Saturday, June 18/2011

It rained off and on throughout the night but this morning the rain seems to have taken a break.  The sky is still pretty heavy and I am sure it holds more rain but for now it has taken a break.
Jim is supposed to arrive this morning so I am up early with the coffee ready.  In the mean time, I will get this blog caught up and hopefully some of it posted before I get interrupted.
With Jim's arrival, so came the children!!  He brought one of their quads so they quickly came and got it and then we were to get ready and meet them at Huard Lake. Dave and Shirley decided to join us in their little Sami today and hopefully the trails will not be too much of a challenge for them.
We all got ready and in no time at all, we were headed down the road.  Our first stop was Vimy Creek and we were all impressed with Dave's sami.  It got through the water and up the steep hill with no problems.  Dave was smiling all the way up the hill!!
We had our first refreshment break then carried on to Huard Lake to meet the kids.  We had been on the trails for about an hour and waited another hour for the kids to arrive and with their arrival found out that Kellin's rhino was not working properly.  After much tinkering and discussion, we hooked our tow rope onto him and towed him back to camp.  It was a good thing we were only a few miles from camp and headed in that direction anyway!!
With the quad back at camp and seating arrangements decided, we were just about to leave when Lance arrived at the site.  He had just started his two weeks off form his job up North,  He was quickly unloaded and off we went, headed for Mystery Hill.  Once up on the hill, Jimmy realized that his quad was not working properly and suspected that it was either the belt or the clutch giving him grief.  His quad could at least be limped back to camp!!  Dave had a bit of trouble getting up the hill but eventually made it.  We were quite a group!!  Jace actually climbed the face of the hill with Kim and she was rather "white eyed" once they reached the top.  If it wasn't for her smile, I would wonder if she was enjoying this ride.  I asked her how she could be fearful when her hobby is screaming down the race track at a million miles an hour!  Her reply was that her trip only lasted a few seconds!!
Because of all the breakdowns and the delays that surrounded them, our original plan to travel to Hunter Lake was aborted and instead we chose to go to Miko Lake then back to camp as somehow the day had turned into evening and it was time to head home.  Dave and Shirley decided to leave us once they were down from Mystery as Dave's recent shoulder surgery was causing him a bit of grief.  We had a few refreshments at Miko, Hogan went for a swim and we ended up towing Jim home and Jill G's quad also came home on a rope (it was overheating)!!  Not a good start to the weekend.
The fire was raging in no time and the kids got the food out and started the cooking.  Casey, Tori and Bailey arrived and the party continued for a few hours.
Eventually, it was time for us to leave and head back to camp.  Jim joined us in the Sami which meant that I was in the back!!  Casey said he would bring Hogan home and off we went.  We took the trail home and I must say that it was much worse than it was this morning with all the rain that had fallen through out the day.  The creek was flowing pretty good and it took us several tries to finally make it up the bank on the other side.  Eventually we made it and eventually found ourselves back home.  Man, what a day.  We didn't travel very far but fun was had by all.
Once at home, Jim realized that he forgot his insulin pen in the quad (he carries it with him on the trails) so I said not to worry, I would walk to the nursing home and get him one for the morning.  Problem solved!
Casey and the girls came home just as we arrived so him and John stayed up for a few more beer because Lord only knew they had not had enough!!  Tori and Bailey went to bed while John and Casey sat around the little fake fireplace in the trailer as it had started to rain again.

Jimmy O coming out of Vimmy Creek

Dave and Shirley  comming into Vimmy Creek

Getting deep

And out

Beverage!

Heading over to Huard Lake

On top of Mystery Hill

Another Rhino with trouble

Jace ( our oldest )

Scott

Lance draining some water out

Jace and Kimmy

The two Dads!

Mom and Jace

Lance

Kimmy and Jill

Chris, Casey ( our youngest ) and Lance

Kellen and Marie

Me, well I had a shower, which felt wonderful but the bed felt even better.  Tomorrow would be another day and I really needed my beauty rest!!

