That's going to leave a mark.

So I am that lady.  That lady who falls on sidewalks and can’t really get up under her own steam.   The beginning of a great holiday weekend and I banged up my knee super badly, in a crowded entry to a baseball game of all things.  People streaming by and me, writhing in pain, unable to stand for a minute, hoping no one notices.  My leg is not going to fall off, and at my age, at least it wasn’t a hip.  Just a really, really ugly bruised knee. 

While it did put a little skew on some of my plans (I won’t be digging out hosta for a few days) it won’t hold me back much.  Still had a fabulous weekend with grandbabies, family and lake time.  I love my life, even with a sore leg. 

It continues to be rainy for the next few days but not enough to really keep things watered well.  I still have to schlep water from new tree to new tree.  A few years ago a good friend, who is a tree guy, told me to water for a year.  So, taking his advice and a 2.5 gallon watering can, I make several trips to the outdoor spigot.  This week I had the help of a 3 year old grandson who was convinced, until proven otherwise, that he could carry the watering can for me.  Of course, he caught on pretty quickly that he wasn’t going to be able to do it and we struck a deal ~ I carry it full, he carries it empty, tears avoided.  Teamwork lesson as his shoes became wetter and wetter.  He was also convinced that he needed to hang on to the tree stake while I poured the water.   Which, why not?  Having him help certainly made the chore longer, and loads more fun. 

The woods are filled in now and green replaces the open view from the road side of the house.  The shade loving plants which had been kissed with a little bit of sun in the spring are now taking their rest in cool shade.  

Progress is being made with the shed plans, rafters designed and siding decided.  Hubs and his two sons-in-law, bless ‘em,  spent some time this weekend cutting up an old tree that had fallen and is partially in the site.  I talked with the county building department to learn what needs to happen with building permits and inspections.  I also learned that I am in a flood plain and can’t build within 30 feet of the lakeshore without a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.  The shed isn’t planned anywhere close to the lake but it was interesting news.

One small update for you…the Tervis tumblers got a spin on the lake and were quite the hit.  Secret? They are filled with ice water but the grandkids still thought they were super fabulous. 

 

Keepin' the pace.

I am trying to set a pace and keep to it.  Much like a runner, I don’t want to give too much too early.  This yard work is kicking my rear and I am determined not to let it get by me. 

I have spent a great deal of time on many parts of the yard this spring and realize I may have been going about it the wrong way, hopping from place to place to try to get more things in more areas accomplished.  I would walk by an area and stop to weed it, then go weed over there and then oh, look, that needs some attention.  I think this might be landscaping attention deficit or something.

I read an article that suggested you think of your project as a grid, and either physically lay it out as one or establish imaginary lines.  Considering my whole 2 acres, from lake to road, is a project it is a bit hard to imagine lines but I did think there was merit to some of the advice in the article.  So I’ve slowed it down a bit, developed more of a plan, trying to be more methodical.   I have tried to concentrate on one area a day, for a set amount of time, so as not to burn out and quite frankly, I was getting close.  It’s still only May!

I do still give in to some knee jerk responses to something I see in the yard and I’m like Tom Cruise on a mission.   Case in point ~ a forsythia right smack in the middle of my view of the lake.  Now, I planted this bush a few years ago because I like forsythia in the spring, like the early color.  I have seen it in other yards and really admired it.  But, this bush added no value to me and out of nowhere came the shovel, the clippers and a mean determination to get rid of it.  I set out early in the day and dug, cut and wrestled.  At the end of the day, he was out of my life.  I was left with a pretty big hole,  a huge sense of satisfaction and the yearning for a warm shower and ibuprofen.   Had to get back in to it the next day or so to remove many little roots and shoots so I wouldn’t have baby forsythia in a matter of weeks ~ it is a fast grower!

When I am out on the lake, and looking at yards and landscaping, I try to imagine the view from inside the house, too.  I imagine folks do that to my yard as they paddle or motor by.  I know there are points of reference, too.  I didn’t want one to be “You know, that house with the ugly forsythia right in the middle of their view”. 

