In A Tizzy

Good Morning!

I'm sitting here in a bit of a tizzy, not knowing what to do first.

I have so much to tell you, and I'm not sure how or where to start.

The thing about blogging, if you don't get it right out there, the story loses it's shine, and it's hard to write about it.

I need to tell you about Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday!

Each day has it's own dysfunction, wonder and fun.

Now that's a lot of blogging, and a lot of drivel.

This is going to be a long post-so for those of you that are kind enough to read it all, I thank you. For those of you who aren't - I totally understand!

You will need drink refills.

I'm just sayin'.

I know you are all riveted to your chairs, dying to hear about the Garden Walk - especially Fake Accent Lady - and the bus load of the nicest people I've ever met. With all this build up, I sure hope you won't be disappointed!

I need to tell you the Coop Happenings!

Bumblefoot, broodiness, impacted crops, new hatchlings, etc....

Seriously, never a dull moment.

And of course, my day with the Flower Patch Farmgirl.

Where do I start? Where, I ask you? Do I blog the whole derned week at once? Or do I try to do nice little cohesive blogs about everything individually?

It's 10am on Wednesday morning, and I'm sitting here in my bra and pajama pants.

Yep.

Aaron is on summer break, so here's only here a few days a week now.

It's so unusual that I find myself alone.

I'm a bit scattered, as usual.

You'll get a big insight into my personality when Shannan shares her Tastee Top story.

I think I'll tell you a wee bit about Thursday night, and then about Friday night - and then I'll do a blog next about Saturday and Sunday (the Walk), then I'll tell you about Tuesday (Flower Patch Farmgirl) and THEN I'll tell you about Monday.

And then I'll be plum worn out and close the blog, k?

Thursday - July something or another...2010

After receiving the 'Nod' from Terry, I felt free and happy.

It was raining on and off all day, so I just hung up the trowel for the day and went to the library, looking for my next big project, my new 'thang' and some info on goats.

6pm was the Appreciation Dinner at Gardens on the Prairie in Lowell, IN.

If you've never gone - you need to go.

I mean, go. Like in drive two hours if you have to - plan a day of it - just go.

It's so lovely there! I find the staff very helpful, Wayne is fabulous and there is just so much to see, so much to be inspired from and he has a great selection of everything.

Love that place.

And it's just a stone's throw from me, so you can visit me as well!

The ladies from the Garden Club not only garden well, they can throw down some grub.

It was reeeeallllly hot and humid, which makes it hard for me to eat, but I forced down two chicken legs, some corn pudding and dessert. I didn't want to appear rude.

It was fun talking with all the other home owners, and hearing there tales of preparing for the Garden Walk. One gal in particular reminded me so much of me, and said she'd need medication to get through it. One homeowner had a lovely sundress on and appeared so calm and collected.

I wonder what that's like?

I brought my camera to the event, but really didn't take many pictures.

Did I mention it was hot?

Humid?

I was tired, and busy talking.

We toured the Garden Center, and I became incredibly inspired, and do now, in fact, plan on planting twice as much - I think - I mean - I want to -

It's hard to see the fabulosity of Gardens on the Prairie and not walk away wanting to grow something.

Friday - July something or another 2010

The day started out early, and happy.

I was out in the yard by 6am, happily deadheading, final weeding, and beginning to stage things for the Big Show.

Aaron showed up at 7:30am ready to work, blesshislittleheart.

I was so proud of my attitude, and felt like 'this will be such a great example for Aaron - of handling stress".

My friend Sue showed up about 9ish to see if she could help.

God knows the right help to send.

Sue is very laid back, and was a great counterbalance to my frenzy.

Oh, I didn't tell you that I was in a frenzy by 9am?

Just a little one. It was short lived.

I thought I'd be all done by about 1pm, and I could languish in the bathtub and moisturize my leathery skin, perfume and pamper myself for the Pre-Walk where all the homeowners and the Garden Club members get a sneak peek of the gardens. I wanted to show up there like I'd been vacationing in the Caribbean, not slaving in NW Indiana. I wanted a sundress, and a hairdo and a calm collected demeanor.

