A few weeks ago, I wrote about Ty as my reflection. How he was imitating me while we were brushing our teeth. Then I went on to express how that thought stressed me out and I was soooo sure that I was screwing up his entire life.
Well, OK I didn't really go into all that so much, as I just vaguely mentioned the enormous pressure I was feeling that he might actually be learning things from me. You know, by example. Eeek!
Well, today I experienced the yin to that yang.
I arrived to pick him up from school a little early today. As I was waiting patiently for class to be over, I could observe him through the door. I find it so strange, yet a little amazing, to watch him when he doesn't know I'm there. I find its slightly uncomfortable to realize that he is a separate entity from me, as well. That he walks, and talks and thinks, and reasons and makes decisions all by himself.
During this rare and brief moment, this is what I saw: I watched him interact with other children. I saw his personality bloom while making a joke with a friend. I watched him struggle with a problem on his worksheet, then boldly get up to go ask the teacher to help him. I watched his face light up as she helped him to figure it out. I watched him be himself.
Be himself. All by himself.
He did all of that without me.
My child leads a life that is totally separate from me?!
I gave him life (his Dad and God may have had a little something to do with it too, but that's irrelevant to this discussion).
I gave him life, but he has taken it and made it his own.
Its so perfect and so heartbreaking at the same time.
My son, my beautiful son, who once needed me for everything just to simply survive, can do all of this on his own.
As he continues to grow, I'm sure he will change into someone I don't always understand. He will baffle me, he will confuse me and I'm sure he will, at some point, break my heart. (You better not kiddo!)
Nonetheless, I will always love him more than anything in the whole wide world.
Showing posts with label learn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learn. Show all posts
Monday, August 8, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
My Reflection
Last night, as Ty and I were getting ready for bed, I had another OMG Mommy moment. We were standing side by side brushing our teeth. I was in one of my usual head-in-the-clouds kind of daze when out of the corner of my eye something caught my attention.
I noticed that Ty was watching my reflection in the mirror as he was brushing his teeth. Then I realized that he wasn't JUST watching my reflection, he was imitating it. Stoke for stroke, brush for brush, he was doing everything I was.
A feeling of pride and love came over me as I watched him so intently trying to get the tops and bottoms, fronts and backs and even his tongue just exactly like I was. I couldn't believe that someone so gorgeous, so smart and so nearly perfect would want to be anything like me. I was so proud of myself for setting such a good example, and that he "caught" me when I was doing it perfectly.
Not that I ever brush my teeth imperfectly ;-)
Then suddenly it was like being drenched in a cold shower.
To be perfectly honest, this scares me. Those thoughts have sent my mind into overdrive and I'm not really sure what the outcome of this thought process will be.
Its amazing how you can 'know' something on the surface, but when it reaches a different, deeper level of your mind it takes on a whole new, much deeper meaning.
I noticed that Ty was watching my reflection in the mirror as he was brushing his teeth. Then I realized that he wasn't JUST watching my reflection, he was imitating it. Stoke for stroke, brush for brush, he was doing everything I was.
A feeling of pride and love came over me as I watched him so intently trying to get the tops and bottoms, fronts and backs and even his tongue just exactly like I was. I couldn't believe that someone so gorgeous, so smart and so nearly perfect would want to be anything like me. I was so proud of myself for setting such a good example, and that he "caught" me when I was doing it perfectly.
Not that I ever brush my teeth imperfectly ;-)
Then suddenly it was like being drenched in a cold shower.
What else is he imitating? How often is he watching me?
What examples am I setting when I don't realize he is watching?
Does he hear me when I mumble curse words under my breath? Does he see how fast I can lose my temper? Does he realize how many times I skip church because I need to do something else?
Friday, June 24, 2011
Murphy's Law and Bluegrass*~*
At this point in my life I should have already learned the lesson of Murphy’s Law.
I mean, whatever can go wrong (or at least not according to plan) will most definitely blow up in my face at the most inopportune time.
Of course with my schedule, there really is no good time to deal with life’s little inconveniences. Things such as dinners that don’t cook themselves, garbage that doesn’t take itself out and worst of all……….broken appliances.
Granted if money and scheduling were not an issue, I would simply dial up Repair-O-Hunk and have him drop by during my afternoon tea. He could fix it up in a jiffy and we would be back in business.
