It was a nice long weekend.  There was an afternoon playing with Avery's bestie.  We also made some time to go to one of the local parks w/ Avery's bike in tow and had a nice time playing outside.  I really should have gotten more done than I did, but here we are.  I did do a little in the garden this evening.  A bag of weeds has been removed from the decorative garden.  Two beef steak and one atomic grape tomato plant were moved into pots.  I also put some more potatoes into soil.  I have 3 more tomato plants that aren't quite ready for planting yet (gifted from a neighbor), hopefully they will be ready relatively soon.

This first successes have begun.  We pulled two strawberries from the plants the would-be inlaws brought.  I have pulled some lettuce and beet leaves to make a salad.  Some of the sweet 100 plants also have blooms, which is always exciting.  I think the beets are doing quite well, I can see some growth at the base of the leaves.

I often take to my blog to complain and "get it all out", but there is lots of good stuff too.  Today I have some of those things to chat about.  Let's start with another "I love my town" note - 2023 is the 100th year celebration of our town park.  Town park is where our swimming pool is among other resources.  How are they celebrating?  Not just one weekend of activities, but four of them! That is on top of the summer concert/movie nights they have there on the regular.  Of course we will also have the huge 4th of July celebration here in town.  So many good activities to look forward to this summer.

I had a moment earlier this week, realizing that the pool opens this weekend and I still hadn't purchased our pool passes, so I got that off of the to do list.  Avery and I are ready to enjoy another summer of swimming.

Related to love of "my town" but more specifically where I am, my neighbors!  We continue to play outside in the evenings and weekends.  The driveway is full of bikes and scooters, chalk drawings, giggles and sometimes tears.  My heart is full.  I'm so happy I am somewhere that Avery can have so many friends right at and within a few years of her age.

Better still - I am sure years ago I posted about the gas powered pressure washer and snow blower that I had back in Jingletown.  They haven't worked since I lived there.  Well the one neighbor said "I can take a look".  A $20 parts kit later and the pressure washer is functioning.  How awesome is that?  He also said he'd look at the snow blower later this year.  What an incredible blessing.

Today, after a few minor delays, Viktor (our foster kittie) gets the last shot he needs before he is ready to post as available.  I have been trying to get him to interact with Church -- he is pretty adamant that he's not interested in the dogs.  He is fine in the same room with Church, but Church being who he is, wants to play -- and Viktor is not interested in him getting that close.  Hence we had a bit of swatting.  I'll keep working it - it would be very helpful to Viktor when we can mark that he is down for cat siblings.

Happy Mother's day to all.  This kid is finally in the sweet spot (age wise).  She was so excited to give me the surprise home made items she had for me this morning.  She further warmed my heart by wishing me a happy Mother's day two more times as she was going to bed.  The rest of the wrongs the world spills upon me can melt away.  My baby loves me -- and I love her -- that's all we need.

I got the lawn tended to before the weekend, which was good as I needed time to do some extra cleaning before we had company today.  I wanted to take Avery to the Touch a Truck event yesterday, but rain got in the way.  Fortunately there will be more of those later this summer.

It took me sessions over three days to get the lawn mowed and in order thanks to all of the rain we have had. 3+ hours the first night with the weed eater and mowing the front and sides. Another hour and a half off and on the second night in the back due to the much thicker grass and mower batteries dying. Another 20 minutes for the last few swipes today. Honestly, the front already looks like it could do with another trim, but I am out of "go" for right now.

At least this weekend the weather is giving some summer vibes. Admittedly I took a little break the first night to get a couple of tomato plants transitioned into the big buckets. All were of one variety, the others are trailing behind in size. I should probably re-pot the (bell) peppers too. Still not even a glimmer of hope from the seeding or re-seeding of cubanelles.

I also need to update that our foster cat landed with the name Viktor. He is quite a gentle and sweet boy.

The Dr visit went well. No questions abt bs topics, he was attentive, and most unexpectantly - prompt! I stopped and had the blood drawn for various bloodwork fri morning after embracing the need to take the morning off to get a bunch of stuff done.

I picked up auction items from a place down in wash, hit the big consignment sale, got my new driver's licence, and ran through to get things at Target/Iggle and the like. This gave me enough space that I feel like I can relax a bit this weekend - but I do need to get some cleaning done and pack up the stuff to donate that has been sitting in my way since pre-vaca.

We had another foster boy join our home this week.  He was taking shelter under a trailer and being fed by someone.  If I didn't know that, I would never have guessed it.  He is the most gentle and relaxed guy.  As soon as he gets one additional shot he will be listed and available for adoption.  The only bummer is that we do have to do the whole quarantine thing to keep everyone safe -- because I think Church would love to meet and play with him.

