Stuck in a slump

I seem to be in a bit of a fog these days. I've decided that it is a combination of decompressing from the end of the school year and holding my breath over whether I get into the program or not. I should get a letter next week setting my interview time for the middle of June. Nonetheless, I'm feeling funky and unmotivated. Can't even get interested in crafting or sewing. *Sigh*

But the garden IS feeling motivated, so I will share the progress with you!



The peas have gone bonkers! In fact, for the first time, my clothesline trellis has started to collapse from the weight! Note to self: Next year, plant the peas behind the orchard on a heavy-duty cattle panel, so that I can walk down both sides of the row for picking!



My lone little strawberry. Highly magnified so that it doesn't suffer from a blow to it's self esteem! Gonna pick and eat this tomorrow!



The lettuce patch is pretty much done. I'm not sure what I will replace these with, but it will be something yummy!



Baby zucchinis are growing. If I lived in some fancy-schmancy area of the country, I might pick these while they are really small, and sell them to a fancy-schmancy restaurant for a gazillion dollars as baby vegetables!



The potatoes have been buried up to their necks to promote more spud growth along the stems.



The peaches are getting big, but the endless rain we've had may ruin the quality. I've read that the clear resin-like stuff on the fruit is caused by too much moisture. Sassy found one fallen on the ground and claimed it for herself. She was not amused when I made her give it up! I took it inside and washed it, then cut a piece from it. A little early, but still tasty.



There are only a few gala apples on the trees this year, but



I'm going to have LOTS of pears!!

Lisa versus the 10 pound chub

Stud Muffin and I went to Sam's Club the other day and amongst other things, were looking for some hamburger patties. Yes, I know I should just buy the meat and form the patties myself, but Studly likes hamburgers a lot. As in frequently. Maybe a couple times a week. And there is a limit to how much I wish to massage the meat, as it were.

Anyway, the store didn't have any packages available of pre-formed patties, so we bought a 10 pound chub instead. The "theory" was that I could just slice patties from this enormous tube of meat.

Yeah, right!



The first slice worked well, as I cut straight through the plastic wrap. From then on... disaster. The dental floss was a non-starter, so I went with a serrated knife and hacked away.

Studly said he knew that I always wanted a ginormous tube-steak. I said I was more interested in cutting the schlong into smaller pieces.



I packaged the patties in sets of two, and kept 3 out to cook for lunch.



In the end, I got 12 packages plus lunch for $18.44 or about $1.50 of meat per meal. Not bad considering.

And it ought to last a good long while. Like maybe until 4th of July!

To pea or not to pea...

that is the question, blah, blah, blah. The peas have finally started flowering!



I took these pictures a couple of days ago and just this morning, I found my first pea pod. And then...I eated it!!

I have also been working (very slowly) on weeding and mulching the front beds. This part: lookin' good. (The peas are in the background.)



Where the mulch runs out: not so good! And don't even ask me about the other side!



Just look at the weed growing out of the center of this shrub! I do grow the biggest weeds, though.



As with all of my big projects, I'm going to eat this elephant one bite at a time. So, I always most days occasionally go out first thing in the morning and work another section. In fact, I did another section this morning... in the rain. I figure by the time this recession is over, I will have these two beds finished!

With the coming of Spring, all the colorful birds are back. The other morning, a bright yellow bird kept trying to fly into the family room window. The dogs barked at it the first few times, but then Nick jumped onto the back of the sofa and tried to nibble on the bird through the glass.



The bird took off, but Nick stayed up there for the longest time in case it returned. He was going to be ready this time! Look at that tail! Doesn't he look like a cat sunning himself up there?



I love you, my big hairy bird watcher!

Red letter Day

Well, I finally finished my application to the radiography program!! Boy, have I been working overtime in my sleep about this one!

I struggled and rewrote and finally came up with a Personal Statement that I think reflects my personality and my goals. So I will either get into this dang program, or secure myself a padded room in the nut house!

But it is done, hand delivered, and out of my hands. Anyone who would like to say a prayer or light a candle or whatever on behalf of my cause, will be greatly appreciated by me.

And now we wait. Wait for the beginning of next month when the applicants who float to the top of the pile are granted an interview with the hospital board. So I have a couple of weeks before I have to start obsessing about that!

Stud Muffin composed a little ditty in honor of the day:

I once had a wife named Lisa,
Who was really quite a piece-a.
She went back to school,
And I'm such a fool,
Cuz I can't get a piece-a Lisa!

But, really the day is all about me!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

By 1.bp.blogspot.com

Hope all you Muthas out in blogland have a wonderful day! So far, my day has been great!

I got to NOT make the usual Sunday homemade waffles and bacon!

Studly took me on a drive to the local gas station, filled the gas cans with 15 gallons of expensive fuel for the mowers and chainsaw, and got me a newspaper and a lottery ticket!!

And I heard from one both of my children!!

Do I know how to celebrate or what????

Could we BE any more redneck???

Friggin' birds!! I know it's raining and they just want to build a nest where it is dry, but seriously!!

No sooner than I got them out of the front door area, then chased them out of the lights on the back porch, then they came back to the front porch and started building in the light there!



This is Studly making things hot on the front porch this morning until we can get it all cleaned and covered.



Their aim isn's so good!



This is my bird-proofing in the back. Seems to be working.




With over a week of solid rain, the grass is so long, you could lose a car or two in there. Just add me a broken down washing machine to the front lawn, my beer can wind chimes, and I think my transf tranifor change into a real redneck is complete!

You know the economy is bad when...

Another gem from Singapore Cindy!! Wish I knew who to credit for all these great lists!

The economy is so bad that--

1. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank.

2. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

3. CEO's are now playing miniature golf.

Photo by www.bloomberg.com

4. Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars are now trading higher than GM.

5. Obama met with small businesses - GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup and GM, to discuss the stimulus Package.

6. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

7. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children's names.

8. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

9. People in Africa are donating money to Americans. Mothers in Ethiopia are telling their kids, "finish your plate; do you know how many kids are starving in the US?"

10. Motel Six won't leave the lights on for us anymore.

11. The Mafia is laying off judges.

By www.toonpool.com

12. If the bank returns your check marked "insufficient funds," you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.

Update

Sh*tty little birds moved to the back porch and starting building in the light fixture next to the backdoor!! Pictures of my half-*ssed solution as soon as we get enough sunlight to take a decent photo!!

The little buggers tried out the porch ceiling fan, until Stud Muffin turned it on!!

I know it seems mean, what we are doing, but I have 192 acres of perfectly good trees for them to set up housekeeping!! Must they poop all over my house?!? Would they like it if I stuck wallpaper and curtains to their nest with my poo??