Amy Scott's Thoughts

Sharing the thoughts that bounce around in my brain!

Todd & Toby Go For A Walk August 27, 2012

Filed under: Family Time — Amy Scott @ 9:06 pm

Toby & Todd blaze the trail!

From the time April got back into the area until now, we’ve always said it would be fun to take our dogs on a walk together. Toby and Todd have played around the backyard at my parent’s house, but they have never had an organized activity. Today was that day we spoke of! April and Mom had been planning on doing a portion of the Willapa Hills Trail (also known as Rails to Trails). I’ve heard a lot about this trail. Family members have biked it, ladies for our church organized walks there, but honestly until today, I had no idea where it was. I love the fact that I’ve lived in this location for 14 years and there are still things I discover… Things that everyone already knows. When it comes to nature places or walking trails, I’m a bit out of the loop. When I lived in downtown Chehalis, I would walk the track at the middle school with my friends. Once Jeremy and I moved out to the sticks, we just walk our doggie along the road. It’s nicely paved and fairly quiet. We live right across the street from tree farm land, so the view isn’t too bad.

I will admit that I was a little nervous about how Toby and Todd would do all harnessed up and walking in the same direction. It turns out they did pretty well together. They sniffed stuff and tried to be the lead dog. However, I would say for the most part they were in their own zone and minded their own business. At one point, we passed a very well fed dachshund. Toby and Todd hadn’t a made a noise at anyone, but the dachshund was not shy and started to bark as we passed them, even though our doggies passed by silently. It was so strange, at the moment Toby and Todd became a team and the pack mentality kicked in. Suddenly they were side by side, sniffing each other and acting all interested in each other. It was so random, but they must have felt the need to join forces against the pudgy dachshund who had long past.

The Ladies!

I love to walk! The trail was flat and covered very pretty landscape. I’m not a fan of inclines, so this was perfect for me. It also came at a great time as I have decided to crack down and exercise more. It’s been a bad summer for me when it comes to being active. I haven’t taken Toby on as many walks as I should. It’s always fun to have a buddy and the trip with my mom, sister and the dogs made it very enjoyable. I’m feeling pretty good today about my walking – 4 laps around the church, a walk to the mailbox (which is down the church’s long driveway), and ending the day with doggie walk on a new trail! I was intentionally saving some calories for an after walk snack and Mom offered to treat us to McDonalds. I got a small cone and Toby got an ice water. My final act of the outing was to split my last bite of cone between Todd and Toby. The ride home was quiet. Toby was passed out. He greeted Jeremy by flopping over on his doggie bed.  It was a good outing for both Toby and I! I sure hope Todd feels the same way!

 

Camping Adventures! August 26, 2012

Filed under: Family Time,Travels — Amy Scott @ 7:48 pm

I’ve taken a short break from the blog. This weekend I was out of cell range and that also meant no wi-fi! So no blog! It was great to get outside and go camping with my hubby and sister (and of course, the little dog too). It came at the perfect time for me because they’ve been painting at work and the fumes were starting to get to me. I couldn’t wait to breathe some fresh air!

Takhlakh Lake with the hubby!

Jeremy had been researching new places we could go. It’s been fun to camp at two different locations for the first time this summer. The first would be Hidden Springs on California road trip and now Takhlakh Lake right at the base of Mt. Adams. It was beautiful! The lake framed the mountain perfectly and it was a very picturesque place.

There were many highlights to our camping adventure. The first and foremost for me is getting away! When I get to a place where there is no cell reception, I truly feel free. There is something freeing about not being track-able.  I know this might seem silly, but falling off the grid every now and then does a lot for my soul. The views were spectacular and the combination of a beautiful setting and the freedom of being off the grid made for a relaxing mini-vacation.

Thursday, we set up camp and got everything situated. I love making the bed in my tent and making it feel homey. We packed a ton of blankets so we could stay warm. I always layer them and make them look as much like a “made” bed as possible.  I guess I’m OCD even in my little tent home. After the site was ready to be inhabited, we look a walk around the lake. It was a nice mile hike with great views. Once we got back from the walk, we started to make my favorite camping dinner – pizza pockets! Camping food would also go on my highlights list! We eat well on these trips.

The view from the top of the lava rock mountain!

