Technically, it's a "slough".
A wonderland of water filtration and flow adjustment. 
A nursery for young'uns...Thursday, March 31, 2011
Welcome to the Swamp
A wonderland of water filtration and flow adjustment. A nursery for young'uns...
Sunday, March 27, 2011
What a day!
Saturday was quite the day in these parts. I was up at the crack of dawn (literally) since a few area churches were partnering together on a women's retreat day. Mom and I arrived at 8am to set up, and found a handful of early bird attendees! Then one of our awesome teen volunteers didn't show up to babysit-- turns out someone had sideswiped her on the drive in! She was okay, thank God, but her pride and joy mustang shelby wasn't. Yikes. It was go-go-go all day-- but totally worth it. If you haven't heard the inspiration music of Sarah Hart, do yourself a favor and check her out. She is down to earth and goofy and easy to relate to... and when she sings, it's honest and just wow. I'd really like to attend one of her days as a regular attendee...
... Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the boys were getting ready for our neighbor twins bday party at the park. They got down there about 10 am, and stayed over 3 hours! Kade had lots of stories to tell about the swings, digging in the dirt (?!), the cupcakes and the water balloons...
Then, the fam met up at Applebee's for dinner- it's hard to believe, but Saturday was the 11th anniversary of Dad's death. We try to do something nice that reminds him of us - and that was one of his restaurants. Though, to be fair, in 11 years it's quite possible he'd be mad at them for something and have moved on to another place! ...
Afterwards, continuing the remembering-dad-theme, we were walking around Mom's backyard. There's a H-U-G-E moringa tree that he planted as a wee seedling... we were picking the seed pods, and I was thinking that it'd be nice to plant more trees... when there was a sudden CRACK!!!! and the ENTIRE TREE BRANCH fell on me. I'd very much like to say that I nimbly stepped out of the way, but that is patently untrue. I'd also like to claim that I shouldered the branch in order to protect my young son, but I was told after the fact that HE was quick enough to get out of the way. The truth is, as much as it pains me to admit, I simply screamed and ducked like a coward, and the 4 foot branch whacked me good. Ow.
... Later, we headed home and I jumped on facebook to check for a msg reply when a notice popped up: "Event- EARTH HOUR. Happening - Now." Oh, shoot, I yelled to the family- it's Earth Hour- turn everything off already! We were only 4 minutes behind, but I figured we needed to act quick or we'd drift into missing it. You probably know this, but it is much easier to live without electricity when you properly plan. The first flashlight we grabbed had dead batteries, we couldn't find the second, and the only candles in the house were the tea lights (the hurricane kit apparently was disbanded). Picture me running around the house turning off lights, with Kade following and saying "whatcha doing, mama" and Jim yelling "leave ONE on so I can find these batteries!" It was a very amusing 3 minute drill. ... In the end, we had "practice camping" with a flashlight lantern. I mentioned that I couldn't believe we hadn't taken Kaden camping for real yet, and Jim replied "He's not even three yet. (pause.) So what if he's been to scotland and on a cruise? He's a bit young to do everything!"
... Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the boys were getting ready for our neighbor twins bday party at the park. They got down there about 10 am, and stayed over 3 hours! Kade had lots of stories to tell about the swings, digging in the dirt (?!), the cupcakes and the water balloons...
Then, the fam met up at Applebee's for dinner- it's hard to believe, but Saturday was the 11th anniversary of Dad's death. We try to do something nice that reminds him of us - and that was one of his restaurants. Though, to be fair, in 11 years it's quite possible he'd be mad at them for something and have moved on to another place! ...
Afterwards, continuing the remembering-dad-theme, we were walking around Mom's backyard. There's a H-U-G-E moringa tree that he planted as a wee seedling... we were picking the seed pods, and I was thinking that it'd be nice to plant more trees... when there was a sudden CRACK!!!! and the ENTIRE TREE BRANCH fell on me. I'd very much like to say that I nimbly stepped out of the way, but that is patently untrue. I'd also like to claim that I shouldered the branch in order to protect my young son, but I was told after the fact that HE was quick enough to get out of the way. The truth is, as much as it pains me to admit, I simply screamed and ducked like a coward, and the 4 foot branch whacked me good. Ow.
... Later, we headed home and I jumped on facebook to check for a msg reply when a notice popped up: "Event- EARTH HOUR. Happening - Now." Oh, shoot, I yelled to the family- it's Earth Hour- turn everything off already! We were only 4 minutes behind, but I figured we needed to act quick or we'd drift into missing it. You probably know this, but it is much easier to live without electricity when you properly plan. The first flashlight we grabbed had dead batteries, we couldn't find the second, and the only candles in the house were the tea lights (the hurricane kit apparently was disbanded). Picture me running around the house turning off lights, with Kade following and saying "whatcha doing, mama" and Jim yelling "leave ONE on so I can find these batteries!" It was a very amusing 3 minute drill. ... In the end, we had "practice camping" with a flashlight lantern. I mentioned that I couldn't believe we hadn't taken Kaden camping for real yet, and Jim replied "He's not even three yet. (pause.) So what if he's been to scotland and on a cruise? He's a bit young to do everything!"
