Saturday, July 07, 2007

Some Saturday Stuff

First of all, a skunk update - (in case you missed the original story, please see the previous post). I asked my next door neighbor if she'd had any more encounters and she said, "Oh, yes, my husky has killed three of them!" No wonder we've been awakened in the middle of the night several times. I have great admiration for this woman who not only had to give her dog 3 major baths in one week, but had to bag up the shredded carcasses. It seems that Animal Control will not even come out and pick up a wild animal body. News to me!

It seems as though, perhaps the skunks have a bit of common sense (if there are any left, though I don't think any of the little babies have been killed). We haven't seen one in the last two days. I hope they went somewhere they can live happily ever after and not ruin anyone's sleep.

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Last year at this time I wrote this post about our time in this house - 29 years last Sunday. We lived in our first tiny house for about 4 1/2 years before we developed claustrophobia with two kids in less than 1000 square feet. Care Bear and Feisty wanted to see where their mommy lived when she was their ages, so I took them by there the other day. We paid $25,000 for this house, sold it to DC's parents for $35,000. It's for sale:

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We bought the house because it was kind of a "country" feel, with cows behind our back yard. We put in our first yard and put up a fence. The kitchen has been totally revamped and looks much better - dark wood was in during that time period - I much prefer that light oak look in the kitchen. But it is hardly worth $164,900!

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When we walked down to the park for the concert and the fireworks, it was a great time together with both of our kids and their families. Feisty has been freaking out about thunder and the illegal fireworks being set off in the neighborhood. We were so afraid she'd be afraid of the firworks. But she was so engrossed in the beauty, and trying to catch the sparkles as they feel from the sky, that she forgot to be afraid.

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Waiting for the concert to start

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The crowd on the hill watching the concert - that's Kev in the white basketball shorts. See the rain clouds building up? As soon as the concert ended, we got a bit of a rain shower, but nothing significant.

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The kids had a great time helping "direct" the music. Their other grandpa was in the band.

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Reaching for the stars - or trying to catch the "stardust" from the falling fireworks

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Cozying with mommy watching the fireworks

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Ever since I got my digital camera, I have become more aware of my surroundings and the beauty there. We have incorporated so much shade into our yard that we don't have enough sunshine for petunias or roses. But I do have one beautiful rosebush (with several mini bushes).

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During my bike ride the other night I caught this sunset.

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My favorite time of the day is early evening when the mountains are various shades of gray and you can see every foothill and high mountain in layers.

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I guess this was another rambler. We'll be attending an outdoor wedding and it's supposed to be 100 degrees. I know she wanted this date because it's 07/07/07, but I kinda wish it was inside!

Have a blessed week-end!



18 comments:

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Beautiful pictures, Dawn, especially the mountains and that one closeup of your rose. Gorgeous! :-)

My pastor's daughter is getting married at my church tomorrow (Saturday) because it's 7/7/07. It will be inside the air conditioned church though. I'd like to go but they moved the time from 3 pm to 1 pm and I probably won't be able to go. Plus I'll have Emmy and it's a lot different lugging a baby and all her paraphernalia now at 43 than it was when I was 23 with Jessica.

Hope you have a wonderful and blessed weekend. :-)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Diane@Diane's Place said...

PS: I could hardly believe that the price of that house increased almost 7 times from the original price you paid for it! You're right, if Jessica can get her real estate license she may be able to make some good money. Some of them certainly are making a killing!

Love and hugs,

Diane, again ;D

Sue Seibert said...

Can't believe the change in home prices...and lots of people actually have that kind of money to pay for a house! Amazing! Love the photos, especially of the girls watching the fireworks. Ours were wonderful, and the temp was in the 70's! Amazing for Texas in July!!

Sharon Lynne said...

I'm going to a wedding on 7-7-07 too!!

The rose on your bike ride: My mother has one that color...it's her favorite.

I loved the July 4th pictures. Everyone looks like they were having fun! Enjoy those good times!

The clouds looked nice...it's so hot here and we haven't had rain for sooooo long.

someone else said...

Your little house was very cute. I don't think we ever saw that one. Great sunset photos.

ancient one said...

Hey Dawn, I checked out your skunk story. We still have a live trap set by the Guinea nest hoping whatever kind of varmit raided that nest will return. We would like to know who we are fighting...LOL

Your pictures are beautiful.

