Random is the Word of the Day. Or Rambling. Your Choice.

There has been a lot of activity around my house in the last few weeks. The evolution of what has gone from installation of a pool has turned into a complete backyard transformation. Beginning in October when the large tree was removed and large hole dug, to the recent events of concrete being poured, new stairs being installed along with a new fence. In the last week, top soil was put around the yard and sod put down all the way to the street where it’s nothing but mud since October.

My step-daughter Carson was down two weeks ago for her Spring Break. We had a great time with her in the house and watching her play with her little brother.

Initially we had recruited the troops to help build the new fence and I prepared to feed an army as our way of saying thanks. That translates into getting a new keg in Betty and lots of meats to throw on the grill.

Laura and Jay, who are getting married next month in the Outer Banks, stand with Carson.


At the last minute, we hired three guys to build the fence in two days. We still had everyone over for dinner.


Last weekend was a birthday weekend at The Neighbors.



The next day we planted our garden. I may or may not have "stolen" a lone jalepeno pepper plant off someone else's cart at the encouragement of the garden center employee.


This past week I hosted Bunco for almost a dozen ladies. It was an odd April day and the temperature was 87F. The good thing is that everyone enjoyed our newly laid sod, expanded deck and area around the pool.




The Neighbors, Chris and Caroline, convinced us to babysit their three kids on Saturday night so they could attend a wedding. They waited til we were at happy hour to ask too.


The feral cat that made me scream the week before when it was hiding under our deck has been "adopted" by the older lady next door to us. It still hangs out in our yard and this time was in the front yard. The kids were playing in traffic in the front yard when they heard the meowing.


It took some convincing but I got the kids into the back yard with the promise of coloring Easter eggs.




On Easter Sunday, we went to The Neighbors house for dinner. The weather was still hot and the kids ran around in their bathing suits through the sprinklers after the Easter egg hunt.


They made their own water slide.


The four kids put themselves in timeout by climbing into the dog crate.


Yesterday I took the day off and Troy and I made the short drive to the beach. It’s the most fun I think he’s had in his short life at the beach. There was also no one there but us for the first hour with the exception of joggers going by and their dogs.


We usually go to the beach on the Chesapeake Bay because the waves are so gentle. Unlike when we go to the beach in the Outer Banks, there are no wild ponies here either.

It’s been a busy April but a fun one.