Unfortunately my current reality doesn’t include a big bank account and any handyman that I would call would want to come during my work hours. So regardless of money, it would still mean I would have to ask my Mom to hang out at my house all day waiting on him/them or her.
So when I came home after work today, with all intentions of going back out to the opening night of RudyFest (it’s an annual bluegrass music festival, for those of you not in the know) and found a WHOLE bunch of water in the floor, I knew my evening plans were about to be re-routed.
I discovered this fluid festival in my floor when I stepped in it.
In my socks!
Oh yes, that is enough in itself to put me in a royally foul mood.
So I did a quick calculation and determined I would rather stay home tonight, fix the leaking dishwasher and be able to attend tomorrow night. (Friday night’s line up includes The Steeldrivers and I have been Mega-pumped for months about watching them. I don’t plan on missin’ that show unless, this thing is SPRAYIN’ water in the air!!!)
* In all of these locations, I laid dry paper towels down on the floor.
* Next, I filled a glass with water and poured the water on the inside
Wow. I can assure you that it actually took me longer to write this post than it did to fix my dishwasher. Technical writing is not my forte.
30 minutes = start to finish on dishwasher.
15 hours = writing, and proof-reading this post, uploading the stunning visual aids, trying to connect to the internet on my Verizon Netbook during a storm, giving up, going to bed and getting up this morning to finish it. :))
This thing is great for blogging and net surfing on the go (it's even 3G, so I can surf while traveling down the highway ~*when someone else is driving ofcourse.) because I have internet everywhere I go.
Except home :(
At this point in my life I should have already learned the lesson of Murphy’s Law.
I mean, whatever can go wrong (or at least not according to plan) will most definitely blow up in my face at the most inopportune time.
Of course with my schedule, there really is no good time to deal with life’s little inconveniences. Things such as dinners that don’t cook themselves, garbage that doesn’t take itself out and worst of all……….broken appliances.
Granted if money and scheduling were not an issue, I would simply dial up Repair-O-Hunk and have him drop by during my afternoon tea. He could fix it up in a jiffy and we would be back in business.
Unfortunately my current reality doesn’t include a big bank account and any handyman that I would call would want to come during my work hours. So regardless of money, it would still mean I would have to ask my Mom to hang out at my house all day waiting on him/them or her.
So when I came home after work today, with all intentions of going back out to the opening night of RudyFest (it’s an annual bluegrass music festival, for those of you not in the know) and found a WHOLE bunch of water in the floor, I knew my evening plans were about to be re-routed.
I discovered this fluid festival in my floor when I stepped in it.
In my socks!
Oh yes, that is enough in itself to put me in a royally foul mood.
So I did a quick calculation and determined I would rather stay home tonight, fix the leaking dishwasher and be able to attend tomorrow night. (Friday night’s line up includes The Steeldrivers and I have been Mega-pumped for months about watching them. I don’t plan on missin’ that show unless, this thing is SPRAYIN’ water in the air!!!)
So anyway, I thought I would share, in detail, how I fixed my leaky dishwasher. I figure I can’t be the only person who would like to save a little green on something that you can easily do yourself.
First 2 things to keep in mind:
First 2 things to keep in mind:
#1 - I absolutely DO NOT know what I am talking about. Do not hold me accountable for this information. I am not an appliance repair technician. I am not liable for any damages that you may incur due to anything that I may or may not write in this post. If you choose to use any of the information contained in this blog post, it is because you are a tight-ass like me; not because your are choosing to use superior information and directives.
#2 A leaky dishwasher is either gonna be no big deal, or its gonna be REAL BIG.
Barring a cracked tub (which is what I meant by REAL BIG), there are only a few places that the water can be coming from. My dishwasher is a Kenmore. It is cheap, basic and functional. It doesn’t have any fancy bells or whistles. Keep this in mind, your dishwasher may be (and most likely is) drastically different from mine.
Barring a cracked tub (which is what I meant by REAL BIG), there are only a few places that the water can be coming from. My dishwasher is a Kenmore. It is cheap, basic and functional. It doesn’t have any fancy bells or whistles. Keep this in mind, your dishwasher may be (and most likely is) drastically different from mine.
*** The Door Seal
*** The Drain or Drain Hose
*** The Water Intake
*** Where the Heating Element goes through the Tub
Determine the Leak Source
*** The Drain or Drain Hose
*** The Water Intake
*** Where the Heating Element goes through the Tub
Determine the Leak Source
One of your first steps will be to determine where the leak is coming from. Not being a repair technician, and knowing the proper and likely easier way, this is how I chose to do this.
