Thursday, June 24, 2010

" A Long Week. "

It seems so long to me since I have last posted. In actuality, it's only been a week. Most of it has felt like a week in hell, temperature wise at least. Anyone who lives in the Midwest knows what I speak of.


The extreme heat and humidity has sent our heat indexes soaring. I actually got sick a couple of times from it and have since felt drained of any and all energy.

We finally got a break from it today as the humidity has left at least for the next day or two.

I will admit that most of my heat sickness, I brought upon myself. Lowe's was having another plant sale that I discovered while there to buy more mulch. I sent my husband over to the video game store so that I could be alone in this variable flora filled heaven, all at 50 to 75 percent off !



I felt very good as I started wandering around outside. I first went and loaded four bags of mulch into my cart and then I was off to seek some poor, orphaned plant that might be in need of a good home. I got very excited when I spotted this perennial flower that I had envied for a few weeks. It's $8.00 price tag however, stopped me each time from purchasing the beauty. And there it sat, marked down to $3.33 !

  

I love the dainty yellow flowers. Four bags of mulch and two flowers later is when I started to feel very hot, sweaty and light headed. So I headed to the register to purchase my items, called Jake and told him to come and get me now. It was only 105 degrees with the heat index, but I think all of the medications I take and the fact that I have never, ever been able to deal with the heat very well, it just was not a good situation.

I had to go home and that was about it for me for the day. This was one of those Ah Ha moments for me. I just need to stay in when the temps get to high. As much as I don't like being stuck in the house, I would dislike passing out even more. And I have actually fainted twice in my life from the heat in my younger years so I guess it's time for me to get a clue!

I have some very sad news. Really, it is very, very sad for me. My little friend, Mr. Toad, is gone! I haven't seen him in two or three weeks and it makes me very sad. I have been painstakingly working on his homemade abode. I guess he got tired of waiting. Or maybe he found a better yard. Or perhaps the stray cats were just too intimidating for him, whatever the case may be, I miss his company as I garden.



I have not given up however. Quite the contrary. I am almost finished with my toad house and have purchased a few other things for " The Toad Hop Inn ". I am going to forge on without him to complete my project. I may even import a toad from my son's house. I have gone so far as to not use any pesticides what so ever this year. I will post photos of "The Toad Hop Inn" when it is completed. I am hoping to finish this up this weekend.



We had a birthday this past Tuesday. My grandson Jack turned two. The really nice thing about his birthday this year was that my husband was able to attend! This doesn't happen often with his job. He misses so, so much and I know how heartbreaking this is for him. But not this time!



Jack is very into Hot Wheels now and he received many!


It kept him very busy as his big sister Sarah read all of his birthday cards to him, although he wasn't listening!



And his mommy and grandma played camera wars with each other!



Yes it was a fun evening. And it was a long hot week. I am so dreading seeing next months power bill, Yikes!!!

But I am not going to worry about that now. I have all of my work for the week done. Tomorrow is supposed to be The Perfect Day to garden. And that is exactly what I intend to do, God willing.

Speaking of gardening, my oldest daughter Ginny has started a new blog. It is called "The Farmers Market Project". Click on blog title for link. It is an interesting concept, one in which I would love to try for myself.

She will only be eating food that she has purchased from her local Farmer's Market, for 30 days. This should be very interesting and most likely will bring about some creativity on her part.

Please click on her link above and check out this new blog of hers. If you scroll down a bit on her page you can view her video of her " Last Junk Food Meal" for 30 days. This should be very interesting!

39 comments:

Barb said...

Hi Di, My Grandson, Caden, turned 3 yesterday (23rd) and his sister, Neve turns 4 in July - this weekend is their joint party at a park in Denver (It's supposed to be hot!). I also don't do great in heat and humidity, which is why my mountain home is perfect for me. Your gardens are getting lush - love the purple Echinacea and bee! Maybe Mr Toad has just burrowed a bit to get out of the heat... Take Care of yourself, Di!

Anvilcloud said...

A Coreopsis if I'm not mistaken. Moonbeam or something like that?

Diana said...

Oh Barb do you think it could be true? Perhaps Mr. Toad is still around? I dare not hope.
I was already told by Lyn, another blogger from New Mexico, that I am living in the wrong place!
I told you I like the thought of cool mountain air! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Yes AC! It was a moonbeam something! And I can't remember either! LOL!!!
But it is pretty! Love Di ♥

Teresa said...

Hi Di,
I am loving the "Moments" in your blog this week, I think that staying in during the heat spell is certainly better than passing out. Your garden looks great! So sorry about your Toad too, but at least you captured a moment with him.

Happy Birthday to your grandson, he looks positively happy with all of his new Hot Wheels! Such a handsome little guy...I bet you can't help but hug him and hug him : )

Think I will pop over to your Daughter's sight, and I think that is so great she is going to eat completely Organic for the next month...I have been on an Organic kick myself...and my Chubby Buddy Barb and I will be headed for the Farmers Market early Saturday morning...Perhaps we should ALL take the challenge!!!

Diana said...

