Blooming Today at SMU

Smoketree.

Russian sage.

Hollyhocks.

Desert willow flower.  It smells soooooooo good.

Cassia.

Agaves and cactus!!!  Why don't people use more of these plants?  They are super tough and easy and look so dramatic in the landscape.

Grandma's Bad Idea

This was the subject of the email that contained this picture.  Yesterday my mom took Edie to a park to try out some swings.  They tried three different types.  Apparently the Frog wasn't amused by any of them.

Roses for Lawyers

The law school requested that we remove some old ligustrum shrubs and replace them with Knockout roses. I was supposed to get this done before last weekend's graduation ceremonies but that didn't happen as every other part of campus had things that they needed done before their ceremonies too. And most of the other schools and departments know how to ask for things in a nicer way than than certain others do. In some cases kindness dictates priority.  So yesterday morning we headed to the law school to removed the old shrubs and plant the new ones.  To quote Chris' dad, "you catch more bees with honey than with vinegar."  Or is it flies?  People are much more willing to help  you out if you're nice to them.  It amazes me that accomplished people who have pretty high positions on campus still don't know that.

Back to the roses.

Pete sawing off the tops.

Discussing the best way to get them out of the ground. 

9:00 break.

Lupe off by himself.

Some of the crew.  The others were still working.

Wrapping the chain around the base of the old shrub.

Pulling them out with a uniloader.

Planting the knockouts.  The nursery only had the small size which I'm sure the law school will be disappointed about.

Roberto watering them in.

Big Girl in the Shopping Cart

Edie's favorite place in the world has always been Central Market. Now she is grown up enough to experience it from the shopping cart.  Edie went to the dr. for her 6th month check up yesterday.  She is in the 75% for height and the 30% for weight.  Just what I thought, tall and thin like her father.  I also went to the dr. for a check up.  Why?  Because I'm pregnant.  I am about 1 1/2-2  months along.  The due date is January 2.  According to my doctor I will be more tired during this pregnancy and I will show more because I'm already so stretched out.  Great news.  But we heard the heart beat and saw the peanut.  I know you're not supposed to tell people until you are at least 3 months along but I can't sit on news like this.

Weekend Update

Frog likes to turn pages now.  It really is one of her favorite pastimes at the moment.  She will pull her books off the shelf and sit there and try to turn the pages.  Board books only though, paper pages don't last long. If there is a book on the floor she will crawl over to it and try to turn the pages.  Yet another skill my little genius is mastering.

Page turning.

Look at her go!

The jumperoo was taken apart and put in the garage this weekend.  She's got places to go now.  She crawls everywhere, slapping those hands like paddles on the floor.  You can definitely hear her coming. 

Crawling towards me.

And away.

And towards the den.

Making the turn.

Almost gone.

And jackpot, the toys.

She pulled this over right after I took this picture.

Look at that belly.

Chris always reminds Edie that the Build-a-Frog he made her for Christmas is her favorite stuffed animal.

Newellton is for Lovers

My mother is from Newellton, Louisiana in Tensas Parish which is the northeastern part of the state.  I always tell people it's across the river from Vicksburg, Mississippi but I don't know if that is actually accurate.  It is a small, rural farming community.  There is a beautiful ox-bow lake there but other than that or family there are not too many reasons to visit.  Every O'Connor/Rush has been.  Amy, went to the local prison (to volunteer?) earlier this year and Nancy, Steve, and Sarah went just for fun.  Doesn't this picture just scream fun?

Sarah next to a parked Newellton police car.  I wonder why the squad car wasn't out protecting and serving?  Strange.

And More from N.O.

These pictures were taken with Nancy's phone.  What pretty ladies.

Frog, me, Liz, Amy, and Sarah.

I look like I'm stabbing Amy with a carrot.

Delano, Frog, and Liz.

Steve playing with Froggin feet.

Me getting Steve attached to Edie.