Windy Acres Pics ‘n Posts

Since my last post, we’ve completed a number of small projects and began working, again, on the larger one, enclosing the front deck into a three season porch.

Roy keeps asking if our projects will ever end….my reply is, “Well, maybe!”  The porch will give us additional “living space” during the warmer seasons, while keeping some of the wind and cold away during the winter months.  And, because the winter sun shines on the front of the house the entire day, we should have solar gain which can be “shared” with the entrance into the house.  At least, that’s our plan and hope.  The porch project picked up again this past week, with it totally enclosed, and windows and door installed now.  Next is to add the siding (and yes, we will be doing that….I’m beginning to really hate the sight of scaffolding and climbing it!!).  Note….pictures of this project to follow soon.

One of our so-called minor projects was to sell the 5th-wheel, which it was, prep it for turning over to new owner and having that space available to store Mike’s Lake Powell boat.  It’s a lower area on the property, which provides more shelter and is out of sight of the road.

Another project has been to restain the entire back deck and rail.  Mission can now be declared accomplish!!!  And the larger items (table saw, miter saw and table, planer, and misc. wood) have been removed so we should be able to freely move about on the entire back deck without those obstacles in our way.

The final “project” was to get everything readied for the anticipated visit by Roy’s son and daughter-in-law, plus her parents from Germany.  I am in the Valley (details below), so Roy had the wonderful task of taking care of all of that and meal planning tasks.  Luckily, I’ll be returning the night before they leave our place, so I’ll have a short time to see them.  In the meantime, Roy’s being a tour guide to all of them, with antipcated trips to our “back yard” (the Grand Canyon), the volcano crater, indian ruins nearby, and other close-by, easy to drive to sights.  Hard to pack so many things into a couple of days, so hoping they have a great time and plan for another, longer visit in the future.

Last news item is that my son-in-law has be activated and preparing for deployment to Iraq (refer to previous post).  Words escape me at this time, but suffice to safe I didn’t have a happy face when I received the news!!!!!!  His third tour!!!!  And just before his planned retirement from the Reserves, which will add up to beyond 20 years for him.  He will be gone for one year, AGAIN!!!  Did I say I don’t have a happy face????

So, please keep him, his family (daughter) and the grandkids in your thoughts and prayers as they sacrifice yet again to serve the military.  Include all those serving and their families as well.  The time committed extends beyond the person serving to include their families and friends.  Because of this fact, extended family members help when need, which is why I’m at their home, watching grandkids while daughter attends a weekend retreat.  I’m sure the car will be going back and forth a bit more than usual to help her out when needed during his absence.

Well, best close this out for now….gotta do my grammy thing here.  Watch for photos in the next week when I return home.

Take care all, stay safe, no matter where ya’ll are.

Since Bill and Rose departed, we have been busy preparing the 5th wheel for the prospective new owner’s arrival.  It was a great place to live during the construction phase, but now it’s time for it to provide shelter for another person.

And, we’ve also been tied up handling Association matters–preparing financial documents and other annual report items as well as tax returns.  Thankfully, all’s completed now on this matter so we can return to finishing the front enclosed porch (we hope nothing else comes up!!).

Our most pressing news at this time is the anticipated departure of Todd for his third (yes, that’s 3rd) tour of being called up to active duty, just a mere few months before he was due to retire after serving his 20 years.  This activation is taking place soon, and he’ll be going to Iraq.  Arg!

There’s lots for Todd and family to do to get ready for him to leave for another year of duty, besides all he likely has to do at work.  Barely 30-days notice is just not enough time, but then, on the other hand, it means the quicker he leaves, the faster the return time will come his way.  Can’t win for losing, I guess.

Well, it’s a cool, overcast day here, and have more to do outside before any chance of rain.  Please keep Todd and his family in your prayers and thoughts during this upcoming tour of his.  I know they’ll all appreciate it greatly.

For the past week, Bill and Rose (Roy’s Army friend and wife) were here to visit. We had a number of places to take them, with the most important one being two trips to the Grand Canyon. We had a great time doing that, as well as hearing numerous stories from Bill and Roy about their military times together.

