Lots Of Pictures!!

Lovely morning to walk.

It sometimes feels like I say the same thing every time:  It's been quite a week.  (Or day or whatever.) I guess that's a good thing, it means life isn't boring or dull.  Sometimes I might wish for a recess from all the goings-on.  But really, it's fine.

Half hour later and gorgeous.

Last Sunday I warned our neighbor that we were having the two large cottonwood trees removed this week.  Next thing I know, her daughter is asking me about it.  And frankly, I felt a bit defensive.  People have been asking us constantly:  why are you taking them down? (Makes me feel like a tree murderer even more than I already do.) They want to know how much it's costing, who is doing the work, what we're going to do in the empty spots.

Just beginning.

Still working.

So, we had a few things going on as we waited for Friday (yesterday morning) for the tree guys to come. And I fretted over the weather.  Sure enough, we woke to a skiff of snow. And cold. I went for my walk, the sunrise was just lovely.  We made private "bets" with each other that the workers wouldn't show up.

Show up they did, but someone on their end had neglected to get permission from the city to access the walking trail behind our house for the cherry-picker they were using (though we had reminded them).  So it was a l-o-n-g time before they actually started work.  And did I mention it was cold? They were supposed to get both trees out in one day.  They didn't even completely remove one, let alone even think about getting started on the second one.

Getting there.

Our new view / leftover logs

We've been put on the calendar for their return on the 10th (at which time we've been assured they'll finish the removal of both trees).  We'll see.  They won't be getting paid until the entire project is completed. And completed properly; we had to replace one of the gate-post toppers because they broke it and tried to hide it.  :^|

It was hard to watch. I hate to see our trees go, I've so enjoyed the shade and their stately form against the sky, the taller one is well over 90'.  But they're old.  We get a lot of wind, their roots are shallow and their wood is weak (so I worry about them toppling over). They are messymessymessy trees and we're too old to be raking them up as much as has required in the past, they make our house gutters unhappy/clogged.  They shade our veggie garden too much.  And I could go on.

He keeps me on my toes.

Today we're a mite frustrated at the lack of job completion.  I'm trying to not be grumpy.  And it looks so strange out there without the tree. But I think in the long run we'll be glad we did this.  It definitely is time.

The Husband and I were talking today, He's feeling a bit "out of sorts".  I can't decide if he's concerned about stuff (kids, his projects, the trees, the list of things-to-do, finances - could be any or all of these) or if He just needs a little vacation.  A get-away-from-things-for-a-bit.  I'd love to do that also.  Hopefully, one of these days.

In the meantime, He continues to keep his ever-present sense of humor going.  Trying to keep me off-kilter, never knowing what he's going to come up with next.  These clothes?  They were on the floor of the closet when I walked in. Yup, had to chuckle.  Was glad it wasn't a body lying there.

I'm grateful for several things.  I'm grateful for kids who talk to us and tell us what's going on in their lives. I'm hoping we'll be able to help if there's a way we can and are heartbroken over hurts our loved ones suffer. I'm grateful that doctor visits result in "everything's fine". And for eye drop prescriptions that are now cheaper. I'm grateful for plenty of small personal projects to do that I'll never be bored.  I'm grateful that I only have to go to two Stake Conference meetings (I'm always a bit peevish about the Saturday meetings) this weekend. It's nice to have a tidy house, vacuuming done and meals for the next couple days planned. And I love having a camera in my pocket to take pictures whenever I have a whim.