tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87919292024-03-07T17:01:26.897-06:00The Pondering Plant Ladya life journalSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-20351774804820354742011-05-11T15:29:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:50:33.351-05:00Project Pooch Paunch – Initial Report<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My dogs are fat. They aren’t disgustingly fat, but they’re fat.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1TDnWS5yGv12_C54hjX0GiznBZZ92WKDeHSvuKpi4XqzpAmQGFigJj-JvwIbOEjkXovmiyXx2N9cMr_4u0OS6w2riCvDeHW4AXI92FMihyphenhyphen3L54LTVtFf2NUfe7iE7h1trRRw/s1600/Mina+and+Milo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1TDnWS5yGv12_C54hjX0GiznBZZ92WKDeHSvuKpi4XqzpAmQGFigJj-JvwIbOEjkXovmiyXx2N9cMr_4u0OS6w2riCvDeHW4AXI92FMihyphenhyphen3L54LTVtFf2NUfe7iE7h1trRRw/s400/Mina+and+Milo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milo and Mina in 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mina and Milo are my brother and sister duo. They’re litter mates but I suspect their hussy, trailer park mother was taken advantage of by at least two separate males. At first I thought Mina was just the runt because she is smaller than Milo, but upon further inspection, one would notice many more differences than just size.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her ears are flat. Her nose is shorter. Her chest isn’t as full. Her eyes are buggier. I think her daddy was a Chihuahua or Chihuahua mix. Milo apparently looked just like his mother and the other pups in the litter. Or so I was told.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But I digress.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">They’re fat. The vet says Milo should way about 27lbs. She also said Mina should weigh about 17lbs. Currently Milo is about 31lbs and Miss Mina is about 20lbs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I thought it would be interesting to figure out the percentages. Why? Because I’m a dork. Also, I wanted to see how that would relate to a human so I could wrap my brain around how seriously overweight they are.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SO! They should both lose about 14% of their body weight. That’s HUGE. Especially for a little dog. (Are you beat down by the details yet?)<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, so the plan is to get these pups into shape. First we’ve made sure that we aren’t feeding them too much. Fortunately we aren’t but we did decide to split their food into two feedings per day. My husband, Mark, feeds them in the morning before work and I feed them in the evening after work. So far this is working very well. We also don’t give them any processed human food. Never have, never will. Occasionally I’ll toss a carrot or banana or pear their way, but never more than a random raw fruit or veggie. We also don’t overly treat them. So the food really isn’t the issue.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The issue is lack of exercise.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So here’s the plan. I need to walk them for at least 30 minutes every day. SHOCK! What a concept. It really is that easy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have a great area where I can let them off leash too, so they get mega exercise running instead of pulling on the end of a leash.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 weeks ago I was doing very well taking them out but these past two weeks I’ve fallen off the wagon. Today it is storming. I kinda don’t want to be struck by lightning.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So weather pending, from this day forth, I shall walk my dogs on a regular basis!<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will post puppy weigh-ins once a month until we’re at goal! LOL.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now this is where I ask you, why should you care about my dogs and their fat butts? Well, you might, but you certainly shouldn’t. This post isn’t just about my dogs though. It’s about YOUR dogs!<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s right. Are your dogs fat? Do you need to be better doggy parents and walk them regularly? If so, then I challenge you to do so. Take care of your pups. They depend on us!</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-24668110840193157282011-05-10T13:38:00.000-05:002011-05-10T13:38:50.976-05:00I Wish I Had Blog TrafficHow does one get blog traffic? I see and or hear about these great blogs and they have thousands of followers and those people go on to write books, or get on TV or other neat things. I wish I had something to say that appealed to people.<br />
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I don't even get comments. Well, not very many. Maybe I just like my posts way more than anyone else does.<br />
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Sometimes I'll put together what I think is a really fantastic post and it just sits here in cyberspace all alone.<br />
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I guess if I had something to offer it would be better. But what could be new and different? Something that would really get peoples' attention.<br />
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Just about everything I do is average at best. Sometimes I wish I weren't so average.<br />
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I need a theme.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-52943557498612629302011-04-26T09:30:00.000-05:002011-04-26T09:30:56.360-05:00Project NoahWhile reading about black widows on the Texas Park and Wildlife website yesterday, I saw this beautiful banner ad for a site called <a href="http://www.projectnoah.org/">Project Noah</a>.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.projectnoah.org/"><img src="http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/graphic/ProjectNoahBigBox3-cb1303526289.jpg" /></a></center><br />
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Those big, basic, colorful badges made me want them. So I clicked it. Turns out they're electronic badges, but that is okay. They're still cool.<br />
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Anyway, the site is pretty neat. You upload photos of nature you've taken and add information about the organism you've photographed. The site explains it better:<br />
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<blockquote>"What is Project Noah? Project Noah is a tool that nature lovers can use to explore and document local wildlife and a common technology platform that research groups can use to harness the power of citizen scientists everywhere."</blockquote><br />
Can you say nerdy modern day photo journal insect collection? Can you say it 10 times fast?<br />
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Despite the fact that I love the idea of this, I'm also feeling warm and fuzzy about the way the site looks. A good website is always something to appreciate.<br />
