BUY AND SELL

I missed alot of good yard sales in the valley today! I'm sure I would have found many things I couldn't live without. Instead I had a sale here in the backyard. I was selling some of Sandra's things since her big move. I threw in some of my own. As I look around the house I just have so much to pack I figured I should try to lighten the load. Why save it for another sale when I am having a sale right now. As soon as we closed it up Gareld and I drove over to Home Depot and picked up a new bathroom vanity, faucet and floor tiles. We got back the results from the home inspection and there is some water damage in the bathroom that needs to be fixed. The peel 'n stick tile pattern we had used two years ago was on clearance and we found 3 squares left. We still have 2 so that should be enough. There were about six things on the list that needed fixed so that process is underway. We are waiting to hear if the funding is available for this loan our buyers are trying to get. We still have our fingers crossed.

INCENTIVE

Last week my friend Tonie (the one getting married) was here from Tennessee. She spent a few days here in La Grande. I had a bridal shower for her. She spent time with her grandkids. Then we went to Boise for four days of family dinners, another shower, wedding shopping and lots of fun. I found these sandals. They are perfect to go with my dress. You know the one I am trying to fit into by August 21. I have been going to the club every morning before work. I've been walking after work and on the weekends. I gave up my daily pounder bag of M&M's. I 've been taking my vitamins and eating more fruits and veggies. I needed these shoes to inspire me to keep doing a good job. I have lost 10 lbs. so far. So I have a great start. Less than two months until the wedding. I am sure I will be ready. Thanks, Tonie for the jump start I needed.

REACH FOR THE SKY

Here's the beginnings of Gareld's new shop. Dad brought the poles up from his mill in New Mexico. He was here last week and helped Gareld on thursday and friday get this far. Now the next thing that has to be done is standing them all up straight then packing them in tight and level. We have gone through so many designs and plans. Lots of changes and then back to the start. If you are going to build a shop you might as well build it how you want it. It took Gareld awhile to decide how he wanted it and what all was going to go in it. I'll keep you posted on the progress. It's fun to see it coming together.

Lifting these poles into place was no easy task. The Bobcat came in handy here. It's a two man job and then some. Gareld has since knocked one over so I'll probably have to "man-up" and help set it again.

Dad was back with another of his machines. Gareld rented the post hole digger and they hooked it to this Bobcat. Then it was a matter of drilling holes...lots of holes.

This is the "before" picture. Where this empty patch of dirt is will soon be a big shop.

FINGERS CROSSED

We have an offer on the house! A week ago or so we had a showing on a tuesday, one on wednesday, then thursday, and someone coming from Albany on saturday to look at houses in the area. The couple that came on wednesday made an offer on thursday morning with a loan preapproval and earnest money down. They look serious. This past thursday a home inspector came and spent three hours going through the house. I was leaving for Boise for 4 days so I'm not sure what all he looks for but I do know he was going to run a load of dishes :) too bad the load in there was already clean. The loan is contingent on the home inspection so I hope it went well. We haven't heard anything since...no retraction anyway so fingers crossed. If all goes well we will be closing on July 30. I have some packing to do. Gareld and dad started on the shop thursday and friday and I have some pictures to show you but do you think I could find a good battery. I've scrounged up a total of 12 and none of them will give me a hint of power. We have two chargers with rechargeable batteries also and none of them were charged. We had gone up to change the card in the critter cam too and now we have to wait to see what we captured on film. Stay tuned.

The bear went over the mountain...

It was only a matter of time. I knew we would get a picture of one. Now when we're up there changing the card I will be a little nervous. Isn't it exciting though. We have bears!

CUDA

Just like it says...Merlin's Cuda. We went for a drive up to the Joseph car show today. We took the Cuda. It is a car Gareld's dad restored and it is a lot of fun to ride around in. Gareld is never "in" the show but shows up and parks on the edges so people can still ooh and aah. Last year he missed it because Morgan was graduating from college on the same day so he was itchy to go today. Sherwood owns the car now but is nice enough to share. It is something special to have in the family. The kids really get a kick out of it to. I think it makes them proud of Grandpa Merlin.

Isn't he cool sitting behind the wheel of a really nice car. People appreciate a pretty car and he gets a lot of looks, waves, nods and smiles. Now if only the Nova was ready to show off.

GIRLS WEEKEND FOLLOW-UP

I am sister #1362 in a group of over 1400 ladies who are fixing up vintage trailers and camping together in groups organized by anyone who has an idea for a campout. This one was in Spokane and the main attraction was the Farm Chicks Antique Show. It was lots of fun. Sandra joined the group last year and then hosted one last fall up at Wallowa Lake. I went to that one and had a good time. Morgan and Lexy also went along. Lexy now has her own trailer and we are on the lookout for a cute little trailer for Morgan. We are going to go to one in August. It's called Sisters in Sisters because it is being held in Sisters, OR. Sandra and I will host one on this side of the state next year. Anyone interested? It is a blast.

Destination: Beautiful Riverside State Park in Spokane, WA. So close to town but secluded.

My plain jane home away from home. Part of the fun is decorating the campsite too. The outside of the trailer is just as important as the inside.

This picture shows a little bit of the new cushions. I do like them I just wish I knew what I was doing when I measured them and I had no idea the cost of custom upholstery was so high. The humble beginnings of my vintage trailer. I have named it Hen House (Gareld's idea). I started simple but after seeing more and more sisters trailers I may have to up my game. This trailer had a rough beginning but a little paint made a huge difference after Gary patched up all the walls and floor.

This is a darling little trailer packed with treasures. On that red strip sisters sign their names. The Spokesman-Review had a good write up in the paper over the weekend about our group. Check it out on their website.

This is the inside of a very fully packed cowgirl trailer. The owner is #79 Pam. Her trailer is named Pamelot. Her sister is also a member and her trailer is Camelot. Pam has had a lot of time to bling out her trailer. You should see the bed side.

Here's a cute trailer parked next to me. This gives me ideas and something to aspire to.

GIRLS WEEKEND

Farm Chicks here we come. Sisters on the Fly are having a cowgirl caravan campout in conjunction with the Farm Chicks Show. Sandra and Lexy are pulling Sandra's trailer, Me and Mom are pulling mine and we are off to Spokane. We signed up last September and it is finally time to go. Gareld is frantically trying to get my trailer lights to work. Last year they worked fine. Now they don't. He was in the rain 5 hours last night working on them. Do I feel a Smith Fit coming on? He's back at it tonight. Just can't figure out the problem. Nothing makes sense. He'll get it eventually. I will give you lots of pictures and details next week.

Smile, you're on critter camera...

Peek a boo, I see you. This elk was a little curious and is checking out the camera that we have strapped to a tree. This has been a fun toy. We can hardly wait until we go check on it every few days. Now that is is clear up the mountain it is quite a trek just to get there. Opening and closing two gates but we enjoy the time together.

The elk are back again. We have a spike and a branch antler bull just starting to show their antler growth. You can take Gareld's word for that. This is a well traveled trail. We even have a coyote strutting by.

There's a nice herd of deer hanging out up here. There are two bucks in this picture but we have seen three as we ride up on the 4 wheeler to change the camera card. One little deer is in the shot many times. She is always eating in those bushes across the trail. The camera shoots off three consecutive shots every time it is motion activated so we see her alot. We are going to have to start naming our deer like Lee and Tiffany on the outdoor channel.