Windmills in the North Country

Actually - I'm not sure if it is truly the north country - but it's up near Newport, Middleville, etc. These windmills are all over the place and I'm of two minds about them now after this weekend. They are beautiful in a strange way, I've always been fascinated by them and wondered why people didn't like them. Well after being at R&L's this past weekend I better understand. They make a low whoosh whoosh sound that seems to go through your body. The camp is probably a mile or so as the crow flies from any of the windmills but I could still hear them, it was similar to a huge waterfall. I am not sure if I've ever mentioned it here but my mom swears I could hear a "mouse fart in a thunderstorm" and I could hear these. At one point when RB and I were far from the camp on the four wheelers - we shut them down, walked up a hill to a small clearing and I could see the blades spinning through the trees and hear the thrumming whoosh whoosh - I think if I had to live to close to them I would go mad.

They look deceptively small in the surrounding country.

This is as close as we could get without trespassing.

Some information about the windmills -
320 feet tall, about the same height as Big Ben in London or the same length as the football field at Giants Stadium. The blades are 131 feet long, and although they seem to be rotating at a lazy Sunday afternoon clip, they are so large that their tips are actually racing around at 138 miles per hour.
This amazes me - but if I were to do the math it would work out. I hope that in the end that they are worth it. 

"How to Take Down a Tree in 3 Easy Steps"

On Saturday RB and I headed to R&L's camp - actually it belongs to multiple family members but I can't keep it straight so in my book it's R&L's. Well we went up to do some four wheeling and drink some beer and have some fun! We did it all and then some. When RB and I got there R&L where behind the house filling up the trailer with wood - not just tossing it in either - L was stacking! So RB and I helped them finish up with that pile then we went and got the splitter and split up a tree and L and I loaded the trailer while RB and R ran the splitter. Nothing like hard work to make a cold beer taste really good. While we were working on that J showed up with a Skid Steer - yeah - I'm not quite sure what all it can do - but let me tell you that it makes short work of trees.

J left again - he had to get a Back Hoe - yeah they have big tools! LOL - so when he got back they discussed the tree they wanted down and started working on getting it down as quickly as possible. J is the one who said that they could get it down in "Three Easy Steps" hence the title of blog.

The "horny tree" - in it's glory.

First though - they had to remove all of the deer horns from the "horny tree" as J called it. R&L's little tractor was good for this - as RB removed all the horns by being in the bucket - (note** - this is the same tractor that RB drove while R&L and I sat in the bucket late at night up at RB's Camp - we were silly and it was a lot of fun!

RB in a bucket!

Digging up the roots of the "horny tree"

Skid Steer hooked up to the tree - roots dug out on the back side.  I'm backing up!!

Going Going...

Going Going... Gone in 1 more minute.

Big Tree - leaves Big Hole!

It's good it came down - if you look in the root ball you'll see an indentation - there was a huge boulder in the hole that would have made this very weak if a big storm hit it - and most likely it would have gone towards the camp.

Hook the tree up to the Skid Steer and start dragging it...

Couldn't use this for inside firewood - the creosote would have been incredible.

Dragging it into the woods.

Disappearing into the woods as R watches it.

Amazing to me that in about 8 minutes that tree was dragged into the woods and J was back with the skid steer.

Cleaning out the stump and other debris.

The end product - no tree - no stump -  no mess - and then we hit the trails on the 4 wheelers!

On Sunday we did more tree work -but the 'old fashioned' way, J cut them down with the chain saw and then into pieces. We, RB, R, L and I, then loaded it into the bucket of the tractor and then stacked it in a pile - it will have a year to dry out and become good wood for burning next year.

Four Months

How did the summer go by so fast?

We've been busy, RB and I, together and separately. He's been working on home improvements - I've been 'heppin' when I have been able to really help and not hinder. I've been baking and cooking, fruit smoothies and veggies are a staple now. Driving all over it feels like in the new Soul that has almost 10K miles on it already!

