A lot of small jobs were accomplished yesterday!  We finished up with some levelling of the dirt that the village finally moved.  They were going to haul it away and I suggested that they try and fill in some low spots.  Which I finished levelling and raked out.  Threw some grass seed over and quickly packed over with the golf cart.  We shall see if any seed will come up in the spring.
  In fact, yesterday went so well Susan and I spent a good deal of time touring down through the park.  Visited with some friends, stopped at the beach, checked out the lake, and toured through the village one last time.  If if wasn't for the absence of leaves and campers in the park, one would have sworn it was July!  It was that kind of day!  Afterwards we washed and finished cleaning the golf cart one last time for this season.
  Today things will be packed into the carriage house for there resting place for the winter season, not to be disturbed until the doors are re-opened next spring!  We will also start putting the things that are  packed up boxes into the car for their journey home, just leaving room for the air compressor and tools that are needed for the final day of shut down.
  Things are progressing very rapidly and efficiently, so in all likelihood we could be ready to go home today.  But I believe Susan has not had enough opportunity to enjoy enough time here this summer, so why rush things!
  Late this afternoon we will join some friends for the annual fall supper being held at the Lions hall.  From all reports it is supposed to be a very good meal.  Donald and Darlene will be leaving for home right after, as they have to return to work tomorrow.  Donald has to be up at 3am. to do his early morning run!  Me, I'll just think how lucky he is to be able to still go to work!
  So will we return to the city tomorrow or Tuesday?  Well it will be Tuesday for sure, Susan has us booked for appointments at 3pm.  So I guess our only dilemma will be the weather, closing up with some rain possible or sun, such a question when one is Building the Simple life................

  Susan arrived at supper time last night, and then took me out to the lark restaurant!  We decided to save the soup for today.

  Derek and I finished up with the winterizing of his place, while Michele and Tiffany put on the last coat of paint.  Somehow in-between the work, they managed to make brunch.  Derek cooked the chops, dogs, and potatoes.  Which included mini blueberry pancakes, toast, fruit, grilled pork chops, potatoes, and hotdogs! Just cleaning out the fridge, making sure there were no leftovers to take home!  After which hugs were given, especially to Tiffany.  She was catching a plane later that day back to Kelowna BC, and I will not see her again until Christmas!  All in all, I believe we had a great time.  A very short time, but still a great time to finish off the camping season, for Derek and some of his family. Hopefully next year there will be more opportunities to spend some more time with every one...

  Today it is back to the list's, yes I said list's!!!  Only three sleeps left here, so I have four list's started.  One for each day.  Possibly I shall get them done sooner than expected, this would be a bonus.  Or would it?  Would this mean we would go home a day earlier?  Probably not.  But it sure would be nice to be prepared.

  Susan and I heard Donald and Darlene pull into the village early yesterday evening.  They are also shutting down for the season this weekend.  I would imagine Donald will be by to pick me up for coffee this morning.  We only have today and tomorrow for this seasonal ritual, and then this will also be done for this neck of the woods until next spring!  Talk about great timing this year, both of us doing our final close up's virtually at the same time.  And it's the annual Fall supper on Sunday!  Yes, all four of us are going.  We are told by the local people just make sure you bring your appetites!

  Today we shall start working on Saturday's list, and I am sure a few items will get done off of the next days list's as well.  Somehow life has thrown us curves, but we adapt and continue on!  For Susan and I we make list's, (especially me) to keep things simple.  That way I can remember what got done, what still needs to be done, and so on.  This is one of our solutions to Building the Simple life...................

  A new day is about to begin in God's country!  For some, like my Son and his family this is the day they say good-by until next year.  For me and Susan there are four sleeps to go!  This morning after an early breakfast, time spent blowing out his water lines, and then loading his golf cart.  I believe Tiffany and Michele are putting one final coat of paint on in the bedroom first thing this morning.  This should allow it plenty of time to air out inside over the next couple of days.  Provided I remember to close up the vent's before I leave Dodge!  There I just added it to my revised list, it will get done.  LOL!!!!
  Today is the day the love of my life returns, to help in celebrating the closing of one season to the next.  What to have for supper?  There that is settled, one quick phone call to someone you love (Susan).  She was getting ready for work, and poof!!  Supper plans are all laid out for us.  Soup it shall be, Potatoes with vegetables and onions added to the mix!
  After the kid's head for home, depending on the time I shall join the golf game in progress.  Possibly on the back nine.  Then who knows, depending on the time, I might finish up with the front nine last.
  There are a lot of small projects still on the go here, that all seem to have to come together at the same time.  Something like baking a cake I suppose.  All the ingredients are there, just nothing is done until it all comes out of the oven.
  Anyways that is kinda how the next four days or so are going to be for me.  I just hope I don't have any major problems (burn the cake).  At least I will have Susan here to help me through any dilemma.  Just in case one should arise, getting through this stage of Building the Simple life........................

