This could either be used to live in while making a larger home (since that could take a year or more to finish) it could be used as a guest home, or it could be used as a very low-cost permanent home for a couple or two friends. It is NOT good for elderly or people with mobility issues.
Interior size is 7X12.
84 sq ft on main floor and 84 sq ft in loft - 168 total sq ft.
Kitchen/dining/home office is 8X7
Bath 7X4
Bedroom is 7X12






Main Floor. I've designed the house to be able to function off-grid but that doesn't mean it has to. The wood burning oven provides heat and cooking. The 2 burner cook-top is propane. The icebox is counter top height and is an old fashioned, actual icebox. The kitchen sink and the shower water are both heated by a portable propane heater in summer and by the wood burning oven in winter. The toilet is a self contained composting toilet - I've checked them out, they aren't gross and they don't stink, you can't tell they aren't a regualr toilet. The sinks and showr drain into a greywater area outside. The door between the bathroom and the main room is an accordian door. All over - open shelving so you have storage, but it still feels "open". The dining table is also a home office area.

Photos behind the cut to give you an idea...
( Read more... )




Main floor if you need more dining space if you have guests over. If the table, icebox, and burners are on wheels - they can be moved out of the way. Now, OF COURSE I would never recommend moving them in front of the doorway like I have shown. You can move them where you want. I'm just saying you could do something like this on ocassion.





And here is the loft bedroom. 7X12. Room for a queen size bed with rolling storage underneath and hanging and drawer space for your clothes on the opposite wall. There is a window seat on the south wall and you could have a small coffee table, but you would need to move it to opena nd close the trap door to go down to the main floor. Lots of book shelves lining the upper walls and windows on all sides except North. The room would be heated from the chimney.

*********************

Building notes -
Strawbale and cob are both time consuming and hard labor, but cheap and well-insulated. Deciding to go another route instead. Post and beam plus straw packed wood pallets, 3 layers deep. That would go up really fast and have great insulation. Plus, the door, windows and corners would be easy compared to strawbale. Then cover it all with chicken wire stapled right onto the wood and cover the whole thing with a few inches of portland cemete (breathable). Portland, as opposed to cob, can be mixed in large batches in a mixer - saving soooo much time and effort. Spread it on like stucco. Still fairly cheap to do. The posts we can get cheap from up north, the portland we can order, the pallets and straw we can get for free. Foundation and roof are small so that limits the expence. What we put inside and how we finish it off is what will add to the costs. Do you have a finished wood floor in the loft or painted particle board? Discounted windows by using custom windows that people returned or didn't pick up - or make your own?

Talked this over with Tracy and should be able to build the structure for $3000 to $5000.

Just for my own reference.

New Hearth is dedicated to:
Reviving (supporting?)Hellenic Pagan worship through building and maintaining sacred spaces and hosting public festivals.
Fosteringgreater economic independence for its members who live on-site in healthy, sustainable communities and teaching these principles by example to those outside our community.

BTW....the virtual community (with blog, etc) pertaining to New Hearth is almost ready to go.

The following is a post by a person on my friend's list. I friended him not because I knew him, but because I heard about him and what he is doing. He is creating something very like what I would like to create - an independent homestead in the country that has sacred spaces and festival grounds. VERY interesting blog.

But I'm adding his post here because it says, far better than I have been able to articulate, why I'm doing what I'm doing. I'm not looking to wall myself away, or create some mythical place where everyone is happy all the time, or turn my back on the world. I'm looking to be independent to limit the amount of control "the system" has over me. To no longer be a wage slave. And to help others do the same - either by joining my merry band or by learning through my successes and fuck-ups. (although I do not believe there is any collapse of civilization coming - that would mean that we are now civilized and I refute THAT notion)



