Citified

Citified ... that's what me & AD were this morning ... Citified.  Got brave and headed in to the city with Philoberto.  I really needed to provision as the cupboards were bare and the fridge was mostly empty.  This is a lovely campground and they do have a small store but they've stopped supplying it for the season so pickings have been slim!

Anyways (I hate when people say that so I'm not sure why I just did) ... we traveled to the city this morning; dropped Philoberto off at the office @9:00AM  and had 1.5 hours to provision before we had to pick him up again for a settlement meeting.  I had 5 stores to stop at and 3 of those did not open until 10:00AM, bummer!  Picked up a few things at the pet store then discovered a NEW COOL STORE!

I don't think I've told you about the original COOL STORE.  They are uuber cool grocery stores; they are huge, and they have very unusual produce, never-before-heard-of meats, and just about everything (except the American item that I may be searching for that day).  The produce section is about 1/2 the size of our entire neighborhood King Soopers.  Same with the meat counter ... it's CRAZY HUGE!  They also charge 5 cents per plastic bag for your groceries; and you need a quarter to release the shopping cart (like at the airport) and you get the quarter back if you return the cart.  Sometimes they have Chee Chas (my latest obsession which is gluten free, cholesterol free, dairy free, and trans fat free).  Trust me, they are great ... I'll try to stock up and smuggle them across the boarder.

Soooooo ... the new COOL STORE was very similar to the original COOL STORE; not quite as large but it had additional things inside, like a Dry Cleaners, bank, and I can't remember what else.  I was stressed about time (my boss is a task-master) so I did my business and moved over to Costco when they opened at 10:00AM.

Cool tree, eh?

Then we hit the road for Philoberto's settlement meeting with the good ER Doctor.  AD and I waited outside and I noticed this really cool tree beside the truck.  Loved the trunk and it provided much great shade!

If you can see this fruit and you know what it is, please tell me!

This 5th wheel moved in next to us a couple of days ago.  From what I can tell, a family of four is living here.  It's better than being homeless I guess.

Smallest 5th Wheel EVER!

Trent left us smoking chips ... he's a good dude!

This afternoon we looked into renting a small car so Philoberto could drive that and I would have wheels during the week.  Man O Man the prices are crazy expensive so guess that's not gonna happen.

The Canadians are also celebrating Labour Day (many things Canadian are spelled with an additional "u") this weekend so I expect the campground to fill up tomorrow morning.  Her highness wants to go outside so I'll catch ya on the flip side.

Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!

Sad Sack

I've been abandoned ... feeling sorry for myself as Philoberto goes to the office daily and Trent and Amanda left the storm yesterday.  So, my entertainment is taking pics ... here you go!

Philoberto enjoying the lights.

View of our campsite from the road.  Nice flag, eh?

View from the other direction.  Is it me or does one of the trees seem to move?

These next photos were all taken one afternoon.  It's a dog's life, eh?

Nap in the bed.

Nap in the neighbor's chair.

Nap in different chair.

Nap in neighbor's other chair.

Until later,

Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!

Mr. Philoberto

Mr. Philoberto es muy importante (google translate if you must).  Seems he has transitioned from field adjuster to inside complaint call taker (in addition to finishing up his field claims).  Mr. Philoberto is awesome ... he can do it all!  The "call center" isn't really set up for this so everyone is figuring it out as they go along.  Not even sure of the hours yet or how long this will continue ... so as before, we'll let y'all know when we know something.

Adjuster Dog and I hang out in the RV park during the day.  The weather is beautiful and I'm very grateful for that.  We're outside most of the day and AD (the other one, not me) finds herself in trouble constantly.  Seems she can NOT resist barking at the other campers (and their dogs).  Getting to the point where we're considering a bark collar but we don't want to give the Canadians our dollars if we don't have to.

Beautiful sunset driving home last night.  

We met more friends while camping here.  They're in a witness protection program so I can't name names, but the un-named female prepared a wonderful knock your socks off Italian dinner one night!  They have departed the storm and the country for greener pastures but we intend to stay in touch.

Happy Campers Courtesy of Mrs. No Name!

I have no idea other than AD was too exhausted to play with her ducted duck.  We actually call it the duct duck.  It doesn't care, it's not alive.  Her Highness has destroyed all of her toys so we ducted this one ... didn't work, she's attacking the duct now.  Poor duct duck.

Soooooooooo , trying to avoid some very strange neighbor kids.  They haven't been here long but there are indeed strange.  It appears to be safe outside so I'm off.  Until later ....

Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!

Introducing Her Highness

Blurry picture cuz I didn't have glasses on when I snapped it ... didn't know twas blurry until now!

As I hopped out of the shower this morning I spotted Her Highness on my pillow.  This never, EVER happens.  Then I thought about it.  She looked so comfortable and natural.  The light bulb came on ... she is there every time we leave her alone or when she thinks we can't see her.  Her Highness is very tricky, yes indeed.

Philoberto popped into the office this morning and learned that we're NOT fired yet!  This is good news as far as we're concerned.  I'm guessing we'll be here another week but things change daily.

Anne Davey (aka AD) happy beside her new Dogwood tree!  Dang she needs a hair cut badly!  I also just noticed doggy poo in blue bag in the background.

These are the guns THAT ARE NOT WITH US!  Mosberg, upper right was confiscated at the border!

Does anyone have/use a Garmin?  We had to get one when we arrived in CA because we can't navigate using Verizon.  It works great ... we both love it ... but it doesn't see the lower 49 states.  Deciphered ... must purchase lower 49 for $$$ so we can use it back home.  Phil says it's a Canadian conspiracy ... I say it's a Garmin thing.  Soooo, (they say that a lot here), we'll purchase whatever so we can use it in the good old US of A!

