Camera

We are now equipped with a WEB-Cam and as soon as I figure out how to use it you will be treated to almost live coverage of the exciting events in and around this house.

This has been a wet day. The new grass has sprouted. The bare spots seem to be growing a green beard.

Ronnie, Wayne, and Carolyn were here this evening. We had fried chicken and watermelon. Doesn't that sound southern!! The Racoons are eating the left-over watermelon. There will be several Racoons with upset stomachs tonight!!

Storms

A second wave of thunderstorms has brought us more rain today. Looks like everything is soaked. We needed the rain and the temp has dropped into the 70's. WHOA! A big lightening strike just lit the room! I like storms - as long as there is no damage. We were at Doris Conner's house this evening and she has a large limb down in her yard and laying partially on her garage roof. I'll go over there in a few days and cut it up.

Ronnie is in town to buy two tractors. We'll visit tomorrow.

Gone for now.

PS: I cut into a bumble bee nest today while clearing some brush! None of them got me but they were sure looking for whatever tore up their house. I can still move rather well when those little boogers are around. Sprayed them later - think I got them all.

It is a hot, hot, hot day! A big thunderstorm is approaching from the south. Perhaps we will get some rain and cooler air. Linda & I have been cutting and burning bushes and vines off the vacant lot. They grow back fast. We can now see into the creek at that end of the property and have spotted some interesting stuff. One thing appears to be a brightly colored plastic tent or pool or something with a metal frame. Found in the weeds a rusty, bent/mangled lawn mower, push type. Looks like someone beat it with a big hammer - it is really smashed! Lots of large size lumber in there, also. May try to pull some of that out. There also appears to be a big trash pile with every kind of junk or trash in it.

Not looking at houses today,

Later.

Not really a good day. Cannot find a house that we like, want, can afford, etc. Some have a little acrage but a septic tank and butane heat/stove. Some have good utilities but the lot is .23 acre! We will keep looking but.....

House huntin'

We looked at and into several houses today. Found out that Hudson taxes are HIGH. Looked at one in Keltys - apparently it has been sold because surveyor stakes were planted at the corners. Brenda showed us one that is the leading contender as of today, but it had neighbors close-by. We looked at another in Hudson that was TRASHED OUT. It has potential and 3/4 of an acre but it would require a lot of work. Looked at another on Hwy 706 with 3 acres (including a small lake) It was also TRASHED. We found it in the paper and -WOW- somebody wants way too much money for that place.

There is a two story on South First street that we may look at. It is big, has a small lot, and is still in town but it is beautiful. The taxes on the two story is about what we are paying here.

We are still looking and are in no hurry. Outside the city with an acre or two is still our #1 target - OR stay here and finish the projects that need to be done - bridge, gutters, erosion control, STORAGE building, etc..

WHAT?

My goodness! I have not been blogging since April???? WOW! However, in my defense, not much has happened since April!

We did spend a few days in a place called "Muleshoe, Texas". That's where God dumped all the extra sand, heat, and tumble weeds. It was hot while we were there. We also went to Clovis, Portalis, and Lubbock. We brought back several antiques that were being stored in Ronnie's late Father-in-Law's buildings.

We are actually sorta looking for another house... This one is simply too small, no storage, high taxes. Sine the house was re-built, the City decided that it was worth more so the appraised value went up. We pay twice the taxes that our neighbors do. We cannot build a storage building on the lot without placing it almost against the north side of the house because there are drainage easements on two sides of the lot!!

We are not aggressively look for another house, but we are checking all the internet realestate sites. We want more room but would prefer city water and sewer in an area where taxes are lower.

Oh, well. I'll try to write more often.

SICK!

Ill, whatever! Linda & I have been suffering sinus problems since March 24th. We take medication every day, several times a day, and still have the problem. Aches and pains, sore throat, sinus pressure, etc!

Both Toby and Rosie have had or are now suffering from Chicken Pox since San Diego. Kathy and Jason have had to postpone two flights so far. They should have returned to London last Saturday but they are still here. Jason flies to New York Monday for a meeting and will return Wednesday. They now plan to return to London next Friday.

Tomorrow (Monday) we are going to try to get Dr. Wells to prepare two letters for British Airways - One to say that Rosie has the Chicken Pox and the second to say that she is not contagious.

Out of here!