So, Where Were We?

What a busy week or so it's been! But, what's new, right?

We are experiencing some GORGEOUS pre-autumnal weather right now: days topping out in the low 70s with nights falling into the low 40s. It was 42 degrees and I could see my breath yesterday morning when I let "the girls" (chickens) out. And, one evening last week, I saw the first flock of geese heading south. You know what's coming next!

Each time we drive up to the property now, the side roads are littered with high-end pickup trucks with four-wheeler trailers. Bear season begins on September 1st, and baiting began on August 12th. That's right, bear baiting. Tom and I have a nice little nickname for them (shut your eyes for a minute here, Dad): Master Baiters. (Let me know when you've figured out the double entendre there.) Anyway, bear hunters - to generalize (basically, those folks who look at hunting as NOTHING more than a sport) - bait in order to shoot a bear. They pick a spot in the woods and, in the weeks before the season opens, bait it with candy, donuts, jelly, etc. You get the idea. Then, when the season opens, they go back to that spot, wait for the bear to show up to eat, and BLAM! Lots of talent involved there. Uh-huh. Baiting is illegal in some states and for some animals, but, unfortunately, not here. (Although, it is illegal to bait deer.)

My oldest friend (for 29 years now!) and her FABULOUS fiance (who is from Montreal but currently works and lives in Germany) were here for a visit all of last week. They had many wedding plans to make as this was the last time the both of them would be here before their wedding in the spring, but, between that and our busyness with the house (it was relatively quiet, fortunately), we were able to spend some fantastic time together!

And, in the middle of all of that, I finally got the plans for the SIPs off! We had more than one toast over that accomplishment!

Quotes for windows and doors are coming in . . . WHY does a simple DOOR have to cost so much?! Good grief!

Our builder is hauling the first half of our timberframe home across the country from Montana to Minnesota as I write. We will unload it on Saturday or Sunday. The second half will arrive in the first week of September and then, on Monday, September 12th (drumroll, please), the house will be started! Monday will be occupied with cutting and staining the floor, and then, on Tuesday, THE TIMBERS WILL START GOING UP! I hardly believe it myself!

And, after MANY trying-to-be-nice-but-not-really-feeling-like-it voicemails to our carpenter regarding the garage, he is meeting me up at the property tomorrow and plans to begin on Monday. Please, cross everything crossable for us that it will happen!