Friday, October 14, 2011

The Garden in The Desert

The Oklahoma State University Botanical Garden is divided into many different gardens to wander through and explore. There is a Sensory Garden, a Fairy Forest, a zen/Asian Garden, a chicken coup moat (weird sounding... but that is what one of the volunteers called it... will have to go back to get more photos to explain!!), some other ones and this one... a desert.

As soon as we saw the wonderful plant life in this desert garden, I knew that I had to slow down and stretch myself and find the beauty in the succulents. My friend, Michelle, who I met in a playgroup when our now 10 year olds were barely 2, has a succulent grower/collector in her home. In fact, it is that little boy that I keep in my mind as a toddler (until that rouse was befuddled this past spring when we got together again and I saw his all grown up 10 year old boy self. But, I digress.) who is the master of succulents in their home - lots and lots of varieties. Not just one or two plants, mind you. They are lovingly cared for and arranged throughout the house.

So, when I see various cacti now, I have to stop and observe. I feel like I have to get a little closer and see it better, nearer the end of my nose. So, I did!! Here is what I saw in the garden in the desert. I hope that Michelle's li'l big guy likes what I found!!

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Funny how this one has thorns that sort of look soft... but it IS deceiving!! (Trust me.)
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This one has these spikey bits, but they are not so very sharp.
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This looked like a GINORMOUS variety of the cactus leaves that you can purchase in the produce department at the grocery market.
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It was fun to look just a little bit longer at something I might have otherwise glazed over. Tipping my hat to the succulent grower in Lincoln, NE!!

Wonderful... Magical... Fun in a Botanical Garden!

We visited this botanical garden, supported by Oklahoma State University with Geemah and Grampa this past week. We also visited this garden back when it was hotter than hades down here. There is a section of the garden that the treekids call the Fairy Forest. It is a cute little area and I took lots of photos back when it was hot... this time around, not so many.

Here is a little walk through the area.
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Beautiful, don't you think??? WAIT! What's that ... over there, across the sea lawn?
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A fun little quiet space to play and explore. I'll bet we go back a time or two... or three!

7 Quick Takes - 3


--- 1 ---

Last weekend, we had a VERY slow do nothing kind of weekend. It was AWESOME. It was relaxing. We cleaned and tidied some, but we all read books, took naps, played outside, sat and let the sun soak into our skin, ahhhhhh........... We HAD to rest up for the coming week!

--- 2 ---

Blossom has a weird rash all over her chest, belly, back and it looked to be spreading to her arms and legs. I took her to the urgent care clinic on Monday and discovered that her VERY sensitive skin is still VERY sensitive. She has "contact dermatitis." She came into contact with something that is irritating her skin. I haven't done really anything new (well, I DID used the HE Clorox bleach with the white clothes instead of the ol' cheapo non-HE bleach... but other than that, all's the same.) to instigate this. It began when we arrived in Oklahoma, but she didn't really roll in the grass or anything. The rash is itchy and scratches in the night. She doesn't scratch it much during the day because scratching it does hurt. When she was very little, she got a similar thing on her arms and legs and would scratch until it bled... very attractive with her Snow White dress-up dress! So, we are working on getting rid of it. The doctor prescribed a steroid cream to mix with a non-scented Aveeno lotion. ALL lotions sting. But, I plan to pick up some Eucerin cream this afternoon to give that a try. Anyway, this putting on the lotion/cream two times each day has been a lesson in patience for me as well as a lesson in bribing with Twizzlers for her. I am hoping and praying that this rash covering her little body goes away soooooon!

--- 3 ---

My folks, Geemah and Grampa arrived for a visit on Monday afternoon! They took a room at a nearby hotel and the kids stayed there sleeping some nights. Geemah came and tried out the trailer one night. They used the pool and hot tub. Seems the hotel was fun... I didn't join them over there much... I don't like hotels much I like my own bed best! But during the day, and when Bump wasn't napping, we ran around and saw some of Oklahoma.

--- 4 ---


Tuesday, we visited the library for several hours! FUN FUN FUN!!! Why oh why is that so fun!?! The kids all enjoyed the library. After a while, Grampa took Bump outside to run around a bit and then they came back inside and Bump got back to exploring the area designed for small children. Bud and Branch had their noses stuffed into books and Blossom was wandering and finding all sorts of picture books to pour over. Geemah and I chatted quietly and hunted for a few books to look at. After the library, we took our picnic lunch to the OSU Botanical Garden... Geemah loved it. I knew she would!! Looking and poking around the gardens was a treat. Lunch shared with perfect weather in the "Fairy Forest." Then The big kids went to the hotel to swim with Geemah and Grampa while I took Bump home for a nap. Then it was supper out and a driving tour of Stillwater.

--- 5 ---

We spent Wednesday in Oklahoma City. We went to "Stockyards City" for lunch and a bit of Western shopping. Then we visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. We hit "POPS" in Arcadia, OK for a tasty bottle of soda pop. We headed back to Stillwater, browsed the Hobby Lobby, picked up some Pizza Pizza at Little Caesars and noshed on that at the hotel. Geemah and the girls joined Bump and I at the trailer to sleep... but first we made some hair clips with our new supplies from Hobby Lobby! It was fun to talk and talk and talk with my mom. We haven't been on the phone much lately - I just need her to be my NEIGHBOR!

