| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 06:57 am: |   
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So much for mowing and getting it over with...the mower made about two passes and died...got it running again, only to go maybe twenty feet...stopped again...after numerous times of this occuring...it finally crapped out in the side yard and I ended up pushing it back to the shed. Lasted less than an hour.
DH got in and I fussed about the mower...he goes out and tinkers...might have found the problem...the little shut-off valve that's in the fuel line doesn't appear to be allowing the fuel to flow...he replaced the line and the mower didn't shut down until I turned the key off...I managed to get almost all of the front yard mowed before dark, and the rain.
The rains came about 9pm...from this morning...we did get quite a bit...the front side yard to the east is holding like a pond once more. So glad I got that area mowed yesterday.
My Thursday is starting off nice and cool...almost 9 am now and the air is still fresh from the rain last night. The cloud cover is keeping the steam factor down as the sun hasn't broke through yet. Temps are in the mid 70's at this time.
Looks like I won't be doing any mowing today with the yard holding this much water...sure would have been nice to get it done... |
| Stormdancer Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 01:39 pm: |
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Rains have begun to move in early...went out to the corner store and as I was heading home, the black clouds were heading our direction from the north. Got a few sprinkles, but not much else at this point...looks like it will bust loose and rain buckets any second, but so far its all show. Last night's rain left two inches of water standing in the bed of my truck, no wonder we have standing water in the yard. All this water just brings the skeeters thicker and makes mowing take forever...can't begin to take a mower through the pond that's formed on the east side or the other pond areas throughout the yard...now that the rider is running half decent, I'd like to get the mowing finished before the house disappears from view entirely. The backyard is in more need of mowing than the front as it didn't get the trim the last time the mower was ran. Getting pretty snakey looking in some places...don't think I'd care to walk inside the dog pen area right now as thick and high as that grass has grown!
Some days it just don't pay to get out of bed...everything I am wanting and need to accomplish seems to be an outside chore. SIGH...guess I'll pick up a few things around the house...can always run the vacuum ten gazillion times a day...like anyone but me would even notice.
GRRRRRRRR...ANOTHER call from these STUPID satellite sales/service idiots...HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY TAKE MY NUMBER OFF YOUR LIST...so I punched the 1 to get a real live person...as I explain for the gazillionth time that they have been told to remove my damn number..the yahoo tells me "oh, I was going to remove your number, BUT, YOU cussed"....EXCUSE ME??? I told him I was pretty upset and was attempting to keep it under control..."but you said Damn...goodbye" and proceeded to hang up on me. I wouldn't take one of their Dish systems if it meant I'd NEVER watch tv again....
Come on over to my house BUBS...let me show you just how out of control I can REALLY Be...Be glad I can't reach through the phone and snatch your sorry ass through it so I can dot your eyes and cross your t's with my knuckles.
Stewing for a fight about now, and my day wasn't actually going too bad before this idiot rang my house. Wouldn't piss me off so much, but I get these sorry calls from this stupid company at least four or five times a day...tell one I'm not interested, remove my number from your list and BAM...two minutes later I've got another freaking idiot from the same stinking company in a different area code calling me again...and they wonder WHY I feel the need to use VERY strong language with them??? LEAVE ME ALONE!!! Then you won't have to hear me use words that make sailors and bikers blush. |
Whew! I think the temp must be well above 98.6 where you are. LOL!  
Have you ever just said something like, "Hang on, let me put my husband on the phone", and just left the bozo on the phone waiting? Just wander off and do something you enjoy. Whenever you are good and ready, hang up the phone without saying a word. I taught my Mom that one.  The other tactic is to pretend that either (#1) you are (or your husband is) very high up in a competitor company or (#2) one of you is retired from the competitor company, and in either case you are already getting the best deal from them. My husband's dad is king of that game. |
| Growit Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 04:59 pm: |
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Haha! Good one DJ.
