My day was great! Even though I went to bed after midnight, and I usually need a lot more sleep, I woke up early at 7:30am, for some reason. Crazy. I talked to some friends on IRC about car engines, bio-diesel, and why the gasoline has mysteriously not turned to turpentine in post-apocalyptic shows and movies. And, then I got dressed up nice. (I even tried putting a small amount of make-up on.) And, then I went out to pick up job applications from the hotels near my house. Lots of walking.
In one of the hotels, I ran into someone I used to work with up in the Park a few years ago. He was, and still is, dating one of the girls who worked with me in the Pizza Parlor. (My favourite co-worker, actually.) So, that was cool. I found out that they moved to town, and she is working at a store really close. We talked for maybe two minutes before I left, so that he could get back to work. And, I gave him my number and address, so that we could keep in touch.
Some of the people just handed me the application, but some of them were really friendly and welcoming. They let they let me know who was responsible for the hiring, and if they knew of any openings. I even got to talk with a few managers right there on the spot.
I picked up nine applications, and then walked over to Wendy's, so that I could fill them out and grab a sandwich. I ended up staying there for an hour and a half. I listened to the music on my phone while looking up some of the phone numbers and addresses. Then, I dropped off the one I had completed, to the place where it seemed like I had the best chance of getting hired, and then walked over to the Marshalls to look for some sheets.
It was getting a bit windy by that point, and it looked like it might start raining, so I asked Andi to pick me up after work. I almost regretted not bringing my jacket, hat, and gloves, but it worked out. Andi took me for a quick stop at Walgreen's, and then to Taco Bell for drive-thru. When we got back to the trailer, I was about 15 minutes late for the Admin Meeting in my gaming clan. But, that worked out alright, too, because the couple that founded the group were about 20 minutes later than I was.
We talked about the clan business for about 2 hours, and bullshitted a little. Then, I edited and posted the Minutes, and played on the server until 7:30 this morning. Had a blast. I still haven't been to sleep, yet. And, I am thinking of staying up until I get the rest of the apps filled out. I might even try to walk down and drop them off before I go to bed. Or, I might go brush my teeth right now, and go to sleep. I cannot really tell what my body wants to do once I go this long without sleeping.
I don't have any plans with anyone for today. And, that is one of the things that usually keeps me awake for long periods of time. In fact, last weekend I was awake for 37 hours straight. I had to be awake by 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, in order to help out my folks while they were camping at the Kearney Renaissance Festival.
On Friday, I went to bed around 9:00pm, but I woke up at 2:30am on Saturday, and I couldn't go back to sleep. I got out to the park at 6:30pm, drove my parents to the nearby Denny's for dinner, and dropped them off again. And, I really didn't feel sleepy again until about 1:30 Sunday afternoon. But, by then, I didn't really feel like I had enough time to go to sleep. I managed to stay awake until 3:30pm, but then I had to take a nap.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Garden Depression
I'm certain that plenty of gardeners out there have experienced garden depression before. Whether it is from the deer eating most of the vegetables before they even get started, or the early frost that rots out the squash, or the pesky pets who cannot resist the temptation of a freshly planted bed of soft soil, we have all thought about throwing in the towel.
We all know what it is like to look at the mess of a ruined garden and still be painfully aware of what that garden was going to become. The visions of what was to be haunt us as we look at the work that must be redone. And, we wonder if the risk, labour, and expense are really worth it.
I am feeling this low, right now, and I am finding it very hard to want to go out into the garden. (Of course, I can't go out right now, anyway, because of my problems with my neck and shoulder. But, I don't even feel the desire to go look at it.) Maybe, I should just get a hardy ground cover to cover the whole yard, and be done with it. Maybe, I should pay someone else to take care of it when I am feeling this bad. (Oh, if only I could afford that option.)
I'd totally help some out by putting a few extra bucks in their pocket in exchange for some help in the yard. But, my current budget is next to nil, and I need to be saving my money for replacing the engine on my car, and for helping to pay the property taxes on my folks' home. And, my current income is unemployment benefits that are about to run out. So, spending anything on the garden right now would not be prudent.
Anyway...
... I am still trying to decide if I really want to post any pictures of my failed garden efforts. If I decide to share them, they will be added below the line.
[-- Nope. No photos, yet. --]
We all know what it is like to look at the mess of a ruined garden and still be painfully aware of what that garden was going to become. The visions of what was to be haunt us as we look at the work that must be redone. And, we wonder if the risk, labour, and expense are really worth it.
I am feeling this low, right now, and I am finding it very hard to want to go out into the garden. (Of course, I can't go out right now, anyway, because of my problems with my neck and shoulder. But, I don't even feel the desire to go look at it.) Maybe, I should just get a hardy ground cover to cover the whole yard, and be done with it. Maybe, I should pay someone else to take care of it when I am feeling this bad. (Oh, if only I could afford that option.)
