All The Pretty Pollen

As geeky and/or kooky is it may have been for me to walk around our yard taking close up pictures of flowers, I did just that.

Actually, some of you may have or will do this.  However, I bet you wouldn't squat on one foot lean as far down as you can without kissing the sidewalk or even better lie on your back with camera pointed up in the air in order to get the right angle on your pictures...of flowers...  but I just had to document this.

Every time a car went by, I'd jump up, start whistling and pretend I was just strolling so they wouldn't catch a glimpse of me in an awkward position and think I was off my rocker.  We live on a busy road, so let's just say I got my exercise.   ;o)

I guess I could call this the fruits of my labor but I can't take credit for all this unexpected beauty.  That glory goes to God for giving us this wonderful gift.  This is one of those rare years in which everything bloomed all at once.  Spring flowers and Summer flowers.   So, it's quite an explosion of color all over the place so I'm going to share what's been keeping me outdoors so much in the past couple of weeks.  We've been eating on the patio a lot this month!  Only downside to all this bloomage is the pollen.  My mother told me we have record levels due to everything blooming at once.

Word for the Day:


FLOWER: 

Pronunciation: \ˈflau̇(-ə)r\

Function: noun

A plant cultivated for its blossoms

TEROLATION: 

Pretty righteous dirt decor!!


Rose/Don Juan Climber on a trellis I made out of an old screen door.  Someone was going to throw this away, so I got it, stained it and painted RustOleum on the center part.

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

 Wisteria

From Spring 2010

Snapdragon (Sown from Seed)

From Spring 2010

Azalea (Encore)

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

Azalea (Encore) Color: Sunset

From Spring 2010

Rose/Chrysler Imperial (Hybrid Tea)

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

Irises

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

Rose/Iceberg Climber

From Spring 2010

Rose/~Not sure of the name~ Climber

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

I had so many blooms this year that I've got enough flower arrangements to go around

From Spring 2010

My favorite:

From Spring 2010

FYI:  Iris buds will bloom after cutting.  They don't dry out in bud form like some flowers do.  I had cut out a lot of buds and got ready to throw them away because I assumed they weren't any good.  I saved them just in case.  They actually bloomed and just after the others became spent.  I got many many days of this same flower arrangement just by changing the spent flowers out with the buds.

So, we have Irises coming out of our ears... More buds

From Spring 2010

and some more

From Spring 2010

Sis-In-Law + March 2010 = 40

Clint's sister, Diane, turned 40 on March 10 and she doesn't look a day older than she did 10-11 years ago when I met her for the first time not long after Clint and started dating.


Diane is Clint's half sister.  Same mother; different father.

For her very belated Birthday post I thought I'd turn it over to Clint but Clint is a man of very few words and even fewer typed words.

I asked Clint what does he like most about his sister.  His answer was sweet, "I don't know, I'm not good at this kind of stuff.  Everything is special about her.  She's always been funny and smart... and I love my nephews."  

There is approx. a 10 year difference between Clint and his sis, so Clint's thoughts on Diane are very saturated with his nephews.

His reply makes sense because since Austin, Anderson and Ashton came on the scene Diane is best known  as the loving mother of the family's most valuable treasures.  I'm guessing Diane would take being admired for the mom she is to 3 of the best behaved, smart, sweet and loving children we've ever met as a huge compliment.  And I'm not saying that just because Clint and I are the biased uncle and aunt. 3 BOYS!  I have one boy that isn't even 2 and I can only imagine how hard 3 would be. 

Diane got her teaching degree from Jacksonville State and teaches high school kids with special needs.  She's also a Realtor, wonderful decorator, cook and a pretty good artist.  She's all around talented with an abundance of energy that I'd love to borrow from her if it were possible.

Diane has a witty sense of humor and a laugh that just makes you smile.

I'm so blessed to have two of the most wonderful sister-in-laws and just like Emma Brown (my brother's wife) I have tremendous admiration for her.

