Year 4 Day 65 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 7/04/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Happy 4th of July. We celebrated the 4th with hot sunny weather and family fun. We ate a lot!!

Played some games

and gave some house tours.

Marley gave me a pair of earrings she made with Kentucky Crinoids she found in the blueberry farm creek. I had never heard of crinoids before. How cool are these. Crinoids are known as sea lilies because they live on a stem and have a flower-like body. They are like starfish with a stem. They still exist but are uncommon in the oceans today. They were very abundant in the shallow tropical seas during the Paleozoic era. Throughout this time period Kentucky was covered in shallow tropical seas and crinoids covered the sea floor. The Paleozoic era lasted 289 million years and was 541 to 252 million years ago. Paleozoic means ancient life. During this time, plants and reptiles began moving from the seas to the land. The most common crinoid fossils are the individual button-like plates that made up the stem. Crinoid fossils can be found today in the Pennsylvanian rocks of Kentucky.

Most people ended their day with fireworks. We ended our day with a really really nice first shower in this house and looking at picture of Jenna and her family’s day.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

EUHOMY 12 Volt Refrigerator: https://amzn.to/4dIbdOW This is the best low wattage refrigerator. Keeps things really nice and cold without using a lot of our battery wattage. The size is really nice, it holds a lot. It is kind if difficult to get to items on the bottom. There are three compartments, and you do stack items in them. It is perfect for our needs, and I could see using this refrigerator in a traveling van, camping, or road tripping. It operates on AC or DC.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 64 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 7/03/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Tomorrow is shower time. The shower doors are up. We just have to wait for the grout sealer to dry. We cannot wait. NO MORE BATHS!! That tub and shower area cost about $2,000 for just material and we used inexpensive tile. This is why houses are so expensive.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

EUHOMY 12 Volt Refrigerator: https://amzn.to/4dIbdOW This is the best low wattage refrigerator. Keeps things really nice and cold without using a lot of our battery wattage. The size is really nice, it holds a lot. It is kind if difficult to get to items on the bottom. There are three compartments, and you do stack items in them. It is perfect for our needs, and I could see using this refrigerator in a traveling van, camping, or road tripping. It operates on AC or DC.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 63 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 7/02/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Shower tiling is complete in main bathroom.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

EUHOMY 12 Volt Refrigerator: https://amzn.to/4dIbdOW This is the best low wattage refrigerator. Keeps things really nice and cold without using a lot of our battery wattage. The size is really nice, it holds a lot. It is kind if difficult to get to items on the bottom. There are three compartments, and you do stack items in them. It is perfect for our needs, and I could see using this refrigerator in a traveling van, camping, or road tripping. It operates on AC or DC.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 62 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 7/01/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Today was split between putting up tile and putting up drywall.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

EUHOMY 12 Volt Refrigerator: https://amzn.to/4dIbdOW This is the best low wattage refrigerator. Keeps things really nice and cold without using a lot of our battery wattage. The size is really nice, it holds a lot. It is kind if difficult to get to items on the bottom. There are three compartments, and you do stack items in them. It is perfect for our needs, and I could see using this refrigerator in a traveling van, camping, or road tripping. It operates on AC or DC.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 61 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 6/30/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Last night was super hot and humid. We try to be considerate of the neighbors and don’t run the generator all night. So this morning I was up on the deck trying to cool off at 4am.

After that, it was mostly a workday. Although, we did have an early breakfast out and a crazy spoon laugh.

After breakfast we picked up the floor tile, and other items needed to get the hall bath completed.

Then rushed home to start working on that bathroom by 10am. The rest of the day was spent working on that bathroom.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 60 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 6/29/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – At the paint store this morning. The hall bathroom should be tiled and painted before July 4th.

The harder high dry wall has all been screwed up. It is feeling more and more like a home. I thought as the drywall went up it would feel smaller. It is actually the opposite. The house appears larger inside now.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 59 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 6/28/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – My breakfast consisted of some great sweet cherries. As I am eating these cherries I am thinking of my childhood. We had cherry trees on our property. Mary and I spent s lot of time picking and eating them. Of course you had to fight off the birds. What kind of food or event brings back great childhood memories. Everyone has those moments of reflections when they do something. Cherries just happen to be one of mine.

The upstairs is totally dry walled.

Yes, we are getting there. I spent some time looking at interior doors. We haven’t counted them up, but we think we need around twenty or so. We will be needing them soon. We are trying to decide on hollow core versus solid doors. Before we order all of them, we want to order one and see what they are really like. We have never put solid interior doors in a home before.

I also booked another cruise. Yikes – we have eight cruises booked now for a total of 77 nights at sea. Think we are a little obsessed? Hey those booked cruises are between October 2024 and April 2026. Main bathroom is primed.

