Mountain Lane Homesteaders

What an encouraging bunch you all are! Not only did I get to hole up in my den and hibernate for a day, I also got to be reminded again of what great friends I have found here. Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your thoughtful comments!

Since hibernating really only works if you are indeed a bear, I did venture out yesterday and made it to that eye appointment. Which is better...1 or 2? How about now.....3 or 4? Tell me when you start to see double.....WHEW! After an hour of this it was proclaimed that I have very healthy eyes (seemingly apart from the fact that without correction even the big E is fuzzy) and am still a few years away from the bifocal experience. Eye pressure is excellent and no capillaries are threatening my cornea. It's been a while since I've received a report card but I think I got an A! Anyway, my trial contacts are on order and will be in next week. HURRAY!!!!

As for an update on our homestead......I'm not entirely sure just what to tell you about our future flushing capabilities. We were "3 feet from oil" so to speak when the snow came. Our septic system has been officially approved by the sanitarian but we still have to cover everything over and install an electric pump in the tank by the cabin. We have asked a friend to help us with the electrical side of things so hopefully that will be taking place soon. Right now, keeping warm and getting ready for Christmas are the top priorities!

Last night we installed a new wood stove. It is exactly like the one you saw in my pictures when I showed the inside of the cabin except that it has no cracks or warping and so we can actually close the front and get it to hold heat now for longer than 2 1/2 hours. We purchased the new to us stove from some friends a couple of weeks ago and spent some time getting it sanded down and repainted. Last night was the first opportunity we had time to switch the stoves so after dinner we stopped feeding the fire and let it begin to die down. As the kids headed up to the loft for the night we began the process of scooping out the coals, disconnecting old pipes, pulling out the old stove, assembling 3 new stovepipes and getting them connected, and getting the new stove in place. I think it was about a 4 hour process during which time it became somewhat CHILLY inside. I actually ended up crawling into bed under the down comforter with my fuzzy jammie pants on, warm socks, my sweater, and my coat while Sam built the first fire. I was beginning to drift off a bit when the smoke detector above my head started to loudly announce it's displeasure at the peculiar smell wafting from the stove. Luckily we had read the part on the paint can about the odor that would be produced the first time it was heated up. So, while we were unconcerned and set about opening up the windows (brrrrrr), the smoke alarm continued to complain until Sam finally had enough and disconnected it entirely! Now we'll have to add "reconnect smoke alarm" to our list of activities. Wouldn't do to become bored now would it?!! Anyway, the stove is all in and has been running like a champ. It's much quieter now that it's all sealed up and air isn't rushing through from different directions. It was also still FULL of heat this morning so there will be longer sleep cycles taking place around here and I will also be able to go Christmas shopping without having to be back in 3 hours to load the fire. These are very good things!

Let me leave you today with this picture I took from the front of the cabin on hibernation day. I posted a similar view earlier taken in May.  Looks a little different today!