Neighbors

So this is one of the biggest reasons that we want to move. There are several reasons but this is one of the biggest. Our neighbors are very, very unpleasant to live next to. Their house is run down yet they spend oodles of money on themselves and vacations. There fence is falling apart, they buy alcohol for their teenage son and all his friends and then they party right under Little Buddy's window (which made putting him down to sleep terrible over the course of 2 years), then they all smoke under his window too (which puts a complete kibosh on opening the windows during nice weather that doesn't warrant ac or heat), they are very loud shouting at each other outdoors, indoors with all the doors and windows open and from outside to someone deep within the house, their yard (front and back) is full of trash which they refuse to pick up even when it's from their own recycle bin, in the summer they leave so much dog poop in their backyard that you can hardly garden without gagging or being swarmed by flies. I can go on and thanks for reading cause this is one pissy post. I am typically a pretty positive person but these people press every single button I have. They let their son have as many friends over as he wants and then there are cars and teenagers hanging out all over the place often tossing trash about. The teenage boys then shout out rude remarks my direction as I garden in the summer time. Ugh, they got this above ground pool last summer which became a new headache in itself. Then they were outside making tons more noise shouting and having tons more people over all the time. They had a graduation party last summer and then left the inflatable toys outside the rest of the summer which were all full of black grimy water like rotten birdbaths at the end of the season. We put in a brand new cedar fence a summer or two back and last summer one of their loser son's friends was whipping a machete at it on the other side. They let weeds grow to several feet tall and then all the seeds float around into our yard where I am trying to make the yard look nice and not use weed killer cause it makes our dog sick. Agh! The inside of their house is completely run down and the dog pees wherever she likes so the entire house smells like pet urine. Oh, and last summer they attached those big yellow and black shop lights to their deck over their pool so they could swim at night. The night I peered out Little Buddy's window and saw the very heavy mom that lives there swimming topless and large hoo-has flopping about I just about had a heart attack. Do we really need to put the spotlights on those things? Puh-leaze!!! I don't like it but would really raise a stink if Little Buddy was old enough to have seen it and known what was going on, yuck! Ya know, it's funny cause we are so opposite from them. We will spend our every last cent on making our yard and house nice and skip on the vacations and new clothes and pedicures but then they let everything else go to shit and they are always freshly showered and have pedicures and manicures. For years they would shout hi over the fence with a big smirk on their face as I was up to my elbows in weeds and dirt like I was some type of urchin or something. When we were on better terms with them, they used to stop by and say hello from time to time. We would be having a home rehab weekend almost every weekend working on something else. So we were unshowered and grouting, tiling, ripping out carpet, installing hardwood floors, getting take out but really kinda loving it cause we were making something better and doing it together. They thought we were nuts. The mom reminds me of a cross between Peg Bundy and Mrs. Roper and Mimi from the Drew Carey Show. She'd stop by all snoopy like peering over our shoulders when we answered the door with her high heel sandals, perfume, painted nails, way too tight (especially for a plus size woman) outfit.

So, they just got this pool last summer professionally installed by a local company. They used it all summer. Then at the end of the summer they pathetically threw a large cheap tarp over it and instead of buying the winter pool cover that is designed for it. As the winter months here in the Midwest passed by with all it's wind, ice, snow and fury, the tarp blew off and then the pool gradually began to fall apart. Now it is in such a sad state that the large metal panels wave in the wind creating a very loud thunder-like sound. Waking me and hubby and Little Buddy up at night and nap time too. Agh! Winter was our one favorite part of having these folks as neighbors. Not this year. This is just so pathetic. See all the crap on their deck? In their yard? The pile of wood and crap in the back corner of the yard? The lawnmower that has been outside since last summer? The teen party spot under the deck? BTW, these are shot right from Little Buddy's window. Such lazy slobs! Then the hideous shed that is ALWAYS open showing all the garbage that is piled in their too. Bah! I just get madder and madder as I live here (and type)!

