Best Wishes to Jim

Jim has officially retired.  His new retirement plans are to make Lori happier than she has ever been.  Really.

The official ceremony was in his courtroom and, of course, due to the pandemic, seating was limited.  

Jim spoke wonderfully of all the people (and he mentioned them all by name, from court recorders all the way to other judges).  Plus, Jim was wearing the original tie he bought to wear to his first job in the courthouse.  He also wore his Dad's class ring and the cufflinks his mother bought him ~ to have them close to him.

This is Jim's longtime Baliff who is a Marine.  This banner was hung in Jim's office to surprise him after the celebration.  Hilarious.

Amy and her boytoy......no, really he is one of her friends from law school, Allen Baddour.  Allen is a Superior Court Judge from Orange County.

It was such a fantastic afternoon.  It was an honor to hear other people say such wonderful things about Jim.  

We adjourned to the Tobacco Warehouse bar across the street where we all sat outside to celebrate.  It was my first time to be with more than 4 people in a year plus.  Kind of weird, but really nice.

Congratulations to Jim.  

Much love,

Leslie

Pollen Pollen Pollen

 Spring is here!!!!! The pollen has been "huge"!!!!!!!! And with Spring comes yard work. And visitors.

A hawk came by a couple of times to watch.

I am still waiting on the hummingbirds.  I have the feeder up and a scout came by but none have stayed.

Tete a Tete daffodils

Got my first shot

I had such vaccine envy!!!!! But I got the shot and had no issues.  I get the second shot tomorrow so I will see what happens.

Now this was a project.  The 21 feet by 12 inch strip between the parking pad and the fence.  I planned to dig it out and place the black cloth to prevent weeds and then put in some good dirt and plant some low growing ornamental grasses. And then put rock around it all.  I figured a good days work. HA!!!!!

I did not schedule the amazing amount of rock, broken tile, concrete and clay.  It took a day to clear it and a day to go back and forth to get all the rock.  Again, 510 pounds of rock.  But, it looks better to me and I am happy with it.

510 pounds of rock.  I really severely underestimated how many it would take.

Moved the rose bush from across the yard to here.

I have also moved the pots the tomatoes were in.  The sun does makes a difference! 

Nancy sent me the photos of the work she did in what was the rabbit room.  Scrubbed it down twice and now it is a perfect Sun Room.  LOVE the carpet!!!!! And the carpet is machine washable.

Nancy's redone Sun Room

Just had a painting company come out to see what needs to be repainted.  Yes, the builders used the lowest grade of house paint and the trim on the house is peeling.  I will get the estimate tomorrow.  The guys are doing several houses in the neighborhood.  They came out to give Rhonda (our fabulous next door neighbor) and estimate yesterday.

Got the yard mulched.  I cannot wait to see how the plants do in their second year. I am also looking forward to getting the pots out and the cushions out.  Time to enjoy outdoor living!

Over the weekend, we kept Rhonda's corgi, Blue.  We have been trying to get Blue to use the dog door but she refused.  Rhonda, Elliot and Blue came over yesterday (Monday) afternoon.  Elliot was fascinated with the dog door and she figured it out.  And then Blue decided to try it.  Success!!!!

And, in closing, Chris Horak was at Fort Bragg for a pre-deployment quarantine and he came to visit.

The Hardin's and the Robinson's met up in Hilton Head to get reaquainted:

Happy Spring to everyone!

And, much love to all!!!

~Leslie