we are now (almost) Business Owners!

Well, definitely a busy, 'happening' weekend!  Saturday noon Grant & I had a meeting with the current owners of the Cowichan Valley Property Guys franchise http://propertyguys.com/search/?k=duncan%2C+BC for almost two hours at the Woodgrove White Spot.  We came home still very interested in buying the business - we can both see much potential and a good fit for us.  I like the possibility of linking up home staging possibly next spring - mentioned that along with training etc to Grant and he agrees it is a good idea. 

After we got home I changed and we headed out to Harewood Plains for a dog-walk...H. took some pictures, I took lots more.  The weather was quite unpredictable - I put my jacket on and off several times!  When I get time in the next time I will upload the photos I took to the computer - and pick a couple for here.

Saturday evening we did a lot of talking about the business, but did not do the prerequisite profile - I was too tired to do something like that properly.  So Sunday morning after reading the papers we sat down at the computer and did the profile.  In the afternoon Grant took Kasia for a walk 'out back' and while he was gone I started roughing out an informal 'Letter of Intent to Purchase a Business'...it took a while as I wanted it to have the 'essentials' even tho I know it will be changed when formally/legally done through the lawyer.  Late afternoon I emailed Beverley/Buffy our Offer and we waited for the response. We did not include the car, as I really prefer to use the Nissan. With several emails back and forth, we got an acceptance back about 9pm or so - without the vehicle they are getting very close to what they were initially asking for.    This week is now going to be very busy with needing to meet with Jan, finding and meeting with a lawyer who works with business transactions, etc.  I listed the Motorhome on Kijiji and UsedNanaimo last night, and we will check to see if there is anyplace that buys rv's - though I doubt it.  We need to clean it out.  Now Grant feels the need to tidy/organize the workshop.  I sent an email also last night to Gary saying that we need a properly functioning office by June 13th!  When I am out today I will stop someplace to insure the motorhome - can't really sell it unless someone can take it for a test drive.  I had been reluctant to sell it before - but I now see the need to do that so we can use those funds for several needed payments.

On the weekend we got an email from a fellow from Switzerland looking for two weeks of homestay/tutoring in July - I replied yesterday aft, mentioning we are now in town and not in the country, but also mentioning what would be included.  I told Grant about the email, and we are hoping that we get a still-interested reply.  I think that once we get the Front Entry done - which also includes much related organizing - there should be more room in the sewing/guest room so that we may be able to do Homestay Tutoring more than just through the summer.  As of now we are scheduled to have a Mexican boy for next school year, but maybe we can get back to the Homestay Tutoring as a regular activity the following year.

Ian phoned on Saturday evening - he ended up at Silvertip Ranch in the mountains back of Bull River off the road between Jaffray and Fort Steele.  I had given him the contact info, and also the fact that one of our Helpers also stayed there in 2009.  Ian was accepted as a Helper - only other Helper is a very quiet female Veterinarian from Japan - and will be there until tomorrow when he heads to his summer job at Kikomun Prov Park southwest of Fernie.  It is doubtful he will have internet access, but I think he will have electricity as accommodation is in a 'trailer'.  Guess he will be doing most of his shopping etc in Fernie, or maybe Cranbrook. 

Well, I just went back and checked emails and found out we have now been approved as new franchise owners by PG HO, so time to post this and get moving!

Spring - but doesn't feel like it yet!

My last post was February 11th 2011 - a little less than three months ago.  But most definitely a lot has happened since then.  I am no longer working with NSVS - At the end of March there were some difficulties between myself and the Board - which I will not go into here! - and on March 24th I gave the Board my resignation, with two weeks notice.  It was agreed that it would not be feasible for my to work out my notice.  Unfortunately when I received my final cheque early in April the Board had chosen to only pay me until approx. March 23rd. 

Since that time I've been looking for work, but wanting to do something that is not only enjoyable and challengng, but also something that will not reproduce the situation which engendered difficulties with NSVS.  Last week I found a posting on CraigsList for a Homestay Coordinator position with Muskoka Language Institure - I applied and am really keeping my fingers crossed.  It 'closed' last Friday, so I should hear something early this week if I have a chance.

AND - Gary finally started work on the new front entry.  He has the front wall/window up, and should get the other (door) wall done this week.  As usual it is going very slowly - but we all know that it will make an incredible difference when it is done.  First Grant wanted to re-use the existing front door, but I convinced him to get a 'new one' - so one day last week Heather and I went out to DEMXX and we found a new acquisition that had been in a 'waterfront mansion' in Victoria.  It was originally marked at $825, down to $575 - Alan gave me a price of $400.  I think Alan likes to think of almost everything they demolish as being a 'mansion'!  Anyhow it is a beautiful solid oak door and wide trim - supposed to be white oak - with a very dark stain.  It will take our existing door handle/deadbolt.  Gary will just need to do a new threshold.  I'm hoping we can still have the glass block though I'm not sure how he will manage taking that out..but keeping security in mind.  Maybe fill in with plywood temporarily?

