Finally Finished - The Island in Done!

Finally.... it's done....

Funny thing is, they still got the order wrong. The corners are clipped when we spec'd out regular cormers. Also, the edges hangover by 4 inches instead of 1.6 inches.

But I like it that way.

All is good!

Fruitless Endeavor

I have the huge tomato plant growing in my plant bed. Its over 3 feet tall and thats after it has run along the ground for about a foot.
Problem is, it has absolutely no tomatoes on it. In fact, it has never even flowered. What a waste of space.

If was planted by my former gardener (Sarah) who has since fled the country.
\

Critter Count Update

Got 2 more squirrels - one yesterday and one today. Since the weather got a little cooler the last few days, I have seen more out and about

Current tally...
Squirrels : 22 hits, 11 confirmed kills, 11 maimed (never found, presumed dead)
Raccoons :3 captured and relocated
Possums :1 captured and relocated
Rats:0
Birds:1 caught (in squirrel trap) and released 1 blue jay caught in the rat trap (dead)

Micro Irrigation

I am pretty lazy aboout watering the flower beds, so a while back I put in an additional irrigation system that works on a timer. This system is separate from the professionally installed (Toro) sprinkler system that waters the lawn.

This system is called "Mister Landscaper" and is a do it yourself deal.

I put the original system back in early march, just after I planted the new maple tree out back. This was to ensure that the young maple was watered on a daily basis.

Since then, I have slowly added on to it as I figured out the sun and heat situation in the summer here.

Main problems :
1) japanese maple are getting scorched - too much direct sun and possibly not enough water
2) ferns (by front door) getting scorched - definitely not enough water.


The basics of the system is a 1/2" vinyl hose that feeds water from the house outlet, through a pressure reducing filter and an electronic timer. At various points, a smaller tube (1/4") can be spun off the main line and fitted with a variety of dispensers - drippers, sprayers, etc. The drippers offer varied rates from 1/2 gallon per hour up to 10 gals per hour.


Here are some pics (the blue tape is to show the location of the drippers and the junction)


The junction of the 1/4" tubing to the main 1/2" tube.

Why I hunt critters... (continued)

This is why.... the destruction they cause. Destruction of tree limbs that contribute tp the eventual death of a tree.
Its got to be the trees or the vermin! I made my choice!

I finally got around to cutting down the dead branch that the squirrels killed. While up there, I noticed several other branches that have been girdled by squirrels.

The branch that triggered it all - before and after removal from the tree.


Other branches that are most likely going to die.

20 Years Later...

Still working for Perot Systems and still living in Dallas. Who would have thunk it?!

What does one get for 20 years? This is what I got:


Actually, I chose it from a number of options, like pen set, computer case, watch, wall clock, cheesy home theater system. The globe is probably the most useless item, but I always wanted a nice globe. So now I have one!

Counter-Productive?

Can't anyone get an order right????

The countertop was delivered today.... and it was WRONG!!!!

Un-friggin-believable!

I had called my contact to confirm the order - I confirmed the laminate color, the squared corners, and the beveled edges. He confirmed what I told him.

So it comes in:
a) wrong laminate color
b) rounded corners
c) no beveled edges

This is what I got...

I immediately called him to correct the mistake. He took all the info (again) and said he would call the shop and have it rebuilt. He said to keep the wrong one in the interim, since it is of no use to him.

I wonder if I will ever hear back from him? I am thinking it is not worth his time and costs to build another. Probably better for him to give me this one and walk away. We shall see.

But I still want it done right!

Witless Relocation

HAH! I did it! I finally caught the rascally racoon that had been evading my previous trapping attempts.

The little thief would somehow steal the bait from the trap without getting caught.

But I finally outsmarted him. Then relocated him!

Now I have to cleanup the mess!!!

I think the trap scared the crap out of him.

Racoon tracks on the deck.

Witless Relocation

Hah! I did it! I tricked the rascally raccoon into the trap and caught him(or her)!

The little forager had been evading my trapping attempts while still managing to take the bait out of the trap.

But I finally caught the rascal. And relocated him to an empty field about 2 miles away.

NOTICE: No animals were hurt during this episode. Maybe just a little traumatized!

Thibodeaux Family Beach Trip

How to prove your neighborhood is "safe"

What an idiot I am!
Today I just noticed that my front door was not completely latched... since last Wednesday!
My front door is actually a pair of double doors, one of which locks by bolting to the top and botton of the doorframe (left door). The other door (right door) locks by bolting into the "secured" left door.

Last Wednesday, when the island was delivered, I had to unbolt both doors to make froom for the island. In the excitement of it all, I simply closed the door and forgot to rebolt the left door to the frame.

Anyone wishing to gain entry only had to give the door a good push and it would have opened!

Big dummy!

Happy Fourth of July

July Snapshot

Its been 7 months since I have moved in. Here's how it looks now.

Now I can even get the truck into the garage! Yay!