Ready

How quickly one forgets. It was just a few days ago that we were without phone and internet. No matter, we had plenty to keep us busy. It seamed each day I had 5 things going on at once. Today though it all ended about 8 pm in the dark. I had run out of time but we are ready for my folks visit.

A big project was to fabricate a temporary railing and two more steps

Plumbing wise the water softener is finally functioning

Every bathroom needs a toilet. Always wanted a Kohler but we bought an American Standard instead. Should have bought the Kohler.

Even added a cheep mirror and a toilet paper rack

The shower is even grouted and ready to go. Ran out of time to tile the floor so we just painted on a white elastomeric coating. Left overs from another job. Some day the curtain will go and we will install double glass doors.

Check out the 2 x 2 tile stripe, Satomi's idea

and two cats in the house

So, my folks should be cosy staying up in our Timber Frame Cottage. We moved our queen bed in for them along with a chest of drawers, a couple night stands and a bed side light. New sheets too. All the electrical is now complete, the hot water is now on as is the radiant heat. Only things missing are the refridgerator and a oven, those will have to wait.

Time for a vacation. Tomorrow we leave here around 8 for the 3 hour drive to Albuquerque to shop and then pick up dad and mom.

Let the party begin.....

No Service

What would life be like with no phone or internet service. Frustrating to say the least.

It all started Sunday evening when the first of two major lightning storms blew over the region. Monday the second storm hit. Something like 2.5 inches of rain and great lightning shows. Not sure when but the phone lines into town went dead along with our Satellite internet.

Thankfully the crews were out and we are back to sort of being calm. The lull before the storm. Another storm you say, no just that my folks will be here Tuesday and we are a still a bit frantic.

Tanked

We have 6 days left to complete our projects before my folks arrive for their ten day visit. Yesterday I started setting up a water softening system in our Load Bearing Straw Bale Pump House. Now I'm waiting on UPS and parts. Then I have to re read the manual and figure out how to use it.

I have just been doing an online chat with my plumbing supplier, my parts have not shipped. Been a week. Now I am asking them to ship out second day. This is going to be tight. I see myself plumbing late Monday night.

Inside our pump house

New concrete at the well head manifold

Top View

New Water Softener

Dripping

20 percent rain predicted for yesterday. We woke up to a dripping wet Kingston. The storm started last evening just about the time were were heading over to a neighbors for a light dinner and a beer. We had to drive with the wipers on and were dripping wet just going from the car to their front door.

 The storm was a major thunder and lightning show. The gauge showed 1 inch. Still in shorts and a tee shirt this morning but that will soon change. Winter is coming and so our my folks........

scat

No more bear sighting only the scat all around town. Dogs do bark at odd times during the night so we know she is rooming. A she because one of the neighbors saw a 100 pound cub.

This is a workshop weekend for us. The last of our regular scheduled workshops here at LanderLand. 4 participants will be here any time now. Trying to gulp down a big cup of coffee.

Hot tub is working great and I even went for a short soak this morning. Our fall weather is just so nice. 58 in the mornings, bright sunny days. My only complaint is by 7:00 the sun is down and time to come in. There is still so much to be done. Not just for us but for others too.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday was spent working on Debra Brant's small Straw Bale. Thursday and Friday was honey do projects, even washed the windows. For the first time in months my shop is clean and organized.

Yesterday we emailed our supplier placing what we are calling our fall trowel order. We also applied for a Capital One credit card. This new card will be here in 7 days. Why another card, no 3% foreign transaction fee.

BB

BB as in Black Bear. I don't know who was startled more the bear or me. We both sort of jumped back at the same time. I had walked up our wooden ramp to check on the Hot Tub. Pretty much pre occupied in thought and looking down as I walked, the next thing I remember is jumping back, just like the bear, he was right there but fortunately behind our fence. 

In all my years of being in the wilderness I have run into 4 bears and they all have fled, this guy just backed up a bit and stayed still. I backed down the ramp and called to Satomi to hurry up and grab the camera. This is the only photo worth showing. Before I could get closer he finally moved on.

I was thinking he must have smelled a bath.

A few years ago a cinnamon colored bear was hanging around town and someone called Fish and Game. They came into town, set a trap, caught it and relocated to somewhere else. We will not be making that phone call.

Shower Floor

Todays task at LanderLand was to add a Topping coat to the shower floor. Like the dark contrasting color. Once this cures the tile floor can be set and no more tiling in our Timber Frame Cottage