So sometimes even the calmness of the lake is not enough to sooth the pain in ones head.  This is what I awoke with this morning, and still two hours to medication time.
  I did take in about three minutes off hockey last night, talk about timing.  I saw all three goals, live on hockey night in Canada!  I guess if you are a L.A. fan you are happy this morning, only three more wins to go.
  I waited for Susan's call last night, she ended up working thirty five minutes of overtime.  When she called, I found out she has to work seven in a row.  This is due to staff shortages, and my next Dr.'s appointment.  Great!  There is a possibility that one of her co-workers, might take her seventh shift.  But the jury is still out on this one.
  I also talked with my buddy Donald yesterday afternoon, to see what time he was going to arrive.  I also found out his plans had changed.  Hopefully he will be up this afternoon.  I guess there will be no morning coffee with Donald.
  Other neighbour's are slowly arriving back.  So it's not that I am alone up here, there is always someone to say high to, or just sit and have a short visit with.
   Boots tried the blanket game on me this morning and somehow in his own confusion he managed to trap himself.  All I heard was this sick meow, like help me now!  All I could do was laugh at him as I unwrapped the blankets.  Needless to say he has been fed and is now asleep at my side totally worn out.  I guess it is my turn for guard duty this morning, headache and all.
  Today on my walk I will probably bring the lawn mower back with me and cut my postage stamp piece of grass, headache permitting.  And then this afternoon I will take it back to Donald's where I can discuss the progress I have made thus far on Building the Simple life.............................

  Today the love of my life has to return to the big city, and her day job.  Susan has really spoiled me for the last couple of days.  You know, cooking, cleaning, deck building, etc..  Even to the point of the chores of helping me to look after Mr. Boots.  Oh well, Susan will be leaving around nine am.  So things will get back to normal around here.  Boots will only have one person to watch over, life will be less confusing for him.  Susan tends to spoil him, I tend to make him have more self control.
  No we did not finish with the deck.  Yes we did get to sit on the the top of it!  The outer perimeter is all secured and in place.  Now all I have to do is finish securing all the top boards in place.  I should be able to put in a few screws a day, as long as my headaches will allow this.  Anyways, once again Susan has come through and done a wonderful job!  No wonder she has been loosing so much weight.  Keep up the good work.
  Later today my buddy "Donald" and "Darlene" are supposed to be back up to the lake.  I would imagine they are staying until sometime on Sunday.  So tomorrow morning, I would imagine our morning "coffee" ritual will start again.  Somehow it's not quite the same if I go down by myself, not sure why?  Must have something with breaking ones normal routine.
  When Susan get's back to work today, she will have her next schedule.  So when I talk to her later tonight, she will be able to tell me when her next days off are and when she will arrive back at the lake.  Hopefully I will have finished my part of the deck project (securing the top boards).  This will have completed all the lake projects that we had been planning on.  For now and for the future!  So now all Susan and I have to do is sit back and enjoy each others company when we are up here together.
  So now on the news the other night.  They (the news) reported about a study that there is a direct link between healthy happy people, and the amount of green space that surounds them.  Seemingly people that spend time at the lake/park have refreshed minds verses people that do not.  People that live in larger lot areas with more green spaces, tend to take less sick days, better attendance at schools etc.  Now they are not sure if it is because of less noise pollution, or because of the colour green, or more oxygen, or bird sounds etc..  Just that more study was needed, and that these were the results thus far.  I found it interesting, in the way my headaches seem to be more manageable at the lake than back at the city!  Go figure.. I could have saved them some money on their study!
  So while Susan is away at work, I will plug away at putting deck screws in.  It is about time that she actually gets to have days off when she gets up here, love you Sue!!!!  I will also watch boots as he entertains me, and of course we will take our walks to relax my mind.  Then I can finally put my feet up on the new deck, (Susan when she gets here) and start that new list of things to be done at home.   This is for the next leg of our journey to Building the Simple life.............................

  So finally the neurologists office called, I should be expecting a letter in the mail soon, in regards to getting results from my last "EEG".  Hopefully this will mean I will get the recommendation I need.  I have been waiting for this appointment so I can hopefully get this final recommendation to get at least my  class 5 drivers licence back.  This will also give me an opportunity to discuss other medical options in regard to my constant headaches.  I am at the point of trying other medicines and options as the ones I am on do not seem to let me carry on any normal daily routine.
  Well Boots had a very busy day yesterday.  Especially after Susan and I finished unpacking the pick-up.  Susan and I spent most of the day working on our new yard project and so Boots had to spend most of his day helping get in the way.
   It seems our ten foot by eighteen foot deck is a bit small for her liking.  After a bit of discussion it now will grow by an additional six by eighteen feet.  Now the first deck we completed in one long day, keep in mind this was a few years ago (pre brain injury).  Yesterday we managed to frame up the outside edges and have them level with the original deck.  Hmmm, this could take a while!  Hopefully today, the rest of the deck joists and hangers will get installed.  Then it will be ready for the deck boards.  Oh well, how does that saying go?  Rome wasn't built in a day!
  So today I will spend helping Susan by holding boards for her.  Possibly doing some cutting, or not.  Definitely giving her lots of advice.  I will try and not wear her out to much, as she has to leave to go back to the big city for her day job tomorrow morning.  I will probably have to finish putting in most of the top screws in the deck boards at my leisure pace.  But, "God" willing Susan and I should be able to sit back and relax on the new deck extension this evening,  count our blessings and concentrate on the next steps towards Building the Simple life......................

