PROGRESS ON THE 'RANCH' REMODEL IS SLOW BUT SURE...

KITCHEN PROGRESS
Once the cabinets were lifted enough to accomodate the new microwave and vent over the stove (I've missed since our Howard Street home), Allen began the process of preparing the countertops for new tile. He had to raise the stove to match the countertops, and prepare the new cast iron sink for installation. We also put in a new light fixture over the sink and there wasn't one at all...and it helps to be able to see when you are cooking or washing dishes.

The grout isn't in yet, but you can see the small random designer tile I chose for the backsplash with all of the rest of the tile being glossy white.
These designer pieces are actually white tile with a cut out center, and the small green tiles are glass so they provide contrast and interest to the countertops.

The green color is soft so color arrangements for any season will complement them, rather than
compete with them. For now, I'm making a 'sunflower' arrangement for the soon to be Island...
but when Christmas comes, it will be red and green all the way!

It's kind of hard to see, but Allen is standing near a space where the new BOSCHE diswasher will go between two oak cabinets that make up the new 'kitchen island". Once the Dishwasher is installed, Allen will build the top and then tile it with the same white tile (and random designer tile) that is on the counter top. The sides will have 'chair-rail' which we'll try to stain with a clear varnish to match the existing cabinets as best we can. I'm having 'pull out drawers' installed in the larger cabinet so we can easily access our pots and pans as we did in the Howard house.

I ordered the higher end dishwasher because it is 'extremely' quiet. Cheap brands work fine, but they are noisy and when Faye turns on the dishwasher here at the Skyline house, you can't even hear the television without cranking up the volume to a roar. I can't imagine what the sound of a cheap dishwasher would be like in a living room/great room combination with a 24 foot ceiling...and I don't want to risk that experience, so I made sure I won't have to.

Allen also installed the backerboard over the existing vinyl to prepare to lay the floor tile, which is a light beige, white and darker beige mix. I didn't want to distract from the wood in the home by putting in a multi colored 'French Quater' tile, but we are going to lay the new tile in a French Quarter pattern for interest.

Problem is, Wendy almost grounded her Van when she loaded all the tile delivered to Home Depot in Eugene and brought it home the other day, only to find out they sent four boxes of the 12 x 12 tile, and 12 boxes of the four by 12 tile and completely eliminated any 3 x 3 tile...which is all required to do the French Quarter pattern, so now I have to go back to Eugene and hopefully they will have the tile size we need in stock when I call them. Or, maybe we'll have to have it ordered again, which takes ten days for them to deliver to the Store and that is the kind of delay I am not looking forward to.

Finally, the electrical outlets and plumbing fittings for the icemaker and door access for water have been installed, so the wall can soon be enclosed with a chair rail on both sides and wainscoated. When the texture goes on, I'm going to use a crumpeled garbage bag to create the look of 'lathe and plaster' before we paint the upper wall a very light misty green or yellow.

I don't think you will be finding any 'white walls' in my new home, as the use of color tends to make a home warmer and more cozy...and offers a great compliment to natural wood. I am trying to figure out if I can live with the pink and purple rug in the upstairs bedroom, and am tending toward 'not'...but can't be sure if I will "have" to live with it as replacing that much carpet is going to cost a pretty penny, and with the first huge housepayment going out tomorrow, plus this one...I have to keep my jets 'cooled' and 'conservative' as possible until this home sells and other really important work is completed.

Problem is ...I WANT IT ALL...and I WANT IT NOW....but I have to spank my hand and say "No, No" just because it is the 'right' thing to do...all things considered. I am really getting excited now, as my vision of what the Log home could become...begins to become reality.

Three cheers to the Old Guy working his butt off day in and day out helping make a dream come true in an ongoing, methodical manner. So, that's it for the KITCHEN PROGRESS for now.

WINDOW WITH A VIEW

One of the things I have loved about my home now is that my office has two large windows in front of my computer screen, and I look out on nothing but Douglas Firs, Alders, ivy, and flowers...

...and I thought, "How can it get better than this?" ...but it has. This is the view from my new office in our new home (currently under serious remodeling...) and no matter which window I look out...I see nothing but beauty as far as I can see.

Even more amazing is that as far as I can see...is our own land. From one mountain ridge to the other...we have the right to roam and call it home. When I lived in the City, I noted my property lines, and knew each tree or rock or plant on it. Now, I have no idea of how many trees we own, nor even where the boundaries are of our property. We'll have to follow the 'fence line' one of these days to find out...but in forests as lush as these...we'll have to take the Quads, and beat back some berry bushes or fallen limbs along the way.

Allen has been further than I have up one of the trails as he walked it with our son-in-law Will...and he says some magnificent "Old Growth Timber" starts about 500 yards up the Northern Trail. We can hear a brook 'gurgle' at night, but the brush is so overgrown in our back yard...(if you want to call it that)...we can't see it yet. We were told there was a little island in the middle of this brook, so I want to hire people to clear all the brush out so we can see it and make it accessible.

Tonight I was at the ranch to 'fetch Allen' who is putting in longer and longer days...and was suddenly compelled to 'look up'...the stars seemed so bright and the night so clear it was like living in the middle of a place no one has been before. I could even see clouds in the sky which I've never seen in my life at midnight!

Each night when we've traveled the road home, we've noted a doe and three 'Bambi's' near the entrance to our property. They are on the road eating the red and black berries that line a lot of the road now and are ripe for the picking...as we slowly encroach on them...they begin walking and then pick up the pace a little...looking for a good place to get off the road. Tonight one of the fawns started running and then hopping on all fours and it was so cute!

Many owners of pets come home and their dogs or cats are happy to see them...when I drive up to our place...our two minature goats start 'baahing' for me to notice them and maybe give them a treat. They are getting really tame now, and will follow along pretty much wherever we want them to go...hoping for a special treat...which we found out was sugar coated shredded wheat.

The progress on the kitchen is really starting to take shape now, and every day seems more exciting than the one before as the vision begins to become reality. In the next several days, I will post some pictures of the kitchen...which Allen is working on now.

While I don't like the 1.50 mile drive on a gravel road that takes about 5 minutes from the main road as I go slow as to not kick up too much dust...once I get there I know I am home. Maybe it's because natural wood is so 'warm feeling'...and now I know why the 'Log Home' Industry is going such 'great guns' these days...it's like going into the past to a simpler, kinder place...but with all the modern conveniences as well.

Little by little, day by day...things are changing in every way, and we're truly pouring our hearts and souls into this home like we have never done before. When all the kids (and grandkids)come home for Christmas to share this wonderful place with us...there will be a completion of a dream we never in a million years believed would ever come true.