Friday, June 17/2011

I was up early and although I was feeling a bit ragged around the edges, I started weeding the garden.  I got several rows done before I quit as it was starting to rain.  It looks like it could rain all day.  The sky is heavy and although it is warm out, one can smell rain in the air.
Shirley came over and we headed into Spiritwood for eggs and to do a bit of shopping. Like I really need to do more!!  We were gone a couple of hours and man did it rain!!  It looks like the rally weekend will be a wet one.
We heard from Jace and he and Kim are finally on their way up (Kim had to work until 4) but ran into a fatal car accident so had to find their way around it as the highway was closed to traffic.  Eventually, they were able to get back onto the highway and sent us a message saying that they would just continue on to the lake and will see us tomorrow.
Casey sent us a text saying that him, Tori and Bailey would be coming up after Tori gets off work on Saturday.  These three will be the only kids we have staying with us. Jim will be here as well as he says the kids "party" too much for him!!
It has rained all day - a constant steady soak the ground and leave puddles everywhere.  The trails will be so wet.  I can't imagine that the winches will not be needed!!  I had better wear my rubber boots as shoes will just not do!!  I need my beauty rest!!

Thursday, June 16/2011

The drive back to Leoville was uneventful although I must say that the road between Spiritwood and Leoville has certainly deteriorated since we last travelled on it.  I don't quite understand why it can not be fixed properly as the way it is now is clearly a hazard to all that travel on it.  I guess there will have to be some horrible tragedy occur before the municipality fixes the damn thing.  That, in itself is too bad.
Once back in town, Gary came over  and soon after that, Dave and Shirley arrived.  Beef brought back the Sami and we had ourselves a little "welcome home" party!!  It was fun and the weather was decent.  We started a fire and sat around it until it was time for everyone to go home to bed!!
I had cut some of the grass when we first arrived back and vowed to cut the rest tomorrow as Beef said it is scheduled for rain the entire weekend (great!) and I really should get it done before that happens.  The garden needs weeding too!!  Yea, well.....

Wednesday, June 15/2011

We are up early today.  The bus gets the new windshield today and the appointment if for 7:30.  Once we drop it off at Speedy, John takes me over to Walmart and I start the day shopping like some crazy fool.  I have only today to get everything I need as we will be heading back to Leoville for the weekend.
John is so not a shopper so I dropped him off with Jim and Jace.  They are getting Jace's truck ready for his trip tomorrow to Calgary.  Now that he is out of  my hair, I can get into shopping mode and get all my stuff done.
I eventually had to go back and pick John up as the bus was ready.  With this done, I unloaded several of my packages and carried on finishing off my "to do" list.
I had a quick visit with Jan and Erin and the boys.  They loved all the Avon stuff I brought them and I must say that I loved leaving it behind.  With all the music and the noises coming from the animated decorations, I was glad that it would be Erin that was listening to them at Christmas time!!
Once back at the bus, with my shopping completed, we settled down to watch game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.  As it turned out, the game winners were the Boston Bruins and after 39 years of waiting for the cup, I guess no one can begrudge them the win.   The Vancouver Canucks were just outplayed, out scored and out lasted - it was a game of Survivor!!
Unfortunately, some of the so called Vancouver fans (and I use this term very loosely) started a riot which ended in cars being set on fire and several people hurt.  It was a disgusting display and shame on those participating in this kind of behavior.  It is indeed a very black eye for the city.
With visions of riots in our heads, it was time to get to sleep.  We are returning to Leoville tomorrow to get ready for the weekend.

