Went for my walk a couple of days ago and saw a friend of mine throwing out a lawn mower. He told me it wouldn’t start, so of to my house it went. Yesterday I checked it out. It was a no start. Took off the carb. and cleaned it. Still a no start but this time it backfired. At least I’m getting somewhere. The internet says it is the spark plug or the key is stripped. (Sad that so many are thrown out because of a one dollar key.) Try the spark plug first of course. Went to Canadian Tire but couldn’t get one. That area is now mostly Christmas decorations. Have to go somewhere else. I allready know,with my luck it will be the key or something worse.

The next problem was my wife’s vacuum cleaner. It started smoking and the whole house smelled of burnt rubber. Got that all fixed up with cleaning and a new belt. Have a bunch of belts in the shed.

My wife started sucking up the leaves but after two bags it became my job. A bag of mulched leaves is a lot more than just a bag of leaves. I sucked up eight more bags. Did about three quarters of the yard and decided to leave the rest till today. Bad plan. It poured last night and is still raining. It was supposed to have been possible showers in the afternoon.

Anyway, now you know what the other people do.

Yes, lots of wind and rain last night. Now most of the leaves are down. Has to dry up a bit before I suck them up. It is quite a bit.

Going for my 2 mile walk lately. I guess not today. Have to use the treadmill, although I am not fond of it.

My wife took my daughter to the doctor for the regular flu shot. Next week for the other one. My daughter is handicapped and prone to everything. I don’t think I am going to get any shots. Got the flu shot the last two years in a row and still got the flu. I have increased my vitamins, especially C & D. Normally I get a lot of cold sores. Two weeks ago, I got a very small one and it was gone in a day. Gave credit to vitamins which increased immunity. Made another increase at that time.

Tore my scrounged lawn mower apart the other day. Saved some parts and the rest goes to the curb tomorrow. Someone will grab it to sell the metal. That is something I definately approve of. Those guys keep a lot out of the landfill.

Went to mass last night. The priest said definately no shaking hands. In fact, no touching anyone. Take communion only in the hand and no more drinking wine. They don’t want anyone to get sick and they don’t want to get sued if someone gets sick.

Yesterday was Halloween. We had 55 kids at the door. My wife was happy about that. She likes giving out candy etc. I remember how happy I was to get goodies. Some people turn out the lights so no one will came to the door. Don’t they remember their childhood? That was the time before they grew up stingy.

Going to rain all day.                                                                     

Just made a photo of my backyard. Have the front to do too. Look like the wind carried the leaves from across the street to my lawn.

Nice day today.  Not that warm but sunny.

Had to do some work on my van. The arms on the back door had some rust, so I sanded that down and put some Tremclad on it. Next month is my safety check.  Safety checks used to be good for only 1 year,  but they changed it to 2 years. So my next one will be good for two years. It will probably be the last one for that van. It has 82,000 miles on it and is in pretty good shape. But it’s a 2000, so that makes it ten years old. One of these days I will trade it in.

My neighbour gave me a lawnmower that didn’t work. Gave it a check over. Had spark, that was good. Carb. dirty. Cleaned that.  Gave it a yank.  Big puff of smoke. That was good but the recoil almost took my finger off. That means the  pin  is broken. At least it has a good carburetor, which happens to be the same as on my snow blower. I’ll still take it apart to make sure about that pin.

Waiting for a neighbour to call so I can pick up her husband from the hospital. He went in a week ago. He doesn’t look all that good. I don’t want to get to involved with something in case I have to leave. If I went for my walk, she would call while I was away.

Back from the hospital. Says he doesn’t feel good. Lots of perscriptions to get filled.

Went to mass this evening. Nothing to watch on tv. All repeats.

And so it is the next day. Same weather as yesterday.

This morning was errand time with my wife. That included a trip to The Dollar Store. It always costs me a lot more than a dollar to get out of there. But in the long run, I probably saved money.

This afternoon I sanded the filler I put in the van. Have to get some primer. The one I had didn’t work. Too old I guess. When I was near the tire, I noticed what looked like paint lifting under the lip. When I looked closer, it looked like a lot of paint lifting. So I guess I’m not finished. First I’ll finish what I am doing. At least the piece of paint will help me get a color match when I go to the store.

Tomorrow it is supposed to rain. Oh well.

Spent part of the day adding old magazine ads to my store.  http://www.originalmagazineads.com/wordpress/

It would seem that I haven’t posted for a long time.  After my last post, I had visitors for a week.  After that its hard to get back to my routine.  One project was to add on to my shed.  So I finished that and it looks pretty good. Still have to paint the trim and the door. That’s all I have to paint, thanks to siding. Another project was to learn how to repair a gas lawnmower. Done that, so now my snowblower works good.

