Definitely not weeds

Yesterday's post made me a little sad. I mean I can't even keep the weeds out of my yard! I should say "don't" because I could if I really really wanted to. If I wanted to go out and pull weeds after I get home from work at 8 pm. Or if I wanted to get up earlier in the morning and do it before my workday started. It is my own choice so I should deal with it.

I do have the ability to garden . . . a little anyway. Thusly illustrated by these beautiful photographs.













True they are indoor plants, therefore no weeds. However, I do need to water them and make sure they get enough light. It also helps to keep troublesome cats from chewing on the leaves. (I think most of the holes are gone now . . .)

And I do know of people (who will remain nameless) who have killed plants similar to these.

I have to say that when I come home and look at these plants my spirits lift a little bit.

Especially after walking past all those weeds.

Is it really a weed?

Look at my pretty weed. Hmm . . .
This is only a small portion of my weed . My weed is almost taller than me.
Sigh . . . one of these days I will have to get rid of my weed(s).

Adventures in cooking

I have recently rediscovered the joy in cooking. I always liked making dinner for my family. I'm sure I complained a bit -- what teenager hasn't complained about doing a chore -- but I enjoyed cooking and baking. During college, there were the campus cafeteria, late night pizza deliveries, and snack food. Occasionally, especially once we moved off campus, there were the all out dinners. I think my roommates and I even made Thanksgiving turkey a couple years.

Since college I think I have gradually just lost interest in feeding me, myself, and I.

But lately I have been cooking up a storm. I enjoy the challenge, experimentation, and, of course, the food. Tonight I made green peppers stuffed with pork sausage, brown rice and cheese. Very delicious and easy.

I did have to make a slight alteration -- the original recipe called for hash browns instead of rice. Unfortunately, I thought I would be super fancy and make them from scratch. Which, in theory, is a great idea and I have done it before. However, this time I didn't let the skillet heat up enough before I added the shredded potatoes. Turned into a pan of very well done potatoes (that stuck to the skillet) covered by gray goop. Yeah, not very appetizing.

But all's well that ends well. The stuffed peppers with pork sausage and brown rice were excellent. And I even have some left over for another meal!

Born country . . . well, maybe adopted?

During the past two days of driving I have been listening to a lot of country music. Heh.

I know. You're thinking . . . country? how can she like country music? I know you are thinking this because I was once one of you. Hated country. Thought it was a stupid waste of time. Actually, I probably said it was a stupid waste of time. Then I started listening to it . . . and the rest was history.

Anyway, I was listening to country this week and thought I would share some thoughts on my favorites. [If you think country music is a stupid waste of time you may want to stop reading now!]

I have to say that country music is one of the only genres that can actually make me cry. However, this is not going to be a weepy post today. Maybe another day but we will start with one that makes me smile. . .

I like Brad Paisley. His songs usually make me smile, laugh, cry. His new song Online pokes a little fun at the online dating game. (The video is hilarious too!)

Another "makes me smile" song that is playing on radio now is Watching You by Rodney Atkins. A picture of how children learn from their parents: both good things and bad.

This song I enjoy because it describes my childhood perfectly . . . A Different World by Bucky Covington (isn't that a predictable county singer name!). Here's the first verse:

We were born to mothers who smoked and drank
Our cribs were covered in lead based paint
No child proof lids no seat belts in cars
Rode bikes with no helmets and still here we are, still here we are
We got daddy’s belt when we misbehaved
Had three TV channels you got up to change
No video games and no satellite
All we had were friends and they were outside, playin’ outside

Then there are the songs that make you think . . . Lucky Man by Montgomery Gentry. I like this song because it reminds me that (although not a lucky man) I am a lucky woman. I have enough. Things could always be worse.

I am blessed.

Home again

Hmm . . . I was hoping to have a intelligent post tonight instead of just a chronicle of my day (which can be summed up in one word -- driving). However, due to exhaustion, my brain is powered down tonight.

Instead I will post a photo of Cleo. This is how she spent the night. After cuddling for about an hour -- showing that she may have missed me the last week -- she spent the rest of the evening like this:


She moved around a lot but in every position she showed me her back. Not a happy camper!

A bed, a bed, my kingdom for a bed

After a day of traveling I am ready for bed. I will definitely sleep well tonight.

I drove straight through today -- about 8 hours. Stopping for a quick lunch and a couple times for gas. It is amazing how tiring driving is! I would not want to be a long haul driver.

I am thankful I had no problems and got here (northeastern Kansas) safely. My plan is to leave early tomorrow and get home mid-afternoon!

I would have to say that the highlight of the day was calling my brother from the motel to wish him a happy birthday! Happy birthday, B!

