| Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 05:59 pm: |   |
Just popping in and out! We spent a couple of days in Victoria, but did no shopping. Just enjoyed the family! Saw our son on the way down, and oldest daughter and family on the way home. Everyone is fine. Life doesn't get much better than that!
Looks like the rain has settled in for a while. We probably won't see the sun now for about two weeks. November, typically, is quite foggy here and so far we haven't seen much in October. Guess it's time to get cracking on inside work, and spend more time at the swimming pool.
I had fun just watching Baby Soleil. Will control myself and post just one of our newest 'little man'.
You can't see Nanay Diane but he's in my arms. Wonderful! |
| Posted on Thursday, November 03, 2005 - 02:24 am: | |
We are in for a storm tomorrow, with high winds, so I'll be bringing out the candles, just in case we lose power. And I noticed today that the snow level is down on Mt. Arrowsmith. It's sort of our barometer for winter-type weather. I'm hoping that the ski slopes have a good snow base this year but would prefer the snow to stay on top of the mountains and leave us bare down here close to sea level.
We went swimming today and I spotted some beautiful fungii on the neighbour's lawn as we approached home. The red with white spots is actually called Fly Agaric and it's poisonous. Beautiful though. I saw a photo posted in Assignments and will have to check it out!
Bushed ...
This one is in Wayne's hand ..
 |
| Posted on Monday, November 07, 2005 - 04:39 pm: | |
I'm determined to get some clean-up done outside, but went swimming today and we had to make an emergency exit from the water because there was a chlorine leak. Now, after standing around for 40 minutes in a wet swim suit, I'm home but have such a headache! I think the fresh air will help.
Also, the snow level is down the mountain more. My goodness.
Had a wonderful time with grand girls yesterday.
 |
| Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 10:29 pm: | |
We have a new photo of our little apo, baby Soleil, at 20 days. He looks like such a little man! I'm so looking forward to seeing him again.
Boni and I went to Nanaimo yesterday so she could see an eye specialist, a competent one this time, and it was just great. Good news for her, and we did so many things differently. We went to different shops, had a different lunch, nice drive, enjoyed each other's company. A good day.
The forecast had been for freezing weather but it didn't get that low. Wonderful!
By the way, we've started eating the Brussel sprouts and they are delicious!! Must do more. I only have four plants, but they have so much on them!
Almost bought bulbs yesterday, but controlled myself.
Bushed. Swam today and enjoyed all of it. Ran around town doing chores. When we came home, Wayne had to go back to work on the foundation. What a job that's been!
Very tired today, though, but a good day. |
| Posted on Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - 10:37 pm: | |
 
To everything.:) And all..From shrooms..to grandgirls to Soleil. |
| Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 02:31 am: | |
We had such a good time with our little apo on Monday and Tuesday. He's still so little. He's four weeks old tomorrow at only at 7 lbs. 11 oz. so Mommy is giving him a little formula now. But what a sweetie! Wayne and I enjoyed him so much!
Bath time is such fun!
We've had some cold weather and the snow levels are down. Now we're expecting clear and cold weather for a week or so. Our son and grand girls are coming up on Saturday so we plan to have our annual bonfire. Should be great weather for it!!
This is our usual indicator of how close we are to winter. It's actually good news to start with snow on Mt. Arrowsmith this early.
I still haven't gathered more of the Sprouts'. Perhaps tomorrow.
Funny how other things just crop up and crowd out plans for the day!! |
| Posted on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 02:33 am: | |
Just popping in and out! Gosh, time flies!
I was going to say it's quite cold here right now, but wondered what my fellow Canadians would think of me shivering in +2C weather! It's chilly for us here on the coast, and very damp. I understand there were blue skies over the Island today, but not for us here in the Valley!!
I took a picture of this plant that is growing so well for me. Don't remember planting it, don't know what it is, asked Bonitoad and she doesn't know, so I'm thinking it's a wonderful, hardy weed that some bird brought as a gift! When we've had frosts and the thing just keeps right on growing, it must be something I don't want... perhaps it will take over the garden, or be impossible to take out!
Were off to Victoria this week, for an overnighter, and will get in some cuddling time with Soleil. Wayne is flying off to the frozen North on December 5.
