So the Garden grows.

Well I have been continuing my gardening - I have added to my cottage garden - it is pretty much done now, except for maintenance and planting replacements on what doesn't winter over. I just need to wait for it all to come and and spread out.

The veggie garden is starting to come in now. I have one row that is really slow, but hopefully it will come up. I have started the berry patch, too.

Mowed, weed eated, planted asparagus and ferns that were given to me. BBQ almost every night - I really like doing that.

I need to start planning the patio now - I am so excited to see what it will look like when done. I also need to start the "ramp" up the bank where I plan to have my path. That should about take up about the rest of the summer yard work - besides the general maintenance part.

I need to get ready to paint the house and put up the gutters, too.

After such a nice sunny day, and working all day, I think I need to hang it up now. Will post pictures again of how the gardens are growing.

Gardening and yard chores

Started my yard chores - took some time off work and just dug right in. Hauled loads to the dump. Raked the yard, cleaned ash off porches, got fountains out, built raised beds, planted the raised beds, planted flower pots, have the green house up, the BBQ cleaned, yard furniture out. Still need to set up the gazebo, but will attack that next weekend.

My cottage garden is coming in nicely. Most of the plants I planted came back. I won't have to replant very much. I will start on the next section soon. Then I want to start on the patio section. I decided I want to build some steps up the bank by the shed, also.

So here is what is planted in my garden beds:

Green beans - should germinate in 2 weeks and ready to pick by the end of July
Spinach - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick by the end of June
Radish - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick by the end of June
Chard - should germinate in 10 days and be ready to pick by the end of June
Beets - should germinate in 20 days and be ready to pick by the end of July
Cabbage - should germinate in 15 days and be ready to pick by the end of June
Carrots- should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick the beginning of August
Mesclun salad mix - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick at the end of July
Zucchini - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick in mid July
Salad mix - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick at the end of June
Arugula - should germinate in one week and be ready to pick in early July
Snow Peas - should germinate in 15 days and be ready to pick in early August
Leeks - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick in early October
Broccoli - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick in mid August
Parsnip - should germinate in 25 days and be ready to pick at the end of August
Green Onion - should germinate in 2 weeks and be ready to pick in mid August

So you can see I have a great crop of goodies to choose from this summer. I hope my garden goes good. I need to get compost tea or fish meal (organic) to fertilize with and need to mulch as necessary. I am hopeful this summer will be the same as it has been the last few days - glorious!

Here are some pictures of the cottage garden beginning and the raised beds I made:

Is it Spring yet?

Another day, another entry. The last few days it has really been nice out. Melting like crazy. My path in the morning is a combination of ice, snow, pavement and puddles. Going home tonight part of it was like a river running. I will be glad with it all goes to pavement. Hopefully before May 1 so I can start my no socks (which look best with sandals). We will see.

Today I was paid a very high compliment. I was asked to run from President of University Assembly. And I think I will if it comes to it. I just have to be re-elected to Classified Council, elected to Assembly, then elected president. We will just have to wait and see how it all pans out.

I am starting to feel better again - not so tired in the evenings, although I don't know if that is because there is more sun or if I am getting better.

I need to start making summer plans on what I want to accomplish. So here are a few of my goals:

1. move the garden
2. replace the gutters
3. work on the side of the house planters
4. finish the cottage garden
5. make the patio
6. get rid of the bronco

That should be enough to start with.

I think I will go to bed now.

slng

Well,

It has been quite a while since I wrote. I have been sick - my yearly bout with the flu - or what ever it is - I am still coughing.

DMae and Scott have had a trip to Rome since I last wrote. Scott is really big any more - as if I have room to talk. I want to work on my health, though. I even set up a Dr appt - something I haven't done in a long time.

Work is way too busy - the graduate curriculum has taken over our lives. Hopefully it will be done soon.

Em has been here and gone again - is she a hobbit in reality? She spent time in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. She was home for a few days then off to her new job. While she was home there was a snow slide on our way to Hope and a volcanic eruption that delayed her leaving for a day - which means she lost the change fee for her flights. While she was home she had a tiff with Andy which left her in a foul mood for most of her time home. I don't know what to do about her moodiness. I think that just leaving her alone for quite a while might help. We always seem to argue when she is home. Hopefully she will outgrow it sometime soon.

I need to get up to see Mama on Friday. I have some supplies from Pinky to take up. I need to pay for her prescriptions, too.

I got a 5% increase for exceptional performance. I need to update my position now and I hope that I can get another 5%.

I think this is all for now.

gator!

Well its been a week since I wrote last. I guess I was busier than I thought last week. Worked every day - took one morning off, but got quite a bit done at work. Still have lots to do this week, though.

I had Friday off - and was sick all day. Have some type of spring cold - chest and head - throat itchy, ears plugged. I basically took the entire weekend to do nothing but try to get better. I have to see how I feel in the morning to see if I want to drive into work or try the bus. I am hoping I can do the bus, but we will see.

I am looking forward to another busy week - I will do everything I can to get it all done at work and leave it there.

