Continuing progress in the backyard

Fred has built a pea trellis. We had one in Bremerton that he made out of wood. This one is PCV pipe. Well he painted it the same color as our block wall because it was WHITE!

We live in a very "manicured" neighborhood. Here we have sidewalks, the neighborhood is completely square and streets are Brigham Young style, every home is built by the same builder so somewhat uniform in shape, style etc....All the yards are fenced in with a brick wall like ours. The majority of the brick fences have a gate closure from the house to the side yard between homes. We don't. So from the street you can see straight into our back yard. Fred wanted the house built to the side of the lot so the end where the garden is at is the end that is most open to the street.

So from the street you look right on to this big edifice - well in Bremerton where it is somewhat rural I think the look is acceptable, but in our neighborhood it is somewhat kind of an eyesore. I wouldn't be surprised if we are in violation of a neighborhood ordinance.

None the less, it is constructed very well.

We will probably plant bush peas next year.

The area closest to the fence is where we plan to plant fruit trees.

Fred is retired so this is his new job. Doing stuff in the yard....so I've decided that it will always be in process. I mean what will he do all day if it is ever Done?

 Here are the little peas beginning to grow.

He is only planting in one of the garden boxes this year. I honestly don't know what we will do if we ever harvest veggies from both boxes. Holy Cow - that seems like a lot of vegetable growing area.

 Fred placed these stepping stones by hand. He doesn't use any measuring tools that I observed.

I don't know how he even comes up with the idea. It really looks amazing.

There is more pathway in the backyard, but it is not complete yet.



This weekend we sprayed all the dust off our patio picnic table and put a plastic table cloth on it with picnic table clips. Now we can eat out there before it gets too hot!

I am at peace about the back yard. I've actually been going outside when I get home from work when Fred is out there still puttering around. I can enjoy how beautiful the lawn is now and what is complete does look really nice. We will have bushes and trees one of these days.

Super cool hat.

Today is our 36th Wedding Anniversary

 

This is one of our Engagement Pictures.

We didn't choose this one for the announcements

because the photographer said this particular pose was a little too intimate. 

You know, my hand on his lapel.

Interesting....considering what we see today in wedding announcements.

 

Looking at this picture I think how little I knew about Fred at this time.

 I had no idea what a good man I had found. 

But I did know I had found a man and not a boy.

I didn't know his strengths were to be steady and constant,

a consistent provider and a protector for me and our children.

We have never gone without.

We have lived within our means and that is a really good feeling.

If I would have been in charge of finances, it would have been a mess.

I had no idea how smart Fred was. I mean in everything.

Not just book smart, but in everything.

From the very beginning he knew how to fix and build everything.

Where did he learn that? How did he know how to do all of that?

Then when our babies came, he was there helping with everything.

Constant, steady and calm when I was losing it. Where did that come from?

 How did he know how to be such a good partner with our children?

 

In the midst of our life together, I know I have felt frustrated many times.

So impatient not being or having what I wanted when I wanted it.

It is always so easy to hold your partner responsible for our unmet expectations.

I am guilty of that. I know now that I was wrong.

Fred has been so good to me and for me.

I could not have found a more perfect partner to share my in life with.

 

I am so grateful that we never stop growing and learning

how to navigate in this world.

 That we can better understand ourselves and others as we experience  life's ups and downs. I am so thankful I have Fred by my side through all of this.

And that he puts up with me. I kind of wonder how he does it.