Poor Pele!

(You must say the title like "Poor Nana" in Peter Pan... ) I'm sharing this for all concerned parties.. Pele is very unhappy, but recovering. He has an infection and had a bad fever. Apparently these were brought on by another problem that little dogs experience. I won't get into the details as it wouldn't be prudent... He endured a procedure to help. He's on an antibiotic. Since our visit to the vet yesterday he has to wear the "lampshade" so the affected area can heal. It's clear, but you can see it in the picture.

Last day in Birmingham

Upon our return to B'ham Monday afternoon, we first checked on Pele because he was sick. Then we drove up the bluff for a final view of Birmingham. (Technically we live in Bluff Park, but not ON the bluff.) John and Annie treated Grandma C, Greg, and me to a Mexican meal at our favorite restaurant. I don't know how they had room for fried ice cream! Greg took Mom to the airport EARLY Tuesday morning. I I took John and Annie a little later. I so enjoyed their visit. They're the greatest kids! It was sad to see them go! I miss you all!

Meridian, June 22 - 23

Sunday was our last full day in Meridian. After Mass, Tracey and Marin went to a birthday party. Of course, Marin wanted to return home to "John Annie" ASAP. Boog took John and Annie to the Navy Base for an awesome tour. I stayed behind and, unfortunately, so did my camera. At least I got some pictures in their new t-shirts and hats! The group pictures are without Boog b/c they were taken Monday morning, and he was at work. It was a sad departure for all!

Meridian June 21

As you can see, we're at the beach! Actually we're at a water park in Philadelphia, MS. We spent most of the time at the beach location there - sand around the edges of a grand pool. It was awesome! The kids (including Boog and Tracey) did brave some of the scary slides while the old folks (mom and me) stayed with Marin. We did pretty well with sunscreen, but John did add a little to his already burned shoulders. The weather here has been so cooperative. I think our visitors have been mislead as to how hot it REALLY is here in the summer! It's been great, actually.

John and Annie June 20

On Friday we picked our own southern bluberries (and "tested" a few as well.) It was great fun. Of course the rewards have been a pie, pancakes, fruit salad, and straight eating! Marin has definitely enjoyed her fair share.

John & Annice June 19

Greg took John and Annie to visit the Birmingham statue of the god of steel in Vulcan Park while I had my voice treament. You walk up in it like the Statue of Liberty. It's located on Red Mountain, overlooking the city. They took the stairs - wow! They took pictures, but we don't have the connecting cable. It'll have to go on the Greening blog if they want... We drove to Meridian that evening. Here are some fun times at Uncle Boog and Aunt Tracey's. They've played with Marin and all are entertained. They baked brownies. They watched Peter Pan 20 times. Ok, I'm exaggerating a little....

John and Annie June 18

John and Annie wanted to go to the McWane Science Center. We saw Dinosaurs Alive at the IMAX theater, then visited the exhibits. They had a lot of fun, and it was hard to choose which pictures to post. John is on a bed of nails, and Annie's "bike" picture is way up in the air - 2nc floor - on a rope! For dinner we went to Dreamland Barbeque and enjoyed ribs.

John & Annie June 17

John and Annie arrived safely around 3:40 in Birmingham. They brought a cold front with them; it's only been in the 80's, and cools off to 60's at night. They got settled in and met Pele and Tina. We went to the Birmingham Barons baseball game. As you can see, we did not have any trouble finding a seat, and they lost, but it was fun! Greg caught a foul ball, which they will share. Hot dogs were only $.25, so we got 12 of them. Greg ate 4, Annie 3, John 2 3/4, and Sara 2. Wow!

