Transformations

It was an unexpectedly glorious day yesterday, although I spent some of it dealing with appointments with the asbestos inspector and the abatement company at the kids' house. The highlight of that was that I had the inspector's two sons in class and they were fabulous. "They loved you!" is always nice to hear. The lowlight was that it's going to be costly to remove the old furnace and pipes. In between meeting with the asbestos guys, John and I mowed for HOURS. Didn't we just do that last week? Fortunately/Unfortunately, the conditions are perfect for grass growing with just enough sun, then the rain. Not the best weather for scheduling yard work though. 

This is the frontal view of some of my work. See the nice lines? I'm a little (?) obsessive.

Speaking of that, John was mowing this area for the third time. I think he wins the Compulsiveness Competition. :)

This is only most of our bags of grass; the kids need a yard waste container! A few of them fit in mine (I have a lawn too!) and a few more will go into my neighbor's. He often uses my recycle bin, so he was happy to help out. 

We definitely earned our sunny picnic. Have I mentioned how much I adore hard boiled eggs? The only thing better is deviled eggs which I'm craving at the moment. I understand if you don't share my passion. Even I don't know why I love them so much. 

Although I'm not thrilled with any photos of me lately(those pandemic pounds, ugh!), I wanted to show off the kids' new couch. ;)

And VOILA! I can't wait to see their living room put together with the addition of their gray recliner and a lovely rug. A big orange cat lying around. A little boy playing with construction equipment. It's going to look like home. 

John and I were lucky that we decided on Wednesday for our yard work since the atmospheric river arrived this morning...with a vengeance. I needed to wear my Keen walking boots instead of these very wet shoes. And a waterproof jacket would have been a good choice. 

Meanwhile in 81-degree New York, this sweetly smirking Little Guy was polishing off the rugelach that he was only supposed to eat half of. I've tasted this delicious pastry freshly baked from a vendor at their local Farmer's Market, and I would've done the same! There will be much to miss about this place although it'll be delightful to have them here. To embrace the new, you have to let go of the old; sadly, it's often more poignant and complicated than we anticipate. 

 

 

Comments

[DrumMajor Linda in Kansas]

Your New Yorkers are lucky you and John are keeping their house in tip top shape until they arrive. You need a blow-up kid pool next to the grass! Need to order that riding mower. Then you can borrow it for your yards. Yep, K.C. metro had 4 tornadoes dancing around at 1:30 a.m.! 30 blocks from me, but just a few trees into roofs, and lots of them blocking streets, with many without power. Nobody hurt, which is amazing for that time of night. Linda in Kansas

[Joanne Noragon]

I love deviled eggs. Hardboiled, not so much. That is a lot of yard waste; good you have an accommodating neighbor with ample trash cans. I imagine the entire neighborhood smiles at the impending return of the owners of the house!

[Doug M]

You and John make a good team! The outside looks so nice, and their new couch is a mirror of mine, right down to the color. Margaret, I had to laugh at your confession of hard boiled eggs, what's not to love? I have at least 2 every week, and anytime we had a Bring-Food-In Day at the office, I always brought a tray of deviled eggs I made myself. :^)~

[Tonya Watkins]

I DO like hard boiled eggs, with a little salt! (And sliced. Is that weird?)

It's got to be challenging to fit in lawn mowing (three houses, right?) between this unrelenting rain. I know you're having to deal with WET GRASS even if the sun comes out for a while. I remember that as no fun at all.

Nice couch! Beautiful grandson!

[AC]

One of my quirks is that I can barely stomach looking at a hard boiled egg, or at least someone eating one. Our grandson likes them, but I avert my eyes. I don’t mind an egg salad sandwich though or eggs in other forms.

[Arkansas Patti]

The kids are so lucky to have you and John as advance preparers and landscapers. Looking good. Will you still do the lawn mowing when they move in?

[Luftmentsch]

I can't blame your grandson for eating the whole rugelach!

[Ally Bean]

A yard waste container? We don't have those here. Of course we live beside a forest so we toss yard waste back there. I've been craving deviled eggs lately, too. Maybe this weekend I'll make some.

[Ed]

I’m in agreement on boiled and deviled eggs. Later on Easter Day was always a great time for me.

[Debbie]

OD new couch looks a lot like my repurposed one left by Alison before her move! Our gardeners actually came yesterday after hours of the torrential rains and mowed the lawns during the continued downpour. No rain gear either.

[Susan]

It is good to get rid of any asbestos as the health risks are significant. The lawns look outstanding and the straight lines are to perfection. Deviled eggs are a favorite of mine too. (Now I want some for lunch!) The couch looks great. Have you considered a riding mower as a housewarming gift? 3 lawns to mow weekly is a lot of mowing. You and John could break in the new mower... Sweet N does love his rugelach.

[Maureen]

This is the time of year for concentrated yard work. Copious rain and sun are leading to lush lawns and gardens. You surely don't need to join a gym with all the work you're doing.
That house is adorable as is your grandson!

[Catalyst]

Your New York daughter and her husband are lucky to have you two keeping their property looking so nice. But beware! They may expect you to continue the free yard work after they've moved in! :D

[Zazzy]

It looks like you need a nice composting bin. Why are you wasting all those grass clippings?

Soon the family will be headed this way! Yay!! Be able to see Grandson in person again.

[Pam Donaldson]

Could you just send John across to London to keep Laura and Andy's lawn under control? Once a week would be fine. Thanks!

[StoicWannabe]

Two hours of mowing?? Wow. I bet they'll appreciate your hard work. When do they move in?

I'd love to hear about your Keen boots. I have the sandals, which I do like a lot, but if I wear them too long, the seam hits at the base of my big toenail and rubs. I'd still like to walk on rainy days like you do.

Love hard-boiled eggs and deviled eggs (well, unless someone is throwing funky, nontraditional things in there).

[Jenni Elyse]

I also love boiled and deviled eggs. When I did keto, I lived on deviled eggs. I'm surprised I didn't start hating them after that. I can no longer stand to eat bacon, coconut, or cauliflower. I'm glad I still love eggs.

Your grandson is adorable. And the yard work that you and John did looks really nice.