Anyone else in Calgary feels like quitting?
ostrich
8 years ago
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prairie_northrose (3b north of Calgary AB, Canada)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
8 years agoRelated Discussions
This weather!!!! Anyone else feeling discouraged?
Comments (19)I usually think it's just my novice status that's mostly to blame for anything that goes wrong. I didn't plant out in April/early May because it was too wet. Thought little roots needed "air" to flourish and not sodden soil. Didn't know it would get so much worse. Slug invasion non-stop and deer are eating more which I don't understand since rain must have helped grow wild foraging plants. We have sticks for rose bushes...not a bud or leaf left. Thanks a lot Bambi...hope you got nicked while crushing the rabbit fencing around them. All echinacea now without buds. What's the use of growing "first year blooming" perennials (Prairie Splendor & Baby White Swan) if they're going to eat all the first year blooms? Buds just sitting there on Bachelor Buttons and Calendula. I keep telling them "it's JUNE...you can come out now"... at least the ones left that deer haven't eaten. There are a few that aren't face down in the mud who have no excuse not to bloom...LOL. Extra Morning Glory I sowed in 16 oz. cups are bigger than ones I already planted out in ground. Thinking of putting them in pots next to ground planted ones in hopes something fills the space they're supposed to be the main star in. The one truly happy plant is Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium maculatum) which is topping out at 7' already. I have to knock earwigs off it regularly but it's standing proudly out there towering among slug/deer eaten or puny non-growing plants in butterfly garden. One Datura metal looks like if has a flower bud...on a plant about 12" tall. Hope that's normal. Slugs eating their leaves too. The list of things to whine about is endless...LOL....See MoreAnyone else feel like this?
Comments (15)I have walked in your shoes, and here is what I did. First, I joined a mommy and me (child) class and met other moms with a child the same age. Even though the class only met one morning a week, a few of the moms and I would get together with the kids and do things together. It felt so good to talk to other women who were going through the same things I was and we talked about all sorts of things. We would go to the park and talk, or meet at each others houses. We would go for walks together just to get out of the house, or get together at a McDonalds to let them play in the balls. We met each others husbands and would get together and barbecue. Some of those friendships have now lasted years as we have each gone on to have more children who attended preschool together (get on waiting lists now) and now the kids are in gradeschools, and several of us are still friends. Even those that went on to other schools and built new friendships...we still keep in touch and are there for each other if needed. As for alone time, we all need some! What we were advised was to get someone to watch the child one evening a week for a short time...like 1 1/2- 2 hours while my husband and I went out and got a bite to eat...just the two of us. Wednesday is great for this since it is mid week. Then perhaps on Saturday mornings, your husband could spend time with his daughter, while you go out to breakfast with your friends, or go get a haircut or work out at a gym. Also, if you have family who can watch your daughter on a Saturday night, it will do you both good to maintain "date night" with your husband. Even a quick movie or dinner can refresh us and give us energy to be better parents. Also, many churches have something called "mothers morning out" and they will watch your child for free. In exchange for the free childcare, like once every 6 weeks, you have to volunteer at the church to help watch the little ones on one of the mornings. The moms who take advantage of this program all take turns. Some towns also have Gymboree made expecially for moms of toddlers...it is an indoor place that has many climbing things for toddlers....it may be set up in a church somewhere in your town, or it may be a permanent business in a shopping plaza, but they also can be a great place to be with a toddler to "get out of the house" and meet other moms with toddlers looking for friends with children the same age, just like you. You will find how important these new friendships are because you are going through many of the same things at the same time with children the same age. They become very important for sharing all sorts of information. Through these friendships, you will build a life that is much more enjoyable. You need these friendships, especially if you do not have family in the area. Also, have a toddler seat put on the back of your bike and take your little one our for bike rides. you both will enjoy the change in scenery and the fresh air. You could also consider a jogging stroller and roller blades for more excercise. Watch the papers (classified) and garage sales as these often show up for sale when someones child outgrows them...we sold ours this way. And last, with a toddler who is having a tantrum...sometimes, by just putting the child in a stroller and going for a walk can help enormously. The fresh air and change of scenery can do wonders. Another thing that helps a cranky little one is letting them splash in cool water. It captures their attention and is very entertaining for them. Just watch them very closely. you can give them some measuring cups, plastic cups etc. Water can be an enormous help to distract them. Another huge help can be to play music and dance with them, or march and give her something to play like the musical triangle, or clickers or something, and march and dance around the house to gether to the music. And last...remember that naps are really important for her. They get tired and cranky, and it helps mom too. The days can be long but the years are sooo short. I wish you the best!...See MoreFeels like the longest winter ever- anyone else dying for ramps?
Comments (23)Back to winter here in central Maine after a lovely lovely warm sunny day yesterday. I met a couple of high school friends for lunch. We went to what passes for a deli in Maine - not bad but I don't think any of my jewish ancestor's would recognize my sandwich. Lol. One friend is dealing with chemo and being the primary caregiver for a mom with Alzheimer's and a husband dealing with long term diabetes related health issues. Somehow she is her gentle upbeat self. Inspiring. And there I was in the neighborhood of Johnny's Selected Seed and Fedco seed. I spent a happy hour buying way too many veggie seeds while employees were scurrying around fulfilling ordered. I am most excited about trying some new varieties of peppers and tomatoes. Also bought pumpkin/squash, pea, bean, basil, cilantro, parsley, broccoli, turnip, carrot and other seeds. Fedco has a lot of people working on strains of various plants good for our cool moist climate... So fantasizing about a summer meal and preparing to start seeds......See MoreExhaustion after build? Anyone else feel like that too?
Comments (17)I'm ready to move in. I started moving my kid's toys into their closets. My parents are bringing down furniture for my kid's rooms which are for the most part done. I'm to the point where I'm exhausted. I have had to do more than I thought I would have to do. I thought if you spent this much money you wouldn't have to touch up trim/wall paint, you wouldn't have to clean so much! I thought the new house would be move in ready. But with a rural custom home???? I just don't know why it has taken a year and we don't even have septic yet! No one told me I should have ordered custom cabinets when framing started. And so many stupid mistakes like I when I signed off on my super expensive front door... the interior trim between the sidelights was painted white but I have stained trim? I didn't even think to look at this detail closely because I told them my doors would have stained trim. So guess who is sanding off the white paint and staining it? ME! Made a mistake on where I wanted a light fixture so instead of paying extra to have it swapped I'm doing it! I guess I'm just not cut out for this home building stuff because I make too many mistakes. And the dust; there is no end to the dust or the mud for a matter of fact, when will it go away, I've cleaned a million times. I'm just ready to move in. We have managed to stay within the normal 10% overage but it has been a chore. :)...See More
ostrich
8 years agoostrich
8 years agobluegoat_gw
8 years agoostrich
8 years agoBrandon_Calgary_Z3
8 years agoprairie_northrose (3b north of Calgary AB, Canada)
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoI agree on the indoor plants. Fruit from our mostly indoor tangerine, from April:
Living in this area and liking plants, I think it's best to pick a house with lots of south facing windows, or use grow lights.
mattpf (zone4)
8 years ago
Konrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agomattpf (zone4)
8 years agoshazam_z3
8 years agoKonrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
8 years agoshazam_z3
8 years agomattpf (zone4)
8 years agoKonrad..just outside of Edmonton Alberta
8 years ago
FrozeBudd_z3/4
8 years ago
westerly pacific
8 years ago
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SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC