110 W. First Street

Snow Day

2009-12-02T14:24:00.000-07:00

It's a little chilly outside. Like 11 degrees and snow, snow, snow!! For this southern CA chicky it's an exciting experience, but for the locals its an inconvenience.

We're all snuggled in.

Thanksgiving was great. We had a deep fried turkey this year which was delicious! Our friend, Sid, is the designated Town Fryer and has been known to fry up to 15 turkeys on Thanksgiving. He has 3 fryers going at once. Drop off your turkey and pick it up an hour later with a case of Miller Lite. Not a bad deal!

Casey was here for a week and our friends, Hans & Heather came for dinner. Hans introduced Andy to single malt scotch. Andy liked it a lot.
A LOT! He got a little wound up after dinner and decided we should go Thanksgiving carolling at all our friends homes. But who knows any Thanksgiving carols? So we went and just annoyed everyone. We first went to CJ & Wayne's. They said they were happy we stopped by but I think they were just being polite. CJ poured herself a Screwdriver in order to come down to our level but no sooner did she drink maybe 2 sips, our party Andymal decided it was time to move onto the next unsuspecting household. CJ & Wayne opted not to join us; a very wise decision on their part. At Mike & Steph's Andy really put on a show. He was the life of the party. At one point I saw Steph hiding the lampshades! I had to hide under the table from embarrassment. He wasn't rude or insulting. He was funny and having a great time and had everyone in tears from laughing. No, he wasn't a gnarly drunk. He was a very happy drunk. If one were to measure it on "The Happy Drunk" meter, he would have gotten a 10, which is awarded by staying in bed all the next day with a helluva headache. That's my man!!
That's all i got. lvoek

Velveta

2009-11-15T19:14:00.001-07:00

Halloween in Velveta, as always, was a good laugh and lots of fun. Our friend Mickey came as "I Dream of Jeannie". That's Hans in an interpretive Spidey costume.

Andy is enjoying this weirdness waaaayyy too much!!!

For those of you who follow the weather in Colorado (and I know you all do), you can't assume La Veta weather is the same as Denver or Colorado Springs. It's more like Albuerquerque or Santa Fe, NM. Denver and the Springs (oh yeah, babe. Here in Colorado we call it "The Springs") get more snow and wet weather. So when you hear Denver got 12" of snow this weekend, La Veta got 3". And a nice snowy day it was. Andy has his new snow boots and bomber hat.

Of course he had to torment Waffles with the stupid hat.

Our good friend Dave, who owns Sammie's Diner where we all gather, had a "mild" heart attack last week. He's back to work and doing fine. And, as most La Vetians, has no health insurance. A fundraiser was held for him yesterday at the diner. The heart of La Veta is huge. That's the attraction for Andy & I - the people. Over 150 people participated. It was awesome! I love this town!

I keep thinking I will post photos of the house soon, but every time I turn around, something else is being done and it seems the house is always in chaos. Oh well. That's all i got. lvoek

Whew!

2009-10-30T00:30:00.000-06:00

This past summer was extremely busy with readying the house for a mid-July move in date which we miraculously made and celebrated with high fives and champagne! I love our little home! The transformation from when we first arrived in May until now (Oct.) is nothing short of amazing to me when I go back in time with photos. I will have to chronicle the summer in blog sections or parts as you'll get bored out of your mind if I make this one big, long narrative of the past (almost) 5 months and will have to work backwards, as I believe the present is more significant than the past (and I can't remember that far back!!)!

We returned to La Veta this past Friday, Oct. 23. It had snowed about 12" the previous Tuesday. By the time we arrived (in time for Happy Hour at Sammie's Diner), a lot of the snow had melted. The following days were warm, sunny, and BEAUTIFUL!!

Waffles loves the snow.

Our new trailer.
Rehearsal
Wedding

We were in CA for 2 fast and furious weeks for our daughters' wedding and in search & purchase of a trailer to haul supplies in order to make it through a Colorado winter. It was a "wham bam thank you ma'am" visit and I offer my apologies to my friends that I could not see due to all the action. I WILL make it up to you!! That's all I got for now. lvoek

Viva La Vitra

2009-07-06T11:15:00.001-06:00

I was awakened this a.m. by a gnat that flew up my nostril. I thought that happened only to dead people so I brought out my mirror to check for signs of life. Fortunately, I'm still alive and, as of the 4th, officially in my 55th year (that makes me 54 for those who don't wear flip-flops).

