Mary Mary quite contrary

how does my garden grow?  It doesn't.  I am so confused and frustrated.  My plants have tons of blossoms but hardly anything is producing a veggie. 

One of the plants that has veggies is my cherry tomato plant and it only grew about a foot and produced 8 or 9 tomatoes.  Every thing else looks very healthy, green. leafy and large but they are not producing any veggies.  The other plants that has produced something is Cal's hot peppers.  If it is an animal eating them it would make sense that they are staying away from the peppers. 

I know that I have a few squirrels in the neighborhood, and at night (almost every night) I can tell we also have a skunk.   Does anyone have any suggestions.  I don't see any of the plants being eaten or have any sort of bug or disease. 

I have some nice strawberries and hopefully I will be able to eat those in a few days. Now Dante insisted on putting mulch in the garden, and I thought for water control that might be a good idea but don't know if that might have and something to do with my plants not producing

my cherry tomatoes that are only about a foot high

.

Squash or zucchini - notice all the blossoms.  Now I do see an empty stem there but that seems to be the only one. 

 

A few nice strawberries

  

A large tomato plant with lots of flowers but not a single tomato

cucumber plant with flowers but no cucumbers. 

I should also mention that this garden has been in the ground since early June.  If the plants looked weak I could understand but look at these plants.

Getting Old

I have to face facts, I am getting old.  I am starting to do old lady things.  An example, you ask?  Well I make lists.  I make lists because I cannot remember what I am doing once I leave my cubbie area.  If I had a dollar for every time I left my cubbie to do something, only to have to return a few seconds later because I got as far as the office door and forgot where I was going.

Now my lists are not always lists of things to do that day, they may be lists of things to do within those next few minutes.  I feel like some of my lists look like this:  1.  Go to the bathroom.  2.  Walk to the elementary wing.  3.  Clean up the spill they just called about.  4.  Use the bathroom.  5.  Return to my desk. 

Items number 1 and 4 are another area that convince me I am getting old.  I usually put in a 6 to 8 hour day.  I spend most of my time in the little girls room. 

Now I do make real normal lists also.  At the beginning of my day I make a few different types.  Things to do that day or even that week.  Things I need to discuss with people and, well you get the picture.  I am the queen of lists.

Today my list included making  phone calls about

This week my list at work has consisted of making phone calls.  Call for tire prices.  Call to get vehicles inspected.  Call members about this or that.  Call about  canadian steel buildings. We have so much stuff and so little storage.  I don't really enjoy phone calls.  I feel like everyone in the office is listening to you on the phone. 

I have to go make my list for things to keep at work instead of trying to bring them back and forth every day.   You would have thought that I would have made this list earlier since I have worked there almost three years now, I think I forgot, but I don't remember.......

A $2.00 a day habit

My favorite summertime treat without a doubt is Lindy's Frozen Lemonade.  Right now this family has a $2.00 a day habit. 

I have found that if you leave it out for 10 to 15 minutes before you eat it, and it has a chance to get a little slushy it is the best. 

I know that eventually the cooler weather will roll around and it just does not taste as good in the winter, so I will enjoy it as much as I can now.

Skipping the coffee

Several days last week I skipped my normal cup of coffee in the morning.  Lately that is the only time I drink a cup, first thing in the morning.  Oddly enough I think I felt better during the day.  There may have been some other factors but I do think the coffee played a part.

I thought when I first decided to give it up that I might have to wear a lapel pin warning others of the situation.

Today I decided to have a cup because the temperature was cool and it sounded so good. As I sit here typing this blog I have to wonder what I was thinking. My stomach has soured and I just don't feel very well.

I do love coffee, but if it is going to make me feel this way, I certainly won't be drinking much. Of course once the winter arrives it might be a different story. Oh by the way, I HATE ice coffee. I have no idea how people can drink that nasty stuff.

Grrrr

Sometimes I have to wonder what retail stores are thinking.  Yesterday my huband found several items that he wanted to purchase at Timberline.  We had a coupon for 10% off a $100 or more.  Our order came within two cents of that total.  Dante asked the cashier if she might be able to adjust the price of one of the items.  She stated that she could not and recommended that we make an additional purchase of shoes laces for $3.00.

After walking around the store for several more minutes we decided to put items back The worker rolled her eyes at us several times when we announced that, no we would not purchase something additional we would rather put a few items back. She could not believe how ridiculous we were being and told us several times that we would still be saving $7.00 and were we really giving up a $7.00 discount over $3.00.

In my mind it was principle, They were giving up a $30.00 sale (the price of the returned items) for $.02 and she was mocking us because we didn't want to make a $3.00 purchase to save $7.00.

Now for the real grrrr portion of my rant. This morning I decided to go onto their VIP section and look at something I saw in passing yesterday. I noticed a Timberline coupon there yesterday but we had not had much luck in the store before so I didn't even look at it. The coupon was for 30% off your entire order.

