The beginning of the new chapter

Back in September, I spent weeks typing up this post....hit numerous buttons at the same time on accident, and every bit of it was erased, except for the title. I haven't had it in me to start it over again, until now, though I may leave out a lot of things that I had in before. So much is going on to update in  future posts, I don't know that I want to spend the same amount of time on this one that I did before.

We got the Nipsco path at the land marked by 811. There was questions about where the electric line had been buried previously, center of that path or to the side, and that would determine how burying the gas line would be approached. 

As it turns out, the electric line was buried center of the path, not giving any thought to future utilities that would need to also go there. I wasn't around for the full conversation between Woodchuck and the NIPSCO guy, but there was a plan in place if this worse case scenario came about. I alternate listening without looking too obvious about it, and zeroing in on nature and wandering around.

I am on my way to pick up the garbage that the 811 employee threw on my driveway, and realize just how many spiders are at the land, including the garage which is filled with American House Spiders and their broods. Spiders are EVERYWHERE at the land, inside and out.

We have also been visited by another kitty that looks a lot like the previous one that used to come around before the previous neighbors moved. I named that original one Shadow McGee because he was so quiet you would never know he was there until he wanted you to know. He would walk the land with us, dropping at our feet along the way and rolling around in glee in the dirt and leaves. Cat after my own heart. This cat also is very quiet, appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye.

We are here to put together the Bilko doors, and I must say that I am highly frustrated at the high amount of money we pay for things that are wrapped so poorly from the manufacturer that they are then dented and scratched up before even leaving the store. I spend money on something, especially several hundreds of dollars, it better look pristine coming out of the packing! Much grumbling between us, and a location move to the grass to minimize more damage was done, but we got them put together and are now spending every trip back to the land trying not to trip over the pallet. In time, in time.

I found this fantastic, velvety mushroom on the edge of the front forest on our way out!

It took a few trips to work on a patch of invasives that were hiding some very small, and very adorable Juniper trees. So I began delicately removing all of the bad stuff, while appreciating the view, and as always the bad stuff fought back.

Woodchuck mowed with his tractor, and I could see him across the pond. 

Even though the sun is hot, we have been blessed with low humidity and gorgeous days!

On our next trip back, I forgot my long sleeves again and didn't want to play with the thorns, so I improvised! I used some gators as sleeves, knotted them at the top and bottom, and even though the polyester catches thorns easily, it was just enough of a barrier to save my skin.

There was much to be seen again while I stepped gently and deliberately around the good stuff. Thankfully I saw this cricket in time!

A walk before saying farewell again. Blue cardinal flowers.

A Western Honeybee enjoying some goldenrod.

The watershed in all of its glory, with tall native grasses and oak trees.

You never need to know where you are going out here. All paths lead to beautiful places.

And it even has its own Yellow Non-Brick Road!

I made sure to pull some trail cam cards while I was there so I could check those out at home! Just the usual visitors to such an enchanted place 😍

I am continually gifted with treasures from Mother E!

Some things I would rather not be gifted though. I am honored, but it breaks my heart. Like this deer carcass I found in our pond. But I must honor the life of this lovely lady, remove her from the water, lay her to rest in some tall grass, and let her sustain other animals. Please do notice the frog sitting on her back. 😳

Woodchuck had to pull her out by hand, and luckily she was right at the shore. She was too heavy to drag to where we wanted to lay her to rest, so we had to use the tractor to move her. 

And that meant I had to get up close and left her head and rear into the bucket. Run  free, dear one. 😭

With that done, it makes you wonder what all is laying at the bottom of the pond 😕

Maybe Mr. Wooly Bear can tell me? No, he just says to enjoy the long Fall this year, and a mild Winter is a possibility.

Time to put everything away and head home. I see the Hops came back healthy and full. I did not have time to harvest them this year, and this ditch will be getting a contractor clean out soon, so I don't know that they will come back anyway. I still have the ones I harvested from last year and haven't used a single one. 

I have been TRYING to do more fun things, and I know that I am failing that more than succeeding, but there have been some glimmers along the way. A friend sent me the pattern for these macrame' skeletons and I had all of the supplies. Unfortunately, my paint is packed away somewhere and the permanent markers bled in the cheap wood beads for the faces, so I will need to wait to make more when I have my paints accessible.

I also bought a suitcase while out thrifting! What better way to manifest traveling some day than to buy a suitcase?! I love the pale lavender color! The zipper is very difficult though, so that will take some getting used to.

Woodchuck and I are also going to a comedy show (that is tomorrow night), though I originally brought up going to see one next month that I wanted to see. The one we bought tickets for is one that he wants to see. I actually don't even want to go, but I know that I should get out and do things and not just work, work, work. But my anxiety is high, and my stomach is upset thinking about being that far from home. Woodchucks eyesight makes it where I am doing nearly everything, and we are down to just my car right now since his recently broke down. My brain instantly starts going to the "what if" scenarios. I will do my best to try and enjoy myself though!

We are having an amazing Autumn where we are at, and man, it feels long overdue! Autumn is one of my favorite times of year, and provided some of the best days of being outside when I was growing up! I am watching as each creature makes their own lives in the glory of the Sunshine and changing leaves.

Pierogi is slowing down, wanting to sleep more and play less. Her allergies and asthma are flaring up, and I've started back with the L-Lysine in her food once a day. Her ears are constantly bothering her too.

We knocked out numerous projects before the house was put on the market! It has been listed for two weeks today, and while I said that I was manifesting it selling within two weeks of being on the market, I am always ok to be wrong. I make no claims to control time and space and outcomes, I can only control my enthusiasm and positivity. The day is not over yet, it could even sell today and be within the two weeks 😉

The before and after of the workshop side of the door we put in years ago to have access to the workshop from the inside of the house. Best decision ever!!! No more walking outside in the rain or freezing temps to go in there, but there is also still an exterior entry for those days we are dirty from working in the yard or at the land and don't want to track all of that through the house.

                                                        

And, my friends, the day I have been waiting for! I left the plastic in each window space until the drywall and painting was completely done. I have waited years for this moment to peel this stuff off, lol.

I did a vendor pop-up show last month and made some Halloween earrings for it. This was one of the pairs! 

I also signed up for a free 28-day fitness bootcamp for women over the age of 50, and that turned out to be a scam. So I turned that frustration into getting things done here around the house, eating a bit of healthy fat before I workout, and increasing my workouts. I have also had my intake with a new physical therapist who is helping me figure out if I have some connective tissue issues, which it is looking like I do! I start sessions with her next week, but had my eval a couple of weeks ago. 

In the meantime, things are moving along with the new house and I will update in future posts, but I wanted to get this one done and posted so I could feel like I could move on to the next ones now, lol. Thank you for being on this journey with us!