February 15 and I'm mowing grass

When we were in Sebring Willie would remind us...can you imagine being this warm on January 10th? As we walked the trails at the base of the White Tanks in Arizona, Gary asked if we could believe it was only February 1? Well, two weeks later I mowed grass for the first time in my life in February!

If you have never been here, NW weather is tough to figure out. We are farther north than Jeff, but the climate is mild like Tennesee...in some places. Along the coast, and in the Willamette Valley they observe the distinctive weather that you have come to hear about. In the mountains and the hills leading up to the mountains, winter is still about. Eastern Oregon is high desert and while somewhat dry, it is cold over there.

As I was thinking about this post (while mowing) the weather channel began to warn us of wind chills below zero on Friday...yikes...I thought I left that stuff behind. Temps will get down in the twenties at night and no higher than 35 during the day and the wind will blow for the next two days...no snow is forecast, however. So we will assume a more Michigan-like climate.

We tore the floor off the laundry room and I tried to get the paste up today...ugh...and we will be laying that floor soon. Got a wood floor guy measuring so he can shoot a price on refinishing two rooms of the hardwood floor (one bedroom was done a couple of years ago and other bedroom will be renovated by us. Then we have to deal with the kitchen floor before we get too far down the road. I made an appointment for a designer (unlicensed architect) to stop by tomorrow to look at the place and begin putting some plans together for the addition out the back and how we want to handle the front entry and garage. If we go with him, he will take care of permits and keeping us legal as well as making sure we do not do anything stupid with exterior walls and electrical stuff. That should be interesting. This house is almost 60 years old...and has 1948 technology everywhere. Where is Wes when I need him?

We love the solid nature and openness of our little bunglow...just right for the two of us.

All in all, we a settling in. There are two sawhorse tables, three camp chairs and a couple of Adams specials (plastic collapsable tables) doing yoeman's work. We are sleeping on air matresses, courtesy of Coleman and having fun having Amy and the kids drop in twice a day...sometimes by car after a trip out and sometimes bike (Tru) and walking (dog, Asher and Amy.) Truman really likes to come in and work...trimming shrubs or scraping flooring...he is very interested. If you forgot, they are only 3 1/2 blocks away.

I got a pair of farmer-like overalls at the farm store yesterday. I was on my knees so much that I did not want to ruin my good jeans...and I only brought good ones with me. I have not worn "bibbers" since I was a kid. It is cool to be Pappy and dress like him too. I made two trips to the Ace Harware store and one to Wilco the farm store...looking just like the farmer that is still inside. Cool. No, way cool.

Aleene is feeding me well and I sleep like a baby after a day's work. Rose is a bit distraught due to the bare floors...no carpet, anywhere...so we have a few throw rugs and her "sleep matts" in a trail to the back door so she can get out. The yard is board fenced, so she has a lot of freedom outside. But you know her; she likes her people.

Enough...for those in the desert, enjoy the warmth without having to mow...for those in Florida, enjoy the sub-tropics...for those in Michigan and PA...careful driving in that shot of snow you are about to get...as for us here in the NW...we will continue to mow, and scrape the moss off the sidewalks.

Oh yes, we got our tickets today for a return to Michigan (GRR) on Tuesday, April 4. And Penske lowered their one way price to OR by $1000 the other day...can't get any better than this.