Whew! or, THAT was fun

1. Katie Groble's wedding. Ceremony at 3:00, rain at 3:01. However, as I reminded her, every wedding has a story. Mine? Dirty dress. Hers? Rain. It was all fine. The food was good, the wine was flowing, and her officiant, Ginny, http://www.yourweddingtoday.com/was a hoot. I think I will recommend home weddings to people more often. It could not have been more intimate or more meaningful.

2. Helen was the first of my children to do something on the potty besides sit and read (definitely their father's children, but I'm looking for a little more productivity here). Her reward? A potty candy, a.k.a. a Hershey's Kiss. Betsy witnessed the whole thing. I was boozing it up at the aforementioned nuptuals, but since Betsy's family, I'm okay with her seeing it and not me. Can I get Helen to repeat her feat? Who knows? I'm hoping the bribery will work.

3. Cleveland Botanical Gardens with the Smiths. Who knew it was so fabulous? (OK, the Grobles did, but their kids are out of the house and they can actually do things). We went on a Wednesday (they're open late) and then to an amazing dinner at Sergio's. A double date! In the middle of the week!

4. It's garage sale season and am I ever ready. I'm having one the 12th and I cannot wait to get rid of some of this stuff. Where has it all come from? Why is it living in my house? I don't know, but I'm using the money for Ellie's school clothes. School clothes. Sniff.

I burst out in tears.

Too sad for words, really.

A Big Week.

The most fashionable 73 year old in the house.

Thirty four years later.

Could not get prettier.

A dance machine. Crazy legs. Call her what you will, this kid can move.

Our little giver.

A yellow dress. Who knew.

and finally,

well played, Lisa.

Hosta, Hosta, Everywhere, or, Thanks, Grobles

Jim and Pat Groble taught me how to split hosta and I am forever grateful. Look at how many plants I got just from splitting what I already had. Hosta is a love affair of sorts...once you have them, and they thrive, you want more, and different varieties, and you want them to fill in all the naked spots and dead spots and "why won't damn petunias grow there" spots, and just lush up the yard in ways that make even REAL gardeners jealous. I already know which ones are getting split this fall, and where their progeny are going to go. I even emailed Martina and asked her if she wants me to split hers. It's therapeutic, and so cost effective...I don't even want to know what some of my plants would cost. If you have a bald spot in your yard, have I got a plant for you.