Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Meet Yoda
Friday, August 24, 2007
Mornings...
It seems just yesterday that I enjoyed sleeping in until 11 a.m. when I had the chance (Saturdays only, usually) and I never thought getting up at 6:00 would be a good thing. But, I have to admit... there's nothing like getting up nice and early, grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting by my pond in my backyard... feeding the fish and watch them scurry around grabbing at the pellets... listening to the birds... hearing the crickets... and the absolutely obnoxious squeaking breaks of the recycling truck coming up our block.
Ok, so that time I was speaking of sleeping in until 11 a.m. was B.K. (Before Kids)... but at times it really still does seem like yesterday. I wouldn't say I've truly become a "morning person" (don't expect a smile out of me or too many words... in fact more mumbling than anything), but at least I more eagerly get up now at an earlier time.
The thing is, if I wanted to sleep a little later Laurie doesn't mind... like this morning... Andrew was up at his usual 6 a.m., Savannah had gotten up right before him to use the bathroom, Laurie's alarm had gone off for her to workout... Many timea I roll over and keep sleeping as the three of them get up and start their day. (Sometimes Savannah will stay in bed with me and we'll have a Daddy/Daughter snuggle time... as compared to the "boys time by the pond" in the evening for Andrew and I). But, there are some days like today that I lay there after they get up, I was wide awake and I knew my day would be much better if I got up and didn't sleep in.
I've wondered many times... at least it's true for me... I seem to have a much better day if I'm up by 6-6:30 (or earlier even) than if I sleep in past 7. So many mornings I feel the urge to get up early, knowing I need to. Not to "get things done" by any means... just to get my day going on a gradual basis, rather than waiting an hour then almost rushing and running to get out the door. Of course, I know my day would even be BETTER if I were to get up and go RUNNING... but, until I'm completely over my sinus infection and cold, that isn't going to happen. But, as I'm always saying... I'm going to start doing that. But, I know I prefer to run later in the day than early in the day.
It's been "back to school" this week for Laurie and the kids. Laurie seems to have had her best start of school I can remember. I think a lot of it had to do with the kids being gone all last week at her parents so she could do a lot of prep work and organization. Also, her load is much less this Fall (she's not teaching on an overload schedule).
Our "little girl" is growing up... Savannah started Kindergarten this week... she went for about 15-minutes on Monday then started in with a full day on Tuesday. It wasn't as heart wrenching leaving her at school as it was with Andrew, but I still caught myself thinking about her consistently throughout the day Tuesday... Is she ok? Is she talking? Is she playing? Has she cried any? Does she miss me? Has she asked for her mommy yet?
But... of course... she had an awesome day and loved it!! She's had a great first week and seems to be adjusting just fine. We are SO thankful that we sent her to pre-school last year. I can't imagine how she would have done if we would have done pre-school at home as we did with Andrew. Of course, it helps that she has the same K teacher that Andrew had... that has made her VERY happy and much more comfortable. Of course, Mrs W is having a baby on August 31st, so she'll be gone from the classroom for 4-weeks (yes, ONLY 4-weeks... we think she's nuts!!), but, Savannah already has gotten to know the student teacher who will be taking over during that time and really likes her.
As for Andrew... well... he was looking forward to school back at the end of June. So, needless to say, he's in heaven!! I love to see how much he loves school, learning, discovering, reading. Everything I didn't really enjoy all that much. Well, I take that back... I loved school and learning, I just didn't enjoy the work involved. :') I could get into the whole "if I could go back and do it all again"... but I'm going to spare everyone from that.
I was just getting ready to close up my laptoop when just now two hummingbirds came by to see me... AWESOME... they were enjoying a breakfast nector from my firecracker plant (that's quickly becoming a tree, LITERALLY) on our front steps. I've probably seen more hummingbirds at that plant than any other we have this year.
Ok... it's a wrap... I need to get inside and help get the kids going. Pull Andrew away from his Star Wars video game and help Savannah get the dress down that she wants to wear today. I swear... I think that girl starts thinking about what she's going to wear the next day by about noon. At least she's a planner!! :)
Ok, so that time I was speaking of sleeping in until 11 a.m. was B.K. (Before Kids)... but at times it really still does seem like yesterday. I wouldn't say I've truly become a "morning person" (don't expect a smile out of me or too many words... in fact more mumbling than anything), but at least I more eagerly get up now at an earlier time.
