Back To The Beach

This past weekend went to the beach...Stacy and Albert joined me and we had a work day.

Stacy and I planted 15 plants along this back line of the property.

Last night we went back to finish the back line.

We brought another 21 plants making a total planted

36

Along the back line are Oleanders and Hibiscus.

Then I bought the Queen Palm.

I plan on getting more but wanted to make sure I could plant this one before buying more.

Couldn't break ground where I originally wanted it so it ended up on the side line of the property.

Worked out fine cause now I have a vision of how I want this part to look like.

Then I got these 3 Mexican Fan Palms. I'm not a big fan but at $16 each I figured I would plant them on a corner to mark the property line. Though they are small they do look good.

They will grow taller just takes awhile.
And then these 2 huge Oleanders on the back corner line.
I love the buffer it creates

And here is the back line from another direction...it's a long line.

I'm so proud of us...Today we had 21 to plant and from the time we unloaded the truck, put the plants where we wanted them, planted, brought out hoses, watered and picked up the mess it only took us 1 1/2 hours.

Whoo-Hoo

Headed back to the beach this weekend but this time alone....wonder how many I can plant all by myself?

Good Boy Bailey

Today I headed towards the Beach House with Stacy.... Albert joined us when he was done with work. The plan was to get a little work done and then relax a little.

Since I've had Bailey he would not go up or down the stairs, he was scared. So that meant every time we would go downstairs to potty or walk I would have to carry him. Wasn't too bad when he was a pup but now over one and 60 pounds....not so much fun.

Eventually he got to the point if I carried him down half way and up half way he would go the rest of the way but reluctantly.

The last time I was here was with Jenn and Liam and her dog Howie, about a month ago. Well, Howie just goes up and down the stairs with no hesitation. Bailey did a little better with Howie here but I still had to carry him.

Well...today when we got here and approached the stairs he went right up and when time to go down he hesitated for a second, then sniffed...so I carried treats and then down he went...now we are up and down and I don't even have to carry treats...No more carrying him...Whoo-Hoo.

I'm so proud of him and every time we go up and down I tell him so.I really thought I was gonna have to carry that dog forever...60 pounds is just too much to carry up and down stairs.

Enjoy your weekend....it's wonderful here at the beach.

July 4th weekend

We gathered at "The Beach House" for the holiday.

Some stayed longer than others.

I'm still here trying to relax and clean up the mess. I think tomorrow I will head back home...on Friday I will watch Hayden while her Mommy and Daddy go to work.

Here is Josh Hayden...her first time to the beach...she loved the water coming up and getting her feet wet.

And Colton ....I didn't get any sand castle pictures of him. Tammy would take him to play while I watched Tayler while she slept. Kyle had to work so he didn't join us.
Jessy with Hayden
Tammy with Tayler and Colton
Jenn and Liam
Happy 4th of July
Liam in his Red, White and Blue.
All the babies had on at least one of the 3 colors for the 4th.

Colton and Hayden...gotta hurry and catch these moments when you can cause Colton will only do it for so long.

Colton

And here are Tayler and Liam laying on Grams..they both slept on me for a little more than an hour....Sweet babies....

And here they are again.....Tayler is in the green and Liam in the blue.

Hope you had a safe and happy holiday however you spent it.

Until next time....take care.

Greetings From The Beach

"Happy Memorial Weekend"

Hope you had or are having a wonderful holiday. This weekend we spent it at the beach.

Tammy, Kyle and Colton came down Friday night.

Jenn and Paul made it down Saturday at noon and Josh, Jessy and Hayden didn't make it...Josh wasn't feeling well...they were all missed. I was hoping to have "ALL" the family together but maybe next time.

Paul BBQ'd...we had fajita's and lots of stuff to go with it it....Kyle did some honey do's...changed some locks and fixed a couple doors.

The weekend also brought rain...yesterday just a little but today was on and of until around 2 and then it just kept raining.

This was our last run to the beach before the rain began....Colton loves the beach...I couldn't help but write in the sand...I think I will blow this up and put it in the beach house.

