My 150 Gallon Life

The next few weeks will consist of transferring garden soil into 150 gallon grow containers. 

There is one section of chain link fencing in the background. There are three other sections scattered around the property. The goal is to fence off the garden with chain link fencing.

My truck bed filled with 10 bags of 50 yard Miracle Gro organic planting soil. A big box retailer priced them at $9.99 a bag. I, among other avid gardeners, were snapping them up heading for a sell out. 

It took 8 bags of soil to fill the 150 gallon grow bag.  Planted here are three tomato plants and one artichoke.

Luckily, I had the foresight to fence the grow area because the deer came through that night and neatly trimmed all the roses of their blooms. 

If the fencing looks a little wonky, it is. I tried to straighten it out. There is the finished tomato pot, and one awaiting more soil. It too has wonky fencing - hey, I tried my best.😏

I received my first gramma training, part of the Grandma Brigade with the grandbaby. There are so many new gadgets for babies like automatic milk warmers and cribs that convert to beds. 

I bought a two person padded lawn chair so I could sit outside with the baby. So far I am scheduled to have one day a week with her. The routine will be flexible depending on my daughter's work and the other gramma's schedules. 

Vegetable Garden Prep

It has been awhile since I found thrift shop art worth highlighting. This piece even had glitter!

The stick figure's expression pretty much sums up my current mood on this project - hopeful. 

Construction debris have been moved to a take-away pile. Part of that is seen in the foreground. Weeds are being pulled out by the roots. It is a race against heat which is heading into the 90s. In MARCH. Ugh. 

The fire pit is comprised of a circle of cement blocks. A  burn permit was obtained to destroy the dry vegetation. Requirements for burning include a 10' diameter around the 4' burn area. 

I am shopping now for above-ground planting containers, (1) Because the soil is too contaminated with God knows what, and (2) ease of access. 

While the vegetable garden is undergoing a transformation, I am also undergoing a change. Recent events of a move and an injury have me questionning everything. I don't want to do any of my previous activities (with the exception of tap dancing but I can't find a teacher now). No eBaying, quilting, sewing, or thrifting (greatly reduced). No art classes (not while my hand is injured - going to rehab). I did have the intention of joining in the April AtoZ Challenge but am on the fence with that right now. The theme reveal image was taken at my previous residence and it doesn't "feel right." 

So readers stick with me, the focus right now is my grandbaby and gardening. I am also totally intrigued by @bigmerla/shorts. She plays rock and metal songs using her kids toys as instruments. I want to do something along those lines for grandbaby Mila. The Grandma Brigade will be activated in April. Care of Mila will be shared by the two grandmas, and another grandmother close to the family. 

Plowing through the estates

The lead off image is a 40+ year old apricot tree that has sprung back to life. It was destined for the burn pile when we noticed it had flowered.  

Nearing the end of organizing my estate, my mother's estate (now gone 4 years), some of my former partner (still living), and some of his daughter's remnants. I am motivated because part of my furniture is in a rented storage unit. The sooner I make room, the better. 

The move to a small 9'x8' bedroom meant there was very little storage. You bet I snapped up the thrift shop find of a $15 IKEA covered wardrobe, still in its box original unopened packaging. I assembed it the same day. 

Here is another image of the apricot tree. While not quite the size of its former glory, I hope it will continue to thrive. The ground was soft enough to place fruit tree fertilizer spikes around the drip line. In the background is a mature walnut tree, a favorite stop-over spot for squirrels. 

This tree survived the hatchet chopping my son inflicted on the trees some 30+ years ago. A cherry tree did not survive that event. 

Just like that apricot tree - I have survived through adversity. 

I have been planting

I took advantage of the break in the rainy weather to plant two rose bushes, an elephant ear, and a snow giant peach tree. The first time I have planted hairy vetch seeds as an organic groundcover. Left to plant in the front is a yellow rose bush. 

The proposed vegetable garden is still in the beginning stage. The burn pile is in the foreground, garden plot in the background. 

There looks to be a 7 day run of good weather here in Northern California. With the recent rain, it is an opportunity to pull weeds at the roots rather than poison them. 

I have been busy organizing the storage shed at the house so I can end the offsite storage rental fee. It is a race against time. The monthly rent is $99 through the end of March. The rental fee then jumps to $199 a month.😨

Very little has been written about how a grandbaby can be the catalyst for change for a grandparent. In my case, I had to choose between a long-time partner who wanted to travel and my desire to be with the baby. Grandbaby won! In fact, I have absolutely no desire to travel when the granddaughter is in her baby stages. 

