Backsplash

When we moved into our town house in 2002 our kitchen didn't have a back splash. It just had the curved laminate and we did go to the tile store a few times to pick out tiles but we never ended up installing one. We ended up moving into our house after a few years. Our new house had a dated kitchen and the plan was to replace it eventually. We finally did so four years ago and everything was finished except the back splash. I do much of the work on our house and tiling is one item I don't enjoy doing. My main issue is that if you screw up there isn't a lot to do to fix your mistakes but replace everything. This year we replaced our fire place which also had tile around it and there was now a need to tile two things. All this back story is leading up to the fact that I finally took the plunge and started on the backsplash. Home Depot had a good tile saw for a price that made sense to buy rather than rent and after getting Kerry to finally check out tile for our new house we were ready to go.

The easy part turned out to be the initial install. I was worried it would take a long time to cut tiles but with a new saw and a new blade they cut like butter. The next hard part was trying to be neat. I've watched enough HGTV shows to know that it's important to be neat with the install or your grouting will be a pain. The first wall was a bit of a disaster but after I got the hang of it it got easier. I was also able to clean the mastic with a putty knife and a rag so I was well prepped for grouting. Grouting on a vertical surface is a bit of a pain but with tiles that were rough on the edges things didn't have to be perfect. After 17 or 18 years we finally have our first backsplash. Now on to the fireplace. 

 

First Day of School

There were a few first days of school this year. Kerry went back two weeks before the typical first day as she is a Vice Principal and has to do that now. Lots to plan for this year. There was then the first day of school for teachers which was your usual day after labour day. Carter went in two days later on the Thursday and Friday for an hour and Callie went for an hour on the Friday. The first full day of school was finally on the following Monday the 14th. This was when Callie finally allowed me to take pictures for first day of school.

Everything was so messed up we couldn't even do our traditional breakfast at Ricky's. My work and the kids first days didn't align so we ended up going on the Saturday morning. Covid at Ricky's was neat as well. We ended up with a seat in the back and were the only ones there. Carter's first day of school was at a partially new school. They finally finished adding four new classrooms to the front of the school. They managed to blend the old with the new quite nicely though the front of the school doesn't really feel like a school front as the office is halfway down the right side. Nice to get rid of the portables. 

 

Harrison Hot Springs

Covid continues. In August we took a trip to Harrison Hot Springs. Our plan was to hike around Hick's lake. In hindsight we there could have been some excitement as soon as we got there. When we arrived there were some Canada geese by the lake and Callie decided it was a good idea to take Oliver to see them. The geese were kind enough to simply stay out of his way. I'm not really sure what would have happened if the geese had decided to attack Callie. We may have had a goose or two to take home as I think Oliver would have come out on top.

The hike itself was pretty easy though it did take us a while to get to the trailhead. We knew to walk through a campground to get to it but when all we found was a forrest road we were a bit confused. Turns out about half of the hike was just an old forestry road. Carter does not like these kinds of hikes so he was less than engaged in the first half of the hike. Eventually though it did turn to roots and rocks so he was happy by the end of the hike. One day it would be great to go on a hike where everyone is happy the whole way. The camp sites we saw were very nice with private beach access. Nice place to camp.

After the hike we stopped in Harrison for lunch. Covid protocols existed but were somewhat lax. Most restaurants did have outdoor seating only but there weren't many people wearing masks. BC has done okay during Covid but I feel a big part of it is luck. I had Fish and Chips and the family had burgers and chicken fingers at another stop. We also stopped for ice cream before heading home. We did drive past a few houses to see what recreational property would look like in Harrison. It seems we've been priced out of such luxuries. Most places are either way to expensive or really not worth it due to location, condition etc. Will have to keep looking.