With him being retired this year I haven't often had the house to myself, so will enjoy the quiet. I'm thinking about painting the dining room! I can make a huge mess!
We're sub-dividing the farm up North so there's a ton of paper work to do (we have running water on all the lots!) Some of the paperwork has to be signed off by the Ministry of Transportation in Fort St. John, and land title office is in New Westminister. Thank goodness for notary publics!
So I'm off to have my bath and read my latest book (not impressed with it, but it's something to read!) Will research my 'weed' and if I can't figure it out, will post a photo. Maybe will post anyway. |
| Posted on Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 05:11 am: | |
Well, I'm still cold. We drove as far as the pub in Chemainus when the snow started falling, and we still had a mountain to cross. The worst place, as far as snow and ice were concerned, was Victoria, which is very unusual. However, it cleared up the following day. Today we were above freezing long enough for me to wash the salt off my car!
I suppose I can use the next while to plan the changes in the yard next year ...
But life feels very fragile at the moment, and I cling to promises for the future, and, so far, it's not doing me much good.
We had a big rhodo to take out, and the smoke bush. I'm not sure I want the Boston ivy growing on the new railing, and have no idea where to put the laughing monks. The fences and house, wood shed and barn all have to be painted. We want to put in a walking path to the neighbour's, take out a trellis and make a new gate. And top dress the lawns properly this year.
Much to do. Much to think about.
Wish I was warmer... Will go put the kettle on and make a nice milky hot chocolate.
ps. One of our neighbour's is having an awful time with a bear. I'm hoping it goes away soon. And that's not the only bear we've heard of that is making a right nuisance of himself/herself! We have deer munching away on what is left in the garden, but the bear is quite destructive. |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 06, 2005 - 08:00 pm: | |
Our Soleil is 6 weeks old now. I wanted to post the photo with Lolo Wayne but need to edit a bit. Am off to dinner at Bonitoad's!! Yum! |
| Posted on Friday, December 09, 2005 - 12:53 am: | |
Monique suggested I print this journal, and started last night. Ran out of ink!! Wonder why! I do ramble on...
It was a good news/bad news day, but mostly good. I am so enjoying this time to myself. Haven't done what I planned, although I've had excellent intentions!!! Today, rather than painting the kitchen or swimming, I went down to the river and watched the swans. I don't know how the photos will look. I was facing south ... but that's where the river is. And it was low tide, very low. Actually, the tide was so low I could have walked across the river, just like the bears do.
Speaking of bears, my neighbour is still repairing damage. Thank goodness he/she wasn't interested in anything here. All that's available outside is some squash, onions and Brussel sprouts.
I was going to tie up some shrubs today, but a girlfriend came for coffee, and I was happy to put that chore off for a day. Coffee with a girlfriend, and this one especially, was the perfect thing to do this afternoon.
Am working on a jig saw puzzle, but it's taking forever. Usually I have them done in no time, and I find it very relaxing. This one is quite difficult. Funny... how I manage to 'burn daylight', and totally enjoy it.
Perhaps I'll get in that swimming tomorrow. And fix the printer.
We were 'invaded' by little birds today, juncos, chickadees, nuthatches, some finches. The snow level must be down. I couldn't see because of the fog. (Our bane for living on the west coast.) |
| Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 02:52 am: | |
So I started printing out and ran out of ink, couldn't find the package I needed (and didn't look far enough, as it turns out), so it's done now and I will carry on with the printing.
Can't believe it's the 17th already. Soleil and his parents were up for the night. He's almost 11 pounds, now, a very long baby. And hungry!! Will post a photo.
Wayne is back. That's good. Good news on the property. Finally.
Bonitoad has had few baking disasters that are always good for a laugh. Our older sister has pneumonia, so she's in pretty rough shape. She's on very strong antibiotics, so we hope she'll be feeling much better by the end of the week.
Grand girls are coming on the 25th for a while by themselves, and then will be joined by Dad and step-mom over night. I'm still trying to figure out what they would prefer to eat for supper, and then can decorate gingerbread people for dessert. Kind of a tradition around here.