This past weekend was Mother's Day weekend -

• Saturday we all had a dreary, grumpy day..  Grant napped a lot.  We needed groceries, and Heather finally agreed to come with me.  We got a few groceries - choosing carefully - at Superstore then came home.  She very nicely drove which helped my headache!
• Yesterday was a much better, more productive day for all of us!  When I went to make coffee I found a wrapped package by the coffeemaker - suspecting it was a Mother's Day gift, I took it to the living room and unwrapped it.  Unlike some gifts, I had not expected an actual gift for Mother's Day, and definitely had no idea what was inside the package!  It turned out to be the mailbox we had looked at and chosen at the 'Dig This' store on Rutherford when we were looking there earlier in the winter.  It is lovely, strong, and very simple in design.  The front has a tile with a dragonfly design.  We have agreed that it is permanently 'ours' and will not stay with the house whenever we sell.  Not long before noon we headed out for a 'dog-walk', choosing to head up to the  'wood lot' area at the end of Biggs Road.  As usual I was well at the end, but it did not rain, and I enjoyed the wide variety of flowers we saw.  Only one mountain biker, otherwise it was 'just us' .  As always Kasia managed to find water - several times.  The truck is most definiely the 'way to go' for dogwalks - she still barks but doesn't damage our hearing like in the van!

Speaking of the Van - which is Ian's now - unless he got lost he should be starting his first day of his two week trial period as Campground Attendant with East Kootenay Parks. Still not sure which park he is working at.  I guess we will hear sometime this week.  He may not have any internet access...  Its to bad that he doesn't have a camera - unless he actually does..???  This summer job he will have more private free time - maybe he might develop an interest in taking pictures during quiet moments.  More on his convoluted path to working in the East Kootenays in another post.

It is almost 10 am and I am very late in waking Heather up (PD Day for schools today so she does not have any kids coming to either Morrell Sanctuary or Bowen Park...)

Back again - my posting felt 'unfinished'!

To continue about post-NSVS jobhunting ~  About two weeks ago I found a posting for the Cowichan franchise of Property Guys on a Business for Sale website.  Obviously since the whole concept behind Property Guys is selling without a realtor it is a 'fsbo' business selling website.  I emailed back & forth a bit with one of the owners of the franchise - she lives in Ladysmith - and last Friday I met with her at her place to get more info.  I arrived with 20+ questions already written down, and along with extra info and a small folder she gave me I came home with plenty of information for Grant and I to discuss.  We both feel it is definitely worth taking the next step - which is approaching the bank to see if we can get a line of credit attached to the house (like a mortgage) - and if the bank says yes - then I will arrange a second meeting with both of the business partners for more info and maybe an offer.  The next 'training' session at Head Office in Moncton is early in June - so to make that training we need to get things going fairly soon.  Otherwise we would not be able to take over until the next training which would likely not be until September.
Blogging:
Last night I spent some time reading a Blog I found called '100 Lakes on Vancouver Island' http://100lakesonvancouverisland.blogspot.com/  I enjoyed the photos and the content - lots of great links also.  This morning I also quickly scrolled/speed-read thru to the beginning of his blog.  Makes me even more interested in Blogging not just for my personal benefit, and possibly the use of an immediate cirlcle of personal or business connections - but to write something of significance in blog form.  I think my small laptop might be useful there...  I can see that I might write the content on my laptop - not even needing to be online - then cut & paste the content and reformat when I have the time next....definitely an idea.


I'll either come back and add to this post or if I don't do that today will start a new one another day..
      

Time flies!!

Last time I wrote it was still 2010, before Christmas! Ian was still working on the fireplace, which is now finished, and he is away at UNBC! It is now mid-February - Valentine's Day on Monday!


We now have an International Student for this semester - Ji won is from South Korea, near Seoul, and he is 16.  He is in Gr 11 at Wellington School.  This morning he slept in - I woke him at 8:20 - a couple of minutes after 8:30 he burst out the front door, running fast, and got to school very close to on time.  That was fast!

An interesting blog I found a while ago while searching for a good photo of a cedar tree for Heather - http://fireweedmeadow.wordpress.com/

more later I hope...

Almost Christmas!

Almost September!

Yesterday we had our final Yard Sale before the MOVE - Ian, Grant and Sofia (our new Mexican Helper) helped set everything up, and at the end Ian, Heather, Sofia and I cleared everything up.  What did not sell we either put out on the 'free pile' or loaded in the van - Ian then drove stuff to Ryan's to donate to 1st Cedar Scouting, then to Value Village for the rest.  Some things they did not take - not sure why - so Ian added those to the free pile when he got back.  Luckily the weather cooperated and other than a bit of wind it was quite a nice day for a Yard Sale.  We netted $145, with no expenses as all I did for advertising was put a posting on Kijiji and a neon pink sign over the For Sale sign - good use for it now!

Back up a day - 5pm Saturday Grant and I were supposed to drive down to Victoria to pick up Ian after his summer working at Camp Thunderbird - but mid-morning Saturday Grant found out he had to go in to work for the afternoon - so I went down 'just me' to get Ian.  I got there a few minutes before 5 - actually surprised him I think with that - then after he loaded everything in we drove first to Sooke to see if there was an interesting place to go for dinner.  No luck - always has struck me as odd that Sooke does not have any nice restaurants etc with the wonderful views.  So we headed home, after deciding we'd detour thru' Cowichan Bay for dinner.  I parked in the town parking lot, then we wandered down the road looking for a place we'd not been to before that had seafood.  We ended up in a pub - on a balcony over the water.  Perfect evening, and good food.  Got back home around 9ish.

And - to back up even further - shortly after 8:30am on the same day, the phone rang, and it was Sofia, our new Helper from Mexico, saying she was on the ferry.  I met her as she came thru the arrival doors.  She is very nice, and her English is quite good - even tho she wants to improve it.