I always say I am on benefits, in debt and about to be evicted lol! |
| Greth Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 04:59 pm: |
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Most of the calls like that we get here are from call centres in India, some of them hardly speak English anyway. Ya gotta be dead careful not to accidentally agree to a contract before you work out what they are trying to say! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 05:19 am: |
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The thing is...they need to comply when asked to remove your name and number from their calling list...there are laws regarding this. I did telemarketing for a few weeks and that was one of the things during the training session that was stressed, that we could be fined for not complying with do not call requests...numerous of these calls now are computer generated and just repeat until someone answers...even if it goes to the answering machine they will call back repeatedly. I'm normally very short and to the point...Not interested, take my name and number off your list. and I hang up because these people will try and argue that you really need their service. I'm not into that...I just want the sales calls to cease...and I'm not going to an unlisted number...why? In Florida they sell our information from the Driver's License bureau...every City directory does the same...that's where the telemarketers get their lists.
Its just another aggravation to add to the daily grind. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 05:50 am: |
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6:30 am Friday...The morning is beginning the same as the past few...grey cloud filled sky. The temps this morning are at 75 degrees and the air feels nice and cool at this part of the morning. Forecast is calling for a high of 92 with the humidity bringing the temps to the point of feeling like its over 100...looks like the A/C will be running today...the past two days, the humidity has been low enough and the cloud cover has kept the temps down so I've only been running the fans.
DH made it in before the last round of rain...he decided to head outside to "do something"...so I suggested he should fire up the weedeater and cut along the front walkway...I looked out in time to see him doing the section behind the split rail...ok, that's not the walkway, but it does need done...he also decided to cut the area in front of the flowerbeds on the other end of the trailer...works for me. Finally got the walkway cut just as the rains came through once more...by the time he got the weedeater put away and came inside, the rain was letting loose with buckets pouring down. Guess he's trying to suck up by doing more than asked...but then again, it wouldn't have been done at all if I hadn't asked in the first place.
The rains moved in about 6 pm last night and stayed...weather this morning said Daytona got 2.62 inches last night...haven't been out to my truck to check as yet...LOL...kinda expensive rain gauge... the yard continues to hold water in several spots.
With all the heavy rain last night, I forgot to go shut the coop...started out about 8 pm, but the chickens were still out...playing in the rain...came back inside and it totally slipped my mind. Glad to see everyone was ok this morning when I stepped out to open the coop.
Not sure what is going on with DH...since he won't talk to me...but the headaches must be back...was awakened to the sound of water coming down really hard about 2:30 am...turned out DH was in the shower letting the water beat down on his head...sometimes that's the only way he can get back to sleep. The alarm sounded at 6am and he was not acting like he wanted to get out of bed...by 6:30 he had managed...hurts to see him like this, but he is the one who has to cry uncle and stop doing the things that cause pain...he won't listen to a thing I suggest...but will try anything that any other person offers...I give up. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 08:21 am: |
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9:45am...spoke with sis for a bit this morning...she had labs drawn the other day and has been waiting for her results...her Dr is concerned because her last Bone Density test showed the Osteoporis was causing more deterioration in her hips...she's turning 50 next week. The labs are showing she has a Vitamin D deficiency, even though she's been on Calcium and Vit D supplements....seems the supplements aren't being absorbed. Now they are talking about sending her for injections daily to encourage bone cell growth...scary stuff as she has had a round with lung cancer already...her twin also was diagnosed with cancer...the cancer eventually went to the bones...within six months of being diagnosed...we lost her Jan 2007. I'm not ready for this to begin all over again...just not sure I've got the strength to help her get through this again. Emotions are way too close to the surface...in some sense, it makes me angry that she should be subjected to the guinea pig treatment..."let's see if THIS will work"...seems like that's all any of the Drs have to offer...with all the research that's been going on for Decades now, there is most certainly an answer for this hateful disease...just getting our stupid officials to allow treatments to be used in this country that are showing good results in other countries...that is frustration of the highest degree, for all types of illness and disease.