  Good morning from God's country,  I'm back!  Yes complete with my personal headache.  Yesterday at the last second I decided I should participate in Susan's little trek home.  So I took the day and helped her cut the grass before she went to work at Cosco.  Plus I finished the last load of laundry and finished packing the pick-up.  When Susan got home from work all she had to do was exchange vehicles, and then we were on our way back up to the lake.  Upon our arrival we were greeted by Boots, with the suggestion that we were one hour late for his first supper feeding time.
  Today is definitely going to be spent on leisure time.  My headache level has soared to one of it's worst levels since I first hurt myself.  Even Boots left me alone for an extra hour this morning.  Today he is guarding the queen and myself at the same time.  I would call myself the king but I think that title has been reserved for Boots, "long live the king".  my attempt at some morning humour.  
  Anyways no rain here yet, I think I am going to go and lie down.  Today I will leave the thinking and planing to Susan as she steers us towards Building the Simple life.........................

  Boots has been fed and has a total fascination with one of his observation points this morning!  I first noticed this new fascination yesterday.  Was there a new bird in his view, perhaps a new cat or dog.  Maybe we have a squirrel in the trees.  Every time he would jump up to the back of the couch he would suddenly crouch down as if he was getting ready to attack something.  Well this morning after his first breakfast I finally figured it out.  Yesterday Morning Susan put a new table cloth on our picnic table.  As I raised the blinds there was Boots on the back of the couch.  As soon as he saw it he crouched down.  I looked and realized, oh yes, that is different.  Out there in the morning light even I could see the the difference the new table cloth made.  I wonder how long this will take him to get used to it?
  Once Susan get's mobile, she will be off to the big city for her job at Cosco.  I believe she plans on bringing the pick-up back on her return trip full with the final load of things that we plan on leaving up here for the storage shed.  Today is going to be a long day for her.
  So far this week end has been one of the quietest that I can remember.  My good friend Donald left for home, yesterday afternoon.  He had cousins arrive from Alberta, so decided to go home and possibly take in the stock car races.  So that just leaves Susan and I, and one other couple up here in our area.
  So today while Susan makes the big treck back and forth to the big city to put her day of work in, I think I will try and keep life simple.  Maybe I will play a couple of holes of golf, spend some time on walks with Boots, or just practice sitting back at Building the Simple life.................

  Good morning from "God's Country"!  It's daylight in the swamp, the birds are singing, Boots has been fed his first breakfast and is now in one of his observation towers.  He believes he has such an important function to perform here at the lake.  He also feels that if I go outside, he should go outside.  If I go for a walk, he should also go for a walk.  Like I have said in the past, he acts more like a dog than a cat.  Oh oh he (Boots) must have done to much work this morning he has already assumed the position of guarding the Queen (Susan).  This is were Boots has a nap against her legs while I try and jot down my thoughts on this lap-top.

  Yesterday Donald and I went into Spiritwood to do some shopping.  Yes Matt/ Elaine that was  "moi" doing the honking drive by while you were working in your yard!!  Still have to have some humour for my headache every morning to try and keep my sanity.

  While I was off on my big adventure with Donald, Susans work had called and asked if she would change her next days off.  So early tomorrow morning she will go back to the big city for one day of  work and then return to the lake that evening.  I may return with her as it is for only a five hour shift, and in that way I may be able to help her with some of the yard wok at home (cut the grass).  This way Susan will be able to return to the lake sooner to continue on her next set of days off.

  Yesterday I managed to cut a small patch of grass here at the lake, but was not able to try and go golfing. Not sure what are on our plans for today.  Probably try and rest up so I can try and handle the trip down to home and back plus help with the mowing of the lawn.  Oh yes, I will have to go for at least a few short walks with Boots, as my advance guard making sure there are no birds or whatever laying in ambush..   Seriously this is quit procedure to see.  First thing he does when we go out the door, he rolls in the dry dirt under the fifth wheel.  This is to put on his camouflage gear, I put on my walking shoes.  I stand up and say are you ready to go.  He steps up to the deck looks around, I step off the deck.  He checks to see which direction I have taken, and then proceeds accordingly.  If I change direction he changes direction.  He frequently looks over his shoulder to make sure that I am not lost.  As the science Guy would say "thats simply amazing".

  As you can tell by now, Boots has a personality of his own and has the ability to keep every one he comes in contact with amused.  Today Susan I will spend most of our time on the deck, or  possibly take a couple of trips through the park.  Just to see if any old friends might be up for the weekend.  Maybe this just might be an excuse for us to enjoy each others company.  These are just some of the processes one must go through, as we work together Building the Simple life............................. 

 

  Boots has once again resumed his duties of guarding the queen!  Susan has returned to the lake.  He seems quite proud of this transformation in his responsibilities, but he still expects me, to be responsible for the duties of maintaining his food supplies, go figure.
  I managed to get through the afternoon, looking after Noah.  He is such a good little boy.  It is not something I would want to do on a regular basis, as it took its toll on my headache.  Just one of those things that is hard for me to cope with now.  Before Cindy left for home, Susan had arrived at the lake groceries in hand.  Cindy then took Noah down to show him the lake, where his daddy used to go camping and swimming.  She also stopped by and picked up Darlene, thus saving Donald a drive to the big city and back.
  Yesterday the electrician was in to do some more wiring on our section of the campground.  Now we just have to wait for Sask. power to come and do the transfer over to the 200 amp meter.  Followed by the return visit of the electrician to separate us (campground) into two 100 amp panels.  Hopefully this work will happen today.
  The sun is supposed to shine for a few more days.  So after coffee with Donald, depending on my headache.  I may attempt to hit a few golf balls, or just see what else the day might bring.  One could also cut some grass later this afternoon.  Oh yes, there still is the mater of finishing of in the storage compartment. (basement I believe some people call it)  Finish vacuuming it and decide what Susan and I might like to store in there.  It has nice access to our outdoor deck.  So things like, bar-b-que utensils, out-door cooler/fridge etc.. you get the picture.
  One more job I would like to undertake with Susan's help this summer is to get a can of expanding spray foam.  This is to be used where the landing gear goes through the underbelly of the fifth wheel.  there are slight gaps along the edge of this space, and sealing it would prevent bees, hornet's from using it as an access point for building a nest.  It is already sealed from the rest of the unit and the landing gear is stationary at that point.  I guess the designers did not expect people to park these fifth wheels in one spot for any extended period time.  But for us the cost per square foot is cheaper than building a cabin.  And if you do want to travel, well you have the option to hook up and go.  Though for Susan and I, we are more than content to come to our little peace of paradise.  This gives us plenty of time to sit back, smell the roses, make our plans for the day, enjoy each others company, and work together at Building the Simple life..................  

