August in Pueblo

It is August and I don't know where the month has gone. I have been really busy with plumbers, electricians, furnace people, and a handyman. Wow, I now have had two days with no people coming and going. Most days are spent with 4 hours on internet applications - ugh - and the other hours trying to clean this place up. I have made a lot of progress.

Terry White visited this weekend - my first company-and I cooked my first decent real meal. Finally, I got the refrigerator stocked to some degree. I have the basics, but it is amazing how much had to be left behind.

The Colorado State Fair started, and Terry and I lasted from 10:00-1:00 - then home to cool off. Saturday was cooler and we had a great time. I drive by the fair grounds all the time, but I had no idea how HUGE it is. What a fun experience. We saw lots of interesting things. I got some ideas on Xera scaping for whenever I get to tackle the back yard. Terry's visit was great, and I think I probably talked waaaay too much. It gets pretty lonely only having phone visits. Terry gave me a much needed break. I could quit working on the house and have fun. We played tourist and I showed him the Zoo, Pueblo Reservoir (which is huge!), the beautiful old homes (there are a lot of them), the steel mill, the river walk which is huge and just gorgeour. We had a slopper at Gray's Tavern which has been here since 1934. A slopper is a Pueblo invention - half a hamburger bun, two beef patties, cheese, topped with chili (green or red) and fries on top if you want. The chili is not thick, so it is sloppy, hence the name. Anyone who has spent time here knows what a slopper is, and people from Colorado Springs come here to eat!

I babysat for Owen on Thursday, and he likes Nana's house. He was a bunch of fun and seemed very relaxed and likes to play with my odd assortment of yardsale toys. We had a great time together - this is why I like being here and also closer to Ben, Brenda and Amelia. Becky and Devin will land somewhere by late winter or early spring. No matter where they go, at least I am two hours from a flight out for a visit. This was a good move.

Job prospects are all up to the "Gods of the internet". It is so strange to send stuff off and wonder if anyone ever looks at it, or for that matter, if it went anywhere. I have only had real contact with one person at Pueblo Community College - a block from my house. I was thrilled that I got to drop off a real resume and application. Weird! I have finally re-typed the resume to upload better. It has saved time in the long run. This week I am contacting my Realtor and a friend the Feathers know from here. Maybe real people can help out, cuz I don't know what cyberspace will bring.

This is August 27 and my furnace is going in! I opted for new ducting because it was pretty nasty after 60 years! This should be the last of people in and out. I had coffee with Marge my 80 year old neighbor. She is a retired principal, and we enjoyed the visit and I found out alot about the neighbors. The worst case is an internet predator who is currently in prison. His house is being cleaned out by his sister and they will be selling it, most likely. Just your typical neighbors ha ha! Seems like that stuff is all to common anymore. The rest of the neighbors seem to be really nice.

Becky will be visiting for Josh's birthday, and mine. She will be here Sept. 5. Only Laila gets to fly with her. She was a little hesitant to bring Logan. He would have a super time on the plane talking to everyone, but I don't think that would be much fun for Becky. I am really anxious for her to visit. The house is quite functional right now, so I can enjoy some down time!

Ben and Brenda are headed to Montana for one of Brenda's projects for work at the Continental Divide Initiative. They will head back through Salt Lake City and see Becky and Devin. All are looking forward to that visit. Ben is not as busy with work now. Amelia is just as cute as ever and is saying a lot more words - Ella, Mommy, Daddy, ball, up and several more. I can't wait to see them again. Ben called the other night and said some neighbors had left their house and it was in foreclosure. The neighbors were told they could go into the house and remove anything they wanted, so Ben got permission to do just that. He even got me a dishwasher to replace the one I have (I think mine smells funny and can't get rid of the odor) and a futon frame for my family room area. He said it was pretty strange to go into somneone's house and just take stuff. They got tools, baby clothes and much more. Isn't that just strange! The worst part was the smell, though, because the fridge had not been cleaned out - yuk!

Josh is really busy with his new Assistant Principal job at Fountain Middle School. He really likes it, but it has meant a lot of extra hours. It will settle down here since the kids have been in school for a few weeks. He is really happy with his choice. He was selected from 60 candidates, so it shows what a great employee he is (must be his upbringing)! Bree is feeling a lot better. Her due date is January 27 and they are not going to find out the sex of the baby - that should be fun. We are all so grateful that all is going well and excited for another addition to the family. She has had quite a struggle with huge hormone doses - what a brave girl! Owen is so darned cute and really keeps Bree busy. They go to swim classes, cooking classes, and nature babies in Beulah.

