My Summer So Far...

This summer I have pulled weeds and raked leaves. I estimate to be a total of 30 black trash bags worth. You may think this is a lot... I agree. We have cut down numerous trees to help open up our yard for several reasons... 1. I won't have to rake leaves as much! YAY!!!!!! 2. To help brighten our yard and let in sunshine. This will help with the mosquito situation and also 3. to make a garden area for future. 4. We have more room to play instead of looking at trees like we are in a forest or something.
We still have quite a few trees to go. We have already cut down about 20 trees. We have about 50 more before we will have it where we want it. We would like to have an actual yard instead of a forest all the way around our house. In so doing the cutting of trees, I have learned how to use a chainsaw. I limb, and cut the trees, and Jim cuts them down. (He cuts and limbs too as I am still a little slow and need breaks often. I still need to build muscle.) We are getting a good supply for our winter heating.

I am also painting our house. The paint around the window sills was chipping away. So I decided I didn't really like that color anyway and am painting the house a cream color (Natural Wicker Gliddon) and a really light blue that I don't remember the name of.
I have also been ripping off the base/mop boards in the arctic entry way. These boards were rubber. They also don't match the rest of the base/mop boards in the house. So I am making them match. I hope to get these projects done before school starts.
In one week from tomorrow, I will be running my first 5k!!! The title of it is "Run From the Cops." Yes, I am serious! This is the first annual Fairbanks Run From the Cops 5k. I am excited. My 1/2 marathon training is coming along. I have come to the conclusion, I will have to end up walking part of it.

We have been attacked by carpenter ants. Oh the joys of owning a home. We sprayed and are still looking for the nest. Oh yes, this is another reason to cut down those trees! less ants.

Well, I have been super busy and my muscles are aching from using the chainsaw today. It is heavy.