Yesterday's post was super-long--sorry about that. Not sure anybody wants to sit and read the ramblings of my sometimes-difficult-to-follow mind. If you stuck it out and read the whole thing...yea for you!
The pickled green beans I made yesterday are pretty awesome. I will use that recipe again for sure. I'm heading out into the garden in a few minutes to see if any more green beans are ripe. They have a way of sneaking up on me. Pick them all one day, and you swear there isn't another one to be found, and there are hundreds ready the next day. It's crazy.
It's also time for me to plant some lettuce--I have lots of room in my beds and just need to make time to get out there and do it. Fresh salad would be lovely--I plant leaf lettuce and cut it when it's still small and it doesn't get a chance to bolt in the heat. I plant on a weekly schedule--two square feet this week, two more next week, two more the next week, and when the first row is ready, I cut them and they regrow.
This morning I think I'm going to the farmer's market with my daughter-in-law. My granddaughter has allergies and needs to be taking local honey every day. (Yes, this is actually a "thing"--not just a hippie remedy!) I'm looking forward to it--I LOVE THE FARMER'S MARKET. I hope the singing veteran is there--the baby girls love to dance! Even Kaleigh likes to go to the farmer's market.
I've also planted the hardened-off segments of Christmas Cactus into their new little pots. I hope they take. They will make nice little Christmas presents next year.
My plan for something nice to do today is to hang out with my daughter in law. She's having a hard time right now, realizing that my son (who is in the navy) will really be gone for two years and she'll be doing this basically alone. She has us, but we aren't the same, I guess. Plus, Bridgette is still really little and a lot of daily work--I forget how much WORK tiny kids are.
Yesterday I did some organizing of the shelves next to my computer desk. They tend to be a catch-all for whatever I have on the desk, which gets messy. I need to do better about putting things where they go when I'm done with them. Story of my life, I guess.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Just A Regular Day at the Homestead....(and Challenge: Day 15)
I just realized how short and unsatisfying my last few posts have been. But they kind of reflect how I've been feeling, so I guess I'll live with them. But this one will be different, I promise.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
I got a good night's sleep last night, my presentation went well yesterday, all the kids and grandkids are snug and safe, and I have no huge responsibilities for this weekend, so there is no reason not to be happy. I got up early, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (not a great cup of coffee, I've mentioned my struggles with coffee-making, but it'll do), I've been checking some stuff out on Pinterest, and doing laundry. I'll putter around this morning, read a little, knit a little, maybe sew a little, then take a nap. Saturday is the only day I allow myself a nap because if I nap on Sunday, I can't fall asleep at night, then I'm tired on Monday. No bueno.
I think I'll make spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight. That sounds good.
I have to do my lesson plan for this week. It's actually pretty much done, I just have to organize my thoughts onto the actual plan. My class is doing something really cool to reinforce colors, while I am at the same time assessing who needs more support in this area. We are making a color portfolio, with different art each day. For example, on Monday (red day), we mixed red paint with black and white and painted with it. On Tuesday (blue day), we sponge painted with blue paint. On Wednesday (yellow day), we made yellow collages with all yellow materials. Etc. I think you get the picture. Different color and medium each day. Will post pics when they are finished. The children are really enjoying it too, as the art is finished we are putting it into their own personal portfolios. On the last day, we will use the Salad Spinner (best $1.99 I ever spent at Goodwill!) and use all the colors to make a rainbow painting for the cover.
I've been thinking about what to make for gifts for Christmas this year. I've already started knitting some market bags. They take a little time, but they are really pretty and stretch like crazy--they are perfect for the farmer's market. The key is getting the cotton yarn at half price, or they aren't really cost effective. I like a lot of bang for my buck. (Or, in other words, I'm pretty frugal--or cheap.)
My daughter admired a headband made with buttons sewn to wide elastic, so I'm making one of those for her--it's looking really pretty. I'm infusing it with positive thoughts and love for her. The Hawaiians have some superstitions about quilting for others--one of them is that as you work on a quilt for someone else, you stitch all of your feelings into the quilt and they go to the person you give the finished quilt to. Love this idea! However, you have to be sure you only work on the quilt when you feel happy and loving or you send bad feelings to the person. I like to think that this is true of all gifts that you make.
For my good thing today, I'm going to work on Christmas presents for the people I love.
Have a wonderful day yourself.
Later that same day....
I just spent a lovely couple of hours, working out in the garden--I picked a bowlfull of green beans, watered everything, admired my cucumber plants in the pot (they look really good), picked a meyer lemon from my tree, and filled some small pots with potting mix. I'm propagating Christmas cactus to give as gifts--probably next year-- and I cut the segments from the parent plant. They need to harden off for 24 hours, so they are resting comfortably on top of my microwave. I will plant them tomorrow--11 new little baby plants. For practically free.
Once I came in, I decided to make some pickled vegetables. I prepared my green beans, got the jars ready (clean and hot), and made the brine. This is what I did. These go in the refrigerator so they aren't water processed, and they last 3 weeks in the fridge. What I really love about this recipe is that it's good for any kind of vegetables--I did green beans, and a cucumber I had in the fridge, but you could add carrots, green tomatoes, really anything. I hate wasting food, so this is a good way to use up a couple of carrots or a half a cucumber you have left over that's not enough for something else. You can also make a jar or two at a time while things are getting ripe.
1 Tbsp. pickling salt, sea salt, or kosher salt--NO IODIZED TABLE SALT.
1 C. Vinegar
1 C. Water
1 head dill or a small bunch of leaves (I used 1 tsp. dried dill weed per jar)
1 clove garlic per jar, smashed and peeled
3 peppercorns per jar
(I also added 2 Tbsp. sugar to the vinegar mixture--sometimes I don't do this)
Put salt, vinegar, and water into a small pan and heat until salt and sugar (if used) are dissolved. While vinegar mixture heats, place a smashed garlic clove, dill, and peppercorns into each jar. Cut up vegetables (I like long narrow pickle shapes) and place into jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over vegetables. Screw on lids tightly and shake to mix up flavors. Allow to cool, then put into refrigerator.
I have pictures, but I seem to be having a computer glitch so I can't upload--will solve that problem today with my IT Department.... Kaleigh.
If you have any interest at all in canning, I would recommend that you try it. I enjoy it a lot, although I suspect that would be because I'm not a farmer and don't have to spend days and days at it. I do it at my leisure a little at a time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Challenge: Day 14
Today I gave a presentation at a conference about the way we teach at my school, which is very different from other schools. It went wonderfully.
The nice thing that I did today was to help someone find her way to her workshop. She was clearly lost, and we knew where she was going (me and Ms. Cathy, my coworker) so we walked her there.
Also, I didn't smack the two idiots sitting in the front row of my presentation giggling and chatting through our very compelling presentation. Very nice of me.
I am two weeks into my happiness experiment, and I have to say, I am feeling happier, and more aware of opportunities to be nice. I also think I should post every day something like the thing above, where I did something nice, like not throatpunch somebody for annoying the crap out of me.
Again, PMS sucks.
The nice thing that I did today was to help someone find her way to her workshop. She was clearly lost, and we knew where she was going (me and Ms. Cathy, my coworker) so we walked her there.
Also, I didn't smack the two idiots sitting in the front row of my presentation giggling and chatting through our very compelling presentation. Very nice of me.
I am two weeks into my happiness experiment, and I have to say, I am feeling happier, and more aware of opportunities to be nice. I also think I should post every day something like the thing above, where I did something nice, like not throatpunch somebody for annoying the crap out of me.
Again, PMS sucks.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Challenge: Day 13
Today my good thing was to let somebody in front of me in traffic who was obviously too stupid to figure out what lane they wanted to be in.
On an unrelated note, I'll be glad when my PMS is gone.
On an unrelated note, I'll be glad when my PMS is gone.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Organization of my Classroom...
I've been in my classroom now for three years, and I think I FINALLY have it organized in the way that makes sense to me. And my assistant.
First, let me say that I work at a university lab school (preschool) with five classrooms. All of them, except mine, have storage closets and/or shelves for storing rotating materials. EXCEPT MINE. I have a small cave of an office, which can't really be used for working in (it's about 5' x 10 ft) since the computer is out in the classroom. I like the computer in the classroom because we use it a lot with the children. Over the last couple of years, I've had some shelves added above the computer desk to store bins on, and moved a large cabinet out of the office to store art materials in. But that still didn't give me any good place to store materials that I rotate in my centers. I couldn't find anything when I need it, but everything was underfoot when I didn't need it!
