A friend once said, "Never underestimate the power of mulch." I'm thinking she is one of the wisest people right now, as I look at my yard with giddy excitement! I started out with 10 bags of mulch (thinking I would have so much leftover)....and then I went back to Home Depot 2 more times, making my TOTAL mulch purchase equal 40 bags, YES, 40!!!!
I must preface that my yard has been pretty much neglected for the past 2 years, getting only the least, absolute necessary care. Although I live on one acre, we have numerous flowerbeds and areas around the trees that used to have mulch, but now have more black plastic showing than mulch. Between childbirth, other surgeries, and moving to Interlochen last summer, the yard wasn't high on the priority list. I had many ideas that never had a chance of evolving due to the lack of time. This summer, however, I have decided to put the yard slightly higher on the list.....and it all began with mulch.
My once weed-filled flowerbeds are now clean and fresh looking!! The area around my trees are blanketed with mulch! The area where the dog is chained up now has a nice layer of mulch, instead of exposed dirt from the constant wear and tear. Mulch and more mulch everywhere! What a difference mulch makes!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Mom, just tell me the truth.
OUCH......I hate when conversations start like that. As a parent, I am as honest and frank as I can be with my kids. Of course, this pertains to Abbi, as Amelia is way too young to even care. But with Abbi, it's a whole different story. Some of you know about my somewhat recent discussions with Abbi about the existence of Santa. You see, many of her friends no longer believe in the Jolly Man, and have teased her endlessly about still believing. I've tried to say, "Abbi, it doesn't matter what the other kids think; what you believe is YOUR business, and no one can tell you what to believe/not believe." My intentions were simple: to buy Doug and I some time to figure out how to handle such a delicate issue. I could have said that I was building confidence and self-esteem......that might have been a possible outcome, but frankly, I would be stretching the truth.Up to this point, our plan was working (or should I say the band aid was sticking pretty well.) Until today.
As we are riding home from church, Abbi pops out, "Mom.......is Santa real?" ---just like that! Out of the BLUE! I collect myself and ask her, "What do you believe?" She then busts into this huge conversation about how her friends think she is crazy for believing in Santa, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy----and told her that it was US doing all of it. (How rude is that?)
You see, I think in the back of my head, my greatest worry was that if she found out about Santa and all of the others, that she would start to question as to whether God was real. And although I am a Christian, I was nervous about answering that......even though I believe with all of my heart that Christ is my Savior! God obviously knew that I need the words to say(of course he did), because my pastor's sermon was all about God: The Miracle Worker! Pastor Paul went on about all 47 miracles that Jesus performed, and how each one is documented in the Bible------PROOF that they happened, and therefore proof that God is REAL. Pastor Paul also discussed other religions, and how they attempt to say their way/belief system is the only way. Pastor Paul put it simply: "God is the only way, and the proof is on the 47 miracles he performed, that are documented in the Bible. And I'm following the guy who is doing the miracles!!! --and He's still doing them today." I love it!
Needless to say, Abbi now knows that there isn't a Santa, or an Easter Bunny, or a Tooth Fairy. We actually Googled the History and Santa, and the History of the Easter Bunny and discussed at great length the many traditions that other families/cultures follow. But with Christmas and Easter, it's so much more about Jesus, our Savior. Abbi never questioned me about the existence of God. I guess my worry was for nothing.
As we are riding home from church, Abbi pops out, "Mom.......is Santa real?" ---just like that! Out of the BLUE! I collect myself and ask her, "What do you believe?" She then busts into this huge conversation about how her friends think she is crazy for believing in Santa, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy----and told her that it was US doing all of it. (How rude is that?)
You see, I think in the back of my head, my greatest worry was that if she found out about Santa and all of the others, that she would start to question as to whether God was real. And although I am a Christian, I was nervous about answering that......even though I believe with all of my heart that Christ is my Savior! God obviously knew that I need the words to say(of course he did), because my pastor's sermon was all about God: The Miracle Worker! Pastor Paul went on about all 47 miracles that Jesus performed, and how each one is documented in the Bible------PROOF that they happened, and therefore proof that God is REAL. Pastor Paul also discussed other religions, and how they attempt to say their way/belief system is the only way. Pastor Paul put it simply: "God is the only way, and the proof is on the 47 miracles he performed, that are documented in the Bible. And I'm following the guy who is doing the miracles!!! --and He's still doing them today." I love it!
Needless to say, Abbi now knows that there isn't a Santa, or an Easter Bunny, or a Tooth Fairy. We actually Googled the History and Santa, and the History of the Easter Bunny and discussed at great length the many traditions that other families/cultures follow. But with Christmas and Easter, it's so much more about Jesus, our Savior. Abbi never questioned me about the existence of God. I guess my worry was for nothing.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Let Spring Begin!
