48 Hours

 The big storm that has wrecked areas of the South with tornado's, hail and high winds also made me suffer with one of the longest migraines I've ever had.

I've always been prone to headaches when the barometer drops but it almost seems that it's getting worse as I get older.

For me, the only thing that seems to help is heat. I have one of those sock filled, microwaveable bead socks that even now is wrapped around my neck.  

SM came in earlier and laughed because I had it draped over my head.

Anyway, that poor little sock has been working overtime these past few days. It somehow creates a bit of moisture when it's hot and SM swears it smells like cookies.  When I take a sniff of it, it smells like popcorn. Good thing it doesn't smell like burnt toast or I could say that one of us is having a stroke.

With the constant use these past few days, the moisture caused the threads to stretch at the seam. I had to stitch it closed with super tiny stitches because the beads are so small. On top of that I now have tiny random beads on the floor that roll around as I sweep.  I wonder if they will end up like glitter...always around.

Anyway, I am feeling somewhat better today as this storm finally makes it's way out of here.

Hooves

 As predicted, today is an inside day as we are having a bit of a washout with temps in the 40's with rain on and off today and Thursday.

I wandered outside to toss some seed on the mulch for the birds who are fluttering around looking for my feeders which are temporarily washed out and empty on the back porch.

While I was outside I noticed that the peas are starting to come up but they are currently underwater with the ponding from the rain. That's one benefit from raised beds, nice drainage.

Anyhow, back to the topic of today's post.  

Hooves? What's up with that?

My feet, that's what.  SM had gotten into the habit of commenting on my callused bare feet by calling them "Hooves".  Heavily callused and cracked, my feet do what feet are supposed to do, take me from Point A to Point B without complaint.

To be honest, I hadn't given them much thought over the years. Yeah, I went through a brief "girlie" phase where I painted my hand and toe nails and while they are very attractive, seriously...who has the time or money to fuss over such things?

Anyhow, I had my feet propped up on the coffee table a month or so ago, chatting with SM who was visually right in the line of fire with the bottom of my feet when he called me out on "my hooves". 

Again. 

So I thought I'd better do something about them. Feet are terribly important after all.

I went online and searched Walmart for Heel and Foot creams and bought myself a new foot-sander.

It's been a month and I can tell you my feet are completely different. The cream I used was amazing. I started rubbing the cream into my feet then I put on socks so I wouldn't smear the stuff all over the floors. I would do this once or twice a day.  After a week of moisturizing, I took the scrubby foot sander thingy and gave them a going over. I still had cracks but things were improving.  

I kept up this pattern for about a month and my calluses and cracks are pretty much gone. I'm now in maintenance mode only moisturizing and scrubbing once or twice a week.

The stuff I'm using this.

Look it up if you're interested. 

Profoot Care Heel Rescue

Made in the USA. About $6.50 for a tub at Walmart.  (Amazon is $10) I went to my local Walmart to get more but they didn't have it. Not sure if it's online only.

Spring Breaking

 If I've been a bit absent in posting this week it's because it is FREAKEN GORGEOUS here this week.  

I have been outside pretty much all day from my early morning exercise laps around the hood to mid-morning gardening and cleanup. In for lunch then out again hanging on the back porch reading with my legs stuck out in the sun sucking in all that good vitamin D.

So while there's not really anything specific to discuss or ponder with you this week, you should be aware that I am making the most of it while we have it.

Yes, Spring is breaking here in the Carolina's but I'm sure some soggy cold days will catch up with us eventually.

I planted some lettuce in pots like I discussed last post.  

It's 10am as I'm posting this and already 63 degrees.  I'm heading back out now. See ya later!

Peas Are In

 Our forecast is for nothing but sunshine and temperatures in the 60's for the next 10 days!  Let's say goodbye to gloomy February and welcome Spring in the Carolina's by planting peas.

I went out and pulled away a row using the hoe. The soil was nice a crumbly (shock) until I got to the last 5 feet which seemed more water slogged.  I'm pretty happy with how good the soil looked. Seems like my one year on / one year off is working.

I love any kind of pea but my absolute favs are sugar and snow.

So excited to begin the gardening season.  

Next up?  Lettuce.  I'm undecided if I want to plant in-ground or in pots that I can move around. Lettuce bolts by mid-May because of the heat.  I'm wondering if I plant it in a pot and move the pot to the cooler side of the house when things start to heat up, if I can extend production.  

Thoughts?