Our Garden Grows

Christmas at The Secret Garden

2010-12-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

Ever wanted to tour our shop but live to far away or can never find time to stop in? Well it's time to step inside The Secret Garden. We have created a short video that lets you walk through our shop without leaving the comfort of your home. We hope you enjoy!

My baby is how old????

2010-12-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

Okay I know that 6 is not old by any stretch but my baby turning 6 today has me feeling pretty old. I just can't believe it has been 6 years since this little guy was born. My other friends tell me to just wait till he hits double digits but this feels old to me.

He is so independent and does not need his mommy like he used too. Gone are the days of changing diapers, feeding bottles, and 2am crying fits. Well I'm glad to see those things go I must admit but the cuddling and the cooing I would take back in a heartbeat. He is in school now and has his own friends and even crushes. What a big difference 6 years can make in a little ones life. How far he has come, and how much further he will go.

He got up this morning and raced into see me. He said, "shouldn't you say something to me." I of course fake like I have no earthly idea what he is talking about. "It's MY BIRTHDAY" is his response. So tons of hugs and kisses and some swift spanks later he gets birthday wishes from mom. He then confesses to me that he feels older. My only response to that is "Just wait". Feeling older is something that will not seem like such a good thing in a few years. Oh time you sure know how to fly.

So Happy Birthday Warren, we love you so.

A little rant to clear my head.

2010-12-03T21:04:00.000-08:00

We live in a decent sized town here in Illinois and we have a few smaller towns around us that I would actually consider mini suburbs. Because of this we have a decent sized Chamber of Commerce made up of over 200 businesses. A few years ago our Downtown Council closed up shop and the chamber picked up most of the responsibilities. This was a great idea at the time I am sure. The small businesses down there unite and do lots of things together, as they should, and they needed someone to help coordinate them all.

My problem with all of this is the fact that our chamber seems to be only about the downtown businesses. You can not imagine how many things are hosted or promoted through them for just that area. Now our downtown probably has 40 or so businesses and I would bet only half are even in the chamber. So why oh why do my dues go to sponsor these events. Why is it that we never have the same opportunities to promote our business as the ~~chosen~~ lucky few that get a chance to take part in these events.

I know that downtowns are important to a community. But I also know that small businesses, no matter where they are located, are important to the community. I have voiced my opinion to a few people but I guess I need to get louder. My fear is the backlash that comes to standing up to such a close nit community such as the downtown businesses are.

So for next year, instead of dropping out of the chamber and saving my hard earned money. I resolve to become more active. Reach out to the other businesses, like me, who are not in that area. Maybe together we can make our voices heard.

Thanks all for letting me rant =) Now I can sleep well!

Wow ~ Long time no post

2010-12-02T04:55:00.000-08:00

It has been a while, I can see that by the date below. I have been so busy with getting the shop ready for the holidays that I have been neglecting this page of the blog. My to do list is miles long for today. One of the things on there is to update every page of the blog, that may take some time.

The Christmas season is upon us and it gets a little crazy. Between shopping, holiday programs, running the business, and day to day chores things get lost along the way. It appears that blogging is one of those things. I sit here with total writers block and not a thing to say. So I ask myself, "self, why are you still typing". And yes folks, I do answer myself by saying, "Because it's on my to do list." So now I say "Blog updated" with a sad little smile of satisfaction and leave you with warm holiday wishes! I hope my thoughts form and I can return for a better post soon.

Flip-Off Fridays ~ Last Friday in August

2010-08-27T04:57:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone. It's Friday again and time for another round of clearing the air for a good weekend! Thank you Kludgymom for posting the linkup for us this week. Hope your life calms back down so you can give us a good old fashion flip next week.

I'm keeping it short this week because I have an addiction to get back to. The addiction "Grey's Anatomy". My friend has been raving about this show all summer. She is watching the first 7 seasons through netflix and has been bugging me about watching it.

