Getting ready to sail off to the port of indecision.....

That's right! JIMMY BUFFETT IS TOMORROW!

I'm just a little excited. Guess what else happens tomorrow? IT'S GAMEDAY.....WOOOOO!

So, my clothing will be a mixture of themes - jersey and gameday accessories until start Buffett tailgating, then it will go to parrothead attire :) This weekend should be fun - we are staying in DC through Monday, so we will tool around the city all day Sunday. John is staying with grandparents, so it will be weird not to have our little bugger with us.

Off topic, Sharon made a funny comment last night that I never though I'd hear her say (and I'm paraphrasing): "I'm sick of all the animals. I wish we could get rid of them all except Hokie. He's the only one I like!" What makes this amusing is the number of times that Hokie's existence has been threatened by said person (though not lately) :)

I got most of the posts for the outside railing set last weekend - hopefully I can get most of the rest of the woodwork done if we get back early on Labor Day (working on Labor Day - how literal). I was worried because the rope looked like it was going to be terribly expensive - I needed around 400', at about 40-50 cents per foot. Well, I was saved by Ebay! I am now the proud owner of a 600' roll of 1/2" manila rope for the massively discounted price of $65 (including shipping!). This will give me more than enough for the deck and any future projects or accents.

I need to post more photos - I'll put up both railings (before and after) when I can.

Until then, I'll be searching for my lost shaker of salt.

The end is near!

Not that end.....

.....the end of the garden (well, some of it, at least). Besides the fact that my squash plants are dying off anyways, I'm sick and tired of them. Seriously, if anybody wants any white squash, they are welcome to as much as they can eat. I've got about two buckets of tomatoes left on the plants and a little corn, but my chili peppers and beans are just starting to produce. I think I can level and till under about half of the garden, and I'd like to get some sweet peas planted - if I don't hurry, they won't fruit out before frost - it's really been quite a cool summer here, comparatively.

On to more important things - John is walking! I don't mean taking a few steps (he's been doing that for about the last month), but full-fledged walking all over the place! He's a little shaky and falls every once and a while (oh so gracefully, however), but he's doing a good job. We figured that as soon as he was around the other little tykes at the sitter, he would be walking anyday. It's funny, he'll crawl if he needs to, but he really prefers to be upright like everyone else. Man, our 11 month old is succumbing to peer pressure already :)

We're planning out his birthday party - it'll be here in about 3 weeks! While we have a lot to do for the party itself, I feel like we have tons more to do to the house and yard to prepare for the party! I need to wash the siding, pressure wash the decks, cut and edge all the grass, weed the flower beds, etc., etc., etc. I will have the interior railing done this weekend and wanted to get the exterior railing done before the party, but it doesn't look like that will happen. I may have some of it done, but not completed.

Finally, my six months of waiting are almost over - the Buffett concert is almost here! 9 days! We'll be heading up next Saturday morning, and will be making a weekend trip of it. I'm stoked!

TGIF

Happy Hawaiian shirt Friday everyone! Are you rockin' it?

Touchdown TECH!

Can you believe that in 17 days, we'll be hearing that (hopefully, many times)? I don't know where the summer went. Sharon officially began her school year today with the obligatory meetings; the kids start next week. Today was John's first full day back with Lisa (our sitter). I wonder, now that he is around Addison each day (his 14 month-old "girlfriend"), how quickly he will be walking all over the place. He will take 3-4 steps on his own now. I think he is perfectly capable of more, but he is in his "comfort zone" with crawling (and holy cow, he is like, the Richard Petty of crawling).

You know, I just realized that the first Tech game is the same day we will be traveling up to the Buffett concert (17 days!). I hope that Sharon, April, and Jerry will let me listen in - I'll be ready to go with my jersey, hat, lucky boxers, and lucky socks (don't hate - they work). At least, that's until we get to the amphitheater, when I'll change to Hawaiian shirt, flip flops, leis, etc., etc.

We are just about finished with the interior railing - some sanding, a few more coats of stain, setting the balusters and handrail, and we'll be done! I know that sounds like a lot, but it should go pretty fast - the hardest parts are done. The bathroom is ALMOST done as well, but it is always the ALMOST things that get you! We are going to visit Mom and Dad this weekend, but I'm hoping to start the outside railing next week or next weekend.

