Shed update!

The final steps of the shed-building project saw huge changes in our back yard.

We started by painting the newly completed shed (Eric and Wendy were responsible for the finish work). It turned out very well with grey as the main colour, accented by cream/white trim and a soft yellow door.

The finished project (without door hardware)

The excavator did a good job of slowing down the growth of the lawn, so we had arranged for new sod to be laid later in July. Lots of work by a crew of guys as they spread new top soil, leveled and re-graded, then laid the new grass.

Old lawn had to be ripped out

New soil

Ready for new sod

Looks so much cleaner!

After the final concrete pouring for the posts for the fence/gate, Adam put his handiness to use again to rebuild the fence to give Maddy a proper fenced back yard.

A family photo in front of (Adam's) new shed!

End of June updates

Wendy wanted to clear up the guest room to make it more functional. She found and bought a used Murphy bed (on Facebook marketplace) and we had it installed (by Adam, mostly) in our guest room.

As June came to a close, Parker received word that he got into the university and the residence of his choice and is preparing for moving to Waterloo University in September. We will likely need to guest room floor to put all his stuff in preparation for his moving out!

Adam continues with the shed project and is in preparation mode for moving to North Bay to attend Canadore College in the fall. Here he is packing up stuff in a U-Haul trailer for a short trip up to get the keys to his apartment. He and his friend Neil (also attending Canadore) are going to be roommates.

We got a hitch installed on his car for these kinds of occasions.

Parker's June 2018 achievements!

As soon as he was able to go for the final part of his graduated driver's licence, Parker took his highway driving test to get his full G licence. He passed easily!

Waiting nervously for the test to begin...

That was easy! The test instructor seemed to like his car... making for a more relaxed test for Parker.

The very next day, Parker graduated from Nora Frances Henderson secondary school, winning many awards.

Receiving an award from his favourite teach (Mr. Paridy)

Parker had to purchase his gown, hood, and hat. Not sure what he will do with it...

Parker with his proud parents.

Auntie Mel was able to attend the graduation!

He got an extra 'scarf' for his "Specialist High Skills Major" from the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.
The special program Parker took in his final year was called Justice, Community Safety & Emergency Services. 

Yup. Done!

Here are the awards that Parker received at the ceremony:

• Honour Award (80%+)
• Ontario Scholar (80%+ in grade 12 credit courses)
• Nora Frances Henderson Cooperative Education Award
• Mackesy Smye Law Award (highest grade in Canadian & International Law)
• Specialist High Skills Major Award

After heading home to take a photo and change clothes, we took Parker to a burger restaurant.

Parker chose the 32 oz vanilla milkshake as a starter!

With a little help from mom, he was able to finish the milkshake. Unfortunately, he was too full to eat his whole meal!

For more pictures and videos of the graduation, check out the Google Photos album at this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B3xU7Rs8KKfN6hmD7

If you want to see just the 3 minute video, this is the link to it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c1QJYPCQdZ8.

Cottage time!

Wendy and I went with our friends Terry and Theresa up to a rented cottage on Lake Huron for a weekend. If was supposed to be poor weather that weekend, but turned out to be beautiful. Great scenery, good food, excellent shopping, and lots of sightseeing.

The cottage had direct access to the beach.

The water was a little chilly, but the view was wonderful!

Terry, Wendy, and Theresa on a quick hike around the cottage.

Camp fire was a must do. Sparklers and S'mores were part of the fun.

A relaxing sunset.

Lighthouse near Port Elgin

Beach rocks

Here is a Google Photos Album with more photos from this weekend:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7j65miJt9LHbWSsj8

"THE" shed

Adam started building a large back yard shed with the help of some friends and eventually turned things into a whole back yard renovation. We hope to be getting sod for the whole back yard by mid-summer.

Here are a few pictures from the process.

This is the shed we are replacing - it is too difficult to get the lawnmower and snowblower up from ground level.

Wendy playing with the mini excavator

Nick and Adam mixing the cement.

Our job was to feed the boys!

Neil and Adam working on the framing.

A used window for some extra light.
The electrician came later to install power for an outlet and an interior light.

Almost done!

Here is a Google Photos Album that shows the shed project over time.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3uiD3Vbtzpy1RQHF2

New term, new classes, new office

I started teaching 2 compressed summer courses at McMaster beginning the very next morning after returning from our trip. After almost 2 years without a place to sit, I finally moved into my new office!

I added my own photos for decoration.
The globe on the table rotates on its own (solar powered). I bought it in Sausalito California.

This is the view when entering through the glass door to the office.
The photo on the wall is one I took in Hawaii.

A little bare, but all the essentials are in place. It will take some time to make it look lived in...

The new office with all the tech connected up! I use my laptop with a docking hub to turn it into a desktop.
The desk also rises to allow me to work at standing height.

In the second week of the courses, I finally had the surgery (for my prostate) that I was supposed to have in the early spring. This time it didn't get changed on me, and it didn't mess up my teaching schedule!

In the recovery room - well enough to take a selfie!