On the go again....

Still tired and stomach still in fits and constantly hungry it seems now.

But I'll have to talk Rob into stopping on the way as we're heading down to his parent's for the couples shower being held for his brother. We're heading down tonight and the shower is tomorrow. Then coming back Sunday. I'm getting travel weary big time, but toughing it out for Rob.

His last day was yesterday that he worked but technically his last day is today. And he's off. He has a feeling he'll be off a month before he can start his new job.

We'll be here but working on the shed and garden. The front flowerbed will have to be ripped out so that the front deck can be rebuilt before it falls down.

Ay Carumba I'm starving so getting off here and shutting down. Everyone have a great weekend!

Jenn

new (to me) computer

I am now the happy owner of a "new" IBM ThinkPad and have been installing programs to make it more mine.

Installed google chrome and it will take some getting used to, but still not 100% sure if I like it or not. Anyone here run it?

Just setting up OE now.

Jenn

Brief Note

Just to check in and say I'm still here. We came back this morning and Rob is at work right now. It's his last day (he's not going in tomorrow) and just needs to hand in a signed piece of paper so he gets his severance cheque.

We had a small celebration for our anniversary and our gift to ourselves will be a mini cruise to the Manitoulin Island on the MS Chi-Cheemaun sometime in the later part of June or early July when it will be warm enough to enjoy.

Working on laundry but really don't feel too good and haven't for the past few days now. Stomach acts up in the morning and sleeping in the afternoon. But I'm not going to jump to conclusions just keep carrying on doing the best I can and if there is a happy reason for all this I'll find out eventually. I've given up trying.

Need to find something to eat so I'll chat later.

SMILE! :)

Jenn

Our LIfe

I just made a photo album here of some shots I got at our Seasonal site in Tiverton. We're having a blast up there I'm sleeping all the time from all the fresh air and even my tea tastes better (I think it's well water). We're going back tonight after my Kinette meeting.

Rob's last day at the soup plant is this Friday and we'll be heading down to the family farm for his brother's wedding shower. As it stands right now, Rob will be unemployed for 2 weeks until he starts his new position on June 15. We'll be here at home working on the shed floor and the flowerbeds weeding. Then come Fall when the shed is done we can move the upper floor into the shed and start gutting the upstairs (or at least start the process).

I'm home doing laundry and it's nearly done, just have one more load to go in the dryer and it will be done, then I can just chill for awhile. I might go outside and start pulling some weeds, I haven't decided yet.

We attended my brother in law's stag and doe on Friday and the cheesecake bars were a hit, grammiej! I'll definitely be making them again. So easy to do too. Good thing I tried some before we packed it. Out of the 32 bars I only got 2 LOL

Anyways enjoy the pictures :) We're still working on getting internet at the seasonal site.

Jenn

Price of Peace

The Price Of Peace
by Dreamcatcher

The 2 young girls singing are 12 (lead singer) and 16 (backup) years old. They are sisters and their father is with the IL National Guard, .The 12 year old wrote this when her father was deployed. It was filmed in Smyrna, TN.

The National Guard decided to make a music video out of it and it will be aired on the big screen before all feature films. It's in 5 states now and it started on the 13 May 09. The theater version is 2.38 min. long, and then there is the extended version.

To View this video or download the song for free:

www.nationalguard.com/priceofpeace

Written and performed by Cassy and Alyssa Gaddis

Dreamcatcher

Checking In

Just a brief note to check in, say Hi to everyone, and I miss posting daily but I'm having a blast at our seasonal site.

We're still working on getting internet but I must admit it's been nice and quiet with no TV and just a radio (when hubby is there) as noise.

We came back today and I got a bit of laundry done and going to do some more before going to bed tonight. We head back up to the lake tomorrow.

Quite the nice air up there, I've been sleeping 10 hours it seems.

We celebrate our 2nd wedding anniversary a week from today and this year we're going to mark it with a "cruise" on the MS Chi-Cheemaun, touring the Georgian Bay area. We haven't made our reservations yet, this weekend is going to be a busy one with the Couple's Shower at Rob's parents this weekend for his brother. I'll be making the cheesecake bars for the dessert and we'll do up a veggie tray, and that will be our contribution.