My squash plants are finally starting to die away (I'm hoping for it at this point), but the tomatoes are really coming in. I think I'll make another big batch of salsa this week, and probably another huge batch next week - it tends to freeze fairly well. The second planting of beans is really putting out now as well. If I can get a tube in the tire of the tiller, I will plant a patch of sweet peas in the next week or two, as they grow best in cool weather. Honestly, I love the whole garden thing, but I'm about ready for it to be done for the year - I look forward to pulling up everything, burning it off, and then tilling it under for the winter (I really think the burning and tilling ashes are a secret to a good crop).

So, my official Tech football record predicition - 10-2, with losses at Nebraska and Florida State. Nebraska may not be up to our level, but I think that is a hard place to play, and we always have difficulty with FSU, especially since this game will be in Tallahassee. Boston College (up there) could go either way, but I'll be optimistic.

Um, I think he took my stapler...

I thought of this joke I saw a few years ago during lunch today, so I searched for it and wanted to share it. In the spirit of Friday, here ya go......

I GIVE 100% AT WORK......

12%-Monday
23%-Tuesday
40%-Wednesday
20%-Thursday
5%-Friday

Haha.....

Aloha!

Happy Hawaiian shirt Friday! About 6-7 years ago, my college buddy Matt was wearing a Hawaiian shirt every Friday and declaring it "Hawaiian shirt Friday." Well, I know a good thing when I see one, so I had to join in ;) College Fridays became a regular tradition of cutting out of design lab about 3 to head to TOTS (Top of the Stairs) for $1 beers, burgers, and fries. TOTS was what we called a "frat bar;" you typically wouldn't see any of us there any other night of the week. Around 9, when "happy hour" ended, we would leave to make room for the frat boys and sorority girls and typically head to Sharkey's to shoot pool (back when they were a cool place to go in their OLD spot - I can't stand them at their new location). Sharkey's was the type of place that was friendly and that EVERYBODY, regardless of personality, major, color, etc., went to. Everyone felt welcome, even us in our Hawaiian shirts.

But you know, life changes, and you grow up (at least, some of us do). As I have my own family now, my Friday nights have changed and become even greater, but the Hawaiian shirt remains. I guess for me, it's a bit of hope for the weekend and my license to chill. I'm trying to spread the word, and I think I've accumulated a few takers. Et toi?

The Weather is Here.....

.....I wish you were beautiful! I must be getting excited about the Buffett concert in 24 days, because it seems that's all I've been listening to at work lately. I think it's a combination of that and a desire to be back at the beach with an umbrella drink in my hand.

I'm out at Auburn tonight - Sharon's band camp has been running since Monday, but I haven't been out yet except to pick up John (which is unusual since I'm usually there each night). I think I'll run home, put on my "The Weather is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful" t-shirt and flip flops, and stop for a buffalo burger on the way. Tomorrow night the "fun" activities begin with the pool party, followed by the bowling alley and sleepover Friday night (I never much look forward to chaperoning high schoolers for a sleepover - wonder why?).

Ooooo....Mexico, sounds so good, I just wanna go.....

.....not really. But, I did make my first batch of salsa for the year last night. I started making my own in bulk when I started growing tomatoes (and later, hot peppers), and honestly, I can't stand store-bought salsa anymore. Every once in a while, I find a restaurant salsa that I like, but it has to be fresh. I must say, I think this is the best salsa yet; Sharon agrees! She said that the "consistency is perfect." I would give the recipe, but I don't really have one - I like to "compose by taste." It has fresh tomatoes, jalepenos/poblanos/anaheim peppers (whatever you have), fresh garlic, red or yellow onion, garlic powder, salt & pepper (both generous amounts), and cilantro. There ya go; pretty simple - mix it in the right proportions until it tastes good!

I tried to pawn a goat off on Jason last night, but he didn't go for it. Bummer.

Just kidding.

Not really.

Goats for sale! Cheap!

