I had other plans...

Life had other plans... 

Frozen drain = no showering or laundry (which isn't good since we all stink and I need to wash a certain unnamed young man's bedding for the 4th time in a week)

So with Patrick giving instructions Duncan and I turned off water valves, baled water out of the bathtub and plunged the drains, we ran heaters next to the new plumbing fixtures and Patrick went under the house to add more insulation wrapping to the pipes.  

Frozen pipe = no cold water.  (Unless we wanted scalding hot showers, we had to wait.

Signs of mice = have to empty the cupboards, wash every dish and bleach the cupboards, board up the back of the cupboards and now go on a hunt for how they're getting in.  (The signs of mice were neat rows of cat food inside my baking cupboard with ... droppings!) These cupboards were empty and clean just two weeks ago when we moved them for demolition day so this is a very new circumstance.  

So.. much of the day was spent washing dishes... once we had water and drains restored.  The cupboards are all smelling of bleach and the back of the cupboard has been more solidly covered... but I still don't know what the point of entry to the house is for the rodents.  We plugged in a high frequency rodent deterrent that we used successfully in the green house this summer.  Perhaps the vermin will simply leave.  

Covid19 exposure (Patrick) = quarantine everyone to their own corners of the house and now have to deliver food, water, supplies.. keep the fires going and find entertainment for boys in separate areas.  Also need to sanitize all dishes that come back from Patrick so I don't accidentally pass the covid fork or plate at the next meal.  (trying to keep exposure risk at home to a minimum to keep severity of the illness at a minimum)  Loss of job means he's not missing work I suppose... But he can't find work either from his confining corner of the house) He did drywall his confinement quarters though.  

Still not finished with the renovations = need to keep both wood stoves stoked.  (it's warm in here!)  So I'm cooking many of the meals on the wood cookstove.  Much greater appreciation for the women of yesteryear who literally slaved over hot stoves to cook their meals.  The whole stove radiates and the fronts of my legs get toasty when I'm browning meat or stirring soup.  

My actual plans for today had included taking a shower, planning Dec. menu's and finalizing the shopping list for the upcoming Utah trip.. (which is now postponed..), chat with Miles when he calls, tidy up and organize my office area in anticipation of moving to a new location..  prep a few meals for ahead in case I end up with Covid so we can all still keep eating.... help Whittaker finish up his crochet project and do some writing and watch a pre-recorded class on natural yeast bread making and maybe even try baking some.  

Maybe tomorrow!?

Holes

Holes.

Mounds of dirt.

Moles?? Badgers??

Hints of progress....

Surprises

Months ago, before the world went wacky, we discussed ordering a few new chicks so we could rotate new hens in and older hens out.  I told Patrick, four new chicks.  He stopped at the feed store and placed the order.  He later informed me that there was a minimum order.  12.  I didn't want 12 new chicks.  

Then the world went wacky... things closed.. including the feed store.  After a few months we hadn't given any chicks any thought.  

Until a phone call on Friday, three months later.  "Mr. Noble, your chicks are ready to be picked up."  

OH...

He stopped on the way home and picked them up.  

Now we have 12 baby chicks.  The weather was nice.. but this weekend it dropped so we set the chick house up in the people house.  Next week they move to the coop.  Hopefully a hen or even a goose will 'take them under her wing.

Meanwhile we are enjoying them.  The boys built a chick maze and we ran online chick races on Family Game Night!  (They're working on a bigger and better maze for next week.)

Just before game night began, Patrick came in the house and called, Duncan, come with me.  

When I questioned him, since Duncan is rather important to game night, I was told... "It's a surprise.  We'll be quick!"

So we struggled along with game night without our trusty tech guy.  Then they returned.  

With a Piano!

His brother was helping a lady move and had called saying, 'She's sending a piano to the dump.. do you guys want it?'

Apparently we did.  

After we unloaded it from the truck and brought it in the house, we began a long process of cleaning it.  The keys were sticky and gross... and most didn't play properly. (once pressed they stayed down or they wouldn't press at all)  

As the cleaning progressed I began to fear it wasn't worth  the effort.  So we decided it couldn't hurt to take it apart and see how a piano works.  An educational project even if not a musical instrument for the future.  

We also began googling if it was even a decent instrument.  We discovered that it was a Gulbransen piano built in 1954.  

In taking it apart we discovered, a paperclip, a sewing needle and a 1950's penny.  We also discovered that an army of mice must have taken up residence inside it.  

We spent roughly 6 hours, vacuuming, washing and disinfecting and researching how to clean and repair a piano.  

Duncan was fascinated.  The incredible detail to building a piano.. the intricate system of pulleys, knobs, hammers, strings and the precise shape of each key.  The keys are each hand stamped with a number. 

On the inside of the lid we discovered these signatures and dates.  We debated who they might be.  The previous owners?  The tuners?  Famous pianists who had played this piano?

The little boys kept checking on our progress. 

They also built Lego piano replicas. 