Trying to help Steve eat better. LOL – he wouldn’t even touch this syrup.

It is another hot day.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 58 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 6/27/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Just another workday! The darker pictures are early in the morning before it got too hot. I ran up and took some pictures before they started work. I can’t even believe they can work up there in this heat.

In the afternoon they did come down to the main level and do some little areas that needed drywall. Steve also worked on spackling the bathroom – Shower coming soon.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 57 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 6/26/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Another insulating and drywall day.

My favorite place to visit every day is the ice machine. It is like going to the watering hole. It is very busy and social. I do go every day for at least one 23-pound bag of ice. That machine is so cool. I have never seen a machine like this. It dispenses 23-pound bags of ice for $3.00. The open bag comes down the metal shoot, you rip both sides of the bag at the end in the middle down towards the ice and then tie it closed. Or if you don’t want the bag, you can fill an ice chest at another spot. There is also a spot to get five gallons of filtered water for $1.00.

The house is starting to look like a home. It is amazing how the Wellington is starting to feel like a home. Putting a welcome doormat sends out warm welcoming vibes. Did you know the first welcome mats were made from straw and were used to clean people’s sandals and feet before entering someone home as early as 3000 BCE. The ancient civilization of Mesopotamia provides the first evidence of welcome mats in human history.

Some real exciting news is that Steve bought a pair of Brooks for his aching feet, and they are not white.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 556“Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 6/25/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – More insulation and drywall was hung. They can only work up high in the mornings. The afternoons are way too hot. The afternoon was spent wiring for the thermostat and doorbell.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 55 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 6/24/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Love my morning walks. They are a real stress releaser. Best thing to start your day is coffee and a walk. Of course, walking with a friend always helps. It is amazing how good you feel after an hour of walking. Today was even better. After our walk we headed to visit a local artisan basket weaver “MzLuBaskets”. We drove about twenty minutes to a gorgeous upscale community. In the lower level of this home, we find our local artisan. This woman started making baskets over thirty years ago on a rainy day in Florida. She even showed us her basket and the one her daughter made that rainy day Her work/instructional area has a lovely, serene view of lots and lots of green green Kentucky grass. Here in her home, she designs and makes baskets. She also does small classes for making baskets. I am not a basket lover, but I was thinking about Christmas gifts for others. Therefore, I was not expecting to be blown away by her products. They are awesome. The craftsmanship and designs of these baskets are incredible. I wanted one of everyone that she had. She even had a book of ones she could make Okay, I ordered a few and contained myself. If you are looking for a unique one-of-a-kind basket, I would not hesitate to contact her through text or email. MzLuBaskets – 502-303-6688 – lou.burress@gmail.com. In fact I am going to order more.

Then it was back home to Justin and Steve insulating and drywalling. They are on to the high ceiling area.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 54 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 6/23/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – It was a breakfast out morning and our bill was $22.22. Interesting!!!

Then it was a slower workday of tightening up the balcony, setting up outside cameras, and working on the hall bath. We really want to take a shower. Have I mentioned I really don’t like baths. Come on shower.

We did take some time to enjoy just hanging out on the balcony watching the many different birds. Although even while relaxing Steve had to walk around and look around at all the insulation and drywall that still needs to be hung,

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 53 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 6/22/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Kitchen and dining area insulation and dry wall completed.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon basics fan: https://amzn.to/3ST05XB We use two of these fans at nighttime by our bed. They are quiet, only use 18 watts each, and provide a nice cool breeze.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 52 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 6/21/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Kitchen and dining area insulation and dry wall workday. Lots of wiring, boxes, and recessed lighting to cut out. It is a hot hot day.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 51 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 6/20/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – The hallway, laundry area, and kitchen pantry were insulated and drywalled. Tomorrow it is on to the kitchen dining area. Steve is still working on installing a temporary bedroom door. We really need to keep the air conditioning in that room.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 50 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 6/19/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Good Morning, Last night was hot here. Steve only ran the generator and window air conditioner till 9pm. I couldn’t sleep in that corner bedroom, so I took the cushions from the couch and slept on the balcony most of the night. Yup there are mosquitoes. Bites on my legs today, but it was cool. Steve slept in the bedroom. Tonight, we are running the generator and air conditioner most of the night. Let’s see what happens. Went to walk at Rocky Hollow Recreational Center and they were closed for the holiday. It was a good day to go for a walk in the park. What a lovely park, but the hills will kill you. Especially someone like me with a bad hip.

Every day after walking before heading home, I pick up 23 pounds of ice. There is always a line at this machine. It is $3.00 for 23 pounds.