As it is now 8am, I'd better stop here and add more later - have exciting news about work.

Selling - Moving

Well, I just gave someone the link to this Blog for pictures etc and when I looked at it I realized I hadn't posted anything since December! Definitely time to catch up.

• Ian came home after his last exam at Memorial in December - relaxed and 'caught up' til early January, then started job-hunting. He did several temp-type jobs, then once he was offered a summer camp job he really wanted he concentrated on getting his Bronze Cross Swimming certification and his Class 4 Driver's License. The Class 4 was quite the thing as he still had his N. And he worked really, really hard getting his Bronze Cross. While he was doing that he and I started going to the pool in LS with me doing the Aquafit and him taking private lessons after.
• On Easter Sunday my mom passed away - peacefully in her sleep. She would have been 87 this June. Grant and I visited her the evening before, as the Dr felt she didn't have long left - he thought she had pneumonia. She was well taken care of and we are glad she was not in pain at the end.
• We realized this is definitely the year to finish the house off and move to something smaller. Ian helped a lot, and we found a really great contractor. I advertised in Kijiji for a drywaller after not really liking the estimate we got from a regular business. One fellow was 'ok' but his estimate was still more than what Gary's was, along with wanting us to buy the materials. Gary did not only what we wanted, but a lot more. We are extremely pleased with the work he did. We now have an accepted offer on a house (surprisingly) in central Nanaimo! We had been looking north of town, for something on a small acreage, until I came across this house/property that backs on a small park. We had to have our house listed the Tuesday after we got the accepted offer - which was about April 24th. We now have to have this place unconditionally sold by June 25th to make the deal go thru. Time will tell. This is the link to our house listing: http://www.mls.ca/propertyDetails.aspx?propertyId=9459027
• Other 'event' was my/our car disaster! The station wagon had been 'acting up' back in April, and when I took it to Cdn Tire was told there might be transmission problems, but it shold last for a bit before it needed to be serviced. The following Monday we were in Victoria before taking Ian to Camp when it DIED in the intersection - downtown - in rush hour traffic. Called BCAA - and they towed it all the way up to Steve Marshall Ford that night! We rented a car - took Ian to Camp, then came home. Steve Marshal said it needed a new transmission - anywhere between 3500 and 5000, which didn't make any sense financially. So - a week of car-shopping (ugh!) and ended up buying a car privately from a friend/classmate of Heather's. Bought it for $3800 down from the $4200 she was asking for it. Definitely got took - tho we think it was unintentional on her part. She told me it was a 99 - turns out to be a 97 - VW Golf. And it was not exactly up to what we wanted. I kept it for a couple of weeks, then after a few 'family discussions' and more checking out cars at dealerships found a 2009 Nissan Versa lease at Newcastle Nissan. I dragged Grant there on a Saturday - we took it for a test drive, and ended up buying it on their payment plan. The deal is that we will pay the car off when we sell the house. It is a dream to drive - only has the 'creature comforts' I want/need and nothing more. Really easy on gas, and parks well. Very pleased with it. No more car shopping for a long time I hope!

The weather has been positively awful this past month or two - really hard to believe it is actually June! I turned the heat on this morning - and I'm still wearing layers!

Well I guess I've said enough to catch up for now - will try to be a bit more regular from now on!

December!!!

Wow! tomorrow is the beginning of the 2nd week of December! Busy at work, especially with Wednesday being the Annual General Meeting and Christmas Lunch - Monday I will have to confirm the Driver List, contact Drivers, etc etc!

Yesterday when Amanda and I were in Town we went to Staples and I got a single-computer Upgrade to Windows 7...had them 'match' Costco's price, which means they did $1 less...and I had a $25 Gift Card I'd ordered (2 of) from Airmiles...so the Windows 7 Upgrade which they had at $129 cost me $102 with tax..not bad. I now have it fully installed - other than the odd program which I will install if/when I need it. So far I'm very impressed, and know that I will be wanting to get a 'Family Upgrade' for 3 computers to do the other 3 computers in the family..it seems like it has solved a lot of the Vista /XP probems, plus incorporated a lot of things I (and others) have used other programmes for. I did end up downloading the newest IE7 Pro as I find it works best with Tabs. Took a bit of getting used to getting my 'favorites' as in Google, Weather etc...I had to set them manually at the top.

Anyhow...more later...

Looking forward to December 15th!!!

Time flies!

Well, it is not raining...at the moment! For a while the sky was mostly blue with quite a bit of sun, and now its getting darker with a definite look of rain to the west. We are all getting very tired of this rain.

I've been working on Ian's most recent essay yesterday and today - a 'review' of the Marx Brothers movie Duck Soup - he sent me 12-15 pages, and last night and this morning I edited it. He is now finetuning what I did, adding a tighter intro/conclusion, and giving me the final footnotes/citations. Should have it ready to send him again tomorow afternoon at the latest.

Tomorrow at work I will be very, very busy - finalizing my Report to the Board, helping Gabrielle with the Agenda, photocopying everything Bryce will have left for me, and proofreading Bryce's report. THEN doing some phoneing/emailing on the client/volunteer lists for the Xmas luncheon. THEN answering a couple of eamails re our funding requests to service clubs. THEN...WELL, I don't think there will be much time for and more THEN. Will be continued on Tuesday when Bryce is in - Wednesday is his last day before his wedding on Saturday - which I gather is in Courtenay.