It's 8:36pm, the birds are still chirping, and it's just getting dark. It's so exciting!!! I don't know about you, but this winter has been longer than I care to experience. About a month ago, I was really wishing that we lived in a warmer climate, and even considered packing everyone up to head south! And what's with all of the crud going around that is almost impossible to get rid of. People, it's time for SPRING!
Today I felt the most productive I've felt in a long time. Yard work will do that for me. I love laboring over my yard, and then admiring the work. In different situations, you may work at something for days or even weeks, often with no sense of accomplishment. NOT WITH YARD WORK! It's immediate gratification, my friends! The work you put in results in the beauty of your yard. It's very satisfying. :) I also loved that my entire family was in on the work. I love doing stuff like this as a family. Team-work is really what it's all about.
I hope you had a chance to get outside, maybe even do some yard work.....or maybe you just had time to open the windows in your house or car. Either way, I hope you enjoyed the day. More days like this are just around the corner!!!!!!
Today I felt the most productive I've felt in a long time. Yard work will do that for me. I love laboring over my yard, and then admiring the work. In different situations, you may work at something for days or even weeks, often with no sense of accomplishment. NOT WITH YARD WORK! It's immediate gratification, my friends! The work you put in results in the beauty of your yard. It's very satisfying. :) I also loved that my entire family was in on the work. I love doing stuff like this as a family. Team-work is really what it's all about.
I hope you had a chance to get outside, maybe even do some yard work.....or maybe you just had time to open the windows in your house or car. Either way, I hope you enjoyed the day. More days like this are just around the corner!!!!!!
The power of a crying 2yr old.
It's the middle of the night. Amelia starts crying, which is sadly a common occurrence in our house. It seems that she only wants her Mommy in the middle of the night. Doug has tried several times in an effort to let me sleep, only to have Amelia scream louder.....and then even the dog is awake.
This morning, however, not even Mommy could soothe this child. She wanted a bottle, and it was either we fix one, or the screaming would continue. So, being the obedient and well-trained parents that we are, a bottle was fixed. She ate, and then promptly fell back asleep. Only after we tried everything else in our bag of tricks.
Now that's some serious power. We are like pawns on her chessboard. She has worn us down to the point that we will pretty much do anything in an effort to get some sleep at night. It's clear that Amelia is in charge......at least at night.
Abbi never had such ugly sleeping habits......which leaves Doug and I baffled and yes, sleep-deprived in a big bad way. My mom laughs, but also understands more than anyone, as she experienced this same night owl craziness.......with ME.
This morning, however, not even Mommy could soothe this child. She wanted a bottle, and it was either we fix one, or the screaming would continue. So, being the obedient and well-trained parents that we are, a bottle was fixed. She ate, and then promptly fell back asleep. Only after we tried everything else in our bag of tricks.
Now that's some serious power. We are like pawns on her chessboard. She has worn us down to the point that we will pretty much do anything in an effort to get some sleep at night. It's clear that Amelia is in charge......at least at night.
Abbi never had such ugly sleeping habits......which leaves Doug and I baffled and yes, sleep-deprived in a big bad way. My mom laughs, but also understands more than anyone, as she experienced this same night owl craziness.......with ME.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Book lover.....translation: Anti-Nook/Kindle, etc.
Ah, books.......I love them. The smell of them, the texture....call me crazy, but they make me happy and bring a certain amount of comfort to my life. I usually have 3 going at once: a quick read, a more involved, change your life sort of read, a self-help book, a parenting book for reference, a bible.....ok, maybe more than 3! Haha!
I feel incredibly lucky that BOTH of my children also enjoy reading. --and thank goodness they do, as I would be baffled and disturbed at the idea of them not loving to read.
Which brings me to the huge issue I have with the Kindle/Nook, etc. I can't even pretend that this little piece of equipment is anywhere close to a book! There is something so much more intimate about a book: where it's been, who has read it, the creased pages, people who insist on highlighting profound passages (I also do this!). There is a richness to a book, that no machine could ever replicate. End of story.
I feel incredibly lucky that BOTH of my children also enjoy reading. --and thank goodness they do, as I would be baffled and disturbed at the idea of them not loving to read.
Which brings me to the huge issue I have with the Kindle/Nook, etc. I can't even pretend that this little piece of equipment is anywhere close to a book! There is something so much more intimate about a book: where it's been, who has read it, the creased pages, people who insist on highlighting profound passages (I also do this!). There is a richness to a book, that no machine could ever replicate. End of story.
HERE I AM!! :)
Welcome to this crazy blog world! Come and be "stuck in the middle" with me. :) For those of you who know that song, it is one that can always cause me to dance in some form or another. Pretty timeless, actually. It reminds of Summer---when all great dancing occurs! :)
How out of control am I that I choose a Friday night to start a blog? I really need to slow down.... At any rate, here I am, sharing my life while I'm....stuck in the middle with you.
How out of control am I that I choose a Friday night to start a blog? I really need to slow down.... At any rate, here I am, sharing my life while I'm....stuck in the middle with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)