It was warm out today and the robins were hopping around the yard in searching for worms. All intentions have been to get outside and clean up the flower beds and join in the annual neighborhood yard competition. I've been thinking about this for 3 weeks but the taxes, etc. has diverted my attention. On the way back from getting my car serviced today, I thought about how I needed to get some nutrients on the lawn and shrubbery soon--it is supposed to rain tomorrow. So, I went by Sam's Club to see what lawn products they might have.
Scott's is our brand of choice and I pushed my cart as close as it would get to the stack of bags, wrangled one bag off the top and slid it into the front of the basket. No matter that the yellow bag was draped over the front lip because that way I could flip it into the back of my Sienna van. From the opposite end of the isle, I spied a stack of Scott's lawn products in white and green bags. It was Scott's with the crabgrass killer! Just what I was looking for...maybe. I rolled a bag over to read the features and directions and tried to compare it with the Scott's with weed control I had already put in my basket. As I perused the information, a voice said, "Do you have any questions?" I looked up and standing in front of me was a tall soft-spoken man with a beige hat and green polo shirt bearing, no less, the Scott's logo!!!
"Yes", I replied. This knowledgable man shared exactly the information I needed to make my lawn beautiful this year now that I had just about missed the timing for the crabgrass preventative. His suggestion was something that wasn't on the bag so without his miraculous appearance, I might still be there trying to decypher gardening codes. He also recommended getting a Scott's Deluxe spreader--the one with the side guard feature. He said to make sure to rinse it out after every use. And to keep the receipt in case there was ever a problem, Scott's was stellar at backing their products. Jimmy and I had been discussing this very spreader this morning with different viewpoints! Jimmy said you didn't need the deluxe spredder--to just space the spreader from the driveway, sidewalks, etc. I wanted the guard because HE is the one who gets fertilizer all over the hard surfaces and the cost/waste factor would more than pay for the upgrade. Yeah, I've been vindicated!
Sometimes the unexpected has remarkable timing. Thank you Mr. Scott's representative! It's a good life!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Easter Parade
Now you have to realize I grew up in a time where Easter (besides the religious holiday) was celebrated with families dressing up in new spring outfits. Typically as a little girl, I got a new dress complete with a full skirt and big bow in the back, new black patent leather Mary Jane shoes, white socks with lace trim, a purse, white gloves and a hat! During the fifties, this was the typical annual rites of Spring for most middle class American families. After receiving our chocolate bunnies and basket from the Easter Bunny, our next treat was the annual Easter egg hunt. I remember when I was 5 or 6, I found the treasured golden egg. An older boy snatched it out of my hand and claimed the Grand Prize! (I was a shy little girl and the bully got away with it then. Today he'd have a harder time.) In elementary school, we glued paper flowers on a paper hat. There'd be an Easter Program on the stage wearing our paper hats singing all the ole favorites, "In your Easter bonnet..."
Several years ago we went with good friends for a fun weekend in New York City. The food was fantastic--saw the Rockettes with their Easter Extravaganza--Central Park--Museums--and topped it off on Sunday going to the Easter Parade! So when we arrived at 5th Avenue, I expected to see a lot of sophisticated New Yorkers parading around in their fashionable finest!!! WRONG. Near Rockafeller Center, I did see one group of 4 or 5 beautiful young women wearing spring dresses, hats, heels and Italian sunglasses looking fabulous. But they were the only ones. Today's Easter Parade has evolved into something that is a cross between Halloween and a circus! One man was walking around with a hat with a 2 foot plastic statue that resembled a chocolate bunny perched on top. Others had hats with odd plumage attached but the piece of cake was the lady with 2 live iguanas tied to her canvas chapeau. Everyone thought that was cool. Is this the new meaning of the Easter Parade? This morning I looked at the Richmond newspaper only to see 2 photos of Sunday's Monument Avenue Easter Parade--one featuring a clown on stilts and the other had a dog with rabbit ears!
You'd think the Easter Parade would be a "shoe in" event for those people that love the expensive designer bags and shoes! For all the money spent, you'd think these fashionistas would be out showing off their good taste. But where are these trappings of couture in the Easter Parade? Why do people spend vast fortunes on expensive fashion and accessories only to miss a holiday parade that was created for them!
Long gone is the elegance of yesteryear. It goes to show that now you can wear your old painting clothes just about anywhere or anytime. From someone who loves their creature comforts and hasn't worn high heels for years, this is still disconcerting. Is there a double meaning to the quote, "There is a time and place for everything!" Maybe it should read, "There is a time and place for certain things" meaning everything isn't meant to be everywhere all the time. Have I made myself perfectly unclear?!
