The weekend weather has been surreal - yesterday morning it was 37 degrees, this afternoon it must be 77. I spent a lovely, relaxing afternoon doing a little light gardening:


The other two bags and another full trash can are on the other side of the fence.

I'm putting myself on a deadline - I want to get the sod done by the first weekend in March. That gives me a few more weekends of cleaning time, and I'm really not that far from done. Then a patio, then patio furniture, then a new grill, then the backyard will be open for business.

The bougainvilla came through the cold very nicely:



The hibiscus took a hit, though. I really should give up on those two tiny, sickly plants and put in some bigger ones that can actually survive a cold night with a bit of protection.

It was a good afternoon - I put on shorts and sleeveless and let my fish-belly-white appendages get a bit of fresh air and sunshine. I actually had to break out the sunscreen. I think I can skip Pilates for a day or two - raking and stuffing trash bags is great for both the arms and the abs - but Murphy and I did go for our usual walkie. I credit a lot of the weight loss to the walkies.
I went shopping in my closet this morning before Mass, tried on some things I'd been waiting to "shrink into" (isn't that the opposite of "grow into?") and wouldn't you know it, I have shrunk past them - now the too small to fit jeans are too big. My wardrobe is seriously hurtin' - I am still 15 pounds from really wanting to spend money on the good stuff, but the old stuff doesn't fit right. It's a pleasant dilemma, but a dilemma just the same. I'm amusing myself by virtually shopping for new outfits - the wardrobe change is on the horizon. I think one of the first picks will be this outfit from Isabella Bird. I'm sick of dressing like one of the boys.

And now I think I have earned the right to park my tired and shrinking ass on the couch and knit. It's definitely time to think summer already.