Yeah, Yeah, Yeah...Whatever

I know, I know I haven't been posting, but I'm not the only one who has those privileges. It was a pretty relaxed Memorial Day weekend for us. KyKy spent Sunday night at EG & DM's with her cousin Douglas, and we hosted Douglas' two sisters at our place that night. On Monday we gathered at EG & DM's for dinner. Ross, Anne and the boys were in town from Denver. It is always so very nice to see them. They had big news for all of us. They are starting the process of adopting a child from China. Most excellent. Adoptions, formal and informal run rampant in The Other Younger Half's family. It's quite a brood when we can get everyone together at the same time.

The kids had a great time Sunday and Monday. They spent lots of time outside playing with the neighbors - jump rope, kick ball and helping The Other Younger Half work on the front garden. We're well on our way to having a grassless front yard. I'm all for it. The back has no grass because the dogs tear it up and it's futile trying to grow anything back there. In the front we have some nice crabgrass, but I never water it because I hate mowing the lawn. TOYH has been slowly increasing the size of the garden in front, so within a couple of years the grass should be gone completely. I would like to create a rain garden in the boulevard between the sidewalk and the street. The city actually encourages these gardens because they are supposed to help decrease runoff into the street. Plus they look cool. It's going to involve a lot of work - digging. The boulevard probably has a old elm stump and thatch decomping into soil, so over the years it's built up a couple of inches higher than the sidewalk. We would have to dig lower than the walk and the curb for the garden to have it's intended effect.

TOYH is intent on putting up a fence this coming weekend along the south border of our lot. We talked to Jose, who owns Mabel's old house next door, and he said we could tear down the chain link fence that is standing there now. I'm sure that once I start ripping it up, the ghost of Mabel is going to come back and haunt us. Of course it's possible she'll stay away from her old stomping grounds since her precious Cape Cod duplex (which sticks out like a sore thumb in the 'hood) is now filled with Spanish speaking immigrants who barbeque and drink beer on the weekends. They also sit on the grass. If you haven't heard us talk about Mabel and her yard, ask. There are plenty of stories from the 8 years we lived next to her. I can't say I really miss her bloomers hanging out on the clothes line though. Anywhoo... TOYH is heading up this whole project. She has a grand vision in mind for the yard, so I just step back, let her come up with the designs, and implement them as best as my limited skills will allow. By the way, if anyone with any skills at all is available next weekend, give us a call. My teevee channel changing talent is of limited value on projects like this.

I hit 1000 miles on the SS Deathstar this weekend. Not too bad considering I picked it up on Friday the 13th of April. (No comment on my piddling amount of miles Neil) I wanted to celebrate by buying a twitchy road bike that someone from the club was selling, cheap. I mean real cheap. TOYH reminded me we don't have any money right now, and I already have 3 bikes. She doesn't get it. One can never have enough bikes.