A day off

I had a procedure scheduled for today so I took the day off from work. So why is it that I feel so guilty? Is it because I have so much work to do or is it because my procedure went quickly and I got out sooner than I expected and if I wasn't so sleepy, I'd probably go to work? I don't know but in any event, the doc said I shouldn't be driving for at least 4 hours so I can't go to work ...oh wait, I don't have to drive to work, I just go downstairs to my office! My mind is a bit fuzzy right now so I don't even think I should be blogging. I certainly can't sew or I would be unpicking every mistake I make. I think maybe I will go back upstairs and try to sleep a little. I've been up since 2:30, with the exception of the 30 minute nap I took during the procedure. Now don't go worrying about me. It was nothing really. Just a little screening that my doctor seems to think is very important for anyone who turns 50 but at least I've been given a 10 year pass because everything looked excellent. I may be overwieght but I'm healthy as a horse!

I was inspired by Diana. All her cleaning this week has inspired me do something abhout my deck. Although I still plan on pulling up this hideous green outdoor carpet that the dogs think is grass, Brent has informed me that I cannot give him anymore projects this year. He has to finish the projects that I gave him last year before starting anymore. That said, it didn't stop me from getting him to help me clean the deck. Our deck is 24 ft x 24 ft. It's on top of our garage and walks our from our kitchen. I had him clear off his tools and leftover wood from the interior projects that piled up there then I swept the carpet to get the big stuff off, then I vacuumed all over then I shampooed that nasty grass green carpet and washed off the vinyl siding. When people see my deck and the view we have, I hear all the time, "you have such an awesome deck, I bet you just love sitting out there" but honestly, we rarely ever sit out there. A big reason we don't is because I cannot stand the smell. As I mentioned before, the dogs thought the green carpet was grass so whenever they were too lazy to gown down the stairs to use the real grass, either because the stairs were icy or they were just too lazy, they, well, you know... thus, the need to shampoo that filth. I guess I should also mention that part of my inspiration to start my cleaning frenzy with the deck is because a few weeks ago, we bought some new patio furniture and then this week, we bought a hammock. I also ordered an outdoor 9x12 matt to set the furniture on. Now, we can actually use it.

Now that it's actually a space that we can live in, Brent said he wants to mount a TV on the wall (above the grill) and then he will sit out there all the time. Actually, I have dreamed about enclosing part of this with screens and windows so I can close it up in the winter or if it rains then put my work computer there so I can work with a view instead of in my basement. That probably won't happen any time soon but next year for sure, I am going to put tile out there, even if I have to do it myself.
Next cleaning project is the front room. My new furniture is coming around the 21st so I need to wash the blinds, paint the window trim and mop the floor. That's next weekend though!

Life goes on

So before everyone removes me from their list of blogs to read because I haven't posted for so long, I figured I'd better post about everything that's been going on these last several weeks. Here we go in no particular order.

A few posts back, I commented about the landscaping in my front yard. It was pretty much non existant. Finally, after years of talking about it, we got curbing. Boy, what a difference a little concrete makes.


A closer look. I moved what flowers I had away from the house and window wells and then I've scattered wildflower seeds around. Next year, they should all be in full bloom. For now, this is it. I did buy quite a bit of bulbs and such from Roberta's but so far, less than half of what I've planted survived. Since they are guaranteed for a year, looks like I will be getting some of my money back.


A perfect peony. I accidentally got a little dirt on it but it's still a perfect bloom!


Jase turned 3 and is now officially potty trained (except at night)


Handsome Taz



Taz loves Paisley and Paisley loves to sit in boxes, no matter what size.


Lacie


The view from where I sit on my bed when I am not in my office working or sewing


Soccer Saturday: Each Saturday we go to the Grandkids soccer games. I took video of Zach's game but I guess I forgot to take stills. I got them of Aubrey's game though.

Mollie, Kim with Jacob and Brent.


Mollie likes to eat and she's will mooch off of anyone with food. (Really this is my daughter Jenny)Zach is on the right side and Jase, Jenny's boy is by Mollie.


Mollie's purple coke. Mollie loves to sneak sips of her daddy's coke. Today, she was a little feaverish and somewhat ornery so I gave her a can of grape soda and told her it was purple coke. She took one sip of it and immediately, she was a happy girl.


Papa and baby Jacob


Miss Aubrey Girl


Aubrey in action


There you have it. My life over the last few weeks summed up in a few pictures. Aside from all the stress at work and making a bunch of new items for my doll clothes business (click on the button to the left called All Dolled Up to see my stuff), life is good.