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I’m In – I’m On – I’m Happy!!!!

I’m soooo excited, I am writing this from MY cabin on MY internet connection, I am soooo happy! The installers, a very nice couple, locals who live close by came out this morning, I met them at the road and directed them to my neighbor’s driveway, walking up to our cabin from his house is much easier. It took about half an hour to hook it up, it’s a very small box on the outside of the cabin, we have a perfect line of sight to the tower from the cabin, I tested the speed and it shows:

Download Speed: 1759 kbps (219.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1455 kbps (181.9 KB/sec transfer rate)

Download Speed: 2208 kbps (276 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 364 kbps (45.5 KB/sec transfer rate)

I tested it 2 times to see what it would do, I’m pretty happy with the connection. The first thing we did was go to wbap.com and listened to Rush Limbaugh, Bob has been really missing his daily Rush fix ever since we moved out here. You should see the smile on his face! Plus we get to hear the local news for the DFW area, tonight I will listen to Coast to Coast am, I haven’t been able to hear that since we moved here either, I promise I will be smiling just as big as Bob when I hear George Noory or whoever is hosting the show tonight… :) :) :)

Bob is working outside the window, he is painting the deck that will be the floor of our bedroom, hopefully he will have the bedroom finished by this weekend. I’ll post more pix when it’s completed.

5 Comments

b16-rounded-4008479 Dragon said…

Woo Hoo!
I gotta find out if a similar service is offered up where my cabin is located… One can only hope. Dragon

April 14, 2008 1:18 PM

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anon16-rounded-5661787 Susie said…

How wonderful that you will be able to get online anytime you want.
Happy for you,
Susie

April 14, 2008 3:27 PM

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b16-rounded-4008479 Wretha said…

I could see the tower across the valley on the other mountain top from me, I didn’t know exactly what it was for, but I thought (hoped) it may be internet related, I had been asking around about it but no one seemed to know anything about it. It was apparently from a previous (now defunct) internet provider, I’m glad someone took it over and started new service. We have been listening to streaming radio and now streaming music, it’s great.

I hope you can get hooked up, it’s so much better than satellite or dial up.

Wretha

April 14, 2008 3:27 PM

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anon16-rounded-5661787 Anonymous said…

We expect a lot more postings now you know! :)

April 15, 2008 10:36 AM

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b16-rounded-4008479 Wretha said…

I know! Believe me, I’ll be posting a LOT more… :)

Wretha

April 15, 2008 1:25 PM

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April 14, 2008 5 Comments

Sundance has The Green Idea

Sundance channel has started it’s second season of their regular programming called The Green. The Green is both on TV and interactive by way of the web. Programming for this Tuesday includes one of our old favorites It’s Not Easy Being Green, Big Ideas for a Small Planet, The Sierra Club Chronicles, as well as shorts about being an “ecoist” and eco-business.

The Greenis the first programming that is prime time (9 pm) to showcase shows, documentaries, movies that all have the environment as their main concern. This is a wonderful place to catch up on the latest in the environment, going green, living green, or being responsible for your environment. This is also supported by an online community effort to help connect those interested in being eco-friendly and to do business with those who also promote a more responsible and/or self-sustainable way of life. Their online community, called the Eco-mmunity, has an interactive map where you can locate others in your local area and even mark your place in the world. Making it easier for you to connect with others that share your interest or has a product or service you’re looking for.

Seeing the environment and being self-sustaining becoming more of a concern for everyday Americans is very refreshing. Now when people are discussing the environment and going green they no longer seem to have that “look”, you know the one where they think your missing a few marbles, when I speak up and give them pointers or answer questions they have been wondering about. Telling people that how much we lowered our gas & electric bill this winter by just becoming efficient and insulating everywhere we could think of inspired them to start doing it to. Talking about using alternative energy, whether as an individual or by purchasing from alternative power companies, gave people a pause and for some the incentive to look more into it.

