Monday, May 29, 2017

post op and Memorial Day

We were nervous about an umbilical hernia surgery for E.  We both took off work Friday to be with him.  Everything ended up working out really well.  We were able to take a tour of the facility a week prior, so we knew what to expect with the multiple different check in, operation, wake up, and recovery rooms.  All the providers and nurses were lovely and attentive.  E had to fast until after his procedure, so playing wii video games for the first time with his dad was a great distraction.  He had painted the inside of his mask with lime smelling chapstick and the nurse held the table so he could play the lego game until he fell asleep.  R got to wear the blue “bunny” suit and go in while he fell asleep (the first minute).
He got popsicles, graham cracker and juice in the recovery room.  This part was a little strained because he was sleepy and quiet, not him normal smiling self.   We chilled out at home for the rest of the day.  The next day he was feeling pain, but normal personality again.  He got to watch rescue bots for many hours, in mom and dad’s bed, as special recovery treatment.  We had a couple of friends drop by to visit him.  (so very thoughtful Ms. C and B family)  As we hoped, after the long weekend, he is acting pretty normal, and free of pain.  Despite the good recover, we’ll follow the dr orders and lay low for 2 weeks.



 We took a morning road trip to the Tahoma National Cemetery to remember those service members who have died.
 Both parents enjoyed the long weekend. E was recovering.  but R and I both got some to do items crossed off our list.  I snapped quick pictures just to remember.  R put in hours starting to get the garage organized.  he's down there now, doing more.  what a task!  bought some shelving units and took a trip to the dump.

 this is the "after" picture, of that end of the driveway spot.  mugo pine in the middle should get 10-12 feet tall, with some grasses on the side.
 when my mother in law was visiting, she went around taking pictures of everything in the yard.  i never did that, so these are not really "before" pictures, but somewhere in the middle.  this section we planted 3 heathers.  they are so beautiful in the spring, one of the first colors to bloom.  i'm watering a lot this year so these new plants can get established. 
then below the heather, today, i transplanted sedum from our old house.  hoping i can get that to grow, to stop the dirt from slowly falling down through those rocks.
 this is just above the heather and new sedum.  we flattened out this side yard, put down some lawn soil and planted grass seed.  i'll keep it watered, and hope it will grow nicely. (and that the birds don't eat it all). oh boy. now i'm going crazy trying to figure out where is the gauzy garden cover that i need.
 grapes are growing really well, despite dry soil.  i cut them back by the windows, so that we can get new windows in a few weeks.
 this tree is wobbly and full of ants. needs to go.
 we are both putting in hours to attack the bindweed, morning glory invasion. painting each vine with round-up, trying to kill it all the way to the roots.
 rob installed our new mailbox!  the calla lily are so pretty.
 more bindweed.
 planted a rock rose on top of the rockery.  flattened the grass with straw and mulch.  hooked up the soaker hose.
 planted the mother's day blue lou and green prince.
 more weeding and mulching in the back.

these two pictures show how overgrown this area is.  there is a dry creek bed that runs under the bridge.  we need to pull out all the grass and weeds and get the rocks on top of the soil instead of buried.  we have two bee bushes that are humming with activity while in bloom.


Sunday, May 21, 2017

it's getting nicer


 taco bar at the church for cinco de mayo.  e enjoyed the pinata.
 oh boy.  this little triangle garden spot at the end of the driveway took my multiple weeks to clear out the weeds and rock "mulch".  then the shovel hit a buried metal treasure.  R was awesome and dug up the rusty old scrap metal.  now we've planted a mugo pine and grasses covered with a warm bark mulch.  i'll have to post an "after" picture.

we now have to make sure to put on sunscreen for these weekend gardening days.  we are starting to realize the wisdom of original owners in designing the house with only one west facing window.  hoorah for sunshine!
 whenever i do go to a gathering, i usually come away with some helpful new knowledge.  here, one of the friends brought microwave in the pouch madras lentils.  I found a copycat recipe and made my own.  there were great!

 May is bike month.  fortunately, e's school is active and involved in all sorts of activities.  we got our act together and got the pedals on the bike and got e ready for a bike rodeo and bike to school day.  we rode to anchor park (1.5 miles away from the house) to meet the others and then all rode to school together.  it was an early morning to do the ride before school starts.


 sometimes we just don't get it all done and get to bed on time.
 remembering last year's young authors day with our matching shirts.
 tulips from a friend that grew even though i planted them in January.
 happy mothers day!  thank you to E and R for awesome artwork and love and a new camera.
 babysitting our friend O while his parents went to U2 concert.
 e's Night of the Arts.  his class sang "Sing" on stage with actions.  we saw his artwork posted at school and also displayed at one of the restaurants at the beach.  a fun night.  

 I've been reaching out to build up some exercise buddies.  here i meet a new friend for 5:30am run.  it was awesome. 
e's doing t-ball. he's got a good team and is enjoying it.  practices throwing with dad at home.

time for outside time

 I certainly got special treatment on my birthday. healthy dinner that i didn't prepare and tres leches cake too!  2 new pines for our garden: e chose Green Prince, and R chose Blue Lou, and a gardening kneeling pad - what did i ever do without one of those.  :) all in all it was perfect, except for the turning 40(!!!) part.


 yes!  love these two for helping out in the yard.  this has been our regular Saturday activity for many a weekend now.  here seen uprooting the invasive bamboo.
we took a few breaks from yardwork to get e ready for bike month.  fortunately, he was ready to roll after practicing without pedals last fall.  had some unsteady wavering, but got in the groove, and has now completed several long rides... and... he loves it.  almost as much as he loves t-ball and violin :)  he's open for all kinds of different adventures.  here we visited with our friend Ms. J who lives near the super smooth Burke-Gilman trail.

a reminder about how to trim back the grapes in the fall.  they are growing quickly now!

family visitors to our new home

These are my photos of the time with our T family.   It's really nice to have the beach within walking distance.  It was April, and cold enough that we wore coats and hats for those beach walks, but warmer weather now means we can shed the layers.

 a sweet little plant shop near the consignment furniture store.

Monster sized iced teas!
 it was really convenient to have a minivan so that we could all ride together.
 harbor seal resting on the beach



got some fun Pacific Northwest fabric to make a quilt.  these gentlemen were patient while I shopped.
 Nana says e has an eagle spirit.  the eagle symbol signifies courage, wisdom and strength.
always fun to visit colorful Pike Place market.

it's always windy on the front of the ferry

 
we were excited to show everyone our forest park, which is also close and fun for after-school walks.




the flamingos might be my favorite animal at the zoo. zookeeper brought out some new little ones and all the others moved en masse away, seems they were trying to get the new little ones used to the group. but all the regulars were shy of the people. the flamingos and other birds seem happy and to have enough space, despite the enclosures. 

we tried some gluten free and dairy free dishes.