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Oct.30,03 My apologies- It has been TOO long since I have updated. Therefore- rather than split by months I will just play catchup- and maybe ya’ll will understand. Let’s see... May: Mother’s Day: We didn’t get to do the California Oyster/Strawberry Drive as hoped...the Fishmarket down in Fairfield has closed. But we found a restaurant supplier who was gracious enough to sell us a large box of oysters (wonderfully fresh and sweet!) . So we did those, a couple racks of ribs, everyone brought something- wine, dippers and dips and it was a GREAT day! We saw some old friends and new- Steve and Dede, his mom, Stan & Barb, Echo & Sierra, Tammy & kids. Lots of great gifts from wine, wind chimes, to a massage and Beautiful necklace. The necklace from Frank I wore at the wedding- the Massage gift from Chris I cashed in after trip. Frank had his eye surgery done- the week before I was to leave. He seems to be seeing better- but time will tell- still seems a little droopy to me- but after the swelling goes down we’ll see. It was a busy time- doing the pick-ups and deliveries- plus the work and then the animals. The temps were high but we all survived. Unusually warm for that time of year. I got my dress and jacket/coat finished- midnight blue sheer rainbowy type material which I cut in an oriental style and beaded around the front and hem and side slits with a midnight glass bead. Looked pretty good. Made a purse and found matching shoes. Actually the shoes came first- matched all else around them and the dress I found in the winter- with seashells. I had enough time left to make a dress for Pat’s new little girl to match her big sisters’ for the wedding. I did some smocking on the bodice- they loved it. I haven’t done any smocking since Kayla was born- so they know to treasure it. I made sure I got a Chiro adjustment before I left- I REALLY needed it- plus I had been beating my body/system for quite a while. I’m glad I did- because even though Cindy has a jacuzzi- we didn’t have much time to use it. Just a couple of quickies. THE WEDDING! It was a decent but long trip- and even though airport security was strict - it wasn’t too much of a hassle. While I was in FLa. it was 98 with 98% humidity- boy did I miss Nev. then. But we set up a machine in the Dining room(Cindy has central air and lots of ceiling fans),and I altered her gowns/dresses, Jaye’s gown, a couple of Bridesmaids gowns and 4 tuxes, ( the fit on Steve’s bought tux was horrible we won’t mention which Wearhouse he bought it from!) , plus the rentals looked like that - bad rentals- So they all looked Spiffy when we got done. Matt- Mike’s son came for the wedding and it was a joy getting to know him! A sensitive, intelligent young man- who aspires to be a tenor opera singer- with a scholarship to UNLV- so maybe we’ll get to see more of him. Our Jay has some connections that may help him. Cindy made sure I had a massage and manicure waiting for me on Friday( which I sorely needed!!) Then a MARVELOUS rehearsal party! Steve, few friends and I had fun setting that room up - as it was dangerous for the both of us to be hanging out in the church - especially since we really weren’t needed. The wedding and all was Beautiful! Becca went to alot of trouble to include everyone in is much as she could. Lots of fun stuff-for all. Dusty and Becca just glowed with their love and all could feel it! I had fun “guiding” my little flower girl charges until they got down the aisle. They did wonderfully and afterwards all they did was dance! It was good to keep me busy- as I was wearing out by then and missing my family and the dryness of Nev. JUNE Cindy and I got to spend an extra- non/wedding day together- so we shopped for souveniers , lunched, I met her co-workers, etc. I knew to get back on that plane on the 2nd as a hurricane was being called for. Didn’t need to be in Fla.- or in the air on my infamous Birthday! Hated like hell to say goodbye- but I had got to spend alot of time with my sisters, nephews, nieces, et al. And it was time to come home. It’s just as well I was delayed in writing this- as all the “details” of family would have bored ya to death. And then back to the grind. My patient DC Customers had loaded me good over the week I was gone. Good thing- I needed the stability of work. It took me a couple days to re-adjust to the climate again and get some rest- but all was ok. Except for the EXTREMELY high heat! I called for appt. to cash in my massage- but the soonest I could get was July 11. Ok - I can Alway use a massage- and I would be seeing Dr. Horton for my back next week anyway. You’ll understand this part soon. June 10th Alot of this seems anticlimatic- as I can’t write now with the emotion and fury I was feeling then... But I think you’ll get my drift. I had the garage door open- it was near 100- and alot of work to do, when a County car pulled up at the front gate-I thought it had to do with the dogs. Not them, this time. Seems the woman who lives kittykorner from us on these 1 acre plus lots decided we were living in the garage and decided to file a complaint.