  Thirty- eight years ago today, I was off to work!  Later that day, early evening as I recall.  The love of my life was to walk down the isle of the Lutheran Church, to stand at my side to say I do!  This is one memory that God has allowed me to retain, burned forever in my memory bank.  For this I shall always feel humble and grateful!
  Thirty-eight years later brings us to present day, I phone Susan to wish her happy anniversary, only to have her beat me to the punch, by her answering the phone "happy anniversary", she got me again!  But I still love her more, times infinity, plus infinity, times infinity.  A game we always played, and then passed on to our children, as they were growing up.  And to this day, through thick and thin, the good, the bad, and the not so pretty, Susan has been my inspiration to keep us motivated.  We may be apart tonight, one more sleep.  Then the love of my life will be back to join me in God's Country!
  Talking about sleeps, the count down has begun for me.  "5" sleeps and then the summer season will be officially over for us.  Our lists are basically prepared, what should get done on what day.  Perhaps I will revisit the "LIST" on Friday after Derek's family heads back to the big city.  This way I will have unpacked what I have asked Derek to bring up for me.  It will also give me a better understanding of how things are fitting in storage here, and if I might have to do any reorganizing.  Hopefully all my preplanning and measuring will have payed off!  But this is one brain function that I cannot really trust since my accident.  So we just hope and pray, perhaps God willing I will get lucky!
  This morning I will be off to the golf course, to join with some friends.  Hopefully bang some golf balls around.  When my Son arrives, his Wife Michele is going to text me, at which point I will join them back here.
  So in closing today Susan and I are always asked how have you to lasted so long together.  Marriage is not a 50-50 partnership.  It is a 100-100% commitment!  So if one day one of you does not give it a true 100% your spouse is there to give it that little bit extra, when you are having an off day.  And believe me everyone can have an off day!  After all only God is perfect, right?  Sounds simple, and has worked for us.  This was one of our major decisions to Building the Simple life.............................

  Good morning from God's Country!  I just checked the revised long range weather forecast, and if things do not change we will finish up here tuesday morning.  This means six more sleeps, as our grandsons would say.
  Yesterday I revised my to do list, and was able to check some more things off.  Today I shall revisit the "list" and itemize things to which days the should be done on.  Certain things have to be done in a chronological order, otherwise they might not all fit when they go away.  Also if Susan and I decide to come up for a day, or spend a night this winter, this would allow us to do so.
  Our neighbours Dave and Justina arrived yesterday afternoon, so they could also start their shutdown process for the winter.  I believe today they are taking their pontoon boat out so the parks can finish removing the docks for the winter.  Then there is the golf tournament on Saturday for charity and a Fall supper on Sunday.  Susan and I are looking forward to the fall supper on Sunday, in past years we were on the road or one of us was working.  Not this year!  Talk about a great way to finish off a great summer season.  We met new friends,  First year Susan's ever been paid to be on holidays.  Self employed people do not get holiday pay, you don't work.  You don't get paid!
  We managed to get just about everything organized at the lake.  Well to the point where it will be just small manageable projects from here on in.  Then to finish it off with a fall supper celebration, well that's the creme de la creme!  And that's what this summer has been about Building the Simple life..........................

  The count down has begun!  Susan phoned me with her schedule last night.  Six sleeps, if we try and stretch it to seven, then the weather has rain in the forecast on the eighth day.  We could stretch it into seven sleeps if need be, but then we run the risk of closing up with rain.  Susan does have the extra time off from work, and after we have everything all packed up and ready to go, if it's to late in the day we could sleep here.  That would just leave putting the electrical hookup away, shutting off the gas, and locking the door.
  Friday will be my last day for golf here at the lake for this season, I am just realizing that there is only four days left to golf this year!  Holy cow, the summer season is coming to a close very fast!
  It's time to go and make myself some breakfast, and then head outside and then make one last attempt at the last bit of yard work around my transplanted trees.  One last section of grass to water for Ed and I.  Then his water hose and sprinkler can be drained and stored for the winter.  This I have on my list of things to do, so I will not forget!  Anyways, I am off to get my day started.  So I can maintain my pace as slow as it may seem, at Building the Simple life.......................

  Today Susan has friends arriving here to join us for breakfast at the "LARK" restaurant!  They want to check out the area to see what Susan has been talking about, all summer.  From what I understand they to have a camper, and are up in this area for the day to check out what we have going on up here.
  After breakfast, Susan has some packing to do and then she will be off to the big city as she has to be back to work for one-thirty this afternoon.  Myself I will start packing boxes, thank God there are not many.  You know, some caned goods and things that I would not want to leave up here over winter.  After tonight Susan should have her next schedule, and I will be able to determine what type of time schedule I have to work with.  Then I can start my official count down to "Shut Down"!  This could be six days from now, or as I am hoping as long as ten days from now!  It will all depend on how Susan's day's off play out before Thanks Giving!  And I know every thing has to be done here, and I will be home when the kid's arrive.
  Later today I have another "T" time at eleven, not sure who all will be there, perhaps I will do a round by myself.  The forecast is for another gorgeous day.  At this time of year we take every moment outdoors as a blessing, especially when one is in short sleeve weather!  Perhaps this afternoon I will concentrate on some cleaning, as I pack up some boxes for the trip home.  Thanks to my neighbour Ed, I will not have to cut the grass that last time and rake leaves!  One big job checked off of my list of things to do this fall, thanks again Ed!
  You know as one slowly winds down one season putting things away, checking them off his list.  He is already mentally preparing a list, (in my case writing it down) for the next season for opening up of things that will make it easier the next year.  For example, in our case let's use the bottle jacks to level the fifth wheel, and install the new stabilizer jacks between the axles before we put out the slides.  Saves trying to work underneath the slides, and will probably save us hours of work struggling on our bellies!!!  Just some planning ahead!
  Our son Derek, his wife Michele, and oldest daughter Tiffany should arrive Wednesday night.  They have some work to do on their fifth wheel, for their annual shutdown.  So I shall spend some time with them.  They will be returning home Friday afternoon so Tiffany can catch her plane back to Kelowna BC to resume her studies there.  They will be arriving with a load on the pick up for myself and some supplies of wood for themselves.  So Thursday will all be about getting things stored away for me and them and then, friday morning Derek and I can load up their Golf cart for it's return journey home.
  Wow it sure looks like a busy week ahead as everybody tries and get ready for old man winter!  Me, I just keep plugging along, at trying to keep Building the Simple life......................

