The Ranch Troubles Continue But Games Help

I ventured out just after 8 to get the chicken bones simmering for soup for lunch and set a bowl of raspberries and blueberries out to thaw, the no-microwave reality continuing. Coffee was made, and soon Matt & Sheldon were up, with Shaina not far behind. I made coffee for everyone, then got French toast going on my new pan from Kaylin and Nathan—it worked beautifully, letting me cook several pieces at once, hot and ready to serve all at same time.

We visited casually in the living room, and I decided to hop into the shower quickly. While in there I heard a high-pitched noise. After getting dressed, I went back to the main area where the sound was even louder. I asked Shaina if she heard it too—she did. Opening the door revealed the culprit: the septic tank alarm. That instantly set the day off in a very different direction than planned. First order of business was flipping the breaker to silence it. S declared a low-water-use order, complete with “mellow yellow” bathroom rules.

I chopped vegetables, picked the meat from the bones, and got the soup underway while Shaina worked on sorting her room, having brought all her clothes home. S suspected the pump was overload tripping and decided to leave it until after lunch before pulling it. Matt hobbled out to finally see the horses, now able to walk again after so long using a push cart. He even climbed into the storage trailer searching for the winter coat he thought was in his snowboard bag—no luck.

Matt and his service dog Harley visiting the herd

B came out to join us for a bowl of hot, delicious soup for lunch. Afterward, she opened her belated Christmas gift from Shaina as Matt and Shaina opened theirs from us. Matt’s gift included the Play Nine card game, which was promptly opened and played for the next while.

Princess and the pea :)

Once cards wrapped up, B headed out to feed. I helped her catch Beibs, and she trimmed his feet. Shaina and Matt continued sorting clothes and organizing the room, while S started troubleshooting pump solutions. I peeled a pot of potatoes for supper, put a pork roast in, and was just about to start the beets when Shannon and Tanner stopped by to visit her horse along with their new staffie puppy, Tucker. What a sweetheart—Harley and Cooper wholeheartedly agreed.

After they headed home with their new bundle, the girls and Matt went downstairs to set up the Wii and play Guitar Hero. A lady and her friend stopped by to purchase the electric guitar set, while S pressure-washed the pump after Shaina helped him pull it.

The vegetables went on with supper just after 6. It took a bit to get everyone motivated again, but the young ones returned to Guitar Hero, S continued with hockey and online research, and I washed up the dishes using as little water as possible. I wrote today’s blog in bed, then went back down to watch the gamers for a bit before returning upstairs to read.

so seriously intent

B headed home around 9, and the other two gamers hit the sheets shortly after, still adjusting to the two-hour time change.

Shaina and Matt Move West

The morning began with our usual coffees, mine paired with getting Britt the bills and details she needed first thing, then on to plant care. S did his Big Brown laptop-and-phone peruse between coffees before cleaning the bathrooms. Today Shaina and Matt arrive to stay a couple of nights before moving into their Airbnb for February, hoping to find the downtown apartment they’re searching for during that month.

I finished Wednesday’s picture-heavy blog post and published it while S was back on his laptop watching videos. More tidying and cleaning followed, with S jumping into the main-floor shower to rinse it out while he showered. He heated up chili old-school in a saucepan for lunch, then settled onto the couch for a nap as I finished vacuuming the main floor.

I worked more on tutorials after a simple lunch of cheese and crackers while S took Harley for a walk, then gave her a quick bath. Worn out from that effort, he returned to the couch for another nap. I edited the last of the wedding photos and finally completed and submitted the order—what a process. Yesterday’s blog was wrapped up and ready to post later in the evening.

out east .... heading west

With a tutorial deadline looming, I started the new stain-color project that needs to be finished by Monday. S headed to town around 4:30 to meet Todd and Mary for a beer as their son was playing basketball. Harley was fed and sent out for a few search-and-finds once the shelf was complete, while I shifted gears to accounting work.

Mom found this treasure in her collection

B and Cooper were out around 7:30 to feed the horses, then home for a well-earned weekend off. Bridgerton time for me with what might be my supper of chips and dip :). S was clearly deep in conversation catching up with the Lorans—I didn’t hear from him until after 9, when I texted to learn he was at the airport waiting for Shaina and Matt, whose flight had been delayed… and then delayed again by mountains of luggage. The weary traveler's finally arrived at the ranch around 11:45, ready for nothing more than bed.

safe and sound in Calgary with bags at 10:45 pm!

A Warm Turn and a Tech Surprise

A warmer day ahead, starting at -4, as coffee brewed and the house slowly came to life. S hustled around like his pants were on fire—only one coffee before heading out just after 9, needing to make it to an appointment ASAP before hockey at 11. I settled in with my second cup and spent the morning working on tutorials for the custom furniture pieces and experimenting with AI staging—and I was honestly shocked. No more hauling bulky furniture inside, risking fresh paint dings, hunting for the right props and lighting, then spending ages editing. In just minutes, the computer did nearly everything. Not the watermarking, though—and in my rush I’d put one pull on upside down. (did you catch that yesterday?) I fixed it digitally first, then went out and flipped it properly in real life.

from this photo

to this photo in minutes!! with a push of a button

and from THIS photo - no drawer or pull 

and the before 

to these!!! WTH

After chatting with Ina, we may have a pickup plan involving her son Sheldon’s muscles. I grabbed a quick sandwich and then dove into organizing wedding photos from the full professional album. That took far longer than expected—figuring out where everything needed to live, which photos to order, and editing the Vegas sign shots to remove people in the background. Naturally, the online photo service crashed mid-order. Ugh.

