Friday, November 7, 2008

Even Shorter Update

Just returned from the La Veta Inn for "happy hour". They're doing winter hours with a winter menu; translation: only locals and it's slow. But Friday night is still holding steady with the "gang". No shortage of laughter and good stories.

Andy and I have been working on the computer doing autocad stuff in order to pay for our La Veta hobby, so progress on the house is a little slow at this time. But we're putting in a temporary shower and have hot water and a stove so we can come back in Dec. or Jan. and be able to live in the house.

What can I say? La Veta has captured our souls for the time being. A friend here says, "You don't find La Veta; La Veta finds you." I have to agree. There are too many "ooooo-eeeee-oooo" things that happen here to be just coincidence (sp).

Anyhoo....that's all I got for now.

lvoe, k

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Really Short Update

No pics at this time since I shorted out my laptop by spilling (what else) beer on the keyboard. So I'm on Andy's laptop again and will try pictures at a later time.
Our ETA for Carp is Monday, Nov 24. We tried to work it so the kids could come here for Thanksgiving, but best laid plans...
Halloween in La Veta was a blast! Wish I could post photos! The La Veta Inn had a party and I was an interactive "cloudy with a chance of showers/snow" with a spray bottle and confetti. Use your imagination. Andy went as "Andy", but at least he went. He had plans to leave early, but stayed the entire time. My little social butterfly!!
Low tonight is 9 degrees.
That's all I got for now. Lvoe, k

Thursday, October 16, 2008

We've Been Here 5 Months!!

Andy had quite the "knee-jerk" reaction last Friday night at the La Veta Inn whilst we indulged in "happy hour" with our friends. When Captain Davis of the Naval Reserve entered, oh my god! Andy jumped up like someone had zapped him in the balls with a cattle prod! He said he saw the four stripes on the arm and it was a gut reaction. (Andy served in the Navy as a pilot and reached the rank of Lieutenant. A Captain in the Navy is one shot shy of Admiral). Captain Davis is also a respected veterinarian in the area (he treated Waffles when she lost her toenail). The Captain was returning from Trinidad, CO, where he had been speaking at a high school about naval careers, and stopped into the Inn on his way home. I, of course, had beers enough to ask for a photo. He is a very gracious and most interesting person.

This pic was taken as I was flying to California at the end of September. The yellow-orange colors are the aspens changing color. they were spectacular (and real!).









This is a shot of the western Spanish Peak. Again, the changing aspens are the yellow at the bottom of the photo. This is the view out my front door. Eat your hearts out.

We had about 2" of snow last Tuesday.
Locally, the snow melted in a matter of hours and it became sunny again. One pic shows the baseball field across the street with snow, the following is the west peak and baseball field after the snow melted.















The northern elevation of the house during the snow.














And, of course, Snow Dog.















We had our first fire in our fireplace, drank red wine, then got so wound up we went to the local pub for beer and burgers.















I went for a walk in the evening. Birdman Bob lives about 3 houses down from us. His hobby is birds of prey. Birdman was wounded in Viet Nam and had part of his head shot off. As a result, he has seizures. He has a pitbull named Duncan that is certified to detect when Bob is about to have a seizure. Not too long ago, Bob had a seizure and Duncan ran to the marshall's office and barked his head off (ooo...bad analogy). The Marshall recognized Duncan and went to Bob's assistance. All's well. Duncan must have watched Lassie reruns.












Homecoming is a big deal in La Veta. The kids take a whole week and decorate floats for their class and parade down Main Street. Not unlike the 4th of July parade.






































Things at the house are going great! We've been waiting on one window and it's now installed. This is me prepping for the window. Such the hambone.


The siding is going on and it makes all the difference in the world. The house looks like a real house. Not some "almost there" model. Hard to explain.















This is ol' Bobby's house, next door. He died a year ago. I wish he was still around to watch us fix up our place. He was 95: The house is in such disrepair that his family (who live in No.CO) has no choice but to tear it down. Very sad for them. Great people. You'll notice, tho, my kitchen window is maybe 12 feet from ol' Bobby's western elevation. Interesting view...none-just his exterior wall. I was thinking of doing a "tromph loleil" on the wall or the state flag of Colorado...but now i won't have to.






This is Glory, one of 2 Golden Retrievers that ol' Bobby's family owns. She is a beautiful dog. This photo is for Thuy.











Andy was having "one of those days" and cut through the cord of his saw... i left and went cruising with my dog.





After the day is done...







Andy soaks his sore fingers and ices his sore heal;











i drink.








Our estimated time of departure is November 10th which puts us in Carp on Nov. 12. But depending on the weather, could change without notice. The RV isn't the most desirable place to spend a below 0 winter and we're trying to set up a temporary camp in the house to be able to return in January or sooner. Stay tuned.

That's all i got for now. lvoe, k

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Half Ass Update

Things are coming along pretty well. I've been trolling the yard for nails with a magnet roller and evening out the grading. It was 80 degrees today and I have an inch of dust stuck to the sweat on my skin. Maybe I won't shower just to see how macho I am. Maybe not. I can't display pics yet because my laptop is still in the hospital; in the meantime I'm using Andy's laptop.

