Spring/Summer Update 2008

Well this parental leave is great; I've been too busy even to keep this blog updated. Don't know how I had time for a full time job before.

Projects
-Got my directionally challenged (no back-em up) scrap mini van going and it has proved invaluable for the installation of my new fence project. I have all my tools equipment, power inverter and satellite radio installed in it and use it as the main deployment vehicle. The new pasture is approximately 4 acres. I will update the perimeter at a later date. I got really lucky with this whole climate change thing as all the rain we had really facilitated the sinking of the pickets and posts. So far no electric wire has been installed for lack of funds, but the hard part is over. The west side of the property was really rocky and I cursed a lot. I drank a lot of beer to see this project through to the current point. One note of interest was the old surface well and foundation that I hit while digging the 4 foot hole for the corner post. Our neighbour Jerome Lavallee saw that I was having trouble and informed me of an old butter factory that was there around 1908. It would figure I needed to dig a hole in the middle of a surface well. Anyway it was quite and archaeological find. He even produced an old picture of the place. I scanned it and will post it soon.

-Fixed the foundation on the west side of the extension. Had to jack it up and poor concrete. I hate that kind of job.

Accomplishments
-Well it all started a few years ago as my days of teaching in an estrogen rich environment had me requiring therapy by way of beer drinking with the boys at Sutton's amidst the rumble and fumes of the diesels. Mark was driving for Kevin and I took the opportunity to learn with him as it was nice to have my brother show me how. I also took a few courses at Technic to learn the pre-trip inspection. In May 2008 I got my class 1 and am very proud of myself. There has been plenty of work to do with this credential. I worked for Dauphinais in the spring delivering live plants on a straight truck with a 30 foot box; it was a good way to start. That was nice driving through the Green Mountains and Adirondacks. I did more practice with Mark after that and he was instrumental in preparing me for the battle in the city with a tractor trailer. I have been on my own for over a month now and have been really enjoying the challenge. I actually think I could drive truck for a few years, not much more than that as it seems to take a toll on family life.

News
-Found some kind of little dog. Border Collie/Huskie mix. She's really little and good with Emma. Angie is her name.

-Went to Vermont for 7 days. That is the longest vacation Annie and I ever took together. It is also the longest vacation I ever took in my life. During the course of it I vowed to Annie and myself that we need to build in a little more R&R into our lives. This 3 beers on the back porch at sundown just isn't enough anymore. But we finally feel like we are getting our heads above water here now so we can manage it.

-Sarah is a perfect baby. She travels well and hardly ever cries. She can sit up now and Emma and her play together a lot.

-Garden is doing great and everything is ready now.

Wildlife

-Resident fox by the pond in the back.
-Coyote came into the back field in the early afternoon to find a small animal that had been killed by the hay machinery.
-Lots of deer by the bush. Saw two bucks together last week.
-Turkeys in the spring.