(I should have expected trouble when, just before I left for Fla. she wanted me to sign a complaint against a young, new neighbor that had a loud muffler at 4:30 am. I refused. Didn’t bother me- but it must her, since that’s the only time she’s sober.) Now, I have my shop out here, and a kitchen/family room and my “tubby”, but we sleep inside the trailer and our potty was in the trailer. So it’s all legal. Unfortunately, After 4 years of being here- the County decided that our 32’ trailer wasn’t legal(anymore?) . Trying to upgrade the tax base out here I guess. After a week of consulting every County and State person I could find, it came down to: Park model “rv’s” are only legal in a trailer or RV park. The lady from the County told us we had 30 days to be out of the trailer - and oh well- find another place for the goats and dogs. Needless to say - the stress caused me to have a “heavy duty” flare up in my glands and lump. I wasn’t eating right and massive stress just drains your system. But while still plowing through work- we tried to figure a way to buy and establish a “proper” trailer on the land. But between the cost of a trailer( if one could be found), the “set-up” fees for the city, county and state, plus not knowing what Stan’s advanced age might bring regarding his offspring and therefore our future, we decided to just find a place to rent and forget all that we had put into our home on that property. It took a bit, but we found a doublewide trailer on 1/3 acre in Sun Valley. With a tree and a couple of outbuildings. The rent is almost triple what we were used to- but it is large and ALL IN ONE Building! 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths- large kitchen/family room, LR and DR. With a porch. And Clean! When we were looking at it- there was a cleaning lady here- first time I wouldn’t have to clean Before I moved in! The landlords are nice and want to keep us happy- so we signed to move in. The main bedroom and bath are larger Square foot than the whole Little trailer. Our neighbor -directly across the street (in DeDe’s and Rob’s old house) bought the goats- and conveniently parked them right under the complainer’s nose. Can’t wait til they go in “season” (about now-early fall)! It was tough telling Stan and Barb our plans- but we had kept him aware all along during this- and offered to pay the extra if he decided to put a “legal” trailer on the land. HE declined, so... July Mary sent us a House warming present of a dinner out- through Chris- since she couldn’t come from Ohio to help- so sweet and thoughtful of her... can’t wait to cash it in! We started moving things over the last week of June - Just unpacking whatever boxes we had carried over and putting them away. Such a nice feel. The weekend of July 4th was the BIG push. We couldn’t move Any of my shop(Except the 2 van loads of materials) before that Friday. I worked right up until then- we really needed the money for rent deposits, etc. Friday Chris was off work- and we busted butt getting my shop over here, plus everything but the Large items- freezer, fridges, washer/dryer, etc. Even though we had already brought over a ton of stuff- it was Still stacked up with boxes- especially my shop. WE brought Fat Fuzz Bucket over- As her main home was the garage/shop and it was pretty empty- and didn’t want her to take off. And we knew it would be easy to shut her in the back half of the new house. Poor critters- the only home she, Kasha and Takonee had known was that place. And they only ever left it to go to the Vets. Kasha was Very distressed when we took the goats across the street- as were they- but all settled to that fairly quickly. They could still see, smell and hear each other. Kasha started to freak when we started moving stuff, As is normal- and then when we took Fuzz away-....!!!!! But the next day(Saturday) we moved the Big things and almost all we had left. Stan voluteered his truck and trailer- along with Chris and Jason. We took the dogs on the last load. During all this hassle and overtiredness- Frank rewired the washer/dryer with conforming plug, so they could just slide it into it’s place- and he wouldn’t have to deal with moving it later, just plug it in. Most of the furniture was