I do love redeeming things!
Our back yard has been in dire need of redemption for as long as we have been married - 12 years in June! Finally we have been able to get a good head start on cleaning it up this year - thanks to such an early spring and no other major problems to deal with - as in replacing the gazebo last year and all the flooding situations we had the year before!
I have concentrated on the back yard and never even got around to cutting the roses back in February.
They are blooming beautifully!
Yesterday I cleaned the 'clean' rooms and worked my way from the back of the house into the dining room and sewing room and on out to the gazebo.
I put the wall art vinyl letters from Goodwill on the hall closet door.
Not bad for $0.75!!
Since Louis Dean was working so hard, I made him a hearty lunch!
Chopped steak in gravy with mashed potatoes and candied carrots and garlic toast.
Fried apples for dessert.
It was such a heavy meal that I had to take a two hour nap before I could go back to work!
I fixed lighter fare for a late dinner.....a super salad with white wine.
Our house doesn't set where we get good sunrise or sunset pictures but last night's sky was particularly pretty!
Such beautiful colors!
It was dark by the time I was ready to take photos of what we had accomplished.
We are getting there!!
And just in time, too!!
We normally host a Good Friday Dinner and by then our place should be looking the best it has in years!
Today we were right back at it.
Not early, mind you!
It was nearly 11:00 when I woke up and I slept soundly all night!
Louis Dean prepared the end of the flower bed and scraped the dirt off the stone edging.
He's been so busy working out here that he's lost 10+ pounds!
He does what he can do and I do what I can.
As in cleaning up this area behind the fence by the sandbox!
This is the other side of that fence. We hang the sandbox lid here when the kids are playing in it.
See that cut out square? We used to have a water faucet back there and Louis Dean cut that out so he could get to it easier! I have to watch him all the time or no telling what he will do!!
You can see at the end of the house we still have a lot of cleaning up to do!!
But progress is being made!!
On the side deck, things are beginning to grow! I planted a bunch of stuff and then forgot what it was so I'm always surprised!
Oh, how I LOVE honeysuckle!!!
This bush is above the kitchen pond and I am so excited!
The only thing is - it is next to impossible to get back there and cut a bouquet.
However, I'm going to try tomorrow!
This wall is the outside of the Christmas house where I store all my decorations.
When I stand at my bedroom door - this is what I see.
And that's our bedroom door!
The patio has been all cleaned up now!
The dark brown storage box is where the quads keep their toys.
Now the patio is cleaned up and they can even play over here!
That's where we stopped for the day.
We both worked hard.
I never made it to the kitchen which is the room I intended to clean today.
The most I did in there was unload and reload the dishwasher and for meals we 'cleaned out the fridge' - meaning we ate leftovers or whatever we could find.
I will cook proper meals tomorrow.
This is my blogging place tonight.
Louis Dean is burning some of the burnable trash - like old plywood pieces and roots and such.
I told him I would keep an eye on the fire while he took a nice hot soaking bath.
Bless his heart!
He was one tired fellow!
I can't tell you how happy this makes me - getting our property cleaned up!
Next year we MUST paint the house and there are so many other projects we need to do.
I have to remember to look at what is at hand and do that first. Don't look at the bigger picture except every now and then. It can be too overwhelming.
Now for an update on Summer.
Recovery can be a bit overwhelming, too.
She's been in pain for such a long time, it's important to remember complete recovery comes in increments. The piriformis is the culprit now and I am praying it settles down and releases its hold on her.
This is from her Facebook post this morning.
Wednesday was 1 month since my back surgery. My body has been healing exceptionally well. However the piriformis is still kicking my butt. Seems standing, sitting and walking for any extended time/distance causes flair ups. Today I was riding in the car and sitting in traffic and it's yelling at me. So I cracked open the pain pills and muscle relaxers. Bad thing is the muscle relaxer or the pain meds wire me and I can't sleep. Thankfully, I have my favorite recliner here and we are bonding again. Your prayers that the piriformis would release and the sciatica would relax would be so appreciated. I have learned all the stretches for the piriformis and do them daily but there's not a "fix" for this issue. My body has to decide when it's ready to stop the spasms, shooting & stabbing pain. Thank you!
Thank you all for the prayers prayed for her!
