Year 5, Day 217 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 12/03/2025 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 – We just keep changing the layout. You know what they say about the baby of the family. Joshua fits the description to a T. He is a hard working smart boy. Along with being outgoing, a charmer, affectionate,Continue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 217 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 new design”
Author Archives: deestimes
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 216 – The Wellington – Nutcrackers waking up
Year 5, Day 216 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 12/02/2025 – The Wellington – A little snow and the nutcrackers are coming out. Need to change out the flowery wreath to match the snowy bushes. Two years passes quickly, but a lot can be accomplished in that time. It is extremely easy to waste time. However,Continue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 216 – The Wellington – Nutcrackers waking up”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 215 – The Wellington – Truck stuck in Clifty Hill 3 driveway
Year 5, Day 215 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 12/01/2025 – The Wellington – Let the Christmas count down begin. Day 1 of the Elemis Advent Calendar. Lots of driveway work completed today. Although it is really muddy. We did roll a lot of it out to pack it down and level it. A load ofContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 215 – The Wellington – Truck stuck in Clifty Hill 3 driveway”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 214 – The Wellington – Tree up
Year 5, Day 214 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 11/30/2025 – The Wellington – Pretty exhausted today. We managed to get the Christmas tree in her stand. I hear the nutcrackers knocking on their boxes this evening. They are a little bit impatient and want to join this window one. Maybe tomorrow if I can sleepContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 214 – The Wellington – Tree up”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 213 – Holiday – Driving PA to KY
Year 5, Day 213 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 11/29/2025 – Holiday week – Up and on the road at at 4am. The dogs watched us from their crates. This is the first morning Steve has not taken them for an early morning walk. It is dark until 7am. We are passing through Chambersburg, PA asContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 213 – Holiday – Driving PA to KY”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 212 – Holiday – Black Friday Christmas tree shopping
Year 5, Day 212 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 11/28/2025 – Holiday week – BAM the Christmas holiday season is upon us. Happy Black Friday to you. How many of you have not purchased something online either last night or today? The blasting of ads to purchase things are everywhere. In general, I think Black FridayContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 212 – Holiday – Black Friday Christmas tree shopping”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 211 – Holiday – Happy Thanksgiving from PA
Year 5, Day 211 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 11/27/2025 – Holiday week – Happy Thanksgiving. This morning, I woke up with an amazing feeling of warmth, gratitude, and joy. The smell of garlic and onions filled the air. There was also plenty of tears. Mine that is. Creamed onions are a long standing holiday traditionContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 211 – Holiday – Happy Thanksgiving from PA”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 210 – Holiday – PA Birthday Celebration for Steve
Year 5, Day 210 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 11/26/2025 – Holiday week – Happy Birthday Steve. Trying to pack all the good times in. First thing this morning we decorated Jenna’s office for Christmas (Advanced Motion Rehabilitation, LLC) – https://advancedmotionrehabilitation.com/ Then out to Olive Garden (Steve’s birthday pick) for lunch – After lunch we walkedContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 210 – Holiday – PA Birthday Celebration for Steve”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 209 – Holiday – WV to PA
Year 5, Day 209 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 11/25/2025 – Holiday week – Spent the night at the Hilton Garden Inn in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Brought an European charger instead of the American one. It didn’t work in this hotel – lol. The breakfast was awesome and cooked to perfection. In fact they provided theContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 209 – Holiday – WV to PA”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 208 – The Wellington – Last task before Holiday week
Year 5, Day 208 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 11/24/2025 – The Wellington. Heading out for the holiday in the dense fog. We have one last construction task to complete before we start the Holiday week. We are one cap block short on finishing the retaining wall. Of course we bought the blocks in 2024 andContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 208 – The Wellington – Last task before Holiday week”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 207 – The Wellington – Rural King, Rhapsody in Blue
Year 5, Day 207 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 11/23/2025 – The Wellington. Sunday Funday and what do we do? Head to Rural King to purchase marking flags. Remember that long driveway, we need to mark it for tailgating the gravel. Rural King is a farm and home store founded in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1960 byContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 207 – The Wellington – Rural King, Rhapsody in Blue”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 206 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 estimating day