I'd totally help some out by putting a few extra bucks in their pocket in exchange for some help in the yard. But, my current budget is next to nil, and I need to be saving my money for replacing the engine on my car, and for helping to pay the property taxes on my folks' home. And, my current income is unemployment benefits that are about to run out. So, spending anything on the garden right now would not be prudent.
Anyway...
... I am still trying to decide if I really want to post any pictures of my failed garden efforts. If I decide to share them, they will be added below the line.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Back in Town
For the last few days, my neck and back have been in pretty bad shape. Currently, I cannot turn my head very far to the left. I've been trying to sleep, and rest as much as possible. So, my erratic sleep schedule is messed up even more right now. I woke up at 10:30 pm tonight.
I am still trying to get things organized around my place, but it is going very slow. So, no parties any time soon, for me. I have to get better, and finish my chores first. There is a lot to do around here, and no one else is going to do it for me.
Updating my blogs and journals is something I have been putting off. I got hired back at my summer job on short notice. They needed the help because people at work were still shaken up by the car accident that took the lives of two of the kitchen staff. (That is a whole issue on it's own, and I don't know if I am ready to get into that.) Some people quit, and some of the others were having troubles dealing with their positions, so the management decided to move a few people around to see if that helped to ease some of the tensions. And, I got re-hired.
I've been gone (up in the mountains) for the last three months. And, my garden has fallen to ruins. I managed to squeeze in enough time to re-pot several of the plants that had just started to take root, and take them up to my mom's house. The rest (mostly ground covers and vines) had to struggle through a very hot summer without proper attention. A miscommunication between Andi and me led to the watering schedule having much longer intervals than needed, so almost everything has died.
Even the honeysuckle is struggling to hang in there. (Heh, it's a vine: All it does is hang, and climb, and hang some more.)
I am still trying to get things organized around my place, but it is going very slow. So, no parties any time soon, for me. I have to get better, and finish my chores first. There is a lot to do around here, and no one else is going to do it for me.
Updating my blogs and journals is something I have been putting off. I got hired back at my summer job on short notice. They needed the help because people at work were still shaken up by the car accident that took the lives of two of the kitchen staff. (That is a whole issue on it's own, and I don't know if I am ready to get into that.) Some people quit, and some of the others were having troubles dealing with their positions, so the management decided to move a few people around to see if that helped to ease some of the tensions. And, I got re-hired.
I've been gone (up in the mountains) for the last three months. And, my garden has fallen to ruins. I managed to squeeze in enough time to re-pot several of the plants that had just started to take root, and take them up to my mom's house. The rest (mostly ground covers and vines) had to struggle through a very hot summer without proper attention. A miscommunication between Andi and me led to the watering schedule having much longer intervals than needed, so almost everything has died.
Even the honeysuckle is struggling to hang in there. (Heh, it's a vine: All it does is hang, and climb, and hang some more.)
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Feeling Ramped about the Garden
This morning was the Pride Parade in Fresno. Andy went, and said it was great, even though it was hot. I wanted to go, but I was too tired.
Maybe an hour after Andy left, Bob came a knocking. Well, actually, he rang the bell. And, it couldn't have been at a worse time. It's one of my great fears, and it's come to pass a few times already: I'm home alone, sitting on the toilet, in the middle of doing my business, and someone is at the door. Argh!
Anyway, Bob is the neighbor who sold us the trailer. He and his wife live on the other side of the park from us. They are both probably in their 80's. And, when he was showing us the place, he said that if we were going to pull out the ramp, that they'd want to buy it. So, last weekend, he came by to talk about it again. He said that his kids would be visiting, and they would help him move it. And, he offered us $50.
It's probably worth more than that in scrap metal, but it's welded together. I don't have a way to tear it up, nor a vehicle that could haul it (whole or in pieces). Besides, I feel like it'd be a shame to tear up something that is still so useful. And, they really needed it. His wife had been injured right before we moved in. So, passing it on to them was the right thing to do.
Getting to them was another matter. And, even though his son-in-law was joking about the agreed upon price not including delivery fees, they took care of the whole thing. I did help a little, but that was my choice. Moving it out from underneath our awning was the hard part. It was about four feet longer than the distance between the support columns, and there was no room to pivot because the building was right next to the ramp.
We figured that either the ramp was put in place before the awning was installed, or the ramp was built on the spot. They brought along a furniture dolly and a hand truck which helped a lot. But, the only way to get it out was to back the whole thing up to the end of the trailer, back by the swap cooler, and then pivot from there. Then they had to pick it up, and carry it over the old garden bed. By the time they got it that far, they decided to just keep going all the way to the road.
They loaded it onto the ten foot trailer behind their pick-up truck. I could see that it was a bit of a strain to lift the front of the ramp up over the front wall of the trailer, but once that was done, and they secured the chain around it, they were ready to go. The last two feet were hanging off the back end of the trailer, but at least they didn't have far to go.
