Good morning, somehow I think the weatherman has it wrong again.  It is already 3 degrees warmer than the predicted high for today!  Does that mean it will be substantially warmer for the trick or treaters?  Or are we still waiting for the temp., to plunge to the high?  I am so confused!  Well at least when it comes to listening to the weatherman.  My forecast, was for a nice cool evening for the kids.
  When my parents were young, before TV., if you were lucky, you had a radio.  One of the radio shows was "Fibber Magee and Molly"!  Now as I remember being told, they had this closet, that every thing, and any thing was thrown into.  Kinda like the junk drawer in the kitchen!  Well I have to admit, we sorta have one of those back door closets.  Now there wasn't much in the 'closet', as we had gone through it a couple of times already.
  My task yesterday was to empty the 'closet', and have it ready for painting.  Now for a normal person, this task should have taken approximately an hour, including the removal of the by-fold door, and it's hardware.  Now, I'm sorta like Mr. Magee, a bit slow and with distractions this is an all day project.  I could not believe what one could store in one tiny space.  Just like the science guy would say, "IT'S SIMPLY AMAZING".
  I found more tools to sort and clean, just to lazy to put things away the last time they were used?  Why, at least they are no longer missing and now are found.  Another few days worth of work of sorting, cleaning, and putting things away that I wasn't even planing on.  But what was really amazing, there was actually hats in the closet, can you imagine that?  Jackets and Hat's!!  Yes my "BOSTON BRUINS" official baseball style hat!  Then I remembered my hockey stick down stairs. (cleaning the deep freezer)  I think I should have a black golf shirt, possibly I could be a 'Bruins' hockey fan passing out the candy tonight.  This definitely would be a novelty with no NHL season in sight!
  Anyways, back to my closet, notice I said my closet.  I have become obsessed with this little space, it will no longer hold all the junk that one 'might' need one day.  It to has served it's purpose, and is getting downsized!  Those ultimate words, needs, wants.  Then the next set are, have we used it in the past year, will we miss it, can we pass it on, is it recyclable?  So unlike Mr. Magee, who always at the last second ended up throwing the whole lot back into the closet, our 'stuff 'will be put away properly, or find other uses.  Our 'closet' will have some jackets, hats and shoes for the season!  Oh happy days, just a good thought for Building the Simple life..............

  I managed to get up and see Susan off to what was supposed to be her last day of work.  Unfortunately she is going in tomorrow for five hours to cover for another co-worker who was called for her surgery yesterday.  When these things happen in life, that is the type of people we are.  No hesitation, no questions, you just do what needs to be done.  That's how we were raised by our parents, that's what we have tried to show our children, and it looks like it is what our children are teaching our grandchildren as well.
  Who said common decency is dead in this world, just look around.  I see it in the friends and family, we choose to be around.  I believe if we all look hard enough, there still is a lot of good in this world, without someone thinking what is at the other end.  What's in it for me?  So remember, just pass it on down the line, no pay back...
  I still could not convince Susan that I could handle some painting upstairs!  Not even the inside of the back entrance closet!  I told her I thought I had painted the inside of the front entrance closet, her response was "really"!!!!  I guess I have the dubious task of cleaning out the back closet and having it ready for her to paint.  Lucky me!  I am really sure I could handle this task, but if I make one mistake.... life is so precious, and my mom'a didn't raise no fools.  At least I remember this much from the past!
  Susan must have made it safely to work this morning, as I did not get a phone call.  She is an experienced driver, having logged countless miles as professional driver.  This was when we drove semi- truck throughout Canada and the USA.  It looked like we were experiencing some rain, when she backed the car out on her way to work this morning, and with the temp hovering at the freezing mark.  Well it could be a concern, and we did talk about road conditions before she left for work.
  So today I will resign myself to getting the closet ready for painting.  This will consist of the removal of the shelf, some hangers, and the by-fold door.  Now if I am really clever about this procedure, I can lay everything out in such a way.  That everything that comes out of the closet, including the door, shelve, and all the hardware will take up all useable table and counter space!  Humm, now how do you suppose I am supposed to make supper?  It must be time to order in a "PIZZA"!!!
  Perhaps, miracles happen everyday. we just have to be receptive to see what they are!  Remember the saying when pigs can fly!  Then why did God tell men to build the planes?  It's just a perspective of how we look at things.  Just like we used to try to tell our children, which Susan always tried to reinforce.  Is it a want, or a need?  So too, Susan and I now look at life, in our down sizing process at Building the Simple life.........................

  I see we have some fresh snow on the ground, must be time to get some outdoor exercise in today!  Soon I will head outside and clear the walkways and driveway of snow.  This should not take to long, as it doesn't appear to be much more than a skiff of new snow on the ground.  I shall know soon enough, once I am fully dressed and out there.  Why clean the walkways at all?  Well for starters it's safer for the kids or anyone who will be out there waking this morning or later today!  In our northern climate even if the temp., does not get above the freezing point, If the sun can get at the bare ground, the sun will help melt and evaporate the surrounding snow.  This will help make it safer for the little trick or treaters come halloween night!
  Speaking of halloween night, the jury is still out on wether or not I get dressed up in some sort of costume, to pass out treats for the little ones!  Susan is off that day as well, and I have some more treatments at the chiropractors.  So depending on how my day goes, will determine what happens that evening.
  Susan has an early start at work today, so hopefully I will get the necessary priming done before she gets home.  Then depending on drying time, perhaps we can put on the second coat of paint after supper, or early this evening.  This would allow me to install the rest of the garage closet door frame and the last of the pocket door on tuesday afternoon.  Then possibly Susan can get right into the painting of the back entrance and kitchen on wednesday afternoon.  Hopefully finishing up on thursday, her last day off.  Yes I am quite the slave driver!  My, how our roles have reversed since my head injury.  NOT!  This is what happens when Susan, does not want me to have a paint brush in my hand, for certain jobs.
  Yesterday I made a huge garden salad!  So today, I just have to plan a meat dish, and some vegetables to add with it for supper.  I think I will pull some fish out to bake in the oven, and then have some steamer vegetables.  Something quick and easy.  I want to try and concentrate on finishing up with a few small projects in the garage, which mostly involve the 'cleanup' word.  Putting tools away, sweeping up my last mess, etc..  This should not take long, but is a necessary evil, it keeps every thing tidy and organized.  This way you can easily find things for the next job, and last but not least, no one gets hurt!  Another very important lesson we realized we have learned in our lives, as we are Building the Simple life.....................