* UNPLUG THE DISHWASHER!!!! The money save from repairing your
* UNPLUG THE DISHWASHER!!!! The money save from repairing your
dishwasher won’t count for much if you end up at the ER (or worse).
* I dried up all of the water. This included the floor and inside the
* I dried up all of the water. This included the floor and inside the
dishwasher.
* I removed the screws that hold it in place, and moved the dishwasher
* I removed the screws that hold it in place, and moved the dishwasher
out from under the countertop. (As much as possible so I can see
under it, but without having to disconnect the water line or drain
hose.)
 |
| I know this picture is not very clear, but it should help. Open the door to your dishwasher and look up underneath of the countertop. Your dishwasher shuold be secured similiarly. Mine has two of these. |
* I dried up any other water that I could find. (when I moved the
dishwasher out, there was more under it)
* When everything was completely dry, I located where the water
* When everything was completely dry, I located where the water
goes in, where the water comes out, and where the heating element
goes through the tub and connects to the wires.
 |
| See where the heating element enters into the tub. If you look under the dishwasher where the ends protrude through, you will see where the heater nuts screw on. |
* In all of these locations, I laid dry paper towels down on the floor.
* Next, I filled a glass with water and poured the water on the inside
of the dishwasher at the heating element and the drain.
* After, emptying the glass, I checked the paper towels to see if there
* After, emptying the glass, I checked the paper towels to see if there
were any signs of water.
At this point, I could tell my dishwasher was leaking at the heating element. If you have discovered the source of your leak , skip below the highlighted section. If not, continue reading in the highlighted section for more tips on detecting the source of your leak.
 |
| Here is a picture of the old damaged nut, along side of the new one. |
* If the leak appears to be coming from the drain or drain hose. Check to make
sure the hose is securely fastened to the drain. If the hose is worn or cracked,
it may need to be replaced. If you cannot determine the problem or if the leak
appears to be something else you may have to break down an call in
the experts.
If the leaks are not coming from either the drain or the heating element,
If the leaks are not coming from either the drain or the heating element,
then try this.
* Close the door, and plug dishwasher back in. Turn it on for a few minutes.
* While unit is running, check paper towels under the water intake.
If this is the source of the leak, check to make sure that the water line in
* Close the door, and plug dishwasher back in. Turn it on for a few minutes.
* While unit is running, check paper towels under the water intake.
If this is the source of the leak, check to make sure that the water line in
securely fastened to the pump. Also, be sure to check the hose, if there are
signs of damage or cracking the hose may need to be replaced. If you cannot
determine the source, or if it appears the leak is coming from the water pump.
You may need to call in the experts.
* Next, check for signs that the door seal be leaking.
If this appears to be the case, you will have to talk to someone more
If this appears to be the case, you will have to talk to someone more
knowledgeable than myself. I don’t have the faintest idea whether those are
repairable or replaceable.
Repair Leaking Element
The actual culprit is what they call a heater nut. It’s a thin copper nut, made specifically to fit over the heating element ends. They are soldered together and as they are continually heated and cooled, the solder eventually breaks.
* Remove the wiring from the heating element.
* Remove the wiring from the heating element.
(Mine just slips on the end.)
* Remove the clear plastic tubing. Its called a Heater Shield. It helps
prevent water from coming in contact with the electrical wiring,
in case of a leak. Because that could cause serious problems. The
least of which could be an electrical shock hazard or even fire.
Be careful and keep up with it. It can be difficult to se if you drop
Be careful and keep up with it. It can be difficult to se if you drop
it in a dark cramped space, such as under a dishwasher.
* Remove the old Heater Nut. It basically falls off when you touch it.
* Remove the old Heater Nut. It basically falls off when you touch it.
 |
| This is the underneath of the dishwasher, where the heating element comes through. You can see the left side element, where I have already removed the electrical wires, heater shield and cracked heater nut. |
* Install new Heater Nut. It only needs to be hand tightened, but make
sure it is tight. (I do not know whether it is possible, but the
flimsy-ness of this product appears as though it may be possible to
strip or warp these if you are not careful.)
* Re-install Plastic Heater Shield.
* Reconnect wires to heater element.
* Adjust Heater Shield to make sure that all exposed connections are
* Re-install Plastic Heater Shield.
