Its been a full week that we've been in the house and we are loving it! Since moving in we haven't been outside, mind you the weather hasn't been all that favourable either, we received 20 mm of rain the other day, turned the yard in to a "soup hole"!
The kids have their rooms set up, Kirby moved in her 17 boxes and it looks like she's been in there for years, we cannot believe what a pack-rat she is! Blair is loving having a computer to play on again, he's just disappointed he doesn't have internet access yet. Erinn is going out of her mind with all her toys and stuffys that she hasn't seen in months, she has been dragging out something new to play with every day.
Carolyn has finally player herself out, we moved on to the picture hanging stage, next is garage clean out, people have been coming to pick up empty boxes which is speeding the clean up process up. She has been having a difficult time adjusting to full-time work again, she's used to the afternoon/evening shift, but she likes the benefits that come with full-time work even though she spends most of the day trying to keep herself busy; big change from what she is used to coming from a busy doctor's office.
We've run into some stumbling blocks; with the rain we were unable to get into the house by vehicle because of the mud, we are getting some gravel down to fix this. Telus wants $500.00 to hook up our phone, we said 'forget it' since we can get VOIP when we get our high-speed internet, which will only cost us $250.00 to install (both internet and the VOIP phone). So if you are trying to reach us please use our cell until the phone is hooked up! TV has been limited to 3 channels; CTV, CBC and french CBC. The satellite TV should be up and running right after the internet goes in; we haven't really missed it, the kids busy themselves reading and playing with their toys that they haven't seen for a while, I've been devouring books like there is no tomorrow (usually 2 novels a week) and Carolyn has been too busy unpacking ot really notice, however she did catch the openning episode of "Survivor China" the other night.
As for me, I was to Calgary yesterday for my MRI and got the results from my doctor while driving back; pinched nerve between my L4-L5, just as we suspects, so it will be up to the back specialist if he's going to operate or try and settle it with meds and therapy. I will keep you posted! Work has been very accommodating, they paid for the MRI ($800), gave me a day's pay for the trip to Calgary, a car and eats, WOW!
Life on the ridge is pure bliss, its dark at night and quiet. Kirby counted 11 dear at the back fence the other night, the wind still blows but it is less noticeable now that we have 4 solid walls around us. In another few weeks we should be completely settled (fingers crossed) and enjoying country life!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
FINALLY IN!
At 4 o'clock today Carolyn and her work crew began moving things from their dusty retreat in the garage in to our new house!
FINALLY! June 29th we moved into the camper thinking it would only be for a month, month and a half at the most that we would have to 'camp out', well only a month later and we can finally kiss the confines of our 172 square foot 'camper' home for a much more spacious 1538 square feet; we might lose each other in there! Everyone has pretty much had it with each other so it will be nice to finally have some space to ourselves.
I've been off work for the past 3 weeks due to a pinched nerve in my low back which, as my luck goes, turned into further complications that finally resulted in me having to return to work today, sick as a dog, but with no choice since once again my sick bank is depleted! Oh woe is me! I have my fingers crossed that things will heal up enough to return to regular duties since I am once again stuck on the front desk, the most dreaded position within the department, if things do not get better I maybe collecting unemployment while I wait for things to heal from a back surgery!
So hopefully in a few weeks we will be settled in the new crib and I will once again have access to the Internet from the comforts of home and be able to provide you with some eye candy, until than picture a castle on a ridge, a green castle, full of a happy family with their own space, real beds and a real bathroom! YAHOO!!!
FINALLY! June 29th we moved into the camper thinking it would only be for a month, month and a half at the most that we would have to 'camp out', well only a month later and we can finally kiss the confines of our 172 square foot 'camper' home for a much more spacious 1538 square feet; we might lose each other in there! Everyone has pretty much had it with each other so it will be nice to finally have some space to ourselves.
