And I also did this

Actually I really didn't do anything else exciting or spectacular. I took lots of not so great pictures at the cemeteries in town. (Coincidentally enough me and the whole fam bam went on memorial day as a spur of the moment day trip).

 

Cemeteries are understandably a little melancholy but I have to say that what you notice most, especially when at an old cemetery, is that children used to die. A lot. It is something that we don't really think of much in this day and age but back in the 1800's and early 1900's it was a part of life. Families would loose 2, 3 or even more of their children sometimes only days apart. Due to illnesses running rampant I am sure but it made me appreciate that we don't really have to worry about those things very much any more. 

 

Also, when someone dies there was often times mention of where the person was from and down to the number of days how old they were. I guess when the average lifespan was far below where it is today every day counted. I like to think that I make every day count.

I also went to NY again. It's a pretty amazing place really and I do think that everyone should go there at least once. I didn't really get it the first time I went, it took time for me to appreciate why people love it so much. I love it for many reasons. It is a place full of diversity, a lesson in history, a city of entertainment and it is like no other place. Also, you can find any kind of cuisine you could think up. And I mean anything. There are buildings hundreds of years old nestled between new skyscrapers and corporate living. There are museums and galleries and of course you can't forget all the Broadway shows. They are amazing too, I love them all. :) There are people who sell things on the street and you can just walk wherever you need to go. Walking 5 miles in the city feels like nothing at all and everyone else does it too. Lots of people don't even have cars, they walk or take a cab. I can't blame them with the cost of living as high as it is there a car is a luxury. There is always something to do or somewhere to go. I can't really explain it but there is a feeling there like a pulse or something. Like the city is it's own living breathing being that surrounds you.

And besides the Broadway shows I love Central Park the most. Because in the middle of all that concrete and buildings and hustle and bustle there is a piece of humanity. A true testament to the fact that even the city dwellers need to have a little outdoorsy connection. It is like everyone's backyard. I have only ever explored about half of it simply because it is enormous but I still find that you can never truly see it all. People walking their dogs, jogging on trails, biking, carriage rides, picnics, baseball games, paddle boats, kiddie rides, a zoo (that's right, there is a zoo in there too), people selling prints, drawing caricatures, yummy food and drink stands, you name it they got it. On this trip we found some very hungry ducks! Aren't they cute!

We had the most amazing weather while we were there. Usually the sheer heat and damp humidity are enough to put at least a little damper on my city exploring but not this time. Walking around the park for a few hours before heading off to the airport was a great way to spend the afternoon. I like to think that one day I can go with my whole loud family and David and we can all roam around the city together. Now that would be a trip to remember. :)

What have you been up to you say?

Well as usual I have been simultaneously very busy any yet haven't gotten nearly as much done as you would think one could get done in 1/3 of a year. That's right. Four months to the day. However, despite the fact that I am sure you were looking forward to one of my novella size meanderings over the many things I have done over the months but I have decided to disappoint you. I am going to stick to 3/4 of the story of installing a sod lawn. Yes, I just said 3/4 of the story. :)

Step 1 & 2: You have to work harder than you have ever imagined for days on end to prep your site. They say it is the most important part and so I gave it my all. This was our last shot since we have tried seed three times to no avail. I still ,even months later, remember how much physical pain I was in during the process. I can honestly say that I have never worked harder in my life. Needless to say, after upwards of 30 hours of hard labor we were ready for sod- which is why it counts as part 1 and 2.

So you caught me. I am terrible at taking pictures of a process. This is almost ready. The easy part was spreading a couple inches of good soil on top of this terrible soil we have. I think you get the point anyway. Plain old dirt that has been flatted and rid of rocks, massive tree roots and don't forget the 18 wheelbarrows of clay that I carted out from one area and completely replaced. That was really fun.

Yup, that's more dirt. Just what you wanted to see. :)

And don't forget that this very same thing was being done in the front yard too.

