Planning the Garden - Plotting

Ahem, as in planning things out!

I have some seeds. I am doing going to be all crazy and try to plant a big ass garden the 1st time around. I have like 5 things I want to grow in the backyard and in the front....well I am still working on that.

This would be useful I think :) I plan to get something like it. Later on though.


Oh and Composting! So that I have all the good stuff going to making soil/fertilizer for my veggies. This I would like to get now...


And this would be a big part of composting :)


And something to help out with the garden will be these lovelies (to be ordered or bought later on!)
because I also bought this:    

The Sunflowers will be along the side of the house, where I've been whacking out the previous bushes...

Oh and since the family that owned the house before me had this huge trampoline, there is a bald spot in the yard (on 1 side) and since I prefer the softer clover to grass, I've ordered this Mini Clover. I will be planting it in the back and front yards, in those spots that aren't going to be used for the veggie patches.


Here is a neat idea though...These are grow pots, so that if you don't have a huge backyard like me, you can use these. I still might try them out and see if I can grow stuff on the front porch or something with them...
or

Encased in ice

This is what it looked like :)

A quick note...

I haven't been writing, mainly because I really need to put together a post about Puck. It's so hard writing that though that I am doing it in bits and pieces.

So, trying to focus on other things, I've decided to focus on those things that revolve around living things and growing things and things that don't make me cry.

So. Hmmm.

I am planting a garden this spring. I have some (organic, non-GMO) seeds already bought (and really not expensive at all). I am researching soils/organic fertilizers, how to compost (if I do that this year), how to save the seeds of the things I hope to produce for next year, how to turn my front porch into a herb heaven

Other things going on:
I am contemplating buying a pasta maker. Of course, it will probably be a year away from when I actually do, since I have too much stuff to get done first.

And you know what? I don't want to write because I don't want my Ex to read something I wrote/thought/whatever. I know that might sound bad, but honestly, I don't want him privy to my thoughts because I don't want him to derive some other thing out of it.

Ugh.

Not quite sure what to do or how much to care about it.

I think I need a moment.

Another moment

So I'm having a hard time Not thinking about Puck and ...and I seem to always have to do things on my own. Which isn't a bad thing, it's just really hard. Really really hard.

This is that type of moment that you just need someone to hold you while you cry, because this sucks.

This is not an easy thing to do. I know in my heart it's the right thing for Puck. And my son, he has known since the vet told us that his kidneys were starting to go. (And yes I had to go the the vet the alone for the diagnosis) and its not a surprise but my heart breaks every time I look at him. To be perfectly honest, he's one of my favorites out of the cats. He is so sweet, and playful and sweet and has such character. Stupid kidneys failing sucks.

So, yeah the kid knows and its hard but he's dealing (aka more Minecraft ) and I haven't to ever really put an animal down before. Shit, we lost the cats before to the fire and before that, well  my parents took care of that. And this just sucks.

Ugh

And sometimes, well sometimes, I really hate being alone.

Poor Puck :_(

Little Bits

I just feel like writing. Something. I should be doing other things, but honestly, my brain is just not there at the moment.

So in this lovely streaming of my thought process I've got:

Work, busy but not busy and normal which is good.
My kid, worried about him in general. Hormones and growing up is a hard thing.
My cat Puck, who is going to be put to sleep soon because his kidneys are starting to fail and it's just getting worse and I can't watch my cat slowly die :_(
This scarf I am making, I am going to start over (not unusual for me) because I want to use a different gauge needle.
I wake up with 3 cats sleeping around me most nights/days. Sometimes all 4. I wonder how the other cats will react when they realize Puck isn't coming home :_(
I have to do the dishes and really don't feel like it. They can wait a day.
I'm thirsty but have Diego on my side sleeping and Tiamet sleeping between my legs.
I want to kiss someone I love.
This winter can finish up now and move onto Spring.
I need a hug.
I dyed my hair last night and it looks pretty good! Still debating cutting it and how short. It's still pretty cold out...
I have laundry to fold soon...this is going to get tricky.
My weight is annoying me. I need to get cracking on it. My goal is to get to 200 lbs and then go another 10 lbs and so on and so forth. Stupid 15 lbs is annoying me. I probably should not have had that chinese food tonight. But I burned a lot of calories shoveling snow today!! I hope!!
I bathed my cat Diego the other day. I don't think he was too happy about it for once and neither was I. A fat 20 lbs wet cat and I had a conversation. I won. Alpha Female all the way bitches. He still loves me though. Diego is pretty awesome that way.
My heart sings - because it hears your music

Ok, I'm tapped out for the moment. Time to shift the cats, fold the clothes and head to bed. Maybe.