Granny hobbies of sewing, needlework, and quilting have fallen by the wayside for now. Once I start grandbaby sitting in April of a couple of days a week, I can pick up the needlework projects waiting for me. 

Seeds of Dreams

Around this time of year I begin to dream of a lush vegetable garden. The plot I intend to grow this magnificence is covered in tall weeds and wood debris. I do have the seeds! Gardening updates to follow. 

These critter garden destroyers showed up so I may have to put in deer fencing. 

Finally devoted time to organizing the storage shed. This contains boxes of Christmas, all of my collectibles like wood duck decoys, blue Ball jars, and TOYS. The best part is all of my vintage sewing patterns and project boxes are all in one place on this wood rack. 

This book will be carried like a Bible with me to baby Mila's house. I am delighted I get to share these classic stories, rehearing them for me, and reading them to her for the first time. 

This 1950s Better Homes and Gardens Story Book has some issues (one being the image on the cover in the lower right hand corner). I may have to self-edit when I read some of these stories to her. 

In my thrift shop travels over the years I was able to obtain two children's wooden toy chests. This vintage one, I am guessing from the 1960s, contains my rag doll collectibles. 

This one is chock full of kids books, also collected from thrift over the years.  

Prepping for painting my room so new carpet can be installed. I chose an MCM-type look with this Stargazer pattern in a Harvest Wheat color. 

Lots of spring cleaning going on!

Stripped Down Model

Rather than pull the plug completely, I have paired it down my eBay store to the non-subscription level of 250 items or less. I don't have anything listed right now. I could re-list some of the needlekits that have been saved from this hoarding purge. 

I am still thrifting not for sale but for myself, friends and family. Sewing accessories are on the Tami-Allowed list. Here is the most unique set of buttons from a $4.99 bag from Goodwill. Aloha Buttons #411, stamped on the back is Sep 13 1988.

I kept about a third of the bag and thrifted the rest back. 

My clothing closet has also gone through a renovation. Goodbye ball gowns, no room for you! My wardrobe consists mainly of shirts, skirts, pants, leggings, and cashmere sweaters. 

I want to be going, and doing. Experiencing life in all of its glory. 

I am glad now that I made so many quilts, large and small. They come in useful for covering furniture or tabletops, protecting car seats, and for extra padding at the bottom of the dog crate. 

My daugther and her husband moved shortly after I did. We both utilized the scads of cotton fabric I've kept. Great for packing, when done the material is folded up and saved for other uses. 

I get to have roses again. I am nurturing a couple of old tea roses, one white (name unknown) and one red Mister Lincoln. A Grandiflora rose joined the garden, State of Grace and a hybrid tea Elle. I've a lot to do in the garden, so I better get going!

Reveling in Being a Grandma

Art class had started and then ended for me. Got tangled up in a dog's lead and fell. Not just a little fall but a specatular full body ending in a face plant. Severely injuring my left hand that took the brunt of the fall. Being left-handed means ending my art aspirations for this semester. 

An abrupt end to my former living situation has me rethinking everything. The eBay store era has ended. While I made some good pin money for a few years, storing ALL THAT STUFF became overwhelming. Hoarding issue instantly solved. 

My delight and focus is on being a grandma. I am given a second chance on child rearing. I have the freedom of time and energy to devote to little girl Mila. I get to experience all of things I did with my children like Easter egg hunts, and school/sports events. There are the things that I missed with my kids like first steps. I worked full-time in the legal industry that included long commutes. There were a lot of "firsts" I missed with my two kids. 

I didn't have the advantage of nearby relatives to assist with child care. My daughter has not one but two grandmas nearby.👵Every time I see my grandbaby my heart bursts.💖

Segueing to sharing a few sewing patterns I pulled from the 2,000+ I had listed for sale. Anything that seemed remotely "fun" stayed with me. The lead off image is a 2008 Jelly Roses pattern by Bunny Hill Designs. 

This Postcard Art Quilt by The Cotton Ball instructions might serve as inspiration for the California State Fair prompt Wish You Were Here

Of the primitives series patterns I kept makers Kinfolk, Mulberry Folk Art, Hand Dids Primitive Needleart and Primitive Pieces by Lynda. 

Ending the post with the oldest pattern pulled from sale. Undated Let's Sew Design 7157 Knitted Jacket. 

And the pattern insert.