KLIFFSTONE'S !WAY IN THE BACK! OUTBACK

Pic of Property - The top hill in the distance is one of the edges of the property.

PLEASE DOUBLE CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE

 It's been quite the journey. Where to start. First of all, the drive to Florida was long and exhausting. Driving was slow with trailers. The second day on road, we had to replace a tire, as it wore on one side. We pulled of the interstate for gas and next to them was a tire shop. I decided to put two new tires on the trailer, as the other one would be a different size. The drive on Interstate 10 went smoothly. At about 1:00 in the morning, we pulled into some hotel in northern Florida and were back on the road at 6:00 a.m. We missed our slot for vehicle drop off, so we stayed next to beach in Pompano. Aspen swam in the ocean, but we were too tired to be interested in the warm beach and swimming.

Tatiana and Todd slept. After catching up on sleep, we caught up with family, who were nice enough to go out of their way to meet up with us. What a nice thing to have such a great family.

A few days later we delivered the vehicles to the docs in Fort Lauderdale. We were the first to get to the docks, as we wanted to make sure to get everything done. As they presented me a bill for 2 times agreed upon amount, I pulled out my computer and showed prearranged agreement I made a month earlier. They backed off and reduced the bill by half. So much of life is negotiation and paying attention to details.

A few days later, we got up early again and were at the airport by 5:30 am. Tatiana dropped Aspen, dogs and me at departures and she dropped off vehicles. We then got assistance to cart all of our luggage and dogs in crates to check in. All paperwork was deemed in order, including removal of dogs from crates, with both inspected.

When we boarded the final plane, for Belize, Tatiana said, "I wonder how the dogs are doing." Right then we heard both of them barking, underneath the plane. The people on the plane got a good chuckle from that coincidence.

We landed in Belize on our anniversary, the 7th of October.

We were told that our things would arrive, at the Belize City docks in a week, so we rented a car, switched out our sim card, on the phone and headed out to the beach, at Placencia. The guy we already know down there, Stefano, rented us his place on the beach, as Maya Lodge was already rented. While there, we were told that the following Monday was a holiday. In Belize things will get done when they get done. Go ahead and create a schedule, but don't get attached to it.

While in Placencia, we had our first interview with Angel, at the resort, where he was working.

After a week,relaxing on the beach, went to Belize city to rent a room, in hopes of picking everything up the next day or two. Well, no one would rent to us, as we had dogs. So plans changed again, and we went to the rental in Cayo. The next day I called our broker and of course they wanted me to condense my highly detailed manifest. We were then told to come into Belize City, to take care of everything; that we would get the vehicles and trailers today or the next day. So off we went in the rental car. At the brokers office, the two people we were dealing with were very friendly and working to be quite helpful. But both had differing ideas as to how to put the manifest together. I eventually became confused. However, I believe, at this point, Tatiana had a much better grasp on things. They then said check back with them later in day for status report. First report, not today. Second report, most likely not Friday either. So we did drop off the rental car and got a taxi to go to the bus terminal (not a good place to walk to). We then asked around and found the correct bus to get us back home. About 3 hours later, we got off the bus and walked to the rental, a mile and half in. Nice walk. Then we just had to wait out the weekend and hope we wouldn't get nailed for too high a fee at customs.

On Saturday, we had the second interview with Angel, who currently manages the gardens for one of Francis Ford Coppala's resorts. Second meeting went well and we made an agreement. He is to start working Dec 3, 2012, as our caretaker of the property. We also purchased our insurance for the vehicles, during the week, so we could put the tags on, as soon as we left the port.  Monday, we got up at 6 am and to the the bus stop by 7 am.; heading back to Belize City. I believe this was the third time. We got to the broker's office and we are told there is a problem with the paperwork, but "Oh, no, not to worry" We were worried. They said, "We should be able to get everything together by early afternoon." We will call you. So we walked to downtown, ate lunch and got a few things, at Brody's, for the kitchen. We then called, "Everything is ready".

"We will be right there."  At first, we thought we had to go to the docks alone, with our paperwork. Then it was cleared up, that someone from the office will meet us there and take care of everything. Meaning take care of us; as we were somewhat clueless, as to what was going on. With the cars already cleared, we had to hook the trailers up and go to another customs office. The officer had us open both trailers, asked the value of everything and he left with our guy. Our guy then came back and apprised us of our fees and we went out of the docks area to customs payables. Paid the bill and went back to the docks. We then drove to the exit gate and had one more quick inspection. We were then free to leave. Got gas and we were on our way to Cayo. The next day, we went through trailers, to get what we needed, for the rental. Then we went to San Ignacio and got the trailers and vehicles registered.

Yesterday, we met with the builders, went to the property and realised immediately it was in need of chopping. On the way home, I pulled off to the side of the road and asked a guy, if his 2 guys could machet the property in the next day or two. That is what I am waiting on. Their phone call. Nothing yet. If I don't get a call today, I will head out there around 7 am and look for help. (Never did get the phone call.)  

That's it for now.  

We just got limited Internet.

Good for reading and email.

  November 5, 2012  Yesterday, we finished modifications to the driveway. Made it less steep, with a wide sweeping curve. We dug three pits; one for trash and and other various things. We also, had a small parking area put in, cleared another spot for the caretaker house and cleared a large area for gardening. We also, cleared a spot to build a Palapa. The old cleared spot for caretaker house will remain open for possibilities like, building a bronze foundry. This morning, Langley, the operator of the excavator, managed to crawl up the steep hill, above the building site, and clear all brush, rock and trees too close to future house.

On Wednesday, we start pouring concrete for the house posts, about 56 of them. It will take about a week, for concrete work.

Might finally get a P.O. Box Friday or Monday.

Last week, we finished paperwork with the Belize Govt and got passports stamped. Yes, it's already been a month since our arrival in Belize. All paperwork got finished. It only took 2 trips to Belmopan.  Tomorrow, is our day off. We may go to Benque, at the Guatemalan/Belize border, to look at blankets; as winter is near. It is a bit cool at night. Sometimes we even turn off the fan or partially close the window.

While hauling loads of road material (white mal) out of a small quarry, one of our friends asked if the crew could deliver 4 truck loads to 7 Miles town, for the foundation for their church. They said they could pay us next week, so I pondered for a few minutes and then offered to pay for the loads, as a donation to the church. It was much appreciated. Tatiana and I felt fortunate to help.

  Both roads, going into Pine Ridge were graded 2/3s of the way. Now, instead of going 5 to 10 miles per hour, we can go up to 30. They may not grade the roads for another 1 to 3 years, so we will focus on the Nice 'Nowness' of the roads.  Aspens home schooling is going better. Adjustments are hard on all family.

Aspen does not get to get out much, only on weekends. But she did start horse riding lessons on Saturday. The lady, Margery, did go to over 40 horse shows a year, competing at a professional level and is strict, so we think she will be a good teacher.   

There is a lot of driving around, from one task to another; leaving us still tired. Won't really start to feel rested until we are in our own home. Probably Jan/Feb.

This is a pic of the original road, put in about 20 months ago. The other pic is the excavator used in changing the end of the road and also we dumped 12 loads of white mahl on new section.

November 7, 2012

Today, we re-survayed two lines on property that related to the primary building site and the top of a 350 foot hill. Yes, the hill is on the property and yes all building activity is on the property. Tatiana and I also walked one of the shorter lines to find end marker. We did not find the marker, but got close, as Julio said our marker is right past the creek. We did find the creek. Nice to have a creek also. The walk to the end of this short line took about 40 minutes. As it was a steep hill, I decided to machet through the bush to where I remembered a road, some six years back. After a bit of chopping we did find the road and popped out right where it ends. Good thing my sense of direction is coming back to me. With the hills, large trees and well jungle in general, it seems like a large piece of property! Oh, we also, found another one of our caves today. Neat! It's right behind our new parking lot.

Tatiana called Russia from the house site today. So, we will have reception at the house. We were to meet the concrete guy today, but he forgot to show up. Well, maybe tomorrow. The dogs got lots of running in today and are now past out. But the party was good for them. We only lost track of them once. After work, we went into Pine Ridge, up to the, I believe Frio on Pools.

There it is picturesque waterfalls, and multiple pools to swim in. WE DID! And so did one of our dogs, the Shepherd said, he would pass; still doesn't like water. Afterwards, we baked ourselves on the smooth granite outcroppings, by the pools.

We then went to Blancanaux Resort (sp) and had great fryjacks, tea and Guatemalan coffee.

We then went back to property and still no concrete guy. So we took time to take pictures and set the primary marker line for the house. In other words, we just spent another hour dinking around.

That's it for now.

November 8, 2012

Another interesting day in Belize. To start with, the weather was perfect. Not too hot. Not too cold.

We went to town, while Aspen stayed home with the dogs, doing her schoolwork. We are all getting the chance to learn Algebra all over again. Ie + - = -, – -=+

In the morning, I talked to Noah, our landlord, about finding a good electrical guy for cars. On our way to the electrical guys shop, we got distracted and pulled over, next to the river, and got our cars washed. While waiting, we went on a walk and found a starving dog, with ribs protruding. We then walked across the street and got a bag of scraps from a butcher, who just happened to be across the street. We then dropped food off for the dog and picked up our cars. Now hungry, we went to one of our favourite places to eat, Hanna's. After lunch, we finally went in search of the road to Bullet Tree. We found the road. We then looked for a Chinese grocery store. We found several. I guessed and picked one and turned left. Then looked for a driveway with a cattle guard. (As that was the description for his shop, as there are no addresses here and he had no sign.) Found cattle guard right away and had the man test drive the vehicle. On the drive, I explained, how I thought the problem with the transmission, when shifting, was electrical. He then said, “It's not electrical.” What you need to do is go to another guy, who fixes transmissions, to take a look. “O.K.” I said. “And by the way, I know you are busy... but could you try to fix the window on my truck. I think the hinging is loose on one side.” “Come back at 4:00.” “O.K."

We then went to The Other guy, who only fixes transmissions. He drove the vehicle and said, “The transmission is fine. The problem here is electrical.” I said, “O.K.” He ran a test on the vehicle and sure enough the throttle sensor was malfunctioning; affecting the shifting, sudden surges in acceleration and overall power of vehicle. I then helped him replace the part. Which, by the grace of God, he had laying around on a pile of stuff, in the back. Two hours later, it was fixed, along with the headlight that was out. We paid him. Thanked him tremendously, as at least 6 mechanics prior, could not solve this problem, over a period of 10 years. We then went back to the electrician to fix Todd's window on truck.

To sum up. The transmission guy fixed the electrical problem and the electrician guy fixed the mechanical problem. But everything got fixed, while we waited. This would not be the case in the states.

November 9, 2012

Talked to the concrete guy and we can start concrete work on Monday. That's fine with us, as we would like the new section of the road to dry up a bit.

November 10, 2012
This is the day we go to market to get all of our fruits and vegetables.

Aspen said, she always wanted a whole stock of bananas. I said, how much? $2.50 U.S. I said O.K. she was very excited. These bananas, taste like bananas and apples; all in one. Aspen said, their like a healthy candy.

November 11, 2012
It is a day off for everyone, so we went to the property, to go for a long walk. Along the way we discovered some real glorious ethereal creatures. So I will let the pics do the talking.

We also took some pictures on the trail about 500 yards from the back property line, about 600 feet higher than the road entrance. It sure is nice to have several good size hills on the property. It makes for interesting vegetation and nice views.

November 12, 2012
Last night, it rained for about eight hours. People we talk to here say, "Oh, that was just a light rain. Well, at least it got the ground wet." I guess coming from the desert, we don't 'REALLY' know what rain is...

Today, we went halfway out to the property, to meet with the concrete guy, when we got a text from him that stated he had problems with the truck. Maybe tomorrow we will start building.

After the text we turned around and decided to go to Pletts Builders to look at the first house. Overall we are pleased with it. Tatiana would like to see the doors sanded more. Probably, it will be something we will have to do.

November 13, 2012
Today, Aspen stayed home to do school work as well as Tatiana, only for different reasons, she was fairly sick. I went to the property. It rained all night and started again on the drive. Now, I see the reason for 4 X 4! I was 10 minutes late, but fortunately the workers were 30 minutes late. They spent the day finding the centers for all of the pillars. Half way through the day, I went for a drive and a cup of coffee and in the end some fry jacks. Yummy! When I got back to the house site, they were just finishing up. I took some pics and headed home.

On the way home, I picked up a guy, who was originally from El Salvador. His name is Jose. We chatted a bit and it turns out he works in wood. I asked if I could see some of his work. He said, yes. So we turned around and went to where he was working. He showed me his work and yes, it was brilliant work. I am going to order some doors from him. He said, "I can make whatever you want. Just print it off the Internet and I will make it exactly like the photo."

He showed me a photo and then the work just finished. Yes, exactly like the photo from the Internet. I then gave him a lift home, in San Ignacio.

November 14, 2012

Not to much happened today. Tatiana and I went out to the property, to check on progress. As you see in the photos, they are digging and jack hammering 2' X 2' holes for the foundation/footers of the 9' X 12" square poles.

