tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44235392391513823372024-03-04T20:37:55.979-08:00Not JustaNot Justa mom, not justa wife, not justa teacher, not justa housewife/chauffeur/maid...~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.comBlogger265125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-2715078996544570622014-10-01T18:38:00.002-07:002014-10-01T18:38:27.668-07:00Lesson learnedSo I've been AWOL from the web for awhile. <br />
This spring I was pretty sick -- a crazy "perfect storm" of health concerns -- shattered shoulder requiring surgery to install a metal plate and 14 screws to put me back together, and then 2 weeks later my appendix had some issues and had to be removed. Some day I'll give you the long version of events. For now I will tell you I was several months recovering and have returned to good health.<br />
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When I get philosophical about that time I think those dark months were meant to bring me some life lessons, some of which I will share here eventually.<br />
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For now, I am going to share the one practical thing that came out of the whole mess. <br />
I call it the "30 min. dash."<br />
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When I was first out of the hospital it was still quite wintery and it wasn't safe for me to walk outside in case I slipped on the ice or snow. The problem was walking was part of the recovery plan; starting with just a five minute walk and working up to 30 minutes at a stretch. I improvised. <br />
I set the kitchen timer and walked around my two-storey house -- around the basement, up stairs to main floor, around the main floor rooms, up the stairs and around the second story. While I was on the prowl I would straighten or tidy small things as I went. If something needed to be put away upstairs, then I just carried it with me on my walk and put it away when I got to that floor.<br />
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Know what I discovered?<br />
I discovered that my house got tidy, really tidy, really fast.<br />
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So even now, I set my timer and continue the walk and tidy "dash" as an easy way to keep the house looking good. In truth, I can get it in shape in 15-20 minutes, depending on how much Girl has left laying around. Sometimes I keep going for the 30 minutes just to keep moving, and to give me time to reflect on how far I have come. Lesson learned. ~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-49733273660872931912013-06-09T19:29:00.002-07:002013-06-09T19:29:26.363-07:00a perfect dayToday was a near perfect day.<br />
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Went to church. Spirit renewed.<br />
Went riding with Zoey. Spirit refreshed.<br />
Worked in the garden. Found my zen.<br />
Snuggled on the couch with the kittens. Calmed my soul.<br />
Had bonfire supper with the family. Fed my soul, and self.<br />
Went for a bike ride with girl. (This is where the perfect got a bit messed up.)<br />
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As we rounded the corner on our bike ride I noticed a big black cat (with a dead mouse in it's mouth) cross the sidewalk in front of us. I thought to myself, "how close does a black cat need to be to you when it crosses your path to have bad luck?" Then my thinker said back, "probably a lot closer than that."<br />
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Nope.<br />
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Literally the nano-second after I had those thoughts Girl fell off her bike. Just wobbled and wiggled and lost her balance. She wasn't seriously hurt, but left a lot of skin on the sidewalk. She was a good sport about it, but those multiple scrapes really hurt. We biked back home, cleaned wounds and let the kittens cheer her up.<br />
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The end of my near perfect day?<br />
Blogging time. Rejuvenates the creative juices.<br />
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See you soon.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-43634108391373753162013-05-19T08:29:00.002-07:002013-05-19T08:30:28.281-07:00the beasts at shady lane<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is Lucy.<br />
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This is her twin sister, Ruby. The only way to tell them a part is that Ruby has 4 whisker freckles in a line on each side of her nose. Lucy's whisker freckles are in a triangle instead of a line, and there are 5 of them.<br />
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You will notice that Ruby's left eye looks a bit weird. Turn out both kitties has some bacterial infection in their eyes. It got both of Lucy's eyes. So I took them to the vet for medication and advice. I picked up an ointment to put in their eyes. It has to be done 3 times a day for 14 days...<br />
Every try to get ointment in a kitten's eyes? You would swear you are wresting an ocotopus. Boy usually holds them, and I try to get the stuff in the eyes without poking them with the tube. We both end up covered in hair, and sweating from the effort. It is really quite a production. How can a kitten weighting 1.4 lbs be so strong, and flexible, and scary?<br />
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And this is Smoke our other creature. He doesn't need eye goop so I love him best right now. But his litter box does take longer to clean out...<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-53538794932592699112013-05-06T17:50:00.002-07:002013-05-06T17:50:56.249-07:00Look who's here, mom!I was away at a conference for one night and a day.<br />