Good message, if anything

An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth."

The boy thought about it, and asked, "Grandfather, which wolf wins?"

The old man quietly replied, "the one you feed"

- Author Unknown

I really needed to read this tonight.  I've always loved this message and analogy.

I know which one I choose to feed. Sometimes we just need a reminder...

Seriously ?

Ok, so...I walk to my car this morning be cause I had a wax appointment. I open my door, get in and hear something. Then I notice it's kinda cold and sounded like a window was open. So I look behind me and what do a see? A hole in my rear window.

Ummm, what the fuck?

I don't see any foot prints (it had snowed early that morning or late the previous night). So I had ASSUMED it was the cold. Somehow. I mean, granted it wasn't super freaky cold the other night, not like last week. 

So I look at the window more and the whole thing is just shattered. Shattered.

I call Safelite and the earliest it can get fixed is Thursday. But I took to them so that I can at least get plastic up. At the place, the guy points out that SOME FUCKING ASSHOLE threw a rock at my window.

Here's another one showing the damage to the back door.

Now, granted it could have been a rock kicked up by someone driving by. Maybe. However, I have a feeling that MIGHT not be the case.

Whatever

So fuck you you mother fucking asshole who threw a rock at my car. I hope you fucking get what's coming to you. 

//rant

Chicken Soup part 2

So, here is what the end product looks like.

I added in some salt, pepper and seasonings. Not quite sure if I added in enough or good ones though ! I will actually eat some tonight I hope ! 1st time making it, not expecting much :)

I will say that at least the chicken itself was yummy !!

Chicken Soup

Prep items for chicken stock

 

 

 

And the making the chicken stock

 

 

And this morning at 2 something ? Me straining said chicken stock.

 

And again this morning at 7 am ? Setting up the chicken soup !

 

I'm tired. I could not sleep with the slow cooker on though, and I have no idea why. Ugh. Suffice it to say tonight will be an early to bed one for me !

 

I'm almost done with the Kid's scarf though. I need to pick up 1 more skein of yarn to finish the edging :)  He saw it a little bit last night and seemed pretty happy with it so far :) Since I am dropping him off at his Dad's night, I will swing by AC Moore and get the last skein of yarn for it.

 

Right now? It's me and coffee and possibly some massive amounts of sugar from a Coffee Roll type of donut. Ahem.

 

Then it's back to working and thinking and wondering and all those good things!!

Scarf

Here is a pic of the scarf I finished the other day.

I'm now working on for the Kid :)

Tuesday's Rain

It's one of those perfect days for staying in bed all day. Where you are lucky enough to have room service bring you hot yummy tea, warm bread with butter and honey and then throw in a hot guy and life is absolutely perfect.

Today is hopefully going to be busy. I know it will be pretty busy tonight once I'm home. I've gotta give the fat cat Diego a bath, take back the damn Nike shoes that don't fit the Kid, do some dishes, sweep because I always need to sweep and I may even organize the closet in my office. Maybe. And paint my nails. Yep, gotta do that! Oh and take a pic of my scarf.

I need to make some more scarves. I was looking at mine and noticed I have more purple/pink than anything. I should probably do a green, blue, red, and maybe something else...and maybe just more than 1 of those other colors too. Hmmm, winter hobbies can be fun.

Also, tonight is movie night I think at home. Gotta pick up something new to watch with the Kid. Make some popcorn and relax with him :)

Tomorrow I'm working on my puzzle some more, damn it, hell or high water!!

Have you ever heard of an apartment that would charge more if your son/daughter spent more time there (as in, you have full custody or joint custody, or hells, you just got additional time with said child) as compared to when you first moved in? That's a new one to me. Sure, I've heard of pet monthly fees, but not that. Perhaps if you went from 1 or 2 people to say OVER capacity for a place (I believe our old apartment actually had a capacity - like no more than 6 people or something to an apartment, hmmmm I wonder if I still have that old contract if it showed that.) Well, now I'm curious! I wonder what other fucked up policies apartment owners have in place!!  At least I don't have to worry about that shit anymore :) No HOA, it's just me - the owner - Of course, I gotta abide by state/city laws, but damn have to do that anyways so it's no big deal. It would suck for those people in that situation though, where an apartment complex were such assholes that way. Gods forbid someone get pregnant and have a kid, or twins! YIKES!!

