Unpacked my tools from the truck, and put in my storm windows. I figured I might as well, as it has been getting down to single digits at night. Once done, I headed up to see Dave and work on a wood project. Good to go up there, ‘cause he has all the tools you need to get things together well. Went to Smyth’s for supper which was grand!

Drove home today! It’s been a long 9 weeks in Canada (well, except for a 2 day trip to Idaho for a book run.) Very glad to be getting home and back to a ‘normal’ life. It was a good time up North, but it was time to move on. While the project isn’t finished yet, there are still plenty of people working to bring it to completion. I imagine it’ll be several months yet.

Spent the day at Friesens, and had some time on the skid-steer moving snow.

Left Jasper at around 10:30 am, and arrived back home at 11:00 pm. It was interesting because back home (Olds / Wetaskiwin) it was high winds and snow, but in the mountains it was actually quite nice. I would have liked a little more sun and less clouds, but sure wasn’t complaining! The drive from Banff to Wetaskiwin was rather ruthless, but traffic was quite sparse, so it wasn’t too bad.

Well, it was snowing when I got up. Not real hard, nor was it too windy, but it was coming, so they said. Mary Ann had to substitute teach today, so we (John and I) decided to go to Jasper.

Interesting day today. Started out by cleaning up the bay (downstairs) to get ready to receive drywall, which may or may come at 6:45 am. Which it didn’t. But that was good, because I wasn’t ready for it to come yet. Made a path and room for the Quiet-Rock to be delivered upstairs for the sound rooms, and got the downstairs ready. Then it was trying to explain to Scott and Paul what the order of events were for working upstairs, which was harder than it seemed because I’ve been out of the upstairs loop for quite some time (you don’t want to put up drywall where there are plumbing lines yet to be run, for example.) But all in all, it worked out ok. Drywall was delivered and after that there was plenty for them to do.

At about 10:30 I got out on the lift and proceeded to finish up the 1x4 on the east wall. After lunch, the lift started making some complaining noises for the cold, and I decided to park it inside, and after which I went home and slept for 2 hours. It seems I’ve either done all I can do or have to rest up a bit before continuing on. That and a winter storm coming in for 2 days which makes working outside a little more of a challenge. So after supper at John and Janices’, I decided to run to Wetaskiwin for a couple three days.

Today started out with trying to find things to do while it warms up at least a little outside. Then Jim came in and said he needed to take the truck to Torrington (25 miles away) so he and Ronnie can rebuild the pump that failed the day before on a jobsite… and needed a ride back. So I drove his car out there (had the opportunity to take the Kenworth, but didn’t think it was prudent, as I would have needed some lesson in driving the rig first.) Once out there, we had to run to Red Deer to get a transducer tested, which took till just after lunch. This was fine for me, as I wasn’t feeling the best anyway, and at least had an excuse for not working!

After getting back, I put the J trim and drip edge on the west side, and J on the south. Which finished up the day for me, both time-wise and physically.

Been working on the North wall today, putting put 1x4 strapping, and got about 2/3 done. Had a hard time getting going, as I’m fighting a little cold, energy level is low—you know the drill. Started out working on the computer for some things needed taken care of, then a run to get some diesel for the lift / heater to help delay the inevitable. But still able to get out and keep moving. Not sure of the temp, but well below freezing with a slight breeze. No clouds today, but being on the north, I don’t get any sun either.

It’s a little interesting, as the building to the north is only 10 feet away, and my 30,000 pound lift is 8 foot wide. Needless to say I drive slowly!

Yesterday, however, was a little different. Still on the lift, but was blizzard conditions! Windy, snow was coming down thick and horizontal. Fortunately I was on the east side, so basically out of the wind during that part. Something to make life interesting. Allen took some picts, and may post those someday if I get a copy.

After church I went out to Bob Evan’s for dinner, which is always a good time. Rick and Susan and fam were there, too. After, went home to finish laundry and chill out, trying to rest up for next week’s work!

Today the lift came in at around 7:30 this morning, and I was able to use it all day trimming out the windows. I was hoping to get all 12 done, but only got to 9. We had snow for a good part of that, which was fun while it lasted (which was most of the day!) The other guys worked on finishing up some drywall inside. Things are coming along! Thanks for the pictures, Allen!

Spent most of the day doing as much as I can outside, that can be done without a lift. Moving some electric plugs so they line up on the tin, and even putting a couple three pieces on.

It's been a saga, really, in trying to get one as the fellow who is trying to help is super busy, and the lift that's free for us to use is broken. So he hasn't been able to get the time to get that fixed. But... my friend's lift up North may be available here in a day or two, so I may be looking at getting that instead. Wisdom is needed for sure in dealing with these 2 scenarios, as they are relationships, not lifts, in the end. Hopefully we'll be able to get something soon!

This morning, got up and packed up and drove back up.

Today I drove to Idaho, primarily to get some inventory up to Canada. Not sure how long I’ll stay, but good to get out for a bit!

I’ve been working on the outside tin for a few days, and even had help for most of that. Trimming out the windows takes time, especially adding a 2x6 board around to give more depth to the trim. That’s 2 pieces, plus 4 pieces of 1x4 to wrap, and 8 pieces of tin for each window. It goes faster as you get going. And part of yesterday / today I spent pre-cutting the tin so once I get a lift, it won’t take much time to get the windows trimmed out. So, I made a template for those, and cut out the tin for the next 12 windows. It took about 20 minutes to cut each one out. Yet to do are cutting up the 2x4 and 1x4 so they are ready to go.

The lift is still a question. We can get one from Calgary, but don’t have transportation. I can wait a little and get one from Wetaskiwin, and once it’s here, I don’t have to return it any time soon. Still trying to figure out the best road to travel.

Today lived up to it’s name. It was tough getting going again after having 3 days at Bible Camp this weekend. Even though there wasn’t much work to do, sitting and paying attention to 5 hours of classes each day wasn’t much of a break, as good as it was. I was hoping to get a breather these days, but that didn’t happen till Sunday afternoon where I was on the couch for several hours!

The good news was that it was in the 40’s today (teens for the Celsius folks). Bad news was it was windy, though not too bad. We started on the outside tin today. I worked on putting trim around the windows, and after lunch I had Brad and Steven putting up 1x4 nailers (for the tin.) I also had Dave and Sally running my trim boards through the table saw to size for the screws used to fasten the windows. Lots of interruptions today, and didn’t get done what I had planned. I wanted trim on the 3 man doors and 2 windows on the bottom front, but only got 3 of the 5 finished (at 8:40.) I actually was surprised that I was able to work the tin trim after dark. Black trim isn’t the easiest to see, but the neighboring cement company’s lights were enough to keep on going!

Here’s a shot of my daily commute. 2 miles, and just over 5 min to get there. If I don’t stop for coffee on the way, that is.