A Childhood Dream Comes True

When I was 12 years old I played with the boys. There was Doug, Mike, 2 Daves and me the tom boy. We would ride bikes, play ball, hide 'n seek, you name it. But we had some quiet times too. We would sit in Doug's room and listen to Peter, Paul & Mary, Simon and Garfunkel, The Mamas and the Papas or whomever was on the radio at the time. When Elton John and The Carpenters came onto the music scene we wanted to start our own musical group and I was going to play drums, just like Karen Carpenter. Unfortunately, the closest I got was on a practice pad. I knew this would not be an instrument my parents would want me to play.

As I grew up new interests took presidence and my dreams of drumming faded; but never completely. I have always told myself that one day I'll learn to play drums. Now that winter is near my schedule isn't nearly as full. I have alot more time on my hands. So I did it, I bought some electronic drums on ebay and have started to play.

There aren't any drum instructors in the immedate area, so I have turned to the internet. There I have found many sites that can give me instruction. Eventually, I plan to take some lessons from a live instructor and buy a complete lesson plan on dvd. But for now I have found that there are a few free sites, including youtube, that can get me started. My goal is to be able to play along at the next Stoneridge Jamboree.

I feel incredibly blessed. This year I have been able to fulfill 2 dreams; moving to Stoneridge and now the drums. How lucky am I!

Any other dreamers out there?

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Alive with Colors!

Our first Fall season in Idaho has been quite pleasant on the eyes. Where we once saw an ocean of green pines, we now see sprinklings of yellows, oranges and reds.

We drove north to Ione Washington then on to Metaline Falls, which is only 12 miles from the Canadian border. The small town of Ione has a train that goes to Metaline Falls and back. The short ride of about 15 or 20 miles goes right through the forest and is quite popular at this time of year.

Definately a ride we plan to take next Fall.

The drive from Ione to Metaline Falls Washington

The drive from Ione to Metaline Falls Washington

Between Ione and Metaline Falls along the Pend Oreille River
Tamarak Pines along the Pend Oreille River

Metaline Falls Park on the Pend Oreille River

Metaline Falls Park on the Pend Oreille River

Metaline Falls Park on the Pend Oreille River

Plan "B"

Our original plan was to have the shell of the house built by the end of October so that we could work on the inside all winter. As Robert Burns said : "The best plans of men and mice often go awry"

Due to the unfortunate chain of events, we haven't been able to get the house completed as originally planned. Cousin Rob did get the lot excavated. Stoneridge Guy and Cousin then finished up by getting in the septic tank.

Stoneridge Guy driving the back hoe to dig the hole for the septic tank

The guys successfully get the tank in place

We then sub contracted out the concrete work for the footings and stem walls of the basement. It took Glenn and his crew about 3 days to build the forms for the footings. Then they poured the concrete.

Day 1: They dig 4 feet below the surface so the footings will be below the frost line.

Day 2: Start building the forms

Day 3: Completing the forms

Day 4: The trucks come in to pump the concrete for the basement footings

Once the footings were poured we had to wait a few days for the concrete to set. They removed the forms for the footings and then they started on the stem walls. They had to build the forms for the 9ft. high stem walls. These are the walls of the basement and they will eventually be buried.

When the stem wall forms were built and re bar placed they called in the BIG concrete pump truck. As you can see below, this truck was equipped to maneuver the hoses up and over the walls so they could get the concrete between the forms.


A wait of three more days and the stem wall forms came down. Glenn and his crew packed up and now await our call to start on the slabs for the basement and the garage.

Our next job will be to waterproof the footings and stem walls, put in drainage and then finally back fill. Right now our obstacle is the weather. The waterproofing material is applied like paint and the recommended temperature for application is 50 degrees minimum. Right now it's 49 degrees and the material is too cold and gummy so it won't apply correctly. And so we hope for warmer temperatures so that we can get this done before the rains start.

How Did This Happen?

When we woke up on Sunday Ebony was our only pet. Somehow by that same evening we had two!

Our friends Patty & Jim just got a 5 week old Queensland Heeler from a local rancher. His female Heeler mated with his AKC Australian Cattledog. (They wanted her to have a litter before getting her spayed.) She had a litter of 10 pups, 5 females & 5 males.

Maggie (L) with her sister Sadie (R)

Me and Patty with the little sisters

We took one look at her and were hooked. They called to see if there were any more females available and we lucked out. There was only one left so we took her. Her name is Maggie.

She is so cute, but it's been 13 years since either of us has had to deal with a puppy. Her first night was a bit rocky. She woke up at 2am, then again at 4, 5, 6 and 6:30am. Stoneridge guy took the first two shifts and I got the last ones. We are hoping that she'll sleep more soundly tonight.

Poncho, the Dad

Mom

She's already crate trained and will go to her bed, without any coaxing, when she's tired. We are working on getting her house broken. Lots of trips outside. Ebony is letting her know who's the boss whenever Maggie tries to get too friendly. We are all settling in together nicely.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It is unfortunate that most of us have directly or indirectly been affected by breast cancer. Someone you know has or is a survivor of breast cancer. Yourself, your sister, mother, friends, neighbors or co-worker may be one of them.

It can make you feel impotent because there is nothing within your power you can do to make it go away. But now there is something you can do to help. The Breast Cancer Site, http://www.thebreastcancersite.com is a legitimate web site that raises money for mammograms for underprivileged women. All you have to do is go to the website and click the pink button. You can click daily and 100% of the money raised will go to fund these mammograms.

With very little effort and no money out of your own pocket you can help. Of course they have ways that you can help by pulling out the wallet or checkbook. But most of all, don't forget to have YOUR mammogram every year and do your monthly checks. Early detection is the key to successful treatment and recovery.