I had a great bday celebre complete with the annual La Veta 4th of July parade (and, no, these photos aren't the same ones as last year's. Just looks like it!).

Mama Baby! Baby Mama! Thank you very much!

Mayor Mickey

Andy & Waffles at the 4th of July Art in the Park.

A few weeks back my friend Lynda came for a visit.

The action in La Veta was too much for her....she had to leave early...

I think the Chicken Drop at Francisco Fort's Saloon Night could have been the last straw. She wore herself out trying to get Sadie the chicken to poop on #23.

I was back in CA briefly. It was a whirlwind visit as usual. Not enough time to spend with all my peeps. But I got fed and laughed a lot, which are the only things I really care about!

(besides Waffles, of course!)

I was lucky enough to spend Father's Day with Tom & Steph. Their son Evan prepared some scrumptious ribs! Their home was a semi-casuality of the Jesusita Fire. The landscape was burned up to the edge of the property. Patio furniture, fences, and other items in the yard were destroyed, but the house remained untouched with the exception of some smoke damage. Houses around them burned, some partially, some to the ground. I cannot even begin to fathom their experience.

While in CA some of us got together and celebrated Thuy's birthday!! Happy Birthday, Thuy!

Thuy was dissappointed I didn't wrap Waffles and make her Thuy's gift!

That's all I got for now! lvoe,k

MoFo's Day & Waffles' Birthday

2009-05-17T11:03:00.000-06:00

Casey was here for 3 days and celebrated MoFo's Day and Waffy's birthday.

Being a proud mother, dragged him around town to meet friends and view the sites. It took all of 11 minutes.

La Veta Liquor where we bought beer, potato vodka, and gin. Hmmm.....maybe too much information...

Post Office

Library

Charlie's Grocery Store

Saloon

Celebrating Waffy's birthdog with Hans & Heather, Casey, & Andy at The Dog Bar in Cuchara.

For the remaining 71 hours and 49 minutes, Casey tried not to let on that things were a little slow for him.

Casey & Beez pretending to be at a cat show.

Watching Waffles dig a hole.

That's all i got. lvoek

Travelin' Fools

2009-05-17T11:01:00.000-06:00

May 3, 2009

On the road with all the animals; the largest and least managable animal was driving, of course.

Are we there yet?

Window seat, please.

Yeah! Roll out the catnip! We finally made it!

that's all i got for now. lvoek

You Have Survived a Night of 1000 Trains

2009-05-16T23:01:00.000-06:00

We spent our first night in Seligman (accent on the LIG), AZ located on historic Route 66.

It's actually a pretty neat little place with great people and good food!
A lot of long trains go through the town every minute or so...
We stayed at a camp-
ground that actually gave key chains stating
"You Have Survived a Night of 1000 Trains".

Just ask Miles.

That's all I got for now. lvoek

Woooo-hoooo!

2009-05-05T20:33:00.000-06:00

We arrived safely in La Veta this sunny, warm, perfect afternoon. No sooner do we get settled when we hear of a fire in Santa Barbara! This is the 3rd fire to break out in SB when we have been docked in LV. My CA friends are suspicious..... On a serious side, my friends, Tom & Steph, have been manditorily evacuated for the 2nd time in 6 months. Please keep them in your thoughts.

We met up with our La Veta friends at Sammie's Diner for beers and "good to have you back in town, Tonto"s. It's like we never left!

The cats are doing their best to adjust. I think Miles has altitude issues, but he'll come around.

Hopefully tomorrow I will have my act together enough to post photos.

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

Las Vegas

2009-05-04T19:45:00.000-06:00

We're in Las Vegas and I put the whole nest egg on black 24. Lost my ass & my husband. So it was worth it. HA!
OK, I'm kidding. We're not in that Las Vegas. We're in New Mexico-o-o. Miles the Cat didn't do as well today; I think he was car sick, but he didn't hurl. I let him loose in the truck and he settled down after a bit.
We should make La Veta in 4 hours tomorrow, which is great since this 9 hour a day stuff is wearing and my allergies are out of control. Buy stock in Kleenex now!!!

