Volunteer Tomatoes
My Rain Barrel
My Abandoned Garden
Piles of Weeds!
It's FINALLY Compost!
Compost & Tomatoes!
Yep, those are nylons! (Great for tying up veggies!)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saving my Abandoned Garden
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Preparing for a family visit
My dad is coming to visit tomorrow and I haven't seen him in nearly a year! (Can't believe that!) I am so excited to see him, but can't help, but to get a little stressed about being a hostess. Theoretically, my house should be in order because I have it on the market, but the reality of it is that my counter is a mess and like always there is a mountain of laundry to do! In addition to the general clutter, there is the constant battle with the dogs and their incessant need to find things and shred them into a million little unrecognizable pieces. Copper, our beagle, has decided that it would be cool to shred his dog bed while in his kennel... so there are fluffs of polyester filling scattered about randomly. Whenever I get them all cleaned up, somehow more appear?! Lily, our Chihuahua, loves to find tissues, dryer sheets, paper towels, silly bands, little-green-army-men, legos, etc. and hide under the sofa and make a lovely mess. You may say, just keep those things off the floor, right? Well, unfortunately, I am not the source of the problem, it's my two boys, who don't seem to understand that whatever is left on the floor or even on the sofa for that matter is fair game for the dogs to destroy. We have already performed several emergency surgeries on dismembered stuffed animals, but that still hasn't taught them a lesson. Well, I can't say that I haven't fallen victim to the dogs, because I found countless pairs of undergarmets that have been destroyed... although, I am pretty sure that the dogs must be getting into the laundry basket, because I NEVER leave things on the floor (ha ha).
Anyhow, I am not sure what to do this weekend with family in town. It is the middle of July in the Midwest, so naturally it is terribly hot, which makes most outdoor activities pretty miserable. I know I don't really have to have a itinerary for their visit, but I wish I had an idea of what we could do... maybe take the kids to the water park? I'm not sure my dad would enjoy that too much... there is always the local kid friendly museums... well, we will have to see. In the meantime, I should probably, finish up my futile attempt to get the house presentable.
Anyhow, I am not sure what to do this weekend with family in town. It is the middle of July in the Midwest, so naturally it is terribly hot, which makes most outdoor activities pretty miserable. I know I don't really have to have a itinerary for their visit, but I wish I had an idea of what we could do... maybe take the kids to the water park? I'm not sure my dad would enjoy that too much... there is always the local kid friendly museums... well, we will have to see. In the meantime, I should probably, finish up my futile attempt to get the house presentable.
Monday, July 18, 2011
A sad, frustrating day
My very good friend's mother passed away last Thursday and this evening I took my boys to the memorial service (hubby had to work late again). Before I went, I came home and let the dogs out and visited my garden to collect some flowers for an arrangement. My Black Eyed Susans are probably the brightest and happiest flowers blooming right now, so I started there first, then I cut some fresh chocolate mint and Russian Sage and finished up with purple Rose of Sharon and Butterfly Bush flowers. I filled a cobalt blue vase with the flowers and then set on my way to pick up the boys. The vase only spilled over once on the ride to the daycare, after that I took corners more carefully! I made it to the daycare about 5 minutes before 6pm (late as usual!) and then we headed across town to the funeral home.
I should have known that my lecture about being quiet and respectful and not running around would fall upon deaf ears. Almost immediately after we arrived, the boys met up with a friend and started their typical antics of running around and hollering. I tried to quiet them and get them to sit quietly, but that was a wasted effort. I was trying my best to comfort my friend while policing the crazies. Needless to say, it just wasn't working. I took them outside for some quiet time, but it didn't work either. During the service, my youngest decided that taking off his shoes, refusing to sit and squealing would be a good plan. So I, put my hand over his mouth and escaped to the kitchen with him, red face and all. By the time I got him to be quiet it was over and I had just enough time to go through the line to give my respects to the family. After we did that, I hightailed it out of there.
The kids drove me beyond my limit of patience and by the time we got to the car I was furious with them for not behaving themselves. I took them straight home, fed them and sent them to bed. Luckily, my husband so kindly made me eggs and bacon for dinner while I unwound from the trauma of the evening.
Now that it is quiet (other than my dogs wrestling at my feet) and I have had a chance to digest everything, I wonder: are my kids insane? am I a bad parent? do I have too short of a fuse? what did I do wrong?
One thing I know for sure it that a 3 and 6 year old are hard to keep quiet regardless of where they are and don't really understand when and where it is appropriate to play. Perhaps I should have prepared better with quiet toys or books or even snacks. Or maybe I shouldn't have even have gone? No, I am glad that I went even if my nerves were raw at the end. I know that I am disappointed in myself for getting so upset with the boys and wonder what I can do the next time we have to attend a serious even to have a better outcome for all of us.
