Favorite Flowers - Gerbera Daisies

Laurie's gerbera daisies are doing soooooo well this year... And, of course, they have had their best blooming period while she's been gone. Hopefully they keep it up... they should, gerbera daisies, when cared for correctly will keep blooming non-stop for the entire summer.

•daily early morning watering
•crown above the dirt/mulch
•deadhead spent flowers immediately
•full sun
•doesn't mind compacted roots

I've had disastrous years with gerberas and very successful years... This year is yet to be determined... :-) Will know by mid-July.
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Laurie/Morocco Update #10

Just received word that Laurie and her group have landed in Madrid. Laurie was sooooo excited about getting to spend some time in Madrid... THAT is where I wish I could hang out with her for a few days.

PLUS - Madrid has STARB UCKS!!! And Laurie had them ALL mapped out! :-)

They leave Madrid tomorrow at 4:55 a.m. (our time) and arrive at O'Hare at 2:15 p.m. I am so excited to see her!!! It's hard for me to want to work today because of her coming home tomorrow. I was planning on working Wednesday morning, but I'm not sure I can now. :-)
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Classic TV Night - Mork & Mindy

A friend sent me a link to YouTube tonight and an episode of Mork & Mindy... I LOVED Mork & Mindy when it was a prime time show. I hunted a little more and came across the pilot show... I'm sitting and watching it now.

There are six parts to it... You ARE going to view it, right? Yes, you're ONLY cool if you LOVED Mork & Mindy like I did. Didn't everyone have a Mork poster on their wall growing up??? NAH NOO NAH NOO :-)

Mork & Mindy Pilot (Part 1)

Mork & Minday Pilot (Part 2)

Mork & Mindy Pilot (Part 3)

Mork & Mindy Pilot (Part 4)

Mork & Mindy Pilot (Part 5)

Mork & Mindy Pilot (Part 6)

Savannah Sliding @ Swimming Pool

Andrew Sliding @ Swimming Pool

Lovin' the Sun

Andrew and Savannah are really having it hard at the G-parents... :-) They're just like their mommy & daddy and love their sun time ;-)

Favorite Flowers - Passion Flower

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this beautiful flower! Let me say that again - I LOVE LOVE LOVE this beautiful flower!

If you want a wonderful vining flower that is very unique and beautiful in it's appearance, get the Passion Flower. It is very aggressive in it's growth habit; its "tentacles" will grab for ANYTHING nearby almost like it is reaching for it's next "host." It won't necessarily damage another plant by growing on it, but it will wrap itself tightly like a boa constrictor.

It wants very strong full sun and water almost daily (mornings, remember); prefers higher humidity. It will bloom profusely throughout the summer. There are different colors available. If brought indoors will have heavy leaf loss.
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Laurie/Morocco Update #9

Just received another email update from Lori (team leader Bill's wife... Get's a little confusing because Bill's wife is Lori, the asst team leader is Brian, who's wife is also Lori, then there is MY Laurie).:

"Bill texted me saying the group made it to Casablanca. They were able to sleep in this morning getting some much needed rest. All of them felt better because of that. They will be going to the market and shopping. I understand they plan to have some pizza and then
Go back to the motel for the night."

Woo Hoo!!! Here they come :-)

Laurie is really looking forward to Madrid, I'm hoping she has lots of energy to enjoy her short time there Tuesday.

Ok, now I'm getting on with my day. :-)


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Laurie/Morocco Update #8

Here is an email I received Sunday from the wife of the group leader:

"The group has completed the work at Village of Hope and are now heading back. They have made it safely to Meknes and were going to the Market and to supper. The group is doing well but they are tired. I am sure both the group and the loved ones back here are looking forward to seeing."

I sent a text to Laurie (once again thru Brian's phone... Yes, we're going to owe Brian & Lori a dinner for the use of Brian's phone for our few communications) just to let her know I got the kids switched to her parents and that we missed her. I received a text back a couple hours later:

"Great to hear u r doing fine. Miss u too. Ready to come home but having a great time. Pray I can find something for Andrew tomorrow in Casa [Casablanca] & team unity till end. Save all emails from Bill for scrapbooking. Luv Me"

Just like Laurie... Thinking of scrapbooking in Morocco :-)

It's been a long last couple of nights... I'm very ready for Laurie to come home. I'm anxious to hear all about her time there. We're definitely going to need some time without the kids around so she can tell me everything... Away from the TV out somewhere else. And photos... I can hardly wait to see her photos.

