Day 86: 'Peonies and Roses'

So Barbara and I are very excited about spring because all of our flowers are once again going to bloom and our plants are going to come back healthy and green.

Last year, Barbara and I went to the Plant Shop on Guess Road in Durham and I bought her a Peony that she and I thought was one of the most beautiful plants we had ever seen. The blooms were huge and smelled so good. We got it home and after a while Barbara planted it over near our 'rose garden' where I made my rose bed. When it died off we wondered if it would come back and we were absolutely thrilled to see brand new stalks of the Peony coming out of the ground this weekend. So even though I had to take these pictures in the dark, below are pictures of the new Peony growth, my two rose bushes in my rose bed, and the last is a picture of our 'Seven Sisters' rose bush which climbs on our fence and was actually here when we moved in. Our landlord Edna loves this rose plant and says that you just don't see them anymore, even more reason for Barbara and I to nurture it.

Day 85 'Awesome creations'

So Barbara has been asked to throw a luncheon in honor of my grandmother's birthday in April where the invited guests will be some of grandma's friends from her hometown of Rich Square. Barbara and I have been rounding up plate ware for the event and Barbara has come up with the idea of creating the tablecloth and napkins for the luncheon. A few posts back I showed everyone where Barbara made us a tablecloth with the border made from fern stencils. Well, she has created a new one for the luncheon where she has just stenciled ferns all over the linen. She has also stenciled ferns on white napkins.

I am so proud of her creativity and wanted to share these pictures with you all.





Yes, Pooh had to be in the picture, we thought it was a good photo op for him. Also, that is indeed an indoor clothesline where the currently drying napkins are hanging.

Ok everyone take care until tomorrow!

Day 84: 'WRESTLEMANIA!!!'

Hey all,

Tonight, Barbara and I invited my brother Matthew over for cheeseburgers, fries, and to watch WrestleMania that I ordered on Pay-Per-View. We had a blast and the evening went well.

Here are some pictures of Matthew and I posing in our gear right before the big event!


Yes we had a really good time and it was great to be able to hang out with my brother at our house. Hopefully we can do this again soon and there has even been some talk that Matthew could stay the night one weekend. I think that would be terrific, so hopefully I can report on that too one day.

Hasta la vista friends!

Day 83: 'The Power Cup'

In Barbara's travels yesterday, she came upon a small thing that she got for me because she figured it would make my day, and boy did it ever!!

I am psyched because this gift is fantastic and a perfect addition to my cup collection!!

Now this is a cup of greatness!!! I told Barbara when I took the first sip that it tasted like greatness, and that it did.... ;-D.

So it also makes a great addition to my Dallas Cowboys gear collection and I will use it frequently.

Ok, so bye until tomorrow!!

Day 82: 'Sunny is supreme on the condo and fun things at Belk's in Cary'

Hey all,

Sorry i did not get this up yesterday, we were out late and when I got home I was so tired I couldn't sit here and type. However Day 83 is right behind this on time as scheduled.

So yesterday we went out to do some running around and pick up some things. Right before we left the house I was making sure to get my camera and as I was walking out the door I saw this...


He had previously been avoiding the cat condo like the plague but now it seems Sunny is now the top cat, haha. He has been enjoying the condo more and more lately and last night was no exception. I watched him after i took this photo and he stared Smudge down as she tried tirelessly to get up on the top with him. She was unsuccessful and previous attempts in the past few weeks have been rewarded with a smack in the head by Sunny. Funny stuff, people.

When we went out to Belk's in Cary, we noticed that the lower windows to the entrance we went in were all papered over and there were signs up. Upon further inspection we found that 2 geese apparently come to the Belk's store and nest every year. They have returned and Belk's is accommodating the male who apparently likes to preen himself in front of the doors. We did not see the geese but thought the sign and papering was cool enough to photograph.

Really neat to see. Cary is a bit of a haul so I don't know if we'll trek back out to see the geese themselves, but maybe.

Day 81: 'Mmm... meat!'

Hey all,

Real short post for today. Long tiring day, and after a loaded meal I am ready to spend time with Barbara and get to bed at a decent hour.

Tonight's main part of the meal were these beautiful steaks...


Yeah we really enjoyed them. Barbara also made twice-baked potatoes, salad, flaky rolls, and of course some more of the lemon cake she made last night which is truly a slice of heaven.

Yes I eat well and am spoiled rotten. Someone's gotta do it right?

Day 80: 'Barbara's creativity'

To this point, Barbara and I have been the only witnesses to my daily ritual of creating posts and uploading pictures here at YOP. Well, today being Wednesday, my Mom is here and she is bearing witness to this awesomeness. Ok, so nothing really awesome here, in fact it's kinda boring. At least the picture part, which we all know is the crux of this endeavor, is exciting.

