The Trees Are Finally Down

Well, the dead trees around our house are finally down. We hired someone from Tim's work to come out and cut them down. He downed a total of six, three of which were in danger of hitting the house. One of them was rotten at the base so it was a good thing we got it down. The other two were very tall and could have hit the house even though they were pretty far away. It was something watching him cut them down. For some of them he had to climb them and top them a piece at a time; he wanted to be careful not to kill my lavender and not to damage the fencing. It took him two hours and I felt kind of bad because it was so hot out. He also cut them into rounds and limbed them. We told him not to but he didn't want Tim to have to since all he has is an electric chain saw; apparently not a good investment. I think we will hire the same guy again to limb the trees that have dead limbs at the bottom. Tim wants to try and limb them himself so we'll see.

The rest of the day was pretty boring. I gave all four dogs a bath which I am considering my exercise for the day. I was sweating like crazy. None of the dogs really like getting baths but I know they felt better being wet for awhile. Tipper was much bigger then I remember her being in the tub (we usually give he a bath outside with the hose) Between her and Harry my bath tub is now covered with dog hair. Molly and Waffles don't shed. I them brushed them all, no Harry does not like any of this. Next I will clip their nails and they will be good to go for awhile.

Chris is teaching a lesson tomorrow so I will be going into town for something to do. We will also see Mike for awhile. Nathan will want to go but doesn't usually like to get up in the morning.

Well, it's off to getting the laundry rotated and the kitchen cleaned.

Yes, the Heat Has Let Up

Finally, it has rained and left some very welcomed cool air, and I didn't have to water today. Generally, I do like to spend time outside doing the yard work, but the hot air has made it impossible. Even the plants were protesting.

I went to one of my first school meeting today and it was so hot in the room I thought I was in an oven. People think it is great to have a lab, but, hello, turn on twenty computers and you suffer.

Tim worked again in Susanville. This time it wasn't so hot and the rain didn't come until he was done with his work. He won't be going back for a month or so. (he's working on the new generator going in at the prison in Susanville)

I am in the process of signing up for my three classes this semester. I will be taking an elementary school math class, a physical science class, and a humanities class; all at two different colleges. It will be grueling but I just want to get done. Next semester will be earth science, biology, and another math class. I got A's in both my summer classes so that will help get my GPA up. I now have to go through the process of getting my Shasta transcripts sent to Chico, not as easy as it sounds. I will be teaching 5 sections at the high school and possibly one section at the junior college. The college is still discussing contracts and such.

The kids are doing great. Mike had to deal with a freon leak at work but got through it. je got to work right after it happened and they had to evacuate the store and send some of the workers to the emergency room as a precaution. He did have to work an extra two hours to make up for the late start. Carina is doing great and still plugging along at the vets.

Nathan is wanting school to start but is doing fine. He bought some new guitar stuff so he's happy about that.

Raynelle' is still moving along with school and now has a job. Not sure what the exact title is but she does seem to have to do some dishes.

Well, we will pray for continued cool weather and some more rain.

What A Long Week End

Tim has reached the end of his vacation. We got a call from his dad earlier this week telling us that he would be in the area on Friday. Tim picked him up at the Reno airport, the plane was 2 and a half hours late so they got here after two in the morning; Saturday. Tom spent all day Saturday with us and we took him to Likly CA (by Alturus) today. It was a fun week end but you all know how much I love being in the car. I did get some pretty cool pictures of the thunderheads that form over that area.

On the way back Tim and I stopped at Wal-Mart and I found lots of lavendar and some yellow flowers. (much cheaper and bigger then what I can get in Quincy) Tim and planted them before the sun went down. He is getting really good at digging deep holes. We are still finding plastic that was put down under the bark. Most of it has been pulled up but it seems like it shows up right where I want to plant something.

Next week is my last week of school. I have two papers to write though so I'm not thrilled. I am getting high A's in both classes so I do have some flexability in how much work I put in on the papers this week. I am coming down with a cold so energy is something I don't have.

That's it for now. Got to start thinking about my schedule next week.

