We've been in the house for a few days over a month now and things are starting to calm down. Most of the packing is finished, I've got my desk and craft cabinet temporarily set up until my brother and his girlfriend move out in August and I can create my permanent craft space. The living room and kitchen have come together nicely and our bedroom is more or less settled, aside from the lone box of random junk that's residing there until I figure out where to put it.
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The vegetable garden has been more of a tedious task then I had anticipated. You see, I'm one of those odd people that really doesn't mind weeding; to a point. I went to work on the raised beds two weeks ago, plucking the weeds out by the root and spent the entirety of a week doing so as there was nearly no visible soil beneath the weed cover. Over the weekend I went outside to turn the beds and lo, half of the weeds had resprouted!
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I've begun the arduous task of plucking all of the little buggers out once more and intend to turn the beds to break up any lingering root systems. If anyone knows of any other chemical free ways to conquer them, let me know. I want to get my plants in the ground as soon as possible.
I've been thoroughly enjoying the yard, as has Joe when he isn't mowing it. He's cursed the grass for being so healthy several times and each time I tell him it's better to have grass that grows well then yellow and dying! I helped mow the lawn once but I left a few straggler pieces of long grass here and there, so now I'm off lawn duty. The man and his lawn induced pride. *sigh*
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The search for a day job continues to frustrate me as a position I'd actually
enjoy continues to elude me. I've interviewed a few times, but nothing has come of them. I'm trying not to let my spirits droop too low, but it's difficult. As much as I love being home, tending things and getting my art on, I'd prefer to have an income to help pay for the ridiculous cost of my car's transmission needing to be rebuilt and doctor's bills and to spend on things which are fun as well. I'll keep searching, applying and interviewing and keep my hopes up, but after 3 months of searching it's getting old.
In better news and for those curious, my eye appears to be doing better. The specialist I saw reassured me that no corneal transplant would be in my future unless my eye becomes scarred to the point where glasses can no longer correct my vision. She also answered a few of my questions regarding surgeries for my condition, no surgery including a transplant, is a guaranteed fix. She also informed me that despite my dislike of being medicated, I should get used to it at least until I'm old enough for my immune system to begin to slack off a bit. It turns out that when you have a strong immune system it over-compensates for the necessary healing after an outbreak, causing the scarring to be much worse. The medication lessens the chances of fresh outbreaks, which lessens the chances of permanent vision loss due to scarring. So for the time being, the pill taking will continue and my vision is nearly back to where it was previously. Hopefully I can avoid the doctor's office for another few months!
P.S. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend/Easter! We don't typically do anything to celebrate, aside from eat latkes which is a tradition Joe introduced me to, but the man did something silly yesterday morning and created an egg hunt for me in the yard. Here's my favorite find:
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You could just try turning the soil, then the weeds become mulch since they can't really thrive underground. After that, and after getting your flowers planted, just be sure to pull the weeds before they go to seed, and eventually you'll have a (mostly)weed free garden
ReplyDeleteOh, and by mulch, I really meant "organic matter within the soil" because mulch goes on top of the soil.
ReplyDeletewhat a great place! I envy you all that space to just play with
ReplyDeleteURGH!
oh my goodness, I love what you have done so far in you lovely home. The yard is gorgeous and at least your Joe has a lawn to mow. We have a dog pee small grass area in our back yard and rock in the front...my Joe says he lucked out. hehehehe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on your eye. I know it is frustrating but at least there is hope and meds.
As to the weeds....yep, turn um under and that should help some and then you can weed after you put the plants in. sounds backwards but the weeds actually become food for the for really plants.
I love your Easter egg hunt cry baby egg. How wonderful is that? You're a lucky lady to have sweet man like Joe.
XOXO The Olde Bagg
hey, may I use my Elphaba that I purchased from you to illustrate my last part of my story on Sunday? I of course will give absolute credit where credit is due to you.
Your yard is gorgeous. And I loved the peek into your house. I hope you find a job soon that is everything you are looking for.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear things are settling. Keeping my fingers crossed you find a job you enjoy. Took my hubby 9 months of constant job searching before he landed the job he loves. Keep diligent. It's out there.
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful and so do the flowers! I'm sorry to hear about your eye troubles. I hope things get better. As far as the job search, I think the best way is to sit down and really figure out what the perfect job will be. Write down all the tiny details and work a little magick, focusing on the job coming into your life. It would be a perfect spell for Beltane.
ReplyDeleteLovely home and yard! I remember being removed from mowing duties made my life easier LOL
ReplyDeleteI am so glad your eye is doing ok.
Blessings!
Lawn induced pride with reason...
ReplyDeleteWeeds: Layer black plastic trash bags over the plot for a few days. With the sun out it should cook the weeds. You pull the plastic up, turn the soil, and plant away! Good luck, and your new home is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour home and yard are gorgeous! And the little egg is adorable! Glad to hear that your eye troubles have lessened. I do hope they continue on that course!
ReplyDeleteRE: non-chemical weed control ~ I use newspapers and mulch. I will cover the area I want to plant with a layer of opened newspapers - I use three to four sheet. I will then cover the newspapers with a mulch of leaves, bark or grass clippings. I will water the beds well after this has been accomplished. The newspapers will deprive the weeds of the much needed sunlight and they will die and compost back into the soil. When I am ready to plant, I will simply cut a hole in the newspapers & place the plant in the soil & then replace the newspaper around the plant. The newspaper will compost into the soil over the course of the season.
Have you started a compost pile yet?
Your house is looking so beautiful and cozy - a true "home." So very glad to hear that your eye health is improving - that is excellent news. :) Theresa
ReplyDeleteYour home and yard are so gorgeous! I am so glad to hear that your eye is doing better.
ReplyDeleteOh Danni, I can't believe how long it's been since I called over here! I've really been slacking recently, sorry... Anyway, your house is looking AMAZING! And your garden, is that really ALL your garden??? I am so very, very jealous. Also because you have a man who actually likes mowing the lawn, our grass is shooting up at the minute and I can't get Himself to go near it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's great to hear your eye is ok this month. I really feel for you and all your bother.
Oh, and good luck with the job hunt! But also, enjoy your free time while you have it ;) Well, now I'm off for a much needed catch up on the rest of your posts...
Roisin x
A weed hint: (what a beautiful place by the way!!!) In a small kitchen garden an effective way of controlling the weeds without poison is to save up all your old newspapers. Layer the newspapers across the entire top of the garden and water.Continue layering and watering until you have a few inches of heavy paper material on top of the weed bed/soon to be kitchen garden. The weight and light blocking factor of the paper will eventually kill all the weeds below. Add your prepared soil on top of the paper barrier and plant as desired. The heavy newspaper layers will compost readily over time.
ReplyDeleteBest to you!!! -Susanne