Winter Solstice

Up here in the cold, dark north, this is a major turning point. We know that from today on, days will slowly get longer, the dark won't be so dark, the sun will change its arc in the sky. We still have long, cold rainy days ahead, but in less than two months, we can start planting seeds for spring and summer veges. We can start looking at seed catalogs and remember the wonderful sunny summer days and plentiful harvests. And days that start at 3:30 am and end after 10 pm. Heaven!

But for now, it is still hunker down time, and I am so grateful that I am soooo busy I don't have time to look outside and see the sleet and rain. But I do enjoy the sound of the rain on the metal roof at night, when I go to bed. I imagine myself in the tropics, in a little house with a red tin roof, beside the sea. I can see myself there, so I know it will happen.

The business is up and running. We missed the Christmas rush - and though it would have been wonderful to get all the orders, I am glad we were late launching so that we have been able to work through some of the glitches of a launch. The site is working well now although there is a lot of fine-tuning to do. Hopefully we will have a PR company come on board at the beginning of the year to assist with that. I sure have learned a lot - it's the nut university :)

I found that the stress of the last couple of weeks took quite a toll on my health - I looked like death warmed over for a few days. But now that things have slowed down and working better, I am doing better. But it is just a reminder that I have to really be cognizant of what I am doing and put my health ahead of everything - and everyone - else. Time to be selfish!

Almost there

I figure if I can put this business together, I can do anything!


It definitely is a steep learning curve, starting off with what I thought was a reasonable amount of internet and web 2.0 knowledge. Now I have a much wider understanding of it, and am just glad it's not me building the site - way too much scripting and algorithms for me! I am so grateful I found the group in India who are building the site as they "got" what we are trying to do, right from the beginning.


So that has been going along very well, now we are waiting for the nutritional calculator to be incorporated and then once that is done, I can move the site to our hosting people, upload all the images and copy and go live. Then I have to be ready for the flood of orders, because I know Annie is going to tweet the heck out of it and so are her friends. This is the ultimate viral marketing site. 


But besides the site, there has been all the other stuff, like ordering and pricing! The pricing was not easy and thank goodness for Ryan and his excel spreadsheets and formulas! But I think we have it nailed down now. And then it's all the ancillary stuff for the gift baskets, packaging, shipping - I had no idea what went into all this. And then came what I thought would be the fun stuff -- ordering, but I have been agonizing over it. I thought spending someone else's money would be great, but it is scary - what if I make mistakes etc? And then there's the book keeping - quickbooks online - another program to learn.


And chasing down things that are still needed from the attorneys - but Annie is on that and hopefully we will have the legal stuff from them soon. If not, the site can't go live as our merchant account couldn't be active.


So it has been one step forward, two steps back but now it seems that we are making steady progress. The main BIG order arrives tomorrow morning between 6-7 in a 57-foot (17m) big rig that is going to have to turn around in the field down the road and then back up to the house, unload the pallet of 1000 lbs nuts with his fork lift and hopefully not get stuck in any mud! It will still be dark but I plan on taking pictures!

Since I put up my weather station a month ago, we have had 11 inches of freezing rain! We are not impressed!

Deadlines...

So today is supposedly the first deadline for the site but we are just a bit behind, which is ok, as the other stuff, like business entity, bank account etc is still in limbo, waiting for filing papers etc. I just hope we don't miss the Christmas season! 


This really is quite a learning experience, and quite daunting at times. Every time I turn around it seems there is something else that needs to be done, or bought or applied for. But once I have been through the whole process, from inception to shipping the first bag, I think I will be able to handle any internet startup business like this. It really is amazing what is required! 


You think OK, I need a bank account, and a merchant account. Then you think, well it needs to be secure so register for verisign ($$$) and oh, what about a gateway? More $$$. Then what about liability insurance, Ryan asked? Hmm, hadn't thought of that one! And on the strictly practical side of things, like the packing, what do I need? Not having actually packed a bag of nuts, I have to imagine what it takes from start to finish, so from the time the bulk goods arrive (inventory) to the time they are shipped, (inventory again) what does it take? I think I have been through the process a million times in my head and have a good idea, but until I actually do it, which I can't until the funds are set up so I can buy the scales, boxes, bags etc, the ideas are going to have to remain in my head.


On the other side, the garage is almost ready, a little more painting and weatherstripping around the garage door, and it will be ready. That has been a huge project, and I am really grateful Susan came down to help last weekend to get the main stuff done. Otherwise I would still have a huge amount to do.


We have had some lovely weather but that ended last night with a howling gale and torrential downpours. The kitties are not impressed, sitting in the sunroom door, watching the rain. MY weather station is working well, but I think I will eventually have to mount the anemometer on the dock piling as I don't think it is getting the full force of the wind where it is. It will take some doing, and I have to think about how to mount it as the piling is a bit punky at the top. It might have to wait until spring, but we'll see. Maybe I don't want to know how hard the wind is actually blowing!