Wow, I miss her... Getting a heavy hurt in my chest right now. It's one of those moments I've had a few times while she's been gone that I just wanted to call her or send her BB Msg. But, I can't. That's hard. Laurie and I communicate all day every day by our phones. Some people don't understand that but that's what keeps us so connected all day. (Ok, our love is what keeps us connected, but you know what I mean) Little messages, a quick phone call, a simple "how's it goin" by text.

Ok... I need to get going with my day. I'm being very lazy this morning.
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Laurie/Morocco Update #6

Not much communication from Laurie the last couple of days... although she did send me a quick text yesterday via Brian's phone so say how much she's loving it there. She's been amazed by the stories some families have shared with them. She also said they went to a market and I would love what she bought :-)

Today I received an email update on the group from the wife of the group leader:

Received a text from Bill earlier saying yesterday, Thursday, the group had a big work day with painting, working in a medical clinic, and

Helping them get ready for their school graduation on Saturday. Laurie, one of the group members, will be speaking at graduation so pray for her.

I understand it is not always very easy to speak with a translator.

Today he said the weather was beautiful and cool—in the 80’s!!!!! They had the opportunity to visit with different families from the Village of Hope.

They are having a great time (so our prayers are being answered)

Bill had asked Laurie back a couple of weeks ago to speak at the graduation while they were in Morocco, but even though Laurie is a teacher at ISU, she isn't all that comfortable speaking in front of people... But, it sounds like she finally agreed to do it. I'm very proud of her :-)

Laurie has been gone one week now, and I have begun the countdown for her return... Now at less than 5-days. Kids are at my parents in Monmouth right now until Wednesday, I will join them tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, then I will meet Laurie's parents here in Bloomington Sunday afternoon and they will have them until next Wednesday, July 1... the day of Laurie's return... WOO HOO!!!!!

I've done fairly well with dishes, laundry (ok, better with laundry than dishes, but... well... ok, I've kind of let the dishes go the last few days). However, I've yet to find time to make the bed, vacuum, clean Buttercup's (our canary) cage, clean up the bathroom, etc. Hmmm... I probably should do something about all of that before Wednesday :-)

Laurie/Morocco Update #5

Here's a message from Brian (asst leader) today:

"I think it was cooler here than there. I think it may not have even gotten past 90. Worked on "sanding" the side of a building that we may get to paint Thursday. Got to listen to one families story today. WOW. Sitting on the back porch looking at mountains. Ladies at a baby shower. Tomorrow we go to the souk and get to visit with more families. What they are doing here is incredible. One of the younger girls was feeling ill. The meals have been awesome! She may have eaten too much fruit? Laurie is doing fine. She got to work with the kids in school today. I wish you could see the views around here. Pictures won't do justice."

:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

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Romans 15:13

Laurie/Morocco Update #4

Received word that Laurie and her group made to Village of Hope today, where they will be the remainder of this week through Sunday. They traveled to Village of Hope by "Grand Taxi" (I'm fairly certain it wasn't a super-sized Hummer limo or anything that "grand" like the kids and I saw coming out of O'Hare last Friday). The had time to unpack, get organized and get oriented for their week before having dinner.

It sounds like they have a little nicer accommodations than what they have had in the past... still not 5-star by any means, but "luxury" compared to most living situations in that area.

They spent a portion of Sunday at the market in Meknes, which I'm sure was a very interesting experience for them all. THAT is when I wish I was with Laurie to look at things in the market... Yes, we like to shop together :-).

