Yard Work and Opening the Pool

Earlier this week I started getting outside and pulling some weeds. One day I started with weeds in the front yard and the next thing I knew I was digging and resetting bricks.

I had started pulling weeds in the rocks and when I got to the corner I tried to reset one brick that was laying on its side. When I tried to put it back in, it wouldn't fit, so I had to pull out the next brick. Then it just continued.

I got a shot halfway on the brick work.

Milo kept getting in there sniffing around and just so curious. I had to dig the brick out, pull it, and then fix the dirt underneath so it would be even and higher up. The higher up I went, the more difficult they were to get out.

All done and I poured water on the dry dirt to clean it off.

The area of rocks I pulled weeds.

Looking up the line of bricks I reset. It was just the ones going up the driveway, well all but the first one.

I did more weed pulling the next day on the other side of the driveway continuing to work in the rocks and then around our big tree. I didn't get pictures that day. Milo was out there with me both days. He did so well being off leash in the front yard and there wasn't much traffic, so that helped. Our neighbor came over to give him a treat and Milo got all defensive and scared. His hair raised up and he barked at him, even after getting the dog treat from our neighbor, Paul. I didn't think we would have that problem with him because of his breed but I guess we haven't gotten him out enough in public. I definitely don't want him to be like that unless it's someone breaking in or hurting us.

Yesterday we started the day by Curtis, Charlotte and I waking up early to go help a couple in our ward who are in charge of a fun race that brings awareness to people with blood clot disorders. It's called "The Clot Trot". Sam Smith (who is our elder's quorum president) and his wife Bonnie were the couple that were in charge. Sam had asked Curtis if he would be able to come out to help but Charlotte and I came along also. I helped check people in who had pre-registered for the 1-mile race and get their shirts. I also helped hand out prizes afterwards. Curtis and Charlotte started with handing out shirts but then left to go hand out water on the 5K race trail. We had a good time and Charlotte says she wants to do it again next year.

When we came home from that we got going on our projects for the day. Curtis wanted to open up the pool and I wanted to dig out some bushes that I didn't want anymore. I had trimmed the rose bush and the red bush down the day before. I had wanted Curtis and the boys to help me dig them out, but they ended up doing the pool and I was on my own for most of the digging up. Curtis came and helped me when I got the stumps dug out to where he needed to chop the big roots to get them out. My reasons for getting rid of the rose bush and the red bush is because they have put holes in our pool inflatables. We don't want that to happen anymore. I don't know why they were planted in the pool area to begin with. Thorns and inflatables don't mix!

This is the red bush that is close to the pool and has pokey leaves. Trimmed off the branches on Friday.

Trimmed down to the stumps.

I had to clear the rocks away first. Then dug. I kept finding more stumps the more I dug and then a beam where the bush had grown on both sides of it right next to the fence.

I was so tired, I had to stop and take a few breaks. Eventually Curtis was able to help me finish but cutting the beam to get it out and the cutting the roots as far down as he could. It was a tough spot to work in. He poured salt around roots and dirt to hopefully prevent it from growing again.

All done and it's gone!

The rose bush. Again, it's right by the fence.

Trimmed down and ready to dig it out.

All gone and hole filled in. There was another hole that has been there that Curtis filled in with sand from our pool filter. He dumped out the old sand and bought new sand.

This plant just looked sick, so I decided it needed to go. 

It was close to our flag pole. Curtis helped me with this one since he was done with pool stuff by then.

Done and gone. We will have to fix the rocks later.

I think it's a little early to be opening up the pool, but Curtis and the kids wanted to do it now. This year we did it ourselves now that Curtis knows how to do it. 

The cats will just walk across the canvas cover. This was right before we took it off. Last chance until Fall, Sage!

What a difference on what it looked like this year compared to last. Last year it was black on the bottom because it was covered in algae and it hadn't been opened for two years. 

