Egad

Egad, I must be suffering from a case of empty nest or something. Token fell asleep on my lap while I was online. I carried him into my bed, tucked him in with the covers up to his cute little chin, kissed him night-night, and, while walking out the the room, realized what I had just done.

Sigh. Perhaps I need to get out more.

More Peony

The biggest bud has opened all the way and is glorious to both the eyes and the nose. Some pink is starting to show on one of the two (and smaller) unopened buds. I expect it will start to open in the next day or so, shortly followed by the third.

A fish has taken up residence in a pool created by the downed tree on the other side of the bridge. Haven't been able to get a good look at it, mainly seeing tail flops in the water. It hides in the nooks and crannies created by the tangled web of branches that has accumulated there.


Have only gotten 1/3rd of last year's rain total so far. No big water to push the debris downstream which has been good for the fish and the birds. Lots of birds and ducks hanging out around the downed tree feasting on this year's bumper crop of insects.

Should could use some rain. Only got 5/8ths of an inch in March, bringing the year to date total to 25 and 7/8ths inches.

Peony In Bloom

My peony is blooming. I bought this at the end of winter a year ago. Last year, I had only one flower. This year, there are three buds and the largest is opening up.
I took this sequence of photos over about 2 hours as it opened. I know nothing other than it is a peony but I sure do love it. Has only a hint of fragrance now but there is promise of more to come.





I am enjoying spring here at the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods. Token and Goldie are spending a lot of their days lounging in the sun on the deck. They sat still for the picture at the top of this post, but Token refused to look at the camera. That is the peony pot they are posing next to - their size is why they will always be called puppies.

Spring Has Sprung

Yeah, I know, this post is yet another overdue one. I'll just say keeping the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods looking like no one lives here (and exactly as shown in the pictures several posts below), well, that is hard work as bushie would say.

But, in addition to doing all that dreaded housework every fricking day, I've also been taking some pictures of what will be my last spring here at the creek.

Here is the maple tree off the deck as it blooms.



Here is some eye candy of the creek in the redwoods springing back to life.

Nothing Much - Just Got Engaged

That is what my first born, Jennifer, said last night on the phone. She called a little after 8pm, unusual for a Wednesday night. Her response was to my asking what was up. Mike proposed during dessert after they had dinner at Jen's Dad's home. Mike brought her desert plate and, instead of dessert, there was a box from the jeweler's. Mike got down on one knee and in front of her father, asked her to marry him.

Awwwwwwwww. Makes me tear up just thinking about it.

Of course, I asked for details and pictures so here are the camera phone shots. She says of the pictures:

My phone can only take semi-blurry pictures. Dad took some pics but I’m sure I wont get them until he learns how to download them.

You can describe the ring to whomever you are sending to: ½ carat center stone with ¼ carats as side stones with 2 more diamonds in the band on each side. 7 total.
This one is a little better. You can see the 2 diamonds in the band



I once described Jennifer as being born with a hairbrush in one hand and a telephone in the other - which she was using to plan her wedding. In response to the buttload of questions I fired off to her in an email this morning (I was too happy and surprised to think last night) she says:

Ok, so this is what I know.

We are getting married in May 2008, no specific date yet. That all depends on the girls last day of school next year.

The wedding will semi-formal with green and orange as the colors. (pastels). It will have an Irish theme & bag pipes. The wedding will be outdoors with the reception indoors. We are thinking of having it in a hotel but that is just an idea. We aren’t sure of the time of day but we are thinking that we want it around sunset. Getting married during the day and the reception will be at night.

So I immediately asked the obvious question and this was her response:

And NO Mike will NOT be wearing a kilt.

Dang.

Token Tuesday

It has been several months since I have done a Token Tuesday. With thanks to Jacqrat for help with the picture selection, here is the cutest dog in the world in full grump mode. I took this yesterday afternoon out on the deck - he was not cooperating is a polite way of describing the process.