Thoughts on Forming New Perceptions of Utopianism, Survivalism, and Their Inherent Buddhist Underpinnings
( Read more... )
But, what triggered my to write this today was not their post but a response to my reply. One short line, that pushed several back burner thoughts to the front of the stove. "Utopia doesn't survive around urban hunger." This simple set of words unpacked several things in my mind and at the same time tied them together. I thought I'd share.
( Read more... )
So, it doesn't, but it also shouldn't. This latter is more of a personal opinion than a statement of fact, such as the former. I have often said to my friends "I am not a utopianist, but I'd like to be". I would like to believe in some happily ever after scenario. Where everyone finally figures "it" out. I used to be a big "back to the land, hide from the apocalypse" type guy. And then I got tired of waiting. But the phrase "Utopia doesn't survive around urban hunger" led me to realize something else. You know that little voice in the back of your head, the quiet one that when you ask it direct questions you can't seem to hear it? That one has always quietly been uncomfortable with these various "tune in, drop out, live happily ever after" utopian visions of the future. The phrase "No utopia exists..." has given that voice some volume. What I realized is that even if I could survive on an island of plenty and security, surrounded by urban hunger, and unrest. I wouldn't want to, and I would never call that a utopia. In fact I would call it a tragedy.
( Read more... )
Utopia shouldn't exist on an island surrounded by poverty. I realize that my fundamental agreement with this idea comes from a sort of Bodhisattva-esqe view of utopia. One that critiques strongly many of these attempts at creating utopian islands. It isn't about culling a group of like minded individuals from society and hiding away while everyone else goes to hell. That isn't utopia, its escapist survivalism. Real utopia can only be achieved through the survival of all people. As long as there is an "outside" to your utopia, regardless of size, you will have to forcibly defend your utopia from the outside. And, well, as far as I'm concerned using force against your fellow man, your desperate, starving neighbor, even in defense, is not much of a utopia is it?

So, like the Bodhisattva who realizes that because we are all interconnected, until we are all truly enlightened, none of us are truly enlightened, it seems also the case that until we all live in a true utopia, none of us live in a true utopia (if in fact the two are different concepts at all). If this is also true for utopias, than the goals and tactics of the "Bodhisattva utopianist" will differ from the goals of what I will call a "Bubble Utopianist". For example, the former is not primarily concerned with their peer group, they are rather, concerned primarily with those just outside their peer group. Living on a compound in the middle of nowhere is fine, but can we teach the inner city to grow their own food in organic gardens? Is it more truly utopian to grow your own food, in preparation for food shortages, or is it more utopian to try and prevent those food shortages from ever taking place?

I would like to appear to change directions a bit, although I hope to demonstrate that I have not. What do I mean when I say survivalist? Unfortunately survivalists, like other marginal groups, have been given quite the distorted image from mainstream culture. The image of "The Survivalist" that most people are aware of is one generated by a cultural system that does not want true freedom and independence. Simply put, if you are prepared for anything that is practically possible, if you are self-sufficient, if your life is sustainable, then you don't need "the system", the insecurities and fear it would like you to subscribe to, and the control it attempts to exert over you. The last thing the government wants is a nation of people who say "I don't need your intrusion, I can take care of my self". The last thing industry wants is a person that will tell them "I don't need your stuff, I can take care of myself". A survivalist is one who prepares for unforeseen circumstances of any nature in a way that is independent, sustainable and beneficial.
( Read more... )
So, yes, move to the country if that is what you like. Learn sustainable agriculture, harvest rainwater, live simply. But understand that no utopia can exist surrounded by a sea of suffering, nor should it. And yes, prepare, prepare for food riots. But prepare by both protection and prevention. Life is impermanant, all realities change, this reality requires we prepare for the alleviation of suffering, both ours and others, for they are one in the same. Prepare in a way not that is paranoid and fearful, xenophobic and pessimistic. Prepare in a way that prevents. Prepare in a way that builds confidence and security, that improves the lives of yourself and the world around you.


http://dionysusdevotee.livejournal.com/238086.html

Hello there!
I have a few new people who have friended me and I don't always notice when someone does that. Call me paranoid, but I no longer friend people back until I know how they came about me or why they friended me or if I know them by another name somewhere else.

So if you could give me a hint as to who you are, I would really appreciate it!

Tracy had been coming slowly on board with this, but has been still reserved. We talked this morning and now I know why.

He was under the impression that I was aiming for subsistance style living - grow all your own food, raise animals, don't have any money. He already did that while growing up and has no desire to return to that. I'm not game for that either. No way am I raising animals. A large garden I'll do as I enjoy the hell out of that.

While there is an environmental benefit, and a spiritual benefit - I'm in this for economics. Eliminating housing and utility costs will give us more control over our lives. Period. Will we work for ourselves (in which case we will work for our customers) or work at another job? Yes we will. What being able to live off of a very low income will do is allow us to tell people/employers to go fuck themselves. It shifts the balance of power.

