Vital signs ... plumbing, water, power, cable and windows.

 

 

 

plumbing, wiring, water and new windows 

upstairs bathroom plumbing

 two outside faucets .. they work now !

50 gallon hot water tank

two of my plumbers are brothers and

their parents, grandparents and children are

all plumbers. 

curious neighbors

fuse box

 

septic, power, water and cable

 ready for L&I inspection.

yay, we passed ...

I feel better with the trenches buried

now my lawn

can start growing back.

Jeff and Brian, my window and siding guys

front view ..nook on the right

looking out my nook windows

sliding glass door/windows going out to the front porch

and facing westerly

 

history continued ...

 

The next 10 years would be an entirely different experience than what

I had in the Fish Buying Dept. of Safeway.

My new position at the middle school opened doors I had never imagined.

My first assignment was working one-on-one with Andrew.  Severely handicapped

and a smile that would knock your socks off.  We hung together for years

and are still friends.  His mom and dad showed me the mountains of Colorado.

We started hiking a mountain a week during the summer months,

   several 14er's, 13er's ...peaks and valleys and meadows ....

 all divinely beautiful and an endearing friendship that I will always treasure.

I was no longer earning the kind of money I made after working 21 years at Safeway,

but managing okay, so far.  Starting over at minimum wage was a bit tricky but

I still had health insurance and a lot more fun. 

It was mentioned to me several times, if I sell the Vaughn property or short plat

it out, life would be easier....financially.  I had a fairly high mortgage payment

with the mountain house and a son in college....it was something to consider but I

loved the Vaughn property

 and I still wanted to get back some day and build my house.

Maybe if I take on a second job, my finances will look better.

 

to be continued ...

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A roof to sleep under and a bedroom to sleep in .....

A whole lot of organized confusion.

windows arrived last week 

along with the roofing materials

as usual the unloading of materials was interesting

Lily approved 

The roofers are here ...  it is suppose to rain today

finishing up with the shingles minutes....

 .....before the rain started

Rain or shine the trenches were dug

for the septic, power and water. 

This was a big job and my yard is now a disaster area.

With the shingles bolted down, and the lines for the septic,

power and water in place,  we wait for the county inspection.

My bedroom is set up and I have enjoyed peaceful-

quiet-full night sleeps....plumbers come today and

then the electricians...I will have to move my

belongings out of the way.

 

 history continued ...

 

I last left off with me living high upon the mountain tops of

Colorado.  Getting use to living at 10,000 feet of altitude was different.  Breathing,
cooking and baking taught me new skills and was all very exciting.

The house I bought in Idaho Springs was beautiful and new and big and viewed

the front range.    Spectacular ! 

  Then, that one fine day, I mentioned earlier,  I elected to retire from Safeway.  I took my twenty-one weeks severance pay and moved on.  It was a wonderful feeling waking up the next morning knowing I did not have to go into the office and write up this guys reports...yay !!  

This feeling of euphoria lasted for a few days ...

I was now 52 and too young for retirement !  My son said I was bored.

I responded to an ad in the paper  for a secretarial job at the local school district. 

Might as well put my secretarial training to some use.  I called for an interview

and instead of the office job, I was asked if I would be interested in working

with Special Needs Kids at the middle school.   After going to the school,

 meeting my future boss, Jaycee, and meeting these delightful and interesting kids,

  I accepted the position. 

 So begins my second career in the Special Education Dept.

in the Clear Creek School District of Colorado.

 

 to be continued ...

 

I just gave my framers a hug and a thank you for framing my beautiful new home. I will miss them.

My front porch, nook, and upstairs bedroom.

 

James and Jeff working non-stop in 80 degree weather

 

These two work 8 hours a day and maybe a

20 minute lunch...they don't walk, they run..they are awesome !

Jeff and James !!

The song 'free falling' was playing when I was

watching this ...  holding my breath.

Now the upstairs roof.

A glimpse at my current living conditions...

on the left.

Russ, if you are following, I will be asking you

for some ideas for this ginormous window.

There will be a blank canvas on the wall behind it.

front door, living room, fireplace (wood burning stove)

 

the other side...sliding glass windows go in here.

my upstairs bedroom...to be.

I love it !!  Again, on the left, my trailer.

4 winters in this trailer !!!! Kept me dry  for the most part.

 

history continued ...

 

I left off with my Safeway departure....but I forgot to mention that in between the

first and second year in Colorado, I found a mountain house.   It was Mother's Day, 1998

 (I think) my son was working,and I decided to go for a drive up to Mt. Evans.   Mt. Evans had

not opened for the season yet.....but then I saw a sign that read "new house for sale" I decided to follow the signs up and down and around and up again to 10,000 feet to find the most

beautiful mountain home ....  brand new.   3,000 sq. ft.  Yes, this is where I want to be.

I put the Littleton house on the market.   It sold in 17 hours to man from New Jersey.

So, commuting from my mountain house down into the city...no problem I can do it.

I was still employed by Safeway and making some pretty good money.  Number one son in

Walnut Creek was going to St. Mary's and falling in love and Number two son decided to

go to McPherson College in Kansas....I was living the high life upon my mountain top.

 

to be continued ...

 

 

Let It Be

A lot going on here ...just trying to.. Let It Be..

 

Stuck in the drive-way ... tried to make a sharp left

when he should have come straight in....several attempts

and he finally made it up.

front view

well, this was fun to watch...trusses in mid-air

View from my garden.

 

history continued ....

 

I left off with the new guy coming on board in the

Fish Buying Dept.   How I worked under his pressure

for two years, I will never know.   But, one fine

Tuesday morning, when the wild Chum salmon run

did not materialize ..... and the new guy blamed me ...

for our store ad's, promoting chum salmon, was not going to happen.

Once again, to my total surprise ....  and after 21 years of service....I retired !!

On the spot !

I did talk with an attorney and he couldn't believe I was still

there taking this guys crap.  He said if I had the money and the time

to go up against the Corporate lawyers he would take my 'harassment' case,

but then he said if I were you I would take your 21 weeks

severance pay and move on.  This was very exciting... I went

back to the office and told the 'guy' the fresh fish market

was now his to run .....  ha ha...not that easy. I  loved working

the fresh market. But not under this tyrant.

I am free.

 

to be continued....