Blog for October 25, 2008
We are on our way to Texas!
After a very nice over night visit with Jake and Rita at Brandon, we started out at 10:30 a.m. The border crossing is always very traumatic for Linda ever since the bad experience the first MDS trip. However, there was nothing to it this trip and soon we were enjoying the fall view of the Dakotas. It was a nice, sunny day, perfect for driving. We didn’t realize hunting was so popular in this area. The fields (and motels) are full of hunters, camoflauge outfits, blaze orange vests, rifles, and hunting dogs! We found they must have a “special” on motel rooms for hunting season, as the first three inquiries were: $99.99!!! Way above our budget! Last year the same room at the same motel in Aberdeen (the last week in Dec.) cost $43.00! We arrived in Aberdeen at 6:00 p.m. and it was still light out, so we kept traveling on down to Redfield. Here they had the same $99. “hunter’s special” at the Super 8. However, we did manage to find a little privately owned motel for $38.00. Lovely room, but no continental breakfast, nor high speed internet. No problem… We found a very nice friendly place to have supper and were told there was probably high speed available at the One-Stop on Main Street, so we drove over there and pulled out the laptop in the parking lot. Sure enough, I was able to retrieve our messages and get back to Shari. The phone in the room works just fine for calling with the calling card.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
GETTING READY TO LEAVE FOR TEXAS
Well, it's been a long time since my last entry.
We did have a safe trip home, but we were both so (flu/cold) sick that we just drove straight through, only stopping at a motel for one night. All we wanted to do was get home and BE SICK in comfort!
Although Peggy and Steve's house was not totally closed in (some of the metal on the gable ends was not completed), the goal was achieved to have the walls up and the roof on.
We applied again to MDS to go down South and have been accepted for November of this year into Newton, Texas, where we will be volunteering with Walt and Pat from California, and Art and Judy both of whom were with us in Alabama. We are anxious to see what damage was done by Hurricanes Gustav an Ike in the Johnson Bayou area, and see how our fifth wheel weathered the storms. We have been assured by the storage facility that they did not sustain any damage at Sulphur, for which we are extremely grateful.
We have had a GREAT summer. Although there were periods of rain, there was plenty of sunshine and warm weather that made it feel like we did HAVE a summer for a change. We enjoyed our gazebo and lawn swing on our sun deck, and put our plans to build an addition on hold for an indefinite period of time. We spent an enjoyable few weeks visiting Portage La Prairie, Brandon and Langenburg. My Mom also spent a week with us around my birthday in September and got in some bonding with her great grandchildren. We really enjoyed having her here. I also enjoyed our dogs for the summer months and am lamenting having to leave them again.
We are presently planning to volunteer for November and fly home from Houston for the month of December, returning to help in Marble Falls, Texas for January and February, 2009. Hopefully that will lessen the shock of an extended time away from home, and will enable us to brighten our family's Christmas and help out with babysitting, etc. The kids are growing up so fast!
There are many things to do in the four days remaining before we leave. Tomorrow we are having five neighbourhood couples over for a chili supper. Should be fun.
So long for now. I will have to advise everyone that our blog is "back in business".
We did have a safe trip home, but we were both so (flu/cold) sick that we just drove straight through, only stopping at a motel for one night. All we wanted to do was get home and BE SICK in comfort!
Although Peggy and Steve's house was not totally closed in (some of the metal on the gable ends was not completed), the goal was achieved to have the walls up and the roof on.
We applied again to MDS to go down South and have been accepted for November of this year into Newton, Texas, where we will be volunteering with Walt and Pat from California, and Art and Judy both of whom were with us in Alabama. We are anxious to see what damage was done by Hurricanes Gustav an Ike in the Johnson Bayou area, and see how our fifth wheel weathered the storms. We have been assured by the storage facility that they did not sustain any damage at Sulphur, for which we are extremely grateful.
We have had a GREAT summer. Although there were periods of rain, there was plenty of sunshine and warm weather that made it feel like we did HAVE a summer for a change. We enjoyed our gazebo and lawn swing on our sun deck, and put our plans to build an addition on hold for an indefinite period of time. We spent an enjoyable few weeks visiting Portage La Prairie, Brandon and Langenburg. My Mom also spent a week with us around my birthday in September and got in some bonding with her great grandchildren. We really enjoyed having her here. I also enjoyed our dogs for the summer months and am lamenting having to leave them again.
