I was on vacation all last week. I was going to scrape and reglaze all 72 panes of glass on windows and finish painting the outside things (one set of shutters, nine fence posts, and the last corner of the pergola). Instead, it was too cold and rained. This week (or two weeks ago) could've worked, but not last week. Sigh. BUT, I scored big time. I've needed truckloads of dirt to level my yard and cover up massive amounts of crush/run gravel. My nextdoor neighbor is adding an addition to their house and it'll have an area below ground. You guessed it. Free dirt! Five straight hours of digging, rolling wheelbarrows, and dumping dirt. Our (mine and my son's) hands hurt so much. We never stopped moving. Didn't take a break. I still need dirt and there is some left, so I may get the rest this weekend. If not, it's just one truckload of dirt now. I almost have a level yard and I certainly covered the icky gray gravel in my backyard. I'm sure she's glad not to have to look at that carp any more.

eta: that's a great little table ^^^

I've been trying to figure out how to convert an old antique iron and brass bed from a double to a queen for my guests. And buy a new mattress. I took the rails to a welder and had them lengthened and added to so the wood slats can sit on top of them instead of inside. I ordered some wood slats (bunkie board) for the mattress to sit on instead of box springs, I ordered an adjustable center rail and legs to accommodate the extra weight of the larger and more dense mattress.

I wanted to buy an organic latex mattress from a local supplier, but they had a 6 week wait! And I have a guest coming the end of the month who needs something more comfy that what she slept on last time she stayed here. So, I ordered a Zenhaven online, which I can't believe I did without trying it out. But I figure it's for guests not for long term sleeping (should it not be the perfect comfort level). I chose them because it's made in USA, they deliver and set up and they haul your old mattress and box springs away. They have a 120 day trial and free comfort adjustments. I hope it all fits together, everything arrives on time, and is comfortable. If so, I'm ordering one for my own bedroom.

Rob, show us your muscles.

Still packing and clearing out a storage building that had hardly been touched since the flood. Had several loads of junk hauled off. This is on going. I will be working on this for quite awhile. Jody plans to go back to shrimping in a week or so, and I am working by myself mostly.

All that ever happens when I do projects like that brush? I find out how bad of shape I am in, rather than getting into shape

;)

Doing stuff in the yard in the morning. Gotta be done by 10 a.m. or so, otherwise it is too hot. I'd really like to chat with the individual who continues to spread weed seeds all over my property.

This morning, we went to a free lunch presentation about pre-planning funerals. As a US veteran, there are special considerations for me and the missus wants to take advantage of them, too. Lunch was at a place that we frequent, however the food was not up to its usual goodness. We have an appointment to go to the funeral home of Friday. I have had my obituary ready for several years (yeah, sorta anal); we'll see what they have and all.

Just booked a cruise on Princess beginning May 14. Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale through the canal (5th time). We like this ship as there will be fewer than 650 passengers on board. Nice and cozy. The price was right and it fit into our schedule.

Jim, if you have a gardener, he uses the same mower for all lawns. So if he has just mown a weedy lawn before yours....

Last week I was in a hurry and mowed without the bag, letting the clippings lie. I love, love this method for several reasons, but do wonder if I'm creating more chances for weeds to spread. Actually, I'd guess so. Darn.

Rob, you are amazing!! I wish I were even half that strong.

One friend treated us with appetizers: smoked eggplant dip and hummus

We got 2 electric recliners and absolutely love them. I was having a hard time working the recliner handle. I could have had massage and heat included but I declined those. LOL

Been working on my garden and pretty plants. Had a great garden club meeting at my house.

Glenda, that looks wonderful? Is that in B’ham? May have to come down and try that place.

I’ve been working a lot of hours, some at home, getting ready for our Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale. It’s the second largest money-maker for our Garden, and I am our Guild Publicity Chair. Except for the 35-40 garden paid staff, almost all big events are volunteer-organized and run. I worked 3 hours today getting some things ready. DH and I will be working Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning when it’s officially open.

