Almost landed in OZ

Probably not exciting for you but I'm thrilled to

 have light along the walkway once more.

I had hard wired lighting there for years but the cost 

of the bulbs was ridiculous

so out it came, and solar added instead.

Plywood still down protecting my bricks,

and about 30 minutes ago,

the guys were back finishing up 

footers of the pergola, and setting trellis wire

 and maybe, just maybe, I will be close to the finish line.

When installation is delayed like this

and the budget creates changes,

you have mixed feelings

because you're uncertain what the 

original plan was,

and will this all still work out?

Mostly you just want the damn thing done.

The city had sustained winds 

between 65- 80 mpr last night and it was 

rough going and loud 

and lots of folks had damage.

I lost a couple decorative pieces in the yard, 

but nothing major.

Around 10 pm I looked out to make 

sure I wasn't in the Emerald City.

Happy Weekend 

Z

Of Course Issues

So of course we ran into some trouble

and some rain, and out of stock plants,

and a late run to the emergency vet for Howie.

The $$$$ washer wasn't enough of a challenge universe?

So you added a 450.00 vet bill?

Howie will be OK, I am grateful,

but jeez quit kicking me when I'm down.

Now another week and a half till completion.

Patience Suzan Patience

But aren't the bricks nice?

The guys were doubtful, 

but ended up loving them.

Howie will be plunking me with his cone,

for at least a week.

I need wine.

Super Son

I thought I heard a soft knock- nope, guess not.

Then text from son saying 

Happy Washing Machine day!

Ben knew I was a little down about having to

buy a new washer last weekend on top of all

the expense of the yard re-do.

I took a pic of new washer and texted it back.

The next text said did you get your package?

I SPRINTED to the door because the last time

he did that, he was standing on the other side of the door.

This time, no Ben, but there was this from Amazon.

2 hour delivery- amazing!

I never splurge on quality ice cream

and NEVER Tide due to cost so, 

what a treat and what a 

Super Son!

I am so bloomin' blessed 

with these kids,

it helps me deal with all the other crapola.

Tomorrow begins the installation of nearly

 40 plants including a couple trees,

and my new brick patio and pergola. 

Many, many issues popped up but

we worked through them all.

It is NOT how they wanted it to be,

nor how I planned it to be,

it IS close to what I wanted, 

and it will do.

I have never had the luxury of just doing

anything exactly as originally planned or wished for.

I always have to start with what is affordable

and I work backwards from there.

( when we last visited)

SO smaller patio,

different design of plants,

fingers double crossed and 

eating ramen next couple months.

Reveal next week, I hope.

Enjoy your spring

Z

I Put My Bra On

Thought I would Honor 
my Mom's Birthday today by doing this again,
posted 3/19/2013
posted 3/19/2015
so once more with feeling, 
or third time's the charm,
and I still hate bras.


I put my bra on this morning,

so I had every intention of getting a lot of work done.

Doesn't everyone gauge their day by their undergarments?

I suppose I have a weird relationship 
with bras harking back to my first weeks of nursing.
Sending your hesitant but determined husband
 out to a specialty store for the "well developed"
in downtown Vegas, serving the 
uh.."specialty girls",
two days after delivery of your first born is 
challenging and hilarious.

Imagine him standing in the store,
explaining that no "regular"nursing bras I had
purchased pre-birth were even remotely large enough.
With the clerk hollering out directions, 
I have the phone perched in the
crook of my shoulder while measuring beneath, across,
up, down and around to aid the store in selecting the
over the shoulder boulder holder required
to hoist and rein in those babies;
a 44 EEE did the trick...
scaffolding required
prior size 36 B

No one is normally able to write their name
with breast milk, 
in cursive,
on the bathroom mirror, 
at a distance of 3 feet,
are they?
Picture grasping in both hands an unruly garden hose.

...and because some of you have just asked "why?"
He had made some snarky remark about them 
"not being that humongous"
and post birth hormones got the best of me, 
and yes, I did aim just to the left, 
off the mirror,
 for just a second, 
that's a lie..
I got him good...

Back to this morning.
Justice went through her terror cacophony
at around 5:30 so I got up and put on my bra.
Went outside to water the garden,
made some coffee, and started redoing
 some pincushions I had not sold.

Ran the vacuum, did two loads of laundry
and by now the bra straps were bothering
me, so I pulled them through the sleeves
`a la flashdance and let them dangle:
reassessed about 5 minutes later
and pulled the whole damn thing off.

These days spandex is more about
 gravity than girth, lon.gi.tude? no
though a definition of la.ti.tude
(scope for freedom of action) 
seems to fit

no other humans around
why bother?
gravity damage occurred long ago
after 32 months of nursing

Wave free my girls,
to and fro flapping in the wind....
insert mental image of American Flag flying
atop a local Terrible Herbst Station.

throw in the slap slap sound..

happy weekend girlfriends.

Holy Rootball Batman

Just praying I've done the right thing.

I'm pretending the ghost shape is my Dad

supervising.

I hated removing living plants,

even the sick ones, but I knew it was necessary

as I simply cannot keep up 

with a high maintenance yard.

a - I will have more sun for sure.

a - I can see the house behind me a little more.

a + I will have over 40 fewer bags of leaves each year,

and countless hours less blowing and sweeping.

a + I will not fall out of a tree again.

(2- 2+ an even score)

I am still nervous as can be about the process

and the funding of it, especially the funding.

Enjoy the weekend guys

Z

Roses Never Fail

Every year my roses do not disappoint.

Much needed color this year with

 the majority of my yard torn apart.

 Hopefully the next two weeks 

will see some action.

I'm beyond ready to be done.

I have raked a half ton of rock,

removed nine huge bushes, just me and a shovel,

(each taking between 30 minutes to an hour)

and filled 28 -33 gallon trash bags 

with 20 year old bark, twigs, leaves and branches.

Now

If we could just get started

on rerouting sprinklers, tree removals

and plantings and new 15x15 patio.

They're fitting me in between BIG jobs.

I'm practicing patience.

I need more practice.

You can see the one completed wall on

my IG.

Click on upper right

or Follow me to IG

JUSTICE

It's been a year today that 

Justice left us.

This is one of my favorites of her snuggled up to Libbey

who died 12 years ago. Justice always loved Libbey,

and I think she ignored Howie because to her

 he replaced Libbey. Howie of course

 loved Justice regardless and was licking her face 

as she passed.

You can just see the tip of her tongue

sticking out. It always did to varying degrees.

I love how she looks blissful sleeping with her pal.

I received the nicest note from Lap of Love this 

morning, a remembrance of her passing. This is the

Dr's practice that came to our home and showed

 such tenderness and empathy

during the euthanasia.

So today I celebrate Justice

and Libbey 

and Gadget

and Buffy

and Sargeant

and Murphy

and Sunday

and Bandit

and Napolean

and Bozo

and Magic

and Samantha

and Chester

and Mac

who loved unconditionally

and make it impossible for me 

to live without an animal to love, be loved by,

 and to care for.

Howie and I, 

we're a team

both of us gray

and 63 and 77.