Catching Up

How sad that I haven't written anything since I think Aug 29. And it's not like I've been too busy or anything. However... the last few days have been busier and this next week will be VERY busy. I'll be trying to get fall arrangements & plantings completed for my customers. The summer annuals are starting to fade and give up and it's time to put out mums, asters, kale, ornamental peppers, bales of straw, pumpkins, gourds, etc. I don't really like fall all that much, but it's always nice to get back into planting and making things look fresh and lively again.

I was suppose to spend all day Saturday doing my own fall planting & arranging, but instead ended up working at a customer's house for a majority of the day (I didn't mind all that much, though... it's one of my favorite customers and she worked with me. I usually work alone, so it's always nice when one of my customers works with me in their gardens). But, I did get my geraniums, sweet potato vines, licorice, etc. pulled, designer day lilies cut back and fall items ready to be planted Monday evening after picking up the kids. Straw bales, pumpkins and gourds will have to wait a few more days.

Kids were at Mamo & Papa's this weekend (my parents)... We all were there last week for Labor Day weekend.

It was a fun weekend... I was able to help my parents with a little yard work... trimmed back a pin oak and mowed their yard. I also spent some time helping my dad with some pictures on his computer... one picture he needed help with was of his father from WW I (maybe 1917???) that I had never seen before... the picture was in pretty bad shape... scratches, discoloring, creases. So, I performed some "photo surgery" so to speak. Here are the results...

It's not perfect, but it sure looked a lot better when I got done with it. It took quite awhile to make the corrections, but it was worth it. My dad was very happy with the results.

He has hundreds of old pictures scanned onto his computer... I showed him how to use a different photo program that I use (Photoshop Elements) that he had already purchased, but hadn't started using yet. I loaded all of his pictures into the "album" portion of the program and showed him how to put captions, change dates and create picture groups. It will make photo collecting/organizing much easier compared the HP program that he was using.

I can't remember if I have ever talked about our Chicago mini-vacation from a month ago... we had SO much fun!! We went to my sisters in the Chicago suburbs on the evening of Thursday, August 2nd. On Friday morning we went into Chicago and went to Lincoln Park Zoo. It was the perfect size for the the age of the kids. I was originally going to have us go to Brookfield Zoo, but... maybe in a few years. It wasn't too hot, but it was warm, and a few of the animals were in their "private" rooms where it was cooler.

On Saturday we went to Chicago Botanic Gardens. Yes, this was more for me, but... the kids and Laurie did really enjoy it, too. I did end up taking Laurie and the kids back to the hotel (I intentionally got our hotel close to the botanic gardens so I could go back afer they got bored and spend more time looking around:) and spending about 3-hours more by myself viewing the gardens. It ended up raining a little after I returned by myself, but that didn't keep me from enjoying the time there.

Sunday we visited Shedd Aquarium in downtown Chicago... Andrew had been asking to go there for about a year, so needless to say he and Savannah were VERY happy to find out where we were going that morning. That was probably the best day, but also the longest. after spending about 6-hours at the aquarium we started walking towards Michigan Ave to try and pick up a cab to meet up with a friend of ours to take the train to a restaurant for supper. The kids weren't too thrilled about the cab ride... mostly because they didn't have their car seats, which GREATLY concerned them :) And, he drove a little fast for Andrew's liking. And the train ride... WOW. Andrew REALLY loved that. Actually, we all did...

After supper we still had to take the train back down to the city and then a cab to a parking garage north of Soldier Field... problem is... the cabbie didn't listen to where I said we needed to get out and he tried to drop us off (in the dark) at the south side of Soldier Field AND in the middle of LOTS & LOTS & LOTS of people leaving Soldier Field after a Bears Family Night. He finally agreed to take us back up to the garage and I paid him basically twice what the fee was because I felt bad for him (He did kind of get a little stuck in traffic and probably wasn't going to get anyone back in his cab for awhile). Anyway... we made it back to the hotel pretty late that night.

We headed back home on Monday, but kind of took our time getting up in the morning and leaving. The hotel we stayed at was an Embassy Suites and we got a GREAT deal for our three nights... One of those just-sort-of-got-lucky type rates :)

Ok... it's late... and I've got a busy day tomorrow.