  Another day is well on it's way.  It's daylight in the swamp!  Supper is in the slow cooker, and Susan is long gone to work!  YES, LONG GONE TO WORK!  I thought, I was letting her sleep in this morning.  To my surprise when I returned from an early coffee break with Donald, it had been to no avail.  Shortly after I had left, her work called and awoke her from her "Beauty" rest.  Could she start work early?  Susan being such a "Dedicated" employee, well you get the rest of the picture.  I arrived home just in time to say goodbye, and a see you for supper good-by.
  Now I am not sure what my plans are for the rest of the day.  Yes there is always the ongoing reno project's in the house, some requiring painting.  Which Susan had planed on getting me started on this morning, oh well.  I did manage to rearrange our meal schedule for the day, and now have the slow cooker going with supper.  This was something I had not planed on doing today, and will be a total surprise for Susan!  Let's see, kitchen is clean, check.  I suppose I should make myself a light lunch, before I totally miss out on this one!
  We are always trying to keep things simple in our lives, even when life throws us curves.  This has proved to be an invaluable lesson in life, things are less stressful this way!  That is probably the most important piece of wisdom that our parents and grandparents before us, have passed on through the generations.  So as we have gathered this tiny bit of knowledge for ourselves, we to should also pass this on to future generations, that is why also try to keep things simple at Building the Simple life............

  Another day is about to begin, and I am still waiting for the daylight to appear over the swamp!  This is one of the trade off's for all the long days throughout the spring/summer.  Yes, the long nights during the fall/winter, but on the up side you can dress really warm and go outside and become a star gazer.  You never know what you might see!  Orbiting satellites, space derbies on re-entry, shooting stars, or our famous northern lights, or just the wonder of the star studded heavens in all their glory on a moonless night.  It seems we can find a lot to do in the cold of a fall evening, if we just have the patience and determination to get out and do it!  We only have one problem with this theory, we have to work around clouds.  But with a bit of perseverance, this to can be worked out in time.  After all, we do get a lot of cloud free days here on the prairies!!
  Today is going to be a very busy one for Susan!  She has to drive me to the city.  We have to do some shopping before her work day commences.  Thank-God she has a shortened work schedule for today.  We are going to pick up some groceries, paint, and I forget the rest, at least it is written down on the list!
  This afternoon while Susan is at work I will prime the trim boards in the basement.  I did not accomplish this yesterday, as I was not sure which paint to use.  There are to many white paint cans stacked in the basement to choose from.  I did not know which was primer, or inside paint or outside paint.  So instead of raising the wrath of the paint gods, I determined it would be wise and wait for a board meeting this morning.  Then we could have an executive decision!  Sounds good to me, right?
  The false dawn is upon us, Susan has had her morning breakfast, some executive decisions for the day have been made, and she is now off for the hot-tub!  Just like that our day has begun, I think I might pop down to the coffee shop with Donald before I head into the the big city with Susan.  It would be nice to catch up on the local election results from this week.  Perhaps we may have a new council, definitely a new mayor.  It will be interesting to see what direction or change our little city might be headed in.  These are things and issues that also effect ones decisions at Building the Simple life...............

  Once again, Susan's days off have rolled by!  Where did they go?  They went into a couple of loads of laundry, some work in the bathroom, sizing some trim for the back entrance, grocery shopping, and the on going clean up!  Oh yes, we took a two hour break.  When she took me out for wings, Wednesday evening at the Sports page for supper!
  We have the next batch of trim set up in the basement ready for it's first coat of paint.  Perhaps, even I might try and tackle this later today.  Susan does not usually allow, paint, a brush, in the same room with me at the same time.  Let me just say, I've been told there were some bad experiences that I do not recall!  Anyways my painting skills have somewhat improved, as I demonstrated on the outside of the house and garage this fall.  It's all in the prep work!  Lot's of drop cloth's and paper to protect everything around you'll..., and lots of time and plenty of faith!
  I see once again the weather man has revised the forecast!  Fall is loosing fore ground to old man winter.  We are already at our high for the day, perhaps fall is just building up some strength for a counter offensive!  I sure hope it appears soon, as the clock is ticking down towards halloween and the arrival of all the little trick and treaters.
  I was thinking that I could dress up in some sort of costume this year when I pass out the candy to all the kids as they come around.  This is something that my second oldest, Nicole does.  This is my daughter that is due with baby "M" in about 4 months.  I am not sure who or what nicole will dress up as this year, I just know it will be something spectacular!  No chasing kids down the street this year trying to give your candy away Mickey Mouse!
  Today while Susan is at work I will have to come up with a meal plan and grocery list for the next week.  I have to take into consideration what we have remaining in the freezer down stairs, yes we are still trying to get it empty!  Then come up with a schedule of meals, and finally a plan for shutting it (freezer) down.  When this is done we will be able to defrost, clean, and have it ready for pickup by the new owners.  Who I am sure are anxiously awaiting it!
  It is definitely daylight in the swamp!  Time to see if Susan wants to get her day started, and what challenges we might face today.  Hopefully every day starts the same, just by waking up!  But after that, we are not sure what challenges we might face.  That is why we are Building the Simple life..........................

