25 tips

http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/myhouse/2202073.html

家庭清洁卫生的打理和用品
http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&Id=571860

http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&id=1131930&page=1&star=2

Vintage wood: http://www.eandkwood.com/CONTACT.html

七岁的孩子真不一样

七岁的孩子真不一样， 昨天，爸爸去机场接姐姐，七岁的孩子帮我清理了客厅的餐桌，我们一起铺桌布，放花。 七岁的孩子整理的自己的床，还第一次用了吸尘器。 我奖励了他一个MARBLE！ 晚上的时候，发现他把自己的浴室也整理了一下！

七岁的孩子真是不一样

New Year plan?

Jan 1st, Abao Ma

Jan 2nd, float tour

Jan 3: back to work

Vegas:
http://yumeat.wordpress.com/2011/11/10/wicked-spoon-brunch-buffet-secret-pizza-cosmopolitan-las-vegas/

金鴨子

1039 E Valley Blvd. #B102

San Gabriel, CA 91776

626 572-3885

oh, sorry for Ben!

Arthur went to see the dentist to pull out a tooth. He came back and asked me for $1.
"why?"
"Cause I lost a teeth."
"OK." I didn't think too much, just gave him $1. Deep in my heart, I was curious about why he didn't ask money from tooth fairy.

We were listening to a song in my car, there is not Santa Clause. Arthur suddenly said that there is no Santa. Ben almost cried.
"There is no Santa, all Santa are fake. There isn't a tooth fairy, either."
"who gave you the dollars then? who bought all presents?" I asked
"parents"
"how do you know, who told you?"
"Oh, my friend in school" Arthur sounds so smart, and he is proud of it.

I was speechless. Oh, poor Ben. He hasn't lost a teeth yet! Tooth fairy hasn't visited him yet!

Arthur said that God is real, so does Budda. OK, let's see when will he says something different about them.

My sister worked on this video

少时的记忆经历多年的尘霜已经模糊，扫去岁月的尘土，嘈杂的记忆，依然有爱的真情闪现。感谢爸爸教会我游泳，我得以继续教远远明明。感谢爸爸教会我骑车，那个蓝色的小自行车我仔细保养到上大学。感谢王西的精心制作，让我这颗满是陈年老茧的心在漫长粗糙的岁月里能有一些怀念和感动。

Letter from dad:

信收到，回嘱如下：

你们兄妹三人出生在国家贫穷困难的时期，全家老小缺吃少穿，爸爸工资103元，妈妈65.8元，每月给奶奶家50元，姥姥家50元，因为他们没有收入和生活来源。那个时候，吃饭要粮票，穿衣要布票，买东西要工业券，节衣缩食、艰难困苦，养老育小。为脱困进京读书，王燕寄养奶奶家，你寄养姥姥家，每月再各付50元生活费。所以，爸爸骑自行车在京各处讲学，工厂、中小学、大学、科学院，只要有挣钱的地方就去讲，开始每节6毛钱，后逐渐到每节5元，另外写书、发稿挣钱。爸爸著作等身，也是逼出来的。现在你们都成家立业了，有房有车，有存款，爸爸很高兴！你爸爸我，今年72岁，每周8节课，站着讲，挣些生活费以抗通胀，求生存。爸爸有信心，工作以来不花父母钱、不花子女钱、不花老婆钱，自谋口中食，有余力再帮助子女和学生。古稀之年，最大期盼：是你们三个孩子及配偶，平安、健康和幸福。最大愿望是，五个第三代成人、成功、成才。立身、立德、立名！祖上德厚，荫庇子孙。四代行医执教，积德行善。《易》曰：“积善之家必有余庆！”此嘱，父字。
2011.12.8

另：爸爸70寿辰，给所有来的42名学生写了一封信，谈了四点：时间、空间、情感、期盼，随发给你们看看。

诸同学雅鉴：

人生易老，转瞬古稀，逝者如斯，大江东去。
深谢厚意，不远万里，九九归一，珠海相聚。
切磋学问，同学少年，两鬓清霜，儿女成行。
悠悠苍天，慷慨涕泣！
千百同学，各奔东西，五湖九州，天地各异。
诸君德高，敬业劳绩，祈祷祝福，鹏程万里。
青山永在，绿水长流，功业已成，怀德念旧。
百年人生，血脉相承，学缘义重，手足亲情。
新恩常有，旧义永留，天命不惑，无欲无求。
老骥伏枥，志存千里，庄周梦蝶，老聃养颐。
万事兴替，风吹烟雨，天佑善人，亨通元吉。


七十岁书赠诸同学
二零一一年十二月十二日

touched by my son

Ben was bothering me this morning. He insited that I dress him instead of himself. I wasn't in good mood. I vent my anger at him by slapping on him. He was scared and started crying. Arthur came. Usually he will be scared but he was not.

