It's that time of year once again. NaBloPoMo!!!!
Who knows if I'll be able to do what I did last year?
Let's see what I come up with!!!!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
We're welcoming November once more
It's that time of year once again. NaBloPoMo!!!!
Who knows if I'll be able to do what I did last year?
Let's see what I come up with!!!!
Like Manna from Heaven
Oh no. Not really manna. But we've definitely got stuff dropping from the sky. Or better yet, one of the trees in our front yard.
Say what?
Yes. We've got little things dropping from the tree onto the sidewalk in front of our house.
What pray tell are these little things that are dropping from the tree? Leaves? No. Nuts? No. Seed pods? No. Bees. Bees! BEES!
Yes. We again had a bunch of bees at our house. Ay-yay-yay!
The Hubs was outside this afternoon trimming our bushes when he heard some buzzing. He looked up the street and saw a swamp moving down our street. He got into the garage and noticed that there were a bunch of bees out on our driveway. He bolted inside for a little while.
After about 5 minutes, he went out the front door and saw that the swarm nestled itself onto a branch on our big tree. A branch that overhangs the sidewalk.
Rather than take a chance of the bees deciding to make a home in our tree, he immediately called the bee guys that we used the last time. Fortunately? They were able to send one of their guys out in a half hour (their office apparently is a hop-skip-and-a-jump near our house).
The guy that came buy actually keeps bees. So instead of fully foaming the swarm? He actually scooped them into a bucket. And he is going to put them into a happy little beehive on his property. Yeah!
But man! There were a TON of bees. There are still a bunch that are hanging out in the front of our house. According to the bee guy, when the queen bee landed in our tree and the rest of the group nestled around her...a bunch of bees then ventured out inside the neighborhood. And those are the bees that we are seeing return to the last place they saw their "mama". The bee guy said he put some bee poison in our tree, so the bees that return to the branches will get the poison and drop soon after.
But we're seeing are the returning bees falling dead onto the sidewalk. It's sad. But thankfully about 90% of the bees have been taken away to a new & safe location.
Here is the bee guy making sure his safety stuff is on properly:
Here's a shot of the bees!
Look at ALL THE BEES around him!
Say what?
Yes. We've got little things dropping from the tree onto the sidewalk in front of our house.
What pray tell are these little things that are dropping from the tree? Leaves? No. Nuts? No. Seed pods? No. Bees. Bees! BEES!
Yes. We again had a bunch of bees at our house. Ay-yay-yay!
The Hubs was outside this afternoon trimming our bushes when he heard some buzzing. He looked up the street and saw a swamp moving down our street. He got into the garage and noticed that there were a bunch of bees out on our driveway. He bolted inside for a little while.
After about 5 minutes, he went out the front door and saw that the swarm nestled itself onto a branch on our big tree. A branch that overhangs the sidewalk.
Rather than take a chance of the bees deciding to make a home in our tree, he immediately called the bee guys that we used the last time. Fortunately? They were able to send one of their guys out in a half hour (their office apparently is a hop-skip-and-a-jump near our house).
The guy that came buy actually keeps bees. So instead of fully foaming the swarm? He actually scooped them into a bucket. And he is going to put them into a happy little beehive on his property. Yeah!
But man! There were a TON of bees. There are still a bunch that are hanging out in the front of our house. According to the bee guy, when the queen bee landed in our tree and the rest of the group nestled around her...a bunch of bees then ventured out inside the neighborhood. And those are the bees that we are seeing return to the last place they saw their "mama". The bee guy said he put some bee poison in our tree, so the bees that return to the branches will get the poison and drop soon after.
But we're seeing are the returning bees falling dead onto the sidewalk. It's sad. But thankfully about 90% of the bees have been taken away to a new & safe location.
Here is the bee guy making sure his safety stuff is on properly:
Here's a shot of the bees!
Look at ALL THE BEES around him!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tired from a morning with the Bear
The Bear and I had a wonderful time together today.
We went to the ZOO!
No. He didn't play hookey. It was a treat for the K-3rd graders for getting a specific number of reading hours for the 1st quarter.
I have to tell you that this is one of the most fun outings. The kids love seeing the animals. They love having lunch at the park next to the zoo. AND they love being able to play in the park with all their school friends. For us parents? We end up taking home pretty tired kids. T-I-R-E-D. Right now the Bear is laying on the couch watching an old movie.
