Working outside

Well, today is just perfect weather for working outside. There is a nice breeze, we have big trees so there is plenty of shade, and it's not too hot. Jason started by cleaning out the gutters (I think he just wanted an excuse to use his new ladder) and I did A LOT of planting and transplanting. We got some annuals yesterday at Lowes, so I got those in the ground and I moved my Hosta and my bearded iris (which are NEVER going to bloom, just to punish me). We got a lot done and are quite happy with the results. Now we just need to shower to wash the stink off!

I don't know what the purple things are, but the sign said that they attract butterflies. The tall things in the back are the Bearded Iris. The little spots of color are Dahlias.

This is the front of the house. My Hosta is on the right. I thought it died last year, but it came up this year so I moved it from the back to the front. The white flowers are Impatients. I thought those fit!

As we were sitting back, relaxing and enjoying the fruits of our labor, Jason decided that today was the day to try out his belt sander he just had to have. So, he hopped up and started ripping up the nasty carpet that was on the front porch. The first layer was that icky red w/ black mixed in. Underneath that was a green (you've all seen it..the indoor/outdoor carpet) layer. So, after some heaving and hoeing (spelling on that???), Jason got it all up and this is what we are left with. Now he just has to sand it down and seal it. To be truthful, it will definitely improve the front of the house when he gets done.

It's a whole new world when you are 4

The most exciting thing this week...I finally got some iris to bloom! Well, not that I can take credit for them blooming b/c that is all Mother Nature. But, they are finally around for me to enjoy. Woo Hoo! I have been waiting, not that patiently, for them to bloom and they finally are. I had the camera out to take some photos of them and I couldn't resist a few of my favorite pooch!

Of the 200 bulbs I planted, here are 2 lonely iris. But, they are quite pretty. Don't pay attention to the weeds.

Here is my beautiful girl, smelling the neighbor's peonies.

Is that not the cutest face you have ever seen in your whole life? Okay, well you might not think so but we sure do.

Zoey's 4th Birthday Party

I can hardly believe it...we have had Zoey in our lives for one whole year! Thinking back on where we were a year ago...my the changes that have occurred! We got her on May 13th last year, Mother's Day, so if you go by days, then it will be Tuesday but if you go holiday to holiday, that makes it today. To celebrate this most important milestone, we had a birthday party for her at Cummins Nature Preserve, Zoey's favorite place to walk. I ordered fancy invitations (better than the ones I had for my wedding!) and sent them out to family and friends. We were lucky enough to have people show up. Jason's mother, grandmother and grandfather came all the from New York and Megan and Matt came w/ Max and Macy.

Let's just say that the weather did not allow me to realize the dream I had in my head. The day started w/ lightning and torrential downpours, then the gale force winds kicked in and kept the temperature around a nice brisk 60 degrees.

I am starting to think that there is a curse in the family for planning outdoor events. My wedding, my sister's wedding, and now Zoey's birthday party. Geesh! In the future, if I invite you to something outside, pack your rain gear!

Here are the photos from our first ever Dog Birthday Party.

As you can see from the streamers, it was quite windy. They were going to be nicely wrapped around the posts, but with the water and the wind, we took a "creative" approach and had wind streamers.

The birthday girl patiently waiting for her guests to arrive. She got a little bored just sitting there.

Woo Hoo...everyone made it. From left to right: Matt, Max is on the ground, Megan, Macy is in her lap, Zoey, Jason is holding on to her, Rhonda, Mary, and Robert.

Now it's time for the celebrations. Break out the treats! Zoey got a fancy birthday bone (sorry, the action shot is a tad blurry). She didn't want to wait to get a picture with it so I had to be quick.

Instead of eating it, she promptly went out in the mud and buried her bone. I do not know why she does that. After she felt it was buried properly, then she ate it.

Then we got to eat the human birthday cake. We had to hold on to our plates for fear they would blow away!

Zoey is saying hi to all of her guests and making sure they are having a good time.

Max is getting ready to bite into his "pup-tart" and Zoey is there just in case he doesn't like it.

Sorry Zoey, I think Max liked it just fine!

Time to get back in the cars and head home because it was COLD!

Thank you very much to everyone who came. We do truly appreciate you taking the time to come and celebrate Zoey's birthday with us. :)

Will we ever finish

Some days, it feels like we are never going to finish the house...like we have bitten off more than we can chew. But, we are almost done with one complete room. Woo hoo! The downstairs bathroom is a few details shy of being completed and we couldn't be happier. When we are all done, I will post a video of what it looks like.

After a hard night of work, this is what Jason and Zoey (who doesn't really help, but likes to pretend she does) do...sit and veg on the couch.

Humor for the day

While I would like to say that this little gem was found in the great state of Kentucky...alas, credit must be given where credit is due. This is from across the river in Aberdeen, Ohio. We were driving back from an adventure last weekend and all of a sudden, Megan and Jason burst out laughing. I was in the back seat, so I didn't see the sign for a few more seconds. Pretty funny though! If you don't get the joke, read the first two words of the sign and say them aloud.