Below is Bailey just chillin' on the beach takin' it all in.
And below Colton pulling his beach wagon with all his sand toys...he's set and ready to go.
Jenn and Paul with Howie....she has about 5 and 1/2 weeks before Liam's arrival...that is if he decides to come on time.

And here's my little man making sand castles...he LOVES making sand castles.

And here he is with his mommy and daddy (Tammy and Kyle)...Tammy is expecting Tayler's arrival a week before Jenn but I think Tammy is expecting her earlier than her arrival date...hopefully they'll all wait until I get back from Florida next week.

Now everyone is gone...Jenn and Paul left earlier this afternoon and Tammy and crew a couple hours ago...it's just me and Bailey and Bailey is knocked out...it was busy for him this weekend...I'm a little tired too. It's funny...I love having my family around but I also love the quite...and guess that's the best of both worlds.

Tonight we'll rest ...in the morning we'll clean up from the weekend mess and then head home to get ready for Florida.

I'll be leaving this week for Florida...going to help take care of my mom....I'll be gone almost a week....I hope to post at least once from Florida....

Until next time....

Take care!

The Handy Girl

Friday early afternoon I headed south....destination...

The Beach House.

My friend Fonda was able to get away and join me...Stacy wasn't able too. Fonda got out to the house somewhere around 5:30....as soon as she got there we poured a drink and found our spot on the deck. That's where we stayed until a little after 10...just visiting and catching up.

The next morning we got up and did our routine....coffee on the deck...walks on the beach with Bailey....just relaxing with good company,

We were in the kitchen and I was fixing BLT's and Bailey started barking towards the sink....I looked over and there was water coming out of the cabinet under the sink. So....I opened the door and found that it was flooded underneath and by the looks of it that sink had been leaking for sometime because of the mildew under neath. We were thinking that the pipe may of come loose during the storm. After all I have only been here a couple days since the storm and the water wasn't used that much.

So...I thought about calling a plumber and Fonda called Jim (her husband)cause she was almost positive that we could fix it ourselves. So, she made the call, she took a piece of the pipe off and to Home Depot we headed. We got what we needed and headed back to the house for the repairs.

Below is the where the pipe came out of the wall...and the mildew gathering on the pipes.

And here's my fix it girl making the repairs.....my motto now when it comes to repairs....who needs a handy man when you got Fonda!
Fonda did a wonderful job but after fixing 2 parts of the pipe she discovered another piece was loose and needs to be fixed better than what it is right now...it just wasn't noticed because of the other issues....I guess these means Fonda HAS to come back to the beach to finish the job!

After the fix it repairs we went back to the deck until dark.
These pictures are what I woke up to Saturday morning...the whole structure of the beach has changed since Hurricane Ike made his visit and these pictures show you how....as you can see the line of a rebuilt dune the water is right behind it....with wind, high tide, not as much beach as before and low spots it makes it easy for water to come in and stay awhile and looks as though there is no beach.

And here I am on the beach looking down...very few sand areas and even those are so soft with the feel of water underneath. If you did know better you would wonder if their was a storm brewing in the Gulf...last time I saw the beach look like this Dolly was brewing in the Gulf and I think she was just a tropical storm.

Today I'm still at the beach....Fonda left close to noon yesterday and I decided to stay one more day...just couldn't tear myself away. This morning I will clean up and then head back home and prepare for the arrival of Colton while Tammy goes to school.

Hope your weekend was as relaxing

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

Being back at the beach. I knew I missed it but didn't realize how much until I spent the weekend. I'm here right now and I must say...I'm not ready to go back home. Even though somethings aren't what they use to be since Ike make it's visit September 13th...you still can't beat sitting on the deck...looking out towards the Gulf...feeling the sun and breeze upon your face and listening to the surf. It's wonderful!

I'm here alone on the deck right now but did have friends join me for the weekend. It was nice being able to share my weekend back at the beach with friends.