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I have a TON of photos of critters and plants. I plan on uploading, identifying, tagging, and geo-tagging some of my better shots.<br />
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Here is one I uploaded earlier.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsedYBAJcmgdla3_dy6yVgwr0mCIn6AjiWCr8teYs0V5eRLDCowDLm_HUX3YZfFdKeaTQ0H6IOnKRKaJrWAM4PtjLASJQVKQWTAptIEggCuyA768phXotPr4EGp7qCPkGmWyOv/s1600/5657731216_a4754998c8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsedYBAJcmgdla3_dy6yVgwr0mCIn6AjiWCr8teYs0V5eRLDCowDLm_HUX3YZfFdKeaTQ0H6IOnKRKaJrWAM4PtjLASJQVKQWTAptIEggCuyA768phXotPr4EGp7qCPkGmWyOv/s400/5657731216_a4754998c8_o.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangrove Swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Part of the fun is figuring out what you've photographed. That is if you don't already know. Until today, until I chose this photo to research and upload, I didn't know what this beautiful little bird was. Because of this site, it made me want to find out. I suppose that is part of the point. So I did. Neat huh?<br />
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You should try it too!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-6693665769288926382011-03-26T14:14:00.002-05:002011-03-26T14:22:24.609-05:00Irises and WaxwingsOur local Botanical garden sells plants to the public in the fall and spring every year. Last fall I bought a grab bag of iris rhizomes and two specially identified irises. I have a small patch in my front lawn of yellow irises and along the side of my house I have black ones that have never bloomed. I’ve concluded they don’t get enough sunlight.<br />
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When I returned with my newly purchased grab bag I proceeded to thin my yellow ones and move my black ones, planting in the others I had purchased. Being the plant nerd that I am, I could.not.wait. to see what shapes, colors and sizes would show up this spring.<br />
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About 4 days ago I saw the first bud. Today it is in full bloom and GORGEOUS. What a treat to have one of the grab bag irises bloom first!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfEdvwfAKGndKR1fGYkTJv5IvSN8w_Lmil1x9c3uSSvtphZtXRyN4zICowxo91_PhGEn0Tl56rejPq0EtgfE68D9Ff3yOKUf8C0gGaal5zvPg50AGO2qzHUKfo_wkqsOSwXdx/s1600/IMG_9980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfEdvwfAKGndKR1fGYkTJv5IvSN8w_Lmil1x9c3uSSvtphZtXRyN4zICowxo91_PhGEn0Tl56rejPq0EtgfE68D9Ff3yOKUf8C0gGaal5zvPg50AGO2qzHUKfo_wkqsOSwXdx/s400/IMG_9980.jpg" /></a></div><center><i>click to enlarge</i></center><br />
While I was outside drooling over my wonderful new iris I heard a more than normal amount of rustling in the trees behind me and turned to find a flock of Cedar Waxwings descending on a Cherry Laurel and Holly for their, apparently, wonderfully tasty berries.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpotGOi4_6nFEHhZd-RYREoJa3pWtTJ2SYGBVNlCJg7BjqTOjnO8n5cvg50TNFbI78VkS_8WdLdL71VoDv4zXVes9uAsYqDJktiGJSNibH6aZkTZnKTOv1Rw0cxkAWKV0u2Mkp/s1600/IMG_9879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpotGOi4_6nFEHhZd-RYREoJa3pWtTJ2SYGBVNlCJg7BjqTOjnO8n5cvg50TNFbI78VkS_8WdLdL71VoDv4zXVes9uAsYqDJktiGJSNibH6aZkTZnKTOv1Rw0cxkAWKV0u2Mkp/s400/IMG_9879.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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What a show these beautiful birds gave me. Swooping from tree to tree, resting, keeping watch, and feasting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_H3RyYnu3jTmQJOscufe1b-Yp-nU0FDJiTJac7QeEnsHVXX-szmzHGhfuVVe9Zs2bH2NQTKxhfzlDBltvE3YI4kneDNy_VefGxgN6Q9yl4WGIPZVF5LTCSWFV4DPVKu5Rg7r/s1600/IMG_9931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_H3RyYnu3jTmQJOscufe1b-Yp-nU0FDJiTJac7QeEnsHVXX-szmzHGhfuVVe9Zs2bH2NQTKxhfzlDBltvE3YI4kneDNy_VefGxgN6Q9yl4WGIPZVF5LTCSWFV4DPVKu5Rg7r/s400/IMG_9931.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnJJn90rynBHJwKAmRNKNGoXNPIEE4hTrvla7l88tma6jQH33K3cl5ljYNMd7Tpy5kiCM-dEZqQDObLbLAsEl83IvqS6FYiTBDW9fUtPnzdspBhkIjODd2RuYw1oCDCUGZH-P/s1600/IMG_9890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnJJn90rynBHJwKAmRNKNGoXNPIEE4hTrvla7l88tma6jQH33K3cl5ljYNMd7Tpy5kiCM-dEZqQDObLbLAsEl83IvqS6FYiTBDW9fUtPnzdspBhkIjODd2RuYw1oCDCUGZH-P/s400/IMG_9890.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI_fFKQhtRCy7FqFm56TDk71j-q3L6hQ9f2eGyMcmXvkcrMAJ_ffyOQ_SZh7DcKSEJQQVy7OlxaR-KucVMZAdbRX5hbxrWBiaNjtEFRUdb_t3JYyJrL_haDydYzeqWztMKUBX/s1600/IMG_9874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI_fFKQhtRCy7FqFm56TDk71j-q3L6hQ9f2eGyMcmXvkcrMAJ_ffyOQ_SZh7DcKSEJQQVy7OlxaR-KucVMZAdbRX5hbxrWBiaNjtEFRUdb_t3JYyJrL_haDydYzeqWztMKUBX/s400/IMG_9874.jpg" /></a></div><br />
If my Chemistry class hadn’t finished lab and lecture early, I would have missed this. What an incredibly beautiful day!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-27721890665473417052011-03-22T09:14:00.000-05:002011-03-22T09:14:17.594-05:00The Dallas Arboretum Tulip ShowOne of my nieces stayed with me over spring break. I only worked 2 days last week so we had plenty of time to do lots of fun things. Last Thursday we decided take in the Tulip show. Neither of us had ever been to the Arboretum and we thought this was a great way to see it first. <br />
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It actually turned out better than I anticipated. We were there for 3 hours! I of course took lots of photos. Below are some of the better shots.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMv544x4EAOd5VGGRtYIkhv2Zu2mF8mVmGMj9iM8MHgfAtIHv8Y2o_lYVkpnNeOVdHkSOeVhF3E1P6GYYm5Cazvf9rC5qxj1WAX0mbtYzz5oi9rlWslPY_UqAgTQREpmD24TB/s1600/5536400288_2f655f4653_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMv544x4EAOd5VGGRtYIkhv2Zu2mF8mVmGMj9iM8MHgfAtIHv8Y2o_lYVkpnNeOVdHkSOeVhF3E1P6GYYm5Cazvf9rC5qxj1WAX0mbtYzz5oi9rlWslPY_UqAgTQREpmD24TB/s400/5536400288_2f655f4653_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mfD7s8h7gDDjBjLPohdmqle0UioDRbUw6Oe6f_QuLKNhLHVrs1dLC3ST_vKDfNbO_zyJZfAg6lyMEym8aHU2xwsQL6VQm3YIsGeoMCeqD0kDr3sGAR5zRwtrYdGWLGINgmI0/s1600/5536412642_fc2b42e1be_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mfD7s8h7gDDjBjLPohdmqle0UioDRbUw6Oe6f_QuLKNhLHVrs1dLC3ST_vKDfNbO_zyJZfAg6lyMEym8aHU2xwsQL6VQm3YIsGeoMCeqD0kDr3sGAR5zRwtrYdGWLGINgmI0/s400/5536412642_fc2b42e1be_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiVK_wJsNmJ9UxMj6CHgemt7dQt0V9jNq3ql-IiQqRKXzu0xKbBzcszqJgPlW9rz4edq7dF5KaKNjgzld1ZioX5b97a8FfXzUsW0bnHJyU6z-dpRIPhdF_-HNYLMkk4OOS_wr/s1600/5535825479_aa3e64e5fa_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiVK_wJsNmJ9UxMj6CHgemt7dQt0V9jNq3ql-IiQqRKXzu0xKbBzcszqJgPlW9rz4edq7dF5KaKNjgzld1ZioX5b97a8FfXzUsW0bnHJyU6z-dpRIPhdF_-HNYLMkk4OOS_wr/s400/5535825479_aa3e64e5fa_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktYqZK9F4twB5kAdRG9Lnk2s6Puq7Pf63YL5iV7AsXJj4jj0uqa9n9vqQ5VOkfcHs_RchLFQ9io3PFiYIpPr-A1oEAjH7WQDu_DvXEAmVd7NZkDheV_2VEp4lr8THD367qRQS/s1600/5535835669_0a980f7428_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjktYqZK9F4twB5kAdRG9Lnk2s6Puq7Pf63YL5iV7AsXJj4jj0uqa9n9vqQ5VOkfcHs_RchLFQ9io3PFiYIpPr-A1oEAjH7WQDu_DvXEAmVd7NZkDheV_2VEp4lr8THD367qRQS/s400/5535835669_0a980f7428_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7BUL5r7fkgJkmYMkIqgOeHmiJVtWVwy6FrAy14IoQYW7pewVEuCko8jESAzGoFo5KGcbD6i6zjeyiwqUF214y6NfwxPVVCCzPCZuwsU-ica6OrrOS-D8Q1_YkVxtuTntVt3P/s1600/5536415202_83862b531a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7BUL5r7fkgJkmYMkIqgOeHmiJVtWVwy6FrAy14IoQYW7pewVEuCko8jESAzGoFo5KGcbD6i6zjeyiwqUF214y6NfwxPVVCCzPCZuwsU-ica6OrrOS-D8Q1_YkVxtuTntVt3P/s400/5536415202_83862b531a_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