Well I did. Now I'm sorry. I have lived with Meridith, Derek, Izzy, George, Mark, Addison, Alex, Burk, and Christina for 2 weeks now. I go to work, dish up dinner, get kids settled, then me and hubby watch about 3 hours of Grey's. This is not a life, this is Lori on Grey's. It will get better soon, we are almost done with season 3.

So this week I am flipping off Jennifer (the friend that got me hooked). I would also like to add my addictive personality to that flip. And here is a clip from the show that has me laughing and bawling my eyes out nightly.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Back to School Edition

2010-08-18T06:55:00.000-07:00

Leanna 7th Grade ~ JR High!!

Kayleigh ~ Smiles for the camera to hide her nerves ~ 3rd Grade

Warren ~ Our Little Man ~ Kindergarten

Flip-Off Friday ~ Friday the 13th edition

2010-08-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! Time to let everything that bothered you this week out so you can enjoy your weekend. Thank you again KludgyMom for hosting the event for us!

Where to begin, where to begin? This has been a long hot week so I will try to keep the ranting down to a dull thud for you all.

To my sister-in-laws dogs ~ FLIP OFF ~ When we come over to let you out please come out from under the bed. We know you are under there, we can hear you growling at us. It's time to go do your business so that I can get back to work. I don't have time to dangle treats, call your name, call you names (not all mommy approved), and pace back and forth for an hour. Mo, Molly, Teddy FLIP OFF. Come out from under the bed already. When Michael says MOMO kennel up he means it. But I guess you know that, that is why you are crammed at the back of the bed and growling at him. Well that is just fine let your bladder fill up we will be back.. .and you will go!

To This box --------------------------------->

You lie like the dogs mentioned above. You did not hold the important paperwork I seek. You just held tax papers for the last 10 years, old school pictures, and other important JUNK but not the important junk I required. I looked and looked, to no avail. Why do you have to lie like that. You promise a treasure trove of important things yet I came up empty handed. Because of you I had to go to the DMV. And we all know that the DMV could fuel a Flip off Friday all on it's own. So to my box of not so important to me at the time junk ~ FLIP OFF

To the not so nice people at the DMV ~ Yes I know I'm an idiot and lost that important paper, well the box must have ate it but that is neither here nor there. I have everything I needed filled out, I take my number, and I sit. And I sit. And I sit. But still when I am called I manage a smile and nice words. I am now 100% certain that all of you get paid by the frown and bonuses for snide comments. I realize your job must suck. At least 3 of you have been there since I received my drivers permit (I know that because one of them gave me my test and one took my smiling picture). SMILE just once, it does not hurt I promise. You may find that your day will go better and maybe people will not want to yell FLIP OFF when they leave.

Okay had to make this post because I am full of wonder and hope that maybe one of you can help explain ~

To the JR high that is going to teach my 7th grader how to use the bathroom ~ Yes that is right folks the first 3 days of JR high for my 7th grader will be spent reviewing behavior problems. They will teach the entire school, how to sit in class, walk in the halls, eat lunch without throwing food, ride the bus, and behave in the bathroom. Now the funny thing is my Kindergartner will be learning the same thing, the difference is THAT is age appropriate. I realize this school has had some behavior problems, okay a LOT of behavior problems. I also realize that this will eliminate the "I didn't know" comments from the jackclowns (thanks kludgy for that word). I do not understand why everyone in the school has to be forced to attend. When you teach to the lowest common denominator (one of my teachers used to say that about the misfits) then nobody will win this one. And what's up with the new staff, replacing 2/3 of the staff with kids that just finished JR like yesterday is probably not the way to go. Oh to have money enough for private school, maybe I'll have a bake sale and raise some dough! HAHAHAAAAA, sorry if I do not laugh I will cry.

Thanks for stopping in all, sorry it was long winded. I had a lot on my mind and now I can enjoy the weekend.

Happy Friday the 13th ~ Watch out for black cats, don't want to double your bad luck!

Wordless Wednesdays ~8-11-10 ~ When Kayleigh Gets Picture Happy!

2010-08-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when my middle daughter get's picture happy!

