WOW Stringweaver you put me to shame. Some times things we hoped to do get put on the back burner when more time sensitive things come along. Been there done that more than once. I think the garden is more important than the floor as long as you are not in danger of falling through a half finished project.

Your raised beds sound wonderful. And sharing some of the work with others is so much better than going it alone.

I am keeping the veggie garden here small. In my big old watering tubs. So far only tomatoes and peppers are planted. Cukes are up in the house window and I will start lugging them out to the front porch during the day tomorrow. I also have a couple zucchini coming up from seed. Some sugar pod peas. It does not look like the rest of the old seed is going to germinate so I will finally pitch it.

I decided to let the big tank go to wild flowers and will spread the seed tomorrow. A little late but I just made this decision right this minute. The other tanks are enough for the veggies. The big tank is right out the kitchen window.

I have just pulled up all the wild and crazy tall flowers around the rest of the yard so will have a more tidy look to the over all yard. Not quite done with yard clean up but it is going along well. I am liking the more streamlined look.

Goals for May I already did one thing and that was to clear some more out of the loft. I set a time frame in my mine if I did not start to use some of the things up there they needed to go so I have a few boxes waiting for my girlfriend to have a yard sale and I will go help her and take my few things. The loft looks better with the louvered doors used up and gone and a few other things I decided to take to the free building at the dump.

SO another goal is to continue to tame the yard. And doing the silly fairy garden. I should be able to start putting it together soon. REALLY clean up my studio. I am gaining on that one too by doing a little bit every day. Every little bit helps.

With hubby starting chemo again I do not want to burden myself down too much. and take each day as it comes because I just never know what direction I might need to go in.

" take each day as it comes "

that is all you can do. and you need to keep up your own strength.

set up a few mini projects to work on if and when you have time - but don't forget not to overdo in case you need your strength in case Joe needs help.

other things can wait.

SWs post just exhausted me! I think I remember times when I did so many things like that without being laid up for a few weeks...

I think I'll work on doing the 2nd load of laundry each wk this month - lol! and maybe bringing more things in from outside.

I did wash up my bedroom curtains from the old place. the linings shredded so I just cut out most of them out. i'll have to trim them up 'cause I did a basic square to just take out the 'shreds'. they'll still be ok for a backroom for now. maybe next fall I'll get to GW and look for new used ones. these were from GW 18 yrs ago and just solid pink cotton with a cotton lining. doesn't matter for the backroom. except then I can wash the sheets hanging at the windows in there. such a goal!

I washed something yesterday I think is a dust ruffle that I didn't know I had. must be from my sister. it has a mass of fabric like it will cover the top of the box springs like a sheet... hopefully it'll match my favorite comforter (from her too). It won't go with the comforter I'm using now tho - Marmaduke!

I'd like to get new used back tires before the major heat hits - so before June hits. Will see what my tire guy can get 2 for.

I had a test appt on Mon and it was only a bit over a mile from the bookstore, so I went there and picked a few books for my gsons coming birthdays this summer. I hope to get them wrapped and in the mail in the next 2 wks. my son can hold the younger boy's gifts til his BD rolls around. 1 book for the younger boy (5) has stickers in it, so I envision those on his forehead and nose...

I'd like to get to BBB and pick up a new mop. they sell the miracle mop there and with coupon it won't be much- but it does have mechanism in handle to wring itself out! and to JoAnn's for some fabric glue to patch a few things. Those 2 things are in the same center so will try to do them the same day.

Steph I too hope the dust ruffle works for the comforter. Always nice to have some thing look good. You will get the laundry caught up eventually if you just do an extra load once in awhile. I am so happy to be able to use the clothes line again with better weather. I can get two loads hung up at one time easily the way I have the Catico done now.

