@Ridgetop Hubs just told me the bark sale at Lowes ends on the 6th. Just wanted to let you know in case you hadn't bought any yet. We're going to pick up 30 more bags on Tuesday.
Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along
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Ridgetop
Herd Master
Thanks! Will send DS1 tomorrow for a truck load. I need between 50 and 100 bags. I am thinking 100 bags since DH would poo poo the idea and forbid me to get any more. He is so used to buying fixers that he does not understand that most people want "move in ready" even though they change the colors and often flooring.
Problem in California is letting anyone stay in the house constitutes a "rental" agreement meaning if they refuse to leave you have to serve them notice, and then take them to court. Also anyone living in the house will not necessarily keep it pristine. I guess we can just go back and forth trading places with DS1. Not ideal but . . . .
Raining lightly here today. Not sure how much we will get but probaby enough to make all the weeds that just paid $6000 tohave cut spring up again.
DH said he will bring one of the weed whackers back from Texas with him. I will have DS1 pick up 50 bags of mulch at $2/bag to spread over the bare areas (flower beds) around the house. Hopefully that will help keep the weeds down. 
I can spread the mulch while DS1 and DS2 operate the grapler and load the roll off with trash.
Sad news on the furniture front - the mahogany dresser my great grandfather made that we were going to bring into the house turned out to have had the entire back eaten away by termites! No idea when that happened but we have been carting it around and storing it for over 50 years so anytime. The damage is OLD termite damage.
I had planned to refinish it eventually. It will go in the dumpster now. On the bright side one less item to take back to TX.
DS1 helped DS2 put in more posts and fencing around the pool yesterday. The 5 and 3 year olds were swimming and having a good time in the pool. The pool is the best thing about the house and the kids are going to be fish by the time they are 10. Water safe in California is important where every other house has a pool.
While he was there he asked DS2 about borrowing some furniture and DS2 offered his new dresser and end tables from Palm Springs. They are stored in his garage while he finishes working on his bathroom so he figures this will keep them clean and nice until he can move them into his bedroom. I said yes to all 3. DD1 offered her old square coffee table since DS1 gave her his beautiful oak coffee table. The table is squarish in dark wood and will fit well with the loveseats and furniture arrangement in the LR. Just need a 5x7 carpet to ground the living room and pull all the colors together. DD1 came over yesterday and looked at what I had done. She vetoed the carpets I had bought for the LR as "too blue". She was right. I need something with more colors in it. Not too bright though - back to Ross on Tuesday. She also thought putting the black quasi-Chinese figured valances up on the window again would be good. I kept them thinking I might use them in TX so they can go back up. The figured black pillows can go on the white chairs. The blue pillows are okay for the plaid lovesetss.
After she left DS1 and I brought in the Chinese screen and put it up behind the loveseat against the wall. I put the black side out and it is really pretty. I always had the red tea scene side out before because of the oriental rug, but the black side has pale aqua, rose, and gold which blends with the plaid sofas. The loveseats were bought years ago when southwestern decor was IN with pastel colors. They are in perfect condition, unfortunately the colors are dated now but with careful choice of thow pillows abd accessories they will blend and not look wrong. With the large gold mirror on the huge fireplace wall, the black Chinese screen sitting on the floor behind one loveseat, and other black touches the room is starting to come together. I have a large pen and ink drawing my sister did that is matted in black and framed in silver which has a modern look. Instead of hanging that on the wall, I stood it on the sofa table against the far wall. Once the right rug is found and my "shopping" from DD1's placed around, the LR and DR will have a minimalist, elegant, modern look. I might need another tall (18") vase for the sofa table since I want to put the colorful artificial roses on one side. I need some height in that corner. I am also bringing in my Fu dog (actually a garden ornament) from outside to set on the fireplace. Amazing what you can do with the stuff you have laying around. Fu will be going to TX with us as will my lawn dragon, but for now he can come inside and be an ornament on the fireplace hearth. His concrete has a blue cast to it. LOL
The "art" twig arrangement in the super tall blue vase looks good in the corner of the DR against the light colored wall. Very lacy and airy but fills that corner and cuts the sterile white feeling of the room. I added a couple extra bits to it for contrast, and I think it looks as good as anything you would buy at Home Goods for $100. LOL Mine only cost the vase ($16 mark down at Ross) and $7 in artificial flowers (40% and 60% off at Hobby Lobby and Michaels). I had the paint and floral tape in the shed. LOL
The antique bronze paint on the light fixture turned out to be too dark and made it look like Spanish wrought iron. DS1 suggested I remove some of the dark bronze paint and let some brass gleam through. An hour with Acetone and the chandelier looks more antique and less Mexican. DS1 hung it today. It took a couple hours since there were some problems with it. I think when they took it down they may have put the nuts on wrong. Once he took the electrical connections apart and redid them it went up. I suggested we shorten the wires and chain but he said we should keep them long and just loop them up in case it needed to be moved. Once it was hung, it took me 2 hours to sort out and put the crystals back on! LOL I had to pull up a picture of a family dinner to see where some of the crystals went. It is a lovely piece but there are a LOT of crystals to wash and put back on! LOL When I was young and house proud I used to wash the chandelier crystals every month. Gradually that diminished until in the past couple years I only washed them for Christmas and Easter.
