Garbage

Just so I'm not dwelling on our vacation too much, I did want to comment about our recycling and garbage lately. I know our garbage has to be a fascinating topic for everyone!

Actually, it's just a positive reinforcement. After my post some time ago about recycling (I'd link up to it, but I'm feeling a little too lazy at the moment), I started making a conscious effort to recycle more. There were a lot of things we were just throwing in the garbage, lots of plastic and paper. I'm happy to say that we've immediately noticed the difference. I'd say we're putting out twice as much recycling, and about half as much garbage. We used to burn the boxes, but those are all in recycling now. It typically takes me about five trips now to cart it all out to the road. It's a little more work, but what a great feeling!

As for vacation, three days and counting....

Tags: recycling

Ingenious!

Before I talk about my ingenious find, I want to wish all the dads out there a belated happy Father's Day. I talked to my Pop Saturday afternoon, and I think he knows how much I love and appreciate and admire him. You're the best, Dad! And my husband the Dad is also great. Speaking for myself, Dads and daughters are a special thing.

Last week, I read about these in a travel magazine. Check it out:

These are Muji speakers, and I know you can't really tell much from this picture, but they're the coolest little things--they're collapsible cardboard! They break down and fit into a provided plastic envelope that's no bigger than 8''x11". You just plug your MP3 player into 'em, and you're good to go. Since we're going on vacation, I thought these would be perfect for times when we want to play some music, like when we're cooking dinner at the timeshare. A nice little Father's Day gift for Ken! You can find them at the Museum of Modern Art, in NYC, and online at their website. Such clever little audio devices!

I got my clothes laid out for vacation (4 days and counting!) today, and we've already started packing things. I had kind of a hard time today deciding what was Florida, what was cruise, and what could be both, but I think I got it sorted out. Now it's odds and ends. Yippeee!

I'm going to miss our cat, Sheeba, but I know Cousin Shane will take good care of him. I got a few pictures on my camera so I can see him when I miss him too much. I call this one Sheeba the Sphinx. Ha!

Tags: Father's Day, Museum of Modern Art, Muji speakers

Countdown

A week from today--actually to almost the exact time--we should be (knock on wood) in Florida, smelling the salt air, and feeling the ocean breeze.

I can hardly stand the wait. ACK!

A little preoccupied

I can focus on two things lately.

First, our vacation. I've started packing, and I daydream about it constantly. Not just the cruise, but the week prior in Florida at our timeshare. This has traditionally been our week to totally and completely chill, and we pretty much sit on the balcony and read, or lay out on the beach, or play in the ocean. It's the most laidback week we have, and I look forward to it each and every year! Usually we head home, refreshed and revitalized, after a week, but this time we venture off on a cruise for the second week. That's a whole 'nother set of planning and research, and I'm looking forward to that, as well. I've never been on a cruise before, and I think it's going to be a blast!

Second, it's been very hot and humid here lately. In the high 80's or lower 90's. My only goal when I get home is to get done what I need to get done inside and then head out to sit on the deck and read. Not only is it cooler to sit outside, I find that I treasure these summer days more and more, and don't want to be sitting inside when I don't have to. I don't always get done what I need to get done for the next day (the little things like making coffee and lunches) until right before bedtime, but it's worth it to just take a little time and enjoy what our place has to offer this time of year. I might be reading, but I'm also watching and listening to the birds, and I get a chance to watch them at the feeders.

So my posting and my email correspondence has been suffering, but I'm not going to feel overly guilty about it. Some things are priority, and enjoying this weather is one of them.

Quick note: there has been a lot of speculation about the finale of "The Sopranos." I don't care what anyone says or thinks, Tony is NOT DEAD. Do you hear me? Not dead. I refuse to believe that. Fuggedaboudit.

A perfect day, part deux

Today is a virtual carbon copy of yesterday...but I had less work to do around the house! I still got stuff done, like changing the sheets, etc., but the best part was I got a jump on packing for our big trip, which is coming up sooner than I can believe. I got the garment bag out and started packing the nice clothes for the cruise--dresses, skirts, etc. I think there's just enough room left in there for Ken's suit. :) Of course, I will remove things and fold them if I need to, so that Ken has room for his nicer clothes. And I have to say, I planned well, because I have plenty of nice outfits for dinner. This is gonna be fun!

Today I watched a pair of chipmunks (Names? Chip and Dale, obviously.) chase each other around. I'll get a picture up here before too long. They're the cutest little guys, and the don't just run, they run and LEAP.

Later that day....

Here's a picture of Chip or Dale. Awwww!

A perfect day

Well, as close to perfect as possible! Winning the lottery or a free trip to Vegas might have been the icing on the cake, but for all intents and purposes, I had a lovely day.

The weather doesn't get any better: sunny and about 85°. I weeded the bed in the garden where I planted the corn, and the corn is a couple of inches high, the zucchini are up, and the beans are 4-6" high! The only thing I'm concerned about is that the cucumbers aren't up yet. It's been warm enough that they should be...hmmmm.

The birds were very active today, and I got to spend some deck time watching them. I was a little worried about a young blue jay sitting on the birdbath this morning. He obviously wasn't comfortable with flying, and his attempt to fly up to the roof got him to the deck surface. When I went out there, he flew up to the deck railing, and a little bit later, he managed to fly into the woods. I was so glad he was okay! He was cute, and still had lots of fluffy feathers.

I got 8 perennials on sale yesterday, and got those planted today. The front flower bed is coming along! I'm trying to get all perennials out there, because it is really a pain to plant a bunch of annuals every year. I have no problem with planting annuals in our flower boxes on the deck, but planting a couple of flats of annuals in the front each year is just too dang much work! I hope these new perennials will do as well as the ones I planted last summer.

I talked to my folks this morning, and they're doing quite well. I was sitting out on the deck when I talked to Dad, and Dad said, "I hear birds!" They were singing very loudly, and he got such a kick out of that.

Ahh. Life is good.

Tags: gardening