The Princess is actually still at school. Still at school? Yes. The 4th-8th graders stayed at school and their reading hours earned them play time on games. Parents brought in Wii's and PlayStations for the kids to play on. So even though they were at school? The "older" kids were able to play video games.
The Bear and I will be headed out to pick up the Princess in another 15 minutes or so. But I have to say it's been a nice day.
I leave you with photos of my "little cowboy"...
We went to the ZOO!
No. He didn't play hookey. It was a treat for the K-3rd graders for getting a specific number of reading hours for the 1st quarter.
I have to tell you that this is one of the most fun outings. The kids love seeing the animals. They love having lunch at the park next to the zoo. AND they love being able to play in the park with all their school friends. For us parents? We end up taking home pretty tired kids. T-I-R-E-D. Right now the Bear is laying on the couch watching an old movie.
The Princess is actually still at school. Still at school? Yes. The 4th-8th graders stayed at school and their reading hours earned them play time on games. Parents brought in Wii's and PlayStations for the kids to play on. So even though they were at school? The "older" kids were able to play video games.
The Bear and I will be headed out to pick up the Princess in another 15 minutes or so. But I have to say it's been a nice day.
I leave you with photos of my "little cowboy"...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
The cold weather transition is upon us
It was a COLD day today.
No. It's not snowing like it is up in Colorado & Wyoming. But yesterday's high here was 87*. Today's high? 60*. A twenty-seven degree drop. In ONE day!
[sigh]
And tomorrow morning is going to be even colder! It's supposed to drop into the 30's overnight and then climb up to the low 60's during the day. Brrr...
I pretty much stayed inside all day. I could have taken a run but I did that yesterday. Plus I'm still trying to get over this little icky sickness that I've got. A sinus infection? Headache. Dry cough. Dry nasal passage. Until in the evening when I get nasal drip and sneeze. I've had it since Friday night, so I'm trying to take it easy.
Of course since it's cold, I sent my kids off in jackets and long-sleeve shirts. On other kind of chilly mornings, I typically send my son off to school in a short-sleeve shirt under a long-sleeve shirt. Why? Because he's like me. He gets hot easily. So I wanted him to have the option to remove the long-sleeve shirt and have a short-sleeve under. Good idea right? But in the car coming home from school...
Last night the Hubs was in charge of getting the Bear's school outfit squared away. And he didn't make sure that the Bear grabbed a short-sleeve shirt. Oy!
But you should have heard us howling with laughter in my car about the sight of my son walking around in his class with his jeans and no shirt on. Ha!
No. It's not snowing like it is up in Colorado & Wyoming. But yesterday's high here was 87*. Today's high? 60*. A twenty-seven degree drop. In ONE day!
[sigh]
And tomorrow morning is going to be even colder! It's supposed to drop into the 30's overnight and then climb up to the low 60's during the day. Brrr...
I pretty much stayed inside all day. I could have taken a run but I did that yesterday. Plus I'm still trying to get over this little icky sickness that I've got. A sinus infection? Headache. Dry cough. Dry nasal passage. Until in the evening when I get nasal drip and sneeze. I've had it since Friday night, so I'm trying to take it easy.
Of course since it's cold, I sent my kids off in jackets and long-sleeve shirts. On other kind of chilly mornings, I typically send my son off to school in a short-sleeve shirt under a long-sleeve shirt. Why? Because he's like me. He gets hot easily. So I wanted him to have the option to remove the long-sleeve shirt and have a short-sleeve under. Good idea right? But in the car coming home from school...
Me: So did you have a good day buddy?
Bear: Yes. But I got hot in my classroom.
Me: Then why didn't you take your long-sleeve shirt off?
Bear: [gasping] Then I'd be naked!
Me: What???
Bear: I'd be NAKED!
Me: But what about your short-sleeve shirt?
Bear: I didn't have one today.
Last night the Hubs was in charge of getting the Bear's school outfit squared away. And he didn't make sure that the Bear grabbed a short-sleeve shirt. Oy!
But you should have heard us howling with laughter in my car about the sight of my son walking around in his class with his jeans and no shirt on. Ha!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Score ONE for the Little Guy
My daughter's class had a test on their class reading book today.
For me? This meant that I needed to go out and purchase the next book on the reading list, which they'll start tomorrow. Nothing like being last minute. Again. When I dropped off the Princess, I let her know that I'd get her next book while she was at school so she could start reading for her next assignment.