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Quick Takes Friday
1) We got to take a little road trip the other day- I had almost forgotten about seeing the orange trucks! They make me wonder about why we can get beer in bulk but juices don't come in kegs. Any homebrewers out there? Would a serious juicer and a keg be worth it?
2) This is The Year the In-Laws Came to Town. A few weeks ago, Jim's folks came for a week and we had a serious good time. Word must've spread, because recently his brother and 1/2 their family came down. Well, okay- they were in the state to see our neice play softball. But they still drove an extra 3 hours one day just to say hi on "our" turf :) Rumor has it the baby brother is bringing his family down for Easter. Hmmm- that just leaves big sis in the midwest to book a trip for her family sometime in 2011 to complete it!!
3) I'm too tired to turn this photo around- so just pretend he's flying, okay? I was picking up some presents for other little friends when I saw these PJs... with a cape even (take that, incredibles!). Since the boy is seriously hung up on superheros, I thought we'd spoil him. It was totally worth it- his first look was a double take, with wide eyes and an even bigger smile! Perhaps Buzz has been bumped from the favorite spot? (It's okay, Woody can explain the facts of life to him). Anyway, I find it ironic that the costumes are PJs when all these heros had alter egos and never actually slept in their work clothes.
4) The sunsets are amazing around here. We don't live in any fancy kind of "vista" neighborhood, but we still get the good stuff for free.
5) Even at random parks, the setting sun demands a wee bit of attention. Unless, of course, you're facing the other way and hanging onto your swing for dear life!
2) This is The Year the In-Laws Came to Town. A few weeks ago, Jim's folks came for a week and we had a serious good time. Word must've spread, because recently his brother and 1/2 their family came down. Well, okay- they were in the state to see our neice play softball. But they still drove an extra 3 hours one day just to say hi on "our" turf :) Rumor has it the baby brother is bringing his family down for Easter. Hmmm- that just leaves big sis in the midwest to book a trip for her family sometime in 2011 to complete it!!
3) I'm too tired to turn this photo around- so just pretend he's flying, okay? I was picking up some presents for other little friends when I saw these PJs... with a cape even (take that, incredibles!). Since the boy is seriously hung up on superheros, I thought we'd spoil him. It was totally worth it- his first look was a double take, with wide eyes and an even bigger smile! Perhaps Buzz has been bumped from the favorite spot? (It's okay, Woody can explain the facts of life to him). Anyway, I find it ironic that the costumes are PJs when all these heros had alter egos and never actually slept in their work clothes.
4) The sunsets are amazing around here. We don't live in any fancy kind of "vista" neighborhood, but we still get the good stuff for free.
5) Even at random parks, the setting sun demands a wee bit of attention. Unless, of course, you're facing the other way and hanging onto your swing for dear life!
6) I'm sure I have more fun assorted photos around, but I'm too lazy to go find them. I'm sure I have more actual post topics too, but I can't think straight to write them. So good night for now, folks!
Monday, March 7, 2011
March = Festivals
February and March in Florida means having an unbelievable amount of weekend options. There are more festivals than you can shake a stick at, not that we do that sort of thing. Last weekend, we ignored a local eco-type fest AND some music one in order to... go to the park. So this weekend, we thought that we ought to take advantage of the fun!
A local church celebrates their patron saint's "feast day" with a totally affordable and fun festival. There were pony rides, and Jim said that Kaden wouldn't let Jim touch the horse or him- "I do it, Daddy". We hear a lot of that nowadays, but he did seem pretty steady in the saddle.
And then there was the humungo slide. Surprisingly, it took a bit of coaxing to get Kaden to try it the first time... but then again, the gaggle of excited kids pushing to get on could've had something to do with it. Once he went, though, he got more and more brave- eventually going in by himself, having a teen help him up the ladder... and then coming down by himself. Fast.
There were also lots of games- we spent over an hour and less than 10 bucks, but came home with entirely too many stuffed animals. I have no idea why, but Kaden's favorite turned out to be a turkey beanie baby. He held up in the air, yelling "Super Turkey" and "Look, Mama, we're flying." Um, okay! It's all good, though- we already gave two away to the twins and I managed to talk him into choosing 2 panda bears to give to the church--- our VBS theme is coming up :)
A local church celebrates their patron saint's "feast day" with a totally affordable and fun festival. There were pony rides, and Jim said that Kaden wouldn't let Jim touch the horse or him- "I do it, Daddy". We hear a lot of that nowadays, but he did seem pretty steady in the saddle.