It was really cold Thursday night into Friday morning. I was surprised by the chill even though I knew it was coming. However, even with 4 extra blankets on top of my sleeping bag, I was still cold. It think the greatest downside of this trip was constantly trying to feel warm. It was a battle for heat and I was losing most of the time. Friday morning we had breakfast (cinnamon roll pop tarts, another camping food treat) and then set off to hike around the camp ground. We made our way to Takh Takh meadows and we climbed a lava rock mountain. April was the first to start scaling the rocky path and soon we were all following suit. The view from the top was worth it!  After our wanderings, we made it back to the campsite for lunch.

Our next adventure was a drive around the area to look at other campgrounds and check things out. It was so remote out there. Every campground we came to I marveled that there were people out there that knew about these places. The scariest and funniest part of this afternoon adventure was our drive on what was labeled a “primitive” road… That would be an understatement! It was like a movie scene as our truck drove through the forest in what reminded me of the jungle. There were huge potholes, giant rocks, narrow road with the branches scraping along the side of the vehicle. At times we weren’t sure if we were going to make it, but we did! Praise the Lord! There is a lot of prayer on my part for us to see the end of the road. The funny thing was I was sitting in the middle of the truck cab, so I had nothing to hold on to. Toby had settled into my lap and we literally bounced around the cab together. I was flying every which way the truck seemed to go. It seemed like some strange kind of chiropractic treatment. Or I might need chiropractic treatment afterwards! By far the sketchiest road I’ve been on.

Huckleberry stained fingers!

Friday concluded with huckleberry picking, another walk around the lake, a hot dog dinner and s’mores. Around 8:00pm, we all got talking about the cold night ahead of us and I admitted that I would be willing to pack up and head home so we could sleep in warm beds. We’d done everything we planned on doing. All we would miss was breakfast and tear down in the morning. So we quickly got the site packed up in the fading light that we had. We were on the road and heading home before 9:00pm. We got in around 11:00pm and let me tell you, it was nice to sleep in my own bed! I didn’t sleep so well with the cold on Thursday, so even though I felt a bit wimpy about coming home early, it was a great decision!

Saturday morning, April and I ate pop tarts in honor of our camping trip and watched the Hunger Games all wrapped up in blankets. It was so nice to be warm! We got cleaned up and headed out to lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant and then went blackberry picking. It wasn’t the Saturday we had originally planned, but it was pretty close to perfect in my book!

Thus ends our camping adventure and really the last hurrah of our summer! It was a great trip and one we’ll always remember… that view, that road, the lake. Summery weekends like this are going to be gone soon. It was nice to spend the last official one in August in nature with loved ones!

 

 

Celebrating Life August 22, 2012

Filed under: Getting Creative,Simply Me,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 9:57 pm

Jessica and Amy through the years!

Celebrating her 17th birthday with blizzards and fries!

One of the best parts of mentoring and ministry is sharing life with others. It means walking through the ups and downs. Today I got to celebrate with a lovely young lady that will be turning 17 tomorrow. When I first met Jessica it was Easter weekend in 2007. She’s been a part of my life ever since and a BIG blessing to me. We’ve been hanging out on a weekly basis this summer. It’s been fun to stay caught up the daily happenings of her ever busy, ever crazy life. But that is how life is. Mine is the same way. It’s crucial that the important relationship in life don’t fall to the wayside just because the calendar is full. It’s been a fun summer spent laughing, praying, reading and discussing the drama of life together. I mentioned a few blogs back that I had made a craft project that I couldn’t display the end result until after I’ve given it the birthday girl. Today I gave away the beloved piece of art that I put all that time and detail into. I wanted to share something with Jessica that wasn’t store bought and was really from the heart. I chose pictures from the years of  our friendship and highlighted the span of time we’ve shared. I then added verses about love and faith. These are the things I hope she reads on her wall from time to time. Hopefully they will strengthen her when the day is hard and faith far away. These are the things I hope grow and develop in her life. More than anything, I cover this gift with a prayer – that she would love God more than any other and that she would know that she’s never alone. These are the highlights of friendship, of doing life together. I’m am blessed to share this journey with so many kindred spirits and Jess is definitely one of them! Happy birthday!

