Mid-winter Vacation

My friends have been in Belize for ten days and I have been vacationing on their little farm. It has been a rustic vacation experience. Staying here in the winter reminds me why I live in a second floor walk-up and do not use the fireplace provided. I am blessed with a very low utility bill in the winter. I am very happy to heat the apartment up to 68 degrees. My bill is rarely over $40 and the electricity is under $20 in the winter. Meanwhile, here there is a wood stove that must be fed to get the house above 50 degrees.
  So for the past ten days I have hauled wood in and ashes out, burned fingers and  singed the hair on the back of my hands. My frontier excitement the first day reminded me of a TV Show in the 1970's: The Adventures of the Wilderness Family. I got here in my white blouse and started the fire without an ash on my sleeve. Ten days later, I have ashes all over me and my sweater; well, it isn't white. How did that woman keep her blouse white through that entire program.
  I've enjoyed my little friends, but I'm ready to go back to the Nest Sweet Nest.

Reba the three legged wonder dog

Mel the 20 pound purr-baby

In Other Places

The Buick was retired 

Cash for Clunkers is alive and well in California. The BAR gave me a sizable check for the Buick. As long as the engine turns over, they don't care if the rest of the car is not working.

Grandchildren, Ellie, Emelia and Judah on top

Ellie and Judah

The grandkids had a late Christmas adventure last week. Ellie is now 13 months old and walking like a champ. Judah at 5 months old is doing all the five month old stuff. Emelia is mostly being a princess.

Little Elsa from Frozen II

Emelia got to see Frozen II at the theater just before Christmas and is very much in an Elsa mode. She lets her Mama do her hair in exchange for playing with Mama's amazing long locks.

I get to go see them in February. I have a week off from school for All The Presidents. My Grammie Bag is packed and I can't wait to see my little Princesses.