Ladybug Infestation

We've been invaded. First, it was one, then two and now they keep popping up all over the place. I don't know if anyone knows the old wives tale, but it is unlucky to kill a ladybug and the last thing we need is bad luck.

So I've been gently capturing these little buggers and releasing them outside. The problem with this is that ladybugs 'bleed' when they feel threatened. That means a nice yellow muck oozes out of them and if you happen to try to catch them on a light colored wall, it'll stain. Lovely, I know.

Like all bugs, they're attracted to light, so at night they divebomb our ceiling lights thinking that they're hurling their little bodies at the sun. Lovely again.

Anyone have ANY ideas on how to drive them outside. The web just told us they'll eventually head outside...in the SPRING!

To Leave or Not To Leave

I'm not to happy with our tree situation. The tree in the front is ok (well, if you look at these photos you'll notice he is a bit of a underperformer, but it does shade the house. ) I was kind of hoping the front tree would do some dramatic changing of color in the autumn and we would have what the neighbor has (see the other photo.) But alas, no, we have a discolored tree that's trying to turn yellow, but mostly leans toward brown.


Then there is the Hawthorne tree in the back. It has thorns over an inch long. Strike that, I think they're about 3 inches long. And it drops these slippery little dried berries, all summer long. So when you're walking around on the paving stones, you'll often find yourself sliding from place to place. But removing a tree requires a big undertaking. Removing the tree itself is difficult and expensive and then there is the Home Owner's Association, which is probably even worse to deal with.

Oh well, we'll worry about it in the spring!

Our Erector Set

Some things about new home ownership are really fun. Take for instance our new erector set, err, metal shelves. Kevin and I tackled this on Saturday and it was actually quite fun. Of course, they do tell you that no tools are required and I think I said, "no tools, my a**!" about a dozen times throughout the process.

The goal for these metal shelves was to add some storage space in our spacious furnace room for extra paint cans, tools and odds and ends. I also wanted to see how hard assembly was and how sturdy the shelves were before I bought more.

This is one of the few tasks that Kevin and I have done in peaceful harmony. I actually think its only the second task, which is somehow fitting for our Anniversary weekend.

As you can see the shelves are up and currently housing our 3,000 cans of paint.

We Have A Hole

We have a hole where the dishwasher used to be. Yes, a hole. Kevin did manage to get the old dishwasher out after may pauses for head scratching, not turning off the right water valve and checking to be sure the electricity was off to this circuit a few thousand times.

We were told that installing a dishwasher "wasn't that hard." Um, yeah right. We have a valve that doesn't connect to anything and we haven't even seen the tangled mess of electrical wires we have to connect. Our advice: Don't be fooled by the $80 installation fee, it's worth every penny. Needless to say the refrigerator and the range will both be installed by a professional!

Happy Anniversary

It's our anniversary. We've officially made it one year of being married. Thank you to everyone who's been sending cards and wishing us a "Happy Anniversary."

To celebrate our anniversary, I made orange cupcakes with orange icing like our wedding and Kevin bought me this beautiful bouquet of flowers, with yes, orange flowers like I had for our wedding.

It's hard to believe that we bought a house halfway through this past year of marriage and are up to our necks in repair, renovation and renewal of the house.