One reason why I won't have a lovely crystal chandeleer in TX. 
The table I am using is small, and opened out to be almost square. The swing out "gate legs" mean you can't put a chair on the end so I am just using 2 chairs on each side. The juxtaposition of the fancy crystal chandelier with the basic dark wood table and the lack of anything except the "art" twig arrangement against the cream walls looks good. Minimalist but good. It also makes the room look larger.
Couldn't decide between the old wooden tool box with limes and lemons in it or the clear glass fishbowl with the marble fruit for a centerpiece.
Once I get a LR rug, make the flower arrangement, and move the accessories around in the LR, I will post pix of that. It still won't be finished because DH will be bringing a glass and black metal table/lamp combo back with him. It matches the one that is already here so will go well in the living room since I don't have any other lamps in there. The living room is large and the way it's furnished makes it look even more spacious. I am happy with the way it is turning out to show prospective buyers.
The "nursery" (BR2) with DD2's bassinet is looking cute too. DS2 left the changing table behind and I found a nice rug for that room. DH will be bringing back the rocking chair to go in that room. BR3 has the captain's bed and wooden trunk in it. DD1 will be giving me one of the boys' old bedspreads for it. Rocket ships I think. DS1 ordered a play rug for it and I washed some of the left behind trucks from DGS 5 and 6. I will pick up some stuffed animals from DD1 for that room too. So 4 rooms finished and staged so far - MBA, BR2 (nursery), BR3, and DR. Working on the LR and when DH arrives I will have the bedspread for the MBR.
I am starting to have that familiar feeling of "I wouldn't mind moving into this myself" that I get after staging a room. I will have to be careful to remember every day how much I love my place in Texas. LOL
Problem in California is letting anyone stay in the house constitutes a "rental" agreement meaning if they refuse to leave you have to serve them notice, and then take them to court. Also anyone living in the house will not necessarily keep it pristine. I guess we can just go back and forth trading places with DS1. Not ideal but . . . .
Raining lightly here today. Not sure how much we will get but probaby enough to make all the weeds that just paid $6000 tohave cut spring up again.
DH said he will bring one of the weed whackers back from Texas with him. I will have DS1 pick up 50 bags of mulch at $2/bag to spread over the bare areas (flower beds) around the house. Hopefully that will help keep the weeds down. I can spread the mulch while DS1 and DS2 operate the grapler and load the roll off with trash.Sad news on the furniture front - the mahogany dresser my great grandfather made that we were going to bring into the house turned out to have had the entire back eaten away by termites! No idea when that happened but we have been carting it around and storing it for over 50 years so anytime. The damage is OLD termite damage.
I had planned to refinish it eventually. It will go in the dumpster now. On the bright side one less item to take back to TX.DS1 helped DS2 put in more posts and fencing around the pool yesterday. The 5 and 3 year olds were swimming and having a good time in the pool. The pool is the best thing about the house and the kids are going to be fish by the time they are 10. Water safe in California is important where every other house has a pool.