  What is it that makes us one day wake up and hate something we once loved?  In my case it was winter!  And what are we famous for in Canada, especially in the winter time?  Well, "Snow" lots of snow.  Now since my head injury, or is it because of my age?  Did a switch just go poof in my body and say 'you are old and will no longer like winter'!  This I am definitely not sure about, because I used to prefer working in the cold!  And now I have done a complete reversal in my life.  This is not a good thing.  Especially if old man winter comes knocking on the door early!
  This morning when I looked outside, I noticed there was a fresh dusting of snow on the ground, again! Not enough to drag the shovel out, but enough for those that park outside, to grab their window scrapers and clear car windows, before they set off to the big city on their early morning commute.
  Now being "Canadian" where we like to promote to the rest of the world, that we live with seven months of winter (not true).  A stigma that was invented by our "American" cousins, which we decided early in our history, was not worth correcting.  Why?,  If our cousins knew how good we actually had it up here, we would soon become over populated with guests, that would not want to leave.  Yes we do get "snow", some years more than others.  We just have to learn how to train this stuff, (snow) to land where we really need it.  This would be scientific breakthrough, worthy of the "Nobel prize" for science.
  You can definitely see my dilemma, a good old boy from Canada, that somehow has lost his love of winter!  This is so, not "CANADIAN".  This morning I am on the sidelines cheering for the underdog fall, as they are about to try and push back with their limited defence, against old man winter.  Hopefully the injury riddled defence can hold him up enough, to at least give the little ones a safe and decent halloween!  This is my wish, one that would also make winter seem just a little bit shorter.
  Today Susan and I are going to move the pickup out of the back garage, as we have some trim boards to fabricate.  This is for our one pocket door between our kitchen and living room, and then one closet door at the back entrance.  Hopefully we can get this job accomplished by lunch time.  I believe this will be the final time the pickup will have to be moved, until I need to rip some base boards to fit for a special project after Christmas.
  Susan is up, it's time to give the deck a quick sweep, and head for the to-tub.  We must set our plans in motion for the day.  Minutes of previous meetings to be hashed over, and finally the executive decisions to be made.  Then we will be back on track for the day, at Building the Simple life..................

  Good morning from the little city of Martensville, my home town.  I sure like the hype and attention given by the news media, 'snow storm wallops province', or 'major storm hits prairies'!  There were many more headlines like this.  What are they trying to do?  Sell us news papers, get us to read the articles below the headlines?  Or prepare us for winter driving?  I hope it is the latter.  I have been in these storms, and yesterdays surly was not that bad!  People just have to remember to use common sense, and start using there winter driving skills.  YES, there winter driving skills, that they put away last spring.  We have some new Canadian's who have recently arrived in Canada, and will be experiencing snow and winter driving for the first time.  They too, will have to learn winter driving skills, remember there was a first time for all of us!
  Today is Susan's day off, but wouldn't you know it, she has to go in for a work related meeting!  Usually all meetings are held on a tuesday morning, but for some strange reason she was working, so instead it's on a wednesday.  This has something to do with that obscure known law, "MURPHY'S LAW".  One of these days I will meet this person, and give him/her a piece of my mind!  Not that I can afford to loose any more, (of my mind) it's in short supply as it is.  It will just make a whole bunch of people feel better!
  This morning the phone rang very early I thought it was work calling Susan to cancel her meeting, 'Not'.  Instead it was my good friend Donald wanting to know if I was up and wanting to go for a quick coffee.  Apparently he was out of hours do to an hours issue in his log book, and would not be able to leave until 9am.  He had spent to many hours being stuck trying to make deliveries etc..  The unwillingness of the company he works for to spend money on clearing the yard of snow that they work out of in North Batleford.  Now today when Donald phoned in to the office at Batleford they tell him they are going home, they are even stuck with their 4x4.  So possibly he may have the day off as well, time will tell.
  When Susan returns home from her meeting in the big city, I am sure I will be entertained by what had transpired, and some of the solutions that would have been worked out to solve member issues.  We will probably discuss our list and then pick the next project we will tackle together.  Hopefully it will be something simple that I can contribute to, as I have a bit of a headache still happening today.  Just remember a bunch of simple things add up to a lot, when you are Building the Simple life......................

  Good morning from the little city of Martensville, my home town.  This morning, I was once again reminded that we live on the "Canadian" prairies!  Wow, we woke up to a winter wonderland.  The snow is softly falling, everything is white, except Susan's car.  It was clean and dry as she backed it out of the garage on her way to work!  She just smiled and waved at me as she drove off this morning.  Man am I glad I got her parking spot ready for her, otherwise I would have been the one cleaning windows, for her this morning!

  Looking at the long range weather forecast, we are to expect snow off and on right to, and including halloween day!  Then starting November 1st, back above seasonal temperatures.  In the range of plus 8'c.  Which, if we are lucky will take care of most of the white stuff.  At least where the sun can get at it.

  Yesterday I managed to make the right measurements, and cut the final two small pieces of wall board for the bathroom project.  I even installed them, six and one half months into this project and the main bathroom now has inside walls. (this does not count the time that we started on this project before I hurt myself)  I also managed to do the clean up, though it did have it's challenges.  I am not sure why, but I still have issues with sweeping and vacuuming, especially vacuuming!

  This morning is the time to start the revision of the dreaded list!  I happened to glance over at it last night and noticed that one whole page was missing!  Now do you suppose that we were that diligent and accomplished so much?  Or was I trying to get out of doing things?......  Alright, we did Get every thing done.  So rather than have to go back and forth across a couple of pages, Susan thought it best to delete a whole page!  There, I have just added another page to our list, which probably added another month, or two, or three, or, well you get the picture, worth of work!  Just hoping and praying that we can have this main bathroom up, and running before Christmas.  Some of this list is definitely projects that will be started after the Christmas holidays.

  Not sure how much I will get accomplished today, as I am still feeling the effects from vacuuming yesterday, or maybe it's the change in the weather.  Perhaps I will go out and face the challenges of the weather, and have a relaxing walk to the post office.  This usually helps calm me down, and allows me to plan out my challenges for the day, at Building the Simple life.......................  

  Definitely up way to early this morning, these persistent headaches!  Just waiting for my medication to do it's job and bring things back to a more tolerable level once again.  I guess I have been pushing myself.  No!  I know, I have been pushing myself to much the last few days.  So starting this morning I will start with a slower pace, and see if that helps.
  A look at the temperature this morning, was showing a reading of minus 10'C.  Still no snow on the ground.  It's even colder outside than than environment Canada (weatherman) had predicted.  If the weather holds true to its forecast, the trick or treater's here will have to dress warm.  The long range forecast is for below normal temp's and then snow on halloween.  Not to worry, November is supposed to be ushered in with above normal temperatures, which should melt away halloween's snowfall.
  My medication is finally starting to do it's job.  So later this morning I will attempt to take my measurements in the bathroom and lay them out on the wall board.  I have two pieces to fit in around the bathtub, for the main bathroom.  The project that Susan and I started last winter, and then spring jumped in on us.  Well now winter is once again knocking at the door.  So here we are back inside once again, finishing up last winters project.  We are very anxious to complete this, especially before Christmas.  We both would like to have "no" construction going on over the holiday season.  Just once in our life!
  I also have to plan out a supper meal for susan today.  I guess I will take a walk down to the freezer in the basement, after I wake her up from her beauty rest.  To late, she is already up, and getting ready for her early start at work.  So I guess I will check out our small freezer, to see what I might find for supper.  Hmm, something with Pork?  Soon the freezer in the basement will also be empty and be leaving our home.  It has a new home to go to, a young family, that will put it to good use.  Another part of our downsizing project that is almost complete.
  Susan is off to work now, time for me to get my act together, have some breakfast and start some plans for the rest of my day.  After all, without plans?  How would we ever be able to make any attempt at Building the Simple life.............................

