Weekend and the rain

Friday, I cannot wait to leave work to go to Apple Hill. I have to stop at the house to pick up the frozen meat in the freezer. I also have to call Nancy because I know I made a mistake on my time card. I finally was able to leave after 17:00. I programmed the GPS and made me go through Madison /Hazel. The traffic on I-50 east was OK. Stopped at TJM in Placerville to go find a chopping board. End up spending almost a hundred dollars. Also stopped at Safeway to pick up veggies. It was very dark when I finally headed through Diamond Springs. I was following the GPS's direction although I kind of know where I am going. I did everything right until I took a right turn on a Street which I believe is Stark Grade. It seems OK and familiar at first then the GPS direction was  to make a left turn on a dirt road. At this point I know I am lost. I turned around and I just keep going round and round. I stopped and tried to call Hubby but, there is no answer, of course there is no signal at the house. I re-programmed the GPS again and followed the direction but to no avail I am lost. I have thought about stopping at one of the houses to ask for direction. There was a truck that kind of stopped but with my nervousness I cannot open my car window right away and he/she drove away. Now I am back to the same stop sign. I have been here twice before. I is now really dark I cannot even see the signs then, an idea came into me. I punched the icon that says "where am I" I am on Newtown Road. Need to program the GPS to get me to Snows Road which lead me right. When I got to Snows road I know I am on the right direction. The house with a large garage that looks like a Fire Station on the left when you make a right turn at the stop sign. I just keep going and then it's the gate.

It is almost 20:00 when I finally got home. I was starving and thanks God hubby stopped at the pizza place in Diamond Springs and dinner is ready. He said he was worried but knows he cannot do anything.

Woke up in the morning and Hubby is already outside working. It was drizzling. He was working on the front of the house,

He was at the house early Friday to receive the washer and dryer and worked on the trees. He cut down the oak branches that was hanging to the garage. He cleaned the front really good and made a pile.

Below is the view of the mountains in the morning.

Same view few hours later when it was raining

I started working on the fireplace where there is smoke stains. This is going to be a big job. I switched to the bedrooms. I have to move the bed, 2 desk, 2 bookshelf and switch the bedroom to the original plan .

Sunday, continued working on the house. I found a spot for my cast iron car models.

Got the office/library together

The previous residents took the wine cooler and we have an empty spot.

It was about 18:00 when we left and head back to Sac. It was still raining hard and followed hubby all the way. He usually drive slow but, I do not know what got to him that he is driving like crazy or maybe the other people are driving slow.

New Chapter

Saturday, hubby and I went back to the other house after he picked the chipper and log chopper from Lowes. I on the other hand loaded the Land Cruiser with the left over boxes from Friday. Got there a little after lunch. It was a little challenging unloading the log chopper and the chipper. It was heavy as hell but managed to unload it with some little creativity. He blow the layers of dried leaves on the front and side yard and I raked the circular driveway. By the time we are done, it was a big pile. He tried out the chipper and we were covered with dust. It was dark when we are finished and I have to cook dinner for the first time. I have to go to the garage and look for the right box to get the stuff I need. Another challenge was showering. The gas will not be hooked up not until Monday and we have to take cold showers.

It will also the first time we sleep in the house. We have to put the bed together and made makeshift curtain to cover the window. It was too quiet that I asked to leave the radio on all night long.

Sunday was a different story. I stayed inside the house and start unpacking. I cannot believe I almost filled the pantry with food. There is something I know we will not starve. Then it started to rain. I was so nice to watch the rain. I sat on the living room watching the rain and the mountains. It is so relaxing.

Monday is a new day. First day of work. Yes, I started work. Another chapter in my life ended and a new one started. The morning commute is just like the bay area. Emerging to the freeway was a hassle. People will not let you in. It is an eighteen-mile drive from home and half freeway. Got there in 20 minutes, 15 minutes before my 08:00 time to start. So typical first day like reading procedures, getting badge, HR stuff, computer access (nice I got a laptop with finger print to log in) and being introduced to people. I was feeling really bored and sleepy after a while. It is one of those times that you wanted to go home. Of course, I have not been working for the last 6 months so it is a change.

Moving Day

Friday, October 15, 2010. Moving day once again. My brother drove all the way from Stockton to help us out. I requested if he won't mind getting to our house early and he did. He got to our house @ 07:20. I drove them to the Budget rental place and the truck are not in the premises yet. So we waited. Hubby wanted to do the move in just one day that is why he rented two 24 footers. We cannot wait to finally clear the garage and living room.

