Weeds weeds and more weeds

 
 
 
 

I seem to have a huge list of things that need done around the place. One of which, has needed work for about 2 months, was weeding. I must admit I don't mind weeding when you know you are helping plants to grow b u t when the weeding goes on and on and on again... I struggle to even start it. So I decided the vegetable garden will go unattended and I will weed wack and then till it under at the end of the summer. The flower garden unfortunately needed weeded. Its a part rock garden and therefore you can't rototiller it up. So the last two days I worked on pulling weeds. It was in the 90s yesterday and I could only tolerate about 2 hours. Today I started earlier and it was only in the mid 80s. So I was able to finish it. I ended up with five piles of weeds. I forgot to take a picture before pulling weeds but I have the after pictures. I also have a few pictures of the embankment that goes onto my neighbors part of the land. It shows the intense height and depth of weeds I had to fight. Keep in mind those are not planted trees in there. I hope to get a few more flowers to put into my garden in the near future and a bench to put at the end of the garden.

We're going hiking now...

"Are you kidding me?" Were the words out of my mouth as I looked at the trail head. Janelle & Josie had told me I could join them in their planned hike. But she told me it was listed as moderate and was short - only 1.2 miles. Next time I will ask for more details... like expected time to hike, and elevation changes. What I didn't realize was that we would climb 1000ft in less than a mile. Keep in mind that means about 50 steps were not at a 45 degree incline and about 50 steps were down hill.

Now ordinarly if I had known I would have been more prepared. Josie luckily managed to get Jayden up hill most of the way in and I helped backpack him out, until Jayden needed to stretch out and Josie carried him the rest of the way out. But I must admit backpacking Jayden down was easier than carrying my backpack with my water, first aid kit & heavy camera. So when Josie and I switched I had the better end of the bargain. And I got a better work out hiking than I did working out on the treadmill at the gym yesterday or dancing with friends over the last few days. Check out some pics of the hike

What a great week... what great opportunities to learn

What fun....

I went hiking with three other girls to Oconee National forest to the hidden falls. It was one of those heat advisory days. But check out that picture. Its a spiders web that holds water. It was built along one of the boulders in the water fall. Only inches away from the water, why would a spider want to hold water in its web? Any ideas? Sometimes I find the most amazingly beautiful things but wonder why? Why did some one or something work so hard for something so unusual. Is it a way of God showing me to think outside the box when looking for what to do with my life. Or is it God's way of showing me that sometimes I work so hard to do something in my life that if I look outside of my small view point of the world I would see that God has already provided for that need? At any rate, it is an interesting thing to ponder.

Can I also say I am so excited I got rid of the ugly mustard yellow color on the exterior windows and doors. No more ugly yellow !!! Now its white. And now the 9+ yellow jackets nests have been treated I may use the porch again. Check out the pics I think some areas my need a third coat. We'll see.

On Thursday after hiking I got to spend some time with the Wilder family. We had dinner together and Josie and I went to Lowes to return some things with the SUV. Jayden is moving so fast. And he is so cute. I love getting to watch my nephew grow up. And J2 are such an encouraging couple.

And did I mention I got to go to church on Wednesday? It was awesome and so much to ponder. He shared about Gal 5 about the acts of sins listed vs the fruits of the spirit that reveal the attitudes of the heart. And interestingly enough one of his points was a word of caution that we can all have problems with our actions. But the big caution is to be aware that the actions are easy to clean up. The attitudes of our heart are much more dangerous and more important to correct. Although he did caution that sins of action are often related to bad relationship choices. And he specifically cautioned us about II Cor 7 and not be yoked to the wrong things or people in life -- whether its friends, or a male/female relationship. He cautioned us not to marry projects hope that they will change. And not to fall back into wrong relationships that God has brought us out of. And to guard our hearts for out of it springs the well of life. And specifically cautioned women not to spill their lives over a cup of coffee. That in our desperation for companionship we often open ourselves up to others allowing them to have opportunity to use us or manipulate us or just have improper authority to speak into our lives. -- All stuff I needed to hear.

Later I got to go to Salsa. It was so much fun. I had my new Salsa dancing shoes to try out. Turns were so much easier. I had so much fun. I really appreciate how the guys do ask you to dance. There are a lot of really good male dancers who know how to lead. I was successful for the first time with double and triple spins with me new shoes. YEAH... I love spinning. :) And I really appreciate dancing with someone who leads smoothly. I still need to work on my bachata and meringue. What is it with my white girl stiff moves that can't get those hip movements? But each week I learn more and more and appreciate those who try to teach me new things and I am going to keep learning. That's one of the things I love about dancing.