Now I'm debating do I go home tonight....do I wait until tomorrow or do I just stay until Tuesday since the Direct TV guy is coming out between noon and 4....too much of a dilemma.

I'm hoping the survey guys will be back tomorrow or Tuesday...they couldn't finish the job last Thursday cause pins were missing so they had to re-shoot the property and then do what they do in the office and then come back out. I just cant wait to get to the next process where I can rope of my property in order to save it from drive bys.

But I am lucky...at least I can stay in my house and didn't have damage to the house to keep me from living it in...Most can't say that. I do feel a little guilty at times when here I am enjoying my home and beach and others have homes destroyed or a lot of work to do.

The area has come along way in the last 4 months but still has a way to go. Amazing!

Hope your weekend was enjoyable...I know mine was...maybe next time you can join me...I enjoy company. Until next time.....Robin

Back To The Beach

Today I have returned to the beach...to stay! I'm here for the weekend and I must say....I love it! I have missed it so much....not as many cares when at the beach.

I still have some work to do but not with the house...all that is done. Now comes the land issues. Today I attempted in getting the land re-surveyed...but of course most of the pins in the ground that mark the property are gone because the storm washed them away....so the process is a little more time consuming. Hopefully by Monday I will have the property marked as to know where my property begins and ends.

I'm doing this so I can fence around my property...since the road that was our way in was washed away folks have been cutting through my property ...so in order to keep my property safe from any more damages I need to block it off. It's a headache but hopefully one that will be dealt with soon. That is my #1 goal for right now.

But besides that...I'm loving being back at my beach house! Being away for 4 months without sitting on my deck has been AWFUL!!!!

Tomorrow I have friends joining me for the weekend...one of my best gal pals and her husband will be her late afternoon...we're all looking forward to a relaxing time and forgetting about whatever it is we need to forget about.

Hope your all doing good and that so far 2009 has been good to you. Take care and until next time...Robin

Another Beach House Progress Update

As of today all the dirt work around the house is finished and the septic and been fixed. Now all I need is the well pump to be checked out, the electrician to make sure no water in the electrical lines and the roof.

The above picture is what it now looks like looking at the beach from the ground level. Before the brush along the dunes was so high you couldn't see the water from the ground. You can see the cedar brush (what's left of it) but I'm sure it will be no time before it grows back. As you can see it's turning green and it was all burnt after the storm. Nature has a way of reclaiming itself.

The picture below is standing back by the dunes looking at the house. Seems so weird because where I'm standing was all brushed up and I would of NEVER thought about walking out there or standing in it. The outside seems so plain right now.

Another view of the house. As I said before I only have 3 palm trees left. I plan on going out this weekend and buying some new plants to plant while they are 70% off. It needs some color around there. Especially in the back so I can block the view of the road.

In front of the house....this area will most likely become a road that wasn't there before to allow the neighbors to get to their house...they have no access either. That's something we'll all have to figure out and most likely share the cost in. Before it was just a small road that stopped in front of my house that we just used to park at. It just made the property a little more secluded. The county just never completed putting the road through. I lucked out for a short time.

If you remember or have ever seen a picture of the view from my deck (you can go and look at previous post in the archives to find a view picture before the storm) this is now what the view looks like. It's different, not as colorful, a little plain but it's still beautiful and something I have missed very much. I can't wait to get my deck furniture back out on the deck and sit down with a cold beverage and just relax.

I need my place to retreat back to. I've missed it but more importantly...
I NEED IT!!!!

Beach House Progress

Today I went out to the beach house to see how the clean up is coming along and it's coming along. Here are few pictures.

The top picture is from the road turning in to the property...the driveway. Before Ike you would drive straight in and turn left past the first body of water you see. After Ike the driveway was washed out and to the left of that water was a big hole from washed out sand. We have had that hole filled in and made a temporary road off the drive so I can drive onto my property.

