Tuesday, May 6, 2008

gettin things done

The weekend was a busy one. I did not do any walking but I did keep active. We had a good rain the first half of the day. Not enough to soak things but there was enough to water the garden good. The plants are growing nicely. My big surprise was a peach! that's right I have a few peaches on my tree. Maybe, just maybe, I will actually get some peaches this year.  Yummy!

I started cutting grass Friday. I said started. I got the back yard cut and around the peach trees cut. I started cutting the garden area and that was it. I ran over some wire and that was the end of my cutting. I thought, no problem. I will just get the wire off and finish up. I unwrapped wire from the blades and there was still wire there. I could not get it all off. So I got out the ratchet set to remove the nut that holds the blade on. I drove the mower u p on the ramps and started working on it. What a struggle. Pat had it on so tight that I could not get it off. I pushed and pulled, even used my legs. It was a no go. All I got out of it was bruises on my arm, cuts on my hand and grass in my face. So I said to myself, ok, no problem, Pat can do it tomorrow. I will just use the weed eater. I mixed up some gas for it, replaced the primer button with the new on(the old one had cracked), and cranked it up. The darn thing would not stay going. So I check it over. The intake tube is split! then I see the filter floating in the gas tank not attached to anything. Now I have to use the short weed eater! Kind of frustrating when everything starts falling apart just as you start working. I have everything going again except for the weed eater. I still need to get to store and buy some new tubing for the intake.

We got the tractor going Sunday. Hooked up the cutting disc and worked on the garden.  We are having a bit of trouble with the tractor. Thinking maybe something is in gas tank because it tries to stop when we go uphill. After cutting the ground up pretty good I hooked up the tiller. We ran it until the battery went dead. I was going to finish yesterday but the battery was still charging. All I have is a trickle charger for the motorcycle. The big one died. Not a good year for equipment. I will be finishing up the garden in just a little bit.

We went for a bike ride Saturday. It felt so good to have the wind on my face again and the power of that bike between my legs. I thought it was so appropriate when the radio(yes we have a radio on the bike) started playing "Born To be Wild" I would love to get my own bike. I am looking forward to traveling the country on our bike. I am ready now! Just need to figure out all the places we want to go.

Tonight is Brook's first test towards her black belt. I think I am more nervous than she is. The next couple weeks are filled to the brim with stuff. 4 tests in 3 weeks, 2 school projects due, field day Friday at school, I will be totally grey headed when this is all over with!

Scampi is sick. That dog is so sensitive. yesterday he refused to eat or drink. he had fever all day. I gave him antibiotics. I have a 5 day supply here. I think it is his umm, male parts again.  I am making him drink. I have a bottle with a hole in the top and it dribbles in his mouth and he swallows.
He is doing better today but still not eating. He is moving around some today.
Okay, time for me to get busy. I need to eat and then outside to the garden. I hear the call of the tractor. (yes I really like riding it). And yes I did walk 2.1 miles this morning.

Friday, May 2, 2008

oops

Weighed in this morning. My weight was 190. It is down 3 pounds from last week. It is not an actual loss. Why do I say that? Well last week was water retention week. The only good thing I can say is I am not gaining. Need better control of hand to mouth movement.

I walked 2.1 miles every day this week. I am proud of myself. Today I walked alone since K did not feel up to it. I took Scampi with me for companionship. LOL.  I am enjoying my walks. I made it today in 45 minutes. I can walk it faster without K. I could walk it a lot faster if it was flat ground. The beginning of my walk is downhill, my driveway. Next comes a hill that is a steep grade uphill. It is short so there are no brake warnings! LOL There should be. I'm telling you the cars can really get some speed going coming down it.  Once past that hill it is a gradual uphill then it drops down. The last leg of the first mile is flat ground. Now the turn around and back up the hill LOL. Today I had a variety of smells to tickle my senses. The pleasant scent of fertilizer whiffed though the air causing my nose to crinkle. Next the wonderful smell of bacon (on the hoof) assaulted my senses. Soon afterwards the sweet scent of rotting flesh greeted me. All I can say is, good thing I have a strong stomach!

Brook is working hard at her black belt training. The first test is Tuesday. That test will be testing her on forms, grab techniques, knife defense, and throws.

We got the part for the motorcycle. Now all that is left is to put it on the bike and it will be ready to go. With gas over $3.50 a gallon we need it back on the road. With the bike we will be able to go places on the weekend, maybe take a short vacation.

Time for me to get busy. I have lots to do before the weekend gets here. I need to shampoo the hall again and finish the living room. See y'all soon.