Monday, June 30, 2008
Got Some Things Done
Speaking of my sewing stuff, I have a table, machine and 3 cases/boxes full of sewing supplies that my grandmother gave me. It is so nice to have everything I need and I didn't have to buy any of it! There are things in one of those boxes that I still haven't figure what they are.
I figured out how to thread the machine and I worked on a costume I started well over a year ago. Most of the skirt is done now and I am highly impressed with myself considering I've never made anything from scratch and it is actually coming out as I envisioned it. I think the true test will be how I make some pants and a top using a store bought pattern.
I hope it all turns out okay and doesn't look too bad when I'm done!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Back on Track
We've both been down and out for various reasons over the past 2 weekends plus the weekend before last was Father's Day and my Dad's birthday, so I spent Sunday at my folks' house for those festivities.
This coming weekend is open though and I HAVE to get the red room cleared out so I can start practicing a routine for the August belly dance show. I should actually do that before the weekend. We've also still got those pavers we bought just loosely stacked here and there in the yard waiting to be put down. I think we should lay at least one row down and get that process rolling.
The yard needs to be mowed and I've got weeds to pull plus some cleanup from a recent rain storm. There is also the stuff in the living room that is the last remaining remnants from the move that we started working on and now it's just sitting there collecting dust.
I think I'll work out a "to-do" list this week to give us a bit of a schedule to work from and prioritize it so we (read I) don't get overwhelmed. Oh yea and the fish tank needs so serious love.
In other news, I have cucumbers! I've counted 4 that have sprouted this week. 3 of them are pollinated and growing and the 4th still doesn't have a full open female flower, so I'll see how that one goes. Most of the carrots also look good and now that the weather has turned hotter the okra is starting to take off. I think we'll get some out of those sad little plants after all.
I'm not sure I mentioned it but the watermelon plant isn't actually a watermelon plant. It's another cucumber plant, so, there ya go. I have cucumbers x cucumbers + carrots, okra and zucchini. Oh that one is doing well too. Maybe not as good as it should but the flowers are starting to open so I think it is going to be fine. I might have over watered it but I think it's bouncing back now that I've backed off.
So! Back to it! There's plenty to do.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Weekends
Last weekend my Uncle and I put in a border around the okra he has planted and made an area for the carrot seeds I bought. It's just a small L shaped area next to their house but it needed a border and it needed all of the weeds removed. Honey and I also went and picked up some free compost to spread in there as well.
This past weekend little carrot sprouts were showing! I knew it only took a week or so but it is still exciting when you see the little greenery poking through. Honey and I also went and bought the remaining pavers we needed to finish out the patio project. I'm not sure when we'll get to that but at least we now have the materials we need.
Also late yesterday afternoon we adjusted the water hose situation in the front lawn. We attached 2 new soaker hoses to the existing one and ran them around the "beds" in the front then attached a regular hose to the splitter so the regular sprinkler could be attached to it. Now my water process in the front is easier.
That's about it. Just a little done here and there. :)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Home Outside
Where do I start? I've done a lot to it in the last year. The first thing I did last April was prune and clear all the overgrowth in the back yard. That was a full day's worth of work and my first time at doing it. My hands were so sore the next day.
I planted a couple of lantanas back there too in August I think.

Shortly after that we moved in and the dogs moved in mid way through September. The lantanas didn't last through the end of the year. That's when I realized all my gardening would have to take place in the front yard. However, I noticed a couple of days ago, one of the lantanas is coming back. I'm going to dig it up and move it before the dogs destroy it again.
Last fall I bought a ton of plants and put new beds in around the red oaks out front.

After

I plopped in a few other plants in blank holes and pruned the crap out of all the small boxwoods, one of the hollies and the two nandina clusters. A few weeks later I took out one entire boxwood and pruned the other holly next to it.
This spring I've hacked (severely pruned) the 3 remaining boxwoods off the front porch. They were massive. Now they aren't and they have pretty beds around them with flowers and plants for company.

Hard to see After

I also pruned the pomegranate tree but it needs much more.
When I put in the beds around the boxwoods I also planted 3 vegetable sprouts. I have a zucchini, cucumber and watermelon plant. Last weekend I moved them to the ground and have been babying sitting them since. They need a lot more water than I expected.