We are presently planning to volunteer for November and fly home from Houston for the month of December, returning to help in Marble Falls, Texas for January and February, 2009. Hopefully that will lessen the shock of an extended time away from home, and will enable us to brighten our family's Christmas and help out with babysitting, etc. The kids are growing up so fast!
There are many things to do in the four days remaining before we leave. Tomorrow we are having five neighbourhood couples over for a chili supper. Should be fun.
So long for now. I will have to advise everyone that our blog is "back in business".
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Still in Sandpoint...
No work happening on Steve and Peggy’s house today - we have hit “the rainy season”.
By the end of last week, all the trusses were up and the house was looking good. The metal for the roof and walls is scheduled to be delivered today. John was hoping to get all the ladders done by then, but the rain put an end to that. They were not very happy with Sandpoint Builders, as normally ladders are provided, but when the trusses arrived, there were no ladders. Steve and Peggy had to foot the extra bill for the lumber for the ladders, and John has to build them. The
lumber company wouldn’t go good for them either.
We went to Rod’s birthday party in Creston last Saturday and stayed overnight. Christy made a lovely turkey supper and invited friends over. No chocolate fountain this time though! Bryce made a nice birthday cake with angel food cake and lemon pie filling mixed with whipped cream, smothered in strawberries... YUM.
We are aware that there is a big meeting going on in Akron, PA, head office of MDS, for all the Project Directors. Hope everything goes well and that the Senior RV group gets the recognition it is due. On checking the MDS website, I was very pleased to see that Don and Marilyn are directly in charge of RV Project volunteers.
I have been keeping my hands busy making antique tin can footstools. I have completed four already and have cans for about 3 more. Initially, it was very difficult to find the big tomato juice tins, but I have two places that are saving them for me, one in Bonners Ferry and one in Creston.
We have been back to Creston twice and thankfully all of our border crossings have been excellent. John figures it’s because we have a different vehicle...
Well, that’s all for now. I am looking forward to getting home and seeing our kids and getting our lawn mowed and extra vehicles sold. Would also like to take the grandchildren on a little holiday in the motorhome before we sell it.
We are praying for the rain to quit so we can get on with construction! We've had to have the wood fire going every evening for a while... Everyone out here is complaining about the weather - WHERE IS SUMMER?????
By the end of last week, all the trusses were up and the house was looking good. The metal for the roof and walls is scheduled to be delivered today. John was hoping to get all the ladders done by then, but the rain put an end to that. They were not very happy with Sandpoint Builders, as normally ladders are provided, but when the trusses arrived, there were no ladders. Steve and Peggy had to foot the extra bill for the lumber for the ladders, and John has to build them. The
lumber company wouldn’t go good for them either.
We went to Rod’s birthday party in Creston last Saturday and stayed overnight. Christy made a lovely turkey supper and invited friends over. No chocolate fountain this time though! Bryce made a nice birthday cake with angel food cake and lemon pie filling mixed with whipped cream, smothered in strawberries... YUM.
We are aware that there is a big meeting going on in Akron, PA, head office of MDS, for all the Project Directors. Hope everything goes well and that the Senior RV group gets the recognition it is due. On checking the MDS website, I was very pleased to see that Don and Marilyn are directly in charge of RV Project volunteers.
I have been keeping my hands busy making antique tin can footstools. I have completed four already and have cans for about 3 more. Initially, it was very difficult to find the big tomato juice tins, but I have two places that are saving them for me, one in Bonners Ferry and one in Creston.
We have been back to Creston twice and thankfully all of our border crossings have been excellent. John figures it’s because we have a different vehicle...
Well, that’s all for now. I am looking forward to getting home and seeing our kids and getting our lawn mowed and extra vehicles sold. Would also like to take the grandchildren on a little holiday in the motorhome before we sell it.
We are praying for the rain to quit so we can get on with construction! We've had to have the wood fire going every evening for a while... Everyone out here is complaining about the weather - WHERE IS SUMMER?????
Monday, June 2, 2008
Great Day in the Morning!
Wednesday, May 28th was a red-letter day for us. We received two items of news to which we could say “HALLELUJAH!!”