Babysitting Fun with Marin

It's Sunday afternoon, 2:30. Marin has been sleeping for about an hour. Success! Yesterday she didn't nap and fell asleep on the way home from Mass (6:00 PM). When Mom peeked in at about 6:00 AM today, Marin was standing in her crib and said, "Good nap!". So cute! Today we went walking around the lake. Marin was "starving", and ate a great big lunch. Wow! Then to REALLY wear her out (Marin, not Mom), we went to Aunt Leea's to swim. Mom and I are having so much fun with her. I can brag about her when her parents don't, without hesitation. She is soooo cute and brilliant. Her vocabulary and memory are awesome. We think she's a mini-Tracey, with some Boog. Muzzy is well also. She walks me every morning for a few times around the loop. I've decided to stay tonight. Tomorrow I'll head back to Birmingham to get ready for John and Annie Greening! Enjoy the pictures. (I'm probably breaking some unwritten blogger code with too many...)

Note the rain boots. She came out of her room like this - correct feet and everything! We've had some major downpours, but they're short.

Fun in Meridian #1

I picked up Mom at the Birmingham Airport June 11th around 11:00 and we headed to Mississippi. We had Boog and Tracey here Wednesday through Friday morning. Now we're on our own, so more posts will be coming!

reading books
Marin's haircut!
shopping (and shoes)

Sara's new transportation (yes, it's Leea's motorized cooler on wheels - helmet optional)

Marin with two (She says "two ones") hats and shades

Let the visits begin!

Greg's dad, Doug, arrived June 7 and got to work! He's got the Hondas in top shape. To help with my landscaping projects, he replaced some rotted wood boards that border the garden on the patio. You can't see them in this picture, but they look superb! We enjoyed our favorite restaurants - barbeque, chicken wings, and Mexican. On Thursday he headed down to visit Brad's family in Florida, and then will go back to Texas.

landscaping goal accomplished!

I'm sure everyone is on edge waiting for more yard pictures from Birmingham. I worked hard before Mom's arrival June 11th. I did finish the front garden area after about 10 hours of digging everything up, moving soil, and replanting. I don't have a picture yet, but hopefully when I return from Meridian there may be some blooms... I also finished digging up everything (except the rose bush) behind the tomato garden and replanting. It's a nice area surrounded by rock. I made great progress beside the carport/storage garage in the back yard. I'm uncovering the rocks of the mountain It's pretty under there! Also many hours of major sun... (I have a nice farmer's tan.) These are the before and after pictures. Maybe you can figure it out... We'll see how I do.

Next to garage, before

After
Behind tomato garden, after clearing...

Transplanted! (Now there's pine straw so it looks even better!)

Oh, my aching back!

Since Mosey's departure, I have created an enviable (to some) routine for myself. I enjoy morning coffee and news, and long walks with the dogs. I work out at the gym for an hour or so. Then I work out in the yard for a few hours. I am cutting, pulling, digging, raking, planting, replanting, watering, and SWEATING PROFUSELY! I've been blessed with decent weather; it's only hit 90's one day. We've also received a good bit of rain. My goal is to have our front gardens, porch garden, side garden, and maybe even the back area looking good for Mom, John, and Ann. It's very rewarding and I enjoy the encounters with nature. I haven't seen any snakes yet, but I know they're there. I did have a large, black spider crawling up my arm when I moved some big rocks. Yikes! I didn't get a picture of him/her; sorry.

(plural of tomato - e or not? excuse my brain freeze)

I didn't take a picture of the "wild" area before clearing, but you can see where I've cleared only half of that garden area in the first picture.

Ok, so I have to be honest. The last picture with the green tomatos...I bought that separately as it was marked down. They didn't grow that fast...

• buying baby tomato plants & cages- 1/2 hour
• clearing the garden area of monkey grass, day lilies (moved), multiple vines, and other various weeds - 3 hours
• moving the soil and removing roots of previously stated greens - 2 hours
• adding/mixing compost into soil - 1/2 hour
• digging holes where I don't hit rock (remember - on the mountain) - 15 minutes
• planting - 15 minutes
• enjoying tomatos in the future?- priceless or should I state "timeless"! (although at one point I uttered the words "I should have just gone to Publix")