This summer, I spent time every week procuring shelves for the office. We used to keep the rest time cots in the office too, but that was difficult to get them out and put them back, so I never liked that situation at all. As we added shelves (all of them--5-- free through surplus and donations), we moved the cots into a corner of the classroom. While we were closed this summer, I took everything out of the office and off the shelves and from everywhere else I had them stashed, and sorted them into centers. I labeled several shelves for each center-- art, play dough, light table/mirror, science, outdoors, block center materials, math, literacy, classroom decorations. I then sorted all the materials into bins on the shelves. I INSIST that everyone put things back on the shelves they came from, and make sure to do it myself.
This year so far has been so EASY! I haven't spent any time searching for this or that, and I've even found things that other people can't find. The bins on the shelves are for things we do every year and various celebrations and decorations like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, etc.
I try to set out our art materials for the week, and the books we are going to read that week as well. That makes for easy set up every day. I try to clear off the computer desk at the end of each day, and faithfully keep a to-do list daily. On Friday, I make a list of anything special we are doing the next week so I can do any shopping I need to or make any requests from my administration or coworkers. So far, so good.
First, let me say that I work at a university lab school (preschool) with five classrooms. All of them, except mine, have storage closets and/or shelves for storing rotating materials. EXCEPT MINE. I have a small cave of an office, which can't really be used for working in (it's about 5' x 10 ft) since the computer is out in the classroom. I like the computer in the classroom because we use it a lot with the children. Over the last couple of years, I've had some shelves added above the computer desk to store bins on, and moved a large cabinet out of the office to store art materials in. But that still didn't give me any good place to store materials that I rotate in my centers. I couldn't find anything when I need it, but everything was underfoot when I didn't need it!
This summer, I spent time every week procuring shelves for the office. We used to keep the rest time cots in the office too, but that was difficult to get them out and put them back, so I never liked that situation at all. As we added shelves (all of them--5-- free through surplus and donations), we moved the cots into a corner of the classroom. While we were closed this summer, I took everything out of the office and off the shelves and from everywhere else I had them stashed, and sorted them into centers. I labeled several shelves for each center-- art, play dough, light table/mirror, science, outdoors, block center materials, math, literacy, classroom decorations. I then sorted all the materials into bins on the shelves. I INSIST that everyone put things back on the shelves they came from, and make sure to do it myself.
This year so far has been so EASY! I haven't spent any time searching for this or that, and I've even found things that other people can't find. The bins on the shelves are for things we do every year and various celebrations and decorations like Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, etc.
I try to set out our art materials for the week, and the books we are going to read that week as well. That makes for easy set up every day. I try to clear off the computer desk at the end of each day, and faithfully keep a to-do list daily. On Friday, I make a list of anything special we are doing the next week so I can do any shopping I need to or make any requests from my administration or coworkers. So far, so good.
Challenge: Day 12
Today's kind thing is a little lame. I'm sure I did nice things for people, but I didn't really do a "real" kindness. That's sad. So here is what I am going to do. Tonight when my daughter gets home, instead of starting what I know is going to be an argument, I'm going to just hug her and talk to her about some things. Talk.... not get mad, not yell, just talk. Give her information. That's it.
I think that's very nice of me.
Well, maybe not even exactly nice, but it's definitely going to make me and her feel better. Some days you can only do what you can do.
On Friday, I am presenting a workshop at a conference. This is big for me. Love it. This may surprise some people who knew me when I was younger, but I LOVE to give presentations. If I could speak in front of people every day, I'd be a happy girl. There's nothing more exhilarating to me. So I'm looking forward to this--not sure if my co-presenter feels the same way. But it is a form of sharing the love in the world.
I think I'll knit for awhile tonight and go to bed early. I'm tired from staying up late to watch Sons of Anarchy. I might have to stop watching it on Tuesday nights since I get all wound up and then can't sleep for an hour or more after the show. Ridiculous. What am I--3?
I think that's very nice of me.
Well, maybe not even exactly nice, but it's definitely going to make me and her feel better. Some days you can only do what you can do.
On Friday, I am presenting a workshop at a conference. This is big for me. Love it. This may surprise some people who knew me when I was younger, but I LOVE to give presentations. If I could speak in front of people every day, I'd be a happy girl. There's nothing more exhilarating to me. So I'm looking forward to this--not sure if my co-presenter feels the same way. But it is a form of sharing the love in the world.
I think I'll knit for awhile tonight and go to bed early. I'm tired from staying up late to watch Sons of Anarchy. I might have to stop watching it on Tuesday nights since I get all wound up and then can't sleep for an hour or more after the show. Ridiculous. What am I--3?
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Okay, this is the REAL post...
It's very gratifying to me when I sign into blogspot and there are a whole bunch of hits on my blog. It feels so good that I want to thank you for checking in. So...thank you....
I'm not feeling great today, PMS sucks. I'm sure I've said this before. So, due to my status--which is very PMS-ey, I want to post about some of my pet peeves. This is not a comprehensive list.
I'm not feeling great today, PMS sucks. I'm sure I've said this before. So, due to my status--which is very PMS-ey, I want to post about some of my pet peeves. This is not a comprehensive list.
- The word irregardless. It's not a word. You mean irrespective. Or just regardless.
- When people add -ical at the end of words that don't end that way. For example, cosmetical. Electronical. You get the idea.
- When people laugh at inappropriate times. Not when they laugh inappropriately, because that's hysterical. I'm talking about when nothing is funny, and a person laughs after every sentence. Horrible.
- Lateness. I'm early for everything, and I find it very annoying for others to always be late and make every event about them. Obnoxious.
My body is aching and I think I'll go to bed early tonight, even though Sons of Anarchy is on. Maybe I'll just go read until it comes on.
Have a great night.
Challenge: Day 11
Today I had another day-long professional development workshop. I made a point to compliment one of my table-mates. She seems kind of needy and is always talking about what a great employee she is, etc. so I figured she needed it today.
Not much else going on. I don't feel well. And PMS sucks.
Not much else going on. I don't feel well. And PMS sucks.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Challenge: Day 10
Today my good deed is for myself. It's rainy and nasty outside, and I'm going to snuggle into my bed early and read. I love that idea. (I did do something nice for someone at work today, although I'm not at liberty to say what it was...)
Sunday, September 22, 2013
A Little Something Extra...
So, hello. I'm babysitting my granddaughters who have to be the two easiest kids in the whole world. They are busy dressing up and I was told to stay here for the show. So cute.
I did my good deeds today. I feel good. I actually did several on the list I have going, so I feel extra good.
I'm thinking about sewing projects I can do for myself. I need to make myself some time to sit and look for one either online or in the many books I have. Or patterns. One of my days I'm going to do myself a good deed and make time for this. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow in my classroom we are making mini apple pies. Each child will make their own. Normally we make applesauce, but that is an all-day process and the kids don't really like to eat it because it doesn't look like any kind of applesauce they have ever eaten. Then I optimistically put it into the fridge in case anyone will eat it, then I throw it away a few days later. Cut out the middleman. Make something they will eat. Duh. I need to make up some recipe cards for the kids to follow.
It's showtime!......
Show's over--it was spectacular. The girls were dressed in princess costumes and a LOT of jewelry. They looked very fancy. They paraded around until they felt I had exclaimed over their beauty and obvious genius enough, and now they are watching "My Little Pony". Such good girls.
I did my good deeds today. I feel good. I actually did several on the list I have going, so I feel extra good.
I'm thinking about sewing projects I can do for myself. I need to make myself some time to sit and look for one either online or in the many books I have. Or patterns. One of my days I'm going to do myself a good deed and make time for this. Maybe tomorrow.
Tomorrow in my classroom we are making mini apple pies. Each child will make their own. Normally we make applesauce, but that is an all-day process and the kids don't really like to eat it because it doesn't look like any kind of applesauce they have ever eaten. Then I optimistically put it into the fridge in case anyone will eat it, then I throw it away a few days later. Cut out the middleman. Make something they will eat. Duh. I need to make up some recipe cards for the kids to follow.
It's showtime!......
Show's over--it was spectacular. The girls were dressed in princess costumes and a LOT of jewelry. They looked very fancy. They paraded around until they felt I had exclaimed over their beauty and obvious genius enough, and now they are watching "My Little Pony". Such good girls.