Since Jacqrat does not have Bravo's picture posted anywhere (for quick linking when we are all comparing animal companions), I've included Bravo's picture here for Jacqrat's linkage. Bravo is a chow/pit mix and Jacqrat describes her as adorable. Just look at those eyes!



I think Bravo's head is bigger than Token. Bravo is a chow/pit mix and Token is a mix of toy poodle and lhasa apso (mom) and scottie and yorkie(dad). Bravo weighs 65 lbs and Token weighs in at 8 lbs.

For Mrs. K8

Mrs. K8 lives in the Arizona desert where spring bulbs do not bloom and is missing the spring eye candy they provide.

Mrs. K8, these are for you.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Busy, busy, busy. Between showings, previews, and open houses for the sale of the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods and working backstage as a moderator over at the lake in the evenings, I've been a busy little bee.

It has rained several times since I last blogged - my year to date total is 25 and 1/4 inches. Token, the cutest dog in the world, turned 2 on February 27th. He certainly enjoyed his birthday ice cream but I'm sure he had no idea why he was getting such a fine treat.

Took this from the bridge. It is one of my favorite views - tied with the view from my deck looking toward the bridge. Eye candy I'll miss when the place sells. Lots of activity but no offers. Am getting lots of positive feedback from other agents and their clients but until I get an offer, I'm keeping my expectations very, very low. I refuse to get caught up on that emotional roller coaster that the real estate market can create, hoping each buyer is "the one".

Have the short notice routine down to about 15 minutes and am keeping the house in 15 minute notice condition. Totally sucks. It is comparable to doing the once a week and the once a month cleanings every day. Last chores before bed every night are dusting, chasing spiderwebs, sweeping and then moping floors. That way, I can get up, make my bed, turn on all the lights, light the candles in every room, put on classical music playing softly, and be out the door with the kitchen trash bag.

That's what's been happening in my corner of the world. What's been happening in yours?

Ready To Go

Busy week here at the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods. The real estate photographer came Saturday to take the pictures for the MLS listing and virtual slideshow that accompanies the listing.

Here are a few of the photographs and here is the link to a preliminary version of the slideshow. The slideshow takes a bit to load up because there is music that plays in the background. The slideshow also shows the picnic area near the clubhouse.



The great room - showing the fireplace with insert, plantation shutters, and vaulted ceiling (also in both bedrooms). This picture was taken from the kitchen.





This bedroom is at the rear of the cottage and has views of the deck, the wood bridge and the creek below.

The creek. This was taken at the junction of the creek and the river - the view is looking up creek towards my deck and the wooden bridge.

The front bedroom.


The kitchen and my computer area. The window on the left with the shutters overlooks the deck and creek. The kitchen sink window has views of the creek and the wood bridge. The window over the glass dining room table on the right also has shutters but is not visible in this shot.

Tomorrow is the pre-listing tour for all the agents in my agent's company. It should hit the MLS later this week and next Tuesday, the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods will be visited by the Santa Cruz County Brokers tour as "just listed".

Fingers and toes crossed for a speedy sale - hey, a girl can dream!

The Squirrel Did It

Squirrels are nothing but rats with a bushier tail. They are always eating. If they are not actively eating, they are on the hunt for something to eat. It appears at least one had a close encounter with my phone line some time before the wee hours of Monday morning.

Haven't posted anything because my phone line became filled with static. I am on a lowly dial-up and the amount of static on the line kept booting me off line. I could barely get to email, much less be able to surf on the web. I totally missed Monday and Tuesday's real time Libby trial coverage over at FireDogLake.

Called the phone company and informed the call taker that based on previous experience, this happens when a squirrel has chewed on the phone line. Right now, the static is intermittent - but if it rains again, I'm off line until the repair guy comes. The phone company assures me it will be before 5pm Friday.

Oh, the joy of waiting for the telephone repairman.

Speaking of rain, my year to date total is 19 7/8 inches. I was at 12 3/4 inches at the start of this last storm system.