Year 5, Day 206 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 11/22/2025 – The Wellington. Estimating day. Everything costs a fortune. A little something to ponder. Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/4bqUCRJ Wilson NBA Authentic Indoor Competition Basketball: Excellent indoor basket ball. This basketball is awesome! Great to scrimmage and indoor practicing. As an Amazon Associate,Continue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 206 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 estimating day”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 205 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 driveway work day 2
Year 5, Day 205 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 11/21/2025 – The Wellington. The driveway is going good. The culvert pipe is installed. It started to rain so it came to a sudden halt. What a muddy mess? Dense Pack will be ordered the first week of December. The drive way will be over 400 feetContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 205 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 driveway work day 2”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 204 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 driveway started
Year 5, Day 204 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 11/20/2025 – The Wellington. Started work on Clifty Hill 3 driveway. The top soil being removed will go around the back patio A little something to ponder. Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3N20oiO HP 14″ touchscreen laptop: Traveling with a 17 inch laptop had becomeContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 204 – The Wellington – Clifty Hill 3 driveway started”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 203 – The Wellington – Patio pavers compacted, Clifty Hill 3 culvert pipe delivered
Year 5, Day 203 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 11/19/2025 – The Wellington. The back patio pavers are compacted. Sand needs to dry before we can add and sweep it into the paver joints. The Pulaski county road department delivered 30 feet of culvert pipe for Clifty Hill 3 driveway. They provided and delivered the pipeContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 203 – The Wellington – Patio pavers compacted, Clifty Hill 3 culvert pipe delivered”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 202 – The Wellington – Day five paver laying, cat prints
Year 5, Day 202 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 11/18/2025 – The Wellington. Day five of back patio block laying. The blocks are all down even with Steve taking time to chase the cat out of the sand. A little something to ponder. Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3N20oiO HP 14″ touchscreen laptop: TravelingContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 202 – The Wellington – Day five paver laying, cat prints”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 201 – The Wellington – Day four paver laying, Clifty Hill 3 prepration with address
Year 5, Day 201 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 11/17/2025 – The Wellington. This is day four of laying pavers for the back deck and sidewalk. The pavers should all be down tomorrow. We are also working on setting up the ground work for building Clifty Hill 3. I called 911 to get an address created.Continue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 201 – The Wellington – Day four paver laying, Clifty Hill 3 prepration with address”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 200 – The Wellington – Sunday Funday, farmer planting
Year 5, Day 200 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 11/16/2025 – The Wellington. Day off for us, but farmer is planting wheat. A little something to ponder. Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3N20oiO HP 14″ touchscreen laptop: Traveling with a 17 inch laptop had become a real drag. This thin and light laptop isContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 200 – The Wellington – Sunday Funday, farmer planting”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 199 – The Wellington – Patio paver laying day 3, farmer spraying
Year 5, Day 199 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 11/15/2025 – The Wellington. Day three of laying patio pavers. Farmer behind our property was spraying his fields with something and the wind was really blowing. Wonder how far that spray blew. At least the wind was blowing away from us. A little something to ponder. Here’sContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 199 – The Wellington – Patio paver laying day 3, farmer spraying”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 198 – The Wellington – Patio paver laying day 2, septic permit Clifty Hill 3
Year 5, Day 198 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 11/14/2025 – The Wellington. Patio paver work day 2. Picked up septic permit for Clifty Hill 3. Made final decision on basic design home to be built. Some changes to the plan will be made. This will most likely be our last build. But you never know!!Continue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 198 – The Wellington – Patio paver laying day 2, septic permit Clifty Hill 3”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 197 – The Wellington – Back patio pavers started. Clifty Hill 3 site evaluation
