Moderation? What's that?

I admit - sometimes I don't take moderation in moderation and I go all out. But that isn't all bad....is it? Sure - I went a little overboard on some things with the house some think. Sure - I have lots of shoes (& Blaine claims WAY too many.) Sure - I could sit down and eat an entire "Everything Pizza" from Imo's. But moderation is just for the birds - in some cases.

Another thing that is for the birds are the trees Blaine and I recently purchased. We certainly weren't thinking moderation when we made a trip to a landscaping auction over the weekend just west of Columbia. We knew we were going to get a good deal and were willing to stick it out - through the rain, downpours, sleet, snow, hail, thunder and lightening......did I mention downpour? Seriously folks - the only thing missing during this 3 hour fiasco were two things: 1. the sun & 2. a tornado.

Blaine and I arrived, game plan in hand. We had our rain gear (I love my pink rain boots), the checkbook and a thermos of coffee. What more could we ask for? As the rain kept pelting, I escaped to the truck. Blaine proceeded to bid - and bid - and bid.

The Preston's are now proud owners of 15 trees (large and small, some ornamental, some monumental). In addition, I also have some great looking plants (some I know exactly what they are.....others I have no idea.)

We have Cleveland Pears, Flaming Crab Apples, Candy Mint Sergant Blah Blah Blahs, some cool looking trees shedding bark, a couple of Spring Crab Apples, Japanese Maples - you name it...we at least bid on it. We knew that with the weather conditions, we were getting an incredible deal. Who else other than Blaine and I would weather a storm to buy trees......only about 30 other people - who I would have called absolutely stupid if I hadn't been there.

But all and all - we made out like bandits! Now this spring and summer when the birds are flocking to my beautiful trees, I have only the rain to thank. Oh...and the two gentlemen that helped us immensely.....Thanks Jason for loaning us the trailor! And thanks Todd for using your muscles to help Blaine unload these trees. You two helped out more than you'll ever know. I will call you both to help me clean the bird poop this summer!!

Here are a couple of photos of our trees......

Here are Blaine & Todd unloading some trees from the trusty Watts Construction trailor.

Here is Ike looking on - making sure everything goes smoothly. He was also instrumental in chasing the black Ford around making sure it parked the trailor in the right spot.

How much does a tree weigh anyway? Not a good question to ask - but won't this be a beautiful Cleveland Pear in my yard?