In other thoughts!! I am totally wearing my red hot pants today! LOL, I got them on sale at Old Navy a few weeks ago ($9 cords, talk about a steal!) and I need to wear a belt with them because they are bit of low riders and I don't need to flash people my oh so sexy underwear!! But I did have 1 coworker just tell me that I make corduroys look sexy, so that's something I suppose!

I gotta schedule time to get my hair cut and get my Brazilian wax done too. And go to Home Depot, get the paint samples and a quote for my shower.

Seriously busy! But at least things are moving forward and in the right directions :)

I'm in Love

AND


With these amazing socks!!

On the left are Smartwool and the right one is Darn Tough (it has a life time guarantee, who knew!) I had originally got a pair of pretty purple/gray Smartwool socks when I got my new winter boots. I had worn said socks with those boots but I had thought it was the boots keeping my feet deliciously warm. I did really like the socks though and had decided to get a couple more pairs.

Ahem.

I wore my boots last week with my normal not so smart or tough socks, and my my tootsies were just a tad bit chilled and not as happy!! Today, I am wearing my normal sketchers and a pair of Darn Tough socks - my feet are seriously happy. I mean, they are fucking socks for crying out loud!! Right now I have the 3 pairs and I think I will be able to survive the remains of winter with them. However, I am seriously contemplating WHICH pair I want to buy next. They are pretty expensive, especially for socks! because they typically run $15-$25 a pair (OUCH). I usually try to find things when they are on sale (thus my hunt will ensue until next winter I think) to save money.

Oh and another thing that is completely awesome? They are size Medium. You see, this is the FIRST thing (so so very sad) that I've bought and fits perfect and is a MEDIUM. Large is normal, XL sometimes depending on who made what. But Medium?? Medium?? Nope! And it's just so awesome I am grinning just thinking about it!

Ok, moving on from the awesomeness of socks!

Friday, I dropped the Kid off at his Dad's. Didn't do a lot Friday night. Saturday morning, I cleaned, did laundry, organized my closet, finally hung up a curtain in my Library so that I didn't have a sheet there anymore, put the Xmas stuff in the attic, organized my jewelry box and yes I did order another thing to store my rings in, and that night had a Wiccan/Divination group meeting in Williamsport. It was pretty awesome. Also finally got the mirror hung up. It's so nice to not having it leaning against the wall and leaving marks on it!!

On Thursday I had started a scarf and finished it last night :) I will take pics tonight and post them. I am pretty sure it was this color yarn. I will have to double check. It was a super chunky one though, which is why I think I was able to make it faster :) It came out pretty nice :) I hope to make a couple more scarves in the next few weeks. Then I want to finish the baby blanket I've had for years and just get it done!! Here is the one scarf I got done earlier this week though.

Sunday was a good day :) Got to sleep in which was nice!! Breakfast was yummy :) The day was good. I picked up the Kid at 6 pm and he didn't want to leave his dad's. Which actually is a good thing. I know that it can be really hard, this whole divorce thing, and I am very happy the Kid is happy at both places. That is very very important.

This week is going to be busy in a lot of ways. Speaking of which, work is definitely busy today! I need more coffee!!

Thursday Thoughts

It's Thursday, I feel like it should be Friday. My whole week has been all screwy this way. No idea why my internal clock is on fast forward. But there you go.

So I was able to finally clean the bathrooms, I have no idea why that was annoying me, but it was! Also, my frozen kitchen pipe is no longer frozen and back to normal :) Yay! We still ate out last night though!

With a clean bathtub, I might just set myself a nice hot soak :)

Tonight, I will figure out something for dinner and then hang with the kid for a little bit. Then it will be time to re-organize my closets - I wonder if the Kid will help with that??? I might get rid of some of my shoes that I am not wearing (nor see me wearing in the future). What's kinda weird, maybe?, is that my shoe size is about 1/2 size smaller now. I used to wear 9 1/2 to 10's, but lately I've been wearing 9's. I think it's another effect from losing weight. (and get this, I SWEAR my calves seem a wee bit smaller!) And speaking of weight, this morning I was like 216 (I am *assuming* this is due to my period) but my clothes still fit normal as does my jewelry. Usually when I gain weight, my rings shift back to previous fingers. Right now, that isn't happening. So I am sticking with the bloated issues going on with my period. I've started taking vitamins and supplements this week, that's really the only difference. I am drinking more water today to see if that helps my body get re-aligned again.

Tai Chi? What is this Tai Chi you speak of? Ok, I will get off my ass and see if I can throw that into the mix as well!! Sleep though?? who needs sleep?? Bwahahahahaha.