When I got home, guess who was here to meet me....<br />
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Two new friends.<br />
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I didn't exactly know they were coming, but they are too cute to kick out.<br />
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No names yet, I'll let you know when we've settled on names that suit.~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-78463542154069016162013-01-16T18:35:00.000-08:002013-01-16T18:47:29.576-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We had this great kitty, named Rocky. Sometimes Rocko or Rockster, or Rockstar. Sometimes Dumbass or Ding Dong.<br />
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He thought he was a tiger or at the very least, a jungle kitty.<br />
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Right from the start he got himself into all kinds of trouble....</div>
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He loved water.</div>
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Rocky thought he was really good at hiding.</div>
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He also thought he was human.<br />
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If you go to "google images" and type "google kitty" he's there. Rocky on the web.</div>
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Well Tuesday night we lost our little buddy. He was hit by a car on the road. We've found him a final resting place under the tree he used to climb in the back yard. The crew here at Shady Lane is pretty sad, and will be for awhile. <br />
It just isn't the same around here without him. He didn't flop down on the carpet with a "murr" (not a meow) while we watched TV. He didn't climb on my pillow to get me up after the alarm this morning. DH didn't have anyone following him to the bathroom looking for treats. And Boy and Girl didn't have him to greet them when they got off the bus today. <br />
Our fuzzy buddy is missed.<br />
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God speed, Rocky. We miss you.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-63131987388778471902012-12-05T18:30:00.002-08:002012-12-05T18:30:25.812-08:00touchstoneIt has been a crazy week. I've had some issues and they are dragging me down.<br />
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<u>Part 1</u><br />
I have an eternally optimistic happy friend who yesterday promised me that "there is a silver lining," and "this too shall pass." Then I talked to someone who assured me that "this is only going to get worse" and I should "learn to deal with difficult people, cause there are lots of them and sometimes they have it out for you." <br />
So I went to my lovely, optimistic friend and I said to her, "You lied to me. This is bad, and it will get worse. There is no silver lining. So there. I am going to my office to wallow in self doubt and pity." And I did.<br />
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<u>Part 2</u><br />
I don't watch a lot of TV, but my one constant show is the Young and the Restless. I confess. I DVR it, but I still only see it about twice a week. That however, is enough to keep me up to date. On Y&R Sharon has recently discovered that she has a mental illness. Her therapist told her that sometimes [crazy people] find a touchstone helpful and calming. A touch stone is an item, or piece of music or video that they continually go back to for grounding. <br />
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<u>Part 3</u><br />
It's possible that I am in need of a touchstone. My lovely optimistic friend showed me a video clip from you tube this week that I have now watched 12 times. I am going to watch it again when I put the link <a href="http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEEQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Da-7v8Ck1crg&ei=JQDAUMiIIOrkywGSqYHADw&usg=AFQjCNGYdjLFh2hclp8z9NGyi3-JUG3tXw">here</a>, and probably again before bed. It makes me happy. It is calming. It is my new touchstone. I think you will like it to -- you don't have to be going nuts to appreciate the magic. Enjoy.<br />
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<u>Part 4</u><br />
My lovely optimistic friend also delivered gluten free one-bite brownies to my door. They can't be a touchstone -- I ate the bag already. <br />
<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-61752906703002185982012-11-27T18:19:00.001-08:002012-11-27T18:19:30.854-08:00Boy humourThis is Boy and his best bud, D.<br />
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Don't think they didn't plan this....'cause they did.<br />
This is 14 year old boy humour.<br />
It just is.~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-72736767204862251632012-11-12T18:51:00.003-08:002012-11-12T18:51:33.143-08:00AgeI have pneumonia -- I am getting over it, but my ribs still ache and sometimes my breath just goes away. Like, completely away. Then I make this knarly sucking-in sound that could be construed as a cough or laugh but either way doesn't really look nor sound quite right. When I make that sound and hold my ribs, the kids at school look at me and then back slowly away. My family has grown immune to that sound, so they just ignore me.<br />
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Catching my breath has made me think about aging. I think only really young people and really old people get pneumonia.<br />
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I am not young.<br />
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I know.<br />
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I know because I filled out an online survey today and I had click on the scroll down box to find the year of my birth. I had to scroll down. Waaaayyy down. <br />