While he was there he asked DS2 about borrowing some furniture and DS2 offered his new dresser and end tables from Palm Springs. They are stored in his garage while he finishes working on his bathroom so he figures this will keep them clean and nice until he can move them into his bedroom. I said yes to all 3. DD1 offered her old square coffee table since DS1 gave her his beautiful oak coffee table. The table is squarish in dark wood and will fit well with the loveseats and furniture arrangement in the LR. Just need a 5x7 carpet to ground the living room and pull all the colors together. DD1 came over yesterday and looked at what I had done. She vetoed the carpets I had bought for the LR as "too blue". She was right. I need something with more colors in it. Not too bright though - back to Ross on Tuesday. She also thought putting the black quasi-Chinese figured valances up on the window again would be good. I kept them thinking I might use them in TX so they can go back up. The figured black pillows can go on the white chairs. The blue pillows are okay for the plaid lovesetss.
After she left DS1 and I brought in the Chinese screen and put it up behind the loveseat against the wall. I put the black side out and it is really pretty. I always had the red tea scene side out before because of the oriental rug, but the black side has pale aqua, rose, and gold which blends with the plaid sofas. The loveseats were bought years ago when southwestern decor was IN with pastel colors. They are in perfect condition, unfortunately the colors are dated now but with careful choice of thow pillows abd accessories they will blend and not look wrong. With the large gold mirror on the huge fireplace wall, the black Chinese screen sitting on the floor behind one loveseat, and other black touches the room is starting to come together. I have a large pen and ink drawing my sister did that is matted in black and framed in silver which has a modern look. Instead of hanging that on the wall, I stood it on the sofa table against the far wall. Once the right rug is found and my "shopping" from DD1's placed around, the LR and DR will have a minimalist, elegant, modern look. I might need another tall (18") vase for the sofa table since I want to put the colorful artificial roses on one side. I need some height in that corner. I am also bringing in my Fu dog (actually a garden ornament) from outside to set on the fireplace. Amazing what you can do with the stuff you have laying around. Fu will be going to TX with us as will my lawn dragon, but for now he can come inside and be an ornament on the fireplace hearth. His concrete has a blue cast to it. LOL
The "art" twig arrangement in the super tall blue vase looks good in the corner of the DR against the light colored wall. Very lacy and airy but fills that corner and cuts the sterile white feeling of the room. I added a couple extra bits to it for contrast, and I think it looks as good as anything you would buy at Home Goods for $100. LOL Mine only cost the vase ($16 mark down at Ross) and $7 in artificial flowers (40% and 60% off at Hobby Lobby and Michaels). I had the paint and floral tape in the shed. LOL
One reason why I won't have a lovely crystal chandeleer in TX. The table I am using is small, and opened out to be almost square. The swing out "gate legs" mean you can't put a chair on the end so I am just using 2 chairs on each side. The juxtaposition of the fancy crystal chandelier with the basic dark wood table and the lack of anything except the "art" twig arrangement against the cream walls looks good. Minimalist but good. It also makes the room look larger.
Couldn't decide between the old wooden tool box with limes and lemons in it or the clear glass fishbowl with the marble fruit for a centerpiece.
Once I get a LR rug, make the flower arrangement, and move the accessories around in the LR, I will post pix of that. It still won't be finished because DH will be bringing a glass and black metal table/lamp combo back with him. It matches the one that is already here so will go well in the living room since I don't have any other lamps in there. The living room is large and the way it's furnished makes it look even more spacious. I am happy with the way it is turning out to show prospective buyers.
The "nursery" (BR2) with DD2's bassinet is looking cute too. DS2 left the changing table behind and I found a nice rug for that room. DH will be bringing back the rocking chair to go in that room. BR3 has the captain's bed and wooden trunk in it. DD1 will be giving me one of the boys' old bedspreads for it. Rocket ships I think. DS1 ordered a play rug for it and I washed some of the left behind trucks from DGS 5 and 6. I will pick up some stuffed animals from DD1 for that room too. So 4 rooms finished and staged so far - MBA, BR2 (nursery), BR3, and DR. Working on the LR and when DH arrives I will have the bedspread for the MBR.
I am starting to have that familiar feeling of "I wouldn't mind moving into this myself" that I get after staging a room. I will have to be careful to remember every day how much I love my place in Texas. LOL
Baymule
Herd Master
You have such good taste in furnishings. It looks inviting and beautiful. Get those realtors in there and get it sold!
SageHill
Herd Master
Wow - looks very nice.