After leaving the job site, we went to Spanish Lookout, to get prices on road top material. We got them, too expensive. So we will pass on that one. We then stopped by the roofers and figured out how to get ambient light into the house with semi-translucent white R roofing material. We then went to check on progress of the caretakers house. All looks good. We do hope the doors and floors will get sanded more. We will see on that one.

Here are a few more pics of first house....(I hope it's not too monotonous!) ie boring

November 17, 2012
Yesterday, they finished the footers for the concrete posts. Monday, they will start on those. It is going to take longer, to finish everything. As much as we are ready to move in, we will have to wait. I think it is the quiet we are wanting the most. Jungle noises are good, as long as we don't hear other humans, vehicles or other weird human sounds. Our own sounds are enough. Even I, Todd am learning to talk less and be more quiet. For me, it will take a while, as I was in sales for so long.

November 18, 2012
As it is Sunday, the whole family got up to the treat of Tatiana's blintzes. One of them with unusual markings.

We then did a 3 plus mile hike, that looped around to the backside of our property and into Pine Ridge. On the way back, we took the road and caught a few cool pics of YES! more flowers.

How quickly things grow back. This area was cleared about 2 weeks ago

and now it looks like someone planted rows of these plants. (Palm?)

We then drove up to the pools in Pine Ridge, where Tatiana and I enjoyed lunch, while Aspen went exploring and swimming.

November 20, 2012
Today, was another early day. Tatiana and I went out to the property. A crew of 8 men were there, to set up the forms. As you can see in the first pic, this man is coating the inside of the forms with a mix of kerosene and diesel, for easy release from concrete. The other pics are more for keeping record of the progression of the construction.

November 21, 2012

Today, 15 of 31 post completed. Here, they are removing the forms. And they don't just pop off. It can take up to 1/2 an hour to 'tap them off'. One they did to quickly and part of a corner was removed.This afternoon, they will add on foot to each post and form up the other16 post. The steel brackets, used to secure the house, will be inserted on the last foot of pour. All post should be done in the next 2 to 3 days. Next week we pour the floor, with footers, for future wall building. Angel and I will probably do that.

We then went in search of the carpenter. We went to both places he works, but could not find him. So we headed off to Spanish Lookout to find the herb store and meet with Harry to talk about options for solar. On the way back, I took some pics of us crossing the ferry and right after the crossing.

Well, that's another day...

Until, the cows come home...

Froggy! Won't Go.

To days ago, this little frog decided to visit Tatiana's show. She did not know the little fella was there until she put on her shoe. Yes, she forgot to check her shoes first. It could have also been something else, like a scorpion. We got the frog out. Went to work. Next day frog was now in other shoe. We got the frog out. Went to work. Next day frog found original shoe. Frog is still there. This time, we will take the frog to the nearby pond.

Finally, all of the pillars are poured. Between 9 and 18 feet in height. The guys did a great job and we did use up the whole 'footprint' of building sight.

Here, they are beginning to did the trough for the outside footers for future walls. They will tie the footers into the concrete flooring.

O.K. the next few pics are of one worker and Tatiana and I re-doing work that we already paid for. When we saw the finished, interior, of the house, it was all Tatiana could do from me getting upset. I still got upset. The varnish and woodwork, were something below the quality of work Darryl and I did on building our first cabin and we were only 8 and 10 years old.

When we got to the work site, the guy sanding the floor, was already packing up. The floor was not done. I provided finer grit paper and he worked along side us, the rest of the day. He did an excellent job. I re-finished all doors and Tatiana re-finished all the walls. We told them, that when they varnish, we have to be there. Now we will tell them, not to do any varnishing. WE WILL DO IT.

November 29, 2012

Today, was errand day in Belmopan. We went to get paperwork from one govt. office and they said, it might be another month, but that there is evidence that some of it has been worked on. That's good. We thanked him and went to get passports stamped again. MONTH 2. We then tried to get Belize licenses. They said we have to wait. We said, thank you and went for ice cream. Then grocery shopping. Aspen is now at BEA for horse riding lessons. Tatiana and I are sorting through the logistics of alternative energy and getting letters of recommendations, from our banks, so we can open an account in Belize.

Tomorrow, we will be getting Mahogany and Cedar boards for assembly of doors. I finally finished the drawings for the doors. They are pretty simple, but better than my Art Nouveau ideas.

Staging for concrete pour, for floor and re-bar extensions.

Re-bar mesh, with 12" spread for 4" floor.

(Would have rather 6", but going with their suggestion)

November 30, 2012 All prepped and ready for Monday's pour. (or Wednesday... or Thursday...)

December 1, 2012 I re-varnished the floors, while Tatiana did errands and it is Aspen's

horse riding day.

Aspen with Bougainvillea.

This might be another variety of Bougainvillea.

November 30, 2012. Dreams at days end...(leaving the jungle, getting to the main 'dirt' road)

December 2, 2012

Not much to report. Tatiana and I went to Spanish Lookout and varnished both sides of all of the doors to the caretakers place.

On the ferry crossing, from Spanish Lookout, I took a turn at turning the crank, to get the ferry across the river. The guy needs a break, once in a while.

We then went to the market, along the river, and got our weeks produce.

Poor Aspen stuck home again...studying. We told her tonight that she could take the morning off to go watch them pour the concrete floor.

December 4, 2012
Second day of rain. So still no possibility to pour concrete floor. Maybe tomorrow. Today, we meet again with carpenter, as he is to start our job today. We will be short on Mahogany, so we will be in search of that today. Also, will go out to put another coat of varnish on the floors of the house. We just need to see some blue in the sky, to make sure the rain doesn't come in on the varnish.

Oh, we will also need to get our paperwork for paying the social security, for our hired hand, Angel. He just started working yesterday. This week he will clear a line for the water piping and begin collecting rocks for septic system walls. We will need to get concrete out to him first part of next week.

December 6, 2012
In case some of you think we are just sitting around.... Here's what happened today. Got up early and prepared to go to the property. Checked on both the concrete work going on and the construction work, right above them.

Asked if the contractors wanted help getting with a tow up the hill, as they got stuck. One said, No. So Angel and I left down the road and started to load up the truck with rocks.

We got a couple of loads unloaded by the septic pit and will probably get 4 more loads tomorrow and help with fixing the road, that got a bit messed up by the heavy concrete trucks. Which is just something that happened, as it had rained 3 days straight prior to them coming in.

Met with contractor, while unloading rock and he said, "Why did you leave? We could have used a tow." I said, "I did ask your son and he said, no, so we went back to work."

The crew building the house, are camping out, next to work site, as it is easier than driving in and out all of the time.

While varnishing floors, the other day, my pants ripped. As most of our clothes are still packed away, in the trailers, I tried my hand at sewing. Tatiana wanted everyone to know that this IS NOT her sewing job. So yes I did a poor job sewing. If it holds up, I give myself a C-. If it tears again a D+ for effort. (Really then should be an F. But you know how fragile the male ego can be :} )

December 8, 2012
Not much to report today. Aspen and Tatiana went to the market and horse riding lessons. I went to the lumber yard and went home to start building the gates, to the entrance of property. Just simple 1"X4"X8" w/taper on 1"X6" supports. I had to empty half of one trailer to get to my saw. Tomorrow, I will have to empty half of the other trailer to get to my electric drill.

Oh, pants still holding up. Tatiana keeps looking for used pants, my size, but not as many people my height here, so finding pants might take a while.

December 9, 2012
Today, we sort of took the day off. We went to Santa Elana, to get the crew hot lunches. To our excitement, they had already gotten up four walls. I managed to get over my fear of heights, and walked along the support beams, so I could have a closer look.

Everything looked pretty good, with very few cracks in boards. Oh, before I forget, they are using Santa Maria wood on the house.
After dropping off lunches, we took the dogs on a walk. We then went to a nearby neighbours to visit for a spell. Really great people.

December 12, 2012
Yesterday, was a long day. We all worked for about 16 hours and were tired. Tatiana, on laundry, phone calls, cleaning and cooking. Aspen on school work, cleaning and cleaning. Todd going to Spanish lookout to schedule caretaker house delivery and set up contract for seamless rain gutters and four eight foot ridge vents and making gates.

Today, Tatiana and I picked up our carpenter and took him to job site, to measure for a few doors and kitchen. We then drove all of the way back to San Ignacio to drop off Jose (the carpenter) and rushed back, again, to the property to meet with general contractor on house. Five minutes before we arrived, we got a text from him, stating that he will be 2 hours late. We then went up the hill, with Angel, the caretaker, and decided where to put 3 of 4 water tanks. We decided to level as much as possible and then build platforms for the tanks. The 4th. tank will be about 100 below, at the base of the hill.

Note: General contractor showed up many, many hours late.

We have had some challenges with the general contractor. He may or may not finish the job. He thought it would be alright to use B grade lumber. We thought not. He also made a number of blunders in the plan. ie plans that arrived on the site, did not include a door to Aspens room. This is typical of male contractors. So, of course, I'm sure you all know that he has made no mistakes. I've come to the conclusion that apologies, for obvious mistakes, all not allowed by male contractors. The insecure Machismo male just drives me nuts? I know, I know...here is where I need to learn my lessons in patience and judgement. But when the quality of a job is affected by the insecurity of a man's ego. Well... you can fill in the blanks.

On a positive note, the crew, run by Julio, is doing a fantastic job. Their work on the house surpasses what we had hoped for.

Below, are small pics of all of the work this great crew is doing. Please click on image to enlarge, otherwise feel to pass this section.

If the blog has become to bla, bla blog. Please do let Tatiana, Aspen and I know and we can post less photos or writing. We don't want the blog to be too boring.

After all, we all have interesting things, in our lives, going on all of the time.

For us, this is the best way we know to stay in contact with friends and family, that are now all around the world.

For those of you out there that got upset about how we put our blog together. We are sorry. We don't have a lot of time, so it is not too professional. Not even close.

December 13, 2012

The below pics are of skylight before and after install.

The person in the light shirt is the crew boss. He has been doing a fairly good job, considering we are not quite getting the quality of wood that we would like. At this point, Tatiana and I are getting tired and just want them to finish their 'rough out' work, so we can come in and do the rest ourselves.

Here, is their improved sleeping conditions, since the prior night of a poisonous snake getting too close to sleeping quarters down below.

The one guy who said, he would never sleep up there, was the first to move his tent.

Below, you might be able to see the tack boards that provide the space to hold the insulation. In the jungle, the insulation keeps the heat out and quiets the rain. That we did not know earlier, but sure makes sense.

The next day, after this pic, most of the roof was done.

On the photo, to the right, the two small white

lines on the roof are the best version of skylights I could come up with. Now, with all of the roofing done. They sure do make a difference.I used white instead of clear R paneling.

December 16, 2012

We did family day today. All three of us spent the afternoon sanding floors, to prep for varnish work.

Prior to that we went to take a peek at the progress on the house.

This is the driveway heading towards where we are staying now. It's quite a nice ranch.

I was after a painterly look, like a dream.

In Santa Elana, after working at property. We did the final varnish coat on Angel's

new house!

December 18, 2012

Well, today and tomorrow, the whole Andrews clan will be in Belize, for the holidays. We plan on visiting with them, for a few days, then we have to go back to work.

Here, are some pics taken today. The whole floor, for the main house is installed and they are now building my studio, off to the west side. The next two days, Tatiana, Angel and I will be sanding and fixing the floor just put in. Oops I just deleted further comments, as I need to focus on the positive. The work should be down by second to third week in January.

Starting to Take Shape!!!

December 21, 2012

Merry X-Mas to all out there!

Last night we spent our first night on the property, sleeping at the caretakers house. Even though we only had yoga mats to sleep on, we all slept better than in the rental. For some reason, whenever we sleep in the jungle, we usually sleep better. There were many weird and unusual sounds. The only thing that did freak out the dogs, were the Howler monkeys. Boy can they holler! For me, they are calming.

We installed the stove, prior to moving in for the night. Our evening meal was eggs and toast. In the morning eggs and toast. Tatiana, Aspen and I sat on the floor with candles and one lamp and made a toast to this, now unfolding, crazy adventure. I said, "A little crazy." Tatiana said, "A little Crazy!?" O.K. O.K. A little bit more than a little crazy. Aspen's comment, "Yea, really Crazy!"

Today, and the previous two days were spent, sanding and patching the new wood floor. It is now prepped for on final sanding, 180 grit, then it can be varnished. Also, sanding started on the studio room today, 1/3 of the way through first sanding, 50 grit, as it needs to cut also.

Tatiana, insisted on taking a turn on using the heavy sander. No fear there. And if one thinks the Belize style sander is easy to handle....think again. With only one hand on the machine, it easily flies all over the place, including into your leg, if you're not careful. Anyway she did fairly good job but seemed happy to hand the machine back to Angel. Since then, we got another sander and it is much faster and easier to use. I am using the old one, for the higher grit sanding.

I did get a little of a slipped disc in neck yesterday. That really annoyed me, as it was getting in the way of things that needed to be done. Well, I did some stretches and popped it back in. Too bad it still hurts.

