Gardening

I really want to be a gardener. Or, I want to think of myself as a gardener. I'm usually enthusiastic in May and June, but by July and August I really don't have the energy or temperament to tend to my garden very much. It's over in the back yard, watering is a pain, who feels like weeding when it's so hot, etc.

Dave had an idea yesterday that I'm pretty excited about. We have a spruce tree in front of our kitchen window on the west side of the house. We really should cut it down because a power line runs through it's branches. We've held off on that, because the shade is nice in summer. For the last few weeks, however, we're finding ourselves more and more annoyed with that tree. It's so messy, it obstructs the view of our sunsets, etc. So, I really think we'll cut it down this year. We'll probably wait until fall, though, because there are a ton of bird nests in that tree.

We'd been talking about having a covered swing in that area, or a gazebo. Yesterday, Dave suggested a garden. For my self-diagnosed ADD, that would be perfect. It would make a huge difference in my mindset if I was able to just go right outside to to the gardening work. And the water would be right there, too. I hope we'll be able to get the stump removed, and the soil will be okay.

We've been reorganizing for fresh starts in most of our rooms in the house. I really like the idea of a fresh start in the garden, too.

Strange 80's TV

Last night after the kids went to bed, we were flipping through channels. We don't have cable, so there isn't much to choose from. It was also windy last night, so we weren't getting reception from many stations. Since we switched to digital, we have been getting a retro station that our local ABC station sponsors. That was coming in clearly.

The A-Team was on, which I've never watched. Here's the thing, when we turned it on there were about 20 minutes left of the show. The setting was a cowboy bar and Boy George and Culture Club were singing. I couldn't tear myself away. It was like being at the scene of an accident, or something. Then, Boy George was helping the team catch the bad guys. He had to help one of the members pick out a dress to wear to disguise himself as a pregnant woman to help get the other team members get out of jail. Then, there was this memorable line, "Hurry, we have to go help Boy George at the sheriff's office." The show ended with the band singing Karma Chameleon to the cowboys and the A-Team. They were all, including Mr. T, grooving to it.

That has to be one of the most bizarre things I've ever seen on TV.

Speaking Of Old Episodes Of Blues Clues

Come on, Steve. The clues are: 1. A notebook; 2. Green Stripes; 3. A person

You can't figure out what Blue wants to draw? What person always wears green stripes and carries a notebook? Hmmmmm.

Sometimes I Could Just Bust

One of the reasons I homeschool is because of the relationships I want to foster between my kids. Some days it seems like we're taking many steps backward. They can't even breathe in the same room without someone throwing a fit.

Within the past 12 hours, I've been able to witness how my kids really do care about each other, and it's been very gratifying.

First instance - Last night while I was finishing supper dishes, Dave & Madeline were off doing their own projects and Henry was in the living room just hanging out and resting. He had a nasty stomach bug over the weekend, and has had a vicious sore throat since Tuesday night. (It's Thursday morning) All of the sudden I heard a crash upstairs and Gracie was crying. I went up the stairs with Henry right at my heels. She had fallen off a stool in the bathroom and bumped her head. I snuggled with her for a few minutes, while Henry entertained her with "Cuddle Monster" stories. I can't remember when he invented it, but he'll turn into Cuddle Monster and that'll be their special thing together. Pretty soon I was able to go downstairs and finish what I was doing, and he took care of Gracie.

Second instance - 11:55 pm. I was in the middle of a deep sleep when Madeline came into our room saying, "Grace threw up in her bed". I really hate those words. I got the dirty bedding off while Dave started giving Gracie a bath. I let him go back to bed while I finished up with Gracie, got her dressed and dried her hair. Madeline was with me the whole while, entertaining Gracie and offering to stay up with her on the couch. I couldn't let her take on the sole responsibility of a vomiting toddler, but I did welcome her help. So, the three of us hung out on the couch, watching a tape of Blue's Clues and Little Bear. When it seemed like Grace was done throwing up, I went back to bed (about 3 am) while Madeline stayed with her on the couch. At one point, Madeline had Grace cuddling up against her on one side while holding the puke bucket on her other side. It was very sweet. I took a picture. She really does love her little sister.

More Monk

Okay, so we're about halfway through our Season Two Monk discs. Maybe we're a little too obsessed.

Last night, Grandma watched the kids for awhile. She and Gracie played with the Pooh guys. Grandma was a little taken aback when Grace announced that Pooh had died and Monk and Sharona would have to figure out who killed him.

Isn't it funny what younger siblings are exposed to, as opposed to older siblings? I can't imagine a 3 1/2 year old Madeline playing that Pooh was murdered.

So, that began a very bizarre discussion at breakfast this morning. We plotted a whole Monk type scenario set in the Hundred Acre Woods. This is our casting:

Pooh = Monk
Christopher Robin = Trudy
Kanga = Sharona/Natalie
Roo = Benjy/Julie
Eeyore = Stottlemeyer
Tigger = Disher
Owl = Therapist
Piglet = Monk's brother (I can't remember his name)
The Heffalump = Dale the Whale

We couldn't imagine that any other family anywhere would be having that conversation. Sigh. Yeah, I know we're kind of strange.