I wonder....

There is very little that I like LESS than throwing away $700 a month in rent. What a waste of money. So I'm wondering if I could qualify to buy a house...??? I would love to find a tiny little cottage somewhere. I know I couldn't qualify for much, but even if it needed some minor work, I'm fairly handy... Hmmm, I have a customer at work that is a realtor. I think I might call her and see if she can coach me on how/where to pre-qualify.
Yeah, I know, I'm probably setting myself up for disappointment.... but I HATE paying rent. And heaven knows it would give me something to do, something to look forward to.... (I'm like Jodi there, I need something to look forward to.) ^_^

I haven't posted a picture of my motorcycle before,...

So I thought I would, now that we're getting nice weather and I can ride it again. (Lisa took these pictures.)

Ya know what I see when I look at these pictures? My waistline, or lack thereof. How can I weigh 122 lbs and still have that "thick" waist? Kate, I really do think you and I were adopted.

Sorry,...

I am sorry, but I am not moving back to Boise. The only way I will ever go back to Boise is in a straight jacket in the back of a funny van, or in a pine box. Yes, I miss my daughter, my Mom and my sister terribly, but I can visit anytime. The truth is, I was so glad to leave there. Nope. I MAY consider moving to Spokane, but I'm reluctant to do that to Kate. Having me in the same town would probably make her crazy! Besides, this is not the time of year to be looking for a job in my line of work. And I'm NOT going to be a secretary to some lazy, rich bastard. I LOVE this area.

This is my home now. If I move, it will be to someplace else over here in the Pacific Northwest. But thank you so much for caring. We do have a unique family, but by Gob, it's a kick butt family.

What I write about...

I use my blog to write about what is currently going on in my life. Which is why it's mostly about me, Lisa, and Gracie. Because that is pretty much all there is of my life right now.

I miss Andrea so much that it's hard for me to write about her. We don't get to talk much. She's not much for calling, unless she needs something. And when I call her, she's usually busy. We used to be so close , but I guess out of sight, out of mind. She doesn't seem interested in Mom anymore. I'm hoping she'll grow out of this stage. Like I said, it's hard to write about Andrea, it makes me sad, I just don't have much to say.

What is it...

about "Ben and Jerry's" ice cream that makes women of all species love it so much???

Bright Ideas for Low Light Areas

Most homes have at least a few areas in them that, despite our best efforts, still seem dark and dreary due to lack of light. These low light spots might be an entry way without windows, a particular corner of the living room or dining room, perhaps a small bathroom, or even the laundry room. Areas like this can feel depressing, and may pose a challenge when trying to liven them up. But here’s a great suggestion for adding life to those low light locals – houseplants!

Although it seems that these areas would be unsuitable when it comes to growing houseplants, in reality, there are many plants that do very well in low light situations. You may be astonished at how simply adding a plant or two can cheer a dark corner. Putting your plants in bright or light colored containers is another great way to enhance the area while tying in colors from the rest of your décor.

Below is a list of houseplants that do very well in low light. Their sizes, shapes and colors vary widely, and can be combined to create all kinds of interesting effects.

Low Light Houseplants
Aglaonema – Chinese evergreen (pic #1)
Aspidistra - Cast Iron Plant
Bamboo Palm
Calathea (pic #2)

Chlorophytum - Spider Plant
Kentia Palm (pic #3)
Philodendron
Pothos (pic #4)

Sansevaria – Snake Plant
Spathophylum – Peace Lily
Syngonium – Arrowhead Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia - ZZ Plant (pic #5)

Plants with variegated or bright foliage can really perk up a dark spot.
A few of my favorite plants for this is the Chinese evergreen (aglaonema), the arrowhead plant (syngonium), and the spider plant (chlorophytum) for their lively variegated green and white leaves. The pothos cultivars called ‘lime’ and ‘neon’, although sometimes harder to find, are also favorites because of their bright, eye popping color.

Another option for adding houseplants to low light areas of your home is to try some plants for medium light. Most medium light plants can be moved into low light situations for a couple of months at a time, and then moved back to medium areas to recharge for a while. If you have two or three plants that you can rotate like this, it can work out very well.

In addition to perking up your low light area; it’s been proven by NASA that adding even one houseplant to a room actually cleans the air and reduces stress levels.

Find a good garden center with knowledgable people to help you chose the plants that are right for you. “Ditch the dreary”, and do something bright, add houseplants!

Smart Cookie...

Lisa is an amazing young woman, and Im sure I'd feel this way even if I wasn't her mother.

Damn she is smart.! She always got A's and B's in school, without even trying. And I knew that she had street smarts and more common sense than most people I know. But she is truely wise beyond her years. I am frequenly asking for her opinion and advise on stuff because she is just so sharp and level headed. She is so aware of everything all around her. She blows me away sometimes. OH, plus, she KICKED MY BUTT in a trivia game 3 times in a row! Brat! (I think she was cheatin' but I haven't figured out how yet...)

She also has the biggest heart in the world. She is so caring, considerate and thoughtful of others. She would rather die than hurt someones feelings. And she would happily give her last dollar to a total stranger if she thought they really needed it.

In fact, I remember in grade school, she was always giving her lunch money to a little girl that was very poor and didn't get to eat much. Lisa would come home starving. But she just kept doing it. She'd say, "Mom, I know Susie, (I can't remember the girls name), doesn't ever get breakfast, and sometimes not dinner, so she needed my lunch more than I did." Ken and I finally started giving her extra lunch money every day so they could both eat.

I love you Lisa, and I am so proud of who you are. ^ _ ^

I'm borrowing Kate's soap box,...