The building crew gets back on the 2nd and while their gone, we need to sand and varnish 1/2 of the veranda, studio and main part of house.

Sorry no picks this time. My excuses are too tired and just forgot.

December 28, 2012
We spent a few days down in Placencia, with family. I wanted it to be longer, as I did not get to hear all that is going on in everyone's life. Definitely, would have been nice to visit more. Christmas dinner, with the Andrews, included about 15 pounds of Cerviche, 10 pounds of shrimps, 5 pounds of chips and large amounts of snapper. I think we all agree, that the Cerviche, on its own, was a full meal. Anyway great food and company. Most waddled their way back to the house. I should have waddled back and forth several times.

We get to see the Andrews again on the 31st. I will post pics of Placencia in next update.

Well, I've gotta go. We are sanding and varnishing floors again today. Same as yesterday.
Here are some update pics.

January 13, 2012

Sorry, I haven't posted since last year, but got busy and lost Internet device. Oops.

Much has happened, but before the Internet goes slow again, I will try to post some of the progress.

The photo above, we stained the hardwood with clear stain and a mahogany dark stain for the rafters. No one really wants to help on the rafters. The stuff is too watery and bleeds too easily into the clear finish, so I am enjoying the honor of doing most of that myself.

In the above photo, to the right of the guy working, Tatiana has been sanding out the water stains in the ceiling. It got stained before the Zinc roofing material was put on.

The pic to the right, is a wall to separate the rest of the house from the studio. It will also serve as a veranda for Tatiana and I.

The ceiling in the 2 pics below is finished.

The photo to the left is the north side of house, where there will be a bedroom and a prayer room.

I think this photo needs some explaining. Most of the movies here, do not get produced/copied in the normal manner. Well, Tatiana bought this American Comedy/Romance movie. It ended up having Chinese subtitles with Italian dub over for voice. We were watching it in the bedroom. While taking it out of the computer, we couldn't stop laughing. I then took it and threw it into the hallway. Some moments later, when Tatiana went to use the bathroom, she started to laugh. "Come quick! You've gotta see this!" she hollered. Well we all went to the bathroom and sure enough it was our movie. Apparently, it must have bounced off of the hallway wall, then glided through the bathroom door, then carefully landed squarely, or should I say circlely (if that's a word) into the toilette. What are the Vegas odds on a repeat of that?

O.K. this is pretty cool how they do this. Here they are installing 'seamless gutters'. They have a machine on the back of a flatbed, on site, that takes flat sheet metal and feeds it into this eight foot machine and out pops a rain gutter on the other side. It spits out about one foot every 3 seconds. (Now, that's a real money machine.) When it reaches the desired length, they stop the feed and internally snip the newly made gutter. Gutters were made on the spot and put on both house in about four house.

On the below pic, I had two openings, in the top put in for breeze/airflow. I have designed these into all contained walls. Later, I will put in louvers and build 1/8" wood louvers to slide into the brackets.

This is a finished wall. Angel and I sanded all edges and surfaces of each board, before install. Much better than putting them in rough. We used two sanders with 50 and 100 grits, at the same time, so we wouldn't get behind the crew. Angel's idea, to have both of us sand at the same time, with one sander following the other sander. Now, all that has to be done is two coats of varnish.

Adding the landing for the steps. Yes, I sanded the boards before they made the landing. The crew thinks I am being too picky, but it's always easier to sand before install, not after.

Can you find the cell phone. Amazing how big the trees are here.

For the past two weeks, it rained almost everyday. We are now back to blue skies. But here, both the rain and blue skies are a welcome treat. We love watching the rain from the verandas.

I finished this gate about two weeks ago. Angel and I set the posts and gate. Nice to finally have a gate.

Back Porch, next to studio.

Once again at work, staining!

January 14, 2013

Well, we are back on line. Today, all of us went to the house. Aspen made a desk out of two boards in the veranda of my studio, for a place to study and Tatiana and I worked on one of her projects for a special wall we are building she found on the Internet. Also, the highlight of the day.... We had Howler monkeys right off of the western most veranda. We counted 4, but have seen five. They were just lounging around and looking at what the dumb gringos were doing. Then for about half an hour they let out their signature howl. Boy can they belt out a sound. I took some pics and video of them. If either worked, I will post them shortly. Almost all of the electrical was finished today. One more day and that will be done. We also started on staining the doors. We have about twelve doors to work on. Until next time.

Here are some pics of another cave we just learned about, thanks to Angel showing us.

Cave entrance.

This cave has already been excavated by some archaeologists. It has a name, but I can't recall. Well, getting close to 50. Good excuse, ey? There is a perfect room in there where one can just sit and be quiet. There are also some cave rooms below, where the seasonal creek runs into. I am excited to someday check that out. One of our caves is called Skeleton Cave and the other one Sunken Hole Cave. So cool, to have some caves on the property. Every boy dreams about having caves to explore. And every girl, some plants to love and love studying.

Yes, more building pics. Bla bla...

January 15, 2013

Today, I admit it, I got a late start. No getting up at 6:00 am. I got up at 8:30. Took my time. Watched Ytube videos on Russian hover crafts with my lovely wife and drank Chai. Well, I left the house at 11:00 am. A new late time, leaving for work. Tomorrow, will NOT be the same, as five doors are coming, along with the four that are already there. Angel and I will be sanding and varnishing doors all day. Also, Tatiana's custom wall in the bedroom will be built, as the boards she and I sanded and varnished are now dry. Aspen of course, will continue to study, do dishes and cook. She is not sure if her end of the deal is a fair one. But let us not forget, Tatiana is doing paperwork and washing clothes. Everyone is working hard. Paradise is just around the corner. He he.

So, the ultimate bummer, is that Tatiana is scheduled to go back to work at the end of the month. She will be gone for five weeks, then hopes to come back to a house with running water and a hot shower, with a fully functional kitchen. Aspen and I will try to do our best.

I am still voting to get a dishwasher, but Tatiana and Aspen are voting me down on that idea. That of course makes no logical sense to me. Washing dishes by hand... Really?

Aspen says, “By doing only one load of dishes, I only use one gallon of water and a dishwasher uses eight gallons.” Hmm... Still this reasoning is not good enough for me.

The Howler monkeys were at it again. They were by the house and started howling around 4:45 pm I recorded their sounds. Hope you find them unusually interesting.

We just treated a small hole in Tatiana's head. We think it might be a bot fly opening. So I decided to shut off the O2 supply to the possible bot fly with super glue. It works well when you cut yourself in various art projects, so I figured it would work on a small insect breathing hole. The doc didn't argue.

Here are the updates...

January 17, 2013
It is 12:26 am I tried to go to bed, but the neighbour's dog is barking every 5 to 8 seconds. I tried to bribe him with 3 juicy bones. Good for about 5 to 8 minutes. He his back to barking again. (found out later that another dog, close by, was in heat)

Angel and I are still sanding boards and varnishing continues on the doors.

Detail of Bathroom. I also put in a skylight. It's fairly bright, even later in the day.

Angel and I took a 50 foot extension cord to measure the distance, from the house to the road, so we would know how much pipe to get.

Now, all of you real builders out there, I know I am probably not using the correct 'plumbing vernacular', so bear with me. The following commentary is an invention that I hope will work. (Tom has much improved upon this idea.) I am running 2 inch pipe to the lower 'base' tank (from the line on the road) and from there 1.25 inch pipe, as that fits the specs for the pump I am using. I will be creating a 10 foot 4 inch sleeve for a 3 foot long submersible pump, with the inch and a quarter elbowing out from the top. I will 'hot shrink' the electric lines to extension lines that will tie into a manual switch. At the switch, I will tie my Romex line in, from the house. With the switch, I will be able to fill the tanks up the hill manually, as I do not want this to be automated. Filling the tanks should be done during sunlight time to reduce 'drawdown' on the batteries in the solar system. Every time you draw down to 50%, I believe equals on cycle and batteries have a fixed number of cycles. I am using the submersible idea, as it seems to be the best way to get water up approximately 140 feet. (The house is about 50 feet above the base tank, in case anyone was wondering "Why, 140 feet?" equals 38.7psi) Even the 2 HP external did not look like it would be able to do the job and over the long haul would have issues with consistent power/push performance. The submersible is made for wells, so that is why I am hoping the 10 foot tube idea will work. Both ends will be capped, with the top cap threaded, for access to the pump. The bottom of the tube will be an attached downward 4" Y fitting, coming off of the lower part of the base tank. (This angle will allow an easier flow of water, to the tube, as opposed to a T fitting that will 'splash' hard against the lower cylinder of the motor.) That part of the tube assembly will be buried 4 feet below the bottom line of the tank. The inch and a quarter coming out of the tube will have a one way flow valve, so any shut off issues/reverse flow will not affect the pump, even though the pump has a similar valve built in.

Tomorrow, Tatiana and I have to go to Spanish Lookout and get a few large water tanks, hundreds of feet of 2" pipe for water,(should have gotten a lot more 1" and a quarter pipe 45 to be precise... oops) 4' sewer pipe, fittings of all sorts, shower/bath, toilets, heat on demand units, reductions for both houses, concrete mix, 50 sheets of sheetrock, and some other important stuff on the list.

January 18, 2013
My timing for sleep is still off, from the dog last night. It is now 4:12 am. Yesterday, we spent all day in Spanish Lookout, figuring out how much and which pipes to get and fittings. Also, ordered block, concrete mix, re-bar and still need to get 15 yards of a sand/gravel mix. It's a long drive out 'to the middle of nowhere' so I want to be sure I have enough material for septic, and lower tool/utility room.

Well, I think I will try to go back to sleep. I have to get up a 6:30 am.

January 22, 2013

Today, Angel and I set pipe from the road to his house. That's as far as we got, as I am missing a T to forward the line and split off to his house. On the good news side, Angel's steps came today and all of our windows were delivered to house today; fifteen of them.

We are about 3 days away from being finished with main building crew on house. Then we will step in and finish the rest. On Saturday we will work with our other crew and finish the interior siding of veranda's with sanding sealer and finish sanding all verandas and put one coat of varnish on. Then his crew will leave and we will sand all floors again and varnish and when dry, varnish one more time.

Also, other crew, that is doing the block work downstairs, should be finished by Friday of next week. We are building a tool room that will also house things for electrical. Also, being built, is a small bathroom. Three rooms will be built downstairs. The largest one is a bedroom that will open to a beautiful flat patio space next to the upside of the hill. We will put in double french doors there. It will serve as a sometimes guest room. We will put in a small stove and table there, for friends and family that come and visit.

Tomorrow, the sheetrock work, inside the house, should be finished and the beginning of setting the doors will start.

We still have no steps. Hope to have them, before the week is out.

I am working to have the tanks and water system in place in the next two to three weeks. Oops, my wife just said, it has to be done in two weeks.

Well, I am tired, so will sign off for know...12 to 14 hour days, working with the crews. They probably think it strange, a Gringo working with the crew.

(Can you believe this thing fit into our small bathroom!)

(All of these doors are now hung, but varnishing is still not finished.

We had to work with the schedule of Crew. They will be easy to to

do later. Let's see what later means...later.)

January 22, 2013

Also, other crew, that is doing the block work downstairs, should be finished by Friday of next week. We are building a tool room that will also store things for electrical. Also, being built, is a small bathroom. Three rooms will be built downstairs. The largest one is a bedroom that will open to a beautiful flat patio space next to the upside of the hill. We will put in double french doors there. It will serve as a sometimes guest room. We will put in a small stove and table there, for friends and family that come and visit.

(Downstairs rooms still not finished. This part will have to be MUCH later.)

Tomorrow, the sheetrock work, inside the house, should be finished and the beginning of setting the doors will start.

We still have no steps. Hope to have them, before the week is out.

I am working to have the tanks and water system in place in the next two to three weeks. Oops, my wife just said, it has to be done in two weeks.

Well, I am tired, so will sign off for know...12 to 14 hour days, working with the crews. They probably think it strange, a Gringo working with the crew.

January 28th. 2013

Still trouble with Internet at rental house. Smart phone services says system is overloaded; sold too many units per baud coverage.

All floors have now been varnished once and interior siding on verandas has been coated twice with sanding sealer.

We are still waiting on steps, about week four on that wait. Sheet rocking still not done, but hope to be finished tomorrow, then I will tape and mud 3X.

Sorry that writing is short this time, but must go home. Also, work downstairs on guest room, bathroom and storage room going well.

(Emilio did a great job on the block work.)

February 3, 2013

Today, rained amazingly hard! Twice! It was like someone was standing on the roof of the sky and dropping buckets of water on the ground. Even on the flat ground water was running everywhere, like a bunch of new streams, just born, all mixed up and going in every direction.

Aspen spent most of the day working hard on laundry. And I finished up on quick books for the business. I think neither of us were doing our favourite jobs today.

Below, is a bit of what Howler monkeys sound like, right next to the western veranda.