On day six of the latest round of antibiotics and it has not been a good week. They make me nauseous and I haven't been sleeping that well. And I really notice how not enough sleep affects my entire outlook! So I will be glad when this round is over and I get back to normal. 


Oh, and here's the link to the little fun thing I am doing, The Goodwill Apparel Challenge

Winter is here

Damn, and I thought summer would last forever! I really can't complain as we have had the most beautiful summer and really, even the autumn is wonderful. Of course the news media is making a huge thing of three days of rain, which we needed. But you would think we were having floods or something equally as drastic. Driving around is gorgeous - the trees are all turning and with the autumn light, they glow. 
I have almost completed mounting the weather station that I gave Chris two years ago that has been sitting in the cupboard. It is out on the deck railing; I need to figure out the anemometer today. Some jury rigging required, but I think I have all the bits needed now. But the rest of the instruments are working. It's wireless so the main control is in the house and shows rainfall, barometric pressure, temperature and humidity, and when the anemometer is hooked up, wind speed and direction. Plus forecast! And I think I can create my own weather station on the internet. Now I just need an outdoor web cam, so when I am miserable about the snow, sleet and ice, you can see what it really looks like! When it is all set up I will post a pix.
I had to go to Tacoma yesterday and went to my favorite shop - which I didn't know was so close (hour and 15) away. Trader Joes! And it is a new store, big and bright with all the wonderful natural foods. Great cheeses, great prices! And of course, Two Buck Chuck wine, but it is actually Three Buck Chuck here in Washington!
The site is coming along well, I have had my nose in spreadsheets, working on pricing. Fortunately, Ryan has set up the formulae to do that but it is a lot of data entry and I go buggy looking at numbers for long periods! Not my favorite thing to do, but part of the deal. The garage is empty and now I must really clean it to get rid of any residue dust and then I am going to rent a paint sprayer and spray the whole thing which, if there is any dust left, will encapsulate it into a non-skid finish! The actual company should be official in the next few days, then I will be able to open the bank account, order labels, etc. So it is pretty exciting. I really like the site design, but Ryan wasn't thrilled with the logo so we will be seeing some options tomorrow. 
It is interesting working with India. The Project Manager is extremely well spoken, and responsive to all my requests. Time differences can be challenging; they are 12 hours ahead so there is not a lot of overlap, but so far it is working well. They just had a long weekend - Diwali - and he was surprised I knew what it is. 
I woke up way early today - 4:30 - even the kitties weren't that anxious to go out! Dark and cold, but the heater works wonderfully, and I am getting a quarter cord of wood for emergencies.

First of the season

We lost power for almost eight hours yesterday - not a good omen for the upcoming winter! Fortunately it was during the day but as it dragged on, I found the camp lantern and the heavy-duty candles. I also realized I better get some wood, as the past few winters, we have had all the off cuts from Chris building the boat. But now I have none! Not that I use the wood stove much but it sure comes in handy in this situation. Luckily, the outage ended before dark, but the temperature had really dropped fast and I was thinking I would go cuddle up in bed with a book and a lantern! And two live feet warmers - Hinckley and Buddy! 


This morning it is windy windy windy again with clear skies and a full moon just going over the top of the trees. It was so light this morning when I woke up, I thought I had overslept!


Day 5 of this the 5th round of antibiotics and it's an easy one. No side effects at all. I changed the water flow rate in the Kangen water machine so I think I am getting more anti-oxidants and for the past two days have been feeling so much better. I can actually work, operate all day without getting tired! I am going to get Jim to measure the ORP (oxidation reduction potential) of both waters so I can see if what I did actually does produce more.  Reminder to self: take water samples to demonstration on Tuesday :)

Old friends

Old friends are so important. And yesterday I touched bases with two of them.


Peter was my very first serious relationship when I was 16 - he was 26. Mother did NOT approve. But we have kept in touch over the past 44 years. Yesterday he phoned and I expect he will show up here at Mick's or at Biff's next week. He still lives in the house he built 40 years ago on the land he bought when we were dating. I remember chopping down the first tree to clear it.


Then Rosemary, who I went to High School with. We met at a little restaurant in Kloof and had a good natter, Catherine, her daughter and my god daughter came too, as did Zoze and another friend of Rosemary. (Not sure why she was there!) I haven't seen Catherine for ages so it was a real treat.


Then Zoze and I went shopping for stuff for her new place. Went to Pinetown, which, in the area we were, hasn't changed much, but Zoze the other side of town has really become run down and ghetto-ish. So we didn't go there! Bryan had spent the day with a friend building a cupboard for the flat and we went to pick him up. Ken has a really cool wood shop - he is 80+ - and has everything there any wood worker would love, from old planes to table saws and band saws. A lot of the wood that Bryan used is recycled from Volvo car packing crates - looked like 3/4 inch plywood. The shop is under the house - sort of an open daylight basement.