* Reconnect wires to heater element.
* Adjust Heater Shield to make sure that all exposed connections are
covered .
 |
| And this picture shows everything put back together. |
Check for Leaks
Check for Leaks
* Replace the paper towels directly under the repaired leak.
* Fill another glass of water and pour it directly over the repaired area.
* Check the paper towels, for signs of leaking.
* If you want to test it a little more vigorously, you could plug the
* Fill another glass of water and pour it directly over the repaired area.
* Check the paper towels, for signs of leaking.
* If you want to test it a little more vigorously, you could plug the
dishwasher back in and turn it on for a few minutes. This water is
much hotter and is hitting the repaired area much more forcefully.
If there are still no signs of leaking on your paper towels, you
should feel pretty confident.
Re-install Dishwasher
Re-install Dishwasher
Mine is easy. I just slide it back in and line it back up. Screw the 2 screws back in under the countertop, and plug it back in.
You're finished and it only cost about 5 Bucks!!!
You're finished and it only cost about 5 Bucks!!!
Wow. I can assure you that it actually took me longer to write this post than it did to fix my dishwasher. Technical writing is not my forte.
30 minutes = start to finish on dishwasher.
15 hours = writing, and proof-reading this post, uploading the stunning visual aids, trying to connect to the internet on my Verizon Netbook during a storm, giving up, going to bed and getting up this morning to finish it. :))
This thing is great for blogging and net surfing on the go (it's even 3G, so I can surf while traveling down the highway ~*when someone else is driving ofcourse.) because I have internet everywhere I go.
Except home :(
 |
| The Evil Culprit! Notice the crack all the way down the side. |
Monday, May 9, 2011
Mothers's Day
I certainly hope that every had as wonderful a Mother's Day as I did!!!
I'm such a mush-melon. I spent all day admiring what a wonderful perfect little boy I have.
Well at least the parts where I wasn't trying to get him to quit stalling and get dressed or he'd be late for Sunday School, or begging him to quit whining in the car about not watching his Scooby-Doo movie, or cleaning up the Sweet Tea he spilled on me at Ruby Tuesdays. I wasn't keeping count, I promise!
Ha ha, no seriously. I have been greatly blessed. I know this and I really do often marvel at his pert-near perfectness. He has such a kind heart, a handsome face, and a charming and funny personality. I am totally wrapped.
This realization, as many do, brings me to yet another realization.
Several years ago, after my Dad passed away, I was visiting his (my Dad's) BFF . At some point during our conversation he commented on how "we (my sister and I) had our Dad wrapped around our little fingers". He said "of course he would never admit it, but it was as noticeable as a flashing billboard".
I remember laughing at the absurdity of his suggestion. I'm supposed to believe this about the man who could strike instant fear with a look. The same man who, when he said "no", you Did Not beg and plead or whine and cry. You accepted his answer and moved on. Yeah right, I wish.
Now as a Mother, I realize that sometimes Love makes you say "no" and it is often the reason we do so many of the perceived "mean" things we do. Fear inducing looks are excellent at correcting bad behavior and I find myself teaching Ty not to argue when told no...... because it hurts to see your child unhappy. I look back now and realize that his firm hand in raising us actually had more to do with Love than with discipline.
Yes, I guess he really was wrapped.
Now, Now! Before you go thinking that I've turned this Mother's Day post into a Father's Day tribute, I will tell you one of THE best things about my Dad.......................
........................He was smart enough to marry my Mom!!!!
I love you Mom! Thank you for everything! I don't have to walk down memory lane for you, because we are lucky enough to still be making them!!
I'm such a mush-melon. I spent all day admiring what a wonderful perfect little boy I have.
Well at least the parts where I wasn't trying to get him to quit stalling and get dressed or he'd be late for Sunday School, or begging him to quit whining in the car about not watching his Scooby-Doo movie, or cleaning up the Sweet Tea he spilled on me at Ruby Tuesdays. I wasn't keeping count, I promise!
Ha ha, no seriously. I have been greatly blessed. I know this and I really do often marvel at his pert-near perfectness. He has such a kind heart, a handsome face, and a charming and funny personality. I am totally wrapped.
This realization, as many do, brings me to yet another realization.
Several years ago, after my Dad passed away, I was visiting his (my Dad's) BFF . At some point during our conversation he commented on how "we (my sister and I) had our Dad wrapped around our little fingers". He said "of course he would never admit it, but it was as noticeable as a flashing billboard".
