I can actually picture Elmer riding that! I must find one!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
A Riding Lawnmower for Our Anniversary?
My sister is here from Portland. She sent me an email a few days back as she had found something to help us out on the property and wanted the family to go in on it with her. How thoughtful...
I can actually picture Elmer riding that! I must find one!
I can actually picture Elmer riding that! I must find one!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Coon Huntin'...
I woke up suddenly to the sound of "somthin' gettin' a chicken". I layed there listening, hoping I wouldn't hear it again and could go back to sleep. "BAAAAWWWWK"! Nope, there's deffinately something out there killing one of the chickens. Aw crap.
I run to the closet to grab a flashlight. The first 3 I tried didn't have batteries, the next two had batteries but they were evidently dead, finally I find one that works. We have a lot of flashlights - that don't work. I look at the clock and it's 1:47.
I grabbed a flashlight, turned on the light on the back porch and went running outside. Just as quickly, I turned around and ran back inside when I realized I didn't have my pants on and was out in the backyard for all to see (ok, any moron that might be awake) in my t-shirt and underwear. I throw my pants on and sneak outside. I say sneak, because as I'm heading out, I remember that the last time something was in killing chickens it was a skunk.
So, I sneak outside, carefully, with the kids nurseyrhme "Skunk in the henhouse, Pee Yew. Who's gonna catch him, not you!" running through my mind. I sneak carefully up to the chicken pen and shine my flashlight all around hoping to hell I'm not going to see a skunk. My flashlight finally settles on a pair of beady eyes - raccoon!
I throw a couple of rocks. He doesn't move, just stares at me. I try several voice variations of "GIT!" but he doesn't move. Well crap, nothing good is going to come of this. So, I tried reasoning with him. "Look buddy, just haul your bee-hind out of here and things will be fine. PLEASE don't make me go get Elmer." He just stares back at me. Fine, I have no choice.
Suddenly Elmer Jr. opens the window. "What's going on?"
"Go get dad, there's a raccoon in with the chickens and I can't get him out." Stupid raccoon, you've got one more chance to run like the wind before Elmer gets down here...
Elmer comes out the back door and I explain the situation, hand him the flashlight and head back into the house. Elmer and Jr. can take it from here.
After about 5 minutes of trying to get the coon out of the chicken coop, Elmer comes in looking for his keys so he can get his pistol out of the truck (yes, he has a concealed weapon permit). He finally finds the keys, loads the gun and as he's walking out the door. I mention he might try a little longer to get it out alive and he replies "I've had it, he killed our best layer so I'm gonna shoot the bastard". It's now after 2 am so I tell him to only shoot twice or we'll have the neighbors calling the police. After about 5 minutes I finally hear a loud pop. Shit I hope it didn't wake up the neighbors! Elmer Jr. comes running into the house and proclaims that the first shot didn't do it and wants to know how loud the first shot sounded. Crap. A minute later I hear a second shot. Elmer walks into the house and I asked if that did it. Nope. He walks into the garage and through the house carrying a big hammer. A minute later it's over.
I think the other chickens are suffering from PTSD and the henhouse has the smell of death. I doubt we'll be getting any eggs for a while. Damn it, I tried to save your life little buddy...
I run to the closet to grab a flashlight. The first 3 I tried didn't have batteries, the next two had batteries but they were evidently dead, finally I find one that works. We have a lot of flashlights - that don't work. I look at the clock and it's 1:47.
I grabbed a flashlight, turned on the light on the back porch and went running outside. Just as quickly, I turned around and ran back inside when I realized I didn't have my pants on and was out in the backyard for all to see (ok, any moron that might be awake) in my t-shirt and underwear. I throw my pants on and sneak outside. I say sneak, because as I'm heading out, I remember that the last time something was in killing chickens it was a skunk.
So, I sneak outside, carefully, with the kids nurseyrhme "Skunk in the henhouse, Pee Yew. Who's gonna catch him, not you!" running through my mind. I sneak carefully up to the chicken pen and shine my flashlight all around hoping to hell I'm not going to see a skunk. My flashlight finally settles on a pair of beady eyes - raccoon!
I throw a couple of rocks. He doesn't move, just stares at me. I try several voice variations of "GIT!" but he doesn't move. Well crap, nothing good is going to come of this. So, I tried reasoning with him. "Look buddy, just haul your bee-hind out of here and things will be fine. PLEASE don't make me go get Elmer." He just stares back at me. Fine, I have no choice.
Suddenly Elmer Jr. opens the window. "What's going on?"
"Go get dad, there's a raccoon in with the chickens and I can't get him out." Stupid raccoon, you've got one more chance to run like the wind before Elmer gets down here...
Elmer comes out the back door and I explain the situation, hand him the flashlight and head back into the house. Elmer and Jr. can take it from here.