I think I like the glass fish bowl better - it ties in the crystal more than the wooden toolbox (though normally the wooden toolbox would be my pick).
Dang - lets get this listed!! But first finish the staging because you never know who is taking the photos.
I think I like the glass fish bowl better - it ties in the crystal more than the wooden toolbox (though normally the wooden toolbox would be my pick).
Dang - lets get this listed!! But first finish the staging because you never know who is taking the photos.
murphysranch
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Sounds perfect and remember, we all like pictures!!
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Ridgetop
Herd Master
This morning I spent an hour drinking my coffee on the comfortable loveseat in the living room, admiring the room and the view. It was so relaxing I considered staying here but I smacked myself back into good sense. 
Just a note: I haven't had ice cream since leaving Texas! DH called last night and said he was too tired to eat dinner. I suggested he have Blue Bell and he perked up. Said that was s good idea. He had just enough energy to dish up a bowl of Cherry Vanilla.
Tomorrow back to Ross for acheap inexpensive rug. Once that is in place and the coffee table in, I will take final photos. I will be adding another black and glass table/lamp when DH comes back from TX. Talked to DS2 this morning about using some of his furniture and he offered his new bedroom set (lowboy and side tables), some end tables and lamps, and his pair of new leather reclining loveseats. He overbought at Palm Springs which I warned him about but in a warehouse the furniture looked much smaller. 
Now that it is all in his living room there is no room to walk around or recline the lovesets or sofa! He advertised the loveseats but the buyer did not show up after he saidhe wanted cash and someine took down hsad the same day. I told him to put up the ad again, lower the price to $900 for the pair, and we would sell them as "moving sale" pieces. They are new so worth the money. Not looking forward to moving the heavy things since they have motors but if it helps him sell them and looks better in my house for staging . . . .
A possible change of plan for DS1 returning to TX and DH coming out. DD2 has told her dad that she might not be able to come out with him since Annabel starts new classes almost immediately. Since she has been trying to get her into special ed classes she can't take the chance on not getting the spot in the class. DH may have to drive out alone. Not what we want somaybe another round with a house sitter in Texas while DS1 drives out with DH and then flies back. Have to figure out what will happen. However it opens up the timeline for DS1 to go back, giving him more time to get the dumpster this week and work on getting rid of all the big garbage that accumulates on a 6 acre place. We can't burn here so all rotted fencing, etc. must be hauled off.
DS1 and I made a start on the hazardous waste items in the shed got the inone location to take in, We gathered a lot of trash cardboard etc. that went down in the cans yesterday, as well as any old small metal or plastic for the blue barrels. There are some small things that we want that I have to pack up. Also some of DS2's stuff is still there and I might as well pack that up to go in his sheds. BTW, DS2 has now decided to take one of the Rubbermaid sheds to put over his pool equipment for pool equipment storage. His money is running out on fixing the bathroom and he is now more agreeable to my suggestions that he strip the property of usable items (like the $2000+ of retaining wall blocks sitting on the field). He eventually wants to put in retaining walls to terrace his hillside. He didn't want to be bothered with moving the blocks when he had more $$$ but the bathroom repair is eating him up. Another moving job that he can pay DGS1 to help with will be removing the piles of block and stacking them at his house. The wrought iron fence is in around the pool so at least the grandchidren will be safe until they figure out a way to scale the fence. Or tunnel under it. These are Ridgetop kids so nothing is impossible.
Today DGS1 is coming over to help DS1 load up the scrap metal to sell at the metal yard. He is home from college for the summer and is applying for a summer job but is willing to work for us for several days, until he gets hired. His parents no longer give him an allowance so he has to earn his spending money now. I told DS1 that we should see about having him come to the ranch next summer and work there for us. We need to put up more fence and shelters and we would pay him.
Since DS1 may not be leaving for TX next week, I am going to move all the packed boxes and bins from my room into the laundry room. There is space now that the large freezer and shelves are gone. He didn't want to move them until he loaded them into the trailer but they are taking up a lot of room and I don't want them out when the realtors look at the house. All those packed boxes make the rooms look smaller. They can be stored in the laundry room and the closets.