Hi Teresa,
I would love to do Ginny's challenge too but I don't know what to except with Kate. Perhaps I will try this when she goes back to camp!
Love Di ♥

Gail said...

HI DI-

the heat and humidity is really bad for my health condition. I Literally droop.

Great birthday celebration for your grandson and even better Jake was home! :-)

And I think your love for toads is wonderful, just like YOU.

Love you Di
Gail
peace.....

Lynilu said...

Di, what is the name of that yellow flower? It looks like one that I almost bought in Colorado, but decided against it because I was afraid it would not fare will on the trip home. I can't remember the name, and I hope I can hunt it down here.

On that getting overheated, be very careful! That is how I was the last few years in KC, and it still effects me. It is better without the humidity, but I still seems susceptible to heat and exertion. Be very, very careful!!

anupama said...

Dear Di,
NAMASTE!
Good Morning!
We are enjoying showers in Kerala,but I can feel the cool drzzles in your words!the warmth and love of family ties!
Happy Birthday to Jack!Lovely to see Sarah reading the greetings!Your post brought back my memories alot!
Lovely tiny blue flowers!So beautiful!I appreciate your sincerity in doing small and big things in the same way!
Please have lots of water!Take Care!
Wishing you a lovely and energetic weekend,
Sasneham,
Anu

Maria said...

Hi Diana!
Wow 105... that's REALLY HOT!!!
I'm comfortable when it's in the 70's... no hotter!
Wow... I keep thinking how hot that must be. When Rachael and I were in OK for a week in '01, it was that hot, but dry heat...
Humidity is tough.

Your flowers are so sweet. I'm sure your garden is going to look amazing when everything is in its glory!

You're so cute with your Toad Hop Inn :D I hope Barb is right about Mr. Toad digging in for cover from the sun...

I'll stop over to visit Ginny's blog... what a great idea! Good for Her!!!
~enjoy tomorrow's gardening day~

take care and keep cool!
Maria

Diana said...

Hi Gail,
I know how bad this heat is for me, just have to get over being stubborn about it!
Maybe some day the toad will come back! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Lyn,
I save all of the little info cards on the flowers. I will try to remember to go and look for the name of that flower tomorrow. It is so delicate and pretty.
I think I have learned my lesson with the heat. I am so seriously trying to make a plan to get out of her after Kate is moved out.
Than again, she may decide to live at home forever! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Anu,
Your weather sounds so beautiful but then again I do believe that you can make anything sound beautiful!
I am wishing for rain here. I have been having to water the plants with all of this heat!
Love to you sweetie! Love Di ♥

Short and Sweet said...

I'm so glad that Jack had a happy birthday with his family and his beloved Hot Wheels. He is so cute.

Diana said...

Hi Maria,
The humidity does make things horrible! It slows everything and everyone down. It is so strange to look outside and see no one outside in the summer because it's so hot.

I really do miss the toad, crazy I know. But it was just such a sweet novelty in my yard to see!

Maybe he is just hiding. But if not I am still going through with my INN.

I wish that I lived by Ginny. I know that between the two of us, we could eat really good from the Farmers Market! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Short and Sweet!,
Thank you, we all think that Jack is cute too. His daddy likes to play around with cars.

I think that is why he likes the Hot Wheels!!! Love Di ♥

Lynilu said...

That would be appreciated, thanks so much.

As for Kate living at home .... I would count on it. She may never go far, but she will want to be out, I promise!

Lois Evensen said...

My goodness, so much has happened this week! Gardening, a birthday, a missing toad, and a really cool Farmer's Market blog. I took a look over there and just love that Wendy's video. :)

It's great to have you back.

Hugs,
Lois

Diana said...

I will look tomorrow Lyn.
As for Kate, I picture her here forever! However I do think you are right. Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Lois,
Yes it has been a VERY long week!! Really. Seriously, long week!
Thanks for checking out Ginny's blog. It sounds like a very interesting experience! Love Di ♥

Wanda..... said...

Oh Di! Almost fainting for flowers. It has been hot and sticcky here too. I end my day outside around 10:00 on those days...can not stand humidity. I think it rained 4 out of 5 days too!

Love the name "Toad Hop Inn"...hope he's just visiting a friend and comes back! I have a tiny bunny living in my flower bed. I should build a "Bunny Hop Inn"...that was a dance...remember?

I'm going over to visit Ginny and watch her eat!
♥...Wanda

Wanda..... said...

I forgot to mention Jack and his birthday...I have boxes of hot wheels left here from Andrew and Dylan's hot wheel days! I wonder how much they cost now.
♥...Wanda

Bernie said...

It makes me so happy to know that Jack has had such a happy hot wheel birthday.....he is so cute.

It has been very warm here as well, but Di I love it. I do have A/C in my bedroom but our summers are so short that I will take whatever this beautiful sunshine has for me....bring it on is what I say!

Take care, stay healthy and enjoy your flowers, that is what I am into at the moment. Our summer are so short I just have to be outside in the sunshine playing in the dirt and enjoying the beautiful scent of the plants and flowers.

Take care my friend.....:-) Hugs

Rinkly Report said...