He talked to Ben: Ben, calm down. Mom just want you to dress yourself.

He said it several times. My anger was gone. I went to hug him.

Ben was still after me complaining about his socks. I almost get angry again. Arthur was after him: Calm down, Ben. It is alright with that sock. Mom just want...

I was so surprised. Both my husband and I give him kudos at breakfast table.

He said that he learned this from his good news after school club. You calm down that person first, then try to solve the problem. He also learned in trust with god, kindness, be nice to enemy. He also has trust in budda too.

I was so deeply touched. I felt that I am so poor for not having much love in my heart. I have never been touched by the love from god like this before.

If Arthur asks me to go to church, and go to heaven with him. I think I will.

Kitchen

pot rack:
http://www.between3sisters.com/2010/07/how-to-install-in-cupboard-pot-rack.html

luxury vinyl tile:

19601 PARTHENIA, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324

8188856466

http://nafco.com/WheretoBuy/tabid/344/language/en-US/Default.aspx

http://evokeflooring.com/vinyl

Flashmob, President retired

I don't remember that I have danced after college. I am the one in the white.

President is really surprised. Everyone is so happy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsEDUGiuQfo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Marine Labs in LA

Arthur loves sea life. I am planning a day trip for his 7th birthday.

http://www.lacorps.org/sealab.php#visit

http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/

http://www.mobilemarinelab.com/

Cabrillo High School Aquarium: http://cabrilloaquarium.org/

UCLA Ocean Discovery Center

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

positive psychology

哈佛大学开放课程：幸福课

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WiS8CgYm8M&feature=related

Arthur's first week on campus

In order to save $380 per week, I dropped Arthur off and have him stay on campus.

His dad somehow picked him up earlier than usual. He took him home, then went to do yard work. Arthur just watched pokeman.

Tuesday is a banked day. Student was released at 1:30. Arhur went to a free bible afterschool until 3, then go to auditorium to practice flute. He ends up asked me a lot of questions about what is God, is he alive and so on. I have to tell him about budda. I am not a faithful buddist, but have to tell him all about it so he won't become a stubborn christian.

On Wednesday, it was rainning heavily. It is so hard to convince myself not to pick him up from his school. there is a shelter, there are a lot of other kids, he got to get used to this kind of life, grow up.....It turned out that I was worried too much. At the time when my husband picked him up, all kids are in a big room watching TV.

On Thursday, he went to luklele class and somehow finished part of the homework.

I am pretty happy with his first week. He is asking me to pick him up later today, which is a good sign.

ZT:教你如何轻松宴请老外

http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/cooking/1082430.html

无论吃辣和不吃辣的都喜欢的菜 （家里有的干货的话，可以在炒菜时加很少一点， 如2个木耳，2个香菇，这样还可以增加一点颜色） 热炒：西兰花炒牛肉等各种蔬菜炒牛肉，土豆肉丝，鱼香肉丝，木须肉， 豆豉西芹抄猪肉丁， 芹菜豆腐干炒肉丝， 面筋塞肉，豇豆肉末，肉末炒毛豆，蚂蚁上树，各种烤排骨，西宁鸡，宫保鸡丁，虾仁海鲜煲，西芹炒虾仁，水晶虾仁等 蔬菜类：拍黄瓜，蒜泥西兰花（等各种蒜泥炒蔬菜），鱼香茄子，地三鲜，拌海带 点心类：饺子，春卷，炸鸡腿，虾肉烧卖，珍珠丸子，荷叶糯米鸡 米饭类：炒米粉，炒面和各种蛋炒饭，但不要做汤面，老外不会吃。

Old tile of Bathroom

It took me 4 months to remove the dirty carpet in our bathroom! What surprised us is that there was old tile under it, even it only covers half the floor, and got damaged with carpet installation, still, it is tile.

I tried to clean the tile, no good result:

http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&Id=1036199&page=3
baking soda,borax,hot water 1：1：1, stay 10 minutes

How to install tile over wood subfloor
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/flooring/tile/prep1/cement_backer.htm

Installing Tile Over a Wood Subfloor
http://www.todayshomeowner.com/installing-tile-over-a-wood-subfloor/

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/living-room-decorating-2009

Mirror with wide frame
 http://www.michaelandjana.com/2011_07_01_archive.html

Vintage bathroom pic:
http://retrorenovation.com/2012/09/05/terrific-bathroom-tiling-ideas-from-12-reader-bathrooms/

http://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/27/retro-bathroom-tile-in-reader-bathrooms-upload-your-photos-this-weekend/#ixzz24OfUDKXD

tips of pink bathroom

http://retrorenovation.com/2009/10/02/10-tips-to-tone-down-your-pink-bathroom/

a master

http://retrorenovation.com/2013/01/28/vintage-pink-master-bedroom-remodel-combining-vintage-modern-save-1400/

another one:
http://retrorenovation.com/2011/06/21/janice-adds-a-pink-bathroom-to-her-mid-century-house/

clean:
http://retrorenovation.com/category/faq-2/cleaning-old-bathrooms-kitchens/ 