 

A New Way to Waste Time! August 20, 2012

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 9:14 pm

Today’s new distraction lead me to www.goodreads.com where I set up a profile. I’ve heard about the site, but never really spent any time there. After looking around, I jumped right on in. Now I am challenging to my brain to remember every book I’ve ever read. Good Reads allows you to keep track and share books you have read, are currently and plan on reading. You can share your lists and information with others. You can write reviews and share favorite quotes and authors. It’s like Facebook for real books! The fun thing about joining this site is I’ve been remembering all the books that I’ve read. I know that I haven’t remembered them all, but it’s been a good mental exercise to see what I took away from them and which ones have remained in my brain. Some of the series I added just as one entry, so my total is really more then the site says. I did the math and I’ve pretty much read at least 7 books for every year of my life. I’d say that’s decent. The biggest challenge I’m laying before myself now is see what I can remember from all the books I had to read in high school advanced English. Most of those books traumatized me and went over my head. Needless to say, the memory of them as not only faded, but has somewhat been blocked out. Once I started making a list of the books I’ve read, it’s hard to not want to list every single one. I realize that would be ridiculous and not possible. For now the challenge is thrilling and exciting. I love books. I love lists. I love keeping track of things. I like sharing what I’ve read and what I’m reading. Good Reads was a good find! Check out my page at www.goodreads.com/revamyscott.

 

Sister Time! August 19, 2012

Filed under: Family Time,Getting Creative — Amy Scott @ 2:07 pm

Dinner in the Park!

It seems like my sister and I have had opposite schedules this summer. We haven’t had a chance to hang out too much in July and August was starting to shape up the same way. Back in June, April and I made plans to go down to Saturday Market in Portland, OR while our hubby’s climbed Mt. St. Helen’s. The only thing that might have kept us from going was if April had to work this weekend, which thankfully she didn’t! We had a great time catching up while the our boys went fishing, camping, and hiking a mountain. I like camping, but the fishing and hiking part, I was glad to do without!

April’s project!

Friday night, April, Toby Dog, and I enjoyed Taco Ball in a local park. We sat a log and munch on our cheap Mexican food. April got to tell me a bit about her family reunion the weekend before with her husband’s family. Toby wanted to eat a taco and was generally a hot dog since temps had been in the mid 90’s on Friday! We took off for my house and planned a night of crafting. April had text messaged me earlier that week saying that she had the itch to craft. I jumped on the bandwagon and we prepared for a night of art projects! April’s project turned out great! She’s got really creative and the result was what she calls “The Leviathan”. My project turned out great and I was super happy with it. However, it is a birthday present for a student and on the off chance that she reads this blog, I don’t want to describe it or post pictures until after I give it to her.

With all our creative juices spent, we moved over the couch to watch Lifetime movies about troubled teens. It was great to just veg and be chill. This is probably one of the best things that April and I do together. We’re good at being active together, but we can always just kick back and relax. No need to be impressive or entertaining. It’s nice to just sit and be myself.

Saturday Market on the Portland Waterfront!

Saturday morning we were up early to head down to Portland for a wonderful time hanging out in downtown. April and I both have a special fondness for Portland and it’s been our favorite spot for years! Since we grew up in the area, there is a bit of childhood magic still associated with the land of no sales tax! We wandered around Saturday Market and walked to Pioneer Place. It was a lot of fun to look through the shops and get excited for fall shopping! Back to school shopping and sales were in full swing.

By mid-afternoon, we needed to head home to let my crazy dog out of the crate. It wasn’t a full, long day in the city, but it was perfect! This was the first time that April and I had gone to downtown Portland just the two of us. Usually we have parents or hubbys with us. It was nice to prove to myself that I could drive around downtown and not kill us! We made it everywhere we hopped to go with getting attacked or getting lost. The day was full of Starbucks, good food, window shopping, and lots of walking!

It was nice to spend some one on one with my sister and catch-up at the end of a busy summer. The boys had a great time hiking Mt. St. Helen’s. Both survived and Jeremy had many tales to tell me when he got home last night. The next adventure of the summer will be next weekend when Jeremy, April, Toby Dog, and I go camping! We still haven’t decided on a location, but camping is always a blast and I was super excited to find out that April’s work schedule allows her to come. The only downside is April’s husband, Andrew, has to work so we’ll be short a family member. I guess that means April get an air mattress all to herself! Unless Toby wants to share it with her!

