It's not all bad

I guess it's not ALL bad here on Dogwood.  I'm a little less nervous about being outside (from the bugs).  I think this little guy (photographed about 15 minutes ago) helps.  He lives under the hosta that's just outside our garage - or maybe it's under the shrubs on the other side of the garage - or the ones just outside our front door.  I've seen him (or members of his family) scurrying into holes all three places.  Or maybe his 401k wasn't hurt by the recession, and he has several homes.

Looks like he found a couple goldfish dropped by a certain 2 yr old (and not picked up by a certain mother).

Alex asked if - since he obviously likes goldfish - we can train him to like people, and bring him inside as a pet.  Ummmmmm - I'm guessing - no.  But the boys do like watching him!

Then just as I was walking to the computer to download Chip's pictures, I glanced out the window and saw Bambi's mother having lunch.

Let's hope she stays out of my garden, or she'll be grazing in the meadow in the sky!  That would make my boys sad, but I'm sure their dad wouldn't mind an excuse for some deer jerky.

So, I guess it can't all be bad here on Dogwood.  We are the new neighbors, after all, and it looks like the long-term residents don't seem to mind being outside.  Maybe I should give the outdoors another shot.  I am bigger than the bugs, after all. ..... Hmmmmm. We'll see.

IT'S HALF OVER!

2010 IS HALF OVER!!!!! 

We need to get our act together here on Dogwood.  We need a new water heater (hopefully tankless) .....

It may not be a "glamorous" way to spend a paycheck ... but it'll save us a ton of money in the long run.  The one that came with the Dogwood house is almost on its last leg.

We also need to have insulation put in above our garage (below the boys' rooms).  They're freezing in the winter, and "very warm" in the summer.  The heating / cooling of this house doesn't work equally well on the main floor and the 2nd floor.  Alex's room has a ceiling fan, and that seems to help a lot on these hot summer nights, but poor Harrison's room is a sauna.  I just took advantage of Lowe's July 4th 20% off ceiling fans sale - and we got (a cheap) one for Harrison's room, and also for the guest room.  Hopefully that'll help!

This is the last year (as far as has been announced) for a tax credit on the purchase of energy-efficient things for your house (like insulation and water heaters - storm doors, new windows, etc.).  ...... I almost forgot about it, and the year's half over already!  Time to figure out how we can juggle around some of our finances within the next several months! ... I am ALL about tax deductions!