Gina's journey

[Maid Marion]

Same for me my dear, I will be food shopping tomorrow full fem. Nobody takes any notice.

I shop with high heels.  Of course I get noticed!

[Gina P]

I shop at Stew Leonards.  They have a rewards system where you get a free ice cream cone for every $100 you spend!  With inflation it doesn't take much to get a free ice cream cone!

If you can't eat that much ice cream the now have other ways to redeem your awards points but I like to eat ice cream.

Free ice cream, Yum!

Took a load to the dump yesterday then out for brunch. In the afternoon we went over to neighboring Grantsville for the 'Wood' festival. Typical small town festival, rides for the kids, food, craft vendors, music. Fireworks were at 10:30 but we were both a bit tired, to stay out that late. Boring old people!

[Gina P]

   Having some well issues. Tried filling up a small pool and the well pump tripped off several times. I guess we are running low and need to conserve. There are many rain water collections systems on the property but I have not used them. I guess its time to start.
  Working on the house, we are using some Sika floor leveler. Had a rough time with it setting up to quickly. First mistake was we were using warm water from the hose, pouring on a hot day, then found out the gallon milk jugs I was using for a measure, only held 3 quarts. Shrinkflation! Luckily we, ran short and still have about half an inch to go. Today we try again with cool, water, gallon jugs, and a second drill mixing to pour quicker.

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Having some well issues. Tried filling up a small pool and the well pump tripped off several times. I guess we are running low and need to conserve. There are many rain water collections systems on the property but I have not used them. I guess its time to start.
  Working on the house, we are using some Sika floor leveler. Had a rough time with it setting up to quickly. First mistake was we were using warm water from the hose, pouring on a hot day, then found out the gallon milk jugs I was using for a measure, only held 3 quarts. Shrinkflation! Luckily we, ran short and still have about half an inch to go. Today we try again with cool, water, gallon jugs, and a second drill mixing to pour quicker.

I once used floor leveller in my house and by the time I'd poured it all the first lot was setting like you mention. Seems you got to be fast or just mix several bags at once then pour it. Was no fun sanding down the ridges left as it was like concrete. All jobs are easy until they inevitably become difficult!

[Gina P]

  Yesterday was my transvarsery. 2 years since my srs. Some days it seams like it was a lifetime ago and other days it seams like it was yesterday, funny how the brain works.
   Was helping set up for the PrideFest yesterday. We have 97 vendor spots reserved. Of course the bickering is already starting. "I'm selling lemon aid and they are giving lemon aid away free!" Should be quite the day. Singers, drag show, 50/50, quilt raffle. They say, one protester shows up like clockwork, every year. I am looking forward to having a lengthy conversation with him.
  I went out early to feed the horses and the early mist hung heavy. There was a white rainbow greeting me. I never knew there was such a thing.

[ChrissyRyan]

Yesterday was my transvarsery. 2 years since my srs. Some days it seams like it was a lifetime ago and other days it seams like it was yesterday, funny how the brain works.
   Was helping set up for the PrideFest yesterday. We have 97 vendor spots reserved. Of course the bickering is already starting. "I'm selling lemon aid and they are giving lemon aid away free!" Should be quite the day. Singers, drag show, 50/50, quilt raffle. They say, one protester shows up like clockwork, every year. I am looking forward to having a lengthy conversation with him.
  I went out early to feed the horses and the early mist hung heavy. There was a white rainbow greeting me. I never knew there was such a thing.

Happy anniversary.
That is a lot of vendor space.
Often those giving away lemonade do stop and yield to vendors selling it. 
Give away water is a solution.  You have the water regardless to make the lemonade in many cases.  Most for profit Vendors hope to make money and may not return if they cannot

[Valerie.Val]

Happy transversary 🤗

[Gina P]

   Parkersburg Pride was a huge success. Such a wonderful experience to see hundreds if not over a thousand trans, gay and other allies gather in one place. We had a police office there for the day just in case there was a problem, the local tv station sent a crew, zero protesters. I was choking back tears all day. To be a part of something this big was just awe sum. So much for all the people who said those hillbillies would crucify me in West Virginia. The drag show and the singers had so much crowd support. The energy level was just over the top. 
  Now, I must come back to earth and resume my work on that house. Can't help feeling a little down.

