Moving Butterflies

I was up within minutes of 530am then soon outside with the dog. At that point, I still had sleep in my eyes and a foggy head. It took a few minutes to truly wake up. By the time I was back inside it was already 550am. Geesh! I whipped out my sit-ups and push-ups, 55 of each fairly fast. I spent no more than five minutes online before moving on to meditation and stretching. I did my meditation from the deck. It was awesome. A rising sun, birds singing, and all the greenery. Frankie hung nearby but left me alone. I moved back inside to stretch. There she chewed on my running ballcap the entire time. Before taking her up to see Mindy, I took her out a second time. She hasn’t gone overnight in her pen all week. We’re making progress on that front. By the time I dressed for my run and stretched again outside it had to be 635am or slightly after. It was gorgeous – about 65 and sunny. I ran four miles with no trouble. Eggs were waiting my return. The kids were excited about school. Today was field day, a day when the entire school has outdoor activities and treats for the kids. As Bella explained, hers was in the AM and Jacob’s in the afternoon. Hmmm? Mindy left for school around 735am. Before leaving she left a check for Rachel, house cleaning day, and reminded the kids to get off the bus at home. I headed up for my shower just a few minutes later. I left Frankie play in our room while I showered, trusting her not to pee. She waited just outside the shower for me to reappear. Bella came in after her once she was done with her daily bedroom chores. Bella’s very good about making her bed and tidying up her room before leaving for school. Jacob tries but his effort doesn’t come close to Bella’s. We headed out with the pug on Sparky’s old retractable leash. Control-wise, it works a whole lot better than the old fashioned kind. Woody was out on his leash, too. The two of them got themselves tangled beyond belief while going at it. We must’ve untangled them a half dozen times before the bus arrived. Kenny and I discussed tentative plans to golf Friday afternoon. I’m off work Friday. Wahoo! After the kids boarded their bus Frankie and I headed back home. I took her out back once more where she took care of business again too. I left for work at 815am driving the BM’er. It was another lovely drive in. I spotted sister Jodi exiting at Fishinger Rd just like me. I suppose she uses that route getting to work. That being the case, I find it odd that I haven’t seen her before. I honked and waved. Work wasn’t too bad. One of my peers was visiting from our Manila NOC. We spent quite a bit of time with him leading up to lunch, which I had forgotten about and didn't mention to Mindy. She made me a lunch. We headed out to Bravo near noon. We asked for an outdoor table on their sun soaked patio. I ended up under an umbrella. My boss, not so much! I ordered their chicken BLT and a bowl of tomato bisque. Everything was delicious, including the lemonade I washed everything down with. I got a to-go box for my leftovers. Back at the office I ended up giving my leftovers to one of my team members, after she shared how hungry she was. I was full. Sadly, about 30 minutes later my peer visiting from Manila bought the entire team pizza. After declining to partake early on, I eventually caved and had two pieces. The afternoon was as busy as ever. I didn’t get out of the office until 540pm. Just before leaving work, I shared with Mindy that I wasn’t hungry. No need to worry about dinner. Meanwhile, that was music to her ears. She was busy working on year-end report cards and appreciated not having to stop to make a formal meal. Once at home, I quickly readied the next day’s coffee then changed into my ‘planting’ attire. I headed out back. I offered Jacob the opportunity to join me planting vegetables but he ended up running off to play with the neighbors instead. The first thing I did was transplant the butterfly bush to the Sparky bed from its former location against the south foundation. It came up easy. In fact, almost too easy, which was very telling as to why it hasn’t done too well in that location. There were next to no roots on one whole side of the bush. I trimmed the existing roots back a little after digging a new hole over Sparky’s grave. Bella, Makayla, and Emily gathered around. Makayla asked if she could see Sparky since she didn’t get to see him before I buried him. Too cute! I knew he was another foot below my current dig, but played along. At one point I encountered old weeping willow tree roots and proclaimed I’d encountered his bones. She pushed the others aside to get a look. I quickly shared that I was only joking. The kids weren’t so sure, however. Next, I planted the new yellow knockout rose bush in the same area. That went quick. Looks nice. The kids lost interest and moved on to other things. Jacob brought me my shed keys so I could get the tomato cages and support poles there in storage. I moved to the eastern facing flower beds where I like to plant both peppers and tomatoes. Before planting the tomatoes, I fetched my cordless drill and an 18” bit to drill pilot holes for the stakes. That worked well. I planted six tomato plants; three Roma and three Pink Girl. Next, I planted some bell & habanera pepper plants nearby. Last second, and running out of room, I decided to plant the jalapeño peppers out in the Sparky bed next to the butter fly bush. The planting left me itchy and sweaty. It was still very warm and humid. I spent the next 30 minutes watering in the newly planted vegetables and then all of the annuals both front and back. Watering is very, very relaxing. Tedious, but relaxing. Even though I just cut the grass on Sunday, it already needs it again. I have some spots starting to show signs of stress too, though. Mostly around trees where the competition for water is fierce. I thought I might activate the irrigation system later. I’ve had it off since that dry spell ended in late April. It was after 830pm when I finished my yard work. I have lots of spring tasks still on my list. Keeping the yard looking good takes a lot of work. I headed in for a shower. I heard the kids and Mindy come inside just as I was preparing to enter the shower. At Mindy’s request, I left it run for Jacob. By the time I was clean and in my PJ's I was again hungry. I snacked on some barbequed Frito’s. They're so good, and subsequently difficult to put down. While the kids showered and readied for bed, I updated my blog through Monday. Before heading to the family room to frolic with Frankie, I played guitar for about five minutes. As soon as I hit the sofa in the familyroom I started to dose. That’s what happens when I finally relax. Next thing I knew, Mindy was asking me to tuck in the children. I had the Science Channel whirling but was only half interested in the program, How It’s Made. Sorry, nothing on the Universe tonight.  After tucking in the kids I returned to the sofa now much more awake. It was only 925pm. Mindy said she was whipped and was heading to bed. Measured my interest. I offered that I would be up shortly preferring to nest there with Frankie for another 30 minutes or so. I love to have time to unwind and relax. I didn’t mention it, but sandwiched in between the yard work and my shower, I got involved with a couple nagging work matters remotely. That never helps elevate my mood. I headed to bed just after 1010pm.