Pooping Rainbows

I feel like the only time I ever post now is when I'm like, 'TODAY WAS THE BESTEST DAY EVERRRRZZZZ,' and I hope you don't get sick of it. My life isn't always full of joy and I don't poop rainbows, but you wouldn't want to hear me talk about how broke I am or how my face is breaking out because I'm about to start my period, right? Right. Today, however, was so productive I feel as if I do poop rainbows and I'm going to tell you about it.

I woke up at the butt-crack of dawn (ahem...9am) to get ready for my last volunteer orientation for the Emergency Department. I've had three of them and I keep catching myself thinking, 'How many of these am I going to have? At least I'm making money.' Then I remember that I'm a volunteer and there is never a time I'll be making money!

So far everything has been interesting, though, and today was my first day in the actual Emergency Department. We went through all the general, 'This is the break room, this is the bathroom, etc' and also went over what I'd be doing with my four hours a week there. Basically it's re-stocking everything, cleaning rooms after patients leave, talking with patients to help ease their anxiety, and helping any RN, doctor, and person-who-works-there that asks me to do something.

The guy who was doing my training said that the more interested and involved I am, the more I will learn, which I totally agree with and plan on doing. He said that after developing a good rapport with people who work there, the more likely I am to be pulled into a room to see some interesting stuff, which is what I want! He also said that anytime I want to see something such as a trauma, sutures, splinting, etc, then I could just ask the patients nurse and they'd most likely allow me to watch! Needless to say, I am super excited to start volunteering.

After the hospital I went to the grocery store to pick up stuff for lunch. Vince and I ate a quick bite, then he offered to do the dishes if I planted all the plants that were accumulating on our back porch still in the containers. I of course said yes because I'd do anything over the dishes, and it turned out wonderful! The other people who live in our 'house' (our apartment is a huge 100 year old house that is split into 4 separate apartments) were all excited and came out and talked to me.

My grandma had bought a couple chrysanthemums for mine and Vince's wedding and we didn't know they were annuals. To our surprise, they started growing again so we moved them from their plastic containers to planters on both sides of the front door that leads to the hallway for us tenants.


We had some strawberries that I bought at a local plant store on sale a few weeks ago, artichoke and chili plants from the CSA, and mint that we bought for mojitos that needed to be planted. Last year when I planted mint it quickly took over the entire large container it was in, so I'm hoping the mint does that again this year. I love it in tea and fruit water! The three containers to the left of the door are where I planted them, worms and all.
We have a few strawberries that have been growing so hopefully this new larger container and regular watering will help them continue to grow.


Once all the planting was done, I took all our house plants outside so that I could give them a little TLC.
They had been inside all winter so they were dusty and had some dead leaves that needed to be cut off. After getting them all trimmed up and pretty again, I sprayed and watered them with this plant growth food that I got at another local plant store. They said it's similar to Miracle Grow, but not crazy toxic. The lady said I could even drink it and be fine! I used it last year for a while and the plants loved it, so I'm going to try and keep using it this summer. I just keep a spray bottle full of the Eleanor's VF-11 and water mix and just spray my plants once a week. It doesn't stain and is ok to get on paint/furniture, so I can use it in the house and not worry about it getting on the couch or walls!

When I was done with the plants, I cleaned up and swept the backyard a little bit. I was going to weed our eating area, but they were too strong and need to be dug up, which I didn't want to do. They look pretty anyways!!


After cleaning up, I decided to go on a bike ride. Vince had left for the slalom track to ride his bike with Roxi, so I rode my bike almost all the way to my school then turned around and met Vince.

We had some cantaloupe and BLTs for dinner with mayo, horseradish, and sliced hard-boiled eggs...so good! As you can possibly tell from the picture, I actually forgot the bacon and din't notice! Doh! Luckily the second sandwich I remembered it and it was delicious.

During dinner Roxanne had barked and attacked the fence in the front yard because of a skateboarder and when she came in I scolded her and made her lay on her back for a while. After a bit I told her she could get up and then I realized her butt was in the dustpan the whole time!

Now that I'm full and tired, I'm going to take a shower and give myself a manicure and pedicure. I'm going full out and breaking out the epsom salt and oils to soak my tired feet in! My hands have been so dry and both my hands and feet got super dirty and my nail polish is almost gone, so it'll be a good way to relax tonight. I'm still reading The Poisonwood Bible so I plan on getting a little further into that as well while Vince works on his bike!