Stockbridge Critter Sitters Open House --- and a new member to our family????

Sunday we had the chance to attend a great event right near Chilton.  In the tiny burg of Stockbridge is a boarding kennel, groomer and doggie day care called http://stockbridgecrittersitters.com/     Facebook page for Stockbridge Critter Sitters.  The owner, Lisa Martin, also runs the Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue.  So beside the open house festivities, she hosted a silent auction with proceeds going to the Wisconsin Sheltie Rescue Organization.

There was a lot of fun stuff going on--- chili contest, pet photos, shopping discounts in the store, refreshments, and Lisa also let me set up my antique circular sockknitting machine!

I put up a sign that said 50% of my profits would go to the rescue fund!   Finnegan came along to keep my machine under guard of his watchful eye.... heh heh  he also got a huge doggie crush on a pretty gal named Merlot who also dressed up for the occasion.   I sold a lot of socks, a few hats and even a set of hotpads I happened to have along!

 Here are a few snapshots I took throughout the day

Finnegan was socializing with some of the other dogs and people too

(and begging for snacks!) 

Dogs of all breeds were schmoozing for snacks! 

Very polite and well trained dogs attended the event.

Lisa has a great setup with indoor exercise areas, two outdoor fenced in yards for small and large dogs, and a grooming area besides her little shop of pet supplies and gift items.  Stop on by and check it out--- by appointment, please.  Use the links up in the first paragraph for more information.

These kids were busy making doggie bone ornaments for their Christmas tree... and were using my little sock machine stand to color them on.  They were entertaining and delightful little people!

 And someone even brought a puppy that needed socializing! 

I sure didn't mind helping out----

The celebrity judges were fun, and there was a lot of laughter and dogs and people throughout the day. The rescue group made some money to help with vet bills and expenses for the shetland sheepdogs that end up in shelters or need rehoming in our area. Lisa does a great job finding the right dog for the right home for the right people.   Hmmmmm speaking of that.....

Went out to dinner on Sunday night with Lisa and Brittany, the owner of Finney's mommy, Daisy.  While at dinner Brittany asked if we were thinking of getting another dog since Duke has passed away.  I said "Hmmm not sure. I think Lisa would know that before we do!"  

Was I ever right! 

I had arranged for Finney to go to the Stockbridge Critter Sitters Day Care on Thursday while I went up to two of the grandkids school concerts during the day.  Since I would be gone for 8 hours, I thought Finney might like some company of other dogs at the daycare. He's been pretty lonely since Duke is gone.  It was his first time attending.

What I didn't know until the night before that Lisa just got in 3 dogs from Michigan needing placement in homes!  Hmmmmm  Well, I saw a pic of a little sweetheart and my heart jumped up in my throat!  I couldn't hold back the tears at my eyes as I showed the pic to Steve when he got home from work.  Then Lisa posted a video of the little girl so I could see her in action.  Little Debbie was needing us.  I could tell.

That was it.

I knew she had a really rough start living in a dump with a hoarder in Midland Michigan. Finney's mommy was from there too!  He was actually conceived while still in that "hell hole" inside of his tiny 6 month old Mommy, Daisy. After the place was raided and the shelties seized, then a tiny 8 month old little Daisy gave birth to a litter, of which one was Finnegan!

Here are some links of that horrible situation and all of the work that the rescue groups did to take care of all those malnourished mistreated shelties... 38 live dogs, 2 dead dogs, and soon many of the pregnant females had litters after the seizure!   And the horrid woman who did all this? She pleaded insanity to avoid the felony charges!

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/07/38_dogs_seized_2_found_dead_at.html

http://www.abc12.com/story/22943763/midland-co-woman-facing-animal-cruelty-charge-38-shelties-rescued-from-home

http://www.ourmidland.com/news/seized-shelties-on-the-road-to-recovery/article_8e4372ec-f603-11e2-afee-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/09/former_owner_pleading_not_guil.html

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/08/an_adoption_story_rescued_shel.html

http://fourleggedfriendsandenemies.blogspot.com/2013/07/midland-co-woman-facing-animal-cruelty.html

http://www.wnem.com/story/22943638/dozens-of-malnourished-dogs-seized-from-home

Well, now back to Little Debbie-----  when she was seized she was skin and bones and had positive heartworms. She then got good vet care by the Michigan Sheltie Rescue Groups, those saints with gold halos!  It took a long time, lots of vet care, and of course lots of money to help bring her around. She was about 1 year old at the time, and now is between 2-3.  Michigan Sheltie Rescue leader Carol S kept her safe and fostered her in her home all this while.  It was time now for Little Debbie to have a real home.  A Forever Home.

