I Think Way Too Much

It's like I fell off the edge of the planet with my blog, isn't it?! October 12th was the last time I blogged. I'm stunned. Okay, well maybe not really. I've been a very busy girl. All those ideas and all that energy (Many times fueled by rocket fuel. No! Wait that was coffee.) and the driving schedule kept me going.

I finished the girls room to an acceptable stage so that they were able to have their first major slumber party on Halloween night. Everyone seems to have had a fine time trick or treating and I, miraculously, managed to get a bit of sleep in there too. =) Since then, I've tweaked the things that needed tweaking, but am I every really done? I'd guess the girls new bedroom is 99% or so done--closet-guts not withstanding. (What does that word 'withstanding' really mean? I must look it up later.) I moved the girls' beds into the 1000-times-improved-room before Christmas and gradually we'll move in the rest of their stuff. They love the new digs!

I did indeed participate in NaNoWriMo in November. I did not complete the 50,000 word goal in thirty days. Somewhere around day eight, I realized that I was losing ground with the house and it was reaching a critical crisis state with the family, so I tried to work a bit and write a bit. That worked, I guess if you think that going from writing nearly 2000 words a day to feeling victorious over 12 words is working--at that rate it might another 20 years before I finish this novel idea. Oy! My two writing buddies were initially disgusted with my verbosity, but I think they have forgiven me. I ended with 7242 words to my total and my buddies somewhat less. It gives me hope that if I had been more focused, I might have succeeded. Considering this was my first attempt to do something this radical since I was twelve, I'm actually quite proud of myself.

The holidays left me sweating whether or not I'd get everything done up in time for the onslaught of family get-togethers, just like always. Every year I resolve that next year I will get done earlier and have time to enjoy my labors, and each year I seem to fail more miserably with my goal. I presume that this comes under the heading of "Hey! That's life, what did you expect?!" And then there is always the "Gee, it's over already" chapter that seems to begin the January blahs and organizing affair while stuck inside--since I'm basically a chicken when the temps dive regularly below the freezing point. By February, I'll be dying for a road trip to Tennessee and potential warmer weather. It hits me like my birthdays, and pretty much I don't have to set the internal clock to know it's coming. Some things are just fated and you know it.

The past couple weeks have out done themselves in the thought provoking category. Nothing like life, death, and accidental near death of a friend's family member to remind one of the importance of being there with your family when it counts--be it a slip on the ice or a zombie apocalypse. (Not that I put much credence in the talk on the street about this potential!) All I'm saying is that the rushing around and making sure our materialistic needs are met are not even close to important!

I mean how could that possibly be more important than figuring out the eternal/infernal questions to your personal way to the big g-o-d (if he/it even exists for you), the state of the Union, taxes, gun control, national security, and "Is the way I show my family I love them enough?", and the list goes on and on and....!? I ask you!

As if none of this were not perplexing enough, add in the mysterious process of fudge making that does in fact seem to be affected inconceivably by the weather--hygrometer and barometer measurements--and life is absolutely inexplicable! Amazing! Sometimes our great-grandparents knew what the *bleep* they were talking about. Anybody else wonder what other true wisdom we all missed and passed off as pure silliness and could use about now?!

Ugh, my head hurts.

Ideas Flowing

Ideas are starting to flow at a rapid pace in my mind. A lot of my ideas are about what I want to write about during the Nanowrimo event, and that is exciting as I don't think I'll be at a loss for topics. I am keeping copious notes about all my ideas, but where they get recorded seems to be as scattered as how and when the ideas arrive. Some ideas are centered around various garden projects at home, the Children's Garden and elsewhere. Some are about art work I'd like to produce. Some are about home remodeling and renovation, decorating about Halloween, Halloween costume possibilities...are you getting the picture? The ideas seem endless. What's up with the creative volcano in my mind this month?

Update!

The Children's Garden has three new trees installed as of this morning! Whoo-pah! I added a weeping cherry to the list yesterday and dug it's hole this morning before the trees arrived. Installing the trees was a bit like watching the Three Stooges plant a tree. (If they ever did that.?) There was me, Jeff P. and Jeff N. (or the other Jeff, as he is more typically monikered.)

