That Honey-Do List in Pictures - Part 1

Over the past few weeks Dwayne and I have been feeling like our goal is so out of reach.  Every time we attempt to build up a nest egg for one of the ‘biggies’ - some other crap happens - and it’s never a cheap fix.

But I think I’ve found the ultimate positive reason for taking photos of everyday life.

I began going through photos I’ve taken over this past year.  Before I realized it - it became second nature to collect them all into a pile - ( alright - so it’s a virtual pile ) - for posting.  I ended up with enough that it will take more than one posting.

But the awesome point in such an effort is - it helps both of us realize something.

Despite the insane work schedule that co-exists with our lives - despite the fact that an additional graveyard shift got thrown into this year - despite the fact that it came only a couple months after Dwayne had just gotten off of a 4-month round - despite the fact that this new graveyard shift came during harvesting and canning season - ( when I really needed his help most ) - despite the issues regarding my health that have come up…

We managed to get quite a bit of our list knocked out this year!  And thank God - these photos are the best medicine for helping us - both - keep hope in being able to reach our goal!

We brought home a new addition to our family - a puppy for Zucker - to remove all his feelings of loneliness.  Having only one child in a home is - absolutely - cruel.

We named her Carlie!  And she went from this…

… to THIS - in no time at all!  And she now has an extended nickname - “ Miss Sexy Feet Cow With No Legs Spicy Bitch! “  The latter part comes from the fact that - this goofy dog likes to steal jalapeno peppers from my buckets.

Dwayne constructed an arbor for our green Kay Gray grapevines - which we planted shortly afterward.  He built 5 crosses.  I know.  We joked about it looking like we were prepping for a Crucifixion - and discussed what names to put on 'em.

He moved the front porch stair landing and staircase out away from the house - to the position where it should have been constructed in the first place.

We planted a Kwanzan Cherry tree in front of the porch - to honor Monica - a dear friend that had passed away just before last Thanksgiving.

I was shocked to see the blooms that appeared shortly after planting!  It was almost as if Monica came to make it happen - a way of saying thanks.

We planted a Granny Smith Apple tree.

We drove down to Georgia to buy our tractor.  Dwayne even turned that trip into a surprise weekend down in Savannah - a gift to me for Mother’s Day - which was absolutely wonderful!

And so far - Dwayne has replaced the seat - two rear tires - moved the exhaust stack to revamp the tractor for cutting hay - and a few other tasks to boot.

This spot became….

The home for our Chicken Hotel that my wonderful husband constructed so meticulously that you’d think some human was moving in to live there.  And next - came the construction of the chicken tractor - for allowing them to range on the property.

Both - became the home to a mess of these little bobbles!

And just look at how much they’ve grown in only 3 months!

We had beautiful ‘ volunteer ‘ sunflowers sprout into tall beauties - from seed that hit the ground last year.  Sadly - I only caught sight of three honeybees around our property this year.  Plenty of the bumble bees and others.  Not quite sure what to think of that.

Zucker became 3 years old this year.  His whole demeanor seems to have changed - especially now that he has someone to play with at home!

We survived a bit of a dry spell that threatened everything.

But then we were compensated with a spell of longlasting showers for days that helped everything come back to life!

And it made good on the second cutting of hay for this year - even offering a possible promise of a third cut!

And we are now only into the very beginning of the Fall season.  There’s no telling what lies in wait for us before the end of the year.  I only pray that it’s all good.