Challenge: Day 9 (A Great Day)
So... today I will project positivity for the entire day. Everywhere I go, I plan to spread the love. Say nice things to everyone I come across, laugh a lot, share information with those who need it, and just generally be the change I want to see in the world.
This challenge is doing what I suspected it would...making me happy. I can only hope it's making others happy too, but I can't really know that.
Doing a little laundry this morning, worked in the garden a little, and I'm going over to see my mom later. She was in the hospital for a long time, and she's home now--I'm glad she's doing better. I'm also having lunch with a hysterical friend today, and I'm really looking forward to that. It's shaping up to be a great day.
This challenge is doing what I suspected it would...making me happy. I can only hope it's making others happy too, but I can't really know that.
Doing a little laundry this morning, worked in the garden a little, and I'm going over to see my mom later. She was in the hospital for a long time, and she's home now--I'm glad she's doing better. I'm also having lunch with a hysterical friend today, and I'm really looking forward to that. It's shaping up to be a great day.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Challenge: Day 8
My good deed for today was to help my neighbor carry some stuff from her car to her house. I was mowing my grass and saw her struggling with some heavy bags, so I went over and helped. She doesn't speak English and my Spanish is pretty much limited to "Where is the library?" even after three years of Spanish classes, so conversation was limited, but we both smiled a lot. The universal language.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Some Things You Need To Know About Me....
I've noticed a few things about myself lately--they probably won't be earth shattering to you, but it's interesting to me because these are things I literally NEVER think about, and they are intrinsic to my personality.
Kaleigh got a half-dead rose bush (marked down, of course) and I've been babying it back to life. It actually looks pretty good, and she's gotten a couple of buds on it--it's called a Candy Stripe Rose, and it's pink and white striped. Very pretty. We are waiting for another bud to open now. It's a climber so we really need to choose a spot to plant it and get some kind of trellis going. I'm thinking of building one with long, straight limbs from a horrible tree thing in my front yard that was planted UNDER the oak tree. I can only assume that the oak tree was MUCH smaller then....Anyway, this tree thing (it's bigger than a bush, but smaller than a tree) is very long branched because they are reaching for sun. Looks awful, but good for me since I can cut the branches and use them--for a trellis for the rose bush. I built a green bean teepee out of them already, but the darn thing has to go. I hate to be wasteful.
Peace, love, and compost.
- I love exclamation points when I write!
- I also love dashes--they really help me to clear up my thoughts.
- I resist change. I think of myself as pretty flexible, but the truth is...I love my routine. When I'm not in my regular battle rhythm, I'm out of sorts.
- I need time to stew about things. Or, as I prefer to call it, THINK about things. Sometimes it seems like I'm procrastinating, but the thinking really is an essential part of the process for me.
- I can do difficult things. Sometimes I think I can't but if I just tell my mind to shut up, I can usually get done with what I need to get done.
- I'm a huge believer in karma. This is no secret to me--but it's reaffirmed every day.
- Miracles happen. I KNOW this.
- There are angels on earth--I KNOW this too. Have a little experience with them.
- I don't make enough time to do the things I love to do. Take sewing, for example. I love it, but the only time I actually do it is for other people. Like for Christmas presents. This goes for knitting too. I have no small children any more, so I should have time for these things.
- I can literally send love out into the universe. It's not just a hippie phrase. It's happening.
- I'm a
cheapfrugal person. I don't remember the last time I paid retail for anything. This goes for food, clothes, shoes, even my car. I accept this. - There are some things about myself that I will never understand. I can't explain them. I am a preschool teacher who watches Sons of Anarchy and loves Jax Teller. I have read the Twilight Series of books more times than I will tell you about. I love good food, but I hate to cook (usually). I love compost. And worms. And worm castings, which is really poop. These things are especially unexplainable.
- I adore my bed. So much so that I would wash my sheets every day if I didn't think that would make me seem insane. There is nothing better than clean, fresh sheets, a fresh nightgown (I'm old school--a flannel nightgown is best--none of those newfangled sleep shirts for me!) and a good book. There's nothing those few things can't cure.
Kaleigh got a half-dead rose bush (marked down, of course) and I've been babying it back to life. It actually looks pretty good, and she's gotten a couple of buds on it--it's called a Candy Stripe Rose, and it's pink and white striped. Very pretty. We are waiting for another bud to open now. It's a climber so we really need to choose a spot to plant it and get some kind of trellis going. I'm thinking of building one with long, straight limbs from a horrible tree thing in my front yard that was planted UNDER the oak tree. I can only assume that the oak tree was MUCH smaller then....Anyway, this tree thing (it's bigger than a bush, but smaller than a tree) is very long branched because they are reaching for sun. Looks awful, but good for me since I can cut the branches and use them--for a trellis for the rose bush. I built a green bean teepee out of them already, but the darn thing has to go. I hate to be wasteful.
Peace, love, and compost.
Challenge: Day 7
Today I spent some time talking to a friend who really needed me. Not me particularly, I think, but a friend, so we talked. I've been feeling overwhelmed by my "situations" and I guess I forget that other people are going through stuff too. Anyway, I think that qualifies as my good thing for today. There was a hug at the end of the conversation.
I also burned up the email lines (and how does email get from one place to another anyway?) with my friend Mary Beth. We have been sending each other funny stuff (questionable as to how funny it is to anyone else) and hysterically laughing. And developing our positively diabolical plan to play a prank on her husband. One he will never appreciate. Or understand. I totally think more planning is required--we don't want the whole thing to go horribly awry. It has to be something that we can also play on other people, so we can get more mileage out of it. I'm thinking my sister and my son....
Looking forward to this weekend. I'm going to babysit my gorgeous granddaughters tonight for a while, then tomorrow I'm going to work in the garden, and mow the grass. And nap. Definitely nap. On Sunday I'm meeting Mary Beth for lunch at my favorite place. We need to firm up the "plans". Will fill you in as things progress.
A former family from my classroom (my first class) visited today--my little friend is so grown up! Her mom is from Belarus and she just raved over how wonderful our class was and how much she loved her daughter being in our class. It was wonderful--sometimes we get bogged down in our daily work and forget how much of a difference we can make. And I can use all the positive energy I can get right now.
Have a lovely evening!
I also burned up the email lines (and how does email get from one place to another anyway?) with my friend Mary Beth. We have been sending each other funny stuff (questionable as to how funny it is to anyone else) and hysterically laughing. And developing our positively diabolical plan to play a prank on her husband. One he will never appreciate. Or understand. I totally think more planning is required--we don't want the whole thing to go horribly awry. It has to be something that we can also play on other people, so we can get more mileage out of it. I'm thinking my sister and my son....
Looking forward to this weekend. I'm going to babysit my gorgeous granddaughters tonight for a while, then tomorrow I'm going to work in the garden, and mow the grass. And nap. Definitely nap. On Sunday I'm meeting Mary Beth for lunch at my favorite place. We need to firm up the "plans". Will fill you in as things progress.
A former family from my classroom (my first class) visited today--my little friend is so grown up! Her mom is from Belarus and she just raved over how wonderful our class was and how much she loved her daughter being in our class. It was wonderful--sometimes we get bogged down in our daily work and forget how much of a difference we can make. And I can use all the positive energy I can get right now.
Have a lovely evening!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Challenge: Day 6
I've been doing some anonymous nice things around my work today. I may never know if anyone happened upon them or not, since nobody knows it was me that did them, and at the risk of "outing myself", I guess I will report them here.
I left a gift for someone at work who I know is having a hard time personally. I added a little note saying that I just wanted to do something to brighten her day (it was a small gift really, some soap, body spray, and lotion) and that I am going through a difficult time as well and I'm thinking of her. I don't think she'll suspect me.
The other thing I did was leave a couple of drinks in the refrigerator at work with a note that says, "If you are thirsty, drink me."
I have also been especially funny today, thanks to something nice somebody did for me. (Thanks, Mary Beth!) She sent me a link to a funny blog, and I've been laughing all day. Not like appropriate snickering.... I'm talking about hysterically laughing so much that I'm pretty sure that my coworkers think I'm insane at this point. But I haven't felt this happy in awhile, so what's a little suspected insanity? This just reaffirms my belief that you get what you put out there. Karma, baby.