Meet Yoda

Meet Yoda, one of two frogs that live in our pond. The other, Anikan, yes Andrew named them, is more shy and he is rarely out.

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!! :)

Fruits Of My Labor, Part II

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

It's hard to see, but there are four baby rabbits in this small hole in the middle of one of my customer's lawns. Brings back memories of my childhood when we would find babies like this in our lawn - we would raise the ones that didn't get killed by the mower (yeah, gross) on our back porch. We'd feed them from a bottle then veggies. Then send them on their way after a few weeks. Some would remain close to the house for several weeks expecting food from us. Ah - memories of childhood years :-)

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...

It's Not The Stork

Laurie sent me the most interesting text message on Thursday (that is the main means of communication for couples today, isn't it?)... Let me share it with you:

"Ok I made big oops yesterday at book mobile. distracted by S (Savannah) didn't see what book A (Andrew) checked out til he brought books down that he read during rest time. Called "It's Not The Stork." Yep it's the sex book for 4yrs & up. Sorry u get 2 do damage control."

So... tonight Andrew and I had our regular "boys time by the pond" and I asked him the regular questions I ask, "What all did you do today?" "What was your favorite part of your day?" Then I asked, "Did you read during rest time today? Or just play in your room?" He said he read... "Did you read your new library books you got from the Book Mobile?" He said yes and went on to tell me about a book that had started... but, not the "Stork Book."

So I asked... "Was there another book, something about a stork?" "No," he answered, "I don't remember that one." "I think it was called..." "Oh yeah, I read that one, too." (At this point I swallowed... almost a "cartoonish" sounding "GULP!"

So I asked... "Did you like that book?" "Oh yeah, it was very good." (OH GREAT!!! He's a boy, that was a DUMB QUESTION!!) And then he started talking about the book... "Oh wait, Andrew... I mean the "stork" book." (He thought I meant the other book he had been reading).

"Oh, yes it was good." "What was that book about?" I asked. "It talked about our bodies and body parts." "And where babies came from?" "Well, mostly about our bodies." (Ok, where do I go with this????)

"Was there anything in the book that you didn't understand or have questions about?" (I looked at him and saw complete innocence and honesty) "No, it was pretty easy to understand."

And then he went back to talking about his other book and then on to Star Wars (of course... which is somehow part of every conversation that Andrew has with anyone).

I told Laurie earlier today... 10, I was hoping for at least age 10. Knowing Andrew I just couldn't imagine what questions he might have come up with knowing his inquisitive mind. But... I guess that will be for another day. (THANK GOD!!!) And to think that's ALL I thought about for several hours that afternoon preparing for "THE TALK" with an almost 7-year old!!

Rain, Chicago & My Gardens

What a wet week. But, that's ok... we're needing the rain. And... :) I need the rest. This 41 year old body is sore. Aleve can only do so much for it.

Let's see... What to blog about...

Kids are doing awesome in their swimming lessons. They LOVE going each Tuesday and Thursday night... The monthly payment for the lessons has pretty much been set into the budget now for the next year... We can see a big difference in how they play in the city pools compared to last year. And, it's so awesome to watch them actually swim now rather than just splash around. Especially Andrew... he has very little fear of the water now and doesn't mind getting his head wet. Last summer he could be at the pool for 3-hours and never get his hair wet. Andrew has a pretty goood breast stroke already and Laurie say she does very well with his back stroke, too... but, he only does it at swim lessons.

Savannah is enjoying being back in dance class... though, this week she was honest with Laurie and told her she doesn't like the tap part of the class, only the ballet. We always knew that the ballet was her favorite of the two, but this week was the first time that she actually made it very clear. Laurie talked to her teacher and beginning with the next session we can pay half price and have her only do ballet. She (and we) were happy to know that.

We're planning a mini-vacation to Chicago the first weekend of August... Brookfield Zoo on Friday, Botanical Gardens on Saturday and Shedd's Aquarium on Sunday. Hopefully it will be good weather... but, we'll have an indoor pool if it rains. The Botanical Gardens has a "garden train" exhibit that I think the kids will really enjoy.