I truly believe that we can each live off the grid and still maintain, though improve is more like it, our current standard of living. You don’t have to sacrifice your computer, TV, satellite or cable, dishwasher, phone, iPod, or any other of the multitude of thing you just can’t see living without. Of course when you hear what it is to be quite, you just may wonder why all those things were so important. Especially when you hear the laughter of your children, the singing of the birds, the whisper of the wind, and the trickle of a stream. Those sounds that have been drowned out by today’s hectic lifestyle are still there waiting to be heard again.…

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April 14, 2008 No Comments
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Great News!

I can’t wait for Monday, that is not something you normally hear from most people, Monday usually means the end of the weekend (free time) and the start of the work week, blah! But for me, Monday, this particular Monday will be a very happy day, why you ask? Because I am finally getting INTERNET hooked up at my cabin WOO HOO!

This was something I researched quite a bit before we moved out here, I found out that my choices were limited, I could get satellite (EXPENSIVE to start up and maintain, require at least a year contract, not as fast as I would like, unreliable, AND they meter your bandwidth which means no streaming videos, movies or large downloads), or I could get dial up (means the expense of getting a phone line, and toooo slow), there were no other options at the time. I have relied on my neighbor since I’ve gotten here to check my email and do a few things on line, he uses satellite and he doesn’t like it either, too expensive and not as reliable as it should be.

The other day at the store, I saw a notice on the board about a new internet out here, it’s run by locals, the start up costs are reasonable, and the monthly fees are reasonable, about half what satellite runs! And there are no contracts. It’s not satellite or dial up, it’s a microwave signal, we are right across the valley from the tower, line of sight thing, that means our connection should be good. According the the people hooking us up, it’s by far faster then satellite, much more reliable, no delays, and the best thing, no bandwidth metering! I can download/upload as much as I want! I told them up front that I am a bandwidth hog, I like to watch streaming movies and TV shows, I surf and download quite a lot, they said that was no problem, woo hoo! Can you tell that I am happy about this???

If this works out like I hope it will, I will get phone service through the internet and will drop my cell phone, it barely works out here, and eventually I will not be able to keep the current plan I have anyhow, I am still using the employee plan where I used to work, once my cell phone carrier finds out I no longer work there, they will not allow me to keep that plan, I figured I would have to let my phone go at that point anyhow, if I can get a good (cheap or free) phone service through the internet, that would work out better for me.

Anyone have any suggestions for online phone services, low cost or free? Or are there any I should stay away from? Please let me know. Thanks!

Hopefully the next time I …

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April 13, 2008 4 Comments

Solar Energy Need to Know

If you are installing or have installed a photovoltaic (PV) system we have found some helpful resource to make it not only easier but safer for you and your home.

First if you are debating on installing the system as a DIY (do it yourself) then we found a resourced guide that can save you time and money and best of all it’s free. It is a guide on installing PV systems by the California Energy Commission as part of their Renewables Buydown Program. This guide is for the current state-of-the- art PV system installation, though revisions are set to made as the technology changes.

Second a telephone seminar on fire safety for PV systems will be held by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) on April 30, 2008 at 2pm EDT. Various fire districts throughout the U.S. have been raising concerns about the safety of fire fighters in building with PV systems over the last several years. Most of the concern was how to ventilate a roof that was cover in solar panels and how to disconnect the live circuits with out being shocked. This lead to the California Solar Energy Industries Association (Cal SEIA) working with the California State Fire Marshall’s office to develop meetings between representatives from the solar industry and others interested in fire protection. They worked out some guidelines for PV fire safety. These guidelines are focused on required area needed on rooftops for access of firefighters to ventilate the roof in event of fire. You need to pre-register but any interested parties are able to attend, you will then be sent the access phone number a week before the event.…

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April 10, 2008 No Comments
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Rocket Stoves and More…

I found this site while looking for rocket stove info, there is a great video with detailed instructions on how to build a rocket stove, these stoves will burn smaller twigs, something I have lots of on my property, you can use less fuel, it’s clean and I hope to be able to use one to at least boil water, something we do a lot to make coffee and such. This site also has the Humanure Handbook and other great info, all free!

https://weblife.org/

I plan on making a rocket stove in the near future, Bob has not been very excited about it though, he doesn’t think it will be “all that” or work as good as I think it will, I still want to make one though. I showed him the video and he saw that I am really interested in it, so he said to remind him next time we are in town so we can get the parts necessary to build it. I can’t wait!