The challenge is going well so far, although each day I'm starting to have a little trouble thinking up something nice to do. Originally, that upset me a little--is it so hard for me to be nice? But that's not it, really. I think that I normally do nice things, and my rule was I have to do something I wouldn't normally do, so it's not so easy to come up with those ideas. Maybe I need to make a list or something. I'm pretty convinced that the answer to all the world's problems is a well thought-out list.
I left a gift for someone at work who I know is having a hard time personally. I added a little note saying that I just wanted to do something to brighten her day (it was a small gift really, some soap, body spray, and lotion) and that I am going through a difficult time as well and I'm thinking of her. I don't think she'll suspect me.
The other thing I did was leave a couple of drinks in the refrigerator at work with a note that says, "If you are thirsty, drink me."
I have also been especially funny today, thanks to something nice somebody did for me. (Thanks, Mary Beth!) She sent me a link to a funny blog, and I've been laughing all day. Not like appropriate snickering.... I'm talking about hysterically laughing so much that I'm pretty sure that my coworkers think I'm insane at this point. But I haven't felt this happy in awhile, so what's a little suspected insanity? This just reaffirms my belief that you get what you put out there. Karma, baby.
The challenge is going well so far, although each day I'm starting to have a little trouble thinking up something nice to do. Originally, that upset me a little--is it so hard for me to be nice? But that's not it, really. I think that I normally do nice things, and my rule was I have to do something I wouldn't normally do, so it's not so easy to come up with those ideas. Maybe I need to make a list or something. I'm pretty convinced that the answer to all the world's problems is a well thought-out list.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Challenge: Day 5...
Today I paid for the coffee of the person behind me at Dunkin' Donuts. I wonder what they thought when the pulled up to the window. And I've been smiling all day.
This is a passionflower--gorgeous, isn't it? This is a picture I took on our playground this morning.
It's a lovely day, isn't it?
It's going to storm soon, which I love. I love a good Orlando thunderstorm, and I love not having to pay for the water for my garden. I just curl up in bed and read. Right now I'm between books, so I need to make a decision about what to read next. I have a completely absorbing early childhood journal to read tonight (no, that wasn't sarcasm).
Maybe now would be a good time to read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series in order, one after the other. That is one of my 50 Before 50 promises to myself. (In case you are new here, I have a list of 50 things I want to do before I turn ... that age.) I have almost two years to do these things, and I've already crossed some things off. I haven't posted the list, mostly because I don't have 50 things on it yet, maybe I will on a day when I can't think of anything interesting to write about. For now, you can just wonder what I'm up to.
This is a passionflower--gorgeous, isn't it? This is a picture I took on our playground this morning.
It's a lovely day, isn't it?
It's going to storm soon, which I love. I love a good Orlando thunderstorm, and I love not having to pay for the water for my garden. I just curl up in bed and read. Right now I'm between books, so I need to make a decision about what to read next. I have a completely absorbing early childhood journal to read tonight (no, that wasn't sarcasm).
Maybe now would be a good time to read the entire Sookie Stackhouse series in order, one after the other. That is one of my 50 Before 50 promises to myself. (In case you are new here, I have a list of 50 things I want to do before I turn ... that age.) I have almost two years to do these things, and I've already crossed some things off. I haven't posted the list, mostly because I don't have 50 things on it yet, maybe I will on a day when I can't think of anything interesting to write about. For now, you can just wonder what I'm up to.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Challenge: Day 4!!!
Today I did something nice for who I assume is a homeless person (although maybe I shouldn't assume that). I stopped at Wawa for coffee this morning--Pumpkin Spice is awesome!--and I saw a woman sitting outside, I've seen her around the area before. At the risk of sounding biased, she looked homeless. Or at least hungry. So I bought a sandwich, fruit, some chips and juice, and handed her the bag as I went out to get in my car. She looked confused but took the bag. She didn't even look inside it--I wonder what she thought it was. Anyway, I just kept walking because I didn't want her to be embarrassed or think that I was expecting any thanks or anything like that. I got in my car and went to work. It felt good.
I've been thinking that there may come a time that I have to clarify what's okay and what's not for my challenge--I will do that on a case-by-case basis. For now, I'm liking the way it's going.
And I'd like to thank Sandy Weber Allen--she posted on Facebook something nice she did for a homeless person and it inspired me. Not sure if it was unrelated or not, since I have NO IDEA who reads my blog. All I know is that about 100 people per week do, as to who they are--I can't call it. I wish I did know....hint-hint.
I saw two huge, fat, green caterpillars on my green bean plants this morning, and the leaves have been looking kind of chewed up, so tonight I'm going out and pick those bitches off. Where there's two, I'm sure there's more. How dare they eat my green bean leaves! I'm totally offended.
In other news, I'm feeling very lonely tonight. I really need to learn not to dwell on things I can't do anything about. This is hard for me, because so many people THINK THEY ARE RIGHT at the expense of everyone else. I am seriously sending my heart out to everyone I love tonight. And to those of you WHO THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, I'm sending love to you too. You need it. It seems like you don't love yourselves very much right now.
I've been thinking that there may come a time that I have to clarify what's okay and what's not for my challenge--I will do that on a case-by-case basis. For now, I'm liking the way it's going.
And I'd like to thank Sandy Weber Allen--she posted on Facebook something nice she did for a homeless person and it inspired me. Not sure if it was unrelated or not, since I have NO IDEA who reads my blog. All I know is that about 100 people per week do, as to who they are--I can't call it. I wish I did know....hint-hint.
I saw two huge, fat, green caterpillars on my green bean plants this morning, and the leaves have been looking kind of chewed up, so tonight I'm going out and pick those bitches off. Where there's two, I'm sure there's more. How dare they eat my green bean leaves! I'm totally offended.
In other news, I'm feeling very lonely tonight. I really need to learn not to dwell on things I can't do anything about. This is hard for me, because so many people THINK THEY ARE RIGHT at the expense of everyone else. I am seriously sending my heart out to everyone I love tonight. And to those of you WHO THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, I'm sending love to you too. You need it. It seems like you don't love yourselves very much right now.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Challenge: Day 3
Today I had to come home from work with an eye infection--so my chances to do something nice are limited. I did some internet surfing, and I found a lovely blog to read... it's called Backyard Bliss-- www.backyardbliss.blogspot.com . It's about gardening and the kind of things I'm loving right now. Canning, managing life, what's being harvested, etc. So for my nice thing, I left several comments telling the author how much I enjoyed reading her blog. It will have to do. I know I'd enjoy reading comments on my blog...(hint-hint).
I don't have much else to report. Things appear to be settling down around me, which is nice.
My little lime tree sprouts are making me happy. They are VERY slow growing. It took two weeks for them to even break through the ground. They are still very tiny--so far five out of ten have sprouted.
I think I'll go read for awhile. Nothing much else to do.
I don't have much else to report. Things appear to be settling down around me, which is nice.
My little lime tree sprouts are making me happy. They are VERY slow growing. It took two weeks for them to even break through the ground. They are still very tiny--so far five out of ten have sprouted.
I think I'll go read for awhile. Nothing much else to do.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Challenge: Day 2
Nothing much to do in the garden this morning. I watered everything really well. I remember reading somewhere that there is a crucial time in green beans lives (when they are blooming and about to set fruit) that they need to have enough water or they don't set fruit properly.
I think I'll visit Lowe's this morning and see what's going on in the garden center. I wish I lived closer to a real nursery--but Lowe's works for me.
Another reason I need to get out, and something I hadn't thought about with my challenge, is that I am really a homebody, and I have to expose myself to people in order to send the love out into the universe. I can't put good things out there if I'm not around anybody else. I have to think about my opportunities.
I took my dog for a walk today and made sure to say hello and smile to every person I saw. I have some kind of an eye infection, so I couldn't go out today anywhere--I had to do what I could to still be nice to others, but stay close to home. I also encouraged my daughter who wasn't feeling well today. We watched a movie together (her choice).
I think I'll visit Lowe's this morning and see what's going on in the garden center. I wish I lived closer to a real nursery--but Lowe's works for me.
Another reason I need to get out, and something I hadn't thought about with my challenge, is that I am really a homebody, and I have to expose myself to people in order to send the love out into the universe. I can't put good things out there if I'm not around anybody else. I have to think about my opportunities.
I took my dog for a walk today and made sure to say hello and smile to every person I saw. I have some kind of an eye infection, so I couldn't go out today anywhere--I had to do what I could to still be nice to others, but stay close to home. I also encouraged my daughter who wasn't feeling well today. We watched a movie together (her choice).