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That proves it.<br />
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I am old.<br />
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and wheezy.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-29610460284276548162012-10-14T18:58:00.001-07:002012-10-14T18:59:19.677-07:00I will call him Dougie<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSt-_sRMd-erzIZfNA9059pK3sLb4z6fAh7zh_Hm8vDZQynsYC19A" /><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">this is not my photo -- just a random clip from Google images...</span><br />
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Boy went to buy another lawnmower from a local auction house. Turns out that it there was a pony auction before the lawnmowers went up on the block. Boy was very taken with the ponies. Some were only going for "tens of dollars." <br />
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Boy came home with a push lawnmower with deluxe wheels, but no pony. (Thank heavens!) But he is convinced it would be a great pet. <br />
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This is how he tried to convince me:<br />
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Boy: Mom, you wouldn't have believed how cute these ponies were.<br />
Me: uh huh<br />
Boy: ...and small, they were really small. <br />
Me: uh huh<br />
Boy: small like a dog. We should get one.<br />
Me: <i>silent. I give him the look that clearly says "over my dead body." He does not get the message -- I'll have to work on my "look."</i><br />
Boy: It would be so great. It could pull a cart. It could pull the cart with my lawnmower in it, so we wouldn't waste so much gas.<br />
Me: Where would we keep a pony?<br />
Boy: With Smoke. Or we could build a wee tiny pen in the shed. Or Girl's little house. It could even come in our house sometimes 'cause it'd be small enough. And if you had to take it to the vet, the vet wouldn't have to make a house call, we could just load it in the back of the jeep and take it to town. That would save a lot of money, wouldn't it? That's a good idea.<br />
Me: <i>again with the look.</i><br />
Boy: If I got a miniature pony I'd call it Douglas. Dougie for short. I would love him and squeeze him and call him my friend.<br />
Me: Really, Dougie is a good horse name is it?<br />
Boy: Also, Dougie could be chick magnet. Girls love horses. <br />
Me: ...and just how is that going to go. Are you going to say, "hey pretty girl, want to see my leetle horsey?"<br />
Boy: <i>Boy leaves the room --he's got nothing.</i><br />
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Mom -- score 1.~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-75818502372026623992012-09-29T17:53:00.002-07:002012-10-14T18:59:52.476-07:00a napToday I had a nap. <br />
A long nap.<br />
The kind of nap that leaves you with drool on your face and the sensation in the back of your throat that means you've been snoring.<br />
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I got to have a nap because I didn't have school today (yeah!) and because DH and the kids went to pick up some brake parts for my Jeep.<br />
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When I awoke from my 10 min. rest (2 1/2 hours later) I found that they came home with a bit more than brake parts....<br />
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Here's the list:<br />
-brake parts<br />
-2 pairs of leather gloves<br />
-1 boot jack<br />
-1 saddle cover<br />
-3 signs that say "Cadillac"<br />
-1 pink coat<br />
-1 pair of pink fuzzy slipper (guess who the coat and slippers are for?)<br />
-a baby bottle for dolls (again, guess who?)<br />
and<br />
-1 John Deere lawn mower -- a REAL lawnmower, not a toy<br />
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How, how does this happen?<br />
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It happened because I took a nap instead of riding along.<br />
It is ALL my fault...<br />
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Good night.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-81639985521560138732012-09-19T17:28:00.001-07:002012-09-19T17:28:39.435-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is me, and Smoke. His is the big butt with the tail; I'm the big butt sans tail...<br />
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This is Smoke and I before we went for ride.<br />
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This is me with Smoke. I love him.<br />
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Very much.<br />
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Amen.~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-19182105425949589212012-09-10T18:56:00.000-07:002012-09-10T18:57:35.784-07:00As essay about Girl...well, an essay about Girl and Me.<br />
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I'm using the term essay 'cause I sense this might be a long post. I'm warning you now so that if you have better things to do than ponder my life (mine and Girl's) then you may want to skiddaddle and do that something else that awaits.<br />
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When Girl was born I had secret wish that she would grow up to love horses and riding. I didn't tell anyone, but my heart sang out loud when she first asked if she could take riding lessons. <br />
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I have loved horses my whole life. From about the age of 20 until Girl took an interest a few years ago, I just kept my passion tucked away. I love going with Girl to the stable. <br />
