Day 340 - pool table arrives and yard measured

Day 340 was a sunny with clouds day. Brit caught a ride to school with Krista who is promptly here before 8:10, still much later than the bus which picks up at 7:30. The new bus route starting next week however will pickup at 7:54 which is much better. I was up and vacuuming the basement for the pool table arrival.

The fellows arrived at 10 to start the set up. Soon after Wendy arrived to measure the yard for the landscape preliminary drawings. Very excited for both.

 part of the loads they brought in

 Wendy measuring

 then I had to decide orientation.. like this?

 or this? Allen and Andy are the install guys

 So I chose this way, here they are putting together

and stretching and fitting the cloth

I vacuumed main floor and tidied as well as updated the blog in the morning while they worked. I asked how easy to move a table, they said complicated as they level it for that site. The fellows said they don't just use a level but rather a survey level, accurate to 1/1000 of an inch  and to move they actually take apart, remove the cloth and move the slate, then put back together just like the first time. Guess it will stay in this spot for some time!

 and finished

 whew

 the ping pong and pool accessories, looks like Mom we need to borrow the snooker balls :-)

here is what it looked like at 2 pm

Mom sent this link to amazing pool tricks, check it out.

In the afternoon, I cleaned out the fireplace and reorganized the pantry. Britt arrived home on the bus and played ball with the dogs for a bit then fed horses. Sheldon arrived home and promptly enjoyed a cold beer while playing the first game against me on the new table. Shaina stayed in after school as she was heading to Standard formal tonight. We all enjoyed a delicious steak and fixings supper.

After supper it was more games, then Stouts stopped to borrow the dump trailer to load manure tomorrow. They came in for a drink and visit and see the latest updates. About quarter to8 Brooke arrived for a sleepover and it was on to partner games. Then after 8, Caleb was dropped off. The 3 played cut throat and then about 8:20 Hannah came over then we all joined in off and on.

 check out the stalker in the background :-)

 pool action

The gaggle gave up at 10 so Sheldon andI played until midnight. Hannah and Caleb ventured home at 11.
Shaina arrived home from the dance late at 2:30 am.

Day 339 - windy but sunny

Day 339 - was a windy yet sunny day. Dropped Britt at school and off to work for me, OK yes I stopped at Tims :-) At lunch I headed home to let out dogs and do some chores. Laundry and creating this new cleaner I have had on my to do list forever.

Homemade Shower Cleaner Step #1: Pour any amount of white vinegar into a plastic spray bottle {I started with about 6 oz.} Step #2: Heat it up in the microwave until very warm. {you do NOT need to reheat it every time you want to clean your showers} Step #3: Pour the same amount of Dawn dish soap into the spray bottle. Step #4: Put the top of the spray bottle on and gently shake until they are combined.

I made the mistake of spraying all on and washing but not when getting in the shower. I think it will clean brilliantly but would be easier if you do while in the shower. I cooked up a batch of home made granola for Sheldon. For supper is was the second last package of home made deer/beef sausage, how sad for us all. It is a favorite. Even had to send some in to Kaylin each time we have some.

Britt had badminton after school. Sheldon went in to get her and her saddle left in Stouts trailer after work. Once home she reclused to the basement for the entire night just coming up for supper. :-)

In the evening the wind finally let up so Sheldon and Diego started out for a walk and I joined then with Coco. I found lots of things needing to be done at the shed area so added to my to do list. Back at the house it was relaxing time for reading, TV, computer time and bath for Sheldon. I had a shower and washed off all the cleaner and wow does it work. Try it, I made 1 1/2 cups of each and that will last a bit but you can make smaller batch to try. The glass shower gleamed when done and I did both sinks. Sheldon used it to wash out the bath tub and it too sparkles.

Shaina worked from after school till nine then stopped at home to do dish detail and grab clothes and headed back to town to stay with Kaylin who text begging me to allow as she is so lonely and getting less work shifts at the station.

Today was day 25 of Diego coming to the ranch and just finished his first 16 KG bag of dog food :-) better than the 15 days they said a bag would last on average.

Day 338 - Eastern Canada Fund raiser Spaghetti supper

Day 338 started sunny then dreary then warm and dreary and then sunny and warm plus 18! After work, I dropped free range eggs off with Kaylin and Amanda stopping to visit with her and the little man for an hour.

Once home, I updated blog and did accounting which never seems to end :-) Britt walked Diego while Sheldon graded the road. Shaina stayed in after school to work out and both she and Kaylin met us at the school for the fundraiser spaghetti supper.

Shaina then went to a hockey game and such arriving home at 10:30. Britt stayed to clean up after the dinner and Stouts dropped her home at 8 pm. Sheldon took Diego for a quad harrow and I posted Britt's DS gameboy stuff online. She is liquidating a ton of stuff since her job is now done for the season.

Day 337 - Hunger Games movie night

Day 337 started as a foggy morning. I drove B to school on my way to work and Shaina came in later after taking Diego for a jog.

After work I did dog doo detail, then whipped up a batch of puffed wheat squares for tomorrow nights spaghetti supper fundraiser for the Eastern Canada trip. It was now sunny and gorgeous out. Shaina went and caught horses, groomed and tacked them up while I finished blog updating. Once home of the bus, Britt grabbed her horse too. I caught Beck to jog with us and off we went. It was a quick round as they all had spring fever and wanted to run full out. By now Sheldon arrived home from work so he saddled up Beck and we all went out to condition and work on some ball & racquet skills.