  Today there is no joy in Mudville, our mighty "Riders" have now lost again!  Things are slowly closing in around them, alas the door is still not closed.  But now they really have a tough row to hoe , to make the playoffs.  But, you know what they say!  When things get tough, the tough get going!!  Like the fans don't have enough grey hair already.  Maybe that's why they call it the quest for the "GREY CUP", LOL!!!
  This morning Derek will be calling, he is going to drop off some tools for us to use.  He has a tile job in Warman to work on, and when he is finished there, he can stop by and pick them up.  It should only take Susan and I an hour or so to finish the trim on the garage door.  Alas, one more project completed, before Winter sets in, in Saskatchewan!
  Believe it or not, we managed to install the wall mount heater in the front garage.  Which left me with the clean up.  I accomplished this, and managed to put my tools away.  Someday Gods little miracles take on many shapes and forms.  A Wise man, or was it a woman?  No, I think it was Grandma Helen, once told me "We just have to learn to recognize and appreciate them".
  When Susan backed her car out and left for work, I noticed a spot of antifreeze (coolant) on the garage floor.  We will have to make an appointment at the dealership, come monday morning.  I believe, her car is covered by a bumper to bumper warranty for five years.  Besides, I do not think my head could handle another project right about now!
  This morning, if Donald calls, I will probably sneak out for an early coffee, and then be back in time to see Derek when he drops off the tools.  Then it will be my turn to work at finishing one more project on our list, and yes the cleanup.  The cleanup that helps keep us focused, organized, and on track at Building the Simple life............

  Good morning from the little city of martensville, my home town.  Today I am waiting for the clock to role around until the local coffee shop opens.  Donald called me last night to make sure I would be up and ready to go.  It seems there is a lot of local news that "we" need to get caught up on.  Perhaps this is quite true, as I keep missing out on going somehow.  And for some strange reason, even Donald has missed going to the local A&W Saturday morning, electing instead to go to the big city.  Donald elected instead to go to the auction in the city this past Saturday morning.  Where he could grab a coffee and see what was for sale and visit with friends there.  I find the crowd and the noise, usually to distracting for my headache, so I would rather stay at home.

  Yesterday I managed to finish off my "cb" antenna bracket on pickup.  This was a project I started last winter, now I just have to install the antenna and run the coax cable.  The coax cable and antenna I will finish up when the pickup is parked inside.  I also moved the brick molding from the back, to the front garage.  I started to mark it out for the inside of the door but finally put it aside when I realized my headache was getting the better of me.

  Today I hope Susan and I can work at some more sorting in the front garage, perhaps have a look at the brick molding.  Sometimes two heads are better than one!  Then get the pickup parked in the back garage before she gets ready to leave for work, Susan has a close shift today.  I also have a wall mount propane heater my Dad gave me.  I have to move that to the front garage today, just before the pickup gets parked.  It will be the ideal setup to use in the front garage, to heat the space for a work station this winter.

  So today while Susan is busy at work I will be busy at home going over our lists.  Mostly consolidating, and rewriting things.  We had several pages of lists going, so it seems like the time to simplify things once again!  Yes this is another process we have learned at Building the Simple life.............

  It's a cold one outside this morning, and there is definitely "frost on the pumpkin" as the saying goes!  Things look very white outside on windshields and vehicles as Susan left for work.  Thank God we finished cleaning her parking spot in the garage.  This is one benefit of parking inside, one does not scrape ice off of the windshield in the morning!
  So where did Susan's two days off go?  We were discussing this last night and Susan felt like they just flew buy and she had not accomplished anything.  Lucky thing I keep a list!  When I showed her all of our check marks of things that we had done, we both seemed a bit happier.  Just the same no wonder time escaped us when we were busy the whole time, especially Susan.  Now she is at work, to have a rest, not her job!  They are on the go the whole time there as well.
  One project we did not finish up with yesterday was to park my pickup.  So if it warms up enough I might tackle the the modification of the "cb" antenna bracket.  It will be easier to use the bench area of the back shop when my pickup is not inside.  I also have some brick molding in storage.  That I would like to move from the back garage to the front garage.  So I can have it ready for instillation there, later this fall.
  Of course there is always my back-up plan keep working on the clean up of the second bay in the front garage.  I am now down to sorting out pump up sprayers.  Some you might use for misting the leaves of plants, or dispensing liquid fertilizer etc..  How could I collect so many over the years?  It would be nice to have a couple at the lake.  Now to see if any of the kids want any, otherwise salvage or recycle!  That will just leave one corner to go through, oils and solvents.  Then I will be able to say the front garage is finally done!
  Today I am going to try and get back onto a regular routine.  Something I have not been doing since I have been back from the lake. (Gods Country)  Not to make excuses, I just have not done it.  So today, breakfast, walk, smell the coffee, be happy, smile, and see whats around the corner at Building the Simple life...............

