The plants I fell in love with

I'm sure by now you know that Pusher and I took the girlies to the Arboretum yesterday, and that inevitably I would fall in love with some items for my yard. The top contenders:


First, the Dr. Seuss garden contenders.

To the left here, we have Allium Sativum, or "Italian Early" Garlic. Fun, curly, and edible!




And we also have an onion, Allium coruleum.

I have a couple of flower bulbs in mind, too:

Eucomis comosa
Pineapple Lily
(not my photo)

and Crown Imperial
(also not my photo)


And then there's some of the burgundy/red group for the front:

Physocarpus opulifolus
Ninebark - Summer Wine
Which is quite a bit deeper burgundy
than this picture makes it look.

Foeniculum vulgare
Bronze Fennel
Gorgeous and edible


And the crowning glory:

Cotinus coggygria - Smokebush

Moving right along

We spent much of today's lovely afternoon out in the garden -

Planted 2 new hibiscus bushes, which better be red when they open. Also, not sure if variety purchased is perennial, but got them for $4 each.

Purchased new pack of Rosemary seeds to replace seeds that never came up, only to have Pants show up from Cub with a lovely (large!) rosemary bush that we potted so we can pull it in for the winter. You know I loves me some fresh rosemary.

Discussed why 2 Astilbe are extremely happy and 2 are still a bit stunted. Pants wondered if location or soil were to blame, but plants are all about 4-5 inches apart. I'm not sure 4 inches in space would make the 8 inch height difference. I calmly reminded Pants that these plant survived the winter in tiny plastic pots set on top of dirt and perhaps those two got a harsher freezer burn and just need some more time.

Also discussed size of Chokeberry bush (current and eventual) and whether it was growing enough. Reminded Pants that bush was sticks just a month ago and now has lovely new branches and tons of leaves. Also survived winter and is doing well, considering.

We then watched the very wimpy leftover-from-previous-owners shepherd's hooks lean over and very gently place one of my gorgeous cast iron hanging pots on the ground. It was somewhat amusing and those hooks were ugly as sin anyway. Went out and got me a heavy-duty 4-prong hook. Ha HA! (P.S. - got hanging pots at Fleet Farm last year, end of season for $5 each and got the hook on clearance today too!)

When we get the new hook up and figure out what to do with the rosemary pot for now, I will post before and after pics.

more cat pictures

I hate balloons.

Just put the kids to bed, but they are screaming because I wouldn't let them bring the balloons they got at dinner. I was completely tense the entire ride home thinking Meimei would pop hers any second. I think they may meet a grim fate this evening in the garage. Damn restaurants that think it's a great idea to give out balloons. I hate you all!

In other news, I have an external ear infection (aka Swimmer's Ear) which apparently is accompanied by horrific vertigo. I got ear drops today, but not soon enough to avoid having to leave work early today because I couldn't string together a coherent thought besides, "Please, stop the spinning." Hoping tomorrow is better after 2 more doses of crap-killer.

Pants's truck was broken into and his satellite radio was stolen. And by "broken into," I mean he left it unlocked in our driveway. Still ballsy to come right up to our door and take it, but yeah, it was open. Guess we'll keep the cars locked from now on.

I think I figured out today, being at home in the afternoon, why it seems so stinking hot in here in the evenings. We were thinking the air was going kaput, which would seriously suck, but now I think it's just a combination of our poor insulation and windows, the massive amounts of heat coming in the patio door and the bay window in the afternoon, and setting the thermostat too high during the day and not giving it enough time to cool down for the evening. I'm going to adjust the thermostat settings and look into some low-e film on the patio door and windows and see if that helps. We already bought another ceiling fan for Meimei's room to keep her cooler at night (Kitten has one that runs almost constantly) and I may get a stand fan for the living room. Hopefully that will get us through another summer on the old unit.

more cat pictures

And... we're done.

Enough with the pity party. Time to get moving.

What's up with that?

So yeah, I've been flaking out again. My depression is about the worst it's been since before the kids were born, even though I'm on 3x the Zoloft. Can't get moving, can't get motivated, can't seem to get going.