Please excuse the clothing and the mess. Tis' summer and she refuses to wear anything but what she wants :) The life of a soon to be 8 year old!

Are you looking for a bit of Snark with your morning coffee?

2010-08-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

I would like you all to meet one of my favorite Bloggers ~ Kludgy Mom.

I found Gigi one Friday morning and have been reading faithfuly since that fateful day. I search my google reader daily and if her name is in bold I know it's going to be a good day.

Her writing is funny, light hearted, and a bit snarky. All of the things I look for in a good blog.

You can learn anything from Timeshare Speak to A Call For The End To Buying Other Kids Birthday Presents.

If you are ever in the mood for a good read and some laughs I suggest you run on over to Kludgy Mom and see what you think.

Leave a comment below and tell me all about it. I am always on the lookout for great blogs and who knows your blog may be the next one I'm raving about.

Getting to Know You ~ First Sunday in August

2010-08-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

This is a fun little game I like to play on Sundays. Visit my friend Mannlands to join in on the fun.

The Q's.

1. Do you think mustaches are sexy?

2. What's the last concert you've been to?
3 What was your favorite 80's sitcom?
4. Were you named after anyone?
5. When you buy new clothes, do you wash before wearing?
6. If you didn't blog, what would you do with your spare time?
7. What is your favorite department store?
8. If you were to get Laser Hair Removal..where would you get it?

1. Do you think mustaches are sexy?

I did not until I met my husband. He had one and before that I never was a big fan. It all depends on the man I guess. It took me a while to get used to kissing him, tickles the nose a bit. But it's worth it.

2. What's the last concert you've been to?

Wow it's been so long I have forgotten the order. I am thinking it was Bare Naked Ladies down at the Keil Center in St. Louis. It may have been Alan Jackson at the state fair though. Guess I need to get out more often.

3. What was your favorite 80's sitcom?

Hmmm, I would have to say The Cosby Show with Family Ties coming in a close second.

4. Were you named after anyone?

My initials match my mom, grandma, and my great grandma. We are all LM and my oldest daughter has the same initials as me. We decided to start the tradition with my son too so he has my husbands initials.

5. When you buy new clothes, do you wash before wearing?

Swim suits and PJ's always. The other stuff, not as much.

6. If you didn't blog, what would you do with your spare time?

I would probably play World of Warcraft a bit more then I do now. I know it's a geek teen boy game but I love it!

7. What is your favorite department store?

I would have to say Kohl's. We are headed there later today for back to school shopping.

8. If you were to get Laser Hair Removal where would you get it?

My legs ~ I hate taking time to shave them and it's wasted time when it just shows up again the next day. Thank heavens for winter and long pants :)

Flip Off Friday ~ First Friday in August Edition

2010-08-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

Let me start by thanking KludgyMom again for hosting this event. Policing all of the posts and keeping it fun for all of us is a tough job so go on over and thank her for all of her hard work. I look forward to this every Friday now and even make little notes on who I am in need of flipping off! This is so cathartic and helpful for someone in retail, a mom, or dang near anyone who has to walk the planet with idiots.

To my husbands Doctor ~ How in the world are you still in business. We had a form to be filled out. Easy enough, write some words, check some boxes, boom done. WRONG. We took the form to the doc, he filled it out, we sent it in, we got it back. Doc had not filled it out all the way. We take the form back. Doc fills it out, we send it in, we get it back. Doc forgot to DATE it. Now we take the form in and wait, and wait, and wait. After not hearing from Doc I go in, Doc is out of the office so we wait. Now it has been 10 days since we dropped form off so we call. No record of said form. So we go in. Miracle ~ Form appears in box up at the front and it has now been sent in. He charged us $89.00 to fill the form out the first time, incorrectly I may add. $10.00 to fill the form out for the second time, incorrectly again. We will wait and see what the 3rd time costs. Let us hope this is the charm because the deadline to have the form in was the 5th. UGGGGGHHHHH FLIP OFF.... and by the way that is the last time we see you. If you can't fill out a form how on earth could you figure out what is wrong with someone.

