Maybe you should think up ways to share some of that rain with your thirsty Georgia neighbors. Can't seem to get a cloud to cross the river.

About residential permit expiration: The way this is written in the 2009 IRC is misleading if you read it superficially. What it actually says is that you have to start work within 180 days of the date that the permit was issued and once work has started, work must not stop for more than 180 days. If you can't show progress within a 180 days period (!), you may apply for an extension documenting why you stopped. My permit was issued early 2010 and I made sure to have an inspection showing progress at least every 180 days. Total time of construction will be 3 years (I have another 180 days to go approx.) and I will own a mortgage free house, which I could not have afforded (even with a mortgage) had I paid a builder to construct it within 180 days. The local building department specifically explained to me that I have to schedule inspections not more than 180 days apart for the permit to stay active. Otherwise it would effectively impossible to build DIY while earning a living with a full time job. And no, the neighbor's visual inconvenience does not trump my property rights (it helps that my property is secluded, though). The city has adopted a more stringent energy code after 2010 but my build is grandfathered into the previous one that was valid when the permit was issued.

Thanks for thinking of sand in the toes, bright warm sun, and refreshing Tequilla. I was shopping several online sites and several locations, changing dates and length of stay makes a difference in trying to save money. The effort paid off when Apple popped up a deal of 10 days for $1K in the Dominican Republic on beautiful Bavaro Beach. It was an excellent investment. YaYa, I do 'vacation' right here at home for 3 months, on a perfect beach.

Morning All............What a week it's been and it's only Wednesday. The weekends are always hectic and spent Monday tweeking the house as we might have family in on Tuesday. A cousin of DH was down of Seattle to attend the opening of our local fair - their 100 year. Sooo off to the fair for the opening celebration and then a trek around the grounds. Two men - two teen boys - and one me! Just didn't work out like I had it planned. But it was fun and then back home and snacks on the deck as it was in the shade and only 89 degrees. (the house was hotter) Today DH want's to get into the pond as it is time to separate the lilies and other plans. He won't let me in the pond, afraid I will fall or some silly thing-but them I probably would! As the weather is "HOT" again, supposed to reach between 98 and 100, don't know how much will get done. Did anyone other than me have trouble logging in yesterday or today? It wouldn't let me in at all yesterday and I had to try half a dozen time today. Anj....you zucchine recipe is almost like mine and I love it, but I also insert other things like walnuts or raisins/currents/cranberries which are always a hit with my family. I now get most of my recipes from the internet now, so many choices. And you asked about nacho's, I mush a can of chili con carni, heat it in a skillet and add it to the first layer on the chips. Then add green onion, tomatoes, olives, and cheese and bake. Then on goes the guac and sour cream. Yummy! Your squash recipe sounds wonderful, do you use zuchini or pumpkins or ? Punk...How I envy you being able to do your yard work. I have this really cute cart with an old fashioned looking tractor seat that I use when weeding. And for places I can't reach I hire my step GS to help. But after last year my yard is really overgrown! So how did the eye lashes turn out? Luvs...After reading your post about your GD...what a wonderful imagination your GD has and what a wonderful GM she has! How I miss the years our GS was away from us, and only seeing him a couple of times a year. But now, with the truck he is restoring and a "girl friend" and all of the "twists and turns" young love takes, I am just plain thankful that he is living nearby. Not to mention all of the "sports" games we get to attend. Life is a joy! Spent a good part of Monday cleaning my brush's. I just got a big bottle of Winsor & Newton Brush cleaner & restorer and WOW! I thought my brush's were clean until I started using the cleaner. Someone gave me some very yucky oil encrusted paint brush's and it even cleaned them. I also need to weed out some not so nice brush's but the thought "you might need that scruffy brush sometime" also gets in there too...so well see! I have a new DVD on Brush Basics that I want to watch this afternoon when it get hot, so I might get some practice stroke work done. As to the TV questions.....we are now watching our 5th wheel trailer. Well actually we sold it and with part of the money purchased a 42" flat screen and love it. It is on a stand but we are planning to mount it on the wall. Gotta go help DH so....you all stay safe! Belle