I've been off work for the past 3 weeks due to a pinched nerve in my low back which, as my luck goes, turned into further complications that finally resulted in me having to return to work today, sick as a dog, but with no choice since once again my sick bank is depleted! Oh woe is me! I have my fingers crossed that things will heal up enough to return to regular duties since I am once again stuck on the front desk, the most dreaded position within the department, if things do not get better I maybe collecting unemployment while I wait for things to heal from a back surgery!
So hopefully in a few weeks we will be settled in the new crib and I will once again have access to the Internet from the comforts of home and be able to provide you with some eye candy, until than picture a castle on a ridge, a green castle, full of a happy family with their own space, real beds and a real bathroom! YAHOO!!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Delays, delays and more delays!
Things were back on schedule with the house until yesterday when they were supposed to start the carpet, apparently the stuff we ordered was a 'bad batch' so we had two options; re-order and wait 3 weeks for it to come or order new stuff and wait only a week! We went with the new stuff which is actually a better quality carpet which they are giving to us of the same price but now we are behind by another week!!!
The laminate and lino will be done by the weekend so when the appliances arrive after the weekend the electrician can go ahead and install them right away.
Mom arrived on Sunday, thankfully we are still at our friends for the week, she has been busy cooking and entertaining the kids. Thanks mom!
Carolyn started her new job yesterday, she loves it already, good people to work with and a layed back atmosphere which will be a welcome change compared to what she has been used to. She hasn't missed her old job yet, she had to rush me there yesterday after a failed attempt a severing a finger she had to take me so they could sew it back on.
The kids are getting excited about going back to school, Kirby and Blair start next week and Erinn the following week, they picked up all their school supplies already, they will just have to carrying it all in shopping bags until we move in and can find their backpacks.
As for me, well things haven't been going so good, I spent last week training the recruits, I think the combination of sleeping in a real bed and the laser treatments had improved my back, things were going good until Friday! I must of slipped a disk or something which resulted in pinching the nerve running into my left leg, I have been suffering all weekend with excruciating pain, they are trying to get me in for an expediated MRI in Calgary to see what is causing the problem, worse-case scenario will be emergency surgery to free the nerve. I'll keep you posted!
On the bright side the weather has been bearable, sunny but only highs of 24-26, plus some rain, of course that will change next week when we move back in to the camper.
The laminate and lino will be done by the weekend so when the appliances arrive after the weekend the electrician can go ahead and install them right away.
Mom arrived on Sunday, thankfully we are still at our friends for the week, she has been busy cooking and entertaining the kids. Thanks mom!
Carolyn started her new job yesterday, she loves it already, good people to work with and a layed back atmosphere which will be a welcome change compared to what she has been used to. She hasn't missed her old job yet, she had to rush me there yesterday after a failed attempt a severing a finger she had to take me so they could sew it back on.
The kids are getting excited about going back to school, Kirby and Blair start next week and Erinn the following week, they picked up all their school supplies already, they will just have to carrying it all in shopping bags until we move in and can find their backpacks.
As for me, well things haven't been going so good, I spent last week training the recruits, I think the combination of sleeping in a real bed and the laser treatments had improved my back, things were going good until Friday! I must of slipped a disk or something which resulted in pinching the nerve running into my left leg, I have been suffering all weekend with excruciating pain, they are trying to get me in for an expediated MRI in Calgary to see what is causing the problem, worse-case scenario will be emergency surgery to free the nerve. I'll keep you posted!
On the bright side the weather has been bearable, sunny but only highs of 24-26, plus some rain, of course that will change next week when we move back in to the camper.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Snakes, Paint & Tile
We got some disappointing news over the weekend, the Bob (our builder) advised us we wouldn't be getting into the house until the second week of 'December'! Than he corrected himself and said 'September'!
Trailer living is really starting to wear on all of us, our tempers are getting shorter and there never seems to be any relaxation time, there's always something to do whether its pulling weeds or picking rocks or emptying trailer tanks or hauling water or garbage.
Our annual trip to Calaway Park was a nice break, the temperature was down to +4 and only as high as +21 and it rained, for almost a whole day and a half! We haven't seen rain in over 2 months!!! The only bad thing about the trip was coming home to sleep in the same uncomfortable camper beds that we have been sleeping in since the end of June.