So today Barbara picked some of the blooms off of our camellias and made a centerpiece for our table. Yesterday she took a plain white table cloth and then stenciled fern leaves on the tablecloth. I honestly think it looks just like something you would pay to have in your home, it looks that good. She debuted both at our table tonight and even though I didn't get a before picture I got a couple of pictures from after dinner. Barbara did such a wonderful job here.


Cheers! Only two more days until the weekend! Take care everybody!

Day 79: 'Buzzed'

Hello everybody,

I got up much earlier than usual today for a good reason. It was time to get my haircut. Since I don't get home until 7pm every night, I don't have a chance to get by my barber's shop, because he closes at 6. I am very picky about my haircuts and will only go there because the barber just happens to be a long time friend from way back when we were in high school. His name is Toby and he has been cutting my hair ever since he got his license. He has had his own shop for several years now and even when I was in Greensboro, I would drive to Durham to see him and get my hair cut.


So, Toby opens the shop at 8am every morning but he is gracious enough to open early on the mornings I need to get my haircut. The first time we set this up we agreed he would much rather come in early then stay late and that is how it has been ever since. He is a great friend and for him to adjust his morning hours to meet me means a whole lot. We have a great time too, cutting up, talking sports, and listening to the jokes he's learned since the last time we saw each other. He's also married to the sister of a girl I went to middle and high school with and they have a small daughter and, as I found out today, a son on the way. He also has become a runner and does half and full marathons.

I really kicked myself hard today because this morning I was so tired I completely forgot to take my camera to the barbershop. You get the pictures below which show my lack of hair, and the next time I get a trim I will take pictures of my buddy and his shop.

Yes it is really hard to take a picture of myself and it is comical. Apparently I am good at giving myself the cross eyed look!

Day 78: 'Bonding with Smudge'

Hi all,

So tonight I had laundry to do and I went into the bedroom so I could fold clothes on the bed.

Ever since we got Smugde to be 'my cat', I have not developed a great bond with her. I am big and loud and move a lot, and with Smudge being very skittish, that hasn't worked so well. Tonight I found both of us in the bedroom alone and so I practiced being very still and letting her come up to me on her own terms and I would just lightly pet her. Also, it didn't hurt that I played fetch with her favorite toy, a scrunched up twist tie.

Well these are some photos Barbara took tonight of Smudge being very loving towards me while I was folding and putting away laundry.

Day 77: 'Sunday pruning party'

Hey everyone,

Barbara and I had a nice Sunday. We had breakfast at IHOP, then we went over and visited with my family so Barbara could help Mom with some design ideas for the house. Barbara and I then went to the Wake County Animal Center and looked at dogs and puppies that were up for adoption. Barbara and I would like to add another dog to the family at some point (I would like that sooner rather than later), so I was able to convince Barbara to go so we could at least look.

After that we came home and I took the ash from the outdoor fireplace and dumped it on my roses (it helps them grow). I then began pruning the out of control bushes around my rose bush next to our driveway to give the roses more sunlight and air. I got a little carried away and pruned a bit more than I needed to, but I didn't kill anything so it should be fine. Proof of my expert pruning is below.

Editor's Note

It must be rather important to break from my regular schedule of posts here at YOP but I need to put this out there so I can get some feedback and make a decision.

I know that a lot of people have found it hard to post comments here and also at times I have found it hard to format my posts like I want to. Well, yesterday I came upon another blog site that looks as well known and busy as this site and as a test I decided to create a blog there and see if it could make things easier as I continue on with my blog. I was encouraged because it does seem easier and looks like it might be more to my and my readers' liking.

So if you would, please visit writingsetsyoufree.wordpress.com and let me know if it is easier for you to comment, and if you think it is good enough for me to move the blog. I currently just have one test post up there and the default layout so I can gauge interest.

Thanks so much and I will keep you abreast if this development leads to a full on change.

Thanks!!

Day 76: '1st day of Spring means time to till!'

Hey everyone,

I really hope everyone got a chance to get outside and enjoy the insanely perfect weather today.

Barbara and I rented a large tiller this morning and I tilled the entire garden horizontally and then 3\4 of it vertically today. This was hard, back breaking work but when I was done I felt a great sense of accomplishment and the garden looks great.





We have a pile of limbs and twigs behind our workshop in our backyard and sense we moved in almost two years ago, it has been our intention to get rid of that pile. Well for Valentine's day last year, Barbara bought me an outdoor fireplace. That is what we used to burn up the limbs and Barbara did that today while I ran the tiller.

Last but not least I planted some clumping bamboo today that I hope to have pictures of in the next couple of posts.