Year 5, Day 197 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 11/13/2025 – The Wellington. Back patio pavers started. Two four foot deep site evaluation holes dug 100 feet apart in the back left lot. County Health Department came out and inspected the soil in the holes. We are approved for a standard septic system. This is theContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 197 – The Wellington – Back patio pavers started. Clifty Hill 3 site evaluation”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 196 – The Wellington – Straightening up the driveway
Year 5, Day 196 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 11/12/2025 – The Wellington. Straightening up the driveway with a little rolling and compacting. Mason sand delivered. A little something to ponder. Here’s a link to today’s Amazon recommendation: https://amzn.to/3N20oiO HP 14″ touchscreen laptop: Traveling with a 17 inch laptop had become a real drag. This thinContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 196 – The Wellington – Straightening up the driveway”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 195 – The Wellington – Dense pack added to driveway
Year 5, Day 195 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 11/11/2025 – The Wellington. Happy Veterans Day! It was a cold windy veterans day. We did manage to spread a layer of Dense Pack over the driveway. We are waiting for the mason sand to be delivered to continue work on the patio. Christmas shopping is alsoContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 195 – The Wellington – Dense pack added to driveway”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 194 – The Wellington – Cold, Trash compactor work
Year 5, Day 194 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 11/10/2025 – The Wellington. Snowy cold day. No work completed on house. Steve was not picked for jury duty today. So work can continue here tomorrow. He calls again on Thursday night. Trash compactor was jumping around and would not shut off. So this evening Dr SteveContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 194 – The Wellington – Cold, Trash compactor work”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 193 – The Wellington – The cold has arrived
Year 5, Day 193 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 11/09/2025 – The Wellington. How did it get so cold? 30 degrees at 3pm. They are saying snow tonight. Going down to 26 by Monday morning. Patio work is slowing down. Is it time for another cruise? A little something to ponder. Here’s a link to today’sContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 193 – The Wellington – The cold has arrived”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 192 – The Wellington – Mason sand ordered/Back patio & sidewalk dense pack rolled
Year 5, Day 192 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 11/08/2025 – The Wellington. Three yards of mason sand ordered and the Dense Pack rolled. Rolling pushes the rocks down nice and tight. Top soil was moved from the back yard pile to around the patio area. Later we will plant some bushes around in that areaContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 192 – The Wellington – Mason sand ordered/Back patio & sidewalk dense pack rolled”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 191 – The Wellington – Back patio and sidewalk ready for pavers
Year 5, Day 190 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 11/07/2025 – The Wellington. Back to work getting the back patio and sidewalk filled in and ready to lay pavers. 25 tons of Dense Pack was delivered. The Patio and sidewalk area is measured and lines are painted to mark the area. Four to eight inches ofContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 191 – The Wellington – Back patio and sidewalk ready for pavers”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 190 – The Wellington – Back home and surprise jury duty
Year 5, Day 190 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 11/06/2025 – The Wellington. We are home. It was an exhausting day. We were away 30 days. Today was laundry, errands, opening a lot of junk mail, and unpacking. Also, started holiday shopping. Tonight we are just hanging by the fire exhausted. No one made any foodContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 190 – The Wellington – Back home and surprise jury duty”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 189 – (Day 30 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a Transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ) – Day 15 of 14 night transatlantic cruise – Departed in Bayonne, NJ traveled home, Transatlantic Cruise and ship review
Year 5, Day 189 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 11/05/2025 – Day 30 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ. Day 15 of 14 night transatlantic cruise on Odyssey of the Seas – Departed Odyssey of the Seas in Bayonne, NJ in the morning.Continue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 189 – (Day 30 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a Transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ) – Day 15 of 14 night transatlantic cruise – Departed in Bayonne, NJ traveled home, Transatlantic Cruise and ship review”
Living the Dream Year 5 Day 188 – (Day 29 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a Transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ) – Day 14 of 14 night transatlantic cruise – At Sea day 6 of 6 traveling from Tenerife Canary Islands to Bayonne, NJ
Year 5, Day 188 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 11/04/2025 – Day 29 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ. Day 14 of 14 night transatlantic cruise on Odyssey of the Seas – At sea day 6 of 6 traveling from Tenerife, Canary IslandsContinue reading “Living the Dream Year 5 Day 188 – (Day 29 of 30 day trip to Rome, Italy with a Mediterranean cruise and a Transatlantic cruise back to Bayonne, NJ) – Day 14 of 14 night transatlantic cruise – At Sea day 6 of 6 traveling from Tenerife Canary Islands to Bayonne, NJ”