Justin came by and we now have two bedrooms insulated and drywalled. We are getting there.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 49 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 6/18/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – It is a glorious morning. We are well rested and cooled off. Last night we stayed in the Hampton Inn and never spoke to an employee. Pretty soon there will be no front desk employees. We used the electronic key through the Hilton app to enter the hotel through the side entrance. Then we used that same key to enter our room. In the morning, we had the buffet breakfast and then left using the side entrance and checked out through the Hilton app.

The corner bedroom in the Wellington is mostly drywalled. We now have air conditioning, and it runs off the small generator. How sweet is that. Tomorrow a door goes up. For now, a moving blanket covered with a piece of clear plastic works great.

We are cool!!!! It is 94.1 Fahrenheit in the living room and 83.8 Fahrenheit in our new bedroom. It feels so nice. A battery will run this air conditioner for two hours.

Our new refrigerator arrived. We plan on keeping that upstairs in the kitchen for easy access.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 48 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 6/17/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – We survived the night, but barely. Steve said he almost bagged it in the middle of the night. Then it cooled off a little. At least it got into the 80’s in the house during the night. Plans are constantly changing. Today, we emptied out the corner bedroom we are currently sleeping in and insulated the ceiling and the two outside walls. We then started Sheetrocking the ceiling. Hopefully tomorrow we will finish Sheetrocking that room and hang a door. Then we can put the small air conditioner we used in the cabin in one of the windows.

We do keep plenty of ice and water in those coolers.

For tonight we decided to head to the Hampton Inn. It is hard with the house being 95 all day and then looking at the Williamsburg next door and knowing they are cool. Also, Steve’s hands are cramped up from working in the heat. Going to get some Gatorade and head into air-conditioning. It is too too hot. My hair is a frizzy mess and any makeup I put on has sweated off Hey, but it had dropped to almost 93 this evening.

It is nice and comfy cool at the hotel, but we are going to really sweat tomorrow.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 47 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 6/16/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Happy Father’s Day to Steve, Manuel, Justin, Jamie, and all the other great fathers in my life. You guys all know how important you are to me. Steve Father’s Day was spent driving. We left Pennsylvania at 4:30am and got in our house at 5pm. Long day for him to be stuck in the car with me. The house is super super hot this evening. Can we survive the night?

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 46 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 6/15/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Busy day in Pennsylvania. Flag football in the morning and then two dance recitals in the afternoon/evening. This was my first experience with watching a flag football game. It was pretty cool, and Joshua loves it. He kept telling me he is the quarterback. Why does everyone want to be the quarterback?

https://videopress.com/v/ZENNoRQU?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Then onto a double recital to watch Julianna perform. Awesome recitals with the best choreography I have seen. I love this studio and how they showcase their students. There is no favoritism, and they create great group dancers. When you watch the group dance, they are like watching the Rockets. Precision and uniformity all the way with Studios on Main. It was an awesome experience. Julianna loves dancing and this year she has developed real confidence in her abilities. It was an exhausting day for all. Well, mostly for Julianna. She was on the stage dancing 18 different times today.

Oh, I forgot we had Connect Four challenges with Jacob in the evening. Yup, he is the thinker. I did beat him one time. Haha Steve did not. Everyone laughed because I had never played Connect Four before.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 45 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 6/14/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Checking heights. I am still not the shortest lol. But for how much longer??? These kids can’t wait to be taller than me.

Love this picture!

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Watt meter plug in energy monitor: https://amzn.to/4fYPILU This is coming in really handy right now. It is amazing how much power different things use. It’s not like you think at all. The difference between LED lights and regular bulbs is astronomical. LED bulbs use like 75% less energy and they are brighter.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 44 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 6/13/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – June 7th was National Daniel Boone Day. On that day in 1769, pioneer Daniel Boone took his first step into Kentucky and uttered the famous phrase, “Heaven must be a Kentucky kind of place”. In 1775 he was hired to cut a road from present-day Tennessee, through the Cumberland Gap, to the Kentucky River—what came to be known as the Wilderness Road. Boone served as a militia officer during the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), which was fought in Kentucky primarily between American settlers and British-allied Indians. So Happy Belated National Damiel Boon Day to all. Ha, we would not be in Kentucky if it was not for him. I blame Boone!!! Hot showers are nice even in a hotel. Baths are not my thing and for the last 2 weeks it has been baths only. Today’s shower was awesome to say the least. Sure, signs you are in Pennsylvania – Never ending miles of traffic backups and road construction walls.

Then smiling family faces when you reach your destination. We spent lots of time playing games. It was fun, fun, fun.

We even made a cardboard box oven, and it worked.