Possible causes:

• IUD - mine is coated with hormones, which was probably a rash decision considering I could not handle the hormones in the pill. But research shows hormones are negligible. Conclusion: probably not.
• I'm a bit short on funds - daycare costs are killing us. We can't live on our budget - or won't. We don't seem to be able to do what's necessary to live on our (very adequate) incomes. There is something very wrong to say I'm broke while I type this on my laptop connected to my high-speed internet, sitting in front of my BFTV watching cable. Sounds a bit like whining. Conclusion: Most likely.
  
• My business - there are things I have to do with my business that personally make me uncomfortable, and it's not at all about the sex. I know I can actually do them (pretty sure they won't kill me) - it's just a matter of getting off my ass and doing them. I've really had a crisis of faith this month on this new business and I've wanted to quit about every other minute. But, for better or worse, I'm in it too far to quit so I will persevere through the end of the year and then make a decision going forward. Conclusion: Most Likely a side effect.
  

I think I need to find my counselor for a tune up. I'm trying to be consistent about taking my meds, but my auto-refill proves I'm not doing well.

Festival Fun

Went up to Father Hennepin Festival today to bum around and grab a corn dog.

We went on a ride that we loved...

About the first 2 1/2 times around.





Kitten actually fed the animals at the petting zoo!! This is a child who won't pet dogs. She let a cow LICK HER HAND. And it didn't rot and fall off. Perhaps animals can be touched without our limbs turning against us, ala Evil Dead 2.






Meimei's favorite part? The child's a bottomless pit, so you can guess.



And Kitten's? Who knew the free school bus shuttle ride would be the hit of the entire day?

Told you so

Yeah, remember when I said Katherine Heigl was holier-than-thou? Proven.

Stumpy

Meimei has taken to walking around on her cast, bent leg be damned. She's using it now like a peg-leg.

We're trying to get her to say, "Arrrhh, Matey."

Mosaic of me

Check out the rules and instructions from Ms. Huis Herself!

Credits:
1. Jodi in the tidepool.jpg, 2. buffalo chicken tenders, 3. Monticello, 4. Brown's midnight dip became a nightmare.., 5. Nigel Barker, 6. Mojito Power, 7. A PIECE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH. (KILKENNY, IRELAND), 8. Raspberry - Swirl Cheesecake, 9. a confident colour, 10. Snowmen family in TX, 11. Complicated....., 12. Blue Clipper getting a drink - (Parthenos sylvia)

Stuff I love right now

SHOES
Got a pair of Clarks that fit like a dream and are super cute - although the leather straps took a few wearings to break in. Note: did not pay that much for them.

Tried out Borns for the first time - Luh-uh-uv them.

Took a chance on Fit Flops - not only were they comfy, but I did actually feel my buns working a bit. It's no StairMaster, but I'll take a little toning while I stroll to the park.

And not one of these pairs made my knee feel the slightest bit wonky. If it works for my feet, it will work for yours!!

CLEANERS
Mrs. Meyer's hand soap in lavender. Smells awesome, doesn't dry out my hands, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. Love their countertop spray too!

I've said it before, I'll say it again - get thee to Target and buy some OxiClean. Just used it last night on my seat protectors (see below), pulled through for me again!

BABY PRODUCTS
Prince Lionheart Seat Protectors - do not put a convertible infant/toddler seat in your car without one. I didn't think I needed one for the messes (I did) but I found out quickly that I needed them to keep the car seats from making permanent indentations in the seat of the car. These do the job AND keep the cheerios, goldfish, and juice from staining the seats beyond recognition.

The BIG GIRL BED

Behold - the BGB!! Frame courtesy of MIL, sheets and bedding courtesy of MIL, mattress and box spring courtesy of Kitten's piggy bank and my sex toy business.


Kitten loves her BGB!!!




...and Joey thought it was juuuusssst right.

I am so into...

Chelsea Lately - I didn't like her previous sketch comedy, but this is FUNNY.

Phineas & Ferb - I know, I know, Disney Channel, but this is something I'll actually continue to watch after the girls are in bed. I actually find it quite funny. (Link warning: bright, animated, with sound, very Disney)

Milestones

We got the mattress today and set up the BIG GIRL BED. Kitten is thrilled and having a great time. Almost too good - she had to be scolded several times for jumping on the bed. Will post pictures of the BIG GIRL BED tomorrow maybe.