  Well today is the dawn of a new day, so far no rain!  No I have still not lost my headache, it still persists.  I am waiting on medication time to get things back under control.
  Boots is totally confused.  I was up before him, fed him his first breakfast, had my shower!  A complete role reversal, I got to bug him instead.  Now he is sitting on the bed not quite sure what to do with himself.  This will be my new strategy, to keep him off balance.  I will have to figure out something new for him tomorrow, he he.
  So I did try and watch a bit of hockey last night.  I ended up having to watch the sports news to see who was going to be playing L.A. for the Stanley Cup.  Congratulations to the Devils.  I finally figured out why I do not like the new format (the way the NHL plays hockey).  They are trying to imitate a pro NFL game.  No, seriously strap hockey skates on football players and that is what you get.  I believe they have done this to draw the U.S. audience into the N.H.L..  Because once again that is where the money is at.  We have lost the fast fluid motion of give and take and made it a different game.  One that sadly was a part of our heritage as Canadians.  Is this a bad thing?  I believe, time will prove that on this account, I will be proven write!  Hockey used to be, with it's bumps and grinds, hits and checks, explosive passes and speed, keeping it onside, just like poetry in motion, a Canadian tradition.  I am surprised Don Cherry (Grapes) has nothing to say about that...
  Today I have volunteered to look after a friend's grandson (Noah).  This is so she can attend a service for her friend Perl, that is being held here at the lake today.  It will be only for an hour or so.  When I have been around her grandson, in the past he seems to be such a good little boy.  Hopefully my hour goes well.
  No other major projects on the horizon for today.  I am just going to try and keep things simple until Susan arrives at supper time.  Then we shall just get caught up on the last few days, and start some more plans and goals on our way to Building the Simple life...................

  Well it looks like today is starting off where yesterday ended,  minus the wind.  This is a good think, thus I do not have to get out there and water the trees.  Especially Mikkel's special tree.  Yes it has been raining that hard.  Any more rain and I am afraid that they might soon all start to float away.
  Boots is a bit disappointed this morning with me.  I believe he was of the opinion that I was going to buy into his game of cover infiltration that he had performed on Susan yesterday.  But I was ready, a quick fold and he was trapped!  This did not make him very happy.  After several minutes I let him escape, he did not return to try the game again.  Tomorrow I am sure he will have a new Infiltration procedure to experiment with, time will tell.
  Yesterday I managed to finish the plumbing underneath the rig, so now if the rain stops, I can vacuum and decide (with Susan's help, guidance) what will get stored there.  Men are only allowed to think they know what they are doing and saying.  This is the sign of a successful man.  Probably the first good thing from a concussion, or perhaps I already knew that, but do not remember, who knows.. I will have to check with Susan first.  Ha, ha, my morning humour trying to survive until medication time.
  I must be really falling apart, what type of a "CANUCK" Canadian am I?  Who's in the Stanley cup finals?  I really do not watch much television since my head injury.  I have not enjoyed hockey since my head injury, or was it when they changed some of the rules.  Well such as the red line!  this really changed the composure of the game.  Has this led to more head injuries?  I just do not know.  Does the league keep stats on such things, or is this information not important enough in their quest for the bottom line.  Any ways I do not enjoy watching the game as much, it is hard for me to explain.  Anyways enough said on this topic, other than I will try and take in a bit of the final games if my headaches will allow it.
  Boots has just been rewarded with his second breakfast of the morning, so his pouting has ended.  Yes he get's two!  Something my Daughter and son-in-law started as their workout schedule and work start times are a couple of hours apart.  He has now returned to his normal duties of patrol and guarding.  Poor lonely fellow, the gust's of wind yesterday kept disturbing his beauty rest, totally throwing his sleep schedule out ow whack.  This did not throw his eating times out of his routine though.
  So for today I have a few dishes to do, prepare some meals and if the rain stops long enough I will walk over to the laundry mat and do a load of laundry.  Oh yes, and at least go once for coffee with my good friend Donald.  Perhaps this morning the coffee shop topic may be on the prospect of building the latest version of building "Noha's Arch".  The rest of my day I think I will spend on resting, dusting and planing the next stages at Building the Simple life.....................