Happy Belated Birthday Diane and BiG HuG!  Clint, Teri and "The Man"

Wordless Wednesday

From Spring 2010

April Showers = May Flowers

I can't commit to the "Thursday's Thirteen" that some people do, but I can do it at least once a month.

So here's what our April has been like thus far:

1.  Dax and I pullin a "George Jones" on the John Deere every now and then (minus the drinking and DUI) when it is too hot to push around the stroller and Dax totally digs it.   We rode down to a nearby friend's house.  They weren't at home, so, we cut their small lawn and cut the word "YO" in the field next to it just to make them scratch their head wondering.

2.  A strapless mu mu sundress seems like it'd be appropriate for staying around the house attire.  That is until Dax caught site of the bug man carrying his scary looking container while spraying the house.  Scared Dax  bad enough to yank hard on said strapless dress letting me know he wanted to be picked up immediately!   Poor bug man!  At least I was wearing modest underwear... However I'm still embarrassed so I'm going to set a reminder for myself to run errands on "Spray Day"  of each month so the bug man is allowed to spray away in peace.

3.  I realized just how much of a rut I got in this Winter being a stay at home mom/housewife when my husband informed me he was "proud of me" after several days of coming home to me actually wearing makeup and dressed nice.  I totally had the "that's not going to be me" attitude... but it happened.  So sue me, I had a rough year... ;o)  ha ha.  But I promised him AND myself I wouldn't let the rut catch me again. Lancome, Clinique, Merle and Cover Girl - it's wonderful to see you.  Glad we're friends again.

4.  Best way to ensure a cold front after 90 degree weather... break down and turn your air conditioning on.  An outside temp of 40 degrees will show up overnight.

5.  Chatty Canadians in Target that verified my opinion that they are the friendliest/best sense of humor people on planet earth.  After talking with them a bit I felt safe enough to ask what part of Canada they were from though they hadn't said.  When she asked what gave them away.  I answered her back with "aye."   She said that was their version of our southern "huh."  Touche and very true.  Dax is already saying "huh."   I enjoyed talking to them so much I wanted to take them home with me! 

6.  YARD WORK!  That's all I have to say about that.

7.  Dax has now learned how to climb over the furniture which means my computer days are VERY limited.  He makes a beeline straight to the computer keyboard and bangs on the keys with enthusiasm.  Dax has also found another high gear to shift into when it comes to speaking jibberish.  Says "I - U" for I love you, can ~almost~ count to ten (he does this when he's trying to stay awake) and has all the sudden become bashful when around people but more so when he's around kids.

8.  For the 1st time in my life I've actually kept a New Year's Resolution.  We haven't made it through the whole year yet but I've heard doing something for 30 days is long enough to make a habit.  Our new habit (New Year's Resolution) is sitting down for breakfast and dinner together as a family at the dining room table.

9.  We have our very own stalker.  I have to admit, although he's strange, shady and a little dirty, he's a total cutey. He comes to the front door. Then the back door. Then back to the front off and on through out the day. Even though he's cute, we don't pet him or go outside when he's around.

From Miscellaneous

10. After taking a nice little drive in the country we passed this. Creepy isn't it? What's creepier than a vacant bulldozer in the middle of no where?...this is!!

From Miscellaneous

From Miscellaneous

11. Going to Jacqueline and Eli's house to take a stroll around the "compound" and having wonderful fun albeit my frustration with Dax hitting the "bratt" phase of being bashful and fussy to everyone besides us and the grandparents. He wanted to play with Eli's toys but wasn't very inviting to play with sweet little Eli. He also pitched a fit when I was talking to another baby at church Sunday.  I hope it is like they say, he's just hitting a phase... 6 mos. ago he was the total opposite. However, we're lucky that's the only time we see the "bratt phase."  He's a total sweetie any other time.

12. Laughing at Dax steering us in circles on the lawnmower. I know the lawn mower is not a toy and we don't use it as one. But, since he LOVES riding on it... and I'm just amazed he's able to turn that tight steering wheel.