  Good morning!  It's daylight in the swamp, some where.  We live just a bit to far north to see the sunrise now until seven thirty eight am, though I can see the dawn happening outside my window now.
  Yes the days are getting shorter, which can only mean one thing, "HALLOWEEN"!!  Are we ready? Well one of our stops was to pick up the treats for the little one's that shall be ringing the door, yelling "trick or treat" come halloween.  Perhaps I should dress up as some sort of monster, when I greet them at the door!  Just to pass out the treats, hmmm?  I will have to give this one some thought.
  Yesterday Susan and I managed to accomplish most things on our list.  We still have to return to the big city today, to finish up with our passports at the Government Building.  Then there are a couple of small errands to run.  Today it is supposed to be sunny, so we will stop over at Michele and Derek's to finish the install on the other half of the railing before we return home.
  Today will also be the day we park my pick-up in the back garage!  It's parking spot is finally ready!  It took awhile, but when we returned from the city, I made the final preparations yesterday afternoon.  With today being sunny, it should give the pick-up an opportunity to dry off and the alley time to dry.  No need to drag any gravel into the garage.
  With these projects out of the way it will be on to finalizing the clean up in the front garage, and then we will have another work station.  This will enable us to complete the remainder of the reno's in the house.  Yes we are just about there!
  I work very slow, this seems to help keep my headaches in check.  Yes and sometimes I catch myself doing the same job twice, especially if I try to rush things!  So you adjust, we slowly learn to slow down, pace oneself, smell the roses, and try to appreciate everything we have experienced so far at Building the Simple life.......................

  Not sure what I did yesterday!  Was it because I had tried to pick my pace up a notch or is it a change in the weather?  I ended up calling it quits earlier than I had anticipated.  So tomorrow morning I shall get back at the program, then I can have Susan park the pick-up for the winter in the afternoon.

  Later this morning we are off to the big city for new pictures, I guess it's that time once again to renew our passports.  I also have my tenth chiropractor appointment and assessment, this will tell them if they have made any progress.  I went into this treatment felling optimistic, and at this point I have seen some improvement in my lower back, but really none to my chronic headaches.  We shall see where we go from here.  And then there are the groceries that need to be purchased, yes we still need to eat!
  Depending how our day goes, and the time, I think Susan wants to stop at Michele's.  So if it is not raining, perhaps we could install the other railing and surprise Derek!  I know there are other errands to run today, i just don't have my list handy right now to double check, and the CEO., of this outfit is busy revising it.  Which means "do not disturb" unless asked a question.  Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL!!!!  Some morning laughter, this might help my headache.
  There breakfast is done, time to finish cleaning up and get this show on the road!  The "boss" has spoken, I hear the shower starting!  That's my signal to get motivated and get ready for our excursion to the big city for the day.  It seems that appointments and grocery shopping are also part of building the Simple life..........

  It is plus 7 outside this morning and the weatherman tells us there will be rain moving in later today.  I guess I will have no excuses not to work inside the back garage today.  Somehow I only finished with the siding trim work around the new outside light.  Lucky thing, there is rain in the forecast.
  Yesterday after Susan left for work I decided I should go for a walk ( my way of lowering my headache level) and check the mail.  When I was half way there, I realized I had still not put my mail key, back on my key chain!  So back home, to re-start my walk, such an entertaining afternoon!  You know, God must have felt my calorie intake was to high over Thanks giving, or something like that.  Then later I discovered why there was no mail in our mail box.  Susan checked the mail on her way to work!
  Today I shall be back in the back garage, as I still have 10 washers to find for Derek's railing project.  So then, all we have to wait for is a dry couple of hours to install the other railing, and Susan's next day off.  In the meantime, I believe the garage will be tidied up enough, and the bench cleared away.  This is so my pick-up can be finally parked in it's home for the winter!
  I can see it is daylight in the swamp and it is still not raining here.  Soon it will be time for Susan to be up and we will be off to the hot-tub.  Then the board of governors (newly elected) will finalize some plans for the day, and some executive decisions will be made on Building the Simple life........................

  Spent a great afternoon, and had a wonderful supper at Derek and Michele's yesterday.  The only complaint we had was, where did the time go?  We finished the bottom step, and installed one railing.  We then cleaned up and had plenty of time to relax before supper.  This just does not usually happen in our world!  It is definitely an experience, I enjoyed and worth repeating.
  Today I shall be looking for some special spacers, and lag bolts during my clean up.  Derek could use some for the railing on the other side of his steps, which he still needs to install.  Hopefully I can find the right supplies, and the weather will be good on one of Susan's next two days off.  Then we can run into the big city, and help install the last railing, like I said "weather permitting".
  Yes, I have to concentrate a bit more in the back garage right now (this probably is where I'll find what I am looking for).  This way I can ensure I have easy access to all my tools and supplies throughout the winter.  Then it's just a matter of backing my pick up out to have a work space for the day, a quick clean up, and put the pick up back away.  Hopefully if I concentrate on this job, I should see good results by the end of the day or early tomorrow at the latest.  Then at last the pick up can be washed and parked for the winter.  Then it will only have to be moved on a day to day basis if needed for some minor project.
  As I was saying earlier Susan and I spent yesterday afternoon at Derek and Michele's.  After enjoying supper and relaxing with the girls inside, we went outside to their semi-inner deck and enjoyed a wobbly pop.  Could you ever tell it was fall in the air, not by the temperature.  But buy how sound travels in the fall air, the geese returning to the river from feeding on the fields, and the slight rustle of the remaining leaves in the trees.  It was an amazing time and conversation as my son was teaching me new things he is learning about his new trade.  I guess the teacher is becoming the student! Isn't this a line from "STAR WARS"?  or the circle of life, now what's that "DISNEY MOVIE"? oh, "THE LION KING".  Well I know if I got it wrong, I have a couple of experts in the family who will correct me.  Right?  Nicole, and Derek?  My two youngest.  Anyways back to my point of sitting on the deck.  When you can sit back and allow yourself to learn from your children, you know you are on the right path to Building the Simple life..........................

  Yesterday was a fun filled day, full of walking.  Back and forth between the two garages, as I tried to keep mobile and busy sorting things out.  Then to top things off, it was around the yard with the lawn mower for the last time mulching leaves.  This time I drained the fuel lines, and put it away in it's winter parking spot.  So after this, if the neighbourhood's leaves fall in the yard, the rake will be the weapon of choice!  I also found an appropriate place to hang a clock, in the front garage.  It was a gift I received from a friend many moons ago, a special clock set inside a tire with small mechanic tools for the clock hands.  I will make sure that this clock makes the move with us when we sell the house. 

  When Susan and I finally called it a day, and I went to check my list, I was amazed at the amount of small tasks that we were able to check off.  Then my next surprise was Susan was preparing our meal to put into the oven to bake, which I devoured at supper time.

  After supper we were just relaxing and then we got a phone call inviting us out for the evening, where I had my first experience with 3D TV.  All I can say is "AMAZING"!  We also enjoyed time around the camp-fire, roasted some smokies, drank some wobbly pops, and met some new old friends.  It's a small world.

