Tag: yard work

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Christmas lights

I guess I’m a bit home sick this year.  My Dad used to put Christmas lights up every year and just pitch a fit about it.  We all knew he really enjoyed it because once they all were up, and working, he would stand back and look at the house with a look of pride at his accomplishment.

I said the Schmitt House!
I said the Schmitt House!

Well I decided I want to put up Christmas lights this year.  Thank God they aren’t as much of a pain as they used to be years ago.  One bulb goes out and the whole strand went dead.  Not to mention, I have had to buy all new lights since this is my first time putting them up.

I have seen some amazing light displays on the internet that play music and the lights dance to the music.  A strand or two here and there is all I’m up for!  So, let us have the decorating begin.   No my house isn’t going to look like the Schmitt either although my BFF would certainly enjoy witnessing such an event!!! Thanks for sending this great Christmas cartoon to me Lori! And I look forward to talking to you real soon!

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Where has time gone?

Well it’s hard to imagine that another year is on it’s way out.  I mean, I have been so busy trying to get some things fixed, up graded and just generally looking better that I just realized it’s already November.  The leaves are mostly down which means more yard work than I have done all summer unfortunately.

But you know, leaves are great to add into the soil if you have a garden.  All you have to do is spread out the leaves and till or plow them in if your garden is big enough and you have a tractor that is.  That not only adds much needed nutrients to the soil, but it also helps when you go through those darn dry periods too.  My parents did it every year!

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What happened?

Here it is almost Halloween and it’s supposed to be 80 degrees for the next couple of days.  To top it off, it’s gonna be 77 degrees Friday.  But now here’s the fun part.  This weekend, the highs are only going to be in the mid to upper 60’s.  Sounds like perfect pneumonia weather if you ask me.

If I’m not mistaken, the mid 60’s is normal around here this time of year.  Oh and then to top it off, there’s a tropical storm that might head up the coast this weekend.  Strange weather we are having!  Strange weather indeed!  Hey, one good thing, that tropical storm might blow the leaves out of my yard.  It could happen!!!

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I thought this was fall

Well here it is close to the end of September and it’s about 80 degrees outside.  I thought this was fall.  Well it sure doesn’t feel like it to me.  I can’t remember when fall officially starts but with these temperatures, I don’t think it matters.

Last winter was warmer than usual too but the winter before, I don’t think we have ever had so much snow.  I guess the global warming thing everyone was talking about took a break.  I don’t know about you but I’m ready for fall.  This summer wasn’t as hot as usual but I’ve had enough of yard work for now.  Well that is until the leaves start falling.

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Bee stings

It’s been a long time since I have been stung by a bee and I had forgotten just how much bee stings can hurt.  I was mowing yesterday and out of nowhere this bee came and stung me right on the back of my hand.  It hit me fast and I didn’t even get to see what type of bee it was either.

So here I go inside whimpering like a kid or something about how bad it hurt.  Did you know that meat tenderizer mixed with a little water makes a great bee sting remedy?  I sure didn’t.  Rachel mixed some and put it on the sting with a bandage and before I knew it, the stinging was gone.  Barely left a mark on my hand either.  Try it next time you get stung.

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Hey, it works

Well I just wanted to let all of you know that the distilled vinegar on weeds actually works.  I sprayed the weeds every other day for a week and was pleasantly surprised to find that the weeds were dying after the third time I sprayed them.  Just gave them an extra day of spraying for good measure.

Nothing like getting rid of the weeds and saving money and even time too.  Well, it also saved my back from bending over pulling the weeds.  Yeah I have a hoe but I like to try and get the roots so I pull them instead of chopping them with a hoe.

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Weeds are taking over

The season of yard work is now in full bloom. Mowing isn’t that bad and neither is weed eating the yard but the weeds are taking over. We only have a few flower beds around our yard and I hate the thought of using weed killer. It’s not only full of chemicals, but you run the risk of damaging your flowers should the wind blow.

A friend of mine told me about using white or distilled vinegar to kill weeds.  They told me that I might have to spray the weeds a few times before they die but the vinegar is biodegradable and won’t hurt the environment. I’m all for that.  Not to mention, it’s a lot cheaper than weed killers.  Guess I’ll give it a try and keep you guys posted of how effective it is.