Linky Love
Murder Hornets Now to be Called Northern Giant Hornet - I know you come to me for all your Murder Hornet News. Can't make me stop calling them Murder Hornets.
Deep Thoughts
Shall we recap. I definitely think this is the yard that fights back. It was filled with goat head. It had a bee problem and ant problem. There was also a backyard sewer clog. We had a leaky metal shed. Here is more info on our Tragic Backyard
Last weekend we managed to take down the metal shed after the DIY sewer clog removal. We decided to take the shed down as there was a significant roof leak that wasn't discovered until we stored some stuff in the shed. Isn't that always the way.
We also had the yard cleared. We hired someone for this. The yard fought back. The skid loader died 3 hours into the project. Because our location the rental company sent out a mechanic who didn't arrive until suppertime. So, it is still a work in progress. You can see in the above picture the elephant leg log got moved.
One of my favorite people and best friend is joining the half century club. I already joined. Happy Day and congratulations for another trip around the sun.
Inappropriate Thoughts
Deep Thoughts
Well I think we have moved in. Our new house needs some work so I thought I would move on to a new series. Our new to us house was built in the 1950's. It was completely move in ready. However, the backyard needs a lot of work. We don't have a garage and we came from a place with two garages. So, we would like to build a shop. The kitchen is small.
More importantly, we would just like to make it our own. This is the series where I am going to document some of that stuff. My husband and I like to DIY. This is an adventure.
Moving is hard. We have had our stuff at our new house for a month. I really wish I could say we are all unpacked. We are functioning fairly well. In the military they always do an after-action report so here goes mine.
The Good
Everything is functional.
We have INTERNET. Hey if you have internet, you have everything.
We have installed a new fan in our son's room
We painted 2 rooms
We have house plants
We hung some art.
People are really nice here.
We fixed several outlets.
We raised both shower heads. (Tall people problems)
The Bad
We have a lot of insect problems - See Bee Situation
Air Conditioning Problems at the beginning. The warranty repair hasn't been completed and the lights dim every time the air-conditioning comes on.
Still Goathead Infested- We are no farther on landscaping than we were when we moved in. We have hired someone to clear our yard but were set back with bees and all our utilities are located in the back yard. We have hired someone to mark the utilities. It is extremely hard to find labor to do projects. It is frustrating.
We still haven't come across some of our items because they are in storage or still in a box - scooter wheels (big deal for oldest), We have no idea where most of our tools are. Thankfully a friend lent us a starter kit so to speak.
Still so many BOXES not unpacked. There is simply no where to put the stuff.
Our table saw was damaged on arrival here.
It is pretty lonely here. People are nice here, but they don't want to be friends. It is hot and a lot of people are hunkered down inside. I knew this would be a challenge, but it apparently is extra challenging.
What We Are Working On
A new blog series called House to Home
Still Burning Backyard. We will rid it of goat heads
Our Nonna is moving here. Her house is being listed in August!
Getting a new driveway poured? Run into a language barrier, permit issue, etc.
Getting a shop built
Meeting new people and being part of this community
Oh you know I love a good thrift store story. I have been watching the Crazy Lamp Lady on YouTube. I learn so much and I enjoy watching her hunts for bargains
Check out her YouTube channel. She posts often.
Because Sharing is Caring - One of my thrift stories - When Pigs Fly
Thrift Sleuth - A worker who started reunited families with heirlooms that were donated to Vincent St Paul
Deep Thoughts
I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy. Check out what everyone else is reading.
No one is more surprised that I am actually posting books read. We have just moved. It has been an all-consuming adventure. I guess it is no surprise to anyone but my first thing I did was get a local library card.
I actually started this at the beginning when we did a house hunting trip. That was April. I have picked this up and put it down so many times. It is a good somewhat light reading book. Poppy is a travel writer, and she has a complicated relationship with her best friend who often accompanies her on her adventures.I know it got a lot of buzz last year. I think this is a great beach read. It just came at the wrong time for me.
Linky Love
Joyce Byers is a Love Letter to Single Moms - Joyce Byers is the bad ass single mom in Stranger Things
Southern Pecan Bread - Made this over the holiday weekend. This is more cake/bar like but OH MY goodness delicious. It should be with a cup 1 1/2 butter in the recipe.
Inappropriate Thoughts
I think my backyard HATES me. Finally find someone to come out and work on our backyard just clearing it. We put down a deposit and everything and BAM. We have honeybees in our cinder block fence. I CANNOT make this stuff up. So, my husband managed to find a beekeeper to come re-home the bees. Bee keeping is his side job. He is a banker. The unfortunate part is part of the fence block was taken out as the bees have built their hive in the hollow center.
The beekeeper gave us some of the comb. We will leave the blocks down for a few days then rebuild the fence.
Well it wasn't a bell but a clock chime. (Same, same) I was getting ready for bed and every once a while I hear a clock chime. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. It seemed like it was coming for the inside of the closet or wall. It wasn't happening at regular intervals. It was starting to freak me out. I finally realize it must be my grandma's clock. This was my Grandma Marvel's clock.
Toad hiding in our back patio. I know not a bug but still you know I love a good toad pic.
Inappropriate Thoughts
I had to have the bug guy out as we seemed to have an ant problem. What is so weird is has cousins from a nearby town where we use to live. I had him bait for the ants and he asked if he needed to spray for any other pests. I asked for his recommendation and the answer was scorpions or scorpion like insects. Evidently our black plastic under our rocked front yard attracts these. GREAT! I now will sleep with one eye open. He also told me that New Mexico is much buggier than where we came from. Thanks.
Binge Watching
Stranger Things (Netflix) - I watched this whole series so far with my youngest son at his request. It is definitely not my genre, but I actually enjoyed it. This series is not for everyone.
Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix) - I watched the Matthew McCaughey version. We watched the Netflix series verison. I thought it was good.
Linky Love
Massive Catfish - 70 pounds holy moly
David Sedaris is Bullish on Thank You Notes - found this link via modern Mrs Darcy
Deep Thoughts
Great Friendship Reset - This was a panel discussion that Jen Hatmaker was on. Please listen. It is so good and important. I am so lucky to have good friends. It is hard in your 50's to find friends. This is really worth a listen.
In case any of my friends read this blog. I appreciate you and I am a better person because you are in my life.