Work hard.... & play hard

So I have spent the last few days doing repairs and maintenance around my place. One of the joys of ownership. I have recently learned a few things. I learned how to replace the inner workings of a toilet. (although one is not completely functioning -- luckily I have more than one) I have figured out how to rip out those ugly glass doors for the shower. Unfortunately I didn't have the strength to fix my dysfunctional shower head. (hopefully I can get someone to help with that in the future.) I have also learned how to change the water filter for the house. My neighbor helped me manhandle that device open. Even he struggled to get it loose. Thanks Mr Davidson.

I have also spent the last two days in the 90+ heat painting the exterior of the windows and doors. Two coats and considering a third coat on some areas. One window required using my collapsable ladder extended to its full 17 feet and standing on the second to the last step. (thats a long way down)Mrs Davidson helped me maneuver the ladder -- thanks guys!! And thank God for providing help when I needed it most. I have sprayed to kill about 7 wasps nests around my porches -- so far without having been stung. I also began to sand the ceiling in my basement bedroom tonight. It had about a third of the ceiling replaced after a leak and had the first coat of mud put up. After about 30 minutes of sanding I had to call a break secondary to inability to see and breathe. I did decide to use the old bed frame from the guest bedroom for my room. Its nice to have a bed with headboard and foot board. It's starting to feel like a grown up bedroom instead of a college dorm. I have also changed out the linens and curtains to a beige color which is pretty while feeling mature. The room still has completely unmatched furniture -- but it does have furniture...

Then I wanted to try something new again.

This seems to be my week to do new things. I went to swing dancing for the first time. I took a lesson with about 100 other people in a room that began at about 80 degrees and became unbearable by the end of the first 1/2 hour. You were sweating just sitting watching others dance. About an hour later they found a fan and started circulating a little air. At the end of the evening I was finally getting the rhythm -- step, step, rock-step with the turns and close holds. It was fun. I ran into several faces from salsa which was fun. At about 11pm walking out of the place into the 87 degree weather I found it was basically cooler outside than inside -- even when only 6 or 7 dancers remained. Hopefully it may be cooler and a smaller group the next time I can go. Entirely different muscles needed for swing than for salsa. And with a concrete floor I can feel the impact on my legs. It was fun and I hope to go back again.

This week has been satisfying in regards to getting some work done thats been on the list for about a year. I still need to work further with that bedroom ceiling. But must admit I'm not that motivated. And all my flower and vegetable gardens have become weed infested areas as I put household tasks ahead of them. One girl can't do it all is something I am learning well with this large place. But I am amazed at God's faithfulness and his assistance when I need it most. I have needed some social outings and have enjoyed this week. Well now I must get some rest. May God bless you and your activities this week.

How did you spend your day off ?

What do you do on your day off? Well now, why not plan an afternoon to be in a swim suit floating down a river on an innertube with a big group of complete strangers. And then have a picnic with them. -- worked for me. :) I decided to join a "Meet Up" group that does hiking and outdoor activities. I met them around 10am at Kay's cabin in Saluda. That's only 30 minutes from my house. She was hostessing the event. It was a cabin with a beautiful stream that ran behind it. You could sit out on the swing, around the home made picnic table, or kick back in a rocking chairs and enjoy the sound of the water as it tumbled across the boulders. Some of the gang showed up and ran back to town to grab a late breakfast since tubing wasn't available until 12:30. At noon we hit the road to drive down to the Green River Cove to rent tubes and hit the river. Apparently they release water from a dam around noon which helps create more current. We took the 3 mile trip which took about 2-2.5 hours. It was about 90 degrees outside. As we stepped into the water it felt a little too cool at first, but after sitting in the tubes for few minutes. It was the perfect temperature to keep us cool. David took the first splash into the water as we got started. In total we had 14 people in the group. Let see if I can remember everyones name -- Michael, Micheal, David, Steve, Tim, Brad, Shelton Teri, Kay, Tania, Charlotte, Janice, Wendy and I. I found it interesting how the current carried you at different speeds allowing you to chat with different people. Everyone was very friendly and willing to talk. Afterwards we drove back through the switchback road and made it to the cabin and had a picnic. We all brought food. Steve made a great spinach dip and brought panera bread. We also had toppings for hamburgers, a veggie tray,potatoe salad, & cheesecake. I really enjoyed chatting with everyone. There were so many different personalities and everyone had such varied backgrounds. I love learning about people and had so much fun. What are you doing on your next day off? Here are some pics of the picnic I hope to learn swing later this week....