Cucumber

Watermelon

Also a couple of weeks ago I added a new bed around the block light post and planted irises. They're looking hot and tired. I hope they make it.
I've got a ton of bulbs around the southeast side of the house. Amaryllis, iris and jonquils. They will all need to be thinned and separated this fall for next year's bloom. They were all there when we moved in and haven't been thinned in years.

We have plans to extend the beds around the entire front of the house as well as adding in a raised bed right in front. I hope to have that project done before the year is out. It'll take time though but that's okay, we aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
In the back, instead of planting, we're adding on to the porch. We'll be extending the existing 8x8 porch out another 12 feet to make it 8x20. It will enclose the two crepe myrtles that are there.

I also added a small brick pad just inside the gate so we'd have somewhere to step instead of the dirt or mud.

After

One day soon I hope to get a sandbox out back for the dogs to dig in so I can reclaim my backyard and grow the grass back in where it's been destroyed. Leveling out the holes and hills that have been created will be what I'm most looking forward to. Mowing back there is hazardous to twisting ankle health!
It's all a never ending, yard changing saga. I love every second of it.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Fleas, Ticks, Tapeworms! OH MY!
Honey took the cats³ to the vet yesterday for a general check up and any shots they may have needed. Miss Stormy had a tapeworm. We knew this going in, or at least that was my assumption and with the fleas so bad right now I figured that is exactly what it was. He said the trip was smooth and none of them have ear mites.

Thunder weighs just over 13 lbs.

Lightning weighs just less than 13 lbs

and Storm weighs just over 11 lbs.
They gave Storm a shot for the tape worm and then they sent Honey home with pills similar to the ones the dogs² get once a month. They also gave us super duty flea drops to put on their backs. We had tried 4 different types of treatments before this with none working. The vet said this season is especially bad (don't they say that every year?) and that the crap you buy at the store never works when it gets like this.

Mina

Milo
I hope what we have now works because those poor pups (in particularly) have been itching and scratching for weeks! I'm super glad we have pills to give the cats once a month now too. I had no idea they made those. I always thought they only had the ones for dogs to prevent heart worms.
Hooray for healthy beasties!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Long Time no Blog
Mostly the news is about a house. Our house. Yes, we finally got a house. My grandmother decided it was too much for her so she moved into a home last spring (2007) and is selling us her house.

