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September 1, 2017

IT'S FRIDAY, MY FAVORITE DAY!!

Can you believe it? September is here and the summer is but a fast-fading memory. As usual, I have been really busy this week in spite of the fact that I managed to trip and fall - again. This time, I sprained my thumb but didn't break anything. I do have a nasty bruise on the palm of my hand and it is painful if I try to do anything with my left hand. I have got to stop hurting myself!

The weather has been terrific, although a little smoky from the forest fires. The smoke is irritating but it has contributed to some beautiful sunsets. Dave took this one a couple of nights ago. We did have a slight sprinkle and woke up with dampness on the ground. Not enough to keep me from watering my plants though. I picked my first handful of green beans this week and we are eating cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden.

We had a house warming to go to on Saturday evening. A friend of Dave's whom he had known from his radio days, had moved into Wheeler and they had just remodeled their place. It has a fantastic view of Nehalem Bay and the surrounding mountains but it is way too small for me. The house is an A-frame with one side opened for the view. There are way too many stairs for me to maneuver (circular staircase from top to bottom) but it was nicely done.

Sunday morning we opened our door to the Cubans. They had come down to roast a pig for us. They had talked about it while they were working here last week but you just never know if something gets lost in the translation. Well, they brought this adorable "live" three-month old piglet with them. They had purchased it from a farmer and after building the fire and getting the split ready, they slaughtered the little thing. I couldn't watch. I had to go in the house when they did that! Then they shaved all the hair off and placed the pig on a pole to roast and four hours later, we had dinner. It was quite a cultural experience! Meanwhile, we had made plans to eat dinner that evening with some friends whom Dave had also worked in radio. So, two dinners later we were really stuffed.

A birthday celebration was in store for Tuesday. It was my oldest granddaughter's 18th birthday. My, how the time has gone by and I can still remember when she was born and made me a grandma for the first time. She has grown to be such a wonderful young woman and will be off to college at Western Oregon University this month. She wants to be a teacher.

While the Cubans were here, they finished taking the old rotten siding off the church so we can get ready to put the new siding on. They had that job done in no time. I think they will be back next week to put on the new siding along with installing those cedar shakes we stripped off the building last month. They also dug a couple of post holes so we can install a safety rail along the back stairs. We have been ordering things for our bathroom remodel. We are going to replace the tub with a walk-in shower. So we ordered the doors, tiles and shower head for that project. Most of the stuff is still on order, so it will be at least a couple of weeks before we can begin that project.

Today, the heat pump guy is scheduled to install Ductless Heat Pumps in both the house and the Boat Barn. We've had lousy luck getting contractors to show up when they say they will, so I'm not holding my breath that this one will actually be here today. We have been trying for three weeks to get someone from the window company to show up and give us an estimate on replacing the bathroom window as part of the repair/remodel in there. I would give up on him, but he's about the only window guy around. I'm about ready to just order something online and install it ourselves.

This weekend is Labor Day weekend. The kids will be coming down to see us and to celebrate Dave's birthday and a belated birthday for Ashtin. The kids have all started back to school; Lara's last week as West Linn Schools started a week early. Jadyn is a freshman at West Linn; Jaysa is in Middle School and Jordyn in the fourth grade. Leslie's Paige will be a sophomore at Silverton High School and Ashtin will be off to college. Such a busy time for everyone and I am so thankful when we get to see everyone, especially on these special occasions.