Our Lowe's Experiences

Another pretty sunny day.  It was in the eighties.  I finished mowing the grass, and watered the new trees in the front yard.  I finally had a chance to check the Franklin trees, and all six of them have leaves.  Of course, they haven’t grown very much.  I also watered the flowers I planted in my new containers.  Now I am done for the evening.  Time to shower.

Slow start today.  Got my morning chores finished plus a few extras.  I plan to pull weeds today.  Nothing too strenuous.  While sitting here at my computer working on mine and Kevin’s blog I am watching two bluebirds busy mating. 

Just went out front and did some weeding.  It is really hot so I am going to wait for some shade to continue. 

Never did get back outside. 

Thursday Renea and I went shopping.  We have been wanting to go to this nursery over in Columbus, GA, called Bloomers.  So that was our first stop.  We were really disappointed.  They had a fair selection of plants, but were rather pricey.  However, we found a couple we had been looking for and were not able to find at Lowe’s. 

Renea called Stephanie to find out what time we could meet for lunch.  Her class had been cancelled so we headed to her house to pick her up.  Next was a discussion on where to eat.  Renea suggested DQ but Stephanie didn’t want that because she couldn’t get anything healthy.  She did say if we wanted to go there she would just watch us eat. LOL  We didn’t want that.  We eventually decided on Subway.  Tasted good because Renea and I hadn’t had that for a long time.  After eating we took Stephanie home, and stopped in to see Copper.  I had not seen this house that the girls were renting so I got a tour of the place.  Cute place.  They will be moving this summer since they are graduating.

Renea and I decided to wanted to go to Lowe’s on Veterans Parkway.  We didn’t know there was construction.  What a mess.  We did make it to Lowe’s okay.  Just took a while.  This Lowe’s had a lot more flowers and nicer ones.  Of course, we bought “a few” and some potting soil.  We decided it was time to head home.

Our last two experiences at Lowe’s have been interesting. The last time we were at the one in Opelika we both had a cart full of flowers.  We parked the carts and walked away to look at some flowers in a different row.  When we came back Renea’s cart was gone along with her flowers.  We walked around and found that this couple (man and woman) had taken the cart and were getting ready to check out.  When we approached them, they said they found it sitting at the end of the aisle and they liked the flowers.  Since they didn’t see anyone around they took it.  When we explained that we had parked it there and was looking at something else, they didn’t argue and Renea got her cart back.

Thursday when we were at Lowe’s in Columbus, we did it again.  We each had a cart with flowers and since the outside aisles were so small we decided to leave them parked while we looked at some plants two rows over.  While looking I happen to glance over at our carts and what do you know – some guy was taking the flowers off one cart and putting them on another.  Of course, me being so quiet and soft spoken, yells across the rows and asks him what he is doing.  Those are our carts and flowers.  He just said okay and walked away when I went over and put the flowers back on the carts where they belonged. 

I guess we won’t leave our carts unattended at Lowe’s again J

Flowers and Other Stuff

I have had a couple of really bad days this week.  My blood pressure has been really high and I have been having dizzy spells.  However, finally – today is sunny and warm.  A little breezy, but that’s okay.  After all the rain we had, I am ready for this. I am starting to feel better.  In fact, my blood pressure was almost normal this morning.

If all goes well, I will plant the flowers today that I bought at Lowe’s last week.  I checked my golden raintree and it has leaves – small ones, but leaves!!!!  As for the redbud, I saw buds!!!!  I was really worried about both of them.

Just returned from checking the trees in the fruit orchard.  All the trees look healthy.  Some have flowers.  Not sure we will get any fruit this year, but we are hoping.  Two of the lemon trees look like they have a couple of lemons starting.  We shall see.  I also checked the new pecan trees.  A couple of them look like they are starting to get buds.  Need to keep watching them.

 

I am really happy with my snowball bush this year.  The flowers are beautiful!  I bought this because I can remember my grandmother Althoefer had one in her yard and I loved it.  It was huge.  I am hoping this one does just as well. 

The rhododendron is in bloom and looking pretty.

The iris in the round container have a lot of buds.

Both hydrangeas are doing well.  The one has several flower buds on it.  I am just happy that the other one survived.  Kevin had dug it up when he built the steps and it sat on a piece of plastic for quite a while.  It sure looked sad when he finally planted it. 

The purple martins are really busy this morning.  I assume they are feeding their babies since they are flying to and from the house.  I also have some nesting in the new house (gourds).  They are doing the same there.