It was wonderful! I highly recommend a visit!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-73820865928999518012011-03-09T10:52:00.000-06:002011-03-09T10:52:17.364-06:00LentI wasn’t raised observing Lent. Several years ago a friend of mine suggested our circle of friends should participate. No one in this circle is particularly religious but we decided we felt we needed a bit of a self-check in certain areas so we all agreed.<br />
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This year I’m inspired to participate again. I’ve contemplated it over the last several days and I’ve concluded that for me, Lent is a period of time to deny myself something that I’ve overused or taken for granted.<br />
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For me this is normally food. This year I’ve decided to straighten myself out in a few areas I feel I’ve let get out of hand. <br />
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I don’t drive through much but lately I’ve been doing it more than I want or need. So no fast food. I’ve also been a bit loose on chocolate. So no chocolate.<br />
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One last area is a habit I need to break. I’ve trained my body to crave something sweet immediately after something savory. I, for a very long time now, always grab a sweet after I eat lunch and dinner. A cookie, a pudding cup, an ice cream sandwich, a hunk of chocolate. I feel like Pavlov’s dog. Sometimes I even think about what sweet treat I’m going to get before I even eat the meal. Sometimes the meal is just my justification to get to the sweet treat. <br />
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This needs to stop. I’ve decided it is doing me no good. It’s about breaking the habit, not denying myself dessert. So after a meal, I will wait at least one hour to maybe have something sweet. As long as it isn’t chocolate. Those little vanilla Jell-O pudding cups are good!<br />
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I bet after 5 minutes I won’t even want something. What are you doing for Lent?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-46074060966407356302011-03-08T07:31:00.000-06:002011-03-08T07:31:30.932-06:00OrganizationI wonder how many blogs have been written about organizing. I wonder how many of those I've written myself. Well, here's another to add to the list.<br />
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Despite the fact that I had this idea come to me in January, it isn't a resolution. Although it very much looks and sounds like one. I decided this was the year to clear out, weed through and organize my entire house. I, like most of the country, have too much stuff. And I, like most people, have categories of crap.<br />
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A few of my categories are:<br />
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Belly dance costuming<br />
Crafts<br />
Dishes<br />
Toiletries<br />
CD's/Books<br />
Plants<br />
Clothes<br />
Home Improvement Junk<br />
<br />
The idea is to focus on an area at a time and deal with it. I so wish everything in my house had a place. That is the goal. An organized place. Not just a drawer in the kitchen full of nuts, bolts, pens, twisty ties, clothes pins, duct tape, etc.<br />
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Normally when I take on a project like this, there are charts and plans involved. Time lines, Excel spreadsheets and the like. But somehow I've managed to get a few areas done without planning anything. It's March already. If I had planned this I would have wanted to get at least one area done per month.<br />
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Well, I've pretty much done that, without any forethought. It is happening organically! It's pretty great! <br />
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I've gone through all of my dance costumes and put everything that can be repaired/altered into one box. The rest is hanging in my closet. I also went through all of my clothes and have a large garbage bag full for donation. This past weekend my husband and I went through all of our bathroom cabinets and threw away a multitude of expired medications/vitamins and unused lotions. I've also cleaned up and moved all of my indoor plants back to the outdoor porch.<br />
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That's 4 things! That's progress!<br />
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I think I'll tackle magazines/books/cd's/DVD's/VHS tapes next. I've done some of this within the past year so it shouldn't be too big of a job.<br />
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Onward and upward to my perfectly organized home!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-9093231125793710272011-02-23T12:02:00.000-06:002011-02-23T12:02:20.765-06:00The Grand CanyonOn October 31st 2009 my dad, brother, sister, a niece and I set out on a journey to Arizona. Our plan was to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and back out again of course. We’d spent months upon months preparing for this trip. Equipment buying, stair climbing, website resource research, book reading, etc. We were ready. <br />
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We spent November 1st exploring the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. On the 2nd we went to the Grand Canyon to explore the rim and we also went to Wupatki and Sunset Crater.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB6voB52Hb6zTaxpdQhY00CWttDwuEFy5IHbmfSD_84L9yy-jXcN0wuBYgEIUNd7Ek_aV0xIbaLRNzeN_Ouaakr4sImIvPuGoCNtYEz8sTOF5M6fM7vSc7BVxk4AUPE1SRaIM/s1600/4091046209_84b880d302_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQB6voB52Hb6zTaxpdQhY00CWttDwuEFy5IHbmfSD_84L9yy-jXcN0wuBYgEIUNd7Ek_aV0xIbaLRNzeN_Ouaakr4sImIvPuGoCNtYEz8sTOF5M6fM7vSc7BVxk4AUPE1SRaIM/s400/4091046209_84b880d302_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