  Todays plans start with a quick trip to the coffee shop with Donald.  Then trying to get some more accomplished in the front garage.  It will then be off to the big city, to pick up my next round of medications.  Hopefully, meet up with some friends for coffee and have a short visit.  After that it will over to my Son's to give him moral support, (Dad's way of helping) as Derek builds his last custom riser for his outside front steps.  This is why Dad's get a free meal!  And "Daughter-in-laws" do not have to listen to new forms of the use of the "English language"!  LOL!!!  Hahahaha....   Just some laughter to set the tone for the rest of the day.  I know how much Michele loves to enjoy life, rather than take things to seriously.  These are things that we all must learn.  And this is probably the most important lesson that "I" have learned since I had my concussion.  After all learning to laugh again is a very important step to Building the Simple life.........................  

   Not sure why I insist on siting down here every morning, only to get up right away to take my medications.  Somehow I have to reprogram my brain to realize that it is fully awake and needs it's medication to start functioning to start it's day.  I guess this is the kind of thing that a lot of people go through every morning, that's why you have the long line ups at the drive throughs at "Timmy's".  Or where ever people get their favourite blend of coffee in the morning!
  Yesterday Nicole updated me on her arrival back home in Calgary, where she was reunited with Mr Boots.  It seems he will not leave her side, looking for attention all the time.  If she get's up to walk around, he insists on going with her, following her wherever she might go.  Of course he is talking to her all the time, scolding her for being absent in his life for four sleeps.  And as punishment he will allow himself to lay on her, but she is not allowed to pat him at this time!  Talk about being a spoiled brat..  Perhaps by this morning, things may have changed, once Boots realizes that Nicole feeds him more treats than Nathan.  Time will tell!
  I went out to celebrate a friends birthday, yesterday!  When asked how young she is, her reply was one year younger than the year before.  My reply was how are you ever going to retire if you start taking time off of that magical number?  We are all still trying to figure this one out!  It was a great time spent with friends, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLENE.  To bad Susan had to work the late shift.
  Still working on sorting things out in the front garage, well sort of.  What I mean is I get some things organized that belong in the tool chest in the back garage, take them back there.  Then I spend some time there reorganizing things to fit there.  Then I discover things that belong with something in the front garage that I am sorting into containers, and then it's back to the front garage.  This is a very time consuming project.  Not to mention, the salvage and garbage that goes into their separate bins in the process.  Hopefully, SOON, this process will be finished!  It is starting to drive me mad, perhaps I am already there.
  This morning I think I shall go out for coffee with Donald if he calls.  One should catch up on the local coffee shop news, whats new in civic politics.  We do have local elections this fall!  Ok, so it's away of getting some humour in ones life.  When coffee is over I always have my work in the garages to come back to, and of course there is the leaves I never got to yet!  Oh the fun things of Building the Simple life......................

  Things are starting to fall back into a normal pace around here this morning.  Susan just left with the last of our house guests for the airport.  Nicole and baby "M" have an early flight to catch for Calgary, and should arrive there by 7am.  I will get to see them next at Christmas, which is just around the corner.
  So todays agenda will consist of more sorting of materials and supplies, and the cleaning and sorting of tools.  Then there is the job of putting them in their proper place of storage, to be assessable for the next job.  Once this cleanup is finally done, then it is on to the next stage.  Which is the set-up of a new work station for trim and cutting to finish the back entrance.  This is also my staging area for Susan and I when we do our tile cutting.  It is easy to move the tile saw back into the protection of the house (garage) when it is colder outside.
  When Susan returns from the airport, I am sure she will go right back to bed.  Last night she worked the close shift, then by the time she got home, had a snack (light supper), unwound a bit, and went to bed it was well past 11pm.  She did not get much sleep before she was up at 4:30 am to have her morning shower, and then take our house guests to the airport.
  Possibly this afternoon if it is warm enough, I might pull the lawn mower out for that last go around. Pick up those last few remaining leaves, and finally put the lawn mower away for the winter.  Yes one more job done for this year!
  We still have several more projects to do outside this year, but they seem minor in comparison to the accomplishments that family have helped us complete to date.  So I will keep on working on the little things while Susan is at work.  Then when she is at home tackling the major projects on her days off.  This way we can slowly accomplish our goal of Building the Simple life.......................

  It is simply amazing that Canadians have somehow found the spirit and the will to survive without the NHL.  Even the National news has pushed the lockout to the back benches, as it is not headline news and not that news worthy.  "WHAT"  You say?  It seems, we as Canadians have better things to spend our time on.  Than worrying when, and if "Hockey Night in Canada" will return!  At this time of year we have our fall yard work to perform.    This work that actually might get done this year!  lol!!  Stats, say soccer enrolment is up across North America (football for the rest of the world), and of course the Canadian Foot Ball season has four weeks to run it's course.  Then we are into the playoff's for the Grey cup!  Yes, as Canadians we have a lot to do at this time of year.  So as for hockey withdrawals it probably will not hit us until it is mid winter, or after the "NFL'S SUPER BOWL" or we suddenly realize it is getting near playoff time!
  So this morning Susan, Nicole, and baby "M" are watching a movie.  Moi, is trying to concentrate on doing my blog, not to successfully I might add.  So shortly I will finish this up.  Then it will be back out to the front garage an get back to Building the Simple life.........................

  Yesterday, Nicole and baby "M" drove me to the big city where we picked up some drywall and some florescent lights.  As we were returning home these black clouds started moving in from the northwest and began dropping snow.  Fortunately it did not last long, and we got the two sheets of drywall unloaded into the garage.  Yes, one more job done on the to do list.

  When we finished unloading, my electrician neighbour came over to install the outdoor fixture on the back garage.  To our surprise, when we were halfway through the job, we discovered one part and a screw were missing.  We also had to contend with the odd snow flake in the afternoon.  We kept commenting on what happened to this above normal temp's for the month of october and november, that environment Canada predicted for the fall forecast!  So several trips without success, the outdoor light fixture is only partially installed, and I will have to wait until Frank's return from another job.  Today he is out of town at another job, and when he returns he will bring the right part and then will finish up.

