Getting the Gold!!

I have been camping at my house for weeks now. At times, it has been very cold. When I saw the Gale insulation truck pull up with rolls of lovely, gold insulation, it warmed my heart with the anticipation of a body. They worked all day and into the evening, but they got it all done.



Now sheet rcck has started, garage doors will be hung today or Monday. Then they will spray insulation into the spots that they couldn't put insulation bats. I should be snugged up then!! This morning it was 49 in my house with the heat set on 65 degrees. It is hard to heat the outside. I got the electric bill for running the temporary electric furnace, and all I can say about it is "yikes!"

The new bonus room with sheetrock!!


The new furnace and hot water heater. . . it is now working. It was just clogged with drywall dust and dirt.

I have survived 3 weeks without my little Checquers. I miss him every day. Thanks to all of you who wrote notes. I know that he wasn't a person, but he was a big part of my life.


Last year for Christmas, my friend, Desiree, made me this little pillow. It is a reminder to be thankful for the little simple things. . ."from simple things come simple joys."

I'm reminded every day how lucky I am to have heat and hot water. Now, if I could just have my washer and dryer back in my house. . .sigh!!

Supreme Sorrow

Checquers Oliver
June 17, 2003-November 29, 2007

Thursday night, November 29th, I met my friend, Jake, at Costco and then went to his house for dinner. I had left the pets locked inside as it was so cold, and Checquers had been outside until late the night before. When I got home around 9, both cats came running, but no Checquers. I went through the house looking for him as sometimes he will nudge a door shut with his nose and lock himself in a closet or room. I noticed the door to the garage was unlocked, and I knew I had locked it. I called Ken to see if someone had come in while I was gone. He told me the mechanical guy had climbed in a window. Checquers was very protective of our space. I was concerned, as Checquers is so dark and it was a dark night. I went outside and called and called, then got in the car to see if I could find him. He had barely made it to the neighbors and there was his little body beside the road. I called to him, but there was no response. His little body was cold and he wasn't breathing. I am so sad. He was such a dear little companion. I miss him more than I thought possible. I have been reminded the last couple of days of different little things. Robin remembered how in puppy school I had to teach him a trick. I taught him to say prayers by climbing up a 2 step ladder and bowing his head for a treat. Jan, his favorite puppy sitter, loved to take him in the pickup with her, and he was her tug of war buddy.




He loved to play with Bailey. Jake's dog. They were such buddies. He always did a happy dance before he would lay down to make sure he found the perfect spot. He was such a little guy, but he was loved by so many. He will leave a hole in all of our hearts, but mostly mine. He was my little man in a fur coat.