S was back after 2:30, having done his usual town errands and McDonald’s coffee klatch. He picked up the fold-down dining table I was supposed to get yesterday but couldn’t because of sewing. He made a sandwich while I took the dogs out for a much-needed long walk in the sunshine, now up to +3.

Back home, S pressure-washed his truck, then headed to the neighbors to help lift a tank with the skid steer while I continued wrestling with the photo order. Once back, he grabbed a beer and retreated to Big Brown for a suds-and-nap combo. I walked the dogs again, this time to the gate to sell another item we no longer needed, catching the sunset on the way back just before 5:30.

After his nap, S settled in with sports while I finished up dual tutorial writing, then moved to the bedroom to start the new season of Bridgerton. B popped out to eat her late supper wrap, feed, share the day’s drama, and head home between episodes. After finishing the second episode, I switched to reading while S continued with sports and coin tracking.

Sewing Scrub Caps, Coin Projects, and a Final Episode

Awake again just after 6, I read until it was time to make coffee before 8. S didn’t make his until later as I hopped in the shower, then brewed a second cup to do some marketing and publish a blog post. The custom pieces were paper-bag sanded, the drawers and runners oiled, and the pulls put back onto the dresser. Hains's still have the drawer for the nightstand. S did his usual news peruse in Big Brown for the morning.

Good morning from Renn

Do you see something wrong?

B was out with Cooper as we were eating lunch. She brought along Auntie Candace’s little sewing machine, and today’s project was to make a couple of scrub caps she bought material for 2 years ago. The pre washed material is a bit too small for the pattern so we came up with a patch plan. Checking the original blog post helped remind me what we did and it also gave big feels for the littles featured in the post as well. My past blog posts are often helpful for remembering dates and how things were done.

S had a nap, then started his own little project—cutting out a horn mount from one of the remnant maple boards I’ve stockpiled. He took the dogs out with him when he headed to the shop to actually cut it.

A parcel arrived, and when I mentioned the dog food I’d ordered still hadn’t shown up, B said hers had been delivered this morning. That’s when I realized my order never fully processed. Oops. Sorry, Harley—good thing Cooper can share from his stock today until we get more next week. Best get that order placed properly now. Back inside with his project complete, S headed to the sports room.

While B went out to feed, I top-stitched the first scrub cap, finished the casing, and inserted the tie—one done. The sewing photos will likely be used for another future scrub cap sewing session. On to scrub cap number two. 

Tacking down he casing edge left and top stitching the band edges right

Pressing under the knot/casing edge left and top stitching the same lower edge.

Ready to sew the casing edge 1 1/2" above the lower edge and the cap fit test right

One of the cap colors sewn together and pressed. This tie we did different, rather than pull it thru itself for a round tie, this was made like bias tape and sewn down the centre for a sturdier flatter version which B likes better.

B sews the other color cap together and we repeat all the sew together steps to have her second one complete.

It was a long day but in the end she has 2 new caps ready to head into surgery.

While working on the second cap, I started cooking chili for supper. We ate while ironing, and sewing with the final cap finished after 7. S had retreated to the sports room, of course, but I did show him the big box of coin collection from his Grandpa that he wants to document and price out. Relearning how the scrub caps went together—and patching bands and ties from shrunken fabric pieces instead of cutting new, larger ones—definitely slowed things down but we did it.

Everything was tidied up and B and Cooper headed home.

I finished yesterday’s blog and published it, then wrote today’s post. Next up was submitting payroll and project sheets—whew. After that, it was time to watch the final episode of Queer Eye. Sad to see such an inspiring show end, especially with only six episodes in the final season.

I popped down to the sports room where S had set up a folding table to make a desk and had started a spreadsheet for the coin collection. I found him a lamp, hoping it would help with the lighting. Once the final episode ended, I went back to my book to close out the night while S watched sports and continued compiling his spreadsheet.

Dark Mornings, Drying Paint, and Messages in Movies

Awake just after 6 to find it still so dark. I tried to sleep until after 7, but that wasn’t happening, so I moved on to Instagram and texted with B, who’s in need of sewing supplies. Shaina responded to let me know their flight time on Friday when they return to Calgary—to live! I also let Kaylin know I wouldn’t be coming to the city today, as I needed to focus on finishing the custom pieces.

Coffee time, blog post published, then on to the custom dresser. A light sanding then a few areas were filled now that the dings were more visible. I also tested the new stain colour for an upcoming project and tutorial due by February 2, using the back of the wood shelf Papa built. I liked the colour, so scrubbed it clean afterward. While those areas dried, I worked on tutorials for both pieces as S perused the internet after his porridge.

