Updates

I have never done an "Update" post, so I think I will try one now.

As far as turning everything off that can be turned off, it looks like I have cut about $10.00 from the electric bill. Not a lot, but it all adds up.

Heard back from Shawn at Peoria Cares. My issues were forwarded to Code Enforcement. Maybe these two will be added to the "couple of other open cases" in the vicinity.

Still on the hunt for a good Sunday brunch. Eamon Patrick's closed. Don't think they can be topped, but sure enjoyed breakfast at the Bartonville Diner on Sunday. Will have to try The Lighthouse in Chillicothe again. The last time I was there it was a miss, but a friend went this past Sunday and raved about it. It is worth another look.

The outside of the house is done. Trimming the inside of the windows now. Can't wait to put new blinds up and rehang the curtains. I am on the look-out for fabric as I am getting the urge to make new window coverings for several of the rooms. Have been checking the clearance racks, but have not found anything that I want - at least not yet.







Still need to paint the porch floor and finish painting the porch ceiling, so not totally done!

And, best of all I have a new grandbaby!
Daughter and hubby had a baby boy on 5/28/09.


That makes grandbaby #2. My son's little girl will be 4 in October.




Life is GOOD!

Landlords.....or who owns these eyesores?

I know who owns one of the properties shown in this blog, but I won't go into the name here. When I send the pictures to Shawn at Peoria Cares, I will not be so kind. This once beautiful old home has been cut into four apartments. The last couple of years the renters have been pretty good neighbors and the mowers show up on time to keep the yard looking decent. For those two facts, I am quite grateful. But the owner is allowing the exterior to deteriorate. Siding is falling off and windows are covered with new vinyl siding. Downspouts are missing and the fence line is totally overgrown. Although traffic has slowed down since the closure of the Public Walkway (locally know as the Ho Chi Minh Trail), the fact that boards are broken in the fence at the back of the property, have the trespassers continuing on their journey through the neighborhood. Please note the variety of siding types and colors on this house. Also you can see where siding has fallen off and just laid out of the way of the mowers. For your viewing displeasure, I give you the house next to mine. Note that the siding that fell is just laying there.



Actually, my view is of the better side. I get the vinyled up windows. I give the neighbors credit though. They do use the trash toters.

A little further up the street is another neighborhood treasure.
Let's all hope that the window upstairs doesn't fall the rest of the way out!

And Bloom They Do

I have flower gardens. Everywhere I can think to put a small, medium or large flower garden....a flower grows. The scaffolding has been hard on some of the gardens near the house, but I have flowers and thought I would share a couple of my favorites. Here they are......
The Asiatic or Stargazer Lillies. So many beautiful colors to choose from. The white ones seem the most fragrant.

Purple cone flowers are one of my favorite. Right up there with the Black Eyed Susans. Both are native flowers that are often found along the highway and add to the enjoyment of any drive through the country side.


Just a little more and I will not have to worry about mowing the front yard! I keep thinking mulch or pavers would be nice.
Keep blooming!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I look out into the front yard and see something new in bloom almost every day. A different color Asiatic Lily, a new hollyhock, an orange poppy and the little tree I planted several years that is bloom for the first time this year. My flowers bloom where they are planted.

Between the flowers and the work that is going on at my house, it got me thinking. Despite what you might see, read or hear; the East Bluff is a pretty good place to be planted and I am glad to be planted here.

As much as I laughed at "It's Better Here!" and was among the first to say, "Yeah, right", I have to admit that as a long time East Bluffer, it is better here. Parts of the neighborhood are coming back to life. Our Neighborhood Association may not be large, but there is a dedicated core group that really cares about the East Bluff and the City of Peoria. We came together and despite the odds, saved the neighborhood school and kept it in the center of the neighborhood. We watch in delight as the construction goes forward and the drilling for the geothermal heating goes deeper.

Kids are playing in their yards now. This is something we didn't see just a few short years ago. Neighbors are actually talking to each other again. Our yards are mowed and the litter is picked up. I can sit in my yard and hear the concerts in Glen Oak Park Friends are sitting outside the local neighborhood tap having a good time. I even feel more comfortable going to the grocery store after dark. A couple of years ago, I wouldn't do that, at least not here.

Some former duplex houses are being purchased and turned back into single family homes. Neighborhood clean-up days are a big success. We worked together to develop and maintain a little neighborhood park. Some of my neighbors actually walk to work. I am close enough to, but trekking up Wayne Street Hill at the end of the day is not what I consider a casual stroll.

There are some beautiful old homes in the neighborhood. Some real bargains if you are in the market. The East Bluff still has a long way to go, but there are pockets of progress. Sometimes we get so busy complaining that we forget to take a look at the good things that are happening.

Yes, it is better in the East Bluff

Darn, Darn and Double Darn

Four of us were headed to Eamon Patrick's for their wonderful brunch this morning. We arrived at about 10:15 and found them still closed. After some discussion about where to go, we headed for Zim's in Campustown.

After brunch, I went back downtown and spoke briefly with the owners of Eamon Patrick's. They no longer serve Sunday brunch. They tried for three months but were never able to build up the patronage and it was costing them too much. Very sad that the word didn't get out fast enough. The food was wonderful.

Now Zim's. In a word, crap! Full house, one server. Very slow service and getting the food was even slower. Eggs and sausage patties were O.K., Taters were so-so and the pancakes were "crispy". Thick pancakes and like lead. Couldn't cut them with a fork, even after soaking them with butter and syrup. Even a knife didn't go through them easily. I am usually a pretty fair tipper. This time I left the change from a $7.69 bill after handing over $8.00. I didn't even feel guilty.

I will miss brunch at Eamon Patrick's, but will not be back to Zim's.