Organized My CDs!

When we moved back to MI from CA I threw away all the Jewel cases for our CDs because they were just too bulky to pack and move all of them. I bought two new CD cases and randomly threw in the CDs. That was four plus years ago, and finally today I got around to organizing them into some sort of semblance of order.

This was one of my 101 things, so whoo hoo! Another item checked off.

I know, this is really a tiny little thing, but hey! It took me over 4 years to do this. I was really dreading it. Turns out it wasn't that bad of a job, but still .....

Gardening Dreaming

An evil thing came in the mail last week - a seed catalogue! Now I am thinking and dreaming about gardening all the time. I keep looking at the heirloom varieties and lust over them. I fantasize of having a large garden in my back yard. There is room enough, but I'd have to give up yard space for the kids, and frankly I am not sure I want to do that!!!

So, this year I have a list of ideas I'd like to tackle, and produce I'd like to grow:

• Tomatoes for canning/spaghetti. sauce. We just used up the last jar of my 2007 stash.
• Beets
• chard
• Onion and garlic
• Potatoes
• I'm not sure about beans, but in theory I love beans.
• Squash
• pickling cucumbers
• I'd be interested in trying raspberries
• Basil
• Oregano
• Carrots
• Sugar Pumpkins
• Spinach
• Jalapenos

Things we grew last year I'd be OK if we did not have this year: Peppers, zucchini (I like, but no one else does really ... and they are prolific and available for most gardeners anyway!) eggplant, peas (we like them - me only so so, but it is so much hassle to pick and shell them. I'll save my efforts for something else!) Watermelon and cantaloupe - so much space for so few fruits, lettuces - it seemed to turn bitter so easy. I guess that is it. I'd add in the pumpkins and pickling cukes for something new and interesting.

So, I want to make more spaghetti. sauce and salsa. I'd love to try my hand at pickling beets, and canning pumpkin for use all year long. And I'd love to make some more varieties of jam.

So, do I sound domestic enough for you? Scary!! But I love the idea of growing my own food and having it available all year long. MY food, not someone else's food. ...and if only I could have chickens for eggs .....

Thistle Feeder and Goldfish

For some reason I have a problem saying goldFINCH - it keeps coming out as goldFISH. So when I put up my thistle feeder that I received for Christmas, I happily reported to Bill that a swarm of goldfish wasted no time finding the feeder.

He looked at me with this quizzical look - nothing too abnormal in this house unfortunately. "Gold fish?" He asked. We had, after all, just acquired 5 of the aquatic animals earlier in the day and the girls were all abuzz reporting each fish's activities.

"Yea," I replied, not hearing the fish part of that statement, and rather shocked at how fast 20 of the avairian animals found the thistle feeder. "Look out the window!"

"Oh yea," he said with a smirk. "I see them swimming away out there." And he walked away laughing at me.

It took me awhile to finally hear what he was laughing about. Like, the third or fourth time I called them goldfish by accident. dork!

But anyway - I now have another item crossed off my 101 list, and I am throughly enjoying watching the birds out my kitchen window. All of them - and there are a lot of different birds!

What a Delima

OK, so Bill & I are looking for a "big" gift to give to the girls, but we have no idea what to give them. We thought about a Wii - not in stock anyway - or a Nintendo, but we really do not want to give them computer items that make them sit on their duffs, or not engage with their imaginations. They already have doll houses, dolls galore, doll accessories, trains, cars, art supplies (although, I've thought about chucking some of their cheap stuff and replacing it with better quality items; that would cost a good chunk, but doesn't look like a "big" item.)

So, basically we are at a loss for a big item this year. I'm thinking of some sort of trip, like maybe to an indoor water park. If there are any spots available this late.

Annika's Skirt

I tried to get a good picture of the skirt I made for Annika, but apparently she was not feeling cooperative. These poses kinda cracked me up, so I thought I'd add them both to the "its all about me" site. (read with some sarcasm, because it is kids on MY site!)

But, I did make this skirt all by myself - no pattern nor nuthin'! I had an idea, made a mistake in the quantity I bought, and created a completely different look for the skirt. You might see me on Project Runway soon! HARRR!

Wow! I've Saved

So, I have been squirling away my babysitting money. I have a small amnt. in my underware drawer (which, btw, Bill has been pilfering from!) But today I actually totaled up the deposits into our savings account.... I've put $360 in it so far since October! And, I have been using more and more cash to purchase stuff, so I guess all in all I am saving more than I thought!! Cool.

If only I had time or money

I'd definatly make or purchase these little adorable faries for my two fairy-freek kiddos!!

http://store.imaginechildhood.com/fairies.aspx