Trying to be patient

So the coop is done! Well except for slapping some roofing on top but close enough that the chickens moved in! One step closer to moving out and into the camper!

So I cleaned out their old room which someday soon will become part of my "great room" the wall behind it will be my bedroom. Love seeing the light shining in the old garage doors that will someday be a sliding glass door , showing me the light that will shine into my little house...:)

Took a little break in the work I've started outside ( cleaner some trees and bushes out front to put up a dog fence) Enjoyed a day with my Granddaughters, we did some shopping, went out to lunch and went to see the new Ghost Busters movie , we all had a great time. I love spending time with them!

So I started painting the coop, my original idea was to use cedar shakes on the front of it as well as the front of my house, but now that I've seen it , there is no way. i LOVE this color! So I guess I"ll use the shakes on the roof and stain them black to match the metal roof that will eventually be on top of my little house. I slapped up some temporary fencing for the chickens to keep them out of the road.

The next step was to get rid of the boulder that the previous owner and plunked down in front of the "greenhouse " door.  Luckily I have some friends who have a mighty big tractor! 

So the rock is gone!  I got a car load of cedar posts and a 100' roll of galvanized fencing today but now its snowing...So the fencing will have to wait, The days that it's not nice enough to work outside means laundry and house cleaning. Its kinda funny cleaning here right now because I have to do it with a sense of humor since the floors currently are just plywood...lol My builder is coming in Friday to discuss our plan ahead and then I'll get ahold of the guy with the big truck to pull my camper the mile up the road from Melissas, move what I can into the camper and cram the rest into the greenhouse...lol I really got rid of most of my furniture when I moved. Kept a couple pieces that are sentimental and knew I could fit into this space. I look forward to checking things off my lowes shopping list and taking a trip or two to Ikea in Montreal to furnish it once I'm ready! So progress is being made and I'm excited for that. Its almost May and hopefully by June I'll have the camper up for sale again. Cross my fingers! If you know of anyone that will want a 31' camper send them my way! 

 

Progress!

 Finally things are happening! 

While waiting for spring to fling here at my new little spot in the woods , a friend from the gym asked me to join her in an event at the gym called Spring Fling! First event for both of us to participate in and we had so much fun! It was so inspiring to see so many amazing athletes competing in the the performance division and the rest of us worked so hard and some amazing work was done! There were three workouts with 15 teams participating in so after you were done you got to rest and refuel before your next event. 

Along with the 3 workouts above there was also a "floater" workout which was one of us running on the echo tread mil 3 minutes while our partner used the SkiErg for 3 minutes. !

We did get recognized for our hard work and we are ready to participate again next year!

 "Power Moms!" 

Mean while the schedule that has to happen here has started! In order for my builder to be able to go any further he needs my chickens out of the house! So a coop needs to be built so TA DA! I ordered the materials and got it started a few days ago, hopefully it will be done before next weekend.  It is 5x6 and tall enough in the center for me to walk in which is what I really like since its fun to hang out with chickens..:)  I find them so relaxing to watch and I enjoy getting outside to care for them..

I got to test out the distance between my new property and my daughters on eclipse day, only a mile but it was such a beautiful day and they invited me down to come watch with her family along with Her Dad and step Mom.  It was funny how we all were laughing at how many people were coming up and they shut down so many businesses and asked people to not drive etc but then when it started we watched and when totality came about , oh my gosh, we totally understood, the air got cooler and cooler while the moon was moving in front of the sun and the light got darker and darker, such an amazing experience! It was inspiring and so very beautiful.

Once the light came back I walked back home pretty much uphill all the way! I am working hard to stay healthy and now going to the gym 5 days a week! Love the people, the community and bonus I get to see my daughter too <3

So once I get my coop finished , I will get the camper moved up here and move out of my little house into it and then start ripping the walls down! While I wait for my builder I hope to get the lower part of my property cleaned up and a fence up for my dogs which will  also will help to protect my chickens too. Also have a HUGE bolder to see if someone can move away from my greenhouse not sure why it was placed there but it for sure is in the way!  I am so excited even picked up the paint that I'm going to use as I'm going to paint my coop to match the house...:)

So thats the latest on my ever going saga of my life , the sun is shinning so its time for me to get to work! 

Spring coming and going going going

So the snow melted and I was able to get out and clean up more space in my "front yard" ( soon to be camper parking LOL) Course then we got a foot of snow, then it melted again, and right now as I type this another big storm on the way. I woke up to a pink sky and now its all grey. Should be snowing after lunch to never stop .... *ya ya I know its only April 3rd and we've had snow on Mothers Day up here before. 

The animals have truly adjusted to their new home, hoping the temporary move into an even smaller space isn't too stressing for all of us! 

The dogs don't seem to mind the continued snow, I still have a couple piles that haven't melted which will be higher soon.

Looking into the area where my chickens live currently, its nice to see sun shinning in where someday there will be a big sliding glass door and the sun will be shinning into my great room! 