Paint:
Benjamin Moore Lacey Pearl


===

60th bathroom

http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2010/10/still-stuck-in-60s-that-may-not-be-bad.html

mixed tile:
http://www.modwalls.com/looseglassmosaictile.aspx


==============

clean:
oxyclean  , Mr. Clean Magic Eraser,
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/steamcleangrout#.UeW8yG1t6s8
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/getting-tile-grout-clean-120643 



local tile store
http://retrorenovation.com/2012/07/16/12-places-to-find-4-x-4-ceramic-bathroom-tile-in-vintage-colors/

她带着毫无血缘关系的孤儿去留学

http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=331&ID=1030779

邹晓晶，山东渚城人，1992年考入清华大学机电工程系，1999年获得硕士学位，同年因成绩优异被美国佛罗里达州立大学录取攻读博士。但从她接到录取通知书到真正踏上赴美留学之路，却整整拖了一年的时间，而且险些丧失了这个赴美深造的大好机会，而这一切，竟然都是为了一个素不相识的来自贵阳的毫无血缘关系的孤儿…… 　　一 　　1995年寒假过后，邹晓晶得到通知，自己已经被保送攻读本校的硕士研究生。这样，她就可以省下准备考研复习的时间，到外面打点工，挣点钱，让父母喘口气。邹晓晶来自山东诸城农村的一个家庭，家境贫寒，父母供养几个孩子读书，非常吃力。 　　事实上，邹晓晶从1992年考入清华大学无线电系就一直没有间断勤工俭学。她在学校的收发室帮忙分拣邮件。 　　就在邹晓晶知道自己被保送研究生的那几天里，她在分拣邮件的时候很意外地发现了一封没头没脑的来信。信封上用铅笔歪歪扭扭地写着清华大学餐厅，爸爸收。也没有落款，笔迹非常稚嫩，好像是出自一个小学生的手。看邮戳，是从贵阳寄来的。这分明是一封死信，也就是说，不可能投递，也没有办法退回，只能交邮局处理了。但信封上歪歪扭扭的字迹却让邹晓晶心里一动，她拆开了信封，希望能找到一点投递的线索。 　　信是写在香烟盒的锡箔纸背面的 　　爸爸，你好，我是你的儿子冬子，你不要我了吗?你走了之后，姐姐很快也走了，我现在在白菜街要饭吃，总是被人打，你快来节(接)我吧，我活不下去了。上个月我给饭店的老板刷碗，他说我刷得不干净，用榔头敲我的头，现在头还发晕，我还给他看小孩，我看着看着就睡着了，他脱下鞋底就打我的脸，爸爸我真的活不下去了，你快来节(接)我吧，我能给你搓麻绳，给你卷旱烟。 　　邹晓晶看了这封信，心一下子就揪紧了。她把信拿到宿舍跟同学们一起商量，分头到学校各个餐厅去打听有没有从贵阳来的人，谁的儿子叫冬子，一个星期过去了，却没有任何线索。有两个老家在贵阳的厨师，说贵阳根本没有“白菜街”这个地方。 　　邹晓晶觉得又是奇怪又是失望，她到书店买来一本贵州省地图册，翻开贵阳市区图，真的怎么也找不到什么“白菜街”。她又给贵阳的114查号台打电话，查白菜街街道办事处的电话，人家答复她根本就没有这个地名。 　　1996年4月初，毕业生实习的时间到了。邹晓晶已经被保送读研，不需要参加毕业实习和论文设计。原本可以利用这些时间到外面兼职多挣点钱的，邹晓晶自愿报名去边远地区参加论文设计，在申请表实习去向一栏，邹晓晶认认真真地填写了两个字“贵阳”。