Do you know that expectations can get you in a lot of trouble?

Selah.

Sue left about 1pm, and I thought - well, I'm just about done.

I just have to.....oh, and I just have to....and oh, ya, that - well let me just....

3:00pm

Aaron is on the computer messing with pictures.

Glen's on the couch watching DVR'd "How It's Made".

The Worm Farm needs to be carried out.

Now, I know none of you ever feel like this - like people should just be up knowing you need help, and standing in line to help you - I mean, they just know all that needs to be done, and should just do it. Right?

So, being the stubborn cuss that I am, I carry the worm farm out the house m'self. And I'm not too quiet about it. It's not that heavy, it's just awkward, and then you have the fear that 5,000 moist, wiggly, red worms could possibly spill all over you.

I pulled my back, or my butt muscle, or something. But ding dang it, I got that Worm Farm where I wanted it.

And then I cried.

And then I came in the house crying 'Why won't anyone help me? This is my final hour! Don't you realize how much still needs to be done? Why have you abandoned me?"

And of course they came to my aid. I did feel better once I released all the tension.

There was no languishing in the tub.

There was no moisturizing.

There was no perfuming.

I think I took a shower, honestly, at this point, I'm not sure.

My hair was tied in a bandana.

There may have been lipstick involved.

I was limping.

6pm.

We (me, Glenco and Aaron) were at Garden #1

I'm holding on to Glen so I can sorta stand up.

Fabulous garden, beautiful lawn, lovely home. Wow.

Garden #2

Again, limping - sweating -

An incredibly lovely home, mainly shade, immaculate new home, perfectly thought out beds - I feel my teeth bucking.

Oh Lord have mercy. I have a blue snap together pool in my yard.

I'm Garden # 3

I'm dying a thousand deaths as Wayne Gruber of Gardens on the Prairie tours my garden.

It's kinda like having Martha Stewart for supper.

He tells me he loves my garden and that I'm eccentric.

He's being very kind - or is it sympathy? I'm not sure.

He wants my photo by the camper and me holding a chicken.

This is normal for me - apparently - he finds it eccentric.

Maybe he meant eclectic. That sounds better doesn't it?

When I think eccentric, I think of a crazy lady in a shift gown painting bowling balls and feeding numerous cats.

Wait-maybe he did mean eccentric.

Garden #4

A gorgeous yard on a lake. A veggie garden to die for.

My tomatoes have blossom rot.

My zinnias in the veggie garden are mummified.

Why did I do this?

My teeth are still bucking.

Garden #5 is the Gardens on the Prairie which we saw on Thursday.

Garden #6

Ok - after seeing this garden, I can easily eat an apple through a picket fence.

Is this a joke?

I'm starting to feel like Carrie at the prom.

I can't imagine the time and money involved in this estate garden.

Weeds would shake at the root even thinking about invading this place.

I have to sit down.

My butt muscle is killing me.

Garden #7

I had a really hard time getting out of the car.

Where's my walker Pa? I'm crippled.

Then I manage to hobble to the garden.

Stick a fork in me.

I'm done.

A saltbox house that is perfect in every stinkin' single way.

Woods, shade, perfection.

I really want to know how people get things so perfectly manicured and clean.

How???

I'm going shopping for overalls as soon as I leave here.

There's chicken poo all over my house.

And a green baby pool with ducks in it.

A rabbit that's gone feral and is digging holes.

And a snap together big blue pool.

I didn't sleep much that night.

I really did worry.

My garden is so - how shall we say - um - not perfect.

All the crap is still behind the garage.

I have more creeping charlie in the lawn than grass blades. It almost doesn't need cutting.

Darn you, Lowell Garden Club!

Darn you Terry Smutniak!

Next post:

Saturday and Sunday - July something or another.

The Garden Walk

The Bus

The Fake Accent Lady, Smoking Lady and Fighting Neighbors.