More pics from days gone by

 

Thursday Morning December 31st..Last day of this notorious year 2020

Well Wednesday was a damp cold day with no sunshine and it didn't get above freezing until late afternoon. Miserable day to say the least. We didn't take the twins outside during the day but I did take the Ross grands on a golf cart ride during the afternoon. Just about all the snow is gone except for a few patches up in the woods. We are expecting Bobby's family back some time this morning from their ski trip in W. Va.

The twins have been great with 12 hour sleep's, eating variously with tons of poopie diapers. Speaking of trash it's amazing how much we can accumulate daily. The back of the truck is loaded down with tons of trash, so I'll make a dump run Saturday before we head out hopefully either Sunday or Monday morning. We cleaned up the soup's and chili for lunches yesterday and them I cut up the last of the standing rib roast for beef stroganoff for our supper, delicious.

The temps have warmed up from the below freezing temps we have experienced for the past week. Its calling for rain with much warmer temps today and tomorrow but the cold returns for the weekend with snow showers possible, LATER

A few pics from days earlier.

Wednesday Morning December 30th

 Well, I have a break from our first full over nighter with the twins and they did just great or should I say we did O.K. They slept for 12 hours non stop and we just fed them breakfast and now Eliza is in the corral playing with them. She is a life saver as she gets in the corral which takes some doing for and Nancy . The hard part is getting up off the floor.

Its still quite cold here with temps down into the freezing level and now it's looking like it might warm up and either rain or snow as its over cast. We have the twins another night and then their Momma and daddy with return with big sister and brother. Amy, Tyler, Sam, Ava and Eliza are with us until Saturday and have been a big help with the care of these boys. We are enjoying all of the family time but not really enjoying all of the cold as our fingers, feet and cheeks are raw from the cold, oh well. I had forgot about those winter days on the farm when your skin becomes so dry from the cold they become raw and break open.

Just and update on Paw Paw he is still in the hospital in Winchester being kept for observation due to some heart irregularities, LATER

Well its quiet here for a change this morning for about an hour or so as the twins just went down for a nap. Seems they were up a couple times during the night which is unusual so they were fussy and we put them down. Bobby and the rest of his gang left around 8'ish for W.Va. where they will ski, sled and whatever for a couple days. They are due back here sometime Thursday morning. Thankfully I have the Ross Family to help with their care.

Monday was a fun day as the older kids played in the snow which began to really melt by late afternoon. The temps reached the upper 40's and the yard showed lots of bare patches but the temps dropped over night and the ground froze once again and turned the slush to ice. We took several golf cart rides some sled riding and lots of snow ball fights. The snow men began to melt away and were soon turned to slush. We men did some target shooting with an AR 15 which is a smooth shooting rifle.

We all took a hike later in the afternoon to the top of the mountain and most of the snow is gone down off the mountain. We still have some in the back yards and where the sum doesn't shine. We didn't see many folks out an about on top but did see where several are visiting their summer cabins as the smoke filled the air from their chimneys.

We did a Mexican theme for supper with guacamole, salsa & chips tacos and bean burritos and afterwards played a game called Mafia. The twins had their baths and were in bed by 7'ish. The girls headed down to the basement and Sam and Gabe played dominos with us adults. They were a hoot with their play and love of the game. It was a little after 10 when we decided to suspend the game and call it a night, LATER

I got word that Paw Paw was admitted to the hospital with some heart issues but did seem to be stabilized by late evening.

Monday Evening December 28th

 Well its been a busy several days with 13 folks here at the cabin with 6 adults and 7 kiddos. Its non stop eating, playing in the snow and washing dishes, but oh so much fun. One thing I had forgot about was your fingers and hands cracking and chaffing with the cold temps. Everyone is suffering from the the dry cold temps.

It's been an experience which we will probably do every other years since next year the Ross family will be in Kansas and Bobby  with Annsley and Gabe doing the first week of the vacation. I'll do a few things differently with the priming of the cabin for this Christmas Tradition. I need heat in the basement for one major change which has caused a lot of anxiety and expense with portal heaters. The fire danger is a big concern for everyone with the older grands staying in the basement and sometimes their exercise in safety is questionable.