I don't like drinking from plastic.

I recently became obsessed, seriously obsessed, with the Tervis Tumbler.  
It actually started as a small pearl of an interest in a cabin on Kentucky Lake, owned by my brother, who has many stored under the counter/bar. I actually sort of considered them kind of a southern thing.  Only recently has that pearl ripened and polished and now, I can’t stop.  Tervis Tumblers, with the variety of designs and themes,  have become my new addiction.
  
My obsession took root when the new boat arrived and a drink was sloshed on the first trip out.  No big deal, I mean, it happens,  but my first thought was along the lines of oh yeah, speed boats sometimes hit waves, which spill drinks, which is why it’s good to have a lid.  I pictured grandkids and Koolaid, with results much different than vodka tonic.  I began a search for those glasses I had seen in Kentucky...

I was charged with a mission and off I went, fully prepared to purchase Tervis Tumblers in a host of colors and designs.  The true obsession developed when I located two at the nearby Meijer on clearance…marked down from $14.99 to $3.74.  I walked the aisles, up and down, eyes narrowed and scanning side to side, to find another ~ any other ~ at a clearance price.  I located a second clearance section and scored two more.  I passed on the Navy Mom design, because I am not and it seemed disrespectful somehow, but said yes to Air Force, Army, Piano and Hello Kitty.
   
I contacted my daughters and asked them to check their Meijer’s stores for a deal and cautioned I wanted different designs and to be sure to coordinate with me. Text messages flew through the air as I encouraged and coached.  The youngest came home with her catch: Olaf and Golf Balls at the same $3.74 each.  Oldest daughter was not as successful and came home empty handed but gave a good effort.   Determined to own at least 10, including 4 in kids designs, I began a half-day search online.  Finding a sale, a coupon and an online promotional code, I celebrated completing my goal.  Ten Tervis Tumblers!

The waters and vessels of my lake can be considered safe, folks, at least from spillage of any of my liquid refreshments.  My drinks will be contained in a stylish and somewhat eclectic selection of plastic, insulated tumblers with lids.    
                                           

Is two a fleet?

The sweet song of Baltimore Orioles fills the space in the woods today.  They are having a great time frolicking and flitting, and scolding each other.  They sure are fun to watch, and to hear.  Planting slowed down a bit for me as I await the arrival of annuals to be out in full force in the markets and shops.  After avoiding them for years, l planted marigolds last year in several pots and a bed down by the lake, where it is sunny.  They were awesome and I feel silly for ignoring them for so long.   So this year, I have bigger pots, the need for even more marigolds and have a “design” in mind for what else to include.  I am anxious to get started and a trip to a greenhouse may be in order for the day.  It’s raining today so a greenhouse could be just the right thing.
 
Boats were launched over the weekend and we now have two in the water.  I have to admit, I like the speed boat quite a bit.  My thought was always that it was a boat for hubs and to satisfy some itch he had ~ but I like it.  He works very hard and when he proposed the new boat, even if I felt it was not needed since we have the pontoon boat, I was not going to point out reasons why he shouldn’t do it.  He should.  He deserves it, and from what I can tell so far…he loves it. 

Do I think this will benefit me in the long run? Oh, maybe.  He’s already beefed up the discussion on the shed and started drawing plans and figuring cost.  The shed is going to happen, people.  The design will be a bit of a struggle as I want character and he is thinking utility.  I shared an idea regarding the shed with him last night, one I had seen on Pinterest (which he considers to be the most dangerous thing that has ever occurred in our marriage), and his first response was not totally receptive.  But, as he looked through the many manuals that came with the boat, he began to soften a bit on what I suggested, and even asked a couple of questions when I shoved my iPad under his nose.   See? I didn’t have to say a word. 

I am branching out a bit more and added Lake Living, a Facebook page, as a companion to this blog.  It’s more of a short, daily thing, with the blog a weekly post, usually on Monday or Tuesday.  I hope you have taken the opportunity to be a follower of this blog, and that you will “like” Lake Living, too.