The thing is, if I wanted to sleep a little later Laurie doesn't mind... like this morning... Andrew was up at his usual 6 a.m., Savannah had gotten up right before him to use the bathroom, Laurie's alarm had gone off for her to workout... Many timea I roll over and keep sleeping as the three of them get up and start their day. (Sometimes Savannah will stay in bed with me and we'll have a Daddy/Daughter snuggle time... as compared to the "boys time by the pond" in the evening for Andrew and I). But, there are some days like today that I lay there after they get up, I was wide awake and I knew my day would be much better if I got up and didn't sleep in.
I've wondered many times... at least it's true for me... I seem to have a much better day if I'm up by 6-6:30 (or earlier even) than if I sleep in past 7. So many mornings I feel the urge to get up early, knowing I need to. Not to "get things done" by any means... just to get my day going on a gradual basis, rather than waiting an hour then almost rushing and running to get out the door. Of course, I know my day would even be BETTER if I were to get up and go RUNNING... but, until I'm completely over my sinus infection and cold, that isn't going to happen. But, as I'm always saying... I'm going to start doing that. But, I know I prefer to run later in the day than early in the day.
It's been "back to school" this week for Laurie and the kids. Laurie seems to have had her best start of school I can remember. I think a lot of it had to do with the kids being gone all last week at her parents so she could do a lot of prep work and organization. Also, her load is much less this Fall (she's not teaching on an overload schedule).
Our "little girl" is growing up... Savannah started Kindergarten this week... she went for about 15-minutes on Monday then started in with a full day on Tuesday. It wasn't as heart wrenching leaving her at school as it was with Andrew, but I still caught myself thinking about her consistently throughout the day Tuesday... Is she ok? Is she talking? Is she playing? Has she cried any? Does she miss me? Has she asked for her mommy yet?
But... of course... she had an awesome day and loved it!! She's had a great first week and seems to be adjusting just fine. We are SO thankful that we sent her to pre-school last year. I can't imagine how she would have done if we would have done pre-school at home as we did with Andrew. Of course, it helps that she has the same K teacher that Andrew had... that has made her VERY happy and much more comfortable. Of course, Mrs W is having a baby on August 31st, so she'll be gone from the classroom for 4-weeks (yes, ONLY 4-weeks... we think she's nuts!!), but, Savannah already has gotten to know the student teacher who will be taking over during that time and really likes her.
As for Andrew... well... he was looking forward to school back at the end of June. So, needless to say, he's in heaven!! I love to see how much he loves school, learning, discovering, reading. Everything I didn't really enjoy all that much. Well, I take that back... I loved school and learning, I just didn't enjoy the work involved. :') I could get into the whole "if I could go back and do it all again"... but I'm going to spare everyone from that.
I was just getting ready to close up my laptoop when just now two hummingbirds came by to see me... AWESOME... they were enjoying a breakfast nector from my firecracker plant (that's quickly becoming a tree, LITERALLY) on our front steps. I've probably seen more hummingbirds at that plant than any other we have this year.
Ok... it's a wrap... I need to get inside and help get the kids going. Pull Andrew away from his Star Wars video game and help Savannah get the dress down that she wants to wear today. I swear... I think that girl starts thinking about what she's going to wear the next day by about noon. At least she's a planner!! :)
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Fruits Of My Labor, Part I
I'll start posting pictures of the "fruits of my labor" to date... the heat has been a little hard on some of the containers and beds, but as a whole they're doing pretty well. It's hard to show everything, so I'll show what I can.
Baby Rabbits
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Moles, Voles & Muskrats, OH MY!!
My gardening year just keeps getting more and more interesting...
So I show up at one of my customer's houses yesterday and begin my usual work at her place. I walk around the property and began weeding in various beds. Then I walked over to her pond (it's a large 10,000 gallon pond with one very large waterfall and one small waterfall)... I began working at removing the GREAT abundance of parrots feather (a pond plant) that is in the pond this year. I looked up at the large waterfall and it was barely going... so I walked over to the skimmer (where the pump is housed at the edge of the pond, which supplies water for the waterfall) and removed the lid... LUCKILY by using the hoe that I was holding in my hand.