I'm thinking that's about it for now, so until later ....

Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!

Wonderful Weekend!

Bizarre!  Trying to figure out where to start.  We took Saturday off to travel to Buffalo, NY for lunch.  Thought it was high time that we landed in NY for the first time and it was memorable for sure!

Mission Accomplished:  The place where buffalo wings were invented!

Philberto in front of the Anchor Bar; birthplace of Buffalo Wings!

Unfortunately, traffic getting there was ridiculous ... 3.5 hours to go what should have been 1.5 hours.  Not a good start, but we easily made it into the USA and felt good about that.  Happened upon a 4PM Mass at St. Louis Church (184 years old) so we checked that out.  It was beautiful and HUGE; I only took a picture of the pipe organ.  The church looked more like it was once a Cathedral but I can't find anything indicating that it was.

As usual, we had drama trying to get back in to Canada.  No weapons involved this time, just alcohol.  After over one hour, we left paying duty & taxes because they decided that we are residents of Canada (since we're here on a work visa) and they slapped us with $52.00 upcharge/taxes.  This place is BIZARRE!  We're ready to head South in order to stop the madness but we haven't been issued our walking papers yet.

This is a view from our back yard.  AD and I hung out there today whilst Philoberto batted traffic.  I really don't have a roll in "settlements" so sometimes its better to stay home.  In honor of that, AD received a much needed bath.  She was not trilled but mission accomplished.

 

 

Another bizarre thing happened; we went to have Chinese food with our friends on Friday night; that was cool.  When we got home, my laptop was displaying everything upside down.  We assumed it was a virus and spent mucho time with it Saturday AM only to discover that her highness had danced on the keyboard while we were gone and changed EVERYTHING AROUND!

She changed the background; everything was upside down and reversed.  I suggested that we hire Trent to come over; seems he's dyslexic!  Fortunately, Google answered our questions and the laptop is now back to normal!

This here is a picture of our latest acquisition for the unit ... it's a Dogwood Tree.  Beautimus if I do say so myself!  Mandy and I both got one from Costco; I wonder if my Thornton Costco has these?  If they do, don't tell me cuz no doubt it's cheaper in the good ole USA (13% tax is ridiculous here but they have to pay for free health care somehow, eh?).

 

More to come ... need to grill some pork for dinner.  Adios ya'll.

Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!

Friday Update

It's Friday morning ... we're still here in Milton, ON ... still no idea how much longer we'll be here.  Very strange but very grateful for the work!  We hope to eat out in a local Chinese restaurant this evening; a real treat since most of us don't eat out often!

Last weekend we worked outside so I'll share a photo of Adjuster Dog and Philoberto hard at work.  Note the stupid picnic table cover; I have two REALLY COOL covers at home, they'll be along on the next outing for sure!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of popping into an upscale mall in between appointments.  We always look for underground parking so AD is nice and cool.  This parking garage was by far the fanciest we have ever seen; the entrance and exit even had electric garage doors.  The floors were clean enough to eat off, but we resisted the temptation.

Red and green lights above each spot indicate whether it is occupied or vacant.

Anne teaching the Brits how to make Smores.

Still try to have evening campfires here; but the wood MUST BE PURCHASED ON LOCATION and costs $7.50 per bundle.  We "accidentally" brought free wood in one day and got in trouble.  Shucks.  Even Adjuster Dog helps gather kindling each day.

Old pic of AD fetching firewood cuz I keep losing the new one, dammit!

AD is too tired to move into the bed!

Look how long she is!

Welp, that's all I got.  Will continue to update ya'll; so until later.

Peace & Love & Pray for storms!

Evening Shenanigans

Still here ... still don't know how long we'll be here ... really enjoying our time now cuz it's not as stressful as it was early on in the storm.  Still driving many miles each day meeting with insureds, trying to settle claims. 



Adjuster Dog lays her head on my laptop whilst we roll down the road.

In the evening we mingle with friends in the campground; always BIG laughs!

Adjuster Dog on the phone; ACTUALLY A PHONE BOOTH IN THE CAMPGROUND!

Since Sadie was on the phone we ALL decided to join her in the momentous event!  Trent, Anne, Phil and Amanada and of course Adjuster Dog herself.

Adjuster Dog posing with "My Trent".  That's what she calls him, "My Trent".

 

 

Lovely sunset walking back to the unit.

 

Same night ... additional colors!

 

Oh, this is cool.  This morning we went to 10:00AM Mass at Holy Rosary in Milton, ON.  We'd been to several 5:00PM Masses and those Masses were always packed!  Not so at the 10:00AM and we were also treated to one dozen hearing impaired folks signing (not singing, "signing") the Mass and hymns.  It was really cool to see those hands all flying around in unison to the music and prayers.

We're taking a "paper day" today and working from home.  Enjoying the beautiful weather; moved the laptops outside so Adjuster Dog can explore.  Oops, my battery is about out so until later ....

Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!

Picture Day

Hello Everyone!  We're still alive ... still don't know how much longer we'll be here ... just working day to day.  We really don't have cool stuff to talk about cuz all we do is drive around in CRAZY traffic trying to settle claims with insureds.  Therefore, I'll share some pics from the past 3-4 weeks here.

Very cool pic of the palm tree posing with Lefty and Poncho

The 4 campers enjoying the nice evenings

What does the sign on the bottom mean?

Too cute!

What is it?

Cool way to get around the city!

Adjuster Dog found a ball in the back seat.  It kept her occupied while Philoberto settled claims.

Stupid daily traffic ... takes FOREVER to get anyplace!

Dang it!  I also have some cool pics of Adjuster Dog hauling around a BIG stick but I can't get it uploaded.  So, hope you enjoyed the pics. We're off doing paperwork.  

Until later, Peace & Love & Pray for Storms!