The Whirlwind of Summer

 Labour Day today. The last several weeks have flown by. The tops of the trees are turning yellow to signal a change coming. 

There have been a few gatherings with the kids and grandkid. Big meals to put together. Trying to line up everyones schedules and outside social lives is not easy. 

Kid #3 is away off again and will be home the end of October.  Our water and grocery bill will drop substantially! He put on 9 lbs since the end of March. Still wears the same size pants so its all muscle. The heavy manual labour, daily workouts and high protein meals did the trick. (He has been trying to gain weight for the last year) Needless to say I don't feel like eating or cooking chicken breasts for awhile!

Kid #2  Employed and self sufficient but makes me pull out my hair!

Kid #1 and spouse and grandbaby are doing great! I will be on grandma duty for daycare pick ups sometimes. So this week I'm going to do a couple runs.  Kid #1 had a car seat gifted to them that expires in 2 years that we will use. Thankfully as a car seat for a toddler is several $100's. Their 2 seats are over $500 each!! So this gift is very generous!

Things for free:  I also got a notice from one of the facilities that I retired from that I get a retirement gift of my choosing.  Mostly jewelry, watches, pictures, luggage, housewares etc. and a pressure washer.  I chose the pressure washer!  I am thrilled!  It should be here this week.  It's valued at $300. We used to use a friends to clean up the deck and outdoor furniture but he bought a huge one that doesn't travel easily. Our giant recycling compost bin for the city totally reeks! We spray it out with the garden hose, but it doesn't really blast all the stink out! I'm going to be blasting water everywhere for the next month! :)

This summer I was "gifted" boxes full of chaos from my parents that have all the family genealogy information for my dad's side.  After sorting through and recycling about half the paper (copious poorly photocopied duplicate papers) there are also pictures that date back to 1860's that are on tin!  Nothing was organized in any fashion so I have been putting the giant family puzzle together with pictures.  I always thought that I was 3rd generation Canadian. I'm actually 4th. The things you learn. I have found pictures of cousins that were veterans of WW1 that I was able to share with their immediate family so that was very nice. (I had only heard the name mentioned by my Grandma, but thanks to Google, Facebook and emails I found them)

My Mothers side has some Latter-Day Saints in it so I go back almost to Adam and Eve on that side! 

Today is quiet, the wind blew in forest fire smoke from somewhere. It looks like heavy fog and my eyes hurt.  Luckily we did plenty of walking earlier this week to enjoy the heat and flowers in a nearby park.

I love hydrangeas but don’t have a great spot for them in my yard. Found some beauties the other day!

The Good Things: warm weather, toddlers and bbq’s and my pension went up!

Things that suck: smoke, a blister on my toe, housing market.

Last Half of July

 Busy and not busy for the last while.  I continue to squirrel away my monthly pension into savings. This will go towards a house down payment, and life funds. IF there is ever a house.  I think that building will be our best bet.  That way I'm not going into a home that needs new counters/cabinets/flooring/paint and a yard that needs fencing/decking replaced.  There is a new development that they have just broke ground on that I think and hope will be the right area for us.  Its far away from the train tracks, good drainage, good work commute for dh and lots of park areas.  I anticipate this area ready to build on by next spring.  It's a lot later than I would like, but also gives us lots of time too. 

I've been all talk and no action for selling more things and listing some furniture on Marketplace. I think it's because I'm pretty discouraged about finding a new house. I really thought that we would find something and be planning a move by now. 

I haven't been on the ball for my investments. Well I try but when I went away for 3 days I lost access to my email. I was locked out. Not good. In that time a GIC came due and I was going to move it into a short term one, instead it slid into my savings account. So the 0.0something percent interest isn't really raking in in! On Monday I will have it changed when I talk to my investment guy.

I went away for a few days to visit a family member. Then we went to stay with friends that were camping. (Kinda camping as they have a huge camper we stayed in - it has a washer and dryer in it!) The hours of driving and not great sleep has caught up to me. I'm tired.

Today is a dull and cloudy day. No smoke which is lovely. The yard is happily doing its thing. The newest nieghbours are loud and obtrusive.  Friends of ours have neighbours that hire bands to play in their yard! If the music was good - I myself would enjoy it on my deck with a drink and a snack. They are just upset about the volume. (I'm Gen X - if I like the music - nothing is too loud).  We used to have a neighbour boy that would practice the drums with the windows open. He was actually awesome and played in a band. I would on purpose work outside to listen to him. I will take that over non-stop construction like I have now.

Speaking of music, my oldest added me to family Spotify. I LOVE IT! I have a couple nice speakers that dh won in golf tournaments that I can play all day. I think that I will need to get some headphones. That way I can be outside and try to drown out the unpleasant neighbours. I have some earbuds, but they hurt my ears. I need some soft ones. I should be able to find some at Winners. And I have a gift card! A friend of mine just became a grandma too, so I will get her a few "grandma gifts" like she did for me.  Just some little board books and toys when baby comes over to visit.

