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July 2005
Continuation of the walk
Posted by: Truddle at 11:07AM EST on July 31, 2005
...as you brush the cobwebs from your face you catch movement from behind you... was that something slipping into the shadows, your heart races as you turn to see more candles flickering in silver containers on the rocks you had just past... as the light flares and dims in the slight breeze you are sure you have seen hands ... just hands, many many hands reaching between the rocks of the small rock wall that edged the curve of the walk.....and the noise ... what is that noise?
From what seems like far away there is a low glow of blue... you move forward, wanting to run, but knowing that if you do, your feet are sure to hit uneven ground... you move forward with a steady pace, as quick as you dare.... the large building to your right looms high, blocking out the light of the moon, what little there is of it....to the left is a smaller building... and the 'haunted' house can still be seen with it's eery red lights....
As you pass the large building you can see that the door is open... you just know that there will be something there, and as you brace yourself for what is to come... and just as you thought there hanging in the doorway is a skeleton with blaring red eyes... a prop you tell yourself... just another prop...
Just as your heart calms from its quickening pace to your left in the smaller building there is a scraping noise... not wanting to look but to afraid not to you turn your head to see metallic movement... you don't linger....
Moving past these two buildings is almost a relief... until you notice to your left the 'haunted' house is again in full view from it's perch on the hill... with yet even more red lights and frayed curtains... you try to look forward but other than the faint blue light coming from a distance it is to dark for your eyes to fully comprehend what is yet to come. ...
Suddenly just as your ears are becoming accustomed to the quiet of the night, and that forever insistent who who of the owl who seems to be everywhere, you hear a scream and a wolf howl... was that thunder... where did that music come from... you now realize that you are right next to the 'haunted house' - if you reached out your hand you could touch it - and what appears to be a garage with no door.... you decide that this is where the noise is coming from... the forever changing noise, of screams, wolves howling, thunder... and moans.. ohhh those moans. A nervous laugh escapes from your ever increasing dry throat....and now you see the source of the blue light you had seen, what seemed like hours earlier.
A large side hill all cast in a very faint blue... with crosses and faded flowers.. and.. and .. something is moving in there... this is a graveyard!!!
Over and over in your head you repeat the word prop... prop... prop... prop...
You can see two white/blue ghostly figures... you hurry... you no longer care... you just want it over... your feet move quicker... you are almost at a run... not knowing where you are going you trust in the ribbon that has been your companion through out the walk....
Another corner.... with a larger curve this time... but to dark still to see beyond... other that the faint light of the moon that is shining through the trees and the fog of the night....
Soon you see more light on your left, from what looks like lanterns.... as you get closer you realize that these are skull lanterns... you have seen them before... but reality is slipping away.... you follow the ribbon....on the left.. under what appears to be bushes you can see glowing eyes of several creatures... bright red glowing eyes.... no larger than the head of an unsharpened pencil...rats! you think to yourself... again you repeat the words... prop.. prop... prob... suddenly the ribbon ends.. and there is what appears to be another gate.... but not just a normal walk through gate... you move forward.... there is a small opening... it is dark... not even the moon is helping you out now.... you move forward....prop...prop...prop...
You hesitate... and then from the darkness of the shadows you hear a chainsaw.... this is not coming from the same place as the other noises were... this is definitely a chain saw and it is coming from the brush right behind you... or is it coming from the graveyard... or... your mind quickens in fear... and you rush forward even further...
A maze... you are in a maze... you feel your way through finally making it to the other side... you notice more pumpkins to your right... and hands... to many hands... coming up through the earth, laying on the ground... and an axe....
Just when you think that you cannot take another step forward or back, almost frozen in fear as your imagination races... you see the cottage....
It is light enough now, that your feet, as if with a mind of their own, move into a fast run... you have arrived at the party!
Throughout the party as you take the time to mill with your friends outside on the deck... you catch glimpses of the 'its' as they move to and fro through the trees. Never moving very fast, never speaking... just always there. . . you are safe... safe that is until it is time to go home....
Halloween Walk....
Posted by: Truddle at 11:46PM EST on July 30, 2005
What a perfect night for a Halloween walk!
Guests were not due to arrive until 10:00 pm - time enough for those that were attending to finish up work, go home and get changed in their halloween attire. We had set our clocks back the night before thus giving us that extra hour of darkness. No rain, but a light fog had rolled in.. enough to dampen the light of the full moon, but not enough to totally obscure the moon itself. Perfect!
You have to remember that we live at the very end of a dead end in the country road - might I add a road where there is no streetlights on our end. Although our road is long and straight, the road goes up and down with a variety of hills, with the bulk of the houses living near the start of the road. Just as you think the road is about to end there is a large hill down with our gate at the very end of the road.
On one side of the road just outside the gate is a dense forrest, and the other a large field. Anyone not used to the country darkness would be lucky to see their hand if held up in front of their face - but the moon helped us out this night, giving just barely enough light to see where one was going.
As the guests drove down the big hill towards our gate the headlights of the cars would have let them know this was the gate they were heading for.
As requested by Sharlyn when she gave out the invites the guests all parked outside of the gate.
As one walked towards the gate they would notice that the gate was open enough to walk through - all eerily quiet - interpreted only by the occasional "who who" of the resident owl as he moved from one tree to another as if following close to the strangers on his land.
As you walked inside the gate you would notice the ribbon you were to follow - yellow caution tape lined both sides of the driveway from gate entrance to the cottage. Just inside the gate on either side of the driveway were the gate keepers - soon to be named the 'its' by all who attended.