First, there was trying to decide how to get the trees into the garden. Normally, one would think this does not need too much consideration, however the garden currently has some special circumstances that needed evaluation.
The circumstances: The garden has no easy front access or side access, because of all the new grass coming up. Last night it rained (over half an inch), so all the soil was very soft this morning--more trouble. The other two sides have raised beds (4-8" high)--all ready for planting, but very wet. The columnar oak was the largest of the three trees. It's approximately twelve feet tall and has to weigh at least 200 pounds!! It has a trunk diameter of about 4 inches--no small feet!
The decision: The final answer was that some tender grass would be trod upon, as carefully as we could manage by crossing at the front and sticking to the winding path. (This path is sometimes affectionately and frustratingly nicknamed "The Drunkard's Path"--and for good reasons.)

Second, there was the hysterical process of unloading the trees from the truck bed into assorted carts or wheelbarrows. I can honestly say that getting the oak down and out to the garden was film worthy, and had us all hunched over laughing at various moments on the journey. I nearly went head over teakettles once with the honey locust tree and wheelbarrow, as it overturned with a gust of wind. (Yes, it was pretty breezy this morning.) Let that be a lesson to one and all...always lay your tree on its side to transport--especially when said tree is nearly ten feet tall! By the time we got to tree number three, the weeping cherry, the thrill had gone with the ease of this minute tree. It was only six feet tall. I took that one solo. No, challenge at all!

Third was the adventure of planting. Tools needed: one hacksaw, wire cutters, pliers, screwdriver, pocket knife and a claw-like grasp of fingers. The oak as you can imagine took all three of us to unload, unwrap, cut string , cut wire, cut bound up roots, and then not so gracefully roll into the hole. I'm certain I looked very graceful grasping the tree, walking backwards stooped over, rolling it towards me and then straddling the hole so as not to get trapped under it's two hundred pound weight. Right.
The honey locust was horridly root bound. We planted it despite it's trauma and with tender loving care, because it is guaranteed for one year. But as protection for us, pictures were taken in case they might be needed later.
The weeping cherry was a picture of perfection to plant, and was so small I was able to do it on my own.

So, after all the struggling, laughing and laboring it was indeed a good day for the Children's Garden!

Now for the rest of the story...

This fall in between doing volunteer work at the Nature centers, the Children's Garden and running children here and there for swim lessons, Science Olympiad, Girl Scouts and dance lessons, I have been busy on other personal avenues.

1.)I have contacted the university and played office ping pong to determine how I must proceed effectively with a program to A.) get a teaching license and certification, and B.) return to school for a Master's degree. I will know more after they have evaluated my transcripts, so I am told.

2.) I have made and submitted my resume. I continue to look for anything that looks appealing to apply. I am hopeful that I will become gainfully employed--ideally part time, but I'm open to full time for the right job.

3.) I have been volunteering at my youngest daughter's school one morning a week. This seems to be helping her and me to understand what she has to do in her new High Ability (or gifted/talented) class that is both 4th and 5th graders. I have been thrilled with her renewed enthusiasm at going to school. Saddened for her having less contact with her best friends during the week. Challenged in how to keep up with the emotional roller coaster that is the life of a 9 year old girl. But at the moment I wouldn't change it for love nor money! For the first time ever my child is learning a LOT and in a short amount of time. In the past she was spending her days bored to death waiting to learn one thing of value--just a kernel here and there.

4.) I have completely lost my mind, (LOL) and decided to attempt a childhood dream that will require me to spend a great deal of time in front of a computer typing. I have signed up to participate in this year's NaNoWriMo during the month of November. I keep telling myself this is completely insane, and yet the creative brain in my refuses to be silenced. Last January, I had an idea and the idea is niggling still. So I'm going to at least make the effort. If I fail at least I will have given it a shot.

So that is the long and the short of it all. May I be blessed with good fortune and moderate sanity!

It's Fall in the Children's Garden and What Do I Have to Show for It?

The Children's Garden project has continued all summer long. I have pushed and prodded it and it beginning to show signs of loveliness! The garden is all laid out and folks are gearing up to finish their parts before the garden is closed up for the winter.

1.) I completed the last of the major excavation this week--the labyrinth. Yay! Ah, to complete the mulching and planting--within the next thirty days I'll say!

2.) I have two ladies and their volunteers planting the prairie flowers in the next couple weeks, and they will be including an official certified Monarch Butterfly Waystation.