Hope that you enjoy the pictures. That is what we get to live next door to. Do any of you have neighbors as glorious as mine? Don't get me wrong, there have been at times small piles of wood and such in our yard or driveway but that was during construction projects and they stayed for a short time. Our shed doors are being replaced so they keep blowing cause they are falling apart but we have everything organized in there and keep our yard and house neat, clean mostly and organized. Ooh, gross, almost forgot, they have guinea pigs that sit in their own filth and a tiny little dog that has seen the light of day once. Where does the dog go to the bathroom? The big dog goes in the house everywhere. Tell me, are all your neighbors nice and quiet and clean? Do you have any Sanford and Son neighbors like mine?

Little Buddy Update

Just took Little Buddy for his 2 year appointment which included a booster shot and a recommendation for the Hep A shot. It is optional but the pediatrician recommended that we get it. They say that LB is in the 95th percentile for his height and in the 40th percentile for his weight. He is sooooo tall. His hands are huge and he wears a size 9 shoe. The ladies at Stride-Rite almost fainted when they measure him and we told them that he just turned 2 in January. Not sure if all this is from breastfeeding for nearly 2 years or what? He looks like the 3 and some 4-year-olds when we go to the park but he still has stranger anxiety and cannot talk like the 3 and 4-year-olds so I notice some kids and parents looking quizzically. He is doing very well for his age as far as speech, physical development, eating (both what and how he is able to eat by himself). I worry all the time is he up to speed on this and that, you know as any good parent would. Then we go out for play dates with other 2-year-olds and it is very difficult to not compare. Most of them seem so tiny to me and fragile and can hardly move around and climb about on the big playground equipment like he can. Many of them are still wearing little baby type clothes (which LB sadly no longer fits in) and the eating thing is really, really so different. I am surprised how so many little toddlers eat so much nothing all day. Where Little Buddy is already feeding himself hunks of hamburger, meat loaf, and chicken with a fork (he can even dip his hamburger into ketchup by himself). Majority of other kids don't even eat meat. Not that we are big meat eaters BUT he refuses to drink milk and then doesn't like many vegetables, cereals and only eats cheese when he's in the mood so I introduced more meats to him so that he would be getting his iron and proteins, etc. He eats fruit like it's going out of style (3 apples, 2 bananas, and a bowl of grapes every day). Loves sweet potatoes, cucumbers, baby food peas (as long as he eats peas, I could care less what form they are in). Still can't get over how many toddlers live on carbs and dairy and at 2 years old I think it's really time that most kids are at least attempting to try using utensils? Don't know?

Anywho, like I said, Little Buddy is talking quite a bit now. He says: cow, mommy, daddy, ess (yes), no, nap, poo poo, baby, purse, bus, nanna (banana), baba (apple), dodd-oo-ee (cookie?), mamm-uh (grandma), papa (grandpa), dee! (drink), etc, I could go on but you get the idea. Lots of words or really good attempts at words. He can usually tell us in some form when he wants or needs something which is the biggest battle really. Still proud of my Little Buddy, he is talking more and more every day, soon I am going to have to really stop saying all that I say around him (regarding MIL, etc.).

They asked me at his appointment if anyone in the family would be exposed to lead. I then though of my husband shooting on the range at work and how he regularly carries ammunition on his body at work for hours. So, I said yes. Then they asked me if my husband shoots on the range very often or just occasionally to qualify. It's just once in awhile. Then they asked if he comes in and has contact with Little Buddy when he gets off duty. He doesn't, it's usually 11:30-12:00 midnight and he leaves any leaded clothing off and throws it in the washer rather than wearing it again. Still, you really start to think of all this a lot more and hope that it never becomes and issue and that officer hubby always does in fact remember to take off his leaded clothes and wash first before bringing them into the house and or shower too before touching Little Buddy. Then I think, well, if hubby is in contact with lead and then we conceive, what then? Isn't that tainted fertilizer so to speak? Anyway, just curious if any of the LEO wives that read me are careful or have you been questioned by your pediatrician's or have you actually had to have your child lead-tested? They said they did NOT need to test Little Buddy this last time but if the lead contact of officer hubby becomes more than we should. Scary!

*Oh, LB is wearing a men's hat with slight adjustment, he's got a "big melon" too. That's how our pediatrician worded it. No shock, mommy and daddy also have big noggins :)

OMG People, You Gotta Read This . . . . . . . .

http://comicallyflawed.blogspot.com/2009/03/dear-loser-letters.html

Anyone Know How To . . . . . .