On Tuesday the 3rd we began our decent down the South Kaibab Trail. We hiked all the way to Phantom Ranch (the bottom) the first day. It took us ALL day to get there and we were exhausted and sore by the time we made camp. It was worth every single step. I remember thinking, before we began the hike, that our destination would be camp. However, the very first step into the canyon made us all realize that WE HAD ARRIVED!<br />
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The next day was spent in the bottom. We hiked a few miles up the North Kaibab Trail which in that part of the canyon runs along one of the river inlets. It was a wonderfully beautiful, sunny day and an easy hike.<br />
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Thursday brought our bottom of the canyon camping to a close. We headed up the Bright Angel Trail to Indian Garden for another night of camping. I think we all might agree that this part of our trip was one of the best. Although it isn’t easy hiking, it is absolutely incredible visually. The aspen trees were in fall foliage and BRIGHT yellow! The afternoon sun beaming through the leaves made them look extra bright and wonderful. <br />
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That night we discussed whether or not we’d walk out to Plateau Point in the morning to watch the sunrise. It would add another 3 miles to the hike that day and some of us weren’t sure we could handle that on top of the remaining ascent. My dad and brother decided it would be worth it and planned to get up before dawn. My sister, niece and I decided we weren’t sure we could do it.<br />
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Friday morning I heard the guys get up and shuffle off in the dark. A bit later I needed to pee so I got up and hiked up to the restrooms. The sky was just starting to lighten and I could see this very pale pink in some wispy clouds. I thought “Oh man… this is going to be an incredible sunrise. I can’t miss this!” Almost frantically I hurried back down to camp and grabbed my tennis shoes and hurried out in the dark to find the trail to the Point.<br />
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I wasn’t sure how long the guys had been gone. I wondered if I’d catch them or if I’d make it out to the Point before the sun first hit the top of the canyon walls. I was trying to hurry while looking all around to take in the scenery. It was hard to watch the trail and try not to miss anything at the same time. About halfway out I looked up and the clouds were really beginning to change color. Shortly after that I glanced back up and the change was so incredible it stopped me in my tracks. I gasped in the glory of the beauty and tears filled my eyes. Just the memory of it makes me teary.<br />
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I couldn’t have hurried any faster after that. I HAD to get there before the sun! And I made it. When my dad and brother saw me, dad chuckled. I suppose he thought it was pretty great that I couldn’t resist coming out there despite what the day would bring. And let me tell you, pretty great is hardly a good enough description.<br />
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It was too beautiful. I still can hardly comprehend what I saw that morning. Sure there are pictures and they do a decent job of reminding me of what I saw that day, but I don’t really need them. I will always remember. It was so powerful it only takes a second of reflection to transport myself back to the edge of the world where the beauty was too great to comprehend. I know I had never seen anything so incredible and I can’t imagine anything ever being more incredible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ExjaP4bytPgAv3ia_76v_0dFGoIRaYdva4kZ3TQSd_P0iTfy_6Oy6FTm4-IVs0PyEpRYmbkRx4ud85ZkTFVxcbd65YeHIfpcSckfl4O3VHB9TjJ-DKlpV6eO59UGPrb9Jtlw/s1600/4372153205_e386df7364_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ExjaP4bytPgAv3ia_76v_0dFGoIRaYdva4kZ3TQSd_P0iTfy_6Oy6FTm4-IVs0PyEpRYmbkRx4ud85ZkTFVxcbd65YeHIfpcSckfl4O3VHB9TjJ-DKlpV6eO59UGPrb9Jtlw/s400/4372153205_e386df7364_z.jpg" /></a></div><br />
After the sunrise we hiked back to camp and prepared for our final ascent. It took us the rest of the day to reach the rim. We got back to the car and drove to a hotel for showers and a real bed. The next day we headed home.<br />
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I don’t know about the rest of the crew but I am forever changed from this experience. I really can’t wait to do it again! We’ve got plans to go this fall if our back country pass is approved. However this time, we’re hiking rim to rim. YES!<br />
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<i>for more photos, please visit my Flickr set:</i> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/sets/72157622653946771/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/sets/72157622653946771/</a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-20048154411503248642011-02-22T08:52:00.000-06:002011-02-22T08:52:42.225-06:00My Weekend: Catagorized!I went bowling!<br />
I took a half day trip to a small ‘town’ and ate BBQ!<br />
I bought a new car!<br />
I went bird watching!<br />
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Okay bowling first. My Uncle and I have a standing date every Friday to bowl. Sometimes things come up and we don’t go, but I’d say it is rapidly becoming a thing. We like it. It’s fun. <br />
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After a few games we met up with my Aunt and the 3 of us took a little half day trip out to Natty Flat Smokehouse. It’s this great little BBQ joint out in the middle of nowhere. Next to it sits the Texas Hill Country Furniture & Mercantile. I had a chopped beef sandwich and then bought a few little items for my nieces in the mercantile. <br />
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With typical hill country charm, in the parking lot sits “The World’s Largest Cedar Rocking Chair.” There’s even a certificate from Guinness in the smokehouse.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL1pIahat6bX10ubfW6xUbOsOb-hKT7prlauGRyB9Sc5vbGuwKopJT5z8MNFgZXc2klb53t73sphr_L4oQiUwARHCHvaldYyQwAsDa2aQm5MTQ5fT7Y-HDjsh5cpwQveYqWNA/s1600/5467494113_1b24bc876c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL1pIahat6bX10ubfW6xUbOsOb-hKT7prlauGRyB9Sc5vbGuwKopJT5z8MNFgZXc2klb53t73sphr_L4oQiUwARHCHvaldYyQwAsDa2aQm5MTQ5fT7Y-HDjsh5cpwQveYqWNA/s320/5467494113_1b24bc876c.jpg" /></a></div><br />
On Saturday I bought a new car. Buying a new car wasn’t in the plan. I didn’t expect to need a new car this weekend. However, on Thursday night, my old car decided it was time. Sure it was fixable, but it was hardly worth it at this point. I’ve been limping it along for a while now and since the current problem required replacing the engine, we decided to let it go. So now I have a shiny new car! And a car payment!<br />
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Saturday night, after 4 hours of haggling at the dealership, my husband and I took the new car out to my folks’ house to show it off and stay the night. We played games and watched TV as usual.<br />