I wish the cashier would have told me "Hey, there is a 30% off coupon on the web". I am so tempted to return all the items and repurchase them the next day. The only problem is that my husbands size is not common and we had to ask if they had more in the back to find the ones we did.

Seriously though, don't these people realize that if they would have told me about the coupon that they would earn more business from me and I would go into that store each time I shopped there. Now I am upset and might not go in as often. Being in business for myself I understand the concept of taking care of the customer. Obviously Timberline does not.

Baby news!

One of my very good friends at work just announced that she is expecting.  I know this has not been an easy road for her and I started crying the moment she told me.  Granted I think I was more concerned about the fact that she would soon be leaving me,  but I have issues. 

Ever since the news has arrived I have been noticing baby items.  Yesterday at the Croc store I saw so many cute little shoes.  She shares my obsession with Crocs and I know that she will just love those for her little one. 

There are so many items that she is going to need however and cute little shoes are probably not on her list.  She will need everything from a crib to a stroller.  I wonder if she would like the Britax B-Ready stroller. It looks like something I would have loved when Cal was little.

All I know is that she better register somewhere soon because I need to be able to space my purchases out over time. 

I am so happy for them, I know how stressful it can be to attend our church were certain families have a new baby every year.  (No I am not exaggerating - we have several families that are 12 and going strong.)  Worse yet is watching families have babies each year and they cannot control the ones they do have.

Still within reach.

Each year for several years now my goal has been to climb Mt. Monadnock, my second goal is to learn how to spell that so I don't have to look it up each time.  Then as the summer starts to wind down I realize that I am in no condition to do so! 

Here we are in late July and the time is running out again.  The last time I climbed this mountain was with two ladies and we did so in October or November and frankly that is the time range that I shoot for each year.  The summer is usually just too hot.  You do have to be careful waiting so late because you can get yourself into big trouble with the weather.  It might be awesome at the bottom and freezing at the top.

The very tip of the mountain, which I have never been to, requires more care and proper attire because it is total rock. 

I think I am going to add this activity to my prayer list.  I know that sounds silly to add such a silly item but I do believe God said,  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  So I shall take my silly request to him. 

I am also thinking about asking some ladies to try the climb with me but I probably won't because I hate rejection.

Productive Day

Today was an awesome day on all levels.  The weather was perfect, with a comfortable temperature with virtually no humidity. 

We also worked very well as a family, completing some household tasks before going shopping for a few hours.

This morning between the three of us we cleaned a bathroom, did two loads of laundry, washed several windows, watered the gardens, thoroughly cleaned the car, worked on some business issues, and several other smaller tasks.

Then it was off to the outlets.  We have been finding some great deals there since they opened.  I purchased a new pair of Crocs, and some guy harvey jewelry.  Cal purchased a new shirt, a duffel bag, a cool hat, and a wallet.  Dante bought two new cargo pants with matching shirts, and a wallet.  He looks very handsome  in his new clothes. 

All in all, it was a fantastic day.  Now I have to get to work in order to pay for the money that I just spent. 

Sunrise........... Sunset

If you remember several weeks ago I bragged about how our house has the perfect position.  Yesterday I was rewarded with yet another beautiful sunset.  These pictures were all taken at the same time.  The darker pictures are just a close up.    

Yellow tint

Our TV has been acting funny for several months.  Some days it has a strange yellow tint on the light colors.  Other days it works fine without any issues.  It does it mostly during the warmer days but it is not limited to those times. 

At first we thought it was the cable box but then it started acting up on DVD's also.  Funny thing is that it was not acting up on the DVD's in the beginning.

I guess for my anniversary gift I should be asking for a new TV. This TV is not really that old. Only a couple years. I don't know what the lifespan of these HD TV's are suppose to be but, I would hope that it is more than a couple years.

We do have a TV repair place a few miles from here, as a matter of fact we have been trying to get them as a customer for quite some time.  Maybe this repair will start a new business relationship.

Country Boy

Cal drove this very old tractor when we were on vacation.  My family's property is very hilly and I think it was pretty intimating, but he had his aunt as a co-pilot.  I think that Cal would do well living as a country boy. 

Lazy Day

After what seems like a week in the car, we are having a anti-car day.  It is not leaving the parking lot.  We are relaxing, watching TV, and surfing the internet.  Oh and don't let me forget, I have been working.  I have been adding items to eBay several days a week, my goal is 4,000 items selling on eBay before the end of the year. 

Dante has also asked me to price out health insurance, compare annuity rates, and check into vacation rentals.  I wonder if he knows something that I don't. 

Day one

of a week without Cal.  He will be having fun and growing in the Lord for the next seven days, at least that is the plan. 

