Monday, May 28, 2007

Not So Black Thumb

Well, my grandmother and mother have a phenomenal green thumb...I on the other hand have never had much success. The whole gardening thing never really interested me until about this time last year. Unfortunately my nice little flower garden became as depressed and dried up as I did, so the black thumb struck again.

This year I really wanted to try my hand at the vegetable garden. I'm still quite scared at trying all this on my own so my mom agreed to help. Then, Mr. Lindsey said that he could send someone over to till up my land or I could just use some of his designated space and work in his garden with him. I thought that a better idea for the first year. Seeing as I know little about it and he has done this and loved this for a long time. Problem is...every time I've mentioned coming over to help we can never seem to get it together. So far, I haven't even begun to help...I hope to change that, but having the little ones in tow might be difficult.

Yesterday, I decided that the nice and simple landscaping that the landlord's established here at my house was being overtaken by weeds. (I definitely should have noticed and done something about this sooner). J watched the little peach and I spent about 2 nice, quiet hours outside sweating and getting dirt under my finger nails. It was a lot of work truthfully. Of course mostly only because I had waited sooo long to do something about it. I have some blisters and bruises and scratches, but the flower bed that I worked on looks great. I even recycled the water that we used earlier for M's pool to water the gardens. I started weeding and pruning the landscaping that goes 3/4 of the way around our house...but there is a long way to go on that. I think by the time I get to it, I just might need a bush master for the weeds! I'll have to wait till my hands heal though to hit that.

Here's a LOVELY pic of me in my gardening "outfit" HA! Enjoy!

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Weekend at Minnah's

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

5 Little Monkeys


Today we had our first go at Monkey Joe's. It was half price...Wacky Wednesday! So for a mere $5.50, I was able to entertain M and Cuz for hours! Now Cuz was not big on all the noise. I think if made him pretty nervous. He's usually fearless at the park, but Monkey Joes was a different story. He did fine though cause they had a little "house" made out of chalk board and filled with very familiar toys. He hung out there most of the time. I tried at least two different times to take him into one of the small bouncy things, but he just got really huffy.
M on the other hand had a blast! I could barely keep up...seriously. I had the best workout in a long time. She's still a little small for all the climbing parts, so I had to basically rock climb while carrying her up, but the slides were worth it cause they were really slick and steep. We caught a lot of air!

M and Cuz were both very interested in the car arcade game, so I sat them both in my lap and played to rounds. They enjoyed it.
This was a playgroup thing, but of course all I got to really do was wave to the gals as we passed eachother...running after our little ones. Super fun! I think I liked it as much as M did. They need these for adults...for all I know they have them! I'd have my B-day party there! Ha!

Daddy came to visit us since his office is one street over. He was thrilled to see us having so much fun! I recommend it...even on regular price days. I have no doubt they are making a killing at a place like this, but as a mom, I felt it was worth every penny!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Called in Sick to the Dr.

Yes, I did. I called in sick to the Dr. I know how awful this is on their end. I was in the medical office staff for 3 years and remember this being annoying. But with the help of compiled opinions, I decided to reschedule my lady Dr. appointment. Yes, I am overdue thanks to our holiday move, but the timing now is way off on so many levels! So, I'll have to try a little harder and reschedule as best I can. These things are no fun to schedule cause to get in it's a 2 month out process. Also, we have no idea about our insurance at this point so it's out of pocket. Because of this I was going to refrain from addressing any issues other than just my regular visit. I couldn't afford any lab work or tests...not out of pocket anyway.

I will eventually go. I will eventually have my cholesterol checked and any other heart related things dealt with since it is now very evident that my genes are likely to be working against me. Hopefully the health and insurance annoyance in my life will unravel sooner rather than later.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Nosy Neighbor and the Mysterious Shed (2)

So, you, like I, met the neighbors! On to the shed. We don't see much of our neighbors. We see the father come and go from his job as a correction/detention officer. We suspect that the wife stays home with at least one kid (maybe 2) and possibly some family or friends' children. It appears that they don't own a lawn mower, so we've tried to help out in that area.

They have a shed. It is a hodge podge of materials, sort of like those cars that are using so many spare parts that each section of the car is a different color. And quite a bit like those trucks where the owner has actually built a bed for the truck out of wood and attached it! Doesn't look like much...wouldn't be suspicious...except...

In the winter, a pit bull appeared in their back yard. He was cute and friendly enough, but it was curious how they had him attached to the shed. Their was chain from one door of the shed, to another door of the shed, to the dog. This only left about 4 foot of chain for the poor pit bull. That bothered me...for the dog's sake. I don't care about the shed or whatever the heck is in it.

Twice I called animal control on them because the dog lacked shelter especially though during the sleet and snow. I was afraid I'd find it dead. It didn't have any kind of life cause it was stuck on this super short leash. I didn't want to be an annoying neighbor, but I felt it was also my duty to protect the dog.

The dog disappeared. Last I saw it was warmer and alive. Hallelujah.

The shed is still chained.

