My Deck Garden

The neighborhood is overrun with children. Last year the unruly children spent time in my back yard climbing our small maple trees. We planted the trees 17 years ago when we moved in. Unfortunately, they are fast growing maples which means the branches grew fast but not strong. The little darlings tore so many branches off the poor trees, I'm surprised they are still alive. I want to grow some vegetables and herbs this summer but I'm afraid the little hooligans will destroy any garden if I plant it in the back yard.

So, I decided, why not plant a small container garden. My back deck is now my garden. On Memorial Day weekend, we went to the farmer's market and Lowes and purchased some plants. We have several varieties of tomato plants, including one cherry tomato plant. Some of the plants already have green tomatoes! I also planted several kinds of peppers, green bell, jalapeño, and hot peppers. For my herb garden, oregano, parsley, lavender, peppermint, spearmint, chives, etc. Then I planted a few seeds too. Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to see I have some radishes already coming up! To celebrate, I planted some beans and a few flowers too.

The deck is such a relaxing place to sit. Too bad I couldn't enjoy the peace & quiet tonight. The neighborhood boys are having a sleep-over next door. I doubt they will be doing much sleeping but I'm sure they will have a lot of fun. I sat on the deck tonight with a cup of coffee, a book and lit a small fire in the chiminea. I look forward to many beautiful mornings this summer sitting on the deck enjoying the first cup of coffee in the morning. The best part is between the container garden, the grill and the small storage shed on the deck plus the pear tree in the yard, the deck is relatively private - except for the little black cat crying at the door to come outside. I placed a cage on the deck for him but that is not what he wants either. I do not believe cats should run loose - I would hate to have omething happen to him.

It's times like this that make my job fun! I read Ten in the Bed to the kindergarteners. It was their last time in the library for this school year.

Memorial Day Weekend

Yippee Skippee ..... the weekend has finally arrived. Today I checked out my last library books for students for this school year. Next week the darlings turn their books in, we read the shelves and straighten the libraries. I've promised the kiddos a little something extra next week. Soo..... this weekend I will be making cookie dough that I can toss in the oven each night. Fresh baked cookies for my little darlings. My to do list for this weekend:
Shopping for groceries
Shopping for clothes for trip
Shopping for my swap=bot partner
crochet a couple of dish clothes for same partner
maybe an extra dish cloth for one of my Zaar partners
complete my last two recipes for the Zaar orphanage
Cook two beer can chickens
- serve one with the fixins for the boys
- shred the other one and throw in crockpot another day with zaar baby bbq sauce
mail swap boxes to partners (done today)
go to farmers market Saturday morning - buy fresh plants
plant fresh plants from market in containers
go for a nice walk
go to the Y Sunday to hang out with Silly Jilly
Maybe get bike out of shed and clean it up
what the heck, wash the Jeep and put the top down - go for a ride.
start making lists for vacation - what I still need to buy and what I plan to bring (or should I say we)
Monday is Kaysey's b/day - I think I'm supposed to make Jello shooters for her.....
Oh, I must not forget one or two parades Monday morning -

I think the list is long enough but I also want to plan with the new stovetop ovenette and start making a book of recipes to bring on vacation

Only 49 days until time to go

Australia

Well, I did it. I made the reservations. We made reservations for our trip to Vanuatu several months ago but the rest of the plan is to go to Australia - since we are so "close." We will fly from Port Vila to Brisbane, Australia. We have hotel reservations and a car reserved. Now I'm nervous. They drive on the left side of the road there. I don't like driving outside my comfort zone. DH says he's not going to drive. Hopefully DD will drive. Oh my we are in for a treat.

Barack Obama

It was announced yesterday that Barack Obama is coming to Michigan - to Grand Rapids!!! Only a short drive away. I'm taking the afternoon off work tomorrow to go to Grand Rapids to wait in line to hear him speak. My son and husband will probably go with me. I find this kind of humorous since both of the men in my life have been die-hard republicans in the past. It's amazing how a candidate like Mr. Obama can change them. Mrs. Clinton wouldn't have the same effect on them - I am sure.

Dirty Feet

When DD graduated from college, we bought her a nifty little camera. It cost at least twice as much as my nifty little camera because she wanted a durable camera that would withstand the moisture and dirt of her new "home" land. I have to admit we have received a fair share of pictures in the year since she has been gone but because of her living conditions (no electricity/no internet) pictures have been pretty sparse lately. This week she is visiting the main island and land of computers & electricity. She sent three pictures to me. This is one of the pictures. If you look closely at her dirty feet, you will notice a huge blood blister on her big toe - right foot. I am so glad we spent so much money on this nifty camera so we could have a picture of a blood blister on her dirty big toe.

All in all DD is doing fine - sounds a little homesick and really wants letters. She has e-mailed me a long list of things she wants me to bring when we visit this summer. With weight limits on luggage I am not sure what I will be wearing on vacation. Maybe I'll layer all my clothes on me and waddle onto the plane.

Colonoscopy

Apparently a gift to oneself when turning 50 is a colonoscopy. Although I passed the magic birthday several years ago, my gift arrived today. Today was a piece of cake. Lay in a bed with my stomach grumbling watching nurses drink coffee and deliver muffins to patients who have completed their test. Then a short ride around the nursing station to room on the other side where a doctor I have never met mumbles a few words to me. I'm told by his assistant to roll over on my left side and soon a mild drug is administered causing me to fall asleep. I wake up back where I started and I get my muffin and something to drink. Hmm, I think I got something to drink, I don't remember.

Yesterday on the other hand was really crappy. It started at 10 am when I had to drink a bottle of magnezium stuff which instantly made me feel nauseous and crampy. Between 2 and 6 pm I had to drink two liters of a foul smelling liquid which I could flavor with my choice of lemon-lime, cherry, orange or something else. Stupid me, I chose Cherry. Gross, Gross, Gross. I made it half way through the 2 liters by 5:30 and had to chug the rest. Every time I drank a glass of the crud it was another trip to the bathroom. The goal was the stuff coming out of me had to be clear. By 6:30 I had reached the goal. During the day I could have clear liquids which I consumed chicken broth, coffee and diet coke - all considered clear even though you can't see through them.

Anyway, today was easy compared to yesterday and I'm glad it's past. DD, Stephanie summed it up perfectly saying "Aren't you glad it's only once every ten years and not every six months like the dentist!"