Things to get used to

So, learning all sorts of new things about our new home, neighborhood, etc. First and foremost the water sucks. It is very high in minerals and ruins a set of glasses in a year, by using the dishwasher of course. I use Joey's mother's fancy dishes everyday because I don't believe in saving things for special occasions. Anyway, they absolutely will not go in the dishwasher anymore. It leaves a milky looking film on them and every other damn thing in there. I had to scrub everything from the first load, ugh! Kim said to use vinegar in a small bowl so I did. It helped but not enough. I need to try the jet dry thingy's and vinegar. In the mean time everything is washed and dried by hand so as to leave no water residue on anything. We have an ice and water dispenser and we can't really use it. I had a scotch with ice and after a second refill I noticed a pile, and I mean pile, of I don't know what at the bottom of the glass. Turning ice make off and using the bin for purchased ice. We have to purchase water for drinking, making coffee, tea and cold drinks. We have been stocking up from Walmart but the local stores have a dispenser and you can buy a 2 gallon jug for $14 and fill it up for $0.90. Not a bad deal really so will go get one tomorrow.

Speaking of stores, If you have more than you can carry at one of them they have someone come out with you and unload your cart. I felt terrible because the lady was older than my mother but she was glad to. Said it is not only for ensuring carts are returned by also customer service. One last thing about the stores here. Every damn on has a full isle of wine and booze. Just can't get used to that but it is nice for one stop shopping.

We had a pretty gusty wind for a couple of days and we lost 2 roof tiles. I was not happy about it but Joe was cool so I tried to not make a big deal out of. I mean, we just bought the damn house and there was an inspection, apparently the roof was not included. Joe found out from Jackie at work that this is not an uncommon occurrence. We don't have a ladder and really don't want to spend money on one so Joe found some kind of home made pallet in the back yard and used that to fix tiles.

The seller, Fred, came over to show us how the pellet stove worked. He even brought a bucket of treated pellets that start the thing going. Basically regular pellets with lighter fluid sprayed on them. It was nice to meet him and his wife and we hope to see them again.

I found it very cool and interesting that many of our neighbors have horses in their back yards. Apparently if you have an acre, secured, with a shelter you can have two horses. We would love one and once I get here permanently I will be volunteering with the wild horse gathering and adoption processes. Once I learn how to handle a wild horse and calm it down we will be eligible to adopt one. Only $150 but you have to have the financial means to maintain it's proper care.


Okay, only a few last things. First is the damn dust and it's winter. I literally should vacuum every day but I know that is not going to happen. When you come in from outside you have to take your shoes off right away or the caked dry mud comes off your shoes or boots and gets all over the floor. We even have to wipe the dogs feet when they come in sometimes. Many people have stones on their property to deal with this. There are two homes with an acre or more that have the entire place covered with stones. A strange thing to get used to. Almost half of our place is the same way.

A wonderful surprise as been our new cat, Midnight. She is a feral cat to some degree and her and a brother showed up here when Fred owned the place. He got them fixed and fed them. When he moved he took them but Midnight came back here and has been living semi-wild around the house. I would guess that some neighbors are feeding her because she is not starving skinny. She is petite and all black. We have been feeding her along with the dogs but she eats outside the sliding glass doors, right across from the dogs in the kitchen. She came in once and Gracie made her nervous. We put a sheet in a box for a bed. Joe is all worried about her but he said not to tell anyone.

Last tale, I swear. Buddy flew out from NY in a crate, which he is not used to, and had an accident. Now that he made it, because I was afraid his heart murmur would have a detrimental affect, I can joke. Anyway, he experienced the 'scared the shit out of me' on the flight. We got to Albany Airport at 3:45am and checked in around 4:15am. We arrived in Elko at 2:15pm the same day. He was in the crate for 13 hours and I was a nervous wreck. He made it and we found one fairly small pile of poop attached to a back corner of the crate. Since we have white rugs and behavioral challenged dogs we decried to use that crate and the collapsible one for bedtime. So Joe needed to clean the poop out of the crate and boy did I get a great pic of that.