2015 mixer

Well son of a gun if I didn't figure out how to log in here.  How about the 2015 family compilation photo for those of you still following along.
  
Sound off if you're reading. I'm curious who still sees this place.

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2014... and ... its gone

2014 just caught fire and I ran with it.

January - work, sick, but went to Hawaii with Shannon and my folks for a week, that was cool.  Don't do it when you sick (nods knowingly), stress, sick (respiratory) has us questioning the health of our home/neighborhood.
February - work, still sick, and its effing cold.  Homeshow wash/rinse/repeat.  stress
March - work work work and we start seriously toying with the idea of selling.  Trip to Utah before things cut loose (dirt-bag camping & hiking).  Start scheduling endless todo list to move house things along.
April - work work work, get ready to list the house.  Get RPR & compliance plus close out my open loops with DRP - work and chase trades and paperwork. and stress over all of it. Eric back landscaping for the summer
May - work work work, list the house. May is all about work, and if it's light out, yard work. maybe.
June - work work work,  house listed, water runs high (but no flood!) super Saturday's start up again (Yay) along with foot pain. (Boo)
July - work, work etc.  Some where in there we start toying with the idea of building a new home in Okotoks.  conditional sale. Mike completes his 90.3 - proud.
August. -  work - week off company-wide holiday.  A backpack, a hike, a scramble, and purchase of a C-can to store crap in for when we move.  Deposit on home in Okotoks and start on a design.  House is now SOLD.  Final hike with boys and Peter to round out the month. (feet still a problem - defer treatment to end of season), move Eric back to Edmonton for final year of undergrad.
September - work work, house design stuff.  Taz (our cat) dies in Shannon's arms (not the least bit peacefully) he was 12. Solo day to O'Hara for larches, a little bonus to me for working my butt off.  Silverland tree planting project complete.  Favorite month, always too short.
October -  Fall work mode begins, surveying for winter designs, herding cats etc.  Move to temporary townhouse in NW High River at end of month.  We host a little party before leaving. Winter comes knocking shortly after.  Can't find a bloody thing.
November - work, last bike/hike of the year, start physio on feet, O'Hara ski trip finally after ten years of being invited.  Settle into the townhouse life - work on new house is well underway. (decisions decisions)
December - work, start with the gym (really really), physio - recovery is slow.  Take time off from walking and no skiing etc over Christmas to help speed recovery.  A fun Christmas, nothing fancy, just friend and family time.  

To summarize, this was a year of recovery and moving forward.  I was running to fast before the flood tripped me - some things had to go to make room for new things.  This was a project for 2014 with lots of bleed thru into 2015, but its coming.  Coming along very well actually.  Structuring a new way forward.  Not just the house, lots of things are getting a tweek, but as they say, patience is a virtue. 

If you have found your way here, hope all is well.  Probably won't be updating here much, but hey, a placeholder in the blogosphere of life.

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PUT A FORK IN IT -2013-

Not to put too fine a point on it...

2013 was one for the books.  BUT I had many high points that shall NOT be overlooked - & as time softens the edges of things & erodes the memories it shall be the strengthened / renewed / & new relationships that were bonded over this year that shall endure as the true legacy of 2013. 

Happy New Year !!!

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December

Already December, sliding a little on the updates - but actually not much happening of any real consequence.  Work has finally settled down to me and an occasional book-keeper and Mr. Plow (Jake) when it snows.  Plugging away at plans and website stuff and such and blast whatever music I want. 

House is stable.  Basement shall remain empty for now as we are still waiting on our DRP (Disaster Recovery Program) assessment.  They have some 'funny' ideas about how to do the rebuild, as does our insurance provider, and there is really no point in doing things more than once.  Plus there is an outside chance of another major flood before the proper measures have been taken such as the diversion - which could take years I suppose, so whatever.  Have to bide our time for a bit anyway and see what happens with the real estate market.  Maybe an empty basement will be a plus??  

Liking the new furnace, uses a fraction of the fuel the old boat anchor did.  Pushes out a lot more air too so even my den is warm which wasn't the case before.  

There are still many projects but more picky things like cleaning and sorting my trashed tools (the ones that were saved from the flood) sorting paperwork and other bits and pieces and figuring out how to store things for the interim.  Not the most fun projects but it keeps us busy.  No cable TV at the moment and not missing it much.  Every once in a while I would like to watch hockey but I've got books on the go.  I also have a pair of skis that are mocking me... perhaps give them a go as soon as this cold snap breaks. 

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Main back up!

Short tick list and the main is back up.  Hook up washer & dryer is a leftover from the weekend.  My office/den is still pretty much still a layer of dust and debris over the pile that was made in June when we opened the walls to deal with moisture.  That will take a little time to sift thru and clean - books / mail / clothing / gear / with some recently used items laying on top of the forgotten.  Anyway - I can pick at that - at least we'll be doing laundry again without having to mooch or laundromat.

Yard isn't quite right yet and sheds still have muddy items (plus the muddy sheds themselves) but winter is coming so some of that might be spring country.  Cleaned my truck cab though!  That should improve my mileage. 

Still no word from DRP (Disaster Recovery Program aka the government assistance) but after almost a month since being passed to a new insurance rep I was able to make contact today and get the glacier moving again.  Even promises of cutting me a partial cheque!  Will wonders never cease!

Work still busy with lots of surveying while the good weather holds.  All designs now are for Spring construction.  Wrapping up the construction will be nice - not having to come in early and deal with crabby people is what I'm most looking forward to.  

Anyway, there's your update - and the sun just poked thru the clouds that have predominated today's weather.  I'll take that as a sign.

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October. Fekk!