On Friday afternoon we have another 'Helper' (I think actually Workaway) arriving - his name is Edo, short for Eduordo (sp?), and he is 18 from Italy. He's currently in the States...back east.

Susan Aglukark Concert!!!

Tonight is the SUSAN AGLUKARK concert we are going to courtesy of the 'Theatre Angels' program at the Port Theatre. Myself, H., and G. are taking 9 of our Guides. We asked who wanted to go, and then put those names 'in a hat' and drew 9. We hope to have free tickets again several more times thru the year, and it would be nice if everyone who wants to go gets to go at least twice. I've never been to the Port Theatre before, but H has. I think this is a way to introduce a really great cultural aspect to our Guide program this year - easy and FREE and FUN!

G is off work today, and it is also my usual Friday off - he has just left to take our Boarder to the ferry. When he comes back we will both head into town for him to get a haircut (Great Clips sent out coupons for $8.99 haircuts!!), I will look in the new ladies wear store I've discovered in the same mall as Great Clips, then we will go to the Wellington library to return the books we have and get some more...sometimes its good to hit a different branch for a fresh bunch of books. Yesterday after work I went to Candian Tire and had the headlights adjusted and the blubs changed. It wasn't dark enough on the way home to test them so I'm 'keeping my fingers crossed' that they will be much better. Tonight coming home from the Theatre should be the test.

WOW - Busy!

Mid-aft Sunday - Grant, H. and our two Japanese summer ESL students are out fishing - Nanaimo Lakes I think. Earlier this week we cruised the online classifieds and found an aluminum boat that appeared to be just what we wanted. Turned out it is: a 14' aluminum boat, trailer and 9.9hp motor - all in really good condition. We managed to get it for a good price. It seems to be about the same age - or a bit newer - than our old boat which we sold in Lethbridge before moving here. Thing is this boat has been stored - complete - in a barn for years. Yesterday morn/aft Grant etc went to Duncan to the new Cdn. Tire/Walmart/Rona and got boat seats, a new life jacket for me, and some plywood to finish off the garage.

On Jun 26 H. and I picked up our first Japanese boy - Yoshio, 16 - at the Victoria airport, and the next day we picked up Akiya, 17, also at the Victoria airport. I'm driving them to and from Queen Margaret School in Duncan each morning and afternoon. They will be with us til the end of July. Then on August 3rd we go to QM and pick up two Japanese girls who will be with us for 6 days, after which we switch to another two for another 6 days. Those girls have a really busy schedule.

I had a job interview for Habitat for Humanity on Friday: the job sounds very interesting, and I'm sure I would enjoy it. They want to make sure that whoever takes the position can become competent with MS Access - I downloaded a trial copy of MS Office Pro which is the only way to get Access, and spent a while yesterday trying to figure it out. Some of it is easy, but it is a very in-depth programme. I was just about to take a break when the phone rang - it was Fran W., on the board of the Nanaimo Telephone Visiting Society. I had had an interview back in April or May for the Coordinator position, but they hired someone else. That person just left the position due to personal reasons, and the board felt that since the interviews were only about 2 months ago, it would make sense to offer the position to the next in line - me! I was very surprised, but most pleasantly so. I got a lot of info, and told Fran that I would call her back last night. I did [after we got back from Rathtrevor & dinner at Joey's Only in Parksville with the boys] - and she will be calling me back probably today to set a time Mon - Wed for me to go in for a few hours to be introduced to the job/office etc., hopefully by the previous/previous (??) Coordinator, who is now on the Board. The position is 20 hrs a week, and I will be starting next Monday, July 13th. I told Fran that I have the commitment of driving our Japanese students to/from QM until August 15th, and then the need to be ultra flexible especially when Kasia has her puppies - and that seems to be ok. I'm really looking forward to this job: there will be a lot of learning, but it has variety and will definitely put to good use a lot of the skills I have, both from paid and volunteer (and home!) positions. I was telling Grant yesterday that I think I will check out the VIU calendar to see what relevant courses/workshops/seminars there are.

This week - actually starting tomorrow - is Grant's first holiday week. We were going to go camping this weekend, but I just did not get organized in time. Looking back on the past few days, it is probably fortuitous that we didn't, and therefore I was at home for Fran's phone call yesterday! Anyhow, the plan now is for Grant and I to drive out to Beaver Lake Campsite nr Lake Cowichan [it is owned by Dawnette Humphries, our Area Commissioner for Guides], check it out, and reserve for this coming weekend. We figure it is just about the same distance to QM School from there as from home, and since it has showers/flush toilets it will be a gentle introduction to camping for the boys. I'm hoping we can head out there on Wednesday, picking the boys up from school and taking them to camp, and then coming home on Sunday afternoon. We will have the new alum. boat with us.

If I understand Grant's schedule properly, he will be working Saturday the 18th, and therefore will have Friday the 24th off. Since the boys really seemed to enjoy the beach, we might try going to a beach campsite - but we will see what happens after this coming weekend.

BOAT SOLD! & really, really busy weekend coming up!

It seems every time I turn around these next 10 or so days are getting busier and busier! Tuesday night - finally - we sold the boat, and yesterday the buyer came and paid for it and took it home. I'm feeling ok with the price we got, after having it for almost 3 years we got plenty of use out of it. Grant is still upset he did not leave the kicker off - but Amanda has reminded him that most boats/trailers we see for sale have a motor also. I think both Grant and Amanda want to replace it with something smaller fairly soon, but I'm hoping to wait a bit..