  Such a clear sky out there this morning!  And still no frost on the neighbours awning.  In past years we have already had frozen water hoses that we would have to drag into the sunshine to thaw out so we could, again hook up and have running water once again.
  Donald and I went for coffee yesterday morning, and then went for a tour through the park.  I was amazed at the amount of campers, that were still up and about.  Some were here for the fall golfing, some for the hunting season, and some were here to enjoy the fall fishing or just to get away from the big city one last time.
  Today after coffee, I will once again make an attempt at this game they call golf!  I think Susan is going to pack up some food and perishables, etc., that will not survive the winter.  When I return from my round of golf I will finish unloading the car and store the things that will remain here.  Then I can start putting things in the car, up with items to go home.
  Later this afternoon we can spend some quality time at the back of our yard, the only sunny spot this time of year.  Glasses of wine in hand, fine tuning our list for the lake.  Then we can have a toast for Susan's birthday and our success thus far at Building the Simple life.............................

  It's shaping up to be one of the best days ever!  Why you might ask?  Well for starters the love of my life will arrive around supper time, the weather man is calling for a bright sunny plus 20 degree day, and I already have a belated birthday supper planed for Susan!!  Not bad for a man with a sore back, a bad knee, and a terrible headache!  My early morning sense of humour trying to cheer me up, before my med's start to do their thing.
  So what did I get accomplished yesterday?  Let's see, just a bunch of small things off of my list.  Ed helped me put the picnic table up onto the deck for the winter.  The fire pit is now empty and stored for the winter.  Wheel covers are put away and stored for the winter.  I have some things to pack up and send home with Susan, after this weekend.  The rest of my list will be things I need to do during the final week and the last day of our stay, here at the lake!  This I will prepare for once I know Susan's next schedule.
  I heard Donald arrive last night, so I guess he will want to go for coffee this morning.  So I should go and get myself ready, this way I can catch him up on what has been happening up here, and he can tell me what has been transpiring back at home.  After all this form of communication, is also very important in making decisions on Building the Simple life.......................

  As nearly as I can calculate things out, I am down to two and a half weeks until things will be closed up for the winter!  Somehow this does not seem quite right!  The weather has been just fabulous, where did summer go?  What's wrong with my memory, did I sleep through the whole season?  Was I under some evil hypnotic spell?  Is this a sign of the aging process, when you tend to forget so much?  I know we have been visited, and my implant has malfunctioned!  This leads me back to my conspiracy theory that the government (big brother) is watching, and has lost control of my system!! hahahah... Well, I am waiting for my med's to start working.

  I did manage to get a round and a bit of golf in yesterday.  Had a terrible score, but had an awesome time!  The weather was fantastic, I thought it was summer time!  In fact if it wasn't for the changing leaves, it was probably the best day I remembered for the entire season.

  Every day it seems like I get some small project accomplished, and then try and get at least one round of golf in.  Today will be no exception.  This morning right after breakfast, I shall dump and flush the sewers.  While I am doing this I shall empty the fire pit, clean and store it, plus spread the ashes across the lawn.  If there are any large cinders left I shall remove them from the lawn and add them to Derek and Michel's fire pit.  As they plan on having one or two more fires during their close up weekend!

  Hopefully this weather will continue for the duration of my shutdown here in God's Country, one does not seem so rushed about getting things done.  This makes it a lot easier on my mind and help keep the stress levels to minimum, thus lower headache levels.  This in it's self is a blessing in disguise. Perhaps this is God's way of rewarding me of some good deeds I performed in my past life!  Who knows for sure?  But thank you, Lord just the same, "Amen"!

  So later this morning with another great day shaping up outside my window I will attempt another round of golf where I get some peace of mind, and will think about the next thing to do at Building the Simple life..........................

  Good morning to all!   Many things to try and accomplish today.  My number one priority is to try and not forget to phone Susan, it's her "BIRTHDAY".  So,  "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN".  Now that the whole world knows, I do not recall how young she really is!  This is one time it is a good time to have some memory loss from a brain injury. LOL!  My small sense of humour showing it's self this morning.. 

  Brian said he would be by early this morning to run me out to the highway so I could pick up some gas for my golf cart.  When I checked the fuel level yesterday, apparently we have gone through more this season, than I had anticipated.  Then it will be fill up the cart, and then off to the links for a round of golf.

  This afternoon I must finish with the watering of the trees, and then some more hoses can go away for the winter.  Also if there is time I will empty our fire pit, and store it away for the winter.  Perhaps later today, I may feel up to another round of golf!  Maybe I'll just get some small things accomplished around here.  After all it's all the small things, that add up to big accomplishments at Building the Simple life.................

