Gentle reader, every few years I get optimistic and imagine plants and blossoms and color in my yard...I forget how the brutal Texas sun takes out my plants around July. But I'm at it again. This year I bought pansies (an annual that does okay) and then a lavender. It's the third or fourth lavender attempt, but darn it, I promise to keep it in a container this year and remain devoted to watering it through the long hot summer. I love the smell of lavender, but as I've written before, I have a ridiculously hot yard and not enough disclipline to water. (And our city's water restrictions are seriously intense!)
A few months have gone by, and today I bought some chocolate mint (smells amazing) and what appears to be a Ghost Plant (succulent). The summers are unforgiving, but home beautification definitely includes the yard....maybe I'm a bit delusional, but it's time to make an effort again.
"Decluttering" the yard is also on the list of to-dos--I didn't cut back certain plants this winter, and I have a monster sage with purple flowers that's gone crazy. Unfortunately nothing else in that flower bed is doing anything, not even the Lantana. (Why are everyone else's Lantanas blooming right now?) Clearly my yard needs tending. But I'm just glad I have the energy and desire, even if it's a bit fanciful, to try some new plants and spruce things up. I suspect container gardening is the way to go during this drought, so I'll try out new plants there. And then I'll need to take better care of the survivors in the yard--Copper Canyon daisy, etc.
I also realized it's time to re-mulch the flowerbed. And maybe replace the white gravel by the door that looks so 1980s grandparenty...I have a lot of other to-dos in my life, but I'm guessing gardening is good for your health, so it can't be bad to start dreaming of some changes and get outside. I do think making a home your own is so important and even psychologically significant, and while the summer is my opponent, I hope for some victories that bring me joy.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Nothing like spring break to make me think of spring cleaning...when else can I justify spending time ripping up old receipts and getting ready for free shred day this weekend?
In the last few weeks I also had my fancy Mac laptop break--it won't turn on anymore. So I hooked up my late father's old PC from 2003 or so, and bam, it still works okay. It's a bit slow and you can hear it working and chugging along, but while I am waiting for the warranty repair, at least I have something to use. Hoarders 1, Relentless Cleaners, 0. If I had chucked this big old desktop, I'd be at the library or YMCA using their computers, and the last time I resorted to that, I swear I got ringworm or some nasty rash on my wrist. Yuck. So perhaps it's okay to hold onto a few essential back up machines, i.e. computers. But not 10, okay?
After dusting off this old computer, the CD-writer drive decided to start working again. (My slick new laptop does not have a DVD/CD drive, which is pretty lame, Steve Jobs.) Another reason I am glad to have the old one. I'm one of the few folks who doesn't have an iPod, so I was stuck when the old PC's CD-burner broke and my laptop was the only way to listen to downloaded music. I guess just cleaning your computer--literally getting rid of dust--can be a cure.
Other spring cleaning tasks I've done:
Wiped down washer and dryer
Cleaned behind toilet and cleaned floor (Thanks, Fly Lady missions!)
Washed mattress cover and allergy pillowcases
I still need to do the normal life stuff (dishes, etc.), but I like the extra sense of accomplishment of spring cleaning. Not a way to spend an entire break, but it's satisfying to know I have the time. I even have the windows open to air out the house--aren't they always talking about "airing out rooms" in British period pieces? Well, I recommend it for your spring cleaning--it goes along with the sense of freshening up the place.
We'll see how much spring cleaning gets done this week...
In the last few weeks I also had my fancy Mac laptop break--it won't turn on anymore. So I hooked up my late father's old PC from 2003 or so, and bam, it still works okay. It's a bit slow and you can hear it working and chugging along, but while I am waiting for the warranty repair, at least I have something to use. Hoarders 1, Relentless Cleaners, 0. If I had chucked this big old desktop, I'd be at the library or YMCA using their computers, and the last time I resorted to that, I swear I got ringworm or some nasty rash on my wrist. Yuck. So perhaps it's okay to hold onto a few essential back up machines, i.e. computers. But not 10, okay?
After dusting off this old computer, the CD-writer drive decided to start working again. (My slick new laptop does not have a DVD/CD drive, which is pretty lame, Steve Jobs.) Another reason I am glad to have the old one. I'm one of the few folks who doesn't have an iPod, so I was stuck when the old PC's CD-burner broke and my laptop was the only way to listen to downloaded music. I guess just cleaning your computer--literally getting rid of dust--can be a cure.
Other spring cleaning tasks I've done:
Wiped down washer and dryer
Cleaned behind toilet and cleaned floor (Thanks, Fly Lady missions!)
Washed mattress cover and allergy pillowcases
I still need to do the normal life stuff (dishes, etc.), but I like the extra sense of accomplishment of spring cleaning. Not a way to spend an entire break, but it's satisfying to know I have the time. I even have the windows open to air out the house--aren't they always talking about "airing out rooms" in British period pieces? Well, I recommend it for your spring cleaning--it goes along with the sense of freshening up the place.
We'll see how much spring cleaning gets done this week...
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Lent Status Update
Thus far my facebook fast is going pretty well, though there were a few days this week where I felt like Cathy, the girl in the comic strip, freaking out with little drops of sweat flying around while wishing I could log on. I have stuff to say, and it's tough when you don't get to throw it into a status update when that's been the norm. Ugh.
But for the most part, it's been a nice break. It's peaceful to not have a stream of photos scrolling by multiple times a day. Also, I never know what all I will find on there Sunday (the feast day when I can check it.) I feel like I am getting away with eating lots of candy on Sundays. I also confess I had to sneak peeks sometimes--I needed a mailing address for a friend, etc. It's hard to cut it off completely, so I am not totally legalistic about it.
Thankfully, life goes on...I do stuff. I see people. The weather has turned sunny. And of course I have event invites emailed so I'm not really missing out. I hope no one thinks I am shunning them but remembers I am not on there much right now. I am probably a bit more productive. I still have a lot on my to-do list and not enough time (or I feel that way), but there isn't this constant option of checking in. If only I wanted to compulsively clean my kitchen with the free time!
But for the most part, it's been a nice break. It's peaceful to not have a stream of photos scrolling by multiple times a day. Also, I never know what all I will find on there Sunday (the feast day when I can check it.) I feel like I am getting away with eating lots of candy on Sundays. I also confess I had to sneak peeks sometimes--I needed a mailing address for a friend, etc. It's hard to cut it off completely, so I am not totally legalistic about it.
Thankfully, life goes on...I do stuff. I see people. The weather has turned sunny. And of course I have event invites emailed so I'm not really missing out. I hope no one thinks I am shunning them but remembers I am not on there much right now. I am probably a bit more productive. I still have a lot on my to-do list and not enough time (or I feel that way), but there isn't this constant option of checking in. If only I wanted to compulsively clean my kitchen with the free time!
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