二 　　邹晓晶选择贵阳有两个原因，一则，贵阳是我国大型机电企业和科研机构集中的地方。再则，她对那封信和“冬子”还是念念不忘。她猜想“白菜街”肯定是一条特别小的巷子，所以大家都不知道，但只要有这个地方，到了贵阳肯定就可慢慢打听。 　　邹晓晶到贵阳之后，先去实习的单位报到，然后马上到处打听“白菜街”这个地方。很多在贵阳生活了一辈子的老人听了这个名字都感到很茫然。她又去市政府地名办公室查阅资料，包括贵阳几个郊县，都没有“白菜街”这条街道。邹晓晶彻底失望了。 　　有一天，她正在车间实习的时候，偶然听见旁边的工友对另一个人开玩笑说：“你有本事到白菜街去撒野啊。”邹晓晶一听，心里一动，赶紧拉住那个工友问“你说的白菜街在什么地方啊？”那位工友笑着说：“其实没有白菜街这个地方。我们贵阳的小伙子有句俗话：‘城东的小伙帅，城西的小伙呆，城南的小伙人人爱，城北的小伙是烂白菜’，这条白菜街呢，就在城北。” 　　邹晓晶一听，又惊又喜，马上打车直奔城北。 　　一下车，邹晓晶马上就体会出了这里为什么叫做“白菜街”街道上污水横流，路边堆着垃圾，苍蝇四下飞舞，路边的民房都是破旧不堪。邹晓晶逐门逐户地去打听，冬子从小就有点痴呆，小学还没上完就退学在家。父母都不喜欢他，而且经常因为这个孩子争吵，三年前冬子的父母离婚，谁也不想要他。冬子的爸爸到北京打工，据说后来在清华园开了一家餐厅，寄回来200元钱后。再也没了消息。去年冬子的妈妈跟别人跑掉了，把冬子孤零零地扔在了白菜街。最初的时候大家都可怜他，还给他吃的穿的，后来邻居们发现这个孩子偷东西，就不再管他了，那封没头没脑的信是一个刚上二年级的小孩子帮他写的。 　　自告奋勇领路的人将邹晓晶带到了一个破旧的院落里，冲着里面大声喊“冬子，你爹叫人来接你了。” 　　院子里堆满了鸡毛和鸡的内脏，一个瘦骨伶仃的小孩呆呆地站在院子中间，肩膀上扛着一个竹筐，里面满满的都是死鸡。听见有人叫他，又看见邹晓晶走了进来，呆住了。邹晓晶一看孩子瘦成那样，心里一阵酸楚。她上去拉住孩子的手说：“冬子，你爸爸让我看你来了。” 　　她把冬子带回自己实习的工厂宿舍，先给他打了一份饭，看着他狼吞虎咽的样子，邹晓晶心里更难过了。接着又让孩子去洗澡，换上一身新衣服，仔细一看，其实还是一个长得蛮清秀的孩子呢。



三 　　在这段时间里，邹晓晶除了在车间实习，把全部时间和精力都放在了冬子身上，她带着冬子去逛商场，去游乐园，去动物园看老虎，似乎要把冬子遭遇到的这些不幸都弥补过来。每当冬子问起什么时候去看爸爸，邹晓晶就说“等姐姐实习完了再说，你爸爸在一个很远的地方等着你呢。”看着孩子开心的笑脸，邹晓晶自己也觉得非常幸福，至少，自己没有猜错那封信。 　　孩子是找到了，可是孩子的未来怎么办呢，为了给孩子一个稳定的前途，邹晓晶又奔波于各个部门之间。她先找民政局，希望政府能收养冬子，但民政局说冬子又不是孤儿，他的父母都在，再说，福利院经费紧，收养手续也很严格。邹晓晶一着急，就去公安局反映说冬子的父母有遗弃罪嫌疑，把孩子扔在街头不管。就在公安局里，她意外地得到了另一个让她更为震惊的消息早在半年前，北京警方就曾经致函贵阳公安局，请求协助通缉冬子的爸爸，原来冬子的爸爸干餐厅经营不善破产，走上贩毒的道路。 　　路路断绝，怎么办?自己一个学生，连自己都养不活，怎能养活另外一个人，并且又是这样的一个人，冬子不知道钱是什么，去超市的时候，如果饿了，伸手拿了就往嘴里塞。别人冲他要钱，他就任凭人家随便拿多少，原来想先找到孩子，慢慢再为他找到爸爸，现在爸爸没可能找到了，邹晓晶又不忍心将这样的孩子抛回白菜街。 　　还没等邹晓晶想好，实习时间已经结束了。1996年5月中旬，邹晓晶领了实习鉴定书，反复考虑之后，邹晓晶把身上还剩下的几百块钱都塞到冬子口袋里，坐公共汽车把冬子送到白菜街车站，告诉冬子说：“你在这儿等我一会儿，我去去就来。”冬子好像发觉了什么，沉默着点点头，没说话，邹晓晶赶紧转身就走，就像干了什么坏事似的。