Post a video from Youtube or other video website? I don't know HTML but am a member of Youtube what else do I need to do? I greatly appreciate any help anyone can lend. Thanks!

Compost Pail Gift Update

My mom received her compost pail a few days ago. She said that she really likes it and was very pleasantly surprised. Remember how I mentioned that she really tried very hard to be earth conscious but her apartment building did not have recycling? Well she and another tenant had pestered the landlord about a recycling bin several times and he finally caved and got one (with pickup). There was a recycling bin I had acquired when I lived there for everyone to put their recycling in but the recycling guy refused to pick it up after a few times. Anyhow, her persistence paid off and they now have recycling for the whole building and she no longer has to give us or my sister her bags of recycling. Phew!

Then she went on to tell me that another tenant in the building who is also very earth conscious broke down and bought a large composter for outside. Now she can collect her compost scraps in her pail and then carry them out to the big composter outside. Hurray! I was overjoyed that everything has come together for her and her neighbors in the building. It is so hard to be good about recycling and composting when it seems that everything is trying to prevent you from doing so, ya know?

Daily Inspiration

The Triangle Of Death

I'm sure some of you cop's wives out there have heard of the "Triangle Of Death" regarding police uniforms. For those of my readers that think I am talking about a bizarre murder plot or something, I will explain. The majority of cop uniforms out there are dark blue or some are even black. The regulation uniform for thousands of police departments is to wear a white t-shirt underneath of the dark shirt which is then left open a button or two. These two shirts and colors together create a triangle. This triangle has become a perfect target for criminals to shoot at and it is in a very dangerous place for being shot.

Many police departments are now switching to a dark colored t-shirt as regulation instead of the white so as not to create any type of triangle but rather to just all blend together. My husbands PD made the switch about 6 months ago. I have to admit that at first it sounded really funny like an old Sherlock Holmes movie (big fan). Then after I really thought about it, it made a lot of sense to me. It is one area exposed with the bullet proof vest on and apparently can have fatal results when shot in that specific location.

Have any of you out there ever heard of this? Do you or does your husband still wear the TOD? Has his/your department made the switch yet? Is this the first time that you have read about it? Tell me what you think.

My Latest Concoction

So lately I have been craving this combo I came up with. One day I just wanted it so bad. So I immediately grabbed a whole vine tomato, some freshly cut snips from green onion and some 1% small curd cottage cheese. I have no idea why I wanted this so bad but figure that when you REALLY want something your body most likely needs some nutrients that you are missing. So I figure I need vitamin C from the tomatoes and calcium from the cottage cheese, not sure about the onions yet but they do add an awesome extra something. I am not a milk drinker and rarely eat much dairy, just some here and there.

Here's what I did, I cut up the whole tomato and threw about half on the bottom of the bowl. Then I layered with a scoop or cottage cheese. Then I added the rest of the tomatoes, then a little more cottage cheese and then topped with green onions. I eat it for a meal with a very large glass of water. It was so good the first day that I immediately bought the makings for more. Such a refreshing warm weather meal. I even got my husband to eat it AND like it. He got "tomatoed out" half way through cause he doesn't love tomatoes like I do. Give it a try. What have you been eating lately? Any odd or interesting little concoctions that you have created or copied from someone else? What's the oddest thing you like to eat healthy or not?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

OK, I'm not Irish at all. I always love this Irish Blessing when I see it. I found this cute little vintage Irish Blessing postcard on the internet and thought I'd share. Hope you have a great day, month, etc. We will be going to my FIL & SMIL's in the evening for some corned beef and cabbage. I never go to any meal empty handed. I think on this day I find it only fitting that I bring some type of green dessert. I was thinking of a small green salad? Nah, dessert is a must on this day, green dessert, for sure.

Am fear nach dèan cur sa Mhàrt, cha bhuain e san Fhoghar.
He who will not sow in March will not reap in autumn.

Try These Apples!!!