My job with Scott is basically gone - he no longer has a partner so I have no idea what he will do - or what I will do. But while I am here, I will work on the new site which I hope to put up pretty soon.


Last night, it rained like I don't think I have ever seen it rain. It was like being under a fire hose - but it lasted only about 10 minutes and today is sparkling but with a nip in the air. Winter is coming, but with it, beautiful clear, sunny days.

Thunderstorms, maids and old cars

Another very loud, bright wet storm last night that woke me up. I love it – pours at night and then today was beautiful. It was a busy day. Mick has decided he is going to do car restorations again and so bought three Renault 10’s – one that runs and the other are parts cars.

So we were up early to go and pick up a car trailer and headed out to Thornville, about twenty minutes from his factory. On the way, we stopped to pick up Vincent, an Indian employee of his who would help with the onloading and offloading.

The house was down an extremely rutted, dirt road and the trailer bounced all over the place. It was a typical block house, with a lot of trash around – and two undernourished dogs, a mongrel and a Jack Russell. A young Indian man came out and I had to fend off the mongrel that wanted to jump on me and then when I pushed him away, he started to growl. Finally, the kid got the message and put him in the house. The poor little Jack Russell’s front foot looked like it had been broken and never taken to a doctor and was all twisted under. I don’t understand why people have dogs they don’t care for.

Anyway, we loaded up the cars on the car carrier – two trips – back and forth to the factory where they are being stored. Debbie was not thrilled about having them at the house – and I don’t blame her. So they will be parted out, the best body parts sent for sandblasting. As Biff is in the classic car restoration biz, he has all the contacts for the bits and pieces Mick will need.

Next it was pick up furniture and take it down to Zoze and Bryan in their new place. It’s a cute little place, but still needs work that should have been done before they moved in but they didn’t want to wait. It has a wonderful view across the valley and lots of windows and light, and small enough to easily take care of. Zoze will probably have Nesta come one day a week to clean and iron. How I miss that luxury – what is common place here. Mick and Debbie have Sibongele who comes to them four times a week, and a gardener one day a week. So you NEVER have to do housework. I can get used to that in one day – or less. I know you want to know how much she gets paid – R110 a day = about $10 a day.

Tonight, I cooked dinner and all the dishes are left for Sibongele tomorrow. I almost feel guilty – almost! She is happy to have the job, she gets paid well by South African standards, and Mick and Debbie live comfortably without having to deal with the boring, humdrum, tedious house work. That in itself is almost enough to make me stay here.

These evening thunderstorms are wonderful. The weather forecast said sixty percent chance of rain today. The sun was out all day and it stormed and rained and thundered on our way home late this afternoon. I was glad I had unplugged my computer.

As we drive around, I don’t see a whole lot of change – but I sense an easing of the fear that was really prevalent last time I was here. Whether it’s for real or my imagination I don’t know.

Media Hype

I became rather concerned with all the news about swine flu that the media is picking up on. I've been so busy I have hardly looked at the news but it filtered into the conversation last night when "the girls" gave me a little send off at Janet's.

The air on planes is bad enough, recycled as it is, so I was pleasantly surprise when I ran into the this article that really debunks the hype. I thought you all might be interested in reading it.

I will certainly take precautions, anti-bacterial wipes for the plane etc, neosporin in the nostrils, all that, but I feel relieved now and continue my packing.

I looked at the 10-day forecast for Durban/Pietermaritzburg and it is around 75F! Whoo hoo, bare feet time. So now I can fine tune what clothes I am taking.

Getting ready for the Big Trip to New Zealand

It never fails to amaze me how things pile up just before you leave on a trip. For weeks, things have been slow and boring, and I thought this is going to be a snap. Time to get the house and cats sorted out, gather documents needed, finish the articles I committed to do, etc etc. But all of a sudden things seem to escalate.

Along with the crummy weather that caused problems all over the area, and kept us inside (not that I want to go out much in the cold anyway.) But even the weather ate into my time when the Leader wanted storm pictures. So diehard that I am, donned my foulies and headed out. Fortunately for us, there wasn't a lot of damage in the area, just a lot of trees down and of course, the Hood Canal Bridge was closed to traffic because of the high winds. It opens to relieve the pressure caused by the wind and waves.

And another Leader article that had been hanging in the background needed to be completed so got that done yesterday. Actually, was quite proud of myself, listed a house in the morning and wrtoe the article in the afternoon. Now if only the newspaper paid decently, it would have been a VERY productive day.

With just a week before we leave for New Zealand, I am getting excited now! I started a New Zealand blog but think maybe I should just post to this one, as my "fans" as Betsy says, know this site. I will let everyone know that I will be posting regularly, along with photos on shutterly.com and for those who have trouble viewing the internet (Biff and Jules) I will email them.