Each 'it' was dressed totally in black - including the hood the covered their head and face - each one holding a scythe - ready to pounce at the indication of a wrong move. Were they real? Or perhaps just statues meant to trick the passing visitor? If however they were statues, whey did the heads turn as one walked by... now the adrenaline is starting to kick in.... the imagination we have found is the best prop of all! Each one that past quickened thier pace just a little bit.
As your eyes moved to the left, up on the hill - is the house with red lights coming from all of the windows, curtains frayed and torn moved in the slight breeze - this must be the haunted house!
To dark to run in unknown territory - feet fought to keep a steady pace, a nervous giggle could often be heard escaping out of dry throats.
As you eyes focused on the chair ahead that held a collection of pumpkins, flickering with the candlelight from candles carefully set inside of each....just enough light was cast to move you forward.
Ahead you can see a turn in the drive... you know you will soon be turning a corner... and just as you get your wits about yourself, telling yourself this is all set up, just decorations to create the mood for the party you are walking towards.... from the oak tree a floating ghost appears with an eerie blue cast of light it makes some oooooooo noises... calming your nerves you remind yourself that this too would be a prop.... and then you turn the corner....
Ahead you see a never ending run of more ribbon leading you on your way. You must now as you turn the corner walk between several buildings.... and although there is a distant noise all looks safe... until you walk though a line of dangling cobwebs - it appears that the walk has just begun, but you have come to far to turn back - you can do nothing but move forward, secretly hoping that it will end soon.
We will end this part of the walk... and will carry on with part two of the walk tomorrow.
Sleep well!
Missing Posts...
Posted by: Truddle at 2:32PM EST on July 30, 2005
When I looked at my blog from the web I noticed that some posts do not show up on the main page unless I click on the archive button. So if you want to start this blog at the beginning to get the full story - go to http://drgreene.portspaces.com/truddle/archives/2005/7/default.htm
I am going to look into this further and see if there is a way around this.
Boo!
Posted by: Truddle at 11:30AM EST on July 30, 2005
There are a couple of points I need to make before I continue on with this entry.
- I love Christmas - it is my most favorite holiday of all times
- I love to create memories for my children - I want to leave them with something that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives, and share with their children, who I hope will one day share with theirs. As my children are learning I will take opportunities as they come, and out of those opportunities create something that will be thought back on with a smile.
- I do not celebrate Halloween par say. When my children were young we would take them to a few houses to go trick-or-treating - mainly because I have fun memories of trick-or-treating myself. We do not get trick-or-treaters at our house or at least I can count on one hand the ones we get and have gotten over the past 25 years or so. (Remember for many years we were the lone house at the end of a very dark and spooky looking dead end road, living in a house that was... ummm ... ok haunted looking, with a very long and dark driveway leading up to it.) So those very few that were brave enough to make the walk up the driveway were well rewarded by our candy bowl. (Who knows this might change now that our quiet road in the country has been discovered)
So now with that said, lets move forward with the hut story.
So as you know from reading past entries Sharlyn moved into her cottage in September. Through out the whole building process, Sharlyn's friends were all hoping for an invite to see her new home. The hints of an invite came daily and she kept putting most of them off until everything was done and she was moved in and settled. From a mom's perspective I think that also she needed time to just digest everything that had been happening to and around her. She had a pretty rough go this third daughter of mine and the cottage was a new beginning for her. Although she probably did not realize it at the time, and maybe not even now, it was time for her to heal and to move forward. (But enough on that for now)
So with the cottage completion and move in day past, all settled into her little nest she now calls home, Sharlyn decided that she would have a party to celebrate. Because Halloween was close that was the chosen date for the party. She invited all her friends (a lot of whom she worked with) telling them that because it was Halloween they should come dressed up. She also told them when explaining how to get to her house, that they should park their cars outside the main gate, and just follow the ribbon past the 'haunted house' to her cottage.
The haunted house being our house of course, which I suppose triggered all the events yet to come. (Our house sits above the driveway on a hill, and when the kids were little all their friends said it looked like a haunted house, which in those days, in it's rundown state did - now the house itself is in much better shape, but its looming presence, especially in the darkness of night, can still give it that haunted house appeal)
When she told me how she had explained to her friends how to get to her house the seed was planted!
"Oh - perhaps we should 'really' make it haunted for the night?"
"Giggle - Giggle go for it!"
That was all it took! After taking the idea and thinking about it for a few days, I brought it up with Jamie, and it was decided between the two of us, if we were going to do this we were going to do this right! We would give these people (many who we knew just from visiting Sharlyn's place of employment) a night to remember!
Plans were put into place and preparations made. On Halloween day (which by the way was a Sunday last year) Jamie and I started in with our 'walk' - we completed pretty much everything except by the main gate itself. After all you know we were expecting our little grands to show up for trick-or-treating and we did not want to scare them! It was arranged that the grands would arrive late in the afternoon before dark, which they did. Once the candy passing out was done, and the little people left - Jamie and I finished up with the 'walk' and got ourselves ready for the evening.
Now instead of telling you what preparations we made... in my next post I will tell you about the 'walk' itself to give you a better feel for what happened - and so you will understand where the new hut comes into play.
Keep tuned!
