Raining.....again!

Florida is the Sunshine State, right???? You can't convince the residents of Daytona today. It's true that 2 weeks ago we were in the middle of a drought. Now the news says we have had the wettest May on record. In the last 5 days, Daytona has gotten 27 inches of rain. Here in Winter Springs we've only gotten 13 inches.

I HAD been complaining that my rain barrels were depleted and I had to water my garden with the hose. Within 3 hours of this weather system hitting Central Florida, every rain barrel and bucket overflowed with the precious liquid. That would be nearly 500 gallons! Now I wish I had more rain barrels!!!!!

But even the rain cannot dampen my excitement about the property we hope to buy. What makes it even funner (is that a word?) is that my husband seems to be "on board" with the idea of moving into the country. We talked for quite a while about what we want in the new house and that we would probably build the barn at the same time. And I can hardly believe we're talking about this and that there is a real possibility of this actually happening!

One of the things I would like in the master bath is a free form, walk in shower. We had one in our hotel room in Jamaica and I loved it. Basically, the shower is the width of bathroom. The window in Jamaica had a shutter system so we had privacy but could also have a view. Very lovely. Anyway, no shower curtain or shower door block the entrance so getting in and out of the shower is nothing more than walking in. If by some chance a wheelchair needs access, it is no problem. The toilet would be a couple feet away from the shower head and the vanity at the other end of the bathroom to protect it from splashing. Oh and did I mention the built in bench in the shower section? Very cool.

I want my house to be very functional, very sturdy. Metal roof with a gutter system that would empty into an above ground cistern. A mud room in the back of the house (for obvious reasons!) A walk in pantry off the kitchen and a kitchen with a island cook area, maybe with a grill like you find in Japanese steak houses. My sink will be under a bay window for growing herbs. A garden tub in the second bathroom, a shower in the master bath. The insulation will be the spray on type that we have in this home. I'm looking into solar tubes, an alternative to skylights. The tubes are considerable smaller than a traditional skylight and the light travels down the tube via mirrors. Hence, you get light but not as much heat, a real benefit in our Florida summers.

I thought about a wrap around porch but I think a porch on the front and back of the house would be sufficient. Dad can grill in the back. We can have bouncy chairs and hammocks.

If anyone has any other ideas, let me know!!!

How to Make God Laugh

It wasn't long ago that I wrote my last blog about how we were going to change our home to better function for us. I had my plans made and really was just waiting for the right time. Well, it looks like that time may never come.

Because my life long dream appears to be coming true!!!

We have found 5 acres of land in Wildwood, FL that is nearly everything I ever wanted. Situated on a low rolling hill, it is covered with Florida pasture grass except where the 40 foot live oaks spread their majestic branches. Smaller trees cover the north border of the plot. It lies minutes from I-75, the nearest Super Walmart is 5 miles away along with every restaurant you could possibly want. We have neighbors....at least 200 yards away!

Best of all, the seller accepted our offer!!!!!

I'm trying not to get too excited yet though. I'm getting the money situation squared away and until we sign those papers, I'll be a little nervous. Pictures to come as soon as the rain quits and Florida sunshine reappears!!!