From this source, the 10 commandments of blogging:
1. You shall not put your blog before your integrity.
2. You shall not make an idol of your blog.
3. You shall not misuse your screen name by using your anonymity to sin.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by taking one day off a week from your blog.
5. Honour your fellow-bloggers above yourselves and do not give undue significance to their mistakes.
6. You shall not murder someone else’s honour, reputation or feelings.
7. You shall not use the web to commit or permit adultery in your mind.
8. You shall not steal another person’s content.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your fellow-blogger.
10. You shall not covet your neighbour's blog ranking. Be content with your own content.
Amen!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
To bee or not to bee?
I've always been fascinated by beekeeping. I know, weird, but true. I've often wondered if I took it up if it would be something I would enjoy long-term, or if it would be one of those things that I learned about and then lost interest in once I'd "conquered" it.
Well, I'm going to get the opportunity to find out. We'll be hosting two beehives in the spring under Hansen Hives, and Aaron Hansen, the beekeeper, offered to bring me a suit when he comes so I can "apprentice" under him to see if I enjoy it. I figure this way I can get the buzz over with (ha ha) and see if it's more work than I want, or really a fun little, long-term, productive hobby. Those of you who have seen our backyard know that we have just the room agains the back fence. They said two hives would work nicely back there, and they'll be far enough away from the house that we shouldn't have to worry about any problems.
On a side note, the term "beeline" actually comes from bees. They make a beeline straight from their hive to the closest food source, and Aaron told me sometimes you can follow them for a long while before either finding where they eat or losing them. I also learned that there are nine toxins in bees' venom, and depending on how many of them you are allergic to will determine what level of reaction. One allergen, a small bump. Nine allergens, possible death.
The nice thing about it all is that the Hansens have offered us a discount on any honey. They were just the nicest people you could ever meet. I look forward to learning this new thing and if I do end up becoming a beekeeper, watch out fam--you'll be getting honey for every gift!
Well, I'm going to get the opportunity to find out. We'll be hosting two beehives in the spring under Hansen Hives, and Aaron Hansen, the beekeeper, offered to bring me a suit when he comes so I can "apprentice" under him to see if I enjoy it. I figure this way I can get the buzz over with (ha ha) and see if it's more work than I want, or really a fun little, long-term, productive hobby. Those of you who have seen our backyard know that we have just the room agains the back fence. They said two hives would work nicely back there, and they'll be far enough away from the house that we shouldn't have to worry about any problems.
On a side note, the term "beeline" actually comes from bees. They make a beeline straight from their hive to the closest food source, and Aaron told me sometimes you can follow them for a long while before either finding where they eat or losing them. I also learned that there are nine toxins in bees' venom, and depending on how many of them you are allergic to will determine what level of reaction. One allergen, a small bump. Nine allergens, possible death.
The nice thing about it all is that the Hansens have offered us a discount on any honey. They were just the nicest people you could ever meet. I look forward to learning this new thing and if I do end up becoming a beekeeper, watch out fam--you'll be getting honey for every gift!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Teeth
Riley finally lost his tooth. He loses them really slowly. I think this is only number six, possibly seven, that he's lost, and he's 11 years old. He's been working on this one for over a month now, and finally last night asked for suggestions on how to remove it as it was getting really loose. We tied floss around it and then to the doorknob. I told him, "Go ahead," but he wanted me to slam it. So I did. Said tooth popped somewhere in the bathroom, and he was a happy, gaping-hole mouthed child. But no notes for the Tooth Fairy. :(
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Stress sucks
My husband started a new job about a year and a half ago, and is now going back to school. For those of you who don't know, he was a stay-at-home Dad who worked in the evenings for about seven years before all of this, and did a fantastic job. I was always the stress case, struggling to maintain my sanity while raising two small boys alone in the evenings.
Now, you may argue, "what's the difference between raising them alone in the evening as opposed to raising them alone during the day?" And I would tell you honestly, "I don't know." But I have seen a marked difference in my husband since he has returned to work full time. I now get home a couple of hours later than he does, and it's usually mayhem at the house. I actually thanked him the other day, just because I realized that I wasn't a total freak all those years. If it can affect Ed this way, I know that I wasn't insane. He acknowledged that, saying that he of course knew I wasn't insane. (Diplomatic, wouldn't you say?)
