Sixth birthday

Today Nicolas would be 6. Happy Birthday in Heaven, sweet boy. You are so very missed & loved.

I will add a photo later, once i get back home.

blooming

Crocuses opened, and snowdrops are in full bloom.  There are bees everywhere...i have to get out there & clean up my beds...

earliest spring, 2009

Last week:



and this morning:

Everyone complains that the winter has been so long but in fact it seems to me that things are starting to bloom right on schedule...maybe even earlier than previous years.  It was a very cold winter, though, and that changes your perception.  The snowdrops are early -- in previous years i have had the white crocuses come first, and now they are nowhere to be seen.  That is, one can see the foliage but no buds yet.  The snowdrops, though, would actually be blooming today if it wasn't for that pesky snow that we woke up with...

My neighbor has crocuses blooming in the front, but mine are not.  

You see some pictures of tulip foliage coming up, but really i do not know what will happen with the tulips.  These particular ones pictured are the Kauffmania type and they do spread, but the squirrels seem to like to dig them up.  I did not plant more last year, so there will probably be very few in the rose garden.  I fear the situation with the other tulips.  I lifted the bulbs last year -- stored them over the hot summer & put them back in the ground the fall.  When i went to plant them, the bulbs looked like hell & i doubt i will get many flowers.  So i ran to the store & bought what they had, but it was late in the season by that point & the selection was fairly dismal.  So we will see about the tulips this year...i am not feeling hopeful, though.

This year, in fact probably within the month, we have to put in the front walkway and the back patio.  Then i have to totally dig up most of my beds in the back & move all the plants around to finish the new borders in the back & in the front.  Big doings.  (Yes, said big doings were supposed to be done last fall.  Welcome to my life.) Only the plants in Nicolas' garden & in the rose garden will not be moved. Largely, i mean....some of them will be.    Of course this is a nebulous plan, as i have not sat down & drawn out & planned what i want.  Especially with the current financial situation, the plantings in the front will surely not be what i had envisioned.  Sigh.  Well, c'est la vie.  I can always redo it later, right?

Interview with a 4-year old

Cut and paste the questions and Interview your child.

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Be good.

2. What makes mom happy?

Being nice.

3. What makes mom sad?

Someone gets hurt. Or if i be mean.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Make a silly face!

5. What was your mom like as a child?

She had hair.

6. How old is your mom?

I don't know.

7. How tall is your mom?

I don't know.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?

Baking!

9. What does your mom do when you're not here?

I don't know.

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?

Me! (and indeed, that is probably true.)

11. What is your mom really good at?

Baking.

12. What is your mom not very good at?

Catching the babies when they run away down the hallway at my school.

13. What does your mom do for a job?

teach.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?

wine.

15. What makes you proud of your mom?

When you wear pink clothes and beautiful clothes.

Happy Birthday Thomas

Today i am wishing a Happy 4th Birthday in heaven to Thomas. Kristin, thinking of your family today & sending lots of hugs.

Also, i am planning on a random act of kindness (or two) in memory of Thomas...if anyone still reads this blog, i hope you will join me in that.