In the meantime, I am emotionally and physically drained and need to get some rest.
I should have known that my lecture about being quiet and respectful and not running around would fall upon deaf ears. Almost immediately after we arrived, the boys met up with a friend and started their typical antics of running around and hollering. I tried to quiet them and get them to sit quietly, but that was a wasted effort. I was trying my best to comfort my friend while policing the crazies. Needless to say, it just wasn't working. I took them outside for some quiet time, but it didn't work either. During the service, my youngest decided that taking off his shoes, refusing to sit and squealing would be a good plan. So I, put my hand over his mouth and escaped to the kitchen with him, red face and all. By the time I got him to be quiet it was over and I had just enough time to go through the line to give my respects to the family. After we did that, I hightailed it out of there.
The kids drove me beyond my limit of patience and by the time we got to the car I was furious with them for not behaving themselves. I took them straight home, fed them and sent them to bed. Luckily, my husband so kindly made me eggs and bacon for dinner while I unwound from the trauma of the evening.
Now that it is quiet (other than my dogs wrestling at my feet) and I have had a chance to digest everything, I wonder: are my kids insane? am I a bad parent? do I have too short of a fuse? what did I do wrong?
One thing I know for sure it that a 3 and 6 year old are hard to keep quiet regardless of where they are and don't really understand when and where it is appropriate to play. Perhaps I should have prepared better with quiet toys or books or even snacks. Or maybe I shouldn't have even have gone? No, I am glad that I went even if my nerves were raw at the end. I know that I am disappointed in myself for getting so upset with the boys and wonder what I can do the next time we have to attend a serious even to have a better outcome for all of us.
In the meantime, I am emotionally and physically drained and need to get some rest.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Letting go and staying positive
The past several months have past so quickly... I can't believe July is already half over!!! Next month, my oldest son will start first grade! Our family has been so busy lately, it is nice to have a weekend with NO PLANS! The only thing, I know I need to do is: laundry, yard work, & grocery shopping (the ususal).
Besides spending the past several months trying to buy our dream house and sell this house, both my husband and I have been working like crazy! Last night he didn't get home until after 8pm, and although it is hard sometimes to have to bear so much responsibility, I feel blessed that we both have jobs.
Trying to sell this house has given me a realistic perspective on this economy. I have been relatively sheltered from it. Sure, when things got bad, my salary suffered, but I haven't been laid off throughout the whole thing. And when my husband graduated from college he had already had a job. Blessed is the only word I can really come up with to express how I feel about our life.
Even though I am frustrated that our house which we have put so much time, energy and money into doesn't seem to want to sell, I am reminded about a fundamental belief that I have: All things happen for a reason. Throughout all the difficult times in my life, I have struggled with control and wanted things to go my way, without realizing that in the end everything would be okay regardless of what I wanted to happen. With the clarity of hindsight, when I look back on things that I have wanted so badly but didn't get, I am reminded that everything has always worked out for the best. So, this is my struggle, I am stuck in limbo; I would love to have the beautiful old house overlooking the Mississippi River, but what if it is just not meant to be? While it is more than difficult for me to give up control and just let things be how they are going to be, I know that is what I have to do. In the meantime, I ask for prayers that we will have closure on this soon, because the longer this goes on, my patience and my ability to keep positive wains.
Besides spending the past several months trying to buy our dream house and sell this house, both my husband and I have been working like crazy! Last night he didn't get home until after 8pm, and although it is hard sometimes to have to bear so much responsibility, I feel blessed that we both have jobs.
Trying to sell this house has given me a realistic perspective on this economy. I have been relatively sheltered from it. Sure, when things got bad, my salary suffered, but I haven't been laid off throughout the whole thing. And when my husband graduated from college he had already had a job. Blessed is the only word I can really come up with to express how I feel about our life.
Even though I am frustrated that our house which we have put so much time, energy and money into doesn't seem to want to sell, I am reminded about a fundamental belief that I have: All things happen for a reason. Throughout all the difficult times in my life, I have struggled with control and wanted things to go my way, without realizing that in the end everything would be okay regardless of what I wanted to happen. With the clarity of hindsight, when I look back on things that I have wanted so badly but didn't get, I am reminded that everything has always worked out for the best. So, this is my struggle, I am stuck in limbo; I would love to have the beautiful old house overlooking the Mississippi River, but what if it is just not meant to be? While it is more than difficult for me to give up control and just let things be how they are going to be, I know that is what I have to do. In the meantime, I ask for prayers that we will have closure on this soon, because the longer this goes on, my patience and my ability to keep positive wains.
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