After about 5 minutes of trying to get the coon out of the chicken coop, Elmer comes in looking for his keys so he can get his pistol out of the truck (yes, he has a concealed weapon permit). He finally finds the keys, loads the gun and as he's walking out the door. I mention he might try a little longer to get it out alive and he replies "I've had it, he killed our best layer so I'm gonna shoot the bastard". It's now after 2 am so I tell him to only shoot twice or we'll have the neighbors calling the police. After about 5 minutes I finally hear a loud pop. Shit I hope it didn't wake up the neighbors! Elmer Jr. comes running into the house and proclaims that the first shot didn't do it and wants to know how loud the first shot sounded. Crap. A minute later I hear a second shot. Elmer walks into the house and I asked if that did it. Nope. He walks into the garage and through the house carrying a big hammer. A minute later it's over.
I think the other chickens are suffering from PTSD and the henhouse has the smell of death. I doubt we'll be getting any eggs for a while. Damn it, I tried to save your life little buddy...
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
A Stone House...
Life can sure be interesting sometimes. About a week ago, I got a friend request on Facebook from a gal that worked at Fish and Game the same time I did. I worked at the Regional Office and she worked at Headquarters. She retired from there not too long ago.
She told me that my brother had just "married" her daughter and now son-in-law a few weeks ago. The day after we became friends on Fb, she made a post about a book they had written. "How to build a low-cost house of stone". So, I sent her a message and told her how we had just purchased property and asked her about their stone house. She sent me a copy of her book and I got it in the mail today!
They had moved from Arizona and wanted a simpler life where they could be close to hunting and fishing so they found 2 acres near the tiny town of Sweet. Taking a summer and the manpower of their two young daughters and themselves, they built their home in 1973 for $2,090. No, I didn't leave out a zero - $2,000. The rocks were all free - they picked them themselves, and basically the only tools they used were an electric cement mixer, shovels, and trowels. It's a 3 bedroom home, single story and they even had a great time doing it. I'm already halfway through the book. It's super easy to read, lots of pictures and tips, and so easy to understand.
Stone homes seem to last for many, many years. Wouldn't it be something to spend next summer doing something like this? The picture below is as close to their house as I could find, but, their roof is better and they have lots of windows!
She told me that my brother had just "married" her daughter and now son-in-law a few weeks ago. The day after we became friends on Fb, she made a post about a book they had written. "How to build a low-cost house of stone". So, I sent her a message and told her how we had just purchased property and asked her about their stone house. She sent me a copy of her book and I got it in the mail today!
They had moved from Arizona and wanted a simpler life where they could be close to hunting and fishing so they found 2 acres near the tiny town of Sweet. Taking a summer and the manpower of their two young daughters and themselves, they built their home in 1973 for $2,090. No, I didn't leave out a zero - $2,000. The rocks were all free - they picked them themselves, and basically the only tools they used were an electric cement mixer, shovels, and trowels. It's a 3 bedroom home, single story and they even had a great time doing it. I'm already halfway through the book. It's super easy to read, lots of pictures and tips, and so easy to understand.
Stone homes seem to last for many, many years. Wouldn't it be something to spend next summer doing something like this? The picture below is as close to their house as I could find, but, their roof is better and they have lots of windows!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Need Tractor, Will Travel...
Elmer has a birthday coming up and I would love to find him a little tractor that he can use on the farm. While it will probably be next summer before we can move onto the property, there's a lot of work he could be doing there on weekends - and if you know Elmer, he'd be up there every minute if he had something to work with. As it is, there's not a night that goes by where he doesn't ask me "Do you want to go up to the property?" So, when we go, we park on the driveway and he stands there telling me all the things he wants to get done, asks me where we should put the house and barn, and gives me a big hug and tells me how excited he is about owning our dream. It's really very cute. Don't tell him I said that though...
So, I've been searching for a tractor with a bucket. Something small since it's not a lot of property. Something like this would be perfect...
because we want to do rock work including a smaller version of this...
Isn't that awesome!
I wonder if we'll end up with something more like this...
If you know of someone with a good used tractor, let me know!
So, I've been searching for a tractor with a bucket. Something small since it's not a lot of property. Something like this would be perfect...
because we want to do rock work including a smaller version of this...
Isn't that awesome!
I wonder if we'll end up with something more like this...
If you know of someone with a good used tractor, let me know!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Today, I Put Up My Blue Star Flag...
The Blue Star Flag first appeared in 1917, when an Army captain who had two sons serving on the front line designed it as a tribute to their dedication and service. The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service. Today, families who have a loved one serving in the military display a blue star flag in the inside front window of their homes to show the family’s pride in their loved one who is serving and to remind others that preserving America’s freedom demands much.
Thanks to all the members of the 116th and all those serving in our military. Come home safe...
Off to Iraq...