We are here for Julianna’s dance recital. She had dress rehearsal tonight. When she came home, it was ice cream time with lots and lots of whip cream.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 43 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 6/12/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – On the road again. Goin’ places that I love to go. Seein’ things that I may never see again. Oh how I love being on the road again.

Driving with time on your hands your mind wanders and you have time to think. These thoughts may be good or bad. So, today’s thoughts are about roadside liter. How much roadside litter do you think is attributed to garbage flying out of dumpster trucks. I think a lot. We always see trucks with garbage flying out.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 42 “Living the Dream”. Tuesday, 6/11/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Look we have a completed balcony. Only thing left is to add more carriage bolts. Since it is up thirteen feet, Steve is adding extra supports and bolts. It is so nice to sit outside without worrying Steve that I am going to walk off the edge.

Besides the completion of the deck the garage door aluminum trim was bent and nailed up. We had to borrow Justin’s brake. Steve sold his or as he says practically gave it away before we moved. At least we didn’t buy another one. Some of you may not know what an aluminum brake is. It is a tool used for bending custom metal flashing and decorative trim. Most every contractor and roofer have one. It is a large clamp with a moving hinge. They cost on average of $2,000. See why I am happy not to buy another one. We are retired – lol! Here’s a little bit of trivia for you. The term “brake,” as used in the metal brake used here comes from the middle English verb breken. Breken means to bend or change direction. 

Look at what a difference that nice white aluminum trim makes. Beautiful isn’t it?

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 41 “Living the Dream”. Monday, 6/10/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – The balcony is looking fantastic. It is huge and thirteen feet up.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 40 “Living the Dream”. Sunday, 6/09/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Sunday has turned into a late start breakfast out day. Then home to do more work on the house. Today it is a work on balcony railing Sunday.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 39 “Living the Dream”. Saturday, 6/08/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – We are adjusting to living at an off-grid construction site. Things are coming together, and life is good.

The dryer is vented and running off the large generator.

We have a little relaxation area. The couch is kept covered by moving blankets most of the time due to the extreme amount of dirt in the air from construction work.

We also have a low wattage fan we run at night by the side of the bed. But, yes, it is still pretty hot.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 38 “Living the Dream”. Friday, 6/07/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – It’s now been a week of being off grid while working twenty-four seven on completing this house. Living this way has saved $1,000 off of the vrbo price. The only utility bill here is a water bill as we do have city water. Our power is supplied by six batteries, an inverter, and a quiet generator. We run the quiet generator every three to four days to charge our batteries and also when we use our double burner hot plate and run our washing machine. We haven’t started using the dryer yet. The Keurig coffee maker, internet, and TV we run off the batteries.

We run the larger generator on propane for about twenty minutes once a day to heat up our water to bath and do dishes. It costs about $1.00 a day to have hot water. Our largest bill is our cell phones and the internet. The worse part of this experience is no shower, no heat, and no air conditioning. It is hot!!! Sleeping at night is the worse. There is no sheetrock or insulation in the corner bedroom. The temperature outside is the temperature inside also.

We are on the constant search for things that use low wattage. When we need light by the table, we plug a led desk lamp into an extension cord that comes from the inverter.

The deck railing has been started.

Steve is constantly worried that I am going to walk off the balcony while cooking on the gas grill.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Amazon Basics Electric Kettle: https://amzn.to/3X67kOw This glass tea kettle is wonderful; I like that you can see into it for easy cleaning.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 37 “Living the Dream”. Thursday, 6/06/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Hall bathroom drywalled. Pretty soon the tile will be going up. We are trying to get it where we can shower in this bathroom soon.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Brooks Ghost Max: https://amzn.to/3M9BQ3H Oh my are these Brooks sneakers so comfortable for walking all day long. This is my first pair. They are a little bit pricier than my normal sneakers, but a hurting leg pushed me over into buying them. Hey, it doesn’t hurt that they are nice looking also.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count

Year 4 Day 36 “Living the Dream”. Wednesday, 6/05/2024. Clifty Hill 2 – Insulation was delivered. Walls will be closed up soon. It is like this house is a living thing. It needs food to grow and survive. We constantly are putting things into the belly of it, and they slowly get digested into the body. Are we next? Keep feeding it I say.

Things to ponder today! Have to leave you thinking.

Brooks Ghost Max: https://amzn.to/3M9BQ3H Oh my are these Brooks sneakers so comfortable for walking all day long. This is my first pair. They are a little bit pricier than my normal sneakers, but a hurting leg pushed me over into buying them. Hey, it doesn’t hurt that they are nice looking also.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #CommissionsEarned

To view the complete daily diary, click here – This starts at Year 1 Day 1: Living the Dream – Deestimes – Make every step of the journey count