This past weekend we had company from Saskatoon, Harvey & Michelle and the kids camped beside us on the acreage, and friends from Tilley came down for a day at the beach and a supper feast on our back deck. All the families had 3 kids each, who all had a hoot feeding horses, chasing rabbits, entertaining the dogs & cats and running into a rattlesnake in the Bullshead Creek coulee. Fortunately no one had to go to the hospital for an anti-venom injection, but it was close!
Progress on the house continues to plough ahead, even though we have been way-layed for another couple of weeks, it is coming along rather quickly, all our friends are amazed at how fast it is going.
As of today the basement in complete, with all the walls painted, tile placed around the fireplace and the ceiling tiles installed. The painters have started the walls on the main floor and should be done by early next week if not by this weekend. The carpet layers arrive on Friday to do the basement and by next week they should be starting on the main floor.
Once again we have relocated to the city, thanks to some wonderful friends we are occupying their house while they are gone on holidays. I feel sad to leave the ridge but it is nice to have a real bed to sleep in again and a tub to soak my butt in!!!
Trailer living is really starting to wear on all of us, our tempers are getting shorter and there never seems to be any relaxation time, there's always something to do whether its pulling weeds or picking rocks or emptying trailer tanks or hauling water or garbage.
Our annual trip to Calaway Park was a nice break, the temperature was down to +4 and only as high as +21 and it rained, for almost a whole day and a half! We haven't seen rain in over 2 months!!! The only bad thing about the trip was coming home to sleep in the same uncomfortable camper beds that we have been sleeping in since the end of June.
This past weekend we had company from Saskatoon, Harvey & Michelle and the kids camped beside us on the acreage, and friends from Tilley came down for a day at the beach and a supper feast on our back deck. All the families had 3 kids each, who all had a hoot feeding horses, chasing rabbits, entertaining the dogs & cats and running into a rattlesnake in the Bullshead Creek coulee. Fortunately no one had to go to the hospital for an anti-venom injection, but it was close!
Progress on the house continues to plough ahead, even though we have been way-layed for another couple of weeks, it is coming along rather quickly, all our friends are amazed at how fast it is going.
As of today the basement in complete, with all the walls painted, tile placed around the fireplace and the ceiling tiles installed. The painters have started the walls on the main floor and should be done by early next week if not by this weekend. The carpet layers arrive on Friday to do the basement and by next week they should be starting on the main floor.
Once again we have relocated to the city, thanks to some wonderful friends we are occupying their house while they are gone on holidays. I feel sad to leave the ridge but it is nice to have a real bed to sleep in again and a tub to soak my butt in!!!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Finishers are Finishing
On Monday the finishers started, so far they have all the doors framed and installed, cupboards go in tomorrow. They also applied the scratch coat for the stucco; now the house doesn't stand out so much as when it was just the black tar paper.
The only grass I have is where my hose had a leak, the spots I've been watering there is nothing. If I was smart I would of seeded the whole thing to weeds and not had to worry about watering; I'm amazed how that stuff can grow without any moisture.
So finally a light at the end of the tunnel, they should be painting and than installing the flooring in a week to two weeks!
The weather has finally cooled down, we almost froze last night when it dipped down to 17 degrees. I made a purchase of an air conditioner the other day at Canadian Tire, it has more than paid for itself already, the first day we had it I got the trailer down to 21; it was 35 outside.
Kirby & Blair were successfully left at camp on Sunday and we haven't heard from them since, so either they are lost in the forest and a cougar got them or they having a really good time, either way we are enjoying the semi-peace and quiet with only Erinn to bug us.
This is my last week of work before I begin my month's worth of holidays, which I am so looking forward to, I cannot even express in mere words how over-joyed I am to not have to go to work. The unfortunate thing is that the time will pass really fast and eventually I will have to go back.
The only grass I have is where my hose had a leak, the spots I've been watering there is nothing. If I was smart I would of seeded the whole thing to weeds and not had to worry about watering; I'm amazed how that stuff can grow without any moisture.