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On Sunday morning, my father, mother and I went out on the boat to see the migrating water birds. As far as we can remember, there have never been so many birds at the lake! <br />
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I suppose the area isn’t usually a stopping place. This year however, it most certainly is. There are gulls, terns, cormorants, coots, and pelicans! We even saw an osprey. The pelicans took the cake though. <br />
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What a COOL bird. They’re like pterodactyls! We were in awe.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-27273131305913361822011-02-17T08:01:00.000-06:002011-02-17T08:01:49.053-06:00HorticultureSince I’m returning to my blog from a very long hiatus I feel like I should make a series of posts to update some items mentioned in previous posts. That is of course assuming someone might read back through them. Or maybe it’s just for my benefit since this is my life journal. Anyway, first I want to update my work and school situation.<br />
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Some of my last posts were about quitting my job due to a long commute. The plan was to save some money to take a few months off at the beginning of 2009. By May, I’d start looking for work and hope to land something before July. I wanted something close to home. I wanted something different. I didn’t want to learn a new software program or be responsible for things no one else knows how to do. I wanted something I would like. This is a pretty tall order. However, miraculously it worked out just as I had hoped.<br />
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My last day at my previous job was Jan 30th 2009. I sat at home soaking up much needed downtime for 4 months. I landed a job in early May and started June 1st 2009. It is 4.5 miles from my house. It is something completely different. I didn’t have to learn a new software program. It is exactly what I was looking for and I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for.<br />
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I take care of plants. I work in the Horticulture department at a nearby hospital. It’s awesome. I love it. I love it so much I’m going to school to earn a Horticulture degree.<br />
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This leads me to my school update. In 2005 I went back to school to work on my basics. At the time I thought I wanted a career in the psychology field. Since then I’ve taken several core curriculum classes and figured out that I really love plants. Fortunately all of the classes I’ve taken since high school add up to 1 shy of being done with the basics. At this point I’m in that last core class and also taking my first Horticulture class. I dig it.<br />
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I know sometimes people go to school for things that pertain to their work, and that makes perfect sense. In this case, not only does that apply, it is also something I want to learn. If I get fired tomorrow, I’m still going to earn this degree. It isn’t just about the work. My point? I’ve finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-8844271538468672982011-02-15T14:40:00.000-06:002011-02-15T14:40:06.082-06:00Back AgainI've decided to start blogging again. I had a hankering a few weeks ago and then today it just hit me like a ton of bricks. It's time to blog. As you can see from my archives, I've done this off and on for quite some time. When I felt the urge earlier today I almost started a new blog. Then I decided I would rather just continue on here; however I did change the title and URL.<br />
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I'm often called The Plant Lady at work, since I water plants and all, so I've officially adopted it as a title. It seems endearing, sort of like Lunch Lady. But I like it better.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-51738027133661002222009-03-20T17:18:00.001-05:002009-03-20T17:28:48.763-05:00Finished!Start a project in June of 2008... finish it in March of 2009. That's how we roll.<br /><br />Last June we started the <a href="http://theshadygrove.blogspot.com/2008/07/update.html">porch extension</a>. <br />In October we began the <a href="http://theshadygrove.blogspot.com/2008/10/back-patio.html">second phase</a>.<br /><br />Today, I completed the project.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3371530974/" title="The Finished Patio by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3371530974_9df549e4e4.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="The Finished Patio" /></a><br /><br />It's long and skinny but functional and with a few more chairs I think it'll be a pretty nice place to sit and visit with some folks. Or at least as nice as you can get using most of what you already have and spending as little money as possible.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-20100222109675879602009-03-02T08:39:00.000-06:002009-03-02T08:57:52.521-06:00My First GardenLast year I bought a couple of starter plants and a package of carrot seeds. The carrots made it but the others didn't. The goal was to see if I could grow food and eat it. I'd say I was 33% successful.<br /><br />Last fall my sweetie and I built a raised vegetable bed. A few weeks ago my uncle and I modified the bed we'd built last spring to a bigger size and he helped me add a bed for my herbs.<br /><br />I was going to plant last week but the weather turned much colder so I waited. This week is it. I'll be planting carrots, lettuce, onion, spinach and broccoli outside in two separate beds. The raised bed will take all of those items except the broccoli. I'll be putting that in the larger bed we modified.<br /><br />I also bought a seed starting tray. In it I will plant corn, cowpeas, tomatoes and 2 types of okra as well as chives, oregano, thyme and 2 types of basil. When the weather warms I'll plant cilantro and dill directly into the herb bed.<br /><br />This seems like a lot to me sometimes and also sometimes too little. I hope to have a greater success rate this year. Only trying and learning will get me where I want to be. I look forward to being a person with a successful working vegetable garden, year after year.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-78888578911271326872009-01-27T11:30:00.000-06:002009-01-27T11:47:43.303-06:00Winter is BrownWell, winter is brown in Texas, and that's is just fine.<br /><br />I recently spent a weekend with one of my best girlfriend's and her husband. They live in a very small town in an area where much of their families own much of the land. We went on a couple of hikes around the town, over the levy, to the lake, riding around in their Polaris having a good time and taking lots of pictures.