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Challenge: Day 1
***My Good Thing For Today--I was on Facebook this morning for my daily check-in, and an old friend messaged me--his name is John and I've known him since I was 12. He's in the navy and is now stationed in Afghanistan. I had no idea. So I got his address and I will make a point to write to him and send him little care packages. He is a great friend--I consider him one of my closest friends and I know how much mail means when you are deployed. I will also be thinking happy thoughts about him each day.
Lesson planning, gardening, laundry, mopping the kitchen floor, and puttering around the house are on my agenda today. I find doing all of those things very satisfying so I don't mind any of them (even mopping the floor!). I'd like to organize my closet too, but we'll see about that. I definitely want to get out this morning into the garden. I'm on green bean watch. So many flowers, I should have a ton of green beans soon. I'm going to pickle some and freeze some. And EAT some straight out of the garden. I need to soak up some vitamin D and get my hands in some dirt.
I have key lime tree sprouts! That is very exciting! Three sprouts so far, they are very tiny, so I think more will come. They apparently grow pretty slowly--it took them two weeks to germinate. I woke up last night to a lot of rain, so I think I will wait and fertilize the garden tomorrow, I don't think I even need to water it today.
Heading out... maybe I'll post more later.
Garden looks pretty good...everything is growing nicely. I'll be happy when I can see some actual green beans.
Lesson planning, gardening, laundry, mopping the kitchen floor, and puttering around the house are on my agenda today. I find doing all of those things very satisfying so I don't mind any of them (even mopping the floor!). I'd like to organize my closet too, but we'll see about that. I definitely want to get out this morning into the garden. I'm on green bean watch. So many flowers, I should have a ton of green beans soon. I'm going to pickle some and freeze some. And EAT some straight out of the garden. I need to soak up some vitamin D and get my hands in some dirt.
I have key lime tree sprouts! That is very exciting! Three sprouts so far, they are very tiny, so I think more will come. They apparently grow pretty slowly--it took them two weeks to germinate. I woke up last night to a lot of rain, so I think I will wait and fertilize the garden tomorrow, I don't think I even need to water it today.
Heading out... maybe I'll post more later.
Garden looks pretty good...everything is growing nicely. I'll be happy when I can see some actual green beans.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Sending Love Out Into the Universe (I know I'm a hippie)...
Okay, I have made a decision. For the next month, I am going to send love out into the universe. Every. Single. Day.
I challenge myself to do something every day (CONSCIOUSLY!) to make someone else feel good. Things that I already do for people don't count. I have to actually think about it and do something nice for someone. And they have to know that someone made an effort. They don't necessarily have to know who.
The reason I came to this idea is that as I've mentioned before, recently I've been going through a very stressful time in my life. And I don't see much of an end in sight. So I have to do something that really makes me feel good instead of always just trying to get through the day. (I do not in any way mean to imply that I don't have some really wonderful things in my life, or that I'm not happy or anything like that, it's just a few things that are ongoing suck up all my attention.) I've been thinking for awhile about how good I feel when I do something nice for the person behind me in line. Sometimes I pay the toll on the highway for the person behind me or I pay for the order of the person behind me when I'm getting coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. These are tiny things as far as money goes--at most a couple of dollars--but I giggle all day after I've done it.
The cashier usually smiles and makes a nice comment, and I imagine she thinks about it and does something nice too. Then those two people who have had something nice done for them do something nice for two other people. Kind of like that old shampoo (was it Breck?) commercial.
One time my daughter asked me if anyone had ever done that for me, and I thought about it and no one ever has. But I don't care. That would be nice, but I probably wouldn't giggle about it all day.
So I am going to see if doing nice things for others really does make me happier than having other people do nice things for me. Will definitely post each day what happens.
I start tomorrow...
I challenge myself to do something every day (CONSCIOUSLY!) to make someone else feel good. Things that I already do for people don't count. I have to actually think about it and do something nice for someone. And they have to know that someone made an effort. They don't necessarily have to know who.
The reason I came to this idea is that as I've mentioned before, recently I've been going through a very stressful time in my life. And I don't see much of an end in sight. So I have to do something that really makes me feel good instead of always just trying to get through the day. (I do not in any way mean to imply that I don't have some really wonderful things in my life, or that I'm not happy or anything like that, it's just a few things that are ongoing suck up all my attention.) I've been thinking for awhile about how good I feel when I do something nice for the person behind me in line. Sometimes I pay the toll on the highway for the person behind me or I pay for the order of the person behind me when I'm getting coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. These are tiny things as far as money goes--at most a couple of dollars--but I giggle all day after I've done it.
The cashier usually smiles and makes a nice comment, and I imagine she thinks about it and does something nice too. Then those two people who have had something nice done for them do something nice for two other people. Kind of like that old shampoo (was it Breck?) commercial.
One time my daughter asked me if anyone had ever done that for me, and I thought about it and no one ever has. But I don't care. That would be nice, but I probably wouldn't giggle about it all day.
So I am going to see if doing nice things for others really does make me happier than having other people do nice things for me. Will definitely post each day what happens.
I start tomorrow...
Thursday, September 12, 2013
A Great Day at School!
Today was a great day at school. We got so much done, and the kids all were engaged and active in the classroom with the activities we planned. We stayed to our schedule, and even got some extra things done that we just have to fit in somewhere. We did apple rolling (art), added some sparkle to a previous art project (my classroom is KNOWN for it's propensity for glitter), did some writing about our observations in the science center (illustrating our observations of cut apples, using magnifying glasses), a math activity (counting tiny apples while placing them onto a tree mat with tongs, how many yellow, how many red, how many green, how many all together?) that was also good for fine motor practice, an "apple toss" at another center (tossing red, yellow, and green bean bags into a basket and counting them up), and finally, we started setting up our "Apple Store" in the dramatic play center. This is a loosely interpreted store, where we sell anything that has any remote thing to do with apples. Of course we sell apples, but we also sell apple cookies, Apple computers, apple jacks, etc. We also have our own economy. When you come in the store, the shopkeeper gives you money and when you buy something, you give it back to him or her. The friends set the prices and make their own signs. Photos to come (when the store gets finished).
Sometimes I feel like the day has gone by and I wonder what we really did? But days like today make up for those days by a long shot.
Sometimes I feel like the day has gone by and I wonder what we really did? But days like today make up for those days by a long shot.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
I Am A Professional....
Today I was professionally developed. I have been taking a series of workshops about supervising employees. No surprise, I suppose that I'd rather do something myself than argue with somebody else about why to do it. But the truth is, if I were a better supervisor, I wouldn't HAVE to do a lot of things myself.
Anyway, while I was there, I made a list of things to blog about. It goes as follows:
Anyway, while I was there, I made a list of things to blog about. It goes as follows:
- Benjamin Franklin had a group of people who met for forty years for "mutual improvement". Interesting concept.
- Learn to ENJOY NOW.
- I need to think about identifying what brings me joy, satisfaction and engagement. What makes me feel guilt, anger, boredom or remorse?
(On an unrelated note, perhaps if I paid better attention in the workshop instead of making lists, I would be a better supervisor...just a thought) I'm glad that this series is only one day a week (4 weeks). It's exhausting to have such a change in my schedule.
Tonight is the season premiere of Sons of Anarchy. I am SO looking forward to it. I think I need to marry Jax Teller. I wonder if he's into big girls.... food for thought.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Nothing much to talk about...
Back to work today... I love weekends, but I love work too. Apple Project, here I come!
My quiet, relaxed weekend went pretty much as planned. Yesterday I grocery shopped, which desperately needed to get done, and made cheesy chicken enchiladas for me, Kaleigh, Tara (daughter-in-law), Bianca and Bridgette (granddaughters). It was nice. They are all such sweet girls, and we laughed a lot, which was nice.
On Saturday, I had lunch with my friend Mary Beth, that was wonderful, as always. Other than that, this weekend I just puttered around, cooked, read, did a little cleaning and laundry, and worked in the garden a little. I didn't end up planting because the ground was so wet, maybe tonight I can do a little digging.
My quiet, relaxed weekend went pretty much as planned. Yesterday I grocery shopped, which desperately needed to get done, and made cheesy chicken enchiladas for me, Kaleigh, Tara (daughter-in-law), Bianca and Bridgette (granddaughters). It was nice. They are all such sweet girls, and we laughed a lot, which was nice.