--- 6 ---

Thursday Geemah and I planned to "Cricut" all day. The girls wanted to play, too... so, they picked a few little things to make cards with. When we finally finished their project, it was lunch time and our project hadn't even been started! We got it mostly figured out while the big kids went with Grampa to the hotel to swim. While we were cutting and figuring, Bump was playing around. He has a NEW trick that he love love loves! He likes to jump. But, he really prefers to step up onto something to jump off. So, up one stair and jump to the floor. Over and over. The last jump, something must have sizzled up his foot because he was crying and wailing. Two Tylenol later and off to nap. When he woke it was still painful and sore and he couldn't seem to put weight on it. So, we were heading out for supper and I decided I would take him to the urgent care clinic right after supper. (My burger was great, by the way!) They took three x-rays, which he was great for. The doctors and nurses and physicians assistants were all great. He was smiling and laughing and easily let them feel his foot. BUT, when we stood him up to walk, he would stop and ask for his "Buzz and Woo Shoes." He worked out a little limp to get the ball that they would toss for him to go get. He would hobble and walk on his heel with his toes lifted. He told them that his toes hurt. But, there was no break. He has a sprain or a bruise. Poor little guy. So, he will be back at his antics in a few days and will be fine - guess it is better to get it all checked out. Then we went back to the hotel and said our goodbyes because Geemah and Grampa would be leaving early in the morning!

--- 7 ---

Today is a little rough with grandparent withdrawl. Our Geemah and Grampa have gone home, Our Pops is in Reno for a conference. I am no match to them!! The treekids are missing their fun people!!! And to top it off, I am MEAN and had them all do a math lesson since they couldn't really figure anything to do in their loss of fun. I did promise that we will go pick up a dvd from the redbox when all the math lessons are complete. I think that is why they are saying, "MOM!! We are ready. Let's GO!!!!!!!!" So, we are hoping (apparently) to find Spooky Buddies and maybe Bump will nap through that. If all goes according to plan, I might get some of those ol' pictures loaded and posted... cross your fingers!!!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!


Friday, October 7, 2011

7 Quick Takes - 2


--- 1 ---

Aaaack! Where did a WHOLE week go?? I sat one evening earlier this week and edited more photos from our visit to the OSU Botanical Garden. It appears that I even uploaded them. Somehow I never made the effort to get all of them configured into one post and share them. Sheesh... It must've been an interesting week, eh!??!

--- 2 ---

I have learned that I LOVE it when Pops is available for a couple hours to "man the booth" with Bump during nap time. When this treat occurs, I take all three of the big kids to the Library. We have had times that it seems we work THE ENTIRE time on learning how to find things in the library. Other times, we all find books to read and curl up in a chair or a small sofa and read and read. Sometimes there is quiet computer usage. This week, Pops and Bump joined us on our trip to the library. Bump fell asleep in his carseat on the way into town. Pops sat in the truck with Bump and a laptop and used the library's free wifi to access the internet. He didn't get the bills paid online like he had hoped, since the bank server was down, but he did read all about the Huskers for an hour or more! I spent time in the adult department, Bud found a big stack to read, Branch found a big stack to read, Blossom did some computer work and then used her favorite resource to find her favorite things! She asked a librarian to help her find Amelia Bedelia Books and Princess or Mermaid Books!! I love that we all feel comfortable in our skin at the library.

--- 3 ---

Did you know that THE VERY FIRST Sonic Drive-In Restaurant is in Stillwater, OK? It is located on Main Street. We stopped today at "Happy Hour" for half priced drinks and I must say that I think that is THE VERY BUSIEST Sonic Drive-In that I have EVER visited. Just sayin'.

--- 4 ---

I dislike in the most loathing kind of way... the Musca domestica. I am not sure that I have the patience to weather the current storm. I requested that Pops purchase my most disliked of all common pest elimination tools. We have a heavy duty fly swatter, now. Gross. I also have fly trap/sticky spiral tape hanging near our door. There is a HUGE amount of these horrific creatures swarming about outside here in Stillwater, OK. Are flies a huge problem where you are, too? If you live in a rural area with cattle, hogs, etc... I already know the answer to that!!

--- 5 ---

There is a home football game for the OSU Cowboys this weekend. I've been told that the RV parks fill up FULL for these weekend. I am wondering if it will also be rowdy!?! It might be fun... but I DO like to have sleep that isn't disturbed by, uhm, well... ruffians.

--- 6 ---

We went to a home school park day today. When we arrived, there was no one there. I thought that either the large park grounds had two playgrounds (I was unwilling to go hunt for a 2nd) or the group had mostly fizzled out. After we were there for 20-30 minutes, people started showing up. There were six other mothers and 15 or so children. It was fun to visit with a very ecclectic and non-judgemental group of women who all can get right on past the "WHAT?!! You keep your children with you ALL day, EVERY day?" :) It was nice not having to explain myself for having my kids out of school! Apparently most weeks there are closer to 15 moms with many more children running around. I HOPE SO!!!

--- 7 ---


Since it seems that I can't get a post up EVERY day on this here blog, what is a good schedule to try. Only Fridays seems a bit sparse. 5 or 6 days a week is nearly impossible most weeks. MWF seems like a college schedule - doable, but a bit goofy! Sporadic schedule means I might not ever post again. Somehow there must be a way to strike a balance of blogging being a fun thing and not such a chore. Any thoughts from my "peeps"??

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!