CROSS THAT ONE OFF THE LIST

I can finally say that we are done the ceiling.  Rejean finished installing the dimmer on the pot lights (they show up  yellow in these pictures - they do not appear that color in person).  We are very very happy with the results.  It is warmer now and sound is not as hollow as before.
In the second picture, you can see a lighter color on the wall at the end of the room - that is where the tv will be installed.  It used to be where our "Wall of Fame or Shame" board was which is now behind the couch.  I have a slab of walnut that I varathaned and took to Joanne Nichols to have that saying etched on it to hang over the board.  She is the same person who etched our mirror in the bar.  She is very talented.
The plan is to install the tv and sound system then do the floor and then we will be done.  I figure by the end of February it will be completed.
Then our wood...

MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT

Well, it is not a pretty story...about 200 dead crows near Halifax, and now there was a concern for Avian Flu.
They had a Bird Pathologist examine the remains of all the crows, and he confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu, to every one's relief.  However, he determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impacts with trucks, and only 2% were killed by car impacts.
The Province then hired an animal behaviorist to determine the disproportionate percentages for truck versus car kill.  He determined the cause in short order.
When crows eat road kill, they always post a "look out Crow" in a nearby tree, to warn of impending danger.
His conclusion was that the look out Crow could say "Cah" but he could not say "Truck".

Sorry.  I just had to share this joke with you -   It was printed in this week's Northshore Sentinel, our local paper.  It made me laugh.

PROOF

Not the best picture but you can see the poof of snow produced from the boiling water thrown over the balcony.
 It was a cold one again today - I went to the Sault  and the temperature hit -32 according to my car temperature indicator.  I finally remembered to use my car seat heater.  Niiiice.
The temperature is supposed to warm up (read -17) for the next couple of days - downright balmy.
But hey, it is Northern Ontario.  I would rather have these cold temperatures than the big thaw we had a couple of weeks ago.  This is real winter weather!!!  Fur hats and all.
See Ya Bye

DARTS ON AXE

Wednesdays have been designated as Darts Night on Axe.  Last nite was my first time this year - not that it would have made a difference - I am lucky to have hit the board.  See that zero on the final picture?  That is my zero that Bob so nicely subtracted from the 6 for me.  I baked some cinnamon buns for some snacks and that is what the guys are getting into in the first picture.  I think Rejean is laughing so that is why he looks that way.
I was laughing so hard when we were trying to get the game organized - we had 7 people show up so we had to decide how we were going to do the teams.  Bob sat out the first game then Linda, then Joy, then Arnold etc.  It was so confusing when the switch was made because of who was following who and whose team they were on.  We finally got the hang of it by the 7th and final game.  My team only won one game (I think I had something to do with that) but there were times when I got over 50 points but then I got zeros too.  Consistently inconsistent - just like my golf game ;o)

See Ya Bye

SOME FUN IN THE COLD

I have no pictures to show you but take my word for it - this really happened.

Woke up this morning and checked the outside thermometer and it read -30!!!  I started the fire.  I then thought of a video I had seen where someone in Siberia I think, had thrown boiling water off a balcony and it turned into snow - just a cloud of snow floating out from the pot.  I decided I was going to try it, once it got light - it is still dark at 6:30am up here.
I waited until it got light out then boiled my water and hit the balcony.  I never thought to get a picture.  But it really worked!!  A cloud of snow floated upwards and out from the cup of water I threw off the balcony.  I tried it a second time.  What a blast.  I tried it later in the day when it was only -24 and with cold water but it didn't work.  I guess the secret is boiling hot water - and -30!!!

I will see what the temperature is tomorrow morning and try it again - this time with pictures.

CAUTION!!  Boiling water is very hot - do not attempt unless  accompanied by a responsible adult - or you are one :o)

STILL AT IT

We got the 2 ceiling fans installed today and I must say I am very happy with them and with the detail Rejean put around the boxes they are in.  It mirrors the detail in the ceiling at the bottom of the stairs where we have a light.  And we are in the process of installing all the little trim pieces - the first picture has some finished boxes so you can see what the whole ceiling will look like - eventually.  It is a labour of love I guess you might say.  It will look beautiful when we are finished so that is what I keep in mind  as we are working on it.  There is still a ton of work to be done - we have to decide where the pot lights will go so he can do the wiring - in some spaces there is not enough room for the pot lights to be installed so we have to see where we will need light and do the best we can.
Once we get the ceiling installed, we work on the tv and then the floor.  We should be finished by spring when we have to get out to the bush to get cracking on our fire wood supply for the next few years.  A Northerner's work is never done...

Plus it is frickin' cold outside!!!!!  -21 right now!!

Plus, Kim confirmed we did have over a foot of snow during the 2 snowfalls we had recently and she should know - her and Terry are the snow plowers around here.  Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...