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Sometimes my job is not very nice. I love what I do but there are just some days that are difficult. For example, the other day I had to assist CAS as they apprehended a child into foster care for abuse and neglect in the home. I did what I had to do, but there is just no good in that. <br />
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Sometimes shovelling the sh*& at the barn is preferable to shovelling the other kind I occasionally have to deal with. <br />
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I also think that it is an honour to serve the great horse(s) in front of me. To provide a creature with comfort and companionship (and truthfully, receive the same in return) can only be called an honour. <br />
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I think Girl would say the same here -- the barn makes even the worst day better. It doesn't take long after I've picked up a curry comb to find that the worries of the day are gone. I wonder if the gals who work in the stable realize that they have the best job in the world?<br />
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And so, this need of mine to be part of the equine world led to finding a beautiful quarter horse for Girl. For now, we are leasing him to see if he will be a good "fit" for Girl, but I don't think it will be long before we discover that the fit is perfect. I might love him already. His barn name is Smoke. The photo above is Girl taking him to the ring for her first ride. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but she really is floating. Smoke was a complete surprise to her. I couldn't help crying when I saw her face when she realized that he was for her.<br />
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I'm a little weepy now thinking about it.<br />
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Smoke will give her so much. She can't even possibly begin to imagine how he will affect her life. I know it, because I lived it my Appaloosa some 20 years ago. I know because already I see what C and her stable have done for my Girl. She has learned responsibility, compassion, caring, sportsmanship, facing frustration and defeat, courage and strength. Learned these things from C and her horses in a way that I could not teach alone.<br />
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I look forward to our time with Smoke -- I think maybe he is as good for my heart and spirit as for Girl's.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-21194581296220818002012-09-05T16:48:00.001-07:002012-09-05T16:49:00.621-07:00displayOver the past several years Girl has gotten quite a number of ribbons from her horse shows. The question of displaying them or stashing them has come up many times. <br />
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This is how we solved the problem in her room<br />
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I attached rows of string across the transom window above the door in her room. I just tacked it to the wood. The back of the ribbons has a little hook that just slips over the string. I can fit about 5 rows of ribbons across here; at that point we may have to look for a larger room because there is no way Girl will agree to stop trying to collect them....<br />
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I have gathered a couple of ribbons for myself and I didn't want them to hang in my room or office. I got this idea from "google." (You really can google anything!)<br />
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I rolled up the ribbons so just the flowerette shows and put them into a large apothecary jar. The jar is full so I am done showing...~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-24630237298123593352012-09-04T19:06:00.003-07:002012-09-04T19:06:40.163-07:00Questions of the universe1. If you are Boy and it is your first day of high school (gulp) and it is pouring rain, which is more embarrassing -- arriving at school soaking wet OR having your mother show up in her jeep at the bus stop?<br />
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2. Why are all of Boy's socks always inside out in the laundry?<br />
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3. Why is Shout required for ALL of Girl's t-shirts? <br />
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4. Has Girl ever heard of a napkin?<br />
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5. Why, when it is pouring, pouring, pouring rain is the umbrella in the jeep and not in the closet?<br />
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6. Why is sending a child to Grade 9 as traumatic as sending him to Kindergarten?<br />
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7. Am I the only mom who weeps thinking about 5 years from now? <br />
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8. Is sending your child to college as traumatic as sending him to Kindergarten, or Grade 9, or more so?<br />
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9. Why does Girl tell me 10 minutes before bed time that she has to read for 30 minutes for homework?<br />
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10. Why is there always one pair of underwear in the mama drawer that just doesn't stay where it is supposed to -- why did I pick it from the drawer this morning?<br />
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11. Why was I compelled to share #10?~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-85485208675359996982012-08-30T19:09:00.001-07:002012-08-30T19:10:32.816-07:00Anti-fowlOur neighbours have birds. Not nice song birds, or pretty birds like parrots; theirs are foul (fowl) kinds of birds -- chickens, turkeys and a rooster.<br />
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The turkeys stink, but I don't hang out in their back yard to smell them. I wasn't impressed when they came to my backyard to visit this spring, but Boy put the run on them and they haven't been back.<br />