Work has started! I'm so excited! This is the area that will eventually be my bedroom ! 

As much as I don't usually like sitting still, this tiny space I'm in has required that I do just that as I don't have room to do much else, I've been going to the gym more often though and have got out for a few great walks around the 4 mile loops.  I'm doing just what I really needed after the last two years of so much stress caring for Anders. Time to take deep breaths, to read! I started going to Yoga at the gym too , its wonderful! 

I just love this , totally am keeping the funky stained glass windows.

The cats enjoy watching the guy who is working on the house !

I try to take the dogs with my anytime I can , Montgomery just loves going for rides and whiskey gets too stressed when I leave him.  They are both 13 years old ! They don't mind hanging out in the car while I work out at the gym or run errands,  plus they know they'll get a treat.

When the sun starts setting my room glows! 

 There is a pretty good brook out front of my house across the road, waterfalls along it making the sound pretty loud when the snows been melting! Love it and look forward to many hours relaxing outside or windows opened listening to the wonderful sound!

I can't wait to see how cute my house will look when things are all done, There will be a couple windows going into that section that has been closed in and the sliding glass door in the next section , all new windows and insulation , I moved my plant pots out of the greenhouse and now it looks like spring is close ( for now ! ha!) 

Otherwise I'm doing well, I get by with a little help from my friends :) I'm currently preparing for a big snowstorm coming, gotta bring in firewood incase I loose power !

Why do I need more?

 

So I got me some new work boots to do some serious work hopefully soon! Last week the snow was melting like crazy and I had just cleared the spot where I'm going to build my shed/chicken coop and low and behold BANG more snow fell to the tune of 5".  I swear I will not be discouraged!  

I added another day to my workout schedule by going to the gym Saturdays for some intense YOGA . I feel the workouts are making me stronger already :) I am really enjoying my life, I have my moments of grief of course but in between I am loving life, getting out to the library, laundry, shopping, the gym, out to lunch with friends, walks, and Loving my little space.

Only thing that bugs me is I get the feeling that some people feel sorry for me, or think because I'm living in this unusual building that I'm financially desperate. Which is NOT the case at all, I don't think some think that they could live in a tiny space with less stuff, but I tell you how much stuff do you really need? How much space ? I have all these clothes packed away and wonder if I will ever unpack them haha! 

So today I gave my deposit to my builder/helper and he is going to start on the space that will eventually be my bedroom ( mine and the animals)  because I live on a dirt road there is a rule in Vermont that you can't drive big trucks during mud season, so we can't get materials in unless we pick them up ourselves.  Hopefully the May 15th date when the road opens will end up being sooner, But in the meantime as soon as the snow melts AGAIN I'll start on the dog fencing and some other plans I have. I will turn this property in a cute and well cared for place again.  

Tomorrow I'm getting another COVID Booster shot , I got the invite from CVS , hoping I can get them to take Anders off their list, I still get calls for him for appointments and its hard to say out loud where he has gone. When actually this is the time of year he would be shipping out, I swear his favorite time of year. He so loved his job. Yes hard to say goodbye but he would call me several times a time when we had cell service and sometimes on the sat phone which was always funny .

I look forward to spring, to walks , to going to events around town, to sitting outside with a campfire. working on my little house and doing whatever cute little things I want to do with it, wait til you see how I'm going to paint my greenhouse...:)  Life is what you make of it, and I'm not going to slow down ! 

Time to watch a movie , hmmm what will it be....

Another step in the process

 

Yep, another step in my journey, Anders birthday is today he would of  been 77 years old today, in my opinion too young to not still be here on this living plane with me. He loved life and his biggest joy was our grandchildren he loved to entertain them to no end and they loved to do the same with him.

  I decided since there was too much snow to do anything on my property that I was going to do things today to avoid just sitting here. So I made an appointment for this morning to get a few things settled at our lawyers, then walked around Stowe in a couple of our favorite shops, got some lunch at Debs in Morrisville, went into a local hardware store and got some saw horses to help with my future build, bought some new fun tools yesterday!

  It has been decided since its going to be too muddy too long to get my daughters chicken coop moved out of their backyard, I will build one. If you know me at all you know I like this idea better anyway since I LOVE building things! I drew up the plans and the material list and then....

 BANG! It snowed, two days in a row, got a total of 8" which has delayed my progress....the first day it snow wet HEAVY snow so I only shoveled the end of the driveway for a couple cars and not the front yard...and then more snow the next day so of course where I shoveled its all melted so only my fault that I can't call and get the materials delivered yet because there is too much snow where the coop is going to be.

A friend of mine invited me to go to a concert that was being held at the college in town, Bernie Sanders was there which was really cool and some choruses from schools all over the state, it was a fun time and so grateful that she invited me!

 I'm so very grateful for the friends I have who check in on me, invite me to go places etc. I look forward to when I can invite them here! Currently its a snug fit for people to fit in my little spot with two dogs and three cats sitting on all the furniture. ha ha!

