Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Grass is Greener
We have a yard! No one is allowed to walk/play on it yet (Ben...I saw you taking a short cut across the grass the other day) but it won't be long. This is the grass at two weeks post-seeding. The bottom two photos are one week after. But having a lush lawn means maintenance - something we've never had to worry about ourselves in the past thanks to condo associations and/or having a gardener as part of the rent. First item of business - purchasing a lawnmower - a task that should be easy enough...or is it?
After reading a couple books on lawn care (I recommend "Lawn Geek" by Trey Rogers) and searching the Net I have decided that #1 - I want a lawnmower that mulches. Everything I have read has suggested that leaving clippings on the grass a) returns much needed nutrients to the soil and b) cuts down on the need for watering. It also saves me from having to empty the bag (when mowing as a teenager I never did like to be interupted by a full bag - plus it gets heavy). #2 - I don't really want to deal with getting gas, storing gas and emptying gas when storing for the winter. Or the fumes. #3 - I also don't want to have to wear noise-cancelling ear thingys when mowing the lawn. So this leaves me three choices - a plug-in electric model - nope, don't want to deal with a cord, a battery operated electric mulching mower or a push reel mower (yes they still make these).
I thought I had settled on the second option and found one I liked on Amazon that had good reviews. The downfall of the cordless electric option is a finicky battery that can only charge for so many hours before being ruined and is expensive to replace. So why not a push reel mower - it supposedly gives a great cut and I think I'd get a great workout as well.
I think Ben wants a manly roaring, fuming, self-propelled version. At first we'll probably fight over who gets to mow because we are so excited to have a yard (and b/c we enjoy bickering). But we all know who's going to end up mowing. Oh, we don't all know? My guess is it will be me - since I just stay at home lounging all the time. But, I don't think ladies of leisure are supposed to do yard work...
So I need experience and opinions here - opinions borne of experience. I am happy to hear that at least one friend does actually have and like the cordless electric mower. I consider that to be one vote in favor of option #2. There will be a poll.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Aloha PNX 864
The County of Honolulu Vehicle Licensing Department apparently wants me to get over the idea that maybe I'll have to move back to Hawaii so therefore I should keep my plates, because they aren't taking my calls. Or accepting my written correspondence. I guess they don't want my new address. I even gave them an extra two weeks after my tags expired just in case. Finally, I broke down and applied for WA license plates, trading the rainbow for Mt. Rainer- and upping our collection from different states to six.
On another note, I don't know why I can't keep my car registration and other vehicular matters up-to-date (I take that back - I would never miss an oil change). Last year I was late getting new tags and the year before that I got new ones when we moved to Hawaii but never put the sticker on. I went an entire year with no expiration sticker whatsoever. That same year I also let my license expire - by over two months - which I don't recommend because if your license is expired for more than 40 days you have to take a driving and written test. I found that out the hard way. And to quote the rather scary lady who was in charge of said test "you're lucky I'm going to let you pass, but you won't change your ways anyway". My "ways"? Excuse me, but driving with your knees while applying mascara* takes an extreme amount of skill. She's lucky I don't know how to text.
If I can get away with having expired registration and license without getting in trouble I must not be doing so bad. (For the record the last time I got pulled over was over 10 years ago - which is not perfect - like one of my grandmothers who I think has never been pulled over - but my driving skills are improving with age).
*That's a joke, I would never drive with my knees and apply mascara at the same time.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
May Recap
Here is a picture of Avery after her recital helping her dad distribute topsoil around the property. The theater the recital was in would not allow photography or video so I only have a video of the dress rehearsal performance. I haven't decided whether it is worth it to post. It's mostly just grandparent material. (I decided to post it on the sidebar temporarily)
Avery also had her big kindergarten doctor appt. I think it's supposed to be the standard five year appt. but I will only go if immunizations are due or if are forced to meet a requirement. She had to get 5 shots. It wasn't a pleasant experience but we survived. Her recent dentist appt. however was a pleasant experience, or at least it seemed like it:
Me: Nothing noteworthy to report.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Alive.
But we do have Internet now and we are alive. Pictures and more to come. If you are really missing us you can check us out on Sara's blog looking rather fantastic if I do say so myself. (I'd like thank Sara for teaching me the proper way to position my head, photoshop and my friends at Allergan...)