Sowing the Seeds of Love

Sowing the Seeds of Love, Tears for Fears

Front beds: the biggest project I tackled during Lent.

I had NO idea how much I would love working in my flower beds.  If I would've known, I would've studied landscape architecture in college.  It's one of the few times, this girl-y girl, doesn't mind sweating, bugs, or dirt under my nails.

As it turns out, my thumb is pretty green.  My mom has gardened (flowers, not vegetables) for years. I don't remember helping her, but I do remember admiring her work.  Her backyard is always a delightful place to have a glass (or few) of wine.  My father in law has a green thumb too.  My in-laws back yard is peaceful, and relaxing.  [I'm beginning to get inspiration for the back yard.  I still have a few more things to plant in the front before tackling the back yard.]

Last year, I had the HUGE obnoxious shrubs cut down, and all stumps ground up.  I planted a few things, had a few things die, AND had several bulbs return this spring.  The gladiolus, and day lilies have returned, but haven't bloomed yet.  The sweet alyssum, and wisteria smell amazing.  Also, returning: my Spanish Lavender and Hot Lips Salvia.  (I really like the Spanish lavender as opposed to the English Lavender.  Personally, I think the English Lavender smells yuck.)

All the flowering plants I planted are either pink, purple or blue.  I also want perennial, scented flowers - I know how 'Real Housewives of OC/Beverly Hills' this sounds, but (exhale) here I go: I want my house to be a pleasant experience.  I want to greet you with beautiful scented flowers.  ~ There I said it.  I know it sounds stupid, and frou frou-y, so I'll own it. - but it still makes me happy, so there.

I also wanted to attract birds, hummingbirds, and butterflies.  I've accomplished that.  The other day, I pulled up to the house, and a butterfly accosted greeted me as I was exiting the door.  I'm quite sure, it was thanking me for all the beautiful flowers I've planted.  You can see tiny bugs hovering above the sweet alyssum (smells really good) - they're teeny tiny bumble bees.

What? That sign? Oh yeah, did I not mention, I was Hughston Elementary Volunteer of the Month? I think the sign adds a certain je ne sais quoi to the flowers.  

The amaryllis (left) was absolutely heavenly.  The blooms were literally bigger than my hand.  

A returning perennial: Pink Guara.  Loves full sun.

Gardening has a dark side, too.  

WARNING: the next photograph contains a graphic crime scene.  Viewer Discretion is advised.  

 Bailey Gardner vs. Minor
case no. 03222012
A murdered amaryllis bud.  The murderer was charged with plant slaughter .  Pre-meditation did not seem to be a factor in this case, rather negligent behavior.  The minor charged (we won't identify him due to his minor status, [it was the eldest of the blog author]) plead guilty, and was placed on probation from running through the flower beds, and climbing the crepe myrtle trees. No further actions have been taken.  The amaryllis doesn't plan on re-blooming this year, and is expected to make a full recovery next spring.   

Over Easter weekend, we went to the lake, and visited an amazing nursery in Tyler: Chamblee's Rose Nursery.

a FABULOUS rose nursery

It was hard to make a decision.  I've planted 2 roses in the backyard planters (for now) - pictures to follow later.  I foresee more visits to this nursery, as the backyard landscaping begins.

Confession: I've been dive-bombed by a crow.  I was 'stopping to smell the roses' on Tech campus, and a huge crow did not appreciate me bothering his rose bush.  He dive bombed several times and tried to peck at me.  I looked like a lunatic ducking and running, trying to escape.  It was quite traumatic.  

If You Got the Money Honey I've Got the Time

If You Got the Money Honey I've Got the Time 

(performed by Merle Haggard, originally by Lefty Frizzell)

Sorry to disappoint, but this post isn't about Honky Tonkin' (it'd be a lot cooler if it was.)
It's on the process on grocery shopping.  I'm not sure which form of hell I prefer more: grocery shopping, or laundry.  Regardless, I feel like Sisyphus ( the greek mythology character that has to roll the boulder up the hill everyday)..

As a SAHM, I feel an obligation to be a smart shopper.  For me, this includes the dreaded process of menu planning, couponing, as well as matching up the coupons with the store specials.  No, I'm not one of those obnoxious Extreme Couponing.  I don't feel the need to stock an entire room of shampoos, ramen noodles, and Cover Girl makeup.  Personally, I think extreme couponers are just an organized version of Hoarders.

For a non ADHD person, this process is probably easy.  I've stated before, I am excellent at over-complicating an easy process.  Grocery shopping is not excluded.

The process should go something like this:

Sunday: Get the paper, clip the coupons, purge the expired coupons, make your menu and list, and pull out the coupons you're going to use.
Monday: Do the grocery shopping using the ready made list with the coupons.
Tuesday: done and finished..

