Ottoman

Tom and I spent the weekend working on re-covering an ottoman, and I must say that I am happy with how it turned out.

Before

After

We got the fabric when we got the recliner and Tom and I disassembled the ottoman and took measurements yesterday, and today we cut and sewed the fabric and reassembled the ottoman. Despite my nervousness, it was relatively easy. There are some ripples where we weren't fast enough smoothing the fabric before the spray adhesive started to work, but we'll put that side closest to the chair.

Recliner Pillows

Well, after eight months of working on them on and off, I've finally completed the pillows for the recliners.

They are very simple, but I kept putting off finishing them because we wanted to put zippers in them - something I've never tackled before. I, of course, am concerned with all of the imperfections, but Tom is pleased, so I'm glad they're done.

Wildlife Abounds

Look! A fawn.

Tom spent hours today trying to figure out what to do with it, since it was just lying in the middle of the yard and he thought it was injured and abandoned. When Tom and Sally finally decided to put an umbrella over it, for shade, it got up and ran away while their backs were turned. I wish I could've seen it in person.

Look What Tom Found

A cute little baby bunny.

Tom's been bitching like crazy about the rabbits in our yard, eating his plants. This one is so cute, he couldn't complain about it. Currently, it's about the same size as a full grown mouse.

Evidence of...

Beavers! In the wooded area at the end of our yard.

That's Why...

So that's why we didn't have electricity yesterday! I didn't feel comfortable driving under this thing to get to work, but the road was closed going the other way.

Snowed In

I am such a silly girl! I was supposed to work today at both Huber and Tidewater, and yesterday, I packed up my stuff with the intention of staying in town overnight. It started to snow around 2:00. Then, I got bored hanging around Huber, so around 7:30, I went to the Tidewater to see what was up there. Not much, so I stayed for a little bit, had a drink and a bite to eat, and then, in my infinite wisdom, decided that the roads weren't too bad, so I'd go home. I ran up and down the driveway a couple of times when I got home, and again around 11:30, when I decided to leave the Jeep at the top of the driveway, since the snow drifts a lot along our drive.
This morning, after walking though the snow drifts to get to the Jeep, I saw that the plows hadn't even come through our development, yet, which I had hung my hopes on. The snow came up to my knees a couple of times, but was a few inches below my knees in most places. Then, when I'm getting ready to head back to the house, Tom decides that I need to move the Jeep off of the drive a little more, just in case the guy we're getting to plow our drive comes by. So, I have to spend time out in the frozen Tundra, digging around the Jeep so that I can move it off of the drive a foot and a half. How fun.
But, now I'm warm and dry, expecting not to have to work at Tidewater this evening, since it's not supposed to stop snowing until this evening. Here are some snow filled pictures, you might even be able to make out where I exited the garage and trudged through the snow.

Looking Back at the House

Looking Up the Drive

A Walk Through the Yard and More ATCs

Before work today, Tom and I went out in the yard to look at the new trees he bought. While out in the yard we saw a deer at the treeline. I thought it was really cool, since it was early afternoon, and someone was out mowing their lawn, that the deer was out there.

Wanda's been curious about the yardwork that's been done all summer, so here are a few pictures of what's up. This is the view behind the house, looking down the backyard.


And this is the island that Tom did around the septic tank. I don't remember if I posted about it, but I had to touch up the paint on the birdbath some time this summer.

Then, while I was getting cleaned up for work, Tom went out to get the mail, and I got two more Birthday ATCs. The first was from Ann in the UK. The colors and textures she used were wonderful!

The second was from Marga in Florida. I just love the Korean print on the flowers.

Day 4

Not much to report for today, except for I locked myself out of the house when I went out this morning to water the plants. I went out of the front door, for a change, and failed to twist the thing on the knob that unlocks the door. Aargh! I had to search the garage for the spare key, and almost freaked out. It all ended well, though, and I think I'll leave the spare key where I can find it, for the time being.

What a Day!

Yesterday, I worked a double at the restaurant and gave up my Sunday night, so that I could take Tom to dinner for our anniversary. I won't be home that night, so I thought this would be a good time to do it. What a day it turned out to be.
I got up early, for having a whole day off. Maybe I should have slept in, but I got a lot accomplished for the time I had. I went downstairs and worked on the charms for the Sweet Treat Charm Swap for Silver Bella. I completed one part, and had 75% of the second part done when Tom came down to get me. We fixed a late breakfast, then got to work in the yard. There hasn't been a good rain here for about a month, and the plants really need to be put in the ground. So, we worked on the line of plants that we're putting along the fence in the front yard. There are thirteen groupings, and we were able to complete six, not a bad days work. It was about 7:30 when we stopped and got cleaned up and ready to go to dinner.
When we got to Outback, we found out we were out of luck. It was 9:00, and that's when they close on Sundays. I thought they closed at 10. What was the most disappointing part, besides the fact that we've been discussing what we were going to get to eat all day, was that I was going to use a gift card to help us save some money. We went to Red Lobster instead, and spent a little more than usual - Tom didn't like his first alcoholic beverage, so he got another, he added a steak to his meal (because he had been craving steak all day), and he got dessert. Dinner went okay, except for Tom's complaints about not being able to go to Outback.
After we got home, I went downstairs and completed the second part of my charms, then went to bed.