On Friday, three of the large tanks got moved about 80 feet up the hill and were set on the wonderful 9' X 26' platform that Angel made. All tanks are sitting on about 2" of sand, to avoid possible puncture, when they get filled with water.

On the walk back, to Tom and Marge's, Julio, almost stepped on this one, but was quick enough to side step it. It is a pit viper, Fer de lance. It is almost 6' long.

Julio, Pit Viper and Angel

On Tuesday, we will sand floors and prep for varnishing the following day. We will do at least 2 more coats.

February 5, 2013

Today, the STEPS were put in and also we finished our contract work with Pletts Home Builders. They did a great job and now we will finish the rest of the work.

February 6, 2013

Yesterday, Angel and I had a meeting with Tom, next door and he has graciously offered to help us put a game plan together on the plumbing. Friday, I will go into Spanish Lookout and get all of the plumbing parts, to set up the tanks. The next part, after we are sure the pump is working, and we are able to fill the tanks on the hill, will be to plum the houses.

Also, as of 3 hours ago, we are fully independent and off grid. Once we have a garden, a source for milk and some chickens, we will be set; on the basics.

Still much to do. More varnishing, tape and mud (blend) painting, molding, install of appliances, kitchen build, build kitchen tables, not build chairs, (buy them), finish clear and dark stain on ceilings, install 2 toilets and bath/shower, and shower downstairs, install 5 doors downstairs, hook up washer, 3 sinks, hood vent, filtration for rain water, gutter installs to two catch tanks, two septic builds (5" concrete cap with 8" spread on 3/8" re-bar, with access), with a division wall, less one course for overflow for grey water from the black water and of course 'soak away' field, which I am told is perfect for banana trees. Well, what I can remember for now.

Too bad I can't get Aspen and Tatiana to write on this blog. I am sure I have grammatical oopses! and incorrect information, but if I try to get all of that right, the blog will most assuredly dry up and blow away.

I checked with the welder today, and he thinks my 'heavy duty' door for the tool area will be done my Friday.

February 7, 2013

Today, on the way out to Pine Ridge, Aspen gave me the run down on what we are to do before leaving the rental house. I am glad she is scheduling all of that. She told me when everything needs to be packed up, last wash day and cleaning day and when to get the trailers out to the property. Good to see how organized she is getting. Ah, she is growing up in a good way.

Today, Aspen did tack cloth on on floors that Angel previously cleaned. Angel and I followed behind her with brushes, varnishing the floors. Thanks to good teamwork, we were able to put a second coat on all floors and be done by 4:00 pm.

We are now at Orange Gallery Restaurant, as the food and Internet connection treat us well.

February 13, 2013

So, finally we are about to officially have water. Well, at least to the first tank. Tom, our most beloved next door neighbour, has graciously offered to help us with guidance in the plumbing department. Angel and I are are grateful for his specific advice. It's a good thing that Tom is detail oriented and explains things so well.

It is now 10:15 pm. Just finished a meeting, with a friend, who is also an engineer that knows septic systems and leach fields. We went over, in detail, how to set ours up. I now feel much better about how to do the septic system. Which is good, as we start on that project next week.

We Got Water!!

After the meeting, (10:20 p.m.) I got a text from Angel.... We got water!! The first of four tanks is filling, as we speak. We will work on plumbing on the other three tanks in the a.m. That's it for now.

Entry to property.

For fun, see if you can find a tree that looks like a tall guy standing in the jungle.

February 16, 2013

Today, another early day. Had to be in Spanish Lookout by 8:00 am. Got there, to store, at 8:14 am. Close enough. As we were gone all day, both dogs, Aspen and I went. Tom was able to call us, while we were near the hardware store and we were able to get everything on his list. Angel and I are learning a lot from Tom. Yesterday, Tom took the well pump and small water tank to harness in the pump into the tank. He is going to run it on 220. We will run it on the generator, for now. Then, at a later date tie it into the electric at Angel's house. For now, I am told, we need to get the tanks full, as we are coming into 'dry season' and the water line on the road may not be as reliable.

Yesterday, Maya, our dog, got into something and her eye is now swollen shut. We are treating it with antibiotic, that can be applied directly to the swollen area and will not hurt the eye.

Also, Aspen had her first driving lesson today. She drove from the house to just past 7 Miles village. She was nervous, but did quite well. She is in another growth spurt and seems to shoot up more each day. By the time Tatiana is back, from the states, they will probably be the same height.

Aspen has a funny story about running out of gas. So stay tuned... I will post her story when she's finished writing it. Poor girl is going a bit stir crazy, as she is at the rental most of the time. No one to talk to, with me working at house and Mama working in the states.

I am amazed by all of the adventurous people we meet here, both locals and those that have moved here. Many passionate, somewhat crazy, courageous people here.

Within the next two months, I plan to start up doing artwork again; painting and wood working, for now. Maybe in two years, a bronze foundry (that would be the first one in Belize) and if Tatiana ever starts something in Ayurvedic medicine, that would also be a first in Belize. I guess that's part of why it's still a frontier place.

Our next door neighbour, Marge, from Moonracer Farms, had a birdwatcher who told her that there was more diversity in birds, right next to their palapa, than all of the places he travelled in Central America. She thinks it has something to do with it the transitional topography, from farmland to jungle to the pine trees further up the mountain.

Monday, we put the final coat of varnish on all floors.

One of our most exciting moments!

(about a bathtub?)

In the overlapping, of things getting done, I overlooked something and made a big oops! In the original house plans, I had the hallway at 4 feet. However, as building went, I failed to check this particular measurement and ended up with about a 39 inch hallway. Well, I ordered a one piece shower/bath unit. It's 37" plus wide. The door, to the bathroom...38". One of our friends brought his cousins (the engineer) by the place and, after looking at the house, they were doubtful that it would fit into the bathroom. Yea, oops. So I got some thin boards and screwed them into a flat height and width rectangle of tub. We took that upstairs and sure enough, it did not fit. Oops. A day later, when another order of supplies came in, I said, "Hey, instead of taking this unit back, why don't we at least try to see if we can fit it into the bathroom. I think we only have a 10% chance of it fitting."

So four grown men hauled the thing upstairs. First attempt. Fail. Remove one board, from tub support. Second attempt. Failed again. Removed all boards from tub. Almost got in. Now, stuck. We finally wedged out the tub and shower unit, completely messing up the newly varnished floors. We then put it through the door at a sharper angle. So close. The back corner was hitting the sheetrock. We reversed the unit back into the living room, removed the sheetrock and went at it, ONE MORE TIME. And with no room to spare, all four of us, jammed it into the door way and finally scraped our way into the bathroom. It still seems improbable to have gotten that thing into the bathroom, but somehow...

7:54 pm

Aspen and I just finished a movie, called, 'We Bought a Zoo' For those of you who haven't seen it, it's a definite Yes To Watch movie. It deals with how we become paralyzed in a time of great loss. It doesn't just have to be a loss of a loved one, but it can also be a loss of self, a loss of connection. Often we slip into the automation of day to day actions. And without noticing, we slip out of living; out of remembering that this life, here on planet earth, IS short. And like in the movie, we forget that life is supposed to be an adventure; full of surprises, the unknown. The movie beautifully, expresses how we discover life by stepping into the embrace of the uncertain, unknown. That even with courage tested again and again, if we keep stepping forward, again and again we become a part of a new creation bigger than ourselves and we remember as children remember; how to love living...again.

I am not yet at that point, but do feel I am getting closer. For me, stepping forward also means letting go and that can be as subtle as, remembering to relax when you are in a tense situation. So sometimes, when I see myself tense up, I say, "Hey, your tense" and in noticing that, I relax and I handle the situation I'm in, with less judgement and criticism. And that little effort of consciousness allows me to let go and keep the forward movement in my step.

Lately, my biggest teacher, in this area is our next door neighbours, where we are renting. Whenever, I would complain about someone, they would remain calm and not be a part of my judgement and criticism. Their choice in not being a part of that has taught me much about holding on and therefore holding back and Not stepping forward. So a big thanks to them.

"Some people went around interviewing dying patients but not one person said they regretted not making more money or working harder. They are seemed to say their regrets were not spending more time with the people they love...relating more to the world, the planet" This little blip was just spoken, as a lead in to a song I am listening to right now. So thought maybe should be here in the blog, as it is synergistic.

HEADING HOME!

February 24, 2013
It is getting towards sunset and Aspen, Ken (extra driver) and I are off with most of our belongings to Pine Ridge. Going east on Western highway, both trailers are pulling well. At fifty miles an hour, that is like lightening speed compared to the next turn- Georgeville Village. Now, we are creeping along at speeds between five and fifteen mph. It's O.K. because, hey, are we really in a hurry?. It is a still night, with only a faint indication of breeze. Now, halfway there; the vibrant moon comes stage left to the setting sun. Two more miles of creeping along, with our narrowed down items of material nature, rattling around in the back of each trailer, the moon glows like a lamp guiding us home. I notice how it wonderfully just skims along the ridge line of the sloping mountains, to the left. It is almost a full moon. It seems to move as if it were keeping pace with us; looking out for us.

Now at the property, it is full nightfall. But the moon is so bright, it cast shadows with vivid edges. Here, I have never seen such a bright moon. A half moon is as bright as a full moon in the states.

We unhook both trailers and agree, that it is too late to get the basics set up, so we head to our most beloved rental, that has taken care of us for so long. Now, we sense... it is actually happening. We are stepping deeply and fully into the unknown, where all things are new. A place of knowing, that, in this place, you know almost nothing and in its stillness you still smile.

February 25, 2013
Angel and I just finished getting beds set up in the house. Before it gets too dark, I am cleaning windows and putting screens on them, while Angel is playing Aspen's piano. What a perfect first night here. I get to listen to piano music, while prepping things for the first night in the house. Unfortunately, Aspen has to stay back at the rental, as she was finishing laundry and cleaning of the house. I just got off of the phone with her and she hopes to be done by noon. I will meet her at the rental and pack the last of our belongings. Then we will go for a nice lunch and talk about this great change. And finally head home, with Tatiana to soon follow in March.

Wow, what a journey thus far. I don't think we would have been so bold, if we didn't fully realise how short life is.

Tonight, is a beautiful full moon.

Until next time, Love to you all.

March 1, 2013
Yesterday, the stove finally got hooked up, so Aspen could cook a late dinner. It was pretty exciting to finally have a way to cook food.

Last night, it rained all night and got a bit chilly; almost a two blanket night. It stopped raining most of the day and as of 2:30 a light rain has started again. This morning I saw a small cloud glide by, just below our window. It's really fog, but rolls in like low lying clouds. Now, all you can hear is the soft brushing of raindrops making different tones on the bark, small leaves and large leaves with wonderful bird sounds dropping in here and there.

A few days ago Angel and Aspen lit fires to some of the roadside clean up piles. It was done at night, as there is more moisture in the surrounding area and it is cooler out.

Guess what this is...

Finished product.

Aspen starting to organize her makeshift kitchen.

Temporary sleeping spot.

View from above bed.

March 10, 2013

Today, we went with Angel and visitors from Moonracer Farm up to Frio on Pools, for a swim. Aspen and her friend Halen were excited to do something else other than just hang around the house. It was a good break from working. Although, I like the work. (plumbing the bathroom)

Tatiana is soon to be back and we are very excited to see her. It will be six weeks, since she left.

Both septics are done. Now, we need to run lines to second one, from our house. Angel now has full water.

Here a a few update photos. Not in a particular order, but I feel I should at least get some kind of post up.

One of two septics. Both have a dividing wall for black and grey water.

Frame out for access hole.

My slow job of plumbing.

We managed to get away for a bit today and went swimming up in Pine Ridge.

That is Aspen with one of her new friends, Jalen (sounds like Halen) from Seven Miles Village.

March 30, 2013 7:40 am

Last night was spent setting fire to the debris, around the house, from clearing spot for building. Quite the fire. Thirty to forty foot flames. And all monitored with a garden hose. We sure are glad Angel knew what he was doing.

This morning we woke due to the house being filled with smoke. Yes, the fire below is still going. So Tatiana suggested putting more kerosene on the smokey area. It's a little better now, although while typing this, my eyes are still stinging.

We stayed up late last ... gotta move too much smoke.

Sorry, I had to go. I just spent the last plus hour, putting out parts of the fire, as the whole house got filled with smoke. Also, found a log, under one of our pillars, on fire. We will have to fix that asap.

I spent a good twenty minutes putting water on that. Smoke is still bad and breeze is going in the wrong direction. My eyes are stinging too much now. I think I will go back outside.

We ate our breakfast outside, sitting on the tailgate of the truck. What a site that must have been with all of our eyes tearing.

March 30, 2013 8:15 pm

Still smokey. All of our eyes are watery and will sleep on other side of house and try to avoid some of the smoke. Would post more, but just trying to figure out how to get through another smokey night.

April 4, 2013

Yesterday we had to move, again, to the other side of the house, as the smoke got too bad. The white poison wood makes Tatiana cough and hurts her lungs. I went into the jungle, in my flip flops and hooked up the hose to the main line and then we fed the hose to the back of the house, where I worked on putting out the fire for quite a long time. Hardly put a dent in it. The other side of the house was like camping out, with a thin foam on the hard floor. Tonight the smoke is much better, as it rained for a bit this evening.