Life is soooooo good to us today...and I just wanted to thank the Good Lord for it today!

KAREN AND JOEYS GREAT ADVENTURE IN PARADISE......

Well, at about 5 am this morning, our baby boy and girl headed back to their City life and back to the Grindstone. Joey for his last semester at college in Long Beach, and Karen back to her Federal Agent job in San Jose. It was the first time we had the fun of really being able to visit with Joey and Karen together in a really long time, and the last time was in Vegas...and if you know me, in "Vegas" I don't 'visit' much of anything but the one armed bandits.

Even in the middle of the chaos of moving and remodeling, we were able to do quite a bit during their visit. Went to the casino in Lincoln City and in Florence during their stay and both Karen and Joey prefer 'cards' as their poison. None of us set the world on fire, but it was a lot of fun trying.

Joey has seen the Oregon Coast area several times, but for Karen, it was a whole new world...so as we meandered up the Coast, she saw the Devil's punchbowl, Whale Cove, Depoe Bay and Allens favorite beach in Lincoln City. We drove to Nye Beach, South Beach, Waldport, Yachats and finally ate dinner in a 57' chevy greasy spoon restaurant in Florence. Otherwise, we tried to have different 'cuisine' selections from local restaurants every night.

Karen got to ride the 'Bayfront' road with Allen on the Motorcycle and Joe got the 'quick ride' back...so we got a little 'motorcycle mania' in there for them. Karen knows now that we live in the middle of a 'postcard' as she remarked again and again on the beauty of the Oregon Coast.

One day, Joe and Karen spent almost a whole day in our plentiful "Used Book Stores"..."English Major" Joey is collecting books now, so it was truly an adventure for him..and they both loved the character of the owners who were always so helpful and friendly to them. We did a lot of talking about the State of America, and one of the sad things we noted is the loss of so many 'Mom and Pop' business as they are replaced with national franchises.

I shared with them that almost all the restaurants here were family owned operations and it made for a lot of diversity and real friendliness plus top notch service. Local Artists and Craftspeople abound here because property and living here is still affordable...and of course, the breath taking beauty of the place provides an excellent resource for inspiration. These little shops and botiques and galleries are what make a 'community' special and different from any other community on earth. This is what I love about my home here, and what City Folk are learning to really appreciate as the cost of living continues to rise in their locations.

But, I think the 'greatest' thrill the duo had was riding the Quads. Neither one of them has ever ridden before, so it was cute to observe those first tenuous drives around the ranch...then with each turn of the 'track', they went a little faster and like everyone else, had smiles plastered on their faces while eating dust the whole time. Finally, they took the Quads off road and up the mountain on our land to the end of one of the trails and were by then making the turns and blowing dust, and trying to jump some jumps just like 'pros'. They had a chance to ride our 'horses' a few times and looked forward to riding more.

In the meantime, Joe and Karen helped Papa move some of his bedroom furniture over to the new house, along with most of the furniture in the family room, including Fayes monster TV.

He was 'goofing around' while carrying a mattress with Karen on the pushing end, and somehow kinked his back really good. That was the end of the Quad riding plans...but incentive enough to get into the Jacuzzi spa for a spell. Strange how he could pick up and carry that heavy television, and then with something very easy to move...throw his back out.

Of course we talked about Joe's upcoming wedding plans, and the room mates back home who have been Joe's friends since he was a little pup so we know them all...and college and religion and all of the things you'd want to know each other's thoughts on after a long absence from one another. It was really interesting to talk to Karen about her job some as she is in the same game as my oldest son, David...national security...without breaking any rules of confidentiality, of course.

Karen's daughter, Elizabeth, is 16 now as Karen became a Mom at 19 just like I did. We talked about the good, bad and ugly of being a young parent and that is probably why I went into the diatribe I did on the last post about David's birthday so inspired.

Joe is ready to leave the 'poor starving college student' years behind (although he wouldn't trade them for anything...) and graduate and start making money and be able to have a home and as much food as he wants. He took 22 units or so for the last few semesters, so couldn't work as much as he did before...so he cut back on eating a lot.

Trying to make a buck stretch to infinity is getting old for him, but he still plans on going for his Masters along with working full time, and I have every confidence that he can do it if he wants to. He's close to a 3.6 GPA...and it is a lot higher than that if just the past couple of years was all that was considered. He has to live with the 'goof off' grades he earned when he first started college and gave it minimum effort. Joe has really done all the 'heavy lifting' to put himself through college...and is coming out with only $7,000. in student loans...a fact I am very happy about so he doesn't start his new life and new marriage too 'strapped down'...Nicole's student loans are about triple Joe's, but as a graduate of Biola University...she did amazingly well too.

Joe said he's become the 'coupon king' and shops on double days and the whole bit...I know they sought out 'free entertainment' regularly and pinched pennies until they bled. Higher education isn't cheap, and living away from home on his own meant work and school took up most of his waking hours. To Joe's credit...he's graduating a few years before his roommates will...due to his determination to get through it as soon as he possibly could and get on with his life.

Four days goes by like a lightening flash during a North Pacific storm...and all too soon it was time to say good bye for a little season. Joey is 'stoked' that his sisters and brother are going to be together for Christmas at the new log home...and all he could say about the home was how 'amazing' it was, and how amazing Christmas is going to be celebrated there. He can't wait, and neither can I really. Joe bragged on his brother David, and sisters Wendy and Lindsay to Karen several times during the visit for different things, and that made this Mammies heart feel good.

Wendy, the most adept gourmet cook in the family, had a nice barbeque dinner for all of us plus a few friends...and of course, that was a yummy experience. Joe teased Emily, but both Karen and Joe thought she was just adorable...which by the way...she is. We were so busy 'doing' we often forget the camera to preserve the moments...but hey, ya can't think of everything, right?

...and, back to that 'amazing Christmas' Joey was talking about, I can visualize it now. We'll gather the grandkids up and search on our own land for the 'perfect' Christmas Tree...then chop it down and carry it home for decorating. Allen found ALL of my old decorations and they are all in one place now...so if they choose a tree 10 feet high, it won't make a dent in that new log home...or in the decorations I have gathered up over the years!

Of course the 'feast' will be complete the old fashioned way we did for years...and I might be used to the home by then... and able to find everything needed to spread out the long table...and gather around our children and grandchildren to thank God for the Blessed life He has given to us all. I can't think of any 'dream come true' better than this one. Hopefully Karen, her Dad and his wife and her daughter Elizabeth can share in the celebration with us, as there is a place already reserved for them all at our table. We'll also be welcoming Jim and Lindsay's new baby to his 'first Christmas' on earth with all of us there. How cool is that?