As I lifted the top of the skimmer off two muskrats were staring up at me!! I jumped back and let out a little yell... I've never seen an animal other than the fish in or near the pond. I quickly called the owner and she came out with her father-in-law. By the time they got out there the muskrats had slipped into the water of the skimmer. I wasn't sure how long they could hold their breath, but I knew they had to come back up at some point. I started sticking my hoe into the water of the skimmer and one came out and slithered away... then a few minutes later the other one jumped out.
It took awhile to get the skimmer cleaned out... they had chewed down most of the reed grass that was growing in the pond and stuffed it into the skimmer for their nest. After I got it cleaned out and the pump going again... wouldn't you know it... one of the little stinkers started to swim back into the skimmer thru the water hatch. I slammed my hoe down into the water nearly killing supper (JUST KIDDING!!!). I stood in disgust wondering HOW I'm going to keep these little rascals from making a new nest. I can't put the catch net back into the skimmer (it's what catches anything larger that might float into the skimmer) because the "rats" had chewed a dozen holes in it. I'll have to order a new one.
I turn and figured I better check the skimmer for the small waterfall, just in case. As I slip the lid off of it... THERE THEY ARE!!! And they scurry away into the pond again. And like the other net, full of holes. But, at least there is no nest in this skimmer (or at least there isn't one YET!!).
While the homeowner and I are there talking I realize the lotus plants (a 10'x8' area full of water plants that have a beautiful flower on very tall stems with large round leaves) look as if a large gust of wind came thru the middle of them.... Usually at this time of year they are full and thick, the leaves and flowers standing 4'-6' out of the water. But, now there was a 4-5' wide section completely laying on the top of the water. MUSKRATS!!!!!! They had destroyed the lotus plants!!
And then of course I visit my customer today that has had the mole and vole problems this year and now the MOLES are back... brand new trails leading everywhere. So I'm on the phone getting someone over first thing in the morning to set traps... it's never ending!!!!
I think the animal world is getting back with me because of the whole raccoon thing last fall...
So I show up at one of my customer's houses yesterday and begin my usual work at her place. I walk around the property and began weeding in various beds. Then I walked over to her pond (it's a large 10,000 gallon pond with one very large waterfall and one small waterfall)... I began working at removing the GREAT abundance of parrots feather (a pond plant) that is in the pond this year. I looked up at the large waterfall and it was barely going... so I walked over to the skimmer (where the pump is housed at the edge of the pond, which supplies water for the waterfall) and removed the lid... LUCKILY by using the hoe that I was holding in my hand.
As I lifted the top of the skimmer off two muskrats were staring up at me!! I jumped back and let out a little yell... I've never seen an animal other than the fish in or near the pond. I quickly called the owner and she came out with her father-in-law. By the time they got out there the muskrats had slipped into the water of the skimmer. I wasn't sure how long they could hold their breath, but I knew they had to come back up at some point. I started sticking my hoe into the water of the skimmer and one came out and slithered away... then a few minutes later the other one jumped out.
It took awhile to get the skimmer cleaned out... they had chewed down most of the reed grass that was growing in the pond and stuffed it into the skimmer for their nest. After I got it cleaned out and the pump going again... wouldn't you know it... one of the little stinkers started to swim back into the skimmer thru the water hatch. I slammed my hoe down into the water nearly killing supper (JUST KIDDING!!!). I stood in disgust wondering HOW I'm going to keep these little rascals from making a new nest. I can't put the catch net back into the skimmer (it's what catches anything larger that might float into the skimmer) because the "rats" had chewed a dozen holes in it. I'll have to order a new one.
I turn and figured I better check the skimmer for the small waterfall, just in case. As I slip the lid off of it... THERE THEY ARE!!! And they scurry away into the pond again. And like the other net, full of holes. But, at least there is no nest in this skimmer (or at least there isn't one YET!!).
While the homeowner and I are there talking I realize the lotus plants (a 10'x8' area full of water plants that have a beautiful flower on very tall stems with large round leaves) look as if a large gust of wind came thru the middle of them.... Usually at this time of year they are full and thick, the leaves and flowers standing 4'-6' out of the water. But, now there was a 4-5' wide section completely laying on the top of the water. MUSKRATS!!!!!! They had destroyed the lotus plants!!
And then of course I visit my customer today that has had the mole and vole problems this year and now the MOLES are back... brand new trails leading everywhere. So I'm on the phone getting someone over first thing in the morning to set traps... it's never ending!!!!
I think the animal world is getting back with me because of the whole raccoon thing last fall...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)