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What I do object to is the rooster. <br />
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He is loud. <br />
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He can't tell time. There is none of this early morning cock-a-doodle-doing. This guy cock-a-doodles ALL day long. I think he might be blind or something. <br />
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It drives me crazy. I've debated complaining, but I don't know to whom -- do you call the township dog catcher about a rooster? Can you even have fowl in town? Is there a fowl department at the town office?<br />
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I almost solved the problem earlier this summer...<br />
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Cock-a-Doodles came to my house to visit. He must have got directions from the Turkeys. I found him wandering around the pool patio.<br />
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I sent Boy to chase him away.<br />
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Boy offered to shoot him.<br />
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And I paused. for awhile. before I said "I think shooting roosters in town is frowned upon."<br />
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This morning I regretted that decision. Cocky little bugger.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-28056815309561750852012-08-29T04:11:00.002-07:002012-08-29T04:13:43.458-07:00Boy the Plowman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boy fixed up this <a href="http://imnotjusta.blogspot.ca/2011/09/boys-project.html">tractor last summer</a>. It's a 1950-something Massey 33. This summer he took on finding and fixing an old plow from the same era.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He had a harder time with it than planned as one of the shop boys backed over it and broke some essential parts. Turns out those parts are next to impossible to replace. We know because the shop boy and my Boy looked for months. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boy is also a kijiji addict. He found a "newer" model of the same plow type on the site, bought it and modified it to fit his plow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His goal all along was to take his tractor in the County Plowing match, that was, coincidently to be held on the farm of friends of ours. ( Friends with a real farm, not a big lawn that her boys pretend is a farm so they can buy equipment...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boy finished his plow 2 days before the competition, did a practice run to make sure it would stay together, then declared himself fit to compete. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was at Girl's horse show so I didn't get to watch, but my friend L sent me these pictures, and Boy gave me details when he got home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turns out there were lots of friendly folks to give advice and help out. DH "coached" and Boy ploughed. He told me that as long as he didn't come last anything else would be as good as first. Turns out he did place and got a cheque to prove it. He claims he's now a "professional" because he's been paid for his "sport."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told him that he ought to hand that cheque over to his dad for gas and parts, but Boy had an answer for that. He told me that his dad is now his "sponsor" and he is seeking others to do the same....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I showed him the pictures that L took, I asked him if he knew she was photographing him. He said, "no, but it's cool that I've got paparazzi."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good thing it's a big tractor. It's needed to support his head.</span>~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-65915889964611382812012-08-28T03:54:00.005-07:002012-08-28T03:54:55.526-07:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this quote. I found it on Pinterest, and I don't know where it originated or from whom. It might be my new mantra at home and at school. Looo-ve it (say it like Oprah). I think it will cut down on my stress level significantly....</span><br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThs234L_CgkmTvRUXnWjArGrzC576P2oVPVds1O7ghyw4tXmYXyA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThs234L_CgkmTvRUXnWjArGrzC576P2oVPVds1O7ghyw4tXmYXyA" width="200" /></a><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">"Your unpreparedness is not my emergency."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beautiful!</span>~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-1424474218974751792012-08-27T13:40:00.001-07:002012-08-27T13:40:13.283-07:00Hollywood TreasureThis is Girl at the Saddle Club horse show this weekend. She is riding a new pony this year named Hollywood Treasure. His barn name is just Treasure, but there are many (myself included) that just refer to him as Trouble.<br />
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Because he is.<br />
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Trouble.<br />
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He is just a young guy, only 5 years old, and just learning.... everything. Everything, including manners. He likes to nip or bite and his favourite trick is to step on your toes. You have to watch every end of him. Girl takes it in stride, gives him a wee pop on the nose if he bites and continues on about his care as if nothing ever happened.<br />
