Garden Take 3

The snow has completely melted from my little corner garden which means it's time for me to begin thinking about what I'm going to plant. I think, after two years, I finally have a handle on the types of veggies I'll actually use, so that's a start.

This year, my number one mission is to successfully grow peppers. I have yet to have a single pepper plant grow large enough to actually yield fruit. I suspect that I've been planting them a little too early so I'm going to do a little bit more research this year to make sure my timing is correct.

Lately, I've been getting some great gardening ideas from Pinterest, an online social site in which people share interests and ideas on virtual pin boards. The first "pinteresing" idea I'll be implementing while I'm waiting for my soil to warm up is the use of toilet paper roll halves to start my plants. Just fill them with dirt, plant your seeds, then when they're ready, plant the whole thing in your garden, roll and all.

I'm determined to master this gardening thing this year. I'll let you know how it goes.

Are we there already?

I've always loved books, but as a child, I really struggled with reading comprehension. It wasn't until adulthood that I realized my problem was not due to a lack of understanding of the text but rather my inability to remain focused. Even now, for this reason, I struggle to sit down and enjoy a good book. It is extremely frustrating to have to reread entire pages after discovering that, yet again, my mind has wandered.

Enter the audiobook.

Since discovering audiobooks I have had the opportunity to "read" countless books that I had started but never finished.

I suppose I can't exactly call it a discovery. I've always been aware that audiobooks were available, but, for some reason, it felt a little like cheating, like it was "against the rules" so I never felt compelled to try one. Silly me, clinging to the old, restrictive fundamentals of my school days.

The most awesome thing is that Adam loves audiobooks too and we have the same taste in literature. We listen to books together during our commute and also when we travel. Sometimes we even take drives just to have an excuse to listen.

If you're a commuter and you've grown weary of the drive, grab yourself an audiobook. You might just find yourself wishing the journey was just a little bit longer!

Sick and Far from Home

Monday, I received a harsh reminder that I have yet to internalize the following lesson: If you're not feeling well when you wake up and you're concerned that you might feel even worse as the day progresses, get a sub and stay home!

This is an especially important lesson for one who carpools and commutes to Wenatchee. Once you're there, you're stuck! You can't exactly decide, half-way through the day, that you're going to head home, leaving your fellow carpoolee behind.

I realized, shortly after arriving in my classroom, that it was going to be a long, miserable day. I began to feel chilled and achey and it wasn't until students began filing into my classroom that I discovered... I was also grumpy! I spent the day in survival-mode, doing my best to exude enthusiasm and kindness while counting the hours until I would finally be able to go home.

Isn't it amazing how long the drive from Wenatchee to Waterville seems when you feel miserable?

Random Childhood Memory

I just had a fond memory:

I was semi-obsessed with jets when I was a kid, (knew the names of just about every military aircraft) and my dad and I always went to the Yakima Air Fair.

One year, they advertised that the B2 Spirit (Stealth Bomber) would be performing a fly-by and I was SO excited. I remember the anticipation and the excitement as the announcer said something like, "We just received word that the B2 is about to fly by!" Shortly thereafter he shouted, "Wow! There it went! Did you see it?!"

...a horrible prank!

I was bummed out and many Air Fair viewers were royally peeved. Needless to say, Yakima had to make it up to the audience and the following year they really did have a B2 flyby. It was "TOTALLY RAD!" There was even a small sonic boom (which I heard the pilot was scolded for!)