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Friday, June 01, 2007

Mary, Mary, quite contrary....

So, here's how it goes...I love a beautiful garden...I love to be outside putzing in the gardens...I overdo with the putzing in the garden...I spend days recovering from overdoing in the garden...I vow that I am not planting another thing and just sit outside enjoying the garden...I sit outside enjoying the garden and see a space that is just begging for a plant...I go to the nursery to buy just maybe one or two plants and come home with tons...I overdo with the putzing in the garden...I spend days recovering.....



You get the picture! It is a constant cycle! We have a flower bed that was just loaded last year with perennials and this year there is hardly anything coming up in it. Don't know why but it is the bed with the fountain in it and right next to the patio so it is the one that is enjoyed the most. So, my Mom and I went to the nursery yesterday just to pick up a COUPLE of perennials...not going to overdo because when you buy them that means you have to do all the bending and stooping to plant them! Let's see if I can remember all that we came home with...48 impatiens, 1 hardy gloxinia (yep, I said hardy!), 1 hardy hibiscus, 4 wave petunias, 1 black eyed susan vine (so cute and I had never seen one before), parsley, basil, nasturtums, 4 cosmos, shasta daisy, 2 ice plants, and about 4 others (in 6 packs so that is 24 plants) that I can't remember the names of ! That does not include the 3 rose bushes that still need to be planted! One of the rose bushes has been developed to ramble up a tree. Which I thought would look so pretty on our red maple forgetting that at the base of the maple are hostas! Have any of you tried to dig up hostas! Their roots are amazingly strong! And, does someone want to tell me why they charge so much for hostas? They multiply like crazy. I mean if you plant one , the next year you have like 6! Thank goodness I don't need any since they were 10.99 for one plant! These hostas were given to me by someone that was digging them up and throwing them out! Every couple of years I try to thin them out and put some where I can't get anything else to grow since they do well almost anywhere! After looking at the prices yesterday, I figure we have at least a $1000 worth of hostas! Maybe I will open up a little road side stand and sell some! LOL!



So now, I have all theses to plant and we are due to have rain for the next few days! It figures! Not raining now so I am going to post and then get outside and try to talk the hostas into moving on their own so I can plant that rose bush!



My friend asked me to thank you all for all the prayers! She was pretty bummed yesterday mostly about losing her dog. I know that feeling all too well. Every time I have had to put a dog down, I swear I will never get another one because it tears your heart up so much but, to me, life without a dog is not a happy life! She is driving her son to a rehab this morning. At least he wants to go. He knows he can't go on like he is but just can't kick it! It has to be so hard at that age when all the friends you have are "partying" and if you want to be included in the friendship circle...well...it has got to be hard to say no and face all the pressure! (Still thanking God here for my kids!) Maybe it is because my husband is a recovered alcoholic and they grew up with him talking about it and helping others with their problem, I don't know but neither have a tolerance for those that use. My son has brought a couple of his friends here to talk to DH about it and if they made an attempt to stop he stood by them, if not, he made the choice to not hang around them.



Funny story...years ago, I think my son was in second grade, my DH's niece was having a real problem and he spent a lot of time going to meetings with her and having her here to talk. We sat the kids down and explained why Daddy was not home a lot because they were missing him and they were so great about it. The BIG Blue Book (if you know about the 12 steps, you know what that book is) was out on the table and one morning without my knowledge, my son put it in his backpack to take to school for show and tell! I got a phone call later that morning from the school principal asking me if I was aware that my son was "sharing" that his father had a drinking problem but now he doesn't drink anymore so he is a real good Dad! No, I didn't but I explained that it is something we talk about openly so I didn't feel like he was spilling family secrets. When I picked him up after school, his teacher called me aside to talk to me about it and asked if she could keep the book for awhile to read because so many of the kids had asked questions and were living in the situation that she decided she needed to become better educated. She said it was the most interactive show and tell that she ever had.



So, moral of story...be careful...kids bring everything to school! This worked out but there was also one time that I was making a lot of soups during one winter. The kids were getting a little tired of them, I guess, and kept complaining and asking why do I have to make everything into soup! Jokingly, I told them it was because we were poor and couldn't afford anything else! Yep, you guessed it...that was another show and tell! A lady I knew from the PTO came with a casserole which I thought was kind of an odd gesture and then she told me what her son had told her when he came home from school! I was mortified!



Enough memory lane...today is the alpha....the caps have the little angel flying around leaving a trail of angel dust! Enjoy!

Download no longer available...sorry!

29 comments:

dianagrind said...

Oh, Jan. I thought I needed to get up and do something outside but after reading your blog, I remember how bad it hurts. lol

Thanks for sharing your life with us. It makes you realize how things are the same for everyone even when you feel you are the only who with problems.

Thanks for the cute angels. Love them

Sharon aka Scrapcat4914 said...

TY so very much for the lovely alpha!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my Jan, while reading your gardening story I had my daughter read it because it sounds just like me! LOL I am now vowing that my garden is finished!
I too have some memories of my kids telling things at school. Some funny and some so embarrassing.
Have a wonderful day Jan and thanks so much for the alpha. And by the way, I don't need any hosta! I have more than my fair share!

Terrell said...

LMBO that is too funny! I have tow children who have radar instead of ears. Stuff like this happens all the time around here. Gret post and beautiful freebie (as always)

Anonymous said...

You make me laugh so much!! I just love reading about your everyday life!! Don't know why, but those hostas will take over the world eventually!!
The stories about your son just make me laugh also! I can remember those show and tell days all too well!!
Please let your friend know she continues to be in my prayers. My daughter was also in rehab, and 6 years later she is doing great & has a wonderful family now. Life after is possible!!
Have a great day!!