On Saturday, I had lunch with my friend Mary Beth, that was wonderful, as always. Other than that, this weekend I just puttered around, cooked, read, did a little cleaning and laundry, and worked in the garden a little. I didn't end up planting because the ground was so wet, maybe tonight I can do a little digging.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
My Weekly Garden Center Haul...
I just got home from my weekly trip to Lowe's and I also stopped by Walmart's garden center that's across the street from Lowe's.
I got four very nice bright green Coleus for 25 cents each, and they look great. They don't look at all past their prime.
I got four vincas for 25 cents each also, and they look a little leggy, but they always come back nicely, and you really almost CAN'T kill them. They are pink.
At Walmart I found four leggy white pentas. They are pretty. I'm thinking I'm going to cluster all these plants in groups in my cottage garden. I guess that means I need to start digging out a bed tomorrow. The plumbagos I got last week are still in pots and they need to be planted too. I'm going to transplant some salvias into the bottle bed tomorrow, and use the pot for something else. I also need to transplant my key lime tree into another pot as it falls over every time it rains.
I said earlier that there were benefits to styling the garden either rows or cottage style. I think I want to lay them out here so I can make a decision about how I want to start working tomorrow. Nothing like a last minute decision. But... the good news is that if I hate it the way I do it, I can just dig everything up and plant it the other way. Soooo.... here we go.
Cottage Garden--clusters of different plants here and there. All of it mulched between plants. A few garden decorations here and there. I have a small collection of birdhouses, and I want to make a (fake) bee skep for in there also. The benefits to this type of garden is that it lends itself to the way I garden and buy plants. Now and then, here and there, a little random. Also, and not the least of which, this is the way nature works. Nature has never planted a row of anything. It would also be a lot easier to build this garden as I go. Plant what I have in the space I have, then dig up the next space. Add fruits and vegetables here and there, even a raised bed or pots look good in this style. Also I can add pavers here and there in a meandering path. I like that. I'm a little crooked myself.
Row Garden--this isn't really like a farmer's row garden, more like orderly rows of different plants. This appeals to me because I like to think I'm organized and this looks organized. I'm thinking as a guideline, 2 foot rows planted between 2 foot walkways. The beds will be mulched, an the walkways will be different materials in each one. Maybe gravel in one, then pavers in the next one. I can build this one as I go also, adding a row at a time, but since I buy plants a few at a time, and usually on clearance, the choices are sometimes limited (sometimes there's only a few of each plant) and I'm not sure how that's going to look in rows.
Wow, that didn't help at all. But I have made a decision after all. I think I'm going with the cottage garden style. I like nature. She's done things her way for a few years without me trying to force her into submission, and I already have some raised beds if I'm feeling like I need orderly squares or rows.
Decision made.
I got four very nice bright green Coleus for 25 cents each, and they look great. They don't look at all past their prime.
I got four vincas for 25 cents each also, and they look a little leggy, but they always come back nicely, and you really almost CAN'T kill them. They are pink.
At Walmart I found four leggy white pentas. They are pretty. I'm thinking I'm going to cluster all these plants in groups in my cottage garden. I guess that means I need to start digging out a bed tomorrow. The plumbagos I got last week are still in pots and they need to be planted too. I'm going to transplant some salvias into the bottle bed tomorrow, and use the pot for something else. I also need to transplant my key lime tree into another pot as it falls over every time it rains.
I said earlier that there were benefits to styling the garden either rows or cottage style. I think I want to lay them out here so I can make a decision about how I want to start working tomorrow. Nothing like a last minute decision. But... the good news is that if I hate it the way I do it, I can just dig everything up and plant it the other way. Soooo.... here we go.
Cottage Garden--clusters of different plants here and there. All of it mulched between plants. A few garden decorations here and there. I have a small collection of birdhouses, and I want to make a (fake) bee skep for in there also. The benefits to this type of garden is that it lends itself to the way I garden and buy plants. Now and then, here and there, a little random. Also, and not the least of which, this is the way nature works. Nature has never planted a row of anything. It would also be a lot easier to build this garden as I go. Plant what I have in the space I have, then dig up the next space. Add fruits and vegetables here and there, even a raised bed or pots look good in this style. Also I can add pavers here and there in a meandering path. I like that. I'm a little crooked myself.
Row Garden--this isn't really like a farmer's row garden, more like orderly rows of different plants. This appeals to me because I like to think I'm organized and this looks organized. I'm thinking as a guideline, 2 foot rows planted between 2 foot walkways. The beds will be mulched, an the walkways will be different materials in each one. Maybe gravel in one, then pavers in the next one. I can build this one as I go also, adding a row at a time, but since I buy plants a few at a time, and usually on clearance, the choices are sometimes limited (sometimes there's only a few of each plant) and I'm not sure how that's going to look in rows.
Wow, that didn't help at all. But I have made a decision after all. I think I'm going with the cottage garden style. I like nature. She's done things her way for a few years without me trying to force her into submission, and I already have some raised beds if I'm feeling like I need orderly squares or rows.
Decision made.
I'm feeling a lot better today about everything. Some issues have resolved themselves with some help, for which I am so thankful I can't even express it yet. I got a good night's sleep, which can only help any situation.
Enough of that.
I went out to work in the garden this morning, it's cool out (as cool as Orlando gets in September), and overcast. All the rain lately has been doing wonders in the garden, so there was truly nothing to do. Everything looks great, is growing wonderfully, there aren't many weeds, nothing needed to be fertilized, so I just puttered around--checking everything out, and thinking about where I'm going to put the lasagna beds.
There's a couple of options there. I can do them English cottage style, with the whole area mulched and plants here and there, and walkways meandering through. The plants will fill in as they grow this way, and I love the way this looks. I will also add decorations here and there (not too many). Or I can do orderly rows with different types of plants and walkways between. The paths will be added as I need them, with whatever materials I come across when I'm ready to make them. I feel I may be describing this in a little bit "grander" terms than I really need to because the area isn't very big. It's the strip of grass between my driveway and the neighbor's yard. It's maybe 10 ft. by 30 ft. not including the area I already have my raised beds in. There are benefits to both ways.
While I was thinking, I did pull some basil off the plant and stick it into the dirt in my large herb pot. That works well, and I have a bare area in there. The salvias are really looking pretty, even the ones that seemed like they weren't going to make it a couple of weeks ago. I put them into a pot, but they are rallying. No flowers on those yet, but the leaves look good and healthy.
I've never had any luck with cucumbers and squash in the raised beds, so this year I decided to try something different. I planted one squash and two cucumbers in the beds, and planted one squash and a two different varieties of cucumbers in pots to see if that made any difference. I have also been using my homemade fertilizer (***Recipe Below***) on them religiously, and they are all looking really good. The cucumbers in the boxes aren't growing very big, but they are flowering, and I've been making a point to hand fertilize them, and I think we have had more rain than they like, but they are looking pretty good, if small. The ones in the pots are all doing well, but they are still little babies. As for the squash, they are going berserk! Growing like crazy in the box and the pot, and I see LOTS of flowers, which I will also try to hand pollinate just to make sure. I LOVE CUCUMBERS AND SQUASH.
***Home made fertilizer-- I keep a large jar (probably two quarts) on my counter, fill it halfway with water, and crush up any egg shells I come across and throw them in as well as my coffee grounds and tea bags and let them all stew for a couple of days. I shake it up every now and then and put it into a large watering can, fill it up the rest of the way with water and use it on the vegetables in the garden. I truly believe this has made the difference in my garden this year.
When I came in from the garden I cleaned up the kitchen. Not nearly as fun, but necessary and a clean kitchen makes me feel good. My lesson plans are done for this week and tentatively next week, all my things for work are done, so I can just be domestic and calm this weekend.
Just like I planned.
Enough of that.
I went out to work in the garden this morning, it's cool out (as cool as Orlando gets in September), and overcast. All the rain lately has been doing wonders in the garden, so there was truly nothing to do. Everything looks great, is growing wonderfully, there aren't many weeds, nothing needed to be fertilized, so I just puttered around--checking everything out, and thinking about where I'm going to put the lasagna beds.
There's a couple of options there. I can do them English cottage style, with the whole area mulched and plants here and there, and walkways meandering through. The plants will fill in as they grow this way, and I love the way this looks. I will also add decorations here and there (not too many). Or I can do orderly rows with different types of plants and walkways between. The paths will be added as I need them, with whatever materials I come across when I'm ready to make them. I feel I may be describing this in a little bit "grander" terms than I really need to because the area isn't very big. It's the strip of grass between my driveway and the neighbor's yard. It's maybe 10 ft. by 30 ft. not including the area I already have my raised beds in. There are benefits to both ways.