The snow is starting to melt and the temps were in the 40's for the first time since getting back at the cabin which made it pleasant to be outside without being totally bundled up. The Older grands have had a blast with building snow men, sledding and snow ball fights. We actually all took a hike to the top of the mountain this afternoon and it was a grand adventure. Well its time for supper so I'll close for now. Nancy and I will have the twin boys for the next two nights as Bobby takes his older kids to W.Va for skiing. That should be an adventure for both them and us. Thankfully Amy and family will be here to help with this care for the boys, LATER

Sunday Morning December 27th

 Well I've not had any time to make a post and when I do it will be between naps, meals and washing dishes and cooking etc. with 13 family here for a week. They all arrived on Saturday afternoon; Bobby, Katie, Annsley and Gabe with the twin boys Ryder and Huckston. Amy, Tyler, Ava, Sam and Eliza with pup Rocky arrived about 30 minutes later. It's been an "animal house" atmosphere since. Snow is the big hit and the Annsley and Gabe had never experience this cold white stuff and they were soon doing snow angels. sled riding and snow ball fights. Its cold outside with temps below freezing. I'm still letting the outside faucets dripping to keep from freezing. I'm hoping it will warm up enough to shut those spigots off as huge icicles have formed from the dripping faucets.

We had soups, chili, and corn bread muffins for our supper which were perfect for this cold wintery evening. I have to go and help with all these kids so this will be short, Later

Friday Morning December 25th Christmas Day

 We no longer are dreaming of a white Christmas but have one, and its beautiful but cold. Nancy is beside herself as she has already donned a heavy coat and gum boots and been out in the yards. You can tell she never lived on a farm because this kind of weather is miserable for farmers. I left the two outside spigots dripping over night, but this morning the one by the well house had a long icicle and the handle had frozen so it took 3 pitchers of hot water to unfreeze it and now its dripping again. Hopefully it did not burst the pipe inside the well house. We got around 3-4 inches but the trees are plastered white and just so pretty. with their dark bark covered. 

Well Thursday was a miserable day as it rained all day and at times the winds were hurricane strength and it was in the low 40's until night fall when it really turned cold with snow showers. We worked inside the cabin all day except when the rain let up in the morning and I was able to string some Christmas lights along the front porch. They really added some holiday spirit to the dull drab look of the outside of the cabin. 

We had to make another trip to Sparta as Nancy forgot to get several items she needed for some dishes she's preparing for our company and family when they arrive starting today, we hope. Mike and Dee are scheduled for this afternoon and I'm hoping they can get into our place with all this snow. He has 4 wheel drive on his truck but when the kids come tomorrow unless some of it melts it may be a problem getting them in the road and up the drive. I'm hoping neighbor Gerald will scrap the road before their arrivals.

Well the cabin is staying toasty with just the mini split. We worked upstairs and used the ones there for a few and actually since heat rises we may not need to use them as much as we first thought. The basement is still cold at around 50 but even that has warmed up from the 40's when we first arrived. I have several portable heaters we can use down there when the kiddos arrive.

We watched Element Church service on line and saw our son Bobby leading worship and then watched Jack Hibbs speak at Calvary Church in California. We even took communion with Element Church as we celebrated this special time of the year. Well its cold here at 14 degrees and while I'm not particular fond of this extreme cold it is rather pretty. I'm hoping the roads will be cleared for safe travel and the kiddos get to play in the snow when they come. If it stays this cold they will have plenty of snow for sledding and snow ball battles, LATER

MAY GOD BLESS ALL and we wish All a very Merry Christmas and the Best for a New Year.

 

Thursday Morning December 24th Christmas Eve

Well Thursday started out below freezing and by late afternoon it has warmed up to a balmy 40 degrees. We ask our selves what did we agree to get into with this winter adventure? At least we saw the sunshine and blue skies which helped as we are use to both on a daily basis in warm almost always sunny Florida, oh well.

I started the day with a well before 6 roll out as I had lots to do on my mine as we get ready no only for family to arrive but for what is being called a major storm with first rain, then snow and temps for highs in the 20's and the lows in single digits. I'm beginning to think we may be snowed in for a spell or at least cabin bound with 6 adults, 7 kids and a dog and with the basement being very cold which limits your ability to at least have some extra space. Well I satisfied the cold basement as neighbor Gerald blessed us with the use of three of his portal electric heaters.