It is cloudy today - hope the weather is not too bad for our GUIDE CAMP here this weekend. Today Amanda and I are doing lots of preparations for it - cleaning, tidying etc, and will continue tomorrow. She has a widup BBQ for her Fish Job this evening, then tomorrow afternoon she needs to follow Grant down to Duncan where we are dropping the motorhome off for a rental. Grant is off tomorrow, but will be very busy - he can relax Saturday and Sunday in between taking Richard to games.

After no-one enquiring, it looks like we may have some HelpExchange helpers during July and August. I'm really hoping I can manage to schedule them so it is not a flood of people sometimes with no one for weeks other times. And that I can keep the chores 'coming'. It is not looking terribly good for Homestay Students for September - but still keeping my fingers crossed.

There have not been any more interesting/suitable jobs for me to apply to in the last couple of weeks - I'm hoping that I get a call on the Habitat for Humanity job, which seems to be a perfect fit for me.

Must run - and begin attacking the TO DO LIST.

Middle of June...where has the month gone?

Photo: I took this photo two summers ago, of this cute little tree frog in a rose in the front garden. Ever since we keep looking in the roses to look for frogs! (I'm going to start adding photos to postings whenever I can - some will be relevant to the posting, others wil be random photos like this one)

Grant is working today - 8/4 - Amanda is working from 9am til ??. Both Rod & Richard are still asleep - tho I should get them up soon. Today is the 'Lake Day' which is instead of Cedar Scouting's Family Camp. Richard has chosen not to go, but Rod is excited about going. They are to bring either a dessert or a salad..Rod spent a while trying to find Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes last night, with no luck - I think I will get him to make some brownies or something using a cake mix - but he needs to get up and get moving first.

Grant wants to take the Boat out on the ocean tomorrow, so today I need to insure the trailer - a trip I had not really planned on into Ladysmith! This afternoon Amanda and I are getting groceries, but I need to plan on Rod getting picked up sometime late afternoon - maybe Grant can do that? Need to drop in on Mom at Kiwanis Lodge too - tho some times I'm not really sure why. She is speaking more, but does not recognize us. Tho the staff say she is calling out for me. On Tuesday when we were there she wanted to know 'who you people are' - when I told her she is my mother, she said 'how did that happen?' and then 'I don't believe you'. But at least the staff say she seems to be settling a bit better. They are still keeping her mostly in her room because of this infection she still seems to have.

Ian phoned from Camp yesterday..he only talked to Amanda..! Guess I will have to actually WRITE HIM A LETTER!

HOMESTAY:

• I'm still trying to get Helpers/WWOOFers for the summer - may have one girl from the UK for a couple of weeks starting July 21st, but would like more.


• I discovered that Queen Margaret School in Duncan does ESL/Homestay during July & August. We are now set to have two Japanese Jr. High boys = Yoshio and Akiya = from June 26 or 27 until at least the end of July, with the possibility of having them til the end of August. If they don't need our Homestay in August, we should be able to switch to the other Queen Margaret programme, which will be 2 Japanese girls for one week, then switch to 2 different girls for the 2nd week.


• So far no good news with SD68 for September - there are far fewer International Student applications for Sept., and as always our location seems to make it more difficult for placing a Student. Will keep our fingers crossed!


• If we don't have a SD68 student by then end of June we may list as Homestay with the University - at least for July/August/Sept and see what happens.

My MOTHER etc

Well, after almost 4 1/2 months in the hospital, my mother is finally being moved to a room in Kiwanis Lodge today! I got the phone call from the Social Worker on her ward yesterday, and she should be in her new 'home' sometime in the next hour or so. I will go in to see her and check things out later this afternoon...taking a few clothes/socks..tho I will have to buy some open-back things after the staff decide what she truly must have.

The Van is back at Steve Marshall Ford again...3rd time in the last month and a half or so...plus Ladysmith Car Care April 11th. So far we've spent over $1500 on it, and the problem is still not solved..still keeps dying. And now I find the Horn on the station wagon doesn't work, so I really have to get that in some place. Which reminds me: yesterday afternoon the Coolant Low light came on, and again this morning taking Grant to work....so I need to look in the garage and find some anti-freeze or summer coolant and add it before I go out this afternoon.

Still waiting for LCU Insurance to phone and say the ICBC quote for the Conversion Insurance is back...then will continue working on getting Conversion Insurance for the Motorhome.

I had hoped to be able to go camping again this weekend, but Richard has a birthday party he has been invited to; then next Saturday is the Scout Family Camp 'Day' at Ryan's (and Grant is working)...and then the weekend after that is our Guide Camp HERE...and the weekend after that Richard and Rod both leave on the Sunday....so there goes the month of June for camping. I fully intend to make up for it in July!

Lots to catch up on!

Well, I've not written since just after our District Camp - there is actually a lot to write about since then!

We are now the proud owners of a Motorhome...20 years old, but new to us! (This photo is not one of mine...was taken by the previous owner...)