Today, was wash day. So we drove to the river and washed ourselves along with the dogs. Also, we got our second breaker box tied into our off grid system and now have full electric downstairs (outlets 110 and 220), switches and lights. So of course after dinner, Angel and I went downstairs to do some sanding on his dining room table. I am just finishing up building a bench and will be working on the shelves in the pantry tomorrow.

We're getting more moved in...Now that Tatiana is Back.

Downtown Melchur, above and below.

April 6, 2013

Last night, we were able to Skype Mom and Dad. I stupidly forgot about their 50^th wedding anniversary on the 30^th of March. I kept thinking it was last year. I am going to use the, “I'm a bit dyslexic card.” Probably still won't get full coverage. I will still probably have to pay some kind of deductible.

We are continuing on downstairs, with the guest room. It now has full electric and only needs two windows, two doors and to be painted. Right now, we are in Spanish Lookout and will see what doors and windows are available. I have been meaning to get the pics from our travels to Melchor Guatemala, from last week, so here they are. Lorena went with Tatiana and chose her wedding dress and Angel and I were sent off, so the guys could not see the dress. We dithered around, comparing hammock prices. Got one for $20 U.S. and another for $45 U.S. In Belize they would be $100 and $300.

After a long day shopping, we walked back across the border and headed back first to the village of 7 Miles, to drop off Lorena and then back to home.

Hope it's not too many pics.

Todo, I don't think we're in
Kansas anymore...

At the border

April 16, 2013

Here, Fiedel and Angel are

setting up the 1/4" metal for concrete pour of bathroom tub downstairs.

This is a blooming hardwood Cortez tree. In the downstairs bathroom, they first put

down wet sand, then pour the concrete on top.

This tub will be tiled.

Detail of plastering on outside walls of room. Sink stand I made out of Santa

Maria wood. It will be to the outside of

bathroom wall.

Below, plastering work to guest room left, storage

room center and bathroom right.

Guest room, above and below.

Lychee!

Lychee Trees

Shelves for Pantry

Lychee Picking Mmmm.!

Fiedel's and Angel's Downstairs Plumbing work.

Laundry, the old fashion way.

April 17th, 2013

Yesterday, we went again to the river for bathing. Nice to get a shave and a soak.

Now, that we are in dry season, we have not been able to get water for quite some time. We are at 60% fill on the tanks, so we need to make that last. Today, more work is being done plastering walls and working on pantry shelves. It's a bit hot these days, but nights and mornings are keeping cool.

It looks like we got the flea issue managed better with the dogs. Poor fellers.

Hope to have water soon.

6:00 pm
Today, the guys (Angel and Fiedel) worked on putting trim boards around the bottom of the veranda encasement, as the hot sun started to 'pull' boards. Let's hope it will resolve the matter. It's always good to minimize entry points for the scorpions.

This is how the guys and gal resolved hammering in the lower trim on the higher elevation of the house, as the ladder would not reach outside. Please look at the humorous labels attached to each photo.

Angel, don't go! Really Marriage is great~!

He's slipping away. I can't stop him!

Don't Jump. It'll be O.K.

He's getting away. Quick! Pull him back.

Of course we are just kidding. Marriage is a wonderful thing. A time to spend many years with your best friend and hey! the government has yet to figure out how to tax such happiness.

When Angel and Fiedel tried to leave today, they were held back a bit. A tree fell across the road. Jovillo tree, I think... It is a hardwood and used primarily in furniture making. Fiedel spent about half an hour trying to cut the tree with my sawzall, but REALY we should have a chain saw by now. But that is EXPENSIVE. So back to our story.

Fiedel is whittling away on the tree, but the cutting is, of course slow, so we decide to push the tree off of the road. All four of us got under the tree and pushed it in an upward manner and SNAP! It broke free. Apparently, It was mostly broken all of the way through, when it hit the road. In an instant, the road was clear. We all laughed at the fact that half an hour was spent cutting the tree in half. And that part, of the tree, still never broke. It's good to see how the whole gang has such a humour about things.

That's it for today.

P.S. Angel is getting married the fourth of May.

April 18th, 2013
Today, we went into San Ignacio for market and lunch, at a burrito stand. Chicken burrito $2.50bz or $1.25us.

Then we drove down Western Hwy. to drop Aspen off for horse riding lessons. Off to Spanish lookout. This time I actually took pictures.

SPANISH LOOKOUT

Yes, I am actually loading cement on the truck. They wanted to load it on the truck with the

forklift you see in the right of the photo...Really?! It was only THREE bags.

Yes, I do walk like my Dad.

Yes, this is still in Central America.

No, this is NOT South Dakota.

We still have to make visits to too many businesses, as plumbing is still not done and there is still concrete work to do. Got plumbing parts, cement mix, concrete block, wood (bullet tree, cabbage bark, machiche and mahogany) for our main dinner table and two doors downstairs.

Future Building Projects.

Juicy Mahogany!

Farmers Trading Center F.T.C.

Our table will be 4' X 8'. Oh, the list, grocery shopping, cutting discs, Reimer Feed store, LP gas for small butane gas, Western Dairy for four five gallon jugs of water, Esso for gas, meeting about switching truck to run on butane and unleaded, driving again to Lychee farm for five pounds of Lychee, to make jam with, pick up 4 people on the road and get out of bed before Angel and Fiedel come upstairs to work on tying down the roofline to the facia and write a very long run on sentence to annoy my english teacher friends.

TATIANA IN OUR MOST RELAXED SPOT IN THE HOUSE.

May 3, 2013

One day before the wedding. We are at rehearsal. Tom and Marge are honored guest and will be up front with Lorena and Angel. The church looks great. Further decorations to be added in the am.

It is so great that Tom and Marge wanted to host the reception at their Moonracer Farms resort. Truly, they get to have their reception in style. Right now, about 60 birds are in a freezer downstairs. Courtesy of Tom and Marge, who raised them for the big event.

Tomorrow, I put the varnish on the kitchen counters for the newlyweds house. I made hardwood counters to left and right of a tightly fitting sink that Fidel was nice enough to plumb. The legs are made out of Santa Maria wood. Counters; Santa Maria, Malady (sp), probably Bullet Tree wood.

The prior night, I stayed up late working on their kitchen.

Our wedding gift to them is the kitchen and new bed frame and mattress.

May 4, 2013

THE BIG DAY!!!!

We are off to the wedding. Tatiana and Aspen will help decorate Tatiana's car, for the couple's carriage. And I will start filming candids.

The wedding went great. I focused on filming and Aspen and Tatiana on taking pictures. Many great pics for them to choose from.

MANY MORE WEDDING PHOTOS TO FOLLOW. THEY ARE STILL BEING DOWNLOADED FROM TATIANA'S COMPUTER.

The reception at Moonracer Farms was top notch. Those Gallagher's sure know how to throw a party.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day for a wedding. About 200 attended. The new couple were beaming and so happy to have all of their friends and family there for the celebration.

May 8, 2013

It's been a while since last posting. Here, there is always something that has to be done. Yesterday, and the day before Tatiana literally enjoyed doing laundry with the newly operational laundry machine. It is also hooked up to hot water. We also have hot water to kitchen, tub and both sinks.

Work is still being done downstairs on plastering and finishing up the downstairs bathroom. Yes, I still get jokes about the bathroom. Tatiana calls it the disco 70's bathroom. (Update: she now calls it the Italian Mafia bathroom.) It has steps up to it, so you can get into the kinda large thing. But to my defense... we had to, as the plumbing pipes are underneath and we needed elevation for proper drainage. Anyway, it might be a big tub.

Future Second Toilette

I am also putting up shelves in the storage room. And will soon put up workbenches.

Aspen, is still studying hard and is sort of excited about summer break. She sort of gets two months off. She will only be working on math, for two hours a day. The rest of her time is free time. Dottie, her tutor, Aspen and I voted on it. It passed 2 to 1 YES for Math Intensive in the summer.

Aspen and I are excited to work together on our 'Terabithia' project. Just below the house, about 20 yards off of the road the path meanders down a slope, into what seems like another world. At the bottom of this small ravine is the rock cliff (about 80 feet high) and the cave entrance. The vegetation is larger down there, as so much rain defaults to this point. The lighting is different, you can taste the life of the vegetation in the air, it is 10 degrees cooler and time seems to slip away somewhere between the soft glow of sunlight on the leaves and the moist amber soil. It is this place that Aspen and I want to build an organic style cottage, with half of it being screened in verandas.

May 9, 2013

Today, Angel and Fidel started on taping and mudding the sheetrock, in the house. Aspen studying and writing a long email to a very good friend of hers. Tatiana finally found a way to bake the perfect bread and did paperwork to prepare for work in the states again. I worked on shelves in the storage room downstairs and most of the four shelves are finished. Tonight I worked, in my shop, teaching myself how to use a chisel to cut deep and precise notches in the legs of a table for the side supports. I am using Redwood, Santa Maria, young Bullet tree-for legs, and I believe Malady.

Book Shelf for back, Northwest Veranda

Working on Tatiana's table for kitchen dishes.

Shelves for Storage.

Still Tatiana's Table (With tapered legs. Used another angled piece of wood for jig.)

It was HOT today. Had to take a post lunch nap. Then I made Hersey Chocolate iced coffee with fresh cow milk for Aspen, the guys and myself. Tatiana has fully weened herself from coffee. That jolt let me work till almost 8:00 pm tonight.

Oh, almost forgot we currently have another great person, Carlos, from 7 Miles helping with clearing the sides of the road. It looks great. Later, the cleared areas will be planted into grass; about 20 feet out from both sides of the road.

Still trying to get the 'heat on demand' water system working better. Sometimes it's very hot and then suddenly very cold or visa versa.

Had to move all of the hanging close holders out of the closet, so they can mud the back. I got some string and hung a flat board with holes drilled to fit the spaces of the hangers. We have it hanging from the rafter in the studio; AKA the place Aspen took over as her own private study room. Well, I think we'll honor her squatters rights... for now.

May 12, 2013

Another beautiful cool morning. I am to prep to chickens for an evening get together with two families, one from Gumbolimbo Resort and another from a 'soon to be resort' about four miles north.

At 11:00 am we met a neighbour at the 7 Miles entrance and followed her into Barton Creek to meet some Mennonite friends of hers. We had great conversation with a wonderful lunch.

Around 2:00 pm we headed home to prepare dinner and clean house for our evening guests. And Todd actually swept floors and mopped and cooked the main dish. Tatiana worked on the salad and a great dessert. Aspen added a touch of artful class to cutting and displaying all of the colourful fruit trays. All and all I nice day for visits. It's not something we do all that often. Also, Aspen got to meet another girl her age and they got time to play together before and after dinner.

May 13

A calm late start to the day. For the first time, in a long time, we slept in till 9:00 am. Usually, we are up between 6:30 and 7:00 am. As we did get up so late, we assumed it would be a a laid back day. Not Quite... While finishing up with lunch, Angel came by to get the truck. “I think there might be a fire on the far side of the property.”

Shortly after he left I drove to the back side and sure enough someone had set a fire, to clear the undergrowth. It was supposed to be only on their property, but we had quite the breeze today and it jumped their line. When I got to the fire, I started clearing a line,with my hands, the way Angel showed me. Then he said, “Go get Carlos and the plastic rake.” At the time it seemed like a bigger fire, so I rushed down off of the hillside, working not to trip, as I remain a greenhorn in the jungle.

I got to the house, got the guys more water and picked up Tatiana, Aspen and Carlos. We are zipped back to the fire line, ran up the hill and only to hear Angel say, “It's all done. We finished the line. I will check on it in the morning.”

Tatiana and I stayed back to survey the damage to the property. We put out a few more hot spots, then took a short cut through some tall grass to a clearing. Less than half way through the grass, I realised how it is somewhat stupid to be walking in deep grass. No way to see any snakes. Well, I just made a lot of noise and beat the grass in front of me, with my machete and kept going. If this was a story. They would call this part foreshadowing. At the time, I called it a short cut to the farm house.

Well, no one was around to ask, “Just who did start the fire today?”

We then decided to take a quick walk to our creek, just to see if it dried up. We found the creek. It still had a fair amount of water in it. So we went ahead a bit further to see how good the water flow was at the section on our property. Tatiana, “Maybe we should just go back.” Todd “Why not go a little further. I'm sure our property line is close.”

We followed the creek for a while and sure enough we found section of creek with the small cluster of very tall bamboo.

I then said, “Why don't we just go up the line a bit, to find the end line concrete marker.

Tatiana, “I just wait here.”

Todd, “O.K.”

Todd thinking, “I thought Julio told me it was only 10 to 20 feet on the other side of the creek.

Fifty yards back, Todd still thinking “Where exactly is the line? Should I start to go up the hill? Well, I'm here, might as well. Yea, I know the sun is setting. I'll be quick.”