I remember laughing at the absurdity of his suggestion. I'm supposed to believe this about the man who could strike instant fear with a look. The same man who, when he said "no", you Did Not beg and plead or whine and cry. You accepted his answer and moved on. Yeah right, I wish.
Now as a Mother, I realize that sometimes Love makes you say "no" and it is often the reason we do so many of the perceived "mean" things we do. Fear inducing looks are excellent at correcting bad behavior and I find myself teaching Ty not to argue when told no...... because it hurts to see your child unhappy. I look back now and realize that his firm hand in raising us actually had more to do with Love than with discipline.
Yes, I guess he really was wrapped.
Now, Now! Before you go thinking that I've turned this Mother's Day post into a Father's Day tribute, I will tell you one of THE best things about my Dad.......................
........................He was smart enough to marry my Mom!!!!
I love you Mom! Thank you for everything! I don't have to walk down memory lane for you, because we are lucky enough to still be making them!!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Fried Pickle Phenomenon
I admit it. I am a Screamer.
You know exactly what it is that I am talking about. You’ve all witnessed the tail-end of some poor mother’s wits as she yells insensibly at her children. In public. Yes, that is me. At least it easily could be.
I have always acted as though I believed the louder I yelled something the better it was understood. Kind of makes you wonder if I missed my calling to be an athletic coach or a drill sargeant, doesn’t it? Anyway, when Ty was about 9 months old, I lost all sensibility and yelled at the top of my lungs because he would cry every time I took two steps away from him. Now I realize that is what babies do, but I was a mess emotionally. The thing is, it was the look on his beautiful face that made me want to change. The look I saw on his face was one of fear. I didn’t want my baby to be afraid on me. I wasn’t someone to be afraid of. I loved him and would always protect him.
It was then that I realized how much louder our actions speak than our words. It was then that I promised myself that I would work hard NOT to scream or yell.
Like all bad habits this one has been difficult to break. I have had to change my strategy many, many times to find something that works. Just to change it again, when that quits working. I have had to have a lot of talks with Ty to explain why when we are both tired, things sometimes get ugly. We’ve talked about what things always seem to get us into trouble.
So, recently I have employed a new warning strategy. A warning strategy is similar to the count of 3 principle. The child knows that if the parent reaches the number three then all hell breaks loose. Right? It should anyway.
One of my pet peeves is having to repeat myself. Ty is essentially the best staller I have ever encountered. (other than my sister, but I think she is more obnoxiously slow than stalling) So to keep him from getting us both sidetracked or distracted, I find myself repeating myself, then ultimately loosing my temper.
So I told Ty that I wanted us to both come up with a code word. I explained to him that this code word was for me to use to warn him that I was on the brink of loosing it.
I asked him if he had any suggestions for what this code word should be. I told him that it should be something that we would not commonly say but something that neither of us would forget. He studied for a moment then he smiled and said he knew a perfect code word. “Fried Pickles.”
I told him that sounded great and that anytime he heard me say “Fried Pickles” that I was on the edge of loosing it and that he should proceed very cautiously. He said he understood and we shook hands to seal the deal.
That was several weeks ago, and this evening is this first time I’ve had need to use our new code word. He is always tired on Sunday afternoons. I guess two hours at church is more than he can handle. Sometimes I wonder what they do to wear these kids down so much. Anyway, I was trying to get his clothes laid out for school and get his lunch packed and he was having a meltdown over the wii remote not working correctly. I told him I would check it out as soon as I finished what I was doing.
Evidently, it wasn’t what he wanted to hear . So he was shedding big croc tears, and screaming etc, etc. So as the situation continued to escalate, I could feel how short fused I was. So I immediately picked him up, sat him on my lap and as sternly and firmly as possible I looked him in the eye and said “Fried Pickles”.
Then I completely lost it. Not like usual though. I laughed so hard I STILL think I scared him. Seriously, the next time you are on the verge of loosing your temper with your kids. Look them dead in the eye and say “Fried Pickles”. It may be just me, but I don’t think I can say that without loosing some of my steam.
I wonder what would happen if I said it three times real fast.
You know exactly what it is that I am talking about. You’ve all witnessed the tail-end of some poor mother’s wits as she yells insensibly at her children. In public. Yes, that is me. At least it easily could be.
