Cleaning up...and getting ready.
So. after the invasion of the toppled oak tree, the house is almost back to (the new) normal.
The tree is mostly gone - there are some big pieces and the base of it back on the hill, but all of the tree is gone from the yard, along with a lot of branches hanging over my hot tub. In the fall I'll rake the hell out of the ground back there and sow grass seed so it can come up in the spring. Now that it gets a LOT of sun, I may actually have lawn instead of wall to wall broadleaf weeds. What a concept.
The changes in the light pattern in the backyard means I was able to replant two of the roses I got in the last shipment that weren't getting enough sun in their spots in the front yard. They'll get full sun for at least six hours a day, and the soil's really rich. I had to dig out two hostas to put them in, but I knew they wouldn't do well there now that it's sunny most of the time. Besides, they were just the plain green ones (which are all over the backyard) rather than the variegated ones, so I didn't feel bad about it. I hit them each with a dose of transplant fertilizer solution and watered the heck out of them, so I'll cross my fingers. The climbers I planted also get a lot more sun now, and since they survived the tree falling around them (the third plant closer to the back fence was not so lucky). Now they're sprouting leaves like crazy, even the one that looked really sickly when I got it (even if they are growing directly out of the bud union, at least they'll be healthy).
I also mowed the lawn (damn, it's been almost two weeks, and it was actually a bit of work today). Even did the edging and a bit of weeding. I think I spent three hours out there, I hope I didn't get sunburned.
The hot tub guys came and my #1 pump is shot (it kind of works, but it's not working all the way/right - I can only turn it on high speed). I had to pay out of pocket for them to order the pump (ouch), but they already wrote me the receipt for the pump and installation, so I'll get those receipts (that and the tree removal one) out to the insurance company so I can deposit the check when I get back. It's times like this I'm relieved to have savings, and I realize how stressed I get when I start to deplete them (even if I know I'm going to put it right back in less than a month). Thank goodness for homeowners insurance. Double thanks for remembering to get the option for replacement cost on everything.
Trying to find a replacement fire pit this time of year is a bit of a hassle (it got a leg knocked off when the tree hit it). The stores are selling out of their summer stuff and there isn't much left, so I have to order it online. I won't be able to find the exact same one, but I'll get something similar, and I can start burning wood (of which I have quite a bit) again.
I'm going to finish loading the music I need on my DJ laptop tonight and then I have to pack sometime tomorrow. We're leaving Sunday afternoon and then the fun begins. R is watching the house/dogs for me while I'm gone, and she'll be over here. That makes me feel better, because the dogs are so used to having humans around.
insafemode came over last night after the team send-off at the ship, and as always the dogs were ecstatic to see him. He actually fell asleep on the couch and Mikey at one point. I'm told Mikey makes a very comfy pillow (he's got a big butt, so that makes sense). It was really cute because they were both sleeping and snoring just the littlest bit - Mikey totally dug having a human sleeping on him. I felt bad waking safey up to go to bed in an actual bed, but I knew he'd have a nasty crick in his neck and back if I left them there. :)
It's almost time to head to the land of cheese. I'm totally thrilled, and I mean that most sincerely.
The tree is mostly gone - there are some big pieces and the base of it back on the hill, but all of the tree is gone from the yard, along with a lot of branches hanging over my hot tub. In the fall I'll rake the hell out of the ground back there and sow grass seed so it can come up in the spring. Now that it gets a LOT of sun, I may actually have lawn instead of wall to wall broadleaf weeds. What a concept.
The changes in the light pattern in the backyard means I was able to replant two of the roses I got in the last shipment that weren't getting enough sun in their spots in the front yard. They'll get full sun for at least six hours a day, and the soil's really rich. I had to dig out two hostas to put them in, but I knew they wouldn't do well there now that it's sunny most of the time. Besides, they were just the plain green ones (which are all over the backyard) rather than the variegated ones, so I didn't feel bad about it. I hit them each with a dose of transplant fertilizer solution and watered the heck out of them, so I'll cross my fingers. The climbers I planted also get a lot more sun now, and since they survived the tree falling around them (the third plant closer to the back fence was not so lucky). Now they're sprouting leaves like crazy, even the one that looked really sickly when I got it (even if they are growing directly out of the bud union, at least they'll be healthy).
I also mowed the lawn (damn, it's been almost two weeks, and it was actually a bit of work today). Even did the edging and a bit of weeding. I think I spent three hours out there, I hope I didn't get sunburned.
The hot tub guys came and my #1 pump is shot (it kind of works, but it's not working all the way/right - I can only turn it on high speed). I had to pay out of pocket for them to order the pump (ouch), but they already wrote me the receipt for the pump and installation, so I'll get those receipts (that and the tree removal one) out to the insurance company so I can deposit the check when I get back. It's times like this I'm relieved to have savings, and I realize how stressed I get when I start to deplete them (even if I know I'm going to put it right back in less than a month). Thank goodness for homeowners insurance. Double thanks for remembering to get the option for replacement cost on everything.
Trying to find a replacement fire pit this time of year is a bit of a hassle (it got a leg knocked off when the tree hit it). The stores are selling out of their summer stuff and there isn't much left, so I have to order it online. I won't be able to find the exact same one, but I'll get something similar, and I can start burning wood (of which I have quite a bit) again.
I'm going to finish loading the music I need on my DJ laptop tonight and then I have to pack sometime tomorrow. We're leaving Sunday afternoon and then the fun begins. R is watching the house/dogs for me while I'm gone, and she'll be over here. That makes me feel better, because the dogs are so used to having humans around.
insafemode came over last night after the team send-off at the ship, and as always the dogs were ecstatic to see him. He actually fell asleep on the couch and Mikey at one point. I'm told Mikey makes a very comfy pillow (he's got a big butt, so that makes sense). It was really cute because they were both sleeping and snoring just the littlest bit - Mikey totally dug having a human sleeping on him. I felt bad waking safey up to go to bed in an actual bed, but I knew he'd have a nasty crick in his neck and back if I left them there. :)
It's almost time to head to the land of cheese. I'm totally thrilled, and I mean that most sincerely.