Todd, “A little further, Wow, I found the marker. Hey, Tatiana, get up here, so I can show you the marker. Tatiana?

Tatiana yelled back, “Yea, yea, I said I'm coming.

Finally, we both officially saw the marker. Time to head home.

Tatiana, “Do you even know where the line is?”

Todd, “Well, it's not there anymore, but I know it's supposed to go that way.

So up the hill we went. Up the very steep hill. When you're grabbing at small trees, to pull yourself up to the next section, you know it's steep. And a risk, since we don't know what small white and black poisonwood trees look like and it is also easy to forget that often the trees you grab have sharp spikes growing out of them. Sometimes they hurt, but mostly the hurt is felt in the stupidity of yet again grabbing hold of that wrong tree.

Finally I see a marker stick, with a grey bag tied to it. Yep, this was a trail, Tom helped clear. He marked other trails the same way. Looks like we didn't get lost.

At top of hill. Been here before. Still not lost. Going down the hill, however, posed a problem. I veered to right and ended up, hmm, somewhere else. I saw a very large tree that had fallen down. Hmm, I did not see that tree before.

Tatiana, “So where is the house from here.”

Todd, “It's over there. We apparently walked the wrong property line.” But I DID know where we were. Just slightly misguided.

Ten minutes later. It's darker and we are deeper in some ravine. Hmm...

Tatiana, “So, where are we?”

Todd, “I don't know where we are. But I think it's a good idea to keep moving forward.” (This where I considered the possibility of being lost.)

Tatiana, another 10 minutes later, “So how about now.”

Todd, “I think we are close to our 'Terabithia' place.

Tatiana, “And what if it's not?”

Todd, “Well, then we will be in a bit of trouble. Because it is getting dark. And I am now really running out of energy hacking away at the bush with my machete.”

Five minutes later, Todd, “I see the rock cliff! We made it! This IS Terabithia.”

We were quite relieved. We were tired and I had fallen down three times in the last half hour and that made me mad enough to move forward faster and hack even harder at the bush.

Finally, we got to our road and walked up to the house, a bit tired and me sweating out fifty pounds (maybe some exaggeration there).

Now, that we showered all of the ticks off of us, we feel much better. It's amazing how big a jungle can really be....And we are only on 79 acres. Where I'm from, in South Dakota, 1500 acres is a small place. But I'd like to see one of those dry land farmers navigate around in a small area of jungle. Someone would end up lost and eventually in a cast.

P.S.

Tatiana boiled some Gumbolimbo bark, we got on our hike and we are know enjoying a hot bath in the healing juices of the Gumbolimbo. It really helps with rashes, scratches and bug bites. So it is the perfect thing to do after such an outing.

May 26, 2013
If you were wondering where we were. Well, things got a bit upside down the past week and a half. First. while going up to Corozal, to meet with a medicine man, I started to feel sick.

We met with the medicine man and he gave Tatiana certain herbs for her eczema and certain herbs to me.

The next day I felt not so good. I just thought it was the flu and perhaps a reaction to the herbs; reflected in small bumps on the skin. Anyway, I had to go fight a fire at 10 p.m. that was moving from the road clearing into the jungle. Angel and I fought it for over an hour. It then I became clear that I was not feeling well at all. I went to grab a bucket of water and I couldn't lift it. I had to use both hands. I then asked myself, "What the heck is going on! This sure is a strange flu.

Well, I started to get worse and the bumps spread all over the body. I had hot sweats and freezing sweats and pain in the A#%*, headaches. This went on for several days. We finally came to the conclusion: 47 year old Todd got the Chicken Pox.

:)--Another Day in Paradise--:)

NO NEED FOR A DRUGSTORE HERE.

(Just good backyard medicine - No, you don't just take a pill)

So then commenced sessions of soaking in Jovillo leafs, for drying out the bumps and also Che Che Ping for reduction of inflammation. Both worked great. I also took slightly aged Noni juice. Now that's some strong tasting stuff. I am low on energy, but still things to get done.

Three nights ago, I had to run down to the road and put out a fire that was working its way into the jungle, again. I wanted to leave it be, but it grew by 3X in just 10 minutes.

It looks like I got both: the flu and Chicken Pox.

Oops, forgot the date here. (well, at least I save all receipts on all purchases, sometimes I forget the occasional ice cream cone, but that too should be counted.) Today, the heavy equipment arrived to level out road material, for road in general, Angel's new driveway, additional driveway and place for Palapa to store the two trailers. Also, four trees got pushed down that were too close to Lorena's and Angel's house. One tree took nearly an hour to push over. Very big and stubborn, but also only 15 feet from their house.

We are also going to level out a dip in our house driveway. They had to quit early, as the rains became too strong.

We noticed the Plumb tree budding, so we figure rainy season is soon to come. Then tonight, thousands of the flying ants were outside. Yep. Another sign that rainy season is coming to our part of the world.

Of a funny note. While it was raining, a second time today, Tatiana and I ran downstairs to fill buckets of water for drinking. While doing so, we got soaking wet and covered with flying termites. They were everywhere. We had to scoop them out of our bucket and off of our clothes. Even while writing this, I've had to brush and squish off at least a 100 of them. (Update: now 200) Really, you have to be here to see the humour in this. We saw them swarm before, at Tom and Marge's. They just come in, their wings fall off and they crawl away. Anyway, if they didn't come, how would one know when rainy season starts.

We both took a hot bath afterwords and left a tub full of ant wings.

Tomorrow, we look forward to clearing about an acre, for our garden.

If any part of today's blog seemed less than clear, well, I still feel a bit fuzzy in the head.

Hmm. It just started to rain again.

June 5, 2013
Today, we built a coffin. It was for Lorena's sister's baby. Her baby was only 10 days old. Angel and I worked to build the best coffin we could, as it was not something either of us had any experience doing.

I have only recently got to be introduced to Edilma (sp) when she went with us to Melchor and at the wedding.

Tonight, I drove Lorena, Angel, and family members, from the village, to where people were gathered, in San Ignacio, to pay their respects. A large group of people were at the house. Some sitting and talking, others in silence and others seated outside in rows singing.

The viewing of the baby was in the living room. The coffin all wrapped in white sheets with the most beauty little baby inside. It was so sad. It's still sad. It still makes me cry. I, in no way, can even come close to knowing the deep sorrow and pain this young couple is going through.

It was a long silent drive home. None of us really had anything to say.

June 8, 2013
Tatiana, Angel and I went to Barton Creek to get our first fruit trees.

Tatiana, "Are you saying, those trees over there will bear fruit in two years?!"

Angel, "Well, yea...maybe."

We got several varieties of Mango and Avacado; mulberry, sour sop and many others, too numerous to mention and too many I forgot the names of. Oh, and I just asked Tatiana what the other trees were that we got and looks like her brain is in the same place. (I should have actually written this part on the above date and not the 15th.)

June 9, 2013

Tonight, was a peaceful night. Aspen working on her emails and Tatiana and I on the veranda reading. A cool breeze made the night even more perfect, with the occasional conversation about the people in the story I am reading on how to live with nature in Belize.

Then... I noticed a few more bugs than normal. Then, a few more; a lot of 'a few more'. The flying ants entered the house. Quickly, we found our oil lamps and shut down most of the lights. I soaked wicks to all 3 lamps, filled them and got them lit. We then turned off all lights. By now quite a few thousand of flying ants were in the house. Tatiana finished dishes by lamplight and I set up post to minimize the hords. :+ Two lamps, then three lamps on the counter, with spatula in hand. I was up for over and hour, swat, swat, SWAT. At least 6 to 8,000 times. Finally, situation under control. I wanted to use bug spray or fish oil, but Tatiana said no. So I had to resort to the spatula method.

I now know why we got the lamps, that we had not used, until tonight, to minimize light and deter the welcome mat of too many lights.

Boy, we really are green horn gringos. I am sure there are better ways to deal with buggy things, but we , well, are in full mode of setting egos and any sense of knowing much of anything aside. We will keep our doors wide open to the many answers that will be offered to our many questions.

We are so thankful to have so many help us on our way in this new, uncharted and exciting adventure.

P.S. The bug management process allowed Tatiana to continue reading her book peacefully in her hammock.

June 12, 2013

Today, was a bit of a long day. Dottie Feucht was nice enough to get me an invite a tour of Cacao Farms in the Toledo District, as well as sitting in on the first forum on Cacao in many years.

We got going out of Mountain Pine Ridge at 4:50 am and were at location before 9:00 am. After everyone gathered, a brief summery of the days activities was announced. First stop, a small nursery where, with the help of a man named Marco, is starting to graft Cacao.

The U.S. Ambassador, and his wife Barb and I were interested in how they did the grafting and a young man was nice enough to not only answer our questions, but also give us a demonstration in grafting. This of course was very exciting to see first hand.

Above: Grafted Cacao

One of the oldest Cacao Growers of Belize: Mr. Buhl

We were then shown how the Cacao is moved through the six day fermenting process and then to the drying tables for about six days.

At Belcampo

Our next stop showed examples of well pruned trees and some of them bearing fruit. A thin layer of fruit wraps around each bean and is quite tasty, a bit like sour sop with an after effect on the tongue faintly reminding me of Noni.

I am hiding in the back of pic. (Belcampo)

We then went to Maya Mountain

Cacao, to see, first hand, their

method of processing. Company manager, Emily Stone gave a interesting and informative walk through of their operations. Here, is where I also got a flat tire.

It was the best place to get a flat tire. I was so fortunate that they had a

shop on the premises with a plug kit. They found the hole and plugged it and in twenty minutes, we were on our way again. Fortunately, they could fix the tire, as we were missing the crank for the spare tire and of course could not access that tire.

Our final visit was Belcampo. Here, they have a large nursery. Not only do they grow Cacao, but also Vanilla. This too I would like to investigate.

Finally, we were all off to Punta Gorda, for lunch and then eight guest speakers, including several growers, CEO of Belize Agriculture and U.S. Ambassador, Vinai Thummalapally.

The evening was finished with a session of questions and answers. Topics covered, were how to expand this burgening business in Belize, level of government involvement, consistency and quality, education of farmers and most importantly how to unify all growers as one group; allowing for the end result of better selling conditions.

Also discussed was Belize working towards a commitment of exchange and learning with those at Trinidad Cacao reasearch facitlities.

This is of course a very brief summation of the many things covered today in the Toledo district.

Here, at home, an expert in growing Cacao, has agreed to come to our place and see what conditions exists for growing the Cacao trees. If possible, we would like to have up to 500 plus grafted trees planted. The yield ranges between 300 to 1000 pounds of dry Cacao beans per acre.

The government and others now want to support expanding the growing of Cacao to also the Cayo district, with research being done at Central Farm. Currently, most growers are member of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association. They have approximately, 800 members; most are small growers, with many wanting to expand.

It is now 12:09 am and must go to bed. Twenty hour days are long, even for a young guy like me.

June 14, 2013

Fidel, finally finished the work in the downstairs bathroom. It turned out great. It was more work than any of us realised.

Now we officially have two toilettes and tub/shower. We hope to tackle the guest room next month.

June 15, 2013

Today, was about our 4^th. dry day, so Angel thought it dry enough to put fire to burn piles and Yes they did burn well. Another day of smoke filled house and of course burning eyes, while getting a lesson in making bread. I am having Tatiana giving me crash courses in bread making and blintzes. I made three loafs of bread. We will see how well they taste.

Jackie, our new adopted Blue Healer, ask Tatiana how that happened...

Also, Angel and I and with some good advice from Fidel on how to apply sanding sealer, finally got Aspen's bed done. It is made of solid Mahogany with Sapadilla as accent.

I know, I have too many pics of making of the bed. Well, it took a long time to make, so I put a lot of photos up.

We learned a lot. One thing I learned is that problems don't get solved faster by me getting agitated with problems I can't solve. In the end, if you can't solve a problem, ask for directions, I mean advice.

Mmm. Tatiana just handed me a slice of my first bread making of Belize. It is GOOD! I am glad I have such a good teacher. I love my lovely wife.

July 5, 2013

Yesterday was the 4th, but no big celebrations here. Also, no good internet yesterday to wish everyone, in the States, a happy 4th.

A quick update:

We were in the States, at the end of June.

It was a quick trip, but always good to see friends and especially Aspen, who got to see several of her close friends.

We did a nice tour of the the Southwest and I also used the trip as an opportunity to do a bit of business along the way.

Most businesses are hurting, but did manage to get in a couple of sales.

Tatiana stayed back in Albuquerque to work and will be also going to Russia in August, as her mother has had another stroke and is now mostly blind and partially paralyzed. She is going to help with the canning and garden work and talk with her brother and his wife about how they can help when she leaves.

Here in Belize, we are still at it. I found a good price on seconds Mahogany, about a $1.50 bz. a board foot. Angel and I figured out how to straighten most of the wood and split it down the centers for floor and door moulding. It is not necessarily something you can buy here (the way you want it) and much more expensive. With us creating the finished moulding, it's costing us about .50 cents bz per linear foot.

