june 09

After yesterday's trip we ventured out again. Paul had a lot to do at the farm. Small things like nail the house to the foundation :), build a landing and some stairs so we could get in, build the platform for the shed. You know, things like that. Of course I jest. His list is as long as... well, forever.

We were quiet on the way up. We were all tired. I woke Athena up at the last minute and blended up some breakfast smoothies for us to have on the way. Mine was kale, blueberry, almond and yogurt and Athena's was peach, strawberry, almond and yogurt. Paul, who believes food should be chewed (lol) ate before we left.

Although we were quiet we were so much looking forward to seeing the house on the foundation. Paul told me I would want to clean it a bit before so I brought a few supplies to do that. The land is so green and vibrant and alive. I took many pictures through the windshield on the way up.

When we got there and I walked into the house I nearly cried. No really. The house was dirtier than I had ever seen any one's house ever be. AND the dust wouldn't sweep up as it was caked on. I was so in despair that I actually used my index finger to write an expletive that begins with an F in uppercase letters, with and exclamation point in the bathtub. After stomping my feet and slamming things around, I rolled up my sleeves and Athena and I got to work. After a trip to Canadian Tire for supplies and several hours and two "once overs" on the floors, I barely made a dent.

All was not lost. A colleague of Paul's lives on a farm right at the end of our driveway across the grid. He has two children. Farm kids. The best kind. Kids who like to be outside and run and play and get dirty. Callie (10) and Chase (6). Athena played with them all afternoon while their dad rolled up his sleeves and started helping Paul without being asked to do so. Amazing. Another of his colleagues brought his 5th Wheel up for Paul to stay in next week and for me so I wouldn't have to keep peeing outside. On a side note... have you ever tried to pee outside without getting your shoes wet? Not an easy task.

 

Our idea to be back before dinner and grill some beef tenderloin was not manifest. We left late, filthy and tired and oh so stiff. We ate lunch at a diner in Radisson called Red Bull. They had the buffet, which I do not like (all those people touching the spoons!) but which was right up Paul's and Athena's alley. The more she works and plays outside the better her appetite. She even had room for dessert. I had a BLT. I figure if the restaurant is iffy, that is the choice least likely to give me food poisoning. They had wine on the menu. 4 bucks. I  asked the waitress what kind it was. She said, "It says merlot on the bottle" which she pronounced mer lot. I had a glass anyway, just in case. (Red wine prohibits any food born pathogens from multiplying in the gut.)

PS The builder is going up tomorrow to clean the house. I didn't get around to cleaning the bathrooms so it was a very good thing I erased my handiwork in the bathtub before I left.

june 08



We made a whirlwind, and I really do mean whirlwind, trip to see our newest granddaughter. We were gone by 8am and back by 8pm. Six hours of driving in between. She is lovely and sweet (and sweet smelling) and oh so new. Just a few weeks old. They call her baby B. Her name is Bianca.

 

And... my one and only Lily of the Valley flowered that very day. Smells almost as sweet as the baby.

 

 

 







 

 

june 06

We ride our bikes almost every day. I wonder if we will do the same when we move to the farm. Maybe. We stop at the same spot every day. "The forest" she calls it but it is merely a double row of about 20 trees that abuts the golf course. One day last week, as she runs down the centre of the tree lined lane a duck flies out.

"Mom did you see that?!" she hollers, barely containing her amazement. I tell her there must be a nest and it isn't long before we find it. Seven eggs. Water no where in sight. We have gone back every day just to peek. Mama duck is getting used to Athena's visits as it takes her longer and longer to fly the coop.

Today she stood patiently, not ten feet away, as Athena peeked in. No ducklings yet. Should be soon. Athena secretly hopes they hatch when she is there so they imprint on her. That way when we move to the farm in less than three weeks she can take a box full of kittens AND a box full of ducklings with her.

june 04

I feel caught adrift in an ocean I don't want to be on. I have a to-do list as long as both of my arms and although I know I should be packing I find myself walking around trying to find anything to do to avoid packing. I get some boxes, marker, tape. Then I decide to quickly check my email first... for 45 minutes. Don't I need to bake some cookies right now?  Maybe I could just sit down and read for a minute or two.

Speaking of reading, I find it interesting how the genre of my recent Amazon purchases has changed in just one short year. These are the most recent to come into my mailbox.

Even my magazine subscriptions are drastically different from one year ago. No more yoga journal, alternative medicine or Victoria. Instead, they are replaced with nitty gritty how-to offerings. So interesting and right up my alley.

All this to say, I don't like the "in between". I don't feel comfortable there at all. I am not so good at living in two places at once and I look forward with eager anticipation when I can live in one space. A house divided will not stand. Turns out to be very true for me and my divided life at the moment.

june 3

We awoke at 5am. Much earlier than our normal 6:15. "It's too early" he says. "Go back to sleep."
I sense something is wrong. I turn over and sleep until 6:30. He is nervous about the road he made. He is thinking about the house sliding off the truck and into the ditch. It is only a 2 hour drive but 9 hours later, the house is on its foundation. He is weary and sore from work but he is happy.
Organizing the tradespeople is next. So many things yet to do. So many schedules to work around. He won't be home until long after I am asleep. He'll wash the day's work off of his skin and slip into bed next to me and as he always does, he will lift up his left arm and tuck the pillow on top so I can come lie on his chest. He'll be asleep in minutes and I will return to my pillow. One day closer.