New bed

Brian has been planning on making a toddler bed for Camden so that new baby can have the crib when he's too big for our cradle.  Yesterday, though, our plans changed quite a bit, and I think it's great! 

First, I was looking on KSL to find a crib/toddler mattress for the new bed.  I was also looking for a crib to take apart so Brian could use the springs to support the mattress.  I found a crib that included the mattress for a reasonable price, so we went to get it.  When we got there, the couple said that they were really just trying to get rid of it, and didn't want any payment.  What a surprise for us!  

When we got home, we started thinking about different ways to put the bed together.  We set up the crib and decided to try and use it to make the bed instead of having Brian construct it from scratch.  So, Brian cut off one side of the front rail and reattached the top bar about half way down. 

We went to DI to drop off some stuff.  We decided to stop in and see if there were any ladders for bunk beds that could be adapted easily for what we needed.  Bingo! Brian found the perfect one!  

Now, we have a new bed for Camden.  We had to make him wait until his nap today to use it so that all the glue could dry, but he loves being able to climb up a ladder into his new bed.  I love that I can store all sorts of stuff under it, and Brian loves that Camden loves it!  I also love that Brian didn't have to use several Saturdays cutting, gluing, and away from us!

Happy Sunday!

Rabbits

 I like to read a blog called "chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com", which is full of wonderful things of all kinds.  On Wednesdays, she asks her readers to respond to a certain topic.  This week, I decided to respond.  Her topic was to free-write for only 10 minutes on a certain word about Easter or springtime.  I chose to write about rabbits.  

Rabbits

Many people think of rabbits as soft, cute, cuddly creatures.  Perhaps Thumper comes to mind.  Not quite so for me. 

When I was about 13, I moved from the suburbs to a rural area filled with orange and avocado groves.  My parents built a new home and also were responsible to fully landscape several acres of land.  They decided to plant grass seeds rather than lay out sod because of the large area—at least on the first attempt.

As soon as the little grass seeds started to sprout, the rabbits ate them.  Every single little sprout was destroyed by the quickly-multiplying creatures. 

My parents tried everything they could think of.  A neighbor recommended shooting the rabbits.  He told us he had been successful by shooting one rabbit and posting it on a stake for a warning to the others.  I know, I know, it sounds awful!  Thankfully, my parents chose not to do that option, but my dad did stay awake through the night a few times with his rifle.  I didn’t even know he had a gun until then.  I don’t think he ever shot one.  Perhaps he fired a shot or two to scare them off.  

Ahh!  I only have 2 minutes left!  Jump to the end.

The thing that was most successful was pouring gallons and gallons of Tabasco sauce around the perimeter of the grass area.  It prevented the rabbits from eating the grass on the outside, and we hoped it would trick them.  It helped a little, but the grass in the middle still got mostly eaten while the Tabasco treated grass was able to grow until the sprinklers washed the sauce out.  They also tried sprinkling coyote urine all over the lawn.  Aaargh! 

 I’m pretty sure my parents ended up using sod.  I'll have to ask them.

And, my time is up! 

Happy Birthday!

 Happy Birthday, Brian

Here are a few pictures of Brian throughout his life:

                                                                        Baby Brian

                                                                        4 years old?
               

                                                                       Excited missionary!

                                                           Proud daddy and graduate

Love you!