Homestead forum diaspora

30F here, and snowing heavily. Del's gone to the store while he still can. I'm staying inside, toasty and warm.

I got the pin taken out of my wrist New Year's eve. Happy gnu year!  Feels better with no pin, though it'll be stiff and ssore for awhile. I'll probably be starting PT in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, gently stretching and flexing, squeezing a poly-fiber-fill tube pillow that I made for under my neck. Turns out it's perfect for squeezing to build up my hand strength again.

The new dog, Allie, is doing great. She's playing with the other dogs, and she's finally figured out that she doesn't have to have permission to use the doggie door. She's been going through it, but only if one of us went to it and told her to. Blue, one of the labs, started showing her it was ok. He'd touch noses with her, wag his tail and go out the door. Then he'd run right back in, and do it again. He spent almost an hour just running in and out, nose-touching and tail wagging, trying to get her to go out the dog flap. Now she's finally doing it wothout permission, though she's slow and cautious about it. Now we don't have to make a point of showing her out during the night, we know she'll just go out when she needs to.

She's a very sweet dog, and has mostly gotten over being afraid. She's becoming a very happy dog!

Del got a great deal on health ins. through the state exchange website. The site never worked well, and it took almost two months of both getting on the website and calling them on the phone, but it finally got all straightened out, and he has good coverage for $90 a month, because he's eligible for a subsidy to help pay for it.

Bruce -

I like town visiting and living (it's a small town - 12,000 give or take) near it but also like that our home is out of town. Step-daughters are city kids who get a little crazy after a while.

JenP - welcome to WA! I am over the mountains (work at CWU) and smack dab in the middle. Don't let the mountains be a deterrent, there is a lot to see and do in this whole state (see the Gorge - breathtaking) not to mention 7 different eco-systems present.

Waiting for a "moving expert" to arrive and give us an estimate on packing and moving the house in a month. Life is super busy and stress filled right now but getting better.

You're moving, Sac?

We are coming down the mountain a bit.

Dang cold here today, and even more dangy cold inside tonight? The wind started up and has recently shifted to north and so a little easier to shield against. I have three yaks in the house tonight, 2 calves and one mom. All have reached equilibrium so there are no more hay fights out in the spare room.

Both woodstoves are on . . . come on heat, show your butt! Presently -16F and due to deteriorate to -39F (includes wind chill). I am going to call it an early night, throw on a couple more logs in each stove, find a book or two and go reserve my space in bed. There's a break in the weather pattern due here on Sunday. We should be graced with a high of 20F. Whoa boy! Grab those surfboards, surf's up.

Chris, I am sending all this snow and cold weather your way.  7" so far and probably another 7" coming tonight.

so dang cold here Jack Frost is wrapped around the wood heater and has stuffed hot coals in the trap door of his longhandles............. well at least it feels that way anyhow

Frenchy at January 2, 2014 at 7:00 PM

so dang cold here Jack Frost is wrapped around the wood heater and has stuffed hot coals in the trap door of his longhandles............. well at least it feels that way anyhow

What is it, 50F?  

34f but with windchill it is about 25f right now .......... I know I know no where near some of y'alls but for southern AR that can clench your cheeks tight in buuuuuurrrrrrrr factor hahahahaha

Frenchy at January 2, 2014 at 7:13 PM

34f but with windchill it is about 25f right now .......... I know I know no where near some of y'alls but for southern AR that can clench your cheeks tight in buuuuuurrrrrrrr factor hahahahaha

Yeah, 22F on my land near Neil's right now.. wish I was there compared to here.

18°F here in CT now, with 12" snow expected by morning. In the a.m. supposed to be less than 10° with a 20mph wind = -35° wind chill(?). Needless to say, a 3 dog night. Amazing how a little snow can close everything up. One might think ppl here have never driven in snow before. Probably because all are running those "all weather radials" instead of studded snow tires, or chains.

-4 here "bitterly cold" according to the weather folks. Not cold according to my "chart" but I will admit it is invigorating. For sale face cords all full, "holding area", aka ready to split are almost full. The tree that will finish filling the remaining rack is down, we'll finish cutting it up Saturday. Our personal supply is well stocked and if push came to shove, we'd burn the "for sale" wood. Already told the spouse that come Monday & Tuesday, I plan on reading. He wants to work outside, have at it. I'll replenish the feeders/water but that is it for outside time for me. Besides, my pinched fingers and bruises need time to heal up.

we were expecting to get a respite next week...doesn't look like it's going to happen.

Mobrowncoat at January 2, 2014 at 4:43 PM

We are coming down the mountain a bit.

She'll be comin' down the mountain when she comes...

Paid all bills for the month this morning, made a substantial dent on my land principal.

Staying inside today, too much white stuff out there and cold, windy, air.

  18 degees here this mornin', wind chill at 10....I will make a trip to the woodpile, but that's as far as I'm going.:/

4 degrees below zero without the wind chill.... 10 inches of beautiful, white, EXTREMELY FLUFFY snow.  High winds last night, seem to be dying down.  

Currently 26, feels like 18.  While that may be a heatwave up in George's neighborhood, it's cold for GA.  The winds have died down.  Gotta hit the road - I'm out of good things to eat.  Think I'll wear a coat.

davenms at January 3, 2014 at 8:41 AM

  18 degees here this mornin', wind chill at 10....I will make a trip to the woodpile, but that's as far as I'm going.:/

It's rather disheartening to look at what is forecast for the next week...highs don't come above zero F for quite awhile...24 below for the high on Sunday.  It's warmer today, but windy, humid/snow/sleet/...seems nastier than when the sun shines, it's calm and 20 below.

I'm with you, davenms...the woodshed may be all the further I get today...perhaps for days.  Warm home, good food, have both guitars out (been playing some oddball stuff like old beegees...), contented...

Got a call last night from Kauai...Matt was saying it was 'cold' there and rainy...65

Paradise is a state of mind.