Working together to skim the top. Everyone is excited to have the pool open again!

I also had the boys mow our lawn that evening. It was a long day but so glad for what we got done! Curtis even cut off a couple of dead branches on the two trees in the back yard. They needed a saw.  It feels good to be getting stuff done outside again. Slowly we'll get this place looking good.

Blossoms All Around!

Over the last couple of weeks I am seeing more and more blossoms on trees and flowers around our yard and I am loving it! This post is mostly pictures because I wanted to share them.

Tulips by the fence close to the pool.

Close up.

Tulips, daffodils, and blue bell flowers in our far back yard.

Our berry tree in the back yard is sprouting up through the ground. I had to get on my hands and knees to pull/cut them. I don't need any more than one of that tree!

We saw our first lady bugs on the berry tree. There were several of them.

That's our berry tree. It sure is pretty in the Spring, but I wish it didn't have berries. I don't even know what kind they are or if they're edible. I doubt it thought.

It's a great climbing tree though.

The only flowers we have in our front yard are in full blossom now. I just wish they bloomed all summer.

I don't know the name of these, but I love them.

The tree on the side of our house is in full blossom now. So pretty!

I had a little photo shoot with Milo in front of the beautiful flowers. This was my favorite shot.

I don't remember seeing this last year, but we must have had them. I don't know what they're called but they're pretty!

One of my bleeding hearts bushes. We had three originally, but I accidentally removed one during my yard clean up last month. At least I still have two!

Another shot of my tulips. I love it when they mix colors like this.

This bush is under our pine trees and so pretty also.

This one is in front and under the back deck. It doesn't look in the best shape but it still makes pretty flowers.

Maybe I need to give it some plant food. That's something I haven't tried yet.

There are lots of beautiful surprises we get to enjoy during the spring!

Spring Break Fun Part 3

Saturday and Sunday were spent watching or listening to General Conference. Saturday morning, I made some homemade buttermilk pancakes from a recipe I found online, and they were so good! Even Curtis, the pancake critic, loved them. I was going to do coffee cake the next morning for Sunday because I haven't had that in a long time either, but Jack talked me into buying some Rhodes cinnamon rolls. Those were good too. There were lots of good talks, but I know I didn't listen as close to them as I should have and will definitely be listening to them again. 

Charlotte spelled the prophet's name with dominoes. He wasn't speaking at the time, but she didn't care.

The girls having fun with the dominoes and toys while listening. Well, I think they listened to at least one talk, the one in this picture where she was talking to the children.

During the break on Sunday, Curtis and I took Milo for a walk to a new place just outside our neighborhood and it was beautiful! We walked along the canal.

Curtis built this during the Sunday sessions of conference. It's a 3D puzzle made out of metal. Jack got it for Easter a year ago but never put it together and told us it was too difficult and hurt his fingers. So, Curtis put it together.

It turned out really cool.

I was having a hard time staying awake during conference, so I finally pulled out a puzzle during the 2nd session on Sunday. It was a 500-piece circle shaped puzzle. I started it Sunday but did not finish it until Tuesday. Unfortunately, there was one piece missing by the end. I don't know if it fell on the ground and Milo ate it or what. It should not have had a missing piece because I had just opened that package for the first time. Last time we lost a piece to a puzzle it ended up in the girl's room because it had gotten stuck to Alice's jacket or shirt. Hopefully this will happen again, but I doubt it. It was still fun to do.

The missing piece was on Minnie's forehead. Poor Minnie, lol. 

After conference was over, most of us went outside to play a game of croquet. It was nice to do something outside for a change. Alice started the game but quickly changed her mind and wanted to do her own thing. Curtis, Jack, Charlotte and I continued to play and I won! I honestly don't care anymore if I win or lose a game. I am just happy to play games with family and to have fun.

Taking silly pics after our game.

Curtis says this is the millennial way to play, lol. Very little effort.

That was a good way to end our spring break week!