That one was long and winded let's keep these short.

To the light in my kitchen. Flip Off ~ or in this case BACK ON! You are a special bulb and you know that. Why on earth do you wait until the morning after my trip to Lowe's to go out. Do you think I really want to drive clear across town just to buy your replacement. You know darn good and well I can't enter that store and not drop at least 50 bucks on stuff that is too cool to pass up. How many towel bars does one woman need?

To the beautiful weather today ~ FLIP OFF, you know that you will leave me again. I see the forecast, I know the truth. Showing up today is just a sad reminder of how summer would be in my perfect world. Then the heat will return and we will all be sad. I will love you today and hate you tomorrow when you are gone.

Okay I think that just about does it. Have a wonderful weekend folks I know I will now that I have vented a bit.

Wordless Wednesday~ Warren

2010-08-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

Go to Wordless Wednesday to find more great photo's from bloggers all over the world.

Our Wordle ~

2010-08-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

This was so fun and easy to make. I think I am going to do more of these for posts and such. What fun~

Want to try it for yourself. Head over to Wordle and try it for yourself.

Getting to Know You Sunday

2010-08-01T14:31:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday morning friends and welcome to my first ever:Getting to Know You. This is a fun way for me to get to know you and you to get to know me! Here are the list of questions for this week: The Q's..

1. If you were to win an award today, what would it be for?

2. What is your shoe style?

3 Does your car reflect your personality?

4. If you could take over someones body for a day..whose would you choose?

5. Love or be loved?

6. If you were on death row, what last meal would you choose?

7. Have you been on vacation this Summer, if so where?

8. What is your favorite food related guilty pleasure?

1. If you were to win an award today, what would it be for?

Least likely to delegate ~ I try and I try but I just come up short. Call it the control freak in me but I just can not do it. If you look at all of my reviews for when I was a retail manager you would find: You need to delegate more of your responsibilities. I am working on it, my hubby would say I'm probably pretty good at it by now. I still see room for improvement.

2. What is your shoe style?

Tennis shoes or flip flops depending on where I am. For work I must have my tennis shoes so I can not slide on water, leaves, and more at the shop. At home the first think I do is slide into my flip flops. They let my feet breath after a long day at work!

3 Does your car reflect your personality?

In a way yes ~ Mini Van. Hauling kids, flowers, signs, and so much more this is the way to go. I really want a "swagger wagon" (Sienna) but not the car payment that goes with it :) Mine is paid for and that is THE way to go right now!

4. If you could take over someones body for a day..whose would you choose?

Someone who eats healthy so that I could pick up pointers. I'm on the run A LOT so it would have to be someone who was busy and still kept the same good eating habits. Maybe this would show me it's not so bad and I would be able to do it for myself.

5. Love or be loved?

Now this is a hard one.... I would say love. You can't control what other people think of you and it will drive you crazy trying. If you love then you can feel the happiness and joy you bring and that lifts your spirits. I would have to go with Love.

6. If you were on death row, what last meal would you choose?

Hmmmm.. well if you see question number 4 above you can probably guess it would not be a healthy one. I would have to say Little Ceasars Pizza with Crazy Bread and Sauce. This would guarantee my last words to be garlic filled and maybe the guy who was doing the deed would pass out from the toxic gasses.

7. Have you been on vacation this Summer, if so where?

Nope not yet. With just taking over the shop in January we had so much going on we did not have time to plan anything. We should try for a weekend get away with the kids in the next few weeks just for their sake but not sure if that is gonna happen.

8. What is your favorite food related guilty pleasure?

I would have to say carmel Frappe's. OHHHH my they are good. When it's a bad day I just roll through the nearest coffee place and get my my own little pick me up. The day always looks better with that much sugar in your system!

Now it's your turn ~ have fun with it ~ I sure did!

Thanks Mannland5, I got my questions from you!