I didn’t get the planting done yesterday.  Just didn’t feel up to it.  Instead I watched the NASCAR race – Yea Edwards!  He is one of my favorites.  After the race I went to Kevin and Renea’s for supper.  Renea fixed a pork loin with apple dressing – yummy!  She also fixed a butternut cheese cake.  Even yummier!

 

Today is a beautiful day.  So far I have fed the birds and put the mail in the mailbox.  Plan to get some outside work accomplished.

The new plants have been planted in the new containers.  I thought I had enough to fill all three of them, but it looks like I need to buy a few “fillers.”  What I do have looks really pretty.  I am definitely making progress in my front yard.

This planter was purchased as is and I am not going to do anything to it.  I have it on one of my tables on my deck.

This rectangular planter has Golden Sphere Coreopsis in the center with Rose Dianthus on either side.  I don’t think I need anything else in here either.  I am hoping to split these at some point and put them around my birdbath.

This rectangular planter has Golden Sphere Coreopsis in the center with Pentas on either side.

This rectangular planter has three Archangel Angelonia; one pink, one lilac and one white.  These are annuals. 

This planter is filled with Verbena.  I will probably put these in a larger pot.

I also cleaned the birdbath in the front yard and watered both new trees.  I did that after I cut two sections of grass.  I made a lot of progress today.  Now it is time for a break.


Tonight is DWTS.  It is switchup night.  Will be interesting to see how this goes.  Okay, so I watched DWTS.  I think the judges are nuts.  I never seem to agree with them.  The show was okay.  I will be glad when they get back to their regular show.  I also think Nyles got screwed.  In my opinion he deserved all 10s.  I think he is amazing.  There were a few other that I thought should have gotten better scores.  Oh well, since I am not in charge......  We will see what happens next week.

It's The Rainy Season

Well, here we go again.  Rain and storms on the way.  Light rain now (6:30 p.m.) but storms later.  Always arrives after dark. 

Today was just a day to get things done such as laundry, etc.  Finished now, and getting ready to watch DWTS.  It will be interesting to see who goes home.

Was surprised at who went home.  I assume she didn’t have the following some of the other have, but I do like Tony. 

Today is not a good day.  We had an inch of rain with a lot of lightning and thunder.  We were lucky this time – no severe weather.  However, today is cloudy, but no rain so far.  Just a slight chance.  As for me I am miserable.  Had a bad night.  Short of breath.  Lots of pain.  Such is life.  Still have work to do.

I just walked to the mailbox and checked my trees while I was at it.  The tulip poplar trees are getting leaves!  The goldenrain tree has some leaf buds.  The chase tree has some new growth.  I still don’t see anything on the redbud tree.  The round container of iris has four stalks with buds.  The other iris container has a lot of green leaves but no buds.  Both of my hydrangea are looking great.  One of them has several flower buds.  The lantana have a lot of new growth and are looking healthy.  The hummingbird bush has a lot of new growth.  My snowball bush was beautiful this year!  Yea!!!!

Wednesday – Renea and I headed out early for Tigertown.  Our first stop was the dentist for Renea.  Of course, they were running late.  However, she was finally seen and all was well.  Next stop was Arby’s for lunch.  Neither of us had been there for a while and we wanted something quick.

Then, the most important stop of the day – Lowe’s.  Both of us bought a lot of flowers and potting soil.  After purchasing those cement containers we needed flower to put in them.  Renea was able to plant hers on Thursday in between the rain.  We actually had an inch and half of rain on Thursday.  I probably won’t get mine planted until Saturday.  Today is Friday and it is raining again.  I will then take pictures.

Thursday I went to Barnes and Nobles, and bought several books.  Donna suggested the Outlander series, but they didn’t have them in stock.  However, I still found a couple that I was looking for and completed my Rizzoli and Isles series.  It isn’t like I don’t have any books to read.  I also went to Walmart to pick up a few things.

Back to Friday (today), I have still not received the box of books Jana sent me.  So, Jana and I both checked on the tracking number, talked to a lot of people (her more than me), and found out that it was marked undeliverable and unreturnable, was sent to the dead letter building in Atlanta, and they were going to get rid of it.  After Jana made all of her calls, they found the box.  Of course, no one knows why it was marked undeliverable/unreturnable because all the names and addresses were correct.  Now they are supposed to deliver it.  Needless to say, they didn’t say when.

