June 2, 2010

I was up around 5:30 - I wanted to view a little O'Wich TV. We are thinking we need to set up a "sting" operation to see exactly what "creatures of the night" are cleaning out all the bird feeders...we were "hit again"! Disappointed that there was nothing on TV, I stayed up because I was warm and hungry. Carlo was hungry too and had the (leftover) breakfast of champions - or would it be O'Wichians?

I checked my email and sat on the front porch as it started to rain. The air outside was cool and my coffee was perfect. As I sat on the rocker, the sun was coming up and I was listening to the soft rain droplets as they fell through the leaves. The birds were singing in their voices of morning delight and all of the peace and quiet made me wish we didn't have to go home!

I snapped some pictures as we were leaving to get an idea of where we are going to place the shrubs we bought. Then of course, I needed an updated photo of the front of the cabin. What a transformation this place has endured in (the almost) four years we've had it!

As we drove down the road, there were cranes in the fields.

I also updated my picturesque O'Wich neighborhood album with a couple of last minute photos.

Then as we drove down the highway, Carlo mentioned again how awesome a BK in the area would be. He thinks this would be the perfect site for it! And it's just around the corner!

Can't believe we have to wait 5 whole days to get back! TICK TOCK - TICK TOCK!

June 1, 2010

I was up by 6:00 am and looking forward to a cup of coffee and as I do every day when I get up, I opened the deck blinds. This day I see a bird fluttering above the door trying to get his bird nest building crap back to the area I cleared out yesterday. Seems like "the war is on" - again! I also noticed that the feeder was again "hit" and there were remnants of it on the ground! What creature is doing this???

Aside from the bird construction, I did enjoy the chirping birds (most likely they were just angry and yelling at me). I watched a deer at the easement until Carlo spilled bird seed all over and made noises to scare him away. I knocked down some hornet nests and some bee hives and one was occupied...eek!

There were caterpillars everywhere. The hummingbirds continue to return every year and after filling the feeder with fresh (obviously high potent) juice, the feeding bird rammed into the window and was dazed and he fell to the deck. He was down for a good minute - that's gotta be two years in the life of a hummingbird!

Carlo worked on his chain saw - although our plan to cut up trees is being put on hold with fingers crossed that the tree cutting guys will see the fallen tree and chop it up for us. If they don't, it'll be there next time...who's gonna steal a dead tree? It would have to be someone really really strong!

Goals for the day:

fix mower

cut grass

move fireplace stone off porch

sweep porch

put rug on porch

put table on porch

put new candle out

BBQ hot dogs

cut more grass

watch OLTL & GH

go to Bud's

So, here's the 12:30 chore check-up list:

fix mower - CHECK

cut grass - CHECK

move fireplace stone off porch - CHECK (and it only took about 1 hour, resting included)

sweep porch - CHECK

put rug on porch - CHECK

put table on porch - CHECK

put new candle out - CHECK

BBQ hot dogs - CHECK (yummy)

cut more grass - CHECK (one of us, anyway)

watch OLTL & GH - CHECK

visit Paul and Betty - not on the original list, but - CHECK

All that's left are showers and a visit to Bud's ~ so ~ CHECK CHECK - Havlicek (hee hee)!!!

What a productive day.

Dinner was great (of course) and on our way back we spotted several deer along the way - and they spotted us too. When we got back, we hung our crazy expensive shepherd hook and some spirals we bought with my gift card from Edgewater Greenhouse. Then we watched a little TV, primarily a new O'Wich channel and of course, there was nothing on! But the channel has the potential to be a good crime show channel. Stay tuned!

Here's the before and after of the porch - and one with the lights on:

May 31, 2010

Our attempt to leave early was close - we cut the difference and were on the road at 8:00. Of course since it's a holiday and we left early, traffic was great - even through the construction areas.

We got to O'Wich around 11:15 - it's only been 2 weeks since our last visit and the grass already needs to be cut...ergh! I'm glad all the leaves were raked last time and when we get done mowing, it should look great. The mower part should be available in the morning, since they're closed for the holiday.

One of the first things we noticed when we got to O'Wich was that the surveyors were there for the elevation - finally; then we saw a dragonfly that was hanging on the screen; a fallen bird nest and broken egg. Then we noticed the flower bed had filled in (and needs more weeding); the pumpkin patch has a couple of sprouts; the cinnamon ferns started peeking through; some animal crapped (again) in and next to the flower box (no photos of that mess); some birds started building a 5 foot wide nest above the patio door on a very small ledge; a bunch of limbs fell; and the screen porch was finished!

We unloaded the truck - we put the rockers out; placed Carlo's birthday gnome in the fern planter; hung one of Carlo's birthday bird feeders and one of his bird houses; turned on the air because it was extremely humid; fixed a small opening with a piece of screen; hung the wind chimes; hung the new clock inside and the old one outside; Carlo filled the feeders and fixed the broken squirrel feeder and we surveyed the tree situation to get the plan together for the arrival of the arborist!

While Carlo ran to the store, I put together the sink base for the bathroom. I placed the sink and faucet on it to check it out - LOVE IT! Perfect (small) size and a perfect fit for a (very) small bathroom. Can't wait to wash my hands in it! Carlo said he was excited about the accoutrements that came with the sink...really????? We put the pine chest in the living room as a TV stand and got rid of (pretty much) the last of Bob and Linda's crap! The old stand found a new home at Betty and Paul's.

Carlo got back right after Bob the tree guy arrived. While I put the groceries away they got "talkin' trees". To be cut are the two massive trees flanking the back deck and one on the side. We need to get the trees cuts that are the most hazardous to the cabin. Also to be cut is a tree - that if it fell - would most likely take out my car, since that's where I (usually) park. So fifteen minutes later, a handshake and the cost of a tuition payment, these trees should be gone within two weeks. The only thing is that when the cutting is all done, there will be a ten foot high pile of logs left behind. But, there will also be a base of a bench for the front of the cabin. Fingers crossed - the bench should be cool.

After Bob left, Carlo watered and changed the headlight in the truck. I took pictures - (after all, who wants a boring blog???), journaled and then we got ready for the LaTolteca birthday dinner.

Dinner was, as always, terrific. We went for a birthday walk (through WalMart), and followed that up with some birthday dessert - mini scoops from Culvers...which we enjoyed while sitting on our newly screened in porch. By 10:00 I couldn't stay up any longer and I went to bed. It was a very busy and long day!