And We're Back

Well, we made it back from camping. Bryan and Randy did quite a bit of kayaking and seemed to enjoy themselves. They covered a good part of the lake; at least the side we were on. After dark we watched for satellites, which were abundant. The moon was full and we watched it come up through the trees and shine on the lake, all night....through our car window......which meant it was right in my eyes.

Waking up the next morning was interesting. Two bears had made our breakfast their midnight snack. It was a mom and her cub. They wouldn't hurt anyone and only ate the junk food. Left us slobbered on fruit and meat. We came down the hill early and ate at Courthouse Cafe'.

Randy and Bryan left pretty early so we sat outside with the dogs on the runner. They felt they were loose. Of course, when they saw the squirrels running up and down the trees it got a bit verbal. They just were not very happy about those little gray varmints invading their yard.

We are going to try going miniature golfing tomorrow after Mikey gets off work. We'll have to see how much energy everyone has. The weather is suppose to turn kind of cool.

Grandpa Tom will be flying in this week end so that will be great. It's been awhile since we've seen anyone from that side of the family. Tim will be picking him up Friday night and then taking him to his trail ride Sunday morning.

Well, that's the week in review, for now.

Just Some Pics

I am doing some reading but wanted to post these pictures while I had the computer on.
We went kayaking on Saturday. Today Tim, Mikey, Brian, and Randy are gold panning, thus my quiet time to read my material before the camping trip tomorrow.

Didn't even get sunburned

What a perfect weather day. We went kayaking at Lower Bucks today. We usually don't go to the lake on the 4th because of the crowds, and boy was there crowds, but we had Dannylle today so we took her. (so many people from Nevada) The temperature we nice. Molly got to go too. She loves going out on the water. We call her captain Molly. She captained the ship for 2.5 hours today. Tim took poictures with the cell phone so it will take awhile to get them posted.Harry hates the water. He actually jumped off once, while we were in the middle of the lake, so he could swim back to shore. Tipper will get to go this coming week, but I'm sure it will be a challenge to get her to be calm enough for the kayak. Waffles will go too. Don't know how she'll do? (right now Molly is sacked out in her crate)

Last night we went to the fireworks. They were much shorter this year but there were lots of people there. It took us about 45 minutes to get out of the area. There was also a civil war re-enactment. The kids went and Tim and I just listened. It was very loud; cannons and guns.

Tomorrow we plan on going kayaking again, just don't know where yet. When we go camping with Randy and Brian we will probably go to Bucks Lake; hoping everyone will leave by then. We will need to take all the dogs so I want to go somewhere out of the way. (Chris will be in Ireland and I don't think I want to leave Nathan home alone for three days) this could be the ultimate challenge so far. We do have crates for all of them and we plan on putting them on runners. Tipper will probably the hardest one. At least being in the great outdoors gets the dogs worn out.

Tonight will be an early night. the sun wore me out. (just like Molly) I think I will crawl into my crate early.

Takin' a Break

Just sitting here eating a bowl of fruit and taking a break from writing about the women in World War I. At least I find this topic a bit more interesting. Tim has Friday off so I am trying to get all my homework finished before the week end, just two papers, five postings, and two tests to go. I have to do postings on different days, so the teacher knows you've showed up to class on different days, so I will have to work part of the week end.

The High Sierra Festival started today, commonly known as the hippie festival in these parts. (no not all participants are hippies but close enough) The town is full of rude people who feel like everyone is here to serve them. Going out to eat is a nightmare. Now is a time I'm glad I live out here.

Fireworks are Friday night at Graeagle. I don't know if we are going, probably will. Randy and Brian will be here Sunday, with the table. (I know that doesn't sound like that big of a deal but those of you who know what our other table was would know why it is) I have already put our old table outside and waterproofed everything. It looks like brand new furniture now. We even have an umbrella for it. The guys are going to go gold panning and back packing. We are also going to figure out a day to go kayaking, maybe this Saturday. the water is still cold but we have wet suits. The dogs may have to stay home this time though.

Well, that's it for the break, gotta get back to the paper work, haven't even taken a shower yet :)