After working about 6 hours today, I logged off my computer and headed out the door to Barnes&Noble. I headed up the escalator to the kids' section. And I wandered aimlessly. I could not find the darn book. I ended up calling the Hubs to get the author's name. And when I went in alphabetical order and found the area where that author's books were? I saw other books that the author had written. But they didn't have even one copy of the book I needed.
Heartbroken, I left Barnes&Noble empty handed. Nothing. Nada. I had picked up another of the Princess' books that was on her reading list. But I put it back on the shelf when I couldn't find THE book that I came there for. I mean, it's a big bookstore. And they didn't have the book!
Strike one.
I drove down the street to the Target. Another big store. I walked to the back of the store to the video/DVD/book section and wandered up and down the aisles. Can you believe it? They didn't have even one book by this author on their shelves.
Strike two.
So I contemplated what to do as I sat in my car. I decided half-heartedly to drop by the used book store that was across the street from the Target. It's a local used bookstore chain that is very successful here in town.
Wouldn't you know it? I found the book that I needed to buy. I also found 4 other books on my daughter's book list on the shelves. What was even more fantastic than finding the books? Is that I was able to purchase FIVE books for LESS than $11.50. Normally each of the books runs between $5 - $8 a piece. But at the used bookstore? I was able to pick them up for between $1.50 - $2.50 a piece.
So instead of striking out totally? I got a home run. Thanks to the used bookstore.
YEAH!
So instead of running to your local big box store? Maybe try to go to a large used bookstore the next time you're looking for a good read. Help the local economy. Help the smaller stores stay in business.
For me? This meant that I needed to go out and purchase the next book on the reading list, which they'll start tomorrow. Nothing like being last minute. Again. When I dropped off the Princess, I let her know that I'd get her next book while she was at school so she could start reading for her next assignment.
After working about 6 hours today, I logged off my computer and headed out the door to Barnes&Noble. I headed up the escalator to the kids' section. And I wandered aimlessly. I could not find the darn book. I ended up calling the Hubs to get the author's name. And when I went in alphabetical order and found the area where that author's books were? I saw other books that the author had written. But they didn't have even one copy of the book I needed.
Heartbroken, I left Barnes&Noble empty handed. Nothing. Nada. I had picked up another of the Princess' books that was on her reading list. But I put it back on the shelf when I couldn't find THE book that I came there for. I mean, it's a big bookstore. And they didn't have the book!
Strike one.
I drove down the street to the Target. Another big store. I walked to the back of the store to the video/DVD/book section and wandered up and down the aisles. Can you believe it? They didn't have even one book by this author on their shelves.
Strike two.
So I contemplated what to do as I sat in my car. I decided half-heartedly to drop by the used book store that was across the street from the Target. It's a local used bookstore chain that is very successful here in town.
Wouldn't you know it? I found the book that I needed to buy. I also found 4 other books on my daughter's book list on the shelves. What was even more fantastic than finding the books? Is that I was able to purchase FIVE books for LESS than $11.50. Normally each of the books runs between $5 - $8 a piece. But at the used bookstore? I was able to pick them up for between $1.50 - $2.50 a piece.
So instead of striking out totally? I got a home run. Thanks to the used bookstore.
YEAH!
So instead of running to your local big box store? Maybe try to go to a large used bookstore the next time you're looking for a good read. Help the local economy. Help the smaller stores stay in business.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Feeling super tired
Good gosh people.
I feel tired.
Yesterday the Hubs took the kids up to see his family. He'd volunteered (AGAIN) to help with a move. This time? My BIL and his family were moving into a new rental. They've now officially moved back "home" after being in two different states in the last 3 years. Funny though that my SIL (who lives in town) didn't stop by to help at all. Hmmm....
So I spent most of Saturday by myself. I only took a short run, since I took a longer run on Friday. I dusted off all our windows and wood shutters [achoo-achoo!] along with a couple big wood pieces. I swept the downstairs and vacuumed all the carpets. Cleaned the toilets and wiped down all the bathroom counters. While I was working, I tackled 6 loads of laundry and even put everything away. Whew!
I think I'm just plain worn out from yesterday. But I could also be a little under the weather. My throat felt dry on Friday after my run. Then last night my nose felt so dry, I put a little Vaseline in. Maybe my allergies are starting to flair up?
[sigh]
I just feel yucky. Not sick. Just tired.
I seriously don't like it when I'm not feeling myself.
I feel tired.
Yesterday the Hubs took the kids up to see his family. He'd volunteered (AGAIN) to help with a move. This time? My BIL and his family were moving into a new rental. They've now officially moved back "home" after being in two different states in the last 3 years. Funny though that my SIL (who lives in town) didn't stop by to help at all. Hmmm....