My sorted coupons & tattered coupon wallet:

Now, here's how it plays out for me
Sunday: Get the paper, maybe pull the coupons out, definitely pull the comics for the boys, recycle the rest of the paper.
Monday: Spend the day trying to remember where I left my coupon wallet**.  Find the coupons I pulled from last Sunday's paper.  Go around the house, collecting the coupons I've collected from mailers, receipts, etc.
Tuesday: Purge expired coupons, clip coupons, maybe organize and make a menu and list.
Wednesday: Start a new menu & list, because the specials have changed, and the store coupons have expired. Maybe make it to the grocery store. Put away most groceries.
Thursday: If I've made it to the grocery store; there's probably still some large things in the car I need to put up, as well as some cans on the counter/or dining room table.
Then I need to clean out the expired left overs from the fridge, clean up any spills I wasn't informed of.
Take trash out, because I've just dumped stinky leftovers; I don't want the house to stink.
Turn on the Scentsy.  Remember that I've used up all the scent from the wax, let the wax melt.
While the wax is melting, do the dishes, (I need to get the stinky containers in the dishwasher, so it doesn't stink up the house, but first I have to unload the dishwasher.
Reload dishwasher, and start
Spend approximately 10 minutes deciding which new scent to put in the scentsy. 
Clean up the mess from the counters.
Clean and cut veggies for snacking
Make the buttermilk ranch for veggies. (unnecessary additional work, but SO worth it)

 Unload the cokes in the fridge.
Break down the coke boxes
Take out Recycling
Arrange overflow pantry items in garage

I failed to mention how the grocery store sends me on sensory overload.  The smells, the music, the elderly (inevitibly, I manage to go on the days the retirement communities take the buses out.) Then I'm stuck maneurving my cart among the slow sweet, indecisive, ladies, and their bored out of their minds husbands wandering following behind.

If it were just groceries, I probably wouldn't mind, but it's all these additional tasks intertwined.  BUT, like I said, it's my obligation to use the finances as wisely as possible, so like Sisyphus, I continue pushing the boulder up hill every day.  (I still don't think I want it any other way, either!)

**I prefer the coupon wallet to a binder - mostly due to size.  I can put the coupon wallet in my purse, and it has room for a lot of credit cards/gift cards.  Most times, I always have this in my purse.

Confession: In high school, I had to go the grocery store for some (ahem) femenine items.  Wouldn't you know it, a guy I went to high school with, (totally cute, had a crush on since the 6th grade), was re-stocking that aisle.  I spent an hour an a half waiting on him to restock the aisle before I would grab my items. ha!

Paperback Writer

Paperback Writer, The Beatles

Paperback writer is a stretch, aspiring blogger and comic writer/illustrator (Aidan) are more appropriate titles.  I probably don't follow a formal writing style.  Especially since, I can't remember ALL the formal rules of writing, I follow as many as I can remember.  [I would've given my senior English teacher more attention, had she actually liked me (she made it no secret my thoughts were useless - maybe they are?!)]

We are a house of readers.  One Friday night, we (the Baileys) were 'playing restaurant'.  Aidan and Jeremy were waiters, Liam and I were customers.  The 'restaurant' we were attending had an interesting twist: after ordering, both the wait staff, AND the customers migrate to a king sized bed, and read.  That is exactly what we did too.  Jeremy had his nook, Aidan had one of his Diary of a Whimpy Kid books, and I was helping Liam read through several of his books.  (at this particular 'restaurant' I got to be a patron AND the chef - lucky me!)

After watching HBO's Game of Thrones (BTW:great series), Jeremy read George R.R, Martin's Game of Throne Series (in about 3 months) and hasn't stopped reading since.  He's takes a few 'breathers' with some quick reads (a lawyer thriller here, a detective mystery there) in between his book series.

As a parent, it messes with your mind:

when you consider taking away reading priviliges (after all electronic priviliges have already been taken away).

OR 

when you have to take away books because they're reading under the covers with their flashlights..

Some pictures of reading

(apologies for some photo graininess - iPhone shots - not the best pics.)

Liam reading 'Splat the Cat' to great Grandpa Carter

Aidan @ Barnes & Noble (Diary of a Whimpy Kid display, Jeff Kinney) We bought a new D of a W K book while on Spring Break - it only lasted 24 hours, and he'd already finished it. (happy sigh)

Liam @ Barnes & Noble - trying to make his selection.

Engrossed in D of a W K (with my pretty pink glasses on)

He wanted to read to me, my book: Just One Look, Harlan Coben (also in my pretty pink glasses).

During this Lenten season, I've re-discovered my love affair with reading.  I have the next 2 books lined up on my shelf, awaiting use.