  Where is the time slipping away to?  I was just looking at dates on the calendar and in twenty-three days or so, our family will be sitting down for our "Canadian Thanks Giving Supper".  This means that I will have less than three weeks to be completely done and closed up at the lake for the season!  Where does the time go?
  Yesterday I managed to get a round of golf in, today I pay the price!  Waiting for my med's to take hold, soon I hope.  Replanted two trees, which did not take long.  This might have taken one hour with numerous breaks.
  This past Saturday our new neighbours poured their pad for the new garage, yesterday they returned and poured the footings for the house/office late in the afternoon.  I believe they still would like to get some of the cabin footings poured before the heavy frost comes.  Possibly for three or four cabins.
  Today I will again attempt another round of golf!  I also have some trees to water in, and put fall fertilizer on all of them.  I just want to prepare them for old man winter, and get them ready for a good head start at next spring.  Which reminds me, when I was cleaning in the back garage at home I found some outdoor flower pots that we used to put out on the deck at home.  I should ask Susan to go and have a look at them, if she likes them she could put them in the car and bring them up to the lake for next year.  Susan has always been talking about having flower pots on the deck.  Why give, or throw these out.  Only to replace them next year?  Just thinking out loud, I kinda do that a lot lately!
  The rest of my day I will slowly try to keep ahead of mother nature, at Building the Simple life...............

  Yesterday turned out to be a great day, plus sixteen celsius!  The sun was warm, with the hint of a slight breeze in the fall air, a fabulous day.  Today they are forecasting plus eighteen for the high temp.
  Yesterday being a dry day, Susan and I managed to do a small repair on Derek and Michel's awning, and put it into it's travel/stored position.  This will be one less job for them to do when they come up at the end of the month.  For us it has been just relaxing and tidying up loose ends, things that do not really need to be done, but look better if they are done.  One less thing to worry about, or clean up in the spring.
  Susan got an update from our daughter Nicole in Calgary.  Apparently Mr Boots (the cat) is back to wearing the cone of shame, as Nicole calls it!  He had a run in with a cat in his neighbourhood, and now has an infection on his ear.  So he must wear this contraption to keep him from licking off his medication.  I call it the cone of silence!  Crazy cat!  Now he just sits and stares out the window! Waiting for the day when he can once again run free, and patrol his territory!!
  Susan has to leave for the big city around ten this morning.  She has to stop at home to get ready for her job in the city.  Me, I have a T-time with a group of us at eleven-0-four for today and we have the remainder of the week booked as well!  Today's forecast is for sunshine, and a temp of sixteen degrees Celsius at eleven.  So lets hope this holds true.  This afternoon if things go as planed, I will get my two trees transplanted.  Then I can check a couple more things off of my list that need to be done, at Building the Simple life.........................

  The start of another work week, sun is up, and still no frost in God's Country!  This is Susan's last full day here of rest, so I shall wait until she is awake to see what is in her plans for today.  I know some where in there will be a run out to the highway to refill one propane bottle.  Perhaps we shall take a short tour of the other side of the lake, just to see if there was any new construction this past year.
  It is also that time of year to thing of any tree transplanting one might have in mind, and I have two trees that did not survive the stress of the summer.  I may address this situation this week, as we have found a couple of trees that need rescuing.  This, before the mowers come and do there thing next spring, and a good time to transplant is in the fall.
  Hopefully golf will be on my agenda again this morning, they are calling for a warming trend!  Let's hope the weather man (person) is right!
  When watching the news last night, they reported that Canadians went back in droves to the NHL after the strike lockout because it's our game. in fact more fans than ever attended the games after the lockout!  well I was not one of them!  Perhaps they got new fans because I know a lot of people who do not turn on their tv's or go to NHL games that did attend before!  I wonder If it was all about establishing a new market base, the hell with the old fans.  We need a new fan base to expand and make more money than ever!  Why do you think, they made the rule changes they did, was it to improve the game?  I think not, it was to make the game appealing to a different fan base.  Could these new players play with the old rules, yes some could.  But there are not enough players in the league, to have as many teams as the NHL wants out there.  Then there would not be what is it three, four billion dollars they are fighting about how to divide up this time around.
  So Canada it's time to wake up and smell the coffee, tea, hot chocolate, roses, or whatever you prefer in the morning!  Make your statement, take back your game, Just simply boycott the NHL!
  Susan is awake now, so it is pow-wow time to make plans for the day!  First will be breakfast, and what follows after that will definitely all be part of Building the Simple life....................

  Good morning from God's Country!  The days are getting shorter, and I am faced with many dilemmas for the day.  Do I golf, watch football?  Which league, CFL or NFL?  We all know now that there will probably not be an NHL season any time soon!  Maybe we could just cancel winter.  You know, just jump right from Christmas and New years right into May!  All this fighting over such a foolish thing as money, billions of dollars.  But in the end when you are dead and buried, rich or poor, foolish or smart, you are still dead.

  So after this head injury, Susan and I have learned the difference between "WANTS" and "NEEDS"!  Talk about God giving us a wake up call!  People still give us side ways looks, just kinda what do you think you are doing?  We have come to terms with the fact that we do not need the big fancy house, cars,  boats,  trucks, or all the rest of the toys that, we were trying to accumulated in our lifetime.

  We now know that happiness is not out there with accumulated wealth, but with the time we get to spend with each other!  It may be just some quiet time together as I listen to the clicking of the key pad as Susan plays her game on the computer.  A walk in the park, or a golf cart ride for those longer excursions.  Sitting around a fall campfire, listening to the crackling of the flames and watching the stars overhead.  Or just sitting at home and hearing her voice as she tells me about her day at work as I serve her supper.  Now that's what "LIFE" is really about!  Oh and for those true Canadian hockey fans forget about the NHL it's all controlled by the US any ways!  Go to your local arenas support the kids, cheer them on, they have concession's.  OK they might not serve alcohol but I thought you wanted to watch hockey!!!!!  Remember you could always bring a thermos of hot chocolate when you were young and the whole family could get in for free.  So get out and support the local kids, you might have a good time and it will not cost you five or six hundred dollars for a game.....

  Anyways it is definitely sunny out today, so headache and all...  Golf is getting my vote for Building the Simple life.......................... 

