July 12, 2010

Biggest hail I've ever seen.



My mother tells me that I've seen bigger, but I was about 4 years old, so I don't remember very well.






My "new" camper that I've had for 3 months was totaled by the insurance company.




Ordinarily the metal roof on my house would not be covered for cosmetic damage, but the hail caused the edges of the panels to lift up at the seams. So they totaled the roof, the siding on the north and east sides of the house, all of the guttering and downspouts and other things I don't even know how to fix. All told it was a whole lot of money. It would seem that I should be happy, but I would rather not have to spend the time getting estimates and finding someone to do the repairs. For that matter, I wish I had some good advice about what I really need to get replaced. Then, too, I can't forget that someone has to come up with the deductible.

I really should count my blessings, I wasn't going to insure the trailer but decided that I would just through the summer. Guess I won't have worry about having time on my hands for a while.

The Joys of Home Ownership

I've been away from home for the last two weeks. We evidently had some serious wind during that time.

My fence had several sections blown down or torn loose.

Several brackets that hold the rails for the pickets are broken and, of course, I can't get them anymore. I finally took one to a metal shop and they are going to make some for me.



My yardlight had a broken bulb. My son-in-law designed the tower so that it could be lowered to change the bulb. I didn't think I could handle the weight of it so I asked a friend to come out this morning to help me. He said to call when I was ready to set up. He must have forgotten, as it is still in this position tonight. I think I'll go turn off the breaker so the dog doesn't have it shining in his house tonight.

Then there was the heavy park bench blown over and some metal sheeting on the shop loosened. I'm truly glad that I still have a roof on my house.

reVitalized Victorians

We spent today in Cripple Creek. There are four 1880 something Victorian houses that the town gave to Habitat. They were moved to make way for a new casino. Habitat has been working on them for close to five years and our group is trying to finish the touch up work. The historical society wanted them saved because they were just a few of the homes that had survived two fires that nearly destroyed the town.



The houses were moved up the mountain, gutted, straightened and additions made to make them large enough for a modern family. I was told that at least one of them was leaning and you could see daylight through it.



I learned to apply a stucco finish that I might like to use on the foundation walls of my own house. (This is not me, please don't tell her I used her picture!)

I took my camera today, but left the memory card in the card reader. These were taken with a point & shoot. I hope to get better pictures tomorrow.

Hit & Miss

I'm sorry that my posts have no theme or flow. Internet service is so weak, I throw things up here when I get a signal. We arrived at our build site Monday morning to this hole in the ground.




By the end of day 2 we had a good start on setting the green blocks. They are styrofoam and concrete will be poured inside to make the walls.

Sunday, we did a little sightseeing. This 100+ year old gazebo set on a man-made island in a little lake at Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. They used a rowboat to reach it up until the 1930's.


Across from gazebo clings this stubborn tree.

About a block past the lake, we encountered this sign............

and turned around to return to the car! I'm practicing my FIRM, LOW voice.

The view from my front step yesterday morning. This is looking east. Down the mountain is Colorado Springs.



We drove up near Florissant Colorado to do some touch up and cleaning on this house. It is being sold to provide funds for ones under construction. It was built about 6 years ago as Habitat house, but the family chose not to keep it. We were told that it would list for $100,000 fo $115,000. Housing sure is expensive in the mountains.



Our day ended early as a storm blew in. Lots of thunder, lightning and hail. It's hailed three times since I've been here, but warmed up today.

On the road, finally

Rainy day-all the way. The cool day was a blessing to me. I didn't worry about the engine getting too hot or having tire trouble. Which do you think is more dangerous, texting or taking pictures while driving?

Oh,looky there, something is following me!



There was some concern that the "new" camper was too heavy for the pickup. Looks like this will be my new top speed. Keep watching, you'll get to see it turn over to 100,000 miles.

Going to work.

Tomorrow is our first day of work. I can't get my pictures to upload with the campground wi-fi, so here is a teaser. Taken up in the Rocky Mountains on Saturday.

Almost Ready to Roll

I'm nearly loaded and ready to go.

I've been working at it all day. Oh, throw in a trip to town for a tire repair.
Anyway, I thought I would be so ready, I could get an early start.

Then these little buggers appeared and the radar showed 3 tornados to the west and one to the northeast.

We are in a tornado watch and severe thunderstorm watch until 1:00a.m.

So, unhook the trailer and put the pickup back in the garage. Better one vehicle get hailed than two.



I'm thankful that I'm not sleeping in a campground tonight.

From my last trip to Oklahoma

Playground Princess. Isn't she lovely?




She'll even share her bubbles with you.


Future Fireman?



A good dismount is important.



A little help from your mommy doesn't hurt either.

View From My Front Step

Oh, no! Look out for that pole.



Whew! He made it.



Wouldn't that be fun?

Cornice - Corbel - Finial & more

Pictures taken while visiting in my mother's hometown of David City, Nebraska.

What's with the anvil?? (This one was in Seward, Nebraska)