May 26th

Saturday would have been my Dad's 80th birthday.  I invited the family up for a get together.

The weather was very co-operative.  We played (mostly) barefoot volleyball for hours.  Everyone played at one point or another - some for a few minutes, some for hours. Here it is the girls against the boys.  Shortly afterward the volleyball exploded so we had to switch to badminton.

Since we were remembering my dad we had to have ice cream.  We had lots of store bought but we made our own too.  Lynda brought her ice cream ball.  You fill the outer ball with rock salt and lots and lots of ice and fill the inner cylinder with ice cream ingredients.  We used cream, sugar and my dad's homemade strawberry banana jam.  It was excellent!  Jenna is just about to roll the ball .

Lynda and her family stayed for 3 days since Monday is an American holiday. Us girls went horseback riding to ensure that the pain in our arms from hitting the volleyball was offset by pain in our lower bodies.

Lynda and I and the 4 "kids" went to Nancy Island.  We had all been here before but the new visitor centre opened the day before so we went in for a quick look.  If you are looking for something to do this summer come up while the reenactors are here.  This summer is the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and Wasaga Beach played a vital part in the victory.

Overview

Day 1 - 575 km.  We stopped early so we didn't have to go through Montreal at rush hour or in the dark.
Day 2 - 832 km.  An enjoyable day with a few scenic detours.
Day 3 - 327 km.  The picture below is a New Brunswick highway at rush hour.

Trip total - 1734 km.

Tori lives off residence in an older house with 3 others.  Two friends are in the middle of moving into the basement.  And all the students in town are moving out because they are leaving for the summer, finished school for good or moving onto new digs.  The streets are lined with garbage (treasure as Tori terms it).  They have scored 5 or 6 tvs, a foosball table, a mattress and miscellaneous little items.  Their quest for a working bbq was not productive.  Their living room is packed with belongings from a friend moving across the road today.  It was a little too crowded for my comfort.  And people wandering out all the time.  I am glad to be home and glad she is enjoying herself.

Below a picture of Tori and Bonnie Blue.  She has always called the vehicle that.  I hope they have many safe adventures together.

In less than 2 weeks I have had 5 houseguests on 4 different occasions.  I am so tired of making beds.  I have driven a lot more than normal - twice to the airport and to the east coast.  When I wake up in the morning my first thoughts are more jumbled than normal.  Usually it starts with "Who slept over last night? Do I need to put on my housecoat before leaving the bedroom?  Do I need to make breakfast for a crowd?"  Then it progresses to "Am I in my own bed or at a hotel?"  I am hoping for a "normal" week at work and home.  Because next weekend both of our mothers are coming!