I am Jennifer.

Tips from a newbie for mowing the yard with a manual lawn mower:

1. Push back and forth, but in a straight line.

2. Do not always lead with the same leg. The leg will get tired. Remind yourself that you have two legs for a reason.

3. Think of the little blades of grass you miss as ten little fingers on a happy little waving hand, not as ten blades of grass flipping you off.

4. Decide from the beginning how many rows you'll mow before taking a break. Then, divide that number by 2 or 3, and take breaks often.

5. Revel in the part of the lawn you have already mowed; do not fixate on what still lies ahead.

6. Imagine you're mowing the hair on the Green Giant's head.

7. Do not imagine you're mowing the hair on the Green Giant's back. That's just plain creepy.

8. Remind yourself of the muscles you're growing, gas you're saving, and emissions you're not emitting.

9. When it starts raining, it is indeed a sign from the heavens that you should stop mowing.

10. Be thankful you have a yard to mow, running water for a shower, and all those other little things you usually don't take time to appreciate.

Labels: house

posted by Jennifer at 9/25/2009 12:23:00 PM | 0 comments

We found some old bird flash cards as we were sorting through Darrell's mom's stuff recently... so I made a collage from them. I'm quite fond of it. I think Kitty likes it, too.

Labels: house, photos

posted by Jennifer at 8/03/2008 06:19:00 PM | 0 comments

Newness... I replaced the cabinet handles in the kitchen today, and I put up some new curtains. Well, sheers, actually. I like them.

Here's some pictures of them. And of the cats (of course).

Labels: house, pets, photos

posted by Jennifer at 7/27/2008 06:37:00 PM | 2 comments

I'm really starting to like Spring. Fall's always been my favorite season, but Spring is coming up a close second...

And a little house before and after Darrell trimmed the hedges...

Labels: house, photos

posted by Jennifer at 4/20/2008 08:36:00 PM | 0 comments

While Darrell was hard at work at the Opera today, Alex and I put in a corner extension onto the flower bed to make a little iris bed. I think it's pretty, and I'm really proud of us! :^)

Now, if I could only figure out to do with all that dirt we shoveled out of there...

Labels: house, photos

posted by Jennifer at 4/06/2008 07:15:00 PM | 0 comments

Sitting here for a moment at the computer, I became disconnected from my surroundings. It felt like there was possibly a door to my left instead of a window, a wall to my right instead of a door, and a door to my back instead of a wall. It was slightly disconcerting.

This is probably from moving things around the living room with an all-consuming focus. That, and lifting the couch by myself. I think I broke my brain.

On that note, I read A War of Gifts by Orson Scott Card a few weeks ago, and I marked a spot in it to share here. ::making Osiris get off the book so I can get it out from under him::

Jostle me all you want. It will purify me and make you filthier.
Now, though, nobody bothered with Zeck. He was ignored. Not pointedly – if he asked a question, people answered. Scornfully, perhaps, but what was that to Zeck? Scorn was merely pity mingled with hate, and hate was pride mixed with fear. They feared him because he was different, and so they hated him, and so their pity – the touch of godliness that remained in them – was turned to scorn. A virtue made filthy by pride.

I have been quiet here, and it will probably remain quiet here for a bit. March is going to be rough on me at work... not to mention we bought a new 50" widescreen plasma TV and a Blu-ray player today that Darrell and I will probably (hopefully) be spending lots of quality time with in the evenings.

(We got Across the Universe on Blu-ray, and I'm bouncing with excitement!)

Labels: house, literary

posted by Jennifer at 3/09/2008 04:40:00 PM | 0 comments

Tonight, I made a spreadsheet. And what a glorious spreadsheet it is. It is the embodiment of all things bright and beautiful in the world of constructive procrastination.

So, looking ahead with the lovely numbers that have resulted from my spreadsheet, if I spend $1,000 per month on new stuff for the house (furnishings, etc.) instead of painting this Spring, we'll be most of the way there with customizing the innards of our lovely little house.

