It's about time.

Many of you can relate to Working long hours at your career. Raising your families. Buying a home and paying all the bills related to being homeowners and parents. We're now retired and don't need all that work and expense. Now "It's about time" and what we do to follow our dreams.

Thank You for Following our Blog.

Thank You for following this Blog

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Relaxing Day Of Errands and “Winchester”.


Our Location today is at Wildwood Golf and RV Park, McGregor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

After having been retired for over Ten Years and seldom having to worry about getting up early all that changed when I went back to Work. Now I have to convince myself that it is okay for me to sleep a few minutes past 7:00 on my days off. Looking forward to retirement once again.

Since we had no bread to make toast for breakfast the only thing I could think to do was to make Pancakes. Kathy was amazed that I had them Golden Brown on both sides but after years of making them when my children were growing up I had that technique down pat.
Even after enjoying a second Hot Drink out of a Ceramic Mug this morning we had our Chores done and were leaving the Park by 11:00 this morning. Our first stop was at Canadian Tire in Windsor. I was wanting a more secure way of storing my Tools at Work but the price of Metal Toolboxes has really skyrocketed. I started looking at the Plastic Toolboxes and wondering if I might be able to rearrange what is in the Trailer and use one of those. We walked out empty handed but had a good walk around the store.
Our next stop was Guardian Storage first to pick up our Mail then we headed back to our Climate Controlled Storage Unit. Kathy needed to find a Document that she mistakenly put in our File Cabinet a few weeks ago. Since our granddaughter will be going back to teach English in Spain before we have our family Merry Thanksmas Celebration we also grabbed her Giftbag. Lastly I checked the Storage Box to see I still have certain clothes that I will need while working.
Our next stop was the Motor City Community Credit Union to cash a Cheque we had received. It was a Reimbursement Cheque for when Mary last worked on Kathy’s feet. By just cashing it Kathy will have the money on hand for her next treatment.
It was nearly 1:00 when we stopped for lunch at Wendy’s. Ordering off the Value Menu we each had a Chicken Wrap, a Small Chocolate Frosty and a Senior’s Soft Drink all for the low price of $7.19. Healthy, Satisfying and Inexpensive all in the same sentence.
Since we were so close we stopped at Princess Auto to see if their selection of Toolboxes was any better. They actually had a smaller selection so I’ll definitely see what I can come up with at the Trailer.
We stopped at Real Canadian Superstore to pick up a few groceries we had on our Shopping List but Kathy decided to pass on a couple of things due to their high costs. After checking out we drove over to the Bulk Barn. At one time we did a lot of shopping at the store when they were located across the street. Like everyone else’s prices their costs have increased but not as badly. We got a few things before heading Home.

Once the groceries were all put away we decided to watch the movie that Kathy purchased the other day. We enjoy seeing movies that are based on True Events so we watched “Winchester” starring Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke. Most of you will recognize the name but it also applies to the most haunted house in history. If you don’t believe in the Paranormal you will after watching this movie. There are some Scary Scenes so Kathy said it was good but only gave it an Eight out of Ten.
Both our appetites have been decreasing so for supper we had Split Pea with Ham Soup along with Crackers and CheeseWith One of my Three Days gone I better get busy tomorrow. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.
Krackers

Words of Inspiration

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.

Plato

Friday, August 30, 2019

Making Adjustments, Luncheon Barbecue and More Weight Loss.


Our Location today is at Wildwood Golf and RV Park, McGregor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

Today was quite the change of pace at Work. Instead of spending my day welding most of my day was spent fine tuning the Mechanical Part of the Project. The only time that I saw the Owner today was early in the day. He wanted a slight change to the Spring Pins so they would not be mistakenly released. Other then that he was complimentary to me. I would later learn that he had screamed at the guys on the Paint Line. He had them remove parts from the Line that the Supervisor had just had them hang on.

