May 20, 2010

View of the day-what we woke up to in Bismarck, ND on our way back from Grand Island.

Well, a lot has happened since our last update and since we are leaving tomorrow Al thought it would be a good time to get updated. There have been a lot of comments from some of the regulars that the blog has not been updated since we got back home. Marilyn was busy with the dinner/dessert theatre on the weekend, then another week of work at Staples and their big inventory the following weekend. All the while trying to get some packing done, while Al got the truck and trailers serviced and cleaned up for the trip south.

Our trip back from Grand Island was uneventful until we got close to Bismarck ND. It was about 11:00 PM and it was snowing...keep in mind this was May 6th, so it isn't supposed to be snowing, but sometimes it can...and did. Fortunately the gound was warm enough that even with the 6 or so inches that fell, the highways were pretty much cleared off by the morning.

There are lots of things to get done before we can leave and one of them was to get a pick up header for the new combine. Al managed to locate one from a Case IH dealer in Brandon, Manitoba...it took some talking to get them to sell the header, in fact the combine was already sold. He left for Brandon Monday to get it and after he picked it up, drove to Carlyle to park it, because we will need it their first in the upcoming season. Sorry no pics of it...you know Al being technically challenged and all.

The next order of business was loading the shop trailer in the back of the General it went relatively well...only one broken ramp and we still got into the box okay. As we left the ramp at the CaseIH dealer where we loaded, we drove past our old 2588 combine as it sat in the lineup waiting for it's new owner...kind of sad...

Al had lunch with his boss from H&R Block today and on the way back called the local radio station (CJGX...940 on your dial). It was the request show and Al requested "International Harvester" so he could get in the swing for the upcoming road trip to start the harvest run. Danny the "DJ" was very accommodating and played it. He also is a very loyal blog follower so...thank you for giving us a plug on your show and we hope you will continue enjoying the blog.

Meanwhile, Marilyn keeps on packing the camper. Al think she takes so much stuff along that the camper seems full, then she gets to start the conversation about how we need a bigger camper. The load has been severely cut compared to previous years...what with Al's rule about "if it doesn't get used, it doesn't come next year". Among other things, Al likes to complain about the two sewing machines that she drags along every year, but every year they get used. If not for patching, then to fabricate some fabulous warning flags for the trailers and trucks. This year she has to justify three machines because she is bringing her swanky new four head Janome embroidery machine that she got for Christmas. No problem...it will get used.

Marilyn also went into town this evening to have coffee with one of her theatre friends to say goodbye until the fall...and enjoy her last cup of Tim Hortons coffee before coming back home to finish packing.

Tomorrow AIS(a$$ in seat) time is 11:00 am...