FRIDAY FANS

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Home!!!

We got in an hour ago but I made myself work for a bit before going online.

I'm ready for bed but still have two more small bags to unpack.

I'm missing some stuff. Some will turn up when ds brings things, some should turn up although I'm not sure why I haven't found it yet and some may be at the hotel room in Dartmouth.

I had my dinner at a McD's in Watertown. Note to self: when McDonalds has a HUGE billboard saying they have locations at exit 45 and exit 48 and a notation Right at Ramp next to each exit number, they mean turn right at the ramp, not that the McDonalds is beside the ramp. We chose the second one (closer to home and where we needed to choose which border crossing) and were really annoyed to learn we had to drive 4 miles back towards Watertown on local roads to get to the McDonalds (and its free wifi to check the border crossing times.) Sigh....

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Last day of driving was manageable but my body is shot. That's 3 days in a row of at least 7 hours in a car and one day of 4.5 hours. Four different beds over the last four nights.

I did get caught up on my devotions and did some of the reading for my preaching.

Aside from that, I just sat there. Didn't play computer games, just watched the gps software.

Listened to a church service at one point yesterday (or was it the day before - they all start to run into each other.)

I was telling dd and dsil about how New Brunswick and Nova Scotia highways were just trees and trees and trees and rocks and trees and the occasional glimpse of the ocean and they burst out laughing. They explained it is because I had just basically rhymed off the lyrics to this song about Canada:

My country's bigger than most
And if asked I boast
'Cause I'm really proud
So I shout it loud
Though our numbers are few
We will welcome you

Although we don't have history
Gold medal winning teams
Heroes or prisoners
World famous volcanoes
Still what we've got's glorious

'Cause we've got
Rocks and trees
And trees and rocks
And rocks and trees
And trees and rocks
And rocks and trees
And trees and rocks
And rocks and trees
And trees and rocks
And water!

I will add that New England has its share of rocks and trees too. Upstate New York was a wonderful break from all that, it was the first that we've had extended scenery since we left Quebec over 2 weeks ago.

Harriet: we kept track of the tolls for you. $5 for Maine (basically we covered 1/2 the state for that), $2 for NH (about 30 miles), $2.10 for MassPike (about 2/3 of the width of the state) and $.85 for NY (about 20 miles.) There's a toll on the main highway of Nova Scotia that is $4 for about 15 miles.

[Harriet]

Kathryn, I had no idea you would run into so many different toll roads. Honestly didn't know Maine had them. Glad you are home safe and sleeping on a known mattress tonight. Smiling at the song! It immediately made me think of Corner Gas - is that odd? It sounds like something that cast could have used for inspiration for an episode.

Indiana, we are thinking of you tonight and hoping "home" is also in your post soon.

blessed's dd16 is traveling through Europe right now - thinking of her, along with Elizabeth.

Sunny would have had good weather to her destination, I believe.

Good job trying to cool the hens, helia!

Norma, I almost never get to bake, so that's a nice thought! Scottish cookies might be shortbread. Hmmm... ... Transformed to Swedish cookies - maybe like Danish Wedding Cookies? I would take any of them, especially warm!

Has this ever happened to anyone? HRH spilled coconut milk near the stove, and as he awkwardly caught the bowl, some of the splash went into openings on the front of the DOOR of the oven, near the top. A stream of coconut milk ran down BETWEEN the two panes of the door's window. It has never even occurred to me that one could take an oven door apart???? How to clean such a thing?

[Kathryn-in-Canada]

Harriet: one of my favourite lines from Corner Gas is when the police hide behind the surveillance bush (there are no trees on the Prairies.) A Canadian comedian says he ran out of gas on the Prairies one time and it took him 30 minutes to notice he wasn't moving. The scenery there is also the same, just a different same.

As for the oven door, yes, I knew it could be taken apart and the window cleaned. A repairman taught me that.

I just finished sending off the last travelogue from this trip. I included a google map of our route. In total, we drove just over 3000 miles.

[Emptynester]

AH!!! the cold front has come thru and it is down to 77 at 10 pm. We have all the windows open and the AC and fans off. It will be so nice sleeping tonight after several nights of tossing and turning and waking every time the AC came on.

