The Garden: Version 2010

Finally! The garden is planted! Since March I have wanted the small plot of land known as my garden to be tilled up and ready for planting. Unfortunately, I had trouble procuring a tiller to do the job. A few weeks ago, Tony’s uncle and dad went halves on a small tiller and Tony borrowed it this past Friday for 20 minutes of tilling on Saturday morning. (My garden is super small.)

Around 8:30, I headed outside and started working on the yard. I dug up an old shrub, did the weed eating, mowed the lawn, trimmed some erratic greenery, and scooted a 70-pound door to the road. Yes, scooted, that old door was heavy and I could not lift it on my own. It probably weighed more than 70 pounds. I don’t really know. At any rate, it was picked up by some scavengers and who knows where it is now?

Finally around 11:00 or 11:30 (I wasn’t wearing a watch) Tony came over with the tiller to loosen the earth that is known as my garden. Believe it or not, I’d never really seen a tiller in action. It was rather fascinating. It sure has a lot of power. There were a couple of times when Tony first started using it that it almost took of with him; luckily he was able to hold on for dear life and not injure himself. I thought about asking for a turn but didn’t want to make a fool of myself. So, I left the tilling to the men folk.

Tony the Tiller

No, I did not order a mattress, the guy that bought one of the house behind me did.

After my little patch of soil was tilled up, Tony decided we needed to till another row on the other side of what was once the outhouse. Yes, the outhouse. In the pictures, it’s the large concrete squarer. Under that upside down fire pit is what was once the toilet – now concreted in. So, Tony tilled up another row while I planted the tomatoes. The garden consists only of tomatoes and peppers. Last year it also contained squash and cucumbers and okra. The squash was invaded by some disease and to be pulled up and the cucumbers ended up drying up (although I did get a few good ones before that happened), and I never ate any of the okra because by the time it came in, the garden had lost its luster in my eye – and it was HOT! So, this year, we’ve only got tomatoes and peppers. I planted three better boys, two sweet 100s and one Juliet hybrid. For the peppers there are two green bells (one was supposed to be banana, but was in the wrong case at Lowe’s) and one jalapeño. I may go back to Lowe’s and get a banana because I like those and my peppers did really great last year.

Freshly tilled earth

Tomato Plants

Peppers

So, the garden, while not very exciting to some, is indeed exciting to me. I love to watch it grow and I love eating the tomatoes that it produces. Maybe when I get braver (next year?) I can plant some other items and see how they do. In the meantime, this is all there is. I’ll keep you posted on the progress. Until then… happy gardening!

The Tide enjoyed some outside time as well

Mother's Day and Tony's Birthday

I don’t know about you all, but we had a large weekend jam packed full of activities. I took photos of a lot of our activities over the weekend to share with you. Some of them will hopefully make you laugh – after all, it is my mission in life to make folks laugh.

Sunday was not only Mother’s Day, but also Tony’s birthday. I woke early Sunday morning and cut up three bags of okra and started cooking pinto beans for Tony’s birthday dinner. After an hour or so I showered and went to church and then came home to do some more cooking and cleaning.

Around noon or a little before, I headed to my parents house where my brother was cooking a Mother’s Day lunch. We had baked potatoes, corn, bread and really thick and delicious pork chops. Justin did all the cooking himself. Those pork chops were out of this world good. I’m not sure I’ve ever had pork chops that good before – well done, brother!

The Grillmaster

Pork Chops on the Barbie

Up Close and Personal With The Pork Chop

After we ate, I helped Justin clean up the kitchen and then my mother forced us outside for some photos by a bush. She made my dad take all kinds of photos with different people in each one. The funny thing is she didn’t realize until over half the photos were taken that my brother and I had our sunglasses on the whole time. I’m sure she will be in for a surprise when she takes a look at those later on. I had my dad take one of my brother, mom, and me and I told my brother we could wear our sunglasses. As you tell by the photo, I wore my best outfit and no make-up. Who knew we were going to be taking photos? Not me, that’s for sure.

I left my parents’ house and went over to the open house at our new church building. Those pictures will be a post of their own later in the week; so, stay tuned!

