Friday October 24 2008

More house pictures

Another day dawning clear and promising. Debbie went to Pinedale to take a deposit in to the bank so that will be in place when we need it. She had her lunch in there and did a little shopping. When she got back we started gathering things together that I know will go to the new house. We got things that are stored in the garage together this afternoon.

The inspection was done today and turned out fine. We still have to follow up on other several things too. I haven't told you that the house has a natural gas fireplace and there's a deck already on the back of the house through the sliding glass doors. This is an area famous for its wonderful views of the mountains, but our house is sitting down in a hole with a hill in front of what should be the view. A little disappointing but can live with that. I just hope this "hole" doesn't fill up with wind blown snow in the winter. We will see. Not sure whether we should take the ATV in and buy a plow to fit it to clear our driveway. We will think about that.

We did some online shopping for bedding and kitchen "stuff". That gets old in a hurry.

In order to move, I’m going to have to catch my cats and find a home for them. Which I’m really sorry about. They are very wild. I do have the live traps which you put can cat food in to lure them in and the door shuts when they get in the trap. Then I'll transfer them to the very large dog kennel cage I have that will hold a litter box and food dishes. I can’t ever pet them, but I love those kittys. Joe said he would come back once a week and feed and water them, however I don't think that's a good idea for him to snowmachine in here alone in the dead of winter to feed cats every week. And it would be cruel to leave them unattended.

It's clouded up and got breezy during the afternoon. But has been a fairly nice day. Guess the wind blew more in Pinedale than here. Debbie said it started up about the time she got to Boulder. Not much else is new.

Thursday October 23

The Arrowhead House

Yesterday we started off early for a very long day - down the back way to Farson to go to Rock Springs (100 miles each way). We had to go to the Wells Fargo Bank there. The purpose was to get what they call a Medallion Stamp Signature Guarantee on some forms related to getting funds moved from our broker to the bank, similar but more strict than getting signatures notarized...... Because the Pinedale bank hadn't gotten their stamp yet after the change to Wells Fargo. We have been having some surprises and lots of learning experiences with this house buying. We thought the financing would be very easy since we have the money, but getting it to where it can be taken out and used is not easy, and we've had a lot of frustrations with this process.

When we got to the bank we asked for Donna who could do the signature guarantee. Almost right away, after showing her our files, she said this was all over her head and called to ask if Nema could come downstairs and help us. Yes..... Here was a wonderful angel lady who had the knowledge to make the whole thing work for us. We had to get the broker on the phone again, and by speaker phone discovered that the first man who told us last week we could use the trust as collateral for the bank loan was wrong - sending us on a long and winding track.

So Nema went through our accounts and over the speaker phone - one after another with three different brokers - said "won't selling this be possible and make the funds accessible," and can't this be moved over to this account", etc. etc. but far more complicated than this. How fortunate can this have been - that she was there exactly at the time we needed her. We were on the phone nearly an hour and a half. But at the end of that time Nema straightened out and made sense of the complicated finances. I think she was way more aware and knew more than the brokers we were talking to. It ends up that we don't need to take out any loan with the bank. In fact, Nema said that we were better off doing it "this" way than taking the loan, regarding the interest and fees. So we left Donna and Nema with many thanks for their time and efforts on our behalf, and no signature guarantee that we went in for was needed.

We went over to Applebee's for lunch and Debbie had to continue on the phone with the brokers for probably another hour before all the transactions were completed, links changed, and arranging for the money to become available. What an ordeal. Debbie's cell phone battery went low and we moved to the car where we plugged mine in and continued for maybe 30 minutes more. I couldn't believe one man had so much information. Debbie was a wonderful help and got all the notes taken. She said she sure had a lesson. Debbie is helping us a whole lot, I’m glad she’s here. Charm said she is the alpha angel.

Next we went to Home Depot and bought a washer and dryer and a side by side fridge/freezer. We also got a few lamps there. Then across the street to John Paras furniture and bought living room, dining room and some beds. I was really pooping out but knew it was best to keep going while were were there and get it over with. Joe had sat in the car but when we got things chosen he came in and we agreed on which to get. He tried the mattresses and the recliners in the sofa, where he sat until we finished up. By the time we finished there it was 6 p.m. We had wanted to look at the Lazy Boy recliners for Joe at Rushmore but they were closed. We went to the Chinese Buffet (very good) for dinner and then started home in the dark. We didn't get home until 9.

The closing date on the house is the 30th. The furniture will be delivered on the 7th and that is also the day Beverly and Curtis arrive. So now we are beginning to pack a few things into boxes. Not much will go from here. We've left a stack of paintings unpacked that will be hung in the new house.