We headed into Galax, Va for a major shopping trip as we filled two shopping carts of groceries and goodies before gassing up at a 1.95 and then heading home to unload. We had a late lunch of some salad we brought from Florida and then I headed down to put the battery in the golf cart and get it started. I mentioned to neighbor Gerald the possibility of one of the heating elements in the hot water tank maybe going bad so we set the thermostat up about 10-15 degrees hotter. I'm hoping that may take care of the issue of the tank not keeping up with the use and the extremely cold water coming into the tank. If not, I'll hopefully with his help solve the issue before all of the company arrives and change out the element. The heater is just two years old so it shouldn't be a bad element, but we will see. I'll use his Ohm meter and check the resistance later this week. He also loaded us up with several packages of ground venison which is truly a blessing as we love deer burgers grilled medium with a slice of cheese on top, delicious and so good for you.

We headed over around 5:30 to visit and have supper with Jake and Katelyn and little 7 month old Skylar. She is such a cutie and is in the top 95% for her age in height and weight. She is very aware of her surrounding and was taken back at first of us but later warmed up with smiles and coo's. Katelyn had grilled chicken thighs and smashed taters and a grape salad and along with Nancy mixed vegetable casserole we ate "high on the hog" as the old timers use to say. She also had made a homemade egg nog which was very good and we a glass after supper during our game of Spades of which the gals came back and won after we were slaughtering them from the beginning, oh well. We so enjoy playing games with them as both are game players like we are. It was cold on the ride home around 9'ish with temps in the low 30's. The skies were clouding up as this front moves into the area bringing rain and snow later in the week.

It's raining this morning(Thur.) as I'm making this post and according to the forecast today is a wash out. I was hoping to get in another hike to the top and say hello to our neighbors there, but that doesn't seem likely at this point in time. We have lots to do here in the cabin as we get ready for Friday's arrival of sister Dee and Mike for an over nighter and then again for both Bobby and Amy's families who arrive on Saturday for over a week. We will have 6 adults and 7 grands for at least several days. Bobby is surprising Annsley and Gabe with a snow skiing trip to W. Virginia for an over nighter and we will watch the twins along with Amy's family. I sure hope the weather allows us to get out of the cabin during that week.

Well that was about it for the day as the mini split keeps the cabin on the main floor very comfortable. I'll fire up the units upstairs and those in basement today to get the whole cabin toasty. So far we have a curtain between the two floors to keep the heat from rising which really makes a difference when the up stairs in not being used. It's our first time since purchasing the property in '92 to come here during the winter months. Bobby wants this to become a tradition so maybe we will every other year as Amy's family visits Kansas every other year and Bobby has Annsley and Gabe the same during the Christmas holidays. If we do I'll have another mini split installed in the basement for heat and to act as a dehumidifier. The cold is something we have to adjust to but so has been the heat and humidity in Florida. The mountains are bare of any colors which is a downer and of course I do miss my garden and the wholeness of its produce as well as the work involved, LATER

Wednesday Morning December 23rd

 Well Tuesday was another really cold day made even colder by the strong winds that blew like a hurricane all night long. We heard the screens rattling against the window frames, debris from the trees blowing into the side of the cabin and just plain wind noises as it rushed through the trees, Yikes what a night with very little sleep, plus it was cold as the cabin was still under going cold within the walls, furniture and everything inside the cabinets.

I started the day with a before 6'ish roll out. Thankfully we did not lose power during night from a fallen tree across a power line as the electrical  powered mini split kept us comfortable through out the night as did those flannel sheets. I had my cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name for healing and comfort during their time of need as well as our Potus Trump and those who still love America. I'm praying daily the radical left doesn't steal this election in the senate as well as the presidency because if they do steal it America as they promised will never be the same. We will become a third world country governed by the powerful rich elites who will impose socialism and distribute our saving to those who are corrupt and lazy.