All of last spring and summer was spent helping her work through her things. We donated a ton, gave just as much away and then helped her move what she wanted to keep. After that we started painting. Our lease was going to be up in September so we wanted to get the house the way we wanted it before the move.
We painted 3 rooms and a hallway and pulled up carpet in 2 rooms and the hallway. We still aren't finished with the painting but that's okay. We'll be there a while.
Anyway, so we moved in last September and since then we've been adjusting to the differences in living in a house instead of an apartment. There are a lot more things that need taken care of as I'm sure many of you know. I love it though. I've planted, pruned, dug up, transplanted and landscaped so much in the last 9 months.
We still haven't perfected keeping a larger space clean though. That's an on going process at this point.
Well I'll wrap this up for now. Many more posts will follow with more details about the house, yard, life and everything in between.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Bento Boxes - My Newest Fascination
I heard about them for the first time in early March by the end of March I had one of my very own. :)
They make lunch time a little brighter some days.
Incase you have no idea what I'm talking about...
Wikipedia's Description
They come in all shapes, styles and sizes are fun to put together and a joy to delve into when it is time to eat.
I recently bought a few items to make the foods in my bento more fun (egg molds, shaped cutters, etc.) I'm still waiting for them to come in the mail but have continued to use my bento box for lunch.
There is even a whole flickr group dedicated to them.
Flickr's Bento Box Group
What fun!
My Blog Worth
My blog is worth $0.00.
How much is your blog worth?
Well that sucks. I guess since I never post anymore it makes sense. BUT I AM gonna post in a few minutes... so... ;) Maybe it'll be worth something soon.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Wow, I Did It!
October 27th, 28th & 29th - 3 days I will never forget.
The actual mileage for the event ended up being 56.1 miles. I walked 29 of it. I couldn't be happier with myself for my accomplishment. Here's a link to my 3Day Photos. And below is the best I can do to describe what it's like to participate in an event like this.
When people say it will change your life, they don’t really explain how and until you do it you can’t imagine how. I’ll do my best to describe it because it really had absolutely nothing to do with being affected by everything that comes with breast cancer or any illness for that matter.
It was the whole collective consciousness of doing something good and right. There were 3000-ish people all together, doing the same thing for the same reasons. You can’t grasp the positive energy that comes with that many people doing something like that for 3 whole days. Everyone and I mean EVERY.ONE. was nice, pleasant, happy, supportive, encouraging and using every ounce of energy they had to walk. And if they weren’t walking they used every ounce of energy they had to support those who were. And the ones who were walking used every ounce of energy they had to support those who were supporting us. It was absolutely amazing.
Everyone thanked us for walking, we thanked ourselves and each other for walking, and all the walkers thanked everyone who wasn’t walking for doing whatever it was they were doing. Thank you for helping us cross the street. Thank you for serving me food. Thank you for bringing us toilet paper. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for cheering us on. Thank you for playing this music to keep us going. Thank you for stopping to pick me up because I can walk no more.
And when it wasn’t thank yous, it was please, and good morning, and how are you? Do you need encouragement? You can do it! YAY!! GO WALKERS! Have a sticker! YAY! Here’s some water! You’re doing great! People driving by honking horns and waving, kids yelling “Thank you!” from the back seat of their family’s car. Constant encouragement, constant gratitude.
It was the hardest, most fulfilling thing I've ever done.
It was the world we all want to live in, for 3 whole days.
It was absolutely incredible.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
60 Miles, Here I Come!
Today I collected the final donation to push me over the required amount!! The walk starts this coming Friday and I actually collected the money before the event!
Not only that, I set a goal to loose 40lbs before this event. That's quite allot and was probably doable, but I didn't quite make the halfway mark of that number, but hey, I'm not gonna gripe about loosing 18lbs!
I've trained to the point of having little to no ankle pain when I walk any longer and feel ready to walk this event. I also have hope that I might actually be able to walk the whole thing! I had thoughts that I might not due to my pace being a bit slow, but I think I can actually pull it off.
Anyway, I'm super excited and sorta nervous and real, REAL proud of myself. I DID IT!
My Donation Page
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
The coolest webcam EVER!
It's of Pete's" Pond in Botswana. When I first clicked it I expected a bad stationary web cam where your only hope to see anything cool at all is to stare at it all day and hope something pauses long enough in front of the camera. But oh how I was wrong!
Not only is it not stationary, it's a really great connection and camera. Plus the watering hole is VERY active. Within 5 minutes of watching a pack of baboons came down for a drink. Less than 10 minutes later a bull elephant was there!
In the course of the afternoon, checking randomly to see what might be there, I've seen a warthog, giraffes, an ostrich, an elephant, baboons, lions, steenbok, elands and assorted birds!!
It's AWESOME!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Well, I'm back
I spent one afternoon reading back through most of my previous posts and found myself inspired to start again. I was also inspired by some of the things I wrote. I've made progress in alot of areas that I might not have noticed if it hadn't been documented over the last few years.
I hope I can get the word out to whomever previously frequented my blog so that they can again. It is always nice to get comments back on some of my posts.
Anyway, to catch up on some things. From my very first post I complained about some home improvement projects that needed doing... that were long overdo when I posted it over 2 years ago. Hehe, I can proudly say I've finally completed my bathroom and hung the kitchen light. Yes!
I also mentioned the 3Day Breast Cancer walk a few months back. The event is closing in and I've been training and working hard raising money. I can also proudly say that I'm ready, the money that hasn't been raised can easily be covered and I feel I've grown leaps and bounds better in the walking department. So I'm looking very forward to the 27th-29th.
I could go on, but for now I think that is enough of a quick update. All things are looking better, not that they were grim to begin with, but better is good. That's all I ask of myself these days... to just be better in whichever department I feel needs work. So it's all better. ;)
