Rototilling Sunday

Last Sunday, we rented a rototiller from Home Depot to churn the soil so we could seed our front yard! Jules compared using the rototiller to walking two pit bulls. He did a wonderful job. We also laid a stepping stone path along the front of the house. Once grass grows, I'll take more pictures. We seeded our tree lawn the week before and we have lots of baby grass in it.

Dragonfly Days in Texas

I'm off to McAllen, TX on Wednesday. McAllen is the Square Dance Capitol of the World. Remember this little jingle from Bugs Bunny...

Step right up, you're doin' fine,
I'll pull your beard, you pull mine.
Yank it again, like you did before,
Break it up with a tug o' war.

Grab a fence post, hold it tight,
Womp your partner with all your might.
Hit him in the shin, hit him in the head,
Hit him again, the critter ain't dead.

Wop him low and wop him high,
Stick your finger in his eye.
Pretty little rhythm, pretty little sound,
Bang your heads against the ground.

The Temps are Rising

It's starting to warm up in NE Ohio. Muffs is shedding and doing anything to cool off. Last night's pose was not pretty.

In Today's Mail

I'm happy to inform diligent didymops blog readers that the City of Cleveland returned my appeal money (59 smacks) in today's mail! I thought it would take a minimum of 3 months and as it turns out it was less than one. Could this be because Frank is our new mayor?

Let the Games Begin...

Well, my impatience (I like to call it eagerness) has struck again. Yesterday, I wanted to scrub the back, upstairs porch so we could sit out there. It was filthy dirty (as my Mom would say). When I went out on the porch, the floor was worse than ever. The janky, canvas floor covering had rips all over it and the paint was cracked and peeling off everywhere. So I decided, in my infinite wisdom, to pull all the canvas off the floor boards. Surprisingly, the boards below are really cool. They're 5 inch planks. Yeah, so I commence to washing. I scrub the siding, the banisters, the floor. It looks fabulous. I'm envisioning how I can simply put a nice coat of grey paint on the floor and how nice it will look. Then I go downstairs. You likely already guessed. The pantry off the kitchen looks like a sinking ship. At least 2 inches of water on the floor, water streaming down the sides, water has even ran down into the basement. Water Water Everywhere.

Let the summertime, house antics begin...

Question?

If you were a car title for a 1994 Eagle Talon, where would you hide?

Who Said You Can't Beat City Hall?

I am very pleased to inform you that I won my appeal for my parking violation! My hearing was scheduled with Cleveland Municipal Court for this morning at 9:30. My name was called at 9:45 and by 10 a.m. my ticket was thrown out. Special thank you to Magistrate Wolcott for hearing me out and coming to this decision. The whole process was smooth. Justice prevailed.

Happy Easter

We made it to my Mom's on Sunday around 2pm for side meat and all the fixins. We found her car (below) encased in a block of snow. The highlight of dinner was hearing a horrible crashing sound and looking out to see the gutter on Mama's house hanging in the driveway. Mama and Billy were over in no time to rip it down! Damn. I'm so mad I didn't snap a picture.

Easter lilies from Yvonne are below.

I'm dreaming of a white Easter...

Man did Cleveland ever receive a punch in the gut over the weekend. Nearly 2 feet of snow fell from Saturday to Sunday on C-town. We awoke to some of the deepest snow of the year. It took Juliano 2 hours to shovel out the car.

Shirt for Summer

I want to get this shirt for the Summer season.

Weekend with the Thomas Family

Over the weekend, my cousin Christi and her husband Brian visited Cleveland with their two children, Madison and Grant. We had a fun time showing them around the city. Friday we went to the Winking Lizard! On Saturday, we spent a few hours touring the Museum, followed by dinner at the Harp and cake at Mom Schrift's house. She's into these yummy, triple layer chocolate cakes from Corbo's right now. We enjoyed that! On Sunday, we had breakfast together and then they headed back to Pennsylvania.

Below are a few photos from the day at the Museum. Let me add that Juliano and I are not used to being around a 5 and 8 year old. Oh my gosh, were we tired on Saturday night. We crashed on the couch at 8:00!

Penzeys

Many of you have already tried Penzeys spices, but for those of you that haven't, you need to get online and place an order. Penzeys sells the freshest and best tasting spices. Their garlic salt is outstanding, along with their basil, oregano, garlic powder, thyme, 4S, savory leaves...I could go on and on. Check them out at Penzeys.com.

Court Date Set!

I finally received my appeal date from the City of Cleveland. I filed my appeal in January and it took until March 16 to hear back from them. I will go to court for my parking ticket "violation" on April 18. We shall see if the system works.

Very Bad Kitty

Juliano and I stepped out for a few hours this morning and returned home to find a mess in the kitchen, courtesy of Miss Muffin Skylar. Apparently, we didn't latch the cupboard and Miss Muffin climbed up onto the counter (no no #1) and got into the cupboard (no no #2). She rummaged around in the cabinet, knocking down glass jars of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. She finished off her mischief by knocking over all my spices.

As punishment she is receiving no Pounce kitty treats today.

Here are some before and after shots of the cupboard.

Another Dinner!

As a "thank you" for helping shovel us out, I made lasagna for Greg and Mike the other night. It was quite a spread of food for four people! All was consumed.

To: Renee From: ?

Look at this hot little item! I need this fan before the hot weather arrives!

Blue Dot

Someone needs to blue dot LUI5.com. I mean it hasn't changed since Valentine's Day. Wake Up.

Trip to New Germany

Last weekend, Juliano and I ventured back to the cabin. The storm that hit us, threw a ton of snow on the Alleghenies as well. My uncle plowed our road to the cabin and we all made it back successfully! The depth of the snow made it impossible to even take a walk.

Valentine's Day Blizzard

We had quite a snow storm in Cleveland over the last 2 days. The storm dumped nearly 2 feet of snow on us! Juliano ventured out to shovel on Wednesday afternoon. He quickly realized the task was daunting. And we had to call in the Grecos. Those of you that do not know the Grecos need to picture two guys that will do anything for you at any time of the day. Sure, you have to put up with a little lip from them, but they get the job done. Last Spring, in less than 15 minutes, I watched these two carry 15 cement boards up 2 flights of stairs and then proceed to carry a cast iron tub out of our bathroom. They're unreal.

The Grecos arrived around 5:30 and within 30 minutes, our driveway was clear. And then they did the sidewalk!! Juliano and I cannot thank them enough for helping us out.

Note below that Boogers Greco wore a pair of gold lamay pants while shoveling.

Happy Groundhog Day

Today, the groundhog named Phil did NOT see his shadow in Punxatawney, Pennsylvania. This means Spring is just around the corner! Bring it on.

The Museum was kind enough to allow me to adorn a stuffed groundhog for our main lobby. I made her a top hat and a sign letting today's visitors know that Spring will be here soon. Hard to believe since it's 5 degrees outside right now.