Field Trip With Gillian

On A Whim

Gillian and I took a field trip to the Leesburg Outlets today, as she needed to buy some sandals, then we had lunch at Tuscarora's in Leesburg (crabcake salad for G, turkey BLT and gazpacho for moi). After lunch we drove out to the pink polka-dotted On a Whim, our favorite place in Lucketts. They were busy, moving in lots of new things.  I saw a few cute things, but we both agreed we just don't need anything anymore. It's no fun when you don't buy!

Just looking

1 skunk caught today. TOTAL: 5 trapped. Yikes.

Wednesday Chores

Spent today unpacking, doing laundry, going to the grocery store.

Eric came today and put out 2 traps. I had pushed the dirt back around the holes under the deck and this morning there was fresh digging and holes, so apparently there are still some skunks lurking.

Off to Euclid

Julia on deck at Linda's

We left home around 8:30 am and got to Linda's around 3:00. Julia was already there and reading on the deck. It was really hot and humid, so we got our suits on and went down to the beach. Sat around with our feet in the water and I actually went swimming.  Kate P. came down to say hello to us--it was nice to see her. All the kids were there and out in the water playing. We had flank steak for dinner and sat out on the patio. Brooks got in around 8. After dinner we sat out on the deck and watched a beautiful sun set over Lake Erie.

On the skunk front, there were 2 babies in one trap, and 1 adult in another trap this morning. Eric was coming to pick them up this afternoon. I asked him how two could get in one trap and he said they walked in side by side!  He won't set any traps while we are gone. I'm too afraid of the cats in our neighborhood getting caught!

3 skunks caught, 2 babies in 1 trap!

They're Back

Skunks that is. We woke this morning to find 1 baby skunk trapped, and 2 others pushing the cage around the yard. Ugh. Our best friend Eric came to pick them up in the afternoon and set another 5 traps in all--4 little ones and 1 big one. So there is probably a family living under the deck. Really makes me want to be out working in the gardens!

5

5 Skunk Traps!

Thursday

We took a field trip for our Info Meeting today to the new Richard Byrd Library. It's nice but we all found alot of things to criticize of course! Tysons is due to be renovated in 2013 I think. One thing I like about our library is all the windows and the light.  It's really a very nice space, even if it could use some updating and renovation.

Then tonight was the last yoga class of the session, and we weren't too happy with it. Pat had us do some sort of yoga obstacle course, with all these different stations, and we had to do about 15 different poses at the different stations. It was kind of chaotic and none of us enjoyed it.  As much as I appreciate Pat trying new things, we all agreed we like a straight yoga class, with quiet meditation. Things are going to change, though,  as some of us are moving on to different classes, some moving up a level.  We all went out to dinner afterwards at Masala Wok. I had heard it was good, but it was just okay. Fast food Asian.

Skunkologist Eric came today and set 2 traps in back. Will be anxious to check tomorrow morning!!

Skunks?

Well after 2 years I'm afraid to say our skunks might be back. After trapping a family of 7, a new deck, wire mesh around the opening, and tons of anxiety...well today I went outside to water and there was a ditch under the gate, and 2 dug out areas under the mesh of the deck. Aaaargh. Time to call Eric, our skunkologist. The funny thing is I sprinkled some so-called skunk repellent that I bought at Merrifield around the deck yesterday. I guess it really means it attracts, not repels...

I made Martha's chocolate toffee cookies tonight to take to Cleveland this weekend. I talked to Linda tonight and she said Tom and Evie are coming in on Sunday for the day! I'm so happy they are coming.  And she invited Peg and Tom over for dinner, so we will get to see them too. I'm really looking forward to the weekend and seeing everyone. Brooks will drive there on Saturday afternoon, and Julia flies in on Saturday morning. Rich and Linda will pick her up.  It will be the first time the kids have been back to Euclid since Mom died in June of 2008. Hard to believe.