In the past week or so I have also managed to divide and replant a bunch of daffodils, spread and work in compost in my veggie garden, cleared a lot of debris at the edge of the woods and managed to get a touch of poison ivy from that. Planted 3 new shrubs, weeded and mulched between the paths in my perennial beds, spread cardboard and mulched in another bed. I still need to trim some evergreen shrubs but haven’t had the time or weather at the same time to do that yet. Maybe next week when this sale is over. I also transplanted my tomato and pepper seedlings to larger containers as they are growing really tall. Ready to go in the ground as soon as it warms up.

It's the end of the school year. I'm trying to get some sleep. My kiddos have filled up my schedule. I had an event 3 - almost midnight on Friday night. I had to make and take a couple of desserts for it too. Saturday we went to an open house for someone who has their house back together after the flood. We have a formal dance this weekend for dd and something for my oldest... maybe a competition? Then we have prom and a couple of other things. It's been non stop this year. I wanted to plant more flowers today, but it's a wet cold.

I took the day off today even though Im retired. I haven't been home since Easter other than a couple of hours. Tonight will be the first night sleeping in my own bed. I went to my daughter's house in pa for Easter then to my sister's to help her move then to my other daughter's house back in Maryland to stay with my grand daughter until this morning. As I get older I find I don't like being away as much.

@Nicole - That table is great! I could hide my chocolate in there and no one would ever find it.

I meant to say too that I love that table Nicole! Mind sharing where you found it?

Working on making transoms for all our interior doorways. We saved all the old sashes from our house when they were replaced. I tore each one apart and saved the individual panes of glass. Much of it was original and has the waves and bubbles in it. Now I'm sorting thru those, choosing the ones I like best and stripping the glazing and paint off of them. Then I make wooden sash to fit the panes and doorway. So far, 2 are made and being painted and I'm stripping glass for 3 more.

I've been taking it very easy today -- recovering from a colonoscopy this morning. With my family history, I have to have one every three years. Good news, it went well -- only one small polyp that doctor was able to remove easily. Early to bed tonight!

edited to add: Idstarr, pictures of your transom project would be great :-)

blfenton & OutsidePlaying.....Ebay $79.99 This one has cup holders AND storage by...hammay

I've been to the Pita Stop that's out of town to the south of B'ham, in Cahaba Heights. It's very good but down that way, I think Eli's is better.

In town, when we feel like Middle Eastern food, I like Makarios for its extensive menu and super-convenient late evening hours.

Nicole, I like the first table more than the second. It's different looking and very cool construction. Congrats on your new chairs. I am so impressed with all these people with their projects. I am not handy like that so I like to hear about those who are. I wish I could get outside and work but we are still getting snow. I'm hoping this last round yesterday will be the last but I've thought that before and been wrong. :(

Went to the dentist this morning for a cleaning. Nothing wrong, yay! Spend the afternoon digging out about 50 more plants and potting them to give away. My dentist said again that his son loves caterpillars, so I dug out some milkweed and bronze fennel for him, too. He did plant some plants I told him to get last fall. One of my daughter’s friends picked up a trunk full of plants last Spring and said she would like to expand. Hopefully will find more people to take some.

Played duplicate this morning after which we have lunch (12 ladies). Then I went grocery shopping. Went to five stores looking for pineapple preserves. I'm having my Wine and Dine group here Wed. night. Thought I would go easy on appetizers because we're staying here for dinner (usually go to restaurant after cocktails) Not so easy when you have to limp your way to five stores..........having trouble with achilles tendon. Made Jezebel sauce with apricot preserves instead of pineapple. I've had it before but prefer it with the pineapple. Oh well. Made some marinated mushrooms and am getting ready to make some cookies. Just resting the ankle a bit. Like both the tables, Nicole.

Tired. Been out of town. Taking dogs is as difficult as children. But I wouldn't go without them. And I h a t e being away from the cats.

Nicole, i love the second table but would feel a need to put a concrete block in the bottom drawer. I can imagine my cats jumping on the upper drawer and turning it over.

We installed the new ceiling fan in the bedroom and changed out the cartridges in the bathtub spigots. It was very warm today. I'm not ready for 80º temps. I hope it cools back down.