Our home.

Another kind volunteer, Ginny, and a friend of hers, drove all the way to Grand Rapids, MI to get three dogs to take back to Wisconsin.  The dogs arrived in the afternoon on Wednesday, after I had already made a playdate appointment for Finnegan for Thursday. I had no idea they were coming! But when I saw the photo of Little Debbie that night, I just could not wait for Finnegan to meet up with her the next day at his playdate, and see how they got along.

Finnegan got to spend the WHOLE day with her at the Critter Sitters, and they spent time together in a crate too while the other dogs were doing their fun stuff.  Some "bonding time" Lisa said!  LOL  She is a little lighter in color and standing in the back, Finney is laying down up front.

After the Grandtot's Christmas concerts were over up in Oconto (more about that in another blog) I rushed back down to Stockbridge Critter Sitters to see the result of Finney's play date.  YAYYYYY  they liked each other!   Steve was able to stop by too on his way home from work. So he got to snuggle her and cuddle her up.  Lisa was going to head out on errands, so we made a quick decision to host a "sleepover" at our house... nice and quiet and see how they get along.  Like a "fostering situation"

Well, I admit it. I am a Foster Failure!   I decided that this little girl was going to stay here FOREVER!   Steve cuddled her and played with Finney so he wouldn't be jealous.  She tenderly explored our house a room at a time.  Finney wanted her to romp and play, but she is just a bit timid yet.  She slept in her wire cage set up alongside Finney's bed, at the foot of our bed in the bedroom.  Not a peep out of her!  I looked down during the night and Finney's body was pressed tight to the wires on her cage, and she was laying tight to him from the inside, fur touching. Awwwwwwww  I think tonight she can sleep out of the cage.

By morning, we all three cuddled on the couch with our coffee, computer and watching the news... Steveio had to leave for an early doc appointment, but came back to snap this pic of the three of us!

Yup... it's official

She is now a part of our family! 

We are considering changing her name from Debbie to Binney....  many times we would say to Finnegan : "Finney Binney, but we don't know what a Binney is?"    Well, now I think we know! It's our new family member!

Binney: named for someone who lived on land enclosed by a bend in a river, from Old English binnan ea 'within the river', or a habitational name from places in Kent called Binney and Binny, which have this origin.Scottish: habitational name from Binney or Binniehill near Falkirk, name in Gaelic. 

Embarassing! We went to an Open House that wasn't OPEN!

OH well, we really did it this time!

Yesterday, as we were sitting out on the front porch, sipping our coffee.... we noticed a new little sandwich board type sign out in front of the mansion across the street from us saying it would be Open House from 1:30 to 2:30.  We knew the house was on the market again, as the previous rental occupants had moved out once their home was built.  We had been anxious to see the inside of this fabulous house.... so we ran our errands in Appleton early in the day and made it home in time to attend.

Besides being a "nosy neighbor" I am trying to convince a friend to retire here and extolling the virtues of our wonderful little town of Chilton.  So I wanted to take more pics of the inside than what is on the website:

Here is the link to the realtor's page with more info:

218-N-MADISON-ST-CHILTON

At 1:30 we walked on over and went up the front walk, 

quite excited to see the inside

 of this huge almost 5,000 sq ft home that was built in 1880's

We rang the front doorbell as a courtesy to let the realtor know we were there... but nobody came to the front foyer.  We removed our shoes as there were some dropcloths on the floor.  We entered into the home and as we walked through the first floor, we thought we heard someone out by the garage.  Figuring the realtor was busy with another couple, we wandered around the home on our own.  

We had done some previous reading up on the history of the home. Originally it had been built by a man named Christopher Hugo, from Bavaria, Germany, who owned a prosperous cigar making operation in the small city of Chilton. He also was a city mayor and alderman.  From there, other important city forefathers owned the home, including the Knauf family, the Engler family and the Elliot Family. 

