The Day Begins

0700 the phone rings, it is my husband, who is on vacation with my son. He needs me to go to the computer to look something up. So, I roll out of bed and go to the computer room. As our conversation ends I hear, none other than the garbage truck! Oh MAN, the garbage! In total disregard to my fresh out of the bed, pajama clad self I dash out the door. As I wheel the can down the driveway I look to my right and see the truck coming down the hill. I look front and see a car stopping at the curb, right where I park the can. I stop dead in my tracks. What do I do? Should I take the can to a place in front of his car? No, that would be awkward. Looking to the left of his car I see mailboxes, a driveway, my neighbors cans and another driveway. I am not dragging this can half way up the street. So, I did what any sane pajama clad woman would do. I hauled my can across the street and knocked on his window. Then I said, "I don't want to be rude, but could you pull forward? I have to put my garbage can out." Though a bit startled he gladly obliged. As I walked back to my house I couldn't help but wonder what this small snapshot of time said about my character and the pajama clad woman I have become. :)

There have been many times in the past that I have been in certain stores and observed people bringing in their dead plants. I was amazed that the store would actually give them their money back for these dead things. I would be thinking in my head, "Don't you know you're supposed to water the things?! "

Well, yesterday I joined the ranks of weirdos that return dead plants. Oh yes, I did. I loaded up those 8 dead plants and got my money back. Then I went straight to the plant dept. and loaded up with 8 new ones.

Now that I've confessed my evil thinking and weird actions, I'm going to go plant those plants in the ground so I don't have to eat crow a second time!

Plant-a-holic

Hello. My name is Robin. I am addicted to plants. If I am in a store that sells plants I can't leave with out buying at least one. That would OK, except for 2 things. One, if it's an inside plant I need a pot to plant it in. Pots cost a huge, unreasonable amount of $! Second, if it's an outside plant I have to make sure I actually get it in the ground before it dies.

I will not post a picture of the plants that I bought for my back yard. At this time they still aren't planted in the ground but they do have a soaker hose running across the top of the pots that will water them at a regular time each day. I'm really hoping that they are truly drought resistant and will revive with much water. I just can't seem to find any plants that declare themselves Robin resistant. While I'm not happy with the potential dead state of said plants I can't help but look forward to buying new ones! Yep, addicted.

I enclosed pictures of my indoor plants. They all ended up in my bathroom. I referred to my tub at work one day as a garden tub. Several people laughed at me. Apparently they'd never heard that term in regards to a tub. My pictures are an example of why we folks originally from the South call such things garden tubs. Now you guys that still live in the South tell me if I'm obsolete in my thinking! I'm real happy with they way it turned out. But being true to that plant addicted nature I could make changes every day and always see something in my head that would look better. Don't worry Michael, I have put the MasterCard away and am choosing to be happy with what I've done. :) It was a lot of fun, hard work. On the one hand I'm a little embarrassed at the $ I've spent. I just couldn't do it a little at a time. On the other hand, this is something I've always wanted to do. I've always wanted a tub like this one. It wasn't until I started buying plants that I realized I don't really long to soak in a bubble bath, as much as I want to decorate the thing. It still needs candles. I'll save that for Michael's in put. He has definite ideas about some things and he'll want to tweak what I've done and add his own touches.

Enjoy the pictures. Feel free to give feed back. Any suggestions are also welcome. :)

Answered Prayer!

If I remember correctly I have used this blog as a means to vent about some frustrations. Unfortunately, I don't remember what all I've said about what. Quite scary if you ask me!
I do know that I have spent some time talking about my kids! In fact I often wonder if I've caused some eye rolling and walking in the other direction when you see me coming; because you just KNOW I'm going to be whining about the same kid issues.
So, on that note I want to take a few minutes to update you on some positives and answers to prayers. If you're not quite sure what I'm talking about count your blessings and rejoice in the answered prayer with me any way.

First, Gabrielle spends more time at home now than she does away. The nights she spends away are planned over nights out of town. I know where she is and who she is with. We still have our conflicts but life has been very enjoyable and nice with my Gabrielle. It's hard to watch her growing pains, but I have been able to learn that growing pains are indeed what they are and all I have to do is be available.

Next, Kevin will be returning to Calvary Baptist Church School next year. I have shed many a tear over Kevin's school situations and spend lots of energy talking and fretting. Kevin decided on his own that he wanted to return to Calvary and get his diploma. About the time he decided this the school felt the need to put him on academic probation. They set a goal for him and told us that if that goal was not completed by a certain date he could not return. I agreed to the terms and did see the need to hold his feet to the fire. He on the other hand could not for the life of him understand why this was happening. I mean he had finally given in, quit fighting and decided to return. Now he has to fight to stay--that's how he viewed the situation. About half way to the dead line, I realized that due to a certain subject Kevin wasn't going to make it. His attitude was great; he had accepted the situation and was putting forth an honest sincere effort to get the work done. So, I went and ask for an adjustment in the goal. I asked that a certain subject be removed from the expectation and replaced with something else. He would still be completing the amount of work required of him, just in a different subject. I was initially told no. I accepted the decision none to gracefully and left. Back at home, Kevin never knew, and I continued to hold his feet to the fire. In the past, Kevin has shut down in the last 2 weeks of school; nothing would get accomplished. This year he had to work consistently up until the last minute. On the last day of school he took 2 test. Up until this point I really had no idea if he would be allowed back. He passed the test and the administrator assured me he could return next year. WHOO-HOO!!! The subject that I asked to be dropped until next year? The one that they wouldn't change? He finished all but one of the paces. However, he finished extra in other subjects so he met the required amount that would allow him to return.

I told Kevin that I was so very proud of him! Not only did he overcome the academic challenge, but he also conquered the attitude and emotional aspect of the expectation place on him.

Advice requested

I posted pictures of my bathroom plain, then one of the ridiculously tall palm tree and now these. I'm really happy with the plants I have and I seem to have this vision in my head, but I can't get it to transpire into reality. The pot in the corner is not pretty. It is one I already had on hand and was thinking that if I planted something in it that would grow over the side, then the pot would be hidden. I have found some pots that I like but they aren't the right shape for what I want. The other pots are the right shape, but I don't like the color. At this time all the plants are actually down in the tub so I'll remember to water them. Any suggestions? What color pots should I use. I tend to like a variety. However, my husband tends to like uniformity. I thought it'd be fun to see what ideas you guys came up with.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my husband's birthday! He is in Okinawa, not here with me. You know what, for him his birthday was yesterday! Weird. He called me this a.m. at about 0330, forgetting the time difference, and announced that today was his birthday. I think he may be feeling a little lonely. What do you think? I did send him 3 cards in the mail. I'm not sure if he's gotten them yet. I can't wait for him to get home! If you'd like to wish him a belated birthday his e-mail is:
whoami_1790@juno.com.

It is also the birthday of a really good friend of mine. This friend has been a wonderful Christian example, mentor and encourager for me. Happy Birthday Ms. Julie!