No word directly from Laurie today, but I did send a quick text letting her know how HOT it is here. Generally it is hotter there than here at this time... however, today I saw we reached 95-degrees with a heat index of 101. For Tuesday our temperature forecasts are the same at 94-degrees... But, here are the temperature forecasts Wednesday - Sunday:

Bloomington - Tue (94) Wed (94) Thurs (86) Fri (91) Sat (93) Sun (86)
Meknes - Tue (94) Wed (90) Thurs (87) Fri (82) Sat (81) Sun (83)

I have to say I'm laughing at how Laurie was preparing herself for the HEAT they would be experiencing in Morocco :-) ALTHOUGH... if she were here she could be wearing shorts, tank tops and flip flops and hitting the pool almost every day in a bikini. Not so in Morocco... long skirts with leggings underneath, long sleeves and a hat. I was just outside for all of 10-minutes taking some quick photos of flowers and came in DRENCHED in sweat, literally.... And I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I can't imagine wearing what Laurie has to in 94 degree weather. At least when I chose to go somewhere hot (Amazon River) little clothing is the norm and acceptable.

Laurie/Morocco Update #3

Laurie and the team made it to Meknes by train without any problems, tho... I'm eagerly waiting to hear what the train ride was like. I'm assuming it was similar to our train ride in 1996 from Vienna, Austria to Budapest, Hungary... Quite different than our air-conditioned Amtrak trains.

From what we understand by a short text from Brian (the assistant leader) to his wife Lori, they hit up a McD's in Meknes for a meal... I had to crack up at that. When we were in Vienna and Budapest we had the hardest time getting ice in our drinks, even at McD's... I'm assuming they had the same problem in Morocco.

I received a quick text from Laurie this morning while at church (by way of Brian's phone): "Hey good lookin. We're in Meknes visiting with Matt n Nancy. Hope all is well with you. Luv u. Have a great Sunday. Luv u n miss you."

Due to rain the kids and I had to have our picnic indoors in front of the TV while watching the US Open & Indy car racing. After a short nap time, we headed to Miller Park Zoo... Even though the kids have each been there they didn't remember much of it. It doesn't take much time to go through, but it's always worth. And, because it was Father's Day, I got in free. :-)

The best part of the zoo was the kids getting to feed the budgies and finches in a flight room. They loved it! Although, Savannah wasn't too pleased with the sharp claws of the budgies. Andrew talked the leg off a zoo employee and blew her away with his statements and questions about a tortoise she was walking around in an open grass area. He should be working there!!

After the zoo we walked over the play area... Andrew played in the spray area, Savannah on the playground. Then we headed home and filled up the pool while I sat and read and the kids played.

A nice relaxing Father's Day... Even though we already celebrated last Sunday. The kids have asked to make me supper tonight for Father's Day... They've decided they want to make pasta. I'm not sure what kind, but I know I'll be lending a hand or two... I DON'T think they're ready for boiling water.

Kids go to work with me tomorrow for awhile... Working at a house with a pool and my customer made a point of telling me to bring them on Monday. They're looking forward to it. Hopefully I'll get done everything I need to, though.

Your continued prayers would be greatly appreciated... For Laurie and her group and for the kids and I.

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Zoo Time

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Favorite Flowers - Scaevola

Laurie/Morocco Update #2

I received word this morning about 2:00 (while sleeping in a chair) that Laurie and her group made it safely to Madrid, Spain. After a few hour lay over, they were to depart for Casablanca at 12:55 p.m. (5:55 a.m. local time). Then I received notice at about 9:15 a.m. that they had arrived in Casablanca. They'll take it easy today and spend the night at Ibis Hotel. They'll take a train (3-hour trip) to Meknes on Sunday.

I can imagine Laurie is pretty wiped right now, and time will give her a little problem. Although, she's a sleeper while traveling (with the help of Dramamine) so if she got enough sleep on the long flight, she might be raring to go :-)

Back on the home front... We watched Star Wars III last night. We all got up without any problems this morning... We (including Tumnus) took Savannah to her first church camp experience at Eastview's Kidsview day camp at East Bay Camp on Lake Bloomington. She was very excited about going.