I had to remind the Supervisor that I had not assembled the original Mechanical/Hydraulic Part of the Prototype. This was like I was doing it for the very first time. I also had to make up a Parts List from memory for the next Two Units that I will be starting on very shortly. The Supervisor told me to talk to the Engineer and he told me to talk to the Supervisor. I was also getting frustrated when I would place a part that I was about to install on my Workbench only for it to temporarily disappear. They were being used to compare with other parts in a Catalogue then returned to where I had put them.

Even though most the pieces of Material I am using is cut using a Laser the Computer doesn’t always cut the hole sizes to the right dimension. That left me adjusting a number of them by hand. By the end of the day the Aluminium Top and the Metal Base are within minutes of being joined together.

Today was also special and I’m not just saying that for “TGIF”. During the Summer Months the last Friday of the month the Company puts on a small Barbecue for all its employees. Not too many Companies do that so it was a nice touch. They grill Hamburgers and Italian Sausages but also have Salads, Condiments as well as Pops. Some of the guys had both filling their plates and then had a hard time to move around after. I had a Sausage today along with small scoop of Potato Salad and Caesars Salad. I also had my own V-8 Juice.

At the end of the shift everyone was happy to be heading Home for the Long Labour Day Weekend. I had to get Fuel for the Truck but Traffic as well as the Pumps were slow.

Kathy had been as busy as she could be sorting files and cleaning with her tender hand. We sent another correspondence for a Market Place Listing but since the person won’t be in town for a few days we’ll be seeing it next Thursday after I get off of Work.

After we cleaned up the Dishes I walked over to the Park Laundry Room. I not only had the Coveralls that I had worn at Work today but the New Coveralls as well. New Coveralls have a coating that is called Sizing to hold the Dye and Material together but it also makes the Coveralls hot.

Since I was the only one there I waited until they were all in the Dryer before walking over to the Park Exercise Room. It felt wonderful to walk out of there without a limp or sore back. I was also happy that I didn’t overeat at lunch. I have now lost a total of Fifteen Pounds since my return the Working World.

Back Home with all my Coveralls nicely folded we talked about what we’ll be doing this weekend. Tomorrow is looking to be busy. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.
Krackers

You know you are getting old when

you look forward to a dull evening.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Happy Owner, Had A Date, Not What We Expected and Our Old Neighbourhood.


Our Location today is at Wildwood Golf and RV Park, McGregor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

It felt strange finding a Semi in the Parking Lot to make a delivery before I arrived at Work this morning. I was still the first of the workers to arrive.

The first thing I did was to bring in the Tools that I brought from my Toolbox at our son Kevin’s garage last night. The next thing I did was to mark them with a Permanent Paint Marker. I’ve worked in environments before where my tools had grown legs. This way there is no mistaking who things belong to.

I had just finished cleaning up the Second Aluminium Project when the Owner came along to tell me he had changed the dimensions on the Safety Feature. After personally measuring the pieces myself I needed to shave a Half Inch off both the outer pieces then I had to drill new holes to fasten them down. The Owner was happy with the finished results.

At the end of the day after I washed up a bit more thoroughly and Clocking Out I went out to the Truck to get my change of Clothes I brought along. Once I was changed the Bag of Work Clothes went back in the Truck but I had a date. Kathy was sitting in the car patiently waiting for me as a passenger.

We had a 4:30 appointment to check something that was advertised On-Line locally. It’s called Facebook Market Place and it is amazing what you can find at a fraction of the price you would pay if it were new. When we arrived in the neighbourhood we immediately had an idea we might be passing on the deal. We went inside and the condition of the Building along with its Odor had us leaving without even going any further.

We checked out a few more places before realizing that it was past 6:00 and we were in Tecumseh not far from where we used to live in the Apartment. We went to the Chinese Restaurant that we used to order takeout from right next door. They were busy training younger staff but the quality of the Food was just as good.

With Kathy driving to more appointments and other places on her own the last thing she needs to do is run out of Gas so we stopped at the Pioneer gas station to top up the Car. From there we returned to my Workplace to pick up the Truck.

At Home a warm shower really helped to freshen up the both of us. There were a lot of RVs pulling in today to get an early start on the Labour Day Long Weekend. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.
Krackers

Words of Inspiration

To err is human; to forgive divine.