Bugs - Cougars and Bears
Posted by: Truddle at 11:15AM EST on July 29, 2005
What would stories of Dudley's yard be without a picture of Dudley himself? This picture was taken on one of the walks Jamie took while the girls were here. It is one of the few moments where Dudley stood still long enough to have a picture taken. Most shots of him on walks are blurred images of a black streak. Hard to believe this little guy is going to be 3 years old in two days!
... so now on with the new hut story...
As you can see from the pictures below of the old hut, it has aged quite a bit in the short time it has been there. The reason behind this is the wood that Jamie used for the 1st hut had been on the ground for about 10 years. Most of the bark had fallen off, but not all of it. A perfect environment for little bugs, that help to break down wood.
Also from previous entries you will get the idea that hut #1 is a ways away from the house, which at the time was a good thing, but again as I have previously stated things changed.
So on the many talks that Jamie and I have - one of the topics of conversations were of the hut. One of the issues was how far away the hut was from our house, another was the bug issue, and yet another was that it was not finished. Have another look at those pictures... what do you think would happen to the happy campers should it decide to rain in the middle of the night? What if a bear or cougar decided it wanted in?
With all these questions - Jamie and I made decisions, and started making plans for Hut #2.
We decided to leave hut #1 as is - it has special meaning to the two of us... some of which I have already told you about, and others that are just for Jamie and I. We decided to make a second hut, but closer to our house, with branches that are peeled and better protected from the bugs, in a secure location, and waterproof. We had several spots picked out that might have been even better to build the new hut... but the location we finally settled on - Dudley's yard - was chosen because we wanted to incorporate the new hut into our halloween activities coming up at the end of October.
There is more to the hut #1 story... but in order for you to fully understand you will need to hear the halloween story which I will start in my next post... so I will end for now and pick up where I left off next time.
And so now on to continue with the Hut story....
Posted by: Truddle at 10:44PM EST on July 28, 2005
And so now on to continue with the Hut story....
So as you know we had the peeled branches all ready to start with the new hut. Well it seems while we had our little visitors for 5 days, the peeled branches sat in the sun and straightened!
So now we need to put a curve in them. We now have them stacked up next to a tree with twine attached to each branch's end.
The twine at the none attached end is attached to a come-a-long. We now set the sprinkler up so that it is putting water on the branches, and every hour or two we give a couple of more clicks on the come-a-long - thus pulling the two ends of each branch round the tree. We will continue on with this until we get the curve that we need to start with the hut.
In my next post I will go into the reasoning behind the new hut... stay tuned that will come soon.
...a day at the beach
Posted by: Truddle at 9:52PM EST on July 28, 2005
I survived the dentist appointment. I am now done with that place for 6 months - Thank Goodness.
Our hay was delivered last night, all 140 bales of it - enough to do our 3 horses through the winter. One nice thing about buying hay from the neighbor is that we have known him long enough that the hay gets delivered. No more leasing a field to do the hay ourself! Doing the hay ourselves was an experience but one I am glad is over!
Jamie and I are settling into our normal routine without our little people, but do wonder to ourselves throughout the day what they are up to. Oh speaking of our little people, below is a picture of the beach we took them too with Uncle Ben. This is the first half of the beach where Benjamin and the girls went swimming, nice and quiet.
The second half of the beach was nice too, but to many people.
The girls really did have a good time, and swimming was a good way to end a busy day.
What is 'normal' anyway?
Posted by: Truddle at 1:12PM EST on July 27, 2005
In just over 3 1/2 hours I will be sitting in a dentist chair! ACK - have I mentioned I hate going to the dentist? It is just for a cleaning some would say... but I hate the cleaning part most of all! Such a whimp!
Our little house guests were delivered safe and sound back to their parents mid afternoon yesterday. I think however they would have liked to stay another day, but it was time. There will be other visits.
On Monday we had a busy day with Uncle Ben, which included a trip to the Forrest Museum and although the train ride was fun, the rest was voted a bit boring, but that is ok because soon we were back at the icecream store for our mid afternoon treat. Once the icecream was all gone we headed to the ocean for fun in the water with Uncle Ben. The final pages of Uncle Remus were read, and it was off to dreamland.
Yesterday there was the normal morning walk with Grandpa, lunch and then time to collect all belongings and get ready for the trip home, again with Grandpa and his truck.
... and now we have the house back to ourselves, and it is time to get back into our normal routine....
Although Jamie and I were expecting a quiet evening of just the two of us - we ended up having my mom and dad over for coffee, and Brittany and Sharlyn showed up as well for a visit.... hmmm I wonder if our children have a conspiracy going on?
"They are alone!!! Quick someone go visit them!!!"
We did however have a nice visit. I was totally done in by the time everyone left and soon found my pillow for the night. Jamie stayed up though to tape Benjamin's first radio show! How could he not?
So as I stated at the beginning of this post I have a dentist appointment today so that is going to interrupt our day - but after that things should settle down again, and we can get back into the Hut building!
... and the verdict is.....
Posted by: Truddle at 5:09PM EST on July 25, 2005
Stay!
We are off now for another adventure so I cannot stop to make a long entry, but wanted to let it be known the decision and let you know that Auntie Brittany is back in town...
What will the verdict be?
Posted by: Truddle at 10:38AM EST on July 25, 2005
Can you believe it is Monday already?!?! Where did the weekend go?
Today is the day the verdict will be in! Last night I gave the girls the option of going home today (the scheduled go home day) or staying for one extra day. I told them to think about it overnight, and let me know in the morning. They know that Grandma will not have hurt feelings either way, but it is a choice I wanted them to make on their own. It will be interesting to learn what they have decided.
