Fall 2008 Newsletter for Lavender Hill

Dear Readers,

Fall is definitely upon us with the pelting rains and gusting winds that almost take me off my feet.  The shift in weather has definitely made completing outdoor projects on the farm either impossible or extremely difficult!  This last week has found me in mud up to my knees slogging it out, so I think its time to rethink what is still possible to accomplish now and through the winter, and what will have to be put off  till the Spring of next year.  So much has moved forward with our biggest project - helping The Delta Humane Society (DHS) create New Beginnings Animal Sanctuary.  So I would love to bring you all up to speed.

1. The entire garbage pile about 100 feet long and 40 feet wide, stacked 15 feet deep has been cleared and load by load sorted and taken to the dump or recycling stations.  The space has been leveled by machine and is ready for the outdoor dog and cat play areas.
   
   
2. One of our local high school carpentry classes has been supplied with lumber we purchased, and they are busy building new replacement walls for the animal housing areas.  It is a pleasure working with these young students.
   
   
3. Any walls in the barn structure that were rotting, have now been completely replaced with brand new wood. 
   
   
4. I lucked out.  A friend and supporter knew of a fairly new large building that was being torn down and called me.  I jumped in my husband's one ton cube van and drove straight to the site.  Once I had introduced myself to the head fellow and told him about our project, he was more than happy to show me what he had to offer in used building supplies.   Two full loads back at the farm later I was thrilled with my thrifty finds.  Enough R24 insulation to almost complete the building, 5 steel doors, 5 electric EXIT signs and 2 emergency light fixtures - all for less than a quarter of the price new!  The school carpentry class took the steel doors and built new frames for them. Re-use and Recycle - I absolutely love it.
   
   
5. The barn floor was not at all level and had several cracks.  In its present state would not have been truly cleanable or even safe from tripping hazards as some of the cracks had raised.  We were told it would need a full 2 to 3 inch skim coat of new concrete. I approached one of our local concrete companies and they generously donated 5 of the 9 meters we needed.  The skim coat has been laid with an incredibly smooth finish.  We will be applying a coating of sealant that will easily allow the new floor to be kept clean and spotless with the animal and human traffic. 
   
   
6. Our steel barn roof had a few pieces missing, so I contacted one of our local steel roof manufacturing companies. After asking what shape the rest of the roof was in I explained, "Well a few holes the size of my pinky and so on". He asked me why I hadn't asked for more roofing material when the roof was in that bad of a condition?  I replied that I thought all the smaller holes could somehow be patched and didn't want to ask them to contribute more roofing than what we truly needed. I didn't want to be greedy. He told me to call him back at 8:00 a.m.  When I hung up the phone I was worried that somehow this new found information about the roof being in worse shape than they had originally thought, was somehow going to put them off donating the few pieces I had asked for.  That night I went to bed worrying that the roofing was not going to happen. The next morning I called him back at exactly 8:00 a.m. sharp. "Is everything going to be O.K. to get the roofing panels this morning", I asked. He said No and my stomach flipped. Then he went on to say that the metal sheets were feeding through the machine and would be put on the truck at 1:30 p.m. today, so they should be at the farm by 3:00 p.m. at the latest.  I told him I didn't understand what he was talking about. He said, "We want your roof to be watertight so we are sending you a whole brand new roof with all the flashings and trim you will need to finish it completely"!  Stunned I repeated back to him, "Did you say A WHOLE NEW ROOF"?  I caught myself almost yelling it out!  Yes that's what I said he replied. I couldn't stop saying thank-you.  I rallied the men that have been helping with the project and we were ready at the farm for the arrival. I was so excited, I even hugged the delivery driver …hahaha   I'm sure the poor sole didn't know what hit him!
   
   
7. The new roof was placed that same day by two young men who just recently started their own metal roofing company.  With work of their own to do and young families at home, they volunteered their expert services to our project.

These have been the largest parts of our progress so far, mixed with countless smaller tasks thrown into the fray.  So many companies and people have been more than generous with their time and donations.  I love it when they ask why I give of my time to helping animals and people.  It gives me the opportunity to explain my philosophy of "Pay It Forward" and "Pass It On".  With gratitude to all of you fabulous people who have been helping - together we can make this happen!  With gratitude to all the wonderful animals in my life, their kisses and nuzzles keep me going no matter how tired I get. Namaste.

Warmest regards,

Bluejeans