Team Work..The Clogged Kitchen Sink

We moved into our home over a year ago, and have had the pleasure of unplugging the sink three times. Today was number three. We have learned a little about teamwork through this trial, as well as how many peelings..and how much water to put down the garburator/insinkerator/food disposal..whatever you want to call it.
After buying a very big wrench and a plumbing snake (as well as a little help from google), the first two times were easy..we put everything back together and were so proud of ourselves. This time, it took a bit longer, but still with both of us under the sink we were able to unplug it.

It can be hard to work together, especially when someone gets blamed, or someone gets defensive, or someone thinks their way is the best, and the other person does not agree. This type of scenario happens all the time. I am reminded time and time again that the word TEAM does not have an I in it. In order to solve some problems, you have to let go of selfish pride, and be a little humble, and work at things together for the greater good.

I think our sink gets plugged to keep us reminded of this!

Water and Wait

Now that the seeds are in....we just water and wait for them to grow.
We placed a sprinkler to the side of the garden, so we can just turn it on...work on something else for a bit...and then turn if off once the garden gets a good soaking. We will do that before 9am in the morning and after 6pm at night.
We saw a bird had dug up a bit in one of the rows...maybe for a seed or worm...next project: Make a scarecrow with the boys. That will be fun!

The Veggie Garden

I really wanted to do a veggie garden this year. As a child I have many memories of my family planting, weeding, and eating yummy veggies straight from the garden. I want my boys to experience some of those same amazing moments...like when they see that a potato grows under the ground, and a squash plant can grow vines all the way up the fence, and that it takes work to grow food.

Currently we live in a city, in a townhome, which is the perfect size for our family...one drawback...no yard. We have a cement patio out back, with a strip of dirt that grows bushes. I thought I could do a small garden in pots...but after putting out patio furniture, the water table, and a few pots of herbs...there just is no room.
So, here is what I did...

I know a wonderful woman at church, who is widowed, and has a large yard and garden plot. I asked her a month ago if she wanted some help with her garden, and other odd things around the yard. I told her that I would be the work/muscles, and she just had to tell me what to do. She said yes, and I have been having a great time working hard, getting dirty, and watching my boys enjoy themselves as they climb trees, play in the "woods", and find worms and snails.

Here is what we have done so far:
1. We decided together what to plant, and drew out a picture on paper of our plans.
2. We dug the dirt and turned it over. Some people may use a rototiller, but we used shovel power.
3. We turned over the dirt again, to put some of the leaves/compost back into the soil

4. We made rows of dirt hills, with just enough room in between to walk through (one foot in front of the other).
5. We are planting a combination of seeds, and small plants, and plant parts (potato pieces?...I can't wait to see how to do that.)
6. When planting, we place seeds in the rows, put dark compost soil (that she has from last year's compost pile) over top, and then she sprinkles ashes from the fire over top as fertilizer.

As I work, my little guy will either swing, or play near us with his toys. I am teaching him to walk in the valleys when he comes into the garden. Some days, it is just us...other days I bring all the boys after school.

Not only am I learning gardening skills, but she has some really neat stories and life lessons.

It feels good to work. 
It feels great to help another person. 
And it makes me happy to set an example for my sons of these two things.