2 Comments

b16-rounded-4008479 Dragon said…

I have a few pictures of my portable rocket stove over at my blog.
https://circleoftheoroborous-dragon.blogspot.com/2008/04/barter-anyone.html
The pictures are of the smallest of the rocket stoves I’ve made. A few small sticks for fuel and it boils my morning coffee.
Bob sounds handy enuff to get one really cooking. You can tell him for me he will be surprised at how well they work.
feel free to email me with any questions about the stoves and I help all I can…Dragon

April 13, 2008 7:35 PM

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b16-rounded-4008479 Wretha said…

Thanks Dragon, I just read it on your blog, I know Bob can make one for me, he has agreed to make one for me, we just have to collect the stuff to make it, I have no doubt it will become a well used part of my kitchen, since the weather has gotten warmer, I am not using the wood stove to cook on, so we have been using propane, something we don’t want to have to rely on. I found a set of plans for a rocket stove bread oven, I really want to start baking bread again, I’m pretty good at it, it may even make us some extra “dough” too… :) You also gave me an idea about selling rocket stoves too, thanks!!!

Wretha

April 14, 2008 1:15 PM


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April 10, 2008 2 Comments
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Chandeliers in the Trees and More Cabin

04-02-08

Today, actually it was yesterday as this is being typed after midnight (grin), yes I do tend to be a night owl at times, anyhoo, it was a good day, we had planned on going into Alpine, it’s a bit of a drive, but that is where the closest dentist is located. Bob had a dental appointment, on the way out of the neighborhood, we stopped at the country store and talked to a few people, the store owner found out we were going into town and offered to let us use her minivan, we greatfully accepted, our bug is running a bit rough, it needs some work, it’s fine for running around the neighborhood, at worst, if we break down, there will be someone along in pretty short order to give us a ride home :) We took the van and started out, I forgot to grab my keys so we didn’t have the mailbox key, bummer, oh well, it will just have to wait… We drove to Alpine, got to the dentist, Bob talked to him a bit, we are trading some artwork for payment, it’s a bronze sculpture that Bob’s mom made, it is very nice! It seems he liked it, he did say he usually collects paintings and drawings, not so much in sculpture, but he seemed to accept the deal, we made another appointment and left.

We took advantage of being in a town with actual stores (!) to make some purchases, we went to a Family Dollar store and stocked up on items we can’t get where we live, ok I exaggerate, we could get some of these items in our local grocery store, but it would cost quite a lot more and we wouldn’t have had the same selection. We spent over $100 there, but we came out with bags and bags of food, next we went to the lumber yard and got some building material. After that, we stopped at McDonald’s, yes, I know it’s really bad for you to eat, but I haven’t had any kind of “fast food” since before we moved out here in December, and I was soooooo ready to eat a greasy burger and fries! I did get a side salad to go with my artery clogging cheeseburgers and small fries, I drank water too, no soft drinks for me, I gave them up years ago, if I drink on now, it’s just too much, too many bubbles, to strong a flavor, it assaults my mouth, so I don’t miss that at all, I don’t know how I drank them before, yuck!

After that we drove home, went by our place to drop off the booty, and took the van back, I am so thankful to have had the use of that van, our bug probably would have made it just fine, but it was still …

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April 4, 2008 4 Comments
Communities

Nick Rosen featured in Independent

Author of “How to Live Off-Grid” gets double page spread in Independent newspaper to expound his philosophy and explain why he bought a Majorcan mountain hideaway.…

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March 27, 2008 No Comments

Updates on Previous Posts

Thought it was time to update some of our previous posts. Since we started this journey back in October we have run across some amazing movements, events, products, and people and we wanted to check in on them and see how things have gone.

Make It Right 9 of New Orleans has raised funds to build 81 of their proposed 150 homes. We are still waiting on word whether we can sponsor our own home. So check back or if you can’t wait please visit them and donate to a worthy cause. You can also visit them to find out more about the amazing people and organizations that are involved in this opportunity to not only give someone a helping hand but to help show that being self-sufficient in our resource needs can be done in today’s world community wide.

