Trains

A new feature this year is bringing the outer loop all the way out around the south maple, so it runs right next to the fence. That way people on the sidewalk can be right next to a train going by, even if they don't come in the yard.

Christmas lights

That brightened up the yard a little.

Christmas lights

Got the cottonwood tree decorated today.

Trains

And the house is lit.

Trains

And in the morning light.

Trains

This kids enjoyed them last night.

Trains

Taa daa!

The trains are done.

The north loop revisited.

Trains

The tracks begin to reemerge.

Maybe by Thanksgiving the road can be running again. Still got to finish that outer loop.

Weather

We did get a little accumulation. I sure liked the way the Jeep handled in the snow and ice. Four wheel drive and antilocks. A good combination for winter in Colorado.

Weather

The snow started at 8 this morning. The wind started at 9. It's 23 degrees.

Happy Winter.

Weather

Blue pushes. Red resists. Yellow wins.

Train

The Bumblebee makes a test run.

Train

The interior loop takes shape.

Weather

This is cool. If you load these in order, then click through them, you can see the red get pushed right off the map by the blue and yellow.

But then the red starts to regain a hold in the west. It does, but I didn't want to freeze everyone's computers with too many pictures.

Work

Lots of response to the mobile office. Every phone call and email starts with: "saw your ad" or "got your flyer". No new clients yet, but plenty of conversation. Got a call from Crested Butte today, but it was for something I could help with just using the fax.

Got a call yesterday from an executive director we already work with. She is headed out for a meeting with thirty-five executive directors of nonprofits in outlying areas. They have been wondering as a group what to do for audit services. She asked if I could provide a stack of flyers to take with her.

We were glad to oblige.

Babies

Grandbabies.

What could be finer?

More grandbabies.

Another on the way.

The fourth of July.

Taylor, Tony, and Teigan expect a baby brother or sister.

I can't send a picture just yet.

We're all excited.

Work

I love those maps you stick pins in so you can see all the places you've been, or all the stores you've sold to. I need a map for the alphabet. I was just looking through our client list, and we have at least one client for every letter except four: O, V, X, and Z.

Motorhomes

Shamu left the driveway today. The excited new owners brought us some more money, and a check for the balance. When the check clears, they get the title.

They're planning an immediate trip to Pennsylvania. Next weekend.

Things are simpler here now. Only three vehicles, and they are all 2002 vintage. Less miles on all of them combined, than on Shamu.

Less stuff.

Tricks

Saw the greatest trick wheels on a truck. Pickup truck. He rolled up to the intersection, wheel covers rotating and flashing in the sun. He stopped. The wheel covers kept rotating. That was startling.

Trains

Here are some possibilities.

Decorations

Well, finally it got back above freezing. No more ice.

No decorating duty today, though. It's still cold and cloudy and drippy with temperatures in the thirties.

Lots of thought about Christmas trains, though. I think one more locomotive would make for a really really cool layout. Three trains going all directions. Yeah. That's it. Three trains.

Halloween

Twenty-nine degrees. Freezing rain. One hundred eight kids.

Happy Halloween.

Pic

The Halloween pumpkin.