I have always acted as though I believed the louder I yelled something the better it was understood. Kind of makes you wonder if I missed my calling to be an athletic coach or a drill sargeant, doesn’t it? Anyway, when Ty was about 9 months old, I lost all sensibility and yelled at the top of my lungs because he would cry every time I took two steps away from him. Now I realize that is what babies do, but I was a mess emotionally. The thing is, it was the look on his beautiful face that made me want to change. The look I saw on his face was one of fear. I didn’t want my baby to be afraid on me. I wasn’t someone to be afraid of. I loved him and would always protect him.
It was then that I realized how much louder our actions speak than our words. It was then that I promised myself that I would work hard NOT to scream or yell.
Like all bad habits this one has been difficult to break. I have had to change my strategy many, many times to find something that works. Just to change it again, when that quits working. I have had to have a lot of talks with Ty to explain why when we are both tired, things sometimes get ugly. We’ve talked about what things always seem to get us into trouble.
So, recently I have employed a new warning strategy. A warning strategy is similar to the count of 3 principle. The child knows that if the parent reaches the number three then all hell breaks loose. Right? It should anyway.
One of my pet peeves is having to repeat myself. Ty is essentially the best staller I have ever encountered. (other than my sister, but I think she is more obnoxiously slow than stalling) So to keep him from getting us both sidetracked or distracted, I find myself repeating myself, then ultimately loosing my temper.
So I told Ty that I wanted us to both come up with a code word. I explained to him that this code word was for me to use to warn him that I was on the brink of loosing it.
I asked him if he had any suggestions for what this code word should be. I told him that it should be something that we would not commonly say but something that neither of us would forget. He studied for a moment then he smiled and said he knew a perfect code word. “Fried Pickles.”
I told him that sounded great and that anytime he heard me say “Fried Pickles” that I was on the edge of loosing it and that he should proceed very cautiously. He said he understood and we shook hands to seal the deal.
That was several weeks ago, and this evening is this first time I’ve had need to use our new code word. He is always tired on Sunday afternoons. I guess two hours at church is more than he can handle. Sometimes I wonder what they do to wear these kids down so much. Anyway, I was trying to get his clothes laid out for school and get his lunch packed and he was having a meltdown over the wii remote not working correctly. I told him I would check it out as soon as I finished what I was doing.
Evidently, it wasn’t what he wanted to hear . So he was shedding big croc tears, and screaming etc, etc. So as the situation continued to escalate, I could feel how short fused I was. So I immediately picked him up, sat him on my lap and as sternly and firmly as possible I looked him in the eye and said “Fried Pickles”.
Then I completely lost it. Not like usual though. I laughed so hard I STILL think I scared him. Seriously, the next time you are on the verge of loosing your temper with your kids. Look them dead in the eye and say “Fried Pickles”. It may be just me, but I don’t think I can say that without loosing some of my steam.
I wonder what would happen if I said it three times real fast.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Eco Friendly Weed Control
I have just wasted an entire day of my life. I completely vegged out on my couch through 4 entire movies. During which I have been totally solo. No one around. It has been awesome.
Don't get me wrong, I miss Ty terribly when he is gone. Even as I write this I am longing for him and his never ending stream of questions. Sonnie Mae has also gone MIA today, and it always seems wrong when she is not around. (I would say her Mom thinks the same thing about her always being here, lol) But this lazy day has been glorious.
Now I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew and can't go to sleep. So I am beginning to stew on all of the things that I should've or could've done today. Of course I realize there is no use crying over spilled milk. It's just what I do.
In an effort to stop obsessing over the undone housekeeping, here I am writing to you all.
While some may say that I am jumping the gun a little this year, I can't help it. I'm soooo over winter right now. The other evening it was warm enough to make a walk around inspection of the house. During this excursion I saw my daffodils poking up through the ground. I swear it was like a burden was lifted from my shoulders. Seriously. A layer of the winter doldrums just peeled off and floated away. I wish all of my problems could be so easily solved by little yellow blooming flowers.
Just like housekeeping and laundry, weed control is a never ending battle. Every spring I start out gung-ho. I am bound and determined to keep my flower beds and lawn perfectly groomed. I pull those stray weeds fully out by their roots. I mulch. I water and I fertilize. Then I go on vacation.
I'm not sure what really goes on during those 5 or 6 days I'm gone, but when I return my beautiful well -groomed landscape looks shabby and abandoned. It's so disheartening that I struggle through the remainder of the season just doing what has to be done.
