Side Yard Updates

A bit overwhelming, this hillside, as I gazed out my office window 4 weeks ago. Where to begin? It was my idea to remove the pool. I did manage to haul 60 bags of bark out to the area to cover the evidence. Now years of overgrowth and inattention on the hillside started to look pretty messed up with the new tidy bark distribution below.  It began with a chainsaw first of all eliminating a dead tree off to the right side of the photo. There was only one way to tackle the rest... one dead limb or one ivy vine at a time. I got a little carried away with the reciprocating saw and some hedgeclippers. Half way through I was done, in considerable pain, as I limped back into the house barely able to move. The bad back had returned. Husbands comment, "well you know you are getting old."

 

I want to say I rested up and was back out there the following weekend... NOT. Instead I bailed at work after two hours a day for a week. Finally one of my bosses suggested I might benefit by going to see Frank at Walnut Creek Manual Therapy. It was a huge success, a miracle, and after spending another couple of weeks gingerly puttering around the less invasive parts of the yard I was ready to tackle the hillside again. 

The result... yesterday morning I approached the hillside with care and caution. I'm pleased with the new view from my office. And I'm still standing straight!

Watch Out... The Kid's Got a Dozer

The ground trembled. The house shook. The noise escalated. And then I checked it out. How could one little boy do so much damage in such a short time? Next time I'll not let anyone park a dozer in my front yard!

Just kidding... half the pool demo is accomplished. More tomorrow. Then dirt. Then garden? Stay tuned.

Mothers Day 2012

Wherever our children might be, whatever space they are in, rewards sometimes come in big doses...

Garden Chapter 1

This is going to be a long slow process. First project... the front yard. Before:

After:

Did I mention I own no green thumbs? Seeking "Native Plants." Might check out some native plant gardens on Sunday http://www.bringingbackthenatives.net/

Hats off to the Acolyte

Little J approached the church this morning with acolyte anticipation. As we drove into the parking lot I suggested he leave his hat in the car. His response was seriously funny... "Why Grandma? It is an Angel's cap."

Random Bits of Gratitude

Posts are infrequent when times are difficult. At least that is the way it is for me. I began this blog almost a decade ago with inspiring energy and lots to tell... mostly all in fun. Obviously that energy has waned over the last couple of years, mostly because life has had a lot of "not so fun" things and no one really wants to read about that kind of stuff. 

So here's the plan. In an effort to change my thought process and find some resolution, I have created a blog to look at the bright side. If all goes as planned, I'll find frequent Random Bits of Gratitude. (My first inclination was to go for Daily Bits of Gratitude but that sounds too much like a new years resolution). So there. I've done it. I've made a commitment... sort of.

Bubbles

In the middle of our weekly shopping adventure at our local Target last week, I paused to search the aisle of personal cleanliness. With the impatience of an eight year old, Little J asked why it was taking me so long and I told him I needed to find the perfect bubble bath. His response... "Grandma you're too old for bubble baths!"

And so we left without bubbles.

But I really wanted a bubble bath.

I looked online and found out how to make my own:

Homemade Bubble Bath
 1/2 cup unscented shampoo
 3/4 cup water
 1/4 teas. table salt
a few drops fragrance oil

Meanwhile Grandpa was out and about. When he called to check in I told him what Little J said about old people and bubbles. I asked if he might bring home some unscented shampoo so I could experiment.

This is what Grandpa brought home...  .

Now to carve out a wee bit of time to experience this luxurious (and expensive) bliss.

Reminder… Time to Check Out Newts

Just a little reminder that it’s that time of year. It’s been 4 years since we checked them out. Must remember to schedule walk next weekend…. Oh, and the other reason to put this old picture up now… so I could link it to my labyrinth project in pinterest.