Remodeling: Only 10 years in the making...no sweat!

Feel those construction vibes? I do. My house is always a source of some kind of construction activity. This week we anticipate a foundation redo to begin--one third ripped out and built new again. I'm leaving this job to a pro, whom I still expect to hear from and see before Friday. (This a job I definitely want to see over and done with swiftly--tonight would not be too soon. Anybody have a genie in a bottle?)

My job (with the help of my able-bodied mother--another toolbelt diva) is to redo a bedroom. First thing is to close up a hole in the wall from an old door that was removed, put down a new layer of subfloor, build a closet, and repair the walls. Plus, there are at least a dozen more odd jobs that I have barely thought of.

Today, we made great progress by getting about 70% of the hole in the wall complete, and began laying out the subfloor. This is no small matter since we had to carry 1/2" drywall up a flight of narrow curving stairs followed by 5 more trips carrying up the 3/8" plywood for the new floor. The final lifts were over my head, and I am happy to report my mother still has here chin intact. Are we great or what?

It seems that the whole family has jobs to do this week--even the girls. They are spending 6 hours a day at a stable, learning to ride and take care of horses. Today, both girls got to muck out stalls--no small feat on a hot steamy July day. Tomorrow, the weathermen say the heat index is going to reach 100 degrees. I think I feel sorry for my jeans wearing horse riding girls.

Best of luck to all of us being able to function with little or no soreness tomorrow!

Road Trip!

I had an adventure going to the fair city of Chicago, a little over a week ago. I was all excited about going on this trip with my fellow master gardeners, boy, it was the trip! I was gone from 5:30 am until 11:00pm. I don't know if it was serendipity, divine intervention or just plain dumb luck, but the bus I chose was "the" bus to be on as it did not break down half way to our destination. I made a new friend, who made a comfortable companion. We have many little quirks in common much to our mutual enjoyment.

The weather was hot, humid and sunny with light fluffy clouds--not too bad for a July day. We had haze in the morning and late evening to add a mysterious natural atmosphere to the bus trips. And we ended our trip with a spectacular full harvest moon rising over the open fields of green. What a wonderful day to take photographs!

Despite a lot of unexpected waiting time and subsequent delays, most (if not all) of the 100+ gardeners had a wonderful time learning more about the America in Bloom program while touring the Ball Horticulture Company gardens in West Chicago and the new Millennium Park in downtown Chicago.

I loved visiting both places for different reasons. At Ball it was like being able to browse a large candy store with no limit on how many ideas you could take home with you. So many varieties of the came plants and so many colors! The Ball gardens are large and well organized with lots of labels for the plant-name challenged. The staff at Ball also seemed to be very knowledgeable about the plants there. And as they served us lunch while there, I can honestly say their hospitality was exemplary. Thank you very much Ball!

At Millennium Park it was easy to see the possibilities of large public gardens, provided you can get the monetary support. I would love to go back and explore more. The Cloud Gate (or as I affectionately call it, "the Bean") is beautiful! All that highly polished stainless steel is mesmerizing because of it's parabolic mirror-like reflections. There are stately glass block water fountains for people to play in with their children, and so much more. I thought the pedestrian bridge that leads to the famous Grant Park across the street was a piece of beauty. It begs you enjoy the journey of a walk slowly admiring the gardens and city from a variety of angles. In short, an hour was not nearly enough time to explore that area. And judging from the number of parents with children in strollers, I would hazard a guess that they feel the same way too.

Aah, a little sunshine.

I have calmed down since my first entry. I've done a little editing and I'm still trying to figure out what possessed me to start a blog, but why not?

I had a very enjoyable weekend with my kids. We spent time at a nature center I do volunteer work for. Watched a couple movies in the evenings. Visited a close friend and her family, and then just lazed about on Sunday. That's the kind of thing summer is for, isn't it?

And now, the week has begun with the sun shining. The temperatures are cool. The grass is green. The garden is beckoning. (So are the weeds.) The cicadas are starting to chat outside and make think about lazy childhood summer days. Memories made and the memories to come. I'm going to go out and enjoy the day in my garden!

It's Alive!!

Aagghhh. I've just catapulted into the next century with my very first blog. Ah, the agony, the overwhelming number of decisions. I'm overwhelmed. I think I feel faint. This might just take me a few days to recover and move forward.

I'll try not to panic.