We had a good day yesterday. Lots of 'I am having fun marks' Grandma's name for the bruises and scrapes that come with the country air. Makes the little owies not such a big deal, and each of these marks are shown with pride, although no one seems to remember where most of them came from.
Yesterday morning came with the normal breakfast and walk with Grandpa....
At one point in the walk Bailey 'stomped' a honey bee and dazed the little thing. (Since Bailey was a puppy he stomped on any bug that comes close to him - stomped as in taking his paw and landing it firmly on the bug - normally resulting in the bug screaming and running for bug cover). Grandpa rescued the above honey bee and every one had a good look at him. Seeing where the pollen was stored on the legs, and I can imagine having a good question and answer period on the ins and outs of the life of a honeybee. After such great observation the honey bee was placed safely on a branch to gather his dignity after being 'stomped' and the happy hikers carried on.
Last year when the girls were here they would run for cover screaming anytime a flying bug came within 2 feet of them. And should a bug come that close that was about it for outside time. Nope not gonna happen, no way am I going out there where flying things go out of their way to 'get' me! This year it is a simple shrug of the shoulder and a shoo... we even had a comment during one slip and slide adventure of... "I think I got stung... move out of the way it is my turn to go down". All said without any drama or fan fair. This coming from the mouth of my name sake! Oh the things that make a grandma proud. Our smallest visitor Kassidy even takes her breakfast outside on the big deck. Who has learned if a flying bug comes to close to simply keep eating and call over Bailey for 'stomping' duty.
So after getting the 'mommy' homework out of the way for the day... it was time for lunch... and.. Uncle Ben was home! It was fun to watch Uncle Ben's face as he bit into the turnover we had saved for him. Everyone at the table carried on as if there was nothing out of the ordinary about this turnover thing... and had a good chuckle after Uncle Ben bit into the thing. Peas!!!! giggle giggle... In my opinion Samosa's should not be shaped like turnovers - did you know there is not an apple to be found in those things!?! Good thing I can spot those nasty peas a mile away and there for was able to save the last one for Uncle Ben.
After lunch it was slip and slide fun time! Uncle Ben watched but soon had to leave to get ready for work, so after getting good and soaked and cooled down the little visitors got dressed and went off to help grandpa, who was shoveling dirt through a screen and then into the back of his truck. Then in the truck to drive down to the cottage to collect some sand to go with the dirt.. to form a mixture of sand and topsoil. The lot was then transported to Dudley's yard and unloaded in what is now known as the hut site... although the little girls know nothing of the new hut as of yet. (more on this yet to come)
After goodbye's to Uncle Ben, and laying the forgotten wet bathing suits out on the big deck to dry (after all you never know when you will need a dry bathing suit says Grandma) it was more play time.... and more sit and talk with Grandma time.
Before you could blink an eye the afternoon had slipped away... and it was time to think about dinner.... or maybe dessert. ICECREAM!
Everyone headed off to get ready... and yes the now dry bathing suits were worn under the cloths!
Everyone piled into the jeep and off we went... this time to Cowichan Bay and the Udder guys. Coconut icecream for both Hailey and Grandma - it is after all the best you know - orange chocolate chip for Grandpa and wild raspberry for Kassidy. Out on the back deck of the Icecream shop to sit and watch the boats and eat our treat. Ahhhh this was relaxation in its finest! "I don't think I would want to live in a house boat" says our little Kassy Ohhhh and why is that Grandma responds "Cause if you run in the house the whole house would wiggle" Very true! Good observation! Time to be off....
It was agreed on that Chemainus is the best place for icecream. Their single scoop is much bigger!
As we were driving along.... from the backseat from Kassidy...
HICKup- HICKup - Hickup......
Oh oh... everyone knows if you must get hickups - never - no matter what you do... do NOT get them around Grandma!!!!
"Ohhhhh - is that a hickup I just heard?"
"Nooooooooooooooooo HICKup - not - HICKup - me - HickUP".
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM I know just a cure for that!
"Ohhhhhh Noooooo HiCkUp - they will go away ---- big suck in of air... cheeks puffed out.... HickUP"
"Seaweed!!! - Yup Grandpa we need to go find some seaweed to get rid of these hickups!"
giggle - giggle - HICKUP - giggle - giggle they are gone - HICKUP
Off to the ocean we go! Soon the hiccups stopped and we were at the ocean.
You must remember that 'I don't like to swim in the ocean' comment of the day before... well it seems that Hailey, my name sake, had forgotten all about this rock solid not gonna change my mind statement and was the first to whip off her cloths to the bathingsuit underneath and go ker-SPLASH in the water! So much for the 'I don't swim in the ocean theory!'
Kassidy was soon to follow, and before long both girls were soaking wet, with seaweed hanging off of their feet, hair, arms... were squealing in delight as the ocean waves washed over them. Driftwood was collected and made for great fun! Giggles and more giggles and two hours later it was time to move on again. A quick dryoff - wet bathing suits wrapped in towels - back in the jeep and off for dinner.
Soon dinner was over and time to be heading home, with interesting questions along the way... do whales live there? ... do whales live in lakes?... how do we talk? ... Yawn - Yawn - Yawn - the day was just about done.