  Susan spent an extra night at the lake with me!!  So it was up a little earlier for her, and she has just departed for the big city and her job at Cosco.  I will miss her until her return, Thursday at suppertime.
  Susan had the privilege of observing Boots' usual routine at the lake this morning.  When we tried to spend an extra five minutes in bed together, he was like a drill sergeant, he went under the blankets attacking our feet until we got out of bed.  Who needs an alarm clock when we have Boots on patrol?
  We went and had supper with some friends at the local restaurant last night, after which I cut some grass.  It needed to be done.  One less project for today.  All in all it was a great weekend.  I managed to keep things fairly simple, thus my headaches did not get to overwhelming.  It seems like the calming effect of being up here helps manage the severity of my headaches.
  Donald and Darlene are up for the balance of this week so I figure it will be coffee time as soon as the Lark restaurant opens up at eight-thirty.  This has been a ritual for Donald and I for as long as I can remember.  If there is a coffee shop handy and we are both around, well you know the "rest of the story".
  I noticed with the north east breeze blowing that a couple of tree branches are just touching the edge of the fifth wheel.  So later today with Donald's help (he has the step ladder) I will trim them back, a five minute job.  This is something we do every year as we are set amongst the trees.  Love the shade but do not need a hole worn in the fibreglass siding.  It is just the new growth that we trim back so it is always soft and short and would not do any damage.  This is a quick and easy way to keep it this way.
  Out with the old and in with the newer.  Neighbours behind us did the big exchange yesterday, so the landscape really looked different for a short period of time.  Especially with the empty lot, until the new unit rolled.  It looks good in there.
  Today I think I will try my hand, after coffee at replacing those two shut off valves.  I already have the access panel cut-out done, and ready to be re-installed.  This will definitely make life less complicated in the fall for the winterization process.  I know it may seem to many that, "hey" summer has just barely begun, but I have to take things at a slow pace or my head feels like it is ready to blow off!  So I try and get these small jobs done, a little here a little there.  Just another way I can help Susan, so we can be successful at Building the Simple life........................

  Susan has made it back to the lake, even if it was only for one night!  Seems like I got my wires crossed again!  Oh well life will go on.
  Some how we managed to miss out on smores last night.  Instead we stayed in and played sherades.  You know the game where you act something out without talking and you try guessing what the answer is.  Anyways I think my grandsons won this game.
  I had a great time out on the golf course withe my son in law yesterday.  The weather cooperated, and it turned out to be a fabulous day.
  Boots has been fed this morning and has resumed his normal patrol duties bouncing from one window to the next in the bedroom, with one exception.  He has to make a pit stop to check on Susan complete with a "meow" to assure himself that she is ok.
  After breakfast today we plan on having a fire, we must have those camp fire cookies, as my grandson's leave for their trip back to alberta later this morning.  I think there will also be a birthday celebration at my sons campsite today, it's Brianna's birthday (grand-daughter).  Happy birthday Brianna!!
  I have noticed that boots spends more time guarding at Susans window than at mine.  I wonder what he is trying to tell me?  These are one of life's mysterious questions, that will never seem to get answered as we go along in our day to day lives.  Just thinking out loud here this morning.
  So it looks like I will have a fairly busy morning, and then the good-byes will start as the farthest to drive will be the first to depart, until it is just Boots and I left here again.  I have other friends who will be up here for at least another week, so lets hope the weather cooperates for them.  For me, rain or shine, it does not matter much any more as I try to be successful at Building the Simple life..........................

  Boots was up early this morning, must have something to do with the birds.  They seemed to be going at it earlier than normal.  I know Boots has assumed his perch in the bedroom window.  Seems like there is a lot of activity going on this morning.  His head keeps snapping from side to side.  Oh well I guess this is what good guard cats do.  Though he acts more like a dog than a cat.  

  When he was first rescued at the lake he used to spend his early days with "Reno".  As you might have already guessed a dog, wrapped up in his blanket.  A beautiful collie that has since passed away, that everyone loved.  Karen, "Reno's" master used to come out of her trailer to feed him (Reno) and there always seemed to be something for this starving kitten (Boots), that her dog had adopted.  As a matter of fact, there seemed to be something for all the kittens of the neighbourhood.  We never have a mice problem here!  My point to this little story is you can see how Boots became confused as to who he is!  Cat or dog.  Some humour as the dawn slowly breaks, and Boots seems to be back guarding me.

  A few accomplishments yesterday, my youngest grandson Mikkel, his dad and myself planted a tree in our yard.  Now this was Mikkel's special tree he brought from alberta for this occasion!  It had to go in just the right spot, you know!  Considerations had to be made for the future deck expansion, proper shade and privacy in the future.  We needed a tape measure (measuring tape).  It was quite an exiting time for all.  I gave my Son a hand at fixing a small water leak.  Finished the day off with polish dogs and a movie, "YOGI BEAR".  Needless to say I think I was the first one to sleep.

  Some plans for today might include a couple of rounds of mini golf.  I know my son in law brought his golf clubs so he would love to do 18 on the big course, so we should try and make that a priority for him sometime today.  I would also like to take some time to visit my sons friends for a half hour or so as I only had time to basically say hello good by yesterday.  Sounds like a busy schedule, but when you camp and live this close to one another a lot can get accomplished in short order.

  Supper tonight will be burgers and salad.  Looking forward to Susan's arrival at the lake so she can enjoy a camp fire, and camp fire cookies.  This is what my grandson's call them.  I believe other people call them "smores".  Then we can all sit around the camp fire together.  Thus enjoying the process of Building the Simple Life................

  Boots and I have guests for this long weekend.  Last minute decision, and now my grandsons are here sleeping.  So are my oldest daughter and son-in-law!
  Boots has had his first breakfast, and has done a crazy dance this morning.  Upon further inspection I realized it has stopped raining outside.  So perhaps he has had enough sleep, and may want to continue his outside patrol duties.  It appears that we will see a bit of sun today as the night sky's are slowly giving way to blue ones.  Yes, here comes the sun!
  Could be a busy couple of days as Boots and I have guests to entertain, but I have discovered in the past it is easier to do this on my own turf.  Always less stressful at home and not as hard on ones head.
  A couple of projects to work on this weekend should get accomplished.  One being the changing over of two bypass valves.  These are to facilitate the winterization of the fifth wheel in the fall.  The old ones still allowed fluids to seep past and were not cost effective.  Then the reinstall of the wall with the new access panel.  Should be able to get this accomplished tomorrow.  It will be all hands on deck so to speak, and then will only take a couple of hours to accomplish.  I love it when my kids come to visit, I can put them to work.
  I can hear some noises happening in the boys sleeping area (foot of mom & dads bed) .  I should check because it might be time to go and build a tent or something, because this is also part of Building the Simple life.......................