回到宿舍，邹晓晶收拾行李，再有两个小时就要登上回北京的特快列车了。这时候天色已晚，街上华灯初上，邹晓晶觉得脸上一阵阵地发烫，心神不安地走来走去。她似乎看见在昏暗的路灯下，冬子正在一个人孤零零地站着，爸爸抛弃了他，妈妈抛弃了他……想到这里，邹晓晶心里痛苦极了，她匆匆打车，直奔白菜街，在渐渐深重的夜色里，冬子还在沉默地等待着，邹晓晶一把把孩子揽在怀里，禁不住泪如雨下，她终于没有等到巨大的后悔侵袭之后，才知道未完成的心愿是一生中最大的一份礼物。 　　带着冬子回到北京，邹晓晶过了整整三年的不堪回首的艰难生活。 　　为了安排冬子，邹晓晶在学校附近租了间小小的民房，让冬子一个人住又不放心，就用帘子把屋子隔成两半，自己睡在外间的木板床上。冬子以前受的刺激太多，经常在梦中惊叫起来，她就赶紧起来，握住冬子的手说“没事没事，姐姐在呢。”房租，再加上冬子的生活费用，邹晓晶在收发室帮忙之外，又找了一份打扫楼梯的勤工俭学工作，每个月多出300元钱的收入，可以勉强把生活维持下去，懂事的冬子极力地帮着姐姐做家务，也不问爸爸去哪里了。有时候邹晓晶主动提起来，冬子反而说：“我没有爸爸，就跟着姐姐过。” 　　有一次邹晓晶正在背诵外语单词的时候，没想到冬子也跟着背诵了起来，而且吐字清晰，字正腔圆，邹晓晶很惊讶。她故意把其中的几个单词背错了，冬子也跟着背错了，邹晓晶想也许这孩子并不是天生的痴呆，就有了让孩子学习的念头，她找来一些初中阶段的语文课本，没想到冬子竟然过目不忘，很快就能倒背如流。邹晓晶带着孩子到医院检查，医生说“这孩子智力发育比较奇怪，记忆力出奇地好，但逻辑能力很低。这样的人如果好好培养绝对是人才。”这让邹晓晶又惊又喜



四 　　1999年3月初，喜讯传来，由于邹晓晶在参加电子对撞机实验中的出色表现，美国佛罗里达州立大学给邹晓晶提供了全额奖学金，让她赴美攻读博士研究生，但是在办理出国手续的时候，却出了麻烦。 　　1999年4月初，邹晓晶带着通知书和护照到美国驻华大使馆办理签证的时候，对方要求提供冬子与邹晓晶的直系亲属关系的公证，还要冬子在美国的经济担保。邹晓晶反复解释自己和冬子虽然不是直系亲属，但情况特殊，万难割舍。至于经济担保，自己的奖学金完全足够两个人的了。但签证官员不能同意。 　　1999年10月底，开学的时间已经过了，邹晓晶默默地放弃了留学的机会，在中关村找了份程序员的工作，每个月能拿到两千块钱。经济状况稍微改善之后，她又托人找关系让冬子进了一所学校，每天下班之后，邹晓晶做好饭，等着冬子放学回来，一如一个等待儿子的母亲，平静而祥和。 　　 1999年12月底，佛罗里达州立大学发现邹晓晶并未按时入学，感到很奇怪，就发函给清华大学，查询邹晓晶的情况，邹晓晶的导师欧阳教授本来以为邹晓晶已经到了美国，收到美国校方的函件后感到非常震惊，他四处打听邹晓晶的下落，在得知邹晓晶放弃了出国的机会，反而在国内干了个程序员的时候，非常严厉地批评了邹晓晶一顿。在听了邹晓晶对事情前因后果的述说后，白发苍苍的老教授不禁长叹了一声，你完全可以把孩子交给我和你师母啊。邹晓晶为难地说：“您那么大年纪了，我哪里忍心……”老教授说：“孩子，你没做错，这件事让我再想想办法。”


2000年2月份，在千禧年春节前夕，联合国教科文组织观察员戴维丝女士访问清华大学，在座谈会上，欧阳教授也应邀出席。在谈起中美留学生交流的时候，欧阳教授如实地解释了邹晓晶没能赴美的原因。 　　戴维丝女士听了惊讶万分，世界上竟有如此这般放弃留学的原因，她激动得一时无法自己。 　　2000年4月初，戴维丝女士寄来了亲笔签名的为冬子提供的经济担保书和一所华人中学的录取通知，扫清了冬子陪同赴美的一切障碍。邹晓晶给戴维丝女士写信表示极大的感谢，而戴维丝女士则在回信中恳切地说：“不是你要谢谢我，而是我要谢谢你，是你使我看到了一位中国知识女性的风度、尊严和一颗金子般的心灵，当你们抵达美国后，我乐意提供更多的帮助……” 　　2000年5月底，邹晓晶带着冬子，踏上了赴美留学之路。 　　（文/邢汶）

Benjamin got a new pic

Ben went to a birthday party over the weekend!

养了蚯蚓 ...