On Tuesday, there was a visit from the local County Planning Commission representative at Steve and Peggy's house which John has been framing up. His news was not good., Although they had taken out a building permit 4 years ago, and built the concrete slab 2 years ago, in order to keep the permit current, they had to show some substantial improvement to the property at least every 6 months. He was a very nice, sensitive person and listened to the story of John being there to help out as they couldn't afford a contractor nor a mortgage payment. Try as he night, he could not see any way out of getting a new building permit and probably a new permit for the septic as well. He went away feeling very disgusted with his job in these circumstances.
The next morning Peggy and I were about to leave for Sandpoint to attend at the County Commissioner's Office to obtain new permits (which simply was a considerable amount of additional money they would have to put out that could be spent on material for the house and which they really did not have) when the telephone rang. It was this gentleman's secretary advising that upon checking, everything was in in order and no further building permits would be required at this time. However, they would be required to show substantial improvements every 6 months. Almost a miracle, in my mind. They were certainly jumping with joy. Something going their way for a change...
Then we received an e-mail that the ex family friend who had sexually molested our granddaughter a couple of years ago had his sentencing that day and the Judge had thrown the book at him. He had pled out to one year and the Judge upped the sentence to 2 years less a day – provincial time as opposed to federal so he could impose some rather severe restrictions on him after he got out. The Judge spent a half hour reaming him out severely, which was music to the ears of the family of the victim. Too bad she couldn't have been there herself. They are getting a transcript so she can get the full impact, and they can put an end to this dreadful experience. Thank the Lord!
John made excellent progress on the house. By Friday, all the interior walls were up and braced and fastened down to the floor with a Hilti gun, and top plates installed. Peggy and I cleaned up the floors so it looks pretty neat. We now have to wait for the rafters to arrive. They are expected June 3rd.
Not to brag, but the “old man” put up that house basically 80% by himself, in 6 full days. Pretty darn good, I'd say...
So we decided to let Peggy and Steve have some time alone and went to Creston to visit Christy and Rod again. While John and Christy and Rod were standing on the front sundeck smoking, did John spot a COUGAR casually strolling through their yard between the wood shed and the coverall building. Rod has pigs and chickens at the back, so he grabbed a big stick that was handy and sprinted off like a shot, chasing it out past the back garden, before realizing what a disadvantage he would be at if the cougar didn't run! It didn't exactly run away, but it didn't turn back either. So they are going to have to keep an eagle eye open. Thankfully, there is a skunky smell in the air to warn them when the cougar is nearby. They said it was easily 4 feet long from head to rear end (not including its 3' tail), and higher than a large German Shepherd.
There had been people standing in the neighbour's yard and the cougar would have been watching them across the fence, but they didn't see it. They thought the smell was a skunk in the distance. Fun and excitement in the country!
Well, that’s it for now. Hi to all.
On Tuesday, there was a visit from the local County Planning Commission representative at Steve and Peggy's house which John has been framing up. His news was not good., Although they had taken out a building permit 4 years ago, and built the concrete slab 2 years ago, in order to keep the permit current, they had to show some substantial improvement to the property at least every 6 months. He was a very nice, sensitive person and listened to the story of John being there to help out as they couldn't afford a contractor nor a mortgage payment. Try as he night, he could not see any way out of getting a new building permit and probably a new permit for the septic as well. He went away feeling very disgusted with his job in these circumstances.
The next morning Peggy and I were about to leave for Sandpoint to attend at the County Commissioner's Office to obtain new permits (which simply was a considerable amount of additional money they would have to put out that could be spent on material for the house and which they really did not have) when the telephone rang. It was this gentleman's secretary advising that upon checking, everything was in in order and no further building permits would be required at this time. However, they would be required to show substantial improvements every 6 months. Almost a miracle, in my mind. They were certainly jumping with joy. Something going their way for a change...
Then we received an e-mail that the ex family friend who had sexually molested our granddaughter a couple of years ago had his sentencing that day and the Judge had thrown the book at him. He had pled out to one year and the Judge upped the sentence to 2 years less a day – provincial time as opposed to federal so he could impose some rather severe restrictions on him after he got out. The Judge spent a half hour reaming him out severely, which was music to the ears of the family of the victim. Too bad she couldn't have been there herself. They are getting a transcript so she can get the full impact, and they can put an end to this dreadful experience. Thank the Lord!
John made excellent progress on the house. By Friday, all the interior walls were up and braced and fastened down to the floor with a Hilti gun, and top plates installed. Peggy and I cleaned up the floors so it looks pretty neat. We now have to wait for the rafters to arrive. They are expected June 3rd.
