The Briars Fought . . . But I Won!

Flickr Tags: camping, camp site, front of property, drainage pipe

Jay will be soooooo proud that I'm finally doing an entry! I pretty much am ready to retire, so I have time to do the FUN things I WANT to do instead of the teaching things I no longer want to do! One more year until retirement . . . maybe. A new administrator would certainly help change my viewpoint.

Christmas Day was my first work day on Tranquil Moon. In the area where we plan to put the RV (and later put a house or mobile home), I tackled the wild roses/briars. I'm scratched from head to foot, had to pick stickers out of my boobs, but I destroyed two of the big ones. Jay can now turn the truck into the end of the lot, although the drainage pipe appears to be too unstable for him to drive over as yet. We've discussed getting someone to dig it out and replacing it. $$$$$ but better done by a professional than us probably.

I think we've decided to put the front-to-back road in on the other side of the property, near the neighbors. Will have to do some measuring and planning, but I think it will work. Right now, I think I will probably put a full line of giant arbor vitae trees along their fence for privacy when those awful wild roses are gone. The trees will spread about 10 feet around, so I need to measure and see if there will be enough room between the trees and the new electrical installation for a driveway. I'm getting uncomfortable going on the other neighbors' land to access our campsite.

I want to clean out the area across the front that faces the road. It looks like there are two or three really nice trees in there, but the rest just looks like junk. Not the first impression I want to make! I'm thinking about putting huge pampas grass in the open spots between the trees after the clean-up is finished. Privacy, but a neat, care-for look.

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We've gotten a "permanent" campsite set up so we have a place to literally hang our hats when we're working. A bright yellow tent is the "supply house" for dry goods, clothes, and tools on-site. The gray tent, my ol' buddy from LOR days!, provides us a place to nap and eat. I really enjoy being there. I do love that cold Sam at the end of a work day. Can hardly wait for the outdoor shower to come!!!!

Yesterday we took the riding mower and push mower out to the site. Jay left them chained. I used the riding mower to cut a walking path from the RV site to our camp site. It looks good and will make walking easier. We also got a glimpse of our first feral kitten . . . Jay named him/her Wood Chip!

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This morning Dusty when for her "clip, clip, clip" at Adopt-A-Pet. I checked and they will do neutering from a live-trap. When we stopped at this cool feed store to price the spray killer for the rest of those rose bushes, I found that a live-trap will only cost about $60.00. I'm determined to be a TNR woman! The wife of the well man said something about 60 cats . . . they are clearly taming and not neutering! AGH! GNASH! I will spend a fortune over time to trap, neuter, and release the little lovelies, but I am determined to be a "responsible" person where they clearly haven't been.

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Talked to Beverly at New First yesterday about the well money. Looks like the lower appraisal is going to hit us in the head. 90% of the appraisal amount is the loan amount. Now we need $600 for the electric installation and another $600 as our share of the well installation. We can't move the RV until those two are on-site and ready to use. At first I was very disappointed, but then I realized the land isn't going anywhere . . . it really is ours! . . . and I can handle the $110/month payments and still afford rent to Cynthia. We'll enjoy having somewhere to go and work and be together; we'll still get that "good tired; we dun it" feeling. Next big cost project . . . a day of skid-steer around $250 to see if we can level those bloody wild roses/briars! One way or the other, they are doomed!

We also need to find the sunny spot for Jay's salsa garden and outdoor kitchen. He announced this morning that he plans to put plants in the ground this spring.

Until next time . . .