After evening church services, I headed home to start frying up Tony’s birthday dinner; and I do mean frying. Almost everything he ordered up had to be cooked with grease. My house is still recovering. Tony went home to do some painting on his drums and came right around the time dinner was ready. After being inundated with grease for an hour, I didn’t feel like eating. So, I cleaned the kitchen while Tony clogged his arteries.

After dinner, it was time to open presents. Tony got a little help from The Tide.

Tide snagged some wrapping paper to eat

He had already received one of his gifts, a gift card to the US Soccer Store, and two others hadn’t come in yet so he unwrapped pictures of what they were. The one gift that he was able to unwrap and actually touch with his own two hands was an Initech mug – like from the movie Office Space. He then posed like Lumbergh and said, “Um…. Yeah.” Actually, I don’t think he said that, but he should have. If you’ve seen the movie, then you will know what I’m talking about.

Um... yeah

It was a good day, and I hope all you mothers out there had a nice Mother’s Day and Tony, I hope you had a happy birthday!

Just Call Me Nadine

Well, it looks like we’ve made it to another Friday. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I’ve got a busy weekend planned. This afternoon, I’ll be running errands to the grocery store and such and am going to try and clean the house tonight as well because tomorrow my garden will finally get planted. Tony is borrowing a small tiller from his uncle and we are going to get the garden party started by tilling it up and getting the plants in the ground. It seems like I’m really late with getting the garden in the ground, but I’m only one week behind last year; so, I hope everything will turn out okay. We also have plans to see Ironman 2. The first one was really good and I’ve heard the second one is not as great; but I hope it’s at least entertaining. There is also another open house of our new church building this weekend and I hope to attend one of the days.

Sunday, of course, is Mother’s Day; but, it is also Tony’s 31st birthday. So, needless to say that will be a busy day as well. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there and a very happy birthday to Tony!

I’ve already told this story to some of you – One of our customers at work had a conference call with a co-worker of mine earlier this week and asked her to get with me so that I could show her how to use one of their systems. In the email summarization of the conference call, the customer referred to me as Nadine. So, apparently I changed my name and didn’t even know it.

I’m sure you are all aware of the crazy flooding that happened in the Nashville area last weekend and probably know people that need help and prayers. One of the blogs I read gave a recap of her experience and also included some links to her church as well as other ways that people can help. Go here and you can read about it and find the information.

Last night was my favorite Zumba instructor’s last night at my gym. I actually became teary eyed after class was over. I’m really sad to see her go; but wish her well in all her future endeavors. I just hope they find a replacement that will somewhat live up to Camille – it’s going to be hard.

That’s about it for me today. I was going to attempt to write something else, but have been staring at the screen for about 15 minutes and nothing else is coming to me so I guess I don’t have anything else to say… for now. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

The Wizard of Oz: Part Deux

Earlier this year, Tony and I went to see Broadway Theater League’s production of The Wizard of Oz. This past weekend, I tagged along with Jackie and her kids to see it again; only this time it was put on by Huntsville’s Fantasy Playhouse and it was directed by my dear friend, Billy Jenkins, although I call him Bill.

If you have never been to a Fantasy Playhouse production, then you must go! It is by far one of the best local theaters in Huntsville and always has the most elaborate costumes, make-up and sets; and the actors always do a fantastic job. Their shows are geared towards children, which is nice for those of you lucky enough to be parents because the shows are all kid friendly and you don’t have to worry about your child being too loud. My friend Candy, took her daughter Jane Claire to see the show a few nights before we went, and JC loved it!

We arrived at the playhouse a little early and found our seats. Ashlyn was disappointed that we were on the back row; but, I assure you, there is not a bad seat in the house and we could see everything just fine. She cheered up after a few minutes of pouting.

This face reminds me of Jack Nicolson in The Shining

Once the show started, the kids loved it and so did Jackie and I. We thought the Cowardly Lion was hilarious and it turns out that the Lion was played by Jake Bennett, son of George who was in my parents’ wedding. I haven’t seen Jake since he was in junior high or high school; so, I was surprised that he had been bitten by the acting bug. He really was hysterical and one of the best parts of the show.