Pray for Jason

We're feeling slightly anxious and very frustrated right now. As much of a hit to our pocket book this last pay period's medical bills were, apparently the insurance we were looking forward to is going to be an even bigger hit to our monthly income! His company wants to take a $892 a month out of his paycheck for insurance! Ha! With what that leaves, there isn't enough for us to live on...especially with one income! He's so livid right now he wants to cuss and give them his resignation! Of course we don't act out of anger or impulse...but I'm just telling you that's where he is.

Pray for his patience. Pray for his temper. Pray for wisdom in figuring this job stuff out. Pray for his interview with another company that he has on Friday. We'll make it through. no doubts. God has always and continues to be faithful!

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Nosy Neighbor and the Mysterious Shed

Seriously...only a stay-a-home mom or a retiree could post about this! Ha!

So here's the beginning. We have some lovely neighbors. We don't REALLY know them, but we have met them. They are of a different nationality, so there are surely some cultural differences here that I may be missing on. The story begins with a knock at the door. A nice looking, white haired sale man type is standing there once I figure out how to get the gall-dern locks all unlocked at the same time (we had just moved in and the old doors and locks are all backwards-not to mention there are 3 on the front door). He asks me about my neighbors explaining that they have had septic problems and he is the one who is doing the work. I tell him that I just moved in--literally--and have not idea although I have been told just a little about them from the land lord. He leaves his card and explains that he simply wanted to show his face and let me know that he had been here because they refuse to pay their bill. (Great I'm thinking...I don't know a thing and I don't wanna know cause I don't wanna be in the middle of anything.) Come to find out the man leaves a message for the neighbor about our visit on their answering machine.

Now...where does that leave me?! In the middle. So the neighbor is coming over twice...leaving his card for me to call if I hear from the guy again. Finally we catch up late in the evening and the neighbor I suppose is trying to defend himself to me. Of course, let's say this all together now, "I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T WANT TO." No, I didn't say that aloud! How rude do you think I am?! So neighbor asks for card which salesman left. Here, you can have it. I play dumb but still find out more than I wish to. Apparently neighbor has called the news and paper about the squabble over payment and work which is not being done. So I can see it now...here I am (always at home cause I'm a stay at home mom and new in town), and the news crew comes a knocking with cameras in my face to get my take on the whole issue! "I don't know and I don't want to!"

Thankfully, the news crew never came looking for me...and many weeks later it seems the neighbors had their septic issue resolved. I kept waiting for them to come trekking across the yard asking to use the bathroom but that never happened either! There were large, yellow big trucks/machines (Lord, I don't know which one is which...I never learned the differences in the bulldozers, front end loaders, etc). So half of their yard was a flattened ugly mess of red clay! Which they have done nothing about to this day.

That folks, was my introduction to my neighbors. Mind you they could be truly lovely people...but I don't have the faintest idea. I missed out on the big family celebration they are said to have in May. I was out of town.

Next post I will let on more about the mysterious shed...

Monday, May 14, 2007

No more pity parties

Yesterday was not my best day. I can't really complain, cause it definitely got better as it went along...

For Mother's Day I got a "coupon" for $100 of spa services. Of course, I told Jason I would have been more than happy with a clean kitchen and a back rub. He said that I could have all of those things, so last night he set to doing the dishes. I am thrilled. I was thrilled when I went to bed and was thrilled all over again when I woke up. As if that wasn't enough, Jason got on a cleaning/doing kick and cut the grass, cleaned the bathroom and hung up a good bit of his clothes. While he was hanging up his clothes he asked, "Do I do any housework?" That in itself told me that he was acknowledging all that I do (all by myself). All of these combined made for a terrific belated Mother's Day present!

We are working on routines this week in my family. The budget, the bedtime, and the housework routines. It's alot to tackle, so this may flow into next week as well. Bedtime routine went really well. M had really gotten off here (as had we). She was going to bed too late. She was waking in the middle of the night just to be rocked. She was waking up super early ready to get up. I was getting worried.

I began by waking her yesterday at 7:45 am (today at 7:30). My goal was to get her to sleep for naptime around 12:30 or 1pm. She was down around 12:45 yesterday and 1:30 today (since we had a big play date). Then I didn't want her to sleep much more than 2 hours. I woke her after 2 and a half. It's been 2 hours today and she's still asleep. We bathed her sooner after dinner because we noticed that the bath seemed to hype her up. Then we watched a sleepytime video and colored in the dimly lit living room. When the video was over we put on her pj's and read some books (everything was so out of whack from our old "routine" that I forgot to give her medicine or brush her teeth, so we'll try that tonight). We've instated a night light because M is now scared of the dark. It's an angel watching over some children. Her Nani let her borrow it, but last night she seemed to be a little afraid of the angel, so we'll see how long it lasts. We've also introduced a little lullaby music in there which she seems to really like.

Between all of these things, M was so tired she didn't even bother to play with her toys after I put her in the bed. She only whimpered for 10 seconds after I left as opposed to 5-7 minutes of screaming! I did leave the music playing, which I later read I shouldn't do, but she didn't wake up during the night at all and this morn I woke her at 7:30am. I'm hoping this new routine thing helps.

