Do You Want Cheese on that?

Nellysa and I went to a drive-up the other day and this is how the conversation went:

me: We would like a cheesburger, no pickle , no onion.........

person taking order : You want a cheesburger, no onion?

me: Yes, a cheesburger, no onion, AND no pickle.

pto: Ok, so you want a cheesburger, no onion, and no pickle.
Did you want CHEESE on that??

me: Yes, if it's not an inconvenience.

Nellysa: HERE'S YOUR SIGN!!

You're a Redneck if ....

Wouldn't you know it, as soon as Kirk isn't around, the truck breaks down. Levi tried to be a mechanic and fix the problem (remember, Levi specializes in landscaping). He even went and bought a book to tell him how to fix things. He took everything apart, but couldn't get it back together for a few days. As soon as things were back together enough to drive, the truck took a trip to our certified mechanic.




Now I am a pretty paient person I think. And I applaud Levi for taking the initiative to fix things by himself, but here is where I draw the line -- Don't take things apart in my driveway, BEHIND my van, and block me in for several days until you "get it back together"!







Truck update: The clutch, brakes,and ignition switch have been replaced and is now in running order.

Green, Green Grass of Home

Since Levi has started working for a garden center, things around our house have really "greened-up". Every corner and unused space, got mulch and plants. The place that he works is always throwing plants out back to make room for new ones. Levi just puts them right in the back of his truck and brings them home, nurses them a bit, and gets them growing good again.


This corner used to be just grass with that blasted rose bush in the very corner. Apparently the rose bush was literally toughing out until Levi rescued it by making it part of this flower bed.

Organizing the backyard garden center
check out the elaborate sprinkler system.


This is my new gazebo so I can go out and not get eaten alive by bugs (seeing as how I am so sweet). I had just uploaded the first picture and was tyrping when the kids yelled for me to come look .. My new gazibo fell over on itself pelting rain and wind. So Levi and I ran to see my gazibo and see if we could recover the canvas and screening. We are drenched and trying !to move the frame somewhere that it could have a little support. When we got the frame in both hands and started to move it, we hear the rumbling of thunder. Not to much later we saw the lightening hitting aound. We hurried so we couldn't be zapped!

It rained so much that Levi's canoe was filled with water.
What a day!! Skidattle Alberta

And in this corner....

I bought two sets of boxing gloves the other day for Kelby and Nellysa. They needed a way to civilly take out their sibling rivalry. Little did I know what a popular sport this would become at our house. Clancy and Levi decided that they needed to give it a try, so they moved the rug and made a boxing ring in the middle of my LIVING ROOM.

It was quite loud with the boys challenging each other and the peanut gallery coaching them.

Today, I went and bought two more sets of gloves so they each have a set. We have a pool frame on the ground in our backyard. We haven't set up the pool yet, so the frame became a boxing ring. They put chairs in each corner so they can all have a spot to rest between matches. At least they moved it outside and my nick knacks are safe once again.

Making it look good for the camera.

Much Needed Advice

The other day Levi came up to me and in a matter-of-fact tone, told me that I needed to GROUND my children! I said "Oh, why should I ground my children?". He went on to explain that he had left a can of yard paint out back by his yard equipment, and "somebody" had painted initials on the tree, painted the grass, some lattice, and a few other things. Anyway, this "mysterious person" had used the whole can of paint. Levi was not happy.

It is kind of weird being told by your own 16 year old that "You need to ground your children". I guess I had better keep an eye on "my children"!

New Fascination

"This is fascinating"

"I wonder if I can catch it?"

Bloomin' Flowers

Levi is planting all kinds of plants in our backyard and it reminded me of my little "flower picture" phase. My kids hated that phase because everywhere we went, I had to take pictures of flowers. They got to the point that they would make fun of me and act excited when they saw dandelions or weeds with flowers on them and then they would pretend that they were taking pictures. Some day... I am going to make a book of flower pictures and give one to each of my kids! In the meantime, here are some of my "crazy flower " pictures.