Wednesday, March 28, 2012

There's No Mud in the Wishing Well #17

A few peach tree blossoms
It's been a week since I've sat down to write about our new life on the prairie. What a week. But then most weeks have been that way since we decided to make this transition. I've been steeped in finishing my romantic suspense, the clock ticking. I have an appointment to pitch it to an editor at the end of April and I'm not near ready. Meanwhile, there's plenty to keep me busy and not writing. Where to begin?

We held our breath through the cold snap. We had only a few blossoms on the trees so it didn't look like much harm done. No veggies have been planted - the land didn't get readied before the snow. Plus Lance has done his research and the planting season here comes later.

By last Tuesday when the snow was running off the roof, we discovered a leak in the ceiling of the second bathroom. After removing the remaining snow from the roof, the leak slowed.

Gabby's favorite place to lay
A phone call the next day confirmed we had no warranty. Lance became our roof inspector and repairman. $8.00 worth of caulking appears to have fixed the problem. We hope.

Our Explorer started doing funny things. I know I've said we started this adventure with nothing in the bank but love. I said it in the context of not having any retirement accounts. We managed to have a few bucks set aside for just such emergencies. $549 later, the Explorer is fixed. Ouch.

And then a dash of good news. Remember the last of our retirement accounts that went to buy ourselves out of the house we sold in Minnesota? Pretty sure I told you about that. I got a phone call that they had figured it wrong and I would be getting an additional amount of $897! How's that for timing? Love it when these unexpected good things happen.

Xena and Gabby romp after the snow melted
Did I mention the mud? I've never seen such mud. Our lawn is pretty much non-existent after the house being empty for two years. Each day since the snow, we keep thinking surely today the mud will be gone. It took all week. The dogs would come in with it so caked between their toes, I wasn't sure how they could walk. This little experience has driven home the need for grass to those in this house that thought other things were more important to spend money on. Xena is the queen of the mud. She will find even the smallest mud space. We're hoping to keep the bill under $350 for lawn and stepping stones.

The Wishing Well
At least we found a good place to go when the fields are too muddy to work. Up the road a piece is the Wishing Well. It doesn't look like much but it's big and warm on the inside. There's cheap beer and the best burgers I've ever had.

And that's only part of the week. I'll finish it next time. Now back to the next book. I'm working on the dreaded elevator pitch.

10 comments:

  1. I think I'd just move into the Wishing Well if I had to face all you're facing on a daily basis. You're so brave. I love reading your posts and share them with Calvin.

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    1. LOL It is cozy with a fireplace and rough but friendly barmaids. Other interesting people too. Maybe I'll check on that!

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  2. Years ago we had a malamute mix, we're talking yards of fur on that dog. I had to keep a bucket of water at the door. She'd come in and patiently wait while I dipped her paws and dried them one at a time. Muddy snow season was NOT my favorite time of the year.

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    1. That is exactly what we do. My dog, Rusty has very long fur, including on his paws. But we do the bowl of water on all of them. None of them like it!

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  3. Sounds like one grand adventure, Brenda! Some memories to pull out and laugh about twenty years from now. :)

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    1. I'm looking forward to those laughs but I find more than a few right now!

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  4. We spent many years living out in the prairie - Arizona for a few years and then Colorado - with dogs and mud and everything that brings! It got to the point the dogs would stop at the door and stand there with a paw lifted, waiting with long-suffering looks for us to wipe their feet. Your adventures bring back memories - both the good and the bad!

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    1. They've started doing the same thing! Hope you are enjoying the revived memories, both good and bad. LOL

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  5. Well, I'm beginning to realise there are worse things than dust!
    We rarely have mud in Southern Spain and every year I wonder how the swallows manage to build their nests.
    You'll win your battle against the mud, I'm sure!

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    1. I have a feeling it will be an ongoing battle with mud - just like the gophers!

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