Several years ago we went with good friends for a fun weekend in New York City. The food was fantastic--saw the Rockettes with their Easter Extravaganza--Central Park--Museums--and topped it off on Sunday going to the Easter Parade! So when we arrived at 5th Avenue, I expected to see a lot of sophisticated New Yorkers parading around in their fashionable finest!!! WRONG. Near Rockafeller Center, I did see one group of 4 or 5 beautiful young women wearing spring dresses, hats, heels and Italian sunglasses looking fabulous. But they were the only ones. Today's Easter Parade has evolved into something that is a cross between Halloween and a circus! One man was walking around with a hat with a 2 foot plastic statue that resembled a chocolate bunny perched on top. Others had hats with odd plumage attached but the piece of cake was the lady with 2 live iguanas tied to her canvas chapeau. Everyone thought that was cool. Is this the new meaning of the Easter Parade? This morning I looked at the Richmond newspaper only to see 2 photos of Sunday's Monument Avenue Easter Parade--one featuring a clown on stilts and the other had a dog with rabbit ears!
You'd think the Easter Parade would be a "shoe in" event for those people that love the expensive designer bags and shoes! For all the money spent, you'd think these fashionistas would be out showing off their good taste. But where are these trappings of couture in the Easter Parade? Why do people spend vast fortunes on expensive fashion and accessories only to miss a holiday parade that was created for them!
Long gone is the elegance of yesteryear. It goes to show that now you can wear your old painting clothes just about anywhere or anytime. From someone who loves their creature comforts and hasn't worn high heels for years, this is still disconcerting. Is there a double meaning to the quote, "There is a time and place for everything!" Maybe it should read, "There is a time and place for certain things" meaning everything isn't meant to be everywhere all the time. Have I made myself perfectly unclear?!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Out of Touch
Wow. I've tried many times to log into this Blog but somehow the settings changed and I couldn't seem to be able to reset it to enter. Maybe this is my lucky day!
This last year has been quite a change of pace for us. We took custody of an eleven year old grandson. He had been somewhat neglected for the past 2 0r 3 years and came with a potfull of issues. In my naive belief structure, I thought if we provided a warm, welcoming home with structure, boundaries and opportunities, he would thrive. WRONG! His behavior became too radical for us to manage effectively so after therapists, research and much sole searching, we entered him into a residential program. We pray that this will be his saving grace and that he will emerge next year being able to make better decisions to allow him a promising future.
Did I ever have my eyes opened to how the world has changed for the youth of today!!! I can't say that all of it is for the better... They have so much more than we did but I also see that many kids are missing the core values that come with having less. Parents are working more, added stress, technology, etc. You know it is not about having "things". It's about being kind to others, having compassion and giving from the heart level. Being part of a family is not what everyone can do for you but learning to share and involving yourself in the responsiblities of living together for the good of everyone. Understanding your role in the universe is important but know God and his ability to guide and help you.
Yes, it's a different world. I've since had a birthday that frankly I don't totally accept. Sure, the math adds up, but I feel physically and mentally tops. I keep my mind open for new ideas, look forward to travelling to new places and anticipate the joy of new friendships. As the title of my blog reads--It's a good life INDEED!
This last year has been quite a change of pace for us. We took custody of an eleven year old grandson. He had been somewhat neglected for the past 2 0r 3 years and came with a potfull of issues. In my naive belief structure, I thought if we provided a warm, welcoming home with structure, boundaries and opportunities, he would thrive. WRONG! His behavior became too radical for us to manage effectively so after therapists, research and much sole searching, we entered him into a residential program. We pray that this will be his saving grace and that he will emerge next year being able to make better decisions to allow him a promising future.
Did I ever have my eyes opened to how the world has changed for the youth of today!!! I can't say that all of it is for the better... They have so much more than we did but I also see that many kids are missing the core values that come with having less. Parents are working more, added stress, technology, etc. You know it is not about having "things". It's about being kind to others, having compassion and giving from the heart level. Being part of a family is not what everyone can do for you but learning to share and involving yourself in the responsiblities of living together for the good of everyone. Understanding your role in the universe is important but know God and his ability to guide and help you.
Yes, it's a different world. I've since had a birthday that frankly I don't totally accept. Sure, the math adds up, but I feel physically and mentally tops. I keep my mind open for new ideas, look forward to travelling to new places and anticipate the joy of new friendships. As the title of my blog reads--It's a good life INDEED!
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