Not long ago, I declared my vacuum cleaner useless and I threw it in the garbage. Shortly after that, I ordered a vacuum cleaner from Amazon to replace it. The vacuum cleaner that I chose is a very cheap model, even cheaper than what is normally considered cheap for a vacuum cleaner, just $69.99. It is like the vacuum cleaner that your 2 cousins might pitch in together to buy you for a useful wedding shower gift that also happens to be in an impressively large box.
The vacuum cleaner I bought is the Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright Vacuum. [update: April 05, 2008 – vacuum still works great – Update: June 1, 2012, still works great] I choose it because it is listed in the January issue of a certain consumers magazine as being a good deal. 😉 I was looking for a good deal, I can not spend hundreds on a vacuum cleaner at this time. The vacuum works and so far I am happy with it. I’ve set the box up for the cat’s enjoyment for now. The image shows the box and our homeschooled cat at the back door.
Garden
Below are some images from our yard today:
The zinnias have started to bloom. I planted pink and red zinnias, the large variety. These are some of my favorite flowers. My photography skills were poor today. After coming inside and looking at the pictures, most of them have the right side cut off. I wasn’t up for a do-over.
Here we have a mystery sunflower. This one is from seeds from the bird feeder. It has many flower buds along the stem. Several of these came up from seed. It is going to be interesting to see how many different varieties of sunflowers came from the black-oil birdseed bag.
This image shows a pink daylily. I don’t know what kind it is. I bought it over 10 years ago. It’s one of my favorites. Daylilies are called that because each flower is open only for one day.
Here we have a Monarda Bee Balm. Isn’t that a cute name? The plant is in the mint family, it has a square stem. It is spindly and spreads by underground runners. It is prone to downy mildew. The leaves have a very pleasant scent and I imagine, though I don’t know for certain, that it might be good in tea. Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers.
This image shows the trimming job of the bushes in front of the front porch. Severe isn’t it? Hubby wanted the bushes no higher than the porch. I told him that would mean there would be no leaves left on the bushes, neither of us cared so we now have lovely bushy branches out front. They certainly do not take away from the house; you can barely see them from the road.
My son came in for the day Sunday and I told him that I am making the quilt for him. Briefly a smile appeared and that means he was happy with the news. I have not worked on the quilt much at all. I am still getting together the pieces for the border. Yesterday, I cut the printed continuous design strip pieces and if you are familiar with that sort of design, then you know that next I have to join the pieces by hand to insure a continuous design. The image shows what I must do, however, it doesn’t show it very well. Basically I have to decide where to join two pieces. Then I fold one piece over the other, matching the design, pin, and hand stitch from the top.
Donna Young
Elaine says
Those are beautiful flowers. That reminds me that I need to get outside and take some pictures of my flowers.
I love the picture of your vacuum box and the cat. 😀
I eagerly await the pictures of the finished quilt.
ginger says
Those are such pretty flowers. I can’t wait to see what you sunflowers look like though.
I love the colors in the border…those are some of my favorite….can’t wait to see when it is done….:)
Barbra-Sue says
Your yard must be beautiful right now, very pretty flowers. I have always loved zinnias…. I used to plant them in AK.
Tanya says
Your bushes look like what I would do….unless they were separating my property from Homers.
Sheri says
Your continuous quilt border is lovely, Donna. I would not have noticed the seam/fold without the arrow.
The sunflower bud is quite interesting in appearance. I almost expect it to open up and say “Feed me, Seymour.”
Love the homeschooled cat photo. I think your cat is keeping a good eye out for the ‘lost cat’.
Tressa says
I love the zinnias. They are some of my favorite flowers. I am excited to see the sunflower open up!
Melanie says
Lovely pictures, Donna! I’d be interested in seeing the different sunflower varieties, too. I’m happy that you like your vacuuum and I’m glad your son likes his quilt and told you with his brief smile. 😀 Now get to work.
Sheri! “Feed me all night looooong! You can do it!” Little Shop of Horrors is one of my favorite movies ever. I wish I could have seen the stage show.
Donna Young says
The sunflower buds really are something! 😆 Sheri and Melanie, that is funny! The buds reminded me of that too.
I haven’t been working hard on the quilt, I put in around a whole 15 minutes today. 😕 Isn’t that pathetic?! I need to step it up!
🙂 Sheri, I was wondering if anyone would remark on the lost cat flyer on the refrigerator. I feel sorry for whoever lost the cat. I hope they have found her.
We have had a lot of rain lately! 🙂 I was standing in the garden today looking at all of the new weeds (mostly morning glory seedlings). As soon as I finished this thought, “I need to till,” it started raining. It rained long and hard and it stormed. Our power kicked off several times today (hugs APC battery back up system). I didn’t get to till. I hope that I can till soon before the morning glories take over.
Kenetha says
What pretty flowers you have!
We are in a drought here and my flowers aren’t looking so great. 😥
Donna Young says
We are in drought conditions too. Lately we have been getting rain and I am so thankful!
Today I am actually working hard on the quilt border. I am changing the border. It is very time consuming and tedious. It has taken hours to sew on the first 4 strips. They are the most important ones and I am still not certain whether they are just right or not. I have taken them apart and re-sewn them several times.
Later, I will have to till the garden. Now that it is raining occasionally, many weeds have sprouted.
Lolcats says
Vacuum boxes are a cats best friend. Glad the new purchase is working out for you!
Donna Young says
Elaine, that is so sad that you lost your files.
I spent a bit of time today cleaning out more files. My hard drive is now a very nice 17% full.
On the other hand, I added 140MB of images today.
appliejuice says
I forgot to mention that I love the story. 🙂