Well, the laundry room beckons and I'm getting tired. Everyone have a nice evening.

Jenn

At Last....

Spotted at our campsite in Tiverton, Ontario around 6:30 PM on May 15, 2009.


Made my day :)

Jenn

May Two Four

This weekend is the long weekend with a few names. For those patriotic few (me) it's the Queen Victoria Weekend. For the partiers and camping fanatics it is the May Two Four Weekend. The partiers like it because that's the big party weekend where they go through two fours like crazy (24 pack cases of beer....) and it's a big drunk fest.

For those of us who like a laid back family weekend and pay tribute to the Queen of the Victorian Times, they will likely stay far away. There are campgrounds and areas that cater to either or.

We will be spending our weekend at the trailer at our new seasonal campsite.

I didn't get any pictures of our set up yesterday or Tuesday, but most likely will today and tomorrow and the rest of the weekend. We strolled into our campsite while it was still daylight but once we realized we didn't have a waterhose for the water supply, it was breakneck speed to get to town before Crappy Tire closed at 9:00 (it was 8:50) to get a hose. We got there at 8:58 LOL The lady at the counter didn't look too happy until she realized we just needed that ONE item and she helped us find it. We got out and went to Timmies for dinner (me - black forest ham and swiss, Rob - turkey bacon club) and a can of coffee. By the time we got back to our campsite, it was dark and we still had yet to hook the water up. We hooked it up and realized there was a good spray where you couldn't get the connection tight enough. We did the best we could with wrenches and made a note to go back to town and get washers for it.

We slept good but I was still extremely tired when we got up at 7:30. Rob put the coffee pot on, then the tea kettle, tripping the breaker. Rob looked at the fuse panel and couldn't make heads or tails why when he switched fuses it still didn't work when he saw the breakers were in their proper on positions. So we went back into town, got washers for the water tap, bought a few packages of fuses, did some grocery shopping and then went back to the trailer. He still fussed and all that and I could tell he was getting frustrated. Then I was getting frustrated because I was feeling that he wasn't listening to me.

Finally he said boy you're pissy this morning!! I said fine I'm going for a walk. He thanked me (gee thanks LOL) I know he's extremely frustrated that he can't figure it out when he gets that way and it's best that I leave him alone.

So I went down to the back bush (I was ticked enough that I forgot my birding kit AND camera.....) and found a clearing next to the creek with picnic tables. I don't know how long I sat there but saw a bunch of birds. I'm sure it was a rose-breasted grosbeak from what fleeting image I got in the tree, for sure I saw a redheaded woodpecker, robins galore, red-winged blackbirds and I heard some unusual bird but didn't know the song. I was thinking of the birding by song set of CD's I have here and haven't listened to yet......

After sitting there for awhile I walked back up to the RV and he was in better humour. He was still baffled but had his shower (hot water isn't hot at all so need to figure that out) and I had a brain fart. Since all the appliances were working it was just the plug outlets NOT working, I said I wonder if we're running off battery and just didn't realize it?

Sure enough...... LMAO Apparently when you run off battery everything switches to a 12V system. Only 12V appliances work and the plugs won't work. He walked up to the main office, noticed the breaker for our trailer and it was tripped off, turned it back on and voila. We had power. Nah, don't think I'll rub in the fact that I was right and I figured it out and he didn't

Left my purse at Paul's computer store so said I'd pick it up today on our way through. Nothing too big in it, no money or anything. Just a pain in the butt to replace it all. He took it home and I'll grab it there.

Just doing a little laundry and packing for the weekend. Need to hop in the shower.

If I don't talk to you guys before we leave, have a great weekend! I'll be back Monday some time :)

Jenn

Break

Taking a break from packing the trailer. I have just about everything packed in it. I just added a suet basket and a hummingbird feeder to the collection. I have two shepherd's hooks outside to go in (last to go in)

Have summer clothes packed, Rob's business clothes, toiletries and towels for tomorrow (if we stay over)

Dish drainer and oddball (mismatched) dishes packed along with the wash tubs (heck I wash dishes outside when we're at the trailer )

Now I just need to make up a shopping list for later this afternoon. Doubledwi and GrammieJ will be pleased to read that I am doing it in Excel LOL

Still no hummer seen but swear I heard a woodpecker.