It is quite amazing how much roomier the yard feels. It was only 30 inches (76 cm), but it seems bigger because the patio went from being four feet wide to seven feet wide. There's enough room to put a chair or two, and maybe a little table.
Maybe an hour after Andy left, Bob came a knocking. Well, actually, he rang the bell. And, it couldn't have been at a worse time. It's one of my great fears, and it's come to pass a few times already: I'm home alone, sitting on the toilet, in the middle of doing my business, and someone is at the door. Argh!
Anyway, Bob is the neighbor who sold us the trailer. He and his wife live on the other side of the park from us. They are both probably in their 80's. And, when he was showing us the place, he said that if we were going to pull out the ramp, that they'd want to buy it. So, last weekend, he came by to talk about it again. He said that his kids would be visiting, and they would help him move it. And, he offered us $50.
It's probably worth more than that in scrap metal, but it's welded together. I don't have a way to tear it up, nor a vehicle that could haul it (whole or in pieces). Besides, I feel like it'd be a shame to tear up something that is still so useful. And, they really needed it. His wife had been injured right before we moved in. So, passing it on to them was the right thing to do.
Getting to them was another matter. And, even though his son-in-law was joking about the agreed upon price not including delivery fees, they took care of the whole thing. I did help a little, but that was my choice. Moving it out from underneath our awning was the hard part. It was about four feet longer than the distance between the support columns, and there was no room to pivot because the building was right next to the ramp.
We figured that either the ramp was put in place before the awning was installed, or the ramp was built on the spot. They brought along a furniture dolly and a hand truck which helped a lot. But, the only way to get it out was to back the whole thing up to the end of the trailer, back by the swap cooler, and then pivot from there. Then they had to pick it up, and carry it over the old garden bed. By the time they got it that far, they decided to just keep going all the way to the road.
They loaded it onto the ten foot trailer behind their pick-up truck. I could see that it was a bit of a strain to lift the front of the ramp up over the front wall of the trailer, but once that was done, and they secured the chain around it, they were ready to go. The last two feet were hanging off the back end of the trailer, but at least they didn't have far to go.
It is quite amazing how much roomier the yard feels. It was only 30 inches (76 cm), but it seems bigger because the patio went from being four feet wide to seven feet wide. There's enough room to put a chair or two, and maybe a little table.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Updates
Okay, it's been a while since I last updated this. Things have been a little crazy, and it always seems to be right before bed when I think about posting here. But, by then my brain is so tired that I have a hard time formulating my thoughts in a coherent manner. Perhaps posting when I first wake up is a better solution. That is when I am processing the events of the previous day, thinking about my dreams, and making my plans for the coming day. Anyway, we'll see if it works.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Garden Update:
Several of the plants we bought are doing well. The Alyssum, Scotch Moss, Blue Ageratum, Calibrachoa, Verbena, and Ajuga have been establishing themselves, and spreading out.
The status of the Sago Palm that Andy's sister gave us is still up in the air. It's leaves are showing some yellowing, and that has me concerned. I thought, perhaps I was watering it too often, so I have slowed down on that. And, my grandma brought over some polished river rocks, so I added a stone mulch to the planter.
The Erysimum, Ranunculus, and some of the suculents are dead or dying. I think that was due to watering them with the wrong frequencies, or planting them in the wrong soil or pot. I am going to try again, but I'll have to change things up a bit to figure it out.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Health Update:
Around the same time that I found out that I am allergic to penicillin, I also started noticing an odd shaped rash. It started out really small, and only in two places (my inner left thigh and my right arm pit) so I didn't pay much attention to it at first. Looked like pimples at the beginning, but they never formed a head.
Instead, the redness just spread out until in formed a slight ring shape. So, my next thought was that it could be ringworm (a fungus related to athlete's foot), but I have had that on my arm as a child. It was itchy, highly contagious, and formed raised bumps in a complete circle. This rash was not itchy, not raised, and the shape more resembled an eye or an almond with two pointed ends.
What's more was even though it was spreading around my body (like it was contagious) it was not spreading in a logical manner for ringworm. In other words, the spots were not near each other, nor did it seem to be spread to places that my fingers regularly touched. Instead, it was sprinkled across my abdomen with a couple located on the backs of my lower thighs. Other clues that it was not ringworm was that the anti-fungal cream was having no affect, and Andy had no signs of it whatsoever.
Since I have no health insurance, going to the Urgent Care clinics costs $100. per visit, and going to the E.R. was out of the question (because I cannot pay for their exorbitant bills, so it would just go to collections, and further ruin my credit rating), so I searched the internet for possible causes of this rash.