Our Hollywood Going Green? post back in November was about a convention being held in December. I know I said I would wait for the movie so guess what they have posted their presentations. Now to find the time watch them! If you do or attended let us know what you think. We will be starting a thread at the forum about them.

We Love It’s Not easy Being Green was about the BBC show on a family transforming an old farmhouse to their off-grid utopia. We haven’t seen anything about another season but the charity they started The Big Green Idea has continued on. Starting in summer 2008 they plan to have a green double decker bus touring the UK to let people have hands on experiences of products used to get off-grid, while also offering movie and documentary viewings. Even though these sites are geared for the UK they are a great source of ideas to bring across the “pond”.

Ava Solar from our $1 per watt of Soalr Energy post has been moving froward on mass production of their new panels. “ We are very happy with our initial pre-production runs and have decided to move up production plans on our existing manufacturing line,” said Pascal Noronha, President and CEO of AVA Solar. “Although this will be relatively limited production, we intend to accelerate our production learning curve and get our products into the market faster than we thought possible last year.” They have also announced that instead of building a new manufacturing plant in Fort Collins they will be using an existing physicality in Northern Colorado which helped speed up the production time-line.

In December we wanted you to Help Focus The Nation. The online web-cast had problems as many more than anticipated people, groups, and institutions logged on to be part of it. Though they then made it available to watch anytime. We admit that we were part of the unfortunate ones that had problems and were kicked out of the live cast. …

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March 27, 2008 1 Comment
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Communities

Neighbors…

Just a few of our “neighbors” coming out for a visit. These are mule deer, they have large ears like a mule. These are very friendly, sometimes too much so, they will come pretty close to see if you have anything to feed to them. I throw a few crackers to them on occasion, I don’t want them to be hanging around too much though, they are wild animals and will get aggressive, especially when it comes to food. This is right outside my door, I was cooking dinner outside that day, I turned around and there they were.

We also have white tailed deer, but they are much more skittish around people, they literally turn tail (up) and run at the mere site, sound or smell of humans.

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March 25, 2008 2 Comments

Less Then a Month and Counting

Earth Day, April 22, 2008, is less then a month away and I though t this would be the perfect time to ask: What have you done in the past year to improve your and our environment?

This is more of a thinking exercise then to put anyone on the spot. I try to use Earth Day as my mark to see how I have changed my habits and living to be healthier both for my family and I and for the Earth as a whole. I will be writing a more in depth article on April 22 and hope that is you have a blog you will join with me about how I did change the world for good this past year.

I have to say that this year has been pretty productive as I completed changing over all my light bulbs (I only changed them after the old ones stopped working), insulated exposed pipe and duct work, finished changing my cleaning supplies over to non-toxic/organic, and started this site to help convert and inform others of the benefits of going green and getting of the grid. I still need to plant my gardens, a herb, vegetable, and a berry, but they have been cleared and just need tiling and the compost added.

My plans for the upcoming year is to install a solar water heater and if I’m really lucky and on the ball solar panels. Also I intended to be more involved in getting others to understand the benefits of being self-sufficient in today’s world. I have to admit that I don’t take the pushy approach but the education one. This seems to work the best for me.

Did I ever mention that my husband wasn’t to thrilled about the idea of taking our family off the grid? All he saw in the beginning was the expense and the extra work it would require to do it. Now though after being pulled along he is almost as excited as I am. He is actually researching on his own and even helping with the home improvements (not one of my husbands loves) which just shows that once people are shown the benefits they don’t just jump on the train but actually drive it.

Speaking of information and change I stumbled on a story about a Stanford law professor trying to change the way Congress works. A site called Change Congress is trying to take wiki approach to congress to make it more transparent and keep track of our politicians and their pledges. It looks to be in the very early stages but if we all get behind it that could change very quickly. I have joined their emailing list and hope to hear good things from them soon. Along with that Breathing Earth made quite an impact. It shows carbon dioxide emission level of every country in a …

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March 24, 2008 No Comments
Communities

London’s Mayor endorses off-grid

Mayor Livingstone campaigns for re-election on pledge to take London off-grid immediately in order to save energy. But admits UK government will not currently allow this.…

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March 24, 2008 1 Comment