Now, Jason and I are going to take a night this week to plan out and type up a household routine. I'm hoping to find an example over at copper's wife because she is extremely organized and remembers to do and clean things that I completely forget. Any suggestions or good websites would help this greatly.

We are going to work on our budget (again) since summer is here. There will be no Mother's Day Out, and his company is finally picking up the insurance bill, so we won't have to pay for that out of our own pockets anymore. That's not just saving us our monthly hundred and whatever, but all the out of pocket meds and such that we have been stuck with since January! Hallelujah! But now to SAVE!

I'll post some pics and such from our fun play date later today or maybe tomorrow!

No Good Posts Lately!

So I feel a bit like pooh! I know...it's no one's fault but my own, but I misplaced my anti-depressant and hadn't taken it for 3 1/2 days and I literally feel awful! I found the bottle today and it had one left, so I finally took it! Hopefully it'll kick in. Now I just have to make sure that I get the refill before tomorrow! So that pretty much answers my question as to whether or not I'm ready to come off of it.

I took similar meds in college for about 6 months and was fine coming off of it, but this is way different! When it only costs $4 a month (Walmart baby!) who cares if you have to take it the rest of your life to feel human! Seriously though, what happened to us (human beings I mean!). Why are we all walking around medicated just to live mostly "normal" lives. Surely God didn't create it this way?! I'm just a stay at home mom and have no real complaints other than wishing for a little extra cash now and then. Why should I need these meds? I wish someone could explain this all to me. I know the whole brain function SSRI stuff. I took the classes! What I want to know is how did people get around "normally" before all these lovely drugs?!

Just frustrated slightly that when I feel really great it is cause my meds are correct. How silly.

To quote one of my husband's favorite lines from a movie (Zoolander) "I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!"

Friday, May 11, 2007

Probably the Best Thing I've Read In a Long Time

I'm redirecting my readers over to the homespunheart because I seriously think that this is the best, most creative, and sensitive I might add, thing I've read in a long time. Really challenges me to make the everyday more extraordinary!

Monday, May 07, 2007

Mother's Day Giveaways Galore

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Yippee! More Mother's Day Giveaways! You've gotta check this out! Mom's you could win an ipod nano!!! and many other things. Click here!

Mother's Day Surprise!

Love this contest! For us blogging moms what a great Mother's Day Surprise. To sign up and/or just check out a really great site, click here.

Been A Long Time

I know I haven't posted anything real in a while. To tell you the truth, I just haven't been "in the mood." I suppose that's something others can relate to. Things haven't been bad or anything, I just haven't had it in me. Things are a little busier than they once were, but I don't like to blame or make excuses.

So here's what's been going on. I'm keeping Cuz and M, and LOVING it! It can be a challenge at times, but we are all doing very well considering the adjustment. Naptime is no big deal as long as I put M to sleep first. I even ventured out with them both today by myself. I took them to the zoo once, but at least I knew I'd have friends to help. Today I had tiny errands to run and I desperately needed bread. So, I did everything in the order that it came. I deposited a check at the bank, then mailed a letter at the post office, dropped off some freebies at a friends (who lives next door to the post office), went to ALDI, then got gas on the way home. I got paid for last week, so I used 2/5 of it at ALDI, 2/5 of it getting gas, and the 1/5 left is for my book I need for our new Bible/Book study that starts tomorrow! God really provides.

We are living on fumes right now for two reasons...one because it's the first of the month and every bill is due at the same time (bad planning), and two because M came down with a double ear infection from nursery. Since our insurance doesn't kick in till June first, the Dr. visit and the medicine (which was 2X what the Dr. visit cost) was all unexpected and out of pocket. No big deal...we have savings for those emergencies, but we spent half of it on our car emergency last month. We didn't use savings this time, we are just going to pinch and skrimp so that the next half of the month we'll be able to put some back into savings to replenish. Ah, the joys of balancing a house on one income.

I prayed a lot about it, and I know that this is where God has me to be right now. I love that...knowing that, because I know that no matter what, He will provide our every need...especially when we are in His will.

I've got tons of pics to post. I'll work on that. We just got back from a much needed weekend away to the mountains! It was WONDERFUL! Soooo quiet and just cool enough to have a fire the whole weekend. We slept in till almost 10 everyday (it's been years folks!) and read (also a very long time since I've read anything). Thanks to Mom and Dad for watching M for us. We know she is pure love and pure exhaustion all mushed together.

More blogging to come...

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Meme...You're It!

I was tagged by my friend Miriam for this "random meme."

Here are the rules: Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. You need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

1. Hubby and I have planted a church (in New Orleans)

2. I was the Saturday Night Worship Leader (Celebration Church) for a little over a year.

3. My least favorite chore is cleaning the bathtub!

4. My new favorite thing is shopping at ALDI!

5. My husband says that I'm a terrible procrastinator.

6. I hated being a stay at home for the first 8 months...Now I love it!

7. Everytime I clean my ears with q-tips I am compelled to cough

I'm now tagging some of my bloggy friends and relatives!!! Minnah, Jamie, Meredith, Cheryl, can't think of anymore that haven't been tagged!