  Later today the peace and serenity here (village of Shell lake) shall slowly start to disappear.  This is a result of our population swelling as city folks escaping from the south come to open up their cabins and their seasonal sites.  The majority of Canadians consider the May long weekend the start of the summer season, and the beginning of September (long weekend) the end of summer.  This is their time to escape the hectic city life for the tranquility of what, I call God's country!
  So all the weekends, from now until the beginning of september, when the children return to school, will be busy at the lake.  During the months of July and August it will also remain fairly busy, as the children are out of school for summer vacation.  We are very fortunate to be located a half mile from the beach, just outside the park gates, as we are in the Village.  Things remain calmer here, and I can walk to all amenities.
  Boots has been fed this morning first breakfast.  Seems like he is starting off where he left off yesterday,  extremely lazy.  He has been very neglectful on his patrol duties, as I can tell from my window that there are numerous robins in his yard.  Perhaps I am feeding him to much Nicole!  He has been sleeping a lot and having his usual dreams (talks in his sleep).  Anyways he is back in never never land!
  Yesterday ended up to be an extremely lazy day.  The rain did not last long, I went for several walks, did not do laundry.  Someone had decided it was time to use all the machines to do their spring cleaning for their cabin, you know bedding etc..  So I decided I would be there for ten am when the doors open this morning and do my one load.  I also bought some tree fertilizer, which I ground into a powder and worked into the soil around the newly planted trees.  Plus I watered the little guys..
  Whats on my to do list for today?  Lets see I could play welcome wagon host... depends who arrives today.  My buddy "Donald" arrives later this afternoon!   Oh lets not forget laundry at ten, a must do.  I will water the little guys (trees) this will be done rain or shine all summer.  I will fit in several walks today, even if a couple of them are only just walking over to see Donald.
  My son and his wife will be up tomorrow morning to finish setting up their site.  I do not think they have much to do.  I believe they just have to hook up their water line (hose) and test for leaks on the toilet install.  A quick vacuum, the rest was done last weekend when they were up for the day trip.  So the rest of their time will be spent on some much needed rest and relaxation.  They have good friends coming up to spend the weekend with them.  Looking forward to seeing them as well, should be great to see everyone again.
  Susan should arrive after her shift on Sunday an then she does not have to leave to return to work until tuesday, as she has a later start that day.  Me I"ll just be watering the little guys and contemplating life as I sit back and slowly work at Building the Simple life..................
   

  The start of a new day and I am still at the lake.  My best friend for life, Susan my wife, determined that the lake was doing such wonders for me that I should remain here and she would look after the fridge herself.
  Now it's early in the morning and boots has decided that I should put myself on "KP" duty before he starts his morning patrols.  Now that this morning service duty has been performed boots has done his morning patrol.  There is a lot of stimulating sounds this morning with the odd sprinkle of rain hitting the roof of the fifth wheel, and the robins singing in code.  This tends to drive the poor fellow (Boots) almost insane!
  Yesterday before Susan set off for home we managed to plant three evergreen trees along one side of our yard.  This will helps define our space, provide a bit more privacy next to the alley.  Then at certain times of the year, after they have grown a bit more, they will provide shade from the late afternoon sun.
  I  checked out a couple of more holes on the golf course yesterday.  To see what other improvements the course workers might have done.  And yes there were a few.  I even tried to hit a few balls while I was out there, it was not pretty!
  So what is on my agenda for today?  Well after checking the weather, it is supposed to stop raining and slowly have some sunny breaks.  It has already stopped raining, perhaps the weather man will be partially wright.  I might go for another walk in the park, sit on the deck, watch the grass grow, or watch boots on patrol in our yard!  Have a nap or two or three it's hard to tell.  In there some where, will be a couple of meals.  I know Boots will not let me forget that part of the day.  He already knows which door is his treats/food is stored behind.  Oh, yes and today may be a good day to go and do a load of laundry because as you can see I have not planed to much on my daily planner...  Just bit of humour for the day.
  I sure hope Susan has good luck with the fridge exchange today and all goes well.  So I am off to the shower (no hot-tub at the lake) and then breakfast to get the day rolling, and that is how we start at the lake by Building the Simple life......................      

  Sun seems to come up earlier at the lake.  Boots is perched up in his lookout in the closet.  If you can believe the weather man it is supposed to reach plus twenty six today.  Should be a good day to take stock with Susan and figure out what, if anything I might have to bring up on friday when I return with Donald.
  With a more relaxed atmosphere up here the severity of my headaches have subsided somewhat.  This has made the last couple of days a bit more tolerable.  Even Susan said she had noticed a bit of improvement.  At least if you do not get it done today there is always tomorrow attitude that seems to prevail up here.  One that I never fully appreciated before.  And one that I am slowly starting to learn how to deal with and appreciate now.
  So what is on the plan for today you might ask?  Well sometime later today we have to make the trip back home, so we can deal with the removal and instillation of the new replacement fridge.  Maybe have a meal or two up here and fill in the blanks with Building the Simple life..............

  Susan and Boots arrived at the lake early this morning!!  Susan is napping.  I tried couple of holes of golf, mainly to check out some of the improvement's to the golf course.  The guys have done a great job.  Lots of work still to be done, but as the saying goes Rome was not built in a day.
  I have spent the last couple of days resting, and slowly setting up our yard for the summer season.  Not much left to do, just odds and ends, as the saying goes.  Boots has discovered his old perch up in the bedroom closet where he can survey the entire fifth wheel, as well as keep an eye on our-out door deck.  You never know who, or what may enter his yard!  Anyways I think I might just go and relax (this helps to reduce the intensity of my headache) and do some planing for this afternoon's schedule on Building the Simple life.............