Mama Said Knock You Out

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J (mmm, LL! - one of my first and favorite Cd's)

This might not be your typical parenting song.  First things first: allow me to set the record straight by prefacing: I have no intention of knocking my kids out (although it has crossed my mind at times).  I call this a parenting song because I'm gearing up, ready to face this battle called parenting.  I'm telling the boys: "FREAKIN' bring it!  Let's see what you've got.. I'm sure I'll win, so let's do this!"

I know I'm not alone in this feeling: spring fever is alive and well.  We are approximately 8 weeks from summer time.  That leaves moms a finite timeline for wrapping up loose ends, preparing for: the kids to be home ALL day, EVERY day.  This also means, kids are running on fumes as well.  I have the utmost respect for teachers during these last few weeks.

Maybe you think a parenting song should be something softer, and sweeter, like Baby Mine (from Dumbo, performed by Bette Midler), or maybe you need Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely, but then again, maybe your kids aren't almost 7, and almost 9..  Maybe your kids ARE almost 7 & 9, but maybe yours actually listen.    Maybe you don't have an 8 year old that broods (what an 8 year old possibly has to brood about is beyond me).  Maybe your 6, almost 7 year old doesn't throw fits like he did when he was 4...  Maybe yours (kids) always make the best decisions, use their words, and don't throw temper tantrums.  Seriously - if you try to tell me they always make the best decisions and use their words, I'll call you a big, fat, freaking liar!

I did my fair share of reading when I was pregnant, and I don't recall the books warning me of the school ages.  It seems the parenting magazines are all geared towards new parents.  What about us somewhat seasoned parents?  Do you think we have this all figured out now that they're in school?

Here's what I didn't find in the pregnancy parenting books:

You are going to have to state otherwise obvious statements.  Multiple times. Every day.

Things like: When we get inside, hang your backpacks up next to your jackets.  Then put your shoes in the drawer, so we can find them in the morning.

the next morning.
mom: "Where are your shoes?"
kid: "I don't know.  I don't remember where I put them."
mom: "hmm... seems like I remind you every day to put them up where they belong.  Maybe today, when I remind you, you won't 'yeah yeah' me."

As your child gets older, the information they 'know' is irrefutable.

the arguing.  oh lord, the arguing.  One day during homework, I corrected Aidan's sentence.  He proceeded to tell me how wrong I was, and I didn't know what I was talking about..... (Oh no, that poor child. He didn't even know what was about to be unleashed.)

I said, "Let me tell you something.  I may not have my masters or doctorate, but, I was promoted to the next grade level  ever year, and I got my high school diploma.  Then I went off to college, and I managed to complete my Bachelors of Science degree in Family Studies with a minor in Fashion Design, and three hours short of a second minor in Addictive Behaviors, so, if I tell you your punctuation is wrong on that dag gum sentence, you'd best believe it is wrong!  Do I need to get my diploma and degree out to show you?"  It was promptly followed with an obedient, "No ma'am."

Perhaps I went overboard.  I'm willing to consider the previous statement.  I do have a theory that sometimes, it's beneficial to go a tad bit ranting crazy, to prove your point.  Firstly, I believe it's beneficial to do this periodically (but not often, or consistently); enough to leave them wondering: Is this (current) discussion the one where she might fly off the handle?  Secondly, I believe it to be a valid parenting technique to maintain your own confrontational skills.  You have to keep these maintained for when they become teenagers.

I've found, if I go on a slight rant with my raised eyebrow, and mom voice (as Aidan aptly identified), the boys know they're better off backing down.

No matter how well your intentions/ideation of an event or process, it's NOT going to go as you'd imagined/hoped.

I hear all the time about families running errands together.  I see them all the time, while I'm out by myself.  they always look happy... uh... this is NOT the case at the Bailey household.  You would NOT believe the amount of bitching those boys do, if you announce an errand list.  Groaning, moaning, bargaining.  it's absolutely ridiculous.  

Just the other day, I dropped one son off, and thought: wouldn't it be nice to bring home ice cream to the son (that remains at home).  What a nice treat, right?!  I ordered a scoop of birthday cake (the flavor he orders 99% of the time).  Well, shit on me, wouldn't you know it, that's not the flavor he wanted!!  It's enough to drive me insane.  Why do I even bother?!

Can you imagine the audacity I had, to have ordered birthday cake?!  What a crappy mom?!  Seriously, where is CPS when you need them? 

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I will give them this: The other night at dinner (which I will spare you my rant on dinners), I was fixing a new recipe (bacon wrapped scallops - so YUM).  [I typically don't identify dinner until the last minute to avoid the groans of displeasure towards my cooking and entree selections.]  I told the boys we were having a kind of fish stick.  As usual, they inspected it with a grimace, and reluctantly tried it.  (I was totally mentally prepared for the usual tears, and shoving the dinner plate away).  What do you know, Liam ate it, and it's his new favorite meal.  It's just enough to keep me going..