Bed & Breakfast in Estes Park, Colorado

30th June 2009

Dog days of Summer

Maggie taking a break from window guard duty.

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13th June 2009

Wooley Duo

: Kym and Susan are a yearly-wool-Mart-duo coming to our inn each year whilst attending Estes Park’s annual Wool Mart. Both ladies are devoted teachers and friends, whom we enjoy “yarn-ing” stories with. This year it was about Kym’s encounter with a bear whom she chased off by flipping on her green porch light, and threatening to call to 9-1-1. Kym, a danger to wildlife…I think not. We wish Susan the best with her pursuit to obtain her masters degree online with “Make Me Crazy University”. Eric and I have daubed it MMCU.

Did you hear about the cat who swallowed a ball of wool? She had mittens.

The International Year of Natural Fibers (IYNF) is coordinated internationally by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Click photo for website.

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29th May 2009

Lisa and her mom Barb were fun lively guests. Lisa is an avid rock climber and fitness trainer. We were talking about Lisa's face ornament, and next thing you know we're helping her remove what she'd been trying to dislodge for sometime. During the removal of the piercing, Eric held one end with a pair of needle nose, and I twisted the other end with a set of jewelry pliers.

It was fun to be a part of this important time in Lisa’s life. This was one step in a life that will continue to change. Barb, her mother, (not shown) is obviously a committed mother who’s provided Lisa the tools she needs to make her dreams come true–just forgot to give her a pair of needle nose pliers.

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22nd May 2009

“Sing Me To You”, my Fury Friend

Guests Janet and Mike came to Estes Park from England. One of the cool things about being an innkeeper is the heart warming moment of a guest sharing a piece of themselves. Mike sang and played Eric's guitar for us.

Janet has a veterinarian practice back in the U.K. For those of you who know of Maggie's most recent illness...this may interest you: Janet termed Maggie as having had "Senile Vestibular Syndrome". A treatable circulatory disorder. If your dog suddenly looses her balance, and eyes begin to dart rapidly investigate further before "turning off the lights". Be careful about excepting a drug which may mimic existing symptoms. Maggie is doing great and we expect her to live out her life fully.

Click this picture for great blog which outlines the condition well. I met this dog at Estes Park's memorial day art market. Maggie's treatment: patients, exercise, hand feeding fresh rice and tuna, holding her hind end--help her walk, light on 24/7. Keep off stairs and away from large rocks.wrongly diagnosed with arthritis or a stroke, "just old". Don't fall trap. Your dog will recover assuming they were relatively healthy before hand, and you help with exercise, eat, rest.

A word from Doctor Janet, of the U.K. Janet was very familiar with the condition and offered the following: It’s a circulatory disorder, correctable by giving your dog anything that will improve blood flow to heart, brain and joints, doing so may prevent onset or recurrence. Drug used in U.K. is manufactured by Intervet the brand name is, “Vivitonin”. The actual drug is called “propentophylline”. Janet said it is the dog version of a stroke, but their isn’t a blood clot. Maggie had 2 or 3 mini episodes before she had, “the grand mall”. She had a second grand mall, when we allowed her to become sleep deprived–we believe in both cases she had not had much sleep. We have her on lecithin granules and fish oil, and a 10 PM bed time. Click photo for video of another dog.

Cat’s are also prone to Senile Vestibular Syndrome. Symptoms: Sudden onset of confusion, panic, eyes darting, stiff legs, or weak legs, falling, walking circles, (vertigo), loose of appetite (due to being dizzie), Maggie’s tung seemed to be twisted; but not sure, head tilt, heavey breathing (fear). Some or all the above occures quickly. It took us a couple days to pin point all her symptoms. In all Maggie was still making improvements 3 months later. The worst of it was over after 3 weeks.

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21st May 2009

Memorial Day Fun in Estes Park

Art market and Antiques and collectables

Art Market at Bond Park and Antiques and collectibles at the Stanley Fair grounds. Get a jump on Christmas shopping, and have fun at the same time!

May 23-25: Art Market. Annual Memorial Day weekend outdoor arts and crafts fair featuring more than 90 artisans showcasing their work in Bond Park in the center
of downtown Estes Park. Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday 9a.m. to 3 p.m.

A short 15 second drive from the Art Market is Wonderview Ave. Our little Victorian cotate sits under what is called Black Canyon and Lumpy Ridge.

May 23-24: Estes Park Antiques and
Collectables Show. A collector’s treasure-trove of special finds available from more than 50 vendors. Barn W. Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. 1209 Manford
Ave. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 970-577-9900;

posted in Announcements, Antiques, Estes Park Scenery, Photos by me, things to do | 1 Comment

20th May 2009

Painted Floors Painted Lady

I painted our entry way a soft mauve pink. I love painted wood floors. They have a warmth and cozy feel to them. We were not able to rescue the original bare floors, but that's okay--this has added warmth and color.

I saved this paint palette from when I picked the wall colors for this room and one of the bedrooms. Choosing a color from a booklet such as this helps in coordinating home decor and is easy to file for future reference. Next year I'll use this to choose new fabric for my seats.

This is me posing by my newly painted floor. The 2 coats of paint took 3 days to dry--ideally I would have given it 5 days. Yes, I had my hair chopped off and painted red and orange with white stripes.

This is the room Eric and I spend most of our time in. Drinking tea, reading, enjoying the sounds of birds, and watching the elk and deer out the window. It catches the mud in the winter too. Eric keeps binoculars on hand to people watch what we call "the walkers". Our enclosed porch is ideal for us.

posted in Announcements, Decorating Ideas, Photos by me | 0 Comments

19th May 2009

Acres of Trees

eric cutting down trees, wearing eye protection

Eric hauling off tree slash to be hauled off to the towns slash site. Here he is shown modeling motorcycle goggles, used to protect his eyes from pollen. Same eye wear he fashions to cut onions.

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18th May 2009

Puppy Resting During Road Trip

Summer fun has begun! This tired little fella looks new to the people world, but I think he will do well. This photo was given to me by my neighbor Cherie. She owns Tendergrass Carriage, a horse and carrigate outfit that serves the Estes Park area.

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17th May 2009

Bells Ring in the Spring

Congratulations J and Dave. We were pleased to host your weddings here at Gilded Pine Meadows B&B in Estes Park, Colorado. (photo by Caprissa)

As a B&B owner it’s a a large leap to go from hosting people who come to sleep and eat, to folks that come to wed and party. If you are an innkeeper considering such an endevear seek out experienced advice with an open mind.

posted in Announcements, Estes Park Scenery, Photos by me, wedding | 0 Comments

16th May 2009

Traveling the Country with WiFi

Brian and Valarie from England used our WiFi hook up to help in planning their trip, and looking up interesting trivia during their stay with us. Brian also brought along, "Glades" a pocket size GPS with an attitude.