Now it is not even 10:00 so Louis Dean and I are going to enjoy another hour or two in the gazebo before we head to bed. Tomorrow is another day!!
17 comments:
Bless you, Linda and your great catch LD! Cheers
You two amaze me!!! The hard work that this entails can be overwhelming. And you are making such good headway. Your lunch looks awesome!! Your palest pastel rose is gorgeous!! And you have honeysuckle, which I adore! Do you know there is deep pink honeysuckle? It is called Japanese I believe. Also there are a few other kinds. Last year for Christmas I asked my son for Honeysuckle lotion or perfume. They looked everywhere and could not find any. They finally had to go to the web. They ordered me some wonderful lotion and soap, it smells just like the real thing. It takes me back to my childhood. Oh, poor Summer! She still really needs all of our prayers.
Accomplishing what you and LD did is impressive. I always find that outdoor work is not only more tiring than indoor work...something about the fresh air drains you once you come inside. I'm looking forward to seeing everything once it's all spruced up.
Sending love to Summer...she's a trooper!
Jane x
It's amazing how much work the two of you have done and it's barely spring. I love the smell of honeysuckle but swore I'd never allow another piece of it to grow near me. It had already sunk it's evil roots in several places when we bought our house in Texas in 1975. We fought it until we left Texas in 2004. I don't think you can kill it. Remember when we were kids and used to suck the 'honey' out of the blossoms. Your house should smell wonderful if you manage to cut some. Sciatica pain is very hard to manage. I feel bad Summer is having to deal with that now. I know a month seems like a long time to her but actually it isn't long at all for the surgery she had. It's still raining so today I drew a pair of otters. It takes a long time to draw their fur but it's worth it. I love otters. Did you know when they're on their backs in the water they actually hold hands so they don't float away from each other. Isn't that sweet?
A other day in Paradise, it seems! I can't believe you and LD could be happy without a project or three to finish (or at least start on) each day. Even at the ranch, you have your chores to do while you're relaxing down there. Can't wait to hear about what you'll do this weekend and what fun you will have!!
You amaze me at how much you do in a day. Why don't you send some of that energy to Ohio....... ;) God bless Summer. I know how hard it can be to keep on going and smiling too. Lots of prayers that God will completely heal her soon!!!
Your back yard is looking great! How wonderful to reclaim space to use and enjoy!
Prayers for Summer Dee!
tell Summer it took 3 months of 5 days a week of those excercises for mine to stop hurting. 2 years later I still do them faithfully 5 days a week, off on week ends. they work but it takes time. I had the sit/stand/walk pain and sometimes the lay flat did not work. wish her healing and good luck.
your back yard is wonderful and I am impressed by all that the two of you did.
Don't you love spring in the yard...so much to do and spruce up! Enjoy your weekend!
Lots of hard work but the results are beautiful! I can imagine how much you're enjoying it. So sorry about Summer's bout with the sciatic nerve, etc. I have that too and it's very annoying and painful. Even after the surgeries it won't go away.
Have a great day!
xo
Pat
Linda, I think that is good news for LD...lose weight and get things done..He does work hard. You do too. I like how the pond looks. So pretty getting everything like you want it, isn't it? Praying still for Summer. Her healing may take a bit longer...just go slowly. Blessings to all of you, love, xoxo, Susie
Just amazed and blessed at the time and work you put into your home. Your little piece of heaven on earth. LD looks great. You eat well, work well, play well, and sleep well. That's a satisfied life. Love you tons.
It's so refreshing to see you and your husband so happy together. I think I'm a tad bit jealous, I don't like being a senior lady all alone LOL
All your work is really looking good and those meals makes me hungry
Oh you've done what you could and more! Everything's looking so nice. Keeping Summer in prayer. I pray also that she does not grow discouraged.
Wow!!! You and Louis Dean got a lot done. Good for you...and it feels good, too, doesn't it? You are so lucky to have such a capable companion.
Praying for Summer. I have a young friend with similar issues...it is getting better but it is a long time coming. xo Diana
So praying Summer gets relief soon from all this.'Bless her heart...and she is such a pretty lady.
I love all the lights you use around your house, inside and out...lights make me happy, too. xoxo
You and Louis Dean have accomplished so much work and the whole place is looking good and neat. The rose in the 1st pic is so beautiful. I hope Summer gets her healing soon and she is one strong lady. Have a great day!
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