Anonymous said...

Nice alpha.tfs

Anonymous said...

We come here daily thanking you for freebies. Today I think many thank you for sharing your days. I know when I'm done in the yard, complaining of the aches and crawlin to get up...somehow ya take a moment to look at your accomplishment and it just seems ya made the good lord smile. And yes thank you for the Angels, mine's gonna love them.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the alpha. I enjoyed the blurb about the soup! Have fun in the gardens.

Inma said...

I hope everything works well for your friend and life finally gives her some calm and restful times. :)

The stories about the kids in school, I think we have all been there somehow, so I do understand. :)

Thanks a million for the alpha, it's really nice as the rest of the kit. :)

Have a good weekend and best wishes. :o)

Anonymous said...

How fun reading your stories! And knowing that I'm not the only obsessed gardener/buyer there is! When I go to a nursery, it's like going to the animal shelter for me. I want to take EVERY one home.
Love, love the angel kit--thank you so much.
Judy

Lisa said...

Girl, sounds like you have your work cut out for you! Whenever I go to the nursery and practically buy everything I see and get home and say "Why did I do that"? That casserole story is hilarious!! My DD teaches kindergarten and does she have the stories that come out of her kid's mouths!!! Thanks for the adorable alpha....love that angel dust! Don't work too hard in the yard!!!!

Anonymous said...

This time you got me LOL and had to bring myself under control to post...the Show & Tell stories are toooooo much!!!
I also agree that talking openly can often bring help and peace to others no matter what the subject...;o
Thanks so much for the therapy and the beautiful gifties.

Becky said...

Thanks! These are so cute!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jan for these alpha's and also for sharing your stories. I enjoy reading them and remembering my own experiences which are so similar. Please don't overdo it. I know, too late! lol

KendiRN said...

I adore reading your blog and your freebies just puts it over the top! THANK YOU!

grambie said...

Just when you say what else can Jan come up with, & then just like a gentle breeze here you are with these fantastic alphas. Love the angels with their star dust trail. Excellent imagery of you & the spiritual binding that we all feel when we come together with you here at our blog home. So cute the font choice that is enhanced through your presentation.

Thanks for the joy of reading your family & your life experiences that always make us smile. Happiness is what you give us, plentiful in supply, earnest in its giving. Yes, God has smiled on you & all of us who cherish our angel Jan. Leavin LOVE! XOXOXOXO

Kimberly said...

LOL, it is so funny that you blogged about kids taking things to school. They were having drug awareness week back when they were in public school. They taught the kids that cigarettes and alcohol were drugs too, which they are basically. Anyways, my son informed his teacher that his mom and dad do drugs! I could have died! Come to find out, he was talking about us smoking cigarettes. So embarressing!

Thank you for the alpha! So adorable!

Anonymous said...

Hey there Jan! ~ Loved the show and tell story. Thats a great way to share the knowledge. It's incredible and commendable that your family is so open. Looks like the son taught the teacher something for a change! Excellent! TFS.
You know I snagged the GA Kit! Being the JANNID/Angel Fanatic that I am...how could I NOT?!
~fd

Cheryl said...

I just love My Guardian Angel. Just wish it was in blue. My son has Angelman Syndrome and we call the kids angels so when I finally get around to doing it I am using an angel theme for his scrapbook.

Anyway thanks for such a cool kit.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the alpha and I hope things get better. Teresa

Anonymous said...

I just love your "soup" story! Too funny! Thanks so much for the alpha.

Anonymous said...

I totally relate to the flower garden saga! Hubby forbids me to start another flower bed anywhere, so I keep reworking the ones I have. I've been so sick with allergies this year (double pollen season!) that I've been afraid to work outside.

Anonymous said...

You tell great stories! Thanks for sharing your memories with us! And, thanks for the alpha!!

Anonymous said...

I could so identify with your garden story! I have finally reached the end of my planting with the inclusion of six hydraga plants. I'm expecting them to spread so I won't ever have to plant anything again. I turned 65 this year so decided it was time to just start enjoying what's already been planted. Thanks for all you do!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing the wonderful stories. They are a real joy and so is this kit. Thanks for everything.

Pooh Bear said...

So funny.... I don't work with plants because I have a black thumb.. I can kill anything. I do love to look at the beauty that others grow, I just don't touch...lol...
Thank you for sharing your "other" art!!

Anonymous said...

oooh goodie! The alpha! hehe I was hoping real hard for this!! :b Love your memory lane stories. Also your friend: My brother had to MOVE AWAY from his friends to get away from his addiction. He could not stop using and keep hanging around with his 'friends'. Thanks for sharing little tidbits of your life, I always enjoy reading your blog and thank you so much for the goodies!! Love them!! xox

BelindasScrapz said...

Oh my gosh thank you so much for both sharing and for the laugh and for jarring a memory long forgotten..my son once did something very similar. His father had been on drugs and a drinker before he was even born. One day after school his kindergarten teacher came to me and said Mrs. Baroni do you know that your son has shared in Show and TELL (he had nothing to show just tell) that his father was on drugs and in prison.
I just about died for a second then I laughed and said well no I had no idea he planned to do that but it is true. His father was in fact on drugs, did drink and though he was only in jail in a camp type situation before he was ever born the dummy told him all about it not realizing he was to young to grasp it in a time concept yet. She was so relieved!
Kids do say the darndest things we are still learning that now my husband and I now with our daughter. (that was my ex with my sons) my daughter has on occasion shared rather interesting tid bits of our life with her own teacher but not class. Gotta love them..and thanks again for sharing and the laugh..

Anonymous said...

The alpha is so pretty...thank you :)