constant narrator

Today I cut from work for a few hours to go to the Project Transitions hospice house and help coordinate a group of volunteers from IBM. Today is part of United Way’s “Day of Caring” where they hit up big companies to let some of their employees take the day off to do volunteer work for United Way agencies around town. While we were expecting many more than showed up, the folks who arrived were quite energetic and unafraid of getting dirty! We moved a huge pile of junk out and got rid of it and cleared large piles of brush away too. Even though the yard is 1/3 overgrown, just the removal of that stuff made a huge difference in how the back yard looked. It feels like it’s breathing easier.

I also got another nursery, Park Place Gardens, to donate some annuals, tomato seedlings, potting soil and a couple of pretty pots so the house has some bright color on the deck and front porch. One of the hospice residents was especially jazzed about the tomato plants I brought and I placed him in charge of keeping them watered and happy.

As I left, they were all getting ready to grill some burgers and have an outdoor birthday party for one of the residents who I’m particularly fond of. I have arrived back at work pooped but quite satisfied. A small group of folks makes a difference! Again! Hurrah!

Despite Kia’s send-off, I have repaired my damn MT psasword issues (thanks to MT Medic) and am determined to hop on the blog horse again.

I live!

And in fact, I have hired on to the place I’ve been contracting at since October. So now I live employed and with a salary instead of self-employed and with invoices. So far it hasn’t changed much, except I’m planning to get my teeth cleaned A WHOLE BUNCH. I will have the CLEANEST TEETH EVER.

Spring has sprung in Austin and it’s gorgeous. The irises outside of my new place have been blooming their heads off; lots of white and a few light purple and they smell heavenly. All over town the Mountain Laurel are in bloom and their heady grape kool-aid scent is in the air and floats into my house through the open screen doors. The redbuds are all out and beginning to shed their blossoms in lovely little snowstorms of pink and purple when the wind blows. And on Sunday we had our first giant thunderstorm of the season with the windows rattling with thunder and torrents of rain. It was wonderful.

Michael has started an alley project. It’s kind of nice, living on an alley. I’m growing quite fond of it.