My pond is back!!!

A horrible winter and either shifting earth or a boy playing airsoft,

( we aren't sure which) knocked my beautiful angel into the pond face first!  The boys brought her out again, but then there was a rip in the pond liner.  Joe cleaned the pond and patched the tear and then filled up the pond. Oh! I love, love LOVE my little seating area! Isn't it great?

I planted hydrangeas and we set up the gate I found at T.J. Maxx last winter.

                                  All I need now is new goldfish! Woo Hoo!!!

Once when I was younger

 I was naturally thin. I could eat and drink like there was no tomorrow and not gain a pound. I never had to exercise (I HATE to exercise, actually). That was one thing I never worried much about.

Then I fell in love and got married and the babies came, one after another. For about 10 years I was either pregnant or just getting over being pregnant! And with every baby came a little more weight.

You would think with 5 children under 8, I would be runnin off any extra weight. Not true. I breast fed and that is supposed to help. Also not true. Over the years  I've tried lots of ways. I lose some and gain some back. It's AWFUL!


Now I'm 50 and if I don't start doing somethng, I will have some real health issues headed my way.
Last month I decided to do a 5K. Gillian went with me. Our goal was to finish in under and hour. We made it in just over 56 minutes.

When I got home I signed up for anothe 5K this month. The goal was to finish in under 50 minutes.


Bright and early this morning Gillian, Matt, Jim and I headed out to Rochester for the race.  The first time I wasn't worried at all. This time I was hurting after 1/4 mile!  I was determined to do this, but at the same time I really wasn't sure that I could!

 By the last mile I was nearly in tears. Who wants to fail? The boys had finished and come back to walk me in. Gillian stayed with me the whole time. I was short of breath and hurting, but if I slowed down, I would never make my goal! So, I kept going.

Finally, we hit that finish line!! I tried to run in but had to quit running a few yards away from the finish line. I thought I would die! But, I didn't and you know what?  As really crappy as I felt trying to finish, that's how good I feel because I did and I made my goal.

Not too bad for an old fat chick.

Tomorrow, I start looking for our June 5K. That one has a goal of under 45 minutes!

Pray for me.

April showers bring a whole lot of mud!!!

I'm late! All that rain has made it impossible to get the garden planted  on time. Finally, yesterday, I got the old garden tilled up. (parts of the new garden are still pretty wet and muddy). I am hoping to get out there and plant corn and potatoes today.

I am continuing the to move things around inside the house. I finally found a sofa bed for the library, but now stuck with an extra couch! I would LOVE to find a great deal on sectional for the living room. That whole room is being moved around, but not until after our contract with Dish Network (who's customer service stinks on ice) and we change back to Direct T.V.  in July. 

I was going to paint the living room. In fact, I actually did one wall, but I hated it, so I painted it back.

I may wallpaper my parlor in the fall. I'm thinkin' plaid! LOL

Jim and his friend Vanessa tripped the light fantastic at the Junior Prom a few weeks ago. My baby actually fits into his Dad's tuxedo! That is just too, too weird!

They had a nice time, though Jim was exhausted. He and Matty had a track meet that day. Jim barely made it home in time to shower and change!  These kids are always on the go.

My Matty turned 15 last week.  Usually they get the day off to hang with their Dad on their birthday, but Matt has so much going on at school that he just couldn't take a day off!!  He had a nice birthday, though. He got his Sushi lunch and his cookie cake that evening.  He is such a great young man! And we're so proud of him.

We filled the finch feeders last weekend and were rewarded with a whole flock of visitors. I have to say, being able to look out our kitchen window and see the beautiful birds sure makes doing the dishes a lot more fun!

Joe built me this great cold frame to start my salad garden in. He is just the best! He can build anything!

Mothers day was lovely. We had sunshine and flowers blooming! I got 5 more rose bushes for my rose hedge and a gazing ball! I've always wanted one of these things!  Isn't it great? I think, though, I will move it up closer to the house, because the wind around her can get so violent. I'm afraid it will get blown over and break.

I am cleaning out my pond.  My Angel statue fell over and, I suspect, put a hole in the liner. If I can find the hole I can patch it. If I can't I am going to have to replace the whole liner. I would really rather not do that!

The chicks have moved outside, but are not in with my big chickens yet. They older ones would tear up the new ones. Chickens are not really very nice. Still, they lay the most beautiful brown eggs and they are so lovely to look at.

I hope your May is moving along sunnily! What have you been up to lately?