Oh yea! I almost forgot... I'm debt free! Yay!
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
In Case You're Wondering...
http://www.myspace.com/nadirah6
I found a new toy. Or should I say, I finally gave in and joined the masses.
I might blog here or there, or everywhere... as Dr. Seuss would say.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Which SciFi Character Are You?
A stern yet benevolent organizer who often knows best, your wits are keenly fixed on aiding efforts you deem worthy.
"Now at this last we must take a hard road, a road unforseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk into peril to Mordor."
Elrond is a character in the Middle-Earth universe. TheOneRing.net has a short biography.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Photos
Anyway, I thought I'd share my stuff. http://www.flickr.com/photos/45026945@N00/sets/
Enjoy!
p.s. per the post below, I DID get my damn shoes! :D
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Procrastination, but Good Thoughts
But I digress. I feel the winds of change coming. I can sense the motivation to do these things. I think I *will* right it all down so I can get it off my brain and digest it a little more. It will also give me the satisfaction to cross things off the list once they are complete.
Namely that damn bathroom is STILL not finished. I haven't touched it in months and months and months. Also the light fixture I bought for the kitchen is still in my closet. Both of those projects have been half complete for well over a year. That's just ridiculous. Shame on me!
Then there's the belly dance class. I'm bored with it, but it's my own fault. I'm still in the Adv I class and I'm ready for Adv II. The problem is I have to prove my readiness to a teacher. I have to schedule a testing session where I will solo dance 4 choreographies that I've learned in the class. Two things have to happen in order for this to happen.
1. I have to wait until they are testing people.
2. I have to practice the choreographies so I don't look like an idiot.
Neither of these things is happening at the same time. They are about to announce a new testing schedule, so I hope I can get the courage and motivation to just do it!
The last big thing on my mind is walking and the shoes required to give me the support I need to train. I WILL get new shoes this weekend. Honey and I already talked about it and I cannot put it off any longer. On the other side of that mission though, I still continue to loose weight. I'm down 8 lbs total! Almost 1/4 to my goal!! (40lbs loss by Oct is my goal btw) :D
Speaking of goals, I obviously have this big one I keep going on and on about. But a dear friend of mine asked me what comes after the walk? He hoped that I still have a goal. A longer term goal to keep me healthy and happy. I hadn't thought about that much. I've been using this 3Day walk as motivation to keep me going through the rough parts of trying to change how I live my life. I figure by the time October rolls around I will have lost alot of weight and have a routine set that keeps me exercising and eating right. After 10 months of doing those 2 things I figure it'll be habit and I won't go back to my old ways after the walk. But I'm going to take his thoughts to heart and think more on what other things I might want to do that I could only do if I were in shape and healthy.
Thank you for that, dear friend. You've given me something good to chew on for a while.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
It Is Working
I set a goal to lose 1lb a week so that I'll be 40lbs lighter by the time I participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day
As of today, I'm 4lbs lighter. I started this journey on Jan 5th. So my target for Jan was reached!! Not only that I've lost a total of 5 1/2 inches!
I feel fantastic. I'm actually doing this and it is going to work!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
My New Life
I have so much to blog about I don’t even know where to start.
I know, I’ll start by saying that so far this year has been pretty darn good. Even though I’ve been busting my ass at work (more than normal) and I’m tired and burned out by what I’ve been doing there the last 3 weeks, I’m still in high spirits most of the time.
On Jan 5th I woke up to have an epiphany. I was suddenly able to talk back to the voice inside my head that nagged at me and called me ugly names and made me feel bad about myself. Being overweight that is.
Out of no where this other voice came and just shut her the hell up and then whispered this great truth to me. She said “Even if you buy good walking shoes, your feet will still hurt and you won’t be able to walk the 3-Day in October. You need to loose some weight and get healthy too.”
Later that day I joined an online group to help set a meal plan and fitness plan. Mostly so I’d know what I should be eating. It’s hard to know what to buy and what to make that’s good for you if you don’t have guidelines, or you’ve not done it before. Both plans have been pretty easy to stick to, but mostly it’s because of that other stronger voice in my head that shuts down the bad one.
Even just today the mean voice almost convinced me to run through Jack-in-the-Box drive through. Then the other voice came in and said “Subway, Subway, Subway, Subway, Subway, Subway.” I went to Subway. That’s happened 5 or 6 times I the last 2 weeks, and I’ve not succumbed.
Considering I was a 2 to 3 drive through meals a day girl, the fact that I’ve not had ANY fast food in 2 weeks is pretty amazing. I feel fantastic about this.
They always say you can’t change your eating and fitness habits unless you really want to and that you have to do it for yourself. It’s so true. And you don’t know it till you’re doing it. Until you can actually shut down that bad voice and make the right choice.
This isn’t a diet. It’s not a goal to “get into a bikini by summer.” It’s also not a resolution, just a coincidence that it’s the beginning of a new year. It’s a life change to make better choices, to be healthy and to be fit. I’m finally doing it and I don’t foresee falling off the wagon this time.
Last week some time I realized the day I had my epiphany and made this change was exactly 10 years to the day that I started dating my ex-husband. I just found that interesting. The moment I chose to date him lead me down a 10 year path to self abuse through neglect and bad choices.
10 years later, to the day… I’m finally free from that crutch.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
But to start it off right, we had to celebrate the New Year. Mom, Dad, Me, Honey and my sister's two daughters (my oldest nieces) all went bowling. It was a package deal for 4 hours with pizza and soda, party favors and a toast at midnight.
I think we all had alot of fun. I know I did. There's not much to say about it. We went, we bowled, we laughed, we played... pretty much what we always do when my family gets together. :) I took my camera to capture the festivities.
Enjoy!

