Pot-Por-Ri Update

Howdy All,

Well, things here in Idaho are heating up..our summer has arrived and it is hot! But, it certainly is a welcomed change from our looooong winter. We've been outside workin' on the front of the house's landscaping. Whew! we finally got the work done this week-end. As soon as I get the after pictures, I'll post them. Luckily the majority of our property is au-natural which we love, so we don't have too much up-keep to do...just keeping the weeds from over taking everything is the most time consuming.

Since my last posting, there have been a few more birthdays, Celeste (Candy's & Greg's 2nd) turned 13 on June 22nd, and I had Seth's birthday wrong, his was June 26, not the 6th....next was Laiken (Jason's & Tara's 1st) turned 8 on June 29th, and Saylor (Jeremy's & Michele's 1st) will be 9 on July 7th along with my sister Judy and Ed's Dad. My brothers Chucky, dba Charles, and Larry also celebrated birthdays, and Ed's brother Andy.

The wildlife has changed from deer to birds..lots of them and different kinds. Our resident quail families had their chicks...12 in all, and the raccoons still come by at night and eat Chevy's leftover dog food along with an occasional stray cat. Ed and I have been riding our bikes or taking the four-wheeler out on the dirt roads. There are about 75 miles of different paved bicycle trails here. We usually drive to Harrison about 20 miles away to the trails that go along the Couer d'Alene lake. Sometimes Angel, Jordan or Alex will come with us. The last time Ed went he took Alex & Jordan and a couple of Jordan's friends. Besides being great exercise the scenery is great. On one trip, Ed & I saw an eagle's nest (they come back to the same spot each year) with two babies, that were just as big as momma. The other giant nest around here belong to the native bird Osprey. Just about every other telephone pole has one of their huge nest, which they also use every year. Along the river banks we see turtles, one just about every 5 feet or so. And of course those yucky slimy water snakes...ugh! We have a good time.

I'm also working again. I'm the Office Administrator/HR Manager for Harrison Dock Builders in Harrison. The company has been around since 1983 building docks, ramps, boat lifts, etc. for just about everyone here that has a boat and lives near or has property by the water. I never knew so much goes into building a boat dock, but if you every see the fancy boat slips and canopies some people have, you'd be surprised. An average boat dock and ramp ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 for residential, and in the $100,000's and up for commercial. My company has a great reputation, they even go to other states to build for people who only come here for the summer, but may also have a home where they live..During the winter they will round up docks for over 300 of our customers who want dock storage service, (boat docks, ramps and canopies) and take them by tug to a cove where they are stored during the winter. Our busiest part the season is getting all those things back and secured for the summer. Due to the flooding this year, there was a late start. Normally they start around May, but the high water didn't go down until late June. They finally got done a week ago. Most of our customers were understanding, but there were a few who just couldn't understand that the weather sometimes prevents work on the water from being done...they just want their boat docks back no matter what! Anyway, work is fun. I had to learn CAD because we draw what the work is going to look like and since these docks, etc. have to have a permit (another thing I didn't know) we have to show size, materials used, water depths, location..and so on. Everything these days is regulated. Even the lake/riverside neighbors have to be notified and sign off before a permit is given....So, I have an interesting job, but more important, I work for very nice, honest and successful people. My hours are M-F, 7:00 am to 3:30, paid holidays (even Good Friday), vacation, medical, sick and profit sharing. I hope to be here a long time. So, if you know anyone who needs a dock, call me at HDB (Harrison Dock Builders).

Okay, I guess that is the latest news for now. I'll post more pictures in the next blog. Until then..God Bless

everyone.