While I was thinking, I did pull some basil off the plant and stick it into the dirt in my large herb pot. That works well, and I have a bare area in there. The salvias are really looking pretty, even the ones that seemed like they weren't going to make it a couple of weeks ago. I put them into a pot, but they are rallying. No flowers on those yet, but the leaves look good and healthy.
I've never had any luck with cucumbers and squash in the raised beds, so this year I decided to try something different. I planted one squash and two cucumbers in the beds, and planted one squash and a two different varieties of cucumbers in pots to see if that made any difference. I have also been using my homemade fertilizer (***Recipe Below***) on them religiously, and they are all looking really good. The cucumbers in the boxes aren't growing very big, but they are flowering, and I've been making a point to hand fertilize them, and I think we have had more rain than they like, but they are looking pretty good, if small. The ones in the pots are all doing well, but they are still little babies. As for the squash, they are going berserk! Growing like crazy in the box and the pot, and I see LOTS of flowers, which I will also try to hand pollinate just to make sure. I LOVE CUCUMBERS AND SQUASH.
***Home made fertilizer-- I keep a large jar (probably two quarts) on my counter, fill it halfway with water, and crush up any egg shells I come across and throw them in as well as my coffee grounds and tea bags and let them all stew for a couple of days. I shake it up every now and then and put it into a large watering can, fill it up the rest of the way with water and use it on the vegetables in the garden. I truly believe this has made the difference in my garden this year.
When I came in from the garden I cleaned up the kitchen. Not nearly as fun, but necessary and a clean kitchen makes me feel good. My lesson plans are done for this week and tentatively next week, all my things for work are done, so I can just be domestic and calm this weekend.
Just like I planned.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Stress...
I have been going through a very stressful time in my life for the last couple weeks. It seems like I can't get a break. SEVERAL traumatic events have happened, and they are feeling a little overwhelming to me. I don't want to really discuss them because it involves others' privacy, but I am trying to deal with one situation at a time.
I really need things to settle down a little bit. I'm not sleeping well, and I have a stomachache from the stress and anxiety. So this weekend, I plan to be very gentle with myself. I'm going to cook meals with Kaleigh (which we both enjoy), relax, read, work in the garden, have lunch with Chicken Noodle, and generally do the things that make me happy.
I really need things to settle down a little bit. I'm not sleeping well, and I have a stomachache from the stress and anxiety. So this weekend, I plan to be very gentle with myself. I'm going to cook meals with Kaleigh (which we both enjoy), relax, read, work in the garden, have lunch with Chicken Noodle, and generally do the things that make me happy.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Some Thoughts About Teaching....
Some random thoughts, really.
- I don't know if I've said this before, but I really love my job. I teach small children (3 and 4) in a lab school setting at a university. I realize that in some ways, it's an ideal situation--for example, I have lots of help in my classroom in the form of an assistant every day, work study students who work with us for several years at a time, and volunteers who are usually education students getting practicum hours, but kids are kids, and this age is really awesome. They constantly surprise me with how excited they are to learn.
- I've been looking around online for some resources, and I have to say, I am very disturbed by what is out there that is completely inappropriate. Some of it is cute...but that doesn't make it appropriate. Or real. I'm a big fan of "real" in my classroom. For example, we are working on an apple project right now, and we have real apples to count, sort, compare, weigh, sink or float, paint, draw, write about, observe, cut open and whatever else we come up with (to include my class of three-year-olds, me, my assistant, and the college students). No worksheets.
- I love the people I work with. We are all in sync and work together well.
- I love to do presentations.
- I am not a good singer. A little pumpkin in my class went home and told his parents that I am the best singer he ever heard. I think I've said before, what I lack in talent, I make up for in enthusiasm. Unfortunately his parents believed him and asked me to sing something for them. They won't be making that mistake again.
- When I got divorced (10 years ago or however long ago it was), I got a job at this great preschool in the office, part time. The day I walked in there, I fell in love with the place, and told my boss that I hoped she liked me because I was never leaving. And I haven't. I changed to full time, became the office manager, went back to college, got a teaching degree and license, and now I'm teaching at the school.
- We all learn together in our classroom. That again includes the children, me, my assistant, work study students, volunteers and anyone else who might want to join us.
I'm Dreaming of Key Limes....etc.
One key lime seed sprouted today--isn't that exciting? Maybe someday I can pick my own 23 key limes from this little tiny tree.
GOODNESS, it's hotter than hot in Orlando today. I left work early today for an appointment, and I cannot believe how hot it is outside!
My great friend Chicken Noodle came to visit me at work today, and many of my coworkers told me that it made them laugh to hear us laughing... she absolutely is my partner in crime. Next time I see her, I will get a picture of us together, and post it. She's a pretty good sport.
Kaleigh is sitting in the living room, making bracelets out of beads. She is also singing to herself, which is so cute I can hardly stand it. If only she understood how adorable I think she is....
I think I'll do a little reading this afternoon with my extra time off. Then I plan to work in the garden when it cools off a little bit. It needs to be watered. And I need to look closely for weeds, it amazes me that I don't see any for a long time, then all of a sudden they are everywhere. Maybe I need to mulch better. I'll think about that.
I wish I had made some decisions about the chicken quilt yesterday so I could work on it today. But I need to let things stew in my mind a little bit before deciding, and I don't like to rush things or I might not like the outcome. This is true for a lot of things.
No pictures today--do you want to see pictures? Nobody is leaving comments, in spite of the many visits to this blog each day, so I can't tell what people want to see. If you let me know, I promise to deliver it...(within reason, of course).
I've been thinking about making a challenge for myself--any ideas out there about what it should be? So far, I've come up with the following possibilities, and of course, I would blog about it daily.
GOODNESS, it's hotter than hot in Orlando today. I left work early today for an appointment, and I cannot believe how hot it is outside!
My great friend Chicken Noodle came to visit me at work today, and many of my coworkers told me that it made them laugh to hear us laughing... she absolutely is my partner in crime. Next time I see her, I will get a picture of us together, and post it. She's a pretty good sport.
Kaleigh is sitting in the living room, making bracelets out of beads. She is also singing to herself, which is so cute I can hardly stand it. If only she understood how adorable I think she is....
I think I'll do a little reading this afternoon with my extra time off. Then I plan to work in the garden when it cools off a little bit. It needs to be watered. And I need to look closely for weeds, it amazes me that I don't see any for a long time, then all of a sudden they are everywhere. Maybe I need to mulch better. I'll think about that.
I wish I had made some decisions about the chicken quilt yesterday so I could work on it today. But I need to let things stew in my mind a little bit before deciding, and I don't like to rush things or I might not like the outcome. This is true for a lot of things.
No pictures today--do you want to see pictures? Nobody is leaving comments, in spite of the many visits to this blog each day, so I can't tell what people want to see. If you let me know, I promise to deliver it...(within reason, of course).
I've been thinking about making a challenge for myself--any ideas out there about what it should be? So far, I've come up with the following possibilities, and of course, I would blog about it daily.
- Blogging every day for a month (I can start small, add later if I want to).
- Money-saving--keep a running total of how much money I can save in a month.
- Do-One-Thing----I can do one thing to simplify my life each day, and post about it and decide if it's worth continuing.
Any votes? Or other ideas? If nobody comments, I guess I'll consult Chicken Noodle and ask her what she thinks, but I already KNOW which one she'll choose....
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
My Favorite Books.... A List
I'm a crazy reader. I will read almost anything. This is a list of books I adore (not a complete list, will add as I think of them) and why I love them. These are not in any particular order.
- The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. This book warms my heart, although the subject matter is hard. I found it super comforting that after people die, they might go to their own ideal heaven and keep an eye on us.
- Lucky by Alice Sebold. This is Alice's true life story about a horrible thing that happened to her when she was in college and how she's come through it, good and bad.
- The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer. Okay, I admit it, I'm a nerd. I'm being brutally honest. The books are so much better than the movies.
- Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride. This might be out of print, but it's a great book about simple living.
- The Secret Life Of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Maybe my all-time favorite book. Just a great story, with everything you want in a book.
- The Quarter Acre Farm by Spring Warren. A woman decides feed herself and her family from her yard. And her chickens. Her goal was to provide 80% of their food by weight. What's not to love about that?
