Roger heads back to Iraq.

Roger headed toward Iraq today.
This trip has been much more difficult for me. I struggled with trying to figure out if I had some kind of gut feeling, or if this time I was just on the wrong side of the continent.

Since our house in Seattle has not sold, we needed him to go, this I understand. I wish that he didn't feel so obligated, but I am lucky that he is willing to go to such great lengths - to make sure that we are taken care of.

Northern Virginia Countryside

This is a house that is across the street from me. I really love this picture. I can't wait to retake it during the different seasons.
This is what I pictured Virginia to be like. I'm really enjoying all the old houses.
The other house across the street is a house from the mid-1700's - has some great stories of civil war, and underground railroad. It will be next.

The sky is NOT falling...

It's been cloudy (rain off and on) for 3 days now, between 65-75 degrees - it's wonderful - no sun!

However everyone here is now way past sick of the rain. They were sick of it yesterday.
The ground is cracked, all towns have water restrictions because of a drought, and after an inch or two of rain

they are all complaining about the fact that they haven't seen the sun in 3 days!

Try from Nov 15th to May 12th!

Spenser and I are happy -- it's only rained about an hour a day, and some at night.
It's perfect!

Our 1st Tree!

We've purchased our first tree (we have plans for many).It's an Apple Tree!

I'd forgotten how FUN it is to dig into clay in August!

Why is my dog green?

Ripley loves to be near the horse manure!
Take a close look at the thick green line around his neck

The dog days of summer...

Heat index has been up around 110 lately.

We don't go outside until the sun is about down...

I go out to water the yard, and Ripley to get some exercise - even at 8 pm at night - he's hot!

Move on.... already

I've FINALLY decided to stay where I am.
I'm giving up a great opportunity ....
However I'm hopefully gaining security, less commute, and an opportunity to start up a business (out of science).

I'm not sure why this was so painful - but it was. Maybe in a few months it will be more clear for me.

Purcellville in the Seattle Times!

Meet the Yaddle....

"The yaks live on Jim Dumbrell's Purcellville, Va., farm. The yattle are kept on neighboring farms. "We laughingly call it Frankensteer," he said of the cow-yak mix."

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=yattle12&date=20070812&query=purcellville

When plant life attacks...

Imagine my surprise to find this thing in my yard!

At least this one LOOKS like trouble - unlike that damn poison ivy.

Becareful what you wish for...

Well... there is just no making me happy!
Of course my mother, husband, or even my sister probably already knew this.
I got my offer from place #2, and now I have mixed feelings.

HEY -The water is on the wrong side!?!

We don't currently have any TV. It's kinda nice to live w/o all the crap on the news, though I totally feel disconnected.

I do look at the weather --- instead of

"Its going to Rain", I hear "It's going to be hot".

HEY - THE WATER IS ON THE WRONG SIDE!?!

How long will it take me to get used to looking at the "other" side?