<br /><br />As much as I like spring and the flowers and colors it brings, I have to say I had a very good time spending time looking for wonderful winter things to photograph.<br /><br />The link to my full Winter in Texas set is <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/sets/72157612737244016/">here</a>.<br /><br />Below are just a couple of my favorite shots.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3208695468/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3208695468_bc11c0da2d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Deer Bones<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3207891833/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/3207891833_4ce8aa2903.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Reflection<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3207648271/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3339/3207648271_db5a42c04e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Berries<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3207723061/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/3207723061_66ce460972.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Seeds<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3208634770/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/3208634770_fe8508f885.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />My Friends and Wyatt<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3208621862/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3208621862_d51ea69489.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Canadian Goose<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3207760053/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/3207760053_81fdca64c7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Tracks</center>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-25147521980840965622009-01-12T10:35:00.000-06:002009-01-12T10:58:18.877-06:00I'm not busy or anything...Lies!<br /><br />Haha. Yeah, I have a few things going on right now.<br /><br />I put my notice in to leave my work. It is a really long commute and after a year and 3 months I just can't do it anymore. I want to work closer to home. I need to. The environmental impact of me commuting 96 miles a day is just too great, not to mention the wear and tear on my car. Oh yeah and my time and money. Gas prices aren't going to stay down. So I'm looking for work now. At the worst possible moment to be looking for a job. Heh. I'm prepared though. I didn't just wake up one day and turn in my resignation letter. I knew I wouldn't work here for forever so I've been sitting on some money just in case I don't find work right away.<br /><br />I've also got a back packing trip planned for the Grand Canyon. Two things have to be taken into consideration for this to happen. 1. Find work that will let me off for a week since I've been planning this trip for a year and 2. Train to go on such a huge hike.<br /><br />This has me busy. I have work outs to do, stairs to climb, gear to buy, food to plan, all the normal things you do to get ready for week long camping/backpacking vacation except I've never done that before, so its an extra big deal for me. Mainly I'm worried about getting my body in shape. I just want to be able to enjoy the trip without too much pain.<br /><br />To state the obvious, I'm stressed. I'm trying to just breath and take it one day at a time but the stress is there regardless. I know it'll all work out fine, I'm just ready for things to be in order so I can move on with my mostly frictionless life.<br /><br />Now if you'll excuse me... I need to do a few things before I head to the gym. ;)Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-302027613958508942008-12-18T09:05:00.001-06:002008-12-18T09:09:23.472-06:00Free One Year SubscriptionI was pointed to this website yesterday and think it is crazy awesome. You can subscribe to many different magazines online so help save trees. I knew many magazines were already promoting online versions of their magazines however this particular site offers a free one year subscription.<br /><br />http://goreadgreen.com/<br /><br />I signed up for one. You should too!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-36540576974035426452008-12-08T19:27:00.001-06:002008-12-08T19:32:25.404-06:00I Bought A PotatoIts huge. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3093533837/" title="It's over 8 inches long! by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3032/3093533837_c59ef7dcb0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="It's over 8 inches long!" /></a><br />Its about 8 1/2 inches long.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3093536309/" title="It's 10 1/2 inches around! by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/3093536309_f2dd9e075b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="It's 10 1/2 inches around!" /></a><br />Its about 10 1/2 inches around.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3093531181/" title="It's almost 2 pounds!! by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/3093531181_239676ff98.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="It's almost 2 pounds!!" /></a><br />Its almost 2 pounds.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3094380716/" title="The Giant Potato by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3223/3094380716_79a578aeba.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="The Giant Potato" /></a><br />It is a gigantic potato.<br /><br />And I'm gonna put it in a stew and eat it! I'm very excited about my gigantic potato.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-72279341861614501912008-12-02T09:17:00.000-06:002008-12-02T09:46:07.551-06:00What Would You Do......if your commute was 92 miles round trip every day to work?<br />...if your car had over 123,000 miles on it?<br />...if 2 1/2 hours of your day is spent in your car?<br />...if you resigned?<br />...if your boss asked you to think about what your condition would be to stay?<br />...if you aren't sure if telecommuting 3 days a week will be sufficient to keep you from hating the drive?<br />...if you do quit you'll take a serious pay cut?<br /><br />I'm prepared to take the pay cut. If I wasn't then I wouldn't have put in my notice, however, it is tempting to stay IF I don't have to drive in 5 days a week. However, I'm not even sure I want to ask for a work week that will have me only coming in 2 days a week. Part of me wants to just say never mind and quit completely. <br /><br />This is my dilemma.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-59098376608078223532008-11-18T11:29:00.000-06:002008-11-18T11:34:34.384-06:00Dog Park!We took the pups to the <a href="http://www.fortwoof.org/">dog park</a>.<br /><br />They luv this place. I do too actually. We went on the 9th and it was PACKED. The weather had turned nice and it was a Sunday afternoon. I've never see so many folks out there, but it is always better when there are lots of other dogs to interact with.