Not to brag, but the “old man” put up that house basically 80% by himself, in 6 full days. Pretty darn good, I'd say...
So we decided to let Peggy and Steve have some time alone and went to Creston to visit Christy and Rod again. While John and Christy and Rod were standing on the front sundeck smoking, did John spot a COUGAR casually strolling through their yard between the wood shed and the coverall building. Rod has pigs and chickens at the back, so he grabbed a big stick that was handy and sprinted off like a shot, chasing it out past the back garden, before realizing what a disadvantage he would be at if the cougar didn't run! It didn't exactly run away, but it didn't turn back either. So they are going to have to keep an eagle eye open. Thankfully, there is a skunky smell in the air to warn them when the cougar is nearby. They said it was easily 4 feet long from head to rear end (not including its 3' tail), and higher than a large German Shepherd.
There had been people standing in the neighbour's yard and the cougar would have been watching them across the fence, but they didn't see it. They thought the smell was a skunk in the distance. Fun and excitement in the country!
Well, that’s it for now. Hi to all.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Pictures finally...
Christy & Rod
25th Wedding Anniversary May, 2008
Ceira, 16
This is our granddaughter??? Gorgeous!
Kootenay country - where we moved from
22 years ago
Concrete slab where house is to go
After first full day of work
FINALLY I AM ABLE TO GET SOME PICTURES ON OUR BLOG.
I am sitting at the GM dealership in Sandpoint accessing their WYFI while John is getting a new starter put into his truck. It was dragging sometimes after it was warm and needed to be started again, so he decided to get it looked after right away. It is considerably cheaper to have it done down here than in Canada.
It is a lovely sunny day in the U.S. Understand it froze at home night before last. Can't remember if I have anything out that would have frozen.
Monday, May 26, 2008
U.S. Memorial Day
Here we are, enjoying ANOTHER long weekend. Working, of course. As of the end of today, all the outside walls of Steve and Peggy's house will be erect. It is a fine looking floor plan, all one level, on a cement slab. There was a bit of rain over the week, but it didn't halt construction much. Today, it is sunny and warm. John would say HOT, right now.
I have been working on my antique tin can footstools. I phoned around and finally found a place that uses the tomato juice tins I need - the kitchen manager at the Bonner County Hospital kindly said she would save them for me. Thank you thank you, as I was unable to find any... Out of desperation for something to do in the evenings, I made one out of three coffee tins, which are a larger diameter, and about a quarter-in lower. It is a nice footstool, but not as nice as the one with the 7 tins. I am also assisting Peggy in getting rid of some of her cloth scraps that she has had for crafts for years.
I've also been collecting some flat rocks for my border around our fire pit at home. Peggy says help yourself to all the rocks you want - their whole mountainside is full of rocks! There are a lot of rocks that have gold fleck in them too which are really pretty.
Today we are planting her garden while the men finish the walls. It feels late for planting, but they had a late spring. She was just barely able to find any seed potatoes. Everything that the wildlife would find tasty has to be enclosed with wire. There is lots of wildlife around here! Haven't seen turkey-lurkey for a day or two though.
John and Steve worked on Sunday morning for a few hours, as Peggy worked from 6 to 11 a.m.and the plan was to take Linda to the Flea Market across the Sandpoint Bridge, and then go out to some friends' for coffee (for John). There wasn't too much at the Flea Market, but it was nice to go through it. Then we went to Larry and Marian's, where there is a "field of dreams" for the guys. A bunch of Mopar treasures and one old Mustang. Kept them busy for about two hours investigating and taking pictures...
Well, I guess that's it for today. Hope everyone travelling on Memorial Day weekend is safe. The gas prices don't seem to be slowing down the travellers any!
Take care, and God Bless.
Have to figure out how to get pictures on here from Peggy's computer...
I have been working on my antique tin can footstools. I phoned around and finally found a place that uses the tomato juice tins I need - the kitchen manager at the Bonner County Hospital kindly said she would save them for me. Thank you thank you, as I was unable to find any... Out of desperation for something to do in the evenings, I made one out of three coffee tins, which are a larger diameter, and about a quarter-in lower. It is a nice footstool, but not as nice as the one with the 7 tins. I am also assisting Peggy in getting rid of some of her cloth scraps that she has had for crafts for years.
