Today, I see that Rich got further along on the steps last night. I’m leaving after work today for Indy. Maybe I’ll get a little time with Kristin and Sierra before heading to Louisville. I need to be there by midnight tomorrow to help at the campground overnight.

Another day of adding steps to the deck.

Now, we will have steps to get onto the deck from this side!

Becky & Denny drove out tonight to show us their new vehicle. It will replace Becky's old car-a 15 year old Geo Metro!

It's time to clean out the gardens in preparation for next spring. My goal is to get this portion done by tomorrow. It was full of weeds so I have a good start. Tomorrow-finish spreading the mulch and it will be done.

Here's some of my plant rearranging. The concrete pedestal that the big spider plant is sitting on came from the salvage yard in Indianapolis. When we were there, the owner was throwing all the concrete pots and pedestals away, he said we could have anything we wanted. I brought home 2 pots and one pedestal, I wish I would have taken more but didn't want to be greedy!

Here's the "back side" of the deck. I must admit that I have not been a huge fan of this lattice work when I've seen it used but it looks really nice here. I think the key will be to take care of it and replace it when it starts to look shabby.

The deck is finished except for a few details such as steps although Rich has already been looking at it thinking that more railing may be nice. I've started moving some pots around and am able to see some things that were hidden on the old deck.

While I was gone this weekend, Rich got me 5 gray deck railing pots. He also decided to get some mums for me to plant in them. I'm hoping that they will bring us plenty of beautiful fall colors!

After practicing at Derby City BMX and helping with the race, we went to Spinelli's Pizzaria in Louisville, a favorite of Kristin and Tyler. We had pizza and a great dessert - fried oreos! They are open until 5AM. We left there very early this morning and my head hit the pillow in Indy at 1:38 AM. Then I got up this morning and was home around 3:30 PM.

Thule is waiting patiently until we leave for Louisville. He knows that whenever I come to visit, he "gets" to go somewhere! He sticks close to me for fear that he will be left behind!

On the road again to Louisville - a beautiful day for driving! I'll stop in Indy tonight and go to the Louisville BMX track on Saturday with Kristin and Tyler for practice. I also brought my new frame to build up and let Kristin ride it since she doesn't have a cruiser right now. I can ride my old bike for awhile longer.

A view of the almost finished deck from above. I'll soon be moving some of my flower pots up there.

The railing is almost complete on the deck. I think it looks very nice and professional!

I got this new perennial plant, it is called a torch lily. I tried them years ago with no luck. I'll hope that this one comes back next year.

I got home from the weekend to see that Rich had started on the railings for the deck. My plan is to get some pots that will sit on the railing.

Kristin, Tyler and I all raced again today. I spotted this sign at the track and thought it was worth taking a pic for future reference. We had a great day, I got home around 8PM. Sierra called while I was driving to tell me that she won her mountain bike race today.

I got to spend the weekend with Kristin & Tyler racing in Warsaw, IN. Today, Tyler & I raced the regional championship race in the afternoon and Kristin raced the pro-am race in the evening. She won her entry fee plus a little back, can't beat that!

Sierra won this neat trophy last week at a mountain bike race. She told me about it but I got to see it today.

Sierra started her student teaching this week. She really has quite a collection of book and teaching supplies. Some of the teachers at her school gave her these big books this week.

I'm all packed and ready to go to Indianapolis tomorrow after work. The Regional Championship BMX race is in Warsaw, IN this weekend.

The kitchen is full of tomatoes from the garden. We've been eating BLT sandwiches every meal for several days now. Not a problem though, they are such a summer time treat!

The purple coneflowers are almost done blooming. They make such a beautiful display during the summer.

Home made salsa with tomatoes and onions from our garden...........yummy!

As soon as the last board was screwed down, Rich got out a new hammock and proceeded to take a nap. I guess he probably deserves it!

This is the last load of wood and should finish the top of the deck. I think that part of the project may be finished tomorrow!

Look at the pollen flying through the air as this bee does its work!

I started to move some plants onto the new deck but can't get too carried away or they will be in the way of continued construction!

More caladiums from the garden.....

I'm glad that the cats caught this mole. They really mess with my garden. The claws are amazing!

I took some time today to look through last week's paper to see if I saw everything I planned on during the week of RAGBRAI.