It is a 22' Triple E on a Ford van. I am pleased with the 'deal' we got, after doing a lot of research both online and at several RV dealers. We are heading down to the Cowichan River Prov. Park for this weekend..with Rod and Richard (Amanda is staying home)...I will head out around 5:15 or so with Rod, and Grant will follow after he picks Richard up from his Baseball practice. This morning Grant said he was planning on bringing the big boat, but I'm trying to get him to realize that we won't really have the time for that...unless he brings it back Saturday morning..it might be difficult parking the extra vehicle (van) and the boat...we can go to Lake Cowichan the next time. MORE LATER...I'm trying to get a website for the RV rentals at least somewhat started today, plus going to LCU Insurance to get started with the Conversion Insurance Policy for the Tent Trailer (will do the Motorhome later). Other things to do today include cleaning the kitchen (big mess), continuing with the Motorhome, laundry, picking up a few more strawberry plants & seeds at 49th (in Ladysmith I guess..) Another busy day, but it definitely feels like summer..gorgeous sunny morning.

Saltspring Getaway - etc!

Monday morning, and my body - and the house - are still recovering from our Saltspring Getaway! Friday was an absolutely gorgeous day...we were at Ruckle Prov. Park in plenty of time to pick a nice campsite. While starting supper we discovered that neither of us had packed something truly essential: something to start the stove with! How had we done that? Luckily I had a box of matches in my pockety that I'd picked up off the counter in the morning...but lo and behold it just had 3 matches in it! Heather managed to get the stove going with two matches, leaving us just 1 for the next morning. We had pasta and spag. sauce from home, then after cleaning up we went for a walk along a trail to the southwest. At least I think it was southwest! Anyhow we were looking off towards Swartz Bay and the ferry terminal there. I took some pictures which I hope turned out. (I just uploaded them now so will pick a few and add to this posting.}
Overnight Friday it sprinkled a bit, and did that off-and-on all day Sat. In the morning we made breakfast of scrambled eggs, toasted buns and turkey-bacon before heading into Ganges. Saturday mornings in Ganges appear to be Parking - Hell! It took forever to get a parking place...Heather did a very good job of navigating the narrow and crowded roads, and after driving around (and around and around) eventually got a good parking spot. We hit the Saturday Market, which was packed with vendors and visitors, even for May. Lots of gorgeous jewelry, pottery, plants. Some very unique stands. Prices for food was quite high (ie baked goods), but it did look good. We looked thru a few shops, including Mouatt's which I had read about. We then had lunch at a waterfront, outdoor bar...tho the outdoor part was more a restaurant. The menu looked good, and the food was ok, but not very much. I ordered Oysters...after asking the waitress about how many oysters. She said two, but said they were very big. Well, sorry, but they were the smallest, thinnest restaurant oysters I've EVER had. For $14 I definitely did not get my money's worth. We shared a Strawberry Shortcake, which was fine, but a bit steep at $7! After lunch (which was late) we wandered around some more, and I got a l/s T-shirt. Back at the car we drove north to the other 'mall', but didn't see a reason to stop. On the way back thru Ganges we did see an Outdoor store we would have liked to stop at, but by that time we were getting tired, so kept going back to camp. When we got back, and started cooking supper (we'd gotten matches in town!), it was raining enough that we had to take our chairs and sit under the tree to keep mostly dry..with a tarp over us. It started to rain harder, so we tidied up, and decided to go to bed early...very early, around 8 I think...which gave us time to tidy up the tent and reposition things a big. Heather had to move her sleeping bag because there was some water coming in the tent, se we piled things more in the middle and I moved my bag further from the tent wall. I settled in to read, just about the same time the storm settled in around us. Earlier on, before we actually got ready for bed, I suggested maybe packing up and sleeping in the car...H. said no, we'd be fine. When the storm hit it was she who then questioned whether we should head to the car. It was windy enough I really did not want to leave the tent, as I figured without our 275 or so pounds that we might lose the tent. so we each made sure we had a flashlight attached to us, and H. put her car-keys around her neck, and we tried to sleep. In the worst of the storm the top of the tent was just above my face. We were both sure that one of the poles had broken and that maybe the fly might have come off, so in the morning we were very surprised to look up and find the tent looking just fine. Outside everything on the table was just fine...we just had some wet stuff to pack from inside the tent. It had stopped raining sometime overnight, and it was a beautiful sunny morning packing up - which I suppose is better than packing in a downpour! We left camp around 10ish, and stopped in Ganges to eat. Heather had seen a restaurant the day before that said it was open for breakfast, so we headed there. I seem to rember it being called the Ganges Inn...heritage bldg from the '30s, very nicely renovated, and we got a really excellent breakfast. Just thinking of it this morning makes my mouth water. After that we headed for the ferry at Vesuvius, which we got at 1240 - we were the first in line, and had about a 1/2 hour wait. From the ferry straight home, as Rod phoned while we were on the ferry and said that pickup time for his Scout Camp changed from 4pm to 3pm.
The washer/dryer have been busy, with more to do. Rod still has to unpack, do his laundry and tidy his room...today after school since he was too tired to do it yesterday.

Back the 'normal' for the week: Heather worked last evening after we got home, and is at work now. I followed Grant in this morning , and we dropped the Van at Steve Marshall to see why it is dying when being driven. Tomorrow night the boys have Scouts at at 5:30 for paddling at Quennel, and we are taking Guides to see the movie 'Earth' at Woodgrove. Wednesday evening I have a Job Interview for the LaFFs Admin Asst position, then Thursday we will need to be ready to pack (or Friday morning). Also need to make some Dr appointments, and H. thinks I need to get my hair cut for the Job Interview...

Time flies....!

Monday morning: The boys are actually up and showering before 7! Rod left me a note asking to be up at 6:30, and I woke Richard up at 6:45. Neither one had had a shower for several days, so they really needed to get up early.

