Blogs

I sometimes am surprised when I get ready to tell a story to someone and I find that they already know because they read it on my blog. This surprises me for two reasons. One being that I have felt like I am a terribly blogger and really don't post much these days (especially compared to what I used to) and Second, I really didn't think that many people checked it. Apparently people do more than I realize, so hello everyone! :) (lol...I'm a little bit of a dork)

No more news on the house unfortunately. We got an appraisal done last Monday and are hoping that a sales price will quickly follow. I am just ready to get this show on the road and start all the fun project I have lined up in my mind. I keep imagining in my head all the things I want to do...can't wait.

Things are going pretty great here in the meantime. I have been taking my anxiety medication for 4 months now and I really really really like it. I haven't had the tightness in my chest or shortness of breath for a while now and there don't seem to be any adverse side affects. Yep...happy camper. Andrew is pretty cute always...he spoils me.

Andrew is still plugging along at work and really likes his connections there. Oh OH! Speaking of! (I'm shaking my head as I type this) Guess who is getting ANOTHER DOG! Yep he is picking her up tomorrow at the airport, yep first one we have ever gotten by plane. Any ideas on another girl dog name? How about Tina...no offense to anyone named Tina...We think highly of our dogs. Know whats funny...I used to be a little scared of dogs. I can pretty much handle any dog these days.

Charlie has learned to catch his rope toy with his mouth...he is pretty talented like that, except when he runs head first into the couch. Lol, that's funny.

I'm keeping busy with my two jobs and the classes that I'm taking. I also am in a scrapbooking club that is pretty fun and a quilting "club" where we do 2 blocks a month and they show us all the tricks. I'm excited about that. I am also working on a new painting that I'm giving to my neighbor. It was part of a service auction...it is turning out really pretty. I will post a picture when it is done.

Welp..TTFN

Love Him

I went to work on Thursday and decided after I got there that I was going home :). I got a sub for my class and cleared out of the building before I could make anyone at my office sick. I had a pretty bad cold and had warned Andrew that I was coming home and to wait so I could see him before he left. When I got home he had cooked french toast for me and they were hot ready to come of the griddle when I walked in. He is so cute. He even had the table set and everything. I just put down my purse and sat down.

After we talked for a minute I sat down on the couch and fell asleep. With my coat on and everything I didn't wake up for 4 hours. I think I needed the sleep.

So Cute

Christa and I playing Guitar Hero over the break...She kicked all our behinds...More Christmas pictures to come.

Can I say that I really do love teaching. I got to work today after the long break and found a note in my box. On a red piece of construction paper, Olivia expressed her love for art and said she enjoyed me as a teacher, loves the projects we do and wished me a Merry Christmas. Anyone who has issues with their self-esteem should become a teacher because those kids are so sweet! Oh, I almost forgot. She drew a picture on the bottom of a tree and a present with a tag that said "For Mrs. Shaw"....Sigh...I love my job.

I am pretty sure I have already told everyone that I know this story, but I am adding it. There was another girl named Maddi that doesn't speak. (not literally) She is the type you sit next to the noisy kid because you know they will never be a destructive pair. She came in the last day before the break and surrounded my desk with the other kids (which they seem to be making a habit of) and handed me a white box. I said Thank You and asked her what it was she said in her barely audible voice "Carmels" and quickly sat down.

Essay for the Writing exam...constructive criticism

_{Piece of Cake or Tomato}

_What once was a way of life and means to survival has, in modern day, become a cherished hobby by many. The skills have been lost and put in the hands of the professionals. Gardening, following three simple steps, can be very fulfilling. These steps start with: having a solid plan for your future garden, getting the right fertilizers to feed your future plants, and watering appropriately. These are fool-proof steps to a delicious reward.

Starting your garden without a plan is like traveling without a map. You will find a destination, but it may not be the one you are looking for. Mapping out your garden, and carefully placing your different fruits and vegetables, will help as your plants begin to grow. You may find that some need more sun and others need more room. An experienced gardener, for example, can tell you when growing pumpkin or squash, that the direction of the sun and the spacial planning makes a big difference in the ease of watering and weeding. With your plan, pay attention to the spacing of your rows for a tiller and your watering system. Starting from the underground up is also helpful when planning your garden.

Part of your garden plan should include fertilization. Soil without fertilizer can inhibit the growth of your vegetables. Preparing your soil with an organic fertilizer is a standard base that is useful to most vegetables in your garden. Many websites can give steps to making compost piles and other organic mixes. Pigeon droppings historically are a coveted fertilizer. Fish used commonly by Indians, is still a gem in anyone’s garden. Additional fertilizers with specific Phosphate, Potassium, and Nitrogen levels can be purchased and applied to individual plants. After all your planning and fertilizing you want to be careful to not wash it all away.

Watering can undo all of your hard work. As a general rule, an overhead sprinkler is not an ideal way to go. By implementing a watering plan that includes flood irrigation, soaker hoses or hand watering, you can prevent common garden problems. These problems include: rotting, excessive weeds, and attraction of certain pests. Individual plants have different watering needs and should be considered when making your plan. Any slopes or landscape obstacles in your garden should be considered to prevent too much drainage or standing water. If planned carefully, slopes can be used to your advantage by placing the right seeds in the right places. When done carefully a burdensome task can be made simple.

The immense personal satisfaction of watching your hard work grow before your eyes is healing. You watch confidently when you go in with a plan, the right amount of fertilizer and a good watering system. With these three items in place you will enjoy giving your family and friends nutrient rich foods, larger than anything they’ve seen at the local market.