This is a surprise lily. As in I don't remember planting it! But its doing its thing. I had a big ornamental crab tree trimmed back a couple of years ago and the flowers around are getting much more sun now. Huge hostas and lamium that are growing like crazy.

The Good Things:

Savings continue

Gift Cards

Grandbaby that is a joy

Kids are all healthy and working 

Things that Suck:

The parental units that don't acknowledge that I even have 3 kids after 19 years

The parental units that exclude kid #3 from any $$ they give to my older ones. (Yes I have spoken to them and No they don't care)

Deciding what to cook. (Yes I meal plan - but I still need to come up with ideas!) Maybe some Greek flavours this week....

 

 

Blown Away

 The wind has been horrendous. The only good part is that it has blown the smoke away.  Today we're warming  up to 20 degrees I think and the sun is out.  The yard is greening up and is a nice haven when the gusts let up.

The search for a house remains. The "beautiful kitchen/quiet area/finished basement" requirements seem to be very elusive. Within the price rage that I'm comfortable seems to be the biggest constraint! 

The cooking and shuttle driving has come to an end this week. There were some last minute changes for the other family that had surgery earlier this week and I was not needed. Which was a relief.  There might be some babysitting duty, hopefully not too many days in a row as my back gets really sore. But whatever is needed. I have my Voltaren Rub :)

dh came back from his week away and was jet lagged for a few days. I stayed busy with the yard, cooking, cleaning and hockey playoffs!! :)  GO OILERS!!!

I have made a big "To Do" list that needs to happen to get this house on the market. Its a long one!  Yesterday I got 3 jobs off the list. I replaced the central vac outside air valve. I'm not a fan of heights but went up the ladder and switched the broken one out. Since I was climbing the ladder I moved it over a few feet and also did a rustolium paint job of the eaves where the garage heater is vented as over the years the heat has darkened it. Then dh replaced a broken window well cover and managed to step on and crush every perennial and shrub within 10 feet of the window. Got a cold air return vent cover ordered (dh broke the one in the living room).

I have a LOT of areas to prep for painting. 2 bathrooms where I put up floating shelves then dh broke them (are you sensing a trend here?) then I had to change the brackets and fill the old holes. I was too pissed off to paint them again, so I have left them. Now I get to do it.  The bathrooms are at least the same colour so I don't need to worry about that.  If there is a miracle and I have energy, the 3rd bedroom needs to be prepped and painted too.  But that will take me a week as there is a lot of sanding.  Dh can help with that at least.  I've decided that it will be the same colour as the bathrooms. So the same paint again. Saving me a bit of money. My family room fireplace wall needs painting as does my laundry area at the back door.  I will have to hire someone to do that.

This afternoon is a big Walmart shop.  I don't like anything about it except the prices. Sadly the Sobeys/Safeway are at least 20-40% more on everything.  There are a couple "Independent/Loblaws" but I can't seem to find or get everything I need. Ours has crappy produce as well.  There is one over by kid 2 that is nice, but I won't be over on that side of the city today.

This is one of my flowers. (Far away from the window well) 

The good things:

Everyone is on the mend

Kids 2&3 had crossover on their jobs so were able to go for a lunch together.

Grandbaby is a delight

Things that suck:

The parental units having health and memory issues.

I'm back at doing yoga and my back still isn't happy

This wind 

Cooking

 The last week has been a lot. Stress and worry.  Hospital and transportation of family having surgery. Happily all has gone well with the outcome. There has been lots of cooking. Big meals for them, plus the 3 of us. Enough for a leftover meal as well.  My first meal was a hamburger soup as planned that used up all my vegetables that were looking forlorn. Added some beef and cheddar sliders and a big bowl of fresh mixed berries.  I had a one day break as friends took a meal. Then I did a BBQ with roasted veg and a big salad.  Then friends stepped up again.  Today I'm doing cheesy meatloaf  x 2 with garlic mashed, steamed broccoli carrots and peas. (Again enough for 6 people and leftovers for 3).  There has been in fact ZERO help from the family on the other side. Not unexpected, but again disappointing.  

dh is away for a couple more days.  I did a little "me" shopping yesterday. I have given myself a rule that nothing new unless I've run out, or have worn it out. So a couple toiletries and a pair of capri pants on for 40% off.  (I outgrew the other ones and I refuse to wear "pinchy pants" anymore.)  Overall I've reduced my wardrobe by at least 1/3. I don't need my "business casual" clothes anymore. Or at least not all of them.  Somebody my size (and a size smaller than me - haha) will find a lot at the goodwill.  I also went through all of the closets - dh has lost 65 lbs and so many things are too big and many things also fit again.  So I'm only keeping what fits.  Kid 3 is quite particular now so I don't buy him anything unless he's there. There was a big purge of his stuff with me gaining a couple hoodies and t-shirts. That's my style now :) comfy. We gain a lot of sports team gear every year with kid 3. Not directly purchased but it came with the team fees. The last couple of years we haven't had to pay anything, so that has been great, but we still get a bunch of apparel. Some of his friends have played on 3-4 teams per year (getting traded) I can't imagine all of the stuff!  I'm lucky he's in the same place so far.