Also, the crew will be finished with all of the interior painting by tomorrow. Work on the guest room started yesterday, with the sanding of the beams and ceiling wood. It will get first coat of varnish today and ordered tile will be in hopefully today.

It is tough for both Aspen and I not having Tatiana here.

She is going to be gone for over three months. I don't think such a long time is a good idea. We miss her and wish circumstances were different.

When we came home, everything was somewhat messy. The crew was still finishing up with the mud work, on the walls so the kitchen had to be removed and there was dust, mud and paint everywhere. A bit of it not where it should be, but considering how much work they got done, while we were gone; well quite a transformation. They did some great work. Sometimes figuring where to eat and live during construction, can be challenging.

Well, must go as I am usually at work by 7:30 am. A lot to do and today is our first mostly sunny day. Although the rains have been great and the sound on the roof is calming.

July 11, 2013

Today, we are off to Spanish Lookout, while work will continue on house.

Half of the tiles in downstairs guest room is now in place. We are also working on getting a kitchen built and am off to see the carpenter today.

Phase 1-go to lumber yard way out into a guys farm yard.

Phase 2-Find a way to plane boards
when all you have is a jointer.

Phase 3-Ripping boards in half, delicately on table saw.

Phase 4-Sanding and putting up the moulding.

Clothes Pins? Really?

Some of the door jams do not 'flush out' with the sheetrock, so we had to make very small add ons to the molding and I needed a method to clamp the wobbly pieces of wood in place, so I looked around and saw Aspen's bucket of clothes pins. I tested it out and turns out they worked great!

Here are a few pics of some of the work in progress. Also, pics of our new garden space.

July 16, 2013

Today's blog is a letter to Tatiana that sums up what we've been doing for the past few days.

Dear Tatiana,

We are hoping to do the final coat of varnish to the studio, two back verandas, our bedroom and corner room on Thursday or Friday. We are first putting up moulding where the sheetrock meets the ceiling. All door and floor moulding is done in the fore mentioned areas and also dining room area.

Angel and I just got back from getting bamboo.

We got 10 pieces and hope it is enough for walling off the mudroom.

Fidel is just getting ready to put the grout down and then that will also be done.

Angel and I also shaped and put up molding to tie in the concrete walls and ceiling of guest room. We did not varnish it yet or nail it in as the wood still needs to dry a bit more.

Sanded and Varnished, without upper Guana Castas (spelling) moulding.

It is called Guana Castas wood. Beautiful wood grain.

(Below photo-just below the floor joists)

I think it will be golden in color, after varnish.

The three windows for downstairs should be finished in a couple of days.

Kitchen will be installed at end of the month, along with the four doors downstairs.
Aspen also is working her but off. Yesterday, she cleaned our veranda living quarters and today we moved her work space,

yet again to the east veranda, as we need to clean and clear the back half of the house. She started school today.

Much love,

Papa.

PS I somehow hurt my elbow on the concrete floor yesterday and now hurts much more than a rose bush. Grin. I need my arm, so this inconveinance is *@$*# me off. Two days ago I ran into a stationary board right into my right shoulder. I think my back ended up hurting more. That @*$*# me off also. Working hard, but would prefer more energy to work more. Oh, also forgot I will be done the bookshelf in time for it to be in place by next week.

PPS

Poor Maya misses you a lot.

5:22pm JUST IN! UPDATE ON FLOOR!!

7/25/13

On the inside, all tile is in and windows fitted.Today,was a good weather day.Not too hot. Not too cold, or wet. Work continues on the outside back of guest room.

"Look, I can Fly!"

The posts will be poured for the platform (for water tank) in the a.m. We also, continue on the moulding. I am still tinkering on the bookshelf, when I get the chance. A few pics of the dogs; for Tatiana, who soon to be in Russia helping her parents. Another pic of unusual moth on computer.

Well, I'm tired and not too creative with words, nor descriptive, but that's it for update, for now.

7/30/13

It is 7:54 pm and we are all tired. We all took turns sanding and cleaning the main part of the house. All of our stuff, mostly clothes, beds, fridge and other clutter got moved to the verandas.

And tomorrow we will move all of that stuff back into the house and work to sand, clean and varnish the verandas. Then.................we will finally be able to move into the house and get the moulding Angel and I finished in place. All of the walls are now painted and when the floors are done we will install the base board moulding and door moulding. The kitchen will get installed probably Thursday.

Again, I know, not much for words. We are still tired and Aspen is still prepping the back rooms for final varnish. I told her it was good enough, but she said, "No, I can still feel dust on this floor." I hope she quits soon. It is now 8:34 pm and we have to start at 6 am.

Goodnight.

August 12, 2013

Tonight, the parrots, too many to count, are all settling in around the house. We are now their new resting spot for the night. It sounds like we are at a very busy convention. It's beautiful to see them fly in from all directions and then just settle in for the night. Of course they like to chat for a while. But as soon as it's dark, they all agree to be quiet. Then promptly at 6:00 am they start to stir, chat then fly off to other places to eat. In most places in Belize, you will not get the chance to be around so many parrots. But we are in a transition zone between farmland and the upper mountains of pine trees. This narrow band of jungle is rich in diversity, with numerous interesting insects, birds, butterflies, trees, Mayan ruins and caves. Also, it is considered to have the best climate in the country.

Our neighbors, of Moonracer Farms, just moved up into the mountains; another eight miles back. And there the weather is as close to perfect as one can get. They are very excited about their new place and the work they will be doing in Mountain Pine Ridge. We will miss having them just around the corner. Tatiana and I so admire how they've adapted to the environment and how they connect and relate to the people who have lived back here for so many years. We have learned much by their example and wish them the best in their new pioneering adventure. Aspen and I hope to visit them soon, once they are settled in.

Tatiana will still be in Russia for another month. We hope she is doing well, but find it difficult to connect to her through skype. Aspen and I miss her so much. Her being going for over 1/4 of a year is turning out to be much sadder than anticipated.

When she comes back in mid October, she will be leaving again first week of December. Then, we hope, she will stay around for a while.

All of our major work on the property will be done by then. And we will reduce our trips to town to once a week.

Today, Aspen made an apple pie and it is in the oven as we speak. Hmm... maybe that is good enough for dinner. O.K. we'll eat some rice and pasta first.

To all of those reading this blog, please put out a prayer to my brother and his wife Tammy, as fire fighters are fighting hard to keep the fire from entering their town of Glendale, OR. Many have already evacuated the area.

It is now dark and guess what!?.... The parrots fell asleep, with their chatter replaced with the sounds of frogs, cicadas and later on, often times, the kitties, a.k.a jaguars. Good to have a house nine feet off the jungle floor.

We had hard rains tonight and the roof still hasn't leaked, where they joined the studio to the main house. This is about the 4th. hard rain, since the guys fixed it. I hope it holds.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Guys still working on platform for water tank. I decided that since we (scratch that) since they are putting all the work into building a platform for the water catchment, why not to have it extended another five feet for a place to do stargazing. I am sorry, but must admit, I am wimping out on helping with concrete work. So I relocated myself to quick books paperwork. It has to get done and those doing the concrete work feel the same way about book keeping as I do about concrete work.

Here are some pics of work thus far.

We also got the kitchen in and will upload those pics soon.

The cats and dogs have finally fallen asleep even though it is still raining and well yes, the punch line... 'It's still raining like cats and dogs'. I know, I know Tatiana married a bit of a dork.

All the best to all of our friends and family. You guys and gals have meant so much to us in our lives.

August 21, 2013

The platform for water tank is finished and Fidel is now putting in a supporting wall directly to the left of where Aspen is in the photo. The corner of that part of the house was not stable and had to be resolved.

So here are the photos of last day on the platform.

I took my first shot at spraying on varnish as opposed to brushing on varnish. It came out O.K. In the future, I will spray varnish the wood, for a project with shelves before assembly, as some areas are too much of a challenge to get with the sprayer. Anyway we brought it upstairs and will put it in the back veranda room. The above pic is also to show the finished platform for water tank. We will also have a deck off of the other end for stargazing...eventually.

This morning the guys got 8 bags of slate hauled out from just past the cave, below the house. I went back and helped Alex haul out another 6 bags of slate. I tried to look like it was no problem keeping up with a 20 something kid, but my profusion of sweat gave me away. He hardly broke a sweat. I on the other hand was just working to keep the bag of slate on my back and try to remember how to get out of the jungle and back to the road.

Oh, so we are getting the slate to make a pathway from under the house to the steps, as this is where most of the mud in the house seems to originate. The area between the two slate edges with be filled with gravel that we have left from concrete work.

Yesterday, was our once a month trip to Belmopan, to get our passports stamped. We have one more stamping and then can apply for Residency.

It was nice for Aspen and I to take the day off from the house. We found a good rice and beans chicken shake right next to immigration. We then did the standard rounds. Shopping for food and Builders for plastic bags to start up plants for the nursery. Angel is first starting with flowering plants, I think he wants to plant about 350 of them, for now. We also found a great dessert and coffee place. A rare find...CASA CAFE, owner is Pei.

This last Tuesday, Julio picked up some chicken from us, for Janeth to cook and we all (Lorena, Angel, Aspen and I) went over to Moonracer for dinner.

Janeth and Julio's kids w/Alvin in front

Angel's son, Alvin

Angel

Lorena

It was nice to see familiar surroundings again. Our whole family has so many great memories of staying at Moonracer Farm. It was nice to just hang out and talk. Julio and Janeth are quite excited about the new work of managing Tom and Marge's resort. Tom and Marge are now up by Bull Run starting their new job. We hope to visit them soon and ask about the specifics of the conservation work they will be doing.

Aspen and I are still trying to find our bearings. So little time was spent in our new home, before Tatiana, went to work. As I mentioned before, she is helping her parents out in Russia. Both have had strokes and other health challenges, but still somehow manage to scurry around and work hard. Her parents do not and never will understand being lazy and lethargic. I am glad she can spend time with them along with her brother's family. Life is short and family is so important.

I thought I had mentioned it, but looks like not. This month was Bible study week in 7 Miles. Many people volunteered their time to make make it an enjoyable learning experience for all of the kids. Miss Dottie and Miss Susan worked hard on organizing all of the events.

Map of 7 Miles, showing where all of the kids from bible school live.

I also helped out a bit and taught art class on one of the days. It was about four classes to teach, over 80 kids! Whew, didn't prep for that many. I worked to teach them how to paint either an image of a cross or an Angel. A lot of talented budding artists. And they patiently put up with their teacher. Well, we sure used a lot of paint!

Aspen volunteered everyday getting drinks and snacks ready for the kids during breaks. She also made a new friend, Blanca, girl in left picture.

After Bible school week, Miss Dottie, her nephew, Luke and Aspen and I went to Placencia for a night.

We really liked the artwork done with the towels!

Maya Lodge, Placencia

Luke, Next to Maya Lodge

Finally, at the Ocean.

People messed up where Miss Dottie made reservations, so I called Stephano and he set us up at Maya Lodge. We ate at De Thatch

Hootin' Howlers and Parrots

Right now, the Parrots are returning from work and settling in. They always have a lot to say about their day. Of course I have no idea what they're chatting about. Also, the Howler monkeys just stopped Hooten and the dogs also quit barking at them.

(sp). The next day we went swimming, found a lid to a bucket and played frisbee.

October 19, 2013

It's been some time since since the blog was updated. As you can see by the pics, the kitchen is finally done. Angel and I hope to have the skill to do such a project in the next few months. We have already done a number of wood projects such as a book shelf, benches, kitchen shelves, thousands of feet of moulding, setting doors, building jams, work benches for tool room and more, more moulding. I just started building a dresser for our room. I am making it out of mahogany and either white poisenwood or prickly yellow for the face boards of the drawers. I haven't made one yet, but I figure it won't be so difficult. I am real excited about finding one single large thin slab of mahogany for the top. It's not easy finding one solid piece of wood for a dresser top. The first two legs I already cut; straight to the inside, with a tilt out on inner and outer bottem leg and sweeping out on the top outside. I was off by 3/8 of an inch and the line was horrible. Once corrected, it looked completely different. I have learned how to make and set wood plugs, so future works should look a bit cleaner. Angel and I are going to learn how to make chairs in the near future. I have been studying them everywhere I go. The basic lines repeat in most chairs, but only a few are comfortable enough to sit back into. Chairs MUST curve in the back, with a smaller and tighter curve to the lower support section. The wood for our main table is finally dry, so work will be done on that shortly. It will be a simple four post table (Jovio, Granadillo, Bullet Tree, Mahogany and maybe Cabbage Bark).

RETURN/B-DAY PARTY!!!

Tatiana got back on the 9th. She is so glad to finally be home. It has been a long time. We celebrated her return along with Aspen's birthday on the 11th. About 35 people showed up.

Marge and Margarete

Noah and Marela

Tom

Tatiana and Tom

(Unfortunate Scorpion)

Alcohol Kills!