Below are some photos of their visit……

     Riding train to South Rim

     South Rim

Slide Rock Area

     Oak Creek Canyon Area

Sunset Crater Volcano

      
Wupatki Ruins

We had a great time, were sad to see them leave, but looking forward to the next visit with them, either here or in Germany.

Roy found yet another great deal for skis. Inspecting them, he said they don’t look like they’ve been used at all, maybe once or twice. They look new to me, but then, I don’t know a whole lot about them other than they’re “pretty.”

These sell for +/- $800, and then add on +/- $250 for the bindings….Roy’s cost? $140.

The best part of his purchase is that the bindings don’t have to be altered any, his boots fit right in there! 

Hmmmm….didn’t I see the radar last night showing snow falling on the mountain?

Another great shopping event via Ebay.

Roy decided that Nedra really needed a bath….so off the two of them went to the bathtub.  Actually, she did very well, not jumping all over and totally destroying and getting the room filled with water.  Thank goodness!!

She looks a little drenched, to say the least!

In the end, she was a very good puppers and sat still the whole time, seemed to enjoy her bath, and didn’t try to play with the towel while Roy rubbed her down.

A great time was had by both Roy and Nedra.  Happy dog to be clean and refreshed, that’s for sure.

Roy and I drove over to Snowbowl yesterday for the afternoon. He picked up his repaired skis (those “hold the boot in place” thingies).

Here he is, ready to make his first run on the mountain….

And, he’s off….to the chair lift….

So, Roy, how was the ski trip this afternoon??????

And, how tired are you since returning home?????

(Hey John, and Eliz…..it was a beautiful day on the hill….you would have loved it!!)

Oh, Roy sent Michael an email stating it’s been about 10 years since he was on skis and he wasn’t certain about his abilities….well, Michael stated it’s just like riding a bike, that you never really forget. So, Roy’s testing his skills on the easier hills before moving up the mountain to those tougher runs. I’m sure we’ll hear about that point when he’s feeling more comfortable to do so.

Nedra is sad her newly found playmate has returned home.  She whispered in my ear last night that we need to secretly snatch that little girl and bring her back cuz it’s just not the same…no one to chase, no one to play tug of war with, no one to tire her out for happy naps.

She awaits the return of Bella…the toys sit silent vigil in anticipation of her return, and Nedra continues to look for her here and there and then plops on the couch in anticipation of that return.

Such a sad tale of woe, huh!  What’s a puppy to do?

Nedra and Bella continue to get acquainted during Bella’s weekend visit. It’s amazing to watch that little gal hold her own…think she now weighs in at almost 10 pounds and growing, while Nedra is now 25 pounds AND still growing. Not a very even match, but they seem to get along great.

Yesterday, while John, Wanda, Eliz and Roy were off to the snow mountain, I had the “honor” of watching these two playing, romping, and yes, snoozing soundly during a couple of nap times. It’s just like having a couple of “terrible twos” kids!!!!

Last night, after dinner, they were at it again, entertaining everyone with their antics. Bella seems to have taken a liking to this large green squeaky toy and was just minding her own business playing with it. That is, until Nedra decided she wanted it. Well, that was not what Bella had in mind, and she tried to hold her ground with Nedra.

That tactic and position really wasn’t working too well for Bella, so she decided to try getting higher in her effort to maintain her grip on the toy.

When that position seemed to be failing, Bella added some minor puppy growls in the mix. Of course, due to the size difference, no matter what Bella tried, she was to be left waiting for Nedra to move onto a different toy. I think she started to wonder just how she could fool Nedra and decided to momentarily sit by the toy in hope Nedra wouldn’t notice “I’m still VERY interested in playing with this tory.”

Of course, that didn’t work for long. Kids! Whatcha gonna do with ‘em!

In the meantime, Wanda was having her own kind of fun….you’ll have to ask her just how much fun she was having

Was it still warm, Wanda?????

John and family arrived with not only the three girls, but also their new puppy Bella (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). What a cute face…so expressive without uttering a sound.