America is at a cross roads with those who hate US(A) and seek tyranny much like they did in all of the communist countries. This form of government will fail as it has before and our right to worship freely will be gone forever as well as the right to defend ourselves with the 2nd amendment. Just look at what the congress passed for a relief bill supposedly for Americans out of work. It funded those nations and agencies that had nothing to do to help Americans but cause US(A) more debt for our children and grand children. The democrats have become a party that is now a crime syndicate and being fronted by the MSM and Big Tech. 

Well we worked inside all morning getting the cabin ready for the family which will arrive the day after Christmas. We put the donated Christmas Tree by the Tracy's up in one corner of the cabin and its beautiful to say the least. It's a pre lite tree our first ever and Nancy did a magnificent job with the decorations. I moved some end tables down into the basement to make room as well as helped with the tidying up the cabin after unloading our stuff on Monday. I took the gas powered tools out of the basement and moved them back under the front porch so as to make room for the grands who will be staying in the basement which is very cold. It has warmed up significantly from when we first arrived, but still in the 50's. Neighbor Gerald is letting us use a couple portable electric heaters to use while they are here for the basement. I think Tyler wants to work down there as well.

We took a mid afternoon hike to the top  and while the wind had decreased from the earlier hurricane strength winds it was still very strong and made the hike even colder. We saw no one on top as everyone was closed. The new construction on the big house looks as if its dried in for the winter and we could hear hammering inside. We took a picture of the Browning House which they now have a view off the mountain since all of the trees are bare. We came back down through the hoarders place and it seems nothing has changed there with junk and discarded items everywhere. Its such a shame to see this place just go with out any maintenance and eventually rot away. We know several folks who would purchase it but she refuses any offers,

We stopped and chatted with Gerald on the way to Sparta. He is very cognizant of the virus and is not accepting any in house invitation as we wanted him to join us over Christmas. He works everyday and seems content with that arrangement. He has our road and driveway in great shape and did manage to harvest some deer from the area who has an appetite for my gardens in the summer months. We do love their meat as well and maybe that is why they are so tasty. We headed out to the dump before meeting up with the Luffman's at the local pizzeria for supper. We saw several other old friends there as well. It was good to see and we chatted for an hour or more while enjoying a limited menu. We got back at the cabin around 8'ish and the temps had already dropped to 29 degrees. The cabin was toasty and it was time to hit the shower. I believe I may have a heating element in the hot water tank going out as after Nancy showered and I followed her I had encountered some much cooler water temps. I'll check it out and see about how to replace the element and as well as the cartridge filter for the water line, oh well. At least we still have hot water but with everyone coming in a couple days I'll need to replace the element.

Well thats was about it for the day as I was ready for some horizontal around 10'ish. We are off to Galax, Va. to stock up at the super Walmart and Lowes, LATER

There is still some ice and snow around the area from last week.

Tuesday Morning December 22nd ..In the mountains of N.C.

Well we got here safely and loaded down for this two week adventure at our cabin as the whole immediate family will spend the day after Christmas through the day after New Year's with us. This is our first winter adventure here and so far its exciting to say the least. We made good time despite some back ups due to crashes along the way, but we fortunately stayed clear and safe from them. Many thanks to all who kept us in your thoughts and prayers for traveling mercies as we left at 4 AM and got her at 4 PM. We made several stops to walk, gas up at the lowest at 1.85, eat at Mickey D's for both breakfast and lunch and to stock up at Sam's Club in Columbia, S.C. The truck was packed to the above the full mark but everything made it in one piece as we stuffed items in between items and packages. We brought all of Christmas packages here for the kiddo's and that is what made the truck so fully loaded down. 

When we got above the continental divide mark we began seeing patches of snow and ice in the woods and along side the road where the sunshine failed to reach. The temps were 45 at the lowest and of course the temps in the cabin were at 40 degrees, so we opened the doors while I turned on the water and cleared the tarp covering the compressor for the mini split to allow the warm 45 degrees to drive the chilled 40 degrees out before we started everything that would throw off some heat. We had every candle lit, oven on, light on, both portable fireplace and tower heater full blast as well as the mini split. It took about an hour to get the inside temps up to a balmy 60 degrees which felt like a heat wave. Eventually it reached the 70's but the basement was like an ice box. I think I'll see about having a mini split installed down there for heat as the kiddos are planning on sleeping down there as well as Tyler wants to work from there for a couple days. I can use it in the summer as a dehumidifier and if we make this a tradition as Bobby mentioned we will have heat in the basement.