P.S. It’s still raining J

Bird Bath and Spa

Renea went to the dentist this morning which means she drove thru Beauregard.  When she returned she said you could see where the tornado went thru.  I haven’t watched any news yet since I slept most of this morning.  I was exhausted.  Not used to staying up so late.

 

Today is beautiful and sunny.  It doesn’t look like we had any wind damage from the storms.  As for rain, we had about a quarter of an inch.  Guess I will have to water the trees tonight.

 

P.S.  The little yellow bird is back.

 

Didn’t do much today.  Didn’t even water the trees.

 

Today is another beautiful, sunny day, but windy.  After doing my morning chores I finished mowing my portion of the grass which is my front yard.  Now it is time for a break and lunch.  After lunch I decided to do some more weeding.  Almost finished so I can use roundup on the rest of the weeds. Just a little more tweaking.  I have weeded the azaleas bush to be transplanted.  It sure looks sad, but it has one bud.  The buds on the rhododendron are starting to open. 

 

The rest of the day I spent doing odds and ends.  I even sat on my swing on my deck for a while.

 

Patrick brought Kevin’s tractor back this morning and he is now mowing the grass in the back. He also picked up the branches and twigs that I had stacked over by the pecan trees.  I had planned to do that, but I just didn’t get to it.

 

After I finished my morning chores I went outside and watered all the new trees and plants in the front.  Everything is looking good.  Now the wind is starting to pick up again.  Not sure how much I will get accomplished outside this afternoon.

 

I planned on watching the race, but there was a rain delay.  By the time they started the race it was my bedtime. 

 

Today after church Kevin set up the new birdbath (which Renea refers to as a birdbath/spa) that I bought last Sunday.  It looks great.  I filled it with water.  Now, we just have to wait for the birds to visit.

Had supper with Kevin, Renea, Ryan and Stephanie tonight.  Renea fixed spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread.  We had cake that Renea baked for desert.  Great meal!  Now it’s time for some relaxation.  I have my to do list made for the coming week.  I need to rest tonight to get ready.

Tornadoes and the Donut Hole

Since I was gone all day yesterday I thought it best to get some of my indoor work done today.  So that is what I did this morning.  After lunch I went to Books A Million, and found a couple of books I had been looking for.  I then went to Kroger and stocked up on some items that I needed.

Had supper with Kevin and Renea.  Renea was going to fix tacos Sunday, but since we had such a big late lunch at Longhorn Steakhouse none of us were hungry.  So she fixed them today and invited me to join them.  I take all the ingredients and make a salad.  Hadn’t had them for quite a while and they sure tasted good.  After supper I watched DWTS.  Jana and I text each other with our opinions (which are so important to the show).  Anyway, neither of us were surprised at who was eliminated.  She acted like she didn’t want to be there.

This morning, after I finished my morning chores, I went outside and started mowing the grass.  Now, I have told y’all before how I mow my yard in sections.  Well, today I finished three sections.  I’m afraid to start another one because I think I need gas in the mower.  Sure don’t want to run out of gas in the middle of the yard J  I made sure I didn’t mow the grass where my little killdeer is nesting.  She kept an eye on me, and I stayed away from her.

I also took a few outside pictures that I needed.  Also checked the new trees.  The tulip poplar buds are starting to open.  The oak tree buds are also starting to open.  The new chase tree is looking really good.  The crepe myrtles are also looking good.  However, the redbud tree and golden raintree do not have any buds on them.  I haven’t checked the franklin trees yet.  I’m taking a break right now. 

Finished a small section of grass, and then I quit because I was almost out of gas.  Three of the six franklin trees are looking pretty good.  Now I am done for the day.  Back to work tomorrow.

It is now tomorrow.  It is cloudy and cool.  We are supposed to have rain later.  Kevin bowled last night so he didn’t get to fill the mower with gas.  This means I will not be mowing grass today.  Instead I pulled some weeds.  I need to pull the weeds around the lantanas that I cut back and also around the azalea bush.  I finished about half of that today.  When I finish I will be able to spray roundup on the rest of the weeds.  However, it is windy today and I don’t want to take a chance on getting any roundup on the lantanas or azalea. 

I am sitting here watching the prettiest yellow bird at the backyard feeder.  I don’t know if it is a canary or gold finch.  I can’t tell the difference.  Maybe they are one and the same?  There have been several cardinals at my front feeders today.  There are a lot of other birds coming and going, but I am not sure what they are.

Kevin came home from work and filled the mower with gas so I am all set for tomorrow.