Not too much going on. I think it's lunch time though. Hmmm. I wish I had a place to nap. Or walk. Either would be awesome right now. I think I'm going to go do some push ups against the wall instead.

Well - damn

Nope, didn't do the Tai Chi. I suck. I know. It might have to wait until I can think of moving my ass off the couch and not just to get a drink or something.

I did do laundry though! That should count for something ?? Maybe ??

I have to, HAVE TO, clean my bathrooms tonight. Because, yeah...just yeah...

This morning was COLD. School was not closed or delayed though. I told the Kid that if it was too cold, to come back inside and get me and I would take him to school. But he never did, so I guess he could handle being bundled up in the 7 degree weather for a few minutes while waiting for the bus. I wonder if that will ever turn into one of those stories " When I was your age, I had to wait for the school bus when it was 4 degrees outside, and it felt like -8!" type of thing.

Also, it seems that one of the pipes that brings water into my kitchen sink is frozen. I've opened the cabinets and have the faucet opened a little bit, hoping that it will thaw on it's own since it's starting to warm up. I spoke to the facilities guy at work and my guy, and both said that you can get that electrical heating tape and use that to warm up your pipes. Who knew!! Next time it gets FUCK ME COLD outside I will be better prepared.

Suffice it to say I will be ordering chinese tonight I think.

I worked on my puzzle a little bit. Watched a movie with the Kid :) It was Titan A.E. It had been a while since we saw that one!! I offered to make popcorn, but he said it would take too long. I need to go grocery shopping this week it seems!

Oh dear gods, my coworker is eating nuts again. Ugh. Argh!! :P~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am going to go hide somewhere and pretend I have a reason for doing that. Good gods...

I also need to read a book, and set up my Goodreads goals for this year. I have been really bad about that lately. I've just been busy, and happy, and life is taking more time now than it did in the past. Granted, a part is being single mom and doing stuff around the house, and of course spending time with loved ones and vacations and just LIFE. It's another Who Knew moment for me :)

Hiding now. Shhhhh....

Mini Vacation

So we went to Great Wolf Lodge for a mini vacation. It. Was. Awesome.

I haven't been to a water park in probably 2 decades. The last time was when I was a teenager and went to White Water Rapids in Southern California. AGES AGO!! So, going on this water roller coasters was pretty damn fun. I don't think I screamed, laughed and just had this much fun in gods know how long!! The really nice things about this one is that it's for those who are staying at the hotel only, so it's not open to the public. This is nice because you don't have really long lines for the rides AND you don't feel over crowded.

The Kid - Well he's never done this type of thing before. I think he had some fun. He really didn't want to go on any of the big slides but I am hoping that he will next time :) Oh yes, there will be a next time :) He did have a lot of fun dumping water on other people (me included). He was still a bit of a whiney teenager pain in the arse part of the time, but that's all about growing up I think.

The drive wasn't bad at all. Though it's a really good idea to plan out your music (that is, what you're in the mood to hear) before hand. I had set aside some CD's to take with us, but completely forgot them. Not the end of the world by any means, just something to think about. Oh and don't do the buffet unless you are a going to feed a starving nation of children, because, seriously it's not worth the money unless you get a couple plates of food, each.

Lucky me got my period right before we left. So the cruise did change my schedule. Ugh. Still, could have been worse! Could have happened during the drive and not have been prepared. That would have sucked the fun out through my pores.

Last night, I did laundry and some chores and then watched TV. Nothing exciting, still trying to adjust to being back to normal life! I did work on my puzzle though too. This is one I'm working on right now - you might have to click the link to go to Amazon to get a better view of it.

Tonight, ugh, more laundry and cleaning the bathrooms. And probably working on the puzzle some more.

Saturday night I have a Wicca type meeting, it's all about tarot and things of that nature, so I am looking forward to that :) During the day I am going to check out Home Depot paints and get pricing from them for my shower.

And is it horrible that I just got an email from See's Candies about free shipping and I am seriously contemplating ordering because I love their chocolate ??

Ok, I need a nap and some more hot tea and maybe some form of chocolate.

And how is it, that I weighed myself this morning and was 216, but my size 14 jeans are loose enough I can wear my cuddle duds under them comfortably? Bloated. More than likely. Stupid PMS. I am taking vitamins again though, which should help with my hormones. I got a blend this time to see if that helps vs. taking a bunch of different things. Oh and I was wearing 12's again and yep, those fit me best right now :) YAY!!

Almost forgot, tonight I am doing my Tai Chi video too. It's gonna be a busy night!