The phone had been out of order since Sunday and they got it fixed while we were gone to Rock Springs yesterday. Thursday we took it easy. Joe went to town for his haircut and had lunch in there. Debbie called Nema and thanked her for helping us yesterday and asked a few more questions. Tonight she made a nice dinner for us.

Wednesday October 22 2008

One of my favorite scenes on the way home - I love this.

I did a similar small watercolor.

Sandra has this view every day of the year.

She has named it.

"Sleeping Indian Holding His Weenie in His Hand"

I was sorry I hadn't recognized it first.

It's actually East Temple and Temple Peak.

But Sandra's concept is a lot more interesting.

And more humorous!

So much for Jackson Hole's Famous Sleeping Indian.

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Zoomed in on the Roscoe Sign.
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The phone is still out of order. They are working on it. The wind has blown the antenna off its direction and they need to brace it. But the wind is blowing too bad for the guy to get up there and fix it. I think they will be back tomorrow. In the meantime we can email.

The wind was cold today. We were gone all day Tuesday to Pinedale. First stopped at the post office and arranged for our mail to be forwarded temporarily to Pinedale. It will be free and our address won't have to be changed.

Then to the bank, finishing up the process for getting the money ready to pay for the house. It’s been a little frustrating. So anyway we have to go to Rock springs Wells Fargo in the morning because Pinedale WF bank doesn’t have the signature stamp we need to use yet, and then it has to be sent overnight to the broker. They then have to send it back etc. Got my protime at the clinic. We drove by some places looking at kinds of fences that will hold the dogs that the home owner's association might approve. Ate lunch at the Bottom's Up Brewery and bought a few groceries. I stopped by Centurytel and began arranging for their bundle to provide phone, internet and Dish TV on one bill. Our Dish account at the ranch can be moved with us to Pinedale, called "on vacation".

After lunch we went over to the nearby video store - just to see if they had a few used videos I could buy, since I've watched all mine several times now. WELL ..... I LOVE A GOOD BARGAIN and never in a thousand years dreamed I would buy over 70 videos today. They had a sale where you could have all the videos a huge bag would hold for $50. We got 70 in the bag so each one was about 70 cents, Debbie figured. I got some great movies too, and oldies but goodies. The good thing is that they all fit in my video tower with room for about 15 or 20 more. I told Debbie that now the video player would break and not be able to buy another one since everything is going to DVD. (First watched Instinct with Anthony Hopkins and Cuba Gooding Jr.)

Walked the dogs on the nature trail. We went to RM Home furniture, but couldn't’t see much and it will take 4-6 weeks for the furniture they order to come. Remember their store burned down last summer and they have very little in stock. We asked them about making pleated shades for the whole house. We’ll look at furniture stores in R.S. tomorrow. Hope if we find something we like they will deliver it. Wish they had something like RC Wiley in SLC. Maybe go to Wal-Mart. Joe has to go to sign the paperwork at the bank and I know he will be impatient to get back home.

Debbie, Joe and I and the dogs will leave as early as possible Wednesday morning for Rock Springs. Hopefully we can go in some furniture stores there although I know Joe will be impatient to go home after the bank business. I’ve been doing more organizing so I will know what I’m doing and have it right at the bank in the morning. Debbie is helping us a whole lot, I’m glad she’s here. We're realizing we'd better start putting stuff in boxes at this point. In a little over a week we should be about ready to move things in.

Thankfully I’m feeling better now than I was after the pump came off.

There is a new Pinedale Blog to follow - Hank and Debbie's RV Travels. I stuck another link onto the list of blogs if you'd like to check it out. Betty would probably be interested because right now they have been down around her stomping grounds.

WILDFIRE AT JOAN'S IN CALIFORNIA

Art Installation - Wheeler

Placed on the fence in their yard in LA.

This is Joan with the two champion dogs -

I never can remember the breed offhand.

But I have written to you of them before.

They are in Arizona here where they run

around in the golf cart.
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Wow! Here is a saga from my friend Joan in Sylmar CA. I heard of this fire on the TV, but never dreamed their house could be in danger. I thought I'd just let her tell you in her own words, as she emailed to me. The photo is from an "Installation" they just completed in her back yard - very unique I'd say - named Wheeler. They have maybe 3 places they travel between now, one in Arizona which they enjoy too - so they just came from Arizona to Sylmar to..... THIS!! She says helicopters are still flying around, and the winds are supposed to blow again this weekend.

Today Debbie and I go to town so I'll catch up on that tomorrow.

WELL....I'VE BEEN THROUGH A VARIED SAGA FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. IN AZ. I WOULD GET ONLINE, ONLY TO HEAR "GOODBYE", OR THEN MAYBE I WOULDN'T GET ON LINE. THIS WENT ON UNTIL I WAS TURNING THE AIR BLUE, SO I SAID TO MYSELF.....SELF.....YOU JUST DON'T NEED TO DO THIS TO YOURSELF....SO....STOP THE HELL FOR TRYING. SO I TURNED THE DAMNED THING OFF, PACKED IT AWAY.....STILL SWEARING UNDER MY BREATH EVERYTIME I SAW IT OR LOOKED AT THE WI-FI TOWER 1/2 A BLOCK IN FRONT OF ME.....

WELL....THERE WAS RELATIVE LITTLE NEWS TO WRITE ABOUT. WE PAINTED, WE SHOPPED, WE ATE WHAT WE BOUGHT, WE INSTALLED A DISH SATITALITE (I HAVE SPELLED THIS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND SPELL CHECK SEZ IT'S OK....SO MUCH FOR THAT). HAD ELECTRICANS AND AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE MEN OVER TO CHECK EVERYTHING, HAD THE FLOOR PEOPLE OVER, COMPLAINED, THEY ARE INSTALLING A NEW ONE IN DEC., WORKED ON THE YARD, ETC., ETC., NEVER DID GET IN THE POOL....WHICH WE HAD PLANNED TO DO EVERYDAY. JUST EXCITEMENT AT EVERY TURN. WELL....THERE WAS A COYOTE IN THE DOG RUN ONE NIGHT.....

WE RETURNED HOME.....MIKE CALLED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND TOLD US TO CLEAR OUT THE CLOSET THAT GOES TO THE ATTIC. HE HAD LEFT OVER INSULATION FROM A JOB AND WAS COMING OVER (SUNDAY) AND WE'D FORM A LINE AND HE WOULD FILL THE ATTIC. WE DID....HE DID. GOT THAT CLEANED UP AND PUT STUFF BACK, HAD DINNER AND WATCHED THE NASCAR RACE.

ON MONDAY MORNING WE WERE AWAKENED BY HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER OUR HOUSE AND A PHONE CALL FROM A FRIEND LETTING US KNOW OUR FOOTHILLS WERE ON FIRE. IF WE NEEDED HELP, CALL AND SHE WOULD GET OFF WORK AND COME HELP US. WE WATCHED ON TV RATHER UNCONCERNED OF ANY DANGER, AS WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN DANGER BEFORE. THE WINDS WERE BAD, THEY'VE BEEN BAD BEFORE, HOWEVER, BEFORE TOO LONG, WE HEARD SIRENS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE FIRE DEPT. HAD SET UP A STAGING AREA A COUPLE OF BLOCKS IN BACK OF US AND THE HELICOPTERS WOULD COME AND LOAD UP WITH WATER AND GO BACK TO THE FIRE...I THOUGHT AT TIMES THEY WERE GOING TO COME IN AND JOIN US. THEN THE BIGGER PLANES PICKED UP WATER FROM THE RESEVOIR AND LAKE NEAR HERE AN THEY WERE FLYING DIRECTLY BACK AND FORTH OVER US. NOT TOO LONG AFTER THAT THE COPS WERE KNOCKING ON THE DOOR TELLING US THAT WE HAD A MANDATORY EVACUATION.

I CALLED MIKE AS HE SAID IF THERE WERE TROUBLE......HE WAS IN BEVERLY HILLS WORKING.....AND SINCE THE FREEWAYS WERE ALSO SHUT DOWN, HE KNEW HOW TO SNEAK IN HERE FROM WHEN THE EARTHQUAKES HAD THEM SHUT DOWN....ONLY THEN THEY WERE DAMAGED AND COLLAPSED.

SO....WE HAD GOTTEN ALL THE KENNELS OUT FOR THE CATS (8), PARROT (1), ALL THE LEASHES, FOOD, WATER, ETC., FOR THE ANIMALS, A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR US, ALL THE PAINTINGS, SOME ARE VERY LARGE, PAPERS, FILES, PHOTOS, ETC., ETC. MY COMPUTER, CAUSE WE COULDN'T GET ALL THE STUFF OFF IT.....OH WHAT ONE HAS TO TAKE WHEN IN BUSINESS....................I HAD ALSO CALLED MOTEL 6 NEARBY, FOR 2 ROOMS, ONE FOR OUR FRIENDS AND ONE FOR US.....AS THEY TAKE PETS, AND BETWEEN US WE HAD ONE HELL OF A LOT OF PETS.....THEY HAVE 8 CATS, ALSO.