After a mixed-up start and leftover stuff from last week, we did get a fair bit done over the weekend. The red car was finished at Steve Marshall on Friday, so it took a bit of juggling to pick it up on Saturday, along with eveything else that needed doing. I drove Grant to work for 8, as all the businesses in the same plaza had a 'Customer Appreciation Day' and all staff had to work. Home, breakfast etc, then Amanda and I went into Nan around 10 to Costco, gas, stop at G's work and look at shower doors, then paid for the car at SM. When they brought the car around to give to me I found they had only done one key...so I went back in and asked that a 2nd key be done before we picked the car up in the afternoon. We just made it back in time for me to pick Richard up for his baseball practice which started at 1. He couldn't find his wallet, and thought he'd left it at Paul's at Spring Break. We went there, no wallet. So when I picked him up after practice we just came home so he could spend time searching for his wallet, rather than going into Nan. so he could go with Grant to buy a jockstrap! I still planned on picking G. up at 4, but he phoned at 3:30 saying he was going to walk over as he was finished work. After a few min. I realized it didn't make much sense for me to drive in and meet him and then both of us drive home in the two vehicles..: so I phoned SM to leave a message for him to phone me; he paid for the car and came home. Before supper he and A. did some driving practice.
I'll do a separate post re some GREEN THINGS, since I can't figure a way to have multiple labels.

Sunday amid much grumbling, especially from Rod, we got the vacuuming done of the whole house, as it hadn't been done for about 3 weeks! I had Rod clean 'his' bathroom, tho it took some coaching to get it done. I put blue toilet cleaner in the tank, and will see what the floor looks like, as he claimed the stain was not him (gross topic, I know). The most obvious project we did was cleaning/tidying the vehicles. Amananda started by getting the vacuum and Grant out at the van, which was horrendously messy and dirty. They also took a back seat out so Grant can bring the tub-shower door home today. I'm not sure if it was cleaned inisde, but it will definitely be an improvement. Thinking of the van, I'm reminded to call wreckers and try to track down seatbelts...the driver's side is dangerously unsafe! Amanda did the red car, then with Richard's help did the s/w. I then went out and did 'my version' of tidying the s/w. I put some more emerg/safety things in zip-bags in the back, put a clear plastic zip-bag of supplies under by MEC supply bag to the right of my seat. I then got the other black travel bag I had bought for the car, put more 'safety' things in it, and 'carabinered it to the loop on the front console. I need to get a few more safety things to put in: I need a multi-driver/pliers(?), but most definitely a tire gauge, which for some reason is missing. I've put it on the list for today (Monday). I windex'd the front window and the dash, and tidied the trunk. Also stashed some things in the cubby under the floor (great feature in the Taurus s/w!).

Around 1pm Grant and Rod took the canoe and headed out fishing...I forgot to ask where!..but they came home around 5:30 with FISH! Rod said they had caught several more but they were too small. Grant helped Rod clean them: I think it must have been his first time cleaning fish, as I heard a lot of 'eeeeeh' and 'yuck'..and this from a kid who says he wants to be a doctor! Supper was mashed potatoes, honey-garlic sausages and green beans. I'm really not very interested in sausages, and last night I just couldn't. So I made a grilled-cheese croissant and a 1/2 plate full of green beans.

Once the cleaning was done Richard was BORED again...I think that is why he helped A. with the cars: out of boredom. They played cards out on the deck while I was cleaning the car.

What a day!

Yesterday started out as a pretty typical Monday: getting caught up with kitchen cleanup, making appointments, etc. Ian sent me his latest essay to edit, and I realized that I had enough 'errands' to run in town to warrant a trip in (groceries, printer ink, return to Marks - etc). I thought Heather had planned on staying home to do schoolwork, but she was on schedule with what she had planned to do and decided to come with me. Together we made spaghetti sauce for supper and left it on warm in the crockpot. In Nanaimo we:

• went to the Hospital where first I went up to the 4th floor to 'visit' Mom. She was in the chair, sound asleep. So I found her nurse and checked with her. Same as last week, except she has started scratching again, which as far as I know she has not done since before she went to the hospital. They've moved her hospital bracelet onto her ankle, I'm guessing she was scratching with it. Looks like she had another IV in, but not now. After the 'visit' I went and found the Finance Office (outside in a Portable Building near the Rehab. entrance...the clerk said it was temporary since 198? !!). I paid Mom's bill til the end of March....around $835. I'll pay April sometime in the middle of April...they want the payment at the beginning, but that's just not going to happen!
• Next we stopped at the bank, then Woodgrove. I wanted to look for a nice black dress skirt that I can pair up with the black jacket I got at VV..quick look at Eddie Bauer, nothing dressy. Rather than spending time looking in every store I went to The Bay: found a black Haggar slim skirt, not petite, so I will have to shorten it, but otherwise it looks quite good...'updated classic'.
• We then headed over to groceries, and that is when the day started to get interesting! After getting $180+ worth of groceries we headed out to the car...the red Focus that was Ian's...and Heather put the key in the trunk to open it. She showed me the key: bent & cracked. We did some quick thinking and opened the back seat for her to crawl in and open the driver's door from inside, thereby saving another use of the key. Put all the groceries in, and then I tried to start the car. The key just would not go in far enough to make use of all the jigs and would not start. We'd already called Grant to have him meet us at Steve Marshall, but at that point we quickly called him again (luckily he had not left already) and had him meet us at Superstore. With Grant being stronger than either of us he carefully bent the key just enough that he was able to get it into the ignition and start it. I drove & he followed...we dropped it at Steve Marshall and will pick it up when they have the work done, likely Wednesday.
• Home, and while the spaghetti was cooking Grant and the boys went out in the field and practiced batting/catching. I had just put the spaghetti in when Richard came running in saying 'Dad's hurt...he got hit with the ball...he's on the ground.' I ran out, with Amanda behind me. Grant was writhing on the ground, holding his head/eye. He was trying to get up. I managed to take a quick look before helping him stand, and then helped him get in the house. He was stubbornly going fast. I got him into a d/r chair, and we put an icepack on his eye. After a min or so we took a look and I decided to get him in to Emerg. I gave him a glass of milk to drink with a straw, insisted Amanda come with us (which she regretted because of the hospital/boredom, tho' I did appreciate her help/presence). Grant got seen very quickly, and was in a bed being assessed probably within 15 min...and never was even in the waiting room. They checked him for concussion etc., sent him for x-rays, and checked his eye/vision. The Drs. both said he was very lucky. Grant went to bed a bit earlier than normal, and at first we were going to keep Kasia outside our bedroom, but he decided to let her in. It was funny/heartening to see her when they got into bed. Usually she gets in and just lays down. She obviously sensed Grant wasn't feeling well, as she kept giving him kisses! We tried to get her to go under the covers, but she wouldn't.