When I hear about your heat it makes me say 'Hooray for Winter!' We're enjoying temperatures of about 66 degrees with bright blue skies and a gentle breeze. I dread our summer, when our humidity is dreadful and we all feel drained. Still, it wont arrive till about October so I wont worry yet.
I always enjoy your domestic chat. I've had a very hectic week, which I hope to 'write up' this-evening.

Snowbrush said...

I enjoyed your beautiful flowers, but was sad to learn that Mr. Toad has gone AWOL. I sure hope he's only taking a vacation, and will be back with you soon.

Diana said...

Hi Wanda,
As it turned out I didn't have time to garden today, but it was too hot anyway. Hot wheels at Wal-Mart cost $1.19. They really haven't gone up much since I was a girl. They were .99 then. Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Bernie,
I am happy that you are finally able to enjoy some gardening yourself! I know that you were anxious to get your flowers out on the deck. Enjoy the sunshine while you can!
Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Brenda!
I would so love the 60's right now. I am a cooler air person. Once the temps go over 75, I'm really not that happy. It sounds so strange that you are having winter while we are having summer! Love Di ♥

Diana said...

Hi Snow,
I know it must sound silly about the toad! But it was the first one we've ever had in our yard in the eleven years that we've lived here! So I was quite surprised and excited to see one in my yard. Maybe he'll show up again. Love Di ♥

Arlee Bird said...

I keep hearing about all this heat and humidity and all in other parts of the country and am so thankful to have the lovely weather we have here in L.A. And all your plants--you should start a farm.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Diana said...

Hi Arlee,
It's the humidity that makes things unbearable. I am hoping to get out early in the morning tomorrow to tend to all of those plants!!
Love Di ♥

Rebecca said...

Di, I'm entirely like you with the heat. I am miserable in the heat and humidity. Today WAS better though and I'm thankful.

I sure wish it wouldn't be so hot tomorrow...we hope to go to a house & garden walk.

Your garden is certainly getting attention this season. Isn't it fun? (I must remember to check out Lowe's. SO far I've not see too many clearances or distressed plants on sale yet.)

Your daughter's experiment sounds like fun. I try to eat that way especially in the summer. Still break down for fruit (watermelon this week), milk, and coffee...

Take care of yourself. Pay attention to the messages your body sends you :)

Diana said...

Hi Rebecca!
All of the distressed and clearance plants are usually in the back of the garden center, way in the back!
Although our Lowes is starting to reduce most of them so they are having some pretty good deals!
I am done with buying them this year,now I just need to take care of them! You watch yourself in that heat too, it's supposed to be bad again tomorrow! Love Di ♥

Jackie said...

Hi Di.... My sincere apologies for the lateness of commenting on your blog.
First of all, a belated happy HAPPY birthday to Jack. He is growing soooo fast, isn't he? I'm glad that you all had a good time...and that he enjoyed his Hot Wheels. (Bless his sister's heart for taking the time to read the cards to him....what a sweetheart she is!)
I hope that your toad comes back. I am saddened that he is gone. He doesn't know what he's missing...and I'm counting on the fact that he will be back.
I love the dainty yellow flowers. I don't see them here....but I do see them in N.C. and have always loved them.
I hope that you don't work too hard gardening....but I know that you love it....and it will do you good...and will be beautiful, as well.
Take care of you, Di. I love you, my friend.
Jackie

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Hello, dearest Di!! Oh, my! I'm so glad you are going to take it easy in that kind of heat! That's just awful!! And I'm so glad that you were wise enough to note that it was not going well...and to head home! Please do continue to take care of YOU...we love you, and could not cope with hearing of you injuring yourself as a result of passing out!

Happy Birthday to your adorable grandson, Jack! So glad your husband got to be there! What a delight that must have been for him!

Your garden is extraordinary...and I'm really looking forward to seeing the Toad Hop...sorry about Mr. Toad...but perhaps another will show up when he finds your delightful residence...

Hope you have a restful weekend...and stay cool!! Love you! Janine XOXO

Jackie said...

"Smee" again!! Hi! I clicked on Ginny's blog....loved what I saw. (Of course, you know that I love fresh food...and especially from North Carolina!!) I wish there was a place I could comment, but please let her know for me that I am JEALOUS of her incredibly wonderful eating habits.. Fresh is best! Go Ginny!
Love,
Jackie

Pramoda Meduri said...

Hi Di, wow..am here after some days and ur post wished me in many ways..

Sorry for Todd.. Memories make like beautiful..

Have nice time Di..

jules said...

All we have had is rain and storms up here for a couple weeks. I am aching for some warm weather. Today we are supposed to be in the 80s and humid. We'll see if we actually get it.

I know how that is with the hubby missing those events. Brian has missed way too many in his life. Sometimes the life of a truck driver sucks...

Teresa said...

Hi Again Di,
I completely loved Ginny's Blog, but I just can not figure out for the life of me how to make a comment...oh well, tell her I love her idea, and the way she is going about it. It is so cool and creative. Hope you are doing well, I am inspired to head off to the farmers market today...we have one in St. Albert, but I am afraid our season has only started and I am not sure what I will find...((((HUGS)))) TT