  Kinda late at getting started with this today.  Left early from home this morning rather than last night, this due to my headache!  So by the time we arrived in God's Country and were settled in, it was breakfast time.  Then one thing led to another and there you have it.  Another late start at blogging.
  Did manage to install the replacement part for the broken awning support arm, and take in some golfing.
  Susan and I toured through the park this afternoon, this past week there were some major winds that came through the area and the damage was substantial.  Friends of ours Bighorn fifth wheel sustained major damage when a tree landed on top puncturing the roof in several places, plus crushing roof trusses, and causing major wall structural damage!  Thank God we trimmed our trees back this summer.
  So far today has been one of those lazy days where you just let the layers of stress peel back away from yourself.  This is known as a way to rejuvenate ones soul, to help prepare yourself for the next stage of Building the Simple life..........................

  Today Susan and I shall return to God's country!  Me for the balance of the season, until the final shut down.  Susan for her extended three day weekend.  I feel guilty about going up and staying with so many projects hanging in the balance, but Susan figures I need another break!  I am starting to go backwards with my headaches, because I have been doing to much as of late by my self.  I keep forgetting that Rome wasn't built in a day.
  So this morning we have to be out the door by 9:30 AM to make my chiropractor appointment, stop and pick up some last minute groceries, and then get me back home.  This, all so Susan can make it back to the Big city to do her last shift at twelve noon, before her days off start.
  I will put the groceries away, put on the last coat of paint on the basement window, and have every thing ready to load in the car when she returns home from work.  I guess the plan is to drive up to the lake later this evening.  One extra night in Gods Country!
  If there is any extra time, I will continue to puts' away at sorting and cleaning.  There always seems like there is something that needs to be done around here.  You know that old saying two steps forward, one step back!  Lately my cleaning has taken on a whole new dimension in this regard!  Oh yes, I should also try and chase the lawn mower around the yard later this afternoon.  Just to see how many of the neighbours leaves I can catch!  This is just my sense of humour reacting to the fact that it appears we have no wind, and I have a garbage bag that is only half full.
  My morning med's are starting to work, can you tell, and I am just waiting for Susan to arise!  Then it shall be hot-tub time.  Oh oh, that's what I was going to do yesterday!  I must change the filter for Susan today, and wash this one, that way the water will stay in pristine shape!  This way while I am at the lake, Susan will not have to worry about it.  Any ways, it will soon be time to finalize our plans for the day, at Building the Simple life.........................

  Just waiting for the sun to come up, so I can go back to painting.  During my clean up yesterday I noticed I had missed a couple of spots on the small door at the back garage.  Plus I had completely overlooked one small basement window!  I am lucky, it requires but one coat of paint.
  Yesterday for supper I went out with my good friend Donald for "wings".  I believe this was the first time that this has happened since early this Spring, as I have spent most of the Summer at the lake.  Somehow my head cannot handle the increased activity of sound and noise level of being out and I am paying for it this morning!  Still waiting for the medications to kick in.  Just the same, the food and company was great!  Other than the painting, today will be a quiet day possibly going over the lists.  Hopefully, combining several into one.  Downsizing in other words, this way we can have a better understanding of where we are, at Building the Simple Life.........................

  Time to get this day started, the sun is brightly shining and Susan and I have finished with our morning planning session in the hot-tub.  Now it's time for a quick breakfast, and then some last minute paint touch up's on some outside painting.  Then we can check one more major job of our to do list..
  Then it will be into the front garage to finish filling the blue garbage bin with the recyclables as it is collection day at the curb, and they will be by for pick up's around noon.  Today I will also start loading the pick up.  Things that will be going to the lake for storage, on a permanent basis for storage, as well as some fire wood that will be used up there in our fire pit for next season.  Our son Derek will bring the pick up to the lake when he comes up later this month with his family.  His last weekend at the lake for the season.  They will be winterizing and finalizing there close up, and then taking their golf cart home for the winter for storage.
   Today, for me it will be back to organizing the things that Susan and I will be taking up this weekend in the car.  Things that will be used this weekend and also have ready for my stay until we do the final close up for winter.  Hopefully the weather will remain great, and my head will co-operate.  Then I will be able to get some fall golfing in.
  But let's not get ahead of myself, there are still some small projects that I still need to work on the next few days.  So I shall slowly work at them, after all Susan and I are still working at Building the Simple life......................

  Good morning, it's daylight in the swamp!  The sun is up, and no sign of frost yet.  In fact it is plus 9c.  This is a good thing.
  Susan is up, and it is time for the hot-tub and to make plans for our day!  Susan will be off to the big city shortly, for one of her team meetings at work.  I will go outside and survey the damage of my painting!  Then, I guess I will cut the grass, and mulch up some leaves that have been falling for the past week.  I guess that is why they call it fall!  And I do not have any trees with leaves in my yard.  This drives me nut's this time of year!
  This afternoon I have a chiropractor appointment, which Susan will take me to.  After which she will bring me home, and then have to return to the big city to go to her own job.  Susan has the close shift, which is going to make a long day for her.
  When I return home it will be cool enough, that I will put on the final coat of paint on the small man door on the back garage, as well as any touch up's that might be needed.  Alas, all the outside painting should be done!  Thus, just leaving the clean up.  Thank God!!
  This will leave the normal maintenance of shutting down of the outside water, draining the water hose.  Turning off the central air conditioning and covering the air compressed housing.  These are jobs that are done the week before our Thanks Giving Holiday, so I still have a month to perform these tasks.
  Jobs I would still like to accomplish outside this fall weather permitting are.  Buy and install deck railing system.  And modify gates my son gave me for the back yard, to allow the parking of a fifth wheel.  They are currently in the back garage and would definitely ad more value to the property if they were already installed.
  So today I will take things at a much slower pace, yesterday I let things get out of control.  My head was ready to explode from doing way to much, even with numerous breaks!  This is what happens when there wasn't someone around to tell me it was time to take a break, I guess.  Anyways today I am back to more baby steps, as I work towards Building the Simple life..........................

