Current Weather & Tropical Plants

Ok, so I'm sitting here staring outside watching it rain, sleet and snow all at the same time. Pretty amazing, actually... except, I can't work when it's like this. I pretty much wrote off my day early after doing some interior plant maintenance at a local restaurant.

Ok, so a few minutes later... the sun is out. Which makes me a little happier, but... I need more than JUST SUN.... I need it to be 70-80 degrees, too!!

About 10-days ago I placed a few of my tropical plants out on our front porch... Jasmine bush, Allamanda bush, Citrus tree, Chinese evergreen, Little Prince banana. They were loving it until... Saturday morning :'( All did well with the colder weather except for the Allamanda. They stayed outside until early this afternoon. After sitting in a greenhouse at a local garden center completing my massive tropical plant order from Florida and watching/listening to the sleet hit the the top of the greenhouse... I decided I should stop at home and take in the plants. Luckily, our single orange was still hanging on... the kids will be very glad about that (we had two, but... I knocked one off while taking it outside).

Tulips

4-1/2 years ago I planted several tulip bulbs around a few trees for a customer. Tulips planted for other customers have only bloomed one year... usually due to the planting of annuals and tropicals on top of the bulbs (and squirrels). But the tulip bulbs for this particular customer have continued... The first series of blooms occured this past week (one is white with yellow centers and the other is what I call "candy cane") and there should be several more this next week. It's the next series of blooms that I'm really looking forward to see...

What do you see?

The lack of a title for the daffodil picture entered a couple of days ago was intentional, but I thought I would think of something for it by now...

HELP!!

When you look at the picture...

• What do you see first?
• What do you feel when you see this picture?
• What's a good title for this picture?

I know... weird questions. But, I'm having trouble pinpointing a name for this picture.

I've been busy lately (YEAH!!), hence the reason for little to no entries. Pictures will continue to suffice as the entries for awhile. I'm coming up on my annual planting time, which is when it gets REALLY busy for me (YEAH YEAH!!). As always, I'm praying for "perfect weather" over the next few weeks... sunny days at 75-85, a little rain here and there during the early morning hours and no wind.

I had to send notice to all of my customers this week that I was raising my hourly price by $1 (doesn't seem like much, but it will help). The main reason: GAS. Next week I'll start filling up twice a week, which usually lasts through mid-June, which means I'll be spending about $150 a week in gas (at today's prices of $3.59). It has already started to bite into my P&L this year. I've also noticed an increase in the prices of annuals/tropicals at my suppliers due to increased freight cost.

Ok, need to get the kids to school and switch vehicles (Laurie drives the truck to work on Monday/Wednesday). I'm putting in a new hosta bed for one of my weekly customers today... Lots to do over next couple of weeks before annual/tropical planting starts May 1st (YEAH YEAH YEAH!!)

Dejected Tumnus

How can you not love this lil guy... so cute, so adorable, so innocent looking. But... he has officially been banned from sitting and laying on the couch and chair in the family room. Not because the couch and chair are beginning to get a "doggy smell" or because he has been scratching on the fabric. But, because he uses them as easy access to the end tables where he finds the "good things" to chew on... coasters, receipts, iPod ear buds, pens, books, Leapsters (or at least the "pen" attached to it), wrappers left from snacks (his favorite has been ice cream sandwiches). And, of course, it's always nice to see him take a taste from a cup left by Laurie or I (especially one that we've just set down).

The thing is... he's not REALLY a "chewer." Granted... he does chew on things (he's a dog!). But, nothing like other dogs we come into contact with that get into EVERYTHING they see. But, if we leave it on the floor, in his eyes, it's fair game (all of us have been guilty of leaving something on the floor that we really didn't want chewed up).

We'll see how this goes... he's enjoyed cuddling with Laurie on the couch in the evenings after the kids go to bed, so he's been feeling a little dejected the last few nights having to only lay on the floor at our feet.

Banana's are up!!!

While working outside the other day I cleared the pile of debris laying on top of my hardy banana and... WOO HOO!!! Here it comes!! I love seeing the new pups growing each spring... now THAT is exciting for me!!

Peace Offering

Better Days

While on a family walk last weekend on Constitution Trail, I saw this old building. I snapped a quick picture and as I've looked thru my pictures this week I keep going back and staring at it.

Obviously, it's seen some better days... But, when I look at an old boarded up building such as this, I can't help but think, "If only that building could speak... the stories it could tell."

I'm hoping to make it back sometime soon to take pictures of the kids next to it.

