Its so HOT!

As much as I love MAY, I don't like just how hot it has become. I have had a terrible case of skin burn and allergies already, for which I lost 2 weeks from work and reading and fun! and there is still another few months of heat to go, before the season begins to change!!!

On the plant front - I had thought that a lot of the sun-summer-loving plants would do well, however my bougainvilleas are having a very tough time, but those that grow on the roadsides in our city are flourishing.
I have tried thrice to grow sunflowers, and all 3 have died. they didn't grow at all.
A lot of the other plants too are not doing well either - the leaves are bearing the brunt of the heat, and the soil always seems very dry ( does anyone know what I can do to counter that?).

In real life - With a 7.50 Rs hike per litre on petrol, our hard lives have just become tougher... coz petrol price hikes ALWAYS impact all other things... so everything is becoming costlier, hence the same amount of money is lasting us even less than ever before. frugal living, anyone?
Electricity is another pain... we have barely had any electricity this last week... how productive, efficient and happy can anyone be sweating in candle light?
All in all, the last week has been a week of lows in terms of just survival.

On the other hand - I have had rather mixed experiences on the work front - people actually try and take advantage of you, especially if they know you are in need!
Why would you not appreciate the skill and hard work of a person? why try and cheat and fleece? Sometimes people are not what they seem!

On the studies front - I am completely confused with my syllabus, and my exams start from 1st June... fingers crossed!

Have I bitten off more than I can chew?

Bliss!

The weather is changing! summers are coming.... everything is blooming... its absolutely lovely :)
Early mornings and late evenings/night time are the best for taking a stroll and visiting all the plants.

Super happy with this very tall rose plant (it isnt a bush, coz its only 1 main stem) which has lovely big pink fragrant roses blooming on it! current count: 10 blooms, and 4 buds.
I position my chair wherever i am so that when i look up i can see the flowers. I hung a small wind chime next to it too... so even a slight breeze means business for the chimes!

Absolutely lovely is the experience when late at night, or early morning when I am still in bed, I can hear the birds chirping, the wind chime chiming (?) and the (tribal) air mobile right outside my window floating round and round in the gentle breeze  - BLISS!

Is it any wonder I spend most of my time - Day Dreaming? :)

The only draw back is the birds add their white decorations to the bushes where they perch - any ideas, anyone?

the other task on my list which needs attention are the tomato plants - since its my 1st time - I am unable to judge their health, and also the problems i see - flies, some white tiny thing, and leaves - whether these are BIG problems or small ones - and can be resolved!

Pics are due - coming soon!

Gardening!

I have had the most wonderful time over the last weekend attending a very interesting and informative workshop on GARDENING - more on that later!

I have been busy with work (i know, nothing new there), and with the chopping season - my garden has gone through a balding process... I felt almost sorry for the trees by the time the 'malis' (hindi for gardener, but trust me they are NOT gardeners by any stretch of the imagination - they do not know, understand or LOVE the plants!) were through with the chopping and hacking...in the process, those poor plants, shrubs and budding trees which came in the way of the sharp scissors edge were also sacrificed to the zealous chopping by these malis (i offcourse instead want to use some cuss words at this point!) :(
(actually i do, for sure feel really bad for those lovely plants, not to mention all the time and effort, and dreaming time i have spend with them).

Now, I have more information than ever before, and planning to create a custom plan for my garden and get to it!

more stories from the garden and pics later :)
leave a note if u come by :)

This & That & a Lot of Nothing!

This & That & a Lot of Nothing! - this is my state of mind! and being since i last blogged!

I have a lot going on, and all chaotic and not very nice!

Today I am writing as a conscious effort to get things in order!

2 of my dogs are unwell, and on 4 weeks treatment - which means they have to be WATCHED 24X7!
Due to weather change, mum is a little unwell, and there is general lethargy all around (me!).
And, I missed my 1st assignment submission. just coz i lost track of dates, and under-estimated the amount of work involved, and hence the time it would take to complete them :( - I am quite shocked at this time! its like my sincerity just went flying out the window!
and my office is making noises of changes to come, i wonder what the new weather will bring!

Did I mention - I have a cousin getting married next week... super excited! but the diet plan flew out the window too,months ago :( !!!

The good news is - a lot of the plants which (who) went through the autumn breeze, are showing TINY signs of life (green tiiny leaves) again!
I will soon post an update on my seeds and their tragic and some happy stories :)
I finally learnt how-to-use and then used our grass mower on Sunday! yaay! cut grass,neat garden, and no need to beg the gardeners to trim me grass anymore!!!
and I learnt the basic knitting stitches :) and crochet chain stitch!


All in all, a mixed bag...

I hope by the time i blog next, I will have more sensible things  to share :)

Weekend

I have a seriously long To-Do List for this weekend.
As usual, I am way behind on it... I have come to the conclusion that I :
-have VERY LOW levels of concentration :p
- under-estimate the time something, especially reading will take
- feel thirsty and hungry regularly, when I should be working instead!

My accomplishment for today:
- watering the plants (the heat is back! its the middle of October!! I thought the winters would be arriving soon! instead we are still sweltering in this heat!) - trying to save them from the heat and dryness!
- shifted the new pots to a space cleared specially for them, with hopefully the right amount of shade and sun and fresh air :)
-spent some quality time with the dogs and just breathing!
-catching up a little bit on some of my favorite blogs... :)

Now back to office work, which should never have been on my list for today anyway!