Well gotta get on with it. Nothing packs itself in this house although some people think a packing elf comes in at night for the job. LOL
Just a note: I haven't had ice cream since leaving Texas! DH called last night and said he was too tired to eat dinner. I suggested he have Blue Bell and he perked up. Said that was s good idea. He had just enough energy to dish up a bowl of Cherry Vanilla.
Tomorrow back to Ross for a
Now that it is all in his living room there is no room to walk around or recline the lovesets or sofa! He advertised the loveseats but the buyer did not show up after he saidhe wanted cash and someine took down hsad the same day. I told him to put up the ad again, lower the price to $900 for the pair, and we would sell them as "moving sale" pieces. They are new so worth the money. Not looking forward to moving the heavy things since they have motors but if it helps him sell them and looks better in my house for staging . . . .A possible change of plan for DS1 returning to TX and DH coming out. DD2 has told her dad that she might not be able to come out with him since Annabel starts new classes almost immediately. Since she has been trying to get her into special ed classes she can't take the chance on not getting the spot in the class. DH may have to drive out alone. Not what we want somaybe another round with a house sitter in Texas while DS1 drives out with DH and then flies back. Have to figure out what will happen. However it opens up the timeline for DS1 to go back, giving him more time to get the dumpster this week and work on getting rid of all the big garbage that accumulates on a 6 acre place. We can't burn here so all rotted fencing, etc. must be hauled off.
DS1 and I made a start on the hazardous waste items in the shed got the inone location to take in, We gathered a lot of trash cardboard etc. that went down in the cans yesterday, as well as any old small metal or plastic for the blue barrels. There are some small things that we want that I have to pack up. Also some of DS2's stuff is still there and I might as well pack that up to go in his sheds. BTW, DS2 has now decided to take one of the Rubbermaid sheds to put over his pool equipment for pool equipment storage. His money is running out on fixing the bathroom and he is now more agreeable to my suggestions that he strip the property of usable items (like the $2000+ of retaining wall blocks sitting on the field). He eventually wants to put in retaining walls to terrace his hillside. He didn't want to be bothered with moving the blocks when he had more $$$ but the bathroom repair is eating him up. Another moving job that he can pay DGS1 to help with will be removing the piles of block and stacking them at his house. The wrought iron fence is in around the pool so at least the grandchidren will be safe until they figure out a way to scale the fence. Or tunnel under it. These are Ridgetop kids so nothing is impossible.
Today DGS1 is coming over to help DS1 load up the scrap metal to sell at the metal yard. He is home from college for the summer and is applying for a summer job but is willing to work for us for several days, until he gets hired. His parents no longer give him an allowance so he has to earn his spending money now. I told DS1 that we should see about having him come to the ranch next summer and work there for us. We need to put up more fence and shelters and we would pay him.
Since DS1 may not be leaving for TX next week, I am going to move all the packed boxes and bins from my room into the laundry room. There is space now that the large freezer and shelves are gone. He didn't want to move them until he loaded them into the trailer but they are taking up a lot of room and I don't want them out when the realtors look at the house. All those packed boxes make the rooms look smaller. They can be stored in the laundry room and the closets.
Well gotta get on with it. Nothing packs itself in this house although some people think a packing elf comes in at night for the job. LOL
SageHill
Herd Master
The heck with next year - how about this year DGS1 can house sit and you can go home.
That's a great idea and he can still work another job.
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Ridgetop
Herd Master
I love this idea and will talk to him and DH about it. I would like to go home and see my house, lambs, and pack some clothes. I only brought work clothes - enough for 3 weeks and have had to buy some clothes out here for Easter, Confirmation etc.
Told DH he would have to pack some more clothes for me. Can't wait to see what he brings! 
The dumpster is on order for today. Two of them that DS1 called refused to come out since they said they would not be able toturn around. He had thm pull up their mas on line again and said that the empty acreage next to the house is ours and then they said ok. Once the roll off arrives we will pick up the tractor and start loading the power poles and large rubbish. DH got a call from a company who did work for us in the past about working on the house and sent them to me. I told them I needed only a plumber so one is coming Thursday to see about the frozen shutoffs and getting me some water flow in the bathroom sink.
