86 bags of mulch

Really?  What does one do with 86 bags of mulch.  First you pull existing weeds, shovel off the existing weed infused mulch.  Put down wet newspaper where necessary.  Cover with landscape fabric.  Spread mulch.  Sweat.  Swear.  Sweat.  Swear some more!  Ache!  But I'll let you decide...

After clearing and before mulch

That would be tomorrow's project to finish!

What it looks like when finished!

Okay, half finished!

Is the pain worth the gain?  You decide...and know you are loved!

I've figured it out...

I'm as subtle as nature!

Love the season!

Love the flowers!

Love you!

Broken promises

Rain.  They threatened rain.  Yesterday.  Today.  Tomorrow.  Rain.  So what did little Billy do?  He fertilized the yard.  Exceptional planning.  No rain.  What did little Billy do today?  He watered the yard.  All the yard.  In fact, the last patch is under the swish swish swish of the sprinkler as I write!  I am completely convinced when I turn the faucet off, it will pour!
Understand, I realize the irony of this post.  It was just last week that I complained about too much rain. Never satisfied!  But I could have used the day to allow the muscles to relax from the 56.  Oh, did I mention it's now 86.  Because it didn't freakin' rain!  Ah, the hardships we endure!  Off I go to turn off the water.  Know that you are loved!

56

Fifty-six bags of brown mulch, lifted from the palette unto two moving carts.  Fifty-six bags of brown mulch lifted from two moving carts and thrown into the pickup bed.  Fifty-six bags of brown mulch lifted from the pickup bed into a wheelbarrow.  Fifty-six freaking bags of brown mulch lifted from the wheelbarrow onto the storage area.  Fifty-six!  But who's counting.  I'm guessing it will take fifty-six people to get me out of bed in the morning!  And here's the good news.  To get the mulch to the desired location requires two more lifts!  Trust me (or would that be truss me?), there will be pictures!  Show me the Advil and know you are loved!

I expected

Fanfare.  A brass band.  Ticker tape.  A proclamation from the president.  After all, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  What I got is an ordinary day.  A little thunderstorm, a bike ride, breakfast with our aunt, and the dog getting clipped.  The mundane.  And perhaps it is the most appropriate, for that is what this has been for a full year...a normal day in the life.  Precipitated by an AARP adventure.  Entered into as an experiment.  Continued as a challenge...an outlet.  It has been demanding, frustrating, thought provoking, and one of the most therapeutic events in my lifetime.  Those of you who have followed it have kept me going.  Realizing that a post has been opened in almost every continent (save the one we haven't yet visited) is both exhilarating and humbling.  It's been an experience I have never regretted!
Now what?  Well, with your permission, I may take a day off every now and then.  We'll see.  But I'll be here.  After all, someone has to inform you as to the extent you are loved!

Love and pride

To be able to love someone completely is the greatest gift anyone can receive.  For over 40 years, every day of that 40 years, I have had that gift.  To be really proud of that person?  Well, that is, as they say, the icing on the cake.  This week we have been involved with a couple types of training for AARP.  We had to learn and do on Monday and Tuesday.  As I watched Cath, I was overwhelmed with her ability and sincerity.  She knocked her "do" right out of the park.  Today, at the fraud training, she was amazing at presenting information to a diverse group.  She kept it real.  She kept it personal, and she showed them a compassionate, enthusiastic champion for good!  Miss Loosewheel would have said, "You done good!"  She done!  I continue to marvel at how lucky one man can be.  And I continue to assure you that you are loved!

The eyes have it

My pupils are the size of saucers.  I've been measured, poked, prodded and measured again.  Yup.  I do have a cataract.  Yup, it has to come out.  Yup, he can't fit me in until September 2.  Ah well.  I need not worry about any reading material being too far away!  Oh well.  Good things come to he who waits.  This should be REAL good!  The kind of problem I like...fixable!  If I squint when I see you, you'll know why!  At least I'll see you and can tell you you are loved!