This morning Grant got up for work as usual, but moving a bit slower. His glasses are bent, and I will have to get them in to Chemainus Eyecare sometime this week. His face is mostly still red: the bruising has not started yet. He has a dull headache and the face feels swollen. I'm not sure if he will make it through the day: if he doesn't I will go in and pick Amanda up at the end of her class.

This morning, since the boys left on the bus less than an hour ago, we've had about five rain/snow/hail/wind storms. The sky was almost completely clear when I got up, then the black clouds rolled in...March is definitely going out like a lion..as it has been almost all month!

Besides cleaning up the kitchen - which got left in a big mess last night! - I've got laundry to do including Richard's Scout shirt/necker, preparation for tonight's Guide meeting including phoning all the parents to remind them of the Field Trip/change of time...etc etc. So, definitely time to get going!

A Fairly Productive weekend!

We four (Grant, Heather, Rodrigo & me) watched Extreme Home Makeover after supper, and Cold Case is on now. I'm going to head to bed soon, and thought of doing a quick post. While watching TV I was updating my Planner/Journal, tho' I know there are a lot of things for this coming week I've forgotten.

Today was a truly gorgeous spring day...it got to around 12deg, and was completely sunny. It started out coolish, but by mid/late afternoon it really warmed up. After cleaning up the kitchen (never-ending task!) I headed outside and trimmed a lot of last year's growth off the perennials in the front beds, and when I finished I had a full wheel-barrow of trimmings. Before supper I had Grant take it to the compost. It looks so much better now! I moved a couple of Oriental poppies, and have another clump to split and move in the next while. I think when I am out this week I will pick up some spring annuals - pansies probably - and get some quick spring colour in both the front bed and the planter boxes on the deck railings. The deck planters I can plant even in the rain, but the front bed needs to be done when it is dry. Last time I looked at the forecast for this week it is mostly rain!

I can see that when I write a lot of FAMILY postings will be a combination of Family and Home, ME..etc But so far I haven't found a way to put multiple labels for one posting. Too bad...tho I know other blogging software will do that. However, I have invested enough time in this one that I think I will stay with it. Maybe if I really feel some posts need to be 'filed' in two areas I can just cut&paste and do one or more posts..??

The job I applied for at LaFF in Ladysmith should be short-listed some time this week I hope. It seems to be a perfect fit for me, flexible time, etc., so I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for it!

The frogs are extremely loud right now: without having our bedroom window open I can't figure any way to hear them...too bad. I really like the sound of the frogs at night: the sounds are the same, but still different. It is so easy to let oneself get lost in listening to the sounds.

Busy day for Richard: Grant and I picked up both boys at 1pm from the Scout Camp, and after about a 5min stop at home Grant took Richard down for his first Baseball practice with his new team. Back at home Grant grabbed a sandwich, then he and Rodrigo took Kasia down and ran her on the Holland Creek Trail before picking Richard up. I'm guessing that Richard had to wait a while before being picked up.

Ian sent me another short essay to edit: I've got part of it done, and will continue on it early in the morning. H. wants me to wake her up round 0730

'Date Night!!'

I've often thought it a bit silly when couples say they are having a 'date night'. But I'm actually looking forward to one tomorrow night. Last time G & I went out for dinner alone Mom was still 'waiting at home' for us, so there was still the pressure to get home. At least when a couple has a babysitter, other than knowing you have to pay the sitter, you should feel comfortable leaving kids with the sitter. When Mom was alone (if 'kids' were away) we really didn't feel comfortable being away for much more than an hour or so.

So, tomorrow night after we drop the boys off for their Camp, we are going out for dinner, to our favourite Seafood place. So far the food has always been good, price fine, service ok, atmmosphere definitely befitting a Seafood Rest.: all-in-all a good choice. I checked the paper this morning to see if there are any movies we might enjoy, but nothing. Might check and see if there is something we might like to rent. DOUBT, maybe? Whatever we pick it needs to be something both of us would enjoy, but that A. probably wouldn't!