Fall Colors and Big News!

It's that time of the year when all the leaves
are changing to their gorgeous yellows, oranges
and stunning reds.

(click on pictures to enlarge)

Pookie, in his wisdom, decided this last
weekend that it was time
to take his beloved Packard up the canyon to
view nature at it's best.

This being the first time he'd taken it on such
an uphill climb, we thought it might be
prudent if I followed in the Jeep.

(Not that I don't have complete confidence
in the Pookster's ability to totally rebuild
the unit)

But, just in case....lol


We stopped just a little ways into the
trip to make sure everything was ok.

Ms. Packard was doing great! See
no smoke or anything.


So, onward and upward!


There was a nice peaceful place to stop and have a little
something to eat. Birds were chirping, squirrels were
running amuck.

And, the colors were getting more and more
brilliant as we toodled up the hill.





After taking a little walk, and
enjoying this beautiful scenery,
it was time to head back.

There he goes......


Wow, he's going fast....

HEY WAIT UP POOKIE!!!

Now for the big news.
It's official, we are moving
back to Colorado in 2 weeks!

I think we'll land back in Evergreen
where we lived before. We loved it
there. The mountains and the wildlife
are just incredible.

But first, we'll be celebrating my birthday
next week in Disneyland,(my choice)then drive
up the California coast and visit some friends
and his parents before we head back to get
ready to move....again!! lol

The big guys with their big truck will be doing
the heavy lifting and driving this time,
thank goodness!

So, I hope everybody out there is enjoying their
own beautiful scenery and this gorgeous fall
weather!

Soon I'll have some really fun
and different pictures to post for ya.

A big hi and hugs to all my friends out
there in Blogland!!

A Surprise!

I was up at 4am to see Pookie off on his
business trip.
I was running around in my favorite
flannel santa sock monkey pj's,
(it's already cold here in the mornings)
trying to get his breakfast made and
make sure he had everything he needed for
Colorado.

And to slip a little love note into his briefcase.
:0)




















See, I told ya. Santa sock monkeys. I actually have
two sets...lol

Okay, to tell you the truth I was relieved when
he was all ready and walked me back to the bedroom,
with Ziggy trotting right behind, to say goodbye.

Pookie is a morning person, and I am not.
By any stretch of the imagination..lol

So I told him I loved him, to have a safe
trip and to call when he landed.
Whew.....now was my chance to drift back to lala land for
a little while.


I woke up a few hours later to this:





















(Just look at that mauve countertop! She didn't
miss a beat did she..lol)


And included with the flowers was a little note
telling me that he'll miss me and that while
he's gone I should take it easy......in this!


















I do not know how he got those things in the house without
me hearing him!
That man is one sneaky bugger!

I just love it!
I adore needlepoint and the colors are
so pretty.
It even kinda matches the mauve, don't ya think? lol
























It also goes well with a little antique
footstool that I've had for decades.
Something that I managed not to sell along
with the house.


























I don't know where he
found it...or when he
bought it.

But, I think it might look perfect in the house
(see last post) that he's going to check out while
he's away.

I'll keep you posted.


I hope everyone out there has a wonderful
day!!

UH OH.......Look what I found!!!

Just when I thought I'd never be excited about any
house again......look what I found!
Isn't it BEAUTIFUL??????





































The Pookster is going to Colorado tomorrow
for business and he's going to take a closer look.

Here are a couple interior pictures which show the house
decor is dated, frilly, has dark green carpet throughout
and "goo-gahs" hanging and sitting upon every single
available surface in the house.


















See, I told ya........dated.....frilly...
dark green carpet......major goo-gahs...lol

BUT, all the original mouldings and built-ins are still there
and that's all that really matters.

















It's got 4 bedrooms, formal living,
formal dining and a den.
2 3/4 baths
garage, carport and shop

On paper it looks perfect!

Oh my, I've got goosebumps.
I think that's a sign.

I'll keep you posted.
:0)

Minimizing The Mauve....maybe???

After recouping from the FLU FROM HELL, I've made
a couple of changes around here and thought you
might enjoy seeing them.
(click on pics to enlarge)

Now, go easy on me...remember I don't have the wonderful
taste and creativity y'all have out there.
Your homes and your blogs put mine to shame and I'm
a big enough person to admit that. :0)

AND, I'm in a rental house right now, so that curtails what I'd
really like to do, which is paint over all the mauve walls,
and rip out all of the mauve carpet!
Just for starters..lol

But, I have tried to minimize these things and kinda
warm up the place.
So...a few days ago I went shopping, and put together some
old favorites (that I didn't sell) along with the new.

