The Angel Forever

Bunnies, birds and hail

Posted on July 23, 2009 4:38 pm by TheAngelForever

Each year we seem to have our issues with plants and flowers that we try to grow. Two years ago we tried sunflowers and a bunny family attacked them. We bought some natural pepper spray to keep them away. Last year we planted some more sunflowers and lily plants in pots on our front patio. Although safe from bunnies, the neighborhood flock of birds seems to enjoy destroying them.

We have been discouraged, but have never given up trying new things each year. In April for Earth Day we planted some daffodils and then soon after more gorgeous lily plants. The daffodils did really well until the heat wave at the end of April and start of May. The flowers went away, but we knew that next year we would have more gorgeous flowers. Unfortunaltely, that pesky bunny family is back. They have destroyed the daffodil plants and even the bulbs were pulled up. Grrrrr!

After we were home from Disney World we decided to try planting some other items in big pots on our patio. At first we bought two tomato and one jalapeno plants. Then NHL and JL went out and bought a zucchini, cucumber and peppermint plant to add to the mix. Thanks to the constant rain, and even some hail (seen below), the plants have had a tough time.

JL has replanted a few of them several times because they were way too saturated and smelling like sulfur. To our amazement, the jalapeno plant has been quite hearty. It has grown nicely and we have already picked our first pepper. Check them out here:

1. Pepper and cucumber plants, 2. Ready to be picked, 3. Spicy find in our plant

The cucumber plant has been hit really hard, along with one of the tomato plants. The odd thing is the cucumber plant has gorgeous flowers each morning in recent days. The other tomato plant has a lot of flowers, but nothing visible in the fruit department just yet.

Two days ago I took a closer look at the zucchini plant and noted that there were the start of five or more little vegetables growing. They really are so cute!

1. Zucchnini plant, 2. Baby zucchnini

With any luck the weather will cooperate a little more, the animals will stay away and soon we will have some fruits and vegetables that are home grown to enjoy. For now I will continue to enjoy the gorgeous Tiger Lillies that are also spreading along the side of our house.

Who knew, I actually like something that is orange!

Categories:
flowers and plants house jl looking back photos summer weather

More magical May memories

Posted on July 22, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

All of the photos were part of our Disney PhotoPass CD collection. One other message:

Happy Birthday to my little brother. . . one more year to the big one!

Categories:
Disney jl jsl looking back nhl photos travel vacation Wordless Wednesday

No go for BlogHer ’09

Posted on July 21, 2009 10:54 pm by TheAngelForever

As we all know, plans often change and usually for a reason. This is the case for me and the BlogHer convention that is right around the corner. At first, we were going to take a family vacation to Chicago so I could attend BlogHer 2009. Then in December, our plans changed. I started to hear about the deals for Walt Disney World. We went into a travel agency on a whim and came out stunned. The price for a Disney vacation was just too good to pass up. By New Years Eve, we had finally opted to book the trip to Walt Disney World for May. At that instant, I knew that my chances of going to BlogHer were slim to none. I was accepting of that since I knew it meant going on a magical family vacation to Orlando.

Our May vacation to Disney World was fabulous. One of these days, I will finish blogging about the last few days of the trip, including JSL’s 2nd B-day at the Magic Kingdom. I often find myself thinking about those days and wishing I was back there. Life was good, we were carefree and the boys, my parents, JL and I were having the time of our lives together.

Now I sit here sad and jealous. Everyone on Facebook, Twitter and the blogosphere are a buzz about BlogHer in Chicago. Friends from the interenet that I had hoped to meet are packing, checking off get togethers to meet at and swag that they are hoping to get. Meanwhile, I am going to be gearing up to have my in-laws visit for the first ever weekend stay.

I keep reminding myself that although I can not be in Chicago, I was already in Orlando. Still, the memories of Disney World in May seem like distant memories at times. The boys have already grown so much, my kindergarten kid is going to first grade and the summer is already half over. I am sure that during these next few days I will often sit reading my blog posts about Disney, looking at the thousands of photos that we have from the trip, and dreaming of our next magical vacation.

To all of my bloggy friends, have a safe and wonderful trip. Take lots of photos, Tweet often and know that I wish you a wonderful time in Chicago.