ONCE WE WERE ALL LOADED WE CONTINUED TO WATCH IT ON TV AND MIKE WOULD GO UP ON THE ROOF OFTEN TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE FIRE. WE ALL SAT IN THE BACKYARD AND HAD MOJITOS AND CHIPS, THEN CHECK EVERYTHING AGAIN. THIS WENT ON FOR HOURS.

ANOTHER MANDITORY EVACUATION!

WE HAD SOME HOT DOGS, BEANS, AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT ELSE, AS BY THAT TIME WE WERE OUT OF MOJITOS AND MARGARITAS.

PLAYED SOME RUMMYKUB. HAD SOME COOKIES.....NOT MANY.....JUST AZ LEFTOVERS.

BY THAT TIME IT WAS AFTER MIDNIGHT. WE MET WITH THE NEIGHBORS....WE LIVE ON A DEAD END STREET.....WE ALL DECIDED THAT IF THE FIRE GOT DOWN TO CERTAIN STREETS, WE'D ALL GET OUT.

COMFORT FOOD WAS TOPS ON OUR LIST....LIKE DOUGHNUTS AND CHOCOLATE. BUT, IF YOU GO OUT, YOU CAN'T GET BACK IN. WELL, PAT COULDN'T STAND IT ANY LONGER.....SHE LEFT AND WENT FOR DOUGHNUTS. THE COPS TOLD HER SHE COULDN'T GET BACK. SHE TOLD THEM HER 84 YR. OLD MOTHER (CRIPPLED), NEEDED THEM DESPERATELY TO CALM HER HYSTERIA AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE. GOD.....THEY TASTED SO GOOD!!

SO....WE KEPT THE ROUTINE UP.....ROOF CHECKING, SNAKING, WATCHING THE TV FOR MORE INFO.....BY THIS TIME, ANOTHER FIRE HAD STARTED UP ACROSS THE FREEWAY IN THE HILLS WEST OF US.....IF THE WINDS KEPT UP, THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE FIRES COULD JOIN AND WIPE OUT THE STATE PARK IN BACK OF US ALONG WITH MORE HOMES.

WELL, THANKS TO THOSE WONDERFUL FIREFIGHTERS AND THE WINDS CHANGING DIRECTION.....THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THERE WERE I THINK, 40-45 HOMES DESTROYED, PROBABLY DEER, BOBCATS, COYOTES AND PERHAPS EVEN MTN. LIONS CHASED FROM THEIR HOMES AND INJURED, AS THEY ARE AROUND HERE ALSO. I FORGOT.....FOXES.....LIKE THE ONE THAT WAS SITTING IN OUR BIRDBATH A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WELL.....ALL IS NOT UNPACKED....AND ALL OF US ARE STILL WORN OUT.....BUT WE ARE ALL SO THANKFUL TO ALL OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR US FROM THE GREAT SPIRIT IN THE SKY, FIREFIGHTERS, PEOPLE WHO MANNED THE SHELTERS, RESTAURANTS WHO BROUGHT FOOD, RED CROSS, AND SO MANY OTHERS, THAT OUR SMALL PART AND ALMOST 35 HRS. WITHOUT SLEEP SEEMED VERY MINOR COMPARED TO WHAT THEY DID FOR US.

METEORS TONIGHT

I've been watching the moon and planets in the night sky since it was full this month and they have been extra bright and beautiful. Here is a happening tonight. I will try to remember to look during my mid night awake times.

ORIONID METEOR WATCH: If you wake up before sunrise on Tuesday, Oct. 21st, set aside 15 minutes or so to watch the sky around Orion. You might see some meteors. The annual Orionid meteor shower, caused by dusty debris from Halley's Comet, is peaking today and tomorrow. Little was expected of this year's display because a bright Moon is hanging in the pre-dawn sky, causing an interfering glare. Surprisingly, however, sky watchers on Oct. 20th witnessed 15 or more Orionids per hour, many of them brighter than first magnitude stars. If this stronger-than-expected display spills into Tuesday, you might be glad to wake up early. Check http://spaceweather.com/ for updates and a sky map.

Monday October 20 2008

Debbie took this picture today because we got such a kick out of the sign that's been placed on the old car. You might have to click to see it. Remember I've shown you pictures of the East Fork River at different stages measured by the bumper or headlights of the car. The other day we drove by and a Jim Roscoe for State Representative sign was on the grill of the car. Totally funny. They are stuck in people's yards all over the country, but this is the first one I've seen like this. We may stop and zoom in on it tomorrow. Whoever put it there would have had quite a hike or horseback ride on the opposite side of the river to get there. Or maybe they swam. Click it.

This is the new front gate Craig made for us. The brand is our cattle brand, the reverse G N . They used it when they ran cattle before Joe's dad sold most of the land off.

It's another nice day. Cloudy overcast but no wind so far. The spiders are really moving into the house. They do that in the fall and are EVERYWHERE. It probably looks like more of them because they just keep crawling around and around - you probably see the same one ten times if you don't get it caught. Nanny sent me some interesting remedies I might try.

This morning we spent an hour or so making sure we are as organized as we should be for finalizing the sale of the house, making sure the loan is all correct, and proceeding with getting utilities, phone TV computer hookups, P.O. Box, and the inspection etc. Need to get the house insured. Since phone is out, emailed both James and the bank with questions. James says we are in good shape with it all at this point, just need to be all set to write the check about the 28th. There's just about a week left now until we finish up with the purchase and can take possession about the 30th.

The phone company guy got here a while ago to fix the phone. Probably talked to Joe who is working down at the front gate, drove in, went in the shop for 10 minutes and drove away. The phone is still the same, so don't know if he needed parts from town or the problem is with their equipment in town or what. Joe may know when he comes back in, I don't.

I'll post a picture of the new gate today, but need to get one taken.

Debbie has gone to town to mail her absentee voting ballot, and have lunch and look around. She is pretty bored with not much interesting to do and little activity. I think she's also a little homesick. While she's in there she's going to check out a place or two for new furnishings or things we may need for the house. She likes to shop, and since all their stuff is in storage she's banned from shopping at home. She can shop for us. Joe has an appointment at the VA on the 3rd and we can get things at WalMart and check out some furniture stores in Rock Springs. Joe won't like that, but it will save another trip down there. Maybe for kitchen things and linens I can shop online.

Got the windows washed inside, using a couple of days to do it. Am doing several loads of laundry again today and changing the sheets.

Sparky has a lump behind his shoulder about the size of a small saucer. I don't know what could have happened to him. It doesn't seem to cause him pain. If it doesn't get better soon he will need to go see Dr. Susie.

Tomorrow will go back to town for the various errands and to the clinic to get my protime test for the coumadin. Need to send some DVDs back to Amazon.com that were supposed to be VHS, so have to check online to see how they want me to do that. I emailed them about the problem but they never answered back.

Sunday October 19 2008

Wind Rivers, Independent Peak above Big Sandy River

Our phone has gone haywire, it is ringing one or one half rings about every minute. If someone's trying to call I wish they would just quit and report it being out of order. Or if you read this around noon today, will you please report it. We will have to drive somewhere to use a cell phone to call it in. In the meantime I've unplugged both phones in the house and the one in the shop so it won't keep ringing. I'm going to ask Bonnie to report it tonight.

Bonnie and Craig are going to have dinner with us tonight after they bring the gate and get it put up. Joe's been down there this morning I guess demolishing the old gate. He took the chain saw and brought back firewood anyway. We're making spaghetti, garlic toast, fruit plate and phasula, a Greek salad. Was quite perturbed that our last two avocados had bit the dust. So we'll just pretend that they weren't supposed to be in there anyway. The spaghetti sauce is made. Bonnie said she would bring dessert. So now all that's left is to enjoy the evening with nice friends.

I spent a couple of hours this morning sorting out and filing photos. It's been a long time since I did that and have way too many. They need to be backed up onto the external hard drive before we move. I'm not taking my computer tower to town, just the laptop and the external hard drive. And maybe the printer. We're making lists of what is needed.

Yesterday I painted a little, and would like to do some more this afternoon. Feeling better today. Debbie got the art show packed up today. We sorted it out into what will stay here stored away, and what we will take to the new house to hang on the walls. So that is one big job done.

Here is an art site to check out that Judy sent. It is the sort of spin-off of Arts for the Parks Show which went defunct a couple of years ago.

PaintAmerica Competition Top100 Paintings

It's the anniversary of the end of the Revolutionary War. On this day in 1781 in Yorktown, Virginia, General Charles Cornwallis and his army of 8,000 troops surrendered to George Washington and Jean-Baptiste Rochambeau. Together the Americans and the French had about 17,000 troops.