That was scary. The best match to my symptoms seemed to indicated the impending failure of my lymphatic system, due to the long untreated pin worm infestation I have. Now, you might think that I am over reacting, and sounding like a hypochondriac, but I do, or at least did, have pin worms. I saw live, wriggling worms on three separate occasions, and have not had the $370. for the lab testing that my previous doctor ordered, so she would not give me the medicine to get rid of them. In fact, I was only able to afford the initial visit to that doctor because soon after that, my boss had a nervous breakdown, fired everybody, and closed the business.
So, when I found out that there was going to be a free health fair last weekend, I made sure that I could go get this checked out. And, I am so glad that I did. Not only did I find out about a low cost health clinic where I can get testing and treatment for the worms, I also got a diagnosis and prescription for the rash. Soon after I started talking with the doctor, he arranged for us and a nurse to step into one of the private rooms, so that I could lift my shirt, and he could see the extent of it. Immediately, he asked if I had a recent reaction to penicillin, and said that was the cause. Whew! Such a relief.
What's more, Andy finally convinced me to schedule an appointment with the dentist. So, yesterday I had that infected tooth removed. We were going to pick up the new antibiotics last night, but I was too tired, and I fell asleep soon after eating my ice cream. So, we'll probably pick those up tonight when Andy gets back from work. Here's hoping that I am not also allergic to clindamycin. The doctor said that it was not related to penicillin, but that there is still a chance that I will have a reaction to it, as well. So, I have to closely monitor my condition.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Garden Update:
Several of the plants we bought are doing well. The Alyssum, Scotch Moss, Blue Ageratum, Calibrachoa, Verbena, and Ajuga have been establishing themselves, and spreading out.
The status of the Sago Palm that Andy's sister gave us is still up in the air. It's leaves are showing some yellowing, and that has me concerned. I thought, perhaps I was watering it too often, so I have slowed down on that. And, my grandma brought over some polished river rocks, so I added a stone mulch to the planter.
The Erysimum, Ranunculus, and some of the suculents are dead or dying. I think that was due to watering them with the wrong frequencies, or planting them in the wrong soil or pot. I am going to try again, but I'll have to change things up a bit to figure it out.
-- -- -- -- -- --
Health Update:
Around the same time that I found out that I am allergic to penicillin, I also started noticing an odd shaped rash. It started out really small, and only in two places (my inner left thigh and my right arm pit) so I didn't pay much attention to it at first. Looked like pimples at the beginning, but they never formed a head.
Instead, the redness just spread out until in formed a slight ring shape. So, my next thought was that it could be ringworm (a fungus related to athlete's foot), but I have had that on my arm as a child. It was itchy, highly contagious, and formed raised bumps in a complete circle. This rash was not itchy, not raised, and the shape more resembled an eye or an almond with two pointed ends.
What's more was even though it was spreading around my body (like it was contagious) it was not spreading in a logical manner for ringworm. In other words, the spots were not near each other, nor did it seem to be spread to places that my fingers regularly touched. Instead, it was sprinkled across my abdomen with a couple located on the backs of my lower thighs. Other clues that it was not ringworm was that the anti-fungal cream was having no affect, and Andy had no signs of it whatsoever.
Since I have no health insurance, going to the Urgent Care clinics costs $100. per visit, and going to the E.R. was out of the question (because I cannot pay for their exorbitant bills, so it would just go to collections, and further ruin my credit rating), so I searched the internet for possible causes of this rash.
That was scary. The best match to my symptoms seemed to indicated the impending failure of my lymphatic system, due to the long untreated pin worm infestation I have. Now, you might think that I am over reacting, and sounding like a hypochondriac, but I do, or at least did, have pin worms. I saw live, wriggling worms on three separate occasions, and have not had the $370. for the lab testing that my previous doctor ordered, so she would not give me the medicine to get rid of them. In fact, I was only able to afford the initial visit to that doctor because soon after that, my boss had a nervous breakdown, fired everybody, and closed the business.
So, when I found out that there was going to be a free health fair last weekend, I made sure that I could go get this checked out. And, I am so glad that I did. Not only did I find out about a low cost health clinic where I can get testing and treatment for the worms, I also got a diagnosis and prescription for the rash. Soon after I started talking with the doctor, he arranged for us and a nurse to step into one of the private rooms, so that I could lift my shirt, and he could see the extent of it. Immediately, he asked if I had a recent reaction to penicillin, and said that was the cause. Whew! Such a relief.
What's more, Andy finally convinced me to schedule an appointment with the dentist. So, yesterday I had that infected tooth removed. We were going to pick up the new antibiotics last night, but I was too tired, and I fell asleep soon after eating my ice cream. So, we'll probably pick those up tonight when Andy gets back from work. Here's hoping that I am not also allergic to clindamycin. The doctor said that it was not related to penicillin, but that there is still a chance that I will have a reaction to it, as well. So, I have to closely monitor my condition.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Garden - Remix
Andy took me to Fresno Ag (a local hardware store) where we got some more soil, and a few more plants. I think that we'll go back there for more plants soon. They had a good selection, and they had some stuff I hadn't seen yet. They have good prices, too. We got three 6-packs for $2.59 each, and the 2 cubic feet bag of soil for $6.59.