Last week dh helped me do a pantry refresh. I have a large corner pantry and it gets messed up easily it seems. I do compare myself to the Swedish chef when I'm in the kitchen. I excuse some of it because I don't have the hand strength anymore so after a lot of chopping/dicing I drop stuff, and I also cant reach up with my right arm above my head. So things get put/shoved where I can easily reach. And I'm easily distracted, so I forget what I was just doing!  BUT for the last week I've been very good about putting everything back in its place!  Maybe it's a new leaf??

Well I'm procrastinating. I need to water all of my planters and the lawn, then a trip to the pharmacy and the library, then start the meal.  

So glad that I'm not rushing home from work to do all of this!!

The Good Things: Improving health and just need to rehab.

Clean kitchen

Able to provide to others

Sunshine and no wind today

Things that Suck:

Some people

Next week more family needing surgery (ugh!) So I will add 2 extra servings to the meals for them.

Fuzz is in the Air

 Fuzz is flying everywhere today. The neighbourhood poplar trees are all letting go of their fluff. It looks like a snowstorm. Allergies are going to be in full swing now! So gross. 

A couple more houses to see this week starting today. I'm hoping to see something that doesn't need a ton of work before moving in.  The one today is painted top to bottom blue/grey. Hopefully it isn't as bad in person as it is in the pictures. The layout is great and so is the location. Always hard to tell from pictures. Paint is very fixable but adds another step and expense.  A friend is selling her home, and it is gorgeous! BUT so many stairs and a suite in the basement. I'm not wanting to be a landlord, or have a big reno to remove it. Somebody will be lucky though as it was constructed and planned with care. Friday we see a nice 2 story close to me that dh really likes. The yard is a disaster with a perimeter of cedars that someone has butchered with the pruning shears. That will be several thousands to remove and replace to keep privacy. But if it checks all the boxes, then it can be dealt with. 

I bought a bunch of bedding plants for my planters.  Weather has not been cooperative to getting them done. Or if I wasn't a big baby and could brave the wind and cold temps with occasional drizzle I could get them done. I'm just hoping for a bit of sunshine. Planters will come with us with a move.

Sold one more thing on FB market. So now my sales are $375. One more item left to go worth $10. So far no takers! I have a small wine rack that isn't ever going to be used that I should list too.  I love wine, but my skin rash and menopause don't.

These next 3 weeks are going to be quite hectic. dh leaves for work out of province on Monday and not back until Friday night. Lots of family medical needs. Lots of organizing/cleaning and purging to do here when not helping out. Plus tons of cooking to keep my hyena fed and will be delivering meals when family can't do their cooking.

The only savings to be had are that I am buying in bulk and meal planning. Attempting to make BIG meals that will work for all of us.  I also have saved all of our "take-home" containers from eating out, those are great to transport side dishes and I don't want them returned (after a cupboard cleanout there are a ton of them!). Haha meeting my purging goals at the same time!  I also have a few dollarama tin containers that I will use up. 

First meal for all on Friday will be a hamburger soup and buns. Weekend tbd. They will have the other side of their family there to help (I hope) and I will resume meals on Monday.  Thankfully with dh gone kid 3 can help out some evenings.

I better run and get todays meal in the oven. (Oven baked chicken breasts and rice with broccoli and cheese) Then to see the house. Then to drop off some stuff for kid 1. Then to try and have a sleep before a very long day tomorrow.

The Good Things: A full fridge and pantry. Retired and able to help when I'm needed.

Things that suck: insomnia and menopause.

Oh and by the way I don't publish rude annon remarks. "LOLZ" to you too. Really, why do you need to be rude? The syntax is very revealing and it should be beneath you.

Toodles!

Spring has sprung and the wind is blowing.

 It has not been a great spring yet. There was only one day of rain in April and now all there has been is wind. An east wind blew down the hockey net out front. That has only happened once since 2002 with wind that direction.  Good thing I have it chained down so it only moved a few feet.

The garage sale was OK. Lots of people were looking for furniture and tools. I had none of that. I did get rid of several boxes of things. I gave a lot away too.

