Happy Birthday DSD!

Bacon a cake with Hershbomb!

Spoiled

I went home for Mother's Day and one of the first things my mom gives me is a hug present for BoBo.  A handmade bow, for BoBo.  I never got any handmade bows when I was a kid!  I have to admit she does look pretty stinking cute in it though.

BoBo shows off.

Closer look.

Insomnia

Last night was horrible.  My mom guilted me into letting BoBo sleep in bed with me last night with something about preferential treatment for Singer and some other nonsense.  Let me just say that BoBo is not suited for in bed sleeping.  Why? 1) she snores; 2) she can't take the heat (in the middle of the night, she inevitably wakes up panting like she's 100 miles into the Iron Man.  It's under the blankets in Connecticut, not the lava fields in Kona!); 3) she has no concept of personal space; and 4) she likes to lick you all of the time.  She especially likes to wait until you are lying down and she is stepping on your chest to start the attack.

Needless to say, last night was horrible.  I was freezing for 3/4 of the night, with my knees pushed up to my chest and a paw on my neck.  I think she was trying to hug me or something.  It felt like being hugged by a warm, drooling tilling machine.  And that was only after she had the good sense to get out from under the covers, but not before the heat triggered a panting fit.  Oh, my dear, sweet BoBo...  Mom, are you happy?

Nothing but work.

Before

So in my last post, I think I mentioned the removal of the front bushes.  After they were removed, I was left with a semi-circle of half-trampled purple flowers.   Sorry, I didn't take a picture of the destruction.  After several weeks of artful sketching on MSPaint, I decided to seed the front half with grass and plant flowering bushes in the back to provide a little bit of privacy on the front porch.

I took out the poisonous berry bush on the far left, transplanted about 40% of the purple flowers, planted a few more daffodils, and seeded the front half.  If I don't run out of steam tonight, I'll run down to Lowes to pick up some white azaleas.  I'll have to transplant the row of tulips in the back before I plant the bushes.  Can't wait until it's all done, and all of the grass grows in.

  

After.. for now

Pictureless post

I have a few projects in the works, so I won't be able to post as often as I'd like.  First, I pulled out the bushes in the front so that I can "young it up" as Ina (my Realtor) likes to say.  I posted an ad on Craigslist for free bushes, and wouldn't you know, I had people lining up to dig out the bushes for free!  I should have done that the first time around instead of laboring away for hours.  Now I just have to design a new garden bed, transplant a few of the existing plants, and buy a few new ones.  I'm thinking a few some hydrangeas or azaleas.

I've planted my Victory Garden v3 this year.  In the back, it's cilantro, tatsoi, peas, and green beans.  On the side, 6 tomato plants, including a purple one, broccoli, eggplant, peppers, and strawberries.  In the front, cucumbers and strawberries.  I still remember BoBo ripping a green tomato off the vine and running around the yard with it last year.  I can't wait to see her again, she's the best little grump I know.

Puppy Hauler

$5,000 ouchie.

As most of you know, I got into a little car accident at the end of March.  I was turning left into my driveway when the car behind me managed to hit Zippy on the driver's side front wheel and bumper, drive across my front lawn, and stop her car a few houses up from mine.  That's right, the LEFT side.  The cop who showed up to take the police report was a bit incredulous too.  Save some neck pain the next day, I was fine.  BoBo and Singer appear to be fine too.

In any event, I thought this would be a quick fix, until I started to drive to my evening obligation.  That's when I realized driving the car felt like operating a Whirlyball car.  Not good!  Well, after the other driver's insurance company threatened to total my car, I ended up in a rental Hyundai Santa Fe.  I thumbed my nose at the giant, gas guzzling SUV until I started getting used to the power windows, keyless entry, power locks, hatchback door.... The White Lightning was awesome!  Of course, he also drove like a swaying boat, cost me over $150 in gas over the course of 3 weeks, and required skillful maneuvering in the parking garage.  But I'd been seduced.  My next car may likely be a 5 door Hyundai Accent.  138 horsepower, 5 year roadside assistance, 100,000 mi warranty... ahh what luxury!

I finally got Zippy back last week.  He has a brand new headlight, suspension, front bumper, and some other shiny things.  While all the bells and whistles were nice and convenient, I think I'll be keeping Zippy for a while longer.  He's been trouble free since the start, and has a good 5-7 years left in him.

New love

For the last few weeks, I've been obsessed with the idea of biking with Singer.  After checking out Craigslist for bikes and coming up empty handed, I bit the bullet and hit the big box stores.  I ended up at Sports Authority, choosing between a "comfort bike" (shocks on the nearly 6 inch wide seat!) and a mountain bike.  Feeling optimistic about my ability to master two wheels, I went with the mountain bike.  The salesman was quite concerned when he realized why I wanted the bike, especially after he saw me trying to test out the bikes in the aisles.  In any event, four weeks later, Singer and I are competently cruising around the block.  The trick is to keep the leash short and to let go when necessary.  Otherwise, it can get ugly.