  This morning the sun will come up!  Mom and Dad will be off for Alberta, on the first leg of their return journey back to the "West" coast, and home for them.  I cannot thank them enough, for all the hard work that they did around here.  Especially Dad with all the heavy lifting, and driving me around.  There were the trips to the big city, to deliver scrap steel to the salvage yard, trips to the Chiropractor's, and of course the trip, to pick up fence supplies at the local hardware dealer.  Plus numerous other trips, that I cannot remember.
  What did we get accomplished?  Let's see, window and door trim prepped for painting, check.  First coat of paint put on, check.  One load of salvaged steel sorted and removed, check.  One blue bin ready for the recycle on Wednesday, check.  One Half a garbage bin ready for the following Wednesday, check.  Table saw repaired and stored, check.  Outside fire pit cleaned, painted and ready to be stored for winter, check.  Outside surface deck boards finally secured to deck, check.  Last load for the lake is in the front garage, ready for Derek to load in the pick-up, check.  Don't forget the numerous times the brooms were out sweeping, and dust pans were out picking up the garbage that the brooms collected, check!  Then there were two garages that were basically sorted and cleaned that all this stuff came out of.  Yes, I have one attached, and one detached garage!  Just more room to collect junk.
  As you can see a lot was accomplished this week, keeping in mind there were numerous chiropractor appointments, that I had to make it to.
  After my parents leave this morning, I will do some prep work on one small bathroom window I could not reach yesterday.  No step ladder!  Then when it is dry enough I will give it a first coat and give the rest there second coat.  I am already missing the help from my parents, and they have not left yet!  Strange how the mind works on oneself.  Anyways, I guess it will have to be back to a slower pace for us now at Building the Simple life................................    

  Well good morning, kinda fell behind schedule yesterday.  Seems God decided that everyone was getting very tired and needed to take control.  In other words, we turned the throttle back a notch or two!  This is ok, it gives every one some time to recuperate and get some strength back.  We got everything done outside except the painting, and I should be able to puts away at that this week.
  This morning Dad is going to take me into the big city, where I can pick up some paint brushes and ""RV" antifreeze, to have on hand at the lake.  This is for my fifth wheel, so it will be readily available when we do the final close up for the winter!
  I may do a bit of painting when we return from shopping this morning, but I plan on taking a more relaxed approach today.  Mom and Dad are leaving early for the start of their return trip to British Columbia, so they should have a bit of a rest before their departure.
  We have been so busy around here as of late, that I have not had any recent updates from Nicole on the busy schedule of Mr Boots (the cat).  But rest assured, knowing Nicole and Nathan (his parents) he has probably retaken his kingdom (house).  And I am sure he expects to be fed in a timely fashion!  They spoil him, the big baby.  Especially on weekends, when the "Riders" are playing!  This way he can curl up on Nathan's lap and watch the game (Canadian football).  Just wondering Nicole when will you be Painting a Rider green logo on Boots for the game, or does this already happen?
  After Susan goes to work this afternoon I will see if Mom and Dad want to go into the big city to see their Grandson for a half hour or so while he is working on his deck.  He is working two jobs this weekend, and is trying to get his front deck project completed at the same time.  Anyways he phoned yesterday and I forgot to mention it to his grandparents, darned memory anyways!
  So the big list is definitely growing shorter, just a bunch of loose ends to finish tidying up around here this week!  Then I should be able to go to the lake, and enjoy the end of this season there, tidy up some loose ends there.  Then perhaps try and enjoy some fall golfing, God permitting.  Enjoy those few remaining weekends of the fall season at the lake, with the love of my life!  Then it will be back home, to concentrate on trying to get projects finished here, as we prepare for our next stage in our lives at Building the Simple life.....................

  Here we go again, the start of another day!  I hope this one is as productive as the rest have been since the arrival of my parents.  They are going to want to leave soon, so they can have a rest.  I have been working them so hard!

  Today, the sanding crew, me included, will be out in full force.  Prepping, so Susan can follow up behind us to do the painting.  Hopefully this will go without incident, and we will finish early.  Then Dad and I can swing by the local lumber yard, pick up the fence boards.  I need to raise the fence height for the two sections along the deck.  I must bring the top edge of the fence along the deck (railing height) to code.  Then tomorrow, all we have to do is take off the old boards with the drill, and reattach the new ones.  All the other prep work, Susan and I managed to get done in the early spring.
  So that should leave a lazy late afternoon and evening, unless everyone want's to run into the big city to Derek's, to pick up the cut off saw.  Just in case we might need it tomorrow, to trim some fence boards.  It would be much easier to use the cutoff saw, than using the skill saw.  At least I think so!  Besides I am going to need the cut off saw for the finishing trim work later this winter anyways, and Derek could have a quick visit with his grandparents.
  As you can see a lot is getting accomplished, and by the end of today there will be a lot of items checked off of our must do list.  A lot of this credit is do to the help from my Dad and Mom, helping run me around while Susan was at work.  Giving Susan a much needed break, so she could have a bit of a break.  Otherwise she would of had to run me in for appointments before her work etc..  Never mind the work that was accomplished around here, just keep plugging away at it.  Somehow it just seems to eventually get done.
  Anyway one thing I have learned through out this ordeal, is that it takes family pulling together, that helps make it easier to Building the Simple life....................... 

