November 1st, 2009

Dad & Jeff @ The Farm last weekend, we went for breakfast before taking dad to the airport.

OK, so I have been buying plant after plant for the past seven years that we have lived here. Very few survive as their water needs seem to get the best of me every time. Pam gave me one of her aloe plants when Bensen was sick and had a bad sore that wouldn't heal. I just set it on a bench in our backyard and somewhat ignored it for many years. This past spring, the plastic pot it was in disintegrated from the sun so I transplanted the aloe into one of the crucibles and started watering regularly. It totally took off. See in the picture below, it's in the the largest crucible.The medium crucible on wheels (right) holds a Candellaria (sp?) we bought this summer, it's holding up so far. The medium crucible on the ground holds a Ladyslipper we bought at Baker's yesterday. By the way, they were having an Orchid Show while we there - the displays were amazing.

Since the aloe have gone crazy, they are strangling themselves the crucible. Therefore, I took pups out and transplanted in 1.) the bed edging our patio, 2.) the large white planter, 3.) Small round terra cotta planter, 4.) lined our raised bed outside the front gate. I hope they all survive, especially out front because our curb appeal sucks.

Take note that the photo below is taken AFTER I took out the pups - see how full it still is??

Oh yeah, and for good measure, the obligatory animal picture. This was Four yesterday afternoon having an E.T. moment.

Back from Walla Walla!

We had a wonderful short visit with my sister and her family this past week. This is the first taste of Autumn that I have had in years!

Emi & Ethan hanging out and a little dancing at the Farmers Market.

Uncle Jeff & Ethan

Ethan and Daddy's truck

Evan (aka Bubba)

Auntie Meagen, Uncle Jeff, Evan, Ethan & Emi

Sis & brother

Emi all dressed up, and brother

The Big Kids at the winery, L'Ecole No. 41. Jeff, Adi & Seth.

Sisters @ L'Ecole No. 41

Evan, happiest when eating.

Ethan, bike riding. He hasn't quite mastered riding slow and

simply falls over when he has to slow down.

Painting, "Stay inside the lines!"

Emi, Danny & Ethan - after school and full of energy.

Auntie & Emi.

Uncle Jeff & Emi

Encanto Park

Took Trigger to Encanto Park early this morning, had never been before. It was a lot smaller than I anticipated - guess Enchanted Island and the golf course takes up most of the park. The nice thing is the canal of water that runs throughout - I guess there are paddleboats for rent. Oh - and there were a cats roaming the park - isn't that odd? Trigger checking out the geese, he was actually pretty afraid of the canal of water. Weird since he's been around the lake at Steele Indian School Park. However the water was glass-like calm and I think he couldn't really "read" what it was until I stuck my hand in it and splashed it around.

We passed by a guy and his gorgeous and well-mannered sable GSD who asked, "Were you at Steele yesterday? I thought I recognized your dog, he's beautiful". Funny how dog people know other dog people by their dogs. (I remember people's dog's names but not their names.) I had to admit to th guy that yes, that was us, we were the ones making all the racket, since Trigger barked for the entire 60 minute training lesson. He laughed and said "Oh, that was YOU guys?"

My beautiful boy!

ACK!

Had our second quarterly check of the in-ground termite bait system and they found activity in Station #2...now to figure out which one that is and look for activity in the house!

The Healing Field

I decided to take Trigger to Tempe Beach Park this morning and figured we could also walk Mill Ave and practice our training. I forgot that Tempe erects The Healing Field each September 11th. I have seen it on the news and in the newspaper and always wanted to go in person. I was so excited to see it up when we arrived.

Sunrise on the water, Trigger is very interested in the kayakers!

When we first approached, the sun was just beginning to come up. It was quiet and peaceful and there were a few people wandering amongst the flags, some taking photos. I felt a rush of emotions, knot in my throat, eyes welling up. Each flag represents a person lost that day. Each flag is marked with their name, age and a brief bio. Public servants also had a yellow ribbon attached to the flag. It was overwhelming and sad and moving to be there, walking among those thousands of flags.

Painting the skylights...finally

We are working on the skylights this weekend, it's been what - three years since they were installed? We went to HD and got some No VOC primer and paint. It was pricey (I think), I didn't bother to check the high fume stuff since I figured the price difference would probably make me change my mind. The Primer was $30 / gal and the paint was $40/gal. We have primed and will start painting in about 30 min. The primer had no odor whatsoever, big difference from Kilz!

Not like one can tell anything from the pictures - but there they are!

Badger, the stray shop cat, is being dropped off at the vet today - he has a neuter scheduled for tomorrow. We applied for a voucher from the Maricopa County Big Fix program and he is being neutered at no charge. One has to send in an application and it took about 2-3 wks to get the voucher. There is a local rescue I have been speaking to who may take him when they have a slot open up at one their Petco adoption sites. They also do the FeLv/FIV testing for $14.50! He needs to be tested and everywhere I've called wants $63 + for the test. When the rescue has their clinic, I am going to take Ocho as well. I think I am going to speak to them about finding Ocho a home as well. Its unfair for him living without a real family - he is still segregated from our cats and I can tell he is lonely living down in the big room. He's such a lover and deserves better. Here are some good pics of Badger: