September 4, 2009

Up by 8:00, we were surprised how cold it had gotten during the night - 49 degrees!

Question: Carlo turned on the furnace a: to make sure it was in good running order b: because I was cold c: because he was cold or d: all of the above? Another surprise...the answer is C with A following close behind!

I had coffee while Carlo put a bird feeder on the back deck, hung a new one in the front and filled all of them with seed. While he ran to Do-It-Best, I took pictures of the birds at the back feeder as well as watching (at current count) 7 birds slam into the patio door window. WTF? The back was swarmed with birds and it was neat to have them closer ~ to watch.

Hopefully the squirrels and raccoons will stay away from this feeder. I headed outside in search of nature photo opportunities. I found lots of feathers and many mushrooms...not sure what the fowl encountered for them to have their large loss of quill-age - but I didn't pick up nearly the amount that I found! And in the front and back, although scattered, were a lot of wild mushrooms. Can't recall these growing in the years past. And then the huge-ass turkeys came in for their feeding! They have really grown since the first time they came to eat!!!

Carlo wrapped the pipes with heat tape to prepare for the upcoming cold weather months. We didn't really do much else besides have lunch and watch TV. I took a nap until about 8:00 pm.

Carlo woke me and I realized I missed out on more fun! He made a bonfire. We had hot dogs on the grill, watched a little more TV ~ love the Create channel ~ and went to bed.

September 3, 2009

Along our route is the barn that I haven't had a chance to take photos of lately...until now ~ and strangely, it's still standing!

We arrived at O'Wich around 1:30 after a late start, a quick stop at the bank and another for fuel. I settled in for a little GH and Carlo tinkered outside, feeding the birds and checking things under the cabin. The Bird Man of O'Wich's flock were happy to see him. If beaks could only smile; but instead their songs of appreciation chirped loud and clear!

We watched a little more TV to unwind and left for town around 4:30. We started at the farm stand for corn and tomatoes then went to Bud's for pizza. After dinner, Carlo dropped me off at Walmart to start shopping while he ran to Tractor Supply. He picked up seed, a bird feeder and feed - I picked up a huge variety of scrapbook supplies that I needed for an upcoming class. We got our grocery assortment and got back in time to walk down to the river, sit for a drink, enjoy the peaceful surroundings and to watch the sunset.

By 8:15 I had been up over 24 hours and Carlo was up for several more than that - so we ended our night!

August 28, 2009

We were up by 8:00 - and I had a horrible headache. We got our things together so we could get on the road. Before leaving, Carlo took guy-like precautionary safety measures by installing a fire extinguisher and the smoke alarm under the cabin.

I watched the turkeys until they decided to run off into the woods.

The weather on our trip home wasn't as bad as going, but there were bouts of bright sun, then dark skies, then a bunch of rain. We made it home safe and sound and look forward to next Thursday!

August 27, 2009

After almost 12 hours of sleep (Carlo would like me to point out it was me that was sleeping and not him) we were up by 4:30 am. We had our yummy McDonald's breakfast out of the way. I couldn't cook any of the food I brought because I forgot there would be no water to clean up the dishes!

The turkeys filled the lawn as the dawn broke. I'm sure they are very appreciative of the squirrels who tip the feeders for them to eat. It's odd, but neither of us noticed or heard any raccoons and we are not sad they are not around.

Ron and Tommy arrived around 8:30 and got right to work. They disconnected the water supply to the toilet and installed supply lines, faucets and connections. We have shut offs, and rough ins and all types of plumbing ware...oh my! What a huge change / difference from the octopus of pipes that are now a memory! A much appreciated distant memory!

Because I am not a plumbing apprentice or wanna-be, I continued to read The Time Traveler's Wife. Those of you that know me best, know that reading is not a favorite past time for me, but i am really enjoying this one!

By 3:15, Ron and Tommy were packed up and on their way...they soldered, they glued, they worked with copper and PVC, they rerouted a heating duct, cut a hole in the roof for and installed a vent, they added spigots and drains, they drilled lots of holes, and they gave us a tutorial on opening and closing and emptying any water from the pump housing - Ron used his ruler as a pointer! For some reason, I found this to be pretty funny!

After they left, Carlo plugged four holes in the cinder blocks from old piping...in hopes to keep any critters from coming in the crawl space...although there is still gaps in the doors...hmmmm. Everything was put back in the maintenance room and under the sink and by 4:00 I was back to my book. Carlo ran to Ace - it's the place... - for some last minute "supplies"; hose fittings, a hose, nozzle, smoke detector and more flashlights for his already immense flashlight collection!

Our plumbing issues are now manageable with (in the summer) 2 switches and no going under the cabin. Even in the winter, opening and closing will consist of 1 lever and 2 switches - and to think there were over a dozen before.

For dinner, we went to LaTolteca and had another great meal. The left-overs were fed to the critters and we called it a night shortly after. Not even a suggestion of sleep is needed for me...I can fall asleep in the midst of a conversation...just like this convers - - - zzzzzzzz.

August 26, 2009

I was able to leave work at 3:00 am so I could get an early arrival in time for the plumbing crew to kick off their first day!

A quick stop at home to pick up perishables and change clothes and I was out the door by 3:20. Much to my chagrin, after checking my trunk and backseat empty of stow-aways, I got on the highway as the rain started. According to the GPS, my ETA at O'Wich was 6:27.

