Progress Report

Hmmm...sunny days are fatal for Honey-do lists. Not a lot accomplished from Friday's list. We did make it to the drycleaners and Blair cleaned off our bed. The 2nd coat of paint is drying on the bathroom ceiling as I type this and God willing we won't need another coat.  We bought hooks to hang the mirrors but haven't actually done so yet. Blair mowed the yard Friday and I did a tiny little bit of magazine writing work. But the rest of our days have been gloriously abandoned to pleasure.

We went out to the property yesterday and hiked around for a short bit then sat ourselves down on one of the large rocks in the center of the creek and listened as the mini-waterfall in front of us gurgled and watched with enjoyment as a series of about 8 monarch butterflies flitted down the stream toward us, over our heads and then were gone.

We startled a 3-foot long black snake from its slumber and he (I'm sure it was a he) slithered away from us over a carpet of leaves. We also heard rustling in a bush loud enough to be a deer but strain our eyes as we might, we couldn't make out a form. (Maybe the black snake was back and brought his older brother--who knows?)

The only discouraging part of the trip was that the "No Trespassing" and "Danger" signs Blair had posted around the wooden bridge were ripped apart and hurled to the side. Also the mini-fence Blair had erected to discourage  ATV'ers from riding across the bridge was dismantled. 

Even Blair was a little down at the lack of respect by these people.  We understand they've been using the land and maybe didn't know not to use it. But with  signs and orange warning fences posted, it's obvious someone now owns this property and doesn't want them on it. Instead of respecting that they ignore the signs, destroy property and do what they want anyway. 

Who are these people? Do people not have basic manners any more? I doubt these people would drive their ATV into someone's yard, rip up plants and throw around beer cans. But somehow they make the leap in their mind that since they're doing the same things where no one can see them, it's okay? It's disheartening that people won't chose to do the right thing of their own accord. Now we'll have to shell out money to build a fence blocking the bridge. It's an old wood log structure and isn't safe for anyone to drive an ATV over. But guess who these people will probably try to sue, dare they get hurt while trespassing?

People make me tired.  Ever have that feeling?

Honey Do List

It's a long weekend with a weather forecast for clear skies in the 80's with a light breeze.  What better way to spend the time than with a Honey-do list?

There's a lot that needs to get done. Number one is the bathroom. Miracle of miracles, this week we had both the missing 2nd sink installed and the shower door delivered. I'm calling the plumber today to schedule an appointment and--God willing--we'll have a functional bathroom by the end of the week.

But that doesn't mean we're off the hook. This weekend we need to:

• Paint the bathroom ceiling--at least two coats
• Touch up the trim in the red nook area (I got a little sloppy near the end)
• Hang the mirrors to ensure the lights we bought to go above the mirrors actually fit
• If the lights fit, call the electrician to move the boxes so we can install the lights
• I bought a mini-chandelier light for the center of the room. On the high store ceiling it looked like the same bronzy color of our fixtures but once I got it home, it looks more black than bronze. So we may need to return that light and buy another
• Purchase a clothes hamper. We've lived in the house 11 years--it's time.
• Buy a toilet paper hanger and towel racks

And that's just the bathroom list. We also need to weed our front garden and buy and plant flowers. Blair found a seminar at Lowes tomorrow on landscaping paths that we're going to go to, plus there's an open house at a log home we thought we'd hit.  I'd like to pull the screens out of the attic and put them in the windows so we can open the house up and the outside windows really need cleaned (pollen!). I leave for Portland on Tuesday so I've got a weekend of laundry to do as well as I must remember to get by the dry cleaners this weekend! It would also be helpful if we went grocery shopping at some point so we could eat.

Other to do's: Our bedroom is a disaster zone and I'm ready to reclaim it. All painting supplies need to be put away, which likely requires we reorganize the front hall closet or it's a lost cause from the start. Sweeping, dusting and getting the comforters to the dry cleaners will also be involved.

But--deep breath--that's for later. Right now it's 8 AM and while it's brisk out, it looks like a lovely morning and Blair and I are heading out for a long walk around town.  Even with all the to-do's, the weekend will be fun because we'll get to spend most of it together.

Staying Humble

I belong to a dog writer's list-serv group.  Here's a posting that came through recently:

 "Do any of you have a friend/neighbor/contact whose dog eats poop (their own or another dog's) who might be willing to answer a few questions and be quoted for an article I'm doing?"

 
I love being part of a group that posts questions like this. Just lends a bit of perspective to one's place in the Universe.

Cheers,

Dena 

Grandma Playboy

My nephew calls my mom "Ba." It started when he was just learning to talk and that was one of the few sounds he could make. For awhile, everyone was "Ba," but now it's just grandma. We think it's here to stay.

One of the things Jake loves above Ba is that she wears nailpolish. He's always pointing to the colors on her fingernails and toenails. So yesterday Mom goes in for a manicure and, since it's Easter weekend, decides to do something special for Jake.

 "Do you have a rabbit decal?" she asked the nail tech. It's an Asian salon and the owners and staff spoke minimal English.

"Rabbit?" the man repeated.

"Yes, rabbit. Bunny.  Hop hop." 

"Oh yes, yes! Bunny.  Yes."

"Great. Can you please put it on my index finger?" Mom settled back into the chair, thinking what a kick Jake would get seeing the "Easter Bunny" on Ba's finger.

So the guy's applying the decal and Mom notices the ears on the rabbit look a little pointed.  She's a little disappointed as she was hoping for rounded ears and more of a cute, cuddly bunny look but whatever. Jake will get a kick out of a regular rabbit as well. 

So the guy finishes up and indicates Mom should look. She brings her finger to face her and almost chokes. The Playboy bunny decal is on her index finger. "Oh! It's the Playboy bunny!" she spits out.

"Yes, yes.  Bunny!" says the man, looking pleased.

It was all she could do to pay the man and keep a straight face. So now my mother is walking around with a Playboy Bunny decal on her index finger.

"Classy," I remarked when she told me.

"Oh, Jake won't know.  He'll just know it's a rabbit.  I'll show it to him then take it off."

"And you'll see him...?"

"After my work shift tonight."

"Classy."

So here is Ba in her full fingernail glory. Moral of the story? Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it!