"The End of An Era"

It's over?

Last Saturday was bittersweet.  I saw my daughter walk across the MSU (Michigan State University) stage as she was awarded her bachelor's degree.  I am so proud of her I could burst! She graduated from James Madison "college" as an honor student.  She put forth a lot of effort, time and energy to achieve her degree.  She will be continuing on with her master's degree at U of M (gasp)!  That is the University of Michigan, arch rival of MSU.  Since she is not a big sports fan she is unperturbed at this seeming defection.

I'm thankful that the most distressing event in her four years of college was the death of her laptop.  When we send our 18 year old children off for four years to co mingle with 20,000 other "kids" in a basically unsupervised setting we do so with lots of prayers (or at least I did).  I prayed everyday that she would be protected from physical harm, evil and temptations.  The hazards are many and the holes deep and black.  The Lord answered my prayers and brought my daughter safely out the other side.  She did the rest by applying herself with intensity, focus, dedication and a few all nighters.

As Hannah posted on her face book page "The End Of An Era,"  signals the beginning of a new era.  I am sad that you, daughter, will no longer be only be 1 1/2 hours away in East Lansing.  I will miss our Mother/Daughter lunches at Thai Princess or whatever restaurant we decided to explore.  I am sad that you won't be popping home for a weekend (though the last two years those weekends became fewer).  I am sad that you won't be 10 minutes away from your Aunt who was always there for you when you needed her.  Just as I am sad to see the end of all these wonderful things I am just as excited for the new experiences the future holds.  We will have an opportunity to create new memories.  I am looking forward to that.  I have great faith in you Hannah that you will navigate the next phase of your life journey with just as much success as you have the last four years.  Kudos to you my dear daughter!

I love this girl!

Father, Daughter and Mother

Daughter, Mother and the other Father!

I can still carry her!

Cousins are so supportive!

The "Dean" Bunch

 

Kitty Madness and Other Assorted Craziness

Helloooo

We're still here, I'm just trying to find a "good" time in my new work schedule to squeeze in a new post now and then.
Quick updates.  Linus has taken his string weaving to a new level.  I'm continually impressed by his creative genius.

Kitty Weaving Madness.

He has discovered if he wraps his string around the toilet it doesn't get caught and stuck as it does when he uses a chair leg.  The string is just the right length for him to "catch" the other end.  He will spend hours "chasing" his string to entertain himself.

Linus has worn himself out after a particularly intense session of kitty weaving.

We've been to the "farm" three four times now.  We've dealt with a non-working furnace, 38 degree indoor temperatures and frozen toilets.  The furnace is fixed now.  No major damage to report.  Amen.

There has been drifting, blowing snow creating three foot drifts across the driveway that we've gotten stuck in.  The drifts are always around the driveway curve and at the top of the hill at the most vulnerable spot were momentum is critical.
Numerous white outs on our travels up to Evart have created intense white knuckle driving conditions.

Yet, we still love our too brief sojourns up there and are impatient for that lovely day when we will be home.  

If you look closely you can see the barely visible lines of our driveway.  The shovel was my failed attempt to clear said driveway.  We ended up calling in the big shovels, you know the kind attached to pick up trucks.  The big shovel got stuck twice before the deed was complete.

55 mile winds created white out conditions on one of our trips.

The calm after the wind.

Drifts palooza.

Sunrise on the "stead."

Meanwhile, back in Troy we are living in a war zone.  The city is replacing the water main in our subdivision.  Great news, except we have large yellow Cat machinery whizzing up and down our street, digging up our driveway and yard.  In it's muddy wake we have brownish water with unknown particulates, unexpected water shut offs, Port-a-Johns on the street corners, mud on every surface, eight foot high piles of snow and dirt, plus those obnoxious orange barrels.

Our front yard where "Cat and Deere" have become a little too comfortable.

Our paved street disguised to resemble a dirt road.

Orange barrel alert.

