Week 25-2025, June 15 - 22, 2025

We have rocks!! The landscaping at the Bestie Bungalow got finished this week.

Without a doubt, the big news this week is that the landscaping project is done. If you've talked to me about anything outdoors and nature in the last year, I've probably lamented the thistle problem we had along one side of our house.

Thistle is evil. It's noxious and can do real damage to crops. While we now live in a suburban world, thistles are also not attractive. Some idealized version of me was going to pull those thistles out by hard and dig out the dirt and do all this landscaping myself. Real me said "No way!". So, Gayle and I bit the bullet, got several quotes and recommendations from landscapers, and finally settled on concrete curbing and river rock. The concrete curbing went in earlier this year, thanks to Permanent Curb Appeal. After that sat for 30 days, it was time for phase 2 which was tearing out some bushes, all of the old dead plant material, a big patch of earth where all the thistle had taken over, and a couple of layers of old mulch. The landscapers we used were outstanding (shout out to Mack Landscaping). They started work on Monday and just had to come back for about an hour on Tuesday with some additional rock.

Gayle had to travel for work this week so Kona and I were on our own most of the week. I haven't spent all that much time on my own in the house - or anywhere - since moving here. After more than 20 years of living on my own, that was quite a shock. However, I was really glad to find that I missed having her around to chat with and visit with. I was extremely happy to have her back home on Friday.

I was kept busy this week by the church budget. I took on the role of finance chair for our church and my biggest job of the year is creating the budget for the next year and taking it to our council for approval. It's one of those processes where I made a lot of notes for next year. I learned a lot and feel like it wasn't too horrible an experience. The budget meeting was interesting as the power was out at the church due to big storms rolling through. We met in the narthex since there was a lot of natural light and had the doors open to let cool air in (before the heat wave rolled in this weekend!).

Gayle and I are trading places and I'm traveling for work this coming week. That meant Kona had to be transported to my dad and sister's house. We met in the middle this time as my nephew Carter celebrated his 8th birthday at a park near Greenfield. Thanks to my brother for driving Kona back over, along with dad. I didn't take a picture of the pup, but did grab this photo of dad and I at the party.

Me and dad at Carter's birthday party.

I'm looking forward to my travel this week, but also know that events with this client are jam packed so I anticipate being a little tired. I've committed to working out in the gym at the hotel this week as I continue to try to figure out how to lose weight and get exercise no matter the weather.