I have had computer problems, and I will try to get pictures on here soon.

July in Linda's Life

Life in Pueblo is just great. This weekend I went to Bailey for Amelia's first birthday. I rode up with Josh, Bree and Owen. We had a super time. If you look at the blog for the family you can see her pictures (in a couple of days) the whole family can be seen on http://www.hobgoods.blogspot.com/. She is quite the talker, and Owen just loves her and played with her the whole time. He even shared his favorite water bottle with her - and if you had a toddler, you would know that is HUGE.

Pictures are attached of the kids and updates on the house. I am still working on this, so check it often cuz it will change.

Job searching is a whole new ball of wax. It is internet driven and as far as I am concerned, it just goes into "Na Na" land and who knows if anyone checks the resumes or the applications. Pretty wierd. This week I am hitting the streets like the old way - I will see how it goes. I am still having difficulty not networking - don't know anyone to network with! I know it will come together.

The house is a perpetual work in progress. I love it and always like projects - I will be doing projects here for a long, long time.

Pueblo is soooooo friendly. Even the deli counter lady at Safeway had a long discussion with me one day. It is so refreshing to run across so many people who are unhurried, happy with their jobs, and willing to spend a minute to be friendly. I did not realize how negative GJ had become. The stress here is so much less! People don't drive too fast, honk too much, or bother to clean up stuff too much. It is funny how a laid-back environment rubs off. The down side to that is the seeming lack of interest in following up with phone calls. Contractors I have tried to get in touch with to do work sometimes don't show up - so I end up taking the one who shows and can get the work done. Prices are pretty reasonable, too.

I really miss social contact - I only talk to people on the phone. I loved visiting SLC and Bailey recently. I probably talked way too much. I hope to get a job and meet some people pretty soon.

Ben, Brenda, Josh and Amelia visited a couple of weeks ago to help me - boy did I need it. Owen and Bree were out of town - lucky for them! I worked them hard, and they accomplished in two days what would have taken me months!

Amelia has fun at Nana's new house, while

Ben & Brenda work! Look at this video - she

is quite the dancer.

Happy Laila for Nana 's visit.

Logan the Super Boy

Owen and Pueblo Farmers' Market .

The little girl insisted on holding hands,

but I don't think Owen was so excited.

Girls sure do mature faster!












Josh pruning the tree that
had been bad for 5 years! My new

neighbors were delighted.

Pink and black bathroom
looks great! Bree helped me shop
for accessories














Future family room - presently
Owen's favorite tent. Needs a
bunch of work.













Small guest room











Larger guest room










Living room










Pile of trash - spent
$300 to remove that and
old carpet! Ben, Josh and
Brenda did all of this! The
measurements were 10x10x5 - full
of juniper barbs!











Before the Junipers were
tamed.













After they were chopped, and
made into Truffula trees like in
the Dr. Seuss "Lorax" book.










Kitchen cupboards after









Kitchen cupboards before - yuk

The piles before unpacking

The mess

Full view of backyard patio

I removed carpet before hiring

floor finishers

Newly finished white oak

floors

Josh, Bree and Owen at the
Pueblo Farmers Market at the
River Front - would make GJ
jealous of what they accomplished.

Settled in Pueblo

Time is flying and I am having fun. Here are before and after photos of the house. Between projects, job search, and waiting for contractors, the days have flown by to say the least. I am unpacked, cleaned up and open for business for any visitors.

Job prospects are not exactly gang busters, but I know I will find something. My last paycheck is Aug. 18, so I am getting more anxious. Internet job applications are really time consuming. I am spending about 4-5 hours a day. I am getting pretty good at it.

Going to Bailey for Amelia's first birthday this weekend. Been to Salt Lake to see the littlest one - had a great time with Logan and Laila - and of course Becky and Devin. I get to see Owen about once a week - he recognizes me instantly, which is really neat.

Ben, Josh, and Brenda helped me a couple of weekends ago - What a huge help. I wonder if I got in over my head!

I miss all of you in GJ - please email me and stay in touch

L