It was a beautiful day today with temps in the high 70’s-low 80’s so I opened the back door and let the cats out at about 9:00 am…and they stayed out all day until around 6:00 pm. They are now crashed on my bed and will probably be there most of the night. Hayes wandered all over the backyard while Nate and Sophie climbed the fence, went next door and went up on the roof a few times. It still amazes me how they stay close to home and come running whenever I call their names. I am grateful for this as I would be devastated if something happened to any of them.

I couldn’t resist not being outside and started by watering everything with the water in all the containers that I filled back when we had the watering ban last month. I had to get the containers emptied so that mosquitoes wouldn’t start breeding in them. I still have to clean the containers, but at least they are empty. Since the yard waste can was almost empty, I decided to trim back the bushes that were growing through my lattice fence from the yard behind me. And I got all of it finished! Did some additional trimming of a few other plants and the backyard is looking great!

After work this week (and next weekend) I will begin cleaning all the outdoor furniture and then will start in on a small garden at the side of the house. Not sure what I’ll be planting yet–probably tomatoes, cucumbers and possibly some lettuce. Also would like to put in some herbs, but haven’t decided what kind just yet.

I also need to clean the front porch and clean out the flowerbed in the front yard. So it seems I have enough to keep me occupied for the next few weeks! My goal is to have all the outside chores finished up by the end of the month. Still have to deal with cleaning out the garage, but that will have to wait until I get all the outside stuff completed.

I soaked in a hot bath and am going to relax this evening and watch the Lakers…and hope they can finally win one!