Honey & Me

Mom showing me her hat, Dad being silly(normal.)

Mom trying to show me her hat and not her double chin.
Dad still being silly and laughing - LOL.

My sister's girls. The blond is the eldest at 14. Can you tell?
GOOD TIMES! :D
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Oi! Christmas
I was off from Thursday the 22nd through Tuesday the 27th. Honey and I spent Thursday and Friday at home and then we spent the rest of the weekend at my parent’s house with family.
This year was the first year for the Ice! Exhibit to visit Dallas/Fort Worth. Honey and I got tickets to go Thursday night. It was AWESOME! They gave everyone heavy coats to wear inside because the temperature was 9 degrees. I didn’t think they’d let us take pictures so I left my camera at home. But I was wrong. :( We’ll have to get pictures next year. But I found one on the web that is just like one of the things we saw.

On Friday we spent the day doing laundry and cleaning. In the late afternoon we received two packages from Honey’s parents. We decided to have a mini Christmas before we headed out to my folk’s house. So we put on some holiday music and sat by the tree opening gifts from the north. :D

Our "little" tree
Saturday we headed out to my parent’s house but stopped on the way to visit R.A. We had gifts for her and she had some for us. So we got together to exchange gifts and we went out to lunch. We went to Campo Verde. It’s this hole-in-the-wall Mexican food joint that decorates the restaurant for Christmas. Or should I say, they take all the tinsel and lights within a 100 mile radius and spew it all over the inside of this place. It’s obscene. R.A. and I stumbled upon it in 2003 and have decided it to be a Christmas tradition to eat there each year.
After stuffing ourselves, Honey and I headed down to my parent’s place. On Christmas morning we got up early and went to my brother’s house to see what Santa had left for the little ones. We ate breakfast and played with the kids then headed back to mom and dad’s. Later in the night we had everyone over for dinner and gift opening. My sister and her girls weren’t able to make it due to my sister working, so we extended Christmas into Monday as well.

Tory(sitting), Aly(in purple), Mom(their Grammie) and Sammy

Honey and Me (and Tory again :)
Once my sister got there we had everyone over again for a second Christmas dinner and more gift exchange. I stayed one more night so my sister, her girls, mom and I could all visit and shop. We went out to the IKEA store and the mall. I was beat and got in last night around 10:45pm. I was in bed shortly after and practically fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.
It was so great to see everyone, as always. Great food, fantastic company and good times.
And as if that wasn’t enough, I’m gonna see several of them again in a few days to go bowling on New Years Eve! Hehehehe!