Jenn

My Day (Tuesday)

Got a full day planned. Dropped Rob off at Jed's with the intention of finding out the latest on the truck and then take him to work. Found out that the truck is finished and I left him there to chat with Jed. Still packing the trailer up and now all I have to do is pack the summer clothes and a few more odds and ends.

We'll be taking the trailer to it's seasonal spot this afternoon and I'm not sure what's happening but I think Rob is planning on us spending the night there. He has to meet with people at the Bruce Nuclear plant tomorrow. I'll find out for sure. I was hoping to try out some new chat software for the hummingbird group tonight but I guess it will have to wait until next week.

I told the gals to report any bugs they encountered.

Very tired today, I can't get over the fatigue I feel, and feel very hormonal so I guess it's getting up for that time again.

Saw the male cardinal this morning at my frying pan feeder. No hummers seen yet. I made more feed up yesterday and put it in the fridge.

It is to be mainly sunny today with a high of 17�C (62�F)

Dang I'm tired... LOL

Jenn

Stats

I clicked on the wrong shortcut and it opened my quit meter. I assumed it was a sign that I should post some stats. I'm getting close to that 2 year anniversary.

I quit smoking One year, ten months, two weeks, six days, 23 hours, 43 minutes and 44 seconds ago. I have saved $3,952.45 by not smoking 13,819 cigarettes. I have also saved 6 weeks, 5 days, 23 hours, 35 minutes of my life that I would have otherwise spent smoking a cigarette. My quit date was June 20th, 2007 at 4:43 pm.


Jenn

Monday May 11

Dropped Rob off at work this morning, truck is in the shop getting some adjustments to the 5th wheel hitch and the supplier sent the wrong parts to Jed.

I think doubledwi and grammiej had a good time while they were here. I know Rob and I will be taking about their visit for awhile. On the phone with my Mum this morning and she commented how nice and down to earth JD is and her hubby too.

Did a shopping this morning, toilet paper on sale 11 double rolls on sale for $6. I also got a wetjet to do the kitchen with. Laughed my hiney off at the box of triscuits, JD.... ;-)

I could not believe how many birds were devouring the seeds I put out yesterday. White throated sparrows, chipping sparrows, goldfinches. Unreal. No hummers seen yet though......

Not sure what is on tap for the afternoon, but I know I need to get up to date on the laundry situation.

Noticed a few minutes ago that the jackmon clematis is getting leaves :-)

Hosta is getting taller. So are the hollyhocks!

Have a great day everyone :)

Jenn

Today's Forecast.....

Variable cloudiness and a high of 8�C (46.4�F) and the plan for the day as follows:

Take doubledwi and grammiej to Lake Huron for photos so they can complete the 5 Great Lake visits.

Tour around maybe Godrock (Goderich) or wherever for some sights, maybe see some cottage country (where we hope to live someday)

After all the touring bring 'em back here for an early chili supper to warm 'em up and wish them well on the rest of their journey.

Call me biased but I don't think they'll see much better scenery than what they saw here ;-)

Tomorrow's forecast SUNNY (they'll have nice sunny weather to drive in) and a high of 11�C (52�F)

I'm hoping we'll see more sun than cloud today so they can really appreciate how beautiful Lake Huron is.

Well, time to finish my tea and hop in the shower.

Happy Mother's Day.

Jenn

Rural Ontario

THE RULES OF RURAL ONTARIO ARE AS FOLLOWS

Listen up City Slickers!

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap straight, your head isn't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight; it's called a 'dirt road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

4. They are cattle. They're live steaks. That's why they smell funny to you. But they smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? Hwy 7 & 401 goes east and west, Hwy 15 & 416 goes north and south. Pick one.

5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $150,000 combines and hay balers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

6. So every person in rural Ontario waves. It's called 'being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

7. If that cell phone rings while an 8-point buck and 3 does are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

8. Yeah, we eat meat and potatoes. You really want sushi & caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer hunting season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10. We open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.

11. There's little for 'vegetarians' on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham & turkey.

12. When we set a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.

13. You bring 'coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.

14. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

15. Ontario Hockey League and Minor Hockey is as important here as the Maple Leafs and Montreal Habs, and more fun to watch.

16. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks the fish.

17. Colleges? We have them all over. We have Universities and Community Colleges. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at everybody when they come for the holidays.

18. We have a whole ton of folks in the Armed Forces. So don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.

19. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers. (Refer back to #1).

20. TWO inches of snow & ice isn't a blizzard - it's a vacation. Drive like you got some sense in it, and DON'T take all our bread, milk, and bleach from the grocery stores. This ain't Alaska , worst case you may have to live a whole day without
croissants. The pickups with snow blades and tractors with snow blowers will have you out the next day.

Officially White trailer Trash LOL

Just checking in to say Hi. I'm seeing lots of hummingbird sightings on the migration map at hummingbirds.net but still haven't seen one here yet. But nevertheless I have had a feeder out for 3 weeks now and refilled it a few days ago to freshen it up after the rains.

We picked up our new RV Thursay and spent two hours at the dealership learning about what does what how to hitch up and what I do while Rob is backing the truck up to the 5th wheel part. We practiced a few times and now pretty much have it down pact. Slept in it for the first time that night and oh so nice :) I just have to get used to the really hard mattress all three mornings I woke up my hip hurt. Worst case scenario I get one of those padding things to go on my side of the bed. :) :) We didn't have the slide out part out and we still had lots of room.

Had a shower Friday morning and successfully broke the tap turning the shower head off. Couldn't believe it! We figure the pipe was just getting worn and when me of all people put the pin in to turn the showerhead off it partially came out of the wall. Went to my father in law's job and asked him what to do he called someone. Unreal.... LOL So now my father in law has something to tease me about. I'm surprised he didn't say don't break anything else as we were leaving LOL Poor Rob couldn't even have his shower until the next day. God... I felt so stupid. I was really the luck of the draw they have sulfur water which does not mix well with copper pipes. So when my FIL replaced it he used plastic. It was pure crap luck that I was the one to use the shower then. The pipe was nearly completely rotted from the sulfur in their water. When my MIL had a shower this morning she noted that she didn't hear all the running water behind the wall anymore. So it was just getting ready to go.

We got the trailer home safe and sound but it was an interesting ride on the way home. We just got on the road and were on it for about a half hour when Rob noticed something out of the corner of his eye and felt a jerk in the truck. I thought it was the brakes since we just had them replaced and we were still getting used to the jerkiness of them. He thought a bird flew into the trailer.

We actually blew a tire on the trailer front passenger side one. Must have went over something in Ailsa Craig and it was enough to lose the pressure in the tire and it was totally shredded. Called CAA and they can only tow so had to find an after hours traveling shop and doing some dialing with the cell phone found someone. On the side of the road (at least we had somewhere comfy to sit - just turned the radio on in the trailer LOL) for about 2 hours and it was fixed and we were on our way. Got it parked in the driveway now. The guy who came out to fix it was about five foot nothing and that's being generous LOL But good worker he was and had it fixed in 20 minutes new tire and everything. Going to ask Jed our mechanic to get us a spare tire for the RV should this happen again. Rob is going to call the dealership tomorrow to see if we can get some money back because the Tire Guy could tell the tire had been fixed not once but twice already and with that much weight it probably should have been replaced. Could have been worse we could have been headed to Algonquin Park fully loaded.

Had a good visit with the outlaws and the concert was pretty good too. It was Bobnoxious and Mudmen playing. Mudmen is a pretty cool concept: bag pipe rock band LOL Rob grew up with one of the pipers so it was nice for him to catch up with him briefly.

Rob went out for the evening and I'm just kicking back with a cup of tea.

I have guests from Arizona coming up and will be here on Thursday for a few days. We are going camping with them the first night and having a series of day trips for the remainder of the trip.

On Rob's job front, "Unofficially, he officially has the job." AECL has to meet with some people up at Bruce Nuclear to see how they feel about it (99.9999999999999999% chance they'll approve) and then pursue the chore of clearing security checks. Part of me wonders if it won't be until the middle of June when he starts. Fine by me - get some together time in :)

I am soo looking forward to being able to get catch up with all of you again, but please know that I think of all of you daily.

Jenn