Today it is kind of chilly but the sun is shining.  Been working on my van lately. Rust around the botton made a few holes.  I sanded it down and painted it with Tremclad. Have to pick up some body filler.

My son and I were away a few weeks ago. First we went to Portland Maine for a night (my son had to get his motel points validated). Then it was through Quebec into Ontario. Stayed with friends in Trenton for a couple of days and Ottawa for a day. Went to Quebec City for a day and stayed at the Chateau Frontenac. One thing about my son, he always stays at the best hotels. Walked around the old city that evening and the next day drove home.

Well, this is a start.

Author: Shannon Roxborough

If you’re budget-minded, don’t mind a bit of cold weather (or are seeking the perfect warm-weather retreat), love seafood, and have a historic mindset, then Nova Scotia is the place for you. 

During the late 19th-century, Nova Scotia beckoned a select group of wealthy families, who traveled by train and steamer to their grand seaside Victorian “cottages” from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other industrial hotbeds. 

Little has changed in 100 years at this summer colony in the North Atlantic: The atmosphere is still somewhat staid, unhurried and family-oriented. The pristine coast is uncrowded and less developed than anywhere in North America; the real estate still costs just a fraction of that in the United States and Europe. 

Nova Scotia, located on Canada’s Atlantic coast east of Maine, is shaped like a lobster with its claws grasping toward the remote province of Newfoundland and its tail pointing in the direction of New York and Boston. Latin for “New Scotland,” Nova Scotia is named for its resemblance to the homeland of some its first European settlers. The Scottish print on this land is large, but so is that of the Irish, French and the British—with each culture having left its mark.

About half the size of New York State with a population just under a million, Nova Scotia boasts 3,600-miles of craggy shoreline sprinkled with scenic fishing villages and quaint small towns. Long a destination for vacationers and retirees from throughout Canada, in recent years, the once sleepy region has been attracting American and European transplants with its seductive beauty, rich history, slow pace, proximity to the United States and, of course, affordable real estate. 

Perhaps nowhere in Nova Scotia is the official label “Canada’s Ocean Playground” more pronounced than on the South Shore. In the heart of this region along Nova Scotia’s picturesque Lighthouse Route lies White Point Estates, a charming oceanside residential community developed amid White Point Beach Resort & Country Club—once a private lodge for well-heeled outdoorsmen. On prime oceanfront fringed by white sand beaches, lush woodlands and a flowing river, White Point, is a microcosm of the best of Nova Scotia. With its laid-back historic ambience and hypnotic water views, the new seaside enclave seems almost too good to be true.

In the midst of a sprawling 159-room resort with lodges and private cottages and a 9-hole CPGA-rated golf course to boot, White Point offers a variety of lots to build on. They range from 3/4 of an acre to roughly 2 acres and are priced starting at $45,000. Building lot choices offer something for everyone; including gently-sloping wooded spreads and stunning oceanfront (and waterview) sites. Here, in-the-know expatriates and Canadians are buying lots to build vacation and full-time residences in an area where they will rub elbows with cosmopolitan transplants, tourists, seafarers and locals. So far, a handful of lots have been sold, but given their prices and the accompanying amenities, including a a host of services and recreational opportunities, they are sure to go fast. And, White Point will work with you through every step of the home-building process. 

Sales of vacation and future retirement properties in places like White Point Estates are booming, real estate specialists say. Cost-conscious and city-weary arrivals from afar increasingly seek respite and new starts in Nova Scotia. No wonder the maritime province is increasingly lighting up the radar screens of those searching for an affordable alternative to traditional vacation, second home and retirement retreats, where rising home prices have left many priced-out of the market.

Since the media—including the likes of Consumer Reports, International Living and CNN—have begun to rate Nova Scotia among the world’s best places to vacation, live and retire, property costs have risen as much as 50% annually in some areas of the province. Yet despite the price increases, property here remains a fraction of what one would pay for similar real estate back home. And with enticements like some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, a relatively temperate climate (winters are milder than the northern U.S.), and a low profile, stress-free lifestyle far from the rat race, wars and terrorism, it’s easy to see why life looks so good under the Maple Leaf.

For details about White Point Estates, visit www.whitepointestates.com or contact Doug Fawthrop at 902-354-2711, ext. 370 (toll-free 800-613-2171), e-mail: doug@whitepoint.com.

Getting There

Nova Scotia is close enough to the U.S. and Europe that you won’t get jet lag getting there. The capital Halifax is a 2-hour flight from New York; 6 hours from London. Portland, Maine, from which the 5.5-hour ferry departs to Nova Scotia, is about a 90-minute drive from Boston. For ferry information, visit: www.catferry.com.