养了蚯蚓 ...
心血来潮，看了网上帖子，养了蚯蚓。本来以为每次做饭的时候有机垃圾立刻能处理，还没有味道，后来根本不是那么回事，有味道，招虫，吃的还特别少。老公嘲笑我，总算搬出去了。好处是不用怎么管。这次终于用上了。还要学学怎么养好些，让他们多吃多拉。

==========================================================

White fly doesn't like earthworm poop

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hibisc/msg0800594218289.html

See:

We don't use any of those things mentioned above BUT what we do use is an all natural, organic method that you may laugh at but it DOES WORK! What is it? Earthworm poop. Yep, simple ol' earthworm poop aka Earthworm Castings! :) A farmer even told me this! What to do…go out and get a huge bag of the earthworm castings and put cupfuls around your Hibiscus plants. Turn the soil over a bit around where you put the castings. Water away as usual. That's it! Somehow, the plant absorbs the 'stuff' and the nasty ol' White Flies don't like the way the Hibiscus tastes (I guess) anymore and won't lay eggs on it. Isn't that the craziest thing you've ever heard of?

Believe me, we have so many different Hibiscus in our backyard and had the most horrid case of White Fly you've ever seen. I would just get grossed out when I'd have to go and do any weeding under those Hibiscus 'trees' because I'd end up with that sticky webby stuff in my hair and there is probably nothing grosser than that. Eek! I use the castings ALL over the garden and let me tell you, White Fly is basically a thing of the past. My DH knows that I will always ask him to pick me up a few big bags of 'earthworm poop' for the garden, particularly if I notice even one teeny little White Fly around (our neighbors have Hibiscus and those WFs also love Plumeria). Trust me on this one. Truly.

PS: I mentioned this and an agricultural scientist said that yep, I was correct, that Earthworm castings is one of the best things to use as a systemic in helping to keep White Flies away. :)

Benjiamin is amost home alone

Benjamin was so easy to talk into this morning. He was so hungry so I prepared him a big meal for breakfast. He is convinced to stay home and wait for daddy to send him to school.

Arthur was upset since Ben doesn't even share a chicken nugget. I told him that I will take him to the donut store to get him a donut. This is like an adventure for him since we never do this before.

Then, hubby called me later. He said that he was ready to go when Ben run into the house from the yard, fully soaked, said he was playing either in the pool or next to the pool. He could be left home alone, could also be drown in that pool when my husband is still in bed or eating his breakfast caually!

How scary! I have to teach Ben to swim ASAP. And rule for the pool: never go there without notice an adult!

flowers and trees

The flowers that we are having:
1. what a surprise to see such a nice flower in our home! Pink Lady amaryllis. It is from South Africa desert, low maintainance.


a web site:
http://www.treepeonygarden.com/chinese/index-chns.htm


http://www.monrovia.com/design-inspiration/

http://www.sunset.com/garden/


========================

My wish list:
1. 白兰花 . 白兰花香花难养 How come I wish for such hard to raise flower?
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/fragrant/2005034256008093.html
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fragrant/msg0922421426491.html
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/fragrant/msg072318016968.html

2. while dutch clover
Outsidepride.com
http://www.ccerensselaer.org/Libraries/Hort_Lawn_Fact_Sheets/White_Clover.sflb

3. sweet olive trees

http://www.californiagardens.com/Lists/Tree_list.htm

4. temple garden:

http://www.templenursery.com/products.php?parentID=10&catID=1002&pg=1
Colima Nursery. 18002 Colima road Rowland Heights, CA 91748
http://sgnurserynews.com/site/about-us.php

5. trees
http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/fruit-tree/2260714.html

avacado: http://ucavo.ucr.edu/General/Answers.html#anchor417098

6. Dave's garden: http://davesgarden.com/

7. 100 plants for CA
http://blog.wenxuecity.com/myblog/36406/201202/7142.html

8. grass: http://www1.zoysiafarms.com/ordernow.jsp?#ordnow

9. Butterfly bush along the south wall
http://www.gardenguides.com/95388-plants-trees-against-hot-stucco-wall.html
http://www.laspilitas.com/groups/ceanothus/california_ceanothus.html
Butterfly bush: http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/buddavidiidwarfblue.htm
this is what I want: http://www.phillipoliver.net/sgbuddleiaalternifolia.htm
Order place: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/31/HOGRBJ48RM1.DTL
A nice pic: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/283056/
How to trim it into a tree: http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/extras/46buddlejastandard.php
http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jan/17/home/hm-9344
How to trim it: http://www.louistheplantgeek.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=329:buddleia-alternifolia-argentea&catid=4:a-gardening-journal&Itemid=6
slow: http://www.shopgi.com/doc/circus_leaves.htm


KARTUZ GREENHOUSES



1408 Sunset Drive, P.O. Box 790, Vista, CA 92085-0790; (760) 941-3613.



e-mail: mikekartuz@aol.com



This catalog offers a wide variety of rare flowering plants, including begonias, species gesneriads, passifloras and hoyas.



The company carries the Fragrant butterfly bush (Buddleia asiatica), which has long spikes of white flowers in winter and spring that give off an intensely sweet freesia-like fragrance that can perfume a large area.



