Dreamweaver

After Dylan was born, it didn't take long to realize that we needed a bigger car. Namely after that first Christmas South Carolina Tour. When we packed up to come back to the upstate, poor little Dylan (only 2 months old) sat in his car sit surrounded by all the gifts that the Grandparents bestoyed upon him. I kept thinking during the whole trip that if we went over just one pot hole he would be trapped under in all.
So, that January we headed to Car max and Traded in my beloved little saturn with the cute sun roof and awsome sterio systom for a white toyota sianna minivan. We had thought about an SUV because I felt that I simply was not ready to trade in ALL my coolness for the soccer mom look. But, after giving it a lot of thought, we felt that the minivan would give us all the functionality of a SUV with a lot more room and better gas milage.
let me tell you right now that I have not spent a single day regretting the trade. We can go to Edisto and back on a tank and ahalf, which we do on a monthly bases. We can howl 700lbs in a trailer, which we do quite often. We can pack that thing to the hilt from the supply warehouses or the local nursery.

About 21 years ago a bunch of 16 year olds got together and had this picture made. We all got a copy and we went out to live our lives. The other day one of us found their picture and put it on Facebook. What pursued made my heart swell. A nice little conversation between some friends that have not been together since perhaps this picture was taken.

We planted the "Green Giant" Thujas along the Peacewood Trail back border with thoughts of one day renting this home out while living in a home to the back of the property. We figured that this border would someday give us privacy from whomever lives here.
We planted them in the fall of 2007 when they where about 6 inches tall. I found them at parkseed's website and was advertised as a fast growing privacy border that could give you 3 to 5 feet of growth per year.
I've been very pleased with this plant so far. Very low maintenance and is growing according to discription. Not really hitting the maximun growth, but they are not getting full sun either.

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Halloween preview. Dylan lost his first front tooth the week before his birthday.

Some cakes I've made for the kids over the years.

Just found him on Facebook!!! Doing fine in LA. (No, this isn't him) I had to share this picture he found doing some people watching.

Now, this is really getting into recycling. In case you where wondering what to do with all those doll houses the little ones have stopped playing with... Just pop it on your head and get to church, sister!

It's time for the first fundraiser of the school year! Anyone interested in helping us raise money for the Indian Land School smart boards can click on the photo to browse the items for sale. You'll also be helping Dylan earn great prizes.

You can not order on the website so you will have to send me an email at chshuler@yahoo.com to let me know what you want, I'll send you our address so you can send payments. I know that it's a real bother to do business that way, but it's the best we can do right now. I think that the company is trying to make online shopping available. (you can change pages from the left side of the page)

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Passiflora (passionflower, granadilla)
My mother-in-law grew this beautiful purple passionflower at her home in Eutawville, SC. What a gorgeous show this flower makes, even if it's only for a day. I've been told that butterflies love this plant so much that they will make there cocoons right there in the vines.

According to American horticultural Society's "plant propagation" by Alan Toogood, you can propagate this plant with cuttings or by using the seeds that are enclosed in the fruits that appears once the flower drops off. To use the seeds, you'll need to wash, dry, then soak in warm water for 24 hours before they germinate.

Barbara intends to try her hand at propagating this beauty. I can't wait to hear all about it.

To the two best teachers of life someone could ever ask for: Thank you

“Since 2004 when Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer deftly framed environmental issues as concern for the state's hunters and fishermen, a green/camo alliance has tantalized progressive strategists. At this year's DNC, the Wildlife Defense Fund sponsored an event unveiling their I Hunt, I Fish and I Vote campaign, an effort to marshal hunters and anglers towards supporting a progressive climate agenda. Nation DC Editor Chris Hayes goes inside.”

I thought this would be an interest to a great deal of people who view Democrats as anti-hunters. It has also been my feeling that hunters and fishermen are our nation’s greatest environmentalist. They care deeply about the conditions of our natural resources. It may be a long time before some democrats embrace the southern sportsman as being helpful on the environmental front. It may take even longer to convince the sportsman that most democrats recognize the difference between urban gun problems and guns used in sport.

It’s actually a very interesting divide in the United States in that when someone in the inner-cities comments on gun control that they very rarely think about the rural gun owner, they are so caught up in there dire situations and view guns as they would see them in there everyday lives… a really big problem. On the other hand the rural sportsman sees guns through there own daily view, as being part of there recreation and lifestyle. Once we can look through each other’s eyes, we can then realize that there is a compromise. We can have a comprehensive reasonable policy for gun control in America.

Something about watching Kucinich really tugs at my heart strings. Kucinich, a man of small stature and odd demeanor says it like it is and with such enthusiasm. Kucinich is probably not the smartest, not the best looking, not the most talented, and certainly not the richest, but arguably the gutsiest. If you didn't know, Kucinich is the only representative who has had the matsy to introduce 32 articles of impeachment against Bush and Chaney. Though, I'm sure he realizes what an uphill battle he has (I don't understand why) at least he alone has gotten our concerns on the "record." There is something to be said about an American who is willing to stick there neck out for American values and for what he believes in. History will thanks this little man for his courage while looking upon this congress as demonstrating little effort in making this administration accountable for their actions.
Below is a link to Kucinich's speech at the DNC convention in Denver. It's not the most impressive speech given during the convention. But, boy, does he have HEART!!!!

October 2007 found our little charlotte house empty and it was time for some major overhauls. The house had been rented b the same family for three years and had fallen into disarray. The surrounding area has improved dramatically since I had purchased the property ten years ago. Homes in the neighborhood where being remodeled and kept up nicely. We also felt that if we could update the home, we could demand more rent and find renters that would take pride in the home. This is where our journey begins.

I found the exterior in desperate need of a new paint job. I also found the landscaping overgrown and in some areas out of control. The backyard had two large circular crevices where the renters had kept two pit bulls chained. The interior was dirty and roach infested. The laundry room had leaked, causing the plywood and insulation to rot. The house was in need of new wiring and an updated kitchen. The cheep carpet that we had put down seven years ago needed to be ripped out and the hardwood floors refinished and protected.

Check out the HOUSE BLOG, click on the link to the right to see the whole process!!!

8.24.08

I had read several books on the topic of speech delays, some where too technical and some dwelt with behavioral issues. The Best book that I found happened to be the last book I read. I wished immediately that it had been the first. It is actually a very practical book about Apraxia specifically. The first chapter is actually pretty scary. It’s designed to scare parents into taking action on behalf of there child, so I guess it needed to be scary. Brandi had already been in therapy for a year by the time I got my hands on “The Late Talker”. It’s packed with useful information from dealing with the school system to dealing with insurance companies. The Chapter on insurance companies is worth its weight in gold alone.