Fruit Cocktails

Wanda bought me a canvas off of Etsy, and it arrived today. I can't tell you how cute it is. It is by Stellalola (aka Julie Lewis). She has some totally cute stuff - very creative, and the word play is great. I don't think I'll find a place to display it in the kitchen, but maybe in my crafting area...

Dad's Gone :-(

Well, Dad left this morning. It's sad to see him go, but he might be back at the end of the month. We talked a little before he left, and it was nice. Afterwards, I headed to Huber to work, and when I came back, Tom and I planted a couple of trees along the property line. All of this planting is getting to be fulfilling. We only finished two trees before I had to go to Tidewater for the evening, but I think Tom planned to plant at least one more after I left.

Dad's Third Day

Today, Dad went to go visit Donnie. They participated in the Wine Festival at the National Harbor. Afterwards, Dad stayed to watch the hockey game. I, on the other hand, stayed home with Tom, and we planted some bushes and shrubs. Most of the time was taken up by planning and arranging where things should go, and I only actually planted two things before I had to go to work, but Tom got the rest of them done - another 13 plants. They look good.
Before all of that, though, I was able to work on more charms for the Things with Wings Charm Swap. I feel good about them. I even put together a charm, and am considering that to be the finished product. I'll confer with Wanda before deciding.

Sneak Peek - Part 2

More Plants

After returning home from work this evening, Tom and I got busy planting trees again. Tonight, we only planted three, and put mulch around them. Not a bad couple of hours of work. After eating dinner, I finally watched the final episode of this season's "The Amazing Race." Yeah, Tammy and Victor won! I've been rooting for them the whole time. I also got caught up on some hockey. I can't wait until Tuesday, when the Penguins might just beat the Hurricanes and win the series. Let's Go Pens!

It's a Plant-a-palooza

Today was a busy day for me. I had to be at work at 4, but beforehand, Tom and I went crazy planting trees. We ended up putting six trees in the ground, and while I was at work, Tom put mulch around them. I didn't realize it until the end of the evening, but someone at the restaurant pointed out my sun reddened arms - I had no idea that the sun had been that intense. I knew it was hot, but not that hot!

Two Trees and a Plant

When I got home from work tonight, Tom and I planted two Dwarf Alberta Spruces and a Japanese Pieris. I left work around 6 pm, and that's all we had time for - it was dark when we finished. This past week has been filled with rain, so it was nice to have weather that cooperated.
When I came in, I saw that the Penguins were playing, so I watched hockey while making dinner. Woo hoo - they won in overtime! Only one more win, and they play for the Stanley Cup - good luck, team!
And Mom, I'd like to be the first of us kids to officially wish you Happy Mother's Day! As usual, the card will be late, but it's on the way! I love you, and I'll think about you while I'm at work tomorrow.

A Rainy Day at Home

What a lazy, rainy day! I don't get many pointless days off, but this was definitely one! I watched so many episodes of room renovation shows on HGTV that it was coming out of my ears! I also read a little, and finally vacuumed the house. Boy, did it need it! We also steam cleaned the carpet in the family room. It looks so much better! I also folded laundry, and brushed one of the cats! And I painted the damaged areas of the new birdbath! Whew! I'm exhausted just thinking about all I did accomplish!

A Tree Grows in Maryland

It felt good to get at least one done. Tonight, after returning home from work and a shopping trip to Weis and Wal-Mart, Tom and I planted one of our trees. We talked when I was leaving the restaurant, and he expressed concern about the magnolias dropping their leaves. I mentioned that if it was still light after my shopping trip, we should plant something. And we did. We only had enough time to plant one, and it started to rain as we were finishing up. With the forecast calling for rain for several more days, it's the only one that will get planted for a while.
On a less pleasant note, Dolly (Tom's sister) called to let him know that she was in the hospital and having surgery in the morning - hip replacement, or something like that. She broke it while walking to the courthouse, and didn't follow the doctor's orders, so it's worse than it should have been. Hopefully, all will go well.
And on a more pleasant note, I was checking out Facebook, and got the general idea, which was then verified by Tom, that Tammy (Tom's daughter) is pregnant. I'm not sure how far along she is, but she's been trying for a while. Congratulations to Tammy and Chad!

Happy Easter

Unfortunately, for me, Easter was just another day. I started out working at the restaurant for the breakfast and lunch shifts, then when I got home, I helped dig in the yard a little, before going inside and making clam chowder for dinner. Then, for the rest of the night, I got caught up on television that I hadn't watched for several weeks.
I did finish putting together ATCs for the 2009 Birthday ATC Swap for the months of April and May. They were similar to the one I did for January, I just used different background paper and different colors for the cut-outs.

Today's Yard Work

Well, today, I had a relatively easy day of yard work. It started out with loading up the hose into the cart, hitching the cart onto the lawn tractor, and running down the property line, watering plants as I went. The remaining plants around the house came next, with the plants down the woodline completing that task. They were a little bit more difficult, seeing how I couldn't drag the hose that far, so I had buckets filled with water in the cart. After laying the hose out on the driveway, I went around and marked with orange spray paint the location for holes to be dug in the grass for potential plantings. Tom had put together a piece of rebar with a string attached to it, and a garden tool on the other end of the string, so that all of the holes would be the same size - quite ingenius!