It's About That Time Again

The annual canoe trip is upon us again. Seems like lots of work to pack and unpack everything, but it is always worth it somehow. This year we will only be spending the weekend, instead of extending the trip on up through the UP and all. The Hubs laughs at me, because I have this packing down to a science. I keep a checklist on the computer, and print it out whenever we go camping. Then I just go down the list, throwing everything into plastic containers to take with us. Add the tent and a couple sleeping bags, and viola! We are ready to leave.

Recovery?

Some great things have been happening in our neighborhood lately. Last week we learned that our neighbor Bob just landed a new job, after a year of being laid off. And, yes, it is auto-related (that's for all the skeptics out there). In the true spirit of an auto industry executive, he went right out and bought a new car!
The home that has been up for sale for nearly a year has now sold. It was a short-sale, but it sold just the same. We met the new neighbors a few days ago. Then, when I was out for my morning walk last weekend, I was stopped by a nice young couple asking about the forclosed house on the cul-de-sac. They told me it had just been listed the day before, and they were VERY interested (at that price, they should be).
Well, I hope they make a good bid, because there was plenty of traffic in and out of there over the past couple of days.
Then I got my 401K statement. Oh well, I'm still convinced the economy is improving.

Lots to do

I have been thinking that I won't be able to take the standard week off this fall, so it will take some real planning to get the house in order for the holidays. That sounds like I am living way too far in the future, but I know the time will pass very quickly. I managed to finish cleaning the kitchen yesterday. I discovered my knees took the step ladder a whole lot easier at 30 than they do at 60! (And I mean years, not MPH)
Today I decided the kitchen was far too clean, and should be messed up a bit. So I made peach jam. Nothing like making jam to get a sticky mess all over the counters. It was fun and rewarding.
All in all, it was a busy weekend, but I feel like I accomplished a great deal. I still managed to get 36 holes of golf in as well, so don't feel too sorry for me.

No Water?

I have been on a cleaning spree this weekend. Today, I needed to finish cleaning above the kitchen cabinets. That means plenty of hot water and degreaser. So, right after breakfast, the Hubs decided to get out of my way (like he often does when I get into a cleaning mood), and went fishing. I turned on the faucet at the kitchen sink, and nothing came out. Puzzled, I went through a checklist in my head. No storm, we paid our bill, and yes, there was water when he made breakfast and did the dishes. Upon calling the Hubs on his cell phone, I discovered he had turned off the water to change the filter at the water softener, and had forgotten to turn it back on. I was able to spend the morning cleaning after all. Whew!