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

Parkersburg Pride was a huge success. Such a wonderful experience to see hundreds if not over a thousand trans, gay and other allies gather in one place. We had a police office there for the day just in case there was a problem, the local tv station sent a crew, zero protesters. I was choking back tears all day. To be a part of something this big was just awe sum. So much for all the people who said those hillbillies would crucify me in West Virginia. The drag show and the singers had so much crowd support. The energy level was just over the top.
  Now, I must come back to earth and resume my work on that house. Can't help feeling a little down.

Sounds like you had a really great time. Pride events are always so fun and make you feel good.

[Gina P]

   Played farmer this week. Or as my wife likes to say, I played with my toys. Made a field of hay. Sounds boring, but being able to do this on my own land for the first time in my life, ranks just below transitioning. Something about starting with dirt and getting something. Still getting used to that round baler, but it is a game changer by not having to handle all those small square bales. 
   Framing on the house is nearly done. Just a few headers and nailers to put in. Next the plumbing roughs. Trying to decide if I should put in a split supply system. 1/2 feeding from the well and 1/2 feeding from the underground tanks filled from the rain gutters. We had a problem where we drained the well and found out we need to be a bit more conservative. No problems since but something I am thinking about. Outdoor spickets, toilet, shower, and tub could all be run from the tank. While all drinking water would be run from the well. Of course that would mean 2 pumps, 2 pressure tanks, and 2 hot water heaters. I'm not sure if it's worth all the expense.

[Maid Marion]

There may be experts who can give their predictions on how the local water supply will be in the future.  The assist of rain water may prove useful if the aquifer won't support demand.

[davina61]

If you had a big enough reserve tank you can recycle grey water to flush the toilet, bit more plumbing but could save you from running out. Grey water is from washing machine, sink and things like that.

[ChrissyRyan]

Can you drill another well or make the existing one more productive by drilling deeper?

[Courtney G]

Congrats, Gina, on getting the farm officially running. I understand what a big deal it is for you. It's like you've come full circle, without the troubles and distractions.

I have to agree that the rainwater system sounds like a really good idea. I do wonder if you have to put chlorine tablets in the tanks and whether or not the water will have anything in it that would affect anything. As I understand it, rainwater is soft water, so it would probably be quite nice for washing clothes and for showering (great for the skin!!) and it should be easy on your plumbing.

If you've never bathed in soft water, it will take some getting used to the fact that the soap isn't stripping your skin of all of its oils. You'll use less soap (it will be very sudsy) and your skin will feel slippery. Some people hate this because they say it feels like they're not getting clean, but again, it's because you're not stripping that oil. That is SO GOOD for your skin - way better than hard water!

[Gina P]

Can you drill another well or make the existing one more productive by drilling deeper?

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I had a well guy come out and check things. Also asked him if a new well would help. I'm told, the area just doesn't have a lot of ground water and that a new well probably would not help. There are lots of water collection going on from the previous owner. 3, 250 gallon totes plus 2 underground tanks. I'm guessing 500 to 1000 gallons in them. Plenty of water but no way to use it. I think when I run the plumbing, I will run a split system and have a valve tying it to the well system for now. Then as I get time, install a second pump and I can just shut off the connector valve and run the second system off the tanks.
  It seams many homes in this area have similar issues, or have no wells at all and really on cisterns. There is a place down town where for a few dollars you can fill your tank via a large hose. Almost always someone there filling up a 250 gal tote on the back of a pickup.

  I received a new strapless bra in the mail yesterday along with a couple of adhesive lifting bra's. A nice option to wear with my spaghetti strap dress. I had been wearing it braless. Of course the company sent a message saying it had been delivered along with, "costumers often buy with this dress". A beautiful Hawaiian floral print, to which I had to place another order. Yea, they got me!

[Lori Dee ✅]

In Colorado, for new home construction, if the well produces less than 15 GPM, a cistern is required. The well pump keeps the cistern full, and the pump from the cistern maintains the water pressure to the house. If your tanks are already capturing rainwater, the well would keep them full during dry spells.

[ChrissyRyan]

Is the water in these collection tanks and cisterns safe for cooking or drinking or dishwashing, clothes washing, and showers, or is this water mostly good for toilets, watering the garden, trees, grass, bushes, and plants?

Conventional toilets use the most water, then clothes washers, showers, faucets, and then leaks, followed by baths, dishwashers, utility sinks, water softener regeneration, evaporative coolers, humidifiers, ice makers, etc.