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Me, I wallow in my resentment if he has forgotten his etiquette. I wonder, often out loud in a very un-cowboy way, "why am I sponging your nether regions when you've just tried to take a chunk of my butt?" and "why am I rubbing sunscreen on the bald patch by your tail when you've just stomped your hoof by my toes?" <br />
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Sometimes I also wonder things like "why am I picking up Trouble's poop while Girl goes to the refreshment booth?" <br />
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Girl is the elegant rider, the competitive gamer, the glamorous horsewoman, and I, I am the dust covered, sun burnt, poop-spotted, lowly groom -- who cheers out loud and walks proud when Girl and Treasure ride out of the ring.<br />
<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-10202187409172940032012-08-23T18:39:00.004-07:002012-08-23T18:39:41.111-07:00oh my...Oh my.<br />
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Oh my.<br />
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I have seen a TV show that has left my mouth agape and my head a shakin'.<br />
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I think it's like watching a train wreck. I am appalled, but can't look away. <br />
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The kids DVR'd a show called "Honey Boo Boo" and watched it back tonight. I was in the office and could hear the TV and the kids laughing. I had to go watch 'cause I couldn't even believe what I was hearing. It's a red neck show. And the sad part it I think it is real. <br />
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The line that got me (from mama) ... "them dang youngun's done gone and cut thar toenails in m' dang bed."<br />
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Really?<br />
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This is TV.<br />
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Oh my.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-60342499973865355152012-08-22T13:08:00.003-07:002012-08-22T13:08:46.932-07:0020 Years!Today is my 20th anniversary. <br />
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20 YEARS!<br />
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I was a baby when I got married. Really. Only 21. I didn't know anything then except that DH was THE one. He still is.<br />
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Funny story. <br />
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I was still in university and DH often came down to visit and to get me out of dorm-room hell. We went to a jewelry store to get a silver tea set for his parent' anniversary (really for his mom -- I'm sure Pops didn't care about a tea set....). While we were waiting for it to be polished and wrapped we were leaning on the jewelry counter. Immediately beneath us were engagement rings. Good marketing, that.<br />
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I was looking at them, apparently DH was too because he said in the most romantic way possible "so, do you wanta do it?" I knew what he meant, said "sure, if you're serious." He was. We picked out a ring and lived happily (most of the time) ever after. The end.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-36229702119286824432012-08-21T04:55:00.000-07:002012-08-21T04:55:50.771-07:00Early morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It occurred to me as the alarm went off this morning at 6am that is was still fairly dark out.<br />
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When the sun is up at 6am it is easy to get out of bed. I know, I did it one day in early July to get a picture of this little guy. <br />
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Every year we have a 'coon family that stays in our big maple tree in the back yard. If I am sneaky quiet, and early enough I can usually catch one of them peeking out of their nest. That was the one day all summer that I saw 6am. <br />
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It just seems entirely unfair that when I <i>have</i> to get up so early the sun isn't up to greet me.~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-83222470130224770562012-08-20T05:04:00.001-07:002012-08-20T05:06:00.289-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent an extended weekend in Toronto this weekend. Since we rarely "do" vacations this was a real treat. <br />
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I spent a lot of time looking up.<br />
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This is the view from our hotel room (looking up, way up). <i>That just brought back a flash of my childhood -- remember The Friendly Giant "Look up, way up?"</i><br />
I digress...<br />
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This is the base of the CN tower and you can see part of the Skyway walk at the base of the picture. I noticed construction all over the downtown. One wonders how any more buildings can fit in the space.<br />
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The view looking towards lake Ontario (more of the Skywalk in the picture).<br />
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We went to Casa Loma on Saturday. I'd never been before. It is a magnificent building. This is photo is taken from the front, looking up by the main door. I think I was destined to live in this castle. Honestly -- I would have been happy to live in the stables...<br />
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This is the roof of the conservatory. (<i>I haven't figured out how to edit photos on my Blackberry, so you'll have to imagine the vibrant colours of the stained glass.)</i><br />