Andrew and I are hanging at home right now... I'm relaxing by our pond while Andrew is playing around the yard... Bubble blowing, insect finding, dirt digging, question asking... LOVING life right this second!!! :-)

We're headed to get him a haircut later, then on to the pool this afternoon. We'll pickup Savannah at 4:00 and then on to Barnes and Noble... I promised Savannah we'd go there this weekend so she can use her gift card the Easter Bunny brought her :-)


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Co-Pilot

Mr. Tumnus is my co-pilot for the day
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Ticket In Hand - Ready to Fly

Morocco here I come!!!

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Laurie/Morocco Update #1

Kids and I dropped Laurie off at O'Hare with no problems - we stayed for awhile, but once they went thru security there's not a lot to do, so we headed out. (Can't even get anything to eat or drink anywhere without a ticket).

They ran into a slight delay while checking luggage and getting boarding passes - one of the girls was not listed on the airline's (Iberian Airlines) records. The group leader (Bill) had her info though, so when they called the airlines main offices they showed record of her flying that matched the group leader's info - so they created a ticket for her. They're not sure why her name wasn't showing up on their computers at check-in, but all ended well. Laurie, the kids and I did great saying good-bye :-)

We're sitting at the O'Hare Oasis having a quick bite from McD's (kids choice) before heading on home. Looks like rain in Bloomington... Hopefully our empty pool will still be in our yard... I emptied it last night to clean it out.

As excited as I am for Laurie to be going on this trip to Morocco, it was a strange feeling leaving the airport without her knowing I won't see her for 12-days. There's going to be a lot of neat experiences over the next two weeks that will possibly change her life, her outlook, her opinions, her views, her values, her goals. I'm excited for her because I look back at my trip to the Amazon three years ago and remember what I experienced. We've both been on missions trips before, so we know the great and awesome things that can happen... For others and for yourself.

Our prayers will be with her constantly over the next 12-days and I'm excitedly looking forward to her return and to hear her "Laurie stories."

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Thoughts from the Front Porch

I don't really spend much time just "writing" on my blog anymore... Seems like it's become more of a photo blog than anything. Some of that is because I've been busier the last couple of months due to work, but also I've noticed that I use Twitter as a "thought communicator" where I use to use blog entries to that more. I'm going to make an attempt at writing more over the next few weeks and not just post photos.

I've been sitting on my front porch for over an hour now while we received a nice rain... Slept in a little but I always like to sit out here in the morning, especially when it's raining. Hearing the rain on the trees and on our front awning always reminds me of Brazil and my Amazon trip in 2006. Hmmmm... A desire to return continues in me.

Laurie leaves for Morocco on Friday... The kids and I are helping to take the group up to O'Hare - that's going to be a day full of mixed emotions. I'm VERY excited for Laurie and the experience that she will have, but will feel empty without her here. No fears or worries or doubts on my part for her... I feel totally awesome about her going and am excited for her - Just sadness of not having her here. Laurie is my best friend, my co-partner, my "other half" and my love. She makes me feel complete... I will feel incomplete until she returns.

The kids and I will have fun. Though... They'll only be here with me until Wednesday, June 24th. On that day I hand them over to my parents for a few days. Then we move them to Laurie's parents on Sunday, June 28th - they'll come home the same day Laurie returns... Wednesday, July 1st.

Andrew has had some concern about Laurie's trip to Morocco... Not the flight (we've kept them from hearing/seeing anything about the recent Air France crash), but her safety in Morocco. We've had a few good talks about it and he's feeling much better. Savannah... Well, she's been just fine with her mommy leaving.... Not sure what that really means, but I'm sure she'll have a few sad moments - especially in the evenings.

Ok... It's stopped raining and I have a full day planned. More tropical plants to install at a house, as well as several shrubs to remove to create another tropical garden by installing 50 bromeliads (Yes, bromeliads). I also have a perennial bed restoration project to work on for a new customer.

The wind is picking up a little, which is not my friend when trying to plant... Hoping for a productive and positive day.

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Gardening With Daddy

Sphagnum Mossing Day

I LOVE making these large hanging containers every year for a customer... I line them with sphagnum moss, thrill (centerpiece) with pink mandevilla, fill with new gold lantana and spill with amythyst scaevola and margarite sweet potato vine. If I may say so myself, it's pretty awesome looking by July :-)

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Elmo t-shirt

I love this t-shirt of Laurie's...