Because I am sick (as is Tracy) of giving your all, having your employer squeeze every last drop out of you, and then throwing you away or keeping you around for more bullshit as the whim takes them. I can't even fault employers for that. I understand exactly why they do this. Just because I understand it doesn't mean I want to play thier game anymore. As long as we have debt and bills to pay that equals more than 25% of our combined income - we are wage slaves.

After Tracy and I talked, we came to an agreement to give this a go. So we need to narrow down where we will live and look for employment there. Within 2 hours of a city, but out in the country. If Austin wasn't such a shitty town, it would fit the bill.

Attorney General Jerry Brown has submitted a referendum that would make California the first state in the nation to get entirely out of the marriage business. I have been hoping someone, somewhere, would be serious about taking this position!

If backers get enough signatures, any new marriages in the state would only get recognized as domestic-partnership contracts:
California same-sex “marriage” supporters are collecting signatures to support a ballot initiative that would remove civil marriage from California law entirely, as well as the provision codifying marriage as between a man and a woman.

The “Domestic Partnership Initiative” proposes to categorize all unions simply as “domestic partnerships,” while retaining all the rights of marriage for heterosexual couples, and extending them to homosexual couples. According to the initiative’s summary, “Legally speaking, ‘Marriage’ itself would become a social ceremony, recognized by only non-governmental institutions.”

State Attorney General Jerry Brown submitted the official title and summary for the measure on Monday, about one week after opening arguments in lawsuits challenging Proposition 8, California’s true marriage amendment.

Now THIS is something that deserves support. All of you people who have been pissed off about Prop 8, doing marches, calling people, etc - this is something that could be successful and might be worth a bit of your time and attention.

I hope this goes through in California and I hope it comes soon to a state each of us live in.

To get an idea of what I mean when I talk about a platform tent...

Something like this, but the floor in the bedroom is only 2 ft larger than the bed. Instead of the wall plaques, picture shelves on a wood wall.

As part of My Evil Master Plan, I (and my husband) will need something to live in during a Spring, Summer, And Fall while we are building our house. Now, we could just use a tent, but that is going to get old real fast. Plus, after working my ass off all day long, I want a real bed to sleep in and hot showers. Yanno?

It has to be something that goes up quick. Gets us up off the ground. Can last through a thunderstorm. And I want it to be durable enough that visitors could stay in it or we could rent it out later. No sense in letting it go to waste, right?





So....Here it is! A Platform Tent Cabin. 8ft by 12, 8ft high in the (off)center, 6ft high on the edges.

Bathroom - The shower will have a rain barrel on the ground outside of it with a solar pump to pump the water. As back up, we can have a Bivouac Buddy. (That's an 8 gallon tank that mounts above the shower and uses gravity to make it flow.) That will go down to the propane water heater. Hot showers. The toilet is a self-contained composting toilet. I've checked them out and they don't smell and are clean and easy to use. The sink, cold water only straight from the tank, is wall mounted on the only "real" wall (dividing the bedroom and the bathroom) Mirror and wall holders for bathroom stuff and towels.

Bedroom - Basically is a Queen size bed with drawers underneath for clothes and storage. The headeboard will have a shelf across the top of it to hold glasses, books, small lamp, etc. There will be shelves further up the wall that jut out more than just the 8 inches deep like the first shelf.

Cooking and dining will be done outside of the platform tent - the dining table could be in a small screen tent to keep bugs out. Could keep the food in there, too.

Estimated costs -
Canvas - $75
Canvas water proofing - $5
Mesh - $100
Posts - $48
Stand and tank for shower - $50
Sink - $10
Floor - $120
Shelves - $20
__________________
Total - $428

* Hotwater heater - $130
* Toilet - $800

* Those two items get moved into the house after it is built so I count them against the home costs. The bed I already have - two of them. The wood one will go with me into the house, the iron frame will stay in the platform tent.

I was sent this photo a few days ago. Funny timing as Jason has again been on my mind. Most of you who knew Jason already know the story behind this photo, but I'm going to tell it again. As I feel I can tell it again.

This was the first DragonCon I attended. I had no clue what to expect and I was nervous as all hell to attend. My husband was VERY worried about me flying to Atlanta to attend a large convention all by myself. The only way he would agree for me to attend was if I stayed at Jason's house. I had met Jason before, he was married, and had a teen son. We both trusted him.