I did a dumb thing last night late. Joe said it was going to rain as he was heading to bed so as I was heading to bed I stepped out the back door to put the shovel away. I ended up spending an hour working in the yard. YES in the dark. We have a back/side porch light. GADS it was 11:30 before I quit and came in. I am curious to see how I did in the dark. I was mostly digging up some big plants that are over taking me. They have to go!! Then I was revved up and it was hard to go to sleep and here I am up way before I usually get up. Wish my brain would slow down.

oh, that's not all me! I have a very enthusiastic 25 year old farm boy helping. He's living in an apartment now with no access to garden space. He comes over for an hour and a bed is built, filled with soil, water system set up and planted! I just have to keep ahead of him in getting wood, irrigation parts and soil. There are two others coming as well, but not as often.

Stringweaver what a dream to have a healthy energetic worker like that.

Well today's plans shot . Dog collapsed and I had to leave chemo sick hubby bundled in his chair while I head to vet with the dog. WOW no idea what has happened to her. Her heart is racing way too fast. I am to keep her quiet and give her the pills vet sent home with me. Scary as vet said she wanted me to know dog could just drop dead at any moment. OH great. At least Dog and hubby are in the same room so I can watch both at the same time.

I did get a little yard work done this morning before all of this started. So maybe it will be grouting day. I do not know I am feeling stunned over all of it. Took the wind out of my sails.

"Took the wind out of my sails"

wow shades! that is understandable! prayers for you, Joe and Dog. you all stay safe! please keep us updated. the vet couldn't tell why dog heart is racing?

Well hubby and dog both sleeping. Dog heart beat it a little lighter. A good thing from the horrible pounding it was. Hope this continues. Second dose of medicine at 10:00PM.

SO I did go out in the yard and working on May projects. I was pleased with how the work in the dark went last night. LOL It gave me vision towards the goal or the look I was hoping for.

After a lot of sole searching I did decide to make both ends of this length of the house flower beds match each other. Trying really hard to keep it simple. Standing on the door landing to the right is a mass of Lemon Balm the half length of the house . There are a few iris and a few hollyhock here and there coming through the Lemon Balm. I am fine with this. I will let all be on that side.

Last year I changed the left side flower bed or maybe that was two years ago. I forget. Anyway there are more irises on that side and I hope to pull up some of the yellow on the right and replace them with the pretty colored Iris I have on the left. This is the left side. From the road into the yard.

Left side where I planted today. LOL Those yellow iris are going away. They will take over the world.

I weeded this left flower bed and I know this will be an issue for awhile. On the other side the Lemon Balm seems to hold back most of the weeds. I then planted Lemon balm starts all the way down the left side flower bed and this stuff grows insanely. It is a mint after all. It smells so good. It is supposed to keep mosquitoes and ants away. I love petting kitty that has rolled in it. When we moved here 8 years ago I had one little flower pot of it from a friend. Heheheh. So I started with one plant and it took just a few years to take over. This time I planted about 12 starts from the right side and can not even see where I took them. So that problem flower bed will finally under control. Other than the extra weeding for a couple of years. I will mulch heavy with leaves I gather this fall and that will help the weed situation.

Then ALA LL I built a small human fairy garden. It will take time to fill in. I picked up the bird bath at a yard sale. I moved the wheelbarrow out from between the garbage can planters and dug in and leveled a spot for the bird bath. Then added the canning kettles which now have hens and chicks in them and hopefully will do flowers later. It is a kind of circle going down the slope. I will have to put the bird bath up in the fall or it will be smashed by the snow coming off the shop. At the washing machine tubs at the ends of the bench I planted this front side with baby columbine. I also panted columbine around the base of the bird bath. The seed was from Mama-Goose many years ago. I have been spreading the babies around the yard every year. LOVE them. Please excse the background mess my leaves are curing under that tarp. Zucchini will grow in the washing machine tubs and cucumbers in the garbage cans or maybe the other way around.

This is all I got done today other than watering what needed water and pictures. See Caroline's Fairy thread.

shades - how are Joe and the dog doing? and you?