Categories:
bloggy friends decisions Disney dreams family looking back me moments photos vacation

Perhaps the great camera comeback

Posted on July 20, 2009 10:10 pm by TheAngelForever

Back in January I wrote about the death of my little handy dandy point and shoot digital camera. Here is a reminder of what my camera looked like:

I was not willing to invest money in my camera. When we contacted Canon they told us that we could send it in and they would look at it. The cost for a diagnostic check was almost as much as a new camera. Over the months I whined a lot about not having my little camera with me. I missed the convenience of being able to toss it in my diaper bag. Instead I would schlep JL’s big camera with me to events where I needed to take photos.

When we arrived home from Disney World my father was quite upset with his Canon PowerShot A570. It was starting to do similar things that my camera had done. He went to different stores and was quoted prices to look at it. In the end, he decided to purchase a new bigger camera. During one stop at a small camera store Dad happened to mention the problem that we were having with our Canon’s. The suggested that we try something with our cameras. We should use some rubbing alcohol on a Q-Tip to the battery area to clean the contacts.

What the heck, I certainly could not make the camera any worse .

Yesterday I charged up some new AA batteries in my Energizer unit and took out some rubbing alcohol. I put the batteries into the camera and decided to test it out. Much to my surprise, I did not see the flashing red dying battery light. In the past I would see this as soon as I put in fresh batteries, whether rechargeable or not. Today I took the camera out with me and the batteries are still going strong. I am not holding my breath just yet, but it looks like it could be a new life for my little camera.

So far I have taken 54 shots, off loaded the pictures and these batteries are still going. Some of the memories captured include the following:

JSL heading off to get into my car before we went to the post office, Staples (great bargains this week), and Target.

Then it was time for both of the boys to get into their seats in my car.

Before dinner JSL actually asked to take some photos with Daddy. Here they are having some fun.

While doing some cleaning we found an old pair of shades that had been NHL’s. Now they are perfect for the little dude.

Oh my how I have missed my little camera. Who knew that a simple cleaning with a little rubbing alcohol could do the trick. So glad that I did it myself instead of spending ~$100 sending it away. Here is hoping that it continues taking many more photos of our special family moments.

Categories:
customer service decisions interesting jl jsl nhl photos vent

School supplies – what’s on your list?

Posted on July 19, 2009 8:41 pm by TheAngelForever

If you have been inside any retailer like Target, Walmart, CVS, Staples, Rite Aid, Walgreens or the like, you have probably seen the sale. Yes, even though it is still July, the Back to School craze has already started. We are over a month away from the start of school here (after Labor Day). Still, NHL’s 1st grade school supply list has been on my brain for a while. Not that I mind since I really love getting bargains this time of year. Here is what we have to purchase:

The following should be labeled with your child’s name:

Pencils – at least 5
2 large erasers
2 large glue sticks – NO liquid sticks or bottles of glue
Standard size pencil box – NO pencil bags please
Box of 16 crayons – NO larger
2 solid color folders
A book bag

The following should not be labeled with your child’s name – they will be community supplies:

Box of tissues
A set of 4 Dry-erase markers (the brand "Sharpie" works best) *black
Package of baby wipes
Package of plastic spoons
Package of small paper plates

Not really a horrible list. I believe there were supplies for Pre-K and K. We have most of the items, but need to get a few more. So far the most challenging item has been the 16 pack of crayons. Of course, you should know that I am a Crayola snob. As a teacher and parent I will do nothing else. Sure Rose Art are cheaper, but they are not the same quality and man they do not clean as nicely if they get on items. We finally found a 16 pack of crayons in stock for $1.16 – compared to 20 cents for a 24 pack of Crayola crayons. Sick I tell you!

We are stil debating a backpack. I am leaning toward an L.L. Bean bag since the quality is amazing, they last and have a wonderful warranty. At the same time a lot of people love their Lands End bags. Whatever we buy will be something that will be used for several years. I had a Tough Traveler bag that I received in 5th grade (’87) and used it on my honemoon (’01).

NHL really likes the Nautical Red Grid Camo back that I showed him in the L.L. Bean catalogue the other day. Check it out:

I can definitely see this lasting, but which size do we get?

This is now the third year that I have been on the school supply receiving list end. I think it was much less stressful making the list for my students to get when I was teaching. Of course, I am sure they probably shook their fingers at me too!

So what is on your child’s school supply list? Is there something in particular that you find strange, hard to find or that you really like purchasing? Please share your thoughts. It is always interesting to compare with each other.