So finally a light at the end of the tunnel, they should be painting and than installing the flooring in a week to two weeks!
The weather has finally cooled down, we almost froze last night when it dipped down to 17 degrees. I made a purchase of an air conditioner the other day at Canadian Tire, it has more than paid for itself already, the first day we had it I got the trailer down to 21; it was 35 outside.
Kirby & Blair were successfully left at camp on Sunday and we haven't heard from them since, so either they are lost in the forest and a cougar got them or they having a really good time, either way we are enjoying the semi-peace and quiet with only Erinn to bug us.
This is my last week of work before I begin my month's worth of holidays, which I am so looking forward to, I cannot even express in mere words how over-joyed I am to not have to go to work. The unfortunate thing is that the time will pass really fast and eventually I will have to go back.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Moving On!
Thanks the to the 38 degree temperatures the drywalling has been completed - only a week behind schedule - the finishers will be taking over on Monday.
The yard is looking good, other than a few spots I missed with the sprayer I have most of the weeds under control, the rock picking and leveling continues. The mound has been getting watered but very little has actually soaked in, mother nature has been unable to help in this area of late. We have been staying in town and the other day I was out to get a change of clothes and turned the sprinkler on. I realized I was running late and had to rush things along and mistakenly forgot the sprinkler on, it ended up running for 3 and a half hours, I'm hoping some of this moisture made it into the soil!
We had some really good storms over this past weekend, the timing was excellent since we were house-sitting for friends in the city. One night we had high winds that downed lots of trees in the city and caused minor damage, the following night we had pea-sized hail and than on the next night we had dry lightning south of the city which sparked several large grass fires. The fires made for a spectacular yet scary sight from The Ridge, they were only a couple of miles east of the acreage, luckily the wind helped firefighters get them under control.
I had a prolo treatment yesterday morning after I got off my nigh shift, so we are out at the Van Ham farm so I can recover. The weather has continued to stay very warm, however last night it dropped down to 12 degrees and we all froze! On Monday I rode my bike in to work; it was 42 degrees with the humidex!
Today the kids finished swimming lessons, all passed with flying colors, Blair has turned into a real fish and has already got a save in the water to his credit, which will look good on his resume when he applies to the FD.
Tomorrow we return to the Hat and The Ridge, we have tickets to the rodeo tomorrow night, Carolyn is working this weekend so the kids and I get to hang out, going to the comic book store to stock up and possibly doing some fishing or tubing on the creek.
Kirby & Blair are off to summer camp on Sunday until the following Thursday, both are looking forward to it but Carolyn and I are already predicting a phone call from Blair early in the week wanting to come home, so we will have to see what happens.
I have one more week of work than I'm off for the following two after that, it was supposed to be three off but I've been called to do firearms training for a week with our returning recruits; I will take the training hours over regular work anytime!
The yard is looking good, other than a few spots I missed with the sprayer I have most of the weeds under control, the rock picking and leveling continues. The mound has been getting watered but very little has actually soaked in, mother nature has been unable to help in this area of late. We have been staying in town and the other day I was out to get a change of clothes and turned the sprinkler on. I realized I was running late and had to rush things along and mistakenly forgot the sprinkler on, it ended up running for 3 and a half hours, I'm hoping some of this moisture made it into the soil!
We had some really good storms over this past weekend, the timing was excellent since we were house-sitting for friends in the city. One night we had high winds that downed lots of trees in the city and caused minor damage, the following night we had pea-sized hail and than on the next night we had dry lightning south of the city which sparked several large grass fires. The fires made for a spectacular yet scary sight from The Ridge, they were only a couple of miles east of the acreage, luckily the wind helped firefighters get them under control.
I had a prolo treatment yesterday morning after I got off my nigh shift, so we are out at the Van Ham farm so I can recover. The weather has continued to stay very warm, however last night it dropped down to 12 degrees and we all froze! On Monday I rode my bike in to work; it was 42 degrees with the humidex!