SIGH...just one more reason I have no desire to allow one of these "medical" persons to test me for anything...many of my friends have asked why I chose not to be checked for cancer...WHY? Can they tell me I will make a full recovery if I do have it? Can they cure whatever they may find? If they can "cure" it, can they guarantee that it will never return? Ignorance is bliss and as long as I am able to get through my days without issue, so be it. I am aware that many forms of cancer have high success rates...but just as many people succumb to the treatments as the disease...I do not care to live the remainder of my days depending on someone to carry me in for some treatment that makes me weak as a newborn and sick as a drunk after an all night bender...what kind of quality of life is that? Should I ever find myself in that position I only ask to be kept as comfortable as possible...pain meds will be my friend til the end...if that is to be my destiny in this life. Too many painful memories of watching my Grandfather, Aunt and recently, both sisters and my mom, going through the chemo and radiation and still nothing but pain and suffering...they each had the heavy drugs towards the end to help ease the pain...and even those weren't enough at times. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 11:36 am: |
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1:30pm...the A/C has just kicked on...must mean the temps have finally come above 80 degrees inside now...time to close the windows for a bit. No real sun outside...still loads of cloud cover. I did notice the humidity coming up a bit earlier, but figured I'd wait until the A/C kicked on before closing the house. Just feels like winter when the house is closed up tight.
The mood has lightened and I'm beginning to once more plan what I want to do for garden areas around here...seems we will be here for quite awhile longer as DH has not mentioned the mountain move since we came home and things began to "fall apart" with our plans. Guess that's one more reason I'm feeling depressed...trapped would be a better word...just don't know what to think about many things any longer. Hopes become raised only to be dashed to the ground in the blink of an eye... must be why I keep coming back for more...I'm waiting for the hopes and dreams to be fulfilled... |
| Greth Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 06:58 pm: |
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Just plan what to do for next season, even small dreams achieved can lift your mood. Sometimes when I feel like leaving, I head into the garden to sort things out as though the place was gonna be up for sale!
If the worst comes to the worst, we would get a better price, otherwise I have a better garden to play in! |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 08:47 am: |
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Thanks Greth...I usually head out back and wander through the pasture for a bit when I'm feeling like this...right now though, the skeeter's are so thick and the standing water makes the air so heavy from the moisture rising that I'm really feeling trapped in the house. One of the things that I'm beginning to dislike about this state as I grow older is the high humidity...I moved down here when I was in my early 30's and now that I'm into menopause...well let's just say I understand now why all the "older" women prefer the temps almost bone chilling cold. The hot flashes so totally suck in this high heat and humidity. Guess that's another factor with the crazy moods as well. But I figure females have been dealing with this since the beginning of existence, and this too shall pass. A bit of herbal tea blended for just this reason does seem to help when I remember to make a cup...guess I should probably make it by the pitcher for the days its needed.
As for making the place here better, well, at this point, I'm just satisfied to make it look how I like it best...no sense making any major improvements so the landlord can jack the price up even higher...if he wants that type of improvement, he can do it himself. We've already brought in close to 100 yards of topsoil to help improve the property...so many low spots and its all sugar sand or shell. We also brought in about 40 yards or so of road-base (crushed rock and concrete) for the driveway so we didn't have to worry about tearing our vehicles apart...the driveway was so rutted and soft sand that you almost needed a four wheel drive vehicle to come all the way to the house...its nice now and has packed very hard. The driveway we spread by hand...pulling the crushed material off the back of DH's truck, 2 yards at a time...we did this every night for about two weeks. The body really threw a fit over that...the driveway is over two hundred feet from the road to the house.
I'm just so tired of getting things the way I like where we live and then having the rug snatched out from under me...since the landlord here refuses to give me a figure for the place I have very little incentive to spend what little energy I can find fixing a place that will never be ours. That's why I was so thrilled when DH finally said he was ready to move to the mountain. Anything I do there is already ours...now I just have to get there so I can begin....SIGH...I'm getting way too old to keep starting over every few years. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 09:18 am: |
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Rains moved in off and on throughout the day yesterday...the evening was clear and DH finished quite a bit of the weedeating out in the half moon garden and around areas I can't get with the mower...surprised me that he decided to continue without being asked.
Today has started out like every day this week, light cool air in the early part of the morning and then as the sun begins to beat down, the humidity rises as the temps begin to climb. The east side of the yard has begun to absorb the standing water, this morning only the smallest quantity is still visible on the grassy area where yesterday Mojo was splashing happily...got some cute pictures of him playing in the water last evening.
Highs today are forecast to be in the mid 90's, with very little chance of rain...maybe I will be able to get the mowing finished after all.