I sold 3 items now on FB marketplace. Made $325 so far. (Such a pain dealing with scammers and weirdo's to find normal people looking to buy)

I'm tired. (Which could be the title of every blog post I make.) But I have had very poor sleeps for the last few weeks. Running on 4-5 hours of sleep per night isn't enough. I don't like taking sedation, but I think I have to tonight. 

House hunting is daunting. We saw 4 homes on the weekend. The one that we would have put in an offer on already has a conditional sale. Today we look at another after dh is done work. It looks ok in the pictures. I'm not too hyped up on the location, dh is. So I will give it a chance. There is a presentation of offers on this one in a couple days.

We had an appointment at the bank yesterday to see about a mortgage. Young man, we knew many of the same people. Kid 3 is friends with many people he knows. The fellow was not really that helpful. We wanted some numbers. The scenario that we are buying first and then selling, down payment options, open rates so that we would do the balloon down payment when this house sells. Rates/options/terms. He wasn't doing anything without our credit scores.  OK. "Can you give us a ballpark?" - No I need your paystubs. My dh has been banking there for 20 years! He was literally looking at dh's accounts as he said this. Seriously. I hate banks.

So an online calculator it is then.

No wonder I'm not sleeping.

Kid 3 is working like crazy. Last week was 56 hours. Overtime plus he's doing a few hours at the place he worked last year.  Its like feeding a hyena I would think the comparison is. I am cooking like crazy these days. We are always out of something.  If I had any energy I would clean the pantry and lazy susan. That might help my organization. My freezer is clean and organized, so there's that. I am menu planning, so that helps quite a bit. He takes leftovers for  a big lunch the next day as the job is very labour intensive. High protein and lots of veg and fruit. Then somehow he has energy for 4x week training. Starting a new gym today with more flexible hours.

Next week family is having surgery. Then in 3 weeks another family having surgery.  I need to make some freezer meals. I will be the driver for appointments and the babysitter for sis in law's little one. dh has a week long conference and flies out in 2 weeks. 

Second verse same as the first - No wonder I'm not sleeping. 

The Good Things: Buying a house is OPTIONAL at this point.

I have the time (thanks retirement) and the $ (thanks savings) to help others.

Grandbaby is a delight and into everything.

Things that Suck:

The stress that comes with change.

Monday Evening

 Its early early evening, not even, but it will be by the time I publish.  I didn't sleep well last night. I've been awake since 4 so it feels like 10 pm. I haven't done a yoga session for over a week and I notice it.

The weekend was very busy. Family gathering on the man's side. It was a bit of a fiasco, they always are these days. I stay on the perimeter and observe. People that don't have hobbies like to create drama is what I have determined.

I had a great time with my 3 kids, dil and grandbaby. This is going to be a very busy summer on the go for them! Baby is on the run now and into everything.

Election day today. I voted. The lineup was 0 at my polling station. I did see the list and there were more people that had voted than not. (Your name is crossed out once your ID is verified). I doubt that my riding will change from conservative as I'm in the prairies. But this riding did flip for the provincial election so I have a glimmer of hope. #neverpoilievre! I just can't stand him. He gives me the creeps. If you have never had the misfortune of knowing a guy like him count yourself lucky. 

I have started listing stuff for sale on FB marketplace. So far I have made $50 for 1 dress.  There is a dance costume that my friend wants to buy and I have a couple more dresses that I am going to list as well. I have a bunch of sweaters that I used to wear to work as a "uniform".  I'm going to hang up a bunch when I have the garage sale and hopefully make a few $$.  Purses that I don't use at all can go too. They are nice leather ones that should sell.

Kid #2's car was vandalized at his worksite while he was out of town on the job. It's going to be $750 for the insurance repair. Not covered by his employer. Caught on camera an adult sized person on a bike with a shovel at 2:30 am. He doesn't even have coffee money in the console. It was just to be a horrible human.  So now there is that to deal with. The police have less than zero interest in a punk on a bike wrecking cars. Very disheartening. My kid has been working really hard to get ahead and now this.  Of course its going to be me helping him. It's always something it seems. 

On a kind of nicer note: before Easter/on Easter I always miss my grandma. I really missed her this year for some reason. Heart ache and tears missing her. I would give anything to walk into her kitchen and see her smile and her arms open wide for me. Well (here is the nice part) a plant that I bought as a little wee thing last year - because gram used to grow one in her kitchen. Mine bloomed for the first time the day after my tears. It lifted me up for the last week to see that little bloom.  Silly I know, but it was a good thing.

The Good Things:

Little flower

Cash for cleaning closet

Sunshine

I've read 20 books in 2025 with #21 waiting for me to start

Kid 3 loving the job

Things that Suck:

Family drama (for once not mine)

The loon in office to the south

The potential maple maga in office

It's been so dry that dust is blowing all over.