How Does Your Garden Grow?

Mr. E and I have been throwing around some ideas about starting a garden... we don't really have a ton of dirt so our first stab at gardening will have to be a container garden. What we do have plenty of is sun and a garden hose- why else do they call it a garden hose if not to water gardens?

We definitely want a tomato plant because those red, round balls they sell at the local grocery stores and call tomatoes, are not cutting it. They taste like mush. I think I can grow this no problem.

Now, about an Herb Garden: I did some good research on the Internet (as usual) and I found an awesome website that told me everything I need to know. I think.

They suggest growing several plants of all types of herbs. Instead, I think I'll be putting my own spin on this one. We are going to start with basil, cilantro and mint. I mean who needs Tarragon? Let's stick with the basics people. I can make pesto from the basil, I can use the cilantro in shrimp ceviche and you know where I'm going with this... I can make a mean mojito with the mint! Pictures and progression notes, to come!

Circle of Life

I just want to take a moment to remember a dear friend who passed away a year ago, today. Emily. What a beautiful woman. We miss you dearly and know you are watching over us from your position in the sky. All of us are blessed to have known you.




I also wanted to take a moment to recognize and welcome Beckett Jeffrey Hanneman to this world. Born on 5-26-11, I think he is a wonderful addition to the Hanneman family and I am so excited to meet him.













These two people aren't super related to each other, except that Emily and Lisa (Beckett's mom) were both sorority sisters with me. I just thought that it would be nice to celebrate life in remembering death.

I wish I had something sarcastic to say because I know Emily and the Hannemans would really appreciate it but unfortunately, I don't.

Thank you, Emily for teaching us what you did and welcome Beckett to this wonderful world!

Discoveries

I needed to go to the bank today and since the car isn't here yet, I walked. I looked up the route on the Internet and walked there and back. Side note- seriously, what would we do without the Internet?! I didn't even get lost and it was a very nice walk. Along the way, I made a few discoveries.

I found the essentials, CVS, Chase (of course), Von's (same as Dominicks), a few nail salons, 4 doughnut shops, and 4 businesses that all start with "Anza." Anza Hardware, Anza Salon, Anza Inn, Anza Healthcare. What is Anza, you ask. No idea- I'll look later. I also found two coffee shops and a STARBUCKS. Whew... I was starting to get nervous because I hadn't seen one, yet! The coffee shop nearest our house has a blended coffee, chocolate and peanut butter drink. In finding that place, I found my new best friend.

I found that most Californian's have really packed garages with lots of things in them, except cars.

I found that I think we live in a neighborhood where the average age is well, old. But that's OK. After 9.5 years of having the action in your backyard (Wrigleyville), your attic (Wicker Park) and your front yard (Cabrini) I'm ready for a little peace and quiet. I will get my action elsewhere...

I also found that what California lacks in architectural beauty, everything is in the same brown strip mall, they more than make up for with natural beauty. Every single brown strip mall is lined with beautiful and colorful flowers of all varieties as well as palm trees blowing in the wind. Nice trade off.

Finally, I found hills. For those of you who live in Illinois, you may not remember what those are. To help jog your memory, they are bigger than a mound of dirt but not quite a mountain. And, I'm hoping if I walk enough of them, I'll get my posterior in better shape!

Aside from what I did find, I also hope to find a job in the near future. I'll keep you posted on that find, soon enough!

Chandeliers of Torrance

I'm getting used to our new house. One thing about the owners is that they love chandeliers. We have four of them - which one is your favorite?

Don't fly Spirit...Ever.

For those of you who know me, you know I love me some lists. I know it's a little early to be Snarky but I couldn't help myself... It took us a total of 10 hours to get from Chicago to LA. Most of that can be blamed on the airline that we took, Spirit Airlines. And, because of our awesome experience with Spirit, here are my top 10 reasons why I will never fly Spirit airlines again.

10. No Automated Check-In: You have to go all the way down to the end of the terminal by Siberia, I mean Iberian airlines... to wait in a very long line that is being manned by TWO people.

9. Graduated Bag Fees: Of course we all know that if costs money to check a bag but when you are moving ACROSS the country, you have to. And, Spirit has the fabulous idea that your bag should only weigh 40 el-bees (pounds). If you are over the mandated 40 el-bees, they raise the fee by how many pounds are in your bag, 50 pounds and you could be paying 50 bucks. Because of this, all of us in line had to get manually charged a fee by said TWO attendants.

8. Flower Pens: They attach silky, fake flowers to the end of their pens so people won't steal them. Do I have to elaborate?

7. Receipt Boarding Pass: The Spirit boarding pass caused some confusion for the TSA agent checking us in. She said we made our boarding passes up... um yes, I understand you TSA Lady... that's because the boarding pass looks like a grocery receipt from Jewel.

6. Three Hour Delay: Maintenance or weather related? According to the desk, the plane needed maintenance. According to the flight attendant there was bad weather in NY.. but our flight was from Florida to Chicago... Hmmm.... you do the math... Regardless it was 10:30 before we took-off for our 7:30 flight.

5. Weird Engine Noises: See number 6.

4. Loud Flight Attendants: Talky-talky-slam-slam-talky-slam-talky-talky-talky. Stop talking! I can hear you over my noise cancelling headphones and my Enya. I'm trying to sleep ladies and you're jacking your jaws and slamming things around.

3. Rude Flight Attendants: OK, seriously, do not yell over the loud speaker at the woman waiting at the front of the plane for the lavatory, she is obviously oblivious. GO TALK TO HER QUIETLY. And bring me some water!

2. In flight Advertisements: I don't know if Spirit know about target markets but they sell ad space on the tray tables and the overhead storage compartments CTA-style. My ad was for Looney Tunes and I stared at Bugs Bunny's Face for 4.5 hours while listening to my Enya.

1. First Class: OK, what?! The fact that Spirit even offers first class seating blows my mind b/c they are not in any way shape or form even close to a first class operation.

Now, I know that Spirit is an economy airline but come on... step it up just a little and your consumers wouldn't spend an hour posting about why they will never use your airline again.

Ms. D Re-Welcomes You!

On the plan ride here, I thought, "Why not continue that blog and update it on moving to a new city, starting a new career and getting married...if nothing else for my friends who are far away."

And so, what started as a school project during my student teaching to encourage all of our students to blog will now become (drum roll please...) a chronicle about: Ms. D learning about her new surroundings and getting used to the urban sprawl that is LA, Ms. D embarking on her new career as Ms. D (teacher- for those of you who weren't aware) and all of the foils that go with finding and starting a new job, and last but certainly not least, Ms. D becoming Mrs. E.

The beginning of 2011 has already been excitement packed and I can assure you that the remainder will be nothing to shake a stick at so please feel free to drop in every now and then to catch up on the happenings of Ms. D and her plucky sidekick, Mr. E. He's real cute- I think you'll like him ;)

I can't promise to always be relevant, witty, funny or even have great writings. I also can't promise to write every day (sheesh, people, did you see the list of things I have to do for the rest of this year!?). But, I can promise to be genuine and heart-felt as I welcome you to my "new" blog!