We loaded the two trucks in the intense heat of Sacramento sun. We were sweating so we were drinking water like there is no end. We need to be hydrated. We worked continuously and finally, we filled the two trucks including the pick up. We left the house @ 15:30 in a convoy. two trucks and the pickup.

We got to the other house an hour later. The truck that my brother was driving was giving him a hard time getting up the mountains so, Hubby and I have to slow down to give him time to catch up. We unloaded the trucks and towards the end we got too tired. My calves and feet were killing me and I am starving.

The new neighbors were very nice. They came to introduce themselves Len and Susan. Very nice couple, a businessman and a nurse at the local hospital. We had a conversation we got to find out the families that lived there. Found info on the HOA among other things.

We left about 22:30. Since it is too late we end up eating a very late dinner @ Denny's in Placerville. Convoyed again down to Sac. It was almost midnight when we finally got home. My brother still have to drive about an hour to get  home. I am tired but cannot sleep so I wrote this blog for the day. It is now 01:30. I need to go to bed......good night!

Home Projects

Lot of projects going on. I added more lantana and daisies on the front garden. I still need more. it seems like it is never enough. Eventually I would like to have the front garden filled with little purple flowers and that is lantana. One of the things I like about it is it is perennial I do not have to change it every year. I am hoping that it will survive the frost and hopefully by spring I will have the coverage I am looking for.

Two of the big flower pots in the e front porch are finally filled. Have two more that have chrysanthemum now which have been dried out with the intense Sacramento sun. The wooden bench also need some TLC.

An addition, a hanging flower pot..

Getting ready

Things are falling into places. Again, another busy busy week. Started to buy things that we are going to need, just necessary things. There is no splurging. I wanted to buy buy but you cannot buy everything all at once.
 
Hubby got his log splitting machine and wood chipper. With all the debris and trees in the property, it will be necessary. We need to clear the dead weeds, clear off the brush, trim the trees around the house especially around the pool, and to be able to prevent fire incase there is forest fire. Also, need to cut the broken and fallen pine for log. Hubby said it will be cold and we are going to need them. I have not lived in a place where it snows so I do not know what to expect.

I did get my new washer and drier. RC Willey had a Columbus Day special if you buy a certain amount a full size air hockey table is only $99. I was shocked hubby went for it. It will be a good addition to our foosball table. I am exited I feel like a little kid with a new toy. Now I am thinking where we are going to put it. I am planning for a library but I guess it could be a game room instead.

Signed the papers yesterday and will get the keys Thursday. I asked my brothers to come help us move. The garage, living room, and patio are full of stuff from the other house. It is time and we cannot wait. All this time I felt like I am always in the move. Finally, there will be feeling of permanency. I am exited and cannot wait.

Sierra Foothill Home

Yesterday Friday, October 1 hubby and I drove up to the foothills. It's inspection day. We went up early, stopped at the Assessor's office and he got the map of the property. Today he wanted to check the location of the borders. We had brunch at the Waffle house by I-50. I forgot my Dramamine (I do not like windy roads. I tend to get car sick) so we stopped at a drug store. I end up getting SEA-BAND - it works really well for me. It is drug free. It is this wrist band with a plastic stud and positioned in a way that it applies pressure on the "Nei Kuan" acupressure points on each wrist.

I am not intending of going with hubby to walk the property in the intense heat and dirt (I got allergies too) so I bought magazines ( People, Better Homes, and Sunset) to read and a paperback (O' Hurley Born by Nora Roberts)..... and a pack of Red Vines. Hubby is all set with camera and the GPS (to locate the coordinates)on his waist, bottle of water on his pocket, and sunblock. Set myself with a chair by the truck. It is so fulfilling to sit and listen to nature. It is very quiet and all you could hear are the birds chirping. The neighbor is far away.

The inspector arrived and did his job. The finding is the same as what we already know. It is good to know that the foundation is built like Fort Knox. The only problem is the deck and of course the swimming pool. It needed cleaning ( it has been empty for a while) and maybe resurfacing. There is no deep end! It is a lap pool. I am not going to drown! Woohoo!

Below is the lowest deck that collapsed. Apparently it was not built right, wrong materials, and no maintenance. It can and will be rebuilt.

 Wondered why there are acorn nuts stucked between the roof and the rafters. Well, I guess it is the work of the squirrels. Huh?