New plants:
Sweet Alyssum (Easter Bonnet Violet)
Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea')
Blue Ageratum (Hawaii Royal)
Andy also helped me build a new bed at the very front of our yard. It looks really nice, so I hope that it works to collect the water rather than funnel it into the neighbors' yard.
We put the most of the Alyssum in the new front bed, but we put one by the rock outcropping in towards the back fence. That is also where we put all of the scotch moss, and the lobelia that we bought earlier. (I kind of forgot about planting the lobelia, and it's looking "iffy", now, so it might not make it.) We split the Ageratum between the front bed and the rocks. And, everything we just put in is a ground cover, so they shouldn't take much maintenance.
New plants:
Sweet Alyssum (Easter Bonnet Violet)
Scotch Moss (Sagina subulata 'Aurea')
Blue Ageratum (Hawaii Royal)
Andy also helped me build a new bed at the very front of our yard. It looks really nice, so I hope that it works to collect the water rather than funnel it into the neighbors' yard.
We put the most of the Alyssum in the new front bed, but we put one by the rock outcropping in towards the back fence. That is also where we put all of the scotch moss, and the lobelia that we bought earlier. (I kind of forgot about planting the lobelia, and it's looking "iffy", now, so it might not make it.) We split the Ageratum between the front bed and the rocks. And, everything we just put in is a ground cover, so they shouldn't take much maintenance.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Gardening Failure
So, the Honeysuckle volunteers from my grandma's garden all died, but there are some sprouts coming up from the roots. Yay! Success!
The succulents seem to be doing better since I moved their pot onto the porch, so that now they are not getting rained on. Same with the Ranunculus pots. Yay! More Success!
Failure: I found out, from over hearing my neighbors complaining, that I totally fucked up when I pulled down the retaining wall and dug up the dirt/rock mixture from the front in order to put in a flower bed. Now, the neighbors' driveway is getting flooded every time that it rains. She said that she called the manager, so I figured that I had better get out there to fix it as soon as I could. But, many hours of labor, that has left me sore and drained, proved to be fruitless when it rained again last night.
I heard the rain, and so I went out to see how it was holding up. But, I soon saw that it wasn't fixed at all. The water was finding it's way around the front of the planters that I had so carefully been building. I ended up staying out there all night trying to do anything I could to divert, or drain, the water. But, it was to no avail. My pajamas got soaked, and my neighbors came out and asked me to stop. I felt very much like crying right then,
I do not deal well with failure.
I will probably say more on this when either I am in a better mood, or after the issues are resolved. (Of course, when it's resolved, I will be in a better mood, but I may have some reprieve from my neurotic thoughts after I get some sleep.)
On a side note, I did manage to finish two crafting projects, get the living room cleaned, and all of our not-yet-unpacked boxes out of the way, so that my brother and his wife could sort through their stuff that they have been storing with us. They have decided to leave my parents' over-crowded house (which included 3 married couples, 1 toddler, 2 babies, a teenager, and occasionally me) and move in with her family in the Ohio/Kentucky area.
Oh, and did I mention that they are leaving in a week and a half! My brother's wife has set out an unrealistic timeline, as far as I'm concerned. He has a good job here, and they could save up a little more money if she didn't need to go get fast food from town all the time. And, although I guess getting out the the aforementioned crowded house could become a necessity for sanity, I cannot justify the use of so much gas for as often as she want to go out.
So, the stress from the urgency of their move, and the stress from my gardening woes, have conspired to cause my insomnia to spark up again. I was awake from 2:00 am Tuesday morning until 2:45 pm Wednesday, slept for fourteen hours, and then woke up at 4:30 am Thursday, and have not been to sleep yet. That's 36+ hours awake, 14 asleep, and 28+ hours awake, and still counting.
The succulents seem to be doing better since I moved their pot onto the porch, so that now they are not getting rained on. Same with the Ranunculus pots. Yay! More Success!
Failure: I found out, from over hearing my neighbors complaining, that I totally fucked up when I pulled down the retaining wall and dug up the dirt/rock mixture from the front in order to put in a flower bed. Now, the neighbors' driveway is getting flooded every time that it rains. She said that she called the manager, so I figured that I had better get out there to fix it as soon as I could. But, many hours of labor, that has left me sore and drained, proved to be fruitless when it rained again last night.
I heard the rain, and so I went out to see how it was holding up. But, I soon saw that it wasn't fixed at all. The water was finding it's way around the front of the planters that I had so carefully been building. I ended up staying out there all night trying to do anything I could to divert, or drain, the water. But, it was to no avail. My pajamas got soaked, and my neighbors came out and asked me to stop. I felt very much like crying right then,
I do not deal well with failure.