  Well it's early morning Boots is on patrol and has been fed.  I am going to try and finish getting myself ready for the lake .  Not much left to do. Just a few simple things I hope and then all I have to do is wait for Donald to come over.  We have to stop by his house first, load up his fifth wheel hitch, then back to my place to finish packing up my gear.  Then it will be off to "God's Country" as I like to call it!!
  Boots will have to make his morning patrols on his own, Oh my God!  I just remembered I left him in the garage!  Boy is he ever giving me messages on his "Reconnoitring mission".  Or perhaps it's something else he is trying to tell me!  Who knows.  I do not speak "cat" very well...
  I guess I will leave the lap top at home for Susan as the object of me going to the lake is to sit/lay on the deck and do nothing at all this weekend.  So if you do not hear from me until sometime on Tuesday do not be to disappointed! (Stan).  I am sure there will be other forms of mischief I can get myself into.  Such as you might ask?  Campfires,  the odd cool aid, etc..........     etc'''''
  Anyways all joking aside.  I plan on taking the weekend to try and clear my head (lower my headache level).  Keep things very simple.  Take long walks in the park, perhaps try and play a couple of holes of golf, whatever my head will allow.  Just trying to keep it simple until Susan's arrival on Tuesday as I practice a slower pace at Building the Simple life...............

  Another setback, yesterday I had to much visual stimulus of the brain!  Boy am I paying for it now.  Way to much TV at one time, more than ten minutes.  Tried watching a movie.  I will not do that experiment again.  Not for a long time, if ever.  One does not know if one does not try right?  Oh well I shall chock this up to another lesson well learned.
  Some of you might be wondering what "Boots" is up to this morning.  He filled his belly and feels it's his duty to have a short nap before he gets right into his patrols this morning.  In other words he went into guarding my right flank.  The first break in his usual routine of a patrol first and then guarding my flank.  I believe he thinks a change up was in order to confuse his enemies....
  The other day I bought a spool of nylon line to replace the original line on the weed eater that Susan and I bought some thirty-five plus years ago.  It should be interesting to see if I can figure out if I can figure out how to re-spool the line onto it.  A twenty minute job you say.  Watch me take four or five hours to accomplish this task.  This, if I am having a good day.
  I was talking with my daughter Jennifer yesterday, via Skype.  In regards to how I feel about people in general and how they treat the elderly.  You know no patients, courtesy, respect and dignity.  She agreed it is a reel problem with her generation.  I asked her well how do we solve this?  Because I do not see this attitude coming from her brother or sister or some or there friends.  Her response was it was how we were raised.  She responded, that the now generation (this will be easier said than done) will have to focus on their children, and the people around them not their cell phones!  You know the person in the line up holding everyone up?  Can I take your order sir/mam holds their finger up one moment please while they continue to talk for what seems like an eternity...  So they get put aside and the next person gets help.  You know the people I am talking about me first and I do not care who I stomp on.  They see nothing wrong with what they are doing.  I see this on my walks.  I try to observe and remember these things.  They seem to be the same people that have no respect for people that are elderly a little slower than themselves. They like to give people the number one salute with there middle finger (road rage I think they call it).  Here I go getting all wound up, making my headache worse!  I need to step back and breathe.  I know I feel very passionate about this and I am very sure I will be talking about this with my family and friends some more.  So I am sure this will lead to some more discussions on my blog..
  Well it's time to make some more plans for my try to do list for today.  Fold the rest of the clothes that were washed from Susan's trip to Calgary.  Towels to put away.  Measure those last two pieces of gyproc.  Finish packing myself up for the lake.  Load sum stuff in the pick up for Susan when she comes up to meet me at the lake on Tuesday morning.
    What's been accomplished on my old lists dishes put away, check.  Laundry done and brought up, check.  Towels folded, check.  See if I can find my old list, I seem to have misplaced it.  That's the other thing that goes, went, gone, with this head injury is my memory.
  It probably was not Boots decision to change his routine.  It was my memory.  I just observed I had not put his collar on!  Collar is on and he has now gone back to his normal routine, silly me...
  Such is life, or so I have been told.  It is almost medication time ( thank God).  The sun is up, almost time to hit the hot-tub with the love of my life  and make our plans today for Building the Simple life............