DH keeps talking bout tearing up the floor ??? and I toldhim that this guy said he would go in the wall behind the sink under the vnity to access the pipes. I told DH hopefully that is where the problem is located. I need to buy a new faucet before they come in case the problem is the faucet. I don't think it is the faucet so if the faucet is ok I will return the new one.I have one realtor is coming Friday at 1pm and the other Monday at 3pm. I will call around for some more There are 2 Armenian women who list a lot of property here in Shadow Hills and if I can find their numbers I will call them too. There is not much for sale here in Shadow Hills, and nothing like this property so
it will sell fast. I will only give a 30 day listing with an optionf for another 30. Any longer and the realtors don't hustle to move it and the listing goes "stale". If it's on the MLS for over 14 days people want to know what is wrong with it and after 30 days the realtor wants you to lower your price. I want to sell but am not playing any games. Since DGS1 is here until July, I can go home while it is listed if he stays here.Yesterday DS1 bought 2 pallets of mulch at $2/bag. He, DGS1, and DS2 unloadedthem onto the driveway since DS2 had the wheelbarrow (the others are in Texas). DS1 took DGS1 home, picked up the wheelbarrow from DS2, and stayed for a couple hours helping him with his shower drain and sewer. Today I will pickup DGS1 and go to DS2's to pick up some of the furniture he is loaning me. DS2 can load it with DGS1. I will ask him to come over and help unload it too as well as load the large 1910 wardrobe to remove it from the MAB. May put it at the curb with a sign saying "free". It is in original condition with even the tin (yes, real tin) holder for the block of camphor to keep moths out of the winter clothes. Hate to let it go but nowhere for it in Texas, and noone wants it here. Time to move on. My uncle George owned homes/apartments in Palm Springs, Santa Monica, Big Bear, Acapulco (pre-cartel) and Mexico City. Theywere all r=furnished with beautiful antiques that he and his partner had picked up in europe and their travels over the years. He said that those possessions were like a millstone around his neck and referred to it all as "junk".
During this downsizing and now collecting more stuff with which to stage the house I understand where he was coming from! I have some beautiful and valuable pieces and carpets, but like Uncle George I feel them weighing me down. When you are young and don't have much, those things are desirable and you treasure your possessions, as you get older and have accumulated more, your focus changes and those things are no longer as valuable to you. Thus - junk! lol
Anyway another trip to 2 Ross stores yesterday (old folks 10% off day). I came home with 2 bedspreads, 3 rugs, a couple fake plants, and other "junk". Also another 2 towels but unfortunately although they are the same color, I didn't notice that they are 2 different styles so one has to go back and be exchanged for a matching one. I will return one bedspread which turns out to be the wrong shade of blue, a vase I bought the other day - unneeded -, the towel, 2 of the carpets. Possibly some of the artificial flowers I bought from Michaels and Hobby Lobby may have to go back too. I decided it was more efficient to buy everything and then return what is not needed than to make a buying trip every day. Exhausting.
DS2 is also loaning me a pair of lamps he absolutey fell in love with in Palm Springs. They are lovely fragile things and probably shouldn't be around his 3 boys for another 20 years. LOL The boy didn't listen to his mother, didn't measure his room before he went, and overbought. He has a recliner couch, 2 recliner loveseats, and a huge (although lovely) coffee tsble in hisliving room. You can't recline the recliners without removing the coffee table and one of the loveseats out of the room. Even sitting in the furniture upright, you have to edge past the coffee table and your knees hit it. Not sure what he is going to do. Maybe knock a few walls out?
Anyway, I crawled around yesterday and got all the paint drips off the tile and vinyl floors. Today I have to wash the tile and laundry room with TSP and a brush, then a clear water rinse. I amnot waisint for the floor scrubber. DH can rent one and run it when he arrives.
BTW, he called and said that they will be leaving onthe 18th after all so DS1 needs to get his work finished in time here to get back there. He, DH, and DD2 will have to vaccinate , worm and finish tagging the lambs. The remaining 3 ewes that have not lambed (all half sisters) have until the end of the month to do so. Then they will go in the pen with the others to be bred for October lambs.