3.) I have one teacher/master gardener and her students creating the bog this Friday (weather permitting).

4.) The playhouse/classroom/storage/whatever-we-need-it-for shed was installed in the garden a while back and has a fresh coat of yellow tinted primer on it--very attractive with the green steel roof.

5.) The picket fence and gate are installed and looking like it will be painted in the spring with gusto.

6.) Four shrubs are planted in different parts of the garden. And short sunflowers matured in lovely variety. Some purple coneflowers were planted late summer in the hopes of spring green and summer beauty next year.

7.) The buckwheat cover crop used over the hot summer was a beautiful success, and has gone by the wayside to be replaced by lovely green grass.

8.) Two holes were dug in preparation for the two new trees that will be planted this week--a thornless honeylocust in the labyrinth and a columnar oak near the playhouse/multi-purpose building.

I say that's not bad for year one and about 200 hours of my time! An alphabet garden, an herb garden, arbors, signs, two child-size picnic tables, benches, a shade canopy, the human sundial and many more plantings are to come next year. Compared to this year, I think it will be a complete breeze!

Yes, I have continued to take pictures and over the winter, I may actually get them available online. I pray...

Rice Field Art in Japan

A good friend of mine sent me an email the other day about several Japanese communities creating art images in rice fields using four different varieties of rice plants. It's fascinating. The artist in me is tickled by the art image choices and the gardener in me salutes all those patient planters!

Check it out:

http://www.hemmy.net/2007/09/23/rice-field-art/

Holy Cow...

1.) I haven't updated my blog since last May!

2.) I haven't had time to blog because I have been so busy running here and there!

3.) The Children's Garden project is coming along, but I haven't updated my blog about it. I need to show you all the pictures I've been taking as it forms.

4.) My children are growing like the weeds in my backyard.

5.) We had a very fun-filled 'Staycation' this year.

6.) The kids' summer vacation is half over.

7.) I'm going away with my husband for 5 days without the kids for the first time in over 7 years!

8.) I am going tent camping for the first time EVER later this summer with my daughters, my experienced camper spouse and a family of highly experienced camping friends!

9.) This summer has been the most action packed since, well...since I don't remember when!

10.) It's all great! I may be insanely busy, but overall I'm a very happy idiot!

School's Out

School's out, school's out teacher let the monkeys out! Isn't that the truth? I'm thrilled the kids are out of school fro the summer, but it seems like that last school year just flew! What does that say about the upcoming summer?

This is probably the first summer as a family we have most of our time planned. Vacation days are set, the girls have most of their activities set, and I have what seems like an endless list of things to do. I feel like the Sandra Boynton song "BusyBusyBusy".

We have a lot of hopes for this summer: sleeping in once in a while, time for reading, enjoying the sunshine, finding respite in a pool, working and playing in various gardens, seeing beloved family and good friends, fun and thrills at parks, seeing new and favored places, and taking time to just be happy and giggly.

Here's to school being out! Let summer begin.

Coming along...

The Children's Garden project had a pretty good week of work from me. Moved soil for about 5 hours total and I'm beginning to see it taking shape. I also had a productive meeting with a fellow gardener interested in making arbors, fence and a building for the garden. Very nice.

My youngest daughter finally got accepted into a gifted and talented program at her school, so I'm much more hopeful that she will learn more next year. This past year she was bored more than 75% of the time. So maybe I won't have to home school her this coming year. ;-)

My eldest had a wonderful band concert last night and she and her group sounded much improved--even though the last concert was in March!

I'm so proud of both of my girls! We all seem to be coming along nicely with our projects.

Surprise!

Yesterday morning, I got a surprise while working with a few of my fellow master gardeners. The surprise was the information that The Children's Garden project received a $1000 grant for plants and seeds. There was even a photo-op in the afternoon when the President of our organization received the check. I hid in the background because I was dirty, hot and sweaty from working all morning and half the afternoon.

As far as recent work on the garden, I got lucky and a fellow MG tilled most of the paths so we could start removing 3-4" of soil from the paths and relocating it to assorted beds to raise some of the beds in the plan. Once the paths are cleared. then we will add mulch to the paths and the real fun can begin of adding compost, plants and lawn. I can't wait to see some other color than dark brown with polka dot weeds!

