Something to Look Forward To!

If I'm not mistaken, I'm the Old Woman of this little blog group. Having just turned 50 (and grateful for it, I must say) there are experiences that I am privileged to have that for which you youngsters will just have to wait a few more years. For instance, I'm freer to be friendly with young men because they know that this old lady means nothing by a little flirting.

Today I 'jumped the gap' for sure.

As per medical advice, the 50th year of life is also the first year of certain intrusive tests, ie., checking for polyps in the plumbing. For some of you, this may be too much information and for that, I apologize and suggest you stop reading now. But if you can't laugh at a colonoscopy, what's the point of these Golden Years?

The last two days have been filled with white grape juice and laxative tablets. No food, no red or purple anything, no milk. Clear broth, slurpees (woo hoo!!) clear juices, water. The recommendation is that one stays near the "facilities" during the cleansing and I found out that this was indeed, excellent advice.....because you just never know when....well, you know!

Actually, I had it pretty easy. The protocol used to use something call GoLitely, a foul (from what I hear) nasty gallon of "cleanser" that you had to consume on a schedule. The pills my (very handsome) doctor gave me were a piece of cake to get down. Oh, did I mention my very handsome young doctor? Of East Indian descent, his English is impeccable and his features all the best of his ethnic inheritance. It's a pity he has to deal with the back ends of people all day.

So my husband took me to the center this afternoon. I checked in, paid my bill and they took me back. Of course the first thing to do is ....take off the clothes and put on the gown. I felt rather chilly but then this angel of a nurse dropped a heated blanket on me. AAHHH. Looking back, the IV in my hand was the worst. I could feel the blood drain from my face for a minute or two but I recovered quickly. Are you ready for the good stuff?, they asked. Only if I'll wake up again, I replied. She smile and pushed down the plunger . At first, nothing and I got worried. And then the most delicious warmth spread over me and I was gone. Out.

The next thing I know, I am waking up and expelling that which they used to inflate my colon for a better view. I guess some people are a little shy about that because they kept encouraging me to...continue. They don't know me very well. I don't need any encouragement to.....continue. I got dressed and was wheeled out to my waiting car and husband. Lunch at the China Buffet started with won ton soup. I feel much better now!!!

I'm feeling a little foggy still and will take it easy today. The whole experience went well and my apprehensions were foundless. And of course, the drugs were great! So, you young whipper snappers, eat your fiber, lots of whole grain and plenty of vegetables. Remember that broccoli acts like little scrubbers in your pipes. Oatmeal too.

And remember...you, too, have something to look forward to!!!

The Search is On

I am a woman of obsessions. Or perhaps I should say that I am true to my astrological sign, Taurus. Once I get my mind set on a course of action, it takes a small miracle to disuade me until I am simply tired of fighting. I'm just a little bull-ish.

So my current dream is that of property. I know that there are a couple acres of land out there that belong to me, I just have to find them. Today Rich and I drove out to Clermont to see a promising piece of Florida. Described as "partially cleared" with 3 of the 5 acres suitable for building, I was prepared to allow Mother Earth her portion of "my" property as 3 acres is really quite enough for me. A little lowland was okay.

Getting to the lot wasn't too difficult. Newly paved Route 33 gave us hope, especially since the engineers included a bike lane through the whole stretch of road. Wow! We could live in the country and still have access to biking! We took the right turn at Oil Well Rd...okay, not too bad. Some cleared land but the land seemed to be getting a little lower. At the group of mailboxes, we took another right (because the dirt "road" wasn't marked!). We carefully drove over the whoop-de-dos, the kind that are a blast to go over on a motorcycle but that could bottom out your car if you pushed too fast. And then, there it was....that lovely partially cleared plot.

We could tell it had recently been bushhogged and explored as far as we could. This plot was definitely slanting a bit toward the creek that ran through one side. Creek? I mean swamp. The high and dry part of the plot ran along the neighbor's fence, about 200 yards back but only 60 feet or so across. As long as the weather stayed relatively dry, we would be okay. But we would be up an 'unsanitary tributary without a visible means of locomotion' if a hurricane dropped 10 inches of rain...not unheard of here in Florida.

So, I just figured it out. In order to raise 2 of these acres 1 foot, we would have to truck in 10 loads of clay at 40 cubic yards each. Having purchased ONE truck load for my yard a few years ago, I know exactly what kind of work we would be looking at. Even with unlimited monies, it would be formidable project. But the fact that I figured out how much dirt we would need testifies that I'm STILL obsessing over this land!!!

Keep me in your prayers. I'm disappointed but I know God's will will be done. And I'm still very keen for the hunt!!!!!

I am domestically challenged.

Actually, I just hate housework...always have. I tried all kinds of things to keep my house habitable, especially when my children were growing up. When it was time to wash the kitchen floor (which should have been everyday but was actually maybe once a month), I threw a bucket of lightly soapy water on the floor, gave my kids rags to step on and told them to have at it. The floor became acceptably clean and the kids had a little fun. I did have to clean up the dirty water but had a Rainbow vacuum at the time which made it easier.

