Friday, July 25, 2008

Musings from the Garden (3)

I know, I know...I've been lax posting about my garden. I've been a little out of sorts for the last few weeks. So, I'm gonna make it up to you with a couple of pix this week.

This is the view from the front door. See...it's raining!
It poured both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Boy, did we need the rain. Although, Tuesdays storms brought lots of damage to trees in our area, mostly Bradford pears. Thankfully, none of the downed trees did any damage to houses.

The rain did wonderful things for our yard and flowers. I love flowers - all kinds, including carnations, daylilies and roses. Needless to say, I've got some of each in my garden. My garden is a work in progress and probably always will be. I'm constantly adding new things and getting rid of things that don't work (that's for another post).

This spring, I added a red Double Knock-out Rose bush.

I'm not one to put up with finicky plants, that's why I never planted regular roses. I have heard wonderful things about this new variety of rose and decided to try one out. I am so thrilled that I did! It's gorgeous. I'm considering adding a couple more next spring.

Until next time, happy gardening!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

This sounds like fun!

P.E. classes for grownups

Remember playing dodgeball, tetherball and kickball as a kid. My kids don't know what those are because the school system has deemed them too competitive. What a bunch of malarkey. I used to love playing those games at recess. I am by no means competitive, but it was fun to get out and be a kid and play.

Wonder if we could get one started here in No. Alabama.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Never let your husband loose in an electronics store...

or you may end up with one of these:



Hubby has found his new tv. It's an 73" 1080i DLP HDTV. He found a smoking deal in Houston, only problem is getting it home.

Looks like he's found his Christmas present.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Have lots to do, but...

I don't want to do it. I'd much rather sit here and blog or surf the net. I'm very good at procrastinating and seem to work much better under pressure.

Here is my to-do list for this week:

*Attend Sophomore orientation at the high school with daughter
*Entertain kids & friends
*Straighten up our closet
*Dust everything! (I hate to dust!)
*Mow the yard - umm...think I'll wait until it's NOT 101!
*Clean out the kids' closets
*Do other mundane household chores - many of which I pass off to the kids get done. :)
*Get manicure on Friday - treat for all my hard work. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

I planning to get this list done before Hubby gets home on Friday. We'll see if I'm successful.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Hmpf!

Hubby is in Houston. I didn't think much about it until I realized he's going here for dinner:



Hmpf!

Hmmm...haven't had any caffeine today!

The Caffeine Click Test - How Caffeinated Are You?
OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Wonder how well I'd have done if I did have some caffeine today?!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Misled!

Yep! That's me. I'm such a sucker! I have been misled by my boss. Working for the school system, one knows that one is at the beck and call of the board of education. I found out at the end of the last school year that my contract wouldn't be renewed. No problem, right?! Wrong!

I was assured by my boss that I would have a job and that I'd be paid out of local school funds. The way that it was explained to me is that I'd only be losing 5 hours/week. What I have found out is that I'll be losing 20 hours/week. Ummm...What?! Needless to say, I'm less than pleased. I return to work on July 31st. I intend to find out exactly what my hours and pay will be. Be assured that if they are not what I want - 30+ hours (which is what I was reassured I would be getting) - I will be resigning.

I am very upset that my boss felt it was necessary to mislead me about my position. I will feel no remorse about resigning on the spot when I find out what my hours/pay will be. Actually, I'm looking forward to being a SAHM again!

P.S. I think the Hubby and kids are looking forward to me being at home again, too. More home-cooked meals and treats will reappear. :)

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Barry Manilow???

Hubby and I took the kids to see this:



*Spoiler alert*

Imagine our surprise to hear this during the movie - Can't Smile without You. Red and Blue are tossing back a few and commiserating about their lady loves. Then this song begins playing and they sing along with it. Very funny!

Is Barry making a comeback? I dunno, but I'll admit that I do like some of his music and have even seen him in concert (as a teenager - yeah, I know I'm a nerd). He's quite the entertainer and puts on a very good show. It just strikes me as odd to hear his music in a movie that's based on a comic book. It was a very entertaining movie.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Sucker for books!

That's me!!! I love to read and currently have a stack of 8 books on my end table just waiting to be read. The only problem is I like to surf the net and play on the computer,too. It eats into valuable reading time. Decisions, decisions. I've tried reading books online, but it's just NOT the same as holding a book and turning the pages. Besides, my eyesight can't take the strain of reading online.

*note to self: must mention needing reading glasses at next eye exam.

Damn...that probably means bifocals or **shudder** trifocals. I'm getting old.

Funny thing is the last time I went in to see the eye doc, he mentioned the fact that since I was approaching that magical age of 40 that I would most likely need reading glasses. Guess what...he's probably right - my arms aren't long enough anymore.

Anyway, back to books. I love to read historical fiction, especially those about Henry VIII and all of his wives. I don't know why that facinates me, but it does. I've got a couple of books written by a mom-daughter team from Northwestern AL - haven't started them yet. Just finished "Gods in Alabama" - it was pretty good and the ending was not at all like I expected it to be. I've got the next installment in our book club - The Illuminator, which looks to be pretty good. Ooohhhh...and since my book club turn is coming up soon, I've already picked out my selection. Shhh...it's a secret. ;) I'm so excited about that. I hope everyone enjoys it since it's a subject we haven't read about.

Well...I'm off to bury my nose in a book.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Out of sync

I've been out of touch lately. Haven't felt like blogging. Since Grandma passed away, I've been on autopilot. I suppose it's my way of dealing with it - going through the motions, but not really there.

I flew out to Phoenix for her funeral. My Mom, Aunt and Uncle did a fantastic job with Grandma's service. I had never been to an open casket funeral and was quite surprised at how peaceful Grandma looked in her pink dress and pearls. My cousin and his wife played and sang Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. They did a beautiful job. The young man who conducted the service was really good. When he spoke, it was as though he was speaking to each of us individually. Very comforting!

All in all, it was a good trip. I was able to spend time with my brother and sister-in-law, my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Grandma is free of pain and is with Grandpa again in a much better place.