Alexander Pope, English Poet

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Happy Owner, Kathy’s Still Seeing Stars, Package Arrives and Wonderful Visit.


Our Location today is at Wildwood Golf and RV Park, McGregor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

The first thing I did at Work this morning was to clean off my Workbench of all the debris and tools left behind from modifying the Prototype yesterday. As soon as I saw Gerry the Supervisor I mentioned my plan to return to the Second Aluminium Project immediately after.

I started making progress finishing tacking the panels in place when the Owner showed up much earlier then usual. He was glowing and happy at the adjustments to the Prototype Modification that I chose to do on my own. He was certain that the Customer would be happy at the way it was working.

When I spoke to Kathy at lunchtime she mentioned that my Package had arrived at the Guardian Storage. She needed something to do so she would collect it along with our Mail.

With Monday’s loss of Electrical Power after lunch outside contractors came in to work on the system. “Unfortunately” that meant I had to set up additional Welding Curtains to protect them from getting a Welding Flash. Why I said “Unfortunately” that resulted in even less Air Circulation by the Laser Cutters and because the welding processes that I am using no Fans can be used. The Project was completely welded by the end of the shift but my Coveralls were again completely soaked.
When I got Home Kathy was all excited that she had run her errands without being the least bit nervous. She did manage to grip the Steering Wheel with her Right Hand which she immediately regretted. As mentioned before when she was very young both her Mother and Grandmother taught her to use Landmarks as a way of getting around but Landmarks are constantly changing their appearance. Now that she is learning the Street Names of roads that she has travelled most of her life she is much more comfortable and relaxed.
Wildwood's resident Blue Heron.
The Package that had come in was the Welders Button Up Cotton Coveralls that I ordered all the way from Alberta. The first thing I did was to try on both pair that I ordered to be certain their sizing and mine were the same. My present Coveralls are a 52 Tall so that was what I ordered. Looks like I’ll be rolling up the Cuffs on these but if I had just ordered the 52 Regular the Sleeves would probably have been too short. I’ll wash them to take some of the Sizing (Chemical Dye Sealer on Fabrics) out of the material which could shrink them down just a bit.
While I had my Shower Kathy was busy pan frying Potato Slices and a Salmon Fillet that we shared as well as cooking Niblet Corn in the Microwave. She also topped it off with a slice of Lemon Meringue Pie for dessert. It all tasted wonderful and Kathy only banged her hand once more.
We were soon on our way to Amherstburg for our weekly visit with our son Kevin and daughter-in-law Melissa. With the cooler temperatures we were able to sit on their Screened In Back Deck where the cool breeze made it very comfortable. While Kathy and Melissa talked Kevin and I gathered a few more tools for me to bring with to Work. I had been told to only bring in Welding Tools but it seems that my duties also include Mechanical, Hydraulic and 12 Volt Electrical Work.
Since it was Kevin’s Birthday on Monday we were treated to a piece of Birthday Cake. (They say there’s no Calories in Birthday Cakes.) The rest of the evening was spent talking about anything that came to mind most of the time something that was making us all laugh.
Before we knew it was time to head for Home. With the cooler breezes we are actually getting some half decent Sunsets to look at. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.
Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

You know your wife's bra size but not her eye colour.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Gremlins At Work, Kathy Saw Stars and Great Supper.


Our Location today is at Wildwood Golf and RV Park, McGregor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

I was busy making progress on the next Aluminium Project at Work when the Owner suddenly had me start modifying the Extra Safety Feature we had removed from the Prototype. Once he explained what he wanted to do he went to the Computer to draw up the braces that he wanted to add. After lunch he had a business meeting and I was left to deal with parts that would not fit. With the help of Gerry the Supervisor the Modified Safety Feature was finally installed on the Prototype by 4:30 which meant I worked an hour past the end of my shift.

Today our Humidex reached 97 F (36 C) and I completed the last Four Hours of my shift working in the direct Sunlight in the parking lot. By the end of the day my Coveralls were again soaked and I needed to consume nearly a Litre of Fluids before I could safely drive Home.

