Sigh of Relief

Today the lower mainland received mostly good news about the possibility of extensive flooding! It's now felt that the Mission gauge will see only 6.5 meters of water at its "peak" this weekend - rather than the previously forecasted 7.5 meters. Although there are some areas in the area that have been affected by the rising river (areas along the Fraser outside of diking systems), it doesn't appear that it'll be the "worse case scenario" after all. Unfortunately, this is not the case in 8 northern communities where they have now declared a state of emergency. While searching for the latest river "updates" tonight, I came across this awesome live panoramic view of our dikes, the Alouette River, and the Golden Ears Mountains:

http://www.panoramalive.com/PAN_Golden_Ears_Alouette.html
(Press the back arrow to bring you back to blog after viewing)

At any rate, I think our family is cautiously breathing a sigh of relief today - and hoping that the weather continues to cooperate.

*Here are some pictures of the new workshop (I'd only posted the "backside" before) and our new window sills - being made by my father!

Ridden with Guilt

As I post these photos of *LB's birthday lunch last Friday afternoon, I'm feeling just a tad guilt-ridden... You see, as I am enjoying a great meal and cold drinks with the girls at this picturesque patio setting at the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course, I couldn't help but think about my poor dear husband slaving away at home in the heat on the siding. The truth of the matter is that I may not have thought of him at all during these festivities (that's not true, really), but I am reminded of him every time I go there -- as this is where I met him 20 years ago! What do you think of the new three bears (no, not the three cranky old broads, but the eco-scuptures????). I think they're great! I think my friends are great too! P.S. My husband is still slaving away outside. His regular shift on the house (as of late) is from 6:00 a.m. to midnight! *LB is our blondie on the right!

Rednecks!

Today we trailer trashed folk are true to life "rednecks"! Yup, every one of this trailer's inhabitants now has a red neck!

Naturally, my sister D blames this on the fact that I am often neglectful in checking expiry dates of my purchases. Several family members got pretty toasted in Mexico back in January - when she couldn't figure out why, she checked my tube of sunscreen - it was dated 1996! Oops! Almost as bad as my pantry's 1992 Jamaican Jerk sauce! This was new lotion yesterday though - we obviously just didn't re-apply it soon enough after the spray park. But today we Rednecks were well "greased-up" in my Super-Duper 70 block!

House Update:
R, Cousin B, and Doc have been plugging away on the siding, building window sills, building stairs for the Workshop, and doing some stereo wiring.

Hillbilly Haven

To be truthful, I'm just counting down the days until this trailer is hitched up and wheeled off of this property once and for all. While mobile home livin' has been good to us, it's had its issues too. We've been surviving with one bathroom (shared with a busy laundry room). This is usually fine for just the three of us (and 3 critters), but when we've had houseguests, the quarters are extremely cramped! Also, this 'manufactured mansion' only has two bedrooms (J's is bedroom/playroom)-- so we're REALLY looking forward to having a guest room - so that no person or animal is displaced upon the arrival of guests.

The other problem is the diminishing "space". There is absolutely no storage. We are literally living between piles - and heaven help us when we need to find something. These piles have grown exponentially with the building project. Our master bedroom is crammed with new lighting fixtures, sinks, faucets, etc. etc. for the new house. The front porch is completely stacked with who knows what (my dear thrifty husband loves garage sale-ing, auctions, and is also a bit of a pack rat). So, when you walk down the stairs off the deck, you need to strategically walk around the bikes, the dog bowls, the garage sale finds, the shovels, and the lawnmower. Are you getting the picture? Keeping the trailer clean (inside and out) amidst the clutter is a no-win situation. Dust from the construction will not go away. Mud has been tracked in, via dogs, via kid, via me, via R's workboots. The dust and dirt build-up is incredible. I literally dread the idea of anyone popping by for a visit. A few friends have dropped by to see the new house and I do everything I can to cut the visit short enough so that they don't ask to use our bathroom! Such a hostess with the mostess - I will NOT even offer them a drink for fear it will fill their bladders! I'm even forewarning them of the "MOUSE" problem, if they say they'd like to come in.....

Anyway, I have been admittedly feeling rather trailer-trashed these past few months. I even wonder if I'm starting to look and act the part. For the month of April I had no windshield wipers - yup, the switch was broken so I manually had to flick the lever up. No sooner did I have that problem fixed, my hubcap flew off on the freeway, and my left turn signal just stopped working (now I'm hand-signalling out the window, rain or shine). I've replaced the bulb so I guess it means yet another visit to the service bay. Anyway, I'm sure they've labelled me trailer trash too - the thick mud undercoating gives it quite the look. They actually washed, cleaned and detailed the poor car for me (that probably took more time than the repairs). Unfortunately, it was entirely mud-crusted again within a few hours. But, for the record, I'm not yet dressing like Britney Spears, carrying a shotgun, or drinking beer for breakfast. Although I'm quite sure the neighbours might be really starting to wonder.....

My Husband - the DIY Enthusiast

R is still working around the clock on our new house. Some days the changes are incredibly noticible. Some days not so much. He has currently been "prepping" the house for siding and, to the untrained eye (ie: mine), you do not see much change. But, he is a conscientious perfectionist - which is good - at least I know our siding will not go on crooked. I too am a DIY'er - the "Dangerously Incompetent You'll-be-sorry-later" type.

J and I kept busy - another demo at the fair followed by another exciting baseball game. We also went up to the hospital with JH to visit Mr. M. - it was his 83rd birthday! J didn't want to leave but I was making a special Sunday dinner since we seem to eat on the run so much during the week. And, we'd finally finished our '4 nights in a row' batch of chili which my good friend MB kindly made for us when she dropped by the other night. I saw this as an opportunity to abandoned them to run an errand - and R was still not home at that point. By the time I'd returned - voila, a big pot of chili had been made in my absence and R had returned from his out of town stint (what a surprise for him to see another woman cooking dinner in our kitchen!). I did appreciate the remarkable nanny service (one could quickly get used to that!). Funny, she hasn't been back for another visit though.... Anyway, dinner tonight was good even though my Yorkshire puddings closely resembled (and tasted like) hockey pucks. My mother-in-law definately makes the best ones - I obviously don't have any Yorkshire or British in me (oh, but MB does - I'll just have to extend another invitation!)...

He's Comin' Home, He's Done his Time.....

J woke up a good 1.5 hours too early. This has been a predictable habit on the days his dad is due to come home after an out-of-town-stint. "Is Dad here yet?" and "Where's Daddy?". I am struggling with my new negotiating skills, partly because my coffee is not yet finished brewing. While it is far easier to boss him straight back to the bedroom, I begin negotiations.... And, he is still in there (with cat and snoring bulldog) so I think I was successful! Who says you can't teach an old bat new tricks?

leslie

R has asked me to do a few house phone calls to line up some of his projects for when he gets back (as per usual, he'll be working non-stop). He is hoping to do the siding next so we should see another big transformation soon! We are using a product called Hardie plank lap siding - it looks just like real wood siding but it's actually fibre cement - pre-colored and with a 50 year warranty. Considering the fact that it shouldn't require re-painting until I am 97, we decided to be safe and go with the Mountain Sage as I've always been a "green" person anyway (being born on St. Patrick's day and all). While I may be changing some of my negotiating skills, I think I'll be sticking with the same favorite color! I'd originally wanted the Countrylane Red, but R pointed out that it would be me who'd be re-painting it -- should I soon tire of the big red barn effect.... So, green it is! I've seen a house sided in this same product and it actually appears a lot lighter in the sunlight (yes, we do get some of that). We'll be sure to post more pictures when he's done!