In the spare bedroom, I got some new bedding and put that
on my grandmother's bed.
Then I spread out a large
vintage hooked floral rug over the mauve carpet.
Do you think it detracts from the mauve mess???














Just a little maybe????























Next, because I sold my beloved slipcovered sofa,
leather chair and everything
else in the family room of our old home, I had to
get some new goodies for the den/family room.

I asked Pookie what he wanted, since he was
so sweet to live with a floral slipcovered sofa
for years, he chose leather.

We finally settled on THE most comfortable leather sofa and
chair/ottoman that my behind has ever had the pleasure
of perching upon.
It's like BUTTAH!

It's an espresso brown color and a very traditional style.
I got my traditional and he got his leather.


















If you know me at all, you
know I had to add some floral something somewhere....
hence the needlepoint pillows.





















Next on my list was a desk.
I shopped and shopped and shopped for one that I liked but
didn't find one.
Then, I found some really cute smaller green
tables.
I stuck them together and put them in the office for
the time being.




















I'm going to separate them and Pookie is going
to make a top to go across.
It might be just perfect.
Ya think?


{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} and a huge thank you
to everyone who stopped by to say hello and email
me their get well wishes.
They worked and I appreciate each and every one!!!
:0)


P.S. Does anyone know why the spacing gets weird
sometimes and you can't correct it???????
AND, I can't get my music thingy to shuffle....what the????????

My sentiments exactly, Ziggy

(click on pics to enlarge)



I was pulling off all the bedding to wash this morning, left for a
second to get something to drink, came back and Ziggy was
sacked out.

We've had a rough few weeks around here. I'm recovering from
the Swine Flu...H1N1...whatever it's called this week.
So, when you see the count for Utah of verified cases, you
can think of me.

Anyway, I'm still moving slowly but thought I'd post a little
something to say hi and send my hugs to all my friends out there
in blogland.

Have a wonderful day and remember to be thankful.
:0)
Gayle

Little by little.....

It's weird, but I feel like I have no reason to blog
since I'm not living in my previous home anymore,
and posting the projects that we worked on.

I did buy a new bed and a little antique table.
Don't look at the decorating...I just plopped a lamp
on there until I get everything situated.


Here's a closeup

Isn't the table cute?? I paid only 25 bucks for that puppy!

A teensy baby step toward replinishing all my
belongings that I sold to the woman who
purchased our home.

She just loves her new old home, and called again
to thank me for selling her the house and all the goodies.

I remember feeling that way, so
excited about the house when we first moved in.
I'm happy for her....most of the time..lol

We are currently renting a place that is decorated in the
early 90's motif. I know..I know..lol
Think mauve and vertical blinds. But, it's a beautiful
custom home if you can look past the decorating.
It's got all the bells and whistles, a laundry/craft
gift wrap room with a 9 foot counter, corner jacuzzi tub
in the master bath, an unbelieveable walk-in closet,
and a 3 car garage that Pookie is in love with.
(He didn't even have a garage at the old place)

It holds his Packard, with room to spare.

Excuse that picture...but Pookie walked up behind me whilst
I was doing this post and he said..."Hey, why don't you add the
picture of the Packard??? They would enjoy that!!!"

Earth to Pookie....lol

The property is on 1/2 acre and it's gorgeous.
You know this excites the Lawn Nazi in me.

Here's the Pookster, talking to his mama(he's a good son)
and bbq'n this afternoon with Ziggy waiting
for something to drop. His usual M.O. lol


I mean really.....look at that lawn!!




And a welcoming entrance.


Everytime I walk thru all 5400 sq ft of it, I think....ohhhh, if
I just changed this or that....it could be soooo pretty!
Who knows.....as we wait to
hear if we go to Colorado or not....you never know what we
might do.

It's a crap shoot..lol

Maybe...........

When we were in the title company last week
signing away our home, I was thinking....
maybe we shouldn't sell.

Maybe Mike should retire like he's
been promising me for the last 6 years.

Then, maybe we could stay in the old Victorian
(aka Vicky) we love so much, and not
have to relocate due to his job.

Maybe.

I feel sick today.

Maybe it's because we made a mistake?

Maybe it's because I ate my #6
from Mi Ranchito
(2 beef tacos, rice & beans) too fast?

