Saturday Sparklers

[lucylee]

Walked 2 miles outdoors, talked to dmom on phone

[DeeClutter]

I've accomplished NOTHING today other than resting in the recliner. Not sure I feel any better for it. Have to be social very shortly for the next 7 hours or so -at least until the fireworks are over. People will start arriving within the hour and I feel anything but 'ready'. Is the Fourth over yet?

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Just got in from a 17.2 km bike ride. Riding time was 1:09, time away from home 1:45. Average speed was almost 15 kph (it has to be 16 kph for the tracking programs to consider it serious biking.)

We biked across the bridge (it has a bike lane but is scary because there's solid traffic, all speeding (but only going about 45 mph) Right at the end of the bridge is a bike path that took us down and under the bridge and then a delightful ride through woods and then along the river. Fairly flat. Very different terrain than along the river on our side which is open to wind and sun. We were nicely sheltered from both which made the ride more pleasant.

There were lots of look-out points along the way and we stopped at 2. The first was at the upper rapids. We can see those from the apartment and divide our water from the water where the sailing club is. There was a 'building' at the point and dh wanted to see what it was (looks like the remains of a mill or chute since loose lumber was sent down the river to Montreal or here for processing into pulp & paper.)

The second stop was another 2/3 of a mile along and we could watch the sail boats.

There is only one traffic light at after that it was bike lane/path the whole way so no stops, unlike our regular rides around the city where we have to stop to cross major roads.

It was delightful. There is a marina another 5 km down the road so we'll bike there for lunch some day.

Now I'm going to rest and ice. We'll walk to dinner - I've earned almost enough calories to have dinner out and the walk should be enough to put me over. If not, I'm still having my fajitas - I've earned them!

[Nancy]

At the deli 2day got banana wafer pudding and fruit salad premade saved me some time. Farmers mkt was open a bit early it was good to beat the heat. I found some pink peony roots on sale and seeds to plant for later. Soaking the roots now.

[helia]

I haven't done much today either. Isn't that what holidays are for?

I dropped off dd17 and her bass drum at the parade site this a.m, went home, s2s-ed, went back to the parade a bit late -- but I had estimated the time incorrectly and completely missed seeing her high school drum line. Oops. Oh, well. I'll see her march at Interlochen this summer and at games in the fall. . I eventually found her after the parade and took her home. While looking for dd17 after the parade, I ran into the friends who were on sabbatical in Australia the same year we were; we vacationed with them in NZ, Cairns, and Kangaroo Island while there. Their dd17 was our dd17's really good buddy all through elem. school, less so in middle school, and the two ended up going to different high schools, unfortunately. . . Anyhow, he has ALS, but he still looks good! He was in a wheel chair but could stand up and talk with me.

We had a noisy brunch on our back patio, the 5 of us. I haven't done much since then other then get the kitchen cleaned up, play games, and go for a jog. I just got back from my jog. It was not the best jog; it is getting warm this time in the afternoon. I may have to switch to the mornings, as dh now does. I only went 30 minutes because I could tell it was harder on my body. The park was swarming with people. People were on the path walking, running, roller blading/skating, and biking. People were on the water (river) kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Closer to the park there were probably paddle boats out too. Lots of people were grilling as well.

I'm going to go to WF with dh now to get some brats (some real, some chicken and so lower cal) and beer for cooking the real brats for dinner. We're planning on grilling and then making s'mores over the small outdoor fireplace dh got dd17 for her bday. It was actually an experimental gift for the family; if we like it, we'll get a bigger one. There is also talk of making poffertjes, a Dutch sweet pastry, kind of like beignets. Dh bought (online) a cast iron poffertje pan a couple weeks ago, and now he and dd17 are eager to try it out. I wonder if we have a recipe for the batter? I think S, R, and baby J will be here after dinner.

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Really nice dinner. Had a good chat with the owner of the pub and he told us all the plans for the neighbourhood. All condos but there are some interesting stores going in as well, including a Farm Boy that's closer to us that our current grocery store. Farm Boy is the local equivalent of Whole Foods (but less whole paycheque) so we are excited.