Julio, Marge and Noah

Jim, Tineke, Jan and Lorena

Monique, Jim, Tineke and Jan

Monique, Shane, Margie, Dennis and Dottie

It was a lot of fun and so nice to see all of our new friends. Here, people take time to know one another. Not quite like the states where your next door neighbor refuses to get to know you. Just yesterday, I ran into a couple from Canada and they said the same thing. "In Canada, you don't even know the people who live right next to you." So true and sad. Most people stayed for about four hours. We cooked the main dish and everyone else brought a side dish or dessert. Marge, from up in Bull Run brought her famous mixed Rum and Fruit drink; a favorite of Tatiana's. Aspen got lots of chocolate and yarn. Two of her favorite things.

I put in three shelves, out of redwood, today, for the kitchen. Not perfect, but are sorely needed. And often it is better to get done, than get perfect and undone.

Fidel and Angel are building a wood shed, so we can get all of the lumber away from the house. While clearing a spot for it, they discovered a great section for gardening and fruit trees; at least one acre to work with.

The downstairs guest room is finally done with the three doors installed.

It's a beautiful room.

We will now have to add to the list, one more bed to make.

So much more has happened since last update, but was not having the energy to put it to words. I will work harder to do so; now that the whole family is under one roof.

November 4, 2013

Today, Tatiana and I got up early to go to Barton Creek to get vegatables. We met up with our neighbor Dottie and headed down a rather muddy road. I was glad Dottie drives slow. This time of year, is heavy with rain, so driving at a reduced pace is a good idea and minimizes digging into the wallet for another car repair.

About half an … oh wow, just hearing the Night Monkeys, right outside the tree next to my window. Now where was I? Oh yea, about half an hour later, we got to the place where they sell fresh veggies and turns out that this years location was moved to the house next to the horse drawn saw mill. So we headed there. New white marl on the road to the house, but still too soon in the season.

On the Way Home from Barton Creek

On the way home, we all agreed to come back in a couple of weeks. We would call them, but well this particular group of Mennonites do not use phones or anything electrical, or mechanical that requires petrol.

I have to say, that I do really enjoy the company of this group of Mennonites. They are open, friendly, humble and always willing to teach you something. I particularly like how they remind me to be more humble.

After getting home, Tatiana and I went on a long walk up the mountain, until it leveled off, then turned back down our path towards home. Nice time to walk. It had just rained a few hours ago, so it was a cool temperature.

Aspen was studying in the guest room, as it is one of the few places not to have interruption from things being built.

Here are some pics. She fixed it up very nice. It's not always easy for her to study, much less adapt.

After getting back to the house, I was surprised to be so tired and promptly fell asleep. Of coarse I did get in a bit of trouble for that, as I was supposed to be working downstairs, building furniture. Anyway, I did eventually get going and helped Angel with a new project and also worked on a couple of bedside end tables. I will try to get the pics up for the projects tonight, if the Internet God will let me :)

Around 6:30 tonight, some friends of Angel, from the village drove up and dropped off some wood. Looks like we are off to our first job: one bed and one table. Back to learning, for the both of us. Should be fun. We told them that we are still learning, so we won't charge much. We are going to work on it after work; probably from 4 to 6 in the evenings.

Since writing this, only 3 pics have uploaded to the blog site. It takes a lot of time, out here, to update/maintain the blog. Anyway that is going to be my current excuse as to why I've neglected our blog site for so long.

Oh, also as you Might See, from the pics, the woodshed is finally finished.

It was high time to get the wood, from under the house away from the house. When they cleared the space, for the woodshed, they found at least another one to two acres for good farming. This space will allow the other space to become an orchard and we will know have room for some cacao trees, not many, maybe 1 to 2 hundred. Here, that is a small amount.

November 6, 2014

We have had some sunny days, so varnishing with the sprayer was on the list. The shelves for the pantry have two more coats to go.

Undersides of shelves for bathroom linen shelves.

Frame Supports for shelves

Headboard-to be framed in. (Wood: Cedro/Cedar, Purple Heart and Jovio.)

The boards for the headboard of the new bed got glued up. And tonight I cut the tongues for the end table supports, using a sacrificial gate (1” wood rail against the table saws steel gate.) We got a dado blade and work is much faster. I got all eight pieces cut in about 8 minutes; that's 64 cuts. Pretty cool to learn another trick. As Angel always says, “We're just learning.” and “See that's not too difficult.” I like his relaxed demeanor. Getting stressed out, is foreign to him, so in the end he makes less mistakes and stays open to learning.

The headboard is the only thing left on the bed to make. Probably another day with the woodworking and another 3 hours spray varnishing. We are now experimenting with two part sealer and two part varnish finish. The hardener, makes for a scratch resistant surface and mirror smooth. We are quite astonished on how the final coat lays down. It makes us look like pros.

It just started raining about half an hour ago. It will probably rain all night, as is often the case. The jungle is pretty lush right now.

15 Minutes Later: Now it's REALY RAINING HARD!!!

December 2, 2013

I haven't forgot to work on blog. I just got too busy. We just finished a few projects and I will highlight the process on a couple of them. We finished the guest bed and end tables. We will know make lamps for that room. I had an idea of glueing up Mahogany with Redwood in the center into one block, then making 8 to 10 slices out of that block, for the sides of the lamp. I just finished cutting the slices and looks like the idea will work. This way of 'glue up' will allow us to make many lamps at once. Simply run the cuts twice through the table saw at 5/8" and then plane of the saw marks and you get a 1/2" board to set into the groove of the individual posts; making sure to mark the endpoints of the lamp's legs, so as not to cut to the end. That will make the lamp's four legs more stable. So the panels can be cut to about 16 degrees and the legs 1.5", with top and bottom caps for wire inlet and fixture outlet support.

Her are some pics of our smaller dinning room table, for inside the house, for a corner nook. The pics are somewhat from start to finish.

We used a two part sealer 2X and a

two part final with hardener 2X. All

of the varnish work we do now with

the sprayer. No more brush work.

It is made out of Cedro (Cedar), Purple Heart,

Jovio, Cabbage Bark and another great hardwood for the border.

Before...our beloved Costco plastic table. This one we used for the past year

After....

Finally, our current table!

Here are some pics, from start to finish on the end tables.

They are made with Mahogany legs, Cedro bottom shelf, and Cedro, Redwood and Purple Heart for the tops.

=================================

This is catching up. Even though I am writing this post in March, it actually occurred in December. We spent a bit of time finishing up things and getting ready for our guest from New York. Tatiana knew Nastia and Tatiana, from her times, when she first got to the U.S. some 20 plus years ago. So they are like family to her and visa versa. About 12 years ago, Nastia married Joe Krespi. They have a daughter, Katia. She and Aspen got alone quite well.

Here are the pics of the bedroom, just finished before arrival. The lamps, tables, book shelf and bed we made here.

It was not so quick making the bed, but it turned out the way I saw it in my 'starting to age' brain. We did not do the doors in the pic here, but Angel and I did some tinkering and we feel confident that we can make custom doors. Within a year, we will be, hopefully, building a separate steel building with concrete floor, for woodworking. I want to start up this business, SLOWLY. I put it in caps, so I can easily find the written promise I made to myself. NOTHING TOO BIG. Yea that too...

FINALLY, WE FINISHED OUR DINNING ROOM TABLE

Here is the table we just finished, right when Tatiana drove up with our guests. We were only a few minutes late finishing the table, when they got into the house. The top of this table is HEAVY! It should have taken at least four men to get it upstairs. It got upstairs with only three.

March 12, 2014

Yes, it's been a while since I worked on the blog. We've been working and my computer took a dive and was out of commission for about six weeks.

The below project is a wardrobe we made out of cedar, to keep it light. The panel work is something new we taught ourselves, as are the drawers. It didn't come out perfect, but we are still happy to learn and do the work. It is know in Aspen's room and she finally has a place to put her things.

This is the clothes hanger post just finished
for the wardrobe. I used Jovio for the
supports, as it is a pretty hard wood.

This is another book shelf, made of Jovio and Redwood. As much of the wood
was warped, it was a pain to 'tie in' the end boards. It is about 6 feet tall.

Life's Going to the Birds!

Aspen's cat injured a bird, so I made a bird cage, with a Japanese style roof,
complete with sky lights, support beam, two perches and the bottom floor slides
out, for ease of cleaning.

After all of the screening was attached, I put on finish trim boards.

Yes, here is the birdy...

Then we actually went 'Birding' with the President of the Belize National Audubon Society, and other professional 'Birders'. I believe Aspen, myself and one or two others were the only ones that don't make a living 'Birding'. They are quite serious about what they do. Several of them, we were told, could identify over 500 birds; many just by sound. It was nice for Aspen to take the day off, from school to enjoy the activity. We were lucky it was so close. Only two miles away, at M.E.T. resort.

So yes, again.. more pics of the day.

This is a 'ghosting' of a hummingbird, that was in this place only a moment ago. Notice the details of the wings and feathers. Pretty Cool!

I caught these pics right before and during a hawk diving down to attack this Collard Tucan.

We hope we can arrange a way to get invited next year. Perhaps, we will ad our place onto the event. If they will let us.... :)

April 15, 2014

Been a while since typing. Longer days working, as I am now getting more adjusted to the weather. We are organizing things so, we can do wood working projects more efficiently.

In March, Tatiana's friends from work, Toni and Connie came to visit for two weeks. They are such troopers for putting up with us. We spent a week with them in Placencia and also took one day to go to the Silk Cayes. We were fortunate to have perfect, perfect, great, wonderful weather.

CAVES BRANCH

You see the guy with the paddle?
Yes, he is rowing! We were all having fun with
our situation. On the way back, we ran out of
gas. I looked out on the horizon, but no gas station. All I saw
water and a few flying fish. Most laughed, some
got mad. But they were the same ones
on the way out that got mad about the
rough waters.

We were also fortunate to be able to actually find a house to rent. (Much cheaper than renting rooms at a hotel.) Most of the time we ate at home. We then took them to our place for a week and they enjoyed just slowing down. For Toni and Connie, their work is so hard and intense, they need a break to slow down to catch their breath. One of their highlights of their visit to the jungle was the get together with our neighbors Tom and Marge. We also took them up into Mountain Pine Ridge to Rio on Pools for a swim. Again, another great day to cool off.

If I get the time and internet speed, I will upload some pics of their stay here.

April 15, 2014

Oh, yesterday, on the way down the steep hill at Dottie and Dennis's house, the front left tire on the truck popped out of the ball joint and came off. So fortunate that Tatiana was probably only going five miles an hour. I told Angel what happened and he grabbed for a ball joint I had ordered a month ago and some tools and we drove over to the Feucht's to look at the situation. To me, it looked pretty bad. the tire was tore out and almost at a right angle to the truck. Angel looked at it for a while and said, "I think we can fix it." When he said, 'we' he really meant he, Angel.

After about two hours of work, he did manage to fix it; with the redundancy ball joint part. So no need to get it towed to town. No need to get a mechanic to fix it. When we got home, I told Angel, "Today, you get to be the hero. I can't thank you enough!" Well, that's it from here. Todd

April 16, 2014

Today, is my brother's big 50 birthday. Tried calling, but couldn't leave a message, as he won't set up his voice mail, so sent a text. I am still not much of a texting person.

Spent the day in San Ignacio, running errands, going to vets for treatment for Lova (Angel and Lorena's dog), and dentist appointments.

Nice day, not hot, not cold, good day, spent with whole family.

July 1, 2014

Yes, to the outside world, we did indeed appear to disappear. Since they put in the new tower in San Antonio, to make phone and internet better; it got worse. I got a new device from the states that is supposed to solve this problem. It is new tech, so might take a bit. Today, Aspen has to be in town to work on a project for school, so we have internet today. Email at home still works. That is the best way for family and friends to contact us. When things change, I will notify everybody.

Aspen got into Academy of the New Church school. She will be attending as a freshman in high school. Her one area of struggle, math, will now be one of her strong points, as she has gotten great help from our neighbor Miss Dottie.

Aspen says, "I feel I have learned more math in the past year than I have in four years of public and private school."

She starts school in August.

Angel has got the organic garden going. It took some time to prep everything. First clearing, then plowing, building concrete block plant beds, hauling lots and lots of chicken manure, 15 yards of rice husk, (to mix in with the soil and finally a palapa with concrete floor and walls for compost building. The fruit trees are really taking off and the banana trees are now 3X in size. Rainy season is starting off slow and farmers are getting a bit anxious.

Last week Angel and I walked a line from one part time creek to the year round creek. It will be about a one mile hike, complete with vistas, resting areas and places for people to have lunch. When finished, the trail will be about six feet wide.

Here is one of the more complicated projects I did. I used twenty four pieces of wood to make this bedside table for Aspen's room. The sliders use ball bearings. They are better than the wheel sliders, which are often made out of plastic.

A strange new bug. It appears to be a camel cricket with grasshopper wings. When we let it go, however, it flew like a bird. It flew about forty feet off of the ground for about two hundred yards, then disappeared into the jungle. I've never seen a grasshopper fly like that, nor a camel cricket.

KLIFFSTONE'S !WAY IN THE BACK! OUTBACK

Monday, 12 January 2015

Friday, 9 November 2012

About Me