We had daylight for an hour or so then dusk settled in and by nightfall the wind arrived. Much like a March wind that comes in like a lion. Wow, I mean it rattled the window screens and moved some porch items around all night long and we can hear the wind in the towers on top of the mountains. That wind drops the temps down considerably with the wind chill. We worked unto 9'ish and then it was a hot shower for me and I climbed into the bed with the warm flannel sheets which are fantastic on a cold bed.

Well we have our hands full today Tuesday with lots of getting the cabin ready for the kiddos. It will be fun no doubt if we aren't blow away before everyone gets here. We will meet up with the Luffman's for supper in town and then tomorrow with Jake and Katelyn for supper at their place. I'm hoping to get in a hike to the top of the mountain today for some added exercise, LATER

Sunday Morning December 20th

Well Saturday started out chilly but quickly warmed up to a balmy 70 degrees and just beautiful weather with bright sunshine and blue skies. A perfect day for an outside on the patio birthday party for Ryder and Huck with tons of family and friends. More on that later with some pics.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to a cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble and the spent some quiet time with my creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name for healing and comfort. All are holding their own as I write. I'm still praying for our duly elected potus Trump that he will be our leader for another 4 years and that he will continue to clean out the swamp in D.C. It sure is filled with radicals who want to drastically change this nation. Both parties are filled with them and the corruption runs so deep it frightening, especially the dem candidate cavorting with our enemies for money and who is backed by the criminal MSM, Wall street and big Tech. What is going on in this nation and among the leaders in the congress. GOD HELP US(A)

We headed out a little after 9 for Brandon to help with the party for the twins. Nancy had a vegetable tray with the dips and there was plenty of grilled hot dogs and chips and of course Nancy had made around 50 cupcakes of which half were leftover. Each of the boys had their own cakes to eat with their hands and they were a hoot with icing and cake every where. There were tons of young kids there as well playing in the tree fort with their nerf guns and ammo. We adults played a little Chubb(skull and bones) in the back yard as well. It's a popular game and several can play at one time, actually 6 on each team if needed but it was 3 on a side and a lot of fun. I have the game in the mountains and we will play depending on how cold over Christmas next week when we are there and if the ground is covered in snow.

I spoke with neighbor Gerald to let him know we were coming and he mentioned it has been cold with mostly ice and a little snow but rather cold with temps in the teens. I know it will take several hours to get the cabin warmed up but once the wood warms it will be toasty I'm sure. We have a full load of packages, baby stuff needed for the boys as well as lots of warm clothing and of course Nancy will take her usual too much clothing just in case she might need it. We are taking a donated Christmas tree from the Tracy's which the box fills up quite a bit of space in the truck, but we will leave it there for future vacations this time of the year. The forecast is for several days of cold temps with the chance of snow and we just might get our fill for the kiddos. They are excited to be with all of their cousins at one time as we are also to have them all together. Tyler's parents are just too sick from the virus for them to head to Kansas as was their original plans plus they now have the puppy, Rocky who is getting to be quite a large dog for his breed.

We left Brandon around 3'ish and the interstate is just filled with traffic as everyone up north must be in Florida. Amy invited us over for supper so we ate with them and loaded up two sacks of winter weather gear Katie gave them for their time at the cabin as they had no really cold weather clothing. We left most of our cold weather clothing at the cabin which was a plus as it seems we will finally get to use them this year.

Well that was about it for the day. The boys received tons of clothing and toys and of course we added to the pile as well. They were so cute feeding themselves the cakes and were a little reluctant at first but soon got into them with both hands and faces. It was a great first birthday celebration and we are looking forward to having them for a couple days to ourselves as Bobby and Katie will take Annsley and Gabe snow skiing at a slope in West Virginia as a surprise for Christmas, LATER

This will be my last post from warm sunny Florida for a couple weeks as we head to the mountains and much cooler temps, actually below freezing temps for several days. I sure hope this flatlander adjusts to these temps.