Yesterday was drop off day.  We drove the four hours up, went through the ridiculous two hour check-in, and headed back home.  It wasn't too bad but today I am not going anywhere near the car. 

I saw the most insane thing yesterday with some of the teens arriving for this camp.  I think the award winner goes to the family that arrived with the child's clothes on hangers.  Yes hangers,  for a week long camp.  I seriously just looked at the parents and wanted to smack them.  I know that is not Christian like but give me a break.  My generation has messed up this world big time.  We have created these little entitled brats.  Hangers? 

Still a struggle

You might remember me mentioning that Dante is a music nut and wants Cal to succeed with the piano and guitar.  The problem is the fight is constant.  Dante can turn every (and I do mean EVERY) conversation into a discussion about music.  There are times that Cal and I feel like crying.

Cal was successful at convincing Dante that piano was not something he was every interested in playing.  Now the struggle is on to guitar. 

Dante had trouble with the piano news, he is obsessed when it comes to organ and piano.  This can be proven by the fact that we live in a very small condo but yet both the piano and organ made the move.  We abandoned tons of furniture, don't have a kitchen table, but have two large instruments in that dining room instead. 

I know that if Dante saw the ydp223 price he would be begging Cal to take piano again.  I do enjoy hearing both of my boys play, but I dislike the constant arguments about music. 

Cal's Vacation

Today begins the first day of Cal's week vacation from us.  He will get another one of these in August. 

Today's vacation will be a week long camp, and he will not know a single soul.  I am proud that he is willing to do something like this. When I was his age you could not get me to do a thing without someone I knew. 

He is packed and ready to go we just need to get him out of bed.  I am slightly concerned about this this year because he is been extremely tired since we got back from NY.  I hope that is all it is and not something more serious. 

Also it seems that he hurt his knee.  He doesn't remember doing it but is definitely in pain.  Hopefully once he gets out of my sight and with kids he will perk up. 

Work

We are gearing up for a few busy week at work.  Yesterday I had a last minute request that required me to make a special trip to Sam's. 

Almost immediatley upon return from Sam's one of my bosses approchaced me with a list of items that he needed.  I am having a little problem dealing wiht all these last minute requests.  I told him that I just didn't have time to go back to Sam's, so we paid more at the grocery store.

Fifteen minutes before I was leaving for the weekend, another list was given to me. I asked the person if they could get get life insurance quotes, because they might require it.  This is a list of about $250 worth of crafts.  This time I didn't take it as well.  These items should have been purchased weeks ago.  Now, once again, we will be paying more for items because people just cannot seem to do their job.

I will have to go out on Sunday and make these purchases.  You can bet your bottom dollar that I will be putting that time on my timecard for next week.  The days of free labor are over. 

Fireworks

The fireworks, that we came home early from vacation to see, where quite disappointing.  I know that money is tight and I totally understand that.  How about trying some fundraising.  I would have paid a few bucks to get into the park to watch them. 

I also missed the bonfire, that was awesome a few years ago.  Next year we might have to make other arrangements for the 4th.  I want to support our town but the 4th is a pretty important holiday to this family.

A few more

I just need to purchase two more shades for our dining room and kitchen window in order to have all the windows in the house covered.  It has made a huge difference in keeping the house cool so far this summer.  The kitchen is the most important at this stage because the afternoon sun comes screaming through that window and makes the kitchen extremely warm. 

After the shades are purchased then I need to start working on getting tab top curtains to make the interior look a little nicer and will probably help more in the winter to retain the heat.

It has taken us some time to get the house organized but our priorities have been in other areas.  This year the outside was a little more important. Dante had his heart set on some landscaping and I really enjoyed our little garden. 

I love our new house and thank God for working things out the way that he has. 

Drawing

Yesterday I had to draw a co-worker a picture.  This is a little habit that we have when we need/want to tell each other something, usually what we did during a certain period of time.

I was very impressed with her interpretations of my pictures.  The last time I drew a picture she didn't really have a clue what I was trying to say.  This time she was able to guess just about everything.  The picture is now proudly hanging beside the last picture in her cubbie.

I am a horrible drawer and it is her talent that allowed her to guess my vacation activities.  She said the best part is when I drew a maple leaf and put one of those circles with a line through it.  She knew immediately that we didn't go to Canada. 

New York

There is not much about New York that I like, except that my family lives there and whether I like it or not I do consider it home. 

One thing that New York got right was no cell phones while driving.  New Yorkers still do it but not nearly as much as other states.  In New Hampshire you are almost afraid to take a walk because so many crazy people are distracted on their phones. 

I once saw a guy hit a curb about fifty feet away from me.  The curb was six inches high, and he rode the sidewalk several feet before regaining control of his car.  I will give you one guess as to what he was doing.  Yep, he was on his cell phone.  He never put the phone down.  Had I been fifty feet further down the sidewalk I would have been toast. 