Just thought I'd let you all know about some really delicious apples that I just bought the other day. I bought a bag of organic gala apples from the produce department at Meijer. They were only about twenty cents more than the bag of regular gala apples. They were bigger too. They were soooooo good. I couldn't stop eating them. Apples are just about my favorite fruit but I am very picky cause, well, there are a lot of bad apples out there. Sorry, no pun intended but I couldn't help myself. Not sure if there is a Meijer by your house but if there is and you are a fan of apples, I strongly recommend that you try them. Little Buddy would sit and gnaw on one for like 30 minutes before dinner or lunch or even breakfast. He will disappear in the other room and watch PBS; Martha Speaks, Sesame Street, Sid The Science Kid, etc. while I make food for him/us. There is no sound except the tv for quite awhile and then he appears in the kitchen handing me a little, well-gnawed apple core. Very funny! They are really good. We just ran out and I'm dying to go and get some more. Maybe 2 bags this time? Hmmmmm . . . . . .

Camera Phone

OMG, I could just cry looking at this picture. Little Buddy was just a few weeks old in this picture. Still small enough that he would just fall asleep wherever and whenever. I am so happy and proud of the big boy he has become but miss the days when he was tiny and cuddly and ever so young and new. Wonder if there will ever be another little one to come along in our little family?

Happy Composting Dear Mo-ommm, Happy Composting To You!

Take a look at this little beauty that I just ordered for my mom's 63rd birthday gift. I was all over the web looking for what's available for composting pails. I eventually ordered this from Grow and Make and am having it shipped to her apartment. She has no idea what I got her. She lives alone in an apartment. She has lived there since 1991. I lived there with her til shortly before I got married in 2003. It's a small building and the landlord lets her garden in the yard there. She is pretty earth conscious. They do not have recycling but she saves it up and either gives a large bag to my sister or us every few weeks to add to our recycling. She gardens and has been contemplating getting a large composter for the building. She also does have to wrap up her sloppy garbage because she does not have a garbage disposal. This I thought would be perfect for her and would be excellent for her garden in the summer. I figured she could dump in what she wants then every so often dump it outside because she lives alone and does not have that much waste. There are holes in the lid and a compartment for a charcoal filter to eliminate any odors. There is a tight fitting lid which should also help with keeping the odors inside. The pail comes with extra replacement charcoal filters too. I found a large price range on the Internet for these from mid $30's to even in the $60's. This site was easy to navigate and use and had one of the best prices I could find. I was hoping to find something that was attractive enough to put on the counter BUT not too pretty or fragile so that it would get trashed in the garden cart on the way back from being dumped in the summer. I guess the ideal use of this would be to collect your compost, then walk the pail outside to your big compost pile. For her this will just hold scraps that she can throw right on her plants (my old gardening neighbor when I was a kid did that) OR she could start a small pile outdoors somewhere. I think and hope that she will get a big kick out of this. The only possible thing that she may have an issue with is fruit flies. When stuff sits in it for awhile the flies come. There is a fruit fly trap with inserts available which I will also order for her if it becomes a problem. Think it may cause she will probably take a bit to fill it and she rarely if ever runs her AC in the summer.

Anywho, I think I want one now. Though I wanted a brushed stainless pail but the only one I found did not have ventilation holes in it which are vital for proper air circulation and no place for a charcoal filter. You are then supposed to use bidegradable bags, etc. Blah, it just gets more costly and more to fuss with. This one is dishwasher safe and because it's stainless will not hold any odors. Saw some pretty stoneware compost crocks for the counter but I don't think it would be tough enough for many trips to the garden. Cannot wait til she gets it. I asked her if she wanted to know what I ordered for her and she said no. Missed her birthday lunch today because I'm sick and Little Buddy is sick too.

Happy 63rd Mom!

Summer Memories

This post is in great anticipation of spring. I took this photo last summer. It was such a wet summer that we had several mushrooms popping up all over. This mushroom popped up amongst the plants by my front porch. I thought it was really cool how the white of the mushroom colored the nearby leaves of the plants. Not sure how or why this happened but it almost looked like someone sprayed some white spray paint into the plants. I cannot wait til spring, summer and fall too. I do not do well at the end of winter all cooped up and usually when everyone is continually sick in our house. I need fresh air, greenery, birds chirping, and last but not least GARDENING! My daffodils are poking out of the ground too which means the Easter bunny should be around soon.