Now, if I could just get more than nine people signed up to help with and that can work when I can...I think I need to go on a sales campaign and get the group as excited about this as I am. I'm going to think about this a lot over the next few days. Perhaps, I should break the project down and see if I can get people assigned to more specific sections after the plan is clear from the soil excavation and path mulching. For example...someone to do an Alphabet garden gets this section, someone can do the Herbs here, someone can do the Butterfly garden here, another could do the Senses garden there and so on.

It might also stop this ridiculous "Cheryl's garden" thing. Ah, NOT. I have my own at home, thank you. I have wanted other MG's to come forward with their ideas and to incorporate it into the garden all along and actually I have informally assigned a few sections already. I wanted to see other people get creative and think about how they play with their kids and what they would like to see and do in the garden. So maybe if I could get a chance to really sell it at the next meeting rather than the backhanded version of "what's going on?" I might be able to get them more involved. That's been my hope all along, and I'm still hoping.

Red Letter Day

Yesterday marked a milestone with the Children's Garden Project. I completed laying out all the critical design lines in the 10,000 square foot garden. Granted it's just lines in the dirt, but meaningful lines. It took me less than 12 hours of concentrated work to complete this part of the project. I admit I was selfish and wanted to do this part by myself, but it worked out as most of the MG's were prepping for our fundraising Graden Expo. Even in shades of brown-black soil, I can see the components coming together.

Now, I must set up work days for everyone to come out and help move soil, rake, dig, lay mulch on the paths, and prep for the grass seed to go down in all the grassy areas. Once we start seeing the grass green up, the garden should start to look more defined.

So much to do and coordinate: building projects, plants, bog excavation and lining. The list goes on.

What's old and new

I have not updated my blog for over two weeks. It seems I drafted two entries, but trashed them--too late, too whatever. So to bring you up to date...I recovered from the vacation; my husband and I got our taxes done early this year to my amazement, and my wonderful spouse helped me to cleanup our fall debris yesterday.

The Children's Garden plans are starting to become more concrete with the layout beginning in the field. (I found myself thinking of it as the "Field of Dreams" the other day--"build it and they will come".) I am making lists in my head of jobs to be done by master gardeners and trying to figure out dates to proceed with them all. As for my own modest home yard/garden, plans are being sketchily laid in my head for the plan of attack this spring with a determination that the weather will be cooperative!

The family's summer schedule has been perused and tentative dates for vacation(s) and possible camps have been set. I hope we all will have the energy to do it all happily. It seems insane to me that already I am thinking about the next school year and how we already have some things on the calendar for August. Life is crazy like that here.

Family Vacation

I returned from my first Florida vacation last weekend. I am still not sure why it is that folks in the Midwest are so in love with Florida. It must be the palm trees, sun and the tropical feel. I personally like the frequently changing weather of the Midwest, and I think if I could plan a vacation any where in the world it would be to Maine, New England or to northern Europe. I know, many would call me crazy, but I love snow and rain and wind and I don't like temperatures above 90 degrees. Give me something in between and I love it! I suppose it's a plus, with my climate preference, that I don't mind going out in inclement weather. It's just fine with me. We all have our quirks.

I did enjoy the gardens at Disney, especially at Epcot and the Animal Kingdom. Epcot was flashy with bright swashes of color. Animal Kingdom was relaxing with it's savannas and forestry--a wonderful feeling of being immersed in nature!

The kids had a really good time on this trip, especially at Disney's Magical Kingdom. We spent 12 hours at the Magical Kingdom and when we were done with the rides and the fireworks we all went back to the hotel and crashed like a ton of bricks. I and my husband were sore for two days. I am still exhausted! But it was a memorable family vacation and I was happy that the kids and husband were happy.

The day after our flight got back to Indiana, my eldest daughter participated in the State Science Olympiad. We think her school did well, but we were way too pooped out to stick around another four hours to the end and find out. So I imagine she will find out the results today at school.

I spent the rest of the weekend doing chores like grocery shopping, film developing, unpacking and laundry--all for the sake of getting everyone back to the usual schedule for today. Today, I have done more laundry, had a brief nap and begun to moan over having to do the monthly bills and prepare for a tax appointment on April Fool's Day. (There are so many ways that is an appropriate day to take care of taxes! LOL Feel the irony?)