Through the foyer, music room, parlor, grand room, library etc. we found ourselves just enamored by the wonderful charm and classic style of this amazing home.  Such workmanship and skill features built in the bygone era of craftsmanship!

In some of the rooms, there are hand painted murals all around the borders of country scenes, 

perhaps from the original owner's native lands of Bavaria?  

Many of the rooms had fireplaces and huge windows letting in the light.

We wandered up through the second story... 

admiring the six bedrooms, and a sun room that would make a great studio.

 Most of the bedrooms have their own sinks and vanity area.  

We enjoyed looking at all of the old fixtures... and 

marveling at how THICK the walls are (look at the depth of this windowsill) 

Still not hearing anyone come into the home yet from the backyard, we went up a twisty staircase with FIVE turns on it's path upwards....  up to the third story which I imagine were the maid's quarters, nursery and children's school and play area.  The windows at the end of this big space overlook the front lawn and across the street to our house. 

As we wound our way back down the stairs to the second story, we finally heard someone come in downstairs, so we went down to make ourselves known. 

Imagine our surprise when we didn't see the expected lady realtor from out on the front sign... oh no no no------ We saw a gentleman garbed up in painting clothes and working tools in his hands!  I think he was even more startled than we were!!!!    (good thing he doesn't carry a gun, eh?)

Soooooo adding insult to injury, I asked him if he was here WORKING ON THE HOUSE????  NOooooooooooo

 he was the OWNER!!!!!!

and to make matters even worse ..

the added little sign out front?  it's for 

NEXT SUNDAY!!!!!!

"DUH" on us.... it hadn't occurred to us that it was Monday- Labor Day- 

and it didn't dawn on us that the sign said SUNDAY!  

We had only looked at the time listing when it was open, 

and didn't think of the day......

In our defense, I guess in all my years of selling real estate, I never placed an additionaql sign out front A WEEK IN ADVANCE of an open house... especially without a DATE on it?  We just saw the additional sign and time and thought it was meant for that day.  

He graciously introduced himself, and soon after his wife came in and we explained our horrid faux pas of coming into their home uninvited and walking around like a couple of oogling idiots!  He had been out cutting some trim wood in the garage and she had been out running errands and just came back.  

The house is vacant right now, as they have built another home out of town. They were using the extra long weekend to get more things done on this in time for the Open House NEXT Sunday.  ARGGGHHH!

We chatted with them for a bit about the house and tasks of selling a house in this market and all about the wonderful town of Chilton.  They gave us their blessing to share the photos and even post this on my blog.  Who knows, someone who reads this might be my new neighbor!!!

(and we promise to never go into the house again unless we are invited) 

Toad Wiring - Open House Sunday - and Grandtots!

After a restful Saturday night in our motorhome in the driveway (so we didn't mess up the house for Sunday)  we woke up to a warm and wonderful sunny spring day!

While I was sprucing up  a few last minute things on the house on Sunday morning, that Busy Busy Zoom Zoom Steveio got to work on the wiring of the Tracker.  For those readers new to this blog, last February we bought a different Tracker to tow behind our motorhome.  Of course, that means mounting a baseplate and re-wiring the lights.  He did the baseplate last month, but the wiring remained as a task to take care of.

Plugging a line into a connector from the motorhome, this wire setup will allow the Tracker's taillights, brakelights, and signal lights to operate along with the motorhome's own lights.  No need for an extra "light bar" or "suction cup lights" you see on some toads.  (towed vehicles behind a motorhome are called "toads")   It takes more trouble to wire them up this way, but less hassle to hook up lights when we are travelling.

Towing a vehicle behind a motorhome is a very serious endeavor.  One needs to carefully inspect and have all the proper equipment in working order, or risk having a loose vehicle flying down the highway, uncontrollably destroying everyone behind you!


Mel, a fellow RVer and poster on our SafariCoaches List mentioned:
" NEVER TALK TO ANYONE while they, (or you), are DUMPING tanks or HOOKING-UP a toad!----
IMO that can not be mentioned too often, (or emphasized strongly enough)!
Mel
'96 Sahara"


I totally agree!   So I responded with this checklist:


Yup... interruptions can be a very costly or dangerous mistake to make while hooking up

(and messy if interrupted during a tank dumping) 

As a couple, we doublecheck each other's "jobs" when toading our Tracker.... 