This is the back of the house but the side that faces the main road. We're filling in dirt where the dirt was washed away plus the dirt that was washed away from under the house. This back side use to be lined with palm trees and oleanders that blocked the back of the house from the view of the road. Now I only have 3 palm trees left when there was about 10 or 12...there were also some sago palms as well.

This is also the back side view.

view of the front...filling in big holes left by Ike.

And a front view of the house from what is now the new dune line. Kind of looks a little plain compared to before. All this used to be brushed up and is now just sand...it was full of debris but that has been moved. Now we'll wait and see how quick vegetation grows back. My neighbor said the house next to him that had their dirt work done a week ago is now showing signs of green popping up through the sand. It's all interesting.

Next week they should start working on the septic..the electrician will come check things out tomorrow...then I will need to get a well guy out there to check out the well and then start getting the roof repaired and then hopefully I'll be back on my deck before too long figuring out what's the next plan in putting back in the driveway. There are 3 of us that need that area fixed to get to our properties.

Did I tell you I still love my beach house and I still plan on having it for some time but I have decided that I'm not moving there any time soon!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Beach House Update

Hope this finds you all well.

My brother John was down last week and helped me with getting some things started on the beach house. What a mess. To put back the dirt under the concrete and in places around the house we have to haul in 60 loads of dirt...and this is not dirt for the driveway. I still have no access onto the property since the drive that I shared was pretty much wiped out. Another neighbor in a pink house...you may of seen pictures of it when I posted pictures after the hurricane...it was sitting in water....fell of the stilts...anyway they brought in 26o loads and they have no access to get to there property either. Right now they are temporary using someone else's property but it's temporary. We may end up doing something together to gain access to our properties.

Oh...and by the way...the pink house...they are planning on having the house moved back and then fill in with dirt, put new pilings (stilts) in and putting the house back in it's place...should be interesting and expensive.

Also I'm having the debris cleaned up off the property by the same company doing the dirt.

The insurance adjuster came out and now a claim is filed so I'm waiting on that. Also I have to have some things on the septic replaced...something insurance doesn't cover. Anyway...thanks to my brother who got this whole ball rolling and who is still making phone calls for me since he's been back home. Couldn't of done it without him. The next step is getting a electrician out there just to make sure everything is okay before I flip the switch on...we are suppose to have power but I still have all my stuff turned off....I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Hopefully I'll have some new pictures for you soon to be able to see the the progress of the clean up.

Now after I get the lights back on and the septic fixed maybe I can start to go back and enjoy the beach even though the area is still being cleaned up...the only thing is right now I can't drive to the house I have to park on the road and then walk over....not something I especially want to do.

I'm just thankful that I haven't ran into the many rattle snakes I keep hearing about. I think that would just about do me in.

Well y'all take care...I'm off to bed to get some sleep while I can...Colton is spending the night and he's asleep right now. Tomorrow I'm off with Tammy to look at wedding cakes.

Be good!

Beach House Update

Hello All!

Earlier this morning I posted pictures of not only my beach house but the area, if you haven't seen them yet please scroll down the page to the 3 different slide shows. It's so much different seeing everything in person than on TV but I will say it wasn't as bad as I had thought with everything I heard on the news....but it does get bad as you go up the coast...but still it's bad. I would think clean up would take years. The debris is awful...I can't believe how much and things that washed away.

As you can tell by the pictures of my beach house pictures I was pretty lucky. I have a few shingles missing from the roof...the roof is still in tack...a few boards missing...my beach walk over gone but the thing that's worse is all the ground (sand) that has washed away from underneath the house, it's not the foundation but just a concrete parking area.

The main thing I lost was my lot that was in front of the beach house....it has washed away and the beach has taken over more than half of it....that is something you can't recover or insure so your just out the property and it's value. There is so much beach erosion it's hard to believe.

No water came in the house at all. The storm surge wasn't as high as expected and my house sits up higher than the surge. It looks as tough all that extra property in front of my house actually helped protect it..which means next big storm I don't have that protection.

So...the beach house is fine...minor...but the area isn't pretty anymore...it will take time for that to happen again.