- Little House in the Suburbs by Deanna Caswell and Daisy Siskin. This is a book about backyard farming and home skills for self-sufficient living. Love this book.
- The Feast Nearby by Robin Mather. A woman loses her job and her marriage within two weeks and moves to a rural cabin. She decides to eat locally and writes about her year.
- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Another one of my very faves. It's exactly what it says it is. Very believable, it's almost difficult to think a man wrote this--is that sexist?
- The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. Great book.
- Wicked by Gregory Maguire. What's not to love about flying monkeys and defying gravity?
- The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Great book about how we are all connected. The funny thing is that I didn't think I liked it very much as I was reading it, but it comes to my mind all the time since then (maybe ten years ago).
- It by Stephen King. Pennywise the clown. Need I say more? Stupid movie, but the book is scary as crap. I used to read this now and then when my ex-husband was in the field or deployed, and I'd have to stash it in the freezer so I could sleep.
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Awesome book.
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It's just a great book.
- Mind in the Making by Ellen Gallinsky. This explains the seven life skills that children need to learn, but it's pertinent to adults as well. VERY interesting.
- The Help by Katheryn Stockett. If you've seen the movie I don't need to explain.
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. This author took a year to explore various myths and ideas about what makes people happy and kept stringent records (which is fascinating in itself, worth reading the book to figure out how she did this) about what worked and what didn't. For example, does money make people happy? She concentrated on one thing at a time and has some interesting things to say on the subject.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Seed Packets... a tutorial.
I'm sitting here folding the most adorable little seed packets! I will use these to trade seeds or give gifts of seeds. Aren't they pretty?
These were made out of a notepad I got at the dollar store--I learned how to do them out of post-its, but these are so cute I might just keep making them this way. I get a lot of those notepads as little gifts and always seem to have some around. I know I'd like to get seeds in one of these!
I'll try to show you... (this seems way more complicated in writing than it is, so I suggest you get a paper and follow along--it's really simple) These are the kind of notepads I used. Sorry about the change in background.
1. With the paper wrong side up, fold the bottom of the paper up, leaving the part you want for the flap above the bottom part. (If you are using a post-it notepad, make sure the sticky part is on the flap at the top.)
2. Fold both sides in about 1/4 inch. This step might not be necessary, but I found that it makes the envelopes a little more sturdy and makes a little wiggle room for the seeds, so I do it.
These were made out of a notepad I got at the dollar store--I learned how to do them out of post-its, but these are so cute I might just keep making them this way. I get a lot of those notepads as little gifts and always seem to have some around. I know I'd like to get seeds in one of these!
I'll try to show you... (this seems way more complicated in writing than it is, so I suggest you get a paper and follow along--it's really simple) These are the kind of notepads I used. Sorry about the change in background.
1. With the paper wrong side up, fold the bottom of the paper up, leaving the part you want for the flap above the bottom part. (If you are using a post-it notepad, make sure the sticky part is on the flap at the top.)
2. Fold both sides in about 1/4 inch. This step might not be necessary, but I found that it makes the envelopes a little more sturdy and makes a little wiggle room for the seeds, so I do it.
3. Open the flaps you just folded, and cut where I have indicated below. You don't really need to mark this, just cut it away. (The paper on the left has it cut away, the one on the right shows where to cut.
4. Now open up the paper so it's flat, wrong side up. Fold the flaps toward the wrong side.
5. Fold the bottom up keeping the flaps inside.
6. Tape along the sides.
7. Fold flap down. If you used a post it notepad, this would be resealable.
Super cute! If you have any problems or something isn't clear, please leave a comment--I will get back to you!
Happy Labor Day!
Doesn't it seem ironic that most of us have the day off on "Labor Day"? Just a thought. For everyone who labors every day, even if you have to work today, have a great labor day.
Today is a new day. It does no good to dwell onthe huge, steaming shit pile of yesterday, it's gone. (A friend reminded me of this last night--thanks MB!) So today I'm going to smile, put on some lipstick and make this day better.
The coffee's on, laundry is going, the sun is shining. My plants look fabulously happy after last night's THUNDERSTORM and I definitely don't need to water them this morning. (I love it when I don't have to pay for the water for them) I think I'll give myself a mani-pedi today so I feel like a million bucks when I go back to work tomorrow.
In my classroom, we are starting on our apple project tomorrow. It will probably last three weeks, or until my little friends lose interest. This is one of my favorite projects that I do in my classroom because the kids are learning the kinds of things we are going to do this year, and you would absolutely be shocked at how interested they are in something they are all familiar with. We do lots of experiments, write about our observations (either by drawing pictures or dictation, or both), practice writing and reading apple vocabulary words from cards with pictures and words, count various things, add (how many red apples, how many yellow apples, how many all together), sort, weigh, measure, compare (apple seeds to other seeds, apples to apples), ask questions and research the answers, make charts, taste, cook, bring apple things from home, and generally do all things APPLE. Really looking forward to it.
I think I'll make some seed envelopes today--I watched a YouTube video on how to make them out of post-its, and I think we all know that office supplies are one of the great loves of my life, so this is a perfect fit. They are tiny and cute, and I'd like to trade some seeds at some point.
I've been looking at my chicken quilt blocks (from a LONG time ago). Realistically, I am probably never going to finish the rest of those blocks (pictured below), but maybe I can make the ones I have work.
Today is a new day. It does no good to dwell on
The coffee's on, laundry is going, the sun is shining. My plants look fabulously happy after last night's THUNDERSTORM and I definitely don't need to water them this morning. (I love it when I don't have to pay for the water for them) I think I'll give myself a mani-pedi today so I feel like a million bucks when I go back to work tomorrow.
In my classroom, we are starting on our apple project tomorrow. It will probably last three weeks, or until my little friends lose interest. This is one of my favorite projects that I do in my classroom because the kids are learning the kinds of things we are going to do this year, and you would absolutely be shocked at how interested they are in something they are all familiar with. We do lots of experiments, write about our observations (either by drawing pictures or dictation, or both), practice writing and reading apple vocabulary words from cards with pictures and words, count various things, add (how many red apples, how many yellow apples, how many all together), sort, weigh, measure, compare (apple seeds to other seeds, apples to apples), ask questions and research the answers, make charts, taste, cook, bring apple things from home, and generally do all things APPLE. Really looking forward to it.
I think I'll make some seed envelopes today--I watched a YouTube video on how to make them out of post-its, and I think we all know that office supplies are one of the great loves of my life, so this is a perfect fit. They are tiny and cute, and I'd like to trade some seeds at some point.
I've been looking at my chicken quilt blocks (from a LONG time ago). Realistically, I am probably never going to finish the rest of those blocks (pictured below), but maybe I can make the ones I have work.
These blocks are hand appliqued--meaning that every piece is individually cut out and the edges turned under a tiny bit and stitched by hand. I don't have that kind of time any more, so that probably isn't going to happen for the remainder of the blocks. So I'm thinking about how I can use the blocks I have--maybe adding a border with some flowered vines around it. I can't see how I'm going to avoid doing at least one more block though. Love those chickens! And I will hand quilt the finished product, of course. I've been thinking a lot about how I need a project to work on. I don't watch much tv, but having something to work on when I do watch makes me feel like I'm not wasting time.
On a side note, I know I'm not a very good photographer, and I'm slowly learning more about how to use my camera properly, so sorry for the non-photo shopped pictures. When I look at other blogs, the photography takes my breath away sometimes, but this one isn't really about the photos, they just help to tell the story.
I'm finding it very exciting and funny that my blog is getting so many visits these days. When I opened it up to the world, I had some reservations--it's very difficult knowing that all your stuff is out there to be judged and read by whoever, or worse, by nobody. In the past some of my personal stuff has been misused by others, but I figure that's their own karma, not mine. But it's been very pleasant to see how many visits I've had. So thanks to all of you who are visiting and reading what I have to say--I really appreciate it. And if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to comment, I welcome feedback as well.
I have a huge pile of library books on the subject of gardening, compost, etc. waiting for me so I think I'll do a little reading out in the sun this morning before officially getting my day going. An extra day off is a lovely thing.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
My Birthday Lunch
I had a great lunch with Bianca, Bridgette, Brett and Tara yesterday. Here is my big girl and me! Below you can see my son and Tara--love them. Baby Bridgie was a whirlwind of activity so the pictures I took of her were blurry--I'll get one next time I see her.
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