The black plastic to the right of the photo is covering a new fire hydrant.  They are gleefully installing them every fourth house.

The "Cat and Deere" resting in front of our house.

The good times continue.  The sink in our powder room began leaking about two weeks ago.  I determined the cause of the leak was at the sink drain.  Jeff and I procured a new sink drain. I've been stymied ever since.  I can't get the old sink drain removed.  The sink is a pedestal sink and there isn't enough working room behind the the pedestal to use any kind of tool to help loosen the joint.  So the water has been shut off to that sink for week three now. 

The sink situation.

 Hannah was home last week for spring break.  On Friday night she informed us the toilet in the upstairs hall was not working.  We figured out the water wasn't coming in at the valve.  It was, of course, after five on a Friday evening.  No help available.  Hannah's roommate was also spending the night. The girls were forced to use the powder room toilet but had to use the kitchen sink or the upstairs hall sink to wash.

The toilet malfunction we confidently traced to an unannounced water shutoff Friday afternoon while the "Cat and Deere" were once again devouring our front lawn.  The water was shutoff, the water was turned back on and the toilet was no longer operating.  Those darn dirt particles can cause such havoc.

Kudos to the City of Troy, however, when we informed them of the unfortunate event. On Monday morning they sent a work guy out to fix the problem.  Here it is not even 1:30 p.m. Monday afternoon and the toilet is in working order once again.  Thank you Troy for your prompt response.

We did a speed trip up to Evart this past weekend, leaving Saturday morning and coming back Sunday around 1:30 p.m.   When we walked into the house we were assaulted by the malodorous perfume of skunk.  You know the stinky kind that makes your eyes water and stomach roil.  I had to be at work in an hour.  Just enough time to crack a few windows, change my clothes and boogie.  As I'm driving to work, I'm horrified to discover the smell of skunk has decided to be my companion for the day.  I spent the day at work keeping as much distance as possible between myself and customers.  I also went outside for carts numerous times in a vain attempt to "air myself out".  Not my finest work day.

Ice tree.

Despite the recent trials we seem destined to experience for unknown reasons, we always find peace and grounding in our brief visits to the farm.  On Saturday afternoon in Evart the sun was shining, the sky was blue and I could feel actual warmth radiating off the siding as I stood on the back deck.  That night as I stood on the deck the moon was a quarter disk of pearl white surrounded by a billion brilliant stars in a sky of blue/black and there wasn't a single sound of civilization. It was quiet without any traffic noises, dogs barking, radios blaring and fading as cars drove by.  It was refreshing peacefulness.  Ah for the day when it will seem commonplace.

Another sunset.

D :)

Happy Michigan Winter!

Well, I have to say the year 2014 has started out with a chilly blast.  Record cold temps, a foot of snow, cars that are leaking oil, outdoor cats sleeping indoors, all are indicators of an interesting year ahead.

What a lovely top hat you have Mr. Bird Feeder.

Due to a busy work schedule H's kitty cat is in residence and Mr. Tibbs has abandoned the great outdoors for a cushy sofa and more temperate climes.  When I feed the feline hoard in the morning it appears as an ever shifting ocean of fur balls emitting various meows, hisses and growls as all five of them vie for the prime spot to receive the first of the morning offering. 

Moses, "Woman, must you bore us with your ceaseless interruptions?"

Linus, "Hey, I'm keeping an eye on you, so don't try anything sneaky!"

Moses, "Leave now and no one will get hurt."

The felines have been entertaining as they adjust to the two "new" intruders.  Actually Moses and Jinx don't mind Suss, though she minds them a lot.  Mr. Tibbs and Linus have become sparing partners giving Moses a much needed break.  I think Moses has grown weary of the whole wrestling scene.  Suss will be going back to East Lansing this weekend and I'm sure Mr. Tibbs, with warmer weather on the way, will head back outside.

Suss just hanging out.

Linus, "I can do that too, See!"