Jennifer and I are planning on making another trip tomorrow to the beach house to clean out the frig since the island is out of power and will be for months. I think this time I'll walk to the beach and see how it looks looking at the house. Before from the beach it was hard to see my house because of all the protection and dunes but now that's not there anymore...it's all open.

Today we went to my house to help clean up there. Josh and his friend have done a lot...it's still a mess out there but you can tell the progress. My neighbor/friend, her daughter came over this morning and worked for several hours and then Jennifer did a lot as well. So much to do. Will probably make another stop tomorrow after we do the beach house run.

I will keep you all posted through this blog...when I know something I will post it. It's nice staying with Jen and Paul and being in a comfortable home.

God Bless you all...Much love...Robin

My Beach House: Post-Hurricane Ike

Bluewater Highway: Post-Hurricane Ike

Me Against The Mosquito

Greetings from the beach....

I arrived Thursday morning at "The Beach House" and as I drove up the drive I was greeted by swarms of mosquitos outside my truck. Needless to say I had to make a quick run up the stairs to escape. Up on the deck it was okay, it was just down below where the problem was.

On Friday afternoon the same thing....tons of mosquitos as I left to go into town to get a few groceries. Coming back and making several trips up the stairs trying to dodge the mosquitos while carrying groceries was not the easiest thing to do nor was it any fun.

Yesterday evening I had cousins that stopped by on their way to their bay home in Galveston for visit...mosquitos not bad on the deck where we visited but again you could see them swarm their vehicle as they came and went.

This morning I went outside to do what I always do after I wake up in the morning...come and sit outside and enjoy the morning. Well...as soon as I opened the door I was greeted by the mosquito. By this time I was like.."Enough is Enough"! So...I went into town to the Home Depot to find something to help get rid of the mosquito.

I bought some stuff to spray the lawn. I was told it was the most effect and lasted the longest unless we had a heavy rain. I also bought a fogger for a quick fix that last for a couple hours and then some held hand foggers and spray for the human body. I bought a new hose that would take me out as far as I could go...100 feet...I want to make sure those mosquitos stay back. So...for almost 2 hours I've been outside spraying. Now the test will be to see how long will this last. I must say...while out there spraying the yard I was not bothered by any so I'm hoping the smell either killed them or made them run and hide somewhere else.

So now I'm doing what I do best...relaxing on the deck...lap top on my lap...a cold drink beside me. And for my friend that is looking for a new beverage...if you like grapefruit juice I'm having a vodka and grapefruit juice and it's pretty tasty. That might be something new for you to try.

It's very nice out here today...the wind is blowing a wonderful breeze, the sun is out...there are a few people on the beach...it's a beautiful day. I think in a bit I may lay down on the chaise and take a nap....Wish you were here.

To Be At The Beach

I'm here at the beach house sitting outside on the deck with my lap top...feet propt up and a drink at my side...how sweet it is. It's a nice day...at least on deck...nice breeze and the sound of the waves is to die for. This is my favorite thing right...just sitting on the deck with no sound but the waves. It's a good place to just forget.

This week had been a busy, hectic and stressful week so to come here is truly a blessing.

It seems like forever since I have been here but it really hasn't been all that long. Not sure how long I'm staying for but I know I'll be here until Tuesday for sure.

Hard to believe it's already Labor Day...the so called end of summer. Hopefully it will be a nice weekend. We'll also need to get an eye on what Gustav has in store....I wish no hurricane on anyone but better somewhere else than here, so time will tell soon enough.

I think Jen an Paul will be joining me Sunday and Monday and Josh may come out for a day or two as well. I know Josh plans on doing my yard work for me on Saturday...my grass has really grown. We finally got some rain and I wasn't able to mow and then a busy schedule kept me from it and today it was like...mow or head to the beach and the beach won.

Tomorrow I'll head out to the grocery store and hit Best Buy and buy and cheap camera to leave here at the beach house. When I leave to come here I just take off, everything I need is already here so because of that I forgot the camera. Just in case there is a good picture opportunity it would be nice to capture it and then maybe even share with those of you who are interested.