Avery has had a couple of swimming lessons, Sat/Sun this weekend and next.  They are at the local high school, so that's kind of neat to go there and see their pool.

Final random thought, I have my first well visit scheduled for this coming week since 2019.  I did call a different doctor's office after giving my current PCP one last shot.  When they put me on hold and never came back in 20 minutes that was the final straw.  To be fair, this is also the office that wouldn't see me or grant my request for steroids when my shoulder was jacked -- they're lucky I tried calling to schedule.  Either way, I'm long overdue.  I am not in the shape I'd like to be in, but I also know I need some help to assess where I am at and make sure all is well with me and that there is nothing standing in my way to get healthier.

The three year streak of not being on a cruise ship has been -- blissfully -- ended.  Avery and I headed to Galveston TX almost two weeks ago.  After a 10pm arrival we crashed at a hotel near the Hobby airport.  In the morning after some breakfast we enjoyed their pool, even though it was a bit chilly.  A late checkout and hanging out in the lobby we ordered ubereats from a local food truck and I had the best birria tacos (I am drooling thinking about them).  I recently had purchased the different chiles I need to attempt these on my own.  I am sure they won't compare, but if I hit the 25% mark I'll still love it.

We then had someone from Galveston Moms transport us the hour to Galveston proper where I had my first ever AirBnB experience.  It was fantastic and just what I wanted.  We had a little kitchen, so I cooked the first evening - thanks to a Kroger delivery.  We noshed on some of the leftovers between snackies and a meal out the next few days.  We were on 24th and O 1/2 st, a very easy walk to the beach, a liquor store (I needed a bottle of wine to carry onboard and one to drink while we stayed in Galveston), a convenience store, and the trolley/bus stops.  I couldn't get a fire to stay lit in the fire pit (time to work on my scout skills) so we microwaved some smores instead.

In Galveston we:  went to the train museum which exceeded my expectations, walked/shopped the Strand, had yummy seafood, walked to church Saturday night, and most importantly -- went to the beach since Avery didn't remember being at a beach!

Avery wasn't much of a fan the first night - I get it... sand sticks when you don't want it to.  She quickly realized there was plenty of fun to be had at the beach burying her legs, building a small castle, gathering cool shells, and jumping the waves.

We struggled w/ Lyft to get to the pier (Uber isn't allowed in the port) but got there at the time they wanted us there to check in (an hour late due to issues they had that morning).  Onto Allure of the Seas, which I have sailed on pre-Avery.  She loved the water and ice shows, we went to each 3 or 4 times a piece.  I forced her to go to the juggling show which she ended up liking.  Adventure Ocean was a big thumbs up, but her time there left me struggling to mentally unwind and keep myself occupied.  Once I was able to bring it down a notch I was able to make good progress on a book I have been stalled on for years (I am embarrassed to say I haven't read for pleasure much since Avery was born).

We stayed onboard in Roatan.  Costa Maya we went out right in the port area and enjoyed their large pool area and the Aviary.  There are bridges up high for the aviary, which I knew would be a big challenge for me, but I did it!  In Cozumel after much anxiety going back and forth on it I sucked up my nerves and headed to Mr Sanchos - and I am so glad we did.  There was nothing to worry about, and I knew the taxi transportation there was very well organized and clean, so I don't know why I was so anxious about it.  Avery had a blast in the pools and is doing great going under water.  I'm glad we spent the time in Galveston beach; while the beach and water in Cozumel was prettier the drop off was pretty quick and the waves were a bit more than I wanted to spend a lot of time in w/ a weak swimmer.

That brings us up to speed.  We are back home.  The laundry is well underway.  The dogs were picked up.  The kid is back at school.  I'm back to work.  The cat was obsessed with me last night.  The creeper watched me shower and proceeded to knead me as I fell asleep.  He stayed on the bed all night (which he did for 2 nights after the last time we vacationed for a week).

So glad for the trip and the experience.  Even more glad we have another one booked for later this year.

Friggin technology.  Neither my work phone or my cell phone are reliable.

I had the dentist office calling my work number to confirm my appointment but when I'd pick up - nothing.  They said they could hear me, but I had nothin.  I managed to get ahold of them today because they were ready to cancel my appointment.  AGAIN... if I have an appointment and I didn't call to cancel, I still have an appointment, do you understand me?  I don't need to talk to you on the phone.  Frick.

I had left messages for roof repair and a need from church w/ my cell number.  Never heard back from the roofer.  Called the church again yesterday and she said she left me a voicemail (I had given my cell).  Mmm, no.  I don't have a missed call or a voice mail.  This leads me to believe that even if the roofer called me back I didn't get the call.

If you're calling me, presume I didn't get it - and even if I did, I hate the phone greatly.  Send me an email.