Whenever our kids have to say good-bye to us and head back to their very busy and active lives, I am always sort of bummed out for a day or two. So today I haven't accomplished 'squat' in either house...and pushed a few papers around my desk while thinking about our adventures past and those to come.

Tomorrow I will snap out of it...and get something accomplished to move us forward on our goals to get this house sold and us moved...but for today, I'm just a slug...sort of feeling a little lonely for my brood to all be together again in one place...but in the twinkle of an eye...they'll be here for Christmas...and then on to the wedding of the baby boy Joe, and hopefully...those of us not going on the 'honeymoon' ...will be able to bring in the New Year together too.

THAT would be awesome...wouldn't it?

Do I hear an 'Amen' to that?

OH LORDY! DAVID IS 'FORTY'...!!!!!i

I was only 19 years old when David was born, and a very naieve 19 at that. As the 'first born' David was always the 'great experiment' and I learned how to be a better parent with each child thereafter...and made less major bloopers.

On the other hand, when you are a child, raising a child...there is a lot of fun to be had too. I didn't have a clue of how to care for a car, and unless there was a big black 'clump' on the end of the oil stick...I wouldn't change the oil in our various cars until it was...the first being a VW bug.

So you can imagine how good I was at raising and caring for a child. David was my 'little buddy' and since he was also my kid...no one could tell him he couldn't go with me if I wanted him to...so we were on the 'go' as much as my limited money and my limitless imagination could take us.

With only about $20.00 in my purse, I'd think nothing of loading up David in the car and taking off for Disneyland from the Bay Area...gas was cheaper then and so was Disneyland! I'd pack our food and away we would go on one adventure after another. "Going out to dinner" was going to McDonalds...and on a Birthday, it was perfectly fine to order a super bowl of ice cream from Farrels with 20 scoops of each flavor ice cream and let him go at it until he was half sick. No one ever did that for me, I reasoned, and my generousity always was a little overboard... since my own parents made frugal look like spendthrift when it came to spending money on us.

We still go to the movies and buy junk food and the biggest popcorn with butter they make, and we always feel half sick when we leave...but I guess we learned together that hogging all that junk was just part of the fun of going to the show! Talk about the blind leading the blind...that is a kid raising a kid.

On one road trip I saw a little red light go bright on the dashboard of the 'bug' and thought I had better stop at the next gas station. Well, before we got too much further, I blew a rod and we were stopped in a remote area between Concord and the East Bay in the mountains somewhere.

This was before cell phones so I hoped someone would stop to help us, but then again, I was afraid for someone to stop. When one kindly man finally stopped, I lowered the window just a tad and asked him to call my step Dad to come get me...I probably had about $5.00 to my name until payday...so calling road service was definitely 'out'.

David slept in the back seat soundly as I unknowingly ran the battery to 'zip' by listening to rock and roll music (and singing along to every song) on the radio for the several hours it took for my step Dad to arrive. I don't know what would have happened if the helpful stranger didn't take the phone number I had jotted down on a scrap of paper and actually stopped at a gas station and made the call to home to get me some help.

My step Dad brought a ROPE and tied it to my car and his and hauled us home with me steering the car while it was in neutral and putting on the brakes when he did. We did have enough sense to put David in the big car, but having a lot of good sense wasn't in a big supply when I was 19 years old. Sometimes I would spend all of my paycheck and have no money for gas for a few days, so we'd have to take the bus. It didn't seem odd to me that I didn't plan better.

I did learn that when a red oil light comes on the dash...stop immediately if not sooner. I was again destined to blow a rod in a little Austin Healy 3000 I zipped around in with both David and Wendy in the little rumble seats...blasting Elton John through the rear speakers at the highest volume possible with the top down...but I can guarantee you that there were few places of amusement in California that me and my oldest kids didn't go...even if it meant eating cereal for dinner for a few nights. I sure had my priorities straight then too.

We've probably watched a hundred parades over the years, not to mention the dozen circus' and had to take in the local 'rides' by the supermarket when it comes to town in every locality. Spending money to try the games of chance was always on the menu, and for some reason...I always believed we had a 'good chance' of winning a giant prize. One so big it had no hope of fitting in the car if we did win it.

I have a million memories of all my children when they were small and growing up, but with David...everything was a 'first'...from learning how to sew matching outfits for us...to budgeting money so there was enough for the babysitter. Sometimes I was going to college and wasn't working in the 8 to 5 sense of the word...but did reporting for various papers wherever we lived as a 'stringer'. ..so no babysitter was necessary, and by the time I was 28 I must have had 14 different jobs...Then I realized I had to work for myself since I didn't want to 'mind' anyone. I never have held a real job since then, so I could go when and where I wanted to, or when the business would allow it...but never as often as I wanted to...even today!

When Halloween came around, I spent days working on a costume idea I thought of and threw together things I had around the house to make the costume 'work'. In order to come out with a great costume, I thought nothing of tearing up my own clothes if I needed fabric in a certain color. I sure couldn't afford to go 'buy' anything. I have hundreds of pictures of David over the years, and with each new child...there is fewer and fewer. I labored over his 'baby book' but by the time my third child came along...I was room mothered out, cookie maker done and baby book skimpy.

I even taught a "Yearbook Class' when David was in 8th grade. Even got him a dirt bike and a real live pony. Nevermind it was a mean little shetland pony, but I always wanted one...and never got one...so I made sure they did. David is the only one who could really ride the onery beast...he'd just crack it in the head when it tried to bite him or take him into the brush. He's tried to fix mechanical things this way at times over the years, but the results have not been as positive using that method.

As an infant, David had colic for months and it seemed all he did was scream...I believed God was punishing me for a million sins with this small creature with big lungs...as I was Catholic then and just felt 'guilty' all the time...and worried about going straight to hell should a bus run over me. I don't know why I always worried about a bus running over me...I never knew anyone a bus ran over...but they were big and you were sure to die if one of those big buses hit you while you crossed the street.

In those days, thinking 'bad thoughts' was high on the list of reasons I should go to hell pronto if I died that day. They have nice Priests today, but the one's I remember were an inch away from being sadistic...and I won't even go into the Nuns!