Maybe I have a kink in my intestines???.....

Maybe I picked up something from the woman at
the title company that was coughing.....

Maybe.

Maybe I'll find happiness
in a new home that needs our love and care.

Maybe I just need some time??


Maybe

A LOVE STORY

I thought I'd take a second today to give tribute to
the long journey that our home has taken, since it
was built in 1893.























The only original picture that I know exists is this one.



I always wondered who's the kid that was sitting on the fence?

It was a pretty big deal to have a picture taken back in 1893.
So, maybe he was a neighbor that couldn't resist all the excitement???









Here is a closer shot of that picture.


The man who built this house, was Oscar M Booth.
And, this was his family.

Thank you Oscar. Ya done good!











Since we began with the renovation, we have
found a couple of very old marbles, some love letters
and some really old things that were stuck in nooks
and crannies in the walls...but more on that later. :0)

I don't know much of the history between that
original picture and this one.....the infamous BEFORE picture.
















After the first year of working non-stop on the
interior, I begged Pookie to please, please, PLEASE
build the porch. I couldn't take the ugly exterior
anymore.

And so he started on it.

Thank you pookie!
















It looks just as good in the winter......




















As it does in spring and summer.....























We were so busy during the last 6 years that sometimes I
forgot to stop and take pictures.
Darnnit!
I regret that now, but I
was usually covered in concrete or paint spatter,
or was otherwise occupied holding something up for Pookie
while he did the attaching part.


One very vivid memory that I will never forget happened
in the spring of 2007.

I was awakened at about 7:00 am, one Monday morning.
Ziggy was going crazy......barking, running up and down the
stairs......barking...barking....barking. (He is not a barker)

Well, if you know me, you know that I believe 7:00 only comes
once a day....at night..lol
I'm not a morning person.
So, I get up....all cranky because Ziggy woke me up...
and I hear this sound....

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...moooooooo...MOOOOOOOOOOOO MOOOOOOOOOO

moooooooooooooo.MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I thought, what the???????
I looked out the window and there was a herd.....
and I don't mean one or two....
I mean a FREAKING herd of cows in my front yard!!!!

They were all the way over to the right,
at the end of the vinyl fence where
we also had some temporary chicken wire fencing up that ran
along the street that helped support my rose bushes.

So this herd of cows, the mamas and the babies, about 25 in all,
were wedged there and apparently didn't know how to back up.??

They were in a panic, to say the least.

There was also a crowd gathering near my front porch.

All the neighbors didn't want to miss the action.

Poor cows, they were just beside themselves. MOOOOOOOOOOOing
and MOOOOOOOOOOOOOing.....and pooping!

Another thing I learned that morning was that cows don't just poop
and it plops to the ground.

OH NO......it's liquid-sprayed-out-poop!
And, it was now covering my vinyl fence, my lawn and the other cows to the rear.

Then the police arrived...animal control and the sheriff himself.
They all tried to assess the situation, but nothing changed..

The MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOing and the fence ramming
and poop spraying continued.

Then, about 10 minutes later, up rode 2 cowboys on horseback.
Hats, boots, ropes, the whole deal.
And cell phones...lol I thought that was kinda funny.

The cowboys just calmly rode up to the poor freaked out cows,
herded them up and away they went back to their home
about a mile down the road.

True story. :0)

A unique memory for a city girl, wouldn't you say?.

I'll try and post some more tomorrow.
Have a great day everybody!

SOLD

It all started back in November of last year,
when a nice woman, a complete stranger,
walked up the steps and knocked on our front door.
She said she loved our home from the outside,
and would we please, please let her have a tour of the inside.

We actually have quite a bit of people that
ask to see the inside, so we didn't think anything of it.

In she came.

Before she left, she asked if we would sell our home and
made an offer. What she didn't know was that this summer,
we knew there was a possibility that Pookie
would be going back to Colorado
for a big job there that was scheduled to
last at least 2 years.

Knowing this, and knowing that we probably would
be putting the house on the market in the Spring,
we began negotiations and finally came to an
agreement.
Appraisal and inspection went great and soon we were at
2 weeks till closing.

If you remember back late last year,
the mortgage companies were going a little crazy,
and they made some changes in her financing
that she couldn't handle. They wanted more down payment.

So, the deal was off.

I felt bad, but was secretly relieved.
I just wasn't ready to say goodbye yet, even though
I knew we would probably have to the next year.