  Alarm bells and sirens are still going off in my head!!  It's such an interesting life.  Boots has done his first patrol and is now taking his first rest duty stop.  The first of many beside me.  He figures he must protect my right flank for some reason.....  The storm trooper is back on patrol, should have called him thumper, not boots, he walks with such authority.  "Look at me" as he walks through the house on his patrol, stopping briefly at each window.  Before again taking up his flanking position at my side.  This process will be repeated many times as I try to put my thoughts down here this morning.
  This morning Susan and I plan on going to the big city to do some shopping for groceries for home and the lake.  I can catch a ride up with my friend Donald on Saturday, as he is going to the lake for the day.  Then Susan can join me on Tuesday morning for her two days off.
  I will have to return on Wednesday evening with her as her replacement fridge is to be exchanged Thursday morning.  Now according to the appliance manufacture, the outlet where we bought the fridge was to make arrangements to install the new fridge, water lines, unpacking etc. and removal of the old fridge etc. no cost to us.  This is not happening!  All they are doing is dropping off the new fridge and taking the old one away.  The rest is up to us!  This fridge has been the nightmare from "Hell"..  Now normally this would not have bothered us to much as I am sure Susan could easily turn off a water supply and do a disconnect.  And then repeat the process to install the new fridge.  She's done it once already with a little help from me.  But this takes time and she has to work later that morning so if there are any delays, you get the picture, it would be helpful if I was home.
  Now my other point on this matter is that customer service from the factory was great to deal with.  It has been the service provided by the company that sold us the appliance that sucks.  Through this whole experience I have found them less than honest.  Once they had our money it was always someone else down the food chain, and not their problem!  Like why are you bothering us attitude....  The experience just sucked, raised my stress level, and did nothing to help alleviate my headaches!
  I  think what I am experiencing are things that the elderly must come across every day.  Well, just think about it for a minute.  Since I have been hurt this is a perception I have, of the way people look at me, and or, take advantage of me.  Yes I am getting older!  But I never thought of myself as part of the older generation!  Until sometime after my injury, not sure exactly when.  I just know I do.  I have always treated the elderly with "dignity" and "respect", it was how I was raised!!  Thanks Mom and Dad!!!  What I am trying to say, is that with my injury, it has become more difficult to stand up and express myself in our fast society.  This is also another cultural issue that we have to "fix".
  Yesterday with the help of modern technology, and my daughter "jennifer" I managed to find the drain plug on my honda lawn mower.. there is not one.  It drains out the same hole it goes in, go figure.  Learn something everyday.  Thanks Jen..
  Almost medication time, sorry about the ranting this morning.  It seems like I have a lot to get off my chest the past while.  Relaxation time in the hot-tub is coming soon this will help.  One must let go of the past which takes many small steps before you can honestly start Building the Simple life.............

  Ok, so it's early morning and my body guard has just been fed!  Boot's (the cat) is now sitting besides me making sure no one get's his claimed spot on the couch.  It looks like this may become our morning ritual.
  Yesterday I managed to figure out why the lawn mower kept surging.  This is probably why I have had such a bad headache all night, and am still waiting of medication time to roll around this morning.
  Not sure what small projects, if any I might try and tackle today.  Right now just trying to get some clarity in my head.  Most days are like this.  Just some days are worse than others.  Unfortunately this is starting to be one of those other days.  One hour to medication time and counting.
   Today I think I will get Susan to move the pick-up back to the front driveway. This is so I can load it on the weekend, or whenever.  Also, if I am up to it the lawn mower blade could use a sharpening, and the oil should be drained.  This way it will be ready for the new oil to be put in when we pick it up on Thursday.
  Oh, and my body guard has move to one of his look out positions.  He is making sure no bird's, mice, cat's, dog's, or the dreaded jack rabbit has infiltrated his yard.  This will never do!  A lot has changed in the neighbourhood since he was on patrol last summer... Ha Ha..
  I hear stirring of noise down the hall, so does my body guard!!  Does this mean Susan has awakened from her beauty rest?  I guess not, Boots has come back alone.  Soon it will be medication time, then Susan and I will go out to be in the hot-tub to observe "Boots" on patrol....  Boots always knows how to bring smiles to our faces!  We will have some much needed relaxation time.  We will also set out our plans for today, and discuss how to keep our goals and options uncomplicated as we work together to  Building the Simple life................

  Small steps for today.  Susan's day off just became short lived.  A quick trip to the grocery store in town here.  One of the girl's at work, her basement has flooded!  Plans can change.  A quick breakfast and then off to work.
  My day shall resume with the annual spring tune up of the lawn mower, which I might have done last fall (probably not).  Nope, started but did not finish!  So I shall slowly make progress on this today before I have to buy a goat.  There is also one last spring ritual outside, uncover the air compressor housing for the central air conditioning.  This consists of removing its custom made cover and folding it up and storing it until fall, when it again will be put to good use.  The things and equipment it takes to run a household.  To store and protect ones investment, especially with the extreme temperatures one experiences in the prairies of  Oh Canada!.....Oh well that will be another story.  For now I am back to trying to concentrate on getting this lawn mower going,  just another step in Building the Simple life................

  I am back!  Hectic weekend, such as it was crowds of people and all.  I will never be able to handle a week to the coast this summer.  I was going to go to my nieces wedding.  It just will not happen for me.  This is my decision.  The pain is not worth the results.  One step forward, six steps back.  I hope my decision does not disappoint to many people, but I have to live in my mind.  Anyways enough said on that..
  A lot to talk about today and this week, a lot to catch up on!!!!!  You must have heard about several professional athletes that have committed suicide recently?  All purposely have avoided damaging their brains.  As they had donated them for research for post traumatic concussions!!!!!!!
  I had a conversation with one of my daughters this weekend.  Did you know the brain does not multi- task!  Seriously!  It has now been proven that the brain is only capable of doing one thing at a time...  I repeat "one" thing at a time!!  Yes I was very sceptical too.  It does these things very fast., and switches sides and alternates. but still does them one at a time.When we think we are doing two things at a time such as talking and walking for example it is a memory function that is cutting in that is doing the walking and allowing us to continue with new thought processes to continue our conversation.  So when I am having trouble vacuuming (multitasking as I put it) my brain is having trouble trying to find new travel routes from my memory to get the process done.  Made sense to me.  That is why my headaches get worse as I take on more activities or try and have more stimulus in my day to day life..   Finally something I can wrap my head around and understand.  Thank-you Nicole!!!
  Like I said I have a lot to talk about.  Some where I was reading or saw, not sure which now.  After a concussion one should avoid shock/trauma to the brain.  This must be strictly adhered to until all post traumatic concussion like symptoms are gone.  So what does W.C.B. do to me?  They send me to a place called CBI.  I thought this stood for Canadian brain institute, Wrong!  I was to later learn it stood for Canadian Back Institute?????   What does a brain injury have to do with a back institute, you might ask?  We are not totally sure but when I asks the Neurologist and my Dr. they were not sure but advised me to go as compensation may cut my benefits if I did not go.  Besides it might be nice to get to be paid to go work out at the gym.  While at CBI they iniated a program of me rapidly shaking my head yes and then rapidly shaking my head no!!!...... when I complained of this and several other mind and reading exercises that were making my headaches worse they threatened me with a cab to the hospital.  which I had already been down that road before.  there is nothing they can do for a headache for concussion, other than rest.  I am already on enough meds.  When my Md. returned from vacation, he told me to stop the head shacking exercise and any exercise mental or physical that was making my headaches worse, CBI did not seem to pleased with my attitude.  However my headache level lowered, which in turn I believe allowed my medication to partially work.  I also believe that some of the trauma I experienced at CBI is partially responsible for my prolonged recovery.
  This is due to lack of understanding of concussions in the medical field as a whole.  This goes right back to WCB for the lets hurry up and get workers back to work no mater what the costs.  Now possibly my brain may have permanent damage as is showing up in athletes donated brains.  The quality of one's life, not even being able to travel without pain, to enjoy a family wedding,   Like where does this end.
  Do not feel sorry for me I am not suicidal!!!  Just frustrated and pissed off at the system.......  lets fix it!!!  As you can tell by God it must be his medication time and it is...  So I am of for med's and some hot-tub time and some planing for Building the Simple life