Nedra had been trying to convince Angel to play, all to no avail. Angel is still quite annoyed with a new addition to the family. What’s a puppy to do?

Well, upon Bella’s arrival it was utter chaos! Bella chasing Nedra. Oops. Now Nedra chasing Bella.

Toys? “Gosh, those are tiny and new to me,” Nedra says. And so it is, Nedra snatches a toy or two of Bella’s. Then, Bella looks on wondering what she’s supposed to play with. The next thing I knew, Bella was dragging one of Nedra’s toys over, sitting there looking at Nedra like, “Hey. THIS one is yours. Give me mine!!”

Bella finally gave up on that thought. So, she plunked her little body down and began playing with Nedra’s large rope chew toy, which didn’t phase Nedra one bit.

What’s really amazing is the fact these two are almost the same age. Of course, that has nothing to do with the size of a puppy. It’s still hard to watch them play and not take notice of that fact.

They’ve chased each other round and round, in and out of one room to the next. Nedra definitely needed this exercise. Now, both puppies are sound asleep for a late morning nap. Ahhhh, the quiet is wonderful.

Today our architectural friend stopped in with her artistic rendition of what she visualizes for the back deck expansion.  I know…will this construction EVER end?

We are VERY pleased with her water color image proposal.  The second image is labeled with what’s here now, and what will be added.  This addition will likely not occur until this summer, or at some point after the front deck enclosure is completed.

After a few days of snowfall the end of December, Roy has been busy prepping the Woody Wagon to accept a snow plow.  First, he ordered chains for all four wheels, which have proven to be a great addition.

The second step he accomplished yesterday (ask him how long it took to install and how much fun he had doing it) with the installation of a winch on the front of the ATV. I’m not real mechanical, but while talking to one of the neighbors, Roy stated it was a 4,000 pound winch, and they laughed because the Woody Wagon weighs about 2,000+ pounds.  Now, I cannot see Roy pulling out a tree, but I can see him attaching it to a tree to pull out the Woody Wagon from a stuck position.  Again, that’s my visual of their conversation.

Next, he’ll order the plow and then we should be able to remove snow from our driveway and possibly the road in front of our house.

Next on the agenda was to acquire a “sled” to pull behind the Woody Wagon during snowy times, just for the “kids” in the family, young and old.

Below, Roy demonstrates how much fun it’ll be once the “kids” get on it!

Now, Roy purchase this particular “sled” because of those runner thingies on the bottom of it.  Supposedly, it helps to keep the sled going straight, especially in water.

Yes, it’s a multi-purpose sled, for both snow in winter and water in summer.  Will have to see just how straight it goes under both circumstances, especially behind the jet boat on Lake Powell.  Any first time takers out there???????

Nope…. I be a good puppy. A REALLY good puppy, at that.

Nedra continues to amuse us each day.  And then, yes, there are days!!!!

Potty training is going….wll….let me just say we have out moments of success, and then there are accidents.  We try to remember to have plenty of small treats in our pockets so when she goes we can praise her with joyful voices and then pop a treat into her mouth.  Nedra seems to be getting the idea, every so often, that she gets a treat for “going.”

Aside from that, we laugh at many of her antics.  One example is the below photo.

Above, Nedra is trying to stare down the puppy image in the dishwasher.  This activity seems to be almost a daily activity now.  It’s amazing to watch her as she walks by, not a worry in the world, and suddenly stops, whips that little head around and begins the stare down activity.  She eventually tires of it, unable to bring that playful pup out from inside the dishwasher.

Something else she really likes is to go outside and play in the snow.  One of the first things she does is what I call the belly drag…she sprawls out on her tummy, all four legs stretched out in front and behind her, and then almost like a little worm, wiggles forward.  She maintains her out-stretched legs as she does this.  Eventually, something catches her attention (cats!!) and will take up her now familiar stance to monitor their antics.  She’s really very pretty when she takes this stance.  As Roy says, she struts like a princess and then poses like one too, with her head held high and “regal.”  So pretty.