I wanted one more Christmas in the home that we love!

Well, spring came very quickly, and the house was listed.
We had painted the shingles and the trim so it looks all spiffy.


After just 1 week on the market we had another really good offer.
But, once again, their mortgage company changed
their requirement, and they couldn't swing it.
He was a self employed person, and they wanted him
to be on the job for 2 1/2 years, instead of the the
previous requirement of 2 years.
There's nothing you can do about a time frame.
It either is or it isn't.

Then, 2 weeks ago, we got another couple
that walked up to the door,
and asked if they could see our house.
They'd retired early, and were looking
for a second home near their family in Provo, Utah.

They made an offer that day.
2 days later we had the inspection and appraisal the same day.
Then we left for Colorado for a couple of days.
And we are supposed to close next week.
The realtor said in her 35 years of selling homes,
this is the fastest closing she's ever had.

AND, the buyers want to up the price and buy it fully furnished.
Right down to my sheets and towels, dishes, furniture...
everything.

I am freaking OUT!

Is there such a thing as SELLERS remorse?????????????????

This afternoon I was sitting on my porch, all
by my lonesome and feeling completely overwhelmed.
Right there, rocking in my favorite wicker chair
that I had painted black.



And I sobbed....and sobbed...and sobbed.

Pookie came out looking for me and just stood there and
said, "Bunnie, grab my hand....come off the ledge...it's going
to be ok"

I think it will.

I hope it will.

It's going to take me some time.

What a weekend!

(click on pics to enlarge)

Whew, what a weekend!
Pookie and I were in different places but
we both had a wonderful time.
I love that man more than anything,
but c'mon, a girls gotta have girl time.


Am I right???


As I said in my last post, my niece came for the weekend.
We relaxed, watched movies, stayed in our PJs all day
saturday, ate goodies and laughed and giggled and laughed
and giggled some more.
It was wonderful!



On Saturday night, because it was Saturday night, we were
still in our PJ's and fuzzy socks, and feeling a little
goofy, we went to my jewelry box and put on every single
piece of jewelry that had diamonds.
Then we watched our favorite Tyrone Power movie,
THE LONG GRAY LINE, whilst we were all gussied up.


I mean, really......LOOK at that guy!!
























They just don't make 'em like Tyrone anymore.
We had a great weekend together. Just the three of us. ;0)

Hey, don't you think Pookie looked a little like Tyrone??
Just take away the mustache. Do ya see it?? lol























I know, I know.. but, to me he does. ;0)


The guys came back late Sunday night. A little scratched up, banged up
and the biggest smiles on their faces I've ever seen.

They had gone to Zion National Park in southern Utah
and did a hike called, The Subway.
It's a 12 mile trek that takes you thru all types of terrain.
They hiked, waded thru water, rapelled and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Let me just interject here. I don't understand the whole nature and
hiking thing. I mean, why do that??
Don't they have calendars with all the pretty pictures, already?
It's a mystery to me..lol

Okay, back to the story.
The hike starts before dawn.
You can see a teensy bit of light in the top right corner as they
got their gear ready.

They each have a crazy hat they wear when they go off hiking.
I don't know why...lol























Nate already found some water.
That kid is like a water magnet..lol



Beautiful scenery, isn't it?
See the silly hat?


















And then, things get a little treacherous.


"Okay Nate, you go first, I'm right behind ya"























UP AND OVER























"OKAY UNCLE MIKE, READY?"
























"UH, how deep is this exactly???"

(The water was murky is some deeper spots when the mud
got stirred up with some light rain.)













"SWEEEET!"
They made it!
























After this point, I was told, no pics were taken as they
were all exhausted.

Pookie said he told another guy to take some pics for him
or his wife would kill him.

MOI? lol

Then came the hike out and back to the motel to regroup, eat,
relax and relive their adventure all over again.


On their way home, they stopped at BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK and
took a few pictures right from an easily accessible pathway.

They were all stiff and sore..LOL

Isn't it beautiful????


















This is a view of what's called THE AMPITHEATER.

Doesn't it kinda look like stone people down there??
(The bottom middle area.)

They're called HOODOOS.



















And, an awesome arch.























It was hectic and they were exhausted when they got back home,
so I didn't take any photos.

There are better bloggers out there than me, that would
have captured every moment.

The guys probably would have locked
me in a closet if I tried. lol


But, we all had a great weekend.


And, I hope y'all did too!