And then there was the humungo slide. Surprisingly, it took a bit of coaxing to get Kaden to try it the first time... but then again, the gaggle of excited kids pushing to get on could've had something to do with it. Once he went, though, he got more and more brave- eventually going in by himself, having a teen help him up the ladder... and then coming down by himself. Fast.
There were also lots of games- we spent over an hour and less than 10 bucks, but came home with entirely too many stuffed animals. I have no idea why, but Kaden's favorite turned out to be a turkey beanie baby. He held up in the air, yelling "Super Turkey" and "Look, Mama, we're flying." Um, okay! It's all good, though- we already gave two away to the twins and I managed to talk him into choosing 2 panda bears to give to the church--- our VBS theme is coming up :)
Friday, March 4, 2011
Quick Takes Friday
1) a planned reunion with college gal pals has been postponed twice due to me being sick. I think it makes it official: this is the Winter We Were Always Sick. Good thing it's ending soon. Did I mention my mom may have shingles?
2) It cracks me up to hear everyone up north talking about how great it is now that the weather is getting warm. Especially because "great" means putting away winter coats and "warm" means 60 degrees. Generally when we hear these terms, we Floridians are a) sweating, b) looking for swimsuits, c) turning up the air or d) all of the above. (Don't worry, it evens out in the summer!)
3) I'm really annoyed by recipes that start off saying how easy it is, and then proceed to mention a double boiler. This happens quite often to me. I'm equally annoyed by "homemade ____" recipes that start off with opening something "instant" and then adding to it.
4) "Life with Kaden" is like living in a musical lately. He sings often, loudly, and sometimes in a foreign language (his own). Sometimes it is PBS theme songs, sometimes ones from school. Tonight, he cracked us up by having Nana put her head on his lap and then singing her a "lullaby": wash your hands, wash your hands, in between, in between, scrub them in the middle, scrub them in the middle, now they're clean! now they're clean!
5) He also likes to pray the dinner prayer. At least 2 times. Then the sign of the cross is repeated about 3 times, with his hands moving all over his head, heart and shoulders. I'm not sure why the repetition, since it's slightly different each time, but it sure is cute.
6) I've been trying NOT to take on additional projects/responsibilities at work, but it hasn't worked so well. I'm drowning again, with more work than work hours. And after one of my most non-productive weeks (you know, when you're TRYING to get things done, but can't because of really good interruptions of things other people legitimately need you to do), I just added another outreach: human trafficking awareness. That is a whole 'nother post, but something that really tugged at my heart, which makes figuring out how to "fit it in" so much better.
7) Between writing 6 & 7, I was just called in to the end of Kaden's bathtime. There was a toddler log in the bath. Jimdad points it out and asks, what do we have to pick it up? Kaden points at it and asks, how did the poop get there? Apparently, none of us are as far advanced in this toilet training thing as we thought!
2) It cracks me up to hear everyone up north talking about how great it is now that the weather is getting warm. Especially because "great" means putting away winter coats and "warm" means 60 degrees. Generally when we hear these terms, we Floridians are a) sweating, b) looking for swimsuits, c) turning up the air or d) all of the above. (Don't worry, it evens out in the summer!)
3) I'm really annoyed by recipes that start off saying how easy it is, and then proceed to mention a double boiler. This happens quite often to me. I'm equally annoyed by "homemade ____" recipes that start off with opening something "instant" and then adding to it.
4) "Life with Kaden" is like living in a musical lately. He sings often, loudly, and sometimes in a foreign language (his own). Sometimes it is PBS theme songs, sometimes ones from school. Tonight, he cracked us up by having Nana put her head on his lap and then singing her a "lullaby": wash your hands, wash your hands, in between, in between, scrub them in the middle, scrub them in the middle, now they're clean! now they're clean!
5) He also likes to pray the dinner prayer. At least 2 times. Then the sign of the cross is repeated about 3 times, with his hands moving all over his head, heart and shoulders. I'm not sure why the repetition, since it's slightly different each time, but it sure is cute.
6) I've been trying NOT to take on additional projects/responsibilities at work, but it hasn't worked so well. I'm drowning again, with more work than work hours. And after one of my most non-productive weeks (you know, when you're TRYING to get things done, but can't because of really good interruptions of things other people legitimately need you to do), I just added another outreach: human trafficking awareness. That is a whole 'nother post, but something that really tugged at my heart, which makes figuring out how to "fit it in" so much better.
7) Between writing 6 & 7, I was just called in to the end of Kaden's bathtime. There was a toddler log in the bath. Jimdad points it out and asks, what do we have to pick it up? Kaden points at it and asks, how did the poop get there? Apparently, none of us are as far advanced in this toilet training thing as we thought!
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