Lizzie came Home - 4 May 2012

Early in the day the activity was focused on the backyard, with finishing touches being put to seeding the lawn. Amon helped Pamela to seed, while Kirk and Chris rolled, raked and did even more seeding. Its a nice clover and grass mixture that will be great for low maintenance and attracting bees. Both things of which we like the idea.

Our dear friends, Georges Potvin and Bob Dupuis, arrived today from Gatineau, Quebec and Rockland, Ontario (both quite near Ottawa).  They had driven all that way going no more than 55 kilometres per hour because the trailer they were towing would commence swaying at higher speeds. Perched on the back of the trailer, looking like the little queen she is, was Lizzie, the 1913 Model T Ford / OJ Childs Chemical Hose Wagon fire engine.

They arrived here in the afternoon, exhausted and with frayed nerves, but with a beautiful truck with which to utterly and completely surprise Will.  He knew that Georges was coming, but thought that we would be going to the airport later that evening to pick him up.

We love it when a plan comes together and we can completely surprise someone.  We are so glad to have Georges and Bubba here with us.

Landscaping - 3 May 2012

Chris and Frank brought in lots of lovely topsoil today and they and Pamela did a lot of spreading, smoothing and cleaning up on the yard.  Amon helped with his small shovel and he was also very good at jumping on the stones to say whether or not they were loose.  None are now. Larger stones also got a bit more anchoring.

Bits & Bobs - 2 May 2012

A lot got done today that went a long way towards wrapping everything up.  The stack around the boiler wires was constructed, completed, painted and installed.  An adjustment to the front door was made and some beautiful new (well, old) handles were added. The upper window in the stairwell (18 feet up, up, up) had its epoxy spots sanded, then it was primed, and painted. Some dings in walls were also painted, as was an edge piece on the front doors and some spots on the front siding.

Also, many of the remaining working tools were removed - the leftover paint, brushes, ladders, staging, etc.  All in all, a good day, well done.  Many thanks to Brad and Joel on the carpentry and high painting side and Dennis for the rest of the painting.

Matilda Comes Home - 30 April 2012

After nearly a year and a half living in a small museum in Fall River, Matilda finally came home today.  The Firehouse fits her like a glove.  Our thanks to Philip from Corkum's Towing for bringing Matilda from Fall River.

And while I was waiting for Will and Matilda to arrive, I managed to finish painting one of the windows and do some paint touch up on the main doors.  There's no time wasted around here right now!

Hardscape - 28 April 2012

It was cold and windy, but it didn't stop the team from Heritage Landscaping and New Leaf Horticultral.  I was remiss, though.  I had intended to get them to stop for a few minutes just before left for a group photo.  It might not have been possible to get Gordon and Pamela in the picture, but at least I wanted to get Doug, Kirk, Frank, Chris and Nick to sit still for a minute for a group shot.  I missed the opportunity. To be fair, it was probably better to let them finish up and get home, so they could have some family time.

We are very pleased with the work.  It looks so great!

Driveway - 27 April 2012

The driveway is in!!!  The day began with pouring rain and so I expected that the team from Heritage Landscaping wouldn't get here at all today.  But then, the rain eased off and eventually stopped completely. Within five minutes of the rain stopping, up drove the crew in their wet weather gear all ready to continue laying the tumbled pavers.  By this afternoon the sun was out (and then in and out of the clouds).  They just kept on trucking until they were done.  And it looks great.

Meanwhile, Will has spent this week "populating" the upstairs of the Firehouse with all things fire related and collectable.  It, too, is looking great.  I know he hasn't got all of the collection out there yet and perhaps he never will, at least at one time.  Nevertheless, it looks really good. Here is just the corner representing the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF).  As the founder and first president of the CFFF, Will has a special place in his heart for this cause.

Driveway - 26 April 2012

The guys made such great progress today.  The driveway went a lot further than we expected and I think Doug and his team where pleasantly surprised by their own progress.  It looks so great.