Walked down and had Froyo at the self-serve place. It was perfect, dh had 80 g and I had 100. For well under $4 we both got exactly the dessert we wanted, in the quantity we wanted.

I'm ready for bed now but will try and stay up a bit longer. Before dinner I finished up the declutter challenge for the day so that's done. It was a good exercise in reminding me what I still have.

[Harriet]

I love the hotdogs but not the noise of this holiday!

Ds and children came and had hotdogs with us today - yum. Had a delightful time with the little ones. Our green-eyed boy assures us that "baby C" likes to come to Grandma and PeePaw's house. He is doing very well with his alphabet song. He was wearing a mostly white striped polo shirt and HRH gave him chocolate milk.

Sadie, we have small grocery store displays of simple "fireworks" here, but not the real stuff, which is illegal. People drive to other states to buy them, though, and right now I'm listening to a lot. Good grief.

Ds remembers the lightweight firecracker that hurt his hand as a teen, and his buddy taking him to the fire dept to have them look at it. That was his first experience sitting around and "talking shop" with firemen/EMTs, and he's still doing it.

HRH was up super early this morning for his BIG Saturday project of a deep cleaning of the front porch. He sent me to home improvement store for a few things. He cleaned the floor, cleaned the railings, cleaned the furniture, but unfortunately the furniture was still sitting out in the sun when we had a sudden downpour, so his plan of staining didn't happen today.

Harmony, my experience at L home improvement store today was that I got immediate help and the fellow stayed with me through several depts until I'd finished my list. Now, none of this was lumber - don't know how I'd have been treated there.

Had worked a little on Desk Day this a.m. before finding out that today is the day the P.O. took for the holiday. I think it's kind of a shame that they only get to have what is usually just a half-day anyway. I can't remember a time when they didn't get a true day off for Independence Day.

I'm S2slippers for bed.

[Harmony]

Nice day. I feel very patriotic. I've had a series on about the Independence battles, etc., though I was busy and didn't watch the first 2 sessions. After the 3rd they ran it all again, so I'm watching out of order.

Got the laundry put away and a few things ironed. Got June's spreadsheets all done and helped DH clean off the back porch. Kitchen chores all done. About 5:30 I stopped. Later, we had dinner, and I made hamburgers and there were beans and coleslaw. Just like a picnic without all the work!

DH wanted a haircut so I spent some time doing that...and he asked about the fireworks, which we still had time to get to, though parking might have been a problem at that point. I told him we could go if he wanted, but he said no, maybe not and he showered and went to bed. I've been noticing a trend lately...even with the beach... if he's worked hard he's just as likely to not want to go out. I feel like old age is galloping up at us. I must make an effort to do those things that come up for fun when we can, before we're both Ma and Pa Kettle in our rockers.

Harriet, HD employees must respect you more than me! I've had this problem with their sales people for a long time, if not forever.

Watched the capitol display on tv on the commercials from the movie I'm watching.

[Nancy]

Windy here 2day one fire started was quickly extinguished heard fire trucks head to it not far, looking forward for this day to be done. Dinner is done.
I have put neighbors dogs back in for them so they could get some relief from the noise. Watching Sons Of Liberty.

[lucylee]

Everything went well tonight -- ddil and dgs seemed perfectly happy with everything. We never got out of the truck -- bc of rain -- but the fireworks went on just as well and we had a good view.
Dgs spending the night with us. All is well.

I am a tiny bit sad that I never heard from dcousins... FB offers proof that their immediate family did gather, but as ddil said, that creates a pretty big bunch and it's understandable if they didn't want to add another half dozen to their number (dh & me, ds/ddil/dgs, dmom).
Oh well.
DH was pretty much thrilled that he didn't have to make excuses bc he would NOT have attended any family gathering in addition to the fireworks adventure. The traffic is terrible and that in itself makes for a long evening.

So all in all, a very pleasant day.