Friday Flip-Off July 30th Edition

2010-07-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Okay here goes another vent session, my second. The first week got me through the weekend but by Tuesday I was already dreaming of my chance to do it all again. Want to play along? Go to KludyMom and see how to join in on the fun. Give her a follow she is a great read.

1. To My Sinuses ~ Flip-Off already. This is just crazy. I know that every five minutes the weather is changing but can you just stay the same, unclogged perferably. Instead my head is so clogged that I honestly believe when I squeeze the bridge of my nose my top may fly open. Other times, like now, I am draining ... yeah yuck I know.

2. To The Not So Friendly Tech Lady ~ Yeah I know that I messed up when I tried to follow your directions in your e-mail. I told you I was sorry and even suggested that I call you back when I was done. You did not have to get snippy. I'm a florist dang it not a IT tech. Sorry flashback to Star Trek for a moment there. I pay you to help me when I get all nontechy. So do it with a little less lip next time. Flipity Flip!

3. To Cable TV ~ Why oh why do you have such short seasons. I just got into Pretty Little Liers with my tween and it only has 2 episodes left! WHAT!!! I think that is only like 8 total and now you will leave me hanging for who knows how long. I should have stuck by my pledge not to watch ABC Family after you canceled KyleXY on me. Now I will be forced back into Teen Nick or Disney to have quality TV discussions with my oldest. Hannah Montana Forever here I come. Flipity Flop to you ABC Family.

Come Follow the Chickadees~

2010-07-29T21:08:00.000-07:00

This is my first week for Follow Me, Chickadee Fridays!
It's a simple game to play first you follow the first three blogs on the list. These ladies are great so that is easy to do and fun too. Next you visit the blog above you and below you and leave a comment about a post. This is a great way to find new friends and some great blogs. This will be a hoot... oh wait that's an owl... this will be a cluck!!
Now for a little about me. I am a mother, wife, and florist. I love what I do and love making people smile. If you want to see some of our work or a little more about us just check out the tabs at the top of this blog.
Thanks for stopping in! I promise next Friday I will come up with something to talk about. Been working on the 31DBBB challenge from the SITS Gals so my brain is fried today!

Tell The Truth Thursday ~ Hard Lesson For Me

2010-07-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

Today I was purposed a question by Redheaded Riter . She asked us: "What is one of the most important lessons you've learned?" Wow that is a great question. Since we took over the shop in January I have learned so many lessons. Since I was born oh so many years ago I have learned millions of lessons. So I decided to pick one that is relevant to me now and that I am in the process of learning.

It doesn't happen overnight. Yep that's right folks, no matter what people say, it doesn't happen overnight. Outside of winning the lottery things just are not instant.
This is a hard one for me. I see where I want the shop to be, I have a vision in my mind. I see my family, friends, and crew all around me and we are happy to be where we are. But this vision is in the future. How far? Who knows. I wish I did, but that is not for me to know. Everyday I work, I pray, I scream, and sometimes I cry because I just don't know.
When I talk to my mother she tells me, "It doesn't happen overnight". How true. But it doesn't stop me from looking ahead and dreaming. Then the questions start ~ Should I have done That? Should I do This? What about That? What about This?
So I guess what we all need to do is just take it "One day at a time". I need to focus on the tasks at hand that I know will impact that image in my head. I need to get things in place so when that day comes, I can look back and say, "It didn't happen overnight but it did happen".

Wordless Wednesday ~ Stop and Smell The Flowers

2010-07-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

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See more great pictures at Wordless Wednesday. Where a group of bloggers link up their very own Wordless Wednesday Pics!

Flip-Off Friday

2010-07-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Okay so this morning I am flipping through some blogs and found this Flip-Off Friday. So I decided to take a crack at it. I have not vented in a while so I am going to limit myself to three. I sure don't want to frighten you off by being to scary!

To the heat: We are done with you now. We have spent time in our pools, enjoyed the hot afternoon sun on our faces, and have done all the fun summer time things that you are needed for. Now FLIP-OFF. Go away for a while will ya. You are not welcome here anymore. We want cooler days and cooler nights so we can enjoy our time outside. Some of us have gardens that need tending, kids that want to play outside, and honestly we just want to stop having sweat roll into places it does not need to be.