13. Waking up to finger joint stiffness and pain every morning. It's official. I'm Old! That's the most damning evidence I've received thus far. Yes I actually did imagine myself being forever young. I've now had my rude awakening... literally.

Until Next Month's Thirteen, enjoy your Spring!

The "Hobby"

This week I shared Clint's response to our talk about the yard work that needs to be done - and is getting done - but only one of us is contributing while the other has some fun in the sun while trying to get a bite.

The talk started when I was still working late into the night and Clint was urging me to call it a night.  Of course I politely suggested (politely in Teri language translates to "as a matter of fact" in Clint's language) that if he helped me I would have been finished already.  Of course he agreed but his never ending sighs and comments let me know he wasn't too happy about his task at hand.  Several back and forth "as a matter of facts" later  (such as "can you at least pretend you'd like to help me... I mean this is your yard too")  Clint finally unloaded the final explanation (AHEM... excuse) when he basically said "I thought yard work was your hobby... I didn't know you hated it as much as I do.  I promise, from here on out I'll do anything you want me to and I promise to fake my enthusiasm for it too just so I can make it up to you" .... 

I couldn't help but laugh.  I mean I really got tickled.  I've heard some pretty clever ones from Clint before but that has to be one of the best.  Clint's such a stinker.  What husband doesn't have their arsenal of good excuses or "get out of jail free" comments and compliments. ha ha.  Although we aren't completely finished with our projects for this year, I'm doing all I'm going to do for this month and join Clint fishing.  Yeah, the work will be harder to do when it gets hotter, but so will the fishing. 

Mom and Dad helping me early Saturday with transplanting dirt from our field to one of our beds in great need of good dirt.  Look how black that dirt is!

From Spring 2010

Mom watched or I should say chased Dax while I stood back and took on the role of task master.  This is the real reason Clint goes fishing when there's work to be done.  Who can blame him?

From Spring 2010

Very good dirt

From Spring 2010

Mama's future helper - can't wait!

From Spring 2010

Dad tilling the dirt for me.  Thank goodness I didn't have to do all this!!  The other bed liked to have killed me.

From Spring 2010

Dax loves riding the green mean air conditioned machine with Paw Paw.  As soon as they unloaded the tractor Dax cried until we turned him over to Paw Paw in the cab.  After a couple of trips hauling dirt back and forth, he finally got out.

From Spring 2010

When I got finished laughing at Clint, I explained to him in all seriousness that I like to make things look good but doing the work for it - I absolutely hate. Not to mention the man power. There's only so many rocks and mulch I can carry. So to make up for it the next day he cooked dinner,watched and fed Dax,loaded the dish washer and cleaned up. Totally worked for me! I was definitely content. That's the wonderful thing about Clint, even though I do love to tease him about the excuses he comes up with, he's more than happy to help me out on other things he doesn't mind doing so much but they're things I don't necessarily hate but do love to catch a break from every now and then. It's definitely a trade off that works for us.

I don't want to post pictures of this year's project until it's finished, but it's basically two new beds.  The one Dad was adding dirt to and tilling is for much needed shrubs.  The other is a huge area I tilled up with a hoe, mulched and will be a bulb, tuber and rhizome garden with a rock pathway like the one in the picture, but this pathway will wrap around our dogwood tree and is a bit large in comparison to that one below.

From Dax is 9 Mos Today

I know some of you will want to see pictures, I'll post them when I'm finished or when everything starts blooming - that's if it does...