The house is really becoming cozy. We have the propane hooked up again so the heater is working. Andy put up the ceiling in the porch and entry and some drywall in the entry. It really changes the feel of things. I love our little house...it's a very, very, very fine house....I have 2 cats but they're in Carp and not allowed in the yard of late because of coyotes. Think of it as a skip or scratch in the record.

The Celtic Music Festival is this weekend. Not too sure what that's all about, but, who cares?
Another excuse to celebrate and drink Irish beer.

Oktoberfest is the following weekend. All everyone talks about right now is Oktoberfest. It's the equivalent of Fiesta. I won't be here because I'm off to CA on Tuesday. Andy will have to eat a bratwurst (sp) for me.

So, that's all I got for now. Lvoe, k

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Calgon Take Me Away

It's been a long week or so.

It's taken a week and a half to insulate the entire house by myself, and today finally finished everything but the window and door casings. I itch like a mofo.

We weather proofed around the parameter of the house so we can grade next week, and in the process, weather proofed the parameter of myself. I'm covered with roofing tar. Eventually it will come off and I will no longer look like a pinto horse.

Tricia called from the Carp house, said the dishwasher is "stuck" on the dry cycle. Apparently it's been "stuck" since I left Carp on Aug. 30. I don't remember leaving with it on, so it must have been "stuck" while I was there. That's 3 weeks plus on "stuck". Andy talked her through turning off the breaker. I'll probably be looking for a new dishwasher. Better than coming home to charred remains.

I crashed the hard drive on my laptop. Don't download Service Pack 3. I'm using Andy's laptop now and he's on me like a C drive Nazi telling me not to download a bunch of stuff that would clutter up his computer and make it run slow or crash. Makes me want to download Service Pack 3.

Therefore, I don't have my Quicken program and I've overdrawn on, not one, but 3 accounts!!! I think I discovered the errors before disaster struck. Oy.

Andy lost his credit card 2 days ago. The card is connected to other accounts for auto-pay. To notify each account and wait for a new card is a muy pain in the ass. I found the card today after scouring the RV, truck, and house.

It was in the shirt pocket I had asked him to check when we discovered it missing. He insisted he didn't put it in there and so didn't look.

Thank god for Newcastle Brown Ale.

How was your week?

That's all I got. Lvoe, k

Friday, September 5, 2008

I love yoou, man!!!

Andy and I just got back from the La Veta Inn and happy hour cocktails. The gang was there with lots of laughs all around. You can't be thin skinned in these parts or you'll never survive socially or physically.

Waffy had a bath yesterday; her first since May and boy-o-boy did she ever need it!! She came home all fluffy and smelling pretty. I threw her ball for her and when she got good and warm she plopped herself down in the middle of a mud puddle left over from the rainstorm of the night before. Oy. Today she somehow ripped off a toenail chasing her ball and bled forever. Geez. Kids.


High school football has started in La Veta. The stadium is just to the east of us, but the cheering is loud and clear and sounds like fun. They take their football serious, like in Carp. I just can't see sitting in 40 degree weather in October unless my kid is playing. Oh, and for you Carp Warriors, the La Veta team mascot name is Redskins. Hmmm. Don't tell the Carp school board.

And speaking of weather, it turned fall on September 1. The light and shadows changed with the temperature, seemingly overnight. I can't tell you how beautiful it is.
The west Spanish Peak got a light dusting of snow and the temp in the early morning is in the 40's.

Is anyone else besides Becky, Nate, Casey, and myself watching the Dodgers and Manny being Manny? I love that guy.

I love this town.

That's all I got for now. Lvoe, k

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Bright Lights, Big City

Made a quick trip to CA last week to visit friends and my cats. It was a fine trip with lots of laughs and good meals! Thanks, everyone, for my wonderful stay! And I have to say I'm becoming a better flyer (Ha! Ha! Larry Homan!!). We hit a lot of turbulence at some point and I didn't even flinch!!

I arrived in La Veta last evening. Waffles greeted me with a disgusting muddy doggie saliva soaked tennis ball and Andy greeted me with open arms. They show love so differently...
Before I left we wrapped the house with a waterproof membrane and began installing the windows and flashing.



Andy wanted to take some pictures of me flashing....so I did...










I'm now getting back into the rhythm of La Veta. Tomorrow Andy and I will go to breakfast at one of two great breakfast places.


Main Street Diner
















or Sammie's





Then Waffles and I will go to the Post Office,





and to Charlie's Market for groceries.


The steam locomotive comes in from Alamosa around noon, dropping off tourists.




La Veta Liquors is on our stop if Andy needs Tanqueray and I want good beer.





Andy and I go to happy hour Friday's at the La Veta Inn (which is next door to Ricky Tims' Quilt Gallery - how we discovered La Veta)


















and visit with our favorite bartender, Karen,





and good friends such as C.J and Wayne.



Here are some
"before" pics of the east elevation of the house.















"After" shot with the new windows. They bay window is the kitchen.

Well, that's all I got. Lvoe, k

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Windows!!!!