Thanks for asking Steph. Hubby is doing better and eating again. More chemo for him on Tuesday if his blood work is ok. I had to bury the dog this morning. She died between 2:30 and 4:00. I am ashamed to admit I fell asleep. I did not get much sleep the last three nights being up with her. She must not have stirred much when it happened because I had my hand on her. It did not wake me. I started in on her grave at 4AM using my solar yard lights to see. It took me several hours with a couple rest breaks. So sad. She was a good dog. Almost 14. I am shocked how her life with us went by so fast. We will not be getting a second dog for now. Hoping Clancy will be ok by himself and us. I do not feel like I have any more energy to break in a new to us dog.

Today is clean up the house day. The floors are awful from all my yard work walking through the house and the rain we had last night and Clancy and me out in it then coming in. I left muddy shoes at the door but my feet were also a bit muddy. I need a long hot shower NOW then probably again after I get done cleaning the house. YES I will take two because I feel too icky after sitting on the floor with the dog most of the night.

I wiped out my prev post. I posted it before reading into your post. it was a 'kidding' post asking when you come to clean today. seemed so frivolous after reading the 'meat' of your post.

glad to hear Joe is doing ok considering all he has gone thru.

so sorry about the doggie! that is so tragic, so difficult for us who love them. Don't feel bad for falling asleep, if the dog needed your help, you'd have known. Sounds like he went peacefully with his mama's hand on him. He knew you were there with him. They are so hard to let go of... such bundles of love!

I know I decided I couldn't take another dog now- more the cost really. $s are tight, I wish I had more $s cause I would get a 2nd one. One thought is to get an older dog whose 'parent' died or had to go to a home and couldn't take him/her with them. I saw a few like that once at the pet store on 'adoption' night. I had 2 then or I'd have brought 1 home.

Shades- So sorry to hear about your furry friend. They really do become members of the family. Glad to hear your DH is doing better, though!

Thanks Steph and Mushcreek. I still have not done the floors. Sleep finally overcame me. Was nice to just cover up and rest. I will work on cleaning after lunch. Late lunch. GADS I got in the shower. Turned on the water and watched it spray out the back of the shower head. Had to take all that apart and do the new tape stuff on it and put it back together. I am not as vertically challenged as you Steph but it was a stretch for me. It all lasted 8 years before. Hope this time it lasts as long. PHEW. HA do I get to add that to my May to do list since it is already done?

Shades, I am so sorry for the loss of your dog. I hope you can take a block of time off to just rest. I can't believe how you keep going, and going, and going. I wish I were closer. I'd come to your house, make a pot of chicken and veggie soup for you and Joe, and run the house while you two sleep.

...all that sadness and work, and then to have to stop again to fix a shower head. Life can be a kick in the pants.

I've hesitated to post on this thread, but I might as well 'fess up. I was a total failure on my "April Goals."

The most visible project, the door for the bedroom closet, is still not done. Ms. H has had family problems, both she and her daughter have separated from the spouses. The staining and installing of the simple 36" folding door has been more than six weeks in the doing now. She did call last week and said it's almost ready.

I did not get the chipped baseboard by the closet repaired, nor did I get paint on the three small patched areas. In the process of not doing these tasks I found another chip/gouge on the opposite baseboard that needs repair, too.

Winter Woolies are about done; washed, dried, and stored on the top shelf of the armoire. I don't bother putting them in the basement; I'll be wanting them in late September/October.

I got the purses severly purged, packed, and put away!

Thanks to my DH, the two front gardens and the south veggie garden are ready for planting. He used a spading fork and fluffed them up to perfection. My bleeding hearts are up and I managed to get the large grow-through grids over them before they were too tall! The winds are bad here. I put grids over the peonies, bleeding hearts and cosmos. It makes all the difference in the world.

So, for May I am going to try to

...catch up from April

...get the gardens planted; the end of May is the norm for setting out vegs

...work on the Fairy garden some more

...find new lounging arrangements for Harry and Sam.

...continue shoveling out the stack of confusion known as my sewing room.

Shades - I love those yellow irises. Are they fragrant? I think they are glorious, but then yellow is my favorite flower color. Yellow - and purple, and lavender, and violet, and plum, and pink, and red, and blue, and turquoise, and teal, and forest green, and sage green, and lime green, and orange...