For the most part though I'm doing pretty well, I'm enjoying the gym and eventually look forward to adding another day so that I can start lifting again. Nothing empowers you more than lifting!  I hope as soon as mud season is over that I take a little time to start walking and hopefully running on the loops right out in front of my house.:)  Course I have stuff on the property to do too, clearing enough on the edges of my property so I can put up some fencing for the dogs and will keep my chickens safer too. :) 

Currently I am enjoying the sun shinning through my windows and even opened one to get some fresh air in here. Life is good ,sometimes it has some bumps but I know it's up to me to smooth those bumps and I am determined to do just that. I know thats what Anders wanted me to do, I'm so glad he and I talked so much about my future in the last few months before he passed on.  

Spring is Springing in Vermont

What a great week I've had !  Took a day to bring my two Granddaughters shopping , out to lunch and to the movies. We had the most fun! I love spending time with them! 

A couple great days at the gym and my usual , trip to the laundry mat ( i know people wonder why I like doing that but when you live alone to me its just another way I can intermingle with people and I think thats great!)  

I had lunch with a friend on Monday and another friend on Friday!  I met another neighbor and her son and visited with a couple others, I live in such a friendly neighborhood! 

I started spring clean up since the weather started warming up, One thing about it I sure have plenty to do! I am doing my best to just think about cleaning up around the driveway for now since otherwise it would be overwhelming as nothing has been done to this property in ....20 years! But I'm up for the challenge! Luckily its just a wee bit under and acre so not TOO overwhelming .

Whiskey hangs around with me , Montgomery has to be hitched on his run or he will RUN. Once my spring clean up around the driveway is done than I'll get started on the front yard and put up a fence for the dogs.

 So one part is done I stacked a cord of wood lots of it just junk but will be good for campfires once I get it covered up. I already invited my neighbor Midge to come over and sit by my campfire anytime she sees one burning. She's a nice lady and a widow just like me.  We seem to always have plenty to talk about which is probably because we have that in common. I still need to clean up the wood thats frozen to the ground and want to cut those two small trees down , I won't rake though as all those leaves will keep the grass from growing! Reminds me of that time my family and I thought we would do a nice thing for my Grandfather at his camp that my father eventually owned. We raked all the yard and bagged the leaves to bring to the dump. He made us put them all back because he said he didn't want the grass to grow and have to mow the grass on his vacation..:) 

So all in all its been a great week, I still smile when I take the last corner and see my little house, I love it and honestly If the chickens weren't living in here I wouldn't even mind living here just the way it is. But getting it fixed up will only make it better and I can do all the creative things I want to it because its just all mine..:)  

Still hanging in there

I've really enjoyed the sunny days, things are melting fast! This particular day I got out my deck chairs and relaxed in the sunshine , its nice as there is a brook across the road that I can hear quite well, its so relaxing.

Most of the pictures I take are of my cats! I'm a crazy cat lady!

Whiskey is doing pretty well I think his vision has failed a lot and he doesn't like going to for walks anymore but he is really good company and he is trustworthy!

Peanutbutter is my princess and most always sleeps with her paws crossed.

 I can't wait until I can get a chicken coop up! At first I thought it would be awesome having the chickens attached to the house. Not so much! Between the rooster crowing and walking to and from the garage/storage area tracking in hay and shavings is a big pain. On really nice days I put a gate up and the cats enjoy going in hanging out with them though! ha ha!

I 

My other senior Thelma will need a big hair cut once its warmer.

I finally found my vacuum cleaner and can't believe the difference once I cleaned up the floors I had been using a broom but it almost makes me feel normal using the vacuum ha ha ha! 

I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends, I've been for walks with, out to lunch with, chat with, visit.  I thank you all!!

So one of the things I was looking forward to with this move was down time. After the last couple years with all the stress of all Anders appointments, tests, procedures and caring for him. The time to just be able to breath in and out is amazing. Reading, watching movies, doing crossword puzzles.  I know this spot is tiny but I can really say I love it. Its all mine and I love it, 

I've decided no kitties will ever go outside here, too much traffic goes by since I live at a four way intersection,  they will enjoy it more when the walls get knocked down in here so they have more room , I'll probably make some more fun things for them to do in here too. ( my brain is constantly thinking of ideas!) 

Newest update I had a fellow come in this past week and take measurements and will come up with an estimate on helping get things started on the rebuild once Melissa and Kyle come up this spring and help rip down the ceilings and walls!  Course first I need a chicken coop, and the camper, and a dumpster! As soon as I can I'll be working on the front yard which is overgrown bushes and small saplings, So hope to get down there maybe even this coming weekend to start cleaning it up so that I can eventually put up a fence for Montgomery, eventually I want to fence in the whole property but I'll settle for one section for now !  Until then I get out most every day to do something, the gym, laundry, groceries, walks , post office, library. 

I've had a lot of people want to come up to see my new place but I'm holding you all off until I'm ready for the grand reveal. ha ha Hoping by then I'll have a buyer for my 31' camper too! 

Okay time to watch a starwars movie over again. :)