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.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
2015 mixer
Sunday, January 4, 2015
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. Click to read full post......
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
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 !!!
Click to read full post......
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
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.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
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.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
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?
Thursday, September 19, 2013
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!!
Friday, September 6, 2013
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.
Click to read full post......Tuesday, August 27, 2013
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.
Friday, August 23, 2013
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?
Friday, August 16, 2013
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.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
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.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Still flat out
Internet is down where we are living and maybe I'll take a crack at troubleshooting that tonight when I get home. Can't complain - do what we can to help out. Anyway, a little lax with the updates.
Working full days and then trying to squeeze in some things after like collecting/replacing/repairing gear for upcoming backpacking trip or working on things at the house.
Saturday had my mini-crew (Jake with a truck and bobcat, Doods, Eric, and I) and we moved out the rest of the silt, cored for a turf grade, and moved back in approx 45-50 yards of mulch to cleanup the beds, sideyards, veggie paths etc. That was a very productive day capped off by another five hours of removing the tile and plywood underlay from the main floor laundry/bathroom/entrance. This was at the advice of our contractor who wants to be sure we are mould free when all is said and done. Good call - but what a nasty job. Plywood was screwed down 6" O/C so it was prybars, and hammer time (even got my big digging bar in there for a while) Got back to the acreage where we are living after midnight and almost couldn't lift my arm enough to throw the truck in park. Job done though, did not want to do that Sunday. Sunday was for prepping for backpacking - parceling out food and getting the gear going. Christmas on the tailgate of my truck with new purchases replacing some lost or damaged items. "Like kind and quality" - but you can't buy new gear with duct tape already attached!
This week, more of the same. Surveying around the rain and getting as much done as possible in the office.
Around High River??? Hard to say, mostly still focused on my own thing. Incredible how quiet my area is at night though, no dogs barking or anything. Most homes dark with nobody living there yet. Traffic is quiet, shops that are open don't seem too busy. Except Tim Hortons (free coffee on Saturday thanks to a generous donor - $2700 total donation). The High River that emerges from this will be different than it was - I expect there will be some positives from some of this. Various levels of government still jockeying for position. Unlike 2005 though I think there is the appetite for some substantial changes and some real flood mitigation measures... just gotta get some of those asshats off their podiums and onto a dozer.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Onwards and upwards
Shifting away from daily reports - busy and things don't seem as urgent.
Friday after work went to Olds to round up some of my backpacking stuff that inlaws were working on. They did an amazing job on the packs and sleeping bags, they are washing and fixing golf clubs and even washing Legos. And my dog has trashed their flower bed - owe them big time.
Saturday, around the yard. Furnace gone finally, got the lane cleared out and washed and tidied up so I can bring a machine in again to grade. Was washing the canoe on the driveway and one of my older neighbors stops his car "Too late. Water's gone." totally deadpan. Funny guy, lives just a half a block away and we'd never spoken before the flood. Still driving around dragging his air dam under the car. Refused my offer to fix it for him. Dropped a patio block on my toe late in the day and turned it a deep shade of purple. Some choice words were spoken.
Sunday, went hiking with Eric and some of his Edmonton room-mates to Cirque peak off the Icefields parkway. Beautiful scenery and good to get chance to hike again - push some clean air thru my lungs. Foot hurt but was easy enough to ignore once I got going. Long day what with the drive, but was totally worth it.
Monday - work'n. Surveying around the rain, in the rain etc. Highlite of the day was some little girls with an ice-tea stand near one of the sites. Happy to make some money 50cents at a time off the tradesmen. High River to move furniture for the carpet cleaning and check on some things. Another long day and try and sleep thru thunderstorms.
Tuesday. Office (still here) and hope to sift thru some gear tonight and maybe setup the tent and see how it turned out. Looks and smells good, want to make sure it's still watertight before taking it out in the field. Started a list of gear I need to replace for the trip also. Still not sure where everything is but some things I know are history. Not enough hours in a day.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Branching out
Glad to have the opportunity to do something to help out Rob & Bernie last night, also glad their house doesn't appear to be as hard hit as first suspected. Back in the rubber boots & mask in the bowels of the earth... hopefully for the last time.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Remediation mode
Kinda shifting from rehab to remediation mode.
Had a wash on the basement finally yesterday! Those boys look a little tired (understandably). Insurance guy to measure and estimate the rebuild in the basement. Mechanicals discussion and quote. Had a good visit with my folks who came down to bring us some food and offer more support. Gradual progression.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Day 13 - Flood Rehab
Thirteen hour shift - no site visit. Meeting regarding mechanicals (hopefully) tomorrow and maybe by some miracle, get the remediation company in to do a wash. It's like dealing with landscapers there - no schedule, nobody knows what's going on ... It'll get done eventually when the real workers actually show up. I'm better at waiting when I at least have a bit of a timeline.
Click to read full post......Sunday, July 14, 2013
Day 12 - flood rehab
Rolled up this morning and the big old dirty fridges were gone!!! And there was much rejoicing!!! That was after visiting the Scout Hall and Silverland where there is still much to do.
Spent the day alone digging out corners and edging so I'm ready for the hoe. It'll look a lot better once I have all the silt gone. Every day, hour by hour, things become a little more 'normal'. Also got the phone working again thanks to the boys from Shaw. Both of them out from Vancouver Island and they've worked seven days a week since June 26, part of it helping people clear out basements and such starting in Calgary, then High River. Obviously doing what they are trained to do as well. No charge for new equipment and required service. I guess all that money I've been spending on a cable bill all these years finally went towards something worthwhile.
Back to work tomorrow. Heal up my hands and rest my back - get back in the groove. For now, a cool drink and soft chair.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Day 11 - Flood Rehab
Slept hard, right thru a thunderstorm and two carloads of kids coming home from Stampede partying. Hit the office for a bit to print off damage photos and clear my inbox which was right out of control. Scavenged some assorted tools and lumber and went to the house and built a new back gate. Good project to buoy me up amide all the ongoing remediation and vac truck noise. Couldn't quite stomach any digging today. Tomorrow country.
Had a bbq and visit at a friends house at the end of the day. Good visit with Eric and his buddies mostly, who are turning into a really great group of young men. For some this whole experience has been a chance to step up - Eric would definitely fit that category. He has been a huge help.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Day 10 - Flood Rehab
Bone-tired. Full office day and phone tag with trades and rehab people. Eat and crash is the plan... no site visit today, more digging and stuff tomorrow - tick list is on the dash.
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