I gotta say, I'm really disappointed in my garden this year. The super cold spring got me off to a late start and now the summer just seems to be up and down, up and down. Just the other night we had temps in the low 50's. Maybe in the high 40's at night. And then sometimes during the day it gets muggy and my plants seem to be dying from heat exhaustion. I water my garden like every other night and it's just so hit and miss right now. VERY FRUSTRATING!
So here's an update:
Tomato plants - The early girl. I think I've pulled off about 10 tomatoes so far. They are small but very yummy. The big boy - Finally producing nice red tomatoes. Haven't tried one yet but will this weekend. The grape tomatoes are growing like made and so far are the winners of the season in producing yummy food for us.
Cucumbers - I planted 3 plants this year. 1 boston picker and 2 hybrid's. I'm not in love with the hybrids. I am loving the Boston pickler but but it's just not producing like it did last year. The only thing I can think of is that cucumbers just don't do well in pots. I'll have to google it but that's what I feel like is happening. Or maybe I should have fertilized it more. Who knows. Just so frustrating!
Radishes - Don't know what's going on with them. I planted 12 right in the beginning of the season and they grew like mad. Now, they just aren't growing. I don't know if they are just sensitive to the weather conditions cause like I mentioned above. The weather has been all over the place this summer.
Strawberries - 3 strawberry plants producing pretty much nothing. Last year I had one plant and it did so well. Just makes no sense.
Lettuce - DUD! I gave up weeks ago.
Basil - Thai basil, not looking so good. It keep flowering like every other day. I can barely keep up with it. Sweet Basil - Looking good and growing well. I got this guy down. I prune him when he gets big and 2 seconds later it's growing back.
Dill - this thing flowers quick too. Just can't seem to stay on top of this plant. Bummer since I like dill on Salmon.
Good thing I've had other successful years with growing my garden otherwise, if this was my first year, it would probably be my last as well. Pictures to come!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Friday, July 18, 2014
Cancer
Cancer just won't leave my family alone! Today is my 3 year anniversary of being told that I had breast cancer. And today, I visited my cousin Virginia who is battling Ocular Melanoma. She is a strong woman with a positive attitude. I enjoyed every single moment I spent with her today. From the moment I walked in her house till the moment I left it. It was truly an honor to spend the entire day with her today.
Virginia said she had edema which is swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve your entire body. So I asked what can I do to help you? And she asked for a mini massage. So she pointed to the areas on her body that bothered her most which included her belly and back. I rubbed and massaged her belly and she said it felt so good. It was like loosening up the swelling and making the blood flow. I was worried that I would hurt her but she said the harder I rubbed the better it felt. I also massaged her back, between the shoulder blades and on her sides. She said she loved every minute of it. So how could I stop?
Later we were talking about her kids and she got super excited about telling me what little Lilli was up too. Apparently, little Lilli who is almost 2 is a climber just like her brother Evan. She is trying to climb out of her crib so Virginia was talking about converting her crib to a big girl bed. She got on the internet and proceeded to show me some bedding sets from Pottery Barn that she is dreaming about. Virginia loves purple and has picked out the prettiest purple bedding set for Lillian accompanied by purple sparkly butterflies that she could attach to a netting above the bed. She was in love with an accessory butterfly. I told her that I would keep an eye on the bedding collection since I had a Pottery Barn close to where I worked. Virginia perked up and said we have one here at an outdoor mall by my house. WE'LL LETS GO!!!
Funny how things turn out. Yesterday when I drove home from work my check engine light and a few others popped on. Knowing I was going to Richmond to today to see Virginia which is about a 2 hour drive from my house (without traffic) I swapped cars with Ken and took the SUV with me. Turns out had I not had the SUV, I wouldn't have been able to fit Virginia's wheel chair in my car so luckily the engine lights came on at the right time. So Bryen (Virginia's) husband showed me how to set up the wheel chair and put it in the back of the truck. He made this look very easy.
The mall was close to her house and we got there in a jiff. I pulled out the wheelchair, set it up and had her sit and relax. Of course I warned her about being a "Virgin" driver and that she would have to bare with me. Turns out the stores we went too all had major obstacle courses in them that put me to the test. I was actually amazed at how difficult it was to maneuver a wheelchair in almost every store we went to. In fact there were times I was struggling to open the door as I was pulling her through the doorway backwards so I didn't hit her legs and no one helped me. Sure a few people did but most didn't. Did they even see us? The ones who did open the door, Virginia graciously thanked. I was a humbling moment.
We hit up as many stores as possible. Gymboree, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Dillards (haven't been in a Dillards since living in Phoenix. I really miss that store.), Pandora, Brighton, Starbucks, etc. It was a GIRLS DAY OUT and we were having fun. Virginia was a trooper. Her face lite up with delight and she thanked me over and over for taking her out. It certainly was my pleasure.