Kathy went to walk around the Walmart in Amherstburg this afternoon. It is one thing to stay Home when we are together but another when you are by yourself. She was very careful not to bump her Hand today but saw enough stars to fill the Milky Way when she instinctively gripped the Steering Wheel. She spent nearly Two Hours just walking inside the Air Conditioned Store. She also managed to find another movie based on a Real Life incident that we had been looking for.

When she got Home she was slow to go inside because the Shade on one of our Windows was down. Not sure if someone was inside but instead of calling one of the neighbours over she stuck her head in the Door to see if anyone else was inside. Not hearing or seeing anything she entered to find the Shade hanging crooked and a String hanging to one side.
When I got Home I prepped the grill and started cooking supper. We shared a Side of Spareribs, a Sweet Potato and a Zucchini. It all turned out perfect.

After the table was cleared I began taking down the Day/Night Shade to replace the broken string. It didn’t take long to do since I’ve done it many times but somehow the slight Knot that I had put in the Strings while I rehung the Shade became a non-moving Knot. Even with Kathy’s help I had to take the Shade back down to get that Knot out.

After I got the Dishes washed Kathy insisted on drying them. We both enjoyed nice warm showers. Tomorrow is another day. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.
Krackers

Witty Words of Wisdom:

Some days you are the dog, some days you're the hydrant.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Power Outage, Kathy Banging Her Hand and Tasty Supper.


Our Location today is at Wildwood Golf and RV Park, McGregor, Ontario.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge

As the Summer Season nears its end the Sunrises are becoming later with each passing day. It was not unusual for me to be the first in the parking lot at Work but what was unusual was when we finally entered the building. In the distance we could hear the beeping of the Server Power Source telling us the Computers were all down. When we attempted to turn on the lights in different parts of the plant nothing happened. The Compressor was down and none of the Machines would come to life. The Electrical Power to the plant is what is referred to as Three Phase in other words there are Three Lines bringing Power into the plant with a Single return. One of those Lines was down from outside of the plant.

Most of the crew was reassigned to cleaning up the Yard which had a lot of Skids tossed in every which direction. I wasn’t that lucky as the Prototype was back inside the door and was there for a modification. An Extra Safety Feature we had made was being removed and a different cover was being created. It had to be slightly raised to have access to all the bolts.

By the time I had that finished I was assigned the task of taking another mechanism for the simple reason of understanding how it worked. When I had it figured out and was able to explain it to the Owner he was ready to design his own version.

By 11:00 the Power Company that services the Industrial Park had our Power restored. That meant that I was again back on the other Aluminium Project that I started last week. After the Owner had me modify his original Rotisserie a few weeks ago we found a flaw in the design when Cross Members made it impossible to fasten the base in place. With a little torch work and a few more welds it was working perfectly. By the end of the shift the Second Prototype was nearly completed and the Yard was cleaner then I have ever seen it.

Heavy Clouds were really filling the sky and I could smell Rain in the air but even after parking on our Site it was still dry. We talked while I checked The Weather Network that indicated we could expect Rain by 5:00. It was like the Rain was on a Timer because it started exactly as forecasted.
After cleaning more Strawberries I started making Pancakes for supper. While I cooked Kathy put the Strawberries and Cool Whip on as a finishing touch. They tasted as good as they looked.

Kathy cheated and dried the Dishes after I washed them but she also managed to inadvertently Bang her hand a few times today causing her to want to say some bad words. As mention in yesterday’s Blog with the Gauze Dressing put on after the Surgery had been more noticeable and she was more cautious. These new Bandages blend with her skin tone and without thinking she does something she shouldn’t be doing. That’s called learning the hard way.

It’s still Raining sometimes with greater intensity as I write the Blog and is not supposed to stop until tomorrow afternoon. Thank you for following along and feel free to leave a comment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.
Krackers

You Might Be a Redneck If

You break up with your girlfriend and say, "We can still be cousins".