There is also Monkey flower (Angelonia), including the 'Blue Pacific' selection that has violet blue and white flowers that resemble 1-inch pansies and smell like blueberries. In rare gesneriads, you'll find Chrysothemis 'Black Flamingo,' with clusters of bright yellow flowers marked red and dark, coppery, tapered leaves.


10. Should I have this? http://www.huaren.us/dispbbs.asp?boardid=337&Id=567106

more links: http://www.mitbbs.com/article_t2/gardening/30884341.html


http://matthew.hitechemall.com/garhvn/Gardening/VeggieGarden/TOC.htm

这个是养花养草的好网站
http://www.tahua.net/bbs/index.php

这个重庆的网站有不少有用的资料。
http://www.cqagri.gov.cn/veg/pf/


http://bbs.mychg.org/ 也不错

http://www.tahua.net/bbs/thread-199313-1-1.html
----------环保酵素 好像不错


老美的网站

精英种草族：
http://bestlawn.info/forum.html
我常去那里潜水，吸收大地之精华，日月之灵气。

花花草草：
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/


11. Nursary local:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/open-thread-38-10057

oops

===============
Oops

I was driving with two kids to YMCA to swim. I was cheerleading. "Boys, we got to learn swim this summer! This is our goal!"

"Yes, mom, you can teach me how to swim then I can teach my kids and Ben can teach my kids in the future." Said 6 years old Arthur.

"Oh, so how many kids you want?" Mom is so curious when my kids talked my future grandkids

"As many as my wife can have, I like girls and boys, both, since some girls do like me, like Shanshan, Richael, William's sister." Arthur said. I can't believe that he is talking about WIFE!

"So what kind of girl you will marry?" I gave up the expectation about he will marry me long time ago. Kids know very well that mom already married.

"I don't know yet."

"Ben, what kind of girl you will marry?" Mom want to know what her 4 year old boy.

"I don't like girls, I like boys!" Ben said it very firmly

Oops, my dear Benjamin! Better stop him earlier. "Ben, how can you marry boy? Have you seen two roosters together to make eggs, then hatch eggs into chicken?" We just got him his favorite pet.

Ben was silent, he really think about it while Arthur burst into loud laugh! "Haha, how can roosters have chicken!"

Then we make fun about chicken, eggs, rooster and hen.

=======
Arthur is a Poet and Philosopher

When I was little, you grow up
When I grow up, you get old
Within a breath, you pass away

Mom, I like you.
Even when I spank you, short at you, you still like me?
Yes, I still like you even I cried.
Why
When I cried, I was thinking.

============

Ben almost got drowned! I wasn't very nervous since I was just next to the pool, always keep an eye on both kids. I am more motivated to teach both to swim this summer

洛杉矶地板店

我老公导师上大学的时候的roomate在这里做医生，人家住beverley hill山上一个豪宅，业余爱好是木匠，做的东西都是艺术品。我们要装地板，他给我们推荐他的地板店，说多好多好。木匠推荐的木地板店，那肯定错不了。我们就怕价钱贵，不过还是让老板来家里看了看。老板是个神人，从埃及来的，ucla毕业去的传媒界，后来觉得升不上去就出来自己干。对木头特别热爱。He do hard wood floor import, and said that a lot of wood floor in LA is from his wholesale store. 来我们家也尽量给我们打算，帮我们选颜色什么的。大家要装地板可以去他店里看看。如果面积小，自己量了直接买了让他们装就好。面积大大概需要老板出马到你家。他家主要做实木进口批发，顺便其他的零碎小生意也都做。不过如果太小生意，人家大概也不愿意费太多时间。
JNJ Hardwood Floor Mnftr, 310-482-3718, 11844 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
Installer arranged by JNJ: Jose Perez, 323-610-6709, Angel Robles 323-496-4477

We are very satisfied with the installation. Reasonable materials left all for us. The boss said that two boxes will be extra. He is exactly right!

建议呢，装地板地毯请人来量之前自己先量，画好图，然后和来的人当面对一下，这样对大家都好。因为大家基本都是新手，地板要算出多余的尺寸，这个我们不知道，后来老板价钱出来了才知道。

Other two reference recommend by friends. We didn't go to these stores. Both friends said that they are satisfied as while:

1. Flooring 101 Micheal Soury 805-371-8877 (Phone) Hardwood floor installer:Name: Javier 818-674-7569 (cell phone)

2. Floor: http://www.inetflooring.com/ 18335 Bedford Circle, La Puente, CA 91744 Tel: 626-839-7598, Fax: 626-839-7698 e-mail: inetflooring@earthlink.net Ask for David. He is in charge of sales.

Deepclean carpet: Chem Dry Carpet Tech, http://www.cdcarpettech.com/ very satisfied with their service, 2 guys come with a van, coupon can be found in a lot of small books.

