June 24th to 27th - 100 Mile House

June 24th – Thurs – 100 Mile House
Terry took the post pounder apart and we took the rod to a welder that Marg has used in the past. The guy (Steve) was very nice, said that he could weld it and we could pick it up at the end of the day.
Dad thought the wheel art work needed a little brightening up so he cut circles out of white heavy plastic bucket lids and Terry helped me pull off each wheel and add a circle in the middle. We weren’t finished when it started to rain. We thought it would pass over quickly so we went into the chicken house but in a few minutes made a dash for the house as it was really pouring.
We puttered around until it was time to pick up the rod. Steve was still working on it but we were on our way shortly after 5. Terry put everything back together while I made dinner and also popped out to help him.
After dinner, Terry & I went back to work on Ralph’s fence. Everything went well but we could have done without some light rain showers. We quit about 8 as Terry’s legs were getting tired from holding the clutch & brake while lining things up and Ralph was getting a little less concerned about getting the posts straight.

June 25th – Fri – 100 Mile House
I made the mistake of putting out another jigsaw puzzle so we worked on that (and I did some cleaning) while we waited for the grass to dry out so we could mow at least the garden area again. Terry had just started to mow when the mower quit. It turned out to be a broken spark plug and of course we could not find one the correct size so Terry made a quick trip to town.
Marg & Pat returned about 4. I helped Pat unload her stuff & groceries from the motor home while Marg wandered around checking things out – OK, I didn’t weed the garden! Rick arrived shortly after with their 2 grandchildren Landon & Ryleigh.
We had planned hamburgers on the BBQ for dinner so we could enjoy the new deck and the weather cooperated.

June 26th – Sat – 100 Mile House
We enjoyed a lazy morning with coffee and more info about Marg & Pat’s trip. After breakfast we all – except Dad – piled onto the 2 ATVs and went to the neighbors so everyone could see the baby goats. Jeanna took one baby out of the pen so the kids could pet it and we were all surprised at the loud cat-like cry that it made.
While we were at the neighbors, Marg noticed that some of her sheep were in a pasture that they were not supposed to have access to. So again we took the ATVs and went looking. Two trees had fallen over an electric fence (not turned on) so the wires were on the ground and allowed the sheep to walk right over them. It didn’t really matter that they were in the other field, so we opened another gate to allow the sheep an easy route back to the barn and will fix the fence tomorrow.
After a wiener roast for lunch, Terry, Rick, Landon & Dad went to mud bog races while the Marg, Pat, Ryleigh & I went to town for a few errands including getting an anode rod for the hot water tank. There has been a really bad rotten egg smell from the tank so we drained it this morning and also figured a new anode rod was called for. Apparently the tank has a 4 foot anode rod but Marg’s ceiling in that part of the basement is only 7 feet so the store clerk checked with a plumber and sold us a shorter rod and said we could cut the old one to get it out.
When we got back, we tried to get the old rod out with no success. We wrapped the nut with a vinegar soaked rag to wait for the guys and decided to fill the tank again as we were having company for dinner and wanted hot water for dishes.
Nichole and Francis joined us for dinner and we had a nice evening.

June 27th – Sun – 100 Mile House
After another lazy morning and breakfast, Terry & Rick got the old anode rod out (it was not as long as expected) and found out that the new rod would not fit. So they put it back together until we can get the correct rod.
Rick & Pat & kids left about 11. We figured we had time before lunch to get the trees off the fence. There was an additional tree that had fallen over the fence but had hung up in another tree so was not even touching the fence. Terry got the tractor and hooked a chain to the tree so he could hold it up while Marg cut it off above the fence. Then he used the tractor to pull the tree away from the supporting tree.
Marg limbs & cuts up any firewood sized tree so we ended up with quite a bit of wood. We took a break for lunch and returned to work some more. Terry felled a large dead tree that we dragged out for firewood. We were all hot & tired so we quit just before 4, freshened up with showers and relaxed with a drink before heading to Ralph & Jeanna’s for dinner. It was nice enough to sit out on the deck for dinner and then we moved indoors for conversation & dessert. Ralph & Jeanna got wire up on the new posts and when we were cutting wood we saw the horses running and kicking with happiness after they were let out in the pasture.