Making time to take lots of pictures, but no time to write about them

Apparently I'm a dumpster diver now

Do you remember the last time I "inherited" some new furniture from the dumpster in my neighborhood? I ended up with a great piece of furniture that I still use in my classroom.

The new project started Friday when I got home from work. I took Minnie out for a walk in the cold and saw a leaning bookshelf sitting in one of our dumpster carports. I looked around to see if anyone was in the middle of moving and just rested it there. Nope. It was in the trash.

I came home and texted Molly to ask for advice. Should I pick it up? I've always wanted one, but wasn't sure I had the spot for it in my condo. I didn't think I could carry it and was almost sure it wouldn't fit in my car. Molly replied to say, "Take it and decide later!" So, I hopped in my car and drove it around the development to see if the shelf was still there. I put the shelf in my back seat, but had to drive back to my building with the back door open because the shelf was so big.

Mom came over this afternoon to help me find the perfect spot for this shelf. The office seemed to be the best option. Last summer I had rearranged the office to make room for a new dresser. It was still a mess and we had to move things to make it all work.

Here are the finished products! The bookshelf was already painted this gray blue color. Thanks, friendly neighbor! I also hung that brown frame that Jilly gave me for my birthday a few years ago. I'm embarrassed it took me this long to get it hung. It is filled with baby pics of Ells because I don't seem to print pictures out anymore :(

Got rid of the tiny bookshelf on that right-hand wall and moved the brown dresser over there. That small bookshelf is now sitting out at the dumpster. I hope someone else can use it! The top of the desk is cleaned off, too. This couch is Minnie's spot during the day, hence the dog bed & towel.

After Mom left, she told me to get to work & finish organizing. So, I tackled the GIANT piles of filing I've been putting off for months. I hate to file papers, both at home and at work! I sat in that tiny open space for about 2 hours to get all these bills and papers put away.

Mom did a GREAT job of organizing and decorating the shelf for me. I love the way it looks.

I can still access my printer on the bottom shelf for the occasional time that I need to print something. Most of the other items came from on top of my desk or around my condo.

This is the cleanest my office has been in years! I'm hoping it will stick :) Not bad for a zero dollar makeover!

Beautiful!

Seen on our walking route

{Yes, that's a mattress & box spring under the highway.}

{Tree completely covered by vine plant. It's GORGEOUS in person!}

{She stopped half way through our walk to rest a bit. Cars driving by laughed at us!}

{Minnie's new "friend" that we ran into on the way home. This poor turtle was awfully far from any sort of nature. I wonder how long it took him to get on the walking trail from his home.}

Who wants to join us on our next walk?

Here at The Orchards, it's already Summer!

The pool was filled last night and all the furniture is set out and ready for a nice day with lots of sun! Doesn't it look pretty?

I love the leaves on this tree! They really were that neon green! In just a week or so, I'm sure they will be a darker green.

This is my favorite tree in the development. I've been taking pictures of it all year: Impressionistic tree, budding tree, snowy tree, tree branches, etc. Now that it finally has new leaves again, it is really beautiful. The branches grow out to the sides and the leaves fill the branches so it is almost impossible to see through it. It also creates the best shade. I love how the leaves cascade down the branches. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but if I am ever planting trees at a house, this is the kind I want!

One more view of the pool with the newly budding hedges around the fence.

More pics to share

Since January 1st, when Jill & I started our photo-a-day blog, The View Across Town ...
I feel like I can't post on this one without a great picture to match! I take pictures every day, and I feel that I've really made progress on my photography skills (which was my New Year's Resolution and the reason for the other blog). There are a lot of photos that I want to share, but not very many of them get seen by you all.

Here are a few of my second favorites from the last few weeks:










Enjoy!

I never knew!

Tonight, I was exiting the highway and was sitting next to a police car while waiting at the light. I knew where he was headed and slowly followed along side. While we were waiting, I noticed that this choke-chain was hanging from the spotlight in the front dashboard. I thought it was very strange ... then I looked towards the back seat!

The police car was a Canine Unit! I've never seen the police cars that have the K-9 dogs with them. Clearly, there was a reason for the giant choke-chain.

Good, old Cezar was sitting in the back seat and kept turning around while we were waiting to turn. I don't know if you can see him in this picture, but he IS in there!

Once we finally turned, the car went exactly where I thought it was. Here's a little note to all you driving around in Overland Park: Police cars sit right off the 435 & Antioch exit on the Northeast corner all the time! It is illegal to turn right on red at either of the Antioch exits and drivers do it all the time! Since my condo is right at that intersection, I see red & blue lights just about every day. Watch out ... and drive safe!

The Family Tree

I've been trying to get a picture of this tree for weeks! It is in the school's neighborhood and it is part of the landscaping along Highway-69. I see it every day as I'm waiting at one of 3 lights before I get on the highway to head home.

I love it's crazy branches & I actually can't tell if it is still alive, as it doesn't seem to have anything growing on it yet. Still, I think it's beautiful. Today's picture is the best one I've gotten so far, so I wanted to share it. If you are driving around, be sure to look for it!