....Just kidding. But not really. As excited as I have been to been living the "quasi farm life" lately, Sammy, the oldest goat, has about plucked my last nerve. As most of you know, we have two Nigerian Dwarves; Sammy is about 1 year old now, and Jack is about 4 months old. I don't regret getting them (at the moment, anyways), but I do wish we had gotten another smaller baby instead of Sammy. Unfortunately, he was with his breeder long enough for her to spoil him rotten, so now, he can be the most annoying little creature. Jack, on the other hand, is more independent and goes about his own business, while still being friendly.

Despite my best efforts to fence off the garden, Sammy has learned to lean the fence over and climb it. He single-handedly devoured a 12 X 15 block of corn this year. The last time I caught him in the garden, I was threatening to grill him for dinner until a good friend reminded me of their family's rule about not putting anything on the table that had a name. The main problem is that our backyard, while very large, is not set up so great for the goats as our deck / patio is all open to the yard and they can come up on it as they please. So, my next big project is to install a railing. Sharon and I found a really cool nautical-looking design that uses top and bottom wood rails with rope in between. Of course....I'm sure Sammy will try to eat the rope.

So enough venting....I'm sure these goats will live looooooooong lives. I think once we get the railing up, I will enjoy watching them play and graze in the YARD. Our next house purchase will need to come with some acreage.

I pulled another two buckets of squash today, a bag of tomatoes, and 15 ears of corn. I have been freezing and giving squash away left and right since I'm over 100 pounds on my harvest so far (and the plants are still FULL of blossoms). If anybody wants any, let me know how much you'd like! I have yellow straightneck, zucchini, and pattypan (the round white squash with scalloped edges).

Sharon began back at school today with her band camp, which runs all week. I know this is a stressful time of year for her, but she seemed to be excited. I always kind of enjoy this week as I typically enjoy being around her band group; there are also always fun activities scheduled for the week (bowling, pool party, etc.). Soon she will be back at school full time - it always hits Hokie the hardest, as he is crated much of the day (if you have met our dog, you would understand). I'm sure it will be hard on John as well, as he will be at the sitter, but at least he gets to hang out with his "favorite little girl" and the sitter's son. He has grown and developed so much, so I'm sure he will be a change for everyone.

Buffett concert in 26 days!

Working for the Man....

Well, just as quick as the beach vacation started, it seemed to end. I can't BELIEVE how quick vacation went - I've never had a week off fly by so quickly. The beach was great. The weather was perfect - 85-90 degrees, breezy, with a few clouds. Little John LOVED the beach; at one time, he took off crawling straight into the ocean before we could catch him! We were out for a good 6+ hours each day, and he just played in the sand and the water the whole time. We also did some shopping, and of course, no Myrtle Beach trip would be complete without the pilgrammage to Margaritaville! Only 29 days until the big concert!

I guess it was a day or two before we left for the beach that we had a big storm in Christiansburg with some decent hail. Well, between the heavy winds and the hail (and a recent intrusion by a goat), my garden is suffering. Over 50% of my squash plants were snapped and killed, and most of the squash that was growing was badly bruised. Even so, I've already pulled almost 100 pounds of squash (no kidding) from this year's harvest, so I guess I can't complain. My tomatoes are of the most concern. My plants are absolutely full of green tomatoes, but like the squash, most all of them have been bruised, and several of the plants have been snapped and bruised. I get so excited about my garden every year, but it seems like there is always something that frustrates me - last year, it was a complete lack of rain; this year, it's a heavy rain storm! Go figure!

We also assembled the outdoor swing that Sharon's parents gave us and will hopefully be starting on the rear deck railing in the next few weeks. I'm still trying to finish up the loft railing, and Sharon got excited and decided to start painting our master bath the other day. It looks awesome, but now I have a new light fixture and mirror to put up as well. The list always grows!

I don't like being back at work - why can't my lottery luck just hit? I tried something different with this vacation - I took off for a week, but we spent the first 4 days at the beach, and were home for the last 3, during which I was planning to work around the house. I always hate coming back from vacation and going to work the next day, but I think 1 day is ideal instead of 3. Instead of working, I still felt like I was on vacation and should be at the beach. We had such fun that we are thinking of going back again maybe in October.

Thank God it's Friday! I could get used to 2 day work weeks!