StringWeaver - Please send that 25-year-old dynamo my way. I'll return him - eventually!

MushCreek - I love your raised garden bed. I posted photos of my front garden project/problems on the "Cottage Gardens" forum but have had only one response. I think I bit off more than I can chew.

I rambled on with the posting, but there's so much to do and ask. I included some photos hoping to get design ideas. I don't know if I could post it here (my smaller house is in the background!) but if anyone just wanted to wander over and peek...

DesertSteph - Catching up on laundry, hanging curtains, and reviving a bed skirt are very valid goals. Be proud of yourself.

There are days, especially this last winter, where getting up, brushing my teeth, feeding the dogs, making the bed, and fixing dinner were all I could possibly get done. Now that it's warming up I'm moving about all day long, and while I haven't accomplished much, I keep nagging at my chores until they finally get finished. I tell my Mom that I hit May "preparing for the next winter."

Here's a photo of the front yard "cottage garden" I'm tasked with beginning to fill. DH built the obelisk for as last year's anniversary gift. And he hauled all the granite boulders in from various farm fields. This is looking north north-east from my driveway. The small wooden planter will hold 4-5 geraniums.

And looking east while standing on my front deck. I actually had to stand on a step ladder, on the deck, in order to get all the rocks in.

Shades, the large clump in the middle of the right hand garden are my yellow irises! There is a Marquee Moon daylily in the black pot - waiting to be planted - and chives to the right. There are peony's popping up by the obelisk and another clump of Marquee Moon daylilies behind it. The rest is my blank canvas. The grass pathway is 6-7' wide.

The pole and winch to the upper right is the Purple Martin set up.

And here are some of my feathery friends from yesterday...

The bird with its tail pointing the pole is a decoy. There are 10 Purple martins in this photo; can you spot them all (!), and there were more in the gourds on the other side.

The leaves are starting to open on the trees!

Caroline never beat yourself up for some thing that did not get done. This post is for things we would like to get done. Goals thought of. If I beat myself up for undone projects I would be black and blue. I ADORE seeing your garden plans. Your rock planters are going to be gorgeous filled in and are even pretty right now. I never even considered I should not show my garden photos here. I think most of us like photos so well no one would mind but I will speak for myself and I never mind photos. After all our yards make small house living better. for me anyway. With out my yard to live in too I might not like our small house.

You accomplished other things. Every thing done is a done deal and is good. I too just keep plugging along. I did not see 10 but for sure a solid 6 Martins. I just LOVE the house you have for them and a decoy. I did not now that needed to be done.

Last night while waiting on Clancy to do his business in the dogs yard I was looking at the left over STUFF I had to work with. This year is the year to use it up. When I got the trellises late last fall on deep sale that made for the perfect hand rail coming up into the dog yard door I moved the arched satellite fins away so they have been leaning against the fence waiting for inspiration. Well it happened and I put this little sitting area together this morning. I will paint the satellite fin trellis when I get time and know the weather will permit. It is trying to storm now.

5-14-16

Edited the post to replace the photo with the planted and painted version. Also painted the old wood gate and when the tree lilacs get large enough to survive dog pee I will plant them either side of the white gate. Morning glories are planted to grow up the trellis. It will be pretty in a month or so.

So far May has been work in the yard month. It is consuming me. It was getting away from me even with promises to not let it do so. NOW I think I am finally starting to gain on it. Still lots of weeds to pull. It is supposed to rain for the next several days. This is a good thing. Saves me from having to water the newly planted plants twice a day. It is very warm. Summer is around the corner.

(((Shades))) So sorry that you lost your doggie. You are under so much stress, try to get a break once in awhile. I've been somewhat in your shoes with DH dual heart surgeries and coincidentally, at the same time, lost our dog. At our ages we can't be superwives any longer, tho we sure try, don't we!