I was desperate for my mortal soul if I ate meat on Friday back then (a hamburger was usually the great offense against God)...but worried not when I'd practically shove David (and Wendy) in my parents door and take off running in case they tried to follow me, so I could join my friends at a dance club or for a party at someone's house or apartment. In all, most of it was pretty innocent since I always had to plan to work the next day.

I would throw amazing parties for David's birthdays...decorate the entire house, make and decorate Birthday cakes from scratch...and would invite all the family and whatever friends I adopted along the way to the celebration...and by the end of the evening I think we all were pretty 'drunk' and everyone was 'gushing' over the little 'star' of the evening like drunks always do. One year I even made a recording of Wendy's birthday party and she still finds that tape halarious as all the guests say something clever while half gassed about her 'first' birthday.

David and I sort of grew up more like 'brother and sister' than Mom and son in many ways...and oh could we fight with each other. In some ways I was extremely 'over-protective" and would think nothing of going down to the school to let a teacher know my little prince was not to be messed with...and then would take him skiing the following week and think nothing of us both going down an intermediate slope when he was about six years old.

If he fell, I would just stop and say 'Get up, you're not hurt.'...and if he continued to cry, I would tell him to stop 'bawling' or I was going to take him home! No wonder he is as tough as a junk yard dog today!

He hated going home from any "adventure"....and even when we stayed at Disneyland (or any other theme park) or went to the beach, or camping, or the lake or skiing, until it closed and they kicked us out....we would always leave with David (and later Wendy) both sobbing all the way to the car "I don't wanna go home...I don't wanna go home..." I was so young...I didn't "wanna go home" either, but they were closing the place down and we HAD TO GO HOME!

It is just impossible to see myself as the mother of a 'forty year old man' as he is STILL a 'kid' to me like my other 'kids'...I still worry if he will be 'all right' with the decisions he makes for his own life like some sort of hen fussing about aimlessly. If I don't see him for three months, I get really, really lonely for his company and somehow make it happen soon thereafter.

We talk on the phone for hours these days and share the highs and lows of our life like best pals...but when we fight...Oh Lord he stills drives me crazy and I drive him crazy too....it is as brutal as two full grown adults can get without slugging each other. Fortunately, our 'fights' seem to have diminished to becoming as rare as hen's teeth..but the potential is always there cause we don't tread too lightly with each other...and probably never will.

I know intellectually that I am aging, I can feel it in my aching bones and back as I crump to the coffee pot each morning wondering where that new ache or pain came from? When I look in the mirror it is hard to recognize myself at times as that old woman looking back at me. I don't know I am old until these two events happen...as with the exception of much greater 'wisdom' today and choosing all my 'battles' very carefully...I still feel like that young girl with lots of hopes and dreams..without a clue of how to attain them (although almost all of my hopes and dreams have been surpassed many times over by now).

Put on an old song, and I am that cute little bundle of energy who never thought she really was good looking....but looking back at old photos, I think "Damn girl...you coulda got almost anyone you wanted for a life mate...I wonder why you always seemed to choose the birds with the broken wings to drag home and try to fix?"

Of course, my kids had to 'meet the new fella' time and time again...and I've marched to the wedding march song more times than I care to share here for now. Each bird I dragged home wanted to 'straighten out my kids", but that was a line I put in the sand and come hell or high water...if they wern't good to the kids..or at least decent and fair, it was the beginning of the end for them.

Some of these birds ended out being coo coo birds, and others were bird brains...and one was even like 'big bird'...but it didn't seem to cause too much trauma other than a big roll of the eyes when Mom 'did it again'. Of course four of these guys are the father's of my four children, and I would do it all again with them to make sure I got each kid out of the deal, if that is what it took to have my little ducks around me.

I've been married to the youngest one's Dad for almost 18 years so I'm staying in this marriage for my personal world's record, since I think I got the 'gist' of being and staying married now. "Expect less" is my motto..and you're bound to get a pleasant surprise!

Still, David just CAN'T be 40 years old my heart tells me...but no matter how you add up the numbers they still come out the same. He's forty and on my next birthday I'll be 60...and that seems so old...I wonder why I don't act or feel like I think a person 60 ought to? I don't wanna grow up...I don't wanna grow up so I think I just won't grow up today, OK? Maybe tomorrow...maybe on my Birthday, but not now...OK?

I think that it is time to blame not calling my son on his birthday on 'a senior moment' as the day came and went and his 'day' completely slipped my mind. When I finally did call him I did to him what he does to me.

"Why didn't you call me to remind me it was your Birthday?"

If it works for a 40 year old...I figure it has to be a "shoe in" excuse for someone 60 to get away with wouldn't you agree?

Everyone who knows me knows how proud I am of all my grown children, and how blessed I know I am that they all turned out to be so talented, good hearted, bright, good parents, and my best friends. If you add up the mistakes I made with all of them, you could write a book on 'errors' alone...but in spite of that reality...I recognize in them a great sense of honor, committment, goodness and a love for what is right and just for others. I see in them compassion and passion, intelligence and a fantastic sense of humor. ..a love for family and service to their community. They all seem to want to 'make a difference' in creating a better world...and they are very, very good at it. Each one has a stong and solid sense of 'family' and we are very, very close as a result of it.

They brush their teeth and comb their hair and take showers regularly and try to eat balanced meals and wear clothes that match, and never white socks with black pants. I know that it is by the Grace of God they turned out so amazingly balanced and smart...but I also see in them some of the 'gifts' I was able to pass down as well.

The greatest of these is good old fashioned 'common sense'...and that is something at a great premium today. They are still my greatest joys in life except for the 'grandchildren' they've given me...and when they are in pain...they are still my greatest sorrow. My son may be 40 now...but I can never stop being 'Mama', and I can't think of a single reason that I should...even if I could.

I think being "Mom' to these amazing people is my greatest accomplishment in life...or maybe it is just 'dumb luck' that God has 'loaned' me these good spirits for so long now. In any case, I guess my firstborn and I will go on to experience some 'old age' living together through that as well. That should provide some rip roaring laughs here and there along the way.

Here's to more 'senior moments' between us son...Happy Birthday and I love you forever and forever. In honor of you new Law Enforcement Career...here's your 'rap' song...


"It's Yo Mammie Homey Bro... wish yo Happy B' day so

Yo can dis and miss a pal, hugs for yo and dat's for now

Mammie needs sum shut eye, crash 'en rest...

...from try'n & fly'n ouddaa da cuckoos nest!"

:>)

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED...

Well, Papa has been on edge all day waiting for our youngest son to arrive for an infrequent visit since he started college in Long Beach, CA. Joey is our 'baby boy' and we got an added treat along with his visit. He brought his sister Karen with him.

