Early Start Sunday.

4:30 a.m. and I've been awake for a while now. Not quite sure why. Left the bathroom window open last night and the fresh air smells wonderful. Sprinkling a bit so the garden won't need watering.

The animals are wondering why I'm awake. Trigger usually starts moving around at  five o'clock. Going to try a mantra to go back to sleep. Owha-tajer-kiam sounds appropriate.

Later on...

Did fall back to sleep for a little bit. Cats insisted I get up and feed them at 6:30 - a whole hour later than normal. The sprinkle turned into a steady rain that not even Bandit wanted to brave. We were outside long enough for him to wet a bush and he wanted to go back inside. Can't wait for the hardwood floors so this place doesn't smell like a wet dog or cat you-know-what. 

W brought me a quart of boiled dinner so I didn't have to cook.

Got the peppers and tomatoes planted. Still have to decide where the fig tree should live. 

Saturday Planting.

Bought a "Chicago" fig tree from Tractor Supply and some green pepper and tomato plants from Strayers Greenhouse that need planted today. Have decided to use some of the bird netting on the garden beds to keep the cats from peeing in there. They keep uprooting the seedlings. Will need to replant the beets and possibly the lettuce.

Temps in the 70s today. Turned the furnace off and closed the blinds on the East facing windows. Looks like the A/C will need to be installed early this year. 

Wish I had a rain barrel. Have a feeling we'll have a dry summer. Since wishes don't come true magically, guess I'll spend a bit of time looking at DIY rain barrels on Pinterest. Am already looking at DIY garden paths.

Gotta get to it. "We're burning daylight."

Friday Progress Report.

Been stressing all week about yesterday's dermatology visit. Didn't get hardly any sleep Wednesday night. W called me Tuesday and offered to drive me there. I accepted.

Took about 90 minutes to get there. Very easy drive with only a couple turns at the very end. Was early so had to hang for a while. Got a diagnosis: Sebopsoriasis, which is where I have symptoms of both seborhhea and psoriasis. Wrote me three different prescriptions to use to clear this rash up. Finally! 

The doctor also removed the growth from my nose. Will have the biopsy results in two weeks.

More fun times on the horizon. Have to meet with a lawyer to draw up a mortgage for the land this trailer sits on and the out building W built for my storage. Will be signing papers at the end of the month. The I'll be watching my pennies for the next six years until it's paid off. Hopefully I can pay it off sooner and nothing major goes wrong for the next six years.

Scary. This is a really big commitment for me. W and I had a bit of a argument about it. I wanted to wait until the work on the shed is completed. He took offense saying I didn't trust him to do the work. Which I don't. With good reason. Had a crying jag after we hung up. He told me "I have feelings too." Like he ever takes my feelings into consideratipn...

Anyway, I need an affordable place to live so I'm going through with it.

In other news...

I've been on a bit of a buying spree lately. Bought some embroidery floss so I can try needle painting and stump work. Then I picked up a fig plant and a Krasavitsa Moskvy lilac from Tractor Supply. They are tiny. Less than a foot tall. Then I bought two James Macfarlane lilacs and a Weigela from Graham Greenhouse. The lilacs are about three feet high. The Weigela is about a foot.

Easter Sunday.

Was surprised with a phone call from my son. First time I've heard from him in a couple years - mostly because our political views are polar opposites. He's a lot like his dad.

Also got a text from old friend, Sam. Haven't heard from him since I told him I don't date. 

Made an offer of assistance to an old grade school friend. Her husbands cancer is back. Hope she takes me up on the offer.

Linda from down the street gifted me some Easter candy. Was really sweet of her. We might just become friends after all... if we live that long. (just kidding)

Saturday. Scattered Thoughts Day.

Henrietta watching birds

Spent most of the day playing video games, listening to music and watching TV. Just letting my mind wander. Remembering what was. Like Joe Walsh sings, "Why do we give up our hearts to the past?"

Another cold day, but it did have its bright spots.

Spoke with Aunt Judilyn who is getting ready for Easter. She's making kielbasa, ham, mashed potatoes and corn muffins. The rest of the family is bringing dishes to pass. Was great to hear from her. She has two new great-grandbabies to love on. (Gosh, are we really that old?) Wish we lived a bit closer. Four hours there and another four back is a bit far for Bandit and I to travel and still get home to sleep in our own bed.

Another bright spot was the hyacinth W bought me for our 10 year anniversary. The blossoms have opened and every time you pass into or through the room is the most lovely, sweet scent. What a fabulous flower. AND it can go outside to bless me with blossoms for many years to come.

Watched the movie starring Russell Crowe called Unhinged. Rather, I should say, I started watching the movie Unhinged. I couldn't watch it to the end although I may attempt it at some later date. The anger hits way to close to home and I remember being followed around the house by a pissed-off husband with a shotgun in his hand saying "If I can't have you, no one can have you." Those crazy eggshell-walking days that are best left in the past where they belong.

Put that out of my mind and reviewed movies to add to my watch list (Amazon Prime). Working on cleaning out the desk now that the den furniture has been rearranged. 

Nice relaxing day.

Friday Progress Report.

When I spotted Coltsfoot (Tussilargo farfara) earlier this week, I knew the snows of Winter would be over soon. Not quite yet, but soon. Also spotted sprouting are rhubarb, a cinnamon fern, first this and the plum trees.

Have spent a bit of time watching how to videos on YouTube. Mostly embroidery - both needle painting and stump work. Am anxious to try both, but need more education before attempting ... Or perhaps I'll jump in and try. I yearn to make a butterfly combining both techniques.

In reality, there are so many chores on the to-do list I don't know where to start. This month I'm supposed to be getting the carpet replaced with new wood flooring. Which means all the bookcases, tables, etc. Need to be unloaded and moved. Not a fun job. Have to start now and do a little at a time so I don't hurt my back any further.

Kitchen cabinets need washed down with Dawn and repainted.

Bathroom sink needs replaced.

Porches and stairs need repainted, as do the house and shed (after the batting is installed).

Have to make a run to Kaytees in Coudersport to get a shrub or two before it's too late for planting.

Thursday.

Made stir-fry last night. Beef strips, broccoli, onion, carrots and bok choy with thyme and ginger flavored beef broth. Served over Thai Jasmine rice.

Thought the fresh ginger looked a bit like a horse. What do you think?

Woke up thinking of this song: Pretty Maids All in a Row (Joe Walsh of the Eagles is singing).

Supposed to get company today, so I guess I'd better take Bandit for a stroll and straighten up a bit. 6:00 a.m. and we've reached the daily high temperature: 32 degrees Fahrenheit.