We went camping up at Stillwater over July 4th - it was wonderful - weather was perfect, fishing wasn't, water was cool and inviting, sun was hot. RB's friends joined us up at his camp one weekend with the tractor and we cleaned up, sorted out and all in all had a wonderful time getting the outside ship shape. I bought a kayak and have enjoyed that thoroughly! It's up at camp so I just head up there, pull it out of camp and put it in the creek and enjoy the day! RB's even joined me! We went up there again last weekend just to relax - I brought my bike up and rode, went for 3 kayak rides, had an awesome fire and enjoyed some wine and good times.

Work is going very well. Travelled a couple of times for them so far and this year I've been on 4 trips that required flying - and I have two more to go! Woo HOO!

I'm sitting in my living room right now, enjoying the peace and quiet. The sun is shining through the leaves into this room - the leaves are blowing in the wind so there is a dance of light and shadows happening in here. Beautiful and peaceful.

This was the sky last weekend up at camp but it was so peaceful wanted to add it to this blog. 

Too early

Well it was way too early to plant our seedlings - I knew it but also knew that there was so much going on coming up that it may be worth it. It wasn't...we will have to do it all over again on Memorial Day weekend.

Today was a glorious day. Bright blue skies, warm sunshine. Washed my car - finished up some chores at my house and RB's house. Drove to Fly Creek - wonderful day for a drive - thank goodness for better gas mileage.

Heading to California for a vacation - will put lots of pictures up and Georgie and Vera will once again be blogged about. In case you are wondering who they are - well you'll just have to wait and see who they are. They have both traveled quite extensively - Vera a bit more than Georgie - but they have stories!

Camping trip is planned too! And time up at camp on the Creek - woo hooo! I'm ready for summer! Cookouts, clams, fish, burgers, beer! Awesome stuff and always comes with good company.

Good May Morning

RB and I planted our seedlings in the garden yesterday, it's too early most likely but hopefully it will make it, worse comes to worse we'll grow more inside and start over. We planted cherry tomatoes, straight neck yellow squash, radishes, beats, Swiss Chard and peas! Looking forward to the fresh veggies! We've been working on two rooms in RB's house. Gutted to the studs - removed the ceiling - so open to the rafters. Awesome - RB is so smart when it comes to this stuff and he thinks about it very carefully before he goes nuts and just tears stuff out. And he's putting in a bathroom and laundry room on the second floor! It's a woman's dream for laundry! :)

I've already put close to 2500 miles on my Kia - I love that little car! It is fun and comfortable to drive and good on gas! My new job (3 months already!!) is wonderful. I'm learning so much and figuring out the whys and wherefores. It's been crazy busy but so much more fulfilling.

Today is cleaning and washing day....good stuff...Willy Wonka is on TV - have it blasting so I can clean and listen to it. Best movie! I'm talking about the original - not Johnny Depp's oddity.

One of my favorite parts! - Fizzy Lifting Drink...."I'm a bird!","I'm a plane!", "Ya gotta burp, it's the only way!!!"

"A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men!" - Willy Wonka

I'm a little distracted this morning - but wanted to check in. The Tour de Cure is in four weeks. I'm signed up for 40 miles - my knee is a little upset with me at this time, but hopefully it will feel better by then. I've only ridden inside so far - need to spend some time on the road soon.

A list...

So many things going on! It's a good thing, but it means that I'm a little scattered and a lot of thoughts.

• Heading to California for a visit with my best friend from high school. Disneyland and a bike ride are on the agenda as well as dinner with her and friends of hers that I've met before! Exciting!
• Possibly a second trip to California for a conference. THNC - Tribal Health NextGen Consortium. Could be a huge learning experience and I really hope that I can go. 
• Camping - of course - what would summer be without some trips to the north country and Stillwater Reservoir.
• Working with RB to get his second floor back in shape! LOL - it will take some work it's down to the studs and it's one big room that will hopefully be a bathroom and laundry room when it's done. Exciting! A blank slate!
• Bike riding! 6 weeks before the 40 mile Tour de Cure - and it's sad, but haven't been on my bike yet. Weather on the weekends and just plain not thinking about it when I should be.
• Work  - sorry it's on my mind! I've got a lot of data scrubbing to do - and I have to do it in an archaic system that is difficult at best.
• Bus Announcements! LOL - where I work they have bus announcements for the employees to get the news of what is going on - a person gets a chance to record the announcements for an entire week. Well - on my second day in orientation I said that I wanted to do it. And now I get my chance! 
• The garden! RB and I planted seeds on Saturday and had growth on Sunday! Holy cow! they are growing so fast - we planted a lot! and it's too cold to put it out yet - so it will be moved to pots and then to the ground in mid to late may! 
• And of course the most important thing is spending time with my RB! That's the best thing out there. The adventures and excitement - even in the mundane and messy stuff!