Tomorrow our son leaves for a few weeks of training in Mississippi then off to Iraq. I'm not so much worried, but rather sad. Sad to see him leaving his wife and two girls, Grace at 7 and newborn Halia.
Mom and I spent some time talking yesterday about how wars have changed over the years. When dad was in Korea, it took weeks for letters to get back and forth. No phone calls, no email.
Now, thankfully, our soldiers have options such as Skype, Facebook, and email. We plan to use them all to keep in touch with Jake, but I know that he'll also appreciate the old fashioned letters we'll send that he can receive during mail call.
We love you son and we're so proud of all that you have become. Know that we'll miss you but we'll do all we can to help Heather, Grace and Halia get through the next year while you're gone.
Until you come home, we're going to miss your wonderful hugs...
Mom and I spent some time talking yesterday about how wars have changed over the years. When dad was in Korea, it took weeks for letters to get back and forth. No phone calls, no email.
Now, thankfully, our soldiers have options such as Skype, Facebook, and email. We plan to use them all to keep in touch with Jake, but I know that he'll also appreciate the old fashioned letters we'll send that he can receive during mail call.
We love you son and we're so proud of all that you have become. Know that we'll miss you but we'll do all we can to help Heather, Grace and Halia get through the next year while you're gone.
Until you come home, we're going to miss your wonderful hugs...
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
To All My Friends and Family With Blogs...
What is going on?????
Sweet Potato Pie - no post since 9/2
Hooty Hoot - haven't heard from you since 8/23
Obsure Photo Haiku and Peanut Gallery - I'd like to see more from you
Jaci Dawn and All I'm Saying - I can always count on you two!
Way Down in Mayberry, City of Compton and Boise Comma Idaho - I've given up on you.
Come on people! It takes 10 minutes!
Sigh.
Sweet Potato Pie - no post since 9/2
Hooty Hoot - haven't heard from you since 8/23
Obsure Photo Haiku and Peanut Gallery - I'd like to see more from you
Jaci Dawn and All I'm Saying - I can always count on you two!
Way Down in Mayberry, City of Compton and Boise Comma Idaho - I've given up on you.
Come on people! It takes 10 minutes!
Sigh.
Monday, September 13, 2010
The Little 3-Room School House...
About a year ago, I wrote a post about going home again when I took a much needed road trip to Garden Valley. It's a place I have such wonderful memories of. Where I went to grade school was a tiny little building with first and second grade in one room, third and fourth in another, and fifth and sixth grade in the last room. They built a new school in Garden Valley this year, and I started wondering, "what will happen to the wonderful little 3-room school house I loved so much?" Maybe it doesn't look like much to you but the memories I have of my childhood there are so special.
I remember meeting Kathy Coulter on the first day of school, who would be my dearest friend to this very day, Larry Stoops putting a dead wasp on my seat and getting stung, I remember learning how to do the 2-step with Richard Rane on days when it was too rainy or cold to go outside and play, getting a splinter in my butt from the old teeter totter - which, by the way, didn't come out until I was an adult! Spending spring days picking buttercups, Gerald Logue giving me 10 candy bars when he drew my name for Christmas because we could spend $1 on the person we drew and he thought I needed to fatten up, and Alan Ward running up to me and giving me my first kiss then running away.
You know me, once we purchased the 13 acres up the road, my first thought was, "if they're going to tear down or sell my little school house, I want it." So, I've made some calls and found out that indeed, they are going to sell it. They don't know when yet, but I've found the person that will find out for me.
Wouldn't it be something if we could get the little building and move it to our property? I can't even imagine how wonderful that would be. I'm not going to get my hopes up but I'm definitely going to see if it's a possibility. Wouldn't it be something to be able to live in my little 3-room schoolhouse...
I remember meeting Kathy Coulter on the first day of school, who would be my dearest friend to this very day, Larry Stoops putting a dead wasp on my seat and getting stung, I remember learning how to do the 2-step with Richard Rane on days when it was too rainy or cold to go outside and play, getting a splinter in my butt from the old teeter totter - which, by the way, didn't come out until I was an adult! Spending spring days picking buttercups, Gerald Logue giving me 10 candy bars when he drew my name for Christmas because we could spend $1 on the person we drew and he thought I needed to fatten up, and Alan Ward running up to me and giving me my first kiss then running away.
You know me, once we purchased the 13 acres up the road, my first thought was, "if they're going to tear down or sell my little school house, I want it." So, I've made some calls and found out that indeed, they are going to sell it. They don't know when yet, but I've found the person that will find out for me.
Wouldn't it be something if we could get the little building and move it to our property? I can't even imagine how wonderful that would be. I'm not going to get my hopes up but I'm definitely going to see if it's a possibility. Wouldn't it be something to be able to live in my little 3-room schoolhouse...
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