I will probably say more on this when either I am in a better mood, or after the issues are resolved. (Of course, when it's resolved, I will be in a better mood, but I may have some reprieve from my neurotic thoughts after I get some sleep.)
On a side note, I did manage to finish two crafting projects, get the living room cleaned, and all of our not-yet-unpacked boxes out of the way, so that my brother and his wife could sort through their stuff that they have been storing with us. They have decided to leave my parents' over-crowded house (which included 3 married couples, 1 toddler, 2 babies, a teenager, and occasionally me) and move in with her family in the Ohio/Kentucky area.
Oh, and did I mention that they are leaving in a week and a half! My brother's wife has set out an unrealistic timeline, as far as I'm concerned. He has a good job here, and they could save up a little more money if she didn't need to go get fast food from town all the time. And, although I guess getting out the the aforementioned crowded house could become a necessity for sanity, I cannot justify the use of so much gas for as often as she want to go out.
So, the stress from the urgency of their move, and the stress from my gardening woes, have conspired to cause my insomnia to spark up again. I was awake from 2:00 am Tuesday morning until 2:45 pm Wednesday, slept for fourteen hours, and then woke up at 4:30 am Thursday, and have not been to sleep yet. That's 36+ hours awake, 14 asleep, and 28+ hours awake, and still counting.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Impulse Buy of the Day: Plants
We went to The Pita Pit for dinner tonight. That was great. The one near us is busy and crowded all the time, but we found a better one over on Herndon and Willow. The husband and wife that run the place are really friendly, and they hook us up with the extra toppings just to get us to try them. I love it! And, the place is always quiet when we show up. I've only seen one other patron in the two times that we've been there.
We went out tonight in order to exchange one of the pillows that we bought last night. I didn't think that two King size pillows would fit on our Queen size bed, so we got one King, and one Standard, and a two-pack of King size pillow cases. (I had figured that I could simply hem up the other one.) But, it turns out that left a gap between our pillows, so back went the Standard one.
One the drive back, I pulled into the parking lot of the 99 Cent discount store, so that I could get some more gardening gloves. But, they were already closed. In the same parking lot is drug store that had several racks of flowering plants out front, so I stopped to see what they had. Well, they were on sale, and after a quick check to make sure that it wasn't one of the plants we had picked out that was making Andy's nose go off, we bought two Lobelia at (2/$5.00) and two Ranunculus (at 2/$7.00) plants. One of the Ranunculus is purple, and one is white with purple tips. I am thinking about planting them in the same container (if that will work).
We went out tonight in order to exchange one of the pillows that we bought last night. I didn't think that two King size pillows would fit on our Queen size bed, so we got one King, and one Standard, and a two-pack of King size pillow cases. (I had figured that I could simply hem up the other one.) But, it turns out that left a gap between our pillows, so back went the Standard one.
One the drive back, I pulled into the parking lot of the 99 Cent discount store, so that I could get some more gardening gloves. But, they were already closed. In the same parking lot is drug store that had several racks of flowering plants out front, so I stopped to see what they had. Well, they were on sale, and after a quick check to make sure that it wasn't one of the plants we had picked out that was making Andy's nose go off, we bought two Lobelia at (2/$5.00) and two Ranunculus (at 2/$7.00) plants. One of the Ranunculus is purple, and one is white with purple tips. I am thinking about planting them in the same container (if that will work).
Allergy Alert
So, I know that a lot of gardeners have problems with allergies that might affect their ability to actually get out into the garden as much as they'd like. And, I certainly ran into that. But, it's not the kinds of allergies that you might think. I just found out (the hard way) that I am allergic to penicillin based products.
As far as I can remember (and I'd have to check with my mom to find out for sure) this was only my second time taking antibiotics. The first was last summer when I got a bad cold that would not go away, and my coworkers were starting to worry about me. This time, I recently got an abscessed tooth, so half of my jaw/cheek was swollen. I am planning to have that tooth pulled because it is loose anyway, but the dentist wants you on antibiotics when they see you.
But, I only got half way through the treatment before Andy had to rush me to the clinic. My whole face was swollen to the point where I could barely open my eyes. My hands were swollen and sore, so that even the lightest touch would bring pain. And, other areas of my body were red and welted. I was itchy everywhere, so I was wearing my knit gloves to keep from aggravating my skin any further. Well, the nurse at the clinic didn't waste any time in her diagnosis: I am allergic to those antibiotics, and the symptoms could last up to a week. Wooo hoo!
So, sorry about not posting the pictures that I promised. I am now feeling like myself again, and will try to get the pictures soon.
As far as I can remember (and I'd have to check with my mom to find out for sure) this was only my second time taking antibiotics. The first was last summer when I got a bad cold that would not go away, and my coworkers were starting to worry about me. This time, I recently got an abscessed tooth, so half of my jaw/cheek was swollen. I am planning to have that tooth pulled because it is loose anyway, but the dentist wants you on antibiotics when they see you.