 

Ice Cream Cones, Play Toys and Big Kids! August 16, 2012

Filed under: Children's Ministry — Amy Scott @ 7:44 pm

7 reasons why Wednesday nights are so important!

Last night, I took my class of 5th/6th grade girls over to McDonald’s. It was their request for our end of the summer party. The next two weeks we will go into our youth ministry to give them a sneak peek of what they can expect if they move up. Our church offers a chance for the 5th graders going into 6th grade to stay in Children’s Ministry for another year if they don’t feel ready to move up. Most of my girls will be staying in the class next year, but I believe in them making educated decisions. I don’t want them to stay in my classroom because of a fear of the unknown. Going into Fusion (our youth ministry) gives them a taste of what to expect in the future as well as I chance to make a decision based on experience. It’s fun for me to spend two weeks enjoying the worship and not having to prep a lesson, make a snack, and prepare a craft and game. It’s a little bit of a rest bit before another class moves up. Beginning in September, the 4th graders will become my 5th graders.

Our trip to McDonald’s was a hit! I got so many “thank yous” from the class. It was crazy! I had no idea that going to McDonald’s would unlock their hearts and speak so much love to them! After ordering 8 ice cream cones, we took our seats to chat, munch and generally enjoy each others company. Once all the ice cream cones had been consumed, we headed outside so they could play on the play toy. It wasn’t until we were leaving that I noticed the sign saying they were too tall to be in there. Oops! There were shrieks of delight as they climbed, slid, and spun. It was so much fun to listen to them being big kids. They just let go and were 5 years old all over again! These almost teenagers are still little girls at heart. It was sweet. At one point I needed to quiet their screams for fear of being kicked of the establishment. Can you imagine a church group getting kicked out for being too rowdy? I had to remind them who we were representing and how our actions needed to be respectful. They toned it down after that and we weren’t escorted off the property. Sounds like a “win” to me!

Each class is so special and I bond with each every year. It’s hard teaching the oldest age range because they will all soon be too old to stay in children’s ministry. They will all soon be youth students and moving on. It’s a hard cycle that I live in. I’m blessed by the long term relationships I share with many students even after they leave my classroom. I want to be a teacher of God’s Word first of all and a friend and confidant next. I want these girls to know that they can come to me whenever with whatever. I’m here for them. That is one of the main reasons I have a sleepover at my house every spring. I want them to see that I like hanging out with them beyond church. I want them to feel invited and welcomed in my life outside of the classroom. I don’t do this because I have. I do this because I want to. I do this because they are worth it. I do this because Jesus loved the children and I think there is nothing better I can with my life then love them, just like he did. I pray that I can be a leader worth following so as I follow Christ with my actions they see him in me and want to come along for the journey as well.

 

Logged On and Tuned Out August 15, 2012

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Children's Ministry — Amy Scott @ 3:00 pm

I just finished reading Logged On and Tuned Out by Vicki Courtney. This last year I’ve been reading more books in regards to parenting. Not because of my own need to parent (however, doing research for the future never hurts), but so that I can be a resource to the many parents that I come in contact with. I find it hard to recommend a book I haven’t read, so I’ve been trying to read more about parenting so I can be accurate in my recommendations. Children’s ministry really is like parenting on a minor scale. I get the privilege to love on and encourage the kids of  Bethel Church in their faith. I find that I get a lot out of these books as it relates to my ministry and how to lead children well.

I really felt compelled to read Logged On and Tuned Out because I know just how deeply technology is effecting the next generation. Even Monday night at the Mariner’s game, I overheard that one of the boys was text messaging his girlfriend who lives on the other side of the country. I’m not sure how her parents felt about her getting text messages at midnight (her time). Things like cell phones and social network sites are a hot topic among kids and parents. It seems that the kids are begging for them and parents are either cautious or caving.

The one downside to this book is that it was written in 2007. These were the days of MySpace and Facebook was only starting to come on strong. I didn’t even have a Facebook in 2007. I had a MySpace page at that time and I transferred to Facebook in 2008. Not everything from the book is still the same today with how quickly technology adapts and changes. However, the book does have some good ground rules for cell phone use, instant messaging and social networks.