However, that's not counting painting, flooring, or the minor roof repair we need... or any of the yard stuff we want to do... but we'll not go into that.

Maybe I should space everything over a year instead of 6 months.

Labels: house

posted by Jennifer at 1/26/2008 07:57:00 PM | 0 comments

I pulled so much crabgrass today. And impatiens. If anyone wants any impatiens, just let me know. I have about a truckload of new ones sprouting EVERY DAY. If you do want some, I offer some advise with them. Just let them take over your yard. It's easier than battling them. They're way more tenacious than you could ever dream of being. You stand no chance.

It seems I am winning the current wave of Impatiens Attack, though. For now.

I'm faring well against the Crabgrass Onslaught. As well as anyone can fare against that damnable stuff.

And I haven't begun the War Against Ivy yet here. I'm building my arsenal and stamina. It'll wait till the weather gets a little cooler. Even though there's just a little patch of it, it's gonna take a whole day at least to eradicate it. I'm confident, though. Confident and stubborn: a winning combination.

I just looked up "impatiens" in the dictionary. The origin is: "from Latin, literally 'impatient,' because the capsules of the plant readily burst open when touched."

Wikipedia chimes in with this helpful information: "The plant derives its scientific name Impatiens ('impatient') and the common name 'touch-me-not' from the plant's seed pods. When the seed pods mature, they 'explode' when touched, sending seeds several meters away. This mechanism is also known as 'explosive dehiscence.' See also Rapid plant movement."

That explains a lot.

Labels: house

posted by Jennifer at 10/07/2007 03:43:00 PM | 0 comments

Picture me flying by in the tornado outside Dorothy's window. Cow... tree... chicken... ME... corn... witch...

Yeah. I've been caught in somewhat of a tornado. But, as the song goes, the storm is passing over, and the dust is settling back down. Literally. Damn. We've only been here 3 weeks, and I already need to dust and vacuum and...

Try out the new tub. Yes. That's my priority tonight.

Work's been a little rough on me lately, but it's calming down, too. I've tried to weather the storm with grace. I hope I've succeeded.

The cats love the new place. I appoint one of them to "hold the fort down" as I leave every day, and they've been doing a fine job of keeping the place in order.

Darrell and I have been moving and organizing our tailfeathers off lately, but that should settlle as we wrap up The Move.

Did I mention I'm trying out the new tub tonight?

I am.

Right now.

Here I go.

*** UPDATE ***

Turned on "H" knob. Water was lukewarm at best. Was hopeful still. Tried "C" knob for a couple seconds. Water got colder. Went back to "H" knob. Tried sitting in cold water. Unable to sit in cold water. Got out. Tried "C" knob again for good measure. Received hot water. A victory, at last.

Went to fridge for JAGO's. Found no JAGO's. Looked again. Saw none. Went back upstairs and then back downstairs for a fresh perspective. Found no JAGO's still. Wrote to Darrell to see if he had any ideas.

Got into tub (again). Basked in hot water and tub goodness. Decided that the bubbly water jets would be nice. Tapped touch-button for bubbly goodness. Received no bubbly goodness.

Got out of tub fulfilled, yet slightly disappointed at no bubbles and no liquor. Saw response from Darrell that JAGO's was in fridge door. Found it. Am drinking it.

The end.

Labels: house, pets

posted by Jennifer at 8/16/2007 05:25:00 PM | 1 comments

We close on the house Tuesday. Almost time! I'm ready to move.

I haven't really got much to say.

My new glasses from www.zennioptical.com came in the other day. Pictures will come soon. I got a blue and orange pair and a green and black pair. I'm very happy with them, and I'll rave more when I have a little more energy to spare. Thanks to Christa for turning me on to them.

Back to work. (Still got some freelance irons in the fire.)

***UPDATE***

Pictures of my new glasses!...

Labels: general, house

posted by Jennifer at 7/22/2007 11:47:00 AM | 2 comments

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