But, I only got half way through the treatment before Andy had to rush me to the clinic. My whole face was swollen to the point where I could barely open my eyes. My hands were swollen and sore, so that even the lightest touch would bring pain. And, other areas of my body were red and welted. I was itchy everywhere, so I was wearing my knit gloves to keep from aggravating my skin any further. Well, the nurse at the clinic didn't waste any time in her diagnosis: I am allergic to those antibiotics, and the symptoms could last up to a week. Wooo hoo!
So, sorry about not posting the pictures that I promised. I am now feeling like myself again, and will try to get the pictures soon.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
The first plants are in the ground.
What an excellent day! Andy's mother, Diane, took us out to one of her favourite nurseries yesterday. H&E Nursery just down the street from our place. It was very lush and well maintained. I saw a sign for a succulent workshop that had happened a few hours before we arrived that I wish I could have attended. I will have to check their schedule to see when they are having another one.
We picked out four plants (for the nice price of $6. each) and a bag of soil. Then we drove back to the trailer to drop them off, and headed over to Baja Fresh for some food. Andy and I both tried the Wahoo (Ono) Fish Tacos that Diane recommended. I tried one of each of the grilled and crisp varieties. They were tasty, but I still like the Grilled Chile-Lime Salmon Tacos from Rubio's better.
After dinner, we went over to Cost Plus World Market in order to get some more tea for Andy. They have this stuff for relaxation with Valerian, Catmint, Skull Cap, and some other herbs. It really helps Andy fall asleep. I picked up some Kinder Bueno candy bars. They have a hazelnut creme filled wafer shell covered in milk chocolate. I wish it was dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, but I'm not complaining.
For our garden, Andy and I have agreed to go for a purple, black, and green theme (for the most part) with white and a few other colours here and there.
-- -- -- -- --
Potted Plant #1:
-- -- -- -- --
Wallflower (Erysimum Hybrid 'Bowles Mauve') from McCall's Nurseries, Inc.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/
It just so happens that the very first plant we picked is going to be the first plant you see as you come to our yard. I've planted it in a nice clay pot that Diane brought over for us, and stuck it at the very front of the first flower bed. I think that it's perfect because it'll grow up around the light post. I can't put it directly into the ground because there's not enough depth in that bed, but the ground covers should surround the pot, and give a nice layered effect.
-- -- -- -- --
Ground Covers #1,2,3:
-- -- -- -- --
Superbells - Grape Punch (Calibrachoa Hybrid) from Proven Winners
www.provenwinners.com/plants/calibrachoa/superbells
I planted this first one directly into my front flower bed in order to get some colour in there early. However, from everything that I've been reading about them, they do better in containers because they like well-drained soil that is not too damp. So, it might not like all the clay in the soil. I may end up having to dig up that entire bed, to balance the soil better, if the ground covers don't take. But, I will definitely get some more for the containers later, but I'm primarily focusing on getting the flower beds finished before I more on to the potted plants.
Seen here with Sweet Caroline Raven - Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato Vine)
-- -- -- -- --
The Verbena was Diane's idea, and a very good one at that. It says that it is quiet hardy, and it will grow quickly to fill in the flower bed. So, I am excited about that.
Verbena Hybrid - Tapien Blue Violet (Sunmaref TP-V) from Suntory Flowers Limited
www.learn2grow.com/plants/verbena-sunmaref
This is a slightly different variety of Verbena called, "Purple Homestead", to show you what it looks like in a low flower bed. It has larger leaves than the lacey Tapien leaves, and the flowers grow in rounded clumps.
-- -- -- -- --
Bugleweed - Black Scallop (Ajuga raptans)
from Ball Horticultural Company
www.ballhort.com/Growers/plant_info
I'll try to post the pictures of the new plantings tomorrow.
We picked out four plants (for the nice price of $6. each) and a bag of soil. Then we drove back to the trailer to drop them off, and headed over to Baja Fresh for some food. Andy and I both tried the Wahoo (Ono) Fish Tacos that Diane recommended. I tried one of each of the grilled and crisp varieties. They were tasty, but I still like the Grilled Chile-Lime Salmon Tacos from Rubio's better.
After dinner, we went over to Cost Plus World Market in order to get some more tea for Andy. They have this stuff for relaxation with Valerian, Catmint, Skull Cap, and some other herbs. It really helps Andy fall asleep. I picked up some Kinder Bueno candy bars. They have a hazelnut creme filled wafer shell covered in milk chocolate. I wish it was dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate, but I'm not complaining.
For our garden, Andy and I have agreed to go for a purple, black, and green theme (for the most part) with white and a few other colours here and there.
