Guardian Protection Services

We all get those phone calls from non-profit organizations, credit card companies, car dealerships and my new favorite: home security systems.

For the most part I politely cut them off at the beginning to avoid their LONG explanation of why they are calling and assure me that they're not selling anything. But, for some reason I was quite impressed by the most recent phonecall from Guardian Protection Services. Granted, that afternoon was slow for me (okay, it was really slow). The guy on the other end couldn't have been more than 25 and he sounded very nervous but enthusiastic (kind of like when you're giving a talk at church). I heard lots of 'ums' and repetitive features of this fantastic security system. Nevertheless, I let him continue. For the first time ever I was smiling and genuinely entertained by this stranger who interrupted my lazy afternoon. I could tell He hasn't done this for very long...the least I could do was let him practice. Cutting him off too soon would never allow him to practice the whole spill. I just had to be nice this time. Overall, he did a pretty good job at keeping my attention. He gave me such a break from all those other, more annoying, 'you-talk-so-fast-I-can't-even-understand-you' callers. Not that I opted for the free, in-home demonstration given by one of their highly qualified techinicians that could be in my area on Monday!

Kudos to James at Guardian Protection Services! I hope I never hear from you again -

Mother Nature Rambles

I've spent my morning watching nature in my backyard. For some reasons it's quite entertaining today! After watering, birds flock in to grab the worms and hang out at the bird feeders.
The Gardenia bush is in full bloom (a month earlier than last year)
and Aidan's wildflowers are going crazy (still can't identify them yet).
Then there are my first Black Swallowtail caterpillars on my dill. Yes, I planted dill for the caterpillars...not really to harvest.
I watch as a feisty Blue Jay comes down and plucks one off the plant and flies away. I feel torn: I love seeing Mr. Blue Jay and the caterpillars--but the bird will always prevail. So, I have to let go of my ridiculous sadness for losing a caterpillar and be joyful that I've supplied a natural food for the birds as well. I'm sure they'll be back for more. They better or I'll run out of dill for the little crawlers.

Just gets me more excited as I wait for the day-lilies to bloom and for the Hummingbirds to return...still waiting for their favorite flowers to start blooming (any day now). Last but not least, waiting for the Monarch caterpillars to come back to the milkweed.

I didn't plant a vegetable garden for me this year. I just wanted to plant for Mother Nature.

Maybe you think I'm weird--but I find it entertaining to watch it all. I will sometimes drop everything to just sit and observe.

Beach Blues

We tried to spend the afternoon at the beach. But with a sickly toddler, too much wind, LOTS of people and high tide (which meant no sand castle building) we didn't stay as long as we had hoped.

The waves were fun!

And the little tide pool was perfect for Robyn.

(Aidan's the little person in the background)

We'll come back another day!

Going sleeveless?

This is the first year I actually contemplated buying Robyn's Easter dress (instead of making it). Honestly, she's in desperate need of Spring/Summer dresses for the first time in her life. She has finally grown out of all the ones given to her or that I made. I fully intended on going out this week and purchasing a few sundresses and nice church dresses.

Oh. My. Goodness. What a frustrating adventure! I've lost count of how many stores I've been through and I have one question for all those clothing manufacturers:

What happened to the sleeves??!!

Please! Bring back the sleeves. When did going sleeveless become so popular with little girls? I must have missed that fashion trend :\

The day has finally come...

Aidan was complaining the other day because he was so bored and had nothing to do. I sarcastically suggested, "Hey, wanna try mowing the lawn?" I did not expect him to jump up and actually go for it with a smile.


He went around the yard a few times just pushing it before actually mowing it. We had to make sure he had the strength to push it. That he does! Yes, his method is still not the most efficient but he gets the job done. And , the pride he felt when he was done...absolutely priceless! You can just imagine my excitement that I get to finally share this chore with him.


He can't wait to do it again!
(Now Hunter's complaining that I won't let him mow the lawn yet.)

In Your Face

Jaren was our MC for the night at our Church Pie Party. All his hard work and this is the thanks he gets!?




Let's not upstage Aidan who entered in the Children's Pie Eating Contest.
He won this round! He raced against two adults at the end for the grand prize (mind you, Aidan didn't have a whole pie--just a quarter). He did finish 2nd though! And when we got home he says to me, "Mmmm, I'm still hungry." Typical Aidan....


Have I ever seen so much pie in one place?! Don't recall Robyn actually eating any pie. She just ate the whipped topping off the tops of the pieces and I got what was left over (yum, yum).

Go Fetch

Our daily walks to the mailbox always include this happy canine.



At least she's not chasing the mailman.

Not quite all the way to China...