After un tacking, I went into the house to prepare shake and bake chicken with rice, veggies and home made coleslaw. It was delicious! Ray the tile guy stopped to quote the outside rock work needed. Exciting to think the outside will be coming along soon. Kaylin came out for supper too and around 7:15 we all headed to town to take in the long awaited Hunger Games. This was the 3 series books Britt and I read a few years ago and the 2 older read in Jamaica. Sheldon did get in one chapter but after the movie is now planning to read them. It was a good book to movie rendition.

Day 336 - back splash glued all on

Day 336 was yet another semi foggy cool breezy day. The girls headed off to school as today was my first official work day off due to break up. I am now on a Tuesday to Thursday work week :-) I found myself doing accounting, carried on laundry from yesterday and caught up on more emails. My dear friend Lori B arrived around 11:30 to see the house and spend the afternoon catching up. What a lovely visit. I made a delicious spinach salad with strawberries and orange segments sprinkled with sunflower seeds. How gourmet, I know!

Around 3:30 she headed back to Airdrie and Dustin the cabinet guy arrived to install soft close on a couple doors, adjust a few things and help evaluate the floor issues and the exterior door knobs that continue to seize up. Britt was home on the bus very flustered that the route is changing and she will have a new driver. Sheldon arrived home in time to discuss the issues with Dustin too. Dustin was off at 5 and I heated up supper while Sheldon took Diego for a quad run.

After supper, Britt was supposed to clean room...hmmm never checked yet and Sheldon and I got back at the back splash. At around 9 the snow started to come down... come on spring, enough of this! They are forecasting plus 13 and up Wednesday on, fingers crossed

At around 10:30 we put in the last tile. Tonight being day 3, things went smoother but we both decided that we will not be hanging out any tiling shingle services ever! It does look fabulous though and now it sets for a few days then the final step...grout.

 removing the light valences for ease of applying.. yes on day 3! LOL

 fine detail work

 and the repair area being replaced

 extreme fine detail cutting, great job Sheld

 the last tile being placed!

and out of all the order this is what we have left.. can you say cutting it close or super efficient, I choose the latter!

all finished, now waiting to dry

Shaina arrived home as we finished up coming from work at target after school till 9 then printing off a cover letter for a new summer job prospect.

I cleaned the kitchen and Sheldon put away all the tools and just after 11 we all crawled into bed ready to start a new day of work and school.

Day 335 - mirror mirror

Day 335, a lazy dreary grey Sunday. All slept in till 10 and some later, right Sheldon? I enjoyed the morning with a hot chai going thru many blog updates and recipes. I also fine tuned the closet layout and order and downloaded some e-books.

Once up, Sheldon brought the outlets forward in order to be flush with the new tile.

He and Britt hung the basement bathroom mirror. (finally)

Britt was driving us crazy wanting to get to town all weekend as she wanted to buy Kaylin's blackberry after she upgraded back to an iPod. Finally after she walked the dogs, washed dishes and sorted clothes, at 3:30 we went in. I printed an assignment for Shaina while she grabbed the phone and it was off to the Source to set it up. We made a stop at Tony the tile guys for a piece of schlueter for the back splash. Seems the phone did not work and after another crusty salesman stop at the store found he had put the sim card in backwards. :-) It was then off to tims for a tea and grocery stop.

Back at the ranch, I created a pork chop, perogy and veggie meal. And then it was back doing the back splash until 11:30.

 close up

 one of the many problems we encountered... opps

 stove side progress

 microwave side starting

 and all done at 11:30 pm

 day 2  progress

Day 334 - kitchen back splash and landscape plan started

Day 334 started as a dreary day. The plant called early with issues so no real sleeping in. At 10:30 we met Wendy Aris of Aris Landscape design. After so much planning was put into the house with success, it only seemed right to get the bare slate exterior done to scale as well. Wendy showed us blueprints of another place, asked us many questions and took photos during the exterior walk about. She will return next week for actual measurements to get started. I am so excited to see the plans and get this part of the ranch started, especially with spring just around the corner.

After her meeting it was a quick lunch and Sheldon headed off to town to get supplies for back splash installation. Shaina did dog detail in the yard while Britt walked Diego. Inside, B vacuumed while S unloaded the dishwasher. Yes it was chore day for the girls, hard done by and all. I called for pool table status and have it booked to be set up next Friday! Sheldon got back around 2:30 and it was time to get started on the back splash. It is called Urban Moka in mosaic.

The girls went out to work with a couple horses and Britt fed the two skinnies.

the closet guy got some final drawings to us for the master closet, he designed and quoted both wire and solid and Sheldon chose the solid even at double the cost.

Shaina then went to town at 4 so Kaylin could air brush hers and Emily's face for the hockey game they were going to. Britt hit the TV room only coming up to make some soup for supper as we carried on with the back splash

dry test run

 mastic goes on

 first two sheets up

 troweling it made easy

 doing the Ellen dance behind a person still shot!

 and the work continues but not without trial and errors.. of course

finally at 8:45 I cooked up some wings as we were getting a bit peckish, here is the wall around 9. Britt joined us for wings then back down to theater room. We carried on with more laying out and cutting and gluing. During breaks I updated the blogs thru the day. Finally at 11 we shut down production in the kitchen.

 Diego is finding the noise in his garage annoying by 11pm :-)