<br /><br />I took my new camera along as well. I obviously still have a lot to learn, but I managed to get some decent action shots.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3031230548/" title="Milo by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/3031230548_1bfcb6eaec.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Milo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3031234916/" title="Mina by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3296/3031234916_a86460bf91.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Mina" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3031251754/" title="Milo by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3272/3031251754_14272ce145.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Milo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3030437413/" title="Mina by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3030437413_940338001d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Mina" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3030422847/" title="Milo by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/3030422847_c4c00cd548.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Milo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3030420515/" title="Mina by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3209/3030420515_3dc52362e1.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Mina" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3030407829/" title="Mina and Milo by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/3030407829_1a8851e8b9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Mina and Milo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3031247714/" title="Mina & Milo by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3031247714_22e1d9219f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Mina & Milo" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3030439479/" title="Mina and Milo by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/3030439479_e7dbe945f9.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Mina and Milo" /></a><br /><br />I plan to take it with me again the next time we go. It was fun having them run back and forth between Honey and I to get those hauling ass shots. ;pSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-89775951906708287062008-11-14T12:26:00.000-06:002008-11-14T12:42:33.937-06:00FallIt turned into fall last week. When I left for work on Monday the 3rd there were a few leaves on the ground and I had noticed the trees starting to change color during the week prior.<br /><br />When I got home on Friday the 7th most of the leaves were on the ground. The entire back yard is now covered. We didn't tend to it last weekend so we will have to today. Fortunately Honey is home this week and next on vacation so he can help out while I'm at work. We won't have time to get to it this weekend because we'll be out and about with family. I'll post more about that on Monday.<br /><br />Last season was our first in the house and we didn't know we should keep them cleaned up if we wanted to spare the grass. I figured people just cleaned up because they wanted to keep their yards tidy. I suppose it doesn't matter much either way but this year we've decided to stay on top of it and keep them cleaned up.<br /><br />I took some time to get a few shots with my new camera of them changing on the trees.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3016385171/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/3016385171_55140affe2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3016387825/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/3016387825_bde01ff907.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3016391359/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/3016391359_08096607d3.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/3016394445/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/3016394445_76437c12dd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a></center>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-48727846398525201822008-11-06T14:45:00.000-06:002008-11-06T15:02:57.573-06:00Wahoo!I've wanted a new camera for a long time. My parents bought me a point and shoot about 6 years ago and it has been very good to me. I've been very satisfied with it. I've just kept the thought of a nice big non-point and shoot in my mind for many years and figured one day I'd get one. <br /><br />That was until one day this summer. On August 24th 2008 I used a friend's Canon Rebel XTi. She had gotten it new a few months before and let me play with it a bit. Needless to say I didn't want to give it back to her. I tried my very best to play with it politely and then hand it back but I found it very difficult to let it go.<br /><br />The seed was planted. I WANTED a new camera. NOW. The point and shoot has felt so sub par to me since I find it difficult to use with any passion at all.<br /><br />So the research began. I started searching the internet off and on for pricing info on this XTi and seeing how much it was I realized I better cool my jets a bit and be a responsible adult.<br /><br />A few weeks later I was talking to my dad about it and he mentioned a couple of lenses he had that he won't be using again that will fit this new camera. I felt the surge again knowing I would only have to purchase the body. Well I still stayed calm and bookmarked that information for the near future when I'd be able to make the purchase.<br /><br />Then last week my Honey came to me and offered a part of his bonus check to give me an early Birthday/Christmas present. I peed. I did some more searching and found the camera body on Amazon. Then I noticed that since I'd played with my friend's XTi (10.1 MP) Cannon had released the next step up. The XSi (12.2 MP) and the cost between the two was insignificant!<br /><br />Well of course I wanted the XSi. So I bought it. With a bunch of money from my Honey and a handful of my own, I am now the proud owner of a Canon Rebel XSi which is a nice upgrade from my 6 year old 3.1 MP Kodak EasyShare DX4330.<br /><br />Most of the money I threw in bought me a nice camera backpack and a wireless remote to go along with the new camera.<br /><br />Now all I need is to meet up with my dad and get those two lenses. I guess I'll just have to read the user manual in the meantime.<br /><br />Prepare yourselves to start looking at this blog instead of reading it!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-55397463244887429062008-11-05T09:03:00.001-06:002013-06-23T19:56:33.979-05:00Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-47268874789385283072008-11-03T09:41:00.000-06:002008-11-03T09:53:10.804-06:00Cluster F*** Avoided - Raised Vegetable Bed Success!In my October 30th <a href="http://theshadygrove.blogspot.com/2008/10/seeds.html">post</a> I stated that this past weekend was going to be a cluster F while I tried to figure out all the things I needed to do to get a raised planting bed in the front yard.