Back at Grandma's house it was time for shower to get rid of the salt, teeth brushing and Uncle Remus! (Have a look at this site if you want a sample story http://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/remus/tar-baby.html - read it as it is written and you have a sure fire hit with the kids - just ask any of mine - including the grands)
The little visitors are still sleeping, but should be up soon to deliver their verdict - What do you think? Will they go? Or will they stay?
A day in holdiday land...
Posted by: Truddle at 10:59AM EST on July 24, 2005
Things here in 'holiday' land are going very well. Good chances for a future holiday in the future! (Is that a distant cheering I hear in the background) After the one requested phone call home, although I have been waiting for it, there has not been another! That in itself is a big step for my little visitors - and a good sign that they are enjoying their visit and will be able to have another in the future....but we still have today to get through for the final grade.
Yesterday after the girls got up and had breakfast they were off for a two hour walk with Grandpa. A few special treasures were found along the way, and are now set aside for the trip home.
After lunch we remembered that we had not even started on the homework that mommy had sent with us. By the way who sends their children on a holiday with homework?!?!?! Ok this really is not hard homework - just a hand drawn picture from each for each day they are here, but still.... There was much talk about how if they forgot the homework, mommy might send them back... you get back there and get your homework.... you could see extended holiday written all over their faces... but then Grandma mentioned that the tables could turn and mommy could say... well you wont go on a holiday there ever again if you couldnt get your homework done... so it was off to get the felt pens, and a stack of paper from Grandma's office - I was nice enough not to tell them that they could have won the no homework done issue on the grounds of no paper sent - off they went down to Auntie Sharlies old room to get on with the task. In the room they go, and close the door behind them. About 45 minutes laster they re-appear. We were stuck!!!!! We thought we were doomed!
Stuck?!?!?! What do you mean you were stuck?!?!?!
We were leaving and the door handle fell off... we couldn't get out.... and we called at the window for grandpa but he didnt hear us. We yelled and yelled and no grandpa. (Grandpa btw was just in the garage so not to far away)... "Finally we saw the door" (Auntie Sharlies room has a door that leads to the outside) "and we were saved" stated these two little visitors.
We talked about how grandma and grandpa would have noticed them missing sooner or later. How they might have had long flowing white hair and tattered cloths by then but we would have found them. We went on to discuss how there might have been a spider living in the corner that they could have trapped and eaten for food. With one spider having 8 leggs they could each have four straws of liquid to drink.... it was all good for a giggle or two.
There was then some outside time and some more slip and sliding, and then it was time to get cleaned up to go for icecream! Not any old icecream mind you... but Chemainus icecream! Waffle cone and all! As luck would have it Auntie Sharlie was home, so we drove on over and picked her up to come with us. Oh the joys of having Auntie Sharlie along for the ride!
Feel free to sing along to the music - ummmm we don't know these songs - ohhhh you will!
You can be Dolly and you can be Kenny says Auntie Sharlie - producing quiet giggles from the front seat. It was all good.
At the icecream counter rainbow was decided for one, and cotton candy for the other both Belgin Chocolate dipped of course! Believe it or not our Hailey was the most decorated with icecream 'spots' by the time we were done, even though she did not realize it at first. After the icecream we had a little walk and then crossed the street where there was interesting clothing hanging from the otherside. After a quick purchase by grandma we continued on.... Grandma finally convincing Haiey to have a look at her face in the reflection of the store window.... we decided we needed to find some water after grandma slicked her thumb, and said come here Hailey I will look after that for you!... more giggles of course.
All back in the jeep we head to the ocean front park - where there is a play ground, and with the ocean lots of water! Hey I have been here before we were informed from our youngest passenger - oh you have seen it before shall we go then.... Oh no... ohhh ok... stop the jeep and all get out.
Walk towards the beach front. Our youngest visitor heads to the sand beach first off... Hailey didnt think she wanted to go down there - she dont like ocean water after all you know. Kassidy found some shells (I think they were left on the beach on the return trip) - Hailey watched from the safety of the bench Grandma and Grandpa were sitting on. After all I don't like ocean water you know.
Soon Kassidy wanted to go to the playground... come on Hailey said our littlest charge... ummm no says Hailey.... I'll go with you Kassie says Auntie Sharlie... ..Me too pipes up our Hailey who by this time had forgotten she was trying to be cool, and off they ran!
Soon the three of them returned all in giggles... ask him says auntie sharlie... Nooooooooooo the two visitors wail... go on says auntie sharlie... giggle giggle... giggle
The three head down to the sand on the beach... The girls have something to ask you says Sharlyn... giggle giggle giggle... go on ask him....
Noooooooo.... giggle giggle giggle
Go on says Auntie Sharlie.... giggle giggle
Ok .. how do you build a perfect sand castle? giggle giggle
Thats not the guestion says Auntie Sharlie.... they want to know grandpa if they can try on your tooth.... giggle giggle...
(Seems grandpa demonstrated earlier to the girls how one of his teeth can come out and go back in - and the girls were so impressed they had relayed this information to auntie sharlie at the playground and auntie sharlie had asked if he had let them try it on)
Oh sure says Grandpa... I will even rinse it off in the ocean for you...
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww nooooo grandpa.... giggle giggle!
Soon after this there was collecting of driftwood, shells and seaweed for the creation of a creature they were making out of sand.... Grandma we should have brought our bathing suits so we could go swimming says Hailey... Ummmm .... we don't like ocean water remember? Must have been an overload of the fresh sea air! It was decided next time bathing suits will be worn under cloths just in case!