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If you ask Girl how she liked the trip she will first tell you how much walking we did -- at Wonderland, around the downtown (which included Chinatown, a new experience for both kids -- unsettling for Boy who kept thinking we were going to get mugged.), to the theatres, Union Station and around Casa Loma. <br />
Girl will also tell you that she loved everything we did -- just not the big city itself. I get it. The metropolis of Small Town is enough for me.~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-69679350770420347842012-08-16T10:00:00.001-07:002012-08-16T10:01:15.058-07:00Bill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-bD8pqLnLkDzUSxKS_et_SDwK38NOCXQIniRto6nRSSQRpFnYs31p6RRlOOjW4DQZ3wAciOp56k2sTKaA48CV6JvxZhIQONG8RJRZgQK47XDSbIAy2S9gvt-bSX0GUZk-YGaya48qKs/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-bD8pqLnLkDzUSxKS_et_SDwK38NOCXQIniRto6nRSSQRpFnYs31p6RRlOOjW4DQZ3wAciOp56k2sTKaA48CV6JvxZhIQONG8RJRZgQK47XDSbIAy2S9gvt-bSX0GUZk-YGaya48qKs/s640/IMG_4406.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is Girl's Crown Beta Fish, Bill. Bill replaces Bubbles the Beta fish who jumped out of the tank to his death this winter (hence the scotch tape holding the lid on the tank this time... lessons learned).<br />
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Bill really is a beautiful fish. I like everything about him except that he lives on my kitchen counter. That's the only place to put him that a) can stand getting wet because it seems there is always H20 splashed about and b) that Rocky can't find him (also another reason for the scotch tape on the lid.)<br />
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Girl loves this fish. She takes good care of Bill, so he is really no work for me. In the mornings he is often the first being to say "hello" to me when he wags his wee tail fin looking for breakfast. I like him.<br />
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This morning we discovered that Bill wasn't his usually happy, bubbly self (you'll have to picture it) so I hope he isn't ill, or depressed and suicidal as our Bubbles apparently was.<br />
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Keep your fingers crossed for Bill. Girl and I hope he makes it.<br />
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<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-91808866676317345292012-08-14T17:25:00.002-07:002012-08-14T17:26:44.667-07:00Once again, not parents of the year....See this....<br />
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This is the view from<i> inside</i> my Jeep as we followed Boy down the back road on his tractor. This is the antique 1953 tractor that he restored last summer. He was taking it to nearby Small Town to get something put in the tires (for added weight, I'm told). When he started out for Small Town it wasn't raining, but it was a wee tich overcast. DH sent him anyway. We left shortly after and caught up with him just before the torrent hit. His tractor does not have a cab.<br />
We did throw Boy a jacket -- but neither one of us offered to take over driving the tractor. I looked at DH and said, "does this make us bad parents?" <br />
"It makes us dry ones," he said with a smirk...<br />
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Nope not parents of the year.... again.<br />
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<i>(By the way, Boy is just fine. Apparently he's not made of sugar, so he didn't melt. And his humour was quite good despite being soggy. So all is well. Massey will get goop in the tires and Boy will be set to plow something sometime....)</i><br />
<br />~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4423539239151382337.post-75962038767960284642012-08-13T12:54:00.001-07:002012-08-13T12:54:36.163-07:00Boy's GardenBoy is an entrepreneur. He's always looking for two things. One -- to make money and two -- to keep busy. He's busy. He's always got a plan and he's always working on something.<br />
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In the spring it was maple syrup production. Though he found that was not a money making enterprise this time around. He figures he should charge me about $25 for a pint of syrup to make a profit. I suggested that he give me the syrup and I wouldn't charge him for cleaning the sticky off my ceiling... We came to a mutually beneficial agreement there.<br />
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This summer he decided he would plant a garden. It's a big garden about 125 feet long by about 15 feet wide. Boy and Girl planned everything out and have been working all summer on weeding and harvesting. First we got peas...<br />
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What they discovered was that you have to pick and shell ALOT of pea pods to get enough peas for one meal. <br />
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Also, if I hadn't been eating them raw out of their bowl there might have been more for supper....<br />
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Now they are harvesting potatoes. They've got white and red ones. <br />
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I've been scrubbing the 'taters, chopping them up and putting them in tinfoil with a wee bit o' butter and some s&p. Then I double wrap the tinfoil and put them on the BBQ for about 30 minutes. Turning at least 4 times in that time.<br />
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I call these the versatile 'taters because they are good for breakfast, for dinner or let them cool and make potato salad. <br />
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Fresh from the garden is always best. <br />
Fresh from a garden I don't have to weed or pick -- awesome!~Kathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17537877125051661726noreply@blogger.com0