  Susan is home and life must go on!  Guess what, she has brought us a house guest home.  His name is "Boot's".    Things have been very hectic.  Tomorrow will be spent catching up on my blog, as my lap top has returned from Alberta!!!  Also Susan has some shopping to catch up on in the afternoon.  Followed by a Dr.'s appointment.  If this sun keeps shining like this I will have to try my hand at giving the lawn mower it's spring tune-up and start the annual grass cutting of the yard.

  It's gorgeous outside!  Now if I could only get half of that feeling inside of my head........  My "Boom Box" is going full throttle this morning and I still have a couple of hours until medication time.
  You know the most important part of our body is the brain!  And we know the least about it.  Why is it mankind always goes about things backwards?
  This day has only started and I feel like I am already done in.  Maybe to many changes in the weather this past while are not helping things, I do not know.  A few simple things to help Susan with this morning before she gets ready to go, but for now I am going to rest and just think about Building the Simple life..........

  Still windy and raining outside!!  I might have to put plan "B" into operation this morning.  Plan "B" you say,  yes that is when I walk on the tread-mill downstairs.  Other than that things will remain much the same.   There's my medication to take and then when Susan awakens from her beauty rest we will be out to the hot-tub for a bit of relaxation time.  Then it will be off to the big city for stops at "Home Depot" and "Safeway" (pick-up my prescription).  We also have plans to meet some friends for coffee before returning home later this morning.
  After we arrive back home there will be the last minute details to be worked out for Susan's trip to Calgary.  This is so she can meet her parent's as they are going to be there for a week.  These details I am sure will include what laundry might still be needed to be done, any clothes that might have to be packed, etc..
  My job will be to make sure every thing gets ready to go at the back door.  So when she get's home from work tonight, I can pack up the car for her and all she has to worry about is sleep.  This way all Susan has to do in the morning is shower and have breakfast.  Thus giving her an early start and then happy trail's to Calgary...
  Only two small boards left to measure, mark and cut out of the gyproc.  Susan managed to get the other ones up with my help. I married an amazing woman!!  If I can get my head wrapped around this concept  of measuring and drawing I could possibly have the last two ready to cut by the time Susan returns from Calgary.
  Back home and I just realized we still need to put the pick-up away in the back garage.  Last thing to be done before Susan leaves for work.  Good to have my pick-up parked inside, just in case we get some severe weather while she is gone.  I cannot drive on the street's yet to park it in the back garage (no licence)!  Pick-up is put away and Susan is off to work.
  Let's see, I have put the load of laundry on as requested, check.  Went for a short afternoon walk, check. (did not have to use plan"B"rain stopped).  Clothes are in the dryer, check.  Suit cases to the back door, check.
  Looks like I have done enough planning for today!  So I try and remember to keep it simple, relaxed, slow and easy.  So far for me this has been the only way of having any measure of success of easing my headaches.  That is why this was one of the reasons Susan and I came up with the decision to Building the Simple life...........

  I am going to try and draw some more lines this morning!  Susan was off to work early this morning.  She has one of the opening shift's, plus has to train a new employee on cleaning the ice-cream machine.
  I guess I will try and do some more measuring, followed by line drawing on the gyproc.  Possibly I can accomplish some cutting on my own.  Then when Susan gets home from work we could possibly put up some gyproc in the bathroom.  Another job slated for this morning is to go for my morning walk and check for the mail.  I will do this right after breakfast.
  Head does not seem to be functioning well this morning!  look at the time.... It's medication and breakfast time!!!!  Just arrived home from my morning walk, no mail again this morning, a good sign no bills!  Lets see, a short rest and I will see if I can manage some more measuring and drawing.  I just knew this would come in handy one day.  Go figure.  What one learns in school, we can now put it into practice in our day to day lives.
  Went out for lunch with Donald.  We drove by Cliff and Trish's and had a look at the outside of their new camper trailer.  Should be good great for them up at their lake, for their quiet get away times.  Got home in time to say let the rains begin!!
  Well a couple of more lines to measure and draw and then one more ticket item can be checked off of my to do list.  Hopefully my head can hold in there for a while longer, we will see.
  No more line drawing for today or measuring!!  Just tried reading what I had been writing about.  Not doing a good job!  These simple projects of Susan and mine are going to take a little bit longer to accomplish, than I had hoped for.  So just try and be patient with us.  As we have to slow down the pace a little bit more.  This so I can try and keep my sanity, while we are trying to accomplish, Building the Simple life................