Next stop was the Dog House for dinner. Umm yes we had dessert first but this was a holiday after all, and this way we could be sure we would not be too full for dessert after dinner.
Soon we were back on the road again... and headed home. Somemore outside time, and then it was time to come in and get Jammies on. Then it was time for Uncle Remous! Oh how that story has been a favorite of all little people! After 3 chapters... lights out and sleep... not a peep! Unless you count the snores drifting down the stairs which by the way are still happening as I type!
Note: So in this spot I was going to post part 2 of the hut story, but since no one has yet read part 1 - I will save part 2 for another time...
Long ago dreams turned into today's reality
Posted by: Truddle at 10:04AM EST on July 23, 2005
About a year and a half ago Jamie came into the house after one of his walks with the dogs, and took me by the hand and said to me "Come with me I have something to show you... I stopped what I was doing, put my shoes on and followed my darling other half. How could I refuse when he looked at me with those eyes - so full of sparkle - so full of love....
We walked down the driveway, around past his workshop, heading towards the back of the property. We walked past where the cottage sits today, up the big hill to the oaktree where his mom and dad are, took a right and started down one of the back hills. Midway down this hill I could see something peeking out of the trees...
As we got closer I could see it was a twig building of some sort, but we were not yet close enough for me to fully understand what was yet to be or the reasoning behind it, or what this wonderful man had done - nor was I aware at that moment that this would be just another reason for why I love him so much...
With a huskyness to his already deep voice he said to me "Do you remember our camping trip?" Our camping trip - the trip from hell - how could I ever forget. (One day I will have to tell you about that trip) - but I knew looking around this enchanted spot that my husband had secretly created that he was talking about one snippet of that trip. The one where him and I were sitting by the fire after the kids were settled for the night - both so sunburnt we could hardly move - how we talked about how nice it would be to have our own private campsite where we could be away from the outside world, who at that time was beating us both up pretty bad.
Over the course of the previous fall and winter my husband while on his walks with the dogs, had collected branches and brought them to this spot, where he intertwined the branches with the living trees in the spot until he got to the point where he had the skeleton of the above hut (as it was dubbed by both of us) done. He collected smaller branches to weave in and out of the branches to help stableize the building. He collected rocks and made a fire pit. He was to the point where he had started to dig a long trench - to form a river with a pool at the end.
This was to be a spot for us to go 'camping' our own private campsite - safe from the outside world.
Then as life would have it plans changed. To make a long story short - the plans for the private campsite were put on hold, and we moved from hut building to cottage building. We had one summer to get a cottage built and liveable. The cottage construction began and the camp site was put on hold.
We started the cottage in July of last year. Our daughter (Sharlyn) moved in September 1st. That is some fast building! Although it was not totally finished we were out of time, and it was liveable. Over the course of the following winter we finished up with the essentials and do little bits to it, even now as time permits.
This is how the cottage looks now...
This picture was taken walking back from the 'Hut' down the big hill by the Oak tree where Jamie's mom and dad are (another story perhaps to come one day) - That is Sharlyn in the yellow sweater with Dudley beside her. What the picture does not show is the two decks off of each end of the cottage, nor the fenced in yard with the grass and flowers that sharlyn has planted. (Our house is to the right of the cottage, and up - sorry you cannot see it in this picture)
So now the 'new hut' comes into the story.... but this part of the story will have to wait for now, as time has slipped away from me, and I need to get some work done before my little visitors wake up for the day. I will continue on with the story a bit later today or perhaps tomorrow depending on how much time I can find.
Sometimes just a peek will do...
Posted by: Truddle at 11:53PM EST on July 22, 2005
I finally made it to the old hut site tonight... and Yes I got pictures... and you know with the pictures will come the story...
However... it is getting on in time now, and it is going to take some time to tell you the story... so I am afraid you will just get a peek tonight. This is a very close shot... but will give you a bit of an idea.... so with that said... see you tomorrow!
Life in the fun zone....
Posted by: Truddle at 8:58PM EST on July 22, 2005
We are getting our groove on!
After a 2 hour walk with Grandpa, and a lunch of leftovers from dinner last night it was time for some good ole slip and slide fun!
Hailey did a wonderful job of making a splash at the end of the run...
But the declared winner of the best splash was our Miss Kassidy! Who also played on the slip and slide the longest.
After a couple of hours of sliding fun it was time to relax on the big deck, ahhh now this is what holidaying is all about!
Although neither girls slept in these chairs, and each would giggle when they noticed that Grandma had the camera - not long after these pictures were taken, Miss Kassidy grabbed her blanket and headed to the covered deck and the swing, where she proceeded to stretch out and have a gool ole nap of just over an hour long!
They are both off now with Grandpa to find some gate hardware for Dudley's yard so I was able to sneak in here. After dinner we will take another walk... this time to the first hut... so Grandma can get her pictures - so she can at long last tell the long awaited Hut story.
Stay tuned it is coming soon...
When yesterday becomes today... tomorrow will melt into memories
Posted by: Truddle at 11:38AM EST on July 22, 2005
Why is it when you think that you are going to have a nice quiet day, with lots of time to get the things you need to get done - done... everything seems to go for a loop, and the day is neither quiet nor productive?!?!
Such is the way it went yesterday!
My early morning thoughts of getting pictures and groceries went flying out the window, and looking back I am not even sure why. But no pictures and no groceries!
However I do have two little angels sound asleep upstairs in my guest room - so that is a good thing.