I was back at the big dresser painting the second coat when S headed to the city just after noon. The nightstand also received its second coat.

Once the brushes were washed, I scrubbed up the hardware. Seeing that it was sunny and a balmy -1, I took Harley for a long walk before her supper. S was home from the city before 5, having picked up a rotisserie chicken and salad from Costco on his way back.

After supper, I hopped into the tub for a hot soak while starting the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters. It’s animated, but it’s been nominated for an Oscar, and even Father Christino referenced its message in one of his homilies. I moved to the bedroom to finish watching on the big screen while S watched sports on his big sports TV.

I took a break to grab B’s sewing supplies and visit with her while she ate her Tim's pizza before heading out to feed. Shannon's horse is a big fan of this feeding time here at the ranch. Then it was back to the movie—it really does have a good message.

I followed that with another episode of Queer Eye. Only a couple left of the entire series now, sadly. I saved the final one for another day and moved on to reading the very thick book instead.

Errands in Squares, Hockey Days, and a Long Movie Night

Usual cold-and-coffee start to the day. I sent the finished nightstand drawer, after paper-bag sanding it in, off with Sheldon to give to Leonard so he can take it home and see how it works in the bedroom. Sheldon was off to town before 10:30, with hockey at 12:30 today.

I worked on tutorial marketing after chatting with Mom for almost an hour. Around 12:30 I headed to town, dropping a huge stack of boxes at the gate for a lady to pick up later today. I always have to make the most efficient square for errands—backtracking and bouncing all over town makes no sense in my head. Lists are made, stops are ordered, and then I go.

First stop was for my tetanus shot—apparently it’s been 18 years since my last one (required when Amanda and I went to Bolivia), and they’re supposed to be every 10 years. Oops. While there, I grabbed groceries, sticking to the stay in store for 15-minute after shot rule.

Next stop was the post office to recycle a bag of Nespresso pods, followed by Purolator to return parcels. A bag of hotel soaps, toques, and clothes was dropped off to the fellow who runs the homeless program.

Next up was picking up Cooper, then dropping off a bag of new underwear and shower goodies at the women’s shelter. Last stop was a tea, a wrap, and a muffin for a late lunch before jetting home. Cooper hopped out at the gate as usual and made his way up to the house behind me.

I started working on tutorials for the custom pieces. S was home after 3:30 and straight down to Sports Central. Sausage supper had potstickers alongside it, followed by the movie S has been wanting to see for a long time—Gladiator 2. It’s a long one, and even starting at 7 there were pauses to let the dogs out, a quick visit with B when she was out to feed and take Cooper home, plus a snack-and-beverage break.

It wrapped up around 10:30, and we flipped over to the “new” Star Search, with the formerly 100-pound-heavier Jelly Roll as one of the hosts. It felt a bit canned—Sheldon’s opinion, though I have to agree. Other than a magician, it was kind of blah, and I was glad for the fast-forward option.

Of course, I read for a bit before finally falling asleep.

Sunshine, Frozen Latches, and a Lesson Learned

Bright sun shone all day and it was lovely to wake up to, even if it was -17 outside. I had a full retirement brain glitch, thinking it was Saturday, as S sat with his coffee and casually mentioned he was heading to church. LOL. I’m blaming that on skipping my usual Friday plant care this week—threw my whole sense of days off.

He headed to church while I did some marketing and blog posting. I was sanding the dresser and drawer fronts when S pulled into the garage after church. I got the garage laundry going as he threw bacon in the oven for bacon-and-tomato sandwiches for brunch.

Back out to the garage I went to apply the second coat of primer to the dresser, then started the first coat of medium grey paint on the nightstand and drawer fronts. S popped out and took Harley for a walk in the warming weather. By the time B arrived mid-afternoon it was already up to -6 and still improving.

The chefs in the city were busy baking, Sous chef Renn applies the sprinkles then performs quality control measures

I am always game to try new tricks shared online, this frozen meat between 2 pans turned out NOT to work but perhaps ground beef like they showed would but it too was in a flat thin frozen patty. Steaks with bones no

Once everything was finished, I washed the brushes, came in for a cold beverage, and wrote today’s blog. S took the Ranger for a loop around the countryside, then settled in to watch football. I started a new book, but seeing how sunny it looked and noting it was around -5 with apparently little wind, I decided a hot tub soak was in order.

I was very wrong.

Once outside, the wind made it feel more like -11. The latches were frozen, the lid to the tub was iced over, and I had to wait for S to come help heave the snow-laden lid all the way open.

The horses were clearly amused that we were out there attempting this. My ears froze, the control panel was acting up, my phone barely opened with a thin layer of ice on it, and to top it off the water was only 99—basically body temperature. Lesson learned. I’ll wait for above-zero temps before trying that again. On the positive side it was lighter longer. A hot shower has never felt so good.

We cooked up a bison T-bone steak supper with the Flames game on the kitchen TV. Once we finished eating, S jetted back to the big TV while I headed to the bedroom to read. After the Flames game ended, he joined me and we watched the Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart documentary. I then read the thick book until almost 1 a.m.—the darn book was completely captivating.