So, we left for church this morning and it was cold but sunny out. Got out of church and it was coming down. Here’s what it looks like from the driveway looking northeast towards Montana. In case you’re wondering, the reason it looks so “foggy” is because it’s still coming down. It’s about 1:30 in the afternoon and it’s 29 out and only supposed to get colder as the week goes by. Winter’s here.

Here’s my niece trying to make her first snowball. Last year she absolutely HATED the snow. We couldn’t get her to come inside this year.

And, here’s one of her first tastes of snow. “It’s like ice” is what she said. She was determined to eat it all gone. LOL

Till later…

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We went up north to some friends for Thanksgiving today. It was a great time, but I have to tell you about a new experience for me.

When we got to a certain bridge I had to call the house to have someone come meet us at the road so we could follow them (that’s what it’s like when you live in the middle of the forest). When I called I was informed that our host’s cousin had just got a “6X6″. Of course I asked the obvious question “what’s that?” And was informed that he was a 6 point deer that they were readying to gut. So, we pulled up to the house about 10 minutes later when they were getting the rope ready.

Yeah, I saw my first dead deer. It stunk (as in literally…it didn’t smell all that great but not gross). I went inside before they “hung it” and came back for a look after it was skinned and gutted. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. My niece wasn’t fazed at all. She went out looked at it and said to her daddy “the deer died”. Then she wanted to see it again later and kept begging her daddy to take her to see the deer and asked the guy who was cleaning it “where’s his skin?”

So, I can honestly say I’ve never had Thanksgiving dinner delayed because the deer gutting wasn’t finished yet. It was a first.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I know I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

Till later…

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Yeah, I know I was supposed to tell you what my secret was on Saturday. Well, I was bummed on Saturday because my secret didn’t happen…AGAIN. But, I promised good or bad, so….

I put an offer on another house last Friday. The guy counter offered…well, officially he didn’t counter offer because it was so ridiculous that my realtor told his realtor not to waste her time writing it up.

Here’s what I don’t understand. Houses are not selling around here. I think I mentioned the house I put an offer on a month or so ago. Well, it’s still sitting vacant. Houses also aren’t renting. There is an overabundance of houses right now and the prices are decent but the ones on the market just aren’t moving very fast. So, this particular house has been on the market (for rent or sale) for over three months. It’s been a rental for quite some time. The guy has it listed at almost double what he paid for it (I have my sources). He also has it listed for quite a bit more than the assessed value. There are also three other houses on the court that are for sale. The other three houses are nice, with upgrades and landscaping. This one had a floor plan I liked better but needed some work — little stuff I could do over the next year. The guy won’t budge. So, he’ll be paying another month’s mortgage. I guess he’s been taking equity out of this house and now he needs the money.

But, whatever, I’ll keep looking.

I actually looked at another one that I was interested in but someone else made an offer on it. The sellers realtor called mine and said there were some contingencies and if was interested to write something up. So I did. After I sent it over I found out they accepted the other offer with it being contingent on the buyers house selling and it’s on hold for FOUR WEEKS. My jaw dropped…I couldn’t believe she’d tie her house up for FOUR WEEK knowing it might not be sold in the end. Again, this house has been sitting there for over three months and now it’s in a holding pattern for four weeks. I assumed when the realtor contacted me that there was a bump clause or something in the contract otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered.

So, I’m back to looking or something. My parents will be here in four weeks and I’d hoped to have my place by then, but that’s not going to happen. So, I’m just going to take a breather and see what happens.

Looks like we might get snow this weekend. In fact, the current weather report is showing “freezing rain” outside…it’s warm in my basement so I’m not going to go check on the accuracy. I do know that it’s cold and wet outside. And, in case you didn’t know, cold + wet = ice. As much as I dislike driving with my thumpers I’m sure glad I have them.

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I got my thumpers on. I took my car in yesterday to get my studded winter tires put back on. I don’t really like those tires but I don’t want to slide and crash on the ice, so I’m doing it until this set is done. I probably won’t restud them when the studs wear out either. But, I got in the car to leave and sighed because I was going to make the tink noise again. Those tires are noisy…at least until you get used to them.

I also had to have my front axle replaces. The guy called yesterday and tried explaining that the boot was cracked. My boots are in the trunk but they aren’t cracked so I had a friend talk to them then explain to me what the heck was going on. Ends up last year when my brother was taking my car off the trailer from the move it cracked the boot…at least my brothers convinced that’s what happened and he paid for the axle to be replaced so I’m not arguing. He’s been worried about it ever since it happened, I completely forgot about it. But, now I have a new front left axle…oh joy.

So, I have a HUGE secret. But, I’m not sharing until tomorrow. Cause it might not even happen. But, we’ll see….I’ll tell you tomorrow — good or bad.

Till later…

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So, since I got back from California I’ve been swamped with work and worrying about my dad and just trying to stay busy. Well, one of the cool things about living with my brother and sister-in-law is that I get to spend time with my niece….lots of time. Well, this evening she came in my office AGAIN wanting to play and I had to tell her I was working. Then I looked at her sad face and realized: “no I don’t!” So, I told her that I had to finish some stuff but that after dinner she and I would have a special Auntie night. So we did.

We finished up with dinner, I did the dishes, then we left her mommy and daddy upstairs and headed down. We read about eight (or more) stories, I painted her toenails, we put on yummy lotion, and talked to TT (one of my sisters “Tia Teri” aka TT) on the phone. Then we got jammas (pajamas) on. We picked out a girly Strawberry Shortcake gown that she’s never worn before. We read more story, prayed and she went to bed. (I did have to put some pajama pants on for the night since it’s been pretty cold and she doesn’t like sleeping under the covers.)

Fun night…I’ll miss that when I move. But, I’ve already said I’m having regular Special Auntie Nights in my new place where she’ll spend the night. Can’t wait.

Till later…

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So, we’re getting new windows. Cool. Well, today is the day that the big windows are being put in which means the old ones have to come out. Here’s the icky part for me. It’s 40 degrees out and raining. Which means it’s really cold cause of the extra moisture. My hands actually hurt right now. But, the new windows will keep the house warmer so I guess it’s a small price to pay for windows that will keep the cold out.

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