  Good morning, it is going to be another beautiful day here on the prairies.  Soon Susan will be up to have some time in the hot-tub, probably my Mom as well.  It seems to be really helping her lower back problems.  This, and with the one chiropractor treatment mom had since she arrived, her lower back is doing much better!  This afternoon Susan, Mom, and Moi all have chiropractor treatments at the same time.
  A lot was accomplished yesterday with Mom and Especially Dad's help yesterday!  Salvage was hauled to the scrap dealer, more was sorted into the re-cycle bin and more was just put out for garbage. A friend picked up so semi truck tire chains that he is going to sell for me, slowly the piles of things I no longer need are going down.
  I think today we will start one last pile of of salvage should be able to make up a partial load by the time we are done.  This Susan and I will be able to get out to the salvage yard later this fall before the snow flies.
  Today is supposed to fairly warm outside, so hopefully we will be able to do some more prep work for the paint touch ups that need to be done.
  Anyways lot's of projects on the go at the same time right now, so not much has been checked off of the list.  But it sure looks like a lot has already been accomplished at Building the Simple life.......................

  Another day is soon to begin.  A lot was accomplished yesterday, we now have pile that we have been going threw.  Some things for the salvage yard, some things for the recycling bin, and some things for the garbage.  Today I will start another pile for things that need to go to the lake, yes back to the lake.  This pile I will organize in the front garage in totes that will be easy to handle and be stored up there.  some things are Derek's and some things are mine.  I will also put together a pile of things that go with Derek's boat, that will leave when he moves it this fall over to his garage in the big city.
  After breakfast we shall make some additional chiropractor appointments for my Mom and Susan on Friday, to coincide with mine if possible.  We will also see if we can take a load of metal into the salvage yard, this will free up a lot of work space in the back garage. Then it will be back to more sorting, (de-clutering) and repeating the process until the process is complete!
  Dad and I might tackle the two sections of fence boards today, it just depends how the weather is, and which work should be done.  Inside or outside?  There definitely is enough projects around here to keep oneself busy.  Always trying to remember, at this time of year ones priority is the outside work first!  Especially anything that requires the drying of paint.
  Soon Susan will be up and it will be time for the hot-tub and some discussions on the plans for the day.  Possibly some adjustments in our plans for the coming week ahead as well.  Now I believe we will not be returning to the lake until the fifteenth of September, oh well you have to learn how to adapt to change to survive.  Then it will be breakfast time and our day will be underway as we once again will be tackling our biggest project yet, Building the Simple life......................................

  Good morning!  My parent's have arrived from British Columbia, and for some strange reason, it was a cold and windy day!  That is to say, when they come to visit, it is usually cool and windy out!  We got them settled in their parking spot in the back yard, and then went out to the local diner for supper, it was my turn to cook. lol..... and Dad bought!  Thanks Dad!
  What is on agenda for today, well for starters, it will be off to the big city for my chiropractor appointment.  Then over to Lawson Mall to pick up some groceries for the week.  I believe the plan now, is for Mom and Dad to take me to the city.  Susan wants to stay at home and start on some laundry for the lake.  Susan has a noon start time at work today.  She asked me last night, just before bedtime if this arrangement would work for me.  This way, she figured she could get more accomplished before she had to go to work.  And we all know Susan usually know that Susan generally turns out to be right about these things.  Call it woman's intuition!
  This afternoon will probably be spent with doing outside work, prepping for some painting.  There is a bit to do on the trim off of the patio, as well as the small man door on the back garage.  Then I think we shall plan out the rest of the week, to make the most of the time they are here.  That way we can maximize their time, and help us at Building the Simple life..........................

  As we drove south yesterday afternoon, the hint of fall became more apparent in the afternoon air!  With the crops laying in swaths ready for the combines, and those still standing, being harvested right in the fields.  With those mighty machines, just eating their way threw the fields.  Counted up to six combines in the same field, straight combining.  With that many machines, going at the same time, it does not take long to finish a quarter of land.
  When we arrived at home, Susan and I cut our lawn, and prepared our parking site for the arrival of my parents visit today.  I am not sure how long they are staying, and if they told me.  I do not remember.  Darned memory, anyways!
  Today Susan has an early start at work.  So we missed out on some quality time in the hot-tub this morning.  Though we did manage to take in some time last night before bed time!  So guess the hot-tub time is even, lol..
  This morning after I have some breakfast, I shall go for a morning walk.  During my walk I will stop at the coffee shop and catch up on a summer's worth of news!  Check the mail, and return home.  Then it will be back to filling the recycle bin.  With more stuff from the front garage, and possibly some things from the back garage as well.
  The message was Boots has arrived home safe and sound, back in Calgary Alberta.  After his four months of vacation!  Oh, where has the time gone.  When I phoned to see what he was up to, I was told he was wandering about checking things out.  Probably making sure that nothing had been moved, or put out of place.  Boots would not want to go bump in the night!
  Susan is off to work now, so it is time to go and make myself some breakfast.  Then it will be time to get outside, for that walk and clear the old brain.  Where I can once again, try and plan ahead at Building the Simple life...........................  