Vacation

Ah, my last post from TX. Tomorrow I will be heading home with a SUV loaded with various furniture, pictures, kitchen stuff, etc. Despite this being a working vacation I read at least 4 books and slept in at least one day. Yeah!

As with most vacations, I am ready to be home. I kind of miss Cleo (don't tell her that) and I'm sure she misses me. Although her displeasure at my absence will be shown by ignoring me for a couple hours as soon as she is sure that I am not planning on leaving again anytime soon.

I'm guessing that I will be unable to post from the road tomorrow -- just a guess -- so you may not hear from me until Wednesday!

On the road again . . .

A little piece of heaven

I found it. A little piece of heaven on earth. In the form of a lovely little coffee house overlooking the lovely town square. This lovely little coffeehouse not only has excellent coffee (actually I had a tea smoothie -- mmm) but free wireless internet in a lovely atmosphere.

[Lovely, must be the word of the day.]

I could live at this place -- it even has comfy couches. My only complaint -- the a/c is set a little cool but that's what sweaters are for right?

Hopefully, I will be able to make it back and keep my posts current for you.

I haven't done much but visit with family. Today and tomorrow I think we will be doing some more packing and then on Sunday one of my other aunts will be up to help.

I am also looking forward to inspecting the duplex my grandparents will be moving into. According to Grampy it is coming along nicely: new carpet, new paint, new fixtures . . .

Courtesy of the public library . . .

I am posting from the public library computer (haven't found a wireless source yet) so I have literally 19 minutes and counting left to compose my thoughts and post them to the internet. Now, you think, 19 minutes to type a couple sentences into the computer and click the post button? No problem! But you do not realize the depths that I have to dig into my brain into compose an intelligible sentence.

Anyway, I have obviously made it safely to the Lone Star state. No injuries or accidents. Just a little tired, but I did go to bed at 9:30 last night. (The earliest I have gone to bed in years!)

Today, will be a day of sorting and packing. Thankfully in the cool a/c. It is hot!

Anyway, my minutes are ebbing and I need to get on with what I came here for . . . visiting my grandparents!

Just a second . . .

Only have a second but I wanted to get my post in today before I packed up my computer.

Everything is packed and I am almost ready to go. Though I still have a couple hours of work before I head out.

Hopefully I will be able to let you know how my week goes!

Ta-ta!

Cleaning, traveling, blogging, oh my!

Ahh. Nothing better than knowing you have a clean house. And clean clothes. And clean dishes.

I met my goal of cleaning my house. I have to say I was a little worried I wouldn't get everything done within a week but I did. I even re-vacuumed the living room. (Ginormous tufts of cat hair everywhere -- honestly, I think she waits until I clean to shed!)

So I will be going on vacation tomorrow knowing that I will be coming home to a clean house. Ahh.

Yes, going on vacation to Texas -- the Lone Star State. My mom and I are going down to visit my grandparents. And to help them pack and move. They are moving from the house they have been living in for 30+ years to a duplex at a nearby retirement village.

Mom and I will be driving down -- starting tomorrow at 8 p.m. (when I get off work). And I will be driving home next Tuesday/Wednesday, while Mom stays and flies home later.

Anyway, I am hoping to post tomorrow. But after that I have no idea if I will have access to the internet. I am taking my computer though -- so we shall see.

Now what to pack . . .

Cotton candy high

I went to the fair again tonight. I'm still flying on the sugar high from the cotton candy. It was good though!

Tonight I went with a friend and she convinced me to go on a ride with her. I like rides. They are fun. However, I am only good for one twirly ride before I get ill. My friend talked me into the zipper -- which is a basically an elongated ferris wheel except the cars are cages. Which means, yes, the cars flip and rock. Yes, fun.

Anyway, we saw some groomed animals -- specifically the ones of people we knew. We wandered through the commercial buildings and signed up to win a couple free flags and $50 in groceries. Toured some 2008 RVs and ogled the 2007 cars we will probably never be able to afford. You know, dreamed a little.

Had a corn dog and the aforementioned cotton candy. Hmm . . . I don't know how I will top the cotton candy . . .

County Fair

It is County Fair week. Which means, among other things, I get to eat corn dogs and cotton candy, sign up for as many drawings as possible, view exhibits and entries, and look at many beautifully groomed cows, horses, pigs, sheep, and various feathered creatures.

I didn't want to do too much tonight because a friend and I are going later this weekend. I walked up to the fairgrounds from my house (only about 3 blocks) and noticed the line to the 4H food booth was about 3 blocks long. I always eat at the 4H booth because its just a good cause -- the kids learn responsibility, they earn money for 4H, and the food is good and inexpensive.

So I nixed the idea of eating first and headed to 4H and open entry buildings. These buildings house all the projects (art, woodworking, sewing, design, gardening, cooking, etc.) entered to vie for ribbon placings -- the ultimate goal is to be represented at the Iowa State Fair.