 

We remade some of the felt stoppers and restrung one of the keys.  Then we put it back together. 

Not only had we repaired all the keys and thoroughly cleaned it... It was in tune!

Fifty Reflections

Size is only one way to measure.

Reflections of the last fifty years should help to see how you measure up.

Reflections as a member of your family.  Loney, Noble... young and now.

As 50% of a couple...  certainly the photogenic one.

It's easier to find photos of you by yourself, since I'm usually the one taking the photos...  

The easiest way to find FIFTY reflections though is with the kiddos!  Usually playing with them.. often carrying them.  Often working for them and/or with them.  Almost always smiling.

I was pleased to find so many..  We often think that we have our adventures while you're at work.  So glad to know you are around for many of our adventures. 

Sub zero Field Trip

Valentines day in Wyoming.

The temperature never made it over 11*f, (or -11*c)

What a great day to drive through the canyon, grateful for an avalanche free drive!

What a great day to wear SIX layers and wrap in big blankets and go for a winter sleigh ride.

What a great day to stay down wind of thousands of wintering elk just minutes outside of Jackson Hole.

I learned a lot!  I, hopefully, won't sound so citified in local conversations.

I found it interesting that Patrick asked a lot of questions... I assumed he already knew all about the wildlife. 

The elk were rather quiet and subdued for our visit.  A few put on a sparring show for us but mostly they were content to relax.  Apparently their mating season ended and now they're recuperating.

Even with six layers and a blanket... my toes were cold and my cheeks.

Patrick only had on two layers.  He warmed my feet when we returned inside the visitors center. 

I suggested a stop for some hot cocoa but was outvoted.  We stopped at Dairy Queen and all the silly boys ordered blizzards!  I had hot chicken strips!

I already failed to sound educated on the way home... I casually said we should do the trip again in the summer when we could enjoy the view without freezing..... 

Our friend kindly said, we could.. but the elk won't be there, since the name of this place in the Elk's WINTER refuge site.  

Crash, Bang, Boom.. Ta Da

Kenzie may have crashed the party... and the window but it has led to the next bit of noise here.

Once the area was cleared out...

A more careful demolition took place.

Then the new sounds of crashing and banging began.  And the countdown to having the 7' x 6' gaping hole in the side of the house to be filled... as snow flurries began to fall outside and we stoked the fire and kept it roaring in attempts to keep what little warmth inside the house that we could.  

The progress was well anticipated and each step applauded  

Finally enclosed again, the temperatures began to rise again and moral was boosted.... or at least blankets and coats were no longer needed as we huddled near the fire.  

It was late at night when it began to finally take the appearance of a finished project.  Everyone was eager to try out the new nook... 

Exactly how the new alcove will be used is still unknown entirely... but it's been put to good use... even if it is still lacking a coat of paint and a few final finishing details.

I'm not certain if we have become so accustomed to tighter quarters or are simply giddy to all squeeze into our window seat and enjoy the views outside. 

But somehow the sight of the two littles enjoying a quiet evening moment was the most delightful to see.  

Percival

We've encountered some wildlife since our move here.  Most we view at a distance.

The fox and the jack rabbits are content to cross our paths nightly as we drive home.  The coyotes serenade from a distance.  (thankfully!)  The antelope have moved to warmer pastures... (about 100 miles south), in their place the deer have come to play.  The gophers and badgers have vanished but I expect they'll make an appearance again in the spring.  The skunks still make their presence known and the hawks and eagles majestically soar for our viewing pleasure.

Percival is another story.

Percival has made himself right at home.  At OUR home.  He took up residence in the greenhouse.  I only noticed him when I looked out and saw an enormous creature climbing out of our newly constructed compost bin.  At first I wondered if it was a badger or a raccoon, but upon closer inspection we determined... a porcupine.

We came inside and researched what we needed to know about porcupines.

1. They are nocturnal
2. There are only a few species in North America
3. They like to eat grasses, vegetables, grainsand salty things.
4. They can be a nuisance because they tend to gnaw on gardeners wooden tool handles.  
5. They do NOT actually shoot their quills, but they are very adept at protecting themselves.
6. They don't move very quickly
7. They are the largest member of the rodent family. 

Hmmm, well now what?  gnaw on wooden tool handles..  He has taken up residence in the greenhouse.  A regular smorgasbord of tool handles there.  He makes daily visits to the compost bin.  We'll never create beautiful soil at the rate he's eating all our vegetable waste.  

He's content to hide in the corner of the green house and ignore us.  The neighbourhood cats don't appear to be frightened of him.  

We decided we could all just go on ignoring each other... until this evening.  We arrived home from town around 8:30pm.  All was quiet and dark.  As I pulled down the driveway I noticed movement ahead and saw Percival in all his waddling glory.  He paused for just a moment and turned his head into the headlights.   Then just as quickly he turned and did what he considers running toward the porch!!!  "Wrong way Percival", I said.  