The show also included my friend, Matt Crawford, who played the Flying Monkey King and he really did fly – five times, or maybe it was four. All of special effects were great and Troy kept talking about how he didn’t know how they got the Wicked Witch of the West to melt.

Matt - The Flying Monkey King

Jake - The Cowardly Lion

After the show was over, the kids got autographs, and I got an autograph from Matt. He was barely recognizable under all his make-up.

The show was really awesome and I encourage you readers to go to a show or two next season. The season tickets are relatively inexpensive and you will always get a good quality show. Fantasy also puts on a season extra show of A Christmas Carol, which is not included in the season ticket price, but also always a good show.

We had a nice time and the kids did too. Enjoy the pictures.

Troy and Ashlyn with The Wicked Witch of the West

Dorothy signing autographs - the blue kiss is from the Good Witch of The South

Troy is chatting up the Good Witch of the South

The Tin Man

Ashlyn and Troy with Toto

Justin's Birthday Soiree

As I mentioned a couple of times recently, this past Monday was my brother’s 30th birthday. It’s such a strange concept for me to grasp that both my brother and I are in our 30s! I can only imagine how stranger it’s going to be the older we get. I still feel like we should be kids fist fighting over something completely irrelevant.

On Saturday we had a little birthday gathering for Justin. My parents, grandparents, and Tony and I were all there to celebrate. My dad grilled out burgers and hot dogs and made baked beans. I brought some coleslaw and my mom made chocolate pies. Justin’s friend Kristy made a fresh berry pie that was really tasty.

After we ate, Justin opened his cards and tried on some shirts that my parents got him and we all sat around and talked for a while. It was a pretty low-key event, but it was nice to see everyone and celebrate Justin’s big day. Happy Birthday, Beavis! You’re the number one brother as far as I’m concerned!

Justin and Tony talking about the super power social (maybe?)

My granddad Bill, and my dad.

And on the other side we have my granddad, Ben

Here are my dad's parents, Ben and Opal - looks like they are having a grand time.

The Super Power Social

Last Friday night, Tony’s band, Local Orbit, played at Olivia’s. It was dubbed the Superpower Social and his band dressed up like superheroes, and the opening band, Time Bomb, was supposed to have dressed up as villains. To be quite honest, I didn’t notice anyone in Time Bomb dressed up.

Time Bomb - Villians?

But, Tony, Anthony, and Wes, all from Local Orbit, dressed up as superheroes that they each invented.

Tony, Anthony, and Wes

Tony was the Night Jogger. I sewed up a not so fancy cape for him and he glued on some letters that he had spray painted gold.

He also made his shirt with gold letters and a gold logo.

He even spray painted his shoes gold.

There were a lot of people there and a good majority of them were dressed up. I snapped this picture of Big Andre dressed as a woman. He went by the name of Hot Tranny Mess, or something like that. I did not intend for the girl to be in the picture with him, but sometimes you can’t stop drunken people from doing what they want.

Tony took his cape off to play drums, and the band was joined by a special guest, Wes’ dad, all the way from North Carolina.

My brother went with me and I think he had a good time. He even ran into someone he works with and met some new friends; if you know Justin, then you know he never meets a stranger.

This is me after a strong glass of water

Two friends from work even came. Jennifer followed Justin and I to the gig, and Patrick just happened to show up. You can barely see Jen's face for all the love Patrick is giving her.

It was an interesting evening to say the least. Maybe you will get a kick out of the photos from the evening; I know they make me laugh.

Bang those drums, Tony!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday, everyone. Today is my brother's birthday. He turns 30! Seems like he should still be three. It's hard to believe we are both now in our 30s! It was an exciting weekend and I have a lot of photos to share with you. I thought I had put them all on my thumb drive so that I could post some of them today; but, it turns out I put every picture but the ones I wanted on the drive. I must not have been quite awake yet. So, it will be tomorrow before I can post any stories with pictures for you. In the meantime, I hope you have a great Monday!