Mothers day

I got to take the day off this year... someone else did the kitchen work!

yard work

This morning I heard that rain was coming... possibilities of showers and thunderstorms. That would make mowing the lawn tomorrow an impossible task, so I ran out and did it this morning. It actually was a great day to mow, as it is cool and cloudy. After mowing I finished cutting down a few volunteer trees, and moved two hostas that have been hiding behind the bleeding hearts. The kids helped to water the plants, and watered themselves as well.
I love gardening - well, not the weeding, who does? - for so many different reasons. I get to make my little patch of earth beautiful and productive. I get to be outside, gettting exercise while working. I get to be away from the kids... ;-)
I know people who say that anything they plant dies. I have been blessed - most of my plantings flourish. I also have been able to transplant things that were here when we moved in. I have found, though, that I prefer perennials (come back every year), and I prefer in-ground plantings rather than pots or baskets. (They don't die as quickly if you forget to water them!)
Last year I took out all my perennials and redid the flower garden. All the plants seem to be enjoying their new spots, as they are either blooming like crazy or getting ready to do so! I do need to cut back the tulip foliage... This year I am working on the new vegetable garden and also on the plantings around the garage. I need to work on getting a trellis for the clematis to climb. It will help to dress up the garage - it has beautiful white blooms in the fall, and the fragance is like perfume! Another task this year - planting grass where the bushes used to be... but we have to move the mulch and logs first!

vacation tips?

Ooooh, we can't hardly wait! Vacation is just around the corner!
It has been a long time since I have been to Hocking Hills. I have many fond memories of our family hikes there, and I look forward to introducing it to my children. The kids are excited about camping in the gypsy wagon, and being able to explore places where Native Americans once lived. It will be nice to go without the television and computer, to be away from the city noises, to live at a more relaxed pace. Peace and quiet.
Any tips on hiking with kids? Best parks? Good restaurants? Neat stores?
Want to join us for a day? Meet us at the wagon...

cute and easy craft

I was surfing, looking for patterns for Dot's fair entries this year, and found these really cute crafts. They promote them as easy enough for VBS, and they only take 1/2 sheets of felt and some embroidery floss. Cheap!

cleaning out the attic

Our attic is stuffed full of boxes of children's clothing, mostly girls. We have finally asked ourselves why we should be keeping this stuff... if we ever do have another child (no plans to do so right now), what chance is there that it would be a girl born in late summer? Or a boy, born in early summer? Why are we using up valuable storage space on tubs of clothing? So, the clean-out begins... who needs clothing? I have clothing for girls, up to size 7/8, various seasons. I have boys clothes up to size 2T/3T. I have tons of girls shoes, and fewer pairs of boys shoes. It's all free! Ask for it now, I want it gone by the end of May!

How to get what you want.

Grand Prix 2006

This afternoon we went to church for the Master Club Grand Prix. Dot and Jim worked this week on her car, and both seemed happy with the results. Dot won 3rd place in the primary division!

aaarrgh!

As if there wasn't enough to do already... now there's more! Can my children play without making huge disasterous messes? Apparently not! My list will have more items added onto it than crossed off. And I don't know what we're having for dinner...

latest project

I had time to relax yesterday, and I spent it downstairs, sewing. It felt so good to create something!
I needed a new purse, and I figured I could make one for less than buying it (and I wouldn't have to travel all over the place looking for it). Last year I made myself a purse, and it turned out pretty nice. Dot has adopted that purse for this year, although she is waiting for me to make a special tote bag just for her. We picked out material at Joann's last week, and found some nice ones on sale. I forgot to buy strap material, though, so I had to scrounge through my leftovers to put together this purse. I worked without a pattern or instructions, and it turned out pretty well. It's a little Lacoste, I think, although those are dragonflies, not alligators... and the zipper is upside down. It'll work. For now.

ministry fair results

I worked hard on my booth for the ministry fair, and it went over well. Unfortunately, other booths included powerpoint and sound productions, or puppet shows, and I couldn't compete with them. The gift certificate is in someone else's pocket now... oh well. I did get a few more women signed up for the nursery, though, and that is a very good thing!