Just a few things that are going on!

Martha Anne's photostream

Martha Anne's photostream on Flickr.

Some pictures I've taken over time...just thought that I would share.

Oh Boy!

Well I did it. I have finally bought a new car - my Ford Focus wagon has done very well for me...it's 9 years old and has 120,000 miles on it and has been to Texas two times and Nebraska at least once. Not to mention all the camping trips, Left Turn/Right turn trips, the "lets find covered bridges" trips, the Quilt Shop Hops, so many memories, both good and bad but it has been a good car.

I was really pretty sure I was going to get a Fiesta - I test drove one - it was okay but I was happy with my Focus so I thought that it would be a good idea. But then I went to Driver's Village in Syracuse - it's a huge auto mall of many different dealerships. I had thought that I wanted to test drive a Nissan Cube and was pretty sure that the Kia Soul would be okay - but didn't really like the looks of it on the outside. We parked near the Kia area and walked over to the Rio's and some of the other cars and then the Souls were there too. Dylan (the salesman) came out and asked if we needed help  -I said yes! I test drove the Kia Soul + and the plain jane Soul - the biggest difference is a 2.0 Liter engine versus a 1.6 Liter on the basic Soul. The both drove great - the Soul + was just a little better. Then I wanted to check out the Nissan Cube - my friend Mel has had Nissan's for years and speaks highly of them - well the Cube is a sad statement. It was like a saltine box and drove loud and rough - no get up and go and not attractive inside at all.

So...I bought the Kia Soul +. It looks small but it has a lot of room inside - it's comfortable and everything works well for the driver. It has ECO Boost and people get mileage up to 40MPG - WOW! I got the Shadow color - and am excited! It's not silver! LOL I've had a silver car for years!

Stress and Surprise!

We are in crunch time at the office. Lots of work and it has to be done by Friday. And we have a lot to go. The good thing about it is that the day flies and I really love what I'm doing and it's awesome. I also had to fix some things for people and do some queries of our system and get reports out. I love every bit of it but I think that today was a little stressful - just for some background - last week was in the 80's - today it was in the 30's and very windy. And because of the wind and the pollen I didn't walk at lunch and that is my stress breaker. So on my way home - I have to admit that I just wanted to cry - (a crabby co-worker didn't help) it's all good - it happens - but after the rest of the day and no exercise I was at my wits end...

That all being said - I got home - after a quick stop to pick up a laptop - (that in itself is funny) I'm surrounded by laptops - 5 of them right now - 4 dells and my mac!  And when I got home I was on the phone with my mom, bouncing around - freezing - and came into the living room to turn on the heat and turned around to find a red rose, a pink rose and a yellow rose in a blue vase and a card underneath them. My RB had stopped by and left them, as he told me later, running in and out so fast that he didn't notice that it was freezing in here LOL! He didn't want to get caught in the act!

So I'm smiling now - loving my roses and card and feeling blessed. I'm incredibly thankful that my life is so full and wonderful, God is good.

To RB

Tomorrow is a milestone...2 years. I'm so very happy to have you in my life. Your heart is so big and you show me in so many ways how much you care. I know that you are in my corner when I'm fighting my demons and it gives me hope and faith. I remember the first time we met like it was just yesterday. I was so nervous, that you wouldn't like me...that I wouldn't like you - via email you were awesome - just so afraid of reality. But reality gave me a really nice love bite instead of what I expected. Wow - you were way more than I expected and it was wonderful. We've had a busy two years - time camping, traveling, exploring, visiting, holidays with your family, alone. I'm looking forward to so many more!
I love you RJB! From the tips of my toes!
And writing this post reminded me of another post I wrote to you about a year and a half ago...http://upstatenystuff.blogspot.com/2010/09/to-rb-story.html - It just made me tear up now - it still holds true and I am so very thankful.