When we got to Pottery Barn Kids, I wheeled Virginia to the little girls section. Virginia has been talking about little Lillian and how she is so excited about changing her room from baby to big girl. She said that Bryen's dad had agreed to paint the walls in Lillian's room purple so she was looking at two bedspreads for the bed. She was going to order them online but couldn't decide on which one she liked better. Seeing them in person made a world of differnce and I agree. I've been eyeing a bed spread from Pottery Barn for a bit now but without really seeing it in person, I just can't commit. Anyway, the stars lined up in a row. Virginia saw the bed set she wanted and by golly, she got it. The shear smile that appeared on her face was priceless. Knowing that her little girl was going to have a bedroom bedding set that she loved meant all the world to me. So we got it and a few little accessories which included the sparkle butterflies. Now she can go home and decorate.
The little things that I take advantage of are the little things Virginia has a hard time doing now. I'm so glad that I was able to make this day wonderful for her and I'm really glad I saw that twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face. It meant the world to me.
Virginia said she had edema which is swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve your entire body. So I asked what can I do to help you? And she asked for a mini massage. So she pointed to the areas on her body that bothered her most which included her belly and back. I rubbed and massaged her belly and she said it felt so good. It was like loosening up the swelling and making the blood flow. I was worried that I would hurt her but she said the harder I rubbed the better it felt. I also massaged her back, between the shoulder blades and on her sides. She said she loved every minute of it. So how could I stop?
Later we were talking about her kids and she got super excited about telling me what little Lilli was up too. Apparently, little Lilli who is almost 2 is a climber just like her brother Evan. She is trying to climb out of her crib so Virginia was talking about converting her crib to a big girl bed. She got on the internet and proceeded to show me some bedding sets from Pottery Barn that she is dreaming about. Virginia loves purple and has picked out the prettiest purple bedding set for Lillian accompanied by purple sparkly butterflies that she could attach to a netting above the bed. She was in love with an accessory butterfly. I told her that I would keep an eye on the bedding collection since I had a Pottery Barn close to where I worked. Virginia perked up and said we have one here at an outdoor mall by my house. WE'LL LETS GO!!!
Funny how things turn out. Yesterday when I drove home from work my check engine light and a few others popped on. Knowing I was going to Richmond to today to see Virginia which is about a 2 hour drive from my house (without traffic) I swapped cars with Ken and took the SUV with me. Turns out had I not had the SUV, I wouldn't have been able to fit Virginia's wheel chair in my car so luckily the engine lights came on at the right time. So Bryen (Virginia's) husband showed me how to set up the wheel chair and put it in the back of the truck. He made this look very easy.
The mall was close to her house and we got there in a jiff. I pulled out the wheelchair, set it up and had her sit and relax. Of course I warned her about being a "Virgin" driver and that she would have to bare with me. Turns out the stores we went too all had major obstacle courses in them that put me to the test. I was actually amazed at how difficult it was to maneuver a wheelchair in almost every store we went to. In fact there were times I was struggling to open the door as I was pulling her through the doorway backwards so I didn't hit her legs and no one helped me. Sure a few people did but most didn't. Did they even see us? The ones who did open the door, Virginia graciously thanked. I was a humbling moment.
We hit up as many stores as possible. Gymboree, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Dillards (haven't been in a Dillards since living in Phoenix. I really miss that store.), Pandora, Brighton, Starbucks, etc. It was a GIRLS DAY OUT and we were having fun. Virginia was a trooper. Her face lite up with delight and she thanked me over and over for taking her out. It certainly was my pleasure.
When we got to Pottery Barn Kids, I wheeled Virginia to the little girls section. Virginia has been talking about little Lillian and how she is so excited about changing her room from baby to big girl. She said that Bryen's dad had agreed to paint the walls in Lillian's room purple so she was looking at two bedspreads for the bed. She was going to order them online but couldn't decide on which one she liked better. Seeing them in person made a world of differnce and I agree. I've been eyeing a bed spread from Pottery Barn for a bit now but without really seeing it in person, I just can't commit. Anyway, the stars lined up in a row. Virginia saw the bed set she wanted and by golly, she got it. The shear smile that appeared on her face was priceless. Knowing that her little girl was going to have a bedroom bedding set that she loved meant all the world to me. So we got it and a few little accessories which included the sparkle butterflies. Now she can go home and decorate.
The little things that I take advantage of are the little things Virginia has a hard time doing now. I'm so glad that I was able to make this day wonderful for her and I'm really glad I saw that twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face. It meant the world to me.
The DIAGNOSIS
You guessed it, 3 years ago today I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I just remember getting the call right at the end of the work day. I cried uncontrollably, told my co-workers once I got off the phone and drove home, calling mom, Ken, and Wendy. I just couldn't believe it but then again, I felt the lump and I knew it was cancer. Hearing it from the doctor just makes it so much more a reality and so much more scarier. 3 years ago today the journey began.
Thank goodness 3 years later, I'm alive and healthy. (knock on wood....don't want to jinx anything.)
Thank goodness 3 years later, I'm alive and healthy. (knock on wood....don't want to jinx anything.)