I even tried this index card system where you have something that gets done every day and they you file it in the back of the pile. So I would do floors on one day, dust on one day, clean the bathrooms...you get the idea. It was a great system too but like anything else, it only works if you work it. I have a neighbor whose house ALWAYS looks good....I mean ALWAYS. She laughed at my system because I guess to her cleaning is just second nature.

NOT!!!

That being said, it's understandable why my husband made such a big deal out of the way the house looked when he came home yesterday. He normally does the vacuuming because he enjoys it and frankly, I'd rather mow the lawn, but his work has picked up and mine has slowed down so it's only right that I should pick up some of the slack at home. The house IS a little cleaner than it used to be, mostly because there are 4 fewer people living in it. I still make more than my share of messes. But yesterday, I just wanted to clean.

Yes, I know, totally out of character. But that kitchen floor finally got to me and I couldn't clean the floor without cleaning the mats and after the kitchen floor looked so pretty, the livingroom carpet just had to be vacuumed which led to my bedroom where I was reminded that the sheets were grungy and wanted a bath too! Wow, that really doesn't sound like much when I write it down, but it sure took most of the day. As I look around I do feel a certain sense of satifaction and the place smells fresher too.

I had fun doing making my home prettier yesterday. It felt good. And I'd STILL rather mow the lawn!

A Good Day....continued

After waxing poetic about my fun day shoveling dirt, I forgot to put the icing on the cake!

As my previous entry said, I had a wonderful time playing in my yard yesterday. Digging, raking, hammering, wheelbarrow-ing. After I completed my new growing area, I had enough light (and energy) to mow the lawn. I figured, if I had to bathe, I might as well be good and filthy before running the water!

So as finished the last row of grass in the back yard, the first raindrops started falling. I hurried and put the mower away then ducked into the house before the main storm it. Then I stopped. I listened for thunder and watched for lightening and saw none. I could feel a grin build up from the inside out as I went into the house....to take off my shoes, remove my glasses and put my phone out of harms way. Then I went back outside JUST as the rain started pouring. Cooling rainwater poured all over me, softening my hair and skin and bringing a child(ish) giggle to my lips.

It seems fitting that found myself playing in the rain yesterday. Today is my mother's birthday and my love of storms is one of her gifts to me. As most of you who read this already know, my mom would have been 83 today. She passed on 7 years ago. Still, every time I walk in the rain or stomp in the gutter puddles, she is alive for me. Happy Birthday Mom!!!

A Wonderful Day (or Two)

Some people relish a day in front of the TV. Others save their time to work on models or scrapbook or any number of worthy hobbies. Me? I love dirt!!

My dream is to buy a couple of acres of untouched land, clear it and make it mine. I would slowly clear the underbrush (with the help of my small herd of goats that I would buy as soon as the fencing was up!). Then I would go through the trees and decide which would serve best as fuel and take them down. I would plant fruit trees suitable for Florida (fig, avocado, sand pear, maybe a Florida apple variety), kiwi vines, blueberry bushes and blackberry thickets. My garden would supply us with most of our vegetable needs, the dairy goats would give us milk and keep the underbrush down. Chickens for fresh eggs and IF I got courageous enough, I would try to raise meat rabbits. The courage would be for "harvesting" the meat.

AAHHHH....to dream!

My reality isn't all that bad though. I live on a fifth of an acre, have a great house (big enough AND small enough), good neighbors and as much financial security as anyone these days could expect. Living here for 25 years has its benefits. I've spent 25 years bringing in compost and improving the soil in this largely sandy area. The oak trees in my yard shield the house from the worst of the summer sun and our yearly average electric bill (considering I keep our nighttime AC at 73 degrees) is very reasonable.

So, my job is to create my dream right here! Yesterday I shoveled about a cubic yard of sand and well rotted horse manure. I was in heaven! My body loved the exercise and my mind loved the "zen" of hard labor. The goal? To build a raised bed in my front yard! That's right, the FRONT yard. That little square patch of land has been left largely unscathed by my escapades mostly because I am not a pretty gardener. I am a vegetable gardener. I like FUNCTION. This will be my new challenge.

I've laid out the landscaping timbers and secured them in place. The manure is all snug in its new 'bed' and will have to rest a bit before it receives plants. I don't want to burn their little tootsies! The crescent shaped bed is 16' long and about 3' at its widest. Along the front I'm planting some colorful fall flowers, maybe impatiens because I really love them. Broccoli will stand proud in back (until I cut they little heads off!!! HEHEHEHE) and perhaps bush beans to fill in the middle. I wonder if squash will grow there. I can't seem to grow it anywhere else!!