Between a few sections of construction, the darkness, the bright headlights reflecting on the wet pavement, the horrible downpour and the onset of me being tired - I decided to stop at the oasis for coffee and a potty break. Actually it was a potty break and coffee! I got back on the road and dealt with more rain and wasn't comfortable driving the speed limit due to the poor visibility. And one the coffee was gone (which didn't taste too good in the first place), I did everything I could to stay awake - thank goodness for the few phone calls I was on because once they all went back to work, I sang, screamed, talked really loud, sang and screamed some more. Outside of giving myself a headache, it worked along with blasting the A/C.

After I got off the highway, there was a lot of fog...so, with that, the darkness and the wipers which were acting like a hypnotists pendulum; swinging really really fast with a side of water - I was moving right along and arrived at 6:45 - only a 17 minute weather / oasis delay - and when I pulled into the drive, I noticed a brand new red and white fire marker (address sign) and a front yard full of nearly 20 turkeys. They quickly scurried away into the trees. I unloaded the car, got into the cabin and watched more turkeys out the back and a chipmunk on the deck. There were even hummingbirds fluttering around like crazy. All gone by the time I got my camera out - how do those National Geographic Photographers capture those wildlife photos??? I will forever be amazed and perplexed!

Ron and Tommy arrived and had everything old removed by 11:00 am.

They, by the end of their day, installed the new pump, filter, pressure tank, hot water tank and partial lines for the draining system. Carlo arrived around 2:00 after fight the weather and a bunch of traffic. During all of this time (during the morning and early afternoon hours), I started reading The Time Traveler's Wife and attempted to capture pictures of the hummingbirds. I could hear them coming but geez...they are so fast and were either a blur or gone again by the time I could even lift my camera, let alone focus it!

I cleaned up a bit of the plumbing mess - yep, I know, and they ended their day around 4:15 - and to my excitement, although nothing was really fully running or even connected - they did supply water to the toilet for me. They will be back tomorrow to (hopefully) finish this phase of the job.

I was exhausted most of the day - yep, I know, and by 5:00 I was well on my way to sleep. According to Carlo, I slept through dinner, through the evening and through his emitting his definition of fun!

August 20, 2009

It rained most of the night. We started for our departure with me having coffee, straightening up the inside and packing. Carlo stocked the bird feeders and straightened up the outside. He picked up the fallen bird feeder and reattached it.

I decided to snap some pix before we left.

I think I may have begun a new interest...with rocks. I placed this rock on top of the broken bird bath...

It reminded me of the time I was in Aruba at the site of the Natural Bridge. On the land near the shore are gazillions of rocks and tourists pile them up and place them in different formations and then they make a wish. This area is referred to as Wishing Rock Piles. Here is a picture of mine and of me in front of the Natural Bridge - which collapsed on September 2, 2005.

So, the next time you're at O'Wich, why not pile up some stones, make a wish and let me snap your photo!

We hit the road and ran into some crazy skies on the way. To the left were dark low clouds and to the right were bright blue skies. At least we had safe storm-free travels and got home in plenty of time for someone to work tonight :/

August 19, 2009

We got up early - at 6:00 - so we could have breakfast and be ready for our 8:00 am appointment with Gary; the plumber. He was right on time. He answered all our questions, addressed all of our concerns and said he will do his best to get his crew to the cabin next Wednesday to start what we will call Phase I of the plumbing upgrade. Our goal is first to rid the maintenance room of the "spaghetti of pipes". These pipes are mostly useless as are the abundant amount of shut off valves that seem to have no obvious purpose.

Phase I will consist of a new hot water tank, new pressure tank, new water pump - all to be mounted under the cabin. This is what it looks like under the cabin now...

We will get new supply lines, shut off valves, service for a lav (plumbing talk for a bathroom sink), new shower faucet, outside faucet and a system draining feature. There is also talk of some venting system through the roof. Phase II will be done in the spring and will include the new lav - yep, you know what I'm talking about now, don't you???? Also, installation of the vessel and the faucet, new shower stall, new toilet (to be moved away from the wall 3") and a new septic system. I'm sure there will be more, but this list is pretty much complete! The best is after next week, there is going to be peace of mind knowing that the water mechanics of the cabin will be running without incident and we knew it was needed and were lucky to get three years out of the "ized" system that is there!

After Gary left, we hung the wind chimes that Rick and Katie gave me for my birthday and we hung the hummingbird feeder that Laurie gave us, in the front. While we sat on the porch, a finch came to check out the newly hung feeder - now we will waiting for the hummingbirds! After that we emptied out the maintenance room and had lunch.

Carlo ran to Ace to look for something for the roof edge, Tractor Supply for feed and seed and the fruit stand for fresh corn and veggies. When he got back, we drove down to the river - dropped the feed along the way, checked out the tree damage and took some pictures.

We didn't do much else outside of "izing" the roof void - and if it works, I'll be sure to share our materials list - just in case you have the same problem! Hmmm, wonder if this will keep the frogs out - or whatever else has been crawling in there!

We watched a little TV and then enjoyed a scrumptious dinner at LaTolteca. I had Pollo Jalisco meal - the "J" is silent - Every time I try something new, I forget what it is called, which is a problem, especially if I like it...so I need to make a note of it!

The evening ended early for me for the second night in a row...picture a recliner, a toasty throw cover and me! Nighty night!