Anyway, to get back on topic, I want to share with you my recipe for a non-toxic weed killer. you can use this in your flower beds if you are very careful to ONLY apply it to the obnoxious weed you are trying to rid yourself of. I'm not that careful so I just pull the weeds in my flower beds, but I do use this in areas I don't want anything to grow.
What you need:
Gallon of Apple Cider Vinegar
26 oz. box of Salt
2 Gallon Garden Sprayer
Directions:
Mix both ingredients until salt is dissolved. Pour mixture into garden sprayer. Completely saturate either the ground or the plant itself.
Repeat this process daily until weeds are eradicated.
Just some Info:
Applying on hot sunny days allows the plants to soak the solution up more quickly.
Spraying the plant directly, destroys its protective coating. The plant then dries out all the way to the root. Unfortunately, the root itself is very hardy unless treated several times it will usually survive. Thus in time the weed will re-emerge, and will need to be retreated.
Saturating the ground around the plant lowers the soils ph to a point that it can no longer survive.
Household vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, contains about 5% acetic acid. The USDA says that for better weed control a stronger acidic content is recommended. You can purchase horticultural vinegar, which contains 20% acetic acid, online. I prefer to stick with the household vinegar because I know it's safe and effective for my needs.
Salt and vinegar can be corrosive or damaging to other surfaces as well. Please use care when applying near concrete or concrete products as the salt will damage these surfaces.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this blog post is made up entirely of my own experiences and opinions. I can assure you that I am not a scientist, a botanist or any other formally educated person who has studied the effects of vinegar and/or salt on plants or any other living or nonliving thing. This information has been shared based solely on my own personal use of salt and vinegar while defending my home against unwanted plants. I cannot promise or guarantee that even if the information within this article is followed precisely as stated that it will have the same effect on your weeds. I can only confirm that this solution has performed well for me. It may not kill or control your weeds. It may not even wilt them.
Don't get me wrong, I miss Ty terribly when he is gone. Even as I write this I am longing for him and his never ending stream of questions. Sonnie Mae has also gone MIA today, and it always seems wrong when she is not around. (I would say her Mom thinks the same thing about her always being here, lol) But this lazy day has been glorious.
Now I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew and can't go to sleep. So I am beginning to stew on all of the things that I should've or could've done today. Of course I realize there is no use crying over spilled milk. It's just what I do.
In an effort to stop obsessing over the undone housekeeping, here I am writing to you all.
While some may say that I am jumping the gun a little this year, I can't help it. I'm soooo over winter right now. The other evening it was warm enough to make a walk around inspection of the house. During this excursion I saw my daffodils poking up through the ground. I swear it was like a burden was lifted from my shoulders. Seriously. A layer of the winter doldrums just peeled off and floated away. I wish all of my problems could be so easily solved by little yellow blooming flowers.
Just like housekeeping and laundry, weed control is a never ending battle. Every spring I start out gung-ho. I am bound and determined to keep my flower beds and lawn perfectly groomed. I pull those stray weeds fully out by their roots. I mulch. I water and I fertilize. Then I go on vacation.
I'm not sure what really goes on during those 5 or 6 days I'm gone, but when I return my beautiful well -groomed landscape looks shabby and abandoned. It's so disheartening that I struggle through the remainder of the season just doing what has to be done.
Anyway, to get back on topic, I want to share with you my recipe for a non-toxic weed killer. you can use this in your flower beds if you are very careful to ONLY apply it to the obnoxious weed you are trying to rid yourself of. I'm not that careful so I just pull the weeds in my flower beds, but I do use this in areas I don't want anything to grow.
What you need:
Gallon of Apple Cider Vinegar
26 oz. box of Salt
2 Gallon Garden Sprayer
Directions:
Mix both ingredients until salt is dissolved. Pour mixture into garden sprayer. Completely saturate either the ground or the plant itself.
Repeat this process daily until weeds are eradicated.
Just some Info:
Applying on hot sunny days allows the plants to soak the solution up more quickly.
Spraying the plant directly, destroys its protective coating. The plant then dries out all the way to the root. Unfortunately, the root itself is very hardy unless treated several times it will usually survive. Thus in time the weed will re-emerge, and will need to be retreated.
Saturating the ground around the plant lowers the soils ph to a point that it can no longer survive.