Well, I think it's time for me to sit back and close my eyes and just listen to the surf. Until next time enjoy your weekend and have a great and safe Labor Day Weekend.

Beach House

Here's a better picture of the beach house. The last one was taken from the beach and was a little hazy...this one you can see so much better. This place has definitely been a sanctuary for me.

To Live At The Beach???

This is the view of "The Beach House" from the beach....sorry picture is a little foggy...I deleted all the other pictures from my computer before I knew I was going share....and then there's a view of the beach from my deck...Isn't it just wonderful? Hard choice...but next I will show you the country home...as soon as I go outside and take a picture of it. Next time I go to the beach I will try and remember to take another picture of the house so you can have a better look. Enjoy your day...Robin

Just Another Day In Paradise

I'm home from a full week at the beach and I think I'm ready to turn around and head back. I feel like I'm just about ready to move to the beach but not sure I'm ready to get rid of my home in the country. I guess it's a good thing they are both so close to one another.

I headed for the beach last Thursday to prepare for a holiday weekend with family and friends. Tammy and Colton came up Thursday night as well.

On Friday Jenn, Paul and Howie arrived along with friends of mine and their families to beach houses within walking distance to mine. We all played at my house Friday with visiting and BBQ and fireworks that evening. We even had several fires that evening with 2 very close to my house. It was a little too close for comfort that I had keys, cell phone and grandson in hand and ready to leave if it moved any closer. Thankfully it was put out and no one was hurt or any property damage. Was a little scary. You think of a hurricane taking your house out...not fireworks.

Josh had to work so him and Jessy didn't make it for the weekend.

On Saturday we had a good time visiting and decided to start karaoke early that day since we didn't have the time or opportunity the night before. I must say...It was a very good time. I had never karaoke'd before and it was a blast! I think I might of even been a little of a karaoke hog. During the course of karaoke the young adults started preparing the food for the evening. One friend made the comment how neat it was to see the adult children preparing the food while the (slightly) older adults were having fun doing the karaoke. Roles were reversed. I guess it's true what they say....it all comes around full circle. We were able to end the evening early enough for the grand babies to get to sleep at a decent hour along with their parents.

Sunday we relaxed...some of the friends had to return back home to get ready for the week ahead of them and some friends were able to stay. Sunday evening my friend and her husband treated myself and another friend of ours to dinner in Galveston. (The heart of Galveston is only about a 30 minute drive). We had a wonderful dinner and fun conversation. My friends husband got to see what it's really like when we get together for girls night and sit around a table and just have a good time. He now understands why his wife is gone for hours just to meet friends for dinner. Not sure he'll ever want join us again.... but between you and me...I think he enjoyed himself...if anything...he got to laugh regardless if it was from something that was funny or just down right embarrassing.

Monday was a relaxing day...we hung out on the deck from 9 in the morning until 7 that evening. There's nothing like a good ole' breeze off the Gulf of Mexico...it was a wonderful day! At 7 I had to go in and see who The Bachelorette was going to pick as her mate...Let's just say, it wasn't my choice.

Tuesday I spent the day cleaning and doing laundry...there is a little work in paradise but it's different than when your at home doing it...not the same somehow...haven't figured out why yet but it's just not.

On Wednesday my last friend there at the beach and myself went in to Galveston for the day for some shopping and lunch. I bought a few things for the beach house. After we got home and she went her way and I went mine.... it was time for a siesta on the deck. It was nice...another wonderful breeze. Afterwards I went in and had a little dinner and watched about an hour of TV and then went to bed...couldn't sleep so I headed back to the deck and slept for an hour and then crawled in bed. Just needed a little more deck time before going to sleep.

Today I made sure the house was in order ...laid out on the deck and got a little sun and then headed towards home. Stopped along the way and met Josh and had lunch. Now it's back to what some call reality.

Now I'm deciding...when do I go back?

Life is good at the beach....Until next time...Robin