Karen was Allens daughter for many years when he was married to Joey's original Mom before moi. We've not had a real chance to hang out with Karen because she lives in San Jose, so we've been looking forward to their visit for months...and Joey and Karen are very close, so it is also an opportunity for them to 'hang out' together to share this experience as well.

We had a great time tonight after they arrived...did a run through at the ranch...which Joey said is "unbelievable" and what a great Christmas it is going to be to spend it there...then to "Shirley's" rerstaurant on the Bay Front for some 'darned good food'...then we went to the beach house to welcome some new guests...and then took a drive down to Nye Beach...and some other places of interest...and spent until now talking and catching up. Jordan hung out with us tonight and Joey was 'teasing her relentlessly just like the old days', but it is pretty hard to rile Jordan...so she took it in excellent humor.

Karen is about the same age as our daughter Wendy and we had a lot of fun talking on the back deck...while Joey and Jordan caught some 'shut eye'...so thought I would jot down a few words just to say that today is a happy day...as it always is when our 'out of town' kids are able to visit.

We'll be having some adventures tomorrow...and will give you the scoop later. Lot's of stuff to cram into only a few days...but we'll manage to fit some fun in...we always do.

...AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS GONNA BE SIMPLE...

Just when I think that something is going to be simple...it isn't. Work is started in every area of the new home...from tearing out the old tub and shower and building a bigger shower in the downstairs bathroom...

...to tearing out the old clawfoot tub in the upstairs bathroom..extending the bathroom size and building a wall across the bedroom, installing a jacuzzi tub, and in building a walk in closet.

So, every area of the log home is torn up now...and Will and Russ (his awesome helper)...are going to do some work for Cheryl Ann in Idaho so will be gone all next week starting tomorrow!

We had to raise the kitchen cabinets because they were set below standard and we couldn't install the microwave/fan over the stove/oven. We didn't have good water pressure and found out the main valves were 'stripped' and they were buried in dirt...so a lot of digging happened first, and then the valves had to be replaced...now the water pressure is great...but there was a loss of time.

Seems like everything they are doing is like that...and working around huge logs is challenging too...ya can't just 'poke a hole' in the sheetrock...or try to find a stud to nail something up...logs are not all the same size so a back board has to be created...and engineered...to work.

We had to have an Electrician come and add a whole new 'sub panel' box...as we have a clothes dryer, dishwasher, and now a jacuzzi tub...plus three televisions and computers etc. The Sellers hung their clothes out on a line (hard to fathom in Oregon...) didn't have cable or satellite TV, used their phone for "slower than molasses pouring" internet, didn't use the heaters as they cut firewood, and just lived so much more 'simple' than we do (and want to continue doing it too...), and I just took a good look at the toliets and pedestal sink...and they're both 'shot'...and believe me, I wasn't trying to be 'picky' either.

I should stop 'looking around' as the more I look, the more I see. ..and when I 'see'...I NEED!
Of course, whenever I choose something...I usually like the expensive one without even looking at the price tag. Just call it the 'City Woman' in me. Funny thing, the Log Home is going to have more work done on it than the Skyline House did in some ways...and we are on a very short 'timeline' this time around.

So much for 'simple' and on with having to fix two or three things before you can even 'get to' the work you 'thought' you were going to be doing. When all is said and done...it will be homey and comfortable...and NICE. I'll try to keep my mind on that 'end run' and not get too caught up in all the daily travesties as they occur...lol.

ABOVE is in our 30 x 40 bedroom that had a closet about four feet wide and four feet deep...and a bathroom the size of a postage stamp...so the 'guys' are framing in the bath and closet...but wouldn't you know it. ALL THE ELECTRICAL WIRES for the whole second floor were in the wall we had to remove....so they have to be spliced with longer wire, and put through the new framing in the new wall to soon come which provides a larger bathroom and a walk in closet.

O VEY!

Like I said, two steps forward, one step back. It's a journey all right, but everytime I go into that home I feel so 'at home'...maybe it is the warmth of the wood...or the open expanse...but whatever it is...and whatever condition it is in...I can tell you honestly, it feels more like "home' than anywhere we've lived in a long, long time.

We're still happy campers...and 'camping' is about all we even can do at this point....I don't even think the electric is on right now...and for a day or two, there was no water turned on so they could fix the valves. Talk about a Mountain Mama...way beyond my dreams for sure.

SOLVING PROBLEMS OF LOG HOME DESIGN...

KITCHEN AND HALL PROBLEMS...PART 1















The back door entrance had a long wall separating the kitchen from the entrance, which made a dark, wide hallway of wasted space. (Allen already removed about six feet of the wall before I got over there with the camera). It looks like originally, the Sellers had a small fridge which tucked inside the support "L" (wallpaper)...but when they bought a double door large fridge, they couldn't put it there and get to any of their very limited cabinet space near the stove.

To solve their problem, they tacked a six foot extension faux wall to the existing wall (leaving the L there) and put their large fridge (now ours) there. This 'fix' created an additional problem.

The large, walk in pantry is located right inside the entry door on the left hand side. The 'cook' had to walk about 14 feet from the kitchen sink toward the living room, make a sharp U turn, and then walk 12 feet to the pantry to get anything. In addition, the wall was never finished and is OSB (compressed wood chips)...and it had about 12 hooks on it holding about 14 jackets all along the hallway.

The kitchen floor is worn out and torn vinyl that should have been replaced five years ago.

The kitchen itself is 16 ft. X 16 ft. but only one wall has any cabinets. The sink and the stove takes a good amount of the cabinet space away to begin with, and we are going to add a 'dishwasher' as well...which would take away almost the entire lower cabinet space.

Impractical, dark, unsightly and poorly designed...these problems have to be fixed!

Our solution is to remove as much of the wall as possible to let in light, and to provide easy access to the pantry from the kitchen. We'll be doing a wainscoat finish on the wall using chair rail for half the wall (a theme we'll use throughout the home) and a lathe and plaster look in the drywall texture above.

We're designing a kitchen island to house the dishwasher in order to save the existing 'handhewn' cabinets. The island will also have some deep pull out shelves for storing pots and pans we use most of the time.

Once the island is set, Allen is going to tile the top of the island, the kitchen counters and do a back splash. We also have to raise the cabinets about four inches to provide clearance for a microwave and vent over the existing stove and I want electrical installed on the top of the cabinets for indirect light.