Tuesday, June 14/2011

Another sunny day is here to greet me when I awoke although there are a few rather suspicious looking clouds in the area.  Perhaps there is some rain in store for us again.  No matter,  Joyce's garden could use some more.  I hope my garden in Leoville got some this past weekend.
We will be heading into Saskatoon today.  John has his doctor's appointment today and I have a lot of shopping to do.  There is no rest for the wicked!!
We parked right at the doctor's office with this bus (took up a good portion of the parking lot) and John was in and out in no time.
Casey met us over at the office then I drove him home and met John by the lake - our usual parking spot when we come into the city.
Chris and Kellen stopped by with the blankets I had lent them this past weekend and they are still undecided if they are parking at the lake or on our lot for the rally this coming weekend.  I guess we will see what happens closer to the weekend.
Both our boys came for a quick visit tonight and as usual, it is always good to see them.  The dogs ran around outside like silly fools and Jace and Casey took them for a walk.  Three dogs is a lot to handle!!
It was soon time for them to leave and we headed to bed soon after that as tomorrow is an early day with the front windshield being replaced at Speedy Auto Glass.

Monday, June 13/2011

The day has arrived bright and sunny.  Oh the silence is wonderful and as I look out the window, I see nothing but Jimmy's beautiful yard which, by the way, has no dandelions in it!!  It is indeed a park like setting.  The birds are chirping and the squirrels are chattering.  Hogan does not know which way to run first!!
Today we are supposed to be getting the big white truck running and ready to sell.  It has sat here in Jim's yard since we sold the acreage and now it is time to finally sell it.  John was unable to get it done last year because of the broken leg thing so this year there is no excuse not to get the job done.
I cleaned out the bunk today and was quite pleased that there was no mouse crap around and that it indeed smelled fresh inside.  It is a well built bunk and since there are no signs of mice, I am even more pleased.
John eventually did get the truck running - the batteries needed more charging so once that was complete, it started up and purred like a  kitten.  There were a few squeaks and groans initially, but it soon quieted down and sounded great.  I hope that who ever buys it will appreciate the amount of work that went into the construction of that bunk and treat it with the respect it deserves.
With the truck taken care of, it was time to settle down and watch the hockey game.  Maybe tonight the Vancouver Canucks will bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada.
As the game progressed, it became obvious that there was going to be a final game for the cup and hopefully the hometown advantage plays a role in a Cunucks victory.  We will see on Wednesday!!
With supper over and the dishes done, it was time for me to head to bed.  I am still tired from the weekend!!  Tomorrow, we head into Saskatoon to do all our running and shopping.  It will be a busy few days.

Sunday, June 12/2011

I was awake at 9 a.m. which,  considering that only gave me about 4 hours sleep, I was starting out pretty darn good,  I saw Jimmy with a  garbage bag in his hand and knew that the clean up was about to start.  Between Jim. Scott, Jill and myself, we had the yard cleared of all the garbage which included a couple of completely smashed beer bottles (presumably run over by the various trucks that performed the rather controversial "burnouts" last night).
As the morning progressed, the hoards of kids started to greet the day and soon many of them had their tents down and were headed home.  Of course all our "kids" (which numbered close to 10) needed breakfast so I got to cooking and it was bacon, sausage, eggs and toast for everyone.
With breakfast done, it was time to wait for the people to come and take the big tent down.  They required about 5 people to assist with the task.  With their arrival, the tent was down and packed up in no time.  It was much quicker taking it down that putting it up!!  That of course is a good thing as there is an impending rain storm heading this way and who needs to be doing the tent thing in the rain.  I can hear the thunder!!
Eventually, all that remained in the yard were John and I and Joyce and Jim's daughter and her family.  There was peace in the yard once again.  Theresa and her family would be returning to Calgary tomorrow and John and I would be heading into Saskatoon after he got  the big white truck running and I finished cleaning out the bunk so that it could be sold.
The evening was spent just relaxing and enjoying the silence in the yard.  We watched a bit of TV then it was time to go to bed and catch up on our sleep!!  The weekend was finally over but next weekend is looming on the horizon - it is the Father's Day rally in Leoville and we will be seeing the "kids" again!!
I really better get to sleep!!