  Susan was up bright and early and did not have to go outside to get in her car to go to work!  Somehow I managed to finish cleaning her parking spot before she returned home from work last night.  Yes, another job checked off of the to do list!  And just in time, it's starting to get cold out there in the mornings.
  I have all ready had my morning medication.  So soon it will be time to have breakfast, and make my first attempt at getting this day started.  I have a couple of minor projects to finish in the front garage.  One in particular that comes to mind is a bit of sheet rock to hang back up on the one side of the newly installed door.  This was the new door that Dwayne and I installed before Thanksgiving.  So there is no time like the present, to get back at Building the Simple life.......................

  Good morning from the little city I call home, well until next spring.  Then we will have to see what will be in store for us at that time.
  This morning when I got up there was no boots to greet me.  No plodding of the old cow,  I would tease him, this is what he would like when he walked along, with his cone of shame on!  It was quite a site to behold.  If you could not see him in the dark, you definitely can hear him.  Plastic has a unique sound as it moves along, especially if it catches the edge of doors, doorways, furniture, chair legs, etc..
  Yesterday turned into a great day for "RIDER FANS" as they won their football game "CFL".  Which puts us into second place in the western conference!  Susan and I went to Derek and Michel's in the big city yesterday to help repair their front balcony support pillar.  To our amazement the original build was floating on top of the lower deck.  Not supported directly through to the footings below.  A Mike Holmes, this is not how this should be done!  Anyways it is properly supported now, level and plumb.  Now the darn metal railing will not fit, so it will have to go to the metal shop to be reworked.
  Nicole was off to Nathan's parents yesterday to watch the football game.  When she returned home we spent a quiet evening watching some television.  Ok, so it was a noisy evening, this family does too much talking, when you get Mom and Daughter together in the same room!  Like oh my goodness, they should make a remote control for these type of situations! (mute button) LOL!!!
  So now I will be in trouble again, but I have an excuse!  My med's are working very well, Hahahaha...  Today Nicole is going to run me into the big city to Home Depot.  Two sheets of sheet rock.  One blue, one regular.  This way we can finish off the garage project, and be ready to start on the next stage for the bathroom.  Now, we are ready for the next stage of Building the Simple life...............

 Yesterday we started with an early sitting for Thanks Giving, this was to allow Jennifer and Dwayne time to get an early start for home in Alberta.  They wanted to get home with the boys before midnight. We followed this with another sitting for Derek and Michele's family when they arrived later in the evening.

  Early this morning Nathan and Boots left for Calgary.  So now our house has quieted down, only one and one half house guest's remaining.  No, it is not Mr., Boots!  Nicole (Mickey Mouse), and baby "M" are our house guest's until friday morning. 

  So later today Nicole will steal away with baby "M" to Nathan's parents.  This way they can watch the football game together.  Susan and I will possibly go over to Derek and Michele's, to give them a hand with replacing one of their front deck posts.

  Today will be spent helping family, just like family comes home to help me.  I to will go and help, because that is how I was raised.  This is something that I passed onto my children.  Something that is very important in Building the Simple life...............

  This morning Susan is already off to work!  She has the opening shift and should be home by 3 pm.  Let's hope things go well for her, as today is our "THANKS GIVING" celebration.  Yes, and I am doing the cooking!  Well, sorta, I get to put in my two cent's worth.  I volunteered, Jennifer my oldest to do the cooking!  LOL!  I sure hope she see's the humour here as I will gladly participate, especially with the stuffing!  Hahahahaha.  Just that it is going to be made from scratch this year, sorry Dwayne.  Trouble is, I have to make it.  This could be a wonderful experience for all, depending on how the coin falls!  Ok just think positive!
  This morning I also have to make some time to sneak off to the Home Depot, "No"!  I do not need the truck!  I need to pick up some door lock pieces and some staples for the staple gun.  Apparently when I installed the old lock set and throw into the new door, it was missing a piece and jammed things up.  The local hardware does not carry the right parts, so I will have to go to the big city, to the big box store after all.  I will also pick up some dinner buns for supper!  Perhaps one should break down and buy some stove top stuffing as a backup plan just in case.  Did I say that out loud???  Dwayne!!!
  Now on to todays journey, at hand.  I now have two grandsons up visiting me, perhaps they are waiting for breakfast?  Mikkel says, "No" Aiden says, "Partially".  I tell them, "I think they are Confused".
  Mikkel is now playing and Aiden is off feeding Boots his third meal of the morning.  My oh my, I am sure glad that we only give him limited bits at a time, otherwise he would be bursting at the seams!  It will soon be time for me to go and start some breakfast for the boys and myself.  Grandma has already gone to work, and everyone else is still sleeping.  Perhaps if they can smell the coffee, and the bacon cooking, they may pull themselves out of bed and come and join us for some of the good life!  You know that this is one of the best parts of Building the Simple life.........................

  Yesterdays  projects are going to be carried over into today.  Why?  Let's just say, because of "THE DOOR".  Now I have usually learned to keep very calm (anger management 101).  For some reason this door, had to be removed at least a dozen times.  The two installers, being somewhat perfectionists had to remove several millimetres of concrete edging to get it to fit perfectly.  I wonder who they could have been?  So this morning Dwayne and I can install the piece of sheet rock on the garage ceiling.  This has already been pre cut, and is ready to be installed.
  Last night at about eleven pm the last of our sleep over guests arrived!  And yes Mr. Boots is now on the scene, complete with his cone of shame!  No sooner had I settled into bed last night, when Susan helped Boots into our bed.  Where he was still sleeping when I got up this morning.
  Now that my morning has started I have Mickey mouse, baby "M", Aiden, Mikkel, and Boots in attendance.  Boots passed out on knock out drops and Mikkel hyped up on a sugar fix talk about two opposites.  I am not sure how grandma can sleep through the noise.  Talk about the devil she must have heard me!  Grandma just walked down the hallway.
  Perhaps it is time to think about the hot-tub or breakfast!  Maybe both, and get this day under way.  So I can get a few more things checked off of my list at Building the Simple life.....................

  Surprise, surprise, this morning I am sitting with my two grandsons!  Everyone else is fast asleep!  We are trying to figure out what there problems are.  I was just informed that breakfast time is seven o'clock.  Now I wonder how they came up with this time?  So I guess I will be off to the kitchen shortly as we have decided that our tummy's are rumbling, as Mikkel tell's us.  So that means it must be breakfast time!  Perhaps we can have bacon and eggs and some pancakes. so I guess today will also include breakfast, as part of Building the Simple life...................