I also am having to turn my mind back to finishing the bedroom renovations, garden cleanup and planting of bare root stock in my own yard, and the Children's Garden Project with the master gardener program. So much to do. I think I'm going to need more coffee or another nap or both.

Grant #1 Submitted

Last Tuesday, I spoke with the President of my master gardener association, and learned that because I had such a well written proposal, the grant was already completed and mailed. She said that all the information she needed was all right there in my proposal overview. Wow. Thank you two years of art ed in college!

Of course, I may need to help with other grants for this project. I received an email today with another grant suggestion. The members seem pretty excited about the garden's prospects and the board is definitely looking at this plan as a permanent fixture of the demonstration gardens. Thanks to last summer's master gardener trip to Chicago last summer that highlighted the importance and design of public spaces and places, I think we all were thinking about gardens a bit differently.

This should be a very interesting year.

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Where have all the girls scout cookies gone...seems like only yesterday there were 7 boxes in the kitchen and now there are only two (and a half).

Ahhh...memories.

More Kudos and rejoicing

Today I attended a master gardener association executive board meeting, with the Children's Garden Plan and budget proposal in tow. (The items I have been laboring on this past week.) I presented to the board the design, its purpose and the ballpark figures necessary to complete the project as a whole and...I was actually pleasantly surprised that they decided with enthusiasm to give me money to move the project forward. The paltry sum I had been hoping for in the back of my mind was blown away. I think I was slack-jawed there for a moment or two. Wow. They gave me nearly a third of the total costs. Wow. And in this economy. Triple wow.

So the upshot of this is, the project can get started this spring! And it also means I need to apply for a grant for another part of the funds. Luckily, the Pres. of the Association is more than willing to help me do this--and she has someone experienced in writing grants to give us advice on how to proceed.

So all good. I still can't believe that they like it as much as they say they do. Maybe I don't believe it because it hasn't fully sunk in what it all will mean. This is a huge project. (Slightly under 1/4 acre.) Wild.

Kudos Deserved!

I just found out a little while ago that my eldest daughter placed 3rd in Meteorology at the Regional Science Olympiad, AND that her school placed second. SOO...they are going to the State Science Olympiad Competition next month. Whoo-pah!!

Garden Crazy

Bwah!! I'm happy. I'm excited. I'm flattered. I'm stressed. I have one week to finish my budget proposal for the new childrens' garden plan and then I have to present it to the Board at an executive meeting. I'm off into unchartered waters. If all goes well the president of our group wants to apply for a grant for the money. (This same president thinks my plan is "terrific!") This is wild.

No worries. No pressure. I'm just a volunteer. Everybody likes a good volunteer, right?

My new mantra: I will not be stressed; I will not be stressed; I will not be stressed. Maybe I'll even convince myself before next Monday. You think?!?

Tending

As usual I've been keeping myself moderately busy, but not always with the most important things. For example...I have been spending (Ah-hem, wasting) time on FB. Unbelievable, yet true. This is not to say that I am completely lost. I have managed to maintain the laundry and dish chain. I also have managed to read approximately one dozen books (not all of those were frivolous fiction) in the last two months. Part of me would like to think that my patronage of the county library system is helping to keep a few people gainfully employed--that's ego for you.

Through the usual course of events, I was thrilled to become a Master gardener and five minutes later become an Advanced master gardener--thanks to procedural and paper lag. The end result is still the same and I am still pleased. Also along these lines...

I am pleased and fretful about the children's garden plans. I received a green light to move forward making the initial plans, garnered some support and enthusiasm from fellow gardeners, and now have to figure out the nitty gritty budget to present to the "executive board". This is a bit intimidating as I was not expecting to do this part at this stage and without any other obvious support/help. It's one of those situations where you have to ask the obvious question "How did I get into this mess in the first place?" The obvious answer then is "I jumped without looking." (Head thump.) I'll work it out. I hope.

While the garden outside has lain sleeping, I have not been idle. Mentally, I have been growing, pruning and finding a path back to myself. I know a few would ask---where have you been? It's complicated, but I think that finally I am coming out of my mourning. I told a very special friend that I feel I am coming back to myself. The fact that she said she had noticed my 'coming and going' fills me with both sadness and joy. Sadness because I will never fully know how my mourning affected those closest to me. Joy because I have such a wonderful a caring friend still there after I've come out of the rain.