I guess I'll stop for now. I want to get to bed early so I can see what I can do on getting to work tomorrow.

crocodile

lazy days crazy days

Yesterday was crazy. Today is lazy.

Yesterday dmae and scott drove from fairbanks to anchorage to take their flight to rome. I got a nice visit with them. Scott has really put on weight though. I shouldn't talk, but I worry about him. He needs to get away from his video games and into real life.

Today I did absolutely nothing but read. It felt good. I got my chores done for the most part yesterday and did nothing today - except change the clocks.

I hate it when they change the time. even when it is in the fall and we gain an hour. Doesn't matter - still screws with my head.

I need to pay bills tomorrow night and no excuses - and make some calls. I want to be at work early, so I hope I can do that. If I can get everything done early I can leave early - we will see.

So that is about it for tonight. tomorrow is another week and another day.

later

So today is a not too bad day. I still am not in a motivated mood after work. I need to figure out what I need to do to increase my evening energy. Probably more sleep? I think I'll try that after I adjust to the time change.

Boy do I hate the time change. It really doesn't have much of a use here. We have plenty of daylight in the summer, and I think most other northern hemisphere places do.

Blueberries - YUM. I have started to attack the blueberries I canned last fall. They are a great treat. I need to get through my fruit and pickles so I have some room for this next year. I am excited about gardening. I want to start a new bed and to plant more berry bushes in my old plot. I want to read more about the soil web and organics. I think I should be able to get some good compost from my pile this year. I need to start a new one so I can keep them going.

Well - I think this will be a short one tonight. Lost was pretty good. Need to watch it again on line to see what I might have missed.

while dial

So today is not too bad a day. I got a lot done at work and even some cleaning of my office. If I can keep this up I may be caught up by the end of next week.

Today I found out when the Chili Challenge is - the 28th and when the Bike Auction is (the 26th). Emilee will be here for both. I wonder if she will attend. I'll send her the info and see what she thinks.

Danny told me he doesn't have much for classes tomorrow so he wants to go snow boarding. I think he probably does need a break - I just need him to be careful driving my truck.

DMae will be coming down on Saturday - since she will be here later in the day I can save the rest of my house cleaning until then. Which means I can just veg out at night - except for my bills which I need to do ASAP.

I need to free think here a little bit. I need to just let my mind go where it will. I really would like to go back to NZ sometime soon. I really would like to have all my finances in order - this is something I can do if I just quit being so lazy. I need to set myself some goals and meet them.

At one time in my life I was able to set goals and keep them. It has been years ago. I think Monk robbed me of that ability. I think his overbearing of our relationship robbed me of myself and I need to continue to get myself back. I have no one to blame but myself now, though. I need to focus and stay focused.

I do think I suffer from depression in the winter, though. That is when I tend to fall behind and can't seem to get myself back on track. I will look into what I can do next winter - whether it is vitamin D, or a light box, or simply a better exercise routine. Or all three. I am going to work through this.

So I will set some goals by Sunday, along with action plans and deadlines. And I will keep them. Then I will feel better about myself and able to move on.

This is all for now.

later

So today I am italicized. Don't as me why - I just felt like it.

Cold again today - 0 when I left this morning. But I rode home tonight with Danny. Emilee is on her way to Panama - I hope she enjoys her stay there. I feel a little better about her being there and in Costa Rica - they seem a little safer places if you ask me, but I could be wrong. I hope she does ok and stays safe.

Lots of stuff to do tomorrow. I got some done today, but there is still a ton for tomorrow. I just need to keep plugging away - and to get my list going again. I am so disorganized lately - I need to go in on a weekend or something - or maybe early in the morning before Ira gets in - we'll see.

I want to get my cupboards started over the short spring break weekend I will get - I figure I can get at least one of them painted.

Tomorrow I need to go through my bills and make some calls. I want to clean the kitchen also, but I might wait until Saturday for that.

It is almost time to go to bed - I haven't really done anything this evening, but I think I need to give myself a break and take Mondays off. So that is just what I will be doing. Monday is my veg day and Wednesday will be my Lost day.

I think this is probably all for tonight. I'll see what is up for tomorrow.

later

there and back again legislature style

So it was off to Juneau to advocate for the University. I should have written while there, but managed to stay busy and didn't take the time to write.

But I am letting myself stop and go on things, and let it not be an excuse to stop for good. So I will write tonight and again the next time I can.

I do want to keep up the writing, though. Things I need to accomplish this week - pay bills, check budget, vacuum the stairs, clean the kitchen, go to the store, go see mama, and then there is the work stuff, but that is work stuff, so I won't address it here.

Spunkee's foot seems to be better - she is walking on it ok.

We got a ton of snow yesterday and last night. I blowed the driveway today - I am so glad to have the snow blower, I would get another one if I need to. I won't be without one ever again.

I need to start planning my summer garden plans. I want to finish my cottage garden, move my major garden, and start on the front yard.

