The stump, part 2.

Not that you need a minute-by-minute update of the stump episode, but we are at the point where we are truly considering the chain saw. We don't really see any way around it. Doug is on the phone with his father, who knows a lot about yard stuff, to see if there are any alternatives to this chain saw idea, but if he doesn't suggest anything reasonable we're getting a chain saw. We cannot deal with this bush anymore. We trimmed it down to the very stump, but the thing is that there really isn't a stump. It's just a hundred branches all growing together, combined with little other branches of things, leaves, spiders, and a whole colony of snails. It's even two stories - there is a taller stump jutting off the base stump. It's amazing. We are out of batteries for the camera, otherwise we'd be able to take pictures. I don't even know how to describe it. All I know is that it's 11:33am and we are still working on this stupid stump and we are both miserable. And feeling defeated. Not a good project for us to tackle for our first yard job!

Let's see what Joe has to say, retackle the stump, and then we'll of course update you again.

(Update - Joe has recommended a grub axe. What is this?)

D is for Doritos.

Doug is turning into a Doritos monster. Yummy yummy Doritos in my tummy I can't wait to eat more of them my fingers are orange and my breath stinks like fake cheese but I can't stop eating them they are so good I love chemicals and preservatives who needs to eat real vegetables when I can get pepper flavoring in my nacho cheese chips. That's what Doug is thinking when he shovels the whole bag of Doritos into his mouth. Yes, I admit to being the one who put the Doritos in the cart when we were at BJ's, but I had a moment of weakness because that was the day that we got stumped by the stump so all I really wanted was to drown my sorrows into that shiny red bag. I didn't though, and still haven't, because I can't get the bag away from my husband.

My economics books came in from Amazon tonight. Two books - one on the principles of economics and the other a glossary of economic indicators. Ever wonder what GDP at PPP means? Maybe now I'll really know. It's GDP at purchase power parity or something like that but don't ask me what that really means. I feel like it's high time I knew. That way when I look at the back of my Economist each week I'll know what those little statistics mean and I won't have to ask someone for "straight GDP."

I'm hungry. It's time for dinner. Maybe I'll steal the bag of Doritos from Doug. Orange is such a pretty color, after all. Reminds me of Princess Peach, the best fish ever, the one I killed by boiling her to death. It's all my fault, Peach, and I think about you often. You're the first pet to die by my carelessness, and hopefully the last. This weekend I hope Doug and I can get another Peach. There will never be another Peach, mind you, but I'd like to get another fancy fan-tailed goldfish just like her. Our tank seems to be doing fine in the bedroom, and the noise is kind of soothing. I think watching fish up there at night would be very, very relaxing. Our very own koi pond, right in the middle of our bedroom. Every girl's dream.

Meg.

Let me say something about Meg, my first cat. She's beautiful. She's beautiful, several different shades of brown, very fluffy, and a good, sweet girl. She's also very needy for pets and scratches at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30 in the morning. She's very persistent, so if you don't wake up and tend to her then she'll just come back at you again the next hour. I think that Meg finally feels comfortable in the wee hours of the morning. She finally feels like she can get some attention, that she can get either Doug or me to herself. The rest of the day she's either stuck home alone with the two other hooligans or she's by herself while Wyatt and Sasha are vying for our limited time and affection. I just wish she would be more needy before midnight. Her schedule ruins mine.

But she's such a good bear otherwise. And I love to give her squeezes and pets and tell her that she's beautiful. She's got a very special spot in my heart, that kitty. I love me some Brown! I think I'll go find her now and give her a Pouncie. That way she'll know I love her.

We've been stumped.

Today Doug and I continued our lawn project. Last week we took up some bushes and trimmed a lot of stray plants. This week we removed some stumps that were too big for our limited tools last week, and decided to tackle this thorny plant that I hate and that Doug was at one point (God knows why) attached to. I got his permission to start ripping the plant out, so we started that job. And we are still doing it. Probably will be doing it for the entire fall, too. It has too many roots. Too many deep, thick, winding roots that our shovels and loppers just can't penetrate. And the frickin' boulders that are buried in there with the roots don't help, either. It's not easy shoveling rocks. At about 4pm we got in the car to go to Home Despot and rent a chain saw, but decided against it not too far down the street. Instead, we're saving the rest of the stump project for next weekend. When we get our new oven. Next weekend will be a good weekend.

Right now I'm supposed to be thinking of a place to go to dinner. The stump really wiped us out, so we're not cooking tonight. At first I was thinking Greek, so maybe going to the Farmhouse Grill, but I don't know if I want to drive that far. I do like their puréed squash, though. It's super tasty. We don't know many local places yet, and most of the local places are chain restaurants. I could really go for Blue Ribbon. Problem is, by the time we got to Blue Ribbon it would be late, and then I'd want to bring the food home to eat while watching television (it's been my dream all day long to sit my behind on the sofa and watch some television), but by the time we'd get home it would be cold and I wouldn't want to reheat it because reheating it just isn't the same. We'll probably get Dedham House of Pizza again, but I really hope it doesn't come to that. DHOP is actually not that bad, but what it is is greasy. And fattening. And we don't really need that at this point. Yes, my vote is for Blue Ribbon, but it's just not that convenient anymore.

Maybe a shower will help the decision-making process. I am greasy with suntan lotion and sweat, and also muddy with caked-on dirt. Oh, was today a messy, dirty, tiring day. And the stupid stump is still in the ground! That's the kicker. It is truly humbling to be beaten by a thorny bush. Well, I won't say beaten, since we haven't given up yet - we're just tabling the project for a week. Maybe the squirrels will come along and nibble away at the exposed roots of the bush and when we go out next Saturday to finish the job we'll just be able to pick up the stump and put it in a lawn bag. Oh, now that would be a treat! I'd like squirrels then.

Shower. Food. TV. Sleep. That will be the rest of my day...