3.24.2012

Patio Makeover

Sadly, it has been about 3 months since I've blogged.  Lately, with time constraints, nothing has seemed worthy of consuming the time it takes to blog about something.  I wish I could keep blogs short like some people are capable of doing so well, but I tend to go on and on...

Today I am brought here because I am forcing myself to take it easy today.  The sun has come out and is so beautiful and warm, but I have the Big Climb tomorrow... and I'm going to need all the energy I can get to beat last year's time.  As soon as I saw the sun today, I wanted to play tennis or go on a long hike; but alas, my legs must rest. 

Lately our patio has been bugging me; here's a "before" photo: notice the dirty floor, unused/stacked/dirty chairs, a rose bush that is out of control, empty planters, and a hanging planter....sitting.  I also want to point out that the chairs, long planters, and the hanging planter are all DUMPSTER finds!!! I guess we've just been adding to our continually growing pile of treasures.




For Valentine's Day, Collin bought me a few things, including some seeds to plant in the planters we found.  Today we went out to buy fresh soil, a hook to hang our planter, and some trays to catch water under the planters.  When we got home, we did a complete patio makeover... we re-potted some plants, planted our seeds, cleaned the porch, and installed the planter hook.  We have to keep the seeds inside where it's warmer for a little while, then we will be transporting them back outside.

Hopefully Koda won't destroy this while we're away!



KODA WILL BE ONE HAPPY KITTY!


Below is an AFTER photo of our patio.  I can't wait to sit and relax when the sun comes out more.  I also can't wait to have our own yard and garden!  Notice our hanging planter, the pruned rose bush, the clean chairs and floor...


One more thing to mention... weeks ago, Collin brought home a bird nest that had fallen out of a tree during the wind storm, which followed the snow storm.  I hope to use it as a wall decoration, so I am sealing it with clear spray paint:





I hope you enjoyed my lazy Saturday blog!  I'll be back to share how I performed at the Big Climb!

1.02.2012

Break for Books


Well, this Christmas vacation was a Break for Books!  I've never read 10 large books in a period of 12 days, but I accomplished just that!  I am thankful for these breaks from school because during the school year, I seldom find time to read for fun.  I loved every single one of these books and recommend all of them!

10 Books Read During Break (for a total of 3,204 pages!):




10.15.2011

Fall Fun

Today Collin and I went to Lattin's Cider Mill and Schilter Family Farms... we like Lattin's because it has a lot of animals and fall festivities, but Schilter has a great pumpkin selection!  Last year, going to these farms was literally the best day I ever had with Collin, yes even better than our wedding day!... so I was really looking forward to going today.  I can't say enough how much I love the fall season.  It was a fantastic day, I took a bunch of pictures and we even got Koda a pumpkin!  Enjoy the pictures below :)

Can't wait to carve our pumpkin tomorrow!

























10.02.2011

Koda 7 weeks

Koda, 7 weeks
We got to visit Koda one last time today, at 7 weeks of age!  We are bringing her home next weekend!! I am sooo excited to finally have a pet of our own.  I have been going through pet withdrawals for the last few years being away from home, and any of my friends who have pets probably see my desperation when I visit and spend the whole time cuddling their pets :)

We have been quite thrifty in this process of getting Koda (which, by the way, means 'friend').  Craigslist has been our real friend.  We got a litter box for free, and we're going to make 2 stops tonight to pick up a $40 cat tree (listed on Craigslist for $50 and almost $200 at pet stores) and a $10 pet carrier to double as a bed (listed at $60 online). 

The last few times we visited Koda, she cried a lot when she was taken from her mother.  This time, she was mellow as can be and very sweet.  Even when we were laying her on her back to comb out a few fleas, she just quietly meowed and her eyes couldn't help from shutting to fall asleep!  She doesn't try to wriggle and claw away when she doesn't like something.  I LOVE that! 

I decided to get a few really good pictures of her, her mom and her litter mates.  Enjoy!

top of Koda's head... love the little orange splotch

Koda in front

Koda's Mama... a bobtail cat.  Some of the other kittens also have bobtails.

sweet little girl hanging out on the stool.
getting ready for fall!




being preyed upon by Roxy.. haha!



Mama kitty again
Koda on the top right