Timely Cartoon

Just saw this cartoon thru one of my many blogs I subscribe.

Timely :)

Weightless Worries & Woes

Isn't it amazing how "weightless worries & woes" can lay so heavily on your heart?

• money & debt
• unsaid apologies
• taxes
• misspoken words to others
• unfinished to-do lists
• unforgiveness
• mismanagement of time
• ...

I'm feeling very heavy in my heart today; anxiety. Mismanagement of time, unfinished to-do lists, money and taxes are my worries.

I had a busy to-do list on Monday, which kept me from working. It wasn't any big concern since I'd be busy the rest of the week. To-do list (personal and work) was barely touched because of errands. No problem, I can do them the next day, because...

90% chance of rain for Tuesday, so... in error (hindsight is 20/20) I stayed home and did bookwork & billing for March and WAITED for the rain to FINALLY appear for a short time about 2:30. Needless to say, I could have been working all day. No problem, I still have Wednesday-Friday. I stay up late Tuesday night to work on taxes (something I should have done in January)... Arrrgh, it's taking longer than I thought, and I've got a lot of work to do on them. Then...

I got up this morning and Andrew has a fever and sore throat; Laurie is traveling out of town and her plans cannot be rescheduled. So... again, I'm home for the day and no work (i.e. no money earned). There are plenty of to-do things around the house, but I selfishly choose to waste time. Then...

I see the weather forecast for Thursday... 90% chance of rain with severe storms all day. My week is slipping away and not a single billable hour yet. I reschedule my Wednesday work for Thursday (hoping for that 10% chance of no rain). I promise my customer I'll be there rain or shine. I also hope Andrew is better and can go to school.

Lord... take this heaviness off my heart... help me to trust that you're in control and that you will provide. Help me to use my time wisely with my work, my family, my finances and my household duties.

I Peter 5

6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Dr. Visit

What better way to spend your time waiting for the Dr - lay back and read. Andrew was home from school today with a fever & sore throat. Dr says it's not strep, but it's step-like (????) :-(.

Anyway... we're both home for the day wishing we were doing something else.

Loud Worship

Check out the most recent entry in Mike Baker's blog...

I don't know about all of you, but... I'm worshiping our Lord and Savior as loud as I can through music :')

Gardening and...

Gardening and Starbucks... a match made in heaven

Guilty Parent

I'm feeling unbelievably guilty right this moment. My heart is hurting... my stomach is upset... I've been on the edge of tears for the past hour... I feel like the world's WORST parent!!

Andrew (my 7-year old) went upstairs to bed alone. ALONE... by himself... without Laurie or I.

At first, I didn't think anything about it... he had been reading on the couch (Laurie and Savannah went up to bed together about 8:30 - Laurie has to get up very early tomorrow for a St Louis trip and Savannah had a slight fever). I let him stay up a little later than usual to finish a new "Treehouse" book. When he had finished (about 9:30) I told him it was time for bed... he changed into his pajamas, came over and gave me a hug, we said our "I love you's" and he ran on upstairs.

To repeat what I said above: "I didn't think anything about it." How could I NOT think anything about it????

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're thinking, "What's the big deal? He's seven... he can go to bed on his own." And, if you are thinking that... you're right. He could. He can. He did.

But... to be quite honest... he's never done that before.

Laurie and/or I have always taken Andrew and Savannah to bed. Always. We have a routine we do every night with the kids...

Downstairs:

• Stories
• Bible time
• Kid's prayers

Upstairs:

• We pray with each child
• We sing a song for each child (lately Savannah wants Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children or Take Me Out to the Ballgame; Andrew ALWAYS wants Silent Night)

I still remember when Andrew was little and my sister Lori wanted to take him to bed when we were visiting at my parent's house. I said no... I still remember how surprised she was that I wouldn't let her.

But... It's a special time for us... for Laurie and I and for the kids, too. Andrew and I have had some of our BEST talks during that time. I always love to hear Savannah give some last giggles before I leave her room and a "Daddy, you're silly" and then a "Don't let the bed bugs bite" when I start down the stairs. I give a last reminder to Andrew not to read long and to turn his lamp off when he's done (he never remembers).

I missed that tonight... I truly missed it.

My heart is hurting... my stomach is upset... I've been on the edge of tears for the past hour.

And guess what? I just went up to check on Andrew (I had to try and remove some of my guilt feelings) and... he turned his lamp off when he was done reading. I didn't even remind him.

Our little boy is growing up.

Now... my heart is hurting more... my stomach is in knots... the tears won't stop.