That's all I got for now. Pretty boring. I'll improve with sleep. lvoe, k

Quickie

2009-05-03T22:21:00.000-06:00

Tonight we find ourselves in Seligman, AZ. along Route 66. It was a 9 hour drive with 2 cats and a dog. Tricia & Brian adopted the bird, therefore we're not so Noah's Ark-ish. Cats did better than I could have ever imagined and there were no drugs involved (and if the vet had prescribed sedatives, you can bet I wouldn't have wasted them on the animals!!).
I'm too freakin' tired to post pics; didn't get to bed until after 2 am last night and got up to wake the roosters....i hate packing.
Soooooo......check in for the latest. And Happy BDay to Becky tomorrow! Go Dodgers & Lakers & Nuggets & Rockies!!! I'm having a problem with duality.
That's all I got for now. Lvoe, k

2009-01-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Just for starters, here's a pic of Andy in the RV sporting his lounging ensemble.

A few days before we left, we had an honest to Buddha cattle drive through the front yard - complete with dogs and doggies and cowboys doing real cowboy hootin' and hollerin'!

It was pretty exciting!

As we made our way home from La Veta to Carp, we had a blowout on the RV on I25 just south of the armpit of Raton, N.M. - about an hour out from La Veta. OnStar was useless. They were going to send someone from Albuquerque, which is at least 2+ hours away. It was a little nerve racking as the traffic passed and we we're parked on the shoulder of the highway. The speed limit is 75 mph and you just KNOW people are going the limit...NOT! I'm in the truck calling for assistance hoping nobody will be texting as they pass...

Thankfully, our friend Dalton is a mechanic. We dialed him up and he gave us names of mechanics in Trinidad, CO which is only 30 min. away. We got our tire changed and were on our way again.

YIPPIE-KI-O-KI-AYE!!

Get a-long little Homans!

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

I'm Baaa-ack......

2009-01-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

My friend emailed me the pictures of Halloween in La Veta. Let's see if I can remember back that far. There was a Halloween party at the La Veta Inn.

This is me dressed as a cloud...notice the spray bottle strategically held in the non-beer holding hand (the white thing). People would ask what I was and I'd say "cloudy with a chance of sprinkles" then let 'em have a blast in the face! Most people had a sense of humor...most people...

Then you have Doug and Lisa dressed as "Boo-Bees"; quite creative! Yes, that's Andy with a beard in the background.

This is Wayne. He won best costume.

Andy went as Andy and wasn't going to stay long.

Then he got a load of Wayne and asked him to dance. He stayed 'til the very end. He wanted to walk him home....

But then he saw CJ and wanted to find out if her udders were real....

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

Even Shorter Update

2008-11-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

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

Really Short Update

2008-11-06T19:58:00.000-07:00

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

We've Been Here 5 Months!!

2008-10-16T12:22:00.000-06:00

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

Half Ass Update

2008-09-25T20:15:00.000-06:00

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

Calgon Take Me Away

2008-09-20T19:20:00.000-06:00

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

I love yoou, man!!!

2008-09-05T20:35:00.000-06:00

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

Bright Lights, Big City

2008-08-31T06:01:00.000-06:00

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

Windows!!!!

2008-08-16T08:20:00.000-06:00

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

Never a Dull Moment

2008-08-04T11:08:00.000-06:00

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

La Veta #24 Responding to Page

2008-07-20T20:12:00.000-06:00

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

4th of July - La Veta/Cuchara Style

2008-07-07T17:38:00.000-06:00

I went to 2 Fourth of July parades; one in Cuchara on the actual 4th and one here in La Veta on the 5th. The parade particpants throw candy to the crowd. The little kids get sooo excited! About 3000 people show up! No joke!

There are bands and the restaurants (all 2 of them) set up a huge BBQ!

My little pal, Stephanie

These next 3 photos are for Tina-K.

New members welcome!

And for my croshit buddies......

dog lovers.....

