Colorful, Warm Sunday

After 5 beers I need all the sleep I could get. I woke initially around 5am with a dull headache, but too tired to get up and seek out some relief (AKA Advil). I fell back asleep and didn't wake again until just after 730am. By then the headache was thankfully gone.

I headed to the kitchen where I prepped a pot of coffee - a Starbucks dark roast blend. I then played on the computer until it was ready. Online I reviewed the Vikings NFL draft as a whole reading a little about all ten of the players selected. Enjoyed coffee until 9am when I decided to head out on my run. Mindy was still sleeping when I set out for the three mile run. And since we were up so early on Saturday, I didn't really expect her up for some time.

It was a gorgeous morning with completely clear skies and the temperature in the mid 40s. I never looked at the day's forecast but knew it was going to be much nicer than Saturday. Like most Sunday's, I ran three miles. It was warming quickly. By the time I was back from my run it was over 50 degrees. Just as I was coming in from my run Mindy & Eiknarf were heading out the front door for a walk. I turned around and walked with them. We walked a little further than we usually go enjoying the lovely spring weather along the way.

During our walk I shared that I thought I might go back to Straders and Lowes for more flowers and propane. It looked like it was going to be ideal weather for planting and with the 80s coming in the week ahead, I wanted to get a jump on my seasonal planting. Mindy encouraged me to do so, but not before we took a quick nap once we were back at home.

Around 11am I changed out of my smelly, sweaty running shirt into fresh running clothes that I could wear in the yard later. I headed off to Strader's & Lowes in the Pilot. This time I went to Strader's first, arriving around 1130am. There were far more cars than there were Saturday evening but then again far fewer than there will be next weekend.

I went for six potted 1' hibiscus: 2 yellow, 2 pink, and two orange. I bought two flats of purple Wave petunias as well as a mixed flat of sweet potato vines. I'll still need to get a few more flower before we're all done, but I was off to an excellent start and it was still only April. Leaving Strader's I headed south on Riverside until I reached Fishinger. There was a huge regatta going on at Griggs. Must have been a few thousand folks along the river bank.

Lowes was more crowded than Strader's. There I quickly picked a color that suited my fancy then headed to the paint counter where I had them mix me a quart of house paint. I asked the paint man about texturizing the paint with sand. Said to buy regular play sand. While he mixed the paint, I headed to the garden center where I picked up a bag of play sand and yet another large bag of potting soil as well as colorful perennial that caught my eye.

I did a propane exchange next. But only was I exchanging our empty tank, but also prepared to buy a 2nd tank filled. That way we won't run out of gas half way through grilling again.

I got home around 1230pm. Bella was home and helping Mindy in the kitchen. She reminded me that Jacob was off to his second soccer game in as many days with his dad in Chillicothe. Mindy & Bella were making a ham, cheese and veggie omelet. It was delicious and hit the spot. I was hungry. While enjoying the omelet, I asked Bella if she cared to help me paint the giant flower pots. She was game. I suggested she dress in clothes that didn't matter. I expected her to get covered in paint.

I carried up some painting supplies from the basement, including the handy painting tarp I bought some 10+ years ago and stretched it out on the deck. We mixed about 8 ounces of paint in a small plastic pail along with half a coffee can of play sand. Satisfied with the texture, we painted the two large deck pots. The paint covered nicely in one coat, and turned out far better and cheaper than using spray paint. Note to self.

We were expecting granddaughter Olivia anytime. Ashley said they'd be stopping by around 1pm. They showed up around 115pm, Ashley, Olivia, and Stephen. By then we were done painting and just getting ready to start planting. Mindy gave Olivia her Easter basket that we've had now for 3 weeks. Ashley & Stephen might've hung out for 15 minutes before taking off. Mindy invited both back for dinner. They were noncommittal.

Before potting flowers in the new burnt red flower pots I bought the day before (not the ones Bella and I painted) I drilled drain holes in the bottom. Otherwise, they tend to get swampy during heavy periods of rain. Bella and Olivia played in the backyard while I potted flowers/plants. I did two large pots and four hanging baskets. Took about 2 hours. By the time I finished around back, Mindy was off to the grocery store but not before the two girls had set up a lemonade stand out front. I could them both hollering out at passersby, both on foot and in car. Cute!

Bella shared that her momma showed her how to whip up a new batch if inventory started running low, which is exactly what happened. Their stand was a hit on what turned out being a gorgeous spring afternoon - sunny and 70 degrees. After finishing the pots and hanging baskets out back, I headed out front to sink Wave petunias in the front beds. This year I decided to plant my flowers before mulching. I've always mulched first saving myself the tedious task of mulching around the delicate plants. The argument for mulching later is that the flowers get better rooted in the soil. We'll see if there's a discernible difference this growing season.

Mindy was back from the grocery after being gone about 90 minutes. I didn't bother helping carry in the groceries, my hands were caked in black dirt. For the last hour we could hear the familiar sound of an ice cream truck rolling through the subdivision. Both girls had their hearts set on buying ice cream with their profits. Finally, it made its way by our place and I walked both girls across the street to pick out treats. I was shocked to see the prices - $2.50 for most options. The few $1 items they had on the menu were supposedly sold out. Of course! And I know it's not nice, but the folks inside looked scary - unsavory even. After hemming and hawing the girls both decided on orange ice cream sickles.

The girls soon grew weary of the lemonade stand about the same time that I was winding down from all the planting. Once I was finished I watered everything in really well. That took a good thirty minutes. By then Ashley was back for dinner but without Stephen. I forgot to mention earlier that Mindy took the time to set up her colorful solar globes and hummingbird in the back yard landscape while I potted flowers. She also filled and hung her new bird feeder. Our yard is definitely looking like summer!

While I showered, Mindy grilled brats and dogs and heated baked beans on the stove. We gathered for dinner I'm guessing near 6pm. Olivia was wired as usual, up and down from her seat at the table. I love Olivia to pieces but she's lacking any type of table manners and extremely loud. Very demanding of her mother too. I seriously doubt that Ashley even realizes it. I typically don't say a whole lot, choosing instead to appreciate the moments with the two of them. However, I do interject when it gets too bad. Ashley's very proud of the way her mouth is turning out. Dr Monfort's done a fantastic job restraightening her teeth. It makes me feel good hearing Ashley rave about the difference (helps her self-esteem).

Ashley was ready to head home around 730pm. About the same time Olivia began testing her patience as well as ours. She threw a little tantrum defying everything her momma asked her to do, including putting on her shoes. Having heard enough, I simply held her so Ashley could get the shoes on her. Olivia was pissed! She didn't walk out to the car with her momma either, but instead snuck around my Accord. I eventually sought her out, picked her up, and buckled her in her booster seat. She cried, kicked and fussed, and scratched my arm. I took her ice treat from her hands and tossed it away. Sorry, but no grand daughter of mine is going to act like that and still enjoy a treat.



Mindy let the kids play until 830pm or so when it was time to come in and get showers. I was planning a walk about the yard to look at the new colored solar lighting but never did. Instead, I spent my leisure time watching a couple episodes of The Universe on the History Channel. Mindy headed to bed shortly after 9pm. I stayed up until 10pm but DVR' the 10pm episode to catch another evening soon.