So off I went. I arrived at the airport and Jason was there to meet my flight. We went right to the convention and stood in line for hours to get our badges. By the time we got done and met all our other on-line friends (most of whom I had never met) I had gone an entire day without eating a bit and it was now evening. I was nervous to met all these people. (Close to 25 on-line friends from all over the world were in that bar that night) What if they hated me? And then I would stuck there with people who hated me! So I did what I usually do when I'm nervous in a group. I drank like a fucking fish. I mean...I drank straight up martinis until I about floated away. Jason and I left at bar close.

We took a taxi to where his car was parked. I was so drunk that I peed in the parking ramp. Real classy. Then we drove the 1/2 hour to his house. I went into the extra bedroom and I couldn't figure out how to keep the ceiling fan going and have the light off so I slept (passed out) with the light on. Jason's wife didn't know WTF to think. She thought I was nuts. That wasn't helped that morning when I got up and showered. I was still flat out drunk.

Jason drove us to the MARTA station and we parked the car and go onto the train. That's when started to feel sick. Keep in mind, I am in costume - the one you see in the photo. Jason thought it was funny, and I did too when I wasn't trying to barf. We debated, out loud, if I should puke on the floor of the train or in the plastic seat. That made the other train riders move away from us.

I made it to the con without throwing up. Miracle. Then we decided to try to eat something with Kool, John, and a few others. Kool and I had to leave the food court to throw-up. Battle lost. Then we went to John and Kool's room to lay down for a while. That helped a bit.

Finally I was OK enough to go to the Pern room and meet up with all our friends again. I still looked and felt like shit. I heloed Cat sew the rest of the hem of her gown. Jason stayed with me and we had a great time each and every day (and evening) of the Con. The photo above is Jason and I in the Pern room. As a side note: check out the BPOI logo on Jason's shirt. Remember that was the year we had those shirts and I paid for the bags with the logo on them. I made the circle dragon logo) I was soooo sad to go. I had to leave right when Debbie got to the bar one night and I almost cried as I hugged her. I had wanted to hang out with Debbie the most since we are twins. She looked at me and said, "Oh Jeez, don't cry. We'll be on the boards." Jason took me to the airport and that was that.

I look at that photo and I still can't catch a glimpse of killer in it. I look at it and still see the guy my husband and I trusted to care for me and about me when I went to my first Con. Gods...what madness can steal from us all.

I can't help but think that this project and the the project to rebuild the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus*, while not projects headed by believers of those Gods, are coming about because those Gods are once again being worshipped.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/nov/17/colossus-rhodes-greece-sculpture

It may not straddle the port as its predecessor once did, but in terms of sheer luminosity and eye-catching height the new Colossus of Rhodes will not disappoint. Nor will it fall short of the symbolism that once imbued the ancient monument.

Twenty-three centuries after craftsmen carved the legendary statue that has inspired legions of painters, poets, playwrights and politicians, a new world wonder, built in the spirit of the original Colossus, is about to be born on the Aegean island.

After decades of dashed hopes, the people of Rhodes will fulfil a long-held dream to revive one of the world's seven ancient wonders - thanks to the promise of international funding and the East German artist Gert Hof.

"It will be a unique architectural creation," said the island's mayor, Hatzis Hatziefthimiou, presenting what is likely to become one of the 21st century's largest artistic projects in Dubai last week.

( Read more... )

This was started by Cat, a friend of mine and is about Aranel, another friend of mine. I know it is on the up and up and I have known Cat for years and years and years. If you are so moved to donate, please do so. If you are so moved to put this into your LJ (locked away from Aranel), please do so.

**********************************************

I just read that aranel13's mother lost her house, and just about everything else, in Hurricane Ike. Those of you who know Aranel know she works her ass off to make ends meet; those of you who don't know Aranel should know that she's an unfairly talented seamstress and costumer, and her sewing and crafting are responsible for the bulk of her income.

With no power, she has no sewing machine; with no sewing machine, she can't make any more costumes, including those for which she has already been paid. I don't know how much she's going to be able to do to help her mom get back on her feet, but I know that every little bit WE can do will help them tremendously.

I've set up a PayPal fund to collect donations. Please don't mention it to her (if any of you have even managed to maintain communication after the storm); I know she's got her pride and I don't need her getting all flustered and anxious because she doesn't want our pity. Let her get all flustered and anxious once I've already hit the "send money" button and there ain't shit she can do about it. Ha.

You are, however, free to pass the word along in your own Aranel-filtered LJs, as I know there are some of you with friends of hers who aren't friends of mine.