But in light of the stress full-time work in a stressful, high-profile position can cause, I'd say we're doing pretty well. I fully realize that it's my turn to shine, as it were; to take the load off Ed so he can take care of business. Once school starts in earnest for him, I know how important that will be. I hope that I can remain selfless and "fight" for the greater good. Now if I can just convince my kids. :)
But, like my title says, stress sucks. Ed's intent is that with his degree he will be able to support us as a family and allow me the opportunity, at long last, to stay home. I look forward to it, but realize that it may not be so important once it gets here. But then again, with teen boys (by then) it may be more important than ever.
Have a great day.
Now, you may argue, "what's the difference between raising them alone in the evening as opposed to raising them alone during the day?" And I would tell you honestly, "I don't know." But I have seen a marked difference in my husband since he has returned to work full time. I now get home a couple of hours later than he does, and it's usually mayhem at the house. I actually thanked him the other day, just because I realized that I wasn't a total freak all those years. If it can affect Ed this way, I know that I wasn't insane. He acknowledged that, saying that he of course knew I wasn't insane. (Diplomatic, wouldn't you say?)
But in light of the stress full-time work in a stressful, high-profile position can cause, I'd say we're doing pretty well. I fully realize that it's my turn to shine, as it were; to take the load off Ed so he can take care of business. Once school starts in earnest for him, I know how important that will be. I hope that I can remain selfless and "fight" for the greater good. Now if I can just convince my kids. :)
But, like my title says, stress sucks. Ed's intent is that with his degree he will be able to support us as a family and allow me the opportunity, at long last, to stay home. I look forward to it, but realize that it may not be so important once it gets here. But then again, with teen boys (by then) it may be more important than ever.
Have a great day.
Monday, September 8, 2008
We're growing...
I realized I said I would post info about our garden expansion here at work, and then never did. I work for Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, and we have the Conservation Garden Park on our site. It's really pretty cool. The last year has been a painful growing experience, in that we are expanding the current 2-acre garden, which showcases waterwise landscaping, into a 4.5-acre garden which will teach people how to achieve that type of landscape. For more info, visit www.conservationgardenpark.org.
It's been a thrilling project, and I'm happy to have been a part of it. I've learned a lot about how much coordination and attention to detail is required for a project of this size, where most of my projects here at work are done by me. Solo. I've often said it's hard to be a creative team of one, and it really is. However, I was privileged to work with some now great friends in San Diego (DPA, SMY, ADA, you know who you are), and am still working with them. A great group, all of them. Thanks to them all for their tutorship, mentoring, and help. You rock!
As for outside resources for those who must design on their own, I highly recommend "Before and After," an excellent series to which you can subscribe. The good news for me is, I've turned in a proposal here at work to see if we (I) can get some additional help around here. I'll let you know how it goes.
It's been a thrilling project, and I'm happy to have been a part of it. I've learned a lot about how much coordination and attention to detail is required for a project of this size, where most of my projects here at work are done by me. Solo. I've often said it's hard to be a creative team of one, and it really is. However, I was privileged to work with some now great friends in San Diego (DPA, SMY, ADA, you know who you are), and am still working with them. A great group, all of them. Thanks to them all for their tutorship, mentoring, and help. You rock!
As for outside resources for those who must design on their own, I highly recommend "Before and After," an excellent series to which you can subscribe. The good news for me is, I've turned in a proposal here at work to see if we (I) can get some additional help around here. I'll let you know how it goes.
Quail meeting
The other day Lennon was looking out into our backyard when he said, "If you look outside you'll see a meeting of quail."
Me: "A meeting of quail?"
Lennon: "Yeah, a big meeting."
I love kids!
Me: "A meeting of quail?"
Lennon: "Yeah, a big meeting."
I love kids!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Surgery Update
My surgery went well, for a surgery. Life is mostly back to normal, but I still had to ask the question after it was all over, "Was that worth it?" Time will tell, I suppose.
On a childish note (hee hee), my kids are back in school and doing well. They don't have school lunch for the first month (what the?), so we've been making them for them. I think they're enjoying it, but Lennon lost his lunch bag the first week. Still hasn't turned up!
Sorry for the short note; I just felt it was time to get back in the swing of blogging, and the wife of a friend here at work started one, so I was feeling left out. :( I told him he'd be my inspiration to start again.
I need to write more about the garden expansion, so will plan to do that next post.
Ciao!
On a childish note (hee hee), my kids are back in school and doing well. They don't have school lunch for the first month (what the?), so we've been making them for them. I think they're enjoying it, but Lennon lost his lunch bag the first week. Still hasn't turned up!
Sorry for the short note; I just felt it was time to get back in the swing of blogging, and the wife of a friend here at work started one, so I was feeling left out. :( I told him he'd be my inspiration to start again.
I need to write more about the garden expansion, so will plan to do that next post.
Ciao!
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