The house is really coming along. This week Allan replaced the hideous 1950s fake-chandelier light fixtures with some sleek, simple fixtures we picked up at Ikea. This was no easy job in an old house, where fixtures have been in place for more than 50 years. But our budding Mr Fix-it got the job done. We've also replaced all the gaudy and painted-over switch plates and outlet plates with simple white ones.
Last week we custom-ordered shades for the upstairs rooms (our bedroom and my office). They were really expensive and I'll feel a lot better once they're in and I see that our measurements were accurate.
We're already having trouble keeping the cream-colored carpet clean, despite using the back door for dog walks (so you enter the house on basement-type indoor-outdoor carpet), and wiping the dogs' paws after every walk. And this is before snow, mud and slush. We bought a big plastic runner to use during the winter, but knowing how dirty dogs get in winter, I'm skeptical.
Outside, I'm working on pruning the massive amount of dead branches in the backyard shrubbery. There's a lot of it and I'm doing some every weekend. I told Allan that all I need is the governorship of an execution-happy, oil-rich state, and I'm qualified to be president! He reminded me that I'll never do enough cocaine in my lifetime to qualify.
Starting next week, the leaf vacuum truck comes around! Our area of Mississauga, full of old, large trees, has this great leaf-pickup service. Everyone rakes their leaves into the street and a truck with a giant vacuum comes around the sucks them up. Cool, eh? I'm still not sure how we'll get the backyard leaves out to the curb. Our neighbours told us they rake their leaves onto a big tarp, then drag the tarp to the curb to dump them. I guess we have to buy a tarp.
Today we're cleaning, as my mother arrives on Friday morning. I can't wait to see her! She stays until Tuesday morning. The Thanksgiving timing is purely coincidental; we didn't even realize it was Thanksgiving here when we booked the flight.
13 comments:
Our neighbours told us they rake their leaves onto a big tarp, then drag the tarp to the curb to dump them. I guess we have to buy a tarp?
I know you already have one wheelbarrow, but this one from Lee Valley is for things like leaves & such. It's basically a wheel, two handles, and a tarp strung in between. You can lie it flat, rake the leaves onto it, and wheel them out to the curb. Lori & I have one for moving soil around.
Of course, just getting a tarp, raking the leaves onto it, and lifting it into your current wheelbarrow is probably cheaper. ;)
Of course, just getting a tarp, raking the leaves onto it, and lifting it into your current wheelbarrow is probably cheaper.
Plus a tarp will hold way more leaves. The neighbours say they just drag the tarp to the curb, no middle step of wheelbarrow.
I think one wheelbarrow is enough for any family! :)
Growing up, we had the "good" wheelbarrow and the "regular" one. I have no idea why.
BTW, I just threw a few more posts over on my new book weblog, if you're interested. I'm looking for comments, criticism, and book suggestions. :)
I am interested - but I don't know the books you're writing about, so I don't have much to offer. Perhaps other wmtc readers will.
I'll get over there later today, though, maybe I'll post some blather. :)
You don't need to know the books; comments about the books' subjects, or other books, or other marginally relevant (or not) matters are all welcome. ;)
So, has your mother been to Toronto before?
I cant think of anything yard-related without thinking of the infamous Canadian Tire Couple. I think they had some sort of wheelbarrow at one point.
Whether they wind up getting divorced or not, LG, if your doorbell rings and you see these two on the porch with some sort of helpful tool, don't answer the door!.
So, has your mother been to Toronto before?
She has, a couple of times, as a tourist. She's undoubtedly done more things in the city than I have. This is really a Port Credit visit - the house, the neighbourhood, the yard.
I cant think of anything yard-related without thinking of the infamous Canadian Tire Couple.
Are they related to the Molson couple? I miss them.
Wrye, I just went to that link. Hilarious.
I will keep our door firmly shut!
James,
Nice blog title. Did anyone else figure how where he got it?
I'm living in the future
I feel wonderful
I'm tipping over backwards
I'm so ambitious ...
Did anyone else figure how where he got it?
Yes. :)
nice "eh" usage in this post, l-girl...you're getting there! lol.
nice "eh" usage in this post, l-girl
Yes, I thought so too! Thank you for noticing, Sassy. :-)
Post a Comment