Trying to get caught up!

It's been over 2 weeks since I last posted. Oops!

On May 25th we took Abby to the Southwick Zoo. She had a great time. It was definitely worth teh 2+ hour drive each way. As long as there was a barrier between her and the animals she was fine. The petting zoo section on the other hand was a little scary.

Also a dog got into the house at daycare and Steve told me she handled it very well. She scolded the dog and then kept her distance and the dog stayed away from her too. Yay! I'm glad she is getting better with them.

Really not much news. At work there is rumors that we may be in for some major "restructuring". One of the Assistant Directors is leaving and may not be replaced.

I am trying to get caught up on my own health. I had a physical recently and my blood pressure was really great, but my weight was high. So kind of so-so about that I guess. I am going to the dentist and eye doctor next week.

Sorry nothing exciting this time. Not even worth labeling. Oh well.

"Green" Housing

I saw this article this morning at the Greenfield Recorder website, and my favorite thing about it is that it says the greenest thing you can do for your house is to have a small one. Since we live in a small house (1008 square feet) that makes me happy. I am often unhappy about our lack of space, but being reminded that smaller houses use less energy is a good thing. Here is the article for anyone interested.

olrain 'Ecovillage' gets final OK

By DIANE BRONCACCIO Recorder Staff
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Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2008

COLRAIN -- The town Planning Board has given final approval for an ''ecovillage'' housing cluster to be built on 112 acres off Stetson Brothers Road.

The plans call for the construction of 17 energy-efficient south-facing single homes, with about .75 acres for each home lot, overlooking Stone Mountain and the West Branch of the North River. There will be a community garden on the grounds, but about 85 percent of the land is to remain wild.

''I can sell lots now, for the first time,'' said Developer William Cole. ''I have people who are interested.''

The passive-solar houses are to be designed by Austin Design of Colrain, and will feature super-insulated walls and ceilings, low-maintenance Hardie Plank exterior walls, and floor plans that are compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Dole Brothers of Shelburne is to build the homes.

''The houses are designed for aging-in-place,'' said Cole, explaining that residents would not have to move away if they were to become disabled or require the use of a wheelchair.

''All the doors will be 3 feet wide; all the bathrooms are handicapped-accessible,'' he said.

Two house plans are available. One is a two-floor 1,250-square-foot house and the other, a ''mini-house,'' is a one-floor model that is 680 square feet. Cole said the larger house plan is less than half the size of the average American house built in 2006, which consisted of about 3,600 square feet, according to the National Home Builders Association.

''The greenest thing you can do (with a house) is to build small,'' he said.

Cole said at least 60 prospective buyers have visited the property, and most asked about opportunities to garden. He said plans call for both private and community gardens.

''This land belonged to Carroll Stowe's family and was a dairy farm and orchard until the early 1960s,'' said Cole. ''There are more than 50 old apple trees here, and I'm hoping we can bring them back.''

Those who buy a lot will also buy membership in the homeowners' association, which gives them ownership of 1/18th of the rest of the land and community garden, he said. ''If we get wind-power or hydro-power generation, all these will come as benefits.''

For more information, call 624-5599 or go to:

www.katywill.com.

Happy birthday Grandma!

I know she won't see this, but Happy 90th birthday to my maternal grandma today! I hope I live to be as old as she is, and I'm glad she made it this far. It's been a rough year, I wasn't sure if she would. She already has a birthday card from me, and she'll get flowers later today too (if they haven't already delivered them). I love her a lot.

Why is it....

that in my town you can't wear perfume to the library or town meeting, and our local association newsletter tells you it's not polite to use scented dryer sheets because it might bother your neighbor but.... it's perfectly okay to let your dog run free and scare little children???

Now, my husband likes dogs, but my kid is scared to death of them. She has gotten better, but still doesn't like it if they get too close. And having the dog waiting for her outside our car door, when our car is parked in our own driveway is too close. And letting the dog run free in the local club and letting it get underneath our table is too close.

I don't get it people. I really don't get it. If you are going to have a dog, keep it under control. I don't let my kid crawl under your table or pee in your yard. The least you could do is keep your dog from doing the same.

Spoons!

So this weekend's biggest entertainment in my house was.... my husband taught my daughter and I how to hang spoons from our noses! Yeah, you heard it right. And you can hang them from your chin too. To get the best results make sure you use a metal spoon, and it needs to be clean and dry. Your nose or chin should be clean and dry too. So do this trick BEFORE you eat supper, not after you are done. LOL!