Finally, we've selected light brown/cream ceramic floor tile to replace the vinyl. It will be set in a 'French Quarter' pattern, but won't distract from the beauty of the natural wood or furnishings that will eventually be placed in the home. The island will be long and narrow as we plan to entertain our family and friends, and need space for tables seating 20 people or so.

The Good News is that we have our son in law William to help us and he is an excellent 'craftsman' in kitchen and bath remodeling, and his experienced crew...and are hiring professional electricians, plumbers etc. to make sure all is done correctly and to code.

We already had to add a panel box as the Sellers lived a lot more austere than we do...and we had to dig a trench as two satellite poles have to be erected to receive television and high speed internet connections. There is no access to 'cable' on our ranch so the internet will have it's own satellite dish and the three televisions we use will have their own dish.

We have several more cosmetic things we are going to do, but we'll surprise you with those in the 'AFTER' photos we take when all is complete in the kitchen and back entry hall.

THINGS ARE BECOMING A LITTLE HECTIC...

Yesterday, it was Grammie Day with Tom and Jordan...but Emily, Ean and my un-named grandson soon to born, got just as spoiled.

We went to a restaurant I've been wanting to try out for a year in Lincoln City...(it was good)...then to the Outlet Stores where Jordan and Tom got some school clothes...but most of my time was spent getting the cutest things for the "wee ones"...then, we went to the show. Not too shabby for a Gramma Day, methinks.

Today, we drove two hours to Salem to take the 'ancient one' (aunt Faye) to visit with her sister Opal while we get a lot of the furniture out of our current residence so we can get it ready to put on the market...get this house spic and span...and most of the small stuff packed and ready to go to the new Log Home.

Allen has been working on moving the shop for a few weeks and closing in three sides of it, and he did all the sealing, conditioning and clear coating of the interior wood (24 ft. high ceilings and all...) and completed almost all of the Log home yesterday, while me and the Grandkids had 'fun'.

Tomorrow, it is drive two hours to Eugene to order tile and cabinets... a jacuzzi tub and fans and fixtures...plus whatever else is on the list... so when the remodeling gets to the point when we need these things...they will be delivered by the time we need them. Then to the 'train station' to get some of the money back we spent for Tom's round trip train ride...and then to the airport by 6 pm (his flight is at 8 pm) to sadly see him off for a little season as he returns to the fam, work and school and a full schedule of actvity in his senior year.

Then Monday, it's working on both the old house and the new house...and eventually, both will be complete...and the old house will be sold. On Tuesday, our commercial building in Visalia will be closing escrow...(thank you God...and Jim and Lindsay)...so even though we are running a little behind on our planned relocation...we are still in "process" and coming along pretty nicely considering these are extra curricular activities that fit in somewhere between running a business, working on some loans...and the usual responsibilities involved in running a home (or two)...or three with the vacation rental....so it's another 'Adventure' for Papa and I...in our anything but 'normal' world....cause we are two wild and crazy guys...(ok...I'm a girl, so don't sweat the small stuff ok?).

Plus...in a few days, our youngest son, Joey and his older sister Karen will be arriving for a long overdue visit...so we want to make sure they have fun, and that we have time to visit...and we still have to manage to get as much accomplished as we can on both homes...since the cost per day is pretty stiff on both of them together.

Like I said from the beginning, we'd rather 'burn out' than 'rust out'...and it appears that is exactly what is happening now. So...later alligators...and after while crocodile!

It's all good though... just in case this sounds like complaining...it isn't. We excited about it all!

AIN'T LIFE A BEACH?

Depending on what path one takes in life...many end up drawing us to the beach as often as we can make it for some reason.

As most of you know, we have a beach house that we use as a vacation rental with private beach access...and at this time of year it is very, very busy...so the grandkids have come with me when I welcome new guests...and usually, they have some time to head down to the beach to see the beauty that God creates for us without really thinking much about it.

All they know is that it is fun to experience the beach, and they do it as fully as time will allow.

Every day, God cleans the sand and there is never a clue that anything ugly was ever on that beach, even any evidence of human beings is erased and everything is at the same time ancient and brand new.

If you're going to horse around...it's good to land on sand instead of cement... isn't it?

...and no matter how old you get...sometimes you just have to take off your shoes and feel that warm sand beneath your toes, and then you have to go out and get them wet in the waves that never cease...sometimes, you even have to creep in a little deeper....and then run for the shore before a larger wave gets you soaking wet (and what would your mother say about THAT?).

You can make sand castles, and play with sticks, and find incredible treasures on the beach.

Things like fosselized shells embedded in rocks older than the days of the dinosauer...and even living creatures who make their lifetime living in an area no bigger than the bathtub of any home. The imagination can soar...and spirits lift when you're on the beach.

Shouldn't life be lived at a beach?

I would have to say "Aye" on that one Matey...and these pictures would seem to offer some proof of that. Feeling low...head for the beach...best cure for the blues there is. Yeah Baby!

"CHOPPER" TOM AND JORDAN, MOWING THE LAWN

It's a 'tough job', but somebody's gotta do it. I don't think 'lawn mowing' will ever be the same for Tom and Jordan.

Sort of like those automatic 'vacuums' that go around a room by themselves, these two goats doing all the work left plenty of 'leisure time' for my grandkids, Tom and Jordan.

"Chopper" Tom knows how to handle a 'stick shift' so well, he now has his own Oregon "Chopper" says Papa. Tom asked if he could ride the mini Chopper and Papa said, "Why not? It's yours?"...so he rode it around the upper shop area at the Skyline House. I think it is being moved tomorrow to the new 'ranch' (provided they can get Papa's big white fully loaded trailer off it's SIDE...since it suffered an oopsie today)...

...and I would expect that Tom might want to give 'his chopper' a few more 'spins' before he heads back to school, working at McDonald's, and mowing the lawn at home the "old fashioned way"...hey! wait a minute...I think that the goats are probably the "old fashioned way" right?

...so it goes to show that sometimes 'progress' is not always the 'softer, easier way' way is it?

Not by looking at the hard work going on in this photo, huh? Life in Good!

..and even better, I'll bet Tom's Dad, Jim, will be smiling even more proudly knowing Tom is now an official 'biker' (since Jim rides his Harley proudly)...and that Tom has experienced some "grab assing" with a cute blonde at 16 since the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and all....and as for ingenuity...ya can't beat the new 'lawnmowing' business Tom is exploring as well, can ya?
He's a natural born 'entreprenuer' I believe. Yeah, stick out that chest proud Papa Jim..ya done real good on this young man.

