Spring has Sprung!

Springtime is my favorite time of year, now that I am a homeowner. Aside from both of us having allergies, it's just wonderful to spend so much time outside enjoying beautiful weather, sleeping with the windows open, and enjoying our neighbors.

We did a full day of yard work last weekend, and it was so rewarding. I added a SECOND compost bin in the yard, so Chris removed a Honeysuckle tree (I hate those things!) to open up a space near the fenceline, and we're now planning to remove them all, and plant evergreens in their place. My compost project is going well. I had actual FINISHED COMPOST at the bottom of my pile on Sunday when I was turning it. I was giddy with excitement.

We also had a nice evening last night. My neighbor is from Denmark and invited us over to come and meet his mother and uncle who arrived on Monday for a visit. It was such a pleasant evening. I always love to hear the observations of someone who is visiting our country for the first time, and recommending things for them to do.

This weekend we'll be hitting up the farmer's plants at the market for some annuals. I love having flowers around! I know, I know. My content here is really getting boring. It's so interesting to me to observe my OWN transformations these days.

Worms and My Garbage

It's quite amusing to me to tell people that I now willingly have a bin full of worms and garbage on my front porch. I am so excited about this. My vermicompost bin is underway! Chris has quite enjoyed feeding them, which is really cute.
Today the big outdoor bin gets "officially" underway, because I have the supplies. I am so excited about this. We will be reducing our landfill waste significantly, and that's something I can do to make a difference.
Consequently, to get my "Master Composter" Certification, I have to do 10-15 hours of service. I am going to try to devote this to teaching friends and family how to have their own bins and piles. I'm thinking a "fermentation and fermentation" party in the fall (maybe earlier if I feel confident in my composting knowledge and practice by then!) - that's a composting and wine party. I'll be handing out flyers door to door on the street, and offering to have the supplies at my house to start new bins with my neighbors for a fee less than $10.
I'm such a geek about this, but I really am excited!

Getting Serious

With a newfound motivation from two of my coworkers, i'm getting more serious about getting in shape. I've lost 10 pounds or so since Christmas, just enough to feel comfortable in my favorite jeans again, but i've been doing much better this week with the moral support of two of my coworkers who are trying to get back in shape as well.
I hit up the gym again tonight, and felt the urge to work harder on the eliptical machine - hoping to drown out the cologne smell of the guy next to me. I even managed to duck by the guy at the desk and go unnoticed. The guy that always flirts with me and asks when i'll go out to dinner with him - which is just a little bit flattering and a a little bit creepy at the same time. I usually just smile and ignore the question. hah. The workout was TOUGH tonight. It was just one of those days where it was harder to get into the groove.
I stopped at the grocery store to stock up. My biggest problem is snacking so I needed snacks in the 0-2 point range, and some good lunch options for work. I spent an hour at the store looking at labels and comparing.
I'll pick up some chicken, eggplant and ground turkey from the farmer's market this weekend - and i'm banking on the prospect of some of the local farmers being back with the warmer weather. They start bringing out the spring plants. Oh I love this time of year.
My first composting class was really great last night. We've already started! I borrowed an old coffee can that Chris had saved and we've already started to fill it with our food scraps. I'm going to use my neighbor's shredder this weekend for some of our yard waste, and we'll be on our way. I can't wait to get the worms in two weeks for my vermicompost bin. They'll have plenty to eat just waiting for them!!
I am also proud to say (and a little embarrassed that i didn't do this earlier at the same time) that I purchased biodegradable and compostable waste bags for my dog. I really hate to think that i'm preserving my dog's dookie in a landfill for a couple of hundred years using grocery store bags...which reminds me, I need a couple more bags to take to the grocery store with me. The two I have to reuse is just never enough!