WHAT A NIGHT!  I went to bed after the news.  The weather guy said that the rain was supposed to get here about midnight.  No severe weather!  Maybe a few rumbles of thunder with a lot of rain.  Well…..about 11 o’clock I received a text that said we had a severe thunderstorm warning in Russell County (where I live).  The lightning and thunder was unbelievable.  No rain though.  About 15 minutes later I received a text saying there was a tornado warning in Lee County.  That county borders Russell County to the north.  So, I got up and turned on the television.  The tornado was in the area of Beauregard and heading east.  This was just a couple of miles north of us. 

The lightning was so bad I didn’t want to go outside to go to Kevin and Renea’s.  SCARY!  Poor Penny was pacing back and forth in the house.  Before that warning expired I received another text saying there was a tornado warning in Russell County across Hwy. 80 heading east.  Now that is about ½ mile south of us.  The sirens were blaring, but I did not hear the roar of a tornado.  I decided to stay put because the lightning was still so bad.  I stayed up watching the television until we got the all clear which was about 1:30 a.m.  Penny and I then went to bed.

Thank God for the donut hole!

Some of this and some of that

Finally got outside to check the yard and trees.  We had 2 ½ inches of rain during the past 24 hours.  It sure was good for the trees.  The tulip poplar buds are starting to open.  Four of the six Franklin trees have tiny green leaves.  The Chase tree looks great.  However, I didn’t see any growth on the golden raintree or hardy redbud.  The two azaleas we transplanted are looking great.  In fact, one of them has a couple of flowers.  The crepe myrtles are doing great as are the hydrangeas.  The lilies, dahlias, and marigolds also survived their planting. The iris have plenty of green leaves but no buds.  The snowball bush looks great.  I learned something about the snowball bush this year.  The buds are actually large green balls which turn white when they bloom.

I really need to mow the grass, but because it is so wet that will probably have to wait until Monday.   Since I can’t mow the grass I decided it was a good day to cut back the lantanas.  I also cut back the hummingbird bush.  Both of the lantanas and the hummingbird bush has plenty of new growth.  It looks like they all survived the winter.  I need to take a break now.  I still need to weed that area.  That will be next week.

Sunday we drove to a farm in Soperton, Georgia, which is about half way to Savannah.  Kevin drove us; us meaning Renea, me and Kevin.  Their friends Eddie and his wife, Lordes (sp?) joined us.  We met at Krispy Kreme for breakfast and then headed out.  We were on a mission.

The farm is owned by a lady named Beverly who Kevin and Eddie knew from work.  She used to make and sell concrete flower pots, birdbaths, etc.  She is going out of business and selling her stock.  This is why we were going there.  To spend money J I bought a very large birdbath and three rectangular flower containers.  Renea and Kevin bought several round flower containers and several square ones.  They are going to put them around the pool.  My birdbath will be placed in the back yard.  Not sure where I will be putting the rectangle containers.  I will take pictures when everything is in place.  They are still in Kevin’s trailer at this point because they are so heavy we need help lifting them.  Eddie and his wife also bought quite a few items.

Beverly is now going into goat farming.  She took us back to where the goats are so we could see them.  We thought they were cute.  She has two sires for her girls.  There were about half a dozen kids one week old.  We were permitted to hold the babies.  Anyway, she would go to the fence and call for Sampson (one of the sires) to bring the girls.  And, here they came.  The other sire is named Hercules.  They both had hair down in their eyes, horns and beards.  We really enjoyed our visit.

When we left we stopped at Longhorn Steakhouse for lunch.  They were packed!  However, the food was good.   By the time we arrived home we were all tired.  Didn’t do anything except relax.  Was a little tough staying awake until bedtime, but I was afraid to go to bed too early.  I wanted to be sure and sleep all night.

Had a little problem with Penny Sunday night.  She was so wound up when I got home, and I was so tired I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to her.  Anyway, I was sitting on the couch and she was on top of the television (one of her favorite spots).  All of a sudden she jumped up on the curtain rod above the window next to the television.  Down came Penny, the curtains, the curtain rod, and the hardware pulled out of the wall.  What a mess.  Of course, she took off running and hid.  I didn’t know if she was hurt, and she wouldn’t let me check her.  Finally, she came out of hiding.  I coaxed her with treats.  I got her to come up on the couch next to me so I could check her.  She seemed to be okay.  She is her normal self this morning.  Of course, now I have some work to do fixing the wall and curtains.