I've also been collecting some flat rocks for my border around our fire pit at home. Peggy says help yourself to all the rocks you want - their whole mountainside is full of rocks! There are a lot of rocks that have gold fleck in them too which are really pretty.
Today we are planting her garden while the men finish the walls. It feels late for planting, but they had a late spring. She was just barely able to find any seed potatoes. Everything that the wildlife would find tasty has to be enclosed with wire. There is lots of wildlife around here! Haven't seen turkey-lurkey for a day or two though.
John and Steve worked on Sunday morning for a few hours, as Peggy worked from 6 to 11 a.m.and the plan was to take Linda to the Flea Market across the Sandpoint Bridge, and then go out to some friends' for coffee (for John). There wasn't too much at the Flea Market, but it was nice to go through it. Then we went to Larry and Marian's, where there is a "field of dreams" for the guys. A bunch of Mopar treasures and one old Mustang. Kept them busy for about two hours investigating and taking pictures...
Well, I guess that's it for today. Hope everyone travelling on Memorial Day weekend is safe. The gas prices don't seem to be slowing down the travellers any!
Take care, and God Bless.
Have to figure out how to get pictures on here from Peggy's computer...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Now in Sandpoint, Idaho - May 20, 2008
It's been a while! We wre in Creston for Christy and Rod's 25th wedding anniversary barbeque, and then came down to Steve and Peggy's in Sandpoint on Sunday, May 18th - sure was a long line-up at the border, but it wasn't long before we got through, with no searches or anything. A pleasant surprise for a change...
Spent yesterday in town getting material ordered for their new home and a starter for John's new diesel truck which we found for pulling the Fifth Wheel next year. It has been grinding when it is warm and he's afraid it is going to leave him stranded so might as well fix it now.
John said Steve should go to work if he had a job to go to, so off he went, and John was here when the material trick arrived first thing this morning. He helped the driver unload (with his forklift) and then was anxious to get started. There was lots of measuring and planning and strategizing to do before he can actually get to work - comparing the blue prints to the mesurements of the concrete slab, etc etc etc. Thankfully, although it was quite cool, it didn't rain (too much) and the sun came out to take the chill off. Peggy did start up the fire in the garage which is presently their (our) living quarters, as it really was chilly and damp.
Peggy and I spent an hour outside pulling nails out of some wood too. We also had gone to town to get some wire and blades for John. I learned there are 3 towns making up the district of Sandponit - Ponderay, Kootenai and Sandpoint. Kind of like the tri-cities in Port Arthur Texas area.
It is kind of neat for John to be greeted at the door first thing in the morning when he goes out for his smoke, by a large wild turkey gobbler right outside. He disappears later in the day but hangs around all morning. He is seeing a lot of pretty birds around too. Took a pot shot at a cowbird that chases the nice birds away from the bird feeder, but missed. Steve had a wood tick on him yesterday, and Peggy found one on her today, so we will have to be checking ourselves closely every day.
Spent yesterday in town getting material ordered for their new home and a starter for John's new diesel truck which we found for pulling the Fifth Wheel next year. It has been grinding when it is warm and he's afraid it is going to leave him stranded so might as well fix it now.
John said Steve should go to work if he had a job to go to, so off he went, and John was here when the material trick arrived first thing this morning. He helped the driver unload (with his forklift) and then was anxious to get started. There was lots of measuring and planning and strategizing to do before he can actually get to work - comparing the blue prints to the mesurements of the concrete slab, etc etc etc. Thankfully, although it was quite cool, it didn't rain (too much) and the sun came out to take the chill off. Peggy did start up the fire in the garage which is presently their (our) living quarters, as it really was chilly and damp.
Peggy and I spent an hour outside pulling nails out of some wood too. We also had gone to town to get some wire and blades for John. I learned there are 3 towns making up the district of Sandponit - Ponderay, Kootenai and Sandpoint. Kind of like the tri-cities in Port Arthur Texas area.
It is kind of neat for John to be greeted at the door first thing in the morning when he goes out for his smoke, by a large wild turkey gobbler right outside. He disappears later in the day but hangs around all morning. He is seeing a lot of pretty birds around too. Took a pot shot at a cowbird that chases the nice birds away from the bird feeder, but missed. Steve had a wood tick on him yesterday, and Peggy found one on her today, so we will have to be checking ourselves closely every day.
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