So I spent most of Saturday by myself. I only took a short run, since I took a longer run on Friday. I dusted off all our windows and wood shutters [achoo-achoo!] along with a couple big wood pieces. I swept the downstairs and vacuumed all the carpets. Cleaned the toilets and wiped down all the bathroom counters. While I was working, I tackled 6 loads of laundry and even put everything away. Whew!
I think I'm just plain worn out from yesterday. But I could also be a little under the weather. My throat felt dry on Friday after my run. Then last night my nose felt so dry, I put a little Vaseline in. Maybe my allergies are starting to flair up?
[sigh]
I just feel yucky. Not sick. Just tired.
I seriously don't like it when I'm not feeling myself.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Waiting until the last minute
Guess who finally finished a task that should have been done about a month ago?
Yes. Me. Call me slacker!
But dang it all, the task was just something I don't quite enjoy doing. It involved ironing and possibly some sewing. Ugh.
What was my task?
Yes. My daughter's Girl Scout vest. She bridged up this year from Brownie level so her brand new vest needed the initial patches. And there are a bunch that need to be added first thing.
Here's what I was able to add onto the vest yesterday before the Princess' meeting.
Since the Hubs is going to be helping his brother move this weekend and the kids will be going with him, I'll have the time and quiet I need to sew those darn ole patches on.
Oh fun for me! Maybe a bottle of wine to go with?
Yes. Me. Call me slacker!
But dang it all, the task was just something I don't quite enjoy doing. It involved ironing and possibly some sewing. Ugh.
What was my task?
Yes. My daughter's Girl Scout vest. She bridged up this year from Brownie level so her brand new vest needed the initial patches. And there are a bunch that need to be added first thing.
Here's what I was able to add onto the vest yesterday before the Princess' meeting.
- The flag #21
- The Girl Scout identifier patches #20
- The Troop Numbers #18
- The Bridging patch #13
- The Brownie Wings #1
Since the Hubs is going to be helping his brother move this weekend and the kids will be going with him, I'll have the time and quiet I need to sew those darn ole patches on.
Oh fun for me! Maybe a bottle of wine to go with?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
When to push and when not to
Sometimes it's hard to know yourself. Your body. There are moments when we all push ourselves too hard. And then? We end up paying for it.
Today I decided to push myself. I felt ready. I knew I needed a challenge. I needed to get myself to the next level.
What did I do?
Rather than do my typical 2-mile run, I decided to run my typical 3-mile walk route. I wasn't sure how I'd do so I brought some water with me. My mouth tends to get dry right before I start to peeter out. So bringing water along tends to rejuvenate me so I can continue.
And how'd I do? I was able to run the majority of it. I did walk a little bit. But I let myself walk for about 50 yards to drink some water and then resumed running. Let me say that it felt good to challenge myself. And to run another route was motivating as well.
I actually feel lighter right now. Like my shoulders don't have any weight on them. The relaxed feeling that overtakes your body, you know? [sigh] I think that's one of the reasons I'm enjoying my work-outs, which are miniscule compared to what many of you athletes do every day. But my small workouts are my gradual attempt to building a healthier me. And a healthier me makes me stronger and have the stamina to keep up with my kids.
What're you doing for you to be able to take care of your family?
But one thing I need to do? I do need to look into getting some new running shoes. Any recommendations?
Today I decided to push myself. I felt ready. I knew I needed a challenge. I needed to get myself to the next level.
What did I do?
Rather than do my typical 2-mile run, I decided to run my typical 3-mile walk route. I wasn't sure how I'd do so I brought some water with me. My mouth tends to get dry right before I start to peeter out. So bringing water along tends to rejuvenate me so I can continue.
And how'd I do? I was able to run the majority of it. I did walk a little bit. But I let myself walk for about 50 yards to drink some water and then resumed running. Let me say that it felt good to challenge myself. And to run another route was motivating as well.
I actually feel lighter right now. Like my shoulders don't have any weight on them. The relaxed feeling that overtakes your body, you know? [sigh] I think that's one of the reasons I'm enjoying my work-outs, which are miniscule compared to what many of you athletes do every day. But my small workouts are my gradual attempt to building a healthier me. And a healthier me makes me stronger and have the stamina to keep up with my kids.
What're you doing for you to be able to take care of your family?
But one thing I need to do? I do need to look into getting some new running shoes. Any recommendations?
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