Day 75: 'Spring has sprung!'

Hey everyone,

So today was warm and beautiful and this weekend is looking even better. Tomorrow I will be out doing some yard work and spending time with Barbara and the kiddies. This picture is of our lilies on the back porch that are now coming back with a vengeance thanks to the warm weather.


That is a great sight and we hope they will flourish along with our other plants and crops!

Day 74: 'Dogs and Cats'

Hi all,

Today was busy and tiring at work as usual, but at least halfway through we hooked up a TV and watched the NCAA first round today, so that was good.

Not much in the way of a creative picture today but we did take some shots of the animals lounging at the house today. Sunny and Smudge are sharing the NC State blanket on our bed and Pooh is snoozing in the flower bed in the backyard...

Oh yes, these 3 lead a hard, tough life and they need extra attention and sympathy!!! Not at all, haha.

Day 73: 'Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!'

Hey everyone,

One of our favorite holidays here at YOP is St. Patty's Day. Barbara and I showed off our decorations in an earlier blog post but today was the actual day and we had fun.

It was a rough day at work but afterward Mom and I met up with Barbara. The three of us had dinner at the Blue Corn Cafe on 9th street in Durham and then after that Mom went home and Barbara and I went to Charlie's Bar and Grill for their St Patrick's Day party.

It was crazy, the place was packed, the music good, and the people loud, but I had a couple of Fat Tires and Barbara had Diet Coke. As I was paying my tab, we ran into Kirby, a good friend of ours and my buddy Marshall's girlfriend. We sat around and chatted another hour before it was finally time to hit the road because I have to be at work tomorrow.

Here are pictures of Barbara and I, myself in mid sentence, Kirby and Barbara, and Kirby and I. Fun had by all!

Day 72: 'We'll take what we can get... Go PACK!!!'

Hey everyone,

Well, tonight the NC State Wolfpack played in the first round of the NIT and after a disappointing season they have done well down the stretch including a good run in the ACC Tournament. I didn't watch most of the game but I did tune in to see the boys pull it out in true Cardiac Pack fashion. They scored with 8 seconds left sealing a tough first round win on the road against a higher seed.

Here I am am reveling in the win with some of my State gear. After some disappointing seasons lately, I can say that there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

See ya!

Day 71: 'My favorite... Banana Pudding!'

Hey everyone,

A busy, busy day at work and unwinding now with Barbara. She cooked steaks on the grill and baked a hot heaping helping of french fires. That was great and we finished it off with my favorite dessert...

Banana pudding! This is my Aunt Sylvia's banana pudding which was brought to Dad's party on Saturday by my Uncle Wayne. This stuff is so good, I could eat it all day. After having a bowl of this we are very happy and sleepy.

We will see you all tomorrow.

Day 70: 'Mmm... Pizza'

Hey everyone,

Barbara and I had a pretty good and relaxing day. We went out and did some local traveling and of course I forgot to bring my camera.

Then we went home and ordered Domino's Pizza, which I have featured here.



We are tired and going to bed. Everybody have a great Monday.

Day 69: 'Parrrtay!'

Hey all

So Dad's party went great today. Everyone left around 3:30-4 and Barbara and I were exhausted and decided to take a nap. Well, we slept for 4 HOURS (haha) and didn't get up until 8. So I will just post the pictures from today and perhaps write more tomorrow.

Day 68: 'Weird Man Hugs and LOTS of laundry'

Ok so this first picture today is from this morning shortly after I arrived at work. Two guys I work with Michael and Chris, sit right across from each other and diagonal to me and next to me respectively. There has been a shake up in seating arrang
ements at work (thankfully I was spared) and Michael had to move this morning. Michael and Chris are close and have had an interesting (to say the least) working relationship. Marathon rounds of chess, playing with little action figures, annoying other friends in the office, and just generally cracking each other up with sophomoric humor is the norm over where I sit. Now don't get me wrong, i like both of these guys and get along with them very well but, it's just funny enough to be pretty sad and I think both would agree (no doubt with a chuckle). Anyways, Chris had a semi-serious fit this morning when Michael had to move to a cubicle just a few feet away and the idea of protest and mutiny was tossed around (yes they are near their mid 20s and we do work in a professional environment, you see what I'm talking about? haha). Chris decided that Michael needed a hug and Michael agreed and much to the horror and bewilderment of us all, this took place...

Yeah, they actually hugged. I mean, wow, I have never seen so many eye rolls and raised eyebrows. The fact that they can still see each other from only a few more feet and they way they dramatized it all was just, well, surprising.

Now at home we are in the home stretch for the party tomorrow and I am folding laundry in the man room. It is a lot because I haven't done it in a while, but I will get through it

Hasta la vista peeps!