Scammers: Three times in the last month I have had experiences with someone trying to scam me or someone I know. This is getting out of hand. Using TTY (phone service for the hearing impaired) has got to be the lowest of the low. If you are taking up the phone line then someone with a real disability may not be able to make an important, non-scam, related phone call. And really, playing on the emotions of folks answering the phone is just wrong as well. You think that because you are on the TTY we will feel sorry for you and give you what you want, wrong! And those of you who love to do the fake pay pal scams to try and get items shipped to you when you have not paid yet FLIP-OFF, get a job, go do something productive with your life because you are taking up far to much of mine.

Fly by night Go Greeners: And yes you know who you are. If you just took to the "go green" effort in an attempt to act cool and trendy please do not spout off about things you know nothing about. I have never been a huge "green" person but I have never walked around telling people to litter either. I believe that we all must do what we can to help keep the community around us clean and pleasant. This includes recycling, picking up after ourselves, and trying not to waste. I am tired of hearing about the carbon footprint of EVERYTHING while you sit in your SUV and drink your high priced coffee. Think about yourself and what you can do before you push your ideals on someone else. Don't spend all of your money in big box stores, look at their carbon footprint, as opposed to bashing the mom and pops for not selling you every Eco friendly goods and service to be had. We are small and so are our feet compared to the big guys. We do what we can and we are dedicated to what we do. To all you true "greeners" go job! You live like you mean it and try to truly make a difference in the world! To the fly by night Eco-friends ... FLIP-OFF.

Wow I feel better! I think I may just have myself a great day now that my mind is clear and pure :) Have a wonderful Friday everyone!!

Marketing Guru's

2010-07-14T18:07:00.000-07:00

When I came home from work this evening this picture was on our fridge. Our oldest daughter had made a poster for Kayleigh to sell her stickers. Not only does it give the price, description, and a tag line "For All Seasons", it also has a note at the bottom that advertises her services "Poster by Leanna". So you can shop from Kayleigh and go to Leanna for all of your poster needs. What a great marketing idea.. maybe she could design posters for our shop!
I guess what this tells me is that they listen to what is being said at all times. Even when we are talking about things that must be boring to children she is listening. She is learning, picking up ideas, and showing us what she can do. Amazing!

What will the day bring?

2010-07-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

What will the day bring?

~Sunshine?
~Rain?
~Cool Temps?
~New Friends?
~To Do Lists?
~Sales?
~New Chores?

With everything that can happen in one day it is so hard to tell what the day will bring. Every morning I think over what needs to be done and the list gets longer. It seems like the days are getting shorter and my lists are getting longer. Holiday planning, sales planning, promotions planning, blogging, eBay listings, ad copy writing, figuring, and on and on all happen in a day at the shop. Some days I wish for many more hours in the day so I can make a dent in my list. But for now I will make due with what I have and try to make the most of it. Time to hop off of the computer and get a move on.... much awaits!

Little Miss Murphy

2010-07-12T22:53:00.000-07:00

This is Murphy. She is the result of baby fever, not her parents but mine. A few months ago I went to dinner with friends and two of them were pregnant. I came home with a plan... have a baby or get a dog. Well as you can see we got a dog.
She is a Pomeranian who is going through "the uglies". Poor little girl has hair growing at different rates and legs that are long and legs that are short, you know the typical teenage thing. She gives our 2 cats and our golden a run for the money everyday. She is so very cute and has a big dog attitude.
She is named after a character in The Dresden series of books. If you have ever read these you know that "Murph" is a strong willed, fearless, yet very petite, lady. That is so fitting for this little ladies personality we just could not resist.
We will post more pics of our other little fur babies as time goes on. You will meet Boots (our very old tom cat), Harvey (Leanna's Kitten), and Coop (our slightly overweight Golden). Well as you can tell my Murphy's picture it is time for bed around here. Have a great night and thanks for stopping by!