Even today, Facebook finally made me update to the new timeline. I’ve been successfully holding out until the end. Change is inevitable. I knew it was coming and still I resisted until the end. Parents have to careful not be like me and hold out until the last possible second to embrace these changes. The truth of the matter is that kids are going to have access to these things regardless and it’s better that responsible adults are riding the wave of change with them.

Only recently (within the last year) have I started thinking about social networking and what I’ll do when my students want to add me as their friends. I made a decision which I should have made from the start – I will not “friend” anyone who isn’t old enough to be the site. Personally, I don’t think that parents should let their students lie to join a social network. If lying about their age is a part of the process, I cannot condone the behavior. Parents shouldn’t assume that their kid won’t get on Facebook without permission. It’s important to keep an eye on their online activity. Vicki Courtney mentions in the book some great online monitoring software that she uses to stay up to date on what her kids are doing. It’s not about stalking the kids, it’s about making sure that they are safe and using good judgment. Trust is built over time and can be easily lost. When students know they will be checked in on, it’s helps keep them from making poor choices.

Cell phones are next big thing we talk a lot about in children’s ministry. It seems like every kid has one and wants to have it with them at all times. This hard on a field trip (like to the zoo or a Mariner’s game) where the point to be spending time with the other students and leaders while be actively engaged in an activity. Students tune out with that screen in front of them. Suddenly they are doing something that can be done at the couch at home and they are no longer in the moment with the rest of the group. While cell phones and texting allows them to connect with friends, it causes them to disengaged where they are at that time. We have a no cell phone policy on our trips and at our events. It’s becoming harder for both kids and parents to understand this as we become a cell phone dependent culture.  It’s hard to believe that I got a cell phone at age 16 and I had to share it with my sister. I got my own phone at 18 and I didn’t have a text messaging plan until I was 20. Now I’m an unlimited text messager and I can’t imagine my life without my smart phone.

I’m not sure where the line is for students. I’m not fit to make that call for families. The biggest thing I want to see is that families are having conversations about this. I want to see parents monitoring their kids technology usage and setting firm boundaries. It’s so easy to give into the “everyone has one” plea of a child. I understand that tension. In a day and age where common sense doesn’t seem to be common anymore, I’m praying that parents will help guide and shape this kids to be responsible with what they’ve got. Kids will not automatically know how much is too much or how far is too far. We must be a gentle but firm voice guiding them to make the right choices.

 

5th Grade Graduation! August 14, 2012

Filed under: Children's Ministry — Amy Scott @ 7:30 pm

5th Grade Graduation!

Every year we take our current class of 5th graders to the Mariner’s Safeco Field for a baseball game. I wasn’t able to make it last year due to the flu, so I was super excited to be a part of this year’s trip. I hadn’t been to a Mariner’s game in 2 years, so I was majorly overdue! The great thing about this year’s trek up north was we only had 5 kids with us. The more the merrier is always true in ministry, but as a leader, this was a very manageable group. I wasn’t as worried about losing a kid which meant I could relax a bit and enjoy the game myself.

We started the adventure by stopping at Wendy’s for dinner. The kids all got Frostys…. so did I! Yum! We enjoyed our early dinner so we could make it to the field in time for batting practice. It seemed like hanging out for batting practice was going to be for nothing, but at the very end the two girls of the group were tossed baseballs. I think the boys weren’t thrilled, but they handled it well. The girls on the other hand were beaming! It was the highlight of their night!

The lucky ladies!

After batting practice, we made our way over the team store so we could spend an absurd amount of time shopping. The kids went crazy looking and touching everything. It seemed like a lifetime in that crowded store. However, all the kids left happy, so I guess it’s worth it. Even Jeremy and I got something! This was my first time ever buying something at the game besides food! Ichiro was one of the Mariner’s star players until they traded him to the Yankees, so everything with his name on it was at least 50%. Jeremy and I were talking earlier that day about how we both don’t own any Mariner’s garb. After our stop at the team store, we can no longer say that.

My favorite part!

We still had some time until the game started, so we went on the search for game food. For me, there is nothing like a skewer of Shishkaberries! They are chocolate cover strawberries and they are heavenly! Seriously, I would pay the ticket price to get the berries and just head home! I don’t the kids would have agreed with me.  With my berries happily in hand, we headed to our seats.