The kiddo is registered for kindergarten!  I am assuming since they took our deposit that she's official for full day at CCA.  That is one huge weight off of my shoulders.  Now I need to reach out to the local school district to arrange transportation.

All of the tomato seeds downstairs have now popped out.  Nothing on the peppers.

Well frell.  It was a matter of time with the way the winds are here.  The storm that came through yesterday whilst I was driving back from a celebration of life in Altoona finally managed to take a bite out of the house.  Front corner of the roof above my bedroom (where the wind always comes in from) is peeled upward.

I am lucky compared to the neighbors.  They had more shingles come off after loosing some the other night.

As I said there is a lot of crazy wind here.  It also managed to break the cute little flags off of Avery's swingset in the past week.

My rain barrel is full (that was quick).  I used water from it for the first time this afternoon.

Nothing visible growing outside yet, but a couple of the tomato seeds in the basement on heated mats have popped out, so they now also have a grow lamp on them.

I didn't get a ton done this weekend what with Saturday being up early and out of town.  But I did finally put the Christmas wreaths back on their hanging pole in the basement -- and out of the way.  I mean, it is only April.

I also made a pretty friggin good dinner tonight.  Lunch was awesome too - it has been ages since I have had a blt, well, technically a belt.  I have been doing intermittent fasting the past few days trying to break my food focus.

A youtuber I enjoy talked about 40 hour fast for good friday.  I don't know if I can do that, but I am curious to take a run at it.  Thank God coffee is 0-cal.

Today was about redemption.  Did I get everything on my list done?  Heck no.  But I did work outside, thank goodness for nice weather.

The poop is scooped, the high parts of the grass were hit with the mower, and the heat sensitive matching shirts for Avery and I are dyed.  Several pots were readied for when the tomato plants are kicking and I did my best planting some seeds.

I have the following on heat mats in the basement:  

Tomatoes (beefsteak, san marazano, and a specialty grape), peppers (mixed color bell, cubanelle, and sweet banana).

A few other outdoor pots were readied too including potatoes, carrots, beets, broccoli, basil, green onions, chives, and my first pass of lettuce.

  

We will see what tries to come up. I really want to get a small greenhouse but I feel like it would blow away.  I never have much luck w/ seeds, but I can say I am trying.

The windstorm that came through yesterday had the neighbor's house losing shingles.  It's been pretty darn gusty.

I'm trying to compensate for my slacking with regard to planting seeds.  Instead I have turned my attention to often overlooked cleaning tasks.  I took 15-20 yesterday and the day before with a nice Mrs Meyers Lilac scented spray cleaner.  The edges of the baseboards in the kitchen, downstairs hall, and my bathroom are tidied.  I also wiped down every slat on the window blinds in my bathroom.  Given a couple more days at a steady pace and I should be able to tackle the other blinds and baseboards.

I am eager for warm weather to go hard on the windows (indoor and outdoor) themselves.  It's ridiculous how dusty/dirty they look now that the sun is starting to shine in.  I also need the nice weather to scrub up a few larger toys that Avery has grown beyond so I can take them for re-sale.

If only I had the energy to execute the things that my brain is inspired to tackle at 5am.

I wanted to report that I opened my very first self-canned jar of pasta sauce for a meal last week, and it was delish.  I am so proud that I not just made that sauce (which I've done for years) but that I (properly) canned it.  I need to make and can another batch when I spot a good price on tomatoes.

I wanted to get some seeds in dirt today, but dang it's cold -- too cold to want to stand in the basement and get this task done.  I did find a good deal on 5 gallon "grow bags" on Amazon, so I'll have more space in which to plant things this year.  I do need to get more soil appropriate for the planting task.  I also need to order another batch of canned meat from Keystone Meats.  I don't think I reported it here, but I bought the ground beef, beef, chicken, and pork in the past - I have tried 3 of the 4 thus far and they're delightful (and I am crazy picky about meat).  I may also snag some turkey.

It's Friday.  I'm tired.

Emotionally because I've gotten smacked down twice now for trying to be helpful with the rescue. Basically, because I respond to past adopters when they message me directly.  Sorry, I'm not a jerk who won't answer them.

Mentally because we're at the 11th hour at work and we have someone making random changes without thinking through the repercussions to documentation, testing, etc -- couple that with infrastructure challenges that have slowed me down a ton.

Not as legit tired as I was the last time I complained about my tiredness.  I've actually been sleeping decently at night - maybe 1 wake up over night.

Kiddo had another dr appt this week to get the last shot necessary for kindergarten.  I send off all of the papers necessary for screening to the school.  It's going to be a busy couple of weeks before we finally get a bit of a vacation.