It will come as no surprise to people who know me when I say I dislike winter.  I like to ski / snowshoe, and the downtime is nice to a point, but it is too long, too brown and gross, and i often struggle with "sluggishness" (that's being kind I guess) but I'm seriously looking forward to putting a fork in 2013. -4 this morning, bring it on.

But in the meantime we have progress on the main floor.  Real and his son are true artisans and the hardwood, tile, and drywall repair are coming along great.  He has forgiven me for un-boxing and racking the hardwood (I guess, he stopped mentioning it anyway). So this weekend I'll restore some of the trim once I find all the scattered pieces.  Hope it's ready at any rate.  Snuck a hike in last weekend in knee deep snow on a larch hunt and came out of it restored if a little banged up from a couple falls.  Anyhow - looking forward to having my mainfloor back online.  Two kitchen chairs and a corner of the dining room table perched on the edge of carnage is getting old. 

Other list items (and it's a long one) gardening, shed, truck, basement, - oh, and my 'office / den' might be fixed soon and I can sort / clean it.  Piles / dust / bits and pieces long lost since June.

Work very close to wrapping designs for 2013 builds!  Otherwise still long days and trying not to agitate those who are (in my opinion) gripping the stick a little too hard.  Fun stuff.  Starting to scheme on some winter projects - notepad/sketchbook at the elbow.  Anybody interested in a calendar?

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Where was I?

Stand there with something in my hand, halfway to somewhere else.... now, where was I going exactly??  Blank on peoples names, was that two weeks ago?  The check engine light is on again.

BUT the show must go on!  This week is work, a few meetings, a dinner or two, and poof its almost the weekend.  If nice weather I have some weeds to slay, things to wash, or work on the garage, cars, ... yes still a list!!

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Drywall, First Cut

Drywall happening on the main floor, plans for the weekend to run a mower over the new verge.  A big tick list of items that grows slightly faster than I can tick - so normal stuff.  Progress though, and time to help some friends and do some Scouting / Silverland stuff.  Mountains will have to wait but they are on the radar for next weekend.  

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Home again

Sort of ad-hock but ended up moving home on the weekend.  Built Tessa a temporary pen so she'll give the new lawn a chance to knit before adding her special touches. Gradually (mostly Shannon's doing) stuff from our other home finding its way back.  She is also busy cleaning her way out of that place leaving it better than we found it - least we can do since they wouldn't accept any rent.  Amazing how where your 'stuff' is roots you to a place, and it was a nice place, a refuge from the mess that "105" had become and truly a home for the three of us plus our 'adopted son' Brandon and all the drop in riff-raff that helped to take our minds off things in the evenings.  There is still a pile of stuff to do to make "105" home again but each day we make a little progress.  Spent the weekend working on the garage which won't become a workshop again right way - going to get it in shape for storage of things that would otherwise be in the basement etc so it is out of the way for construction. Fix the electrical, insulation, vapour barrier, sheathing with OSB.  Single handedly did the vapour barrier and acoustical sealant without becoming the tar-baby:  I'll call that a win. 

Took Tessa for a walk thru George Lane Park the other night and back thru the downtown core.  The park is closed for safety reasons - pathways missing, fences and trees down, and most of it still covered in debris and silt.  Pretty sobering.  Downtown has some life but the majority of businesses still either boarded up during repairs or surrounded by construction fences.  Handmade signs augment store signage stressing "We're OPEN, come on in!"  but really, most of it looks like a construction site.

Work plows on, the time of year I can usually take a breath - but not this year.  On top of everything else its busy and the crews are nipping at my heels wanting projects to run to.  Yes, yes, coming right up!  A list at my elbow grows of things deferred ... no shortage of winter projects this year either.

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I'm having a "Holy Shit it's Friday" moment

Sod's getting watered, cat and a bunch of our crap from Olds is home, got some tools and supplies for the weekend.  Shannon has been cleaning endlessly. Hacked and slashed my way thru the week and somehow arrived at Friday.

Weekend plans, get the garage back together (insulation, OSB on the walls, etc) along with attending a 25th anniversary party. Eric's last day of work today... where did the summer go?  Coming up on my favorite season though - gotta get to the mountains soon.  But still need to move some mulch, dig a sump hole, build a wall for the vac, - where is my list?

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Free Sodding Lessons

Always been intrigued by the fine art of laying sod but were too intimidated to give it a try?  Saturday is your chance to give it a go!  Professional instructors on site to teach you how to:

Drive a wheelbarrow!
Shovel loam!
Pull a grade!
Handle actual live sod!
Get sent for coffee!
Run the roller!
Step on a rake!
Drag hoses & watch it come to life before your very eyes!

All for FREE!  That's right, FREE!!!  Freedom Fescue blend & Premium Dream Kentucky Bluegrass blend will both be in use - decide which is your favorite in a no-risk environment!  One day only!  Hurry down, limited supply - once it's down it's down.

No lookie-lous - If you're late just bring beer. Or come along to Silverland for the rest of the day where you will get truly down & dirty!  There will something for everyone out there.

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Chilkoot / Kluane / Sod

Had last week off work (company-wide holiday) and as per plans made last winter Eric and I headed north to backpack the Chilkoot Trail and then spent some time in Kluane NP in the Yukon.  It was a great trip, especially because I got to spend the time with Eric and sort of forget about work/flood concerns for a bit.  I'll have photos up eventually.  About a thousand frames to sort thru.

Upcoming: hope to sod this weekend, that will be the last major hurdle with the landscaping (lots of fiddling to do after that as time permits) and hopefully go help out a bit with Silverland workbee.  Now that people are mostly sorted at their homes we can start in earnest at the camp.  Thankfully others who were less affected on the home front have stepped up to organize that.  

Work is still busy, just mostly taking things day-to-day now covering off what I can where I can.  It will be September soon and the larches will be calling! And the contractors will hopefully be able to start on the house interior.  Dusty business.

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