Meanwhile I've been trying to keep my anxiety level low as I worry about the extreme cold, flooding in Evart, and tons of snow affecting our "farm."  We haven't had a chance, with our crummy schedules and the busy holidays to get back to the farm since December 16th and see how it is faring.  Our first chance to visit will be the weekend of the 17th.  None too soon for me and my angst.

Jeff, when we go, will be well equipped to handle any emergency as he sports his Christmas present, l.e.d. lights included.  I had purchased the cap as a gag, not thinking Jeff would keep it. Jeff, however, thinks it may be just the ticket on those cold wintry nights when a barn check will be in order.

I'm trying to keep my mind from screaming in panic at the daunting task ahead of us this year, including, rooms to be painted in the house, adjustments made to the kitchen and a mud room to be created where there was none.  The act of finding a competent and trustworthy contractor to complete said changes.  There is a barn to be built and fences to be erected.  More contractors needed.  A house in Troy to be brought up to snuff so it can be put on the market.  A houseful of furniture and 15 years accumulated "stuff" to be moved.  An estate sale held to get rid of the "stuff" not making the move.  Oh yes, a truck to be purchased and apparently a new vehicle for myself, since my current PT cruiser has sprung a leak.  Unless we decide to fix it.  (Automobile shopping has never been on my list of things I enjoy doing.  I consider it a necessary evil.  So I'm pushing to fix my PT and save the shopping for another day.)  A daughter to be graduated and properly celebrated.  A daughter to then be situated safely in a new college and town, yet to be determined.  

The above is just an abbreviated list of what seems like hundreds of minute details that insist on nagging me when I'm supposed to be sleeping.  Keeping the panic to a low ebb is the key, right?

Happy New Year Michigan style!

D  :)

Happy Birthday Indeed!

Today for my birthday, my husband bought me a farm.  How generous and giving of him!  As I celebrate my mid 50 birthday I am so thankful for the blessings I have and the adventures that await.  The threshold of 2015 is beckoning with opportunities, and learning and growing experiences.

Our snowy front yard and road beyond and then our neighbors beyond that.

Our peaceful back 20.

We met with the seller's daughter prior to the close at 1:00 p.m.  She had graciously agreed to walk the property lines with us.  We had no survey and had some questions about our property boundaries.  Jeff, I and Michelle donned our boots, hats, and extra thick gloves (at least I did) and headed out.  The temperature hovered around 15 but the sun was shining bright.  The snow on the lawn was only about six inches deep.  As we walked further into the fields and woods, the snow became deeper.  I had chosen to wear my new wellies with alpaca socks for warmth, thinking I was quite clever.  The snow was deeper than my wellies in most places and I soon respectfully allowed the seller, Michelle, to blaze the trail through the depths.  At the farthest point from the house, I saw our realtor, Julie, frantically scanning the horizon for us. I realized we were going to be late for our closing, since it was almost 12:50 p.m.  Have you ever tried to run in thigh high snow?  It has a slow motion kinda feel.  When we finally arrived back at the house, me with blocks of ice for feet, Julie was ecstatic.  She couldn't see us (for some unknown reason because I could see her just fine) and was afraid she would have to call 911 because she would have been useless to us (Her words, not mine).   Apparently it is possible to be swallowed by thigh high snow?  I spent the next two hours at the closing with wet jeans from the knees down.  The snow topped my wellies and melted leaving my jeans soaking wet.  Clever indeed.  

Kidding aside, our realtor Julie, was wonderful and has guided and educated us through this whole farm buying business.  We love her and now consider her a friend.  The sellers, who we met for the first time today, were gracious and patient, answering all of our questions.  The closing went smoothly, wet jeans not included, and we now are the proud owners of two mortgages.

 As I stood looking out the dining room window over the "backyard" of our new home, the sun was heading towards the horizon and casting a golden light over the snow (which I failed to capture with my camera).  Peace and calm wafted around me and I didn't want to leave.  I've had moments when I doubted the wisdom of our choice of property and the direction we've chosen.  I didn't feel any doubts this afternoon.  It felt like home.

