We have a large, empty lot between our house and the ocean. It has been wild and overgrown since we moved in. I have been known to complain about it, as it has been a source of hordes of ticks, some snakes, clouds of mosquitoes, numerous feral cats, and the crash pad of the occasional drunk. The brush has been getting taller and taller and blocking more of our ocean view. I have fantasized more than once of setting the whole thing ablaze.

And now to prove that I can't be pleased, they have cleared the entire lot in preparation for some type of construction and I am miserable. Rumor has it a high rise condo will go up, but I don't know that for a fact.

I thought the clearing was great for about half an hour. Then I realized they were completely stripping the lot. Yes, the cats are gone, but so are the trees, flowers, humming birds, parrots and iguanas. I didn't realize how much I liked the eco-system across the street.

For the past 4 days we have been living with dump trucks and a backhoe – shocking, continuous noise on our usually very quiet street. The dogs don't like it one little bit either, barking ferociously at the invading beasts and adding to my headache.

And oh, the dirt. There is so much dirt. There are no longer grasses and bushes to hold it all down, on the ground, where it belongs. It is freely flying – right into our house. Closing the windows doesn't help much; they are not the all-weather sealing type of windows.

The dirt actually drifts on the floor, like sand on a desert highway. My nostrils are brown, my teeth are gritty, and everything we eat tastes like dirt. I look like I have the best tan of my life.

Our allergies are back and making up for lost time. We haven't taken a single Claritin since we've been here. Until this week, that is. We're back on the antihistamines and decongestants.

This week has been a not-so-gentle reminder to me to enjoy what I have. The workmen spared the tree with the nesting pair of White Fronted Amazons and promised not to knock it down until the eggs have hatched and the young parrots are flying. So at least I have that. I will make sure to enjoy them every day they are here.