Wanttoretire_did. I am also very sorry for the loss of your dog. They are such a part of our families. Dual heart surgeries on hubby has to be wearing. And NO NO NO we can not always be the superwives day in and day out. I eventually get it all done but do not count on it all being done all the time. I try to do a pick up through the house every morning to help control the clutter that happens during life. Like when did I stop putting the salt and pepper shakers away beside my chair? OH maybe a few months ago when it got to be too much trouble to remember to S & P my food before bringing it to my chair to eat. Sigh. I can be really tacky in my old age. At least it is a cute vintage set a gift from a late dear friend. They were HER mothers.

We are not planning on getting a second dog right now. I just do not have it in me to try to break in another dog and for sure not a puppy. I am sure Clancy would love a puppy. I do not want to deal with the house breaking. Clancy has gone back to eating again so all is good and we just changed our routines with him so he is not constantly looking for Tillie. Still miss her though.

"Catching up on laundry, hanging curtains, and reviving a bed skirt are very valid goals. Be proud of yourself."

thx caroline! haven't hung the curtains yet but have done 2 or 3 more loads of the 'old' laundry. I need Jed to put up the rod brackets (to keep me off of a step stool) and his wife has been in/out of the hospital so much lately. he's been too busy with regular work, taking care of her and the kids lately. So I just keep doing up laundry...

the last load I did I just folded up and put in a clean box and will keep adding to it - when all old stuff is done up, i'll sort it out and take to GW.

I also sorted out the shelves in my closet - about half of what was on them was stuff that needed a new waist band or hemmed. I put them in another box along with some that are too small (to go to my friend in IL). that made room on the shelves for more of my regular things. stuff was getting too crowded and confusing... also took out winter things - I won't need long sleeves or flannel long pants again til next Nov.

just having the stuff clean so I can touch it is awesome. it was all so filthy that I put it all thru a pre-rinse before washing. I thought a few things were 'starched' with desert dirt and could have possibly walked away on their own...

"There are days, especially this last winter, where getting up, brushing my teeth, feeding the dogs, making the bed, and fixing dinner were all I could possibly get done. "

that sounds much like me. I gave up yrs back on 'making the bed'. I'm in /out of it all thru-out the day. it doesn't take much these days to do in my back. Arm movement will do it - like putting clothes on the line, taking them down and folding, raking, bending over to pull up weeds, even doing dishes. or even the getting in and out of the car a number of times when I go out to do errands will do it. I guess the arm movement of driving doesn't help either.

I usually bring in and put away anything that needs refrigerated then lie down for about a half an hour, then I get up and take doggie out - and bring in something else from the car on that trip back in.

Not making any great progress here - just bit by bit. I did finally put the ink cartridges put in my printer - but it still won't print. it isn't telling me any thing else is wrong either. I was hoping to print out some pages of info for my son. i'll check with Staples this week I guess.

love seeing everyone's yards and plants. your planting area with the rocks around it is great - and the bird 'condo' too!

shades- love your beautified concrete blocks!

Steph I am so sorry it is so hard for you to get around. Still sounds like you are making progress.

Here May is almost over. I am not even sure I completed anything I planned but I did get a few things done. And a massive yard clean up. I worked another two days out there yesterday and the day before. We also did shopping yesterday so I had to package meat for the freezer.

I have laundry on the line but used hangers so I can do a quick grab should it start raining, Was supposed to rain yesterday and it did not. Was supposed to be sunny today and now it is NOT. LOL The wind is blowing so with any luck the clothes will dry out side. If not I can hang them in the guest bath to finish drying.

I spent one day helping my friend sort for her yard sale and I will go tomorrow and Saturday to help her put it on. I SWORE I would never do another yard sale but she really needs some help. I also managed to fill FOUR boxes up with my own stuff to take. Really hoping it will sell and be gone. Either way yard sale or thrift store is is not coming back in the house. Says she stomping her foot. Lots going away. Very happy for this.

I have no other plans for May. House is cleaned HA all at one time. I will leave lunches for Joe while I am gone tomorrow and Sat. It will be good to do some thing different for a change.

Take care every one I am off to work on Lizzzie my mosaic lizard.