Putting a roof over our head

As Mr Dickens so eloquently put it..."It was the best of times it was the worst of times." I was very happy with myself for finally installing the workshop door. And I have to tell you it was a B#@CH. I now have a new appreciation for guys who make this look easy. It took me over two hours and about 4 attempts. I would think I'm getting there and have things close to looking hung plumb and true and then "pow" it would sucker punch me like a insecure bully at a party. The "best of times part of this came after I had to walk away to make supper. I came back and as seemingly violent the implosion was when I left, things just magically fell into place as softly as a snowflake landing on a snowman in the yard.

Part two of the dichotomy of the moment  came on the Monday. Jeff, who is still 14 and in grade 10, tried out for and made the senior boys volleyball team...yay!.....and then at the first practice went up for a block and came down on a kids who came through the net and ended up busting his left ankle.

The let down was dramatic for him, and went on for a few days when he came to the realization of the true impact of his injury and despite his insistence that he would be back in a couple weeks, he is out for the season.

Work on the shop continued, I finally got around to laying the roof insulation.

I ran into a little snag with laying down the plywood roofing, I had only hefted 3 sheets up there prior to laying in the insulation. That was great as I was able to move sheets around and finish the job. But I ran into a wee problem getting the rest of the sheets up there. Jeff was out of commission, Michelle was in the city, and Anna.....

Well you NEVER interrupt a teenager when they willingly pull out a vacuum  and use it for doing good in the world!

So I created a full sheet step ladder, and I have to say it worked quite well!

The last hurrah

 Michelle has always had this thing that summer isn't summer until you get to a lake, all together, as a family. And I have to say I agree, there is something about water that simply soothes the soul. I prefer fresh water, but I'm not picky.

 This year, as we all know, was a hot one. Hot and dry. I was so thankful that we went through the trouble(and expense) for a good A/C unit. Although she was hot going through Saskatchewan (32C) we were comfy in the bus as we started to head west from the wedding towards the Deloraine Resort and Spa(Michelle's home town).

 What is this you ask?

This is a picture of peace of mind.

WTF?? Ok, OK. Up until now the "security" for Fillmore has been the spring latch for the main door. Which is a bit of a trick to engage from the outside, and then as easy as pulling a release ring from the outside to 'unlock' the door and gain access. Needless to say it has always left a little trepidation when we lock up and leave the bus unattended, especially now that we are using it as a home base with all our accoutrements. The passenger door to the bus has always had a deadbolt installed, but I never had a key. So one morning as I sat having coffee I emailed a query to a small locksmith outfit in Brandon MB called Sargent Lock and Safe. They said bring it down and we'll see what we can do! Within 20 min I was done and pulling up to a Timmies for some driver fuel for the drive back to Deloraine. These boys were awesome!.....Aaannd now I can throw the dead bolt and feel a little better about leaving my 8 track collection of Disco Dance tunes unattended, and speaking of the golden years...

There is never a dull moment in Deloraine, intended or otherwise. We decided a swim day up at  Lake William. And Grandma, being the loving kind soul she is brought wet suits for the kids.....from the 80's and that was a fun time to see the kids squeeze into them and have a swim in vintage wet wear!
After busting the hot water tank in Deloraine, it was time we continued our trek and head west towards home. With no set plan we made it up on the way and ecided the last hurrah should be a family camping trip with Fillmore in south western Alberta

 With as number of highway transport trips under our belt in Fillmore, we quickly came to the realization that this would be the maiden camping trip, and would complete the circle of it's intended design purpose. Exciting!! We lucked out and snagged a beautiful camp spot very close to the water, peace, serenity,AND running water!

 Mornings were cool in the mountains, but staying close and cuddling were the mantra!

 A little walk around in Waterton was lovely....smokey...but lovely




















Michelle was happy to be on the water and have sunrise and sunset paddles, while Jeff and Carson managed to "squeeze out the last little bit of summer"

 After 4 wonderful days we decided to head home and put Fillmore to bed for a much needed rest, after traveling a few thousand kilometers (over 3400 this trip) he deserved to have a little down time.

Where did it go.....

To quote the ever talented Steve Pineo, "Summertime is fleeting on these cold alberta plains" Here we are Sept 8, and I sit back and wonder where the time went. It seems only yesterday that I was doing the last blog....and sadly, that was in JULY!

Although I may not have had the where with all to sit down and blog, I did manage to capture a little bit of summer with respect to Fillmore and the associated work.

The end of July brought Ron and Verna out for a visit, which helped me tremendously with progress on the shop within the bus shelter.

In just a few days it went from a bunch of sticks of wood to an insulated and vapor barriered  shop. Not without a little blood shed, my finger, Ron's forehead...but that's another story.