Tomorrow is our last full day here. I called my dsis to set something up and she said she took her DH to ER yesterday morning and tonight would be his 2nd night at Heart Hospital. I was/am a bit miffed that she didn't let me know. I mean - we are only 15 minutes away. So I'm not sure if we will be able to see them again before we leave. She didn't seem to want us to go visit him or come over to be with her.

Anyway - it is time to snuggle down and go to sleep.

See you all tomorrow. If Indiana doesn't show up here in the village, I will give her a call. She thought the attack had be brought on by the heat/humidity/pollen but hadn't seen a Dr. when I talked to her last.

[helia]

Dfriend wants to pick me up at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow. She says her kids and I can sleep while she gets in some miles. What she doesn't know is that I don't usually go back to sleep once I'm up in the morning. I'll just crash later in the afternoon, which it sounds like is what she is planning on doing too. . . Hmm...... Yes, it is 11:07 pm here.

Packing is finally underway. I have also
- filled out dd14's field hockey camp paperwork. GOodness, I have filled out more paperwork on this child in the last month than the other 2 all year.
- made up a schedule of kids' activities and emailed them to dh; also have a hard copy on the desk
- paid snail mail bills
- gathered the stones that dd14 washed for me.
- 1 lol
- a lot of sundry details.

I am not making the casserole. Once friend told me when she wanted to leave, I decided it wasn't worth it. I'll bring some ingredients with me, buy some there, and make it there. We have a kitchen.

I'm going to take care of that lol and finish packing. And then go to bed for a few short hours.

[ellyphant]

Kathryn--Great lyrics!

Had never heard of Corner Gas before, but after looking it up, will be watching some online. We're big Red Green fans. Don't know how we missed hearing about Corner Gas 'til now. Just weren't hanging out with the right crowd, I guess.

DM mentioned Wind at My Back and I watched that during the winter. Saw the whole series. Also catch Heartland sometimes. Love the scenery on that show.

DS's MIL2B is stressing out about seating arrangements. One week to go...Lord, help us get through this wedding! DMIL won't be coming, still in rehab. DFIL will stay with her, which I understand that is where he needs to be. So we press onward...

[Harmony]

Hello Lynlee, we're both here at the same time.

I watch Wind at My Back on INSP station. Very nice show. Even DH watched a couple episodes. They use the same music as the music in "On the Road to Avonlea". Same people made both.

We have taken oven door apart to clean inside of window.

Hoping Sunny's trip was uneventful. Glad to see Kathryn home safely.

I am stiff and sore, having been on my feet way too much today. I did a big grocery shopping for us and DSiL and 3 DGSons who will be here tomorrow. DGSs are staying for a few more days after DSiL goes home. Oldest DGS13 wants to go to work with DH. This should be fun!

Got 2 beds washed / changed. Got 1 LOL folded. Desk done / tidied. All fabric stashed away. Big ham baked and cut up. Large batch of oatmeal cookies baked. I made a bowl of copper pennies (carrots) to take to cookout at DSiL's sister's if we go with them tomorrow. My back and feet are screaming. Oh well, they will recover.

All the food I bought...I did NOT buy another watermelon.

[BookSaver]

Hello, villagers ~
Hot & humid. Humid & hot. Scary weather stuff happening all over the USA today!

This afternoon I drove to a neighboring Tiny Town about half an hour away. I could have done my business over the phone, but I wanted to use the car's air conditioner.

We're supposed to start gradually cooling down tomorrow, though.

Last night I went to a Friends of the Library meeting. I've been wanting to become involved in this group for some time, but my calendar has been too full to add more volunteer work every month. I cleared enough time to help with the annual book sale coming up soon. Now they're losing their Treasurer and have asked me to step in. After Christmas I would have immediately said yes, but for the rest of this year, I already have solid commitments to my sewing group. I'm waiting to hear if their treasurer can hang on another few months, and I'll ask more questions as we are setting up the book sale.

The biggest advantage to this library group is that the members are not part of the political scene, but they are "old girls" who have lived here forever, know everyone in town and keep an eye on everything that's happening. DH and I have only lived here since 1993 and don't have kids in the school system, so we're still considered newbies. I think it's probably a pretty big deal that they've invited me in to handle the money, even if they're just looking for extra hands for their projects.

I'm still disappointed that I won't be able to meet up with Emptynester & her DH next weekend, but I am looking forward to sewing retreat.

Welcome home, Kathryn! Love your song.