We’re about to get out and have summer fun with family all day, and I hope you do too, but first, just a quick little note on this fine, fine, Saturday. I woke up reminiscing about something special: My move to Rochester, which happened 5-years ago today.
Here I am with my sister (affectionally referred to as) Anniepants outside of my first apartment. She’s done cool things in the last 5 years too, like graduating high school, college, and going on to become a real-stinkin’-life cowgirl. You can read her blog too if you want.
My 5-year-iverssary also means that I started my first career-driven job 5 years ago tomorrow. Wowzers.
And totaled my Dad’s car 5 years ago from Tuesday. That’s a story for another day on another blog.
Anyways, I moved out of my parents home near Buffalo, NY and into my first post-college apartment on July 16th, 2006. It was 90-degrees, and the house beside the Memorial Art Gallery was un-air-conditioned, and nothing but gross and shady… as you’d expect all slumlord-owned last-minute-sublets to be. You see, I moved here quick-as-a-whip for my first real job that needed me to start pronto (the same gig that I left two months ago), so when it came to housing, I had to take what I could find. Luckily, I transitioned easily and I’m still friends with the girl who graciously took me in.
I also still have some of the random goodies I acquired in the short 1.5 months that I lived there. A dresser (that I rehabbed + really need to rehab once more), a floor lamp (that still stands in my living room), and a sweet little Jade plant that was in much need of a home.
I even found a photo of the Jade, circa February 2007, at which time I had been caring for the plant for nearly 6 months.
Aside from ambitiously-achieved advances and changes in living situations, this little plant is the best literal measure of my Rochester life. So, I made it a growth chart in documentation of its advancement.
When I installed the open shelving in the kitchen last December, the plant in its white IKEA pot was short enough to fit underneath the shelves, which is how I so easily recall its recent growth spurt, if you call 2″ over 7 months a spurt. The new branch was a surprise growth from last spring. So cute, I just want to pinch it’s rubbery little leaves.
I do wonder how tall it’ll grow and whether or not it will widen out at any point. I’d like to see it grow to be 3 feet wide by 3 feet tall, and I’m putting no limits on it’s abilities (just like the friends and coworkers who took me under their wing 5 years ago), so maybe I’ll really get to observe it in that state… by the time I’m 70.
Happy Saturday.
3 Comments
Just came on your site from the DIYnetwork spot about your cushions for the patio chairs. I started looking around and felt compelled to ask about your Jade plant. I too became a caretaker of someone else’s Jade.
I have had terrific success with it and have shared it’s Children with many friends.
My Question is- ” What soil are you using?”
If you are not using a cactus soil then I suggest you try it. Plus let the soil dry up before watering. Jade is a succulent so it loves to get dry. It would do well to put it outside in a morning sunny spot but don’t let it get sunburned. I think you will find a happier Jade in your future. Best of luck on your New House.
Cactus soil, you say? I owe the Jade a healthy replant, and I will absolutely keep this tip in mind. Thank you!
Girl, that Jade is not growing. It’s stretching out for the sun. Jade plants are supposed to be compact, not leggy like that.