We've had all variety of birds visiting the feeders this morning...several Cardinal families, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Yellow belly Sapsuckers and even the little hummers. Saw the white Egrets heading towards the neighbors' pastures and heard the Kestrel close to the chicken area...all the birds scatter when they hear the Kestrel screech! Funny how the Blue Jays mimic the Kestrel at times...I was watching the birds the other day and heard what sounded close, but not quite like the Kestrel...looked towards where I heard it and there was a Blue Jay...it was the one making the racket....the minute everyone scattered from the feeder, he swooped in for his private meal....LOL...I get great pleasure just watching the critters in my yard.
Which reminds me...we had a rather interesting visitor yesterday...a very large Gopher turtle...he was about the size of a dinner plate and just a cruising across the yard...I adore turtles and this big boy was awesome...he finally headed out towards the back pasture...I've only seen the turtles out here once or twice in the three years we've been here. Now and then we've had the Painted box turtles in the back pasture.
Got a peak at the young Buck again last night right before dark...I had let the big dogs out for a bit and was calling them inside...Mojo dawdles and I actually thought it was him in the woods kinda close to the road...until the head turned and I could see the "spikes" and his face...it was the young buck...by this time, Mojo was coming from behind my truck, poking along like a little kid who doesn't want to come inside...he even "pouts" like a little one, hanging his head, and shuffling his feet...got to laugh at this big 'horse' of a dog when he acts like this....hahahaha.
Well, looks like its time to see if the mower will start or if I'm gonna have to put the charger on...I'd really like to at least finish the front and get a good running start on the house backyard...the back pasture can just wait...its pretty green and DH just cut a good portion last weekend with the tractor...I'm more concerned with the grass closest to the house as the snakes and rodents tend to hang in the thick stuff. |
| Stormdancer Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 04:04 pm: |
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Ok...well, it seems I have managed to run the life out of yet another poor mower...and it was just beginning to cut so ....well, ok, there was something going on with the mower deck we were trying to resolve...was cutting really low on one side...seems the bearing in the one blade (its a two blade deck)decided to let loose...locked the blade, which stalled the motor. Whew!!! and here I thought I had run over another "rope monster"...I keep trying to watch for Mojo's rope toys...so far, so good...knock wood.
We only have "four" riders...all of which now have a little something wrong...darn, and I almost had the house yard finished, but at least the front is done. DH is attempting to repair the one my sis gave us...it was running until my BIL decided to "tweak" the engine...so far looks like he put the coil in backwards and managed to break the keyway shear pin...and he wonders why sis shudders when he says he's going to "fix" something.
Was waiting around while DH worked on the mower and decided that the Mexican Petunias just really need put back in their place...these bad little babies have come back with a vengence...the bed closest to the step has numerous variegated border plants...can't remember what they are, but they resemble "Spider" plants...the light creamy outer stripe with the green inner...I think they send up a small flower spike, don't really know as the petunias have kept them hidden from view. I began pulling them out around the step and front walkway...the rest will have to wait, its just to blame humid and hot out there, the temp was 92 on the porch at 5 o'clock...the wind is being pulled in from the gulf by our newest system sitting off the Carolina coastline...even the breeze feels moist and steamy...yuck. |
| Greth Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 06:53 pm: |
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You wouldn't beleive DH got stuck into the housework while I was out shopping yesterday, he cleaned all the floors in half the house! He and DS barbecued some sausages and sweet corn (in the rain!), and DS made pancakes. I also got a full apology for last week's hissy fit. Glad I kept my high moral ground and didn't do anything vengeful.
We have to get some roadbase for our driveway too, when we can afford it. Our driveway is about 500 metres long. I've patched the worst bits near the house with buckets of small rocks dug up from the vegetable garden, that works quite well. We did do a short stretch with roadbase, but found it mostly washed away over a couple of years. The rocks stay put, though it looks a bit like a dry riverbed to drive on!
Don't have to worry about hot flushes just yet, but our worst heatwave on record was in early March this year, and I ended up having the baby induced as the heat was so awful. You have my sympathy on that one. At least it is rarely humid here, just hot hot hot. And the nights are nearly always cool and pleasant. |
