• For the past few years I have been planning my move to the mountains. I have been saying that in 3 years, in 2 years and now next year I will be selling my house and building a new one in the mountains. Next year will come sooner than I think so I have put together a list of things that need to be done before I try to sell my house. The kitchen counter will need to be replaced because one time when my #1 son was at home ill he moved my grow lamp out of his way. When he did this he put it bulb side down and burned a perfect round hole in the counter. I could not get mad the kid was very sick I was just glad the house did not catch fire. I have to replace one of the inside doors. One day when I was not at home my #2 son started bugging my #3 son and a fight ensued, they have my fiery Irish blood, #2 son ran into my room and #3 son hit it with his fist the fight ended right there and then but the hole remains. There are other little reminders of the kids like the piece of door trim that marks the kid’s height as they grew, that will be removed and come with me. I long ago got rid of the “bath tub” ring that seemed to form along the stair walls and doors but the walls will still need to be painted and just about every light switch plate will need to be replaced. The switches themselves will need to be cleaned with a tooth brush. There are a lot of little things that need to be done, a piece of trim replaced here updating a light fixture there. Any little thing I can get out of the way now will help reduce the stress when the big things get done next year.

• I have one attribute that I am happy with. I like learning new things and I’m willing to try anything as long as it does not cause harm to others or their property. I’m not always successful but what the hell I’m game I’ll give it a go. Well I am learning how to back a trailer and it aint easy. I know that the folks in the office down at the club house must be shaking their heads as I pull my trailer forward and then back it up again trying to remember that I must turn the wheel right to turn the trailer left. I am trying to figure out if it is it easier to look at the side view mirrors or should I use the rear view mirror.?Do I put my hands at the top of the steering wheel or should I try placing them at the bottom? I have done research on how to back a trailer. I have had people explain the mechanics and I understand what has to be done but it is not a natural action for me. It took me a while to learn how to use a rudder on a sail boat even though I knew what had to be done it was hard to do it. I will get this trailer backing down; today I was able to back it in, two days ago I had to disconnect it and push the trailer in by hand. I have 25 bags of leaves to take to the maintenance yard tomorrow and I will be backing this trailer in one way or the other.

Yesterday was a good day on the Outer Banks. I spent the first half sleeping (I worked the night before) and had planned on spending the second half getting all the indoor stuff done thus freeing up today. When I got up yesterday afternoon it was just too good a day to stay inside. My #1 son came over and took the girl dog for a run so I decided to take the boy dog for a walk on the beach. It was a bit busier on the beach than I thought it would be so the boy had to stay on the leash but he still had a good time. I will say it’s hard to snap pictures while holding a leash.

I saw this this morning an thought it was great I could see my mother doing this; Wii game console bowling over U.S. retirees - Yahoo! News

It’s been a week since I took possession of my Jeep and what have I done with it except to go back and forth to work and run errands? Nothing. Last week I asked my #1 son to go with me to the beach, he said it was too cold for him and suggested I wait until “it was worth it”. I have tried hard to raise my kids to be reasonable, to think before they acted but damn it I wanted to take my jeep on the beach! I did not care that it was cloudy and windy last weekend but the #1 son just kept pointing out why it was not a good time to go. I guess what convinced me was when he reminded me that if I took the Jeep on the beach I would have to clean it. Humph….. I hate it when the kids are right.

If all goes well this weekend the boys and I will be off to the beach in south Nags Head this coming Sunday. Remember you need a permit to drive on Nags Head Beaches.

It’s a great day here on the Outer Banks. I have had some of the windows and doors open. I have taken all the plants outside and placed them in a sheltered warm place, soon I will be able to put them in their more permanent summer places. I love this time of year.

In 1915 my grandparents boarded a ship and came to the US with their 4 children, leaving Ireland behind. I am an American but I salute my Irish roots.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

· Well it’s hard to believe how fast time is passing. I have been told that as one grows older time passes faster. I have asked my sons about this. My youngest son just says “go to school every day, time will slow down” my oldest says “get a Monday to Friday job, the week will take forever and the weekend will fly by”. Most kids I talk to that are dependant on others to get where they want to go say some times time is so slow that an hour can seem like a day. When I talk to older folks I have found that for them it really depends on how mobile they are. Those that are dependent on others say the day goes by very slowly. They look forward to meals on wheels and the occasional visit from any one, the Avon lady, the home health nurse a family member even a visit to the doctor becomes something to look forward to. Older folks who are blessed with good health a close family and/or wheels will say that time seems to fly. So it seems that if a person is able to come and go as they please, has relatively good health and some type of activity they like time should seem to pass quickly.

· I have had my jeep since Wednesday afternoon and I will say I like it. There was no doubt that I would. The jeep is one of those things that will be fun and useful especially when I get to the mountains. I had a tow hitch put on so it will be able to work and it’s a Wrangler so it will be fun. Riding on the beach or the back woods and fields in the mountains will be fun. Of course I was raised Catholic so there is a big cloud of guilt over my Jeep (I love the sound of that “my Jeep”) it only gets 15 to 20 miles to the gallon and I have not had a vehicle that was not fuel efficient since I had the Delta 88 in 1978. I’ll have to come up with some way to “make up for it”. Switch to energy efficient light bulbs, recycle, and use less non-recycled products. Just be more conservative in other ways. Yea that’s it I’ll do penitence.

I have also learned a few things that should have been obvious: when riding in a Jeep with the windows down and if you have long hair don’t forget your hair tie or your comb. The wind blown look is not pretty. There is no trunk so you can’t put as much stuff in the back. That’s it I can live with those disadvantages.

I have not been able to get out on the beach yet. I had hoped to go out today but the weather may not cooperate. I would like my oldest to go with me. I have not driven on the beach in awhile and I think it would be wise to go with an “expert” the first time.

· I was skimming through the news on Yahoo, it’s the same-ol same-ol but I did find this one interesting article: Droid R2-D2 to collect mail - Yahoo! News

Well I did it. For years I’ve wanted to. It’s been my mid-life crises dream but I could never “justify” it, but last Friday I did it. I bought a Jeep. My #2 son crashed into my Focus last month then the brakes had to be replaced and I have this feeling that it won’t be long before the clutch needs replacing and besides I was going to buy a Jeep next year anyway, and it will be soooo much more fun going to the mountains in a jeep and I do live at the beach and if you live a the beach you should reeeeally have a 4 wheel drive vehicle…………….

Photos when I take possession of the thing, it’s at the dealership waiting on its tow package.

I cant believe I did this........

It’s hard to believe how coooooool it is outside. As you see from these photos it is a bright day but the wind is kickin out of the northeast at a good clip. The surf report says that the surf Nazis to wear at least 5mm gloves and booties, after all the water temperature is in the 40s and so is the air. Personally I would not even think of entering that water but then I’m not young any more and I don’t surf. My #2 son and a few of his friends are on their way to Florida surf boards in tow. The boys of summer are looking forward to the “waves and babes”. I hope they have a good time but I pray they stay out of trouble.

Spring has sprung among the chickweed in my pots

The calm after the storm.

This morning started out with torrential rain and wind. The girl dog would not go out until I got the umbrella and went with her. The weather has changed much since this morning we are looking at 70 degree temps and clearing skies. Nice day to be outside!! See Ya!