My gardens this year...

Front of house:

Here's what our designer daylilies looked like this year at the front of our house...

They started blooming on 6/17 , exactly one week earlier than last year. They finished within about 3 weeks... they usualy go about 4-5 weeks. Though the blooming period was shorter we had a many more blooms than other years.


Back of house:

Above is a bamboo plant that started to come up this spring, but the late freeze put it back into dormancy. At this time last year it was about 12-feet tall. FINALLY a new start made it's way through the ground early this week. However, it's like the plant is starting over as a seedling... the new shoots are usually much thicker. It's been a test of patience for me... but, looks like something is FINALLY going ot happen.

Side of house:

Since we have such a small backyard and our garage is too small for our car, we use our driveway for more plants, grilling, and for the kid's swimming pool. doesn't everyone grow a coconut tree next to their tomato plants? :)

Well... enough for tonight... I need to head to bed. I'm going to upload more picture to Webshots this weekend of our gardens and the kids.

Sad Hostas & Verocious Voles

What do you get when you have hostas in lots of sun and the irrigation isn't working right? See above picture... :( One of my customers has LOTS of hostas and they receive a lot of sun, but the irrigation has always kept them moist enough that we've never had a problem with them scorching... UNTIL THIS YEAR.

The irrigation wasn't working correctly due to a leak in the line and this large area of hostas and geraniums weren't receiving the moisture that they usually do... the hostas were scorching and the geraniums were not flurishing as they usually do. The leak was fixed a week ago, but it is pretty much too late for this year. The geraniums will gain some growth for the rest of the summer, but the hostas will continue to look pretty poor.

And then there are these...

He might look cute, but he's not a hampster or mouse... he's a vole, and he (and LOTS of his brothers and sisters) have been terrorizing the hostas & geraniums at the same customer's house. I've never seen something so small be able to take down a 3'x5' hosta so fast!! I had a company install several P3 Super Sonic Molechasers - a 16"x2" battery operated unit that produces a sonic sound of 300Hz over an area of approximately 11,250 square feet, 1/4 acre, at approximately 15 second intervals. It's worked well in some areas, but... not so well in others. I've replaced the geraniums that had been eaten down (25 in total... 5 groups of 5), but they all are getting eaten again. Within a couple of days of replacing the geraniums I saw a new burrow appear leading right into one group of geraniums. I'm sure they were thrilled that I gave them fresh food!!

So, now we move on to the next level of vole control... TRAPPING. Now, my history with trapping has not been good... see http://strouthion.blogspot.com/2006/10/visit-from-conservation-officers.html to understand what I'm referring to. I'm suppose to have a "professional" meet me on Monday to review the situation and install the traps, but... he sounds a little over-committed, so I'm prepared to do them myself. The problem is... we have no idea how many there are. From what I've been reading, a colony can be 30-1000 voles. GREAT!!!!

Anyway... we'll see what happens with that situation... Hopefully I'll have time in the next few days to update everyone on that. I'm not looking forward to doing the trapping myself, but... if that's what it takes.

Long Time

Wow... it's been forever since I last sat down and added something to my blog. Laurie will be gone this coming weekend, so it'll be just me and the kids. I'm going to find time to get back on here and add some pictures to my picture site (Webshots) and let everyone know what we've been up to.

Laurie is enjoying her summer this year... no teaching and lots of time with the kids. We bought a small pool for them last weekend and that's all they've been wanting to do since I got it up (which took WAY too much time to do on Sunday!!). Andrew is involved in soccer and Savannah is involved in dance class (ballet & tap). Andrew has a summer science class he's taking and Savannah is taking an art class... both are offered thru our parks & recreation with Bloomington.

Work has been going well, but I'm always behind on things (what's new... just like a real job, huh?). It's been hot and haven't had a lot of rain until just the last few days. Not much interiorscape business yet... but, I haven't really had any time to try and get the business. But, hopefully during the month of July I will have more time to try and get more interior business.

More later, right now I need to get back to work... took a little break to check emails and such.

Little Visitor