We're on the "A" list of invitees for social gatherings around town, if you can believe that! Most of you know Andy's adversion to venturing farther than a 25 foot perimeter of his home. We were invited to "Circle the Wagons RV Park" Fourth of July BBQ by Tom & Darlene Taylor. They are truly great people. They bought the RV park about the same time we bought our little house. We had our RV parked at their place for 6 months and became friends. They BBQ'd for the all their guests at their R.V. park.

The following day we met up with friends at the festivites in a La Veta park. La Veta does their thing the weekend following the fourth; it's the same sort of venue as Rods & Roses for you Carpies.

Last night we went to another BBQ at our next door neighbors, Pat & Cindy Campbell. We met 3 other couples and expanded our social circle! Lots of fun!!

True to the tradition, Andy had me working on my birthday. I demo'd the bathroom; pulled out cabinets, vanity, the jacuzzi tub and pedestal sink. Then I pulled the toilet, removed 3 layers of flooring, then reset the toilet. Andy prefers the toilet in the house to the r.v. accomodations. I have to agree the extra leg room is nice.

before

after

more leg room than first class!

The End

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

p.s. to leave a comment you gotta scroll down

Jumpin' Around

2008-06-27T08:51:00.000-06:00

I'm writing this on July 1 even tho the date says June 27. The fireplace went in last week but it was wrong. Wow. That's something different. Andy was busy with other projects and couldn't supervise the installation.

You'll notice the chimney stack was a little high...like 3 feet too high. And the fireplace itself wasn't centered properly. The guys came back yesterday and fixed it.

The stack looks much better now. But at the time, Andy was jumping around like he had a fire in his pants. He doesn't mult-task with a good attitude and that day there were a dozen things calling for his attention.
Even Waffles tries to be invisible when he gets excited.

I've become a volunteer firefighter for the La Veta Fire Department. I got to drive the brush truck (known as B-11) and work the pump and hose to water trees in town!! I might get my gear tonight at training! I get 2 outfits...one for structural fires and one for wildland fires. I hope they don't make my butt look big.

There are little bugs called "no-see-ums" (I call 'em Little Bastards) which are actually midges (no, not the Barbie and Skipper kind) that bite/sting while you're working in the yard. You don't know it until later when the welts show up like a mosquito bite but the itch more and longer. They're my daddy. They own me. Since you "no-can-see-'ems" you don't know they're around having a buffet on your dime. Or ankles, shins, arms, scalp.

I'm still ripping siding and Andy has become a master window framer. Our windows have been ordered and should arrive end of July or early August. Now that IS exciting!

And the porch has been framed to some extent. These elevations are of the same side of the house and in order of construction. The odd pictures are of the model elevations Andy built before we started construction.

That's all i got for now. Lvoe,k
P.S. if you scroll down a ways, there's a place to click on to leave comments.

Another day, another dogger

2008-06-25T14:46:00.000-06:00

You can take the girl out of the city but you can't take the consumer out of the girl. I need a little zip to get up and down the ladder. Sometimes it's a little too zippy and I'm in and out of the bathroom. I know I know....too much information.

Andy went for a massage today. The contractor who's helping us is married to a masseuse (sp) so what a great combo - hold the mayo!

Today is my friend Thuy's birthday. She requested some more pics of The Blond One, so I will honor her birthday wishes.

This is Thuy with Waffles. She's Waffles' best friend. They would run off with each other in a second if it weren't for the house arrest ankle bracelet I've had to attach to Waffy for just that reason!

Waffles used this disguise last time she tried to leave with Thuy. She had changed her name to Dog E Dogg. It was that sly brown eye that gave her away. Never make eye contact when you're on the lam.

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS TO THUY!!!!

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

2008-06-24T08:21:00.000-06:00

Our little house is 108 years old and survived a small fire about 30 years ago. For my engineering buddies reading this, here's a photo of how the fire damaged studs were "repaired" after the "blaze" (it wasn't TOO big an inferno as the house is under 1000 s.f.; the flame from a blow torch could dissolve this place in a heartbeat; so sorry, but no creme brulees for dessert if you come for a visit).

As of today, this wall is gone and the new opening for the entry has been created.