Any amount y'all can give is welcome. I'll see how much we've collected by Wednesday; if anyone needs a little more time, I'll push on to Friday. After that, I'll open this entry up for public viewing.

Click the link to donate

Since I am not ready to think or talk about "stuff" - and I don't want it mentioned here - I thought I would repost a blurb from FactCheck.org



False Internet claims and rumors fly about McCain's running mate.
Summary
We’ve been flooded for the past few days with queries about dubious Internet postings and mass e-mail messages making claims about McCain’s running mate, Gov. Palin. We find that many are completely false, or misleading.

Palin did not cut funding for special needs education in Alaska by 62 percent. She didn’t cut it at all. In fact, she tripled per-pupil funding over just three years.

She did not demand that books be banned from the Wasilla library. Some of the books on a widely circulated list were not even in print at the time. The librarian has said Palin asked a "What if?" question, but the librarian continued in her job through most of Palin's first term.

She was never a member of the Alaskan Independence Party, a group that wants Alaskans to vote on whether they wish to secede from the United States. She’s been registered as a Republican since May 1982.


Palin never endorsed or supported Pat Buchanan for president. She once wore a Buchanan button as a "courtesy" when he visited Wasilla, but shortly afterward she was appointed to co-chair of the campaign of Steve Forbes in the state.


Palin has not pushed for teaching creationism in Alaska's schools. She has said that students should be allowed to "debate both sides" of the evolution question, but she also said creationism "doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."

We'll be looking into other charges in an e-mail by a woman named Anne Kilkenny for a future story. For more explanation of the bullet points above, please read the Analysis.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_palin.html

I wish I knew the "real" names for these bits of armor. Anyway...here is the thigh guard. All done except for the straps. If you look at the icon, you can just see the thigh guards. They are supposed to be dragon scale...but I painted quilted fabric over a fun foam form.




Here are the steps to make it, behind the cut.

( Read more... )

Breastplate



Here's a shitty fuzzy pic of the shin piece - I have just put one coat of paint on and haven't smoothed it out or touched it up.
( Read more... )

and here is the center armor flap that hangs in the center from the belt
( Read more... )

Here is the hip piece that hangs from the belt.

( Read more... )

OK....I'm working on the belt (paper mache) and the armor pieces (fun foam)and sword that are attached to the belt. I'll add to this as I get each stage of the belt done.



( Read more... )

I'm documenting making my Kitiara costume. Click the link if you are interested. I'll just keep adding to this post as I make each step.
( Read more... )

I was up in the Twin Cities for a business meeting and I stopped off at Eye of Horus to do two things:
1. Buy incense and look for a statue
2. Drop off a copy of Written In Wine along with information on the other books that BIBLIOTHECA ALEXANDRINA is putting out and I took copies of every review of each book in the line as well. Jane, the owner, is looking at carrying the books. I'll be hitting up other stores across the country, too. I can hit up ones where I'm traveling to on business in person. The others will be by email and phone.

I left the store and was driving down Lyndale when I spotted a small store out of the corner of my eye. Looked interesting, but I was going to be late to my meeting unless I got going so there was no way I could take the time to stop. I stopped at the store anyway and I found this!



Top view of oil lamp depicting Helios



Side view of oil lamp

How wonderful is that? Isn't it beautiful? Perfect? Can you tell I am a bit excited about it?

The Prometheia - although there was a small festival in Athens by that name, date unknown, this is a more MODERN Festival.
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Prometheia.html This was one of 5 torch race celebrations that took place in and around Athens.

*********************************************

I take the time to give thanks to Prometheus in His role as Friend to Man and to Helios who is at the Zenith of His strength for the year.

The celebration is about thanking Prometheus for His gift of fire to man (and Helios' role in that)* and Prometheus' gift of how sacrifices are portioned out** between man and the Gods. I celebrate it as a "fun" festival. Time to feast out in the sunshine.

In the morning, I start the first fire using Helios' rays (directing them with a magnifying glass onto dried fennel fluff)and use that to light a lamp - from which all other fires and candles will be lit. At that time a libation will be poured to Helios, thanking Him for His role in giving humans the gift of fire.*

Since I have to work tomorrow, I'll light candles around my office. I have a small hurricane candle holder that I can use to transport a small tea light to work to light the other candles.