Snowy again

A little while ago I finished digging us out from about 6 inches of the white stuff. My arms feel a bit like jell-o, but I'm good. I guess this is one way to begin "spring training", right? It was/is gorgeous outside with the sun shining.

I think the girls have had a pretty good snow day today. They played with their toys, on the computer, had a friend over and are out in the snow right now, soaking up the sunshine. Not bad. I think this their 5th "snow" day this school year. (I'm not counting delays.)

The List

This January, I have been pretty busy doing a lot of little things that add up to a lot. So since I haven't had a blog entry in a while...how about a summary list to catch you all up.

1. Staying home out of the cold and the snow (mostly) while kids have delays and snow days.
2. Doing the daily unending domestic chores that keep us all moving on with our lives.
3. Finishing a children's garden plan for the master gardener association.
4. Going to a delayed holiday party for nature center volunteers, that was so funny and wild I came home with a goose-egg and a good humor about it.
5. Reading a lot and listening to some books on CD. (Something I, usually, don't do but am finding it useful)
6. Helping both daughters here and there with fund raisers for band and girls scouts.
7. Finishing up little old projects here and there.
8. Getting into the new year by playing with a new Facebook page--at friends' and family urging. (Laughing at my young neighbor telling me her mom is too old at 40 to have a Facebook page.)
9. Finally, loaded my new iPod shuffle with a few favorite albums. I feel accomplished now--after all I have had it since Christmas Day. (eye roll)
10. Volunteering with joy at the Lilly Nature Center--it helps keep the winter blahs at bay.
11. Kicking back of an evening and enjoying the company of my family.
12. Beginning to plot and plan my attack on the yard and gardens for the spring and summer.
13. Trying to decide if I can afford to go see one or more of my friends out West this year. Seriously, I've looked at dates and plane tickets more than half a dozen times since Christmas.
14.Generally, being happily introspective and joyful for all my blessings in this rotten economy.

BRRR!!

I knew I should have bought thermal underwear this year. I failed. What was I thinking?! This week the weather people have me running for cover (preferably under my feather bed) with the temperatures they are projecting for this week. Thursday they are predicting a high temp of 2 degrees. Wow. While I am glad I don't live in Minnesota this week, my heart goes out to our friends who do. One question: I love you, but are you insane or what?

A New Beginning

Okay. I didn't get strap-on skates from Santa, but I did get Yak-Trax from my good ol' mom and dad! Thank you so very much!!! (Nothing like having chains for your sneakers even if ya ain't got 'em on your car. Yep.) I even had a chance to road test them earlier this week when all the newsy people were freaking out about our 3rd ice storm this season. (It was hardly worth putting them on, but ya gotta try 'em to know if you are gonna like 'em!) It was hardly ice. Just a super light glaze. You could get more glaze on a Krispy Kreme donut. Pu-lease! But the Trax they worked very nicely--just do not try them on dry concrete indoors as it is very easy to do a 'Bambi maneuver'.

The holidays were pretty good. Very exhausting. If they lasted any longer this year, I would have been dead. Thank goodness for some small mercies.

I am thrilled to say the children are all back in school and getting reacquainted with their routines. (So am I!!) I feel a little more peace settling over my soul with the increased serenity at home. Too much togetherness makes me nuts.

Also in the makes me nuts category...too much coffee (lol) and too many projects due all at once. I have 99.9% (to infinity) done on my children's garden design project. It looks great on paper and will be a pain to layout in reality. (I have not done this project by half measures.) Dream big was the theme. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed that my MG meeting was canceled this week due to icy weather. I had really psyched myself up to sell the ideas to the group. Now I have no idea when I will have to present this project plan. (Note the pout.)

I am trying to get myself organized this year, as I expect it will be very busy on many different fronts. I have committed myself to continue some volunteer efforts I began last year and I have added two or three new ones this year to the list. I am also continuing to commit myself to greater completion of home improvement projects in the coming year, old crafty projects and generally trying to tie up whatever loose ends I come across. I would like to re-add a fitness component to my resolutions this year, as I was sadly very lax in the last two years.

Man this seems like a lot! (I know I will probably add to it some more.) I hope these resolutions don't go the way of most and wind up as just guilty failures. It would seem pretty awesome if they didn't and I actually managed to do it all. Wow. Just imagine that.