I've been wandering through the seed catalogues, dreaming of next spring. I even have a few new ideas for the vegetable garden. So much work to do.
Anyway, little Soleil tuckered me out so I'm off for my bath. Wil post this before I go. The swans have spent a lot of time on this side of the river. There is a huge sanctuary at Shoemaker bay, on the other side of the pennisula. Our good fortune!!
That's the paper mill in the back. See how the fog sits in our Valley. It was sunny on the other side of the mountains. |
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 02:50 am: | |
Cold again today! I spent more time with the seed catalogues. Really must 'do' something tomorrow! It's a swimming day, so that's good.
And we're talking about more house renovations! Well, why not. If it gives us more room to do the stuff we want to now! I'm excited about an area for sewing or painting!
Anyway, a new photo of Soleil, who is almost 11 pounds now and will be 2 months old on Tuesday. He's sleeping in my arms ....
 |
| Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 07:23 pm: | |
We've had such warm weather. For a few days our temperature has been 14ºC, which is nice for us, but not for the ski slopes. We need the freezing levels to come down! And we've had an incredible amount of rain with this system called 'The Pineapple Express'. If we have a storm with high winds I'm afraid we will have trees down because the ground is so soggy! So it goes on the west coast..
We had our grand girls here for part of the 25th and they went home in the afternoon the next day. The two younger girls have colds, like so many other people we know.
And last night we went to Bonitoad's for dinner. It was the first time in three or four days that I went out of the house! And we had such a nice time!
Quiet days now... I spent today catching up on laundry, and exploring the seed catalogues some more!
We're talking about resurfacing the concrete sidewalk and carport floor this coming year. Sounds like we have two big projects for next year, and I want to repaint everything outside. And put up a new gate at the bottom of the back garden. We seem to just keep repairing the one that's there. It's wooden, and all the rest are chain link. I want something wood to replace it. I think they have a lot more character.
So, I have lots of ideas. Makes me tired just thinking about it all! |
| Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2006 - 06:12 am: | |
So, the new year is here. And it came in with a roar. We had flooding and high winds, power outages and thunder!
We enjoyed a bit of a family get together for a few hours. Wayne and I both have a cold. I'm pretty sure it's the same one! Anyway, we're both feeling better today.
I had to clean out bird feeders and get rid of wet food. The feeder on the fir tree needs to be taken down and there must be something I can do to make it more rain-proof.
We're off to Nanaimo later, just a quick drive down and back. I'm glad we're not dealing with snow!
No new year's resolutions for me, although I'm quite taken with the idea of adopting an attitude of gratitude. Perhaps if I'm feeling positive about all the good things in my life, I can deal with the negatives better. And I am grateful for a lot!
We saw both our daughters on the 31st and I had lots of time to play with Soleil. Then, on new year's eve, Wayne and I found ourselves driving home with chickens in crates on the back seat of the car. A first .... We were home by 10:30 p.m. and Wayne's new 'ladies' were tucked in before midnight.
And a new year has begun. |
| Posted on Friday, January 06, 2006 - 12:42 am: | |
And now I have been so sick. Bad cold .... bad, bad cold. I keep myself awake with my wheezing, and coughing. Am hoping to feel better tomorrow.
It's so hard to believe we had sunshine today with what the weather is like now. We've had .. well, the weather all along the west coast has one system after another, with all kinds of flooding. We have an additional problem in our area with some 'questionable' logging practices (I don't claim to be an expert, but the evidence speaks for itself) yet another water boil alert. Everyone in the water district has to be phoned and given a verbal alert, even though it's published in the paper and was put on television. Makes for a long day (for Wayne, not me ... I don't speak much louder than a whisper at the moment.)
So I was feeling sorry for myself, and then the phone rang this afternoon, and it was Val, who put Soleil up to the phone so he could 'chat' with Nanay Diane!! What fun!
And now I've just bought tickets so we can all go to Circque du Soleil in Vancouver in July, VIP. Wonderful! I love having something like this to look forward to.
Okay, my head is so stuffy, I'm off. Will add this little photo of our Soleil. He's growing so fast!
 |
| Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 11:45 am: | |
Just popping in for a brief visit! We've had no winter and the spring bulbs are coming up. I'm hoping they will be blanketed with snow before they bloom. We need snow, especially on the mountains, but it certainly feels like our climate has changed. Disconcerting...