Where to Stay

White Point Estates offers a Site Inspection Package (couples for $159 weekdays; $199 weekends), allowing prospective buyers to visit for two nights at White Point Beach Resort while exploring all that the community has to offer. To reserve a tour, call 1-800-613-2171.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/affordable-living-and-retirement-in-nova-scotia-canada-116501.html

Nice weather the last couple of days but now it back to this year’s normal.  Showers today.

My neighbour Jerry was taken away by ambulance the other day.  So I went to visit him yesterday and he looked in pretty bad shape.  He looks worse now than the day before he went to the hospitel.  Anyway, they don’t know what’s wrong with him.  He has trouble speaking and his legs are all covered with large and small red splotches or spots.

His wife told me what his room number was so I went into the room, my wife behind me.  I noticed right away- wrong room.  This one had a little old lady with white hair.  She had a terrible cough.  So we turned around and met a nurse at the door.  She said that we had to put on a mask and gown to go into this room.  Told her who we were looking  for and she said that he was moved next door.  And that was where we found him.

 Later that evening, Jerry’s wife came over.  She was a nurse who just retired last Jan.  She worked on the same floor where her husband is now.  So she knows everyone there and the whole routine.  Told her about the room next door.  And what she tell me?  The woman in that room has swine flu.  Isn’t that just great?  You never know, do you?  You try and be careful, then smuck.  I don’t think anything will come of it but time will tell.

And that was more excitement than I needed for the day.

And so it was.  The first job this morning was to finish putting down the boards on the patio.  After that it was painting the second coat on the front door trim.  Did three windows on the front while I was at it.  After that it was to the hardware store for 2″ x 4″ x 20.  Stored them in the back yard.

After dinner it was to the hospital for my daughter’s dental.  Out at 1:00  and back at 4:00.  After supper it was back to my shed.  Did some planning and measuring.  I think I know what I want.  While I was doing that, my wife and son were busy painting the patio. That took them awhile. 

Now I am going to work on two blogs.  http://foobarngrill.com/putternews/   and   http://moneytomake.net/gpsnews/

Yes, the sun has arrived and I think it will be here for three days. Have to take what you can get.  I cut the grass on Sat.  Not that it was sunny.  It just wasn’t raining.

The first thing I did today was go to the post office.  Had to mail an ad I sold off my site  http://www.originalmagazineads.com/wordpress/  And off to Texas it went. 

My wife is going to paint the patio but first I have to replace some boards.  So she puled up five. I’ll let those spots dry out and put the new boards in tomorrow.  After that I painted around the new front door.  The siding frame etc.  There was a strip of new bare wood there, so I will have to put a second coat on that tomorrow.

After that I decided to get a start on the lean-to for the shed.  I have the bottom done and the floor in.  And I sure used muscles I haven’t used for awhile.  Didn’t buy too much wood though.  Had stuff laying around that I wanted to use up.

Tomorrow after dinner, I have to take my daughter to the dentist.  She can’t talk, so my wife has to guess when something is wrong.  We have to take her to the Children’s Hospital because that is where her dentist hangs out.  He used to be in the air force, stationed in Germany when I was there.  Before we were married, my wife used to work for a General.  And that is how she knows the dentist.  Years ago he met her again at the hospital.  And since then my daughter has been his patient.  I consider myself very fortunate because he doesn’t have an outside practice.  He does some teaching at the university.  And my daughter is twenty years past the age for that hospital.

So I will probably be coming home during rush hour.  My daughter doesn’t mind the dentist.  She thinks its great just to go for a drive, no matter where it is.

I’m sure everyone has seen this video.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo     Having worked for secutity at the airport, watching everyone on camera , this is something I can vouch for.  When unloading the luggage to put on the belt, they would bounce it off the back wall and then it would fall to the belt.

And that’s a day in my world.

“Rain at times heavy”.  Well for last night they meant it.  Woke me up at times.  I wouldn’t have to look out the window in the morning to see if the road is wet.

Spent most of the day working on my wordpress.  Anyway its finished  now.

Heard about this criminal they captured in the area.  His list of charges are the largest given out in this area.  Actually this is the first time he may go to jail.  I think he just turned twenty-one or so.  He’s been on a ten year spree and of course nothing or very little happened because he was under age.  And that is the fault of those stupid judges and lawmakers for letting those kids get away with everything.  And those extra stupid phycologists who come up with those ideas.  When are these dummies going to wake up?

Here’s a sobering thought.  ”Teen is swine flu’s first victim in London as ministers warn 40 a day could die by end of summer”.  The UK is projecting more than 100,000 new cases of H1N1 a day by the end of the summer. And it is not even flu season yet.  I read the other day that I will have to get three needles this fall.

That’s it. A nothing day.