Just thought I'd document our completed front years landscaping project.

 It took us awhile but I think it turned out pretty nice

 Dad wanted to do the whole thing in rock and plants but I wanted some lawn.  He is so tired of fighting the oxalis. It does look nice with the lawn though and it is nice and healthy.

 The corner going up the walk

 The Azaleas are looking beautiful.  Before they got watered from the top by the sprinklers but we have a new sprinkling system and they are on a drip so they should last longer.  It'll be fun watching everything grow.

We also have several new rocks and dad is happy with his rocks.  Since he takes care of the front he is very happy because he nobly has three plants to water.

Happenings at home

We are doing some new landscaping in front.  Dad is very happy with his rocks.

 Our lilacs are in bloom. I just noticed them today.

Love watching the camellias  coming out. The buds take so long to bloom but these camellias in the front are gorgeous. 

 

We are having some home issues.  We had the termite inspector come out last week.  The good news we don't have termites.  The bad news we have several issues to take care of so we don't get termites.  We had our front faucet repaired Monday. It had a small leak. Then today they came to take care of the fungus under the house because of a leaking toilet.  Turns out the toilet was lose but didn't leak.  The leak was coming from the tub drain. Good news is the toilet doesn't leak. The bad news we have to have the drain repaired.  Somehow we have dry rot in one board under the eves. How did we get dry rot. It's a mystery because it is on the bottom of the board. How did one board get wet. We don't know. Calif just in acted a law that is you do anything to wood that's been there since 1979 or before you have to have it inspected for lead. Now they have to have it checked out before they can repair it.  What next.

It seems our house is falling apart.  The termite inspector came last week.  The good news - no termites.  The bad news several items need to be done so we don't get terminates.  Had the leak at the front faucet  repaired. Today they came to fix our fungus under the house that is a result of the leak in the toilet.  However they found out the toilet wasn't leaking after all.  Seems the drain in the tub is leaking. The good news is the pipes are good. They don't leak, it is where it connects under the house. They will have to come back to fix that. He also found dry rot in one board in our eves. How do you get dry rot on the bottom of the board and it isn't even the last board. Now they have just enacted a state law that says anything you have done to anything that is painted before 1979 they have to do a lead paint test on it. You just start getting a little bit ahead and along comes trouble.

We're doing a little landscaping in front. Still have to put in the plants.  Dad is very happy with his rocks.

 Lilacs are in bloom along with the camellias.

Dad's Big 78.
We celebrated Dad's big day at Tammy's. He got his favorite dinner porcupine meatballs, baked potatoes, spinach salad, cherry jello salad.  I made a Black forest cake. Becca decided we had to have candles even though I warned her it would start a fire. She found 66 candles but had a "1" and a "2" so added that to made 78.  Here's the play by play. It took 3 to light them then it was hurry grandpa hurry before it is all burned up.

We did find some wax in some pieces but all in all it was great fun.

She's Out and About

First sighting for 2012.  We didn't see a lot of Myrtle last year but she is out now.  We've seen her once.  She was out getting a drink.  That's the best time to see her when we are watering.

Well I finally got it framed and upon the wall. It looks great. Thank you so much Matt and Ella for creating such a great picture. Such a good idea. I guess Ella is the one who kept after everyone to get their pictures to her. What a great job. Thank you everyone for making it possible. The guys at the frame shop thought it was a really neat picture and a great idea. What a great family we have.
We have put this group of pictures up on the opposite was wall. It all goes together really nice. I have several frames in the hall and in the family room and kitchen for vertical 4 x 6 snapshots. I also have some for horizontal but more vertical. These are all now so it is relatively easy for me to change the pictures periodically. So I would love some vertical pictures. I can print them myself so you can e-mail or text pictures.

We are enjoying some very pleasant weather but still needing more rain. The trees are blooming along with other flowers. It's a pretty time of year. Anyone up for a visit?

Making progress

I'm so excited. I colored my hair today myself. That is the first time I've been able to do that since I fell and tore my rotator cuff in August. I guess the surgery is finally paying off. It's been a long haul but I feel I'm really making progress. I have a lot of mobility and am mostly working on strengthening now. After so long my muscles are flab.

Thank you so much for all the help you have all given me. It's hard to be on the receiving end but oh so appreciated. I am so grateful for such a wonderful family and good friends.

I continue to learn thru this trial. I have found I really need my Lord's help and guidance. I can't do it alone. And I am learning patience.