Jamie went on his own to pick them up, while I stayed home to finish up some work. It was decided that he would need to take his truck to get them because Hailey wanted to bring her bike.... and with the hatch of the jeep not working there was no way the bike was going to fit!
It was funny when the girls arrived, Jamie just kept unloading stuff. Backpacks, suitcases, containers, bike, and various other things. The only thing missing I think was their beds! No chance of their mom getting into their stuff when it is all at Grandma's house! To funny.
So after the initial hello's the girls went to settle their 'stuff' up in their room. "What shall we do with the personals?" one little almost 10 year old girl asks me... personal's at 10?!?! - This little one is growing up way to fast, and will be sure to carry out the mommy curse for me.
My eldest daughter, bless her sweet heart, apologizes to me almost daily for the woes of her younger years... I think hoping, now that she has girls of her own, to lesson the effect of what is called the mommy curse. Ha - I don't think so! Thus is the payback and the right of Grandma's everywhere. Not to mention the sweet justice of making it through those rough years.
The Mommy Curse
One day you will grow up and have children just like you!
So after all was settled in the guest room, and the personals tucked away into the bathroom the girls, Jamie and I sat on the big deck sipping our drinks (coffee for Jamie and I - ice water for the girls) and chit chatting about this that and all sorts of wonderful things. How I love to visit with these two - the things I learn! The girls received a surprise phone call from the famous Uncle Ben, who was at work, and would not be home late. He just wanted to say Hi to them, and let them know he would see them tomorrow (today). Can you say... awwwww good uncle?
As the conversation continued, we somehow got on the topic of books, and how Grandma and Grandpa have tons of kids books packed away somewhere. One little book worms eyes lit up, so how could we not go on a hunt to find these mystery books. They were found in the 'secret room' - I think I had Jamie stop pulling out boxes after we got to 7. Think about it... 7 boxes of books is a lot of books! All geared to the younger reader. Everything from In a People House by Dr.Seuss to The Mystery Under the stairs by Nancy Drew.
The excitement was overwhelming! The first two boxes brought squeals of delight from my namesake, and raised eyebrows of interest from her sibling - who before very long had a stack of books with her on the hammock and was happily flipping through the pages, one leg crossed over the other - in a professional readers pose - one in fact that I have seen from my daughter many times. My daughter would have been so proud (I wish now I had ran and got my camera!) By the end of the 7th box both girls had a stack of books held firmly in their arms heading to the guest room to put them in a safe spot for reading at a later time.
Dinner required a trip to the grocery store with Grandpa to get supplies, as try as she might Grandma has not yet done her grocery shopping!
They did a good job - dinner consisted of a loaf of french bread, marble cheese ("cause it is my favorite Grandpa" says our little Kassy), Havarti (now dubbed a favorite my our eldest grand), a spicy horseradish cheese, and some smoky type of cheese (just cause Grandpa thought they sounded interesting), honey garlic chicken and teriyaki beef (from the deli), with dipping sauces for them both, watermelon, grapes, kiwi,some spicy triangle things that, can you believe these had peas in them (bleaaa) - good thing I look before I bite. There were also a few extra supplies, such as milk, juice, a coconut, a cantaloupe, individual sized boxes of cereal --- I need to go get groceries!
There was a phone call home, 'Cause mom said I should call home to say goodnight' (insert raised eyebrow look here).
After a trip through Auntie Brittany's journal - with many belly laughs from Grandma and Grandpa it was time for a story and bed. Each one went to sleep very nicely with no problems.
Note on Auntie Brittany's journal: We found this in the box of books, and was written in a 7 years olds hand writing! Oh my gosh it was so funny! Auntie Brittany is now 21 and away on her own holiday, but boy I cannot wait to show her! One word of advice if your children write journals... save them!
One step closer...
Posted by: Truddle at 1:25PM EST on July 21, 2005
Here is one of the pictures I took this morning. This one was taken off of the steps leading into Dudley's yard - looking towards the back of the yard. The building that you can see is the pool shed.
If you look close you can see the peeled branches to the right and the bird bath to the left. Jamie was out last night cutting down the weeds.... ummm grass... for two hours last night, and he only got half of the yard cut! So that can give you an idea of the size of the yard.
Today is - for sure - no more stalling - it just has to be done grocery shopping day! But that will come a bit later. For now I am going to go and have a shower and get cleaned up for the day. Once I am done with that I will probably walk up to the other Hut site and get the promised pictures. I will try to post them before I leave for grocery shopping but no promises.
Where did Bob's go?!?!?!
Posted by: Truddle at 12:31AM EST on July 21, 2005
"Where do you want to go for lunch?"
"I don't know what about Just Jakes?"
"Na a bit fancy and we haven't been there before, what if we don't like the food?
"Ok, what about Bob's then?"
"Hmmm, sure that will work."
"We could have a steak sandwich with a salad, and miss out on the grease"
"Oh that sounds good!"
That was the conversation that transpired between Jamie and I late this afternoon. I finished up a bit of coding and we hoped in the jeep headed for Bob's.
Enjoying the scenery on the way of fresh cut hay, and other fields with hay being baled, and yet others having the bales picked up both of our stomachs were growling in anticipation of the lunch we would soon eat.