Steve has 4 things to do while hooking up:

1. attach the arms of the towbar
2. attach the power cord plug
3. attach the safety cables
4. put on the padlocks on the pins

and I have 4 things to do inside the Tracker when hooking up

1. shift Tracker into 2nd gear
2. shift transaxle into neutral
3. turn key to "on"
4. tie a white rag to top center of steering wheel while checking that it is freely moving-- so we can see the white rag in our rear view camera.  Then with a glance in the camera, we know the tires are tracking correctly and not cocked sideways after turning a corner. 

-- then he goes inside and runs the motorhome signal lights through "left turn, right turn, tail, brake"  while I stand behind  the rig with the hand held CB telling him each one is okay

---- and then he pulls forward while I walk alongside for a short distance.  I am watching to the be sure all tires are rolling and the two little flip levers on the tow bars flip up.

Then, and finally then, he lets me inside... where I lock the door and make sure the steps are up on the motorhome as we take off on another adventure! 

For the non-RVers reading this, you can now see all the steps that we go through to have that extra vehicle nonchalantly following us as we go by on the highway.


Sunday morning flew by fast.  Once it got close to noon, it was time for our Open House!   The signs went up on both corners of our road, and one in front of the house.  We pulled the motorhome and car over to our neighbor's house and parked in his driveway.  Not only does it make our driveway look bigger when empty, but also prevents anyone accidentally backing into our motorhome or letting their car doors scrape the sides.

I had planted some lovely red geraniums in a pot by the entrance... and added baskets of flowers in between the newly arriving sprigs of hostas and sedum plants in my flowerbed alongside the garage.  We are still having frost at night, sometimes temps down in the mid-20's, so I can easily take the pots back up out of the ground and set them in the garage overnight.

I even put one planter out on the deck railing out in the back, and put the canopy up on the gazebo.  I had added a new coat of stain during the week to the deck boards, so all things were in ship shape for the Open House! Let em roll on it and fall in love with our home!

We had five more couples go through the house, and I would guess two couples would be considered good interested buyers.  We also had two long-distance inquiries who will be travelling to this area in 2 weeks to view the home in person. We won't say anything more till we see something on paper, or else we will jinx ourselves!~


Monday morning was up and at em.  Our oldest daughter Erin had a dental appointment in Green Bay, and arranged for little Chelsea, age 2, to have her first dentist visit for a checkup.  Hauling along a 3 week old baby is kinda difficult while trying to convince a toddler that dental visits are a good thing.... so Granmuddah to the Rescue!  I came along to help wrangle the kids in case Erin's appointment went longer and overlapped with Chelsea's appointment.  It didn't and things went smoothly.  She even let them apply flouride and polish her teeth!  Chelsea was happy to show us her new sticker, tooth brush, toothpaste and kiddie floss.

After the dentist, we went for a visit to daughter Heather's house to see her and our grandson Jameson.  The kids had a blast and we could hear mischief coming from Jameson's bedroom.  AH HAA!!!   Two Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed!!!

We discovered them launching themselves off the headboard and onto his race car bed!   We put an end to that and made em slow down a bit.  Later we did a visit to Panera Bread   with the kids for a nice lunch. It was our first time there, and it sure was good.  The kids behaved very well for a sit down restaurant. They are used to being taken to places other than fast food or the run amok craziness like Chuck E Cheez!  LOL   Even some nearby older diners commented on the kids, and I beamed with Granmuddah Pride!


Today (Tuesday) started out with one more little bit of time with newest grandson, Clayton.  Seems Erin had a chance to take over a cancelled teeth cleaning appointment today.  She dropped off the little guy here, dropped Chelsea at the day care, and off she ran to Green Bay.  She paid me in vine-ripe tomatoes, mini-cucumbers and some great "Everything Bagels" from Sam's Club in Green Bay for a treat!

(The little stinker slept almost the whole time!)

We didn't get to see the other two grandtots lately, but here are two pics of them... Mason is already a whole month old!   And Allegra, age 2, is taking very good care of him!

Time to get a few more things done around here.  Then I have a rug order to work on.  Life returns to normal until Saturday morning with two more Open Houses scheduled for the weekend.  Wish us luck!



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