-- -- -- -- --
Potted Plant #1:
-- -- -- -- --
Wallflower (Erysimum Hybrid 'Bowles Mauve') from McCall's Nurseries, Inc.
http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/
It just so happens that the very first plant we picked is going to be the first plant you see as you come to our yard. I've planted it in a nice clay pot that Diane brought over for us, and stuck it at the very front of the first flower bed. I think that it's perfect because it'll grow up around the light post. I can't put it directly into the ground because there's not enough depth in that bed, but the ground covers should surround the pot, and give a nice layered effect.
-- -- -- -- --
Ground Covers #1,2,3:
-- -- -- -- --
Superbells - Grape Punch (Calibrachoa Hybrid) from Proven Winners
www.provenwinners.com/plants/calibrachoa/superbellsI planted this first one directly into my front flower bed in order to get some colour in there early. However, from everything that I've been reading about them, they do better in containers because they like well-drained soil that is not too damp. So, it might not like all the clay in the soil. I may end up having to dig up that entire bed, to balance the soil better, if the ground covers don't take. But, I will definitely get some more for the containers later, but I'm primarily focusing on getting the flower beds finished before I more on to the potted plants.
Seen here with Sweet Caroline Raven - Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato Vine)
-- -- -- -- --
The Verbena was Diane's idea, and a very good one at that. It says that it is quiet hardy, and it will grow quickly to fill in the flower bed. So, I am excited about that.
Verbena Hybrid - Tapien Blue Violet (Sunmaref TP-V) from Suntory Flowers Limited
www.learn2grow.com/plants/verbena-sunmaref
This is a slightly different variety of Verbena called, "Purple Homestead", to show you what it looks like in a low flower bed. It has larger leaves than the lacey Tapien leaves, and the flowers grow in rounded clumps.
-- -- -- -- --
Bugleweed - Black Scallop (Ajuga raptans)
from Ball Horticultural Company
www.ballhort.com/Growers/plant_info
I'll try to post the pictures of the new plantings tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Trying to beat the rain.
Yesterday it was finally dry enough for me to do some more digging in the garden. The ground was still pretty water logged, but weather was nice, and if I watched where I stepped, I wouldn't sink in. Today was even better. I got the big pile of dirt and rocks out of the front yard, two buckets at a time, and started the hole that will eventually be filled with gravel.
You may ask, "How is that different from the gravel that was already in the front yard?" Well, when we moved here, the gravel was mixed with a lot of dirt and clay, and it formed a low mound in the front and side yards. It was a haven for all the weeds. When I get done, the gravel will be level, and the dirt will all be in the flower beds. So, maybe, the weeds will not be able to grow there.
I am digging down several inches below where the gravel will eventually sit with the hopes of catching some of the run-off rain water from the rest of the yard. It seems to get pretty bad here, as the park had not planned to manage the run-off water. So, when it rains, giant puddles are formed every where there is a low spot.
Our next door neighbors have it worse that we do because their driveway floods, too. If, my idea to catch the rain water in a gravel-filled ditch help to alleviate the puddles in our yard, then I will offer to do the same for our neighbors' as well.
Anyway, I have been digging, and shifting dirt piles, as fast as I can because it is supposed to rain again this weekend, and I want to test my rain trap. I also want to get the work in the front yard out of the way as quick as possible. Since we live in the front of the park, many of the other residents drive past our lot every day. I know that they have been checking on our landscaping progress because some of the neighbors who have stopped to chat with me have mentioned our yard work. I'd like to show that we are actually making improvements, and not perpetually digging in the dirt.
You may ask, "How is that different from the gravel that was already in the front yard?" Well, when we moved here, the gravel was mixed with a lot of dirt and clay, and it formed a low mound in the front and side yards. It was a haven for all the weeds. When I get done, the gravel will be level, and the dirt will all be in the flower beds. So, maybe, the weeds will not be able to grow there.
I am digging down several inches below where the gravel will eventually sit with the hopes of catching some of the run-off rain water from the rest of the yard. It seems to get pretty bad here, as the park had not planned to manage the run-off water. So, when it rains, giant puddles are formed every where there is a low spot.
Our next door neighbors have it worse that we do because their driveway floods, too. If, my idea to catch the rain water in a gravel-filled ditch help to alleviate the puddles in our yard, then I will offer to do the same for our neighbors' as well.
Anyway, I have been digging, and shifting dirt piles, as fast as I can because it is supposed to rain again this weekend, and I want to test my rain trap. I also want to get the work in the front yard out of the way as quick as possible. Since we live in the front of the park, many of the other residents drive past our lot every day. I know that they have been checking on our landscaping progress because some of the neighbors who have stopped to chat with me have mentioned our yard work. I'd like to show that we are actually making improvements, and not perpetually digging in the dirt.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
What to do today?
No gardening, today, because the rain is still soaking the yard. And, all of the holes I've been so earnestly digging for the new garden beds are lakes and ponds right now. Oh well, there are plenty of thing to do inside that I have been putting off. Andy and I still need to finish unpacking our boxes from the move. That would probably be a good place to start.
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