We worked really hard this morning and treated ourselves to lunch and a couple of beers at the Blue Rooster Pub & Grill, then came home for naps. Getting dinner started - usually it vacillates between great gourmet meals (yesss- really!!!!! i can cook!!!) and soup with grilled cheese sammiches. Tonight it's the latter, since we're dogged.

And speaking of dogged, Waffles has found a skunk hole under a neighbor's house. She's like a little kid - sneaking over there when my back is turned!! Great. That's all I need in an RV is a "skunked dog". I can always leave her outside to deter the bears.

And speaking of bears, there was one up a tree at Sammie's (a diner across the street) while we were having breakfast yesterday. I was told this particular bear is aggressive and not your average bear, BooBoo (oooh Yogi). The Parks & Recreation rangers chased him back into the hills, but they say he'll probably be back. Great.

We went to a c/w dance last Saturday night. We didn't dance (I wouldn't cuz I don't know how) but it was so much fun watching!!! Some of those old timers can really cut a rug!

Gotta get the chow on and then shower the dirt out of my ears and nose.

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

Catching Up

2008-06-22T10:53:00.000-06:00

We've been here a little over 3 weeks. I'll try to recap our adventures up to this time. I meant to start a journal but got busy and best laid plans...blah blah blah. Arrived in L.V. on Sat. May 31. The wind blew like hell for a week and the weather was, and still is, hot. But it's not stifling like I hear it is in CA.

On Tues. the 3rd I got two separate hematomas. One on my thumb by doing nothing but lifting a small plastic veggie bin. A few hours later, another one on my index finger on the opposite hand by opening the car door. They weren't bruises..they were full blown hema's. And believe me, after the Great Boob Blowout, I know a hema from a bruise!!

That night, or should I say early Wednesday morning (2:00 am) I awoke to another fake heart attack. Off to emergency and overnight for observation. The hospital is a part of the Veteran's Home in Walsenburg, about 15 miles away. The hospital itself consists of 10 rooms and is staffed by 2 nurses around the clock. The same nurses also work ER at the same time they're administering to patients in beds. There were only 3 patients in the hospital, including me. Southern Colorado health care verges on the scary. But the diagnosis was the same as in SB. Just a spasm in the artery and IT'S NOT DANGEROUS, CASEY!!! The doctors said the hematoma's weren't related and don't know what caused them. But it's not a problem anymore, as at this point my whole body would be one giant hematoma from working on the house.

We began demolishing the house from the interior; ripping drywall and knocking down walls. I'm now tearing off 3 layers of siding on the exterior. Andy is framing, sheathing, and cutting openings for the windows. I'm tearing the house apart while Andy is putting it back together.

The fireplace is framed and the actual unit will be installed on Thursday...so we are hoping. La Veta is a lot like Hawaii in that nobody's in a big hurry and Thursday probably means the following Monday at best. At the end of the day we are sweaty and dirty, just like great sex only not as fun. For awhile we could shower in the house and it was a good one with great water pressure and room to move. After I showered there were little piles of grit on the bottom of the tub. Dirty dirty dirty.

We had to pull the propane tank last week because the pressure release valve malfunctioned, so there went our hot water source. Now we're back to showering in the RV in a sardine size enclosure and limited hot water. It's a race at the end of the day to see who can get to it first. At least the beer is cold while you're waiting for the hot water tank to refill.

house

My Arial font just went south on me so i guess the rest of this missive will be in whatever this happens to be.

We have a few bears in town and a mountain lion roaming the streets. LaVeta didn't get a normal rainfall this year (who did????) and now creatures large and wild are making their way down from the mountains to forage.

Dennis and Tina Berg and Tina's mom, Gertrude came to visit last week. They made the drive down from Colorado Springs where they were watching their daughter, Lindsay, practice for the Women's Olympic Volleyball Team.

Well, I'm sure there are plenty of good stories I'm forgetting, like having to throw andy out of the game (house) yesterday...he was having an Excedrin moment and needed to settle down. I sent him on a bike ride.

Well, that's all I got for now. Check in often and hope to hear from someone soon. lvoe, k

Do! Do! Do! Lookin' out my front door.