set up- Barb joined us with Stan - we had a relaxing eve- Enjoyed the fact of Central Swamp Cooler and RELAXED. WE all ...2 legged and four settled down- and slept fairly well, ready to rock and roll in the AM. We got up - ate, and the critters were edgy learning their new boundries- we wouldn’t let THE FUZZ out for a couple of days yet. After starting to unpack more stuff, Frank was trying to get the washer /dryer going. It sparked, didn’t throw the circuit breaker- but I could smell something burning. IN a few minutes there was smoke, ... call the fire dept. , house phones not working- find cell- give to Frank - use cell..turn off electric and gas... expect all you have to go up in a tinderbox trailer.. Get hose going on underside of trailer...don’t rip off the siding, TOO much air- just wet it to cool it!!!. try to find THE FUZZ ... too much black smoke- Can’t breathe in here- there’s suitcase and purse on bed- grab and throw outside- grab tissues- nose and eyes are running....try to grab computer tower for Frank’s business- yell for him- don’t know which plugs to pull... look for FUZZZ!! Forget pics, documents, etc.... kids would be mad if I saved them and I died-- how much time in here. before blowup?.. the smoke is too black, thick ....breathe through shirt!!! FUZZZZ!!!!! Can’t save anything in shop...FUZZ!!!!! Get OUT!!!! FUZZZ!!!!! Water the under! I HAVE to get out- I’m sorry Fuzz! Put dogs in car- so they won’t escape-- Kasha!!!! Pick her up- throw her in...damn she’s heavy!!! Where’s Frank? Help neighbor to put more water under! The Firemen are HERE!!!! Thank you fellas- no I’m fine..Yes I was inside - ok- don’t worry about me- just save what you can- ok? Is Frank ok? Where’s Fuzz? They gave me oxygen and tested my blood levels while the guys were saving our home of one day. We were Extremely lucky!!! Due to good insulation and how we applied the water- almost everything was saved. Most mobiles go up in a flash!! When they let me back inside ,I found Fuzz in a closet- and as the Firemen came in with fans, I put her down to talk with them- and didn’t realize the back door was open. She took off , and the neighbor saw her clear the fence as I ran after her - down the street. I can’t blame her- we took her from her home of 3 years, then set fire to the new one. The main damage to the home was ALL pipes had melted along with electrical and phone lines, plus smoke damage. We could not stay here- there was no plumbing , electric , etc. The electric and gas was locked out by the power company until “approved” again.... the plumbing was melted. The Red Cross showed up- even though I had told the Fire Dept. we could handle things. They are wonderful people- offered us a place to stay, and vouchers for food, essentials(toothbrushes, soap,food, clothes, etc.), medications. And would help us find kennels for the dogs at a low cost. We found our own solution , But just their coming out and talking to us afterwards helped!! They are calming and reassuring- wonderful people. And asked that we contact them to let them know in a week or so how things were going- we did. Chris was out camping- so knew nothing and couldn’t be reached, but I knew we could use his place if needed for a night- just wouldn’t be best for the dogs. But our trailer was still at our old place- plus electric, etc. So we called Stan and went back out there. We took my portable machines and card tables , camp chairs, ironing board, mattress and some least smoky clothes. Luckily , our landlords are contractors- so the place was fit for us to move back into in 2 weeks. But in the meantime it was in the 100’s with No fans- working in the old garage. But we are strong- and made it through!! WE came out a WHOLE lot better than most would have with a fire! Nick from Golden Valley cleaners ran a couple of loads of clothes in his washers for us so we could have some non-smoke clothes and sheets- until we got back to the new place. The few things hanging from cleaners for me to work on - I did, then they just cleaned and said not to worry- at least we still had them! It took me a few days to get over all the smoke I had inhaled, carbon monixide poisoning- and I “flared”. WE spent several weeks calling and visiting the ASPCA and the pound and putting up flyers around both “homes” in case Fuzz tried to head back. So far we haven’t found her... Our belief is that she has found a new home near here, or so we hope. The dogs are calming down- slowly but surely. August Kayla was at first tough to convince about this move . She didn’t want to give up her security of our home( her “safe” place) for the past several years. She, like me wanted to bring the walls of our tubby