Due to the large amounts of soda and the need to buy more food, the kids were up and out their seats from time to time. Part of being a leader is taking many bathroom trips and waiting in line while they buy more candy. The only time the Mariner’s scored a run was while I was out shopping with some of the kids. Oh well. I’m not the kind of person who really cares that much, so I’m glad I was on that run instead of Jeremy.

Toward the end of the game, Jeremy decided to work off some of the sugar the kids has consumed. Everyone, but me and one other student, headed up to the top of the ballpark to dance and scream. They got on the big screen twice! Oh, the fame and glory! I think it was a memory for all of them. Even though the Mariner’s lost, it was still a great day at the ballpark. Batting practice, shopping, and eating are all a part of the experience and these kids experienced it all! Apart from the loss, it was the perfect night! I couldn’t ask for a better trip! I love these kids and it was great to spend some time with them before they officially become middle schoolers! It’s hard to believe I remember when some of them were 3! So crazy!

 

Photo Book Fun! August 13, 2012

Filed under: Family Time,Getting Creative,Recollections — Amy Scott @ 12:22 pm

My Photo Books!

About a year ago, I discovered the website Shutterfly. I had heard of it before, but had never visited it. When  I got my new camera last fall, I was given a free photo book to make on Shutterfly. Right from the start, I was hooked! It’s a great tool and resource. I’ve become a fan of making photo books (or digital scrapbooking as some call it). Since the first book was free, I used it to document my family trip to Chicago. Once I made a book, I started to get emails on their savings. I will admit that they send more emails than I like, but they always have a sale or discounts! I don’t think I’ve ever paid full price for anything on the website.  Because of all the deals they offer, I decided to use them for Christmas cards and I plan on doing it again this year! They have more layouts for cards than Walmart (which had been my standard for Christmas cards in the past). Since that first book, I have made a book of Jeremy and I’s honeymoon. This was really the realization of a well-intended project. When I first got married, I was super diligent and put together a wedding scrapbook in no time. I had intended that same scrapbook to include our honeymoon and first year of marriage. The honeymoon portion was half finished and the first year of marriage portion only went through September (we were married in July – so not far)! Using Shutterfly, I was able to document both of these phases. The honeymoon book was free thanks to a promo and the first year of marriage book was $10 off. As I was planning for our road trip this summer, I already knew I was going to come home and make another book! This one was 40% off and covers the many highlights of our trip to California! Now that I’ve started, I plan on waiting for sales and going back through a lot of our major travels and making books for those as well. The great thing is that they have a photo book template for every occasion – not just travels! It’s a great way to document life! Shutterfly also has awesome deals on prints. At the beginning of the summer I got 100 prints for free and then my sister-in-law sent me a coupon for another 100 free prints. I know the day of the printed photo might seem over, but I remember how much fun it was as a kid to flip through my baby pictures or my parent’s old photos. I want my future kids to have the same experience. All these free prints also help me keep my picture frames up to date with new photos! The hardest part about Shutterfly is not wanting to buy everything they offer – which is a lot! It’s like a candy store for me and pictures!

 

The Gardener August 11, 2012

Filed under: Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 8:57 pm

Home Sweet Home!

At the beginning of our marriage, Jeremy and I came to an understanding. I would take the indoor chores, if he would take the outdoor ones. I’m not a fan of the great outdoors. I like looking at them through a window or the occasional camping trip. However, my first thoughts don’t go to what can I do outside. My husband, on the other hand, loves nature and loves being outside. This can be seen through his love for hunting and hiking. This next weekend, he’ll be climbing Mt. St. Helens. Climbing a mountain sounds like torture to me. For it’s a fun opportunity.

I am blessed though to have a hubby who has such a green thumb. When I gave him free reign of the outside of our home, I had no idea that it would entail a garden, an small orchard and many flowers. Jeremy is good about planting seasonal flowers and making our yard look so inviting and welcoming. I assume most men don’t care about flowers, but Jeremy is always experimenting and growing new things. Today he was outside mowing the lawn and watering his many plants.

I in no way find fun in taking care of the yard, but I can tell from Jeremy’s face as he wanders about outside that he loves it! As I was pulling into our garage after church today, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the yard was looking! It’s amazingly colorful! Thanks to Jeremy’s hard work, I can sit back and admire how great our outdoor spaces are.  He is such a talented gardener! We make a good pair. I would never able to do what he does for our home and for that, I am truly grateful!