Naked barn and a PET FOOD RECALL

Before taking the girls up for a sleepover at Swami's and Swamette's, we stopped at the Red Barn to see the deck being pried off.
I was hoping for some hard working, sweaty men, but all I got was hard working, cold men.

The barn has three levels, sort of. A basement that leads out to the ground level, a second floor for programs (ME!) and rehab, and a third floor loft that can be turned into a caretaker's quarters, if necessary.

(Back of the barn)
The view from the very top of the property. We also own land down the road for parking, etc.
I had walked all the way before the girls noticed that I was gone, and they came running.



I love this picture...Dan and Marc were straddling the struts on the front deck as they pried off the boards.

And no more front deck.

I filled up the trunk the best I could with the car seats in it, then after taking the girls to the YURT, I came back and filled up the car again. I plan on using the planks for a border around the prairie in our yard, and anywhere else we can use it. The wood is no good for any weight-bearing structure, but it will be awesome for around the yard.
Some of it is not too bad, but some of it is punky and worm-carved. Whoever built the deck onto the barn put it right up against the sides of the barn, and rain had nowhere to go but in the walls (there's some moisture damage inside). The new deck will have a gap between it and the outside of the barn, so this doesn't happen again.

The back barn doors look very, very high now.
Isn't the barn a gorgeous color? I'm glad it was decided to keep red as the primary color when we get new siding.

And now, a public service announcement:
Kathi asked me to post about this, since she is blog-less...

Menu Foods, Inc., based in Canada, manufactures dog and cat food at 3 US plants. The foods are sold in stores like Wal-Mart, Kroger's, Safeway, and PetsMart among others, primarily under store brand names (Pet Pride, Ol'Roy, Lil' Red, etc.) They also make Nutro/Nutro Max foods.

The "cuts and gravy"style foods manufactured at plants in Kansas and New Jersey have been recalled due to reports of kidney failure in pets who ate these products. A complete list of product names and codes can be found at www.menufoods.com/recall or consumers may call (866) 463-6738 for more information.

Because Iams has a contract with this company, P&G has also issued a voluntary recall on specific 3 oz., 5.5 oz., 6 oz., and 13.2 oz cans and on 3 oz. and 5.3 oz. foil pouches of wet dog and cat foods. Look for product codes that begin with the date code 6339 through 7073 and that end with plant code 4197. Codes can be found on the bottom of the cans (second line of numbers) and on the bottom left corner of the back of the pouches. Dry foods, treats, biscuits and sauces are not affected.

Stop feeding these foods immediately and contact your veterinarian if your pet has any symptoms of kidney damage (not eating, vomiting, drinking excessively, urinating excessively, or acting ill in any other way.) Iams/Eukanuba carry a 100% guarantee, and consumers can receive a refund for recalled foods.

Thanks, ya'll!

~Kathi