Where the sidewalk ends

I haven't had much interesting to say. Its because I have been soooo busy with the stupid sidewalk project. Who knew it would end up being such a big undertaking. I have been having fun doing it. Its kind of like digging up a surprise each time I free the concrete slab from all of the crud that's been hiding it for years. Today I just feel frustrated because it has rained during the night and a large pile of water has pooled at the first sidewalk. It makes me think I have done this work for nothing and it will cause the same problem leading to endless work to keep it looking nice.  So I think I will look into how to fix the problem. Maybe add a ditch or something.

Anyway here are some before and after pics. I am a little more than half way done. With the forecast for the next few days its on hold. The good news is my gardens need the rain and the laundry has been neglected.

Off to the dentist :)

Bye for now

Pondering

It occurred to me today that a lot of people assume I don't know a lot. Really I mean that just like it sounds. Then I thought perhaps its the way I allow them to feel. Recently when I started a new job I felt like some of the staff that was there before me felt less than optimistic about my arrival than I did. So sometimes to try to fit in with them I would ask them questions to things I might already have known the answer to. Or certain topics might come up that they disagreed with me on and rather than argue the point I might say flippantly oh what would I know, I've only been a nurse for a couple of years. In fact I did know but I wasn't going to argue and make these new coworkers dislike me even more. The end result being of course they still have little confidence in me LOL. They probably don't know that I am passionate about this job and I read and research everything I can get my hands on. They probably have no idea that I have a whole lot of experience that I bring to the table from my life before a nurse that makes me good at what I do.</p>
<p dir=ltr>This whole ramble has nothing to do with my current job or coworkers. I simply added that as an example. </p>
<p dir=ltr>The truth is I do this with everyone. Even Jeff. I just basically allow people to assume I have little to bring to the table because its easier that way. The problem is I do know things but somewhere along the way I stopped believing I do. At any given time I can hear a conversation or be part of one and I will know something about what they are talking about or researching or whatever and I will think the appropriate response but not feel confident enough to let on that I know. </p>
<p dir=ltr>That's dumb!</p>
<p dir=ltr>That's actually one of the most absurd things I have ever heard yet that's what I do.</p>
<p dir=ltr>So when I say on here that I am going to try (or do) new things its basically to prove to myself and others (I suppose) that I am capable of doing more in life than laundry and blood pressures. </p>
<p dir=ltr> Its about reminding myself that I still want to be part of something bigger out of life and I am more than capable.  I used to know I was "The Shit". Somewhere between my divorce and loosing my job I forgot I was.  To some this may seem like a silly little thing but to me its everything.

*** again I would like to say this post has absolutely nothing to do with my current job. I work for and with some Awesome people who are the top in the industry and I am so proud to be part of their bigger movement. This simply has to do with me personally and I referenced my employment as an example only

Blisters, sunburn & growth

What a wonderful weekend. I was sad to see my pumpkins did not make it. The problem (I think) is I started them inside then transplanted them.

I started right out Saturday digging my new flowerbed. The dirt there has never been worked as far as I know. Its on the side of the house and as I dug and prepared the dirt I found it had a ton of clay, not to mention rusty nails (probably from redoing the porch), broken glass, rocks and the random broken piece of matchbox cars. As I sat there breaking clumps of dirt and clay I couldn't help but imagine Jeffrey as a little boy driving his cars on the porch railings when they visited his grandparents. Probably dropping one or leaving it there to be swept away by wind and left to rust in the dirt until I found it yesterday. Probably a little far fetched but it made me smile to imagine him doing so.

All day I worked there with the sun beating down on my back. Digging and plucking, pushing and pulling until finally it was ready. I had 4 flower plants left over from my flowerbed in the front and I planted them. Then I took random seeds I bought and scattered them in random places. Crossing my fingers something grows.

I worked so hard on that thing. When I was finished I had a nice big blister that had popped and filled with dirt. I had dirt on my face, caked under my nails (which incidently is WAY outside of my comfort zone) but I did it. I still need to figure out what I am going to edge it with but its mostly finished.

I also planted additional pepper plants, edged more of the front side walk and all kinds of random tasks like rescue Kevin when he ran out of gas, having the vehicle towed back to the house, sending Liana off on an all day ride with Jeff and on and on.

Tonight for dinner we were having venison steaks. I wanted something different to go with it. I cooked up some shells. Sliced brussel sprouts. Brushed with oil, added some seasonings and roasted them on the grill. When they were finished I coated the shells with grape seed oil, parm cheese and added brusselsprouts. Then squeezed half a lemon over it all. It was wonderful!

This weekend I have tried more new things than I could have imagined possible for a 48 hour period.