SNOW DAY

I think we got a good 8-10 inches of snow last nite - there were snow fall warnings out for our area and I guess we got it.  It was a bit breezy as well.  I brushed my car off yesterday and today it needed it again.  Rejean had to blow snow again today!!  And it was cold.  But sunny, which makes it a bit warmer.  I had to fill up my wood box and the work out room wood and I even loaded Rejean's up late this afternoon.  I worked all day until 3:30 in the garage finishing up all the little trim pieces someone cut up for me plus other odds and ends needed for the ceiling fan installation.  We will have 2 in the main room - exactly like the workout room fan.  Guess how many ceiling fans I will have in my house when these 2 are installed.  8! That's right, 8.  But you need them.  One in each bedroom, in the living room upstairs and over the kitchen table, one in the workout room and the 2 in the main room downstairs.  It does circulate the air in the summer and the warm air in the winter.  We don't have air conditioning up here so you need some sort of cooling system.  It does work.  So I guess they are justified.  Don't even get me started on phones...

BOBLES, WAS THAT YOU?

I might be mistaken but I am pretty sure that is Bobles handwriting - or should I say paw-writing.  I should have gotten a little closer but it says "Beware of Buffy - she bites"  The sign is chained to her neck so it won't blow away or something.

Could this be the start of Boble's Revenge?

TALK ABOUT COLD...

I went into town today and the temperature was -24 - pretty cold!!  But a crisp cold if that makes a difference.  I even went back inside and put on my long johns and I was glad I did.  We had snow pretty much all afternoon and more expected tomorrow.  And the temperatures next week are all in the  minus upper teens and 20s.  I will be burning a lot more wood so a few more trips to the wood shed are in my future.  And snow.  Now this is a normal winter.

Bring it on!!

-27 BRRRRRRRRR

Well the weather outside is frightful.  Actually it is nice.  The sun is shining but it was bitterly cold this morning - all day as a matter of fact.  I always know it is cold because my nostrils stick together when I breath outside and they did on my way down to the garage this morning.  The birds were all puffed up waiting for their food but the squirrels could care less.  We had the 2 Hairy or Downy woodpeckers at the suet today - I get the two mixed up so let's just call them woodpeckers.

Off topic but just a question.  Am I the only one (actually Rejean did not know either) who had to Google what a MILF was this morning?  They were talking about it on Canada AM this morning where a radio talk show host from BC was fired because he asked a guest if she enjoyed being a MILF - she laughed and said it didn't bother her. The panel was discussing it as tho it was common knowledge and they never stopped to clue us clueless people in.  What is a MILF?  Well now I know - do you?  If not, just Google it.  I guess when you live in the boonies you don't pick up the current lingo very well.

Anything else I don't know?  Let me know.

FOUND IT!!

Since we got back from Christmas, we have been unable to find our burn barrel.  We figure it blew away.  But, as I was looking at some pictures (actually it was in a very recent blog posting) I noticed our barrel - see- to the right of the bottom of the tree.  It had been buried by the snow and just revealed itself in the thaw.
Maybe I didn't look hard enough...

THIS IS FOR YOU, DAVE

This picture was taken at about 9:30 am this morning as I was heading into town.  I knew you wanted a picture of Cummings.  I had a big transport on my ass from the gravel pit on - close - so I gave him plenty of warning that I was pulling over.  The roads weren't the best.  Then on my way back I was going to stop on the other side of the highway to get a different shot but I again had a big transport on my ass  - sometimes there is just no way to pull over to let those babies by.  They are always in such a hurry and I drive cautiously so you know they want to pass.  So far no one has gotten hurt.
But back to the lake - it has been colder so the lakes have tightened up and we had a bit of snow so they have some snow on them.  People were out ice fishing again and Dave's ice hut is still on top of the water and ice ;o).

Hope you are enjoying your self

THE BIG THAW

Very, very mild today and our lake is showing the results - the only good thing is that if it freezes without snowfall, it will be one massive skating rink and I just happen to have a pair of skates in my closet.
Our driveway is just awful.  It has melted all the good base and trap rock is showing.  Yesterday I couldn't even get up the hill in my car.  I had to get a good running start and I did produce a lot of ruts that, when it finally does freeze again, will make the driveway very choppy.  And all my walking on it today makes it even worse.  Eventually it will all get back to normal with a couple of good snowfalls and some good freezing temperatures.
Yesterday Highway 129 was closed due to freezing rain and slippery conditions.  No wonder I didn't get any mail.  I did drive to the Post yesterday and the roads were ok but very slippery in the parking lot at the Post and up my driveway.
I even saw a spider outside and it was alive!!!  I'll be watching for the raccoons and bears coming out of hibernation...