I also want to get the kitchen painted. I will buy the paint next week and start to work on the kitchen cabinets. That will be quite a chore, and I figure I need to do one cabinet at at time. I will take it apart, unload it and then paint it, put it back together and start on the next section. I think it will probably take at least a month, working 2 nights a week and on weekends.

I think this is probably all I have to add tonight. Puck is begging to get out so I better go get him before he decides to be a pain.

later.

Ok - may be after midnight, but still counts for a Saturday write.

I was really busy with work stuff today - but got a lot done. Talked to Laura about working from home when I have management reports due - I can get a lot done when I don't have interruptions.

So what did I accomplish? My travel binder is up to date. SOF proposals are evaluated. Sue's direct appointment is almost completed - I need some info from the office before I can finish it. I have my position evaluation done.

Still need to finish procard filing and the management report, but should be able to get those done easily tomorrow.

And I need to do my weekly shopping. But I'll do that tomorrow after Danny gets home from work. I need to pick up a few things for my Juneau trip. Not much, but a few little things.

Spunkee's foot seems to be bothering her, but I can't figure out what is wrong with it - unless she sprained it on the floor? I'll keep an eye and have Danny watch it whenI go to Juneau.

Saturday Nite Live just doesn't have it anymore - hasn't for quite a while.

Watched Conan's last late night last night. Looking forward to seeing what he will do with the Tonight Show in June. Must be something to have to pick up and move across the country for a job. I wonder how old his kids are and if they are in school. And how his wife is taking having to move. Hope all works well for him.

Well, I am about ready for bed. I still need to finish Em's travel arrangements - that is for tomorrow also - probably first thing I do.

Off to bed for me.

So yesterday I felt lousy and didn't do anything. I also stayed home from work today. I feel ok now - I think I just needed a little time offe.

I posted this as one of my favorite NZ pictures. West Coast going from Haast.

I have decided that I am going to Cordova this summer. Over the July 4th weekend and I want to be there during their salmon festival. And I want to do a 1/2 marathon while there. So I have been checking on marathon training and I think beginning March 1 I will start to train to run a marathon (or half this year - maybe next year I can run a full one.)

I have started gathering up my stuff to go to Juneau. I think it will serve as a mini vacation for me also. I am ready to be away for a little while - I don't think I have been anywhere since last February's trip to Juneau. Well be that as it may, I am glad to get the opportunity.

I just have to work all weekend do complete the stuff I should have done yesterday and today at work. But that's ok - I can get it done in about 3-4 hours and still have some time to finish up getting ready for my trip.

Spunkee seems to have a sore foot today. I will have to keep an eye on it. I think I will take her back to the vet during Spring break - she just seems to not be feeling well and I wonder if she has a low grade infection. Her nose just doesn't seem to want to heal all the way. It gets better, then she breaks the scab off and it gets worse again. We will see. She is almost 11 now.

I think this will be it for tonight. I will keep myself updated on my progress toward my marathon goals. This will be a good place to do that.

Later gater

Day 2 of my new resolution to try to write every day. Today was another busy one - they all seem to be anymore. I am starting to get some things done. I did get a few off my list today.

I need to work on updating my job. First I am requesting a 5% increase for exemplary performance. Hopefully it will work and then I can do my update for another 5%. If I get this all done before July 1 I can have a 4.5% increase - that would be 14.5 in one year - wow! I might even be able to afford to live - provided utilities don't go up too much again.

I love to listen to my fountain. It is so relaxing. And Lost is on tonight! I do enjoy it. And I feel good from my walks to the bus stop. I have this lungy walk I am trying on the way home now - I think it is doing something - I feel a little in my legs. And I am doing bench push ups in the morning. I hope to be in a little better shape at the end of March. That is my check point to see how I am really doing. Hopefully they will have the wellness sessions again and I can sign up again. I think I will if they do - I pay more attention to my diet and exercise and if I get another chance I will pay more attention yet.

I need to email Em about her ticket so I can get it set up for her by tomorrow or Friday. I will be glad to see her again - I do miss her.

I think this will be all for tonight. I want to work on my raise letter and evaluation so I can get it finished.

Later gater or tua

To start a blog and see where it goes

Here I go - attempting to keep a journal on line. This is fairly new to me so we will see where I end up.

They ran the bus again today - I am glad. I really feel so much better when I walk to the bus stop and ride the bus. It makes my endorphins kick in I think.

I need to read a bunch more SOF proposals. I am almost tired of them already. Plus I have a ton of work to do before Friday - I am going to Juneau to advocate for the University next week so I need to make sure I am caught up on everything before I go.

Laura keeps me busy. But at least I have help now. Bless Pinky and Mike. They are definitely the most excellent assistants anyone could wish for. I need to get a hold of Ryan before I go, too. Thank god for this laptop he has secured for me. I can stay in touch while I am gone.

I have a ton of things to do at home, too. I will start a list soon and see if I can actually accomplish what I set myself out to.

Well this is probably enough for now, except I think I will log the weather in also. It is warm today - probably got up to about 34. Hoping for mid 20s tonight. Had to go to a lighter coat and tennis shoes for the bus walk.

More on this later - tomorrow I think.