Exciting things in our Back Yard

For some reason, our neighbors decided their son needed a full-size volleyball net set up in their small back yard. Apparently a huge hit, the ensuing games resulted in the ball landing on our side of the fence nearly as often as it did on theirs. Their solution was to construct a huge green net out of construction mesh that runs the entire length of the fence we share with them.... REALLY?!
What would you do? Probably get a little mad. Walk around the house to determine how many windows the green monster mesh was visible from (7). Discuss moving. Look up city code to find a broken rule. Try to talk to the neighbor? Yes. We did that.

Greg's conversation with our neighbor went a little something like this:
(Knock knock...door opens)
Greg: I'd like to talk with you about the new fence in your back yard
Neighbor: It's none of your business (door slams)

Luckily, San Marcos city code prohibits the permanent construction of any fence higher than six feet in residential areas. This one is easily over 12 feet. Greg promptly filed a complaint, a city official stopped by to assess whether a violation was taking place (confirmed!), and a letter is being sent informing our neighbors of the code, and that if they refuse to remove the structure they will be charged escalating fines.

We always happily toss the ball over when it comes into our yard when we're home, and I've told the neighbor boy he's always welcome to go and get it himself when we are not around. We're not mean people...Was this really necessary!?

On a lighter note - something I am VERY excited about - we have a nesting hummingbird in our backyard!! Last weekend while pulling some weeds, a bold, chirpy little hummingbird with a tiny bit of fluff in her beak zoomed over to me and hovered within 3 or 4 feet of where I was standing. She was eyeing me. Then she zipped into the nearby ficus and landed. Upon further inspection, a tiny nest was under construction there (maybe 2 inches in diameter), and I was in her territory! Since then I've been bold enough to peak at the nest a couple of times, and she's sitting on it now. Not wanting to spook the hummingmamma, I haven't taken photos yet, or crawled up on the retaining wall to see if I can spot the eggs. The picture below was a little guy who sat and preened for us in the front yard when we first moved in. I have been eyeing a butterfly/hummingbird wild flower seed mix at Home Depot, and think that might be a nice addition to our landscaping this spring and summer. I love hummingbirds!

Here is a little tissue paper scarf Patrick wore around the house for 20 minutes after helping us open Valentine's Day gifts. What a clown. And as always, little Pearl is (creepily) watching in the background. :)

After taking stock of the shoes in my closet, it became apparent there was a major gap in functionality between my work shoes (almost all high heels) and work-out shoes (tennies, travel shoes and hiking boots). I needed something in between! I LOOOOOVE these shoes I found to fill the void and know they are the first pair in a while that could be considered mom-approved. My feet are enjoying them at this very moment in fact!

I'm not presuming that you care about our neighbor issues, how we dress up the cat, or what my latest pair of shoes look like, but if you're reading this, you might! Greg is on a plane heading my direction after a meeting in Oakland this morning, and he should be home by dinnertime. I am getting a massage at 4:00, and I can hardly wait! Since we joined a new gym week before last, Greg and I have been working out really hard (and loving it!), so pretty much my whole body is sore :)