DH also said that the large rams have apparently decided that he is fair game when he comes in with the grain bucket. If he goes in the pen to move the feed trough, they are fine but if he comes in with a bucket one of them will charge him. He said he swatted the ram's face away a couple times but I don't like the fact that one is getting pushy. DH said he thinks that the ram wants him to hurry and dump the grain but regardless, that behavior is not allowed. DH said that the ram does not butt hard, but he said he will take the ram whacker with him when he goes in the pen. I have one hanging on each ram pen gate for safety. DS1 will not tolerate that behavior when he goes back. DH says that the 4 ram lambs we kept are really nice. He tried to send me some pix of the ram lambs. He is the worst photographer in history. Heads disappear, focus gets fuzzy, and the pics are so far in the distance you can't tell what they are. LOL However he tried.
Here are 2 photos he sent me to show me the new lambs, and the ram lambs we kept.
Ths one is of the ewes eating and some of the lambs wandering round. The one looks a bit long legged - these are out of the new Utah ram - so we'll see if they are worth keeping.
Here is a picture he sent me to show me how good the ram lambs are looking. LOL The other picture showed only a bit of white behind a trailer. In this the rear lamb looks very dippy in the chine. The one in front looks to have a good thck butt and leg. The angle is terrible so who knows what they look like in reality. LOL Kudos for trying though. DD2 took pictures of the rose bushes I lanted last year. I thought they had died over the summer but they are beautiful and full of blooms. Unfortunately when I try to send those pix what shows up are little boxes that don't open into photos. They have been downloaded into my photos so I can see them in my phone but they won't forward to the computer in photo form.
They are absolutely beautiful all along the front fence. Maybe she will take some more with DH's phone. She has an I-phone and we have androids. I am thrilled that they survived abd look to be doing so well. It was very disappointing when I planted them and thought they died last year. She and DH also planted tomatoes again. He said he saw the plants and just grabbed different varieties - he doesn't even know what he planted. He plans to plant some zuchini and summer squash too. Maybe he should wait and plant some here. Or I could plant some squash here in the beds. At least it would look like something was growing there. LOL I found a hole in my faux grass where a gopher apparently tunneled up and needed an air hole. I had DS1 go out and do the poison gas treatmet in the hole. They look like little dynamite sticks and you can't get them in CA anymore of course. Another black market item I could import. In pokey when the lifers ask me what I am in for I can tell them I was running a poison gas import ring and was responsible for personally killing dozens. If I don't specify gophers do you think it would give me "street cred"? My computer is on Texas time so I just ran in to get DS1 out of bed to call the dumpster people. OOPS! He was not happy. I am still onTexas time here too. I fall asleep in front of the TV at 8pm. I had to rewind and watch one of my shows about 5 times to see it all the way through! I think I am doomed to remain here for the summer.
I WANT TO GO HOME!
Hopefully your grandson can stay in the house. But even better, it sells quickly!I love this idea and will talk to him and DH about it. I would like to go home and see my house, lambs, and pack some clothes. I only brought work clothes - enough for 3 weeks and have had to buy some clothes out here for Easter, Confirmation etc.
The dumpster is on order for today. Two of them that DS1 called refused to come out since they said they would not be able toturn around. He had thm pull up their mas on line again and said that the empty acreage next to the house is ours and then they said ok. Once the roll off arrives we will pick up the tractor and start loading the power poles and large rubbish. DH got a call from a company who did work for us in the past about working on the house and sent them to me. I told them I needed only a plumber so one is coming Thursday to see about the frozen shutoffs and getting me some water flow in the bathroom sink.
I have one realtor is coming Friday at 1pm and the other Monday at 3pm. I will call around for some more There are 2 Armenian women who list a lot of property here in Shadow Hills and if I can find their numbers I will call them too. There is not much for sale here in Shadow Hills, and nothing like this property so
Yesterday DS1 bought 2 pallets of mulch at $2/bag. He, DGS1, and DS2 unloadedthem onto the driveway since DS2 had the wheelbarrow (the others are in Texas). DS1 took DGS1 home, picked up the wheelbarrow from DS2, and stayed for a couple hours helping him with his shower drain and sewer. Today I will pickup DGS1 and go to DS2's to pick up some of the furniture he is loaning me. DS2 can load it with DGS1. I will ask him to come over and help unload it too as well as load the large 1910 wardrobe to remove it from the MAB. May put it at the curb with a sign saying "free". It is in original condition with even the tin (yes, real tin) holder for the block of camphor to keep moths out of the winter clothes. Hate to let it go but nowhere for it in Texas, and noone wants it here. Time to move on. My uncle George owned homes/apartments in Palm Springs, Santa Monica, Big Bear, Acapulco (pre-cartel) and Mexico City. Theywere all r=furnished with beautiful antiques that he and his partner had picked up in europe and their travels over the years. He said that those possessions were like a millstone around his neck and referred to it all as "junk".