In the evening (when I get home) Libations to Prometheus, Athena (pottery), and Hephaestus(the forge)are poured. I make a formal sacrifice to all the Gods, giving them the fat, bones, and gristle and we have the rest - but I save the liver for Prometheus***. There is plenty of food this time of year so put it on a stick and grill it over a fire. I even grill the fruit and note how it is sweeter. Fennel is also something to be sure to grill**** - and it is perfect at this time of year (at least it is here)

At dusk I'll get the bonfire and torches in my garden going. Then the husband and I will toast marshmallows and sip on some honey-wine.


SOURCES
Hesiod Theogony lines 507-616 and Aeschylus Prometheus Bound
* On His arrival in Olympus, Prometheus lighted a torch at the fiery chariot of the Sun which presently broke from it a fragment of glowing charcoal, which he thrust into the pithy hollow of a giant fennel-stalk. Then, extinguishing his torch, he stole away, and gave fire to mankind.

** At Sicyon, a sacrificial meal marking the "settling of accounts" between mortals and immortals, Prometheus played a trick against Zeus. He placed two sacrificial offerings before the Olympian: a selection of bull meat hidden inside an ox's stomach (nourishment hidden inside a displeasing exterior), and the bull's bones wrapped completely in "glistening fat" (something inedible hidden inside a pleasing exterior). Zeus chose the latter, setting a precedent for future sacrifices; henceforth, humans would keep the meat for themselves and burn the bones wrapped in fat as an offering to the gods.

*** Prometheus, in eternal punishment, is chained to a rock in the Caucasus, where his liver is eaten daily by an eagle, only to be regenerated, due to his immortality, by night . Years later the Greek hero Heracles would shoot the eagle and free Prometheus from his chains.

**** On His arrival in Olympus, Prometheus lighted a torch at the fiery chariot of the Sun which presently broke from it a fragment of glowing charcoal, which he thrust into the pithy hollow of a giant fennel-stalk. Then, extinguishing his torch, he stole away, and gave fire to mankind.

I made this for my grandmother. She died on Friday and we had her funeral on Tuesday. I wanted it done by the time of the viewing, Monday at 2 pm, so I didn't have much time - especially since I drove back to Minnesota, spent a day with Andy and Heather, and then drove 5 hours back to Nebraska during that time. I got it done just in time and tucked it into her hands to take with her on her journey.

I made a small (4inch square) pillow. On one side I embroidered a ring of 7 doves around a cross - all in white. She was a Christian and so I thought she would like that. On the other side I embroidered a pink dianthus. Pink was her favorite color.



I filled it with rice, dried tomato, lemon peel, and cinnamon. Those were some of the main ingredients for a special dish she would make about once a week for all of the extended family. She was from Lebanon and she made these huge dinners that were so delicious. It was her way of showing us she loved us.

I also included dried flowers from my garden, some frankincense, and a gold coin. It smelled wonderful...like how her house used to smell in the summer. Cooking smells combined with flowers.

The fabric was linen and the threads were silk. It was the best I had and the best I could do so quickly.

Other side picture behind the cut
( Read more... )

And I can hear it really well since we are out on the front porch.

Seems to be going south of us...multiple tornados all aross the area.

ETA: I can hear tornado number 2 now. WOW! WOW! This must ne a big mutha...I can feel an air pressure drop. Can't see anything. Most everyone in the neighborhood is trying to secure all the crap out in their yards and get their cars into the garage.

Closer...it's closer...but I think it will stil go south of us. Which is pretty dicey...the campground is south of us. Rochester getting hhit....looks like the Dells (Wisc) is fucked.

ETA 2: This bitch is on the ground! Gonna miss us, but Rose Creek is going to be hit unless it sucks back up. Rose Creek is connected to Austin on the South West side of town.

Hmmmm.....they are hitting the sirens again? What? But it's raining hard again...you don't get hard rain with the tornado usually...the tornado makes a break.

ETA 3: Shows over, folks. (Even though we are still in a warning until 6:15 pm) Should all stay south of us. Now we are starting to flood...the streets, at least. The creek and river were already out of thier banks before the rain and storms of today. We are supposed to have more rain and storms tonight and all day tomorrow. Oh goodie.

And we are having a cook-out tomorrow for J's birthday party - 12 or so guests. I suppose I should start cleaning the house. My mom and sister bitch up a storm about how "dirty" my house is all the time. No...it really isn't. I just have books all around the house, and blankets for curling up in while reading said books. But the bathroom and kitchen does need a spiff up.