Today the kids finished swimming lessons, all passed with flying colors, Blair has turned into a real fish and has already got a save in the water to his credit, which will look good on his resume when he applies to the FD.
Tomorrow we return to the Hat and The Ridge, we have tickets to the rodeo tomorrow night, Carolyn is working this weekend so the kids and I get to hang out, going to the comic book store to stock up and possibly doing some fishing or tubing on the creek.
Kirby & Blair are off to summer camp on Sunday until the following Thursday, both are looking forward to it but Carolyn and I are already predicting a phone call from Blair early in the week wanting to come home, so we will have to see what happens.
I have one more week of work than I'm off for the following two after that, it was supposed to be three off but I've been called to do firearms training for a week with our returning recruits; I will take the training hours over regular work anytime!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
"V" for Victory!
The weeds have all been defeated but I'm afraid now of a mass take-over since I got crazy with the quad and harrows the other day and broke up all the cement-like soil around the house! I'm hoping they need rain in order to grow, since we are in the middle of our summer draught that won't be happening for another month. So why did I seed grass?
Well week two went by without a hitch and week three is looking pretty good as well, presently we are house sitting for friends in the city, we're not used to all these luxuries; bath tub, satellite TV, air conditioning, no wind! Is this what heaven is like?
Our bodies have definitely become accustom to the +36 weather, both of us were freezing in the house with the a/c, Carolyn was wearing a sweater and I had to go outside to warm up several times.
The drywaller continues to mud away, today they arrived at 0600 hours to blow the insulation into the attic, what a difference that made heat-wise in the house; instead of 45 degrees it was a much cooler 35!
The drywaller will done the middle of next week, he wants to get it down asap since the heat is killing him, than the finishers can start the following Monday. Its looking like we might be in by mid-August (finger's are crossed).
The kids are still holidaying at the farm in Bow Island (at Carolyn's parents place) they are busy with swimming lessons in the morning at bible school in the afternoon. I was out on Monday afternoon to pickup some stuff and had supper with them, than today I was up early and rode my bike out to take in "Parent Participation Day" at swim lessons, what a lovely thing that was especially after my 2-hour ride in a 30 km/hr wind.
Carolyn has been working all week, I'm back to days starting tomorrow, we've both been so busy outside that we look like a couple of aboriginals.
I set up a Yahoo email account if anyone wants to drop us a line, baring in mind I'm only able to check it every couple of days or so, it is cjzimmer5@yahoo.ca.
Take care all and keep cool, I know we are living off the Ridge!
Well week two went by without a hitch and week three is looking pretty good as well, presently we are house sitting for friends in the city, we're not used to all these luxuries; bath tub, satellite TV, air conditioning, no wind! Is this what heaven is like?
Our bodies have definitely become accustom to the +36 weather, both of us were freezing in the house with the a/c, Carolyn was wearing a sweater and I had to go outside to warm up several times.
The drywaller continues to mud away, today they arrived at 0600 hours to blow the insulation into the attic, what a difference that made heat-wise in the house; instead of 45 degrees it was a much cooler 35!
The drywaller will done the middle of next week, he wants to get it down asap since the heat is killing him, than the finishers can start the following Monday. Its looking like we might be in by mid-August (finger's are crossed).
The kids are still holidaying at the farm in Bow Island (at Carolyn's parents place) they are busy with swimming lessons in the morning at bible school in the afternoon. I was out on Monday afternoon to pickup some stuff and had supper with them, than today I was up early and rode my bike out to take in "Parent Participation Day" at swim lessons, what a lovely thing that was especially after my 2-hour ride in a 30 km/hr wind.
Carolyn has been working all week, I'm back to days starting tomorrow, we've both been so busy outside that we look like a couple of aboriginals.
I set up a Yahoo email account if anyone wants to drop us a line, baring in mind I'm only able to check it every couple of days or so, it is cjzimmer5@yahoo.ca.
Take care all and keep cool, I know we are living off the Ridge!
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