<br /><br />Well, we succeeded without too much problem. Really it was no problem at all, just time consuming hard work and a bit of snipping at each other. Well I supposed I did most of the snipping, or so it was implied.<br /><br />Anyway, we have our very first raised bed, proudly sitting in the front yard, waiting patiently for seeds. I'll get them in this coming weekend.<br /><br />I found instructions on how to build a bed that I thought looked good and seemed the most useful so we followed them almost to a T (accidentally making a couple of adjustments) but all in all it turned out just right. We may tweak a few things this coming weekend, like adding some more screws (we bought too few) and possibly cutting the pvc arcs down (for attaching bird netting), since we missed that step and they're too tall. Neither of these things is crucial to the function of the bed though so we're not too worried about it.<br /><br />And now, here's the photo journal of our two day journey. Did you expect anything less? :)<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997451215/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2997451215_de516e178d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />We measured and laid out these markers to get an idea of how big of an area these beds would take up. We will eventually put in 2 2x4 beds that will sit perpendicular to the 4x6 we built this past weekend.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997451237/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2997451237_4e5a3b5bb5.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Back from a 2 hour trip to the store, Honey began cutting the wood.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997451247/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3025/2997451247_dd5f2762af.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />While Honey cut the wood, I stained the freshly cut pieces. It was just a semi transparent stain to seal the wood and protect it from the elements.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997451259/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2997451259_86d2e08a84.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />After letting the stain dry overnight, we began the assembly the next afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997451269/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3067/2997451269_d6ac9834a7.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Finished! It is actually sitting upside down at this point. The protruding posts will sit down in holes dug in the ground to keep it from moving around.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997466491/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2997466491_2365ab2f8c.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Now to mark the place. Honey gouged the earth around the posts so we'd know where to dig the holes and the area to be tilled.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997466501/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3155/2997466501_c26eba0cbb.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Till baby till! I think he's having fun. :D<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997466515/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2997466515_4b55af509f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />We removed the larger chunks of tilled up grass and set the bed in place.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997466537/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2997466537_b522ffa574.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Then we attached the pipes that will hold the bird netting frame. This design makes it easy to add or remove the frame with ease.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997466541/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3234/2997466541_8f8e6cb655.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />With the frame posts set, Honey worked to smooth the dirt as we added it a few bags at a time.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2997459155/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2997459155_e35cb93d99.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="" /></a><br />Now just smoothing out the full bed.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2998305762/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2998305762_8a42f74421.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br />Here is the finished product.</center><br /><br />Like I said before, the pvc arches are a bit too tall. They're supposed to be 6 feet long and we forgot to cut them down from 10 feet. All I need now is to buy some netting and plant the seeds!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-91901154430728019882008-10-31T19:13:00.000-05:002008-10-31T19:19:42.387-05:00Halloweeny!I'm following suit of some fellow bloggers. Happy Halloween wishes and a nifty picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2990631670/" title="Untitled by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3017/2990631670_85bc82fd54.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="" /></a><br /><br />So... HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :DSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791929.post-38299391307745506762008-10-30T15:19:00.000-05:002008-10-30T15:29:33.039-05:00Seeds!Well, they're here.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nadirah/2969905501/" title="Seeds! by Nadirah6, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2969905501_d9e0ca0973.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Seeds!" /></a></center><br /><br />Now... I have to build the beds. I don't have a ton of space or any experience so I have a feeling this weekend is going to be a cluster f***. I'll be trying to plan, measure, buy, build and prep. I can't decide if I want to get the whole lot planned out or just one bed to start. I have no idea how much materials will cost and wish I could find some used scraps lying around instead.<br /><br />I also just realized that I ought to think about keeping the paths that will run between the beds clear of weeds. I can't imagine trying to get the weed whacker in between them, fighting the cord all the while so it doesn't tear down my plants.<br /><br />I have a huge pile of wood chips at my disposal though so I might just throw a thick mat of that down to start and see how that works. Really I won't have to worry about much weed growth at all for the next few months.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm apprehensive and excited. I really hope that by the end of the weekend I've got what is in my head reflected back at me in my front yard.<br /><br />Wish me luck!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13936268618853065086noreply@blogger.com3