D :)

We're Going To Buy The Farm

Tomorrow is the big day!  We're going to Evart to commit ourselves on paper to another 20 year mortgage.  In exchange we get 27.5 acres of prime pastureland and a beautiful house to go with it.  I've been trying to keep my excitement to a dull roar.  The last week has been stressful trying to get all the t's crossed and the i's dotted in time.  I'll allow myself full fledged belief, excitement and relief once we walk out of the title company office.  It has been an eventful path that has led us to this crossroads.  I'm realizing that this will be our last Christmas in this house.  Bittersweet.

This was our last trek for our Christmas tree at Candy Cane ChristmasTree Farm.  We've been cutting our own tree there for at least 10 years.  The outting participants include my parents, by daughter and myself.  Jeff opted out about 8 years ago.  No judgement.

The perfect tree, small and lean because we don't have much room.

The first cut is always the hardest.

Don't I look so happy!

This tree didn't go easily.  I ended up breaking it off the with an1 inch to go.  It had to be the saw.

Home and decorated.  Moses isn't so sure it passes muster.

Linus is captivated.

D :)

Kitty Weaving

Oh Linus!

Linus has a string he loves to weave in and out of the dining room chairs.  I am a novice videographer so my video of him creating his masterpiece is crude but I think you'll get the gist.  Also my technical skills to transfer the video are rudimentary.  I will seek assistance from a skilled techy type person for the next video.  (Dave, where are you?  Help.)

Linus loves his string and what he creates with it.

 I came home from work the other night to find my vase sitting on the kitchen counter with a note "Guess who did this?"  There can be only one culprit.  I'm surprised he hasn't broken something sooner than this.

Gluing the pieces together.

It will now have rustic charm.

Speaking of kitty weaving, I've completed my first knitting project.  It was a summer cotton vest.  It only took me, let see from February to September, about nine months.  Just in time for cooler weather.   At this rate I'll be completing projects just in time for the next season to begin.

The Front

The B76yack.

Not to be daunted, however, because I've already got my next project underway.  I'm knitting a cap out of home spun 100% alpaca yarn from Spinners End Farm.  I love working with this yarn.  It has a silky smoothness that feels organic and real. The thick and thin spin of the yarn from the hand spinning gives it a rustic charm.  The yarn was woven by Sherry from Spinners End Farm (also the human keeper of Linus prior to his adoption by us).  Thank you Sherry for both.  Honestly, I'm not kidding.  We love our Linus!

I've never cabled before, so this is a new skill to add to my slow growing knitting repertoire.  It is fascinating to watch the "cable" being twisted as I utilize the cable needle.  Knitting is just chock full of creative, innovative stitches and manipulation of the stitches that create artistic patterns. It feels like magic.  Why did I wait so long to learn this craft?

I love the slight color variations and small slubs and little "guard"? hairs from this lovely alpaca yarn.

 I've also decided to start another project.  Like I'm so speedy that I'll finish the first before spring.  Ah, but I couldn't resist the yarn and pattern.  It was also suggested by Lori of Skeins On Main, where I take my knitting lessons, that it isn't a bad idea to work on two projects.  In case you inadvertently hit the wall on one project, you can work on the second project while waiting for your class and Lori to rescue your mess.  I have just a teensy bit of first hand experience with this.

Look at the colors in this yarn.

 I'm knitting a scarf created by Sue Hendricks, of Skeins On Main, and it is a curvy, wavy, delight.  The yarn I'm using is Lang Jawoll Magic, a blend of wool and nylon.

The latest update on the farm includes a call from our banker today.  Looks like everything is a go!  The appraisal was just above our buying price and the underwriters were happy with comparables in the area.  We locked in our rate at 4.125%.  We have 23 days to close.  Evart here we come!

D :)