Meanwhile, I carry on with plans for changes to the garden this year, with the much of the vegetable garden being reclaimed for growing vegetables. Funny how it was becoming crowded with flowers ....
And we need work done on the woodshed, so I'm a bit worried about the Virginnia creeper and my giant white clematis. Will see how we work around these.
I'm looking for a replacement rhodo. My Christmas Time is coming out, and the smoke bush, and a lot of day lilies because they are overgrown.
How I am looking forward to drying clothes on the line!
But meanwhile, a little winter weather would be good. |
| Posted on Saturday, January 21, 2006 - 04:11 pm: | |
He's so cute:) every day a difference.. |
| Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 - 02:51 am: | |
Well the month of January just disappeared! And I don't think I accomplished anything in the whole month!
Tonight is very stormy here on the west coast. Not only have we been isolated in the valley because of a sudden snowfall and an accident that blocked the highway, then shut it down for a while, both to the east and west side of the island, but tonight the winds are so bad that the ferry fleet has been put on hold. So we're stuck on the island as well. We're kind of lucky though, because we still have power. Here we've had a lot of thunder and lightning but I think the wind was not as powerful. With all the rain we've had I'm sure that a lot of trees are down. They just fall over, with the roots intact but high in the air.
I know we haven't had the kind of harsh winter a lot of people have had to survive, but I will be so glad to see spring showers and sunshine again!
I put in my seed and plant order so am dreaming about the gardens. There is so much work to do, even on the house. And we will have to have cement work done once Wayne has finished his next project. It's going to look so much nicer and be so much easier to keep up! I think I want a foot path to the back fence, too, so it's easier for the neighbour to get to the back door ... oh yes, a new back door too!
I'll be glad to get back to the pool so I have more stamina to do the garden and outside work!
Meanwhile, I'll stick my nose back in my book and live vicariously! |
| Posted on Saturday, February 04, 2006 - 01:08 pm: | |
We had our worst storm last night. High winds, heavy rain. We didn't lose our power but had a lot of flickering lights. We shut down the computers, even with surge protectors. Not worth taking a chance. And then, at 3 a.m. we had a call that there was a blow-out in the water main so Wayne headed off in this weather to assist in driving the country roads trying to find the gusher.
That was successful, but now we have no water while the pipe is being fixed, and the entire water system is now being flushed.
Phone calls to the house had me up early.
Wayne said there are tree branches down all over the place but few large trees. That's good news.
And I noticed this morning that my snow drops are blooming. They have a nice little protected place, at the base of the Trumpet vine, and soon more Spring flowers will join them. Everything is early this year. (Even the cats shedding their Winter coats started early. It's an ongoing job trying to keep up with the grooming.)
I think we have more wind and rain with this system and then we're promised a day of sun. Think I'll clean windows in preparation for it!! |
| Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:20 pm: | |
I'm craving nice warm sunny weather. Last night was quite cold (-7ºC) and it's supposed to be colder tonight. I'm feeling sorry for the little spring flowers that poked their heads up and thought they'd bloom. I didn't cut back the roses, vines etc. and it may be a good thing.
Actually, I've done little outside. In the house, however, I've planned. Hope it all works out!!
I bought some primroses and planted them in my buggy planter (a neighbour made the little buggy out of wood, lined it so I could put soil in it, and I painted it red!!) We moved one of the bird feeders close to the house, and now the little juncos and chickadees sit on the buggy planter and hop around in the soil. I'm forever having to sweep up birdseed, soil and bits of plants. Suppose they love it, though!
We have a kestrel that stops by once in a while. I'd love to get a photo, but am concerned about what's attracting the bird.
And then, tonight, before it got dark, I was sitting in my chair in the living room and this huge tabby cat walked right up to the patio door. We've been leaving dry food outside for Purrtt and I guess she's been sharing!! I just hope this cat is not going to be a problem with our house cats when they go outside.
Well, another day, a good day... well, pretty good.
But I'm definitely looking for some sunny rays ... I have my sunscreen out and am ready for some ultra violet light!! |