House Infor Summary

Pool Guy: Jonna Pool, Eric, 818-831-0755
Pool Man: http://www.spectrumpoolcare.com/

Gardening, ask for neighbor
Tree trimming: J and J Tree Service 818-784-8537
Book: how to prum a fruit tree from Arm Strong Garden Supply

Floor guy, installer: Jose Perez, 323-610-6709, Angel Robles 323-496-4477

Plumber:
Store: Larry & Jone's Plumbing Supplies, 8916 Corbin Ave, Northridge, (818)349-2540
Plumber: Green's 818-880-8847
Ruff and Ready Rooter, Dino, 818-775-0055, 818-439-3986

Curtain in Beijing: http://blog.wenxuecity.com/blogview.php?date=201104&postID=22492

Tile over plywood: http://www.dannylipford.com/installing-tile-over-a-wood-subfloor/

Decoration: http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/interior-design/page/37

Used Furniture: http://www.cort.com/furniture-clearance

Paint remover: infrared heat gun http://www.silentpaintremover.com/spr/comparisons.htm

Furniture: http://www.kohlerinteriors.com/baker/1_1_1_0_coll_aac.jsp

Home improvement: http://www.freewebs.com/opengatesfarmbedandbreakfast/apps/blog/categories/show/562187-home-improvement-renovation

Go husky go!

Uconn Husky men's basketball game won another national champ! Go husky go! We are so excited! Another good news is that my husband niece got admitted into a PHD program in UConn. Another PhD in the family!

ZT: 我为何断绝孩子的退路

http://bbs.wenxuecity.com/tzlc/299671.html

戴胜益给儿女的「留学须知」
(1) 顺利完成学业拿到文凭（成绩毋需太好，不能整天待在图书馆）。
(2) 英文要学到非常好，说、听、写自如（CNN懂90％以上）。
(3) 交很多外国朋友（各行业各年龄层均有）。
(4) 游遍全美国各州、各大城、各景点。
(5) 看遍NY 的所有歌剧、舞台剧、电影、博物馆、美术馆。
(6) 每日步行10,000步以上，养成每日运动的习惯。
(7) 在「安全保障」与「固定预算费用」下，极力扩大见闻与视野，千万不要储蓄。
(8) 深入当地一般人的生活领域。
(9) 开始练习理财，培养「让每分钱发挥最大效益的本事」。
(10) 培育第一流的公关技巧（让大家愿意接受你、信赖你、协助你）。
(11) 需熟读《Taiwan Today 》，以及寄去的经济资讯剪报，不能与台湾的经济圈脱节。
(12) 四年内务必完成以上事项，回台创业。

Arthur's first recital!

Arthur started private panio lessen since last Nov. He seems to be doing fine. Yesterday was his first recital. The whole family went to cheer him up in the heaviest rain! He played: Omacdonal, marry had little lamb, Ord of Joy. Seems to be fine. Dad will buy bay-blade for him as reward!

The music school he went to is famouse for Cello. Many Cello player we saw yesterday.

哥哥弟弟

哥哥6岁， 弟弟还有几个月就4岁了。现在打架比一起玩少多了。看他们一起玩，真是开心。 有一天回来，看到餐桌上添了很多划痕。我很生气，问谁干的。弟弟大声指责：“是哥哥！” 糊涂的哥哥居然想了想，说是他，反应过来才说不是他。我说，肯定是弟弟！弟弟说：“不是我，是桌子自己干的！” 爸爸妈妈都气得笑起来。 弟弟转头又说，桌子只有一个颜色，意思是他给桌子添颜色呢。 等打屁股的时候倒是爽快，我让他一边数有多少个划痕，我一边打屁股，25下，我手都有点疼，人家倒是很高兴的样子。

Princess Pullup. Benjamin is just a few months to four, and he is still having pullups at night! He said that it is pullup, not diaper, so he isn't a baby anymore, he is still a little boy. But he still wet his pullups almost everynight! He used a bag of toys story pullups soon after he came back from China. I went to costco to get another box. After we opened the box, we found out that it is PRINCESS pullups! My husband throw it to me, and said that it is my responsibility to have Ben wear it. Luckly, Ben just laughed at it. He still wets princess almost every night! I let the princess to kiss him once she is clean.

April 10,2011. Ben sat in the back while I was playing a disk in the car. Lyric: "If you never come back, my heart will break." "mom, why people's heart break?" "well, if you don't get close to me, don't love me, my heart will break." "Oh, then heart is made of glass, and it will break if I fall to the ground!"

哥哥: Arthur suddenly offered to help me clean the dishes, and make the table! It was March 7th, 2011. I was thrilled! He got two stars for doing that!

Mom got promoted: Before hubby left, Arthur said sadly: mom, you will be my only choice (no one will change battery and play dvd for him). He promoted me as his BEST choice soon after I got his first pet, and went to subway to take sandwich for dinner.