By the way...we're putting Tom on an Airplane on Sunday at about 8:00 pm to 'fly home'..since he checked with Amtrack and found out they are only 'delayed' 6 hours coming from Seattle, WA to Albany, OR...can't imagine how that 'delay' would grow by the time the Train pulls into Sacramento for a change of Trains to the Central Valley.

Oh YEAH...I* can guess it might be...hmmm, TEN TO TWENTY HOURS LATE by then, and probably missing it's connection to boot.

No wonder Amtrack needs Federal Money in the millions to 'stay alive'...it is run by people who can't tell time...and even better than that...they don't care! I cannot describe how happy Tom was when I made that final 'click' on the 'purchase button' for that Air Plane Ticket...but I think you can imagine the relief and gratitude he expressed quite fully.

Well, the Rudy's had to cancel the trip to the Sand Dunes tomorrow to ride ATV's...as Wendy remembered that she was going to be away at training workshops all next week...so couldn't afford to miss Friday at work...so that was a bummer for the grandkids...

...but come 'high noon', Jordan will be off work and old Grammie will put up the "planning and figuring" for the new home...paying the bills and takin care of bidness....and we'll play hooky and go have some fun doing 'something' together....as I promised tonight!

After all, you can see how hard Jordan and Tom have worked today... and don't they deserve a special treat from Grammie for their valient efforts?

Yeah Baby....they do.

Just because I love em....and even better...their 'entertainment value'...

Is Priceless!

MEET OUR NEW AND ADORABLE LAWNMOWERS...

Meet the KIDZ...we call them Billy-Tom and Nanny-Jo and they will have lots to do at the new 'ranch'.

These are "minature" goats, won't get much bigger than they are now, and they have been 'bleating' a lot today since they were just separated from their Mama.

They're brother and sister and there will be plenty of berry bushes for them to enjoy and lots of lawn to mow.

One thing about Oregon...you have no problem getting things to grow...so you spend 'gardening time' beating it back instead. Everything grows, and it grows fast.

We needed to even the odds a little, and we hope that Billy-Tom and Nanny-Jo will help do exactly that! Now we just need a good safe area for our little critters to work...so Papa has to decide exactly where that will be.

Right now, they're in their 'traveling cage' on our back deck as we didn't expect to get them this soon, and after they were out for quite awhile, they didn't like having to return to their condo...so they let us hear about it loud and clear.

In fact, they were so loud that our 94 year old half deaf Aunt Faye gave them a growl...something like "SHAAADUP" I believe.

Allen and I will be like Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor in Green Acres, but learning something new everyday keeps you young, doesn't it? I think we are going to look for a 'pig' next.

This adventure is gonna be FUNNY ONE, I fear.

THE NEVER ENDING TRAIN RIDE AND TWO 'HOT' COUSINS...

It was a day like any other, and then...we entered the 'Twilight Zone". Tom called us on Thursday afternoon excited and ready to visit us in Oregon from his home in Visalia.

He would arrive at 1:30 pm on Friday afternoon in Albany, Oregon and we would be there to pick him up.

We had decided that riding the train would be a good experience...but that decision was dead wrong considering his experience.

By 11:30 pm on Thursday night, Tom called to let us know that he was in Sacramento and his train was going to be delayed by several hours. In fact, he was going to have to spend the night in the Train Station as it would not be there until 5:00 am the next morning! Of course, I was concerned, worried and upset over this chain of events...but there was nothing any of us could do to remedy the situation...so I asked him to stay with the Group, not wander off and of course, don't accept 'candy from strangers'...etc. etc.

Around 5:30 am, Tom called again to let us know that it would be 7:30 before the train began the long journey to Oregon (about 14 hours) so not to expect him until around 9:30 on Friday night. As I mentioned in an earlier post...we left Toledo about 10 am for the hour and a half ride to the valley so we could do some shopping, looking around and spend the day together before we picked Tom up in Albany.

Around 8:00 pm, Tom called the cell phone to let us know that the train had been delayed AGAIN on the way up, and he did not expect to be in Albany until about 11:30 pm...so Allen and I looked around some more, and ended up in a Pool Hall in Albany since all the stores were closed, we had already eaten...and we wanted to entertain ourselves while waiting for Tom to arrive.

Finally, about 10:00 pm, we received another call from Tom letting us know that he was told to expect another 'hour' delay in Eugene (about 35 miles South of Albany) so he may not arrive until about 1:00 or 1:30 am on Saturday! Enough was enough...we told him to get off the train in Eugene and we would drive down there to get him...the poor guy! I think he had about all the 'TRAIN RIDE" anyone could want as the dream of coming to Oregon was turning into a major 'nightmare' with the arrival times getting further and further in the distance.

When we said we would come to Eugene, we could hear the 'relief' in his voice although Tom was handling the whole thing pretty well considering one disappointment after another. We were a few blocks from the Train Station when he got off and called us to see where we were.

He was hungry too. Apparently a 'hamburger' on the Train is about $12. to $14. and that was more than Tom could bare...so he ate very little on his trip...but he did get lots of phone calls from his 'friend' Rebecca...who has been his constant companion for the past several weeks and who called him 500 times during the trip. Another hour and a half drive home after we ate some gut bombs from Macdonald's since it was the only game in town at that hour...and we finally had our Grandson with us.

We've pretty much just had fun since Tom arrived, but his cousin 'Jordan' now has a 'friend' sort of like Tom has a 'friend'...and he has been able to enjoy watching them play 'grab ass' as teens do around 14 - 16 years of age...the wrestling bit and the tickle bit...ad nauseum. Anyway, this
hormone raging horsing around did not go "unnoticed" by Papa. In fact, Papa is going to call for a stop to it...or he is going to grab the young man (Carson...the Toledo Chief of Police's son) and do to him what he did to one of our youngest daughters suitors who was playing the same game.

He's going to throw his leg over the boy, lay on him lovingly...and give him a big lick to his ear...and then tell him to knock it off with our grand daughter, Jordan. Papa relayed to Tom and I the fact that he knew 'exactly' what was on the Boy's mind...and he was going to let the boy know that he knows. While Tom and I laughed hysterically at my husband's 'show and tell' performance...Tom later noted that He and Rebecca did the same thing the first week they were together and noted that people decided they were 'boyfriend and girlfriend' most likely due to watching them play the 'grab ass' game. I agreed that the 'grab ass game' was a good indicator of something going on between two teenagers...which seemed to be some 'food for thought' for Tom.