  Tonight my grandson's arrive!  Oh, and of course their parent's!  there are still many small projects to be accomplished around here before their arrival.  I must find that list to see where I am at, and what is left to be done.
  Yesterday Susan phoned me from work to advise me, her schedule had been changed.  So today instead of going in at 5pm, they have added hours and she now starts at noon.  Still can not find her list.  Hmmm, it's probably in her mind!  I guess I will have to ask her about it when she awakens from her beauty rest.
  The watery eyes and sneezing have just about run there course, but I do see more leaves in the yard again.  Perhaps I should wear my dust mask, used for painting to keep harmful fumes from getting into one's lunges.  Maybe this is something I should have thought of sooner!
  Tomorrow could be a very busy day for every one here.  Especially if I have my way.  I am hopping to steal my daughter away to home depot to pick up some supplies, while Dwayne my trusty, handy, son-in-law does some prep work in my garage.  Which we can finish off on my return.  When this job is completed, Mom will be able to reclaim to parking stalls in the front garage!  She only needs one.
  Saturday morning there is one door and a small window that require new weather striping to be installed.  Plus some caulking to be replaced around some doors. this could also be done on Friday.  Perhaps my daughter Jennifer would like to tackle the caulking.  If we can get these small jobs done, it would totally eliminate the must do list for outside work this year!  Yes there are many more projects to be accomplished outside, but they do not require warm weather, so they are on another list.
  Susan must be very tired, she has slept past her usual hot-tub rendezvous time.  I think I shall go and check on her, see if she cares to join me.  Then we both can set this day in motion, and get on with Building the Simple life............................

  Yesterday Susan and I managed to take care of the leaves in the yard.  Perplexing, when we don't even have even a single tree that shed's it's leaves in our yard.  This is further aggravating by the fact that if I don't get rid of them, the snow mould from them in the spring really sets off my allergies.  So last night I am up sneezing, and coughing as if I have a cold, which is still persisting this morning.  Just from the clean up!  These symptoms, I never had before my head injury!  Call it weird, or whatever, but I was never allergic to anything before, except penicillin.
  Susan and I also managed to shut down, and cover the air conditioning compressor for the winter.  We also drained the two remaining garden hoses, and put them away.  Then it was off to the bottle depot to recycle the remainder of the pop cans etc., that I had collected during the summer.
  We came home, cleaned up, switched vehicles, and then it was off to the big city. (Saskatoon)  Somehow we managed to stock up on supplies for thanksgiving, and stop at the dentist.  I had inadvertently chipped another tooth, luckily it only needed a bit of polishing this time around.  Then it was down the street to our chiropractor, for appointments, and back home.  Yesterday after supper, Susan still managed to clean and rearrange the pantry.  Part of the down sizing project, she had started earlier.  Which is now checked off,  the to do list!
  This morning we will be back to the big city.  I have another chiropractor appointment at 10am and we have some banking to do.  Then there is a couple of items we forgot on our grocery list.  OOP's!  Luckily the grocery store is in the same parking lot as the bank.  Then it will be back home to continue on our list's.  One in preparation for Thanksgiving, and one for Building the Simple life...................

  Good morning from the city!  Yes we managed to finish closing up yesterday.  Just in time to finish up with a bowl of soup at the Lark restaurant, our farewell lunch celebration.  Until next spring then, adios to our friends who are permanent residents, and those who will remain for a few more weeks.

  As I was saying we had a bowl of soup for lunch.  Then on our drive home we were already working on refining our list, for things that needed to be completed at home!  What list?  The list I had inadvertently started at the lake, thinking that I would have a bit of a breather once we got home.  Wrong!

  This morning projects include, one garden hose to put away, some more bottle sorting, and then to drop them off at recycling.  Then we still have to go to the big city for a stop at Costco and Safeway for groceries.  Plus Susan and I both have Chiropractor appointment's at 3pm, before we can return home.

  When we return home we have to start getting the house ready for the kids, and grandchildren.  They start arriving for our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend Thursday night!  Oh yes, "Boots" will be here for the weekend as well!  I am thinking he will still have his cone of shame on when he arrives.  Nicole has also Informed me that in the future when he goes out he will be wearing his harness and leash!  They are definitely turning him (Boots) into a refined gentleman!  Nicole you will have to trim his cone down in size, so it looks like one of those old English collars.  He will look like quite like a gentleman don't you think!!! Hahahah!!!  Poor Mr. Pooo!  I am siting here trying not to fall off the couch this morning!  I think perhaps my med's are doing wonderful things for me.

  Anyways I believe it is almost time for Susan to get out of bed for some hot-tub time, (the one thing I miss at the lake) gather up our plans for the day at Building the Simple life..........................

  We had a wonderful time yesterday.  Spent a leisurely time with some friends as they did there final close up, and then they were gone.  Then I was over to help Donald one more time, to winterize his lines with antifreeze.

  Somehow we managed to get our work done around here right on schedule.  So all the work in regards to the carriage house was done as planned, and then it was off to the fall supper!  My God was I surprised by the amount of people in attendance.  By the time they opened the doors we were lined up side by side for the whole block..  There had to be close to three hundred people they were serving by the time they were done!  Oh yes I brought my appetite, but I behaved myself.  The cooks did a marvellous job, and if I am in town next year I would attend again.

  I asked Nicole for an update on Boots and was told that he is still grounded!  He follows her around singing to her!  Meowing, probably wanting out!  But he is still wearing the cone of shame!!!  Which I call the cone of silence (I like get smart).  So I figure he will have to remain indoors until his ear has fully healed.  Probably a little longer, just so he "Might" learn a valuable lesson!  Not!  After all, We are talking about Boots here!!!!

  This morning I have been checking out the weather for the next two days, and then looking at what is left on the list for today and tomorrow.  We will probably be done here by 10 am today, that is if nothing goes wrong.  Murphy's law you know!

  So it looks like today is starting early for us, even Susan is up and had her breakfast!  It's simply "amazing".   I guess she just want's to get home to her hot tub!  It will be with a bit of sadness for us today as we close up for the season, but it will bring us one step closer to our goal of Building the Simple life......................