Pulling into Bob's (which is a little restaurant that has been there forever) - the parking lot was dead quiet, but it was after all just after 3:00 pm - after the lunch rush, but before the dinner rush... but no cars? Not a one!?!?! Oh oh looks like they are closed! Now this is Bob's we are talking about here, they never close! Ok they are closed on Christmas day and that is it! Except they are closed now!!! We pull around so we can see the doors - yep all dark, outside lights are still on, plants are sitting on the table --- hmmm like they forgot to open this morning. No note on the door to say 'Gone Fishing Be Back on.....' - No note on the door to say 'Closed due to illness' - Nothing - Notta! Another one of those things that make you go hmmmmmm! What is up with that anyway? We are getting way to many things that make you go hmmmm in our lives these days!
So in total shock at the fact that Bob's was closed we head in the direction of town, trying to figure out where we were going to eat... we finally decided on The Pioneer House - where we had a steak sandwich with a salad... but still what happened to Bob's?!?!? I think tomorrow I will phone and see if they have a message on their answering machine or something, that is if they even have an answering machine! Hmmmmmmmmm
So all the fir boughs are picked up in Dudley's yard and Jamie has the weedeater in there as I type --- getting closer to Hut construction time!
I cannot believe that we did not hit up the grocery store yet again today! Ack I have the girls coming here tomorrow and no food! I will need to do that before we collect them!
We have 140 bales of hay expected to show up here at any moment, in fact they were supposed to be here last night, but that did not happen. So we can not get to far from home, in case it comes while we are out. Ben is with the hay crew tonight, so if the hay does not show up tonight he will at least be able to tell us when we might expect it.
Oh Oh Oh... speaking of Ben! He is going to have a radio show! It will be a late night show, midnight to some god awful time... but it will be his own show! It is only going to be a few times a week, but the experience will be so wonderful for him, considering this is what he wants to go to school for. Which, again is another full story to come at a later time. I think I need to keep a story list!
...and speaking of stories...
I was going to get pictures of the other Hut for you all today, but Jamie wanted me to wait until he had the surrounding area weedeated. He just finished it a little bit ago, so I'm afraid no pictures tonight. I will try to get their tomorrow with my camera.
I know some of you are waiting for the 'hut story' but really you need to see pictures to understand the story. The other hut is a big part of the story and is all intertwined with the new hut so you will have to be patient a little longer.
My mom called while I was writing this up... they are home... so we are off the hook for watering tomorrow! Not that I minded watering it just took a few hours, so there won't be any pictures of her place, or at least not in the to near future.
So again it is hurry up and wait ... But soon! ... (more)
Will you look at that face...
Posted by: Truddle at 12:48AM EST on July 20, 2005
Bailey came along for the mini tour of Dudley's yard... who by the way was off doing some cabinet work with Jamie, so although this is called 'Dudley's Yard' Dudley is not in any of these pictures. At this point Bailey had had enough and was ready to head into the house for dinner... so that will end our tour for today... tomorrow who knows.
So now you know I will be posting progress pictures so you can see the transformation of the yard.
So the Hut story... oh ooops Jamie is in the house now so it is time for me to shut down my computer for the night and go spend some cuddle time with my hubby. More on the Hut another day.
If you move one rock a day... soon you will move the whole mountain!
Posted by: Truddle at 12:19AM EST on July 20, 2005
Taken from the back of Dudley's Yard towards the house. That fence post by the tree I was talking about can be seen in the center of the yard... the fence post the right is also an old one that will be leaving. That is our ole girl Shelby looking towards Jamie's truck and shop. Off the end of the house you are looking at the deck off of my master bedroom... and the big open deck off of the covered deck that is attached to my office is closest to Jamies shop. The bird bath is towards the house, on the other side of the lighter green grass (weeds).
From Acorn to Oak
Posted by: Truddle at 11:58PM EST on July 19, 2005
Can you say a retreat - within a retreat? Soon this is what will become of this space. To the left of the picture you can see the white birdbath - to the right of the birdbath although you cannot see them very clear is my Japanese maples... the 'grass' is to high to really see them, but you can see a bit of red peeking through.
To the left of the birdbath near the edge of the picture the dark area is the back side of the pool house (soon to be renovated - but that is yet another story to come at a later time)
The dark green bits you see on the ground are what is left of the boughs of the fir tree we cut down.
The tree you can see the trunk of is the oak that my poppy is buried under (yet another story to come at another time)
To the right of the tree you will see a post (gray - almost looking like the trunk of another tree but it is'nt) This is a left over post from the second 'Dudley's yard' expantion. It will be leaving soon.
Oh did I mention that Dudley's yard is not flat, but on a good slope!
For Every Hut There must be a base...
Posted by: Truddle at 11:49PM EST on July 19, 2005
Here is a picture of the peeled branches for the hut... well actually these are only the base that will form the main structure. In the distance you can see the barn. The fence posts you see form the back of 'Dudley's yard' We have chain link for the fence itself.
Where you see the peeled branches is the Hut site. Here we will put sand to cushion the base...
Burning Pavement vs. Country Air
Posted by: Truddle at 7:53PM EST on July 19, 2005
2 posts in one day?!?!?!
Our trip to town took much longer than we had hoped, and had to end before we were done due to the heat and my head.
First stop was for something to eat and since I had not yet eaten we went for breakfast food. The food was great but we got there at a bad time and the restraunt was busy, there fore we got seated in what Jamie and I call the fish bowl. The center of the restraunt with tables and booths all around us, much like the goldfish must feel like in his little bowl of water. We did not linger!
Next stop was my mom and dad's where we spent close to 3 hours at mom's watering the flowers. Have I menti |