Household vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar, contains about 5% acetic acid. The USDA says that for better weed control a stronger acidic content is recommended. You can purchase horticultural vinegar, which contains 20% acetic acid, online. I prefer to stick with the household vinegar because I know it's safe and effective for my needs.
Salt and vinegar can be corrosive or damaging to other surfaces as well. Please use care when applying near concrete or concrete products as the salt will damage these surfaces.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this blog post is made up entirely of my own experiences and opinions. I can assure you that I am not a scientist, a botanist or any other formally educated person who has studied the effects of vinegar and/or salt on plants or any other living or nonliving thing. This information has been shared based solely on my own personal use of salt and vinegar while defending my home against unwanted plants. I cannot promise or guarantee that even if the information within this article is followed precisely as stated that it will have the same effect on your weeds. I can only confirm that this solution has performed well for me. It may not kill or control your weeds. It may not even wilt them.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Can you Repeat that Jon?......
.....just in case someone missed it.
Like everything else, I have a lot of political opinions. Mostly I refrain from posting from my public soapbox. But, today I have to share this.
Love it! Thanks Mr. Stewart!
Like everything else, I have a lot of political opinions. Mostly I refrain from posting from my public soapbox. But, today I have to share this.
Love it! Thanks Mr. Stewart!
Friday, February 25, 2011
If We Learn from Our Mistakes..........I Should be a Genius!
This week I turned 35 years old. THIRTY-FIVE!?! The big One-Five? The last year I can check the 26-35 age group box on surveys? The year that starts the downhill slide to forty? Yes, exactly. 35. Crap! How did that happen? I'm not really sure, some of it is sorta just a fog. Well garbled memory or no, I should have figured everything out. Right? Well not hardly, but in honor of this monumental birthday I am composing a list. Here are some things I have figured out, and a few I think I've actually gotten right. Well mostly.
Enjoy.
There is still no cure for the common birthday. ~ John Glenn
Enjoy.
- I have learned what true unconditional love really is.
- I have learned that my family and my real friends will stand beside me no matter what.
- I'm too honest, too dependable and way too opinionated and outspoken.
- I am always late for everything. (I try to be early. I really, really do.)
- I can take care of myself. And I will.
- I have the attention span of a firecracker. (I put on a pretty good show at first, then I just fizzle out.)
- Being Mrs. (put really impressive name here) is not very important to me. There are more important qualities than a dude's last name and the size of his wallet.
- I still miss my Dad as much as I ever did. Time never eases that pain.
- I know that wounds heal.
- I know that a broken heart will never break me.
- I've learned that being stabbed in the back by a friend always hurts worse than any heartache.
- I have an addictive personality. (If your a counselor or therapist you understand what I'm talking about. If not you just think I'm the bomb.)
- I always try to do what's right, even if its not easy.
- I am by no means perfect, but I am as damn close as you get. O.K. j/k!
- Don't ask me my opinion, if you REALLY don't want to hear it.
- With age I have mellowed out a lot. I don't let too much bother me anymore.
- Mellow or not, hit the right button and I still come unglued.
- I smoke even though I know I shouldn't.
- I drink because I like to.
- And I don't like being told I should quit either of them.
- I love old 4WD's and fast cars.
- I hate to hurt any one's feelings.
- I believe in Karma.......and she is not my friend.
- I've learned that you can only help someone who wants to be helped.
- I hate liars, cheaters and thieves.
- I hate it when someone mistakes my positive, happy easy going nature for Stupidity or Weakness.
- I believe there is good in everyone. Some just don't like to show it.
- On most occasions, I'm an overly optimistic person.
- Except when the world is out to get me and there is nothing that can help.
- I believe that everything in life happens for a reason.
- I know who I am, I know what I want, and I'm not going to settle for anything less.
- I've learned that it doesn't matter what cards your dealt in life, just how you choose to play them.
- I've learned that life often resembles a game of Blind Man's Bluff.
- I've finally reached the age that I know that I don't know everything, and I know that I am not invincible.
- I thank God everyday for keeping me alive until I figured that out.
Shew! That's enough education for one day. I feel better already, knowing that I actually have walked away from the last 3 1/2 decades with a little something. Now its time to go get ready for a rare night on the town to celebrate with the girls. Whoo Hoo!
There is still no cure for the common birthday. ~ John Glenn
Except for maybe just straight up lying. :-p ~ yours truly 2/22/2007
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