I can't believe that I'm about to blog about politics, since I find it basically pretty boring. But I have a concern and a prediction to share. Plus, I'm filling in for Kate while she's away for the weekend.

I think Barrack Obama has a VERY good chance at being elected President. That's not the concern, that part would be great! I think this country seriously needs the changes and new attitude that he would bring about. I also think there is a good chance that Hilary Clinton could be his running mate/ VP. Um, yeah, ...that part is a concern.

Another part of my concern/prediction is that I feel strongly that Obama is going to run a much higher-that-normal risk of assasination. That is a big concern and it would be major crisis if it happened. It would be horrible to loose him as President, and a huge worry would be his replacement as President...

yeah,... the proverbial 'smoking gun'


AAAHHHhhhhh!!!!!

My Gob, that's almost reason enough to vote for McCain.

NO! WAIT! I didn't mean that!

Vote for Obama!

Vote for Obama!

Vote for Obama!

Vote for Obama!

Vote for Obama!

Inside Out With Houseplants

Just like us, indoor plants love being outside in the summer. With a small amount of preparation, you can move existing indoor plants outdoors; or put new ones outside, planning to bring them back inside in the fall.

1. The first thing to consider is the temperature. It’s best to wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently in the high 40’s or low 50’s. Very few houseplants can handle temperatures cooler than that.

2. Once it’s safe to take them outside, give your plant(s) a thorough soaking; most plants benefit from a good rinse of the foliage too. This is also a good time to fertilize with an all purpose slow release fertilizer with about a 10-4-8 ratio. For blooming plants, add a little extra phosphorus to boost blooms.

3. The next, and most important key to “Inside Out” success is finding the right spot for your plants. We tend to think that tropical plants can handle full sun, but in reality, they sunburn as easily as we do. But relax, you don’t have to go out and apply the SPF 30 sunscreen on their leaves every morning, just chose a location that provides shade during the hottest part of the day, (1:00 to 5:00 PM). Morning sun is almost always best.

4. Your indoor plant(s) will probably have very different water needs outdoors than indoors, so be prepared to adjust your watering schedule accordingly.

5. Finally, watch your plant(s) for signs of pests. Insects and/or animals may find your favorite orchid or hoya a tasty treat. If insects are present, try rinsing them off with a mild soap solution. If the problem persists, you may want to take the plant back indoors after treatment.

Remember that plants, like us, are individuals, so be sure to check your plants regularly for signs of stress. Chances are you will see only beautiful, thriving plants that enjoy your yard as much as you do. When it’s to come back inside in the fall they will be full and happy and ready for a nice warm winter indoors.

Here is a list of common indoor plants, and their general outdoor sun tolerance.
Sunnier areas (full hot sun NOT recommended)
Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Rubber Plant (ficus elastica)
Schefflera
Snake Plant (sansiveria)
Wandering Jew (tradescantia pallida)
Croton
Bird of Paradise (strelitzia reginae)
Pencil cactus (euphorbia tirucalli)
Hoya
Cacti
Sago Palm
Ponytail Palm

Shadier areas
Orchids
Ferns
Anthiriums
Alocasia
Ficus
Kentia Palms
Bamboo Palms
Philodendron
Spider Plant (chlorophytum)
African Violet
Ivy
Chinese Evergreen (aglonema)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Dracaena
ZZ plant (zamioculcas zamiilolia)

Lots of people THINK about doing stuff like this in their houses, but only my sister Jodi actually does it.

I just think this room is so frickin' cool!

I agree with Kate, - Jodi, you really should have some cards made and market yourself to realtors, builders, and the "upper end" neighborhood associations. Hmmm,... I'm having a thought...

OK, Jodi, I'll be your "agent", I'll plaster the the above mentioned mailboxes with a business card and a flyer showing your bonus room and a few other examples of your house. Then you use Mom, Kate and I as references, (we all have different last names, >shrug<) and get some design work for you! THEN, if anyone wants a mural, you bring in an expert from Spokane for the job. And I'll keep pimpin' ya both, and "Hey girls, we're gonna be rich!!!"

WWYD

No, that's not "What would Yoda do?"
It's "What would YOU do?"


If you were trapped in an elevator for 3 hours, who would you want to be trapped there with? (Basically, if you could meet someone, and have the undivided attention for 3 hours, who would you like to meet.)

Me? I'd choose Robin Williams. He would be so fun and funny that I'm sure the time would go pretty fast. Even if he were feeling serious (which I doubt he could hold for a full 3 hours), he'd still be interesting to visit with. He seems to be a truely kind and sweet person.


So? Who with you?

I can't stop watching this!

This kid is a genius, and I'm sure we'll see more of him!

My mother sent this to me. Cool Mom!

One of the neighbors stopped by...

Isn't she cute???

She comes by every morning about 7:00 am, and then again about 4:00 pm.
She is a Mama, (or is gonna be real soon.) ;o)

Gracie likes Kate's story.

My sister, Kate, sent me this great story. I have to share it, because Gracie, my parrot, told me to.

Kate's story:
"I was walking past the mental hospital the other day, and all the patients were shouting ,'13....13....13'. The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a little gap in the planks and looked through to see what was going on. Some bastard poked me in the eye with a stick! Then they all started shouting '14....14....14'…

So what's that got to do with Gracie?
Well, that story is just too funny! I could sooo picture that actually happening to Kate! So I started laughing, which got Gracie to start laughing,... which made me laugh even harder!,... which made HER laugh even harder!!!
And, well, ...I dam near wet my pants!
And my bird is frickin' insane!