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Poor Rockstar
A few months ago my co-worker Inayah had to get rid of her beta fish. She had it at work and apparently nobody liked it there so she had to find it a home since her cats would probably never leave him alone. So, I told her I'd take him. Cody doesn't have a pet and what better to see how he takes care of one by starting with a fish. So I brought him home and Cody was excited.
What I didn't realize is that Cody knew exactly what a beta fish was since he has one in his classroom. So I told him that he got to name him and he yelled out..."His name is Rockstar!" What a perfect name I thought.
It turns out that Rockstar has become my buddy in the last few months. Cody says hi here and there but has totally forgotten about him which is good and bad. Good because it makes me realize that there is no way he'll ever take care of a pet and bad because I did get the fish for Cody and he isn't even feeding the poor thing.
So every night when I walk up to his little 5 gallon tank, he swims toward me with delight. His little fins go a mile a minute, ready for dinner. And he gulps it all down too.
But just yesterday, I noticed him swimming a little different. And today poor Rockstar is on his side at the top of the bowl. He's alive but I don't know what happened. I've never had a beta before. So I jumped on the internet and found that he either ate too much or he's sick. Oh no! I never over fed him but maybe I did? Poor little guy. I'll have to keep monitoring him to see how he does.
Come on Rockstar. We all get sick....fight through it!
What I didn't realize is that Cody knew exactly what a beta fish was since he has one in his classroom. So I told him that he got to name him and he yelled out..."His name is Rockstar!" What a perfect name I thought.
It turns out that Rockstar has become my buddy in the last few months. Cody says hi here and there but has totally forgotten about him which is good and bad. Good because it makes me realize that there is no way he'll ever take care of a pet and bad because I did get the fish for Cody and he isn't even feeding the poor thing.
So every night when I walk up to his little 5 gallon tank, he swims toward me with delight. His little fins go a mile a minute, ready for dinner. And he gulps it all down too.
But just yesterday, I noticed him swimming a little different. And today poor Rockstar is on his side at the top of the bowl. He's alive but I don't know what happened. I've never had a beta before. So I jumped on the internet and found that he either ate too much or he's sick. Oh no! I never over fed him but maybe I did? Poor little guy. I'll have to keep monitoring him to see how he does.
Come on Rockstar. We all get sick....fight through it!
Monday, July 7, 2014
TRANSFORMERS
Ken was off work today so he decided to keep Cody home from summer camp. He and Cody went to go see the movie Transformers in IMAX 3D. My heart was filled with joy that Ken and Cody had a father/son day together and Cody was thrilled and so excited to spend the day with his dad. We love doing family outings but this was a MANS movie (just kidding), movie just for the boys. And when I got home, they told me all about it.
I was a little jealous but I get quality time with Cody all the time so it's only fair to share him. :)
I was a little jealous but I get quality time with Cody all the time so it's only fair to share him. :)
Sunday, July 6, 2014
3 years ago
Seems like a dream. 3 years ago today I found my lump. I went to bed the night before as normal but I woke up with the most horrific thought. One touch and I knew.
Ironically mom spent the weekend with us this weekend (like she did last year this time too) so today kind of slipped away from me. I'm glad I kept busy and didn't dwell on the memory of the day I found my lump and the day that changed me forever.
Ironically mom spent the weekend with us this weekend (like she did last year this time too) so today kind of slipped away from me. I'm glad I kept busy and didn't dwell on the memory of the day I found my lump and the day that changed me forever.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Picked up Cody
Today mom and I drove to Gettysburg, PA to meet up with Ken's parents so we could pick Cody up. I love meeting up in Gettysburg. We meet at the outlet mall and it's like a bonus. Pick up Cody and go shopping. My 2 favorite things.
Mom and I ran to a few stores. I totally scored today. I got Ken 1 nice dress shirt at Brooks Brothers, me - 2 pairs of shoes and Cody hit the mother load with a ton of outfits from OshKosh B Gosh. They had a huge summer clearance and I grabbed some stuff for next summer, size 8. Can you believe it??? I can't. Where does the time go?
Anyway, Ken's parents arrived and we went to go meet up with them. Cody saw me coming and ran up to me giving me the biggest hugs. It was so great having my little boy in my arms again. It was a nice baby break during the week but having him home was absolutely wonderful.
We really didn't hang out long in Gettysburg and I thanked them for watching Cody for the week.
I'm sure they are ready for a little R & R now. :)
Mom and I ran to a few stores. I totally scored today. I got Ken 1 nice dress shirt at Brooks Brothers, me - 2 pairs of shoes and Cody hit the mother load with a ton of outfits from OshKosh B Gosh. They had a huge summer clearance and I grabbed some stuff for next summer, size 8. Can you believe it??? I can't. Where does the time go?
Anyway, Ken's parents arrived and we went to go meet up with them. Cody saw me coming and ran up to me giving me the biggest hugs. It was so great having my little boy in my arms again. It was a nice baby break during the week but having him home was absolutely wonderful.
We really didn't hang out long in Gettysburg and I thanked them for watching Cody for the week.
I'm sure they are ready for a little R & R now. :)
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