I gave a quick toot to frighten him into continuing on his way.  He appeared to be going under the porch, until the neighbours cat came out from under the deck.  Percival turned to leave.  

"Point for the cats, I suppose."  I muttered as I continued to pull up to the house.  Only then did I see the other neighbourhood cat sauntering toward Percival.  Percival froze.  Feeling surrounded by the car and two cats, he escaped in the only direction left available to him. 

Up the stairs, onto the porch and parked himself smack in front of the door!

The two cats took up sentinel posts on either side of him.  

For the next thirty minutes the boys and I sat in the car unsure how to proceed.  We tried playing music, honking the horn, driving away and then returning, whistling, growling, and begging.  Percival didn't so much as flinch!  Our toes were beginning to freeze even with the heater going.

At long last, Patrick pulled in with the older boys. They noticed us parked askew and still in the car and then they saw Percival and started to laugh.  

Our knight in tarnished armor continued to laugh as he took on the mighty beast.  We may have also been laughing.

We came off conquerors this time.  There are quite a few quills on the porch.  

Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Reaching an age

I've recently been told (a few times) that I've 'reached an age'.

As such I now wear reading glasses.

Not to be outdone.. Patrick had his eyes assessed..

WHEW!  They're worse than mine!

So we're adjusting.  

It's not as comfortable to lay abed and read.

Taking a photo with glasses has glare issues. 

(not that I'm a selfie taker typically) Or plan to wear the glasses for a lot of photos.)

We think we've angled correctly for no glare selfies... I'm positive we'll not remember the correct angle for future glasses selfies... so feast your eyes... it's likely the last.  

As far as reaching an age goes... I also am told, "You can't possibly be old enough to have a boy entering high school."  

I politely nod and agree... and mutter as I walk away, 'or three already graduated.'

Filling in the Details

Daddy worked in Hawaii for a few weeks and brought back a few fresh pineapples.  

While we gobbled away, slurping the dribble off our chins, we filled him in on all that had occurred while he was away this trip.

Friends went to Brazil and brought us back and new hammock as a thanks for taking care of their pets.

A neighbourhood cat has been stalking me.

It's quite disconcerting to be stared at while washing the dishes.

(I know the solution is to just stop doing dishes!)

Emerson became stuck in a bucket.

It took two people to get him out.

He got stuck a few more times before we confiscated the bucket.

Miles spent days and days in one spot finishing up his extra courses that he took this semester.  Fortunately he enjoyed them.  We often would peek in and seeing him grinning away and when we glanced at the screen, none of us saw anything amusing or pleasant... 

Chemistry, Graphic Design and Microsoft Office Specialist.

To each his own. 

Sarah claimed there wasn't enough space in her room for all her shoes.  Rather than pare down her shoe collection, she opted for opening up a wall and creating new shelves.

On a particularly quiet afternoon, I thought Emerson was napping and assumed Whittaker was playing legos with Duncan.

I was wrong.

Duncan was voraciously reading Harry Potter and the little boys... well, they were stripped down in the sandbox.

Having the time of their lives.

Until it began to rain.  Then they were dancing on the deck trying to rinse off the sand.

Emerson discovered that other people have water bottles identical to his.

He was relieved when we returned home and his was still on his hook.

We spent an ENTIRE saturday doing Scouts.  Miles performed his Native American Hoop Dancing.  Duncan earned two merit badges.  The boys and I played every carnival game known to man, and participated in the dance demonstration, and climbed rock walls, and played on bounce houses, and sawed a tree in half, and generally had a good time.

Unfortunately, as we told Daddy all about our activities... 

His red eye flight and jet lag caught up to him.

Man's Alive, He's Forty-Five!

To celebrate we invited teenagers over to drive on our indoor race course.

We tested his lung capacity with 45 candles on his cake.

We attempted a selfie  groupie shot.  Not our strong suit.

Did you have a date for Valentines?

I had been joking around asking people if they had a date for Valentines day and when they said no, I replied, "It's the 14th of February."  

Little did I know that when I came up with a plan to have our dinner by candlelight it would become a much bigger love fest.  From the idea of candles, grew nice dishes, a tablecloth, dessert and dressing up.  

Miles and Sarah had ballroom dance lessons and were gone all evening so I ended up feeling a little like Snow White with my 6 Valentines dates.  

As we waited for the last of supper to be ready, the 'mood' music came on and the living room became my own personal ballroom.  My partners were gracious and each took turns.  We even tried a little waltzing and cha cha.  

They were complete gentlemen, using their best manners and holding the chair for me, escorting me to the dining room, offering to refill my glass and serving me first.  

The love fest came to a screeching halt with this messiness.... and it all went down hill from there.  The 'mood' music changed to Olympics and we changed into jammies and relaxed.

Until Sarah and Miles came home.

We lit the candles and began the process again.  They let us know they had had plenty of dancing already before they came home. (the 3 hour samba class was exhausting!)

Apparently the cat was waiting patiently to be invited.