When you are young and don't have much, those things are desirable and you treasure your possessions, as you get older and have accumulated more, your focus changes and those things are no longer as valuable to you. Thus - junk! lol
Anyway another trip to 2 Ross stores yesterday (old folks 10% off day). I came home with 2 bedspreads, 3 rugs, a couple fake plants, and other "junk". Also another 2 towels but unfortunately although they are the same color, I didn't notice that they are 2 different styles so one has to go back and be exchanged for a matching one. I will return one bedspread which turns out to be the wrong shade of blue, a vase I bought the other day - unneeded -, the towel, 2 of the carpets. Possibly some of the artificial flowers I bought from Michaels and Hobby Lobby may have to go back too. I decided it was more efficient to buy everything and then return what is not needed than to make a buying trip every day. Exhausting.
DS2 is also loaning me a pair of lamps he absolutey fell in love with in Palm Springs. They are lovely fragile things and probably shouldn't be around his 3 boys for another 20 years. LOL The boy didn't listen to his mother, didn't measure his room before he went, and overbought. He has a recliner couch, 2 recliner loveseats, and a huge (although lovely) coffee tsble in hisliving room. You can't recline the recliners without removing the coffee table and one of the loveseats out of the room. Even sitting in the furniture upright, you have to edge past the coffee table and your knees hit it. Not sure what he is going to do. Maybe knock a few walls out?
Anyway, I crawled around yesterday and got all the paint drips off the tile and vinyl floors. Today I have to wash the tile and laundry room with TSP and a brush, then a clear water rinse. I amnot waisint for the floor scrubber. DH can rent one and run it when he arrives.
BTW, he called and said that they will be leaving onthe 18th after all so DS1 needs to get his work finished in time here to get back there. He, DH, and DD2 will have to vaccinate , worm and finish tagging the lambs. The remaining 3 ewes that have not lambed (all half sisters) have until the end of the month to do so. Then they will go in the pen with the others to be bred for October lambs.
DH also said that the large rams have apparently decided that he is fair game when he comes in with the grain bucket. If he goes in the pen to move the feed trough, they are fine but if he comes in with a bucket one of them will charge him. He said he swatted the ram's face away a couple times but I don't like the fact that one is getting pushy. DH said he thinks that the ram wants him to hurry and dump the grain but regardless, that behavior is not allowed. DH said that the ram does not butt hard, but he said he will take the ram whacker with him when he goes in the pen. I have one hanging on each ram pen gate for safety. DS1 will not tolerate that behavior when he goes back. DH says that the 4 ram lambs we kept are really nice. He tried to send me some pix of the ram lambs. He is the worst photographer in history. Heads disappear, focus gets fuzzy, and the pics are so far in the distance you can't tell what they are. LOL However he tried.
Here are 2 photos he sent me to show me the new lambs, and the ram lambs we kept.
View attachment 128152 Ths one is of the ewes eating and some of the lambs wandering round. The one looks a bit long legged - these are out of the new Utah ram - so we'll see if they are worth keeping.
View attachment 128151 Here is a picture he sent me to show me how good the ram lambs are looking. LOL The other picture showed only a bit of white behind a trailer. In this the rear lamb looks very dippy in the chine. The one in front looks to have a good thck butt and leg. The angle is terrible so who knows what they look like in reality. LOL Kudos for trying though.
DD2 took pictures of the rose bushes I lanted last year. I thought they had died over the summer but they are beautiful and full of blooms. Unfortunately when I try to send those pix what shows up are little boxes that don't open into photos. They have been downloaded into my photos so I can see them in my phone but they won't forward to the computer in photo form.
My computer is on Texas time so I just ran in to get DS1 out of bed to call the dumpster people. OOPS! He was not happy. I am still onTexas time here too. I fall asleep in front of the TV at 8pm. I had to rewind and watch one of my shows about 5 times to see it all the way through! I think I am doomed to remain here for the summer.
I WANT TO GO HOME!
I hope you get home soon.