The photographer is booked for the listing photo's for this Saturday morning. The little cottage by the creek in the redwoods will officially be for sale and on the MLS and I start the next phase of my life. When it sells, where will I go? I think it will be Oregon but it may be Washington State. May be on the coast or it may be in the coastal mountains. Time will tell.

Still Raining

Still raining up here. Creek is rising and that is finally pushing out some of the debris from last winter's fallen tree. As you can see in the above picture, there is only one debris pile just past the wood bridge where there used to be two. I heard and saw the now displaced pile as it made its way down creek to where the creek normally narrows on this side of the wood bridge. I know that at least part of it is snagged on the rocks at the narrows because I can see the tail of a large log poking up above the water. It didn't show up as well in the photo, where it is at the bottom - the dark spot to the left of center bottom. More of the pile is snagged on the rocks directly below my deck but they will move easily downstream from there.

I've put out slices of Oatmeal Pumpkin bread that is scrumptious for those visiting from Skippy's place. I didn't add the pecans due to concerns about those with nut allergies.

Make yourself comfortable, feel free to go though my achieves - especially those looking for more pictures of the temperate rain forest I live in or for pictures of Token, Bailey, and/or Token's sister, Goldie, who lives next door. There is political stuff here too.

So far today, we have gotten 1 and 3/4 inches of rain, bringing the year to date rain totals here at the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods to 17 and 1/2 inches. Finally on our way towards last year's 75 inches.

Fast Clean Up

Skippy, our favorite 'roo round these parts, not only has added TwoTon to his blogroll, he gave me a very nice shout-out to boot.

As soon as I finish picking my jaw up off the floor, I had better get busy cleaning up around here. Haven't posted much lately but gonna have to have something for the nice folks who visit from Skippy's. Decisions, decisions - where to put the plate of welcoming cookies?

Been raining up here - an inch yesterday and 2 inches so far today. That brings the year to date total here at the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods to 15 and 3/4 inches. The fallen tree segments are finally starting to move now there is more water in the creek. Rain kept getting on the lens of my dying digital camera - no pretty picture of the creek.

Besides, with all the work I've been doing getting ready for the big real estate showcase tour - a feather duster is certainly more appropriate to what my reality has been lately.

Again, thanks Skippy.

New Week, Same Ole

New week

same ole

Bad Week At Black Rock

I could not find a picture of a green slimy one so this will have to do.Yeah, it was that kinda week.

Update Part Deaux

T was discharged from the trauma center Monday afternoon. His right elbow is broken and he is scheduled for surgery Thursday to put in screws. He is nicely doped up, sleeping in the guest room. He looks terrible. I can't tell how many stitches but there is a whole slew of them from the outside corner of his eye into the hairline. No washing of the face until the stitches come out (next week) and there is still a lot of dried blood on his face - hopefully it looks worse than it really is. The CAT scans found no facial fractures but his cheek sure is swollen enough to look like it is broken. Getting a beaut of a shiner too.

He saw the ophthalmologist before being discharged and his vision is intact (woohoo). The docs were surprised that the eye socket bone was not broken. Hopefully, his concussion isn't too bad and he recovers quickly. The scar, however, is gonna be a nasty looking one.

T said the van did not roll - it went into a turn too fast, left the roadway, and center punched a big tree. This was after both T and the other passenger (the van's owner) had told the driver to slow down, that he was going too fast.

I'm sleeping a whole lot. T said that when he had the cold from hell, when he was finally starting to get over it, he came down with the tireds but that only lasted a few days. After that, he was finally over it. Fingers and toes crossed that I'm finally on the downhill side of this nasty cold.

Haven't had any measurable rain since the day after Christmas. Things are looking a little worse for wear - the redwoods are looking a little droopy and we are expecting another freezing or below night tonight. February and March are the months when we usually get the most rain - we sure could use it. Only 11- 3/4 inches year to date - last year's total was 75 inches so there is a lot of catching up to do. Fingers and toes we don't try to catch up all in one storm. That would not be a good thing.