Hi everyone! We are back today with our random Tuesday Thoughts. It’s the first one of the year.
I mentioned in my goals post that I wanted to break down my cleaning to daily tasks. I have been following Clean Mamma since last year, and this year I am really trying to do the daily task. A reader even recommended her, so if you have a chance, go check her out. I do have a new product that I am LOVING that is helping with my cleaning routine.
Yankee bought the Dyson V7 Motorhead for me. Oh, I had no idea I would love a vacuum as much as I do. This is a cordless stick vacuum that also acts like a dust buster, and it has power. I can now do a quick sweep of the kitchen and mudroom area super fast. Just doing that little task makes things already seem cleaner. Our old dust buster didn’t have much power and couldn’t reach the tough spots. This does it all. I really can’t stop talking about this vacuum.
Another thing I am loving is this sunscreen. I wear sunscreen daily, but I never feel it has a high enough SPF. I have always liked La Roche-Posay, and I have heard great things about their Anthelios 50. Well, I ended up getting one with a primer in the sunscreen. Love it. I usually use a primer on its own, but now this has the primer. Plus, the sunscreen is not greasy. It is now a daily addition to my skincare morning routine.
This book The Legacy of Luna has been out for years, but I just recently read it. It was a great read about a lady who spent two years living in a tree. I can’t even imagine. If you are looking for a new book suggestion, I say give this one a go.
Do you remember that we usually do a fun Christmas card? We try to play off of something fun that was popular or news worthy during the year. If you want to see the previous years, click here. Well, we were struggling this year, but we finally came up with an idea. Our card turned into a New Years card. On the back we said, “Sorry our family is interrupting your New Year.” We thought you might enjoy seeing it. If you are not sure what it this is about, it is the viral video of children interrupting their father while he was doing a BBC interview. Click here to see the video. If you haven’t seen it, go watch. It is hilarious! I crack up laughing every time I see it. Little Miss watched the video with us and really got into character. It was fun for the whole family.
We hit an exciting milestone this weekend! If you follow us on Instagram, then you saw it in our stories. Little Miss has learned to ride her pedal bike. We had a balance bike waiting for Little Miss when she came home from Thailand, and she has always enjoyed riding it. A balance bike is a bike without the pedals. It teaches children about balance on a bike, gets them used to the sensation of two wheels, and how to stay up. For her birthday she asked for a pink bike with pedals. She got a Minnie Mouse pink bike with pedals that came with training wheels, but we never used the training wheels. (This is the Minnie helmet she is wearing.) Back when I lived in Hawaii, I worked for a nonprofit and taught biking and bike safety to children all over Oahu. It was an amazing job. I also ended up teaching a lot of children how to ride their bikes, and I learned that balance is the hard part to learn – not pedaling. So, I told myself not to add training wheels to a bike and use a balance bike instead. For a little bit, Little Miss practiced pedaling, and I helped her stay upright. The other day the pedaling clicked with her. I let go of her bike, and she was off. She had the biggest smile I have ever seen on her. She was so proud, and I will never forget it. She has coaster brakes, and she is still figuring them out, but she is riding!!!
Now, I need your help. See this tree. Well, it is dying. We have had it in our dining room for two years, and now it is not looking great. I haven’t changed doing anything except I gave it a haircut and cut off all the dead leaves. Now what? Any suggestions? I would love to hear your suggestions. I do not recall what type of plant it is, but I hate to lose it. So please any trips or tricks you have. I am all ears.
Cheers!
Jenny Young says
I love your card!
Does your plant need to be repotted? The roots may have outgrown the pot it’s in.
Jordan says
Jenny,
This is also a possibility that I didn’t think of till Y’all mentioned it. Looks like I have a little project coming up!
Katie Brock says
It looks like your tree may be a type of Dracaena. I have some too. They do not like to be over watered so make sure the tree is well drained and the soil is fairly dry before watering again. Also, I found out the hard way Dracaena don’t do well with chlorine or fluoride…which is most likely in your city water. It can cause the leaves to turn yellow and brown on the ends. Might be worth trying rainwater or bottled.
Jordan says
Katie,
Sounds like you have a green thumb! I am now realizing I am giving it too much water and tap water. I will try your tip with different water. Thank you!!!
Jordan says
Katie, it seems the vote is that I am overwatering! Eeeeek!!!
Rita C at Panoply says
Haha, I thought your last statement was a play on words….”I am all ears”, Your plant is a dracaena, commonly known as a corn plant. đ Looks like it needs repotted and/or perhaps getting too much water (root rot).
Jordan says
Rita,
Thank you so much for letting me know what plant it is. I am totally guilty of the overwatering since I thought that was maybe the issue, it wasn’t getting enough water. That play on words was a total accident.
Kathy says
I love your Christmas cards! I know your friends look forward to getting them! My husband also gave me a cordless vacuum. He looked a bit nervous as I opened it. One of the best gifts ever! Lol!
Jordan says
Kathy, we love coming up with something creative each year, and yes, our friends love it. Our grandmas never get the joke, though, so we have to explain it to them.
Joan says
You have a âcorn plantâ draceana. Looks like too much water in a root bound pot. I would repot it and be careful itâs not over watered. They like to be dry between waterings. . Perhaps give it a shot of fertilizer about 1-2 weeks after repotting. It will bounce back. Also I would fill a watering pot with water and let it sit out over night before watering it. Good luck!
Jordan says
Joan, thank you from both me and the plant. It wants to live!!!
Laurie says
That Christmas/New Year’s card is hilarious! I loved looking at the fun themes you have done over the years. What fun. The plant probably needs to be repotted in a larger pot with fresh soil (to provide room for growing roots and fresh nutrients. But what do I know, I killed a potted Fica tree within a few months of having it. Then again, I had the same philodendron for over 20 years.
Donnamae says
I love your New Years card! As far as the plant..I agree…repot. As far as the water goes….you can use tap water…just let it sit out for 24 hrs. before watering…the chlorine will dissipate. Plants in general, use less water during the winter months….something to keep in mind. Enjoy your day! đ