But all good times must come to an end, and with every door that closes another opens.....I'm desperately trying to think of another cliche to put here but I'm out....
Seriously, our time together in Alberta came to an end but we all piled into Fillmore and tracked across the prairies. I was glad top have a willing participant in the driving department, and Ron got a chance to enjoy the fruits of his labors, he's put in many man hours on Fillmore!

Six of us fit nicely in the bus this time and had a nice trip. Tyus, my 7 year old nephew from Ontario was estatic that by 10 in the morning he was watching TV eating chips and drinking a juice box, now this is traveling!

Westward we went to LA Salle to the wedding of my beautiful niece Jessica, and her handsome and talented hubby Tyler. A beautiful wedding outside on the farm. Casual and perfect in my mind.

Anna, freshly back from her trip to Africa was so happy to see her family.

After many years of waiting Mike finally got a chance to get behind the wheel, a fun little trip after a great get together at his place after the wedding!

The trip did not go without casualties.....my drivers window took a hit from a passing truck. Nothing puts fear into your heart like the thought of tryng to replace a 67 year old windshield....
luckily we found a place in Winnipeg that did a crack repair. Not perfect, but will buy me time until I can source a new one if the crack propagates.

Summertime...

 And the livin' is easy...
Time marches on, Fillmore made a short but epic trip to the top of moose mountain for the season ender of scotch club. I was the host and therefor DD because I opted to change the venue and make the season finale a road trip.

 The kids are busy doing their thing, Anna is in Tanzania, Jeff is working and fixing his car

 And playing Volleyball....

 Just for the record, all you hockey parents out there, as I sit in the sun, lake side and apply another coat of sunscreen while I sip my iced cappuccino...I feel for you and your frostbite when you are at the rink....

 Meanwhile, the shop marches on....

Baby bird....

 A leap of faith. That's what they call it when a baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest for the first time. I'm not sure it's only a leap for the baby bird. Mom and Dad are pretty anxious as well.

My baby bird, my Anna Banana flew from the nest this morning on her way to Africa for 5 weeks. It's a fantastic opportunity to spread her wings and stand on her own while she gets a couple of her grade 12 courses under her belt. So over the weekend I took every opportunity to keep close to her to squeeze out a few extra Anna moments while we build walls for what I am calling the "shelter shop"

 It MAY have also been an opportunity to get a small and powerful work force to help facilitate the teardown of the old shop.

 With Carson, Jeff, Anna and even Michelle working like a small and determined Army, we made tremendous progress in a very short time.

Anna was able to expand her tool horizons and use a reciprocating saw

 All of the joinery in the old bus shelter is screw nails, so as we tore things down we were able to salvage all the components. Most of the lumber will be used in the shelter shop for work benches and cupboards

 Bit by bit, piece by piece...

In the end we just have a lovely access for where the storage shed will inevitably end up. At days end I was happy to see (despite the high working temperatures) that my work crew were still in great spirits!

All the worlds a stage...

 Work continues, but we are definitely on the summer schedule. Anna is a week away from flying the coop and heading overseas for a month. Jeff is working his first summer job to help cover car costs. Michelle is WAY less stressed as her work schedule is in summer mode. And I continue to chug along, at work and at play. Now that the new shelter is up, it is time to build a work space within the structure. We have been working on the base.

 Needing 14" 2x8 s is a wee challenge with my itty bitty trailer, but between me and my nieghbor we manged to get what lumber we need.

 Setting the frame, was a challenge both for setting things level and square

 All of a sudden the cavernous space seems cluttered and crowded with all the participants there.

 I have (not so) cheap labour who is helping me out, and its great to spend time together!

Wanting the space to be heated for our long winters, insulation was a must!

 Of course some of us are trying to get some SERIOUS WORK done around here

The Journey, always the journey

The most common question? What is your timeline? or when will you be done?
I can't say I blame people for asking, but they are often puzzled or disappointed in my response which is..."It'll never really be done" It's not getting to the finish line but rather enjoying the journey along the way, and that is exactly what we did last week. I picked up my brother at the airport, and we immediately started heading east to go golfing

The interior has come a long way but it's far from being "done"

But it is "done" enough to make coffee on the road. Although I forgot to bring cream and sugar as I drink it black, and my co-pilot coffee princess couldn't get it past his lips.

But he still managed to take his time behind the wheel so that we made it to the first golf course in plenty of time.

A quick overnight in Deloraine...

And then off to the lake for the really important stuff...

On the way home my buddy Rob joined me for the trip, and he too took a turn behind the wheel as we drove off into the sunset.