  Not sure what the weather will bring us in God's Country today!  Yesterday started off sunny, with a bit of wind.  I managed to play nine holes of golf, and get everything put away.  Before our first rumble of thunder and rain shower went through.  After that it was a cool and windy day.  Not what you would expect for the end of summer in northern Saskatchewan.
  Our friends arrived from the south shortly after this, and we spent most of the day inside visiting.  With a few moments outside, for a couple of short walks.  Then one extended period outside, while the barbecue was fired up, and some grilling was performed by, moi.  Which I might add, was done to perfection!  Of course it was a day in which we also ate inside.  Fortunately, the Riders decided to play a complete football game! (Canadian football)   So there was another reason to stay indoors, it is a lot easier to watch the home team winning than loosing, right?  Just human nature, and probably why my headache is so bad this morning as well.  To much visual stimulation!
  After a great day and afternoon with our friends they decided they wanted to be home before it was going to be dark.  To their amazement, the the pick-up would not start, it only went click, click, click.  So I rolled over my golf cart, hooked up my booster cables, and varoom the chevy was again running.  One yamaha to the rescue!  Should have taken a picture.  Anyways shortly after our guests left, the heavens opened up, and it was still raining when we went to bed.
  Just a few things to finish packing up in the car this morning, and then a few things left to put away outside.  Then Susan and I will be off for home.  I will be spending a week or so there, or until my folks head back to British Columbia.  After which I shall return to God's country, doing some minor fall yard work.  Hopefully getting in some fall golfing, until it's time to do the final winterization.  This will probably be the end of September or the first weekend of October, depending on Susan's work schedule.  This will also give Susan a few more weekends of enjoyment in God's Country before the final shutdown for this season.
  So after coffee with Donald this morning, Susan and I will once again go over our list.  Checking things off, starting to sound like Santa Clause!  Some humour for this early hour of the morning.  Now where was I?  Oh yes.  The list.  Things I will try and get accomplished at home, when my folks are out.  These are things that require decent weather, so hopefully Mother nature co-opertates this week.  So you see we still have a long way to go to Building the Simple life..................................

  Good morning from God's Country, perfectly clear sky to the East this morning.  It appears to be a bit breezy outside with the branches waving about.  Two of our group of campers finished winterizing yesterday morning, said their goodbyes and are now gone until next spring.  Things yet to do In the big city were calling them back south, so they closed up early.  Now there are only eight of us left, in our area.

  Our friends phoned us yesterday, and they will arrive around 10 am this morning.  Not sure if it is for the day, or if they plan on staying for night!  We will have to see how things unfold, so to speak.

  Susan and I managed to get more things organized, some cleaning done, and now have some things ready to be loaded in the car, for the return trip home.  I managed to get the awning into its traveling and stored position, barbecue covered, and the patio furniture umbrella stored!  Then the heavens opened up and a few rolling thunder storms passed threw!  When I was storing the awning to my amazement, I discovered one of my awning arm sliding supports was broken!  This was done when we had had a bad wind storm threw earlier in the season.  Other people throughout the park replaced their awnings through insurance.  I was not going to bother, as I only had a slight tear, and made a quick repair with some awning tape!  I have the broken part, and shall take it home.  If it cost's to much to replace, then I suppose we shall replace the whole awning, though I cannot see this small part costing that much.

  Susan and I were out for a bit last night to sit at a camp fire, first one in quite a while.  We got to meet some new friends from the village, permanent residents.  We did not stay out late because of my headache, but it was nice to be out to meet new people, just the same.

  Today is supposed to be the big day, for breaking of the ground, for the new cabins across the way.  I believe they are to be called, "Knotty Pine Resorts", to be opening Spring/ Summer of next year, 2013.  We wish them well.

  With this breeze blowing, I think I will dress warmly, and just sneak off and try a few holes of golf.  This I could get done before our guests arrive for the day.  I am sure after they arrive, there will be many discussions how we are making out, especially on our goals and plans at Building the Simple life.......................     

  Today we say good by to our longest house guest of the year,  Mr. Boots!  He is currently out on patrol, saying good by to all his friends.  All the kittens he has met, and protected throughout the summer season.  Most have grown to reasonable size now, so the big Tom will leave them alone when he comes around.  They seem to be big and smart enough now to get out of old "Tom's" way when Boots is not around to protect them!

  We will also be saying goodbye to Nicole and Nathan this morning, as they are off to the big city of Saskatoon.  They will be spending a few days with his parents, then watching the labour day classic on Sunday, "RIDERS VS BLUE BOMBERS"!!!  Then Monday morning they all return to Calgary!

  We are not sure, but we may have friends of ours coming up to visit us for the balance of today.  They said, if they were to have the weekend off, they would give us a call and would be making the drive up.  Hopefully things will work out for them, it would be really nice to see them again.  

  After the kids are gone, I shall start with moving the awning from its permanent deck mount position back to it's travel position.  This way it will be easy to pull out or stow away, depending on weather conditions.  I really do not want to put it away damp like I did last year, otherwise when you open them up in the spring they show traces of mould!  Then there is a lot of washing and scrubbing to do, just to bring it back to new condition!  I really do not want to go to all that extra work again.  It's enough just to give the fifth wheel it's annual wash, without creating extra work to boot!  Lesson learned.

  Talked with some of our other neighbours yesterday, several are closing up this weekend full winterization.  One as early as this morning, said he was done for this season.  Wanted to get back home to finish his yard work, so he could list his house and move into a condo!

  So I guess there are a lot of people out there that are trying to make things simple in their lives.  Just like Susan and I are trying to accomplish in our lives.  We all just have different goals and reasons for getting there.  So for us, a few more projects will be completed this weekend.  This is our story of Building the Simple life......................