room- the dolphins, beach, lighthouse, trees, stars etc. But we couldn’t- so we have had to make do here. WE have many inside plants now- which we couldn’t have before, and we managed to bring all the “buckets” of tomatoes and peppers we had at the ranch, They have been doing well- and after the moving shock- got into gear- so Kayla and I go and raid the cherry tomatoes weekly. She can at least “sleep over “ here. It is all in one place- and she can camp out in living room- . This is a comfortable home. We feel good here... we miss the old place and I miss being able to see the mountains everyday, and the goats- and neighbors horses, burros, chickens,and coyote sings. Kasha is missing the “ranch “ too- but she will settle down soon, I hope. Business has increased every week since we have moved . Good thing- I was worried about the increase in monies going out. We have added another cleaners- that makes six- but this one is a big one. Two big ones and 4 little ones.. its is hotter than Hades-(100’s) and I am More than thankful for the Swamp cooler now!!! I hurt - but I know part of it is due to the increased work load- and lack of rest. Franks Web Design and Hosting business has Really kicked into gear also! We did manage to BBQ some Ribs- and have old friends and new neighbors over, it made it feel more real here. Everyone enjoyed. September The dogs finally have settled- and last month a new little Fuzz entered our lives. A foundling ( about 6 weeks old.) from Deanne- our niece, she showed up on her apt. deck- she couldn’t stay there, so we took her. She is a lovey... the dogs love her as do we. She is growing by leaps and bounds and keeps the dogs in line. Business has tripled! Never thought I could do this much work! Frank is helping with the house- for that I am thankful-It’s big- and more than I can handle with work load. I don’t have the energy of years ago- plus am hurting pretty bad.. Ahhh- just to sleep alot! I could go to bed alot earlier than I do- but I don’t go to sleep until after 1-2:00( sometimes 3:00) anyway- so why bother. Some of that is my forever bio-rythms, some is worry about Nicci and her problems, and the Boys and theirs, other is sheer physical exhaustion, and yet my stupid brain won’t shut down. When it finally does- I sleep until late AM. I have to somehow retrain so I can get more work done earlier- I know it bothers Frank to eat late- so I am trying, but....its not working yet. October Business is going crazy... I have stuff piled up from private customers- including a trade out with my chiro- but everyone has been cool so far. I just hope I start feeling better and can kick into 1000% gear again soon! The problem with being a type A personality ? Kayla and Sierra had a “sleepover” . It was fun- the house was distroyed- we built forts on the furniture, had hot cocoa(Mom-mom’s diluted version) , kettle popcorn, made cookies, etc. Watched movies... and had fun! I finally got them to settle down about 1:00- then Pop got them at 6:00 and made eggs, bacon, waffles, more cookies and movies til I got up around 10:00 . I know it spoiled them- but we ALL had so much fun!!! The dogs and Cat were really loving it! I enjoy having Kayla around So much, and I wish we could see Daria and Lea ...I long for the same relationship with them. But their home now is in Maine- and right now I can’t afford to fly them here. I am glad at least for them, that they have their G-parents there, and Nicci is near her father- which is where she wants /needs to be. At least we talk several times a week- but it would be nice to just hold my daughter through her tribulations, and have my G-girls near to hug or do things with. And besides- Greg gives Such good hugs- and is such a caring man- and he and Frank are both Raiders fans. But just as things weren’t what my G-parents wanted, it won’t be for me. Our children have their own lives.... At least Business is Still going great- good thing- I have some”Uncle” things to catch up with. Mostly I put one foot in front of the other these days- the only way to get through. I have gotten a couple calls from cleaners/companies wanting me to do their work-. I Actually refused! I was proud of me!! I can barely keep up with what I have now, and I hope to be able to get Daria’s and Lea’s dresses done and mailed to them in time for Xmas pics. Kayla’s no problem- she wants camoflage stuff- and I can do that Xmas Eve if I have to. It has been in the upper 80’s until this last week of October- now it is low 40’s and snow- just in time for Halloween. Welcome to Nevada!!! I miss the wood-stove- but is sure nice to have a house that can be warmed up at any minute. Ahh the conveniences of modern life! |