Cold Winter - Even Colder Winter - Easter - Now Summer

I wouldn't dare complain about the weather.  Wouldn't dream of it.  I'm simply making an observation that we might possibly be skipping Spring and going straight into summer since we are already having 90 degree weather.  That being said, I better go ahead and get Spring pictures (what few there are) out of the way before I get too far behind on my posts.  I've already got a couple of B-days I'm late on.   Whoops.  :o(

Before I post Easter pics I wanted to share a little proud moment.  Dax stopped looking at his rocking horse as if it were going to bite him and decided to climb on but before he could break that bad pony in he had to address something that was bothering him.  Which was getting rid of that girly bow.  Quite the manly thing to do I thought.  Now I can stop worrying about gender bending episodes like Dax always wanting to wear my bracelets and stuff of the like... just kidding.  He's definitely all boy.   I keep putting the bow back on (to see what he'll do) and first chance he gets he takes it off and throws it.  I'm sure it'll come up missing... just like the plastic fly swatter we use to spank him.  It's amazing to me that a 1 1/2 year old can hide something that big so good that it basically disappeared off the face of the earth (our small house being the face of the earth).  We can't find them anywhere. 

Dax's first horse:  Woody

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

Easter 2010 We were lucky to get the few pics that we did. Gone are the days when Dax stands still long enough to snap a picture - much less smile and look cute. If anyone can get him to at least look at the camera, it's Maw Maw.

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

One of the ladies that kept Dax during church service said "he's got the cutest personality" I would love to have known what he was doing for that sweet comment. I can't help but wonder if that was her creative way of saying "He's a handful!"

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

From Spring 2010

Littering Takes A Dangerous Twist

A couple of weeks ago Clint, Jacob and Dax were on the way home from their fishing trip and Dax's visit with Grandmother when passing a couple of teenagers.  One of the teenagers threw a bottle out the window and it hit the bass boat.

This is the damage it did.  Absolutely unbelievable that 1 little bottle thrown at that slow speed did this damage. It completely went through the seat.  Though the seat was old, it was in perfect condition.  So all the damage was done from that one bottle.

Thank goodness it didn't hit their windshield!!!! 

From Miscellaneous

From Miscellaneous

Genuine House-Cat Purse?

or maybe cat skinned stilettos?

Maybe I'll just start a trophy wall with my first addition being a mounted domestic cat head.

Listen up people, or read up people. Literally. Up in the header of this blog where I wrote "Learn from our mistakes (THERE ARE MANY)." Well that time has come as I bring you a what not to do education from the Powells. I'm now right back to square one when it comes to being overly cautious in regards to my or anyone else's sweet furry friends.

Twice this month Dax has paid for my love for animals and the belief that Dax is safe around our sweet, loving, gentle natured pets. 2 weeks ago he was knocked down head first on the concrete by my dog, Boss, in which he got a blue knot on his head (thank goodness he didn't hit the ground harder!!) because Boss is a big dog.

Now he has another battle wound from our cat. This picture was taken 3-4 days after it happened. So it had healed a great deal.

From Winter 2010

You might argue that I'm beginning to over react, but imagine if this cat has gotten his eye. It could have easily blinded him.

The bad thing is, is that this is our fault not the animals. Boss is a sweet playful dog that got carried away. The cat is the most docile creature I've ever been around and up to that point didn't mind Dax's occasional roughness towards him. He'd usually continue to purr like he loved it.

I don't know what caused the cat to decide he didn't want to be touched but we now have a difficult situation. I don't want Dax to fear animals, but he's not going to be allowed to get too close to them either. Not until he's old enough to understand the danger.

I've constantly heard or even said myself "oh, don't worry, ____ loves kids or that dog/cat wouldn't hurt a flea. My Grandmother thought the same about her small house companion until it tore my hand up for just trying to pet it. The dog had always loved me up until that moment.  Just before I wrote this post, I was pressured by a neighbor to put Dax down to pet a very sweet dog that had been adopted and wouldn't get close to "just anybody."  They didn't understand my caution but though I hate to offend anyone and their pet, it's not going to happen. 

Dax is the problem, not the animal.  Apparently, Dax is too unpredictable and I think animals sense that which causes them to strike.   So, if I run into you and won't let my son down around your pet please don't be offended.  It's just not worth the risk to me.  You don't know how many times I've heard "they've never bitten before..."  until some poor kid or even adult is the first of course. 

After what I've seen recently, I'm going to stand by my belief that animals can pose a huge threat to a child. They can and will retaliate at any moment and for any reason. Better to be safe than sorry.