ANOTHER VISIT

The weather has been very mild around here and the snow is very soft and mushy.  Coming up the driveway from the garage I noticed the tracks again.  I followed them from up by the bird feeder, down the driveway and found that they crossed the highway and into the bush.  They are a very good size and it was running this time.  I checked my Tracking book and they are wolf tracks and not from the cat family.  And they are not Tasha's, the dog next door.
Maybe I can talk Rejean into putting up his trail-cam to get a picture of this guy...

CONFESSIONS

Bob now knows who was responsible for the Bobles' bauble incident.  It was Linda and Diane.  I was involved only to the point of being there when it was purchased by Diane (just a coincidence that I was in Tool Town when Diane and Doug were there and Diane purchased the bauble) and just a coincidence that I was at the New Year's Eve party when Linda decided to place the bauble around Bobles neck and I just happened to have my camera.  Not my fault that there are shady characters around here.  If I had known that one incident would cause all this ruckus I would have been involved more.  Any thing to cause some excitement...;o)

See Ya Bye

WEIRD WEATHER

Weird is actually a great word to describe how it's been and what it's going to be.  We do have snow - as a matter of fact, it snowed almost all day here.  But it is very mild out.  And over the next few days it is supposed to rain and be plus 5 to 7 degrees here.  The guys were supposed to go on their annual ice fishing trip this weekend but the weather in North Bay is just as weird.  The owners of the lodge took their ice huts off the lake because they were afraid the huts would sink.  There is about 12 inches of water on the ice so the conditions are not very good - let alone safe - to say the least.  They have rescheduled hopefully to a time when it is a bit more cold!!!  People in North Bay say the lake "turned" which means the warmer water at the bottom of the lake churned up towards the surface where the colder water was.  Upset the whole "climate" of the lake.  I guess it was just not meant to be.

THE CEILING

We are now into the ceiling big time.  Now you can see where all the 84 little boxes are going and what we have been up to.  The 3 panels around the bend of the bulkhead over the bar took Rejean all day to figure out and measure and cut and install.  Nice job!!.  And it takes the 2 of us up on 2 ladders about 10 minutes to install each panel  There is levelling involved you know.  We had some old ceiling tiles so we placed them to get an idea of how it will look with them in.  One didn't fit.
I still have to put 2 more coats of varathane on the other half of the pieces.  Plus sanding.  All 380 pieces.  Busy Busy Busy...

HINTS...

The bauble was purchased by one person but another person placed it around Bobles lovely neck...

Both of these people were not at the New Year's Eve party - only one was...

THE USUAL SUSPECTS...

...and I guess I am on that list as well because I was there. And we can't rule out the guys - I saw a few of them go outside for a few minutes - plenty of time to sneak away and seek out Bobles.  But did the incident take place that night or another nite?  As we know, Bob only noticed the new bauble on Bobles this week - after the holidays and after New Year's Eve.  When was the bauble made or purchased?  By whom?  And did the same person place the bauble on Bobles or was it a partner in crime?  Will we ever find out?  Do we care?  Of course we care.  If it can happen to Bobles, it can happen to us!!!!  We must be protected against this senseless disbursement of baubles.  More later...

WHO DUNNIT?

Big mystery on Axe over the holidays.  Bob's Bobles has a new dog collar and no one knows where she got it.  Bob just noticed the new bauble on Bobles the other day so no one knows how long she has had it.  He has sent an e-mail to his friends accusing/inquiring if they did it.  It could have happened when Carsen and Bubbles were visiting or when Bob was away from home.  Bobles is so friendly she would allow anyone in and accept any gift given to her.  She is a cheap date - willing to do just about anything for baubles.
So the mystery remains - who gave Bobles the bauble.  I can tell you one thing - my lips are sealed....

She does look good tho...just saying...

IT'S COMING

Just going thru my library of pictures I have taken over the years and I came across some from last summer when Stacey joined the Scott Sisters on a four wheeler ride.  Oh the fun we had!!  Stacey kept up to us even thru some Double Diamond runs.  And we went to the Jacuzi and mudded up.

Same time this year girls?

WAY TOO MUCH FUN

We got company when we returned home from our Windsor trip.  The "kids" wanted to come up north for New Year's Eve and they did.  Fabulous weather as you can see in the first few pictures.  Jason crossed two things off his bucket list up here.  First he had never been north in the winter and second, he had never been on a snowmobile.  They came well dressed for the elements.  They also helped us re-arrange the furniture on the main floor.  I thought that 4 cool techy kids would know exactly where it should be and they did not disappoint.  It is perfect - thanks!!
New Year's Eve was spent with friends on Axe.  A perfect way to end and start a New Year - with friends. Thank goodness I brought the Domino game - I taught 3 newbies how to play - by my rules to boot ;o)  The guys played pool all evening.  They got a bit loud and boisterous.  Not the girls - we kept our curses quiet and amongst ourselves.  It is a ruthless game you know.
Our company left this morning and my house is clean and the wash is done.
Now I can relax.

Have a Great 2013!!