Went to see little boy TSB/Jay - very cute. I have a picture, but I'll let the Rs post their own. They had a very long day yesterday and only got pictures today. All seem good and ready to go home with their bundle.

We are 9 days into the 28 day sentence with the hot pink cast. And counting. And we think the 2-year molars are pushing in, although they don't normally come in until almost 3 and we're not even 2. I guess it's better to get it over with and be done, though.

Last chance for anyone to claim our Pack 'N Play - it goes to the garage sale in a week or 2.

Place your bets

I hate The Hills. Never watched it, can't stand to read about it, think the whole thing is just icky. But I just can't seem to get away from it. So Heidi and Spencer are ready to get married.

And here's why they're not:

H: And then I had this moment when I realized I'm ready to marry Spencer.
Magazine: What moment was that?
H: We were walking at sunset, and he had a little picnic made for me with chocolate-covered strawberries and Dom Perignon.
Me: Yeah, that's what marriage is really like. You're definitely ready.

Magazine: Do you think you rushed the first engagement?
H: Yeah. I'd just turned 21, and it was scary because I was so young. Even though it's only been a year, it feels like a lifetime later.
Me: You've like, so totally matured! Can't wait to hear what you say next! Ohmygod!

Magazine: Spencer, we need to talk about that ugly scene at S Bar in LA when you hijacked Heidi's girls' night out and flirted with those women over shots.
S: It felt dirty. It's not what I wanted. That's why I was sipping on that shot - I was trying to calm my nerves.
Me: I'll just bet. Let's see what Heidi's mature response is...
H: That was the turning point. I saw him with those girls, and I realized I could never see him with someone else... and I could never live my life without him. He's my soulmate.
Me: Yep, there it is. You want him because you don't want anyone else to have him. Brilliant reason to marry.

Magazine: You said you were waiting for Spencer to propose again with the right ring.
H: A new ring means a fresh start, a fresh love, and a fresh engagement. Plus, I didn't get to pick it out. I want something much bigger and one that comes from the heart - not some purple thing!
Me: Nice, you materialistic bitch. After all, it's not the man that matters, but the big fat rock weighing down your finger FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

Me: Oh, kids, here's the topper! Wait for it...
Magazine: What would your dream wedding be like?
H: I just want everything to be perfect. I want to perform at my wedding - it's a special song I'm working on now for Spencer. I'd love to have steakhouse Cut cater it and have Kobe sliders for everyone! I want to give all the guests Jason of Beverly Hills watches. Oh, and I want U2 to come play. They're the perfect wedding band, right?

So, my money's on 3 months, long enough for the excitement to wear off and actual life to set in.

BOOM

So today, the tree in the front yard that I hate because it's messy and shades my whole yard, the one with 5 or 6 giant trunks on it, lost 2 of them. They just fell over.

THEY FELL THE FUCK OVER.



But the city very kindly chopped the whole thing up and took it away. One arm of it was in the street, but they took every piece. You can't even tell it was there.

Hot pink

Meimei got casted this afternoon and will gimp around with it for the next month. It's mid-thigh down to her toes in a "leg bent" position so she can crawl - and so she can't walk. She definitely has a spiral fracture of the tibia. It's a weight-bearing bone, so they want her off it.

The doctor didn't make it sound like the break could only be the result of horrific abuse - he asked us point blank if we were worried about our daycare and dropped it when we said "no". He seemed fine with, "we don't know how it happened, but she's stubborn as hell and we're not surprised."

Meimei actually laid still and quiet while the cast was put on, which if she did that normally, probably would have prevented this entire issue. All jokes aside, she did really well. You will notice, however, the abundance of stickers on her arms and legs. Bribery is never wrong.

The splint she was in over the weekend, however, left a very black, ugly sore on the back of her heel - like a bedsore. No wonder the poor girl couldn't sleep. It was starting to look better already by the time they put the cast on, which they padded REALLY well, and said it would heal up on it's own before the cast came off.

Once again, much crying and screaming for the x-ray, but the cast was clearly away from her skin, so we're comfortable that she's comfortable. She seems more comfortable. She's sleeping better and is quickly getting used to it.

I feel much better now.