I've been told that 7 is God's perfect number, so all these marriages on this day may be especially Blessed... let's hope so!!

inspired said...

well done ! ;o]

Tonja said...

Hi Dawn,
Thanks for the kind comments you made on my blog. It is sort of hard to write that kind of story, but, I hope it can help someone who may be going through the same thing. And, I will check out the story of you and your son, I have a similar experience with my eldest, but I have not blogged about it yet.

I love what you are doing with your camera. Your pics are great! I loved the one of the deer, and the bird. Digital sure is nice isn't it?

Please come and visit again, and I will enjoy hearing from you.
Blessings,
Tonja

Unknown said...

I hope the skunks are gone for good!

I'm glad Feisty wasn't afraid of the fireworks. Looks like you had a fun time!

Beautiful, beautiful nature pictures. I especially love the roses. :-)

Susie said...

Your rambling posts are the best! It feels just like a nice visit with a friend. Your pictures show so much wonderful family fun! The sunsets are just amazing!
Now: as to the price of that house.
Here in California, you couldn't touch a house of that size for that price. It would easily be double that and more...
We paid 16,500 for a house of about that size in 1968 and it recently sold for $450,000!
xo

Danielle said...

Beautiful photos, Dawn. It's been some time since I've blogged but I just LOVE your new LOOK at your blogsite! I hope your 4th of July was terrific! Thank you for continuing to share! God Bless!

Myrna said...

Beautiful pics! I love the sun pictures in the mountains!

Several years ago I got up in the middle of the night to check on the progress of a snow that was predicted. You know, educators can feel when the snow begins even in their sleep--Snow Day! Anyway, I peeked out the window in our bedroom that overlooks the deck and saw paw prints in the snow that had come. I was just wondering which neighborhood cat had been on the deck when a huge black and white "kitty" came strolling back from the other end of the deck! I froze and watched him nonchalantly walk down the steps like he owned the place. He didn't spray that time, but we occasionally get awakened with a distinctive odor in the air. I think we are on the path to the lake! Hope your pets have moved on.

Tammy said...

So glad you all had such a good time on the 4th!
And the flowers and scenery photos are so beautiful, Dawn!

That is neat that you took the girls to see where their mommy grew up! My girls will finally get to see my old neighborhood, which is about 3 hours away, when we have a weekend up there in August!

Have a great rest of the weekend! :)

Linda said...

Wonderful post Dawn!! I'm so excited to know you are bike riding too. We're getting better at it, but oh boy do my poor knees ache when we go up a hill.
Isn't it amazing the way the prices of houses has sky-rocketed? The old house my parents bought and restored (they paid about twenty thousand dollars for it) is on the market right now for a half million dollars!! Unbelievable (although it is a beautiful old home).
The pictures of the fourth and that gorgeous sky are lovely. We haven't gone to a fire works show in years, but we used to go to our local park just the way you did. It was such fun. We're too far away from anything like that now.
Sounds like the wedding will be a warm one.
Have a blessed sunday.

Sherry said...

I want that house!!!

Rita Loca said...

Sorry so long to get back to you, the missionary family we know in Venezuela are Jon and Sheryl Fischer.

Midlife Mom said...

What gorgeous pictures! The one of the rose is just breath taking and I love the ones of the foot hills! Also love the family ones on the 4th, isn't it a blessing to be able to get together for these events and enjoy one another's company?! Good job!

Barb said...

07/07/07 was a big wedding day here too, Dawn. Funny because it never occurred to me.

I cannot believe that house is listed at $165,000. I'm very familiar with your city :-) and I love it - we strongly considered living there at one point - and it's home to our very favorite family campground (I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about) but my word, that house listed for that price is scary. It's a sweet house but my daughter didn't pay that much for her beautiful brand new home.

Crazy.

Love you photos. (I saw some of these over at Kristen's place.) And I truly admire you for getting out and riding that bike.

By the way, to answer your question. The kids told me that they're moving on the 28th. They won't be making a trip over there before then because Aaron is finishing out his notice a the clinic. But they'll make the big move over the weekend beginning the 28th. That gives them time to get settled and they should both be in good shape for school. Him for attending and her for teaching.