No Longer Feared in the Botanical World

I love plants. I admire other people's plants...their pots, their leaves, the interesting stories about their origins. Our neighbor has a plant the "Night Blooming _______(something)" that blooms only at night and you are supposed to throw a party in anticipation of the event. Pretty cool.

Somehow over the years, though, plants have become one more thing that I have to take care of. They mock me and pressure me to remember to water and talk to them. Because of this over the last 7 years I have certainly become the talk of the botanical world. "Have you heard about Spidey? Yea, poor sap is doomed now that he lives with those people." "Drink up fellas because you may not see water again for a month of Sundays." "Oh, is that what the lady of the house looks like? Haven't.....seen..... her.....in.......awhile." All this said in weak and dehydrated voice.

I am proud to announce that I have turned over a new leaf. I have become a thoughtful waterer and nurturing caregiver to three (count them) three houseplants that are not only alive after several years but THRIVING.

Meet Spidey II also known as Spidey the Sequel, Revenge of Spidey or The Empire Strikes Back. This guy is a fighter. He takes a licking and keeps on ticking. When his leaves are too long and knocking the kids in the face, I grab my kitchen sheers and trim away with no rhyme, reason or any preconceived plan. He hides his head in embarrassment for a few weeks, then returns in full flourish and even sports a flower or two. He rocks! He is currently in desperate need of transplanting as his lower region seems to be rotting away the pot in which he currently resides. How embarrassing!

In the background you may catch a glimpse of Long Necky (named by Ben) who is an Angelwing Begonia. Long Necky is a high class Begonia. She is a full breed and has her papers to prove her pedigree. The story goes that Long Necky's ancestors shed a leaf that was then sent through the mail in an envelope and transplanted by the sender's relatives. Needless to say it survived and went on to procreate Long Necky. Long Necky was given to me by these friends because like a good full breed Long Necky just keeps on producing offspring. Long Necky can be described as long and necky. She is very, very tall requiring limb supports of a stick and paint can stirrer. She reminds of a kid in junior high whose legs are a bit too long for their body. But check her out.....

And last but not least, Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus or as we call him Ash Wednesday Cactus named for the holiday around which he blooms. He is a welcome addition to the family and his self-watering pot is much appreciated because it is nearly impossible for the waterer to over water and have the overflow make that annoying drip on the wood floors.

So there you have it. You CAN teach and old dog new tricks. Maybe someday soon we will be THE place to be. We will become a haven for plants of all shapes and sizes. We will be the home where sad and deprived plants will go for revitalization and rejuvenation. We will be a botanical day spa.

Next on my adoption list...Return of the African Violet.

Will What on Earth?

(She says as he sqeezes the living daylights out of his pierogies placed ever so carefully by the mother in the bowl.)

Loving my children today, however, would also love to have them shipped off for a week. WHEN WILL THE SPRiNG WEATHER GET HERE?

(Pierogies thrown throughout kitchen.)

Apparently SNOW again tomorrow.

Despise the groundhog...that lying little rodent got my hopes up.

(Pierogies in hair and throughout fingers.)

Look away. Just look away.

Benefits of Running Family Infirmary for Week

1. A lot of together time
2. Not a lot of time spent on wardrobe selection. Most have been in pajamas.
3. Week free of attention to hair or make up details.
4. Bland white menu easy to plan and prepare.
5. Cable TV finally worth weight in gold for new versions of children's favorite shows.
6. Gas saved from cancelled trip to Ohio.
(At least our reservations at K's parents were used by K's brother and family)
7. No time to argue with spouse as we pass one another like ships in the night attending to the infirm.
8. Almost miss defiance and normal daily bad mood swings of healthy child.
9. House is in pretty good shape for spring cleaning because you are wiping things down with lysol every 15 minutes.
10. Renewed appreciation for good health.

Desperately looking for a silver lining. :)

oops

just saw i spelled imminent wrong........

And Then There Were Two

Only Ethan and I are left untouched by the stomach bug.

I have opened the doors and windows in hopes the virus will float out with the hint of warm spring breeze.

Ben, Kevin and Will lay in their pajamas watching video after video and craving water.

Yikes.

Major bummer: Our spring break trip to Columbus is thrown to the wayside. But as I told my mother-in-law, "No worries. This is what I signed up for."

Life with little ones surely is an adventure.

Cure for the Common Cold Immenent

Uncle Ben's Tried and True methods for curing the common cold include but are not limited to the following:

1. Spend as much time as possible horizontal.

2. Rousing game of Ants in the Pants

3. Video viewing in horizontal position.

4. Stick a lot of stuff in your pants.

Best Valentine's Day Ever

Since my husband and I abhor Valentine's Day (too many years single), we don't shower one another with gifts and chocolates. This year, however, my eldest son wrote me a letter which read:

Dear Sally,

You are the best mom in the yunvrse.

I love being your sun.

Have a supper Valentine's Day.

Love,

First name and Last name

Read it and weep sisters. You've got to soak up those fuzzy parenting feelings when they come and store them somewhere in hopes of retrieving them on the harder days.