You caught me again. I am not good at pictures of processes I tell you. None of these are actually true before pictures but they tell the story nonetheless.

There you go, there's that pretty soil that cost lots of money and was ever so conveniently delivered to my little driveway. Why yes I did plan out that pretty design, thank you for noticing. And no I wasn't thinking at the time how hard this pretty little set up would make installing sod. Squares and rectangles are much easier. Don't bother wasting your money on a fancy sod cutter, trust me, a serrated steak knife works perfectly. :)

I am really bummed that I didn't get any pictures of the sod on pallets or the delivery. :( Or any pictures of actual working for that matter. Since I was solo during most of the process and I don't like taking pictures of myself it just wasn't in the cards I guess. (Just so you know David did the roto-tilling (which didn't eliminate several hours of my own handy pick work since our soil sucks as previously mentioned) and helped me install part of the front and we tag-teamed the back (thank god!) I am sure he would want you to know.)  I do remember thinking that sod is a lot heavier than I thought. It really shouldn't have surprised me since it has about an inch of wet soil attached to the bottom of the grass but really I learned a lot through the process.

The ultimate best thing about sod is that after only a days work you have an instant gratification yard with a beautiful lawn!

IT'S SO GREEN AND FLUFFY!!!

OOOOOOOH, AHHHHHHHH!!! BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

THE TRANSFORMATION IS COMPLETE! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!

Okay, maybe it's not that exciting for you but it was for me. :) Oh yeah, that was part 3. You don't get part 4 because it is still a work in progress.

Beth's Turf Grass 101 (things you NEED to know):

1. It is a lot of work to put in sod.
2. It is A LOT of work to put in sod.
3. It is...haha, just kidding. :)
4. Make sure you count your rolls and are sure what grass is on which pallet if you are doing more than one kind of grass (we are not going to talk about part 5 which is when I found out that I put the shade mix in our full sun front yard).
5. Whatever clothes you wear will be permanently stained brown from the mud. You will be so muddy that it will hurt because the mud will dry and crack on your skin several times over seemingly ripping your skin underneath. Also, on the plus side, your skin will be slightly browner for a day or so despite washing. :)
5b. Parts of your grass will die without reason no matter what you try to do. It's okay to cry. I mean I didn't, definitely not, but you can if you need to.  
6. Enough about that, dogs are terrible creatures that will try to thwart your grass growing efforts. They like to dig up the mesh holding it together and shit all over it. Then when they do that and you pick it up it will regularly rip out enough grass to cause grass pattern baldness.
7. I will let you know how the rose canes/grass patching work out and then maybe you will get to see current pictures which will complete the odyssey we have begun and will complete your training on what not to do when planting millions of little grass babies.
8. Don't have carpet installed on the same day. Try to focus. One thing at a time I say!

Aren't you glad I only told you one story. :)

For my Mom...

Not because today is Mother's Day.
Because a Mom as great as mine deserves to be appreciated every day.
Because my Mom is my best friend.
Because my Mom is always there for me whether I need a shoulder to cry on, advise on love and life, to share my successes and dreams or a partner in crime for my newest adventure.
Because there are a lot of people in this world that don't get along with their moms or know their moms or those that have lost a mom.
Because my Mom has taught me about all the good things in life: unconditional love, perseverance, determination, honesty and kindness.
Because my Mom has instilled in me the very basic appreciation for life every day and that among the ugly things in this world that we have no control there are a million beautiful things that can be seen and appreciated each and every day.
Because my Mom knows that being angry and begrudging is no way to live a life.
Because we both love the earth and there is nothing more therapeutic than getting your hands in the dirt.
Because we both love Peonies!

Because I don't think I could ever really tell my Mom how much I love her.
Because I cannot ever imagine not talking to my Mom every day.
Because one day I hope to be half the mom she has been to me.
Because when I grow up I want to be just like my Mom. :)