It started last week. The unusually warm weather prompted me to get outside, and ultimately go for a stroll around the yard.
We have had a relatively dry winter so far, and with the temperatures sometimes getting into the 80s, I was concerned about our plants. What I discovered is that the fruit trees look like they might be budding; that is not good for the first week of February.
Our evergreen trees were looking a little yellow, and in general, everything appeared in need of water. I decided to water everything around the house. To make sure that all the flowerbeds, garden and garden boxes, and trees get watered, I have installed 4 separate sprinkler systems.
Each sprinkler system has a separate timer on it so that each area gets the right amount of water. It is a life saver when we are busy (which is usually). I shouldn’t have been surprised, after fixing two water leaks already, that I would have more to fix when I started up the sprinkler systems.
My original intent, after watering everything well, was to pull weed in the flowerbeds. As it turned out, however, I spent the entire weekend fixing what was broken. By the time Monday rolled around, I was sore and tired, but determined to make a dent in the springtime chore list; I took the day off of work.
I was fortunate to be able to send the tractor off to get fixed; I will be needing to use it very soon. After the tractor was picked up, I ran some errands that I didn’t get to over the weekend. It made me feel good to get some things done.
Over the past few weeks, the clutter in my office had been really bugging me. I had outgrown my bookshelf, and boxes of business supplies were stacking up. My desk had become a collection place for things that I did not know where I to put.
After several attempts (and many hours of searching), I finally found the solution to the mess. With very limited space in my office, it was a challenge to find not only the right combination of pieces, but also the right color. Matching the color of my desk was the biggest hurdle.
On Thursday, we picked up the bookshelf. Of course, I had to assemble it right away and put it in place. Fortunately, I had experience building bookcases. I am a book junkie, so I know I will be getting more books; now I have room for my collection to grow.
On Friday, the cabinet was delivered to the house. It’s not especially large, but fits the space I had for it. So, Friday evening, I built the cabinet and put it next to the bookcase I built on Thursday.
Knowing that Saturday was going to be near 90 degrees, my husband and I worked outside. He tilled the garden while I sanded and painted birdhouses. Wrens love to build their nest near buildings, and we have been providing birdhouses for them for a few years now.
I have three in a protected area outside of the kitchen/dining room. The paint on each of them was faded and peeling. After several hours of scraping and painting, the birdhouses look brand new. Wrens start hunting for a place to build their nest in February, and I had seen a pair looking at our birdhouses. Now that the boxes are cleaned out and freshly painted; I expect they will begin moving in soon.
All weekend long, I have been organizing my office while doing the laundry. I am so thrilled to be working in my office again (the clutter had driven me out). I have a few more things to do to make it just the way I want it; I am sure I will finish next week.
Since I missed last week’s post, I decided to make sure I get one out this weekend before I start another project outside. I have to make repairs to one of my garden boxes, which will require me to put a new bottom in it.
Most of the dirt has already fallen out of it, but after I remove the last of it, I have to move the box to re-level the ground where it sits. After I get the ground leveled and the new bottom in it, I will have to refill it. It’s going to take a while.
Well, that’s what I have been up to the last two weeks. I don’t expect my spring fever to break anytime soon. My husband and I are determined to get a head start on the gardening, and the warm weather and lack of rain this month is making it possible.
I hope your next week is a good one.
Matthew 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and your will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.”