Of course, I reminded Papa that if he was going to have a talk with the boy...Carson (16)...then, another talk might be advisable for our grand daughter "Jordan Nicole"...the apple of his eye who can do no wrong even as she is doing it. I advised Papa that Jordan was a too eager participant...enjoying every minute of it...just like our youngest daughter "Lindsay" did, whom we held on a pedestal long after it was time to kick her off of it. Now we are in a new 'generation' of the same game men and boys have played with girls...trying to cop a feel...while the girls dream of love and marriage and a baby carriage....and the boys keep their goals real 'simple'...if you know what I mean.

So, there was the never ending train ride, a new revelation for our 16 year old grandson Tom, as delivered by his Grandpa Papa... and the promise of some unexpected excitement to come for Jordan and Carson...stay tuned, it's bound to be a real gut buster laugh very, very soon, I fear.

COUSINS...making the same memories at about the same time. Parents facing their worst nightmares...and grandparents more than willing to stop the entire parade if they can... as teens 'heat up' for one more generation on their watch.

The young man with the cap on in the photo above is 'Carson'...the girl of course is Jordan...(Tom is the young man without a cap and the cousin) but notice the Grandpa in the background watching closely....observing the body language...and preparing himself for 'one more big adventure' with any young man who would focus too strongly on our families 'girls'.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT...JOE AND NICOLE TO TIE THE KNOT!

The "Place" was Disneyland, and the timing was 'right' when our youngest son 'popped' the question to the love of his life...and long time 'squeeze' Nicole Tietsort!

"Will You Marry Me?"

You can tell by the tears and the Joy that the answer was 'yes'...but now we get to the good part.

The 'Wedding" was at first scheduled to be next summer, but when Nicole Graduated from Biola University in May, she had to return to Idaho where her family lives and look for a Job. This left Joey with another summer and semester to go before his own Graduation from Dominguez Hills College in Long Beach with his English Major.

These two have been literally 'inseperable' for the past few years, and Nicole has put up with Joe's colorful and rambunctious room mates he's known since kindergarden...and living the usual college life of 'church mice'...but through it all, they've been a great team...best friends...and both are resourceful and frugal with a buck. That may be why Joe is graduating without a big student loan debt.

Anyway, with Nicole's 'absence' from the Long Beach scene...the wedding date started to creep up earlier and earlier...and now, it is as soon as possible after Joe's Graduation in December...which is December 30th in Caldwell, Idaho. So, hopefully...ALL MY CHILDREN can come home to where we are for Christmas this year, and a few days later...we'll take Highway 20 across the State of Oregon for 300 miles to Caldwell, Idaho... for the Wedding and Celebration!

Of course, we would love the couple to settle here in Oregon near us to get their start in their new marriage, but like most marriages...they are starting out near the bride's family. We see that as a good second choice (if it was up to us...which it is not...) as we (and Nicole's family) worried that they might settle in the Los Angeles area and we don't see that as an ideal place to raise our additional 'perfect grandchildren'.

So, here's to Nicole and Joe on their upcoming wedding, and we are so happy to welcome this wonderful young woman into our family. I think Nicole's Dad is a Pastor, and I think her family is much more sedate than our bunch, so won't it be fun to get these families together for the Rehearsal dinner to see what their precious child is 'getting into'?

Allen threatens to ask Nicole's father about a 'Dowery', much to Joey's horror...but hopefully, before he does so...he'll trade in his 'Harley Davidson' T Shirts for a day or two so we don't scare the Tietsorts to death with this 'biker bunch' ...before he asks about the 'Dowery'

...as for me, I think Joe has made a wonderful choice...and a see a long and happy marriage for him and his bride...and some tall and lanky grandkids for me! Hip, Hip...Hooray!

CONGRATS JOE AND NICOLE....and LOT'S OF LOVE from Mom and Dad too.

BIKES, BEACHES AND BABE'S "REVISITED"!

Don't know what happened, but the images from David and Sierra's visit didn't post...so here we are again! BIKES, BEACHES AND BABE'S "REVISITED"..so there ya go!

BIKES, BEACHES AND BABES...

We've had a great summer of visits by our Kids and Grandkids and there is still more to come, but David and Sierra made the long journey north from California, and of course, we all had a great time. We were able to go for a ride on the big motorcycles out to Elk City with David...and Sierra had some time at the beach...now here is a good example of a Babe and a Hunk...and I am not being especially 'prejudiced' about it either.

When the time came for them to head back to Visalia, California...I had a few tears. David is deep into the Police Academy at College of Sequoias (30 units of Criminal Justice Courses in five months)...so he will be eating, living and breathing that for the next five months...as it is the top rated Academy in California for good reason...it is very tough. So no more visits from David and Sierra for awhile.

The good news is that I will be heading to California when Lindsay has her baby boy toward the end of September, so will get to see everyone then...otherwise, the tears would have turned into a down pour! I'll be working on the new home to keep me busy for the next month or so...but Tom is visiting for this week, with our son Joey coming toward the end of the month...so we'll get some good fun times in before September and school starts!

My Pal Hilary from Portland, and her cool son Aram were down last week for a little R & R as well...so I got to hang out with them for awhile. Hiliary is like a 'soul sister' and very bright...and Aram? Well, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Always a good time with them.

WHEN YA HAVE A RANCH...YA GOTTA HAVE SOME HORSES!

It was a good day at the Ranch!

Allen and I went to the Valley the other day as we were looking forward to picking up our Grandson Tom who was coming in by train to visit for a week. We planned the day around looking at Home Depot, Costco and other places for things for the new Log Home, but had to take some tires in to the Honda Dealership to be changed and balanced for customers of "Hogfather's".

We spotted these ATV's and with a good discount...ended up buying the two 'horses' for the Ranch and for our Kids and Grandkids to enjoy when they visit. As you can see, Jordan and Tom tried the ATV's out in one little area of the Ranch...cause we wanted to make sure it would be 'fun' to ride them. The verdict was a definite 'Thumbs Up" in the "Fun Department".

We wern't speeding around yet, since my 300 cc is a manual shift so I had to learn the gears, but the 400 cc Allen has is automatic (think I will steal his soon...) and really easy to ride. We're going to order helmets in some sizes we don't have yet (full face) so that when we get the ATV's on the trails located on our 43 acres, anyone riding will have good protection.

We still plan on getting a few smaller ones for the 'smaller' Grandkids...maybe 90 cc ATV's so we can take some good journies through the forests...but I can tell you this...we all had big grins on our faces just putting around the barns and out buildings.

I can't imagine what it will be like to spread out over a much larger area to explore! ...but, ya just can't have a 'ranch' without some 'horses' to get you around, can ya?