It comes down to this...if I can't have my place in the country, I'll just have to bring the country to me...and my neighbors and husband will have to deal with the smell of horse once in awhile. And coffee. Starbucks gives away old coffee grounds and they make great fertilizer! Today I got a bonus in my 30 pounds of grounds...two small stainless steel pitchers that they use for milk. So for the next few days anyway, the smell of horse hockey and coffee with mingle in the air...HEHEHEHE!!!!

Solar Oven....the Conclusion

So I'm sitting down to dinner, eating my solar cooked bbq chicken. The result? Tastes just like I'd cooked it in the house oven except perhaps a touch more moist and tender. After all, it cooked for 5 hours at about 275 degrees. I started it frozen solid and as soon as it was thawed enough in the plastic bag, transfered it to a glass pan.

I'm going to bake cookies on the next sunny day that I have at home. And maybe bread. Yummm.

Solar Powered

My husband and I spent a couple weeks building a solar oven. It seemed like a perfect fit, after all, we DO live in Sunny Florida. Except, it has rained every day since our project's completion.

But today, there is sun. And the water in my oven is a piping hot 200 degrees. So today I am cooking our dinner in a small black box in my back yard. I put frozen chicken in a rectangular pan and will let that cook until it looks almost done. Then I will add bbq sauce and let it go. No heating up of the house and no trying to air condition a heating oven.

Not that this whole thing is not without problems. The inner sides of the oven are pulling away from the insulation as I type this. We may have to secure it with bolts and washers. Also, if it starts to rain, I have to put my oven away. Still, it's a start and it's fun to boot.

My dream is actually to be energy self sufficient. Solar panels and wind turbines would go a long way in providing energy for my home. The hitch is...the cost. Enough solar panels to provide 50% of the power that I use in my house would cost over $80,000 after rebates and tax credits. The turbines are less expensive and I will be looking into those as I go. If I ever build a house from scratch, I would like to be almost off the grid if possible.

Actually, in my dream of dreams, I see myself in the North Carolina mountains in a cabin off the grid. My water would come from a combination of rain and well supplied. Heat, a wood stove and both passive and active solar power. I would have my flock of chickens, a small herd of rabbits, a couple dairy goats and maybe a steer for beef. Oh yes, a pair of Morgan horses to help with the hauling.

I wonder though....do you think A T & T have cell towers out there????

Bertha Made a Right Hand Turn....Rats!!!

I know most sane people would rather a hurricane NOT hit their state. In 2004 Central Florida received visits from Charlie, Francis and Jeanne. I hate it that many people lost their homes or had substantial damage to their property. People who live on the west coast of Florida had a bullseye on their butt (it seemed) and for 6 weeks we lived "on alert." Every other weekend had us pulling out the generator and using flashlights for almost a week at a time.

Still, the storms in a diluted form can be a lot of fun. Charlie came through at night and we watched out of the window as the power transformers blew, one at a time. Such a beautiful blue green glow! Francis came through during the day so Mike, Carley and I put on our roller blades, held sheets between us and did some land sailing down the street. We looked like we were having so much fun that my normally rain-avoiding husband joined us!

I guess my love of storms came to me honestly. My fondest memories of my mother involve long walks in Virginia storms, biting wind and pounding rain forging our bond. She loved the occasional snows we got in the south too. One winter night in Charleston SC, she woke me up at 2am so I could watch my very first snow fall. Her friends couldn't understand why she did that....I do. We built a snowman together out of the quarter inch of snow. It took up every bit of snow in our yard but we did it!!

Mom wasn't afraid to slide on the ice either. I feel like I'm pretty young for my age and Mom was too. She was probably around 45 when an ice storm hit Virginia Beach and we spent the morning together taking running starts and sliding down the slick road we lived on. We came in the house after a couple hours, wet from sweat and snow and melting ice, our cheeks red as apples and giggles bubbling out for hours after.

So, this is my trip down memory lane. I love storms and my kids seem to as well so we've passed it down for one more generation...but wait! Alex and I have already gone "crik stomping!" Yes! Mom, your tradition lives on!!!!

My Daughter Made Me Do This

This is the beginning of MY blog. I've so enjoyed reading the blogs of my 2 oldest kids so I thought I'd join the fun! I don't know how to put pictures or anything on this so be patient with me. The learning curve gets rather step after you turn 40 and I'm 10 years past that. Penny has promised to help me one day at a time....and today is not the day. Maybe tomorrow.

My kids like to tease me about my hobbies. I like to ride my bike. I really like to ride my bike with a trailer hitched to it to shop. I like to collect horse manure to put in my garden. I raise worms in a container in my backyard and feed them the manure too. They reward me with worm poop and I put that in my garden too. So if you eat veges from my garden, you are eating recycled POOP! Enjoy! It's better than eating petroleum fertilizers.

So, this is the beginning of my publicly viewed life. My kids roll their eyes at me at times but they still call on a regular basis so I guess I haven't shamed them too badly.