Hay Is for Horses

We finally had a break in the rain to put up our hay.  We have great neighbors and friends, the Grubbs. They cut our hay, and they roll the first cutting into round bales for their cattle.  Then, they square bale the second cutting for our horses.  It's a great arrangement, and it gives us a chance to visit while working.  Life lately has been so busy, that I don't even get to visit with my friends very often, so I take what I can get.  

Stephen is in the pictures above.  Stephen and his dad, Jack, cut the hay, let it dry out and then bale it.  Frances and I stack it on the trailer.  Well, Frances stacks it.  There is a particular way to do it, and she knows how to do it right!  I was getting the hang of it a few hours in.  I'll probably forget by next year.  lol

Jason, another neighbor, came out and helped as well.  Our barn is in the background.  

I love this view.  Shannon and I dream of building a house up here one day.  The red barn above is part of Frances and Stephen's farm.  Our farm used to belong to Stephen's family, and his dad lived in our house for some time in the 40's and 50's.  

Our barn was built by Stephen's grandfather, Jack's father, in 1949.  It's the reason we bought our house.  It's such a nice barn, and keeps all our chickens, horses and Gandolf dry and cool.  Our other neighbor, Brad, got this hay elevator for us to borrow.  It's certainly a community event, putting up hay.  That's one of the reasons we love living in Rural Retreat so much--the sense of community. 

We ended up getting 362 bales of hay this year off of 5 acres.  I guess the rain wasn't ALL bad.  We gave Frances and Stephen about 25 for their horses, too.  I love having the hay up in the hay loft.  

A Sneak Peek!

The shelves are being stocked...

The canes are up.  I love the hot pink one.  When I'm an old Grannie, I want one like that.  

5 generations of Dickinson's on the wall by the waiting area.

Flora and Fauna, our new mascots are happy on top of their cage.  

A view from the waiting area.  The 50" TV will showcase many Virginia Tech football games and of course the news.

The drugs are on the shelves...

 One of our computer systems that will act as the register as well.

If you're in the area, we'd love to have you visit our new store!  We open on September 10!!!  Whew!  The journey has just begun!

Mamaw & Pop Pop Visit Part 1

Mom and dad brought Joshua down this past weekend.  We had a great time.  So much fun, I'm going to have to make 2 posts about it!  I made a fun palm tree fruit plate for Pyper and Shannon to kickoff a fun weekend...

 Pop Pop with Joshua, Pyper and Itty.

 Mamaw and Itty.  It was Itty's first trip to the pool and she loved it. My mom has lost 35 lbs!!!  I'm so proud of her! 

 Pyper wanted Pop Pop to teach her to swim and be like the Princess Mermaid (The Little Mermaid, Ariel).

 Mamaw taught Itty to splash with her feet.

 Pyper  FINALLY went under the "shower."  Pyper has a fear of getting her face wet, but watched Joshua do it, so she decided she was ready to do it, too. 

Joshua loves his cousin, Itty. 

Itty passed out.  Too much fun going on at the Rural Retreat pool. 



License to Fill

We passed our inspection with one minor snafu from ADT.  Once some paperwork was submitted, we got the word that we were a licensed pharmacy!  Woot!  Mom and dad came in this past weekend and we showed them around.  I am so proud of Shannon and all his hard work. 

 The retail area looking into the store...

 Drug shelving...

 Drop off...

 My dad took this picture where the 50" TV will be.  Since we don't have cable at home, Shannon wanted to be able to watch the Va Tech football games.  *sigh*

 The kitchen/education room

It's finished!  Now, all we have to do is get the contracts for the individualized insurance companies and we'll be cooking with gas.  We're hoping to have our grand opening around Labor Day!!!

Almost Finished!

The cabinets came in and the workers started putting them up. I think it looks really great so far. I picked out the bamboo flooring.  I love how it turned out.

The kitchen sans a refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher. 

 From the education room to the hallway and coat closet.

 The table and chair storage.

The office 

Hallway going into the pharmacy area.

 Shannon looking over the work and progress.

 One of the bathrooms.  We still need all the kick boards throughout the pharmacy and artwork, but so far, so good.

We have the pharmacy inspection next week so we're really under the gun to get things ready and perfect.  The drive through window arrived last night, so that is the next step.  Whew!  So much going on! 

We also ordered our delivery vehicle yesterday.  A silver 2012 Subaru Impreza hatchback.  Should be here in 8 weeks!

First Coat...

It was rainy and dark when we went in to see the paint job on the pharmacy.  AND we don't have light switches yet, so the only light came from the flash on my camera. 

 The education room (top and bottom)

 Guest bath

 Bulk head above where the pharamcy counter will be...

 Drive through window...

 View from the front door...

View from the pharmacy counter.  It's really coming along!

The Walls Dedication Built

 The walls are up!  It's so exciting to see it actually happening!  Shannon's dream is coming true!

The picture above is the main area, and if you follow the bulk head on the ceiling, that indicates where the pharmacy counter will be.  The big cut out on the left is the drive through window.

Looking out from the counter into the retail area. 

 This is the education room looking to the storage room (left) and the office (right).

 The education room looking to the hallway (far left), closet (center) and kitchen cut out.

The kitchen.  Next up is the paint!!!