Miss Timber Does Halloween

I just heard from Miss Timber, Sally, and Daniel: - 

Here are some recent pics of Miss Timber: patiently enduring her Halloween costume; playing at the barn (one of her favorite things); and sitting by the lake where she loves to swim.

She was patient enough to go trick-or-treating with us in the city, where she was a big hit! She prefers country living (as does Sally!) and spends many happy hours in the Pocono mountains.

 Timber is now in advanced obedience, a challenging and fun class. She more than holds her own with dogs who have had much more experience.

 We continue to enjoy her thoroughly!

(Is that a princess costume in the first photo? Is she a tad spoiled? I hope so!)

Silver Grand Champion

Lee is the First American Kennel Club Silver Grand Champion Icelandic Sheepdog!! He earned his new title under American Kennel Club Judge Stephen Hubbell.

                         Silver Grand Champion

And at the same show: - 

 

Hidow Stassa Nella fra Thrymheim (above with Jennifer) was bred by Veronica Dowling and Cathy Lallemand and is owned and loved by Jennifer Sanders. Nella earned Winners Bitch and Best of Opposite under American Kennel Club Judge Stephen Hubbell.

Grading - Monday, October 28, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013

You may not see any difference but I do! A layer of clay has been added and graded and the "stored" topsoil has been spread so the pile which blocked the view is gone and you can see Lake Huron again. This view is from my front (east) porch. The stone wall is at the bottom of the photo. Clicking on photos will enlarge them.

The guys were working inside today nailing up the drywall. They can't put "mud" on until the heat can be turned on - probably in ten days or two weeks (sigh, whichever is longer - haha!) I planted several clumps of species grasses, including some I dug up along M-25. I also dug up one clump of Colchicum from my current home and planted that along with the grasses in front of the stone railing of the porch. It was totally amazing how much that one bulb bought years ago had divided and increased. If you look closely you might be able to see the grasses. Probably the deer will be able to see them too! These views are of the front of the house which faces Lake Huron; there must have been half a dozen freighters today.

The yellow cord marks the underground geothermal pipes and the wooden stakes mark the line to the septic tank/field. They are there so the fence guy wont hit them when digging. 
The fence guy didn't come to measure today but perhaps soon. Jim Dawson came to double check where I want the wood chips spread. I'm hoping he can do that before the fence goes in.

Two additional piles of stored topsoil which were west of the house have also been spread (after clay was added). Now there's a clear view of the back of the house too.Some gravel has been added for the driveway. I'll miss my blacktop! I've lived in my current home for more than 35 years and never had to "fix" the driveway; every year or two I would sealcoat it and it's lasted great. The black absorbs the sunlight which melts the snow. Sigh!!

Sunna - New AKC Champion - Sunday, October 27, 2013

Sunna owned by Debbi Hampton and Mike Merrell finished her American Kennel Club Conformation Championship today at the Delaware Ohio Kennel Club show under AKC Judge Mrs. Neena L. Van Camp. Sunna is the daughter of Foothills Laki, owned by Colleen Schmidt, and Vinlands Totty. I believe she was handled to her championship title entirely by owner/handler Mike Merrell. Her litter mates are Saga, Soffia Arya Grace, Isla (aka Miss Timber), Thora, and Wodin.

I've attached an informal photo taken today at the show (first one below) and some of my previous favorites. Click on photos to enlarge them. 

Friday, October 18

Water table is painted now; garage doors are next. Once again I was told the soil will be added and graded 'next week'; third time in three weeks but who's counting or keeping track. Clicking on photos enlarges them.

Paula, the fence lady, came and measured for a fence today; estimate will be ready next week. Jim Dawson came also to see where I want the woodchips delivered. I have to do something to prevent the dogs from tracking in mud all winter. There's no way grass will have time to grow now. They've waited way too long to grade and seed the land.

Sunrise lighting the east-facing house; stonework done in the front.

My friends have been enormously helpful calling to hear about progress (or, actually, lack of same), holding my hands through all the delays, commiserating over underbids, and over pricings, helping me move things piece by piece up there, etc. It's times like these when you find out who your true friends are. A huge "Thank You!" to all.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Jeff Taylor, the mason who did the basement, was back again today and did some stone work on the wall.

                                            (Clicking on photos will enlarge them.)

Jeff was here the other day and the outdoor chimney stone work has been finished.

The painters still have not finished the exterior work which is very frustrating. Clair says they are waiting to add soil (clay and topsoil) and to grade the land until after the stone mason is finished and the painters are done with the outdoor painting. It's easier, I was told - and it makes sense - to do the stone work when the soil level is lower than the wall because the mason doesn't have to bend over to work. 

Mary stopped painting the exterior of my house more than a week ago to start another job; as we all know, that's the way many builders and/or contractors work. 

I'm anxious to have the fence company install the fence so I have a safe enclosure for the dogs; they cannot do the fence until the ground is ready. It has to be amended and leveled first. Jim Dawson is going to come in with wood chips so they dogs will not be tracking in dirt all winter. I am also anxious to do some planting before colder weather arrives.

Brandon has excavated and laid an underground conduit for the electrical wiring from the utility pole under the driveway to the house and also finished some wiring on the inside. 

More plumbing work has been done inside as well.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

One hundred years ago on November 22, 1913 my maternal Grandparents were married. One of their wedding presents was this black mantle clock now at the family cottage near South Lyon.

When it was in my home, it was the favorite 'roosting' spot for my beloved Elsie.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Saturday, October 5, 2013 - Kata and I took a quick trip up to see what progress has been made on the house.

The siding is up on the front and the back (above) of the house and painted on the back. There's a definite brown shade to the gray but/and I like it. I thought the white water-table (below the siding) was going to be painted the same color as the siding. Maybe that's still going to happen.

                                                  (Clicking on photos enlarges them.)
There's been still more rain and the tan clay-silt mud is back; that happens every time it rains and this summer there has been a lot of rain. 

I'm very disappointed that additional soil still has not been added over the top of this awful slippery, sticky stuff and graded. I've been hoping since last spring that I would be able to work in the "yard" before bad weather. The "soil" is really terrible stuff.

Can you find the yellow dog (Kata) on the yellow clay-silt?

I need to talk with Brian-the-architect about the position of a few of the electrical stuffs. We've stressed to Brandon that wall space is at a premium and reserved for paintings; the wall switch near the rear door-wall should, in my opinion, be moved over one space closer to the door. The wall switch on the south wall in the dining area of the Gathering Room should be vertical, if possible, instead of horizontal in order to leave more room for large paintings. Also the lights over the dining room table should be moved over one stud to the north or else the dining room table will be too close to that wall.

The day was overcast and muggy so my photos of those spaces did not turn out as good as I would have liked. They look foggy.

I've been talking with Diego about putting in a small fish and water lily pond east of the house; that cannot be done until the area is graded and I'd like the pond done before winter - which comes earlier up there than down here in Royal Oak.