Would I give up the internet for 10 million dollars? That depends on a variety of factors. Is it a lump sum? Is it pre-taxed? Would there be "internet police" looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life? It would be awful hard in these times to be able to go about a normal life without internet. People say, "YES! I would travel!" But those airline reservations are likely made online. I don't know of one place you can go where the person providing you a service isn't somehow wired in. How far do the restrictions go? If you go into your local book store and ask if they have something in stock and the clerk doesn't know offhand, but starts to look it up online, aren't you using the internet vicariously? Would they come and yank the money from you?

So I guess, the answer would have to be, No. Too much work. Too much worry. I'd rather be able to email my brother, and keep in touch with my friends who are scattered over the world, and see photos of my nephew who I only see in person once or twice a year than have 10 Million dollars. So, I guess the answer is simple after all. No.

A Muppet Christmas Carol (my personal favorite)
White Christmas
A Christmas Story (12/19)
Scrooged
The Ref (12/18)
While You Were Sleeping (12/15)
Die Hard (Hey, it's set on Christmas Eve, so it counts!) (12/11)
The Grinch (the animated version) (12/17)
The Christmas List
Polar Express
A Charlie Brown Christmas (12/17)

The snow is mostly melted, but more predicted for next week.  It won't stay long.  This time of year is such a tease.  There are signs of spring, however.  Some of the trees are starting to bud out.  I saw the very tips of crocuses poking up through the ground the other day, and a coworker reported sightings of snowdrops in her yard.  It's all very exciting.  I'm getting very impatient for spring.

Of course, in three weeks, after I've moved tons of earth and manure and rocks and whatnot, I'll be wishing it were winter again, but for the time being, I can't wait for spring!

We moved into the new house in August, so I really don't know what the place looks like in spring.  I know we have a ton of work to do.  Not only was it kind of neglected when we bought it, all the excavation that was done to fix drainage problems has left the yard a sandy, rocky, muddy mess.  Even the weed/grass combo from before looked better than the bald rocky patches of clay and sand.  (Weird combination, I know.)

So, what do I want?
For the area near the house, I need something that will hide the ugly foundation, and be tolerant of a lot of water (where the drainage ditches run) but won't need a lot of supplemental water (we have enough water in the basement as it is, hence the drainage).  Also needs to tolerate part shade because that area is between the house and a shed.  Only gets sun a couple of hours a day.  So, no idea what to do here.

I definitely want to put in a lilac somewhere.  I love lilacs - even though their bloom is fleeting and they need pruning every year.  I just love the smell.  We had one growing in our yard when I was little.  It smells like home to me.

Peonies are lovely, and easy.  I also love Jacob's ladder, Veronica and Phlox.  Now I just need to find a sunny spot to put them in!

I think some of the trees in the back are going to have to come down.  Also, there's a rhododendron in the back that looks pretty darn sad.  I'm going to give it this year and see how it looks.  If it continues scraggly and doesn't bloom.... out it goes.  I'm not a big rhodie fan anyway, and it's taking up a good amount of space.  This goes counter to my natural impulses.  I never thought I'd take down a tree, I'm a tree lover.  But - darn it - I want a garden too!  And those spindly "designer" trees in the back are non-native.  And UGLY.  So out they go.

It started by steeling myself to learn to thin mercilessly.  Then to prune.  Now I'm into all out herbicide.  (without the chemicals). 
I'm getting mean in my old age.

Despite the fact that it is currently freezing, with a nice icy wind blowing, I feel like spring might actually be on the way.   I got my first shipment of seeds today and also a notice of the first seed swap of the season!  There is hope!

Next Saturday, the first annual seed swap and acoustic jam will be held in a nearby town.  At the town hall.  How great is that?  And I hear from the organizer that there is much interest.  A lot of the heirloom seed enthusiasts from the area are planning to attend.  New gardeners as well.  90-year-old Mr. Guzner is coming, and he's bringing tomato and bean seeds - and his banjo.  10 year old Max is bringing some sunflower seeds that he got from his mom, and his tambourine (which I suspect is also his mom's).  There are people coming to laugh, have fun, share some resources and knowledge and celebrate agriculture.  How cool is that?

And - I have the day off!  Whoo!  Grab your guitar, honey.  We're going seed-swappin'!

This actually fits me pretty well to a T!

Your result for The Exercise Personality Test...

Pilates

17% Patience, 6% Experience and 15% Independence!

Take The Exercise Personality Test at HelloQuizzy