After that I took the long way round the fair grounds past some of the animal barns, shortcutted past the midway, and headed back to the 4H food booth because I was really starting to get hungry. Luckily the line had dwindled to 5-6 persons. This was fine. It took me that long to decide what I wanted to order: cheeseburger, rice crispy bar, and a rootbeer.

I can't wait to go back!

The perfect evening

The past week it has been hot and humid. Last night, before bed, I shut off my a/c and opened every window. This morning I was huddling under my covers because it was so cool. (You have to understand that I am a natural born cuddler so there is rarely a time that I am not huddling under my covers but after the past couple days it was unusual.)

Today was beautiful. But tonight, tonight was glorious. There is a nice breeze. The fireflies are out in droves. I walked downtown and on the way home a firefly hitched a ride on my thumb.

Tonight was reminiscent of childhood.

Sigh. It is nice to be reminded.

Cleaning

Here is my clean living room!

So one room down and 1, 2, 3 . . . 5 to go. Actually, 4 1/2. I am half done with the kitchen.

Notice it is not a before and after photo. That is because 1)I didn't think of it before I cleaned the room -- only after 2)you would be truly appalled if you had seen that photo and I do not want to cause any heart palpitations 3)it would be detrimental to my emotional state -- namely, I would be extremely embarrassed.

Hence the clean living room photos. Enjoy!

Air Conditioning

Air conditioning is truly an amazing invention.

When I was growing up, air conditioning consisted of a box fan in the window and lots of ice water. And amazingly enough I lived through it! What happened to me!

I finally gave in yesterday and turned my air on for the first time this summer. Which, in all seriousness, is pretty good. The summer is half over already. I do keep the temperature pretty high (usually between 76-78 degrees); and basically use it to keep the humidity out of my house.

The "Queen" loves air conditioning! You should have seen her sprawled out in the middle of the room yesterday before I turned the air on. I don't think she moved all day!

I made a deal with myself though. I turn the air conditioner on if I clean my house this week.

So . . . off to clean I go.

I scream, you scream . . .

Ice cream. One of my guilty pleasures. Guilty because being thrifty I usually buy a quart of ice cream at a time. Being single, I go through that quart quicker than I should . . . much quicker. Because of this tendency, I try to buy ice cream only occasionally. Maybe 2-3 times a year.

Pleasure because . . . well, really, who doesn't like ice cream? I had some this evening for dessert. My favorite . . . mint chocolate chip. Yummy.

Then the guilt comes back -- but mmmm, yummy.



Just look at that . . . but be careful of the guilt!

50 cents off (Redux)

Ah, the satisfaction of using coupons. I saved $3.50 on my grocery bill today! Yea! It wasn't painful at all. I even remembered to bring them with me!

My next goal is to save $5.00 on my grocery bill. Stay tuned for the results!

July 4th

This nation will remain the land of the free
only so long as it is the home of the brave.
~Elmer Davis

Flowers, flowers everywhere

This past Sunday was our church picnic. We had it at one of the church member's home. They are gardeners (if you can't tell from this photo). Wow. Every time I visit out there I am blown away by the beauty.

My goal is to someday have at least 3 plants (that are not classified as weeds) that I can keep alive in my front yard.


Isn't it beautiful? We had a great time. It was a great day. The last picture here is of the "cup race." Every year the kids get a cup with their name on it. They drop the cup into the creek at the spring then run across the yard to see whose cup wins. I think I had more fun watching everyone watching the race!


There were lawn games . . . I played croquet. I hadn't played croquet since I was in elementary school and I don't think I have ever played by the rules. My brother and sister and I always stuck the hoops in the ground and hit the balls until we got tired of the game. I actually learned the rules and did fairly well for my first time. I started out slow but finished in the middle of the pack.

I could have stayed out there for days. But all things must come to an end. Besides, the way time seems to fly by, next year's picnic will be here in no time!

I pledge allegiance . . .

Most of the weekend I have been thinking about the question I posed on Friday: what should the 4th of July mean to me? Here is my conclusion:

I think that the 4th should be a celebration of our past, present, and future. It should be a time to remember the actions of our forefathers -- both the declaring of independence and upholding that declaration. Both of which resulted in the American Revolution.

It should celebrate the freedom we have today. The freedom to speak, worship, assemble, and all the other freedoms we have because of the sacrifice Americans have made over the years to uphold the tenants of the Constitution.

It should be a time to evaluate the contributions we are making and can make in the future this country.

So picnics, fireworks, family are all great ways to celebrate this holiday. And I plan to take part in some of those ways, but I also plan to take some time to think about how I can contribute to the future.