We are starting to fall into a routine here at our new home. Brian returned to work yesterday, after being home for five days after his most recent business trip, two business trips, really.
I am still trying to figure out how to keep the house clean, maintain the steady stream of laundry, try to work and build our business, try to be a Mom and sometimes, make more than macaroni for dinner…I’m also the landscaper who is trying to grow grass ALL DAY LONG OF EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I wanted to show you pictures of the trees we purchased for James and Jake. They are called Lollipop Crabapples and I adore them. (side note: I do intend to tell you the story about the "person" who sold the trees to me, I just have to be a in really good mood and have a lot of time.) They grow so wonderful and dense and in the spring they have beautiful white blossoms and in the winter they have tiny little crabapples that feed the birds. It’s the perfect tree. In my opinion, of course. (side note: this is one of the trees from the front yard, there is a second one straight back from this one, in the backyard. side note #2: I do intend to give you a full garden tour, but it will have to wait until I buy mulch, have it delivered and actually add it to the flower beds, which could be 2011.)
This morning, while outside watering my tomato plant sitting on my deck, I looked over at one of the trees and I could see from far away that japanese beetles were eating my tree. I could see the little black, copper and green bastards and the damage they had already done to my precious tree. I knew that if they were doing this to one tree, they were doing it to the other.
I felt overly protective of my trees, like they were messing with my children.
It was time to kick some beetle ass.
I went into the garage and grabbed my ammunition, attached it to the hose and doused each tree for waaaaay too long, but I wanted to make sure I got every leaf, every twig wet. I did this with both trees, I felt like I was doing kung fu with the little bastards, in my mind I was Danny Larusso, (sidenote: did you know Ralph Macchio is forty-seven?) karate chopping them and kicking them in the gut, "hi-ya!" "Take that, you bitchass beetle." I was screaming profanities in my mind.
Or maybe out loud. I’m not really sure. While spraying the tree I was
also battling the beetles that were flying towards me, dodging their stealth like flights. I think they
were aiming for my eyes, trying to take me out so I would leave their new lunch
room alone. But, within minutes they began to fall to the ground like drops of rain falling from a tree after a rainstorm.
It was beautiful.
I then started to think about what I must have looked like to my neighbors, attacking my trees like some sort of lunatic tree fighter, some may not have seen me and some may think I’m crazy, and some may understand.
One thing is for sure, if they didn’t think I was crazy while fighting the beetles, they certainly thought I was crazy after my kids played outside with bike helmets on.
For hours.
At least for three weeks they thought we were normal. Longer than the last house we were in.
I love how your kids are playing in there helmets. Maybe the new neighbors see you as just a little over protective? HA!
Hope the beetles stay away!
I’ve left a little suprise for you at my place, if you have a chance come see! : )
I love how your kids are playing in there helmets. Maybe the new neighbors see you as just a little over protective? HA!
Hope the beetles stay away!
I’ve left a little suprise for you at my place, if you have a chance come see! : )
Those are sweet trees. Your yard is looking good.
Those are sweet trees. Your yard is looking good.
This post confirms the reason I ask myself, “What would Beth do?” everytime I loose my mind. I’ve said it a gazillion times, you’re my hero! Kick a beatle ass for me!
This post confirms the reason I ask myself, “What would Beth do?” everytime I loose my mind. I’ve said it a gazillion times, you’re my hero! Kick a beatle ass for me!
tee hee… my kids totally play in their helmets for hours at a time! And your beetle battle make me laugh out loud… love it! You go girl .
tee hee… my kids totally play in their helmets for hours at a time! And your beetle battle make me laugh out loud… love it! You go girl .
the helmets are classic!
so happy you all are settling in nicely. and i love the trees.
the helmets are classic!
so happy you all are settling in nicely. and i love the trees.
If your neighbors are mothers and fathers, they probably get the helmet thing. Kids are funny like that!
If your neighbors are mothers and fathers, they probably get the helmet thing. Kids are funny like that!
I love the name of Jake and James’ trees – Lollipop Crabapples!!!! love them – blooms and fruit for the birds, as well as shades for you guys (maybe someday soon when it grows big). Perfect! Yeah, kick those beetlebug ass!
BTW, I love Danny Larusso! I didn’t know Ralph is 47!
Yeah, like one of the commenter said, your neighbors might just think you are overprotective – just making sure they are both safe praying on that swing and slide.
haven’t commented for a while – I’m glad I got out of my laziness today and did.
Love your blog! Love yah!
I love the name of Jake and James’ trees – Lollipop Crabapples!!!! love them – blooms and fruit for the birds, as well as shades for you guys (maybe someday soon when it grows big). Perfect! Yeah, kick those beetlebug ass!
BTW, I love Danny Larusso! I didn’t know Ralph is 47!
Yeah, like one of the commenter said, your neighbors might just think you are overprotective – just making sure they are both safe praying on that swing and slide.
haven’t commented for a while – I’m glad I got out of my laziness today and did.
Love your blog! Love yah!
I love the name of Jake and James’ trees – Lollipop Crabapples!!!! love them – blooms and fruit for the birds, as well as shades for you guys (maybe someday soon when it grows big). Perfect! Yeah, kick those beetlebug ass!
BTW, I love Danny Larusso! I didn’t know Ralph is 47!
Yeah, like one of the commenter said, your neighbors might just think you are overprotective – just making sure they are both safe praying on that swing and slide.
haven’t commented for a while – I’m glad I got out of my laziness today and did.
Love your blog! Love yah!
I love the name of Jake and James’ trees – Lollipop Crabapples!!!! love them – blooms and fruit for the birds, as well as shades for you guys (maybe someday soon when it grows big). Perfect! Yeah, kick those beetlebug ass!
BTW, I love Danny Larusso! I didn’t know Ralph is 47!
Yeah, like one of the commenter said, your neighbors might just think you are overprotective – just making sure they are both safe praying on that swing and slide.
haven’t commented for a while – I’m glad I got out of my laziness today and did.
Love your blog! Love yah!
How irritating!!! I’m so glad you took those dumb beetles out! Those trees were meant for you to enjoy and for the birds in thewinter. Never once did you say “for the disgusting crunchy bugs to feed on”. Gross. Congrats on your successful attack! I hope they NEVER come back! Stupid beetles. Gross.
How irritating!!! I’m so glad you took those dumb beetles out! Those trees were meant for you to enjoy and for the birds in thewinter. Never once did you say “for the disgusting crunchy bugs to feed on”. Gross. Congrats on your successful attack! I hope they NEVER come back! Stupid beetles. Gross.
you are so funny…and I almost can see you out there taken those damn beetles down, wrestling them to their demise. DOWN WITH THE BEATLES (not the Ringo kind of Beatles)
you are so funny…and I almost can see you out there taken those damn beetles down, wrestling them to their demise. DOWN WITH THE BEATLES (not the Ringo kind of Beatles)
Those awful terrible hateful beetles. they devoured the only tree I have standing on my property. Went a little nuts with the sprayer and am left with a shell of a tree that I hope will heal. I need a landscaper like you, because I feel so clueless. Also, a little envious in all you are getting done over there in just a short time. I feel so behind over here. You garden looks great!
Those awful terrible hateful beetles. they devoured the only tree I have standing on my property. Went a little nuts with the sprayer and am left with a shell of a tree that I hope will heal. I need a landscaper like you, because I feel so clueless. Also, a little envious in all you are getting done over there in just a short time. I feel so behind over here. You garden looks great!
Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to protect you home and family. As long as you are not operating the hose in you housecoat and slippers, it’s fine.
Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to protect you home and family. As long as you are not operating the hose in you housecoat and slippers, it’s fine.