I have no idea why people who use their cell phones in the car won't purchase a Sena SMH5. Is that phone call with your BFF regarding the new outlet center really worth someone else's life.

Back to Work

My first day back to work after my first real vacation was very difficult to start.  I didn't want to be there.  I had to take a few moments alone with God.  First I questioned why in the world he put me in this position and then asked Him for the strength to get me through the day.

It worked.  I had a bunch of things to catch up and before I knew it, it was time to head home.  I did have to bring a "project" home.  It took me about an hour and a half so, my first day back at my part-time job was 7.5 hours long. 

I work more hours in a week than several of our full-time people. 

Overheard Conversations

The other day Cal had a bunch of friends over after spending most of the day at the park.  On one trip through the living room I heard one of his friends exclaim.  "Oh my word Cal, you get to play Xbox for almost two hours a day, I don't get to play that much in week." 

Guess what folks, I guess it is time to make the PS3 Move, I cannot have Cal playing Xbox so much.   Wait?  What?  Did Cal just hack my account.  I meant to say that it is time to start limiting his video game time. 

He is not allowed to play until we go to bed and then we do let him stay up for a few hours.  I guess we better rethink that policy. 

Back to work

Tomorrow will be my first day back to work in six business days.  I must confess that I wish I could have squeezed two more days into my request.

The good news is that I will only have to work six hours both Thursday and Friday, yeah right.  That is the plan and it has about as much chance of happening as Obama becoming a Conservative. 

I hope that I can renew my attitude about my job, otherwise it is just going to make things much more miserable for my family and myself. 

Possessions

It was a little strange visting my family for the first time since we moved.  The reason?  They (my sister, brother, and mother) left our house with a full U-haul.  While down there Cal kept saying "hey, isn't that our ________?"  Yep half of our old house was in New York. 

They ended up with mowers, power washers, lawn furniture, metal shelving, and many other items.

I know that I have no control over those items now but, my brother had several of the more expensive items sitting outside.  I was a little miffed.  My sister on the other hand was taking very good care of the things she ended up with and I was glad to see she was putting them to good use. 

Niagara Falls

I will share a few people-free pictures, on here, of our vacation. 

This is the view of Cave of the Winds from the top of the American Falls.  If you look at the middle of the picture you will notice the "hurricane deck".  This is where you get soaked.  The water from the falls crashes down on you.  This time as you can it is mostly the after spray but, three years ago when the water level was higher, you could not walk to the back of the deck.

At the falls

During our recent trip to my mothers we had the opportunity to go to the falls.  This will be the first time that Dante has been to the American side.  Everyone always clamors to go to the Canadian side but America has a lot to offer.  First up was the Cave of the Winds.  While the water level was obviously much lower than the last time we were there, we did mange to get totally soaked. 

Dante took a few pictures of Cal and myself and in each one it is obvious that I need prescription sunglasses because I am squinting so much.

Second, was the Maid of the Mist.  Again the water level was much lower and the boat was able to enter the horseshoe.  Last time the boat came to a complete stop with the engines working very hard long before we got to the outer edge.

I was very disappointed that we didn't get to take the Whirlpool Jet boat tour but that was not in the realm of possibilities consider the finances.  Next time I tell you, next time. 

Vacation Pictures

I will be posting a bunch of vacation pictures on my other site.  Don't know how to find that site, email me and I will send you the link.  I try (I know that I don't always succeed) to keep this site personal information free as possible.  It is my attempt to protect my family. 

Bonfire

We spent a few days at my mother's house this past week.  We really needed some time away and this was the cheapest vacation possible. 

One of the many things that we did was have a huge bonfire.  Now my sister is the queen of making the fire and it was so awesome.  It was warm enough to keep all the bugs away, which is huge benefit of a bonfire.  We did have to keep a large diameter hose handy.  It was not just for the fire getting out of control but for the coyotes that howl in the distance.  That were very creepy and the dogs would go nuts every time! 

My sister also has a tradition of making smores with Reese's Peanut Butter cups and Snickers.  They are heavenly.   The fire lasted well into the night and my sister and I had some good conversations.  We only see each other once every four to five years and it was nice to catch up.  I have yet to figure out why we don't keep in touch.

Hick Card

My brother has called on me to turn in my "country hick card".  Apparently I have become a city girl and the family is embarrassed.  Dante, Cal, and my brother went golfing the other day.  Cal had to use the restroom and refused to do a nature pee.  My brother was mortified.   He could not believe that "my son" was unable to pee outside. 

The funniest thing was later that day Cal decided to do a nature pee and the dogs went nuts on him.  They were barking their heads off and poor Cal had everyone coming to see what was wrong with the dogs. 

My niece asked "why didn't he just go inside and use the bathroom like everyone else?"  We all just about peed our pants laughing.