It's 88 here now (7pm). we've had several days in the 90s already. I broke down and turned the a/c on a few days ago (after suffering thru several days in the 90s). I went out this a.m. and spent about 20 minutes cutting back weeds close to the unit. Will do more each day. the a/c man comes on the 30th to check it out for the season, but they did say I could turn it on sooner if I wanted. I wanted. the dog wanted too. It's working fine. I checked my supply of filters for it and have several of each size, but will pick up some more in the next week or 2, so I don't have to be looking for them in the heat of the summer.

moonie.....I was going to wedge the little table between the two recliners. I guess...it could still tip forward.....that iron base on the one table is as good as a cement block! :0)

Nicole, where did you order your Denton recliners from? And, if you don't mind, could you tell me the colour you ordered?

pegasus....went to "Furniture Row" in Colorado Springs. These were the two I was choosing from, we wanted an off white, we got Putty.

Modern but not cushy recliner .... We liked the look, but not fond of sitting in it.

....very plush & cushy. Denton Power Recliner......this is the one we ordered. And...it was on sale. Both of them measure 29" wide at their widest point, regardless what the specs say....

Thank you, Nicole, for the information.

Yesterday back to back riding /horsemanship lessons. The groundwork is fun but brutal on my under-conditioned, aging body but I am getting a lot stronger and healthier each day. Too much sun and wind. Felt a bit off in the evening. Flushed and cold. Hand and Foot game in the evening. Rope burn on my inner arm. Don't know how I got it. Fine today but a bit tired.

Dentist called so I went in for an impression today, then Lowes for a new head rail for a blind. Recently bought a garden bench and tables for part of the yard where we put up a new shed so i looked at garden fencing while at Lowes.

Stopped for a Subway sandwich on way home. Have to get ready and leave shortly for my western riding class. Then maybe a movie to wind down if I'm not too tired.

Dressing like a pirate for a costume luncheon tomorrow. Have to get ready for that too.

I have to get DH's papers together to fax to his employment lawyer. Fit a shopping trip in for groceries, go visit the grand kids, find someone to install a window and a sliding door (not a replacement so it will require carpentry), get blood work done and somehow fit in an appointment with my hearing doc and get my annual eye exam. Hair appointment on Friday.

I really like the second table Nicole.

OMG Watchme...do you even have time for a meal or to rest your legs. You are on the go girl.

It's been an exceptionally busy week Mamapinky. Not always like this, but I do try to stay active. I have my lazy do nothing days also.

Waiting for Springtime weather to someday get here. So tired of the cold and rain. I want to plant some stuff but the rain and now the cold again is making it impossible. I'm working 7 days in a row this week so no time right now. Hoping next week will be better.

My son totaled his car on Easter Sunday so he's been staying with us since him and I work at the same school. On Saturday my daughter played two outdoor soccer games. It was suppose to be about an hour from us, but they had too much snow so it got moved to Wichita, which was nice. I meal prepped on Sunday and then went and saw A Quiet Place with my son. I didn't scream and only grabbed his leg once. I went to the gym the last few days and did a Boot Camp class tonight, which was a first for me and it was hard, but good.

Jewels I ment to ask how your nephews and nieces are doing? Arnt they in Florida?

jewels - I hope your son, and any one else involved in the accident, is ok.

I also hope your son is in good shape. That is so scary totaling the car!

I've been a very boring person here. It's all about getting the paperwork done. I have to get all caught up and then some within the next week. It's all very doable but sometimes I lose focus and lose a few hours here and there of not doing it when I should be. Today was a good day I got about 10 hours of paperwork done.

Nephew went to visit his parents in Alberta and then they went together to a 50th anniversary party in Saskatchewan this weekend. When he flew back home to us it was a very turbulent flight. Flights always shake him up and the turbulence made it that much worse. He took a taxi home, very expensive. No one was able to pick him up this time. We drove him to the airport at 5 a.m. in the morning on his way there.

Jewels.....so sorry about the car accident. Glad you son is well and recovering.

Everyone's so busy! Love hearing what ya all are up to!

Got new tires on the car, the old ones had a lot of real good tread on them, but I didn't like them. Sold them for $500 on Kijiji