feel right now.

Kirk, being the dear man that he is, cut the grass for me. He didn't want me bouncing on the mower seat. Besides, I have been cooking up a storm trying out new treats on him. It is a larger version of pizza pockets. First batch met to his approval. I am making more since I ate the last one.

Anyway back to the chiropractor services. So far, this is one service here that is less costly than in North Carolina. Here it is $26. a visit in NC it was $40. a visit. Another miracle.

Hot Tub Died

To many this may not mean much.

To us, it is devastation. The hot tub was a necessity not a luxury. It was first and foremost physical therapy for Kirk due to his feet and legs swelling all the time. It was relaxation and a place to have some of our best conversations or disagreements. It is already missed greatly.

The motor sprang a leak to the point of no return. Repair is not an option since it is not an economical set up to start with. It is a very old system that runs all the time. Not like our tub we had in NC that had cycles and only heated when needed.

Our plans on a new tub are very high on our list. It is pushing us to redirect finances. This is not something we want to do and yet like everything else, you get use to having it you hate to have it taken away. To Kirk's displeasure he will have to use his noisy foot massage machine more often now.

I believe we are both physically falling apart.

Labour Day

Great intentions of labouring on labour day. There is grass to cut, house to clean, dogs to bath, laudry to wash, windows to clean, actually the list is endless. However, my back went out on me yesterday at work. I managed to make it through my 6 hour shift very carefully and slowly. Each movement was a challenge. Even getting into my truck to return home to immediate ice packs was pure pain.

This morning I got to test out Kirk's traction gadget. I've never really been sold on this thing but I was in enough pain, what have I got to lose. Ok, I have to admit I am feeling somewhat better now to the point that I will do this again this evening in hopes that I will be ready for work tomorrow. A visit to a chiropractor is next on my list of things to do.

In the mean time Kirk is labouring. He has to weld the frame of a large transport trailer by this evening. The tractor-trailer arrived on Saturday. It was raining. Can't weld in the rain. On Sunday, between other jobs that need to be completed he removed the very full and heavy tool box that was in the way of damaged area. The welding is taking place at this very moment.

My job is to find the person who is paying for this. The driver of the truck gave me a name and a phone number of the supposed owner of the truck which has nothing to do with name that is on the door of the truck?????
As Kirk says I worry too much.

FYI - Listening to the radio, Kirk informed me of all the places that are closed today. All. But, there is still garbage pickup and IGA is open. Go figure?