As for Vader…he’s doing okay, a bit better today.  So far, all is good.  He’s still trying to adjust to Nedra, and now tolerates her.  Maybe when Vader is feeling his old self he will be playful and do the chasing antics with Nedra.  Angel doesn’t seem to be in a very playful mood, so Nedra will have to wait for Vader I guess.

It’s been an interesting couple of days here, in spite of our recent snow, followed by a day of sun and warmth.

Yesterday afternoon, I noticed that what originally appeared to be a minor wound on Vader had become larger.  This wound developed after a short stint outside this past weekend, of which Vader came back into the house with small fur floating off his body.  My immediate guess was that he’d likely “met up” with one of the two farrow cats, both male, that have been wandering around outside, fighting, vicious fights at that.

After a quick inspection then, I couldn’t find any evidence of even a minor wound.  However, the next day we did notice a small scab that seemed to be forming.

That brings us to yesterday.  He had cleaned the area around the wound, removing the fur and just bare skin showing.  I was so surprised to find the wound, and a large one at that.  It was originally hard to find with all his fur, but he definitely worked hard to show us it wasn’t getting better, but instead, probably infected.

Yup….another vet clinic visit this morning, with Nedra and Angel along for the ride, while Vader was inspected by the vet.  Thankfully, the original small puncture wound did not penetrate the abdonimal wall, and it was draining, even with this early stage of infection.  Vader is now secluded to the house, with no adventures outside any time soon, as per the vet.  And, just like one of the kids, we returned home with medications and instructions of care.

Poor Vader…hope he learned something about not tangling with those two cats.  He needs to take a cue from the three farrow kittens and the orange farrow cat….run in the opposite direction, and FAST, when it’s obvious one of those two nasty critters is close at hand.

Next, after getting medications into Vader and settled in for a nap on the sunny warm bathroom window sill, Roy and I were outside with Nedra and Angel, taking walks for the key pupose of “doing their business.”  It’s then that Roy discovered we had a “visitor” on our property in the past day.

Above, Roy’s cell phone gives you an idea of how big the paw print is.  Because the sun had been hitting it for the morning hours, some of the definition and clarity of the impression were slightly melted away.  However, it’s still pretty impressive.  This is the paw print of on HUGE mountain lion….

Above…after crossing through our lot, it continued on its way across the road and up the hill towards Jim and Jane’s house.  Hey you two, tell Winston and Sarah to be extra careful with this big kitty in the area!!

Finally, after all the excitement of the day, here’s a shot of Roy and Nedra during one of our walks….

I stated in the below post that we have so many laughs because of Nedra.  Tonight, Roy and the two fur girls watched a movie…well, ahhh, Roy watched and they slept.

Angel decided she’d feel better having her own couch, while Nedra chose to use the pillow to rest her paws instead of her head.

Angel doesn’t change positions much, but Nedra, on the other hand, really gets into being totally comfy.

Obviously, Nedra doesn’t appear to have a worry in the world at this point of the movie!

Some of you have asked how Angel’s dealing with the new puppy.  Especially since she’s been the “queen” of the house/RV for almost 7 years.  Well, it’s still quite new to her, and we’re certain she’s wondering when this “visiting” puppy is going home.  Little does she know, huh.

In the meantime, Nedra continues to explore all sorts of things inside the house and out.  One item she’s latched onto today is Angel’s napping bed we have in the office.

We’ve decided that Nedra needs her own nap bed, and one that’s much bigger than Angel’s.

Where’s Angel during these moments?

Yup…Angel’s found a new place to snooze.  She’s atop the two portable CD carrying cases.  It takes some manuevering on Angel’s part to (a) get atop them and (b) not tip one or both over before she carefully positions herself.

The interaction between the two of them continues to be interesting to watch, with Angel not showing any patience at this point for Nedra’s presence.  On the other hand, Vader has allowed Nedra to sniff him, and Nedra has assumed that playful belly position in her efforts to encourage Vader to play the chasing game.

Time.  Angel needs more time to adjust.  And so does Vader.  Nedra?  Well, guess she needs more patience to allow the other two to adjust to her, but then puppy’s aren’t know for patience, are they.

Time.  For everyone.