We've had a lot of rain the past 2 days and some fantastic T&L episodes! Yesterday was an all day soaker!

Thursday we got 7 windows in!!! Hurray! It's looking like a real house! The white stuff is weather wrap. The entire house has to be wrapped before placing doors and windows. We're doing one side at a time. It's like a big present!!!
































This doe and her triplet fawns visit regularly. The deer are so common here that Waffles doesn't look twice at them.














The Stonewall Century Cycle race is this weekend so La Veta is packed with cycling tourists. Stonewall is this small town about 40 minutes north on Hwy. 12. The cyclists ride on Hwy. 12 but I don't know the particulars such as how far they go and why would you want to ride in the cold rain on a slick hwy. Sounds like something Andy would do. Our ideas of fun clash at times....

I haven't been out on any more fires, which is a good thing. That may change in a few days after all the lightning strikes in this last storm. It takes a day or two for a smoldering strike to get it's act together and become a real fire.

Waffles has a "new" name...."Manny" for Manny Ramirez, the newly aquired left fielder for the L.A. Dodgers. Andy has been hitting her ball with a wooden stake (we pulled it out of some vampire we found stashed in the attic) and bounces it off of the "green monster" (yes I know that's in Fenway Park) but in reality it's our garage wall. He does the play by play as he's hitting and she's "fielding". Andy being Andy.....

Well, that's all I got for now. Lvoe, k





Monday, August 4, 2008

Never a Dull Moment

August 7, 2008: Some have commented I don't update the blog often enough. Consider it a reflection of life in La Veta...everything is a little slower.
I could write about laundry or trying to get the dumpster people to show up, but I don't think it would hold interest for too long.

















However, yesterday a doe with nursing triplet fawns wandered into our yard! The fawns still had their spots, so they were very young. A doe usually births twins, sometimes triplets, but it's unusual for all three to survive as a doe has only 2 teats. So I guess the deer in La Veta are livin' large since they're healthy enough to feed three babies!





These two deer wandered into the backyard earlier in the day. I took these through the window in the RV only because that's where I happened to be at the time. The deer here are fearless. They'll stare you down and start toward you if you interfere with their feedings! Even Waffles is no threat to them.
















Waffy and I had another bear encounter last night. We were out walking in the beautiful warm evening when I looked over my shoulder and Oh Shit! a black bear in the field across the street. Waffy was off leash so I grabbed her nape and hurried her toward home. She didn't see the bear or else that would have been another blog.

Day before yesterday the La Veta Fire Protection District (that would be the fire dept.) was called to assist another fire protection district on a 4 acre brush fire in Trinidad. Just as we got there, they radio'd for us to "stand down" or "thanks, but we don't need you now". Rats!! There were 4 of us from the LVFPD who responded. I almost didn't get to go because I could only find one of my boots. I think a neighborhood dog took off with the mate (or Andy hid it). Anyhoo, upon presenting myself at the station dressed in my Wildfire gear and flip-flops, Rich, the asst. chief, found an extra pair of boots that were a men's 9.5. I take a woman's 9, but with extra socks, I made out just fine. We got to approach the fire line after the blaze was extinguished and I met other fellow volunteer firefighters from other counties. And to top it off, we got a free Whopper!!! HOO-HAA!

Did I say things were slow around here?!!!


That's all I got for now. I'll do better. lvoe,k


Sunday, July 20, 2008

La Veta #24 Responding to Page

I had my third fire training on Saturday. Got my gear. My I.D. is #24.





Why do firemen wear red suspenders?

















Structural fire gear....but not the beer























Wildland fire gear w/radio.





So there you have the fall line of the fire fighting ensemble. It does make my butt and belly look big. Oh well. Maybe they are.

It's been pretty hot here. Some great T&L storms during the afternoons that last maybe 15 minutes. Sometimes there's even hail. Then the sun comes back and it's beautiful.

The front porch and entry have been framed and sheathed and really change the feel of the house.


































Today started out a bit slow. Andy had house burnout this weekend (La Veta 24 responding to house burn-out) because he and Mike, our contractor, went full speed on the entry this past week and just killed themselves.

Toward the end of the day, Andy felt more back into the swing of things and began working on the house again. Waffles and I did a little backyard weeding and ball throwing.

At some point, Waffles began barking like a maniac and I looked up from my work to see her charging a brown bear that had come scavenging. Oh shit. She and the bear were nose to nose. I began yelling her name and she sort of backed off, but the three of us were less than six feet apart and I didn't know which one of us might end up as a rug in front of the fireplace. In the mean time, Andy stuck his head out of the entry window to see what was causing all this commotion. I think he was more unnerved than myself. All I could think about was protecting my dog who was trying to protect me. I wasn't scared for myself. I got Waffy into the R.V. and the bear took off across the street. And I then changed my pants.



Not more than a half an hour later, this little fawn came jetting down the street. I think it became separated from its mother because there were no adults to be seen and the poor thing didn't know where to turn next. It finally took off in the direction of the bear. Oh shit.

That's all I got for now. Lvoe, k

P.S. I'll be in CA on Tues. thru Mon. FYI